Biological invasions threaten the ecological integrity of natural ecosystems. Anthropogenic introductions of non-native species can displace native flora and fauna, altering community compositions and disrupting ecosystem services. One often-overlooked vector for such introductions is the release of aquarium organisms into aquatic ecosystems. Following detrimental aquarium-release invasions by the "killer alga" Caulerpa taxifolia, aquarium hobbyists and professions began promoting the use of other genera of macroalgae as "safe" alternatives. The most popular of these marine aquarium macroalgae, the genus Chaetomorpha, is analyzed here for invasion risk. Mitigation strategies are also evaluated. I found that the propensity for reproduction by vegetative fragmentation displayed by aquarium strains of Chaetomorpha poses a significant invasion threat—fragments of aquarium Chaetomorpha are able to survive from sizes as small as 0.5 mm in length, or one intact, live cell. Fragments of this size and larger are generated in large quantities in online and retail purchases of Chaetomorpha, and introduction of these fragments would likely result in viable individuals for establishment in a variety of geographic and seasonal environmental conditions. Mitigation of invasion risk was assessed in two ways—rapid response to a potential introduction by chemical eradication and prevention through safe hobbyist disposal. I tested the effectiveness of five chemicals used as algicides and found that acetic acid was highly effective at limiting survival and growth of aquarium Chaetomorpha. Chlorine bleach, copper sulfate and rock salt were effective at limiting growth but were inconsistent or ineffective in reducing survival of algal fragments. The algicide Sonar limited neither survival nor growth. If aquarium strains of iii Chaetomorpha are released, chemical eradication presents a viable management strategy, particularly through the use of acetic acid. A more cost-effective strategy, however, would be preventing introductions; thus safe alternatives to release were determined for hobbyist disposal of unwanted or excess aquarium Chaetomorpha. Here I present the minimum exposure durations necessary to induce full mortality of aquarium Chaetomorpha through boiling, microwaving, freezing, desiccation and exposure to freshwater. Hobbyist disposal by any of these methods would constitute safe alternatives to introduction of the alga into natural environments. Such preventative measures will inform outreach campaigns in order to limit the potential for aquarium-release introduction.

In today’s complex landscape of embedded software systems, the robust integration testing need is more critical than ever. This bachelor’s thesis project delves into the integration testing of an articulated hauler dumping system for Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). The study focuses on the architecture, functional and safety requirements and overall performance of the system. The complexity of modern construction machinery, driven by sophisticated Electronic Control Units (ECUs), demands precise coordination and flawless operation. Inaccuracies or failures in integrated ECUs can result in operational inefficiencies, safety risks, and substantial downtime costs. This paper offers valuable insights into a systematic approach designed to tackle these challenges head-on within the domain of articulated hauler dumping systems. Our exploration comprehensiveness employed diverse testing methodologies, encompassing scenario-based, boundary and stress testing, integration testing, and user interaction testing. This multifaceted approach enabled a thorough understanding of the system’s behavior, reliability, and responsiveness. The research aims to clarify the importance of comprehensive integration testing and its role in ensuring optimal performance, safety, and complex embedded systems efficiency. This study is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals navigating the complexities of embedded systems integration, offering actionable insights and strategies for achieving robustness and reliability in intricate machinery operations.

More than 300 billion cells die in the human body every day. Although there are over a dozen different death paradigms, they all produce the same result - dead and dying cells. As they are no longer actively maintained, persistent corpses can proceed to a secondary necrotic state in which its cell membrane ruptures thus releasing its contents to the extracellular milieu. As many of the intracellular contents act as damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), they pose a potential danger to the rest of the surrounding tissue and organism. Excessive cell death has been correlated with diseases such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune disorders. To avoid damage and disease associated with cell corpses, two classes of cells evolved to clear them away – professional and nonprofessional phagocytes. A professional phagocyte's primary function is to clear away dying cells and other debris. Nonprofessional phagocytes, however, have a primary role other than clearance. When nonprofessional phagocytes encounter a cell corpse, their phagocytic machinery is engaged to clear it away. Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated that most, if not all, tissues contain nonprofessional phagocytes. To investigate nonprofessional phagocytes, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster is ideal. Drosophila is a useful model system as they have orthologs for 70% of human disease genes, a simplified immune system, and a host of genetic tools. Their ovaries have three morphologically distinct cell types – 15 nurse cells and an oocyte all surrounded by an epithelial follicle cell layer. As the ovaries are immunoprivileged, the follicle cell layer acts as the ovaries’ sole phagocytes. During late stage oogenesis, a small subsection of the follicle cell layer – the stretch follicle cells – murder the nurse cells in order to produce a fully developed oocyte. As past studies of cell corpse clearance have predominantly concentrated on the professional phagocytosis in the context of apoptotic cell corpses, there are still many gaps in our knowledge of nonprofessional phagocytosis and non-apoptotic death. This dissertation focuses on the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transition of nonprofessional phagocytes from their primary role as epithelial cells to their phagocytic role in the context of a newly characterized form of non-autonomous cell death known as phagoptosis. To gain a global view of these changes, two large scale experiments were performed – a classic genetic screen of kinases using RNAi and a high-throughput translatome study. The kinase screen identified dozens of kinase genes required for proper clearance. Of the 27 kinase genes that demonstrated a severe phenotype when knocked down, two were previously uncharacterized and six produced an “undead” phenotype, a phenotype that had only been previously witnessed when genes were perturbed in the germline. A follow up study was performed on Gprk2, one of the genes that induced a severe phenotype. By comparing the phenotypes of Gprk2 knockdowns and those of the two canonical clearance pathways, a third clearance pathway was discovered. The translatome study identified over 400 genes that were statistically significantly differentially expressed between primary state and phagocytic state follicle cells, including groups affecting calcium signaling and muscle contraction. This dissertation further describes the expansion of the molecular network of nonprofessional phagocytes driven by these large-scale experiments and their follow up studies.

El presente trabajo de investigación busca analizar si la regulación nacional permite que los derechos antidumping cumplan con la finalidad para la cual fueron impuestos, esto es, corregir las distorsiones generadas en el mercado como consecuencia de las prácticas de dumping. En esta entrega, se parte de la hipótesis de que la normativa nacional resulta insuficiente para garantizar la efectividad de tales derechos, pues ha regulado una sola modalidad de prácticas de elusión. Este tema resulta relevante en tanto, en los últimos años se ha incrementado el envío de productos extranjeros hacia el territorio peruano, en un contexto en el cual los productores nacionales buscan competir con dichas importaciones. En este análisis, se parte de explicar en qué consisten los derechos antidumping, las prácticas de elusión, para luego evaluar la legislación comparada y, finalmente, analizar la normativa nacional. En base a ello, se concluye que la normativa nacional resulta insuficiente para garantizar la efectividad en la aplicación de los derechos antidumping.

Tesis (magíster en derecho internacional, inversiones y comercio) / Article 56 of China’s Anti-dumping Regulation provides that China may adopt corresponding measures whenever another country discriminatorily imposes anti-dumping measures against imports originating in the People’s Republic of China. This retaliatory language, which dates back to Article 40 of China’s Old Regulations, makes China special since there is no other country’s anti-dumping regulation making such an explicit retaliatory message. AlthoughChinahas not invokedArticle 56 inany of itsanti-dumping investigations,retaliationhas been put inpractice.An example isthe Fasteners Case. By doing an analysis at the light of the WTO Agreements, this thesis concludes that Article 56 is inconsistent with article 23.1 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding, article 18.1 of the Anti-dumping Agreement and Articles I:1 and X:3 lit. (a) of the GATT 1994

目前，有3件反傾銷案採行價格具結措施，包括原產於中國之毛巾，鞋靴及冷軋不銹鋼等涉案產品。財政部於鞋靴反傾銷案接受82家具結廠商，每季海關人員須監督該等具結廠商履行具結情形，爰該具結措施已造成龐大之行政負擔。本文檢視台灣價格具結實體程序及實務做法後，發現部分做法似不符合反傾銷協定或國際慣例。 歐盟於1981年至2001年時期，經常使用具結措施，但自2006年以來，使用具結措施之頻率急劇下降。美國較常採自願出口限制（數量限制），而較少使用價格具結措施。本文藉由相關文獻說明實施價格具結之經濟福利效果，並探討歐盟與美國有關價格具結相關法律與實務做法、歐盟近年來較少採價格具結之原因及歐盟接受或拒絕價格具結措施之理由等，該等研究分析將提供予台灣反傾銷調查之主管機關參考。 / Currently, there are 3 anti-dumping cases settled by using price undertakings including the subject products of towel, certain footwear and cold-rolled stainless steel originating in China or Korea. Among which, Taiwan’s investigating authorities even accepted price undertakings offered by 82 Chinese exporters of certain footwear. Such measure has already caused the considerable administrative burden in monitoring respect. After examining the practices of Taiwan's price undertaking cases, some procedural and substantive aspects seem inconsistent with Anti-Dumping Agreement or international customary practices. Price undertakings were frequently used by the EU during the period from 1981 to 2001, but the frequency has declined sharply since 2006. The U.S. has taken many voluntary export restrictions, but rarely used price undertakings to settle anti-dumping cases. This paper will explore the law and practice of the EU and the U.S. regarding price undertakings. It will also illustrate the reasons for decreasing use of price undertakings, and the grounds for accepting or rejecting price undertakings in the EU anti-dumping proceedings. In addition, this paper will use the relevant literature to elaborate the economic welfare of price undertakings. Finally, it will offer suggestion as the reference for Taiwan's　investigating authorities.

在推展全球化貿易下，面對市場逐漸開放之際，世界貿易組織為了減緩世界各國貿易自由化過程中所受到衝擊，允許會員國實施暫時性的保護措施，以矯正不公平貿易行為，其中又以反傾銷制度最為重要，為各國最常採用方式，但卻造成已開發國家如美國、歐盟過度濫用反傾銷措施，致過度保護本國產業。因此本研究以中國毛巾傾銷案作為研究對象，並運用美國國際貿易委員會所發展的COMPAS模型，來探討中國毛巾傾銷行為對我國毛巾產業之影響。除此之外，由於各國對於反傾銷稅的課徵是否過高頗有爭議，本研究因此進一步檢視我國在中國毛巾傾銷案中所課徵之反傾銷稅稅率是否過高？是否符合WTO反傾銷協定「公平貿易」之規範？若不符合，則在滿足「公平貿易」的前提下，其稅率訂定應該為何？ 由實證結果顯示，整體而言，傾銷對我國國內同類產品的產出、價格與收益，確實有負面的影響，國內市場佔有率則因受到低價傾銷進口品的替代，而呈現逐年下滑趨勢。在反傾銷稅課徵方面，在目前課徵稅率下（204.1％），確實可為國內廠商帶來正面的影響，然而本研究發現目前課徵稅率過高，而可能導致過度保護本國廠商，進而違反WTO「公平貿易」之規範。若將目前所課徵的稅率調降為符合「公平貿易」規範下之稅率（75.7％），其稅額會較採用傾銷差額課徵為低，不僅符合WTO 「較低稅率原則」，同時也可避免過度保護本國產業，對於整體社會福利之損失也較小。因此，本研究對政策的建議是反傾銷稅率訂定除了參考傾銷差率外，更須考量國內廠商之受損害程度，以課徵足以消除國內產業所受損害之稅率即可，來減少因稅賦所帶來之扭曲以及對國際貿易損害，而進一步傷害社會福利。 / At the same time of expanding global trade and increasing openness of the market, World Trade Organization (WTO) has been trying to decrease the impacts on Members during the process of liberalization and has permitted Members to practice temporary measures of protection and to correct unfair trade. Among these measures, anti-dumping is the most important and common one. However, it has abused by several developed countries, such as the USA and European Union (EU), which lead to over-protection of their domestic industries. Therefore, the research chooses the dumping case of Chinese towels as its subject and applies a model of Commercial Policy Analysis System (COMPAS) developed by United States International Trade Commission to evaluate the impacts on domestic towel industry due to import dumping from China. In addition, it is still controversial over the levels of antidumping duty to remain fair trade. Thus, the research will estimate further that if the rate of the present anti-dumping duty on the dumping case of Chinese towels is overrated or meets the principles of “fair trade” under WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement. Besides, if it is not, what is the rate should be to meet the principles of “fair trade” under WTO. The empirical results showed that dumping does have a negative impact on the price, output, and revenue of the domestic industry. The domestic market share has been decreasing year after year because of the substitute effect from dumped imports. As for imposing anti-dumping duty, the empirical results indicate that imposing anti-dumping duty under the present duty rate (204.1%) has a positive effect on domestic industry. However, according to the finding of this research, the present duty rate is too high. Overcharging of the anti-dumping duty could lead to over-protection of domestic industry and to further violation of the principles of “fair trade” under WTO. If the present duty rate can be reduced to meet the principles of “fair trade” (the rate is 75.7%), the tax will be less than the dumping margin. At the same time, it will conform to the“lesser duty rule”under WTO, avoid over-protection of domestic industry and contribute the minimum loss to the social welfare. Hence, this research suggests that the government imposing anti-dumping duty rate should refer to the dumping margin and evaluate the depth of injury to domestic firms. It should only impose an appropriate duty to remove the injury to domestic industry. It is significant to reduce the distortion of the tax and the injury to the international trade, and further harm of social welfare.

När ett vävnadspreparat har genomgått en otillräcklig dehydrering måste det åtgärdas innan provet kan gå vidare i den histotekniska processen. I dagsläget finns det två åtgärdande metoder på Patologilaboratoriet, Region Jönköpings län. Den ena metoden går ut på att provet placeras i smält paraffin för mer stadga. Den andra metoden går ut på att provet rehydreras för att sedan dehydreras på nytt. Syftet med denna studie var att utvärdera en tredje metod, ”dumpingmetoden” som går ut på att vävnadspreparaten dehydreras på nytt direkt utan att först bli rehydrerade.  Denna metod utförs i nuläget redan på vissa hud- och obduktionspreparat på Patologilaboratoriet. ”Dumpingmetoden” skulle kunna förenkla arbetet på laboratoriet då den är snabbare, kräver färre kemikalier och är automatiserad till skillnad från befintliga metoder. Resultaten från studien visade att ett otillräckligt dehydrerat vävnadspreparat aldrig kan bli lika bra som om det hade hanterats korrekt från början. Det är dock trots allt möjligt att åtgärda ett otillräckligt dehydrerat preparat i den graden att det blir bedömbart. ”Dumpingmetoden” förenklade snittningen av alla preparat som testades. Hos kolon- och tonsillpreparat verkade ”dumpingmetoden” ge bättre kvalitet av hematoxylin- och eosinfärgningen än de befintliga metoderna. För hudpreparat gav dock metoden där vävnadspreparat rehydrerats för att sedan dehydreras på nytt bäst kvalité av infärgningen. / A tissue that has been insufficiently dehydrated has to be fixed before it can continue through the histotechnological process. Currently, there are two established measures at the Pathology Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County. One of the methods is to put the sample in melted paraffin to give the tissue more support. The other method is to rehydrate the tissue followed by a new dehydration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a third method called the “dumping method”. The “dumping method” involves a directly dehydration of the tissue, excluding rehydration. This method is currently being used on some of the skin and autopsy samples at the Pathology Laboratory. The “dumping method” would ease the work at the Laboratory since it is faster, requires fewer chemicals and can be automated, unlike the current available methods. The results from the study showed that an insufficiently dehydrated tissue can’t be restore to its original state. Never less it is possible to restore the tissue sufficiently for diagnosis. The “dumping method” eased the sectioning of all the tissue samples included in this study. For colon and tonsil tissues, the “dumping method” ensured higher quality of the haematoxylin and eosin staining than the current available methods. For skin tissues, however, the method of rehydration followed by a new dehydration resulted in the highest staining quality

As medidas antidumping são uma exceção ao livre comércio e como tal deveriam ser usadas com restrição. No entanto, desde o GATT 1947 há preocupação com o uso abusivo de tais medidas, podendo ser o mecanismo utilizado não apenas para possibilitar a recuperação da indústria doméstica prejudicada pelas importações objeto de dumping, objetivo do Acordo Antidumping (AAD), mas com o fim de proteger a indústria nacional da concorrência estrangeira. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho é apresentar as principais características do AAD firmado ao final da Rodada Uruguai que culminou na constituição da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC), incluindo seus antecedentes históricos e a possibilidade de aplicação discricionária, demonstrando como uma norma surgida no plano internacional em decorrência de um acordo multilateral vem sendo utilizada pelo Brasil, com a finalidade de se demonstrar a possibilidade de uso das medidas antidumping como barreira à entrada no mercado brasileiro. Confirmada a possibilidade de uso abusivo desse instrumento de defesa comercial, ainda que no plano teórico, uma vez que não é possível analisar os efeitos reais das medidas aplicadas, serão apresentadas as formas de contrabalanço ao protecionismo atualmente existentes no próprio AAD e sua incorporação e utilização pelo Brasil bem como a possibilidade de questionamento de tais medidas como práticas anticompetitivas com fundamento na legislação antitruste perante as autoridades de defesa da concorrência. Serão ainda analisadas outras possibilidades de contrabalanço ao uso exacerbado das medidas antidumping em debate e viabilidade das mesmas no cenário atual em que se verifica, de um lado, o aumento de uso de tais medidas pelos países Membros da OMC, destacando-se o Brasil e, de outro lado, impasse nas negociações multilaterais, cabendo aos Membros tomarem decisões unilaterais sobre a aplicação de tais medidas, seu grau de intensidade e forma de aplicação a depender da proteção que se pretende garantir à indústria nacional. / Antidumping measures are an exception to the free trade and as such they should be used with restrictions. However, since GATT 1947 there is a concern regarding the abuse in the use of such measures, being possible the use of the instrument not only to make possible the recovery of the domestic industry that was injured by the dumped imports, purpose of the Antidumping Agreement (ADA), but also with the purpose of protecting the domestic industry of the foreign competition. Thus, the purpose of this Masters Thesis is to present the main aspects of the ADA signed as a result of the Uruguay Round, that led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including its historical background and the possibility of discretionary application, being demonstrated how a rule emerged in an international level as part of a multilateral agreement has been used by Brazil. The purpose is to demonstrate the possibility of the use of the antidumping measures as a barrier to entry in the Brazilian market. Being confirmed the possibility of the abusive use of this trade defense instrument, even if only in theory, since it is not possible to analyze the actual impacts of the applied measures, it will be present the possibilities to counterbalance the protectionism that are established in the ADA, namely the public interest clause and the lesser duty rule, and their adoption and use by Brazil and possibility of challenging such measures as anticompetitive practices based on the antitrust law before the Brazilian Antitrust Authority. Additional possibilities under debate and their feasibility to counterbalance the abuse in the use of the antidumping measures will also be analyzed in the actual scenario where, on one hand, there is the increase of such measures by WTO Members in general and mainly Brazil and, on the other hand, there is an impasse in the multilateral negotiations. The Members will have to unilaterally decide on the implementation of such measures, the level of its intensity and form of application depending on the intended protection to ensure the domestic industry.

No longo caminho para a consolidação da abertura comercial brasileira a defesa comercial teve seu papel relegado quase sempre ao segundo plano. Ainda assim, houve o momento em que as medidas antidumping se tornaram parte fundamental da política comercial brasileira. Com o crescimento do número de medidas impostas, a exposição da política comercial exterior brasileira era inevitável. Portanto, a pesquisa procurou descrever a relação que a aplicação de medidas antidumping no Brasil mantém com seu propósito original. Mas o que faz de um país protecionista, ou melhor, quais elementos fariam do Brasil um país mais ou menos protecionista quando o tema são as medidas antidumping. Nesse sentido, a tese defendida diverge dos principais estudos e foi bem sucedida em demonstrar que apenas os números e modelos genéricos não são capazes de explicar um comportamento setorial específico. Dentro da abordagem proposta, a adição de um estudo de caso tornou possível uma fuga do método convencional de pesquisa dessa área e foi decisivo para lançar luz sobre a complexidade que envolve a aplicação do Acordo Antidumping. Conforme os resultados apontaram, percebemos que parece haver mais elementos que apontam o contrário do que os números dizem. Primeiro, o Brasil não reúne reclamações contra sua política de aplicação de direitos antidumping, uma vez que as reclamações no Sistema de Solução de Controvérsias se concentraram em condenar as políticas de crédito e fiscais, leia-se subsídios. Outro ponto de contato foi a modernização do marco que regula as investigações contra práticas desleais, com o estabelicimento de procedimentos mais detalhados que diminuiram a margem discricionária da autoridade investigadora. A criação de um Grupo de Interesse Público e a adoção do princípio do menor direito (lesser duty) como regra, caracterizam uma conduta reconhecidamente liberalizante. Uma outra hipótese protecionista foi afastada, uma vez os resultados apontaram que as importações do Brasil dependem muito pouco do câmbio. Portanto, surgiu algo como a “falácia do câmbio”, uma vez que ela é uma explicação consolidada para o fenômeno como um todo, mas sem poder de explicar um caso específico. Quando estudado à luz do caso dos calçados, o câmbio teve muito menos contribuição que a renda, sendo praticamente inexpressivo para determinar o comportamento da importação de calçados da China. Outro ponto ressaltado, foi a presença do efeito desvio de comércio na direção de outros exportadores, caracterizando uma postura de defesa mas não protecionista. Esses pontos quando reunidos ressaltam que a defesa comercial não visou as importações como um todo, mas apenas o produto objeto do dumping uma vez que o mercado deixado pelos chineses foi absorvido pelos demais exportadores. Finalmente, pela reação dos produtores e importadores domésticos, com a criação do MOVE enquanto movimento de resistência, entendemos que a concorrência dos calçados esportivos foi a fonte do problema. / In the long way towards the Brazilian trade opening consolidation, the role of trade defense has been frequently put aside. Even though, there has been a moment in which anti-dumping measures have become a fundamental aspect of the Brazilian trade policy. Given the growing number of measures imposed, the exposure of the Brazilian foreign trade policy was inevitable. Hence, the research has looked for describing the relationship that the application of anti-dumping measures in Brazil maintains with its original purpose. However, what does make a country protectionist; or even better, which elements would turn Brazil into a more or less protectionist country when anti-dumping measures are the subject. In this sense, the thesis diverges from the main studies, and it has succeeded in showing that just numbers and generic models are not able to explain a specific sectoral behavior. Within the proposed approach, the addition of a case study has conveyed to an escape from this area's conventional research method, and it was decisive in order to enlighten the complexity that surrounds the Anti-dumping Agreement application. As the results have shown, it was perceived that more elements seem to exist, showing the opposite from the numbers. Firstly, Brazil does not collect complaints against its anti-dumping rights application, once the complaints in the Dispute Settlement Understanding have focused on condemning credit and fiscal policies; meaning subsides. The modernization of the mark that rules investigations against unfair practices has been another point of contact, through the establishment of more detailed procedures, which have reduced the discretionary margin of the investigative authority. Both the creation of a Group of Public Interest and the adoption of the lesser duty principle as a rule, characterize a conduct recognized as liberalizing. Another protectionist hypothesis was pushed away, once the results have shown that Chinese importations by Brazil depend very little on the exchange rate or the industry cycle. Therefore, something like “exchange fallacy” has arisen, what is a consolidated explanation to the phenomenon as a whole; however it cannot explain a specific case. When analyzed under the footwear scope, exchange has had a much lower contribution than income, been nearly irrelevant in determining the behavior of shoe importation from China. Another highlighted aspect has been the trade deviation effect towards other exporters, characterizing a non protectionist defense position. When reunited, these points emphasize that trade defense did not aimed importations as a whole, but only the product that is an object of dumping, once the market left by the Chinese has been absorbed by other exporters. Finally, given the producers and domestic importers reaction, through the creation of MOVE as a resistance movement, it is this research understanding that the imported competition on sports footwear was the core of it all.