Neste trabalho desenvolvemos um novo método para análise biométrica do olho. Essa análise se compõe de medidas dos parâmetros biomecânicos, ou seja, espessura da córnea, distancia entre a córnea e o cristalino, espessura do cristalino, e distancia entre o cristalino e a retina. Este novo método funciona utilizando o princípio da interferometria com laser de baixa coerência. O conhecimento desses parâmetros e de suma importância para o fornecimento de dados necessários para o implante de lentes intra-oculares, em casos de catarata. Alem disso, eles permitem diagnosticar patologias clinicamente caracterizadas por suas alterações. O instrumento convencionalmente utilizado para essas medidas e o biômetro ultra-sônico. Embora esses biômetros sejam práticos e eficientes, a resolução por análise ultra-sônica esta limitada ao fato do tecido ocular não fornecer ecos satisfatórios em freqüências muito acima de 10 MHz. Uma limitação na resposta de freqüência determina uma subseqüente limitação na precisão de medida, já que esta será tanto maior quanta maior a freqüência. Uma variedade de técnicas diferentes tem sido experimentada nos últimos dez anos visando estabelecer um método mais preciso. Entretanto, várias das alternativas existentes têm sido rejeitadas devido à complexidade operacional e altos custos. A técnica interferométrica, entretanto, reúne alta resolução, simplicidade operacional e baixo custo. Isso pode ser constatado pelos resultados obtidos, os quais revela um enorme potencial aplicativo para futuros trabalhos de pesquisa ou mesmo de diagnose. / In this work we have developed a new method for biometric analysis of the eye. This analysis consists of measurements of biomechanical parameters, like thickness of the cornea, distance between the cornea and the crystalline lens, thickness of the crystalline lens and distance between the crystalline lens and the retina. In this new method we use the interferometric principle with a low coherence laser. The knowledge of these parameters is very important in order to supply the necessary data for the implant of intraocular lenes, in the cases of cataract. Besides of allow the diagnosis of the pathologies, which are characterized by their changes. The instrument used in the measurements is an ultrasonic biometer. However the resolution of this instrument is limited by the ocular tissue, which does not allow satisfactory echos in frequencies above 10 MHz. A variety of the techniques have been used in the last ten years in the order to establish a more accurate method. However most of the existing alternatives have been rejected due to operational complexity and high cost. The interferometric technique unites high resolution, operational simplicity and low cost. This can be concluded by the results obtained in this work, which demonstrate the great potentiality of the method for future in academic research or clinical diagnosis.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:35:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:03:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 18318.pdf: 807310 bytes, checksum: 8c5bdd86eba538874949819ad34cf5ba (MD5) / A Tomografia por Coerência Óptica (OCT) baseia-se na propriedade de retroespalhamento dos meios para construir imagens tomográficas do interior das amostras. De maneira similar, a técnica LIDAR (Light Detection and Range) faz uso desta propriedade para determinar as características da atmosfera, em especial o coeficiente de extinção do sinal. Explorar esta similaridade permitiu aplicar métodos de inversão utilizados na técnica LIDAR às imagens OCT, permitindo construir imagens de coeficiente de extinção, resultado inédito até o momento. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de estudar, propor, desenvolver e implementar algoritmos de métodos de inversão do sinal OCT para determinação do coeficiente de extinção em função da profundidade. Foram utilizados três métodos de inversão, da inclinação, do ponto de contorno e da profundidade óptica, com implementação em ambiente LABView® . Estudo dos erros associados aos métodos de inversão foi realizado e, amostras reais (homogêneas e estratificadas) foram utilizadas para análises em uma e duas dimensões. As imagens de coeficiente de extinção obtidas pelo método da profundidade óptica claramente foram capazes de diferenciar o ar da amostra. As imagens foram estudadas empregando PCA e análise de clusters que avaliou a robustez da técnica em determinar o valor do coeficiente de extinção da amostra. Além disso, o método da profundidade óptica proposto foi empregado para estudar a hipótese de que existe correlação entre o coeficiente de extinção do sinal e a desmineralização de esmalte dental durante o processo cariogênico. Com a aplicação desta metodologia foi possível observar a variação do coeficiente de extinção em função da profundidade e sua correlação com a variação da microdureza, além de mostrar que em camadas mais profundas o valor do coeficiente de extinção valor tende ao de um dente sadio, comportando-se da mesma maneira que a microdureza do dente. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Este estudo abordou os aspectos teóricos e experimentais relacionados ao desenvolvimento de um sistema de tomografia por coerência óptica (OCT) no domínio de Fourier sensível à polarização (PS-FD-OCT) e a sua utilização na determinação da Matriz de Mueller (MM-OCT). O estudo iniciou-se com uma revisão bibliográfica que abordou desde os primeiros estudos relacionados à técnica até o estado da arte, bem como o formalismo matemático da interferometria de baixa coerência no domínio espectral e polarização da luz. Realizaram-se estudos baseados em simulação numérica sobre três tipos diferentes de algoritmos, responsáveis pela recuperação do sinal de espalhamento, sendo eles: a Transformada de Fourier Direta; Interpolação e Zero-Filling. Ao fim dessa etapa concluiu-se que o algoritmo Zero-Filling 2N apresentou melhores características quando comparado aos outros algoritmos. Na parte experimental, primeiramente, diferentes arranjos OCT foram montados e medidas realizadas para verificação aspectos relacionados à teoria. Consecutivamente, utilizando uma amostra polimérica, realizaram-se imagens de birrefringência, que permitiram a determinação da birrefringência da amostra quantitativamente. Finalmente, imagens em diferentes estados de polarização foram realizadas, através delas determinou-se as imagens referentes aos elementos das Matrizes de Mueller, que foram analisadas individualmente. / This study approached theoretical and experimental aspects related with the development of a polarization sensitive, Fourier domain, optical coherence tomography system (PS-FD-OCT) and its utilization on the Mueller Matrix determination. This work began with a bibliographic revision, which describes since the early studies to the actual state of the art of the technique. The mathematical formalism of Fourier domain low coherence interferometry and light polarization was performed as well. Studies based on numerical simulations, of three different algorithm types, responsible to recover the scattering profile, were done. The implemented algorithms were: Direct Fourier Transform, Interpolation and Zero-Filling. By the end of the simulation study, was possible to conclude that the algorithm Zero-Filling 2N presented better characteristics when compared with the others. In the experimental part, firstly different OCT setups were assembled and measurements were done in order to verify aspects related with the theory. Then, using a polymeric sample, birefringence images were performed, which allowed determining the sample birefringence quantitatively. Finally, images taken of different polarization states were collected, and through then images related with the Mueller Matrix elements were calculated, which were analyzed individually.

This thesis explores the factors that explain varying degrees of coherence in European Union (EU) crisis management and draws implications for its role as an international security actor. The analysis starts from the assumption that coherence is a function of competing and conflicting interests and norms. The influence and interaction of these factors across governance levels are viewed through two theoretical lenses: liberal intergovernmentalism and sociological institutionalism. Derived hypotheses are evaluated through a comparative case study design, focused on three instances of crisis management in Africa, namely Libya (2011), Somalia (2011-2012), and Mali (2012-2013). The analysis traces the activities and interaction of EU institutional actors and member states, with a focus on France, the United Kingdom (UK), and Germany. It suggests that the degree of coherence in EU crisis management is contingent on the congruence of domestic economic and electoral interests, as well as national threat perceptions. But it also depends on the extent to which EU-level coherence norms resonate with national norms on the use of force and preferred modes of multilateral cooperation. The study identifies scope conditions for the interaction of interests and norms: if economic and electoral stakes are high and calculable, interest-based calculation prevails. If, instead, decision-makers are faced with low stakes and uncertainty, embedded national norms are more likely to shape their behaviour. The Union thus represents a rather unpredictable security actor, whose multi-level coherence depends on the context-specific balance between domestically defined interests, stakes, and salient norms.

Positiv empati kan definieras som att dela och förstå någon annans positiva känslor. Studiens syfte var att översätta den amerikanska positive empathy scale (PES), testa den på svenska högskolestudenter samt relatera PES till känsla av sammanhang (KASAM). En enkätstudie med 181 deltagare genomfördes där deltagarna skattade positiv empati och KASAM. Studiens resultat visade att den svenska översättningen av PES var tillförlitlig, mätt med Cronbach ́s alpha. Resultatet visade även att kvinnor tenderade ha högre positiv empati än män, men att ålder inte resulterade i högre positiv empati. Med hjälp av en hierarkisk multipel regressionsanalys visade resultatet att högre KASAM gav högre positiv empati. Studien visar att det nu finns en svensk positiv empatiskala som verkar tillförlitlig, även om den behövs testas vidare för att bidra till en djupare förståelse i ämnet.

Abstract Dental diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease could well be seen as being behaviour-related. The high prevalence of periodontal disease in the Finnish adult population mirrors the need for improving oral health behaviours in a comprehensive manner. Thus far, scant attention has been drawn to the underlying psycho-social factors that could, in part, explain oral health and oral health behaviours. Deficiencies in oral health behaviour may also be indicative of an individual's poor health behaviour in general. The aim of this study was to introduce the salutogenic approach, called sense of coherence, into the domain of oral health and health behaviour. The present study uses data from the nationally representative Health 2000 survey carried out in 2000–2001 by the National Public Health Institute of Finland. The subjects of this study numbered 4175 in article I, 4131 in article II, 4039 in article III, and 4096 in article IV, and were 30- to 64-year-old dentate men and women. The cross-sectional data was collected via home interviews, self-administered questionnaires, or clinical examinations. Sense of coherence was positively associated with oral health behaviours, such as dental attendance and tooth-brushing frequency. In addition to tooth-brushing frequency, sense of coherence was also positively associated with the level of oral hygiene. The association between sense of coherence and level of oral hygiene weakened only marginally after controlling for tooth-brushing frequency. A strong sense of coherence was strongly associated with a positive oral health-related quality of life (OHIP). Sense of coherence was also associated with all of the OHIP sub-scales, and the association was most evident in the psychological discomfort, psychological disability and handicap sub-scales. Among males, health behaviours seemed multidimensional, whereas they tended to be unidimensional among females. A strong sense of coherence was a common determinant of healthy behaviours in general, as well as of a good subjective health status. The present study recognizes the sense of coherence as a common health-promoting determinant of oral and general health behaviours, good oral health, and a good oral health-related quality of life. The results thus suggest that the role of psycho-social factors should not be underestimated in health promotion.

Abstract This thesis presents an effective optical method for measuring liquid sorption into paper. From the two tested methods, based on a streak-camera and optical coherence tomography (OCT), the last-mentioned proved very promising for investigating dynamical paper-liquid interactions as spatially and temporally dependent processes. The streak-camera measurements were performed to explore the relationship between paper properties and light migration in dry and refractive index matched paper in general. Based on streak-camera measurements, a novel procedure for determining the average refractive index of cellulose fibre tissue was also presented here. In addition, the streak camera method lent itself to paper porosity determination. Results of the performed OCT measurements proved that liquids cannot penetrate into paper before filling the pores and pits of the paper surface. As a liquid penetrated into paper, the border between the wetted and dry area could be investigated in the depth direction. The liquid penetration velocity seemed to be slower at the beginning and end of the process. Liquid absorption into paper fibres could be investigated concurrently. For the first time, the location and moment of structural changes in paper could be determined during wetting, and the effect of three different coexistent subprocesses related to paper wetting could be detected. OCT only fell short of detecting the effect of liquid migration along fibres. Despite the limitations of the utilized method (resolution, probing depth and depth scanning rate), the obtained OCT measurement results are very promising for the development of an effective paper wetting measurement device for industrial applications. Even if this thesis focused on paper wetting, it is reasonable to assert that the presented ideas and obtained results have more general value in terms of explaining liquid penetration into porous structures and offer an alternative method of evaluating that process.

With the advancements in technology and computing environment capabilities, the number of devices that people carry has increased exponentially. This increase initially occurred as a result of necessity to monitor the human body condition due to chronic diseases, heart problems etc. Later, individuals’ interest was drawn towards self-monitoring their physiology and health care. This is achieved by implanting various sensors that can proactively monitor the human body based on medical necessity and the health condition of the user. Sensors connected on a human body perceive phenomena such as locomotion or heartbeat, and act accordingly to form a Body Area Network. The primary concern of these sensors is to ensure a secure way of communication and coordination among the devices to form a flawless system. A secondary concern is wireless sensor authentication, which ensures trustworthiness and reliable gathering of a user’s data. To address this concern, we designed a secure approach using low cost accelerometers to authenticate sensors in Body Area Networks. To ensure authentication in on-body sensor networks, we need a mechanism which intuitively proves all the communicating nodes are trusted ones. In order to achieve sensor authentication, we used accelerometer data gathered from sensors to distinguish whether or not the devices are carried on waist of same individual’s body. Our approach is focused at analyzing walking patterns recorded from smartphone accelerometers placed in the same location of the user’s body, and we present results showing these sensors record similar pattern.

M.A. / The current social and political situation in South Africa has resulted in an extremely violent climate in which the incidence of highly stressful events experienced by people on the whole is extremely high. The severe and pathological negative symptoms that often follow the experience of highly stressful events are defined as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - IV (DSM-IV)(APA, 1994). An improved understanding of the factors involved in the development, treatment and prevention of PTSD is important considering the potentially debilitating effects of this disorder. With the increasing emphasis being placed on 'positive' psychology, the salutogenic orientation was given focus in this study. Antonovsky (1979, 1987) defines salutogenesis as 'the origins of health', and the emphasis is on identifying those factors in which health originates and is promoted. This study aimed to investigate two specific variables, sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1979, 1987) and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977, 1986) as two potential psychological resilience factors that may positively contribute to effective functioning after the experience of a highly traumatic event. The research tested a postulated model which suggested that the two resilience variables influence the presentation of PTSD symptoms after exposure to a traumatic event. The research was conducted in a police and banking environment with 50 participants, all of whom had experienced a traumatic event as defined by the criteria in the DSM-IV. Three measuring instruments were used to measure the constructs of interest. PTSD symptomatology was measured by means of Horowitz's "Impact of Events Scale - Revised" (Weiss & Marmar, 1997), self-efficacy in the face of a traumatic event was measured by means of a specific questionnaire constructed by the researcher for this study (SEFTE), and sense of coherence was measured by means of Antonovsky's "Orientation to Life" questionnaire, or Sense of Coherence Scale (1983). The results of the study indicated that a relationship does exist between the three constructs of interest. A higher sense of coherence. contributes to higher selfefficacy expectations in the face of a traumatic event, and both these variables reduce the level of PTSD symptomatology after exposure to a traumatic event. In conclusion, the importance of understanding some of the psychological resilience factors which may help to prevent PTSD after exposure to a traumatic event, or at least reduce the severity of the symptoms, was highlighted. By doing so, emphasis can be moved from the treatment of PTSD after the event, to the prevention of the disorder, by strengthening the resilience of those people at risk of exposure to a highly traumatic event, before the event occurs.

Foreign investment is mainly protected through national laws. However the wide-spreading network of bilateral investment treaties aims to ensure a certain standard of protection. These treaties demonstrate far-reaching implications at both treaty level and international level. The implications raise an important question as to whether bilateral investment treaties are coherent or not. Coherence can be viewed as an attempt to prettify the law and minimise the effect of politics which may leave the law incoherent. It is obvious that bilateral investment treaties need to be coherent for a number of reasons. Firstly, incoherent treaties may create problems in relation to the development policy of member countries. Secondly, coherence reassures that negotiators of such treaties would not encounter possible contradictions and inconsistencies amongst the countries’ agreement network as well as between the treaties and domestic laws. Thirdly, coherence is critical to treaty interpretation as it is necessary to avoid further complications which may arise from contradictory awards. The aim of this thesis is mainly to elucidate the meaning of coherence and use it to provide an understanding as to how coherent these treaties are. The coherence of bilateral investment treaties will be evaluated in a number of aspects: coherence between bilateral investment treaties and the fundamental principles of international investment law; coherence between bilateral investment treaties and their objectives of investment promotion and investment liberalisation; coherence within the bilateral investment treaties network; coherence between bilateral investment treaties and customary international law on foreign investment; coherence between bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements; coherence between bilateral investment treaties’ obligations and non-investment obligations of states.