Esse trabalho tem dois objetivos principais: o primeiro deles consiste em apresentar o estado da arte sobre processos de otimização combinatorial dando uma ênfase especial ao método Simulated Annealing (SA). São apresentados seu histórico, funcionalidades, algoritmo genérico e propostas de paralelização presentes na literatura. Além disso, é apresentado o algoritmo de geração de redes aleatórias contínuas, algoritmo, esse, projetado por pesquisadores do Instituto de Física da UFRGS que utiliza o método SA para gerar redes que atendam certas restrições. O segundo objetivo consiste empropor a paralelização desse algoritmo visando diminuir significativamente o tempo de geração de cada rede, que com o algoritmo seqüencial chega a demorar mais de um mês. Nessa etapa foi utilizada uma adaptação de um dos métodos propostos pela literatura juntamente com a técnica de divisão de domínio. Os resultados obtidos mostraram-se satisfatórios tanto em relação à qualidade numérica quanto à diminuição do tempo de processamento. Além disso, discute-se no trabalho a genericidade da proposta de paralelização a outros problemas baseados em SA. / This work has two main goals: the first one is to present the state of the art on combinatorial optimization processes, with a special emphasis to the Simulated Annealing (SA) method. The work presents its history, features, generic algorithm and proposed parallelization present in the literature. Moreover, the algorithm to generate random networks continued is presented. This algorithm was designed by researchers of the UFRGS Physics Institute and it uses the SA method. The second goal of this work is to propose a parallelization for this algorithm in order to decrease significantly the generation time of each network, that with the sequential algorithm reaches more than months. To do that was used an adaptation of one of the methods proposed by literature together with the domain partitioning technical. The results were satisfactory in terms of the numerical quality and in the decrease of the processing time. In addition, this work discusses the genericity of the proposed parallelization to other problems based on SA.

Este estudo determinou e comparou os efeitos da administração epidural ou infusão contínua intravenosa de dexmedetomidina em gatas anestesiadas com propofol e isofluorano para realização de ovariossalpingohisterectomia. Vinte e uma gatas (peso: 3.06&plusmn;0.35 kg) foram pré-tratadas com dexmedetomidina (4 mcg.kg-1, IM). Quinze minutos depois, administrou-se propofol para permitir entubação orotraqueal seguido de manutenção anestésica com isofluorano diluído em oxigênio por um circuito Mapleson D com respiração espontânea. As gatas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente, em três grupos, onde receberam, por via epidural, lidocaína (1 mg.kg-1, G1, n=7) ou lidocaína (1 mg.kg-1) + dexmedetomidina (4 mcg.kg-1, G2, n=7) ou lidocaína (1 mg.kg-1) + infusão contínua intravenosa de dexmedetomidina (0,25 mcg.kg-1.min-1, G3, n=7). O volume da solução para administração epidural foi ajustada para 0.3 mL.kg-1 com solução salina. A profundidade anestésica foi realizada por um único avaliador que não possuía conhecimento dos fármacos empregados pela via epidural e intravenosa. Foram mensurados freqüência cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (FR), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e temperatura retal (TR) antes e quinze minutos após a medicação pré-anestésica. Durante a anestesia, FC, FR, pressões arteriais, concentração expirada de CO2, concentração expirada de isofluorano (ISOe), TR e grau de relaxamento muscular foram avaliados em intervalos de 15 minutos de 20 até 80 minutos. A hemogasometria foi realizada aos 20 e 80 minutos após a indução anestésica. Os valores de FC, FR, TR, escore de analgesia, qualidade e os tempos de recuperação anestésica foram avaliados por três horas após o término da anestesia. Utilizou-se o teste t pareado para avaliar os efeitos do pré-tratamento e os valores hemogasométricos nos dois momentos. O teste análise de variância seguido de Tukey e Friedmann seguido de Dunn foram realizados para variáveis paramétricas e não paramétricas respectivamente (p&LT;0.05). O pré-tratamento com dexmedetomidina reduziu a FC, FR, PAS e TR. A dose de propofol utilizada para indução anestésica foi 7.4&plusmn;1.4 mg.kg-1. Quando comparado ao G1, a dexmedetomidina, por via epidural, reduziu significativamente a FC dos 20 aos 65 minutos da anestesia e aos 150 e 180 minutos após o término da anestesia, entretanto, por infusão contínua intravenosa reduziu a FC em todos os momentos avaliados da anestesia e recuperação anestésica. Quando comparado ao G2, a infusão contínua intravenosa de dexmedetomidina reduziu a FC aos 60 e 90 minutos da recuperação anestésica. No G1 a média&plusmn;DP ISOe variou de 0.86&plusmn;0.28% a 1.91&plusmn;0.63% de 20 a 80 minutos. Neste período, ISOe foi significativamente menor no G2 (variação de 0.70&plusmn;0.12% a 0.97&plusmn;0.20%) e G3 (variação de 0.69&plusmn;0.12% to 1.17&plusmn;0.25%). Aos 20 minutos, a PaCO2 foi significativamente superior em G3 em relação ao G1. Os tempos de recuperação anestésica foram significativamente menores no G1, exceto o tempo de extubação se comparado ao G2. Não houve diferença significativa nas outras variáveis entre os três grupos. Conclui-se que o pré-tratamento com dexmedetomidina promoveu depressão cardiorrespiratória. A administração epidural e a infusão contínua intravenosa de dexmedetomidina reduziram o consumo do agente inalatório e produziram recuperação de melhor qualidade e mais prolongada. As administrações de dexmedetomidina causaram bradicardia, porém sem afetar a pressão arterial. / This study compared the effects of epidural or continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine in isoflurane-anesthetized cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-one cats (weight: 3.06±0.35 kg) were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (4 mcg.kg-1, IM). Fifteen minutes later, propofol was titrated to allow endotracheal intubation and anesthesia was maintained in spontaneously breathing cats with isoflurane in oxygen using a Mapleson D system. Cats were randomly allocated to receive either epidural lidocaine (1 mg.kg-1, G1, n=7) or epidural lidocaine (1 mg.kg-1) + dexmedetomidine (4 mcg.kg-1, G2, n=7) or epidural lidocaine (1 mg.kg-1) + continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine (0,25 mcg.kg-1. min-1, G3, n=7). The volume of either epidural injection was adjusted to 0.3 mL.kg-1 with saline. The individual controlling depth of anesthesia was blinded to the drug being administered epidurally and intravenouslly. Heart (HR) and respiratory (RR) rates, systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded before and after 15 minutes of premedication. During anesthesia, heart (HR) and respiratory (RR) rates, invasive arterial blood pressures, end-tidal CO2, end-tidal isoflurane (ISOe), RT and muscular relaxation were recorded at 15 minute intervals from 20 until 80 minutes. Arterial blood gases were measured at 20 and 80 min after induction. HR, RR, RT, analgesia score, and recovery quality and times were compared for 3 hours after end of anesthesia. Paired t test were performed to compare the premedication effects and arterial blood gases at differents intervals. ANOVA with Tukey post-test and Friedmann with Dunn post-test were performed to parametric and nonparametric values, respectively (P<0.05). Dexmedetomidine premedication decreased HR, RR, SAP and RT. The induction dose of propofol was 7.4±1.4 mg.kg-1. When compared to the G1, epidural dexmedetomidine significantly decreased HR from 20 to 65 minutes of anesthesia and 150 and 180 minutes after end of anesthesia, however, continuous intravenous infusion decreased HR all times during anesthesia and recovery time. When compared to G2, continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine decreased HR at 60 and 90 minutes during recovery. In the G1 mean±SD ISOe concentrations ranged form 0.86±0.28% to 1.91±0.63% from 20 to 80 min. At the same time interval, ISOe concentrations were significantly lower in the G2 (ISOe ranged from 0.70±0.12% to 0.97±0.20%) and G3 (ISOe ranged from 0.69±0.12% to 1.17±0.25%). PaCO2 was significantly greater in G3 than G1 at 20 minutes. The recovery times were significantly lower in the G1 except for extubation time when compared with G2. There were no significant differences among groups for the remaining variables. It was concluded that premedication with dexmedetomidine produced cardiorespiratory depression. Epidural administration and continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine significantly reduced inhalant requirements for maintaining anesthesia and produced a better anesthesia recovery although of longer duration. Dexmedetomidine administration may cause bradycardia, however reduced HR does not affect arterial blood pressure.

The purpose of this paper is to explore certain properties of Banach spaces. The first chapter begins with basic definitions, includes examples of Banach spaces, and concludes with some properties of continuous linear functionals. In the second chapter, dimension is discussed; then one version of the Hahn-Banach Theorem is presented. The third chapter focuses on dual spaces and includes an example using co, RI, and e'. The role of locally convex spaces is also explored in this chapter. In the fourth chapter, several more theorems concerning dual spaces and related topologies are presented. The final chapter focuses on reflexive spaces. In the main theorem, the relation between compactness and reflexivity is examined. The paper concludes with an example of a non-reflexive space.

While the Kelvin Probe (KP) has been used in a variety of surface scanning applications, the use of the KP in reinforced concrete structures to detect corrosion has been pioneered by previous work performed at the University of South Florida. However, in that work, the scale and construction of the probes was not suited to use in the field. This is primarily attributable to the small operating disk-to-concrete gap which would make the probe unable to accommodate road conditions, such as irregularities in the grading of the road, and local pitting of the surface. Therefore, it was important to investigate whether the KP can be scaled up while still maintaining resolution and fidelity of the measurements taken. The new mobile KP prototype (MKPP) constructed in this work, has a sensing disk that is approximately 10 cm in diameter and is capable of operating up to 2 cm above the concrete surface. Testing consisted of mapping an instrumented test slab simulating a corroding concrete bridge deck, at a rate of travel of about 0.6 mph (~1 ft/s) over the slab surface. The potential map generated through use of the MKPP successfully identified the corroding spot, the location of which was verified using the traditional half-cell potential mapping method outlined in ASTM C 876-09. The MKPP mapping in these trials was approximately 10 times faster than when using the traditional method. The faster potential mapping by the MKPP, while still identifying corroding sites, should allow for more economical and less intrusive survey of the condition of bridge decks. The work set the necessary proof of concept for future demonstration of an array of such probes which would further magnify the beneficial effect.

[pt] O processo de lingotamento contínua de metais é simulado numericamente. Placas ou tarugos metálicos são produzidos continuamente, mantendo-se o escoamento do material através do molde. A frente de solidificação depende da velocidade de retirada de material e da refrigeração imposta na superfície do lingote. A posição da interface líquido-sólido e o campo de temperaturas na região sólida são determinados, e consideram-se os efeitos da velocidade na curvatura da interface. É analisado um modelo retangular bi-dimensional e a equação da energia é resolvida utilizando-se o método numérica de diferenças finitas das volumes de controle. Os resultados são comparados com soluções analíticas simplificadas onde a termo de transporte não foi considerado e mostram que o calar transportado pelo movimento de lingote tem influência significativa na forma da interface e em sua localização dentro do molde durante o processo. / [en] This work deals with a numerical simulation of the continuous casting process. This process is employed in the fabrication of metallic inguts. The position of the solid-liquid interface is determined together with the temperature field in the solid region. The research is facused on studying the effect of the withdrawal velocity on the interface position, aiming at accidental leakage preventien during the process. In this analysis, the sensible heat is taken into acceunt, in contrast to previous marks reported in the open literature. The present work employed a two-dimensional model. The energy equation was integrated in the rectangular domain by means of the finite-volume method. The liquid regions was at the fusion temperatures, whereas one of the side boundaries was strogly cooled to promote solidification. An algorithm was developed to determine the interface pesition and the domain length. Comparisons of this results obtained with the available solutions obtained excluding sensible heat showed that, depending upon the value of the withdrawal velocity, the sensible heat may or may not be negleted. The simulations was performed with the aid of a microcomputer of the IBM-PC/XT type, employing the Fortran language.

Context. Continuous delivery deals with concept of deploying the user stories as soon as they are finished rather than waiting for the sprint to end. This concept increases the chances of early improvement to the software and provides the customer with a clear view of the final product that is expected from the software organization, but little research has been done on the quality of product developed and the ways to measure it. This research is conducted in the context of presenting a checklist of quality metrics that can be used by the practitioners to ensure good quality product delivery. Objectives. In this study, the authors strive towards the accomplishment of the following objectives: the first objective is to identify the quality metrics being used in agile approaches and continuous delivery by the organizations. The second objective is to evaluate the usefulness of the identified metrics, limitations of the metrics and identify new metrics. The final objective is to is to present and evaluate a solution i.e., checklist of metrics that can be used by practitioners to ensure quality of product developed using continuous delivery. Methods. To accomplish the objectives, the authors used mixture of approaches. First literature review was performed to identify the quality metrics being used in continuous delivery. Based on the data obtained from the literature review, the authors performed an online survey using a questionnaire posted over an online questionnaire hosting website. The online questionnaire was intended to find the usefulness of identified metrics, limitations of using metrics and also to identify new metrics based on the responses obtained for the online questionnaire. The authors conducted interviews and the interviews comprised of few close-ended questions and few open-ended questions which helped the authors to validate the usage of the metrics checklist. Results. Based on the LR performed at the start of the study, the authors obtained data regarding the background of continuous delivery, research performed over continuous delivery by various practitioners as well as a list of quality metrics used in continuous delivery. Later, the authors conducted an online survey using questionnaire that resulted in ranking the usefulness of quality metrics and identification of new metrics used in continuous delivery. Based on the data obtained from the online questionnaire, a checklist of quality metrics involved in continuous delivery was generated. Conclusions. Based on the interviews conducted to validate the checklist of metrics (generated as a result of the online questionnaire), the authors conclude that the checklist of metrics is fit for use in industry, but with some necessary changes made to the checklist based on the project requirements. The checklist will act as a reminder to the practitioners regarding the quality aspects that need to be measured during product development and maybe as a starting point while planning metrics that need to be measured during the project.

Stora Enso’s (SE) division consumer board has launched a World Class Manufacturing (WCM) investment throughout all their production units in the world. An internal education program started a project to reduce short stops in the packaging line at the mill in Skoghall, Sweden. This thesis seeks to evaluate a continuous improvement (CI) project and distinguish some of the key factors for SE to succeed with another implementation in the future. The project will involve operators in the CI work and together with these shift teams made a structured way of working with short stops. The data collection methods have both been qualitative and quantitate such observations, conversations, meetings and stop data from the internal stop and interruption program. This thesis indicates that SE hasstarted their journey towards WCM but many obstacles are in their way. A change of focus and involvement will be needed to succeed in the future.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / This paper focuses on the newly revived interest to model free approach in finance. Instead of postulating some probability measure it emerges in a form of an outer-measure. We review the behavior of a market stock price and the stochastic assumptions imposed to the stock price when deriving the Black-Scholes formula in the classical case. Without any stochastic assumptions we derive the Black-Scholes formula using a model free approach. We do this by means of protocols that describe the market/game. We prove a statement that prices a European option in continuous time.

Attentional focus research has reliably demonstrated that an external (beyond the body) focus is superior in terms of skill performance, retention and transfer relative to an internal conscious focus on movement mechanics. This thesis extends current knowledge by evaluating the impact of external focus distance on the performance of continuous skills in an applied context. Specifically, two external focus points of different distances were compared to an undirected attention condition. Three separate studies were conducted using different kayak sprinting disciplines; two of these took place in benign environments using relatively closed skills whilst the third was carried out in an open skill context. In all cases a within-participants experimental design was employed with an independent variable of conscious focus and a dependent variable of performance time. In Study 1, using competent, experienced kayakers (n = 20) in a surf ski sprinting task, the distal external condition significantly outperformed both the undirected focus and proximal external conditions (p < .001 in both cases). The undirected focus condition was significantly faster than the proximal external focus condition (p = .003). The effect size was large (ηp2 = .55). Study 2 examined the same attentional points using youth racers in K1 sprint kayaks (n = 16). The undirected focus condition was significantly faster than the proximal external condition (p = .028); the effect size was large (ηp2 = .23). In Study 3 experienced kayakers (n = 27) were tested in a wild water racing task against the same experimental conditions. The distal external focus condition significantly surpassed both the proximal external condition and the undirected focus condition (p < .001 in both cases). The effect size was large (ηp2 = .53). The studies in this thesis show that the distance of a specified external focus is important and can have a significant influence on performance. In contrast to previous work the proximal external focus did not provide a performance advantage relative to an undirected focus condition; in studies 1 and 2 it was actually detrimental. A distal external focus was beneficial compared to both other conditions in two studies and insignificantly different to the undirected focus trial in Study 2. This thesis brings together work on focus distance and skill type in three applied and non-contrived sporting contexts. The main practical implication of this research is that distance of focus should be considered by learners and coaches with a view to optimising conscious attention. A distal external focus appears to be particularly useful in targeting attention on a pertinent point whilst simultaneously excluding cognitive competition, distractions and unnecessary attentional switching which could undermine skilled performance.

Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: On April 18, 2007, the Arizona legislature passed the Pharmacy Continuous Quality Assurance (CQA) law, with enforced compliance beginning January 1, 2014. With the lengthy lag time between passage of the law and required compliance with the law, a continuing pharmacy education (CPE) seminar was developed to educate Arizona pharmacy personnel about the new requirements. The CPE seminar was evaluated by assessing changes in participant self-reported knowledge, motivation, and awareness regarding the quality assurance legislation and the CQA process. Methods: The CPE seminar took place at the Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Community Pharmacy Academy Conference. Data were collected using a retrospective pre-assessment/post-assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests with a Boniferroni correction. Demographic information were reported using descriptive statistics. Main Results: The response rate was 70%, with 28 of 40 participants completing the questionnaire. Each of the six self-assessment questionnaire statements showed a statistically significant change from pre to post assessment (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: The results show that the law CPE session positively impacted participant self-assessment of knowledge, awareness, and motivation of quality improvement initiatives and medication errors. Follow-up research is needed to determine what impact this CPE session will have in pharmacy practice.