Käytöstä poistettujen tietokoneiden kustannusedullisin jatkokäsittely puolustusvoimissa

Puolustushallinto on suuri materiaalin käyttäjä ja hankkija, se tuottaa huomattavan määrän atk-romua, joka luokitellaan ongelmajätteeksi. Laitteiden poistaminen jää tulosyksikön vastuulle ja sen on huolehdittava niiden asianmukaisesta jatkokäsittelystä. Tietoteknisten laitteiden hävittämisestä aiheutuvat vuotuiset kulut ovat mittavia, ja tästä syystä vaihtoehtoisia tapoja hävittää materiaalia on pohdittava. Tutkielma esittelee eri jatkokäsittelyprosesseja, joilla käytöstä poistetut tietokoneet voidaan hyötykäyttää ja selvittää kustannusedullisimman vaihtoehdon. Lisäksi tutkimuksessa ilmenee kiertoprosesseista saatavat hyödyt ja haitat. Tutkimusmenetelmänä on kirjallisuustutkimus ja teemahaastattelut. Tutkimuksessa on pyritty lähdeaineiston avulla esittelemään jatkokäsittelyprosesseja yksinkertaisessa muodossa. Kirjallisuuteen ja teemahaastatteluihin perustuen on kartoitettu kustannusedullisin jatkokäsittelyprosessi. Tutkimuksessa ilmeni, kustannusedullisimmaksi vaihtoehdoksi tietokoneiden myynti uusien laitehankintojen yhteydessä. Jatkokäsittelytapa kuitenkin poikkeuksetta vaatii uusien laitteiden hankinnan yhteistyökumppanilta. Tämän vuoksi on tarkasteltava tietokonelaitteiden hintojen kilpailukykyisyys verrattuna muihin laitetoimittajiin.

Evaluation of alternative containers to determining the working width of fertilizer spreaders

Farmers have difficult of determining the evenness of transverse distribution and the working width, due the tests with this aim require equipments and complex methodologies. So, this study evaluates some alternative containers with the aim to allow a more accessible adjustment of the full width of the solid fertilizer spreaders. Four different containers were tested: i) standard container constructed in accordance with ISO 5690/1; ii) container of polyethylene (plastic trays) with screen shading to prevent the ricochet of material; iii) containers composed by boxes of long-life milk, and iv) containers composed by flowerpots (number 3.5). Also, three different spreaders were used for the tests. Alternative containers showed greater retention of particles than the standardized containers. The full width of work obtained for the coefficients of variation of 12.5; 15; 17.5 and 20%, ranged due the containers in the different pathways. The flowerpots of polyethylene showed similar results to the standardized containers. The heights of the containers were more important for its efficiency than its area of collection.

Rovakaira Oy:n keskijänniteverkon kehittämissuunnitelma toimitusvarmuuskriteeristön näkökulmasta

Diplomityössä tavoitteena on etsiä teknistaloudellisimmat ratkaisut sekä tutkia niiden vaikutuksia sähkönjakeluverkoston käyttövarmuuteen ja luotettavuuteen toimitusvarmuuskriteeristön näkökulmasta. Lisäksi työssä esitetään uusi tunnusluku kriteeristön ylityksestä aiheutuvan haitan arvostukseen. Merkittävä osa Rovakaira Oy:n keskijänniteverkosta joudutaan uusimaan lähivuosikymmeninä teknistaloudellisen pitoajan täyttyessä. Verkon uusiminen antaa mahdollisuuden toteuttaa verkkoa nykyisiin vaatimuksiin paremmin sopivilla ratkaisuilla. Kehitysvaihtoehtoina vertaillaan johdon tien varteen siirtoa, maastokatkaisijoiden lisäämistä, pienitehoisten ja päättyvien haarajohtojen korvaamista 1 kV tekniikalla sekä pienoissähköaseman kannattavuutta. Työssä tarkastellaan yksityiskohtaisemmin Sodankylän käyttövarmuuden parantamista sähköasemavian aikana ja alueen kuormituksenkasvuun varautumista.

Turbidimetry as an alternative method to determine the rating curve of suspended sediments

Understanding hydrosedimental behavior of a watershed is essential for properly managing and using its hydric resources. The objective of this study was to verify the feasibility of the alternative procedure for the indirect determination of the sediment key curve using a turbidimeter. The research was carried out on the São Francisco Falso River, which is situated in the west of the state of Paraná on the left bank of ITAIPU reservoir. The direct method was applied using a DH-48 sediment suspended sampler. The indirect method consisted of the use of a linigraph and a turbidimeter. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the indirect method using a turbidimeter showed to be fully feasible, since it gave a power function-type mathematical model equal of the direct method. Furthermore, the average suspended sediment discharge into the São Francisco Falso River during the 2006/2007 harvest was calculated at 7.26 metric t day-1.

Alternative methodology for calculating the modulus of elasticity of wooden beams of structural dimensions

This study aims to present an alternative calculation methodology based on the Least Squares Method for determining the modulus of elasticity in bending wooden beams of structural dimensions. The equations developed require knowledge of three or five points measured in displacements along the piece, allowing greater reliability on the response variable, using the statistical bending test at three points and non-destructively, resulting from imposition of measures from small displacements L/300 and L/200, the largest being stipulated by the Brazilian norm NBR 7190:1997. The woods tested were Angico, Cumaru, Garapa and Jatoba. Besides obtaining the modulus of elasticity through the alternative methodology proposed, these were also obtained employing the Brazilian norm NBR 7190:1997, adapted to the condition of non-destructive testing (small displacements) and for pieces of structural dimensions. The results of the modulus of elasticity of the four species of wood according to both calculation approaches used proved to be equivalent, implying the good approximation provided by the methodology of calculation adapted from the Brazilian norm.

Test for alternative indicator of soybean sowing depth

Among studies focused on increasing soybean grain yield, the ones related to sowing process are the most significant. Considering that soybean has an epigeal emergence, it becomes difficult to hint at the length covered by hypocotyl up to soil surface, or the actual planting depth. This study aimed to find an indicator that allows the identification of an ideal soybean planting depth. For this purpose, two complementary assays has been carried out in a greenhouse. The first aimed to identify structures that could be indicators of seed planting depth, on a medium-textured soil from Campos Gerais region, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Spring NK 8350 cultivar seeds were sown at five theoretical depths (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm). As seedlings emerged, the “differentiation zone” and the “root curve” depths were measured. The second assay was the validation of the suggested indicators in assay 1 from two soils, one medium-textured and one clay-textured. For this assay, it was used BRS 232. Both the methodologies showed high correlation with the theoretical planting depth. Although their correlation coefficient values were close, the differentiation zone appeared to be the most efficient reference with less planting depth overestimation.

Application of artificial neural networks as an alternative to volumetric water balance in drip irrigation management in watermelon crop

Precision irrigation seeks to establish strategies which achieve an efficient ratio between the volume of water used (reduction in input) and the productivity obtained (increase in production). There are several studies in the literature on strategies for achieving this efficiency, such as those dealing with the method of volumetric water balance (VWB). However, it is also of great practical and economic interest to set up versatile implementations of irrigation strategies that: (i) maintain the performance obtained with other implementations, (ii) rely on few computational resources, (iii) adapt well to field conditions, and (iv) allow easy modification of the irrigation strategy. In this study, such characteristics are achieved when using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to determine the period of irrigation for a watermelon crop in the Irrigation Perimeter of the Lower Acaraú, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The Volumetric Water Balance was taken as the standard for comparing the management carried out with the proposed implementation of ANN. The statistical analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed management, which is able to replace VWB as a strategy in automation.

Íleo biliar: enterolitotomia videoassistida

Treatment, morbidity and mortality of patients with gallstone ileus depend on an accurate diagnosis made in time, and also on a more adequate therapeutic option.A detailed clinical evaluation is fundamental for such diagnosis. Complementary exams like a simple radiological study of the abdomen, high and low endoscopies, an ultrasonography, and a tomography can also be performed. The therapeutic options include the removal of the obstructive factor separately, the performance of a treatment in two separate stages, or the performance of a complete treatment (removal of the calculus, cholecystectomy, and the closing of the fistula).This study aims to present a case report of an elderly man of high surgical risk, presenting gallstone ileus. He was submitted to an isolated videoassisted enterolithotomy through a minilaparotomy. Taking into consideration the patient’s advanced age and the lack of evidence as to other biliary associated pathologies, the chosen treatment seemed to be a good alternative. The evolution was good, and after an 8 month follow-up the patient was found well and with no biliary symptoms whatsoever.

Alternative liquid biofuels for lime kilns

Causticizing plant is an important part of kraft pulp mill. It uses green liquor from recovery boiler as a raw material and consumes lime to produce white liquor, which is an important chemical used in pulping. Lime kiln is a part of the causticizing process. It is used to convert lime mud, a by-product obtained from the causticizing back to lime in high temperatures. This conversion requires a lot of energy. The most common fuels used as energy source for lime kiln are heavy fuel oil and natural gas. In a modern pulp mill lime kiln is the only user of significant amount of fossil fuels. Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels can have prominent economical and environmental benefits. Interest in using biofuels as energy source of lime kiln has become a worldwide issue in the recent years. However fuels used for lime kiln have a lot of certain requirements. The purpose of this work is to study the required characteristics from liquid fuels used in pulp mill lime kiln and to map suitable liquid biofuels already available in the markets. Also taxation of liquid biofuels compared to heavy fuel oil in Finland, Sweden and Germany is shortly introduced.

Emancipating and developing learning activity: Systemic intervention and re-instrumentation in higher education.

The central theme of this thesis is the emancipation and further development of learning activity in higher education in the context of the ongoing digital transformation of our societies. It was developed in response to the highly problematic mainstream approach to digital re-instrumentation of teaching and studying practises in contemporary higher education. The mainstream approach is largely based on centralisation, standardisation, commoditisation, and commercialisation, while re-producing the general patterns of control, responsibility, and dependence that are characteristic for activity systems of schooling. Whereas much of educational research and development focuses on the optimisation and fine-tuning of schooling, the overall inquiry that is underlying this thesis has been carried out from an explicitly critical position and within a framework of action science. It thus conceptualises learning activity in higher education not only as an object of inquiry but also as an object to engage with and to intervene into from a perspective of intentional change. The knowledge-constituting interest of this type of inquiry can be tentatively described as a combination of heuristic-instrumental (guidelines for contextualised action and intervention), practical-phronetic (deliberation of value-rational aspects of means and ends), and developmental-emancipatory (deliberation of issues of power, self-determination, and growth) aspects. Its goal is the production of orientation knowledge for educational practise. The thesis provides an analysis, argumentation, and normative claim on why the development of learning activity should be turned into an object of individual|collective inquiry and intentional change in higher education, and why the current state of affairs in higher education actually impedes such a development. It argues for a decisive shift of attention to the intentional emancipation and further development of learning activity as an important cultural instrument for human (self-)production within the digital transformation. The thesis also attempts an in-depth exploration of what type of methodological rationale can actually be applied to an object of inquiry (developing learning activity) that is at the same time conceptualised as an object of intentional change within the ongoing digital transformation. The result of this retrospective reflection is the formulation of “optimally incomplete” guidelines for educational R&D practise that shares the practicalphronetic (value related) and developmental-emancipatory (power related) orientations that had been driving the overall inquiry. In addition, the thesis formulates the instrumental-heuristic knowledge claim that the conceptual instruments that were adapted and validated in the context of a series of intervention studies provide means to effectively intervene into existing practise in higher education to support the necessary development of (increasingly emancipated) networked learning activity. It suggests that digital networked instruments (tools and services) generally should be considered and treated as transient elements within critical systemic intervention research in higher education. It further argues for the predominant use of loosely-coupled, digital networked instruments that allow for individual|collective ownership, control, (co-)production, and re-use in other contexts and for other purposes. Since the range of digital instrumentation options is continuously expanding and currently shows no signs of an imminent slow-down or consolidation, individual and collective exploration and experimentation of this realm needs to be systematically incorporated into higher education practise.

Testing Futures Market Efficiency and Optimal Hedge Ratio Estimation: Evidence from Futures and Options on RTS

This study investigates futures market efficiency and optimal hedge ratio estimation. First, cointegration between spot and futures prices is studied using Johansen method, with two different model specifications. If prices are found cointegrated, restrictions on cointegrating vector and adjustment coefficients are imposed, to account for unbiasedness, weak exogeneity and prediction hypothesis. Second, optimal hedge ratios are estimated using static OLS, and time-varying DVEC and CCC models. In-sample and out-of-sample results for one, two and five period ahead are reported. The futures used in thesis are RTS index, EUR/RUB exchange rate and Brent oil, traded in Futures and options on RTS.(FORTS) For in-sample period, data points were acquired from start of trading of each futures contract, RTS index from August 2005, EUR/RUB exchange rate March 2009 and Brent oil October 2008, lasting till end of May 2011. Out-of-sample period covers start of June 2011, till end of December 2011. Our results indicate that all three asset pairs, spot and futures, are cointegrated. We found RTS index futures to be unbiased predictor of spot price, mixed evidence for exchange rate, and for Brent oil futures unbiasedness was not supported. Weak exogeneity results for all pairs indicated spot price to lead in price discovery process. Prediction hypothesis, unbiasedness and weak exogeneity of futures, was rejected for all asset pairs. Variance reduction results varied between assets, in-sample in range of 40-85 percent and out-of sample in range of 40-96 percent. Differences between models were found small, except for Brent oil in which OLS clearly dominated. Out-of-sample results indicated exceptionally high variance reduction for RTS index, approximately 95 percent.

The knapsack problem approach in solving partial hedging problems of options

En option är ett finansiellt kontrakt som ger dess innehavare en rättighet (men medför ingen skyldighet) att sälja eller köpa någonting (till exempel en aktie) till eller från säljaren av optionen till ett visst pris vid en bestämd tidpunkt i framtiden. Den som säljer optionen binder sig till att gå med på denna framtida transaktion ifall optionsinnehavaren längre fram bestämmer sig för att inlösa optionen. Säljaren av optionen åtar sig alltså en risk av att den framtida transaktion som optionsinnehavaren kan tvinga honom att göra visar sig vara ofördelaktig för honom. Frågan om hur säljaren kan skydda sig mot denna risk leder till intressanta optimeringsproblem, där målet är att hitta en optimal skyddsstrategi under vissa givna villkor. Sådana optimeringsproblem har studerats mycket inom finansiell matematik. Avhandlingen "The knapsack problem approach in solving partial hedging problems of options" inför en ytterligare synpunkt till denna diskussion: I en relativt enkel (ändlig och komplett) marknadsmodell kan nämligen vissa partiella skyddsproblem beskrivas som så kallade kappsäcksproblem. De sistnämnda är välkända inom en gren av matematik som heter operationsanalys. I avhandlingen visas hur skyddsproblem som tidigare lösts på andra sätt kan alternativt lösas med hjälp av metoder som utvecklats för kappsäcksproblem. Förfarandet tillämpas även på helt nya skyddsproblem i samband med så kallade amerikanska optioner.

Proactive and Preventive Student Welfare Activities in Finnish Preschool and Elementary School: Handling of Transition to Formal Schooling and a National Anti-Bullying Program as Examples

Prerequisites and effects of proactive and preventive psycho-social student welfare activities in Finnish preschool and elementary school were of interest in the present thesis. So far, Finnish student welfare work has mainly focused on interventions and individuals, and the voluminous possibilities to enhance well-being of all students as a part of everyday school work have not been fully exploited. Consequently, in this thesis three goals were set: (1) To present concrete examples of proactive and preventive psycho-social student welfare activities in Finnish basic education; (2) To investigate measurable positive effects of proactive and preventive activities; and (3) To investigate implementation of proactive and preventive activities in ecological contexts. Two prominent phenomena in preschool and elementary school years—transition to formal schooling and school bullying—were chosen as examples of critical situations that are appropriate targets for proactive and preventive psycho-social student welfare activities. Until lately, the procedures concerning both school transitions and school bullying have been rather problem-focused and reactive in nature. Theoretically, we lean on the bioecological model of development by Bronfenbrenner and Morris with concentric micro-, meso-, exo- and macrosystems. Data were drawn from two large-scale research projects, the longitudinal First Steps Study: Interactive Learning in the Child–Parent– Teacher Triangle, and the Evaluation Study of the National Antibullying Program KiVa. In Study I, we found that the academic skills of children from preschool–elementary school pairs that implemented several supportive activities during the preschool year developed more quickly from preschool to Grade 1 compared with the skills of children from pairs that used fewer practices. In Study II, we focused on possible effects of proactive and preventive actions on teachers and found that participation in the KiVa antibullying program influenced teachers‘ self-evaluated competence to tackle bullying. In Studies III and IV, we investigated factors that affect implementation rate of these proactive and preventive actions. In Study III, we found that principal‘s commitment and support for antibullying work has a clear-cut positive effect on implementation adherence of student lessons of the KiVa antibullying program. The more teachers experience support for and commitment to anti-bullying work from their principal, the more they report having covered KiVa student lessons and topics. In Study IV, we wanted to find out why some schools implement several useful and inexpensive transition practices, whereas other schools use only a few of them. We were interested in broadening the scope and looking at local-level (exosystem) qualities, and, in fact, the local-level activities and guidelines, along with teacherreported importance of the transition practices, were the only factors significantly associated with the implementation rate of transition practices between elementary schools and partner preschools. Teacher- and school-level factors available in this study turned out to be mostly not significant. To summarize, the results confirm that school-based promotion and prevention activities may have beneficial effects not only on students but also on teachers. Second, various top-down processes, such as engagement at the level of elementary school principals or local administration may enhance implementation of these beneficial activities. The main message is that when aiming to support the lives of children the primary focus should be on adults. In future, promotion of psychosocial well-being and the intrinsic value of inter- and intrapersonal skills need to be strengthened in the Finnish educational systems. Future research efforts in student welfare and school psychology, as well as focused training for psychologists in educational contexts, should be encouraged in the departments of psychology and education in Finnish universities. Moreover, a specific research centre for school health and well-being should be established.

An alternative experimental model for training in microsurgery

OBJECTIVE: to describe a new model of training in microsurgery with pig spleen after splenectomy performed by undergraduate students of the Discipline of Operative Technique of the UFPR Medical School. METHODS: after the completion of splenectomy we performed dissection of the vascular pedicle, distal and proximal to the ligation performed for removal of the spleen. After complete dissection of the splenic artery and vein with microscope, clamps were placed and the vessels were cut. We then made the anastomosis of the vessels with 9.0 nylon. RESULT: the microsurgical training with a well-defined routine, qualified supervision and using low cost experimental materials proved to be effective in the practice of initial microvascular surgery. CONCLUSION: the use of pig spleen, which would be discarded after splenectomy, is an excellent model for microsurgical training, since besides having the consistency and sensitivity of a real model, it saves the sacrifice of a new animal model in the initial learning phase of this technique.

Trauma leagues: an alternative way to teach trauma surgery to medical students

OBJECTIVE: to compare the knowledge of medical students between those who are members of the Trauma League (TL) and those from a non-Trauma League (NTL) group of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES).METHODS: cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive study. Two knowledge tests, with 30 questions each, were applied to students from 3rd to 12th period, randomly selecting five students per period, with 50 students in the TL group and 50 in NTL. The questionnaire topics were: pre-hospital care, the mnemonic ABCDE trauma sequence, advanced trauma and imaging. The students' performances were evaluated by graduation-period group: basic (3rd-5th period), intermediary/clinical (6th-8th) and internship (9th-12th).RESULTS: in the first test the average accuracy of the TL group was 20.64 ± 3.17, while for the NTL group, it was 14.76 ± 5.28 (p<0.005). In the second test the average accuracy for the TL group was 21.52 ± 3.64, while for the NTL group, the average was 15.36 ± 29.5 (p<0.005). When divided into graduation periods, it was observed that the TL group showed a higher average across all three groups (p<0.05) in both tests.CONCLUSION: the students who attended the academic league activities have greater knowledge of the issues that are considered relevant to patient trauma care. In all periods of undergraduate academic training, the TL group had greater knowledge of the subject than the NTL group.