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Dissertation summarizes the results of computational and experimental modeling in the field of biomechanics engineering. Analyses are focused on selected variables that complement or can supplement existing methods of prediction of bone fractures. In terms of computational modeling the variables are based on stress strain analysis. The greater part of the work has been aimed on experimental modeling which is used for monitoring the two dominant components of bone tissue, which are minerals and collagen fibers. The current most widely used variable for the description of bone loss (osteopenia, osteoporosis) is areal bone mineral density (BMD). This variable does not however provide any information about the change in total volume consequently change of mineral and collagen. Proposed mechanical values follow the loss of the two components during simulation of minerals loss (demineralization) and simulation of collagen loss (deproteinization) in vitro for long turkey bones

It is important for fashion companies to be active in e-commerce landscape as it is growing rapidly especially in the apparel sector. As shopping is considered being an experience, it is important for companies to make the shopping experience pleasant for consumers and create positive emotions that lead to positive response behaviors. In online environments, this can be created through using low and high task-relevant atmospheric cues on the website. The purpose of this study is to describe how low task-relevant atmospheric cues affect consumers' emotions and responses in the online retail environment. Furthermore the aim is to analyze which of the examined low task-relevant cues have the strongest impact on consumers’ emotions and responses. To fulfill the purpose, a qualitative research approach has been chosen. The qualitative data was collected through ten semi-structured interviews with fashion interested new or experienced female online consumers in the age between 20-30 years old. This research shows that emotions and response behaviors are strongly connected and influenced by low task-relevant atmospheric cues. A connection within the response categories was also found. Furthermore, when designing a website, certain elements such as layout, color, images together with sales and promotional signage can be designed to achieve desired emotions as these are have the strongest impact on consumers' emotions and responses. / Program: Master programme in Fashion Management

An animal’s ability to navigate through its natural environment is critical to its survival. Navigation can be slow and methodical such as an annual migration, or purely reactive such as an escape response. How sensory input is translated into a fast behavioral output to execute goal oriented locomotion remains elusive. In this dissertation, I aimed to investigate escape response behavior in the nematode C. elegans. It has been shown that the biogenic amine tyramine is essential for the escape response. A tyramine-gated chloride channel, LGC-55, has been revealed to modulate suppression of head oscillations and reversal behavior in response to touch. Here, I discovered key modulators of the tyraminergic signaling pathway through forward and reverse genetic screens using exogenous tyramine drug plates. ser-2, a tyramine activated G protein-coupled receptor mutant, was partially resistant to the paralytic effects of exogenous tyramine on body movements, indicating a role in locomotion behavior. Further analysis revealed that ser-2 is asymmetrically expressed in the VD GABAergic motor neurons, and that SER-2 inhibits neurotransmitter release along the ventral nerve cord. Although overall locomotion was normal in ser-2 mutants, they failed to execute omega turns by fully contracting the ventral musculature. Omega turns allow the animal to reverse and completely change directions away from a predator during the escape response. Furthermore, my studies developed an assay to investigate instantaneous velocity changes during the escape response using machine based vision. We sought to determine how an animal accelerates in response to a mechanical stimulus, and subsequently decelerates to a basal locomotion rate. Mutant analysis using this assay revealed roles for both dopamine and tyramine signaling. During my doctoral work, I have further established the importance for tyramine in the nematode, as I have demonstrated two additional roles for tyramine in modulating escape response behavior in C. elegans.