This master's thesis is engaged in development of new sanding units for a specific type of rail vehicle. Sanding in rail transport is application of most commonly silica sand into wheel-rail contact. Thanks to its reliability it is still the most widely used method for removing contaminants and improving adhesion in that contact. Sanding devices were developed in cooperation with corporation, which deals with production of rail transport equipment, among other things. The most important part of sanding device is sand dispenser. Dispensers were experimentally developed at the test station in the cooperating corporation. Dispensers were tested for utilization conditions on the locomotive of the train and conditions for trams and light rail vehicles. Furthermore, sand boxes have been designed for specific type of rail vehicle and new type of sand discharge tube, which directs sand directly into wheel-rail contact was designed too.

Medication adherence is a formidable challenge for the elderly who may have several prescribed medications while dealing with limited incomes and declining health. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the Liberty 6000, an automated capsule and tablet dispenser that provides proper medication dosages and is intended to encourage and track medication adherence. Seven focus groups were assembled; these comprised 49 men and women ages 65 to 98 years of Black, Anglo, and Hispanic descent who met the following criteria: living independently or semi-independently, had suffered one or more impairments, and were taking at least three prescription medications. Each focus group session lasted 90 minutes and was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, resulting in about 2,600 lines of text. Each question was designed to be open-ended to avoid introducing any bias that might influence the response. The Health Belief Model conceptually guided the study that addressed perceptions of illness susceptibility and severity, barriers, benefits, and cues to action associated with medication adherence. Main benefits of taking medications included avoiding inherited illnesses (or tendencies for illnesses), and reducing illness symptoms. Barriers to taking medications included forgetting, dexterity problems, and high cost. Benefits of the proposed intervention included reminding, caregiver notification, and providing a printed log of medications taken and missed. Barriers associated with the Liberty 6000 included its relatively large size, the difficulties that confronted older adults when loading the device, and its perceived cost. Using an adoption prediction model proposed a way to overcome barriers and encourage acceptance as well as a strategy to maintain acceptance over time. The model also can be used to evaluate a wide variety of medical devices for elderly people. This study identified the advantages and disadvantages of the Liberty 6000. Findings also suggest areas for further investigation by the nursing community and healthcare policy makers in finding solutions to the myriad problems faced by older people in medication adherence.

I dagsläget saknas till stor del publikationer avseende minkastare och framför allt minvapnets indirekta stridseffekter, vilket denna rapport syftar till att undersöka. I rapporten skapas ett antal simplifierade taktiska scenarier där metoden för utläggning av minor varierar för att simulera vilken direkt stridseffekt mineringarna får. En hypotes angående vilken stridseffekt som skulle uppstå skapas innan simuleringarna, och används för att genomföra en spelteoretisk analys på de beslut våra egna förband och motståndaren kan ta. Utifrån den spelteoretiska analysen kan slutsatser dras kring de indirekta stridseffekter som minkastare kan tänkas bidra med i verkligheten, såsom att binda motståndarens minbrytningsresurser, höja den egna beredskapen till att minera snabbt, och att minska motståndarens reaktions- och omplaneringstid vid sammanstöt med minering.  Minkastare bidrar enligt rapporten inte med bättre direkta stridseffekter än manuellt utlagda mineringar då vi har god tid för förberedelser. Dock bedöms minkastare kunna bidra med en förmågehöjning inom Försvarsmakten då vi exempelvis har ont om förberedelsetid eller behöver en hög flexibilitet i var minering ska ske, och kan komplettera dagens metoder för minering väl. Arbetet belyser också de begränsningar som dagens tillgängliga simuleringsmjukvara har, och bidrog till Totalförsvarets forskningsinstituts vidareutveckling av mjukvaran för att bättre kunna simulera mineringars effekter i framtiden. / Today there is largely a lack of publications regarding mine dispensers and the indirect effects of mines, which this report aims to investigate. In the report several simplified tactical scenarios are created, where the method of mine laying varies to simulate which combat effectiveness the minefields create. A hypothesis about the combat effectiveness is made before the simulations and is used in a game theoretical analysis of our own and the opponent’s choices in the scenarios. From the game theoretical analysis the report is able to conclude which indirect effects a mine dispenser could have in practice, such as binding the opponent’s minefield breaching resources, improving our readiness to mine quickly, and to lower the opponent’s reaction- and replanning time when met with a minefield. According to the report, mine dispensers do not provide better combat effectiveness than manually placed mines when we have lots of time for preparations. Mine dispensers can however provide a raise in ability when we for example have little time for preparations or when we need to maintain a high flexibility in where to mine, and could well complement today’s methods for mine laying. The report also illuminates the limitations of the simulation software available today, and contributed to the Swedish Defence Research Agency’s further development of the software to better simulate the effects of minefields in the future.

Detta examensarbete fokuserar på att designa och utveckla en doseringsask som kan underlätta medicindoseringsprocessen för användare, särskilt personer som lider av kroniska sjukdomar. Målet är att skapa en enkel och användarvänlig produkt som hjälper användarna att hålla reda på rätt dosering och tidpunkt för medicinering. Examensarbetet syftar till att konstruera och utveckla en innovativ doseringsprodukt som är skräddarsydd efter användarnas behov, samtidigt som det adresserar problemet med att människor ofta glömmer att ta sina mediciner. Produkten ska vara användarvänlig, hanterbar och portabel. Målet är att skapa ett väl genomtänkt slutkoncept som tillfredsställer alla användares behov och önskemål. För att uppnå detta tillämpades en metod som inkluderar en förstudiefas där både primär- och sekundärdata samlas in för att skaffa relevant kunskap inom ämnet. Intervjuer genomförs med personer som lider av kroniska sjukdomar för att erhålla specifik information om målgruppen och för att identifiera krav och önskvärda egenskaper. Idégenerering utförs genom användning av olika metoder för att generera en mångfald av koncept och lösningar. Med hjälp av prototyptester samt att kontinuerligt genomföra utvärderingar förbättrades produkten successivt. En viktig funktion i den nya produkten är dess förmåga att organisera medicinerna genom att ha två fack för varje dag. Detta underlättar för användarna att hålla koll på vilka mediciner som ska tas vid olika tidpunkter under dagen. Det gjordes också undersökningar för att bestämma den optimala volymen på varje fack, så att de kan rymma 12 medelstora tabletter och uppfylla kravet på produktens storlek. Materialvalet och dimensioneringen av asken gjordes noggrant för att säkerställa enkel rengöring och portabilitet. Produktens kvalitet och funktion testades noggrant för att säkerställa att den uppfyller användarnas behov. En trådlös anslutning till en mobilapplikation implementerades för övervakning och spårning av medicinering på distans. Bluetooth-modulen, knapparna och skärmen valdes noggrant för att passa askens dimensioner. Slutprodukten är en doseringsask som är ergonomiskt utformad. Dess funktioner, som organiserade fack för varje dag och trådlös anslutning till mobilapplikationen, ger användarna möjlighet till strukturerad och kontrollerad medicinering. / This thesis focuses on designing and developing a medication dispenser that can facilitate the medication dosing process for users, especially people suffering from chronic diseases. The goal is to create a simple and user-friendly product that helps users keep track of the correct dosage and timing of medication. The thesis aims to design and develop an innovative dosing product that is tailored to the needs of users while addressing the problem of people often forgetting to take their medications. The product must be user-friendly, manageable, and portable. The goal is to create a well-thought-out final concept that satisfies the needs and wishes of all users. To achieve this, a method was applied that includes a preliminary study phase where both primary and secondary data are collected to acquire relevant knowledge within the subject. Interviews were conducted with people suffering from chronic diseases to obtain specific information about the target group and to identify requirements and desirable characteristics. Idea generation was performed through the use of different methods to generate a diversity of concepts and solutions. With the help of prototype tests and continuous evaluations, the product was gradually improved. An important feature of the new product is its ability to organize the medicines by having two compartments for each day. This makes it easier for users to keep track of which medicines to take at different times during the day. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal volume of each box so that it could accommodate 12 medium-sized tablets and meet the product size requirement. The material selection and dimensioning of the box were done carefully to ensure easy cleaning and portability. The quality and function of the product were thoroughly tested to ensure that they met the needs of users. A wireless connection to a mobile application was implemented for remote medication monitoring and tracking. The Bluetooth module, buttons, and screen were carefully selected to fit the dimensions of the box. The end product is a dosing box that is ergonomically designed. Its features, such as organized compartments for each day and wireless connection to the mobile application, give users the opportunity for structured and controlled medication.

No description available.

The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of small monetary or economic gains and/or losses on choice behavior through the use of a computerized game and to determine gain/loss ratio differences using both behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Participants (N=53) played the game in several 36 minute sessions. These sessions operated with concurrent variable-interval schedules for both rewards and penalties. Previously, asymmetrical effects of gains and losses have been identified through cognitive studies, primarily due to the work of nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky (1979). They found that the effect of a loss is twice (i.e., 2:1) that of a gain. Similar results have been observed in the behavioral laboratory as exemplified by the research of Rasmussen and Newland (2008), who found a 3:1 ratio for the effect of losses versus gains. The asymmetry of gains and losses was estimated behaviorally and through event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and the cognitive (Kahneman and Tversky) and behavioral (Rasmussen and Newland) discrepancy elucidated. In the game, the player moves an animated submarine around sea rocks to collect yellow coins and other treasures on the sea floor. Upon collecting a coin, one of three things can happen: The player triggers a penalty (loss), the player triggers a payoff (gain), or there is no change. The behavioral measures consisted in counting the number of clicks, reinforces, and punishers and then determining ratio differences between punished (loss) and no punished condition (gain) conditions. The obtained gain/loss ratio corresponded to an asymmetry of 2:1. Similarly ratio differences were found between male and female, virtual money and cash, risk averse versus risk seeking, and generosity versus profit behavior. Also, no ratio difference was found when players receive information about other player's performances in the game (players with information versus players without information). In electroencephalographic (EEG) studies, visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and ERPs components (e.g., P300) were examined. I found increased ERP amplitudes for the losses in relation to the gains that corresponded to the calculated behavioral asymmetry of 2:1. A correlational strategy was adopted that sought to identify neural correlates of choice consistent with cognitive and behavioral approaches. In addition, electro cortical ratio differences were observed between different sets of electrodes that corresponded to the front, middle, and back sections of the brain; differences between sessions, risk averse and risk seeking behavior and sessions with concurrent visual and auditory stimuli and only visual were also estimated.

nÃo hà / O uso racional de recursos à pauta recorrente nas discussÃes acerca do desenvolvimento sustentÃvel e tem estimulado o projeto de equipamentos mais eficientes quanto ao consumo de energia elÃtrica. Agentes regulamentadores e certificadores estabelecem regras para o funcionamento e para a classificaÃÃo de eletrodomÃsticos quanto ao consumo de energia elÃtrica a fim de formalizar a relaÃÃo entre o desempenho dos mesmos e a manutenÃÃo indefinida dos recursos. Nesse contexto, lanÃa-se mÃo do projeto de um controlador preditivo baseado em modelo aplicado à regulaÃÃo da temperatura do reservatÃrio de Ãgua gelada de um refrigerador termoelÃtrico obedecendo as especificaÃÃes da norma internacional ANSI18 que determina condiÃÃes funcionais para bebedouros com refrigeraÃÃo mecÃnica incorporada, concomitantemente buscando atender aos requisitos para a certificaÃÃo ENERGY STAR quanto ao critÃrio de eficiÃncia energÃtica. Para tanto foram realizadas as etapas de i) Modelagem e IdentificaÃÃo do Processo: foi desenvolvido um modelo em termos de funÃÃo de transferÃncia do sistema de refrigeraÃÃo termoelÃtrico de fluidos atravÃs de modelagem fenomenolÃgica; foram realizados experimentos para a identificaÃÃo de parÃmetros de modelos discretos pelo mÃtodo caixa branca; foi desenvolvido critÃrio de seleÃÃo de modelo baseado na capacidade de simulaÃÃo e caracterÃsticas do resÃduo de simulaÃÃo; ii) Estudo do Controlador Preditivo Baseado em Modelo: foi projetado e implementado na planta um controlador preditivo baseado em um dos modelos parametrizados para regulaÃÃo da temperatura do reservatÃrio interno; foi analisado o desempenho do controlador segundo a norma regulamentadora; iii) Estudo da EficiÃncia do Controlador: foi analisado o desempenho do controlador quanto a capacidade do protÃtipo em atender aos requisitos que o qualificam à obtenÃÃo de certificado segundo critÃrio de eficiÃncia energÃtica para regulaÃÃo da temperatura interna do reservatÃrio e, por fim, realizado um estudo comparativo entre a estratÃgia de controle biestÃvel aplicada atualmente ao processo e a estratÃgia proposta. / The rational use of resources is a recurring theme in sustainable development discussions and has stimulated the development of more efficient electrical power consumption appliances. Regulators and Certifiers agencies set standards for the functionality requirements and for the electric power consumption classification of devices in order to formalize the relationship between performance and maintenance of these resources indefinitely. Thus a model based predictive controller was applied to a thermoelectric cooler to attain the international standard ANSI18 specifications for water cooler dispensers and to meet ENERGY STAR$ iny^{ extregistered}$ energy efficiency requirements. A phenomenological linear model was obtained and the respective parameters were identified by using least squares algorithm; experiments were performed to identify the parameters of the discrete transfer functions; a model criterion selection based on simulation capabilities and residue characteristics was developed; a model based predictive controller was designed and applied using one of the models identified; the controller performance was analyzed attending to the ANSI18 standard and according to energy performance certificates; a comparative study between the bistable control and the proposed strategy was made for performance analysis. Simulation and experimental tests have shown compromise between the simulation capability and residue characteristic criterion. The closed loop system behavior allowed energy saving in standby temperature regulating compared to thermostat control mode. The new control strategy achieved ENERGY STAR energy-efficiency criteria certification requirements infeasible for traditional regulation.

Microwave tubes are the choice of a wide range of high power and millimeter wave applications in radar, electronic warfare and communication systems. Advances in these devices are due to device innovation, improved modeling, and development of advanced materials. In a microwave tube, electron emitter is the source of electron beam and it is one of the vital components determining the life & performance of the device. High power, high frequency microwave tubes require electron emitters with high emission density. The present thesis aims at developing the materials for high emission density electron emitters. It is aimed to improve the emission density of thermionic cathodes for use in conventional microwave tubes and to develop cold emitters like ferroelectric cathodes for high power microwave devices. The work reported in the present thesis is a modest attempt of the author towards this aim. The thesis is organized in six chapters. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction of thermionic and ferroelectric emitters. Different types of electron emission mechanisms and a brief background of thermionic and ferroelectricemitters are discussed in this chapter. The genesis of the problem taken up and its importance as well as the plan and scope of the work is also given in this chapter. In Chapter 2, the basic experimental techniques used in the present work are discussed. Preparation of mixed metal matrix and M- type dispenser cathodes and their characterization techniques has been discussed in this chapter. Subsequently, ferroelectric materials preparation and characterization for their material properties and electron emission has been discussed. A brief introduction to FEM software ANSYS, used for thermal analysis of dispenser cathodes and electrostatic field analysis of ferroelectric cathodes, has been given at the end of this chapter. Thermal analysis, development process, emission characterization, work function distribution, of W-Ir mixed metal matrix (MM type) cathodes and a simple innovative technique to estimate the barium evaporation rate from the emission data of the dispenser cathodes is presented in Chapter 3. Under normal microwave tube operating conditions, the cathode of the electron gun has to be heated up to 1050°C to obtain stable thermionic electron emission. Thermal analysis is a first step in the development process of cathodes, optimizing its structure for improved performance with respect to its operating power, warm-up time and efficiency. Thermal analysis of a dispenser cathode in electron gun environment using the FEM software ANSYS and its experimental validation are presented. Development of porous W-Ir mixed metal matrix material required for dispenser cathode applications has been discussed. Determination of pore size, pore density and pore uniformity has been carried out. The performance of the cathodes made with these pellets is at par with the results reported in the literature. The surface of mixed metal pellet is an inherently two-phase structure consisting of tungsten solid solution phase and W-Ir ε phase causing more spread in the spatial distribution of work function. W-Ir mixed metal matrix cathodes have been realized and their work function distribution has been determined form the measured I-V characteristics. Also in this chapter, a novel technique for estimation of barium evaporation rate for dispenser cathodes from their I-V characteristics is presented. Results of life test carried out on these cathodes are given at the end of the chapter. In Chapter 4, work carried out on enhancing the emission properties of mixed metal matrix cathodes by suitably modifying the impregnant mix is discussed. W-Ir MM type cathodes discussed in the previous chapter give a emission current density of ~ 7.5A/cm2 with a work function of 1.99 eV. Thesevalues are very close to that of B-type cathode. In this chapter, it is explored to suitably dope the 5BaO:3CaO:2Al2O3 impregnant mix to reduce the work function of W-Ir cathodes. Lithium and Scandium oxides have been added to the 5:3:2 imp regnant mix. Lithium oxide doped impregnated MM type cathodes have given more than 30 A/cm2 current density at 1050oC. For scandium oxide doped MM type cathodes current density has increased to 15 A/cm2 at the same temperature. In Chapter 5, Electron emission from the ferroelectric cathodes has been discussed. FEM simulation of Ferroelectric cathodes to study the electrical excitation effects on emission. Triple point electric field in FE Cathodes is very large and can lead to field emission from the metallic grid at triple points. FEM simulation has been carried out to find out the effect of grid thickness on triple junction electric field using ANSYS software. From FEM modeling it is also seen that if a dielectric layer of lower dielectric constant (εr≤10) is placed between the grid and the ferroelectric material the triple junction electric field increases three fold. Use of dielectric layer can also reduce the secondary electron coefficient (δ) and surface plasma generation. Lanthanum doped PZT has been chosen for the study and these materials have been tested in diode configuration for emission characterization in demountable vacuum systems. Repeatable electron emission has been achieved for all the three compositions of PLZT (x/65/35) material (x = 7, 8, 9). However, it has been observed that when the ferroelectric is subjected to repetitive unipolar electrical excitation, fatigue is set in and cathode material is cracking. To study the effect of domain switching on the residual stress in the ferroelectric material, XRD studies have been carried out. Shift in XRD peaks for fresh and emission tested samples has been used to calculate the residual stress developed in the samples. Details of High current switch realized using ferroelectric cathodes have been discussed. Chapter 6 gives the Summary of the work done and suggestions for further research on W-Ir mixed metal matrix cathodes and ferroelectric cathodes.

Sakernas internet (IoT) syftar till det nät av enheter som samlar och delar data över internet. De senaste åren har användandet av konsument-IoT ökat explosionsartat och åtföljts av en ökad oro kring säkerheten i dessa enheter, då många system visat sig ha bristande säkerhetsimplementeringar. Denna studie undersöker säkerheten i en smart foderautomat för husdjur och redogör för ekonomiska orsaker till förekomsten av sårbarheter. Metoden bygger på att hotmodellera foderautomaten med STRIDE- och DREAD-modellerna följt av en penetrationstestningsfas för några av de allvarligaste hoten. Resultatet visar på att foderautomaten Trixie TX9 har otillräcklig kryptering av nätverksnamn och lösenord till Wi-Fi, är sårbar mot flödesattacker och att analys av trafiken till/från enheten kan avgöra vilket tillstånd den är i. Vidare har foderautomaten flera öppna nätverkstjänster, där bland annat en Telnettjänst som kan nås genom svaga, hårdkodade inloggningsuppgifter som finns publicerade på internet. Ekonomiska orsaker till förekomsten av sårbarheter är främst asymmetrisk information och motstridande incitament. Det är idag svårt för tillverkare att ta betalt för säkerhet då marknaden drivs av snabba lanseringar och utökade funktioner till ett pressat pris. / Internet of things (IoT) refers to the web of connected devices that collect and share data through the internet. The use of consumer-IoT has increased dramatically in recent years, accompanying an increasing concern about the security of these devices as many systems have proven to have insufficient security measures. This study aims to investigate the security level of a smart food dispenser for pets, and account for the underlying economic reasons for the occurrences of vulnerabilities. The method used in this study consists of conducting threat modeling of the food dispenser using STRIDE as well as DREAD models. This is then followed by a penetration-testing phase for some of the more serious threats. The results indicate that the food-dispenser Trixie TX9 has insufficient encryption of network names and passwords, is susceptible to flooding-attacks, and analysis of the incoming/outgoing data traffic from the device can deduct which state it is currently in. Furthermore, the food dispenser has several open network services, Telnet is one among them, which can be accessed through weak, hardcoded credentials that are published on the internet. The economic reasons for these security weaknesses are asymmetrical information and misaligned economic incentives. Manufacturers struggle to charge consumers for an increased level of security as the main market driving factors are swift and regular product launches as well as an expansion of new features available at competitively low prices.

Modern medicinering medför att patienter kan behandlas mer effektivt om den tas pårätt sätt. När patienter själva ansvarar för sin medicinering kan den feldoseras ellerglömmas bort, vilket ändrar förutsättningar för dess inverkan. Glömska kombineradmed sinnesnedsättningar försvårar för patienten att sköta sin medicinering.Lösningen på detta problem är idag utökad hemvård där vårdpersonal hjälper patientenatt ta rätt medicin vid rätt tidpunkt. En teknisk lösning kan vara ett inbyggt systemsom påminner patienten, sparar missade doseringar och kan därmed ge mer informationtill läkare som då kan göra mer välgrundade beslut för fortsatt vård.Resultaten visar att en dosettask kan användas för att påminna patienter att ta sinmedicin och skicka missad dosering med närfältskommunikation. Som mikrokontrolleranvändes en STM32 Nucleo, med en tillståndsmaskin som mjukvarulösning. I vidarestudier kan ett realtidsoperativsystem användas. Systemet programmerades medArduinos utvecklingsmiljö, men ett alternativ är IAR. Projektets prototyp kunde medde flesta modulerna uppnå specifikationens batteritid, utöver ljudmodulen som användes.För att komma fram till detta resultat skapades två teoretiska extremfall därprototypen testades.Dosettasken kan leda till minskat pillersvinn och en lägre kostnad då färre hembesökkrävs. Dessutom resulterar detta i ökad självständighet för patienten. Dessa faktorerleder till att dosettasken bidrar till en ökad hållbar utveckling. / Modern medication allows patients to be treated more efficiently if taken properly.When patients themselves are responsible for their medication, it can be wronglydosed or forgotten, which changes the conditions for its effects. Forgetfulness combinedwith impaired senses make it difficult for the patient to take care of his medication.The solution to this problem today is increased home care, where healthcare professionalshelp patients to take the right medication at the right time. A technical solutioncan be an embedded system that reminds the patient, saves missed dosages, and canprovide more information to doctors who can make more informed decisions for furthercare.The results show that a pill dispenser can be used to remind patients to take their medicationand send missed dosages with near field communication. As a microcontroller,a STM32 Nucleo was used, with a state machine as software solution. In further studies,a real-time operating system can be used. The system was programmed with Arduino'sdevelopment environment, but an alternative is IAR. The prototype of the projectcould achieve the specifications battery life with most modules, except to thesound module used. To achieve this result, two theoretical extremes were created inwhich the prototype was tested.The pill dispenser can lead to reduced waste of pills and a lower cost, as fewer homevisits are required. In addition, this results in increased independence for the patient.These factors cause the pill dispenser to contribute to increased sustainable development.