Identifying Fishes through DNA Barcodes and Microarrays

Background: International fish trade reached an import value of 62.8 billion Euro in 2006, of which 44.6% are covered by the European Union. Species identification is a key problem throughout the life cycle of fishes: from eggs and larvae to adults in fisheries research and control, as well as processed fish products in consumer protection. Methodology/Principal Findings: This study aims to evaluate the applicability of the three mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA (16S), cytochrome b (cyt b), and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) for the identification of 50 European marine fish species by combining techniques of ‘‘DNA barcoding’’ and microarrays. In a DNA barcoding approach, neighbour Joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees of 369 16S, 212 cyt b, and 447 COI sequences indicated that cyt b and COI are suitable for unambiguous identification, whereas 16S failed to discriminate closely related flatfish and gurnard species. In course of probe design for DNA microarray development, each of the markers yielded a high number of potentially species-specific probes in silico, although many of them were rejected based on microarray hybridisation experiments. None of the markers provided probes to discriminate the sibling flatfish and gurnard species. However, since 16S-probes were less negatively influenced by the ‘‘position of label’’ effect and showed the lowest rejection rate and the highest mean signal intensity, 16S is more suitable for DNA microarray probe design than cty b and COI. The large portion of rejected COI-probes after hybridisation experiments (.90%) renders the DNA barcoding marker as rather unsuitable for this high-throughput technology. Conclusions/Significance: Based on these data, a DNA microarray containing 64 functional oligonucleotide probes for the identification of 30 out of the 50 fish species investigated was developed. It represents the next step towards an automated and easy-to-handle method to identify fish, ichthyoplankton, and fish products

Performance evaluation using data envelopment analysis in the presence of time lags

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a methodology that computes efficiency values for decision making units (DMU) in a given period by comparing the outputs with the inputs. In many applications, inputs and outputs of DMUs are monitored over time. There might be a time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. We develop an approach that aims to capture the time lag between the outputs and the inputs in assigning the efficiency values to DMUs. We propose using weight restrictions in conjunction with the model. Our computational results on randomly generated problems demonstrate that the developed approach works well under a large variety of experimental conditions. We also apply our approach on a real data set to evaluate research institutions. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007Data Envelopment Analysis, Performance evaluation, Time lag, Weight restriction,

Data envelopment analysis and Malmquist indices for measuring group performance

This paper develops measures, based on the Malmquist index, that enable the decision making units' internal inefficiencies to be distinguished from those associated with their group (or program) characteristics. The applicability of these measures is illustrated with the assessment of bank branches' performance. The analysis involves the construction of an index reflecting the relative performance of branches in four different regions, which can be decomposed into an index for the comparison of within-group efficiency spread, evaluating internal managerial efficiencies, and an index for the comparison of frontier productivity, reflecting the impact of environmental factors and regional managerial policies on branches' productivity

Reaggregation and firm-level inference in multiplant technologies

Aggregation, Multiple outputs, Multiple plants, Nonjointness, Production technology, Multiplant, Separability, Jointness, D20, L23,

Sustainability matters

This documents aims at bridging productivity measurement and weak sustainability in a specific data envelopment analysis framework that allows for negative output. In this framework countries use two inputs: capital and labour and seeks to maximize output and adjusted net saving. The indicator suggested dwell on the new growth theory with multiple equilibria. Adjustment net saving is seen as a sustainability indicator and then the productivity indicator computed can be understood as a sustainability productivity index.Ce document a pour objectif de rapprocher la mesure de la productivité et la durabilité du développement à travers un cadre spécifique de la méthode d'enveloppement des données. Dans cette analyse un pays utilise deux facteurs de production : le capital et le travail et cherche à maximiser la production ainsi que l'épargne nette ajustée. Ce nouvel indicateur se place dans le cadre des nouvelles théories de la croissance ou des équilibres multiples sont possibles. L'épargne nette ajustée est vue comme un indicateur de durabilité et l'indicateur de productivité calculé peut être considéré comme un indicateur de productivité durable

Measuring and managing educational performance

Performance measures have come to play a central role in the management of the education sector. This paper identifies a number of desirable properties for educational performance measures, whose breach is likely to result in sub-optimal patterns of educational outcomes and resource management. Recent trends in the study of mathematics in schools give particular cause for concern. The paper examines several outstanding issues that require further attention if performance evaluation techniques are to provide reliable measures of school effectiveness

Efficiency in European Seaports with DEA: Evidence from Greece and Portugal

In this paper, we compare the seaport efficiency of two European countries, Greece and Portugal, using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The international benchmarking procedure is implemented, in which the seaports in each country are compared against each other. The broader aim of this study is to seek out those best practices that will lead to improved performance in the context of European seaport policy. We rank the seaports according to their total productivity for the period 1998–2000. Economic implications arising from the study are considered. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2004) 6, 122–140. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100099