Denna kandidatuppsats behandlar wayshowing i en 3D-modell av Visualiseringscenter C, Norrköping. Syftet är att undersöka olika sätt att göra skyltar i virtuell miljö och vilket sätt som är mest lättarbetat för användaren som ska skapa dessa skyltar. Uppsatsen utgår från teori om wayshowing och om hur en bra skylt ska se ut för att uppfylla sitt syfte. Med hjälp av denna teori har skyltar skapats i en 3D-miljö. Det insamlade materialet som resultaten är baserade på kommer från två strukturerade observationer och en intervju. Deltagaren och observatören i observationerna var författaren själv och under intervjun hördes en student med liknande erfarenheter kring grafisk design och 3D som författaren. I observationerna testades två sätt att skapa skyltar; ett sätt där texturen gjordes innan skyltarna tillverkades i 3D-miljön och ett sätt där texturen gjordes efter det att skyltarna hade tillverkats i 3D- miljön. Resultaten från observationerna visar att det senare sättet är smidigast att använda eftersom det är lättare att anpassa texturen till skylten efter det att skylten har blivit modellerad i 3D. Observationerna undersökte även vilka digitala processer som användes och vilken tid de processerna tog. Under observationerna framkom att rendering var den digitala process om användes flest gånger. Den process som ansågs ta mest tid var så kallade tutorials, att ta reda på och införskaffa kunskap om hur ett moment kan utföras. Observationerna visade även att det är tidssparande att återanvända kameror, material och 3D-modeller. / This bachelor thesis is about wayshowing in a 3D model of Visualiseringscenter C, Norrköping. The aim is to examine different ways to make signs in a virtual environment and which of these ways is the easiest to apply for the user. The essay is based on theory regarding wayshowing and how a good sign should look in order to fulfill its purpose. With the use of this theory, signs have been created in a 3D environment. The collected data which the results are based on comes from two structured observations and one interview. The participant and the observer of the observations was the author herself and the interview was done with a student who has similar experiences in graphic design and 3D as the author. The observations evaluated two different ways to create signs. One way in which the texture was made before the signs were made in the 3D environment and one way in which the texture was made after the signs had been manufactured in the 3D environment. The results of the observations show that the latter approach is more convenient to use because it is easier to adjust the texture after the sign has been created. The observations also considered the digital processes used and the time spent on these processes. The observations revealed that rendering was the most used digital process. The digital process which was most time consuming was the use of tutorials, i.e. to acquire knowledge of how an previously unknown digital process could be performed. The observations also revealed that re-use of cameras, materials, and 3D models was time saving.

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The effectiveness of an emergency response during an incident is often affected by the lack of information provided to the people within the situation about the current conditions. Deaths in large-scale fires are often likely to have been caused by delays in the occupants receiving relevant information on the fire and egress routes. This is why pre-movement behaviour, which is defined as the behaviour which occurs before an alarm is sounded and includes the activities which occur between the alarm sounding and the occupants beginning to move towards an exit, is believed to be generally more important to survival than the actual movement speed. It is the unpredictability and complexity of human behaviour that is the most influential factor on the success / failure of an evacuation plan. Unfortunately, evacuation plans rely on the use of purposely designed egress routes which often are not the common everyday exits. These specifically designed egress routes, which an engineer may assume will be used during an evacuation, are often ignored by occupants due to the lack of information and noticeable distinguishing features. Having occupants moving in directions away from these intended routes may result in the increasing possibility of occupants finding themselves in a dangerous situation, ultimately leading to potential loss of life. The value of a sensor-linked fire model has been demonstrated and the potential for interpretation of human behaviour shown. However, there are many challenges in representing and interpreting data on human behaviour. Within most emergency evacuation situations, occupants will often walk past emergency exits without using them and exit through the main entrance or main exit, as displayed during an evacuation experiment held in IKEA in 1996. Problems occur because occupants will rely on the familiar exits over the closest emergency exit, which could be potentially overcome by the use of an information driven evacuation system. The main function of the Information Driven Evacuation System or I.D.E.S. is to provide occupants with information on the most appropriate egress paths within a building based on the development of the fire and the movement of other occupants. The system is a combination of real-time sensor data, a prediction modelling tool and the information driven way-finding tools. However, as all three processes are independent systems, a central server will be required in order to ensure that all the different processes are speaking the same language and that the information from one system can be understood by another. of the components within the system interact with each other. The basis of the system will combine the use of sensors within a building and specific way-finding tools to give the I.D.E.S. the ability to change the information provided by the way-finding tools by having the sensors within the building interfacing with a computer server. This server will incorporate a modelling program that will have ability to assess the data gathered by the sensors, and use the servers “intelligence” (i.e. predicting capabilities) to alter the information provided by the way-finding tools. The server will also have the ability to use the sensor data to predict the development of the fire and the movement / behaviours of the occupants. The way-finding tools used within the I.D.E.S. would have the primary goal of relaying the information to the occupants within the building through the use of both audio (e.g. directional speakers) and visual (e.g. flashing lights) capabilities. Basic audio and visual tools are already used as common features of an evacuation plan [9] and include exit signage and alarm bell/sirens. The computer model used as part of the “intelligence” of the server will need to have predicative capabilities that incorporate information provided in real time. It is believed that the combination of these tools will be able to provide the occupants with the information required to evacuate the building in a safe and efficient way without causing confusion, thus reducing the possibility of stress and anxiety. However, the solution will only work if the combination of the tools, sensors and systems are able to be integrated into a central control panel that can be understood and used effectively by fire service and/or security staff. The following is the Chapter breakdown of the thesis: Chapter 1 discusses the nature of the problem that is to be addressed by the I.D.E.S. as well as the proposed solution and the overall concept of the system. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the system to be developed as part of this thesis, via a graphical overview as well discussing the current status of the system and an higher level summary. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 discusses the background research and information gathered on the current code requirements for an evacuation design, the current theories and completed research focusing on the human behaviour of occupants during an evacuation, and the development of computer modelling programs and their historical implementation. Chapter 6 focuses and describes the development of predictive modelling, the limitations that dictates the modelling process, the requirements of the I.D.E.S. modelling programme and a review of the possible programmes for their ability to be used as part of the system. Chapter 7 covers each of the three evacuation experimental series that were conducted as part of this thesis. The purpose of each of the relevant experiment is covered, the results gathered, the analysis of the research, and how the results influenced the development of the simulation methodology. Chapter 8 focuses on the development of the modelling programme, based on the experimental data gathered, and presents a feasibility study that will demonstrate how the system would work during a simulated real life evacuation based on the information gathered from the experiments using the updated CRISP program and the hypothetical installation of the system within an existing building, located in Auckland, New Zealand. The possible further evolution of the system is discussed in Chapter 10.

ALS är en förkortning av Amyotrofisk lateral skleros. Nervceller som styr kroppensmuskulatur förtvinas och leder till förlamning. Till slut påverkas andningsmuskulaturen och man får svårigheter med andningen, vilket till sist leder till döden. Sjukdomen delas in i grupper och det skiljer sig åt i symptom och aggressivitet dock är utgången densamma. Överlevnaden är vanligtvis 3-5 år. Det bedrivs mycket medicinsk forskning men än så länge har man inte hittat botemedel. Orsaken är oklar men det finns vissa teorier. Behandlingen går ut på att lindra symtom och bromsa sjukdomförloppet. Syftet med denna studie är att belysa upplevelsen att leva med ALS.  Därför gjordes en litteraturstudie ur ett vårdvetenskapligt perspektiv, utifrån nio forskningsartiklar. Sökningar har gjorts i databaserna Cinahl, PubMed och Medline.I analysen framkom två teman: Förändrad livsvärld och Välbefinnande. Under Förändrad  livsvärd  framkommer  tre  underteman:  Lidande,  Skuld  och  skam  samt Vården av en anhörig. Under Välbefinnande hittades två underteman: Finna mening i livet och Konsten att leva i nuet. Studien visar att ALS skapar mycket lidande och existentiella funderingar både för patient och anhöriga. Den visar också att det är de anhöriga som står för den mesta vården och tar ett stort ansvar för patienten. Mitt i allt lidande kan man trots allt finna glädje och välbefinnande, vilket familj och vänner bidrar till.

This dissertation examined the relationship between attachment insecurity and complicated grief by testing a path model of variables that were hypothesized to mediate this relationship. Three meaning-making variables were tested as potential mediators: benefit-finding, sense-making, and positive reappraisal. First, a series of principal components analyses were performed to determine the factor structure of these meaning-making variables. After these constructs were identified, a series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the unique contribution of each of the primary variables in predicting either complicated grief or one of the meaning-making variables. As hypothesized, some of the attachment and meaning-making variables were highly associated with complicated grief. Attachment insecurity variables were also associated with some of the meaning-making variables suggesting that attachment may have some influence on how individuals use meaning-making strategies in the midst of a loss. These variables were then entered into a path analysis that accounted for other relevant risk factors. It was found that, contrary to the main hypothesis, the meaning-making variables did not appear to mediate the relationship between attachment insecurity and complicated grief. Multiple regression was used to determine the relative impact of meaning-making and attachment variables on complicated grief because these variables have not been previously included in one statistical model. The results suggested that both meaning-making and attachment insecurity variables can play an important role as risk factors for complicated grief and that these relationships are still present after accounting for the closeness that an individual reported towards the deceased. It was concluded that both sets of variables, attachment and meaning-making, should be included in models of the development of complicated grief and that both may have clinical implications in terms of how to approach counseling for individuals struggling with complicated grief. More research on this topic is needed to look at similar research questions within specific populations. It was also suggested that in the future, researchers need to find better ways to measure meaning-making constructs because the current findings suggest that meaning-making may be even more multifaceted than has been suggested in previous literature. / text

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate radio receivers that had been previously acquired for other tasks by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, for additional service in a radio direction finding (DF) system. The antenna, calibration signal generator and DF algorithm were provided. As the receivers used the VITA 49 frame format, much of the work involved the interpretation of the frame structure and contents. The other main challenges were to put the receivers into the correct internal state, to compensate the analogue phase errors due to cabling, and to correlate the digital frames according to the time stamps. The work was performed partly as a literature study and, during implementation, by using an investigative trial and-error method. Collection of reference signals, for later offline analysis, was made at the Swedish Defence Research Agency. The findings of the evaluation was that the receivers were phase coherent and that the VITA 49 frame format was suitable for DF use. An apparently systematic error of unknown origin rendered the DF results inaccurate, even though the precision of the results was high. The automatic gain control (AGC) of the receivers did not perform according to norm. If the systematic error is compensated for, and the AGC problem is eliminated, the receivers will function as a DF system using the manufacturer's instructions, with the provided antenna. The performance of the receivers in this setting was not a primary concern for the thesis, but was deemed to be acceptable. Suggestions for further development include finding the source of the systematic error, an automatic calibration function, a more thorough performance analysis, and code optimizations using multiple threads.

With the financial crisis, many firms suffered from liquidity shortages and needed to quickly change their way of working to release capital from the operations. Scholars argue that firms should handle immediate crisis with short-term measures first, and then change the underlying organizational routines to prevent recurrence. The management of working capital has received increased attention amongst corporate managers as a result of the crisis, whereby it is interesting to understand how firms can reduce their working capital in a sustainable way. By using the problem-finding and problem-solving approach, this study explores how successful firms have found and solved problems to make them sustainable. To answer the research question a multiple-case study is performed, where five firms are explored through interviews with key respondents. The study indicates that urgency is the main driver for both introducing and increasing the focus on working capital management. Different strategies for obtaining sustainable working capital management are found, where focus and commitment from the top management is suggested to be the glue that makes it last. It is furthermore suggested that managers have two main tools for creating and sustaining desired routines and practices; communication and control.

This thesis introduces new techniques for finding genes in genomic sequences. Genes are regions of a genome encoding proteins of an organism. Identification of genes in a genome is an important step in the annotation process after a new genome is sequenced. The prediction accuracy of gene finding can be greatly improved by using experimental evidence. This evidence includes homologies between the genome and databases of known proteins, or evolutionary conservation of genomic sequence in different species. <br /><br /> We propose a flexible framework to incorporate several different sources of such evidence into a gene finder based on a hidden Markov model. Various sources of evidence are expressed as partial probabilistic statements about the annotation of positions in the sequence, and these are combined with the hidden Markov model to obtain the final gene prediction. The opportunity to use partial statements allows us to handle missing information transparently and to cope with the heterogeneous character of individual sources of evidence. On the other hand, this feature makes the combination step more difficult. We present a new method for combining partial probabilistic statements and prove that it is an extension of existing methods for combining complete probability statements. We evaluate the performance of our system and its individual components on data from the human and fruit fly genomes. <br /><br /> The use of sequence evolutionary conservation as a source of evidence in gene finding requires efficient and sensitive tools for finding similar regions in very long sequences. We present a method for improving the sensitivity of existing tools for this task by careful modeling of sequence properties. In particular, we build a hidden Markov model representing a typical homology between two protein coding regions and then use this model to optimize a component of a heuristic algorithm called a spaced seed. The seeds that we discover significantly improve the accuracy and running time of similarity search in protein coding regions, and are directly applicable to our gene finder.

Using a generalized-clique hidden Markov model (HMM) as the starting point for a eukaryotic gene finder, the objective here is to strengthen the signal information at the transitions between coding and non-coding (c/nc) regions. This is done by enlarging the primitive hidden states associated with individual base labeling (as exon, intron, or junk) to substrings of primitive hidden states or footprint states. Moreover, the allowed footprint transitions are restricted to those that include either one c/nc transition or none at all. (This effectively imposes a minimum length on exons and the other regions.) These footprint states allow the c/nc transitions to be seen sooner and have their contributions to the gene-structure identification weighted more heavily – yet contributing as such with a natural weighting determined by the HMM model itself according to the training data – rather than via introducing an artificial gain-parameter tuning on major transitions. The selection of the generalized HMM model is interpolated to highest Markov order on emission probabilities, and to highest Markov order (subsequence length) on the footprint states. The former is accomplished via simple count cutoff rules, the latter via an identification of anomalous base statistics near the major transitions using Shannon entropy. Preliminary indications, from applications to the C. elegans genome, are that the sensitivity/specificity (SN/SP) result for both the individual state and full exon predictions are greatly enhanced using the generalized-clique HMM when compared to the standard HMM. Here the standard HMM is represented by the choice of the smallest size of footprint state in the generalized-clique HMM. Even with these improvements, we observe that both extremely long and short exon and intron segments would go undetected without an explicit model of the duration of state. The key contributions of this effort are the full derivation and experimental confirmation of a rudimentary, yet powerful and competitive gene finding method based on a higher order hidden Markov model. With suitable extensions, this method is expected to provide superior gene finding capability – not only in the context of pre-conditioned data sets as in the evaluations cited but also in the wider context of less preconditioned and/or raw genomic data.

Tuberculosis remains a communicable disease of major public health importance in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to search for trends in management of tuberculosis at Hillbrow Health Centre from 2000 to 2002. Furthermore, to assess completeness of routine records, compare performance of tuberculosis control in this clinic with others in region 8 during 2002 and identify residential areas with high volumes of tuberculosis patients. Data was obtained from tuberculosis documents at the facility. Information provided by the district office was compared with research findings and used to evaluate performance of Hillbrow Health Centre against the other four clinics in the region. The main findings from the study conducted at Hillbrow Health Centre were the large number of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis annually and cure rates below 40% during the study period. In 2002, the clinic reported the highest proportion of TB patients and the lowest cure rate compared to the other four clinics reporting tuberculosis in region 8. “Hot spots” for the disease were identified in Hillbrow and Joubert Park suburbs and this is where Esselen, Hillbrow and Urban Health Clinics are situated. There is room for improvement of tuberculosis control. More research needs to be done to determine factors contributing to the high incidence of TB in Hillbrow and Joubert Park Suburbs.