Bovine plasmin activity was measured on H-D-valyl-L-leucyl-L-lysyl-4-nitroanilide by following absorbance changes at 405 nm. Steady-state kinetic parameters Vmax, Km, KI, and KI' were estimated. Bovine plasmin is competitively inhibited by casein and has a Kcat of .0158 ΔA405/min/nM, Km of .107 mM substrate, and KI of .86 mg/ml casein. Bovine plasmin can be measured directly in bovine milk without interference from casein. A total of 380 milk samples from nineteen Holstein (one herd) and nineteen Jersey (one herd) cows was collected monthly during one lactation period. Samples from each cow were analyzed for fat, protein, plasmin activity, plasminogen, pH, SCC, clotting time, curd firming rate, and final curd firmness. Three age groups form each breed/herd were chosen; first, third, and fourth and later lactations. Plasmin activity in milk was most affected by lactation number, with milk from fourth- and later-lactation cows having higher activity than milk from first- or third- lactation cows. Plasmin activity in milk increased during lactation but was not affected by breed/herd, pH, protein, or fat. Plasminogen averaged 5.4 times the plasmin activity in milk and increased during the first five months of lactation. Plasmin activity was higher in milk collected ruing summer and fall but plasminogen was higher in milk collected during fall and winter. Percentage of the total (plasmin+plasminogen) enzyme activated to plasmin increased in late-lactation milk and in milk from fourth- and later-lactation cows. Plasmin activity did not affect any milk clotting parameters in this study. Increased protein in milk resulted in shorter clotting times. When statistically adjusted for protein content, clotting time was longer in milk from the Holstein herd compared to the Jersey herd. Curd firming rate was increased in milk with higher protein and fat. Milk samples collected in the fall had faster firming rates than milk from other seasons. Firming rates remained constant during lactation but increased with higher protein and fat content. Jersey herd milk produced firmer curd than Holstein herd milk and milk collected in the fall had firmer curd than during the other seasons.

<p>The aim of this study is to research environmental factors and their impact among manufacturing companies in Umeå. In order to capture the essence of environmental impacts , two research questions were asked; which environmental factors are considered, and in what context are they evaluated among manufacturing companies in Umeå, and how are stakeholders an implication on corporate environmental efforts for manufacturing companies in Umeå?</p><p>First and foremost relevant theories were discovered, using several databases. Second, they were incorporated into a conceptual framework, where their relationship and characteristics were displayed. The theories were then transformed into themes, which became the foundation of the interview guide.</p><p>The study was conducted by interviewing six manufacturing companies with more than 10 employees in Umeå. The interviews were semi-structured, and a mixture of telephone interviews and in-person interviews. An analysis of the empirical material was undertaken, by analyzing the data using the theories found during the information search.</p><p>Almost all participating companies consider environmental factors in one way or another, according to the findings of this study. Further, the customers were concluded to be the most important stakeholder in leading to environmental reform among the companies. However, other stakeholders were also recognized by the respondents, and had an impact in for the stakeholders’ specific circumstances.</p>

The aim of this study is to research environmental factors and their impact among manufacturing companies in Umeå. In order to capture the essence of environmental impacts , two research questions were asked; which environmental factors are considered, and in what context are they evaluated among manufacturing companies in Umeå, and how are stakeholders an implication on corporate environmental efforts for manufacturing companies in Umeå? First and foremost relevant theories were discovered, using several databases. Second, they were incorporated into a conceptual framework, where their relationship and characteristics were displayed. The theories were then transformed into themes, which became the foundation of the interview guide. The study was conducted by interviewing six manufacturing companies with more than 10 employees in Umeå. The interviews were semi-structured, and a mixture of telephone interviews and in-person interviews. An analysis of the empirical material was undertaken, by analyzing the data using the theories found during the information search. Almost all participating companies consider environmental factors in one way or another, according to the findings of this study. Further, the customers were concluded to be the most important stakeholder in leading to environmental reform among the companies. However, other stakeholders were also recognized by the respondents, and had an impact in for the stakeholders’ specific circumstances.

As a result of the rapid globalization process and growth of competition, companies are fostered to expand in the international markets in order to maintain competitive advantages and keep on growing. The thesis focuses on the concepts of networking and environments which are perceived to be major factors for the internationalization process. The aim of this study is to examine the significance of networking and environmental issues for the internationalization process in the Lithuanian market. The study is carried out in the context of Born Global companies. The theoretical framework of this thesis focuses on three main points. The first approach considered within the literature review is the internationalization process. The following one is networking, considering formal and informal networks in particular. The last approach of importance for the thesis involves environmental factors regarding a particular country’s market. This theoretical framework guides the reader through the collection and analysis of empirical data, as well as concluding thoughts for the study. The single case study of the selected company from Halmstad was carried out by employing a qualitative research method. Semi-structured personal interviews enabled the author to collect the empirical data which was supplemented with the secondary data received by using web sites, documentation and scientific articles. The results of the case study indicate that networking and environmental issues influence to a considerable extent the internationalization processes. Moreover, the significance of informal networks was emphasized in particular. However, the study has not shown the obvious evidence that environmental factors affect a company’s performance within the Lithuanian market considerably. The single case study enabled me to give practical implications for a real case, considering the introduction of a particular product into the Lithuanian market.

Background: Social participation is essential to well-being for adolescents with and without disabilities. Adolescents with a disability, however, often have fewer friendships and experience social isolation compared to their peers without disability. Telecommunications play a vital role in facilitating social participation for adolescents yet those with a disability experience reduced access. Based on the World Health Organisation’s framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) this study aimed to identify environmental factors (barriers and facilitators) that impact on participation in telecommunication use, as perceived by adolescents with cerebral palsy and their communication partners. Method: A qualitative research design was adopted using observations and in-depth interviews with five dyads of adolescents with cerebral palsy and significant communication partners. Data from interviews was analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators. Results and Conclusions: A total of 66 facilitators and 72 barriers to telecommunication use were identified. These were divided into four categories; people-related, equipment-related, support/training-related and ‘other’. A large number of interrelated people and equipment related factors were identified. Participants also identified the need for further training and support. In order to improve social participation for adolescents with disabilities, future research must investigate the development of assessment tools that accurately identify environmental barriers to telecommunication use and contribute to the development of strategies to over come these barriers.

Background: Social participation is essential to well-being for adolescents with and without disabilities. Adolescents with a disability, however, often have fewer friendships and experience social isolation compared to their peers without disability. Telecommunications play a vital role in facilitating social participation for adolescents yet those with a disability experience reduced access. Based on the World Health Organisation’s framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) this study aimed to identify environmental factors (barriers and facilitators) that impact on participation in telecommunication use, as perceived by adolescents with cerebral palsy and their communication partners. Method: A qualitative research design was adopted using observations and in-depth interviews with five dyads of adolescents with cerebral palsy and significant communication partners. Data from interviews was analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators. Results and Conclusions: A total of 66 facilitators and 72 barriers to telecommunication use were identified. These were divided into four categories; people-related, equipment-related, support/training-related and ‘other’. A large number of interrelated people and equipment related factors were identified. Participants also identified the need for further training and support. In order to improve social participation for adolescents with disabilities, future research must investigate the development of assessment tools that accurately identify environmental barriers to telecommunication use and contribute to the development of strategies to over come these barriers.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Univ., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Fishpond Svět is one of the most prominent and attractive water bodies of Třeboň region. It is located close to Třeboň town, is is used for fish production and joined economic activities, as well as for recreation and sporting. To harmonize all the functions is the goal of the Rybářství Třeboň Co., owner of the fishpond, and local governement of Třeboň town. For revitalization of the fishpond, economic activities are harmonized in order to improve the water quality. The goal is provided via decreasing fish number, fertilizers and food, which resulted in decreasing numbers of cyanobacteria and algae in phytoplankton, especially during warm parts of years, when the troubles, for recretaion, are most. This measures are monitored by Inst. Botany Acad. Sci. via regular sampling and analysing NO2-, NO3-, tN, PO43-, tP, Cl- a NH4+ concentrations as well as temperature, Secchi desk depth and chlorophyll_a. I was participating in sampling and evaluation in period 2008-2010. Results of the monitoring are regularly presented in local press and internet home page of town Třeboň which is also covering the expenses of the project.

Os aspectos epidemiolÃgicos da DoenÃa MeningocÃcica no tempo (ano e mÃs) e espaÃo (fatores ambientais) foram investigados de 1986 a 1998 em FortalezaâCearÃ-Brasil. As informaÃÃes foram obtidas de bancos de dados do Estado e MunicÃpio e de prontuÃrios mÃdicos. Na construÃÃo do diagrama de controle, o mÃtodo dos quartis foi comparado ao do desvio padrÃo, o primeiro detectou o inÃcio de uma epidemia mais precocemente. Os meses de marÃo, abril e maio registraram os maiores nÃmeros de casos, como tambÃm, as maiores mÃdias mensais de precipitaÃÃo, umidade relativa do ar e as menores mÃdias mensais de evaporaÃÃo. Observou-se que os casos da doenÃa meningocÃcica ocorreram semanas apÃs o aumento da precipitaÃÃo (500mm/mÃs); da umidade relativa do ar (>80%); da reduÃÃo da insolaÃÃo (<200horas/mÃs); e da evaporaÃÃo (<50mm/mÃs), sugerindo que essas variÃveis poderiam influenciar no comportamento da DoenÃa MeningocÃccica em Fortaleza. / The epidemiological aspects of the Meningococcal Disease in Fortaleza, State do CearÃ, Brazil, from 1986 to 1998, related to time and environmental factors were studied. The information was obtained from the Municipal and State Secretaries of Health data bank and also from patient records. The quartile method detected an epidemic sooner than the standard deviation. The months of March, April and May registered the largest number of cases, as well as the highest monthly averages of rain precipitation and relative humidity and the smallest monthly averages of evaporation. In Fortaleza, the cases of Meningococcal Disease occurred weeks after the increase in precipitation (500mm/mo) in relative humidity (>80%), the reduction of insulation (<200horas/mo) and evaporation (<50mm/mo); suggesting that those variables can influence the behavior of MD in Fortaleza.

Lichen uses - potentials of the European Guideline for mapping lichen diversity David Svoboda My projects had one common feature, namely the application of the European Guideline for mapping lichen diversity as an indicator of environmental stress (Asta et al. 2002). This methodology was developed in an effort to make a standardised protocol for European screening of epiphytic lichens for various purposes. The dissertation is focused on selected topics and the main objectives can be summarised as follows: 1) To evaluate the potential of the LDV method for determination of general air pollution, and the possibility of applying the new methodology in the Czech Republic. 2) To compare results given by the LDV method and the older qualitative method by Hawksworth and Rose (1970). 3) To determine the principal factors influencing the epiphytic lichen distribution in Central European oak forests, and to elucidate possible correlations among natural and human caused environmental factors in a large scale study. 4) To investigate the epiphytic lichens living in temperate oak forests, their features and possible lichenological differentiations; to determine indicative species for old growth forests and natural woodlands under different climatic conditions and human influence in the Central Europe. 5) To determine...