Healthcare in developing countries is confronted with a shortage of skilled healthcare workforce, medical errors, inequity and inefficient healthcare service delivery. Innovative ways of solving healthcare problems through Information and communication technology (ICT) can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, access and quality of the healthcare system. Despite highly anticipated benefits of eHealth system to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery, the healthcare had barely begun to take advantage of ICT mainly in a resource-constrained environment. The implementation of eHealth systems in developing countries could not proceed beyond the pilot phase to demonstrate sustainability in a large-scale rollout. The general research problem in this thesis focuses on how factors of eHealth implementation interplay to influence technology and information use to ensure the long-term sustainability of eHealth in resource-constrained settings. Systems thinking and system dynamics modelling method were used to handle complexity in the implementation of eHealth. Moreover, sustainability theory, technology acceptance model (TAM) and IS success models were used to develop a system dynamics model of sustainable eHealth implementation. The socio-technical, techno-organizational and techno-economic factors of sustainable eHealth systems are discussed to address the research objectives. The system dynamics simulation model of sustainable eHealth implementation is developed, verified, validated and tested. This applied research study focused on addressing the problems of sustainable eHealth systems implementation in resource-constrained environments. The model-based theory-building research study followed in this thesis aimed at enhancing the understanding of sustainable eHealth implementation in a resource-constrained environment to maximize the acceptance of eHealth by the end-users. Both the ontological and epistemological assumptions of this research study supported the position of the constructivist research paradigm. Methodologically, this study mainly applies qualitative research methodology which is common in the interpretive approach. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from purposefully sampled eHMIS and SmartCare health facilities in Ethiopia. Field notes, document review, interview and focus group discussion data were analysed using ATLAS.ti software. Vensim DSS Version 6.3D was used to model and simulate the system dynamics model. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was followed in the systematic literature review of techno-economic factors. The simulation results confirmed that the ‘effectiveness of training’ was a dominant factor to improve the ‘acceptance rate’ of eHMIS and SmartCare in the socio-technical dimension of sustainable eHealth implementation. The adequacy of ICT and healthcare workforce within eHealth implementing facility and end-users’ familiarity with digital technology showed a stronger influence on the ‘acceptance rate’ of both eHMIS and SmartCare systems in the techno-organizational dimension. An economic incentive, funding duration, funding amount, funding source and economic benefit are identified as techno-economic factors that influence the long-term sustainability of eHealth projects. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM) / PhD / Unrestricted

Syftet med föreliggande uppsats är att bidra till en ökad förståelse för hur technostress yttrar sig hos projekt- och produktionsledare inom olika områden i mediebranschen. Detta genom att undersöka vilka technostress creators (techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity och techno-uncertainty) som påverkar denna yrkesgrupp, samt hur anställda hantera dessa. I genomförandet av studien har två kvalitativa- och en kvantitativ metod tillämpats. Den kvalitativa datainsamlingen utgjordes av en fokusgruppsdiskussion samt enskilda intervjuer med projekt- och produktionsledare verksamma i Malmö. Den kvantitativa undersökningen gjordes i form av en enkät som skickades både till projekt- ochproduktionsledare inom mediebranschen i Malmö, samt till Nätverket Pirayas medlemmar.Studien visar att projekt- och produktionsledare inom mediebranschen framförallt upplevertechno-overload samt techno-invasion. Insamlade data tyder också på att den medieteknik som främst ligger till grund för detta är e-post och mobiltelefoner. Tillsammans möjliggör de en hög arbetsbelastning som informanterna och respondenterna upplever som svår att hinna med under kontorstid. Därtill innebär medieteknikens mobilitet – och därmed arbetets tillgänglighet utanför kontoret – att informanterna och respondenterna tidvis har svårt att hålla isär arbetsliv och privatliv. Utlåtande från informanterna och respondenterna tyder emellertid på att förekomsten av techno-complexity, techno-insecurity och techno-uncertainty är låg hos projekt- och produktionsledare inom mediebranschen. / This study aims to examine whether project- and production managers within different areas of the media industry experience technostress due to any of the five technostress creators:techno-overload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity and techno-uncertainty. Furthermore, the study examines how employees handle the effects of these. In the study, both qualitative and quantitative methods have been applied. The qualitative data collection includes a focus group discussion as well as individual interviews with project- and production managers operating in Malmö. The quantitative data collection was conducted in the form of a survey sent to both project- and production managers in the media industry in Malmö and to Nätverket Piraya’s members. The results show that project- and production managers in the media industry mostly experience techno-overload and techno-invasion. The collected data indicate that information communication technologies (ICT) such as email and mobile phones are the main reason for this. Together, they enable a workload that is difficult for the respondents to keep up with and finish during office hours. The mobility of these ICT’s also allows the respondents to work outside the office, making it difficult for many to separate work and personal life. The study also shows that the presence of techno-complexity, techno-insecurity och techno-uncertainty is low among the respondents.

Les raves, les free parties et les teknivals, sont des fêtes techno à l'origine d'une panique morale en France. L'histoire sociale de ces phénomènes est celle d'une répression d'État. Nous avons tâché de saisir (l'essence de) l'expérience de ces fêtes, compte tenu d'un marqueur temporel et biographique : l'événement marquant (Michèle Leclerc-Olive, 1997). Il s'est agi dans un premier temps, pour des teuffeurs volontaires, et membres de Sound Systems, de se raconter dans le cadre d'entretiens biographiques. Puis, dans un deuxième temps, d'identifier, .avec notre aide, ce qui a orienté, et décidé de leur parcours. Leur vie ne fut-elle que délire ? Jouissance esthétique ? Un « activiste » techno n'est-il marqué que par la fête ? Les récits de vie de Marc, de Fabrice, de Marie-Sophie et de Gino, nous ont permis de répondre à ces questions / Raves, free parties and teknivals are techno parties that, in France, are the origin of moral panic. Their social history and phenomena are those of state suppression. This thesis attempts to catch (the essence of) the experience of these parties given a temporal and biographical event: The notewor1hy event (Michèle Leclerc-Olive, 1997). ln the first place the ravers and other voluntary members from Sound Systems told about themselves within the frame of biographical interviews. Then, as a second step, the goal was to identify, with our help, what guided and decided their path. Was their life only a "blast"? An aesthetically pleasing? Would a techno "activist" be marked only by celebration? Life stories of Marc, Fabrice, Marie­ Sophie and Gino helped us to bring a clear answer to these questions

This research project will investigate the potential business case and technical feasibility of using nuclear generated heat in a crude oil refinery located some distance away. The key design element is an energy transportation mechanism that doesn’t compromise the safety, licensing or operability of the nuclear plant. In a crude oil refinery processing heat is generated by combusting fuels that are generally sellable products. The inherent safety features and high output temperature of a HTGR make it an appropriate replacement heat source for such a processing plant. An opportunity thus exists to replace the refinery hydrocarbon fuel usage with nuclear energy thereby improving refinery profitability. Three alternate proposed were generated. Alt 1: Generation of steam at HTGR, piped to the refinery to replace current supply. Alt 2: Closed loop reversible methanation reaction delivering potential chemical energy to the refinery which is released to the process in heat exchangers. Alt 3: Hydrogen production from water splitting at the HTGR, piped to the refinery and combusted in boilers or used for hydrotreating diesel. Utilizing data from refinery plant historian and journals, a basic engineering study assessed technical feasibility thereof. An economic model for the 2 most promising alternates was set up using quotations and factored data and evaluated against the existing refinery situation. A consistently increasing crude price was assumed. Alternates 1, 2 and 3 proved technically feasible and delivered 86 MW, 59 MW and 48MW to the refinery respectively. Generating steam at the HTGR (Alt 1) demonstrated an attractive business case, strengthened by co-locating the nuclear plant at the refinery. It is therefore concluded that using a HTGR for process heat in a petrochemical plant such as a refinery is techno-economically practical and demands further consideration. If future carbon emission legislation is promulgated this proposal will be key component of the solution. / MIng (Nuclear Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This research project will investigate the potential business case and technical feasibility of using nuclear generated heat in a crude oil refinery located some distance away. The key design element is an energy transportation mechanism that doesn’t compromise the safety, licensing or operability of the nuclear plant. In a crude oil refinery processing heat is generated by combusting fuels that are generally sellable products. The inherent safety features and high output temperature of a HTGR make it an appropriate replacement heat source for such a processing plant. An opportunity thus exists to replace the refinery hydrocarbon fuel usage with nuclear energy thereby improving refinery profitability. Three alternate proposed were generated. Alt 1: Generation of steam at HTGR, piped to the refinery to replace current supply. Alt 2: Closed loop reversible methanation reaction delivering potential chemical energy to the refinery which is released to the process in heat exchangers. Alt 3: Hydrogen production from water splitting at the HTGR, piped to the refinery and combusted in boilers or used for hydrotreating diesel. Utilizing data from refinery plant historian and journals, a basic engineering study assessed technical feasibility thereof. An economic model for the 2 most promising alternates was set up using quotations and factored data and evaluated against the existing refinery situation. A consistently increasing crude price was assumed. Alternates 1, 2 and 3 proved technically feasible and delivered 86 MW, 59 MW and 48MW to the refinery respectively. Generating steam at the HTGR (Alt 1) demonstrated an attractive business case, strengthened by co-locating the nuclear plant at the refinery. It is therefore concluded that using a HTGR for process heat in a petrochemical plant such as a refinery is techno-economically practical and demands further consideration. If future carbon emission legislation is promulgated this proposal will be key component of the solution. / MIng (Nuclear Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This research explores the compositional relationships between acousmatic music and electronica in order to offer a way of unifying the two musical forms. The original contribution to knowledge comes from the creation of a portfolio of compositions that extend the two idioms towards one another, resulting in a series of works that are presented as a journey between and a fusion of electronica and acousmatic music. The dissertation offers a collection of associated theories that underpin the creation of the portfolio. In turn this dissertation addresses three areas that relate to compositional materials, the use of space, with consideration for both compositional and performance space, and a selection of associated cultural considerations that relate to the musics in question. The literature that relates to these three aspects is introduced and discussed with relation to the portfolio. The method behind the composition of the portfolio was not intended to present a collection of fusion works from the outset, but rather to begin composing a selection of purely acousmatic works in order to gain practical compositional understanding of the music. The process was then to grow the portfolio towards the electronica realm, and in parallel map this journey in the dissertation.

I detta projektarbete har jag med utgångspunkt i duon Invader Ace utforskat hur vi kan använda oss av improvisation inom ramarna för elektronisk dansmusik. Istället för att producera elektronisk dansmusik med hjälp av dator, har vi med våra instrument och olika typer av tekniska ljudresurser undersökt vad som händer när vi skapar musiken i stunden genom improvisation som huvudverktyg. / <p>I texten har jag valt ut exempel som jag hoppas kan ge en inblick i vad detta projekt inneburit och resulterat i. Dessa finns dokumenterade på tillhörande skiva, eller via länkar i den digitala versionen av denna reflektion</p>

Thesis advisor: Judith Schwartz / Increased access to media and production tools has given the civilized masses the means not only to consume an increasingly comprehensive wealth of content, but also the means to interact with that content in ways never before imagined. This has allowed the digital generation to grow ever more comfortable creating and editing content outside of the professional environment. Much of the creative output of our day comes in the form of the “remix,” a piece of content which is constructed, in full or in part, from bits (most often in the form of bytes) of other media artifacts. However, because of American law and international copyright agreements that prohibit the copying (reproduction or derivation) of creative works, a generation of amateur producers has been criminalized. Despite the message sent by recent prosecutions in light of the letter of copyright law, the original spirit of copyright law was to encourage creative production, not restrict it. Within the music industry, the international electronic dance music community demonstrates how new forms of content and copyright management within a hybrid economy could benefit artists, fans, and industry alike. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program. / Discipline: Communication.

Biomass conversion into forms of energy is receiving current attention because of environmental, energy and agricultural concerns. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the environmental, energy, economic, and technological aspects of using a form of biomass, switchgrass (panicum virgatum), as a partial or complete replacement for coal in power generation and cogeneration systems. To examine the effects of such a substitution, an environmental biocomplexity approach is used, wherein the agricultural, technological, economic, and environmental factors are addressed. In particular, lifecycle analysis (LCA) and a three-dimensional integrated economic, energy and environmental analysis is employed. The effectiveness of alternate technologies for switchgrass preparation, harvest and use in terms of greenhouse gas impact, cost and environmental implications is examined. Also, different scenarios of cofiring and biomass preparation pathways are investigated. Optimization of the total biomass power generation cost with minimum greenhouse gas effect is undertaken using mathematical programming for various alternate competitive biomass processing pathways. As a byproduct of this work a generic tool to optimize the cost and greenhouse gas emissions for allocation of fuel sources to the power generating sinks is developed. Further, this work discusses the sensitivity of the findings to varied cofiring ratios, coal prices, hauling distances, per acre yields, etc. Besides electricity generation in power plants, another viable alternative for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) is the utilization of biomass in conjunction with combined heat and power (CHP) in the process industries. This work addresses the utilization of biowaste or biomass source in a processing facility for CHP. A systematic algebraic procedure for targeting cogeneration potential ahead of detailed power generation network design is presented. The approach presented here effectively utilizes the biomass and biowaste sources as external fuel, and matches it with the use and dispatch of fuel sources within the process, heating and non-heating steam demands, and power generation. The concept of extractable energy coupled with flow balance via cascade diagram has been used as a basis to construct this approach. The work also discusses important economic factors and environmental policies required for the cost-effective utilization of biomass for electricity generation and CHP.

Inom området för medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap studeras Stockholms technoscen utifrån ett medieetnografiskt perspektiv. I studien används kvalitativa intervjuer då målet är att få en förståelse för hur identitetsprocesser skapas hos sex enskilda technoutövare. Personliga erfarenheter ligger till grund för val av ämne då jag själv är en del av technoscenen.           De frågeställningar som besvaras är: Hur formas kollektiv identitet genom stilelement och stilmarkörer inom Stockholms technoscen? Hur kan identitetsprocesserna förstås i relation till den enskilda utövaren? Vilka kommunikativa praktiker existerar inom technoscenen? Sammanfattningsvis har studien lett fram till ett resultat som tyder på att identitet skapas på skilda sätt och framträder olika starkt beroende på den enskilda utövaren inom technoscenen. Studien har också visat varför en individ väljer att bli en del av technoscenen och hur den kan urskiljas från andra subkulturella företeelser. Stilperspektivet används för att urskilja technoscenen från andra subkulturer. Technoklubben i sig, dansmomentet, vinylskivan, DJ:n samt den prestigelösa miljö definieras som stilmarkörer och stilelement. Technoklubben kan uppfattas som en tillflyktsplats som främst fyller en funktion av gemenskap och samhörighet med likasinnade för individer med ett starkt frihetsbehov.