The purpose of this thesis is to develop and understand dance balance characteristics on various kinds of dance, related positions and shoe types which contribute to dance performance and to understand different balance controls in various groups. The first study was conducted to examine balance into ballet 2nd position between Ballet shoes and Pointe shoes. Eight dancers performed five different conditions in ballet 2nd position (Ballet Flat, Ballet Demi, Pointe Flat, Pointe Demi, and Pointe Toe) and Centre of Pressure (COP) was used to assess balance. The second study was testing balance control and response to perturbations whilst standing on double leg stance dance positions using a moving platform. Four dance positions were performed by eight subjects (Normal Flat, Turnout Flat, Normal Demi and Turnout Demi) and the platform was moved in two different directions (Forward and Backward) at two different speeds (slow and fast). Kinetics, Kinematics and EMG data was taken from this study. The third study was taken to compare balance control and response to perturbations in single leg standing dance positions between eight dancers and eight gymnasts. The subjects performed static single leg balance in Normal Flat, Turnout Flat, Normal Demi and Turnout Demi. Also, perturbed stance trials were collected in anterior, posterior, right and left directions for two dance positions (Normal Flat and Turnout Flat) at two different speeds (slow and fast) on the moving platform. The results from the studies indicate that dancers move in Medial - Lateral direction more than in Anterior - Posterior direction on Demi-pointe and Toe standing by performing plantar flexion during ballet 2nd position. Demi-pointe position may cause longer delay of EMG latencies because CNS is probably sending information already to keep correcting balance on Demi-pointe. Dancers and Gymnasts have different balance controls due to their ways of training in their performance. Dancers generally reacted faster with slow perturbation in Turnout stance than Gymnasts because this is the particular condition which Dancers are training in.

Syftet med studien är att utveckla kunskap om worklife balance genom att undersöka hur individer hanterar gränsdragningsarbetet mellan arbetsliv och privatliv. Undersökningens empiriska material har samlats in genom sju kvalitativa intervjuer som sedan analyserats med utgångspunkt i Clarks (2000) gränsteori, där domäner, integrering, segregering, gränser, inflytande och gränsbevakare utgör undersökningens begreppsliga utgångspunkter. Vi valde att avgränsa studiens urval till individer med flexibel arbetsform som tillhör milleniumgenerationen. Resultatet visar att de respondenter som integrerar och segregerar arbetsliv och privatliv hanterar gränsdragningen på olika sätt. De individer som integrerade gjorde det främst genom att vara kontaktbara via tekniska hjälpmedel på fritiden, arbeta flexibelt på andra platser än den befintliga arbetsplatsen samt genom att ofrivilligt oroa sig över arbetet under sin fritid. En del respondenter tenderade att segregera domänerna genom att framförallt undvika tillgänglighet genom tekniska hjälpmedel, sträva efter att arbeta enbart på arbetsplatsen samt undvika att tänka på arbetet under fritiden. Vidare kunde vi se att de individer som hade inflytande över arbetet även hade självbestämmande över sina arbetsvillkor och högre krav från privatlivet. Vi fann även att respondenternas stöd från arbetsgivaren i form av förståelse och anpassningsbara villkor påverkade deras känsla av worklife balance. Graden av inflytande och stöd i arbetet påverkade således individens förutsättning att hantera gränserna utifrån vad som passade i deras livssituation, vilket i sin tur bidrog till balans mellan arbete och privatliv. Avslutningsvis för vi en diskussion kring vårt resultat utifrån studiens syfte och frågeställningar, teoretiska utgångspunkt och tidigare forskning där vi även belyser de faktorer vi funnit har inverkan på gränsdragningen. / The aim of this study is to develop knowledge about worklife balance by examining how individuals handle the work-life-boundary work. The empirical material of the study has been collected through seven qualitative interviews, then analyzed on the basis of Clarks (2000) boundary theory, where domains, integration, segregation, borders, impact and border keeper constitute the conceptual starting points of the survey. We chose to delimit the study’s selection to millennials with flexible working conditions. The result shows that respondents who integrate and segregate working life and private life manage the boundaries in different ways. Some individuals integrate primarily by being available through free-time technical aids, work flexibly in places other than the existing workplace, and by involuntarily worrying about their work during their spare time. Furthermore, some respondents tended to segregate the domains mainly by avoiding availability through technical aids, striving to work only in the workplace, as well as avoiding thinking about work during their free time. Furthermore, we could see that individuals who had impact in their work also had self-determination of their working conditions and higher demands from their private life. We could also see that support from employers in terms of understanding and adaptable conditions influenced the respondents sense of worklife balance. The degree of impact and support at work thus contributed to the individual's prerequisite to managing the boundaries based on what suited their life situation, which in turn affected the sense of worklife balance. Finally, we discuss our results based on the aim and the issues of the study, the theoretical perspective and previous research, where we also highlight the factors we have found to influence the boundaries.

Syfte: Undersöka och beskriva aktivitetsbalans hos individer med högkänsligt personlighetsdrag. Metod: En kvantitativ enkätstudie genomfördes. Webbenkäten utformades efter Occupational Balance Questionnaire 11 [OBQ11]. Fyra bakgrundsvariabler lades till. Vid analys av data tillämpades en kvantitativ bearbetning. I studien deltog 203 högkänsliga individer. Resultat: De högkänsliga individerna skattade i genomsnitt låg aktivitetsbalans. Resultatet visade att det fanns en signifikant skillnad i skattad aktivitetsbalans mellan de individer som har barn mot de individer utan barn samt mellan de som bor ensam eller är sammanboende. Vissa delar av OBQ11 utmärkte sig mer då de visade lägre skattad aktivitetsbalans än andra. Inget samband mellan ålder och skattad aktivitetsbalans kunde urskiljas. Slutsats: Deltagarna i studien har en genomgående låg aktivitetsbalans. Mer forskning behövs för att undersöka kopplingen mellan arbetsterapi och högkänslighet. Däremot skulle arbetserapeuters kunskap om hur miljön påverkar en individ kunna vara till nytta för högkänsliga individer. / Aim: Examine and describe occupational balance in individuals with highly sensitive personality traits. Method: A quantitative questionnaire study was conducted. The web survey was designed according to Occupational Balance Questionnaire 11 [OBQ11]. Four background variables were added. In the analysis of data, a quantitative processing was applied. The study involved 203 highly sensitive individuals. Result: The highly sensitive individuals estimated an average low occupational balance. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the estimated occupational balance between the individuals who have children against the individuals without children and between those who live alone or live together. Some parts of OBQ11 excelled more as they showed lower estimated occupational balance than others. No relationship between age and estimated occupational balance could be discerned. Conclusion: The participants in the study have a consistently low occupational balance. More research is needed to investigate the link between occupational therapy and highly sensitive personality traits. On the other hand, occupational therapists' knowledge of how the environment affects an individual could be useful for highly sensitive individuals.

Each year, the urbanised population grows exponentially and due to this growth, cities are forced to expand beyond their manageable borders resulting in greater pressure on the surrounding urban environment. Many South African towns or cities are dependent on surface water for water supply. These resources are slowly being depleted and the dependence on groundwater resources is becoming increasingly important. Due to increased mining, industrial and agricultural activities in South Africa the surface water and groundwater environments have become vulnerable to contamination. This study aimed to develop a methodology in which the risks of urbanisation can be quantified. The conceptualisation and qualitative site impact and risk assessments focused on any environmental changes. The urban environment was sub-divided into three distinct areas and analysed separately in order to detect possible groundwater impacts of the water flowing through the urban area. Upstream river flow gauge chemistry by way of tri-linear grouping (piper diagram) of the major anions and cations showed already impacted water due to mining activities north of Potchefstroom. Uranium concentrations in the downstream surface water showed negligible impact as the concentrations remained within the relevant standards over time. Total coliform bacteria concentrations were found to be well above the acceptable levels and these high concentrations are an indicator of water purification inefficiency. Different qualitative risk assessment approaches i.e. the Environmental Risk Assessment method, Fuzzy Logic and the Depth to water, recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of the vadose zone media and Conductivity of the aquifer (DRASTIC) approach risk assessments were compared and used to determine the most effective way to determine the most likely risks associated with urbanisation. Different modelling tools namely, analytical element modelling method (AEM) using the Visual AEM program, a finite difference numerical modelling method using Processing Modflow v.8 (PMWin) were evaluated, however due to insufficient data, an analytical approach had to be developed. This approach incorporated logical steps and associated processes to serve as a guide for future urban hydrogeological investigations. A case study (namely Potchefstroom) was used to test the developed methodology. The developed methodology provides a step by step approach to urban risk assessment, even in areas where there is insufficient data. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Each year, the urbanised population grows exponentially and due to this growth, cities are forced to expand beyond their manageable borders resulting in greater pressure on the surrounding urban environment. Many South African towns or cities are dependent on surface water for water supply. These resources are slowly being depleted and the dependence on groundwater resources is becoming increasingly important. Due to increased mining, industrial and agricultural activities in South Africa the surface water and groundwater environments have become vulnerable to contamination. This study aimed to develop a methodology in which the risks of urbanisation can be quantified. The conceptualisation and qualitative site impact and risk assessments focused on any environmental changes. The urban environment was sub-divided into three distinct areas and analysed separately in order to detect possible groundwater impacts of the water flowing through the urban area. Upstream river flow gauge chemistry by way of tri-linear grouping (piper diagram) of the major anions and cations showed already impacted water due to mining activities north of Potchefstroom. Uranium concentrations in the downstream surface water showed negligible impact as the concentrations remained within the relevant standards over time. Total coliform bacteria concentrations were found to be well above the acceptable levels and these high concentrations are an indicator of water purification inefficiency. Different qualitative risk assessment approaches i.e. the Environmental Risk Assessment method, Fuzzy Logic and the Depth to water, recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of the vadose zone media and Conductivity of the aquifer (DRASTIC) approach risk assessments were compared and used to determine the most effective way to determine the most likely risks associated with urbanisation. Different modelling tools namely, analytical element modelling method (AEM) using the Visual AEM program, a finite difference numerical modelling method using Processing Modflow v.8 (PMWin) were evaluated, however due to insufficient data, an analytical approach had to be developed. This approach incorporated logical steps and associated processes to serve as a guide for future urban hydrogeological investigations. A case study (namely Potchefstroom) was used to test the developed methodology. The developed methodology provides a step by step approach to urban risk assessment, even in areas where there is insufficient data. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Increased cancer risk is associated with select dietary factors. Dietary lifestyles can alter systemic acid-base balance over time. Acidogenic diets, which are typically high in animal protein and salt and low in fruits and vegetables, can lead to a sub-clinical or low-grade state of metabolic acidosis. The relationship between diet and cancer risk prompts questions about the role of acidosis in the initiation and progression of cancer. Cancer is triggered by genetic and epigenetic perturbations in the normal cell, but it has become clear that microenvironmental and systemic factors exert modifying effects on cancer cell development. While there are no studies showing a direct link between diet-induced acidosis and cancer, acid-base disequilibrium has been shown to modulate molecular activity including adrenal glucocorticoid, insulin growth factor (IGF-1), and adipocyte cytokine signaling, dysregulated cellular metabolism, and osteoclast activation, which may serve as intermediary or downstream effectors of carcinogenesis or tumor promotion. In short, diet-induced acidosis may influence molecular activities at the cellular level that promote carcinogenesis or tumor progression. This review defines the relationship between dietary lifestyle and acid-base balance and discusses the potential consequences of diet-induced acidosis and cancer occurrence or progression.

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and its interaction with the solar wind is a quite interesting subject tostudy. While it is a rocky planet it doesn't have an intrinsic magnetic eld, but an ionosphere, created by thephotoionization of a relatively thin atmosphere. In addition there are magnetic "patches" on its surface, remnantsof an ancient fossilized magnetic eld. All these factors make the study of its interaction with the solar wind quiteintriguing. In this work we tried to extract information about the electron population and the magnetic eld intensity aroundthe planet, but also about the corresponding pressures to those magnitudes: electron -thermal- and magneticpressure respectively. Also, we tried to determine the position of the magnetic pileup boundary (MPB) andcompare it to the theoretical one, and lastly, we search for any possible structures along the MPB -both aboveand below it- by analyzing the ratio of the above mentioned pressures.We used data collected by Mars AdvancedRadar for Subsurface andIonosphereSounding (MARSIS), in a period of almost 9 years - December 2005 to May2014.

No description available.

Today, only 7 % of the Atlantic Rainforest, that once covered Brazil, remains scattered across the southern parts of the country. As the forest is rapidly disappearing, the government of Brazil has emerging interest of preservation. Thus more and more areas are turned into national parks and reserves. At the outskirts of one of these reserves, the Iracambi research station is situated. The center makes an effort to carry out applied research to find methods of preserving and learning about the forest. It is within that context the project described in this report has been performed. The project aimed to establish a water balance over Graminha Basin, the main river in the Iracambi research area. By doing this the understanding of the fluctuations of the amount of water in the ecosystem could increase. An important part of the objective was also to assess which methods can be used practically at Iracambi.The project was carried out during the rainy season from February 13th to April 12, 2012. During this time the water flow was measured at five stations along the river, using a current meter and instant slug-injection. Between six and fifteen flow measurements were made at each station. Slug- injection was generally the most suitable gauging method to use in the area. Precipitation was measured at two points. Evaporation was measured using an evaporation pan, and also calculated using the Penman-Monteith equation. Even though, the parameterization of the Penman-Monteith needs to be improved it was deemed to be the more suitable method for the area.The results give a rough estimate of the water balance during the period. It was concluded that the storage decreased during the project period. Based on the flow measurements and observations it was concluded that the areas covered by forest were less affected by the floods that occurred during heavy rainfalls than the areas covered by grass. Further on, the result of this report indicates that the Iracambi research station can continue to carry out assessments for changes in water flow, rainfall and evaporation with the simple equipment used in this project. However, more expensive and advanced equipment would be beneficial to establish a more accurate water balance. / Idag återstår endast 7% av den atlantiska regnskogen som en gång täckte Brasilien södra kust. Regnskogen försvinner snabbt vilket har lett till att Brasiliens regering de senaste åren visat ett ökat intresse att bevara regnskogen. Fler och fler områden har förvandlats till nationalparker och reservat. I utkanten till ett av dessa reservat ligger forskningsstationen Iracambi. Iracambi bedriver forskning i och runt området för att hitta metoder för att bevara regnskogen och öka kunskapen om området. Detta projekt är ett litet bidrag till detta arbete. Det övergripande syftet med projektet var att upprätta en vattenbalans över floden Graminhas avrinningsområde. Detta är huvudfloden i området och genom upprätta en vattenbalans kan förståelsen för förändringarna av vattentillgången i ekosystemet öka. Ett viktigt mål med projektet var också att finna verktyg som forskningsstationen Iracambi kan använda för kontinuerliga mätningar av de parametrar som ingår i vattenbalansen.Projektets genomfördes under regnperioden mellan den 13 februari och den 12 april, 2012. Flödesmätningarna utfördes vid fem mätstationer längs floden Graminha. Två typer av utrustning användes: flygel och konduktivitetsmätare. Rekommendationen för Iracambi var att fortsätta mätningarna med framförallt konduktivitetsmätaren. Uppskattningarna av avdunstningen genomfördes på två sätt: dels genom upprättandet av en evaporationspanna, dels genom beräkningar. Beräkningarna genomfördes med Penman-Monteith ekvationen och det kunde konstateras att även om de ingående parametrarna innehåller en del osäkerheter, så var detta den mest passande metoden för att beräkna avdunstningen. Nederbörd mättes på två platser med hjälp av enkla regnmätare konstruerade av pet-flaskor.Slutligen upprättades en vattenbalans för området. Utifrån denna kunde det konstateras att vattenmagasinet för hela orådet minskade under mätperioden. Utifrån flödesmätningar samt observationer kunde slutsatsen dras att skogsområdena drabbades mindre än de gräsbevuxna områdena av de kraftiga översvämningarna som uppstod under intensiva regn. Vidare visar resultaten att forskningsstationen Iracambi kan få en bra uppskattning av flödesförändringar, nederbörd och avdunstning med hjälp av den enkla utrustning som användes i detta projekt. / Minor Field Study

published_or_final_version / Physiology / Master / Master of Philosophy