The purpose of this study is to develop a method to qualitatively and quantitatively measure and assess the field testing of a diagnostic tool by identifying the parameters that are relevant to assess a field test. The study is conducted at Scania CV AB, Södertälje, Sweden, a world leading manufacturer of trucks, buses and industrial and marine engines, where a method to assess the field test of their diagnostic currently does not exist. The study follows a deductive approach while taking a positivistic and hermeneutic perspective. The relevant theories and literature such as quality development and software testing are described to give a better understanding of the study. The study is conducted in four main steps- description of present situation, situation analysis, development of the assessment approach or framework and evaluation of the framework. The empirical information gathered from numerous interviews and meetings is presented in the description of present situation along with the various data sources available. The collected data from different databases is analysed where hypotheses are formulated based on the different influencing parameters for field testing. The correlations between the parameters are then calculated and analysed to verify the hypothesis as True or False. The ECU updates are also analysed to show that the ECU updates performed during field testing is a good representation of the actual usage after release. The framework to assess the field test is then developed using the available data and analysis made. A holistic view is taken to include the processes before and after the field test in the framework. The framework is in the form of an Excel workbook where data is either copied from databases or manually entered and relevant graphs describing the field test are generated automatically. The time period to be displayed on the graphs can be selected manually. This gives a good base to take decisions about how a field test has gone and whether or not the software is ready for release. Based on the correlation of the different parameters, a table with different key values of how much field test usage that should be conducted based on the number of implemented change requests are presented. Thus the result is that the most important attributes to consider for a field test are the amount of implemented changes where each field test usage occasion increases the chance of finding potential faults in the software of the diagnostic tool. An unrestricted framework is also described using data that may be available, but currently difficult to utilise effectively. Thus the recommended future work is represented by this framework which describes what information that can be obtained from different data sources and how they can be used to get a detailed understanding of what exactly has been used during field testing as well as after the software has been released. The framework is assessed in the last step and its uses along with limitations are described.  The difficulty in describing the success of software testing is also discussed to give a good context to the framework and understand its utility.

The aim of this research was to explore empirically how firms create and implement strategic decisions (SD’s). The research was inspired by the need to understand further organizational process underpinning SD’s phenomenon and potentially contribute to the overall performance of firms. Previous research on SD’s has been focusing on the formal strategic planning approaches, which have been criticized for their highly prescriptive views of SD’s, separating creation from implementation, and focusing on the content and discrete elements rather than the holistic process. Despite all these studies, our understanding of the actual nature of the SD phenomenon from creation to implementation remains incomplete. Motivated by the need to look empirically and holistically at this very complex social phenomenon, this research problematizes the above aspects of SD’s literature and positions this research within a wider social and descriptive process based approach. The research employed qualitative and Analytic Induction (AI) methodologies, and addressed the above need in three projects. The objective of each project has evolved and lead to the emergence of the final findings, which suggest a possible answer to the overall research aim. The Scoping Study proposed a theoretical framework of successful SD’s implementation factors. Project 1 went further and investigated these factors empirically. Project 2 developed empirically the process of how people actually create and implement SD’s. In Project 3, this process was analysed through the theoretical lens of the sensemaking perspective and was applied by practitioners through an empirically tested diagnostic tool. This research has made a step towards a better understanding of SD’s in practice and contributed to the academic knowledge by proposing a different, yet viable descriptive process, which can improve the overall quality of the SD’s, and potentially lead to better performance.

Introduction: La dépression est un motif fréquent de consultation en médecine générale. Sa variabilité rend son diagnostic difficile. Un outil diagnostique efficace, stable et ergonomique serait une aide en recherche en médecine générale. L’objectif de cette étude était de trouver un outil consensuel entre médecins généralistes (MG) et psychiatres sur plusieurs pays européens. Méthodes: Une revue systématique de littérature été entreprise pour trouver les outils validés en médecine générale contre le psychiatre. Un consensus selon une RAM en a sélectionné un. Il a été traduit selon une procédure garantissant la stabilité du transfert et l’écologie en médecine générale. Un protocole de validation a été produit pour s’assurer de la conservation des qualités psychométriques. L’étude de validation externe française a été réalisée.Résultats: Sept outils ont été extraits : CESD-R, GDS 5-15-30 questions, PSC-51, HADS, HSCL-25. Les données psychométriques d’efficacité (Se, Sp,VPP, VPN) ont été colligés. La HSCL-25 a été sélectionnée pour ses hautes qualités combinées d’efficacité, de stabilité et d’ergonomie. Elle a été traduite en 9 langues relatives à 3 groupes linguistiques : le grecque, les langues romanes et slaves. L’étude de validation française a prouvé que la forme française de la HSCL-25 (F-HSCL-25) a de hautes performances diagnostiques (Se 59,4%, Sp 91,4%, VPP 69,8%, VPN 86,9%) adaptées à la recherche en médecine générale.Implication: la HSCL-25 est un outil valide et efficace pour le diagnostic de la dépression en soins primaires. Ils pourraient augmenter les performances diagnostiques des MG et favoriser des recherches collaboratives. / Depression is a common reason for consultation in general practice. Its variability makes its diagnosis difficult. An effective, reliable and ergonomic diagnostic tool would be an aid to research in general practice. The aim of this study was to find a consensual tool between general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists in several European countries.Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken to find validated tools in general practice against the psychiatrist. A consensus according to a RAM (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method) has selected one. It has been translated according to a procedure guaranteeing the stability and the ecology in general practice. A validation protocol has been produced to ensure the retention of psychometric qualities. The French external validation study was carried out.Results: Seven tools were extracted: CESD-R, GDS 5-15-30 items, PSC-51, HADS, HSCL-25.Psychometric effectiveness data (Se, Sp, VPP, VPN) were collected. The HSCL-25 has been selected for its high combined qualities of effectiveness, reliability and ergonomics. It has been translated into 9 languages relating to 3 linguistic groups: Greek, Romance and Slavic languages. The French Validation Study has proven that the French form of HSCL-25 (F-HSCL-25) has high diagnostic performance (Se 59.4%, Sp 91.4%, VPP 69.8%, and VPN 86.9%) adapted to research in general practice.Implication: HSCL-25 is a valid and effective tool for diagnosing depression in primary care. They could increase the diagnostic performance of GPs and foster collaborative research.

The aim of this research was to explore empirically how firms create and implement strategic decisions (SD’s). The research was inspired by the need to understand further organizational process underpinning SD’s phenomenon and potentially contribute to the overall performance of firms. Previous research on SD’s has been focusing on the formal strategic planning approaches, which have been criticized for their highly prescriptive views of SD’s, separating creation from implementation, and focusing on the content and discrete elements rather than the holistic process. Despite all these studies, our understanding of the actual nature of the SD phenomenon from creation to implementation remains incomplete. Motivated by the need to look empirically and holistically at this very complex social phenomenon, this research problematizes the above aspects of SD’s literature and positions this research within a wider social and descriptive process based approach. The research employed qualitative and Analytic Induction (AI) methodologies, and addressed the above need in three projects. The objective of each project has evolved and lead to the emergence of the final findings, which suggest a possible answer to the overall research aim. The Scoping Study proposed a theoretical framework of successful SD’s implementation factors. Project 1 went further and investigated these factors empirically. Project 2 developed empirically the process of how people actually create and implement SD’s. In Project 3, this process was analysed through the theoretical lens of the sensemaking perspective and was applied by practitioners through an empirically tested diagnostic tool. This research has made a step towards a better understanding of SD’s in practice and contributed to the academic knowledge by proposing a different, yet viable descriptive process, which can improve the overall quality of the SD’s, and potentially lead to better performance.

The objective of this diploma thesis is to design and implement a diagnostic tool for communication protocol of SD memory cards. The diagnostic tool will be able to monitor and interfere with communication of an SD memory card. The hardware implementation will be based on platform with Kinetis K66 microcontroller. A PC application designed for windows is also a part of diagnostic tool. There is a conclusion of the diagnostic tool limitation at the end of the thesis.

La brucellose est une zoonose causée par le genre bactérien Brucella (B.) dont l’incidence mondiale est estimée à 500 000 cas humains par an. Le réservoir est animal, touchant principalement les espèces de rente. Les espèces les plus importantes pour l’Homme sont B. melitensis, B. abortus et B. suis qui partagent plus de 90% d’identité de séquence. Bien qu’elles soient très apparentées sur le plan génétique, elles présentent une diversité de caractéristiques phénotypiques, de préférence d’hôte et de pathogénicité. L’homogénéité génétique de ces espèces peut apparaître comme un atout pour le développement d’outils de diagnostic universels robustes. En revanche, il s’agit d’un challenge pour les distinguer, rendant difficile la caractérisation précise des isolats issus d’un même foyer. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, un outil de diagnostic moléculaire de PCR en temps réel ciblant le genre Brucella a été développé et optimisé. L’outil a été évalué sur des prélèvements de lait de ruminants, ces prélèvements peuvent être une source importante de Brucella et peuvent être utiles au dépistage de la maladie à l’échelle du troupeau. Basée sur la détection de l’élément d’insertion IS711, une séquence présente en plusieurs exemplaires dans le génome, cette méthode affiche des valeurs de sensibilité et de spécificité qui la rendent intéressante pour un schéma global de lutte contre la brucellose. D’autre part, en vue d’améliorer la compréhension de la stabilité génétique de B. melitensis, un panel original de souches isolées dans le cadre d’un foyer et impliquant 4 espèces d’hôtes différentes a été comparé. Ainsi à l’aide de différentes approches complémentaires, leurs séquences génomiques, les caractères phénotypiques ainsi que leurs comportements dans un modèle in vitro ont été comparés. Nos résultats n’ont pas mis en évidence marqueurs qui laisserait à penser que des mutations dans le génome soient indispensables pour s’adapter à un nouvel hôte / Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterial genus Brucella (B.), whose global incidence is estimated at 500,000 human cases per year. The reservoir is animal, affecting mainly livestock. The most important species for humans are B. melitensis, B. abortus and B. suis, which share more than 90% sequence identity. Although highly genetically related, Brucella spp. exhibit a variety of phenotypic characteristics, host preference and pathogenicity. The genetic homogeneity of these species may appear as an asset for the development of robust universal diagnostic tools. On the other hand, it is a challenge to distinguish them, making it difficult to precisely characterize isolates from the same outbreak. As part of this thesis, a real-time PCR molecular diagnostic tool targeting the genus Brucella was developed and optimized. The method has been evaluated on ruminant milk samples; these samples may be an important source of Brucella and may be useful for herd-scale disease screening. Based on the detection of the IS711 insertion element, a sequence present in several copies within the genome, this method displays sensitivity and specificity values that make it interesting for a global scheme to fight against brucellosis. On the other hand, in order to improve the understanding of the genetic stability of B. melitensis, an original panel of strains isolated in an outbreak and involving four different host species was compared. Thus, using different complementary approaches, their genomic sequences, phenotypic characteristics and their behavior in an in vitro model were compared. Our results did not highlight markers that would suggest that mutations in the genome are essential to adapt to a new host

OBJECTIVE. To identify clinical, socio-demographic, dietary and biological markers to be used in a non-invasive and cost-effective clinical tool for screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese adolescents. METHODS. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from 77 obese adolescents enrolled in a drug trial for the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, between October 2003 and August 2007. NAFLD was defined as the presence of fatty liver infiltration assessed by computed tomography. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to identify variables with the highest area under the curve (AUC) for NAFLD. Serum biomarkers were dichotomized using sensitivity analyses to identify the best cutoff point for NAFLD. Multiple logistic regression models were created to predict prevalent NAFLD. RESULTS. Serum triglycerides was identified as the best biomarker for NAFLD (AUC 0.790; pseudo R2 0.235). Additional adjustment for sex, age and Tanner stage improved the AUC to 0.846 and the pseudo R2 to 0.290. We then explored adding a simple biochemical marker for predicting NAFLD (HOMA-B, ALT or glutamate) and found that HOMA-B led to greater improvement in AUC, ALT to a greater improvement in sensitivity and glutamate to a greater improvement in the pseudo R2. Thus, all three factors individually improved overall model performance to some degree and inclusion of all three led to an AUC=0.907 and pseudo R2=0.433. Our second objective was to develop a more complex exploratory model starting with the inclusion of important clinical predictors (triglycerides, sex, age, Tanner stage, SBP, BMI, waist circumference); this yielded an AUC of 0.871 and pseudo R2 of 0.342. Further adjustment for HOMA-B, ALT and glutamate gave an AUC=0.913 and pseudo R2=0.497. CONCLUSION. Simple clinical and biochemical factors may be used to screen for prevalent NAFLD. Our simplest clinically relevant model using triglycerides, age, sex and Tanner stage provided a reasonable screening tool for NAFLD in obese adolescents. A second more complex model that warrants further testing includes triglycerides, sex, age, Tanner stage, SPB, BMI, waist circumference, HOMA-B, ALT and glutamate. In this study, this model was more accurate for detecting undiagnosed cases of NAFLD in this pediatric population.

Internal combustion engines have dealt with increasingly restricted emissions requirements. After-treatment devices are successful in bringing emissions into compliance, but in-cylinder combustion control can reduce their burden by reducing engine out emissions. For example, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are diesel combustion exhaust species that are notoriously difficult to remove by after-treatment. In-cylinder conditions can be controlled for low levels of NOx, but this produces high levels of soot potentially leading to increased particulate matter (PM). The simultaneous reduction of NOx and PM can be realized through a combustion process known as low temperature combustion (LTC). In this study, the typical definition of LTC as the defeat of the inverse relationship between soot and NOx is not applicable as a return to the soot-NOx tradeoff is observed with increasing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). It is postulated that this effect is the result of an increase in the hot ignition equivalence ratio, moving the combustion event into a slightly higher soot formation region. This is important because a simple emissions based definition of LTC is no longer helpful. In this study, the manifestation of LTC in the calculated heat release profile is investigated. The conditions classified as LTC undergo a two-stage ignition process. Two-stage ignition is characterized by an initial cool-flame reaction followed by typical hot ignition. In traditional combustion conditions, the ignition is fast enough that a cool-flame is not observed. By controlling initial conditions (pressure, temperature, and composition), the creation and duration of the cool-flame event is predictable. Further, the effect that injection timing and the exhaust gas recirculation level have on the controlling factors of the cool-flame reaction is well correlated to the duration of the cool-flame event. These two results allow the postulation that the presence of a sufficiently long cool-flame reaction indicates a combustion event that can be classified as low temperature combustion. A potential method for identifying low temperature combustion events using only the rate of heat release profile is theorized. This study employed high levels of EGR and late injection timing to realize the LTC mode of ordinary petroleum diesel fuel. Under these conditions, and based on a 90 percent reduction in nitric oxide and no increase in smoke output relative to the chosen baseline condition, a two part criteria is developed that identifies the LTC classified conditions. The criteria are as follow: the combustion event of conventional petroleum diesel fuel must show a two-stage ignition process; the first stage (cool-flame reaction) must consume at least 2 percent of the normalized fuel energy before the hot ignition commences.

<p>This work is a research in the field of systems science, emphasising the importance of applying models and theories that have been developed in this area. This work studies the possibility of using James Miller's living systems theory (LST) as a diagnostic tool. The application area was project management processes used when developing computerised information systems. The focus on the analyses was on the critical subsystems that process information. Based on this study it was found that LST function as a diagnostic tool according to the following criteria: it was possible to identify the critical subsystems in the application, the critical subsystems covered relevant information flows in the application and LST could make a unique contribution in the analyses of the application.</p>

This work is a research in the field of systems science, emphasising the importance of applying models and theories that have been developed in this area. This work studies the possibility of using James Miller's living systems theory (LST) as a diagnostic tool. The application area was project management processes used when developing computerised information systems. The focus on the analyses was on the critical subsystems that process information. Based on this study it was found that LST function as a diagnostic tool according to the following criteria: it was possible to identify the critical subsystems in the application, the critical subsystems covered relevant information flows in the application and LST could make a unique contribution in the analyses of the application.