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The purpose of this research was to investigate the differences of using problem decomposition and problem recomposition among dyads of engineering experts, dyads of engineering seniors, and dyads of engineering freshmen. Fifty participants took part in this study. Ten were engineering design experts, 20 were engineering seniors, and 20 were engineering freshmen. Participants worked in dyads to complete an engineering design challenge within an hour. The entire design process was video and audio recorded. After the design session, members participated in a group interview. This study used protocol analysis as the methodology. Video and audio data were transcribed, segmented, and coded. Two coding systems including the FBS ontology and “levels of the problem” were used in this study. A series of statistical techniques were used to analyze data. Interview data and participants’ design sketches also worked as supplemental data to help answer the research questions. By analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data, it was found that students used less problem decomposition and problem recomposoition than engineer experts in engineering design. This result implies that engineering education should place more importance on teaching problem decomposition and problem recomposition. Students were found to spend less cognitive effort when considering the problem as a whole and interactions between subsystems than engineer experts. In addition, students were also found to spend more cognitive effort when considering details of subsystems. These results showed that students tended to use dept-first decomposition and experts tended to use breadth-first decomposition in engineering design. The use of Function (F), Behavior (B), and Structure (S) among engineering experts, engineering seniors, and engineering freshmen was compared on three levels. Level 1 represents designers consider the problem as an integral whole, Level 2 represents designers consider interactions between subsystems, and Level 3 represents designers consider details of subsystems. The results showed that students used more S on Level 1 and 3 but they used less F on Level 1 than engineering experts. The results imply that engineering curriculum should improve the teaching of problem definition in engineering design because students need to understand the problem before solving it.

This thesis presents a feasibility study on unobtrusive localization of GSM en- abled cellphones using a Fake Base Station (FBS). An FBS is a radio transceiver that emulates the behaviour of a legitimate GSM Base Station (BS) to fool unal- tered cellphones to connect with it. This feasibility study investigates how an FBS can be utilized to estimate positions of connected cellphones in an area of interest. We present a proof of concept system that consists of a mobile FBS that measures the Time Of Arrival (TOA) and Received Signal Strength (RSS) to a cell- phone. The positions of the mobile FBS are determined with GPS. We employ calibration-free localization algorithms as we assume unknown environments and unknown hardware. Our experiments in an outdoor 180x100 m2 Line-Of- Sight (LOS) environment show that our calibration-free localization algorithms provide an average localization error less than 10 meters, which is sufficient for most applications of interest. In addition, our experiments show that RSS-based localization outperforms TOA-based localization when the average distance be- tween the FBS and cellphone is roughly 50 meters. Our experiments show that TOA-based localization outperforms RSS-based localization when the average dis- tance increases to roughly 75 meters. This research is part of the Smart Savannah project in which a wide range of different surveillance systems are developed to protect rhinos from poachers. We envision that our localization system can be used to detect and localize these poachers in an unobtrusive way. In addition, we envision that our localization sys- tem can be used in Search And Rescue (SAR) operations to estimate the positions of cellphones of missing persons. / Detta examensarbete undersöker möjligheten att lokalisera mobiltelefoner med GSM teknologi genom att använda en Falsk Basstation (FBS). En FBS är en radio transceiver som emulerar beteendet hos en legitim GSM basstation för att lura omodifierade mobiltelefoner att ansluta till den. Undersökningen tar reda på hur en FBS kan användas för att estimera positionerna av anslutna mobiltelefoner inom ett målområde. För att undersöka detta har ett Proof-Of-Concept-system ta- gits fram. Systemet består av en mobil FBS som som mäter propageringstid (TOA) och mottagen signalstyrka (RSS). FBS:ens positioner bestäms med GPS. Systemet använder kalibreringsfria algoritmer för lokalisering, då vi antar att miljön och mobiltelefonernas hårdvara är okänd. Tester av systemet har utförts utomhus i ett 180x100 m2 Line-Of-Sight-område. Dessa tester visar att lokaliseringsalgorit- merna ger ett genomsnittligt fel på mindre än 10 meter. Detta anses vara till- räckligt för de flesta tillämpningar av intresse. Utöver detta visar även testerna att RSS-baserad lokalisering ger bättre resultat än TOA-baserad lokalisering när medelavståndet mellan FBS och mobiltelefon är omkring 50 meter. TOA-baserad lokalisering ger däremot ett bättre resultat än RSS-baserad lokalisering när me- delavståndet ökar till omkring 75 meter. Denna undersökning är en del av Smart Savannah projektet som innefattar flera olika övervakningssystem, utvecklade för att skydda noshörningar från tjuv- skyttar. Målet med vårt lokaliseringssystem är att det ska kunna användas för att upptäcka och lokalisera tjuvskyttar utan deras vetskap. Vi tror även att lokalise- ringssystemet kan användas vid eftersökning- och räddnings-operationer för att lokalisera försvunna personers mobiltelefoner. / Project Ngulia

The survivability concerns the service continuity when the components of a system are damaged. This concept is especially useful in the emergency management of the system, as often emergencies involve accidents or incident disasters which more or less damage the system. The overall objective of this thesis study is to develop a quantitative management approach to the emergency management of a wireless cellular telecommunication system in light of its service continuity in emergency situations namely the survivability of the system. A particular wireless cellular telecommunication system, WCDMA, is taken as an example to ground this research.<p>The thesis proposes an ontology-based paradigm for service management such that the management system contains three models: (1) the work domain model, (2) the dynamic model, and (3) the reconfiguration model. A powerful work domain modeling tool called Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) is employed for developing the work domain model of the WCDMA system. Petri-Net theory, as well as its formalization, is applied to develop the dynamic model of the WCDMA system. A concept in engineering design called the general and specific function concept is applied to develop a new approach to system reconfiguration for the high survivability of the system. These models are implemented along with a user-interface which can be used by emergency management personnel. A demonstration of the effectiveness of this study approach is included.<p>There are a couple of contributions with this thesis study. First, the proposed approach can be added to contemporary telecommunication management systems. Second, the Petri Net model of the WCDMA system is more comprehensive than any dynamic model of the telecommunication systems in literature. Furthermore, this model can be extended to any other telecommunication system. Third, the proposed system reconfiguration approach, based on the general and specific function concept, offers a unique way for the survivability of any service provider system.<p>In conclusion, the ontology-based paradigm for a service system management provides a total solution to service continuity as well as its emergency management. This paradigm makes the complex mathematical modeling of the system transparent to the manager or managerial personnel and provides a feasible scenario of the human-in-the-loop management.

The survivability concerns the service continuity when the components of a system are damaged. This concept is especially useful in the emergency management of the system, as often emergencies involve accidents or incident disasters which more or less damage the system. The overall objective of this thesis study is to develop a quantitative management approach to the emergency management of a wireless cellular telecommunication system in light of its service continuity in emergency situations namely the survivability of the system. A particular wireless cellular telecommunication system, WCDMA, is taken as an example to ground this research.<p>The thesis proposes an ontology-based paradigm for service management such that the management system contains three models: (1) the work domain model, (2) the dynamic model, and (3) the reconfiguration model. A powerful work domain modeling tool called Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) is employed for developing the work domain model of the WCDMA system. Petri-Net theory, as well as its formalization, is applied to develop the dynamic model of the WCDMA system. A concept in engineering design called the general and specific function concept is applied to develop a new approach to system reconfiguration for the high survivability of the system. These models are implemented along with a user-interface which can be used by emergency management personnel. A demonstration of the effectiveness of this study approach is included.<p>There are a couple of contributions with this thesis study. First, the proposed approach can be added to contemporary telecommunication management systems. Second, the Petri Net model of the WCDMA system is more comprehensive than any dynamic model of the telecommunication systems in literature. Furthermore, this model can be extended to any other telecommunication system. Third, the proposed system reconfiguration approach, based on the general and specific function concept, offers a unique way for the survivability of any service provider system.<p>In conclusion, the ontology-based paradigm for a service system management provides a total solution to service continuity as well as its emergency management. This paradigm makes the complex mathematical modeling of the system transparent to the manager or managerial personnel and provides a feasible scenario of the human-in-the-loop management.

The FBS (Lees-Haley, 1992) is a relatively new validity scale for the MMPI-2 designed specifically to detect feigned neurocognitive deficit. The aim of the present study was to examine the FBSs efficacy in differentiating psychiatric and neurocognitive feigners using a known-groups design. Malingering tests were administered to 180 individuals undergoing forensic neuropsychiatric evaluations. Based on the malingering test results, participants were classified as honest responders, psychiatric feigners, neurocognitive feigners, or feigning both psychiatric and neurocognitive deficits. The FBS significantly differentiated the 3 feigning groups from the honest group, but it did not discriminate effectively between neurocognitive and psychiatric feigners.

Zugl.: Hannover, Univ., (1978-), Diss., 2006

In this work, the feasibility to perform substructuring technique with experimental data is demonstrated. This investigation examines two structures with different additional mass‑loads, i.e. transmission simulators (TSs). The two structures are a single blade and the hub together with two blades from an Ampair 600 wind turbine. Simulation data from finite element models of the TSs are numerically decoupled from each of the two structures. The resulting two structures are coupled to each other. The calculations are made exclusively in the frequency domain. A comparison between the predicted behavior from this assembled structure and measurements on the full hub with all three blades is carried out. The result is discouraging for the implemented method. It shows major problems, even though the measurements were performed in a laboratory environment.

Background:The family business is one of Sweden’s most common business forms, making up 90% of all firms and institutions. Also, it accounts for more than a third of GDP. So, it plays a vital role in the economy in Sweden. However, most of the family businesses are relatively small. Purpose:This paper aims to explore and understand the internal growth barriers to the small Swedish family business. Method:A qualitative method inspired by the inductive approach was conducted through semi-structured interviews with five owners of small family businesses in Sweden. The data were analyzed through three steps of general analytical procedure, which are (1) data reduction, (2) data displays, (3) conclusion and verification. Conclusion:This study concludes several internal growth barriers that affect the small Swedish family business: having only revenue goals, long-term growth goals, no written form of goals, family-oriented goals, unawareness of owner to change the firm’s structure during the growth, owner’s tendency to control all activities, owner prefers to keep the business smaller to keep control, the owner has more than one role and task, shortage of competencies and skills, unqualified successors and family members are welcome, lack of robots and Knowledge, owners have another job, different tasks, and roles, family business offers services of high quality that need time, selecting the oldest son to take over regardless of his competencies, employees’ attitude towards obeying a female owner, successors have no interest in taking over, no successors, rivalry among siblings and conflict of their interest, high arguments, different goals of family members from different generations, employ the first non-family member employee, employed more people, fear that non-family employees are less interested in FB or that more employees lead to loss of control, not able to employ more people and finally risk-avoiding behaviour. These barriers resulted in: hindering strategic changes in the needed time, innovation changes in the market obstructed, goals are forgotten, lack of competencies and skills, increases workload and challenges for the male manager, not responding to the market changes quickly, impossible to manage everything effectively, decrease control, not employing needed employees, responsibilities and roles on the owner increase, decrease integrity and harmony in the family, and finally, not developing the products, assisting more customers, and focusing on the growth. Consequently, lead to selling the firm and not keep it for a long time, slow growth, do no maximize potential growth, growth affected negatively, growth hindered, stay in the same size, avoid growth chances, or miss growth opportunities.

The growing commercialism within Division I big-time athletics has raised the financial stakes for universities, as successful athletic programs benefit from increased opportunities for financial gain. This has contributed to a pervasive "win culture" that drives institutions to seek competitive advantages, and as a side effect, NCAA rule violations have become incentivized. Programs whose infractions go unnoticed may benefit from the competitive advantage gained, but for programs investigated by the NCAA, the financial penalties incurred may far outweigh the potential revenues from undetected violations. The purpose of this study was to address institutional self-sanctions as an organizational behavior in response to NCAA major infractions and the impact of self-sanctioning on alumni charitable giving. Through the use of neo-institutional and resource dependence theories, this study aimed to further examine the role of institutional self-sanctions as a crisis management strategy in containing financial fallout of athletic scandal. While researchers have addressed scandal and alumni charitable giving in relation to athletics and institutional self-sanctions, respectively, no research exists linking the two bodies of literature. This study employed a two-way fixed effects analysis of 10 years of panel data to address the effect of key variables on alumni charitable giving. Analysis results indicated no significant relationship between institutional self-sanctions and alumni charitable giving. However, alumni charitable giving was mitigated by institutional endowment per FTE, suggesting that larger scale financial structures of an institution serve as the best predictor for alumni charitable giving during athletic scandal.