The effects of two forms of mid-rotation release on thinned, fertilized loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in Virginia were examined: aerial imazapyr and basal triclopyr application. Imazapyr measurement plots were installed in nine Piedmont and twelve Coastal Plain plantations operationally released with imazapyr, and triclopyr measurement plots were installed within a controlled fertilization/release study spanning both regions. No differences in volume were detected following triclopyr release. All release dates combined, Piedmont released areas averaged 0.06 m3/tree (18%) greater than the control and Coastal Plain released areas averaged 0.05 m3/tree (14%) greater than the control. Reductions in hardwood basal area, stem density, and shrub stratum cover were observed for both forms of release. Reductions in shrub stratum richness and diversity were also documented for imazapyr release; however, trends indicate that richness and diversity, as well as stem density and shrub stratum cover, may recover to pre-treatment levels. Herbaceous vegetation was increased on triclopyr sites, which was reflected in an elevated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris L.) food/brood index. Following imazapyr release, habitat suitability index (HSI) values for pine warblers (Dendroica pinus L.) and black-capped chickadees (Parus atricapillus L.) increased due to reductions in canopy hardwoods and increases in snags. Reduced shrub stratum density resulted in a lower bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus L.) cover index on imazapyr-released areas. / Master of Science

2-D numerical computer models based on thermodynamic and kinematic principles have become invaluable tools for simulating geodynamic processes at these systems. Numerical models have proven effective for allowing the examination and computation of multiple factors simultaneously, providing scientists with an important resource with which to study complex systems. Previously, for instance, numerical models have been used for examining different factors involved in magma production at subduction zones and mid ocean ridges by modelling the influence and interplay of factors such as the effect of hydration and the influence of the depth of the fault between the two plates on the melting (van Keken, 2003; van Keken 2008). Additional models have explored the thermal structure of subduction zones and its relationship to the processes involved at convergent boundaries, including magma production (van Keken, 2023a). Syracuse et al. (2010) used numerical models for subduction zones, creating thermal models that examined dehydration and melting in subduction zones with a variety of slab geometries, convergence velocities, ages and structures. Still others have shown that thermal structure affects melt production, formation of arc volcanoes, dehydration, and seismicity, modelling the effects of varying slab dip, plate convergence velocity, plate age, etc. (Syracuse et al., 2010; Hayes et al, 2018). However, none have yet utilized models to systematically investigate magma production at either subduction zones or mid-ocean ridges to specifically examine both batch and fractional melting with the combination of multiple controlling factors including slab dip, convergence rate, hydration, minerology, and slab age. This project investigated the processes surrounding magma production at subduction and mid-ocean ridge systems through the creation of a numerical model and utilization of the developed model to explore the effects of a multitude of parameters on fractional and batch melting, as well as investigated the incorporation of incompatible elements, and other processes of interest in subduction and mid ocean ridge systems.

The optical frequency comb is a coherent light source whose spectrum consists of hundreds of thousands perfectly equidistant narrow frequency components and precisely expressed in just two radio frequencies. Even though optical frequency combs were developed 25 years ago, that led to the Nobel Prize in Physics 2005, only recently there was a significant progress in generating broadband optical frequency combs in the mid-infrared. These achievements became possible due to the development of new types of robust fiber and solid-state lasers and the efficient downconverting of their frequencies through different techniques based on advanced nonlinear crystals. In this dissertation, I study the techniques of producing ultra-broadband frequency combs in the challenging mid-infrared and terahertz regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These combs find applications in high-precision molecular spectroscopy, atmosphere monitoring, reaction kinetics, and ultrasensitive trace gas detection to name a few. In addition, I investigate their application in the dual-comb spectroscopy, which is a tool involving two combs with slightly different comb line spacings that are interfered on a photodetector generating a radiofrequency comb. So, effectively high optical frequency is mapped to radiofrequency that can be easily recorded with available digital electronics. This method has a list of advantages over traditional spectrometers, namely broadband coverage combined with superior spectral resolution, high acquisition speed, high precision, and the absence of moving parts. Moreover, in the context of the experimental results, my spectroscopy investigations with low-pressure gases led to reliving a massive amount of spectroscopic data that had never been explored before, and some of which was already included into a global database. The results presented in this dissertation paves the way for creating highly accurate molecular spectroscopic databases and have the potential for real-time medical diagnostics through multi-species exhaled breath analysis.

L'enjeu de ce travail est la réalisation de circuits électroniques sur des pièces polymères injectées à forme 3D, appelées MIDs, par microtamponnage (μTP). Le μTP, est une technique de localisation de substances (chimiques ou biologiques) par contact mécanique d'un tampon structuré sur un substrat. Il permet de localiser les pistes conductrices des MIDs en utilisant deux protocoles : le μTP passif et le μTP actif. La première méthode consiste à déposer de manière localisée un thiol par μTP sur la surface de la pièce préalablement métallisée. Le thiol permet de protéger les pistes métalliques qui doivent être conservées après gravure humide. Dans la seconde, un catalyseur (du palladium) est déposé par μTP, suivi de la métallisation electroless des pistes. La problématique du μTP 3D a été étudiée à l'aide d'un tampon épousant la forme de la pièce. Nos résultats expérimentaux couplés à des simulations par éléments finis de la déformation du tampon lors de sa compression au moment du contact avec la pièce, nous ont permis de déterminer les paramètres clefs du procédé : l'alignement du tampon par rapport à la pièce, la gestion du contact et la fabrication du tampon. Il a été mis en évidence que la tolérance de l'alignement est de l'ordre de 100μm pour des motifs structurés de 250μm de hauteur. Un tampon composé d'un support rigide surmonté d'une couche mince structurée permet de limiter ses déformations lors de sa compression. Les enseignements tirés nous ont permis de réaliser nos premiers circuits par μTP à l'aide d'une machine originale développée au laboratoire. La problématique de l'épaississement des couches de cuivre adhérentes sur des pièces en LCP est également abordée, un protocole d'épaississement ayant été validé / The main challenge of this work was the production of electronic circuits on injected 3Dshaped polymer components, called MIDs, by microcontact printing (μCP). μCP is a substance (chemical or biological) localisation technique through mechanical contact between a patterned stamp and a substrate. It enables the MIDs’ conductor tracks to be located using two techniques: passive μCP and active μCP. The first method involves locally depositing a thiol by μCP on the substrate’s surface, which has previously been coated with a thin metallic film. The thiol protects the metallic tracks, which must be preserved after wet chemical etching. Regarding the second method, a catalyst (palladium) is deposited by μCP, followed by the electroless metallization of the tracks. The 3D μCP issue was studied using a stamp, which matched the shape of the substrate. Our experimental results combined with finite element simulations of stamp deformation during compression and whilst in contact with the substrate, revealed the key parameters of the process: stamp/substrate alignment, contact control and stamp manufacturing. We found that the alignment tolerance was around 100μm for a 250μm thickness structured design. A stamp with a rigid support covered in a structured thin film minimises deformation during compression. Thanks to the lessons learned, we carried out our first circuits using μCP with a new machine, which was developed in the laboratory. We also addressed the problem of thickening adhesive copper layers on LCP components, as a thickening procedure had already been validated

The Hess Deep Rift in the East Pacific Rise is a mid-ocean ridge spreading center that produces melts which exhibit geochemical characteristics of evolved MORB. Using basaltic glass samples collected from multiple dive cruises that explored Hess Deep geology, volatile and chemical data were collected at USF using FTIR and EMPA, respectively. In addition, a data suite of samples of glass from Hess Deep were compiled from the EarthChem database. The intention was to use the data suite and models to compare the Hess Deep regime to analog models for mid-ocean ridge crystallization regimes and tectonic structures. The USF and EarthChem samples were then compared to various crystallization models generated in Petrolog3 (Danyushevsky and Plechov, 2011) and COMAGMAT (Ariskin and Barmina, 2004). The starting compositions using depleted, normal, and enriched MORB (Gale et al, 2013) were modeled at depths reflecting an upper and lower melt lens along the rift axis. The volatile components of the USF samples were compared to models for water and carbon dioxide behavior in basalt made using VolatileCalc (Newman and Lowenstern, 2002). Based on the comparison of the samples to the forward modeling in Petrolog3, it appears that the geochemical behavior of major and trace elements most closely resembles that of small amounts of fractional crystallization and re-assimilation of accessory minerals. The VolatileCalc models suggest that the USF samples most likely followed a degassing pathway at depths corresponding to the shallow melt lens. When considering the analog models for ophiolite sequences and melt flow beneath a fast-spreading ridge, it appears that the melt regime at Hess Deep deviates from both standing theories. Instead the most likely mechanisms are shallow crystallization, at depths equal to or less than an upper melt lens, and shallow dynamic degassing.

Muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet kan likställas med styrketräning och definieras som fysisk aktivitet med avsikt att förbättra eller bibehålla muskulär styrka, muskelvolym och/eller muskulär uthållighet. Explosiv styrka kan beskrivas som kraftutveckling per tidsenhet och är en produkt av styrka/kraft och hastighet. Tidigare studier har visat att en god explosiv och maximal styrka bland annat kan ge hälsovinster, förbättra idrottslig förmåga, minska risken för idrottsskador och kan förebygga fallrisken hos äldre. Isometric mid-thigh pull-test (IMTP) har under de senaste 10 åren blivit ett vanligt test för att mäta helkroppsstyrka hos idrottare. Testet är lätt att administrera och har en god validitet samt reliabilitet. Studiens syfte var att undersöka sambandet mellan explosiv- och maximal styrka hos styrketränande personer vid ett IMTP-test. Tio deltagare med minst ett års erfarenhet av styrketräning rekryterades. Resultatet visade en måttligt stark korrelation (r = 0,48) mellan explosiv och maximal styrka, men ingen statistisk signifikans (p = 0,158). Deltagarnas Peak Force var i genomsnitt 2644 ± 404 N och Peak force vid 250ms var medel 1808 ± 231 N (i medel hade deltagarna uppnått 69% av Peak Force vid 250ms). Sammanfattningsvis noterades att det möjligen kan finnas en trend i korrelationen mellan explosiv och maximal styrka. Detta indikerar att maximal och explosiv styrka troligen överlappar varandra, det kan däremot inte bekräftas då det inte fanns något statistiskt samband. Vidare rekommenderas att framtida forskning undersöker explosiv styrka och maximal styrka som distinkta styrkeförmågor med fler deltagare och standardiserade testmetoder krävs för att vidare undersöka sambandet mellan maximal och explosiv styrka. / Muscle-strengthening physical activity can be equated with strength training and is defined as physical activity with the intention of improving or maintaining muscular strength, muscle volume, and/or muscular endurance. Explosive strength can be described as force development per unit of time and is a product of strength/power and speed. Previous studies have shown that good explosive and maximal strength can yield health benefits, improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of sports related injuries, and prevent the risk of falls in older adults. The Isometric Mid-Thigh-Pull-test (IMTP) has become a common test for measuring whole body strength in athletes over the past 10 years. The test is easy to administer and has good validity and reliability. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between explosive and maximal strength in resistance-trained individuals using an IMTP-test. Ten participants with at least one year’s experience of resistance training were recruited. The results showed a moderately strong correlation (r = 0,48) between explosive and maximal strength, but no statistical significance (p = 0,158). The participants’ Peak Force averaged 2644 ± 404 N, Peak Force at 250ms averaged 1808 ± 231 N (on average, participants had received 69% of Peak Force at 250ms). In summary, it was noted that there might be a trend in the correlation between explosive and maximal strength. This suggests that maximal and explosive strength likely overlap, but this cannot be confirmed as there was no statistical significance. Furthermore, it is recommended that future research investigates explosive strength as distinct strength abilities. More participants and standardized testing methods are required to further explore the relationship between maximal and explosive strength

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Bestimmung der kleinsten relevanten Veränderung des wahrgenommenen Mundgesundheitszustandes, der Minimal Important Difference (MID), des Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Die MID sollte für die deutsche Version des OHIP mit 49 Fragen (OHIP-G49), die deutsche Kurzversion mit 14 Fragen (OHIP-G14) sowie für die einzelnen Dimensionen der deutschen und englischen Version des OHIP bestimmt werden. Es handelt sich um eine klinische Fallserie mit 224 konsekutiv rekrutierten, prothe-tischen Patienten. Die mundgesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität wurde mittels des OHIP- G49 an zwei Terminen vor der Behandlung (Basisuntersuchungen) sowie vier und sechs Wochen nach Behandlungsende (Nachkontrolluntersuchun-gen) bestimmt. Zu den Nachkontrolluntersuchungen schätzten die Patienten zu-sätzlich die Veränderung ihres Mundgesundheitszustandes gegenüber dem Zeit-punkt vor der Therapie anhand einer globalen Frage ein. Anhand der Ergebnisse der Basis- und Nachkontrolluntersuchungen wurde der Median der Differenzen der OHIP-Summenwerte errechnet. Dieser Wert entspricht der MID. Für die deutsche Version des OHIP mit 49 Fragen wurde ein Wert von 6,0 OHIP-Punkten ermittelt. Der Wert für den kurzen Fragebogen OHIP-G14 betrug 2,0 OHIP-Punkte. Für die Dimensionen der deutschen und englischen Sprachversion des OHIP konnten nur teilweise Ergebnisse gefunden werden. Das Studienergebnis lässt den Schluss zu, dass für beide untersuchten Versionen des OHIP ein klar definierter, minimal relevanter Unterschied (MID) der Summen-werte existiert. Die MID unterstützt die Interpretation der klinischen Bedeutung von Veränderungen des vom Patienten wahrgenommenen Mundgesundheitszustan-des. Sie stellt eine wichtige Größe zur Bewertung prothetischer Therapieeffekte dar.

Bakgrund: Sedan IFRS infördes år 2005 har goodwill fått en allt mer betydande roll i svenska börsnoterade företag. Idag utgör goodwill majoriteten av köpeskillingen vid rörelseförvärv, vilket går emot grundtanken hos de nuvarande redovisningsstandarderna. Redovisningen av rörelseförvärv enligt IFRS ger företagsledningen stor frihet att använda sitt egna omdöme. Detta har av många påpekats ger plats för opportunistiskt agerande och möjligheter för företag att strategiskt kunna fördela större summor till goodwill. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka huruvida företagens skuldsättningsgrad, storlek och lönsamhet påverkar andelen av köpeskillingen som allokeras till goodwill vid rörelseförvärv. Vidare är syftet att undersöka om företagsledningen i svenska noterade bolag agerar opportunistiskt vid köpeskillingallokeringen i samband med rörelseförvärv. Metod: För att uppnå studiens syfte har en kvantitativ metod använts. I studien undersöks  194 rörelseförvärv gjorda av företag noterade på Large Cap och Mid Cap under perioden 2011-2014. Detta gjordes för att undersöka sambandet mellan företagens skuldsättningsgrad, storlek och lönsamhet och andelen av köpeskillingen som allokeras goodwill. Detta har testats med hjälp av regressionsanalyser. Resultat och slutsats: Studiens resultat visar att företag med lägre lönsamhet tenderar att fördela en större andel av köpeskillingen till goodwill jämfört med företag med högre lönsamhet. Resultatet påvisar även att mindre företag tenderar att allokera en större andel av köpeskilling till goodwill jämfört med större företag. Studien finner dock enbart svaga belägg för att skuldsättningsgrad kan vara en påverkande faktor. Resultatet ger följaktligen indikationer på att företagsledningen agerar opportunistiskt i samband med köpeskillingsallokeringen. / Background: Since adopting IFRS in 2005, goodwill has gained an increasingly significant role in Swedish listed companies. Today, goodwill makes for the majority of the purchase price in business acquisitions, which goes against the basic idea of the current accounting standards. Accounting for business acquisitions under IFRS gives management greater discretion and more room to use their own judgement. This has been pointed out by many to provide room for opportunistic behavior and the opportunity for companies to strategically allocate larger sums to goodwill. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the companies’ leverage, size and profitability affect the percentage of the purchase price allocated to goodwill. Furthermore, the purpose is to examine whether managers in Swedish listed firms act opportunistically in the case of purchase price allocation associated with business acquisitions. Method: To achieve the purpose of the study a quantitative method is used. This study examined 194 business acquisitions made by companies listed on the Large Cap and Mid Cap during the period 2011-2014. This was done to examine the correlation between firm leverage, size and profitability and the proportion of the purchase price allocated to goodwill. This has been tested using regression analysis. Results and conclusion: The results of the study show that companies with lower profitability tend to allocate a greater proportion of the purchase price to goodwill compared with companies with higher profitability. The results also show that smaller companies allocate a larger proportion of the purchase price to goodwill compared with larger companies. The study finds, however, only weak evidence that leverage can be an influencing factor. These results therefore provide indications that management uses their discretion to act opportunistic in the purchase price allocation process.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture