For every operating condition of an internal combustion engine there exists an optimal spark timing, called maximum brake torque (MBT), which maximises the output torque and the efficiency of the engine. Traditionally MBT timing is implemented as an open-loop control where the ignition timing is found by using a combination of static lookup tables and sensor information. With a direct closed-loop control from the combustion process the performance of internal combustion engines could be improved. The thesis investigates if it is possible to estimate the MBT timing from the ionization current for every operating condition of a spark ignited engine where the operating conditions are defined by the engine parameters lambda, internal exhaust gas recirculation, engine load, engine speed and spark advance. First an investigation of how much loss of torque an error from the MBT position corresponds to is made. Then the influence of the engine parameters on the shape of the ionization current was studied. Last different peak pressure position (PPP) estimating algorithms are presented and a new technique is developed where an engine operating point dependant part of the ionization current is used depending on the current operating condition of the engine. Two of the presented PPP estimating algorithms are then complemented with this technique and the results look promising.

Cette thèse a pour but de reconstituer le climat des 100 000 dernières années en Europe de l’ouest. L’étude du climat du passé permet de mieux comprendre la variabilité naturelle du climat sur laquelle se surimpose aujourd’hui le réchauffement climatique d’origine anthropique. Ce sont des molécules fossiles bactériennes dont la structure varie en fonction des conditions environnementales qui ont permis dans cette étude de reconstituer le paléoclimat à partir des sédiments du lac St Front dans le Massif Central. Les indices dérivés de ces molécules révèlent la variabilité climatique à long terme mais également les évènements rapides de changement climatique ainsi qu’une forte action anthropique en surimposition des changements climatiques régionaux sur les 5000 dernières années. Ce travail montre l’importance de la compréhension de l’outil utilisé et du fonctionnement du système naturel dans lequel il est étudié, préalables indispensables à l’obtention d’une séquence climatique crédible / This thesis aims to reconstruct the climate of the last 100,000 years in western Europe. The study of past climate allows to better understand the natural variability of climate on which human-induced global warming is superimposed today. Bacterial fossil molecules whose structure varies according to the environmental conditions were used in this study to reconstruct the paleoclimate from the sediments of lake St Front in the Massif Central. The indices derived from these molecules reveal the long-term climatic variability but also the rapid events of climate change as well as a strong anthropogenic action in superimposition of the regional climatic changes over the last 5000 years. This work shows the importance of understanding the tool used and the functioning of the natural system in which it is studied, essential prerequisites for obtaining a credible climate reconstruction

Afin de mieux comprendre la sensibilité du continent européen aux changements climatiques, le potentiel des tétraéthers de glycérol ramifiés (ou « méthylés »), supports de nouveaux indicateurs de température et du pH des sols, a été étudié dans 2 archives sédimentaires. Ces 2 carottes de sédiments marins prélevées à l’embouchure de grands fleuves (Danube et paléo fleuve Manche) de part et d’autre de l’ancienne calotte glaciaire fennoscandinave, offrent l’opportunité d’obtenir des enregistrements contenant une information intégrée à l’échelle de vastes bassins versants depuis le dernier cycle glaciaire. Des reconstitutions continues des températures glaciaires obtenues à partir de l’analyse des tétraéthers ramifiés dans ces carottes sont présentées. Ces enregistrements sont interprétés avec précaution du fait de la relative méconnaissance des organismes producteurs des tétraéthers ramifiés et leur possible production en milieu aquatique. La haute résolution temporelle des reconstitutions permet toutefois de mieux comprendre la variabilité climatique abrupte de la dernière période glaciaire, de part l’estimation des températures associées aux évènements de Heinrich et cycles de Dansgaard-Oeschger, notamment par une estimation quantitative en Europe centrale-est. De plus, l’apport des tétraéthers à la reconstitution du pH des paléosols de cette partie du continent est étudié. Par ailleurs, une méthode automatisée de purification des échantillons, préalable à l’analyse des tétraéthers par HPLC-MS a été mise au point, afin de faciliter le travail préparatoire et promouvoir l’analyse de paléo séquences à haute résolution temporelle utilisant les tétraéthers. / In order to better understand the sensibility of the European continent to climate changes, the potential of branched tetraether lipids, as bases of temperature and soil pH proxies, has been studied in two sedimentary archives. These two marine sediment cores have been chosen for their location at the mouth of major rivers (Danube and paleo Channel river) on both sides of the ancient Fennoscandian ice sheet. Indeed, they enable to get records containing information integrated at large drainage basin scale, since the last glacial cycle. Thus, continuous temperature reconstructions of the last glacial period in Europe, based on branched tetraethers extracted from these cores, are presented. These records are carefully interpreted, notably because of the uncertainties on the tetraether producers and their likely production in the aquatic environment. The high temporal resolution of the reconstruction however enables insights into the last glacial abrupt climate variability, with temperature estimates of Heinrich events and Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles, and especially, quantitative estimations in central eastern Europe. Moreover, the reconstruction of past soil pH in this part of the continent is investigated. Last, an automated purification method for archaeal and bacterial tetraethers in soils and sediments has been developed in order to contribute to enhancing the time resolution of paleosequences based on tetraether biomarkers.

<p>Model Based Testing (MBT) is a new-age test automation technique traditionally used for Functional Black-Box Testing. Its capability of generating test cases by using model developed from the analysis of the abstract behavior of the System under Test is gaining popularity. Many commercial and open source MBT tools are available currently in market. But each one has its own specific way of modeling and test case generation mechanism that is suitable for varied types of systems. Ericsson, a telecommunication equipment provider company, is currently adapting Model Based Testing in some of its divisions for functional testing. Those divisions haven’t yet attempted adapting Model Based Testing for non-functional testing in a full-pledged manner. A comparative study between various MBT tools will help one of the Ericsson’s testing divisions to select the best tool for adapting to its existing test environment. This also helps in improving the quality of testing while reducing cost, time and effort. This thesis work helps Ericsson testing division to select such an effective MBT tool. Based on aspects such as functionality, flexibility, adaptability, performance etc., a comparative study is carried out on various available MBT tools and a few were selected among them: Qtronic, ModelJUnit and Elvior Motes.This thesis also helps to understand the usability of the selected tools for modeling of non-functional requirements using a new method. A brief idea of modeling the non-functional requirements is suggested in this thesis. A System under Test was identified and its functional behavior was modeled along with the non functional requirements in Qtronic and ModelJUnit. An experimental analysis, backed by observations of using the new proposed method indicates that the method is efficient enough to carry out modeling non-functional requirements along with modeling of functional requirements by identifying the appropriate approach.Model Based Testing (MBT) is a new-age test automation technique traditionally used for Functional Black-Box Testing. Its capability of generating test cases by using model developed from the analysis of the abstract behavior of the System under Test is gaining popularity. Many commercial and open source MBT tools are available currently in market. But each one has its own specific way of modeling and test case generation mechanism that is suitable for varied types of systems. Ericsson, a telecommunication equipment provider company, is currently adapting Model Based Testing in some of its divisions for functional testing. Those divisions haven’t yet attempted adapting Model Based Testing for non-functional testing in a full-pledged manner. A comparative study between various MBT tools will help one of the Ericsson’s testing divisions to select the best tool for adapting to its existing test environment. This also helps in improving the quality of testing while reducing cost, time and effort. This thesis work helps Ericsson testing division to select such an effective MBT tool. Based on aspects such as functionality, flexibility, adaptability, performance etc., a comparative study is carried out on various available MBT tools and a few were selected among them: Qtronic, ModelJUnit and Elvior Motes.</p><p>This thesis also helps to understand the usability of the selected tools for modeling of non-functional requirements using a new method. A brief idea of modeling the non-functional requirements is suggested in this thesis. A System under Test was identified and its functional behavior was modeled along with the non functional requirements in Qtronic and ModelJUnit. An experimental analysis, backed by observations of using the new proposed method indicates that the method is efficient enough to carry out modeling non-functional requirements along with modeling of functional requirements by identifying the appropriate approach.</p>

Syftet med föreliggande studie har varit att utvärdera och kvalitetssäkra implementeringen av en mentaliseringsbaserad terapi på en allmänpsykiatrisk öppenvårdsmottagning. Behandlingen har riktat sig till patienter med diagnosen personlighetsstörning och pågått under 18 månader. 14 patienter inkluderades i studien och behandlingen har bestått av ett individuellt och två gruppbehandlingstillfällen i veckan. Intervjuer och regelbundna självskattningar har genomförts för att undersöka patientens psykiska mående. Samtliga patienter rapporterade vid inklusion ett svårt psykiskt lidande. En preliminär analys visar att efter 6 månaders behandling har patienternas psykiatriska lidande minskat signifikant. Sex patienter har av olika skäl avbrutit behandlingen efter inklusion. Två patienter har fullföljt behandlingen i sin helhet och i dessa patienters uppföljningsdata (24 månader efter inklusion) kan man konstatera att de skattat sitt psykiatriska lidande på samma nivå som den jämförbara svenska normgruppen.

Model Based Testing (MBT) is a new-age test automation technique traditionally used for Functional Black-Box Testing. Its capability of generating test cases by using model developed from the analysis of the abstract behavior of the System under Test is gaining popularity. Many commercial and open source MBT tools are available currently in market. But each one has its own specific way of modeling and test case generation mechanism that is suitable for varied types of systems. Ericsson, a telecommunication equipment provider company, is currently adapting Model Based Testing in some of its divisions for functional testing. Those divisions haven’t yet attempted adapting Model Based Testing for non-functional testing in a full-pledged manner. A comparative study between various MBT tools will help one of the Ericsson’s testing divisions to select the best tool for adapting to its existing test environment. This also helps in improving the quality of testing while reducing cost, time and effort. This thesis work helps Ericsson testing division to select such an effective MBT tool. Based on aspects such as functionality, flexibility, adaptability, performance etc., a comparative study is carried out on various available MBT tools and a few were selected among them: Qtronic, ModelJUnit and Elvior Motes.This thesis also helps to understand the usability of the selected tools for modeling of non-functional requirements using a new method. A brief idea of modeling the non-functional requirements is suggested in this thesis. A System under Test was identified and its functional behavior was modeled along with the non functional requirements in Qtronic and ModelJUnit. An experimental analysis, backed by observations of using the new proposed method indicates that the method is efficient enough to carry out modeling non-functional requirements along with modeling of functional requirements by identifying the appropriate approach.Model Based Testing (MBT) is a new-age test automation technique traditionally used for Functional Black-Box Testing. Its capability of generating test cases by using model developed from the analysis of the abstract behavior of the System under Test is gaining popularity. Many commercial and open source MBT tools are available currently in market. But each one has its own specific way of modeling and test case generation mechanism that is suitable for varied types of systems. Ericsson, a telecommunication equipment provider company, is currently adapting Model Based Testing in some of its divisions for functional testing. Those divisions haven’t yet attempted adapting Model Based Testing for non-functional testing in a full-pledged manner. A comparative study between various MBT tools will help one of the Ericsson’s testing divisions to select the best tool for adapting to its existing test environment. This also helps in improving the quality of testing while reducing cost, time and effort. This thesis work helps Ericsson testing division to select such an effective MBT tool. Based on aspects such as functionality, flexibility, adaptability, performance etc., a comparative study is carried out on various available MBT tools and a few were selected among them: Qtronic, ModelJUnit and Elvior Motes. This thesis also helps to understand the usability of the selected tools for modeling of non-functional requirements using a new method. A brief idea of modeling the non-functional requirements is suggested in this thesis. A System under Test was identified and its functional behavior was modeled along with the non functional requirements in Qtronic and ModelJUnit. An experimental analysis, backed by observations of using the new proposed method indicates that the method is efficient enough to carry out modeling non-functional requirements along with modeling of functional requirements by identifying the appropriate approach.

Introduction: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised by deficits in affect and impulse regulation, along with interpersonal difficulties (Lieb et al., 2004). It is thought to develop through a complex relationship between adverse childhood events, such as childhood abuse and genetics. A recent developmental model of BPD and one that is gaining popularity focuses on mentalization. Following their exposition of the mentalizing model of BPD, Bateman and Fonagy developed the Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) intervention for BPD (Bateman & Fonagy 2006). This intervention includes both group and individual therapy with the focus on the patient’s relationship with the therapist and other members of the group. Promising evidence that MBT interventions are effective for treating symptoms of BPD is beginning to emerge. Methods: First a systematic review examining the prevalence of childhood abuse in BPD patients was conducted. Second, an empirical study of the efficacy of a group-only adaptation of the MBT intervention for BPD, delivered in a routine health service setting. Finally, planned exploratory analyses were conducted in order to ascertain what factors might predict group completion. Results: The results of the systematic review suggested that that emotional abuse (mean prevalence 63%) and emotional neglect (mean prevalence 63.1%) are the most common forms of abuse reported by this population followed by physical neglect (mean prevalence 40.89%) , sexual abuse (mean prevalence 36.9%) and physical abuse (mean prevalence 32.49%). The results of the second study revealed that the HUB is an acceptable treatment to participants, with indicators of treatment efficacy in relation to reducing overall psychiatric symptoms along with specific symptoms including interpersonal sensitivities, depression, phobic anxiety and paranoid ideation. Finally, exploratory analyses suggested that patients who were older and with less histrionic symptoms (as defined by the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-4) were more likely to complete the HUB. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a group-only MBT intervention displays promising effectiveness in treating core symptoms of BPD and is acceptable to patients. Further it suggests that group-only MBT interventions are worth continued investigation both into their efficacies and the potential efficiencies associated a group-based intervention.

Graphical user interfaces represent significant part of computer systems. This causes an increase of demands for their proper behavior, which can be achieved by a proper testing during development. This thesis describes the principles of model based testing for automated generation of test cases. In this way, the productivity of test teams can increase. The thesis defines model for modeling the most common GUI elements, algorithm for obtaining such a model from the GUI, and a tool for definition of coverage criteria.

Model-based testing (MBT) is using a model of expected behavior of the system to automatically generate a set of tests. It aims at reducing the testing cost when compared to the traditional testing techniques. This work focuses on testing a real-world software system using the selected MBT tool OSMO. The tested system is responsible for compiling business rules and it is one of the main components of the Drools platform, developed by Red Hat. The work describes the introduction of MBT considering the good reception from the community of developers, then the creation of compiler input models and evaluation of the newly created test suite. The usage of the MBT resulted in detection of five reported and three potential issues in the tested code. Using the Drools compiler example, the work summarizes the main strengths and also weaknesses of practical use of MBT techniques.

The automatic creation of test cases has been a well-researched area in recent years. Indeed, the industry’s testing procedure still uses the traditional way of manual practices. However, investigations are continued to deliver new methods, but research results have not been fully adopted. In this paper, the investigated method applies the model-based testing (MBT) method to evaluate the ability to automate the creation of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test cases, where generated tests are created using MBT tools. The tools’ properties were compared to each other through a literature study, with the result of selecting tools to be used in a case study, and the tools selected were GraphWalker and MoMuT. The generated test cases perform similarly to their manual counterparts regarding how the test cases achieved full requirements coverage. When comparing the effort needed for applying the methods, a comparable effort is required for creating the first iteration, while with every subsequent update, MBT will require less effort compared to the manual process. Both methods achieve 100% requirements coverage, and since manual testing is created and executed by humans, some requirements are favoured over others due to company demands, while MBT tests will be generated randomly.In addition, a comparison between the used tools showcased the differences in the models’ design and their test case generation. The comparison showed that GraphWalker has a more straightforward design method and is better suited for smaller systems, while’s MoMuT can handle more complex systems but has a more involved design method.The results of the thesis showed that using MBT tools proved helpful as it covers the system requirements, can be executed in HIL and helps discover faults within the requirements and HIL system. These facts satisfy the companies’ demands. This thesis shows a promising improvement in automating the test process within the vehicular domain.