Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) interfere with the physiology of hormone systems. Traditionally, steroidogenic pharmaceuticals have been studied as EDCs however there has been growing evidence that non-steroidogenic pharmaceuticals can alter sex steroid levels and impair reproductive functions in fish. This is of concern as pharmaceuticals are detected in surface waters at the ng L-1 to µg L-1 range. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to 10 µg L-1 of the pharmaceuticals carbamazepine and gemfibrozil for 6 weeks. Male-biased sex ratios were observed in the sexually mature offspring after paternal exposure, suggesting that sexual differentiation may be impacted in juveniles. Currently, the ability of pharmaceuticals to interfere with sexual differentiation of parentally exposed offspring is unknown. This thesis examined the gonad histology of juvenile zebrafish to understand how sexual differentiation was affected in the offspring of exposed parents. Paternal, but not maternal, exposure to carbamazepine resulted in a significantly faster sexual differentiation of the gonads and led to a male-biased sex ratio; these effects were not observed when both parents were exposed. Combined paternal and maternal exposure to gemfibrozil resulted in significantly faster sexual differentiation and paternal, but not maternal, exposure to gemfibrozil led to male-biased sex ratios. Interestingly, sex ratios observed in the juveniles did not always reflect those found in the same lineage at sexual maturity, suggesting a sex reversal, including a male to female transition, occurred past the juvenile sexual differentiation period in some fish. This thesis demonstrates that pharmaceuticals have the ability to disrupt sexual differentiation in the F1 offspring of exposed parents and that paternal exposure is most relevant for offspring effects. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Parental exposure to the environmentally-relevant pharmaceuticals carbamazepine or gemfibrozil led to male-biased sex ratios in adult offspring of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a common model organism. The development of the gonads in juveniles was investigated to determine how this process was impacted. Predominately, paternal exposure was found to result in a faster development of the testes and male-biased sex ratios. Interestingly, sex ratios in juveniles did not always reflect those in adults, suggesting a sex reversal may have occurred in adulthood. This study demonstrates the ability of pharmaceuticals to alter gonad development in offspring of exposed parents.

Studien syftade till att undersöka på vilket sätt arbetsrelaterad self-efficacy predicerade de arbetsrelaterade stressorerna krav, kontroll och socialt stöd hos verksamma inom kontaktyrken (N=63). Syftet var också att undersöka om, och därest på vilket sätt, prediktionerna modererades av ålder. Genom en kvantitativ studie distribuerades en webbenkät till slutna Facebook-grupper för verksamma inom kontaktyrken. Webbenkäten innehöll en mätskala för arbetsrelaterad self-efficacy och en mätskala för krav, kontroll samt socialt stöd i arbete. Vidare efterfrågades ålder samt andra demografiska frågor. Resultaten analyserades genom tre linjära (enkla) regressionsanalyser vilka inte påvisade statistiskt signifikanta linjära samband mellan arbetsrelaterad self-efficacy och krav, kontroll eller socialt stöd. Vidare påvisade tre modereringsanalyser inte några statistiskt signifikanta modererande effekter av ålder på prediktionerna mellan arbetsrelaterad self-efficacy och krav, kontroll eller socialt stöd i arbete. / The purpose of this study was to investigate in what way occupational self-efficacy predicted the work-related stressors job demands, control and social support among human services workers (N=63). Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate if, and subsequently how, the predictions were moderated by age. Through a quantitative study, a web-based survey was distributed to closed Facebook-groups for workers in human services. The web-based survey contained a measure for occupational self-efficacy and a measure for job demands, control and social support. Additionally, age and other demographic questions were included. The results were analysed by three linear (simple) regression analyses which showed no statistically significant linear relationships between occupational self-efficacy and job demands, control or social support. Three moderation analyses found no statistically significant moderating effects by age on the predictions between occupational self-efficacy and job demands, control or social support.

Above-ground biomass was allometrically estimated to quantify the amount of mangrove species in selected quadrats of Xuan Thuy National Park. Physicochemical properties of surrounding waters and soils were measured and treated stochastically by correlational analysis with estimated biomass values. Correlation results suggested that qualities of surrounding waters and soils are not the principal inhibitors of mangrove growth in Xuan Thuy. The available historical records infer that the main factor of mangrove loss in the past lay on land reclamation for shrimp aquaculture. In addition, results of correlation analysis showed geographical coincidence of mangrove fragmentation with influence area of water channeling used for aquaculture activities. Furthermore, the distribution of anomalous values of metals concentration was corresponding with anthropological activities associated to clam aquaculture and sand extraction. Based on the aforementioned analysis and the information on anthropological activities in the buffer zone of Xuan Thuy, were provided basic information on inherent environmental stressors of ecosystems in Xuan Thuy National Park. / Sinh khối trên mặt đất đã được ước tính theo phương pháp tương quan sinh trưởng để đưa ra số lượng các loài đước trong các mẫu vuông được lựa chọn tại Vườn quốc gia Xuân Thủy. Các đặc tính hóa-lí của những vùng nước và đất xung quanh đã được đo đạc và xử lí ngẫu nhiên bằng cách phân tích tương quan với những giá trị sinh khối ước tính. Kết quả tương quan cho thấy rằng chất lượng nước và đất xung quanh không phải là những thước đo chính cho tốc độ phát triển cây đước ở Xuân Thủy. Những ghi chép cũ đã kết luận rằng việc sử dụng đất để nuôi tôm là tác nhân chính dẫn tới suy giảm loài đước trong quá khứ. Bên cạnh đó, kết quả phân tích tương quan cho thấy sựtrùng hợp về mặt địa lý giữa sự phân mảnh của loài đước và những vùng nước bị ảnh hưởng do việc nuôi trồng thủy sản. Hơn nữa, sự phân bố bất thường của các giá trị đo mức độ tập trung kim loại cũng tương ứng với các hoạt động nuôi trồng thủy sản và khai thác cát của con người. Những phân tích nêu trên và nghiên cứu về hoạt động của con người tại vùng đệm của Xuân Thủy sẽ cung cấp những thông tin cơ bản về những mối đe dọa môi trường hệ sinh thái tại Vườn Quốc Gia Xuân Thủy.

Objectives: Research on life stressors and adverse life events has a long tradition. Few studies have addressed this topic in connection to very old people. Life stressors, especially major life stressors (MLSs) experienced by clients of home care services in the community have rarely been the subject of studies. Considering this gap, we investigated the prevalence of MLSs in home care clients. We examined the effects that MLSs have on their mood and health status as well as the impact of clients’ social resources on MLSs and their outcomes. Method: We used assessment data from 2,884 home care clients in six European countries. The methodological basis was the comprehensive and standardized interRAI Home Care Assessment (interRAI HC). Results: Fifteen point four percent of the sample—that consisted of women and men with an average age of 82.89 years–experienced an MLS in the last 6 months before the assessment. They were more depressed than persons without these experiences, and their health status indicated a higher level of instability and deterioration. At reassessment after 6 months, the situation changed. Despite the fact that both outcomes of the MLSs, depression and health status became worse in the reassessment-sample, home care clients without MLS were more affected by the worsening, especially that of depression. The expected buffering impact of social resources was low. Discussion: Although this study worked with limited information on MLSs, it could contribute to closing various knowledge gaps. The study shows that the MLSs represent a prevalent problem in a population of home care clients and that this problem has negative consequences for their mood and the stability of their health status. Furthermore, this research took up the situation of very old and vulnerable adults, who have previously rarely been considered in studies on major critical life events and stressors. Conclusion and Research Perspective: Future research on MLSs has to take up the issue of the time passage between the MLS and the impact on health and well-being of individuals dependent on care. It has to determine immediate as well as later consequences and identify those factors that are appropriate to reduce the MLS-effects on very old people dependent on care.

The purpose of this research was to examine rural middle school teacher’s perceptions of stressful factors present in their current position. Data was gathered from 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers in the city and county schools located in O County, Mississippi. Two instruments were used for the study. The first survey instrument identified three stress factors (teacher workload, student discipline, and No Child Left Behind) and their relationship with teachers. The second instrument measured the degree to which the three stress factors were appraised as stressful. The data gathered in this study provided an awareness of factors that can increase understanding of teacher stress levels. The discussion of stress emphasized that what is perceived as stressful for one person may not be perceived as stressful for another. Results revealed that these teachers face some difficulties at their schools and in the classroom dealing with their emotional perspective or from the perspective of the children they teach. Furthermore, results indicated that rural schools offer a less stressful learning environment than urban schools. Just knowing some of the common stress factors can assist school systems and administrators in developing interventions to alleviate stress that may at some point lead to burnout.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur upplever Pro-gamers inom FIFA stressorer och vilka copingstrategier som används för att hantera dem. Studiens fokus var på att få fram upplevelser av stressorer hos deltagarna och om de upplever just dessa faktorer, vad de använder sig av för copingstrategier för att hantera dessa situationer. Det deltog totalt åtta stycken intervjupersoner där alla var män i åldrarna 17-34 år (M=22,5) där dessa intervjupersoner befann sig i inklusionskriterie för att medverka i studien där alla var pro-gamers inom FIFA. Studien har utgått ifrån en kvalitativ forskningsmetod och använt sig av semistrukturerade intervjuer för samla in data och intervjuguide som grund har utgått utifrån ett teoretiskt ramverk, McGrath (1970) fyra-stegs stressprocess modellen. I studiens resultat framkommer det totalt två stycken huvudteman, det första huvudtemat som nämns är upplevda stressorer, som totalt har fem stycken underliggande teman. Dessa är krav på sig själv, krav från samhället, krav från föreningen, krav från fans och krav från vänner och familj. Det andra huvudtemat som framkommer i studien är copingstrategier som används för att hantera upplevda stressorer som har totalt fyra stycken underliggande teman. Dessa är stöd från föreningen, stöd från familj, stöd från vänner och copingstrategier i sitt FIFA-utövande. Resultatdelen i studien har olika svarsteman men det var bland annat att intervjupersoner upplever stressorer i sitt FIFA spelande där de bland annat upplever krav på sig själv, samhället, föreningen, fans samt från sina vänner och familj. I resultatdelen framkom det även vilka copingstrategier som intervjupersoner använder sig av för att hantera dessa krav som kan bidra till att deltagarna upplever stressorer. Det som framkom var till exempel att de upplevde att det fanns bra stöd från föreningen och använde sig av den möjligheten, från sin familj och vänner men att de också använde sig av individuella copingstrategier såsom fysisk aktivitet eller att gå ut och promenera. Studiens resultat kan i framtiden vara användbar till framtida forskning för esportföreningar och liknande organisationer. Detta genom att studiens resultat kan forskas vidare kring bland annat vilka copingstrategier som kan användas om man i sitt FIFA-utövande upplever stressorer. / The purpose of the study was to investigate how Pro-gamers within FIFA experience stressors and which coping strategies are used to deal with them. The focus of the study was to bring out experiences of stressors in the participants to write if they experience and lead to any stress and performance anxiety when they are in a competitive context and if they experience these factors what they use for coping strategies to deal with these situations. A total of eight interviewees participated where all were men aged 17-34 years (M=22.5, SD=?) where these interviewees were in the inclusion criteria to participate in the studies where all were pro-gamers within FIFA. The study was based on a qualitative research method and used semi-structured interviews to collect data and an interview guide based on a theoretical framework, McGrath's (1970) four-step stress process model. In the results of the study, a total of two main themes emerge, the first main theme mentioned is perceived stressors, which in total has five underlying themes. These are demands on oneself, demands of society demands of the association, demands of fans and demands of friends and family. The second main theme that emerges in the study is coping strategies used to manage perceived stressors, that have a total of four underlying themes. These are support from the association, support from family, support from friends and coping strategies in their FIFA practice. The results part in the studies has different answers, but it was, among other things, that interviewees experience stressors in their FIFA playing, where they experience demands on themselves, society, the association, fans and from their friends and family, among other things. In the results section, it was also revealed which strategies the interviewees use to deal with these demands, which can contribute to the participants experiencing stressors. What emerged was, for example, that they felt that there was good support from the association and used the opportunity from their family and friends that they also used individual strategies such as physical activity or going out for a walk. The results of the study may in the future be useful to future research for esports associations and similar organizations. This is because the study's results can be further researched on, among other things, which coping strategies can be used if you experience stressors in your FIFA practice.

In dieser Doktorarbeit wurde untersucht, welche Faktoren Wohlbefinden, wahrgenommene Gesundheit und Mobilitätspraktiken von Radfahrenden und Fußgänger:innen während des Unterwegsseins beeinflussen. Ziel war es, die persönliche Exposition gegenüber Feinstaub und Lärm unterwegs zu messen und diese der individuell wahrgenommenen Belastung gegenüberzustellen. Zudem wurden weitere Faktoren, die das Wohlbefinden beeinflussen, untersucht. Die Arbeit beleuchtet überdies, wie über gesunde und angenehme Mobilität informiert werden könnte. Zuerst wurden mobile qualitative Interviews (Go-/Ride-Alongs) durchgeführt und mit tragbaren Sensoren zur Messung von Feinstaub und Lärm ergänzt. Der situative Kontext, die sensorische Wahrnehmung und soziale Aspekte beeinflussen, ob das Unterwegsseins in der Stadt als gesund und angenehm empfunden wird. Diese Faktoren können in vergleichsweise als hoch belastend gemessenen Situationen ausgleichend wirken. Weiterhin wurden Informationsmöglichkeiten für eine gesunde Mobilität in der Stadt exploriert. Ein Literaturreview hat aufgezeigt, dass Gesundheitsthemen wenig Berücksichtigung in Forschung zu Mobilitäts-Apps finden. Daran anschließend wurden Fokusgruppen durchgeführt. Es wurde ermittelt, wie gesunde und angenehme Routen kommuniziert werden können. Hier könnendas Vorhandensein von Routenalternativen und Bewältigungsstrategien ein Gefühl von Selbstwirksamkeit geben. Es wurde eine „pleasant routing app“ vorgeschlagen, die angenehme und gesunde Routenaspekte integriert. Um die Attraktivität des Fahrradfahrens und zu Fuß Gehens zu steigern, sollten Erfahrungen, Wahrnehmungen und Praktiken von Radfahrenden und Fußgänger:innen berücksichtigt werden. Letztendlich kann somit aktive Mobilität ihr Potenzial entfalten und zu einer lebenswerten, gesunden und umweltfreundlichen Stadt beitragen. / This thesis investigates factors influencing cyclists’ and pedestrians’ health and wellbeing on-the-move. Moreover, the possibilities of smartphone apps for supporting a healthy and pleasant trip are investigated. The scope of this thesis is to combine the topic healthy and pleasant mobility with possibilities of mobility apps. First, the thesis explores how cyclists and pedestrians perceive their personal exposure towards air pollution and noise as well as other factors influencing commuting experience and wellbeing on-the-move. This is contrasted to actual measured particulate matter and noise. Qualitative interviews on-the-move (‘go-/ride-alongs’) are complemented by wearable sensors measuring particulate matter and noise. The results show discrepancies as well as coherences between perceived and measured exposure. The situational context, sensory awareness (e.g. water views) and social cues (e.g. seeing other people) are important for a perceived pleasant commute, even in polluted areas. Second, this thesis identifies how far health impacting factors are considered in research using mobility apps to identify their possibilities for supporting a healthy commute. A literature review reveals that research applying mobility apps is lacking the consideration of health topics and it is proposed to integrate health topics in mobility app development. Following these findings, the thesis investigates communication options to inform about a healthy and pleasant commute. Focus groups were applied showing that information should include feasible coping strategies and increase self-efficacy. Pleasant trip characteristics could be included in a healthy mobility app. If active mode users’ experiences, perceptions and practices are considered, cycling and walking can become more attractive and more people are encouraged to cycle or walk. Hence, active modes can unfold their potential for supporting the transformation towards liveable, healthy and environmentally friendly cities.

South Asians are the third fastest growing racial/ethnic minority group in the United States with distinct cultural characteristics. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S, including South Asians, across several life domains: work, home life/education, social activities, economic, emotional and physical health, infection, quarantine, and positive changes. The COVID-19 pandemic may have critically impacted South Asians with traumatic event experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity across several life domains. Limited work suggests high rates of interpersonal traumas and substantial PTSD symptom severity in the South Asian community. Uniquely, the current study examined which life domains impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic associated with a greater count of traumatic event types, interpersonal vs. non-interpersonal traumas, and PTSD symptom severity. Results revealed that negative experiences in social activities, as well as distress in economic, emotional, and physical health domains, were significantly associated with the count of traumatic event types. Negative social activity experiences, and distress in the economic and emotional health domains, were also significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity. Quarantine and physical health domains significantly associated with the count of interpersonal traumas, while COVID-19-related experiences (in social, quarantine, and infection domains) significantly associated with the count of non-interpersonal traumas. Findings inform clinically relevant pandemic research in a vulnerable population and provide trauma and PTSD prevalence estimates in the South Asian community.

Betriebe werden immer vielfältiger. Diskussionen über dessen Vor- und Nachteile konzentrieren sich oft auf Leistungsaspekte, aber selten auf Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden. Da Arbeit das Wohlbefinden beeinflusst, betrachtet diese Dissertation in zwei Artikeln, wie Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialen Stressoren, sozialer Unterstützung und Wohlbefinden mit der Angehörigkeit zu einer ethnischen Minderheit und ethnischer Diversität in Arbeitsteams assoziiert sind. Um darüber hinaus Forschungsergebnisse anhand von Arbeit und Gesellschaft zu diskutieren, wurde das Arbeits-Gesellschafts-Widerspieglungsmodell entwickelt. Artikel 1 untersuchte, inwiefern sich Zusammenhänge zwischen Beschäftigten, die einer ethnischen Minderheit angehörten, und Beschäftigten, die der Mehrheit angehörten, unterschieden. In beiden Gruppen gab es einen negativen indirekten Zusammenhang zwischen verbaler Aggression durch Kund:innen und arbeitsbezogenem positivem Affekt über emotionale Dissonanz. Unerwarteterweise war bei Beschäftigten, die einer ethnischen Minderheit angehörten, die negative indirekte Beziehung zwischen verbaler Aggression durch Kund:innen und arbeitsbezogenem positivem Affekt dann besonders stark ausgeprägt, wenn ihre Vorgesetzten sie in hohem Maße unterstützten. Artikel 2 untersuchte, ob ethnische Diversität mit emotionalen Konflikten zusammenhängt und ob diese wiederum mit emotionaler Irritation korrelieren. Um Team- und Personenebene zu vergleichen, wurde ethnische Diversität auf beiden Ebenen in einem Mehrebenenmodell kombiniert. Die Ergebnisse wiesen auf einen Unterschied zwischen beiden Ebenen hin: Auf Teamebene gab es einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen ethnischer Diversität und emotionaler Irritation, der durch emotionale Konflikte vermittelt wurde. Jedoch war dieser Zusammenhang auf Personenebene negativ, was die Komplexität ethnischer Diversität verdeutlicht. Abschließend diskutiere ich diese Forschungsergebnisse mithilfe des Arbeits-Gesellschafts-Widerspieglungsmodells. / Increased ethnic diversity in workplaces has fueled discussions on whether this diversity is an asset or a liability. These discussions often focused on performance but paid limited attention to well-being and health. As work represents an important determinant of well-being, this dissertation aimed to understand how associations between social stressors, social support, and well-being relate to ethnic minority status and ethnic diversity at work. Two papers addressed this aim. To discuss their research findings in the broader contexts of work and society, I introduced the work-society reflection model. Paper 1 examined ethnic minority status as a moderator in a multi-group path model. The analysis showed that the negative indirect association between customer verbal aggression and work-related positive affect via emotional dissonance did not vary between ethnic minority and ethnic majority workers. However, supervisor support moderated this indirect association only among ethnic minority workers. Unexpectedly, the negative indirect relationship between customer verbal aggression and work-related positive affect via emotional dissonance was stronger in ethnic minority workers with high levels of supervisor support. Paper 2 examined the association between ethnic diversity and emotional strain via emotional conflicts. To investigate whether this association varied between the team and individual levels, this paper combined ethnic diversity at both levels in a multilevel path model. In fact, the results indicated a difference between the team and individual levels: At the team level, ethnic diversity related positively to emotional strain via emotional conflicts. However, this association was negative at the individual level. This difference highlights the complexity of ethnic diversity. Finally, I integrated these research findings in the work-society reflection model to broaden the view on this topic and outlined implications for research and practice.

Members of Greek Life organizations consume more alcohol and participate in risky drinking behaviors at higher rate than their non-Greek counterparts due to deep rooted social norms within this population. Undergraduate sorority women at college and universities are often overlooked in research regarding trends in alcohol use in Greek Life organizations. However, women between the ages of 18 and 24 are more vulnerable to the consequences of heavy alcohol use compared to men, including liver disease, sexual assault, poor academic outcomes and post-collegiate alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Although higher education institutions are tasked with educating their students about safe alcohol use and protecting students from harm, these interventions are often inadequate in decreasing alcohol related consequences. Among students, sorority women consistently consume higher amounts of alcohol and exhibit higher rates of risky drinking behavior. This thesis aims to examine the unique alcohol-related consequences and risk factors sorority women face. Implications are discussed to guide college administrators, counselors and other supports that are likely to encounter issues associated with alcohol use within this population.