Filtyp
The aim was to study digital radiography and to evaluate the influence of image processing on digital dental radiographs for the assessment of periapical lesions. In four studies, artificial bone lesions were made periapically and interradicularly in the mandibular premolar and molar regions. In a clinical study, direct digital radiographic images depicting the periapical bone tissue of different
The work presented in this thesis deals with measuring in-cylinder combustion species and events using different laser-based diagnostic methods. A variety of engine operating modes, like HCCI and partially premixed diesel combustion, have been investigated. In the very first measurements, in-cylinder flow-fields were compared to CFD and steady-state blow rig results. After that, the ignition and
Dementia is a state of permanent loss of cognitive function, most commonly affecting the elderly. With a rapidly growing aged population, the spectrum of disorders that lead to dementia is exerting an ever-increasing toll on patients, families and society alike. The most common dementing disorders are Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Although Alzheimer's disease is very common and was de
This thesis deals with the conceptualisation of da‘wa, ‘the call to Islam’, of the British organisation the Islamic Foundation, and focuses its 25 years of publication of Islamic-English children’s literature. In order to analyse the implications of the new modalities of da‘wa in the late modern Muslim minority context, the present study applies a genealogical perspective. The study explores the
This dissertation examines the interaction between municipal home-helpers and care re-cipients from a social psychological perspective. One of the starting points is a critique of some classical works in the caring science inspired by women’s studies for not taking into consideration that care-giving work constitutes social interaction. The aim is to analyse how elderly people and the home-helpers
Although the civil aviation industry has gone through great technological and commercial change in the last decades, basic civil aviation training has not kept pace accordingly. The changes in civil aviation have rarely resulted in research programs in the field of basic training, which has long received minimal attention from the industry. In the research presented in this thesis, methods for und
In this thesis, aspects of the use of cryogenically cooled rare-earth-ion-doped crystals in the fields of quantum optics and quantum information processing are addressed. The experiments and theoretical considerations referred to in this thesis are based on the coherent transient interaction between light and the ions in the crystals. A photon echo experiment has been performed where faint optica
Gender equality has been on the development cooperation agenda for more than three decades. Bilateral agencies have developed policies, strategies, methodologies and tools to support achievement of this important goal. Following the Fourth United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 it is important to take stock of the progress that has been made, and identify the changes needed for movi
An elevated plasma level of homocysteine has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The objectives of this thesis were to study the influence of renal function on homocysteine levels in patients with coronary artery disease and to explore the association of elevated plasma levels of homocysteine to oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. The effects of pla
Gliomas are neoplasms arising in the central nervous system (CNS), and constitute the most common primary brain tumor. They are classified depending on the grade and morphology, from grade I, pilocytic astrocytoma, to grade IV, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Glioblastomas constitute a great challenge in treatment due to their disseminating nature. Classical treatments such as surgery, radiation th
This thesis deals with techniques to model risk in financial markets and consists of four separate essays. The thesis begins with an introduction in chapter one, while chapter two to chapter five contains the four essays. The first essay examines the implication of using various risk measures for portfolio selection. Specifically, three risk measures are examined: variance, Value at Risk (VaR) an
The focus of this dissertation is communication between managers and subordinates in a modern organization. The research questions are concerned with ideas, practices and organizational conditions in relation to leadership communication. My starting point for this study was the change in leadership philosophy that was introduced in many organizations at the beginning of the 1980s. This transforma
The concepts participation and empowerment are frequently used in development projects in the third world. The meaning given to the concepts today signal a normative orientation, marking an alternative, people-centred approach to development. When used in development projects, the concepts demand detailed descriptions. They also demand project implementers, often local NGOs (non-government organis
Abstract in Uncoded languages Praegune kaitsejalatsite testimise standard (EN 344) kontrollib soojapidavuslikke omadusi vaid jalatsi ühes punktis mõõtes temperatuuri muutust. Meetod, mis kasutab termilist jala mudelit võimaldab mõõta jalatsi soojaisolatsiooni üheaegselt erinevates piirkondades ning ühtlasi ka jalatsi kui terviku soojaisolatsiooni. Selle uurimuse käigus on soojendatava jala meetodiPresent standard on safety footwear (EN 344) checks the insulation only at one point in the shoes by means of measuring the temperature change. A method that uses thermal foot model allows to measure footwear insulation simultaneously at various locations and for whole footwear as total. In the cause of the present research the method of heated foot model has been developed further. Now it is poss
Proteases and their inhibitors are implicated in the physiology and pathology of the airways. Protease inhibitors include those produced locally, such as secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and those produced mainly by the liver that can reach the airways via passive diffusion, such as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT). SLPI is a significant component of the anti-neutrophil elastase shield in th
The aim of the thesis was to study matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP-26) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4 (TIMP-4) in normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrium. Most importantnly, both these molecules may be ivolved in the implantation process. Trophoblast tissue from human as well as mouse embryos produces pro-MMP-9. Active MMP-9 (gelatinase B) is a proteolytic enzyme with a bro
Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is an effective operations method that successfully decreased the degree of spasticity with long lasting beneficial effects for children with spastic diplegia. Children undergoing SDR are postoperatively in severe pain, a pain related to both the extensive surgical exposure with multilevel laminotomy and the nerve root manipulation. To give an optimal pain relief,
The point of departure of this thesis is the rapidly growing research field known as the New Economic Geography (NEG). It consists of four chapters, one introductory chapter and three self-contained theoretical studies. The chapters may be summarised as follows. The first chapter gives a brief account of the NEG. It explains the soaring interest in the location of economic activity, and it review
This thesis deals with the process of estimating underwater current from the backscattering signal transmitted from an ultrasonic transducer. The narrowband sinusoidal burst signal is Doppler-shifted due to the current, and this information is converted into current. The traditional mathematical model for this Doppler process is based on the assumption that the backscattering time signal is Gaussi
During the 1990s many of the local authorities have been forced to reduce expenditure on the care of the elderly and people with disabilities, and many organisational changes have been carried out. New problems and their solutions are often related to leadership and management. This dissertation deals with three trends in the development of the organisation: The first trend is a market orientation
