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No description available.

Continuous weak measurement provide a convenient way to gather information about a quantum system without the need to prepare huge ensembles of identical systems as required by standard quantum measurement theory. Even though weak measurement alter the dynamics of the wave function slightly, they nevertheless are a good tool to monitor the dynamics of the wave function in real time in the presence of certain perturbations, for example, sudden momentum kicks due to collisions with particles of a surrounding gas. With weak measurement it is possible to monitor the dynamics of the wave function without knowing it initially. The continuous monitoring can be employed to influence the dynamics by means of feedback. This thesis focuses on the numeric simulation of the continuous monitoring of the position of a free massive particle as well as a particle bound in the following one-dimensional potentials: harmonic and double well. The monitoring scheme involves estimating the wave function of the hydrogen atom initially and then applying the results of the weak measurement its position to update the estimate through a numerically simulated stochastic evolution. We also simulate evolution of the true wave function. The key highlights of this thesis include: discussion of an alternative way to derive the stochastic differential equations that govern the evolution of the true and estimated wave functions of the system, as well as the explanation of the second order numerical scheme. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

In this paper we develop an alternative to minimum support which utilizes knowledge of the process which generates transaction data and allows for highly skewed frequency distributions. We apply a simple stochastic model (the NB model), which is known for its usefulness to describe item occurrences in transaction data, to develop a frequency constraint. This model-based frequency constraint is used together with a precision threshold to find individual support thresholds for groups of associations. We develop the notion of NB-frequent itemsets and present two mining algorithms which find all NB-frequent itemsets in a database. In experiments with publicly available transaction databases we show that the new constraint can provide significant improvements over a single minimum support threshold and that the precision threshold is easier to use. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations

The field of real numbers does not permit a direct representation of the (improper) delta functions used for the description of impulsive (instantaneous) or concentrated (localized) sources. Of course, within the framework of distributions, these concepts can be accounted for in a rigorous fashion, but at the expense of the intuitive interpretation. The existence of infinitely small numbers and infinitely large numbers in the Levi-Civita field allows us to have well-behaved delta functions which, when restricted to the real numbers, reduce to the Dirac delta function. Here we develop the foundations for a mathematically rigorous theory of localized and instantaneous sources that has a clear and unambiguous way of specifying a mathematically concentrated source. We use the already existent one variable measure and integration theory on Levi-Civita field to construct the foundations of a measure and integration theory in two and three dimensions. First we construct measurable sets using sets with boundaries that can be expressed as analytic functions and we show the the resulting measure is Lebesgue-like. In particular we prove the measurability of countable sets, the countable union of measurable sets, and the finite intersection of measurable sets. Following that we use analytic functions to construct a larger class of measurable functions, we then define the integral of a measurable function over a measurable set. We prove several propositions regarding measurable functions and the associated integration theory including that the set of measurable functions is closed under multiplication and addition, and that integration is linear. This allows for a wide range of applications for the delta function in one, two, and three dimensions and sets the course for a more extensive study of this topic in the future.

We study the (strong-)Gibbsian character on R Z d of the law at time t of an infinitedimensional gradient Brownian diffusion / when the initial distribution is Gibbsian.

We present techniques for joint modeling of binomial and rank response data using the Bayesian paradigm for inference. The motivating application consists of results from a series of assessments on several primate species. Among 20 assessments representing 6 paradigms, 6 assessments are considered to produce a rank response and the remaining 14 are considered to have a binomial response. In order to model each of the 20 assessments simultaneously, we use the popular technique of data augmentation so that the observed responses are based on latent variables. The modeling uses Bayesian techniques for modeling the latent variables using random effects models. Competing models are specified in a consistent fashion which easily allows comparisons across assessments and across models. Non-local priors are readily admitted to enable more effective testing of random effects should Bayes factors be used for model comparison. The model is also extended to allow assessment-specific conditional error variances for the latent variables. Due to potential difficulties in calculating Bayes factors, discrepancy measures based on pivotal quantities are adapted to test for the presence of random effects and for the need to allow assessment-specific conditional error variances. In order to facilitate implementation, we describe in detail the joint prior distribution and a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm for posterior sampling. Results from the primate intelligence data are presented to illustrate the methodology. The results indicate substantial paradigm-specific differences between species. These differences are supported by the discrepancy measures as well as model posterior summaries. Furthermore, the results suggest that meaningful and parsimonious inferences can be made using the proposed techniques and that the discrepancy measures can effectively differentiate between necessary and unnecessary random effects. The contributions should be particularly useful when binomial and rank data are to be jointly analyzed in a parsimonious fashion.

This research aims to examine how, and to what extent, the advanced network technology such as custom-built large-scale network, or internet-based technology contribute to the correlations between supply chain drivers and performance measures. The uniqueness of the research is to use network technology as a leverage factor, instead of merely one of the supply chain drivers, to analyse how it would impact on the correlations between supply chain drivers and performance measures. Through literature review, we identified the key drivers in supply chain and the key performance indicators as independent and dependent variables respectively for data analysis in the research. We consider the utilisation of network technology as a selection variable in the analysis. We also proposed a set of research questions and hypotheses resulting from the literature review. The subsequent data analyses attempted to find answers for these questions and test the validity of the hypotheses. This was achieved by a field survey for 1035 major Australian firms through a structured questionnaire. The response rate of the survey was 20.8%. All these data were analysed with statistical models such as reliability test, multi-collinearity test, MANOVA procedures, factor analysis, and multiple regression modelling to validate whether the survey was robust and how the leverage factor (network technology) would impact on the correlations between supply chain drivers and performance measures. Each research question and hypothesis was reviewed, validated, and concluded based on the results from data analysis. The key findings from the data analysis support the perception that the network technologies with their external customers and suppliers dramatically affect the correlations between supply chain drivers and performance measures. Statistically it actually determines whether the supply chain will success or fail when comparing firms using the technologies with firms not using them. In general, the impact on the correlations is directional and positive. A set of validated theoretical models was also proposed to depict the dynamics between supply chain variables under the influence of network technology. Implications of the findings are also provided in the thesis.

Background: Work-ability is often assessed as part of the vocational rehabilitation process for injured workers. However, research highlights a concern among therapists who carry out vocational assessments that there is a lack of consistency with regard to quality and comprehensiveness using current methods of assessment. One of the reasons for this is that there are no standardized measures of work-ability available that are designed to be used for the purpose of facilitating rehabilitation. The Participation And Work-ability Support Scale (PAWSS) is a new measure, conceptualized and initially developed by Professors Lynne Turner-Stokes and Kathryn McPherson, that was designed to address this gap. Design and Methods: This research was designed to develop the PAWSS measure to the point where it had face validity, and was complete enough to be formally psychometrically tested. The design of the research involved three parts. Firstly, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This was done to identify all the aspects of work functioning that are considered to contribute to work-ability, and then consider currently available work-ability measures in relation to their suitability for assessing vocational support needs. Secondly, in phase one of the research, qualitative focus groups and interviews with stakeholders in the return-to-work process were undertaken. The purpose of this phase was to check the content of the measure against stakeholder experiences, and determine the most appropriate administration context and procedures. Interviews and focus groups were analysed using descriptive analysis, and findings were used to inform revisions to the measure. Finally, phase two of the research involved pilot testing the measure. This was carried out by contracting experienced occupational therapists to test the new measure with consenting workplace assessment clients. Feedback from assessors and injured workers, assessor testing notes and scoring were analysed to examine feasibility and acceptability of the PAWSS, and revisions to the measure were made in accordance with findings.Results: The qualitative interviews and focus groups (phase one) provided feedback and comments that informed adaptations to the measure to bring it more in line with stakeholders’ experiences of work-ability. Furthermore, this phase provided information about the context in which the measure should be administered, and this was adopted for the pilot testing. Pilot testing of the measure (phase two) showed that the measure was acceptable to both the assessors and the injured workers, and that it was feasible to administer as part of a workplace assessment. Revisions to the measure and training procedures at this stage were primarily made to enhance clarity of item descriptions and scoring decisions. Conclusions and implications for practice: Findings from the research confirmed the need for a standardized measure of work-ability that can be used to plan vocational supports and interventions. Furthermore, the PAWSS was shown to be feasible and acceptable as a comprehensive tool for assessment of the work-ability of injured workers. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the PAWSS before it can be used in practice.

Background: Work-ability is often assessed as part of the vocational rehabilitation process for injured workers. However, research highlights a concern among therapists who carry out vocational assessments that there is a lack of consistency with regard to quality and comprehensiveness using current methods of assessment. One of the reasons for this is that there are no standardized measures of work-ability available that are designed to be used for the purpose of facilitating rehabilitation. The Participation And Work-ability Support Scale (PAWSS) is a new measure, conceptualized and initially developed by Professors Lynne Turner-Stokes and Kathryn McPherson, that was designed to address this gap. Design and Methods: This research was designed to develop the PAWSS measure to the point where it had face validity, and was complete enough to be formally psychometrically tested. The design of the research involved three parts. Firstly, a comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken. This was done to identify all the aspects of work functioning that are considered to contribute to work-ability, and then consider currently available work-ability measures in relation to their suitability for assessing vocational support needs. Secondly, in phase one of the research, qualitative focus groups and interviews with stakeholders in the return-to-work process were undertaken. The purpose of this phase was to check the content of the measure against stakeholder experiences, and determine the most appropriate administration context and procedures. Interviews and focus groups were analysed using descriptive analysis, and findings were used to inform revisions to the measure. Finally, phase two of the research involved pilot testing the measure. This was carried out by contracting experienced occupational therapists to test the new measure with consenting workplace assessment clients. Feedback from assessors and injured workers, assessor testing notes and scoring were analysed to examine feasibility and acceptability of the PAWSS, and revisions to the measure were made in accordance with findings.Results: The qualitative interviews and focus groups (phase one) provided feedback and comments that informed adaptations to the measure to bring it more in line with stakeholders’ experiences of work-ability. Furthermore, this phase provided information about the context in which the measure should be administered, and this was adopted for the pilot testing. Pilot testing of the measure (phase two) showed that the measure was acceptable to both the assessors and the injured workers, and that it was feasible to administer as part of a workplace assessment. Revisions to the measure and training procedures at this stage were primarily made to enhance clarity of item descriptions and scoring decisions. Conclusions and implications for practice: Findings from the research confirmed the need for a standardized measure of work-ability that can be used to plan vocational supports and interventions. Furthermore, the PAWSS was shown to be feasible and acceptable as a comprehensive tool for assessment of the work-ability of injured workers. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the PAWSS before it can be used in practice.