Incorporating quality of service in a benchmarking model:an application to French electricity distribution operators

Report (2007)

In this paper we use annual data on 92 French electricity distribution units (2003-2005) to estimate a benchmarking model that includes a quality of service indicator (number of interruptions). Our ... [more ▼]

In this paper we use annual data on 92 French electricity distribution units (2003-2005) to estimate a benchmarking model that includes a quality of service indicator (number of interruptions). Our methodology involves the estimation of input distance functions using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. The empirical results indicate that the inclusion of the quality variable has no significant effect upon mean technical efficiency scores, and the mean shadow price of one interruption is approximately ten Euros. The analysis in this paper is the first preliminary step in a larger project which is investigating the feasibility of including quality measures into benchmarking models that are often used by regulatory authorities [less ▲]

Incorporation in bread of dietary fibres from by-products of the agro-transformation.

Poster (2006, October 17)

The incorporation of a non-natural amino acid (aza-tryptophan) may help to crystallize a protein and to solve its crystal structure. Application to bacteriophage lambda lysozyme.

in Acta Crystallographica Section D-Biological Crystallography (1999), D55

Until now, wild-type bacteriophage lambda lysozyme had been impossible to crystallize. This difficulty could be overcome by the replacement of the four tryptophan residues by azatryptophans. Analysis of ... [more ▼]

Until now, wild-type bacteriophage lambda lysozyme had been impossible to crystallize. This difficulty could be overcome by the replacement of the four tryptophan residues by azatryptophans. Analysis of the intermolecular and intramolecular contacts in this modification allows understanding of the differences in behaviour between the native and modified molecules. Furthermore, this mutation was very useful for the creation of new heavy-atom binding sites and for the solution of the non-crystallographic symmetry, which is extremely important for phase improvement. This procedure seems to be generally applicable, at least in the search for new possibilities for heavy-atom binding sites. [less ▲]

Incorporation of rapeseed meal extracted by pressure in a diet for growing fattening bulls .1. Intake, digestibility and fermentation in the rumen

in Annales de Zootechnie (1997), 46(1), 57-70

Intake, digestibility, degradation kinetic and fermentation were studied with bulls offered fattening diets with four different incorporation rates of rapeseed meal obtained by pressure; the ether extract ... [more ▼]

Intake, digestibility, degradation kinetic and fermentation were studied with bulls offered fattening diets with four different incorporation rates of rapeseed meal obtained by pressure; the ether extract content was 8.6% and the glucosinolate content 17,6 mu molg. The control diet was made of sugar beet pulp, cereals, soya bean meal and linseed meal. In the three other diets, nitrogen from rapeseed meal provided 33, 66 or 100% of nitrogen from soya bean meal or linseed meal. The intakes of the control diet were 94.3 +/- 7.3 g/kg metabolic body weight. Intakes were maintained high in the diet with 33, 66 or 100% of protein from rapeseed meal at 93.5 +/- 7.7; 93.0 +/- 5.0 and 93.5 +/- 7.7 g/kg, respectively. The apparent digestibility of rapeseed meal in the ration containing only rapeseed meal was high at 74.9 +/- 1.9% for dry matter, 76.5 +/- 2.1% for organic matter, 69.9 +/- 3.9% for nitrogen, 59.1 +/- 4.8% for ADF and 74.6 +/- 6.9% for ether extract. Dry matter of rapeseed meal was less degradable (57.8 +/- 5.0%) than that of soya bean meal (65.5 +/- 2.6%) or of linseed meal (61.6 +/- 4.2%) but was not as well protected than that of protected soya bean meal (43.6 +/- 2.6%) (P < 0.001). Similar trends were observed for the degradability of nitrogen (P < 0.001). Ether extract of rapeseed meal was more degradable than that of linseed meal (P < 0.001). There were no significant effects of the incorporation rate of rapeseed meal on the pH in the rumen. The fermentations were mainly of the acetate type with usual concentrations of propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, glucose or alpha amino nitrogen. Ammonia concentration was higher with the control diet and lower with the diet with 100% of protein from rapeseed meal. Fatty acids of rapeseed meal were more protected against saturation by the rumen microorganisms than in linseed meal. [less ▲]

Increase in Cytokine Production (Il-1 Beta, Il-6, Tnf-Alpha but Not Ifn-Gamma, Gm-Csf or Lif) by Stimulated Whole Blood Cells in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

in Maturitas (1997), 26(1), 63-71

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a progressive disorder characterized by a decreased bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures. Several investigations have suggested that one of the mechanisms ... [more ▼]

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a progressive disorder characterized by a decreased bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures. Several investigations have suggested that one of the mechanisms through which estrogen prevents bone loss was a modulation on secretion or release of various cytokines that are known to influence bone remodeling, even if some recent data have challenged this hypothesis. However, in established osteoporosis, the possibility that enhanced cytokines activity may account for the progression of this disease remains unclear and controversial. We sought here to determine whether production of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF and LIF, after direct stimulation in whole blood, was different in healthy (n = 30) or osteoporotic postmenopausal women (n = 24) and whether lumbar bone density (1-BMD) correlated with the values of cytokine production observed in these conditions. A significant difference was observed between the osteoporotic and control subjects for IL-1 beta (p < 0.0001), IL-6 (p < 0.001) and TNF-alpha (p = 0.027) productions, the values being higher in the osteoporotic women. No significant differences between the groups were observed for IFN-gamma (p = 0.51), GM-CSF (p = 0.70) or LIF (p = 0.97). In the whole population, statistically significant negative correlations were observed between lumbar BMD and IL-1 beta (r = -0.46) (p < 0.0005), IL-6 (r = -0.50) (p < 0.0001) and TNF-alpha (r = -0.39) (p < 0.005) production while no such correlations were observed for IFN-gamma, GM-CSF or LIF. In conclusion, the study of cytokine production by immune cells cultured in autologous whole blood suggests that in women more than 10 years past the menopause and presenting a decrease in lumbar bone density corresponding to the new WHO definition of "osteoporosis', production of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha is still increased compared to controls matched for age and ovarian function, while no differences are reported for IFN-gamma, GM-CSF or LIF production. [less ▲]

Increase in epidermal growth factor receptor and its mRNA levels by parathyroid hormone (1-34) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (1-34) during differentiation of human trophoblast cells in culture

in Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (1993), 53(1), 32-42

Increase in femoral neck bone mineral density is associated with decrease in vertebral and hip fracture incidence during a 3-year treatment with strontium ranelate

in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2007, June), 66(Suppl.II), 521

INCREASE IN LEVELS OF STRATOSPHERIC CHLORINE AND FLUORINE LOADING BETWEEN 1985 AND 1992

in Geophysical Research Letters (1994), 21(20), 2223-2226

Mixing ratios of 3.44 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) and 1.23 ppbv for HCl and HF above 50 km, surrogates for total chlorine and fluorine, have been measured by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule ... [more ▼]

Mixing ratios of 3.44 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) and 1.23 ppbv for HCl and HF above 50 km, surrogates for total chlorine and fluorine, have been measured by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment on a March 1992 flight of the Space Shuttle. Compared to the measured values obtained on a 1985 flight, these correspond to a 37% and 62% increase for HCl and HF, respectively. The derived trend in HCl (similar to 0.13 ppbv per year) is in good agreement with the model-predicted increase in chlorine loading of 0.13 ppbv per year [Prather and Watson. 1990], and with the measured trends in HCl total column abundance from reported ground-based observations. The main source of this change can be attributed to the release of man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). This new value for HCl represents an upper limit to the inorganic chlorine concentration in the stratosphere available for participation in photochemical processes which destroy ozone. [less ▲]

Increase in type II collagen turnover after iron depletion in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis.

in Rheumatology (2010), 49(4), 760-6

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of iron depletion on serum levels of joint biomarkers and on joint symptoms in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). METHODS: Levels of biomarkers were ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of iron depletion on serum levels of joint biomarkers and on joint symptoms in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). METHODS: Levels of biomarkers were measured in 18 patients with HH at the time of diagnosis and after iron depletion. The markers were type II collagen degradation (Coll2-1) and its nitrated form (Coll2-1NO(2)), type II procollagen synthesis (CPII), MPO, COMP and HA. For each patient, demographic data were collected and the global joint pain (visual analogue scale) was assessed before and after iron depletion by phlebotomy. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients [10 males; mean (s.d.) age 48 (11) years] were homozygous for the C282Y mutation. No patient had liver dysfunction. Ferritin level before iron removal was 627.5 (range 133-3276) microg/l, and duration of the iron depletion phase was 295 (70-670) days. Serum levels of both Coll2-1 and CPII were significantly increased from diagnosis after iron depletion: 80.1 (55.6-113.5) vs 96.0 (48.8-136.3) nM (P = 0.004) and 731.4 (374.2-1012.3) vs 812.8 (535.8-1165.6) ng/ml (P = 0.03), respectively. Levels of other biomarkers were not modified by iron depletion. Ferritin level, which at baseline was correlated with body iron store (r = 0.63; P = 0.008), was significantly correlated with HA level measured before iron depletion (r = 0.60; P = 0.01). Global joint pain was not correlated with ferritin concentration and did not significantly decrease after iron depletion: 43 (19-73) vs 36 (16-67) mm (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HH, cartilage homoeostasis is modified by iron excess and an increase in type II collagen turnover occurs after excess iron removal. [less ▲]

Increase of carbonyl fluoride (COF2) in the stratosphere and its contribution to the 1992 budget of inorganic fluorine in the upper stratosphere

in Journal of Geophysical Research (1994), 99(D8), 16737-16743

Volume mixing ratio profiles of COF2 have been derived through most of the stratosphere between 30°N and 54°S from series of 0.01-cm−1 resolution infrared solar spectra recorded in the occultation mode by ... [more ▼]

Volume mixing ratio profiles of COF2 have been derived through most of the stratosphere between 30°N and 54°S from series of 0.01-cm−1 resolution infrared solar spectra recorded in the occultation mode by the atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) instrument during the ATLAS 1 space shuttle mission of March–April 1992. When compared with similar results obtained from the ATMOS/Spacelab 3 mission of April–May 1985, the cumulative increase in the burden of COF2 in the middle and upper stratosphere was found to be 67% for that 7-year time interval. By combining a subset of these COF2 results with upper stratospheric concentrations of HF also derived from the ATMOS observations, it was further found that the budget of inorganic fluorine above 35 km altitude increased by (60 ± 10) % over the 1985–1992 time interval, which corresponds to an average exponential rate of increase of (6.7 ± 1.1) % yr−1, or a linear rate of increase referenced to 1985 of (8.5 ± 1.3) % yr−1 at the 1σ confidence level. The total inorganic F atom volume mixing ratio found in the upper stratosphere for 1985 and 1992 and the increase during this period mirror the rise in man-made fluorine-bearing compounds at the ground during the early to mid 1980s. This demonstrates the negligible impact of natural sources of fluorine, in particular volcanic activity, on the observed change of F in the upper stratosphere. Implications of the present findings and comparison with model results are discussed. [less ▲]