Adjusting for the environment in DEA: a comparison of alternative models based on empirical data

Due to the existence of free software and pedagogical guides, the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been further democratized in recent years. Nowadays, it is quite usual for practitioners and decision makers with no or little knowledge in operational research to run their own efficiency analysis. Within DEA, several alternative models allow for an environmental adjustment. Four alternative models, each user-friendly and easily accessible to practitioners and decision makers, are performed using empirical data of 90 primary schools in the State of Geneva, Switzerland. Results show that the majority of alternative models deliver divergent results. From a political and a managerial standpoint, these diverging results could lead to potentially ineffective decisions. As no consensus emerges on the best model to use, practitioners and decision makers may be tempted to select the model that is right for them, in other words, the model that best reflects their own preferences. Further studies should investigate how an appropriate multi-criteria decision analysis method could help decision makers to select the right model.

Protection of the high-voltage equipment with reduced insulation strength

Power transformer is the most expensive equipment on a substation. It is always necessary to get needed benefit with the lowest expenses. Producing of power transformers with reduced insulation strength is one of the possible ways to reduce expenses. Exploitation of such transformers was begun in the end of 70-th in the last century. Protection from overvoltages was done with valve-type magnetic combined surge arresters with increased blanking voltage during switching overvoltages. Nowadays there is the necessity of replacement of those devices. That���s why modernized nonlinear surge arrester was invented. This master���s thesis is focused on the use research of that modernized device in comparison with usual nonlinear surge arresters. The goal is to show the lightning overvoltages level using different types of nonlinear surge arresters and then calculations of the lightning protection reliability.

Determining the location for a mobile device by utilization of local resources of the environment

The subject being analyzed of this Master���s Thesis is a development of a service that is used to define a current location of a mobile device. The service utilized data that is obtained from own GPS receiver in some possible cases and as well data from mobile devices which can be afforded for the current environment for acquisition of more precise position of the device. The computation environment is based on context of a mobile device. The service is implemented as an application for communicator series Nokia N8XX. The Master���s Thesis presents theoretical concept of the method and its practical implementation, architecture of the application, requirements and describes a process of its functionality. Also users��� work with application is presented and recommendations for possible future improvements are made.

Effects of thermal environment and supplementation levels on the physiological parameters of moxot�� goats in confined and semi-confined rising systems

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of environmental variables and supplementation levels on physiological parameters of Moxot�� goats in confined and semi-confined rising systems, in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The semi-confined individuals were kept on a grass based diet during the day and arrested in the end of the afternoon. The confined animals were kept in a management center, receiving two diets composed by forage cactus and mani��oba hay into two different levels (0.5 and 1.5% of the body weight). Inside the management center and in the external environment the environmental comfort parameters were set high during the afternoon period characterizing a situation of thermal discomfort for the animals. During the morning the semi-confined animals presented an average respiratory frequency (69.5 mov min-1) and rectal temperature (39.5 ��C) higher than the confined ones (62.6 mov min-1 and 39.0 ��C, respectively). The confined and semi-confined animals were able to maintain their rectal temperature within normal limits, with increase in the cardiac beatings rate and respiratory frequency. The greater percentage of the used supplementations (1.5%) seemed to increase rectal temperature in the two studied rising systems.

Patterns and processes of littoral zooplankton composition in relation to the trophic state of the environment

Avhandlingen handlar om hur kompositionen hos litoralt djurplankton varierar med omgivningens trofiska niv�� (m.a.o. eutrofieringsgrad). Arbetets inledande m��l ��r att beskriva hur m��ngden och artm��ngfalden hos djurplankton i strandn��ra vattnen och de omgivande organismsamh��llen ��ndras med n��rsaltshalter. Huvudsyftet ��r att utreda allm��nna mekanismer som styr dessa m��nster och som p�� s�� s��tt kan vara viktiga i att reglera samh��llen ��ven i andra ekologiska system. Unders��kningarna gjordes i ��l��ndska flador ��ver flera tillv��xts��songer samt i laboratorier d��r omgivningsf��rh��llanden i fladorna kunde simuleras och manipuleras. Djurplankton i dessa lagunlika vikar ��r l��gliga modellsystem. Flador ��r l��mpligt avgr��nsade fr��n det omgivande havet och f��rekommer allm��nt i norra ��stersj��regionen. S��ledes kan de inom ett litet omr��de som ��land representera hela regionala gradienten fr��n n��ringsfattiga till n��ringsrika f��rh��llanden. De sm�� kr��ft- och hjuldjuren som djurplankton best��r av befinner sig i mitten av n��ringsv��ven. De sammankopplar olika typer av mikrobiell produktion vidare till h��gre konsumenter och ��r p�� s�� s��tt centrala f��r organismsamh��llens struktur och funktion i n��stan alla akvatiska milj��er. I likhet med prim��rproducenterna (d.v.s. v��xter och alger som direkt p��verkas av n��rsaltshalterna, och som bl.a. utg��r f��da och habitat f��r djurplankton) samvarierar kompositionen hos djurplankton tydligt med omgivningens trofiska niv�� tills den blir h��g. Sedan b��rjar hela samh��llskompositionen utveckla sig ��t tv�� skilda h��ll. Dessa m��nster kan f��r djurplanktonets del f��rklaras med att dess komposition ingalunda styrs endast av prim��rproducenterna, utan av ett komplicerat samspel mellan dessa resurser samt konkurrerande och h��gre konsumenter (d.v.s. predatorer p�� flera h��gre trofiniv��er). Detta kom fram speciellt i laboratorief��rh��llanden d�� kompositionen hos dessa samh��llskomponenter manipulerades. B��de deras sammans��ttning och relativa t��theter i sig, samt en kombination av b��da visade sig styra djurplanktonkompositionen. Lokala processer (inom fladorna) och synnerligen f��r��ndringar hos olika fundament- (speciellt vass, borstnate och r��dstr��fse), k��rn- (speciellt yngel av a bborre och m��rt) och nyckelarter (stora predatorer som g��dda) verkar kunna avg��ra till vilken grad djurplanktonkompositionen samvarierar med omgivningens trofiska niv��. Inte bara samh��llen utan ocks�� de mekanismer som styr dem ��ndras med omgivningens trofiska niv��. Flador ��r ypperliga naturliga laboratorier f��r att studera dessa och ��ven andra allm��nekologiska m��nster och mekanismer. De ��r ocks�� oerh��rt viktiga milj��er f��r hela kustregionens natur.

Identification and application of bile metabolites to assess the exposure of fish to pharmaceuticals in the environment

Thousands of tons of pharmaceuticals are consumed yearly worldwide. Due to the continuous and increasing consumption and their incomplete elimination in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), pharmaceuticals and their metabolites can be detected in receiving waters, although at low concentrations (ng to low ��g/L). As bioactive molecules the presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment must be considered potentially hazardous for the aquatic organisms. In this thesis, the biotransformation and excretion of pharmaceuticals in fish was studied. The main biotransformation pathways of three anti���inflammatory drugs, diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen, in rainbow trout were glucuronidation and taurine conjugation of the parent compounds and their phase I metabolites. The same metabolites were present in fish bile in aquatic exposures as in fish dosed with intraperitoneal injection. Higher bioconcentration factor in bile (BCFbile) was found for ibuprofen when compared to diclofenac and naproxen. Laboratory exposure studies were followed by a study of uptake of pharmaceuticals in a wild fish population living in lake contaminated with WWTP effluents. Of the analyzed 17 pharmaceuticals and six phase I metabolites, only diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen was present in bream and roach bile. It was shown, that diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen excreted by the liver can be found in rainbow trout and in two native fish species living in the receiving waters. In the bream and roach bile, the concentrations of diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen were roughly 1000 times higher than those found in the lake water, while in the laboratory exposures, the bioconcentration of the compounds and their metabolites in rainbow trout bile were at the same level as in wild fish or an order of magnitude higher. Thus, the parent compounds and their metabolites in fish bile can be used as a reliable biomarker to monitor the exposure of fish to environmental pharmaceuticals present in water receiving discharges from WWTPs.

But in this twilight our choices seal our fate : the interplay autonomy and dignity in defining the international legal response to the beginning of life

Tutkielman aiheena on kansainv��lisen oikeuden kysymys el��m��n alkamisesta ja el��m��n alkamisen ajankohdasta. Tutkielma l��hestyy aihetta Yhdistyneiden kansakuntien lasten oikeuksien sopimuksen kolmannen lis��p��yt��kirjan valossa. Astuessaan voimaan lis��p��yt��kirja tulee mahdollistamaan yksil��valitusten k��sittelyn erillisess�� ihmisoikeuskomiteassa. Koska lasten oikeuksien sopimus j��tt���� m����rittelem��tt�� el��m��n alkamisen ajankohdan, tutkielman perushypoteesina on, miten tuleva komitea ratkaisisi lasten oikeuksien sopimukseen j����neen j��nnitteen. T��m��n hypoteesin ohella tutkielmaa suuntaa olettamus el��m��n alun m����rittymisest�� pitk��lti oikeusperiaatteisiin rinnastuvien autonomian ja ihmisarvon k��sitteiden kautta. Tutkielma l��hestyy aihettaan sek�� oikeusk��yt��nn��n ett�� -kirjallisuuden valossa, sitoutumatta sen tarkemmin mihink����n yksitt��iseen oikeustieteelliseen tutkimusmetodiin. Oikeusk��yt��nn��n kohdalla tarkastelu perustuu p����osin l��nsimaisten ylimpien oikeuksien antamille tuomioille kysymyksiss��, jotka liittyv��t el��m��n alkamisen tematiikkaan. T��m��n ohella, rajatummin, k��sitell����n pohjoismaista el��m��n alun s����ntely��. Oikeusk��yt��nn��n sek�� s����d��sten tarkastelun keski��ss�� on ennen kaikkea oikeudellinen argumentaatio sek�� esiintuodun argumentaation j��nnitteisyys. Oikeusk��yt��nn��n pohjalta muotoutuu moni����ninen ja usein kontekstisidonnainen kuva el��m��n alusta. T��m��n oikeudellisen moni����nisyyden analyysi muodostaa tutkielman keskeisen sis��ll��n. Autonomian ja ihmisarvon k��sitteiden merkityst�� oikeusk��yt��nn��n ja s����d��sten arvioinnille perustellaan tutkimuksessa yht����lt�� niiden merkityksell�� tuomioistuinten argumentaatiossa toisaalta periaatteiden saamalla tuella oikeustieteellisess�� kirjallisuudessa. Tutkielma suhtautuu kriittisesti autonomian ja ihmisarvon k��sitteisiin. Kriittisen luennan tarkoituksena on paljastaa oikeudellisen argumentaation sumeus ja sumeuden oikeudelliselle tulkinnalle aiheuttama ep��varmuus. Tulkinnan ep��varmuuden seurauksena my��s vastaus el��m��n alulle n��ytt��ytyy tutkielmassa ristiriitaisena ja osin perustelemattomana. Tutkielman keskeinen tulos on ennen kaikkea oikeuden j��nnitteiden tunnistamisessa sen l��hestyess�� el��m��n alun m����rittely��. Tutkielman tulosten pohjalta on mahdollista pyrki�� l��yt��m����n muotoutumassa olevan kansainv��lisen oikeuden vastaus el��m��n alulle. Tuon vastauksen vakaus, perusteltavuus ja pysyvyys riippuvat siit��, miten onnistuneesti oikeudellinen argumentaatio kykenee yhdist��m����n yksil��n autonomisen oikeuden p����tt���� el��m��st����n kollektiivin intressiin yll��pit���� el��m����.

The seed coat as a modulator of seed-environment relationships in Fabaceae

The seed coat is one of the main determinants of seed germination, vigor and longevity potentials. It is also intimately associated with temporal and spatial dispersion of seed germination in a large number of plant species. The understanding of its properties and characteristics may explain, anticipate or even allow the modification of seed performance under certain environmental conditions. There is a growing volume of evidence associating seed coat characteristics to specific seed problems. For example, susceptibility to mechanical damage is related to lignin content of the seed coat, while seed longevity and tolerance to field weathering depends on seed coat integrity. Seed performance in many legumes has been associated with certain seed coat structures, such as the hilum, strophiole and micropyle. In soybean, permeability is also related with porosity, color, and cerosity, that affect seed vigor, storage potential, resistance to shrinking and fungi infection, and to susceptibility to imbibition damage. The understanding of these associations is necessary before genetic alterations through breeding for desirable characteristics and is fundamental for the development and improvement of seed pre-sowing treatments, production, handling and quality evaluation procedures, which may ultimately result in reduction of seed quality losses and increase the efficiency of agricultural production systems.

Effect of antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 on the protection of distant organs during reperfusion syndrome in rats

We investigated kidney and lung alterations caused by intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) blockade after ischemia and reperfusion of hind limb skeletal muscles. Rats were submitted to ligature of the infrarenal aorta for 6 h. The animals were randomized into three groups of 6 rats each: group I, sacrificed after ischemia; group II, reperfusion for 24 h, and group III, reperfusion for 24 h after receiving monoclonal anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, potassium, pH and leukocyte counts. Samples were taken from the muscles of the hind limbs and from the kidneys and lungs for histological analysis and measurement of the neutrophil infiltrate by myeloperoxidase staining. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the laboratory tests. There were no major histological alterations in the kidneys. An intense neutrophil infiltrate in the lungs, similar in all groups, was detected. Myeloperoxidase determination showed that after reperfusion there was significantly less retention of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the muscles (352 �� 70 vs 1451 �� 235 �� 10�� neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) and in the kidneys (526 �� 89 vs 852 �� 73 �� 10�� neutrophils/mg; P<0.01) of the animals that received anti-ICAM-1 before perfusion compared to the group that did not. The use of anti-ICAM-1 antibodies in this experimental model minimized neutrophil influx, thus reducing the inflammatory process, in the muscles and kidneys after ischemia and reperfusion of the hind limbs.

Protection of plasmid DNA by a Ginkgo biloba extract from the effects of stannous chloride and the action on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is a phytotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of ischemic and neurological disorders. Because the action of this important extract is not fully known, assays using different biological systems need to be performed. Red blood cells (RBC) are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and used in nuclear medicine. The labeling depends on a reducing agent, usually stannous chloride (SnCl2). We assessed the effect of different concentrations of EGb on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate (3.7 MBq), and on the mobility of a plasmid DNA treated with SnCl2 (1.2 ��g/ml) at room temperature. Blood was incubated with EGb before the addition of SnCl2 and Tc-99m. Plasma (P) and RBC were separated and precipitated with trichloroacetic acid, and soluble (SF-P and SF-RBC) and insoluble (IF-P and IF-RBC) fractions were isolated. The plasmid was incubated with Egb, SnCl2 or EGb plus SnCl2 and agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. The gel was stained with ethidium bromide and the DNA bands were visualized by fluorescence in an ultraviolet transilluminator system. EGb decreased the labeling of RBC, IF-P and IF-RBC. The supercoiled form of the plasmid was modified by treatment with SnCl2 and protected by 40 mg/ml EGb. The effect of EGb on the tested systems may be due to its chelating action with the stannous ions and/or pertechnetate or to the capability to generate reactive oxygen species that could oxidize the stannous ion.

Glutathione and the redox control system trypanothione/trypanothione reductase are involved in the protection of Leishmania spp. against nitrosothiol-induced cytotoxicity

Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant thiol protecting mammalian cells against oxidative stress induced by oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species. In trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione plays a central role in parasite protection against mammalian host defence systems by recycling trypanothione disulphide by the enzyme trypanothione reductase. Although Kinetoplastida parasites lack glutathione reductase, they maintain significant levels of glutathione. The aim of this study was to use Leishmania donovani trypanothione reductase gene mutant clones and different Leishmania species to examine the role of these two individual thiol systems in the protection mechanism against S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), a nitrogen-derived reactive species donor. We found that the resistance to SNAP of different species of Leishmania was inversely correlated with their glutathione concentration but not with their total low-molecular weight thiol content (about 0.18 nmol/10(7) parasites, regardless Leishmania species). The glutathione concentration in L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 0.12, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.04 nmol/10(7) parasites, respectively. L. amazonensis, that have a higher level of glutathione, were less susceptible to SNAP (30 and 100 ��M). The IC50 values of SNAP determined to L. amazonensis, L. donovani, L. major, and L. braziliensis were 207.8, 188.5, 160.9, and 83 ��M, respectively. We also observed that L. donovani mutants carrying only one trypanothione reductase allele had a decreased capacity to survive (~40%) in the presence of SNAP (30-150 ��M). In conclusion, the present data suggest that both antioxidant systems, glutathione and trypanothione/trypanothione reductase, participate in protection of Leishmania against the toxic effect of nitrogen-derived reactive species.

Wood biochemicals for the protection of health. Focus on hemicellulose, stilbenoids and lignans

Trees produce an enormous amount of compounds that are still scantly utilized.However, the results obtained from structurally similar biochemicals suggest that wood-derived compounds could be used for the protection of health in various applications. Polyphenols, for instance, could be extracted from wood in high quantities. Similar polyphenols to those in wood include resveratrol, found in grapes, and secoisolariciresinol, present in flaxseeds. Their consumption has been inversely associated with the incidence of various diseases, especially certain cancers and obesity-related disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the health-promoting effects of woodderived biochemicals. The effect of spruce hemicellulose on the growth of probiotic intestinal bacteria was studied. The results suggest that the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli can utilize hemicellulose and thus it has potential as a prebiotic compound. In particular, the efficacy of pine polyphenols to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer was our main interest. It was found that stilbenoids and lignans inhibited the proliferation of various cancer cells, and reduced the growth of prostate cancer xenografts in mice. The polyphenol rich pine knot extract was well tolerated in diet and extract-derived polyphenols were rapidly absorbed after intake. Furthermore, we determined the effect of the dietary pine knot extract on the weight gain and the expression of aromatase gene in reporter mouse expressing the promoter region of a human aromatase gene. It was found that dietary pine knot extract alleviated the obesity-induced inflammation in adipose tissue and downregulated the expression of a human aromatase gene. Taken together, several components of spruce and pine may have a future role as health-promoting compounds.