Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The lane-keeping system in autonomous vehicles (AV) or even as a part of the advanced driving assistant system (ADAS) is known as one of the primary options of AVs and ADAS. The developed lane-keeping systems work on either computer vision or deep learning algorithms for their lane detection section. However, even the strongest image processing units or the robust deep learning algorithms for lane detection have inaccuracies during lane detection under certain conditions. The source of these inaccuracies could be rainy or foggy weather, high contrast shades of buildings and objects on-street, or faded lines. Since the lane detection unit of these systems is responsible for controlling the steering, even a momentary loss of lane detection accuracy could result in an accident or failure. As mentioned, different lane detection algorithms have been presented based on computer vision and deep learning during the last few years, and each one has pros and cons. Each model may have a better performance in some situations and fail in others. For example, deep learning-based methods are vulnerable to new samples. In this research, multiple models of lane detection are evaluated and used together to implement a robust lane detection algorithm. The purpose of this research is to develop an estimator-based Multiple Model Adaptive Estimation (MMAE) algorithm on the lane-keeping system to improve the robustness of the lane detection system. To verify the performance of the implemented algorithm, the AirSim simulation environment was used. The test simulation vehicle was equipped with one front camera and one back camera used to implement the proposed algorithm. The front camera images are used for detecting the lane and the offset of the vehicle and center point of the lane. The rear camera, which offered better performance in lane detection, was used as an estimator for calculating the uncertainty of each model. The simulation results showed that combining two implemented models with MMAE performed robustly even in those case studies where one of the models failed. The proposed algorithm was able to detect the failures of either of the models and then switch to another good working model to improve the robustness of the lane detection system. However, the proposed algorithm had some limitations; it can be improved by replacing PID controller with an MPC controller in future studies. In addition, in the presented algorithm, two computer vision-based algorithms were used; however, adding a deep learning-based model could improve the performance of the proposed MMAE. To have a robust deep learning-based model, it is suggested to train the network based on AirSim output images. Otherwise, the network will not work accurately due to the differences in the camera's location, camera configuration, colors, and contrast.

The world population growth and the consequent increase in energy demand in recent years are making sustainability to become a key element in order to ensure the future of the society. In Spain, buildings account for 24% of total energy consumption, and within the buildings stock there is a group called "protected buildings" with low efficiency and therefore a large room for improvement, although constrained by different limitations and special requirements due to their condition. Through a study of the limitations of these buildings it´s possible to find the best solutions to make them more sustainable, focusing on reducing their energy consumption, on keeping the characteristic features of these buildings as part of the Spanish Historical Heritage, and on the economic terms of achieving all this.

Syftet med studien var att förstå hur flickor 15-21 år födda med analatresi upplever sin kropp och sexualitet. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och empirin bygger på åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer. De centrala frågorna i studien är att undersöka om flickors sexualitet och kroppsuppfattning påverkas av att de är födda med analatresi. Studien undersöker också om flickorna uppfattar att föräldrarnas omvårdnad och omhändertagande påverkar deras upplevelse av sin sexualitet och kroppsuppfattning. Slutligen undersöker studien om psykologiskt stöd bör erbjudas under barndomen eller tonåren och i så fall vilken typ av stöd som efterfrågas. Kontakt med informanterna togs i samarbete med barnkirurgiska kliniken i Lund, där flickorna opererades mellan åren 1990-1996. De teoretiska begrepp som används är stigma, jaget och maskerna, ”body shame” och ”gate-keeping”. Slutsatserna är att den kunskap som informanterna har om sin missbildning är begränsad. Föräldrarnas fokus har, utifrån intervjuerna med flickorna, främst visat sig vara att ta hand om de kroppsliga funktionerna. Sexualiteten och kroppsuppfattningen påverkas inte i större utsträckning av att informanterna är födda med analatresi men sammanfattningsvis kan sägas att olika strategier används att hantera känslor (av skam), synliga som dolda ärr, andra missbildningar, förstoppningsproblematik osv. Flickornas syn på kroppsuppfattning, sexualitet och ideal skiljer sig inte från andra ungdomars. Liten vikt lades vid underlivets utseende. Informanterna beskrev att de både kände sig annorlunda och samtidigt inte. Ingen uppgav behov av psykologiskt stöd. / The aim of this study was to understand how girls of 15-21 years of age, born with anorectal malformation experience their bodies and sexuality. The study had a qualitative approach and the results are based on eight semi-structured interviews. Focus of the study was to explore if the young women’s body image and sexuality are affected by being born with anorectal malformation. The study also explores if the girls find that parental care affects their perception of their sexuality and body image. Finally the study explores whether psychological support should be offered during childhood or adolescence and if so, what kind of support would be required. Contact with the informants was established in cooperation with the Department of Paediatric Surgery of the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, where the girls had their surgeries carried out between the years of 1990-1996. Theoretical concepts used are the theories of stigma, “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”, body shame and gate-keeping. The conclusions are that the informants’ knowledge of their malformation is limited as the parents´ concern, according to the interviewees, was primarily to minister the bodily functions. Sexuality and body image are not affected in a major way by being born with anorectal malformation but summing up it could be said that the girls find different strategies to handle feelings (of shame), visible as well as hidden scars, other malformations, constipation issues etc. The informants´ view on body image, sexuality and ideals is no different than that of other young people´s. The appearance of the anal/genital areas was perceived to be of very little importance. The informants described themselves as feeling both different from others and not. None of the girls requested psychological support.

Genom att analysera tidigare försök till effektivt digitalt lärande och problem som hör därtill så spekulerar vi kring hur detta forskningsområde och denna designyta kan utvecklas i framtiden. Vi simulerar upplevelsen av att studera och lära sig i ett riktigt klassrum, under riktiga omständigheter, virtuellt. I undersökningen har deltagarna fått möjlighet att testa på att, med hjälp av ett VR-headset och applikationen utvecklad i undersökningens syfte, se på två olika videor. Applikationen låter dig se och lyssna på en lektion eller video i ett rum som simulerar ett riktigt klassrum, och kombinerar de digitala funktionerna av att spela in, pausa och hoppa i tidslinjen av innehållet simultant till det fysiska mediet av att klottra. Resultaten visar på att deltagarna kommit ihåg mer information under tiden de fått möjligheten att klottra än de gjorde i samma upplevelse utan ett simulerat fysiskt medium, oavsett innehållet av klottrandet eller vad det har föreställt. / By analyzing past attempts at streamlined digital teaching and learning, and the problems therewith, we speculate as to the future of this field and the path of its development. We simulate the experience of studying and learning in a real classroom, under real circumstances, virtually. Participants have been given the opportunity to, with the help of a VR-headset and the application developed for the purpose of this research, look at two separate videos. The application allows you to watch and listen to a lesson or a video in a room simulating a real classroom, and it combines the digital functionality of recording, pausing and jumping in the timeline of the content, while simultaneously being offered the physical medium of doodling. Results show that participants have had a better recollection of the content during which they were doodling than that during which they were not, regardless of the content of the doodling or what it depicts.

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This thesis deals with the book-keeping on the computer and accounting software evaluation. The theoretical part includes chapters about history of book-keeping, legal regulation related to book-keeping using ICT, business information systems and the selection criteria for the accounting software. The knowledge from the theoretical part is used in the practical part, which is addressed to the evaluation of specific accounting software PUP.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: PEP is a devision of Pepkor Retail Limited and is the biggest single brand store network in Southern Africa and also owns and runs the largest clothing factory in Southern Africa. It was founded in 1965 and has since grown to more than 1 400 stores in 9 African countries (there is a PEP store in almost every town and village in South Africa). Currently the warehouse management system (WMS) implemented by PEP only allows for a stock keeping unit (SKU) to be placed on one picking line in one location when the distribution list (DBN) is released. Because pickers are only allowed to walk clockwise around the conveyor belt, they are forced to pass a location at least the same number of times as the number of branches to which the SKU is to be distributed to. Therefore if the SKUs with the highest pick frequency can be assigned to 2 locations (it is duplicating the SKU), the number of times each of these locations must be passed may be reduced. In this study 4 questions are considered when 15 algorithms are constructed that will determine how an algorithm assign the SKUs to picking lines. Question 1 determines whether the original picking lines are to be treated separately (PS) or to combine them rst (PC). The second question is to decide if the SKUs are rst to be duplicated and then assigned to picking lines (DA) or if they are rst assigned to picking lines and then duplicated (AD). Question 3 determines whether the non-duplicate and duplicate SKUs are treated separately (ND) or simultaneously (S) when they are assigned to the picking lines. The nal question is to specify how the SKUs are assigned to the picking lines. Three assignment methods (cyclical, set length subset sequential assignment, remaining high, low cyclical assignment) and 6 clustering algorithms are introduced. The conclusion is made that the SKUs with the highest pick frequency is duplicated rst to yield the biggest saving in the number of cycles. Between 40{70% of the SKUs should be duplicated, dependant on the algorithm used. The only decision that has a major in uence on the number of cycles is the assignment method used. Algorithm 5 and 8 yielded the greatest saving in the number of cycles (40.7% and 39.8% respectively), both implementing set length subset sequential assignment, followed by the clustering algorithms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: PEP is 'n afdeling van Pepkor Retail Limited en is die grootste enkel-handelsmerk winkelnetwerk in Suidelike Afrika. PEP besit en bestuur ook die grootste klerefabriek in Suidelike Afrika. PEP is gestig in 1965 en het sedertien gegroei tot meer as 1 400 winkels in 9 Afrika lande (daar is 'n PEP winkel in amper elke dorp in Suid-Afrika). Op die oomblik laat die pakhuisbestuurstelsel, wat deur PEP in sy distribusie sentrum ge mplementeer word, slegs toe dat voorraadeenhede (VEs) in 'n enkele vakkie langs 'n enkele uitsoeklyn geplaas word. Aangesien werkers slegs toegelaat word om kloksgewys om die vervoerband te beweeg, word hulle gedwing om ten minste soveel keer verby elke vakkie in die uitsoeklyn te loop as wat die aantal winkels is waarna die VEs in daardie vakkie versprei moet word. Dus indien die vakkies wat die VEs bevat wat na die meeste winkels versprei moet word, tussen 2 vakkies verdeel word (die VE word gedupliseer), verminder die aantal kere wat beide vakkies besoek moet word. In hierdie studie word 4 vrae beskou wat geantwoord moet word wanneer die 15 algoritmes opgestel word, wat sal bepaal hoe die algoritme die VEs hanteer. Vraag 1 bepaal of die oorspronklike uitsoeklyne wat deur PEP verskaf is apart hanteer word en of hulle eers gekombineer moet word. Die tweede vraag bepaal of die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en of die VEs eers aan die uitsoeklyne toegedeel word en dan gedupliseer word. Vraag 3 is slegs van toepassing wanneer die VEs eers gedupliseer word en dan toegedeel word aan die uitsoeklyne, en bepaal of die nie-gedupliseerde en gedupliseerde VEs apart of gelyktydig hanteer word. Die laaste vraag spesi seer met behulp van watter metode die VEs toegedeel word aan die onderskeie uitsoeklyne. Drie toedelingsmetodes (sikliese toedeling, vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, oorblywende hoogste/laagste sikliese toedeling) en 6 bondelalgoritmes word voorgestel. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die VEs met die hoogste uitsoek frekwensie eerste gedupliseer moet word om die grootste besparing mee te bring in die aantal siklusse om al die VEs uit te soek. Tussen 40{70% van die VEs moet gedupliseer word afhangende van die algoritme wat gebruik word. Die enigste besluit wat 'n noemenswaardige invloed op die aantal siklusse het is die toedelingsmetode. Algoritme 5 en 8 lewer die grootste besparing in die aantal siklusse (40.7% en 39.8% onderskeidelik), beide implementeer die vaste lengte subversameling opeenvolgende toedeling, gevolg deur die bondelalgoritmes.

The studies included in this dissertation investigated the experiences of individual romantic partners as secret keepers and couples as collective secret keepers. Study 1 investigated the topics of secrets kept by individual romantic partners and public perception of secret keeping in the context of romantic relationships via qualitative content analysis. The analysis of secret topics resulted in the following themes: (1) secrets about the Redditors’ relationship, (2) secrets about the Redditor, and (3) a discussion of secrecy. The analysis of public perception resulted in the following themes: (1) normalization, (2) advice, (3) comfort, (4) personal reactions, and (5) a request for more information. Study 2 investigated the experiences of collective secret keepers. Inductive analysis was used in the analysis of participants’ (n = 522) responses to questions investigating: (1) the topics of collective secrets, (2) the reasons for keeping or disclosing the secret, and (3) the reasons for disagreeing over the disclosure of the secret. Further analyses revealed a relationship between secret topic and the overall relational impact of collective secret keeping (F(27, 385) = 1.64, p < .05, 2 = .10); some topics were found to be more distancing than others. A relationship between relationship satisfaction and disagreement between spouses over the disclosure (F(1, 310) = 5.83, p < .05, η2 = .02) was also found; disagreement on the disclosure of a secret was found to result in lower relationship satisfaction. Study 2 also investigated the relationship between collective secret functions and relational outcomes via multilevel modeling. A relationship between secret functions and the following relational outcomes were found when the collective secret was kept: relational impact (χ2= 14.18, df = 1, p < .001), relational closeness (χ2= 14.18, df = 1, p < .001), and relationship satisfaction (χ2= 17.60, df = 1, p < .001). A relationship between secret functions and the relational impact was also found when the collective secret was disclosed (χ2= 3.12, df = 1, p < .10).

L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, dans l’accomplissement de ses fonctions de tiers, joue un rôle de facilitateur neutre et impartial. Elle accomplit différents rôles dans le processus de résolution des conflits en Afrique francophone. Elle utilise plusieurs moyens officiels et/ou officieux par lesquels elle contribue au règlement pacifique des différends dans ses pays membres. Depuis la Déclaration de Bamako, elle s’est fixé comme priorité politique de garantir la paix et stabilité en son sein, donc d’y allier Francophonie et démocratie et sa méthode peut se résumer en trois mots : médiation, accompagnement des transitions et appui aux opérations de maintien de la paix. La Francophonie ne privilégie pas, en effet, dans la résolution des conflits en Afrique, des relations concurrentielles entre les différents niveaux d’intervention possibles, mais plutôt la coopération en vue d’une solution rapide, efficace et efficiente du conflit. La Francophonie a su se montrer efficace sur le terrain, mieux, souvent bien que d’autres organisations, comme un tiers véritablement indépendant, neutre et impartial. / The International Organization of Francophonie, in the performance of its functions to third parties, acts as a neutral and impartial facilitator. It performs different roles in the process of conflict resolution en Africa. It uses several means official and/or unofficial by which it contributes to the peaceful settlement of disputes among its member countries. Since the Bamako declaration, it is a priority policy to ensure peace and stability within it, therefore to combine democracy and Francophonie and the method can be summarized in three words: mediation, coaching and support transitions and operations peacemaking. It is not, indeed, of the Francophonie, preference in the resolution of conflicts in Africa, the competitive relationship between the levels of intervention possible, but rather to cooperate in a timely, effective and efficient conflict. The International organization of Francophonie has shown itself effective in the field, more often, although other organizations, as a third party is truly independent, neutral and impartial.