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Browser extensions boost user experience on the web. Similarly to smartphone app stores, browsers like Chrome distribute browser extensions via their Web Store, enabling a thriving market of third-party developed extensions. The Web Store incorporates a user review system to help users decide which extensions to install. Unfortunately, the open nature of the review system is subject to reputation manipulation. As browser vendors fight reputation manipulation, attackers employ more sophisticated methods to stay under the radar. Focusing on fake reviews, we identify several techniques attackers use: fake accounts, disjoint sets of fake accounts for different extensions, automation of generated reviews, and focusing on reviews rather than ratings. We present FakeX, a framework to detect fake reviews by focusing on inference from review metadata. FakeX employs five distinct methods, including temporal distribution analysis, relationship clustering, and ratio-based assessments, to unveil patterns indicative of fake reviews. Evaluation of over 1.7 million reviews reveals the effectiveness of FakeX in identifying hundreds of fake review campaigns. Furthermore, our investigation of these fake reviews uncovers 86 malicious extensions, mounting attacks that range from data-stealing to monetization, impacting over 64 million users. In addition, we collaborate with Adblock Plus and Avast to demonstrate FakeX in action, expanding a seed list of newly detected malicious extensions to discover a further 16 malicious extensions with millions of users, where, in some cases, attackers tried to improve malicious code. © 2024 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

Arbetet utförs hos Teledyne Flir som är en av de världsledande i utveckling och producering av värmekameror. Examensarbetet handlar om att designa en limfixtur för företagets framtagna komponenter på ett sätt som visar god precision och noggrannhet. Fixturen ska designas för placering i en limrobot och användas av operatörer. Svårigheten är att med precision placera lim på en limspalt som sträcker sig i en cirkel runt linsen med 0,2 mm bredd. Syftet är att ta fram ritningar och underlag för denna fixtur och även ta fram en prototyp. Toleransanalysen verifierade att en limfixtur i en 3-axlig lim robot är möjlig att använda. Där toleransen på komponenten resulterade i en vidd på 0.04 mm. Alltså ±0.02 mm från nominella värdet. Resultatet är en 10 mm tjock aluminiumplatta av EN AW 6082 kvalité som erhåller god hållfasthet och korrosionsbeständighet. Materialet kan även kan anodiseras vid senare tillfälle. Vald tillverkningsmetod med noggrannhet i fokus är fräsning. Plattan har frästa formelement på ovansidan som passar med de komponenter som ska placeras på limfixturen. Komponenterna är placerade i fixturen koncentriskt till den limspalten som limmas. Alltså är placeringen av komponenter virtuellt felfri då rotation av komponenten inte är ett bekymmer. Detta följer metoden “Poka Yoke”. Infästningen i limroboten består av två delar som bildar ett inspänningssystem som går att standardisera. Ena delen är fast monterad i limbordet. Utformat som ett “L” placeras limfixturen in i hörnet på den fasta delen. För låsning och själv linjering av limfixturen är den andra inspänningsdelen placerad 45° från fixturens horisontella plan uppifrån. Den har en tryckande del och en fastmonterad del. Den tryckande delen är fjäderbelastad och trycker limfixturen in i den fast monterade “L” delen. För öppning och borttagning av limfixturen används ett lådlås och hake på ovansidan som komprimerar fjädern., The work is carried out at Teledyne Flir, which is one of the world leaders in the development and production of thermal imaging cameras. This work is about designing an adhesive fixture for the company's developed components in a way that shows good precision and accuracy. The purpose is to produce drawings and material for this fixture and also to produce a prototype. The tolerance analysis verified that a gluing fixture in a 3-axis dispensing robot is possible to use. Where the tolerance of the component resulted in a width of 0.04 mm. Thus ± 0.02 mm from the nominal value. The result is a 10 mm thick aluminum plate of EN AW 6082 quality that obtains good strength and corrosion resistance. The material can also be anodized in a later stage. The chosen manufacturing method with accuracy in mind is milling. The plate has milled features on the top that fit with the components that are to be placed on the glue fixture. The components are placed in the fixture concentrically to the glue gap that is being glued. Thus, the placement of components is virtually error free as rotation of the component is not a concern. This follows the "Poka Yoke" method. The attachment in the adhesive robot consists of two parts that form a clamping system that can be standardized. One part is permanently mounted in the glue table. Designed as an “L”, the glue fixture is placed in the corner of the fixed part. For locking and self-alignment of the adhesive fixture, the second clamping part is placed 45 ° from the horizontal plane of the fixture from above. It has a pressing part and a fixed part. The pressing part is spring-loaded and pushes the glue fixture into the permanently mounted “L” part. To open and remove the glue fixture, the use of a box lock and hook on the top will compress the spring.

Arbetet utförs hos Teledyne Flir som är en av de världsledande i utveckling och producering av värmekameror. Examensarbetet handlar om att designa en limfixtur för företagets framtagna komponenter på ett sätt som visar god precision och noggrannhet. Fixturen ska designas för placering i en limrobot och användas av operatörer. Svårigheten är att med precision placera lim på en limspalt som sträcker sig i en cirkel runt linsen med 0,2 mm bredd. Syftet är att ta fram ritningar och underlag för denna fixtur och även ta fram en prototyp. Toleransanalysen verifierade att en limfixtur i en 3-axlig lim robot är möjlig att använda. Där toleransen på komponenten resulterade i en vidd på 0.04 mm. Alltså ±0.02 mm från nominella värdet. Resultatet är en 10 mm tjock aluminiumplatta av EN AW 6082 kvalité som erhåller god hållfasthet och korrosionsbeständighet. Materialet kan även kan anodiseras vid senare tillfälle. Vald tillverkningsmetod med noggrannhet i fokus är fräsning. Plattan har frästa formelement på ovansidan som passar med de komponenter som ska placeras på limfixturen. Komponenterna är placerade i fixturen koncentriskt till den limspalten som limmas. Alltså är placeringen av komponenter virtuellt felfri då rotation av komponenten inte är ett bekymmer. Detta följer metoden “Poka Yoke”. Infästningen i limroboten består av två delar som bildar ett inspänningssystem som går att standardisera. Ena delen är fast monterad i limbordet. Utformat som ett “L” placeras limfixturen in i hörnet på den fasta delen. För låsning och själv linjering av limfixturen är den andra inspänningsdelen placerad 45° från fixturens horisontella plan uppifrån. Den har en tryckande del och en fastmonterad del. Den tryckande delen är fjäderbelastad och trycker limfixturen in i den fast monterade “L” delen. För öppning och borttagning av limfixturen används ett lådlås och hake på ovansidan som komprimerar fjädern., The work is carried out at Teledyne Flir, which is one of the world leaders in the development and production of thermal imaging cameras. This work is about designing an adhesive fixture for the company's developed components in a way that shows good precision and accuracy. The purpose is to produce drawings and material for this fixture and also to produce a prototype. The tolerance analysis verified that a gluing fixture in a 3-axis dispensing robot is possible to use. Where the tolerance of the component resulted in a width of 0.04 mm. Thus ± 0.02 mm from the nominal value. The result is a 10 mm thick aluminum plate of EN AW 6082 quality that obtains good strength and corrosion resistance. The material can also be anodized in a later stage. The chosen manufacturing method with accuracy in mind is milling. The plate has milled features on the top that fit with the components that are to be placed on the glue fixture. The components are placed in the fixture concentrically to the glue gap that is being glued. Thus, the placement of components is virtually error free as rotation of the component is not a concern. This follows the "Poka Yoke" method. The attachment in the adhesive robot consists of two parts that form a clamping system that can be standardized. One part is permanently mounted in the glue table. Designed as an “L”, the glue fixture is placed in the corner of the fixed part. For locking and self-alignment of the adhesive fixture, the second clamping part is placed 45 ° from the horizontal plane of the fixture from above. It has a pressing part and a fixed part. The pressing part is spring-loaded and pushes the glue fixture into the permanently mounted “L” part. To open and remove the glue fixture, the use of a box lock and hook on the top will compress the spring.

Syftet med denna empiriska studie är att undersöka hur matematiklärare i grundskolan undervisar med digitala läromedel. Studien ämnar också till att utforska lärares uppfattningar om svårigheter och möjligheter med att använda digitala läromedel i matematik. I denna studie behandlas två frågeställningar; Hur använder lärare digitala läromedel i matematik och vad uppfattar lärare som svårigheter/möjligheter med att använda digitala läromedel i matematik? Studien är av kvalitativ karaktär och de metoder som använts är intervjuer och observationer. I resultatet framkom det att lärare använder det digitala läromedlet i matematik som en bok på datorn. Lärarna planerar sin undervisning på samma sätt som med ett tryckt läromedel. Det framkommer även att det finns stora möjligheter med det digitala läromedlet i matematik som till exempel åtkomst till socialsemiotiska resurser (teckensystem), individanpassning och tillgänglighet. Den största svårigheten med det digitala läromedlet i matematik visar sig vara kommunikationen, det vill säga att eleverna inte får möjligheten att redovisa sina uträkningar.

Denna studie ser på Digitala tokens, och vilka problem som kan stötas på vid en implementering. Genom att observera CBDC har studien kunnat se på digitala tokens i ett annat ljus än tidigare forskning, då majoritet av forskningen på digitala tokens har varit ifrån nischade användningsområden med begränsade fynd. Fyra respondenter som har varit delaktiga i CBDC projektet E-krona piloten, som besitter olika roller från olika företag, har intervjuats för att få en inblick i de arbeten som görs och har gjorts i CBDC projektet. Genom att applicera de identifierade ramverken som funnits under litteraturstudien, har problemområden under implementeringen av ett projekt som hanterar digitala tokens kunnat urskiljas. Under studiens gång har även framgångar och vinster med digitala tokens kunnat påvisas i samband med identifieringen av problemen.

Syftet med denna empiriska studie är att undersöka hur matematiklärare i grundskolan undervisar med digitala läromedel. Studien ämnar också till att utforska lärares uppfattningar om svårigheter och möjligheter med att använda digitala läromedel i matematik. I denna studie behandlas två frågeställningar; Hur använder lärare digitala läromedel i matematik och vad uppfattar lärare som svårigheter/möjligheter med att använda digitala läromedel i matematik? Studien är av kvalitativ karaktär och de metoder som använts är intervjuer och observationer. I resultatet framkom det att lärare använder det digitala läromedlet i matematik som en bok på datorn. Lärarna planerar sin undervisning på samma sätt som med ett tryckt läromedel. Det framkommer även att det finns stora möjligheter med det digitala läromedlet i matematik som till exempel åtkomst till socialsemiotiska resurser (teckensystem), individanpassning och tillgänglighet. Den största svårigheten med det digitala läromedlet i matematik visar sig vara kommunikationen, det vill säga att eleverna inte får möjligheten att redovisa sina uträkningar.

Denna systematiska litteraturstudie fokuserar på fördelar och nackdelar med digitala och tryckta läromedel. Resultatdelen med fördelar och nackdelar är uppdelad i tre till fyra underrubriker, bedömning, kommunikation, individualisering/anpassning och inlärning. Ett större fokus ligger på hur digitala läromedel eller tryckta läromedel påverkar inlärningen. I studien beskrivs likheter och skillnader mellan digitala och tryckta läromedel. Studien är riktad till läromedel i grundskolan och med resultatet kan lärare anpassa sin undervisning utifrån det läromedel som passar dem bäst. Resultatet kom fram till att digitala och tryckta läromedel fungerar lämpligast när det finns en balans mellan de båda.

Denna systematiska litteraturstudie fokuserar på fördelar och nackdelar med digitala och tryckta läromedel. Resultatdelen med fördelar och nackdelar är uppdelad i tre till fyra underrubriker, bedömning, kommunikation, individualisering/anpassning och inlärning. Ett större fokus ligger på hur digitala läromedel eller tryckta läromedel påverkar inlärningen. I studien beskrivs likheter och skillnader mellan digitala och tryckta läromedel. Studien är riktad till läromedel i grundskolan och med resultatet kan lärare anpassa sin undervisning utifrån det läromedel som passar dem bäst. Resultatet kom fram till att digitala och tryckta läromedel fungerar lämpligast när det finns en balans mellan de båda.

Bakgrund: Relationen mellan avkastning och risk har länge varit debatterad. Den klassiska modellen Capital Asset Pricing Model, CAPM, är en av standardmodellerna inom finans. CAPM har dock brister och kompenserar inte investerare för den företagsspecifika risken som tas. Senare forskning har visat på att det är den företagsspecifika risken som utgör den största delen av total aktierisk och har fortsatt att öka under de tre senaste decennierna. Detta medför att det finns ett intresse att undersöka och analysera sambandet mellan den interna risken som företag har och den aktievolatilitet som återfinns på marknaden. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka och analysera sambandet mellan företags interna risk i form av nyckeltal och aktievolatilitet på svenska noterade bolag på Nasdaq OMX Stockholm under perioden 2007 till 2018. Studien kommer att specifikt undersöka sambandet mellan två typer av risk; finansiell risk och operationell risk. Metod: För att uppnå syftet med studien har en deduktiv ansats och en kvantitativ metod tillämpats för att undersöka och analysera två dataset bestående av aktievolatilitet och nyckeltal baserad på data från kvartalsrapporter. Studien har använt en obalanserad paneldata av kort karaktär. Resultat: Studiens resultat tyder på att omkring hälften av aktievolatilitet kan förklaras av den interna risken. Intressant är att resultaten även indikerar att investerare värderar den finansiella och operationella risken som lika värdefulla vid bedömningen av den interna risken. Författarnas slutsats blir att den företagsspecifika risken har en relativt stor påverkan på aktievolatilitet och att det är värt i framtiden att diskutera hur investerare adekvat ska kompenseras för den faktiskt tagna risken., Background: A long debated area within financial theory is the relationship between risk and return. The classic Capital Asset Pricing Model, CAPM, has long been the preferred model within finance. CAPM is however not without its flaws and do not compensate the investors for the idiosyncratic risk that is taken. Recent research has suggested that it is the idiosyncratic risk that is the main driver of the total risk in stock volatility, and that the impact of this risk have continued to increase over the last three decades. Considering this, it is of interest to examine and analyze the relationship between the internal risk of companies and the stock volatility reflected on the market. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine and analyze the effect the internal risk, in the form of key ratios, has on stock volatility on Swedish public companies listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm during the time period of 2007 to 2018. The study will especially focus on two types of internal risk; financial risk and operational risk. Methodology: This study has used a deductive approach and a quantitative methodology to fulfill the aim of the study. The study has used an unbalanced panel data of short character to examine and analyze the datasets consisting of stock volatility and data retrieved from quarterly reports. Results: The results indicate that approximately half of the stock volatility can be attributed to the internal risk. The results further indicate that investors value the financial and operational risk equally when assessing the internal risk in the company. The authors conclusion from the study is that the idiosyncratic risk has a relatively large effect on stock volatility and that a future discussion, about the compensation investors receive is adequate to the actual risk that is taken, is needed.

Many IT-projects becomes complicated to an unnecessary level since the requirements hasn´t been worked through correctly. In fact, bad requirements engineering is one of the most expensive errors within IT-projects. This thesis presents a qualitative study on the challenges associated with requirements engineering in the context of agile software development. The reason for that, is because challenges in the requirement process in traditional IT-projects are well-known. But they are less known within agile IT-projects. The purpose is therefore to gain knowledge so that the study can help and inspire upcoming IT-projects so that success is easier to achieve in the future. The study is performed together with an IT-consultant company which seeks to find answers and solutions to this complex process. The methods used to collect data in order to create more ground for the subject is done through qualitative interviews and through one observation. Today we can display the evidence of what kind of challenges that exists and potentially how to avoid them during the beginning-face of a project. The result show tendencies of challenges that stands in the way for successful end-results within the requirement engineering area in agile IT-projects. The main findings are three major categories of challenges in agile IT-projects that are enriched with earlier research within the subject of the study. These challenges can cause even bigger issues if not considered correctly in the planning process before the start of a project. The project will demand more resources in order to reach completion and a successful product for the customer. The knowledge gained from this study can be critical to the future of requirement engineering in agile projects.

Bakgrund: Relationen mellan avkastning och risk har länge varit debatterad. Den klassiska modellen Capital Asset Pricing Model, CAPM, är en av standardmodellerna inom finans. CAPM har dock brister och kompenserar inte investerare för den företagsspecifika risken som tas. Senare forskning har visat på att det är den företagsspecifika risken som utgör den största delen av total aktierisk och har fortsatt att öka under de tre senaste decennierna. Detta medför att det finns ett intresse att undersöka och analysera sambandet mellan den interna risken som företag har och den aktievolatilitet som återfinns på marknaden. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka och analysera sambandet mellan företags interna risk i form av nyckeltal och aktievolatilitet på svenska noterade bolag på Nasdaq OMX Stockholm under perioden 2007 till 2018. Studien kommer att specifikt undersöka sambandet mellan två typer av risk; finansiell risk och operationell risk. Metod: För att uppnå syftet med studien har en deduktiv ansats och en kvantitativ metod tillämpats för att undersöka och analysera två dataset bestående av aktievolatilitet och nyckeltal baserad på data från kvartalsrapporter. Studien har använt en obalanserad paneldata av kort karaktär. Resultat: Studiens resultat tyder på att omkring hälften av aktievolatilitet kan förklaras av den interna risken. Intressant är att resultaten även indikerar att investerare värderar den finansiella och operationella risken som lika värdefulla vid bedömningen av den interna risken. Författarnas slutsats blir att den företagsspecifika risken har en relativt stor påverkan på aktievolatilitet och att det är värt i framtiden att diskutera hur investerare adekvat ska kompenseras för den faktiskt tagna risken., Background: A long debated area within financial theory is the relationship between risk and return. The classic Capital Asset Pricing Model, CAPM, has long been the preferred model within finance. CAPM is however not without its flaws and do not compensate the investors for the idiosyncratic risk that is taken. Recent research has suggested that it is the idiosyncratic risk that is the main driver of the total risk in stock volatility, and that the impact of this risk have continued to increase over the last three decades. Considering this, it is of interest to examine and analyze the relationship between the internal risk of companies and the stock volatility reflected on the market. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine and analyze the effect the internal risk, in the form of key ratios, has on stock volatility on Swedish public companies listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm during the time period of 2007 to 2018. The study will especially focus on two types of internal risk; financial risk and operational risk. Methodology: This study has used a deductive approach and a quantitative methodology to fulfill the aim of the study. The study has used an unbalanced panel data of short character to examine and analyze the datasets consisting of stock volatility and data retrieved from quarterly reports. Results: The results indicate that approximately half of the stock volatility can be attributed to the internal risk. The results further indicate that investors value the financial and operational risk equally when assessing the internal risk in the company. The authors conclusion from the study is that the idiosyncratic risk has a relatively large effect on stock volatility and that a future discussion, about the compensation investors receive is adequate to the actual risk that is taken, is needed.

Many IT-projects becomes complicated to an unnecessary level since the requirements hasn´t been worked through correctly. In fact, bad requirements engineering is one of the most expensive errors within IT-projects. This thesis presents a qualitative study on the challenges associated with requirements engineering in the context of agile software development. The reason for that, is because challenges in the requirement process in traditional IT-projects are well-known. But they are less known within agile IT-projects. The purpose is therefore to gain knowledge so that the study can help and inspire upcoming IT-projects so that success is easier to achieve in the future. The study is performed together with an IT-consultant company which seeks to find answers and solutions to this complex process. The methods used to collect data in order to create more ground for the subject is done through qualitative interviews and through one observation. Today we can display the evidence of what kind of challenges that exists and potentially how to avoid them during the beginning-face of a project. The result show tendencies of challenges that stands in the way for successful end-results within the requirement engineering area in agile IT-projects. The main findings are three major categories of challenges in agile IT-projects that are enriched with earlier research within the subject of the study. These challenges can cause even bigger issues if not considered correctly in the planning process before the start of a project. The project will demand more resources in order to reach completion and a successful product for the customer. The knowledge gained from this study can be critical to the future of requirement engineering in agile projects.

Previous findings on the subject of Class Biased Economic Voting (CBEV) suggests that voters who are not among the wealthiest elite respond positively, in terms of probability of voting for the incumbent party or president, to income growth among the wealthiest 5% of households, and more so than to mean income growth. The aim of this paper is to explore if this type of bias voting is due to voters paying attention to macroeconomic variables that are correlated with economic fortunes of the wealthiest elites. It sets out to answer two questions: 1. Does stock index performance during election year effect CBEV? 2. Does stock index performance increase the probability of voting for the incumbent party or president? The study employs an individual level cross-sectional probit model using two measurements of income-growth alongside figures of stock index performance. Results indicate that stock index has an impact on probability of voting for the incumbent party/ president in France and Sweden but not in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Whether or not the stock index causes CBEV is difficult to infer, mainly due to the U.K’s responses to the stock market are statistically insignificant, as well insignificant results from the French electorate to income-growth., Previous findings on the subject of Class Biased Economic Voting (CBEV) suggests that voters who are not among the wealthiest elite respond positively, in terms of probability of voting for the incumbent party or president, to income growth among the wealthiest 5% of households, and more so than to mean income growth. The aim of this paper is to explore if this type of bias voting is due to voters paying attention to macroeconomic variables that are correlated with economic fortunes of the wealthiest elites. It sets out to answer two questions: 1. Does stock index performance during election year effect CBEV? 2. Does stock index performance increase the probability of voting for the incumbent party or president? The study employs an individual level cross-sectional probit model using two measurements of income-growth alongside figures of stock index performance. Results indicate that stock index has an impact on probability of voting for the incumbent party/ president in France and Sweden but not in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Whether or not the stock index causes CBEV is difficult to infer, mainly due to the U.K’s responses to the stock market are statistically insignificant, as well insignificant results from the French electorate to income-growth.

Previous findings on the subject of Class Biased Economic Voting (CBEV) suggests that voters who are not among the wealthiest elite respond positively, in terms of probability of voting for the incumbent party or president, to income growth among the wealthiest 5% of households, and more so than to mean income growth. The aim of this paper is to explore if this type of bias voting is due to voters paying attention to macroeconomic variables that are correlated with economic fortunes of the wealthiest elites. It sets out to answer two questions: 1. Does stock index performance during election year effect CBEV? 2. Does stock index performance increase the probability of voting for the incumbent party or president? The study employs an individual level cross-sectional probit model using two measurements of income-growth alongside figures of stock index performance. Results indicate that stock index has an impact on probability of voting for the incumbent party/ president in France and Sweden but not in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Whether or not the stock index causes CBEV is difficult to infer, mainly due to the U.K’s responses to the stock market are statistically insignificant, as well insignificant results from the French electorate to income-growth., Previous findings on the subject of Class Biased Economic Voting (CBEV) suggests that voters who are not among the wealthiest elite respond positively, in terms of probability of voting for the incumbent party or president, to income growth among the wealthiest 5% of households, and more so than to mean income growth. The aim of this paper is to explore if this type of bias voting is due to voters paying attention to macroeconomic variables that are correlated with economic fortunes of the wealthiest elites. It sets out to answer two questions: 1. Does stock index performance during election year effect CBEV? 2. Does stock index performance increase the probability of voting for the incumbent party or president? The study employs an individual level cross-sectional probit model using two measurements of income-growth alongside figures of stock index performance. Results indicate that stock index has an impact on probability of voting for the incumbent party/ president in France and Sweden but not in the United Kingdom (U.K.) Whether or not the stock index causes CBEV is difficult to infer, mainly due to the U.K’s responses to the stock market are statistically insignificant, as well insignificant results from the French electorate to income-growth.

Today our society is greatly built on modern technologies. In most parts of the world itis a social standard to have access to a smartphone and the Internet. Being able to keepin touch with others, consuming information, or being entertained independent of placeand time are assumed standards. From an entertainment perspective, the interactivemedium has changed in the modern society, the gaming community is still growing, andfor many it is a daily routine to play some sort of game, either on the computer, tablet orsmartphone. However, new ways to engage the user in fun activities are still beingexplored. At the same time, the consumption of media and use of digital technologiesraises concerns towards health issues and time spend outside in the nature, according tocritics. Pokemon Go, a smartphone application released in 2016, presented a possiblesolution to this problem, encouraging users to go outside and catch Pokemons due to thelocation-based nature of the application. The need to physically move to certain placesin order to catch a certain Pokemon facilitated not just people’s exercise, but also socialaspects as one would likely meet other players trying to catch Pokemons. While this is astep in the right direction, I strongly believe that this technological advancement couldalso be used for other entertaining and beneficial needs to people. This thesis investigates an approach of using similar technologies compared to thoseused in Pokemon Go, combined with narrative elements and a linear task system, inorder to create an experience with the purpose to engage users with local places ofhistorical value. By using geolocation-based technology, the application guides the userto places of historical value, while augmented reality (AR) elements are used to raisethe user’s interest, and further engage them in an interactive way. The developedapplication allows the user to solve tasks, which require interaction and exploration withthe real world environment in order to g, Idag är vårt samhälle starkt byggt på modern teknik. I de flesta delar av världen är deten social standard att ha tillgång till en smartphone och Internet. Att kunna hållakontakten med andra, konsumera information, eller underhållas oberoende av plats ochtid, antas vara normer. Ur ett underhållningsperspektiv har det interaktiva medietförändrats i samhället, spelindustrin växer fortfarande och för många är det en dagligrutin att spela något slags spel, antingen på datorn, surfplattan eller smartphonen. Mennya sätt att engagera användaren i roliga aktiviteter undersöks fortfarande. Samtidigt,enligt kritiker, ger konsumtionen av media och användningen av digital teknikanledning till oro för hälsoproblem samt tid spenderad ute i naturen. Pokemon Go, ensmartphone-applikation som släpptes 2016, presenterade en möjlig lösning på dessaproblem, och uppmuntrade användarna till att gå ut för att fånga Pokemons tack vareapplikationens platsbaserade karaktär. Behovet av att fysiskt flytta sig till olika platserför att fånga Pokemons underlättad inte bara människors motionering, men bidrogockså med sociala aspekter då man sannolikt kommer möta andra spelare ute iverkligheten. Även om detta är ett steg i rätt riktning, tror jag starkt att dessa tekniskaframsteg också kan användas för andra underhållande och fördelaktiga syften. Denna studie undersöker ett sätt att använda liknande tekniker jämfört med de somanvänds i Pokemon Go, kombinerat med narrativ och ett linjärt uppdragssystem, för attskapa en upplevelse med syfte att engagera användare mot lokalhistoriska platser.Genom att använda geolocation-baserad teknik, guidar applikationen användaren tilllokalhistoriska platser, medans elementen inom förstärkt verklighet (AR) används föratt höja användarens intresse och engagera dem på ett interaktivt sätt. Den utveckladeapplikationen låter användaren lösa uppgifter som kräver interaktion och utforskning avden verkliga världsmiljön, för att få den information som krävs för att lösa u

Today our society is greatly built on modern technologies. In most parts of the world itis a social standard to have access to a smartphone and the Internet. Being able to keepin touch with others, consuming information, or being entertained independent of placeand time are assumed standards. From an entertainment perspective, the interactivemedium has changed in the modern society, the gaming community is still growing, andfor many it is a daily routine to play some sort of game, either on the computer, tablet orsmartphone. However, new ways to engage the user in fun activities are still beingexplored. At the same time, the consumption of media and use of digital technologiesraises concerns towards health issues and time spend outside in the nature, according tocritics. Pokemon Go, a smartphone application released in 2016, presented a possiblesolution to this problem, encouraging users to go outside and catch Pokemons due to thelocation-based nature of the application. The need to physically move to certain placesin order to catch a certain Pokemon facilitated not just people’s exercise, but also socialaspects as one would likely meet other players trying to catch Pokemons. While this is astep in the right direction, I strongly believe that this technological advancement couldalso be used for other entertaining and beneficial needs to people. This thesis investigates an approach of using similar technologies compared to thoseused in Pokemon Go, combined with narrative elements and a linear task system, inorder to create an experience with the purpose to engage users with local places ofhistorical value. By using geolocation-based technology, the application guides the userto places of historical value, while augmented reality (AR) elements are used to raisethe user’s interest, and further engage them in an interactive way. The developedapplication allows the user to solve tasks, which require interaction and exploration withthe real world environment in order to g, Idag är vårt samhälle starkt byggt på modern teknik. I de flesta delar av världen är deten social standard att ha tillgång till en smartphone och Internet. Att kunna hållakontakten med andra, konsumera information, eller underhållas oberoende av plats ochtid, antas vara normer. Ur ett underhållningsperspektiv har det interaktiva medietförändrats i samhället, spelindustrin växer fortfarande och för många är det en dagligrutin att spela något slags spel, antingen på datorn, surfplattan eller smartphonen. Mennya sätt att engagera användaren i roliga aktiviteter undersöks fortfarande. Samtidigt,enligt kritiker, ger konsumtionen av media och användningen av digital teknikanledning till oro för hälsoproblem samt tid spenderad ute i naturen. Pokemon Go, ensmartphone-applikation som släpptes 2016, presenterade en möjlig lösning på dessaproblem, och uppmuntrade användarna till att gå ut för att fånga Pokemons tack vareapplikationens platsbaserade karaktär. Behovet av att fysiskt flytta sig till olika platserför att fånga Pokemons underlättad inte bara människors motionering, men bidrogockså med sociala aspekter då man sannolikt kommer möta andra spelare ute iverkligheten. Även om detta är ett steg i rätt riktning, tror jag starkt att dessa tekniskaframsteg också kan användas för andra underhållande och fördelaktiga syften. Denna studie undersöker ett sätt att använda liknande tekniker jämfört med de somanvänds i Pokemon Go, kombinerat med narrativ och ett linjärt uppdragssystem, för attskapa en upplevelse med syfte att engagera användare mot lokalhistoriska platser.Genom att använda geolocation-baserad teknik, guidar applikationen användaren tilllokalhistoriska platser, medans elementen inom förstärkt verklighet (AR) används föratt höja användarens intresse och engagera dem på ett interaktivt sätt. Den utveckladeapplikationen låter användaren lösa uppgifter som kräver interaktion och utforskning avden verkliga världsmiljön, för att få den information som krävs för att lösa u

The possibility of improving indoor climate in residential buildings in Botswana was examined as the foundation of this Master’s Thesis. Initially articles were studied to gain understanding of previous research in the field as well as to gain understanding of local energy related conditions. Furthermore, a software called TRNSYS was thoroughly studied as this was found to be a powerful tool able to perform wanted simulations. Through two months of field work the previously obtained parameters for the simulation were complimented with on sight observations, mostly of residential buildings. This provided the foundation to initiate actual simulations. It quickly surfaced that the way residential building are built in Botswana today did not allow for space heating or cooling as the current houses have an average U-value of 2.9 W/(m^2·K). It was found that with an average U-value of 0.5 W/(m^2·K), no space heating of any type is needed. However, as this meant warmer indoor climate during summer, the possibility of generating electricity to power AC units was studied. Two systems to solve this were studied and compared. Firstly a solar collector in combination with photovoltaics (PV) and secondly a hybrid PV/T system to generate both hot water and electricity. A 13.35 m^2 solar collector in combination with a 2 m^2 PV generated approximately the same amount as a 13.35 m^2 PV/T system, resulting in 84 % of the energy need being derived from solar energy assuming a household consumption of 5000 kWh.

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze the prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes, and antidiabetic medication in patients with psychosis compared with control subjects and (2) determine what factors in patients with psychosis were associated with antidiabetic medication. METHOD: We studied 977 patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County, Sweden, and they were compared with 3908 non-psychotic control subjects for fasting plasma glucose levels; prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes, antidiabetic treatment, and tobacco use; and blood pressure, weight, height, and waist circumference. Group differences were evaluated with analysis of variance and χ(2) test, and factors associated with antidiabetic treatment were evaluated with logistic regression. RESULTS: Diabetes was observed in 94 (10%) patients with psychosis, 2.7 times the prevalence observed in control subjects. Among patients with psychosis, 87 (10%) had prediabetes (fasting glucose, 6.1-6.9 mmol/L) compared with 149 (3.8%) control subjects. Most patients with psychosis (77%) who had prediabetes fulfilled criteria for metabolic syndrome. In patients with psychosis, both lipid-lowering medication and fasting glucose were significantly associated with antidiabetic treatment. There was no significant relation between antidiabetic treatment and lifestyle factors such as smoking or degree of psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome in patients with psychosis warrants further clinical research in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes in these patients by pharmacotherapy and/or lifestyle intervention.

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

Background: Severe mental illness, including schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of premature death by somatic conditions and in particular by cardiovascular events. Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psychotic disorder is urgently called for. Aim: This thesis describes frequencies of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with psychosis. Clinical and genetic factors affecting plasma concentration of clozapine and their respective relation to increased fasting glucose and waist circumference are evaluated. In the last part of the thesis, levels of three biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk are determined among patients with psychosis. Methods: In two papers (Studies I and III), patients with psychosis recruited from outpatient clinics in Stockholm County Sweden were compared to non-psychotic control subjects from the population. Clinical and genetic factors related to plasma concentration of clozapine were explored in a sample of 113 patients on clozapine treatment (Study II). In one study (Study III), pharmacological treatment of diabetes was compared between 977 patients with psychosis and 3908 control subjects. In patients with psychosis and diabetes, factors associated with pharmacological treatment of diabetes were determined. In the last manuscript (study IV), levels of the biomarkers hsTnT, hsCRP and NT-BNP were determined in 300 patients with psychotic disorder. Results: Psychosis was associated with higher fasting glucose levels, increased waist circumference and higher frequency of smoking compared to controls. Furthermore, 50 percent of patients with psychosis fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Both prediabetes and diabetes were approximately three times more frequent among patients with psychosis as compared to controls. Of patients with psychosis and prediabetes 77 percent also fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Genetic variants of CYP1A2 and MDR1, and smoking were associated to low

The goal of this study is to find out if participation in an Internet forum can help participants in that Internet forum justify an illegal use of cannabis. Today the most commonly used narcotic in Sweden is Cannabis (CAN 2012). Still, the drug has remained illegal over many years and the Swedish drug policy remains restrictive towards drug use. This paper uses Howard S. Bcker’s three forms of social control to find out if active participation in an Internet forum can help users justify their illegal marijuana consumption. The three forms of social control are; 1. supply: control through limiting of supply making the drug difficult to obtain 2. secrecy: control through the necessity of keeping ones use of cannabis secret from non users 3. morality: the definition of the act as immoral (Becker 1991). This paper suggests different ways in which the forum users avoid social control, rendering them ineffective, thus justifying their illegal Cannabis consumption. The empirical data consists of quotations from conversations at the Internet forum Flashback.org which have been held between the users of Flashback-forum. The data has then been coded and sorted into typologies suggesting different ways the forum users justify their cannabis use. Results of the study show that through participation in the forum the user can to some extent avoid Becker’s social control. Social control is evident within the daily lives of the people who constitute the data; through active participation, the users can only to some extent avoid the social control thus (partially) justifying their cannabis consumption by speaking to each other. For this reason active participation within Flashback-forum will not help its users justify their cannabis consumption fully. It should be noted that due to the methodological approach, which excludes interactions with the people who constitute the data, this paper can not answer to how its conclusions correspond to the way the forum users themselves believe

This thesis studies the differences in the required amount of reinforcement in concrete structures since the introduction of the Eurocodes as the new standard for construction design in Sweden. The introduction of the European construction standards, the Eurocodes, as the new norm for design of structural elements in buildings on the Swedish market in 2011, put an end to the old Swedish standards set by BKR, boverkets konstruktionsregler. This thesis is based on comparison studies to analyze the amount of required reinforcement for crack width control in concrete cross-sections exposed to shrinkage strain according to Eurocode 2 and BBK 04. The study also deals with the influence of required reinforcement in the calculation of crack widths due to tensile stresses. The results in this thesis is built on comparative studies between the new Eurocode standard and the old BBK to examine and highlight the key differences when performing these types of calculations. The prerequisites for the calculations have been varied to obtain a clearer view of the outcome. The results show a general increase in the required amount of reinforcement when calculating according to Eurocode compared to BBK. It also shows that a higher total amount of reinforcement in combination with smaller dimensions reduces crack width.

This thesis studies the differences in the required amount of reinforcement in concrete structures since the introduction of the Eurocodes as the new standard for construction design in Sweden. The introduction of the European construction standards, the Eurocodes, as the new norm for design of structural elements in buildings on the Swedish market in 2011, put an end to the old Swedish standards set by BKR, boverkets konstruktionsregler. This thesis is based on comparison studies to analyze the amount of required reinforcement for crack width control in concrete cross-sections exposed to shrinkage strain according to Eurocode 2 and BBK 04. The study also deals with the influence of required reinforcement in the calculation of crack widths due to tensile stresses. The results in this thesis is built on comparative studies between the new Eurocode standard and the old BBK to examine and highlight the key differences when performing these types of calculations. The prerequisites for the calculations have been varied to obtain a clearer view of the outcome. The results show a general increase in the required amount of reinforcement when calculating according to Eurocode compared to BBK. It also shows that a higher total amount of reinforcement in combination with smaller dimensions reduces crack width.

The goal of this study is to find out if participation in an Internet forum can help participants in that Internet forum justify an illegal use of cannabis. Today the most commonly used narcotic in Sweden is Cannabis (CAN 2012). Still, the drug has remained illegal over many years and the Swedish drug policy remains restrictive towards drug use. This paper uses Howard S. Bcker’s three forms of social control to find out if active participation in an Internet forum can help users justify their illegal marijuana consumption. The three forms of social control are; 1. supply: control through limiting of supply making the drug difficult to obtain 2. secrecy: control through the necessity of keeping ones use of cannabis secret from non users 3. morality: the definition of the act as immoral (Becker 1991). This paper suggests different ways in which the forum users avoid social control, rendering them ineffective, thus justifying their illegal Cannabis consumption. The empirical data consists of quotations from conversations at the Internet forum Flashback.org which have been held between the users of Flashback-forum. The data has then been coded and sorted into typologies suggesting different ways the forum users justify their cannabis use. Results of the study show that through participation in the forum the user can to some extent avoid Becker’s social control. Social control is evident within the daily lives of the people who constitute the data; through active participation, the users can only to some extent avoid the social control thus (partially) justifying their cannabis consumption by speaking to each other. For this reason active participation within Flashback-forum will not help its users justify their cannabis consumption fully. It should be noted that due to the methodological approach, which excludes interactions with the people who constitute the data, this paper can not answer to how its conclusions correspond to the way the forum users themselves believe

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The United States Navy and its joint partners continually seek to maintain a responsive, agile, and effective fighting force well suited to combat present-day threats to national security. As a result, U.S. forces are currently undergoing force transformation to adopt an organizational structure capable of supporting this mission. This new organizational structure is known as Network-Centric Warfare. The purpose of this research is to analyze any performance metrics, measures of effectiveness, or analytical methods used by existing organizations engaged in network-centric operations that would assist the Navy and joint forces along with its transformation process. This research will be done in the form of a literature review, examining existing material written on communication, economic/business, and social/organizational networks. In addition to identifying quantitative and qualitative metrics, an emphasis will be placed on the methodologies used for network assessment. Final sections relate findings from each resource to Network-Centric Warfare and address matters relevant to the future of force transformation.

During the 1990s several kinds of reorganization has taken place in public services in Sweden. Reorganizations according to the idea of market economy have been most salient and debated. In many municipalities private companies have started to organize home care service for elderly, financed by tax. Public home care organizations have reorganized the working organization and managing structure, partly to save money and partly to reach better quality of care. The home care services have a key role in the care of the elderly in the society. The quality of care is important for the possibility for elderly to stay as long as possible in their ordinary homes. We have performed a longitudinal study of the reorganizations during the 1990s in order to explore the consequences for quality of care. The study was performed in seven districts in three different municipalities representing different types of municipalities and different kinds of reorganizations. It comprises private companies, traditional public organizations, public organizations with changed managing structure and co-ordination of home help and home health care. Quality of care is studied through assessment of the communication in the organization, the psychosocial working environment of the caregivers and the quality of the care work. Politicians, managers, ca. 100 care givers and ca. 500 elderly receiving help and care have been interviewed four times during the period (1993, 1995, 1997 and 2002/2003). The traditional organization within small districts with small autonomous working teams and easy accessible supervisor expose the best quality. There are no unambiguous differences between public and private organizations. There is however a tendency for successive decline of quality for private companies after they have been established. Other aspects of the reorganizations, e. g. to have special officials for assessment of help need, do not contribute to better quality but create new communication gaps in th

The United States Navy and its joint partners continually seek to maintain a responsive, agile, and effective fighting force well suited to combat present-day threats to national security. As a result, U.S. forces are currently undergoing force transformation to adopt an organizational structure capable of supporting this mission. This new organizational structure is known as Network-Centric Warfare. The purpose of this research is to analyze any performance metrics, measures of effectiveness, or analytical methods used by existing organizations engaged in network-centric operations that would assist the Navy and joint forces along with their transformation process. This research will be done in the form of a literature review, examining existing material written on communication, economic/business, and social/organizational networks. In addition to identifying quantitative and qualitative metrics, an emphasis will be placed on the methodologies used for network assessment. Final sections relate findings from each resource to Network-Centric Warfare and address matters relevant to the future of force transformation., The original document contains color images.

The family with the elderly and the home help workers’ team constitute two organisations, which meet in the care work. In this context the family is extended and often constitute not only members from the nuclear family but also other members of the network of relatives, whom take part in the care of the elderly. The extended family may in some cases include four generations (Finch & Mason, 1993). Home-help for elderly people have expanded in Sweden during the period 1960 - 1980. This was due partly upon the prevailing ideology that it is important for frail elderly to stay in their own homes. Due to this expansion the local communities have developed their public home-care organisations. Different kinds of autonomous group organisation predominate (Olsson et al, 1995). Small work groups take responsibility for home help service in local areas. Home-helpers organise their job themselves, exchange experiences and give each other emotional support. In Sweden both home care and institutional care of the elderly has decreased during the 1980th and 1990th in spite of the fact that the proportion elderly over 80 years (4,5 % of the total population) has increased 60 % since 1980. Twenty-two per cent of the women and 16 % of the men over 80 were cared for in their own home 1996. This development is said to have caused relatives to care for their frail elderly in the homes side by side by the home help services in an increasing degree (Johansson, 1991; Szebehely, 1998). Public care and service has an important impact on the interaction pattern between family members (Hendriksen, 1989; Johansson, 1999; Bass m fl, 1999). Home care may serve as an intervention that influences the health, well-being and life quality of the elderly and other family members. This intervention may have positive as well as negative effects. Problems and conflicts may arise in the interaction between the family members and between the family and the public help services (see McGoldrick & Gerson, 198

A comparative case study is performed of three working groups containing pairs and triads. Effects on cohesion and group development are analyzed and a model is constructed A distinction is made between pairs formed 1. out of earlier relationships, 2. and/or to pursue work and those that form, 3. as a reaction to the former. Pairs can contribute to work and development in constructive ways, but pairs can also destroy work and hinder progress. The outcome depends on how the pair is viewed by the group, what meaning is ascribed to it and on to what degree it is organized and integrated into the group. The outcome partly depends on boundary issues.

The United States Navy and its joint partners continually seek to maintain a responsive, agile, and effective fighting force well suited to combat present-day threats to national security. As a result, U.S. forces are currently undergoing force transformation to adopt an organizational structure capable of supporting this mission. This new organizational structure is known as Network-Centric Warfare. The purpose of this research is to analyze any performance metrics, measures of effectiveness, or analytical methods used by existing organizations engaged in network-centric operations that would assist the Navy and joint forces along with its transformation process. This research will be done in the form of a literature review, examining existing material written on communication, economic/business, and social/organizational networks. In addition to identifying quantitative and qualitative metrics, an emphasis will be placed on the methodologies used for network assessment. Final sections relate findings from each resource to Network-Centric Warfare and address matters relevant to the future of force transformation., http://archive.org/details/literaturesurvey10945941, Ensign, United States Navy, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.