Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Quality references'

The electricity industry was designed more than 50 years ago when the load and generation was less, now we are in the information age with a digital society where the demand is very high, this has forced the electricity infrastructure to its limits which was not designed for, in addition, the electricity demand continues to grow. So the focus of the question becomes what we need to do from technology prospective to meet that growing demand for electricity, and do it in a way that we don't create a greater carbon footprint. Smart grid is the next generation of the electricity infrastructure based on the optimisation of the current system in all levels. Since the current system is facing various problems from increasing disturbances, system is operating on the limit, aging equipments, load change etc. therefore an improvement is essential to minimize these problems. To enhance the current system and resolve the issues that it's facing, Smart grid must have the right tools to solve it and reduce it. First of all, this thesis gives a brief concept of smart grid and summarizes many issues about smart grid, such as strategy planning, drivers for develop the Smart Grid, key characteristics, technologies of the Smart Grid, benefits in implementing Smart Grid, key Challenges, implementation sequence. And then this thesis discusses smart metering system and its standards. Secondly, this thesis reports on development of a new approach to deal with power quality problem. Wavelet Transform (WT) is used for the new approach. Complex Morlet Wavelet (CMW) is selected for the new approach introduced in this thesis. The proposed algorithm is able to identify all harmonic components including integer, non-integer and sub-harmonics. Comparing with DFT, the proposed algorithm achieves exact estimation of the harmonic frequency. Thirdly, reports on the development of a WT-based dynamic waveform reconstruction algorithm which is able to identify amplitude variations of harmonic components of the distorted waveform in the examined period. At last, this thesis reports a new Wavelet-GA-ANN based hybrid model for accurate prediction of short-term load forecast. Finally, the conclusions and future work will be given.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T15:50:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCS15DA029.pdf: 1174495 bytes, checksum: c94504b14cba9a2c70b11cf30975c16a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-30<br>The Brazilian Legislation determined that all Brazilian states should establish its References Quality Values because of regional peculiarities and established a term for this to occur. These values reflect the natural levels of a given element in the soil without introduction anthropic and are important for identifying contaminated sites. The aim of this study was to determine the natural levels of arsenic in three regions of the state of Santa Catarina (Planalto Sul, Metropolitana and Litoral Sul) and establish the VRQ for metals barium, cadmium and nickel in 54 representative soil profiles in the state. The soil samples passed through the digestion process, using the USEPA method 3051 A and the determination of the levels were made by atomic absorption spectrometry with atomization in flame or electrothermal. For Arsenic, the statistical analysis used was the Scott-Knott test. In establishing VRQ analyzes used were: Pearson s correlation (r), factorial, cluster hierarchical analysis and discriminant. Arsenic levels were not different between regions Planalto Sul and Metropolitana, and in the region Litoral Sul were below the LDQM, which were related to the source material and the relief of the different regions soils. The VRQ for soils of Santa Catarina were generally higher than those determined in other states and worldwide, and the highest levels were found in Mollisols, and the lowest in Oxisols. Pearson s Correlation and factor analyzes revealed that the attributes sum and base saturation and pH are crucial in Barium levels, Cadmium and Nickel and allowed the understanding of the relationship between the physical and chemical properties and the distribution of metals in soil<br>A legislação brasileira determinou que todos os Estados brasileiros devem estabelecer seus Valores de Referência de Qualidade em razão das peculiaridades regionais e estabeleceu um prazo para que isso ocorra. Esses valores refletem o teor natural de determinado elemento no solo sem introdução via atividade antrópica e são importantes no sentido da identificação de locais suspeitos de contaminação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os teores naturais de Arsênio em três regiões do estado de Santa Catarina (Planalto Sul, Metropolitana e Litoral Sul) e estabelecer os VRQ para os metais Bário, Cádmio e Níquel em 54 perfis de solos representativos no Estado. As amostras dos solos passaram pelo processo de digestão, utilizando-se o método USEPA 3051 A e as determinações dos teores foram feitas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização em chama ou eletrotérmica. Para Arsênio, a análise estatística utilizada foi o teste de Scott-Knott. No estabelecimento dos VRQ foram utilizadas as análises: correlação de Pearson (r), fatorial, análise de agrupamento hierárquico e discriminante. Os teores de Arsênio não diferiram entre as regiões Planalto Sul e Metropolitana, e na região Litoral Sul ficaram abaixo do LDQM, os quais foram relacionados ao material de origem e ao relevo dos solos das distintas regiões. Os VRQ para os solos de Santa Catarina foram em geral superiores aos determinados em outros Estados e a nível mundial, sendo que os maiores teores foram encontrados em Chernossolos, e os menores em Latossolos. As análises de correlação e fatorial revelaram que os atributos soma e saturação de bases e pH são determinantes nos teores de Bário, Cádmio e Níquel e permitiram a compreensão da relação existente entre os atributos físicos e químicos e a distribuição dos metais nos solo

The objects of the South African Pharmacy Council in terms of the Pharmacy Act, 1974 (5311974) as amended are, inter alia, "to uphold and safeguard the rights of the general public to universally acceptable standards of pharmacy practice in both the private and the public sector" as well as "to establish, develop, maintain and control universally acceptable standards of practice of the various categories of persons required to be registered.. ." One of the major difficulties health care providers worldwide are faced with is how to maintain a proper balance between the trio goals of health care, namely adequate access, high quality and acceptable costs (Li, 2003:192-193). Relatively little is known about such problems as do exist for patients regarding access to pharmaceutical services (Doucette et al., 1999:1268). Two main objectives were identified for this study, namely to investigate the demographic profile of community and institutional pharmacies registered with the South African Pharmacy Council; and to determine the standard of pharmaceutical services provided by these pharmacies. Inspection results of community and institutional pharmacies were obtained from the South African Pharmacy Council and extracted for the time period 1 January 2004 to 31 May 2005. To determine the demographic and geographic profile of these pharmacies, data of the Register of Pharmacies of the South African Pharmacy Council for August 2003, 2004 and 2005 were merged with the Census data of South Africa of 2001. It was found that the total number of pharmacies in both the public and private sectors increased with 2.1% (n=68) from August 2003 to August 2005. Public and private pharmacies that provided services directly to patients increased with 6.3% (n=33) and 1.3% (n=35) from August 2003 to 2005. It was found that the Gauteng province was the best provided with registered pharmacies in South Africa, as only 0.06% (n=5 783) of the population did not have any registered pharmacy available on municipality level. It was also revealed that the majority of inspections were carried out in Gauteng, whilst this province accounts for only 19.7% of the total population of South Africa. During the study period a total of 1178 community pharmacy inspections were carried out in 1103 community pharmacies (one or more inspections per pharmacy) representing 43% (n=2 550) of the total number of community pharmacies registered with the South African Pharmacy Council during May 2005. Nationally community pharmacies achieved a score of 92.27 (+ 6.65 per cent) for compliance with Good Pharmacy Practice guidelines. The lowest compliance score (73.34 + 27.49 per cent) was obtained for the availability of written standard operating procedures and the highest was for the promotion of public health (99.02 + 6.30 per cent). No practical significant differences (dc0.8) were found between the overall compliance scores obtained by community pharmacies of the different provinces. The highest compliance score was obtained by community pharmacies in the Free State (93.09 + 4.90 per cent), followed by Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the North West. A total of 343 institutional pharmacy inspections (one or more inspections per pharmacy) were carried out in public and state subsidised institutions (n=245), private institutions (n=90) and mine hospitals (n=5). These pharmacies represented 46% of the total number of institutional pharmacies registered with the South African Pharmacy Council during May 2005. Nationally all institutional pharmacies (both private and public) achieved a score of 92.49 + 8.33 per cent for compliance with Good Pharmacy Practice guidelines for all above-mentioned aspects. Nationally public and state subsidised institutional pharmacies obtained a lower compliance score (91.02 + 9.08 per cent) than private institutional pharmacies (96.39 + 3.91 per cent). Lastly, a grading system was developed that was based on the results obtained through this study, in order to quantify the standard of pharmaceutical services provided by pharmacies in South Africa.<br>Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Research is divided about the potential of e-service to bridge communication gaps, particularly to diverse user groups. According to the existing body of literature, e-service may increase or decrease the quality of service received. This study analyzes the level of service received by different genders and ethnic groups when public librarians answer online reference queries. Quality of e-service was evaluated along three dimensions: responsiveness, reliability, and courtesy. This study found no significant differences among different user groups along any of these dimensions, supporting the argument that the virtual environment facilitates equitable service and may overcome some challenges of diverse user groups.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2019-03-18T19:12:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 José Marcos Alves.pdf: 8358219 bytes, checksum: 2a46347e794efacfea82dc85cf1f5360 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-18T19:12:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 José Marcos Alves.pdf: 8358219 bytes, checksum: 2a46347e794efacfea82dc85cf1f5360 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-12-14<br>The distance education modality (EaD) has gained increasing importance in work environments for the continuous training of professionals; however, it weighs on the EaD a stigma of being considered a modality of low quality. In the Brazilian Judiciary, the EaD is responsible for the initial and continuous training of magistrates and servants. Therefore, the present research aims at identifying the quality indicators used to guide and understand the excellence in the production and supply of distance courses in work environments. For which we analyzed the offer of the course Introduction to Socio-Environmental Issues, produced by the Judicial School of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region (EJUD2). For this challenge, the following questions were raised regarding the research problem: What are the guidelines that guide the design and the implementation of EaD in Brazil and EJUD2? What are the quality benchmarks for the distance modality, based on the national guidelines and academic productions in the area? What is the importance and contribution of Instructional Design in the design of courses offered in EaD, especially in EJUD2? Among the evidenced quality indicators, which ones are applied in the courses offered in EAD at EJUD2 and, consequently, are responsible for the excellence pointed out by the students of these courses? In this context, the general objective was to identify and analyze such indicators in order to understand the excellence of the online course under consideration. As for the specific objectives, they aimed to: i. To raise the history and guidelines that guide the design and implementation of Distance Education in Brazil, as well as in the judicial school of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region - SP; ii. to understand the quality references for the distance modality, from the national guidelines and academic productions in the area; iii. to analyze the importance and the contribution of Instructional Design in the quality of the content design and courses offered in EaD; iv. indicate which are the quality indicators evidenced in the courses offered in EAD in EJUD2 responsible for excellence in results. The research adopted a qualitative exploratory approach to a case study. For this, the data of the student reaction evaluations, the tutor's report, and a questionnaire interview with a person in charge of the instructional designers team and with coordinator manager of the EJUD2 were analyzed. The theoretical framework used to base this research was centered on, among other authors: Behar (2009), Corrêa (2007), Freire (1996), Pierre Lèvy (2003), Andrea Filatro (2008), Gardner (1995), Terçariol (2016), in addition to the Quality Reference for Distance Higher Education, Distance Learning Manual within the scope of EJUD2 and also official documents of higher bodies that regulate EAD in the judiciary. The research identified the production of contents as a fundamental point in the quality of EaD. In addition, it has been verified that audiovisual content, inherent of the technological advances, a current and enriching language, that allows to work the ludic. It is believed that this research contributes to the studies focused on the valuation of EaD in work environments in order to assist in the delineation of new paradigms of quality of this emergent modality in Brazil.<br>La modalidad de Educación a Distancia (EaD) ha ganado cada vez más importancia en los espacios laborales para la formación continuada de profesionales; sin embargo, pesa sobre la EaD un estigma de ser considerada una modalidad de baja calidad. En el Poder Judicial brasileño, EaD es responsable de la formación inicial y continuada de magistrados y servidores. Por eso, la presente investigación tiene por objetivo la identificación de los indicadores de calidad utilizados para orientar y comprender la excelencia en la producción y oferta de cursos a distancia en espacios laborales. Para ello, se analizó la oferta del curso Introducción a Temas Socioambientales, producido por la Escuela Judicial del Tribunal Regional del Trabajo de la 2ª Región (EJUD2). Para este desafío, se plantearon las siguientes cuestiones dirigidas al problema de investigación: ¿cuáles son las directrices que orientan el diseño y la implementación de la EaD en Brasil y en la EJUD2? ¿Cuáles son los referentes de calidad para la modalidad a distancia, a partir de las directrices nacionales y producciones académicas en el área? ¿Cuál es la importancia y la contribución del diseño educativo en la concepción de cursos ofrecidos en EaD, en especial, en la EJUD2? Entre los indicadores de calidad evidenciados, ¿cuáles son aplicados en los cursos ofrecidos en EaD en la EJUD2 y, consecuentemente, son responsables de la excelencia apuntada por los estudiantes de esos cursos? En este contexto, el objetivo general fue identificar y analizar tales indicadores, a fin de comprender la excelencia del curso en línea en cuestión. En cuanto a los objetivos específicos, se dirigieron a: i. En el caso de la educación a distancia en Brasil, así como en la escuela judicial del Tribunal Regional del Trabajo de la 2ª Región - SP; ii. comprender los referenciales de calidad para la modalidad a distancia, a partir de las directrices nacionales y producciones académicas en el área; iii. analizar la importancia y la contribución del Diseño Instruccional en la calidad de la concepción de los contenidos y cursos ofrecidos en EaD; iv. señalar cuáles son los indicadores de calidad evidenciados en los cursos ofrecidos en EaD en la EJUD2 responsables por la excelencia en los resultados. La investigación adoptó un enfoque cualitativo de carácter exploratorio de un estudio de caso. Para ello, se analizaron los datos de las evaluaciones de reacción de los estudiantes, informe del tutor, además de entrevista, por medio de un cuestionario, con un responsable del equipo de diseñadores instruccionales y con el gestor de la coordinadora de EaD de la EJUD2. En el caso de las mujeres, la mayoría de las veces, la mayoría de las veces, la mayoría de las veces, (2016), además de los Referenciales de Calidad para la Educación Superior a Distancia, del Manual de Enseñanza a Distancia en el ámbito de la EJUD2 y también de documentos oficiales de órganos superiores de los que regulan la EaD en el poder judicial. La investigación identificó la producción de contenidos como un punto fundamental en la calidad de la EaD. Además, se verificó que el contenido audiovisual, propio de los avances tecnológicos, mientras un lenguaje actual y enriquecedora, proporciona un trabajo más lúdico. Se cree que esta investigación contribuye a los estudios orientados a la valorización de la EaD en espacios laborales, a fin de auxiliar aún en el delineamiento de nuevos paradigmas de calidad de esa modalidad emergente en Brasil.<br>A modalidade de Educação a Distância (EaD) tem ganhado cada vez mais importância nos espaços laborais para a formação continuada de profissionais; contudo, pesa sobre a EaD um estigma de ser considerada uma modalidade de baixa qualidade. No Judiciário brasileiro, a EaD é responsável pela formação inicial e continuada de magistrados e servidores. Por isso, a presente pesquisa tem por objetivo a identificação dos indicadores de qualidade utilizados para nortear e compreender a excelência na produção e oferta de cursos a distância em espaços laborais. Para tanto, analisou-se a oferta do curso Introdução a Temas Socioambientais, produzido pela Escola Judicial do Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 2ª Região (EJUD2). Para este desafio, levantaram-se as seguintes questões voltadas ao problema de pesquisa: quais são as diretrizes que norteiam a concepção e a implementação da EaD no Brasil e na EJUD2? Quais são os referenciais de qualidade para a modalidade a distância, a partir das diretrizes nacionais e produções acadêmicas na área? Qual a importância e a contribuição do Design Instrucional na concepção de cursos ofertados em EaD, em especial, na EJUD2? Dentre os indicadores de qualidade evidenciados, quais são aplicados nos cursos ofertados em EaD na EJUD2 e, consequentemente, são responsáveis pela excelência apontada pelos estudantes desses cursos? Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral foi identificar e analisar tais indicadores, a fim de compreender a excelência do curso online em apreço. Quanto aos objetivos específicos, eles visaram: i. Levantar o histórico e as diretrizes que norteiam a concepção e implementação da Educação a Distância no Brasil, bem como na escola judicial do Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 2ª Região - SP; ii. compreender os referenciais de qualidade para a modalidade a distância, a partir das diretrizes nacionais e produções acadêmicas na área; iii. analisar a importância e a contribuição do Design Instrucional na qualidade da concepção dos conteúdos e cursos ofertados em EaD; iv. sinalizar quais são os indicadores de qualidade evidenciados nos cursos ofertados em EaD na EJUD2 responsáveis pela excelência nos resultados. A pesquisa adotou uma abordagem qualitativa de caráter exploratória de um estudo de caso. Para isso, foram analisados os dados das avaliações de reação dos estudantes, relatório do tutor, além de entrevista, por meio de questionário, com um responsável pela equipe de designers instrucionais e com o gestor da coordenadoria de EaD da EJUD2. O arcabouço teórico utilizado para a fundamentação desta pesquisa foi centrado em, entre outros autores, Behar (2009), Corrêa (2007), Freire (1996), Pierre Lèvy (2003), Andrea Filatro (2008), Gardner (1995), Terçariol (2016), além dos Referenciais de Qualidade para a Educação Superior a Distância, do Manual de Ensino a Distância no âmbito da EJUD2 e também de documentos oficiais de órgãos superiores do que regulamentam a EaD no poder judiciário. A pesquisa identificou a produção de conteúdos como um ponto fundamental na qualidade da EaD. Além disso, verificou-se que o conteúdo audiovisual, próprio dos avanços tecnológicos, enquanto uma linguagem atual e enriquecedora, proporciona um trabalho mais lúdico. Acredita-se que esta pesquisa contribua para os estudos voltados à valorização da EaD em espaços laborais, a fim de auxiliar ainda no delineamento de novos paradigmas de qualidade dessa modalidade emergente no Brasil.

73 pp.<br>Originally developed in Iowa and adapted for Arizona. Arizona Youth Livestock Quality Assurance Member Manual; Arizona Youth Livestock Quality Assurance Activity Guide.<br>This trainer's reference is for use in implementing the youth livestock quality assurance program. The curriculum is designed to provide youth and adults with a better understanding of the risks involved in the food production industry, better understand the Good Production Practices (GPP's) that can help them produce a safer product and therefore, implement these GPP's in their own livestock production system.

How to assess the quality of a genome assembly without the help of a reference sequence is an open question. Only a few techniques are currently used in the literature and each has obvious bias. An additional method, restriction enzyme associated DNA (RAD) marker alignment, is proposed here. With high enough density, this method should be able to assess the quality of de novo assemblies without the biases of current methods. With the growing ambition to sequence new genomes and the accelerating ability to do so cost effectively, methods to assess the quality of reference-free genome assemblies will become increasingly important. In addition to the existing methods of EST and conserved sequence alignment, RAD marker alignment may contribute to this effort.

Migration from the traditional to web-based library paradigm is usually accompanied by remodelling of many library core activities particularly those associated with user-centred services. In this capacity of the web-based service paradigm, many academic libraries have established networked environments within which many virtual-user communities are forming and growing. Understanding the virtual user's needs in these communities has become the first priority of networked libraries for designing, running and managing effective virtual reference services to meet the increasing expectations of the invisible users. To achieve this, the networked libraries strive to improve their quality of service by applying a wide range of such quality management approaches as quality function deployment (QFD) and LIBQUAL™. QFD initially stresses on driving continuous improvement of the user-oriented services towards end-user satisfaction. The paper attempts to incorporate the QFD to be integrated strategically in designing and managing e-information provision within networked library service environment. The UAE University Library is used as a case study, where the evidence-based librarianship (EBL) approach has been employed in three studies to identify user needs and acceptance of e-services. Based on these studies, the paper presents a model aimed at streamlining e-services for virtual users in ICT-rich learning environments.

The overwhelming trend of the usage of multimedia services has raised the consumers&apos; awareness about quality. Both service providers and consumers are interested in the delivered level of perceptual quality. The perceptual quality of an original video signal can get degraded due to compression and due to its transmission over a lossy network. Video quality assessment (VQA) has to be performed in order to gauge the level of video quality. Generally, it can be performed by following subjective methods, where a panel of humans judges the quality of video, or by using objective methods, where a computational model yields an estimate of the quality. Objective methods and specifically No-Reference (NR) or Reduced-Reference (RR) methods are preferable because they are practical for implementation in real-time scenarios. This doctoral thesis begins with a review of existing approaches proposed in the area of NR image and video quality assessment. In the review, recently proposed methods of visual quality assessment are classified into three categories. This is followed by the chapters related to the description of studies on the development of NR and RR methods as well as on conducting subjective experiments of VQA. In the case of NR methods, the required features are extracted from the coded bitstream of a video, and in the case of RR methods additional pixel-based information is used. Specifically, NR methods are developed with the help of suitable techniques of regression using artificial neural networks and least-squares support vector machines. Subsequently, in a later study, linear regression techniques are used to elaborate the interpretability of NR and RR models with respect to the selection of perceptually significant features. The presented studies on subjective experiments are performed using laboratory based and crowdsourcing platforms. In the laboratory based experiments, the focus has been on using standardized methods in order to generate datasets that can be used to validate objective methods of VQA. The subjective experiments performed through crowdsourcing relate to the investigation of non-standard methods in order to determine perceptual preference of various adaptation scenarios in the context of adaptive streaming of high-definition videos. Lastly, the use of adaptive gain equalizer in the modulation frequency domain for speech enhancement has been examined. To this end, two methods of demodulating speech signals namely spectral center of gravity carrier estimation and convex optimization have been studied.

2 pp.<br>This is a series of 6 fact sheets related to identifying high quality youth programs from several perspectives: middle/high school youth, parents, youth development professionals and identifying resources in the community. It also includes a check list that will be included with each of the fact sheets.

Abstract The era of mobile communications and mobile services has begun. The ongoing mobile revolution has dramatically and fundamentally changed our daily lifestyles, and it will continue to do so in a foreseeable future. For the next generation, mobile service end users have more demands for such services. This thesis examines the challenging user perspectives in designing and developing high value added mobile services. The aim of this research is to develop reference models and elicit user requirements for 3G and beyond mobile services in order to improve the quality of mobile services. This thesis first examines the existing architectures and models for high value added mobile services, followed by the contributions of the thesis. In this thesis, a Cyberworld model, which is a contribution to the WWRF reference modeling initiative and a specification of the WSI reference model, was developed and it serves as a basis for 3G and beyond mobile services design and development. A series of definitions of the Cyberworld model and a roadmap of the enabling technologies were also built up. The emphasis of this part is on how to describe and model user participation in mobile services. For this purpose, a model of the communication element to represent the components of the wireless world was created. Both static and dynamic reference modeling steps were established to better describe and understand user participation in mobile services. The validation was achieved through the CyPhone navigation mobile service. In order to enhance mobile service mobility, personalisation, and security, an ontology based model was developed to extend the Cyberworld model functionalities. The innovative ontology based mobile system will greatly increase service mobility, personalisation and security, thus improving the quality of mobile services. The ontology based model was illustrated and validated using a healthcare mobile service. A Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach was adopted in this research in order to elicit, weigh and prioritise actual user requirements and link them to technical design requirements of mobile services. Traditionally QFD is employed in manufacturing industry. This approach is now extended to the mobile service industry for the first time. In this thesis, a detailed step by step QFD approach was proposed for designing high value added mobile services. As a result, the developed mobile services will better meet users' wants and needs which also means that the quality of mobile services will be significantly improved. The QFD approach was validated through a mobile e-learning service and another dedicated healthcare service for senior citizens. Through development of reference models and examination of user requirements for 3G and beyond mobile services from user perspectives, this thesis contributes to the design and development of high value added mobile services.

Three Dimensional Television (3DTV) and Free Viewpoint Television (FTV) are emerging multimedia applications, which promise to offer a new Quality of Experience (QoE) dimension. In order for such applications to offer an immersive experience for users a large number of viewpoints need to be transmitted, to a point where the high bandwidth utilisation becomes a major concern. One approach to this problem is the utilisation of the so called “depth maps” in Depth Image Based Rendering (DIBR) techniques, where different views, can be reconstructed (rendered) at the receiver side when required, with a fraction of the bandwidth. Therefore the quality and accuracy of the information present in depth maps and its ability to reconstruct the required views has become the subject of much greater scrutiny in multimedia research. Several challenges arise when assessing the quality of depth maps, such as the lack of a proper reference for comparing the available depth maps, especially when it comes to live High Definition (HD) content. The first contribution of this thesis focuses on developing a novel subjective assessment approach, which addresses the presence of disocclusions in rendered views. The goal of this assessment approach is to enable the subjective evaluation of rendered views, to provide results that are more representative of the quality of the depth map utilised in the rendering process. The adopted approach performance has been evaluated through correlating the obtained subjective results with well-established objective metric measurements, such as PSNR, PSPNR, SSIM and VQM. The second contribution of this thesis is concerned with establishing a test data set, which includes different colour sequences together with various depth estimation algorithms and different depth post processing techniques. State of the art depth estimation algorithms were examined such as RSGM, DERS and HRM, in order to obtain a wide range of depth map qualities. The depth map data set is utilised in the DIBR process to generate rendered views, which are in turn subjectively assessed utilising the approach developed in contribution one of this thesis. The assessment is carried out in both a 2D and 3D setup and statistical analysis is utilised to establish observations and conclusions over the depth map performance. The third and final contribution of this thesis is related to a non-reference evaluation approach in assessing the quality of the depth maps utilised. This approach exploits the edges present in the available depth maps and compares that to the edges in the corresponding colour views. Edge pixels in depth maps are then classified into correct and error edge pixels. The obtained results are then correlated with the subjective results obtained in the second contribution. The result analysis of this non-reference model provides clear indications of depth map performance and its dependency on the associated colour sequence selection. The high correlation values with the subjective results were in the range of 75-81%. These correlation values are of more significance when compared to best performing quality metrics (e.g. VQM obtained correlation values of 59%) under the researched scenarios.

This research addresses the Reference Watershed Approach (RWA) in the TMDL process for benthic impairments. In the RWA, do different land use sources (DOQQ and NLCD) or use of alternative water quality models (GWLF and SWAT) result in different stressor loadings? Is there a difference in stressor loadings when different reference watersheds are used? Study results showed that using different land use sources resulted in required stressor reductions that were different by greater than 10%. In one scenario, use of the NLCD-based land use parameters results in 3.5 times greater reductions than use of DOQQ-based land use parameters. With respect to water quality model selection, in two of the three scenarios considered, a difference in stressor reduction requirements of greater than 10% resulted from using different models. Differences in load reduction requirements are also seen when different reference watersheds are used, regardless of the water quality model or the land use source used. Different references result in a difference of as much as 73% in required sediment reductions in the impaired watershed: the required reductions using one reference watershed are 6.2 times as great as when another is used. Possible alternatives to the RWA include water quality standards to set the target level for many of the common stressors on the benthic assemblage, regression equations that relate benthic stressors to the RBP II score, or averaging of stressor reduction requirements obtained from using the Reference Watershed Approach on several different reference watersheds.<br>Master of Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2006.<br>Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 24, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-138).

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica, 2017.<br>Submitted by Raquel Almeida (raquel.df13@gmail.com) on 2017-05-26T21:27:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_DarioDanielRibeiroMorais.pdf: 11590245 bytes, checksum: 2daecd1489fc94cb4c8afb7736e1181f (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Raquel Viana (raquelviana@bce.unb.br) on 2017-05-29T23:07:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_DarioDanielRibeiroMorais.pdf: 11590245 bytes, checksum: 2daecd1489fc94cb4c8afb7736e1181f (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-29T23:07:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_DarioDanielRibeiroMorais.pdf: 11590245 bytes, checksum: 2daecd1489fc94cb4c8afb7736e1181f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-29<br>Este trabalho visa desenvolver uma métrica híbrida de qualidade de vídeo sem referência para aplicações de transmissão digital, que leva em consideração três tipos de artefatos: perda de pacotes, blocado e borrado. As características desses artefatos são extraídas a partir das sequências de vídeo a fim de quantificar a força desses artefatos. A avaliação de perda de pacotes é dividida em 2 etapas: detecção e medição. As avaliações de blocado e borrado seguem referências da literatura. Depois de obter as características dos três tipos de artefatos, um processo de aprendizado de máquina (SVR) é utilizado para estimar a nota de qualidade prevista a partir das características extraídas. Os resultados obtidos com a métrica proposta foram comparados com os resultados obtidos com outras três métricas disponíveis na literatura (duas métricas NR de perda de pacotes e 1 métrica FR) e eles são promissores. A métrica proposta é cega, rápida e confiável para ser usada em cenários em tempo real.<br>This work aims to develop a hybrid no-reference video quality metric for digital transmission applications, which takes into account three types of artifacts: packet-loss, blockiness and bluriness. Features are extracted from the video sequences in order to quantity the strength of these three artifacts. The assessment of the packet-loss strength is performed in 2 stages: detection and measurement. The assessment of the strength of blockiness and blussiness follow references from literature. After obtaining the features from these three types of artifacts, a machine learning algorithm ( the support vector regression technique), is used to estimate the predicted quality score from the extracted features. The results obtained with the proposed metric were compared with the results obtained with three other metrics available in the literature (two NR packet-loss metrics and one FR metric). The proposed metric is blind, fast, and reliable to be used in real-time scenarios.

Recently, many kinds of mobile displays have become increasingly popular. They are widely used under a variety of ambient illumination levels, including bright outdoor viewing conditions. Manufacturers of mobile displays require new data and computational models which consider the effect of ambient illumination in order to develop higher quality products. The aim of this thesis is to analyse the ability of the human visual system to evaluate the quality of images reproduced on small-size mobile display media, especially for 2-inch liquid crystal display, and to computationally enhance quality of images under a wide range of ambient illumination levels. Specifically, the following four major issues were investigated: analysis of psychophysical attributes affecting image-quality evaluation, quantification of image quality using measurable image-properties, measurement of the ambient-illumination adaptive contrast sensitivity function, and image enhancement which discounts the effect of ambient-illumination. Since small sized mobile display was mainly focused on in the current research, the results can be used for a limited range of display size. Effects 'of display size were remained as future study. Firstly, typical variations of mobile display media that exist in the real world were simulated using a device characterisation technique and psychophysical attributes (e.g. naturalness, clearness, sharpness, contrastness, colourfulness and preference) affecting the image quality evaluation process were analysed. The naturalness and clearness were found to be the most statistically important ( psychophysical-attributes for modelling image quality. As ambient illumination level increases, the significance of clearness (which is attributed to both contrast and sharpness) increased and image quality was impaired exponentially. Secondly, image quality was modelled using the measurable image properties memory colour reproduction ratio (MCRR), mean chroma and 95th percentile luminance - regarding to the physical characteristics of display media. A computational image-colour quality (ICQ) model was developed that consists of three cognitive processes: local and global assessments and scoring the ICQ. The effect of outdoor illumination on the ICQ model estimate could' be 'quantified as an exponential decay function of illuminance (Ix). Thirdly, to estimate the change in image contrast under a variety of ambient illumination levels, the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of the human visual system was psychophysically measured using the contrast threshold detection method. As the ambient illumination level increased, the overall contrast sensitivity decreased and the spatial. frequency where the maximum contrast sensitivity occurred was shifted towards a lower frequency. Finally, the loss in contrast sensitivity was quantified and compensated for by increasing the amplitude of Fourier transform of a given image. An. ambient- . illumination adaptive weighting function was applied to the' amplitude increase, . according to the normalised CSF difference between the reference (dark) and a given target ambient illumination level. This IEA method resulted in a considerable image· quality enhancement under outdoor viewing conditions, as verified through a set of psychophysical experiments.

There is a demand for video quality measurements in modern video applications specifically in wireless and mobile communication. In real time video streaming it is experienced that the quality of video becomes low due to different factors such as encoder and transmission errors. HEVC/H.265 is considered as one of the promising codecs for compression of ultra-high definition videos. In this research, full reference based video quality assessment is performed. The raw format reference videos have been taken from Texas database to make test videos data set. The videos are encoded using HM9 reference software in HEVC format. Encoding errors has been set during the encoding process by adjusting the QP values. To introduce packet loss in the video, the real-time environment has been created. Videos are sent from one system to another system over UDP protocol in NETCAT software. Packet loss is induced with different packet loss ratios into the video using NETEM software. After the compilation of video data set, to assess the video quality two kind of analysis has been performed on them. Subjective analysis has been carried on different human subjects. Objective analysis has been achieved by applying five quality matrices PSNR, SSIM, UIQI, VFI and VSNR. The comparison is conducted on the objective measurement scores with the subjective and in the end results deduce from classical correlation methods.

As there is a rapid growth in the field of wireless communications, the demand for various multimedia services is also increasing. The data that is being transmitted suffers from distortions through source encoding and transmission over errorprone channels. Due to these errors, the quality of the content is degraded. There is a need for service providers to provide certain Quality of Experience (QoE) to the end user. Several methods are being developed by network providers for better QoE.The human tendency mainly focuses on distortions in the Region of Interest(ROI) which are perceived to be more annoying compared to the Background(BG). With this as a base, the main aim of this thesis is to get an accurate prediction quality metric to measure the quality of the image over ROI and the BG independently. Reduced Reference Image Quality Assessment (RRIQA), a reduced reference image quality assessment metric, is chosen for this purpose. In this method, only partial information about the reference image is available to assess the quality. The quality metric is measured independently over ROI and BG. Finally the metric estimated over ROI and BG are pooled together to get aROI aware metric to predict the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) of the image.In this thesis, an ROI aware quality metric is used to measure the quality of distorted images that are generated using a wireless channel. The MOS of distorted images are obtained. Finally, the obtained MOS are validated with the MOS obtained from a database [1].It is observed that the proposed image quality assessment method provides better results compared to the traditional approach. It also gives a better performance over a wide variety of distortions. The obtained results show that the impairments in ROI are perceived to be more annoying when compared to the BG.

Health Authorities receive vast quantities of data from providers relating to patients treated. Ibis data is used to survey the health of the resident population and to determine future healthcare services. It is therefore essential that the quality of this data is measured. North Staffordshire Health Authority already monitor, to a certain extent, the quality of data received. However, accuracy is one attribute of quality not monitored. This thesis proposes a method to measure the accuracy of patient data, in particular clinical coding. The traditional method of measuring accuracy determines whether a data item is correct or incorrect. The definition of accuracy, however, is the measure of agreement with an identified source. The proposed measure ranks incorrect clinical codes by their level of inaccuracy. Concepts from measurement theory are used to ensure that this measure adhered to the rules of the theory. This alternative method of measuring data accuracy was tested on a sample of inpatient data. From the results, the most appropriate way to analyse clinical data whilst still maintaining a level of accuracy satisfactory for the intended information purposes could be identified. Managers at North Staffordshire Health Authority were surveyed for their views on the usefulness of this alternative method of measuring data accuracy compared with the traditional method. Auditing a sample of data like this does not help to prevent errors occurring. Therefore, to identify how data accuracy could be improved in the long term, the source of the errors were discovered by examining the data life cycle.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ineffective treatment procedures of lexical items and inadequate information in the macrostructure and microstructure reduce the value of the reference quality of Thanodi of Setswana. This prompted an attempt at suggesting improvements with regard to the treatment and information retrieval of lexical items. This dictionary is not consistent in its use of structural marketslreference symbols to mark vital lexicographic information and reference addresses. Homonyms are not given the comprehensive lexicographic treatment, that would enable the user to access all relevant linguistic and semantic information, Another shortcoming is the lack of the use of labels on some headwords in this dictionary. The treatment procedure given to synonyms in this dictionary fails to provide the relevant information that the user needs. There is a lack of semantic linking among synonyms, because of the inadequate use of cross-reference symbols and reference markers. Loan-words are not marked to indicate their linguistic origin and to recognise them as being part of the Setswana lexicon and conveying lexicographic information. The unavailability of usage notes as part of the treatment of Thanodi ya Setswana, reduces the reference quality of the dictionary as a source of linguistic information. The use of this semantic information as part of the definiens is important to avoid unclear lemma definitions. The treatment procedure given to certain lemmas in this dictionary, suggests that the space saving principle is ignored. There are repeated definitions in the articles of synonymous lemmas and this creates redundancy. It is suggested that synonymous lemmas be treated by a crossreference depending on their usage frequency. The more frequently used lemmas should be given full lexicographic treatment and the less frequently used lemmas be given a partial treatment. The treatment of nouns in this dictionary also reduces its reference quality. Singular nouns are lemmatized but plural nouns are not lemmatized, The exclusion of these plural nouns in the macrostructure of this dictionary disadvantages an inexperienced user, especially in cases where these plural forms are more frequently used than the singular forms. A strategy to lemmatize both singular and plural nouns can maximise the usefulness of the dictionary. There are sublexical lexical items that are part of the Setswana lexicon but are not lemmatized in this dictionary. These sublexicallexical items should be lemmatized to recognise their status as lexical items. The treatment procedure given to inflectional and deficient verbs is a cause for concern in this dictionary. Instead of semantic information being provided, a derivation process is shown in the dictionary's article. This poor treatment given to these lexical items, leads to other senses of the lemma being left out and not being found by the dictionary user. The suggested strategies in the treatment of lexical items and the making available of lexicographic information, would make this dictionary more user-friendly. With such improvements, this dictionary would benefit the dictionary user.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die waarde en kwaliteit van Thanodi ya Setswana word verminder deur oneffektiewe prosedures in die behandeling van leksikale items en onvoldoende informasie in die makro- en mikrostruktuur van die woordeboek. Hierdie tesis kan beskou word as 'n poging om verbeteringe voor te stel vir die behandeling van leksikale items en die inwin van informasie daaromtrent. Die woordeboek IS me konsekwent III sy gebruik van struktuurmerkers en verwysingsimbole ten einde belangrike leksikografiese informasie en verwysingsadresse te merk nie. Homonieme kry nie die volledige leksikografiese behandeling wat dit vir die gebruiker moontlik sou maak om alle relevante taalkundige en semantiese inligting te bekom nie. 'n Ander tekortkoming is die gebrek aan etikette by sommige lemmas in hierdie woordeboek. Die wyse waarop sinonieme in die woordeboek behandel word, is ook gebrekkig: dit verskaf nie die relevante inligting wat die gebruiker benodig nie. Daar IS onvoldoende inligting betreffende die semantiese verband tussen lemmas wat as sinonieme beskou word, vanwee die onvoldoende gebruik van verwysingsimbole en - merkers. Leenwoorde word nie gemerk ten einde hulle linguistiese oorsprong aan te dui, en duidelik te maak dat hulle deel van die Setswana leks ikon is nie. Daar is 'n gebrek aan aantekeninge of voorbeelde betreffende die gebruik van woorde en dit verminder die nut van Thanodi ya Setswana as naslaanwerk en bron van taalkundige inligting. Sulke semantiese inligting as deel van die definiens is belangrik omdat dit onduidelike definisies help voorkom. Die manier waarop sekere lemmas behandel word, maak dit duidelik dat die beginsel van die ekonomiese gebruik van spasie hier geignoreer is. Definisies in die artikels van sinonieme word telkemale herhaal, en dit lei tot oortolligheid. Daar word voorgestel dat sinonieme liewer behandel moet word by wyse van kruisverwysings, afhangende van hul gebruiksfrekwensie: lemmas wat meer dikwels gebruik word, behoort 'n volle leksikografiese behandeling te kry: die wat minder dikwels gebruik word, kan dan 'n gedeeltelike behandeling kry. Die wyse waarop selfstandige naamwoorde behandel word, verminder ook die verwysingskwaliteit van die woordeboek. Die enkelvoudvorme van selfstandige naamwoorde word gelemmatiseer, maar nie die meervoudvorme nie. Die weglaat van die meervoudvorme van selfstandige naamwoorde in hierdie woordeboeke benadeel die onervare gebruiker, veral in die lig van die feit dat sommige meervoudvorme meer dikwels gebruik word as die enkelvoudvorme. Deur meervoudvorme sowel as enkelvoudvorme te lemmatiseer, sal die waarde en nuttigheid van die woordeboek verhoog word. Voorts is daar sekere subleksikale leksikale items wat deel is van die Setswana leksikon, maar wat nie in hierdie woordeboek gelemmatiseer word nie. Sulke subleksikale items behoort gelemmatiseer te word, ten einde erkenning te gee aan hulle status as leksikale items. Die behandeling van infleksie-werkwoorde en "negatiewe" werkwoorde ("deficient verbs") in hierdie woordeboek is gebrekkig. Instede van semantiese informasie te verskaf, word slegs die afleidingsproses aangetoon. Die gebrekkige behandeling van hierdie leksikale items veroorsaak dat sekere betekenisse van die lemmas weggelaat word - betekenisse wat vir die gebruiker van die woordeboek relevant mag wees. Indien die voorgestelde strategiee in die behandeling van die leksikale items toegepas word, en meer leksikografiese inligting verskaf word, sal die woordeboek meer gebruikersvriendelik word. Dit sal ook van groter nut en waarde vir die gebruiker wees.

Mestrado em Biotecnologia Alimentar<br>No final de 2014 foi publicada a norma ISO 11133 que obriga à realização de testes de performance em todos os lotes de meio produzidos, recorrendo ao uso de microrganismos de referência específicos, com um nível de inóculo estabelecido. A liofilização é um processo de secagem de culturas microbianas, e que permite a sua preservação por largos períodos de tempo, sem ser necessária refrigeração. Os efeitos de três meios crioprotetores diferentes (skim milk + 10% sacarose, nutrient broth nº2 + 20% glicerol, e sacarose 10%) na sobrevivência à liofilização de Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes e Salmonella enterica serogrupo Typhimurium; o acompanhamento da concentração celular de S. aureus ao longo do tempo, depois de ter sido liofilizado com skim milk + 10% sacarose; e ainda o estudo da estabilidade de E. coli e S. aureus, depois de liofilizados e armazenados à temperatura ambiente, foram investigados. E. coli, S. aureus e L. monocytogenes foram liofilizadas com skim milk + 10% sacarose; E. coli e S. aureus foram liofilizadas com nutrient broth nº2 + 20% glicerol; e Salmonella Typhimurium e E. coli foram liofilizadas com sacarose 10%. Terminadas as liofilizações dos estudos de viabilidade, cada amostra foi reidratada e inoculada em PCA. Para o acompanhamento da concentração celular de S. aureus, com intervalos regulares ao longo do tempo, as amostras foram reidratadas e inoculadas em PCA e BP egg yolk. Para estudar a estabilidade de E. coli e S. aureus as amostras foram reidratadas e inoculadas em PCA e no respetivo meio seletivo, com intervalos regulares ao longo do tempo. Skim milk + 10% sacarose é o melhor meio protetor dos três usados. Das bactérias gram-positivas testadas, L. monocytogenes é a mais resistente, com uma redução na sua viabilidade virtualmente nula; das gram-negativas, a Salmonella Typhimurium foi a que obteve melhores resultados, com a redução de 1 Log. Naturalmente, as gram-positivas têm uma melhor capacidade de sobrevivência à liofilização por causa da composição da sua parede celular, rica em peptidoglicanos, e isso foi comprovado nos testes feitos. No estudo da estabilidade de S. aureus, a sua concentração celular manteve-se estável ao longo do tempo, acima dos 6 Log ufc/200 μl. Nos estudos em que a estabilidade de E. coli e S. aureus armazenados à temperatura ambiente foi avaliada, comprovou-se que culturas microbianas liofilizadas necessitam de refrigeração para manter a viabilidade. Com este trabalho deu-se início à investigação necessária para a elaboração de um protocolo com o intuito de produzir culturas stock de referência liofilizadas, com o nível de inóculo necessário, para aplicação futura em análises microbiológicas.<br>In late 2014 it was published the standard ISO 11133 which obligates the achievement of performance tests in every batch of media produced, resorting to specific reference microorganisms, with an established inoculum level. Lyophilization is a drying process applied to microbial cultures that allows its preservation for large periods of time, with no refrigeration needed. The effects of three different cryoprotective media (skim milk + 10% sucrose, nutrient broth no2 + 20% glycerol, and sucrose 10%) on survival to lyophilization of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium; a monitoring of S. aureus cell concentration over time, after being lyophilized with skim milk + 10% sucrose; and also a stability study of E. coli and S. aureus after lyophilization and storage at room temperature, were investigated. E. coli, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were lyophilized with skim milk + 10% sucrose; E. coli and S. aureus were lyophilized with nutrient broth no2 + 20% glycerol; and Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli were lyophilized with sucrose 10%. Finished every lyophilization of the viability studies, each sample was rehydrated and inoculated in PCA. To monitor S. aureus cell concentration, the samples were rehydrated and inoculated in PCA and BP egg yolk, with regular intervals throughout time. For the stability study of E. coli and S. aureus, also in regular intervals, samples were rehydrated and inoculated in PCA and in the respective selective culture media. Skim milk + 10% sucrose is the best cryoprotective medium used. From the gram-positive bacteria tested, L. monocytogenes is the most resistant, registering a virtually null reduction in viability; from gram-negative, Salmonella Typhimurium performed best, with only 1 Log reduction. Naturally, gram-positive bacteria have a better survivability to lyophilization because of their cell wall composition, rich in peptidoglycan, and that was proven with the experiments performed. In S. aureus stability study, cellular concentration was kept stable over time, above 6 Log cfu/200μl. In the stability studies in which E. coli and S aureus were storage at room temperature, it has been proved that lyophilized microbial cultures require lyophilization to maintain viability. This work initiated the research needed for the elaboration of a protocol intended for the production of lyophilized reference stock cultures, with a specific inoculum level, for future application in microbiological analyses.

Contemporary cities are to a certain extent characterized by buildings and facilities which withdraw pedestrian public activities from the exterior. The increased development of office and convention complexes, large community and shopping centres has shifted pedestrian activities from a coherent outdoor street network to isolated interiors. This process, described as the phenomenon of internalization, significantly changes the public quality of urban spaces. Exterior public space loses the liveliness of pedestrian activities and is reduced to a specialized vehicular movement. However, interior public space is an insufficient substitute for outdoor space because it provides for specific functions only which are often manipulated and controlled by private interests. It is the intention of this thesis to identify and define the potential interior spaces have to serve as public spaces. The analysis focuses on the activity of shopping, one of the most basic daily public activities. The thesis commences with the description of internalization and its impact on the network of public spaces. A case study of an area in downtown Vancouver indicating the location of shopping facilities demonstrates a typical distribution of public spaces in a contemporary urban structure. A basic premise of the thesis is that the quality of interior public spaces can be evaluated by criteria for publicness which is equally valid for interior and exterior public spaces. The term public quality or publicness is defined by presenting criteria for social liveliness derived from outdoor public space. Three criteria, choice, continuity of movement space, and global order, are chosen in order to analyze selected interior shopping facilities to identify their potential to serve as public spaces. The thesis concludes that from an architectural standpoint interior spaces have a rich potential to serve as public spaces, and in particular, the promotion of an overall public movement network which connects interior with exterior public spaces enhances interior publicness. However, because of economic constraints shopping centres tend to promote the interface between customer and merchandise rather than the interaction of people and other experiences of publicness.<br>Applied Science, Faculty of<br>Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of<br>Graduate

The new age, the "Information Age" (Davenport and Prusak 1997) has increased society's and businesses' reliance on Information Technology (IT). Hence, there is an increasing focus on the management of IT, not only from a technological perspective but also from a business perspective. This research, sponsored by REALTECH and the Australian Research Council, applies one of the modern management approaches, business process management (Hammer 1990), to the domain IT service provision, by designing a business process reference model for IT Service Provision. A reference model is an abstracted depiction of reality that serves as a standardised or suggestive conceptual basis for the design of enterprise specific models, usually within a like domain. They are one method of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise modelling and can also be used to standardise communication or capture knowledge. There is a general lack of theory regarding the classification, design and quality of reference models. The first part of this thesis attempts to fill these gaps, by presenting a reference model classification scheme, outlining 7 philosophies for the design of reference models and detailing 2 case studies on the user-perceived quality of business process reference models. Reference models and the Business Process Management Lifecycle (Rosemann 2000) are integrated to show how reference models can be applied to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business process improvement projects. This reference model theory was then applied to produce a model for domain of IT Service Provision. Investment in IT has increased to become the largest single element of capital expenditure (Thorp 1998). Gartner predicted that organisations will spend over 10% of revenue on IT by 2005 (Haines 2000). A major input for this model is the ITIL best practice documents (CCTA 2000). The reference model focuses on Incident Management and used focus groups with participants from several large IT service providers to validate the models. The designed reference model is then tested in two case studies to determine its accuracy and usefulness. The thesis finishes with a discussion of the designed model, the effectiveness of the procedural model and provides suggestions for the design of other reference models. The final chapter provides a summary and an outlook for further research into the area.

Product quality is regarded as one of the most important factors that consumers consider while purchasing products. However, contrary to objective quality, perceived product quality includes consumer&#039<br>s judgment about the overall superiority or excellence of a product. This study mainly concentrates on the relationship between product appearance and perceived product quality especially for durable goods. The definitions of product quality and perceived product quality are reviewed to explain different dimensions of perceived product quality. Product appearance and the importance of product appearance are explained to reveal the relationship between the consumer and the appearance of the product. Four types of information communicated through the appearance are revealed: aesthetic information, symbolic information, functional information and ergonomic information. In the field study, how these four types of information communicated by the product appearance influence the consumers&rsquo<br>quality perception is questioned through a quantitative study. Conducted with 100 participants, the results of the questionnaire shows that the appearance influences quality perception in various stages of consumer/product context for durable goods. At the end of the study, it is observed that aesthetic, functional and ergonomic information directly influence consumer&rsquo<br>s quality perception<br>wheras, the influence of symbolic information on the perceived quality is found to be limited and indirect.

Le domaine de recherche dans l'évaluation objective de la qualité des images couleur a connu un regain d'intérêt ces dernières années. Les travaux sont essentiellement dictés par l'avènement des images numérique et par les nouveaux besoins en codage d'images (compression, transmission, restauration, indexation,…). Jusqu'à présent la meilleure évaluation reste visuelle (donc subjective) soit par des techniques psychophysiques soit par évaluation experte. Donc, il est utile, voire nécessaire, de mettre en place des critères et des mesures objectifs qui produisent automatiquement des notes de qualité se rapprochant le plus possible des notes de qualité données par l'évaluation subjective. Nous proposons, tout d'abort, une nouvelle métrique avec référence d'évaluation de la qualité des images couleur, nommée Delta E globale, se base sur l'aspect couleur et intègre les caractéristiques du système visuel humain (SVH). Les performances ont été mesurées dans deux domaines d'application la compression et la restauration. Les expérimentations réalisées montrent une corrélation importante entre les résultats obtenus et l'appréciation subjective. Ensuite, nous proposons une nouvelle approche d'évaluation sans référence de la qualité des images couleur en se basant sur les réseaux de neurones : compte tenu du caractère multidimensionnel de la qualité d'images, une quantification de la qualité a été proposée en se basant sur un ensemble d'attributs formant le descripteur PN (Précision, Naturalité). La précision traduit la netteté et la clarté. Quant à la naturalité, elle traduit la luminosité et la couleur. Pour modéliser le critère de la couleur, trois métriques sans référence ont été définies afin de détecter la couleur dominante dans l'image, la proportion de cette couleur et sa dispersion spatiale. Cette approche se base sur les réseaux de neurones afin d'imiter la perception du SVH. Deux variantes de cette approche ont été expérimentées (directe et progressive). Les résultats obtenus ont montré la performance de la variante progressive par rapport à la variante directe. L'application de l'approche proposée dans deux domaines : dans le contexte de la restauration, cette approche a servi comme un critère d'arrêt automatique pour les algorithmes de restauration. De plus, nous l'avons utilisé au sein d'un système d'estimation de la qualité d'images afin de détecter automatiquement le type de dégradation contenu dans une image. Dans le contexte de l'indexation et de la recherche d'images, l'approche proposée a servi d'introduire la qualité des images de la base comme index. Les résultats expérimentaux ont montré l'amélioration des performances du système de recherche d'images par le contenu en utilisant l'index qualité ou en réalisant un raffinement des résultats avec le critère de qualité<br>The research area in the objective quality assessment of the color images has been a renewed interest in recent years. The work is primarily driven by the advent of digital pictures and additional needs in image coding (compression, transmission, recovery, indexing,...). So far the best evaluation is visual (hence subjective) or by psychophysical techniques or by expert evaluation. Therefore, it is useful, even necessary, to establish criteria and objectives that automatically measures quality scores closest possible quality scores given by the subjective evaluation. We propose, firstly, a new full reference metric to assess the quality of color images, called overall Delta E, based on color appearance and incorporates the features of the human visual system (HVS). Performance was measured in two areas of application compression and restoration. The experiments carried out show a significant correlation between the results and subjective assessment.Then, we propose a new no reference quality assessmenent color images approach based on neural networks: given the multidimensional nature of image quality, a quantification of quality has been proposed, based on a set of attributes forming the descriptor UN (Utility, Naturalness). Accuracy reflects the sharpness and clarity. As for naturality, it reflects the brightness and color. To model the criterion of color, three no reference metrics were defined to detect the dominant color in the image, the proportion of that color and its spatial dispersion. This approach is based on neural networks to mimic the HVS perception. Two variants of this approach have been tried (direct and progressive). The results showed the performance of the progressive variant compared to the direct variant. The application of the proposed approach in two areas: in the context of restoration, this approach has served as a stopping criterion for automatic restoration algorithms. In addition, we have used in a system for estimating the quality of images to automatically detect the type of content in an image degradation. In the context of indexing and image retrieval, the proposed approach was used to introduce the quality of images in the database as an index. The experimental results showed the improvement of system performance image search by content by using the index or by making a quality refinement results with the quality criterion

Le nouveau Règlement Sanitaire International (RSI) de 2005 adopté par l’OMS a posé les règles d’une nouvelleorganisation et de règles pour une meilleure coopération entre les Etats et un renforcement des actions de l’OMS enfaveur de la lutte contre les maladies épidémiques.L’application du RSI est complexe pour les Etats et nécessite une organisation qui doit être soutenue par un guideméthodologique opérationnel.Nous avons analysé leurs organisations pour comprendre quels étaient les points de faiblesse et tenter d’y répondre parun référentiel de management simple, adapté et cohérent vis à vis des systèmes de surveillance.Pour obtenir ce résultat nous avons développé et déployé une méthodologie appliquée au niveau mondial. Cetteapproche méthodologique en 6 temps est basée sur une approche processus avec une cartographie des systèmes desurveillance, un positionnement dans les principes de l’amélioration de la performance et le PDCA tout en s’appuyant surla norme ISO 9001 comme référentiel d’étude.Cette méthodologie a permis l’analyse des systèmes de surveillance dans le monde entier et l’évaluation desconcordances avec les exigences du RSI. Nous avons fait un parallèle avec la norme ISO 9001 afin de voir s’il étaitpossible de positionner un système dématérialisé comme les systèmes de surveillance des maladies épidémiques surun référentiel connu et éprouvé.Ce travail nous a amené à proposer un modèle basé sur le management de la qualité par la performance, plus soupleque la norme ISO 9001, trop rigide pour des systèmes dématérialisé comme les systèmes de surveillance qu’il convientmaintenant de rédiger et de déployer<br>The new International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 adopted by WHO has set the rules of a new organization and therules for improved cooperation among states and for strengthening WHO's actions in fighting epidemics.Implementing IHR is complex and requires states to put in place systems that must be supported by an operationalmethodology guide. We analyzed their organizations to understand what were the weak points and to try to remedy by simple managementprocesses adapted and coherent with surveillance systems. To achieve this result we have developed and implemented a methodology applied worldwide. This methodological framework in 6 phases is based on a process approach with a map of surveillance systems, positioning in the principlesof performance improvement and the PDCA, while relying on ISO 9001 as a reference. This methodology has enabled the analysis of surveillance systems worldwide and assessing consistency with the IHR requirements. We made a parallel with ISO 9001 in order to determine if it was possible to introduce a dematerialized system as in the case of epidemic disease surveillance systems, using a known and proven reference framework. This work led us to propose a model based on quality performance management, more flexible than the ISO 9001, which is too rigid for dematerialized systems such as surveillance systems

This master thesis elaborates the construction of an integrated framework for the simultaneous initiation of quality management and information security management within micro and small enterprises. Called QISMO, the model collection consists of three parts: (1) a holistic framework as structure dedicated to achieving a shared understanding among key stakeholders concerned about relations and dependencies, (2) a reference process model for visualising the entire process with the activities related, and (3) a lifecycle model for illustrating the process loop and for clarifying specific phases therein. This study offers an analysis of alternative approaches that results in premises and requirements adapted to micro and small enterprises. Furthermore, major barriers to the improvement of quality and information security management of micro and small enterprises are identified in this study. These include miscalculation of risks, lack of competence, and absence of structured processes. Aside from valuable insights for further development of enhanced training programs, the study contributes a comprehensive analysis of standards and good practices within the field of IT governance. Moreover, the study shares a concrete reference process model that is adapted to the preconditions of micro and small enterprises. These preconditions are acquired throughout the study. The proposition is to provide a basis for the further improvement of business processes and the models related to them, both in practice and in research.

This study examined the quality of English language programmes at Libyan universities and in particular at Tripoli University, in order to identify the factors that have contributed to the decline in standards of students studying English at degree level. The motivation behind selecting this topic area is that English language programme at Tripoli University is dated and not fit for purpose. Thus English programmes are in need of major changes to improve students’ language skills. There is a broad literature on the need for research on language programme evaluation across many parts of the world. Many educational systems and teaching institutions undertake periodic evaluation of their programmes. Many key authors agree on the importance of evaluation and argue that evaluation is more than just the collection of information and data, it involves making judgements about the worth, merit or value of a programme. Programme evaluation is also a form of validation process to find out if the assessed programme is fit for purpose and meets the students’ needs and expectations. This study adopted a mixed methods approach as relying on one single research approach and strategy would reduce the effectiveness of this study. The rationale for adopting a quantitative and qualitative research approach is related to the purpose of the study, the nature of the problem and research questions. Thus quantitative data were collected through questionnaires involving (300) students at Tripoli University (Libya) and was analysed using SPSS. This was supported by qualitative data using semi-structured interviews involving eight lecturers at Tripoli University using content analysis. The findings revealed that most of the students recognise the need for radical changes to revamp the language programme to address the decline of English language skills. Students are aware of their inadequate English standards, as the findings showed that a majority of students had positive attitudes and were highly motivated to learn the English language. The conclusions indicated that the English language programme has major shortcomings that need to be addressed such as resources, teaching and learning facilities, training workshops for staff development and insufficient library resources. The results also clarified that the English language programme needs to be evaluated on a regular basis in order to assess its effectiveness in order to enhance the quality of education. The study makes suggestions that will have implications for improvement and development for the English language programme. A framework is proposed to reform and revamp the English language programme. This study contributes to raise awareness regarding the importance of evaluating English language programmes, to allow decision-makers to take necessary steps to promote the English language. This study also makes a theoretical contribution by expanding the literature on the research topic which is Quality assessment English language programmes at Libyan Universities. It also raises awareness about the root causes of the decline of English language standards.

Dans le domaine de la vision par ordinateur l'utilisation de points d'intérêt (PI) est récurrente pour les problématiques de reconnaissance et de suivi d'objets. Plusieurs études ont prouvé l'utilité de ces techniques, associant robustesse et un temps de calcul pouvant être compatible avec le temps réel. Cette thèse propose d'étudier et d'exploiter ces descripteurs de statistiques de l'image sous un tout autre regard. Ainsi, nous avons menée une étude sur le lien entre les PI et la saillance visuelle humaine. De cette étude nous avons pu développer une méthode de prédiction de carte de saillance exploitant la rapidité d'exécution de ces détecteurs. Nous avons également exploité le pouvoir descriptif de ces PI afin de développer de nouvelles métriques de qualité d'images. Grâce à des résultats encourageant en terme de prédiction de qualité perçue et la faible quantité d'information utilisée, nous avons pu intégrer notre métrique "QIP" dans une chaîne de transmission d'images sur réseau sans fil de type MIMO. L'ajout de cette métrique permet d'augmenter la qualité d'expérience en garantissant la meilleure qualité malgré les erreurs introduites par la transmission sans fil. Nous avons étendu cette étude, par l'analyse fine des statistiques structurelles de l'image et des migrations d'attributs afin de proposer un modèle générique de prédiction des dégradations. Enfin, nous avons été amenés à conduire diverses expériences psychovisuelles, pour valider les approches proposées ou dans le cadre de la normalisation de nouveaux standards du comité JPEG. Ce qui a mené à développer une application web dédiée à l'utilisation et la comparaison des métriques de qualité d'images<br>In the field of computer vision, the use of interest points (IP) is very frequent for objects tracking and recognition. Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of these techniques, combining robustness and complexity that can be compatible with the real time. This thesis proposes to explore and exploit these image statistical descriptors under a different angle. Thus, we conducted a study on the relationship between IP and human visual saliency. In this study, we developed a method for predicting saliency maps relying on the efficiency of the descriptors. We also used the descriptive power of the PI to develop new metrics for image quality. With encouraging results in terms of prediction of perceived quality and the reduced amount of used information, we were able to integrate our metric "QIP" in an image transmission framework over a MIMO wireless network. The inclusion of this metric can improve the quality of experience by ensuring the best visual quality despite the errors introduced by the wireless transmission. We have extended this study by deeply analyzing structural statistics of the image and migration attributes to provide a generic model for predicting impairments. Finally, we conducted various psychovisual experiments to validate the proposed approaches or to contribute to JPEG standard committee. This led to develop a web application dedicated to the benchmark of image quality metrics

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Ciência da Computação, 2017.<br>Submitted by Raquel Almeida (raquel.df13@gmail.com) on 2017-06-22T19:03:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_AlexandreFienodaSilva.pdf: 5179649 bytes, checksum: de1d53930e22f809bd34322d5c5270d0 (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Raquel Viana (raquelviana@bce.unb.br) on 2017-10-05T17:04:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_AlexandreFienodaSilva.pdf: 5179649 bytes, checksum: de1d53930e22f809bd34322d5c5270d0 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-05T17:04:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_AlexandreFienodaSilva.pdf: 5179649 bytes, checksum: de1d53930e22f809bd34322d5c5270d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-05<br>Um dos principais fatores para a redução da qualidade do conteúdo visual, em sistemas de imagem digital, são a presença de degradações introduzidas durante as etapas de processamento de sinais. Contudo, medir a qualidade de um vídeo implica em comparar direta ou indiretamente um vídeo de teste com o seu vídeo de referência. Na maioria das aplicações, os seres humanos são o meio mais confiável de estimar a qualidade de um vídeo. Embora mais confiáveis, estes métodos consomem tempo e são difíceis de incorporar em um serviço de controle de qualidade automatizado. Como alternativa, as métricas objectivas, ou seja, algoritmos, são geralmente usadas para estimar a qualidade de um vídeo automaticamente. Para desenvolver uma métrica objetiva é importante entender como as características perceptuais de um conjunto de artefatos estão relacionadas com suas forças físicas e com o incômodo percebido. Então, nós estudamos as características de diferentes tipos de artefatos comumente encontrados em vídeos comprimidos (ou seja, blocado, borrado e perda-de-pacotes) por meio de experimentos psicofísicos para medir independentemente a força e o incômodo desses artefatos, quando sozinhos ou combinados no vídeo. Nós analisamos os dados obtidos desses experimentos e propomos vários modelos de qualidade baseados nas combinações das forças perceptuais de artefatos individuais e suas interações. Inspirados pelos resultados experimentos, nós propomos uma métrica sem-referência baseada em características extraídas dos vídeos (por exemplo, informações DCT, a média da diferença absoluta entre blocos de uma imagem, variação da intensidade entre pixels vizinhos e atenção visual). Um modelo de regressão não-linear baseado em vetores de suporte (Support Vector Regression) é usado para combinar todas as características e estimar a qualidade do vídeo. Nossa métrica teve um desempenho muito melhor que as métricas de artefatos testadas e para algumas métricas com-referência (full-reference).<br>The main causes for the reducing of visual quality in digital imaging systems are the unwanted presence of degradations introduced during processing and transmission steps. However, measuring the quality of a video implies in a direct or indirect comparison between test video and reference video. In most applications, psycho-physical experiments with human subjects are the most reliable means of determining the quality of a video. Although more reliable, these methods are time consuming and difficult to incorporate into an automated quality control service. As an alternative, objective metrics, i.e. algorithms, are generally used to estimate video quality quality automatically. To develop an objective metric, it is important understand how the perceptual characteristics of a set of artifacts are related to their physical strengths and to the perceived annoyance. Then, to study the characteristics of different types of artifacts commonly found in compressed videos (i.e. blockiness, blurriness, and packet-loss) we performed six psychophysical experiments to independently measure the strength and overall annoyance of these artifact signals when presented alone or in combination. We analyzed the data from these experiments and proposed several models for the overall annoyance based on combinations of the perceptual strengths of the individual artifact signals and their interactions. Inspired by experimental results, we proposed a no-reference video quality metric based in several features extracted from the videos (e.g. DCT information, cross-correlation of sub-sampled images, average absolute differences between block image pixels, intensity variation between neighbouring pixels, and visual attention). A non-linear regression model using a support vector (SVR) technique is used to combine all features to obtain an overall quality estimate. Our metric performed better than the tested artifact metrics and for some full-reference metrics.

Thesis (MScMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Flow cytometry has progressively replaced many traditional laboratory tests due to its greater accuracy, sensitivity and rapidity in the routine clinical settings especially clinical trails. It is a powerful tool for the measuring of chemical (the fluorochrome we add) and physical (size and complexity) characteristics of individual cells. As these instruments became major diagnostic and prognostic tools, the need for more advanced quality control, standardized procedures and proficiency testing programs increased as these instrumentations and their methodology evolve. Minor instrument settings can affect the reliability, reproducibility and sensitivity of the cytometer and should be monitored and documented in order to ensure identical conditions of measurement on a daily basis. This can be accomplished by following an Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and/ or External Quality Assurance (EQA) program. Currently there are no such programs available in South Africa and poorer Africa countries. HIV is a global concern and the laboratories and clinics in these places are in need of such IQA programs to ensure quality of their instrumentation and accurate patient results. Quality assurance programs such as CD Chex® and UK Nequas are available but due to bad sample transport, leave the receiving laboratories with nightmares. It would be best if there was a laboratory in South Africa that could provide the surrounding laboratories with stabilized whole blood samples that can be utilized as IQA. The transport of these samples can be more efficient due to shorter distance and thus the temperature variations limited. Aims and Objectives: The aim of Chapter one is to familiarize the reader with general terminology and concepts of immunology. Chapter two describes in detail the impact stabilized whole blood had on clinical immunology concerning Quality Control and Quality Assurance. The objective of this study is to stabilize whole blood with a shelf life of greater than 30 days to serve as reference control material for South African Immunophenotyping. It is further an objective to use these in-house stabilized control samples for poorer African countries as Internal Quality Assurance reference material. It is a still further objective to stimulate various lymphocyte subsets to express activation antigens and then stabilize these cells for more specialized immunological test and can serve as a QC for those required samples. Study design: In Chapter three, the method currently used to stabilize whole blood was modified. The stability of different concentrations of a first stabilizing agent (Chromium Chloride hexahydrate) was investigated. Incubation periods and concentrations of paraformaldehyde as second stabilizing agent were investigated. Blood samples from healthy individuals (n=10) were stabilized and monitored for the routine HIV phenotypic surface antigens over a period of 40 days. These samples (n=10) were compared on the Becton Dickinson Biosciences (BD) FACSCalibur™ versus BD FACSCount™ instrumentation. Blood samples (n=3) were stabilized and monitored to identify phenotypic cell surface molecules for as long as possible. They were quantified on both flow cytrometric instruments. In addition, these stabilized samples (n=3) were investigated as control blood for calibration purposes on the BD FACSCount™ instrument. In Chapter four, lymphocytes were isolated and activated with various stimuli to express sufficient activation antigens such as CD25, CD69, HLA-DR and CD40 Ligand on the T helper cell surfaces. These activated antigens were analyzed on the BD FACSCalibur™ and further stabilized to serve as possible IQA samples in future. Results: In Chapter three, the ten individual stabilized samples had non-significant P values (P > 0.05) for CD3, CD4 and CD8 percentages and absolute values comparing day 3 until day 40. Comparing the BD FACSCalibur™ versus BD FACSCount™, resulted in a R2 = 0.9848 for CD4 absolute values and a R2 = 0.9636 for CD8 absolute values. Stabilized blood samples (n=3) were monitored for routine HIV phenotypic markers until day 84. The cells populations were easily identifiable and could be quantified on both BD FACSCalibur™ and BD FACSCount™ instruments. In Chapter four; for the activation study purposes, activated T helper lymphocytes expressed approximately 25 to 35% CD40 Ligand cell surface molecules. The stimulant of choice was Ionomycin at a 4μM concentration. Cells were incubated for four hours at 37 degree Celsius in a 5% CO2 environment. For CD69 surface expression, 6 hour incubation was optimum. The stimulus of choice in this case was 4μM Ionomycin which induced 84.21% CD69 expression in the test samples. For CD25 expression; 6 hour incubation with PHA resulted in approximately 43% of CD25 expression. For HLA-DR surface expression; 6 hour incubation with PHA resulted in approximately 43.32% of HLA-DR expression. Activated lymphocytes expressing CD40 Ligand showed stability until day 23. Activated Lymphocytes expressing CD69, CD25 and HLA-DR were stabilized in the same manner and stability could be achieved until day 16. Conclusion: This thesis was related to the preparation of control samples (IQA) designed to simulate whole blood having defined properties in clinical laboratory situations. In future kits can be developed with a low, medium and high control sample for the various immunological phenotypic determinants. Another kit can be compiled where various activation markers can be identified, quantified with a “zero”, low and high control. These whole blood IQA kits and “activation IQA kits” can be implemented for training of newly qualified staff, competency testing of staff, method development, software testing, panel settings and instrument setting testing. Control samples ideally must have a number of properties in order to be effective. For instance stability during storage times, preferably lasting more than a few weeks, reproducibility and ease of handling. These will provide the information on day-to-day variation of the technique or equipment which will enhance accuracy and improve patient care.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Vloeisitometrie tegnologie het verskeie tradisionele laboratorium toetse vervang as gevolg van beter akuraadheid, sensitiwiteit en vinniger beskikbaarheid van resultate in ‘n kliniese omgewing, veral kliniese proewe. Vloeisitometrie is ‘n kragtige tegniek om chemiese (fluorokroom byvoeging) en fisiese (sel grote en kompleksiteit) karakter eienskappe van individuele selle te meet. Met die toename in gebruik en gewildheid van hiedie instrumente, neem die behoefde toe vir gevorderde kwaliteit kontroles, gestandardiseerde prosedures, met profesionele toets programme tesame met metode ontwikkeling. Klein verstellings aan instrument parameters beinvloed die betroubaarheid, herhaalbaarheid en sensitiwiteit van ‘n sitometer en moet gemonitor (en dokumenteer) word om identiese kondisies van leesings op ‘n daaglikse basis te verseker. Dit kan bereik word deur in te skakel met ‘n interne kwaliteits versekerings program [IQA: “Internal Quality Control”] en/of ‘n eksterne kwaliteits versekerings program [EQA: “External Quality Control”] te volg. Op die oomblik is daar geen sulke kwaliteits versekerings programme in Suid Afrika en/of in die verarmende Afrika lande beskikbaar nie. MIV is ‘n wêreldwye bekommernis en laboratoriums en klinieke in hierdie gedeeltes van die land verlang ‘n dringende behoefdte vir sulke “IQA” programme om kwaliteit van instrumentasie en akkurate pasiënt resultate te verseker wat tot beter behandeling van pasiënte lei. Kwaliteit versekerings programme soos “CD Chex®” en “UK Nequas” is beskikbaar, maar baie probleme met verwysing na monster integriteit as gevolg van tydsame vervoer en aflewering kondisies word hiermee geassosieër. Die behoefte het ontstaan vir ‘n laboratorium in Suid Afrika wat direk die omliggende laboratoriums, hospitale en klinieke kan voorsien met gestabiliseerde blood monsters wat gebruik kan word as “IQA”. Die vervoer en aflewerings kondisies van hierdie monsters sal aansienlik verbeter as gevolg van die korter aflewerings afstand wat direk die beperkte temperatuur wisseling beinvloed. Doel van studie: Die doelwit van hoofstuk een is om vir die leser ‘n inleiding te gee tot terminologie en konsepte van immunologie en die immune sisteem. Hoofstuk twee beskyf die impak wat gestabiliseerde heelbloed het op die kliniese immunologie met betrekking tot kwaliteit beheer en kwaliteit versekering. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om heelbloed te stabiliseer sodat die rakleeftyd meer as 30 dae is en sodoende as verwysings-materiaal kontroles vir Suid Afrikaanse immunofenotipering kan dien. Dit is ‘n verdere doelwit om hierdie tuis-gestabiliseerde kontrole monsters te gebruik as “IQA” verwysings materiaal in verarmende Afrika lande. Die doelwit van hoofstuk vier is om limfosiete te stimuleer om verskeie aktiverings merkers uit te druk op hul selmembrane en dan te stabiliseer en dié te gebruik as Kwaliteits Kontroles vir die meer gespesialiseerde immunologiese toetse. Studie ontwerp: Hoofstuk drie beskryf ‘n aangepaste en verbeterde metode van heel bloed stabiliseering. Stabiliteit word ondersoek in ‘n verskyndenheid konsentrasies van ‘n primêre stabiliseerings agent (chromium chloried heksahidraat) en inkubasie periodes met paraformaldehied as tweede stabiliseerings agent word deeglik gedokumenteer. Bloedmonsters van gesonde indiwidië (n=10) was gestabiliseer en gemonitor vir roetine MIV membraanoppervlak antigene oor ‘n periode van 40 dae. Hierdie monsters (n=10) was gelees en geanaliseer op ‘n BD FACSCalibur™ en vergelyk met ‘n BD FACSCount™ vloeisitometer instrument. Drie gestabiliseerde heelbloed monsters (n=3) was gemonitor vir ‘n periode vir so lank moontlik die fenotipiese selmembraan molekules identifiseerbaar was en die kwantiteit bepaalbaar was. Hierdie drie monsters was gemeet op beide instrumente. As ‘n addisionele doelwit, was hierdie drie gestabiliseerde monsters ondersoek om as moontlike kalibrasie materiaal (verteenwoordig ‘n normale bloedmonster) te dien vir die BD FACSCount™ instrument in die oggende voor pasiënt monsters gelees kan word. In hoofstuk vier was limfosiete geϊsoleer en geaktiveer met ‘n verskyndenheid stimulante om optimale aktiveerings-antigene uit te druk op T helper selmembrane (byvoorbeeld CD25, CD69, HLA-DR en CD40 Ligand). Hierdie geaktiveerde monsters was geanaliseer op die BD FACSCalibur™ en daarna gestabiliseer. Na stabilisasie van die geaktiveerde limfosiet monsters was dit gemonitor oor ‘n tydperk so lank moontlik data plotte leesbaar en selpopulasies identifiseerbaar was. Hierdie monsters kan dien as ‘n moontlike “IQA” toets stel vir ‘n meer gespesialiseerde immunologiese aktiveerings kontrole doeleindes. Resultate: In hoofstuk drie; tien individiële gestabiliseerde heelbloed monsters het gedui op geen-beduidende P waardes (P > 0.05) vir CD3, CD4 en CD8 persentasies en absolute waardes; gemeet vanaf DAG 3 vergelykbaar tot-en-met DAG 40. Met korrelasie statistiek en vergelyking van die BD FACSCalibur™ met die FACSCount™ instrumente, is die volgende opgemerk; R2 = 0.9848 vir die CD4 absolute waardes en ‘n R2 = 0.9636 vir die CD8 absolute waardes. Drie gestabiliseerde monsters (n=3) was gemonitor vir MIV roetine fenotipeering tot en met DAG 84. Die selpopulasies was duidelik identifiseerbaar en die kwantitatief meetbaar op albei instrumente (BD FACSCalibur™ en BD FACSCount™). Hoofstuk vier: geaktiveerde T helper lymphosiete het 25 – 35% membraan CD40 Ligand uitgedruk op hul selmembrane. Die stimulant van keuse was ionomysien teen ‘n optimale konsentrasie van 4μM. Die optimale inkubasie tydperk was vier ure by 37°C in 5% CO2 kondisie. Ses uur inkubasie in 4μM ionomysien by 37°C in ‘n 5% CO2 omgewing was optimal vir die CD69 selmembraan uitdrukking en het 84.21% opgelewer. Vir CD25 selmembraan uitdrukking was die selle vir ses ure met phietoheamagglutinin (PHA) gestimuleer by 37°C in 5% CO2 kondisie en het 43% CD25 selmembraan uitdrukking opgelewer. HLA-DR selmembraan uitdrukking: selle was vir ses ure saam met PHA by 37°C in 5% CO2 kondisie inkubeer en het 43.32% opgelewer. CD40 Ligand aktivering/gestabiliseerde limfosiete het tot en met dag 23 stabiliteit getoon. Die ligand was duidelik identifiseerbaar en kwantifiseerbaar. Geaktiveerde lymphosiete wat CD69, CD25 en HLA-DR selmembraan merkers uitdruk het na die stabiliseerings proses stabiliteit getoon tot-en-met dag 16. Gevolgtrekking: Die doel van hierdie studie was om verwysingskontroles voor te berei sodat dit vars heelbloed naboots met uitkenbare eienskappe vir kliniese situasies. ‘n Toets kontrolestel met verwysings materiaal vir drie vlakke (byvoorbeeld ‘n lae, medium en hoë kontrole) absolute selwaardes en persentasies kan voorberei word vir roetine immunologiese fenotiperings merkers (CD3/CD4/CD8/CD45). Meer gespesialiseerde kontrolestelle vir meer spesifieke doeleindes kan opgemaak word wat ‘n verskydenheid van limfosiet aktiveringsmerkers bevat met byvoorbeeld ‘n “nul”, lae en hoë verwysings kontrole daarin. Hierdie heelbloed kan dien as “aktiveerde interne kwaliteits verwysings materiaal” en kan gebruik word om nuut aangestelde laboratorium werkers en nuut gekwalifiseerde studente op te lei. Hierdie verwysings materiaal / kontroles kan aangewend word vir bevoegdheids doeleindes (byvoorbeeld vir SANAS akkreditasie doeleindes), vir metode ontwikkeling, vir sagteware toetsing, vir paneel opstelling en instrument verstellings doeleindes. Die kontroles moet ‘n verskydenheid eienskappe bevat om effektief te wees. Byvoorbeeld, stabiliteit tydens storing, gewenslik meer as ‘n paar weke, herhaalbaar en maklik handteerbaar. Hierdie kontroles sal inligting voorsien op ‘n daaglikse basis tydens wisseling van tegnieke of instrumentasie wat akuraatheid beinvloed en op die ou-end direk pasiënt versorging bevoordeel.

This thesis presents the Multiple Modelling Quality Evaluation Framework method (hereinafter MMQEF), which is a conceptual, methodological, and technological framework for evaluating quality issues in modelling languages and modelling elements by the application of a taxonomic analysis. It derives some analytic procedures that support the detection of quality issues in model-driven projects, such as the suitability of modelling languages, traces between abstraction levels, specification for model transformations, and integration between modelling proposals. MMQEF also suggests metrics to perform analytic procedures based on the classification obtained for the modelling languages and artifacts under evaluation. MMQEF uses a taxonomy that is extracted from the Zachman framework for Information Systems (Zachman, 1987; Sowa and Zachman, 1992), which proposed a visual language to classify elements that are part of an Information System (IS). These elements can be from organizational to technical artifacts. The visual language contains a bi-dimensional matrix for classifying IS elements (generally expressed as models) and a set of seven rules to perform the classification. As an evaluation method, MMQEF defines activities in order to derive quality analytics based on the classification applied on modelling languages and elements. The Zachman framework was chosen because it was one of the first and most precise proposals for a reference architecture for IS, which is recognized by important standards such as the ISO 42010 (612, 2011). This thesis presents the conceptual foundation of the evaluation framework, which is based on the definition of quality for model-driven engineering (MDE). The methodological and technological support of MMQEF is also described. Finally, some validations for MMQEF are reported.<br>Esta tesis presenta el método MMQEF (Multiple Modelling Quality Evaluation Framework), el cual es un marco de trabajo conceptual, metodológico y tecnológico para evaluar aspectos de calidad sobre lenguajes y elementos de modelado mediante la aplicación de análisis taxonómico. El método deriva procedimientos analíticos que soportan la detección de aspectos de calidad en proyectos model-driven tales como: idoneidad de lenguajes de modelado, trazabilidad entre niveles de abstracción, especificación de transformación de modelos, e integración de propuestas de modelado. MMQEF también sugiere métricas para ejecutar procedimientos analíticos basados en la clasificación obtenida para los lenguajes y artefactos de modelado bajo evaluación. MMQEF usa una taxonomía para Sistemas de Información basada en el framework Zachman (Zachman, 1987; Sowa and Zachman, 1992). Dicha taxonomía propone un lenguaje visual para clasificar elementos que hacen parte de un Sistema de Información. Los elementos pueden ser artefactos asociados a niveles desde organizacionales hasta técnicos. El lenguaje visual contiene una matriz bidimensional para clasificar elementos de Sistemas de Información, y un conjunto de siete reglas para ejecutar la clasificación. Como método de evaluación MMEQF define actividades para derivar analíticas de calidad basadas en la clasificación aplicada sobre lenguajes y elementos de modelado. El marco Zachman fue seleccionado debido a que éste fue una de las primeras y más precisas propuestas de arquitectura de referencia para Sistemas de Información, siendo ésto reconocido por destacados estándares como ISO 42010 (612, 2011). Esta tesis presenta los fundamentos conceptuales del método de evaluación basado en el análisis de la definición de calidad en la ingeniería dirigida por modelos (MDE). Posteriormente se describe el soporte metodológico y tecnológico de MMQEF, y finalmente se reportan validaciones.<br>Aquesta tesi presenta el mètode MMQEF (Multiple Modelling Quality Evaluation Framework), el qual és un marc de treball conceptual, metodològic i tecnològic per avaluar aspectes de qualitat sobre llenguatges i elements de modelatge mitjançant l'aplicació d'anàlisi taxonòmic. El mètode deriva procediments analítics que suporten la detecció d'aspectes de qualitat en projectes model-driven com ara: idoneïtat de llenguatges de modelatge, traçabilitat entre nivells d'abstracció, especificació de transformació de models, i integració de propostes de modelatge. MMQEF també suggereix mètriques per executar procediments analítics basats en la classificació obtinguda pels llenguatges i artefactes de mode-lat avaluats. MMQEF fa servir una taxonomia per a Sistemes d'Informació basada en el framework Zachman (Zachman, 1987; Sowa and Zachman, 1992). Aquesta taxonomia proposa un llenguatge visual per classificar elements que fan part d'un Sistema d'Informació. Els elements poden ser artefactes associats a nivells des organitzacionals fins tècnics. El llenguatge visual conté una matriu bidimensional per classificar elements de Sistemes d'Informació, i un conjunt de set regles per executar la classificació. Com a mètode d'avaluació MMEQF defineix activitats per derivar analítiques de qualitat basades en la classificació aplicada sobre llenguatges i elements de modelatge. El marc Zachman va ser seleccionat a causa de que aquest va ser una de les primeres i més precises propostes d'arquitectura de referència per a Sistemes d'Informació, sent això reconegut per destacats estàndards com ISO 42010 (612, 2011). Aquesta tesi presenta els fonaments conceptuals del mètode d'avaluació basat en l'anàlisi de la definició de qualitat en l'enginyeria dirigida per models (MDE). Posteriorment es descriu el suport metodològic i tecnològic de MMQEF, i finalment es reporten validacions.<br>Giraldo Velásquez, FD. (2017). A framework for evaluating the quality of modelling languages in MDE environments [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90628<br>TESIS

This thesis presents a way of performing objective video quality analyses in order to point out faults in the hardware of a video system that uses analogue video transmission technologies. The approach focuses on performing simple digital processing and analyses of the video data coherently using an FPGA. Several metrics that correlates with specific distortions are developed. These metrics give good indications of the state of the video system components. The algorithms are tested using MATLAB and mapped to an FPGA. The key components are implemented and verified in VHDL, and synthesized for an Altera Cyclone II FPGA. The thesis concludes that the proposed system has the ability to discover board-level faults in a video system that utilizes an FPGA and analogue video transmission. The system also has the ability to supplement external quality assessment systems in most cases, and function as a good alternative in cases where a quick and simple assessment of a video system is desired.