Päivi Jokela

Can we rationally design molecularly imprinted polymers

The nearly exponential growth in the molecular imprinting literature has to a large extent been fuelled by an increasing awareness of the potential of molecular imprinting based technologies. Despite the acceptance of the technique by cognate disciplines and the demonstration of its usefulness in a number of enabling technologies, relatively little is known about the molecular level events underlying the imprinting process and subsequent recognition events. What rules govern imprint formation? Can we use such rules to rationally design molecularly imprinted polymers?

The use of computerized microscopic image analysis to determine emulsion droplet size distributions

Abstract The use of computerized microscope image analysis technique to determine the droplet size distribution in emulsion samples is described. Corrections must be applied to the two-dimensional image in order to obtain the concentrations of each range of particle sizes present in the sample. Particle size distributions of standard polystyrene latex particles and a crude oil-in-water emulsion obtained using this technique are compared with those obtained using Coulter counting and a laser diffraction method. Satisfactory agreement between all three methods is found.

Collaborative e-Marketplaces Containing Clusters of SMEs: Drivers and Barriers in the Local Food Sector

This paper explores the current context of collabo¬ration between small local food producers. The aim is to facilitate the design and maintenance of trust¬worthy collaborative e-marketplaces containing clusters of SMEs. An ethnographic approach was used and data was collected through observations, interviews and questionnaires. Our findings reveal both drivers to exploit and barriers to harness enabling trustworthy collaboration. Our current test bed is based on a research and design context that lacks mechanisms for governance. To take full advantage of the drivers and to tackle the barriers in a fruitful way, there is a need for a flexible infra¬structure that allow for structured requirements, contractual agreements and validation of proposed collaboration services. To address this, we take advantage of recent developments in cloud computing, more specifically the integration of Platform as a Service (PaaS) in the support system.

Net-Based Training for Physicians:

In order to ensure and increase access to high-quality learning opportunities it is becoming more and more common to integrate e-learning into health-related environments. The rapid development of these new learning environments also requires continuous monitoring and evaluation, to guarantee the quality of the health-care education. In this project a holistic model based on a systems approach is used in order to evaluate a video conference-supported course in emergency medicine. Questionnaires and observations as well as interviews in groups and individually were used for data gathering. The course participants were 27 junior doctors, 18 from the Stockholm node and 9 from the Kalmar node; 11 lecturers were involved. The collaborative pedagogical approach was appreciated; all participants agreed that their peers contributed to the learning process. The greatest advantage of the course was that high-quality education was made available to a group of junior doctors who did not have alternative possibilities for participating in a traditional course. To offer a proficient video conference environment for synchronous two-way communication, the course must be developed at three levels: technical environment; individual information and communications technology skills; and course organisation. Potential users must be offered adequate training and technical support. The course organisation must encourage the sharing of responsibilities and tasks between the participating nodes.