Lima-Silva TB. Funcionalidade e desempenho cognitivo na demência frontotemporal variante comportamental. [Dissertação]. São Paulo: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 2012. Resumo Introdução: Existem poucos estudos sobre alterações funcionais na Demência Frontotemporal variante comportamental (DFTvc). Subtipos de demência menos estudados, como a DFTvc, vêm ganhando destaque, por também apresentarem importância epidemiológica. Objetivou-se no presente estudo: 1. Caracterizar o desempenho funcional e cognitivo de pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de DFTvc, atendidos em ambulatórios de Neurologia e Psiquiatria e compará-los a pacientes com Doença de Alzheimer (DA) e controles saudáveis; 2. Examinar a correlação entre o desempenho em escalas funcionais (DAFS-BR, DAD e PFAQ) e o desempenho cognitivo; 3. Avaliar a acurácia diagnóstica da DAFS-BR para a detecção da DFTvc e da DA. Métodos: Participaram 96 indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 45 anos, com escolaridade formal acima de dois anos. Destes, 31 haviam recebido o diagnóstico de DFTvc, 31 de DA e 34 eram adultos saudáveis pareados aos pacientes com DFTvc e DA para idade e escolaridade. Foram aplicados: questionário sociodemográfico e de variáveis clínicas; Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS) de 15 itens, Escala de Ansiedade Geriátrica (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory - GAI), Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) que engloba as questões do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Executive Interview (EXIT-25), Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR). O protocolo dos acompanhantes conteve a Escala Cornell de Depressão em Demência, Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (NPI) e a Escala de Avaliação Clínica da Demência (CDR). Resultados: Pôde-se observar que o grupo com DFTvc apresentou pior desempenho em Alimentação na DAFS-BR e nos domínios de Iniciação e Planejamento/Organização na DAD, comparado aos idosos com DA, sugerindo que a dependência na DFTvc é mais acentuada. A pontuação mais elevada na PFAQ, sugeriu que a dependência na DFTvc é mais acentuada. Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre o desempenho cognitivo e funcional. Os dados de acurácia para a DAFS-BR sugeriram que a escala pode auxiliar na identificação das demências, apresentando limitações no diagnóstico diferencial entre os subtipos. Considerações finais: Os resultados apresentados sugerem que indivíduos com DFTvc apresentam maior prejuízo funcional, quando comparados com participantes com DA e adultos saudáveis. Os resultados apresentados destacaram a importância da avaliação funcional de pacientes com suspeita de DFTvc, devido à relevância destas alterações para o diagnóstico e manejo clínico deste subtipo de demência. / Summary Introduction: There are but a few research studies on functional impairment in behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia. Less studied dementia subtypes, such as bvFTD, have been gaining prominence due to their epidemiological significance. The objectives of the present research were to: 1. Characterize the functional and cognitive performance of patients previously diagnosed with bvFTD treated at outpatient clinics of Neurology and Psychiatry, and compare their performance with that of patients with AD and normal controls; 2. Examine the correlation between performance in the functional scales (DAFS-BR, DAD e PFAQ) and cognitive performance; and 3. Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the DAFS-BR for detecting bvFTD and AD. Methodology: The sample consisted of 96 individuals aged 45 or older, with at least two years of formal education. Of these, 31 had been diagnosed with bvFTD, 31 with AD, and 34 were healthy adults paired with the patients with bvFTD and AD for age and education. The following instruments were used: sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire; 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI); Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), which includes the questions of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); Executive Interview (EXIT-25); and the Direct Assessment of Functional Status Revised (DAFS-BR). The protocol for caregivers included the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). Results: Individuals in the bvFTD group had lower performance in the ´Eating skills´ item of the DAFS-BR, and in ´Initiation´ and in ´Planning/Organization´ in the DAD, suggesting a higher level of dependence in bvFTD, and Higher scores in the PFAQ suggested that dependence in bvFTD is more pronounced. Significant correlations were found between cognitive and functional performances. The accuracy data for the DAFS-BR indicated that the scale can help identify dementia however, it has limitations in the differential diagnosis among subtypes. Final Considerations: The results suggest that individuals with bvFTD display greater functional impairment when compared to individuals with AD and to healthy adults. These results highlight the importance of assessing functionality status among patients suspected to have bvFTD. These deficits are relevant for the diagnosis and clinical management of this subtype of dementia.

Atherosclerosis, one major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is a complex and multifactorial disease that involves three mainly conditions: chronic inflammation, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Although statins are the first-line therapy for LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, the efficacy of cardiovascular events prevention is limited to 30-40%. This residual risk brought attention to the need of new therapies and clinical targets beyond LDL-C, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, suboptimal treatment and/or statin discontinuation due to adverse effects have also been a very challenging clinical problem. Complementary diet therapy can be an effective and safe approach to support pharmacological treatment, especially when drugs alone are insufficient to attenuate risk factors and/or the recommended dose is not well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three bioactive components, namely omega-3 fatty acids, plant sterols and polyphenols, on markers of dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in patients treated with statins. A randomized, crossover clinical study was carried out, with the participation of 53 subjects. At each intervention period, study participants received a packaged for the functional or control treatment. Functional treatment consisted of fish oil (1.7 g of EPA+DHA/day), chocolate containing plant sterols (2.2 g/day) and green tea (two tea sachets/day). Control treatment consisted of soy oil softgels, regular chocolate and anise tea. After 6 weeks of intervention, functional treatment reduced plasma LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) and C-reactive protein (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Plasma triacylglycerol (-15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) and MDA (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) were reduced in subgroups of patients (n=23) with baseline values above the median (93 mg/dL and 2.23 umol/L, respectively). Analysis of lathosterol and campesterol in plasma suggested that intensity of LDL-C reduction was influenced by cholesterol absorption rate rather than its endogenous synthesis. After multivariate analysis, patients identified as \"good responders\" to supplementation (n=10) were recruited for a pilot protocol of statin dose reduction with complementary diet therapy. Responders received the functional treatment for 12 weeks: standard statin therapy was kept during the first 6 weeks and reduced by 50% from weeks 6 to 12. No difference was observed for plasma lipids and inflammation biomarkers, cholesterol efflux capacity or HDL particle number after statin dose reduction when compared to standard therapy. Although limited by the small sample size, our study demonstrates the potential for a new therapeutic approach combining lower statin dose and specific dietary compounds. This may be particularly helpful for the many patients with, and at risk for, CVD who cannot tolerate high-dose statin therapy. / A aterosclerose, uma importante causa mundial de morbidade e mortalidade, é uma doença complexa e multifatorial que envolve três principais condições: inflamação crônica, dislipidemia e estresse oxidativo. Embora as estatinas sejam fármacos de primeira linha para redução de LDL colesterol (LDL-C), sua eficácia na prevenção de eventos cardiovasculares é limitadada a 30-40%. Este risco cardiovascular residual evidencia a necessidade de novas terapias e marcadores clínicos que vão além do LDL-C, como inflamação e estresse oxidativo. Não obstante, tratamento subótimo e/ou interrupção do uso de estatinas devido à ocorrencia de efeitos adversos também é um grave obstáculo na clínica médica. Neste contexto, a terapia dietética complementar representa uma abordagem efetiva e segura para o suporte do tratamento farmacológico, especialmente quando as drogas são insuficientes para atenuar fatores de risco e/ou quando a dose recomendada não é bem tolerada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito de três compostos bioativos - ácidos graxos ômega 3, fitosteróis e polifenóis - sobre marcadores de inflamação, lipemia e estresse oxidativo em indivíduos tradados com estatinas. Foi realizado um estudo clínico randomizado, de delineamento crossover, com a participação de 53 voluntários. A cada período de intervenção, os participantes receberam um tratamento funcional ou controle. O tratamento funcional foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de peixe (1.7 g/dia de EPA+DHA), chocolate contendo fitosteróis (2.2 g/dia) e chá verde (dois sachês/dia). O tratamento controle foi composto por cápsulas de óleo de soja, chocolate sem adição de fitosteróis e chá de anis. Após 6 semanas de intervenção, o tratamento funcional reduziu a concentração plasmática de LDL-C (-13.7% ± 3.7, p=0.002) e proteína C-reativa (-35.5% ± 5.9, p=0.027). Triglicerídeos (- 15.68% ± 5.94, p=0.02) e malondialdeído (-40.98% ± 6.74, p=0.04) foram reduzidas apenas em subgrupos de indivíduos que apresentavam valores basais acima da mediana (93 mg/dL e 2.23 umol/L, respectivamente). A análise de latosterol e campesterol no plasma sugeriu que a intensidade da redução de LDL-C não foi influenciada pela síntese endógena de colesterol, mas sim pela taxa de absorção. Após análise multivariada dos resultados, pacientes identificados como \"good responders\" à suplementação (n=10) foram recrutados para um estudo piloto de redução da dosagem da estatina, aliado à terapia dietética complementar. Estes pacientes receberam o tratamento funcional por 12 semanas: durante as 6 primeiras semanas mantevese a dosagem de estatina, que em seguida foi reduzida em 50% das semanas 6 a 12. Não foram observadas diferenças para os marcadores plasmáticos de lipídeos, inflamação, capacidade de efluxo de colesterol ou número de partículas de HDL após a redução da dose de estatina, quando comparada à terapia convencional. Embora limitado pelo reduzido número de pacientes, o estudo demonstra o potencial para uma nova abordagem terapêutica, combinando reduzida dose de estatina com específicos compostos bioativos. Esta pode ser uma importante alternativa para muitos pacientes em risco cardiovascular e que são intolerantes à terapia com altas doses de estatina.

Recently, the coverage rating of child vaccination services in developing countries, like Uganda, is lower than developed countries. The low resource setting is the reason that causes the poor vaccination performance. Health workers suffer from the heavy workload, low budget supplement and bad traffic condition, etc. Which constrains the quality of vaccination services. In this thesis, the author designs a mobile web-based vaccination service system, to improve the quality of vaccination service, within the low resource setting. A study in HCI is carried out to design a vaccination service system in the low resource settings of Uganda. Through theoretical study, the author collects the knowledge about how to apply HCI theory to system interface design. A related work study is carried out to help the author to choose the design solution. Through comparing the design with related works, the strength of using the author’s design solution in low resource of Uganda is verified. A field study helps to collect information about the user’s characteristics, which is used for designing a user-friendly system interface. An internal focus group helps to improve the design quality. The author delivers a case study example which could be evaluated and borrowed by other researchers who design a similar system. Additionally, findings from the qualitative research could be used for further research. / The goal of this master thesis was to design a mobile web-based vaccination service system to improve the quality of vaccination service for the low resource settings of Uganda. Through the literature and field study about the local situation of vaccination services, the design challenges and the user’s characteristics were stated, and helped the author to identify the system functionality and usability. Additionally, the Nielsen’s 10 HCI criteria were used to influence the interface design, in order to design a user-friendly system. Through the study of related designs, the benefits of using mobile web-based system solutions in this study were discussed: brings mobility and flexibility of usage; enhances the remote communication and data transaction among users; low level of data input error occurrence and quality data storage. These strengths motivated the author to use the mobile web-based system solution.

La mucoviscidose est la plus fréquente des maladies rares chez la population caucasienne. Cette maladie héréditaire récessive est causée par des mutations du gène Cystic Fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) qui code pour une protéine localisée au niveau de la membrane apicale des cellules épithéliales. La sévérité du phénotype est déterminée par les classes des mutations et leurs combinaisons en trans, ainsi que par la présence d'allèles complexes. La détermination des effets d'une mutation est essentielle pour avoir une corrélation génotype/phénotype correcte, donner un diagnostic prénatal adapté et permettre aux cliniciens de prescrire le traitement approprié à chaque mutation quand celui-ci sera disponible. Pour cela, nous avons étudié aux niveaux cellulaire et moléculaire les effets de plusieurs mutations qui intéressent le laboratoire : c.1392G>T (p.Lys464Asn), c.3909C>G (p.Asn1303Lys) et c.965T>C (p.Val322Ala). L'effet de ces mutations sur la protéine a été évalué. De plus, l'impact sur l'épissage aberrant des deux premières mutations, seules et dans le cadre de leurs allèles complexes, a été déterminé. Nous avons montré que : 1) la mutation c.1392G>T est de classe V et II et son allèle complexe aggrave l'épissage aberrant, 2) la mutation c.3909C>G appartient à la classe II et l'effet sur l'épissage résulte de son allèle complexe et 3) la mutation familiale c.965T>C est un simple polymorphisme. Ces travaux montrent l'importance de l'étude d'une mutation à différents niveaux cellulaires par l'intermédiaire des analyses in silico, in cellulo et in vivo et soulignent l'effet des allèles complexes qui peuvent moduler l'impact de la mutation seule. / Cystic Fibrosis is the most frequent rare disease in the Caucasian population. This hereditary recessive disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene (CFTR) that encodes for a protein expressed on the apical membrane of epithelial cells. The mutations classes, their associations in trans and the presence of complex alleles define the phenotype severity. The determination of mutations effects is essential to have a correct genotype/phenotype correlation to give an adapted prenatal diagnosis and to help the clinicians in providing an appropriate treatment when available. In this respect, we have studied on the cellular and molecular levels the effects of several mutations of interest for the laboratory: c.1392G>T (p.Lys464Asn), c.3909C>G (p.Asn1303Lys) et c.965T>C (p.Val322Ala). The effects of these mutations were evaluated on the protein level. Moreover, the impact on aberrant splicing of these first two mutations solely and in the context of their complex alleles was determined. We have demonstrated that: 1) the c.1392G>T mutations belongs to class V and II and its complex allele aggravates the aberrant splicing, 2) the c.3909C>G is a class II mutation and the effect on splicing is due to its complex allele, and 3) the familial c.965T>C mutation is a simple polymorphism. This work highlights the importance to study the CFTR mutation at different cellular levels using in silico, in cellulo and in vivo analyses and emphasizes on the effect of complex allele in modulating the basal impact of a single mutation.

At the Nutrition and Physical Activity Research Centre for Optimal Health and Functionality through Life (NUPARC), a research gap was uncovered regarding the concept optimal functionality based on the older adult’s own perspective. The overall aim was to explore the concept of optimal functionality among older adults and the possibility of creating and developing an ICT-platform to measure it. Method: An existing cohort from NUPARC was used for recruitment in studies I-III and to some extent study IV. A scoping study design and framework was adopted for the inclusion of the articles in Study I. Study II had a descriptive design. Six focus group discussions were conducted and analysed using qualitative deductive content analysis to extend the qualitative understanding. Study III used a phenomenological approach describing the experience of mental health and its impact on the ability to function as optimally as possible. Six interviews were analysed using Giorgi’s phenomenological approach. Study IV was a feasibility study and included 8 older adults using an ICTplatform for a period of four weeks. Results: Optimal Functionality comprises three major corner stones: Body-related factors, Self-related factors and External factors (I) accompanied by nine aspects, and according to older adults it is a matter of functioning as optimally as possible (II). The three major cornerstones are intricately linked and all but the mental aspects were included in the discussions (II). Life situations affecting mental health, consequences of mental health and strategies for maintaining good mental health were described by older adults as having an impact on mental health and affecting their ability to function as optimally as possible (III). The older adults managed the usage of an ICT-tool well and it was perceived as meaningful (IV). Conclusion: Optimal functionality is holistic, subjective, dynamic and applicable to all older adults. Identification of the factors involved can help the older adults on their path to health. An ICT-platform can facilitate the identification of the factors for optimal functionality and the eventual measurement of it.

Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire concernent les composants d'assemblages membrane-électrodes (AMEs) pour électrolyseur à membrane échangeuse de protons (PEM – proton exchange membrane) fonctionnant à moyenne température. L'électrolyse de l'eau PEM, alimentée par l'énergie électrique provenant de sources renouvelables, est une voie pour la production efficace et durable d'hydrogène de haute pureté. De nouveaux électrolytes polymère solides (un des principaux éléments de la cellule d'électrolyse) à double conduction, basés sur un réseau semi-interpénétré créé par le polybenzimidazole sulfoné et l'acide polyphosphonique, ont été étudiés. Les membranes perfluorosulfonées (PFSA) à chaîne latérale courte et le composite PFSA-phosphate de zirconium (ZrP) ont également été étudiés. Les matériaux catalytiques de l'anode à base d'oxyde d'iridium ont été préparés par hydrolyse et calcination. L'oxyde d'iridium (IrO2), les oxydes bimétalliques (Ir/Ru) et ternaires (Ir/Ru/Ta) oxydes ont été étudiés par voie électrochimique dans la gamme de températures comprises entre 20 et 120 °C. Les caractérisations physico-chimiques ont confirmé la formation de structures d'oxyde et l'absence de particules de chlorures ou de métal résiduels. On observe une diminution de la tension de cellule, quelle que soit la densité de courant, lorsque la température augmente. Le catalyseur a été déposé sur la membrane, soit par pulvérisation directe ou par transfert en utilisant un support inerte (décalque). Aucune différence significative n'a été observée en appliquant les deux méthodes de dépôt. Les performances s'améliorent lorsque la température augmente pour tous les échantillons. L'assemblage comprenant une membrane de type PFSA, Aquivion®, de masse équivalente 870 meq.g-1 et d'une épaisseur de 120 µm, a montré de meilleures performances pour l'électrolyse de l'eau à 120 °C comparé à l'assemblage comprenant une membrane composite Aquivion® / ZrP, tandis qu'une membrane de type de polybenzimidazole sulfoné à liaison éther, poly-[(1-(4,4'-diphényléther)-5-oxybenzimidazole)-benzimidazole], a montré des performances prometteuses et aucune limitation de transport jusqu'à 2 A.cm-2. Les meilleurs performances ont été observées à 120 °C pour un assemblage préparé par pulvérisation directe de IrO2 sur une membrane Aquivion®; 1,67 V à 2 A.cm-2. / Preparation and investigation of the main components of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for medium temperature proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) are described in this manuscript. Moderate temperature PEMWE, nourished by electrical energy from renewable sources is a practical path to sustainable generation of hydrogen with high purity and efficiency. Novel solid polymer electrolytes (a key component of the electrolysis cell) with double functionality properties, based on highly sulfonated polybenzimidazole creating a semi-interpenetrating network with a polyphosphonic acid, were investigated. A short side chain perfluorosulfonated acid (PFSA) type membrane and PFSA-zirconium phosphate composite membrane were also studied. The anode catalyst materials based on iridium oxide were prepared using the aqueous hydrolysis method followed by calcination. IrO2, some bimetallic (Ir/Ru) and ternary (Ir/Ru/Ta) oxides were electrochemically investigated in a wide range of temperatures (20-120 °C). The physico-chemical characterisation confirmed the formation of oxide structures, absence of residual chloride or metal particles. All catalysts prepared showed decreasing voltage at any given current density with rising the temperature. Catalyst was deposited on the membrane either directly by spray deposition or by decal transfer. No significant difference was observed using both deposition method. The PEMWE performance was increasing with the temperature. The short-side-chain PFSA - Aquivion® ionomer of equivalent weight 870 meq.g-1, of thickness 120 µm, displayed higher water electrolysis performance at 120 °C than a composite membrane of Aquivion® with zirconium phosphate, while a sulfonated ether-linked polybenzimidazole, sulfonated poly-[(1-(4,4'-diphenylether)-5-oxybenzimidazole)-benzimidazole], showed promising performance and no mass transport limitations up to 2 A.cm-2. The lowest cell voltage was observed at 120 °C for an MEA prepared using spray-coating of IrO2 directly on the Aquivion® membrane, 1.67 V at 2 A.cm-2.

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Ces dernières décennies ont été marquées par l’apparition d’un nouveau contexte en faveur du développement soutenable, dans lequel de nouveaux modes de consommation et de production émergent. Ce nouveau contexte tend à se substituer à l’innovation intensive, les entreprises industrielles à réorienter leur business model vers l’innovation soutenable. Cependant ce changement nécessite des bouleversements stratégiques et organisationnels que certaines entreprises ne parviennent pas à surmonter. Ces situations d’entreprises révèlent un double enjeu : la nécessité de caractériser l’innovation soutenable d’une part et l’intérêt de définir une stratégie d’évolution et de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable au sein des entreprises d’autre part. Afin de caractériser l’innovation soutenable, trois notions sont mobilisées : le business model, la soutenabilité et la fonctionnalité. Les résultats de cette exploration suggèrent l’utilisation du business model comme objet intermédiaire afin de favoriser la co-construction et l’évolution de business models. L’étude de la soutenabilité du business model conduit à la proposition de l’association de l’économie de fonctionnalité - business model serviciel - à l’éco-conception - modèle de conception environnemental - comme déclinaison de l’innovation soutenable. L’analyse de la fonctionnalité révèle une complémentarité de ces deux démarches. Celles-ci permettent de définir de nouvelles offres du point de vue des valeurs d’usage et permettent d’intégrer l’utilisateur dans la définition de l’offre. L’exploration de ces trois notions conduit également à la proposition d’un changement de paradigme en faveur du paradigme soutenable suivi du développement de trajectoires de business models afin de garantir aux entreprises l’atteinte à long terme des plus hauts niveaux de l’innovation soutenable. Ces résultats théoriques servent ensuite au développement d’une méthode d’aide à la décision : Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). La méthode BMES permet aux entreprises de concevoir de nouveaux business models soutenables et de définir des trajectoires vers ces business models soutenables comme stratégie de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable à long terme. Elle s’appuie sur la notion d’upgradabilité comme déclinaison opérationnelle de l’innovation soutenable. La méthode est développée et testée avec les deux industriels partenaires du projet IDCyclUM : Neopost et Rowenta. Une des principales perspectives de recherche proposée consiste à engager des travaux visant à poursuivre la définition de l’innovation soutenable qui reste un concept ambigu pour lequel il n’existe pas de consensus à l’heure actuelle. / Over the past decades, a new context in favor of sustainable development emerged. New models of consumption and production are developed. This shift from intensive innovation to sustainable innovation leads some companies to rethink their business model. However, this business model evolution requires strategic and organizational changes that some companies fail to overcome. These companies’ situations reveal a double challenge : the need to characterize sustainable innovation on the one hand and defining a strategy for disseminating sustainable innovation on the other hand.To characterize sustainable innovation, three notions are mobilized : the business model, sustainability and functionality. The results of this exploration suggest the use of the business modelas an intermediary object to promote the co-construction and the evolution of business models. The study of sustainable led us to associate functional economy - servicial business model - to eco-design- environmental design - as a declination of sustainable innovation. Functionality concept analysis revealed the complementarity of functional economy and eco-design approaches. This allows us to define new offers from the use-values point of view. The exploration of these three notions also leads to propose a paradigm shift in favor of sustainable paradigm. This paradigm shift is followed by the development and characterization of business models trajectories. These trajectories guide companies in achieving the highest levels of sustainable innovation on the long term. These theoretical results were used to develop a method called Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). The BMES method allows companies to develop sustainable business models and to define trajectories toward these business models. The method is based on the upgradability concept as operational application of sustainable innovation. The method was developed and tested with the two industrial partners of IDCyclUM project : Neopost and Rowenta. One of the main proposed research perspectives is to continue defining sustainable innovation. This concept remains indeed ambiguous and there is still no consensus about its definition at present.

Detta examensarbete är en studie i hur en kontorsmiljö i form utav fyra stycken cellkontor och ett konferensrum kan utformas för en myndighet. Med syfte att skapa ett gestaltningsförslag som visualiserar möjliga lösningar för kontorets arbetsgrupp, för att sedan utformas till en aktivitetsbaserad kontorsmiljö som ska stödja arbetsgruppens behov och arbetssätt. Samarbetet har varit tillsammans med Näringslivsenheten i Stadshuset, Eskilstuna. Arbetsgruppen på Näringslivsenheten upplever att de vill vara mer integrerade med varandra då det är en stor del av deras arbetssätt. Väggarna, som cellkontoren innebär, skapar barriärer mellan användarna och medför en påverkan av deras arbetssätt. Lokalerna som verksamheten befinner sig i saknar även en identitet som speglar verksamhetens arbete och värden. Studien baseras på teori och litteratur om den rumsliga miljön, aktivitetsbaserat kontor, zoner i kontorsmiljön, kognitivt perspektiv, affordans, färg, ljus och kreativitetens betydelse i kontorsmiljön. Metoderna som använts i studien är: Human centered-design, platsanalys, kvalitativ intervju, observation, workshop, 3D modell och analys av insamlad data. Resultatet av studien visar ett gestaltningsförslag på en aktivitetsbaserad kontorsmiljö som innefattar funktioner som bygger på användarnas behov. Resultatet ska vara ett inspirationsmaterial till Näringslivsenheten för en eventuell framtida genomförning. Samtidigt som det även är ett inspirationsmaterial till övriga användare i kontorsmiljöer som är ute efter en aktivitetsbaserad kontorsmiljö. / This is a study of how an office environment in the form of four cell offices and a conference room can be designed for a local authority. The purpose of the study is to provide a design proposal that visualizes possible solutions for the office's workgroup, which may then be transformed into an activity-based office that will support the users’ needs and working methods. This study was written in cooperation with the Business Unit in the City Hall, Eskilstuna. The working team at the Business Unit wants to be more integrated with each other as it is a major part of their way of working. The walls of the cell offices create barriers between users and negatively affect their preferred way of working. The premises in which the business is located also lacks an identity that reflects their work and their values. The study is based on theory and literature on the spatial environment, activity-based office, office environment zones, cognitive perspective, affordance, color, light and the importance of creativity in the office environment. The methods used in the study are: Human centered-design, site analysis, qualitative interview, observation, workshop, 3D model and analysis of collected data. The result of the study shows a design proposal in an activity-based office environment that includes features based on user needs. The result will be an inspiration to the Business Unit for a possible future implementation. At the same time, it is also an inspiration for other users in office environments that are looking for an activity-based office environment.

The thesis focuses on the statistical and mathematical methods for support of software applications. The thesis deals with the analysis of the practise in the storage areas in the company TRANS-TECHNIK, control material, goods and other means of support. Further, the thesis contains a description of a training program for support of employees in the study of warehouse functionality in terms of order, deliveries and movement in the warehouse. The created training program is made in Microsoft Excel 2007 with macros support.