The importance of quantum error correction in paving the way to build a practical quantum computer is no longer in doubt. Despite the large body of literature in quantum coding theory, many important questions, especially those centering on the issue of "good codes" are unresolved. In this dissertation the dominant underlying theme is that of constructing good quantum codes. It approaches this problem from three rather different but not exclusive strategies. Broadly, its contribution to the theory of quantum error correction is threefold. Firstly, it extends the framework of an important class of quantum codes - nonbinary stabilizer codes. It clarifies the connections of stabilizer codes to classical codes over quadratic extension fields, provides many new constructions of quantum codes, and develops further the theory of optimal quantum codes and punctured quantum codes. In particular it provides many explicit constructions of stabilizer codes, most notably it simplifies the criteria by which quantum BCH codes can be constructed from classical codes. Secondly, it contributes to the theory of operator quantum error correcting codes also called as subsystem codes. These codes are expected to have efficient error recovery schemes than stabilizer codes. Prior to our work however, systematic methods to construct these codes were few and it was not clear how to fairly compare them with other classes of quantum codes. This dissertation develops a framework for study and analysis of subsystem codes using character theoretic methods. In particular, this work established a close link between subsystem codes and classical codes and it became clear that the subsystem codes can be constructed from arbitrary classical codes. Thirdly, it seeks to exploit the knowledge of noise to design efficient quantum codes and considers more realistic channels than the commonly studied depolarizing channel. It gives systematic constructions of asymmetric quantum stabilizer codes that exploit the asymmetry of errors in certain quantum channels. This approach is based on a Calderbank- Shor-Steane construction that combines BCH and finite geometry LDPC codes.

PURPOSE: Substantial research demonstrates that many nursing homes are not providing adequate quality of care for residents because of inadequate processes of care and insufficient numbers and training of nursing staff. Some residents experience poor-quality outcomes, such as pressure ulcers and unintended weight loss. To address these issues, the long-term care industry has focused on improving quality of care by improving staff education about care processes and reducing nurse turnover rate. The aim of this study was to compare the association between - licensed nurse hours of care and turnover rate to five quality measures—incidence of ADL decline, physical restraints, prevalence of pressure ulcers among residents with risk factors for skin breakdown, and prevalence of unintended weight loss. DESIGN: The study population included 618 freestanding Texas nursing facilities. A cross-sectional multiple regression analysis was conducted using 2007 data to examine the relationship between nurse staffing levels and turnover and resident outcomes with control variables for facility and resident characteristics. RESULTS: The high-risk pressure ulcer variable accounted for 10% of the variation in the regression model. LVN (hprd) was positively associated with an increase in high-risk pressure ulcers. The ADL decline variable accounted for 7.5% of the variation in the regression model, and RN hprd was positively associated with ADL decline. The prevalence of weight loss variable accounted for 3% of the variation in the regression model. RN turnover rate was approaching significance. The physical restraint variable accounted for 2% of the variation in the regression model. LVN contract hprd was significant and positively associated with an increase in physical restraint use although a minimal contribution to the model given the low percentage of LVN contract hprd. The prevalence of low-risk pressure ulcers was not significant. The control variable case mix index was positively associated with ADL decline, high-risk pressure ulcers, and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: This research will contribute to understanding the relationship of licensed nursing staff to resident outcomes. Additionally, it will contribute to nursing education, research, and policy. While controlling for acuity using case mix index, some negative findings were still noted that requires further research. / text

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Ces travaux concernent l'évaluation perceptive de la reproduction sonore. Le but de notre étude est de proposer un protocole permettant la caractérisation perceptive des non-linéarités et des phénomènes de distorsion modifiant le signal reproduit par un système tel qu'une enceinte acoustique. L'élaboration d'un tel protocole nécessite de rassembler de nombreuses enceintes et d'utiliser une méthode d'évaluation adaptée. Nous ne cherchons pas à évaluer la distorsion en terme de qualité globale mais plutôt à estimer les dissemblances perçues entre différentes enceintes distordues afin de révéler, grâce à une analyse multidimensionnelle MDS, les critères sur lesquelles les auditeurs se basent pour les différencier. Dans un premier temps, nous avons utilisé des signaux de synthèse afin de générer des échantillons dont la distorsion est contrôlable. Nous avons ainsi créé un corpus composé de nombreux échantillons distordus simulant ou se rapprochant du fonctionnement d'une enceinte acoustique avec différents types de non-linéarités. Ensuite nous proposons une méthode adaptée à l'évaluation de la dissemblance sur des corpus étendus que nous avons validée à partir de simulations et de tests d'écoute. Enfin, nous avons appliqué cette méthode d'évaluation sur le corpus d'enceintes que nous avons élaboré afin de tester l'utilisation du protocole proposé et de donner quelques résultats préliminaires concernant les dimensions perceptives liées à la distorsion non linéaire.

As síndromes mielodisplásicas (SMD) se caracterizam por terem uma hematopoese displásica, citopenias e pelo risco de progressão para leucemia mielóide aguda. O diagnóstico baseia-se na clínica e nos achados citomorfológicos da medula óssea (MO) e citogenéticos. Na fase inicial ou quando a MO é hipocelular o diagnóstico é difícil e a citogenética frequentemente é normal. A imunofenotipagem (IMF) tem sido cada vez mais utilizada nos casos de SMD em adultos e pouco explorada na SMD pediátrica. Os nossos objetivos foram: estudar os casos de SMD e doenças correlatas (LMA relacionada à SMD: LMA-rMD; leucemia mielomonocítica crônica: LMMC e leucemia mielomonocítica juvenil: LMMJ) em adultos e crianças, associando os dados clínicos e laboratoriais aos obtidos pela IMF, que utilizou um painel de anticorpos monoclonais para as várias linhagens medulares. No período compreendido entre 2000 e 2010 foram estudados 87 pacientes (64 adultos e 23crianças) oriundos do HUPE/UERJ e IPPMG/UFRJ e 46 controles (23 adultos e 20 crianças). Todos os doentes realizaram mielograma, biópsia óssea, citogenética, citoquímica e estudo imunofenotípico. Segundo os critérios da OMS 50 adultos foram classificados como SMD, 11 como LMA-rMD e 3 LMMC. Entre as crianças 18 eram SMD, 2 LMA e 3 LMMJ. Os pacientes adultos com SMD foram divididos em alto risco (n = 9; AREB-1 e AREB-2) e baixo risco (n=41; CRDU, CRDM, CRDM-SA, SMD-N e SMD-5q-). As crianças com SMD em CR (n=16) e AREB (n = 2). Anormalidades clonais recorrentes foram encontradas em 22 pacientes adultos e em 7 crianças. Na análise da IMF foi utilizada a metodologia da curva ROC para a determinação dos valores de ponto de corte a fim de identificar os resultados anormais dos anticorpos monoclonais nos pacientes e nos controles, permitindo determinar a sensibilidade e especificidade desses em cada linhagem. A IMF foi adequada para a análise em todos os pacientes e 3 ou mais anormalidades foram encontradas. A associação da IMF aumentou a sensibilidade da análise morfológica na linhagem eritróide de 70 para 97% nos adultos e de 59 para 86% nas crianças; na linhagem granulocítica de 53 para 98% nos adultos e de 50 para 100% nas crianças. Nos monócitos, onde a morfologia não foi informativa, mostrou uma sensibilidade de 86% nos adultos e 91% nas crianças. Enquanto que na linhagem megacariocítica, não analisada pela IMF, a morfologia mostrou uma sensibilidade de 95% nos adultos e 91% nas crianças. Na população de blastos foi expressiva a ausência de precursores linfóide B (em 92% dos adultos e em 61% das crianças). Os resultados observados nas crianças com SMD foram semelhantes aos encontrados nos adultos. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostraram que a IMF é um método complementar ao diagnóstico da SMD e doenças correlatas tanto em adultos quanto em crianças podendo contribuir para o reconhecimento rápido e precoce dessas enfermidades, devendo ser incorporado aos procedimentos de rotina diagnóstica. / As síndromes mielodisplásicas (SMD) se caracterizam por terem uma hematopoese displásica, citopenias e pelo risco de progressão para leucemia mielóide aguda. O diagnóstico baseia-se na clínica e nos achados citomorfológicos da medula óssea (MO) e citogenéticos. Na fase inicial ou quando a MO é hipocelular o diagnóstico é difícil e a citogenética frequentemente é normal. A imunofenotipagem (IMF) tem sido cada vez mais utilizada nos casos de SMD em adultos e pouco explorada na SMD pediátrica. Os nossos objetivos foram: estudar os casos de SMD e doenças correlatas (LMA relacionada à SMD: LMA-rMD; leucemia mielomonocítica crônica: LMMC e leucemia mielomonocítica juvenil: LMMJ) em adultos e crianças, associando os dados clínicos e laboratoriais aos obtidos pela IMF, que utilizou um painel de anticorpos monoclonais para as várias linhagens medulares. No período compreendido entre 2000 e 2010 foram estudados 87 pacientes (64 adultos e 23crianças) oriundos do HUPE/UERJ e IPPMG/UFRJ e 46 controles (23 adultos e 20 crianças). Todos os doentes realizaram mielograma, biópsia óssea, citogenética, citoquímica e estudo imunofenotípico. Segundo os critérios da OMS 50 adultos foram classificados como SMD, 11 como LMA-rMD e 3 LMMC. Entre as crianças 18 eram SMD, 2 LMA e 3 LMMJ. Os pacientes adultos com SMD foram divididos em alto risco (n = 9; AREB-1 e AREB-2) e baixo risco (n=41; CRDU, CRDM, CRDM-SA, SMD-N e SMD-5q-). As crianças com SMD em CR (n=16) e AREB (n = 2). Anormalidades clonais recorrentes foram encontradas em 22 pacientes adultos e em 7 crianças. Na análise da IMF foi utilizada a metodologia da curva ROC para a determinação dos valores de ponto de corte a fim de identificar os resultados anormais dos anticorpos monoclonais nos pacientes e nos controles, permitindo determinar a sensibilidade e especificidade desses em cada linhagem. A IMF foi adequada para a análise em todos os pacientes e 3 ou mais anormalidades foram encontradas. A associação da IMF aumentou a sensibilidade da análise morfológica na linhagem eritróide de 70 para 97% nos adultos e de 59 para 86% nas crianças; na linhagem granulocítica de 53 para 98% nos adultos e de 50 para 100% nas crianças. Nos monócitos, onde a morfologia não foi informativa, mostrou uma sensibilidade de 86% nos adultos e 91% nas crianças. Enquanto que na linhagem megacariocítica, não analisada pela IMF, a morfologia mostrou uma sensibilidade de 95% nos adultos e 91% nas crianças. Na população de blastos foi expressiva a ausência de precursores linfóide B (em 92% dos adultos e em 61% das crianças). Os resultados observados nas crianças com SMD foram semelhantes aos encontrados nos adultos. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostraram que a IMF é um método complementar ao diagnóstico da SMD e doenças correlatas tanto em adultos quanto em crianças podendo contribuir para o reconhecimento rápido e precoce dessas enfermidades, devendo ser incorporado aos procedimentos de rotina diagnóstica.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-12-27T11:27:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Avilmar Antonio Rodrigues - 2016.pdf: 13580117 bytes, checksum: 2b78a395b4bd955f8d72e83399bcc578 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-12-27T11:27:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Avilmar Antonio Rodrigues - 2016.pdf: 13580117 bytes, checksum: 2b78a395b4bd955f8d72e83399bcc578 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-27T11:27:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Avilmar Antonio Rodrigues - 2016.pdf: 13580117 bytes, checksum: 2b78a395b4bd955f8d72e83399bcc578 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-25 / This research aimed to evaluate the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as a platform for taking aerial photographs for mapping erosion planialtimetric located in urban areas. In addition, we evaluated the need to use or not to field control points for the generation of Digital Surface Model (DSM) and ortomosaico as tools to evaluate the erosive process. Despite the wide variation in attitude of aerial photographs that make up the aerophotogrammetric block arising from the instability of the UAV, it was possible to generate the MDS and ortomosaico with or without control points. This research was conducted in two urban erosions located in Goiania in Sector Fonte Nova in the stream of grass and the other in Silvânia called foot-washing. Whole generation of MDS, Digital Surface Model (MDT) and ortomosaico were performed in Agisoft PhotoScan program in semi-automatic processing, if used control points, or automatic without control points. The ortomosaicos generated without control points presented rotation, translation and scale of different generated with support. In addition, MDS generated without control points showed elevation or lowering of the reference surface with respect to the generated control, it is emphasized that these discrepancies are not constant. When performing automatic conversion of MDS to MDT, it was realized that the program was not able to eliminate the shrub vegetation located within the erosion. The vegetation or tree, shrub or undergrowth (grass) prevents proper limitation of erosion to the volume calculation. But unlike the MDS generated between two distinct epochs identifies the changes in the interval of time in areas without vegetation. The use of control points was essential to ensure the orientation, scale and the reference plane in the products generated from aerial photographs and thus evaluate the changes. Anyway, the UAV can be used as a platform for taking aerial photographs for generating cartographic products that enable the mapping and evaluation of erosions. / Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar a utilização do Veículo Aéreo Não Tripulado (VANT) como plataforma para a tomada de fotografias aéreas para o mapeamento planialtimétrico de erosão situada em zona urbana. Além disso, analisou-se a necessidade de utilização ou não de pontos de controle de campo para a geração de Modelo Digital de Superfície (MDS) e ortomosaico como instrumentos para examinar o processo erosivo. Apesar da grande variação da atitude da aeronave durante a obtenção das fotografias aéreas que compõem o bloco aerofotogramétrico, foi possível gerar o MDS e o ortomosaico com ou sem pontos de controle. Este estudo foi realizado em duas erosões urbanas, uma situada em Goiânia-GO, no Setor Fonte Nova/Córrego do Capim, e a outra em Silvânia-GO, denominada de Lava-Pés. Toda a geração dos MDS, Modelo Digital de Terreno (MDT) e ortomosaico foram realizados no programa Agisoft PhotoScan, em processamento semiautomático (i.e., com pontos de controle) e automático (i.e., sem pontos de controle). Os ortomosaicos gerados sem pontos de controle apresentaram rotação, translação e escala diferente dos gerados com apoio. Ademais, os MDS gerados sem pontos de controle apresentaram elevação ou rebaixamento da superfície de referência em relação aos gerados com controle. Ressalta-se, ainda, que essas discrepâncias não foram constantes. Ao realizar a conversão automática do MDS para o MDT, percebeu-se que o programa não foi capaz de eliminar a vegetação arbustiva localizada no interior da erosão. As vegetações arbórea, arbustiva ou rasteira (gramíneas) impedem a correta delimitação da erosão para o cálculo do volume. Porém, a diferença dos MDS gerados entre duas épocas distintas propicia identificar as alterações ocorridas nesse intervalo de tempo nas regiões sem cobertura vegetal. O uso de pontos de controle foi essencial para garantir a orientação, a escala e o plano de referência nos produtos gerados a partir das fotografias aéreas e, assim, avaliar as modificações da erosão. Por fim, o VANT pode ser utilizado como plataforma para a tomada de fotografias aéreas para gerar produtos cartográficos que possibilitem o mapeamento e as avaliações das erosões, sobretudo em áreas urbanas.

Funding of services to residents in publicly funded long-term care (LTC) facilities has historically rested upon a list of physical needs. However, more than 60% of residents in nursing homes have dementia; a condition in which physical needs are only a part of the overall clinical picture. Since past funding formulas focused primarily on the physical characteristics of residents, the Ontario government has adopted the RUG (Resource Utilization Groups)-III (34 Group) for use in LTC facilities which follows the adoption of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0 assessment instrument. Some still question whether the newer formula adequately reflects the care needs of residents with dementia despite its validation in many countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensiveness of the RUG-III (34 Group) in addressing the needs of residents with dementia living in LTC. First, a critical systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the needs of residents with dementia. Numerous electronic databases were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2010, and later cross-referenced. Second, needs identified from the literature were matched to the items of the RUG-III which are selected variables of the MDS 2.0. Third, the priority of the items in the RUG-III was analysed in accordance with the importance of the identified needs. The documented needs were taken from 68 studies and classified into 19 main categories. The needs most supported by the literature were the management of behavioural problems, social needs, the need for daily individualized activities/care and emotional needs/personhood. Among the needs identified, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive needs and general overall physical health met the most RUG-III items. These needs were found to be well represented within the system. Other needs of importance such as social needs are not thoroughly considered in the grouping methodology though matched to MDS variables. The fact that these needs are not well addressed in the RUG-III poses concerns. Future research is needed to validate the significance of these needs. Considerations should be made as to the adequacy of the funding system and the allocation of funding.

No description available.

「奢侈平民化」帶動奢侈品牌年年高成長的業績，卻迫使品牌必須面對截然不同的消費者態度與品味。品牌欲持續保有強勢地位，必須了解奢侈在消費者心目中的意義以及消費者如何評估奢侈品牌。因此，本研究欲探討台灣精品消費者認知中構成品牌奢侈的因素，建構衡量品牌奢侈之量表，並以量表探討消費者購買經驗對奢侈認知之影響，及分析個別品牌的現況及優劣勢，研擬具體的競爭策略方向。 本研究選取五個奢侈品牌作為分析標的，進行實證研究，期望達到下列研究目的： (1)驗證品牌奢侈量表，建立評估奢侈品牌的管理工具； (2)探討不同奢侈品牌購買經驗之消費者對各品牌奢侈認知的差異性； (3)探討各奢侈品牌在消費者心目中的知覺定位，擬定未來的策略方向。 依本研究之目的，擬定研究架構及確立抽樣設計，並發放問卷收集消費者資訊。之後以二階驗證性因素分析檢驗品牌奢侈量表模式品質；再利用量表探討不同購買經驗對奢侈認知的影響；最後則以多元尺度分析進行知覺定位分析，經實證分析得到以下研究發現： (1)品牌奢侈包含知覺炫耀性、知覺獨特性、知覺品質、知覺享樂價值與知覺延伸自我等五個構面，其影響力依序排列為知覺享樂價值>知覺延伸自我>知覺獨特性>知覺炫耀性>知覺品質。 (2)台灣地區消費者於購買奢侈品牌之產品後，對品牌奢侈程度的認知無明顯地降低，對品牌的奢侈評價與無購買經驗者沒有顯著差異。 (3)各奢侈品牌的改善重點主要包括知覺品質、知覺享樂價值以及知覺獨特性等三項，其中知覺品質為市場最重要之關鍵因素。 根據實證分析之結果，衍生出許多的策略涵意，包括掌握關鍵因素、規劃競爭策略以及未來發展方向等，可以作為奢侈品牌改善或塑造奢侈形象及規劃策略方向的參考依據。 / “Luxury Democratization” brings great growth to the luxury goods market, but also forced these brands to confront consumers with different attitudes and tastes. As a result, it is critical for luxury brand managers to understand consumer’s perception of brand luxury in order to maintain the brands’ luxury image. This research focused on the confirmation of Brand Luxury Scale to understand Taiwanese cousumers’ perception of brand luxury. Based on the Scale, the influence of purchase experience to luxury perception was tested, and the competitive advantages of five luxury brands were analyzed. Competitive strategies of each brand were futher developed. Research was conducted by using five luxury brands and expected to achieve the following research purposes: (1)Confirm the Brand Luxury Scale to establish a managerial tool for brand luxuriousness evaluation; (2)Use the Brand Luxury Scale to evaluate the influence of purchase experience to luxury perception; (3)Use the Brand Luxury Scale to evaluate consumers’ perception of different brands, and seek to imply different competitive strategies for these brands base on the analysis. After the conduction of research framework, sampling design and data collection, Secondary Comfirmatory Factor Analysis was used to confirm the structure of Brand Luxury Scale. 1-Way ANOVA was used to test the influence of purchase experience to luxury perception. Finally, Multi-Dimensional Scaling Analysis was implied to analyze the perceptual position of each brand. The research findings are as below: (1)Brand Luxury is constructed by five dimensions: Perceived Conspicuousness, Perceived Uniqueness, Perceived Quality, Perceived Hedonic, and Perceived Extended-self. The order of dimensional influence is Perceived Hedonic> Perceived Extended -self> Perceived Uniqueness> Perceived Conspicuousness> Perceived Quality. (2)No difference in brand luxury perception between different purchasing experience consumers was found, showing that the perceptions of brand luxury of Taiwanese consumers’ remain unchanged after purchase. (3)Perceived Quality is the most important dimension of all, and the five luxury brands tested needs to improve in dimensions of Perceived Quality, Perceived Hedonic, and Perceived Uniqueness. According to the results, several managerial implications were derived, including key factors in marketing and competitive strategy of each brand. These strategies can be used in improving the performance of perceived luxuriousness of brand, enhancing brand luxury image, and planning the direction of luxury marketing and brand strategy.