<p>In-vehicle warning systems are today mainly using the visual and auditory channels for presentation. As cars get more and more sophisticated the demand on new ways of presenting information increases. This report investigates if the sense of touch, in form of a vibro-tactile seat is a prospective channel for warning information. To achieve the objectives the tactile seat was developed, implemented and tested in a simulator environment. The final result is a complete tactile seat with a set of warnings which correspond with different critical situations.</p><p>The tactile seat made it possible to conduct a simulator-based experiment including comparison with a visual head-up warning presentation. The experiment proved significant difference in discovery distance in the comparison between the no system and the tactile warning system.</p><p>The overall conclusion is that a vibro-tactile warning display in the driver’s seat is an excellent way of presenting certain warning information. The tactile channel is especially favorable when fast reaction time is essential. Further work could include designing and testing a combined tactile and visual system.</p>

published_or_final_version / abstract / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

The U.S. construction industry continues to rank as one of the most dangerous work environments when compared to other industrial sectors. Construction companies are required to record and report lagging safety leading indicators including fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. Safety leading indicators provide an opportunity to identify construction site hazards and hazardous worker behavior before a fatality, injury, or illness occurs. Further improvements are also necessary for construction safety through the use of technology. The application of advanced or emerging technologies can have a significant role in enhancing construction worker safety performance. This research seeks to report and analyze safety leading indicators, specifically near misses. Furthermore, technologies capable of providing alerts in real-time to construction equipment operators and ground workers during hazardous proximity situations are reviewed. A testing method for proximity detection and alert devices for the construction environment is presented. Operator visibility, including impacts of design components, is also measured and analyzed. One major contribution of this research is the creation of a near miss reporting program ready for implementation for construction companies. Other research contributions include understanding of impacts of design on operator visibility, scientific evaluation data of proximity sensing technology, and a test method for proximity detection and alert system deployed in the construction environment. Research findings can be disseminated for improved construction worker safety education and training.

Syftet med denna studie är att diskutera konceptet triggervarning och dess betydelse för litteraturundervisningen i den svenska skolan. Detta har gjorts dels genom en kritisk diskursanalys på 17 utvalda svenska artiklar om triggervarning i undervisningen och dels genom en litteraturanalys av Christina Wahldéns debutroman Kort kjol. Resultatet visade på en förskjutning från sakfrågan ”bör triggervarningar användas i undervisningen?” till vems verklighetsuppfattning som är den sanna samt att det till viss del redan triggervarnas i gymnasieskolor runt om i Sverige även om termen triggervarning inte används.

I examine three issues related to internal control reporting by non-accelerated filers. Motivation for the three studies comes from the fact that Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) continues to be controversial, as evidenced by the permanent exemption from Section 404(b) of SOX granted to non-accelerated filers by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the SEC to study compliance costs associated with smaller accelerated filers. In the first part of my dissertation, I document that the audit fee premium for non-accelerated filers disclosing a material weakness in internal controls (a) is significantly lower than the corresponding premium for accelerated filers, and (b) declines significantly over time. I also find that in the case of accelerated filers remediating clients pay lower fees compared to clients continuing to report internal control problems; however, such differences are not observed in the case of non-accelerated filers. The second essay focuses on audit report lag. The results indicate that presence of material weaknesses are associated with increased audit report lags, for both accelerated and non-accelerated filers. The results also indicate that the decline in report lag following remediation of problems is greater for accelerated filers than for non-accelerated filers. The third essay examines early warnings (pursuant to Section 302 disclosures) for firms that subsequently disclosed internal control problems in their 404 reports. The analyses indicate that non-accelerated firms with shorter CFO tenure, presence of accounting experts on the audit committee, and more frequent audit committee meetings are more likely to provide prior Section 302 warnings. Overall the results suggest that there are differences in internal control reporting between the accelerated and non-accelerated filers. The results provide empirical grounding for the ongoing debate about internal control reporting by non-accelerated filers.

This thesis examines the initial and long-term market reactions following reversed profit warnings on the Nordic markets. Furthermore, it investigates if firm size and trading volume can explain the magnitude of the market reaction. The study is based on 118 reversed profit warnings announced on the Nordic markets during 2010-2019 applying an event study approach, measuring abnormal returns. To examine if firm size and trading volume affects the market reaction, this study uses a regression analysis to complement the event study. Results show a significant initial market reaction, confirming that the market is genuinely surprised by a profit warning. In accordance with the efficient market hypothesis, the market is also seen to correct its expectations based on the new information. The initial reaction is more substantial for smaller firms and higher trading volume is seen to increase abnormal returns. Our long-term results show a significant reversal in share price, indicating that there is an overreaction to reversed profit warnings. The long-term regression results show that neither firm size nor trading volume explain the reversal in share price.

Detta projekt ska resultera i direktiv för framtida utveckling av ljudsignaler och varningsljud i bil. Signalerskarakteristiska drag undersöks för en djupare förståelse för de parametrar som ger upphov till specifika känslor ochbeteenden. Signaler från Saab 9-5 modifieras för att passa befintliga teorier om design av ljudsignaler. Dessajämförs med originalsignaler samt signaler från Saab 9-3, BMW 3-serie och Audi A6 i en användarstudie.Resultaten visar på möjligheten att utveckla mindre irriterande signaler vid lägre ljudnivåer med bibehållenallvarsnivå. Resultaten pekar även på att ökad allvarsnivå kan fås med kortare periodtid och signallängd, ökat antalrepetitioner och frekvenser samt ökad upplevd tonstyrka (på sonskalan). Resultat från SAM-skalan visar att bådeoriginal- samt modifierade signaler tenderar att placera sig enligt teorin (högre aktivering och negativitet för signalerpå höga allvarsnivåer och vice versa). Studien visade även att utförligare arbete krävs för att stärka Saabs identitetnär det gäller ljudsignaler och att detaljerade studier om perception och förarbeteende krävs vid framtagning av nyasignaler. / This project aims to result in guidelines for future development of auditory signals in cars. The characteristics ofdifferent types of signals are investigated for a greater understanding of what parameters in auditory signals thatgive rise to certain feelings or behaviour. Auditory signals from Saab 9-5 are modified to fit existing theories aboutauditory alerts. These are then compared to their original signals and signals from Saab 9-3, BMW 3-series and AudiA6 in a user study. The results show that there is a possibility to design signals with no significant difference inurgency that are seen as less annoying at lower sound levels. Urgency seems to depend negatively on sound cadenceand signal length and positively on number of repetitions and frequencies and also loudness. SAM scale resultsshowed that both original and modified signals tend to move according to desired theories (higher activation andlower valence for high urgency signals and vice versa). The study also showed that further work needs to be put onstrengthening Saabs brand identity concerning auditory signals and that detailed studies on driver perception andbehaviour is needed when developing new signals.

In lane departure warning systems (LDWS) it is important that the auditory warning triggers a fast and appropriate reaction from the driver. The rumble strip noise is a suitable warning to alert the driver of an imminent lane departure. A short reaction time is important in lane departure scenarios, where a late response may have fatal consequences. For abstract sounds an increase in intensity can influence the perceived urgency level of the warning, which may also trigger a faster reaction from the listener. In this thesis, the effect of a rumble strip warning with looming (increasing) intensity was analyzed by letting test persons drive a driving simulator and measuring how quickly they reacted to the auditory warning. These results were compared with those for a rumble strip warning with a constant intensity, and two versions of an abstract warning; constant intensity and looming intensity. A survey regarding the perceived urgency, annoyance and acceptance of the warnings was also carried out. The results show no differences in reaction time between the four warning signals. This may be because the test persons expected the warnings, or because of their limited experience. The survey suggests that adding a looming intensity to the rumble strip warning results in a higher urgency, while keeping the annoyance low, which could be of importance to avoid unwanted reactions from the driver. / I varningssystem för personbilar används ofta ett system som signalerar ett stundande ofrivilligt lämnande av körfältet, s.k. lane departure warning systems (LDWS), genom att en varningssignal ljuder. Det är viktigt att en sådan akustisk varningssignal frammanar en snabb och lämplig reaktion från föraren. Ljudet av en bullerräffla är en lämplig varningssignal för detta ändamål. En kort reaktionstid är viktig när fordon är på väg att ofrivilligt lämna körfältet, då en långsam reaktion kan ha förödande konsekvenser. Studier på abstrakta akustiska varningssignaler har visat att en ökande intensitet kan få en varning att verka mer brådskande, vilket i sin tur kan leda till att lyssnaren reagerar snabbare. I denna rapport analyseras hur ett bullerräffleljuds ökande intensitet påverkar förarens reaktionstid. Analysen gjordes genom att mäta reaktionstiden hos testpersoner som körde en bilsimulator med fyra olika varningssignaler; en bullerräffleljudsvarning och en abstrakt varning, båda med konstant intensitet och ökande intensitet. Reaktionstiderna för de olika signalerna jämfördes, varpå en enkät utfärdades där testpersonerna uppgav hur brådskande och irriterande de uppfattade varningarna, samt till vilken grad de skulle acceptera varningarna i ett verkligt körscenario. Resultaten visar inga skillnader i reaktionstid mellan varningarna, vilket kan bero på att testpersonerna förutsåg när varningarna skulle komma, eller på grund av deras begränsade erfarenhet av bullerräffleljud. Enkätens utfall antyder att bullerräffleljudsvarningen med ökande intensitet är mer brådskande än versionen med konstant intensitet, men att irritationsnivån inte påverkas när intensiteten ökar, vilket kan vara viktigt för att inte framkalla oönskade reaktioner hos föraren.

This research project is an attempt to determine how principals handle educator misconduct in public schools in a sample of both primary and secondary schools. Procedures on handling misconduct are still new to schools principals. The need to empower principals with knowledge and procedures to handle educator misconduct is the main concern of the study. The main aim of the study is to investigate how principals handle educator misconduct in public schools. It is revealed in the introductory orientation of this study that educator misconduct is one of major challenges in principals' management of schools. Educator misconduct is a continuous problem that principals experience in their management of schools. Principals being given legal authority to handle less serious misconduct at school level, have a mammoth task and responsibility to ensure that procedural requirements are met in such misconduct cases. The attempts to workshop train and educate principals on handling educator misconduct which all proved insufficient. Misconduct among educators is on the increase and principals seem to fall short of handling such misconduct cases properly. In this regard both the literature study and an empirical investigation through interviews are used in the study. Principals are involved because they have a duty to handle educator misconduct. Procedures handling misconduct also involve educators. These data collection methods are useful in providing insights into principals' handling of educator misconduct as well as getting educators' views on how principals handle misconduct cases. The findings and recommendations of this study are expected to improve principals' handling of educator misconduct. The findings are supposed to help principals to realise the need to follow procedural steps and to apply principles of handling misconduct fairly and consistently. Based on what the study will find, it is recommended that principals adhere to principles, rules and procedures of handling misconduct as they serve to empower principals in their management responsibilities. Principals support mechanisms in the form of workshops, seminars and training programme should be provided to ensure that principals are well trained and have clear knowledge in both theory and practice of handling educator misconduct. / Dissertation (MEd (Education Management and Policy Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

This study aims to examine the impact a released profit warning has on a company’s stock price. The effect will be examined using an event study. In addition, the market model will be applied to calculate the abnormal returns associated with the profit warning. Previous studies within the subject of profit warnings have shown that the abnormal return on the day of a published profit warning amounts to -14,72% (Jackson and Madura, 2003). Furthermore, the effect varies depending on the current state of the economy (Cox, Dayanandan, Donker and Nofsinger, 2017). The purpose of this study is to investigate the market response to a published profit warning on stocks associated with the Swedish all-share index OMXSPI. Calculations show that the abnormal returns on average totaled to about -8,3% during the first day of trading. In the longer perspective, up to 90 days following the profit warning, the study showed that stock prices recover the initial price fall. However, it should be noted that presented results are not statistically significant. / Studien avser att undersöka en negativ vinstvarnings effekt på aktuell aktiekurs. Effekten studeras genom en eventstudie som med hjälp av marknadsmodellen beräknar en akties överavkastning i samband med publicerad vinstvarning. Tidigare forskning inom området menar på att effekten är negativ om -14,72% (Jackson och Madura, 2003) samt att effekten är större ifall ekonomin befinner sig i en period präglad av tillväxt (Cox, Dayanandan, Donker och Nofsinger, 2017). Syftet med denna studie är att studera vinstvarningar hos företag som är en del av Stockholmsbörsens all-share index OMXSPI. Resultatet är att en vinstvarning i genomsnitt orsakade en överavkastning om ungefär -8,3% under den första handelsdagen efter offentliggörandet. På längre sikt, upp emot 90 dagar efter vinstvarning, har studien noterat att aktiekurserna återhämtar det initiala kursraset. Dock är resultaten inte statistiskt signifikanta.