Time with media screens (television, computers, videogames, cell phones, and tablets) is the primary activity of youth, second only to sleeping, and represents a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Additionally, the populations with highest rates of screen time are also those most at risk of CVD from genetic predisposition (i.e., Blacks, Hispanics). The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study, based on cross-sectional analysis of archived data from the 2009 - 2010 NHANES for United States youth, newborn to 20 years old, was to determine whether the combination of media screen time with genetic background is a better predictor of CVD than either factor alone. The theoretical framework was the social ecological theory of disease distribution. The relationship between media screen time, genetic background, and CVD risk factor was determined using binary logistic regression. Results of this study indicated that the relationship between ethnicity, gender, and type/duration of exposure to media screen is important to predict the CVD risk factors C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. Interventions that limit exposure total screen time will reduce the risk of increased blood pressure among all races. However, culturally relevant intervention should be designed specifically for non-Hispanic Blacks, other Hispanics, and other race. These ethnicities have the highest propensity to increase in blood pressure, CRP, and triglycerides and also spend the largest amount of time in front of the media screen. Results from this study may help to promote policies and initiatives to limit screen time that are culturally relevant and more focused.

Screen content coding is used to improve coding efficiency of synthetic contents in videos, such as text and UI elements, as opposed to contents captured using photo-graphic equipment, which most video codecs are optimized for. One way of improving screen content coding efficiency is to utilize mixed block coding with matching pursuit. By separating the prediction and transformation steps for overlay and background elements, better contrast and signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved. The paper describes the implementation of such algorithm within the HEVC reference encoder, and discusses the experimental results on several test images.

Continuous and pulse selective laser sintering and laser powder deposition were used to find a solution to the manufacturing of micro-foil lattice structured components. A full factorial test matrix was used for each process to determine the processes capability to produce continuous tracks for joining the micro-foil materials. The samples were evaluated for dimensional profiles, distortion, and cycle times, to develop selection criteria for implementation of the processes into industry. The selective laser sintering processes were able to join the micro-foil materials into lattice structures with continuous tracks. The laser powder deposition processes were not able to properly join the micro-foil materials into lattice structures. The end results showed that micro-foil lattice structures can be produced using continuous and pulse selective laser sintering.

The thesis takes up the question of the representation of the migrant on the Australian screen in terms of a specific set of concerns around the notions of stereotype and self-reflexivity. The stereotype is read as a self-referential image: hence, as a question of film spectatorship and identity; in short as an unconscious reflex or self image. The text of the thesis is in two parts: part one, comprises the production of the film ‘Italians at home’. It is the major component of research and text which, for this purpose, has been copied and submitted hereto on VHS video cassette. Part two, includes an analysis and discussion of the television documentary ‘The migrant experience’, and an exegesis, of the production, narrative and reception of the film ‘Italians at home’. The migrant experience is read and discussed as an exemplary text of dominant, stereotyped discourse of cultural difference; while ‘Italians at home’ is proposed as a parallel text and a self-reflexive reading and criticism of such a text. Both the television documentary and the film, deal with the representation and problematic of homogenised representations of ethnicity. In the case of ‘The migrant experience’, it is argued, that the figure of the migrant as other and self-image, functions as an object of Australian culture and discourse of national identity within a logic of representation of binary structures; while the film ‘Italians at home’, the question of self-referentiality is seen in terms of the viewing subject and a problematic of film representation; thus, the film attempts to make such signifying structures, visual codes and agreed assumptions of otherness visible, while, at the same time, attempting to displace them or pose them as a problem of representation or reading for the viewer.

In this case study a secondary school and its art education is studied. Pupils and the art teacher are interviewed and observations are made in school and out of school. The study is based on socio-cultural theory, media ecology and semiotics. In this school manual and digital media each share about 50 percent of the time available for art. It is shown that it is the teaching method – the change from a dialogic to a multivoiced method – that enables the embedded use of digital media. Arguments for digital media in art are that they are time-saving, promote aesthetic aspects and will put an end to the process of traditional education where the teacher is reduced to being a conveyor of information. The computer lab is no option for an embedded art education. On monitors and in exhibitions pupils are surrounded by other pupils´ works, which promotes a desire among them to improve their creativity, and a local art culture is developed in a cumulative process. / Skolämnesparadigm och undervisningspraktik i skärmkulturen – bild, musik och svenska [“School subject paradigms and teaching practice in the screen culture – art, music and Swedish”].

Wnt signaling is important in human development and disease, thus dysregulated beta-catenin constitutes an attractive target for drug intervention. The few functional inhibitors currently available target transcriptional activation, therefore, identifying novel upstream modulators would be of tremendous importance to elucidating the mechanisms involved in regulatingbeta-catenin activity. To achieve this, I developed a high-throughput screen to assess beta-catenin stability in mammalian cells using a luciferase tagged beta-catenin molecule. This assay was used to screen three chemical libraries to identify small molecule modulators of the pathway. Identified inhibitors/activators of the pathway were investigated via secondary assays. The most promising inhibitor, 21H7, significantly attenuated activated beta-catenin signaling in colon cancer cells, decreasing beta-catenin stability. The inhibitory effects of 21H7 and a structurally similar compound were shown to not only inhibit Wnt target gene expression in colon cancer cells, but also prostate cancer lines. Thus, 21H7 represents an attractive lead compound for further study.

Wnt signaling is important in human development and disease, thus dysregulated beta-catenin constitutes an attractive target for drug intervention. The few functional inhibitors currently available target transcriptional activation, therefore, identifying novel upstream modulators would be of tremendous importance to elucidating the mechanisms involved in regulatingbeta-catenin activity. To achieve this, I developed a high-throughput screen to assess beta-catenin stability in mammalian cells using a luciferase tagged beta-catenin molecule. This assay was used to screen three chemical libraries to identify small molecule modulators of the pathway. Identified inhibitors/activators of the pathway were investigated via secondary assays. The most promising inhibitor, 21H7, significantly attenuated activated beta-catenin signaling in colon cancer cells, decreasing beta-catenin stability. The inhibitory effects of 21H7 and a structurally similar compound were shown to not only inhibit Wnt target gene expression in colon cancer cells, but also prostate cancer lines. Thus, 21H7 represents an attractive lead compound for further study.

The aim of this inquiry was to investigate the most appropriate measures to reduce noise impacts from road traffic on the Nydala recreational area in Umeå municipality due to the planned re-routing of the E4 motorway to an existing road along this area. The sound environment is an important part in the experience when we are visiting recreational areas. Noise is not only disturbing; the liberty from unwanted sounds also allows us to perceive natural sounds that are a benefit for the cultural experience. Therefore it is important to take actions to protect this well used area from traffic noise. The reasonable options to avoid noise impact in this case are to lower the speed limit, using a noise reducing coating or use noise protection screens and walls. To estimate the measures suitability the starting points were to measure the effects on noise, the impact on the landscape, coasts and other possible side effects. It is important that the noise issue may not be replaced by other problems such as barrier effects, significant effects on the landscape or worsening living environment. To assess the reducing effect of the noise, calculations have been made. These showed that the measures that reduce noise spread were more favorable compared to those which prevent noise generation. The most appropriate measure in this case, based on the noise impact and influence on the landscape, is a 2 meter high acoustic screen in a combination of 0,5 meter wood and 1,5 meter tempered

Due to rising energy prices as well as supply and ecological concerns, there is a strong interest in reducing the energy used in buildings. As such, it is desirable to model the operation of a building and predict its future energy use. In predicting the energy use of a building, the heat gain/loss through windows is an important factor. In order to accurately model this heat gain/loss, the convective heat transfer coefficient of any insect screens mounted adjacent to the windows needs to be known. This thesis describes an investigation into the heat transfer from insect screens mounted towards the indoor side of a window. The convective heat transfer coefficient of an insect screen varies based on several parameters. For implementation in building energy modelling software, it is desirable to be able to predict the convective heat transfer coefficient for an arbitrary insect screen. Due to the number of variables and the large dynamic range of the details required for modelling, direct simulation of a range of whole insect screens was not completed. Instead, a range of numerical models representing small sections of an insect screen were created. By comparing results from these to available correlations for simpler geometries, such as cylinders and flat plates, estimates for the heat transfer coefficient of a screen can be obtained. The results were non-dimensionalized for analysis and different methodologies for the prediction of heat transfer from an indoor window insect screen are described.

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