The work presented in this thesis is based on time-resolved x-ray diffraction studies of InSb (111) samples. The experiments were carried out using a pump-probe configuration using short laser pulses as the pump and x-rays as the probe. Laser excitation leads to the formation of a strain pulse that propagates through the sample. The strain pulse gives rise to coherent longitudinal, acoustic phonon

Adaptation to local customer preferences may result in a more rapid market acceptance, and market orientation studies often propound that firms need to closely monitor changes in the marketplace and adapt to customer needs in order to enhance firm performance (Slater & Narver, 1995). However, firms operating in multiple markets may choose minimal adaptation to local market trends in favor of i

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a retailer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and image influence consumer perceptions regarding the firm’s social responsibility, and how CSR aspects influence consumers buying decisions in store for a specific product.Design/methodology/approach– A qualitative case study method is used, including interviews, document studie

Based on discussions at the international workshop on “Thermoactive geotechnical systems for near-surface geothermal energy”, hosted at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland (http://www.olgun.cee.vt.edu/workshop/), this article attempts to provide a broad overview of the analysis methods used for evaluation of systems that use either boreholes or geo-structures for heat exch

This paper presents a tool for computing thermal resistance of single U-tube ground heat exchangers placed in vertical boreholes. The tool is complete in the sense that it can compute both local and effective thermal resistances for either grouted or groundwater-filled boreholes. For grouted boreholes, it utilizes the highly accurate multipole method. For groundwater-filled boreholes, it utilizes

This study investigated context-dependent episodic memory retrieval. An influential idea in the memory literature is that performance benefits when the retrieval context overlaps with the original encoding context. However, such memory facilitation may not be driven by the encoding-retrieval overlap per se but by the presence of diagnostic features in the reinstated context that discriminate the t

Combinations of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which these factors trigger diabetes is still limited. While genome-wide association studies have identified and characterized more than 60 genomic loci associated with T2D, recent methylome charts and reference regulatory maps obtained fr

Reliable connectivity between vehicles is a requirement for efficient overtaking warning systems. We investigate the 6 GHz propagation channel between oncoming vehicles with five different types of large obstructing vehicles in a poor scattering environment. The presented channel gains emphasize the advantages of different antenna positions and the difference between a straight road and curved roa

Urban intersections constitute an important safety-critical scenario for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Based on measurements, this paper presents detailed investigations of the radio wave propagation processes in a typical urban intersection. We focus on one time instance of the propagation process and set up hypothesis for locations of the scattering objects. Multipath components (MPCs) are i

Background and aims: The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol particles is an early atherogeninic event. Obese pediatric populations have higher levels of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) than normal weight children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a weight loss program on the biochemical profile and oxLDL levels in Spanish obese children and adolescents. Methods: Forty o

Synovial proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis causes capsular distension, destruction of tendons and ligaments, and erosion of bone. The classic deformities in rheumatoid arthritis, like boutonnière or swan neck, are not consistent, and each patient may have his or her own pattern of deformities. The anatomic arrangement of the tendons enables motion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is

The majority of the spinal injuries (60 %) affect young healthy males between 15 and 35 years of age with cervical spine injuries to be most common. The main cause for spinal injuries is blunt trauma most commonly due to motor vehicle accidents (48 %), followed by falls (21 %), and sport injuries (14.6 %). Assault and penetrating trauma account for approximately 10-20 % of the cases. Injuries to t

Approximately 4 % of the general population will experience a seizure during their lifetime. Imaging in these "first-ever" seizure patients is in most cases normal, and abnormalities are only present in approximately 15 % of patients as seizures can be provoked by fever, sleep deprivation, stroboscopic lights, or drugs. However, an underlying lesion will lower the seizure threshold and thus make a

In recent decades, the prognosis of Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) has been significantly improved by intensified first-line regimens containing cytarabine, rituximab and consolidation with high-dose-therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. One such strategy is the Nordic MCL2 regimen, developed by the Nordic Lymphoma Group. We here present the 15-year updated results of the Nordic MCL2 study

The IDEA (International Deep Endometriosis Analysis group) statement is a consensus opinion on terms, definitions and measurements that may be used to describe the sonographic features of the different phenotypes of endometriosis. Currently, it is difficult to compare results between published studies because authors use different terms when describing the same structures and anatomical locations.

Purpose The purpose is to develop a framework for measuring the S&OP process performance. Design/methodology/approach The method used is a multiple case study of five companies from different industries based on data from twelve structured interviews. Findings The main result is a framework to measure the S&OP process. It includes concrete suggestions for organizations when developing me

The purpose of this study is to identify and structure challenges of measuring performance of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process. A multiple case study methodology was applied. Qualitative data was collected via 22 structured interviews with managers from six case companies in various industries. A process oriented framework was proposed by structuring the challenges based on two