New and more advanced prenatal tests have steadily been introduced in the Swedish maternity care system in the last 30 years. The combined test, CUB, was introduced step wise in Swedish maternal care from 2008 and onward. The CUB test detects children with chromosomal abnormalities prenatally and is offered at no charge for women in treated counties. This thesis investigate the reform using a difference-in-difference approach to determine the effect of the CUB test on the number of late abortions performed. My theoretical framework suggest that the introduction of CUB should increase the number of abortions of children with chromosomal aberrations. As supported by theory I find a positive effect of CUB on late abortions for my main group of interest, women 35-39 years old. These women were the ones most effected by CUB. The positive effect of 0.47 percentage units is statistically significant at the 10% level. It corresponds to a 3.6-7.1% decrease in the number of babies born with chromosomal aberrations.

We measured black bear (Ursus americanus) reproduction and cub survival during 1994 - 1998, and 1995 - 1999, respectively, in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia to determine age-specific and overall cub production and cub survival. We observed females in estrus between 6 June and 22 August; the mean date of estrus was 17 July. Ages of primiparity ranged between 3 and 5 years with an average of 3.36 years (n=11, SE=0.15). Average litter size for 1995 - 1998 was 2.32 cubs/litter (SE=0.11, n=53) and 85.7% of available females ≥ age 4 (those not accompanied by cubs) reproduced in a given den season. We monitored 98 (48M:50F) black bear cubs equipped with expandable radio-collars (Higgins 1997) or radio transmitters implanted subcutaneously between 1995 and 1999 to estimate cub survival. Kaplan-Meier staggered entry analysis provided 306-day survival rates for 82 cubs. The survival estimates for males and females were 73% (0.49, 0.96) and 91% (0.80, 1.00), respectively. The overall 306-day survival rate for all cubs was 81% (0.67,0.94) using Kaplan-Meier and 76% (0.63, 0.92) using Heisey-Fuller (Mayfield) methods. We also evaluated the utility of radio transmitters implanted subcutaneously in 42 (21M:21F) wild black bear (Ursus americanus) cubs from 2 study areas in Virginia between 1996 and 1999 to monitor first year cub survival. More than 64% (27 of 42) of the implants fell out prematurely (2-198 days), and 16.6% (7 of 42) failed for unknown reasons. Less than 5% (2 of 42) of these cubs denned wearing failed implants, and 9.5% (4 of 42) experienced mortality less than 1 month after implant surgery. About 9.5% (4 of 42) of implanted black bear cubs wore working transmitters through to the following den season. / Master of Science

In Image Classification, pictures of the same type of object can have very different pixel values. Traditional norm-based metrics therefore fail to identify objectsin the same category. Topology is a branch of mathematics that deals with homeomorphic spaces, by discarding length. With topology, we can discover patterns in the image that are invariant to rotation, translation and warping. Persistent Homology is a new approach in Applied Topology that studies the presence of continuous regions and holes in an image. It has been used successfully for image segmentation and classification [12]. However, current approaches in image classification require a grayscale image to generate the persistence modules. This means information encoded in colour channels is lost. This thesis investigates whether the information in the red, green and blue colour channels of an RGB image hold additional information that could help algorithms classify pictures. We apply two recent methods, one by Adams [2] and the other by Hofer [25], on the CUB-200-2011 birds dataset [40] andfind that Hofer’s method produces significant results. Additionally, a modified method based on Hofer that uses the RGB colour channels produces significantly better results than the baseline, with over 48 % of images correctly classified, compared to 44 % and with a more significant improvement at lower resolutions.This indicates that colour channels do provide significant new information and generating one persistence module per colour channel is a viable approach to RGB image classification.

Recent years have shown a broad spectra of tangible interfaces or TUI's, based upon interaction with music, but also other interfaces containing ubiquitous computing. This is an interesting field due to how engaging music can be and work as connector between people. But the field of human computer interaction has some explorational properties. This paper presents an idea of abstraction with a tangible interface for creating music. The idea behind abstraction of the interface is to engage the user(s) in exploring the artifact, rather than explaining the artifact to the user what can and cannot be done with the artifact.

Submitted by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2015-01-23T14:01:52Z No. of bitstreams: 5 11.pdf: 1601673 bytes, checksum: 39d0ae1d4c83f9f75b192f272b66de11 (MD5) license_url: 52 bytes, checksum: 3d480ae6c91e310daba2020f8787d6f9 (MD5) license_text: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) license.txt: 2109 bytes, checksum: aa477231e840f304454a16eb85a9235f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2015-02-10T11:12:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 5 license_url: 52 bytes, checksum: 3d480ae6c91e310daba2020f8787d6f9 (MD5) license_text: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) license.txt: 2109 bytes, checksum: aa477231e840f304454a16eb85a9235f (MD5) 11.pdf: 1601673 bytes, checksum: 39d0ae1d4c83f9f75b192f272b66de11 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-10T11:12:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 5 license_url: 52 bytes, checksum: 3d480ae6c91e310daba2020f8787d6f9 (MD5) license_text: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) license.txt: 2109 bytes, checksum: aa477231e840f304454a16eb85a9235f (MD5) 11.pdf: 1601673 bytes, checksum: 39d0ae1d4c83f9f75b192f272b66de11 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / O emprego de pr?ticas silviculturais apropriadas associado ao uso de m?todos de avalia??o nutricional e t?cnicas estat?sticas avan?adas pode ser uma alternativa vi?vel no estabelecimento de crit?rios pr?ticos de caracteriza??o e classifica??o nutricional, al?m de permitir obter informa??es sobre a din?mica de crescimento dentro de povoamentos florestais, enriquecendo estudos sobre a sustentabilidade e produ??o de um ecossistema florestal. O presente trabalho foi dividido em tr?s cap?tulos. Os objetivos foram avaliar os coeficientes de utiliza??o biol?gicos (CUB?s) dos nutrientes pelo eucalipto, a efici?ncia e possibilidade de utiliza??o das redes neurais artificiais (RNA) para obter os CUB?s e estimativas para a biomassa de tronco sob diferentes espa?amentos. O experimento foi instalado em dezembro de 2002 utilizando-se um h?brido de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden x Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh sobre Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo em relevo plano a 1097 m altitude. Adotou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso sendo estudado, em tr?s blocos, o efeito de cinco espa?amentos de plantio: T1 - 3,0 x 0,5 m; T2 - 3,0 x 1,0 m; T3 - 3,0 x 1,5 m; T4 - 3,0 x 2,0 m e T5 - 3,0 x 3,0 m. Realizou-se o invent?rio florestal cont?nuo nas idades de 48, 61, 73, 85 e 101 meses. Em cada ?rvore-amostra por unidade experimental na ?ltima idade foram: quantificada a biomassa; mensurada a ?rea e per?metro foliar, ?rea foliar espec?fica e realizada a an?lise qu?mica de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S para amostras composta (ao longo do fuste) e simples (regi?o do DAP) dos componentes. Os resultados foram submetidos ? ANOVA, regress?o e a aplica??o das RNA. A modelagem por redes neurais artificiais demonstrou-se adequada para estimar a produ??o de biomassa de tronco em fun??o da idade sob diferentes espa?amentos, utilizando o DAP e per?metro foliar como vari?veis preditoras. N?o houve grande varia??o da efici?ncia de uso dos nutrientes entre os espa?amentos, principalmente para o tronco. A rede neural artificial foi eficiente em estimar a efici?ncia de uso dos nutrientes. A modelagem por redes neurais artificiais utilizando-se apenas amostra da casca na regi?o do DAP demonstrou ser adequada para a estimativa do coeficiente de utiliza??o biol?gico do tronco. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Ci?ncia Florestal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2012. / ABSTRACT The use of appropriate silvicultural practices associated with the use of methods of nutritional assessment and advanced statistical techniques can be a viable alternative to establish practical criteria characterization and classification of nutritional status, and allows information on the dynamics of growth in forest stands, enriching studies on the sustainability and production of a forest ecosystem. This work was divided into three chapters. The objectives were assess the coefficient of biological use (CUB's) of nutrients by eucalyptus trees, the efficiency and possible use of artificial neural networks (RNA) for the CUB's and biomass trunk under different spacings. The research plots was installed in december 2002 using a hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden X Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. The statistical design was randomized blocks being studied, in three blocks, the effect of different planting spacings: T1???3,0?x?0,5?m, T2???3,0?x?1,0?m, T3???3,0?x?1,5?m, T4???3,0?x?2,0?m e T5???3,0?x?3,0?m. Data collection was carried out at ages 48, 61, 73, 85 and 101 months. In each sample-tree per experimental unit in the last age were: quantified biomass; measured leaf area, leaf perimeter, specific leaf area and chemical analysis of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S for composite samples (along the stem) and simple samples (the region of the DAP) of components. Statistical analysis of the data consisted of ANOVA, regression and application of RNA. The modeling by artificial neural networks demonstred to be adequate to estimate the biomass of the trunk in relation to age at different spacings, using the DBH and perimeter leaf as predictors variables. There wasn't wide variation in efficiency use nutrient among spacings, especially for the trunk. The artificial neural network was effective in estimating the efficiency of nutrient use. The modeling by artificial neural networks using only sample in the DAP region proved to be adequate for estimating the coefficient of biological use of stem.

Bakgrund: Efterfrågan på tidig fosterdiagnostik har ökat bland blivande föräldrar. KUB är den vanligast förekommande fosterdiagnostiska metoden men är inte diagnostiserande utan kalkylerar en sannolikhet för huruvida trisomi 13, 18 eller 21 föreligger. Detta är kvinnorna inte alltid medvetna om, varför förberedelse och noggrann information är viktigt. Denna studie utfördes därmed för att belysa kvinnors upplevelser relaterat till genomfört KUB. Syfte: Att beskriva kvinnors upplevelser relaterat till genomfört KUB. Metod: Kvalitativ innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats användes. 10 trådar från Internetforumet Familjeliv.se och 12 bloggar hittades under datainsamlingen och låg till grund för dataanalys. Resultat: Analysen mynnade ut ett sammanfattande tema: KUB ses som en möjlighet att bekräfta graviditeten men leder till varierande känslor som barnmorskor måste stödja på ett förtroendefullt sätt. De mest framträdande känslorna som beskrevs relaterat till KUB var oro och rädsla. Barnmorskor upplevdes inte ge det stöd som behövdes. Konklusion: KUB ses som ett sätt att bekräfta graviditeten. För att minska oron behöver barnmorskor ge individanpassad information till kvinnorna. Kvinnors oro relaterat till KUB tenderar att grumla graviditeten och kvarstå lång tid framöver. / Background: The demand on prenatal diagnosis increases among expecting parents. CUB is the most common method for the matter but doesn’t provide any diagnosis. CUB only calculates the probability of a fetus with trisomy 13, 18 or 21. Women aren’t always aware of this. Hence, careful preparations and information are necessary. This study was performed to enhance knowledge in women’s experiences in relation to have undergone CUB. Aim: To describe women’s experiences related to having undergone CUB. Method: A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used. Internet was used for data collection. This collection resulted in 10 threads from bulletin board Familjeliv.se and 12 blogs which became the base for data analysis. Result: The analysis resulted in one theme: CUB is seen as an opportunity to confirm the pregnancy but leads to mixed feelings which the midwives need to support in a trustful way. Anxiety and fear are the most common emotions mentioned among women who have undergone CUB. Women felt that midwives didn’t always provide enough information or the requested information. The encounters with midwives during CUB were described as stressful and even unpleasant. Conclusion: CUB is seen as an early way to confirm the pregnancy. To reduce the anxiety, midwives need to give individualised information. Anxiety tends to obscure the pregnancy and remain a long time.

No description available.

<p>In many command and control situations the understanding of dynamic events is crucial. With today’s development of hard- and software architecture, we have the possibility to visualize data in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images. The aim of this thesis is therefore to investigate different approaches to visualizing dynamic events. The visualization techniques investigated include 2D animation and time representations as markings on a 2D map. In 3D the visualization technique investigated is the “space time-cube” A further aim is to study whether the Cue Probability Learning (CPL) paradigm can be used to evaluate visualizations.</p><p>By mapping time onto a spatial dimension, in the 2D visualization as lines with different densities and in 3D as height over the map, a simultaneous visualization of space and time is possible. The findings are that this mapping of time onto space is beneficial to users as compared with animations, but the two mapping techniques are not interchangeable. If a task requires judgments of metric spatial properties, a 2D visualization is more beneficial; however, if the task only requires judgments of more qualitative aspects, a 3D visualization is more beneficial.</p><p>When we look at a 3D visualization, we utilize different sources of depth information. These sources are always present and each defines either a 3D scene or a projection surface. By using these different sources of depth information wisely, a visualization can be created that efficiently shows relevant information to a user while requiring a minimal amount of specialized hardware.</p><p>Finally, the CPL paradigm seems to be a worthwhile option as an experimental paradigm in visualization experiments. One of the advantages of CPL is that novice users can be trained to be task experts in a controlled and time-efficient way.</p>

In many command and control situations the understanding of dynamic events is crucial. With today’s development of hard- and software architecture, we have the possibility to visualize data in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images. The aim of this thesis is therefore to investigate different approaches to visualizing dynamic events. The visualization techniques investigated include 2D animation and time representations as markings on a 2D map. In 3D the visualization technique investigated is the “space time-cube” A further aim is to study whether the Cue Probability Learning (CPL) paradigm can be used to evaluate visualizations. By mapping time onto a spatial dimension, in the 2D visualization as lines with different densities and in 3D as height over the map, a simultaneous visualization of space and time is possible. The findings are that this mapping of time onto space is beneficial to users as compared with animations, but the two mapping techniques are not interchangeable. If a task requires judgments of metric spatial properties, a 2D visualization is more beneficial; however, if the task only requires judgments of more qualitative aspects, a 3D visualization is more beneficial. When we look at a 3D visualization, we utilize different sources of depth information. These sources are always present and each defines either a 3D scene or a projection surface. By using these different sources of depth information wisely, a visualization can be created that efficiently shows relevant information to a user while requiring a minimal amount of specialized hardware. Finally, the CPL paradigm seems to be a worthwhile option as an experimental paradigm in visualization experiments. One of the advantages of CPL is that novice users can be trained to be task experts in a controlled and time-efficient way.

Pregnant polar bears (Ursus maritimus) construct maternal dens out of snow in the autumn where they give birth to and raise altricial young. In recent years, there has been a decrease in polar sea ice extent and thickness, which has led to changes in denning behavior. One such change in the southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) is that polar bears are selecting maternal den sites on land, rather than on unstable sea ice. This change, coupled with expanding petroleum exploration along Alaska's North Slope, heightens the likelihood of bear-human interactions at maternal den sites. The purpose of this research was to 1) describe polar bears' post-den emergence behavior, establishing a benchmark for comparison to identify behavioral changes associated with climate change and disturbance, and 2) explore factors influencing the efficacy of a currently used den detection method, forward-looking infrared (FLIR). Maternal den sites were observed along Alaska's North Slope from March to April of 2009 and 2010. The mean length of stay at den sites post-emergence was 11.3 ± 7.5 d. The mean date of den emergence was 14 March; abandonment 26 March. Adult females were generally inactive (58.4% out-of-den time) with standing being the most prevalent activity (49.9%). Cubs were generally active (76.7%), playing more than any other activity (45.3%). Bears spent the majority of their time in the den (97.3% for adult females and 99% for cubs) with short bouts of intermittent activity (× = 7 min 42 s). We documented the death of one member of a triplet polar bear litter at its den site. All three cubs showed low activity levels relative to other cubs observed, and one died within one week of den emergence. Necropsy confirmed that the dead cub had a low body weight and was malnourished. Capture later confirmed that the two surviving cubs were also undersized. Triplet litters are often smaller and suffer higher mortality rates than singletons and twins. This cub was not only a triplet but also born following 2 y of record minimum sea ice extent, both of which may have played a role in this cub's death. Concurrent with the den emergence portion of this work, we conducted a separate study to identify limitations and optimal conditions for locating dens using FLIR. We took handheld FLIR images of three artificial dens under varied conditions. We tested variables hypothesized to influence detectability with linear models using a zero-inflated negative binomial distribution. Solar radiation, wind speed, and den wall thickness reduced the likelihood of detecting dens. The negative effect of wind speed on detectability increased with increasing distance. To maximize the efficacy of hand-held FLIR, den surveys should be conducted when solar radiation is <16 w/m2 (night) and when wind speed is <10 km/h (6 mph). Adherence to these guidelines will maximize the protection FLIR can afford to denning bears.