With smart machines taking over each time more tasks, there is a risk of a future without relevant field for human action. In the 19th Century, the Arts and Crafts movement proposed a reaction against the alienation generated by industrial machines. Today, following the spirit of Arts and Crafts, this project intends to pose a reaction against the aesthetics of Artificial Intelligence by embracing human-crafted methods. Furthermore, to tell a complete story of humanizing experiences, the production and use of the vehicle are focused on human interaction; in the first case as a bespoke process and in the second as a vehicle interior that fosters human interaction. With Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design as collaborator for this thesis, the project has been branded after them, taking advantage of the company's hand-crafted approach as a positive value with humanistic potential. The main inspiration consisted of a reinterpretation of traditional artisan methods in order to design a vehicle with novel attributes. In contrast to the common practice of vehicle design where the generation of geometry rules the latter selection of materials and production process, for this project the early inspiration from hand-crafted methods dictated material and form, which could result in limitations during the form finding process, but which could also trigger unexpected results. At the same time, the simulation of the bespoke process with a relevant individual playing the role of the product's user had a major influence on the final outcome. The final result is a vehicle in which the main design focus lies on the interior, although the exterior had to be developed to some extent to provide a frame for development of the inside. The main design contribution is the proposal of structural elements with an aesthetic intention which was dictated by material properties and authenticity. As a story, the project intends to question the increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence and what could be an appropriate scenario for its usage (i.e. autonomous drive algorithms enabling human interaction inside the vehicle). So with the goal of providing humanizing experiences for makers and users of the product, even overlapping the role of makers and users during the bespoke process, the project tells a story of humanization through craftsmanship and dialogue.

Yes / Fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing has shown the most immediate potential for on-demand dose personalisation to suit particular patient's needs. However, FDM 3D printing often involves employing a relatively large molecular weight thermoplastic polymer and results in extended release pattern. It is therefore essential to fast-track drug release from the 3D printed objects. This work employed an innovative design approach of tablets with unique built-in gaps (Gaplets) with the aim of accelerating drug release. The novel tablet design is composed of 9 repeating units (blocks) connected with 3 bridges to allow the generation of 8 gaps. The impact of size of the block, the number of bridges and the spacing between different blocks was investigated. Increasing the inter-block space reduced mechanical resistance of the unit, however, tablets continued to meet pharmacopeial standards for friability. Upon introduction into gastric medium, the 1 mm spaces gaplet broke into mini-structures within 4 min and met the USP criteria of immediate release products (86.7% drug release at 30 min). Real-time ultraviolet (UV) imaging indicated that the cellulosic matrix expanded due to swelling of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) upon introduction to the dissolution medium. This was followed by a steady erosion of the polymeric matrix at a rate of 8 μm/min. The design approach was more efficient than a comparison conventional formulation approach of adding disintegrants to accelerate tablet disintegration and drug release. This work provides a novel example where computer-aided design was instrumental at modifying the performance of solid dosage forms. Such an example may serve as the foundation for a new generation of dosage forms with complicated geometric structures to achieve functionality that is usually achieved by a sophisticated formulation approach.

Despite over 50 years of software engineering as a formal practice, contemporary developers of bespoke software follow development practices that result in low-quality products with high development and maintenance costs. This qualitative case study sought to identify strategies used by software and enterprise architects for applying architectural best practices to improve bespoke software quality and lower the total cost of ownership. The study population was application and enterprise architects associated with delivering bespoke software for the enterprise architecture team at a large enterprise in the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan area. Interview data were collected from 7 enterprise or solution architects; in addition, 47 organizational documents were gathered. Guided by the principles of total quality management, thematic analysis was used to identify codes and themes related to management of quality in software solutions. Prominent themes included focusing on customer satisfaction, collaborating and communicating with all stakeholders, and defining boundaries and empowering people within those boundaries. The findings from this research have implications for positive social change, including improved work-life balance, morale, and productivity of software and enterprise architects through streamlining development and maintenance activities.

The research introduces the fourth industrial revolution philosophically, exploring the application of innovation and automation in broad terms and the Internet of Things (IoT) specifically within the mining industry. It explains the business and societal motivation for such interventions, highlighting some of the key benefits. It further explores the inadvertent risks, some of which have already manifested in mining applications and others which can be inferred from other industrial and social applications. A critical analysis is conducted of the application of the South African Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations on such applications in the mining environment, as well as considering key other pieces of South African legislation. A comparative analysis with Australian legislation confirms that Western Australia has recognised the need for regulation and have started regulating, primarily mining automation, at least. Through these analyses it is established that a legislative vacuum exists, despite the general application of many requirements in relation to safety considerations during the utilisation of IoT applications. The paper concludes by recommending collaboration between the Department of Mineral Resources and the Chamber of Mines to seek ways to lead legislative and regulatory developments in this space in order to enable the sustainability of the South African mining industry. In particular, the research suggests the emphasis should be to legally encourage and permit the implementation of IoT solutions in the mining industry in as many instances as reasonably possible, whilst consecutively addressing the new and emerging risks created through such. / Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Public Law / LLM / Unrestricted

Kinesio taping constructions are translated into garment construction in order to explore different principles for integrating kinesio taping devices and applying them to function and well-being in an everyday sports context. The significance of this project lies in developing sportswear that integrates similar functions to a Kinesio Tape. Recurring physical ailments are addressed with garments to improve flexibility between the health problem and kinesiology taping functions. A series of design experiments integrating elastic tapes and involving test subjects led to new perspectives in the field. Within the process, different principles were tested that mimic the function of a Kinesio Tape. The developed prototypes were fitted to specific test subjects and then tested with the help of a user test during an activity. The process showed that the subject area still leaves much room for further research. Specifying the field of application more is one possibility.

Context. The empirical study of Somerville in 2005 has shown that potential business benefits could be achieved by assessing and improving the Requirement Engineering (RE) process. However, currently there has not been an adequate instrument for practitioners to perform this work. Most known process assessment models such as CMMI and ISO do not pay intensive attention on RE whereas tailored models such as GPG and REPM do not cover the mentioned area extensively. Objectives. This thesis presents a conceptual research of RE process assessment in which the researcher aims to develop a practical model for evaluating the maturity of RE processes in industrial settings. Methods. A major part of this study consists of a systematic review and a literature review to explore all RE ―good practices‖ as a profound basis for the new model. Together with identifying potential activities, the two reviews also highly regarded the feasibility of certain practices and their context to assure the validity of the model. Conclusions. Based on the results of the reviews, Uni-REPM is formulated and introduced. The objective of Uni-REPM is twofold. Firstly, it is expected to be applicable for assessing the maturity of RE processes in various scenarios where an organization would use different development approaches. Secondly, it instructs practitioners with what to perform in RE processes and what they would benefit from such activities. As an assessment instrument, Uni-REPM serves a simple and low cost solution for practitioners to identify the status of their RE process. As a guidance tool, Uni-REPM is believed to lessen the gap between theoretical and practical worlds by transferring the available RE technologies from research to real work.

Segregation refers to the uneven spatial distribution of social groups over space. Segregation can be perceived as the spatial representation of social, cultural, and economic exclusion. There is no accepted standard way segregation is measured; instead, studies have used a wide range of methods, measurements, and indices to estimate levels of segregation. Existing studies are seldomly longitudinal in character, mostly because of lack of data, and have only been conducted until 2010 for Stockholm. The aim of this thesis is to investigate trends of residential poverty segregation in Stockholm County for the period 1991-2016. This study has utilized the isolation index, the dissimilarity index, percentile plots and location quotients on data aggregated to both administrative units and individualized neighborhoods on multiple scales to assess how these common techniques influence results. Results show that segregation patterns vary depending on technique, but most results indicate increasing levels of segregation of individuals at risk of poverty for the period 1991-2011, in line with previous research. On the other hand, the results indicate stagnating or decreasing levels of poverty segregation in recent years. Poverty segregation varies substantially by scale level, and therefore this thesis recommends multiscalar methods in segregation studies.

Distributed processing cluster design using commodity hardware and software has proven to be a technological breakthrough in the field of parallel and distributed computing. The research presented herein is the original investigation on distributed processing using hybrid processing clusters to improve the calculation efficiency of the compute-intensive applications. This has opened a new frontier in affordable supercomputing that can be utilised by businesses and industries at various levels. Distributed processing that uses commodity computer clusters has become extremely popular over recent years, particularly among university research groups and research organisations. The research work discussed herein addresses a bespoke-oriented design and implementation of highly specific and different types of distributed processing clusters with applied load balancing techniques that are well suited for particular business requirements. The research was performed in four phases, which are cohesively interconnected, to find a suitable solution using a new type of distributed processing approaches. The first phase is an implementation of a bespoke-type distributed processing cluster using an existing network of workstations as a calculation cluster based on a loosely coupled distributed process system design that has improved calculation efficiency of certain legacy applications. This approach has demonstrated how to design an innovative, cost-effective, and efficient way to utilise a workstation cluster for distributed processing. The second phase is to improve the calculation efficiency of the distributed processing system; a new type of load balancing system is designed to incorporate multiple processing devices. The load balancing system incorporates hardware, software and application related parameters to assigned calculation tasks to each processing devices accordingly. Three types of load balancing methods are tested, static, dynamic and hybrid, which each of them has their own advantages, and all three of them have further improved the calculation efficiency of the distributed processing system. The third phase is to facilitate the company to improve the batch processing application calculation time, and two separate dedicated calculation clusters are built using small form factor (SFF) computers and PCs as separate peer-to-peer (P2P) network based calculation clusters. Multiple batch processing applications were tested on theses clusters, and the results have shown consistent calculation time improvement across all the applications tested. In addition, dedicated clusters are built using SFF computers with reduced power consumption, small cluster size, and comparatively low cost to suit particular business needs. The fourth phase incorporates all the processing devices available in the company as a hybrid calculation cluster utilises various type of servers, workstations, and SFF computers to form a high-throughput distributed processing system that consolidates multiple calculations clusters. These clusters can be utilised as multiple mutually exclusive multiple clusters or combined as a single cluster depending on the applications used. The test results show considerable calculation time improvements by using consolidated calculation cluster in conjunction with rule-based load balancing techniques. The main design concept of the system is based on the original design that uses first principle methods and utilises existing LAN and separate P2P network infrastructures, hardware, and software. Tests and investigations conducted show promising results where the company's legacy applications can be modified and implemented with different types of distributed processing clusters to achieve calculation and processing efficiency for various applications within the company. The test results have confirmed the expected calculation time improvements in controlled environments and show that it is feasible to design and develop a bespoke-type dedicated distributed processing cluster using existing hardware, software, and low-cost SFF computers. Furthermore, a combination of bespoke distributed processing system with appropriate load balancing algorithms has shown considerable calculation time improvements for various legacy and bespoke applications. Hence, the bespoke design is better suited to provide a solution for the calculation of time improvements for critical problems currently faced by the sponsoring company.

Background: During the last decade or so the century old bespoke tailors on Savile Row have become the epitome of luxury brands as far as menswear is concerned. At the same time, the different establishments on Savile Row have started to modernise themselves through various means to better fit into today’s fast paced retail-market. Aims of the research: The purpose of this research is to discover what factors have played part in keeping the founders of Savile Row, Henry Poole & Co., modern and relevant throughout the years. Methods: This research was conducted as a qualitative single case, case study. The data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with upper management and other available published sources and then analysed with the help of former research in relevant areas. Results: It was found that the brand of Henry Poole & Co. stayed true to their origins as a bespoke tailor and that modernising is something that has not been forced upon the company and brand but should more be seen as a continuous process where each new generation bring something new to the company. The company had adapted modern ways of communication such as social media and a responsive website and also incorporated step down line extensions, where they sell ready-to-wear and made-to-measure garments in China and Japan. This is a way to develop their brand into other segments but they still kept their original brand vision intact as being a pure bespoke tailor located on Savile Row and kept their different business operations on a distance. Contributions: This thesis has opened up doors to an area that has not had much interest from the academic world. It hopefully gives way for new research ideas, but it has also highlighted management tools and best practices that has contributed to the success of a more than two century old company.

This master's thesis explores the role of bespoke air handling units in enhancing energy efficiency in existing buildings. The context for the study is set against the backdrop of global initiatives, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 7, which emphasizes the need to improve energy efficiency to combat climate change. The significance of enhancing energy efficiency is well-established, evident both at the EU level and in national policies and regulations. Buildings represent a significant portion of the energy utilization puzzle, with substantial potential for enhancing energy efficiency, although it is often underutilized. One of the contributing factors to inefficiency is outdated ventilation systems, which lead to high thermal losses. This challenge can be addressed by retrofitting these systems with modern, efficient air handling units, thus contributing to energy conservation and cost savings. This study focuses on the adoption of bespoke air handling units adjusted to the site and capable of accommodating constraints related to factors such as space limitations in machine rooms, existing ductwork layouts, and the location of shafts. The primary goal is to empower engineers to move beyond conventional approaches, enabling them to optimize technology choices based on local conditions, specific system performance requirements, and the economic viability of each project. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to develop a methodology for designing bespoke air handling units; and second, to demonstrate the practical application of this methodology in the context of two distinct renovation projects. In line with the aim of the thesis, a design methodology for site-tailored units equipped with a two stage flat crossflow heat exchanger and an indirect evaporative cooling system was developed. The methodology delves into different aspects of data analysis, 3D modeling, and the conduct of performance calculations.The established methodology was applied in two reconstruction projects in central Stockholm, where bespoke air handling units were designed in compliance with provided technical specifications. In both scenarios, a viable option emerged for accommodating a tailored unit within the technical room situated on the first floor. For both units, the energy performance metrics signify a notable achievement in terms of heat recovery efficiency, coupled with relatively modest requirements for heating and cooling power capacity from the combined heating and cooling aircoil. However, the calculated maximum specific fan power for a single unit with heat recovery exceeded the stipulated value specified in the technical specifications, which was accepted by the client. The results of the study included air handling unit product drawings, ventilation blueprints of the technical room with the integrated air handling unit, component specifications, unit flowcharts, performance calculations, and control operating pictures. The results of this work indicate that the improvement of the building's energy efficiency is rendered feasible through the installation of bespoke air handling units in the studied reconstruction projects. / Se filen