processes, and enriches the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policy. Building on prior theory and research, this research has developed empirically derived, practical findings and recommendations to support the development of appropriate interoperable systems. Concerned parents noticed

April 29, 2011Für UnsShe had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it Lewis CarrollThe following document, written under the supervision of Dr. reviewed by:

2010 to my wife, Joyce, and my family...- Résumé-

I declare that this thesis is my own account of my research and contains as its main content work which has not previously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution.

in partial ful2llment of the requirements for the degree of

to reduce health information quality issues that relate to the knowledge and skills of coders. Additionally, a certificated education level for coders provides a uniform base from which to build universal coding consistency. Ultimately, it is hoped that this work will improve the quality, consistency

Vast majority of wireless appliances used in household, industry and medical field share the ISM frequency band. These devices need to coexist and thus are challenged to tolerate their mutual interference. One way of dealing with this is by using frequency hopping; where the device changes its radio channel periodically. Consequently, communications will not suffer from the same interference each time; instead, it should be fairer and more stable. This thesis investigates the aforementioned problem in the field of low power wireless sensor networks and Internet of Things where Contiki OS is used. We introduce a low-power pseudo-random frequency-hopping MAC protocol which is specifically characterized as a duty cycled asynchronous sender-initiated LPL style protocol. We illustrate two flavors of the protocol; one that does not use any dedicated channel and another which allows dedicated broadcast channels that can implement frequency-hopping as well. We implement

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) have become increasingly popular in the recent years, particularly in the form of online role-playing games (MMORPGs). These games support up to several ten thousand players interacting in a virtual game world. The current commercially successful games are client-server based, which is feasible for relatively slow role-playing games. Those have modest bandwidth and latency requirements and are paid for by their customers. For MMOGs with higher realtime requirements and/or a smaller number of customers willing to pay, peer-to-peer networking seems to be a serious alternative. This work analyzes the implementation of both a client-server and a peer-to-peer networking model for the prototype shooter game Planet π4. Initially, a survey introduces recent academic approaches to peer-to-peer systems specifically designed for games. Of those, one system is selected for implementation with Planet π4. Planet π4 is improved in several aspects for the purpose of analyzing various network implementations. First, its architecture is restructured and cleaned to allow for an easy replacement of the networking component. Second, its core is modified to work in a completely event-based mode, supporting the execution of the game in an discrete-event-based network simulator. Third, a simple artificial intelligence player is developed for workload generation in large (and possibly simulated) networks. Furthermore, the newly developed transport protocol CUSP is applied for the network implementation, thus the game is the first real application using CUSP. Finally the game Planet π4 is integrated with the CUSP network simulator, allowing to run the whole game in a simulated network without the need for modification of its core components. Kurzfassung Massen-Mehrspieler-Onlinespiele (Massively multiplayer online games; MMOGs) wurden in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend populär, insbesondere in Form von Online-Rollenspielen (MMORPGs). In

Corporate Governance determinants of voluntary disclosure and its effects on information asymmetry: an analysis for Iberian Peninsula listed companies.

This report focuses on the evidence about the health.consequences of smoking for women, and is intended to serve.the public health and medical communities as 'a unified source of existing scientific research. The major issues about tobacco use and women's health are examined, including trends in consumption, biomedical evidence, and determinants of smoking ititiation, maintenance, and cessation. The biomedical aspects ofsmoking are presented in terms of mortality, morbiplity, cardiovasculaidiseases, cancer, pregnancy and infant,health,, Teptic ulcer disease, drug reactions and, interactions, food constituents, and responses to,diagnostic tests. The psychosocial and behavioraj. aspects, of smoking in women are discussed, along with the docffiented increases in- the risk of contracting lung cancer, heart,disease, or lung disease. The harmful effects of pregnant mothers smoking behaviors, are also docudented. Adhitionally, recent data are enumerated to indicate a trend of,decreasing tobacco usage among women in response to the warnings of the gavernMent, voluntary agencie, and physicrins. (Author /NRB)' DOCUMENT RESUME cc 015 465