Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T14:35:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CAROLYN DE GEUS WENCESLAU.pdf: 1200941 bytes, checksum: 94de972e28ecf64328f568ac13958cef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-15 / In recent years, Patient Related Outcomes (PROs) have received more importance by providing meaningful informations answered by the patients about their symptoms, functional status, quality of life and satisfaction, and also for giving relevant information about treatment efficacy. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of fibromyalgia patients through PASS and determine the correlation of scores obtained with FIQR in relation to PASS. Other objectives were:to determine the value of best accuracy of FIQR in relation to PASS; to compare the FIQR scores between satisfied and dissatisfied patients and FIQR scores between patients with disability claims or on work disability, in relation to the rest of the sample; to compare the mean scores from HAQ, Beck and PSD questionnaires between satisfied and not satisfied patients and evaluate the correlation between the questionnaires. In the studied sample, 82 fibromyalgia patients were assessed, from public and private healthcare services, according to the modified ACR 2010 criteria. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected and the impact of fibromyalgia was assessed by FIQR, the satisfaction by PASS and Likert scale, functional capacity by HAQ, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory and the polysymptomatic distress by PSD. In this sample depression (87%) and rheumatological diseases (64%) were the main comorbidities. Most patientes made use of antidepressants (96%) and analgesics (81%), but only 21% of patients performed at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. The results from the questionnaires showed severe impact of fibromyalgia, severe polysymptomatic distress, moderate to severe functional disability and moderate to severe depression symptoms. Patients with disability claims, or on work disability showed statistical difference in FIQR and Beck mean scores when compared to the rest of the sample. Patient satisfaction was considerably low in PASS (15% satisfied), as well as in Likert scale: 2.3 ± 2.8. There was no statistical difference between sociodemographic and clinical variables in relation to PASS satisfaction, except in older patients (p = 0.03) and patients with longer time since disease diagnosis (p = 0.003), who showed higher satisfaction. Correlation between FIQR and PASS was weak and negative (r = -0.26), showing that alterations in FIQR are little related to patient satisfaction. There was statistical difference (p = 0.001) in FIQR scores between the satisfied and the not satisfied group, and also in scores from other questionnaires comparing both groups, showing that dissatisfied patients have lower quality of life. Strong correlation was demonstrated between FIQR and HAQ questionnaires (r = 0.68) and FIQR and Beck (r = 0.61). The value of best accuracy of FIQR in relation to PASS was 65 (ROC curve), but with low sensitivity and specificity. The best specificity values, which reflect values where 100% of patients are satisfied, were very low for each questionnaire. This sample showed low satisfaction, severe physical and psychological symptoms in fibromyalgia patients, suggesting reinforcement of non pharmacological strategies for the treatment of the disease. And that in studies addressing therapeutic measures for fibromyalgia, satisfaction measures should be used. / Nos últimos anos os PROs: Patient Related Outcomes tem apresentado maior importância por fornecerem informações importantes respondidas pelo próprio paciente em relação aos seus sintomas, estado funcional, qualidade de vida e satisfação, além de permitir avaliar a resposta do paciente ao tratamento instituído. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi avaliar a satisfação dos pacientes com fibromialgia através do PASS e determinar a correlação dos escores obtidos através do FIQR com o PASS. Objetivos específicos foram determinar o valor de melhor acurácia do FIQR em relação ao PASS, comparar as médias dos escores do FIQR,entre pacientes satisfeitos e não satisfeitos e os escores do FIQR entre pacientes afastados do trabalho ou em litígio trabalhista, comparados com o restante da amostra. Também comparar as médias dos escores dos questionários: HAQ, Beck e PSD entre pacientes satisfeitos e não satisfeitos e fazer a correlação entre os questionários. Na amostra estudada foram avaliados 82 pacientes com fibromialgia, provenientes de rede pública e privada, de acordo com os critérios do ACR 2010 modificados. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, foi avaliado o impacto da fibromialgia através do FIQR, a satisfação pelo PASS e escala de Likert, a capacidade funcional pelo HAQ, a depressão através do Inventário de Depressão de Beck e o estresse polissintomático pelo PSD. Nesta amostra depressão (87%) e doenças reumatológicas (64%) eram as comorbidades mais frequentes. A maioria dos pacientes (96%) fazia uso de antidepressivos e 81% utilizavam analgésicos;mas somente 21% dos pacientes realizavam pelo menos 150 minutos de exercício aeróbico por semana O resultado dos questionários demonstrou um impacto importante da fibromialgia, estresse polissintomático severo, incapacidade funcional moderada a grave e sintomas depressivos de intensidade moderada a grave.Pacientes em litígio trabalhista e aqueles afastados do trabalho demonstraram diferença estatística entre as médias do FIQR e do Beck comparado com o restante da amostra. A satisfação dos pacientes foi bastante reduzida, tanto pelo PASS (15% satisfeitos), quanto pela escala de Likert: 2,3 ± 2,8. Não houve diferença estatística entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas em relação à satisfação avaliada pelo PASS, exceto em pacientes mais velhos (p = 0,03) e pacientes com maior tempo de diagnóstico da doença (p = 0,003), os quais apresentaram maior satisfação. A correlação entre o FIQR e o PASS foi fraca e negativa (r= -0,26), demonstrando que as alterações no FIQR estão pouco relacionadas com a satisfação do paciente. Houve diferença estatística (p = 0,001) nos escores do FIQR entre o grupo satisfeito e o não satisfeito, e também nos escores dos outros questionários comparando os dois grupos, demonstrando que pacientes insatisfeitos apresentaram menor qualidade de vida. Foi demonstrada correlação forte entre os questionários FIQR e HAQ (r = 0,68) e FIQR e Beck (r = 0,61). O valor de melhor acurácia do FIQR em relação ao PASS foi 65 (curva ROC) mas com sensibilidade e especificidade baixos. Os valores de melhor especificidade, valores onde 100% dos pacientes se encontram satisfeitos, foram bastante baixos para cada questionário analisado. Esta amostra demonstrou pouca satisfação nos pacientes com fibromialgia, impacto importante da doença, associado com severidade de sintomas físicos e psíquicos, sugerindo que no tratamento sejam enfatizadas medidas não farmacológicas e que também, nos estudos que abordam medidas terapêuticas para a fibromialgia, sejam utilizadas medidas de satisfação.

A presente pesquisa objetiva analisar os principais aspectos relacionados ao tema de danos em cartel: sobrepreço, efeito repasse (pass-on) e multa ótima. Com o aumento de políticas de combate a cartéis, pelo sério caráter lesivo à concorrência e à sociedade, intensificaram-se os esforços para estimar o impacto econômico no bem-estar provocado por tais condutas. O estudo confirma que a principal medida de dano econômico do cartel é o sobrepreço, ainda que os demais fatores, como o repasse (pass-on) e o efeito perda de vendas também devam ser considerados na mensuração do dano privado. Metodologias para o cálculo destes três componentes foram mapeadas, revelando que as técnicas disponíveis não são complexas, até fáceis de serem aplicadas, quando se tem amplo acesso a dados. Como avaliação empírica, apresenta-se o caso inédito do cartel dos compressores, sobre danos causados por tão nociva prática, comprovando-se que os valores de sobrepreço calculado estão em linha com a literatura. Por fim, a tese apresenta o histórico de multas impostas por autoridades, em casos de cartel, em diversas jurisdições, e questiona a efetividade dos montantes aplicados para devida dissuasão ou restabelecimento do bem-estar à sociedade. Análise de casos condenados pelo CADE recentemente mostram que as multas não têm sido suficientes para impor dissuasão, recomendando-se o uso de parâmetros que tragam racionalidade econômica e desestimulem as práticas anticompetitivas. / The present research had the aim of analyzing the main aspects related to cartel damages: overcharge, pass-on effect and optimal fine. With the growth of anti-cartel enforcement efforts and given the detrimental nature of conduct, efforts to estimate the economic impact on the welfare have increased. The study shows that the main measure of economic damage of the cartel is the overcharge, although other factors such as the pass-on effect and the output effect cannot be neglected in the calculation of private damage. Methodologies for these three components were mapped, revealing that the available techniques are not complex and even easy to apply when data is available. An empirical evaluation is presented using an unprecedented in the Brazilian market \"compressors cartel case\", showing an overcharge in line with the literature. Finally, the thesis presents the history of fines imposed by authorities in cartel cases in several jurisdictions and questions the effectiveness of the amounts applied for a proper deterrence or restoration of welfare to society. Case studies condemned by CADE recently show that fines have not been sufficient to impose deterrence, recommending the use of parameters that bring economic rationality and discourage anticompetitive practices.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Donghai Wang / In 2008 AGCO began a project to develop machinery to harvest biomass for a DOE project called “Integration of Advanced Logistical Systems and Focused Bioenergy Harvesting Technologies to supply Crop Residues and A Herbaceous Energy Crops in a Diversified Large Square Bale Format”. The project considered the harvest of corn stover, wheat straw, switchgrass and energy sorghum. AGCO modified some existing pieces of production hay harvesting equipment and developed a new larger square baler for single pass crop residue harvesting. Field scale tests of the developed equipment occurred in the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. Data collected during these tests included crop harvested, field location, number of hectares harvested, moisture content of harvested biomass, number of bales produced, weight of each bale, time to harvest, model(s) and sizes of machine(s) used, and fuel consumed. Data was collected for different harvesting techniques for crop residues: two-pass vs single-pass harvesting for corn stover and wheat straw. Data was collected for harvesting switchgrass and energy sorghum for comparison purposes. The cropping years were very different over the course of the project due rain fall amounts. The data was analyzed using American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineer machinery management standards and accepted Agriculture & Applied Economics Association assumptions. Excel spreadsheets were developed to calculate the harvesting costs on a dry Mg basis for each crop that was harvested. Results from the data analysis was used to modify the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics model to predict harvesting costs for crop residues at different yield levels, harvest conditions, and machine settings for single-pass harvesting. A number of conclusions can be drawn from this analysis. First, “take rates” for crop residues can have a significant effect on harvest costs. Low “take rates” can make it economically unfeasible to harvest crop residues in some instances. Second, single-pass harvesting of crop residues is less labor and fuel intensive than multi-pass harvesting. Third, the large yields potential of energy sorghum, which requires more operations to harvest than switchgrass, more economically to harvest than switchgrass. Fourth, operational techniques can be used to offset some crop variability to reduce harvest cost of crop residues. Lastly, a decision tool has been developed to aid producers in the decision of whether to harvest corn stover or not based on cost return estimates.

A presente pesquisa objetiva analisar os principais aspectos relacionados ao tema de danos em cartel: sobrepreço, efeito repasse (pass-on) e multa ótima. Com o aumento de políticas de combate a cartéis, pelo sério caráter lesivo à concorrência e à sociedade, intensificaram-se os esforços para estimar o impacto econômico no bem-estar provocado por tais condutas. O estudo confirma que a principal medida de dano econômico do cartel é o sobrepreço, ainda que os demais fatores, como o repasse (pass-on) e o efeito perda de vendas também devam ser considerados na mensuração do dano privado. Metodologias para o cálculo destes três componentes foram mapeadas, revelando que as técnicas disponíveis não são complexas, até fáceis de serem aplicadas, quando se tem amplo acesso a dados. Como avaliação empírica, apresenta-se o caso inédito do cartel dos compressores, sobre danos causados por tão nociva prática, comprovando-se que os valores de sobrepreço calculado estão em linha com a literatura. Por fim, a tese apresenta o histórico de multas impostas por autoridades, em casos de cartel, em diversas jurisdições, e questiona a efetividade dos montantes aplicados para devida dissuasão ou restabelecimento do bem-estar à sociedade. Análise de casos condenados pelo CADE recentemente mostram que as multas não têm sido suficientes para impor dissuasão, recomendando-se o uso de parâmetros que tragam racionalidade econômica e desestimulem as práticas anticompetitivas. / The present research had the aim of analyzing the main aspects related to cartel damages: overcharge, pass-on effect and optimal fine. With the growth of anti-cartel enforcement efforts and given the detrimental nature of conduct, efforts to estimate the economic impact on the welfare have increased. The study shows that the main measure of economic damage of the cartel is the overcharge, although other factors such as the pass-on effect and the output effect cannot be neglected in the calculation of private damage. Methodologies for these three components were mapped, revealing that the available techniques are not complex and even easy to apply when data is available. An empirical evaluation is presented using an unprecedented in the Brazilian market \"compressors cartel case\", showing an overcharge in line with the literature. Finally, the thesis presents the history of fines imposed by authorities in cartel cases in several jurisdictions and questions the effectiveness of the amounts applied for a proper deterrence or restoration of welfare to society. Case studies condemned by CADE recently show that fines have not been sufficient to impose deterrence, recommending the use of parameters that bring economic rationality and discourage anticompetitive practices.

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Textbooks newly approved for use in secondary schools in Alberta reflect the belief that not only does literature have the power to change and shape our thinking, but also that the non-White voices of our culture need to be heard if Canada is to become a country which truly welcomes and values cultural diversity. The realization that many high school students in the Crowsnest Pass area of Southern Alberta hold negative stereotypes about Canadian Aboriginal people prompted this study which measured how effective studying literature written mainly by Canadian Aboriginal people is as a means of anti-racist education. Forty-three students in grade 10, 11, and 12, 22 females and 21 males, participated in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Quantitative data, collected from responses on a gender-specific, six-item social scenarios scale, measured the extent to which students were prejudiced against Aboriginal people as pre- and post-tests. Written responses, field notes, journal entries, and interviews provided qualitative data. Though the quantitative evidence is not statistically significant, students in grades 10 and 12 showed decreased post-test scores, while those in grade 11 increased. Within each grade, individual students showed significant attitude changes. In all grades, female students had significantly lower scores than males, both pre- and post-test, evidence that there are perhaps different stages of moral development in females, as suggested by Belenky, clinchy, Goldberger, and Tarula (1986) and Gilligan (1982), than the male stages identified by Kohlberg (1969, 1981). Qualitative data revealed an increased understanding of Aboriginal issues and student attempts to view the world from a non-White perspective. Central to the study are my efforts to come to terms with my own Whiteness as well as help students understand their own positions of White privilege. This process was an emotional and disturbing experience for us all, yet one that brought growth and engendered important learning. I remain firmly committed to the need to adopt a strong anti-racist stance (rather than a multicultural one) and address racism directly in the classroom. Though difficult, it is perhaps the most important work that I, or any other teacher, may do. / xviii, 163 leaves ; 28 cm.

Harmonics are created by non-linear devices connected to the power system. Power system harmonics are multiples of the fundamental power system frequency and these harmonic frequencies can create distorted voltages and currents. Distortion of voltages and currents can affect the power system adversely causing power quality problems. Therefore, estimation of harmonics is of high importance for efficiency of the power system network. The problem of harmonic loss evaluation is of growing importance for renewable power system industry by impacting the operating costs and the useful life of the system components. Non-linear devices such as power electronics converters can inject harmonics alternating currents (AC) in the electrical power system. The number of sensitive loads that require ideal sinusoidal supply voltage for their proper operation has been increasing. To maintain the quality limits proposed by standards to protect the sensitive loads, it is necessary to include some form of filtering device to the power system. Harmonics also increases overall reactive power demanded by equivalent load. Filters have been devised to achieve an optimal control strategy for harmonic alleviation problems. To achieve an acceptable distortion, increase the power quality and to reduce the harmonics hence several three phase filter banks are used and connected in parallel. In this thesis, high order harmonics cases have been suppressed by employing variants of Butterworth, Chebyshev and Cauer filters. MATLAB/SIMULINK wind farm model was used to generate and analyze the different harmonics magnitude and frequency. High voltage direct current (HVDC) lines for an electrical grid that is more than50km far away wind farm generation plant was investigated for harmonics. These HVDC lines are also used in offshore wind farm plant. Investigated three-phase harmonics filters are shunt elements that are used in power systems for decreasing voltage distortion and for correcting the power factor. Renewable energy sources are not the stable source of energy generation like wind, solar and tidal e.t.c. Though they are secondary sources of generation and hard to connect with electrical grid. In near future the technique is to use the wave digital filter (WDF) or circulator-tree wave digital filter (CTWDF) for the renewable energy application can be employed to mitigate the harmonics. These WDF and CTWDF can b eused in HVDC lines and smart grid applications. A preliminary analysis is conducted for such a study.

There is an ever increasing demand for higher spectral usage in wireless communication, radar and imaging systems. Higher spectral efficiency can be achieved using components that are aware of system environment and adapt suitably to the operating conditions. In this regard, radio frequency (RF) signal analysis is of paramount interest. Emergence of dispersive delay networks (DDN) has led to the significant development of microwave analogue-signal processing (ASP) and analysis. DDN causes displacement of spectral components in time domain, relative to the frequency dependant group delay response. The main challenge in the design of DDN in this context is in achieving broad bandwidth with high group delay dispersion (GDD). In this regard, all-pass networks (APN) have been explored as a potential wide-band DDN owing to the possibility of controlling the magnitude of loss characteristics without affecting the dispersion in group delay response. The synthesis procedure of lumped element APN using approximation methods is well known at audio frequencies. Most of these use operational amplifier and cannot be extended directly to RF. There is no generalised closed form analytical procedure at RF for the synthesis of APN with the required GDD. In this regard, this dissertation presents the design and implementation of all-pass networks as wide-band dispersive delay networks at radio frequencies. In this work, we begin by analysing the signal propagation through a DDN with a linear group delay response over a broad bandwidth. It is found that the signal experiences expansion of pulse width, reduction of its peak amplitude and a temporal displacement of the spectral components. Analytical expressions derived help initial synthesis of group delay response required for various ASP applications. As the first step towards implementation at RF, a single stage APN is designed using surface mount devices (SMD). This design approach takes into account practical issues such as parasitic due to mounting pads, available component values, physical dimensions, self-resonance frequency (SRF) and finite Q factor of the components used. Full wave simulation of the design with transmission line pads and components is carried out. This implementation is useful for frequencies up to the component SRF, generally about 5 GHz. This design approach makes the circuit footprint independent of frequency and the performance is limited only by the Q factor of the adopted technology. The Q factor affects the loss characteristics with a negligible effect on group delay response in the frequency band of interest. In order to extend the APN design for high group delay, a novel board level implementation is developed consisting of both lumped SMD components and distributed elements. The implementation results in a lower sensitivity of group delay performance to the commercially specified component value tolerances than the approach using all SMD components. It has been experimentally verified that the measured group delay is 2.4 ns at 1.85 GHz, which is thrice that reported in other approaches. The implementation has a reduced circuit footprint and is attractive in practical applications as it is a single layer micro strip realisation with less complex fabrication procedure and fewer components to assemble. As an extension of this towards wideband cascaded APN, an iterative design procedure is developed to achieve a monotonous group delay response over a broad bandwidth. The approach facilitates cascading of multiple stages of lumped APN with different resonance frequency and peak group delay to obtain linear and non-linear group delay responses with both positive and negative GDD. Circuits with both positive and negative GDD are required for various ASP applications such as compressive receivers and the present approach is unique in obtaining both the responses, not possible with many other RF dispersion techniques. Circuit models have been simulated by cascading transfer function responses of the individual APNs. The design is further extended for SMD implementation. To validate the above approach, a two stage APN is designed in the frequency range [0.5 - 1] GHz for a linear GDD of ±6 ns/GHz. Two negative GDD APNs are further cascaded to obtain a four stage implementation with an overall GDD of -12 ns/GHz. The experimental results are compared with full wave simulations for validation. The design using lumped SMD components has greatly improved the performance in terms of GDD with a reduced circuit footprint and lower insertion loss than previously reported approaches. As practical examples, the ASP modules are experimentally demonstrated using the fabricated APN. Frequency discrimination of two input frequencies with a frequency resolution of 500 MHz is demonstrated. Higher GDD results in higher separation of frequency components in time domain. Pulse compression and magnification is also demonstrated for different wideband LFM input signals. The dispersion effects of amplitude reduction, pulse width expansion and frequency chirping are thereby validated experimentally. In summary, the approaches presented in this dissertation enable the design of wideband all-pass networks to introduce dispersion delays over wide bandwidths, opening up the possibility for their use in analogue signal processing at radio frequencies. Some of these applications have been experimentally demonstrated and validated using time frequency analysis.

Current European legislation aims to limit vehicle noise emissions since many people are exposed to road traffic noise in urban areas. Vehicle pass-by noise is measured according to the international standard ISO 362 in Europe. More recent investigations of urban traffic have led to the proposal of a revised ISO 362 which includes a constant-speed test in addition to the traditional accelerated test in order to determine the pass-by noise value. In order to meet the legal pass-by noise requirements, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers must analyse and quantify vehicle noise source characteristics during the development phase of the vehicle. In addition, predictive tools need to be available for the estimation of the final pass-by noise value. This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of vehicle pass-by noise and of the characteristics of the vehicle noise sources contributing to pass-by noise. This is supported through an extensive literature review in which current pass-by noise prediction methods are reviewed as well. Furthermore, three vehicle noise sources are replicated experimentally under laboratory conditions. This involves an orifice noise source, represented by a specially designed loudspeaker on a moving trolley, shell noise, represented by a metal cylinder structure, and tyre cavity and sidewall noise, represented by an annular membrane mounted on a tyre-like structure. The experimentally determined directivity characteristics of the acoustically excited noise sources are utilised in the pass-by noise prediction method. The predictive results are validated against experimental measurements of the three vehicle-like noise sources made within an anechoic chamber.