An improved knowledge regarding what spatial scale temperature data is needed for ice-prediction would improve calculations how ice-coverage has been affected over time. Which by extension would give insight how ice might response to climate change. The purpose of this study was to find out if ice-growth in Sävar River could be explained by both local and regional temperature data, and what factors beyond temperature affect ice-growth. To accomplish this, I analyzed time-lapse photos from Sävar River during a three-month period. I found out that the use of regional temperature data to explain ice-growth on a local scale is limited due to the differences in accumulated degrees. The local temperature data measurement accumulated -2281 °C from ice began to grow until the whole channel was ice-covered and the regional temperature data accumulated -1901 °C under the same period. My findings support the assumption that frazil ice in large concentrations seem to increase ice-growth. Furthermore, no relation between ice-growth/decrease and precipitation or wet spots was found in this study.

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This dissertation explores the relationship between governance quality, accumulated wealth, and organizational performance in U.S. nonprofits. Accumulated wealth in nonprofits has been previously shown to reduce overall support contributions because donors perceive less need for financial resources. Further, the absence of owners leads to weaker monitoring mechanisms and greater agency problems. Despite the size of the nonprofit sector (5.5% of GDP and 9% of employment), the impact of governance in organizations with accumulated wealth has not been studied much. Using recent data on governance practices at nonprofits reported on IRS Form 990’s and structural equation modeling/partial least squares analysis, this study finds that the strength of governance practices in nonprofits reduces the negative impact of accumulated wealth in Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Higher Education, Hospitals, Human Services, International, and Religious organizations. This paper demonstrates how agency theory and stakeholder theory complement each other when the nonprofit business model has a traditional revenue structure similar to its for-profit counterpart. For practitioners, it shows that combining a strong governing body, governing policies, compensation policies, and transparency policies, helps hold management accountable. This is necessary for the more efficient and effective execution of a nonprofit’s mission. / Business Administration/Finance

Climate change poses a significant threat to bioenergy production, impacting plant’s phenology and physiological performance. Investigating the adaptation of bioenergy crops like Populus is crucial for sustaining production. Populus, known for its genetic variation and ease of study, offers insights into tree responses to climate change. My research, part of the Advancing Populus Pathways in the Southeast (APPS) project, focuses on various Populus genotypes across multiple growing seasons, exploring phenology under different management strategies. Planting Populus across two sites, namely Monroe and Pontotoc, allows for the examination of genotype responses to climate change factors, particularly in terms of phenology and productivity. Factors like parentage provenance and temperature fluctuations influence budburst timing. Additionally, management practices, such as coppicing, significantly affect budburst, with coppiced trees showing delayed timing (five to ten days) compared to non-coppiced ones. Cold spell damage during budbreak reveals vulnerability, with northern provenances exhibiting greater resilience. Understanding such events is vital for tailored management. Cold spells not only impact initial budbreak but also alter leaf phenology and canopy dynamics, affecting overall productivity. Genotypes exhibit varied responses to rising temperatures and CO2 levels, influenced by their parentage. Trees with northern provenance, for instance, display higher photosynthetic capacity, but may face thermal stress under certain temperature increases. Conversely, southern genotypes demonstrate moderate photosynthetic capacity, but showcase better adaptation to heat, offering potential for breeding resilient varieties. Leaf traits serve as proxies for biomass production and water use efficiency prediction, aiding in genotype screening. Mechanisms like self-shading and leaf movability influence responses to environmental changes. For instance, self-shading helps regulate leaf temperature, thereby enhancing photosynthetic performance, albeit with some trade-offs. Elevated CO2 levels enhance water use efficiency, but determining whole-tree water use efficiency requires integration of various methods. While leaf-level measurements correlate with whole-tree water use efficiency, an integrated approach, combining leaf-level gas exchange and isotopic measurements, shows promise. In conclusion, understanding Populus responses to climate change is crucial for sustainable bioenergy production in the southeastern United States. Insights into phenology, productivity, and adaptation mechanisms offer avenues for management and breeding strategies, ensuring resilience amidst shifting climates.

Background: The reported result from the lifetime of an organization will be followed by a cash flow equal in size. In contrast, accruals enables short term discrepancies. When a property can be valued at fair value and recognize changes in the value directly in the result, it is interesting to examine how the earnings and cash flow relate to each other in these companies. By studying the relationship between a company's earnings and cash flow it is possible to appoint their consistency. Aim: The purpose of this paper is exploratory, it intends to examine how property management companies value their property holdings, and examine the relationship between the companies' overall earnings and cash flow from operating activities during the period 2008-2014. Method: Empirical data is primarily collected from primary sources in the form of annual reports. Numbers from the companies' annual reports allowed us to calculate the ratio of accumulated cash flow and accumulated earnings, to then be able to determine the connection between the two. Results and Conclusions: Real estate companies value ​​according to level 3 and during 2014 65,61% of the value of the property portfolio's are valued externally. Ten of the 17 companies that were listed during the period 2008-2014 has accumulated a higher earning than cash flow from operating activities. On average the real estate companies has accumulated 48% higher earnings than cash flow from operating activities. / Bakgrund: Det redovisade resultatet från en verksamhets livstid kommer att efterföljas av ett lika stort kassaflöde. Däremot möjliggör periodiseringar att det på kortare sikt kan finnas avvikelser. Då fastighetsbolag får värdera till verkligt värde och redovisa värdeförändringar direkt mot resultatet är det intressant att undersöka hur resultatet och kassaflödet förhåller sig till varandra i dessa bolag. Genom att studera ett företags relation mellan resultatet och kassaflödet går det att utse om dessa stämmer överens eller inte. Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är explorativt, den ämnar till att undersöka hur fastighetsförvaltande bolag värderar sitt fastighetsbestånd samt undersöka relationen mellan bolagens sammanlagda resultat och kassaflöde från den löpande verksamheten under perioden 2008-2014. Metod: Studiens empiri har främst insamlats från primärkällor i form av årsredovisningar. Med hjälp av siffror från företagens årsredovisningar har kvoten mellan ackumulerat kassaflöde och ackumulerat resultat kunnat räknas fram, för att därefter kunna bedöma dess samband. Resultat och slutsats: Fastighetsbolagen värderar enligt nivå 3 och under 2014 har 65,61% av branschens sammanlagda värde på fastighetsbeståndet externvärderats. Tio av de 17 företag som var börsnoterade under perioden 2008-2014 har ackumulerat högre resultat än kassaflöde från den löpande verksamheten. I genomsnitt har fastighetsbolagen ackumulerat ett 48% högre resultat än kassaflöde från den löpande verksamheten.

Phan Me is a midland-mountainous commune of Phu Luong district, Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam where the agricultural activities are predominant occupation. The investigation on the use of plant protection products in here showed that chemical pesticides have been commonly used in agricultural activities. Although some local people have a good attitude in using plant protection products, the status of using chemical pesticides that were not recommended (like Vofatox) has been quite popular due to the old cultivation customs. The local people have not applied any measures for wastewater treatment, or plant protection product package treatment. Besides, the use of plant protection products in higher concentration than recommendation for vegetables or crops caused the residues of toxics in agricultural products as well as in cultivation soil. The accumulation of toxic residues in the environment is a serious matter of concern because of their significant impact on the environment, agricultural ecosystem and human health. / Phấn Mễ là một xã trung du miền núi của huyện Phú Lương, tỉnh Thái Nguyên, Việt Nam với hoạt động sản xuất nông nghiệp là chủ yếu. Qua thực tế điều tra tình hình sử dụng thuốc bảo vệ thực vật (BVTV) tại đây cho thấy hầu hết các loại hình sản xuất nông nghiệp đều sử dụng thuốc BVTV. Một số người dân đã có ý thức trong việc sử dụng thuốc BVTV tuy nhiên do tập quán canh tác từ lâu đời nên việc sử dụng các loại thuốc bị khuyến cáo, chẳng hạn như Vofatox, vẫn còn khá phổ biến. Người dân chưa tiến hành các biện pháp để xử lý nước thải, bao bì, vỏ chai thuốc BVTV sau khi sử dụng. Bên canh đó, họ còn sử dụng thuốc BVTV không đúng liều lượng cho một số loại cây rau để lại dư lượng thuốc trên nông sản cũng như đất canh tác. Sự tích lũy dư lượng của những chất độc hại này trong môi trường là vấn đề đáng lo ngại do sự ảnh hưởng nghiêm trọng của chúng đối với môi trường sống, hệ sinh thái nông nghiệp và sức khỏe con người.

The thesis investigated the effect of exercise on endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD)) and triacylglycerol concentrations following the ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch in adolescent boys. The validity of measuring lipid and lipoprotein concentrations from a capillary blood sample, and the reproducibility of the postprandial FMD and triacylglycerol concentration responses to the high-fat meals, was established. The effects of prior continuous moderate-intensity exercise (60 min walking at 60% V̇O₂peak), repeated very short duration sprints (40 x 6 s maximal effort cycle sprints) and accumulated moderate-intensity exercise (6 x 10 min running at 70% V̇O₂peak) on endothelial function and triacylglycerol concentrations in adolescent boys were then established across three studies, each consisting of two, 2-day main trials (control and exercise). On day 1, participants were either inactive or completed the prescribed exercise. On day 2, FMD and triacylglycerol concentrations were measured prior to, and following, ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch. In each control trial FMD was reduced (signifying endothelial dysfunction), compared to fasting, by 20-32% and 24-33% following the high-fat breakfast and lunch. Following continuous moderate-intensity exercise, repeated very-short duration sprints and accumulated moderate-intensity exercise these reductions were only 8% and 10% (main effect trial, P = 0.002; main effect time, P = 0.023; interaction effect trial x time, P = 0.088), 2% and 5% (main effect trial, P = 0.012; main effect time, P = 0.004; interaction effect trial x time, P = 0.003) and 1% and 3% (main effect trial, P = 0.020; main effect time, P < 0.001; interaction effect trial x time, P = 0.014) respectively. The continuous moderate-intensity exercise and repeated very short duration sprints also significantly reduced the total area under the triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve by 22% (Control vs. Exercise; 12.68 (sem 1.37) vs. 9.84 (sem 0.75) mmol L-1 6.5h, P = 0.018) and 13% (Exercise vs. Control: 8.65 (sem 0.97) vs. 9.92 (sem 1.16) mmol L-1 6.5h, P = 0.023). The accumulated moderate-intensity exercise also reduced the total area under the triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve by 11%, but this reduction was not significant (Control vs. Exercise: 10.71 (sem 0.94) vs. 9.56 (sem 0.67) mmol L-1 6.5h, respectively, P = 0.183). The experimental evidence from these studies emphasise that exercise might offer an acceptable, non-pharmacological means of influencing CHD risk when individuals are young. The results of these studies can help shape future physical activity guidelines.

ABSTRACT Male subjects are invariably used to study the physiological determinants of middle distance running performance. Studies that do include females have examined only the aerobic contribution to middle distance running performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate aerobic, anaerobic and muscle function factors that could be used to predict middle distance running performance in female runners. This study was performed at an altitude of 1800m. Eleven middle distance female runners aged 18-20 were selected for the study. Aerobic capacity was assessed by measuring the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), running velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max), running economy (RE) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). The blood lactate curve of each subject was constructed by relating the oxygen consumption, to the plasma lactate concentrations. Anaerobic capacity was determined by measuring the maximum accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) on a treadmill. Muscle function was assessed by having the subjects cycle as fast as possible against changing brake weights ranging from heavy to light using a Monark cycle ergometer. The brake force (kg) was related to velocity (rpm).

The improvement in mechanical strength offered by ultra fine- (UF) and nanocrystalline (NC) sized grains is very attractive for potential applications of structural metals. Accumulative Roll-Bonding (ARB) is one of the promising new techniques for producing bulk UF grained metals. There are numerous reports on the monotonic mechanical behavior of various ARBed metals, however there are few, if any, on the cyclic deformation behavior of such metals. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the cyclic deformation behaviour and the related micro-mechanisms of ARBed metals from a fundamental perspective. To achieve this, the microstructure and the deformation behavior of commercial purity aluminum, OFHC copper, and DLP copper after ARB processing have been systematically characterized. The as-ARBed microstructure is found to be composite natured, with constituents of different grain sizes. The three constituents are: (i)UF grained matrix, (ii)NC primary discontinuities, and (iii)conventional sized pre-existing coarse grains. Due to this composite nature, three different cyclic strain accommodation mechanisms were found in the ARBed OFHC copper: (i)conventional dislocation patterns in the large grains, (ii)reactivation of pre-existing shear bands, and (iii)stress/strain driven grain coarsening at sites of strain localization. The order of activation of the mechanisms can be described with a composite approach based on activation energy. The occurrence of grain coarsening is the major contributor to the cyclic softening response observed in OFHC copper. Conversely, the lesser extent of cyclic softening in the other two metals is likely due to the higher microstructure stability of the initial as-ARBed materials. The microstructure stability is believed to be the primary influencing factor for the extent of grain coarsening and cyclic softening. The applied cyclic plastic strain is a secondary influencing factor, although this is generally overshadowed by the limitation of grain coarsening due to the short cyclic lifespan of these metals. The occurrences of shear banding and grain coarsening reported in the present ARBed metals are similarly reported for UF grained metals from other processes, e.g. ECAPed metals. Thus, its relationship to the cyclic deformation response and governing factors are believed to be applicable for UF grained metals in general.

The improvement in mechanical strength offered by ultra fine- (UF) and nanocrystalline (NC) sized grains is very attractive for potential applications of structural metals. Accumulative Roll-Bonding (ARB) is one of the promising new techniques for producing bulk UF grained metals. There are numerous reports on the monotonic mechanical behavior of various ARBed metals, however there are few, if any, on the cyclic deformation behavior of such metals. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the cyclic deformation behaviour and the related micro-mechanisms of ARBed metals from a fundamental perspective. To achieve this, the microstructure and the deformation behavior of commercial purity aluminum, OFHC copper, and DLP copper after ARB processing have been systematically characterized. The as-ARBed microstructure is found to be composite natured, with constituents of different grain sizes. The three constituents are: (i)UF grained matrix, (ii)NC primary discontinuities, and (iii)conventional sized pre-existing coarse grains. Due to this composite nature, three different cyclic strain accommodation mechanisms were found in the ARBed OFHC copper: (i)conventional dislocation patterns in the large grains, (ii)reactivation of pre-existing shear bands, and (iii)stress/strain driven grain coarsening at sites of strain localization. The order of activation of the mechanisms can be described with a composite approach based on activation energy. The occurrence of grain coarsening is the major contributor to the cyclic softening response observed in OFHC copper. Conversely, the lesser extent of cyclic softening in the other two metals is likely due to the higher microstructure stability of the initial as-ARBed materials. The microstructure stability is believed to be the primary influencing factor for the extent of grain coarsening and cyclic softening. The applied cyclic plastic strain is a secondary influencing factor, although this is generally overshadowed by the limitation of grain coarsening due to the short cyclic lifespan of these metals. The occurrences of shear banding and grain coarsening reported in the present ARBed metals are similarly reported for UF grained metals from other processes, e.g. ECAPed metals. Thus, its relationship to the cyclic deformation response and governing factors are believed to be applicable for UF grained metals in general.