Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a relative technical efficiency measurement tool, which uses operations research techniques to automatically calculate the weights assigned to the inputs and outputs of the production units being assessed. The actual input/output data values are then multiplied with the calculated weights to determine the efficiency scores. Recent variants of the DEA model impose upper and lower bounds on the weights to eliminate certain drawbacks associated with unrestricted weights. These variants are called weight restriction DEA models. Most weight restriction DEA models suffer from a drawback that the weight bound values are uncertain because they are determined based on either incomplete information or the subjective opinion of the decision-makers. Since the efficiency scores calculated by the DEA model are sensitive to the values of the bounds, the uncertainty of the bounds gets passed onto the efficiency scores. The uncertainty in the efficiency scores becomes unacceptable when we consider the fact that the DEA results are used for making important decisions like allocating funds and taking action against inefficient units. In order to minimize the effect of the uncertainty in bound values on the decision-making process, we propose to explicitly incorporate the uncertainty in the modeling process using the concepts of fuzzy set theory. Modeling the imprecision involves replacing the bound values by fuzzy numbers because fuzzy numbers can capture the intuitive conception of approximate numbers very well. Amongst the numerous types of weight restriction DEA models developed in the research, two are more commonly used in real-life applications compared to the others. Therefore, in this research, we focus on these two types of models for modeling the uncertainty in bound values. These are the absolute weight restriction DEA models and the Assurance Region (AR) DEA models. After developing the fuzzy models, we provide implementation roadmaps for illustrating the development and solution methodology of those models. We apply the fuzzy weight restriction models to the same data sets as those used by the corresponding crisp weight restriction models in the literature and compare the results using the two-sample paired t-test for means. We also use the fuzzy AR model developed in the research to measure the performance of a newspaper preprint insertion line. / Master of Science

Yes / To contain the spread of COVID-19 within the UK over the past year, there have been a series of local and national lockdowns. These restrictions are likely to have impacted upon the health and well-being of marginalised groups who rely on now closed social and community support services to stay healthy. An understanding of the experiences of marginalised people is important; therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on the health and well-being of marginalised groups in the UK. Methods: In summer 2020, a rapid telephone survey was conducted by trained, trusted volunteers with 76 participants who were from marginalised groups. As part of this survey, 64 participants consented to describe their experience of lockdown. These case studies were thematically analysed to identify patterns of meaning. Results: Findings indicate that lockdown led to the deterioration of health of participants, impacted adversely on their socio-economic positions and affected access to food and essential supplies. In addition, government public health messaging was considered confusing and inadequate. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for pathways into services which support marginalised groups to remain accessible during periods of restrictions and essential supplies and food to be mapped and protected for marginalised individuals within our local communities. / NHS England; Improvement

Cette thèse porte sur les aides Européennes à la restructuration. Ces aides sont allouées à des firmes en difficulté et sont le plus souvent accompagnées de mesures compensatoires visant à limiter leur potentiel effet négatif sur la concurrence et les consommateurs. Nous nous intéressons à l'efficacité de ces aides pour sauver les firmes en difficulté, et à l'efficacité des mesures compensatoires pour limiter le possible effet d'éviction de l'investissement privé. Nous trouvons que même si les mesures compensatoires peuvent être nécessaires dans certains cas en théorie, nous ne trouvons pas en pratique d'effet significatif de l'aide sur l'investissement des concurrents. Les aides sont néanmoins positives pour l'investissement des firmes appartenant au pays accordant l'aide. Nous trouvons par ailleurs un effet positif des aides à la restructuration sur la productivité et l'emploi des firmes aidées, mais cet effet s'évapore dès lors que des mesures compensatoires sont mises en place. / This Phd focus on European restructuring State aids. Those ones are given to firms in difficulty and are most of the times submitted to compensatory measures to limit their potential negative impact on competition and consumers. We are interested in the efficiency of those aids to help the firm in difficulty and in the efficiency of compensatory measure to limit the possible crowding out effect of private investment. We find that even though compensatory measures can be necessary in theory, we do not find any effect on competitor's investment empirically. Nevertheless, State aids play positively on the investment of rivals belonging to the country granting the aid. We moreover find that there is a positive impact of restructuring State aids on recipient's total factor productivity and employment, but this effect disappear as soon as we impose compensatory measures.

<p>Trots principen om avtalets subjektiva begränsning kan det finnas skäl till att utöka ett aktieägaravtals verkningar mot förvärvande tredje man för att skydda beaktansvärda intressen. Då rättsläget är oklart är det av intresse att undersöka huruvida en tolkning med laganalogins hjälp mot sakrättens samt skiljerättens område kan klargöra rättsläget.</p><p>För att ge läsaren tillräcklig bakgrund för analysen beskrivs rättsläget vad gäller aktieägaravtal och de bakomliggande teorierna rörande den analogiska tillämpningen.<strong> </strong>Därefter analyseras undantag till avtalets subjektiva begränsning, varefter en diskussion följer där frågan huruvida analogier kan dras besvaras.<strong></strong></p><p>Resultatet av denna framställning är att en analogisk tillämpning kan göras mot de två undersökta rättsområdena, dock endast i begränsad utsträckning vad gäller skiljerättens område. En kombinerad applicering av möjliga analogier från sakrättens och skiljerättens områden på aktieägaravtal leder till ett resultat där aktieägaravtalets bundenhet mot både förvärvande tredje man samt kvarstående parter klargörs.</p> / <p>Despite the doctrine about privity of contract, there can be reasons to recognise effects of a shareholder’s agreement against acquiring third party to protect legitimate interests. Since the legal position is uncertain, it is of interest to examine whether an analogy of law towards indefeasible rights and arbitration agreements can clarify this uncertainty.</p><p>To give the reader enough background information for the analysis, the legal position regarding shareholder’s agreement and the basic theories about the application of analogies are described. Thereafter exceptions to the privity of contracts are analysed, after which a discussion where the question whether analogies can be made is answered.         <strong></strong></p><p>The result of this thesis is that an application by analogy can be made towards the two examined areas, but only to a limited extent regarding arbitration agreements. A combined application of analogies possible from indefeasible rights and arbitration agreements creates a result where the validity of a shareholder’s agreement towards both acquiring third party and remaining parties is clarified.</p>

Trots principen om avtalets subjektiva begränsning kan det finnas skäl till att utöka ett aktieägaravtals verkningar mot förvärvande tredje man för att skydda beaktansvärda intressen. Då rättsläget är oklart är det av intresse att undersöka huruvida en tolkning med laganalogins hjälp mot sakrättens samt skiljerättens område kan klargöra rättsläget. För att ge läsaren tillräcklig bakgrund för analysen beskrivs rättsläget vad gäller aktieägaravtal och de bakomliggande teorierna rörande den analogiska tillämpningen. Därefter analyseras undantag till avtalets subjektiva begränsning, varefter en diskussion följer där frågan huruvida analogier kan dras besvaras. Resultatet av denna framställning är att en analogisk tillämpning kan göras mot de två undersökta rättsområdena, dock endast i begränsad utsträckning vad gäller skiljerättens område. En kombinerad applicering av möjliga analogier från sakrättens och skiljerättens områden på aktieägaravtal leder till ett resultat där aktieägaravtalets bundenhet mot både förvärvande tredje man samt kvarstående parter klargörs. / Despite the doctrine about privity of contract, there can be reasons to recognise effects of a shareholder’s agreement against acquiring third party to protect legitimate interests. Since the legal position is uncertain, it is of interest to examine whether an analogy of law towards indefeasible rights and arbitration agreements can clarify this uncertainty. To give the reader enough background information for the analysis, the legal position regarding shareholder’s agreement and the basic theories about the application of analogies are described. Thereafter exceptions to the privity of contracts are analysed, after which a discussion where the question whether analogies can be made is answered.          The result of this thesis is that an application by analogy can be made towards the two examined areas, but only to a limited extent regarding arbitration agreements. A combined application of analogies possible from indefeasible rights and arbitration agreements creates a result where the validity of a shareholder’s agreement towards both acquiring third party and remaining parties is clarified.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-12-12T16:55:40Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesmmer da Silveira Alves - 2016.pdf: 4498358 bytes, checksum: e1a92f88800ddd8032e2b0c1039f216d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-12-13T19:31:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesmmer da Silveira Alves - 2016.pdf: 4498358 bytes, checksum: e1a92f88800ddd8032e2b0c1039f216d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-13T19:31:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Jesmmer da Silveira Alves - 2016.pdf: 4498358 bytes, checksum: e1a92f88800ddd8032e2b0c1039f216d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-18 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Quadratic forms are algebraic expressions that have important role in different areas of computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics and others. We deal with rational quadratic forms and integral quadratic forms, with rational and integer coefficients respectively. Existing methods for recognition of rational quadratic forms have exponential time complexity or use approximation that weaken the result reliability. We develop a polinomial algorithm that improves the best-case of rational quadratic forms recognition in constant time. In addition, new strategies were used to guarantee the results reliability, by representing rational numbers as a fraction of integers, and to identify linear combinations that are linearly independent, using Gauss reduction. About the recognition of integral quadratic forms, we identified that the existing algorithms have exponential time complexity for weakly nonnegative type and are polynomial for weakly positive type, however the degree of the polynomial depends on the algebra dimension and can be very large. We have introduced a polynomial algorithm for the recognition of weakly nonnegative quadratic forms. The related algorithm identify hypercritical restrictions testing every subgraph of 9 vertices of the quadratic form associated graph. By adding Depth First Search approach, a similar strategy was used in the recognition of weakly positive type. We have also shown that the recognition of integral quadratic forms can be done by mutations in the related exchange matrix. / Formas quadráticas são expressões algébricas que têm papel importante em diferentes áreas da ciência da computação, matemática, física, estatística e outras. Abordamos nesta tese formas quadráticas racionais e formas inteiras, com coeficientes racionais e inteiros respectivamente. Os métodos existentes para reconhecimento de formas quadráticas racionais têm complexidade de tempo exponencial ou usam aproximações que deixam o resultado menos confiável. Apresentamos um algoritmo polinomial que aprimora o melhorcaso do reconhecimento de formas quadráticas para tempo constante. Ainda mais, novas estratégias foram usadas para garantir a confiabilidade dos resultados, representando nú- meros racionais como frações de inteiros, e para identificar combinações lineares que são linearmente independentes, usando a redução de Gauss. Sobre o reconhecimento de formas inteiras, identificamos que os algoritmos existentes têm complexidade de tempo exponencial para o tipo fracamente não-negativa e polinomial para o tipo fracamente positiva. No entanto, o grau do polinômio depende da dimensão da álgebra e pode ser muito grande. Apresentamos um algoritmo polinomial para o reconhecimento de formas inteiras fracamente positivas. Este algoritmo identifica restrições hipercríticas avaliando todo subgrafo com 9 vértices do grafo associado à forma inteira. Através da busca em profundidade, uma estratégia similar pôde ser usada no reconhecimento do tipo fracamente positiva. Por fim, mostramos que o reconhecimento de formas inteiras pode ser feito através de mutações na matriz de troca relacionada.

The Walk for a Day trail will pass over land, the Water Quality Protection Lands, established to protect the sensitive karst aquifer. The trail requires specific management due to the sensitive nature of the karst landscape. This paper explores access management techniques and case studies to develop recommendations for management of the Walk for a Day trail. This paper concludes that by utilizing techniques such as Limits of Acceptable Change and spatial management strategies, and encouraging strong stakeholder participation it is possible to develop a recreational trail on sensitive public land. / text

Bakgrund: Stomi innebär att genom kirurgiskt ingrepp anlägga en öppning genom bukväggen för att avleda tarminnehåll. Många stomiopererade kan ha svårigheter att hantera den nya situationen. Syfte: Att beskriva upplevelser kring hur det är att leva med tarmstomi. Metod: Litteraturstudie med tio vetenskapliga artiklar av kvalitativ eller kvantitativ design. Resultat: Att leva med tarmstomi medförde en förändrad livssituation, som för många var svår att hantera. Den nya situationen orsakade fysiska och psykiska problem. Rädsla för lukt, läckage och gaser hade en negativ inverkan på vardagen och det sociala livet. Diskussion: Sjuksköterskan kan oavsett arbetsplats möta människor med tarmstomi. Då många stomiopererade upplever det svårt att hantera sin nya livssituation är det av stor vikt att belysa dessa människors upplevelser. För att kunna utföra god omvårdnad är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan är medveten om de problem som kan uppstå. För att minska upplevelsen av problem relaterade till stomin samt underlätta anpassningen till den nya livssituationen med tarmstomi bör mer information och stöd ges både pre- och postoperativt. / Background: Having an ostomy means that through surgical construction through the abdominal wall, having an opening to divert the bowel contents. Many who had surgery to a stoma find it difficult to manage the new situation. Aim: To describe experiences of living with an ostomy. Method: This study was designed as a literature review contending ten scientific articles with qualitative or quantitative approach. Result: Living with an ostomy result in an altered situation of life, of many hard to handle. The new situations in life lead to physical and psychological problems. Concerns about odor, leakage and emissions had a negative impact on everyday life and social life. Discussion: The nurse can regardless of where she works meet people with an ostomy. Many people find it difficult to handle found problems, therefore it is important to illuminate these people´s experiences of living with an ostomy, in order of giving good care. It is important that the nurse is conscious of the problems that may arise. To reduce the perception of problems related to the stoma and facilitate adaption to the new situation with an ostomy, more support and information should be given, pre and post- surgery.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States, highlighting the need for ways to reduce teenage driver crash rates. Adolescents (n = 176, M age = 16.4 years, 53% female) and their parents (n = 204, 71% mothers) self-reported on parenting style, driving restrictions, and risky driving. Results showed that more parental restrictions were associated with less adolescent risky driving. Three-way interactions were found such that more restrictions were associated with less concurrent risky driving in boys only under conditions of high parental warmth, structure, or autonomy support. Parenting style generally did not moderate the association for girls, although more restrictions were associated with less risky driving one year later for girls only in the context of low autonomy support. Findings are discussed in terms of how parenting may differentially affect risky driving as a form of risk-taking versus risky driving stemming from inexperience.

Restriction of the exercise of the property rights in the protective zones The topic of the Master's degree thesis is focused on the issue of the protective zones especially in terms of restrictions of the exercise of the property rights. The work is primary based on the somewhat disparate legal regulation contained in a number of specific regulations. Besides the applicable law, the work examines the legal literature, periodicals, as well as the case law of the Czech courts. The main contribution of this work is to provide a comprehensive comparison of the two constitutionally guaranteed rights: property right and the right to a favourable environment, and the provision of a list of specific prohibitions and commands arising from the existence of protective zones. The work is divided into three chapters, while the topic of the work proceeds from general to particular and from the regulation of protective zones contained in the legislation of the highest legal force, followed by specific regulation and implementing regulation. Chapter one focuses on constitutional, private law and theoretical background of protection of property rights and the right to a favourable environment. Conclusion of the chapter deals with the solutions of the collision of these constitutionally guaranteed rights. This...