Yes / Approximately 700 000 people in the UK have dementia, rising to 1.2 million by 2050; one-third of people aged over 65 will die with dementia. Good end-of-life care is often neglected, and detailed UK-based research on symptom burden and needs is lacking. Our project examines these issues from multiple perspectives using a rigorous and innovative design, collecting data which will inform the development of pragmatic interventions to improve care. Methods and analysis: To define in detail symptom burden, service provision and factors affecting care pathways we shall use mixed methods: prospective cohort studies of people with advanced dementia and their carers; workshops and interactive interviews with health professionals and carers, and a workshop with people with early stage dementia. Interim analyses of cohort data will inform new scenarios for workshops and interviews. Final analysis will include cohort demographics, the symptom burden and health service use over the follow-up period. We shall explore the level and nature of unmet needs, describing how comfort and quality of life change over time and differences between those living in care homes and those remaining in their own homes. Data from workshops and interviews will be analysed for thematic content assisted by textual grouping software. Findings will inform the development of a complex intervention in the next phase of the research programme. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was granted by National Health Service ethical committees for studies involving people with dementia and carers (REC refs. 12/EE/0003; 12/LO/0346), and by university ethics committee for work with healthcare professionals (REC ref. 3578/001). We shall present our findings at conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals, prepare detailed reports for organisations involved with end-of-life care and dementia, publicising results on the Marie Curie website. A summary of the research will be provided to participants if requested. / Marie Curie Cancer Care

Context: Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is a form of ad-hoc network with flexible backhaul infrastructure and configuration, provides adaptive wireless internet connectivity to end users with high reliability. WMN is a wireless network consisting of mesh clients, mesh routers and gateways which are organized in a mesh topology with decentralized nature can consume more energy for data transmission. The networking performance of WMNs can be degraded due to the fact of high energy consumption for data transmission. Therefore, energy efficiency is the primary factor for attaining eminent performance. Organizing efficient routing and proper resource allocation can save huge amount of energy. Objectives: The main goal of this thesis is to reduce the energy consumption in WMNs. To do this, a new energy efficient routing algorithm is suggested. Adaptive rates based on rate allocation strategy and end to end delay metric are used mainly for optimal path selection in routing, which may in turn reduces the resource utilization and energy consumption. Method: An energy efficient routing algorithm is implemented by using the Ad hoc OnDemand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol. The RREQ packet in AODV is modified by adding a new field known as delay parameter which measures end to end delay between nodes. Adaptive rates obtained from Rate allocation policy are considered in the routing process to reduce energy consumption in the network. Energy measurement of the WMN and its performance is evaluated by measuring the metrics such as Throughput, End-to-End delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR). For performing the simulation process, in this thesis, Network Simulator - 3 (NS-3) which is an open source discrete-event network simulator in which simulation models can be executed in C++ and Python is used. Using NetAnim-3.107 animator in NS-3-25.1, traffic flows between all the nodes are displayed. Results: The results are taken for existing algorithm and proposed algorithm for 25,50,75 and 100 nodes. Comparison of results shows that the total energy consumption is reduced for proposed algorithm for in all four scenarios. Conclusion: Energy efficient routing algorithm is implemented in different scenarios of radio access networks and energy is saved. Due to this algorithm even the performance metrics, Throughput, End-to-End delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) have shown eminent performance.

Debatten om nätneutralitet har de senaste åren kommit att bli ett hett ämne världen över, då diverse inskränkningar på nätneutraliteten har lett till protester bland internetanvändare. I Sverige har debatten emellertid hållits på en juridisk och teknisk nivå mellan olika internetexperter och “vanliga” internetanvändares åsikter har hamnat i skymundan. Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga och undersöka respondenters kunskaper och attityder kring fenomenen nätneutralitet och trafikstyrning. För att koppla studien till större samhälleliga frågor har vi använt oss av teorier inom e-democracy, copyright och nyliberalism. Studien består av en kvalitativ metod i form av en fokusgruppintervju, samt en kvantitativ metod i form av en enkätstudie. Vi har även använt oss av tidigare forskning inom området från Sydkorea och USA.  Resultatet från de två undersökningarna visar att den generella kunskapen om nätneutralitet och trafikstyrning är relativt låg bland våra respondenter, men att frågan är viktig för dem. Majoriteten av respondenterna är emot inskränkningar på nätneutraliteten och ställer sig negativa till internetleverantörers olika former av trafikstyrning.

The interest for autonomous driving assistance, and in the end, self-driving cars, has increased vastly over the last decade. Automotive safety continues to be a priority for manufacturers, politicians and people alike. Visual-based systems aiding the drivers have lately been boosted by advances in computer vision and machine learning. In this thesis, we evaluate the concept of an end-to-end machine learning solution for detecting and classifying road lane markings, and compare it to a more classical semantic segmentation solution. The analysis is based on the frame-by-frame scenario, and shows that our proposed end-to-end system has clear advantages when it comes detecting the existence of lanes and producing a consistent, lane-like output, especially in adverse conditions such as weak lane markings. Our proposed method allows the system to predict its own confidence, thereby allowing the system to suppress its own output when it is not deemed safe enough. The thesis finishes with proposed future work needed to achieve optimal performance and create a system ready for deployment in an active safety product.

Inovações sistêmicas são aquelas que requerem reajustes significativos em co-opetidores do ecossistema de inovação. A relevância de inovações sistêmicas tem crescido por diversos motivos, tais como o caráter sistêmico de inovações relacionadas ao desenvolvimento sustentável, o amadurecimento da sociedade em rede e a disseminação da inovação aberta. O fuzzy front end, ou seja, a etapa inicial e difusa do processo de inovação, tem sido explorado considerando-se principalmente relações díades empresa-consumidor. O objetivo desta dissertação é explorar como se diferencia o fuzzy front end em inovações sistêmicas, em ecossistemas de inovação complexos, que demandam a coordenação com diferentes entidades externas ao controle direto da empresa focal. Para tanto, a metodologia conta com três macroetapas: revisão sistemática da literatura de fuzzy front end e inovação sistêmica, estudo de caso piloto de caráter preliminar e estudos de caso exploratórios em empresas em diferentes posicionamentos do ecossistema de negócios de Redes Inteligentes (Smart Grid) com análises intra e inter casos. / Systemic innovations are those that require significant changes in co-opetitors within the innovation ecosystems in which they are inserted. The relevance of systemic innovations has grown due to several reasons, such as the systemic characteristic of sustainable development innovation projects, the higher maturity of the network society and the dissemination of open innovation practices. The fuzzy front end, the initial and diffuse phase of the innovation process, has been explored considering mainly dyadic relations between company and consumers. The goal of this dissertation is to explore how does the fuzzy front end differentiate in systemic innovations, in complex innovation ecosystems, considering the need for coordination with external entities outside the control of the focal company. Therefore, the methodology has three macro-steps: a systematic literature review of fuzzy front end and systemic innovation, a pilot case study and exploratory case study with intra and cross-case analysis in different positions in the Smart Grid business ecosystems.

Den intensivvård som kan erbjudas till patienter i Sverige idag är en mycket högspecialiserad och högteknologisk vård. Den har möjliggjort livsuppehållande åtgärder till den grad att det blivit nästan omöjligt för en patient att dö utan att först blivit föremål för diskussion om att ta till alla tänkbara medel. När intensivvårdsinsatserna inte längre är meningsfulla för patienten, utan bara blir till ett utdraget lidande i väntan på döden, tas ibland beslutet att avstå eller avbryta behandling. Syftet med studien är att belysa intensivvårdssjuksköterskans upplevelse av att vårda patienter där beslut om att avstå eller avbryta behandling tagits. Metoden som använts är en litteraturstudie som bygger på 8 artiklar. Artiklarna valdes inom det kvalitativa kunskapsparadigmet. Resultatet visar att sjuksköterskor ställdes inför existentiella tankar kring liv och död, framförallt det egna livet och döden. Det skapade negativa känslor såsom förvirring, sorg, ilska och skuld. Samtidigt upplevdes det som ett privilegium att få ge avgörande vård för patienten och att möjliggöra en värdig död utan onödigt lidande för patienten och dennes närstående. Erfarna sjuksköterskor hade det lättare och var mer trygga i att avstå eller avbryta behandling än sina oerfarna kollegor. Andra kollegor beskrevs som det viktigaste och starkaste stödet. Sjuksköterskor hade svårt att beskriva vilken roll de vill att läkaren skulle ha, men det fanns en upplevelse över att ansvarsfördelningen mellan läkare sjuksköterska var oklar. Hierarkin upplevdes som ett hinder. I diskussionen belyses möjligheten att integrera den moraliska och etiska problematiken redan under utbildningen för att vara bättre förberedd och medvetandegöra värdet av handledning i yrkesmässig växt. Genom att sträva efter ett utökat tvärprofessionellt samarbete kan vården av patienter där beslut om att avstå eller avbryta intensivvård ska eller har tagits underlättas. / Program: Fristående kurs

A presente pesquisa teve como principal objetivo propor uma estrutura inicial para a implantação da logística reversa no setor automobilístico brasileiro. Para tanto, foi utilizado o método de pesquisa misto, compreendendo tanto a pesquisa qualitativa como a quantitativa. Para a parte qualitativa foram aplicados questionários a empresas do setor automobilístico, uma representando as montadoras, outra representando as seguradoras, desmanches e uma empresa que opera com sucata, no intuito de captar a percepção das mesmas quanto ao tema. Para a parte quantitativa, o ferramental utilizado foi o método de programação linear, sendo a aplicação do modelo realizada para o estado de São Paulo, devido à sua representatividade no setor automobilístico brasileiro e às ações já encaminhadas, neste estado, no sentido de implantação de uma logística reversa de automóveis de forma padronizada. Foram especificados seis cenários, para melhor análise do modelo, considerando, diferentes disponibilidades na oferta de automóveis, na capacidade instalada de sucateiros e no número de sucateiros. Na parte qualitativa, os resultados apontaram para a divergência quanto à opinião dos agentes, sugerindo que não há um consenso formado quanto à implantação da logística reversa no setor automobilístico brasileiro. Na parte quantitativa, os resultados da aplicação do modelo matemático apontam para a viabilidade de implantação deste processo e para a necessidade de ampliação da capacidade de instalada para reciclagem de metais. / This research aimed at proposing an initial framework for the implementation of reverse logistics in the Brazilian automotive industry. For this, it was used the mixed research method, comprising both qualitative and quantitative research. For the qualitative part, questionnaires were applied to companies in the automotive sector, representing the automakers, another representing insurers, miscarriages and also a company that operates scrap in order to capture the perception of them for the subject. In the quantitative part, the tool used was the linear programming method, being the application made to State of São Paulo, due to its share in the Brazilian automotive industry and the actions already under way in this state, to implement reverse logistics vehicles in a standardized way. Six scenarios were specified, for better analysis of the model, considering different availabilities in car supply, the installed capacity of scrap and the number of scrap dealers. In the qualitative part, the results pointed to the divergence for the views of the agents, suggesting that there is no consensus formed about the implementation of reverse logistics in the Brazilian automotive industry. In the quantitative part, the results of the application of the mathematical model point out to the implementation of this process feasibility and the need for the increase in the installed capacity for metal recycling.

O maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) é uma frutífera de importância econômica no Brasil, sendo apreciado para a produção de suco concentrado e para o consumo in natura, além de ser usado pela indústria farmacêutica na extração da passiflorina. O presente trabalho visou à exploração da biblioteca genômica inserida em BACs (Ped-B-Flav) por meio da técnica de BAC-end sequencing, visando prover os primeiros insights sobre a composição e organização genômica da espécie, além de gerar novos candidatos a marcadores moleculares. Ao todo foram realizadas 9.979 reações de sequenciamento com eficiência média de 89 %, resultando em 8.821 BES de alta qualidade, com tamanho variando entre 100 pb e 1.255 pb, tendo em média 596 pb, totalizando cerca de 5,7 Mpb de informação genômica. Foram identificados, ao todo, 610 potenciais novos marcadores microssatélites. Os motivos de tetranucleotídeos foram os mais abundantes, ou seja, 28,9 % do total, sendo as repetições AATT aquelas observadas com maior frequência, com 131 ocorrências. Foram identificados e classificados 4.394 (19,69 %) elementos repetitivos. Dentre estes elementos, os grupos dos retrotransposons gypsy e copia-like foram os mais abundantes, correspondendo a 10,08 % e 7,93 % das ocorrências, respectivamente. Além disso, foram encontradas 767 (8,7 %) sequências com alta identidade a regiões codificadoras de proteínas. Estas sequências foram classificadas e anotadas de acordo com o vocabulário controlado GeneOntology. Análises de mapeamento genômico comparativo revelaram três regiões microssintênicas com o genoma de Populus trichocarpa, uma com o genoma de Vitis vinifera e uma com o genoma de Arabdopisis thaliana, além de evidenciarem uma série de regiões rearranjadas em relação aos genomas de referência. O presente estudo mostrou que os BES de Passiflora edulis são uma excelente fonte de informações sobre o genoma da espécie, principalmente no que tange à diversidade gênica, identificação de elementos transponíveis e ao potencial para o desenvolvimento de novos marcadores genéticos. Igualmente, foi possível empregar essas sequências na identificação de regiões microssintênicas entre o genoma do maracujá-amarelo e de outras espécies vegetais próximas. / Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) is of considerable economic importance to Brazil. It is used to produce juice concentrate and also marketed for consumption as a fresh fruit. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to produce passiflora extract. The aim of this study was to explore the BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) genomic library (Ped-B-Flav) using BAC-end sequencing (BES) to provide some initial insights into the composition and organization of the species genome, and to generate new candidates for molecular markers. Altogether, 9,979 sequencing reactions were performed, with an average efficiency of 89 %, resulting in 8,821 high-quality BES, of average length ranging from 100 bp to 1255 bp, and consisting of an average 596 bp, totaling some 5.7 Mb of genomic information. In all, we identified 610 potential new microsatellite markers. Tetranucleotide motifs (28.9%) were the most abundant and AATT was the most frequently observed motif, with 131 occurrences. We identified and classified 4,394 (19.69 %) repetitive elements. Retrotransposon gypsy (10.8%) and copia-like (7.93%) elements were the most abundant. Furthermore, we found 767 (8.7 %) sequences very similar to those of protein coding regions. These sequences were classified and annotated according to gene ontology controlled vocabulary. Comparative genomic mapping revealed three regions showing microsynteny with the genome of Populus trichocarpa, one with Vitis vinifera genome and one with the Arabdopisis thaliana genome. In addition it revealed a series of rearranged regions in comparison to the reference genomes. This study showed that Passiflora edulis BES form an excellent source of information on the genome of the species, especially in regard to genetic diversity, identification of transposable elements and potential for the development of new genetic markers. It was also possible, using these sequences, to identify regions showing microsynteny with other plant species.

abstract: Planning efforts conducted during the early stages of a construction project, known as front end planning (FEP), have a large impact on project success and significant influence on the configuration of the final project. As a key component of FEP, front end engineering design (FEED) plays an essential role in the overall success of large industrial projects. The primary objective of this dissertation focuses on FEED maturity and accuracy and its impact on project performance. The author was a member of the Construction Industry Institute (CII) Research Team (RT) 331, which was tasked to develop the FEED Maturity and Accuracy Total Rating System (FEED MATRS), pronounced “feed matters.” This dissertation provides the motivation, methodology, data analysis, research findings (which include significant correlations between the maturity and accuracy of FEED and project performance), applicability and contributions to academia and industry. A scientific research methodology was employed in this dissertation that included a literature review, focus groups, an industry survey, data collection workshops, in-progress projects testing, and statistical analysis of project performance. The results presented in this dissertation are based on input from 128 experts in 57 organizations and a data sample of 33 completed and 11 on-going large industrial projects representing over $13.9 billion of total installed cost. The contributions of this work include: (1) developing a tested FEED definition for the large industrial projects sector, (2) determining the industry’s state of practice for measuring FEED deliverables, (3) developing an objective and scalable two-dimensional method to measure FEED maturity and accuracy, and (4) quantifying that projects with high FEED maturity and accuracy outperformed projects with low FEED maturity and accuracy by 24 percent in terms of cost growth, in relation to the approved budget. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Construction Management 2019

Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les trois sujets suivants sur les systèmes de multiples entrées multiples sorties (MIMO) avec retour limité: Distorsion bout-à-bout: La première partie de la thèse présente l'impact conjoint des les nombres d'antenne, le ratio de bande passante de la source au canal, la corrélation spatiale et diversité dans le temps sur l'espérance de la distorsion optimale bout-à-bout dans les MIMO systèmes sans panne. En particulier, repose sur l'expression analytique pour tout les ratios du signal au bruit (SNR), l'expression asymptotique de l'espérance de la distorsion optimal bout-à-bout au SNR élevé est dérivé, composé de l'exposant de distorsion optimale et le facteur de distorsion optimale. Les résultats des simulations montrent que, à un SNR élevé pratique, l'analyse sur les impacts de l'exposant de distorsion optimale et le facteur de distorsion optimale explique le comportement de la distorsion optimale bout-à-bout. Les résultats présentés dans cette partie pourraient être les objectifs de performance pour les systèmes qui transmettent les sources analogique et en outre les directives sur la conception du système. Retour analogique du canal: Dans la seconde partie de cette thèse, nous proposons d'appliquer le codage bloc d'espace-temps orthogonal (OSTBC) sur retour analogique linéaire du canal. Considérant l'information du canal MIMO est une sorte de source vectorielle analogique, par rapport au retour du canal quantifié, le retour analogique linéaire a les avantages comme sans panne, l'adaptation automatique au canal et peu complexe. Il est prouvé que la méthode de transmission analogique linéaire OSTBC peutatteindre le borne de filtre adapté (MFB) sur SNR reçu. Par rapport en méthode analogique linéaire du codage bloc d'espace-temps circulant, la méthode linéaire analogique OSTBC obtient de meilleurs résultats à l'égard de SNR reçu et erreur quadratique moyenne (MSE) ; Par rapport en méthode de la quantification vectorielle aléatoire, les résultats des simulations montrent que sous une contrainte stricte de latence, leur performances sont proches à l'égard de l'erreur moyenne au sens et la méthode linéaire analogique OSTBC exécute encore mieux à l'égard erreur quadratique moyenne. Nous étudions également l'incidence de appliquer le retour linéaire analogique OSTBC au beamforming en liaison descendante pour multiutilisateurs MIMO et nous montrons que le retour linéaire analogique OSTBC peut rendre l'approche du système des performances optimales dans un temps de latence court. Multiplexage par couche: Dans la troisime partie de cette thèse, en considérant les systèmes avec des blocs courts, une nouvelle stratégie de multi-plexage par couches est proposée d'adapter un canal incertain par le codage couche-temps Walsh, l'annuleur d'interférence successif et HARQ signalisation. Comme l'illustrent les résultats de la simulation, en raison de ses performances proches mais beaucoup moins complexe, cette stratégie serait un bon substitut µa la stratégie de modulation QAM adaptive qui est largement utilise.