This thesis examines the output-variability relationship and causal relationships among the inflation, the output growth and their uncertainties for the Central and Eastern European region during the period of time that covers the economic crisis of 2008. We apply the bivariate GARCH(1,1) model with the constant conditional correlation covariance matrix to obtain conditional variances that proxy the two uncertainties and use Granger causality test to determine the causal effects among four variables. We come up with a number of interesting results. First, we did not find statistical evidence neither for the inflation-output variability relationship nor for the Phillips curve. Second, we uncovered support for the positive causal effect of the inflation on its uncertainty and negative causal effect for the reverse direction. Additionally, we also found some support for the indirect negative causal effect of the inflation on the output growth. These results support the policy of low and stable inflation in the countries. Finally, we showed that crisis has a significant impact on the results, changing the behaviour of conditional variances and causal effects among the variables. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This project focuses on the use of sponge genetic transcripts in the form of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) readily available in Genbank to search for novel genes using bioinformatics analysis tools. Marine sponge species are known to house a diversity of marine microbes and are known as the ‘living fossils’ of the animal kingdom because of the large number of ancient genes they house. Genomic mining can be a useful tool in discovering these orthologous genes. This study utilized the techniques of genomic mining of 11 previously described sponge species transcripts. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the genomic structure of the organisms studied by creating a more detailed genetic map and examining a specific environmental snapshot of the genes in each sponge. Novel methods for dissecting beneficial information from large scale data sets available in genomic libraries utilizing bioinformatics search tool MGRAST were examined. The results of this study indicate that sponges house numerous genes that are likely to be evolutionary predecessors of genes in higher eukaryotes. Support was also given to the notion that microbial communities play a role in metabolic pathways of sponges.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how nurses describe their meals at work, and how meals at work was described as a possibility to recover. The method had a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. Five nurses participate and were recruited through a snowball sampling. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed. To analyze the data a manifest content analysis was used. The result showed that the four categories content and meaning for meals at work, environment for the meal at work, time to eat and social relations at the dining table summarized the nurses' descriptions of meals at work. The meal at work was described as one way to recover, but many other things also helped recovering. The conclusion was that nurses in this study described that meals at work can improve through enough length of the break, lower noise level, less stress while eating, enough room for eating and preparing food as well as nutritional food shall be available. The result of the study shows that meals are described as a chance to recover but also that the nurses associate recovery with night sleep, socialize with the family, perform physical activity or just gather your thoughts. / Sjuksköterskor är en utsatt yrkesgrupp och efterfrågan på sjuksköterskor ökar. Arbetsgivare inom vård och omsorg bedömer en brist på sjuksköterskor. En avgörande faktor till bristen är att sjuksköterskor avslutar sjuksköterskeyrket för bristande arbetsvillkor och arbetsmiljön.  Syftet med studien var att undersöka på hur sjuksköterskor beskriver sina arbetsmåltider och arbetsmåltiden som en möjlighet till återhämtning. Metoden som användes till studien var en kvalitativ ansats med semistrukturerade intervjuer. Urvalet bestod av fem sjuksköterskorna som alla arbetade på samma hälsocentral och åt arbetsmåltider. Rekryteringen av sjuksköterskorna skedde via ett snöbollsurval. Intervjuerna genomfördes på informanternas egna arbetskontor och spelades in och transkriberades sedan. För att analysera datamaterialet från intervjuerna användes en manifest innehållsanalys. Resultatet visade att de fyra kategorierna arbetsmåltidens innehåll och mening, miljö för arbetsmåltiden, tiden för att äta och sociala relationer vid matbordet sammanfattade sjuksköterskornas beskrivningar av arbetsmåltider. Arbetsmåltiden beskrivs som en möjlighet till återhämtning men även att återhämtning är mycket mer än måltider som ger energi. Slutsatsen är att sjuksköterskor i denna studie ansåg att arbetsmåltiderna kan förbättras genom tillräckligt långa raster, lägre ljudnivå i måltidsmiljön, mindre stress under måltider, tillräckligt med utrymmen för att äta och tillreda mat samt genom ett utbud av näringsrik kost på arbetsplatsen. Studiens resultat visar att arbetsmåltiden beskrivs som en möjlighet till återhämtning men att sjuksköterskor associerar återhämtning även till nattsömn, umgås med familjen, utföra fysisk aktivitet eller bara att få samla upp sina tankar som de anser ger dem energi.

<p>Stopa prematuriteta konstantno raste, a sve vi&scaron;e prevremeno rođenih beba koje prežive neonatalni i perinatalni period zahteva adekvatno sistemsko i oftalmolo&scaron;ko praćenje i tretman. Prematuritet sam po sebi, predstavlja rizik za razvoj vida. Taj rizik dodatno povećava prisustvo prematurne retinopatije i refraktivnih mana. Skrining i tretman promena na retini u sklopu prematuriteta, kao i optička korekcija refraktivnih mana obezbeđuju uslove za razvoj vida. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio utvrditi promene biometrijskih karakteristika oka prematurusa, sa i bez prematurne retinopatije, tokom &scaron;estogodi&scaron;njeg praćenja, utvrditi refraktivni status ove dve grupe dece sa &scaron;est godina, te povezati promene biometrijskih karakteristika oka sa refrakcijom. U ispitivanje je uključeno 192 prevremeno rođena deteta (384 oka). Vr&scaron;ena su tri pregleda, u uzrastu od 3 meseca, 12 meseci i 6 godina starosti. Nakon prvog pregleda ispitivani uzorak je, u zavisnosti od nalaza na očnom dnu, podeljen na bebe sa prematurnom retinopatijom i bebe bez ovog oboljenja, a kako bi se uporedile proučavane karakteristike. U sva tri navedena uzrasta je pregledano očno dno i merene su tri glavne biometrijske karakteristike koje utiču na refraktivni status: aksijalna dužina oka, dubina prednje očne komore i debljina očnog sočiva. Sa &scaron;est godina je određena refrakcija, uključujući zakrivljenost rožnjače odnosno kornealni astigmatizam, vidna o&scaron;trina bez korekcije refraktivne mane, a zatim i nakon korekcije. Ostali neophodni podaci su dobijeni iz medicinske dokumentacije. Pokazano je da prematurna retinopatija utiče na refraktivni status i vidni ishod sa &scaron;est godina, pre svega uticajem na zakrivljenost rožnjače, aksijalnu dužinu oka i dubinu prednje očne komore, dok su promene debljine očnog sočiva bez posebnog značaja. Vidne o&scaron;trine oba oka u pred&scaron;kolskom uzrastu prevremeno rođene dece sa prematurnom retinopatijom su statistički značajno manje kada se uporede sa vidnim o&scaron;trinama prevremeno rođene dece bez retinopatije, ali razlika u ovim dvema vrednostima gubi statističku značajnost nakon optičke korekcije. Učestalost astigmatizma u prematurnoj populaciji sa 6 godina je visoka, a od onih koji imaju astigmatizam u tom uzrastu, vi&scaron;e od dve trećine je imalo prematurnu retinopatiju. Ukupna učestalost miopije, hipermetropije i emetropije u prematurnoj populaciji sa 6 godina je 18,9%, 54,7% i 13,2%, a preostalih 13,2% su anizometropi. U vi&scaron;e od trećine dece, sa prematurnom retinopatijom u najranijem uzrastu, sa &scaron;est godina postoji gubitak vidne sposobnosti, koji je najče&scaron;će blag, no može biti i potpun.</p> / <p>The number of babies born prematurely is constantly growing, so more and more of them need appropriate systemic and ophthalmologic monitoring and treatament. Prematurity itself, represents a risk for the development of vision. This risk further reinforces the presence of retinopathy of prematurity and refractive errors. Screening and treatment of retinopathy, as well as optical correction of refractive errors provide adequate conditions for the development of vision. The aim of this study was to determine changes of biometric features of eyes of the prematurely born infants, with and without retinopathy of prematurity, during the six-year follow-up. We also want to determine the refractive status of these two groups of children in the six year, and to link changes of biometric features with their eye refraction. The study included 192 prematurely born children (384 eyes). The examinations were performed at 3 months, 12 months and 6 years and they included fundus examination and measurements of the ocular axial length, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness. After dividing the subjects into two groups, based on the results of the fundus examination at 3 months, the results of the children with and without retinopathy were compared. At the age of six we also determine the refraction of eyes, including the curvature of the cornea and corneal astigmatism, visual acuity without correction of refractive error, and then after it. Other necessary data were obtained from medical documentation. It is shown that retinopathy of prematurity affects the refractive status and visual outcome at sixth year, primarily by the changes of curvature of the cornea, the axial length of the eye and the depth of the anterior chamber, while the change in the lens thickness has no significance. Visual acuity in both eyes in the preschool age preterm born children with retinopathy of prematurity are significantly less, when compared to visual acuity in preterm infants without retinopathy, but the difference in these two values lost statistical significance after optical correction. The rate of astigmatism in preterm population of six years is high, and of those who have astigmatism in this age group, more than two-thirds had retinopathy of prematurity. The overall incidence of myopia, hypermetropia and emetropia in the prematurely born, six years old children is 18.9%, 54.7% and 13.2%, and the remaining 13.2% have anisometropia. In more than a third of children with retinopathy of prematurity at an early age, with six years, there has been loss of visual acuity, which is usually mild, but it can be complete.</p>

The recess is a place where many students meet and social context becomes a big part of their day. The recess offers opportunities for students to practice social interaction, which is also a large part of the leisure-time centre's mission. The study is based on the socio-cultural perspective and the investigation is based on qualitative methods such as interviews and observations. The purpose of the study is to find out more about how student’s interaction is emphasized during the recess through free play, controlled and student-led activities. Through the interviews, we want to investigate how educators view their role and the opportunity to influence students' social learning. Finally, we want to draw attention to similarities in the social learning that takes place through play and participation in activities at the recess and the learning that takes place at the leisure-time centre.  The results of the study show that the different recess activities contribute in different ways to the students' social learning. The educators see both the pros and the cons of the different forms of recess activities and the conclusion is that a variety of break activities are needed to create social contexts for all students. The social interaction that takes place during the recess is largely reminiscent of what happens in the leisure-time centre's activities. / Rasten är en plats där många elever möts i sociala sammanhang, detta är en stor del av verksamheten. Rasten erbjuder möjligheter för eleverna att öva det sociala samspelet, vilket även är en stor del av fritidshemmets uppdrag. Studien utgår ifrån det sociokulturella perspektivet och undersökningen är baserad på kvalitativa metoder som intervjuer och observationer. Syftet med studien är att ta reda på hur elevernas samspel framhävs ute på rasten genom fri lek, styrda och elevledda aktiviteter. Genom intervjuerna vill vi undersöka hur pedagoger ser på sin roll och möjligheten till att påverka elevernas sociala lärande. Avslutningsvis vill vi uppmärksamma likheter i det sociala lärande som sker genom lek och deltagande i aktiviteter på rasten och det lärande som sker på fritidshemmet.   Resultatet av studien visar att de olika rastverksamheterna på olika sätt bidrar till elevernas sociala lärande. Pedagogerna ser både för och nackdelar med de olika rastverksamhetsformerna och slutsatsen är att en variation av rastverksamheter behövs för att skapa sociala sammanhang för alla elever. Det sociala samspel som sker på rasten påminner till stor del om det som sker i fritidshemmets verksamhet.

In the first part of the submitted diploma thesis, the knowledge in the sphere of the fracture mechanics, related to the practice part of this thesis are summarized. In that the 2D parametrical numerical model of the particle composite with multiple cracks was created, using the finite elements method. Thanks to this model it is possible to find specific configurations which are showing the existance of multiple mutual interactions between these cracks, just by simple manipulation of the input data. In the calculations the influence of the residual stresses was considered which are formed during production of the material. The effect of the subcritical crack growth was taken into account as well in this thesis.

Subcritical crack growth in composite materials plays quite an important role in determination of the service life and leads to the defects growth below the fracture toughness. The thesis presents search of the several scientific works dealing with the determination of the crack growth direction in composite materials. The aim of this diploma thesis was to create 2D and 3D finite element models to analyse crack growth in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC). These models were compared based on the time calculation of the crack propagation under the subcritical growth conditions.

Syftet med det utvecklingsinriktade arbetet var att skapa en hållbar rastverksamhet genom ett lånesystem där fokus var att utveckla elevernas förmåga att ta personligt ansvar. Studien undersöker hur elever kan bli delaktiga, utveckla personligt ansvar, känna trygghet samt vara fysiskt aktiva under rasten. Arbetet utgår från aktionsforskning där arbetet strukturerades upp i fyra delar, planera, agera, observera och reflektera. Det innefattade också intervjuer, gruppintervjuer och enkäter. Aktionerna genomfördes 1–2 dagar i veckan under tre veckor, sammanlagt blev det sju aktioner. Lånesystemet skapades i en av skolans bodar som eleverna hade tillgång till under sin skolrast. Lånesystemet innebar att låna redskap men också att hjälpa till med utlåning av redskap genom att vara hjälpreda. Resultatet av aktioner visade att det fanns ett stort intresse bland eleverna att vara delaktiga i lånesystemet, och att de kan ta ett personligt ansvar av de redskap de lånade. Det framkom även att ett lånesystem inte behöver bidra till den fysiska aktiviteten hos eleverna, och att elevernas trygghet på rasten påverkas av hur delaktiga lärare är och vilka normer som finns på skolan. I en slutreflektion diskuterades det att ett lånesystem inte behöver innebära att eleverna känner trygghet eller blir mer fysiskt aktiva.

Militancy inspired by Islamists is escalating globally, and government action is necessary to protect vulnerable populations. Security professionals generally agree that governance may complement the use of force to defeat militants; however, current doctrine does not address the concurrent integration of governance in a comprehensive strategy. This interpretive case study explored Pakistan's application of governance during the 2009 Khyber operation in Swat Valley, code-named Operation Rah-e-Rast. The central research question focused on how governance activities were integrated with military operations to subdue militancy. Data were collected through interviews with 6 planners, Pakistani secondary source survey data, and government artifacts. Data were inductively coded using a progressive axial coding process and validated through methodological triangulation. Data were then analyzed using a case study analytical model, grounded in neo-Clausewitzian theoretical principles, to derive key themes. Key findings indicate that an interministry collaborative approach to regain the public trust was more effective in placating violence than was solely using military action. Sound governance, enabled by strategic communications and intelligence, fostered tribal relationships that promoted confidence and undermined the militant support base. The civil-military planning protocols were successful, but mainly ad-hoc and suboptimized. Formal training, standing civil-military planning forums, and planning process improvements stemming from the Pakistan experience could instill social change by assisting national leaders in developing a cogent countermilitancy strategy to defeat the global Islamist movement.

Introduction: Organized recess activities which stimulate to physical activity are important for developing social skills, academic performance, and creating a positive attitude towards physical activity. The aim of the study is to investigate key people's perceptions towards the implementation of organized recess activities, with an enforcement on physical activities in primary and secondary schools. Method: An exploratory study design with an inductive approach has been used. Five semi-structured interviews were performed to collect data based on the purpose and questions of the study. A purposive sampling has been performed to provide experienced and additional informative respondents. Collected data has been analysed with a qualitative content analysis within a manifest approach. Findings shows an active work and interest in organized recess activities. The importance of having secure adults at break times was reported by all respondents in this study. Perceptions is that recess does not receive the same priority as other subjects within schools. General barriers for the implementation of organized recess activities were lack of commitment, knowledge, planning time and staff resources. Conclusion: Additional knowledge about recess may be a prerequisite for whether schools choose to develop the work with organized recess activities with an enforcement on physical activities. / Introduktion: Organiserade rastaktiviteter som stimulerar till fysisk aktivitet är viktiga för att utveckla sociala färdigheter, förbättra skolprestationer och skapa en positiv inställning till fysisk aktivitet. Syftet med studien är att undersöka nyckelpersoners uppfattningar till implementering av organiserade rastaktiviteter, med fokus på fysiska aktiviteter på låg och mellanstadiet. Metod: En explorativ studiedesign med induktiv ansats har använts som metod. Fem semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts för att samla in data om studiens syfte och frågeställningar. Ett strategiskt urval har vidtagits för att tillhandahålla erfarna och informationsrika respondenter. Insamlade data har analyserats med en kvalitativ innehållsanalys med fokuset på det manifesta innehållet. Resultatet visar ett aktivt arbete och intresse för organiserade rastaktiviteter med fokus på fysiska aktiviteter. Betydelsen av att det skall finnas trygga vuxna ute på rasten rapporterades av samtliga respondenter i denna studie. Generella uppfattningar förelåg om att rasten inte blir lika högt prioriterad som andra ämnen i skolan. Utmaningar för implementering av organiserade rastaktiviteter var brist på engagemang, kunskap planeringstid och personal. Slutsats: Ytterligare kunskap om rasten kan sannolikt vara en förutsättning för huruvida skolor väljer att utöka arbetet med organiserade rastaktiviteter med fokus på fysiska aktiviteter.