Yes / As pre-clinical and clinical research interest in ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increases, so does the need for a fast, accurate and reproducible analytical method to measure fatty acids (FA) in biological samples in order to validate potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as establishing compliance in ω-3 PUFA intervention trials. We developed a LC-ESI-MS/MS method suitable for high throughput development to measure FAs and validated it in the context of treatment with the ω-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Uniquely we directly compared the LC-ESI-MS/MS method to a GC-MS protocol. We demonstrated the LC-ESI-MS/MS method is accurate and reproducible, with coefficients of variation consistently below 15% for each PUFA analysed. The relative FA content values correlated well with those obtained by GC-MS (r2 = 0.94, p<0.001 for EPA) in vitro. The data obtained following analysis of FA content of liver tissues from mice fed an eicosapentaenoic acid enriched diet showed similar results to that of published studies in which GC-MS was used. The LC-ESI-MS/MS method allows concomitant analysis of unesterified (free, unbound) and esterified (bound) FAs in biological samples, allowing investigation of different PUFA pools in cells and tissues. / Yorkshire Cancer Research, MRC/NIHR

<p>Cilj istraživanja u okviru ove doktorske disertacije bio je da se ispita uticaj ekstrudiranja na funkcionalno hranivo, čija bi osnovna uloga bila povećanje sadržaja omega-masnih kiselina u ishrani životinja, a naročito &alpha;-linolenske kiseline (ALA). Za proizvodnju funkcionalnog hraniva upotrebljeni su laneno seme, kao nosilac funkcionalnih osobina i suncokretova sačma, koja je dodata da se spreči isticanje lanenog ulja tokom ekstrudiranja. Nezavisni parametri ekstrudiranja čiji je uticaj ispitivan bili su: brzina obrtanja puža ekstrudera (240, 360 i 590 o/min), kapacitet punjenja (16, 24 i 32 kg/h), vlaga polaznog materijala (7, 11,5 i 16 %) i ukupna povr&scaron;ina otvora na matrici (19,8, 39,6 i 59,4 mm2). Zavisno promenljive karakteristike (odzivi) dobijenog hraniva koje su praćene bile su: sadržaj HCN u hranivu, sadržaj ALA, sadržaj slobodnih masnih kiselina (SMK) i potro&scaron;nja energije.<br />Za modelovanje zavisnosti karakteristika hraniva od procesnih parametara ekstrudiranja primenjena je metoda odzivne povr&scaron;ine (RSM), a kori&scaron;ćen je Box-Behnken-ov dizajn (BBD) za četiri faktora na tri nivoa. Za svaki od pomenutih odziva definisan je polinom drugog reda i određeni su koeficijenti polinoma, a analizom varijanse potvrđena je tačnost ovih modela. Formirani modeli upotrebljeni su za optimizaciju procesa ekstrudiranja, sa ciljem da se postigne &scaron;to veća redukcija<br />cijanogenih glikozida u hranivu, uz &scaron;to vi&scaron;i sadržaj ALA i &scaron;to niže SMK i potro&scaron;nju energije. Da bi se zadovoljili svi postavljeni uslovi optimizacije, proces ekstrudiranja bilo je potrebno izvoditi pod sledećim uslovima: brzina obrtanja puža &ndash; 417,41 o/min, kapacitet punjenja &ndash; 32 kg/h, vlaga materijala &ndash; 13,39 % i ukupna povr&scaron;ina otvora na<br />matrici &ndash; 19,80 mm2.<br />Ovako dobijeno hranivo pokazalo je nizak sadržaj HCN, čiji je stepen redukcije u odnosu na početnu vrednost iznosio 76,20 %. Sa druge strane, sadržaj ALA smanjen je za svega 0,69 %, &scaron;to ukazuje da ekstrudiranje nije negativno uticalo na masnokiselinski sastav proizvedenog ko-ekstrudata.<br />Nakon proizvodnje ko-ekstrudata, pristupilo se ispitivanju njegove održivosti. U tu svrhu uzorci su skladi&scaron;teni u klima komori sa mogućno&scaron;ću kontrolisanog pode&scaron;avanja temperature, relativne vlažnosti i cirkulacije vazduha. Za praćenje održivosti proizvoda primenjen je modifikovan Schaal-oven test. Modifikacija metode sastojala se u pode&scaron;avanju relativne vlažnosti vazduha na konstantnu vrednost od 40 %, &scaron;to klasičnom metodom nije propisano. Ova vlažnost vazduha odabrana je na osnovu relativne vlažnosti koja je u trenutku eksperimenta izmerena u prostoriji. U cilju ispitivanja uticaja antioksidanasa na oksidativnu stabilnost proizvoda, uzorcima su dodavani komercijalni preparati karvakrol (200 mg/100 g koekstrudata), vitamin E (135 mg/100 g ko-ekstrudata) i sme&scaron;a ova dva antioksidansa. Za praćenje oksidativnih i hemijskih promena ko-ekstrudata, određivani su peroksidni broj (Pbr), SMK uzorcima su dodavani komercijalni preparati karvakrol (200 mg/100 g koekstrudata), vitamin E (135 mg/100 g i masnokiselinski sastav. Takođe su ispitane mikrobiolo&scaron;ke promene u koekstrudatu. Najsnažnije antioksidativno dejstvo u ovom eksperimentu imao je vitamin E, dok sme&scaron;a vitamina E i karvakrola nije pokazala sinergističko dejstvo. Sastav masnih kiselina se u toku skladi&scaron;tenja nije statistički značajno promenio. Sa druge strane, ekstrudiranje je pokazalo statistički značajan uticaj (p = 0,032) na redukciju ukupnog broja mikroorganizama u hranivu, a najniža vrednost ukupnog broja mikroorganizama (600 cfu/g) zabeležena je u uzorku sa dodatim karvakrolom.</p> / <p>The goal of the research in this thesis was to examine the effect of extrusion on functional feed compound, whose main role was to increase the content of omega-fatty acids in animal nutrition, especially &alpha;-linolenic acid (ALA). Flax seed, as the holder of the functional properties, and sunflower meal, as an adsorbent of linseed oil during extrusion, were used for the production of functional feed compound. Independent extrusion parameters studied in the experiment were: extruder screw speed (240, 360 and 590 rpm), loading capacity (16, 24 and 32 kg/h), the moisture content of the starting material (7, 11.5 and 16 % ) and the total die opening&rsquo;s area (19.8, 39.6 and 59.4 mm2). Dependent variables (responses) of the produced feed compound were: HCN content in coextrudate, ALA content, the content of free fatty acids (FFA) and energy consumption.<br />Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied in order to model mathematical dependence between co-extrudate characteristics and the independent process parameters. The experiments were designed according to Box-Behnken&#39;s design (BBD) with four factors, each at three levels. Second-order polynomial equation was<br />developed for each of these responses, and polynomial coefficients were determined. Accuracy of each model was confirmed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Formed polynomial models were used to optimize the extrusion process, with the aim of achieving high reduction of cyanogenic glycosides in feed compound, the highest content of ALA, as well as low FFA and low energy consumption. Obtained optimal conditions were: extruder srew speed - 417.41 rpm, loading capacity - 32 kg/h, moisture content of starting material - 13.39 % and the total die openings&rsquo; area<br />- 19.80 mm2.<br />Functional feed compound produced under these conditions showed a low concentration of HCN, and the degree of HCN reduction was 76.20 % compared to the starting HCN content. On the other hand, the ALA content was reduced by only 0.69 %, indicating that extrusion did not significantly affect the fatty acid composition of the produced co-extrudate.<br />The next step was investigation of stability of produced co-extrudate. For this purpose, the samples were stored in a climate chamber capable of setting temperature, relative humidity and air circulation. Modified Schaal-oven test was used to monitor the stability of the product. Modification of the method consisted in adjusting the relative humidity at a constant value of 40 %, which is not required by a classical method. Such a high humidity was selected based on the relative humidity at a constant value of 40 %, which is not required by a classical method. Such a high humidity was selected based on the relative humidity of air, which was measured in the experimental room at the moment. Commercial carvacrol (200 mg/100g of co-extrudate), vitamin E (135 mg/100 g of co-extrudate) and a mixture of these<br />two antioxidants were added to the samples in order to investigate the influence of antioxidants on the oxidative stability of the product. Peroxide value (PV), FFA and fatty acid composition were determined in order to monitor oxidative and chemical changes in co-extrudate. Microbial changes were also examined in the functional feed compound. The most powerful antioxidant effect in this experiment had vitamin E, and a mixture of vitamin E and carvacrol did not show a synergistic effect. The fatty acid compostion during storage was not significantly changed in any sample. On the other hand, extrusion process showed a statistically significant effect (p = 0.032) on the reduction of total number of microorganisms in feed, and the lowest value of the total number of microorganisms (600 cfu/g) was observed in the sample with added<br />carvacrol.</p>

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

Orientador: Valquíria Cação Cruz-Polycarpo / Resumo: A relação entre o consumo de ácidos graxos ω-6/ω-3 na dieta é um importante fator para determinar a ingestão adequada de ácidos graxos bem como prevenir o aparecimento de doenças, podendo interferir no desempenho, na qualidade de ovos e no comportamento plasmático dos lipídios das galinhas poedeiras. Estes ovos podem trazer benefícios para os consumidores que estão cada vez mais preocupados com a ingestão de alimentos saudáveis. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar diferentes relações ômega-6/ômega-3, visando obter incremento no desempenho, nas variáveis bioquímicas séricas e na qualidade dos ovos de galinhas poedeiras às 81 semanas de idade. Para tanto, foram utilizadas 224 poedeiras da linhagem Hysex White com 81 semanas de idade, distribuídas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado constituído de sete tratamentos com oito repetições de quatro aves por gaiola, perfazendo um total de 56 gaiolas. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram em sete diferentes relações de ácidos graxos ω-6/ω-3: 1,0:1,0; 2,0:1,0; 4,0:1,0; 8,0:1,0; 16,0:1,0; 32,0:1,0; 64,0:1,0. Para a formulação dessas dietas foram utilizados o óleo de girassol, rico em ômega-6 e o óleo de linhaça, rico em ômega-3. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para as variáveis de desempenho, exceto para consumo de ração que aumentou linearmente conforme ascendeu a relação ω-6/ω-3 da dieta, destacando que a inclusão de óleo de linhaça em maiores proporções na dieta resultou em menor consumo de raç... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

<p>Cilj istraživanja u okviru ove teze je bio da se ispita mogućnost upotrebe pogače uljane tikve golice, nusproizvoda pri proizvodnji devičanskog ulja, za proizvodnju namaza sličnom kikiriki maslacu, kako po spolja&scaron;njem izgledu i teksturi, tako i po reolo&scaron;koj stabilnosti. Namazi su formulisani tako da imaju visok sadržaj omega-6 i omega-3 masnih kiselina, uz njihov izbalansirani odnos prema principima kvalitetne ishrane i preporukama nutricionista, prijatna senzorska svojstva i dobru oksidativnu stabilnost. Upotrebom dvo-faktorskog eksperimentalnog dizajna na pet nivoa i metode odzivnih povr&scaron;ina, kao i statističke analize podataka, izvr&scaron;ena je optimizacija tehnolo&scaron;kog procesa za proizvodnju namaza sa definisanim poželjnim funkcionalnim karakteristikama proizvoda sa nutricionističkog i teksturalnog aspekta. Rezultati su pokazali da je pogača (na 100 g proizvoda) veoma bogata mineralima, uz izuzetno visok sadržaj fosfora, gvožđa, magnezijuma i cinka koji prevazilazi 100% dnevnih potreba prema Pravilniku (2004), a takođe sadrži i velike količine mangana, kalijuma i bakra, te opravdava valorizaciju iste za proizvodnju nutritivno visokovrednog namaza. Devičansko tikvino ulje, poreklom iz pogače, je znatno doprinelo i nutritivnoj vrednosti namaza, budući da je isto bogato omega-6 masnim kiselinama (51.04%) i &gamma;-tokoferolima (704 mg/kg). Konopljino ulje je veoma uticalo na senzornu ocenu namaza, pre svega na ukus i teksturu, kao i na oksidativnu stabilnost. Ustanovljeno je da rok trajanja namaza zavisi od stepena oksidacije ulja u njegovom sastavu, pre svega od količine i kvaliteta konopljinog ulja, i može biti najduže do 6 meseci pri sobnoj temperaturi čuvanja. Utvrđeno je da izdvajanje ulja na povr&scaron;ini namaza zavisi od količine dodatog stabilizatora, a najbolji rezultati su postignuti dodatkom 1.6% stabilizatora. Optimalna vrednost za dobijanje namaza najprihvatljivijeg nutritivnog i senzornog kvaliteta, oksidativne stabilnosti i teksture, je sadržaj stabilizatora od 1.2-1.4% uz 40-60% dodatog konopljinog ulja u masnu fazu proizvoda. Svi proizvedeni namazi su sadržali esencijalnu omega-3 masnu kiselinu uz mogu&scaron;nost deklarisanja kao &bdquo;izvor omega-3 polinezasićenih masnih kiselina&ldquo;, od kojih su pojedini uzorci imali vrlo visok sadržaj (0.98 i 1.24 g) po konzumnoj jednici (15 g). Svi proizvedeni namazi su sadržali i omega-6 masne kiseline, od kojih su pojedini uzorci imali visok sadržaj po konzumnoj jedinici (2.5-3 g), uz mogućnost deklarisanja kao &bdquo;izvor omega-6 polinezasićenih masnih kiselina&ldquo;. Svi namazi (izuzev jednog) su imali odlično izbalansiran odnos između omega-6 i omega-3 masnih kiselina (2-3:1).</p> / <p> The goal of this research was to investigate the possible use of hull-less pumpkin seed oil press cake, a by-product of the pumpkin seed oil pressing process, for the manufacturing of a spread. The spread would be similar to a peanut butter, in appearance, texture and rheological stability. Spreads were formulated in such way that they would have pleasant sensory attributes, good oxidative stability with a high omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids content, while providing their balanced ratio based on modern healthy food principles as recommended by nutritionists. Optimization of the spread manufacturing technology was conducted based on the results of the two factorial experimental design on five levels using response surface methodology and statistical analysis (ANOVA). Desirable functional characteristics of the spreads were defined based on nutritional and textural attributes. Results have shown that pumpkin seed oil press cake (per 100 g) is very rich in minerals, especially phosphorus iron, magnesium and zinc that exceeds recommended daily intake (Pravilnik, 2004) over 100%. In addition, it contains high amounts of manganese, potassium and copper, which justifies the use of the seed oil press cake for investigation of the possibility for its use in nutritious spread manufacturing. Cold pressed hull-less pumpkin oil significantly contributed to the nutritional value of the spreads, since it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids (51.04%) and &gamma;-tocopherols (704 mg/kg). Hemp oil had a significant effect on the sensory evaluation of the spreads, primarily on the taste and texture, as well as the oxidative stability of the spreads. It was confirmed that the shelf life of the spreads depended on the oxidation of the oils present in the spread, and primarily depended on the hemp oil quantity and quality. All spreads had a shelf life of maximum 6 months at ambient temperature. It was also confirmed that oil separation on the spreads&rsquo; surface depended on the amount of added stabilizer, where the best results were achieved with the addition of 1.6% stabilizer. Considering nutritional value, sensory evaluation, oxidative stability and texture, the optimal spreads were made using the stabilizer at 1.2-1.4% and hemp oil at 40-60% added to the fatty phaze of the spread. All prepared spreads contained omega-3 essential fatty acid that could be declared as a &ldquo;source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids&ldquo;. Few samples had a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids (0.98 and 1.24 g) per serving size 15 g). In addition, all prepared spreads contained omega-6 fatty acids, where some samples had a high content of omega-6 fatty acids per serving size (2.5-3 g), and could be declared as a &ldquo;source of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids&ldquo;. All prepared spreads (except one) had a well balanced ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (2-3:1).</p>

Orientador: Messias Borges Silva / Resumo: O cultivo de microalgas tem sido considerado como uma fonte promissora de lipídeos para a obtenção de ácidos graxos de alto valor agregado, como é o caso dos ômegas 3 (ω3) e ômegas 6 (ω6). O uso do planejamento de experimentos (DOE) permite estabelecer condições apropriadas de cultivo para as microalgas que favorece o acúmulo desses ácidos graxos. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo melhorar o desempenho dos cultivos das microalgas Nannochloropsis gaditana e Dunaliella salina, visando a produção de ω3 e ω6. Primeiramente, foram avaliadas, com o uso de uma matriz ortogonal Taguchi L4, as influências das concentrações de nitrato de sódio (de 25 a 75 mg L-1), de acetato de sódio e bicarbonato de sódio (ambas de 0 a 2 g L-1), sobre a produtividade de biomassa (Pb) e de lipídeos (Po). Como resultado, foi notado que tanto o acetato quanto o nitrato, influenciaram positivamente na Pb e na Po, para ambas as microalgas estudadas. O bicarbonato, por outro lado, não melhorou a Po, sendo excluído das etapas posteriores. Na etapa seguinte do trabalho foi realizado um planejamento fatorial completo 22 com ponto central, focando no estudo da concentração de nitrato (75 a 225 mg L-1) e acetato (2 a 6 gL-1) sobre a produtividade dos cultivos. As maiores Pb obtidas foram: 188,93 mg L-1 dia-1 para a microalga N. gaditana (225 mg L-1 de nitrato e 6 g L-1 de acetato) e 118,93 mg L-1 dia-1 para a D. salina (150 mg L-1 de nitrato e 4 g L-1 de acetato). Nestas condições de cultivo, a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

The TOF-spectrometer located at the proton accelerator COSY (Juelich) stands out for experimental versatility. This is due to its modular setup: about ten subdetectors can be be arranged to satisfy the individual requirements of specific experiments. However, this flexibility hampers the calibration and the data analysis, since for each new detector setup the software has to be adjusted as well. Therefore, a new analysis framework (TofRoot) has been developed. A set of concepts is used that enables teamwork and leads to an efficient data-analysis, even for different beamtimes. Using TofRoot, three reactions are analyzed - each for two different beam momenta (2950 MeV/c, 3200 MeV/c): Firstly, the elastic proton-proton scattering. It is used to determine the luminosity and to extract benchmark results for the detector performance. Secondly, the reaction pp-&amp;gt;deutoron-piplus is studied. Total as well as differential cross sections are presented, which nicely fit into the word data set. Finally, the vector-meson production (omega) is investigated which is the scientific focus of this work. Here, the theoretical and experimental knowledge is presently rather scarce. However, the elementary reaction dynamics is needed as an inevitable prerequisite in many fields of physics; e.g. the short range part of the nucleon-nucleon force, the description of extremely dense matter, the strangeness content of nucleons. After a detailed description of the analysis strategies, total cross sections, angular distributions, and invariant-mass spectra are presented. Some of the findings are completely new, and all provide smaller experimental uncertainties with respect to the available word data set. Finally, the results are embedded into the existing body of data and their implication on the theoretical models is discussed. / Das TOF-Spektrometer am Protonen-Beschleunigerring COSY (Juelich) besticht durch seine experimentelle Vielseitigkeit, da der modulare Aufbau aus ca.~zehn Subdetektoren eine individuelle Anpassung an spezifische experimentelle Erfordernisse ermoeglicht. Diese Flexibilitaet erschwert jedoch die Kalibrierung und die Datenauswertung, da die Software nach jedem Umbau angepasst werden muss. Daher wurde das Analyseframework TofRoot entwickelt, welches durch einen Satz von Strategien eine effiziente und teamorientierte Auswertung ermoeglicht, sogar fuer verschiedene Strahlzeiten. Mit Hilfe von TofRoot wurden drei Reaktionskanaele analysiert, jeweils fuer zwei Strahlimpulse (2950 MeV/c, 3200 MeV/c): Zuerst die elastische Proton-Proton Streuung, welche der Luminositaetsbestimmung dient und an Hand derer die Guete des Detektorsystems und der Kalibration veranschaulicht wird. Anschliessend folgt die Reaktion pp-&amp;gt;deuteron-piplus, bei der die extrahierten Winkelverteilungen und totalen Wirkungsquerschnitte sich widerspruchsfrei in die vorhandene Datenbasis einordnen. Schliesslich wird die Vektormesonenproduktion (omega) untersucht, die den wissenschaftlichen Fokus dieser Arbeit darstellt. In diesem Kanal ist die experimentelle Datenbasis duenn und die theoretische Beschreibung bislang unvollstaendig. Ein gutes Verstaendnis der omega-Produktionsdynamik ist aber unabdingbar fuer die theoretische Beschreibung vieler Felder moderner Physik, z.B. des kurzreichweitigen Teils der Nukleon-Nukleon-Wechselwirkung, extrem dichter Materie und des Strangenessanteils im Nukleon. Nach einer detailierten Beschreibung der Analysestrategien werden totale Wirkungsquerschnitte, Winkelverteilungen und Spektren invarianter Massen vorgestellt. Verglichen mit vorhandenen Daten sind alle Angaben mit kleineren experimentellen Unsicherheiten behaftet, und zum Teil erschliessen sie zuvor nicht zugaengliche Groessen. Abschliessend werden die Ergebnisse in die vorhandene experimentelle Datenbasis eingeordnet, und ihre Auswirkung auf theoretische Modelle wird diskutiert.

The aim of this thesis was to examine possible effects of omega-3 fatty acids on children’s cognition and behavior. Longitudinal as well as cross-sectional comparisons were made among children with typical development and children with ADHD /at risk developing ADHD. The specific purposes were to examine (1) breast-feeding in relation to cognition; (2) relation between long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in mothers breast-milk and children´s cognition; (3) effects of EPA supplementation on cognition and behavior in children with ADHD; (4) if LCPUFAs have differential effects on working memory, inhibition, problem-solving and theory of mind (ToM). The main conclusions were as follows; (1) duration of breast-feeding was positively correlated to children levels of intelligence (IQ); (2) LCPUFAs in breast-milk was related to children’s ToM and IQ, the quotient DHA/AA, together with length of breastfeeding and gestation week explained 76% of the variance of total IQ; (3) subtypes of children with ADHD responded to EPA supplementation with significant reductions in symptoms, but there were no effects in the whole group with ADHD; (4) ToM ability was related to LCPUFAs, but not to any other cognitive measures as working memory, inhibition and problem-solving. To conclude, these results indicate that fatty acid status in breast-milk at birth affect general cognitive function in children at 6.5 years of age, including ToM. Short-term intervention with omega-3 fatty acids does not affect cognition in children with ADHD, but improves clinical symptoms as assessed by means of teacher ratings. These results further indicate that hot executive function and social cognition may be an area of interest for future research. / Syftet med denna avhandling var att undersöka möjliga effekter av omega-3 fettsyror för barns kognition och beteende. Både kortsiktiga och långsiktiga effekter undersöktes och studierna involverade både barn med typisk utveckling och barn med ADHD. De specifika syftena var att undersöka; (1) amning i relation till barns kognitiva utveckling; (2), relationen mellan långa fleromättade fettsyror (LCPUFA) i mammans bröstmjölk och barns kognition; (3) effekter på kognition och beteenden hos barn med ADHD av ett EPA tillskott; (4) om LCPUFA hade några differentiella effekter på arbetsminne, inhibering eller Theory of Mind (ToM). De huvudsakliga slutsatserna var följande; (1) amningslängden var positivt korrelerad med barnens intelligenskvot (IK); (2) LCPUFA i bröstmjölken var associerad med barnens ToM och IK, kvoten DHA/AA, tillsammans med amningslängd och graviditetslängd förklarade 76% av variansen i totala IK; (3) subgrupper av barn med ADHD svarade på EPA behandlingen med signifikant reducerade symptom, men för hela gruppen med ADHD hittades inga effekter; (4) ToM var relaterat till LCPUFA, men inga andra kognitiva mått som arbetsminne, inhibering eller problemlösning. Sammanfattningsvis indikerar dessa resultat att fettsyrestatus i bröstmjölk påverkar generell kognitiv förmåga, samt ToM, hos barn 6,5 år gamla. Korttidsintervention med omega-3 fetter påverkar inte kognition hos skolbarn med ADHD, men minskar kliniska symptom skattade i lärarskattningsskalor. Vidare indikerar resultaten att ”heta” exekutiva funktioner och social kognition kan vara av intresse för framtida forskning.

The traditional way to analyze stocks and portfolios within the area of finance have been restricted to Sharpe and Markovitz. The Omega function and its properties enlighten the field of finance and differs from the traditional ways when it comes to the volatility of the stocks. The Omega function, the Sharpe performance criteria and mean-variance model by Markovitz will be used. All calculations are done in Matlab and the data sheets are excel tables. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the nordic small cap market by using the Omega function, Sharpe performance criteria and the mean variance model by Markovitz. In order to to see how the purposed methods differs.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 60 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.