This project aims to present machine tool characteristics which may induce limiting factors in terms of flexibility. The aim is also to present a current state description of the machine tools in the production system regarding their characteristics in terms of quantifiable results. This refers to visual presentation in the form of graphs of the distribution of these characteristics among the different machine tools. A literature study was conducted to attain knowledge of machine tools and how the literature defines machine tool flexibility. Based on this, the flexibility parameters were identified. The result illustrates the current state description of the machine tools found in Volvo truck’s factory in Köping. These machine tools are lathe machines, machine centers, gear cutting machines and grinding machines. The result presents a percentage breakdown for each parameter for each of the machine types regarding the number of machines which possess a specific characteristic. The result displayed various cases of data missing. In many cases only a small percentage of data was missing, thus this result should be a sufficient representation of the situation. Meanwhile in other cases more data was missing and it leads to the result being less accurate. Overall, the acquired data in most cases should be sufficient to provide a current state description of the machines in the factory. There is no clear definition of flexibility referenced by the literature, hence it is difficult to conduct a quantitative evaluation. Moreover, there are many parameters presented in this work which emphasizes the multidimensional complexity of the problem. The parameters presented in this project directly influence the type of operations required, geometrical complexity of the workpiece, number of setups and size of workpiece which the machine is capable of handling. The machines have been grouped into the four categories mentioned above. This was done to reduce the complexity of the problem, hence not investigating each sub-category of machine (for example hobbing, skiving, etc.) The work has chosen not to group the machines based on the article they process as this would require additional knowledge of the layout and flow of material in the factory. The chosen approach will provide more of a generic visualization. A method has been developed to present a current state description of a manufacturing system regarding machine tool flexibility and how they can be evaluated. This process includes data collection and documentation of machines tools for the flexibility parameters. Hence, it can be presented how the machines within each machine type possess a specific attribute in terms of numbers or fit within a certain interval. The purpose is to present visual results of the data to illustrate for the reader the distribution of the machine characteristics for each of the machine types and parameters. / Detta projekt har som mål att presentera egenskaper hos bearbetningsmaskiner som kan medföra begränsande faktorer kopplat till flexibilitet. Målet är också att presentera en nulägesbeskrivning av bearbetningsmaskinernas egenskaper i produktionssystemet i form av kvantifierbara resultat. Detta refererar till visuella presentationer i form av grafer angående distribueringen av dessa egenskaper bland de olika bearbetningsmaskinerna. En litteraturstudie har genomförts för att tillhandahålla kunskaper om bearbetningsmaskiner och hur litteraturen definierar flexibilitet hos bearbetningsmaskiner. Resultatet illustrerar nulägesbeskrivningen av bearbetningsmaskinerna som befinner sig i Volvo Trucks fabrik i Köping. Dessa bearbetningsmaskiner är svarvar, fleroperationsmaskiner, kuggbearbetningsmaskiner och slipmaskiner. Resultatet visar en procentuell uppdelning av varje parameter for varje maskintyp, angående antalet maskiner som besitter en viss typ av egenskap. Resultatet visade på olika fall av saknad av data. I många fall saknades endast en liten andel av data, därmed bör detta resultat ge en tillräcklig representation av situationen. I andra fall saknades mer data och det leder till att resultatet blir mindre exakt. Överlag bör den insamlade datan i de flesta fall vara tillräcklig för att presentera en nulägesbeskrivning av maskinerna i fabriken. Det finns ingen tydlig definition av flexibilitet som nämns i litteraturen, därmed medför detta svårigheter att utföra en kvantitativ utvärdering. Dessutom presenteras det många olika parametrar i detta arbete, vilket understryker problemets flerdimensionella komplexitet. Parametrarna presenterade i detta arbete påverkar direkt vilken typ av operation som behövs, geometriska komplexiteten av arbetsstycket, antalet uppspänningar och storleken på arbetsstycket som maskinen kan hantera. Maskinerna har grupperats i fyra olika kategorier som nämndes ovan. Detta gjordes för att minska komplexiteten av problemet, därmed undersöks inte underkategorierna av maskinerna (till exempel hobbing skiving etcetera). Arbetet har valt att inte gruppera maskinerna baserat på vilken artikel de bearbetar, eftersom detta skulle behöva ytterligare kunskaper om layouten och flödet av material i fabriken. Det valda tillvägagångssättet ger en mer generell visualisering. En metod har tagits fram för att presentera en nulägesbeskrivning av ett produktionssystem med avseende på flexibiliteten hos bearbetningsmaskiner och hur de kan utvärderas. Denna process inkluderar datainsamling och dokumentation av flexibilitetsparametrarna hos bearbetningsmaskinerna. Därmed kan det presenteras hur maskinerna inom varje maskintyp besitter en specifik egenskap i form av siffror eller passar inom ett specifikt intervall. Syftet är att presentera visuella resultat av datan för att illustrera för läsaren om distribueringen av maskinegenskaperna för varje maskintyp och parameter.

Orientador: Manoel Cleber de Sampaio Alves / Resumo: A superliga de níquel VAT 32® foi desenvolvida como um substituto da liga UNS N07751 (Inconel 151) na fabricação de válvulas automotivas para motores de combustão interna de alto desempenho. A formação de carbonetos de nióbio confere a esta liga elevada resistência ao desgaste, desejada na aplicação em válvulas automotivas, criando-se, porém, uma maior dificuldade na usinagem deste material. Este trabalho estudou o torneamento da liga VAT 32® com quatro tipos de ferramentas de corte. São elas insertos de metal duro com diferentes revestimentos, Ti(C,N) + Al2O3 pelo processo de deposição química de vapor (chemical vapor deposition – CVD), e revestimento de Ti-Al-Si-N pelo processo de deposição física de vapor (physical vapor deposition – PVD), pastilhas de nitreto cúbico de boro (cBN) e pastilhas experimentais de Al2O3 + MgO. Através do método de Taguchi de planejamento experimental, foram obtidas as combinações e os efeitos principais dos parâmetros velocidade de corte, avanço da ferramenta, profundidade de usinagem e tipo de lubrificação (seco ou em abundância) para otimizar cada uma das variáveis respostas, sendo elas potência de usinagem, desgaste das ferramentas, qualidade superficial das peças usinadas, e os sinais de emissão acústica e vibração do processo. Foram obtidos também, através da análise da razão sinal-ruído (S/N) de Taguchi, a composição dos parâmetros de corte em que o processo apresentou menor variabilidade das características de qualidade, o chamado proces... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: VAT 32® is a nickel based super alloy developed to substitute UNS N07751 alloy in production of automotive valves for high performance internal combustion engines. The formation of niobium carbides gives to this alloy a high resistance to wear, desired in the application in automotive valves, creating however, a greater difficulty in the machining of this material. This thesis aimed the study of VAT 32® turning with four different cutting tools. The tested tools were Ti(C,N)+Al2O3 coated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) carbide inserts, Ti-Al-Si-N coated by physical vapor deposition (PVD) carbide inserts, cubic boron nitrite (cBN) inserts and experimental Al2O3+MgO ceramic inserts. Optimal combination of the cutting parameters and main effects of the factors speed of cutting, tool feed, depth of cutting and lubrication condition (dry and abundant) in turning of VAT 32® were found using Taguchi’s method as a design of experiment (DOE). The analyzed response variables were machining power, tool wear, surface quality of the machined pieces, chips format and acoustic emission and vibration signals of the process. It was also obtained in this work the robust process with the analysis of signal to noise ratio (S/N) where cutting parameters for smaller process variability were found. Finally, the multi-objective optimization method called Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) was used to find optimal cutting conditions for each tested tools. These optimal conditions were used in a tool l... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

The search for increased productivity and cost reduction in machining can be interpreted as the desire to increase the material removal rate, MRR, and maximize the cutting tool utilization. The CNC process is complex and involves numerous limitations and parameters, ranging from tolerances to machinability. A well-managed preparation process creates the foundations for achieving a reduction in manufacturing errors and machining time. Along the preparation process of the NC-program, two different studies have been conducted and are presented in this thesis. One study examined the CAM programming preparation process from the Lean perspective. The other study includes an evaluation of how the cutting tools are used in terms of MRR and tool utilization. The material removal rate is defined as the product of three variables, namely the cutting speed, the feed and the depth of cut, which all constitute the cutting data. Tool life is the amount of time that a cutting tool can be used and is mainly dependent on the same variables. Two different combinations of cutting data might provide the same MRR, however the tool life will be different. Thereby the difficulty is to select the cutting data to maximize both MRR and cutting tool utilization. A model for the analysis and efficient selection of cutting data for maximal MRR and maximal tool utilization has been developed and is presented. The presented model shortens the time dedicated to the optimized cutting data selection and the needed iterations along the program development.

Магистерская диссертация выполнена на тему: «Исследование износа и стойкости токарных резцов с алмазоподобным покрытием». Расчётно-пояснительная записка содержит 94 листа, 86 рисунков, 6 таблиц, 23 источника, 1 приложение. Объектом исследования данной работы являются токарные резцы с алмазоподобным покрытием. Цель работы – определить наиболее благоприятные условия работы токарных резцов с алмазоподобным покрытием. В результате выполнения работы были проведены исследования износа алмазоподобного покрытия на токарных резцах, построены и проанализированы графики зависимостей этих износов. Проведен анализ полученных результатов и выдвинута гипотеза об еще одной возможной причине разрушения покрытия, в то время как остальные известные причины устранены. Разработаны конструкции токарных резцов и проведено исследование предлагаемой гипотезы. По результатам исследования проведен расчет прочности и подтверждена предлагаемая гипотеза. / The master's dissertation is carried out on the topic: "Investigation of wear and resistance of cutting tools with a diamond-like coating". The settlement and explanatory note contains 94 sheets, 86 figures, 6 tables, 23 sources, 1 attachment. The object of research in this work is diamond-coated lathe tools. The purpose of the work is to determine the most favorable working conditions for lathe tools with a diamond-like coating. In the course of the work, the study of the wear of the diamond-like coating on lathe tools at various cutting modes was carried out, the graphs of the dependences of these wear in time were built and analyzed. The analysis of the results obtained is carried out and a hypothesis is put forward about another possible cause of the destruction of the coating, while the other known causes have been eliminated. To confirm the hypothesis, the designs of lathe tools were developed and a study was carried out. According to the results of the study, the strength calculation was carried out, the proposed hypothesis was confirmed.

A major focus in nursing education is on the judgement of clinical performance, and it is a complex process due to the diverse nature of nursing practice. Difficulties in the development of valid and reliable assessment measures in nursing competency continue to pose a challenge in nursing education. A holistic approach in the assessment of competency comprises knowledge, skills and professional attitudes, wherein the notion of competency incorporates professional judgement and management skills in the clinical situation. Therefore, the thesis aims to develop a holistic clinical assessment tool with a reasonable level of validity and reliability to meet the needs of clinical education. The conceptual framework underlying this research is formed by establishing a theoretical connection between the practice of learning, and of pedagogy and assessment. This research consists of five studies. In Study I, a systematic review was conducted to explore the current assessment practices and tools for nursing undergraduates. In Studies II, III and IV, a qualitative approach with focus group discussions was adopted to explore the views of final-year undergraduate nursing students, preceptors, clinical nurse leaders and academics on the clinical assessment. Based on the multiple perspectives, it therefore addresses concerns in clinical assessment. In Study V, a holistic clinical assessment tool was developed, for which a psychometric testing was conducted. The systematic review indicated that limited studies adequately evaluate the psychometric properties of the assessment instrument. The qualitative studies have raised an awareness of professional and educational issues in relation to clinical assessment. Workload, time, availability of resources, adequate preparation of preceptors, and availability of valid and reliable clinical assessment tools were deemed to influence the quality of students’ clinical learning and assessment. In addition, the presence of support systems and formal educational programs for preceptors influenced their preparation and self-confidence. Nursing leaderships in hospitals and educational institutions have a joint responsibility in shaping the holistic clinical learning environment and making holistic clinical assessment for students. The involvement of all stakeholders in the development of a valid and reliable assessment tool for clinical competency is also essential to the process. The Holistic Clinical Assessment Tool (HCAT) was developed by the author based on the systematic review, qualitative findings and the core competencies of registered nurse from the professional nursing boards. The HCAT consists of 4 domains and 36 assessment items. Furthermore, testing of the psychometric properties indicated that the HCAT has satisfactory content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In conclusion, the HCAT is meritorious in that it carries the potential to be used as a valid measure to evaluate clinical competency in nursing students, and provide specific and ongoing feedback to enhance the students’ holistic clinical learning experience. The HCAT not only functions as a tool for self-reflection for the students, but also guides the preceptors in clinical teaching and assessment. In addition, the HCAT can be used for peer-assessment and feedback. It is imperative that the clinical and academic institutions establish various levels of ongoing support for both students and preceptors in the process of clinical assessment.

For several years, research work has been carried out at the University of Canterbury aimed at the development of a rapid prototyping and manufacturing process referred to as Robotic Foam Sculpting (RFS). This system uses a six-axis industrial robot and electrically-heated hot-wire and hot-blade tools to sculpt desired parts from blocks of polystyrene foam. The vision for this system is that it will be able to rapidly create large volume foam models at low cost, for a range of potential applications. Parts produced by the RFS system can potentially be used as investment casting patterns, cores for sculptures and architectural details, demonstration and testing models, wind tunnel test models, and many other potential applications. At the beginning of the work reported in this thesis, there was very little understanding of the nature of the surfaces produced by hot-tool cutting of foam, very little knowledge of the range of input cutting conditions that affected the surface quality, and almost no understanding of the relationships between the cutting strategy and the nature of the surfaces being produced. In addition, there was little evidence of published work on these subjects that was sufficiently robust to be applicable to the RFS system. This research was concerned with rectifying this gap in the existing knowledge. There were a number of different focal areas for this research. These included the surface texture of surfaces cut with hot tools, the effects of cutting strategy on the surface quality in single-pass cutting of foam, the effects of cutting strategy on the surface quality in multi-pass cutting, and the application of a current-control system to control the surface quality in real time during a cut. In each of the focal areas the goal was to develop a detailed understanding of the nature of the different aspects of surface quality, to map the factor interactions and dependencies that controlled these aspects of surface quality, to develop methods for predicting the expected surface quality based on cutting strategy (and vice versa) and to develop techniques for minimising the surface errors. The detailed investigation of the surface texture of surfaces produced with hot-tool cutting is presented in Chapter 4. This chapter explores the characteristic nature of foam surfaces, presents the development of a method of measuring the surface texture of foam, and investigates the usefulness of a range of standard texture parameters for assessing foam surface quality. It is concluded in this chapter that common texture parameters based on the relative heights of surface features are not capable of reliably discriminating between different foam surfaces, so a new texture parameter (the 10%-Height Contiguous Diameter) is developed and implemented. Using this parameter, it is possible to reliably predict the surface texture to be expected for a given set of cutting conditions. Investigations of the cutting strategy in single-pass cutting are presented in Chapter 5. This chapter identifies the two key aspects of surface quality in single-pass cutting, the kerfwidth and the surface barrelling. Experimental work is carried out to investigate the relationships between these errors and the cutting strategy, and the factors that influence each of them are identified. In addition, statistical models are developed for the kerf along the length of a cut so that the kerf can be predicted based on cutting conditions. This chapter also includes a study of the cutting force in single-pass cutting, and develops models that allow the prediction of the expected cutting force for a given cutting strategy. A detailed study of the cutting strategy for multi-pass cutting is presented in Chapter 6. This study identifies the most significant surface errors in multi-pass cutting and determines the causes of each of these errors and the factor interactions and dependencies that have to be considered when developing a multi-pass cutting strategy. Once again, statistical models that allow the prediction of these surface errors based on cutting strategy, or the evaluation of cutting strategy parameters to achieve a desired surface quality, are developed. The models for cutting force in single-pass cutting are applied to multi-pass cutting, and it is found that these models can accurately predict the force in multi-pass cutting as well. The characterisation of the acoustic output in hot-tool cutting forms the subject matter of Chapter 7. This study establishes that the magnitude of the acoustic output is proportional to the cutting force experienced during the cut, and is therefore potentially suitable for use as a trigger signal for feedback current control. This would allow an acoustic signal to be used instead of the current force signal, which has a number of drawbacks that will be discussed in Chapter 2, the Background Material chapter. The specific trigger signal identified as being of most use is the acoustic output in the 4 – 12 kHz band, where the presence of any non-zero acoustic output above background noise is a reliable and repeatable indicator of the presence of thermomechanical cutting. The work presented in this thesis provides a detailed, quantitative, evidence-based and reliable understanding of the nature of the cutting strategy in hot-tool cutting of foam. The key cutting strategy parameters and the important aspects of surface quality for different cutting types are identified, the relationships between all these parameters are mapped, and quantitative models are developed that allow the output metrics like the surface quality or the cutting force to be predicted with a high degree of accuracy based on the input cutting strategy conditions. Armed with this understanding, it is possible to determine the most suitable cutting strategy for sculpting a given part, and to assess whether a given part can be sculpted with the RFS system. As such, the research problem posed at the start of this thesis has been largely solved, and the stage is set for further research to optimise the cutting strategy for sculpting different parts and to correct the remaining drawbacks of the RFS system to complete the development of a commercially-useful manufacturing system.

Objective: To determine the extent to which aspects of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3) or Child SCAT3 (C-SCAT3), and the King-Devick Test (KDT) predict Three-Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking (3D-MOT) speed. Participants: A sample of 304 healthy, non-concussed participants with a sporting history (101 females, 203 males) ranging in age from 7-29 years (mean age = 16.05 +/- 4.36) were included in the analysis. Methods: Participants completed the SCAT3, KDT and 3D-MOT in a single visit. Data Analysis: A regression analysis was performed to determine the extent to which aspects of the SCAT3 (immediate memory (IM), coordination (COOR), delayed recall (DR)), and the KDT predicted 3D-MOT speed. Results: Using the stepwise method, it was found that KDT, DR and COOR explain a significant amount of the variance in the speed of the 3D-MOT (F(3, 256)) = 11.82, p < .000 with an R2 = .12. The analysis shows that KDT (Beta = -0.01, p < .000), DR (Beta = 0.07, p < .02), and COOR (Beta = .23, p < .03), were significant predictors of 3D-MOT speed. Conclusions: This study suggests that the KDT, DR, and COOR significantly account for 12% of the 3D-MOT scores, however, there is a large portion of variability unaccounted for by the SCAT3 or C-SCAT3 and KDT. This shows that 3D-MOT likely accounts for central cognitive functions above and beyond the SCAT3 or C-SCAT3 and KDT. Future studies should examine this relationship at baseline, post-injury, and through concussion recovery. This could provide valuable information to better inform clinicians responsible for making return to play determinations. Keywords: Concussion, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, 3D-MOT, King-Devick Test, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3, Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3. / Graduate / 0769 / 0633 / 0566 / oslundk@uvic.ca

<p>Cilj istraživanja realizovanih u ovom radu, bio je je da se formalno opišu mogući pristupi transformacijama različitih opisa baza podataka iz jednog modela podataka u drugi i praktično provere kroz njihovu implementaciju u okviru jednog CASE alata, namenjenog projektovanju informacionih sistema i baza podataka. U skladu sa postavljenim ciljem definisan je metodološki pristup i softversko okruženje IIS*Ree koje omogućava visok nivo automatizacije procesa reinženjeringa informacionih sistema. Okruženje IIS*Ree, zasnovano na MDSD principima, kao krajnji rezultat generiše šemu baze podataka u izabranom ciljnom, konceptualnom ili implementacionom modelu podataka, kao i prototip aplikacije.</p> / <p>The goal of the research presented in this paper is to formally specify approaches to transformation of database specifications between different data models. The transformations are then to be implemented and tested using a CASE tool for modelling information systems and databases. Following this goal, a methodological approach is defined together with a software named IIS*Ree that provides a high level of automation of the information system reengineering process. The IIS*Ree software, developed in accordance to MDSD principles, generates database schemas specified in a target, conceptual or implementation data model, as well as application prototypes.</p>

Fatores psicossociais não são rotineiramente identificados na avaliação fisioterapêutica e podem influenciar no prognóstico de pacientes com dor lombar. O questionário STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) foi criado para distinguir subgrupos dentre pacientes com dor lombar em relação ao prognóstico no tratamento considerando fatores físicos e psicossociais, classificando-os em baixo, médio e alto risco de mau prognóstico. Objetivo: Traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente o SBST para Língua Portuguesa do Brasil, testar a confiabilidade e validade de construto. Métodos: A primeira etapa consistiu na tradução, síntese, retro-tradução, revisão pelo grupo de tradução, pré-teste e avaliação dos documentos pelo Comitê. A versão pré-final foi aplicada em duas amostras de 52 pacientes cada, com dor lombar, ambos os sexos, idade acima de 18 anos e níveis educacionais variados. Para verificação da confiabilidade intra-avaliador, foram realizadas duas entrevistas em outra amostra de 50 pacientes, e os resultados analisados pelo Kappa ponderado quadrado. Também foram calculados a consistência interna usando de Cronbach (n=105), o erro padrão da medida (n=50) e a validade de construto (n=151), correlacionando o SBST-Brasil com as versões brasileiras do Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Rolland Morris (Brasil- RM) e Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire para trabalho (FABQ-Work) e atividade física (FABQ-Phys). Resultados: O consenso foi atingido nas etapas de tradução e retrotradução, apenas o item 6 não foi compreendido e depois de reformulado foi reaplicado em outros 52 pacientes que não tiveram mais dúvida. A confiabilidade foi considerada substancial (0,79 - 95% IC 0,63 0,95), a consistência interna aceitável (0,74 pontuação total e 0,72 da subescala psicossocial), e o valor do erro de padrão da medida muito bom (1,9%). Em relação à validação, a pontuação total do SBST- Brasil mostrou alta correlação com o Brasil-RM (r=0,61), moderada correlação com o ODI (r = 0,56) e FABQ-Work (r=0,3) e fraca correlação com o FABQ-Phys (r = 0,18). Já a subescala psicossocial mostrou correlação moderada com o Brasil-RM (r =0,49) e ODI (r =0,47) e fraca correlação com o FABQ-Work (r =0,24) e FABQ-Phys (r =0,21). Além disso, a estratificação dos grupos de risco do SBST-Brasil foi compatível com os valores de classificação do ODI, Brasil-RM e FABQ-Phys para risco de mau prognóstico. Conclusão: O SBST-Brasil mostrou-se confiável e válido para avaliar a influência de fatores psicossociais em pacientes com dor lombar. / Psychosocial factors are not usually identified on physiotherapy assessment, what influences on low back pain prognosis. The questionnaire STarT Back Screening Tool\" (SBST) was created to identify patients with potentially treatment modifiable prognostic influenced by physical and psychosocial indicators which are relevant to initial decision making, classifying them into low, medium and high risk categories. Aim: Translation and cross-culturally adaptation of the SBST into Brazilian-Portuguese, assess its reliability and construct validity. Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process involved the steps of Translation, Synthesis, Back-translation, Committee Revision, Pretesting and Submission the documents to the Committee. The pre-final version was applied to two samples of 52 patients each, with low back pain, both sexes, aged over 18 years, from different education levels. After that, two interviews assessed intra-rater reliability on a different sample of 50 patients, and the quadratic weighted Kappa was used for statistical analysis. The Cronbach´s alpha was also calculated for internal consistency (n=105), standard error measurement (n=50) and construct validity (n=151) analyzing the correlation between the SBST-Brasil and the Brazilian version of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Rolland Morris (Brasil- RM) and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire for work (FABQ-Work) and physical activity (FABQ-Phys). Results: Consensus was found on translations and back-translations processes, and only the item 6, which patients had some difficulty in understanding, was reviewed and re-applied to 52 additional subjects with no difficulties being reported. The reliability was classified as substantial (0.79 - 95% CI 0.63 0.95), the internal consistency acceptable (0.74 for total score and 0.72 for psychosocial subscale score) and a very good standard measurement error (1.9%). The correlation between the SBST-Brasil total score and Brasil- RM was high (r =0.61), moderate with ODI (r = 0.56) and with FABQ-Work (r = 0.3), and low correlation with FABQ-Phys (r = 0,18). Moderate correlation was found with SBST psychosocial subscale score and Brasil-RM (r = 0.49), also with ODI (r = 0.47), and low correlation with FABQ-Work (r = 0.24) and FABQ-Phys (r = 0.21). After that, the stratification of SBST-Brasil risk groups was compatible with ODI, Brasil-RM and FABQPhys classification for risk of poor prognosis. Conclusion: The SBST-Brasil has shown a reliable and valid tool to screen and identify low back pain patients influenced by psychosocial factors.

Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Wirkung von Lernsoftware durch eine Kausalkette vom verstehenden Lernen (Edelmann, 1996) über generative Aktivitäten (Wittrock, 1990) hin zu computergestützten kognitiven Lernwerkzeugen (Jonassen, 1992)in seiner Gesamtheit empirisch nachzuweisen. Dazu wurde eine digitale Lern- und Testumgebung geschaffen, in deren Mittelpunkt ein Beschriftungswerkzeug, ein Operatorentool sowie eine Simulation standen. Mit ihrer Hilfe sollten Aufbau, Funktionsweise und Bedienung einer einfachen technischen Anlage erlernt werden. Erhoben wurden Maße des Lernprozesses (Zeit, Eingaben) und des Lernerfolges (Wissenstest, Handlungsaufgaben). Im Rahmen eines klassischen Lernexperiments im Labor wurde in einer ersten Testreihe kein oder eins der 3 Tools zum freiwilligen Gebrauch angeboten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein jedes Lernwerkzeug seine Nutzer in zusätzliche generative Aktivitäten verwickelt. Darüber hinaus bewirken sie auf Grund der Interaktionsmöglichkeiten, der repräsentierbaren Inhalte sowie der Visualisierungsform eine Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierung auf einzelne Lerninhalte. Demzufolge verbessert sich die Güte des mentalen Modells toolbedingt vor allem in entsprechenden Teilfacetten. Der statistische Vergleich dieser Ergebnisse mit älteren Daten einer parallelen Testreihe (Wipper, 2004) ergab keine bedeutenden Unterschiede, was auf eine Allgemeingültigkeit dieses Effekts hinweist. Im Rahmen einer zweiten Studie wurden die 3 Werkzeuge in einer Lernumgebung kombiniert angeboten. Im Resultat ergänzten sich die fokussierenden Wirkungen der Einzelapplikationen additiv zu einem ausgeglichenen mentalen Modell. Darüber hinaus war das Leistungsniveau jener Nutzer in allen Maßen des Lernprozesses und -erfolgs konstant höher als das aller anderen Probanden. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die bereits existierenden Hinweise auf die eingangs erwähnte Kausalkette bzgl. des verstehenden Lernens mit Hilfe eines Computers. / In the light of instructional psychology the outcome of computer based learning aids can be described as a chain of causation consisting of constructivist forms of knowledge acquisition (Edelmann, 1996), generative processes (Wittrock, 1990) and digital mind tools (Jonassen, 1992). Aim of the present work is to proof this causal assumption empirically. Therefore, a computer based learning and testing environment was set up. It based on 3 single digital mind tools, which are supposed to help learning the construction, functionality and handling of a simple deterministic plant for soap production. Additionally, paper & pencil were provided. The measured variables cover the learning process (e.g. time, inputs) and the learning outcome (multiple-choice test, operating test). In a first series of 4 laboratory experiments 109 students were given no or one of the digital mind tools. In result, all 3 means initiate new generative processes. But the mental models of their users are not more sophisticated in whole. There was improvement in special areas, depending on characteristics of the tools (interaction modes, representable content, and visualisation). The findings were statistically compared to older data of a parallel test series (Wipper, 2004) but only marginal differences occurred. In a further laboratory experiment 98 students were given a combination of the 3 digital mind tools mentioned above. This hybrid learning environment initiates new generative processes as well. Because of an additional combination of the focussing effects caused by the tools, the mental model of its users is comprehensively more sophisticated now. Moreover, those people reach constantly much higher scores in all measures than the other subjects. The findings confirm the causal chain mentioned at the beginning.