Älykkäät lääkkeenjakoratkaisut:Liiketoimintakonseptien nykytila

Älykkäille lääkkeenjakoratkaisuille tulee luultavasti olemaan tulevaisuudessa suuri kysyntä, sillä asiakasmäärät ja julkisen terveydenhuollon resurssit eivät kohtaa toisiaan. Säilyttääksemme yhteiskuntamme terveydenhuollon tason kohtuullisilla kustannuksilla on ainoana mahdollisuutena alan uudet innovaatiot. Älykkäillä lääkkeenjakoratkaisuilla tarkoitetaan älykkäitä lääkepakkauksia tai muita lääkintään liittyviä tuotteita tai palveluja, jotka mahdollistavat teknologisen edistyksellisyyden avulla ihmistyömäärän vähentämisen terveydenhuollossa. Raportti esittelee tapaustutkimuksen alustavia tuloksia, joissa on tarkoituksena tuoda esille yleiskatsaus tuotteista ja asiakaseduista. Tuotteet on kuvattu niihin liittyvien liiketoimintamallinen tarjoomien avulla. Analyysi rakentuu liiketoimintamallin neljän peruspilarin mukaisesti, Tuote, Asiakassuhde, Rakenne, ja Talous, jotka määrittävät mallin asiakasarvon. Lähtökohtana liiketoimintamallien mittaamisessa on neljä arvon päämittaria: tekniset, taloudelliset, palvelulliset, ja sosiaaliset attribuutit. Esimerkin avulla voidaan huomata, että tarjoamaa markkinoilla on vakiintumaton. Yksi malli painotti lääkkeiden annosjakelun tehokkuutta, toinen nautittujen lääkkeiden oton valvontaa ja kolmas yritti pärjätä molemmissa. Suurimmat hyödyt voidaan nähdä, jos pystytään yhdistämään koneellinen jakelu älykkäisiin jakelulaitteisiin.

Defining a Performance Measurement System for Technology Marketing Team by Using the Balanced Scorecard Method

This thesis was produced for the Technology Marketing unit at the Nokia Research Center. Technology marketing was a new function at Nokia Research Center, and needed an established framework with the capacity to take into account multiple aspects for measuring the team performance. Technology marketing functions had existed in other parts of Nokia, yet no single method had been agreed upon for measuring their performance. The purpose of this study was to develop a performance measurement system for Nokia Research Center Technology Marketing. The target was that Nokia Research Center Technology Marketing had a framework for separate metrics; including benchmarking for starting level and target values in the future planning (numeric values were kept confidential within the company). As a result of this research, the Balanced Scorecard model of Kaplan and Norton, was chosen for the performance measurement system for Nokia Research Center Technology Marketing. This research selected the indicators, which were utilized in the chosen performance measurement system. Furthermore, performance measurement system was defined to guide the Head of Marketing in managing Nokia Research Center Technology Marketing team. During the research process the team mission, vision, strategy and critical success factors were outlined.

Performance Evaluation and Calibration of Machine Vision Measurement

This thesis presents the calibration and comparison of two systems, a machine vision system that uses 3 channel RGB images and a line scanning spectral system. Calibration. is the process of checking and adjusting the accuracy of a measuring instrument by comparing it with standards. For the RGB system self-calibrating methods for finding various parameters of the imaging device were developed. Color calibration was done and the colors produced by the system were compared to the known colors values of the target. Software drivers for the Sony Robot were also developed and a mechanical part to connect a camera to the robot was also designed. For the line scanning spectral system, methods for the calibrating the alignment of the system and the measurement of the dimensions of the line scanned by the system were developed. Color calibration of the spectral system is also presented.

Programming and analysing measurement experiments using the PicoCricket system

The aim of this project is to get used to another kind of programming. Since now, I used very complex programming languages to develop applications or even to program microcontrollers, but PicoCricket system is the evidence that we don’t need so complex development tools to get functional devices. PicoCricket system is the clear example of simple programming to make devices work the way we programmed it. There’s an easy but effective way to programs mall devices just saying what we want them to do. We cannot do complex algorithms and mathematical operations but we can program them in a short time. Nowadays, the easier and faster we produce, the more we earn. So the tendency is to develop fast, cheap and easy, and PicoCricket system can do it.

Free Flap Monitoring. Using Tissue Oxygen Measurement and Positron Emission Tomography

Aims:This study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of two different methods to determine free flap perfusion in cancer patients undergoing major reconstructive surgery. The hypotheses was that low perfusion in the flap is associated with flap complications. Patients and methods: Between August 2002 and June 2008 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, and at the PET Centre, Turku, 30 consecutive patients with 32 free flaps were included in this study. The perfusion of the free microvascular flaps was assessed with positron emission tomography (PET) and radioactive water ([¹⁵O] H₂O) in 40 radiowater injections in 33 PET studies. Furthermore, 24 free flaps were monitored with a continuous tissue oxygen measurement using flexible polarographic catheters for an average of three postoperative days. Results: Of the 17 patients operated on for head and neck (HN) cancer and reconstructed with 18 free flaps, three re-operations were carried out due to poor tissue oxygenation as indicated by p_tiO₂ monitoring results and three other patients were reoperated on for postoperative hematomas in the operated area. Blood perfusion assessed with PET (BF_PET) was above 2.0 mL / min / 100 g in all flaps and a low flap-to-muscle BFPET ratio appeared to correlate with poor survival of the flap. Survival in this group of HN cancer patients was 9.0 months (median, range 2.4-34.2) after a median follow-up of 11.9 months (range 1.0-61.0 months). Seven HN patients of this group are alive without any sign of recurrence and one patient has died of other causes. All of the 13 breast reconstruction patients included in the study are alive and free of disease at a median follow-up time of 27.4 months (range 13.9-35.7 months). Re-explorations were carried out in three patients due data provided by p_tiO₂ monitoring and one re-exploration was avoided on the basis of adequate blood perfusion assessed with PET. Two patients had donorsite morbidity and 3 patients had partial flap necrosis or fat necrosis. There were no total flap losses. Conclusions: P_tiO₂ monitoring is a feasible method of free flap monitoring when flap temperature is monitored and maintained close to the core temperature. When other monitoring methods give controversial results or are unavailable, [₁₅O] H₂O PET technique is feasible in the evaluation of the perfusion of the newly reconstructed free flaps.

Measurement and Improvement of Wet Paper Web Strength

Various strength properties of paper are measured to tell how well it resists breaks in a paper machine or in printing presses. The most often measured properties are dry tensile strength and dry tear strength. However, in many situations where paper breaks, it is not dry. For example, in web breaks after the wet pressing the dry matter content can be around 45%. Thus, wet-web strength is often a more critical paper property than dry strength. Both wet and dry strength properties of the samples were measured with a L&W tensile tester. Originally this device was not designed for the measurement of the wet web tensile strength, thus a new procedure to handle the wet samples was developed. The method was tested with Pine Kraft (never dried). The effect of different strength additives on the wet-web and dry paper tensile strength was studied. The polymers used in this experiment were aqueous solution of a cationic polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resin (PAE), cationic hydrophilised polyisocyanate and cationic polyvinylamine (PVAm). From all three used chemicals only Cationic PAE considerably increased the wet web strength. However it was noticed that at constant solids content all chemicals decreased the wet web tensile strength. So, since all chemicals enhanced solid content it can be concluded that they work as drainage aids, not as wet web strength additives. From all chemicals only PVAm increased the dry strength and two other chemicals even decreased the strength. As chemicals were used in strong diluted forms and were injected into the pulp slurry, not on the surface of the papersheets, changes in samples densities did not happen. Also it has to be noted that all these chemicals are mainly used to improve the wet strength after the drying of the web.

Performance Measurement of the Logistics Process

The objective of the thesis was to create a performance measurement system for the logistics process of a company. In addition, one goal was to make suggestions for improvements based on description and analysis of the process and current measures. The logistics process was described in detail, and the objectives for it were derived from the company strategy and goals. Suggestions for performance measurement system and process improvement were made based on current state analysis. As a result of the thesis, three new performance measures were decided to take into use. In addition, several improvements were suggested to the ERP system to make process smoother. Some of the improvements have already been added to the system and the rest will be added in the near future.

Teknisen auringonsuojauksen tukikonseptin liiketoimintalähtöinen arviointi

Työssä tutkitaan erään tekniseen auringonsuojaukseen keskittyneen yrityksen päätöstä tuottaa aloittelevia yrityksiä palveleva tukikonsepti. Konsepti sisältää mitoitusohjelmia, kokoonpano-ohjeita sekä markkinointimateriaalia. Oleellista on selvittää kannattaako yrityksen keskittyä kyseisiin asiakkaisiin, sekä onko konsepti oikea ratkaisu tälle segmentille. Tätä varten työssä tutustuttiin toimiala-analyysiin, strategiaan, segmentointiin sekä differointiin. Työssä selvitettiin, että Porterin viiden voiman malli on yhä toimiva aloitus toimiala-analyysin laatimiseen. Strategiaan liittyviä koulukuntia löytyy kirjallisuudesta useita erilaisia, oleellista on löytää oikea lähestymistapa kuhunkin tilanteeseen. Segmentointi on tärkeä vaihe, koska sen avulla selvitetään yrityksen eri asiakasryhmiä. Differointi on usein suositeltu keino kilpailuedun tavoittelemiseen. Työtä varten laadittiin yritykselle toimiala-analyysi. Lisäksi yritykselle etsittiin segmenttejä sekä pohdittiin sen mahdollisuuksia differointiin. Segmenttejä löydettiin kolme erilaista. Samalla todettiin, että paras tapa differoida yrityksen tuotteita on keskittyä tuotteiden aineettomiin ominaisuuksiin. Toimiala-analyysin, segmenttien sekä differointimahdollisuuksien perusteella päädyttiin siihen, että yrityksen päätös keskittyä enemmän uusiin ja aloitteleviin asiakkaisiin vaikuttaa järkevältä. Konseptin ominaisuuksien perusteella myös konsepti vaikuttaa hyvältä tavalta palvella kyseistä asiakassegmenttiä.

Harmonized performance measurement system for basic industry's service centers

The objective of this study is to create measurement system that is capable to measure performance in basic industry’s service centers. First it is examined what is performance and how it can be measured. The study also introduces commonly known measurement frameworks. After theory the study investigates how companies in the field of basic industry measure their operations in practise. The investigation is done examining three case examples and by analyzing survey results from basic industry companies. On the survey results focus is on what meters and measurement systems companies use. It is also viewed what measurement problems companies have faced. In the applied part of the study harmonized performance measurement system is created. The framework of the measurement system is introduced and measurement system for the target company is created. The target company felt that the harmonized performance measurement system has good potential and continues to develop it further.

Phase voltage control and filtering in a converter-fed single-phase customer-end system of the LVDC distribution network

In recent years, the network vulnerability to natural hazards has been noticed. Moreover, operating on the limits of the network transmission capabilities have resulted in major outages during the past decade. One of the reasons for operating on these limits is that the network has become outdated. Therefore, new technical solutions are studied that could provide more reliable and more energy efficient power distributionand also a better profitability for the network owner. It is the development and price of power electronics that have made the DC distribution an attractive alternative again. In this doctoral thesis, one type of a low-voltage DC distribution system is investigated. Morespecifically, it is studied which current technological solutions, used at the customer-end, could provide better power quality for the customer when compared with the current system. To study the effect of a DC network on the customer-end power quality, a bipolar DC network model is derived. The model can also be used to identify the supply parameters when the V/kW ratio is approximately known. Although the model provides knowledge of the average behavior, it is shown that the instantaneous DC voltage ripple should be limited. The guidelines to choose an appropriate capacitance value for the capacitor located at the input DC terminals of the customer-end are given. Also the structure of the customer-end is considered. A comparison between the most common solutions is made based on their cost, energy efficiency, and reliability. In the comparison, special attention is paid to the passive filtering solutions since the filter is considered a crucial element when the lifetime expenses are determined. It is found out that the filter topology most commonly used today, namely the LC filter, does not provide economical advantage over the hybrid filter structure. Finally, some of the typical control system solutions are introduced and their shortcomings are presented. As a solution to the customer-end voltage regulation problem, an observer-based control scheme is proposed. It is shown how different control system structures affect the performance. The performance meeting the requirements is achieved by using only one output measurement, when operating in a rigid network. Similar performance can be achieved in a weak grid by DC voltage measurement. An additional improvement can be achieved when an adaptive gain scheduling-based control is introduced. As a conclusion, the final power quality is determined by a sum of various factors, and the thesis provides the guidelines for designing the system that improves the power quality experienced by the customer.

Creating a Performance Measurement System for Accounting Services of Large Paper Company

The main objective of this research is creating a performance measurement system for accounting services of a large paper industry company. In this thesis there are compared different performance measurement system and then selected two systems, which are presented and compared more detailed. Performance Prism system is the used framework in this research. Performance Prism using success maps to determining objectives. Model‟s target areas are divided into five groups: stakeholder satisfaction, stakeholder contribution, strategy, processes and capabilities. The measurement system creation began by identifying stakeholders and defining their objectives. Based on the objectives are created success map. Measures are created based on the objectives and success map. Then is defined needed data for measures. In the final measurement system, there are total just over 40 measures. Each measure is defined specific target level and ownership. Number of measures is fairly large, but this is the first version of the measurement system, so the amount is acceptable.

Sales performance measurement and steering in a multinational company

The objective of the study is to find out how sales performance should be measured and how should sales be steered in a multinational company. The beginning of the study concentrates on the literature regarding sales, performance measurement, sales performance measurement, and sales steering. The empirical part of the study is a case study, in which the information was acquired from interviews with the key personnel of the company. The results of the interviews and the revealed problems were analyzed, and comparison for possible solutions was performed. When measuring sales performance, it is important to discover the specific needs and objectives for such a system. Specific needs should be highlighted in the design of the system. The system should be versatile and the structure of the system should be in line with the organizational structure. The role of the sales performance measurement system was seen to be important in helping sales steering. However, the importance of personal management and especially conversations were seen as really critical issue in the steering. Sales performance measurement could be based on the following perspectives: financial, market, customer, people, and future. That way the sales department could react to the environmental changes more rapidly.

Measurement and simulation of solar radiation availability in relation to the growth of coffee plants in an agroforestry system with rubber trees

Solar radiation is an important factor for plant growth, being its availability to understory crops strongly modified by trees in an Agroforestry System (AFS). Coffee trees (Coffea arabica - cv. Obatã IAC 1669-20) were planted at a 3.4 x 0.9 m spacing inside and aside rows of monocrops of 12 year-old rubber trees (Hevea spp.), in Piracicaba-SP, Brazil (22º42'30" S, 47º38'00" W - altitude: 546m). One-year-old coffee plants exposed to 25; 30; 35; 40; 45; 80; 90; 95 and 100% of the total solar radiation were evaluated according to its biophysical parameters of solar radiation interception and capture. The Goudriaan (1977) adapted by Bernardes et al. (1998) model for radiation attenuation fit well to the measured data. Coffee plants tolerate a decrease in solar radiation availability to 50% without undergoing a reduction on growth and LAI, which was approximately 2m².m-2 under this condition. Further reductions on the availability of solar radiation caused a reduction in LAI (1.5m².m-2), thus poor land cover and solar radiation interception, resulting in growth reduction.