Problem statement – The strategic roles and responsibilities of professional middle managers (at a South African university) are not aligned with the accountability and authority required while strategising to effect strategic change. Through an in-depth exploration of practitioners, their practices, behaviour, cognition and emotions during strategising, insights in the development of practical wisdom was gained. Purpose – The purpose of the empirical research study was to investigate how professional middle managers strategise to effect change during strategic change. The study context was a South African higher education institution undergoing internal organisational change. Four main research themes were explored with particular reference to the professional middle manager as a strategic practitioner, namely one who DOES, THINKS, FEELS and REFLECTS. Design, methodology and approach – An explorative and interpretive study was conducted utilising a single case and qualitative research methodology. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was conducted, which aimed to explore the rich experiences of the participants and the way they make sense of their personal journeys during the strategic change initiative. Strategy as practice theory was selected as the theoretical foundation for the study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and participants provided self-reflection assessments contributing to a unique data gathering method. Findings – The results suggested the professional middle managers make use of holistic and comprehensive practices to effect change as they strategise during strategic change. Five formal strategic roles were confirmed relevant as enacted by the professional middle managers, i.e. implementing strategies, interpreting and communicating information, facilitating adaptability, downward supporting and upward influencing. In addition, six distinctive practices were identified, namely adapting, effecting change, collaborating, mobilising, peacekeeping and overseeing. v Research limitations and implications – The results of the study cannot be generalised due to the single case methodology; however, key learnings and insights can be utilised. Practical implications – It is recommended that the middle managers’ key performance indicators be aligned with the required accountability and authority required to fulfil their strategic roles while effecting change. In addition, the development of tailor-made training programmes as well as coaching and mentoring is advocated in order to transition adequately into a middle management role. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L.

The master's thesis deals with encoding payment data invoices into QR codes in accordance with the by square standard. The SAP system along with a process of encoding data into QR codes and by square PAY standard is introduced in my thesis. In compliance with the standard function module is designed for the SAP system which is in the ABAB language, using Smartforms form allowing the QR codes to generate the invoice. The module is then subjected to testing. The results are evaluated in conclusion of the master's thesis and a description of potential further development is assessed as a final step.

In der Präsentation werden typische Engineeringaufgaben präsentiert, die mit modernen IT-Werkzeugen erledigt werden. Es wird auf die Einführung und die Durchgängigkeit eines 3D-CAD-Systems eingegangen und gezeigt, wie mit diesem System Simulations- und Prozesskettenthemen in der Praxis bei der SMS Siemag AG behandelt werden. Ebenfalls anhand von Beispielen wird die Thematik der großen Baugruppen und der Anlagenplanung im 3D-Engineering dargestellt.

Hydrological processes and dynamics in the changing climate and environment: Lessons learned from multiple temporal and spatial scales Ye Su ABSTRACT Climate change, along with the changes in land use and land cover (LULC), is the key factor driving the changes in hydrological processes and dynamics in a basin. This thesis emphasized on understanding the impact of both long-term climate change and abrupt anthropogenic driven agricultural intensification or natural driven insect-induced forest disturbance on hydrological processes and dynamics at varying spatial and temporal scales in two diverting terrestrial environment. Two pattern-based investigations, one case study in a forest region in Central Europe and another in a semi-arid region in Central Asia, were aimed to answer the main research question "what are the responses of hydrological dynamics and the related hydro-geochemical conditions to climate change and certain changes in LULC at a basin-scale?". The long-term hydro-climatic dataset was used for conducting statistical analyses and establishing hydro-climatic modelling at the basin scale. We further conducted process-based studies, attempting to understand how and why the specific hydrological dynamics were altered at smaller spatial and temporal scales: (i) a catchment-scale tracer-based...

Le lymphome angioimmunoblastique à cellules T (AITL) est un lymphome périphérique à cellules T agressif dont les symptômes sont la lymphadénopathie et l'hypergammaglobulinémie. Actuellement, les patients atteints du AITL ont des options de thérapeutiques limitées et des résultats cliniques défavorables, avec un taux de survie sur 5 ans d'environ 30%. Les cellules tumorales du AITL proviennent de cellules T CD4+ appelées cellules T auxiliaires folliculaires (Tfh). Les cellules Tfh sont essentielles dans le centre germinatif (GC), où elles facilitent l'expansion et la différentiation des cellules B en plasmocytes. Cette fonction d'aide est soutenue par de nombreuses protéines dérivées des cellules Tfh et des programmes de transcription qui pourraient aussi fonctionner dans les cellules tumorales du AITL. Par conséquent, la perturbation des principaux mécanismes de signalisation soutenant l'identité des cellules Tfh et leurs interactions avec les cellules B pourrait inhiber la croissance du AITL. Des études ont démontré que les cellules hyperactives de type Tfh provoquent une accumulation de cellules immunitaires telles que les cellules B, les plasmocytes et les macrophages dans les tumeurs. Cependant, le microenvironnement du AITL n'a pas été bien étudié et il n'a pas été vérifié si certaines cellules immunitaires pourraient être utilisées pour arrêter la croissance de la tumeur. Bien que l’on trouve des cellules Tfh circulantes dans l’AITL humain, le taux de propagation peut varier d’un patient à l’autre. Ainsi, une possibilité est la présence de mécanismes de surveillance immunitaire s'opposant à la progression de la tumeur. En accord avec cette hypothèse, un signal positif pour la phagocytose nommé SLAMF7 (contrebalancé par la voie inhibitrice CD47-SIRPα) est exprimé dans un sous-ensemble de patients atteints du AITL. Toutefois, la corrélation entre les différents niveaux d'expression du SLAMF7 et l'amélioration des résultats pour les patients n'a pas été étudiée. En utilisant des souris Roquinsan/+, qui développent spontanément l’AITL, nous avons étudié le rôle des mécanismes de signalisation immunitaire dans les cellules tumorales de type Tfh et du microenvironnement tumoral. Nous avons cherché à inhiber les protéines et les voies de signalisation typiques des cellules Tfh dans les tumeurs afin d'évaluer la valeur thérapeutique potentielle. Nous avons aussi étudié le rôle de la phagocytose dépendante des macrophages dans le contexte SLAMF7 et comment la modulation de la signalisation de CD47-SIRPα peut améliorer l'efficacité de la phagocytose des cellules tumorales. Notre hypothèse centrale est qu'en supprimant les programmes fondamentaux des cellules Tfh ou en favorisant l'élimination phagocytaire des cellules tumorales de type Tfh, nous pouvons favoriser la régression de la tumeur. Nous avons démontré que les tumeurs AITL nécessitent des protéines d’identité des cellules Tfh essentielles telles que le facteur de transcription Bcl6 et la protéine adaptatrice SAP, ainsi que la communication entre les cellules T et B (T-B). Même en l'absence de GC classiques, les cellules tumorales de type Tfh ont apporté un soutien aux cellules B. Cela est démontré par des titres élevés d'IgG et l'accumulation de cellules précurseurs des plasmocytes dans les tumeurs. Nous avons trouvé des preuves de l'opposition entre la surveillance immunitaire et l'évasion au sein des tumeurs de type AITL, car les cellules Tfh augmentent l’expression de la molécule inhibitrice CD47 tandis que les macrophages stimulent le niveau de SLAMF7. Les cellules de type AITL ont été phagocytées plus efficacement in vitro quand la signalisation du CD47 était bloquée. En résumé, nous démontrons que les voies de signalisation importantes pour l'identité des cellules Tfh et la communication entre les cellules T et B sont essentielles pour la progression de l’AITL et suggèrent qu’une surveillance immunitaire continue par les macrophages peut influencer l’évolution de la maladie. Des études futures pourraient explorer la possibilité de combiner des inhibiteurs de l'activité des cellules Tfh ou T-B avec des médicaments qui stimulent l'activité phagocytaire antitumorale pour améliorer l'efficacité thérapeutique du traitement. / Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive peripheral T cell lymphoma manifesting with symptoms such as generalized lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia. Currently, AITL patients have limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes with a 5-year survival rate around 30%. AITL tumor cells derive from a subset of CD4+ T cell, the T follicular helper (Tfh) cell. Tfh cells are essential in germinal centers (GC), where they facilitate B cell expansion and differentiation into plasma cells. This helper function is supported by numerous Tfh cell-derived proteins and transcriptional programs which may still be operational in AITL tumor cells. Therefore, disrupting key signaling mechanisms sustaining Tfh cell identity and their ability to interact with B cells could inhibit AITL tumor growth. Studies have demonstrated that these hyperactive Tfh-like cells lead to the accumulation of immune cell subsets such as B cells, plasma cells, and macrophages within tumor lymph nodes. Nevertheless, the AITL tumor microenvironment itself has not been well-studied and whether some immune cells could be harnessed to impede tumor growth has not been tested. In human AITL, although circulating Tfh cells have been reported, the rate of tumor spreading can vary between patients. As such, one possibility is the presence of immune surveillance mechanisms opposing tumor progression. In line with this idea, SLAMF7, a positive signal for macrophage-mediated phagocytosis (counterbalanced by the inhibitory CD47-SIRPα pathway), is expressed in a subset of AITL patients. Despite this, whether differing levels of SLAMF7 expression correlates with improved patient outcomes has not been investigated. Using Roquinsan/+ mice, a spontaneous AITL-like mouse model, we addressed the role of immune signaling mechanisms within Tfh-like tumor cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment that would promote tumor regression. First, we aimed to inhibit signature Tfh cell proteins and downstream signaling pathways in developed AITL-like tumors to evaluate potential therapeutic value. Second, we investigated the role of macrophage-mediated phagocytosis in the context of SLAMF7 and how modulating CD47-SIRPα signaling may enhance the efficiency of AITL tumor cell engulfment. Our central hypothesis is that by removing fundamental Tfh cell supporting programs from tumor cells or by promoting the phagocytic removal of Tfh-like tumor cells we can favour tumor regression and impair future growth. Through this work, we demonstrated that AITL-like tumors continuously require critical Tfh cell identity proteins such as transcription factor Bcl6 and adaptor protein SAP, as well as T cell-B cell (T-B) crosstalk. Importantly, despite the absence of conventional GCs, Tfh-like tumor cells provided functional support to B cells as evidenced by elevated IgG titers and accumulation of plasma cell precursors in tumors. We also found evidence of opposition between immune surveillance and evasion within AITL-like tumors as Tfh-like cells upregulated inhibitory CD47 levels while macrophages increased expression of prophagocytic SLAMF7. Moreover, AITL-like tumor cells were more efficiently phagocytosed in vitro when CD47 signaling was blocked. Taken together, we demonstrate that pathways important for Tfh cell identity and T-B communication are critical for AITL-like disease progression and suggest that ongoing macrophage-mediated immune surveillance may influence disease outcomes. Future studies may explore combining inhibitors of Tfh cell activity or T-B crosstalk along with drugs which boost antitumor phagocytic activity to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of treatment.

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In urban areas, trees are often planted in bare soil sidewalk openings (tree pits) which recently are being covered with permeable pavements. Pavements are known to alter soil moisture and temperature, and may have implications for tree growth, root development and depth, drought resilience, and sidewalk lifting. Furthermore, tree pits are often the only unsealed soil surface and are important for water exchange between soil and atmosphere. Therefore, covering tree pits with pavement, even permeable, may have implications for the urban water balance and stormwater management. A better understanding of permeable pavement on tree pavement soil system functioning can inform improved tree pit and street design for greater sustainability of urban environments. We conducted experiments at two sites in Virginia, USA (Mountains and Coastal Plain) with different climate and soil. At each location, we constructed 24 tree pits in a completely randomized experiment with two factors: paved with resin-bound porous-permeable pavement versus unpaved, and planted with Platanus x acerifolia 'Bloodgood' versus unplanted (n = 6). We measured tree stem diameter, root growth and depth, and soil water content and temperature over two growing seasons. We also monitored tree sap flow one week in June 2017 at the Mountains. In addition, we calibrated and validated a soil water flow model, HYDRUS-1D, to predict soil water distribution for different rooting depths, soil textures and pavement thicknesses. Trees in paved tree pits grew larger, with stem diameters 29% (Mountains) and 51% (Coastal Plain) greater. Roots developed faster under pavement, possibly due to the increased soil water content and the extended root growing season (14 more days). Tree transpiration was 33% of unpaved and planted pit water outputs, while it was 64% for paved and planted pits. In June 2016, planted pits had decreased root-zone water storage, while unplanted pits showed increased storage. A water balance of the entire experimental site showed overall decreased soil water storage due to tree water extraction becoming the dominant factor. HYDRUS-1D provided overall best results for model validation at 10 cm depth from soil surface (NSE = 0.447 for planted and paved tree pits), compared to 30- and 60 cm depths. HYDRUS-1D simulations with greater pavement thickness resulted in changes in predicted soil water content at the Coastal Plain, with higher values at 10- and 30-cm depths, but lower values at 60-cm depth. At the Mountains, virtually no difference was observed, possibly due to different soil texture (sandy vs clayey). Tree pits with permeable pavement accelerated tree establishment, but promoted shallower roots, possibly increasing root-pavement conflicts and tree drought susceptibility. Paved tree pits resulted in larger trees, increasing tree transpiration, but reduced soil evaporation compared to unpaved pits. Larger bare soil pits surrounded by permeable pavement might yield the best results to improve urban stormwater retention. Also, HYDRUS 1D was successful at simulating soil water content at 10-cm depth and may be valuable to inform streetscape design and planning. / PHD / Trees in cities are often planted in pavement cutouts (tree pits) that are usually the only available area for water exchange between soil and atmosphere. Tree pits are typically covered with a variety of materials, including permeable pavement. Pavements are known to modify soil water distribution and temperature, affecting tree growth, rooting depth, drought resilience, and sidewalk lifting. A better understanding of this system can inform tree pit and street design for greater sustainability. We constructed 24 tree pits at each of two regions in Virginia, USA (Mountains and Coastal Plain). These tree pits were paved with permeable pavement or unpaved, and planted with London Plane or unplanted. We measured stem diameter, root growth, and soil water content and temperature over two years and tree sap flow for one week in summer (Mountains only). We also used a soil water flow model, HYDRUS-1D, to predict water distribution for different rooting depths, soil textures and pavement thicknesses. After the first growing season trees in pavement were larger, with stem diameters 29% (Mountains) and 51% (Coastal Plain) greater. Roots developed faster under pavement, possibly due to increased soil water content and a 14-day increase in root growing season. Also, in June 2017, tree transpiration was 33% of unpaved-and-planted pit water outputs, and 64% of paved-and-planted pits. In June 2016, root-zone water storage decreased in planted pits but increased in unplanted pits. When considering the entire experimental site, soil water storage decreased, with tree water extraction being the dominant factor. HYDRUS-1D performed better at 10-cm soil depth than at 30- and 60-cm depths. At the Coastal Plain, HYDRUS-1D predicted higher soil water content at 10- and 30-cm depths with increased pavement thickness, but lower values at 60-cm depth. At the Mountains, there was no effect, possibly due to higher clay content. Permeable pavement accelerated tree establishment, but promoted shallower roots, increasing drought susceptibility and risk for root-pavement conflicts. Pavement resulted in larger trees and greater transpiration, but reduced soil evaporation. Larger bare-soil pits surrounded by permeable pavement might optimize stormwater retention.

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Underhåll är en aktivitet som varje produktion vill undvika så mycket som möjligt på grund av kostnaderna och tiden som anknyts till den. Trots detta så är en väl fungerande underhållsverksamhet väsentlig för att främja produktionens funktionssäkerhet och tillgänglighet att tillverka. En effektiv underhållsorganisation går däremot inte ut på att genomföra mer underhåll än vad som egentligen är nödvändigt utan att genomföra underhåll i rätt tid. På traditionellt sätt så genomförs detta genom att ersätta slitage delar och serva utrustningen med fastställda mellanrum för att förebygga att haveri, vilket kallas för förebyggande underhåll. De tidsintervaller som angivits för service bestäms av leverantörerna och grundar sig i en generell uppskattning av slitagedelarnas livslängd utifrån tester och analys. Till skillnad från att köra utrustningen till den går sönder som kallas för Avhjälpande underhåll så kan underhåll genomföras vid lämpliga tider så att det inte påverkar produktion och tillgänglighet. Men de tidsintervall som leverantörerna rekommenderar till företagen garanterar inte att slitage delen håller sig till det intervallet, delarna kan exempelvis rasa tidigare än angivet eller till och med hålla längre. Av denna anledning är det naturliga steget i underhållets utveckling att kunna övervaka utrustningens hälsa i hopp om att kunna förutspå när och varför ett haveri ska uppstå. Den här typen av underhåll kallas för tillståndsbaserat och prediktivt underhåll och medför ultimat tillgänglighet av utrustning och den mest kostnadseffektiva underhållsorganisationen, då god framförhållning och översikt uppnås för att enbart genomföra underhåll när det behövs. Det som gör tillståndsbaserat och prediktivt underhåll möjligt är den fjärde industriella revolutionen “Industri 4.0” och teknologierna som associeras med den som går ut på absolut digitalisering av produktionen och smarta fabriker. Teknologier som IoT, Big Dataanalys och Artificiell Intelligens används för att koppla upp utrustning till nätet med hjälp av givare för att samla in och lagra data som ska användas i analyser för att prognosera dess livslängd. Uppdragsgivaren AstraZeneca i Södertälje tillverkar olika typer av läkemedel som många är livsviktiga för de patienter som tar dessa mediciner. Om AstraZenecas produktion står still på grund av fel i utrustningen kommer det inte enbart medföra stora ekonomiska konsekvenser utan även påverka de människor som med livet förlitar sig på den medicin som levereras. För att försäkra produktionens tillgänglighet har AstraZeneca gjort försök att tillämpa tillståndsbaserat och prediktivt underhåll men det är fortfarande enbart i startgroparna. Eftersom ventilation är kritisk del av AstraZeneca produktion då ett fel i ventilationssystemet resulterar i totalt produktionsstopp i byggnaden förens problemet åtgärdas och anläggningen sanerats blev det även rapportens fokusområde. Arbetets uppgift går därför ut på att undersöka möjligheter för AstraZeneca att utveckla deras prediktiva och tillståndsbaserat underhåll på deras ventilationssystem, för att sedan kunna identifiera och presentera förslag på åtgärder. Dessa förslag analyserades sedan med hjälp av verktygen QFD-Matris och Pugh-Matris för att kunna uppskatta vilket förslag som är mest kostnadseffektivt, funktions effektivt samt vilket förslag som kommer tillföra mest nytta för underhållet på AstraZeneca. / Maintenance is an activity that every production wants to avoid as much as possible due to the costs and the time associated with it. Despite this, a well-functioning maintenance operation is essential to promote the production's availability to manufacture and operational reliability. Running an efficient maintenance operation is not about carrying out more maintenance than is necessary but carrying out the right amount of maintenance at the right time. Traditionally speaking this is done by replacing worn parts and servicing the equipment at set intervals to prevent breakdowns, this method is called preventive maintenance. The intervals specified for service are determined by the suppliers and are based on general estimates of the service life for the spare parts from test and analytics. Preventive maintenance allows for maintenance to be carried out at appropriate time to not affect production and availability unlike running the equipment until breakdown, which is called reactive maintenance. However, these intervals that the suppliers recommend do not guarantee that the parts adhere to the given interval, the part can for example break down earlier than expected or even outlast its prescribed lifetime. Because of this, the natural step in the development of maintenance is giving companies the ability to monitor the health of the equipment in hope of being able to predict potential breakdowns. This is what Condition-Based and predictive maintenance is and it provides the ultimate availability of equipment and the most cost-effective maintenance organization, because the good foresight and overview allows maintenance to be carried out only when needed. The fourth industrial revolution “Industry 4.0”, absolute digitalization of production, smart factories and all the technologies associated with this is what makes this type of maintenance possible. Technologies such as IoT, Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence are used to connect equipment to the network using sensors so that data can be stored and collected to be analyzed to forecast the lifespan of parts and equipment. AstraZeneca in Södertälje manufactures different types of medicine, many of which are vital for the patients who take them. If their production comes to a standstill due to equipment failure, it will not only have major financial consequences but also greatly affect the people who rely on the medicine offered with their lives. To ensure the availability of production, AstraZeneca has made attempts to apply condition-based and predictive maintenance, but it is still only in its infancy. Since ventilation is a critical part of AstraZeneca's production, as a failure here will result in a total production stoppage for the building affected and will not resume before the problem is remedied and the plant is decontaminated, it also became the report's focus area. The task at hand is therefore to investigate the opportunities AstraZeneca must develop their predictive and condition-based maintenance for their ventilation systems, in order to be able to present proposals for measures. The proposals will then be analyzed using tools like the QFD-Matrix and the Pugh-Matrix in order to estimate which is more cost effective, function effective and which one will bring the most benefit to AstraZeneca.

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