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Structurally Conditioned Loneliness? : Structurally Conditioned Loneliness? - A Quantitative Study of Managers’ and Employees’ Social Networks in Different Welfare Regimes
No full textThis study examines how the experience of loneliness differs between individuals in leadership positions and non-leadership individuals in different welfare regimes, and analyzes the role of social networks in this dynamic. Based on data from ISSP 2017 (n=8 158), conservative, social democratic, and liberal welfare systems are compared through comparative analysis and logistic regression. The results show that both larger and more di-versified social networks are strongly negatively correlated with perceived loneliness, regardless of leadership position or welfare regime. Individuals in leadership roles consistently exhibit lower levels of loneliness than non-leaders, but the differences vary between regimes. The conservative welfare regime shows the lowest perceived loneliness while the liberal shows the highest, with the social democratic in an intermediate position. Particularly significant is that individuals in conservative regimes report larger network size and low degree of loneliness, while the difference between leaders and non-leaders is the greatest in social democratic regimes. The study shows that loneliness is not only linked to hierarchical position, but also to social network structure and cultural context. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of managers' perceived loneliness by combining theories of social networks with welfare theoretical frameworks, which reveals how social structures affect the experience of loneliness in leadership roles
Making the invisible visible and the abstract concrete : Preschool teachers' descriptions of chemistry and physics teaching in preschool
No full textFöreliggande studie syftade till att undersöka hur förskollärare beskriver undervisning av de naturvetenskapliga ämnena kemi och fysik i förskolan. Ämnet valdes då tidigare forskning har undersökt mer specifika undervisningssituationer eller förskollärares upplevda ämneskompetens och inte deras vardagliga arbete med ämnena. Studien har tagit en kvalitativ ansats där semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med tio verksamma förskollärare som arbetar med barn i alla åldrar i förskolan samt förskoleklass. Analysen har genomförts utifrån begreppen lärandets objekt, lärandets akt, riktadhet och expansivt språk. Resultatet har tematiserats som det Praktiska genomförandet av undervisning och Förutsättningar för att genomföra undervisning. Resultatet visade att de metoder och arbetssätt som förskollärare använder för att synliggöra abstrakta naturvetenskapliga fenomen inom kemi och fysik handlar om att låta barnen få uppleva kemiska processer och fysikaliska fenomen. Detta skedde huvudsakligen genom ett utforskande arbetssätt och samtal kring hypoteser, men även genom estetiska uttrycksformer. De utmaningar som framträdde var exempelvis materialtillgången, att låta alla vara delaktiga samt förskollärarnas egen kunskapsnivå. Däremot kretsade möjligheterna kring att det är lustfyllda ämnen att ta sig an och utforska tillsammans med barnen. Diskussionen kretsar kring arbetssätt med experiment, hypoteser och estetik. Vidare diskuteras även hur förskollärarna använder vetenskapliga begrepp och hur det relateras till förskolans läroplan
Prostitution in the Context of Financial Assistance : How Perceptions, Knowledge and Organizational Frameworks Influence the work of Financial Assistance Caseworkers
No full textProstitution betraktas som ett omfattande samhällsproblem och definieras som mäns våld mot kvinnor. Den utsatta gruppen är dock inte homogen. En gemensam nämnare är ekonomisk utsatthet, vilket gör ekonomiskt bistånd relevant för att förbättra situationen för de som utsätts för prostitution. Syftet med studien var att beskriva och förstå vilka uppfattningar, kunskaper och organisatoriska villkor gällande prostitution som påverkar handläggares arbete inom organisationsfältet ekonomiskt bistånd. Studiens teoretiska ramverk omfattade: nyinstitutionell teori, begreppet handlingsutrymme och ett intersektionellt perspektiv.Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ ansats och semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem handläggare inom ekonomiskt bistånd från tre kommuner i Sverige. Det empiriska materialet har analyserats med hjälp av tematisk analys. Resultatet presenterades genom sju teman: 1) Prostitution som utsatthet och definitionens begräsning, 2) Normativa och begränsande föreställningar kring prostitution, 3) Brist på rutinfrågor i förhållande till individuellt ansvar, 4) Frånsägandet av ett vidare ansvar, 5) Förutsättningar och hinder för att fråga om prostitution, 6) Organisatorisk osäkerhet kring bedömning av prostitution som inkomst, 7) Organisatoriskt kunskapsbehov. I diskussionen betonades vikten av att lagstiftning och riktlinjer inom socialtjänsten ska bli mer inkluderande i frågan om vilka individer som utsätts för prostitution. Slutsatsen var att det fanns en kunskapsbrist när det gäller att se kopplingen mellan prostitution och våld. Det fanns även en brist på standardiserade verktyg för att identifiera och bemöta prostitution. Vidare saknades det riktlinjer kring hur ärenden med pengar från prostitution ska handläggas. Samtidigt behöver definitionen av prostitution omprövas, då denna definition riskerar att osynliggöra olika utsatta grupper
LCI Data-Driven Visualization for Enhancing Sustainability in Aerospace Component Repair
No full textEffective sustainability assessment in aerospace component repair requires detailed, process-specific data, particularly for high-value components like turbine blades. As the industry shifts toward more sustainable practices, repair and remanufacturing are increasingly favoured over replacement, offering reductions in energy use, material consumption, and emissions. However, the fragmented nature of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data often limits its practical application in evaluating the environmental performance of these processes. To address this challenge, an interactive dashboard was developed to retrieve, structure, and visualise LCI data associated with turbine blade repair. Using a RESTful API, data from LCI database was extracted and organised into a hierarchical model reflecting the operational workflow. Key sustainability indicators, including energy consumption, task duration, and efficiency, were calculated and presented through dynamic charts and comparison tools. This enabled users to identify energy-intensive stages, bench-mark performance, and export data for further life cycle assessment. Results indicate that structured visualisation of LCI data significantly enhances transparency and supports informed, data-driven decisions in sustainable aerospace maintenance. The dashboard was evaluated positively by domain experts for its usability and practical relevance. While artificial intelligence was not incorporated, the study identifies promising future applications in predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and sustainability forecasting. These findings underscore the value of LCI-based visual tools in advancing circular economy and sustainability goals within aerospace repair operations
Performance Analysis of Different Machine Learning Algorithms in Threat Detection
No full textThis thesis evaluates and compares five supervised Machine Learning algorithms based on their performance in detecting and classifying network traffic, including both malicious threats and normal. Doing so by binary classification and using an imbalanced dataset. The algorithms used were Random Forest, XGBoost, KNN, Linear SVC and Logistic Regression. A subset of the CICIDS2017 dataset was used and this thesis presents how the preprocessing was done. Hyperparameter tuning was performed to modify the performance of the algorithm. This thesis hopes to contributes to the Machine Learning field when it comes to threat detection. Specifically, using an imbalanced dataset with mutual information for feature selection and hyperparameter tuning. To ensure a comprehensive performance evaluation, multiple metrics were utilized, including macro-F1-score, -Precision, -Recall aswell as PR-AUC, and Execution Time. These metrics were chosen to account for the class imbalance in the dataset. The results show that the ensemble algorithms, Random Forest and XGBoost, outperformed the other algorithms scoring highest on almost every metric. The ensemble algorithms were closely followed by KNN who scored the highest on the Recall metric but had a downside that it had a significant Execution Time compared Random Forest and XGBoost. Linear SVC and Logistic Regression showed a poor performance throughout the tests, when compared to the other algorithms. Linear SVC and Logistic Regression underperformed especially in Recall meaning that they had a problem identifying samples in the imbalanced dataset. The findings in this thesis show that Random Forest, XGBoost and KNN performed the best when it came to threat detection
Reclaiming the Nordic model of education : The child as an affective human-music technology cyborg in an era of ethical and conceptual vacuum
No full textIn the postdigital society and education systems, humans have become fabricated hybrids of organism and machine – they have become cyborgs. Ignoring the affective dimension of becoming, however, digitalized environments give way to an ethical and conceptual vacuum, wherein children risk being sacrificed at the altar of development. Reclaiming the Nordic model of education, the authors therefore put postdigital literature in conversation with posthuman affect theory because new vocabularies and a view of language as material are needed to describe the postdigital web of entanglements and how this relates to the way ‘data’ is reported. In the posthuman project, humans as affective are significant and need to be storied for one to become creative with its functionings. Hence, by thinking with Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari and Donna Haraway, the authors address the need for studies approaching the cyborg in a new way – by way of affects and storying: the child as a metaphysical being, as knowing and a knower of affect. This implies a view of children as more than simply users of technology and rather as a political life-engendering force if one lets it and childhood become. Given this, the authors discuss data as bioinformatical practices of data, both situated and fictional, within the child’s specific positioning related to music technology such as streamed music, given that music involvement affects the human body, moods and feelings. The aim is to bring the cyborg to life by discussing affects in children – and digital music technology– storied cyborgs. The image, voice and power of the biblical figure of Isaac rising from the sacrificial altar becoming child permeates the text as the authors’ thinking tool. Instead of speaking about evidence-based research, analysis and results, they speak of something imperceptible and inclusive that collectivizes digital freedom as processes of subjective becomings. The authors’ style is indirect and provocative, aiming to be suggestive and poetic rather than conclusive. Sentences are deliberatively sometimes incomplete, leaving the reader – in accordance with a view of language as matter and mattering – with a feeling of being dropped in the middle of something possibilizing, and simultaneously affirming, the emergence of the event. Altogether, they apply a thought-provoking and innovative approach to rethinking education in the postdigital era.CC BY</p
Safe Charging and Grounding for Electric Boats
No full textElektrifieringen av den marina transportsektorn är en viktig åtgärd för att minska utsläpp av växthusgaser och lokal miljöpåverkan. Trots denna utveckling saknas idag tydliga standarder för elsäkerhet och laddningsinfrastruktur för elektriska båtar, vilket kan leda till osäkra installationer och driftproblem. Detta examensarbete behandlar designen av ett säkert laddningssystem samt jordning för elektriska och hybrid båtar. Med målet att utveckla ett generiskt elschema kompatibelt med befintlig landinfrastruktur i svenska båthamnar. Delar av arbetet kan även appliceras på båtar med förbränningsmotorer. Arbetet inleds med identifiering av potentiella risker vid laddning, som elsäkerhet, jordning, galvanisk korrosion, kortslutningar och elektromagnetisk interferens (electromagnetic interference, EMI). Riskanalysen har genomförts med utgångspunkt i gällande föreskrifter, praktisk erfarenhet samt vetenskaplig teori. Utifrån dessa risker föreslås fyra alternativa laddningssystem, vilka utvärderas med avseende på teknisk funktion, användarvänlighet och skyddsnivå. Simuleringar i MATLAB/Simulink används för att analysera galvaniska strömmar vid olika åtgärder, materialkombinationer och vattenmiljöer. Resultaten visar att en isolationstransformator är effektivast för att eliminera galvanisk korrosion. En galvanisk isolator kan även den blockera galvaniska strömmar effektivt, men är bättre lämpad för homogena miljöer. Jordfelsbrytare (JFB) ombord visades vara nödvändigt för att uppnå tillräcklig personsäkerhet, oberoende av tillgången till skydd på landsidan.Slutsatsen är att ett säkert laddningssystem behöver innehålla åtgärd för galvanisk korrosion, korrekt jordning på båten samt användarvänliga anslutningar. Arbetet resulterar i en generisk lösning som möjliggör flexibel anslutning till både enfas och trefas 230/400 V AC, med fokus på elsäkerhet.The electrification of the maritime transport sector is an important measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local environmental impact. Despite this development, clear standards for electrical safety and charging infrastructure are still lacking, which can lead to unsafe installation and operational issues. This bachelor´s thesis addresses the design of a safe charging system as well as grounding for electric and hybrid boats, with the goal of developing a generic electrical schematic compatible with existing shore infrastructure in Swedish marinas. Parts of this work can also be applied to boats with combustion engines. The work begins with the identification of potential risks during charging, such as electrical safety, grounding, galvanic corrosion, short circuits, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The risk analysis has been carried out based on current regulations, practical experience, and scientific theory. Based on these risks, four alternative charging systems are proposed, which are evaluated in terms of technical functionality, user-friendliness, and level of protection.Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink are used to analyze galvanic currents under different countermeasures, material combinations, and water environments. The results show that an isolation transformer is the most effective at eliminating galvanic corrosion. A galvanic isolator can also effectively block galvanic currents but may be more suitable in homogeneous environments. Residual current devices (RCD) onboard proved to be necessary to ensure adequate personal safety, regardless of the protection available on shore. The conclusion is that a safe charging system needs to include measures against galvanic corrosion, correct grounding, and user-friendly connections. The work results in a generic solution that enables flexible connection to both single-phase and three-phase 230/400 V AC, with a focus on electrical safety
Dark Patterns and Visual Manipulation in E-Commerce : When Design Chooses for Us
No full textThis study examines how visual dark patterns, sneak-added items, pre-ticked donations, and manufactured scarcity, shape decision-making, emotions, and trust in Swedish e-commerce. Eight participants completed a think-aloud purchase in a Framer prototype containing six dark patterns, followed by semi-structured interviews and a reveal phase in which the manipulations were disclosed. Most users failed to notice the patterns during the task. Scarcity and countdown cues triggered impulsive choices through loss aversion, while a calm green-blue palette masked red urgency signals. Once exposed, participants reported feelings of betrayal and diminished trust, especially toward automatically added products and donations. Thus, short-term conversion gains risk eroding long-term loyalty. The study calls for full cost transparency and explicit opt-in consent and recommends longitudinal A/B tests of “light” ethical designs, particularly on mobile interfaces and across more diverse user groups, to confirm sustainable alternatives.Studien kartlägger hur visuella mörka mönster, som smyginlagda varor, förkryssade donationer och konstgjord knapphet, påverkar beslut, känslor och tillit i svensk e-handel. Åtta deltagare genomförde ett köp i en prototyp med sex mörka mönster och intervjuades före och efter en avslöjande ”reveal-fas”. De flesta märkte inte manipulationerna under köpet. Knapphetsbudskap triggade impulsiva val via förlustaversion, medan en lugnande grön-blå färgskala dolde röda stressignaler. När mönstren avslöjades kände deltagarna svek och minskat förtroende, särskilt mot automatiskt tillagda varor och donationer. Kortsiktiga konverteringsvinster riskerar alltså att undergräva långsiktig kundlojalitet. Vi rekommenderar full kostnadstransparens och samtycke. Framtida studier bör testa etiskt ”ljusa” gränssnitt över tid, särskilt i mobil miljö och med bredare användargrupper
Analysis of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) in Power Transistors in relation to Temperature
No full textDetta examensarbete undersöker hur temperaturvariationer påverkar elektromagnetiska störningar (EMI) i transistorer inom kraftelektronik. Effekttransistorer används i stor utsträckning i kraftomvandlare såsom växelriktare, och deras egenskaper förändras vid temperaturvariationer. Dessa förändringar kan påverka både switchförluster och störningsnivåer.För att förbättra elektromagnetisk kompabilitet (EMC) och optimera kretskonstruktioner är det därför viktigt att förstå sambandet mellan temperatur och EMI. Arbetet baseras på en litteraturstudie samt experimentella mätningar, där en TEM-cell (Transverse Electromagnetic Mode) huvudsakligen har använts för att registrera störningsnivåerna vid olika temperaturer. Temperaturen har systematiskt varierats, och störningsnivåerna har registrerats för att analysera sambandet. Resultaten har därefter utvärderats för att identifiera vilka faktorer som har störst inverkanpå EMI vid olika temperaturer.Resultaten visar att temperaturförändringar påverkar transistorns elektriska egenskaper och därmed störningsnivåerna. Genom analysen har viktiga faktorer identifierats som påverkar EMI vid varierande temperaturer. Dessa insikter kan bidra till framtida förbättringar av kraftelektroniska system för ökad EMC-kompabilitet.This thesis investigates how temperature variations affect electromagnetic interference (EMI) in transistors used in power electronics. Power transistors are widely utilized in power converters, such as inverters, and their characteristics change with temperature variations. These changes can influence both switching losses and interference levels. Therefore, understanding the relationship between temperature and EMI is crucial for improving electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and optimizing circuit designs. The study is based on a literature review and experimental measurements, where a TEM cell (Transverse Electromagnetic Mode) was primarily used to record interference levels at different temperatures. The temperature was systematically varied, and the interference levels were recorded to analyze the correlation. The collected results were then evaluated to identify the key factors that have the greatest impact on EMI at different temperatures. The results indicate that temperature changes impact the electrical properties of the transistor and, consequently, the interference levels.Through this analysis, important factors influencing EMI under temperature variations have been identified. These insights can contribute to future improvements in power electronic systems to enhance EMC compatibility
Do real interest rate differentials between Sweden and the United States affect the real USD/SEK exchange rate in the long run?
No full textThis thesis analyzes whether real interest rate differentials between Sweden and the United States affect the real USD/SEK exchange rate in the long run over the period 1987Q1 to 2024Q4. The analysis is conducted using the Engle-Granger two-step cointegration approach. First, unit root tests confirm that the real exchange rate and the interest rate differential are integrated of order one, I (1). However, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test on the residuals indicates no evidence of cointegration, suggesting that there is no long-run equilibrium relationship between the two variables. The variables are tested for unit roots (ADF), multicollinearity, autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation to ensure the robustness of the model. Given the absence of cointegration, the study shifts focus to the short run dynamics. The results show that real interest rate differentials have a statistically significant effect on short term fluctuations in the real USD/SEK exchange rate. In contrast, the real current account balances of both countries and dummy variables for the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic do not have a significant impact. These findings suggest that while interest rate differentials matter in the short run, they do not determine the exchange rate in the long run