Cette thèse s'inscrit dans la perspective des traitements de radiothérapie en insistant sur la nécessité de disposer d'un logiciel de planification de traitement (TPS) rapide et fiable. Le TPS est composé d'un algorithme de calcul de dose et d'une méthode d'optimisation. L'objectif est de planifier le traitement afin de délivrer la dose à la tumeur tout en sauvegardant les tissus sains et sensibles environnant. La planification des traitements consiste à déterminer les paramètres d'irradiation les mieux adaptés au patient. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, les paramètres d'un traitement par RCMI (Radiothérapie Conformationnelle avec Modulation d'Intensité) sont la position de la source, les orientations des faisceaux et, pour chaque faisceau composé de faisceaux élémentaires, la fluence de ces derniers. La fonction objectif est multicritère en associant des contraintes linéaires. L'objectif de la thèse est de démontrer la faisabilité d'une méthode d'optimisation du plan de traitement fondée sur la technique de calcul de dose rapide développée par (Blanpain, 2009). Cette technique s'appuie sur un fantôme segmenté en mailles homogènes. Le calcul de dose s'effectue en deux étapes. La première étape concerne les mailles : les projections et pondérations y sont paramétrées en fonction de critères physiques et géométriques. La seconde étape concerne les voxels: la dose y est calculée en évaluant les fonctions préalablement associées à leur maille.Une reformulation de cette technique permet d'aborder le problème d'optimisation par la méthode de descente de gradient. L'optimisation en continu des paramètres du traitement devient envisageable. Les résultats obtenus dans le cadre de cette thèse ouvrent de nombreuses perspectives dans le domaine de l'optimisation des plans de traitement en radiothérapie.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of two significant concepts withinthe manufacturing industry. Namely, the widely popular Lean production and the arising Industry 4.0. The lack of a common framework concerning their relationship requires further exploration, as stated by several researchers. For companies to stay competitive within a changing market it is of importance to adapt to new technologies, indicating that the understanding of this relationship is essential, as Lean production is extensively used in industries today. To increase the understanding of the concepts and their relationship three research questions were formulated, as followed: RQ 1: How can Industry 4.0 support Lean production? RQ 2: How can Lean production support the implementation of industry 4.0? RQ 3: What are the challenges of implementing Industry 4.0 in Lean production? The study was conducted using qualitative research methods such as the narrative literature review and thematic analysis, allowing for the identification of themes and structuring of the study in a narrative approach. Second-hand data was collected through academic databases using search terms highly relevant to the research questions. The theoretical framework of the study provides a foundation for the understanding of the concepts. Whereas the results are centered around the relationship of Industry 4.0 and Lean production with themes relevant to the research questions and subthemes to follow. The analysis highlights important aspects of the results in relation to the theoretical framework, while also discovering insights connecting the research questions together. The conclusion presents aspects of how Industry 4.0 technologies can support Lean production through factors such as increased continuous improvement, support of people, improved JIT, Kanban, maintenance and communications. Where the general benefits will be productivity, quality and speed of introducing new products, adapting to high variability of market demand. Furthermore, describing how Lean production can support the implementation of Industry 4.0, as the degree of Lean maturity directly influences the efficiency of Industry 4.0 implementation. The employment of Lean principles such as continuous improvement, focus on people and standardization can result in a more effective implementation and utilization of Industry 4.0. Challenges of implementing Industry 4.0 in Lean production such as the risk of counterproductive implementation because of the lack of common framework, limitations of certain Lean practices, Lean professionals and ICT professionals limited knowledge of eachother's fields and the understanding of how to apply Industry 4.0 based on lean principles. Lastly, recommendations are offered for companies aspiring to implement Industry 4.0, as they should evaluate their current level of Lean maturity in order to understand when it is most efficient to incorporate the new technologies. Companies seeking to aid their Lean objectives should concentrate on technologies such as IoT and CPS as they seem to have the most positive impact on Lean. In addition, recommending further research regarding the relationship of Industry 4.0 readiness and Lean maturity, exploring which degree of Lean maturity to efficiently integrate and utilize certain Industry 4.0 technologies and when to implement certain Industry 4.0 technologies to aid the advancement of Lean maturity.

The thesis developed in the field of study Electrical Manufacturing and Management is aimed at optimizing and streamlining of production plastics vacuum forming plastics technology rolled in a particular company. The theoretical part focused on the description of the principles of industrial engineering and survey methods that are fundamentals of lean manufacturing or the Toyota production system. The larger part is devoted to methods of 5S and SMED. The practical part of the optimization steps are designed to ensure increased production, balanced production and increase quality, which are based primarily on methods of 5S and SMED. To complement the work given the changes in production processes resulting from other methods of industrial engineering. Several proposals have been practically applied in the production are assessed and their benefits.

This diploma thesis deals with business process simplification. Basic terms like business or process are defined in the theoretical part of the thesis as well as selected methods of business management such as TPS, KAIZEN, 5S, Six Sigma, etc. The principal concept for this work is described in the second chapter. It’s very important to simplify things and work, which means to identify the essential parts and eliminate the rest (waste). The practical part describes company Kuličkové šrouby Kuřim, a.s. (KSK) and the study of individual processes and impacts upon them. Further on, several process simplifications from various parts of the company are presented. Each individual case is described and analysed.

La contaminación por residuo plástico es un problema al que las sociedades modernas tienen que hacer frente en el corto plazo. Por un lado, los plásticos convencionales han demostrado ser uno de los mayores inventos ideados por el ser humano debido a sus propiedades (liviandad, resistencia, poca reactividad…), lo que ha permitido uno de los mayores avances de la historia, encontrándose productos plásticos en prácticamente todas las aplicaciones del día a día. Por otro lado, estas propiedades son las que provocan que, ante una mala gestión del residuo de los materiales fabricados con productos plásticos al final de su vida útil, estos lleguen a los ecosistemas naturales, provocando un problema medioambiental como el ya ampliamente conocido. Una alternativa para evitar continuar con la contribución de residuos plásticos en los ecosistemas es la modificación de los materiales convencionales con los que se fabrican, por otros que sean completamente biodegradables y que no generen un perjuicio para el medioambiente al final de su vida útil, como es el caso de aquellos basados en almidón termoplástico (TPS). En el presente trabajo, la investigación ha quedado dividida en cuatro publicaciones, en las que se ha realizado una investigación orientada a ampliar el conocimiento sobre cómo afectan diferentes características de los granos de almidón (contenido en amilosa, monoésteres fosfato, peso molecular…) en las propiedades finales de los filmes de TPS fabricados a partir de diferentes plastificantes (glicerina y líquido iónico) [Artículo_1 y Artículo_2], estudiando además el efecto que tienen en los mismos la adición de nanocargas como nanotubos de carbono [Artículo_3]. Estos filmes se han estudiado mediante la técnica conocida como "casting". Además, se han realizado blends de almidón termoplástico junto con alcohol polivinílico con la finalidad de procesar materiales de TPS mediante "mezcla en fundido". Estas mezclas se han aditivado con colofonia, con el objetivo de estudiar cómo afecta este aditivo a las propiedades finales del TPS [Artículo_4].

The current and forecasted global consumption of plastic packaging and products through the 21st century combined with the already reported and growing negative impact of plastics on the environment due to plastics being synthesized from nonrenewable resources that do not biodegrade is of serious concern. However, recent advances in starch technology including the development of thermoplastic starch (TPS) materials —polymers that are both renewable and biodegradable—have brought hope to reducing this impact. The mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch have often been improved by blending with synthetic polymers. One issue that arises with blending is volatilization of the melt from moisture in the TPS materials. Ecostarch™ a proprietary, pelletized thermoplastic starch resin formulated from potato starch, was processed and tested to observe injection molding processability at various moisture levels, in pure TPS as well as various blend ratios with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). This study evaluated and analyzed the effects of the TPS pellet moisture content on void formation in the plastic pre-injection melt and subsequent molded part mechanical properties. Statistical analysis of the test results showed that moisture had a significant effect on void formation in the plastic melt. In TPS/HDPE blends, voids percent (as measured by cross section area) increased by 300-350% from 0.6% to 1.4% moisture levels. In unblended TPS, void percent increased by 150% from 0.4% to 1.4% moisture levels. In the unblended TPS parts, impact strength (energy in ft-lb) was decreased by 1% from 0.6% to 1.4% moisture level. In the TPS/HDPE and TPS/PP blends, there was no significant effect on impact strength due to the moisture percent levels of the TPS. Modulus decreased by 25% from 0.4% to 1.4% moisture level in unblended TPS parts. From 0.6% to 1.4% change in TPS moisture content, the modulus of the TPS/HDPE blend decreased by 9% at a 30% TPS/70% HDPE blend and decreased by 14% at a 70% TPS/30% HDPE blend. Though the moisture of TPS did not have a significant impact on the tensile strength of TPS/HDPE blends, the tensile strength of TPS/PP blend samples were significantly affected: a change from 0.6% to 1.4% moisture increased tensile strength 34% at a 70% TPS/30% PP blend and increased tensile strength by 22% at a 30% TPS/70% PP blend. Thus the results of this study highlight the relationships between moisture, voids, and mechanical performance of TPS and TPS/Polymer blends.

I en tid där en ny lågkonjunktur ökar pressen på företag att öka vinster och minska kostnader har engagerade medarbetares bidrag visat sig ha en avgörande roll. Trots detta utgör andelen engagerade medarbetare endast en femtedel av medarbetarna på Sveriges organisationer. De flesta medarbetare känner sig osäkra på sin uppgift eller om ledningen ens vill ha deras hjälp. Om engagerade medarbetare är nyckeln till organisationens överlevnad, varför nyttjas den inte i större utsträckning? Examensarbetets syfte har varit att undersöka hur delaktiga och engagerade medarbetare bidrar till förbättringsarbete utifrån frågeställningarna “Hur bidrar engagerade medarbetare till förbättringsarbetet?” och “Hur kan organisationer öka medarbetarnas delaktighet i förbättringsarbetet?”. Den teoretiska referensramen tar avstamp ur två av värderingarna som används inom offensiv kvalitetsutveckling: Skapa möjlighet för alla att vara delaktiga och arbeta ständigt med förbättringar. Studien utfördes utifrån en i huvudsak kvalitativ forskningsstrategi, genom utskickandet av en enkät. Enkätens utfall bekräftade tio identifierade faktorer från litteraturstudien som påverkar medarbetarengagemang. Studien visade vikten av bekräftelse och uppskattning, såsom belöning kopplat till engagemang och lyfte fram ytterligare en aspekt: Engagemang sprider engagemang. Forskningsfrågorna besvarades genom följande slutsatser: -        Engagerade medarbetare bidrar till förbättringsarbetet genom delaktighet, gott medarbetarskap, ett mer frekvent behovsinriktat idéflöde, självledarskap och genom att sprida engagemang i en lärande, idédriven organisationskultur. -        Organisationer kan öka medarbetarnas delaktighet i förbättringsarbetet genom att öka medarbetarengagemang, säkerställa progress och tillhandahålla tillfredsställande arbetsmiljö och arbetssätt. / At a time when a new recession is increasing the pressure on companies to increase profits and reduce costs, the contribution of engaged employees has proven to be crucial. Despite this, the percentage of engaged employees only makes up a fifth of the employees at the organizations in Sweden. Most employees feel uncertain about their role or whether management even wants their help. If engaged employees hold the key to the organization's survival, why is it not used to a greater extent? The purpose of this study has been to investigate how participating and engaged employees contribute to improvement work based on the following questions "How do engaged employees contribute to the improvement work?" and "How can organizations increase employee participation in improvement work?". The theoretical frame of reference is based on two of the values used in offensive quality development: Create the opportunity for everyone to participate and work continuously with improvements. The study was carried out based on an essentially qualitative research strategy, by sending out a questionnaire. The outcome of the survey confirmed ten identified factors from the literature study that affect employee engagement. The study showed the importance of affirmation and appreciation, such as rewards linked to engagement and highlighted another aspect: engagement spreads engagement. The research questions were answered through the following conclusions: -        Engaged employees contribute to the improvement work through participation, employeeship, a more frequent need-oriented flow of ideas, self-leadership and by spreading engagement in a learning, idea-driven organizational culture. -        Organizations can increase employee participation in improvement work by increasing employee engagement, ensuring progress and providing satisfactory work environment and working methods.

O material particulado (MP) atmosférico é associado a vários agravos e doenças, sendo recentemente classificado como carcinogênico para humanos (Grupo 1) pela Agência Internacional de Pesquisa em Câncer (IARC). Embora sua toxicidade, incluindo a genotoxicidade, esteja reconhecidamente ligada ao tamanho das partículas, a contribuição da sua composição química para esses efeitos ainda não está completamente elucidada. O tamanho e a composição das partículas são influenciados por características meteorológicas e climáticas, com destaque para a temperatura e o período de radiação solar. O teste Salmonella/microssoma é o mais utilizado para avaliação da mutagenicidade de amostras de MP, contudo um número reduzido de linhagens é usado. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar e comparar a influência das diferentes condições atmosféricas e climáticas das cidades de Limeira (Brasil), Estocolmo (Suécia) e Quioto (Japão) nos perfis de mutagenicidade, utilizando 11 linhagens com diferentes seletividades, e nos perfis de composição química de amostras compostas de partículas totais em suspensão (PTS) coletadas durante o inverno dessas cidades. Para que os resultados pudessem ser diretamente comparados foi adotada a mesma metodologia, incluindo o procedimento de amostragem, o método de preparo de amostra, o protocolo do teste de mutagenicidade e as técnicas de análises químicas para identificação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) e de seus derivados alquilados. Limeira apresentou a maior concentração de PTS (99,0 µg/m3), seguida por Quioto (28,0 µg/m3) e Estocolmo (6,2 µg/m3). Apesar da concentração de PTS em Limeira ser 16 vezes maior que em Estocolmo e 3,5 vezes maior que em Quioto, as porcentagens de material orgânico extraído (MOE) obtidas foram 9, 15 e 5%, respectivamente. Os extratos das amostras de PTS coletadas nas três cidades apresentaram atividade mutagênica para todas as linhagens, tanto na ausência quanto na presença de S9, com exceção da TA102 que não detectou a atividade mutagênica em nenhum dos extratos, e para YG7108 na presença de S9, apenas para a amostra de Limeira. Apesar das diferenças nas condições meteorológicas e climáticas dessas cidades, seus perfis de mutagenicidade foram semelhantes. A menor potência mutagênica para a YG7108 na ausência de S9 e a ausência de mutagenicidade na presença de S9 revela a menor contribuição de agentes alquilantes para a mutagenicidade da amostra de Limeira em relação as demais cidades. Considerando a seletividade das linhagens utilizadas, foi observado maior contribuição de compostos que causam danos oxidativo ao DNA e de agentes alquilantes para a mutagenicidade da amostra de Quioto. Porém, de acordo com as respostas das linhagens que possuem atividade aumentada das enzimas nitroredutase (NR) e/ou O-acetiltransferase (OAT), YG1021, YG1024 e YG1041, revelam a maior contribuição de nitroarenos e aminas aromáticas para a mutagenicidade das três cidades, com destaque para aqueles mutágenos que dependem da ativação via OAT. As potências mutagênicas expressadas em função da massa de MOE (rev./µg MOE) foram similares para todas as amostras. Quando expressas por volume de ar (rev./m3), as potências mutagênicas foram proporcionais às concentrações de PTS das três cidades (Limeira > Quioto > Estocolmo). Quando aplicadas as razões diagnósticas foi possível verificar uma mistura de fontes de poluição em Limeira e Estocolmo. As razões diagnósticas dos HPA indicam que a amostra de Limeira é composta por partículas frescas, com um leve predomínio de fontes de combustão. A amostra de Estocolmo apresenta partículas envelhecidas e com predomínio de fontes petrogênicas. Esse resultado foi inesperado, uma vez que as condições atmosféricas de Limeira são mais favoráveis ao envelhecimento das partículas que as de Estocolmo. O estudo do transporte das massas de ar explica, pelo menos em parte, a presença de partículas envelhecidas na amostra de Estocolmo. Sugere também que a redução das concentrações de HPA em Limeira depende do controle das fontes locais, enquanto em Estocolmo o controle das fontes locais não seria eficiente na diminuição desses poluentes. Em paralelo a avaliação das amostras de PTS, foi desenvolvido um novo protocolo miniaturizado do teste Salmonella/microssoma em microssuspensão. O protocolo utilizando microplacas de 12 poços foi validado empregando treze compostos mutagênicos testados com três linhagens de Salmonella selecionadas baseadas em suas diferentes frequências de reversão espontânea (baixa, média e alta). Tanto o teste miniaturizado em microplacas de ágar (MPA) quanto o em microssuspensão apresentaram sensibilidades semelhantes, concluindo que o MPA é uma ferramenta promissora e pode ser particularmente adequado para estudos ambientais como Análise Dirigida pelo Efeito (EDA) ou programas de monitoramento. / Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is associated with various diseases and has recently been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although the PM toxicity, including genotoxicity, is known to be related to particle size, the contribution of its chemical composition to the observed effects has not yet been fully elucidated. The size and composition of the particles are influenced by meteorological and climatic characteristics, especially the temperature and the period of solar radiation. The Salmonella/microsome assay is the most used for the evaluate of the mutagenicity of PM samples, however a small number of strains are used. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the influence of the different atmospheric and climatic conditions of the cities of Limeira (Brazil), Stockholm (Sweden) and Kyoto (Japan) on mutagenicity profiles, using 11 strains with different selectivity, and chemical composition profiles of total particles suspended (TPS) composed samples collected during the winter of these cities. For the results to be directly compared, the same methodology was adopted, including the sampling procedure, the sample preparation protocol, the mutagenicity test protocol, and the chemical analysis techniques for the identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their alkylated derivatives. Limeira presented the highest concentration of TPS (99.0 µg/m3), followed by Kyoto (28.0 µg/m3) and Stockholm (6.2 µg/m3). Although the TPS concentration in Limeira was 16-fold higher than in Stockholm and 3.5-fold higher than in Kyoto, the percentage of extracted organic material (EOM) obtained was 9, 15 and 5%, respectively. The extracts from the TPS samples collected in the three cities presented mutagenic activity for all strains, both in the absence and presence of S9, except for TA102 that did not detect the mutagenic activity in any of the extracts, and for YG7108 in the presence of S9, only for the Limeira sample. Despite the differences in meteorological and climatic conditions of these cities, their mutagenicity profiles were similar. The lower mutagenic potency for YG7108 in the absence of S9 and the non-mutagenicity in the presence of S9 reveals the lower contribution of alkylating agents to the mutagenicity of the Limeira sample in relation to the other cities. Considering the selectivity of the strains used, we can also observe a greater contribution of compounds that cause DNA oxidative damage and of alkylating agents for the mutagenicity of the Kyoto sample. However, according to the responses of the strains that have increased activity of the nitroreductase (NR) and/or O-acetyltransferase (OAT) enzymes, YG1021, YG1024 and YG1041, show the highest contribution of nitroarenes and aromatic amines for the mutagenicity of the three cities, with emphasis on those mutagens that depend on OAT activation. The mutagenic potencies expressed as a function of EOM mass (rev./µg EOM) were similar for all samples. When expressed by air volume (rev./m3), the mutagenic potencies were proportional to TPS concentrations of the three cities (Limeira> Kyoto> Stockholm). When applying the diagnostic ratios, it was possible to verify a mixture of sources of pollution in Limeira and Stockholm. The diagnostic ratios of the PAH indicate that Limeira sample is composed of fresh particles with a slight predominance of combustion sources. The Stockholm sample present aged particles with a predominance of petrogenic sources. This result was unexpected, since Limeira\'s atmospheric conditions are more favorable to particle aging than Stockholm\'s. The study of the transport of air masses explains, at least in part, the presence of aged particles in the Stockholm sample. It also suggests that the reduction of PAH concentrations in Limeira depends on the control of local sources, while in Stockholm control of local sources would not be efficient in reducing these pollutants. In parallel to the evaluation of the TPS samples, a new miniaturized protocol of the Salmonella/microsome assay in microsuspension was also developed. The protocol using 12-well microplates was validated by employing thirteen mutagenic compounds tested with three selected Salmonella strains based on their different spontaneous reversion frequencies (low, medium and high). Both the miniaturized microplate agar (MPA) and the microsuspension assay presented similar sensitivities, concluding that MPA is a promising tool and can be particularly suitable for environmental studies such as effect-directed analysis (EDA) or monitoring programs.

O material particulado (MP) atmosférico é associado a vários agravos e doenças, sendo recentemente classificado como carcinogênico para humanos (Grupo 1) pela Agência Internacional de Pesquisa em Câncer (IARC). Embora sua toxicidade, incluindo a genotoxicidade, esteja reconhecidamente ligada ao tamanho das partículas, a contribuição da sua composição química para esses efeitos ainda não está completamente elucidada. O tamanho e a composição das partículas são influenciados por características meteorológicas e climáticas, com destaque para a temperatura e o período de radiação solar. O teste Salmonella/microssoma é o mais utilizado para avaliação da mutagenicidade de amostras de MP, contudo um número reduzido de linhagens é usado. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar e comparar a influência das diferentes condições atmosféricas e climáticas das cidades de Limeira (Brasil), Estocolmo (Suécia) e Quioto (Japão) nos perfis de mutagenicidade, utilizando 11 linhagens com diferentes seletividades, e nos perfis de composição química de amostras compostas de partículas totais em suspensão (PTS) coletadas durante o inverno dessas cidades. Para que os resultados pudessem ser diretamente comparados foi adotada a mesma metodologia, incluindo o procedimento de amostragem, o método de preparo de amostra, o protocolo do teste de mutagenicidade e as técnicas de análises químicas para identificação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) e de seus derivados alquilados. Limeira apresentou a maior concentração de PTS (99,0 µg/m3), seguida por Quioto (28,0 µg/m3) e Estocolmo (6,2 µg/m3). Apesar da concentração de PTS em Limeira ser 16 vezes maior que em Estocolmo e 3,5 vezes maior que em Quioto, as porcentagens de material orgânico extraído (MOE) obtidas foram 9, 15 e 5%, respectivamente. Os extratos das amostras de PTS coletadas nas três cidades apresentaram atividade mutagênica para todas as linhagens, tanto na ausência quanto na presença de S9, com exceção da TA102 que não detectou a atividade mutagênica em nenhum dos extratos, e para YG7108 na presença de S9, apenas para a amostra de Limeira. Apesar das diferenças nas condições meteorológicas e climáticas dessas cidades, seus perfis de mutagenicidade foram semelhantes. A menor potência mutagênica para a YG7108 na ausência de S9 e a ausência de mutagenicidade na presença de S9 revela a menor contribuição de agentes alquilantes para a mutagenicidade da amostra de Limeira em relação as demais cidades. Considerando a seletividade das linhagens utilizadas, foi observado maior contribuição de compostos que causam danos oxidativo ao DNA e de agentes alquilantes para a mutagenicidade da amostra de Quioto. Porém, de acordo com as respostas das linhagens que possuem atividade aumentada das enzimas nitroredutase (NR) e/ou O-acetiltransferase (OAT), YG1021, YG1024 e YG1041, revelam a maior contribuição de nitroarenos e aminas aromáticas para a mutagenicidade das três cidades, com destaque para aqueles mutágenos que dependem da ativação via OAT. As potências mutagênicas expressadas em função da massa de MOE (rev./µg MOE) foram similares para todas as amostras. Quando expressas por volume de ar (rev./m3), as potências mutagênicas foram proporcionais às concentrações de PTS das três cidades (Limeira > Quioto > Estocolmo). Quando aplicadas as razões diagnósticas foi possível verificar uma mistura de fontes de poluição em Limeira e Estocolmo. As razões diagnósticas dos HPA indicam que a amostra de Limeira é composta por partículas frescas, com um leve predomínio de fontes de combustão. A amostra de Estocolmo apresenta partículas envelhecidas e com predomínio de fontes petrogênicas. Esse resultado foi inesperado, uma vez que as condições atmosféricas de Limeira são mais favoráveis ao envelhecimento das partículas que as de Estocolmo. O estudo do transporte das massas de ar explica, pelo menos em parte, a presença de partículas envelhecidas na amostra de Estocolmo. Sugere também que a redução das concentrações de HPA em Limeira depende do controle das fontes locais, enquanto em Estocolmo o controle das fontes locais não seria eficiente na diminuição desses poluentes. Em paralelo a avaliação das amostras de PTS, foi desenvolvido um novo protocolo miniaturizado do teste Salmonella/microssoma em microssuspensão. O protocolo utilizando microplacas de 12 poços foi validado empregando treze compostos mutagênicos testados com três linhagens de Salmonella selecionadas baseadas em suas diferentes frequências de reversão espontânea (baixa, média e alta). Tanto o teste miniaturizado em microplacas de ágar (MPA) quanto o em microssuspensão apresentaram sensibilidades semelhantes, concluindo que o MPA é uma ferramenta promissora e pode ser particularmente adequado para estudos ambientais como Análise Dirigida pelo Efeito (EDA) ou programas de monitoramento. / Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is associated with various diseases and has recently been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although the PM toxicity, including genotoxicity, is known to be related to particle size, the contribution of its chemical composition to the observed effects has not yet been fully elucidated. The size and composition of the particles are influenced by meteorological and climatic characteristics, especially the temperature and the period of solar radiation. The Salmonella/microsome assay is the most used for the evaluate of the mutagenicity of PM samples, however a small number of strains are used. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the influence of the different atmospheric and climatic conditions of the cities of Limeira (Brazil), Stockholm (Sweden) and Kyoto (Japan) on mutagenicity profiles, using 11 strains with different selectivity, and chemical composition profiles of total particles suspended (TPS) composed samples collected during the winter of these cities. For the results to be directly compared, the same methodology was adopted, including the sampling procedure, the sample preparation protocol, the mutagenicity test protocol, and the chemical analysis techniques for the identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their alkylated derivatives. Limeira presented the highest concentration of TPS (99.0 µg/m3), followed by Kyoto (28.0 µg/m3) and Stockholm (6.2 µg/m3). Although the TPS concentration in Limeira was 16-fold higher than in Stockholm and 3.5-fold higher than in Kyoto, the percentage of extracted organic material (EOM) obtained was 9, 15 and 5%, respectively. The extracts from the TPS samples collected in the three cities presented mutagenic activity for all strains, both in the absence and presence of S9, except for TA102 that did not detect the mutagenic activity in any of the extracts, and for YG7108 in the presence of S9, only for the Limeira sample. Despite the differences in meteorological and climatic conditions of these cities, their mutagenicity profiles were similar. The lower mutagenic potency for YG7108 in the absence of S9 and the non-mutagenicity in the presence of S9 reveals the lower contribution of alkylating agents to the mutagenicity of the Limeira sample in relation to the other cities. Considering the selectivity of the strains used, we can also observe a greater contribution of compounds that cause DNA oxidative damage and of alkylating agents for the mutagenicity of the Kyoto sample. However, according to the responses of the strains that have increased activity of the nitroreductase (NR) and/or O-acetyltransferase (OAT) enzymes, YG1021, YG1024 and YG1041, show the highest contribution of nitroarenes and aromatic amines for the mutagenicity of the three cities, with emphasis on those mutagens that depend on OAT activation. The mutagenic potencies expressed as a function of EOM mass (rev./µg EOM) were similar for all samples. When expressed by air volume (rev./m3), the mutagenic potencies were proportional to TPS concentrations of the three cities (Limeira> Kyoto> Stockholm). When applying the diagnostic ratios, it was possible to verify a mixture of sources of pollution in Limeira and Stockholm. The diagnostic ratios of the PAH indicate that Limeira sample is composed of fresh particles with a slight predominance of combustion sources. The Stockholm sample present aged particles with a predominance of petrogenic sources. This result was unexpected, since Limeira\'s atmospheric conditions are more favorable to particle aging than Stockholm\'s. The study of the transport of air masses explains, at least in part, the presence of aged particles in the Stockholm sample. It also suggests that the reduction of PAH concentrations in Limeira depends on the control of local sources, while in Stockholm control of local sources would not be efficient in reducing these pollutants. In parallel to the evaluation of the TPS samples, a new miniaturized protocol of the Salmonella/microsome assay in microsuspension was also developed. The protocol using 12-well microplates was validated by employing thirteen mutagenic compounds tested with three selected Salmonella strains based on their different spontaneous reversion frequencies (low, medium and high). Both the miniaturized microplate agar (MPA) and the microsuspension assay presented similar sensitivities, concluding that MPA is a promising tool and can be particularly suitable for environmental studies such as effect-directed analysis (EDA) or monitoring programs.

Detta examensarbete handlar om en uppföljning av en enkätundersökning enligt EFQM modellen som genomförts vid BT Products. Uppföljningen består i en djupare analys av undersökningens resultat med fokus på vissa av dess delar. De områden som huvudsakligen behandlas är företagets medarbetare, processer och ledarskap. Tyngdpunkten ligger i att klargöra orsakssamband mellan enkätens olika områden samt att gå djupare in på- och identifiera samt beskriva starka och svaga sidor hos dem. Intervjuer, observationer och statistiska metoder har använts för detta syfte vilket resulterat i att det framkommit möjligheter att förbättra verksamheten i flera avseenden.   De viktigaste förslagen till förändringar är:   En förändrad organisationsmodell med fokus på värdekedjor   Förändrade ansvarsförhållanden och tillhörigheter   En långsiktig inriktning mot en styrmodell med utgångspunkt i värden och företagskultur / This diploma work acts about a follow up of a questionnaire survey according to the EFQM model as been implemented at BT Products. The follow up consists in a deeper analysis of the survey's results with focus on certain of its parts. The main areas considered are the company’s employees, its processes and leadership. The fundamentals of it lies in clarifying connections with causal effects in between questionnaire's different areas and to make a commitment to deeper on and to identify and to describe strong and weak sides. Interviews, observations and statistical methods have used for this aim, which resulted in possibilities to improve the organizations performance in several respects.   The most important proposals to changes are:   A changed organization model with focus on value chains   New relations for responsibility and domicile   A long-term direction towards values and corporate culture as means of control