An economic evaluation of the three interventions to conceive without the sexual transmission of HIV between heterosexual, HIV-discordant couples with positive male partners can inform policy decisions to subsidize pregnancy planning in this setting, as there is currently no coverage as such in Ontario. A decision tree and Markov model were designed to determine the short and long-term outcomes of unprotected intercourse restricted to timed ovulation (UIRTO), sperm washing with intrauterine insemination (SWIUI), and unprotected intercourse restricted to timed ovulation with pre-exposure prophylaxis (UIRTO-PrEP). In the short-term, UIRTO was the most cost-effective strategy. In the long-term, cases of negligible HIV transmission risk determined UIRTO-PrEP as the preferred option, while SWIUI was the choice method when this risk was high. There remains a viable risk of HIV transmission between discordant couples during attempts to conceive that require the concurrent and subsidized use of UIRTO-PrEP or SWIUI to protect against HIV infection.

In this dissertation we present mathematical models that help answer health policy questions relating to HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV), and analyze bias in Markov models of disease progression. We begin by developing a Markov decision process model that examines the timing of testing and treatment for diseases with asymptomatic periods such as HCV. We explicitly consider secondary infections, false positives and negatives, and behavioral modification from information from test results. We derive sufficient conditions for testing and/or treating in a dynamic environment, i.e., when unscheduled patients arrive. We also develop a detailed simulation model for general testing and/or treating for HCV. A key finding is that the current policy recommendations on testing for HCV may be too restrictive, and that it is cost-effective to test the overall population if done at the appropriate times. The Markov models used in the study of HCV motivated the next topic where we examine bias in Markov models of diseases. We examine models in which the progression of the disease varies with severity and find sufficient conditions for bias to exist in models that do not allow for transition probabilities to change with disease severity. We apply the results to HCV and find that the bias is significant depending on the method used to aggregate the disease data. We close with a discussion on a specific question in HIV policy where we develop a Bernoulli process transmission model in which, for a given individual, each risky person-to-person contact is treated as an independent Bernoulli trial. Using the model and data from the Urban Men's Health Study, we estimate the affect that interventions at venues, namely bathhouses, in which high-risk behavior takes place would have on HIV transmission.

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Corrigenda pasted onto front end paper. / One folded col. map in pocket on back endpaper. / Bibliography: leaves 348-368. / xx, 368 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Develops a framework balancing water quality costs resulting from waterborne disease, disinfection by-product exposure and aesthetic concerns, against hydraulic costs, which include pipes, pumps and tanks. The genetic algorithms developed, successfully obtained the current optimal hydraulic solution, before adapting the model to incorporate water quality issues. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2000

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Dept. of Economics and Finance, 1997.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Dr. Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Dr. Hollingsworth, Peter; Committee Member: Dr. McMichael, Jim; Committee Member: Dr. Saleh, Joseph; Committee Member: Dr. Schrage, Daniel.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Rohatgi, Ajeet; Committee Co-Chair: Begovic, Miroslav; Committee Member: Gaylord, Thomas; Committee Member: Harley, Ronald; Committee Member: Jarrett, Christopher; Committee Member: Kippelen, Bernard

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1974. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The publication of news websites mushroomed since the establishment of the World Wide Web, but their viability and/or profitability still tend to pose a problem. This study approaches the question from the viewpoint of the niche theory and gratification and investigates the advantages and disadvantages of publishing news on the Internet, as well as possible elements of news-website business models. The latter comprises firstly, costs such as labour, content, production, marketing and distribution, and secondly possible income sources. It also compares a number of different business models. It found, inter alia, that a greater variety on the broader news menu, as well as the development of cost-effective ways to utilise the unique features of the Internet in the presentation of news will be fundamental to the eventual success of news websites. A generally acceptable norm for the measurement and auditing of traffic to news websites will be crucial in the optimal utilisation of the potential advertisingsales income. The study concludes that it is doubtful whether news websites on their own will ever succeed as media enterprises. In most cases news websites will probably only exist as a minor component of websites deriving their income from a variety of other sources. However, technological innovation may come up with new possibilities that may revolutionise the e-news industry in such a way that it may become profitable on its own. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die publikasie van nuuswebwerwe het soos ʼn paddastoel opgeskiet sedert die daarstelling van die Wêreldwye Web, maar die lewensvatbaarheid en/of winsgewendheid van sulke webwerwe blyk steeds ʼn probleem te wees. Hierdie studie benader die vraagstuk uit die oogpunt van die nisteorie en voldoening, en ondersoek die voor- en nadele van nuuspublikasie op die Internet, sowel as die faktore waaruit bedryfsmodelle vir nuuswebwerwe saamgestel kan word. Die laasgenoemde omvat eendersyds koste, soos arbeid, inhoud, produksie, bemarking en verspreiding; en andersyds die moontlike inkomstebronne. Dit vergelyk ook ʼn aantal verskillende bedryfsmodelle. Die bevindings sluit in dat ʼn groter verskeidenheid op die breër nuusspyskaart sowel as die vind van kostedoeltreffende maniere om die unieke eienskappe van die Internet ten volle in die aanbieding van die nuus te benut, onderliggend tot die uiteindelike sukses van nuuswebwerwe sal wees. ʼn Algemeen aanvaarbare norm vir die meting en ouditering van die verkeer na nuuswebwerwe sal deurslaggewend wees in die optimale benutting van die potensiële inkomste uit advertensieverkope. Die studie kom tot die slotsom dat daar twyfel bestaan of nuuswebwerwe as sulks op die lang duur as onafhanklike media-ondernemings sal slaag. In die meeste gevalle sal nuuswebwerwe waarskynlik hoofsaaklik net voortbestaan as ʼn ondergeskikte komponent van webwerwe wat hul verdienste uit ʼn verskeidenheid van ander bronne put. Tegnologiese vernuwing kan egter nuwe moontlikhede daar stel wat ʼn ommekeer in die winsgewendheid van die e-nuusbedryf teweeg kan bring.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:46:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EuridesAB_DISSERT.pdf: 1529063 bytes, checksum: 46f57edf4d0aa894f7c5271dd17b17dd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-11 / Analytical study of therapeutic nonrandomized intervention type, intra-group controlled, with the aim of analyzing the cost-effectiveness of compression therapy with manipulated Unna boot in relation to conventional therapy in the healing of venous ulcers (VU) of patients treated in ambulatory clinic. The study population was composed by patients with VU treated by angiologists in Surgical Clinic Ambulatory of the Onofre Lopes University Hospital (HUOL) with a sample of 18 patients. It obtained the assent of the HUOL Ethics in Research Committee (Protocol 276/09). Data collection was performed over a period of four months by the own master's student and 34 nursing students, through the application of the research instrument in the admission of patients to the study and in the ten subsequent evaluations, performed at the time of changing Unna boot, weekly, for a maximum period of 10 weeks. The data were analyzed with SPSS 15.0 software, using descriptive and inferential statistics, and presented as tables, charts and graphs. Among those surveyed, prevailed: females, mean age 57.6 years, low education and income levels, most retired, unemployed or off work, with the standing position more than six hours per day and up to eight hours daily of domestic or occupational activities. In health status profile of respondents there were predominantly sleep, rest and inadequate elevation of the lower limbs, no smoking and/or alcohol use, presence of hypertension and no use of drugs. Most presented the first VU for over 10 years, recurrences, present VU for more than five years, involvement of left leg, in malleolar and / or distal leg region, mild edema, hyperpigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, telangiectasies, reticular and varicose veins, mild pain, serous exudate in moderate quantity, small lesions (up to 50cm2), with predominance of granulation tissue and / or epithelialization and demarcated, elevated and irregular borders, with crusts and macerated. Most patients reported that in the 10 weeks prior to admission, made bandages at home and / or Basic Health Unit and / or ambulatory, with nursing aides or technicians, daily, and on weekends or holidays, performed by patients themselves, using healing ointment on the lesion, being observed granulation / epithelialization and increase in VU prevalent in the 10 weeks of traditional treatment. After follow up with manipulated Unna boot, was observed a decrease of lesions in all study patients, with complete healing in 27.8% of those between 1 and 5 weeks of treatment, with satisfactory evolution of the lesions, pain and ankle and calf circumferences, and unsatisfactory development of the borders of ulcers, edema, sleep, rest and elevation of the lower limbs, especially in more chronic patients. Furthermore, patients who achieved total healing and exhibited the greatest percentage reduction of lesions had a higher number of wound healing factors (ρ = 0.01 and ρ = 0.027, respectively). The manipulated Unna boot showed better results in those patients with shorter duration of injury, leading them to a satisfactory outcome within a short period of treatment. After the cost-effectiveness analysis, we conclude that the manipulated Unna boot is more effective than conventional therapy in the healing process of VU and is more cost-effective in patients with shorter lesions (ρ = 0.001), shorter treatment (ρ = 0.000) and greater number of wound healing factors (ρ = 0.005). / Estudo anal?tico de interven??o do tipo terap?utico n?o randomizado com controle intragrupo, com o objetivo de analisar o custo-efetividade da terapia compressiva com bota de Unna manipulada em rela??o ? terapia convencional, no processo de cicatriza??o de ?lceras venosas (UV) de pacientes atendidos em ambulat?rio. A popula??o alvo do estudo foi composta por portadores de UV atendidos por angiologistas no ambulat?rio de Cl?nica Cir?rgica do Hospital Universit?rio Onofre Lopes (HUOL), com amostra de 18 pacientes. Obteve parecer favor?vel do Comit? de ?tica em Pesquisa do HUOL (Protocolo n? 276/09). A coleta de dados foi realizada num per?odo de quatro meses pela pr?pria mestranda e 34 acad?micos de enfermagem, por meio da aplica??o do instrumento de pesquisa na admiss?o dos pacientes ao estudo e nas dez avalia??es subsequentes, realizadas no momento das trocas da bota de Unna semanais, por um per?odo m?ximo de 10 semanas. Os dados foram analisados no SPSS 15.0, atrav?s de estat?stica descritiva e inferencial, e apresentados na forma de tabelas, quadros e gr?ficos. Entre os pesquisados, predominaram: o sexo feminino, idade m?dia de 57,6 anos, baixo n?vel de escolaridade e de renda, maioria aposentada, desempregada ou afastada do trabalho, com posi??o ortost?tica maior que seis horas por dia e com at? oito horas di?rias de atividades dom?sticas ou ocupacionais. No perfil do estado de sa?de dos pesquisados houve predom?nio de sono, repouso e eleva??o dos membros inferiores inadequados, aus?ncia de tabagismo e/ou etilismo, presen?a de hipertens?o arterial e a n?o utiliza??o de medicamentos. A maioria apresentou a primeira UV h? mais de 10 anos, recidivas, UV atual h? mais de cinco anos, acometimento do MIE, em regi?o maleolar e/ou distal da perna, edema discreto, hiperpigmenta??o, lipodermatoesclerose, telangiectasias, veias reticulares, veias varicosas, dor leve, exsudato seroso, em moderada quantidade, les?es pequenas (at? 50cm2), com predomin?ncia de tecido de granula??o e/ou epiteliza??o e bordas delimitadas, elevadas, irregulares, com crostas e maceradas. A maioria dos pacientes relatou que, nas 10 semanas anteriores ? admiss?o, realizaram curativos em domic?lio e/ou UBS e/ou ambulat?rio, com auxiliares ou t?cnicos de enfermagem, diariamente, sendo nos fins de semana ou feriado executados pelos pr?prios pacientes, com utiliza??o de cicatrizantes na les?o, sendo observada granula??o/epiteliza??o predominantes e aumento das UVs nas 10 semanas de tratamento tradicional. Ap?s o acompanhamento com bota de Unna manipulada, foi observada redu??o das les?es em todos os pacientes do estudo, com cicatriza??o total em 27,8% destes entre 1 e 5 semanas de tratamento, com evolu??o satisfat?ria do leito lesional, da dor e das circunfer?ncias do tornozelo e panturrilha, e evolu??o insatisfat?ria da borda das ?lceras, edema, sono, repouso e eleva??o dos MMII, principalmente nos pacientes mais cr?nicos. Al?m disso, os pacientes que obtiveram cicatriza??o total e os que apresentaram maior percentual de redu??o das les?es tinham maior n?mero de fatores de cicatriza??o (ρ=0,01 e ρ = 0,027, respectivamente). A bota de Unna manipulada apresentou melhores resultados naqueles pacientes com menor tempo de les?o, levando-os a uma evolu??o satisfat?ria num curto per?odo de tratamento. Ap?s as an?lises de custo-efetividade, conclu?mos que a bota de Unna manipulada ? mais efetiva do que a terapia convencional no processo de cicatriza??o de UV, sendo mais custo-efetiva em pacientes com menor tempo de les?o (ρ= 0,001), menor tempo de tratamento (ρ =0,000) e com maior n?mero de fatores de cicatriza??o (ρ= 0,005).