This thesis describes a novel approach that utilizes a special property of the Hanning window to accurately detect the fundamental frequency of the data signal in the presence of harmonic and interharmonic interference. After obtaining the fundamental frequency, the same procedure is applied to all possible harmonics to be filtered for further analysis of the interharmonics. The proposed approach is validated using numerical tests. In the literature, different authors have shown the difficulty of extracting a synchronized sampling frequency from the analyzed signal and discussed the effect of deviation of the fundamental in the presence of harmonics. This thesis suggests a new approach to overcome the difficulties, even if the interharmonics present are in frequency bins near the fundamental. In order to perform the interharmonic analysis, the author followed the IEC standard draft signal processing recommendations, with the exception of using a weighted Hanning window instead of a rectangular window in order to minimize the effect of the spectral leakage, and to minimize the effect of interharmonics on the main harmonics.

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This research compared the results of three tests: ASTM D 198 torsion, ASTM D 198 three-point bending and the five-point bending test (FPBT) using machine-stress-rated (MSR) lumber and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) to determine if the shear properties evaluated by the different test methods were equivalent. Measured E:G ratios were also compared to the E:G ratio of 16:1 commonly assumed for structural wooden members. The average shear moduli results showed significant differences between the three test methods. For both material types, the shear moduli results determined from the two standard test methods (ASTM D 198 three-point bending and torsion), both of which are presently assumed to be equivalent, were significantly different. Most average E:G ratios from the two material types and three test methods showed differences from the E:G ratio of 16:1 commonly assumed for structural wooden members. The average moduli of elasticity results for both material types were not significantly different. Therefore, the lack of significant difference between moduli of elasticity terms indicates that differences between E:G ratios are due to the shear modulus terms. This research has shown differences in shear moduli results of the three test types (ASTM D 198 torsion, ASTM D 198 three-point bending, and the FPBT). Differences in the average E:G ratios per material and test type were also observed. / Master of Science

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om en ökad upplevelse av trakasserier i arbetslivet ger en ökad självskattad (o) hälsa. Vidare undersöker studien eventuella skillnader mellan män och kvinnor. Studien genomfördes genom en internetbaserad enkät som skickades ut till 420 stycken medarbetare på en större organisation. Enkäten baserades på mätinstrumenten Harassment Scale (Savicki, Cooley och Gjesvolds, 2003) och The Karolinska Exhaustion Scale (KES) (Saboonchi, Perski & Grossi, 2012). Studiens huvudresultat visade att trakasserier påverkar den självskattade (o) hälsan inom samtliga delområden(kognitiv utmattning, störd sömn, överdriven trötthet, fysiska symptom, lättretlighet och negativa känslor) av (o)hälsan. Studien visade även att männens självskattade (o) hälsa påverkades starkare av trakasserier än vad kvinnorna påverkades inom alla förutom ett delområde. / The purpose of the study was to investigate if high experienced harassment can explain high self-rated (un) health.  This was done by asking 420 employees to answer an internet questionnaire consisting based on the measuring intstruments Harassment Scale (Savicki, Cooley och Gjesvolds, 2003) and The Karolinska Exhaustion Scale (KES) (Saboonchi, Perski & Grossi, 2012).  The main result of the study showed that harassment in workplace has an impact on the self- rated health in all of the different areas of health (cognitive exhaustion, disturbed sleep, fatigue, somatic symptoms, irritability, negative affect) the results also showed that there is a difference between men and women consider harassments effects on the self-rated health. The results showed that men´s self-rated health was affected more than women in all of the areas except one.

Tyrimo objektas - 16-19 m. Kauno ir Šiaulių gimnazijų moksleivių fizinio aktyvumo, žalingų įpročių ir subjektyvaus sveikatos vertinimo sąsajos. Tyrimo tikslas: įvertinti Kauno ir Šiaulių gimnazijų 16-19 m. moksleivių fizinio aktyvumo, žalingų įpročių ir subjektyvaus sveikatos vertinimo sąsajas. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti moksleivių fizinį aktyvumą lyties, amžiaus ir gyvenamosios vietos aspektu. 2. Nustatyti moksleivių žalingų įpročių paplitimą lyties, amžiaus ir gyvenamosios vietos aspektu. 3. Atskleisti moksleivių fizinio aktyvumo, žalingų sveikatai įpročių ir subjektyvios sveikatos vertinimo tarpusavio ryšį. Hipotezė: fiziškai pasyvesni moksleiviai labiau linkę į žalingus įpročius ir skundžiasi prastesne sveikata. Tyrimo imtis ir organizavimas. Anketinė apklausa buvo vykdoma 2013 m. lapkričio 2014 m. sausio mėnesiais Kaune ir Šiauliuose, kiekvienam tiriamajam taikant anketavimo metodą. Iš viso apklausta 316 moksleivių. Iš jų 161 Kauno mieste ir 155 Šiauliuose. Išvados: 1. Pakankamai fiziškai aktyvūs buvo tik 28,9 proc. visų apklaustų moksleivių. Buvo nustatyta, kad vaikinų dalis, kurie laisvalaikio metu mankštindavosi kasdien arba beveik kasdien buvo dvigubai didesnė dalis negu merginų. 18-19 m. amžiaus moksleiviai rečiau buvo fiziškai aktyvūs kasdien ar beveik kasdien negu 16-17 m. amžiaus mokiniai. Nustatyta, kad Šiaulių mieste kiekvieną dieną fizine veikla užsiiminėjo 33,8 proc., tuo tarpu Kauno mieste kasdien ar beveik kasdien aktyvių moksleivių buvo tik 24,2 proc. 2... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Subject – the relationships between physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle-related habits and self-rated health of 16-19 year old students of gymnasium schools of Kaunas and Šiauliai cities. Aim of the study: to assess the relationship between physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle-related habits and self-rated health of 16-19 year old students of gymnasium schools of Kaunas and Šiauliai cities. Objectives: 1. To evaluate physical activity of the students according to age, gender and place of residence. 2. To assess the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle-related habits of the students in respect of the aspect of age, gender and place of residence. 3. To reveal the relationships between physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle-related habits and self-rated health. Hypothesis: those students who are physically passive tend to have more of unhealthy lifestyle-related habits and worse perceived health. Sample and organization. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the period of November, 2013, – January, 2014 in Kaunas and Šiauliai with the questionnaire survey method applied to each of the responder. In total 316 students were surveyed, of which 161 – In Kaunas and 155 – in Šiauliai city. Conclusions: 1. Only 28.9 % of all the responders met the WHO physical activity criteria. The part of boys who during their leisure time did exercises on a daily or almost daily basis was twice bigger than the one of girls. 18-19 year old students appeared to be less frequently physically active... [to full text]

Självskattad hälsa beskriver personens subjektiva uppfattning av sin hälsa. En lågt självskattad hälsa har samband med ökad framtida dödlighet. Ett starkt välbefinnande är enligt Katie Erikssons dimensioner av hälsa, förutsättningen för att hälsan ska skattas som bra. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva eventuella skillnader i självskattad hälsa sett till olika levnadsvanor hos 40-åriga kvinnor och män. Metod: Enkätsvar från totalt 1144 40-åriga kvinnor och män har använts. Enkäterna genomfördes under 2014 på 55 vårdcentraler i två regioner i södra Sverige. Levnadsvanor som valdes till denna studie var fysisk aktivitet, grönsaks- och frukostvanor, alkoholintag, rökning, sysselsättning, sömn och stress. Självskattad hälsa kategoriserades som bra (”mycket bra” och ”bra”) och dålig (”någorlunda”, ”dålig” och ”mycket dålig”). För att studera skillnader användes Student T-test på parametrisk data och Chi-två på icke parametrisk data. Resultat: De levnadsvanor som var vanligare förekommande hos de med bra självskattad hälsa var ansträngande/hård motion, låg nivå av stress och att vara i arbete (p<.001). Att inte röka hos män och att äta frukost och grönsaker hos kvinnor var också vanligare förekommande hos de med bra självskattad hälsa. Lågt intag av alkohol visade inte på några skillnader.  Slutsats: För att minska risken för framtida sjuklighet är det viktigt för distriktssköterskor, samt flera andra samhällsinsatser, att försöka påverka och uppmuntra hög fysisk aktivitet och minskad stress. / Self-rated health describes a person's subjective perception of their health. A low self-rated health has been associated with increased mortality risk. A strong well-being is, according to Katie Eriksson’s health dimensions, a pre-condition for estimating health as well. The aim of this study was to describe eventual differences in self-rated health in terms of different life-style habits of 40-year old woman and men. Method: Survey responses from a total of 1144 40-year old woman and men have been used. The surveys were conducted in 2014 at 55 health centers in two regions in southern Sweden. The living habits chosen for this study were physical activity, vegetable- and breakfast habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, employment, sleep and stress. Self-rated health was categorized as good ("very good" and "good") and poor ("reasonably", "poor" and "very poor"). To study the differences Student T-test was made on the parametric data and Chi-square on the non-parametric data. Results: The living habits that were more common in those with good self-rated health were high physical activity, low level of stress and to have an employment (p<.001). Not smoking in men and to eat breakfast and vegetables in woman were also more common in those with good self-rated health. Low intake of alcohol showed no differences. Conclusion: To reduce the risk of future illness, it is important for district nurses, as well as several community actions, to try to influence and encourage physical activity and reduced stress.

Musculoskeletal complaints are one of the most common reasons for visits to medical and chiropractic professionals in the United States, and spine-related symptoms in particular comprise the largest share of these complaints. Spine-related conditions increase as people age, having implications for rising disability and consequent spending by Medicare and Medicaid on increased health services use and long-term services and support. Chiropractic is one type of treatment used by older adults with these types of health problems. Covered by Medicare since 1972, chiropractic spinal manipulation is allowed for the express purpose to arrest the progression of functional decline or restore and possibly improve patient function. No studies, however, have examined whether chiropractic use by Medicare beneficiaries has indeed arrested functional decline, delayed disability, or restored health. The purpose of this dissertation research is to examine the comparative effectiveness of chiropractic use relative to no treatment and alternative medical care on the health and functional trajectories of community-dwelling older adults. I also examine the comparative effect of chiropractic on satisfaction with care. This is accomplished through the use of two longitudinal surveys with representative Medicare populations linked to Medicare provider claims. The first analysis examines the long-term comparative effect of chiropractic relative to no use and alternative care on functional decline, self-rated health decline, and the onset of additional depressive symptoms in a cohort of older Medicare beneficiaries, both with and without back conditions. The second study examines the effect of chiropractic compared to medical only episodes of care on health and functional decline in an older adult population with uncomplicated back conditions over a two-year period. The third and final study examines the comparative effect of chiropractic relative to medical care only on one-year changes in function, self-rated health, and satisfaction with care in a nationally representative age-eligible Medicare population with spine-related musculoskeletal conditions. Study results suggest that chiropractic has a consistently protective effect when compared to routine alternative medical care against decline in function among older adults with spine-related conditions, both over the long-term and the short-term. Chiropractic also has a comparative protective effect against decline in self-rated health in the short-term, but has no differential effect on the onset of depressive symptoms either in the short-term or long-term . Medicare beneficiaries using chiropractic for spine-related health conditions are relatively more satisfied than those using medical care only with the information provided to them about their condition, and with follow-up care provided after the initial visit. This research is the first of its kind to examine the comparative effectiveness of chiropractic relative to other usual sources of care for Medicare beneficiaries, in general and specifically among those with spine-related conditions, finding that chiropractic use has a comparatively beneficial effect on function, health, and satisfaction with care. The results have important policy implications for clinicians, patients, and Medicare because of the potential to shift clinical practice away from technologically intense and expensive treatments toward therapies like chiropractic spinal manipulation that demonstrate a comparative advantage in preserving health and function among older adults.

There is still a debate concerning the evidence base for community interventions. The randomised clinical trial design (RCT) is increasingly challenged as a gold standard for their evaluation. This thesis takes the Norsjö health programme in Västerbotten as the starting point for a discussion about the ethical platform of community interventions and for exploring the role of self-rated health. The specific objectives are: 1) to better understand barriers to community participation and to assess the role of ethical premises among decision-makers, 2) to explore how health related norms and attitudes interact with self-rated health and the risk factor outcome of an intervention and 3) to analyse the gender and socio-cultural interplay of self-rated health with biomedical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The participation and views of different actors in the planning and implementation phases of the intervention were studied by contrasting information between official documents, interviews with decision makers and professionals and questionnaires to community members. The role of basic values in setting priorities and choosing intervention strategies utilised a questionnaire design with hypothetical scenarios sent to a representative sample of Swedish health care politicians. Qualitative research interviews were used to explore health related norms and attitudes. Health examination measurements and questionnaire data formed the basis for analysis of the development of self-rated health and risk factor load during a 10-year follow-up of the intervention. Access to a stroke registry enabled a case-referent approach for studying the interaction between bio-medical risk factors, socio-demographic factors and self-rated health. Data from the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) could be utilised for a cross-country comparison with a “sister project” in Otsego, U.S.A. The results point to both strengths and limitations of the efforts made to involve people in the intervention. The problem definition mainly remained with the professionals and participation as a goal in itself, strengthening local democracy was felt to be an exaggerated ambition. However, there was an overall agreement about the seriousness of the health problem, the need to intervene and about the implementation mode. Self-rated health and reported behavioural change were important indicators of participation and young men with bad health seemed to have been least involved. Among Swedish health care politicians there was an overall agreement to allocate resources for prevention directed towards communities when there are serious health problems. The majority preferred an intervention strategy that involved primary health care. The risk of harm by creating some degree of anxiety or stigma was for many considered an acceptable drawback of a successful intervention. The follow-up study revealed a positive risk factor reduction accompanied by a positive development of self-rated health, especially for men. Additional support for an intervention effect was given through a comparison with a reference area. The interaction pattern between risk reduction and self-rated health was more polarised for men than for women, with a corresponding pattern for the lower compared to the higher educated. These results could be linked to a transition in the health related norm system and to “ideal types” representing attitudinal sets towards the intervention. The case-referent analysis suggested an interaction effect between self-rated health and bio-medical risk factor load in predicting stroke that was greater for men than for women. The cross-country comparison revealed a stronger influence of education in the U.S.A. The lower educated, with a high risk load, had a greater risk of self-rated poor health than their Swedish counterparts. The thesis suggests that self-rated health is an unexplored indicator, potentially important for understanding the complexity of community interventions. Self-rated health may predict disease development as well as modify the impact of established risk factors.

This dissertation aims to describe social inequalities in self-rated health in an integrated framework of gender, social class and immigration, and to identify the main intermediary factors and health problems that contribute to these inequalities. Three cross-sectional studies were performed with data from surveys of the general population residing in Catalonia and Spain in 2006. Migration from poor regions of Spain to Catalonia emerged as a health inequality dimension in addition to and interaction with gender and social class, highlighting the transitory nature of the ‘healthy immigrant effect’ partially observed in foreign immigrants. Material and economic resources made major contributions to all three types of health inequalities: individual income made the greatest contribution to gender inequalities; household material assets and financial difficulties to migration-related inequalities; and both to social class inequalities. Poorer self-rated health of women was showed to be not an issue of perception but a precise reflection of the higher burden of chronic conditions they suffered compared to men, such as musculoskeletal, mental and other pain disorders, which could be targets for a health system responsive to gender inequalities. Intersections between axes of inequality created complex social locations with unique consequences on health.