How do additional data of the same and/or different type contribute to reducing model parameter and predictive uncertainties? This was the question addressed with two models – the HBV hydrological water balance model and the ICBM soil carbon balance model – that were used to investigate the usefulness of the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method for calibrations and uncertainty analyses.  The GLUE method is based on threshold screening of Monte Carlo simulations using so-called informal likelihood measures and subjective acceptance criterion. This method is highly appropriate for model calibrations when errors are dominated by epistemic rather than stochastic uncertainties.  The informative value of data for model calibrations was investigated with numerous calibrations aimed at conditioning posterior parameter distributions and boundaries on model predictions.  The key results demonstrated examples of: 1) redundant information in daily time series of hydrological data; 2) diminishing returns in the value of continued time series data collections of the same type; 3) the potential value of additional data of a different type; 4) a means to effectively incorporate fuzzy information in model calibrations; and 5) the robustness of estimated parameter uncertainty for portability of a soil carbon model between and tropical climate zones.  The key to obtaining these insights lied in the methods of uncertainty analysis used to produce them.  A paradigm for selecting between formal and informal likelihood measures in uncertainty analysis is presented and discussed for future use within a context of climate related environmental modeling. / QC 20110414

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur balansen mellan arbetslivet och privatlivet upplevdes efter en omställning från kontorsarbete till distansarbete. Studien genomfördes genom en kvalitativ metod där tio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med respondenter som genomgått en omställning från kontorsarbete till distansarbete. För att analysera materialet användes en induktiv tematisk analys. Utifrån analysen hittades tre huvudteman. Dessa teman var: Gränserna mellan arbetstid och privattid, Hemmets effektivitet och Socialt stöd. Resultatet visade att en omställning från kontorsarbete till distansarbete upplevdes förbättra privatlivet genom en förbättrad flexibilitet men försämra arbetslivet på grund av bristen av socialt stöd vilket kunde leda till en förändrad balans mellan de båda. / This study had the purpose of examining individual experiences of the balance between work life and personal life after a conversion from office work to telework. The study was conducted using a qualitative method. Ten respondents participated in a semi-structured interview that focused on individual experiences of a conversion from office work to telework. All of the respondents had experience of a conversion from office work to telework. The material was analyzed using an inductive thematic method. Three head-themes were constructed from the transcription: The boundaries between working time and private time, Home efficiency and Social support. The results showed that a conversion from office work to telework was perceived to improve private life due to improved flexibility but worsen working life due to the lack of social support, which could lead to a changed balance between the two.

As the main component of terrestrial energy and water balance, evapotranspiration (ET) moves a large amount of water and energy in the form of latent heat flux from bare soil and vegetated surfaces into the atmosphere. Despite the development of many methods and equations through past decades, accurate ET estimation is still a challenging task, especially for the Red River Valley of the North (RRV) that has limited updated information on ET either for landscape or agricultural water management. The overall objective of first study was to evaluate the ASCE-EWRI reference ET (ETo) method by developing an accurate crop coefficient (Kc) using an eddy covariance (EC) system over an unirrigated turfgrass site. The results showed that with mean ETgrass/ETo ratio as 0.96 for the entire growing seasons of turfgrass, the ASCE-EWRI ETo method is valid for guiding the turfgrass irrigation management in cold climate conditions. In a Controlled drainage with subirrigation (CD+SI) field, an EC system was used to measure and quantify energy flux components along with soil water content (SWC) and water table depth (WTD) measurements during four corn growing. This study showed that the subsurface drainage along with the CD + SI system can be used for optimal water management with an improvement of 26.7% and 6.6% of corn yield during wet and dry year, respectively. For the final task, ET was measured using EC, Bowen ratio system (BREB), and soil water balance (SWB) method during the corn growing season. The comparison of the EC and the BREB system illustrated the advantages of using the residual method to close the energy balance closure of EC. Among the different time approaches for SWB method, ET by the SWB method using the average soil water contents between 24:00 to 2:00 time period showed non-significant differences (alpha = 0.05) compared to the BREB system during the observation periods. / USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture project / USDA NCR SARE project / ND Soybean Council / ND Water Resources Research Institute / ND Agricultural Experimental Station / USDA Hatch project / NASA ROSES Project

The purpose of this work was to investigate basic personality mechanisms underlying life balance, to specify why life balance is beneficial for peoples well-being, and to identify specific self-regulatory competences that affect that balance. The approach of life balance was initially conceived of in terms of the work-family balance or the work-family conflict. Addressing the suggestion that the work-life system is multi- and not just two dimensional, life balance as a multidimensional construct was operationalized and investigated in the present research. Life balance was defined in terms of appropriate proportion of time spent in major life domains that comprises of activities related to work, social contact and family, health, and the overall meaningfulness of life. Two life balance measurements - the Life-Balance Checklist and the Life-Balance Questionnaire - were constructed as a part of this research. Both measures were found to have sufficient internal and external validity. The main findings were: (a) the congruence of needs, goals and goal attainment within the time invested in goal-relevant behavior predicted the level of life balance and may be viewed as a mechanism underlying life balance; (b) the fulfillment of psychological needs mediated the relationship between life balance and subjective well-being; (c) affective coping (i.e., action orientation) buffered the negative impact of stress on life balance; (d) time management behavior was found to have a positive impact on life balance through improved perception of control over time and reduced procrastination; and (e) persons especially skilled in self-motivation and self-relaxation reported to high competence to choose and attain self-concordant goals (i.e., self-determination) and, as a result, to balance their time spent across life domains more effectively.

Glaciers are known as climate indicators because of their sensitivity towards climatic perturbations and fluctuations. A majority of the world’s glaciers are currently melting as a response to climatic perturbations. Glaciers in Norway display the same pattern, and the loss of mass have accelerated during the 1990s to this day. The glaciers of interest in this paper is situated in a west to east transect with the maritime Ålfotbreen in the west, to the continental Gråsubreen in the east, with the intermediate Storbreen in between. Differences in the local climate have a significant impact on the future state of glaciers. This paper aims to compare the mass balance, mass turnover and mass balance sensitivity of the three glaciers of interest, between the years 1980 and 2018, to demonstrate the importance of the local climate and characteristics for glacial existence. Mass balance data series of each glaciers’ mass balance was analysed. In addition, development trends of the mean annual summer air temperature for respective glaciers’ region were also conducted. A literature review of relevant reports and publications will be presented and analysed to complement the result of this paper. The results of this paper indicate that the characteristics of respective glacier vary along the increasing continentality of the west to east transect, with the mass balance sensitivity decreasing from west to east. The mass turnover displayed varying patterns, between the years 1980 and 2018. ÅLF had the highest mass turnover for the period and GRÅ the smallest with STO in between. It can be concluded, based on the result of this paper, that the fate of glaciers depends on geographical location and local characteristics. The resemblance between Storbreen and Storglaciären, and the existence of Helagsglaciären who seem to survive against the odds, strengthens the importance of local characteristics.

En la actualidad, existen muchas estructuras de gran importancia y funcionalidad (hospitales, colegios, entre otros) que albergan un gran número de personas y de las que se espera que ante un evento sísmico severo se mantengan operativas, sin embargo, muchas de estas edificaciones esenciales han sido construidas con códigos sísmicos antiguos, los cuales podrían no tener los requerimientos actuales de resistencia y rigidez. Por lo que podrían fallar o tener un comportamiento deficiente ante sismos moderados y/o severos. Entonces, es así como la investigación aborda como caso de estudio uno de los bloques del Hospital Luis Negreiros, en el que se desarrolla un análisis sísmico y se propone su reforzamiento con dispositivos de protección sísmica, en especial disipadores de fluido viscoso, los cuales absorben la energía de entrada del sismo y aumentan el amortiguamiento de la estructura, lo que permite lograr un buen comportamiento durante la acción de sismos leves o moderados. La investigación consta de 6 capítulos, en el primer capítulo se explica los antecedentes de la investigación, hipótesis y objetivos, en el segundo capítulo se desarrolla el marco teórico de la investigación, una compilación del estado del arte relacionado a protección sísmica, el tercer capítulo explica el modelo matemático de los dispositivos así como las configuraciones existentes, en el cuarto capítulo se desarrolla la metodología de la investigación, en el quinto capítulo se analiza el caso de estudio y se plantea una propuesta de reforzamiento. En el sexto y sétimo capítulo se desarrollan las conclusiones y recomendaciones, respectivamente. / Currently, there are many structures of great importance and functionality (hospitals, schools, among others) that are home to a large number of people and which are expected to remain operational before a severe seismic event; however, many of these essential buildings have been built with old seismic codes, which may not have the current requirements for strength and rigidity. So they could fail or have a deficient behavior against moderate and / or severe earthquakes. Thus, this is how the research deals with one of the blocks of the Luis Negreiros Hospital as a case study, in which a seismic analysis is developed and its reinforcement is proposed with seismic protection devices, especially viscous fluid dissipaters, which absorbs the input energy of the earthquake and increase the damping of the structure, which allows to achieve good behavior during the action of mild or moderate earthquakes. The research consists of 6 chapters, in the first chapter the background of the research, hypotheses and objectives is explained, in the second chapter the theoretical framework of the research is developed, a compilation of the state of the art related to seismic protection, the third chapter explains the mathematical model of the devices as well as the existing configurations, in the fourth chapter the research methodology is developed, in the fifth chapter the case study is analyzed and a reinforcement proposal is proposed. In the sixth and seventh chapter the conclusions and recommendations are developed, respectively. / Tesis

Globalization, 24-hour connectivity, and the expectation that members of the organization commit increasingly more time to work are the reality in an ever-changing environment. Research shows, however, that these demands have resulted in a significant work-life imbalance that produces the opposite effect of reducing productivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between work life balance satisfaction of front-line managers and the engagement of employees whom they supervise. The variables of these study were: work life balance satisfaction of frontline managers measured by Work life Balance and Emotional Support Scale and engagement perception employees measured by Employee Engagement Survey. Survey data from front-line managers and front-line employees from different industries across the United States were analyzed using a Bivariate Pearson Correlation test to understand the strength of the correlation. The study results r (89) = 0.115, p>.01showed no statistically significant correlation between managers work life balance satisfaction and employee engagement. Work-life imbalances create a significant internal conflict as the manager tries to cope with the stress and pressure that affect his/her overall ability to effectively lead and manage. Their work behaviors can promote or destroy a positive work environment where employees strive to meet the organizations' mission and vision. The organization and front-line managers benefit from understanding the findings because the organization may adopt innovative ways to support manager work-life balance and front-line managers may improve employee engagement. Positive social change is realized in less stress for managers and employees whom interact in an environment that demands more time and flexibility. Considering the amount of time, we spend at work, less stress can improve the overall quality of the work environment and productivity.

Problem Statement: Stepping is a common strategy after a perturbation. Stroke survivors display a predilection for stepping with non-paretic leg. Insight into induced stepping between stroke survivors and age-matched control may guide our understanding for reactive postural control training post stroke. Purpose: To investigate the difference in perturbation-induced stepping between chronic stroke survivors and age-matched controls at three phases of the stepping response: preparation, execution, and landing and association with clinical outcome measures. Procedure: Twenty-one community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors (mean age 59y/o ±13yrs) and 17 age- and gender-matched controls (mean age 54.4y/o ±17yrs) completed this study. Clinical measures of gait, balance, range, sensation, and motor control were assessed. A mechanical weight drop of 10% body weight (BW) was used to create the anterior waist pull perturbation during three stance symmetry positions: equal stance (EQ) and two asymmetrical stance (70% BW on dominant leg and 70% BW on nondominant leg). Ten perturbation trials plus two catch trials at 2% BW were given in a standard randomly order at the three stance positions. Kinematic and kinetic data was collected for perturbation steps. Results: The asymmetrical trials resulted in two types of stepping response, steps with the leg bearing 70% BW (loaded steps – LS) and steps with the leg that had 30% BW (unloaded steps – ULS). All subjects initiated steps more often with their unloaded leg (ULS) in the asymmetrical stance trials. In the stroke group the ULS increased paretic leg stepping compared to EQ (p=0.001) and LS (p=0.001). The stroke group had significantly earlier APA onset with both non-paretic leg (p=0.003) and paretic leg (p=0.028), took significantly more steps with paretic (p=0.01) and non-paretic (p=0.07), shorter step length (paretic, p=0.025 and non-paretic p=0.003), and less change in momentum at landing with paretic leg (p=0.01) compared to controls. Conclusion: Reacting to a perturbation is more challenging for chronic stroke survivors than age- and gender-matched control subjects in the preparation, execution, and landing phase of the stepping response regardless of the leg used. Perturbation training should include stepping with both non-paretic and paretic leg.

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Akutsjukvård är tidskänsliga vårdinsatser som ges till patienter som drabbas av akut sjukdom. Akut sjukdom kan innebära försämring av kronisk sjukdom eller nytillkommen plötslig ohälsa i behov av snabb handläggning. När en patient drabbas av akut sjukdom ökar risken för vätskebalansrubbningar, exempelvis dehydrering och hyperhydrering. Vätskebalansrubbningar kan leda till ökad ohälsa samt ökade samhällskostnader. Sjuksköterskan ansvarar för bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans. Detta ska göras med en helhetssyn och består till stor del av tre komponenter; bedömning av kliniskt status, klinisk kemi och dokumentation i vätskebalanslistor. Hantering av den akut sjuka patientens vätskebalans utgör en avgörande del av patientens vård. Då bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans syftar till att tidigt upptäcka inadekvat vätskebalans innebär suboptimal hantering en ökad risk för vårdskada hos patienten. Syftet var att belysa sjuksköterskans genomförande av bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans hos patienter som vårdas inom akutsjukvård. Metoden litteraturöversikt valdes för att besvara studiens syfte. Endast studier publicerade mellan åren 2007-2017 samt genomförda inom en akutsjukvårdskontext på vuxna patienter inkluderades. Datainsamlingen skedde genom sökning i de elektroniska databaserna PubMed, CINAHL complete, MEDLINE samt SveMed+ med indexeringsord och fritextord baserade på litteraturöversiktens syfte. Därtill genomfördes en manuell sökning. Datainsamlingen resulterade i att 17 originalartiklar inkluderades i litteraturöversikten. Artiklarnas kvalitet granskades mha Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsunderlag för vetenskaplig klassificering samt kvalitet. Artiklarnas resultat analyserades med integrerad analys och presenterades därefter i en integrerad text. Resultatet visade att det fanns brister i sjuksköterskans bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans. Det fanns en fördröjning i agerande vid upptäckt av vätskebalansrubbningar och onormala värden i den kliniska kemin. Sjuksköterskan dokumenterade inte patientens vätskebalans i vätskebalanslista eller kroppsvikt på ett tillfredsställande vis. Faktorer som kunde påverka sjuksköterskans bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans var kommunikation, kunskap och patientens sjukdomstillstånd. Därtill indikerade resultatet att de mätmetoder som används för att bedöma vätskebalans inte verkar helt ändamålsenliga för äldre patienter, vilket gällande riktlinjer inte tillsynes tar hänsyn till. Vidare forskning behövs för att kartlägga detta vidare. Slutsatsen av litteraturöversiktens resultat indikerar att sjuksköterskans bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans idag är bristfällig. Insatser f  f ör att öka sjuksköterskans kunskap kring vätskebalans torde vara av värde för att förbättra detta. Vidare forskning behövs för att utvärdera huruvida de mätmetoder som används för bedömning och dokumentation av vätskebalans är väl lämpade för akutsjukvård. / Acute care is time sensitive care interventions given to patients who are acutely ill. Acute illness may imply deterioration of chronic disease or newly sudden illness that needs urgent treatment. In this state the risk of fluid balance disorders, such as dehydration and hyperhydration, increases. Fluid balance disorders may lead to increased morbidity and social costs. The nurse has a responsibility to assess and document fluid balance. This should be done with a holistic view and largely consists of three components; assessment of clinical status, clinical chemistry and documentation in fluid balance charts. Fluid balance management in the care of the acutely ill is a fundamental part of patient care. The aim of the assessment and documentation of fluid balance is to discover deviations early, and a suboptimal management of fluid balance implies an increases risk of care related injury. The aim was to illuminate the nurse’s implementation of fluid balance assessment and documentation in patients within acute care. The study was executed through a literature review. Only articles published between 2007 and 2017, conducted in acute care settings and of adult patients were included. The data collection was carried out using the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL complete, MEDLINE and SveMed+ using keywords based on the purpose of the literature review. Both thesaurus and free text words were used as keywords. Thereafter a manual search was performed. The data collection process resulted in 17 original articles that were included in the literature review. The quality of the articles was assessed using the review template compiled by Sophiahemmet University. The results of the articles were analyzed using integrated analysis and presented within an integrated text. The findings revealed shortcomings in the nurse’s assessment and documentation of fluid balance. There was a delay in action after the detection of fluid imbalances and abnormal values ​​in the clinical chemistry. The nurse did not adequately document the patient's bodyweight or fluid balance in the fluid balance chart. Factors such as communication, knowledge, and the patient’s medical condition could affect the nurse’s assessment and documentation of fluid balance. In addition, the findings indicated that the measurement methods used to assess fluid balance do not appear to be entirely suitable for elderly patients. Applicable guidelines do not seem to recognize the diverse needs of these patients. Additional research is needed to explore this further. The conclusions of this literature review indicates that the nursing assessment and documentation of fluid balance is inadequate. Efforts to increase the nurse’s knowledge of fluid balance might be of value to improve this. Further research is needed to evaluate whether the measurement methods used for the assessment and documentation of the fluid balance are well suited for acute care settings.