Husby Takplåtslageri & Ventilation AB är ett företag som utför takarbeten såsom takskyddsanordningar och takunderhållsarbete. Idag värmer de en av sina lokaler med fjärrvärme och är intresserade av att införskaffa ett system för produktion av egen energi för drivning av uppvärmningssystemet. Vilket system som lämpar sig bäst för detta ändamål, med hänsyn till ekonomi och miljö kommer behandlas i denna rapport. Även system som kan komma att bli lämpliga för denna typ av problem i framtiden behandlas. De olika systemen av intresse i denna rapport är: solceller, multi-junctionsolceller, bränsleceller och aeroturbiner. Även system för energilagring har behandlats då flera av energisystemen ibland ger överskott och ibland underskott. Beräkningar för dimensionering av de olika energisystemen har utförts vilket tydligt har visat vilket system som lämpar sig bäst. Vi anser att solceller är det bästa valet idag trots den begränsade mängden solstrålning i Sverige. Olika dimensioneringar för den aktuella arbetsplatsen har där efter utförts för att ge olika intressanta alternativ för Husby Takplåtslageri & Ventilation AB. I dagsläget är någon av de olika dimensioneringarna vår rekommendation för att lösa problemet. I framtiden där emot rekommenderar vi att hålla utkik efter aeroturbinerna. Det som måste ske för att aeroturbinerna ska bli intressanta i framtiden är markant prissänkning. / Husby Takplåtslageri & Ventilation AB is a company that specializes in roof operations such as rooftop protection apparatures and roof maintenance work. Today they use district heating to warm up one of their properties and are now interested in solar cells to replace their current heating system. Which system that is the most suitable for this task, with consideration for economy and environment, will be covered in this report. Also systems that can be considered as suitable for this type of problem in the future will be covered. The systems that are considered as interesting in this report are: solar cells, multi-junction solar cells, fuel cells and aeroturbines. Also systems for energy storage have been of interest since some of the energy systems sometimes generate excess and sometimes deficit. Calculations for dimensioning of the different energy systems have been covered, which clearly shows which system that is the most suitable. We believe that solar cells are the best option today, despite the limited amount of sun radiation in Sweden. Different dimensioning for the current working area has been covered in order to give interesting alternatives for Husby Takplåtslageri & Ventilation AB. In the present situation we recommend one of the three dimensions we have established in order to solve the energy costs problem. In the future on the other hand we recommend keeping an eye out for the aeroturbines. What is missing from the aerourbines today in order for them to be more interesting is a more affordable price.

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Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Ted C. Schroeder / During the last 20 years important changes have taken place in the Uruguayan beef chain. Production of grain finished cattle has become a common practice, supply agreements between packers and groups of farmers have increased and packers have begun to own feedyards. Consequently, the number of cattle pre-committed for procurement by a packer has increased significantly. Three sourcing methods are commonly used by packers to ensure captive supply of grain finished fed cattle: marketing agreements, custom feeding and owning a feedyard. The objective of this thesis is to determine the method or combination of methods that result in improved Uruguayan packer profitability through enhanced packer plant management and utilization. To achieve this objective, a quantitative and qualitative analysis using the different sourcing methods was carried out. The analysis looked to identify the drivers that determine why packers resort to one method of procurement rather than other, or a combination of them; and to determine the methods that result in better packer economic results and plant management. The results show that there is no difference between using marketing agreements and custom feedyards, and that resorting to owned feedyards entails higher costs, using current values for feedyard feed and yardage and 2005-2009 average cattle prices. When different scenarios are assessed, custom feeding emerges as the most cost effective option, followed by marketing agreements. However, when qualitative analysis is included, some doubts arise regarding the quantitative advantage of custom feedyards over the alternatives, and a combination of marketing agreements and owned feedyards may be the best option.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo quantificar as relações entre a demanda de energia elétrica e suas principais relações com os indicadores econômicos, socioeconômicos e comportamentais do País, busca a relação do consumo de eletricidade com o PIB - Produto Interno Bruto, seus agregados econômicos e o consumo de eletricidade do Brasil, Região Sudeste e o Estado de São Paulo, com suas principais classes de consumo residencial, comercial e Industrial, no período de 1984 a 2007. Para análise estatística, foi utilizado o E-Views como suporte e avanços para obtenção de melhores coeficientes estatísticos e tratamento dos dados. Os resultados encontrados foram condizentes com o esperado. A demanda nacional mostrou-se elástica ao comportamento do Produto Interno Bruto do País, para o período de 2003 2007, sendo constatada uma forte correlação aos indicadores econômicos. A Região Sudeste, denominada a locomotiva do crescimento nacional por sua maior predominância de indústria e comércio na região, mostrou-se elástica ao PIB, mas ligeiramente menor comparada ao comportamento do consumo nacional, reflexo de mudanças e incentivos governamentais para expansão e criação de pólos industriais em regiões pioneiras e em plena expansão demográfica. Com relação à classe residencial do Estado de São Paulo, o consumo mostrou-se inelástico com as taxas de crescimento da renda, isto é, o crescimento do consumo residencial é inferior ao crescimento da renda, mas com fracos resultados estatísticos nas variações apresentadas por este indicador econômico; necessitando porém, de estudos mais avançados incluindo outras variáveis de controle como o preço e outros fatores que são apresentados ao decorrer do trabalho. Para a classe comercial do Estado de São Paulo, encontrou-se a melhor relação com PIB Serviços Brasil e para a demanda industrial, sua aderência ao PIB Industrial Brasileiro. / The objective of this work is to quantify the relations between the demand of electric energy and its main relations with the economic, socio-economic and behavioral indicators of the Country, searching the relation of electricity consumption with the GDP Gross Domestic Product, its economic aggregates and the consumption of electricity of Brazil, Southeast region and the State of São Paulo, with its main classes of residential, commercial and Industrial consumption, in the period between 1984 to 2007. For statistical analysis, the E-Views were used as a support and advances to obtain the best statistical coefficients and data processing. The results obtained were compatible with those expected. The national demand proved to be flexible to the behavior of the Gross Domestic Product of the Country for the period of 2003 - 2008, being evidenced the strong relation to the economic indicators. The Southeast Region called the locomotive of the national growth for its bigger predominance of industry and commerce in the region, proved to be elastic to the GDP, but slightly lower compared with the behavior of the national consumption, reflexion of changes and government incentives for expansion and the creation of industrial areas in pioneer regions with booming population. Regarding to the residential classes of the State of São Paulo, the consumption proved to be inelastic with the growth rates of the income, that is, the growth of the residential consumption is inferior to the growth of the income, but with small statistics relations in the variations presented for this economic indicator, needing however, more advanced studies including other control variables as the price and other things presented in the work. For the commercial class of the State of São Paulo, the relation with the Services GDP Brazil was better and for the industrial demand its adhesion to the Brazilian Industrial GDP.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-21T17:09:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandro Ricardo da Costa.pdf: 720379 bytes, checksum: 054515c8a5c3b3fc9ff3150fc0b86e14 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-21T17:09:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandro Ricardo da Costa.pdf: 720379 bytes, checksum: 054515c8a5c3b3fc9ff3150fc0b86e14 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The technique of use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the reproduction of amphibians can be used to control spawning throughout the year, avoiding production delays resulting from the seasonality of the reproductive cycle. The objective was to study the induced breeding of bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus using different types and dosages of GnRH to the optimization of the hormone and the consequent reduction in operating costs in commercial production. Breeders (average weight 650 g) were previously prepared, and conditioned to an average temperature of 26°C, submitted to a photoperiod of 15 hours of light. We tested three different hormone treatments; treatment 1 (T1) with 5 μg Etilamid hydrated acetate, treatment (T2) 2.5 μg Etilamid hydrated acetate and treatment 3 (T3) with 0.8 μg of Buserelin acetate, divided in three experimental groups. For each treatment, three applications were made at intervals of 12 hours hormones application in females and a single one for males. After the hormone treatment was done the extrusion of eggs in females and spermiation in males fertilized eggs hydrated with water at neutral pH. All males responded to the hormones applied resulting in a "pool of sperm" used to fertilize the females. Females of treatments T1 and T2 ovulated in its entirety and there was a failure only in T3. From the first and second trials, it could be detected that the dosages of 2.5 μg Etilamid hydrated acetate and 0.8 μg Buserelin acetate are more technically and economic viable for induced breeding of bullfrog. The average weight of spawning was 92.8 and 93.7 g respectively. The fertilization rate was estimated from the percentage of eclosion, with rates of fertilization rates average with 84.2 % (T2) and 60.3 % (T3). Based on the results, we conclude that the reduction in usual dosages for Etilamid hydrated acetate and the use of Buserelin acetate were efficient on ovulation and spermiation in bullfrogs, but it is necessary to adjust the dosage of Buserelin acetate as well to get a better improvement through environmental control and breeder maturation conditions in further experiments. / A técnica de uso de hormônios liberadores da gonadotrofina (GnRH) na reprodução de anfíbios pode ser usada para controlar as desovas ao longo do ano, evitando atrasos na produção decorrente da sazonalidade do ciclo reprodutivo. Objetivou-se estudar a reprodução induzida da rã touro Lithobates catesbeianus, utilizando diferentes tipos e dosagens do GnRH visando à otimização do hormônio e conseqüente redução nos custos operacionais na produção comercial. Os reprodutores (peso médio de 650 g) foram previamente preparados, sendo climatizados à temperatura média de 26° C, e submetidos a fotoperíodo de 15h luz. Foram testados três diferentes tratamentos hormonais, sendo o tratamento um (T1) com 5 μg/rã de acetato de Etilamida hidratado, o tratamento dois (T2) 2,5 μg/rã de acetato de Etilamida hidratado e o tratamento três (T3) com 0,8 μg/rã de acetato de Busserelina, divididos em três fases experimentais. Em cada tratamento foram feitas três aplicações de hormônios com intervalo de 12 h nas fêmeas, e apenas uma aplicação nos machos. Após o tratamento hormonal foi feita a extrusão dos óvulos nas fêmeas e espermiação nos machos, fecundando e hidratando os ovos com água de pH neutro. Todos os machos responderam aos hormônios aplicados resultando em um ―pool espermático‖, usado na fertilização das fêmeas. As fêmeas dos Tratamentos T1 e T2 ovularam em sua totalidade havendo uma abstenção apenas no T3. Nas primeira e segunda fase experimental, foi detectado que as dosagens de 2,5 μg/rã de acetato de Etilamida hidratado e 0,8 μg/rã de acetato de Busserelina foram mais tecnicamente e economicamente viáveis para indução à reprodução da rã touro. A média no peso das desovas foi de 92,8 e 93,7 g, respectivamente. A taxa de fecundação foi estimada na porcentagem de eclosão das larvas, com índices de fecundação com medias no T2 com 84,2 % e 60,3 % no T3. Com base nos resultados, é possível concluir que houve eficiência com a redução das dosagens usuais para o acetato de Etilamida hidratado e também houve eficiência com o uso do acetato de Busserelina na ovulação e espermiação de rãs, porém se faz necessário ajuste de dosagens para acetato de Busserelina bem como uma melhor adequação entre as condições de controle ambiental e maturação dos reprodutores, afim de melhorar os índices de fecundação em novos experimentos.

Successful captive-breeding and re-introduction programs must have the ability to breed a surplus of genetically suitable animals for release into the wild. Unfortunately, many individuals in captive breeding programs often do not reproduce even when they are apparently healthy and presented with genetically appropriate mates. Mate choice can affect multiple parameters of reproductive sperformance, including mating success, offspring production, survival, and fecundity. We investigated the role of mate preference and personality on the reproductive performance of male and female giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) as measured by intromission success and litter production. We conducted these studies on giant pandas at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (Bifengxia, Sichuan, China.) from February-May 2011, 2012, and 2013. In Chapter 2, we compared reproductive performance between individuals mated with preferred and nonpreferred males of the focal female (female preference), the focal male (male preference), and mutual mate choice perspective. There were four types of reproductive pairings in our mutual mate choice analyses: females and males that preferred each other (P-P), females that preferred the male but the male did not prefer the female (P-NP), females that did not prefer the male but the male preferred the female (NP-P), and females and males that did not prefer each other (NP-NP). Pairing giant pandas with a preferred partner increased the probability of intromission success and producing a cub. Of the 25 females mated to a preferred partner, 72% had successful intromission, 64% produced cubs, and 52% reared their own cubs versus 31%, 12%, 12% for females mated to their nonpreferred partner (N = 16). Male giant panda mate preference showed similar results. Of the 24 males that were mated with their preferred females, 75% had successful intromission, 77.8% produced cubs, and 92.9% produced cubs that were maternally reared versus 31%, 60%, 66.7% for males mated with their nonpreferred females (N = 16). There was a statistically significant difference in intromission success and cub production for P-P pairings versus NP-NP pairings. Of the twelve P-P mate dyads 83% had successful intromission, 90% produced cubs, and 88.9% had mothers rear their cubs. Of the four P-NP mate dyads 50% had successful intromission, 50% produced cubs, and 100% had the mother rear their cub. Of the seven NP-P mate dyads 57% had successful intromission, 50% produced cubs, and 100% had the mothers rear their cubs. Of the three NP-NP mate dyads 0% had successful intromission resulting in 0% producing cubs and having mother-rear cubs. In addition, we took into account various life and breeding history factors that may have affected reproductive performance such as birth location, rearing, previous sexual history with the opposite sex and familiarity status directly prior to breeding. Mate pairings that were familiar with each other as measured by successfully producing a cub in the past, had increased intromission success. Females mated to heavier males had more intromissions and produced more cubs than females mated to smaller males. In Chapter 3 and 4, we investigated the effect of personality on reproductive performance measurements. Recently, personality of individual animals has been implicated in the failure or success of captive management and breeding of threatened and endangered species. Measurements of personality included novel object tests (where behaviors of individual giant pandas were scored toward a novel object for one hour) and keeper surveys (where the primary keeper rated giant pandas on 23 adjectives describing personality); both measures significantly correlated with variation in long-term and specific mating dyad reproductive performance. In Chapter 3 we evaluated the effect of personality on long-term reproductive performance. Our results show that for both male and female giant pandas, `fearful' individuals had lower natural mating success and cub production. In addition, `aggressive' female giant pandas had increased natural mating success but decreased cub production. Males did not show these relationships between `aggressive' personality types and reproductive performance. Female giant pandas that were labeled as `aggressive' had higher frequencies of positive mating behaviors but `fearful of conspecifics' females had lower frequencies. Males labeled `fearful of conspecifics' and with high `playful-clever' component scores had a lower frequency of positive mating behaviors. In Chapter 4 we further investigated the effects of personality within a specific mating dyad. Recent studies suggest that mate compatibility within personality types can improve reproductive performance measurements such as mating success, offspring survivorship, and offspring quality. We investigated the effect of personality compatibility on reproductive performance through analyzing mate dyad similarity in personality (similar versus dissimilar), specific personality combinations, and relative personality scores (male scores higher or lower than female scores). The specific personality combinations were: females and males that were both low on the personality component (L_L), females were low but males were high (L_H), females were high but males were low (H_L), and females and males were both high (H_H). Our results suggest that giant pandas appear to be assortatively mating based on aggressive, fearful, and stereotypical-excitable personality traits. Mate dyads that were dissimilar on the stereotypical-excitable component score were more likely to have successful intromission than pairs that were similar. L_H mate dyads on the aggressive and stereotypical-excitable personality traits had increased intromission success and cub production than all other possible personality combinations. L_L on fearfulness had higher intromission success but not higher cub production than all other possible personality combinations. Mate dyads composed of males ranked high on the aggressive component relative to the female resulted in higher reproductive performance and cub production. In captive breeding programs, mates are traditionally selected solely on the basis of genetic parameters to minimize loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients. Our results suggest that integrating genetic with behavioral measures of preference, breeding history factors, and personality would increase the reproductive output of the giant panda captive-breeding program. We stress the importance of considering husbandry practices to accommodate personality traits and ultimately increase reproductive performance in the captive population while simultaneously maintaining both genetic and behavioral diversity.

When Marineland of the Pacific opened in 1954 on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in greater Los Angeles, it was the second oceanarium in the world and the first on the West Coast. An initial investment of $3 million by Oceanarium Inc., owners of the popular Marine Studios park located near St. Augustine, Florida, ensured that Marineland was built with the same state of the art facilities needed to produce an authentic representation of the ocean floor on land. Building on Marine Studios' success exhibiting bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Marineland's central draw was its performing cetaceans. During the park's early years, its collectors pioneered the capture of Pacific dolphin species, such as the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and were the first to capture a live killer whale (Orcinus orca) in 1961. By exposing audiences to previously unknown species through circus-like performances, Marineland played a central role in changing public perceptions of small cetaceans in the post-World War II era. However, with few prior studies to consult, Marineland curators experimented with their own methods of capture, husbandry, and veterinary care that often resulted in the harm or death of cetaceans under their care. Caretakers contended with animal aggression and sexual behavior, the refusal of animals to perform in show routines, and high mortality. Despite the difficulties posed by exhibiting cetaceans, advertisements, press interviews, and films advanced a contrary narrative that animals under Marineland's care enjoyed the conditions of captivity and performing for an audience. This thesis explores the tension between entertainment and animal care that defined the early years of cetacean captivity in North America.

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