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Cold acclimation is a critical physiological adaptation for coping with seasonal cold. By increasing their cold tolerance individuals can remain active for longer at the onset of winter and can recover more quickly from a cold shock. In insects, despite many physiological studies, little is known about the genetic basis of cold acclimation. Recently, transcriptomic analyses in Drosophila virilis and D. montana revealed candidate genes for cold acclimation by identifying genes upregulated during exposure to cold. Here, we test the role of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (Inos), in cold tolerance in D. montana using an RNAi approach. D. montana has a circumpolar distribution and overwinters as an adult in northern latitudes with extreme cold. We assessed cold tolerance of dsRNA knock-down flies using two metrics: chill-coma recovery time (CCRT) and mortality rate after cold acclimation. Injection of dsRNAInos did not alter CCRT, either overall or in interaction with the cold treatment, however it did induced cold-specific mortality, with high levels of mortality observed in injected flies acclimated at 5˚C but not at 19˚C. Overall, injection with dsRNAInos induced a temperature-sensitive mortality rate of over 60% in this normally cold-tolerant species. qPCR analysis confirmed that dsRNA injection successfully reduced gene expression of Inos. Thus, our results demonstrate the involvement of Inos in increasing cold tolerance in D. montana. The potential mechanisms involved by which Inos increases cold tolerance are also discussed.
The indoor thermal history of residents in the hot summer and cold winter climate zone in China have undergone a significant change in recent years, which also changes their seasonal thermal adaptations and this has formed feed-back effects to the increasing usage of air conditioning units in this area. To study the seasonal variations of thermal adaptation, the thermal comfort experiments were conducted on two groups of participants. Each groups included 20 participants who had indoor history mainly with natural ventilation (NV group) and air-conditioning (AC group), respectively. The results demonstrated that the thermal sensation vote (TSV) in warm environments did not differ between AC and NV subjects in summer. However, the TSV of AC subjects were much lower than that of NV subjects in the same standard effective temperature and skin temperature in a cold environment in winter. Overall, the participants who spent most of their time in AC space in winter showed a low level of thermal adaptation with a narrower acceptable skin temperature range of 32.6 – 33.5 °C. Thus, this study presents the basic information regarding the seasonal effects on human thermal adaptation due to different long-term indoor thermal histories.
Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine the amount of cold exposure and factors affecting it at the population level in Finland, to determine what type of cold acclimatisation, if any, develops in urban residents in winter, and to find out whether cold acclimatisation or acclimation has a functional significance on psychological or physical performance. Tasks of low physical activity requiring attention and concentration (cognition, postural control) were assessed in cold. In a cross-sectional population study Finns aged from 25 to 74 years (n=6,951) were queried of their wintertime outdoor exposure duration and factors affecting it. In experimental studies seasonal cold acclimatisation (thermal responses) and its effect on cognition were assessed in the laboratory, where 15 young urban subjects were exposed to cold in winter and summer in bright or dim light. A controlled cold acclimation trial (n=10) was performed to study the effects of repeated exposures to cold on cognitive performance and postural control in young urban subjects. In the Finnish population the average amount of cold exposure in winter represents 4% of the total time. Most of the cold exposure occurs during leisure time and in outdoor occupations (agriculture, forestry, mining, industry, construction). Factors explaining increased occupational cold exposure were: occupation, age and a lesser amount of education. Factors associated with more leisure-time cold exposure were: being employed in outdoor occupations, being a pensioner, housewife, unemployed, practising physical exercise, and reporting at least average health. The experimental studies showed seasonal differences and aggravated thermal responses in urban residents in winter, but did not detect habituation responses typical of cold acclimatisation. In both seasons, acute moderate cold exposure resulted in positive, negative or mixed effects on cognition, reflected as changes in response times and accuracy. Simple cognitive tasks were impaired in cold, and in complex tasks both negative, positive and mixed effects were observed. It is suggested that cold exposure affects cognition through different mechanisms related to either distraction or arousal. Cold exposure increased postural sway by 70–90%, suggesting impaired postural control. Repeated exposures to moderate cold, reducing stress and discomfort and dampening physiological responses, did not markedly affect cognitive performance or postural control.
Research on Cold War has often been considered to a separate research paradigm and has thus been given the same of Cold War Studies. There are journals, research centers and institutions in the western countries many of which were born already during the Cold War. The Cold War was a western paradigm that was partly adopted in the socialist countries during the Cold War, but mainly as a concept outside scholarly research. Cold War studies used to be very political by nature, concentrating on international politics, high-level diplomacy and military affairs. But since the end of the Cold War, drastic changes have taken place in the field. Culture and social approaches that were hardly even in the margins within the Cold War studies have quickly transformed the whole field. One of the important factors for this was the opening of borders and access to primary sources that had remained closed for most researchers throughout the Cold War. This change is well reflected in the articles of this volume.
Riittämätön kylmänkestävyys rajoittaa monien kasvilajien viljelyä Suomessa. Tämä artikkeli käsittelee suomalaisia pelto- ja puutarhakasvien talvehtimiseen ja kylmänkestävyyteen liittyviä tutkimuksia. Perinteisesti talvenkestäviä lajikkeita on valittu jalostusaineistosta pitkäaikaisten kenttäkokeiden perusteella. Sittemmin on kehitetty laboratoriossa tehtäviä kylmänkestävyystestejä nopeuttamaan ja tehostamaan valintaa. Viime vuosina tutkimus on lisäksi pyrkinyt selvittämään peltokasvien karaistumisen ja kylmävaurioiden taustalla olevia molekyylitason mekanismeja. Tässä artikkelissa käsitellään peltokasveista syysviljoja, nurmia, apilaa, perunaa sekä rypsiä. Puu-tarhakasveista mukana ovat omena, mansikka, vadelma, herukat, mustikka, tyrni, yrtit sekä koristepuut ja pensaat. Niiden osalta käsitellään talvehtimishavaintojen ja lajikevalinnan lisäksi viljelytoimenpiteiden vaikutusta talvenkestävyyteen. Kontrolloidut kylmätestit ovat mahdollistaneet myös puutarhakasvien kylmänkestävyysmekanismien tarkemman tutkimuksen.
Ympäristön lämpötila vaikuttaa suuresti eliöiden selviytymiseen, kasvuun ja lisääntymiseen. Hyönteiset voivat olla herkkiä ilmastossa tapahtuville muutoksille, koska niiden toimintakyky riippuu paljon ympäristön lämpötilasta. Hyönteisten erilaisten lämpötilojen sietämiseen liittyvät strategiat käsittävät elinkiertopiirteisiin, käyttäytymiseen ja fysiologiaan liittyviä ominaisuuksia, joista monet voivat muuttua geneettisen sopeutumisen ja/tai fenotyyppisen plastisuuden myötä. Tutkielmassani selvitin hyönteisten kuumuuden- ja kylmyydensietokykyä käyttäen tutkimuslajeina kahta lähisukuista mahlakärpäslajia, Drosophila montanaa ja D. flavomontanaa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteina oli selvittää kärpästen kuumuuden- ja kylmyydensietokyvyn lajienvälistä ja -sisäistä muuntelua sekä tutkia kylmäakklimoinnin vaikutusta lajien kylmyydensietokykyyn. Lisäksi tutkin, kuinka hyönteisten lämpötilatoleranssin mittaamisessa käytetyt ominaisuudet korreloivat keskenään, koska korrelaatiot voivat antaa viitteitä eri mittojen taustalla olevista fysiologisista mekanismeista. Lajien kuumuuden- ja kylmyydensietokyky selvitettiin mittaamalla kärpästen kriittinen lämpötilamaksimi, kriittinen lämpötilaminimi ja kylmähorroksesta toipumiseen kuluva aika. Tutkitut kärpäset olivat peräisin kärpäslinjoista, joiden perustajanaaraat oli kerätty eri puolilta Kalliovuorten aluetta Kanadasta ja Yhdysvalloista. Tulosten mukaan D. montanalla oli keskimäärin parempi kuumuuden- ja kylmyydensietokyky kuin D. flavomontanalla, ja mitatuissa ominaisuuksissa oli myös lajinsisäistä muuntelua. D. montana -naarailla oli keskimäärin parempi kuumuudensietokyky kuin lajin koirailla, kun taas D. flavomontanalla naaraiden ja koiraiden kuumuudensietokyvyissä ei ollut eroa. Kummallakaan lajilla ei löytynyt merkitsevää eroa naaraiden ja koiraiden kylmyydensietokyvyssä. Lisäksi tulosteni mukaan kummankin lajin kärpästen kylmyydensietokyky parani kylmäakklimoinnin seurauksena. D. flavomontanalla kriittisen lämpötilamaksimin ja kylmähorroksesta toipumiseen kuluvan ajan välillä oli merkitsevä negatiivinen korrelaatio, mutta muilta osin mitatut lämpötilatoleranssiominaisuudet eivät korreloineet keskenään merkitsevästi. Tutkimuksen tulokset tukivat aiempia tutkimustuloksia, joiden mukaan D. montana on hyvin kylmänkestävä Drosophila-laji. Lisäksi tämä tutkimus valotti vähemmän tutkitun lajin, D. flavomontanan, kuumuuden- ja kylmyydensietokykyyn liittyviä ominaisuuksia. Ymmärtääksemme miten eliöt reagoivat nopeasti muuttuviin ilmasto-olosuhteisiin, tarvitaan tietoa lajien lämpötilojen sietokykyyn liittyvistä strategioista. Tämä tutkimus selvitti näitä strategioita kahdella viileille alueille levinneellä hyönteislajilla.
The objective of this thesis was to propose actions to improve the outbound cold chain management of the temperature sensitive IVD reagent products in the case company. The products manufactured in the case company’s factory are distributed worldwide. Controlling all steps and procedures in the supply chain on a sufficient level can be challenging and improvement opportunities have been recognised in the current process. The research approach is design research applying qualitative methods. This study included four stages. At first the current order to delivery process was analysed from cold chain perspective together with the subject matter experts. As a result, the strengths and weaknesses of the current process were identified. In the second phase the existing literature was reviewed in order to find best practices and solutions to tackle the identified weaknesses. The conceptual framework of the thesis was created based on the improvement ideas gathered from the literature. The initial recommendations for improvement of the current process were co-created with the applicable key stakeholders in the third phase. In the fourth phase feedback for the initial proposal was requested from the selected managerial level decision makers and the final proposal was formed based on their comments. As an outcome of this thesis the improvement recommendations for the case company’s cold chain management process are proposed. The implementation of the final proposal provides the opportunity to develop the current process and have better control of transportation. This study provides practical solutions for the case company to improve the current cold chain management procedures. Controlling the cold chain of the critical products ensures the product quality is maintained also during transportation. It prevents temperature excursions and decreases the risk of the financial loss for the manufacturer. Maintaining the cold chain provides protection to the patient.
Tämän insinöörityön tarkoituksena oli suunnitella ja toteuttaa Vakava Technologies Oy:lle ns. passiivinen kylmälaatikko, joka toimii ilman ulkoista virtaa mahdollistaen kylmäkuljetukset hankaliin kohteisiin. Suunnitteluun kuului kylmälaatikon olemuksen suunnittelu ja piirustusten tekeminen, laitteen kylmäkoneiston ja putkituksen suunnittelu sekä materiaalien ja valmistustekniikoiden arviointi. Työhön sisältyi myös yhteistyö teollisen muotoilun kanssa. Teollisesta muotoilusta vastasi Otso Lindfors. Työhön ei sisältynyt laitteen elektroniikan suunnittelua. Suunnittelussa käytettiin Catia-mallinnusohjelmaa. Kylmälaatikon toiminta perustuu kuivajäähän (hiilidioksidijää), jota koneeseen ladataan vaihdettavilla kylmäkaseteilla. Näistä kaseteista haihtuvan kylmän hiilidioksidin virtausta säädellään venttiilillä, ja näin laatikon sisälämpötilaa pystytään säätämään tarkasti. Insinöörityön tuloksena saatiin kylmälaatikosta mallinnettua toimiva kolmiulotteinen malli, jonka pohjalta saatiin laadittua piirustukset laatikon prototyyppiä varten. Työtä tai sen osia tullaan käyttämään osana laitteen sertifikointiprosessia.
By EST sequencing we identified 2866 different genes from a cold induced cDNA library from the British winter oat variety Gerald (see other abstract by Bräutigam et al). Among these there are several genes similar to cold and/or drought-induced genes previously identified in rice, wheat, rye, barley and Arabidopsis. More than 100 genes encoded putative transcription factors. Of particular importance for the regulation of cold acclimation is the CBF transcription factor family genes, which have important regulatory roles in the cold signalling pathway. In all CBF proteins analysed so far, a characteristic AP2-binding domain has been found. This interacts with a DRE/CRT regulatory element and activates transcription of downstream cold and dehydration responsive genes. Four CBF factor sequences were found in the oat EST collection, belonging to at least 2 different gene families. A full-length cDNA clone from one such gene, denoted AsCBF1, was isolated and sequenced. This revealed a 909 bp long open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative protein of 303 aa that contain an AP2-binding domain. By semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis we showed that expression of the AsCBF1 gene was induced already 30 minutes after cold induction at +4oC. By chromosomal walking an additional 457 bp upstream of the AsCBF1 translational start codon was isolated. A TATAA-box was then found as well as several other potential regulatory elements including a Myc-recognition site. These elements will now be further characterised both in vitro and in vivo. CBF genes will also be used as genetic engineering tools to develop more cold tolerant oat.
With an increasingly growing demand for natural resources, the Arctic region has become an attractive area, holding about 15% of world oil. Ice shrinkage caused by global warming encourages the development of offshore and ship-building sectors. Russia, as one of the leading oil and gas production countries is participating actively in cold resistant materials research, since half of its territory belongs to the Arctic environment, which held considerable stores of oil. Nowadays most Russian offshore platforms are located in the Sakhalin Island area, which geographically does not belong to the Arctic, but has com-parable environmental conditions. Russia recently has manufactured several offshore platforms. It became clear that further development of the Arctic off-shore structures with necessary reliability is highly depending on the materials employed. This work pursues the following objectives: to provide a comprehensive review on Russian metals used for Arctic offshore structures on the base of standards, books, journal articles and companies reports to overview various Arctic offshore structures and its structural characteristics briefly discuss materials testing methods for low temperatures Master`s thesis focuses on specifications and description of Russian metals which are already in use and can be used for Arctic offshore structures. Work overviews several groups of steel, such as low carbon, low alloy, chromium containing steels, stainless steels, aluminium and nanostructured steels. Materials under discussion are grouped based on the standards, for instance the work covers shipbuilding and structural steels at the different sections. This paper provides an overview of important Russian Arctic offshore projects built for use in Russia and ordered by foreign countries. Future trends in development of the Arctic materials are discussed. Based on the information provided in this Master`s thesis it is possible to learn about Russian metals used for ships and offshore platforms operated in the Arctic region. Paper can be used as the comprehensive review of current materials, such as various steels, aluminium and nanomaterials.
Lignin has the potential to become a significant resource of renewable aromatics for the chemical industry. The current work studies pulsed corona discharge (PCD) as an alternative method for lignin modification. The effect of initial lignin concentration and gas phase composition on aldehydes formation was studied experimentally. Kraft lignin was used as a test compound. It was concluded in the work, that treatment in low oxygen content atmosphere and high initial lignin concentration leads to higher lignin conversion to aldehydes. Despite the proven aldehydes formation, the precise nature of the changes in the lignin structure during oxidation with PCD remained unclear. To address this question, a number of advanced analytical techniques were implemented: NMR, GPC, HSQC, HPSEC, and GCMS. The effect of PCD treatment on lignin structure was studied for two types of lignin: kraft lignin, purchased from Sigma Aldrich, and birch lignin acquired from a pressurized hot water extraction and soda pulped biorefinery process (BLN lignin). Changes in solubility, molecular weight and proportion of phenolic and aliphatic OH groups, as well as lignin repolymerization were detected. The findings are of value to efforts to make lignin modification tunable to the production of desired products.
Abstract The purpose of this study was to find out and compare the physiological effects of different types of non-hypothermic cold exposure tests in man. In whole-body cold exposures lightly clothed subjects were exposed to 10°C for 2 hours (single exposure), as well as repeatidly for 2 h and 1 h on ten successive days in separate studies. For local cold exposures, cold pressor tests (immersion into ice-cold water) of both hands and both feet were used. In whole-body cold exposures, several hormonal and metabolic parameters as well as cold sensations were measured. In local cold exposures the measured parameters were blood pressure, heart rate and skin temperatures. The single 2-h whole-body cold air exposure decreased rectal and skin temperatures and body heat content, but increased the metabolic rate. At the same time the serum noradrenaline concentration increased indicating a general activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Serum free fatty acid concentration increased whereas cortisol, GH and prolactin concentrations fell. No significant changes were found in serum concentrations of adrenalin, TSH, T3, T4, testosterone or LH. Serum total proteins were enhanced apparently due to cold-induced hemoconcentration. After repeating the 2-h whole-body cold exposure for five days the increase in serum noradrenaline level was markedly lower in the cold. At the same time hemoconcentration, judged from serum protein concentrations, was attenuated and the subjects became habituated to the cold sensations. However, the results showed that the repeated 1-h cold exposure in 10°C was not sufficiently intensive to reduce the noradrenaline response. Comparison of the hand and foot cold pressor tests to whole-body cold exposure tests showed that all tests caused significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, but that heart rate increased significantly only in the cold pressor test of feet. During the 2-h cold air exposure the heart rate fell. This caused a reduction in rate pressure product (RPP, the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure). In both cold pressor tests the rate pressure product increased, indicating the enhancement of the O2-need in the heart muscle. The results showed no significant correlation in systolic or diastolic blood pressures between whole-body and local cooling of hands or feet. The lack of the association between local and whole-body cold exposure tests may be due to differences in severity and site of the tests: whole-body cold exposure tests cause general cold discomfort while cold pressor tests cause local cold pain.
The transfer of American management ideas was a central part of the Cold War struggle over ideologies. A key mediator was the European Recovery Program, which conveyed American influences to European management specialists. However, a direct influence was not always possible, as in Finland, which officially blocked assistance because of foreign policy considerations. Still, it was among the first countries to follow Harvard University’s lead in launching advanced management training. We examine how and why the focal actors adopted the American model of executive education, and how they managed to translate foreign ideas persuasively to the local business elite. The translation of executive education to Finland was a lengthy process that involved modification and readjustment of the original idea according to emerging needs. The Advanced Management Program became the core of the curriculum of Finland’s leading executive education institution and thus has influenced the emergence of new business culture.
Abstract The semi-domesticated reindeer is a northern species of Cervidae that is exposed to extreme seasonal changes in temperature and nutrition in its living environment. The objective of this study was to examine the significance of thermogenic brown adipose tissue (BAT) for the survival of newborn reindeer in the cold during the critical perinatal period. The other main objective was to study the effect of wintertime undernutrition on serum and bone marrow fatty acid composition in yearling reindeer, with particular attention on the proportions of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their feasibility as indicators of nutritional status. The results showed that the most of the adipose tissues in newborn reindeer were functionally active BAT. The tissue had specific anatomical locations, specialized cell morphological structure, high aerobic capacity, and tissue-specific mitochondrial 32000 Mr-uncoupling protein (UCP1) that is considered a rate-limiting factor for thermogenesis. The most readily mobilized fatty acids from BAT triacylglycerols were arachidonic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids. BAT was most active at birth and during the close perinatal period but its aerobic capacity declined during the first month of life while UCP1 disappeared and the tissue gradually adopted the histological characteristics of white adipose tissue. The newborn reindeer had very low proportions of the principal C18-PUFAs, linoleic and α-linolenic acids, in serum lipids. However, the proportions of C18-PUFAs increased during the first few days of life by a rate that suggests a selective retention of these fatty acids from milk lipids. A prolonged restricted feeding of reindeer with lichen during winter and spring induced significant reductions in the proportions of linoleic and α-linolenic acids in serum cholesteryl esters and phospholipids, while proportion of arachidonic acid and serum prostaglandin PGF2α metabolite concentration increased. Plasma leptin and insulin levels decreased in parallel with decreases in feed intake and body weight. In freely ranging reindeer, the proportions of oleic acid and principal C18-PUFAs were significantly reduced in femur bone marrow triacylglycerols as a result of a wintertime undernutrition. In conclusion, active BAT is the dominant adipose tissue type in the newborn reindeer and it is likely to have a major significance on the thermoregulatory heat production and cold resistance of reindeer during the perinatal period. The changes in the specific PUFA proportions of serum and bone marrow lipids refleict the changes in the nutritional status and suggest that these fatty acids are preferentially utilized during prolonged wintertime undernutrition.
The presence of pharmaceutical compound residues in water bodies is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Various pharmaceuticals have been detected in raw municipal wastewaters, after wastewater treatment plant processes, and even in drinking water. Many common pharmaceuticals are bio-accumulating and they can have a harmful impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. In this work, pulsed corona discharge technology (PCD) is studied as a potential method for antibiotic compounds abatement. Two antibiotics, amoxicillin and doxycycline, were chosen as test pharmaceutical compounds. The aim of the study was to investigate the transformation kinetics of binary solutions (water – single antibiotic compound) and ternary solutions (water – two antibiotic compounds) of the compounds and to optimize operational parameters for improved oxidation performance. Ternary solutions were investigated to obtain data on transformation kinetics when two competing pharmaceutical molecules are present in the solution. The experiments showed that reactions of doxycycline oxidation are always first order reactions. Reaction of amoxicillin oxidation has second order in the case of experiments with binary solution in alkaline medium. In other cases, it has first order. The transformation products formed were identified and monitored based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometer analysis. OH-amoxicillin, amoxicillin pencilloic acid, OH-doxycycline and 2-OH-doxycycline had the largest peaks areas. All studied compounds and all transformation products can be easily oxidized by PCD. Approximately 1 kWh/m3 and 0.5 kWh/m3 delivered energy is enough for oxidation of great part of amoxicillin and doxycycline respectively. Low frequency, 50 pps, and high (pH = 12) are preferable for oxidation of both antibiotics from the energy consumption point of view.
We use cellular dynamical mean-field theory to study the phase diagram of the square lattice bilayer Hubbard model with an interlayer interaction. The layers are populated by two-component fermions, and the densities in both layers and the strength of the interactions are varied. We find that an attractive interlayer interaction can induce a checkerboard density-ordered phase and superfluid phases, with either interlayer or intralayer pairing. Remarkably, the latter phase does not require an intralayer interaction to be present: it can be attributed to an induced attractive interaction caused by density fluctuations in the other layer.
Coping with seasonal changes in temperature is an important factor underlying the ability of insects to survive over the harsh winter conditions in the northern temperate zone, and only a few drosophilids have been able to colonize sub-polar habitats. Information on their winter physiology is needed as it may shed light on the adaptive mechanisms of overwintering when compared with abundant data on the thermal physiology of more southern species, such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here we report the first seasonal metabolite analysis in a Drosophila species. We traced changes in the cold tolerance and metabolomic profiles in adult Drosophila montana flies that were exposed to thermoperiods and photoperiods similar to changes in environmental conditions of their natural habitat in northern Finland. The cold tolerance of diapausing flies increased noticeably towards the onset of winter; their chill coma recovery times showed a seasonal minimum between late autumn and early spring, whereas their survival after cold exposure remained high until late spring. The flies had already moderately accumulated glucose, trehalose and proline in autumn, but the single largest change occurred in myo-inositol concentrations. This increased up to 400-fold during the winter and peaked at 147 nmol mg−1 fresh mass, which is among the largest reported accumulations of this compound in insects.
Plants have developed a number of different physiological and developmental responses to abiotic stress. One important process is acclimation, where mild stress conditions greatly enhance tolerance to later and more severe conditions. During the acclimation changes in gene expression patterns occur, which leads to a plant response involving the necessary modifications of growth, development and cellular homeostasis. During the last years, six different cellular signal transduction pathways between the initial cold-stress perception and the gene expression response have been documented. Here we suggest an additional pathway. Two component systems, first described in prokaryotes, have also been identified in yeast and plant systems, but not in animals. They are characterised by a phosphotransfer reaction between two types of signal transducers and involves a sensory histidine kinase receptor and a response regulator. In plants, two-component systems play important roles in ethylene and cytokinin signalling and osmosensing but have not been directly coupled to cold signalling so far. From a subtractive oat cDNA library enriched in cold induced sequences we isolated a full-length clone, denoted AsDP5. Northern and RT-PCR analysis showed that the AsDP5 was induced at +4oC in less than 1 h. Analysis of the deduced 621 amino acids long protein revealed that it had a N-terminal two component response regulator domain, putative nuclear localisation signals and a zink finger DNA binding domain at the C-terminus. Thus, the AsDP5 protein strongly resembles the response regulator protein of two-component systems. This cold signalling pathway is now carefully analysed in oat and in the model plant Arabidopsis, using various knock-out mutants and transgenic systems.
Winter oat, Avena sativa cv. Gerald, was cold acclimated at +4oC for 4, 6, 8 and 32 hours. Total RNA was prepared from these plants, pooled and a cDNA library was constructed. From this library 9792 expressed sequence tags (EST) were sequenced. The average sequence length after vector clipping was 626 bp and the longest sequences were over 900 bp. Clustering and assembly of the these 9792 EST sequences resulted in a set of 4543 sequences. Clustering, assembly and filtering of these sequences resulted in a set of 2866 unique transcripts, denoted the "UniGene" set. Homology searches on publicly available sequence data allowed the assignment of a tentative function to 1622 (57.57%) of these transcripts. Out of the remaining 1246 unclassified sequences, 494 appeared to be oat specific since they lacked any significant sequence similarity (E-values > 1e-10 after BlastX search) to any sequence presently available in the public databases. Genes active in photsynthesis were most commonly found, but genes involved in metabolism, signal transduction and abiotic stress were also well represented. Interestingly, 398 sequences displayed strong homologies (E-values ? 1e-10 after BlastX search) to genes previously reported to be involved in cold stress related processes. Of particular importance for the regulation of coldacclimation are cold induced transcription factors. We found 47 such genes, including 4 CBF transcription factor sequences, a known cold regulatory gene class (see other abstract by Bräutigam et al). The set of 4543 clustered and assembled sequences (in total 5.3 Mb) was searched for microsatellites (SSRs) and 596 di- to pentanucleotide SSRs were found. 83% of these SSRs occurred in non-coding sequences. Work is now in progress to identify the particular SSRs from this collection that give reliable PCR products and are polymorphic. The best SSR markers will then be mapped to the oat genome and linked to valuable genetic traits like lipid biosynthesis, antioxidant activity and cold hardiness.
Combined strength and endurance training has been noted to produce significant improvements in strength and endurance performances of men. However, there seems to be moderate inhibitory effect regarding strength adaptations, especially considering power production. The effects of training have been well documented over the years yet very little has been investigated about recovery, even though athletes spend more of their time recovering than they do training. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a 10-week combined strength and endurance training period on muscular performance and 3km time-trial in males with each training session followed by cold water immersion (CWI) or active recovery (AR). A total of 19 healthy recreationally trained subjects (AR: 10, CWI: 9) completed a 10-week combined strength and endurance training period. All subjects trained twice a week strength and twice a week endurance. Strength training consisted of maximal resistance training (~85%1RM) and plyometric exercises for the lower extremities. Endurance training sessions were 4x4min and 3x3x100m running, with each of these being performed once a week. Strength measurements and 3km time-trial were conducted before (PRE) and after (POST) the 10-week training period. Strength measurements consisted of countermovement jump, maximal isometric bilateral leg press, maximal isometric unilateral knee extension and flexion, and 1RM dynamic leg press. From pre- to mid-measurements only AR group improved CMJ height by 7.3% (±9.9%, p=0.064). Only CWI group improved CMJ from mid- to post-measurements (6.6±7.9%, p<0.05). During the whole intervention both groups improved CMJ from pre- to post-measurements (AR: 10.0±8.0%, p<0.01; CWI: 9.7±5.9%, p<0.01). There were no significant differences between AR and CWI groups when comparing the relative changes between any measurement time points. As well as there were no significant differences between AR (pre: 787±79s; post: 767±62s) and CWI (pre: 761±69s; post: 729±53s) groups in mean 3km time-trial performance at any measurement time points. In summary, there were no significant differences between AR and CWI at the end of the 10- week intervention. However, in the AR group, there were significant changes from PRE-to MID measurements with very little improvements from MID to POST. In the CWI group, there were no significant changes from PRE-to MID measurements while there were significant changes from MID to POST. These findings suggest that combined maximal and explosive strength and high-intensity endurance training seems to be efficient training modality even for recreationally active people and it appears CWI and AR likely assist in recovery of exercise performance; however, it is unclear which method is most effective. Further research is required to obtain a more complete understanding of the effects on performance.
Bulgaria is in a zone of marked transition-to-continental climate. Oat cultivation under these conditions is limited by temperature and rainfall. The data over 100 years show that the drought periods in spring and spring-summer are on increase (Cholakov 2003), which makes winter-crop realization more certain. However, temperature conditions in the autumn-winter period can totally compromise a crop, thus disheartening the producers. The average cold-resistance coefficient for the naked varieties of winter oat was found to be ê=2, 3 at k=11 for barley, var. Mirage (Antonova & Petrova 2002). Winter oat has to have a coefficient of 10 to guarantee its survival. The aim of the research is estimating the basic agronomic parameters of naked oat varieties and lines in order to formulate a selection strategy. Eighteen naked oats varieties and lines after two preliminary frost tests at -10 12 oC were evaluated 2000 - 2003 in a randomized block design. We measured cold resistance using coefficient of cold resistance (Antonova & Petrova 2002), resistance to Puccina gr. and P. coronata, f. avenae, yield with its components and seeds characteris. Years were characterized by meteorological parameters. Stable and high yielding code were 48 and Bullion. Promising genotypes as parents in a cross combinations are: Bandicoot and Carma for radically earlier vegetative period, Bandicoot for very short plant height; Cn 91/257/4 for high 1000 grain mass; Neon and ÊÇ- 32-78 protein and lysine content. Fats were <7% for all genotypes. There were no outstandingly promising samples as to the degree of nakedness and the discolouration is not a problem for Bulgarian conditions. The genotypes from the UK had high yield potential, medium plant height, lodging resistance but not sufficient cold resistance. As a contribution to the breeding process were established very significant positive phenotypic correlations between yield, main panicle grain weight and test weight (Pixlej & Frey 1992). The weight of the grains in the main panicle is determined by the weight of the main panicle and the rate of grain growth (Peltonen-Sainio 1990). The main selection aim remains wintertolerance combined with high productivity, which requires a broadening of the naked winter oat genetic stock, including the use of spring varieties. Antonova & Petrova, 2002. Jubilee Session on the 50th Anniversary of the Dobroudja Agricultural Institute Breeding and Agrotechnics of Field Crops; 191-198; Cholakov 2003. Scientific Session of Jubilee 120 Years Agriculture Science in Sadovo. Scientific Reports. Vol. III; 154 158; Peltonen-Sainio, P. 1990. Plant Breeding 104: 340-354; Pixlej & Frey, K.J. 1992. Euphytica 60: 149-156.
Abstract The aim of the present study was to describe the effects of different types of cold exposures on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and to test how these cold-induced effects are modulated by antihypertensive drugs representing different kind of mechanisms of action. The tested drugs represented the following antihypertensive drug subgroups: metoprolol from beta-blocking agents, carvedilol from alfa- and beta-blocking agents, lisinopril from angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, eprosartan from angiotensin II antagonists, amlodipine from calcium channel blockers and hydrochlorothiazide from diuretics. The main outcome measures were the levels and changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HR before, during and after cold exposure. The normotensive and mildly hypertensive subjects were exposed either to −15°C for 15 minutes (with winter clothing), 5°C for 45 minutes (minimal clothing) or to a cold pressor test (CPT). Before measurements at −15°C, metoprolol, carvedilol, lisinopril, eprosartan, hydrochlorothiazide or placebo were given for a week in a double-blind and crossover manner. In one test procedure (5°C and CPT) the test subjects ingested amlodipine for three days or were without drug ingestion before the tests in a crossover manner. Both SBP and DBP were markedly increased by all types of cold exposure. Cold-induced rises of SBP/DBP were higher during the exposure to 5°C and −15°C (19–35/20–24 mmHg) than during CPT (13/16 mmHg). Metoprolol, carvedilol, lisinopril, eprosartan and amlodipine decreased the level of BP during the exposure to 5°C and −15°C compared to placebo or no drug. The antihypertensive drugs, with dosages used in this study, did not affect the cold-induced rise of BP compared to no drug or placebo. HR increased during CPT, but decreased during exposure to 5°C and −15°C. Metoprolol and carvedilol decreased HR during exposure to −15°C compared to placebo. The present study demonstrates for the first time the effects of antihypertensive drugs on BP in hypertensive subjects exposed to cold similar to normal outdoor exposure in winter. Although the magnitude of the cold-induced rise in BP was not affected by the drugs, the drug-induced decrease in the level of BP kept the peak values in the cold closer to the recommended threshold limit values.
The article examines artistic exchanges between the USSR and Finland from the viewpoint of the Finnish left. After WWII, Finland was in a difficult geopolitical position; although not occupied by the USSR, it received little support from the West and so remained an independent capitalist democracy, with little foreign leverage. The Soviet influence was felt in many areas, and throughout the Cold War, Finland received many more world-class Soviet artists than any other Western country. This was in part a consequence of Finland’s proximity to the USSR, but the Finnish Communist Party, a major domestic political force, also played a role. Immediately after the war, organizations associated with the Finnish Communist Party enjoyed a virtual monopoly over such exchanges, but this began to change in the mid-1950s. Around that time, the USSR began to allow Finnish artists to train and perform at its world-class arenas, and many of those Finnish students had links with the political left. Based on interviews and supported by archival material from Finland and Russia, the article explores the role of the Finnish left in these artistic exchanges.
Stalinin kuolemaa seuranneina vuosina Neuvostoliitto käynnisti mittavan kulttuurivaihto-ohjelmien sarjan. Huippuluokan neuvostoartistit vyöryivät länsimaisille areenoille. Rajoja avattiin turismille, laajennettiin ulkomaille suuntautunutta radiotoimintaa, ryhdyttiin vaihtamaan radio- ja televisio-ohjelmia myös länsimaiden kanssa, solmittiin ystävyyskaupunkisopimuksia ja osallistuttiin näyttävästi kansainvälisiin messuihin ja näyttelyihin. Simo Mikkonen käsittelee neuvostoajan kulttuurivaihto-ohjelmia ja pohtii niiden perimmäistä olemusta.
The aim of the Master’s Thesis was to search possibility to use exhaust gas heat recovery warm pump technology combined with ground source heat pump. The selected target was theoretical apartment house which could represent nominal 1960´s based construction. By raising the temperature of water that is going to ground source heat pump, it is possibility to improve its coefficient of performance, which have significant role in its function. The calculations were based on the series of the construction rules of Finland, for example simulating the house´s monthly energy consumption with MX6 energy software. Also the refrigeration technology was simulated by its software and the results were combined with spreadsheet software. By combining the results, man was able to create the theoretical calculation of money savings. The results of this final thesis were that exhaust gas heat recovery warm pump might have too big electricity consumption. The electricity consumption was simulated to be bigger than it would be reasonable be recovered by using ground source warm pump´s improved coefficient of performance (COP). However the efficient use of exhaust air heat recovery technology is one of the key technologies to be considered if apartment house is evaluating the change of the primary heat source to ground source heat pump.
It remains a major challenge to abate efficiently the harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) in low-temperature diesel exhausts emitted during the cold-start period of engine operation. Passive NOx adsorbers (PNA), which could temporarily capture NOx at low temperatures (below 200 °C) and release the stored NOx at higher temperatures (normally 250-450 °C) to downstream selective catalytic reduction unit for complete abatement, hold promise to mitigate cold-start NOx emissions. In this review, recent advances in material design, mechanism understanding, and system integration are summarized for PNA based on palladium-exchanged zeolites. First, we discuss the choices of parent zeolite, Pd precursor, and synthetic method for the synthesis of Pd-zeolites with atomic Pd dispersions, and review the effect of hydrothermal aging on the properties and PNA performance of Pd-zeolites. Then, we show how different experimental and theoretical methodologies can be integrated to gain mechanistic insights into the nature of Pd active sites, the NOx storage/release chemistry, as well as the interactions between Pd and typical components/poisons in engine exhausts. This review also gathers several novel designs of PNA integration into modern exhaust after-treatment systems for practical application. At the end, we discuss the major challenges, as well as important implications, for the further development and real application of Pd-zeolite-based PNA in cold-start NOx mitigation.
Abstract Frostbite of the face and ears is a common problem in cold winters. Application of an emollient on the face is a traditional way to prevent frostbite in Finland. The preliminary results of an epidemiological study on frostbite in Finnish conscripts unexpectedly showed that the use of cold protecting emollients increased the risk of facial frostbite. This finding motivated studies on the effects and use of cold protecting emollients. 830 male Finnish conscripts answered a questionnaire concerning the use of cold protecting emollients, subjective experience of using them in cold and cumulative incidence of frostbite in the ears and face. Risk factors of frostbite were investigated in a prospective epidemiological study including 913 Finnish conscripts needing medical attention for frostbite of the ears or face and their 2478 matched, uninjured controls. Thermal properties of four different emollients were studied in vitro with a skin model and in vivo in experimental cold exposures of test persons. Test emollient was applied on one half of the face, as the other half acted as control. The skin temperatures of the face-halves were compared symmetrically by thermistors and infrared thermography. Subjective sensation of thermal half-difference was also registered. 21% of the conscripts had used emollients in the cold, a majority with an experience of protection. 47% of the conscripts had had frostbite in the head (42% in the ears and 23% on the face). There was a statistically significant correlation between the use of emollients and the incidence of facial frostbite in both epidemiological studies. Applying protective emollients formed an independent risk factor for frostbite of the cheeks, nose and ear lobes (odds ratios 3.3–5.6). The thermal insulation of test emollients on the skin model was minimal. On living skin, the applied half was somewhat cooler in a majority of comparisons. However, white petrolatum gave often a subjective perception of a warming effect. False sensation of safety may form the principal cause for the increased risk of frostbite associated with the use of emollients. When the warning symptoms of cold are weak, necessary protective measures are not carried out.
Transnationaalisen perheen rakentuminen arjessa: Puolalainen kokemus ylirajaisesta elämästä Suomen ja Puolan välillä kylmän sodan aikana ja sen jälkeen Tämä antropologinen tutkimus tarkastelee sellaisia perheitä, joiden arkielämä jakaantuu Suomen ja Puolan välille, ja joiden jäsenet elävät arkeaan erillään toisistaan näissä maissa. Tutkimuksessa on mukana sekä pysyvästi että väliaikaisesti Suomessa asuvia puolalaisia, heidän Suomessa kasvaneita lapsiaan sekä heidän Puolassa asuvia perheenjäseniään. Ajallisesti tutkimus kattaa sekä Kylmän sodan ajan että sen jälkeisen ajan. Tällaiset perheet, jotka elävät arkeaan kansallisvaltion rajojen yli, määritellään tutkimuksessa transnationaaleiksi eli ylirajaisiksi perheiksi. Tutkimus perustuu etnografiseen kenttätyöhön, joka toteutettiin Suomessa ja Puolassa vuosina 2006-2009. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan kriittisesti sitä ajatusta, että ihmiset kiinnittyisivät luonnollisesti vain yhteen paikkaan; siis sitä, että ihmiset kuuluvat vain yhteen kansakuntaan ja elävät elämäänsä yhdessä massa ja yhden katon alla. Vakiintunut maastamuutto-maahanmuutto-sopeutuminen-kotoutuminen –malli heijastelee hyvin tätä yhteen paikkaan juurtumisen ideaalia. Tässä ajattelutavassa oletetaan, että että kun ihmiset muuttavat uuteen maahan, he samalla katkaisevat suhteensa entiseen asuinmaahansa sekä sinne jääneisiin perheenjäseniin, ja keskittyvät sen sijaan sopeutumaan uuteen maahan. Tämä tutkimus osoittaa, että Suomessa asuvat puolalaiset ylläpitävät vahvoja siteitä Puolaan ja siellä oleviin perheenjäseniin. Ylirajaista tai transnationaalia perhettä ylläpidetään suhteellisen järjestelmällisten ”sukulaistamisen” käytäntöjen avulla. Näihin käytäntöihin kuuluvat vierailut, ritualisoitu teknologiavälitteinen yhteydenpito sekä tunnesiteiden ylläpito. Ylirajainen perhe-elämä ei näyttäydy yksinomaan positiivisena, vaan myös monia ristiriitoja sisältävänä. Suurvaltapolitiikka sekä erilaiset kansalliset politiikat ovat luoneet toisistaan poikkeavat olosuhteet perhesuhteiden ylläpidolle. Tutkimus osoittaa, kuinka ylirajainen perhe-elämä muotoutuu historiallisten olosuhteinen asettamissa rajoissa, mutta ei ole suoraan niiden määräämää. Kylmän sodan aikana perhe-elämä oli paljon haastavampaa rautaesiripun yli kuin nykyisin; erityisesti kommunistisen Puolan valtion tiukka maastamuuttopolitiikka sekä ristiriitainen suhde länteen vaikeuttivat perhe-elämää tuona aikana. Kaikesta huolimatta perheet ylläpitivät suhteita myös Kylmän sodan aikana, purkaen näin rautaesiripun tuottamia jakolinjoja. Nykyisin ylirajainen perhe-elämä ja ylisukupolvinen jatkuvuus ovat monin tavoin helpompia ylläpitää, mutta nykyaika on tuonut myös uusia sekä materiaalisiin olosuhteisiin että perheiden tunnesuhteisiin liittyviä haasteita. Kansallisvaltiot eivät ole menettäneet merkitystään, vaan ne muokkaavat transnationaalia perhe-elämää ehkä hienovaraisemmilla tavoilla kuin aikaisemmin. Sekä Suomi että Puola ovat tärkeitä paikkoja tutkimukseni henkilöille. Transnationaalit perheet kiinnittyvät paikkoihin erilaisten arkisten käytäntöjen avulla, ja he kiinnittävät uudet suomalaiset jäsenensä osaksi kansallisvaltiot ylittävää perheverkostoaan ja sen arkea. Erityisesti toinen sukupolvi kiinnittyy Suomeen hyvin vahvasti. Tutkimukseni transnationaaleja perheitä ei siis sido kiinnittyminen vain yhteen paikkaan, kuten maahanmuuttopolitiikka ja kansallismieliset ideologiat usein olettavat. Sekä fyysisesti että mentaalisesti nämä perheet elävät perhe-elämäänsä rajojen yli, pikemminkin kuin niiden sisäänsä sulkemana.
Tämä diplomityö käsittelee Wärtsilän voimalaitoksen kattorakenteen kehittelyä. Wärtsilä käyttää konseptiorientoitunutta suunnittelua keskitytään kehittelemään tuotetta mahdollisimman pitkälle kilpailukyvyn parantamiseksi. Päätavoite oli kehittää Wärtsilän voimalaitoksiin uusi kattoelementtityyppi, joka soveltuu pohjoisiin olosuhteisiin. Tämän kattoelementin pitää täyttää yleiset vaatimukset kattorakenteille voimalaitoksissa useissa eri maissa. Sen pitää myös olla nopea ja helppo asentaa, mutta myös sekä valmistuksen ja asennuksen suhteen kustannustehokas. Toissijainen tavoite oli määrittää suurimmat sallittavat kuormat kyseisille kattoelementeille kahdelle eri jänneväleille ja kolmella eri profiilipaksuudella. Tässä työssä keskityttiin ohut-uumaisten termo-orsien rakenteelliseen kestävyyteen sisältäen kokeelliset kuormitukset, analyyttiset laskelmat ja FEM-analyysi. Ensimmäiset FEM-tulokset poikkesivat niin paljon kokeellisista tuloksista, joten pääpaino keskittyi analyyttisiin laskelmiin. Pohjoiset olosuhteet tuovat rakennusfysikaalisia vaatimuksia kattorakenteille ja voimalaitos on usealle ihmiselle työpaikka, joten siinä on tietyt ääniteknisiä vaatimuksia. Nämä asiat ovat käsitelty tässä työssä.
Cold gas spraying was used to make a coating from an equiatomic CrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy. This four-component alloy was chosen because it is Co-free, thus allowing application in nuclear industries as a possible replacement of currently used stainless steel coatings. The feedstock material was gas atomized powder with a particle size distribution from 20 to 45 μm. A number of parameters were tested, such as the powder feed rate and gas feed pressure, in order to obtain as dense a coating as possible with nitrogen as the process gas. Spraying was performed using a gas preheating temperature of 1000 °C, gas feed pressure ranging from 50 to 60 bar, and two powder feeding rates. The coating thicknesses ranging from 230 to 490 m and porosities ranging from 3% to 10% were obtained depending on the powder feed rate and gas feed pressure. The hardness of the cross-section of the coating was usually lower than that of the surface. The highest coating hardness obtained was above 300 HV0.3 for both the surface and the cross-section. The as-atomized powder consisted of a face-centered cubic (FCC) phase with a minute amount of body-centered cubic (BCC) phase, which was no longer detectable in the coatings. The microstructure of the coating was highly stressed due to the high degree of deformation occurring in cold gas spraying. The deformation leads to strain hardening and induces a pronounced texture in the coating. The 111 planes tend to align along the coating surface, with deformation and texturing concentrating mainly on particle boundaries. A high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating was successfully sprayed for the first time using nitrogen as a process gas. The coating has the potential to replace stainless steel coatings in nuclear industry applications.
"Democracy is today a concept that is overwhelmingly positively evaluated almost everywhere. A lot has been written about socio-economic and cultural backgrounds of democratic regimes as well as their institutional settings. By contrast, not much is known about the political manoeuvres and speech acts by which 'democracy' has been tied to particular regions and cultures in concrete historical situations. This book discusses a series of efforts to rhetorically produce a particular Nordic version of democracy. It shows that the rhetorical figure 'Nordic democracy' was a product of the age of totalitarianism and the Cold War. It explores the ways in which 'Nordic democracy' was used, mainly by the social democrats, to provide the welfare politics with cultural and historical legitimacy and foundations. Thus, it also acknowledges the ideological and geopolitical context in which the 'Nordic welfare state' was conceptualised and canonised. The contributors of the book are specialists on Nordic politics and history, who share a particular interest in political rhetoric and conceptual history. "
Individual thermal comfort models based on physiological parameters could improve the efficiency of the personal thermal comfort control system. However, the effect of thermal history has not been fully addressed in these models. In this study, climate chamber experiments were conducted in winter using 32 subjects who have different indoor and outdoor thermal histories. Two kinds of thermal conditions were investigated: the temperature dropping (24–16 °C) and severe cold (12 °C) conditions. A simplified method using historical air temperature to quantify the thermal history was proposed and used to predict thermal comfort and thermal demand from physical or physiological parameters. Results show the accuracies of individual thermal sensation prediction was low to about 30% by using the PMV index in cold environments of this study. Base on the sensitivity and reliability of physiological responses, five local skin temperatures (at hand, calf, head, arm and thigh) and the heart rate are optimal input parameters for the individual thermal comfort model. With the proposed historical air temperature as an additional input, the general accuracies using classification tree model C5.0 were increased up by 15.5% for thermal comfort prediction and up by 29.8% for thermal demand prediction. Thus, when predicting thermal demands in winter, the factor of thermal history should be considered.