| 1. |
- Trischler, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
-
Monitoring quality of service at Australian airports : A critical analysis
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Air Transport Management. - Oxon, UK : Elsevier. - 0969-6997 .- 1873-2089. ; 67, s. 63-71
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The quality of service monitoring forms a key element of the current light-handed regulation at Australian airports. The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) evaluates and publicly reports the quality of service levels of the four largest airports on a yearly basis to pressure airports to maintain an acceptable service performance. This article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the methodology used by the ACCC. This analysis includes a critical review of the methodology based on secondary information in combination with primary research (i.e., data from 21 semi-structured interviews) that considers the current perception of the methodology among key stakeholder groups. The research finds that the methodology used by the ACCC is underpinned by some limitations, putting in question its effectiveness, reliability and validity. Particularly, its weak design does not allow for a comprehensive interpretation of the reported results or a reliable comparison across monitored airports, thus reduces transparency. Stakeholders pointed out that it is not possible to evaluate whether an airport undertakes infrastructure investments that ensure both the efficiency of ongoing airport operations and appropriate levels of service quality. These limitations add to the perception that the ACCC in its current function is not a ‘credible threat’ to airports with market power. Recommendations and future research directions are provided to address the identified limitations.
|
|
| 2. |
- Durl, James, et al.
(författare)
-
Co-designing with young consumers : Reflections, challenges and benefits
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Young Consumers. - Bingley, UK : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1747-3616 .- 1758-7212. ; 18:4, s. 439-455
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - This paper aims to explore co-design as a method for actively involving young consumers in the design of an alcohol education program that utilizes an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) component. Design/methodology/approach - Dietrich et al. (2017) six-step framework was applied to a co-design project involving four groups of 14- to 16-year-old Australian high school students. Data collection included observations by three facilitators, written feedback from members of each group and video presentations of the generated ideas. The data analysis focused on investigating the applicability of the six-step framework to young consumers and evaluating the quality and practicality of the generated ideas. Findings - Sensitization is key to enabling young consumers to become equal participants during the co-design process. Sensitization allowed the participants to engage in the design task in a playful manner, which fostered active participation and creative insights during the co-design session. A team approach based on interactivity and group autonomy enabled adolescents to contribute insights into their specific needs and wants. This was complemented by a trusting environment and the presence of immediately available yet "hands off" facilitators. Research limitations/implications - The findings are limited to one specific sample and design task. Future research is required that investigates co-design with young consumers in different contexts. Practical implications - This paper provides guidance for the application of co-design with young consumers by highlighting the importance of sensitization and facilitation. Originality/value - This study marks one of the first approaches to co-designing alcohol education programs, including VR components, with young consumers. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of involving young consumers through co-design.
|
|
| 3. |
- Yewale, Priti, et al.
(författare)
-
Studies on Biosmotrap : A multipurpose biological air purifier to minimize indoor and outdoor air pollution
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 357
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Air pollution is a serious health concern that affects many people across the globe. The major air pollutants are particulate matter, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatics and free radicals which cause severe respiratory distress and infections. The existing air cleaning systems suffer from drawbacks of high cost and generation of secondary pollutants. A novel biological air filter “Biosmotrap” which is a laminate composite of sponge gourd and algae was developed. Biosmotrap placed in a carrier assembly on exhaust of vehicles, could remove carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the vehicular emissions resulting in cleaner emissions. Biosmotrap decreased carbon monoxide from 1,423,992 μg/m3 to 76,756 μg/m3, nitric oxide from 71,128 μg/m3 to 9982 μg/m3, nitrogen dioxide from 565 μg/m3 to 188 μg/m3 and PM2.5 from 3200 μg/m3 to 60 μg/m3 from a polluting vehicle. Biosmotrap removed 60–80% of indoor pollutants from cigarette smoke and incense-stick smoke. Biosmotrap could protect the human cells from oxidative DNA damage induced by indoor air pollutants. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants exposed to air filtered through Biosmotrap were healthy as compared to the plants directly exposed to polluted air. Biosmotrap is an economic, efficient, eco-friendly filter that is superior to existing air filtration methods.
|
|
| 4. |
- Biel, Anders, et al.
(författare)
-
Measurement of tensile properties of fibres using a DCB-specimen
- 2015
-
Ingår i: 20th International Conference on Composite Materials.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Constitutive data are needed at extreme strains to increase the understanding of fracture processes. Ordinary tensile tests ends prematurely due to localization and large amounts of elastic energy stored in the specimens prior to fracture. A novel method is proposed to perform tensile tests using a double cantilever beam specimen. To verify the method a large specimen is developed and tested. Similar results are achieved with the present method as with more standardized methods giving confidence in the method. The specimen should be possible to minimise to provide data with small specimens.
|
|
| 5. |
- Mesodiakaki, Agapi, et al.
(författare)
-
Optimal User Association, Backhaul Routing and Switching off in 5G Heterogeneous Networks with Mesh Millimeter Wave Backhaul Links
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Ad hoc networks. - : Elsevier. - 1570-8705 .- 1570-8713. ; 78, s. 99-114
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Next generation, i.e., fifth generation (5G), cellular networks will provide a significant higher capacity per area to support the ever-increasing traffic demands. In order to achieve that, many small cells need to be deployed that are connected using a combination of optical fiber links and millimeter-wave (mmWave) backhaul architecture to forward heterogeneous traffic over mesh topologies. In this paper, we present a general optimization framework for the design of policies that optimally solve the problem of where to associate a user, over which links to route its traffic towards which mesh gateway, and which base stations and backhaul links to switch off in order to minimize the energy cost for the network operator and still satisfy the user demands. We develop an optimal policy based on mixed integer linear programming (MILP) which considers different user distribution and traffic demands over multiple time periods. We develop also a fast iterative two-phase solution heuristic, which associates users and calculates backhaul routes to maximize energy savings. Our strategies optimize the backhaul network configuration at each timeslot based on the current demands and user locations. We discuss the application of our policies to backhaul management of mmWave cellular networks in light of current trend of network softwarization (Software-Defined Networking, SDN). Finally, we present extensive numerical simulations of our proposed policies, which show how the algorithms can efficiently trade-off energy consumption with required capacity, while satisfying flow demand requirements.
|
|
| 6. |
- Nyflött, Åsa, 1986-
(författare)
-
Structure-Performance Relations of Oxygen Barriers for Food Packaging
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Food packaging should ensure the safety and quality of food, minimize spoilage and provide an easy way of storing and handling it. Barrier coatings are generally used to meet the demands placed on fibre-based food packages, as these have the ability to regulate the amount of gases that can enter them. Some gases are detrimental to food quality: oxygen, for example, initiates lipid oxidation in fatty foods. Using both experimental data and computer modelling, this thesis explains some aspects of how the structure of barrier coatings influences the mass transport of oxygen with the aim of obtaining essential knowledge that can be used to optimize the performance of barriers.Barrier coatings are produced from polyvinyl alcohol and kaolin blends that are coated onto a polymeric support. The chemical and physical structures of these barriers were characterized according to their influence on permeability in various climates. At a low concentration of kaolin, the crystallinity of polyvinyl alcohol decreased; in the thinner films, the kaolin particles were orientated in the basal plane of the barrier coating. The experimental results indicated a complex interplay between the polymer and the filler with respect to permeability.A computer model for permeability incorporating theories for the filled polymeric layer to include the polymer crystallinity, addition of filler, filler aspect ratio and surrounding moisture was developed. The model shows that mass transport was affected by the aspect ratio of the clay in combination with the clay concentration, as well as the polymer crystallinity. The combined model agreed with the experiments, showing that it is possible to combine different theories into one model that can be used to predict the mass transport.Four barrier coatings: polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol + kaolin, latex + kaolin and starch were evaluated using the parameters of greenhouse gas emissions and product costs. After the production of the barrier material, the coating process and the end-of-life handling scenarios were analysed, it emerged that starch had the lowest environmental impact and latex + kaolin had the highest.
|
|
| 7. |
- Pauget, Bertrand, et al.
(författare)
-
Creating and implementing organizational innovation : The role of professional identity and network embeddedness in healthcare organizations
- 2018
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Innovation Management. - Bingley, UK : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1460-1060 .- 1758-7115. ; 21:3, s. 384-401
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeResearch on organizational innovation remains relatively scarce, particularly with respect to social structures and processes. In contrast to product innovation, organizational innovation relies more on informal processes and relationships among members of the organization than on formal processes. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of these processes at the micro level.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on a process model of organizational innovation, the authors study the case of a dermatology department of a large hospital in France and conceptualize organizational innovation as the outcome of a social system represented by networks of relationships, professional identities and formal structures.FindingsThe findings suggest that informal networks support the early phase of the invention and development of organizational innovation. However, the later phases depend more on the formal structure. A mismatch between professional identities and formal roles and positions can prevent the institutionalization and legitimation of organizational innovation in the final phases of the innovation process.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to one case, a department in a French hospital. The authors call for future research to study different industry/country contexts.Practical implicationsProfessional organizations such as hospitals should encourage better interactions between actors of different professional identities to support the development and implementation of organizational innovation. Reducing the perceived hierarchy of different professional identities may also be useful.
|
|
| 8. |
- Andersson-Sköld, Yvonne, et al.
(författare)
-
An integrated method for assessing climate-related risks and adaptation alternatives in urban areas
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Climate Risk Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 2212-0963. ; 7, s. 31-50
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2015 The Authors. The urban environment is a complex structure with interlinked social, ecological and technical structures. Global warming is expected to have a broad variety of impacts, which will add to the complexity. Climate changes will force adaptation, to reduce climate-related risks. Adaptation measures can address one aspect at the time, or aim for a holistic approach to avoid maladaptation. This paper presents a systematic, integrated approach for assessing alternatives for reducing the risks of heat waves, flooding and air pollution in urban settings, with the aim of reducing the risk of maladaptation. The study includes strategies covering different spatial scales, and both the current climate situation and the climate predicted under climate change scenarios. The adaptation strategies investigated included increasing vegetation; selecting density, height and colour of buildings; and retreat or resist (defend) against sea-level rise. Their effectiveness was assessed with regard to not only flooding, heat stress and air quality but also with regard to resource use, emissions to air (incl. GHG), soil and water, and people's perceptions and vulnerability. The effectiveness of the strategies were ranked on a common scale (from -3 to 3) in an integrated assessment. Integrated assessments are recommended, as they help identify the most sustainable solutions, but to reduce the risk of maladaptation they require experts from a variety of disciplines. The most generally applicable recommendation, derived from the integrated assessment here, taking into account both expertise from different municipal departments, literature surveys, life cycle assessments and publics perceptions, is to increase the urban greenery, as it contributes to several positive aspects such as heat stress mitigation, air quality improvement, effective storm-water and flood-risk management, and it has several positive social impacts. The most favourable alternative was compact, mid-rise, light coloured building design with large parks/green areas and trees near buildings.
|
|
| 9. |
- Wiberg, Viktor, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
-
Sim-to-real transfer of active suspension control using deep reinforcement learning
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Robotics and Autonomous Systems. - : Elsevier. - 0921-8890 .- 1872-793X. ; 179
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We explore sim-to-real transfer of deep reinforcement learning controllers for a heavy vehicle with active suspensions designed for traversing rough terrain. While related research primarily focuses on lightweight robots with electric motors and fast actuation, this study uses a forestry vehicle with a complex hydraulic driveline and slow actuation. We simulate the vehicle using multibody dynamics and apply system identification to find an appropriate set of simulation parameters. We then train policies in simulation using various techniques to mitigate the sim-to-real gap, including domain randomization, action delays, and a reward penalty to encourage smooth control. In reality, the policies trained with action delays and a penalty for erratic actions perform nearly at the same level as in simulation. In experiments on level ground, the motion trajectories closely overlap when turning to either side, as well as in a route tracking scenario. When faced with a ramp that requires active use of the suspensions, the simulated and real motions are in close alignment. This shows that the actuator model together with system identification yields a sufficiently accurate model of the actuators. We observe that policies trained without the additional action penalty exhibit fast switching or bang–bang control. These present smooth motions and high performance in simulation but transfer poorly to reality. We find that policies make marginal use of the local height map for perception, showing no indications of predictive planning. However, the strong transfer capabilities entail that further development concerning perception and performance can be largely confined to simulation.
|
|
| 10. |
- Pulls, Tobias, 1985-
(författare)
-
Preserving Privacy in Transparency Logging
- 2015
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The subject of this dissertation is the construction of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) for transparency logging, a technology at the intersection of privacy, transparency, and accountability. Transparency logging facilitates the transportation of data from service providers to users of services and is therefore a key enabler for ex-post transparency-enhancing tools (TETs). Ex-post transparency provides information to users about how their personal data have been processed by service providers, and is a prerequisite for accountability: you cannot hold a controller accountable for what is unknown.We present three generations of PETs for transparency logging to which we contributed. We start with early work that defined the setting as a foundation and build upon it to increase both the privacy protections and the utility of the data sent through transparency logging. Our contributions include the first provably secure privacy-preserving transparency logging scheme and a forward-secure append-only persistent authenticated data structure tailored to the transparency logging setting. Applications of our work range from notifications and deriving data disclosures for the Data Track tool (an ex-post TET) to secure evidence storage.
|
|
