В условиях высокой волатильности рынка вопросы безопасного, долгосрочного размещения инвестиций выходят на первое место. Таким образом, перед инвесторами возникает научно-практическая задача: «Как оценить допустимый уровень безопасности использования капитала при максимальном извлечении прибыли?» Важность проблемы обусловила выбор темы исследования, ее актуальность, методическую и практическую значимость. Целью исследования является теоретическое обоснование целесообразности формирования стратегических планов организации с учетом реальной конкурентной позиции, определяемой на базе инструментария оценки стоимости бизнеса и создание методики для практического применения теоретических положений. Практическая значимость проведенного исследования состоит в том, что характеристика безопасности использования капитала легко моделируется, имеет доступные информационные ресурсы для расчета и может быть использована без существенных финансовых затрат, что минимизирует транзакционные издержки на поиск информации. / In conditions of high market volatility, the issues of safe, long-term investment placement come first. Thus, a scientific and practical problem arises for investors: "How to assess the permissible level of capital safety with maximum profit-taking?" The importance of the problem has determined the choice of the research topic, its relevance, methodological and practical significance. The purpose of the study is the theoretical justification of the expediency of forming strategic plans of the organization taking into account the real competitive position determined on the basis of the business valuation toolkit and the creation of a methodology for the practical application of theoretical provisions. The practical significance of the study is that the safety profile of the use of capital is easily modeled, has available information resources for calculation, and can be used without significant financial costs, which minimizes the transaction costs of searching for information.

Background: The Scaled Agile Framework®(SAFe) has been adopted by many automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for scaling their agile practices. It is one of the ways to improve and accelerate their in-house software development life cycle. Most OEMs have tailored the agile framework to fit their own needs. However, with the increasing complexity of vehicles, especially in terms of embedded software and hardware development, agile release trains (ARTs) face challenges in managing requirements throughout the vehicle development life cycle. Multiple teams working on requirements, consistency of requirements, collaboration, prioritization of requirements between teams, and changing requirements are some of the challenges faced by the SAFe practicing organizations. Objectives: This thesis examines how the requirements engineering within SAFe has been practiced inone of the automotive OEMs, and the challenges its agile release trains face. It addresses the real problems of practical interest and real-life context by interacting with the teams who have been closely working with the requirements daily. It also accumulates the impacts due to the identified challenges. Methods: This study utilizes a case study methodology, which is flexible in design, exploratory, andqualitative. This choice of research method is influenced by the scope of the study, research questions, and the degree of interaction required between us and the participants to collect the data. By conducting semi-structured interviews, a large quality of data isproduced by having a higher level of interaction with participants. The collected data is then probed for newer and unexpected responses using a thematic approach, which helps to identify patterns and themes using large and complex data. Results: This thesis summarizes the requirement engineering practices and challenges faced by theagile release trains in SAFe practicing automotive industry. We approached the agile teams directly and collected the organizational and stakeholder behavior while working with therequirements and the challenges faced. Using intrinsic data analysis, the gathered interview data is understood, and the implications are listed. This study reemphasizes that agile release trains were facing many challenges, especially in the requirements engineeringarea even though the Scaled Agile Framework is practiced. Knowledge gaps, incompleteand misunderstood customer requirements, ineffective communication, fragmented tooling, inadequate management support, and inconsistent requirement engineering practiceare some of the challenges highlighted by the agile release trains.

In a rapidly changing world, sustainability is becoming more and more of a priority for organizations. This paper evaluates the possibility of using the Doughnut Economics Model (DEM) as a tool to implement sustainability within an organization on the firm-level, highlighting the potential opportunities and limitations that it poses. Through case studies conducted with two organizations (Apotea AB & Proton Group), both common and firm-specific gaps within sustainability strategies are identified, and the applicability of the DEM is appraised as a tool to help fill these gaps. A qualitative research method was employed, and interviews were held with sustainability managers from Apotea AB and Proton Group. A qualitative thematic analysis process led to the generation of initial codes, themes, and patterns that emerged throughout the interviews held. The results from this study highlighted the illustrative and visual nature of the DEM, and how it could help firms view sustainability from different perspectives. The visualisation of the model helps stimulate conversations about sustainability within the firm, and raising awareness on the topic of sustainability, promoting it within organizational culture. This study additionally concluded that the implementation of the DEM in only a firm-specific, directly impacted area, could help the firm with pinpointing niche areas where the enterprise can make its largest contribution towards a safe and just space for humanity. On the other hand, this study found and supported existing claims through past research on the model’s limitations in terms of its downscaling, as the planetary boundaries are designed for a global scale. Moreover, the model lacks in defining policies, indicators, or measurements regarding areas of improvement. The opportunities that lie in the DEM are plentiful, however, the downscaling process on a firm-scale is extremely challenging, and little-to-no existing research or literature exists on the topic.

This thesis presents a formal comparative analysis of how the level design in The Last of Us Part 2 uses lighting and set dressing to suggest whether an area is safe or dangerous. The study's findings are relevant to developers of action survival games with elements of horror which are story-based and want to create a solid immersive experience with lighting and set dressing. The research gathered data on lighting and set dressing components in eight game levels.The elements analysed regarding lighting were evenly lit, high-key, low-key, red light, and flashlight. The elements analysed regarding set dressing were decals, overgrown vegetation, fungus and dead bodies. The analysis involved a mix of contextual observations as well as a discreet count of certain elements.A comparison was made between the safe and dangerous levels to understand if the game uses consistent visual language in lighting and set dressing to suggest to players whether a level is safe or dangerous.

Detta examensarbete utfördes år 2023 och gick ut på att undersöka elsparkcyklar och hur de hanteras. Mer specifikt hur och var de parkeras då det skapade problem för andra på gatorna, för att sedan ta fram en lösning som skapar ordning för ökad säkerhet och trivsel i stadsmiljöer. I början av projektet undersökte jag hyr elsparkcyklar, alltså tjänster där företag erbjuder transportalternativ med elsparkcyklar som medel. Resultatet av litteraturstudien visade att det var ett problem med felparkerade elsparkcyklar eftersom det skapar säkerhetsrisker, speciellt för äldre personer och individer med synnedsättning och sänker trivseln i städer. För att se vad det finns på marknaden så gjorde jag en marknadsundersökning som visade att redan finns flera lösningar som har tillämpats för att lösa problemet, lösningar från olika aktörer och som täcker olika områden. Jag upplevde att jag inte kunde bidra med något vettig inom det området så jag valde att ändra riktning och började undersöka privatägda elsparkcyklar för att se om det finns behov i det området. För att få in data direkt från användaren utförde jag en enkätundersökning som visade att individer som äger en elsparkcykel inte vågar parkera utomhus eftersom de är oroliga att deras enhet ska bli stulen. Eftersom projektet genomfördes i Gävle så intervjuade jag Gävle kommun för att veta vad de tänker kring elsparkcyklar, jag ville även veta vilka möjligheter jag hade och vilka ramar jag skulle förhålla mig till vid framtagning av lösning. Efter en hel del idégenerering, utforskande, tester och bearbetning så blev resultatet ett tillägg som monteras på befintliga cykelställ och ger bättre parkeringsmöjlighet för privatägda elsparkcyklar. Genom sin form och uttryck ska tillägget uppmuntra elsparkcyklister att använda sina enheter mer och ersätta korta resor med bilen, det i sin tur har en positiv effekt på miljön och hälsan.

Human influence extends across the globe, fromthe tallestmountains to the deep bottom of the oceans. There is a growing call for nature to be protected from the negative impacts of human activity (particularly intensive agriculture); so-called “land sparing”. A relatively new approach is “rewilding”, defined as the restoration of self-sustaining and complex ecosystems, with interlinked ecological processes that promote and support one another while minimising or gradually reducing human intervention. The key theoretical basis of rewilding is to return ecosystems to a “natural” or “self-willed” state with trophic complexity, dispersal (and connectivity) and stochastic disturbance in place. However, this is constrained by context-specific factors whereby it may not be possible to restore the native species that formed part of the trophic structure of the ecosystem if they are extinct (e.g., mammoths, Mammuthus spp., aurochs, Bos primigenius); and, populations/communities of native herbivores/predators may not be able to survive or be acceptable to the public in small scale rewilding projects close to areas of high human density. Therefore, the restoration of natural trophic complexity and disturbance regimes within rewilding projects requires careful consideration if the broader conservation needs of society are to be met. In some circumstances, managers will require a more flexible deliberate approach to intervening in rewilding projects using the range of tools in their toolbox (e.g., controlled burning regimes; using domestic livestock to replicate the impacts of extinct herbivore species), even if this is only in the early stages of the rewilding process. If this approach is adopted, then larger areas can be given over to conservation, because of the potential broader benefits to society from these spaces and the engagement of farmers in practises that are closer to their traditions. We provide examples, primarily European, where domestic and semi-domestic livestock are used by managers as part of their rewilding toolbox. Here managers have looked at the broader phenotype of livestock species as to their suitability in different rewilding systems. We assess whether there are ways of using livestock in these systems for conservation, economic (e.g., branded or certified livestock products) and cultural gains.

No description available.

Mothers typically act as gatekeepers to health care for their children, yet many Indigenous mothers report poor access to health services. Inadequate access to health services may contribute to the poor health outcomes experienced by Indigenous infants. Understanding how urban-dwelling Indigenous mothers experience selecting and using health services to meet the health needs of their infants is important to informing how health services can best support the needs of these families. This study employs qualitative interpretive description methodology guided by the Two-Eyed Seeing framework and Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Services Use. Interviews facilitated by ecomaps and a discussion group were conducted with 19 Indigenous mothers living in Hamilton with infants under the age of 2 years. Additional interviews with 12 health providers added further context to the mothers’ experiences. Results relate to three domains of health service use: primary care, acute care and early childhood health promotion services. Findings suggest that health providers can improve the access and use of health services by Indigenous mothers and infants through integrating three approaches to care: culturally safe care, trauma and violence-informed care and family centred care. While Indigenous-led supports may be better suited to meet the needs of Indigenous families, mainstream services can improve access and promote health service use through integrating these approaches to care. The findings have numerous implications for nursing education, practice and research as well as for health policy. Application of this evidence may result in equitable access to care, improved use of health services and better health outcomes for Indigenous infants and their families. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Access and use of health care are important to health and wellness. Indigenous infants are known to have poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous infants in Canada, yet little is understood of how their parents access health care to meet their health needs. This thesis uses qualitative methods, including interviews and a discussion group, to ask Indigenous mothers living in a city about their experiences selecting and using health services to meet their infant’s health needs. Interviews with health providers assist with understanding how health care is delivered to these families. The results provide important strategies for nurses and other health providers to improve how they provide care. This may then improve access to health services for Indigenous parents and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous infants and their families.

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) should result in tremendous benefits to safe human transportation. Recent reports indicate a global average of 3,287 road crash related fatalities a day with the blame, in most cases, assigned to the human driver. By replacing the main cause, AVs are predicted to significantly reduce road accidents -- some claiming up to a 90% reduction on US roads. However, achieving these numbers is not simple. AVs are expected to assume tasks that human drivers perform both consciously and unconsciously -- in some instances, with Machine Learning. AVs incur new levels of complexity that, if handled incorrectly, can result in failures that cause loss of human life and damage to the environment. Accidents involving SAE Level 2 vehicles have highlighted such failures and demonstrated that AVs have a long way to go. The path towards safe AVs includes system architectures that provide effective failure monitoring, detection and mitigation. These architectures must produce AVs that degrade gracefully and remain sufficiently operational in the presence of failures. We introduce Safe-AV, a fault tolerant safety architecture for AVs that is based on the commonly adopted E-Gas 3 Level Monitoring Concept, the Simplex Architecture and guided by a thorough hazard analysis in the form of Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). We commenced the architecture design with a review of some modern AV accidents which helped identify the types of failures AVs can present and acted as a first step to our STPA. The hazard analysis was applied to an initial AV architecture (without safety mechanisms) consisting of components that should be present in a typical AV (based on the literature and our ideas). Our STPA identified the system level accidents, hazards and corresponding loss scenarios that led to well-founded safety requirements which, in turn, evolved the initial architecture into Safe-AV. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Yes / Background The issue of opioid use and misuse is current and topical at present with reports of opioid epidemics in the USA and the increasing use of opioids in other parts of the world. The New Scientist asserted that America was in the throes of an opioid epidemic with reports of fatalities linked to physical contact with fentanyl. Discussions have progressed from an American focus to speculating on the spread of this issue to UK cities, Glasgow in particular. Safety issues have more recently come to light regarding the physical application and management of specific drug forms e.g. opioid transdermal patches (OTPs). The prescribing, application and safe disposal of OTPs within both healthcare settings and personal dwellings is critical to the effective use of these products. Healthcare professionals have a duty of care and responsibility to ensure the safe application and disposal of OTPs. Aims The aims of this study were to 1) gain insight into current practices of healthcare professionals regarding OTPs (fentanyl and buprenorphine) disposal practices and 2) identify Abstract knowledge and system awareness surrounding the disposal of these products in care home settings. Methods We decided to focus on care homes due to the estimated high prevalence of prescribing of OTPs in these care settings. The study was undertaken by the University of Bradford School of Pharmacy in 2015 and the participant sample focussed on the North of England (UK). Results The findings (based on 56 survey responses) displayed a significant variation in current disposal practices and a lack of specific working policies. We unearthed anomalies in the participants’ knowledge of the active ingredient volume held in depleted patches which, if not disposed of correctly, can lead to harm. This has highlighted the need for more thorough training and education on the safe and effective management of OTPs. Conclusions Further education and training is needed regarding safe disposal practices of OTPs, with the suggestion of pharmacist-led interventions. This will minimise confusion and reinforce safe disposal practices (denaturing products) and support the reduction of unsafe disposal practices (domestic waste or flushing).