Factorial designs have been widely used in many scientific and industrial settings, where it is important to distinguish "active'' or real factorial effects from "inactive" or noise factorial effects used to estimate residual or "error" terms. We propose a new approach to screen for active factorial effects from such experiments that utilizes the potential outcomes framework and is based on sequential posterior predictive model checks. One advantage of the proposed method lies in its ability to broaden the standard definition of active effects and to link their definition to the population of interest. Another important aspect of this approach is its conceptual connection to Fisherian randomization tests. As in the literature in design of experiments, the unreplicated case receives special attention and extensive simulation studies demonstrate the superiority of the proposed Bayesian approach over existing methods. The unreplicated case is also thoroughly explored. Extensions to three level and fractional factorial designs are discussed and illustrated using a classical seat belt example for the former and part of a stem-cell research collaborative project for the latter. / Statistics

Thesis (doctoral)--Ruprecht-Karl-Universität Heidelberg. / Includes bibliographical references (p. ix-xxvii).

Memory-safe execution of C programs has been well researched but the ability to find memory-safety violations before execution has often been overlooked. One approach for memory-safe C is SoftBoundCETS which infer some memory-accesses as statically safe and others become runtime-checked. One problem with this approach is that it is not obvious to the programmer which checks are runtime-checked and which are inferred as safe. This report analyses the approach taken by SoftBoundCETS by implementing a runtime bounds-checks lister for SoftBoundCETS.The resulting runtime bounds-checks-listing program that can track 99% of the inlined runtime bounds-checks to user program source code lines in programs compiled with -O3 and link-time-optimisation. Analysing SoftBoundCETS with this tool reveals SoftBoundCETS can eliminate about 35% of the memory loads and stores as statically safe in Coreutils 8.27. / Mycket forskning har utförts om minnessäker exekvering av C-program men förmågan att hitta minnessäkerhetsöverträdelser har ofta förbisetts. En approach för minnessäker C är Softbound-Cets som härleder vissa minnesaccesser som statiskt säkra och andra blir kontrollerade vid körtid. Ett problem med denna approach är att det inte är uppenbart för programmeraren vilka kontroller som utförs vid körtid och vilka som härleds som säkra. Denna rapport analyserar Softbound-Cets approach genom att implementera ett program som listar fältaccesser för Softbound-Cets. Det färdiga programmet som listar fältaccesser vid körtid kan spåra 99% av inline-expanderade accesskontroller vid körtid till kodrader i användarprogram kompilerade med -O3 och länktidsoptimering. Analysen av Softbound-Cets med detta verktyg avslöjar att Softbound-Cets kan eliminera runt 35% av minnesaccesserna som statiskt säkra bland programmeni Coreutils 8.27.

In the United States, paper checks are the most widely used mechanism aside from cash to purchase goods and services. The use, production, and collection of paper checks is a costly process involving substantial societal resources. The most recent estimates of the total resources used in check processing were put forth in a 1987 paper by David B. Humphrey and Allen Berger. This paper updates the calculation of the total social cost of paper checks and their electronic substitute, automated clearinghouse payments. / Master of Arts

Yes / This study aimed to explore the challenges and barriers faced by staff involved in the delivery of the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check, a systematic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and management program in primary care. Data have been derived from three qualitative evaluations that were conducted in 25 General Practices and involved in depth interviews with 58 staff involved all levels of the delivery of the Health Checks. Analysis of the data was undertaken using the framework approach and findings are reported within the context of research and practice considerations. Findings indicated that there is no ‘one size fits all’ blueprint for maximising uptake although success factors were identified: evolution of the programme over time in response to local needs to suit the particular characteristics of the patient population; individual staff characteristics such as being proactive, enthusiastic and having specific responsibility; a supportive team. Training was clearly identified as an area that needed addressing and practitioners would benefit from CVD specific baseline training and refresher courses to keep them up to date with recent developments in the area. However there were other external factors that impinged on an individual’s ability to provide an effective service, some of these were outside the control of individuals and included cutbacks in referral services, insufficient space to run clinics or general awareness of the Health Checks amongst patients. The everyday experiences of practitioners who participated in this study suggest that overall, Health Check is perceived as a worthwhile exercise. But, organisational and structural barriers need to be addressed. We also recommend that clear referral pathways be in place so staff can refer patients to appropriate services (healthy eating sessions, smoking cessation, and exercise referrals). Local authorities need to support initiatives that enable data sharing and linkage so that GP Practices are informed when patients take up services such as smoking cessation or alcohol harm reduction programmes run by social services.

Les squats et les head-checks sont des défauts générés par l’endommagement des rails dû à la fatigue de contact de roulement, ils sont localisés à la surface du champignon du rail. La possibilité de les détecter en modes statique et dynamique lorsque leur profondeur se situe sous le seuil critique de 5 mm, constitue un challenge important pour l’industrie ferroviaire. Les méthodes d’inspection existantes ne permettent pas de les déceler avec certitude. L’objectif de ce travail a été de développer des méthodes alternatives pour l’inspection automatique du rail permettant de détecter ces défauts superficiels. Nous montrons que les méthodes sans contact : Ultrasons-Laser et EMATs (transducteurs électromagnétiques) sont très performantes pour la détection des défauts définis précédemment en utilisant des ondes acoustiques de surface, notamment dans le cas d’un contrôle dynamique. Cette étude présente les deux méthodes utilisées pour la génération et la détection des ondes de Rayleigh. Des essais sont effectués en modes statique et dynamique. Les résultats obtenus montrent la faisabilité des méthodes de contrôle non destructives envisagées pour la détection de squats et de head-checks de différentes profondeurs. Les essais EMAT se sont notamment révélés satisfaisants pour des vitesses importantes de déplacement de l’échantillon. / Squats and head-checks are a form of near surface rolling contact fatigue damage found in rail heads. The ability to detect these defects in static and dynamic modes when their depth is under the critical threshold of 5 mm represents a major challenge for the rail industry. Conventional inspection methods do not allow their detection with certainty. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop alternative methods for automatic rail inspection leading to open cracks detection. We show that non-contact methods: Laser-Ultrasonics and electromagnetic transducers (EMAT) are very efficient for the detection of the previously defined defects using surface acoustic waves, particularly in the case of a dynamic control. This study presents two methods for the generation and detection of Rayleigh waves. Static and dynamic tests are performed. The experimental results show the feasibility of the envisaged methods for the detection of squats and head-checks of different depths. Especially, the EMAT tests were satisfactory for high speeds displacement of the sample.

O presente trabalho analisa o desempenho do Tribunal de Contas da União no que diz respeito ao controle do uso de recursos públicos federais. Mais especificamente buscou estimar o impacto de variáveis políticas e institucionais sobre a probabilidade das contas de unidades jurisdicionadas pelo TCU serem fiscalizadas e julgadas por irregularidade das contas. Considerando os limites impostos por seu desenho institucional, além da análise descritiva dos dados, modelos de dois estágios (modelo de Heckman) foram aplicados para evitar o viés de seleção provocado pelo fato de que nem todos os jurisdicionados pelo Tribunal de Contas são fiscalizados. Os resultados indicam que variáveis ligadas ao perfil político e técnico dos ministros são menos importantes para explicar a variação de desempenho do Tribunal de Contas, quando comparadas a variáveis institucionais ligadas ao tipo de iniciativa que provocou a fiscalização. Tal resultado contraria duas expectativas presentes em grande parte da literatura especializada, segundo as quais o perfil dos dirigentes do TCU e a coordenação do TCU com outras instituições seriam os fatores explicativos chaves para o padrão de desempenho da instituição. Ao contrário, os resultados sustentam a hipótese de que o sucesso da instituição no que se refere a identificar contas irregulares está mais associado ao empenho dos próprios integrantes do Tribunal de Contas, quando comparado às provocações de outras instituições autorizadas a solicitar fiscalização. / This study analyzes the performance of the Brazilian Federal Audit Court with regard to the control of federal public values. More specifically it sought to estimate the impact of political and institutional variables on the probability of the jurisdictional units accounted by TCU are audited and judged from irregular accounts. When considering the limits imposed by TCUs institutional design, in addition to the descriptive analysis of the data, two-stage models (Heckman model) were applied to avoid selection bias caused by the fact that not all the jurisdictional units are monitored. The results indicate that variables related to political and technical profile of the ministers are less important in explaining the variation in performance of the Court of Auditors, than institutional variables related to the type of initiative that triggered the inspection. This result contradicts the expectation of the literature according to which the composition of TCU\'s leaderships and coordination between TCU and other institutions would be the key factors to explain the standard performance of the institution. Rather, the results support the hypothesis that the success of the institution regarding to identify irregular accounts is more associated with the members efforts of the Court of Auditors, if compared to the initiative of other institutions authorized to request supervision.

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία διεισδύει σε δύο χώρους. Αρχικά στον χώρο του Ηλεκτρολόγου Μηχανικού, μέσω των μηχανικών (γεωμετρικών ) ελέγχων των Ακτινολογικών μηχανημάτων, καθώς και των ελέγχων – επιδιορθώσεων στις γεννήτριες και στις Ακτινολογικές λυχνίες. Συγχρόνως διεισδύει στο χώρο της Ακτινοφυσικής και της Ακτινολογίας, αφού ασχολείται με τις δόσεις, τις παροχές ακτινοβολίας, καθώς και τις επιδράσεις αυτών στα ακτινολογικά φιλμ απεικόνισης. Σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας είναι η περιγραφή και η πλήρη ανάλυση των γεωμετρικών ελέγχων καθώς και των ελέγχων γεννητριών - ακτινολογικών λυχνιών, που πρέπει να γίνονται στα ακτινολογικά μηχανήματα. Τα μηχανήματα αυτά βρίσκονται στα Ακτινολογικά τμήματα των Δημόσιων και Ιδιοτικών Νοσοκομείων και γενικά σε χώρους παραγωγής ιοντιζουσών ακτινοβολιών. Οι έλεγχοι αυτοί, η συχνότητά τους, καθώς και ο τρόπος διεξαγωγής τους ορίζονται από τα πρωτόκολλα της Ελληνικής Επιτροπής Ατομικής Ενέργειας ( Ε.Ε.Α.Ε. ) Σκοπός των ελέγχων αυτών, βάσει των πρωτοκόλλων της Ε.Ε.Α.Ε., είναι η διασφάλιση ποιότητας των ακτινολογικών μηχανημάτων, με στόχο την βέλτιστη παροχή ιατρικών υπηρεσιών προς τους εξεταζόμενους. / This essay enters into two areas. Initially the area of Electrical Engineering, through mechanical (geometrical) tests of X-ray machines, and controls - repairs to generators and x-ray tubes. At the same time enters the field of Radiology and Radiation, after dealing with the doses, the radiation output and its effects on X-ray film imaging. The purpose of this paper is to describe and complete analysis of the geometrical controls and generator controls - X-ray tubes, which must be made in radiography machines. These machines are in the radiology department of Public Hospitals and Privacy Policy and generally in areas of production of ionizing radiation. These checks, their frequency and the pattern are defined by the protocols of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The purpose of these inspections, under the protocols of GAEC, is the quality assurance of radiological equipment, to the best medical services to the examinees.

O presente trabalho analisa o desempenho do Tribunal de Contas da União no que diz respeito ao controle do uso de recursos públicos federais. Mais especificamente buscou estimar o impacto de variáveis políticas e institucionais sobre a probabilidade das contas de unidades jurisdicionadas pelo TCU serem fiscalizadas e julgadas por irregularidade das contas. Considerando os limites impostos por seu desenho institucional, além da análise descritiva dos dados, modelos de dois estágios (modelo de Heckman) foram aplicados para evitar o viés de seleção provocado pelo fato de que nem todos os jurisdicionados pelo Tribunal de Contas são fiscalizados. Os resultados indicam que variáveis ligadas ao perfil político e técnico dos ministros são menos importantes para explicar a variação de desempenho do Tribunal de Contas, quando comparadas a variáveis institucionais ligadas ao tipo de iniciativa que provocou a fiscalização. Tal resultado contraria duas expectativas presentes em grande parte da literatura especializada, segundo as quais o perfil dos dirigentes do TCU e a coordenação do TCU com outras instituições seriam os fatores explicativos chaves para o padrão de desempenho da instituição. Ao contrário, os resultados sustentam a hipótese de que o sucesso da instituição no que se refere a identificar contas irregulares está mais associado ao empenho dos próprios integrantes do Tribunal de Contas, quando comparado às provocações de outras instituições autorizadas a solicitar fiscalização. / This study analyzes the performance of the Brazilian Federal Audit Court with regard to the control of federal public values. More specifically it sought to estimate the impact of political and institutional variables on the probability of the jurisdictional units accounted by TCU are audited and judged from irregular accounts. When considering the limits imposed by TCUs institutional design, in addition to the descriptive analysis of the data, two-stage models (Heckman model) were applied to avoid selection bias caused by the fact that not all the jurisdictional units are monitored. The results indicate that variables related to political and technical profile of the ministers are less important in explaining the variation in performance of the Court of Auditors, than institutional variables related to the type of initiative that triggered the inspection. This result contradicts the expectation of the literature according to which the composition of TCU\'s leaderships and coordination between TCU and other institutions would be the key factors to explain the standard performance of the institution. Rather, the results support the hypothesis that the success of the institution regarding to identify irregular accounts is more associated with the members efforts of the Court of Auditors, if compared to the initiative of other institutions authorized to request supervision.

BackgroundIndividuals from low socio-economic backgrounds have higher rates of morbidity and premature mortality from cardiovascular risk factors compared to those from more affluent backgrounds.Hearty Lives Dundee is a complex intervention which aims to address this health inequality. The intervention targets cardiovascular health checks at population groups who are likely to be at high risk, but tend not to engage with traditional services. Practitioners have tried to increase engagement with the target groups through a number of strategies. These included community and workplace-based assessments, and General Practice-run health checks supported by an outreach facility. The aim of this thesis was to explore what works at increasing patient uptake of cardiovascular health checks, for what groups, in what circumstances, and why?MethodsA Realistic Evaluation was undertaken using a mixed methods approach. Routine data was extracted from the Hearty Lives database and descriptive statistics reported on patients attending the community-based opportunistic service and the GP-based service. A total of thirty semi-structured interviews and one focus group (n=5) were conducted with patient attenders and non-attenders of community and General Practice-based health checks. Seven staff from the Hearty Lives programme were also interviewed. Thematic analysis was undertaken using Ritchie and Spencer’s Framework approach.ResultsAttenders at health checks were more likely to be female and older, regardless of the setting. Uptake varied by the number and type of invitation method. Cardiovascular risk was greater in the target population presenting opportunistically but was confounded by the older age of this group.Patient engagement relied on the interaction of a number of factors which varied according to setting; accessibility, invitation method, personal circumstances, cues to action and barriers. A continuum existed from barriers to motivators to attendance depending on the presence or absence of a cue to action, e.g. family history or symptoms. The concept of preventive health checks for cardiovascular disease was not well understood as some patients did not perceive a need to attend without symptoms. Additionally, the health check was viewed as optional by many and not treated with the same seriousness as perceived ‘compulsory’ cancer screenings.DiscussionThe complex lives of the intended target population merit a range of accessible services to reduce barriers to preventive health care. The Realistic Evaluation approach provided transferable knowledge of how to effectively engage with people from different backgrounds and care utilisation preferences, which could easily inform similar NHS services.