An impedimetric study of DNA hybridization on paper-supported inkjet-printed gold electrodes

In this study, two different supramolecular recognition architectures for impedimetric detection of DNA hybridization have been formed on disposable paper-supported inkjet-printed gold electrodes. The gold electrodes were fabricated using a gold nanoparticle based ink. The first recognition architecture consists of subsequent layers of biotinylated self-assembly monolayer (SAM), streptavidin and biotinylated DNA probe. The other recognition architecture is constructed by immobilization of thiol-functionalized DNA probe (HSDNA) and subsequent backfill with 11mercapto1undecanol (MUOH) SAM. The binding capacity and selectivity of the recognition architectures were examined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements. SPR results showed that the HSDNA/MUOH system had a higher binding capacity for the complementary DNA target. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the hybridization can be detected with impedimetric spectroscopy in picomol range for both systems. EIS signal indicated a good selectivity for both recognition architectures, whereas SPR showed very high unspecific binding for the HSDNA/MUOH system. The factors affecting the impedance signal were interpreted in terms of the complexity of the supramolecular architecture. The more complex architecture acts as a less ideal capacitive sensor and the impedance signal is dominated by the resistive elements

Enhancing synergies between gender equality and biodiversity, climate, and land degradation neutrality goals: Lessons from gender-responsive nature-based approaches

Land- and nature-based approaches in the agroforestry and forestry sectors provide a unique opportunity to generate win-wins against the interrelated environmental crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation. Harnessing synergies among these environmental goals, reflected in the Rio Conventions, critically hinges on land-use decisions, which are influenced by social dynamics – including gender. Yet, despite the linkages between gender equality and climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, approaches that generate desirable feedback loops among these processes remain poorly understood and applied. This paper explores how putting gender equity at the forefront of nature-based solutions can help leverage synergies among the Rio Conventions' environmental goals. Moreover, it examines the possible risks that nature-based approaches used to advance these goals can pose to gender equality if these approaches are not responsive to gender issues. Through a social equity framework, we demonstrate that greater gains can be accrued from gender-responsive nature-based approaches that address a wider set of priorities, harness a broader set of skills to address environmental ails, enhance capacities of marginalized groups by securing their rights and access to resources, and generate more equitable incentives to garner the buy-in of an array of actors. Our examples also illustrate potential tensions between social and environmental objectives, highlighting the need to carefully consider and reconcile trade-offs while incorporating strong social safeguards

Alcohol Co-Administration Changes Mephedrone-Induced Alterations of Neuronal Activity

Mephedrone (4-MMC), despite its illegal status, is still a widely used psychoactive substance. Its effects closely mimic those of the classical stimulant drug methamphetamine (METH). Recent research suggests that unlike METH, 4-MMC is not neurotoxic on its own. However, the neurotoxic effects of 4-MMC may be precipitated under certain circumstances, such as administration at high ambient temperatures. Common use of 4-MMC in conjunction with alcohol raises the question whether this co-consumption could also precipitate neurotoxicity. A total of six groups of adolescent rats were treated twice daily for four consecutive days with vehicle, METH (5 mg/kg) or 4-MMC (30 mg/kg), with or without ethanol (1.5 g/kg). To investigate persistent delayed effects of the administrations at two weeks after the final treatments, manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging brain scans were performed. Following the scans, brains were collected for Golgi staining and spine analysis. 4-MMC alone had only subtle effects on neuronal activity. When administered with ethanol, it produced a widespread pattern of deactivation, similar to what was seen with METH-treated rats. These effects were most profound in brain regions which are known to have high dopamine and serotonin activities including hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen. In the regions showing the strongest activation changes, no morphological changes were observed in spine analysis. By itself 4-MMC showed few long-term effects. However, when co-administered with ethanol, the apparent functional adaptations were profound and comparable to those of neurotoxic METH.Peer reviewe

Molecular Pathways Mediating Immunosuppression in Response to Prolonged Intensive Physical Training, Low-Energy Availability, and Intensive Weight Loss

Exercise and exercise-induced weight loss have a beneficial effect on overall health, including positive effects on molecular pathways associated with immune function, especially in overweight individuals. The main aim of our study was to assess how energy deprivation (i.e., "semi-starvation") leading to substantial fat mass loss affects the immune system and immunosuppression in previously normal weight individuals. Thus, to address this hypothesis, we applied a high-throughput systems biology approach to better characterize potential key pathways associated with immune system modulation during intensive weight loss and subsequent weight regain. We examined 42 healthy female physique athletes (age 27.5 +/- 4.0 years, body mass index 23.4 +/- 1.7 kg/m(2)) volunteered into either a diet group (n = 25) or a control group (n = 17). For the diet group, the energy intake was reduced and exercise levels were increased to induce loss of fat mass that was subsequently regained during a recovery period. The control group was instructed to maintain their typical lifestyle, exercise levels, and energy intake at a constant level. For quantification of systems biology markers, fasting blood samples were drawn at three time points: baseline (PRE), at the end of the weight loss period (MID 21.1 +/- 3.1 weeks after PRE), and at the end of the weight regain period (POST 18.4 +/- 2.9 weeks after MID). In contrast to the control group, the diet group showed significant (false discovery ratePeer reviewe

Competitive advantage through customer satisfaction

The main objective of the thesis was to investigate how customers perceive the services of wellness improvement providers such as massage therapists, chiropractors, physiotherapists or someone practicing a similar profession, and how this information can be used to gain a better competitive advantage. The motivation for implementing this survey was the low level of business education in these fields and the lack of awareness about how to manage their scarce resources beneficially. The survey offers guidelines for how these professions can meet more accurately the expectations of their customers and how they can manage their resources to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors through the ability to offer superior service experiences. The theoretical section of the thesis was based on investigating what is essential to good customer service, how quality of service is increased and which subjects influences how customers perceive the service. Theory related to the implementation of the survey and the validity of the case study is also defined in this section. The empirical research was implemented using a quantitative customer satisfaction survey. The survey took place in the November of 2010 via emails and personal interviews to a randomly chosen group of people from friends, family and some massage therapists’ current customers at their own practices. The method used in the selection of the respondents was chosen to receive the widest selection of different opinions from people with different backgrounds. The findings from the customer satisfaction survey indicated clear trends in the market and possible fluctuations in the opinions of the professionals in the field. The results from the survey were investigated and compared to the theoretical section, and based on these results suggestions for improvements of the services were made.Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on tutkia, miten ihmiset näkevät terveydenhoitopalvelut, esim. hierojien, kiropraktikkojen, fysioterapeuttien ja muiden vastaavien palvelujen tarjoajien palvelut, ja kuinka tämä tieto voidaan kääntää näiden kilpailueduksi. Motivaationa kyselyn toteutukseen oli alan heikko kaupallinen koulutustaso ja tietämättömyys siitä, kuinka hallinnoida resursseja hyödyllisesti. Tutkimus tarjoaa näille aloille ohjenuoran siitä kuinka kohdata asiakkaiden odotukset tehokkaammin ja kuinka hallinnoida resursseja saavuttaakseen paremman kilpailukyvyn tarjoamalla asiakkaille parempaa palvelua. Teoreettisen osion pohja tutkimukselle on rakennettu tutkimalla, mitkä ovat avainasiat hyvälle asiakaspalvelulle, miten palvelun laatua voidaan korottaa ja mitkä seikat vaikuttavat siihen miten asiakkaat kokevat palvelun laadun. Teoria kyselyn toteutukseen ja kyselyn validiteetti on määritelty tässä osiossa. Kyselyn empiirinen osio toteutettiin kvantitatiivisena asiakastyytyväisyyskyselynä. Kysely toteutettiin marraskuussa 2010 sattumanvaraisesti valikoitujen ihmisten henkilökohtaisilla haastatteluilla ja emaililla. Vastaajat oli valittu ystävien, tuttavien ja perheenjäsenten joukosta ja osa vastaajista oli hierojayrittäjien asiakkaita. Kyselyn toteutus valittiin siten, että saavutettaisiin mahdollisimman paljon erilaisia mielipiteitä ihmisiltä, joilla on erilaisia taustoja. Tulokset osoittivat selkeitä suuntauksia markkinoilla ja myös eroavaisuuksia asiakkaiden mielipiteissä alaa kohtaan. Tulokset tutkittiin ja verrattiin teoriaosuuteen, jonka pohjalle palvelun parannusehdotukset kerättiin

Forest landscape restoration in Kenya: Addressing gender equality

Presented by Markus Ihalainen (Center for International Forestry Research), as part of the Annual Scientific Conference hosted by the University of Canberra and co-sponsored by the University of Canberra, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research, Canberra, Australia, April 2-4, 2019

Intersectionality: What does it mean and how can we better engage with it?

Presented by Markus Ihalainen (CIFOR), as part of the Annual Scientific Conference hosted by the CGIAR Collaborative Platform for Gender Research, Amsterdam, 5-6 December 2017