O atual modelo de alocação espectral implementado pelas autoridades governamentais somado à crescente demanda por recursos imposta pela implementação de modernas aplicações e serviços de rede irá resultar em um problema relacionado à escassez de recursos em um futuro próximo. Lidar com este problema demanda esforços no sentido de melhorar a alocação de recursos. Uma das maneiras de atingir este tipo de melhoria é permitir o compartilhamento de recursos entre operadores em redes homogêneas e heterogêneas que podem implementar diferentes tecnologias, como a utilização coletiva do espectro e de recursos licenciados. Diversos trabalhos relacionados à esta pesquisa foram propostos. Entretanto, estes trabalhos geralmente identificam a necessidade de obter recursos adicionais, porém buscam por esses recursos sem levar em conta os requisitos de qualidade de serviço e o custo envolvido no compartilhamento desses recursos. Considerando esse contexto, nesta tese, uma nova arquitetura é proposta para permitir a implementação do compartilhamento de recursos e para encorajar operadores a alugarem recursos sobressalentes levando em conta o custo e a qualidade de serviço oferecida. Esta abordagem permite que operadores tenha ganhos com o aluguel dos recursos, ao mesmo tempo em que o cliente recebe serviços com maior qualidade. As principais contribuições da arquitetura proposta incluem o projeto de um controlador de recursos para coordenar o processo de compartilhamento. Esse controlador busca estabelecer contratos de serviço dinâmicos levando em conta a qualidade de serviço requerida. Para tanto, é necessária a troca de informações que, no caso da arquitetura proposta, é mantida baixa para evitar que a rede seja sobrecarregada e acabe interferindo com o tráfego de dados. Além disso, a solução proposta é capaz de tomar decisões rápidas sobre a alocação de recursos, o que permite o redirecionamento do tráfego sem que ocorram interferências com os demais usuários. A arquitetura proposta é modela analiticamente e simulada com o auxílio da ferramenta Matlab. O desempenho da proposta é medido em três diferentes cenários, considerando tanto redes homogêneas, quanto heterogêneas. A sobrecarga gerada pela troca de informações de controle corresponde a menos de 1% do tráfego total da rede, o que é desprezível do ponto de vista da interferência com o tráfego de dados. As decisões rápidas tomadas pela arquitetura são baseadas na previsão acurada do tráfego futuro da rede e permitem o redirecionamento do tráfego para outras redes em um tempo até 46% abaixo do limite máximo especificado na literatura para este tipo de redirecionamento. Os resultados mostram ainda que as métricas de atraso e variação do atraso também são mantidas abaixo dos limites especificados, o que indica que a qualidade de serviço é garantida nos cenários avaliados. / The static model currently applied by governmental authorities for allocating the spectrum of frequencies and the increasing demand for network resources imposed by modern applications and services may lead to a resources scarcity problem in the near future. Dealing with this problem demands improvements on resources allocation. One of the ways of providing such improvements is by allowing resources sharing among network operators in both homogeneous and heterogeneous network scenarios. These network operators may implement different technologies, such as collective use of spectrum and licensed shared access to the spectrum of frequencies. Many related works have been proposed in the same context of the presented research, however these related works generally identify the need for additional resources and search for available resources without taking into account the QoS requirements of the resources renter and the costs involved in the resources sharing initiative. Therefore, in this thesis, a novel architecture is proposed to facilitate the implementation of resources sharing and consequently encourage network operators to lease their underutilized resources taking into account both the cost and the QoS requirements. This approach allows the network operator which is serving the resources to improve its profits at the same time that allows quality of service improvements to the resources renter. The main contributions of the proposed architecture include but are not limited to the design of a multilevel resources broker to control the resources sharing process. This broker is concerned on dynamically establishing a service level agreement that takes into account the quality of service requirements of resources renter. This process focuses on exchanging a small amount of control information to prevent the overhead from interfering with the legitimate traffic of the network operators. Another important contribution of the proposed approach is to improve the resources allocation in comparison with related work. Furthermore, the proposed solution is capable of taking fast decisions regarding resources allocation, what leads to the implementation of fast handover, allowing the traffic steering without interfering with incumbent users. The proposed architecture is modeled analytically and simulated using Matlab to evaluate its behavior in three different scenarios, considering both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks. The overhead in practical operation scenarios is kept under 1% of the total network traffic, what is considered not to interfere with the transmissions of the network operators. The fast decisions taken by the resources sharing architecture are based on accurate traffic load forecasting, what leads to fast handover, attaining times up to 46% lower than the maximum allowed handover duration. Results also show that both delay and jitter metrics are controlled to be maintained below their specific thresholds of the analyzed applications and therefore, the QoS is guaranteed for the resources renter, considering the coexistence of up to 500 devices.

abstract: A semiconductor supply chain modeling and simulation platform using Linear Program (LP) optimization and parallel Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) process models has been developed in a joint effort by ASU and Intel Corporation. A Knowledge Interchange Broker (KIBDEVS/LP) was developed to broker information synchronously between the DEVS and LP models. Recently a single-echelon heuristic Inventory Strategy Module (ISM) was added to correct for forecast bias in customer demand data using different smoothing techniques. The optimization model could then use information provided by the forecast model to make better decisions for the process model. The composition of ISM with LP and DEVS models resulted in the first realization of what is now called the Optimization Simulation Forecast (OSF) platform. It could handle a single echelon supply chain system consisting of single hubs and single products In this thesis, this single-echelon simulation platform is extended to handle multiple echelons with multiple inventory elements handling multiple products. The main aspect for the multi-echelon OSF platform was to extend the KIBDEVS/LP such that ISM interactions with the LP and DEVS models could also be supported. To achieve this, a new, scalable XML schema for the KIB has been developed. The XML schema has also resulted in strengthening the KIB execution engine design. A sequential scheme controls the executions of the DEVS-Suite simulator, CPLEX optimizer, and ISM engine. To use the ISM for multiple echelons, it is extended to compute forecast customer demands and safety stocks over multiple hubs and products. Basic examples for semiconductor manufacturing spanning single and two echelon supply chain systems have been developed and analyzed. Experiments using perfect data were conducted to show the correctness of the OSF platform design and implementation. Simple, but realistic experiments have also been conducted. They highlight the kinds of supply chain dynamics that can be evaluated using discrete event process simulation, linear programming optimization, and heuristics forecasting models. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Computer Science 2012

Background: The number of people seeking asylum in Sweden reached a record level by 2015. Inequalities in the healthcare of migrants can lead to poor health outcomes and an unsatisfactory health meeting. Language translation is considered the minimum that should be offered to ensure the care recipients access to a good, safe and satisfactory care. Culture also has an impact on the recipient's experience of healthcare and consists of much that is unconscious and constantly changing in interaction with the individual's lived experience. Efforts to bridge the gap between migrant healthcare recipients and healthcare providers whom usually belong to a majority population, include the application of culturally competent care and strategies for "culture brokering". These methods do not however consider the lack of insight into the care recipient's cultural frame of reference. An Intercultural Mediator (IM) is themselves a migrant who, based on common denominators such as language, gender and shared experience of being immigrant can act as an intermediary or bridge builder during the healthcare meeting. Mediation can be used to highlight the care recipient's lifeworld story and promote a person-centered care that is not precluded by pre-defined opinions and stereotypes concerning the impact of culture, but instead addresses the person's vulnerability, resources and personal abilities. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate IM's specific role and how the IM can contribute to a more person-centered care in the context of the healthcare meeting of short duration within in-patient settings. Method: The study is based on ethnography conducted through participatory observation, informal dialogue at a healthcare clinic and hospital in Malta. Results: The results are based on four categories describing IM's role in the creation of person-centered care for migrant care recipients; Being a fellow human, creating a bridge between care recipients and care providers, being a part of the team and balancing power situations and creating cultural awareness. Conclusions: An IM is an important addition to healthcare agencies. IM utilizes the dyadic conversation preceding the healthcare meeting to establish trust and prepare the care recipient for the encounter. During the triadic meeting with the care recipient and caregiver, the IM interprets and ensures that the participants understand each other. The IM's presence creates space for the migrant care recipient to express his needs based on his everyday reality and cultural reference frame. In highlighting the care recipient's story, the IM is able to contribute to a more person-centered healthcare meeting, which may result in a better outcome. However, the lack of organisation of mediation services, lack of cultural awareness amongst care providers as well as exclusion from the healthcare practitioners' community of practice may hinder the effectiveness and stability of mediation services.

Gaining investor's trust is fundamental feature in any successful capital market. Unfortunately, this is the most attacked point by various types of illegal transactions, practices or unethical behaviour in nowadays society. The aim of this diploma thesis is to examine the function of investment intermediaries and their tied agents and to analyse financial frauds practiced by them. Iniquities of these participants disrupt trust in the capital market as well as natural development. Capital market in the Czech Republic is relatively young industry in the financial sector which is searching for a way to excellent performance by means of changes, regulations, measures of the law etc., therefore I consider fighting against this kind of practices as a very important matter. At the end of this diploma thesis I try to propose solutions to the issue in the form of better regulation and more ethical business of investment intermediaries of the capital market in the Czech Republic.

My master thesis "Intermediaries of insurance products" deals with the activities of insurance intermediaries, legislation regulating their work, comparison of the Czech legislation with other countries and the organizations associating insurance intermediaries. The practical part is particularly focused on the analysis of commission system in companies AWD Česká republika s.r.o. and Česká pojišťovna a.s.

Paper comprehensively summarizes the context and background of retail brokers on the Czech market and successfully leads through the various stages of setting corporate strategy on practical case, the company Directa Czech. The theoretical part provides basic information about the retail broker area, most traded instruments and describes differentiation between categories of retail brokers. In the practical part priority was given to situational analysis because it was necessary to establish a firm foothold for determining the appropriate corporate strategy. Chapter about analysis of the development potential properly extended and detailed knowledge of this situation analysis, which was used especially in determining the appropriate steps for implementation of the corporate strategy.

The construction industry is an important player in the economy of South Africa and therefore job satisfaction and existence of job insecurity of employees in this sector needs to be researched (Thwala & Monese 2008:2). This study comprises a literature review and an empirical study on job satisfaction and job insecurity and its prevalence in an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company in South Africa. This study provides insight on whether employment status, that is, contract versus permanent, has any impact on levels of job satisfaction and job insecurity of construction employees. Quantitative research, using the survey method, was used for the empirical portion of the study. All employees of the EPC company were surveyed and included workers permanently employed as well as employees employed through labour brokers, that is those on contract. The EPC company in this study employs staff in various categories, such as section managers, engineers, project managers and site employees. The total population included 145 employees of whom 41 were permanent employees and 104 were employed through labour brokers. The response rate was 39 per cent. Conclusions emanating from the research questions identified marginal differences in the reported levels of job satisfaction and job insecurity for both permanent and contract employees. Contract employees reported slightly higher job satisfaction and job insecurity levels when compared to permanently employed counterparts. The value of this study lies in the fact that no research has been conducted on job satisfaction and job insecurity and its prevalence in the EPC sector in South Africa. This study provided insight into whether employment status - contract versus permanent - had an impact on the reported levels of job satisfaction and job insecurity of employees at an EPC company.

When after 1989 in our country have discovered the first real estate brokers and agents, were more or less a new professions, at times of socialism not existing. Since then have more than 2 decades passed, it will be interesting to compare the current state of the neighboring countries. First I will focus on the close one, Slovakia and then Austria, which belongs to the developed property market. I will look at various options of real estate agents and their functioning in all 3 states. The issue of legal liability of real estate activities will be submitted to the critical analysis and all the lessons learned will bring into mutual comparisons. I will also address the association of Realtors and appraise their position and function in different countries. An interesting part of this work will be determination of public opinion on public awareness of the importance of real estate services, I have made this research through polls.

This thesis, entitled "Proposal for a real estate agency business strategy", deals with the theory and practice of strategic management. The theoretical part deals with the establishment of an SME, a successful business plan assumptions and modern management methods. This part describes the process of implementing a strategic analysis of business which introduces the optimal strategy. The practical part is analyzing specific newly formed company, which is a comprehensive strategic analysis conducted both his surroundings, and the government's socio-economic environment, including Porter's competitive forces model, both strategic analysis is also subject to internal company environment. Based on the lessons learned is a SWOT analysis provided. The main contribution of my work is a comprehensive proposal of the optimal strategy for the company in the future. The conclusion evaluates the effect of foundation of the business.

The work deals with the development of advertising and marketing channels used by real estate agency on the Czech real estate market. Detailed phase defines the different types of advertisings and actors entering in the real estate market, as between sellers and buyers than among the intermediaries as well. If the real estate agency want to apply or increase sales through certain advertising, is the task of this work determine which target groups to use for specific kind of advertising.