In this thesis, we design, develop and implement parallel algorithms for irregular problems on heterogeneous multi-core architectures. Irregular problems exhibit random and unpredictable memory access patterns, poor spatial locality and input dependent control flow. Heterogeneous multi-core processors vary in: clock frequency, power dissipation, programming model (MIMD vs. SIMD), memory design and computing units, scalar versus vector units. The heterogeneity of the processors makes designing efficient parallel algorithms for irregular problems on heterogeneous multicore processors challenging. Techniques of mapping tasks or data on traditional parallel computers can not be used as is on heterogeneous multi-core processors due to the varying hardware. In an attempt to understand the efficiency of futuristic heterogeneous multi-core architectures on applications we study several computation and bandwidth oriented irregular problems on one heterogeneous multi-core architecture, the IBM Cell Broadband Engine (Cell BE). The Cell BE consists of a general processor and eight specialized processors and addresses vector/data-level parallelism and instruction-level parallelism simultaneously. Through these studies on the Cell BE, we provide some discussions and insight on the performance of the applications on heterogeneous multi-core architectures. Verifying these experimental results require some performance modeling. Due to the diversity of heterogeneous multi-core architectures, theoretical performance models used for homogeneous multi-core architectures do not provide accurate results. Therefore, in this thesis we propose an analytical performance prediction model that considers the multitude architectural features of heterogeneous multi-cores (such as DMA transfers, number of instructions and operations, the processor frequency and DMA bandwidth). We show that the execution time from our prediction model is comparable to the execution time of the experimental results for a complex medical imaging application.

Older people admitted to hospital are at high risk of rehospitalization and medication errors. We have demonstrated, in a randomized controlled trial, that a clinical pharmacist intervention reduces the incidence of revisits to hospital for patients aged 80 years or older admitted to an acute internal medicine ward. The aims of this thesis were to further study the effects of the intervention and to investigate possibilities of targeting the intervention by identifying predictors of treatment response or adverse health outcomes. The effect of the pharmacist intervention on the appropriateness of prescribing was assessed, by using three validated tools. This study showed that the quality of prescribing was improved for the patients in the intervention group but not for those in the control group. However, no association between the appropriateness of prescribing at discharge and revisits to hospital was observed. Subgroup analyses explored whether the clinical pharmacist intervention was equally effective in preventing emergency department visits in patients with few or many prescribed drugs and in those with different levels of inappropriate prescribing on admission. The intervention appeared to be most effective in patients taking fewer drugs, but the treatment effect was not altered by appropriateness of prescribing. The most relevant risk factors for rehospitalization and mortality were identified for the same study population, and a score for risk-estimation was constructed and internally validated (the 80+ score). Seven variables were selected. Impaired renal function, pulmonary disease, malignant disease, living in a nursing home, being prescribed an opioid and being prescribed a drug for peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease were associated with an increased risk, while being prescribed an antidepressant drug (tricyclic antidepressants not included) was linked with a lower risk. These variables made up the components of the 80+ score. Pending external validation, this score has potential to aid identification of high-risk patients. The last study investigated the occurrence of prescription errors when patients with multi-dose dispensed (MDD) drugs were discharged from hospital. Twenty-five percent of the MDD orders contained at least one medication prescription error. Almost half of the errors were of moderate or major severity, with potential to cause increased health-care utilization.

本研究以1998年至2003年曾發生財務危機之上市櫃公司為研究樣本，採配對樣本研究設計，依McKeown et al. (1991)之樣本分類方法，將樣本公司區分為四類：(1)失敗/財務危機公司(FS)、(2)非失敗/財務危機公司(NFS)、(3)失敗/非財務危機公司(FNS)及(4)非失敗/非財務危機公司(NFNS)，探討不同分類下之公司其盈餘操縱行為是否存在差異。其次，針對台灣證券交易所及櫃檯買賣中心近期修訂之危機預警指標，分析其偵測財務危機之能力。最後則綜合證交所及櫃買中心之預警指標，並參考相關文獻指標及實務作法，建立財務危機預測模型。 實證結果顯示，除FNS公司與NFNS公司僅部分變數有差異外，其他各組樣本之間在各類盈餘操縱變數上都具有顯著差異，代表財務危機公司在發生危機之前，確實有操縱盈餘之行為。對投資人而言，這些存在顯著差異的變數可能代表曾被危機公司所操縱而在事前沒有顯現異常之會計科目。 針對證交所及櫃買中心之危機預警指標，實證結果顯示相較於正常公司，危機公司在稅後損益及稅前損益之表現上惡化的程度較嚴重，有較高的長期負債到期還款疑慮，在預付款項上有較異常的變動情形。不過，在現金及約當現金佔資本額比率上，危機公司並無較正常公司惡化之情形，顯示多數的危機公司在發生財務危機前，通常不會列示較高的現金餘額。另外，本研究所發展之其他預警指標發現，危機公司在發生危機之前，有較正常公司顯著不足支應下期日常營運支出之情形；危機公司董監事持股質押比例，以及控制股東之董監席次控制權與盈餘分配權之偏離程度，顯著高於正常公司，代表危機公司的內部治理環境較差。 本研究所建立之實證模型顯示，綜合考量證交所及櫃買中心指標後，各指標惡化程度越高、董監事質押比例越高、董監席次控制權與盈餘分配權偏離程度越大之公司，發生財務危機的機率越高。分析結果亦顯示，危機發生前流動性及償債能力越弱、營運報酬能力越差之公司，發生財務危機之可能性較高。 / This thesis focuses on a group of firms listed in Taiwan Securities Exchange (TSE) and Over the Counter (OTC) experienced financial distress over the period of 1998 to 2003, by applied to a control sample design approach. Based on the pre/after criteria employed in McKeown et al. (1991), this thesis classifies the sample into four subgroups: (1)failure/distress (FS), (2)nonfailure/distress (NFS), (3)failure/nondistress (FNS), and (4)nonfailure/nondistress(NFNS). This thesis first examines the difference in earnings manipulation behavior between the four subgroups. The detecting ability of the precaution indices recently amended by the TSE and OTC is also investigated. Finally, an empirical model is proposed by this research by inclusion of the precaution indices, governance structures and variables employed by the practice communities. The empirical findings indicate that with exception of FNS and NFNS firms, significant differences in all variables are found, representing that the distress firms manipulate earnings before the crisis taken place. The results may imply that these variables might be manipulated by distressed firms to cover the financial failing signals ex ante. For the precaution indices proposed by the TSE and OTC, the empirical findings indicate that compared to healthy firms, the distress firms are found to have worse after-tax/pretax earnings, higher doubt of repaying long-term debts, and unusual fluctuation in prepaid items. The results show that distressed firms have less cash before the occurrence of crisis. As to the indices proposed in this thesis, the analysis shows that distressed firms usually cannot generate adequate cash flow to pay the operation expenses necessary for the next year. It is also found that the distressed firms have higher pledge ratio of share held by the board members and larger deviation in control right from cash flow right. The empirical results of the proposed model show that firms with worse situation indicated by the indices suggested by TSE and OTC, higher share pledge ratio by the board member, larger deviation between control right and cash flow right, have higher probability of experiencing financial crisis. Firms are weak in liquidity, cash imbursement ability and operating return would have relatively higher possibility to face financial distress.

The present study focused on evaluating some crash prediction models for two lane highways on Brazilian conditions. Also, the transferability of models was considered, specifically by means of a comparison between Brazil, HSM and Florida. The analysis of two lane highways crash prediction models was promising when the road characteristics were well known and there was not much difference from base conditions. This conclusion was attained regarding the comparison of results for all segments, non-curved segments and curved segments, confirming that a transferred model can be used with caution. In addition, two novel models for Brazilian two-lane highways segments were estimated. The model developed showed better results for non-curved segments in the calibration/validation sample. Thus, for a general analysis purpose of non-curved segments this model is recommended. Finally, there are many factors that could not be measured by these models and reflects road safety various condition. Even so, the study of crash predict models in Brazilian context could provide a better start point in safety road analysis. / O foco desta pesquisa foi avaliar a aplicação de alguns modelos de previsão de acidentes em rodovias de pista simples de três estados brasileiros. Ainda, a transferabilidade destes modelos foi abordada, especificamente por meio de uma comparação entre características do Brasil, Florida e aquelas recomendadas pelo Highway Safety Manual. O uso dos distintos modelos se mostrou promissor para situações nas quais as características da via se mantiveram semelhantes às condições para as quais os modelos foram desenvolvidos. A avaliação foi empreendida para todos os segmentos homogêneos, separados posteriormente segundo a existência de curvas horizontais. Adicionalmente, dois novos modelos foram equacionados para a amostra brasileira. O modelo de previsão de acidentes desenvolvido apresentou melhores medidas de desempenho para segmentos sem curvas horizontais, sendo recomendável para previsão de acidentes em análises preliminares. Por fim, foi constatado que outros fatores não contemplados pelos modelos podem ter impactado as condições de segurança dos locais estudados. Ainda assim, essa pesquisa representa no contexto do Brasil um ponto de partida em análises relacionadas à segurança de rodovias de pista simples.

Realizou-se neste trabalho uma investigação comparativa do comportamento dos aços ferramenta H13 e THYROTHERM 2999 EFS SUPRA, destinados à fabricação de matrizes para conformação a quente, quando submetidos à fadiga de baixo ciclo a altas temperaturas (FBCAT). A partir de suas curvas de revenimento, foram definidas três durezas de trabalho para cada material (durezas de 42, 52 e 58 HRC), correspondendo a três temperaturas de revenimento distintas e três condições de estudo, buscando-se a condição ótima apresentada por estes materiais para este tipo de aplicação, visando-se então analisar a influência da dureza inicial do material na vida do componente. Foi determinada também a temperatura de ensaio de fadiga isotérmica, em 400°C, correspondente à temperatura de utilização da matriz, ou seja, uma temperatura crítica típica que a matriz atinge durante a solicitação em trabalho. A seguir foram realizados para cada material os ensaios de tração a temperatura ambiente, e na seqüência, os ensaios de tração na temperatura de trabalho definida, que permitiram a determinação dos primeiros parâmetros monotônicos dos materiais, dentre eles uma previsão para os níveis de deformação a serem utilizados nos ensaios de fadiga (0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9,1.0 e 1.1%), e demais parâmetros como E, k, n, σe, σ’f, ε’f, b, c, que permitiram a elaboração de curvas ε−N, com um modelo estimativo já existente. Finalmente, foram então realizados os ensaios de fadiga isotérmica de baixo ciclo, à temperatura de 400°C, e os resultados foram utilizados para a elaboração das curvas ε−N, resultando então na proposta de um modelo de previsão de resistência à fadiga específico para os materiais pesquisados. / It was made in this work an investigative comparison of the behavior of the tool steels H13 and THYROTHERM 2999 EFS SUPRA, designed for die steels for hot forming, when exposed to high temperature low cycle fatigue (HTLCF). From their tempering curves three material working hardness were defined for each material (hardness of 42, 52 and 58 HRC), corresponding to three different tempering temperatures, and so three study cases for each material, searching for the best condition for this kind of application, and to assess the influence of the initial hardness on the part material life. The isothermal low cycle fatigue test temperature was either defined at 400°C, corresponding to the used temperature at the die steel, i.e., a critical typical temperature that the forging dies reach on hot working. After that, tensile tests were performed for both materials, at room temperature, and at the working temperature formerly defined, and these tests allowed the definition of the first monotonic parameters for these materials, among them predictions for strain levels (0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0 and 1.1%), to be used on fatigue tests, and further parameters like E, k, n, σe, σ’f, ε’f, b, c, that allowed the elaboration of ε−N curves, based on a still existing prediction model. Finally, isothermal low cycle fatigue tests were performed, at 400°C, and the results were used for ε−N curves elaboration, resulting on a prediction model of the fatigue strength specified for the assessed materials.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2017-12-20T18:44:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lierciofeitalmottajr.pdf: 12311012 bytes, checksum: fed882b800dc53c0a497d3bda1094a0e (MD5) / Rejected by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br), reason: Favor corrigir no título: Higway Safety Manual on 2017-12-21T10:39:55Z (GMT) / Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2017-12-21T11:54:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lierciofeitalmottajr.pdf: 12311012 bytes, checksum: fed882b800dc53c0a497d3bda1094a0e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-12-22T11:59:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lierciofeitalmottajr.pdf: 12311012 bytes, checksum: fed882b800dc53c0a497d3bda1094a0e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-22T11:59:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lierciofeitalmottajr.pdf: 12311012 bytes, checksum: fed882b800dc53c0a497d3bda1094a0e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-27 / No presente trabalho, é realizada a aplicação do modelo de previsão de acidentes do Higway Safety Manual – HSM, publicado pela American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO) no ano de 2010, à rodovia de mão dupla e pista simples, BR–116, que corta perímetros urbanos de cidades no segmento entre Caratinga e Leopoldina, Minas Gerais. Busca-se avaliar a pertinência de sua utilização como ferramenta de sistemas de gestão de segurança rodoviária. Foram coletados dados de acidentes ocorridos nos trechos de estudo referentes ao intervalo entre 2011-2015, dados sobre o volume de tráfego, além de dados geométricos da via e das suas características ambientais. Foram analisadas as aplicações do modelo em sua condição base, calibrada e refinada pelo método empírico de Bayes. Como resultado da aplicação na condição base observou-se uma discrepância entre os valores de acidentes ocorridos e previstos pelo modelo, inviabilizando a utilização direta desta aplicação. A aplicação do modelo calibrado apresentou resultados mais próximos aos reais valores de acidentes, porém ainda não sendo possível a sua utilização como modelo de previsão de acidentes. No entanto, os valores obtidos pela aplicação do modelo do HSM refinado pelo método empírico de Bayes aproximam-se de maneira satisfatória dos valores de acidentes reais ocorridos, permitindo agora a sua utilização como modelo de previsão de acidentes, tendo sua aplicação como ferramenta de sistemas de gestão de segurança rodoviária. Apesar de ainda serem necessários estudos para melhoria da calibração e da condição base, às características especificas presentes no ambiente do perímetro urbano cortado por rodovias, o modelo aplicado neste trabalho pode ser utilizado como modelo de previsão de acidentes para estes trechos. / In the present work, the Higway Safety Manual - HSM, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO), is applied to the double-lane and single-lane highway BR-116, which cuts urban in the segment between Caratinga and Leopoldina, Minas Gerais. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pertinence of its use as a tool for road safety management systems. Data were collected on accidents occurring in the study sections referring to the interval between 2011-2015, data on traffic volume, as well as geometric data of the road and their environmental characteristics. The applications of the model were analyzed in their base condition, calibrated and refined by Bayes' empirical method. As a result of the application in the base condition it was observed a discrepancy between the values of accidents occurred and foreseen by the model, making it impossible to use this application directly. The application of the calibrated model presented results closer to the actual values of accidents, but it is not yet possible to use them as an accident prediction model. However, the values obtained by applying the HSM model refined by the empirical method of Bayes approach satisfactorily the values of real accidents occurred, allowing now its use as an accident prediction model, having its use as a tool of systems of road safety management. Although still necessary studies to improve the calibration and the base condition, to the specific characteristics present in the environment of the urban perimeter cut by highways, the model applied in this work can be used as a predictive model of accidents for these stretches.

This diploma thesis deals with the creation of a bankruptcy model for the manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic using logit analysis. The theoretical part defines the concept of bankruptcy model, financial distress and financial health of the company. This section is focused on the influence of macroeconomics on the accuracy of these models, a look into their history and description of selected models. The practical part of the thesis is initially focused on determining the reliability of selected bankruptcy models, and then a new bankruptcy model is compiled.

The diploma thesis is aimed at the problematic within the prediction of bankruptcy of companies operating in manufacturing industry in Czech Republic. There are defined terms related to the topic, methods of creating bankruptcy models and selected bankruptcy models in the theoretical part. Analytical part includes testing of the selected bankruptcy models. Thereafter a new bankruptcy model is created, which is subsequently tested and its accuraccy is compared to models from other authors.

This diploma thesis deals with the comparison of the results of simulations of the numerical model WRF in the prediction mode for 9 schemes of boundary layer parameterization and in the climatic mode for 4 selected schemes. The first part of the work is devoted to the WRF model and especially its options for model physics with a focus on boundary layer schemes. The second part describes the experimental setup of the performed simulations. The third part then compares the obtained results for the prediction and climate mode with the measured data.

MODEL OF ERROR COVARIANCES FOR THE ASSIMILATION OF RADAR REFLECTIVITY INTO NWP MODEL Predicting events with a severe convection is not easy due to the small spatial scale and rapid development of this phenomenon. But being able to predict such events is important in view of the dangerous phenomena that accompany these events, such as flash floods, strong winds, hailstorms or atmospheric electricity. Improved forecast can be achieved by more precisely defined initial conditions that enter the model. These data must match the scale of the studied phenomenon. Therefore, radar data is used in this case. Although the NWP model should describe real processes due to the simplifications and approximations the model's behavior does not entirely correspond the reality. Therefore, if we want the model to generate precipitation, we must ensure that the values of the model variables and their relationship are such that the process is started. To find out these relationships, we want to use a covariant model. In this paper, we focused on the correlation analysis of the model variables in the regions of convection between radar reflection, its conversion to the intensity of precipitation and other model variables. The COSMO data with a horizontal resolution of 2.8 km were used, which were describing approximately...