Allmänhetens uppfattning är att desto fler valmöjligheter det finns desto bättre är det. Men är det verkligen så i alla olika valsituationer vi ställs inför? (Iyengar & Lepper 2000)     Utifrån tidigare forskning testar vår uppsats om människors valmöjligheter, ett experiment där vi ser hur människor gör sina val på den svenska fondmarknaden. De fick välja mellan ett mindre (limited) urval eller ett större (extensive) urval av fonder.    Utgångspunkten i uppsatsen är två olika forskningsartiklar från Iyengar & Lepper (2000) samt Iyengar & Jiang (2003) där de testar hur människor gör sina val när de får olika stora utbud att  välja bland. I deras forskning kommer de fram till att även om människor tycker att det är roligare att ha många valmöjligheter så blir det oftare val gjorda eller saker köpta om de har  mindre saker att välja bland. Detta fenomen kallas choice overload och innebär alltså att det finns en valtrötthet för människor när de ska göra sina val.    Vårt huvudsyfte med denna uppsats är att testa om fenomenet choice overload kan tillämpas på den svenska fondmarknaden och därmed se om beslutet att själv välja fonder påverkas av fondutbudets storlek. Experimentet skedde genom en enkätundersökning på två stycken bankkontor där slumpvis utvalda kunder fick svara på enkäterna. Vi hade två olika enkäter där  den ena bestod av en fråga där de skulle välja bland ett mindre urval fonder (10st) och den andra bland ett större urval fonder (60st). Varje respondent fick bara en enkät och var därmed helt ovetande om att den andra existerade. Istället för att välja själva kunde de även få låta en  rådgivare välja åt dem, detta för att få ett alternativ till att välja själv. När vi samlat in alla enkäterna (98st) så jämförde vi resultaten mot varandra i statistikprogrammet SPSS.    Delsyftet som kompletterar huvudsyftet i uppsatsen är att vi rensar för demografiska skillnader som t.ex. kön, utbildning och ålder, så att de inte har någon inverkan på beslutet att välja fonder.     Genom experimentet vi gjorde så visade det sig att människor valde fonder själva i större utsträckning när de fick enkäten med det mindre fondutbudet på (limited) än när de fick den enkäten med det större fondutbudet (extensive). Denna slutsats är förenlig med den forskning  vi hade som utgångspunkt till uppsatsen. Alltså att människor hellre gör sina val när de har ett mindre utbud att välja bland. Även om människor gillar att ha många valmöjligheter så kan det leda till att det blir så komplext att hantera att det leder till fenomenet choice overload.  Vårt experiment med enkäter visar även att de demografiska skillnaderna inte spelar någon signifikant roll för resultatet.

The main goal of this thesis is to develop practical digital controller architectures for multi-phase dc-dc converters utilized in low power (up to few hundred watts) and cost-sensitive applications. The proposed controllers are suitable for on-chip integration while being capable of providing advanced features, such as dynamic efficiency optimization, inductor current estimation, converter component identification, as well as combined dynamic current sharing and fast transient response. The first part of this thesis addresses challenges related to the practical implementation of digital controllers for low-power multi-phase dc-dc converters. As a possible solution, a multi-use high-frequency digital PWM controller IC that can regulate up to four switching converters (either interleaved or standalone) is presented. Due to its configurability, low current consumption (90.25 μA/MHz per phase), fault-tolerant work, and ability to operate at high switching frequencies (programmable, up to 10 MHz), the IC is suitable to control various dc-dc converters. The applications range from dc-dc converters used in miniature battery-powered electronic devices consuming a fraction of watt to multi-phase dedicated supplies for communication systems, consuming hundreds of watts. A controller for multi-phase converters with unequal current sharing is introduced and an efficiency optimization method based on logarithmic current sharing is proposed in the second part. By forcing converters to operate at their peak efficiencies and dynamically adjusting the number of active converter phases based on the output load current, a significant improvement in efficiency over the full range of operation is obtained (up to 25%). The stability and inductor current transition problems related to this mode of operation are also resolved. At last, two reconfigurable digital controller architectures with multi-parameter estimation are introduced. Both controllers eliminate the need for external analog current/temperature sensing circuits by accurately estimating phase inductor currents and identifying critical phase parameters such as equivalent resistances, inductances and output capacitance. A sensorless non-linear, average current-mode controller is introduced to provide fast transient response (under 5 μs), small voltage deviation and dynamic current sharing with multi-phase converters. To equalize the thermal stress of phase components, a conduction loss-based current sharing scheme is proposed and implemented.

The organic materials used for stator winding insulation are subject to deterioration from thermal, electrical, and mechanical stresses. Stator winding insulation breakdown due to excessive thermal stress is one of the major causes of electric machine failures; therefore, prevention of such a failure is crucial for increasing machine reliability and minimizing financial loss due to motor failure. This work focuses on the development of an efficient and reliable stator winding temperature estimation scheme for small to medium size mains-fed induction machines. The motivation for the stator winding temperature estimation is to develop a sensorless temperature monitoring scheme and provide an accurate temperature estimate that is capable of responding to the changes in the motors cooling capability. A discussion on the two major types of temperature estimation techniques, thermal model-based and parameter-based temperature techniques, reveals that neither method can protect motors without sacrificing the estimation accuracy or motor performance. Based on the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of temperature estimation techniques, a new online stator winding temperature estimation scheme for small to medium size mains-fed induction machines is proposed in this work. The new stator winding temperature estimation scheme is based on a hybrid thermal model. By correlating the rotor temperature with the stator temperature, the hybrid thermal model unifies the thermal model-based and the parameter-based temperature estimation techniques. Experimental results validate the proposed scheme for stator winding temperature monitoring. The entire algorithm is fast, efficient and reliable, making it suitable for implementation in real time stator winding temperature monitoring.

Η πληροφοριακή υπερφόρτωση των χρηστών αποτελεί βασικό πρόβλημα ενός οργανισμού. Η συσσώρευση μεγάλου όγκου πληροφορίας στα πληροφοριακά συστήματα, προκαλεί στους χρήστες άγχος και υπερένταση, με αποτέλεσμα να δυσχεραίνει την ικανότητά τους για λήψη αποφάσεων. Λόγω αυτού, η επίδραση της πληροφοριακής υπερφόρτωσης στους οργανισμούς είναι καταστροφική και απαιτείται η αντιμετώπισή της. Υπάρχουν διάφοροι τρόποι αντιμετώπισης της πληροφοριακής υπερφόρτωσης όπως τα συστήματα υποστήριξης λήψης αποφάσεων, τα συστήματα φιλτραρίσματος πληροφορίας, οι αποθήκες δεδομένων και άλλες τεχνικές της εξόρυξης δεδομένων και της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης, όπως είναι οι ευφυείς πράκτορες. Οι ευφυείς πράκτορες αποτελούν εφαρμογές που εφάπτονται της τεχνικής νοημοσύνης, οι οποίες έχουν την ικανότητα να δρουν αυτόνομα, συλλέγοντας πληροφορίες, εκπαιδεύοντας τον εαυτό τους και επικοινωνώντας με τον χρήστη και μεταξύ τους. Συχνά, υλοποιούνται πολυπρακτορικά συστήματα προκει-μένου να επιλυθεί ένα πρόβλημα του οργανισμού. Στόχος τους είναι να διευκολύνουν τη λήψη αποφάσεων των χρηστών, προτείνοντας πληροφορίες βάσει των προτιμήσεών τους. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι να αναλύσει σε βάθος τους ευφυείς πράκτορες, σαν μία αποτελεσματική μέθοδο αντιμετώπισης της πληροφοριακής υπερφόρτωσης, να προτείνει πειραματικούς πράκτορες προτά-σεων και να εξετάσει επιτυχημένες υλοποιήσεις. Συγκεκριμένα, παρουσιάζεται ένα ευφυές σύστημα διδασκαλίας για την ενίσχυση του e-Learning/e-Teaching, προτείνεται ένα σύστημα πρακτόρων για τον οργανισμό Flickr, ενώ εξετάζεται το σύστημα προτάσεων του Last.fm και ο αλγόριθμος προτάσεων του Amazon. Τέλος, αναλύεται μια πειραματική έρευνα ενός ευφυούς πράκτορα προτάσεων, ο οποίος αντιμετώπισε με επιτυχία την αντιληπτή πληροφοριακή υπερφόρτωση των χρηστών ενός θεωρητικού ηλεκτρονικού καταστήματος. Τα αποτελέσματα του πειράματος παρουσίασαν την επίδραση της αντιληπτής πληροφοριακής υπερφόρτωσης και του φορτίου πληροφορίας στην ποιότητα επιλογής, στην εμπιστοσύνη επιλογής και στην αντιληπτή αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ ηλεκτρονικού καταστήματος και χρήστη, ενώ παρατηρήθηκε η καθοριστική συμβολή της χρήσης των ευφυών πρακτόρων στην αντιμετώπιση της πληροφοριακής υπερφόρτωσης. / -

No description available.

No description available.

One of the most prominent factors affecting the performance and longevity of risers is vortex induced vibration (VIV), which can cause severe fatigue damage, especially in risers used in deep waters. The available approaches for analyzing VIV induced fatigue in risers mainly focus on the VIV aspect of the problem; indeed less attention has been paid on the effect of VIV on a riser’s fatigue life and in prediction of fatigue life using various models. This dissertation first demonstrates how one can characterize fatigue of pipes and risers using an equivalent plate specimen as opposed to using a pipe specimen, thereby simplifying the task, yet obtaining good accuracy. Actual variable amplitude loadings (VAL) are used to study the fatigue crack growth in risers’ material with a focus on the various influencing parameters. Extensive experimental investigations are performed, followed by analytical and computational nonlinear finite element analyses. It is shown that the higher harmonics do cause significant fatigue damage, thus their influence should not be ignored. The influence of load interaction effects is also investigated, focusing on the fatigue crack growth retardation effects due to tension overloads, as well as the acceleration effects due to compression underloads. The crack closure concept is then used to explore into both the fatigue retardation and acceleration effects within a VAL scenario. An effective method for calculation of the stress intensity factor is proposed, which considers only the tensile portion of the stress range, while proposing another effective approach for accounting for the influence of compressive stress cycles. Moreover, a two-parameter approach is used in this dissertation, relating the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) to the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). It is shown that the CTOD provides adequate information for calculating the FCGR under VAL, and it can be effectively used to account for the influence of the compressive stress cycles. The experimental investigation also considers the retardation effect resulting from the applied peak tensile overload cycles (TOLC) and the influence of various so-called “clipping” levels, demonstrating the significant influence of the TOLC on crack growth retardation in VAL.

The main goal of this thesis is to develop practical digital controller architectures for multi-phase dc-dc converters utilized in low power (up to few hundred watts) and cost-sensitive applications. The proposed controllers are suitable for on-chip integration while being capable of providing advanced features, such as dynamic efficiency optimization, inductor current estimation, converter component identification, as well as combined dynamic current sharing and fast transient response. The first part of this thesis addresses challenges related to the practical implementation of digital controllers for low-power multi-phase dc-dc converters. As a possible solution, a multi-use high-frequency digital PWM controller IC that can regulate up to four switching converters (either interleaved or standalone) is presented. Due to its configurability, low current consumption (90.25 μA/MHz per phase), fault-tolerant work, and ability to operate at high switching frequencies (programmable, up to 10 MHz), the IC is suitable to control various dc-dc converters. The applications range from dc-dc converters used in miniature battery-powered electronic devices consuming a fraction of watt to multi-phase dedicated supplies for communication systems, consuming hundreds of watts. A controller for multi-phase converters with unequal current sharing is introduced and an efficiency optimization method based on logarithmic current sharing is proposed in the second part. By forcing converters to operate at their peak efficiencies and dynamically adjusting the number of active converter phases based on the output load current, a significant improvement in efficiency over the full range of operation is obtained (up to 25%). The stability and inductor current transition problems related to this mode of operation are also resolved. At last, two reconfigurable digital controller architectures with multi-parameter estimation are introduced. Both controllers eliminate the need for external analog current/temperature sensing circuits by accurately estimating phase inductor currents and identifying critical phase parameters such as equivalent resistances, inductances and output capacitance. A sensorless non-linear, average current-mode controller is introduced to provide fast transient response (under 5 μs), small voltage deviation and dynamic current sharing with multi-phase converters. To equalize the thermal stress of phase components, a conduction loss-based current sharing scheme is proposed and implemented.

6 ABSTRACT Background The existence of risks of new work-related disorders and occupational diseases in the society is constantly increasing in relation to the fast and continuous development of working conditions, techniques used, materials and overall acceleration of the working pace. Aim of the study The aim of the study is to analyse new risks in the working environment and to evaluate early diagnostic possibilities of new occupational diseases including their prevention. The study also compares the current situation in this field in the Czech Republic and other European countries. Materials and methods The doctoral dissertation is a multiple manuscript thesis focusing on one common topic - new occupational diseases. The first publication studied the acknowledgement of low-back pain disease caused by overload as an occupational disease. Specialists from European countries were inquired via questionnaire focusing on diagnostic and evaluation criteria of this disease in their countries. Representatives from countries acknowledging low-back pain diseases caused by overload provided further evaluation criteria and number of cases. Correspondingly, the second publication studied the evaluation of burnout syndrome as an occupational disease. Representatives from countries acknowledging the burnout syndrome as...

Occupational diseases from excessive and one-sided overloading of upper limbs are classified as diseases caused by physical factors. In the ``list of occupational diseases{\crqq} they are covered in chapter two. This group of diseases falls mainly under items 9 and 10 with the biggest proportion of occupational diseases caused by physical factors and it accounts for ca. 45% of the newly reported occupational diseases . Moreover, a slowly increasing trend in occurrence of those diseases has been reported in recent years.