Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T14:01:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 24 / Nenhuma / O presente trabalho apresenta um sistema de apoio às inspeções de garantia da qualidade de software, baseado em ontologias e agentes, que objetiva a automação de atividades específicas em um processo de inspeção. A ontologia, elaborada através do método Ontology Development 101, mapeia os conceitos mínimos e necessário para representar o domínio de conhecimento de inspeções de garantia da qualidade. O agente, desenvolvido através de um método iterativo e incremental, e especificado com Unified Modeling Language, implementa um conjunto de critérios para a manipulação de indivíduos na ontologia. O protótipo de interface web viabiliza a interação com o agente e a ontologia, respectivamente. O sistema é verificado através de testes unitários e integrado, e é validado através de experimentos em um ambiente real de uso. A coleta de dados para comparação se dá em dois momentos, antes do uso do sistema e após uso do sistema. Por fim, conclui-se que o sistema dá um ganho significativo na cobertura das inspeções e gara / This work presents a support system for inspection of software quality assurance, based on ontologies and agents, which aims at automation of specific activities in a process inspection. The ontology, developed with the Ontology Development 101 method, maps the minimum and necessary concepts to represent the domain knowledge of quality assurance inspections. The agent, development with iterative and incremental method, and specified with the Unified Modeling Language, implements a set of criteria for the handling of individuals in the ontology. The web interface prototype enables the interaction with the agent and ontology, respectively. The system is verified through individual and integrated testing, and is validated through experiments on a real environment of use. The collection of data for comparison occurs in two moments before the use of the system and after using the system. Finally, it is concluded that the system provides a significant gain in coverage of inspections and the maintenance of both the

Before a radiation treatment on a cancer patient can get accomplished the treatment planning system (TPS) needs to undergo a quality assurance (QA). The QA consists of a pre-treatment (PT-QA) on a synthetic phantom body. During the PT-QA, data is collected from the phantom detectors, a set of monitors (transmission detectors) and the angular state of the machine. The outcome of this thesis project is to investigate if it is possible to predict the radiation dose distribution on the phantom body based on the data from the transmission detectors and the angular state of the machine. The motive for this is that an accurate prediction model could remove the PT-QA from most of the patient treatments. Prediction difficulties lie in reducing the contaminated noise from the transmission detectors and correctly mapping the transmission data to the phantom. The task is solved by modeling an artificial neuron network (ANN), that uses a u-net architecture to reduce the noise and a novel model that maps the transmission values to the phantom based on the angular state. The results show a median relative dose deviation ~ 1%.

La précision du calcul de dose est cruciale pour la qualité de la planification et de la réalisation des traitements en radiothérapie. L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer la qualité des algorithmes de calcul de dose des faisceaux d’électrons pour des conditions particulières proches des situations cliniques rencontrées. Une méthodologie spécifique de dosimétrie par films radiochromiques des faisceaux d’électrons a été développée et validée, y compris pour des situations difficiles avec une précision de 3.1% en dose absolue et 2.6% en dose relative. Cette technique a permis de développer des tests de Contrôle Qualité généralistes rapides et efficaces qui servent de base de données mesurées en cas de changement de version du système de planification de traitement et/ou d’algorithme de calcul de dose. Les mesures par films ont été comparées avec les calculs de deux algorithmes de calcul de dose Pencil Beam et Monte Carlo. Les deuxcodes ont donné des résultats similaires dans les tests d’obliquité, d’irrégularité et de DSP étendue. En revanche, les calculs Monte Carlo sont plus précis en présence d’hétérogénéités. D’autre part, cette méthode de dosimétrie par films radiochromiques a permis de développer un nouveau mode d’évaluation des plans de traitement avec des films découpés et insérés dans des fantômes anthropomorphiques (de type thorax et tête) de manière à obtenir la distribution de dose en 2D dans un plan transversal donné ; ces tests cliniques pouvant aussi être utilisés dans le cadre d’un Contrôle de Qualité interne adapté à l’activité clinique du service. La comparaison des mesures avec les calculs a montré une meilleure précision dans les calculs Monte Carlo par rapport aux calculs Pencil Beam au niveau des hétérogénéités, notamment dans les poumons, les cavités et les os. / In radiotherapy, the dose calculation accuracy is crucial for the quality and the outcome of the treatments. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of dose calculation algorithms for electron beams in situations close to clinical conditions. A new practical approach of radiochromic film dosimetry was developed and validated especially for difficult situations. An accuracy of 3.1% and 2.6% was achieved for absolute and relative dosimetry respectively. Using this technique a measured database of dose distributions was developed to form the basis of several fast and efficient QualityAssurance tests. Such tests are intended to be used also when the dose calculation algorithm is changed or the Treatment Planning System replaced. Pencil Beam and Monte Carlo dose calculations were compared to the measured data for simple geometrical phantom setups. They both gave similar results for obliquity, surface irregularity and extended SSD tests but the Monte Carlo calculation was more accurate in presence of heterogeneities. The same radiochromic film dosimetry method was applied to film cuts inserted into anthropomorphic phantoms providing a 2D dose distribution for any transverse plan. This allowed us to develop clinical test that can be also used for internal Quality Assurance purposes. As for simpler geometries, the Monte Carlo calculations showed better agreement with the measured data than the Pencil Beam calculation, especially in presence of heterogeneities such as lungs, cavities and bones.

O acirramento da competição entre as empresas produtoras de tratores agrícolas tem levado ao aumento da exportação de produtos e a consequente necessidade da manutenção dos níveis de qualidade destes produtos. Os custos relativos ao retrabalho em tratores exportados para os mercados externos é um dos problemas enfrentados pelas empresas manufatureiras de máquinas agrícolas. Dentre as principais causas geradoras de retrabalho estão os problemas gerados pelo manuseio destes tratores quando transportados de um país para outro. No caso das máquinas exportadas para o mercado norte-americano este problema se torna ainda mais oneroso, uma vez que os custos de mão-de-obra naquele mercado são bastante elevados. Tendo em vista reduzir a níveis mínimos os custos com retrabalho, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar comparativamente duas propostas para o processo logístico de processamento de tratores nos portos norteamericanos. Desta forma decidiu-se comparar a proposta atual com uma proposta alternativa adotada pela indústria automobilística. Esta proposta envolve a utilização de VPC (vehicle processing center) que são centros de processamento de veículos com preparação completa das unidades para serem entregues às revendas. Desse modo a solução adotada pelo mercado automobilístico foi analisada para efeito de utilização na indústria de tratores através da consideração dos ganhos relativos à eliminação da perda de qualidade quando em comparação ao processo atual. De posse dos resultados desta análise foi concluído que a utilização da solução alternativa gera ganhos de qualidade, os quais foram quantificados em valores monetários. / The increasing competition among companies that produce agricultural tractors, has led to the increase in the export of products and the consequent need for maintenance of quality levels for these products Costs due to rework in exported tractors for foreign markets is one of the problems faced by agricultural machinery manufacturers. Problems generated by tractor handling when shipped from one country to another are among the main causes that produce rework. In the case of machines exported to the North American market the problem becomes even more costly, once labor costs are extremely high in that market. In order to reduce the cost of rework to a minimum level, this study had the target of analyzing comparatively two proposals for the logistic process of handling tractors at North American ports. Therefore, it was decided to compare the current proposal to an alternate proposal in use by the automobile industry. This solution involves the use of VPC (Vehicle Processing Center), with a complete preparation of units so as to be delivered to dealers. Therefore the solution adopted by the automobile industry was analyzed so as to be used by the tractor industry, by means of taking in consideration the gains related to the elimination of quality loss when compared to the current process in use. By use of the results it was inferred that the use of the alternative solution generates quality advantages, which were quantified in monetary values.

This think piece captures some of the thinking that emerged in and through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme research programme. This research programme emerged over a five-year period (2008–2012) and involved ten southern African teacher education institutions from eight countries (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The research programme sought to understand what contributions environment and sustainability education could make to debates on educational quality and relevance. Issues of educational quality are high on the national agendas of governments in southern Africa, as it is now well known that providing access to schooling is not a sufficient condition for achieving educational quality. Educational quality is intimately linked to the processes of teaching and learning, but the concept of educational quality is not unproblematic in and of itself. It is, as Noel Gough (2005) noted many years ago, an ‘order word’ that shapes the way people think and practise. Our enquiries during this research programme involved a number of case studies (that were reported on in the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) in 2008, and are again reported on in this edition of the SAJEE), but the programme also involved theoretical engagement with the concept of educational quality and relevance. This think piece helps to make some of this thinking and theoretical deliberation visible. The author of this think piece was also the leader of the regional research programme and was tasked with synthesising the theoretical deliberations that emerged from the research design which were found to be useful for guiding interpretations and deliberation on more detailed case studies undertaken at country level.

Thesis deals with current development of higher education and its quality assurance in the Czech Republic and the Europe. The aim of the thesis is to analyze current quality assurance and accreditation process in the Europe area and the Czech Republic and how far the proposed amendments to the Act will meet the criteria of the European Association for Quality Assurance (ENQA).

Os programas de rastreamento mamográfico (PRM) organizados atingem redução de mortalidade por câncer de mama em até 35%, principalmente quando submetidos a controle de qualidade efetivo. O PRM realizado pelo Hospital de Câncer de Barretos (HCB) é oferecido através de Unidades Móveis e Fixa desde 2003, para mulheres entre 40 e 69 anos, pertencentes à V Regional de Saúde do Estado de São Paulo Barretos (DRS). Trata-se de um projeto pioneiro no Brasil que necessita enquadrar-se em critérios de controle de qualidade para que atinja resultados comparáveis aos da literatura. Objetivo: Este estudo visa avaliar os indicadores de qualidade de detecção e tratamento das pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama diagnosticadas pelo PRM-HCB na DRS-V de São Paulo, entre 2003 e 2010. Métodos: Foram revisados os prontuários de todas as pacientes com câncer de mama, detectados pelo PRM-HCB no período. Os indicadores de controle de qualidade incluíram dados de: estadiamento, diagnóstico, tratamento, laudo patológico, intervalos de tempo, e dados descritivos. As pacientes sintomáticas tiveram os indicadores analisados em separado das assintomáticas. As variáveis contínuas e categóricas foram comparadas aos parâmetros estabelecidos pela European Breast Cancer Network (EBCN), utilizando-se o programa SPSS 15. Resultados: Foram incluídas 257 mulheres. Os estádios clínicos 0 e I compreenderam 68,3% (125/183) dentre as assintomáticas e 33,8% (24/71) das sintomáticas, com 3 casos sem informação (nível desejável >70%). O tamanho médio do tumor foi de 1,96cm entre as assintomáticas e de 3,2cm dentre as sintomáticas (p=0,000). A cirurgia foi conservadora em 85,2% das assintomáticas e em 62,5% das sintomáticas. Dentre os 25 indicadores adequadamente avaliados, 18 encontravam-se em níveis desejáveis, sendo 7 deles a respeito da adequação do tratamento cirúrgico. Um dos indicadores de tempo esteve em nível aceitável (tempo entre a indicação de cirurgia e o procedimento cirúrgico médio de 17,9 dias úteis, nível aceitável = 15du), enquanto outros 2 estiveram insuficientes. Os intervalos de tempo para o laudo anátomo-patológico (AP) estiveram em níveis satisfatórios (82,1% dos laudos AP de diagnóstico em 10du ou menos, nível desejável 80%). As principais deficiências relacionadas ao tempo foram da mamografia de rastreamento até a matrícula (média de 32du, nível aceitável = 5du) e da matrícula aos demais exames diagnósticos (média de 27du; nível aceitável = 5du). Conclusões: Os indicadores de estádio dentre as mulheres assintomáticas estiveram em níveis aceitáveis, entretanto, as mulheres sintomáticas apresentaram tumores maiores e em estádios mais avançados. A abordagem multidisciplinar como Unidade de Mama possibilitou atingir níveis adequados e comparáveis aos europeus quanto aos métodos diagnósticos e terapêuticos. Deficiências quanto aos intervalos de tempo e barreiras que dificultam a adesão da população demandam intervenções futuras. A análise de indicadores de qualidade foi factível e permitiu diagnosticar uma adequação parcial dos processos de diagnóstico e tratamento das pacientes com câncer de mama detectado pelo PRM-HCB, segundo os critérios estabelecidos pela EBCN / In order to achieve a reduction of 35% in breast cancer mortality, organized mammographic screening (MMGS) programs demand quality assurance. BCH has been offering MMGS for 40 to 69-year-old women, since 2003, by means of three mobile units and a standardized breast unit, through the public health system. It is a pioneer Brazilian project, in a São Paulo State nonmetropolitan setting, that has to attend quality assurance to achieve results comparable to those presented in the actual literature. Objective: This study aims to analyze the quality performance indicators regarding diagnosis methods and treatment offered to women whose breast cancer was detected by the BCH MMGS program, between 2003 and 2010. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of breast cancer patients whose disease was detected by the BCH MMGS program during the period. Quality indicators included data about: stage, diagnosis, treatment, pathology, time intervals, and descriptive information. Symptomatic women at the moment of the first evaluation had their data evaluated separately from the asymptomatic. The data gathered were analyzed using SPSS 15. The results were compared to the European Breast Cancer Network Guidelines for quality assurance. Results: 257 patients were included in this study. Stages 0 and I corresponded to 68.3% (125/183) of the asymptomatic cases, and 33.8% (24/71) of the symptomatic group (desirable level >70%), with 3 missing cases. The mean tumor size was 1.96cm for the asymptomatic patients, and 3.2cm for the symptomatic (p=0.000). Breast conserving surgery was possible in 85.2% of the asymptomatic patients, and in 62.5% of the symptomatic. Among the 25 quality indicators adequately evaluated, 18 were in desirable levels. Seven of them were related to the surgical approach. One of the time interval indicators was considered acceptable (mean time interval between decision to operate and date of surgery = 17.9 working days, acceptable level = 15wd), but 2 were in insufficient levels. Time intervals for pathology reports were sufficient (82.1% of the diagnostic pathology reports were performed in 10wd or less, desirable level80%). Main deficiencies were related to time interval between the mammogram and the first evaluation (mean=32wd, acceptable level=5wd) and the evaluation and the results of the additional exams (mean=27wd, acceptable level=5wd). Conclusions: Stage quality indicators were adequate for the asymptomatic group. Symptomatic women had larger tumors, with more advanced stages. The multidisciplinary approach was important to achieve acceptable and desirable levels regarding diagnostic methods and treatment. Deficiencies concerning time intervals and possible barriers that represent delays demand a future action plan. The analysis of quality indicators was feasible and allowed to diagnose a partial adjustment in the diagnostic and treatment process of the cancer patients detected by the BCH MMGS based on the EBCN Guidelines criteria

The purpose and aim of this study are to examine how quality control and assurance is performed and how it varies in different regions around the world and strive towards international standardization of quality assurance. The foundation to the idea of this study is a Swedish company, called Runway Safe, working with international affairs regarding a safety solution for airport runways. To complete the study, cultural differences and structural differences in organizations comes to consideration.

The success of a clinical trial is largely dependent on the clinical sites that enroll the subjects, complete the follow-up visits, and collect the data. Many clinical trials are conducted using multiple site locations. Choosing such sites to participate in a clinical trial is an important aspect of study implementation. In the past, multi-center clinical trials were conducted mainly using university-based centers. In the last few decades, private practice, or community-based, centers have been included more often in clinical trial research. As more community-based centers participate in clinical trials, it is crucial to examine how these centers might differ from university-based centers. The purpose of this project was to compare community-based and university-based centers participating in a multi-center randomized trial evaluating treatments for diabetic macular edema. Aspects of recruitment, retention, protocol adherence, data collection, and observance of study required procedures were compared. Data from 102 participating centers were examined with 40 centers categorized as university-based and 62 centers categorized as community-based. Various measures of trial performance were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test, repeated measures logistic regression, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), depending on the variable being compared. Characteristics of the centers and baseline subject characteristics were compared to evaluate for possible confounding. We found that university-based and community-based centers performed similarly in almost all performance aspects compared. Notable differences included community-based centers becoming certified for participation in the study 90 days sooner on average and university-based centers having half the percentage of ungradable fundus photographs. Overall, it is recommended that community-based centers be included more often in multi-center clinical trials.

Due to the widespread use of drilled shafts in state and federal highway bridges, strict regulation of the design and construction has been imposed by the respective agencies. However, documented cases of anomalies and/or poorly performing shafts continue to arise. To this end, this thesis investigates several aspects of drilled shaft construction that may affect the quality of the finished product. These areas include bentonite slurry properties and performance as well as reinforcement cage and concrete flow interactions. Recent research indicates tremie poured concrete does not flow as predicted. Instead of even rising, a differential between the height of concrete inside and outside the reinforcement cage has been observed. Compounding this problem is the fact that bentonite slurry used to support boreholes may settle suspended sand at the toe of the shaft or on the surface of rising concrete during long wait periods, affording the possibility of soil inclusions in the shaft. This thesis examines two methods of inquiry to quantify the behavior of concrete in a tremie pour drilled shaft and sand suspension behavior of bentonite slurry. Conclusions and recommendations are made to improve pertinent construction regulations to ensure quality of drilled shafts.