The main research topic in this dissertation is the development of the closure method of multiple testing procedures. Considering a general procedure that allows the underlying test statistics as well as the associated parameters to be dependent, we first propose a step-down procedure controlling the FWER, which is defined as the probability of committing at least one false discovery. Holm (1979) first proposed a step-down procedure for multiple hypothesis testing with a control of the familywise error rate (FWER) under any kind of dependence. Under the normal distributional setup, Seneta and Chen (2005) sharpened the Holm procedure by taking into account the correlations between the test statistics. In this dissertation, the Seneta-Chen procedure is further modified yielding a more powerful FWER controlling procedure. We then advance our research and propose another step-down procedure to control the generalized FWER (k-FWER), which is defined as the probability of making at least k false discoveries. We compare our proposed k-FWER procedure with the Lehmann and Romano (2005) procedure. The proposed k-FWER procedure is more powerful, particularly when there is a strong dependence in the tests. When the proportion of true null hypotheses is expected to be small, the traditional tests are usually conservative by a factor associated with pi0, which is the proportion of true null hypotheses among all null hypotheses. Under independence, two procedures controlling the FWER and the k-FWER are proposed in this dissertation. Simulations are carried out to show that our procedures often provide much better FWER or k-FWER control and power than the traditional procedures. / Statistics

This diploma thesis is focused on complete construction of lab source which is controlled and powered by USB in personal computer. Different types of possible solutions are mentioned and finally one of them has been picked up as a best choice, which is developed in the rest of this thesis. Besides hardware construction there is also shown creation of main program for PIC18F14K50 microcontroller and main application that provides controlling of USB source via personal computer.

In the current and next generation automotive telematic platforms, high demands are put on high efficiency power supplies. This thesis investigates different switch mode power converter solutions that operates with high efficiency for both low and high power loads. A market survey was conducted alongside meetings with ACTIA Nordic and their subcontractors. Three solutions from the market survey were selected for further investigation. One solution from the investigation was selected and implemented as a demonstration platform for further testing. The result shows a full test sequence for the designed power supply solution.

This master´s thesis is dealing with the theory of Li-ion accumulators and theirs charching. In this thesis has been designed accumulator tester for automatic charging and discharging of Li-ion accumulator. This tester is controlled by microprocessor.

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive Primary Health Care approach includes clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa lacks data that describe Intermediate Care (IC) services and its role in the health system. This study aimed to describe the model of service provision at an IC facility and the role it plays in the continuity of care in Cape Town. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (65% Response Rate) were recruited in a prospective cohort design over a one-month period in mid-2011. Patient data were collected from a clinical record review and an interviewer-administered questionnaire, administered at a median interval between admission and interview of 11 days to assess primary and second ary diagnosis, knowledge of and previous use of Home Based Care (HBC) services, reason for admission, demographics and information on referring institution. A telephonic interviewer-administered questionnaire to patients or their family members post-discharge recorded their vital status, use of HBC post-discharge and their level of satisfaction with care received at the IC facility. A Cox regression model was run to identify predictors of survival and the effect of a Care-plan on survival. Seventy staff members (82%) were recruited in a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire to describe demographics, level of education and skills in relation to what they did for patients and what they thought patients needed. RESULTS: Of the 68 participants, 38 % and 24% were referred from a secondary and tertiary hospital, respectively, and 78% were resident of a higher income community. Stroke (35%) was the most common single reason for admission at acute hospital. The three most common reasons reported by patients why care was better at the IC facility than the referring institution was the caring and friendly staff, the presence of physiotherapy and the wound care. Even though a large proportion of the IC inpatients had been admitted in a health facility on the year preceding the study, only 13 patients (21%) had used a Community Health Worker (CHW) ever before and only 25% (n=15) of the discharged patients had a confirmed CHW visit post-discharge. The presence of a Care-plan was significantly associated with a 62% lower risk of death (Hazard Ratio: 0.380; CI 0.149-0.972). Notably, 46% of staff members reported performing roles that were outside their scope of practice and there was a mismatch between what staff reported doing and their actual tasks. In addition, of the 57 patients that could be traced on follow-up 21(37%) had died. CONCLUSION: Patients and family understood this service as a caring environment that is primarily responsible for rehabilitation services. Furthermore, a Care-plan which extends beyond admission could have a significant impact on reducing mortality. IC services should therefore be recognised as an integral part of the health system and it should be accessed by all who need it.

General-purpose step-down converter is essential in electronic system for processing energy from high-voltage rail to low-voltage circuits. The applications can be found at the auxiliary supplies in automobile, industrial and communication systems. Buck converter is a common circuit topology to fulfill step-down conversion, especially in low-power application since it is well-studied and straightforward. However, it suffers from low duty cycle under high step-down condition, and typically operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM) that generates large switching loss. On the other hand, as an extension of the buck converter, tapped-inductor (TI) buck converter has larger duty cycle while maintaining the structural simplicity. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to explore the potential of TI buck converter as a wide conversion range, high power density and high efficiency topology for low power application. To achieve high efficiency at switching frequency of MHz-level, synchronous conduction mode (SCM) is applied for turn-on losses elimination. The operation principle and power stage design of SCM TI buck is first introduced. The design of high switching frequency coupled inductor is emphasized since its size plays a critical role in power density. Loss breakdown is also provided to perform a comprehensive topological study. Secondly, detailed zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) condition of SCM TI buck is derived so that the converter does not experience redundant circulating energy. The experimental results of 15-W SCM TI buck converter prototypes are provided with 90.7% of peak power stage efficiency. The size of coupled inductor is down to 116 mm3. To enhance light-load efficiency, a variable frequency control scheme based on derived ZVS conditions is implemented with the switching frequency ranging from 2 MHz to 2.9 MHz. / Master of Science / General-purpose step-down converter is essential in electronic system for processing energy from high-voltage rail to low-voltage circuits. The applications can be found at the auxiliary supplies in automobile, industrial and communication systems. Typically, the ultimate goals of general-purpose step-down converter are versatility, high efficiency and compact size. Recently, tapped-inductor (TI) buck converter is studied since it could overcome the drawback of commonly used buck converter under high step-down conversion. Therefore, the potential of TI buck converter as a general-purpose step-down converter candidate is explored in this thesis, including control method, hardware design, etc. The thesis verifies that TI buck converter could have compact size while remaining efficient and adaptable.

In this thesis, a test system is designed and implemented in order to evaluate the basic electrical performance and determine the parameters of ultracapacitors (UC). The implemented UC test system is based on power electronics converters and it is capable of charging and discharging the UC under test with predetermined current profiles. The charging operation is provided by a configuration involving the AC utility grid, a step-down transformer, a diode bridge, and a DC bus filter capacitor followed by a step-down DC-DC converter. The energy stored in the UC under test, as a result of the charging operation, is discharged to a resistor bank through a step-up DC-DC converter and a DC chopper structure. The charging and discharging current applied to the UC under test is provided by means of current mode control of power electronics converters. The control mechanism of the power electronics converters and the transition operations between the charging and discharging phases of the test system is realized via a microcontroller supported hardware structure. In the scope of the thesis study, a UC module composed of five serially connected UC cells is constructed. Constant current and constant power tests are applied to the constructed UC module. The performance of the implemented UC test system is investigated by means of computer simulations and experimental results. Further, basic electrical behaviour of the constructed UC module is evaluated and the parameters are extracted experimentally.

Background: During the last decade or so the century old bespoke tailors on Savile Row have become the epitome of luxury brands as far as menswear is concerned. At the same time, the different establishments on Savile Row have started to modernise themselves through various means to better fit into today’s fast paced retail-market. Aims of the research: The purpose of this research is to discover what factors have played part in keeping the founders of Savile Row, Henry Poole & Co., modern and relevant throughout the years. Methods: This research was conducted as a qualitative single case, case study. The data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with upper management and other available published sources and then analysed with the help of former research in relevant areas. Results: It was found that the brand of Henry Poole & Co. stayed true to their origins as a bespoke tailor and that modernising is something that has not been forced upon the company and brand but should more be seen as a continuous process where each new generation bring something new to the company. The company had adapted modern ways of communication such as social media and a responsive website and also incorporated step down line extensions, where they sell ready-to-wear and made-to-measure garments in China and Japan. This is a way to develop their brand into other segments but they still kept their original brand vision intact as being a pure bespoke tailor located on Savile Row and kept their different business operations on a distance. Contributions: This thesis has opened up doors to an area that has not had much interest from the academic world. It hopefully gives way for new research ideas, but it has also highlighted management tools and best practices that has contributed to the success of a more than two century old company.

This master’s thesis deals with the design and fabrication of DC arc welder supplied from its own rechargeable battery. Battery cells’ type is LiFePO4 which can provide high currents even at relatively low capacity. The BMS circuits are designed within the battery. Major power part of the welder is a step-down converter with synchronously switching low transistors at the position of free-wheel diode. The converter operates at 100 kHz frequency. The current of the battery welder can be regulated in the range from 0 to 120 A.

The thesis deals with lithium accumulators with electronics, which are composed to a unit called Intelligent Battery. Within this thesis, the main features of these accumulators are explained and the circuit to monitor these accumulators has been designed and manufactured, it can disconnect them when the parameters are exceeded, and it stores the history of the battery measurement in memory. It also allows reading of current and logged battery data via UART. The computer application is designed for communication, to display the information and to adjust the battery circuit parameters. The electronics secure charging when the 24V adapter is connected according to the set parameters and it also secure balancing of the individual accumulators.