Cléomadès d’Adenet le Roi et Méliacin de Girart d’Amiens constituent ensemble une énigme de l’histoire littéraire du Moyen Âge. Nés d’un même conte oriental, ils forment deux romans distincts, exactement contemporains. Le travail mené dans cette thèse vise à percer une part du mystère de la gémellité des textes. L’enquête sur les sources et les conditions de composition des romans nous mène à la cour de France, sous le mécénat de Marie de Brabant, et nous conduit à postuler une mise en concurrence délibérée des poètes. L’étude littéraire conjointe des romans vise à établir les modalités de la transformation du conte en roman, et celles de l’adaptation d’une fable orientale aux goûts d’une société aristocratique de la fin du XIIIe siècle. Dans des œuvres unies par la même contrainte, deux poétiques distinctes se déploient. La dernière partie de la thèse se penche sur la postérité des deux romans, dans laquelle nous cherchons les traces d’une histoire de leur réception. / Cléomadès by Adenet le Roi and Meliacin by Girart d’Amiens are both an enigma in the literary history of the Middle Ages. Both originate from the same oriental tale but they are actually two different, exactly contemporary novels. The research work in this thesis aims at understanding part of the mystery of the twin nature of the texts. The research on the sources and the conditions in which these novels were written takes us to the court of France, under the patronage of Marie de Brabant, and leads us to assume that the poets may have been deliberately led to compete with each other. The literay study of the two novels tries to establish the way the tale became a novel, and to understand how an oriental tale was adapted to the tastes of an aristocratic society of the late thirteenth century. In these two works submitted to the same constraints, two distinct poetics appear. The last part of the thesis examines the fate of the two novels, looking for clues on the history of their reception.

This master's thesis is aimed at creating a methodology for the selection of suitable test for automation testing. The first part is devoted to the definition of the prerequisites for introduction of automated testing and the conditions for its effective course. The second part focuses on defining the exclusion criteria of tests which are unsuitable for automation. The following third part is devoted to defining the selection criteria for the determination of the test priority for automation. The selection criteria have been approved by the head of this thesis and consulted with the supervisor of the practical project, on which the criteria were tested for the first time. Based on these criteria, the individual manual tests are evaluated. Final count of points is used for determination of the test priority. The fourth section is devoted to calculation of the return on investment in automated testing. Because the investments made into the automated testing are very high, it must be assured that their amount will return for the selected period. The fifth part is focused on defining the principles for ensuring the proper maintenance of automated tests and describing the technical complications and frequent problems that may occur during automated testing. The last section is devoted to pilot verification of the methodology on a practical project and for determination of the test priority for automation.

In!recent years, machine!learning has developed to the!extent that it can be utilized and implemented to create business value in organizations  by  either reducing costs or increasing  innovation and growth opportunities. Machine learning can unlock possibilities to create a better! product and experience, and thereby aid in gaining a stronger position in the industry. With millions of users traveling through their e2commerce platform, the case company of this thesis, a subscription based digital service company, has the potential tocreate an improved customer  experience using optimization and machine learning, generating business value and revenue. With limited resources and need for prioritization, understanding in which areas it would be most beneficial and generate most value to implement machine learning is critical. This thesis conducted an empirical study and thematic analysis based on semistructured interviews with machine learning engineers and managers at a subscription based digital service company to investigate how to assess when it is beneficial to utilize machine learning for optimization problems within an e2commerce organization. Impact, confidence, and effort were identified as suitable factors to assess the return on investment (ROI) of machine learning. In addition to this, three factors associated with machine learning were identified as required to have in place!or to consider in order to ensure a successful machine learning implementation. These three factors were data, business metrics (what to optimize), and discovery/research. / Under senare år har maskininlärning utvecklats i den mån att det kan utnyttjas och genomföras för att skapa affärsvärde i organisationer genom att antingen minska kostnaderna eller öka innovations- och tillväxtmöjligheter. Maskininlärning kan låsa upp möjligheter att skapa en bättre produkt och användarupplevelse och därigenom bidra till att få en starkare position i branschen. Med miljontals användare som reser via sin e-handelsplattform har fallstudieföretaget av denna avhandling, ett abonnemangsbaserat digitalt serviceföretag, potential att skapa en förbättrad kundupplevelse med hjälp av optimering och maskininlärning, som  genererar affärsvärde och intäkter för organisationen. Med begränsade resurser och behov av prioritering är det viktigt att förstå inom vilka områden det är mest fördelaktigt och skapar mest värde att implementera maskininlärning. Denna avhandling genomförde en empirisk studie och tematisk analys baserad på halvstrukturerade intervjuer med maskininlärningsingenjörer och managers på ett abonnemangsbaserat digitalt serviceföretag för att undersöka hur man bedömer när det är fördelaktigt att använda maskininlärning för optimeringsproblem inom en e-handelsorganisation. Impact, confidence och effort identifierades som lämpliga faktorer för att bedöma avkastningen på investeringar (ROI) för maskininlärning. Utöver detta identifierades tre faktorer som hör samman med maskininlärning som krävs att ha på plats eller att överväga för att säkerställa en framgångsrik maskininlärningsimplementation. Dessa tre faktorer var data, business metrics (vad man optimerar) och discovery/research.

This study examined training evaluation practices in U.S. nonprofit sector organizations. It offered a framework for evaluating employee training in the nonprofit sector and suggested solutions to overcome the barriers to evaluation. A mail survey was sent to 879 individuals who were members of, or had expressed an interest in, the American Society for Training and Development. The membership list consisted of individuals who indicated association/nonprofit or interfaith as an area of interest. Data from the survey show that training in the nonprofit sector is evaluated primarily at Level 1 (reaction) and Level 2 (learning). It also shows decreasing use from Level 3 (application) through Level 5 (ROI). Reaction questionnaires are the primary method for collecting Level 1 data. Facilitator assessment and self-assessment were listed as the primary method for evaluating Level 2. A significant mean rank difference was found between Level 2 (learning) and the existence of an evaluation policy. Spearman rho correlation revealed a statistically significant relationship between Level 4 (results) and the reasons training programs are offered. The Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed a statistically significant mean rank difference between "academic preparation" of managers with Level 3 evaluation. The Mann-Whitney U test was used post hoc and revealed that master's degree had a higher mean rank compared to bachelor's degree and doctorate. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed that there were statistically significant mean rank differences on Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 5 evaluation use with the barriers "little perceived value to the organization," "lack of training or experience using this form of evaluation," and "not required by the organization." Research findings are consistent with previous research conducted in the public sector, business and industry, healthcare, and finance. Nonprofit sector organizations evaluate primarily at Level 1 and Level 2. The existence of a written policy increases the use of Level 2 evaluation. Training evaluation is also an important part of the training process in nonprofit organizations. Selecting programs to evaluate at Level 5 is reserved for courses which are linked to organizational outcomes and have the interest of top management.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / In an environment of scarce resources and rising federal deficits the people not only expect, but demand greater accountability for the spending of public funds. This demand has created a trend in the public sector, not only in the United States, but worldwide as well, towards the importation of private sector business practices to improve accountability-oriented analysis. One example is increased emphasis on return on investment (ROI) analysis in public sector organizations. Development and application of ROI analysis is challenging in the public sector since most government organizations do not generate profit necessary for calculation of ROI in the manner in which it is done in the private sector. This thesis develops the methodology necessary for use of ROI analysis in the public sector. ROI methodology is applied for test evaluation with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego. The test demonstrates that ROI can be applied successfully to assess the relative efficiency of value-added work and to improve the process of choosing between investment alternatives. Properly designed ROI analysis reveals how and for what goods and services money is spent and provides a means for comparing the value derived from investment and work performed. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Article / This work proposes a biometric identification system that works together with a palm vein reader sensor and a hand-clenching support, designed to perform the capture the back of the hand. Several processing steps were performed: extraction of the region of interest, binarization, dilation, noise filtering, skeletonization, as well as extraction and verification of patterns based on the measurment of coincidence of vertical and horizontal displacements of skeletonized and dilated images. The proposed method achieved the following results: processing time post capture of 1.8 seconds, FRR of 0.47% and FAR of 0,00%, with a referential database of 50 people from a total of 1500 random captures.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree in Master of Commerce (50% course work) / A growing number of institutional investors that are adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) philosophy are playing a crucial role in influencing listed companies to adopt and address CSR issues. CSR is defined as “…a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations…” (European Commission, 2010). CSR is now widely accepted as a way of doing business in the contemporary environment. It is evident in companies that are spending large sums of money, time and effort on satisfying various stakeholders’ requirements for responsible behaviour. Despite the growing pressure on companies to become socially responsible, the direct benefits of CSR contribution to firm performance remain questionable. From existing literature the relationship between CSR and firm performance have pointed to mixed results (Gladysek & Chipeta, 2012; Aggarwal, 2013). This study examines the relationship between CSR performance and firm performance using the CSRHub sustainability indexes as proxy for CSR performance. The firm performance measures of firm value (Tobin’s Q) and financial accounting performance (return on assets) were used. Annual data of firms from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from year 2009 to 2012 was analysed using the Multiple Regression Analysis techniques. The study revealed that significant and positive relationship exists between CSR/environmental performance and firm value of listed South African companies. The study concluded that there is no significant relationship between firm performance and the other components of CSR such as community relations, employment relations, and governance. The relatively small sample size of the listed companies, some missing values on the sample data and the shorter time period on the study are the main limitations acknowledged in this report. In the overall, the study provides important insights for understanding the contribution of CSR and its disaggregated components to firm performance.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’appréhender les relations entre le roi et les nobles à la fin des guerres de Religion. La période des guerres civiles est marquée par un affaiblissement de l’autorité monarchique. Pour rétablir l’ordre dans le royaume, le roi doit compter sur les nobles dont la vocation est de porter les armes. Or, beaucoup de ces seigneurs ne le reconnaissent pas comme roi légitime. Par la guerre, les négociations et une savante politique de légitimation, Henri IV parvient à les rallier progressivement à son autorité. Cette thèse vise à comprendre ce processus de réconciliation, sur quelles bases il repose et comment les nobles contribuent à la redéfinition du pouvoir après ces périodes de troubles. Car si la paix est rétablie dans le royaume à partir de 1598 avec la paix de Vervins et l’édit de Nantes, les contestations nobiliaires ne sont pas totalement éteintes et éclatent à plusieurs reprises jusqu’en 1629. Les modalités de la révolte sont donc au cœur de cette thèse, c’est-à-dire la façon dont les nobles expriment leur mécontentement et justifient leurs oppositions au souverain. La cour est un cadre privilégié pour observer les dynamiques de pouvoir qui se jouent entre le souverain et les nobles, hommes et femmes. Le choix d’une période comprise 1589 et 1629 permet de suivre l’évolution de ces rapports à l’autorité monarchique et de mesurer le poids de l’honneur, moteur de l’action nobiliaire, mais aussi de la défense de la foi dans les prises de position nobiliaires. Cette longue période permet d’appréhender en quoi les contestations nobiliaires contribuent à la construction monarchique dans une période marquée par des conflits religieux. / The aim of this thesis is to understand the relationships between the King and the nobles at the end of the Wars of Religion. This period is marked by a weakening of the royal authority and the division of nobility between factions with different religious faiths. In order to restore order in the kingdom, the King must rely upon nobles whose vocation is to bear arms. However, many nobles don’t recognize him like as a legitimate sovereign. Through war, negotiations and a wise policy of legitimation, Henri IV achieves his goal of rallying them behind his authority. This thesis aims to understand this reconciliation process, on what basis it is founded and how nobles contribute to redefine royal power. Even though peace has been restored since 1598 with the Peace of Vervins and the Edict of Nantes, protests of nobility are not shut and flared several times until 1629. The modalities of the revolt are at the heart of this thesis, that is, the way nobles express their discontent and justify their oppositions against the sovereign. The court provides an ideal environment for the observation of the power dynamics between the King and nobles, men and women. The choice of the period from 1589 up to 1629 allows one to follow the evolution of the relations with the monarchical authority and evaluate the weight of honor, driving force of nobility action as well as the defense of faith in the nobles’ positions. This extensive period allows to apprehend how nobility protests contribute to the building of the monarchy during a period marked by religious conflicts.

Contribui na atribuição de valor ao exercício profissional e acadêmico da Ciência da Comunicação, enquanto elemento constitutivo do caráter institucional de organizações de grande porte com fins lucrativos. Objetivo: Buscar mais informações sobre a estrutura organizacional, os métodos de mensuração do retorno dos investimentos e a avaliação destes processos pelos profissionais da área e pelos seus controladores, na Petrobras S. A., na Basf S. A. e na Bayer S. A. Divisão Cropscience. Método: Estudo de casos com relato da estrutura organizacional, das metodologias adotadas e entrevistas semi-estruturadas dos principais envolvidos nos processos de patrocínios culturais, comunicação corporativa e comunicação interna, respectivamente. Resultados: Constata-se a aceleração na adoção destas metodologias, o interesse crescente sobre o planejamento e controle dos investimentos na área, bem como o início de um processo de sua inclusão na apropriação contábil gerencial e nos relatórios de desempenho econômico e de evolução patrimonial destas organizações. / A contribution to allocate value to professional and academic work in Communication Science, as part of large companies´ corporate nature. Objective: Finding more information on organizational structure, methods of measuring the return on investments and evaluation of these processes by professionals of communication and their controllers, at Petrobras S.A., Basf S.A. and Bayer S.A. - Cropscience Division. Method: Case studies with organizational structure, report of the methodologies adopted in cultural sponsorship, corporate communication and internal communication areas and their professionals´ points of view collected in semi-structured interviews. Results: It is verified an acceleration in the adoption of these methodologies, a growing interest on planning and controlling investments in the Communication area, as well as and a starting process which includes results on investment in ownership accounting management and in reports on economical development and equity performance of these organizations.