Abstract Embla 5 is an office building which has done a large improvement. The clients of this building has made an order of WSP and the student Anders Kempe to calculate the use of energy for the building, and after that result proposing further measures which can decrease the energy use of Embla 5. The ground for this report is when calculation of the present energy use of the building is stated. To make that information of a number of parameters such as envelope, the heating system and ventilation has been located and set in to the simulation program IDA ICE which calculate the energy use. To improve the energy use further this project has been concentrated to change the system of ventilation. Today the ventilation system is of the kind CAV (constant air volume) and the air flow is dimensioned for after recommendations from BBR and Arbetsmiljöverket in the office spaces. Consider that Embla 5  is an office building where the people only staying for 8-10 hours/day so was the ide to see how much energy saving if the air flow is reduced the time people not being in the building. This VAV-system (variable air volume) was set to go with full air flow weekdays 06:00-19:00 when people can be in the local. All the time around that the air flow is been reduced to 20 % of dimensioned flow (solution 1) and 40 % of dimensioned flow (solution 2) with the same kind of time control. By these solutions the rate of energy use is been calculated and been compared to the present energy use.              The saving of energy for the two solutions been around the same about 100 000 [kWh/year]. With a energy price of 1 [SEK/kWh] the saving in money being 100 000 [SEK/year]. Before Embla 5 renovated the heating rate were 400 000 kWh/year and after renovation the heating rate were 300 000 kW/year. The heating rate had reduced thus the building had been four times bigger. The reason of that is the older part of the building had very large transmissions losses and newer part of the building was built with material with low u-value which decreases the transmissions losses. Another reason is that a new FTX-system is placed in the building with a better efficiency than the older FTX-system.

Abstract Building Information Model/Modeling/Management (BIM) is a tool that allows for efficient working methods. BIM saves time and money while providing the potential for visualization. This method of working is based on a 3D-model, and then a fourth and fifth dimension are connected. 5D modeling means that a spreadsheet creates cost estimates based on the 3D model. This provides opportunities to carry out calculations in the early stages of the projects.   Calculations are currently performed manually and do not contribute to the development that the construction industry requires. To examine the efficiency of 5D BIM, a comparison should be made with the traditional calculation method. The purpose of this study is to propose a more reliable quantity takeoff and to study the advantages and disadvantages of each method.   The research questions to be studied in this thesis read as follows:  How reliable is quantity takeoff with the help of Vico Office in contrast to traditional quantity takeoff? What is required of a BIM model to perform a quantity takeoff in Vico Office?   To create calculations manually, bills of quantities are performed with recipes for each building component and then price lists from recipe databases are used. With the 5D BIM, a spreadsheet is connected to the BIM model that generates price lists and calculations for each building component. Spreadsheet entries are created for the component that contain the right amount of information, that is then connected to the correct building component. Vico Office is a program that provides opportunities to import 3D models from CAD tools to then carry out timetables and calculations.   Vico Office offers many advantages in contrast to the manual spreadsheet work in, among other things, time and cost. It is easy to handle and contributes to the development of BIM. It also contributes to increased communication between participants that makes it easier to handle delays. At the same time, the program needs new knowledge. The manual spreadsheet work gives uncertain calculations and the risk of measurement errors exist.   To perform a complete quantity takeoff in Vico Office an architectural model and a construction model is required. It is also important to name the components in the model before it is imported to Vico Office. Vico Office gives more BIM, and it is easier to perform a quantity takeoff because all the tools are in one place. It is not possible to determine that it is actually more efficient with Vico Office because the building model was lacking in this study.    This thesis demonstrates the advantages of 5D BIM, but at the same time it requires an initiative of the companies to implement the system. This transition from manual spreadsheet work to 5D BIM can be complicated because it requires time and knowledge.   Keywords: 5D BIM, Vico Office, Cost, Quantity Takeoff

Many obstacles preclude women from becoming presidents and prime ministers, yet a select group of women attain executive offices. How do they succeed? Drawing from 24 published autobiographies, interviews, and speech and letter compilations, this thesis evaluates how nine women political leaders explain their paths to office. Previous research identifies institutional, cultural, and political contexts that lead to women becoming leaders, but I argue that these women did not become political leaders just from opportunities provided to them by their families, political parties, and government systems. Rather, their experience, ambitions, and abilities account for their success. These women describe the formative influence of childhood experiences, formal education, and early careers in leading them to politics. Leaders refer to specific causes motivating them politically, but also reference mobilizing support from social networks to get ahead in politics. These women encounter gendered obstacles in their political careers and develop strategies to neutralize and overcome these barriers. These leaders’ narratives expose how women can reach powerful political positions by complying with cultural codes of masculinity, but also by redefining leadership in their own terms. / text

Office is a blooming building type in rapidly developing China. Most of the current Chinese office layouts and work patterns are following the mode from western countries and cities are now becoming the same as any big city in the world. Beijing is the capital city of China keeping unique Chinese culture for thousands of years. It is time for thinking more about preserving regional characters rather than pursuing for the international style. Design can get inspirations from traditional buildings – the right scale, the courtyard space combination, the typical materials application and so on. Thus, for the future office design of Beijing, preserving its own characters and creating an environment fitting for its own culture and people is the keystone. Based on those research and analysis about Chinese office development history, culture background, current office layouts and so on, I provide a prototype – a novel office layout that can respond to emerging work pattern requirements and Chinese culture-work relationship. Then apply the prototype into a specific site to complete a test based on the real scenario. / text

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

Due to a variety of reasons, one of the most common types of training found at companies is safety and health training. As part of a comprehensive health and safety training program there is usually an ergonomics training course. These courses are used to empower the employees to identify hazards and set up their workstations with the goal of injury prevention and increasing employee efficiency. Even with their usage, little data exist on the effectiveness of ergonomics training. In addition, no published research is available on the effectiveness of office ergonomics delivered via the web. This research project investigated the effectiveness of office ergonomics training delivered by both an instructor and a web-based program. Using a methodology popularized by Kirkpatrick, this investigation focused on the effects of both training delivery methods for knowledge, behavior, and reaction to training. As a method for comparing results, data was collected for both the knowledge and the behavior prior to and post-training delivery. Data for reaction to training was collected post training. This investigation used multiple methods of comparisons between base pre and post-training data and between the two training delivery methods. These methods include intra-group, inter-group, gain-score, and normalized-scores comparisons. The result form these comparisons showed that for both delivery methods there was a significant increase for knowledge and behavioral changes. Additionally, the group that received web-based training had a significantly greater increase for both behaviors and knowledge. However, there was no difference between the two training methods for reaction to training. For the study population assessed, this investigation shows evidence that both instructor and web-based office ergonomics training is effective at generating behavior change and knowledge gain. However, this study shows that web-based training was more effective at generating a greater change than the instructor delivered course. Additionally, this study provides evidence that the common method of assessing participate reaction to training is not effective at determining the true effectiveness of the training.

The problem statement for this study is found in the relation between the community of believers and the service of the deacons. The aim of the study was to show the close relation between the terms koinonia and diakonia. In this Practical Theological study the method of Zerfass was used. By means of a literature search basis-theoretical principles were formulated. Through a hermeneutical interaction between the basis-theoretical principles and the meta-theoretical perspectives new practical-theoretical guidelines were established. In Chapter 2 basis-theoretical principles were formulated from Scripture and other literature. The meaning of the terms koinonia, diakonia and diakonos were traced as well as the use of the terms in the Old and New Testaments. With regard to this matter the focus was on Acts 6 as locus classicus for the institution of the office of deacon with special reference to the "Seven". The use of the terms in the church history and the church tradition is studied by way of literature studies, after which the use and application of the terms in the Reformed Churches of South Africa are discussed. In Chapter 3 the metatheoretical perspectives were compiled through study of the sociology and social welfare as ancillary subjects. The similarities were indicated. An empirical study in the Reformed Churches of South Africa showed that the terms koinonia, diakonia and the service of the deacons were undefined. In Chapter 4 some practical-theoretical guidelines were given with reference to the hermeneutical interaction between the basis-theoretical principles and the metatheoretical perspectives. The final conclusion in Chapter 5 stressed the close connection and relation between the community of believers and the service of the deacons. The relationship between believers, stems from their relationship with God. Therefore people who would earnestly like to do something for God, should be guided, equipped and involved by the deacons to serve each other. This diakonia must, in turn, serve to initiate and stimulate koinonia. In the practical implementation of this, the office of the deacon finds its niche. / Thesis (M.Th. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This thesis project began with an interest in how architecture provides for both permanence and temporality and how contemporary conditions may impact upon architectural form. An, office building was chosen as the subject of exploration due to its ubiquitous nature and the requirement that it be adaptable to the changing needs of its occupants. The need for a flexible and economic architecture also presented the problem of anonymity and a lack of experiential richness. The intention of the investigation was to discover in what ways, if any, the permanent and temporal elements of a building might act in conjuction to create an enduring artifact which could respond to and register the complexities of everyday life. The project was inspired by observations in the city of Vancouver where development has occurred in a rapid and often irregular manner. The eastern part of the downtown centre and Yaletown were identified as particular areas of study. Patterns of development exhibit many smaller sites left empty or used as parking until being developed. These sites revealed an opportunity for the design of a medium-sized building which might maintain the smaller grain characteristic of these areas. As a "type", it could be adapted to the particularities of its location as well as the changing requirements of its occupants. A number of sites from four to six lots in width were identified in the study area. Various configurations were then devised to adapt the building model to particular site conditions including double party-wall versus corner locations and different orientations. The final project consists of the adaptation of this type to a site located on Homer Street near Pender Street. It is adjacent to an alley which marks the change in grid orientation in the area and allows three elevations of the building to be explored . The building employs an asymmetrically situated atrium and a core divided into two separated pods which would allow for increased penetration of natural light and ventilation. Structure, envelope and space dividing elements operate independently. The building envelope is separated out into two layers: the interior layer consists of a four foot wide grid of openings which may be filled with birch clad panels, bookcases or glazed panels or fitted with operable louvered windows. Random placements of panels allow the human inhabitation to be registered on the exterior of the building. The exterior skin then superimposes a composition of glazed panels which responds to the scale and order of the city and deals with environmental elements. A carved out entry lobby and two storey terrace along with landscaped roofdeck provide gradations of public and private common areas.

The paper “The social aspect of the selection of civil servants” fills in the gap in a certain sphere of scientific works on social administration. The problems of shaping of the professional competence of civil servants that are analyzed in the paper were never ever investigated before. They are even more urgent now when Lithuania is a fully entitled member of the European Union and the civil service doesn’t confirm to the expectations of the society so often. The paper consists of two parts – theoretical and practical. In the first part of this paper the most important spheres of the professional competence of civil servants, preconditions of its shaping and the specification of the selection to the post of a civil servant is discussed in detail. Present Lithuanian legal acts; the works of Lithuanian, European and USA scientists’ are analyzed comprehensively in this work as well as the concepts of professionalism, qualification and competence. As it is seen from the given examples, those concepts are not defined in the same way now- slightly different issues are raised. In this aspect it makes the characteristics of a civil servant quite indefinite. Taking into account that most often the requirement for professionalism is usually connected with special preparation, it is suggested that at least in scientific literature it would be purposeful to describe a civil servant as a person, who acts in civil service and has got an adequate preparation to fulfill certain... [to full text]

Magistrinio darbo tema „Naujos „kaspino” paradigmos Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajoje tyrimas”. Pagrindinis darbo tikslas yra ištirti naująsias „kaspino” paradigmas Microsoft Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajoje. Darbą sudaro penkios dalys. Pirmojoje dalyje yra apžvelgiamos šiuolaikinės Microsoft Office vartotojo sąsajos ištakos. Antroji dalis skirta Office vartotojo sąsajos raidai. Čia apžvelgiama kaip keitėsi vartotojo sąsaja Office programose, kokie buvo priimami sprendimai vartotojo sąsajos efektyvumui užtikrinti bei naudojamumui didinti. Naujosios Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajos tyrimui yra skirta trečioji dalis, kurioje apžvelgiami nauji sąsajos elementai bei jų įtaka vartotojo darbui. Ketvirtojoje dalyje, konkrečių uždavinių pagalba, yra lyginamas Office 2003 bei Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajų efektyvumas. Darbe buvo tiriamas naujosios Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajos efektyvumas. Tyrime buvo lyginamas Microsoft Office 2003 bei Office 2007 vartotojo sąsajų efektyvumas bei siekiama išsiaiškinti, kuri vartotojo sąsaja yra efektyvesnė. Sąsajų tyrimo metu buvo atliekamos konkrečios užduotys: nukopijuoto teksto įterpimas (komanda Paste), pasirinkto žodžio paryškinimas (komanda Bold), lentelės įterpimas bei piešimas (Insert/Draw Table), grafiko įterpimas bei grafinės objektų apipavidalinimo galimybės. Tyrimo metu pagrindinis efektyvumo kriterijus buvo užduoties atlikimo laikas, kadangi esminis naujojo kaspino sąsajos naudojamumo principas yra galimybė vartotojui užduotį atlikti greičiau... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The topic of the master thesis is „Investigation of the new “Ribbon” paradigm in Office 2007 user interface”. The main goal is to explore new paradigm in Office 2007 user interface. The thesis consists of five main parts. The first part is a review of evolution of Microsoft Office user interface. The second part is dedicated to the development of Office user interface. It is aimed to overview the changes in user interface in the programmes of Office and decisions ever taken to ensure efficiency and increase usability. The research of the new Office 2007 user interface is provided in the third part of the paper, which also overviews new elements of the interface and discusses their influence to activities of users. With the help of the practical tasks, the fourth section of the thesis compares user interface efficiency of Office 2003 and Office 2007. Efficiency of the new Office 2007 user interface is being investigated in the paper. The efficiency of Microsoft 2003 and Office 2007 user interfaces was compared, and it was aimed to find out which interface is more efficient. While doing the research, certain tasks, such as copy-paste, bold, insert or draw table, and insert chart, were executed. The main criterion of efficiency was the time period spent for executing certain tasks as the main principle of usability of the new ribbon interface is its ability to proceed the commands quicker. The time of command fulfillment was counted in both (Office 2003 and Office 2007) user... [to full text]