We introduce normal coordinates in Riemannspaces as a tool to construct color-weak compensation methods.We use them to compute color stimuli for a color weakobservers that result in the same color perception as theoriginal image presented to a color normal observer in the sensethat perceived color-differences are identical for both. Thecompensation is obtained through a color-difference-preservingmap, i.e. an isometry between the 3D color spaces of a colornormaland any given color-weak observer. This approach usesdiscrimination threshold data and is free from approximationerrors due to local linearization. The performance is evaluatedwith the help of semantic differential (SD) tests. / Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research through grant IIS11-0081. / European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 - Challenge 2 Cognitive Systems, Interaction, Robotics - under grant agreement No 247947 - GARNICS.

This paper reviews the effectiveness of vehicle activated signs. Vehicle activated signs are being reportedly used in recent years to display dynamic information to road users on an individual basis in order to give a warning or inform about a specific event. Vehicle activated signs are triggered individually by vehicles when a certain criteria is met. An example of such criteria is to trigger a speed limit sign when the driver exceeds a pre-set threshold speed. The preset threshold is usually set to a constant value which is often equal, or relative, to the speed limit on a particular road segment. This review examines in detail the basis for the configuration of the existing sign types in previous studies and explores the relation between the configuration of the sign and their impact on driver behavior and sign efficiency. Most of previous studies showed that these signs have significant impact on driver behavior, traffic safety and traffic efficiency. In most cases the signs deployed have yielded reductions in mean speeds, in speed variation and in longer headways. However most experiments reported within the area were performed with the signs set to a certain static configuration within applicable conditions. Since some of the aforementioned factors are dynamic in nature, it is felt that the configurations of these signs were thus not carefully considered by previous researchers and there is no clear statement in the previous studies describing the relationship between the trigger value and its consequences under different conditions. Bearing in mind that different designs of vehicle activated signs can give a different impact under certain conditions of road, traffic and weather conditions the current work suggests that variable speed thresholds should be considered instead.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. TBI is frequently followed by cerebral ischemia which is a great contributor to secondary brain damage. The main causes of cerebral ischemia are pathophysiological changes in cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Treatment of TBI patients is currently based on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) targeted treatment protocols. However, ICP and CPP alone do not provide information of the oxygen availability in the brain. Monitoring of brain tissue oxygenation (BtipO2) may give additional and valuable information about the risk for development of ischemia in TBI patients. The aims of this thesis were to study BtipO2 monitoring devices in-vitro regarding accuracy and stability, to detect threshold level of cerebral ischemia in-vivo and finally to examine the cerebral oxygen levels and cerebral metabolism in TBI patients. The BtipO2 probes performed with high accuracy and stability at different clinically relevant oxygen concentrations. A pig TBI model was developed by step-wise intracranial volume/pressure increase. Volume increase resulted in a gradual increased ICP, decreased CPP, intracranial compliance and BtipO2, respectively. Brain death (BD) was confirmed by negative CPP and negligible amount of previously injected microspheres in the brain tissue. The model simulated the clinical development of BD in humans with a classical pressure-volume response and systemic cardiovascular reactions. The model should be suitable for studies of brain injury mechanisms. From the same in-vivo model it was also possible to detect the threshold level of cerebral ischemia in the pig, where BtipO2 below 10 mmHg and CPP below 30 mmHg was associated with an impaired cerebral metabolism (microdialysis lactate to pyruvate ratio >30). BtipO2 together with cerebral microdialysis were studied in 23 severe TBI patients. We observed different patterns of changes in BtipO2 and cerebral microdialysis biomarkers in focal and diffuse TBI.  Increased cerebral microdialysis levels of glutamate, glycerol or the lactate/pyruvate ratio were observed at BtipO2 < 5 mmHg, indicating increased vulnerability of the brain at this critical level of tissue oxygenation in TBI patients.

Threshold dynamics used to control the spread of the disease in infectious disease phenomena has an overwhelming importance and interest in mathematical epidemiology. One of the famous threshold quantity is known to be the basic reproduction ratio. Its formulation as well as computation is the main concern of infectious diseases. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the basic reproduction ratio in both autonomous and periodic systems via defining R0 as the spectral radius of the next generation operator. This thesis presents the vector host model for the diseases Dengue fever and avian influenza. As emerging of the diseases shows periodicity, systems of periodic ordinary differential equations are considered for both types of diseases. Simple implementation of the time-averaged systems gives rise to the comparison of these with the periodic systems. Thus, we investigate the occurence of the existence of underestimation or overestimation of the basic reproduction ratio in timeaveraged systems.

The money demand function has been regarded as a fundamental building block in macroeconomic modelling, as it represents the link between the monetary policy and rest of the economy. The extensive literature on money demand function is concerned with the existence of a stable money demand function, which ensures adequate prediction of impact of a given change in money supply on other economic variables such as, inflation, interest rates, national income, private investment and other policy variables. This thesis employs both linear and nonlinear estimation methods to investigate the relationship between money demand, GDP, inflation and interest rates for the Euro Area over the period 1980-2010. The aim of this thesis is to compare the European money demand in linear and nonlinear framework. First a vector autoregression (VAR) model has been estimated. Then a threshold cointegration model has been employed and nonlinearity properties of the money demand relationship has been investigated. In contrast to the existing empirical literature, linear VEC model can find evidence of stability, however it has some conflicting results which can be explained by the nonlinearity of the model. Empirical results of MTAR type threshold cointegration specification verifies the nonlinearity in European money demand. The adjustment coefficient of lower regime suggests faster adjustment towards long run equilibrium compared to upper regime in nonlinear model. Moreover, the nonlinear model presents better fit to economic literature than linear model for European money demand.

Revenue management is a concept aimed to maximize capacity utilization and through that maximize revenues. It originated in the airline industry in the 70’s and due to its effectiveness  quickly spread to other sectors of the service industry. Today it is used in several industries like hotels, television and radio broadcasters, and energy transition companies to name a few. Since revenue management was developed in and for the service industry, most studies on revenue management are done on the service industry, creating a rather large research cap. Recently this concept has spread to the manufacturing industry as well. Despite this, there is very limited research done on revenue management in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, this paper’s aim is to partially filling this research gap by studying capacity management and pricing strategies (two mechanisms of revenue management), and how they have been shaped when implemented in a manufacturing company. This paper was done with a case study done on a multinational manufacturing company, who recently implemented revenue management. Interviews were conducted with people in key positions with good insight to the usage of revenue management in this company. Some of the most important result was that in this manufacturing company it is not possible to nest capacity on a customer segment level. However, in this company nesting was done on a market level instead. Also the pricing strategy differed between the service industry theory and this company. Instead of having a dynamic price that changed the total price up or down to change demand, this company had more of a fixed total price, and instead added more features to the product, decreasing the profit margin. The conclusion was drawn that the industry characteristics of the manufacturing industry have forced a rather large modification of revenue management. However, since this was a qualitative case study, no generalizing conclusions for the entire manufacturing industry can be drawn.

Introducción.La pérdida generalizada de masa y fuerza muscular asociada al envejecimiento es causa de deterioro funcional y discapacidad física, especialmente en el anciano de edad avanzada. En este contexto, la función respiratoria puede verse gravemente comprometida, cuando al descenso fisiológico de la fuerza de la musculatura respiratoria (MR), se le suman la comorbilidad y la inmovilidad. Estudios previos han demostrado que el entrenamiento específico de la MR se acompaña de la mejora significativa de la fuerza y la resistencia de esta musculatura, tanto en sujetos sanos como en enfermos. Por lo tanto, puede tratarse de una intervención efectiva para mejorar y mantener las características de la MR, así como prevenir el deterioro clínico y funcional del anciano más vulnerable. Objetivo. Evaluar y comparar entre sí la efectividad de dos protocolos de entrenamiento específico de la MR en la mejora de su fuerza y resistencia, en el anciano institucionalizado con importante limitación funcional. Material y métodos.Setenta y un ancianos institucionalizados con incapacidad para deambular (90% mujeres;edadmedia ± Sx, 85 ± 6 años) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo control (n= 24) y dos grupos entrenados (grupo Threshold,n= 23; grupo Pranayama, n= 24). Los grupos experimentales siguieron un protocolo de entrenamiento supervisado, cinco días a la semana durante seis semanas consecutivas. Las principales variables de este estudio, las presiones respiratorias estáticas máximas (PImax y PEmax) y la ventilación máxima voluntaria (VMV), fueron medidas en cuatro momentos temporales (semanas 0, 4, 7 y 10) para cada uno de los tres grupos definidos. Resultados. Contrariamente a nuestra hipótesis, el entrenamiento mediante Threshold® IMT no reveló efecto significativo en la fuerza y la resistencia de la MR. Sin embargo, los ejercicios de ventilación controlada, descritos como Pranayama, reflejaron un aumento significativo de la fuerza de laMR sobre los grupos control y Threshold(PImax F6,204= 6,774, p< 0,001, η2= 0,166; PEmax F6,204= 4,257, p< 0,001, η2= 0,111). Adicionalmente, el Pranayama mostró un efecto significativamente mayor de la resistencia de la MR respecto al grupo control (VMV F6,204= 5,322, p< 0,001, η2= 0,135). Conclusión. El entrenamiento mediante Pranayama es una modalidad de ejercicio efectiva y bien tolerada por el anciano que no puede deambular autónomamente. Por lo tanto, es una alternativa beneficiosa para el mantenimiento y mejora de la fuerza y resistencia de la MR en el anciano con perdida significativa de movilidad y capacidad de ejercicio. / The global loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging is a cause of functional impairment and disability, particularly in the frail elderly. Respiratory function can be severely compromised if there is a decrease of respiratory muscle (RM) strength complicated by the presence of comorbidities and physical immobility. Previous studies have shown that RM training is an effective method to increase RM strength, both in healthy people and patients. In this case, RM training may be regarded as a beneficial alternative to improve RM function, and thus prevent physical deterioration in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the effect of two specific RM training protocols on the RM strength and endurance in an elderly population, who were unable to engage in general exercise conditioning. The hypothesis was that RM training would improve RM strength and endurance in the experimental groups vs. control group, who did not participate in RM training. Methods. Seventy-one institutionalized elderlypeople with an inability to walk (90% female, age 85 ± 6 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (n=24), Threshold group (n=23) or Pranayama group (n=24). Both experimental groups performed a supervised RM training, 5 days/week for six consecutive weeks. The maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP) and the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were assessed at four time points in each of the three groups. Results. Contrary to our original hypothesis, Threshold® IMT did not reveal a significant effect on the RM strength and endurance, when compared to the outcomes in the control group. However, Pranayama exercises reflected a significant increase in RM strength, over the control and Threshold groups (MIP F6,204= 6,774, p< 0,001, 2= 0,166; MEP F6,204= 4,257, p< 0,001, 2= 0,111). Additionally, the Pranayama RM trainingwas significantlybetter in increasing RM endurance when compared to the MVVmeasured in the control group (MVV F6,204= 5,322, p< 0,001, 2= 0,135). Conclusion.Pranayama RM training is an effective and well-tolerated exercise regimen in the elderly population. Therefore, RM training is effective in improving RM strength and endurance in a functionally impaired elderly population.

―Green‖ odors comprise a group of eight structurally related aliphatic alkenals and alkenols which are characteristic for the odor of a wide variety of plant materials. Using an automated olfactometer, the olfactory detection thresholds for ―green‖ odors were determined in six CD-1 mice and compared with that of spider monkeys and human subjects. Detection threshold values for alcoholic ‖green‖ odors (cis-3-hexen-1-ol, trans-3-hexen-1-ol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol and 1-hexanol) ranged from 8.1 x 109 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/cm3 and for aldehydic ‖green‖ odors (cis-3-hexenal, trans-3-hexenal, trans-2-hexenal and n-hexanal) , from 8.1 x 107 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/ cm3 . Detection threshold values of ―green‖ odor with double bond ranged from 8.1 x 107 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/cm3 and for ―green‖ odor without double bond ranged from 8.1 x 108 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/cm3. Detection threshold value of cis- configured ―green‖ odors ranged from 8.1 x 108 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/ cm3 and for trans- configured ―green‖ odors threshold value ranged from 8.1 x 107 to 8.1 x 1011 molecules/ cm3. Trans-2-hexenal with a double bond at C-2 position in its molecular structure yielded the lowest detection threshold value when compared the other ―green‖ odors (8.1 x 107 to 8.1 x 109 molecules /cm3) which shows not only the presence of double bond plays a major role in detection but the position of the double bond present. A comparison between the present data and data from the other species showed that CD-1 mice displayed lower detection thresholds for all ‖green‖ odors than human subjects and spider monkeys except for the cis-3-hexen-1-ol odor. These findings suggest that the differences in the threshold values between ―green‖ odors are due to the difference in the molecular structure like the presence of double bond and the position of double bond.

The honeybee is one of the model species in insect olfaction and its sense of smell is well studied. However, knowledge about the spectrum of odorants detectable to honeybees is limited. One class of odorants that has never been tested so far are the amino acids, which are important constituents of floral nectar. The experiments reported here were conducted in order to (1) determine if the odor of amino acids is detectable to honeybees (Apis mellifera), and (2) determine olfactory detection thresholds in honeybees for detectable amino acid odors. To this end, the proboscis extension reflex, a classical conditioning paradigm that takes advantage of the honeybee’s ability to build a robust association between an odor stimulus and a nectar reward, was used. The results demonstrate that five out of 20 amino acids presented at 100 mM were detectable. The honeybees’ median olfactory detection thresholds for these five amino acids are 12 mM for L-tyrosine and L-cysteine, 50 mM for L-asparagine and L-tryptophan, and 100 mM for L-proline. These threshold values are high in comparison to naturally occurring concentrations in floral nectar, and compared to threshold values obtained in vertebrate species. One possible explanation for these findings is that the size of the olfactory receptor repertoire of honeybees limits their olfactory capabilities in terms of detectability and sensitivity for the odor of amino acids

Ett lågtröskelboende vänder sig till individer med missbruks- och boendeproblematik där intentionen är att erbjuda individen stöd i dennes alkoholproblematik samt en trygghet i boendet utan att ställa krav på nykterhet. Studiens syfte var att undersöka fenomenet: upplevelsen av att bo på ett lågtröskelboende utifrån ett brukarperspektiv, samt vad flytten till lågtröskelboendet har inneburit för de boendes livskvalitet. I analysen användes ett fenomenologiskt perspektiv med livsvärldsteorin som utgångspunkt. Resultatet visar studiens fenomen som existentiell samhörighet i alkoholmissbruk. Den delade alkohol- och boendeproblematiken gör att de boende upplever sig som jämlika med varandra, vilket också skapar en känsla av gemenskap och tillhörighet. Studien visar att alkoholkonsumtion, trots acceptans av alkoholbruk inom boendet, upplevs av de boende som om den minskar. Resultatet har betydelse för hur lågtröskelboenden kan utvecklas för att göra en än bättre anpassning till de boendes behov. / A low-threshold-home is a home for individuals that are struggling with alcohol addiction problems and finding it hard to find a place to stay. The intention of the home is to offer the residents support in their struggle with alcohol, and a safe place to stay, without putting pressure on the person to stay sober. The purpose of the study was to see how the individuals are coping with living at the low-threshold home and still struggling their addiction, and how the move there has changed their quality of life. A phenomenological perspective of theory of life has been used in the analysis and the results show an existential connection between the men in their alcohol-addiction. Because of their shared alcohol- and accommodation problems with addiction, the individuals feel a unity between them that creates understanding. The study shows by experiences by the residents that the acceptance of alcohol within this low-threshold-home in many cases leads to less consumption of alcohol. That is important and useful when trying to improve these low-threshold-homes even more in the future for the individuals living there.