Laboratory Investigation of Bridge Strip Seal Joint Termination Details, SPR RB08-014, 2016

Bridge expansion joints, if not properly designed, constructed, and maintained, often lead to the deterioration of critical substructure elements. Strip seal expansion joints consisting of a steel extrusion and neoprene gland are one type of expansion joint and are commonly used by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Strip seal expansion joints are susceptible to tears and pull outs that allow water, chlorides, and debris to infiltrate the joint, and subsequently the bearings below. One area of the strip seal that is particularly problematic is where it terminates at the interface between the deck and the barrier rail. The Iowa DOT has noted that the initial construction quality of the current strip seal termination detail is not satisfactory, nor ideal, and a need exists for re-evaluation and possibly re-design of this detail. Desirable qualities of a strip seal termination detail provide a seal that is simple and fast to construct, facilitate quick gland removal and installation, and provide a reliable, durable barrier to prevent chloride-contaminated water from reaching the substructure. To meet the objectives of this research project, several strip seal termination details were evaluated in the laboratory. Alternate termination details may not only function better than the current Iowa DOT standard, but are also less complicated to construct, facilitating better quality control. However, uncertainties still exist regarding the long-term effects of using straight-through details, with or without the dogleg, that could not be answered in the laboratory in the short time frame of the research project.

Transcriptome analyses of primitively eusocial wasps reveal novel insights into the evolution of sociality and the origin of alternative phenotypes

BACKGROUND: Understanding how alternative phenotypes arise from the same genome is a major challenge in modern biology. Eusociality in insects requires the evolution of two alternative phenotypes - workers, who sacrifice personal reproduction, and queens, who realize that reproduction. Extensive work on honeybees and ants has revealed the molecular basis of derived queen and worker phenotypes in highly eusocial lineages, but we lack equivalent deep-level analyses of wasps and of primitively eusocial species, the latter of which can reveal how phenotypic decoupling first occurs in the early stages of eusocial evolution. RESULTS: We sequenced 20 Gbp of transcriptomes derived from brains of different behavioral castes of the primitively eusocial tropical paper wasp Polistes canadensis. Surprisingly, 75% of the 2,442 genes differentially expressed between phenotypes were novel, having no significant homology with described sequences. Moreover, 90% of these novel genes were significantly upregulated in workers relative to queens. Differential expression of novel genes in the early stages of sociality may be important in facilitating the evolution of worker behavioral complexity in eusocial evolution. We also found surprisingly low correlation in the identity and direction of expression of differentially expressed genes across similar phenotypes in different social lineages, supporting the idea that social evolution in different lineages requires substantial de novo rewiring of molecular pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These genomic resources for aculeate wasps and first transcriptome-wide insights into the origin of castes bring us closer to a more general understanding of eusocial evolution and how phenotypic diversity arises from the same genome.

Gestió dels recursos docents en el marc de l'EEES

L'Espai Europeu d'Educació Superior comporta un canvi de paradigma molt important, com ésl'adopció d'un procés d'aprenentatge basat en l'adquisició i desenvolupament de competències mitjançant activitats, relegant els continguts a un segon terme. El propi concepte d'activitat inclou i combina elements molt diversos que involucren recursos docents de tota mena, tot abastant un ventall més ampli del que s'entén estrictament per contingut en el sentit tradicional. És necessari, doncs, plantejar-se una gestió dels recursos docents orientada a facilitar la creació d'itineraris formatius que permetin als estudiants assolir les competències desitjades, així com complementar la seva formació. En lloc de proporcionar els continguts directament als estudiants, l'objectiu és aconseguir un procés d'aprenentatge centrat en l'usuari mitjançant la formació que els permeti ser autònoms en la localització, l'ús i fins i tot la generació de continguts necessaris en cada activitat.

Tapping the innovation potential of corporate engagement with stakeholders

Summary This dissertation explores how stakeholder dialogue influences corporate processes, and speculates about the potential of this phenomenon - particularly with actors, like non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other representatives of civil society, which have received growing attention against a backdrop of increasing globalisation and which have often been cast in an adversarial light by firms - as a source of teaming and a spark for innovation in the firm. The study is set within the context of the introduction of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in Europe. Its significance lies in the fact that scientific developments and new technologies are being generated at an unprecedented rate in an era where civil society is becoming more informed, more reflexive, and more active in facilitating or blocking such new developments, which could have the potential to trigger widespread changes in economies, attitudes, and lifestyles, and address global problems like poverty, hunger, climate change, and environmental degradation. In the 1990s, companies using biotechnology to develop and offer novel products began to experience increasing pressure from civil society to disclose information about the risks associated with the use of biotechnology and GMOs, in particular. Although no harmful effects for humans or the environment have been factually demonstrated even to date (2008), this technology remains highly-contested and its introduction in Europe catalysed major companies to invest significant financial and human resources in stakeholder dialogue. A relatively new phenomenon at the time, with little theoretical backing, dialogue was seen to reflect a move towards greater engagement with stakeholders, commonly defined as those "individuals or groups with which. business interacts who have a 'stake', or vested interest in the firm" (Carroll, 1993:22) with whom firms are seen to be inextricably embedded (Andriof & Waddock, 2002). Regarding the organisation of this dissertation, Chapter 1 (Introduction) describes the context of the study, elaborates its significance for academics and business practitioners as an empirical work embedded in a sector at the heart of the debate on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Chapter 2 (Literature Review) traces the roots and evolution of CSR, drawing on Stakeholder Theory, Institutional Theory, Resource Dependence Theory, and Organisational Learning to establish what has already been developed in the literature regarding the stakeholder concept, motivations for engagement with stakeholders, the corporate response to external constituencies, and outcomes for the firm in terms of organisational learning and change. I used this review of the literature to guide my inquiry and to develop the key constructs through which I viewed the empirical data that was gathered. In this respect, concepts related to how the firm views itself (as a victim, follower, leader), how stakeholders are viewed (as a source of pressure and/or threat; as an asset: current and future), corporate responses (in the form of buffering, bridging, boundary redefinition), and types of organisational teaming (single-loop, double-loop, triple-loop) and change (first order, second order, third order) were particularly important in building the key constructs of the conceptual model that emerged from the analysis of the data. Chapter 3 (Methodology) describes the methodology that was used to conduct the study, affirms the appropriateness of the case study method in addressing the research question, and describes the procedures for collecting and analysing the data. Data collection took place in two phases -extending from August 1999 to October 2000, and from May to December 2001, which functioned as `snapshots' in time of the three companies under study. The data was systematically analysed and coded using ATLAS/ti, a qualitative data analysis tool, which enabled me to sort, organise, and reduce the data into a manageable form. Chapter 4 (Data Analysis) contains the three cases that were developed (anonymised as Pioneer, Helvetica, and Viking). Each case is presented in its entirety (constituting a `within case' analysis), followed by a 'cross-case' analysis, backed up by extensive verbatim evidence. Chapter 5 presents the research findings, outlines the study's limitations, describes managerial implications, and offers suggestions for where more research could elaborate the conceptual model developed through this study, as well as suggestions for additional research in areas where managerial implications were outlined. References and Appendices are included at the end. This dissertation results in the construction and description of a conceptual model, grounded in the empirical data and tied to existing literature, which portrays a set of elements and relationships deemed important for understanding the impact of stakeholder engagement for firms in terms of organisational learning and change. This model suggests that corporate perceptions about the nature of stakeholder influence the perceived value of stakeholder contributions. When stakeholders are primarily viewed as a source of pressure or threat, firms tend to adopt a reactive/defensive posture in an effort to manage stakeholders and protect the firm from sources of outside pressure -behaviour consistent with Resource Dependence Theory, which suggests that firms try to get control over extemal threats by focussing on the relevant stakeholders on whom they depend for critical resources, and try to reverse the control potentially exerted by extemal constituencies by trying to influence and manipulate these valuable stakeholders. In situations where stakeholders are viewed as a current strategic asset, firms tend to adopt a proactive/offensive posture in an effort to tap stakeholder contributions and connect the organisation to its environment - behaviour consistent with Institutional Theory, which suggests that firms try to ensure the continuing license to operate by internalising external expectations. In instances where stakeholders are viewed as a source of future value, firms tend to adopt an interactive/innovative posture in an effort to reduce or widen the embedded system and bring stakeholders into systems of innovation and feedback -behaviour consistent with the literature on Organisational Learning, which suggests that firms can learn how to optimize their performance as they develop systems and structures that are more adaptable and responsive to change The conceptual model moreover suggests that the perceived value of stakeholder contribution drives corporate aims for engagement, which can be usefully categorised as dialogue intentions spanning a continuum running from low-level to high-level to very-high level. This study suggests that activities aimed at disarming critical stakeholders (`manipulation') providing guidance and correcting misinformation (`education'), being transparent about corporate activities and policies (`information'), alleviating stakeholder concerns (`placation'), and accessing stakeholder opinion ('consultation') represent low-level dialogue intentions and are experienced by stakeholders as asymmetrical, persuasive, compliance-gaining activities that are not in line with `true' dialogue. This study also finds evidence that activities aimed at redistributing power ('partnership'), involving stakeholders in internal corporate processes (`participation'), and demonstrating corporate responsibility (`stewardship') reflect high-level dialogue intentions. This study additionally finds evidence that building and sustaining high-quality, trusted relationships which can meaningfully influence organisational policies incline a firm towards the type of interactive, proactive processes that underpin the development of sustainable corporate strategies. Dialogue intentions are related to type of corporate response: low-level intentions can lead to buffering strategies; high-level intentions can underpin bridging strategies; very high-level intentions can incline a firm towards boundary redefinition. The nature of corporate response (which encapsulates a firm's posture towards stakeholders, demonstrated by the level of dialogue intention and the firm's strategy for dealing with stakeholders) favours the type of learning and change experienced by the organisation. This study indicates that buffering strategies, where the firm attempts to protect itself against external influences and cant' out its existing strategy, typically lead to single-loop learning, whereby the firm teams how to perform better within its existing paradigm and at most, improves the performance of the established system - an outcome associated with first-order change. Bridging responses, where the firm adapts organisational activities to meet external expectations, typically leads a firm to acquire new behavioural capacities characteristic of double-loop learning, whereby insights and understanding are uncovered that are fundamentally different from existing knowledge and where stakeholders are brought into problem-solving conversations that enable them to influence corporate decision-making to address shortcomings in the system - an outcome associated with second-order change. Boundary redefinition suggests that the firm engages in triple-loop learning, where the firm changes relations with stakeholders in profound ways, considers problems from a whole-system perspective, examining the deep structures that sustain the system, producing innovation to address chronic problems and develop new opportunities - an outcome associated with third-order change. This study supports earlier theoretical and empirical studies {e.g. Weick's (1979, 1985) work on self-enactment; Maitlis & Lawrence's (2007) and Maitlis' (2005) work and Weick et al's (2005) work on sensegiving and sensemaking in organisations; Brickson's (2005, 2007) and Scott & Lane's (2000) work on organisational identity orientation}, which indicate that corporate self-perception is a key underlying factor driving the dynamics of organisational teaming and change. Such theorizing has important implications for managerial practice; namely, that a company which perceives itself as a 'victim' may be highly inclined to view stakeholders as a source of negative influence, and would therefore be potentially unable to benefit from the positive influence of engagement. Such a selfperception can blind the firm from seeing stakeholders in a more positive, contributing light, which suggests that such firms may not be inclined to embrace external sources of innovation and teaming, as they are focussed on protecting the firm against disturbing environmental influences (through buffering), and remain more likely to perform better within an existing paradigm (single-loop teaming). By contrast, a company that perceives itself as a 'leader' may be highly inclined to view stakeholders as a source of positive influence. On the downside, such a firm might have difficulty distinguishing when stakeholder contributions are less pertinent as it is deliberately more open to elements in operating environment (including stakeholders) as potential sources of learning and change, as the firm is oriented towards creating space for fundamental change (through boundary redefinition), opening issues to entirely new ways of thinking and addressing issues from whole-system perspective. A significant implication of this study is that potentially only those companies who see themselves as a leader are ultimately able to tap the innovation potential of stakeholder dialogue.

Robust Detection of Incumbents in Cognitive Radio Networks Using Groups

Cognitive radio is a wireless technology aimed at improvingthe efficiency use of the radio-electric spectrum, thus facilitating a reductionin the load on the free frequency bands. Cognitive radio networkscan scan the spectrum and adapt their parameters to operate in the unoccupiedbands. To avoid interfering with licensed users operating on a givenchannel, the networks need to be highly sensitive, which is achieved byusing cooperative sensing methods. Current cooperative sensing methodsare not robust enough against occasional or continuous attacks. This articleoutlines a Group Fusion method that takes into account the behavior ofusers over the short and long term. On fusing the data, the method is basedon giving more weight to user groups that are more unanimous in their decisions.Simulations have been performed in a dynamic environment withinterferences. Results prove that when attackers are present (both reiterativeor sporadic), the proposed Group Fusion method has superior sensingcapability than other methods.

Taajuusmuuttajan ohjelmiston testaus

Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena oli kehittää menetelmiä ja ohjeitataajuusmuuttajan sulautetun ohjelmiston kehityksen aikaiseen testaukseen. Soveltuvia menetelmiä etsittiin tutkimalla laajasti kirjallisuutta sekä selvittämälläyrityksen testauskäytäntöä. Tutkittuja kirjallisuudesta löytyneitä menetelmä olivat testauskehykset, simulointi ja staattinen sekä automaattinen testaus. Kirjallisuudesta etsittiin myös menetelmiä, joiden avulla testausprosessia voidaan helpottaa tai muuten parantaa. Tällaisista menetelmistä tutkittiin muun muassa testidatan valintaa, testauslähtöistä kehitystä sekä testattavuuden parantamista. Lisäksi selvitettiin uudelleenkäytettävien testien ohjelmointiin soveltuvia ohjelmointikieliä. Haastatteluiden ja dokumentaation avulla saatiin hyvä käsitys yrityksessä vallitsevasta testauskäytännöstä sekä sen ongelmakohdista. Testauksen ongelmiksi havaittiin testausprosessin järjestelmällisyyden puute sekä tarve suunnittelijoiden testauskoulutukseen. Testausprosessin parantamiseksi esitetään moduulitestauskehyksen käyttöönottoa. Lisäksi suunnittelijoiden testauskoulutuksella arvioidaan olevan suuri vaikutus koko testausprosessiin. Testitapausten suunnitteluun esitetään menetelmiä, joiden avulla voidaan suunnitella kattavampia testejä.

Increased interleukin-10 production by ASC-deficient CD4(+) T cells impairs bystander T-cell proliferation.

Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) is an important component of the inflammasome, functioning as an adaptor protein that facilitates the recruitment and activation of procaspases that in turn promote the maturation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. Despite initial focus on the inflammatory properties of ASC there is emerging evidence that highlights the importance of ASC in facilitating adaptive immune responses. However, the cellular and molecular basis for the involvement of ASC in adaptive immunity remains largely unexplored. We have previously demonstrated that activated ASC-deficient T cells have dampened proliferative responses. We have therefore explored the underlying cellular mechanism(s) by which ASC regulates T-cell proliferation. We show that under activating conditions (anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation) in bulk T-cell cultures the presence of ASC(-/-)  CD4(+) T cells is sufficient to suppress the proliferative responses of neighbouring T cells. Furthermore, ASC(-/-)  CD4(+) T cells upon activation exhibit a suppressive cytokine profile, with elevated production of IL-10 and reduced secretion of T helper type 1 cytokines, interferon-γ and IL-2. This increase in IL-10 secretion within the activated ASC(-/-)  CD4(+) T-cell compartment was not associated with a proportional increase in conventional Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells. Interestingly, when equal numbers of fluorescence-activated cell sorted ASC(+/+) and ASC(-/-) Treg cells (CD4(+)  CD44(intermediate/high)  CD25(+) ) were activated in vitro, the ASC(-/-) fraction produced significantly more IL-10 than their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that ASC(-/-) Treg cells have greater suppressive capacity. Collectively, these results imply that the ASC may influence the development and functioning of Treg cells.

eggNOG v4.0: nested orthology inference across 3686 organisms

With the increasing availability of various 'omics data, high-quality orthology assignment is crucial for evolutionary and functional genomics studies. We here present the fourth version of the eggNOG database (available at http://eggnog.embl.de) that derives nonsupervised orthologous groups (NOGs) from complete genomes, and then applies a comprehensive characterization and analysis pipeline to the resulting gene families. Compared with the previous version, we have more than tripled the underlying species set to cover 3686 organisms, keeping track with genome project completions while prioritizing the inclusion of high-quality genomes to minimize error propagation from incomplete proteome sets. Major technological advances include (i) a robust and scalable procedure for the identification and inclusion of high-quality genomes, (ii) provision of orthologous groups for 107 different taxonomic levels compared with 41 in eggNOGv3, (iii) identification and annotation of particularly closely related orthologous groups, facilitating analysis of related gene families, (iv) improvements of the clustering and functional annotation approach, (v) adoption of a revised tree building procedure based on the multiple alignments generated during the process and (vi) implementation of quality control procedures throughout the entire pipeline. As in previous versions, eggNOGv4 provides multiple sequence alignments and maximum-likelihood trees, as well as broad functional annotation. Users can access the complete database of orthologous groups via a web interface, as well as through bulk download.

Palveluiden tuotteistaminen teknisellä suunnittelu- ja konsultointialalla

Palveluiden tuotteistaminen on käytännössä osoittautunut haasteelliseksi teknillisellä suunnittelu- ja konsultointialalla. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli perehtyä tuotteistamiseen ja tuottaa tietoa sekä ohjeistusta palveluiden tuotteistamisen tukemiseksi teknisellä suunnittelu- ja konsultointialalla. Palveluiden tuotteistaminen teknisellä suunnittelu- ja konsultointialalla on keskittynyt sisäisten työmenetelmien ja prosessien sekä ohjelmistojen kehittämiseen. Varsinaisia palvelupaketteja on kehitetty hyvin vähän ja se on keskittynyt enemmän tuki- ja lisäpalveluiden tuotteistamiseen kuin varsinaisen ydinosaamisen tuotteistamiseen. Lähtökohtaisesti tärkeäätuotteistuksessa on, että tuotteistus tehdään asiakastarpeen ohjaamana. Merkittäviä mahdollisuuksia yrityksille tuo palvelupakettien modulointi, uusien tuki- ja lisäpalveluiden tuotteistaminen, uusien palveluiden kehittäminen yhdessä muiden toimialojen yritysten kanssa sekä markkinointiviestinnän parantaminen.

Absorptiivinen kapasiteetti käytäntölähtöisessä innovaatiotoiminnassa Päijät-Hämeessä

Tutkimuksessa arvioidaan millaisia kyvykkyyksiä toimijoiltavaaditaan, jotta voidaan edistää verkostoja palvelevan innovaatiopolitiikan toteutumista ja toteuttaa käytäntölähtöistä innovaatiotoimintaa. Empiirinen osa tarkastelee Päijät-Hämeen toimijoiden asenneympäristöä ja toimimisen valmiuksia käytäntölähtöisen innovaatiotoiminnan tarpeisiin sopivaksi. Osaaminen kerääntyy yliopistopaikkakunnille ulkoisten suurtuotannon etujen mukaisesti. Ne alueet, joilla ei ole yliopistoa joutuvat luomaan muunlaista innovaatiokyvykkyyttä saavuttaakseen kilpailuetua. Siksi Päijät-Hämeen visiona on tulla johtavaksi käytäntölähtöisen innovaatiotoiminnan alueeksi hyvien toimintamallien ja tehokkaiden tiedonsiirtomekanismien avulla. Tämä vaatii alueen toimijoilta mm. korkeaa absorptiivista kapasiteettia ja heikkoja linkkejä alueen ulkopuolelle. Työn empiirinen osa koostuu 12:sta puolistrukturoidusta haastattelusta sekä kyselytutkimuksesta. Tiedonluonti ja -siirto alueelle nähtiin pääasiassa tutkimusmaailman tehtävänä, mutta varianssianalyysin perusteella tutkimusmaailma ei itse nähnyt olevansa siinä asemassa. Yhteisen kielen puuttuminen tutkimus- ja käytännön työelämän väliltä nähtiin puutteena.

Real-time monitoring of protein conformational changes using a nano-mechanical sensor.

Proteins can switch between different conformations in response to stimuli, such as pH or temperature variations, or to the binding of ligands. Such plasticity and its kinetics can have a crucial functional role, and their characterization has taken center stage in protein research. As an example, Topoisomerases are particularly interesting enzymes capable of managing tangled and supercoiled double-stranded DNA, thus facilitating many physiological processes. In this work, we describe the use of a cantilever-based nanomotion sensor to characterize the dynamics of human topoisomerase II (Topo II) enzymes and their response to different kinds of ligands, such as ATP, which enhance the conformational dynamics. The sensitivity and time resolution of this sensor allow determining quantitatively the correlation between the ATP concentration and the rate of Topo II conformational changes. Furthermore, we show how to rationalize the experimental results in a comprehensive model that takes into account both the physics of the cantilever and the dynamics of the ATPase cycle of the enzyme, shedding light on the kinetics of the process. Finally, we study the effect of aclarubicin, an anticancer drug, demonstrating that it affects directly the Topo II molecule inhibiting its conformational changes. These results pave the way to a new way of studying the intrinsic dynamics of proteins and of protein complexes allowing new applications ranging from fundamental proteomics to drug discovery and development and possibly to clinical practice.

R&D Performance Analysis: Case Studies on the Challenges and Promotion of the Evaluation and Measurement of R&D

Due to the intense international competition, demanding, and sophisticated customers, and diverse transforming technological change, organizations need to renew their products and services by allocating resources on research and development (R&D). Managing R&D is complex, but vital for many organizations to survive in the dynamic, turbulent environment. Thus, the increased interest among decision-makers towards finding the right performance measures for R&D is understandable. The measures or evaluation methods of R&D performance can be utilized for multiple purposes; for strategic control, for justifying the existence of R&D, for providing information and improving activities, as well as for the purposes of motivating and benchmarking. The earlier research in the field of R&D performance analysis has generally focused on either the activities and considerable factors and dimensions - e.g. strategic perspectives, purposes of measurement, levels of analysis, types of R&D or phases of R&D process - prior to the selection of R&Dperformance measures, or on proposed principles or actual implementation of theselection or design processes of R&D performance measures or measurement systems. This study aims at integrating the consideration of essential factors anddimensions of R&D performance analysis to developed selection processes of R&D measures, which have been applied in real-world organizations. The earlier models for corporate performance measurement that can be found in the literature, are to some extent adaptable also to the development of measurement systemsand selecting the measures in R&D activities. However, it is necessary to emphasize the special aspects related to the measurement of R&D performance in a way that make the development of new approaches for especially R&D performance measure selection necessary: First, the special characteristics of R&D - such as the long time lag between the inputs and outcomes, as well as the overall complexity and difficult coordination of activities - influence the R&D performance analysis problems, such as the need for more systematic, objective, balanced and multi-dimensional approaches for R&D measure selection, as well as the incompatibility of R&D measurement systems to other corporate measurement systems and vice versa. Secondly, the above-mentioned characteristics and challenges bring forth the significance of the influencing factors and dimensions that need to be recognized in order to derive the selection criteria for measures and choose the right R&D metrics, which is the most crucial step in the measurement system development process. The main purpose of this study is to support the management and control of the research and development activities of organizations by increasing the understanding of R&D performance analysis, clarifying the main factors related to the selection of R&D measures and by providing novel types of approaches and methods for systematizing the whole strategy- and business-based selection and development process of R&D indicators.The final aim of the research is to support the management in their decision making of R&D with suitable, systematically chosen measures or evaluation methods of R&D performance. Thus, the emphasis in most sub-areas of the present research has been on the promotion of the selection and development process of R&D indicators with the help of the different tools and decision support systems, i.e. the research has normative features through providing guidelines by novel types of approaches. The gathering of data and conducting case studies in metal and electronic industry companies, in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, and in non-profit organizations helped us to formulate a comprehensive picture of the main challenges of R&D performance analysis in different organizations, which is essential, as recognition of the most importantproblem areas is a very crucial element in the constructive research approach utilized in this study. Multiple practical benefits regarding the defined problemareas could be found in the various constructed approaches presented in this dissertation: 1) the selection of R&D measures became more systematic when compared to the empirical analysis, as it was common that there were no systematic approaches utilized in the studied organizations earlier; 2) the evaluation methods or measures of R&D chosen with the help of the developed approaches can be more directly utilized in the decision-making, because of the thorough consideration of the purpose of measurement, as well as other dimensions of measurement; 3) more balance to the set of R&D measures was desired and gained throughthe holistic approaches to the selection processes; and 4) more objectivity wasgained through organizing the selection processes, as the earlier systems were considered subjective in many organizations. Scientifically, this dissertation aims to make a contribution to the present body of knowledge of R&D performance analysis by facilitating dealing with the versatility and challenges of R&D performance analysis, as well as the factors and dimensions influencing the selection of R&D performance measures, and by integrating these aspects to the developed novel types of approaches, methods and tools in the selection processes of R&D measures, applied in real-world organizations. In the whole research, facilitation of dealing with the versatility and challenges in R&D performance analysis, as well as the factors and dimensions influencing the R&D performance measure selection are strongly integrated with the constructed approaches. Thus, the research meets the above-mentioned purposes and objectives of the dissertation from the scientific as well as from the practical point of view.

Can smartphones and tablets improve the management of childhood illness in Tanzania? A qualitative study from a primary health care worker's perspective.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy has been less than anticipated because of poor uptake. Electronic algorithms have the potential to improve quality of health care in children. However, feasibility studies about the use of electronic protocols on mobile devices over time are limited. This study investigated constraining as well as facilitating factors that influence the uptake of a new electronic Algorithm for Management of Childhood Illness (ALMANACH) among primary health workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS: A qualitative approach was applied using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with altogether 40 primary health care workers from 6 public primary health facilities in the three municipalities of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Health worker's perceptions related to factors facilitating or constraining the uptake of the electronic ALMANACH were identified. RESULTS: In general, the ALMANACH was assessed positively. The majority of the respondents felt comfortable to use the devices and stated that patient's trust was not affected. Most health workers said that the ALMANACH simplified their work, reduced antibiotic prescription and gave correct classification and treatment for common causes of childhood illnesses. Few HWs reported technical challenges using the devices and complained about having had difficulties in typing. Majority of the respondents stated that the devices increased the consultation duration compared to routine practice. In addition, health system barriers such as lack of staff, lack of medicine and lack of financial motivation were identified as key reasons for the low uptake of the devices. CONCLUSIONS: The ALMANACH built on electronic devices was perceived to be a powerful and useful tool. However, health system challenges influenced the uptake of the devices in the selected health facilities.

Evidence-based recommendations for genetic diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a disease of early onset which can lead to significant morbidity. In 2012, Single Hub and Access point for pediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) was launched with the aim of optimising and disseminating diagnostic and management regimens for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases. The objective was to establish recommendations for FMF focusing on provision of diagnostic tools for inexperienced clinicians particularly regarding interpretation of MEFV mutations. Evidence-based recommendations were developed using the European League against Rheumatism standard operating procedure. An expert committee of paediatric rheumatologists defined search terms for the systematic literature review. Two independent experts scored articles for validity and level of evidence. Recommendations derived from the literature were evaluated by an online survey and statements with less than 80% agreement were reformulated. Subsequently, all recommendations were discussed at a consensus meeting using the nominal group technique and were accepted if more than 80% agreement was reached. The literature search yielded 3386 articles, of which 25 were considered relevant and scored for validity and level of evidence. In total, 17 articles were scored valid and used to formulate the recommendations. Eight recommendations were accepted with 100% agreement after the consensus meeting. Topics covered were clinical versus genetic diagnosis of FMF, genotype-phenotype correlation, genotype-age at onset correlation, silent carriers and risk of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, and role of the specialist in FMF diagnosis. The SHARE initiative provides recommendations for diagnosing FMF aimed at facilitating improved and uniform care throughout Europe.

Metáforas sobre modelos educativos en Educación para la Salud: una propuesta de Aula de Salut.

Las metáforas son un instrumento pedagógico y terapéutico para facilitar la comunicación y comprensión de temas relacionados con la salud-enfermedad. Objetivo: Presentar las metáforas que el equipo de “Aula de Salut” ha elaborado en base a la experiencia en formación de grado, posgrado y profesionales, intervención y asesoramiento en Educación para la Salud (EpS), con el fin de reflexionar y enseñar los modelos de intervención en EpS. Método: Se ha seguido la metodología de la investigación-acción de Mac Kernan. Resultados: Se han caracterizado cuatro tipologías distintas de profesionales de la salud en función de su modelo de intervención (botijo, maceta, látigo y matrona) con sus respectivas metáforas. A través de dichas metáforas se provoca la implicación, tanto del alumno como del profesional, permitiéndoles observar y analizar sus modelos de intervención para ayudarles a comprenderlos y mejorarlos. Conclusiones: Ha resultado ser una herramienta muy útil porque abre una vía de investigación en el campo de la EpS tanto en la práctica asistencial como en la formación de los profesionales de la salud. También constituye un elemento clave de comunicación al convertirse en un modo de transmitir el mensaje de forma más efectiva y, finalmente, se alzan como una herramienta de pensamiento al transformarse en un medio para ayudar a entender nuevas ideas, conceptos y métodos.