Background: Antimicrobial-resistant infections result in hospital stays costing between $18,000 and $29,000. As of 2009, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services no longer upgrade payments for hospital-acquired infections. Hospital epidemiologists monitor and document rates of individual resistant microbes in antibiogram reports. Overall summary measures capturing resistance within a hospital may be useful. Objectives: We applied four techniques (L1- and L2-principal component analysis (PCA), desirability functions, and simple summary) to create summary measures of resistance and described the four summary measures with respect to reliability, proportion of variance explained, and clinical utility. Methods: We requested antibiograms from hospitals participating in the University HealthSystem Consortium for the years 2002–2008 (n=40). A clinical team selected organism-drug resistant pairs (as resistant isolates per 1,000 patient days) based on 1) virulence, 2) complicated or toxic therapies, 3) transmissibility, and 4) high incidence with increasing levels of resistance. Four methods were used to create summary scores: 1) L1- and L2-PCA: derived multipliers so that the variance explained is maximized; 2) desirability function: transformed resistance data to be between 0 and 1; 3) simple sum: each resistance rate was added and divided by the square root of the total number of microbes summed. Simple correlation analyses between time and each summary score evaluated reliability. For each year, we calculated the proportion of explained variance by dividing each summary score’s variance by the variance in the original data. Clinical utility was checked by comparing the trends for all of the individual microbe’s resistance rates to the trends seen in the summary scores for each hospital. Results: Proportion of variance explained by L1- and L2-PCA and the simple sum was 0.61, 0.62, and 0.29 respectively. Simple sum and L1- and L2-PCA summary scores best followed the trends seen in the individual antimicrobial resistance rates; trends in desirability function scores deviated from those seen in individual trends of antimicrobial resistance. L1- and L2-PCA summary scores were more influenced by MRSA rates, and the simple sum score was less influenced. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed good reliability through time. Conclusion: Deriving summary measures of antimicrobial resistance can be reliable over time and explain a high proportion of variance. Infection control practitioners and hospital epidemiologists may find the inclusion of a summary score of antimicrobial resistance beneficial in describing the trends of overall resistance in their yearly antibiogram reports.

Cette thèse s'intéresse à montrer l'intérêt aussi bien conceptuel qu'empirique de l'approche optionnelle de l'évaluation et du timing des projets de fusions-acquisitions. Pour ce faire, nous avons, tout d'abord, mobilisé une large littérature sur les fusions-acquisitions et les options réelles qui y sont liées. Constatant le manque de contributions empiriques au niveau de cette littérature, nous avons procédé à la réalisation de deux études empiriques. La première est une étude qualitative exploratoire réalisée auprès d'experts en fusions-acquisitions. Les résultats de cette étude nous ont permis d'étudier d'une manière approfondie les particularités de l'évaluation et du timing des fusions-acquisitions et de faire émerger de nouvelles catégories d'options réelles présentes dans les différentes phases du processus d'évaluation et dans les moments de choix de timing.Ces options ont été par la suite classées en options stratégiques de croissance et en option de flexibilité. Une fois les options identifiées, nous sommes passés à notre deuxième étude empirique qui est une étude de cas réel. Celle-ci vise, à partir d'un projet de fusion-acquisition réel, à expliciter les problématiques d'évaluation et de choix de timing lorsque l'acquéreur utilise les techniques traditionnelles d'évaluation telles que la Valeur Actuelle Nette. Les limites de ces méthodes nous amènent à proposer des solutions pour une meilleure approche de l'évaluation et du timing des fusions-acquisitions en contexte d'incertitude: la méthode par les options réelles. Pour ce faire, nous proposons d'évaluer l'opportunité d'acquisition et d'étudier le choix de timing opportun à sa conclusion à partir de la méthodologie de l'option simple. Trois méthodes d'évaluation sont alors adoptées: le modèle d'évaluation en temps continu (Black et Scholes), le modèle développé en temps discret ( arbres binomiaux) et la technique des simulations de Monte Carlo. La deuxième solution proposée est celle de l'approche de l'évaluation et du timing des fusions-acquisitions par la méthodologie de l'option composée multi-séquentielle. A ce titre, nous mobilisons le modèle binomial adapté par Mun (2010) et proposons une modélisation sur mesure sous Visual Basic des séquences d'options sur options liées au processus d'évaluation et au choix du timing / The aim of this thesis is to study the conceptual and the empirical role when valuation and timing of mergers and acquisitions are approached by real options theory. To reach this aim, we started by analyzing a huge litterature on real option approach of mergers and acquisitions. We noticed a big lack on empirical contributions of real options in the mergers and acquisitions field, specially in pre-closing phases, where the acquirer value his project and choose the optimal timing to conclude it. To more investigate on that, we led deux studies. The first one is an exploratory study, in which we interviewed professionals on mergers and acquisitions on partucularities of valuation and timing on mergers and acquisitions. Then we asked them to identify real options on valuation and timing. Identified options were divided on strategic growth options and flexibility options. After the identification, we led our second study which is a real case study of a merger and acquisition project. The aim of this study is to prove limits of traditionnal valuation methods like the Net Present Value. As solutions to these limits, we proposed to use the real option approach. First, we used the simple option methodology and then the multi-phased compound options methodology to ameliorate valuation results and the timing choice of concluding mergers and acquisitions

Dans cette thèse, nous nous proposons d'étudier quelques paramètres fonctionnels lorsque les données sont générées à partir d'un modèle de régression à indice simple. Nous étudions deux paramètres fonctionnels. Dans un premier temps nous supposons que la variable explicative est à valeurs dans un espace de Hilbert (dimension infinie) et nous considérons l'estimation de la densité conditionnelle par la méthode de noyau. Nous traitons les propriétés asymptotiques de cet estimateur dans les deux cas indépendant et dépendant. Pour le cas où les observations sont indépendantes identiquement distribuées (i.i.d.), nous obtenons la convergence ponctuelle et uniforme presque complète avec vitesse de l'estimateur construit. Comme application nous discutons l'impact de ce résultat en prévision non paramétrique fonctionnelle à partir de l'estimation de mode conditionnelle. La dépendance est modélisée via la corrélation quasi-associée. Dans ce contexte nous établissons la convergence presque complète ainsi que la normalité asymptotique de l'estimateur à noyau de la densité condtionnelle convenablement normalisée. Nous donnons de manière explicite la variance asymptotique. Notons que toutes ces propriétés asymptotiques ont été obtenues sous des conditions standard et elles mettent en évidence le phénomène de concentration de la mesure de probabilité de la variable fonctionnelle sur des petites boules. Dans un second temps, nous supposons que la variable explicative est vectorielle et nous nous intéressons à un modèle de prévision assez général qui est la régression robuste. A partir d'observations quasi-associées, on construit un estimateur à noyau pour ce paramètre fonctionnel. Comme résultat asymptotique on établit la vitesse de convergence presque complète uniforme de l'estimateur construit. Nous insistons sur le fait que les deux modèles étudiés dans cette thèse pourraient être utilisés pour l'estimation de l'indice simple lorsque ce dernier est inconnu, en utilisant la méthode d'M-estimation ou la méthode de pseudo-maximum de vraisemblance, qui est un cas particulier de la première méthode. / In this thesis, we propose to study some functional parameters when the data are generated from a model of regression to a single index. We study two functional parameters. Firstly, we suppose that the explanatory variable take its values in Hilbert space (infinite dimensional space) and we consider the estimate of the conditional density by the kernel method. We establish some asymptotic properties of this estimator in both independent and dependent cases. For the case where the observations are independent identically distributed (i.i.d.), we obtain the pointwise and uniform almost complete convergence with rateof the estimator. As an application we discuss the impact of this result in fuctional nonparametric prevision for the estimation of the conditional mode. In the dependent case we modelize the later via the quasi-associated correlation. Note that all these asymptotic properties are obtained under standard conditions and they highlight the phenomenon of concentration properties on small balls probability measure of the functional variable. Secondly we suppose that the explanatory variable takes values in the _nite dimensional space and we interest in a rather general prevision model whichis the robust regression. From the quasi-associated data, we build a kernel estimator for this functional parameter. As an asymptotic result we establish the uniform almost complete convergence rate of the estimator. We point out by the fact that these two models studied in this thesis could be used for the estimation of the single index of the model when the latter is unknown, by using the method of M-estimation or the pseudo-maximum likelihood method which is a particular case of the first method.

Cette thèse présente trois méthodes pour l’identification des rigidités des structures d’usage commun dans l’ingénierie civile, à partir de données dynamiques expérimentales. La première méthode est développée pour des structures composées pour portiques. La deuxième méthode proposée est appliquée à des structures constituées pour des poutres isostatiques. La troisième est une méthodologie d’estimation des rigidités en flexion (EI) et au cisaillement (GA/?) pour une structure constituée de murs dont les énergies de déformation en flexion et cisaillement peuvent être soit du même ordre de grandeur, soit l’une prépondérante par rapport à l’autre. Pour chaque méthode, des simulations numériques sont effectuées pour identifier les dommages structuraux ou les variations des rigidités, en termes de localisation et de magnitude de ces dommages. L'incidence et l'impact des erreurs et bruits sur les valeurs estimées des rigidités structurales sont analysés. Les méthodologies sont également appliquées pour localiser des dommages mécaniques ou des réductions de section sur modèles de laboratoire. A partir des concepts dynamiques de base et considérant une typologie donnée de structure, la thèse développe les concepts et formulations permettant d’identifier les rigidités résiduelles des structures considérées. Les méthodes peuvent être aisément mises en oeuvre pour déterminer les éventuels dommages (localisation et intensité) qui peuvent affecter une structure, par exemple après un séisme. Peu de mesures sont requises à cet effet : des essais de vibration libre et du matériel peu onéreux de mesures sont amplement suffisants dans le cas particulier des structures étudiées / This thesis presents three methods to estimate and locate damage in framed buildings, simply-supported beams and cantilever structures, based on experimental measurements of their fundamental vibration modes. Numerical simulations and experimental essays were performed to study the effectiveness of each method. A numerical simulation of a multi-storey framed building, a real bridge and a real chimney were carried out to study the effectiveness of the methodologies in identifying damage. The influence of measurement errors and noise in the modal data was studied in all cases. To validate the experimental effectiveness of the damage estimation methods, static and dynamics tests were performed on a framed model, a simply supported beam, and a cantilever beam in order to determine the linear behavior changes due to the increase of the level of damage. The structural identification algorithms during this thesis were based on the knowledge type of the stiffness matrix or flexibility matrix to reduce the number of modal shapes and required coordinates for the structural assessment. The methods are intended to develop tools to produce a fast response and support for future decision procedures regarding to structures widely used, by excluding experimental information, thereby allowing a cost reduction of extensive and specific testing

In this thesis we study two different topics, both in the context of semigroup constructions. The first is the investigation of an embedding problem, specifically the problem of whether it is possible to embed any given finitely presentable semigroup into a D-simple finitely presentable semigroup. We consider some well-known semigroup constructions, investigating their properties to determine whether they might prove useful for finding a solution to our problem. We carry out a more detailed study into a more complicated semigroup construction, the Byleen extension, which has been used to solve several other embedding problems. We prove several results regarding the structure of this extension, finding necessary and sufficient conditions for an extension to be D-simple and a very strong necessary condition for an extension to be finitely presentable. The second topic covered in this thesis is relative rank, specifically the sequence obtained by taking the rank of incremental direct powers of a given semigroup modulo the diagonal subsemigroup. We investigate the relative rank sequences of infinite Cartesian products of groups and of semigroups. We characterise all semigroups for which the relative rank sequence of an infinite Cartesian product is finite, and show that if the sequence is finite then it is bounded above by a logarithmic function. We will find sufficient conditions for the relative rank sequence of an infinite Cartesian product to be logarithmic, and sufficient conditions for it to be constant. Chapter 4 ends with the introduction of a new topic, relative presentability, which follows naturally from the topic of relative rank.

This paper evaluates the monetary and macroprudential policies that mitigate the procyclicality arising from the interlinkages between current account deficits and financial vulnerabilities. We develop a two-country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with heterogeneous households and collateralised debt. The model predicts that external shocks are important in driving current account deficits that are coupled with run-ups in house prices and household debt. In this context, optimal policy features an interest-rate response to credit and a LTV ratio that countercyclically responds to house price dynamics. By allowing an interest-rate response to changes in financial variables, the monetary policy authority improves social welfare, because of the large welfare gains accrued to the Savers. The additional use of a countercyclical LTV ratio that responds to house prices, increases the ability of borrowers to smooth consumption over the cycle and is Pareto improving. Domestic and foreign shocks account for a similar fraction of the welfare gains delivered by such a policy. (authors' abstract)

A dissertação examina o regime jurídico do direito de retirada de sócios de sociedade simples e de sociedade limitada a partir da vigência do CC/2002. Para tanto, parte do estudo de sua natureza jurídica e de uma releitura dos fundamentos jurídicos deste instituto. Serve-se, ainda, de considerações sobre a evolução histórica do direito de retirada tanto no direito nacional quanto em ordenamentos estrangeiros (Alemanha, Espanha, França, Itália e Portugal). Assume especial relevo neste percurso o tratamento dado ao direito de retirada de sócio de sociedade limitada e a construção pela doutrina e pela jurisprudência do instituto da dissolução parcial stricto sensu sob a vigência do Decreto n° 3.708/1919 e do Código Comercial de 1850, respectivamente. Com base nos pressupostos acima, a dissertação passa a abordar de forma pormenorizada o direito de retirada de sócios de sociedade simples e sociedade limitada previsto no CC/2002, identificando as hipóteses em que é legalmente autorizada e aprofundando-se no exame do seu regime jurídico em cada tipo societário. Por fim, analisando as hipóteses de dissolução total de sociedades previstas pelo CC/2002, procura definir se e em quais hipóteses o instituto da dissolução parcial stricto sensu ainda é aplicável. / This dissertation examines the legal framework of the right of partners to withdraw from a simple company (sociedade simples) and from a limited liability company (sociedade limitada) under the current Brazilian Civil Code (CC/2002). For such purposes, the dissertation starts by studying its legal nature and revisits its legal basis. It also considers the historical development of the right to withdraw under Brazilian law and that of certain other jurisdictions (Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal). In the context of this historical analysis, it assumes special importance the right of partners to withdraw from a limited liability company (sociedade limitada) and the doctrinal and case law creation of the institute of partial dissolution (dissolução parcial stricto sensu) under Decree No 3,708/1919 and the Commercial Code of 1850, respectively. Having regard such review, the dissertation addresses, in detail, the right of partners to withdraw from a simple company (sociedade simples) and a limited liability company (sociedade limitada), as contemplated by the current Brazilian Civil Code (CC/2002), thereby also identifying when the same is authorized in each type of corporate vehicle and each applicable legal framework. Finally, by analyzing the scenarios for dissolution of companies contemplated by the current Brazilian Civil Code (CC/2002), it seeks to identify whether and in which scenarios the partial dissolution (dissolução parcial stricto sensu) is still applicable.

A representação de imagem baseada em superpixels tem se tornado indispensável na melhoria da eficiência em sistemas de Visão Computacional. Reconhecimento de objetos, segmentação, estimativa de profundidade e estimativa de modelo corporal são alguns importantes problemas nos quais superpixels podem ser aplicados. Porém, superpixels podem influenciar a qualidade dos resultados do sistema positiva ou negativamente, dependendo de quão bem eles respeitam as fronteiras dos objetos na imagem. Neste trabalho, é proposto um método iterativo para geração de superpixels, conhecido por IFT-SLIC, baseado em sequências de Transformadas Imagem-Floresta, começando com uma grade regular de sementes. Um procedimento de recomputação de pixels sementes é aplicado a cada iteração, gerando superpixels conexos com melhor aderência às bordas dos objetos presentes na imagem. Os superpixels obtidos via IFT-SLIC correspondem, estruturalmente, a árvores de espalhamento enraizadas nessas sementes, que naturalmente definem superpixels como regiões de pixels fortemente conexas. Comparadas ao Agrupamento Iterativo Linear Simples (SLIC), o IFT-SLIC considera os custos dos caminhos mínimos entre pixels e os centros dos agrupamentos, em vez de suas distâncias diretas. Funções de conexidade não monotonicamente incrementais são exploradas em neste método resultando em melhor desempenho. Estudos experimentais indicam resultados de extração de superpixels superiores pelo método proposto em comparação com o SLIC. Também é analisada a efetividade do IFT-SLIC, em termos de medidas de eficiência e acurácia, em uma aplicação de segmentação do céu em fotos de paisagens. Os resultados mostram que o IFT-SLIC é competitivo com os melhores métodos do estado da arte e superior a muitos outros, motivando seu desenvolvimento para diferentes aplicações. / Image representation based on superpixels has become indispensable for improving efficiency in Computer Vision systems. Object recognition, segmentation, depth estimation, and body model estimation are some important problems where superpixels can be applied. However, superpixels can influence the quality of the system results in a positive or negative manner, depending on how well they respect the object boundaries in the image. In this work, we propose an iterative method for superpixels generation, known as IFT-SLIC, which is based on sequences of Image Foresting Transforms, starting with a regular grid for seed sampling. A seed pixel recomputation procedure is applied per each iteration, generating connected superpixels with a better adherence to objects borders present in the image. The superpixels obtained by IFT-SLIC structurally correspond to spanning trees rooted at those seeds, that naturally define superpixels as regions of strongly connected pixels. Compared to Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC), IFT-SLIC considers minimum path costs between pixel and cluster centers rather than their direct distances. Non-monotonically increasing connectivity functions are explored in our IFT-SLIC approach leading to improved performance. Experimental results indicate better superpixel extraction by the proposed approach in comparation to that of SLIC. We also analyze the effectiveness of IFT-SLIC, according to efficiency, and accuracy on an application -- namely sky segmentation. The results show that IFT-SLIC can be competitive to the best state-of-the-art methods and superior to many others, which motivates it\'s further development for different applications.

Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos sistemas microfluídicos para aplicações na produção de micro e nanopartículas. Os dispositivos microfluídicos foram microfabricados em vidros do tipo borosilicato e em cerâmica verde LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). Para os dispositivos em vidro foram utilizadas técnicas de fotolitografia, corrosão úmida e soldagem por cola UV. Com estas técnicas foram produzidos sistemas planares com diversas geometrias, sistemas com dispositivos em paralelo com duas e três camadas de vidros. Além disso, dois polímeros o Benzociclobuteno (BCB) e o Parylene-C foram apresentados como ferramenta para a modificação da superfície do vidro de hidrofílica para hidrofóbica. A cerâmica LTCC foi utilizada para a produção de um sistema microfluídico para focalização hidrodinâmica em 3 dimensões. Os dispositivos microfabricados foram utilizados para estudos sobre a produção de emulsões simples e duplas, observando a influência de parâmetros como taxa de fluxo, razão entre fluxos e diferentes tipos de emulsificantes no tamanho das gotas e no tipo de corte obtido em cada situação. Observou-se que o tamanho máximo das gotas obtidas fica restringido ao tamanho do canal microfabricado, cerca de 50m e o tamanho mínimo obtido foi de 15m. Além da produção de emulsões, foi estudada a produção de nanosuspensões pela técnica de nanoprecipitação anti-solvente. Para este estudo, além das geometrias planares, foram testadas as geometrias 3D e também sistemas para o aumento de escala de produção, onde o sistema integrado possuía 4 dispositivos para nanoprecipitação. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os sistemas microfluídicos permitem a produção de nanopartículas amorfas, na faixa de 100 a 1000 nm, com baixa polidispersão, sendo ainda reprodutíveis em sistema de maior escala. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho mostrou que a microfluídica oferece ferramentas importantes na obtenção de micro e nanopartículas. / In this work microfluidic systems were developed for applications in micro and nanoparticles production. Microfluidic devices were microfabricated in borosilicate glasses substrates and LTCC ceramic (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). For glass devices were used techniques such as photolithography, wet etching and UV glue for sealing glass wafers. With these techniques were manufactured planar systems with various geometries, systems with devices in parallel with two and three glass layers. In addition, two polymers, BCB and Parylene-C, were presented as a tool for glass surface modification, from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The ceramic LTCC was used for the production of a microfluidic system for hydrodynamic focusing in three dimensions. The devices were used for studies on the single and double emulsions production, observing the influence of parameters such as flow rate, ratio between flows and different types of surfactants at the droplet size and droplet cut type obtained in each situation. It was observed that the maximum size of the droplets obtained is restricted by the channel size, the maximum was about 50m and the minimum size of 15m. Besides, the devices were used to produce nanoparticles using anti-solvent nanoprecipitation technique. For these studies, besides the planar geometries, 3D geometries were tested and also systems for increasing scale production, where 4 devices were integrated in one system for nanoprecipitation. The results indicated that the microfluidic systems allow the production of amorphous nanoparticles in the range of 100 to 1000 nm with low polydispersity, being also reproducible in a larger scale system. The development of this work has shown that microfluidics offers valuable tools in obtaining micro-and nanoparticles.

Estudamos singularidades de famílias de matrizes simétricas. O objetivo é classificar as singularidades simples de tais famílias e estudar a geometria de alguns objetos associados a elas / We study the singularities of families of symmetric matrices. The aim of this work is to classify simple singularities of such families and study the geometry of some objects associated to them