The salinity distribution in an inverse estuary (where the sea water is concentrated by the estuary water) possesses its own uniqueness due to excessive net freshwater loss and restricted circulation. The study of long-term balance of salinity can contribute to a better understanding of the mixing and transport properties in such a distinct type of water body (i.e., inverse estuary water), and can provide valuable information for sound water management and environmental assessment. The Persian Gulf is chosen to be the study region, as it is a typical large-scale inverse estuary with severe shortages of freshwater resources and has been of significant research interest during the past several decades. For basin-wide examinations of a large-scale inverse estuary, analytical solutions are typically unavailable and field measurements are expensive, so numerical modeling as well as validation with available data is the main focus in this thesis. Firstly, the salinity distribution in the Persian Gulf is simulated with 8 different schemes, and the obtained results are compared with the World Ocean Atlas 2013 (WOA13) data. The comparisons can validate the utilization of the numerical model in predicting the salinity distribution in a large-scale inverse estuary. Given that results are affected by the choice of the numerical scheme, a performance analysis of candidate schemes is performed. The most appropriate scheme for the Persian Gulf is figured out in this stage. Secondly, the validated scheme is used for the prediction with respect to the long-term salinity response of the Persian Gulf to the climate change and anthropogenic activities. The results show that without mitigation measures taken, the salinity in the Persian Gulf will continually increase with time. The long-term and basin-wide simulations that will be presented in this thesis are expected to be more useful than previous studies (which were generally limited in time from hours to a few months) in terms of inspecting long-term characteristics. The performance of various numerical schemes has been assessed for the first time through a practical case study, which can contribute to a better understanding of the applications and characteristics of these schemes. Besides, the long-term salinity variations in the Persian Gulf are predicted for the next half-century, and this is the first numerical prediction of the long-term salinity response of the Persian Gulf to climate changes and anthropogenic activities.

This thesis presents a detailed study of recent changes in the mass balance and dynamics of Penny Ice Cap (PIC), and projects its evolution under a warming climate. Mass losses from 2005-2014 were quantified from airborne altimetry elevation change measurements, and adjusted for vertical ice motion caused by firn compaction and/or ice dynamics. Mass loss from PIC increased four-fold between the mid-1990s (-1.3 ± 0.7 Gt a-1) and 2005-2013 (-5.4 ± 1.9 Gt a-1). The adjustment calculations indicate that mass loss may be overestimated by 19% if vertical motion is not properly accounted for. The velocity response to increased surface melt was quantified using satellite imagery and historical ground measurements from Highway Glacier, on the southern part of PIC. Over the period 1985-2011, the six largest outlet glaciers on the ice cap decelerated at an average rate of 21 m a-1 over the 26 year period (0.81 m a-1), or 12% decade-1. Highway Glacier decelerated by 71% between 1953 and 2009/11. The recent slowdown of outlet glaciers has coincided with increases in mass loss and an inferred reduction in basal sliding. The ice-cap-wide mass balance was modeled from 1958 to 2099 with an enhanced temperature index model. Since the mid-1990s mass balance rates over PIC have become increasingly negative. Peak mass loss is projected to occur in the late 2070s and PIC is expected to lose 16-20% of its 2014 ice volume by 2099 assuming a moderate climate warming scenario (RCP4.5). If a +2°C offset is applied to this scenario, the ice cap is expected to lose 30-40% of its initial ice volume by 2099. These results provide the first comprehensive evaluation of the impact of vertical ice motion on mass loss derived from geodetic measurements over a large Arctic ice cap. The ice velocity record provides insights into the relationship between surface melt rates and glacier motion over the past 30-60 years. This study projects the mass change of the largest ice cap in the southern Canadian Arctic to 2099, calibrated and validated with a wealth of spatially distributed data for the first time.

Regulation of chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions was determined for hypo- and hypersaline conditions in the crab, Cancer magister, from an estuarine environment. Animals from both summer and winter were examined. Chloride regulation in the blood was hypertonic in dilute salinities and hypotonic in concentrated salinities, with summer animals maintaining a greater gradient in the former and winter animals a greater gradient in the latter. Sodium in the blood is regulated hypertonically in all experimental salinities, with summer animals maintaining a greater gradient. Blood potassium is regulated hypertonically in dilute salinities, approaching isotonicity in hypersaline media. Summer animals maintain a greater gradient of potassium concentration. Blood calcium is regulated hypertonically in all experimental salinities, with summer animals maintaining a greater gradient in dilute salinities and winter animals a greater gradient in concentrated salinities. Magnesium is regulated at a pronounced hypotonic level in the blood over the entire experimental salinity range, with winter animals maintaining the greater gradient. Major changes in the adaptation of blood ionic concentrations occur within a few hours of exposure to the experimental salinities, with half of the final equilibrated concentration values attained by twelve hours. Animal weight was found to bear no significant relationship to the ionic regulatory activity observed. Renal involvement in regulation has been shown for all the ions, with the production of a urine hypertonic to the blood for chloride and magnesium, and a urine hypotonic to the blood for sodium, potassium, and calcium. Renal regulation was greater in winter animals for chloride, and greater in summer animals for sodium and potassium. Ionic regulation by the gills of summer and winter animals was investigated by potential difference measurements, and was suggested to occur for all ions. Chloride may have been regulated by the absorption from dilute media and excretion into concentrated media. Sodium may have been regulated by secretion into dilute media. The involvement of the gill in potassium, calcium, and magnesium regulation was implicated. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

This essay argues that the Anglo-Saxon poet of Beowulf presents the reader with a series of paradoxes and attempts to find a balance within these paradoxes. At the forefront is the paradox of past and present, explored through the influence of the past on the characters in the poem as well as the poet. Additionally, the poem offers the paradox of light and dark, which ultimately suggests light and dark as symbols of Christianity and paganism. Finally, the land and the sea offer the third primary paradox, indicating the relationship that the characters and poet had with land and sea, while also reflecting the other paradoxes in the poem. The result is the desire to find balance within the paradoxes through the recognition of ongoing tension.

This paper examines young adults’ perceptions of work, life, and the balance in between in light of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The intention of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of young adults’ world views for the benefit of organizations. 22 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 to 40 from five different colleges at a Midwestern university participated in a focus group or one-on-one interviews. The age-frame was selected to include young adults in a life stage imperative to their career development. Central themes found in regard to technology use, work, and work/life balance included: viewing technology as access, a divide in preference of integrations vs. separation, viewing technology as expectation, viewing technology as leisure, and parental impact on present-day habits. Participant recommendations for better work/life balance are discussed. Finally, the implications of these findings for organizations are explored.

The future projection of climate change suggests the strong need of improved systems to the re-source management systems. In Syria, the current water resource management systems are weak, and the country has no resilience to the scarcity of water resources in the region. In 2007 a drought has crippled the Syrian economy and impacted the life of millions of Syrian People, the devastating occurrence of the drought had larger impacts due to the lack of water resource management sys-tems and irresponsibility of use. This study investigates the current management systems that Syria has, and the supply and demand of the country, of which is aimed for with the term (water balance) that refer to the flow of water in and out of the system. Furthermore, a constructed wetland design is introduced as a system to treat municipal wastewater of the town Al-Haffah, located east of Latakia city of which is situated at the Mediterranean coast, on the Costal basin. All the data avail-able relevant to the investigation has been used in the case study, nevertheless some assumptions has been made due to lack of available data. The introduced system is later evaluated in regards of water need for agricultural purposes in Al-Haffah. The design with the assumed current value, in worst case scenario could save annually (48.57%) of the groundwater abstraction for agricultural purposes, Or (29.14%) of the total water demand for the agricultural practices in Al-Haffah. Whilst, in best case scenario, if two third of the required water for agriculture is met with rainfall the system saves (145.7%) of the assumed groundwater abstraction, Or (87.43%) of the total an-nual required water. / <p>2020-06-05</p>

This project aims to build a system that helps users achieve a delicate work-life balance and decrease stress. Evidence shows that most dual-earner families currently live in multitasking contexts. The increase of multitasking behaviors and experiences among working mothers has led to negative emotions, stress, and work-family conflict. Studies have confirmed that balancing work and family is challenging for parents. After the COVID-19 pandemic, work-life balance became more challenging to achieve. Due to gender inequality, research shows that telecommuting mothers report feelings of depression and anxiety much more than fathers. The study highlights work-life conflict experiences with working mothers through qualitative and quantitative approaches involving specific numbers of interviews and online surveys. Based on research, I developed the system Leto, an application and product design to help mothers in dual-earner families build a better inner and outer system. Further, the design combines functions of the mother community, reminders, customized schedules, and a stress reliever. The design outcome was prototyped and assessed through a heuristic evaluation.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of short-time cold pack cryotherapy in thermoreceptors, therefore, proprioception via deep sensation receptors and sense of balance on ankle joint in healthy adults. In the subject, I refer to other studies using the word proprioception when measuring the cold effect in the balance of the ankle joint. Mainly, cold therapy is affecting to the thermoreceptors but there might be input also to change neuromuscular transmission. The aim of the experimental process is to identify if the cold application on the ankle joint for 20 minutes is decreasing dynamic postural stability and the sense of balance in laboratory environment. Short term cryotherapy effect is measured within 12 participants divided into two groups: control and study group. Both groups went through the first measurement, 20 minutes rest with or without cold application and second measurement directly after the rest period. The dynamic posturography machine SMART Balance Master System (NeuroCom) was used to evaluate somatosensory outcome in the experiment. In the systematic review the previous studies are investigated within same settings as on experimental process, short time cold application on ankle joint measuring the effect on ankle proprioception and joint position sense. The...

Dynamic standing balance is essential to perform functional activities and is included in the treatment of many lower extremity injuries. Physiotherapists utilize many methods to restore standing balance including stability exercises, functional retraining, and manual therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a rearfoot distraction manipulation on dynamic standing balance. Twenty healthy participants (age: 24.4 ± 2.8 years; height: 162.9 ± 37.7 cm; mass: 68.0 ± 4.8 kg; right leg dominant = 20) completed this study. Following familiarization, dynamic standing balance was assessed during: (1) an experimental condition immediately following a rearfoot distraction manipulation, and (2) a control condition. Dominant leg balance was quantified using the Y-balance test which measures lower extremity reach distances. Reach distances were normalized to leg length and measured in the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral directions. Overall balance was calculated through the summing of all normalized directions. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon rank tests were used to compare balance scores for parametric and non-parametric data as appropriate. Significance was set at 0.05 a priori. Effect size (ES) was calculated to determine the clinical impact of the manipulation. Increased reach distances (indicating improved balance) were noted following manipulation for overall balance (p = 0.03, ES = 0.26) and in the posteromedial direction (p = 0.01, ES = 0.42). Reach distances did not differ for the anterior (p = 0.11, ES = 0.16) or posterolateral (p = 0.11, ES = 0.25) components. Dynamic standing balance improved after a rearfoot distraction manipulation in healthy participants. It is hypothesized that manual therapy applied to the foot and ankle may be beneficial to augment other therapeutic modalities when working with patients to improve dynamic standing balance.

Clinical relevance: Mobility and fall risk may be important considerations in choosing between intraocular lenses. Background: Fall risk in older adults increases when wearing multifocal spectacles, but little is known about mobility among individuals with different types of intraocular lenses. This study compared visual function, fall risk and balance control following bilateral implantation of monofocal or multifocal intraocular lenses. Methods: This was a non-randomised, cross-sectional study involving adults with bilateral intraocular lenses. Participants completed questionnaires concerning physical functioning, fall history and balance-related confidence. Binocular visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson chart and computerized testing), depth perception and glare sensitivity were assessed. Physical performance measures included the Sensory Organization Test, preferred gait speed, Dynamic Gait Index and wayfinding in a virtual environment. Results: Fifteen participants (mean ± standard deviation, 67.1 ± 6.8 years) had monofocal intraocular lenses and 14 participants (68.1 ± 6.1 years) had multifocal intraocular lenses. Contrast sensitivity in the monofocal group was significantly better than that in the multifocal group (p = 0.02) at intermediate and high spatial frequencies. Contrast sensitivity of the monofocal group also was less affected by glare than the contrast sensitivity of the multifocal group, at an intermediate spatial frequency (p = 0.02). However, the multifocal group had significantly better Dynamic Gait Index scores (p = 0.04), even after controlling for perceived physical function. Conclusions: The participants with monofocal intraocular lenses generally had better contrast sensitivity than did those with multifocal intraocular lenses. However, the scores on a mobility test that is associated with fall risk were worse for those with monofocal lenses.