Context: Over the last two decades, software architecture has introduced a new trend insoftware development. This new trend has completely changed the normal methods andpractices of software engineering. The focus has become the architectural elements ratherthan code and sub-routines. Architecture description languages (ADLs) have been proposedfor this kind of architecture based software development. There are a number of differentADLs both in academia and industry; they are not totally adopted by the software engineeringcommunity, but they are not avoided either. In this research work, an investigation has beenperformed based on the ADLs evaluation in practice. Objectives: The main aim of this study is to investigate evaluation of ADLs in academia andindustry. To explore the benefits and drawbacks of ADLs in practice. The study also exploresthe different quality factors improved by ADLs. Further different methods used to buildarchitecture with ADLs and then how to use architecture described with an ADL in softwaredevelopment and maintenance have also been reported. Methods: This research study has been carried out using the systematic literature reviewmethod. The systematic literature review follows the guidelines suggested by Kitchenham[21]. Results: This research review has resulted in total of 102 different ADLs. It has been foundthat out of the 102 different ADLs, 69 ADLs have been evaluated in academia and only 33ADLs have been evaluated in industry. ADLs have also been classified based on theirindustrial and academia evaluation. There are total 31 different benefits and 19 differentdrawbacks of ADLs have been identified. This review also extracted 20 different qualityfactors from literature that are improved by using ADLs in practice. Further 13 differentmethods used to build architecture with ADL have also been reported. Finally 9 differentmethods of ADLs used in software development and maintenance have been identified. Conclusions: The Large number of ADLs with little evaluation in industry suggests thatmore work needs to be done in order to improve ADLs evaluation in practice. ADLs providemore benefits compared to their drawbacks which suggests that ADLs can be very beneficial.Knowledge gained during this research study, suggests that ADLs are mostly unrecognized.More awareness about ADLs should be provided in education and practice.

Business decisions are increasingly being made in the higher education institution (HEI) based on their impact to university rankings, sometimes to the detriment of the HEI mission. HEIs are not homogenous, and rankings are inadequate on their own in capturing HEI excellence. This dissertation took a three-pronged approach in addressing quality and excellence in the HEI. First, a case study adapted the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for a Financial Aid office in a public HEI, illustrating that, with a few modifications, the BSC is an appropriate and holistic approach to addressing quality in the HEI. The primary modification was to place mission at the top of the BSC, reflecting that each of the strategic objectives should be made with mission in mind. Next, survey methods were used to gain insight from upper administrators at public four-year HEIs regarding perceived quality factors. According to survey results, respondents rated Graduation and Retention as the most important indicator of quality. These results were further used to calculate weights of importance for each quality factor, further comparing these weighted factors to methodologies of three rankings systems, and found that the perceived quality factors identified by the respondents did not align with rankings methodologies. Finally, historical data was used to consider which HEIs moved most in their U.S. News and World Report (USNWR) rankings and peer scores. Higher-ranked HEIs were found to have less movement, and lower-ranked HEIs had more movement. Peer scores were found to be variable, although only by incremental amounts. Multiple regression analysis was used to compare USNWR rankings and objective data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Top American Research Universities (TARU) publication, finding graduation rate to have the strongest relationship with rankings. Ultimately, the wise HEI will find an appropriate mix of aiming for higher rankings and a focus on its mission, and ideally both would be in alignment.

Although academic interest in TQM increased substantially in the last decade, still the gap in the literature is hardly surprising given that research and theory in TQM implementation are still at a very early stage in the West. To-date, there are only a handful of empirical researches reported in the literature that have attempted to identify what constitute as constructs of TQM that can be manipulated to effectively implement TQM. All but very few are studies done in developed economies. Moreover, knowledge of TQM in developing economies is almost totally lacking. Against this backdrop, this researcha ddressesth e identified gaps in the literature on TQM. Thus this thesis focuses on the effective implementation of total quality management in Palestine, a developing economy, through an empirical investigation of critical quality factors. The research methodology involves combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the key quality factors cited in the literature and considered by consultants and experts as essential to successful TQM implementation. The research design also included: Lan empirical investigation to assessth e level of TQM awarenessa nd understandingi n the Palestinian context, 2. determining which key quality factors are critical to successful implementation using a survey questionnaire, 3. determining what tactics and techniques are used in addressing and implementing these critical quality factors by Palestinian organisations, using semi-structured interviews, 4. determining the prerequisites of effective TQM implementation in the pre-launch stage using in depth interviews. By complementing and integrating the findings, an implementation framework was constructed with the support of the knowledge acquired from the literature review. A simple and practical step by step with implementation guidelines framework aiming at assisting Palestinian organisations in planning on effective implementation of TQM was constructed. The research findings indicate that top management commitment and involvement, employee commitment and involvement, managing by customer-driven system and processes and continuous performance improvement, are essential to effective implementation of TQM. This implies that Palestinian organisations recognise and implement the same critical quality factors found in Western countries. The proposed framework is built around four major constructs that relate to top management commitment, employee commitment, customer-driven system and processes, and continuous improvement. It emphasises an implementation approach of top-down deployment and bottom-up participation focussing on businessp rocessesth at add value to customers atisfaction. In conclusion, this empirical research revealed that TQM could be implemented in the developing economies (such as Palestine) as Palestinian organisations subscribe to the same quality factors as those found in the developed economies.

SILVA, Roger Ribeiro. Estudo das propriedades dielétricas do Niobato de Bismuto e Titânio dopado com PbO e Bi2O3 para aplicações em antenas. 2009. 93 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2009. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-06-16T21:40:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_rrsilva.pdf: 3731493 bytes, checksum: ea1e0ca9dd5b082cce643034649ad572 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-06-18T18:22:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_rrsilva.pdf: 3731493 bytes, checksum: ea1e0ca9dd5b082cce643034649ad572 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-18T18:22:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_rrsilva.pdf: 3731493 bytes, checksum: ea1e0ca9dd5b082cce643034649ad572 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Dielectric resonators based on type structure compound Bi3TiNbO9 show singular characteristics for microwave applications, including high dielectric constants, low dissipation losses and low temperature coefficients. Single phase of the Bi3TiNbO9 powder was obtained by x-ray diffraction technique. The ceramics doped during manufacture, with lead oxide and bismuth oxide, were synthesized by solid state reaction at 950°C for two hours. Samples were analysed by Archimedes method and exhibited good levels of density for doped ceramics with bismuth and lead oxide. Grain morphology and stoichiometry of ceramics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy technique. Far infrared spectroscopy identified large bands on the Bi3TiNbO9 structure by attenuated total reflection technique. Radiofrequency measurements showed that doped ceramics exhibited higher dielectric constants than pure phase. Microwave measurements were investigated by Hakki-Coleman and resonant cylindrical cavity. The ceramics called as BTNO3BiP, BTNO5BiP, BTNO10BiP, BTNO3PbG e BTNO5PbG, showed high dielectric constants and high quality factors demonstrating that they can be applied in dielectric antennas on microwave range. / Ressoadores dielétricos baseados na estrutura do composto Bi3TiNbO9 apresentam características singulares para aplicações em microondas, incluindo altas constantes dielétricas, baixos fatores de dissipação e baixos coeficientes de temperatura. Obteve-se a fase pura da amostra em pó de Bi3TiNbO9 pela técnica de difração de raios X. As amostras cerâmicas dopadas durante a fabricação, com óxido de chumbo e óxido de bismuto, foram sintetizadas pelo método de reação do estado sólido a 950°C por 2 horas. As amostras foram analisadas pelo método de Arquimedes e apresentaram bons níveis de densidade nas dopagens com os óxidos de bismuto e chumbo. A morfologia dos grãos e a estequiometria das amostras cerâmicas foram investigadas pelas técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e análise por energia dispersiva de raios X. A espectroscopia no infravermelho distante identificou bandas largas na estrutura do Bi3TiNbO9 pela técnica de reflexão total atenuada. As medidas de constante dielétrica e perda dielétrica em radiofreqüência demonstraram que as dopagens com chumbo e bismuto exibiram maiores constantes dielétricas em relação à cerâmica pura. As medidas em microondas foram estudadas pelos métodos Hakki-Coleman e a cavidade ressonante metálica. As cerâmicas denominadas como BTNO3BiP, BTNO5BiP, BTNO10BiP, BTNO3PbG e BTNO5PbG, apresentaram altas constantes dielétricas e altos fatores de qualidade, demonstrando que podem ser aplicadas em antenas dielétricas na faixa de micro-ondas.

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Although academic interest in TQM increased substantially in the last decade, still the gap in the literature is hardly surprising given that research and theory in TQM implementation are still at a very early stage in the West. To-date, there are only a handful of empirical researches reported in the literature that have attempted to identify what constitute as constructs of TQM that can be manipulated to effectively implement TQM. All but very few are studies done in developed economies. Moreover, knowledge of TQM in developing economies is almost totally lacking. Against this backdrop, this researcha ddressesth e identified gaps in the literature on TQM. Thus this thesis focuses on the effective implementation of total quality management in Palestine, a developing economy, through an empirical investigation of critical quality factors. The research methodology involves combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the key quality factors cited in the literature and considered by consultants and experts as essential to successful TQM implementation. The research design also included: Lan empirical investigation to assessth e level of TQM awarenessa nd understandingi n the Palestinian context, 2. determining which key quality factors are critical to successful implementation using a survey questionnaire, 3. determining what tactics and techniques are used in addressing and implementing these critical quality factors by Palestinian organisations, using semi-structured interviews, 4. determining the prerequisites of effective TQM implementation in the pre-launch stage using in depth interviews. By complementing and integrating the findings, an implementation framework was constructed with the support of the knowledge acquired from the literature review. A simple and practical step by step with implementation guidelines framework aiming at assisting Palestinian organisations in planning on effective implementation of TQM was constructed. The research findings indicate that top management commitment and involvement, employee commitment and involvement, managing by customer-driven system and processes and continuous performance improvement, are essential to effective implementation of TQM. This implies that Palestinian organisations recognise and implement the same critical quality factors found in Western countries. The proposed framework is built around four major constructs that relate to top management commitment, employee commitment, customer-driven system and processes, and continuous improvement. It emphasises an implementation approach of top-down deployment and bottom-up participation focussing on businessp rocessesth at add value to customers atisfaction. In conclusion, this empirical research revealed that TQM could be implemented in the developing economies (such as Palestine) as Palestinian organisations subscribe to the same quality factors as those found in the developed economies.

According to the Water Framework Directive of the European Union, macrophytes should be used as indicators in the ecological and environmental monitoring of lakes. In the member state Sweden the Environmental Protection Agency has elaborated assessment criteria for determining lake status based on macrophytes. The main focus of this thesis is to evaluate the efficiency of the assessment criteria for macrophytes. In addition the concordance between the ecological status classes of the four quality factors included was analysed. The assessment criteria for macrophytes are based on the total phosphorus preference of the respective species. The focus is thus mainly on the nutrient level of the investigated lakes and the environmental problem monitored is eutrophication. Macrophytes are one of the five biological quality factors used for lakes. The others are phytoplankton, diatoms, benthic fauna and fish. The two latter were included in this thesis. In addition to the biological factors the chemical factor, nutrients in lakes, i.e. the total phosphorus, was included. The macrophyte composition was investigated in two eutrophic Uppland lakes: Lake Trehörningen and Lake Edasjön. Since the assessment criteria were launched in 2007 there have been problems reported regarding the outcome of the methods. The results are sometimes inconclusive for eutrophicated lakes and especially for lakes with naturally high levels of nutrients. In this study the macrophyte species composition was compared with the nutrient level of different lakes. Some species were found in equal shares in oligotrophic lakes as in eutrophic, e.g. Nymphaea candida and Nuphar lutea. Hence they were considered less suitable as elements in the method evaluated. A couple of species were present in predominantly oligotrophic (e.g. Lobelia dortmanna) or eutrophic (e.g. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) lakes, respectively. They were regarded as better indicators since they ”preferred” lakes either poor or rich in nutrients. It is important to point out that all the other biological quality factors used, except for macrophytes, are multimetric. I conclude that more parameters are needed for evaluation of macrophytes in lakes. Tentatively, the degree of coverage of the plants and algae, the presence and degree of coverage of invasive nonnative species, lake lowerings and the consequent composition and abundance change, all should be tested as additional parameters.  A high level of concordance was verified for the status classifications of the four quality factors in lakes of oligotrophy as well as in lakes of eutrophy, i.e. no particular  pattern based on trophy level was found. The macrophyte inventories of the two Uppland lakes both resulted in a moderate ecological status for macrophytes.

Temos aktualumas. Lietuvai tapus Europos Sąjungos nare, užsienio kalbų mokėjimas tapo labai aktualus ir svarbus veiksnys, kuris leistų gyventojams efektingai dalyvauti Europos švietimo, ekonominėje, socialinėje, kultūrinėje erdvėje. Tai skatina aiškintis anglų kalbos mokymo(si) problemas ir ieškoti būdų, kurie užtikrintų galimybes sėkmingai mokytis užsienio kalbos. Taigi labai svarbu išsiaiškinti veiksnius, kurie turi įtakos mokymosi kokybei. Aktualūs yra psichologiniai, pedagoginiai, socialiniai veiksniai, kurie įtakoja ne tik mokymąsi mokykloje, bet ir mokymąsi namuose. Vaiko gebėjimą mokytis nulemia asmeninės savybės, jį supanti aplinka ( mokyklos bei namų ), pačio mokinio ir tėvų bei mokytojų požiūris į mokymąsi. Gerų rezultatų siekimas mokymosi procese susijęs su demokratiškumo ir formaliojo ugdymo derinimu. Tuomet galima pasiekti gerų ugdymo rezultatų bei išugdyti visavertę, įvairiapusišką, daugiaplanę asmenybę. Todėl šiame darbe kalbama apie vaikų ugdymą demokratinėje kultūroje, ugdymą gerumu ir meile, patirtimi grįstą mokymą; lyginamas tradicinis užsienio kalbos mokymas ir mokymas orientuotas į vaiko patyrimą Anot V. Lepeškienės (1996), daugiausia išmoksta atviras naujam patyrimui vaikas. Problema. Mokykloje mokymas labiau orientuotas į dalyką, o ne į vaiko patyrimą. Formalus ugdymas ne visuomet susijęs su vaiko patirtimi, todėl vaikams trūksta neformalaus mokymosi patirties, įgytos žinios neformalioje aplinkoje nėra taikomos mokykloje. Anot Ralfo Weskampo (1999)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The relevance of the topic nowadays. Knowledge of the foreign languages is a relevant and an important factor, which lets for people to take part in European education, economic, social and cultural expansion. It encourages us to find out the problems of learning English language and to find the ways, which ensure possibilities of successful English language learning. So it is very important to find out the factors, which influence quality of the learning. Relevant factors are: psychological, pedagogical and social. These factors influence not only learning at school, but learning at home too. Pupil’s ability to learn determines personal characteristic, surroundings (of school and home), student’s, his parents’ and teacher’s attitude to the learning. Seeking of good education results is concerned with combine of democracy and formal education. Then it can be achieved good education results and acquired fully-fledged, well-rounded, manifold personality. That’s why in this work it is written about child’s education in democracy culture, about education based on love and goodness, about experiential learning; traditional English teaching and teaching based on child’s experience is compared. According A. Lepeskiene (1996), child, who is open to new experience, learns mostly. The problem. Teaching is based on a subject at school, not on child’s experience. Formal education nor always is concerned with child’s experience, so children are lack of informal learning experience, the... [to full text]

Title: Numerical modeling of free oscillations applied to superconducting-gravimeter data in a low-frequency seismic range Author: Eliška Zábranová Department: Department of Geophysics Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Ctirad Matyska, DrSc. Abstract: Deformations and changes of the gravitational potential of prestressed selfgravitating elastic bodies caused by free oscillations are described by means of the momentum and Poisson equations and the constitutive relation. For spheri- cally symmetric bodies we transform the equations and boundary conditions into ordinary differential equations of the second order by the spherical harmonic de- composition and further discretize the equations by highly accurate pseudospectral difference schemes on Chebyshev grids. We thus receive a series of matrix eigenvalue problems for eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of the free oscillations. Since elas- tic parameters are frequency dependent, we solve the problem for several fiducial frequencies and interpolate the results. Both the mode frequencies and the eigen- functions are benchmarked against the output from the Mineos software package based on Runge-Kutta integration techniques. Subsequently, we use our method to calculate low-frequency synthetic accelerograms of the recent megathrust events and compare them with the observed...

En undersökning från Svenskt Kvalitetsindex har visat på låg kundnöjdhet i en av de svenska storbankerna. Banken har flera kategorier av kunder som ställer olika krav på service. Nöjdheten bland de prioriterade kunderna mäts med bankens egna kundbarometer på en skala mellan 0 till 10 där betygen 9 och 10 indikerar att kunderna skulle rekommendera banken. Syftet med min studie är att utvärdera och analysera kundnöjdheten och bankens rådgivningsprocess mot bakgrund av dess tillhandahållna tjänster. Studien syftar även på att ta fram förbättringsförslag för att nå ökad kundnöjdhet. Därför har jag gjort en litteraturstudie med hjälp av både kvalitativ och kvantitativ dataanalys utifrån Sex Sigmas problemlösningsmetodik, DMAIC (Definiera-Mäta-Analysera-Implementera-Kontrollera). Forskningsfrågorna utgår från teorier inom kundtillfredsställelse och coachning. Resultaten från studien visar att kvalitetsfaktorer som professionalitet, attityd och tillförlitlighet är viktigast för att ge ökad kundnöjdhet och bidra till en förbättrad rådgivningsprocess med stöd av coachning. Slutsatsen är att bankens rådgivare kan tillämpa en coachande rådgivningsmodell genom att koncentrera sig på aktiv kommunikation via uppföljning. På så sätt kan de prioriterade kunderna motiveras att rekommendera banken till andra. / Swedish Quality Index survey shows low customer satisfaction in one of the Swedish banks. The bank has several categories of customers that impose different quality service requirements. Customer satisfaction among the priority customers is measured with the bank's own customer barometer on a scale of 0 to 10 where two highest ratings indicate that these customers would recommend the bank to others. The purpose of the survey is to evaluate and analyze customer satisfaction and advisory process considering the services provided. The work points at developing improvements towards increased customer satisfaction. The thesis therefore consists of a literature study including qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on Six Sigma's problem-solving methodology, DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control).  Research questions are based on customer satisfaction and coaching theories. The results from the study show that quality factors such as professionalism, attitude, and reliability are the most important for increasing customer satisfaction and contributing to an improved counseling process with coaching. The conclusion is that the bank's adviser can apply a coaching advisory model by concentrating on active communication through follow-up. In this way, the priority customers can be motivated to recommend the bank to others.