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In this thesis we investigated whether using compression when sending inter-process communication (IPC) messages can be beneficial or not. A literature study on lossless compression resulted in a compilation of algorithms and techniques. Using this compilation, the algorithms LZO, LZFX, LZW, LZMA, bzip2 and LZ4 were selected to be integrated into LINX as an extra layer to support lossless message compression. The testing involved sending messages with real telecom data between two nodes on a dedicated network, with different network configurations and message sizes. To calculate the effective throughput for each algorithm, the round-trip time was measured. We concluded that the fastest algorithms, i.e. LZ4, LZO and LZFX, were most efficient in our tests. / I detta examensarbete har vi undersökt huruvida komprimering av meddelanden för interprocesskommunikation (IPC) kan vara fördelaktigt. En litteraturstudie om förlustfri komprimering resulterade i en sammanställning av algoritmer och tekniker. Från den här sammanställningen utsågs algoritmerna LZO, LZFX, LZW, LZMA, bzip2 och LZ4 för integrering i LINX som ett extra lager för att stödja komprimering av meddelanden. Algoritmerna testades genom att skicka meddelanden innehållande riktig telekom-data mellan två noder på ett dedikerat nätverk. Detta gjordes med olika nätverksinställningar samt storlekar på meddelandena. Den effektiva nätverksgenomströmningen räknades ut för varje algoritm genom att mäta omloppstiden. Resultatet visade att de snabbaste algoritmerna, alltså LZ4, LZO och LZFX, var effektivast i våra tester.

This dissertation discusses a software application development framework. The framework supports developing software applications within the context of Joint Command and Control, which includes interoperability with network-centric systems as well as interoperability with existing legacy systems. The next generation of Command and Control systems are expected to be built on common architectures or enterprise middleware. Enterprise middleware does however not directly address integration with legacy Command and Control systems nor does it address integration with existing and future tactical systems like fighter aircraft. The software framework discussed in this dissertation enables existing legacy systems and tactical systems to interoperate with each other; it enables interoperability with the Command and Control enterprise; and it also enables simulated systems to be deployed within a real environment. The framework does all of this through a unique distributed architecture. The architecture supports both system interoperability and the simulation of systems and equipment within the context of Command and Control. This hybrid approach is the key to the success of the framework. There is a strong focus on the quality of the framework and the current implementation has already been successfully applied within the Command and Control environment. The current framework implementation is also supplied on a DVD with this dissertation. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

This work deals with effects of nanoparticles, mainly copper and silver, on properities of lead-free solder pastes. It describes basic tests done on solder pastes according to IPC-TM-650 standards. In practical section this work focuses on the preparation of Sn-Bi solder paste and the measuring of viscosity. After that different concentrations of silver copper alloy nanoparticles are added to the SnBi solder paste. These solder pastes are tested by the IPC standarts and mechanical and resistive tests are done on printed circuit boards where the effects of mixed in nanoparticles are observed.

After the introduction of CUDA by Nvidia, the GPUs became devices capable of accelerating any general purpose computation. GPUs are designed as parallel processors which posses huge computation power. Modern supercomputers are often equipped with GPU accelerators. Sometimes single GPU performance is not enough for a scientific application and it needs to scale over multiple GPUs. During the computation, there is a need for the GPUs to exchange partial results. This communication represents computation overhead and it is important to research methods of the effective communication between GPUs. This means less CPU involvement, lower latency and shared system buffers. This thesis is focused on inter-node and intra-node GPU-to-GPU communication using GPUDirect technologies from Nvidia and CUDA-Aware MPI. Subsequently, k-Wave toolbox for simulating the propagation of acoustic waves is introduced. This application is accelerated by using CUDA-Aware MPI. Peer-to-peer transfer support is also integrated to k-Wave using CUDA Inter-process Communication.

INTRODUCTION: Children’s Oral Health (OH) is a vital part of their general health. Since many OH problems begin during early childhood, prevention of these problems can be achieved through early and routine preventive dental care. The dental community alone cannot adequately address all oral health care needs. The establishment of an interprofessional oral health primary care workforce team can help provide holistic health care services that can improve children’s OH, particularly among under-served populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the effect of Interprofessional Education (IPE) on the level of OH knowledge among pediatricians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, nutritionists, and social workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires assessing participants’ oral-health knowledge were collected from pediatricians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, nutritionists and social workers who are working or studying in Boston, Massachusetts. Pre-test questionnaires were used to evaluate baseline oral-health knowledge and attitude towards IPE. Post-test survey immediately after the IPE training and a follow-up survey after 6-12 months were used to evaluate immediate and long-term retention of knowledge. Pre-, post- and follow-up scores were assigned based on the participants’ responses. Univariate parametric analysis methods such as T-test and non-parametric tests such as Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to assess retention of knowledge and attitude towards IPE. Fisher’s Exact test was used to evaluate differences in the number of high scores. Multiple linear regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders. Statistical significance was reported when p-value <0.05. RESULTS: Among the 557 participants, the immediate post-test scores showed significant improvement when compared to the baseline knowledge scores across different professions (p<0.01). The long-term follow-up scores was lower than the immediate post-test scores (statistical significance was not detected across all professions), however, still significantly higher when compared to the pre-test scores (p<0.01). Among all the participants, the attitude towards collaboration was high (100%). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the need for collaboration between dental and non-dental healthcare workforce by incorporating IPE into existing curriculum to enhance the retention of knowledge and increase collaboration after graduation. Continuing education programs can significantly contribute towards long-term retention of knowledge. / 2022-07-29T00:00:00Z

<p>More companies have become aware of the need to find new ways of marketing, and network marketing is an alternative that has had great success. The purpose of this thesis is to identify what measures are used within a network marketing company to encourage the product consultants (PCs) to expand their networks. This study was conducted by interviewing three PCs and the Swedish marketing manager of Tahitian Noni International (TNI). A model is presented to structure the empirical findings, which shows that it is mainly the bonus system that is the catalyst in the organization, but also the company’s educations are of importance.</p>

As doenças periodontais (DP) são precedidas em importância apenas pela cárie dentária como problema de saúde bucal coletiva no Brasil. Ambas são doenças infecciosas ainda muito prevalentes, entretanto é dada às DP uma importância questionavelmente secundária, pois não são sistematicamente investigadas e prevenidas em saúde pública. Pelo fato de sua prevalência ser atualmente desconhecida no Brasil, a alta freqüência das formas leves e moderadas das doenças periodontais na população como um todo e de suas formas mais graves em grupos ou indivíduos de risco, dentre estes os portadores de cardiopatias isquêmicas, motivou este estudo no Ambulatório de Cardiopatia Isquêmica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, cotejando os resultados com outros obtidos em grupo de pessoas não-cardiopatas atendidas na mesma instituição. Foi investigada a prevalência e gravidade das doenças periodontais, bem como a prevalência de seus fatores de risco, história médica da presença de doenças de interesse à periodontia (diabetes, hipertensão, acidente vascular cerebral) e comportamento relativo à higiene bucal. Dentre as 634 pessoas examinadas na fase de recrutamento dos participantes, 480 foram do grupo de pacientes cardiopatas isquêmicos e 154 de grupo de não-cardiopatas. Foram selecionados respectivamente de cada grupo, 58 e 62 participantes, na faixa etária de 30 a 79 anos, para a investigação periodontal. A média da idade foi de 53 anos em ambos os sexos para os pacientes cardiopatas e de 40 anos nos homens e 37 anos nas mulheres nos pacientes não-cardiopatas. Foram utilizados o Índice Periodontal Comunitário (IPC) e o índice de Perda de Inserção periodontal (PI), ambos recomendados pela OMS (1999). Os resultados mostraram um predomínio de sextantes nos escores indicativos das formas graves da DP entre os pacientes cardiopatas (74,1% contra 20,2%; p < 0,00001). Dentre os pacientes cardiopatas apenas 1,1% dos sextantes exibiram saúde periodontal, contra 32,0% nos pacientes não-cardiopatas (p < 0,00001). No tocante a história pregressa da DP, mensuradas através da perda de inserção, 6,0% dos sextantes não a exibiram entre os pacientes cardiopatas, contra 68,0% dos não-cardiopatas (p < 0,00001). Eram portadores de fatores de retenção de biofilme dental 100,0% dos pacientes cardiopatas e 82,3% dos pacientes não-cardiopatas (p < 0,001). Exigiam tratamento periodontal mais complexo, normalmente praticados por especialistas em periodontia, 94,8% dos pacientes cardiopatas contra 33,9% dos pacientes não-cardiopatas (p < 0,0001). Necessitavam de tratamento de bolsas > 6mm 79,3% dos pacientes cardiopatas contra 9,7% dos pacientes não-cardiopatas (p < 0,0001). Alguns fatores de risco comprovado e/ou provável às DP, foram investigados nos pacientes cardiopatas e pacientes não-cardiopatas: observou-se tabagismo em 10,4% e 33,9% (p < 0,01), respectivamente; alcoolismo em 44,8% e 24,2% (p < 0,02), respectivamente; diabetes em 29,3% e 1,6% (p < 0,0001), respectivamente; hipertensão arterial em 34,5% e 8,1% (p < 0,001), respectivamente. Conclusões: As DP mostraram-se muito prevalentes nos dois grupos estudados, sendo de maior gravidade nos pacientes com cardiopatia isquêmica. A elevada prevalência de fatores de risco às DP aponta para a necessidade de adoção de estratégias de intervenção para minimizá-los. / Periodontal diseases are preceded in importance only by dental caries as oral public health problem in Brazil. Both are infectious diseases and with high prevalences, however, a secondary importance is given to periodontal diseases because they are not routinely investigated and prevented at public health level. Presently its prevalence is not known in the Brazilian population. The high prevalence of mild and moderate forms of periodontal diseases in the general population, and its severe forms in specific groups or in high risk patients, as those with ischaemic coronary diseases, motivated this survey. It was carried out among patients from the Outpatient Clinic of Ischaemic Coronary Disease – Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo – and using for comparisons patients from other clinics of the same hospital. The prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases were investigated, as well as the prevalence of their risk factors, medical history of diseases with periodontic interest (diabetes, hypertension, stroke), and behaviour related to oral hygiene. During the recruitment phase, among 634 patients examined, 480 were from the group with cardiopathy and 154 from the group without cardiopathy. From each group were selected, respectively, 58 and 62 participants, aged 30 to 79 years for the periodontal investigation. Mean age was 53 years for both sexes in the group with cardiopathy and 40 years for men and 37 years for women in the group without cardiopathy. The Community Periodontal Index and the Attachment Periodontal Index, both recommended by the World Health Organization (1999), were used. Results showed a predominance of sextants in the scores indicating severe forms of periodontal diseases among patients with cardiopathy (74.1 vs. 20.2%; p< 0.00001). Among patients with cardiopathy, only 1.1% of the sextants showed periodontal health against 32.0% in the other group (p< 0.00001). Previous history of periodontal diseases, measured through lost of insertion, was present in 6.0% of the sextants in patients with cardiopathy and 68.0% in those without cardiopathy (p< 0.0001). All patients with cardiopathy and 82.3% of those without cardiopathy were carriers of retention factors of dental biofilm (p< 0.001). It was found that 94.8% of the patients with cardiopathy against 33.9% of the other group (p< 0.0001) required more complex periodontal treatment, usually performed by periodontal specialists. Treatment of sites &#8805; 6mmm was required by 79.3% of the patients with cardiopathy and by 9.7% from the other group (p< 0.0001). The frequency of confirmed or possible risk factors for periodontal diseases in the groups with and without cardiopathy were, respectively: smoking – 10.4 and 33.9% (p< 0.001); alcoholism – 44.8 and 24.2% (p< 0.02); diabetes – 29.3 and 1.6% (p< 0.0001); hypertension – 34.5 and 8.1% (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Periodontal diseases were highly prevalent in the two groups studied, but with higher severity among patients with cardiopathy. The high frequency of risk factors for periodontal diseases in both groups appointed to the need of intervention strategies towards these risk factors.

A epidemiologia da saúde bucal dos povos indígenas no Brasil ainda é pouco conhecida. Os dados disponíveis, em geral, são pertinentes às zonas urbanas. As informações sobre a epidemiologia dessas doenças no Parque Indígena do Xingu (PIX) resultam de investigações nas quais foram utilizadas diferentes metodologias de coletas e análises de dados, dificultado assim um adequado panorama epidemiológico. A partir da implantação do Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena do Xingu (DSEI-Xingu), em 1999, foram realizados três inquéritos epidemiológicos para doenças bucais, baseados na metodologia proposta pela OMS. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a epidemiologia das referidas doenças no PIX, especificamente de quatro aldeias de diferentes etnias, considerando as necessidades assistenciais odontológicas. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico descritivo, utilizando dados secundários colhidos pela equipe do DSEI-Xingu, provenientes de inquéritos realizados em três momentos distintos: 2001, 2003 e 2006. Foram utilizados:o índice CPO-D, para avaliação da experiência de cárie e para aferir a doença periodontal, o índice periodontal comunitário (IPC). A análise dos resultados mostrou que nas aldeias estudadas, o principal problema de saúde bucal é a cárie, atingindo no ano de 2006, 81% da população. Em relação à cárie, nota-se uma queda nas médias do CPO-D para a maioria das faixas etárias no ano de 2006 em relação a 2001 e houve melhora também nos percentuais de pessoas livres de cárie para as idades entre 0 e 19 anos. As médias de ceo-d para o grupo etário de 0 a 3 anos apresentam elevação no período, exceto na aldeia Moigu, que mostrou diminuição de 8,0 em 2001 para 1,8, em 2006. Ao se analisar os componentes do CPO-D e ceo-d, quando comparados os dados obtidos em 2006 e 2001, foi possível verificar que o componente \"cariado\" apresentou redução para a maioria das faixas etárias em todas as aldeias, assim como o aumento dos componentes \"obturados e perdidos\". Observou-se que para a dentição decídua o componente cariado possui grande contribuição no ceo-d em todas as aldeias, variando entre 69% a 86% do índice. Isso traduz dificuldades no acesso dessa população aos serviços odontológicos. O índice IPC mostrou aumento do percentual de pessoas sem doença periodontal em todas as aldeias, queda no percentual de pessoas com algum tipo de bolsa periodontal e cálculo como o principal problema. Em relação às necessidades de tratamento verificou-se que restaurações foram as indicações mais freqüentes e houve um aumento no número de dentes sem nenhuma necessidade. Para a doença periodontal, observou-se que mais de 80% das pessoas acima de 15 anos precisam de tratamento e necessidade de profilaxia; as necessidades por cuidados mais complexos representam apenas 3% . Concluímos que no período de 2001 a 2006,houve uma melhoria nas condições de saúde bucal dessas populações. Uma hipótese explicativa seria a estruturação do programa de saúde bucal nestas áreas. / There is a lack of information about the epidemiology of oral health conditions of the Indian population in Brazil. In general, available data are related to urban regions. Information about the epidemiology of oral health in the Xingu Indian Park (PIX) derive from surveys that employed different methodologies for collecting and analyzing the data, making it difficult to have an adequate picture of the problem. Since the creati of the indian Special Sanitary District of Xingu (DSEIXingu) in 1999, three epidemiologic surveys for oral health were carried out, based on the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization - WHO. The present study analyzed the oral health conditions in four villages of the PIX, considering treatment needs. A descriptive study was performed, using data already collected by surveys carried out by the health team of the DSEI-Xingu, employing the same methodology, in the years 2001, 2003 ead 2006. The DMF-T index was used to avaluate the caries experience, and for periodontal disease, the community periodontal index (CPI). The analisys of the results showed that the main oral health problem in the studied villages was tooth decay, reaching 81% of the population in 2006. In relation to caries, it was observed a decline in the mean of the DMF-T for majority of the age-groups in 2006 in relation to 2001 and an improvement in the proportion of people free of caries for the ages between 0-19 years. The mean of the dmf-t for the 0 to 3 year age-group was higher in 2006, except in the Moigu village, where a decline was observed (from 8.0 in 2001 to 1.8 in 2006). Comparing the DMF-T and dmf-t between 2006 and 2001, it was observed that the component \" decayed\" decreased in most of the age-groups in the four villages, as well as an increase in the component \"filled and missing\". For the deciduous teeth, the component \"decayed\" had greater contribution in the dmft in all the villages. The CPI index showed an increase in the proportionof persons without periodontal disease and a decrease in the proportion of persons with some kind of periodontal pockets in all the villages. Calculus was the main problem. In relation to treatments needs, indication of restoration was the most frequent and there was a increase in the number of teeth without any need. For periodontal disease, more than 80% of the persons aged 15 years or more need treatment and professional tooth cleaning; more complex treatment was required only by 3% of the individuals. We concluded that there was an improvement in the oral health conditions of this population, in the period 2001 to 2006. an explanatory hypothesis for this findings could be the implementation of the strutured oral health program in this region.

A epidemiologia da saúde bucal dos povos indígenas no Brasil ainda é pouco conhecida. Os dados disponíveis, em geral, são pertinentes às zonas urbanas. As informações sobre a epidemiologia dessas doenças no Parque Indígena do Xingu (PIX) resultam de investigações nas quais foram utilizadas diferentes metodologias de coletas e análises de dados, dificultado assim um adequado panorama epidemiológico. A partir da implantação do Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena do Xingu (DSEI-Xingu), em 1999, foram realizados três inquéritos epidemiológicos para doenças bucais, baseados na metodologia proposta pela OMS. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a epidemiologia das referidas doenças no PIX, especificamente de quatro aldeias de diferentes etnias, considerando as necessidades assistenciais odontológicas. Para tal, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico descritivo, utilizando dados secundários colhidos pela equipe do DSEI-Xingu, provenientes de inquéritos realizados em três momentos distintos: 2001, 2003 e 2006. Foram utilizados:o índice CPO-D, para avaliação da experiência de cárie e para aferir a doença periodontal, o índice periodontal comunitário (IPC). A análise dos resultados mostrou que nas aldeias estudadas, o principal problema de saúde bucal é a cárie, atingindo no ano de 2006, 81% da população. Em relação à cárie, nota-se uma queda nas médias do CPO-D para a maioria das faixas etárias no ano de 2006 em relação a 2001 e houve melhora também nos percentuais de pessoas livres de cárie para as idades entre 0 e 19 anos. As médias de ceo-d para o grupo etário de 0 a 3 anos apresentam elevação no período, exceto na aldeia Moigu, que mostrou diminuição de 8,0 em 2001 para 1,8, em 2006. Ao se analisar os componentes do CPO-D e ceo-d, quando comparados os dados obtidos em 2006 e 2001, foi possível verificar que o componente \"cariado\" apresentou redução para a maioria das faixas etárias em todas as aldeias, assim como o aumento dos componentes \"obturados e perdidos\". Observou-se que para a dentição decídua o componente cariado possui grande contribuição no ceo-d em todas as aldeias, variando entre 69% a 86% do índice. Isso traduz dificuldades no acesso dessa população aos serviços odontológicos. O índice IPC mostrou aumento do percentual de pessoas sem doença periodontal em todas as aldeias, queda no percentual de pessoas com algum tipo de bolsa periodontal e cálculo como o principal problema. Em relação às necessidades de tratamento verificou-se que restaurações foram as indicações mais freqüentes e houve um aumento no número de dentes sem nenhuma necessidade. Para a doença periodontal, observou-se que mais de 80% das pessoas acima de 15 anos precisam de tratamento e necessidade de profilaxia; as necessidades por cuidados mais complexos representam apenas 3% . Concluímos que no período de 2001 a 2006,houve uma melhoria nas condições de saúde bucal dessas populações. Uma hipótese explicativa seria a estruturação do programa de saúde bucal nestas áreas. / There is a lack of information about the epidemiology of oral health conditions of the Indian population in Brazil. In general, available data are related to urban regions. Information about the epidemiology of oral health in the Xingu Indian Park (PIX) derive from surveys that employed different methodologies for collecting and analyzing the data, making it difficult to have an adequate picture of the problem. Since the creati of the indian Special Sanitary District of Xingu (DSEIXingu) in 1999, three epidemiologic surveys for oral health were carried out, based on the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization - WHO. The present study analyzed the oral health conditions in four villages of the PIX, considering treatment needs. A descriptive study was performed, using data already collected by surveys carried out by the health team of the DSEI-Xingu, employing the same methodology, in the years 2001, 2003 ead 2006. The DMF-T index was used to avaluate the caries experience, and for periodontal disease, the community periodontal index (CPI). The analisys of the results showed that the main oral health problem in the studied villages was tooth decay, reaching 81% of the population in 2006. In relation to caries, it was observed a decline in the mean of the DMF-T for majority of the age-groups in 2006 in relation to 2001 and an improvement in the proportion of people free of caries for the ages between 0-19 years. The mean of the dmf-t for the 0 to 3 year age-group was higher in 2006, except in the Moigu village, where a decline was observed (from 8.0 in 2001 to 1.8 in 2006). Comparing the DMF-T and dmf-t between 2006 and 2001, it was observed that the component \" decayed\" decreased in most of the age-groups in the four villages, as well as an increase in the component \"filled and missing\". For the deciduous teeth, the component \"decayed\" had greater contribution in the dmft in all the villages. The CPI index showed an increase in the proportionof persons without periodontal disease and a decrease in the proportion of persons with some kind of periodontal pockets in all the villages. Calculus was the main problem. In relation to treatments needs, indication of restoration was the most frequent and there was a increase in the number of teeth without any need. For periodontal disease, more than 80% of the persons aged 15 years or more need treatment and professional tooth cleaning; more complex treatment was required only by 3% of the individuals. We concluded that there was an improvement in the oral health conditions of this population, in the period 2001 to 2006. an explanatory hypothesis for this findings could be the implementation of the strutured oral health program in this region.