En digital arbetsplats har blivit allt vanligare och många företag ger nu anställda möjligheten att arbeta hemifrån, antingen heltid eller deltid. Den snabba ökningen av arbete hemifrån har väckt frågor om hur produktiva anställda är när de arbetar hemifrån jämfört med på kontoret. Företag försöker utveckla strategier för att anpassa sig till det nya arbetssättet. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka de faktorer som påverkar anställdas produktivitet med hjälp av följande forskningsfråga: Vilka faktorer påverkar produktiviteten på en digital arbetsplats? För att kunna besvara forskningsfrågan genomfördes en kvantitativ studie hos elva olika svenskt företag där anställda erbjuds möjlighet att arbeta hemifrån. Genom att samla in data från deltagarna kunde univariata och bivariata analyser genomföras för att identifiera samband mellan olika faktorer och produktiviteten. Resultaten av studien visade att det finns fyra identifierade samband som påverkar produktiviteten vid arbete hemifrån. Dessa samband kategoriseras in i två huvudkategorier: arbetsmiljö och kommunikation. Inom arbetsmiljön identifierades faktorer som tillgång till lämplig teknik och ergonomiska arbetsplatser som är viktiga för att öka produktiviteten. Inom kommunikation framkom betydelsen av tydlig och effektiv kommunikation mellan anställda och ledningen för att upprätthålla produktiviteten på en digital arbetsplats. Genom att förstå dessa faktorer kan företag utveckla strategier för att kunna skapa en effektiv digital arbetsplats. Denna forskning bidrar till kunskapen om produktivitet vid arbete hemifrån och hjälper organisationer att förbättra sin arbetsmiljö vid arbete hemifrån. Ytterligare forskning kan fördjupa förståelsen av de olika faktorerna och identifiera åtgärder för att förbättra produktiviteten på en digital arbetsplats. / A digital workplace has become increasingly common, and many companies are now offering their employees the opportunity to work from home either full-time or part-time. The rapid rise of working from home has raised questions about the productivity of employees when working from home compared to working in the office. Companies are trying to develop strategies to adapt to this new way of working. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect employee productivity based on the following research question: What factors influence productivity in a digital workplace? To answer the research question, a quantitative study was conducted in eleven different Swedish companies where employees are offered the option to work from home. By collecting data from the participants, univariate and bivariate analyzes were conducted to determine correlations between different factors and productivity. The results of the study revealed four identified correlations that influence productivity when working from home. These correlations are categorized into two main categories: workspace environment and communication. Within the workspace environment, factors such as access to appropriate technology and ergonomic workspaces were identified as important for increasing productivity. Within communication, the importance of clear and effective communication between employees and management was revealed to maintain productivity in a digital workplace. By understanding these factors, companies can develop strategies to create an efficient digital workplace. This study contributes to the knowledge of productivity when working from home and helps organizations improve their workspace environment for working from home. Further research can deepen the understanding of the different factors and identify measures to increase productivity in a digital workplace.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La energía juega un papel fundamental en el desarrollo sostenible de las comunidades. Así, proporcionar recursos energéticos fiables, económicamente aceptables, medioambientalmente respetuosos y socialmente beneficiosos, resulta esencial para el desarrollo sostenible de las mismas. A pesar de la universalidad de dicha definición, el uso de la energía está muy vinculada al nivel de desarrollo de los países. De este modo, la problemática energética de los países desarrollados contrasta enormemente con la de los países en desarrollo. En esta tesis doctoral se ha identificado la principal problemática energética de ambas realidades: grave impacto medioambiental de los modelos de generación del transporte tradicionales en los países desarrollados y pobreza energética en los países en desarrollo. A partir del compendio de artículos científicos de esta tesis doctoral se ha caracterizado el uso de sistemas renovables avanzados que permite solucionar dicha problemática de forma sostenible. En concreto, el principal problema energético en países desarrollados ha sido tratado mediante la planificación energética y el diseño óptimo de sistemas híbridos de energías renovables (HRES por sus siglas en inglés) en electrolineras, necesarios para la introducción de vehículos eléctricos como alternativa de movilidad sostenible. Por otro lado, el estudio de metodologías de diseño óptimas de HRES off grid y de las estufas para cocinar mejoradas mediante gasificación de biomasa se ha focalizado en la inaccesibilidad eléctrica y a sistemas de cocina limpia que sufren las comunidades en desarrollo. Así, esta tesis aporta una serie de metodologías para optimizar y adecuar los sistemas renovables presentados para el desarrollo energético sostenible de las comunidades. Además, no sólo demuestra la idoneidad de estos sistemas para dicho fin, sino también su versatilidad de aplicación en función del nivel de crecimiento de las comunidades. / [CA] L'energia juga un paper fonamental en el desenvolupament sostenible de les comunitats. Així, proporcionar recursos energètics fiables, econòmicament acceptables, mediambientalment respectuosos i socialment beneficiosos, resulta essencial per al desenvolupament sostenibles de les mateixes. A pesar de la universalitat d'aquesta definició, l'ús de la energia està vinculada al nivell de desenvolupament dels països. D'aquesta manera, la problemàtica energètica dels països desenvolupats contrasta enormement amb la dels països en desenvolupament. A aquesta tesis doctoral s'ha identificat la principal problemàtica energètica d'ambdues realitats: greu impacte mediambiental dels models de generació del transport tradicional en els països desenvolupats i pobresa energètica en els països en desenvolupament. A partir del compendi d'articles científics d'aquesta tesis doctoral s'ha caracteritzat l'ús de sistemes renovables avançats que permet solucionar aquesta problemàtica de manera sostenible. En concret, el principal problema energètic en països desenvolupats s'ha tractat mitjançant la planificació energètica i el disseny òptim de sistemes híbrids d'energies renovables (HRES, per les seues segles en anglès) en electrolineres, necessaris per la introducció de vehicles elèctrics com alternativa de mobilitat sostenible. D'altra banda, l'estudi de metodologies de disseny òptimes de HRES off grid i d'estufes per a cuinar millorades mitjançant gasificació de biomassa s'ha focalitzat en la inaccessibilitat elèctrica i a sistemes de cuina neta que pateixen les comunitats en desenvolupament. Així, aquesta tesis aporta una sèrie de metodologies per optimitzar i adequar el sistemes renovables presentats per al desenvolupament energètic sostenible de les comunitats. A més, no tan sols demostra la idoneïtat d'aquests sistemes per a aqueix fi, sinó també la seua versatilitat d'aplicació en funció del nivell de creixement de les comunitats. / [EN] Energy plays a significant role for the sustainable development of communities. Hence, supplying reliable energy resources, which result economically acceptable, environmentally friendly and socially beneficial, arises as essential for their sustainable development. Despite the universality of such definition, the energy use is highly linked to the development degree of the countries. Thus, energy problems of developed countries sharply contrast with those of developing countries. This doctoral thesis identifies the main energy issues of both realities: severe environmental impact of energy generation models for traditional transport in developed countries and energy poverty in developing countries. The compendium of scientific papers of this doctoral dissertation characterizes the use of advanced renewable energy systems to solve such problems in a sustainable way. Namely, the main energy issue in developed countries has been addressed by means of energy planning and the optimal design of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) in electric vehicle charging stations, which ensure the introduction of electric vehicles as a sustainable mobility alternative. Moreover, the study of methodologies for the optimal design of off grid HRES and improved cooking stoves based on biomass gasification have approached the inaccessibility to electricity and to clean cooking systems that developing communities suffer. Therefore, this thesis provides a number of methodologies to optimize and adapt the presented renewable energy systems for the sustainable energy development of communities. Furthermore, it demonstrates not only the suitability of these systems for such aim, but also their versatility of application regarding the growing degree of the communities. / Bastida Molina, P. (2021). Estudio de sistemas renovables avanzados para el desarrollo energético sostenible [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172548 / Compendio

Active layer morphology of polymer-based solar cells plays an important role in improving power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this thesis, the focus is to improve the device efficiency of polymer-based solar cells. In the first objective, active layer morphology of polymer-solar cells was optimized though a novel solvent annealing technique. The second objective was to explore the possibility of replacing the highly sensitive aluminum cathode layer with a low-cost and stable alternative, copper metal. Large scale manufacturing of these solar cells is also explored using roll-to-roll printing techniques. Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl (PCBM) were used as the active layer blend for fabricating the solar cell devices using bulk heterojunction (BHJ), which is a blend of a donor polymer and an acceptor material. Blends of the donor polymer, P3HT and acceptor, PCBM were cast using spin coating and the resulting active layers were solvent annealed with dichlorobenzene in an inert atmosphere. Solvent annealed devices showed improved morphology with nano-phase segregation revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. The roughness of the active layer was found to be 6.5 nm. The nano-phase segregation was attributed to PCBM clusters and P3HT domains being arranged under the solvent annealing conditions. These test devices showed PCE up to 9.2 % with current density of 32.32 mA/cm2, which is the highest PCE reported to date for a P3HT-PCBM based system. Copper was deposited instead of the traditional aluminum for device fabrication. We were able to achieve similar PCEs with copper-based devices. Conductivity measurements were done on thermally deposited copper films using the two-probe method. Further, for these two configurations, PCE and other photovoltaic parameters were compared. Finally, we studied new techniques of large scale fabrication such as ultrasonic spray coating, screen-printing, and intense pulse light sintering, using the facilities at the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research at the University of Louisville. In this study, prototype devices were fabricated on flexible ITO coated plastics. Sintering greatly improved the conductivity of the copper nano-ink cathode layer. We will explore this technique’s application to large-scale fabrication of solar cell devices in the future work.

Les régions de Midi-Pyrénées (France) et de Chongqing (Chine) sont riches en plantes aromatiques et médicinales dites oubliées (ou médiévales). Afin de valoriser pleinement les différentes bio-molécules extractibles de ces plantes, le concept de MAP-raffinerie a été créé et appliqué à une sélection de plantes issues de ces deux régions. Plusieurs technologies d’extraction utilisant l’eau comme solvant vert (hydrodistillation, distillation à la vapeur et extraction par eau sub-critique) ont ainsi été employées et leur impact tant sur la composition des huiles essentielles que sur la récupération des molécules anti-oxydantes a été évalué. Dans un premier temps, une liste de plantes aromatiques et médicinales oubliées, voire sous-utilisées dans les deux régions a été établie selon des règles de sélection prédéfinies. Six plantes modèles de la région de Midi-Pyrénées (Tussilago farfara L., Calendula arvensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Geranium robertianum L., Cytisus scoparius L. et Spartium junceum L.) et trois plantes de la région de Chongqing (Tussilago farfara L., Citrus aurantium L. et Saussurea costus) ont finalement été retenues. Puis, le concept de MAP-raffinerie a été appliqué à ces plantes afin d’étudier leur possible valorisation globale. L’étude des compositions chimiques des extraits volatils des racines de Tussilago farfara L. et de Calendula arvensis L., ainsi que des boutons de fleurs de Spartium junceum L. a été réalisée par GC et GC-MS pour la première fois. Les principaux composés chimiques dans l’extrait volatil de racines de Tussilago farfara L. étaient des hydrocarbures sesquiterpéniques et des composés aliphatiques tandis que les principaux composés chimiques dans l’extrait volatil de racines de Calendula arvensis L. étaient des sesquiterpènes oxygénés, des monoterpènes oxygénés et des diterpènes oxygénés. L’extrait volatil de boutons de fleurs de Spartium junceum L. était principalement composé de composés aliphatiques. Par ailleurs, les résultats de l’évaluation des capacités anti-oxydantes des extraits (par les tests DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC et Folin-Ciocalteu) ont montrés que plusieurs plantes comme Cytisus scoparius L., Tussilago farfara L., Citrus aurantium L. ou Robinia pseudoacacia L. pourraient être des sources potentielles d’anti-oxydants naturels. D’un point de vue technologique, les comparaisons de l’utilisation de l’hydrodistillation (HD), de la distillation à la vapeur (SD) et de l’extraction par eau sub-critique (SWE) ont montrées que si la HD et la SD ont des effets limités sur la composition des huiles essentielles, la HD semble être une méthode plus efficace pour la récupération des composés anti-oxydants à partir des résidus de distillation que la SD tandis que la SWE s’avère être une technologie prometteuse pour l’extraction directe de ces molécules à partir des plantes. Si la composition minérale de l’eau lors de l’hydrodistillation n’a que des effets très limités sur les rendements d’extraction, les teneurs en ions calcium et bicarbonate des eaux ont par contre des effets décroissants significatifs sur la capacité anti-oxydante et sur la teneur phénolique totale des extraits aqueux et méthanoliques. Au vue de ces résultats, un concept amélioré de MAP-raffinerie a été développé en intégrant une extraction à l’eau sub-critique pour l’extraction des composés anti-oxydants des résidus d’extraction primaire. Selon ce nouveau concept, cinq extraits peuvent être obtenus à partir des matières végétales: un extrait volatil, un extrait aqueux, un extrait méthanolique, un extrait à l’eau sub-critique et in fine un résidu solide. Les premiers résultats ont montrés que la "MAP-raffinerie améliorée" augmente de manière significative la récupération des antioxydants par rapport à la MAP-raffinerie originale et permet d’envisager une valorisation plus facile du résidu solide en agro-matériaux du fait de sa faible teneur en eau résiduelle. / In both Midi-Pyrénées region (France) and Chongqing region (China), there are rich and underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). Aiming at fully exploiting different molecules in these plants, the concept of MAP-refinery was developed and applied to several underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in these two regions. Several water-based green extraction technologies of natural products (e.g. hydrodistillation, steam distillation and subcritical water extraction) were also investigated to look at their effects on essential oil composition and antioxidants recovery from selected plants. Firstly, lists of forgotten or underutilized medicinal and aromatic plants in both regions were established according to the rules of selection. From the lists, six plants in the Midi-Pyrénées region (Tussilago farfara L., Calendula arvensis L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Geranium robertianum L., Cytisus scoparius L. and Spartium junceum L.) and three plants in the Chongqing region (Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Saussurea costus) were finally selected for investigations. Then the MAP-refinery was applied to the selected plants in two regions in order to realise their global valorisation. Volatile extracts composition in the roots of Tussilago farfara L. and Calendula arvensis L., as well as flower buds of Spartium junceum L. were firstly investigated. The main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Tussilago farfara L. roots were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and aliphatic compounds while main chemical compounds in volatile extract from Calendula arvensis L. roots were oxygenated sesquiterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes. The volatile extract from flower buds of Spartium junceum L. was mainly composed of aliphatic compounds. Antioxidant capacity evaluation results (by DPPH, ABTS, FRAC, ORAC and Folin-Ciocalteu tests) showed that several plant samples like Cytisus scoparius L., Tussilago farfara L., Citrum aurantium L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. could be potential sources of natural antioxidants. Comparisons of hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD) and subcritical water extraction (SWE) showed that HD and SD had limited effects on essential oil composition but HD, SD and SWE had significant impacts on the recovery of antioxidants. Hydrodistillation seemed to be a better method for recovery of antioxidant compounds from residues of distillation than steam distillation. However, SWE appeared to be a more efficient method for direct extraction of antioxidant molecules (or phenolic compounds) from plants. In the hydrodistillation process, mineral contents in water were found to have very limited effects on yields of extracts but calcium and bicarbonate ions, had significant decreasing effects on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of both aqueous and methanolic extracts. Finally, an improved MAP-refinery was developed. Subcritical water was used for further extraction of antioxidant compounds from residues in original MAP-refinery. In this way, five parts could be obtained from plant materials: volatile extract, aqueous extract, methanolic extract, subcritical water extract and the final residue. The results showed that the improved MAP-refinery significantly increased the recovery of antioxidants compared with original MAP-refinery. This promising process will also allow a better valorisation of the final solid residue due to the lower content of residual water.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges in teaching IsiXhosa home language in rural secondary schools. Learners from Grades 8 to 12 perform poorly in IsiXhosa grammar, essay writing, literature and oral work. The researcher sampled 40 learners from each of two senior secondary schools, eight parents and eight IsiXhosa subject specialists (two district based and six school based) to take part in the research. Data for this study were collected during cluster moderations in one of the secondary schools by using document analysis, interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used by the researcher to analyse IsiXhosa results from Grade 8 to Grade 12. Analysis of documents such as mark schedules and marks for formal and informal tasks gave evidence that learners perform poorly in grammar, literature, oral work and essay writing. Scarcity or non-availability of distinctions (levels 6 and 7) in Grade 12 final exams as well as in Grades 8 to 11 proves that the language demands special attention for its teaching and learning in the secondary classroom situation; the conclusions were therefore drawn and recommendations made. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Design and Development)

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<p>Proučavane su koroziona postojanost i tendencija lepljenja različitih<br />materijala u kontaktu sa tečnom Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu legurom. Ispitivanjem su<br />obuhvaćeni čelik za rad na toplo, plazma nitrirani čelik i dupleks<br />slojevi sa CrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN i CrAlN prevlakama, različitog nivoa<br />površinske hrapavosti. Za ispitivanja pomenutih fenomena<br />primenjena je metoda izvlačenja, koja je unapređena kako bi se povećale<br />njena tačnost i verodostojnost simulacije procesa livenja. Korozioni<br />efekti su pojačani tako što su uzorci osim kratkog kontakta sa odlivkom<br />zadržavani i u dužim periodima u kontaktu sa tečnom legurom (5 i 20<br />min). Uprkos opštim stavovima, za ispitivane materijale je<br />ustanovljeno da su sile izvlačenja uzoraka iz Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu odlivaka<br />nezavisne od njihovog hemijskog sastava. Uticaj hrapavosti je izražen<br />kod uzoraka sa prevlakama kod kojih pri smanjenju hrapavosti dolazi do<br />povećanja sile izvlačenja. Sve ispitane prevlake su sklone mehaničkom<br />lepljenju Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu legure za svoje površine, ali sa aspekta korozije u<br />tečnom metalu značajno prevazilaze performanse čelika i plazma<br />nitriranog sloja. Duži kontakt livene legure sa površinama prevlaka<br />uzrokovao je niže vrednosti sila izvlačenja, što je posledica<br />oksidacije površina prevlaka. Ustanovljeno je da su ispitivane<br />prevlake inertne ka tečnoj leguri aluminijuma. Međutim, dolazi do<br />oksidacije i korozije materijala podloge kroz greške rasta koje su<br />prisutne u prevlakama. Stečena znanja o identifikovanim<br />mehanizmima habanja i propadanja zaštitnih slojeva prevlaka<br />poslužiće daljem razvoju dupleks slojeva namenjenih za zaštitu alata<br />za livenje pod pritiskom.</p> / <p>Corrosion resistance and soldering tendency of different materials in molten<br />Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu alloy were studied. Hot-working tool steel, plasma nitrided steel and<br />duplex layers with CrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN and CrAlN top coatings, which were<br />produced to various degree of surface roughness, were covered by the study.<br />An ejection test was employed for investigation of the concerned phenomena.<br />The ejection test was improved in order to increase its accuracy and the<br />reliability of process simulation. Samples were examined in both short and<br />extended periods of contact (5 and 20 min) with liquid casting. Casting<br />solidification was extended in order to intensify the corrosion effects. Contrary<br />to common findings, it was found that the ejection force of the investigated<br />materials does not depend on their chemical composition. For the coated<br />samples, a pronounced dependence of the ejection force on the surface<br />roughness was found. The ejection force increases with decrease in surface<br />roughness. All investigated coatings are prone to mechanical soldering by Al&ndash;<br />Si&ndash;Cu alloy. Still, their corrosion resistance substantially exceeds the corrosion<br />resistance of steel and plasma nitrided layer. Longer exposure of coated<br />samples to cast alloy induced lower ejection forces, which is a consequence<br />of coatings oxidation. It was found that the investigated coatings are inert to<br />liquid aluminium. However, the underlying material undergoes oxidation and<br />corrosion through coating growth defects. The findings concerning the wear<br />mechanisms of protective layers support further development of duplex layers<br />intended for die casting tools protection.</p>

No / Aims and objectives To (1) investigate the organisation, provision and practice of oral care in typical UK stroke units; (2) explore stroke survivors', carers' and healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions about the barriers and facilitators to receiving and undertaking oral care in stroke units. Cerebrovascular disease and oral health are major global health concerns. Little is known about the provision, challenges and practice of oral care in the stroke unit setting, and there are currently no evidence-based practice guidelines. Design Cross-sectional survey of 11 stroke units across Greater Manchester and descriptive qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Methods A self-report questionnaire was used to survey 11 stroke units in Greater Manchester. Data were then collected through two focus groups (n = 10) with healthcare professionals and five semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors and carers. Focus group and interview data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework approach. Results Eleven stroke units in Greater Manchester responded to the survey. Stroke survivors and carers identified a lack of oral care practice and enablement by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals identified a lack of formal training to conduct oral care for stroke patients, inconsistency in the delivery of oral care and no set protocols or use of formal oral assessment tools. Conclusion Oral care post-stroke could be improved by increasing healthcare professionals' awareness, understanding and knowledge of the potential health benefits of oral care post-stroke. Further research is required to develop and evaluate the provision of oral care in stroke care to inform evidence-based education and practice.

S tím, jak se neustále vyvíjejí nové technologie pro energeticky náročná průmyslová odvětví, stávající zařízení postupně zaostávají v efektivitě a produktivitě. Tvrdá konkurence na trhu a legislativa v oblasti životního prostředí nutí tato tradiční zařízení k ukončení provozu a k odstavení. Zlepšování procesu a projekty modernizace jsou zásadní v udržování provozních výkonů těchto zařízení. Současné přístupy pro zlepšování procesů jsou hlavně: integrace procesů, optimalizace procesů a intenzifikace procesů. Obecně se v těchto oblastech využívá matematické optimalizace, zkušeností řešitele a provozní heuristiky. Tyto přístupy slouží jako základ pro zlepšování procesů. Avšak, jejich výkon lze dále zlepšit pomocí moderní výpočtové inteligence. Účelem této práce je tudíž aplikace pokročilých technik umělé inteligence a strojového učení za účelem zlepšování procesů v energeticky náročných průmyslových procesech. V této práci je využit přístup, který řeší tento problém simulací průmyslových systémů a přispívá následujícím: (i)Aplikace techniky strojového učení, která zahrnuje jednorázové učení a neuro-evoluci pro modelování a optimalizaci jednotlivých jednotek na základě dat. (ii) Aplikace redukce dimenze (např. Analýza hlavních komponent, autoendkodér) pro vícekriteriální optimalizaci procesu s více jednotkami. (iii) Návrh nového nástroje pro analýzu problematických částí systému za účelem jejich odstranění (bottleneck tree analysis – BOTA). Bylo také navrženo rozšíření nástroje, které umožňuje řešit vícerozměrné problémy pomocí přístupu založeného na datech. (iv) Prokázání účinnosti simulací Monte-Carlo, neuronové sítě a rozhodovacích stromů pro rozhodování při integraci nové technologie procesu do stávajících procesů. (v) Porovnání techniky HTM (Hierarchical Temporal Memory) a duální optimalizace s několika prediktivními nástroji pro podporu managementu provozu v reálném čase. (vi) Implementace umělé neuronové sítě v rámci rozhraní pro konvenční procesní graf (P-graf). (vii) Zdůraznění budoucnosti umělé inteligence a procesního inženýrství v biosystémech prostřednictvím komerčně založeného paradigmatu multi-omics.