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This dissertation contributes to three fields within design research: - Explorations of a design space related to aesthetics of Tangible Interaction, which have led to a set of design imaginations as well as perspectives on salient design qualities. - Views on and a designerly example of knowledge construction related to Research through Design as well as to programmatic approaches to design resea
This thesis explores cancer from a primary care perspective covering three areas: diagnosis, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and end-of-life care. We analyzed patient records of every child diagnosed with a malignancy in a defined area. During 12 years 68 children were diagnosed (incidence 14/100,000). For 68% the diagnosis was initiated in primary care. There were 25 children with leukemia
Factors determining patient`s and doctor`s delay in diagnosis of bladder cancer were type of initial symptoms, level of health service first consulted and number of steps in the referral system. No correlation was found between psychosocial factors and patient`s delay. In retrospective studies after cystectomy for bladder cancer, patients with continent cutaneous diversion of urine had fewer stoma
All the elements heavier than Li are created during stellar evolution. Even if our knowledge of this process is good, many questions still remain. For instance, the odd-Z iron-peak elements Sc, V, Mn, and Co together with neutron-capture elements Sr, Zr, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu have still unclear production sites because theoretical models and observational evidences are not in agreement. Having a
The purpose of the study was to characterise the phenotype with emphasis on electroretinography in four different types of hereditary retinal degeneration and to correlate it to a genotype when possible. Two methods were used: full-field electroretinography for objective assessment of retinal function and mutation screening of blood samples for detection of gene alterations. Electroretinograms fro
In a prospective randomised study following oesophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction patients with hand-sutured neck anastomoses were compared with patients with circular stapled chest anastomoses. The two groups had equal rates of anastomotic or conduit leaks of 7.3 % (3/41) and 7.1 % (3/42) and of benign anastomotic strictures of 19.5 % (8/41) and 28.6 % (12/42). Another prospective random
This investigation comprises five studies of factors determining adults' interpretations of a picture (Threat), drawn to represent sexual abuse of a child. The sexes of the two persons in the picture were on purpose drawn ambiguously. In Study I, the Threat picture was interpreted by 515 undergraduates in three experiments, all resulting in the same four interpretation categories, and similar freq
This thesis is an archaeological study of a small region in northern Latium and the diachronical relationship between a nucleated settlement and its rural landscape. The work has a twofold basis: a review of earlier research concerning the settlement Luni sul Mignone in the light of more recent research, and a survey conducted by the present author of the territory of Luni. This survey and its res
We have found that a set of group A streptococcal strains, primarily associated with skin infections, express surface-associated M proteins that bind plasminogen and plasmin with high affinity. The binding is mediated by a common 13 amino acid internal repeated sequence located in the NH2-terminal surface-exposed portion of these M proteins. It could be demonstrated that plasminogen, absorbed by t
In the present study, L-tryptophan (TRP)-related disturbances in the brain in experimental hepatic encephalopathy (HE) were investigated. The endogenous NMDA-receptor agonist and L-TRP metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN) has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of HE. We were, however, unable to detect any increases in QUIN levels in rats subjected to a chronic portacaval shunt (PCS) ei
The aim of this study was to evaluate new MR techniques permitting qualitative and quantitative analysis of cardiac function and measurement of velocity and flow, and later on contrast-enhanced MR angiography, techniques largely unexplored in children with CHD. Infants with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect were examined pre-operatively. MRI was found to be a
In this longitudinal, prospective study, 39 preterm children, consecutively born before 35 weeks of completed gestation and 23 full-term children were followed up after 19 years. Multifaceted aspects of outcome were evaluated. The results indicate a clear increase in somatic morbidity during growth and young adulthood among the preterms. Psychometric evaluation of cognitive development at age 19 y
This doctoral thesis explored three broad aspects of preschoolers’ social competence: prosocial behavior, aggression, and social cognition. The longitudinal study followed forty-four children (initially 22-40 months), who were observed in natural peer interactions at their daycare centers during a two-month period in each of three con-secutive years. In addition, social-cognitive data were gathere
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is a 11.7 kDa acid stable serine protease inhibitor. SLPI has been shown to be the dominant protease inhibitor in bronchial secretions and has been used in treatment of pulmonary emphysema. In ulcerative colitis faecal extracts has been shown to contain an abundance of free proteolytic activity, mainly leukocytic and pancreatic proteases. SLPI is a strong inh
Microdialysis was used to monitor local concentrations of energy metabolites in different organs, and to study the pharmacokinetics of morphine over the blood-brain barrier in intact and injured brain tissue in conditions treated in the Intensive Care Unit. After major abdominal or thoracoabdominal surgery, postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia resulted in higher glycerol concentrations in th
STUDY QUESTIONDoes endometriosis and/or adenomyosis, diagnosed using the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group and the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) group revised definitions, impact cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) after three consecutive IVF or ICSI treatments?SUMMARY ANSWERWomen with endometriosis and/or adenomyosis, as diagnosed using transvaginal ultras
As climate has warmed significantly over past decades, numerous studies have confirmed a pattern of more frequent and more intense hydro-climate events across the globe, such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts. Analyzing the variability of climate events with reliable historical data records is one of the most direct approaches for understanding its patterns of change. The development of climate m
Reducing eutrophication in our surface waters caused by nutrient overload is of importance in order to ensure an environment in ecological balance for future generations. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are the main point source of nutrients emissions. Effluent water can be treated by introducing a final advanced treatment step to existing wastewater treatment plants. The present thesis conc
