The early diagnosis of hearing loss can be a life-changing event for families. Parents are required to make several prompt decisions where they might be overwhelmed with all the information being shared with them. Patient education materials (PEMs) are often provided by clinical health professionals – yet these materials are often written above the average reading level of adults in the United States, thus presenting an additional challenge to many parents. The purpose of this study was to examine the ease of reading cochlear implant (CI) brochures that are provided to parents who are making informed decisions about the management of their child's hearing loss. The CI brochures analyzed include those from three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CI manufacturers: Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas, and MED-EL. Reading grade levels were analyzed using a commercially-available computer software program, applying six readability formulas commonly used to examine PEMs. Analyses revealed that the readability of the three CI brochures exceed the fifth- to sixth-grade reading levels recommended by health literacy experts. Audiology-focused PEMs continue to be created without full consideration of their reading grade level despite health literacy initiatives. Researchers should consider the health literacy skills of the reader when creating or revising PEMs such as CI brochures.

Readability metrics assess the ease with which human beings read and understand written texts. With the advent of machine learning techniques that allow computers to also analyse text, this provides an interesting opportunity to investigate whether readability metrics can be used to inform on the ease with which machines understand texts. To that end, the specific machine analysed in this paper uses word embeddings to conduct unsupervised sentiment analysis. This specification minimises the need for labelling and human intervention, thus relying heavily on the machine instead of the human. Across two different datasets, sentiment predictions are made using Google’s Word2Vec word embedding algorithm, and are evaluated to produce a dichotomous output variable per sentiment. This variable, representing whether a prediction is correct or not, is then used as the dependent variable in a logistic regression with 17 readability metrics as independent variables. The resulting model has high explanatory power and the effects of readability metrics on the results from the sentiment analysis are mostly statistically significant. However, metrics affect sentiment classification in the two datasets differently, indicating that the metrics are expressions of linguistic behaviour unique to the datasets. The implication of the findings is that readability metrics could be used directly in sentiment classification models to improve modelling accuracy. Moreover, the results also indicate that machines are able to pick up on information that human beings do not pick up on, for instance that certain words are associated with more positive or negative sentiments. / Läsbarhetsmått bedömer hur lätt eller svårt det är för människor att läsa och förstå skrivna texter. Eftersom nya maskininlärningstekniker har utvecklats kan datorer numera också analysera texter. Därför är en intressant infallsvinkel huruvida läsbarhetsmåtten också kan användas för att bedöma hur lätt eller svårt det är för maskiner att förstå texter. Mot denna bakgrund använder den specifika maskinen i denna uppsats ordinbäddningar i syfte att utföra oövervakad sentimentanalys. Således minimeras behovet av etikettering och mänsklig handpåläggning, vilket resulterar i en mer djupgående analys av maskinen istället för människan. I två olika dataset jämförs rätt svar mot sentimentförutsägelser från Googles ordinbäddnings-algoritm Word2Vec för att producera en binär utdatavariabel per sentiment. Denna variabel, som representerar om en förutsägelse är korrekt eller inte, används sedan som beroende variabel i en logistisk regression med 17 olika läsbarhetsmått som oberoende variabler. Den resulterande modellen har högt förklaringsvärde och effekterna av läsbarhetsmåtten på resultaten från sentimentanalysen är mestadels statistiskt signifikanta. Emellertid är effekten på klassificeringen beroende på dataset, vilket indikerar att läsbarhetsmåtten ger uttryck för olika lingvistiska beteenden som är unika till datamängderna. Implikationen av resultaten är att läsbarhetsmåtten kan användas direkt i modeller som utför sentimentanalys för att förbättra deras prediktionsförmåga. Dessutom indikerar resultaten också att maskiner kan plocka upp på information som människor inte kan, exempelvis att vissa ord är associerade med positiva eller negativa sentiment.

When assessing the readability of a text it is helpful to consider all its interacting elements. This includes its syntactic complexity, but other aspects, such as that of cohesion, are no less important. The thesis explores how these are reflected in each other and in the readability of books in a dataset provided by the publisher Nypon och Vilja, which consists of easy-to-read books divided into six levels of readability. To provide additional nuance, the interrelated concepts of epistemic stance and narrativity are introduced for the purpose of deepening the analysis of the statistical findings. They also prove useful in further discussion surrounding complexity and cohesion as they relate to reading skill and knowledge asymmetries. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to uncover these statistical relationships on a broader scale, though more specific in-depth analysis are performed relating to certain metrics. While the findings have some support in literature, re-affirming the importance of narrativity for contextualizing cohesion, the clear link between higher complexity and less narrative text was not expected. Furthermore, the PCA indicates a more nuanced picture of referential cohesion and the use of its constituent metrics, depending both on narrativity and complexity.

The aim of the study is to perform a linguistic analysis of mathematics textbooks. Mathematical text exercises are built up of linguistic structures which are significant for the pupil’s understanding of text exercises. Two different mathematics textbooks for grade three are analysed: Prima matematikand Tummen upp. The aim is to investigate how text exercises in mathematics textbooks are linguistically structured. The study analyses the style, form and content of the text and its relation to the reader. The result shows that the content of the text exercises is close to the pupil’s everyday reality, which ensures a close and strong relationship between the writer and the reader. Something which can entail difficulties for reading comprehension, however, is that the form consists of meaning-bearing mathematical terms which it can be difficult to relate to. Since the mathematical language and the everyday Swedish language meet in text exercises, it is important that they interact well with each other.

This report deals with a thesis in product development and design. This degree project was a final course on the program "Mechanical Engineering - Product Development and Design" at Jönköping University - School of engineering, and was conducted together with Husqvarna Group AB. The project has been carried out by Daniel Flyckt and Oscar Lernstål. The project has been to design and develop a prototype that will help the customer see the fuel level in Husqvarna's chainsaws in an easier way. Today’s solution is a viewing window on one of the sides of the tank. This viewing window partly fulfils its function, but there is definitely room for improvement. The viewing window has had productionrelated problems and it costs Husqvarna money because it becomes an extra step in the process to get a complete for the chainsaws that are ready to use. In order to get a better idea of how to solve the problem with the fuel indication interviews and a competitor analysis were made. This gave a better overview of the project and also gave insight of how competitors had solved the same problem. After that a requirement specification was written to get a solid base in the project. This requirement specification was to great help during the project and used when the concepts that we developed were to be evaluated. Last but not least it was time to make the model that past the screening of the concepts. Catia (a CAD program) was used and the prototype was printed in a SLS and SLA machine. The end result of the project was a prototype that could be tested under simpler conditions, with clearly improved properties in terms of being able to give an indication of fuel. / Denna rapport behandlar ett examensarbete i produktutveckling och design. Detta examensarbete var en avslutande kurs på programmet ”Maskinteknik – Produktutveckling och design” på Jönköpings Tekniska Högskola och genomfördes tillsammans med Husqvarna Group AB. Projektet har genomförts av Daniel Flyckt och Oscar Lernstål. Projektet har gått ut på att utveckla och ta fram en prototyp för att på ett nytt sätt se bränslenivån i Husqvarnas motorsågar. På äldre motorsågar som Husqvarna har sålt finns i dagsläget inget sätt att se mängden bränsle i tanken och dagens lösning innebär att man sätter ett siktfönster på en av tankväggarna. Detta siktfönster uppfyller delvis sin funktion, men det finns definitivt möjlighet till förbättringar. Siktfönstret har haft produktionsrelaterade problem och det kostar givetvis Husqvarna pengar eftersom det blir ett extra steg i arbetet att få en färdig tank till motorsågarna. För att få en bild av hur problematiken såg ut runt bränsleindikationen på morsågen gjordes intervjuer och en konkurrentanalys. Detta för att få en bättre överblick men även för att se hur konkurrenter hade löst samma problem. Senare skrevs en kravspecifikation för att få något att falla tillbaka på under arbetets gång. Denna kravspecifikation användes framgångsrikt när koncepten som togs fram i projektet skulle utvärderas. Sist men inte minst var det dags för att CAD:a upp den modell som gick vidare i gallringen av koncepten. Programvaran Catia användes och prototypen printades ut i en SLS-maskin respektive SLA-maskin. Slutresultatet av projektet blev en prototyp som kunde testas i enklare förhållanden. Med klart förbättrade egenskaper vad gäller att kunna ge en indikation på bränsle jämfört med enbart ett siktfönster.

Introdução: A comunicação na saúde pública é uma ferramenta de promoção da saúde e acesso à informação. A melhoria da comunicação entre o laboratório clínico e os usuários constitui um direito do usuário do serviço público de saúde e também apresenta potencial para a diminuição de erros de análise provenientes da fase pré-analítica e consequente melhoria da segurança do paciente. Este trabalho teve o objetivo avaliar a adequação da linguagem escrita utilizada na comunicação entre o laboratório clínico e os usuários bem como sua influência da qualidade da fase pré-analítica do processo laboratorial. Materiais e Métodos: Foram analisadas instruções de coleta (IC) da Divisão de Laboratório Clínico (DLC) do Hospital Universitário da USP (HU/USP), de setembro de 2014 a agosto de 2016. Na primeira fase, os parâmetros de linguagem e legibilidade das IC foram avaliados pelos índices Fernández-Huerta (IFH), Flesch-Szigriszt (IFS), utilizando os programas de informática TextMeter® e INFLESZ®. Os textos de IC foram traduzidos para o espanhol e utilizados para validação dos índices IFH e IFS para a língua portuguesa. Na segunda fase, as IC foram reestruturadas e os parâmetros de linguagem e legibilidade foram analisados e comparados com as IC anteriores. O perfil sócio educacional dos usuários e uma lista dos problemas relacionados obtenção de amostras de biológicas foram obtidos na DLC. Resultados: Quanto aos parâmetros de linguagem, o número de linhas por IC, de palavras proparoxítonas e polissilábicas foi similar entre as IC anteriores e novas (p>0,05). Enquanto que o número de termos técnicos e de palavras por frase foi menor, e número de orações subordinadas e coordenadas e ordem inversas das palavras foi maior nas IC novas (p<0,05). O escore do IFH (58,4 ± 8,8) foi menor que o do IFS (62,3 ± 6,8, p=0,019) para 27 IC anteriores, mas não diferiu para as 40 IC novas (p=0,162). Os escores de IFS e IFH das IC novas em português foram similares aos das traduzidas para o espanhol, o que é indicativo de que esses índices são validos para a língua portuguesa. Os índices IFH e IFS de textos didáticos usados para avaliar o grau de escolaridade foram similares para o ensino fundamental (EF) I e II, mas foram menores para os dois últimos anos do ensino médio (EM). O número de IC com índices de legibilidade correspondentes aos textos didáticos destinados ao o 3º ano do EF II (32,7%, n=10) foi menor que o número de IC novas (52,5%, n=21), mas a diferença não foi significativa (p=0,280). Os percentuais de gênero e a cor autodeclarada foram similares entre as duas fases do estudo. Entretanto menos jovens (<34 anos), mais idosos (>50 anos) e mais usuários com EF, EM e ensino superior completo foram atendidos, na segunda fase do estudo (p<0,05). Foram identificadas mais falhas de orientação na primeira fase (n=11) que na segunda (n=22) mas sem diferença significativa (p=1,000). Conclusão: Os parâmetros de linguagem e legibilidade melhoraram após a reestruturação das novas IC. A análise de legibilidade contribui para a comunicação do laboratório clinico com os usuários e pode influenciar positivamente a qualidade da fase pré-analítica do processo laboratorial. / Introduction: Communication in public health is a tool to promote health and access to information. The improvement of communication between the clinical laboratory and the users constitutes a right of the public health service user and it is presents potential for the reduction of analytical errors from the pre-analytic phase and consequent improvement of patient safety. This work aimed to evaluate the adequacy of the written language used in the communication between the clinical laboratory and the users as well as its influence on the quality of the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory process. Materials and Methods: Collection instruction leaflet (CIL) from the Clinical Laboratory Division (DLC) of the University Hospital of USP (HU/USP) were analyzed from September 2014 to August 2016. In the first phase, the language and readability parameters of the CIL were evaluated by the Fernández-Huerta indexes (IFH), Flesch-Szigriszt (IFS), using the TextMeter® and INFLESZ® software programs. CIL texts were translated into Spanish and used for validation of the IFH and IFS indexes for Portuguese language. In the second phase, the CIL were restructured and the language and readability parameters were analyzed and compared with the previous CIL. The socioeconomic profile of the users and a list of problems related to obtaining biological samples were obtained in the DLC. Results: Regarding the language parameters, the number of lines per CIL and the proparoxytone and polysyllabic words was similar between the previous and new CIL (p> 0.05). While the number of technical terms and words per sentence were smaller, and number of subordinate and coordinated sentences and inverse order of words was higher in the new CIL (p<0.05). The IFH score (58.4 ± 8.8) was lower than the IFS score (62.3 ± 6.8, p = 0.019) for 27 previous CIL, but did not differ for the 40 new CIL (p = 0.162). The IFS and IFI scores of the new CIL in Portuguese were similar to those translated into Spanish, which is indicative of the fact that these indices are valid for the Portuguese language. The IFH and IFS indexes for didactic texts used to assess the educational level were similar for elementary education (EF) I and II, but were lower for the last two years of secondary education (MS). The number of CIL with readability indexes corresponding to the didactic texts for the 3th year of EF II (32.7%, n=10) was lower than the number of new CIL (52.5%, n=21), but the difference was not significant (p=0.280). The percentages of gender and self-reported color were similar between the two phases of the study. However, young adults people (<34 years), older people (>50 years) and more users with EF, MS and complete higher education were attended in the second phase of the study (p<0.05). More guiding failures were identified in the first phase (n=11) than in the second (n=22) but no significant difference (p=1,000). Conclusion: The language and readability parameters improved after the restructuring of the new CIL. The readability analysis contributes to the communication of the clinical laboratory with the users and can positively influence the quality of the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory process.

Science fiction has long promised the digitalization of books. Characters in films and television routinely check their palm-sized (or smaller) electronic displays for fast-scrolling information. However, this very technology, increasingly prevalent in today's world, has not been embraced universally. While the convenience of pocket-sized information pieces has the techno-savvy entranced, the general public still greets the advent of the e-book with a curious reluctance. This lack of enthusiasm seems strange in the face of the many advantages offered by the new medium - vastly superior storage capacity, searchability, portability, lower cost, and instantaneous access. This dissertation addresses the need for research examining the reading comprehension and the role emotional response plays in the perceived performance on e-document formats as compared to traditional paper format. This study compares the relative reading comprehension on three formats (Kindle, iTouch, and paper) and examines the relationship of subject's emotional response and relative technology exposure as factors that affect how the subject perceives they have performed on those formats. This study demonstrates that, for basic reading comprehension, the medium does not matter. Furthermore, it shows that, the more uncomfortable a person is with technology and expertise in the requested task (in this case, reading), the more they cling to the belief that they will do better on traditional (paper) media - regardless of how well they actually do.

Cette thèse interroge la typographie contemporaine au prisme du postmodernisme des années 1980 jusqu'au début des années 2000 afin de montrer que celle-ci va au-delà du simple outil de communication visuelle et de technique d'impression. Dans ce but, cette recherche revient sur l'histoire de la typographie pour en soulever les problématiques récurrentes (idéal de beauté, lisibilité, pluridisciplinarité) retravaillées et ré-étudiées par le postmodernisme. Outre les effets stylistique, le postmodernisme se pose en opposition et réaction au modernisme qu'il remet en cause en tant que modèle dominant. Les problématiques qui découlent de cette remise en question, interrogent la légitimité du designer ainsi que sa place dans la société, dans le processus de création. La typographie et son statut sont parties prenantes de ce débat qui permet de l'extraire du simple objet imprimé. Cette thèse interroge donc la possibilité de considérer la typographie comme objet esthétique et critique qui pense et se pense, à partir des discussions et travaux de cette période, ainsi qu'en s'appuyant tout particulièrement sur la recherche en design. Cette démarche permet également de mettre en perspective la recherche et les savoirs actuels autour de la typographie afin de faire émerger les paradoxes de cette dernière et d'aboutir à sa redéfinition. / This thesis is about contemporary typography in the light of postmodernism from the eighties to the early years of the new millenium in order to show that it goes beyond the mere tool of visual communication and printing technique. So the research relates the history of typography and raises the recurrent issues (ideal of beauty, lisiblility, multi-disciplinarity) worked out and studied by postmodernism. Beside the stylistic effects, postmodernism stands out by reaction to modernism which it questions as a prevailing pattern. The deriving problems raise the question of whether the designer is legitimate and what his/her position in society is, in the creative process. Typography and its status are part and parcel of this issue which helps take it from the mere printed object. Thus, this thesis raises the question of whether it is possible to consider typography as an aesthetic and critical object which thinks, from the talks and works of that period, by particularly drawing upon research in design. This process also helps put into perspective the analysis and current knowledge around typography in order to develop its paradoxes and lead to re-define its goal.

Software testing is widely considered to be one of the most important parts of software development life-cycle. In this research, we investigated potential improvements in the testing process and design of automated test scripts inside Bombardier Transportation. For the creation of automated test scripts BT is using a group of programs called TAF (Test Automation Framework). These scripts are used for testing Train Control Management System (TCMS), software that is used for managing the train. TAF can export its test scripts in XML format. XML scripts are analyzed in order to identify the most frequent changes. To better understand the life cycle of automated Test scripts official documentation that defines the Verification and Validation process inside BT was analyzed. Also, an interview was conducted with one of the responsible persons for testing. We believe that we have found a possible solution for improving testing process and creation of automated test scripts in BT, and to evaluate it proof of concept tool was developed. The main idea behind the tool is to write the test script using keywords which are based on analysis that was conducted on test specification documentation. These keywords represent frequent actions that are being tested on the train. By storing those actions in keywords re-usability of test script is being increased. Also, because they are based on naturally language, they are having positive effect on readability and maintenance of the test script.

The aim of this essay is to identify and find solutions to some of the difficulties occurring when translating into Swedish a French non-fiction book for children. Solid research has already been done about translating children’s literature. However, these studies often focus on novels and picture books and rarely non-fiction books. The source text used as primary material for our translation and the essay is an extract from the non-fiction book Petites et grandes histoires des animaux disparus, written and illustrated by Damien Laverdunt and Hélène Rajcak and published in 2010 by the French publishing house Actes Sud. The book presents 27 extinct animals and the history about them and their extinction. Basing this essay on research about translating for children, we will begin with an analysis of the skopos – Reiss and Vermeer’s skopos theory about aim and function – of the source and target text, to be able to conceive the translation for our target reader and the socio-cultural and linguistic context in which the reader is living. Monica Reichenberg’s study about different versions of text-books, and their effect on a Swedish child reader’s comprehension including strategies to create a dynamic and intelligible text, will then help us to find the correct translation strategy for our target text. Finally, cultural references and their translation will be discussed considering Venuti’s studies about “domestication” and “foreignization” and Oittinen’s theories about children’s literature and “domestication”. During the essay, the translator’s choices and the motivations behind them will all be discussed taking into consideration the skopos and the linguistic and socio-cultural context of the target reader.