Land use/cover change (LUCC) is a major force affecting ecosystems and the services theyprovide at local, regional and global levels. Traditionally, LUCC has been approached as aseries of linear and unidirectional single cause–effect processes, but it is now increasinglyincorporating notions from complex systems to enrich this view. This study explores thepotential benefits of using the concept of regime shifts to understand LUCC. A globalcropland cover dataset was analyzed to empirically identify patterns that suggest theexistence of alternate regimes. Results indicate that in some countries cropland-dominatedand (semi)wild landscapes likely represent alternate social-ecological regimes.Furthermore, results suggest that a theoretical feedback relating market access andagglomeration of economic activates plays a strong role in maintaining these alternate regimes in some contexts. These results highlight the need for LUCC studies to go beyondthe focus on external drivers and environmental template conditions, to incorporate feedback mechanisms and the potential for regime shifts to better understand the nature of LUCC.

Handwashing is a well known practice to prevent the hospital-acquired infections, and it is also a basic procedure of the nosocomial infection control programs. This research is conducted to use PRECEDE model to investigate the factors affecting nurses¡¦ performance in handwashing practices. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate 212 nurses working patients` heaithcare from a medical center of north Taiwan, and a quota sampling method was used to analyze nurses¡¦ handwashing practices. The results of this research includes (1) the major causes affect nursing staffs¡¦ performance in handwashing practices include attitudes (enthusiastic and passive), encouragements from colleagues, and feedback of the nosocomial infection rate or density. (2) different perfessional department and different ward type also affect the performance of nurses¡¦ handwashing practices. (3) nurses washed their hands often after contacting patients¡¦ body substances, and they usually forget to wash their hands after checking patients¡¦ medicine charts. (4) seif-reported factors for poor adherence with handwashing are heavy work loading and taking patients¡¦ needs priority. The suggestions of this research are (1) providing nurses the routine feedback information regarding the changes in nosocomial infection rate versus their performance in handwashing practices. (2) making nursing supervisors and their colleagues to understand the importance of handwashing practice as well as encouragement, reminding, and supporting. (3) the above two suggestions should be executed continually. From the positive feedback, it shall enhance nursing staffs` attitudes to improve their handwashing practices, and then, nursing staffs will be willing to keep excellent performance in handwashing practices.

Design of landfills must consider both stability and integrity of the lining system. Therefore, stresses and strains in both mineral and geosynthetic lining materials must be controlled. Interaction between waste and barrier system is of particular importance for assessing the stability and structural integrity of steep non-self supporting barrier systems. The most appropriate approach to assess the interaction is the use of numerical modelling techniques, and therefore an appropriate constitutive model for waste material is required to represent its mechanical behaviour. In a literature review the key aspects of mechanical behaviour of municipal solid waste (MSW) were investigated, including the influence of compressible and reinforcing particles on compression and shear behaviour of MSW were identified. Constitutive modelling of both MSW and soil material were reviewed, based on which the methodology for this study have been developed. In addition, requirements of an appropriate constitutive model for MSW have been suggested from the numerical modelling experience, and a framework to develop a constitutive model for MSW was produced. A one-dimensional compression model was developed by including the influence of compressible particles on MSW compression behaviour. One-dimensional compression tests on both real and synthetic waste samples were modelled and the results have shown that the compression model can reproduce the measured behaviour. A fibre reinforcing model was developed by including the influence of reinforcing particles on MSW shear behaviour. A triaxial compression test on fibre reinforced sand was modelled and the results have shown that the reinforcing model can predict its shear strength. A constitutive model for MSW has been developed by combining the Modified Cam-Clay with the one-dimensional compression and the fibre reinforcing models. Typical MSW triaxial compression tests have been modelled and the results have shown that the MSW model can reproduce the stress-strain behaviour in specific strain ranges. The constitutive model for MSW has been coded into a non-linear elasto-plastic finite element method program. Comparisons between the finite element analysis results and the analytical solutions have been performed and good agreements have been obtained.

Energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) across the menstrual cycle (MC), while considering body adiposity, have not been previously evaluated in the same individuals. This study mainly examined the variations in energy balance (EB) across MC. Seventeen women (Body fat-DXA:28.5%) participated in three identical sessions during distinct phases of the MC: Early-follicular, Late-follicular/ovulation and Mid-luteal (confirmed by basal temperature and sex-steroid hormones). EI, resting metabolic rate (RMR), physical-activity EE (PAEE), severity of PMS, leptin and relative-reinforcing value (RRV) of preferred foods were measured during each phase. No differences in body fat, EI, RMR, PAEE, leptin and RRV of food were noted across MC. Trends were noted in preferred snack (p=0.06) and combined snack/fruit (p=0.06) intakes, while differences were noted in severity of PMS (p<0.05) across phases. Changes in EB across the MC were not noted. PMS was more severe, and preferred snack and combined snack/fruit intakes were slightly higher during mid-luteal phase.

Energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE) across the menstrual cycle (MC), while considering body adiposity, have not been previously evaluated in the same individuals. This study mainly examined the variations in energy balance (EB) across MC. Seventeen women (Body fat-DXA:28.5%) participated in three identical sessions during distinct phases of the MC: Early-follicular, Late-follicular/ovulation and Mid-luteal (confirmed by basal temperature and sex-steroid hormones). EI, resting metabolic rate (RMR), physical-activity EE (PAEE), severity of PMS, leptin and relative-reinforcing value (RRV) of preferred foods were measured during each phase. No differences in body fat, EI, RMR, PAEE, leptin and RRV of food were noted across MC. Trends were noted in preferred snack (p=0.06) and combined snack/fruit (p=0.06) intakes, while differences were noted in severity of PMS (p<0.05) across phases. Changes in EB across the MC were not noted. PMS was more severe, and preferred snack and combined snack/fruit intakes were slightly higher during mid-luteal phase.

This thesis deals with the analysis of mechanical properties of composite materials used for 3D printing by Markforged company. The theoretical part is focused on the characterization of composite materials and analysis of mechanical tests. The experimental part deals with the production of test specimens for specific mechanical tests (tensile test, Shore D hardness test and bending test). The test sapples with Onyx base material are individually reinforced with carbon and high-temperature glass fibers (HSHT). There are statistically evaluated selected parameters for individual mechanical tests (tensile strength, elongation, modulus of elasticity, Shore D hardness, bending stress and bending deformation). The thesisis completed by comparing selected parameters of composite materials with overall recommendations for users.

No description available.

The objectives of this research were to investigate the sensitivity of two-prong and fourprong resistivity measurements to certain operator-controlled variables and to conduct a direct comparison of the sensitivity of two-prong and four-prong resistivity measurements to certain concrete material variables. Four full-factorial experiments were designed for this research. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with two-prong resistivity testing, main effects that are both statistically significant and practically important include hole depth and surface water. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with four-prong resistivity testing, probe position, surface water, and prong spacing are all neither statistically significant nor practically important. This high degree of unexplained variation may be of concern to practitioners. In the experimentation on concrete material variables with two-prong and four-prong resistivity testing, main effects that are both statistically significant and practically important include chloride concentration and temperature, both of which exhibit inverse relationships with resistivity. These research findings support several important recommendations for resistivity testing. Operators of the two-prong resistivity device should use an accurately positioned drill stop to ensure that the prepared holes are consistently the correct depth, and they should expect to obtain different values depending on the presence of surface water on the deck surface. Operators considering use of the four-prong resistivity device should not expect the measurements to be sensitive to probe position with respect to rebar, presence of surface water, or prong spacing for conditions similar to those investigated in this research. Operators interested in monitoring resistivity values over time to ascertain material changes in a bridge deck should develop protocols for measuring concrete temperature in the field and subsequently normalizing resistivity measurements to a standard temperature.

No description available.

Under 50- och 60-talet i USA växte bilismen och städer byggde väldigt mycket motorvägar. Trots detta började då i Washington, D.C. det förlopp som skulle leda till att de fick en tunnelbana på 70-talet. Denna uppsats studerar hur denna osannolika och oväntade tunnelbana kunde uppstå med hjälp av teorin om stigberoende.Genom att använda teorin om stigberoende som ett analytiskt verktyg, identifierar denna uppsats följande: (1) vilka små händelser, även kallade formativa moment, som startade processen att ge D.C. en tunnelbana, (2) den resulterande kedja av händelser, även kallade reaktiva sekvenser, vilka ledde tunnelbanerörelsen till den punkt där den upplevde självförstärkande processer. (3) Dessa självförstärkande processer, vilka slutligen resulterade i uppkomsten av tunnelbanan i D.C.Uppsatsen identifierar tre relativt små händelser som genom olika kedjor av reaktiva sekvenser leder till att kongressen, år 1965, beviljar tunnelbanan pengar vilket, genom efterföljande självförstärkande processer, säkerställer tunnelbanans uppkomst. / During the 50's and the 60's automobile usage in the United States grew significantly and cities constructed extensive highway networks. In spite of these trends, key events in the 1950's initiated a process that would result in the construction of the Washington, D.C. Metro System – one of the first metro systems built since the 1920's. By applying the Path Dependence Theory and examining narratives of actors and events in Washington, D.C. that influenced the development of the metro during that time, this paper shows how this unlikely and unexpected process occurred.Using the Path Dependence Theory as an analytical tool, this paper identifies the following: (1) certain small events, also known as critical junctures, which started the process of giving DC a metro; (2) the resulting chain of events, also known as reactive sequences, which allowed the metro (movement) to reach the point at which it experienced self-reinforcing processes; (3) these self-reinforcing processes, which finally resulted in the genesis of the metro in DC.The paper concludes that three relatively small events, through different chains of reactive sequences, led to Congress granting the metro funds in 1965 – which then brought about self- reinforcing processes that ensured the metro's genesis. / To be translated into English (upon request).; Appendix included.