Dealing with inconsistent judgments in multiple criteria sorting models.

Sorting models consist in assigning alternatives evaluated on several criteria to ordered categories. To implement such models it is necessary to set the values of the preference parameters used in the model. Rather than fixing the values of these parameters directly, a usual approach is to infer these values from assignment examples provided by the decision maker (DM), i.e., alternatives for which (s)he specifies a required category. However, assignment examples provided by DMs can be inconsistent, i.e., may not match the sorting model. In such situations, it is necessary to support the DMs in the resolution of this inconsistency. In this paper, we extend algorithms from Mousseau et al.(2003) that calculate different ways to remove assignment examples so that the information can be represented in the sorting model. The extension concerns the possibility to relax (rather than to delete) assignment examples. These algorithms incorporate information about the confidence attached to each assignment example, hence providing inconsistency resolutions that the DMs are most likely to accept.Multicriteria decision aiding; Inconsistency analysis; Sorting problem;

Exploring a volatomic-based strategy for a fingerprinting approach of Vaccinium padifolium L. berries at different ripening stages

The effect of ripening on the evolution of the volatomic pattern from endemic Vaccinium padifolium L. (Uveira) berries was investigated using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromato graphy/quadrupole-mass spectrometry (GC–qMS) and multivariate statistical analysis (MVA). The most sig nificant HS-SPME parameters, namely fibre polymer, ionic strength and extraction time, were optimized in order to improve extraction efficiency. Under optimal experimental conditions (DVB/CAR/PDMS fibre coating, 40 °C, 30 min extraction time and 5 g of sample amount), a total of 72 volatiles of different functionalities were isolated and identified. Terpenes followed by higher alcohols and esters were the predominant classes in the ripening stages – green, break and ripe. Although significant differences in the volatomic profiles at the three stages were obtained, cis-β-ocimene (2.0–40.0%), trans-2-hexenol (2.4–19.4%), cis-3-hexenol (2.5.16.4%), β-myrcene (1.9–13.8%), 1-hexanol (1.7–13.6%), 2-hexenal (0.7–8.0%), 2-heptanone (0.7–7.7%), and linalool (1.9–6.1%) were the main volatile compounds identified. Higher alcohols, carboxylic acids and ketones gradually increased during ripening, whereas monoterpenes significantly decreased. These trends were dominated by the higher alcohols (1-hexanol, cis-3-hexenol, trans-2-hexenol) and monoterpenes (β-myrcene, cis-β-ocimene and trans-β ocimene). Partial least squares regression (PLSR) revealed that ethyl caprylate (1.000), trans-geraniol (0.995), ethyl isovalerate (−0.994) and benzyl carbinol (0.993) are the key variables that most contributed to the successful differentiation of Uveira berries according to ripening stage. To the best of our knowledge, no study has carried out on the volatomic composition of berries from endemic Uveira.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

US airways: the ugly girl gets married again

This case follows US Airways’ performance from inception to the potential merger with bankrupted American Airlines in 2012. Throughout the case, several events that endangered the existence of US Airways are brought into light. These events serve as basis to introduce the value of leverage and financial distress costs. Moreover, the case reflects on the decision between out-of-court restructuring and chapter 11, while assessing distressed mergers and acquisitions. Finally, the potential merger is analyzed and the proposed solution is that new equity should be split 69-31 per cent between American Airlines’ unsecured creditors and shareholders, and US Airways’ shareholders

Exploring the potential of regional fruits as powerful sources of health-promoting bioactive compounds

The work developed along the PhD, aimed the evaluation of the phytochemicals composition in fruits from regular consumption produced in Madeira Island, lemon (Citrus limon var. eureka), tangerine (Citrus reticulata var. setubalense), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. gordal) , pitanga (Eugenia uniflora var. red) and uva-da serra (Vaccinium padifolium), and its potential bioactivity. To achieve the proposed aims, diverse analytical approaches were developed and validated. Lycopene (727.1±13.8 mg/g), β-carotene (80.4±1.4 mg/g) and α-, γ-, δ tocopherols were determined by LLUSAE/UHPLC-PDA/FLR, in tomatoes. For tocopherols this methodology presented LODs about 1000 times lower than those reported in literature, allowing the determination, for the first time, of δ-tocopherol in tomato. QuEChERS combined with LC-ESI/MS/MS was applied to determine the free low molecular weight phenolics in uva-da-serra. Twenty-six phenolic compounds were identified, being chlorogenic acid (17.4mg/g) the predominant. The volatile composition of uva-da-serra and tangerine (129 volatiles), was established by HS-SPME/GC-qMS. Moreover, an emerging extraction technique, NTME, was used for the first time, to define the volatomic profile of foodstuff (lemon - 75 volatiles). The volatile profile highlights terpenes as the dominant chemical family, and the relevant presence of phytochemicals with reported health-promoting benefits, such as limonene (lemon) and thymol (tangerine). The volatomic profile of uva-da-serra was analysed for the first time, being identified 72 volatiles. In addition, application of multivariate statistical analysis to the data results, allow the identification of variables that were able to differentiate among fruits according to species, variety, sample type, and ripening stage, supporting the certification of their origin and authenticity, and improving crop quality. The total phenolics, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antihypertensive activities of the target fruits confirmed the health-promoting potential of these fruits, highlighting the potential of added-value of the targeted fruit extracts, constituting a natural biosource of compounds to be used in different fields including food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.O trabalho desenvolvido ao longo do doutoramento teve como objetivo a avaliação da composição de fitoquímicos em frutos de consumo regular produzidos na Ilha da Madeira, limão (Citrus limon var. Eureka), tangerina (Citrus reticulata var. setubalense), tomate (Solanum lycopersicum var. gordal), pitanga (Eugenia uniflora var. red) e uva-da-serra (Vaccinium padifolium), e determinação do seu potencial bioativo. Para atingir os objetivos propostos, foram desenvolvidas e validadas diferentes metodologias. Licopeno (727,1±13,8 mg/g), β-caroteno (80,4±1,4 mg/g) e α, γ, δ tocoferóis foram determinados por LLUSAE/UHPLC-PDA/FLR, em tomate de diferentes variedades. Para os tocoferóis, esta metodologia apresentou LODs cerca de 1000 vezes inferiores aos reportados, permitindo pela primeira vez a determinação de δ-tocoferol em tomate. O QuEChERS/LC-ESI/MS/MS foi aplicado para avaliar a composição de fenóis livres de baixo peso molecular em uva-da-serra. Foram identificados 26 compostos fenólicos, sendo o ácido clorogénico (17,4±1.7 mg/g) o predominante. A composição volátil de uva-da-serra e tangerina, foi estabelecida por HS SPME/GC-qMS. Além disso, uma técnica de extração emergente, NTME, foi usada pela primeira vez para definir o perfil volatómico de alimentos (limão). Do perfil volátil dos frutos alvo destacam-se os terpenos como a família química dominante e a presença relevante de fitoquímicos reportados como benefícios para a saúde, como o limoneno (limão) e o timol (tangerina), sendo que o perfil volatómico da uva-da-serra foi analisado pela primeira vez (72 voláteis). A aplicação de análise estatística aos resultados, permitiu a identificação de variáveis capazes de diferenciar os frutos de acordo com a espécie, variedade, tipo de amostra e estágio de maturação, ajudando na certificação de origem e autenticidade, e melhorando a qualidade do cultivo. As atividades antioxidante, antidiabética e anti-hipertensiva e os fenóis totais, das frutas em estudo confirmaram o potencial benéfico para a saúde dessas frutas, destacando o potencial valor agregado de extratos de frutas direcionados, constituindo uma fonte biológica natural de compostos a serem usados em diferentes áreas, incluindo alimentos, cosméticos e indústrias farmacêuticas

Tangerines cultivated on Madeira Island: a high throughput natural source of bioactive compounds

Tangerines (Citrus reticulata) are popular fruits worldwide, being rich in many bioactive metabolites. The setubalense variety cultivated on Madeira Island has an intense aroma easily distinguishable from other tangerines, being traditionally used to enrich several foods and beverages. Nonetheless, setubalense volatile composition has never been characterized, and we aimed to unveil the bioactive potential of peels and juices of setubalense tangerines and compare them with the murcott variety grown in Portugal mainland. Using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), we identified a total of 128 volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) in the juice and peels, with d-limonene, γ-terpinene, β-myrcene, α- and β-pinene, o-cymene, and terpinolene, the most dominant in both cultivars. In contrast, setubalense juices are richer in terpenes, many of them associated with health protection. Discriminant analysis revealed a pool of VOMs, including β-caryophyllene and E-ocimene, with bioactive properties able to differentiate among tangerines according to variety and sample type (peel vs. juice). This is the first report on the volatile composition of setubalense tangerines grown on Madeira Island revealing that its pungent aroma is constituted by secondary metabolites with specific aroma notes and health properties. This is strong evidence of the higher nutraceutical value of such fruit for the human diet.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio