Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Wetland habitats are characterized by periodic inundation and saturation by water creating anaerobic conditions that generate hydric soils and support hydrophytic vegetation. Wetland habitats provide important ecological functions including breeding grounds for fish, other wildlife, water purification, reduction in flooding, species diversity, recreation, food production, aesthetic value, and transformation of nutrients (Tiner, 1999). The multiple benefits of wetlands make them an important resource to monitor. A literature review suggests a combination of geospatial variables and methods should be tested for appropriateness in wetland delineation within local settings. Advancements in geospatial data technology and ease of accessing new, higher resolution geospatial data make study at local levels easier and more feasible (Barrette et al, 2000). The purpose of the current study is to evaluate new sources of geospatial data as potential variables to improve wetland identification and delineation. High resolution multispectral digital imagery, topographic data, and soils information are used to derive and evaluate independent variables. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data.

Network and cultural bridge theories predict the source and durability of cultural boundaries, including how cultural boundaries are overcome in order for differing groups to have meaningful exchanges. Ethnographic interview data with three research subjects in Northern Mexico reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. Minita Bustillos, Juan Daniel Villalobos, and Horacio Echeverrí­a contribute to bridging ties between the closed indigenous community of the Tarahumara and outside Mexican and American groups. Their positions elucidate the veracity of theoretical propositions found in network and cultural bridge theories. Findings suggest that though useful in understanding several aspects of network structure and bridging, network theory does not fully explain how a person becomes part of a network bridge or what social capabilities may be useful for someone in that position. Cultural bridge theories extend the explanation by showing the importance of relationship building in bridging, but rely too heavily on the notion that a single individual can provide the cultural capital and resources necessary to be a cross-cultural bridge in and of themselves. The additional concepts of habitus and cultural tool-kits supplement these perspectives by explaining how respondents acquired cultural and social knowledge that allows them to make connections in multiple distinct networks and how the respondents can so naturally say and do things to garner trust from members of both groups. This research shows how the theoretical concepts can be used in application to a specific social context. It also provides support for the possible use of the concepts of habitus, network bridging, and tool-kits for training members of grass roots organizations attempting to bridge between distinct, and even opposing, social groups.

Методом ориентационной микроскопии (EBSD) исследованы текстурные состояния сплава Ti-6Al-4V, изготовленного методом селективного электронно-лучевого плавления (СЭЛС). Установлено, что текстура β-фазы представлена текстурой кристаллизации, при которой направление <100>β параллельно направлению синтеза изделия. Текстура α-фазы является многокомпонентной и наследует текстуру β-фазы через ОС Бюргерса. Показано, что при последующем охлаждении в сплаве Ti-6Al-4V выделяется вторичная βII-фаза, кристаллографически отличная от высокотемпературной β-фазы. Предложена схема протекающих фазовых превращений. / The textural states of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by a method of electron beam melting (EBM) were studied by orientation microscopy (EBSD). It was found that the texture of the β-phase is represented by the texture of crystallization, where the direction <100>β is parallel to the building direction. The texture of the α-phase is multicomponent and inherits the texture of the β-phase following the Burgers OR. It was shown that upon subsequent cooling in the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, a secondary βII-phase is precipitated, which is crystallographically different from the high-temperature β-phase. A scheme of the ongoing phase transformations is proposed.

Экономически целесообразный масштаб предприятия является одним из условий достижения максимальных финансовых результатов. Методический подход к обоснованию экономически целесообразного масштаба предприятия может применяться для корректировки производственной и инвестиционной стратегии предприятия. Целью магистерской диссертации является совершенствование инструментария обоснования экономически целесообразного масштаба предприятия. В работе исследованы подходы к изучению масштаба предприятия, проанализирована взаимосвязь показателей масштабов и финансовых результатов металлургических предприятий, разработан методический подход к определению экономически целесообразного масштаба предприятия. В качестве источников использовалась научно-исследовательская и методическая литература, нормативно-правовые акты и финансовая отчетность организаций в открытом доступе. В магистерской диссертации был предложен методический подход к обоснованию экономически целесообразного масштаба предприятия, базирующегося на уточненном составе факторов, определяющих сближение кривых выручки и затрат на производство и реализацию продукции при росте масштаба предприятия и методике оценки положения предприятия по отношению к максимально возможной прибыли. / Economically feasible scale of the enterprise is one of the conditions for achieving maximum financial results. A methodical approach to substantiating the economically feasible scale of the enterprise can be used to adjust the production and investment strategy of the enterprise. The purpose of the master's thesis is to improve the tools for justifying the economically feasible scale of the enterprise. The paper investigates approaches to the study of the scale of the enterprise, analyzes the relationship between the indicators of the scale and financial results of metallurgical enterprises, and develops a methodical approach to determining the economically feasible scale of the enterprise. Research and methodical literature, regulatory legal acts, data from the Federal State Statistics Service and financial statements of organizations in the public domain were used as sources. In the master's thesis, a methodical approach was proposed to substantiate the economically feasible scale of the enterprise, based on a refined composition of factors determining the convergence of revenue curves and production and sales costs with the growth of the enterprise scale and the methods for assessing the position of the enterprise in relation to the maximum possible profit.

Metal additive manufacturing (MAM) is a manufacturing technology experiencing a rapid expansion rate. Metal laser powder bed fusion (ML-PBF) is among the most popular techniques in this field. The environmental implications of it are often discussed in literature and compared to conventional manufacturing. However, the system in its entirety, from a cradle-to-gate perspective, has not seen intense scrutiny so far. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) often serves as the evaluation method when investigating environmental impacts; however, this method has been proven to be complex and time-consuming. Efforts are made to reduce this burden by, among others, developing streamlined LCA tools for MAM. This thesis presents three different life cycle assessments, each with different system boundaries, methodologies, and data qualities. In all of them, Global Warming Potential (GWP) and CO2 emissions are focused on. The aim of this thesis is to investigate how large the environmental impact of ML-PBF is when considering the whole system, and to compare this to a streamlined assessment, per kilogram of printed AlSi10Mg based on an average production scenario. The database ecoinvent v.3 and the characterization method ReCiPe 2016 midpoint (H) are used for the analysis with wider system boundaries in combination with specific data. Whereas a third-party streamlined LCA tool is used for the LCA with narrower system boundaries, using the specific energy content of the material. Previous research in the field of ML-PBF often neglects the impact of inert gas and attributes a large portion of the impact to processing electricity. Moreover, post-processing and machine impacts are usually not included in the system boundaries but have been advocated by many to be worth investigating. The results in this thesis show that in contrast to previous research, argon gas accounted for the biggest GWP and where process electricity accounted for less than half of argon. A system boundary expansion was also found to lead to an increase of nearly 230 % of CO2 eq emissions, making it significant to the analysis. Many minuscule factors such as machining, various losses, idle time, machine impact and compressed air contributed to this contrast. Combining this with an improvement and generalizability analysis showed that the global warming potential associated with ML-PBF can be lowered by more than 75 % through either altering the electricity mix or optimizing process parameters, both at the company and upstream. Additionally, it was discovered that the LCA calculation method, and deviations in data quality, contributed to a higher difference in the environmental impact than expanding the system boundaries.

Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie var att undersöka hur balansen mellan arbetsliv och privatliv har påverkats för arbetsförmedlare under distansarbete. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer mottogs arbetstagarnas upplevelser om deras balans mellan arbetsliv och privatliv. Studiens deltagare bestod av nio heltidsanställda arbetsförmedlare, sju kvinnor och två män, mellan åldrarna 34-65 år. Data analyserades med hjälp av tematisk analys där fem teman identifierades: arbetsmiljö och produktivitet, autonomt arbete, välmående, kommunikation samt gränssättning. Resultatet visar att distansarbetet har fördelar som främjar en balans mellan arbetsliv och privatliv för arbetsförmedlarna. De betonar vikten av att sätta gränser som är centralt för work-life balance. Distansarbetet har bidragit med ett nytt bättre arbetssätt som har gett positiva effekter på deras subjektiva välbefinnande. Trots fördelarna visade resultatet även utmaningar med distansarbetet. Exempel på utmaning var brist på social interaktion som kan leda till missförstånd samt otydliga gränser. / The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how the balance between work and private life has been affected for employment counselors during remote e-work. Through semi-structured interviews, employees' experiences regarding their work-life balance were explored. The participants in the study consisted of nine full-time employment counselors, seven females and two males, ranging in age from 34-65 years. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, identifying five themes: work environment and productivity, autonomous work, well-being, communication, and boundary-setting. The results indicate that remote e-work has advantages that promote a work-life balance for employment counselors. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, which is crucial for work-life balance. Remote e-work has introduced a new and improved way of working, leading to positive effects on their perceived well-being. Despite the benefits, the results also revealed challenges associated with remote e-work. Examples of challenges included a lack of social interaction that could lead to misunderstandings and unclear boundaries.

We are living in a changing time where a living democracy and sustainable development is more important than ever. Factors such as urbanization, technological development and migration is creating new needs for us as a society which has to be considered when designing for a sustainable future. The Swedish policy ”Politik för gestaltad livsmiljö” (Policy for a designed urban environment), is suggesting a new way to work with sustainability, design and architecture in our urban environment. The policy is mentioning a lot of factors that should be considered in the design of a socially sustainable urban environment but it is lacking a clear guidance on how to achieve it. For lighting designers it might be hard to know how to work consciously with these factors. The different factors needs to be put in to a lighting design context to bring clearness to the matter. This thesis had the intention to summarize the new policy and create guidelines regarding socially sustainable lighting design of public spaces. These guidelines was then implemented in a project with a client where the aim was to create a social sustainable lighting design for the shopping center ”Valbo Köpcentrum” right outside the Swedish city of Gävle.

The demand for student support personnel (teaching assistants) in schools is increasing. Yet there is still a lack of a clear description of what the profession really entails. This study investigates the professional role of teaching assistants working with younger pupils using profession theory. The study aims to clarify the perceptions of teaching assistants through interviews regarding: (1) the areas of work that characterize the profession, (2) the autonomy gained by teaching assistants, and 3) the conditions offered to develop their professional role.  The interviews are analyzed through thematic analysis and identify five commonly occurring areas of work. These are (1) to establishing safe relationships; (2) to implement educational adjustments; (3) to provide support; (4) to manage disruptive behaviors, and (5) to work in areas that extend beyond student-specific tasks. These are summarized in the discussion as three themes: Teaching assistants dealing with behaviors deviating from the norm, teaching, and again, areas of work that are not student specific. The results also show variation in how teaching assistants work with these different areas. The autonomy of teaching assistants extends to areas involving the specific student, and the conditions offered by the workplace were found to be inadequate for their development.  The conclusions of the study highlight that the working situation of teaching assistants is not sustainable, making the profession unpopular and causing a high turnover among employees. Therefore, a change is needed for the role of teaching assistants if they are to be used to create equal opportunities for all students to participate in regular education. / Efterfrågan på elevresurser ökar i skolor samtidigt som det än idag saknas en tydlig förklaring av vad yrket innebär. Denna studie utreder elevresursens yrkesroll i arbetet med yngre elever med hjälp av professionsteorin. Studien avser att genom intervjuer reda ut elevresursers uppfattningar gällande: 1) vilka arbetsområden som kännetecknar yrkesrollen, 2) vilken autonomi elevresurser besitter, samt 3) vilka förutsättningar elevresurser har att utveckla sin yrkesroll. Intervjuerna analyseras genom en tematisk analys och identifierar fem vanligt förekommande arbetsområden. Dessa är följande: 1) att skapa trygga relationer, 2) att genomföra anpassningar, 3) att förse elever med stöd, 4) att hantera utåtagerande handlingar, samt 5) arbetsområden som sträcker sig utanför elevspecifika uppgifter. Dessa sammanfattas som tre teman,elevresursen som hanterare av avvikande beteenden, undervisning samt återigen ej elevspecifika arbetsområden. Resultatet påvisar även en variation i hur de arbetar med de olika områdena. Elevresursers autonomi och gränsarbete sträcker sig till arbetsområden som omfattar den specifika eleven och de förutsättningar arbetsplatsen erbjuder yrkesrollen framkom som bristfälliga. Slutsatsen av studien framhålls vara att elevresursers arbetssituation inte är hållbar och att detta även gör yrket oattraktiv och skapar en stor ruljangs bland anställda. En förändring bör således ske för yrkesrollen om vi ska fortsätta använda elevresurser ute i skolor för att skapa samma förutsättningar för alla elever att delta i den reguljära undervisningen.

To avoid irreversible damage to the climate system and biosphere, the majority of the world’s countries must reduce rates of resource throughput. However, the socio-economic conditions for satisfying basic human needs at low resource use have received scant empirical attention. I apply cross-country panel analysis and dynamic linear modelling to explore how different dimensions of inequality affect countries’ abilities to deliver a good life for all at sustainable levels of carbon consumption. My results suggest that inequalities reduce socio-ecological performance, with income inequality reducing the proportion of carbon channelled into meeting basic needs and wealth inequality increasing the carbon-intensity of expenditure. Overall, this study highlights the importance of reducing inequalities in a resource-constrained world. Social media summary. Income inequality raises the carbon cost of meeting basic human needs at the national and global scales.

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