Knowledge Sharing in a Virtual Learning Community

The focus of this Master’s Thesis is on knowledge sharing in a virtual Learning community. The theoretical part of this study aims at presenting the theory of knowledge sharing, competence development and learning in virtual teams. The features of successful learning organizations as well as enablers of effective knowledge sharing in virtual communities are also introduced to the reader in the theoretical framework. The empirical research for this study was realized in a global ICT company, specifically in its Human Resources business unit. The research consisted of two rounds of online questionnaires, which were conducted among all the members of the virtual Learning community. The research aim was to find shared opinions concerning the features of a successful virtual Learning community. The analysis of the data in this study was conducted using a qualitative research methodology. The empirical research showed that the main important features of a successful virtual Learning community are members’ passion towards the community way of working as well as the relevance of the content in the virtual community. In general, it was found that knowledge sharing and competence development are important matters in dynamic organizations as well as virtual communities as method and tool for sharing knowledge and hence increasing both individual and organizational knowledge. This is proved by theoretical and by empirical research in this study.

Improving Cross Direction Basis Weight Profile in a Fourdrinier Paper Machine

The purpose of this study was to improve PM7’s basis weight CD profile in Stora Enso’s Berghuizer mill and to search mechanical defects which affect to the formation of the basis weight CD profile. In the theoretical part PM7’s structure was presented and the formation of the basis weight and caliper CD profiles was examined as well as disturbances which are affecting to the formation. The function of the control system was scrutinised for the side of CD profiles as well as the formation of the measured CD profiles. Tuning of the control system was examined through the response model and filtering. Specification of the response model and filtering was explained and how to determine 2sigma statistical number. In the end of the theoretical part ATPA hardware and a new profile browser were introduced. In the experimental part focus was in the beginning to search and remove mechanical defects which are affecting to CD profiles. The next step was to verify the reliability of the online measurements, to study the stability of the basis weight CD profile and to find out so called fingerprint, a basis weight CD profile which is unique for each paper machine. New response model and filtering value for basis weight CD profile was determined by bump tests. After a follow up period the affect of the new response model and filtering was analysed.

Study of ligand-based virtual screening tools in computer-aided drug design

Virtual screening is a central technique in drug discovery today. Millions of molecules can be tested in silico with the aim to only select the most promising and test them experimentally. The topic of this thesis is ligand-based virtual screening tools which take existing active molecules as starting point for finding new drug candidates. One goal of this thesis was to build a model that gives the probability that two molecules are biologically similar as function of one or more chemical similarity scores. Another important goal was to evaluate how well different ligand-based virtual screening tools are able to distinguish active molecules from inactives. One more criterion set for the virtual screening tools was their applicability in scaffold-hopping, i.e. finding new active chemotypes. In the first part of the work, a link was defined between the abstract chemical similarity score given by a screening tool and the probability that the two molecules are biologically similar. These results help to decide objectively which virtual screening hits to test experimentally. The work also resulted in a new type of data fusion method when using two or more tools. In the second part, five ligand-based virtual screening tools were evaluated and their performance was found to be generally poor. Three reasons for this were proposed: false negatives in the benchmark sets, active molecules that do not share the binding mode, and activity cliffs. In the third part of the study, a novel visualization and quantification method is presented for evaluation of the scaffold-hopping ability of virtual screening tools.

Simulating the performance of paper machine control

The topic of this thesis is the simulation of a combination of several control and data assimilation methods, meant to be used for controlling the quality of paper in a paper machine. Paper making is a very complex process and the information obtained from the web is sparse. A paper web scanner can only measure a zig zag path on the web. An assimilation method is needed to process estimates for Machine Direction (MD) and Cross Direction (CD) profiles of the web. Quality control is based on these measurements. There is an increasing need for intelligent methods to assist in data assimilation. The target of this thesis is to study how such intelligent assimilation methods are affecting paper web quality. This work is based on a paper web simulator, which has been developed in the TEKES funded MASI NoTes project. The simulator is a valuable tool in comparing different assimilation methods. The thesis contains the comparison of four different assimilation methods. These data assimilation methods are a first order Bayesian model estimator, an ARMA model based on a higher order Bayesian estimator, a Fourier transform based Kalman filter estimator and a simple block estimator. The last one can be considered to be close to current operational methods. From these methods Bayesian, ARMA and Kalman all seem to have advantages over the commercial one. The Kalman and ARMA estimators seems to be best in overall performance.

The relationship between a virtual leader’s communication practices and a virtual team’s performance

A lot of research has been carried out into virtual teams and virtual leadership, yet there is hardly any research available on the communication behaviour of virtual leaders within a real business context. This research assessed the communication practices of virtual leaders and analysed the relationship between these practices and the performance of virtual teams. The objective of this research was to examine the distinctions of virtual teams, to study the leader’s role in a virtual team and its performance, and to examine the leader’s communication practices within virtual teams. The research involves a case study in which interviews have been carried out within an international technology company headquartered in Finland. Qualitative research methods were applied in the research. Based on the results of the study it can be said that there is a strong relationship between a virtual leader’s communication practices and a virtual team member’s job satisfaction. Through their communication practices, activities and message contents, leaders can affect the job satisfaction of virtual team members. In virtual leadership the focus is not in virtual but in leadership. It does not matter if the context is virtual or face-to-face; similar communication practices are good in both cases. As the global economic crisis strongly affected the sales results of the between a leader’s communication practices and a virtual team’s objective performance cannot be made.

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine for Parallel Hybrid Vehicle

The aim of this thesis is to describe hybrid drive design problems, the advantages and difficulties related to the drive. A review of possible hybrid constructions, benefits of parallel, series and series-parallel hybrids is done. In the thesis analytical and finite element calculations of permanent magnet synchronous machines with embedded magnets were done. The finite element calculations were done using Cedrat’s Flux 2D software. This machine is planned to be used as a motor-generator in a low power parallel hybrid vehicle. The boundary conditions for the design were found from Lucas-TVS Ltd., India. Design Requirements, briefly: • The system DC voltage level is 120 V, which implies Uphase = 49 V (RMS) in a three phase system. • The power output of 10 kW at base speed 1500 rpm (Torque of 65 Nm) is desired. • The maximum outer diameter should not be more than 250 mm, and the maximum core length should not exceed 40 mm. The main difficulties which the author met were the dimensional restrictions. After having designed and analyzed several possible constructions they were compared and the final design selected. Dimensioned and detailed design is performed. Effects of different parameters, such as the number of poles, number of turns and magnetic geometry are discussed. The best modification offers considerable reduction of volume.

Virtual Professional Network as a Value Creator in the Dental Business

The research of virtual professional networks has been enormous but the lack of research in the dental field was obvious. This study focuses on those uses and gratifications, and motives of participants that a virtual pro-fessional network should fulfil. The aim of this study is to understand the factors behind the successful virtual professional network, and motives of participants that support a particular business network’s building up for contributing its further success. In this study the focus is on particular mo-tives, needs and benefits of participants that are significant for the net-work’s further development. The study will explore relevant scientific research and theory that is char-acteristic in networking, and theories of user’s needs and motives. Empiri-cal data was collected from dental professionals by net based question-naire that was sent by e-mail. Data analysis was done by quantitative fac-tor analysis. The findings of this study were obvious that virtual knowledge of implantology is inadequate and knowledge is rather difficult to find in the Internet. Sharing of virtual knowledge, net-learning and communication were seen to improve the quality of impolantological professionalism and also the development of these areas was experienced essential. On the grounds of this study a host of a virtual professional network can focus on those aspects that serve the users at best, can develop professionalism in implantology and can profit in its own business operations.

Design and analysis of a transversal-flux switched-reluctance-linear-machine pole-pair

The Switched Reluctance technology is probably best suited for industrial low-speed or zerospeed applications where the power can be small but the torque or the force in linear movement cases might be relatively high. Because of its simple structure the SR-motor is an interesting alternative for low power applications where pneumatic or hydraulic linear drives are to be avoided. This study analyses the basic parts of an LSR-motor which are the two mover poles and one stator pole and which form the “basic pole pair” in linear-movement transversal-flux switchedreluctance motors. The static properties of the basic pole pair are modelled and the basic design rules are derived. The models developed are validated with experiments. A one-sided one-polepair transversal-flux switched-reluctance-linear-motor prototype is demonstrated and its static properties are measured. The modelling of the static properties is performed with FEM-calculations. Two-dimensional models are accurate enough to model the static key features for the basic dimensioning of LSRmotors. Three-dimensional models must be used in order to get the most accurate calculation results of the static traction force production. The developed dimensioning and modelling methods, which could be systematically validated by laboratory measurements, are the most significant contributions of this thesis.

Automated Software Testing in Machine Automation

The problem of software (SW) defaults is becoming more and more topical because of increasing amount of the SW and its complication. The majority of these defaults are founded during the test part that consumes about 40-50% of the development efforts. Test automation allows reducing the cost of this process and increasing testing effectiveness. In the middle of 1980 the first tools for automated testing appeared and the automated process was implemented in different kinds of SW testing. In short time, it became obviously, automated testing can cause many problems such as increasing product cost, decreasing reliability and even project fail. This thesis describes automated testing process, its concept, lists main problems, and gives an algorithm for automated test tools selection. Also this work presents an overview of the main automated test tools for embedded systems.

High-speed solid-rotor induction machine – calculation program

The aim of this thesis is to utilize the technology developed at LUT and to provide an easy tool for high-speed solid-rotor induction machine preliminary design. Computer aided design tool MathCAD has been chosen as the environment for realizing the calculation program. Four versions of the design program have been made depending on the motor rotor type. The first rotor type is an axially slitted solid-rotor with steel end rings. The next one is an axially slitted solid-rotor with copper end rings. The third machine type is a solid rotor with deep, rectangular copper bars and end rings (squirrel cage). And the last one is a solid-rotor with round copper bars and end rings (squirrel cage). Each type of rotor has its own specialties but a general thread of design is common. This paper follows the structure of the calculating program and explains some features and formulas. The attention is concentrated on the difference between laminated and solid-rotor machine design principles. There is no deep analysis of the calculation ways are presented. References for all solution methods appearing during the design procedure are given for more detailed studying. This thesis pays respect to the latest innovations in solid-rotor machines theory. Rotor ends’ analytical calculation follows the latest knowledge in this field. Correction factor for adjusting the rotor impedance is implemented. The purpose of the created design program is to calculate the preliminary dimensions of the machine according to initial data. Obtained results are not recommended for exact machine development. Further more detailed design should be done in a finite element method application. Hence, this thesis is a practical tool for the prior evaluating of the high-speed machine with different solid-rotor types parameters.

Virtual Battlespace 2 Panssarikoulun opetuksessa : tapaustutkimus sotilaspedagogiikan näkökulmasta

Tutkielmani tavoitteena oli tutkia tapauksena Bohemia Interactive Simulationsin valmistaman Virtual Battlespace 2 (VBS2) -tietokonepelisimulaattorin käyttöönottoa Panssariprikaatin Panssarikoulun varusmieskoulutuksessa. Tutkimuskysymysten avulla oli tarkoituksena selvittää, mitkä tekijät ja tapahtumat vaikuttivat siihen, että VBS2 otettiin käyttöön, minkälaisin perustein koulutus suunniteltiin ja järjestelmän käyttö varusmieskoulutuksessa käynnistettiin. Lisäksi ajatuksena oli aineiston mahdollistamissa puitteissa tutkia VBS2:n käytöstä tähän mennessä kertyneitä kokemuksia kouluttajien näkökulmasta, tavoitteena tuottaa myös perustietoa tulevaisuuden VBS2-koulutuksen suunnittelua ja toteuttamista varten. Tutkimusmenetelmänä oli tapaustutkimus, jonka aineisto kerättiin toteuttamalla teemahaastatteluita. Tutkimusta varten haastateltiin kahta VBS2-järjestelmää ensimmäisenä varusmieskoulutuksessa käyttänyttä kouluttajaa. Haastatteluaineisto käsiteltiin aineistolähtöisen sisällönanalyysin menetelmin. Tuloksia tarkasteltiin sotilaspedagogiikan näkökulmasta ja suhteessa oppimisympäristöjen sekä oppimisprosessin suunnittelun teorioihin. Tutkielma rakentuu johdannosta, menetelmäluvusta, yhdistetystä teoria- ja tulosluvusta sekä johtopäätös- ja pohdintaluvusta. Tutkimuksen tuloksina ilmeni, että Virtual Battlespace 2:n käyttöönotto Panssarikoulussa oli aktiivisten ja innovatiivisten henkilöiden aikaansaannosta, jossa spontaanin, ennakkoluulottoman ja opetuksen laadun kehittämiseen tähtäävän kokeilun myötä otettiin käyttöön uudenlainen koulutusväline. Samalla saatiin aikaan myönteisiä oppimistuloksia ja kiinnostavia muutoksia yhden joukkoyksikön koulutuskulttuuriin ja totunnaisiin koulutuksen käytäntöihin. VBS2:n käyttöön liittyviä keskeisiä teemoja ovat oppimisprosessin kokonaisvaltainen hallinta, eli VBS2-koulutuksen huolellinen suunnittelu ja integrointi osaksi muuta koulutusta, koulutustapahtumien valmistelujen ja kouluttajien ammattitaidon merkitys, koulutustapahtumien johtamisen paikoin muusta sotilaskoulutuksesta poikkeavat käytännöt sekä VBS2:n aikaansaaman oppimisen ymmärtäminen. Kouluttajien kokemusten perusteella VBS2 on avoin oppimisympäristö, joka ei korvaa mitään olemassa olevista koulutusmuodoista, mutta täydentää niitä tehokkaasti tarjoten uudenlaisia ulottuvuuksia sotilaskoulutukseen. Sen avulla voidaan tehokkaasti kehittää erityisesti sotilaan henkistä ja sosiaalista toimintakykyä sekä siirtää koulutuksen painopistettä soveltaviin maastoharjoituksiin. Tutkielma avaa näkökulmia VBS2:n ja muiden virtuaalisten oppimisympäristöjen pedagogiselle pohtimiselle ja tuleville aiheeseen syventyville tutkimuksille. Lisäksi se herättää keskustelua varusmieskoulutuksemme parhaista käytänteistä ja kehitystrendeistä.

Externally excited synchronous machine: Testing the automation concept

This bachelor’s thesis is a part of the research project realized in the summer 2011 in Lappeenranta University of Technology. The goal of the project was to develop an automation concept for controlling the externally excited synchronous motor. Thesis concentrates on the testing planning and testing the system. Testing plan was made for three sectors: For the PLC program testing, for the communication testing and for the whole system testing. PLC program was tested with white box and destructive methods. Communication testing was done by switching maximum com-munication speed and checked if communication was reliable. Whole system testing included among other things speed and torque controlling. The system was tested with exploratory testing also. This enabled more reliable and broader testing than with systematical testing only.

Virtuaalimallin hyödyntäminen harvesteripään tuotekehityksessä

Virtuaalimallinnuksella tarkoitetaan koneen simulointia, jossa huomioidaan koneen mekaniikka, toimilaitteet ja ohjausjärjestelmä. Työn tavoitteena oli luoda virtuaalimalli harvesteripäästä. Kyseinen virtuaalimalli sisälsi harvesteripään tärkeimmät mekaaniset osat, pituusmittalaitteen hydrauliikkapiirin ja tämän ohjauksen. Luodussa virtuaalimallissa huomioitiin myös harvesteripään ja puun väliset kontaktit. Lisäksi työssä tutkittiin mahdollista virtuaalimallinnuksen implementoimista osaksi yrityksen tuotekehitysprosessia. Työssä suoritettiin verifiointimittaukset pituusmittalaitteen hydrauliikkapiirille sekä virtuaalimallin hydrauliikkakomponentit parametrisoitiin. Mittauksista saatuja tuloksia verrattiin virtuaalimallista saatuihin tuloksiin. Työssä esitellään myös ehdotus kuinka virtuaalimallinnusta kannattaisi hyödyntää osana yrityksen tuotekehitysprosessia. Virtuaalimallin eri osa-alueilla saavutetut tulokset osoittavat, että virtuaalimallinuksen hyödyntäminen tuotekehitysprosessin aikana mahdollistaa harvesteripään toimintojen tarkastelun ennen prototyypin rakentamista ja testaamista. Lisäksi hydrauliikkapiirin parametrisoimisella pystytään tutkimaan parametrien vaikutusta kokonaisuuteen.