There is an ongoing debate whether the impact of competition on bank soundness is positive or negative. Traditionally, it was assumed that there is a trade-off between competition and bank soundness. On the other hand, some recent studies suggest that competition has a positive effect on bank soundness. In this thesis, we will focus on the concept of efficiency as a possible link between competition and bank soundness. Firstly, we will summarize different approaches to measure competition, efficiency and soundness in banking sector. Subsequently, we will focus on hypotheses formulated to describe the link between competition in financial sector and bank soundness, between efficiency and bank soundness and between bank competition and efficiency. The empirical part, we will examine whether there is a link between competition and soundness via efficiency channel. Our analysis is based on dataset contains commercial banks from Visegrad group during period 2008 - 2012. We will exploit the Boone indicator as a measure of competition, the SFA approach to obtain efficiency score and soundness will be derived from z-score. The empirical evidence confirmed the positive link between competition and bank soundness via efficiency channel.

This work analyzes financial situation of the company Skanska a.s. on the basis of financial reports of the period 2005 - 2009. Methodological part describes methods of financial analysis, which are applied in practical part. Conclusion summarizes findings executed in practical part.

This diploma thesis is focused on analysis of the financial and operating indicators of the agricultural cooperative "Kalich Kamenice nad Lipou" in years 2002-2017. Thesis uses methods of financial analysis and intercompany comparison. For this purpose, is used analysis of ratio indicators, creditworthy and bankruptcy models, determination of criteria weights with Saaty's method and intercompany comparison with sample of companies using the point method. Cost analysis is in the separate part. Analysis of operating indicators include crop and animal production, where was shown the yield of selected commodities. In the next part is an overview of subsidies. All indicators were compared with the sample of companies. Results were summarized in final part and the company was classified positively.

Thesis advisor: Harold A. Petersen / This paper attempts to find the extent of the predictive power of the stock market in relation to consumption, non-residential investment, and corporate profits. Initially, a naïve model is formulated to assess the impact of the stock market on GDP, and then the model is used to find the predictive power of the stock market on the components. This component analysis compares the impact of the market on each of the components and attempts to find reasons for the variations in impact. Finally, the long term predictive power of the various models is assessed. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2005. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics Honors Program.

New farming needs and innovations have, over time, led to changes in land use. Arable fields have been turned into pastures and semi-natural pastures into arable fields. Due to the ecological value of continually grazed semi-natural pastures in Sweden the aim of this study is to find out how former arable fields that are permanently grazed differ from semi-natural pastures. In this study I selected appropriate semi-natural pastures from a national monitoring program on seminatural- pastures and meadows. Plots continuously grazed were compared with grazed plots on former arable fields. Pair-wise differences in the Ellenberg indicator values Light (L), Soil moisture (F), soil pH (R) and soil nitrogen (N), vertical coverage of trees, bushes and vegetation, species richness and species composition were tested. Except for species composition there were only small differences between former arable fields that are permanently grazed and semi-natural pastures. That means former arable fields can with time and grazing gain many of the values continuously grazed semi-natural pastures have.

No description available.

Orientador: João Antonio Galbiatti / Banca: Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra / Banca: Marcilio Vieira Martins Filho / Banca: David Luciano Rosalen / Banca: Raimundo Leite Cruz / Resumo: O presente estudo trata da avaliação da degradação ambiental da bacia do rio Uberaba, situada no Triângulo Mineiro. Esta bacia possui área de 2.419,04 km2, abrange os municípios de Uberaba, Veríssimo, Conceição das Alagoas e uma pequena porção de Planura. Neste estudo foi produzido o mapa de degradação ambiental contendo quatro níveis: baixo; moderado; acentuado e severo. Os indicadores utilizados nesta avaliação foram: vegetação; topografia; solo/geologia; potencial natural de erosão; mecanização; área agrícola; densidade populacional; pecuarização e área de conflito, aos quais foram atribuídos pesos. Para o nível de degradação "baixo" foram definidos valores <=13 pontos. Para o nível "moderado", valores situados no intervalo de 14 a 16. Entre 17 a 19 pontos para o nível "acentuado", e o nível "severo" com valores >= 20 pontos. Este estudo consolida as conseqüências do uso inadequado dos solos, não respeitando as suas aptidões naturais. As áreas com nível moderado representam 46,97 %. As áreas classificadas com nível acentuado 47,96 %, e severo 4,10 %; juntas, representam 52,06 %, o que revela um indício muito forte no avanço da destruição dos recursos naturais. As áreas classificadas com nível baixo representam apenas 0,97 %, com destaque para o descaso na preservação dos seus recursos naturais. / Abstract: The present study deals with the assessment of the environmental degradation of the river basin Uberaba, located in the Triangle Mineiro. This basin has area of 2,419.04 km2, covering the municipalities of Uberaba, Veríssimo, Conceição of the Alagoas and a small portion of Planura. In this study, the map of environmental degradation was produced contend four levels: low; moderate; accented and severe. The indicators used in this evaluation had been: vegetation; topography; soil/geology; natural potential of erosion; mechanization; agricultural area; population density; cattleraising and area of conflict, which were assigned weights. For the level of degradation "low" were defined values <=13 points. To level the "moderate", values located i n the range of 14 a 16. It enters 17 a 19 points for "the accented" level, and the level "severe" with values >= 20 points. This study consolidates the consequences of the inadequate use of land, not respecting their natural aptitudes. Areas with moderate level represent 46.97 %. The areas classified with accented level marked with 47.96 %, and severe 4.10 %; together, represent 52.06 %, which shows a very strong indication in the advance of the destruction of the natural resources. The areas classified with low level represent only 0.97 %, with emphasis on the neglect the preservation of its natural resources. / Doutor

RESUMO A úlcera de pressão é uma complicação comum em pacientes críticos hospitalizados, tornando-se um problema sério para os mesmos e a prevenção deste tipo de complicações um desafio para a assistência de enfermagem. Este estudo tem como objetivos caracterizar a produção do conhecimento sobre a úlcera de pressão em pacientes críticos hospitalizados, publicados no período de 1994 a 1998 em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, identificar os fatores de risco para úlceras de pressão, analisar definições e características associadas à essas e analisar as publicações com base nas categorias temáticas das diretrizes da AHCPR. A análise foi feita segundo as categorias temáticas das diretrizes para previsão e prevenção de úlceras de pressão da Agência Americana para o Cuidado, Política e Pesquisa em Saúde. Foram identificadas as definições, características e fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de úlceras de pressão que estavam relacionados ao paciente, à estrutura da instituição e ao processo de cuidar. Encontramos na amostra uma hegemonia de autores americanos, enfermeiros com mestrado ou médicos, que atuavam em hospitais. A maior parte dos trabalhos foi a úlcera de pressão como indicador da qualidade do cuidado. Os resultados da análise apontam que a adoção de protocolos sistematizados referentes ao processo e estrutura do cuidar, desenvolvidos a partir de pesquisa são eficazes para a prevenção da úlcera, evidenciando pela redução dos índices ou da incidência. / Pressure ulcer are common complication and serious problem in hospitalized critical patients. The prevention has become a challenge for nursing. The goals of this study were: to decribe the characteristics of knowledge production about pressure ulcer from 1994 to 1998 in national and international publications; the identification of the risk factors; analizing the articles based on recommendations of AHCPR and definitions ans characteristics related to them. The analyse was done using a method proposed by GANONG in one sample of 47 articles, considering the same recommendations for prediction and prevention of pressure ulcer of AHCPR. Definitions, characteristics and risk factors for the pressure ulcer development related to a patient were identified, as well as the ones related to the structure of the institution and to the care process. It was found in the sample, a hegemony from American authors, nurses and physicians, who had worked in the hospitals. The main approach of those articles were pressure ulcer as an quality indicator. The results showed that the use of protocols, related to the process and to the care structure, which were develop from the research, are efficient to the pressure ulcer prevention.

Esta tese teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de método in vitro pH-stat com enzimas espécie-específicas, avaliando a digestão de proteína (PB) e fósforo (P) em peixes, para prever a digestibilidade in vivo. As espécies utilizadas como modelos experimentais foram a truta arco-íris, Oncorhynchus mykiss, o bijupirá, Rachycentron canadum e a tilápia-do-Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Extratos enzimáticos foram obtidos de estômago, cecos pilóricos (truta e bijupirá) ou intestino (tilápia) de indivíduos de diferentes tamanhos e estado alimentar. A capacidade hidrolítica das enzimas foi padronizada utilizando substratos protéicos de grau analítico por meio da determinação do grau de hidrólise protéica (DH) em ensaio pH-stat. Ingredientes práticos foram hidrolisados com extrato enzimático de (i) estômago, (ii) cecos pilóricos (truta e bijupirá)/intestino (tilápia) ou (iii) estômago seguido de cecos pilóricos/intestino (dupla hidrólise) para determinar os valores de DH. O método de determinação de DH apresenta baixo coeficiente de variação, e pode ser uma ferramenta útil no ranqueamento e no controle de qualidade de ingredientes práticos. O P solúvel liberado de amostras de nove rações comerciais para tilápia, com níveis de garantia similares (32% proteína bruta, 4-6 mm) submetidos à digestão in vitro com extrato de estômago, intestino ou dupla hidrólise foram avaliados. Os extratos enzimáticos foram obtidos de tilápias cultivadas em condições comerciais em tanque-rede. Liberação de P solúvel foi determinada em amostras incubadas somente em água destilada (pH 6.4 &plusmn; 0.4), em água destilada a pH 2.0, pH 8.0, e sequencialmente em pH 2.0 e 8.0. Amostras também foram incubadas nesses valores de pH e incluindo os extratos enzimáticos de estômago e intestino separada e sequencialmente (dupla hidrólise). A liberação de P solúvel após digestão do estômago foi maior do que após digestão do intestino ou após dupla hidrólise. A digestibilidade do P parece estar relacionada mais ao pH do meio do que à hidrólise enzimática. Correlações significativas (P<0,05) foram observadas entre P total das rações e o P solúvel liberado em água destilada, e entre P total da ração e P liberado após digestão intestinal. O método in vitro apresentou baixo coeficiente de variação (< 5% c.v.). Coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) de PB e P de nove rações comerciais para tilápia foram avaliados in vivo utilizando cinzas insolúveis em ácido como marcador interno. O ensaio foi feito em laboratório com tilápias em fase de crescimento simulando condições comerciais de estocagem. Foram avaliados também o crescimento e correlações entre CDA in vivo e DH in vitro de PB e CDA P in vivo e liberação in vitro de P solúvel. Não houve diferença no ganho de peso entre as rações (P>0,05). Valores de DH não apresentaram correlação significativa (P>0,05) com CDA PB, mas foi possível discriminar entre os maiores e menores valores de CDA PB. A liberação in vitro de P solúvel em água destilada e após digestão intestinal demostraram correlação significativa (P<0,05) com o teor de P total da ração e com o P disponível. Mais estudos são necessários para aumentar a precisão analítica dos teores de cinzas insolúveis em ácido, bem como aprimorar os métodos para correlacionar valores de digestibilidade in vivo com dados de métodos in vitro para proteína e fósforo. / The aim of this study was to develop a species-specific in vitro pH-stat method to assess protein and phosphorus digestion in fish. The fish species used as models to assess protein digestion of feed ingredients were rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, cobia, Rachycentron canadum, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Crude digestive enzyme extracts were recovered from stomach and pyloric caeca or intestine of different groups of individuals. The hydrolytic capacity of the enzyme extracts was standardized on analytical grade protein substrates and measured as degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) in the pH-stat assay. Feed ingredients were assessed for DH and hydrolyzed with fish (i) stomach extract, (ii) pyloric caeca/intestine extract or (iii) stomach enzymes followed by pyloric caeca/intestine extract (two-stage). The DH determination has shown to be a precise method that may be a useful tool to rank feed ingredients, and also an accessory method in the quality control of feedstuffs. The amount of soluble phosphorus (P) released from feeds submitted to in vitro digestion with stomach, intestine, and stomach followed by intestine (two-stage) enzyme extracts was evaluated. Nine commercial feeds for Nile tilapia from different manufacturers with similar crude protein content (32%, label value) and pellet size (4-6 mm) were tested. Digestive enzyme extracts were obtained from growing Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, commercially farmed in cages. Release of soluble P (%) was determined after feed samples were incubated in distilled water (pH 6.4 &plusmn; 0.4), in distilled water at pH 2.0, in distilled water at pH 8.0, and after feed digestion with stomach and intestine extracts separately and sequentially (two-stage digestion). The amounts of enzyme extracts tested were 50, 100 and 200 &micro;L. In general, released soluble P with stomach digestion was higher compared to intestine digestion or two-stage digestion. Solubility of P appeared to be more related to medium pH rather than enzymatic hydrolysis. Significant correlations (P<0.05) were observed between feed total P and soluble P released in distilled water and between soluble P released in distilled water and soluble P released in intestinal digestion. This in vitro method was found reproducible as variation was low (<5% c.v.). Crude protein and phosphorus digestibility coefficients of commercial feeds simulating commercial stocking density, using AIA as internal marker, further to evaluate fish growth and the potential correlation of in vivo apparent digestibility data with in vitro protein digestion and released soluble phosphorus from commercial feeds for Nile tilapia. Growth performance between feeds were not significantly different (P>0.05). The in vitro DH did not correlate significantly (P>0.05) with ADC of CP, but it was possible to discriminate between the highest and lowest ADC of CP. In vitro release of soluble P in distilled water and after digestion with intestine extract correlated significantly (P<0.05) with total feed P and available P. Further studies are necessary to increase analytical precision of the AIA determination and also to improve methods to predict in vivo digestibility values with in vitro methods for protein and phosphorus.

O manejo da irrigação na produção de mudas de hortaliças é caracterizado como uma atividade complexa, pois são cultivadas, em um mesmo ambiente, diversas espécies com necessidades hídricas e estádios fenológicos diferentes. Além disso, este setor está inserido em um mercado extremamente competitivo, o que faz com que a melhoria contínua dos processos se torne essencial para a sobrevivência do negócio. Em função da importância do sistema de medição de desempenho como instrumento de auxílio à gestão, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor um conjunto de indicadores de desempenho que permita a avaliação dos processos operacionais de produção de mudas de hortaliças folhosas. O estudo, classificado como uma pesquisa qualitativa do tipo exploratória, foi desenvolvido a partir do referencial teórico e de informações técnicas obtidas nos viveiros. O trabalho foi dividido, basicamente, em três etapas: na definição dos objetivos da produção de mudas, no mapeamento dos processos envolvidos e, por último, na seleção dos indicadores de desempenho que mais se adequam aos processos. Foram identificados quarenta e cinco indicadores de desempenho na literatura, sendo que seis foram selecionados como indicadores-chave. / Irrigation management in the production of vegetable seedling is characterized as a complex activity, since several species with different water needs and different phenological stages are cultivated in the same local. In addition, this sector is embedded in an extremely competitive market, which means that the continuous improvement of processes becomes essential for the survival of the business. Due to the importance of the performance measurement system as an aid to management, the present work had the objective of proposing a set of performance indicators that allow the evaluation of the operational processes of vegetable\'s seedlings production. The study, classified as a qualitative research of the exploratory type, was developed based on the theoretical reference and the technical information obtained from the nurseries. The work was basically divided in three stages: the definition of the objectives of the production of seedlings, the mapping of the involved processes and, finally, the selection of the performance indicators that best suit the processes. Forty five performance indicators were identified in the literature, of which six were selected as key indicators.