As Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are growing, there have been ceaseless efforts to develop a National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII). One of the challenges in constructing a NHII is concerned with the management of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). In particular, exchanging EHRs is an important factor in establishing interoperability within a NHII, and the reusability of the functionality for exchanging EHRs is one of major solutions to construct an NHII. In this study, we obtain several component models, and conduct empirical studies to validate the component models in terms of component reusability. Using HL7 CDA (Health Level 7 Clinical Document Architecture) as an EHR standard, we implemented three prototypes of the EHR Exchanger based on JavaBeans, the exogenous connectors and the mediator connector respectively. As shown in the experiment results, the reuse approach using a mediator connector leads to better component reusability in terms of external dependency, total coupling between objects (CBO), additional lines of codes (LOC), and performance. Thus, we believe that the reuse approach using a mediator connector yields many benefits in terms of component reusability for the EHR Exchanger implementation.

Embedded systems are microprocessor-based systems that cover a large range of computer systems from ultra small computer-based devices to large systems monitoring and controlling complex processes. The particular constraints that must be met by embedded systems, such as timeliness, resource-use efficiency, short time-to-market and low cost, coupled with the increasing complexity of embedded system software, demand technologies and processes that will tackle these issues. An attractive approach to manage the software complexity, increase productivity, reduce time to market and decrease development costs, lies in the adoption of the component based software engineering (CBSE) paradigm. The specific characteristics of embedded systems lead to important design issues that need to be addressed by a component model. Consequently, a component model for development of embedded systems needs to systematically address extra-functional system properties. The component model should support predictable system development and as such guarantee absence or presence of certain properties. Formal methods can be a suitable solution to guarantee the correctness and reliability of software systems.   Following the CBSE spirit, in this thesis we introduce the ProCom component model for development of distributed embedded systems. ProCom is structured in two layers, in order to support both a high-level view of loosely coupled subsystems encapsulating complex functionality, and a low-level view of control loops with restricted functionality. These layers differ from each other in terms of execution model, communication style, synchronization etc., but also in kind of analysis which are suitable. To describe the internal behavior of a component, in a structured way, in this thesis we propose REsource Model for Embedded Systems (REMES) that describes both functional and extra-functional behavior of interacting embedded components. We also formalize the resource-wise properties of interest and show how to analyze such behavioral models against them. / PROGRESS

Uppsatsens syfte är genom att föra Hartman och Osbecks forskningsresultat vidare gentemot uppsatsens resultat, diskutera hur läroböckernas textinnehåll stämmer överens eller skiljer sig åt med utgångspunkt i James Rest’s Four – Component model och tidigare forskningsverk, kommer denna examensuppsats bidra med en ökad förståelse för hur läroböcker kan tänkas ge möjligheter till att elever fördjupa sina moraliska resonemang utifrån ett religions didaktiskt perspektiv.  Forskningsmetoden som använts i denna uppsats är en kvalitativ innehållsanalys utifrån en analysmodell som grundar sig i Osbecks analysmodells kategorier över de etiska kompetenserna: Tänka över information, Genomföra handling, Ta in information och värdegrundsriktning. Uppsats resultat är att inte alla de granskande läroböckerna innehåller de exempelbegrepp som anges i lgr11, samt inte innehåller vardagliga moraliska frågeställningar som berör det innehåll som också framkommer i lgr11 för ämnet religion. Resultatet gav inte heller ett överensstämmande resultat med Osbecks forskningsresultat som hävdar att läroplanen bara stämmer överens med FCM steg 3 och 4. Då denna uppsats resultat uppvisar att frågeställningarna kan tänkas utveckla elevers moraliska resonemang utifrån FCM två steg: 2 – moralisk bedömning och steg 3 – moralisk motivation. / The purpose of the thesis is by advancing Hartman and Osbeck's research results towards the results of the thesis, discussing how the textual content of textbooks corresponds or differs based on James Rest's Four – Component model and previous research works, this thesis will provide an increased understanding of how textbooks might provide opportunities for studentsto deepen their moral reasoning from the didactic perspective of a religion.  The research method used in this thesis is a qualitative content analysis based on an analysis model based on Osbeck's analysis model's categories of ethical competences: Rethinking information, Conducting action, Taking in information and Values.  The thesis’s result that not all the reviewing textbooks contain the example concepts set out in lgr11, and do not contain everyday moral questions that touch on the content that also appears in lgr11 for the subject of religion. The results also did not match Osbeck's research findings, which claim that the curriculum is only consistent with FCM steps 3 and 4. Since this paper's results show that the questions may develop students' moral reasoning based on FCM two steps: 2 – moral judgment and step 3 – moral motivation.

The Three-Component Model of organizational commitment (TCM) by Meyer and Allen (1991, 1997) is widely regarded as the most dominant model in organizational commitment research (Cohen, 2003, 2007). However, recent research by Solinger et al. (2008) questioned the legitimacy of the TCM as a general model of organizational commitment. More specifically, the authors criticized the TCM for grouping affective commitment as an attitude toward target with continuance and normative commitment as attitudes toward behaviors under one general label of attitudinal construct. Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), Solinger et al. (2008) argued that we should consider organizational commitment strictly as an attitude toward the organization (i.e., affective commitment). Based on Eagly and Chaiken's (1993) composite attitude-behavior model, the current study tested the reconceptualization of organizational commitment as a unidimensional construct reflecting employees' attitudes toward the organization (i.e., affective commitment) in predicting several organizational behaviors (i.e., considerate voice, production deviance, and behavioral engagement). In addition, I also investigated whether these organizational behaviors could be better explained by adding different classes of behavioral expectancies (i.e., utilitarian, normative and self-identity expectancies) as antecedents. Finally, I tested the mediating roles of attitude toward behaviors in the relationship between affective commitment and three behavioral expectancies and the three organizational behaviors. A sample of 258 employees in a large-sized organization in China was obtained for this study. The results suggested that none of the hypotheses of the current study was supported by the evidence in the current study. In particular, affective commitment and three classes of behavioral expectancies did not significantly predict their corresponding behaviors. In addition, I also did not find the evidence for the indirect effects from affective commitment and the behavioral expectancies on the behaviors. Several alternative explanations were provided for the results. Among those, the lack of compatibility between affective commitment and the behaviors, the existence of moderators (e.g. national culture), the lack of necessary control to perform the behaviors successfully are key factors that might lead to the current findings. Although none of the hypotheses was supported, I found limited empirical supports for the reconceptualization of organizational commitment strictly as the attitude toward the organization and that organizational behaviors could be better explained by adding appropriate behavioral expectancies to the model (Solinger et al., 2008). Finally, theoretical and practical implications of the current study as well as directions for future research are discussed.

Cette thèse étudie les cycles économiques provinciaux chinois durant la période 1989-2009. Dans un premier temps, Nous utilisons une variété de techniques afin d'examiner la nature et le degré de comouvement entre les cycles de croissance provinciaux chinois. Nous détectons différentes propriétés des cycles de croissance provinciaux. En utilisant une méthodologie de classification basée sur un modèle, nous constatons que les provinces peuvent être classées parmi cinq classes en fonction des mesures standards des caractéristiques cycliques. Bien que la majorité des provinces a connu la récession qui a eu lieu autour de la crise asiatique, la nation dans son ensemble a connu une phase d'expansion. En outre, toutes les provinces, ont connu la récession liée à la crise financière internationale qui a eu lieu en 2007/2008 à l'exception du Jiangsu et Tianjin. Toutes les provinces côtières, sauf Hainan, sont significativement synchronisées avec le cycle national. En outre, nous constatons que les quatre principales récessions nationales sont bien diffusées dans tout le pays. Ensuite, nous analysons la co-cyclicité entre les provinces dans chacune des six régions définies par Groenewold et al. (2008). Nous nous basons sur la décomposition tendance-cycle en utilisant le modèle à composantes inobservables univarié et multivarié. Nous trouvons que La majorité des cycles provinciaux reflètent des chocs de la demande plutôt que des chocs de l'offre. En examinant si des cycles communs existent au sein de chaque région, nous pouvons formuler des conclusions sur la pertinence de la définition de ces régions. / This thesis deals with the Chinese provincial growth cycles over the period 1989-2009. First, we use a variety of techniques to examine the nature and degree of comovement among Chinese provincial growth cycles. We detect different properties of the provincial growth cycles. Using a model-based clustering methodology, we find that provinces can be classified among five major clusters as a function of standard measures of cyclical characteristics. Although the majority of provinces experienced the recession that occurred around the Asian crisis, the nation as whole experienced an expansionary phase. Moreover, all the provinces experienced the recession related to the subprime crisis that occurred in 2007/2008 except Jiangsu and Tianjing. However, All coastal provinces except Hainan are significantly synchronized with the national cycle. Furthermore, we find that the main four national recessions are well diffused across the country. Then, we analyse the co-cyclicality between provinces in each of the six regions defined by Groenewold et al. (2008). We rely on trend-cycle decomposition by using both univariate and multivariate unobserved component model. The majority of provincial cycles reflect demand rather than supply-side shocks. By examining the commonality of provincial growth cycles within each region, we ask whether the definition of these regions is supported by statistical analysis. We find mixed results. Finally, we use a Markov switching model that allow for the identification of business/seasonal cycle interaction.

This work investigates mainly panel data models in which cross-sections can be considered independent. In the first part, we summarize results in the field of pool models and one-way error component models with fixed and random effects. We focus especially on the ways of estimating unknown parameters and on effects significance tests. We also briefly describe two-way error component model issues. In the second part, estimators of first order autoregressive panel data model parameters are derived, for both fixed and random parameters case. The work proves unbiasedness, consistency and asymptotic normality of selected estimators. Using these features, hypothesis tests about corresponding parameters are derived. Application of models is illustrated using real data and simulated data examples. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 protegidoJacqueline_dissertacao.pdf: 3012964 bytes, checksum: 337f371fa8c665bb4fdfdc22709938da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-02 / The soil spatial variability s studies are based in geostatistics which appears as a method whose data comes from natural phenomena and consider the geographical location of the phenomenon. If in an area under study the researcher has interest in searching the variability of variables and has evidence that the steps which describe the spatial structure of this variables aren t independent a geostatistical bivariate model study can be proposed. This work concentrates on evaluating the variation s influence of the bivariate Gaussian common component model (BGCCM) parameters in calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient and analyzing the influence that sizes and sampling settings may present at the BGCCM s estimation and at spatial prediction variables in non-sampled locations. Moreover, for co-placed samples, crossed semivariograms were built and compared with univariate model and BGCCM, in relation to estimates of the model and the sizes associated with the spatial prediction. In order to do it, these methodologies were applied in simulated data sets and experimental data, from an agricultural property. The simulation study of the parameters variation influence s analysis of the bivariate model BGCCM in calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between described variables of bivariate model BGCCM revealed that the Pearson s linear correlation coefficient can t be considered in decision-making about the presence of joint spatial dependence between pairs of variables. In the study with simulations, it was observed that the biggest differences of accuracy measures and the square sum of the spatial prediction s difference occurred when the univariate models and crossed semivariogram were compared to the BGCCM. Moreover, the simulation s study observed that for balanced data the regular and irregular meshes showed better efficiency as the spatial prediction. The study with real data showed that under the BGCCM approach, spatial dependence was observed, mainly between pH and Mn for co-placed and balanced data of the agriculture year 2010/2011; and between the variable inside of the next pairs: (Prod, RSP0-10), (Prod, RSP11-20), (Prod, RSP21-30) and (Prod, Mn) for co-placed and balanced data of the agriculture year 2013/2014; and (Prod, RSP11-20) and (Prod, RSP21-30) for co-placed and unbalanced data of the agriculture year 2013/2014. Still considering the real data study comparing the univariated models, crossed semivariogram and BGCCM, differences could be observed in the square sum of prediction s difference and in the accuracy measures, both for balanced and unbalanced data. However, considering the real data and the control sample, the spatial prediction s quality using the BGCCM model was inefficient when compared to the quality resulted from the spatial prediction using the univariate model. Nevertheless, this result may have been influenced by the choice of sample configuration. / Estudos da variabilidade espacial do solo estão baseados na geoestatística, que se apresenta como um método cujos dados provêm de fenômenos naturais e que consideram a localização geográfica do fenômeno. Se numa área em estudo o pesquisador tem interesse em pesquisar a variabilidade das variáveis e se há evidências que os passos que descrevem a estrutura espacial dessas variáveis não são independentes pode-se propor o estudo de um modelo geoestatístico bivariado. Este trabalho concentrou-se em avaliar a influência da variação dos parâmetros do modelo bivariado com componente de correlação parcialmente comum (bivariate Gaussian common component model BGCCM) no cálculo do coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson e analisar a influência que tamanhos e configurações amostrais podem apresentar na estimação do modelo BGCCM e na predição espacial de variáveis em localizações não amostradas. Além disso, para amostras co-locadas, construíram-se os semivariogramas cruzados e comparou-se com o modelo univariado e BGCCM, em relação às estimativas do modelo e as medidas associadas à predição espacial. Para isso, essas metodologias foram aplicadas em conjuntos de dados simulados e dados experimentais, provenientes de uma propriedade agrícola. O estudo de simulação da análise da influência da variação dos parâmetros do modelo bivariado BGCCM no cálculo do coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson entre as variáveis descritas do modelo bivariado BGCCM revelou que o coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson não pode ser considerado na tomada de decisão quanto à presença de dependência espacial conjunta entre pares de variáveis. No estudo com simulações observou-se que as maiores diferenças das medidas de acurácia e da soma quadrada da diferença entre as predições espaciais ocorreram quando se comparou os modelos univariado e semivariograma cruzado com o BGCCM. Ainda no estudo de simulação observou-se que para os dados balanceados as malhas regular e irregular apresentaram melhor eficiência quanto à predição espacial. O estudo com dados reais mostrou que, sob a abordagem do modelo BGCCM, observou-se a presença de dependência espacial principalmente entre pH e Mn para dados co-locados e balanceados do ano agrícola 2010/2011; e entre as variáveis dentro dos seguintes pares: (Prod, RSP0-10), (Prod, RSP11-20), (Prod, RSP21-30) e (Prod, Mn) para dados co-locados e balanceados do ano agrícola 2013/2014; e (Prod, RSP11-20) e (Prod, RSP21-30) para dados co-locados e desbalanceados do ano agrícola 2013/2014. Ainda considerando o estudo com dados reais comparando os modelos univariado, semivariograma cruzado e BGCCM, mostraram diferenças na soma quadrada da diferença da predição e nas medidas acurácia, tanto para dados balanceados como para os desbalanceados. No entanto, considerando os dados reais e a amostra controle, a qualidade da predição espacial usando o modelo BGCCM se mostrou ineficiente quando comparada com a qualidade obtida na predição espacial usando o modelo univariado. Porém, esse resultado pode ter sido influenciado pela escolha da configuração amostral utilizada.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are solid-state ceramic cells, typically operating between 1073 K and 1273 K. Because of high operating temperature, SOFCs are mostly applicable in stationary power generation. Among various configurations in which SOFCs exist, the planar configuration of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has the potential to offer high power density due to shorter current path. Moreover, the planar configuration of SOFC is simple to stack and closely resemble the stacking arrangement of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. However, due to high operating temperature, there are problems associated with the development and commercialization of planar SOFCs, such as requirement of high temperature gas seals, internal stresses in cell components, and high material and manufacturing costs. Mathematical modeling is an essential tool for the advancement of SOFC technology. Mathematical models can help in gaining insights on the processes occurring inside the fuel cell, and can also aid in the design and optimization of fuel cells by examining the effect of various operating and design conditions on performance. A multi-component and multi-dimensional mathematical model of SOFCs has been developed in this thesis research. One of the novelties of the present model is its treatment of electrodes. An electrode in the present model is treated as two distinct layers referred to as the backing layer and the reaction zone layer. Reaction zone layers are thin layers in the vicinity of the electrolyte layer where electrochemical reactions occur to produce oxide ions, electrons and water vapor. The other important feature of the present model is its flexibility in fuel choice, which implies not only pure hydrogen but also any reformate composition can be used as a fuel. The modified Stefan-Maxwell equations incorporating Knudsen diffusion are used to model multi-component diffusion in the porous backing and reaction zone layers. The coupled governing equations of species, charge and energy along with the constitutive equations in different layers of the cell are solved for numerical solution using the finite volume method and developed code written in the computer language of C++. In addition, the developed numerical model is validated with various experimental data sets published in the open literature. Moreover, it is verified that the electrode in an SOFC can be treated as two distinct layers referred to as the backing layer and the reaction zone layer. The numerical model not only predicts SOFC performance at different operating and design conditions but also provides insight on the phenomena occurring within the fuel cell. In an anode-supported SOFC, the ohmic overpotential is the single largest contributor to the cell potential loss. Also, the cathode and electrolyte overpotentials are not negligible even though their thicknesses are negligible relative to the anode thickness. Moreover, methane reforming and water-gas shift reactions aid in significantly reducing the anode concentration overpotential in the thick anode of an anode-supported SOFC. A worthwhile comparison of performance between anode-supported and self-supported SOFCs reveals that anode-supported design of SOFCs is the potential design for operating at reduced temperatures. A parametric study has also been carried out to investigate the effect of various key operating and design parameters on the performance of an anode-supported SOFC. Reducing the operating temperature below 1073 K results in a significant drop in the performance of an anode-supported SOFC; hence ionic conductivity of the ion-conducting particles in the reaction zone layers and electrolyte needs to be enhanced to operate anode-supported SOFCs below 1073 K. Further, increasing the anode reaction zone layer beyond certain thickness has no significant effect on the performance of an anode-supported SOFC. Moreover, there is a spatial limitation to the transport of oxide ions in the reaction zone layer, thereby reflecting the influence of reaction zone thickness on cell performance.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are solid-state ceramic cells, typically operating between 1073 K and 1273 K. Because of high operating temperature, SOFCs are mostly applicable in stationary power generation. Among various configurations in which SOFCs exist, the planar configuration of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has the potential to offer high power density due to shorter current path. Moreover, the planar configuration of SOFC is simple to stack and closely resemble the stacking arrangement of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. However, due to high operating temperature, there are problems associated with the development and commercialization of planar SOFCs, such as requirement of high temperature gas seals, internal stresses in cell components, and high material and manufacturing costs. Mathematical modeling is an essential tool for the advancement of SOFC technology. Mathematical models can help in gaining insights on the processes occurring inside the fuel cell, and can also aid in the design and optimization of fuel cells by examining the effect of various operating and design conditions on performance. A multi-component and multi-dimensional mathematical model of SOFCs has been developed in this thesis research. One of the novelties of the present model is its treatment of electrodes. An electrode in the present model is treated as two distinct layers referred to as the backing layer and the reaction zone layer. Reaction zone layers are thin layers in the vicinity of the electrolyte layer where electrochemical reactions occur to produce oxide ions, electrons and water vapor. The other important feature of the present model is its flexibility in fuel choice, which implies not only pure hydrogen but also any reformate composition can be used as a fuel. The modified Stefan-Maxwell equations incorporating Knudsen diffusion are used to model multi-component diffusion in the porous backing and reaction zone layers. The coupled governing equations of species, charge and energy along with the constitutive equations in different layers of the cell are solved for numerical solution using the finite volume method and developed code written in the computer language of C++. In addition, the developed numerical model is validated with various experimental data sets published in the open literature. Moreover, it is verified that the electrode in an SOFC can be treated as two distinct layers referred to as the backing layer and the reaction zone layer. The numerical model not only predicts SOFC performance at different operating and design conditions but also provides insight on the phenomena occurring within the fuel cell. In an anode-supported SOFC, the ohmic overpotential is the single largest contributor to the cell potential loss. Also, the cathode and electrolyte overpotentials are not negligible even though their thicknesses are negligible relative to the anode thickness. Moreover, methane reforming and water-gas shift reactions aid in significantly reducing the anode concentration overpotential in the thick anode of an anode-supported SOFC. A worthwhile comparison of performance between anode-supported and self-supported SOFCs reveals that anode-supported design of SOFCs is the potential design for operating at reduced temperatures. A parametric study has also been carried out to investigate the effect of various key operating and design parameters on the performance of an anode-supported SOFC. Reducing the operating temperature below 1073 K results in a significant drop in the performance of an anode-supported SOFC; hence ionic conductivity of the ion-conducting particles in the reaction zone layers and electrolyte needs to be enhanced to operate anode-supported SOFCs below 1073 K. Further, increasing the anode reaction zone layer beyond certain thickness has no significant effect on the performance of an anode-supported SOFC. Moreover, there is a spatial limitation to the transport of oxide ions in the reaction zone layer, thereby reflecting the influence of reaction zone thickness on cell performance.

The success of Web services comes from the benefits that it brings in reducing the cost and the time needed to develop data and applications by reusing them, and simplifying their integrations through standardization. However, standardization in Web services does not remove the need for adapters due to possible heterogeneity among service interface and protocol definitions. Moreover, the current service APIs are targeted toward professional programmers, but not accessible to a wider class of users without programming expertise, but would never the less like to build their own integrated applications. In this dissertation, we propose methods and tools to support both service developers and non-expert users in their data and application integration tasks. To support service developers, we propose a framework that enables rapid development of Web service adapters. We investigate particularly the problem of service adaptation focusing on business interface and protocol layers. Our study shows that many differences between business interfaces and protocols are recurring. We introduce mismatch patterns to capture these recurring differences and provide solutions to resolve them. We present the notion of adaptation aspects, which is based on the aspect-oriented programming paradigm, to enable rapid development and deployment of service adapters. We also present a comparative study between standalone and aspect-oriented adapters development. The study shows that the aspect-oriented approach is preferable in many cases, especially when adapters need to access internal states of services. The proposed approach is implemented in a prototype tool, which is used to illustrate how it simplifies adapters development through a case study. To support users without programming expertise, we propose a spreadsheet-based Web mashups development framework, which enables users to develop mashups in the popular spreadsheet environment. First, we provide a mechanism that makes structured data first class values of spreadsheet cells. Second, we propose a new component model that can be used to develop fairly sophisticated mashups, involving joining data sources and keeping spreadsheet data up to date. Third, to simplify mashup development, we provide a collection of spreadsheet-based mashup patterns that captures common Web data access and spreadsheet presentation functionalities. Users can reuse and customize these patterns to build spreadsheet-based Web mashups instead of developing them from scratch. Fourth, we enable users to manipulate structured data presented on spreadsheet in a drag-and-drop fashion. Finally, we have developed and tested a prototype tool to demonstrate the utility of the proposed framework.