Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Julia A. Keen / Health care facilities are responsible for treating highly infected and contagious patients at the same time as patients who are most susceptible to disease. Therefore, it is important that every available technology and application to be strategically applied to protect each and every occupant. In particular, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technologies are being used in today's industry as infection control devices, primarily in health care facilities. This paper addresses the effectiveness and economic impact of applying UVGI to remove harmful airborne pathogens and outlines background information on infectious airborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Besides UVGI, other engineering control methods covered in this paper include mechanical ventilation and air distribution, filtration, and differential pressure control. Consequently, an economic evaluation of a diagnostic and treatment area was created to compare UVGI technologies and other control methods. The evaluation consists of a baseline system designed to meet code requirements; an upper-room UVGI system; a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with an increased air changes per hour (ACH); and a UVGI system in an AHU. First costs, energy costs, and maintenance costs were the basis of economic comparison. The predicted effectiveness of all the alternatives was held constant and the time required to achieve the desired effectiveness was determined. As a result, the upper-room UVGI system and HVAC system with an increased ACH yielded much higher comparative annual costs as well as significantly better room disinfection effectiveness. The UVGI system in the AHU resulted in a lower comparative annual cost than the baseline system with the same room disinfection effectiveness. By designing infection control systems with UVGI, HVAC engineers will be more capable and successful in providing the optimal control system to these critical facilities.

The thesis „The evaluation of the company management and suggestions for its improvements“ deals with the issues of the comunication between the management and employees. The goal of the thesis is to indicate the key problematic issues and suggest solution for its elimination. Current situation is analyzed in the theoretical part and it also contains the description of the method for the management evalution. This method is used in the company and described in the practical part. At the end of this thesis I recommend the solution how to improve the organization and behavior of the management to the employees.

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L, has been a persistent pest of humans. Conventional pyrethroid-formulation insecticides are known to be ineffective for controlling modern bed bug populations. This study evaluates alternative treatment methods such as whole-home heat, a biological control agent (Beauveria bassiana), and the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride for control of insecticide-resistant bed bugs. Three heat systems with different energy sources (propane, electric, and glycol) were evaluated to determine attributes contributing to heat treatment efficacy. The glycol system produced the most mortality of the three systems, killing all nymphs, eggs, and most adults. Heat treatment duration and achieving lethal temperatures in complex environments were found to be the most important factors for treatment efficacy. These factors were directly correlated with technician diligence, specifically regarding monitoring surface temperatures and repositioning equipment. A formulation of B. bassiana was evaluated in the laboratory to determine its ability to infect bed bugs under varying conditions of temperature (15°C, 21°C, and 32°C) and humidity (30%, 50%, and 70%). It was found that humidity conditions (30%-50%) at ≈21°C produced the greatest bed bug mortality and the shortest bed bug median survival time. The fumigant sulfuryl fluoride was evaluated for its ability to eliminate bed bugs from motor vehicles and cargo trailers filled to 85% capacity. This study was the first to document that sulfuryl fluoride fumigation at the 1.9X dosage factor can kill all pyrethroid-resistant bed bug life stages (including eggs) in motor vehicles as well as in chambers filled with personal items. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Since the world-wide bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) resurgence began in the late 1990s, populations of the common bed bug have been evaluated, but most have been found to be highly resistant to pyrethroid insecticides. This resistance has been particularly troublesome due to the fact that the 1996 US Food Quality Protection Act has eliminated the use of many existing chemistries from indoor use and has inadvertently limited the development of new active ingredients for indoor use due to the cost of the required animal testing to document the No Observable Effects Level (NOEL). Due to the lack of novel chemistry for addressing modern bed bug infestations, pest management professionals have had to identify new methods for applying existing products (chemical and non-chemical) for bed bug control. This study evaluated gaseous, mechanical, and biological control methods for bed bug elimination to determine which factors contribute the most to their efficacy, as well as how these methods might be applied in novel ways for control of bed bugs in homes, personal belongings, and even vehicles. At the turn of the 20th century heat treatments were used for controlling bed bug infestations in homes and other structures. Today, mechanical heating systems are again being used to control bed bug infestations in homes and apartments. This study investigated the utility of three commercial heating systems for their ability to control existing infestations in apartment units. The three heat systems utilized different energy sources, different types of delivery equipment, and required different set up and take down procedures in apartments of different cubic footage and clutter levels. Overall, the Assault glycol heating system was found to be the most effective in its ability to get (almost) all of our hidden (in hard to heat locations) temperature sensors up to bed bug lethal temperature. Interestingly, our statistical analysis determined that getting the hard to heat locations up to lethal temperature was directly correlated with heat technician activity. The more times that the technician entered the home to monitor the treatment and adjust the equipment positions, the greater the chance of getting the hidden sensors up to bed bug lethal temperature (and killing the bed bugs). However, it was also found that none of the heat systems tested killed all of the sentinel bed bugs in every replicate. Therefore, we learned heat treatments cannot be expected to eliminate each and every bed bug in a home, and that supplemental control products such as desiccants dusts should be applied after every heat treatment. When attempting to determine which heat system was the most effective for killing bed bugs, it was determined that regardless of which heat systems was being used, the attention and activity (monitoring temperatures and adjusting equipment) of the heat treatment technician was the most important factor contributing to bed bug mortality as well as the achievement of bed bug lethal temperatures in cracks and crevices for all three systems. Our second study examined the environmental factors that influenced fungal growth after bed bug exposure to the insecticidal product Aprehend® (active ingredient Beauveria bassiana). Over the last several decades, this fungus has been widely used to control multiple insect pests. Recently, it has been labelled for bed bug control in indoor environments. This second study was intended to determine the atmospheric conditions (temperature and humidity) under which Aprehend sporulation was most effective for killing bed bugs. It was found that humidity conditions of 30-50% combined with temperatures of ~21°C produced the highest frequency of fungal infection and the shortest median bed bug survival time. This result was surprising because it was originally hypothesized that the 70% humidity condition would be equally effective for promoting fungal growth. However, at all of the temperatures tested, bed bug fungal infection rates at 70% humidity were not as high as those observed when the humidity was within the 30-50% range. Therefore, this study was able to document that the temperatures and humidity combinations that would typically be found within human homes (21oC at 30-50% humidity) were the most effective for producing fungal infections when bed bugs were exposed to the Aprehend product. The final study addressing novel methods for controlling insecticide resistant bed bugs investigated the efficacy of using Vikane gas fumigant (sulfuryl fluoride) at the 1.9× dosage rate for eliminating bed bugs in two challenging infestation situations: personal vehicles, and confined spaces densely packed with personal belongings. The vehicles used in this study were large minivans with seating that folded into the floor. The confined spaces were cargo trailers filled to 85% capacity with books, furniture, and other household items. Each van and trailer was equipped with ~90 sentinel bed bugs consisting of three groups of 9-11 bed bug eggs, 10 nymphs, and 10 adults. The Vikane Fumiguide calculator was used to determine the target dosage (g-h/m3) to apply in each replicate (e.g., one van or trailer). Sulfuryl fluoride concentrations were measured throughout the fumigation process using a Spectros SF-ReportIR. Concentration readings were input into the Fumiguide to determine when the accumulated dosage (g-h/m3) was achieved, and when aeration should be initiated. After aeration was complete, the sentinel bed bugs were removed from the replicates and bed bug nymph and adult mortality was recorded. Bed bug eggs were monitored for 23 d to determine latent mortality. Fumigated bed bug mortality for each replication was 100% regardless of life stage. Latent mortality was observed in a single bed bug egg, where the nymph never fully hatched. This study determined that fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride at the 1.9× dosage factor is an effective method for eliminating insecticide resistant bed bugs from vehicles and personal belongings in densely packed situations. Overall, it was found that the Beauveria bassiana product was most effective when applied under atmospheric conditions that are typically found in indoor home environments. This discovery was very reassuring, because the Aprehend product is one of very few that actually have residual activity with regard to bed bug control. This study also found that whole home heat treatments require rigorous pest technician attention and monitoring to achieve the best results. It was also determined that heat treatments cannot be assumed to be 100% effective on their own, and that they should be supplemented with additional (residual) treatment applications. Not surprisingly, fumigation with sulfuryl fluoride was determined to be 100% effective for eliminating bed bugs in personal belongings that had been packed into treatment chambers. The fumigation process also proved to be 100% effective for eliminating bed bug infestations in transport vehicles which cannot not be adequately treated and are at risk for having electronic components damaged if treated with heat.

<p dir="ltr">This thesis presents a comprehensive exploration of advanced optimization strategies for addressing mixed-integer optimal control problems (MIOCPs) in aerospace applications, emphasizing the enhancement of convergence robustness, computational efficiency, and accuracy. The research develops a broad spectrum of optimization methodologies, including multi-phase approaches, parallel computing, reinforcement learning (RL), and distributed algorithms, to tackle complex MIOCPs characterized by highly nonlinear dynamics, intricate constraints, and discrete control variables.</p><p dir="ltr">Through discretization and reformulation, MIOCPs are transformed into general quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) problems, which are then equivalently converted into rank-one constrained semidefinite programs problems. To address these, iterative algorithms are developed specifically for solving such problems. Initially, two iterative search methods are introduced to achieve convergence: one is a hybrid alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) designed for large-scale QCQP problems, and the other is an iterative second-order cone programming (SOCP) algorithm developed to achieve global convergence. Moreover, to facilitate the convergence of these iterative algorithms and to enhance their solution quality, a multi-phase strategy is proposed. This strategy integrates with both the iterative ADMM and SOCP algorithms to optimize the solving of QCQP problems, improving both the convergence rate and the optimality of the solutions. To validate the effectiveness and improved computational performance of the proposed multi-phase iterative algorithms, the proposed algorithms were applied to several aerospace optimization problems, including six-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) entry trajectory optimization, fuel-optimal powered descent, and multi-point precision landing challenges in a human-Mars mission. Theoretical analyses of convergence properties along with simulation results have been conducted, demonstrating the efficiency, robustness, and enhanced convergence rate of the optimization framework.</p><p dir="ltr">However, the iteration based multi-phase algorithms primarily guarantee only local optima for QCQP problems. This research introduces a novel approach that integrates a distributed framework with stochastic search techniques to overcome this limitation. By leveraging multiple initial guesses for collaborative communication among computation nodes, this method not only accelerates convergence but also enhances the exploration of the solution space in QCQP problems. Additionally, this strategy extends to tackle general nonlinear programming (NLP) problems, effectively steering optimization toward more globally promising directions. Numerical simulations and theoretical proofs validate these improvements, marking significant advancements in solving complex optimization challenges.</p><p dir="ltr">Following the use of multiple agents in QCQP problems, this research expand this advantage to address more general rank-constrained semidefinite programs (RCSPs). This research developed a method that decomposes matrices into smaller submatrices for parallel processing by multiple agents within a distributed framework. This approach significantly enhances computational efficiency and has been validated in applications such as image denoising, showcasing substantial improvements in both efficiency and effectiveness.</p><p dir="ltr">Moreover, to address uncertainties in applications, a learning-based algorithm for QCQPs with dynamic parameters is developed. This method creates high-performing initial guesses to enhance iterative algorithms, specifically applied to the iterative rank minimization (IRM) algorithm. Empirical evaluations show that the RL-guided IRM algorithm outperforms the original, delivering faster convergence and improved optimality, effectively managing the challenges of dynamic parameters.</p><p dir="ltr">In summary, this thesis introduces advanced optimization strategies that significantly enhance the resolution of MIOCPs and extends these methodologies to more general issues like NLP and RCSP. By integrating multi-phase approaches, parallel computing, distributed techniques, and learning methods, it improves computational efficiency, convergence, and solution quality. The effectiveness of these methods has been empirically validated and theoretically confirmed, representing substantial progress in the field of optimization.</p>

Šeimos planavimas apima sprendimus, kuriuos poros ir individai priima dėl savo reprodukcinio gyvenimo, vaikų skaičiaus ir jų atėjimo laiko. Šeimos planavimas taip pat apima sprendimus ar naudoti gimimų kontrolės metodus, ar nutraukti nėštumą. Gimimų kontrolė – tai metodų visuma, kuriais siekiama apsisaugoti nuo nepageidaujamo nėštumo, o taip pat nutraukti nėštumą. Nenumatyti nėštumai ir neplanuoti gimimai gali sukelti rimtų socialinių, ekonominių ir sveikatos pasekmių poroms ir individams. Reprodukcinį sprendimą gali įtakoti tiek individualūs veiksniai, tokie kaip amžius, išsilavinimas, įsitikinimai, žinios apie gimimų kontrolės metodus, poros santykiai, tiek visuomeniniai – aborto įstatymai, šeimos planavimo paslaugos, religija, moters statusas, gimimų kontrolės metodų prieinamumas, socialinės normos. Šiame darbe pristatoma Vilniaus universiteto studentų apklausos (N=140) atsakymai į klausimus apie jų žinias, pažiūras ir elgesį susijusį su gimimų kontrole ir šeimos planavimu. Respondentų buvo klausiama apie jų požiūrį į šeimos planavimą ir abortus, gimimų kontrolės metodų priimtinumą, žinias apie gimimų kontrolės metodus ir šeimos planavimą, religingumą, kontraceptinių priemonių naudojimą, kontraceptinių priemonių savybių svarbumą jas renkantis, partnerio (-ės), tėvų, draugų ir gydytojų nuomonių svarbumą renkantis kontraceptines priemones, santykių trukmę, lytinių santykių dažnumą. / Family planning involves decision made by couples and individuals concerning their reproductive lives and the number and spacing of their children. Family planning also include the decisions whether to use birth control methods and whether to interrupt pregnancy. Birth control is any methods used to prevent fertilization or to terminate a pregnancy. Unplanned births and unintended pregnancies can cause severe social, economic and health consequences for couples and individuals. The choice of birth control methods is conditioned by individual factors such as age, education, personal attitudes, knowledge of birth control methods, couple relationship and social factors such as abortion laws, family planning services, religion, status of women, accessibility of birth control methods, social norms. This study includes the statistical analysis of the survey (N=140) responses by Vilnius university students to questions measuring the knowledge, use and attitudes regarding birth control and family planning. Respondents were asked about their: attitudes toward family planning and abortion, the acceptability of different birth control methods, knowledge about birth control methods and family planning, religiosity, contraceptive use, the importance of attributes of contraceptive methods, the importance of partners, friends, parents and doctors opinion when choosing contraceptive methods, duration of relationship, frequency of intercourse.

Compuesta por tres capítulos: El primero es un estudio sobre la implementación the Sparse Grid métodos para es el estudio de modelos económicos con muchas dimensiones. Llevado a cabo mediante aplicaciones noveles del método de Smolyak con el objetivo de favorecer la tratabilidad y obtener resultados preciso. Los resultados muestran mejoras en la eficiencia de la implementación de modelos con múltiples agentes. El segundo capítulo introduce una nueva metodología para la evaluación de políticas económicas, llamada Synthetic Control with Statistical Learning, todo ello aplicado a políticas particulares: a) reducción del número de horas laborales en Portugal en 1996 y b) reducción del coste del despido en España en 2010. La metodología funciona y se erige como alternativa a previos métodos. En términos empíricos se muestra que tras la implementación de la política se produjo una reducción efectiva del desempleo y en el caso de España un incremento del mismo. El tercer capítulo utiliza la metodología utiliza en el segundo capítulo y la aplica para evaluar la implementación del Tercer Programa Europeo para la Seguridad Vial (Third European Road Safety Action Program) entre otras metodologías. Los resultados muestran que la coordinación a nivel europeo de la seguridad vial a supuesto una ayuda complementaria. En el año 2010 se estima una reducción de víctimas mortales de entre 13900 y 19400 personal en toda Europa.

No description available.

Purpose – To analyze the impact on total cost by inventory control methods under the influence of seasonal demand. The purpose will be answered with following research questions: What inventory control methods can be used when there is seasonal demand? What is the impact of inventory control methods on total cost under the influence of seasonal demand? Method – The study was conducted as a case study and the empirical data was collected through interviews and document study. Both of these contributed to the basis for the analysis and for the calculations in the test of the study. Literature study was conducted and included theories for inventory control methods to answer the first research question, as well as formulas for the methods used to answer the second research question. Findings – It appears from the study, the inventory control methods that can be used when there is seasonal demand and during current planning environment is periodic ordering system and cycle service method. These have been tested further in the study. Seasonal index was considered an important method since it dimensions demand which to a high degree regulate the inventory levels and thereby the result of the inventory control methods. Further the study compares none theoretical inventory control methods and theoretical inventory control methods impact on total cost. It is shown that carrying costs, as a part of total cost, can be reduced by 25% during the peak season and 62% during off-season. This without changing the deliverability. Alternatively, the deliverability can be increased by 10% by using inventory control methods without increasing the total cost of the inventory. Implications – The theoretical contribution of the study is that it has increased the knowledge concerning inventory control methods when there is seasonal demand, and the possible results they might bring. The empirical contribution of the study is that companies can use the study as an indication of the economic benefits and motivation for implementing theoretical inventory control methods. Limitations – The tested inventory control methods did not alter the ordering cost, which to a high degree can have an impact on the total cost. The study also shows a possible impact on the inventory control during the current planning environment. If the planning environment changes, the result of the study can be different.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ALAN MARTINS DE OLIVEIRA.pdf: 1485830 bytes, checksum: 11c6b8c6119b924bac2704d8a0abf2f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work aims to analyze technical and environmental aspects of the production of melon in the Homogeneous Zone in Mossoró emphasizing the fitosanitary control of the whitefly and Leaf Miner Fly. It is divided in two parts. In the Chapter I, an experiment was installed in Baraúna-RN, using delineation in blocks at random, in pieces subdivided in the time 6 x 5. There were six treatments in the piece: 1-physical control (blanket) chemist; 2-physical control (manta) + natural (oil of neem); 3-physical control (manta) + chemist + natural + peat (oil of neem); 4-physical control (manta) + chemist + peat + biological (trichoderma); 5-chemical control; 6-testifies. There were five times of evaluation in the sub piece of pest infestation: 20°, 28°, 36°, 44° and 52° DAT Days After the transplanting. Quantitative characteristics were analyzed: counting of nymphs and adults of whitefly and, larvae and adults of Leaf Miner Fly; qualitative characteristics in the fruits: mass, soluble solids, pulp firmness and pH. The use of alternative methods: biological, physical, natural control and peat have positive effects when used in the associate form. So, it is possible to reduce the use of pesticides in the melon. In the Chapter II, it was used like methodological proceedings the exploratory and descriptive search. There were valued data of questionnaires devoted to the owners or managers of the producing enterprises of melon, through probabilistic sample. It was checked that the short cycle of the culture, the model based on the monoculture, the agricultural mechanization, the elevated consumption of energy and the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers associated to the marketing demands of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the results, are affecting the sustainability of the culture of melon. In the final considerations, we realize that the technologies and the developed methods of production, aiming to pay attention to the growing demand of the result, especially of the rich countries, are untenable in the environmental optics; besides proposing larger searches aiming the sustainability: economical growth with ecological care and social equity / Este trabalho objetiva analisar aspectos técnicos e ambientais da produção de melão na Zona Homogênea Mossoroense, com ênfase ao controle fitossanitário das mosca-branca e mosca-minadora. Está dividido em duas partes. No Capítulo I, instalou-se um experimento em Baraúna-RN, usando delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas no tempo 6 x 5. Na parcela constaram seis tratamentos: 1- controle físico (manta) + químico; 2- controle físico (manta) + natural (óleo de nim); 3- controle físico (manta) + químico + turfa + natural (óleo de nim); 4- controle físico (manta) + químico + turfa + biológico (trichoderma); 5- controle químico; 6- testemunha. Na subparcela constaram cinco tempos de avaliação de infestação de pragas: 20º, 28°, 36°, 44° e 52° DAT Dias Após o Transplantio. Analisaram-se características quantitativas: contagem de ninfas e adultos de mosca-branca e, larvas e adultos de mosca-minadora; características qualitativas nos frutos: massa, sólidos solúveis, firmeza de polpa e pH. O uso de métodos alternativos: controle biológico, físico, natural e turfa têm eficiência quando usados de forma associada. Assim, é possível reduzir o uso de agrotóxicos no melão. No Capítulo II, utilizou-se como procedimentos metodológicos a pesquisa exploratória e descritiva. Avaliou-se dados de questionários aplicados aos proprietários ou gestores das empresas produtoras de melão, por meio de amostragem probabilística. Verificou-se que o ciclo curto da cultura, o modelo baseado na monocultura, a mecanização agrícola, o elevado consumo de energia e o uso de agrotóxicos e fertilizantes químicos, associados às exigências mercadológicas de características quali-quantitativas dos frutos, estão afetando a sustentabilidade da atividade meloeira. Nas considerações finais, destaca-se que as tecnologias e os métodos de produção desenvolvidos, visando atender à crescente demanda do fruto, notadamente dos países ricos, são insustentáveis na ótica ambiental; além de propor pesquisas mais abrangentes quanto aos princípios norteadores da sustentabilidade: crescimento econômico com prudência ecológica e eqüidade social