Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and develop relevant keyperformance indicators within the warehouse operations in amanufacturing company, and how they can be used for control. Research question: In a manufacturing company, which are the most important KPIs forcontrolling and monitoring the warehouse operations, and how can thoseKPIs be developed?Methodology: This master thesis is based on a case study at a pharmaceutical companynamed Fresenius Kabi. A qualitative approach has been used whereprimary data was collected through 10 structured & semi structuredinterviews and through observations in the warehouses to understand thecurrent state. Secondary data was used in form of academic papers to seewhat previous research had to say about KPIs and operation & processmanagement. Internal documents were also used as a secondary source. Findings: Two key performance indicators have been developed, productivity andcost efficiency. A template has been designed to produce the KPIs. Thisstudy contributes to the understanding of how to develop KPIs that fits amanufacturing company´s warehouse operations and a recommendation onhow you could develop a system for producing the data.

The need for information in real time and the technology development has become more fast and more efficient. Companies today need to be more responsive to their customers to stay on top. Also, companies’ business processes need effective support from information technology solutions. The fit, or alignment, between the business process and the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system design is crucial in order to leverage efforts within marketing and sales. If there is a misfit, companies do not take full advantage of the potential that CRM systems can leverage in terms of better managing relationships with customers, which in turn may result in higher rates of closed deals. The main purpose of this bachelor thesis in Information Systems is to identify and describe critical success factors influencing on the degree of alignment between a business process and a CRM system from an organisational perspective. The sub-purpose is to identify and describe the influence of process−system alignment on performance. The IT company Apica has been used as the case study company in the bachelor thesis. Apica is suitable for this study since it has already adopted a CRM system related to its sales process. A research literature-based analysis model was developed in order to be able to more precisely investigate the chosen purpose. The intention is to review critical success factors that influence the success of the process−system alignment. In the chosen qualitative approach, a semi-structured interview guide was developed, based on the analysis model. Five interviews with co-workers in the case study company were conducted. The analysis of the collected primary empirical data has led to the following conclusions. A high degree of process−system alignment concerning a well-defined and functional business process in relation to a CRM system has a positive influence on the company’s sales process performance. A higher degree of process−system alignment can improve the company’s process performance, increase the sales force productivity and lead to better decision making. According to the findings, the positive outcome of a process−system alignment depends mainly on three factors: management commitment, data management, and system integrations. The empirical results also suggests a new finding: A successfully aligned sales process with the CRM system also lead to knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing contributes to that salespeople learn from deals made in the past. The historical data help salespeople in managing customer relationships, which may lead to shorter sales cycles and larger deal sizes, which implies increased sales.

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is a technique for non-contact topographic imaging. In this thesis, a biophysical investigation into Alzheimer's Disease (AD) was carried, with toxic oligomers dosed locally and quantitatively on to single astrocytes using SICM and simultaneously monitoring the response of the target cell. Examination of the effectiveness of antibodies that bind to Abeta or alpha-synuclein (Asyn)peptides depends on the measurement of oligomer-induced abnormal calcium homeostasis in single astrocytes. The method was shown to work at physiological concentrations of oligomers. A series of experiments measuring the reduction in calcium inux in mixtures of antibodies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients suggested that the binding to co-oligomers composed of Abeta and Asyn may be crucial in the treatment of AD. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to test antibodies before the clinical trial using this assay. The mechanism of this entry of calcium is hypothesised to be the result of the formation of oligomer-induced transient pores in the cell membrane. To verify this hypothesis, a new SICM instrument was built with two nanopipettes; one for dosing and one for detection of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from these pores. A variety of different ATP sensors were made. The best had a sensitivity of 10 micro molar and works as a hexokinase-cofunctioned electrolyte-gated organic field-effect-transistor. However no statistically significant results for ATP release have been obtained in the experiments performed to date. Overall this thesis describes new biophysical methods to study the effect of protein aggregates on live cells and the effectiveness of potential therapies, such as antibodies and nanobodies, to reduce these aggregate induced effects. It can be applied to synthetic aggregates of Abeta or the aggregates present in human CSF.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2016-02-01T21:57:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RodrigoGadelhaVasconcelos_TESE.pdf: 1777603 bytes, checksum: 142978c0b438c9eba25a0468ff97275f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Elisangela Moura (lilaalves@gmail.com) on 2016-03-07T23:32:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 RodrigoGadelhaVasconcelos_TESE.pdf: 1777603 bytes, checksum: 142978c0b438c9eba25a0468ff97275f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-07T23:32:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RodrigoGadelhaVasconcelos_TESE.pdf: 1777603 bytes, checksum: 142978c0b438c9eba25a0468ff97275f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-18 / A les?o perif?rica de c?lulas gigantes (LPCG) e a les?o central de c?lulas gigantes (LCCG) s?o les?es histologicamente semelhantes que acometem a regi?o de cabe?a e pesco?o. O estudo teve a finalidade de analisar a express?o imuno-histoqu?mica atrav?s dos marcadores GLUT-1, GLUT-3 e M-CSF em uma s?rie de casos de les?o perif?rica e central de c?lulas gigantes, na tentativa de estabelecer poss?veis associa??es e correla??es entre a express?o destas prote?nas nessas les?es, buscando uma melhor compreens?o do diferente comportamento biol?gico dessas entidades patol?gicas. A amostra foi constitu?da por 20 esp?cimes teciduais emblocados em parafina de LPCG, 20 de LCCG n?o agressivo e 20 de LCCG agressivo, oriundos do Servi?o de Anatomia Patol?gica da Disciplina de Patologia Oral do Departamento de Odontologia da UFRN. Em rela??o ao GLUT-1, verificou-se uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante (p< 0,05) na quantidade de c?lulas mononucleares imunomarcadas entre a les?o perif?rica (LP) e a les?o central n?o agressiva (LCNA) e entre a LP e a les?o central agressiva (LCA). Em rela??o ? intensidade da marca??o tamb?m foi verificado uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante tanto para as c?lulas mononucleares quanto para as c?lulas gigantes entre LP e LCNA e entre LP e LCA, nas c?lulas gigantes tamb?m ocorreu uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante entre a LCNA e a LCA. Em rela??o ao GLUT-3, foi encontrada uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante entre LP e LCA e entre LCNA e LCA na quantidade de c?lulas mononucleares imunomarcadas. No que concerne ? intensidade de marca??o para a referida prote?na foi verificado uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante nas c?lulas gigantes entre LP e LCA. Para o M-CSF foi observado apenas uma diferen?a estatisticamente significante na intensidade de marca??o nas c?lulas mononucleares entre LP e LCNA e entre LP e LCA. Com base nestes resultados, pode-se concluir a participa??o do GLUT-1, GLUT-3 e do M-CSF na patog?nese das les?es estudadas. Os transportadores de glicose estariam envolvidos no fornecimento de energia, para o metabolismo energ?tico das c?lulas e a prote?na osteoclastog?nica estaria envolvida no mecanismo de reabsor??o ?ssea encontrada nessas les?es. / The peripheral giant cell lesion ( PG CL ) and the central giant cell lesion ( CGC L) are lesions histologically similar affecting the head and neck region . The study aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of markers GLUT - 1 , GLUT - 3 and M - CSF in a series of cases of PGCL and CGCL , in trying to understand the different biological behavior of these pathologies . The sample consisted of 20 tissue specimens of PGCL 20 central lesion of not aggressive giant cell ( CLNAGC) and 20 central lesi on of aggressive giant cell ( CLAGC), coming from the Pathology Unit of Oral Pathology of the Department of Dentistry of UFRN . W as performed the s emi - quantitative and qualitative analysis of immunohistochemical expression of the markers in giant cells and m ononuclear cells . In relation to the GLUT - 1, it was found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of mononuclear cells immunomarked between the PGCL and the CLNAGC and between the PGCL and CLAGC . Regarding the intensity of staining w as also observed a statistically significant difference both at the mononuclear cells as in giant cells between PL and CLNAGC and between PGCL and CLAGC , at the giant cells there was also a statistically significant difference between the CLNAGC and CLAGC . In relation to GLUT - 3 , was found a statistically significant difference between PGCL and CLAGC and between CLAGC and CLNAGC in amount of mononuclear cells immunomarked . Regarding the intensity of labeling for such protein was found a statistically signifi cant difference at the giant cells between PL and CLAGC . To the M - CSF was observed only a statistically significant difference in the intensity of labeling at the mononuclear cells between PGCL and CLNAGC and between PGCL and CLAGC . Based on these results, we can conclude the participation of GLUT - 1, GLUT - 3 and M - CSF in the pathogenesis of the lesions studied. The bigger immunostaining of these proteins in mononuclear cells show that these cells perform a higher metabolic activity and osteoclastogenic, espe cially in CLAGC . It was found that the mononuclear cells were more related to the pathogenesis of the studied lesions than properly the giant s cell s.

The subject of web server security is vast, and it is becoming bigger as time passes by. Every year, researches, both private and public, are adding to the number of possible threats to the security of web servers, and coming up with possible solutions to them. A number of these solutions are considered to be expensive, complex, and incredibly time-consuming, while not able to create the perfect web to challenge any breach to the server security. In the study that follows, an attempt will be made to check whether a particular firewall can ensure a strong security measure and deal with some security breaches or severe threat to an existing web server. The research conducted has been done with the CSF Firewall, which provides a suit of scripts that ensure a portal’s security through a number of channels. The experiments conducted under the research provided extremely valuable insights about the application in hand, and the number of ways the CSF Firewall can help in safety of a portal against Secured Shell (SSH) attacks, dedicated to break the security of it, in its initial stages. It further goes to show how simple it is to actually detect the prospective attacks, and subsequently stop the Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, as well as the port scans made to the server, with the intent of breaching the security, by finding out an open port. By blocking the IP Addresses of the attackers dedicated to such an act, preventing them from creating nuisance, the CSF Firewall has been able to keep alien intrusions away from the server. It also aids in creating a secure zone for the server, to continue smoothly, while alerting the server administrators of the same, and gives them an opportunity to check those threatening IPs, and the time of attack, makes sure that the server administrators stay alert in the future, and is able to keep an eye on such attacks. In doing this, the experiment adds valuable data in the effective nature of the CSF Firewall.

The focus of the study is to identify ERP COTS software where custom made ERPP and COTS software are different in product type and implementation process. The study further intensifies the focus on the factors which are critical for successful ERP COTS product selection and implementation by decision makers and ERP COTS implementers respectively. The study involves decision makers, management and organizational actors (end users which are beneficiaries of ERP COTS system). The study tries to identify certain factors, which can lead to the success of the ERP COTS Software implementation and failure to identify those CSFs in selecting and implementing ERP COTS can lead to ERP COTS failure.

Att implementera ett beslutsstöd i en organisation är en resurskrävande och komplicerad uppgift där problem ofta uppstår. Syftet med denna studie är därför att identifiera de kritiska framgångsfaktorer som ideella organisationer bör ta hänsyn till när de implementerar ett beslutsstöd. Studien har genomförts med hjälp av intervjuer med ideella organisationer i välgörenhetssektorn. Erhållen empiri har analyserats utifrån Yeoh and Koronios Model of critical success factors for BI systems som ansats. Vår studie redogör hur och om Yeoh och Koronios (2010) faktorer har kommit att spela en betydande roll för de organisationer vi intervjuat. Resultatet av studien redovisar en uppsättning kritiska framgångsfaktorer vi lyckas identifiera i relation till vår ansats. Vi redovisar även vilka specifika framgångsfaktorer vi kunnat identifiera för ideella organisationer.

The aim of this thesis was to study the biomarker homocysteine and other novel potential vascular risk factors for dementia. In an out-patient based study of a cohort of 926 consecutive subjects referred to our Memory Unit during 1996―2000, serum-folate was lower and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and serum methyl malonate were higher in subjects being prescribed with B12. In the subgroup diagnosed with dementia and with a positive family history of dementia, tHcy was higher than in the subgroup diagnosed as non-demented. It is necessary to supplement subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency with B12, but our results indicate that it is not sufficient with B12 alone because this gives rise to intracellular folate deficiency. We also found indications of a genetic component in dementia because tHcy was higher in the group with a positive family history of dementia. These findings prompted further studies of homocysteine metabolism. The frequency of mutations in the gene for folate receptor-α (FOLR-1), and the fibrinolytic pattern in dementia and non-dementia were studied in the two cohorts DGM (n=300) and AS (n=389). The DGM cohort is a consecutive series of subjects attending our Memory Care Unit for investigation of suspected cognitive problems or dementia between 2003 - 2007. The AS (= active seniors) cohort comprises retired, apparently healthy subjects from central Sweden, actively participating in study circles. A rare haplotype in the FOLR-1, with mutations in two nearby loci, was discovered, possibly associated with lower serum-folate and higher tHcy concentrations and was more frequent in the DGM group. The transport of folate to the CSF was studied in the DGM-cohort. Dementia with a vascular component was associated with a lower CSF to serum folate ratio indicative of reduced transport of folate to the CSF and further to the brain. The vascular endothelial derived fibrinolytic markers tPA, tPA/PAI-1-complex, and vWF were not only higher in vascular dementia (VaD) but also in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) when compared to the AS group. The impaired fibrinolytic activity in both vascular dementia and in AD is a novel finding, signifying a vascular component in the development of dementia. In conclusion we found that both hereditary and nutritional background factors were linked to dementia and furthermore that a dysregulated fibrinolysis was linked to both VaD and AD.

The main objective of this thesis is to create a list of critical success factors (CSF) of Business Intelligence implementation in the non-commercial sector and check this list in practice on real projects. Part of the thesis is also the summary of all specifics and differences of BI implementation in public sector and the view of usage possibilities of BI in this sector in relationship on already implemented projects in the Czech Republic so and abroad. The thesis is composed of theoretical and practical part. Theoretical part is focused on problems related to this area, especially analyses the present state of BI in public sector and features specifics and differences related to BI implementation in this area. Further also describes all significant critical success factors of BI implementation in general. Practical part is then aimed on particular verification of Business Intelligence CSFs on real projects realized in non-commercial sector inside of the Czech Republic. As a main tool for obtaining needed and objective information were used managed interviews with competent deputies of submitter (customer) and supplier of particular BI solution. The main contribution of this thesis is determination of differences, but also consistent components of Business Intelligence implementation in non-commercial sector compared to private sector with emphasis on critical success factors. Significant is also the comprehensive view of possibilities and advantages of BI usage in public sector, created by analysis of already implemented projects. These achieved results can be utilized by future (and contemporary) suppliers and submitters of BI projects, but also of other projects from information science area.

The topic of this diploma thesis is "Critical success factors of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises" Firstly, the terms enterprise resource planning system, small and medium sized enterprise and critical factor are defined. Part of this thesis is also dedicated to the importance of those systems in small and medium sized enterprises and the supply of products on the market is described as well. The importance of enterprise resource planning systems for this segment of customers is still growing and the number of products offered is quite wide. Customers have unambiguously preferred Czech solutions. Next part of the thesis contains critical factors literature search -- analysis of two studies. Conceptual model of critical factors is made on the basis of findings and comparison of those two studies. The relevance of this model is verified by the analysis of case studies of enterprise resource planning system implementations in small and medium sized enterprises. These case studies were downloaded from websites of system vendors. On the basis of new findings, new model was designed. Each critical factor is described in each part of the thesis to help understand under which circumstances it was used. Finally, the model is assessed.