This Thesis deals with the problems of medical image data management. It analyzes a metadata extraction problem from medical format DICOM and their efficient saving. System is designed as a client-server application. System provides an interface for DICOM data storing, interface for searching, data editing and exporting. System cooperatives with the collaborative system VCE. Implementation was carried out in C++ and PHP language with support of SQLite and MySQL database.

Abstract not available

The attainment of high grades on the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is critical to the future study and employment prospects of many Australian adolescents. Thus it is important to understand the factors that contribute to performance in the VCE. The aims of this study were twofold: the main aim was to test competing models of academic performance, subsuming a range of situational and dispositional variables based on a) self-efficacy theory, b) target and purpose goals, c) cognitive skills and self-regulatory strategies, and d) positive psychology. These models were each tested in terms of English performance and mathematics performance as these units contribute proportionally the most to overall VCE scores. In order to study whether pressures peculiar to the VCE impact on performance, the competing models were tested in a sample of Victorian students prior to the VCE (year 10) and then during the VCE (year 11). A preliminary study was conducted in order to develop and test four scales required for use in the major study, using an independent sample of 302 year nine students. The results indicated that these new scales were psychometrically reliable and valid. Three-hundred and seven Australian students participated in the year 10 and 11 study. These students were successively asked to provide their final years 9, 10 and 11 English and mathematics grades at times one, three and five and to complete a series of questionnaires at times two and four. Results of the year 10 study indicated that models based on self-efficacy theory were the best predictors of both English and mathematics performance, with high past grades, high self-efficacy and low anxiety contributing most to performance. While the year 10 self-efficacy models, target goal models, positive psychology models, self-regulatory models and cognitive skill based models were each robust in the sample in year 11, a substantial increase in explained variance was observed from year 10 to year 11 in the purpose goal models. Results indicated that students’ mastery goals and their performance-approach goals became substantially more predictive in the VCE than they were prior to the VCE. This result can be taken to suggest that these students responded in very instrumental ways to the pressures, and importance, of their VCE. An integrated model based on a combination of the variables from the competing models was also tested in the VCE. Results showed that these models were comparable, both in English and mathematics, to the self-efficacy models, but explained less variance than the purpose goal models. Thus in terms of parsimony the integrated models were not preferred. The implications of these results in terms of teaching practices and school counseling practices are discussed. It is recommended that students be encouraged to maintain a positive outlook in relation to their schoolwork and that they be encouraged to set their VCE goals in terms of a combination of self-referenced (mastery) and other-referenced (performance-approach) goals.

This study examines whether recent changes to the mathematics courses offered in the final year of secondary school (Year 12) in the state of Victoria, Australia have affected the learning outcomes of students in terms of then: skill levels in algebra, calculus and problem solving; and in terms of their preparation for a tertiary mathematics unit. The impact of these changes on the transition from secondary to tertiary mathematics is also considered. A comparison is made between students who attempted a first year mathematics unit at the University of Melbourne (U. of M.) having completed the new V.C.E. (Victorian Certificate of Education) mathematics courses and mathematics courses from the previous H.S.C. (Higher School Certificate) system. The comparison involves the use of tests administered upon entrance to a tertiary mathematics unit at the U. of M., and questionnaires. In 1991, V.C.E, students and H.S.C. students attempted the same mathematics test at the U. of M. and their results were compared. In 1992, the tests were attempted by V.C.E. students only. To compare new V.C.E. students and H.S.C. students, questions on the 1991 test were matched with similar questions on the 1992 tests and a panel of experts determined what the H.S.C. students who attempted the 1991 test would have been expected to average on these matched questions on the 1992 tests had they attempted them. These expected average scores were then compared with the actual scores of the new V.C.E. students. The scores of the groups were scaled when necessary. Questionnaires were administered to 1991 U. of M, mathematics students who were part of the V.C.E. pilot group in 1990, secondary mathematics educators, tertiary mathematics educators, and 1991 V.C.E. (1992 U. of M.) students. The mathematical misconceptions exhibited by new V.C.E. students are discussed and their frequencies stated. The research indicates that the new V.C.E. mathematics courses have provided the V.C.E. mathematics students in this study with significantly lower skill levels and a significantly poorer preparation for a tertiary mathematics unit than those which were previously provided by the H.S.C. mathematics courses.

In this study the aim was to investigate and nuance how the Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE) production Hub can evolve their environmental work, at Chinese wheel loader producer Shandong Lingong (SDLG), to reach Volvo standard. The study also aimed to investigate what international companies in China should take into consideration in their environmental work. The work was carried out by answering the following research questions; In which way or ways can the VCE Hub at SDLG evolve their environmental work to reach Volvo standard? What should international companies take into consideration in their environmental work when establishing on the Chinese market, and why? A lot of the information in this Thesis is based on empirical data, i.e. interviews. Three interviews with Swedish companies have been carried out. They are all highly valuing Environmental work but use different methods, their situations are unlike and they produce diverse products. Several interviews with people working with environmental issues in different ways have also been done, as well as with the SGS; a Chinese certification body. Three different companies with production in or around Shanghai were chosen; Volvo CE, SKF, and Sandvik. All three companies are originally Swedish but with production in China. Environmental work is highly prioritized in Sweden and the companies have global environmental policies and goals. The three companies were chosen because they are in different production areas but they are striving in the same direction with environmental issues in China. They are working differently and their situations are of various kinds. In 2006 Volvo CE invested in a Chinese wheel loader producer named Shandong Lingong. Volvo CE has a Hub, at the plant, which runs independently. SDLG are still not ISO 14001 certified and do not have an environmental management system (EMS) that is conformably with the Volvo demands. The most important to take into consideration when doing business in China is according to the study; top management support, to do training for the employees, mediate the importance of awareness, and to have knowledge about Chinese regulations. These are some of the issues International companies have to deal with when doing business in China. A well established EMS is a necessity for a good environmental work. To implement an EMS in the Hub as a pilot project is the best solution according to the information gathered in this thesis. SDLG could be a part-, they can evaluate-, and later it could be possible to implement the process in the whole SDLG. Due to this methodology they will learn how to work according to Volvo requirements and obtain benefits of an implementation. There are three different alternatives for the ISO 14001 certification of the Hub according to this work. For the Hub to be ISO 14001 certified together with another Volvo plant seems to be the best alternative thought it reduces the amount of work with legal authorities. VCE’s EMS will also not be compared with SDLG and it will be moneysaving. The policies and Environmental aspects (EA) though have to be rewritten to be suitable for both the factories.

<p>In a world that is moving faster and faster, a company’s ability to align to market changes is becoming a major competitive factor. Forecasting enables companies to predict what lies ahead, e.g. trend shifts or market turns, and makes it possible to plan for it. But looking into the future is never an easy task.</p><p>“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” (Niels Bohr, 1885-1962)</p><p>However, progress in the field of forecasting has shown that it is possible for companies to improve on forecasting practices. This master thesis looks at the sales forecasting practices in MNCs primarily operating in emerging and developing countries. We examine the whole process of sales forecasting, also known as forecasting management, in order to develop a comprehensive model for forecasting in this type of companies. The research is based on a single case study, which is then later generalized into broader conclusions.</p><p>The conclusion of this master thesis is that forecasting is a four-step exercise. The four stages we have identified are: Knowledge creation, knowledge transformation, knowledge use and feedback. In the course of these four stages a company’s sales forecast is developed, changed and used. By understanding how each stage works and what to focus on, companies will be able to improve their forecasting practices.</p>

In a world that is moving faster and faster, a company’s ability to align to market changes is becoming a major competitive factor. Forecasting enables companies to predict what lies ahead, e.g. trend shifts or market turns, and makes it possible to plan for it. But looking into the future is never an easy task. “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” (Niels Bohr, 1885-1962) However, progress in the field of forecasting has shown that it is possible for companies to improve on forecasting practices. This master thesis looks at the sales forecasting practices in MNCs primarily operating in emerging and developing countries. We examine the whole process of sales forecasting, also known as forecasting management, in order to develop a comprehensive model for forecasting in this type of companies. The research is based on a single case study, which is then later generalized into broader conclusions. The conclusion of this master thesis is that forecasting is a four-step exercise. The four stages we have identified are: Knowledge creation, knowledge transformation, knowledge use and feedback. In the course of these four stages a company’s sales forecast is developed, changed and used. By understanding how each stage works and what to focus on, companies will be able to improve their forecasting practices.

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit drei verschiedenen Temperaturmessmethoden VCE, VGTH sowie über die Messung der thermsichen Impedanz mit 10ms langen Lastimpulsen und vergleicht die Messergebnisse mit zwei Simulatoren. Dabei wird ein Schaltungs- sowie ein Halbleitersimulator verwendet und das bisherige Simulationsmodell angepasst.

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit drei verschiedenen Temperaturmessmethoden VCE, VGTH sowie über die Messung der thermsichen Impedanz mit 10ms langen Lastimpulsen und vergleicht die Messergebnisse mit zwei Simulatoren. Dabei wird ein Schaltungs- sowie ein Halbleitersimulator verwendet und das bisherige Simulationsmodell angepasst.:Aufgabenstellung Inhaltsverzeichnis Nomenklatur Einleitung 1. Grundlagen 1.1. Halbleitermaterialien 1.2. Dioden Grundlagen 1.2.1. pn-Übergang 1.2.2. Temperaturabhängigkeit der Diffusionsspannung des pn-Übergangs 1.2.3. Diodenstrukturen 1.3. IGBT Grundlagen 1.3.1. Funktionsweise und ESB 1.3.2. Statisches Verhalten des IGBTs 1.4. Messtechnische Bestimmung der virtuellen Sperrschichttemperatur 1.4.1. VCE(T)- und VGth(T)-Methode 1.4.2. Temperaturreferenzmessung – Kalibrierkennlinie 1.4.3. Wurzel(t)-Methode 1.5. Simulation der virtuellen Sperrschichttemperatur mittels thermischer Ersatzschaltbilder 1.5.1. Thermische Kenngrößen Rth, Cth 1.5.2. Transiente thermische Impedanz Zth 1.5.3. Ersatzschaltbild – Cauer-Netzwerk 1.6. Simulation der virtuellen Sperrschichttemperatur mittels Halbleitersimulator 1.7. Stoßstromereignisse 2. Vormessungen 2.1. Prüflinge 2.2. Messung der Sperrfähigkeit 2.2.1. Testaufbau – Schaltung 2.2.2. Testergebnisse 2.3. Messung des Ausgangskennlinienfeldes/ Durchlassmessungen 2.3.1. Testaufbau – Schaltung 2.3.2. Testergebnisse 2.4. Messung der Transferkennlinie 2.4.1. Testaufbau – Schaltung 2.4.2. Testergebnisse 2.4.3. Bestimmung des “pinch-off”-Bereiches 2.5. Aufnahme der Kalibrierkennlinien 2.5.1. Testaufbau – Schaltung 2.5.2. Testergebnisse 3. Temperaturbestimmung mittels thermischer Impedanz Zth 3.1. Testaufbau – Schaltung 3.2. Testergebnisse 4. Temperaturbestimmung am Stoßstrommessplatz 4.1. Ermittlung der Halbleitertemperatur nach einem Stoßstromereignis 4.1.1. Anpassung des Stoßstrommessplatzes 4.1.2. Pulsmuster VCE(T)-, VGth(T)-Messung 4.1.3. Testergebnisse 4.2. Ermittlung des Halbleitertemperaturverlaufes während des Stoßstromereignisses 4.2.1. Testaufbau - Schaltung 4.2.2. Pulsmuster VCE(T)-, VGth(T)-Messung 4.2.3. Testergebnisse 5. Simulation der Temperaturverläufe 5.1. Temperatursimulation mittels Halbleitersimulator 5.2. Temperatursimulation mittels Cauer-Netzwerk 5.3. Angepasste Temperatursimulation mittels Cauer-Netzwerk 6. Zusammenfassung und Ausblick Anhang Literaturverzeichnis Selbstständigkeitserklärung Danksagung

This thesis is a proof-of-concept project that aims at modify and reuse existing communication protocols of wireless vehicle to vehicle communication in order to build a prototype of a real time graphical application that runs in an embedded environment. The application is a 2D visualization of the flow of material at a quarry and is built on top of existing communication protocols that enable wireless vehicle to vehicle communication according to the 802.11p standard for intelligent transport solutions. These communication protocols have already been used within the Volvo group in other research rojects, but not in a context of a real-time graphical 2D visualization. The application runs on an ALIX embedded motherboard and combined with the necessary hardware represent one node that makes the communication network. The visualization monitors the position of every active node in the network and the flow of material between material locations and crusher that process the material at the quarry. The visualization is implemented in C/C++ using Qt 4.6.2 Graphics View framework.