Notre communication vise à mettre en lumière les erreurs des apprenants universitaires libyens de français à l’écrit. A cette fin nous nous proposons d’analyser les erreurs relevées de leurs productions écrites. Nous avons conçu notre méthode de collecte des données dans la perspective d’étudier d’abord les erreurs produites par les apprenants libyens -ce qui devrait permettre de mettre en lumière leurs points faibles- et de tenter ensuite de proposer des remédiations. Notre corpus est constitué de 127 textes écrits par des étudiants libyens qui traitent trois sujets différents. Notre contribution vise à analyser les erreurs quantitativement et qualitativement, à caractériser les non-erreurs également et à expliquer ces deux types de phénomènes. Finalement, nous nous efforcerons de proposer des moyens de remédier à leurs erreurs et de suggérer des solutions pour que les apprenants et les enseignants les évitent. / Our paper aims to highlight the errors in writing of Libyan learners of French at the Libyan university. To this end we propose an analysis of their errors in the written productions. We designed our method of data collection so as to be able to study first the errors produced by learners Libyan-which will highlight their weaknesses, and then try to offer remediation.Our corpus consists of 127 texts written by Libyan students dealing with three different subjects.Our contribution is to analyze the errors qualitatively and quantitatively, characterize the non-errors and also explain these two types of phenomena.Finally, we will try to suggest ways to correct the mistakes and suggest solutions for learners and teachers.

Master of Science / Department of Statistics / Weixing Song / A robust estimation procedure for mixture errors-in-variables linear regression models is proposed in the report by assuming the error terms follow a t-distribution. The estimation procedure is implemented by an EM algorithm based on the fact that the t-distribution is a scale mixture of normal distribution and a Gamma distribution. Finite sample performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by some extensive simulation studies. Comparison is also made with the MLE procedure under normality assumption.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Computing and Information Sciences / John M. Hatcliff / Medical devices have traditionally been designed, built, and certified for use as monolithic units. A new vision of "Medical Application Platforms" (MAPs) is emerging that would enable compositional medical systems to be instantiated at the point of care from a collection of trusted components. This work details efforts to create a development environment for applications that run on these MAPs. The first contribution of this effort is a language and code generator that can be used to model and implement MAP applications. The language is a subset of the Architecture, Analysis and Design Language (AADL) that has been tailored to the platform-based environment of MAPs. Accompanying the language is software tooling that provides automated code generation targeting an existing MAP implementation. The second contribution is a new hazard analysis process called the Systematic Analysis of Faults and Errors (SAFE). SAFE is a modified version of the previously-existing System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA), that has been made more rigorous, partially compositional, and easier. SAFE is not a replacement for STPA, however, rather it more effectively analyzes the hardware- and software-based elements of a full safety-critical system. SAFE has both manual and tool-assisted formats; the latter consists of AADL annotations that are designed to be used with the language subset from the first contribution. An automated report generator has also been implemented to accelerate the hazard analysis process. Third, this work examines how, independent of its place in the system hierarchy or the precise configuration of its environment, a component may contribute to the safety (or lack thereof) of an entire system. Based on this, we propose a reference model which generalizes notions of harm and the role of components in their environment so that they can be applied to components either in isolation or as part of a complete system. Connections between these formalisms and existing approaches for system composition and fault propagation are also established. This dissertation presents these contributions along with a review of relevant literature, evaluation of the SAFE process, and concludes with discussion of potential future work.

The purpose of this study was to examine cognitive biases in clinically anxious children compared to normal children and to determine if cognitive biases could discriminate anxious youth from non-anxious youth. Two specific cognitive biases were the focus of the present study—interpretive biases (i.e., the tendency to interpret neutral stimuli in a negative way) and judgment biases (i.e., a lowered estimate of one's ability to cope with a threatening situation). Twenty-four youth comprised the anxiety disordered sample and were each matched to two normal youth on four demographic variables (gender, age, ethnicity, and family income level), thus the matched comparison sample consisted of 48 youth (ages 7 to 17). Interpretive biases were assessed with the Children's Negative Cognitive Error Questionnaire (CNCEQ) and judgment biases were assessed with the Anxiety Control Questionnaire—child form (ACQ-C). In addition, self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms were measured. Results indicated that (1) children in the clinic sample exhibited significantly more interpretive biases and judgment biases relative to the control sample, and scored significantly higher on measures of anxiety, depression, and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms relative to the control sample, (2) the ACQ-C demonstrated incremental validity over the CNCEQ in predicting diagnostic status, (3) the ACQ-C predicted diagnostic status while controlling for Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms, but not while controlling for RCMAS (anxiety) and CDI (depression) scores, and (4) the relationship between the CNCEQ and diagnostic status was moderated by age and gender. This study adds to the research literature by demonstrating elevated CNCEQ scores among youth with anxiety disorders compared to non-anxious youth and extends findings with the ACQ-C by showing its incremental validity beyond the CNCEQ. The results also add to the understanding of the assessment of negative cognitive vi errors by highlighting developmental and sex differences in their association with anxiety disorder status in youth. Implications of the positive findings for theory and practice are noted and theoretical and methodological reasons for the negative results are discussed to highlight suggestions for future work in this area.

Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Nursing Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2012. / Introduction While investigating alleged unprofessional conduct involving nurses, SANC collects a wealth of information which is used as the basis upon which to determine the nurses’ guilt or innocence in respect of unprofessional conduct. No evidence exists that such information is ever used to determine how similar acts of unprofessional conduct could be prevented and/or be used in mitigating the impact of such acts on patient safety. Given that nurses have most interaction with patients, there is much to learn from practice breakdown involving nurses. Methods A four phase cross sectional sequential exploratory mixed method approach using a modified soft system methodology (SSM) methodology was utilised to develop a framework for the integrated management of practice breakdown. Purposive sampling was followed to select five districts in KwaZulu-Natal for inclusion in the study. In addition Operational Nursing Managers, members of the Professional Conduct Committee of the South African Nursing Council, and representatives of organised labour were purposively sampled. Qualitative data regarding causes and current practices in the management of practice breakdown in the nursing profession was gathered from key groups via focus groups, and individual phone calls. Then a survey instrument used to test the elements of the emerging theory was developed. Finally, a framework for integrated management of practice errors is suggested. Results The study found that practice breakdown was a product of both environmental factors such as fallible managerial decisions, and unintended acts committed by nurses. In addition, the types of errors and consequences of error management were identified. Finally, conditions requisite for the integrated approach in the management of practice breakdown were identified and used to develop a framework for an integrated approach in the management of practice breakdown in nursing. Conclusion Creation of a positive practice environment for nurses is requisite for an integrated approach in the management of practice breakdown. / Appendices only available in the Hard copy of the Thesis / D

In this paper we forecast daily returns of crypto-currencies using a wide variety of different econometric models. To capture salient features commonly observed in financial time series like rapid changes in the conditional variance, non-normality of the measurement errors and sharply increasing trends, we develop a time-varying parameter VAR with t-distributed measurement errors and stochastic volatility. To control for overparameterization, we rely on the Bayesian literature on shrinkage priors that enables us to shrink coefficients associated with irrelevant predictors and/or perform model specification in a flexible manner. Using around one year of daily data we perform a real-time forecasting exercise and investigate whether any of the proposed models is able to outperform the naive random walk benchmark. To assess the economic relevance of the forecasting gains produced by the proposed models we moreover run a simple trading exercise.

A calibração de instrumento é reconhecida como um importante processo para a garantia de qualidade de dados obtidos a partir de um laser scanner terrestre (TLS). Um aspecto importante na garantia da qualidade de nuvem de pontos tridimensionais capturadas com instrumentos TLS é a calibração geométrica. Erros sistemáticos inerentes aos instrumentos, se não corrigidos, podem degradar a acurácia da nuvem de pontos obtida pelo scanner. A modelagem destes erros sistemáticos e o uso de metodologias de calibração para estimativa dos coeficientes do modelo permitem quantificar e avaliar a qualidade e a acurácia dos sistemas lasers scanners terrestres. Identificar os diferentes erros inerentes ao equipamento ou ao processo de medição é um fator de grande importância para certificá-los, comprovando sua conformidade com a precisão nominal definida pelos fabricantes. Esta dissertação apresenta propostas de diferentes metodologias para aferição e calibração de laser scanners terrestres. A primeira metodologia refere-se à auto-calibração de TLS que permite obter os parâmetros de calibração referentes aos erros sistemáticos de distância (??), colimação (?C), direção horizontal (??) e o erro de índice vertical (??). Dois equipamentos foram submetidos à auto-calibração, um equipamento novo, recém-fabricado, modelo Faro Focus 3D X330, que foi utilizado como referência, e um equipamento antigo, modelo Faro Photon 80, que devido ao tempo de constante uso foi submetido à aferição. Os resultados comprovaram a eficiência da metodologia de auto-calibração na determinação dos parâmetros de correção sistemática adicional, indicando que o scanner novo apresentou resultados dentro das especificações e o modelo antigo, resultados acima dos valores de precisão definidos pelo fabricante. Visando facilitar os procedimentos de campo e escritório para fins de calibração de TLS foram propostas duas metodologias com a utilização de peças fabricadas para uso no presente trabalho, visando a obtenção da acurácia tridimensional de um TLS. A primeira consiste na utilização de uma placa de aço com nove furos sobre os quais são alojadas nove esferas de poliacetal. A segunda consiste na utilização de um sistema tridimensional de planos perpendiculares, através do qual pode-se obter a acurácia 3D do TLS. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência das duas metodologias propostas, aplicadas em procedimentos de calibração em laboratório utilizando varreduras em equipamentos de curto alcance. Por fim foram realizados testes para determinação dos parâmetros de calibração relativos ao erro de zero ou constante aditiva, o erro de escala e o erro cíclico em linhas bases de calibração EDM, utilizando-se a rede de pilares da USP. Os resultados comprovam a necessidade de contar com distâncias entre pilares menores para utilização em TLS de curto alcance, porém, para laser scanners com maior autonomia de distância se mostrou um método eficiente. / Instrument calibration is recognized as an important process for quality assurance of data obtained from a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). An important aspect in ensuring the quality of three-dimensional point cloud captured with TLS instruments is geometric calibration. Systematic errors inherent in the instruments, if not corrected, can degrade the accuracy of the cloud of points obtained by the scanner. The modeling of these systematic errors and the use of calibration methodologies to estimate the coefficients of the model allow quantifying and evaluating the quality and accuracy of the laser systems. Identifying the different errors inherent in the equipment or the measurement process is a factor of great importance to certify them, proving their conformity with the nominal precision defined by the manufacturers. This dissertation presents proposals of different methodologies for calibration of terrestrial laser scanners. The first methodology refers to TLS self-calibration, which allows to obtain the calibration parameters for systematic errors of distance (??), collimation (?C), horizontal direction (??) and vertical index error (??). Two devices were submitted to self-calibration, a new, newly manufactured Faro Focus 3D X330 model, which was used as reference, and an old equipment, Faro Photon 80 model, which due to the time of constant use was subjected to the calibration . The results proved the efficiency of the self-calibration methodology in determining the additional systematic correction parameters, indicating that the new scanner presented results within the specifications and the old model, values above the precision values defined by the manufacturer. In order to facilitate the field and office procedures for TLS calibration purposes, two methodologies were proposed with the use of prefabricated parts to obtain the three-dimensional accuracy of a TLS. The first proposes the use of a steel plate with nine holes on which are housed nine spheres of polyacetal. The second refers to the use of a three-dimensional system of perpendicular planes, where from the point cloud of the different planes the 3D accuracy of the TLS can be obtained. The results obtained prove the efficiency of the two proposed methodologies, applied in laboratory calibration procedures using short-range scans. Finally, tests were carried out to determine the calibration parameters related to the error of zero or additive constant, the scale error and the cyclic error in EDM calibration baselines, using the USP\'s network of columns. The results confirm the need for adequacy of the distance between columns for use in short-range TLS, but for laser scanners with greater distance autonomy an efficient method was shown.

Consideramos a predição ótima de valores latentes com base em dados sujeitos a erros de medida endógenos e exógenos, obtidos a partir de uma amostra aleatória de uma população finita. Consideramos o modelo misto para populações finitas (MMPF) com erros de medida exógenos e endógenos usando o enfoque proposto por Stanek et al. (2004) e Stanek & Singer (2004), e calculamos o melhor preditor linear não enviesado (BLUP) do valor latente da i-ésima unidade selecionada na amostra. Quando as variâncias endógenas são heterocedásticas, o preditor obtido sob o MMPF é diferente do preditor obtido sob o modelo misto usual, pois a constante de encolhimento depende da média das variâncias individuais. Utilizamos simulação para comparar o preditor obtido sob o modelo misto usual (utilizado conforme a interpretação usual) com o preditor obtido sob o MMPF, mostrando que apesar do primeiro ser enviesado, ele geralmente apresenta erro quadrático médio (EQM) menor (ou ligeiramente maior) do que aquele obtido sob o MMPF. Adicionalmente, mostramos como utilizar dois pacotes de \\emph estatístico (Proc MIXED do SAS e lme(nlme) do R), construídos sob o modelo misto usual, para ajustar corretamente modelos em situações com erros exógenos e endógenos, heterocedásticos ou homocedásticos. / We consider optimal estimation and prediction of latent values based on data subject to endogenous and exogenous measurement errors, obtained via simple random sample from a finite population. We consider a finite population mixed model (FPMM) with endogenous and exogenous measurement errors proposed by Stanek III et al. (2004) and Stanek III & Singer (2004) and obtained the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) of the latent value of the i-th unit selected in the sample. When the endogenous variances are heteroscedastic, the predictor obtained under the FPMM is different than the predictor obtained with the usual mixed model, because the shrinkage constant depends on the average of the individual variances. We consider simulation studies to compare the predictor obtained under the usual mixed model (used according to the usual interpretation) with the predictor obtained under the FPMM, and show that the former is biased, but usually presents smaller (or slightly larger) mean squared error (MSE) than the predictor obtained under the FPMM. Additionally, we indicate how two commonly used statistical software packages (SAS\'s Proc MIXED and R\'s lme(nlme) ) may be employed to fit mixed models in situations with heteroscedastic or homoscedastic exogenous and endogenous errors.

Introdução. A terapia medicamentosa é uma intervenção terapêutica realizada com a finalidade de reduzir sofrimento, promover a cura e melhorar a saúde e qualidade de vida, entretanto, não é isenta de riscos. A ocorrência de erros de medicação é comum nas instituições hospitalares e pode afetar a segurança do paciente. A prevenção de erros de medicação tem sido reconhecida como uma prioridade para os serviços de saúde, visto que, esses eventos acarretam repercussões assistenciais, econômicas e sociais e são considerados crescentes problemas de saúde pública. Objetivo. Analisar a literatura sobre erros de prescrição de medicamentos ocorridos em pacientes adultos hospitalizados em unidades de clínica médica e cirúrgica. Método. Pesquisou-se nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed, IPA, Lilacs, Embase, Web of Science e Scopus para seleção de estudos com dados primários publicados em português, inglês e espanhol, entre janeiro de 1999 e dezembro de 2009. Foi utilizada como estratégia de busca os seguintes termos, medication error(s), medication order(s), prescribing error(s), prescription error(s), prescrição, hospital(s), medication system, inpatient(s), adult(s) e os resultados foram filtrados utilizando-se a expressão and. Resultados. Foram selecionadas 51 publicações. A análise revelou que 71% dos artigos não utilizaram nenhuma definição para determinar erro de prescrição, sendo que a definição proposta por DEAN e col. (2000) foi verificada em 22% das publicações. Diversos métodos de coleta de dados foram utilizados, entretanto, a revisão de prescrição/prontuário foi a técnica mais utilizada (51%) e o acompanhamento prospectivo foi empregado em 72% dos estudos. O farmacêutico foi o principal profissional envolvido na coleta de dados, em 41% das publicações e a prescrição manual foi o tipo de prescrição mais analisada, em 39% dos estudos. Os erros de dosagem (frequência, dose e omissão), erros administrativos (ilegibilidade, rasura e prescrição incompleta) e erros terapêuticos (interação medicamentosa, seleção de medicamento) foram considerados os tipos mais comuns de erros de prescrição. Observou-se que os erros de prescrição com gravidade leve e moderada apresentaram expressiva ocorrência, apesar da falta de uma padronização nas escalas de gravidade entre os estudos. A frequência de erros de prescrição variou de 1% a 62% por prescrição; 2,1% a 66,1% por medicamentos prescritos e 0,25 a 2,72 erros por 100 pacientes-dia. O denominador número de prescrições foi o mais utilizado em 41% dos artigos. As principais classes de medicamentos envolvidas foram cardiovasculares, antimicrobianos, analgésicos, psicoativos, gastrointestinais e respiratórios. Múltiplas causas foram associadas a erros de prescrição verificadas em 31% dos estudos, incluindo lapsos de memória e deslizes, excesso de trabalho, falta de comunicação, conhecimento inadequado sobre medicamento. A implantação de prescrição eletrônica com suporte de decisão clínica e introdução de farmacêutico clínico foram as principais estratégias para redução dos erros destacadas em 47% e 27% dos estudos analisados, respectivamente. Conclusão. A literatura apresenta uma diversidade de definições e métodos para detecção de erros de prescrição, o que pode influenciar na variabilidade das taxas de ocorrência de erros de prescrição. Não foi observada diferença na frequência de erro em relação ao tipo de prescrição (manual ou eletrônica). Apesar de algumas publicações referirem que erros de prescrição são os tipos mais graves que ocorrem com a utilização de medicamentos, observou-se nesta revisão, que os erros de gravidade leve e moderada foram relatados com maior frequência. Como os erros de prescrição estão associados a múltiplas causas, faz-se necessária a implantação de intervenções multifatoriais nas diversas etapas do sistema de uso de medicamentos para ajudar na prevenção ou minimização do impacto dos erros. / Introduction. Drug therapy is a therapeutic intervention performed in order to reduce suffering, promote healing and improve health and quality of life, however, is not without risks. The occurrence of medication errors in hospitals is common and can affect patient safety. Prevention of medication errors has been recognized as a priority for health services, since these events cause important impact in terms of hospital stay, social factors and financial costs and is considered public health issue. Objective. Analyze the literature on prescribing errors in adult patients hospitalized in a medical and surgery units. Method. Medline/PubMed, IPA, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to select studies using primary data published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between January and December 2009. The following terms were used as a strategy to search: \"medication error (s)\", \"medication order (s)\", \"prescribing error (s)\", \"prescription error (s)\", \"prescription\", \"hospital (s ) \",\" medication system; \"inpatient (s), \" adult (s)\" and the results were filtered using the expression \"and\". Results. In total, 51 publications were selected. The analysis revealed that 71% of articles did not use any setting to determine prescribing error, and the definition proposed by Dean et al. (2000) was detected in 22% of publications. Several methods of data collection were used, however, review of prescription or medical record is the most widely used technique (51%) and prospective monitoring was used in 72% of studies. The pharmacist was the primary professional involved in data collection in 41% of publications and prescription manual was the most studied type of prescription in 39% of studies. The dosage errors (frequency, dosage and omission), administrative errors (illegible and incomplete prescription) and therapeutic errors (drug-drug interaction, indication) were considered the most common types of prescription errors. It was observed that the prescribing errors of mild to moderate severity, showed a significant occurrence, despite the lack of standardization in the scales of severity among the studies. The frequency of prescription errors ranged from 1% to 62% per prescription, 2.1% to 66.1% for prescription drugs and from 0.25 to 2.72 errors per 100 patient-days. The denominator number of prescriptions was the most used in 41% of articles. The main drug classes involved were cardiovascular, antibiotics, analgesics, psychoactive drugs, gastrointestinal and respiratory. Multiple causes associated with prescription errors were found in 31% of studies, including memory lapses and slips, overwork, lack of communication, inadequate knowledge about medicine. The implementation of electronic prescribing with clinical decision support and introduction of clinical pharmacist were the main strategies for reducing errors highlighted in 47% and 27% of the studies analyzed, respectively. Conclusion. The literature shows a variety of definitions and methods for detecting prescription errors, which may influence the variability of rates of occurrence of prescription errors. No difference was observed in the frequency error in the type of prescription (manual or electronic). Although some publications refer to prescription errors are the most serious types that occur with medication use, it was observed in this review, that errors of mild and moderate severity were reported more often. Like all prescription errors are associated with multiple causes, it is necessary to implement a multifactorial interventions at different stages of the system of drug use to help prevent or minimize the impact of errors.

Este trabalho tenta colocar em evidência dois pontos dos mais atuais, tanto na área da Medicina como no Direito: a falha técnica e a correspondente reparação do dano por ela causado. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, foram utilizados processos judiciais de primeira instância no período de 1995 a 2003 correlacionados às cirurgias do aparelho digestivo. Buscou-se definir os perfis dos médicos mais processados, que pagam maiores valores indenizatórios, bem como de outro lado os pacientes que mais processam e mais recebem valores indenizatórios, nos processos analisados. Os parâmetros, principais de análise foram as sentenças proferidas em primeira instância, em casos de condenação do médico e os respectivos valores envolvidos. Finalmente concluímos que: O perfil do paciente que mais processa médico: 41 a 60 anos, branco, feminino, católico com nível superior e detentor de justiça gratuita. O perfil do paciente recebe maiores valores médios indenizatórios: 41 a 60 anos, negro, feminino, católico, ensino fundamental e detentor de justiça gratuita. O perfil do médico que é mais processado por erro médico em Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo: 41 a 60 anos, branco, masculino, com título de especialista, formado entre 21 a 30 anos, no atendimento de convênio de plano de saúde, não possuindo seguro profissional, em atendimento de urgência/emergência e em equipe multidisciplinar. O perfil do médico que paga maiores valores indenizatórios em processos por erro médico em Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo: 21 a 40 anos, branco, masculino, residente, em atendimento em hospital público, não possuindo seguro profissional, em atendimento de urgência/emergência e em equipe multidisciplinar. / This works attempts to highlight two of the most current points, both in the fields of Medicine and Law: technical failure and the corresponding repair of the damage caused by it. For the development of this work, trial-court level proceedings in the period from 1995 to 2003 related to digestive system surgeries were used. The intention was to define the profile of the most prosecuted physicians, who pay the highest indemnification amounts, as well as, on the other hand, the patients that prosecute them most and receive indemnification amounts the most, in the reviewed proceedings. The main parameters for analysis were the judgments issued at trial-court level, in cases of conviction of the physician and the corresponding amounts involved. Finally, we concluded that: The profile of the patient who prosecutes the physician the most: 41 to 60 years old, Caucasian, female, catholic with higher education and entitled to free-of-charge justice. The profile of the patient who receives the highest average indemnity amount: 41 to 60 years old, black, female, catholic with primary education and entitled to free-of-charge justice. The profile of the physician who is prosecuted the most for medical error in a Surgery of the Digestive System: 41 to 60 years old, Caucasian, male, with a specialist degree, graduated between 21 and 30 years old, operating with health care insurance, and not holding professional insurance, in cases of urgency/emergency and in a multi-disciplinary team. The profile of the physician who pays the highest indemnity amounts in cases of medical error in a Surgery of the Digestive System: 21 to 40 years old, Caucasian, male, resident, working at a public hospital, not holding professional insurance, in cases of urgency/emergency and in a multi-disciplinary team.