Assessing the Economic Tradeoffs Between Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires

Decades of successful fire suppression efforts have led to the overgrowth of today’s forests. As a result, there has been an increase in severe wildfire events and total fire suppression spending. Management of a forest prior to a fire, through techniques such as mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, etc., can help decrease the severity of a fire and the cost to suppress it. We formulate systems of differential equations to represent the dynamics before and after a fire. The time of fire occurrence is given as a random variable with a specified distribution. Using optimal control methods, we determine an optimal management expenditure schedule for a forest before a fire occurs and optimal suppression costs of a fire once it occurs

Atmospheric Neutrinos

The results of experiments on atmospheric neutrinos are summarized, with the important exception of Superkamiokande. The main emphasis is given to the Soudan-2 and MACRO experiments. Both experiments observe atmospheric neutrino anomalies in agreement with nu_mu-->> nu_tau oscillations with maximum mixing. The nu_mu-->> nu_sterile oscillation is disfavored by the MACRO experiment.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of TAUP99 Conference College de France - Paris 6-10 September 1999 11 pages 12 figure

Optical and radio variability of the BL Lac object AO 0235+16: a possible 5-6 year periodicity

New optical and radio data on the BL Lacertae object AO 0235+16 have been collected in the last four years by a wide international collaboration, which confirm the intense activity of this source. The optical data also include the results of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) first-light campaign organized in November 1997. The optical spectrum is observed to basically steepen when the source gets fainter. We have investigated the existence of typical variability time scales and of possible correlations between the optical and radio emissions by means of visual inspection, Discrete Correlation Function analysis, and Discrete Fourier Transform technique. The major radio outbursts are found to repeat quasi-regularly with a periodicity of about 5.7 years; this period is also in agreement with the occurrence of some of the major optical outbursts, but not all of them.Comment: to be published in A&

Effekt av styrketrening og i hvilken grad styrketreningsintervensjoner rapporteres i randomiserte kontrollerte studier for eldre med sarkopeni. En systematisk oversikt med bruk av Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT)

Masteroppgave i klinisk fysioterapi, Høgskulen på Vestlandet, campus BergenObjectives: This systematic review aims to synthesize the available literature on the effect of resistance training interventions on sarcopenia parameters (muscle quality/quantity, muscle strength and physical function), and critically evaluate to which extent these report their interventions. Material and Methods: Systematic literature searches were conducted in five databases (Medline Ovid, EMBASE Ovid, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PEDro) for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of resistance training on sarcopenia parameters among older adults aged 65 years and above with sarcopenia, published from 2010 to October 21, 2021. The searches included the key words and synonyms of “sarcopenia” and “resistance training”. The two authors independently screened and performed data extraction from each included study. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB2) was used to assess study quality, and the Consensus on Exercising Reporting Template (CERT) was used to evaluate how well the studies reported the interventions. Review Manager 5.4 (RevMan 5.4) was used to conduct systematic analysis. A 95 percent confidence interval (CI) was calculated as the effects measure and reported as standardized mean differences (SMD). To calculate overall effect sizes, inverse variances were used as a statistical method, and random effect models (I2 > 50%) were conducted as an analysis model. Results: This systematic review included 10 studies (total publications) (414 older adults with sarcopenia). The meta-analysis showed significant differences in muscle strength in favor of the intervention group [quadriceps femoris strength, SMD = 0.69, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.98, p < 0.0001, I2 = 79%]. The results also showed difference in hand grip strength [SMD = 0.51, 95% CI -0.04 to 1.06, p < 0.07, I2 = 75%] and muscle mass [SMD = 0.21, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.46, p < 0.08, I2 = 0%] in favor of the intervention group, but these results were not statistically significant. The overall reporting of interventions in the included studies were poor, with the mean number of reported intervention items 8.2 out of 19 possible. Conclusion: Resistance training is beneficial in improving sarcopenia parameters in older adults (65 years or older); however, the reporting of the interventions lacks details to support easier replication in clinical practice.MAFYS60

Organizational Capabilities in Emerging Blockchain-Enabled Platform Ecosystems: A Single Case Study of an Asset Tokenization Trading Platform Ecosystem

Ecosystems are emerging in almost all sectors. In the banking sector, they enable the disruption of traditional value chains and the emergence of entirely new types of value creation settings. Actors who engage in such constructs need specific organizational capabilities. This is especially true when particular technologies, in the presented case blockchain technology, are used to enable collaborative value creation between actors. We extend organizational capabilities as previously described in the context of platform ecosystems. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal case study of the Swiss blockchain-enabled platform ecosystem in the financial services sector. We analyzed the data using the theoretical perspective of organizational capabilities. Initial results confirm the organizational capabilities but indicate a different distribution reflecting the development stages of the ecosystem. Furthermore, the first new organizational capabilities could already be identified

Darstellung und Untersuchungen ternärer und quaternärer Halogenopalladate mit besonderer Beachtung von Redoxreaktionen: Pd(II) / Pd(IV) im Festkörper

In dieser Dissertation wird über die Fortschritte im Bereich der Synthese undCharakterisierung ternärer und quaternärer Halogenopalladate sowie verwandterStrukturen berichtet. Es gelang die Synthese und strukturchemische Beschreibungder Kristallstrukturen von Cs2[PdBr4]I2, Cs2[PdCl4]I2, Rb2[PdBr4]I2,Cs4Au2PdCl12, Rb4Au2PdCl12, Cs4Au2PdI12, Cs2[AuBr2][AuBr4], Cs[AuCl4],[N(C2H5)4][AuCl4], [N(CH3)4]2[PdCl4], [N(CH3)4][Pd2I5], [Pd(C5H5N)2](SCN)2und [Pd(C5H5N)4][Hg(SCN)4)]. Die Kristallstrukturen wurden mittels Einkristallröntgenstrukturanalyseund ergänzend durch schwingungsspektroskopische Untersuchungenbestimmt. Zur Untersuchung der Festkörper-Redoxreaktionen derVerbindungen Cs2[PdI4]I2, Cs2[PdBr4]I2 und Cs2[PdCl4]I2 wurden Hochdruck-Röntgenpulverbeugungsmethoden eingesetzt. Hierdurch konnten Einblicke indie Mechanismen der Festkörper-Redoxreaktion zu Cs2[PdI6], Cs2[PdBr4I2] undCs2[PdCl4I2] gewonnen und detaillierte kristallografische Daten aus Rietveldverfeinerungenextrahiert werden

Verdsettelse av Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

I denne bacheloroppgaven er vårt mål å verdsette Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, som er et børsnotert selskap. Analysen er basert på en fundamental verdsettelse, hvor grunnlaget er bygget på en strategisk og en regnskapsbasert analyse av selskapet og markedet. Videre beveger oppgaven seg inn i en finansiell analyse med en kontantstrømbasert verdivurdering av bedriften. Vi har basert vår analyse på ferdigheter og kunnskaper som vi har tilegnet oss i løpet av de siste årene ved økonomi og administrasjon. Vi har startet oppgaven med en kort beskrivelse av Kongsberg Gruppens historie, visjon og motivasjon. Videre har vi presentert selskapet som en helhet og dykket litt dypere inn i dets historie fra 1814 og frem til i dag. Oppgaven går videre inn i både intern og ekstern strategisk analyse av selskapet, der vi har kartlagt styrker og svakheter og identifisert faktorer som påvirker selskapet. Funnene viser et marked med økt etterspørsel, hvor Kongsberg Gruppens posisjon gjør at de kan følge veksten med potensialet til å hente enda større markedsandeler. Analysen har også inkludert betydningen av bærekraftige løsninger for å løse dagens samfunnsproblemer. I det fjerde kapitlet har vi utført en regnskapsanalyse som inkluderer analyser av selskapets lønnsomhet, likviditet og soliditet. Dette har gitt oss et oversiktsbilde av selskapets økonomiske tilstand som har gjort det mulig for oss å foreta en veloverveid finansiell analyse. Tallene er tilfredsstillende, og det viser seg at positiviteten rundt driften fra aksjonærer og myndigheter ikke er misvisende. Videre kombinerer vi den strategiske og regnskapsmessige analysen i en kontantstrømbasert modell som tar hensyn til selskapets langtidskontrakter. Disse kontraktene har en betydelig innvirkning på selskapets kontantstrøm og dermed på verdien av selskapet. Vi har gjennomført en fundamental verdsettelse av selskapet og har kommet frem til en verdi av egenkapitalen per aksje pålydende 439,4 kroner. Sensitivitetsanalysen vår viste oss videre at WACC har noe innvirkning på den estimerte verdien av selskapet. Verdiene beregnet på grunnlag av markedet ved bruk av multiplikatorer ga det som ser ut som et godt mål, og kan tyde på et presist sammenligningsgrunnlag. Vår estimerte selskapsverdi fra fundamental verdsettelse per 01.01.22 er 84,2 milliarder. Og den markedsbaserte verdsettelsen per 01.01.23 ga et utslag på 71,4 milliarder, som viser en enorm utvikling i markedet.The objective of this bachelor's thesis is to value the equity of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, a publicly traded company, through a fundamental valuation approach based on a strategic and accounting analysis of the company and the market. We also perform a financial analysis using a cash flow-based valuation of the company. Our analysis is based on skills and knowledge we have acquired in economics and administration over the past years. We begin the thesis with a brief description of Kongsberg Gruppen's history, vision, and motivation, followed by a comprehensive overview of the company's history from 1814 to present day. The analysis then delves into both internal and external strategic analysis of the company, where we identify strengths, weaknesses, and factors that impact the company. The findings reveal an increasing demand in the market, and Kongsberg Gruppen's position allows them to follow this growth with the potential to gain even greater market share. Our analysis also includes the significance of sustainable solutions to address current societal issues. In chapter four, we perform an accounting analysis that includes an assessment of the company's profitability, liquidity, and solvency. This provides us with a clear picture of the company's financial condition, which enables us to conduct a well-informed financial analysis. The numbers are satisfactory, and positivity surrounding the operation from shareholders and authorities is not misleading. We then combine the strategic and accounting analysis into a cash flow-based model that considers the company's long-term contracts. These contracts have a significant impact on the company's cash flow and, therefore, the value of the company. We conduct a fundamental valuation of the company and arrive at a per-share equity value of 439,4 kroner. Further on, our sensitivity analysis shows that WACC has some impact on the estimated value of the company. Values calculated based on the market using financial multiples seem to provide a good benchmark for comparison, suggesting a precise measure. Our estimated company value based on fundamental valuation as of 01.01.22 is 84,2 billion NOK. The market-based valuation as of 01.01.23 resulted in a value of 71.4 billion NOK, indicating a significant market development

Eggs or meat? Environmental impact and efficiency assessment of chicken protein production with potential of Hermetia illucens use in feed

This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing laying hen to broiler chicken production. Sustainability and protein conversion efficiency are considered. The protein-to-protein conversion was calculated per 1t of feed protein consumed by birds and per 1 kg of protein in end products for human consumption. Additionally, a part of the commercial feed was replaced by live black soldier fly larvae, reared on Gainesville diet, and fruit and vegetable waste (FVW). Results of the LCA showed significant differences in integrated impacts between different production systems and different chicken feeds but not between different insect feeds. The most environmentally friendly scenario is insect (FVW) fed broiler. In protein conversion efficiency (PCE) assessment, laying hen production achieved better PCE than broiler chicken when protein quality is considered. Main influencing factors on results were feed production, composition, and protein content. Due to many assumptions made, results should be viewed critically