A presente dissertação faz uma abordagem do tema da redução do capital de companhias abertas e fechadas no Brasil, apresentando-o em duas partes. Na primeira parte, composta pelos Capítulos 1 e 2, são tratados aspectos gerais e, na segunda parte, composta pelos Capítulos 3 e 4, são tratados aspectos específicos das reduções do capital social. No Capítulo 1, é apresentado um breve histórico do capital social, em que se procura estalecer a sua origem e relação com a função de produtividade das primeiras companhias, afastando-se do pensamento tradicional de que o capital social tenha tido a sua origem relacionada com a função de proteção de credores. Além disso, é apresentada uma noção geral de capital social, suas classificações, princípios mais relevantes e funções, sempre com o foco de preparar a discussão para a sua redução. No Capítulo 2, é apresentada uma noção geral da redução do capital e a visão do autor dos dois principais princípios que a informam: o da igualdade e o da proteção aos credores. A análise prossegue, para apresentar uma classificação das reduções do capital de acordo com as suas causas ou de acordo com os efeitos que produzem no patrimônio das companhias. Por fim, sustenta-se a taxatividade das causas de redução do capital social. No Capítulo 3, são apresentadas as causas de redução do capital por perda e por excesso, bem como o procedimento para a sua implementação. A boa compreensão deste capítulo depende, em grande parte, das discussões sobre o capital social, suas classificações, princípios mais relevantes e funções, bem como sobre os princípios aplicáveis e as classificações das reduções do capital. No Capítulo 4, são brevemente apresentadas as outras causas que podem determinar a redução do capital social de companhias abertas e fechadas no Brasil, bem como as principais discussões ao redor de cada uma delas. / This paper highlights the reduction of capital stock on Brazilian privately and publicly-held companies, being presented in two parts. Part One is integraded by Chapters One and Two, which present an overview of the matter, and Part Two, which present specific issues related to each cause of reduction of capital stock. On Chapter One, it is presented a short history of capital stock with the purpose of relating it with its productivity function on the first companies, instead of relating it with the function of guarantee for creditors, as a traditional doctrine usually explains its origin. Besides, it is presented a general concept of capital stock, its categories, principles and functions, with the goal of preaparing further discussions on its reduction. On Chapter Two, it is presented a general concept of reduction of capital stock and the authors stand point of the two main principles applicable to it: equal treatment and creditors protection. The analysis moves ahead to categorize the cases of reduction of capital stock in accordance with their causes or the effects on companies assets. On Chapter Three, the author presents the two main causes of capital reduction in Brazil: loss and excess (of assets). Besides it is presented the procedure to accomplish a reduction of capital stock on each case. To fully understand this chapter it is mandatory to be aware of the general concept of capital stock, its categories, principles and functions, as well as the general concept of reduction of capital stock and its principles. On Chapter Four, it is brieftly presented the other causes of reduction of capital stock on Brazilian law, as well as the main discussions that surround them.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a relação entre a prevalência de obesidade e percepção do ambiente para a prática de atividades físicas em adultos de Itirapuã - SP. Desenvolveu-se um estudo do tipo transversal de base populacional com 216 adultos. Dados sócio demográficos e comportamentais foram obtidos por meio de um questionário estruturado. A percepção do ambiente para a prática de atividade física foi avaliada por meio de um questionário estruturado adaptado da Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS), previamente validado para a população brasileira. As prevalências de excesso de peso e obesidade (IC 95%) foram estimadas. Para avaliar a associação entre o excesso de peso (sobrepeso e obesidade) e a percepção do ambiente para a prática de atividade física foram empregados modelos de regressão logística bivariados e ajustados por sexo e idade. Dentre os 216 adultos avaliados, 55% eram do sexo feminino e a média de idade foi de 37 (12) anos. Elevada proporção de sobrepeso (31%) e obesidade (25,5%) foi observada. Em modelos de regressão ajustados por sexo e idade, verificou-se que os indivíduos que residiam em locais mais distantes de escolas de ensino fundamental [OR 1,99 (IC95% 1,13; 3,47)], locadoras de filmes [OR 2,33 (IC95% 1,29; 4,19)] e praças ou locais ao ar livre onde pudessem praticar atividade física [OR 2,05 (IC95% 1,15; 3,66)] apresentaram maior chance de ocorrência de excesso de peso. Quanto ao nível de satisfação com o bairro, observou-se que a satisfação com a qualidade e quantidade de supermercados no bairro de residência estava inversamente associada à ocorrência de excesso de peso [OR 0,14 (IC95% 0,03; 0,69)]. Os dados sugerem que os adultos residentes em municípios de pequeno porte também são influenciados pelo ambiente para a prática de atividade física e que este está associado à ocorrência do excesso de peso. / The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of obesity and the perception of the environment for the practice of physical activity in adults from Itirapuã, São Paulo state. A population-based cross-sectional study involving 216 adults was conducted. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The perception of the environment for the practice of physical activity was assessed by an adapted version of the structured questionnaire Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale (NEWS) validated for use in the Brazilian population. Prevalences of both overweight and obesity (95% CI) were estimated. Bivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for gender and age, were employed to assess the relationship between excess weight (overweight and obesity) and perception of the environment for the practice of physical activity. Of the 216 adults assessed, 55% were women and mean age was 37 (±12) years. A high rate of overweight (31%) and obesity (25.5%) was found. The regression models adjusted for gender and age revealed that individuals living far from primary schools [OR 1.99 (95%CI 1.13; 3.47)], movie rental stores [OR 2.33 (95%CI 1.29; 4.19)] and squares or spaces outside to perform physical activities [OR 2.05 (95%CI 1.15; 3.66)] had a higher risk of excess weight. Regarding level of satisfaction with the neighborhood, satisfaction with the quality and quantity of supermarkets in the neighborhood of residence was inversely associated with excess weight [OR 0.14 (95%CI 0.03; 0.69)]. These results suggest that adults living in small towns are also influenced by the environment in terms of practice of physical activity and that this is associated with excess weight.

Submitted by Gabriela Lopes (gmachadolopesufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-14T17:00:43Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Danyela de Cassia OKKK.pdf: 2919329 bytes, checksum: 4b028560fcc6452756935db2cfeae5d1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-14T18:23:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Danyela de Cassia OKKK.pdf: 2919329 bytes, checksum: 4b028560fcc6452756935db2cfeae5d1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-14T18:23:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Danyela de Cassia OKKK.pdf: 2919329 bytes, checksum: 4b028560fcc6452756935db2cfeae5d1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-04 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / A toxidez de ferro é um dos principais estresses abióticos que afetam a cultura do arroz irrigado, sendo importante a caracterização da resposta de genótipos ao excesso de ferro. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram selecionar entre os caracteres morfológicos estudados, aqueles que possibilitem discriminar as cultivares quanto ao estresse por ferro; selecionar a concentração que pudesse separar as cultivares sensíveis das tolerantes a partir de caracteres morfológicos de plantas cultivadas em sistema hidropônico. Foram realizados dois experimentos similares que diferiram apenas no tempo de exposição ao estresse por ferro, sendo que no experimento 1, as plântulas foram submetidas as concentrações de ferro por sete dias; no experimento 2, as plântulas foram mantidas na condição de estresse por 14 dias. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Os experimentos foram realizados no Laboratório de Cultivo Hidropônico e Duplo Haplóides do Centro de Genômica e Fitomelhoramento, FAEM/UFPel, em tanque de cultivo hidropônico. Foram avaliadas seis cultivares comerciais de arroz irrigado, previamente caracterizadas quanto à toxidez por ferro em condições de campo, sendo sensíveis (BR-IRGA 409, BR-IRGA 410, IRGA 417), medianamente sensível (BRS Atalanta) e tolerantes (EPAGRI 107, BRS Querência). Para a instalação de cada experimento as sementes foram desinfestadas e colocadas para germinar em BOD (câmara de germinação) com temperatura de 25ºC, com fotoperíodo de 16 horas e umidade relativa de 100% por 96 horas. Para ambos os experimentos as plantas foram cultivadas em sistema hidropônico por condição por 14 dias, na solução nutritiva. No décimo quinto dia as plantas foram submetidas aos tratamentos, sendo a concentração controle (solução nutritiva), concentração 400 (solução nutritiva + 400 mg L-1 de FeSO4.7 H2O), concentração 800 (solução nutritiva + 800 mg L-1 de FeSO4.7 H2O) e a concentração 1200 (solução nutritiva + 1200 mg L-1 de FeSO4.7 H2O). Para o experimento1, os baldes permaneceram na condição de estresse por 7 dias, enquanto que no experimento 2 baldes permaneceram na condição de estresse por 14 dias. No experimento1, as avaliações se procederam no oitavo dia, para o experimento 2, as avaliações se procederam no décimo quinto dia de estresse. Os caracteres avaliados foram: comprimento de raiz (CR), comprimento da parte aérea (CPA), número de raízes (NR), comprimento da primeira folha (CPF), comprimento da segunda folha (CSF), comprimento de coleóptilo (CC), Inserção da primeira folha (IPF), Inserção da segunda folha (ISF) e diferença de inserção entre a primeira e segunda folha (DIPSF). Os caracteres foram medidos com auxilio de régua graduada em cinco plântulas normais por balde (escolhidas aleatoriamente) para compor uma repetição. Foram utilizados os dados relativos para fazer a análise de regressão para avaliar quais os caracteres morfológicos na discriminação das cultivares. Os dados originais foram separados por concentração onde se procedeu as análises multivariadas para a melhor concentração definir na discriminação de cultivares. Para a seleção de caracteres independentemente do tempo de exposição da planta ao estresse por ferro dentre os nove caracteres avaliados apenas o comprimento de raízes e o comprimento da segunda folha mostram-se eficientes na caracterização de cultivares de arroz em sistema hidropônico. Na seleção das houve diferença entre os experimentos. No experimento 1, utilizando análises multivariadas, apenas a concentração de 1200 mg L-1 de FeSO4.7H2O, durante sete dias, possibilita a discriminação das plantas de arroz tolerantes das demais com algum nível de sensibilidade ao ferro. No experimento 2, através da mensuração de características morfológicas de plantas submetidas as concentrações de 800 e 1200 mg L-1 de FeSO4.7H2O, por 14 dias, é possível separar as cultivares em três classes sendo elas: sensíveis, mediamente sensíveis e tolerantes, utilizando análises multivariadas. / Iron toxicity is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect the irrigated rice crop, making it important the characterization of genotypes to iron excess. The objectives of this work were to select from the morphological characters, those that allow discriminating cultivars for iron stress, selecting the concentration that could separate the sensitive from tolerant cultivars by comparing morphological characters of plants grown hydroponically. Two experiments were performed, differing in the time of iron stress exposure, whereas in experiment 1, seedlings were subjected to iron concentrations for seven days, in experiment 2, the seedlings were kept in the stress condition for 14 days. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with three replications. The experiments were performed in the Laboratory of Hydroponics and double haploids from the Plant Genomics and Breeding Center, FAEM / UFPel in hydroponic tank. Six commercial cultivars of rice previously characterized as sensitive (BR-IRGA 409, BR-IRGA 410, IRGA 417), medium sensitive (BRS Atalanta) and tolerant (EPAGRI 107, BRS Querência) to iron were used. For the installation of each experiment the seeds were disinfested and germinated in BOD (germination chamber) with a temperature of 25 º C, with a photoperiod of 16/8 hours and 100% relative humidity for 96 hours. For both experiments the plants were grown hydroponically for 14 days in nutrient solution. On the fifteenth day the plants were transferred to control (nutrient solution), 400 concentration (nutrient solution + 400 mg L-1 FeSO4.7 H2O), 800 concentration (nutrient solution + 800 mg L-1 FeSO4.7 H2O) and the concentration 1200 (nutrient solution + 1200 mg L-1 FeSO4.7 H2O). For the Experiment 1, the pots remained in the condition of stress for 7 days, while in experiment 2, the pots remained in the stress condition for 14 days. In Experiment 1, the evaluations were conducted on the eighth day, for the experiment 2, the evaluations conducted the fifteenth day of stress. The traits were: root length (RL), shoot length (CPA), number of roots (NR), length of the first leaf (CPF), second leaf length (CSF), coleoptile length (CC) insertion of the first leaf (IPF), insertion of the second leaf (ISF), and insertion difference between the first and second sheet (DIPSF). The characters were measured with the aid of graduated scale, being evaluated five normal seedlings per pot. A regression analysis was performed to evaluate which morphological characters were more efficient in the discrimination of cultivars. The original data were separated by concentration where multivariate analyses were performed to determine the best concentration to discriminate cultivars. The traits root length and the second leaf length showed to be efficient in the characterization of rice cultivars in hydroponic culture to select characters regardless of time of exposure to iron stress. In experiment 1, using multivariate analysis, only the concentration of 1200 mg L-1 FeSO4.7 H2O, for seven days, allowed discrimination of tolerant rice plants from others with some level of sensitivity to iron. In experiment 2, through the measurement of morphological characteristics of plants subjected to the concentrations of 800 and 1200 mg L-1 FeSO4.7 H2O, for 14 days, it is possible to separate the cultivars into three classes namely: sensitive, moderately sensitive and tolerant using multivariate analyzes.

Cette thèse se propose d’interroger la notion d’événement comme motif organisateur de la fiction de Don DeLillo. En effet, l’assassinat du président J. F. Kennedy et les attentats du 11 septembre sont des phénomènes qui résistent infatigablement au « réel », et à toute traçabilité ontologique ou phénoménologique. À ce titre, ils excèdent la pensée et exigent une réponse nécessaire de l’auteur et de son écriture face à leur irruption. Ils représentent une incursion excessive dans le « réel » et se manifestent sous la forme du surplus. Mais l’événement n’est pas simplement un surplus de réalité, il est aussi un surplus de sens, entendu comme inadéquation du signe à ce qu’il désigne. Il s’agira de montrer dans un premier temps que l’événement se montre excessivement dans le retrait de sa monstration. Nous aborderons cette dialectique du voilement et du dévoilement à travers le prisme de l’Histoire en tenant compte de sa dimension non seulement phénoménologique et traumatique mais également à partir de la notion d’altérité que l’événement sous-tend. Ce paradoxe une fois révélé, nous nous pencherons sur la question du temps car l’événement remet en question l’origine qui le fait advenir et ne prend sens seulement que lorsqu’il est advenu. Il dérègle de facto la temporalité qui avait cours. Il sera alors question de mettre en lumière le dérèglement des instances du temps « classique » : passé, présent et futur. Nous nous focaliserons sur la question du ressassement en nous intéressant, par ailleurs, à la manière par laquelle les concepts de temps, d’événement et d’altérité fonctionnent de conserve. Enfin, nous aborderons l’événement en tant qu’événement-récit en accentuant notre étude sur le terrorisme et la terreur, notions indissociables de la fiction delillienne, en ce qu’ils fournissent des modèles de totalité et de totalisation que l’écriture de l’événement s’emploie — éthiquement — à défaire. En ce sens, l’événement prendra la forme d’un contre-événement. Il s’agira par conséquent de décrypter les événements de texte que DeLillo propose comme moyen de résistance à toute totalisation. Enfin, nous considèrerons certains personnages comme des événements dans la mesure où ils réassertent le caractère événemential de l’individu. / This dissertation wishes to reflect upon the notion of event as an organizing principle in Don DeLillo’s fiction. The assassination of J. F. Kennedy and 9/11 are events that unflinchingly resist the real, or any kind of ontological and phenomenological traceability. They exceed understanding and demand a necessary response from the author and his writing. They represent the intrusion of an excessive reality within “the real” and manifest themselves in the guise of a surplus. But the event is not just a surplus of reality, it is also a surplus of meaning as it posits the inadequacy of the sign and its referent. We will first show how the event shows itself in the very way it shuns its own exposure. This dialectics of veiling and unveiling will be scrutinized through the lenses of History considered both in its phenomenological and traumatic dimensions but also as far as it relates to alterity or otherness. Once the paradox is revealed, we will consider the issue of time for the event defies the origin that makes it happen and makes sense only after it has happened. It thus shatters the temporal continuum commonly understood as past, present and future. We will then focus on the issue of a-temporality and show how time, event and alterity are inextricably linked together. We will finally look at the event understood this time as narrative by focusing our attention upon terror and terrorism as they provide models of totality the writing of the event attempts — ethically — at breaching and undoing. In this sense, the event wille be considered as a counter-event. It will be worth deciphering the textual events DeLillo proposes as a means of resisting totalization. We will also apprehend some key characters as events in their own rights as they reassert the evential dimension of the subject.

La survie nette, indicateur clé de l'efficacité des systèmes de soin dans la lutte contre le cancer, est un concept théorique représentant la survie que l'on observerait dans un monde hypothétique où le cancer étudié serait la seule cause de décès. En s'affranchissant de la mortalité due aux causes autres que ce cancer, elle permet des comparaisons entre populations. Dans cette thèse, après présentation du concept et des méthodes d'estimation de la survie nette quand la cause de décès est inconnue, nous étudions trois problématiques. La première porte sur les tables de mortalité utilisées pour estimer la survie nette. En France, ces tables sont stratifiées sur âge, sexe, année et département. Il serait intéressant d'utiliser des tables stratifiées sur d'autres facteurs impactant la mortalité. Nous étudions l'impact du manque de stratification sur les estimations des effets des facteurs pronostiques sur la mortalité en excès (celle due au cancer en l'absence des autres causes de décès) par des études de simulations et sur données réelles. La deuxième problématique porte sur la construction d'un test de type log-rank pour comparer des distributions de survie nette estimées par l'estimateur Pohar-Perme, estimateur non paramétrique consistant de la survie nette. Notre troisième problématique est de déterminer dans une aire géographique des zones différentes en termes de survie nette. Nous adaptons une méthode de détection de clusters à la survie nette en utilisant le test précédemment développé comme critère de découpage. Ce travail propose ainsi des développements et outils nouveaux pour étudier et améliorer la qualité de la prise en charge des patients atteints d'un cancer. / In cancer research, net survival is a key indicator of health care efficiency. This theoretical concept is the survival that would be observed in an hypothetical world where the disease under study would be the only possible cause of death. In population-based studies, where cause of death is unknown, net survival allows to compare net cancer survival between different groups by removing the effect of death from causes other than cancer. In this work, after presenting the concept and the estimation methods of net survival, we focus on three complementary issues. The first one is about the life tables used in the estimates of net survival. In France, these tables are stratified by age, sex, year and département. Other prognostic factors impact on mortality. So it would be interesting to use life tables stratified by some of these factors. We study the impact of the lack of stratification in life tables on the estimates of the effects of prognostic factors on excess mortality by simulations and real data studies. In 2012, the Pohar-Perme estimator was proposed. It is a consistent non parametric estimator of net survival. The second issue involves the building of a log-rank type test to compare distributions of net survival (estimated by the Pohar-Perme estimator) between several groups. Our third issue is to propose a method providing potential spatial clusters which could contain patients with similar net cancer survival rates. We adapt a clustering method using the test we have built as a splitting criterion. This work proposes new developments and new tools to study and improve the quality of care for cancer patients. These methods are suitable to other chronic diseases.

Le vieillissement fait actuellement l’objet de toutes les attentions, constituant en effet un problème de santé publique majeur. Sa description reste cependant complexe en raison des intrications à la fois individuelles et collectives de sa conceptualisation et d’une dimension subjective forte. Les professionnels de santé sont de plus en plus obligés d’intégrer cette donnée dans leur réflexion et de proposer des protocoles de prise en charge adaptés. Le vieillissement est une évolution inéluctable du corps dont la quantification est établie par l’âge dépendant du temps dit « chronologique ». Ce critère âge est cependant imparfait pour mesurer l’usure réelle du corps soumise à de nombreux facteurs modificateurs dépendant des individus. Aussi, partant de réflexions déjà engagées et consistant à substituer cet âge chronologique par un critère composite appelé « âge biologique », aboutissant à la création d’un indicateur ou score de vieillissement et sensé davantage refléter le vieillissement individuel, une nouvelle méthodologie est proposée adaptée à la pratique de médecine générale. Une première phase de ce travail a consisté à sonder les médecins généralistes sur leur perception et leur utilisation des scores cliniques en pratique courante par l’intermédiaire d’une enquête qualitative et quantitative effectuée en France métropolitaine. Cette étude a montré que l’adéquation entre l’utilisation déclarée et la conception intellectualisée des scores restait dissociée. Les scores constituent un outil d’aide à la prise en charge utile pour cibler une approche systémique souvent complexe dans la mesure où ils sont simples à utiliser (peu d’items et items adaptés à la pratique) et à la validité scientifiquement comprise par le médecin. Par ailleurs, l’âge du patient a été cité comme un élément prépondérant influençant le choix adéquat du score par le médecin généraliste. Cette base de travail a donc servi à proposer une modélisation de l’âge biologique dont la réflexion a porté tant sur le choix du modèle mathématique que des variables constitutives de ce modèle. Une sélection de variables marqueurs du vieillissement a été effectuée à partir d’une revue de la littérature et tenant compte de leur possible intégration dans le processus de soin en médecine générale. Cette sélection a été consolidée par une approche mathématique selon un processus de sélection ascendant à partir d’un modèle régressif. Une population dite « témoin » au vieillissement considéré comme normal a été ensuite constituée servant de base comparative au calcul de l’âge biologique. Son choix a été influencé dans un premier temps par les données de la littérature puis secondairement selon un tri par classification utilisant la méthode des nuées dynamiques. Un modèle de régression linéaire simple a ensuite été construit mais avec de données normalisées selon la méthode des copules gaussiennes suivi d’une étude des queues de distribution marginales. Les résultats ainsi obtenus laissent entrevoir des perspectives intéressantes de réflexion pour approfondir le calcul d’un âge biologique et du score en découlant en médecine générale, sa validation par une étude de morbidité constituant l’étape ultime de ce travail / Ageing is nowadays a major public health problem. Its description remains complex, both individual and collective conceptualization being interlaced with a strong subjective dimension. Health professionals are increasingly required to integrate ageing and prevention into their thought and to create adapted protocol and new tools. Ageing characterizes unavoidable changes in the body. It is usually measured by the age dependent on time and called “chronological age”. However, the criterion « chronological age » reflects imperfectly the actual ageing of the body depending on many individual factors. Also, this criterion has for a long time been replaced by another composite criterion called « biological age » supposed to better reflect the ageing process. In order to build a score of ageing adapted to general practice, a new methodology is proposed suitable for general practitioners. First of all, a first phase of this work consisted in a qualitative and quantitative survey conducted among general practitioners in France. This survey was done to obtain data on the use of predictive scores by general practitioners in their daily practice and their appropriateness, as well as to know the reasons of their non-utilization. Results showed that predictive scores are useful tools in daily practice to target a complex systemic approach insofar as they are simple to use (few items, items suitable for general practice) and their scientific validity is easily understood. In addition, patient’s age has been cited as a major criterion influencing general practitioners use of a predictive score. Results of this first phase have been used to propose a model of biological ageing, with reflexion on mathematical model as well as on component variables of this model. A selection of variables as markers of ageing was carried out from a review of the literature, taking into account their capacity of integration in general practitioners’ daily practice. This selection was completed by a mathematical approach based on an ascending process on a regression model. A control sample, assumed to be "normal ageing" on the basis of current knowledge in general medicine, was then used. This sample was first carried out from a review of the literature and then from a K-means method that classified this sample into several groups. The statistical dependence of measured variables was modeled by a Gaussian copula (taking into account only linear correlations of pairs). A standardized biological age was defined explicitly from these correlation coefficients. The tails of marginal distribution (method of excess) were estimated to enhance the discriminating power of the model. Results suggest interesting possibilities for a biological ageing calculation, and the predictive score they provide, suitable for general practitioners’ daily practice. Its validation by a morbidity and mortality survey will constitute the final phase of this work

The increasingly observable excess capacity in the fixed networks calls into question the established long-standing pricing standards for wholesale services based on forward-looking long-run incremental costs (FL-LRAIC). The FL-LRAIC standard has worked quite well in expanding markets, although even there price-squeeze problems have appeared. In contracting markets the price-squeeze issue, however, becomes paramount and lower prices both at the wholesale and retail levels would be efficient. This would favor a retail-minus approach (RM) under long-term contraction. Because both expansion and contraction could be relevant in the future, we propose an optional approach based on the wholesale price formula p = min(FL-LRAIC, RM). This will generally protect alternative competitors against price-squeeze while at the same time allowing the fixed-network incumbent full downward price flexibility. It also protects alternative competitors and end users against excessively high prices. Hence, implementing this option successfully at wholesale level would eliminate the need to regulate retail markets. The combination of RM and FL-LRAIC seems to be most realistic, because it is relatively simple and internationally partly tested already. We show that this option is superior to FL-LRAIC or RM alone and to other approaches, such as short-run marginal costs. We also consider a possible combination with capacity-based charging, which may have particular merits for converged services in next generation networks (NGNs). / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

This thesis describes the synthesis of novel ligands that include enantiomerically pure acetal and oxazoline moieties. These ligands are utilised in a number of metalmediated asymmetric syntheses. All asymmetric acetals and pyridine based acetals are synthesised in good yield in a single step from their corresponding enantiomerically pure diols. C2 symmetric bisacetals are investigated as ligands in the organolithium and Grignard additions to benzaldehyde with promising results. C2 symmetric bisacetals and pyridine based acetals are tested for their ability to induce asymmetry in copper(l) catalysed cyclopropanation of styrene using ethyl diazoacetate and the lanthanide(lII) catalysed Diels-Alder cycloaddition involving Danishefsky's diene with little success. Enantiomerically pure phosphinooxazoline ligands are available in good yield in two steps from their corresponding enantiomerically pure aminoalcohols. Enantiomerically pure acetal substituted pyridines and phosphinooxazoline ligands are considered in the rhodium (I) catalysed hydrosilylation of ketones. Reaction conditions for the more successful phosphinooxazoline ligands are optimised. Using these ligands a range of enantiomerically enriched alcohols is presented in good yield and enantiomeric excess. Novel phosphinooxazoline ligands are applied to the palladium(O) catalysed allylic substitution reaction with excellent enantioselectivities of the substitution product.

Les syndromes myélodysplasiques (SMD) sont considérés comme des maladies clonales des cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH). Le microenvironnement joue un rôle important par ses contacts direct avec les cellules progénitrices hématopoïétiques (CPH). Notre objectif était d'évaluer les défauts de croissance des cellules stromales mésenchymateuses (CSM) dans les MDS, d’explorer les molécules d’adhérence impliquées, et d'effectuer des corrélations avec leurs dysfonctionnements de croissance et les anomalies des CPH. Les CSM de MDS sont intrinsèquement pathologiques, montrant une baisse continue de la prolifération pendant 14 jours de culture et une capacité clonogénique réduite. Ces anomalies sont corrélés à une diminution des molécules d'adhérence CD44 et CD49e. Par ailleurs, le potentiel clonogénique des CPH est contrôlé par des mécanismes d'adhérence dépendant du stroma, CD49e pouvant être une des molécules impliquées. L’analyse en immunofluorescence des protéines d'adhérence focale (FA), paxilline et pFAK [Y397], et des deux protéines régulatrices, HSP90αβ et p130CAS permet l'identification d’anomalies qualitatives et quantitatives. Une expression accrue de paxilline, pFAK et HSP90αβ et leur forte co-localisation nucléaire dans les CSM d'anémie réfractaire avec excès de blastes (AREB) sont corrélées avec un avantage prolifératif et un impact négatif sur la capacité clonogénique de CPH. Ces résultats ouvrent des possibilités intéressantes : la signalisation via les protéines FA pourrait être impliquée dans les interactions HPC-MSC ; par ailleurs, FAK étant une protéine cliente d’HSP90, les inhibiteurs d’HSP90 sont une potentielle thérapie adjuvante dans les myélodysplasies / Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are regarded as clonal disorders of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Recent evidence demonstrates that stromal microenvironment, in addition to HSC defects, plays a particular role via its direct contact with haematopoietic precursor cells (HPC). This thesis aims at evaluating the putative growth deficiencies of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from MDS individuals compared with normal controls, exploring their adhesion profile, assessing the adhesion process-involved molecular substrates, and establishing correlations with their growth patterns and HPC dysfunctions. Functional assays revealed that MSC from MDS are intrinsically pathological, show a continuous decline of proliferation over a 14-day culture and a reduced clonogenic capacity in the absence of signals from HPC. MSC growth defects significantly correlate with decreased CD44 and CD49e expression. Moreover, stroma-dependent adhesion mechanisms control HPC clonogenic potential and CD49e might be one of the molecules involved in this process. Qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of focal adhesion (FA) proteins paxillin and pFAK [Y397] and of two regulatory proteins, HSP90αβ and p130CAS were identified via immunofluorescence analysis. Paxillin, pFAK [Y397] and HSP90αβ increased expression, besides its stronger nuclear colocalization in MSC from RAEB correlates with a consistent proliferative advantage and has a negative impact on HPC clonogenic capacity. These results open interesting opportunities, e.g. HPC-to-MSC interactions involve FA proteins signalling, and, as FAK is an HSP90αβ-client protein, it may enhance the utility of HSP90αβ inhibitors as adjuvant therapy in MDS

Background: This paper examines contemporary changes and challenges within the Swedish private equity industry and reasons of their existence. Our research stems from the past years’ industry reports pointing out substantial inflows of capital on financial markets as one of the drivers behind high valuations and extended holding periods. Aim: The aim of this paper was to examine and analyse changes on the Swedish private equity market and how Swedish private equity participants experience how demand from investors have transformed and affected the industry. Completion: For this paper, we conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve actors at twelve different private equity firms operating on the Swedish private equity market. The participants were asked about their experiences regarding changes within the Swedish private equity market. Results: Through in-depth interviews we found that there are different views on whether there is too much capital on the private equity market. Frequent opinions were that demand for private equity investments from limited partners have increased, successful general partners see greater access to funding, the funds have increased in size, holding periods have extended and competition for portfolio companies has increased. We also found that some general partners think that the industry is at the top of a private equity cycle and faces a correction in the near future. / Bakgrund: Denna uppsats undersöker samtida förändringar och utmaningar i den svenska private equity-branschen samt orsaken till att dessa finns. Vår undersökning utgår från de senaste årens branschrapporter som pekar ut kraftiga kapitalinflöden på finansiella marknader som en av drivkrafterna bakom höga bolagsvärderingar och allt längre innehavsperioder. Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka och analysera förändringar på den svenska private equity-marknaden och hur svenska private equity-aktörer upplever att efterfrågan från investerare har förändrats och påverkat sektorn. Genomförande: För studien har vi genomfört semistrukturerade intervjuer med tolv aktörer på tolv olika private equity-bolag verksamma på den svenska private equity- marknaden. De medverkande tillfrågades om hur de upplever förändringar på den svenska private equity-marknaden. Resultat: Genom djupgående intervjuer fann vi att det råder delade meningar om huruvida det finns för mycket kapital på private equity-marknaden. Återkommande åsikter var att efterfrågan på private equity-investeringar hos limited partners har ökat, att framgångsrika general partners har lättare att få finansiering till sina fonder, att fonderna har vuxit i storlek, innehavsperioderna har förlängts och konkurrensen om portföljbolag har ökat. Vi fann även att vissa general partners anser att branschen befinner i toppen av en private equity-cykel och står inför en korrigering inom en snar framtid.