The topic of this thesis is Hand Gesture Recognition and Hand Tracking for user interface applications. 3 systems were produced, as well as datasets for recognition and tracking, along with UI applications to prove the concept of the technology. These represent significant contributions to resolving the hand recognition and tracking problems for 2d systems. The systems were designed to work in video only contexts, be computationally light, provide recognition and tracking of the user's hand, and operate without user driven fine tuning and calibration. Existing systems require user calibration, use depth sensors and do not work in video only contexts, or are computationally heavy requiring GPU to run in live situations. A 2-step static hand gesture recognition system was created which can recognize 3 different gestures in real-time. A detection step detects hand gestures using machine learning models. A validation step rejects false positives. The gesture recognition system was combined with hand tracking. It recognizes and then tracks a user's hand in video in an unconstrained setting. The tracking uses 2 collaborative strategies. A contour tracking strategy guides a minimization based template tracking strategy and makes it real-time, robust, and recoverable, while the template tracking provides stable input for UI applications. Lastly, an improved static gesture recognition system addresses the drawbacks due to stratified colour sampling of the detection boxes in the detection step. It uses the entire presented colour range and clusters it into constituent colour modes which are then used for segmentation, which improves the overall gesture recognition rates. One dataset was produced for static hand gesture recognition which allowed for the comparison of multiple different machine learning strategies, including deep learning. Another dataset was produced for hand tracking which provides a challenging series of user scenarios to test the gesture recognition and hand tracking system. Both datasets are significantly larger than other available datasets. The hand tracking algorithm was used to create a mouse cursor control application, a paint application for Android mobile devices, and a FPS video game controller. The latter in particular demonstrates how the collaborating hand tracking can fulfill the demanding nature of responsive aiming and movement controls.

Rebranding har idag blivit en vanligt förekommande marknadsföringsstrategi som många företag använder sig av. Rebranding syftar till att öka en organisations relevans genom att göra en förändring i organisationens identitet eller ett försök att ändra uppfattningen om varumärket hos externa intressenter. Det är ett långsiktigt mål och innebär inte bara förändring av organisationens visuella identitet, utan också förändring inom organisationen. Det har gjorts mycket forskning kring utformandet av rebrandingprocessen och vad rebranding har förpåverkan på varumärken. Dock har det gjorts väldigt lite forskning kring vad det egentligen är som gör att organisationer väljer att genomgå en rebranding. Denna studie har därför som syfte att undersöka vilka motivationsfaktorer som ligger bakom en rebranding. Vidare fokuserar studien specifikt på ett second hand företag, då det finns ett upplevt gap inom det området i tidigare forskning. Därmed analyserar studien ett fallföretag för att få en djupinblick och förståelse för vad det är som driver företaget till att genomgå en rebranding. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ fallstudiedesign då syftet med studien är att skapa förståelse. Insamling av material har skett genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med utvalda respondenter från fallföretaget. Studien redogör för fallföretagets olika bakomliggande motivationsfaktorer för rebranding och analyserar och diskuterar dessa utförligt. Studien är på svenska. / Today, rebranding has become a common marketing strategy that many companies use. Rebranding aims to increase the relevance of an organization by making a change in the organization’s identity or an attempt to change the perception of the brand with external stakeholders. It is a long-term goal and involves not only a change in the organization's visual identity, but also a change within the organization. A lot of research has been done regarding the design of the rebranding process and what impact rebranding has on brands. However, very little research has been done regarding what it actually is that makes organizations choose to undergo a rebranding. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the motivational factors behind a rebranding. Furthermore, the study focuses specifically on a second hand company, since it is an experienced gap in that area in previous research. Thus, the study analyzes a case company to gain a deep insight and understanding of what it is that drives the company to undergo a rebranding. The study is based on a qualitative case study design as the purpose of the study is to create an understanding. The material has been collected through semi-structured interviews with selected respondents from the case company. The study describes the case company’s motivational factors for rebranding and analyzes and discusses these in detail. The language of this study is Swedish.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reaction time and speed of movement of the dominant and non-dominant arms of elementary-school boys and girls.

Generally, not many in the Global North are aware of the complexity behind the second hand clothing trade and donations. Today, Ghana has become one of the biggest markets for imported second hand clothing. With this, the Akan saying “Obroni Wawu” has come, and translates into “Dead White Man’s Clothes”. The expression is formed based on the idea that someone must have died in order to give up such an amount of clothing. While the consumption pattern has changed in the Global North, in terms of overconsumption and a throwaway mentality, it has simultaneously changed among African youth as a result of increased consumption and exposure to Western culture. This has led to a concern among non-profit organisations that second hand imports have influenced Ghanaian youths' perception of the value clothing has. Thus, this thesis aims to take a social and cultural perspective to study the influence of the import of second hand clothing on young Ghanaians' perceived value of clothing. The review of literature on the field of research about Ghana, second hand trade in Africa and second hand in general defined a substantial gap which this thesis aims to fill. Through a field study conducted over eight weeks in Accra, Ghana, this thesis follows an exploratory approach of anthropological nature. 21 in-depth interviews combined with participant observations generated the final results which are analysed based on theoretical perspectives from postcolonialism and the relation to clothes in terms of identity, attachment and usage. Findings of the study suggest that the influence on young Ghanaians' perceived value of clothing reaches beyond second hand import, but is rather a complex nature of historical values and a current adoption of Western culture and consumption. Findings further suggest an indirect adaptation of fast fashion consumer goods, influenced by Western culture and the high presence of such goods among second hand imports. This thesis is believed to contribute to an insufficiently researched area, giving it originality and value in the research field and social, cultural and political implications.

PF is one of the most common foot and ankle problems. People with PF experience mild to severe pain that interferes moderately with activities of daily living (ADL). Due to chronic pain that interferes with ADL, people with PF often use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and/or acetaminophen. These medications alleviate pain but cannot eliminate it. Additionally, with chronic use, these medications can cause well-known adverse side effects. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of Korean Hand Therapy (KHT) in (1) treating the pain experienced in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF), (2) evaluating its impact on functionality, and (3) assessing participants' self-adherence to treatment. A pre-post mixed methods pilot study was conducted with 28 participants. Baseline measures included a demographic questionnaire, height and weight, a 10-point pain scale, the foot function index (FFI), and measurement of the plantar fascia via ultrasound. As a group, participants were taught about KHT and how to self-administer it. Participants then self-administered KHT for four weeks. Three weekly electronic surveys were sent asking participants about their pain and use of KHT. After four weeks, participants returned for final data collection, including a focus group. Baseline measures, except the demographic questionnaire and height and weight, were repeated. Thickness of PF was not correlated with pain at baseline (r = -0.14, p = 0.47). Compared to baseline, pain was significantly reduced after the initial KHT treatment on the first visit (4.875 vs 2.625, p < 0.00) and at the 4-week follow up (4.875 vs 2.528, p < 0.05). On average for all four weeks, participants reported 5.48 (SD 1.50) days of self-guided KHT per week. PF thickness was not significantly reduced at the follow up session at 4 weeks (t =1.16, p = 0.26). FFI scores were significantly improved between baseline and four weeks: Pain (t = 3.80, p < 0.00), Activity Limitation (t = 2.64, p = 0.02), and Disability (t = 4.74, p < 0.00) and overall FFI (t = 4.83, p < 0.00). Findings suggest KHT may reduce pain and increase functionality for people who experience PF. While the sample was small, KHT is low-risk, low-cost, and easily self-administered. Further investigation is needed on the long-term effects of KHT and its ability to generally alleviate all types of pain.

Bakgrund Medvetenheten om vår miljöpåverkan och intresset för ett mer hållbart konsumtionssamhälle har ökat. För att uppnå de globala målen för en hållbar utveckling, behöver miljöpåverkan från konsumtionen minska. En del av lösningen är second hand-försäljning som också är en av de konsumtions-trender som ökar i störst omfattning. Konsumenterna uppskattar företag som bedriver hållbara verksamheter och behöver information från företagen för att kunna fatta medvetna köpbeslut. Sociala medier som Instagram används av second hand-företag för att nå ut med sin information. Dock kan det vara svårt att synas genom den stora mängd information som florerar i flödena. Detta ställer krav på att second hand-företagens visuella identiteter utvecklas för att nå den önskade målgruppen. Syfte Studiens syfte är att kartlägga hur second hand-företag använder grafik som en del av deras visuella identitet för att utmärka sig på Instagram. Metod Som datainsamlingsmetod användes en visuell innehållsanalys. Urvalet bestod av elva second hand-företag vars inlägg på Instagram innefattades av kläder och inredning. Resultat/slutsatser I denna studie var användningen av de grafiska elementen jämnt fördelad totalt sett för gruppen av second hand-företag. De grafiska element som företagen använder i inlägg är illustrationer, logotyper/symboler, tonplattor och text. Av det totala antalet inlägg som second hand-företagen publicerar, består 34% av inlägg med grafik. Totalt sett för gruppen av second hand-konton var inlägg med grafik i kombination med fotografisk bild den vanligaste typen av inlägg att publicera. För den totala gruppen företag används färger ur kategori röd, gul, grön, blå, svart, vit, grå och magenta varav röd användes i störst omfattning i inläggen med grafik. Second hand-företagen använder typsnitt ur huvudklasserna Sanserif, Seriff och Display i inläggen, varav typsnitt i huvudklassen Sanserif används i störst omfattning. Inom underklasserna tillhörande de olika huvudklasserna används Neogrotesque, Grotesque, Transitional och Processed/Manipulated i störst omfattning. / Background The awareness of our environmental impact and the interest for achieving a more sustainable consumer society has increased. The impact from consumption must be reduced in order to reach the global goals for a sustainable development. Second hand sales is a part of the solution towards a more sustainable future and is also one of the most increasing consumption trends. Consumers appreciate companies that take sustainable actions, and they need information from the companies to make more conscious buys. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, are being used by second hand companies to reach out with their information. However, it can be difficult to be seen amongst the large amount of information that overflows in Instagram feeds. Therefore, the companies need to develop their own visual identities in order to reach their desired target group and attract buyers. Aim The purpose of this study is to map how second hand companies uses graphics as a part of projecting their visual identities on Instagram. Method A visual content analysis was used to collect data for the study. Eleven second hand companies, whose Instagram posts contained clothing and home interior, was selected for the analysis. Results/conclusions The result of this study shows that the second hand companies total use of different graphics was spread evenly amongst the following elements: illustrations, logos/symbols, solid color surfaces and text. Of the total number of posts that were published by the second hand companies, 34% consist of posts with graphics. Posts that consisted of graphics were most often used in the combination of photographic images and graphics. These types of posts were the overall most common for the second hand companies in this group to publish. The colors that the group of second hand companies uses in their posts consisting graphics, were found in the categories: red, yellow, green, blue, black, white, gray and magenta of which red was used in the greatest extent. The typefaces that were used in the posts were classified as Sanserif, Seriff and Display but Sanserif typefaces were the more often used than the others. This study also covered these typeface classifications subclasses in which Neogrotesque, Grotesque, Transitional and Processed/Manipulated are used to the greatest extent.

Second hand-handeln i Sverige växer allt mer och antalet aktörer inom marknaden ökar. Konsumenter sätter allt större krav på hur företag framställer sina produkter och designar sina butiker. Konventionell handel skiljer sig åt från second hand-handeln då strategier inom visual merchandising följs mer noggrant. Fast-fashion utgår ifrån att företag producerar nya plagg snabbt och billigt där företagens hållbarhetsaspekter ifrågasätts allt mer. Second hand är ett mer miljövänligt konsumtionsalternativ där begagnade varor säljs. Visual merchandising används inom konventionell handel genom att på olika sätt skapa en bra butiksmiljö som är eftertraktad hos konsumenterna. Företags värderingar och budskap förmedlas genom användandet av visual merchandising och detta hjälper företag att differentiera sig mot andra företag. En kvalitativ studie har genomförts med semistrukturerade intervjuer av sex kunder och två butiksanställda från butiken Veras samt en observation av butiken. Studiens syfte har varit att undersöka vilken roll visual merchandising spelar inom second hand-butiker. För att kunna besvara studiens syfte har ett teoretiskt ramverk formulerats genom litteratursökning inom området visual merchandising. Dessa teorier har legat till grund för de frågor som ställts till intervjudeltagarna. Kunderna har svarat på frågor om deras generella åsikter inom second hand samt hur de upplever butiken Veras i Borås. Butikspersonalen har svarat på frågor om hur deras butiksdesign ser ut och hur de arbetar med visual merchandising. Av resultaten från intervjumaterialet och observationen har slutsatser dragits om att visual merchandising spelar stor roll för både kunder och företag inom second hand, då kunders butiksupplevelse förhöjs med hjälp av verktyg som visual merchandising. Kunder upplever visual merchandising som viktigt och positivt för att hitta inspiration och för att förhöja deras butiksupplevelse. Det är viktigt att butiker förmedlar butikernas tema och att det stämmer överens med butikens identitet och värderingar. Konkret fönsterskyltning, tydligt förmedlande av butikens sortiment, utnyttjande av strategier inom doft och ljud samt ha en strukturerad strategi inom produktexponering, är de viktigaste områdena inom visual merchandising för second hand-butiker att följa. / Second hand trade in Sweden is growing and the number of players in the market are increasing. Consumers puts higher demand on how companies manufacture their products and design their stores. Conventional trade differs from second hand in that visual merchandising strategies are more closely followed. The fast fashion business model is based on companies producing new garments quickly and cheaply, where companies' sustainability aspects are increasingly questioned. Second hand is a more environmentally friendly consumer alternative where used goods are sold.Visual merchandising is used in conventional trade by creating a good retail environment that is sought after by consumers in various ways. Corporate values and messages are conveyed through the use of visual merchandising and this helps companies differentiate themselves from other companies.A qualitative study was conducted with semi-structured interviews of six customers and two store employees from the Veras store as well as an observation of the store. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role visual merchandising plays in second hand stores. In order to answer the study's purpose, a theoretical framework has been formulated through literature search in the area of visual merchandising. These theories have been the basis for the questions asked to the interview participants. Customers have answered questions about their general opinion on second hand and how they experience the store Veras in Borås. The staff of Veras has answered questions about what their store design looks like and how they work with visual merchandising.From the results of the interview material and the observation, conclusions have been drawn that visual merchandising plays a big role for second hand companies, since customers find it important how a store's environment is perceived. Veras clients are experiencing Veras visual merchandising techniques as positive, since they think it contributes to an inspiring shopping environment and inherence the clients experience. It is important that stores communicate the stores' theme and that it matches the store's identity and values. Concrete window display, clear communication of the store's product assortment, utilization of strategies in fragrance and sound as well as having a structured strategy in product exposure, are the most important areas of visual merchandising for second hand stores to follow.

Det finns i dagens samhälle en uppåtgående trend när det kommer till att ta socialt ansvar – hos såväl privatpersoner som organisationer. Att agera hållbart är sålunda ett omtalat ämne som debatteras nu mer än någonsin tidigare. Ett sätt att agera hållbart är att konsumera second hand. Andrahandsförsäljningen har till följd av samhällets diskussioner ökat drastiskt under de senaste åren. I och med att second hand-branschen är aktuell är branschen i sig av intressantkaraktär. Vi har sålunda valt att studera branschen utifrån teorier kring storytelling. Det finns i dagsläget inte mycket tidigare forskning kring storytelling kopplat till just second hand och välgörenhet – vilket ökar denna studies relevans. Forskning inom detta område kan således bidra med ökad förståelse och kunskap inom ett fält som än så länge inte har applicerats i vidareutsträckning. Studiens framtagna kunskap kan exempelvis användas för branschens förståelseför hur de med hjälp av att bygga en stabil röd tråd kring sina berättelser kan bygga sittvarumärke. Uppsatsens huvudsakliga syfte är att undersöka tre verksamma hjälporganisationer i Göteborgsområdet – Erikshjälpen, Reningsborg och Myrorna – som samtliga har en secondhand-butik vars mål är att göra världen en aning bättre. Studien undersöker dessa trehjälporganisationer ur ett storytellingperspektiv för att dels se huruvida deras berättelser på olika varumärkeskontaktpunkter är koherenta eller inte, dels för att jämföra skillnader och likheter mellan de olika hjälporganisationerna. Frågeställningarna som ställdes var: 1. Vilket innehåll och berättelser kommunicerar hjälporganisationerna ut och är dessa koherenta? 2. Vad finns det för likheter respektive skillnader hos hjälporganisationerna i deras kommunicerade innehåll? För att svara på studiens frågeställning har studien antagit en kvalitativ ansats där det genomförts tre fallstudier med ett komparativt inslag. Studien inleddes med en mer omfattandeobservation i vardera butik där butiken granskades utifrån förutbestämda teman. Observationer har även genomförts online på organisationernas hemsidor samt sociala medier för att få enklarare bild över organisationernas kommunicerade innehåll. Sedermera genomfördes tvåintervjuer hos vardera organisation – en intervju med en högre anställd, till exempel en butikschef, samt en medarbetare. Målet med studien var att få en tydlig bild över vilket innehåll de olika organisationerna väljer att kommunicera ut och hur de resonerar kring studiens frågor. Studiens empiri indikerar att det finns en betydelse av att ha en stark koherent berättelse kring varumärket då det ökar organisationens trovärdighet och transparens. Genom att inneha en tydlig kommunikation kring organisationens mål och även till exempel vart pengarna går tillför olika ändamål underlättar detta för organisationens medarbetare då det finns en tendens att kunderna vill ta del av denna information. Gällande studiens tre studieobjekt har samtliga en koherent berättelse, men med en viss skillnad över hur berättelsen förstärker varumärket eller inte. Studien indikerar även att det finns flera likheter samt skillnader mellan de olika organisationerna. Erikshjälpen och Reningsborg upplevs vara mer lika då de både arbetar på ett likartat sätt. Myrorna särskiljer sig till stor del både i arbetssätt men även i vilket innehåll de väljer att kommunicera ut. / In society, today there is an upward trend when it comes to taking a bigger social responsibility for both private individuals and organisations. Acting sustainably is a hot topic that is being debated more than ever before, and one way to act sustainably is to consume second hand products. Second hand sales have increased dramatically in recent years as a result of community discussions about the environment. As the second-hand industry is more than ever current the industry itself is of interesting character. Thus, we have chosen to study the industry based on theories of storytelling. There is currently very little previous research on storytelling linked to just second-hand products and charity which increases the relevance of this study. Research in this area could contribute to increasing the understanding and knowledge in a field that has so far not been widely applied. The study's acquired knowledge can, for example, be used for the industry's understanding of how they can build their brand by building a stable red thread around their stories. The main purpose of the thesis is to investigate three active aid organisations in the Gothenburg area - Erikshjälpen, Reningsborg and Myrorna - all of which opened second hand shops whose main aim were to make the world a little better, thereby benefitting everyone. The study examines these three aid organisations from a storytelling perspective to see whether their stories from different brand contact points are coherent, understandable and feasible if put into use and partly to compare the differences and any similarities between the different aid organisations. This essay will be written in Swedish and the questions this study examines are: 1. What content and stories do the aid organisations communicate and are they coherent? 2. What are the similarities and differences of the aid organisations in their communicated content? In answering the study's questions, the study has adopted a qualitative approach where three case studies with a comparative element have been carried out. The study began with a more comprehensive observation, where each store’s examination was based on pre-determined themes. Online observations were also conducted on the organisations websites and social media to gain a clearer picture of the organisations communication content. Subsequently, two interviews were conducted with each organisation - an interview was held with a high positioned employee, i.e. a store manager and also an employee. The aim of the study was to obtain a comprehensive overview over what type of content the organisations choose to communicate, and how they resonate with the research questions. The study's results indicate that it is very important to have a strong, coherent story built around the brand as it increases the organisation's credibility, benefits and transparency by having clear communications about the organisation's goals and also where the money is spent for various purposes. This helps the organisation's employees and customers to recognise their credibility and sends a clear-cut message as there is a tendency for customers wanting to share this information. Regarding the three organisations they all have a coherent story, but with some differences over how the story increase the brand value or not. The study also indicates that there are several similarities and differences between the different organisations. Erikshjälpen and Reningsborg are perceived to be more similar as they both work in a similar way whereas Myrorna differ to a great extent both in the way they work but also in what content they choose to communicate.

Prosthetic development recently has focused mainly on myoelectrically controlled electric hands despite a majority of upper extremity amputees actively choosing body powered devices. Myoelectric hands utilize a small electric pulse generated in muscles when flexing as a signal to the hand to close. Finger flexion in these devices is controlled by electromechanical servos, requiring no strength input from the user. Body powered devices use a cable attached to a shoulder harness which causes mechanical closure of the device via tension placed on a control cable by a shoulder shrug motion or arm extension. Outfitting of active duty service personnel has recently tended to follow the electronic hands which have fragile electronics, have a poor response to user input, and are not fit for harsh outdoor environments. This report will detail the current development of a re-design of a custom left hand prosthesis for an active duty Navy SEAL and the transition from electronic controls to full body power function.

Problem: There are a lot of studies on second hand clothing consumption. But there are very limited studies that explore the main motivating factors for Swedish consumers to buy second hand clothes, but also dampening factors for buying second hand clothes. Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore what motives there are that influence the consumer to buy second hand clothes and contribute with an increased understanding of what factors make one not want to buy second hand clothes. Method: For this study, a qualitative and abductive approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a convenience selection. Analysis: Analysis of data for this study was hand coded, through the transcription of the interviews recorded. The transcription was performed immediately after the interview was completed in order to have a fresh memory and to remember small details from the interview. An analysis was then carried out in connection with the various themes identified in the theory section. Conclusion: The conclusions drawn after the interviews were that the motivating factors for buying second hand clothes were price awareness, environmental awareness and hedonistic motives. The most common reason for not buying second hand clothes was fashion interest.