Water is an essential resource for basic human survival, but today several cities and people lack access to both reliable and clean water. Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is undergoing a rapid population growth and need to improve their current water delivery system in order to provide water to the city’s inhabitants. This report’s objective is to examine if Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) manual water valve operation is improved with the usage of remote-controlled valves instead. The remote-controlled system will consequently be evaluated and compared against the manually controlled valves. In order to obtain necessary data for this study interviews and field trips were conducted at DAWASA as well as at the local market at Kariakoo. Additionally, information has also been gathered from the collaboration partners at College of Information and Communication Technologies (CoICT). The results provided information that a remote-controlled system could, in the measured reference area of 52 km of water pipes, save up to 900 U.S dollar monthly and 46 m3 of water daily for DAWASA. These savings would consequently contribute to an increase in resources which leads to further improvements to the current water distribution system. Because, today’s system is in need of a development in order to sufficiently provide potable water to the city. The remote-controlled system could also help to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, destruction of roads and create a more reliable source of water since the water valves would be regulated more efficiently. A remote-controlled system would however need a sufficient amount of funding in order to be installed, but is both simpler to install and a more feasible solution compared to other alternatives. For these reasons, the designed system is concluded to be a more effective, sustainable and economical feasible solution for handling and managing the outdated valves.

no / This paper presents an overview of existing function-based conceptual design expert (CDE) systems with a view to identifying their scope in the contexts of functional modeling knowledge representation and conceptual design process. A number of heterogeneous function-based CDE systems are identified and listed. A key comprehensive benchmarking framework is developed in this paper that helps in identifying the trend, gaps and scope of current function-based CDE systems. Accordingly, the gaps in the aforementioned contexts are discussed which are to date have not been summarized and highlighted for a well-balanced system development for a product conceptual design.

With advancements in educational digitalisation, new opportunities for international collaboration on education have been created. Through the KTH Global Development Hub collaboration, students from universities in Botswana, Kenya, Sweden and Tanzania participate in modules with Challenge Driven Education (CDE). These modules allows students to gain intercultural and interdisciplinary experiences while working with real societal challenges. In this master’s degree project, Batswana, Swedish and Kenyan students’ and teachers’ experiences with CDE in blended campus-based and remote international education have been investigated. This was done through qualitative interviews, and through observations of a CDE module at Botho University in Botswana. The data was then analysed using thematic analysis with an inductive approach and discussed through the lens of previous research on CDE, e-learning and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), as well as contextualised through discussion of a student project on hydroponics. Based on the data and analysis, guidelines for working with Online-CDE were created. The guidelines are intended to aid teachers to bridge the gap between their previous knowledge and experience in CDE and the difficulties prevalent when planning an Online-CDE module. The modules allowed students to develop core competencies. The intercultural exchange of Online-CDE is appreciated by students and inspires them to work harder, although it may sometimes lead to conflicts. Issues with internet access and a limited knowledge of how to use digital tools provided created difficulties for both students and teachers. Although teachers aimed for students to work interdisciplinarily, project groups often divided work internally, therefore only achieving multi-disciplinarity. / I takt med att digitala lösningar för utbildning utvecklas, uppkommer nya möjligheter för internationella samarbeten kring utbildning. Genom samarbetet i KTH Global Development Hub (GDH) kan studenter från universitet i Botswana, Kenya, Sverige och Tanzania läsa kurser med utmaningsdriven utbildning (CDE). Kurserna ger studenter en möjlighet att få interkulturella och interdisciplinära erfarenheter samtidigt som de arbetar med riktiga samhällsutmaningar. I det här examensarbetet undersöks botswanska, svenska och kenyanska studenter och lärares erfarenheter av CDE i hybridundervisning där vissa studenter deltar digitalt från andra länder än arrangerande universitet. Data samlades in genom kvalitativa intervjuer och observationer av en CDE-kurs på Botho University i Botswana. Insamlad data analyserades genom tematisk analys och diskuterades utifrån tidigare forskning inom CDE, e-lärande och internationella virtuella samarbeten inom lärande (COIL). Resultaten kontextualiserades genom en diskussion av ett studentprojekt om hydroponisk odling. Baserat på resultat och analys togs riktlinjer för Online-CDE fram. Riktlinjerna är tänkta som ett komplement till lärares tidigare erfarenheter av CDE och behandlar de unika svårigheter som uppkommer med Online-CDE. Kurserna gav studenterna möjlighet att utveckla mjuk kompetens. Den interkulturella aspekten av Online-CDE uppskattas av studenterna och får dem att anstränga sig mer, även om det ibland leder till konflikter. Otillräcklig och dyr internetuppkoppling samt begränsad kunskap om de digtala verktyg som används under kurserna skapar problem för både lärare och studenter. Även om lärare eftersträvar interdisciplinära elevsamarbeten delar projektgrupper ofta upp arbetet på ett sätt som leder till multidisciplinärt arbete.

[Truncated abstract] Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major malignancy complicating chronic liver disease. New therapies for the prevention of HCC are required due to the limited success and high tumour recurrence rates of existing treatments. Emerging evidence suggests that HCC arise from the transformation of adult liver progenitor cells (LPCs), which have the capacity to differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary cells during liver regeneration. LPC activation precedes neoplasia in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. LPCs share antigenic epitopes with HCCs, including α-fetoprotein (AFP) and M2- pyruvate kinase (M2PK). In animal models of hepatocarcinogenesis, attenuation of the LPC response reduces the incidence of HCC following prolonged liver injury via a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) dependent mechanism. As TNF is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, these data suggest that anti-inflammatory agents may be effective in inhibiting LPC activation and hepatocarcinogenesis. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that mediates the production of many prostaglandins during inflammation and carcinogenesis. Recent investigations show that the administration of selective COX-2 inhibitors (SC2Is) may reduce the incidence of a variety of tumours including breast, colon and skin. The broad aim of this thesis was to conduct a series of detailed studies on the effects of a SC2I on LPC activation and the hepatic pathologies associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in order to test the hypothesis that S2CIs may be a beneficial therapy that can reduce liver injury and pre-neoplastic changes in the choline-deficient, ethionine supplemented (CDE) murine model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Administration of a SC2I (SC-236) significantly inhibited a variety of hepatic cell populations that expand during the first month of the CDE mouse model of hepatocarcinogenesis (a choline deficient, ethionine supplemented diet). Numbers of M2PK-positive LPCs (which are more hepatocytic in morphology and are also COX-2 positive) and inflammatory cells were all significantly reduced by SC-236. In contrast, numbers of A6-positive LPCs (which are more biliary cell-like in morphology and do not express COX-2) were unchanged. ... In summary, these data suggest that COX-2 inhibitors such as SC-236 inhibit LPC activation and a variety of pre-neoplastic liver pathologies as a result of COX-2 dependent and independent mechanisms that may be mediated through inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, SC2Is may be useful as preventative treatment strategies for HCC in patients with chronic liver disease.

The main aim of this task deals with analysis of the possibility of valuing building budgets in the building information model (BIM). The work is divided into two parts. The first, research part, presents the necessary definitions and concepts, such as definitions of BIM, LOD, CDE, which are needed for working with (BIM) software. The second, practical part, analyses possible ways to determine building budgets using the building information model on one building, which was modeled in the student version of Graphisoft ArchiCAD 24.

Continuing dental education is a necessity for the dental professional. In dentistry, a profession described as a life-long learning endeavor, dental professionals are challenged with keeping up-to-date with the ever-changing scientific and technological advances of their profession. Continuing dental education plays an important role in providing dental practitioners with the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest advances in the dental industry. University-based continuing dental education programs, that provide the professional development needed by dental professionals to maintain and upgrade their skills and knowledge-base, have grown from their early origins as a primary service to dental school alumni members, to playing a pivotal role in regulating and professionalizing the dental industry as well as contributing to the financial well-being of their dental schools and universities. As educational funding continues to shrink while the cost of educating competent dental practitioners continues to rise, continuing dental education has developed revenue generating opportunities for their dental schools. This study was designed to analyze the current financial and revenue generating practices of continuing dental education units within both public and private dental schools, with a goal of providing a conceptual framework to develop a standardized financial model for determining the profitability of programs. Employing a cross-sectional survey method approach, this study obtained quantitative and qualitative data through the use of an electronic survey that was sent to both private and public dental school members of the Association for Continuing Dental Education (ACDE). The results of the findings of this study summarized data into several categories and compared the data between public versus private dental schools including the CDE unit's size, programs, revenue generation, program and unit expenses, corporate funding, net income, institutional overhead fees, gifts-in-kind, surplus revenue, and other factors considered when calculating profitability of CDE programs. These findings helped to create a framework for the development of a financial model, the Comprehensive Program Budget that may be used to more accurately project program profitability, thereby insuring that CDE units are self-sufficient and positive contributors to the financial well-being of their institutions.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(法学) / 甲第24370号 / 法博第293号 / 新制||法||179(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院法学研究科法政理論専攻 / (主査)教授 中西 寛, 教授 唐渡 晃弘, 教授 島田 幸典 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Laws / Kyoto University / DGAM

The main topic of the thesis is the analysis of the possibilities of linking building and economic software and software for technical drawing, in which BIM models are created, in order to achieve automatization of BIM model budgeting. The introductory, theoretical part defines the area of solved problematics in a broader background and the context of the problem. The overarching theme is BIM. Therefore, the basics and principles of this method, its fundamental aspects and current implementation within the Czech Republic are solved. The following chapters deal with standard budgeting procedures in the Czech construction market. The specifics of classical methods and their shortcomings in the context of contemporary construction are described. In the following part of the thesis the BIM budgeting concept, its vision and related aspects are discussed in more detail. The actual draft of the solution of interconnection of price systems and software, in which the BIM model is created, with orientation on valuation automation, is presented in the final, practical part of this thesis. Requirements for solution are defined and the procedure of its creation is described. Finally, the solution is tested and evaluated.

Sustainable performance of buildings has become a major concern among construction industry professionals. However, sustainability considerations are often treated as an add-on to building design, following ad hoc processes for their implementation. As a result, the most common problem to achieve a sustainable building outcome is the absence of the right information at the right time to make critical decisions. For design team members to appreciate the requirements of multidisciplinary collaboration, there is a need for transparency and a shared understanding of the process. The aim of this study is to investigate, model, and facilitate the early stages of Building Information Modelling (BIM) enabled Sustainable Building Design (SBD) by formalising the ad hoc working relationships of the best practices in order to standardise the optimal collaboration workflows. Thus, this research strives to improve BIM maturity level for SBD, assisting in the transition from ad hoc to defined , and then, to managed . For this purpose, this study has adopted an abductive research approach (iterative process of induction and deduction) for theory building and testing. Four (4) stages of data collection have been conducted, which have resulted in a total of 32 semi-structured interviews with industry experts from 17 organisations. Fourteen (14) best practice case studies have been identified, and 20 incidents narratives have been collected applying the Critical Decision Method (CMD) to examine roles and responsibilities, resources, information exchanges, interdependencies, timing and sequence of events, and critical decisions. As a result, the research has classified the critical components of SBD into a framework utilising content and thematic analyses. These have included the definition of roles and competencies that are essential for SBD along with the existing opportunities, challenges, and limitations. Then, Schedules of Services for SBD have been developed for the following stages of the RIBA Plan of Work 2013: stage 0 (Strategic Definition), stage 1 (Preparation and Brief), and stage 2 (Concept Design). The abovementioned SBD components have been coordinated explicitly into a systematic process, which follows Concurrent Engineering (CE) principles utilising Integrated DEFinition (IDEF) structured diagramming techniques (IDEF0 and IDEF3). The results have identified the key players roles and responsibilities, tasks (BIM Uses), BIM-based deliverables, and critical decision points for SBD. Furthermore, Green BIM Box (GBB) workflow management prototype tool has been developed to analyse communication and delivery of BIM-enabled SBD in a centralised system (Common Data Environment, CDE). GBB s system architecture for SBD process automation is demonstrated through Use Case Scenarios utilising the OMG UML (Object Management Group s Unified Modelling Language) notation. The proposed solution facilitates the implementation of BIM, Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Building Performance Analysis (BPA) software to realise the benefits of combining distributed teams expertise holistically into a common process. Finally, the research outcomes have been validated through academic and industrial reviews that have led to the refinement of the IDEF process model and framework. It has been found that collaborative patterns are repeatable for a variety of different non-domestic building types such as education, healthcare, and offices. Therefore, the research findings support the idea that a detailed process, which follows specified communication patterns, can assist in achieving sustainability targets efficiently in terms of time, cost, and effort.

The engineering education has changed and evolved over decades in harmonywith societies challenges. Today, sustainable development is of great importanceand one way of equipping future engineers with the competencies to tackle these challenges is through Challenge Driven Education (CDE). CDE is a relatively new educational concept which brings together universities andexternal stakeholders to jointly foster the engineers of tomorrow. The research focuses on the challenge owner’s perspective, which is a sub-category of external stakeholder. The challenge owner could be a company or organisation providing the students with challenges and also takes an active role in the students path to solve them. Through qualitative interviews in Sweden and Tanzania this study investigates some aspects of the CDE concept and develops a product in the form of a guide.First, it was investigated which competencies for sustainability that could be considered important in future engineers, according to interviewees. It was also investigated which competencies were developed during CDE projects. Results show that UNESCO’s key competencies correlates well with interviewees views, justifying the legitimacy of the framework. However, some skills and attributes mentioned in interviews lie outside of UNESCO’s framework but where still considered important. This implies the need to supplement orevolve the framework in order to be a more comprehensive tool for improving CDE and the engineering education. Secondly, several differences on how CDE is portrayed and executed where found in the interviews. From the Tanzanian context a somewhat limited view of the challenge owner was identified and findings show possibilities of broadening the perspective of the challenge owner role. Also, findings shows a need to emphasise the importance of sustainable development and societal contributions in the future development of CDE. Lastly, in order to facilitate communication with potential challenge owners in future CDE collaborations in Tanzania, the need for a guide was identified. Using an iterative design method, a guide based on interviewees feedback and the findings from this study was created. The main purpose is to present a widened view of CDE and to inspire potential challenge owners to join. / Ingenjörsutbildningen har, i linje med samhälleliga förändringar, ändrats och utvecklats i årtionden. Idag är arbetet mot hållbar utveckling av hög prioritet och ett sätt att utrusta framtidens ingenjörer med kompetenser för att ta sig an dessa utmaningar är genom Challenge Driven Education (CDE). CDE är ett relativt nytt utbildningskoncept som för samman universitet och externa intressenter för att gemensamt fostra morgondagens ingenjörer. Studien utgår från de så kallade challenge owners perspektiv, vilket är en underkatergori till de externa intressenterna. Challenge owners kan vara företag eller organisationer som förser studenterna med utmaningar och som även tar en aktiv roll i studenternas arbete med att lösa dessa. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer i Sverige och i Tanzania undersöker denna studie några aspekter av CDE-konceptet och utvecklar en produkt i form av en guide:Först undersöktes vilka nyckelkompetenser för hållbar utveckling var relevantaför framtida ingenjörer enligt intervjupersonerna. Det undersöktes ävenvilka kompetenser som utvecklades under CDE-projekt. Resultaten visar att UNESCO’s nyckelkompetenser korrelerar väl med de intervjuades syn på vad som behövs, något som ger legitimitet till ramverket. Dock visar resultaten att några färdigheter och egenskaper som ansågs viktiga ligger utanför UNESCO’s ramverk. Det antyder att det finns ett behov att komplettera eller utveckla ramverket för att göra det till ett mer heltäckande verktyg i syfte att förbättra CDE och ingenjörsutbildningen i stort. I intervjuerna identifierades sedan flera variationer i hur CDE beskrivs och tillämpas. Från den tanzanska kontexten identifierades en något begränsad syn på vad en challenge owner är och resultaten visar på möjligheten att bredda synen på challenge owner-rollen. Resultaten visar också på vikten av att betona hållbar utveckling i CDE-projekt samt att CDE kan bidra till samhällsutvecklingen. Något som ansågs viktigt för att utveckla och ta CDE-konceptet vidare. Slutligen identifierades ett behov att underlätta kommunikation med potentiella challenge owners i framtida CDE-samarbeten i Tanzania. Genom att använda en iterativ design metod skapades en guide. Guiden är baserad på feedback från intervjudeltagarna samt resultat och slutsatser från denna studie. Det övergripande syftet med guiden är att presentera en breddad bild av CDE samt att inspirera potentiella challenge owners att engagera sig i CDE.