Networks of distributed, remote sensors are providing ecological scientists with a view of our environment that is unprecedented in detail. However, these networks are subject to harsh conditions, which lead to malfunctions in individual sensors and failures in network communications. This behavior manifests as corrupt or missing measurements in the data. Consequently, before the data can be used in ecological models, future experiments, or even policy decisions, it must be quality controlled (QC'd) to flag affected measurements and impute corrected values. This dissertation describes a probabilistic modeling approach for real-time automated QC that exploits the spatial and temporal correlations in the data to distinguish sensor failures from valid observations. The model adapts to a site by learning a Bayesian network structure that captures spatial relationships among sensors, and then extends this structure to a dynamic Bayesian network to incorporate temporal correlations. The final QC model contains both discrete and continuous variables, which makes inference intractable for large sensor networks. Consequently, we examine the performance of three approximate methods for inference in this probabilistic framework. Two of these algorithms represent contemporary approaches to inference in hybrid models, while the third is a greedy search-based method of our own design. We demonstrate the results of these algorithms on synthetic datasets and real environmental sensor data gathered from an ecological sensor network located in western Oregon. Our results suggest that we can improve performance over networks with less sensors that use exhaustive asynchronic inference by including additional sensors and applying approximate algorithms. / Graduation date: 2013

In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in deployment and usage of realtime network applications, such as Voice-over-IP, video calls/video conferencing, live network seminars, and networked gaming. The continued increase in the popularity of realtime applications requires a more intense focus on the provision of strict guarantees for Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as delay, jitter and packet loss in access networks. At the same time, wireless networking technologies have become increasingly popular with a wide array of devices such as laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and cellular phones being sold with built-in WiFi and WiMAX interfaces. For realtime applications to be popular over wireless networks, simple, robust and effective QoS mechanisms suited for a variety of heterogeneous wireless networks must be devised. Implementing the same QoS mechanisms across multiple neighbouring networks aids seamless handover by ensuring that a flow will be treated in the same way, both before and after handover. To provide guaranteed QoS, an access network should limit load using an admission control algorithm. In this research, we propose a method to provide effective admission control for variable bit rate realtime flows, based on the Central Limit Theorem. Our objective is to estimate the percentage of packets that will be delayed beyond a predefined delay threshold, based on the mean and variance of all the flows in the system. Any flow that will increase the percentage of delayed packets beyond an acceptable threshold can then be rejected. Using simulations we have shown that the proposed method provides a very effective control of the total system load, guaranteeing the QoS for a set of accepted flows with negligible reductions in the system throughput. To ensure that flow data is transmitted according to the QoS requirements of a flow, a scheduling algorithm must handle data intelligently. We propose methods to allow more efficient scheduling by utilising existing Medium Access Control mechanisms to exchange flow information. We also propose a method to determine the delay-dependent "value" of a packet based on the QoS requirements of the flow. Using this value in scheduling is shown to increase the number of packets sent before a predetermined deadline. We propose a measure of fairness in scheduling that is calculated according to how well each flow's QoS requirements are met. We then introduce a novel scheduling paradigm, Delay Loss Controlled-Earliest Deadline First (DLC-EDF), which is shown to provide better QoS for all flows compared to other scheduling mechanisms studied. We then study the performance of our admission control and scheduling methods working together, and propose a feedback mechanism that allows the admission control threshold to be tuned to maximise the efficient usage of available bandwidth in the network, while ensuring that the QoS requirements of all realtime flows are met. We also examine heterogeneous/vertical handover, providing an overview of the technologies supporting seamless handover. The issues studied in this area include a method of using the Signal to Noise Ratio to trigger handover in heterogeneous networks and QoS Mapping between heterogeneous networks. Our proposed method of QoS mapping establishes the minimum set of QoS parameters applicable to individual flows, and then maps these parameters into system parameter formats for both 802.11e and 802.16e networks.

Thesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The purpose of this project is to develop methods for distribution network power quality' variations monitoring. Power quality (PO) has become a significant issue for both power suppliers and customers. There have been important changes in power system regarding to power quality requirements. "Power quality" is the combination at voltage quality and current quality. The main research problem of the project is to investigate the power quality of a distribution network by selection of proper measurement, applying and developing the existing classic and modern signal conditioning methods for power disturbance's parameters extracting and monitoring. The research objectives are: To study the standard lEC 61000-4-30 requirements. to investigate the common couplings in the distribution network. To identity the points for measurement, to develop MySQL database for the data from the measurement and to develop MATLAB software tor simulation of the network To develop methods based on Fourier transforms for estimation of the parameters of the disturbances. To develop software for the methods implementation, The influence of different loads on power quality disturbances are considered in the distribution network. Points on the network and meters according to the lEC power quality standards are investigated and applied for the CPUT Bellville campus distribution network. The implementation of the power quality monitoring for the CPUT Bellville campus helps the quality of power supply to be improved and the used power to be reduced. MATLAB programs to communicate with the database and calculate the disturbances and power quality parameters are developed.

A presente tese demonstra, a partir da avaliação convencional pelo método das Funções de Transferência de sistemas de imagem radiológica, que é necessário obter imagens de fenda em diversas orientações no campo para que essa análise tenha um significado mais real no caso de sistemas não isotrópicos. Isso provém da não linearidade na variação entre as FTMs obtidas para diversas direções 0 e 90&#176C relativas ao eixo do tubo de raios-X. Essa verificação, entretanto, representa um sério problema prático, pois indica um aumento no grau de complexidade de um método que, embora considerado o mais preciso pela maioria dos pesquisadores, tem sido utilizado apenas por laboratórios muito bem equipados. Assim, visando solucionar esse problema, esta tese propõe um novo método de simulação por computador que calcula a FEL e a FTM devidas ao ponto focal, dispensando, portanto, todo o complexo aparato experimental convencionalmente utilizado, o que contribui para tornar acessível à avaliação pelas funções de transferência a qualquer unidade radiológica. Por fim, faz parte desse trabalho também uma investigação do significado físico das variações registradas entre as FTMs e um estudo formal desenvolvido acerca dos conceitos da característica de campo e da magnificação lateral. / From the conventional evaluation by the radiological systems Transfer Functions, this work shows that it is necessary to obtain slit images at several field orientations so that this annalysis has a more real significance for non-isotropic systems. This is achieved from the non-linearity on the variations among the MTFs obtained in several directions between 0 and 90&#176C relative to the X-ray tube axis. This notification, however, represents a serious practical matter, because it shows an increase on the complexity of a method which has been used just by well structured laboratories, although many researchers have considered it the most accurate. Hence, in order to solve this problem, we present a new computer simulation method which calculates the LSF and the MTF due to the focal spot, without all the conventional complex experimental apparatus. This makes the evaluation by the transfer functions suitable to any radiological unit. Finally, it is also part of this work an investigation of the physical meaning of the variations among the MTFs and a formal study about the field characteristics and the lateral magnification concepts.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Management Sciences Specialising in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / In the electricity prepayment metering industry the continuous increase in customers’ expectations and technological innovation demand that leading firms in the industry differentiate themselves from the competition by going beyond customers’ present expectations. Thus, organizations which have set their goals on mere customer satisfaction are, from a customers’ perspective, deemed to be of limited value and may subsequently lack the anticipation and preparation essential to meet the demands of the future. Electricity prepayment metering market competition today is forcing organisations to seek the means to gain customer satisfaction, and thus aim to sustain their future in times of economic instability. The study revealed that the most effective way to retain customer satisfaction is consistent service quality that decreases the cost of attracting new customers and raises sales and market share. The quality of service is one of the most effective factors in creating competitive advantages and advance business. Factors that influence customer satisfaction in the electricity prepayment industry were investigated and tested. The study also attempted to identify the critical factors, as identified in the literature, among those investigated: service quality, customer expectations, customer perception and customer retention. Against this background, the study sought to determine the interrelationship between customer satisfaction and the critical factors of customer satisfaction with Conlog Electricity Prepayment Meters in KwaZulu-Natal. The research developed to ascertain subjects’ perceptions of the critical factors of customer satisfaction; determine the interrelationship among the critical factors of customer satisfaction; and explore the relationship between customer satisfaction and the critical factors of customer satisfaction. The research population comprising of Conlog electricity prepayment metering customers in KwaZulu-Natal was selected and interviewed. Questionnaires were distributed through electronic mail and self-administered for data collection and a sample of twelve respondents was selected for interview. Interviews were analysed using conversational analysis and the data collected from the interviews were merged with the questionnaire data, seeking depth as well as breadth. Data collected from respondents was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The tool utilised to analyze data was the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The results of the study revealed that service quality is the most significant critical factor of customer satisfaction. The study recommends that the management of Conlog can use the specific data obtained from the measurement of service quality in their strategies and plans. The study further recommends that Conlog allocates resources to this effect to provide better service to their customers. The results and findings of the study will provide further information concerning customer satisfaction and customer perception in the prepayment metering industry in KwaZulu-Natal. It will also contribute to future industry research, setting the ground for further research in measuring levels of customer satisfaction in the electricity prepayment industry in South Africa. / M

Orientador: Carlos Alberto Favarin Murari / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T04:03:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Duque_MarinaBorges_M.pdf: 1960535 bytes, checksum: 1d0e3bb5b148b1377f1e8e33d3ab25ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Para garantir o bom desempenho das redes de distribuição de energia elétrica, bem como aumentar a qualidade dos serviços prestados aos consumidores, faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento e a implementação de metodologias que permitam avaliar tanto os custos como os benefícios que trazem as diferentes alternativas de projeto propostas e os seus impactos no sistema como um todo, mantendo sempre aceitáveis os índices de qualidade e confiabilidade do fornecimento aos diferentes consumidores: residencial, comercial e industrial. Nesse contexto, um programa computacional que realize o cálculo dos fluxos de potência é uma ferramenta imprescindível na análise dos sistemas elétricos de potência tendo-se como principais grandezas de interesse, as tensões nas diferentes barras e os fluxos de potência ativa e reativa em todos os componentes da rede elétrica (linhas, transformadores, etc.). E como a maior parte das redes de distribuição de energia elétrica é trifásica, é de fundamental importância adotar uma formulação trifásica que represente de forma adequada os desequilíbrios, e, portanto nesta dissertação é apresentada uma versão de fluxo de carga trifásico baseada no Método Iterativo de Correção de Tensão com possibilidade de inserção de cargas não lineares para contemplar as frequências harmônicas e assim obter o estado da rede (magnitude e ângulo das tensões nodais) e também de outras grandezas elétricas contemplando os efeitos causados por cargas não lineares, com ênfase para o motor de indução trifásico / Abstract: To ensure a good performance of power distribution networks as well as to increase the quality of services provided for the consumers, it is necessary the development and implementation of methodologies to assess the costs and the benefits of the different operating alternatives and their impacts on the system as a whole, while maintaining acceptable levels of quality and the reliability of electricity supply to the various consumers: residential, commercial and industrial. In this context, a computer program that performs the calculation of power flows is an essential tool in the analysis of electrical power systems having as main quantities of interest - nodal voltages and active and reactive power flows - at all electrical network components (lines, transformers, etc.). Once the electrical distribution networks are three-phase, it is crucial to adopt a three-phase formulation that adequately represents the load unbalance. We propose a version of a three-phase load flow based on the Voltage Correction Iterative Method with the possibility of including non-linear loads - with emphasis for three-phase induction motor - to simulating harmonic frequencies and getting the corresponding node voltages and other electrical quantities / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestra em Engenharia Elétrica

This thesis engages in its theoretical part description of the process of pursuance and assurance of quality in emergency medical dispatch centre. There is also a comprehensive description of key quality parameters used in this environment in this part. The content of the empiric section is an organizational case study, which aim was to evaluate an extensive organizational change in emergency medical dispatch centre of the Emergency Medical Service of the Central Bohemian region and its impacts on the quality of care. The first phase of centralization of emergency medical dispatch centres in the Central Bohemian region went through during the first half of 2011. Four local emergency medical dispatch centres were gradually brought together into one entity. The aim of the research was to evaluate impacts of the organizational change on key quality parameters. The observational retrospective study consists of two groups of data, collected from identical area during two equivalent periods. Group A contains data from the period of six months before and group B contains data from the period of six months after the centralization. Key quality indicators were compared in both groups: response time; call processing times; safety of classification and indication of calls; use of dispatch life support and...

Ce travail de recherche porte sur l’évaluation du système d’information (SI) bancaire de front-office. Àtravers un cadre d’analyse sociotechnique, nous avons cherché à identifier les variables et leurs liens àprendre en compte pour évaluer le succès perçu du SI auprès des utilisateurs. La proposition centrale est quele succès perçu du SI bancaire de front-office dépend à la fois de caractéristiques techniques et sociales.Aussi, les spécificités du monde bancaire, l’évolution de l’environnement aussi bien réglementaire queconcurrentiel, nous ont convaincus de la nécessité d’une évaluation appropriée au domaine bancaire. C’estpourquoi ce travail de recherche est composé d’une part d’une approche qualitative exploratoire afind’identifier les variables spécifiques au domaine bancaire, et d’autre part d’une démarche quantitative denature hypothético-déductive.Au final, on propose un modèle composé de huit variables (les qualités de la formation, du système, duservice, de l’information, l’utilisation, la satisfaction, le soutien des managers intermédiaires, les bénéficesnets) expliquant le chemin menant au succès du SI bancaire. L’influence de la participation des utilisateurs àune phase de projet concernant le SI, ainsi que celle des caractéristiques sociodémographiques desrépondants ont été analysées.Ce modèle constitue à la fois un apport théorique, mais aussi managérial puisque les banques disposentmaintenant d’un instrument leur permettant de mesurer le succès de leur SI.Ce travail souligne l’importance de certaines variables, et met en évidence des liaisons spécifiques audomaine bancaire. / This research focuses on evaluating the banks’ front office information system (IS). By using asociotechnical analysis frame, we wished to identify the variables and the links that have to be taken intoaccount in order to evaluate the perceived IS success among users. The main proposal is that this perceivedsuccess depends on characteristics which are both technical and social ones. At the same time, we wereconvinced by the bank specificities, rules and competition evolution, that an evaluation, peculiar to the fieldof the banks, is necessary. This is why this research uses at the same time a qualitative approach, to identifythe specific variables in the bank world, and a quantitative approach based on hypothesis and deduction.We finally propose a model showing eight variables (the qualities of the training, the system, the service, theinformation, the use, the satisfaction, the middle managers’ support, the net profit) which enlight the wayleading to the success of bank IS. Both users’ participation to a IS step of a project and the surveyed people’ssociodemographic characteristics were analysed. This model both provides a theoretical and managerialaspect, since the banks now have a tool measuring the success of their Information System. This workemphasizes the weight of some variables and highlights some links specific to the banks field.

Záměrem předložené disertační práce je porozumět tomu, jak investoři v konkrétním společenském kontextu vnímají význam kvality informačních systémů. Ze studia literatury zabývající se přístupy a rámci hodnocení kvality informačních systémů vyplývá, že tato kvalita je obecně hodnocena z hlediska striktního přístupu. V této práci je ukázáno, že kvalitu informačního systému lze smysluplně pochopit použitím interpretačního paradigmatu a že kvalita informačního systému je definována společensky a ovlivňována kontextem tohoto systému. Studie byla zahájena průzkumem dvaceti libyjských organizací. Podrobnější data byla získána z případové studie dvou vybraných libyjských organizací působících ve veřejném sektoru. Při empirické analýze nashromážděných dat bylo využito rámce mnohočetné perspektivy, který zahrnuje hlediska teorie strukturalizace, pojem mnohočetných perspektiv a metodologii měkkých systémů. V práci se dospělo ke zjištění, že: a) kvalita informačních systémů je pojata šíře, než je tomu u tradiční definice kvality, b) mnohočetné perspektivy kvality informačních systémů jsou ovlivněny opakovanou interakcí mezi investorem a institucionálními vlastnostmi kontextu informačního systému a že c) rozdílné hodnoty v kulturním prostředí a vnějším kontextu ovlivňují rozsah působnosti investora a interakce v kontextu informačního systému. Ze závěru práce vyplývá, že společenská skladba mnohočetných perspektiv kvality informačního systému je ovlivněna strukturalizačními procesy mezi investory a vlastnostmi v kontextu informačního systému.