Background: Liver cirrhosis is a global health problem and a national health problem in Egypt. There is a lack of literature on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and symptoms experience of liver disease and cirrhotic patients in Middle East, particularly in Egypt. Aims: This PhD had three major aims: First aim: To describe HRQOL of Egyptian liver cirrhotic patients and to identify and evaluate the factors associated with (HRQOL) physical and mental health domains. Second aim: To explore and describe experienced symptoms (prevalence, severity and hindrance) in Egyptian cirrhotic patients and to identify and evaluate factors associated with symptoms severity and symptoms hindrance (distress). Third aim: To explore and describe how cirrhotic patients in Egypt perceive social support from spouse, family and friends and to identify and evaluate factors associated with general perceived social support. Method: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 401 patients from three hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, was conducted between June and August 2011. Patients were interviewed to complete a background data sheet, Short Form-36v2 (SF-36), the Liver Disease Symptom Index (LDSI)-2.0 and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results: Findings for first aim: The findings showed that all domains and component summary scores [Physical component summary score (PCS) and mental component summary score (MCS)] of the generic SF-36 were below the norm (cut-off score 50), suggesting that patients with liver cirrhosis in Egypt have poor HRQOL. About 87.2% of the patients rated their general health as poor or fair, which means the majority of these patients have low perceived general health. Many socio-demographic and medial factors were shown to be significantly associated with perceived HRQOL. Women, illiterate and unemployed people, and patients with frequent hospitalisation had poor PCS and MCS, while patients with advanced disease stage, increasing number of comorbidities and complications and those admitted to inpatients had significantly poorer PCS only. Perceived social support from a spouse had a statistically significant positive association with PCS and MCS, while perceived social support from family and friends had a statistically significant positive association with MCS only. Also, severity and hindrance of symptoms significantly correlated with PCS and MCS. Using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, two models were developed to identify factors associated with PCS (Model 1) and MCS (Model 2) health. Model 1 could significantly explain 19% of the variation in PCS (R2 = 0.190, R2adj = 0.180, p = 0.0005), and four factors (symptoms severity, disease stage, comorbidities and employment status) were significantly (p ≤ 0.02) associated with PCS. Model 2 could significantly explain 31.7% of the variation in MCS (R2 = 0.317, R2adj = 0.308, p = 0.0005), and four factors (symptoms severity, employment status, perceived spouse support and perceived family support) were associated (p ≤ 0.04) with MCS. The key findings of this study were that severity of symptoms and social support from spouse and family were associated with HRQOL. Where patients with high symptoms severity were likely to report poor PCS and MCS; and patients with low perceived social support were likely to report poor MCS. Symptoms severity contributed significantly in explaining 28.7% of the variation in PCS and 43.6% of the variation in MCS. Findings for second aim: This study found that the majority of patients had one or more of a wide range of symptoms and social problems. Two-thirds of patients reported joint pain (78.3%), decreased appetite (75.6%) and memory problems (77.3%). Joint pain and depression were reported to have the biggest impact on daily life. Symptoms severity and distress were significantly higher among patients who were: female, illiterate, unemployed, and who had advanced cirrhosis with more complications and comorbidities (p ≤ 0.006). Symptoms severity (r=-0.206) and symptoms distress (r=-0.205) were negatively associated with perceived social support (p=0.005). Stepwise regression analysis showed that the regression model could significantly explain 19.6% of the variation in symptoms severity (R2 = 0.196, R2adj = 0.180, p = 0.0005), and 14% of the variation in hindrance of symptoms (R2 = 0.140, R2adj = 0.132, p = 0.0005). Being female, having an increasing number of liver disease complications, and having low perceived support from spouse were significantly associated with high-perceived symptoms severity and hindrance (p≤0.01). Findings for third aim: This study found that social support score was relatively high among patients with cirrhosis in Egypt (total score mean of MSPSS was 2.02± standard deviation (0.537), while perceived support from spouse was the highest source of support. 67.5% of the patients felt their spouse is around when they need him/her and 71.7% of them share their joys and sorrows with their spouse. Likewise, 64.9% of married people feel their spouse cares about their feelings. In relation to the perception of adequacy of family support, it was observed that 52.6% felt that their families do not really try to help them. At the same time, 52.1% reported that they got the emotional help and support that they needed from their families. Regarding perceived support from friends, more than half of the patients reported that their friends do not really try to help them (57.9%), they cannot count on their friends when things go wrong (65.6%) and they cannot talk about their problems with their friends (56.4%). There was a significantly positive association between the perception of social support and general health perception (GHP), suggesting that when social support decreases GHP also decreases or and vice versa (r= 0.208, p = 0.0005). Stepwise regression analysis showed that the regression model could significantly explain 10.9% of the variation in perceived social support (R2 = 0.109, R2adj = 0.100, p = 0.0005). Marital status, gender, age and employment status were significantly associated with general perceived social support (p ≤ 0.01), while unmarried, females, unemployed and elderly cirrhotic patients were vulnerable groups that were likely to perceive low social support. Overall discussion and conclusion: This is the first study to investigate HRQOL, symptoms experience and perceived social support in patients with liver cirrhosis in Egypt. All aspects of HRQOL of Egyptian cirrhotic patients were poor, and they were experiencing various symptoms that can affect their daily life. However, social support was found to be related to perceived symptoms severity and perceived poor mental health. Hence, social support may alleviate suffering for certain cirrhotic patients. Nurses have a responsibility to assess and treat symptoms that cirrhotic patients experience, particularly such treatable symptoms as depression, pain and decreased appetite. Also, nurses should involve the patient’s family in any plan of care. Future intervention studies that aim to develop programs to relieve treatable symptoms and enhance social support are also recommended.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Cette thèse présente le mesure des sections efficaces de production WW MS et la détermination des couplages triples (TGCs) correspondants en utilisant ces 4.7 ${rm fb}^{-1}$ de donnes 2011 de collision $pp$. Ces mesures permettent un test contraignant du secteur 'électrofaible non abélien $SU(2) times U(1)$ du Modèle Standard; donnent l'opportunité de sonder la nouvelle physique `a travers les couplages triples anormaux de bosons de jauge (aTGCs) qui seront observés dans la distribution des variables cinématiques des WW produits ou de leurs produits de désintégration finaux dans le secteur de haute 'énergie; et permettent d'avoir une bonne compréhension du bruit de fond irréductible dans la recherche du boson de Higgs dans le canal de d'esint'egration $H rightarrow W^{+}W^{-}$.Ce travail de th`ese donne un base solide pour les mesures `a venir de la production WW avec les $sim$25 ${rm fb}^{-1}$ de luminosité intègré de donnes a 8 TeV prévue pour la fin 2012, qui conduiront vers une amélioration de la précision et des limites plus strictes sur les aTGCs. / This thesis presents a measurement of the SM WW production cross section and the determination of the corresponding limits on anomalous triple gauge boson couplings (aTGCs), using the 2011 4.7 ${rm fb}^{-1}$ $pp$ collisions data at 7 TeV collected in 2011. The measurement allows for a stringent test of the non-Abelian $SU(2) times U(1)$ SM electroweak sector and probes new physics that could manifest itself through aTGCs that may alter the observed production cross section or kinematic distributions. This measurement also provides a good understanding of the irreducible background in searches for the Higgs boson through the $Hrightarrow W^{+}W^{-}$ decay channel.This thesis work has laid a solid foundation for further measurements of the WW production with the $sim$25 ${rm fb}^{-1}$ integrated luminosity 8 TeV recorded data expected by the end of 2012, which will further improve the precision and yield more stringent limits on the aTGCs.

In-line heat treatment is a part of technological process uses a phase and structure changes to obtain required mechanical properties. Heat treatment of rolled products offers a reduction of steel making costs and a creation of new steel products. For example the TRIP steel is a part of modern steels which is used in the automobile industry for higher safety of passengers. The heat treatment is often described in the literature. But the authors are often focused on the method how to get the required structure and mechanical properties for different metallic materials. Nevertheless just few articles are focused on the technical observing of temperature regimes and which parameter is necessary to consider during designing the cooling section. Eight parameters were tested by the experimental way to examine their influence on the cooling intensity. They were: gravity (orientation of the cooled surface), coolant pressure, amount of coolant spraying on the surface (the flow rate), rolling velocity, nozzle configuration, kind of nozzles (full cone or flat fan nozzle), coolant temperature and the surface quality (surface roughness and scales). All these parameters have an influence the heat transfer coefficient. Based on knowledge gained in this work was created the cooling section, which comply with the required cooling temperature regimes.

Summary: This master's thesis focuses on the actualization and compiling of a detailed engineering geological map in scale 1 : 5 000. The thesis deals with the area defined by four points in the coordinate system JTSK - Křovák: : x1= -749 300, y1= -1 043 400; x2= -745 900, y2= -1 043 400; x3= -749 300, y3= -1 044 500; x4= -745 900, y4= -1 044 500. In the first background research part, the geomorphologic, climatic, geologic, hydrogeological and geodynamic conditions of the mapped area are presented. The second practical part of the thesis consists of four major parts: the engineering geological conditions map, the height of recent sediments map, the hydrogeological map and the map of documentation points. Further, the master's thesis contains geological cross-section. The actualization of engineering geological condition map provides new information about recent sedimentation areas and anthropogenic sediments, especially about landfills and landslides.

Summary: This master's thesis focuses on the actualization and compiling of a detailed engineering geological map in scale 1 : 5 000. The thesis deals with the area defined by four points in the coordinate system JTSK - Křovák: : x1= -749 300, y1= -1 043 400; x2= -745 900, y2= -1 043 400; x3= -749 300, y3= -1 044 500; x4= -745 900, y4= -1 044 500. In the first background research part, the geomorphologic, climatic, geologic, hydrogeological and geodynamic conditions of the mapped area are presented. The second practical part of the thesis consists of four major parts: the engineering geological conditions map, the height of recent sediments map, the hydrogeological map and the map of documentation points. Further, the master's thesis contains geological cross-section. The actualization of engineering geological condition map provides new information about recent sedimentation areas and anthropogenic sediments, especially about landfills and landslides.

Ce manuscrit est consacré à l’étude de la méthode du développement en singularités (SEM) appliquée aux antennes. Dans la première partie de ce travail, trois méthodes d’extraction des pôles de résonance sont présentées et comparées : les méthodes de Prony et Matrix Pencil dans le domaine temporel et la méthode de Cauchy dans le domaine fréquentiel. Une procédure est établie pour optimiser l’extraction avec chaque méthode et une étude de robustesse montre que la méthode Matrix Pencil permet d’obtenir plus de pôles et avec une meilleure précision que les deux autres méthodes en présence de bruit. Dans un second temps, la méthode Matrix Pencil est appliquée sur des réponses d’antennes, obtenues en rayonnement et en Surface Equivalente Radar (SER), et les pôles de résonance extraits sont identiques pour les deux approches. Cette étude valide donc la possibilité d’extraire les pôles de résonance d’une antenne directement à partir de sa SER. La variation de la position des pôles de résonance en fonction des dimensions et de la charge de deux antennes est ensuite étudiée et met en évidence le lien entre l’impédance d’entrée de l’antenne et ses pôles de résonance. Enfin, les mesures de la SER de trois antennes valident expérimentalement l’extraction des pôles de résonance à partir de la SER d’une antenne. Ce travail pose donc les bases de la caractérisation d’antennes à l’aide de la SEM appliquée à la SER de l’antenne. / This manuscript deals with the Singularity Expansion Method (SEM) applied to antenna characterization. In the first part of this work, three resonant poles extraction methods are presented and compared: the Prony and Matrix Pencil methods in the transient domain and the Cauchy method in the frequency domain. A procedure is defined to optimize the extraction with each method and a robustness study shows that Matrix Pencil method allows obtaining more physical poles with a better accuracy than the two other methods in presence of noise. In a second part, the Matrix Pencil algorithm is applied on radiated and backscattered antenna responses. Extracted resonant poles from both responses are exactly the same. This study validates the possibility to extract poles directly from its backscattered response. The position of resonant poles is analyzed with respect to antenna’s dimension and its load for two different cases. This emphasizes the link between antenna poles and antenna input impedance. Finally, RCS measurements of three antennas validate antenna poles extraction directly from its RCS. This work lays the foundations of antenna characterization using the SEM applied to RCS measurements.

Alfred Stelzner, ein Geologe, Petrograph und Vertreter der Stratigraphie und Lagerstättenlehre, war ein Meister der mechanischen Trennung von Materialien.

Sammanfattning Titel: Vildsvinskedjan – En utvärderingsstudie av handeln av vildsvinskött i södra Sverige Kurs: Kandidatuppsats Civilekonomprogrammet, Controller 15 hp (2FE24E) Lärosäte: Ekonomihögskolan vid Linnéuniversitet Växjö Författare: Victoria Fagerlund Larsson, Anton Lindh och Max Börjesson Handledare: Elin Funck Examinator: Pia Nylinder   Nyckelord: Logistikprocesser, processer, trånga sektioner, flaskhalsar, effektivitet, kvalitet, produktivitet, kartläggning, utvärdering och Supply Chain Management. Bakgrund: Det finns problem med handeln av vildsvinskött, där det idag inte är mer än 15% av köttet som når den legala marknaden. Detta beror på de hinder och flaskhalsar som existerar i kedjan som i dagsläget hindrar en effektiv kedja. Den resterande delen av köttet förbrukas antingen av jägarna själva eller för populationskontroll och skadedjursskjutning då vildsvin kan orsaka stora skador på bönders verksamhet. Detta leder till att det sker ett stort svinn av helt ätbart kött som hade kunnat säljas på en marknad. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att kartlägga logistikkedjan för vildsvinskött i södra Sverige. Genom kartläggningen identifieras svårigheter som finns inom logistikkedjan idag. Utifrån relevant teori ges förslag på potentiella förbättringar. Genom att överkomma svårigheterna möjliggörs en mer effektiv logistikkedja, med mer vildsvinskött på marknaden och ökad lönsamhet för de olika aktörerna som verkar inom kedjan. Metod: I uppsatsen har en processutvärdering använts för att kunna få en överblick över processerna och vad som behöver förändras. Den empiriska materialinsamlingen gjordes genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Slutsats: I uppsatsen har handeln av vildsvinskött kartlagts. Hinder har identifierats och förslag presenterats. En av de tydligaste slutsatserna har visat sig vara stora fluktuationerna i både utbud och efterfrågan vilket innebär att det är svårt att göra prognoser, vilket vi ändå föreslår att man gör. Digitaliseras prognoserna skulle informationsutbytet bli betydligt bättre då butiker och anläggningar skulle kunna dela prognoser om utbud och efterfrågan med varandra. Det hade lett till ett bättre in- och utflöde på marknaden vilket slutligen resulterat i en bättre fungerande handel av vildsvinskött. / Abstract Title: The wild boar chain- An evaluation study of the market of wild boar meat in southern Sweden Course: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, Controller 15 hp (2FE24E) Institution: School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University in Växjö Authors: Victoria Fagerlund Larsson, Anton Lindh and Max Börjesson Tutor: Elin Funck Examiner: Pia Nylinder   Keywords: Logistics processes, processes, narrow section, bottleneck, efficiency, improvement, quality, productivity, process mapping and evaluation. Background: No more than 15% of wild boar meat reaches the market because of the issues surrounding the market. It exists of obstacles and bottlenecks in the chain that hinder an effective market. The rest of the 85% of wild boar meat that does not reach the market is consumed by hunters and wasted because of population control and pest control because wild boars cause damage for farmers. This leads to partially wasted meat which could have been sold on the market for profits. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to map the process of the logistic chain for wild boar meat in southern Sweden. The difficulties that exist today in the logistic chain will be identified through process mapping. We also give suggestions for potential improvements, supported by relevant theory. Overcoming these difficulties will enable a more efficient logistic chain, with more wild boar meat on the market and increased profitability for the different actors that operate within the chain. Method: This essay uses a process evaluation study to be able to get an overview of the processes and what needs to change. The empirical material was collected through semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: The market for wild boar meat in Sweden has been identified through process mapping. Problems have been visualized and potential solutions have been presented. This paper has showed large fluctuations in both demand and supply. That means that it is difficult to make forecasts. We suggest forecasts as a tool for predicting the fluctuations. The sharing of information between the different parties will be considerably better if stores and the plants that handle wild boar meat in Sweden digitalize the forecasts. That would increase the inflow and the outflow to the market. This would result in a better logistic chain for wild boar meat.

Introdução: No Brasil, a maioria dos nascimentos é por cirurgia cesárea (CC), sendo amplamente utilizada no setor privado, mesmo com pesquisas indicando que quando as taxas de CC ultrapassam10-15%, os riscos adicionais superam os benefícios. A informação sobre benefícios e riscos das intervenções é fundamental para uma assistência segura e efetiva. É considerável o aumento de busca na web durante a gestação, no entanto, a qualidade das informações é questionável. Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade e abrangência das informações disponíveis sobre cesariana para leigos, em português, após um conjunto de políticas públicas para regular esta prática (2014/2015), na internet em geral e no site da Federação Brasileira de Associações de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia (FEBRASGO). Métodos: Trata-se de estudo documental observacional, transversal e analítico. A palavra \"cesárea\" e 25 sinônimos foram submetidos no campo de procura do site da FEBRASGO e em cinco motores de pesquisa para avaliar a preferência dos termos de busca. Os links catalogados foram analisados por dois pesquisadores independentes utilizando dois checklists: o DISCERN e um checklist específico para conteúdo. Adicionalmente, apresentou-se um debate sobre o sentido do nascimento, o ciberativismo e as políticas público no Brasil. Optou-se pela apresentação da tese no formato de três publicações, sendo duas já submetidas. Resultados: A palavra \"cesaria\" é a forma mais frequente, seguida de \"cesarea\". Na análise do conteúdo geral da internet, a produção de dado proveniente do Google.com.br representou apenas 45,5% (n = 235, 2018), sendo que este buscador tem a preferência de 94,5% dos brasileiros. Um terço do conteúdo esteve associado com informações relativas à recuperação da CC, resultado similar ao apontado pelo Google Trends com termos preferencias de busca na internet. As páginas Web foram melhor avaliadas em 2018 que em 2013, principalmente no critério de confiabilidade. O número páginas Web obtídos em 2018 foi 33% maior que em 2013, sendo que 93% eram inéditas. No site da FEBRASGO, foram observadas três fases distintas: 1) sem informação para leigos sobre CC, até 2014; 2) momento defensivo, onde os conteúdos estavam associados às medidas de redução de CC; 3) informativo, melhor redigido e autoral em 2018, porém, sem debater indicações, riscos e seu uso abusivo, no qual a CC é apenas citada dentro de outros temas. O debate sobre os ritos, mitos e as narrativas utilizadas no nascimento institucionalizado do Brasil traçou um paralelo teórico dos estudos entre o interacionismo simbólico de Mead e Blumer, com Davis Floyd e Diniz. Conclusões: Comparando os períodos de 2013 e 2018, nota-se melhora na confiabilidade da informação, porém, com uma queda do número de indicações e danos potenciais, e mais informação sobre recuperação. A cesárea é tratada frequentemente como fato consumado, tema que as gestantes estão mais interessadas. As associações médicas profissionais não tem promovido a devida informação sobre gravidez e parto, em linguagem apropriada para leigos, a Febrasgo poderia ocupar um lugar de referência na apomediação da relação médico-paciente, através de uma área dedicada a pacientes. O questionamento à epidemia de cesáreas se beneficiou da participação de iniciativas coletivas que representam narrativas independentes, como de grupos organizados de usuárias. Para a oferta de informações úteis à promoção de melhores resultados maternos e infantis, é necessária a mobilização em todas esferas sociais, públicas e privadas, e entre movimentos sociais, para a produção de conteúdo sobre CS com bases científicas, e uma orientação aos profissionais de saúde em recomendar páginas Web de qualidade às gestantes / Introduction: In Brazil, the majority of births are due to cesarean surgery (CC), being widely used in the private sector, even with research indicating that when CC rates exceed 10-15%, the additional risks outweigh the benefits. Information on benefits and risks of interventions is critical to safe and effective care. There is a growing trend for web research during pregnancy; however, the quality of information found is questionable. Objectives: This research aims to evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of available information on CC for laypeople in Portuguese, following implementation of a set of public policies aimed at regulating this practice (2014/2015), on the internet in general and on the website of the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FEBRASGO). Methods: An observational, transversal, analytical documentary research. The word \"cesarean\" and 25 synonyms were submitted in the search field of the FEBRASGO website and in five search engines to evaluate the preference of search terms.Two independent researchers using checklists to analyze the cataloged links: the DISCERN and a specific checklist for content.In addition, a debate was presented on the meaning of birth, cyberpolitics and public policies in Brazil.The thesis is presented in the article format, of the three publications, two already submitted.Results:The preliminary results on Internet search shows that the word \"cesaria\" is the most frequent form of the internet, followed by \"cesarea\". In the analysis of the general content of the internet, the production of data from Google.com.br represented only 45.5% (n = 235, 2018), and this search engine has the preference of 94.5% of Brazilians.One-third of the content was associated with CC recovery, a similar result to the one pointed out by Google Trends as preferences for internet search terms.The webpage (WP) number collected in 2018 was 33% higher than in 2013, and 93% of the previous were unpublished before. In 2018, WP were better endorsed than 2013 ones, particularly concerning the reliability criterion. On the FEBRASGO\'s website, analysis went through three phases: 1) no information for lay people about CC in 2014; 2) defensive texts associated with the CC reduction measures, in 2016; 3) a more informative, better written and authorial content in 2018, but with no debate on indications and abusive use of CC, only mentioned in other topic CC. The debate about the rites, myths and narratives used in the institutionalized birth of Brazil drew a theoretical parallel between the symbolic interactionism by Mead and Blumer and those by Davis Floyd and Diniz. Conclusions: When comparing the two periods, there is an improvement in the quality of information on CS, but with a decrease in the number of texts on indications and potential damages, as well as a rise on information about recovery from the surgery - often treated as a fait accompli - which is also a theme of great interest to pregnant women. Medical corporations have not promoted adequate information on pregnancy and childbirth in language appropriate for laypeople and need to be a reference in apomediation the physician-patient relationship through an area dedicated to patients. The questioning of the CS epidemy has benefited from the participation of collective initiatives that represent independent narratives, such as organized groups of healthcare consumers. To provide useful information that will improve the lives of mothers and infants, it\'s necessary to act in all social spheres, such as the public and the private, and across different social movements, producing CS related content based on scientific evidence, and guide healthcare professionals to recommending quality PW to pregnant women.