Using a moving measurement platform for determining the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols between Moscow and Vladivostok

The TROICA-9 expedition (Trans-Siberian Observations Into the Chemistry of the Atmosphere) was carried out at the Trans-Siberian railway between Moscow and Vladivostok in October 2005. Measurements of aerosol physical and chemical properties were made from an observatory carriage connected to a passenger train. Black carbon (BC) concentrations in fine particles (PM<sub>2.5</sub>, aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) were measured with an aethalometer using a five-minute time resolution. Concentrations of inorganic ions and some organic compounds (Cl<sup>−</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, oxalate and methane sulphonate) were measured continuously by using an on-line system with a 15-min time resolution. In addition, particle volume size distributions were determined for particles in the diameter range 3–850 nm using a 10-min time resolution. The continuous measurements were completed with 24-h PM<sub>2.5</sub> filter samples stored in a refrigerator and analyzed later in a chemical laboratory. The analyses included the mass concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, ions, monosaccharide anhydrides (levoglucosan, galactosan and mannosan) and trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V and Zn). The mass concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> varied in the range of 4.3–34.8 μg m<sup>−3</sup> with an average of 21.6 μg m<sup>−3</sup>. Fine particle mass consisted mainly of BC (average 27.6%), SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup> (13.0%), NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> (4.1%) and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> (1.4%). One of the major constituents was obviously organic carbon which was not determined. The contribution of BC was high compared with other studies made in Europe and Asia. High concentrations of ions, BC and particle volume were observed between Moscow and roughly 4000 km east of it, as well as close to Vladivostok, primarily due to local anthropogenic sources. In the natural background area between 4000 and 7200 km away from Moscow, observed concentrations were low, even though local particle sources, such as forest fires, occasionally increased concentrations. During the measured forest fire episodes, most of the aerosol mass appeared to consist of organic particulate matter. Concentrations of the biomass burning tracers levoglucosan, oxalate and potassium were elevated close to the forest fire areas observed by the MODIS satellite. The polluted air masses from Asia seem to have significant influences on the concentration levels of fine particles over south-eastern Russia

Localism in Finland : The changing role and current crisis of the Finnish municipal system

Peer reviewe

The capabilities approach:a hermeneutical inquiry if its potential in basic education

This Master’s thesis concerns the enhancement of human capabilities and well-being in the context of basic education, raising two main questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Capabilities Approach as a theory of well-being? and What is basic education’s institutional potential and significance in the operationalization of the approach? This hermeneutical inquiry demonstrates an interpretative reading of Martha Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach. Its comparisons to other theories of well-being and the assessment of its potential for basic education are conducted by close hermeneutical reading and interpretation of research literature, where Nussbaum’s writings are perceived as the primary data of the thesis. The approach is viewed as a counter-theoretical paradigm addressing the capabilities of individuals, yet calling for equal opportunities and shared institutional responsibility. In this thesis the human capabilities are conceptualized as various doings and beings. They are freedoms to achieve alternative ‘functionings’, stemming from a combination of personal abilities and social, political and economic environment. The philosophical influences of the approach are introduced in the theoretical articulations of this thesis. Most importantly, the Aristotelian idea of ‘eudaimonia’ and Rawls’s Theory of Justice are illuminated. The approach is also mirrored in its relation to global human rights movement and equity, proposed as underlying values of the Capabilities Approach. It is suggested that the approach’s potential significance for the institute of basic education is remarkable and open for further study. The educational operationalization of the approach is discussed mostly with the help of Pedagogy of Care, and Human Rights education. It is proposed that the Capabilities Approach should be viewed on multiple levels of basic education; in school policies, on a classroom level and on curricular level. On a more structural, socio developmental level, basic education is seen as a powerful institution with opportunities towards social change and enhancement of human well-being.Tämä tutkimus käsittelee inhimillisen kyvykkyyden ja hyvinvoinnin edistämistä perusopetuksen kontekstissa. Ongelmaa lähestytään kahden pääkysymyksen kautta; ensinnäkin, mitkä ovat kyvykkyysteorian vahvuudet ja heikkoudet hyvinvointiteoriana? Toisekseen, mikä on perusopetuksen institutionaalinen potentiaali ja merkitys teorian käytännöllistämisessä? Tutkimuksessa tulkitaan Martha Nussbaumin kyvykkyysteoriaa hermeneuttisen metodologian näkökulmasta. Teorian vertautuvuutta suhteessa muihin hyvinvointiteorioihin ja sen potentiaalia perusopetuksessa arvioidaan ensisijaisen aineiston — Nussbaumin tutkimuksen — hermeneuttisen lukemisen ja tulkinnan keinoin. Kyvykkyysteoria nähdään vaihtoehtoparadigmana, joka korostaa yksilön kyvykkyyttä vaatien samalla tasavertaisia mahdollisuuksia ja instituutioiden vastuuta. Tässä tutkimuksessa kyvykkyydet määritellään erilaisina tekemisinä ja olemisina. Ne ovat vapauksia saavuttaa vaihtoehtoisia ’toimimisia’, jotka riippuvat toisaalta henkilökohtaisista kyvyistä, toisaalta sosiaalisesta, poliittisesta ja taloudellisesta ympäristöstä. Tutkimuksessa esitellään teorian filosofiset vaikutteet, joista tärkeimmiksi nostetaan aristotelelainen eudemonian idea sekä Rawlsin oikeudenmukaisuusteoria. Teoriaa peilataan myös suhteessa globaalin ihmisoikeusliikkeeseen ja yhdenvertaisuusajatteluun, joita ehdotetaan teorian arvolähtökohdiksi. Tutkimuksessa esitetään, että kyvykkyysteorian potentiaalinen merkitys perusopetukselle instituutiona on merkittävä, ja aihe on hedelmällinen jatkotutkimuksen kannalta. Teorian käytännöllistämistä kasvatuksessa tutkitaan lähinnä välittämisen pedagogiikkaa ja ihmisoikeuskasvatusta apuna käyttäen. Tutkimuksen lopputulemana ehdotetaan, että kyvykkyysteorian pitäisi näkyä perusopetuksen useilla tasoilla; koulujen käytänteissä, luokkatasolla sekä opetussuunnitelman tasolla. Rakenteellisemmalla sosiaalisen kehityksen tasolla perusopetus nähdään hyvinvointiin ja sosiaaliseen muutokseen voimakkaasti vaikuttavana instituutiona

Vladivostok

Using a moving measurement platform for determining the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols between Moscow an

Microbiological hazard analysis of ready-to-eat meats processed at a food plant in Trinidad, West Indies

Background: A bacteriological assessment of the environment and food products at different stages of processing was conducted during the manufacture of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken franks, chicken bologna and bacon at a large meat processing plant in Trinidad, West Indies. Methods: Samples of air, surfaces (swabs), raw materials, and in-process and finished food products were collected during two separate visits for each product type and subjected to qualitative or quantitative analysis for bacterial zoonotic pathogens and fecal indicator organisms. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen detected in pre-cooked products (mean counts = 0.66, 1.98, and 1.95 log10CFU/g for franks, bologna, and bacon, respectively). This pathogen was also found in unacceptable levels in 4 (16.7%) of 24 post-cooked samples. Fifty percent (10 of 20) of pre-cooked mixtures of bacon and bologna were contaminated with Listeria spp., including four with L. monocytogenes. Pre-cooked mixtures of franks and bologna also contained E. coli (35 and 0.72 log10 CFU/g, respectively) while 5 (12.5%) of 40 pre-cooked mixtures of chicken franks had Salmonella spp. Aerobic bacteria exceeded acceptable international standards in 46 (82.1%) of 56 pre-cooked and 6 (16.7%) of 36 post-cooked samples. Both pre-and post-cooking air and surfaces had relatively high levels of aerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and coliforms, including equipment and gloves of employees. A drastic decrease in aerobic counts and Staphylococcus aureus levels following heat treatment and subsequent increase in counts of these bacteria are suggestive of post-cooking contamination. Conclusion: A relatively high level of risk exists for microbial contamination of RTE meats at the food plant investigated and there is a need for enhancing the quality assurance programs to ensure the safety of consumers of products manufactured at this plant