1. |
- Attié, David, et al.
(author)
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A time projection chamber with GEM-based readout
- 2017
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In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-9002. ; 856, s. 109-118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For the International Large Detector concept at the planned International Linear Collider, the use of time projection chambers (TPC) with micro-pattern gas detector readout as the main tracking detector is investigated. In this paper, results from a prototype TPC, placed in a 1. T solenoidal field and read out with three independent Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) based readout modules, are reported. The TPC was exposed to a 6. GeV electron beam at the DESY II synchrotron. The efficiency for reconstructing hits, the measurement of the drift velocity, the space point resolution and the control of field inhomogeneities are presented.
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2. |
- Crowley, Patrick, et al.
(author)
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A Novel System for the Device-Based Measurement of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep (Motus): Usability Evaluation
- 2023
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In: JMIR Formative Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 2561-326X. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Device-based measurements of physical behavior, using the current methods, place a large burden on participants. The Motus system could reduce this burden by removing the necessity for in-person meetings, replacing diaries written on paper with digital diaries, and increasing the automation of feedback generation.Objective: This study aims to describe the development of the Motus system and evaluate its potential to reduce participant burden in a two-phase usability evaluation.Methods: Motus was developed around (1) a thigh-worn accelerometer with Bluetooth data transfer; (2) a smartphone app containing an attachment guide, a digital diary, and facilitating automated data transfer; (3) a cloud infrastructure for data storage; (4) an analysis software to generate feedback for participants; and (5) a web-based app for administrators. We recruited 19 adults with a mean age of 45 (SD 11; range 27-63) years, of which 11 were female, to assist in the two-phase evaluation of Motus. A total of 7 participants evaluated the usability of mockups for a smartphone app in phase 1. Participants interacted with the app while thinking aloud, and any issues raised were classified as critical, serious, or minor by observers. This information was used to create an improved and functional smartphone app for evaluation in phase 2. A total of 12 participants completed a 7-day free-living measurement with Motus in phase 2. On day 1, participants attempted 20 system-related tasks under observation, including registration on the study web page, reading the information letter, downloading and navigating the smartphone app, attaching an accelerometer on the thigh, and completing a diary entry for both work and sleep hours. Task completion success and any issues encountered were noted by the observer. On completion of the 7-day measurement, participants provided a rating from 0 to 100 on the System Usability Scale and participated in a semistructured interview aimed at understanding their experience in more detail.Results: The task completion rate for the 20 tasks was 100% for 13 tasks, >80% for 4 tasks, and <50% for 3 tasks. The average rating of system usability was 86 on a 0-100 scale. Thematic analysis indicated that participants perceived the system as easy to use and remember, and subjectively pleasing overall. Participants with shift work reported difficulty with entering sleep hours, and 66% (8/12) of the participants experienced slow data transfer between the app and the cloud infrastructure. Finally, a few participants desired a greater degree of detail in the generated feedback.Conclusions: Our two-phase usability evaluation indicated that the overall usability of the Motus system is high in free-living. Issues around the system’s slow data transfer, participants with atypical work shifts, and the degree of automation and detail of generated feedback should be addressed in future iterations of the Motus system.
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3. |
- Crowley, Patrick, et al.
(author)
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The Surveillance of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep : Protocol for the Development and Feasibility Evaluation of a Novel Measurement System
- 2022
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In: JMIR Research Protocols. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1929-0748. ; 11:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There is increasing recognition of the need for more comprehensive surveillance data, including information on physical activity of all intensities, sedentary behavior, and sleep. However, meeting this need poses significant challenges for current surveillance systems, which are mainly reliant on self-report.Objective: The primary objective of this project is to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a sensor-based system for use in the surveillance of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep (SurPASS) at a national level in Denmark.Methods: The SurPASS project involves an international, multidisciplinary team of researchers collaborating with an industrial partner. The SurPASS system consists of (1) a thigh-worn accelerometer with Bluetooth connectivity, (2) a smartphone app, (3) an integrated back end, facilitating the automated upload, analysis, storage, and provision of individualized feedback in a manner compliant with European Union regulations on data privacy, and (4) an administrator web interface (web application) to monitor progress. The system development and evaluation will be performed in 3 phases. These phases will include gathering user input and specifications (phase 1), the iterative development, evaluation, and refinement of the system (phase 2), and the feasibility evaluation (phase 3).Results: The project started in September 2020 and completed phase 2 in February 2022. Phase 3 began in March 2022 and results will be made available in 2023.Conclusions: If feasible, the SurPASS system could be a catalyst toward large-scale, sensor-based surveillance of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. It could also be adapted for cohort and interventional research, thus contributing to the generation of evidence for both interventions and public health policies and recommendations.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/35697
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4. |
- Jost, Stefanie T., et al.
(author)
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Levodopa Dose Equivalency in Parkinson's Disease : Updated Systematic Review and Proposals
- 2023
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In: Movement Disorders. - 0885-3185. ; 38:7, s. 1236-1252
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To compare drug regimens across clinical trials in Parkinson's disease (PD) conversion formulae between antiparkinsonian drugs have been developed. These are reported in relation to levodopa as the benchmark drug in PD pharmacotherapy as ‘levodopa equivalent dose’ (LED). Currently, the LED conversion formulae proposed in 2010 by Tomlinson et al. based on a systematic review are predominantly used. However, new drugs with established and novel mechanisms of action and novel formulations of longstanding drugs have been developed since 2010. Therefore, consensus proposals for updated LED conversion formulae are needed. Objectives: To update LED conversion formulae based on a systematic review. Methods: The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Embase databases were searched from January 2010 to July 2021. Additionally, in a standardized process according to the GRADE grid method, consensus proposals were issued for drugs with scarce data on levodopa dose equivalency. Results: The systematic database search yielded 3076 articles of which 682 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Based on these data and the standardized consensus process, we present proposals for LED conversion formulae for a wide range of drugs that are currently available for the pharmacotherapy of PD or are expected to be introduced soon. Conclusions: The LED conversion formulae issued in this Position Paper will serve as a research tool to compare the equivalence of antiparkinsonian medication across PD study cohorts and facilitate research on the clinical efficacy of pharmacological and surgical treatments as well as other non-pharmacological interventions in PD.
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5. |
- Schade, Jutta, et al.
(author)
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A comparative study of the design and construction process of energy efficient buildings in Germany and Sweden
- 2013
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In: Energy Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 58, s. 28-37
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reducing the energy consumption of buildings is an important goal for the European Union. However, it is therefore of interest to investigate how different member states address these goals. Countries like Sweden and Germany have developed different strategies for energy conservation within the building sector. A longitudinal comparison between implemented energy conservation key policy instruments in Sweden and Germany and a survey regarding the management of energy requirements in the building process shows that:– No evidence is found that energy consumption is of great importance for producing competitive offers, either for Swedish or German clients.– The Swedish market-driven policy has not been as successful as the German regulation policy in decreasing the energy consumption of new buildings.– Building standards and regulations regarding energy performance affects how professionals are educated and the way energy requirements and demands are managed throughout the building process.In conclusion, the client's demand will govern the development of energy efficient buildings. Therefore, in order to use market-driven policies, the desired parameters must be of concern for the customer to influence the majority of building projects to be more energy efficient than is specified in national standards and regulations.
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6. |
- Sormunen, Piia, et al.
(author)
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Capturing stakeholder values : Stakeholder values, stakeholder preferences and requirements for the life cycle design process
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The objective of Task 2.3 was to create a framework for capturing the values of different stakeholders over the life cycle of a building. The framework should work as a method for capturing goals and preferences of all stakeholders and add value to the client and constructor as well as to the society and citizens. Another goal was to create a list of value groups, values, requirements and parameters to serve as a checklist for value mapping in a design project. The framework acts as an incentive for model-based working to enable evaluation of design performance and open collaboration between all stakeholders. It presents a process during which the needs and preferences that add value to society/citizens, clients/users, and the construction sector over the life cycle of a building are captured. These stakeholder values for a facility and process are translated into requirements and attributes for the specific business case to give a clear set of design targets for the life cycle design process. In the purposes of this task, briefing is proposed as the main procedure for identifying and capturing stakeholder values. Briefing is the process in which the client’s needs, wishes and ambitions are identified, expressed and clarified in the building process. The briefing process is an integral part of the design process. It is iterative and moves from the general to the particular. Strategic briefing deals with the business case, stakeholders and project goals. Operational briefing concerns functional requirements derived from the strategic briefing. Technical briefing specifies in technical terms the consequences of the functional requirements. The briefing methods and its tools must support a top-down systems approach. The Concurrent Design Method, originally a space-born design methodology developed and used by the European Space Agency (ESA), is chosen to support the briefing process of the framework. This method ensures collaborative work where the various stakeholders interact and influence each other’s values and proposals when in sessions concurrently working on the same IT-based platform. The design work is done in collocated sessions with all stakeholders involved and present, creating an integrated design and enabling good communication and exchange of information between team members. The concurrent design method was applied by the task group in three one-day workshops with the Swedish Post head office in Stockholm as the case building. The sessions resulted in a list of all the value groups, values, requirements and parameters that were exchanged, discussed and added during the sessions. From this list, an exemplary list of value groups, values, requirements and parameters was created. This set of generalized values can be recommended to serve as a checklist for value mapping in further projects. The work in the concurrent design sessions is based on assumptions in the briefs and the results of the sessions are fed back into the briefs and can even affect the initial goals. The method was found to be very supportive for the briefing process. Because the method is iterative, it can successively contribute to a mutual, better understanding of the total project. The task group can therefore recommend it for application as a tool for briefing support. To test the created framework two studies were made: one to proof that the framework efficiently captures the stakeholder values and one to to demonstrate the detection of contradictory goals and values. The results of these studies are presented in Part 2 of this report. The work done in T2.3 is the first part of the global life cycle process, which goes from the capture of the client’s values to the evaluation of the performance of the project. The results of Task 2.3 will be further used in InPro Task 2.4 “Life Cycle Design Processes” and Task 1.3 “Key Performance Indicators”. Lists of requirements and parameters were delivered for the different life cycle processes (LCD) of InPro Task 2.4: energy performance, facility management & maintenance, enviReport – Capturing Stakeholder Values, Values, Preferences and Requirements ■ May 2009 5/45 ronmental performance & materials, cost management and project planning. These lists were placed in quality gates of different life cycle processes in order to verify and evaluate the implementation of the stakeholder values. Task 1.3 will use proposed parameters as performance indicators. The goal of the Deliverable D10 (An Evaluation Framework for Early Design based on Key Performance Indicators) is to detail the method to highlight the Key Performance Indicators, i.e. to classify and prioritise the more relevant parameters, in order to evaluate the performance of the design and of the building, and in order to compare the client’s expected requirements with the real life cycle processes. These KPI give common and reliable hypothesis, with which each actor can carry out its design, and which help taking decision with an accurate quality level to reach.
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7. |
- Ylmen, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Livscykelstudie av kontor med kombinerad betong- och träkonstruktion
- 2018
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Vasakronan has produced an office building were seven of the floors are mainly made in concrete and two floors are mainly made of wooden materials. As Vasakronan had little previous experience with wooden construction works they were interested in comparing the different production methods from an environmental and economic perspective.The main purpose of the project was to analyze the long-term environmental impact of different building methods with alternative design and production as well as material choice and on-site systems. A secondary purpose was to assess the economic consequences of different construction solutions. The goals were to:provide advice and suggestions on how different material choice, construction solutions and assembly methods can be used from their environmental and economic properties.find environmental hot-spots in the building process.contribute with knowledge and experience to develop methods regarding life cycle assessment (LCA) and calculation of life cycle cost (LCC) for building projects. compare differences between constructions in concrete and wood.An LCA was carried out on the whole building and LCA and LCC calculation were conducted to compare the environmental impact and cost of concrete and wooden constructions. The results include global warming potential, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, stratospheric ozone depletion potential, photooxidants creation potential and present costs. The data were collected by the contractors during production to ensure that the results are based on the finished building and not assumptions made during the design stage.The report shows the difficulties that arise during life cycle studies of buildings but also provides guidance how to solve them in this particular case, which can be used as a base for continued development of methods.
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8. |
- Ylmen, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Termisk inomhuskomfort vid värmeböljor
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Climate change with more frequent and longer heat waves in the future will be a challenge for the cities in Sweden. With more frequent heat waves the demand for mechanical cooling will increase. This will lead to higher energy consumption with the consequence that the emissions of greenhouse gases increase and affect climate change even further. To avoid thermal discomfort during the summers the design and constructions in the building have central roles. Sun protecting measures like awnings and shadings as well as window airing can have a large impact on the indoor temperature. This study investigates how different climates affect the indoor temperature in buildings and the results illustrate the problems with thermal comfort that can arise. Additionally, long lasting technical solutions to mitigate high indoor temperatures during heat waves were evaluated. The results show how different prerequisites, as well as common solutions, for buildings affect the thermal comfort. They also identify the importance of a holistic system view of the building during the design so that the thermal comfort aspects are considered together with energy improvement measures.
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