This work concerns ethics applied to computer technology, emphasizing the use of this technology within organizations. Computer technology has created the possibility to do things not possible before, for good and bad. Ethical reasoning can be used as a tool to provide guidance, in order to create Computerized Information Systems (CIS) that are sustainable with respect to the ethical demands that can be put upon them. If one wants to integrate ethical considerations into a CIS, it is reasonable that ethical issues should be taken account of in systems development. As a general methodology for developing a CIS, the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) will be examined. The SDLC is the place and moment when it is possible to integrate ethical considerations into a CIS. This work will focus on, and try to explain, what characteristics are necessary in order to be able to apply ethical considerations to a methodology. This is done by examining five methodologies adopting the SDLC. It will also be examined how the three major ethical theories utilitarianism, deontologism and rights ethics will affect the SDLC, and thus eventually a CIS being implemented. The outcome of this work are that there are limited possibilities of integrating ethical considerations into methodologies adopting a hard system approach, compared to those adopting a soft one. The ethical standards of a CIS must be established early on in the SDLC. Integration of ethical issues requires a system approach to be applied in the SDLC. Participation becomes an important feature of systems development in order to adopt ethical reasoning. The different ethical theories will put different emphasis on the group or the individual in systems development.

This thesis contains the results of molecular dynamics simulations of molecule-surface interactions, looking particularly at fullerene molecules and carbon surfaces. Energetic impacts of fullerene molecules on graphite create defect craters. The relationship between the parameters of the impacting molecule and the parameters of the crater are examined and found to be a function of the energy and velocity of the impacting molecule. Less energetic fullerene molecules can be scattered from a graphite surface and the partitioning of energy after a scattering event is investigated. It is found that a large fraction of the kinetic energy retained after impact is translational energy, with a small fraction of rotational energy and a number of vibrational modes. At impact energies where the surface is not broken and at normal incidence, surface waves are seen to occur. These waves are used to develop a method of desorbing molecules from a graphite surface without damage to either the surface or the molecules being desorbed. A number of fullerene molecules are investigated and ways to increase the desorption yield are examined. It is found that this is a successful technique for desorbing large numbers of intact molecules from graphite. This technique could be used for desorbing intact molecules into a gas phase for mass spectrometric analysis.

Statement of the problem: The risk-benefit profile of warfarin anticoagulation in hemodialysis (HD) patients differs compared to the non-HD population. Computerized decision support systems (CDSS) to assist with anticoagulation management are safe and effective in the non-HD population but had not previously been studied in HD outpatients. Methods of investigation: A before – after study compared anticoagulation control during pre-existing, nephrologist-led anticoagulation management to that following implementation of a pharmacist-led, CDSS-assisted strategy, in HD patients on warfarin at The Ottawa Hospital. Results: Forty-two patients were included. Following implementation of the CDSS-assisted strategy, median time-in-range increased by 3.7% (IQR, -9.5% - 20.6%; p = 0.247). Median frequency of INR tests per day decreased: -0.040 (IQR, -0.074 to –0.0008; P = 0.0001). Adverse events were similar. Conclusion: A CDSS-assisted strategy for anticoagulation management in HD patients is effective, safe and may lead to cost savings related to less frequent INR testing.

Orientador: Glaucia Maria Bovi Ambrosano / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T02:02:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guedes_FabioRibeiro_D.pdf: 610319 bytes, checksum: 9bcc253688efef523d092d4350e7889f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de avaliar a influência dos fatores de obtenção das imagens de tomografia computadorizada na acurácia de modelos produzidos por meio de prototipagem rápida, verificando o grau de distorção dos protótipos produzidos a partir de imagens de tomografia computadorizada. Para isto foram selecionados 10 ramos mandibulares humanos macerados, os quais foram submetidos a exames de tomografia computadorizada. Para a obtenção das imagens dos cortes axiais, diferentes seqüências de escaneamento foram obtidas, variando o diâmetro do FOV (Field of View) em 200 mm, 250 mm e 300 mm; a espessura de corte em 0,5 mm; 1,0 mm e 1,5 mm; e o algoritmo de imagem, sendo selecionado o algoritmo para tecido ósseo, cerebral e base de crânio e órbita. Todas as seqüências de imagens obtidas foram gravadas na linguagem DICOM em CD-ROM e enviadas ao Centro de Pesquisas Renato Archer (CenPRA) para confecção dos modelos. Foi realizada a segmentação das imagens de cada um dos fatores, efetuando as reconstruções tridimensionais (3D) dos ramos de mandíbula, ajuste dos fatores da imagem e conversão para o formato STL. Os arquivos em STL foram enviados aos equipamentos para produção dos protótipos por dois processos: a Sinterização Seletiva a Laser (SLS) e a Impressão Tridimensional (3DP). Após a confecção dos modelos, foram realizadas mensurações em oito regiões de todos os modelos, e as mesmas medidas foram realizadas nos segmentos ósseos que deram origem aos modelos obtendo-se os valores reais. Os valores obtidos para cada uma das regiões dos modelos foram comparados estatisticamente com os valores reais; sendo calculado o percentual de erro dos modelos produzidos com cada um dos fatores estudados e comparado-os entre si, utilizando a Análise de Variância além da acurácia das técnicas de prototipagem 3DP e SLS. Foi verificado que em sete das oito regiões selecionadas, os valores diferiram estatisticamente (p<0,05) do valor real para todos os fatores de imagem. Observou-se que para os protótipos produzidos com a espessura de corte de 0,5 mm; 1,0 mm e 1,5 mm o percentual de erro foi de 8,97%, 10,70% e 11,49% respectivamente havendo diferença estatística entre o grupo 0,5 mm e os demais. Para os modelos obtidos com o diâmetro do FOV de 200 mm, 250 mm e 300 mm, o percentual de erro foi de 8,97%, 10,63% e 11,02% respectivamente havendo diferença estatística entre o grupo 200 mm e os demais, porém para os modelos produzidos a partir dos diferentes tipos de algoritmos de imagem, o percentual de erro obtido foi de 8,97% para tecido ósseo, 9,76% para tecido cerebral e 9,85% para base de crânio e órbita, não havendo diferença estatística entre eles (p>0,05). Foi observado ainda que os protótipos produzidos por 3DP e SLS apresentaram diferenças médias quando comparados com o real de 1,58 mm e 1,19 mm, respectivamente. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que para a obtenção de protótipos com dimensões mais próximas do real deve-se utilizar uma menor espessura de corte e um menor diâmetro do FOV, enquanto que o algoritmo das imagens não influencia na acurácia dos protótipos, devendo-se os mesmos serem produzidos pelo método de sinterização seletiva a laser / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the factors of attainment of the computerized tomography images in the accuracy of models produced by means of rapid prototyping, verifying the distortion degree of the prototypes produced from images of tomography computerized. Ten dry human mandibles branches had been selected, which had been submitted to the computerized tomography scan. For the attainment of the axial images, different sequences of scanning had been gotten, varying the diameter of the FOV (Field of View) in 200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm; the slice thickness in 0,5 mm; 1,0 mm and 1,5 mm; e the algorithm of image, being selected bone, cerebral the algorithm for base of skull and orbit. All the sequences of gotten images had been recorded in DICOM language in a CD-ROM and sent to the Renato Archer Research Center (CenPRA) for production of the models. The segmentation of the images of each one of the studied factors was carried through, and the three-dimensional reconstructions (3D) of the jaw branches, adjustment of the factors of the image and conversion to the STL format were made. The files in STL format had been sent to the equipment for production of the prototypes by two processes: the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and the Threedimensional Printer (3DP). After the confection of the models, eight regions had been measured of all models produced, and the same measures had been carried through in the bone segments that had given to origin to the models getting the real values. The values gotten for each one of the regions of the models had been compared statistically with the real values; being calculated the percentage of error of the models with each one of the studied factors and compared among themselves, using the Analysis of Variance beyond the accuracy of the 3DP and SLS techniques. It was verified that in seven of the eight selected regions, the values had differed statistically (p<0,05) from the real value for all the image factors. It was observed that for the models produced with the slice thickness of 0,5 mm; 1,0 mm and 1,5 mm the percentage of error were of 8,97%, 10.70% and 11.49% respectively showing statistical differences between group 0,5 mm and other. For the models produced with the diameter of FOV of 200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm, the percentage of error was of 8,97%, 10.63% and 11.02% respectively showing statistical differences between group 200 mm and other, however for the models produced from the different types of image algorithm, the percentage of gotten error was of 8,97% for bone, 9.76% for cerebral and 9.85% for skull base and orbit, not showing statistical differences between them (p>0,05). It was still observed that the models produced by 3DP and SLS had presented an average differences comparing to the real values of 1,58 mm and 1,19 mm, respectively. Based on the gotten results, can be concluded that for the attainment of prototypes with dimensions next to the real, it must be used a lesser slice thickness and a lesser diameter of the FOV, whereas the algorithm of the images does not influence in the accuracy of the prototypes, and to be produced by the selective laser sintering method / Doutorado / Radiologia Odontologica / Doutor em Radiologia Odontológica

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Clearly, many of the developments in computerized market systems are regarded as revolutionary in an industry which has undergone diminutive changes in marketing its products and acquiring current market information. Cognizance of the agricultural market situation is pertinent for maximum production efficiency, bargaining strength, and financial success for producers. Collectively, producers in Utah face the dilemma of receiving approximately ten percent less in cash receipts for their commodities than their counterparts in surrounding states. Market information that was attainable by producers was often obsolete, redundant, expensive, and irrelevant to the market situation in Utah. The implementation of a Computerized Market Information Systems (CIS) has the potential to eliminate the duplication of collection, analysis, and dissemination of information among state and federal agencies, freeing resources into other vital areas. Presently, the CIS is a "pilot" system concentrating primarily upon market reports which have an impact on the beef cattle and hay industries within the state. The increased usage has suggested that the system should be expanded to include more commodity reports and analyses to accommodate producers in different areas of production. The potential cost effectiveness of the system is demonstrated in several ways. First, a savings to producers who utilize the CIS in lieu of traditional sources of information. Second, a savings in duplication of labor and other resources within state and federal agencies through a cooperative effort. Third, the quality and timeliness of information has been improved.

Poly Pipe Tubing is widely used in the Mississippi Delta for supplemental irrigation of crops during the growing season. Computerized Hole Selection (CHS) is a tool used to create a prescriptive hole punching map to manage flow and minimize tail-water runoff. Some producers have documented that CHS does not work on their farm. The common thought of failure in poly pipe tubing is the rupturing or splitting of the tubing. This research was based on the thought that failure occurs before the tubing is ruptured and is caused by over pressurization during an irrigation event. Static testing revealed that there are tensile material property differences between different thicknesses of tubing. Dynamic testing revealed on small single hole sections of tubing that hole flow increases once yield tensile strength has been surpassed for all thicknesses of tubing. Therefore, this shows that over pressurization could be the cause for CHS not working on some producers’ field.

Developing a time- and cost-efficient method for second language (L2) oral proficiency measurement is one of the research topics that has attracted much attention in recent decades. The purpose of this study is to develop a computerized oral testing system for L2 Japanese using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. Two testing methods called elicited imitation (EI) and simulated speech (SS) are proposed to quantify L2 accuracy and fluency via ASR processing. This study also suggests systematic EI item creation leveraging corpus technology and discusses the effectiveness of the test items created through analyses of item difficulty. Further, refinement of the EI grading system is described through a series of statistical investigations. For SS, this study reports the five most influential L2 fluency features identified through machine learning and proposes a method to yield individual SS scores with these features based on previous studies. Lastly, several methods to combine the EI and SS scores are presented to estimate L2 oral proficiency of Japanese.

Translation quality assessment remains pertinent in both translation theory and in the industry. Specifically, the process of assessing a target document's quality or a person's translation competence involves a lot of time and money on the part of various governments, organizations and individuals. In response to this issue, this project builds on the ongoing research of Hague et al. (2012), who seek to determine the capabilities of a computerized translation test for the French-to-English and Spanish-to-English language pairs. Specifically, Hague et al. (2012) question whether a good score on a detect-and-correct style computerized translation test that is calculated by a computer also indicates a good score on a traditional full translation test that is calculated by hand. This project seeks to further this research by seeking to answer the same question using an Arabic-to-English language pair. The methods used in this research involve testing individuals using two different style translation tests and then comparing the results. The first style translation test involves a detect-and-correct format where a subject is given a list of project specifications in the form of a translation brief, a source text passage and a corresponding target text passage that has errors introduced throughout. The subject is expected to detect and fix the errors while leaving the rest of the text alone. A score is given for this test using an automated algorithm. The second style test is a traditional translation test where a subject is given the same translation brief and a source text. The subject is expected to produce an acceptable target text, which is subsequently scored by hand. Thereafter, various forms of analysis are used to determine the relationship between the scores of the two types of tests. The results of this research do not strongly suggest that a high score on the detect-and-correct portion of the test indicates a high score on a hand-graded full translation test for the subject population used. However, this research still provides insight, especially concerning whether the detect-and-correct portion of the test actually measures translation competence and concerning second language acquisition (SLA) programs and their intentions. In addition, this research provides insight into logistical issues in testing such as the impact text difficulty and length may have on a detect-and-correct style test as well as the negative impact the American Translators Association (ATA) grading practices of weighting errors and capping errors can have on an experiment such as the one described in this research.

Both individual patient-related and injury-related factors predict functional outcomes following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (M/S TBI). Other than binary outcomes such as death, little is known about the role of day-of-injury neuroimaging in predicting long- term outcomes. Classification systems for assessing the severity of injury using computerized tomography (CT) scans, such as the Marshall Classification System (MCS) or Rotterdam scale, have not been systematically studied to see how they relate to long-term rehabilitation and functional outcomes following M/S TBI. The MCS consists of six categories based on information about midline shift, basal cistern compression, surgery evacuation, and lesion size. The Rotterdam scale, however, is a summed score ranging from 1-6 based on the extent of basal cistern compression, extent of midline shift, presence/absence of an epidural lesion, and presence/absence of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) or intraventricular blood. The differences between these two CT scales suggest the possibility that MCS and Rotterdam scales may differ in their ability to predict subsequent rehabilitation outcomes. Thus, we compared the relative predictive value of MCS and Rotterdam scores on long-term rehabilitation functional outcomes using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at rehabilitation discharge and nine-month post-discharge follow up. The study included 88 participants (25 females, mean age: 42.0 [SD: 21.3]) with M/S TBI. Day-of-injury CT images were scored using both MCS and Rotterdam criteria. Functional outcomes were measured by the cognitive and motor subscales on the FIM at discharge and after nine-month follow up, and length of stay in rehabilitation. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Neither MCS nor Rotterdam scores nor rehabilitation length of stay significantly predicted motor or cognitive outcomes at discharge or nine-month follow-up. MCS and Rotterdam scales may have limited utility in predicting long- term functional outcome in a rehabilitation setting, but instead appear to be good predictors of acute outcomes, especially regarding mortality and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Future research could focus on CT characteristics such as midline shift to predict long-term rehabilitation outcomes to guide treatment instead of CT rating scales.