Finna - Opening Access to Cultural Heritage and Scientific Information

Aki Lassilan esitys Europeana työpajassa 20.11.2012 Helsingissä.

Qualitative Characteristics and Quantitative Measures of Solution's Reliability in Discrete Optimization: Traditional Analytical Approaches, Innovative Computational Methods and Applicability

The purpose of this thesis is twofold. The first and major part is devoted to sensitivity analysis of various discrete optimization problems while the second part addresses methods applied for calculating measures of solution stability and solving multicriteria discrete optimization problems. Despite numerous approaches to stability analysis of discrete optimization problems two major directions can be single out: quantitative and qualitative. Qualitative sensitivity analysis is conducted for multicriteria discrete optimization problems with minisum, minimax and minimin partial criteria. The main results obtained here are necessary and sufficient conditions for different stability types of optimal solutions (or a set of optimal solutions) of the considered problems. Within the framework of quantitative direction various measures of solution stability are investigated. A formula for a quantitative characteristic called stability radius is obtained for the generalized equilibrium situation invariant to changes of game parameters in the case of the H¨older metric. Quality of the problem solution can also be described in terms of robustness analysis. In this work the concepts of accuracy and robustness tolerances are presented for a strategic game with a finite number of players where initial coefficients (costs) of linear payoff functions are subject to perturbations. Investigation of stability radius also aims to devise methods for its calculation. A new metaheuristic approach is derived for calculation of stability radius of an optimal solution to the shortest path problem. The main advantage of the developed method is that it can be potentially applicable for calculating stability radii of NP-hard problems. The last chapter of the thesis focuses on deriving innovative methods based on interactive optimization approach for solving multicriteria combinatorial optimization problems. The key idea of the proposed approach is to utilize a parameterized achievement scalarizing function for solution calculation and to direct interactive procedure by changing weighting coefficients of this function. In order to illustrate the introduced ideas a decision making process is simulated for three objective median location problem. The concepts, models, and ideas collected and analyzed in this thesis create a good and relevant grounds for developing more complicated and integrated models of postoptimal analysis and solving the most computationally challenging problems related to it.

Rullaoikaisukoneen asetusarvojen laskeminen ja uuden oikaisukonekokonaisuuden määritys

Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli nykyisin tuotantokäytössä olevan rullaoikaisukoneen automatisointi ja uuden oikaisukonekokonaisuuden mitoitus tulevaisuuden materiaaliominaisuuksien perusteella. Automatisoinnilla on tarkoitus nykyisessä käytössä helpottaa nauhahitsaajan työtä ja lähitulevaisuudessa optimoida romutustarvetta kelojen keula- ja häntäalueilla. Uuden oikaisukonekokonaisuuden osalta työssä on määritetty rullaoikaisukoneen rullakoot, rullien keskiöetäisyys, vaadittava moottoriteho ja rullien tuennan tarve sekä erillisen hilseenmurskaimen/rullavenytysoikaisukoneen tarve peittauslinjan toiminnassa. Rullaoikaisukoneen asetusarvojen laskeminen toteutettiin ympyräkaarimenetelmää ja seurantatutkimusta käyttäen. Ensimmäisen ylärullan asetteluarvot on laskettu suorilla kaavasovelluksilla. Toisen ylärullan kohdalla oli tarpeellista tehdä laajempaa seurantatutkimusta, jotta löydettiin sellainen tapa, jolla myös sen arvot saataisiin riippuvaiseksi ensimmäisen ylärullan asetteluarvoista ja ympyränkaarimenetelmästä. Uutta oikaisukonekokonaisuutta varten suoritettujen laskelmien perusteella rullaoikaisukoneen telakokoa ja keskiöetäisyyttä on pienennettävä, moottoritehoa on kasvatettava ja työrullien tuentaa on parannettava verrattuna nykyiseen tuotantokoneeseen. Esioikaisukonetyyppisen rullaoikaisukoneen rajoittuneesta oikaisutuloksesta ja tietyillä kelalaaduilla esiintyvä erittäin luja wüstiittihilse puoltaa vahvasti erillisen hilseenmurskaimen lisäämistä peittauslinjan konekantaan.

Estimation of Fetal Weight during Labor: Still a Challenge

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of fetal weight prediction by ultrasonography labor employing a formula including the linear measurements of femur length (FL) and mid-thigh soft-tissue thickness (STT). Methods We conducted a prospective study involving singleton uncomplicated term pregnancies within 48 hours of delivery. Only pregnancies with a cephalic fetus admitted in the labor ward for elective cesarean section, induction of labor or spontaneous labor were included. We excluded all non-Caucasian women, the ones previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the ones with evidence of ruptured membranes. Fetal weight estimates were calculated using a previously proposed formula [estimated fetal weight = [1] 1687.47 + (54.1 x FL) + (76.68 x STT). The relationship between actual birth weight and estimated fetal weight was analyzed using Pearson's correlation. The formula's performance was assessed by calculating the signed and absolute errors. Mean weight difference and signed percentage error were calculated for birth weight divided into three subgroups: < 3000 g; 3000-4000g; and > 4000 g. Results We included for analysis 145 cases and found a significant, yet low, linear relationship between birth weight and estimated fetal weight (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.197) with an absolute mean error of 10.6%. The lowest mean percentage error (0.3%) corresponded to the subgroup with birth weight between 3000 g and 4000 g. Conclusions This study demonstrates a poor correlation between actual birth weight and the estimated fetal weight using a formula based on femur length and mid-thigh soft-tissue thickness, both linear parameters. Although avoidance of circumferential ultrasound measurements might prove to be beneficial, it is still yet to be found a fetal estimation formula that can be both accurate and simple to perform.

Morphological aspects of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) umbilical cord

Buffalo is an important livestock resource, with a great participation in agricultural systems, providing milk, meat, and work power. Umbilical cord is responsible for maternal-fetal nutrients exchange during pregnancy, and its alterations can compromise the fetal development. We investigated ten pregnant uteruses collected from cross-bread buffaloes in different stages of gestation. Pregnancy and fetal age was determined by measuring the apex sacral length and development period was calculated by previously published formula. Umbilical cords were measured for length determination. Umbilical cord vascular net and anastomosis were observed by injection of Neoprene latex. Histological sections of the umbilical cord were studied after stain with HE, picrossirius, toluidine blue, orceine, and PAS reaction. Buffaloes' umbilical cord was formed by two central arteries, an allantois duct and two peripheral veins. The artery wall was composed by large quantity of collagen, elastic fibers, fibroblasts and large number of vasa vasorum. The allantois duct was located between the arteries and presented a great number of small nourishing vessels. Small nourishing vessels should be carefully considered to avoid to be mistaken to the arterials and veins vasa vasorum. Medium length of umbilical cord from buffalos was 11.8cm (minimum of 6.8cm and maximum of 17.4cm).

The Use of Systematic Value Strategies in Separating the Winners from the Losers: Evidence from the Finnish Markets

This study examines the Magic Formula and ERP5 value strategies in the Finnish stocks markets. Magic Formula ranks stocks based on EV/EBIT and ROA and ERP5 based on EV/EBIT, ROA, P/B and five-year trailing ROA. The purpose of the study is to examine whether the value strategies can be used to generate excess returns over the market index. The data has been collected from the Datastream database for the sample period from May 1997 to May 2010 and consists of the companies listed on the main list of Helsinki Stock Exchange. This study confirms the findings of previous research that value premium exists in the Finnish stock markets and that systematic value strategies can be used to form portfolios that outperform the market index with lower volatility.

Jatkuvan äänitehojakautuman algoritmi pitkien käytävien äänikenttien mallintamiseen

JÄKÄLA-algoritmi (Jatkuvan Äänitehojakautuman algoritmi Käytävien Äänikenttien LAskentaan) ja sen NUMO- ja APPRO-laskentayhtälöt perustuvat käytävällä olevan todellisen äänilähteen kuvalähteiden symmetriaan. NUMO on algoritmin numeerisen ratkaisun ja APPRO likiarvoratkaisun laskentayhtälö. Algoritmia johdettaessa oletettiin, että absorptiomateriaali oli jakautunut tasaisesti käytävän ääntä heijastaville pinnoille. Suorakaiteen muotoisen käytävän kuvalähdetason muunto jatkuvaksi äänitehojakautumaksi sisältää kolme muokkausvaihetta. Aluksi suorakaiteen kuvalähdetaso muunnetaan neliön muotoiseksi. Seuraavaksi neliön muotoisen kuvalähdetason samanarvoiset kuvalähteet siirretään koordinaattiakselille diskreetiksi kuvalähdejonoksi. Lopuksi kuvalähdejono muunnetaan jatkuvaksi äänitehojakautumaksi, jolloin käytävän vastaanottopisteen äänenpainetaso voidaan laskea integroimalla jatkuvan äänitehojakautuman yli. JÄKÄLA-algoritmin validiteetin toteamiseksi käytettiin testattua kaupallista AKURI-ohjelmaa. AKURI-ohjelma antoi myös hyvän käsityksen siitä, miten NUMO- ja APPRO-yhtälöillä lasketut arvot mahdollisesti eroavat todellisilla käytävillä mitatuista arvoista. JÄKÄLA-algoritmin NUMO- ja APPRO-yhtälöitä testattiin myös vertaamalla niiden antamia tuloksia kolmen erityyppisen käytävän äänenpainetasomittauksiin. Tässä tutkimuksessa on osoitettu, että akustisen kuvateorian pohjalta on mahdollista johtaa laskenta-algoritmi, jota voidaan soveltaa pitkien käytävien äänikenttien pika-arvioinnissa paikan päällä. Sekä teoreettinen laskenta että käytännön äänenpainetasomittaukset todellisilla käytävillä osoittivat, että JÄKÄLA-algoritmin yhtälöiden ennustustarkkuus oli erinomainen ideaalikäytävillä ja hyvä niillä todellisilla käytävillä, joilla ei ollut ääntä heijastavia rakenteita. NUMO- ja APPRO-yhtälöt näyttäisivät toimivan hyvin käytävillä, joiden poikkileikkaus oli lähes neliön muotoinen ja joissa pintojen suurin absorptiokerroin oli korkeintaan kymmenen kertaa pienintä absorptiokerrointa suurempi. NUMO- ja APPRO-yhtälöiden suurin puute on, etteivät ne ota huomioon pintojen erilaisia absorptiokertoimia eivätkä esineistä heijastuvia ääniä. NUMO- ja APPRO- laskentayhtälöt poikkesivat mitatuista arvoista eniten käytävillä, joilla kahden vastakkaisen pinnan absorptiokerroin oli hyvin suuri ja toisen pintaparin hyvin pieni, ja käytävillä, joissa oli massiivisia, ääntä heijastavia pilareita ja palkkeja. JÄKÄLA-algoritmin NUMO- ja APPRO-yhtälöt antoivat tutkituilla käytävillä kuitenkin selvästi tarkempia arvoja kuin Kuttruffin likiarvoyhtälö ja tilastollisen huoneakustiikan perusyhtälö. JÄKÄLA-algoritmin laskentatarkkuutta on testattu vain neljällä todellisella käytävällä. Algoritmin kehittämiseksi tulisi jatkossa käytävän vastakkaisia pintoja ja niiden absorptiokertoimia käsitellä laskennassa pareittain. Algoritmin validiteetin varmistamiseksi on mittauksia tehtävä lisää käytävillä, joiden absorptiomateriaalien jakautumat poikkeavat toisistaan.

Eficácia do fipronil em cães infestados com diferentes cargas parasitárias de Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar através de teste in vivo, a eficácia e o período residual de proteção do fipronil 10% "top spot" em cães infestados com diferentes cargas parasitárias de Ctenocephalides felis felis. Foram utilizados 24 cães da raça Beagle, compondo seis animais por grupo. Os cães foram divididos em quatro grupos. Os cães dos grupos controles I e II não receberam tratamento, enquanto que os cães dos grupos tratados I e II receberam tratamento com formulação de fipronil 10% "top spot". Os cães dos grupos controle I e tratado I foram infestados com 100 pulgas adultas não alimentadas, e os cães dos grupos controle II e tratado II foram infestados com 300 pulgas adultas não alimentadas. As infestações foram realizadas nos dias, -2, +5, +12, +19, +26, +33 e +40 e nos dias +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35 e +42 foi realizada retirada mecânica e contagem de pulgas para avaliação. As eficácias pulguicidas, para o grupo tratado I, nos dias +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35 e +42, foram respectivamente 99,36%; 99,73%; 99,48%; 99,74%; 99,75%; 95,06% e 67,62%. As eficácias pulguicidas, para o grupo tratado II, avaliadas nos mesmos dias, foram respectivamente 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 99,91%; 95,60% e 68,55%. O fipronil mostrou-se eficaz na eliminação das pulgas em cães até o dia +35. A análise estatística comparativa entre as médias de pulgas vivas, entre os grupos controle I e tratado I, demonstrou que ocorreu diferença significativa (p≤0,05) para os desafios em todos os dias experimentais, após o tratamento. Os grupos controle II e tratado II também apresentaram diferença significativa (p≤0,05) para os desafios em todos os dias experimentais, após o tratamento. A análise estatística entre os grupos tratados I e II demonstrou que não ocorreu diferença significativa (p≥0,05) para os desafios em todos os dias experimentais. O desafio foi encerrado no dia +42 já que a eficácia do fipronil nos grupos tratados I e II foram inferiores 70%. O produto em teste mostrou-se eficaz na eliminação das pulgas em cães até o dia + 35, não apresentando mais efeito residual de proteção quando os animais foram reinfestados. Não houve diferença significativa nos níveis de eficácia entre os grupos infestados com 100 e 300 exemplares adultos de C. felis felis ao longo do período experimental.

Reação de plantas de amendoim (Arachis hypogaea L. ) ao trifluralin e mudanças na morfologia da parte subterrânea

Com o objetivo de reproduzir sintomas de malformação de raízes, observados em campo, foram estuda dos os efeitos do trifluralin sobre Arachis hypogaea L., cultivar Tatu, em condições de vaso, em Jaboticabal, SP. Quatro formulações de trifluralin foram aplicadas em solo Latossol Roxo - série Jaboticabal, barro argiloso, com 2,7% de matéria orgânica, em dosagem correspondentes a 1,5; 3,0 e 6,0 litros da formulação comercial por ha. Cada vaso contendo 2,5 1 -de solo, recebeu duas sementes pré -germinada s e foi mantido sob condições de casa-de-vegetação durante 29 dias. Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com treze tratamentos e quatro repetições, perfazendo total de 52 parcelas. Aos 29 dias as plantas, foram retiradas e determinadas as seguintes características: peso da matéria seca das raízes, dos caules, dos pecíolos e dos folíolos; número de folíolos; área foliar e comprimento da haste principal. Alterações morfológicas externas e internas foram observadas. Os resultados mostraram que as partes subter rân eas das plantas foram afetadas, com uma correlação linear negativa e significativa entre o aumento da dose dos herbicidas e peso da matéria. As folhas se mostraram pouco sensíveis, sendo que nenhuma das formulações diminuiu o número de foliolos da planta. A área foliar e o peso da matéria seca dos folíolos somente foram afetados pelo aumento da dose de T. Fecotrigo com va lores de F iguais a 9,62* e 7,61*, respectivamente. De modo geral,po de-se concluir que o maior efeito ocorre devido ao incremento nas doses e não devido a possiveis diferenças entre os tipos de formula ções testadas. Quanto a alterações morfológicas observou-se que nas doses mais elevadas houve grande diminuição na quantidade de raízes, com raízes secundárias curtas e grossas. O hipocótilo emitiu raízes até a altura do nó cotiledonar. Na dose de 3,0 1/ha já foram notadas raízes secundárias um pouco mais espessas que na dose de 1,5 1/ha. As lâminas histológicas de amostras da re gião do hipocótilo mostraram parên quima cortical bastante espesso, de vido ao maior numero de camadas de células, porém não se notou anormalidade na forma das células, nem nos demais tecidos da região estudada.

Managing innovation in oil and gas companies: A proposed framework for the management of innovation at Ecopetrol S.A.

Actually, the term innovation seems to be one of the most used in any kind of business practices. However, in order to get value from it, companies need to define a systematic and structured way to manage innovation. This process can be difficult and very risky since it is associated with the development of firm´s capabilities which involves human and technical challenges according to the context of a firm. Additionally, it seems not to exist a magic formula to manage innovation and what may work in a company may not work in another, even though in the same type of industry. In this sense, the purpose of this research is to identify how the oil and gas companies can manage innovation and what are the main elements, their interrelations and structure, required for managing innovation effectively in this critical sector for the world economy. The study follows a holistic single case study in a National Oil Company (NOC) of a developing country to explore how innovation performs in the industry, what are the main elements regarding innovation management and their interactions according to the nature of the industry. Contributory literature and qualitative data from the case study company (with the use of non-standardized interviews) is collected and analyzed. The research confirms the relevance and importance of the definition and implementation of an innovation framework in order to ensure the generation of value and organize as well as guide the efforts in innovation done by a firm. In this way based on the theoretical background, research´s findings, and in the company´s innovation environment and conditions, a framework for managing innovation at the case study company is suggested. This study is one of the few, if not only one, that has reviewed the way as oil and gas companies manage innovation and its practical implementation in a company from a developing country. Both researchers and practitioners will get a photograph of understanding innovation management in the oil and gas industry and its growing necessity in the business world. Some issues have been highlighted, so that future study can be focused in those directions. In fact, even though research on innovation management has significantly grown, there are still many issues that need to be addressed to get insight about managing innovation in various contexts and industries. Studies are mostly performed in the context of large firms and in developed countries, so then research in the context of developing countries is still almost an untouched area, especially in the oil and gas industry. Finally, from the research it seems crucial to explore the effect of some innovation-related variables such as: open innovation in third world economies and in state-own companies; the impact of mergers and acquisitions in innovation performance in oil and gas companies; value measurement in the first stages of the innovation process; and, development of innovation capabilities in companies from developing nations.

Georges Bataille, Michel Leiris e a experiência do sagrado no entreguerras

O presente artigo tem como objetivo elucidar os usos e sentidos da noção de sagrado nas formulações teóricas e nas trajetórias intelectuais de Georges Bataille (1897-1962) e Michel Leiris (1901-1990) na Paris dos anos 1930. Em meio às diversas experiências estético-políticas da época, que questionavam as possíveis formas da ação política tendo em vista sua ligação com a arte, destaca-se a proposta do Collège de Sociologie (1937-1939), associação animada pelos autores junto a Roger Caillois (1913-1978). O grupo toma o sagrado em dupla articulação: ao mesmo tempo que conceito descritivo, ele passa a ser entendido também como um operador político. Tal ideia é o ponto de partida para as reflexões conjugadas e ao mesmo tempo originais de Bataille e Leiris.

Desagregando o espiritual: a fabricação de pessoas e de complexos espírito-matéria em práticas mediúnicas afro-cubanas

Resumo Na prática religiosa afro-cubana de Palo Monte, falar de espíritos ou entidades é frequentemente referenciar compósitos, conjuntos de materiais, substâncias e forças que não são nem redutíveis a noções cristãs de uma alma integrante e individual, nem a um conceito dualista da matéria. Como uma tecnologia de montagem e desmontagem, Palo Monte aniquila qualquer formulação simples de pessoalidade social, produzindo formas espirituais cujos contornos não são apenas dados pelas intenções de seus criadores, mas podem se tornar peças agregadas tanto de suas vítimas como daqueles que são protegidos por elas. Neste artigo, pretendo analisar os dividendos dessas noções e oferecer uma comparação etnográfica com o Espiritismo crioulo cubano.

Morphological changes of the jejunal mucosa in protracted diarrhea and their correlation with disease duration, weight loss and serum albumin levels

The pathogenesis of protracted diarrhea is multifactorial. In developing countries, intestinal infectious processes seem to play an important role in triggering the syndrome. Thirty-four children aged 1 to 14 months, mean 6.5 months, with protracted diarrhea were studied clinically and in terms of small intestinal mucosal morphology. Mild, moderate or severe hypotrophy of the jejunal mucosa was detected in 82% of cases, and mucosal atrophy was observed in 12%. The intensity of the morphological changes of the jejunal mucosa correlated negatively with serum albumin levels. No correlation was detected between mucosal grading and duration of diarrhea or between mucosal grading and weight reported as percentile. After nutritional support was instituted, serial jejunal biopsies were obtained from 12 patients: five patients submitted to parenteral nutrition for 7 to 38 days, mean 17 days, and 7 patients receiving a hypoallergenic oral diet (semi-elemental formula, 3; chicken formula, 3; human milk, 1). In seven cases (58%) a progressive increase in villus height and a decrease in the number of inflammatory cells were noted. Recovery of the morphologic pattern was accompanied by clinical improvement in all patients

Food and the circadian activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Temporal organization is an important feature of biological systems and its main function is to facilitate adaptation of the organism to the environment. The daily variation of biological variables arises from an internal time-keeping system. The major action of the environment is to synchronize the internal clock to a period of exactly 24 h. The light-dark cycle, food ingestion, barometric pressure, acoustic stimuli, scents and social cues have been mentioned as synchronizers or" zeitgebers". The circadian rhythmicity of plasma corticosteroids has been well characterized in man and in rats and evidence has been accumulated showing daily rhythmicity at every level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies of restricted feeding in rats are of considerable importance because they reveal feeding as a major synchronizer of rhythms in HPA axis activity. The daily variation of the HPA axis stress response appears to be closely related to food intake as well as to basal activity. In humans, the association of feeding and HPA axis activity has been studied under physiological and pathological conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, malnutrition, obesity, diabetes mellitus and Cushing's syndrome. Complex neuroanatomical pathways and neurochemical circuitry are involved in feeding-associated HPA axis modulation. In the present review we focus on the interaction among HPA axis rhythmicity, food ingestion, and different nutritional and endocrine states

Dynamic Analysis Model of Spherical Roller Bearings with Defects

Rolling element bearings are essential components of rotating machinery. The spherical roller bearing (SRB) is one variant seeing increasing use, because it is self-aligning and can support high loads. It is becoming increasingly important to understand how the SRB responds dynamically under a variety of conditions. This doctoral dissertation introduces a computationally efficient, three-degree-of-freedom, SRB model that was developed to predict the transient dynamic behaviors of a rotor-SRB system. In the model, bearing forces and deflections were calculated as a function of contact deformation and bearing geometry parameters according to nonlinear Hertzian contact theory. The results reveal how some of the more important parameters; such as diametral clearance, the number of rollers, and osculation number; influence ultimate bearing performance. Distributed defects, such as the waviness of the inner and outer ring, and localized defects, such as inner and outer ring defects, are taken into consideration in the proposed model. Simulation results were verified with results obtained by applying the formula for the spherical roller bearing radial deflection and the commercial bearing analysis software. Following model verification, a numerical simulation was carried out successfully for a full rotor-bearing system to demonstrate the application of this newly developed SRB model in a typical real world analysis. Accuracy of the model was verified by comparing measured to predicted behaviors for equivalent systems.