The main goal of this thesis was to develop a multi-technique approach to characterise high molecular weight (colloidal) dissolved organic matter (DOM) occurring in estuarine and coastal marine environments and to investigate how these bulk properties may relate to their ability to influence the physicochemical speciation of metals such as iron and copper. This characterisation was undertaken systematically on the pre-filtered (0.4 μm) estuarine or marine sample, referred to here as the ‘bulk’, as well as on the ultrafiltered (< 5 kDa) and colloidal (> 5 kDa) fractions. Three successive studies were carried out. The first one took place in the estuarine mixing zone of a high pH, low turbidity black water river (River Thurso) and the other two in the receiving coastal waters (Thurso Bay). The optical and size distribution properties of these waters were examined in detail in the first study while their iron and copper-binding properties were examined in the second and third studies, respectively. Size fractionation results showed that the proportion of colloidal to soluble organic carbon (DOC) tended to decrease from the upper estuary (~ 60%) to coastal waters (~ 20%). With respect to trace metals, similar trends were observed as one progressed from the mouth of the river towards the open sea. In relation to their molecular absorption, fluorescence and size fractionation properties, both River Thurso DOM and Nordic Reservoir NOM Reference Material presented the same characteristics and mixing behaviour, indicating the dominance of humic and fulvic substances in the Thurso river-ocean system. The river-borne, humic colloids underwent two types of transformations upon mixing with the seawater end-member. The first one was the coiling or contraction of individual macromolecules ―monomers― with increasing salinity. The second one was the concurrent aggregation of these small monomer units (d = 2 – 4 nm) to form entities that were still colloidal, i.e. smaller than 0.4 μm. As a result of extensive association of iron and copper with the colloidal and soluble fractions respectively, not only organic carbon but also iron and copper behave conservatively in the River Thurso estuary. Throughout the coastal region of freshwater influence (S = 29 - 35) colloidal iron accounted for 30 - 80% of total dissolved iron and was present as iron-humic complexes supplied by the river and showing a uniform stability constant (log KFe’HS’ = 11.3  0.1, i.e. log KFe3+ HS’ = 21.3  0.1). Soluble iron was found to be largely complexed to ligands of marine origin with log K’Fe’HS’ = 11.9  0.1, thus revealing for the first time a difference between the iron-binding strengths of colloidal and soluble ligands. Terrestrial colloidal iron was found to be entirely, if slowly (~ 10 hours), accessible to the added competing ligand 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-pcresol (TAC) used for the determination of K’Fe’HS’. Furthermore, iron appeared to play a role in holding these terrestrial colloids together. Evidence for this came from variations in humic fluorescence intensity over time in response to dissociation of the ironhumic colloidal associations induced by a chelating resin. These results are consistent with the concept that iron derived from a peat-draining river is strongly but reversibly bound to humic substances and remains so under marine conditions. In the same coastal region, two types of high-affinity ligands binding over 99.99% of total copper were detected. The stronger ligand (L1, log KCu2+L1’ = 15.5 - 16.1), of riverine origin, was present in very low concentrations of 1 - 4 nM that correlated with ―but systematically fell short of― total copper concentrations. Its conditional binding constant tended to increase with salinity, with most of the increase taking place in the near-field portion of the river plume. The weaker, more abundant ligand (L2, log KCu2+L2’ = 11.8 - 12.8) was present in total concentrations of 60 – 170 nM and had a controlling influence on the value of the labile (i.e. inorganic) copper concentration which ranged from 0.001 to 0.0001 nM. Both organic ligands were fairly evenly partitioned between soluble and colloidal phases but their sources appeared to differ significantly. Ligand L1 appeared to be of riverine origin (although one cannot exclude active microbial production, as opposed to passive release from peat) while ligand L2 distributions suggested in situ production within Thurso Bay.

The impact of climate on fisheries resources has become a focal point for fisheries research. The objective of this thesis is to describe different aspects of the impact of teleconnections on marine ecosystems within the Mediterranean. Chapter I describes interactions between teleconnection patterns and oceanic variability in the Mediterranean. Atmospheric variability over the Atlantic and Eurasian sector forces oceanic circulation in the western Mediterranean, by altering the route of Atlantic storm tracks. The Indian monsoons are found to be related to gyre and upwelling formations in the eastern Mediterranean. Important links between the Mediterranean Oscillation and hemispheric circulation are also discussed. Chapter II studies the impact of atmospheric and oceanic forcing on the spatiotemporal distribution of chlorophyll-a concentration in the Mediterranean. A number of teleconnection indices with an important role in determining chlorophyll-a concentration are identified, especially for coastal areas, upwellings and gyres. Chapter III has an exploratory nature, with common trends in the landings of 41 fish species from the eastern Mediterranean identified and compared to fishing effort or large-scale environmental drivers. Teleconnections over the Atlantic or El Nino-related teleconnections, filtered by local SST and wind variability, are highlighted as driving forces behind some of the observed common landing trends. Chapter IV focuses on the biological complex of two commercial species, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus). The results suggest that the West African Summer Monsoon, the East Atlantic Jet and the Pacific North American teleconnection patterns have a consistent correlation with anchovy and sardine distribution and abundance. Relationships between oceanic circulation in the Mediterranean and atmospheric variability over the neighbouring oceanic and continental masses were described and linked to biological variability. Oceanic structures that interrupt the oligotrophic regime of the area are affected by teleconnection patterns and in turn they influence fisheries productivity. Interactions between teleconnection patterns and fisheries can explain a large proportion of the observed fluctuations in marine resources and synchronicity between species and locations. The processes modulating the effects of climatic forcing vary at fine spatiotemporal scales, the different characteristics and habitat requirements of the species and interactions between the species. Further research is essential in order to delineate these effects and improve the management of marine resources in the persistently over-exploited environment of the Mediterranean Sea.

Purpose: BIM has the potential to reduce the number of design errors in construction projects. Possibilities to change parts at a later stage, as well as better opportunities to which the designer himself can detect if anything wrong has been done. The possibility to discover faults easier and with better opportunities for changes should lead to the defects related to design errors in production decreases. The introduction of BIM in a firm may be costly and clear evidence that the design errors decreased by BIM has not been found. The goal of the work is to find out whether the introduction of BIM in the design stage in construction has led to fewer defects related to design errors in the production stage. Method: In order to achieve the target set has interviews with designers at two consulting companies been implemented. This is to find out how the methods of the designing has become more BIM-based. A document analysis has been carried out on the lists of defects and changes from eleven different engineering projects of varying size. These documents come from two large contractors in Sweden. Findings: The deisgners interviewed describe the methods for designing roads and facilities have gone on to become more BIM-based. Having previously designed in 2D CAD it has gone over more to the 3D models. In the 3D software it is also possible to add different models to the same file and check for any errors between them. To check itself has also become easier than when the designing was done in 2D CAD. The lists of changes and defects also shows that the amount of the defects related to design errors was reduced significantly compared to how it looked in a study conducted in 1999 and mentioned in a study from 2014. Implications: The introduction of BIM in the design has led to the defects related to design errors out in production has fallen. This would be of interest to companies thinking of introducing BIM in their organization but have not yet seen the benefits that BIM brings. Limitations: The thesis is relevant to both designers and contractors in civil engineering. This is when the work has been focused more towards the road and facility than designing of houses. Designers and entrepreneurs from different companies in different parts of Sweden have contributed to the collection of data, which means that the results can be assumed to be general. Contact with more companies from more places in Sweden had definitely been able to make the results even more generally. Keywords: BIM, design, changes, design errors / Syfte: BIM har potentialen att minska antalet projekteringsfel i anläggningsprojekt. Möjligheter att ändra delar i ett senare skede samt bättre möjligheter att som projektör själv upptäcka eventuella fel man gjort. Upptäcks fel enklare och med bättre möjligheter för ändringar bör därför leda till att ÄTA-arbetena i produktionen minskar. Att införa BIM på ett företag kan dock vara kostsamt och tydliga bevis på att projekteringsfelen minskat med BIM har inte kunnat hittas. Målet med arbetet var att ta reda på om införandet av BIM i projekteringsskedet vid anläggningsarbeten har lett till färre ÄTA- arbeten relaterade till projekteringsfel ute i produktionsskedet. Metod: För att uppnå det mål som satts har intervjuer med projektörer på två konsultföretag genomförts. Detta för att ta reda på hur metoderna för att projektera blivit mer BIM-baserade. En dokumentanalys har sedan genomförts på ÄTA-listor från elva olika anläggningsprojekt i varierande storlek. Dessa dokument kommer från två större entreprenadföretag i Sverige. Resultat: De projektörer som intervjuats beskriver att metoderna för att projektera vägar och anläggningar har gått mot att bli mer BIM-baserat. Från att tidigare ha projekterat i 2D-CAD har man gått över mer till 3D-modeller. I programmen med 3D finns även möjligheter att lägga in olika modeller i samma fil och kontrollera eventuella fel. Att kontrollera sig själv har även det blivit enklare jämfört med när projektering genomfördes i 2D-CAD. ÄTA-listorna visar även de att mängden ÄTA-arbeten relaterade till projekteringsfel minskat betydligt jämfört med hur det såg ut i en studie genomförd 1999 som även nämns i en studie genomförd 2014. Konsekvenser: Införandet av BIM i projekteringen har lett till att ÄTA-arbetena ute i produktionen har minskat. Detta skulle kunna intressera företag som funderat på att införa BIM i sin organisation men som ännu inte sett nyttan och de fördelar som BIM för med sig. Begränsningar: Examensarbetet är relevant för både projektörer och entreprenörer inom anläggningsbranschen. Detta då arbetet har koncentrerats mer mot väg och anläggning än mot hus. Projektörer och entreprenörer från olika företag i olika delar av Sverige har bidragit till datainsamlingen vilket gör att resultatet kan antas vara generellt. Kontakt med fler företag från fler platser i Sverige hade definitivt kunnat göra resultatet än mer generellt. Nyckelord: BIM, projektering, ÄTA-arbeten, projekteringsfel.

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to find the prevalence of different ocular changes in the anterior segment of the eye and changes in the crystalline lens among Nicaraguan population. Method: The study was done during a journey to Nicaragua with the organization VFA and Synoptik that lasted for two weeks in March/April. There were a total of 134 participants with 71 females and 63 males. The average age of the study participants was 50 (±20) years and the age ranged from 7 to 97 years. The total sample size was collected in the three towns that we visited during the journey: Ticuantepe, Léon and Estéli. The changes were evaluated by direct ophthalmoscopy. Conjunctiva was examined by asking the patients to look into different gaze directions. Cornea and crystalline lens was examined by asking the patient to look directly at the ophthalmoscope. Results: 31% out of the participants enrolled in this study were healthy with no visible ocular changes. The remaining 69% had ocular changes with majority of them having either cataract, pterygium or pinguecula. The prevalence of cataract was 24%, pterygium 20%, pinguecula 10%. There were other minor ocular changes such as red eye in 4%, arcus senilis in 4%, ptosis in 1%, and aphakia in 1% seen in these participants. Conclusion: The UV related changes had the highest prevalence. This study like previous studies have shown that cataract was most prevalent ocular change in this population.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy and population health studies have linked it to impaired cognitive performance in the offspring. GDM triggers inflammatory responses, which can critically affect development of neuronal circuitry. We hypothesized that GDM promotes inflammatory responses in the fetus that can disturb fine-tuning of neuronal networks during early development, resulting in lifelong impaired cognitive functions. The cognitive performance of 15 week old offspring exposed to diet induced GDM were assessed. The brain tissue of the 15 week old and neonatal (E20) offspring were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and cytokine assay. Cultured microglial responses to elevated glucose and/or fatty acid levels mimicking GDM associated diabetic conditions were analyzed. Our data reveals chronic neuroinflammation in GDM offspring, which combined with deregulation of microglial functions may explain hippocampal CA1 layer neuronal derangement and synaptic degradation that correlates with impaired cognitive performance of GDM offspring. / October 2016

The purpose of this study is to describe contemporary plans for training the boy's changing voice and to prescribe ensemble material for these voices. Specific Problems: Analysis of the general problem leads to subordinate questions, or sub-problems, which may be stated as follows: 1. What are the contemporary plans of training the boy's changing voice? 2. What are the most usable musical materials available for use by ensembles which include boys with changing voices?

Measured by the level of transportation safety, the Commonwealth of Virginia stands out from all the States because despite increased need for mobility, it manages to maintain its safety indices at exceptionally good levels. In many respects we can attribute this success to the comprehensive Strategic Highway Safety Plan of Virginia (SHSP), which is, as concluded from the analysis of its analogues, among the best in the US. The programs and policies described in this document embrace all aspects of transportation safety and create a harmonious system. To assess the effectiveness of the SHSP, this thesis used correlation and regression analysis based on statistical data from the years 2004 – 2011 in Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documents. The performed calculations showed very positive trends with gradual reduction, in crash and death rates. It was also found that citizens would use private vehicles more often in the future without making conditions worse on the highways. Instead, drivers tend to be more careful and responsible. Analysis also reveals a rising level of drunken driving incidents, a finding substantiated by literature review, chiefly planning reports and economic analysis. The current transportation policy I does not adequately address this issue. The correlation between allocation of funds and performance indicators showed it would be more effective to invest in research projects on safety rather than in “safety” itself (i.e. construction of roads). Unfortunately, in difficult times, governments usually cut research projects. Finally, Virginia is on the verge of a new transportation era, when the structure of driving cohorts will change, and decisions about building new highways will have to be balanced between technical and ecological considerations.

The study investigates physical, mental and sexual changes in women at the beginning of use or after discontinuation of a combined hormonal contraception. Thirty women were interviewed at least 3 months and at most 2 years after the start of use or discontinuation of combined hormonal contraception. Semi-structured interviews were supplemented by 16- symptom rating scale on which women assessed the results of an imaginary study of side effects of hormonal contraception. Both methods identically demonstrated pronounced effect of combined hormonal contraception on decline in sexual desire and painful menstruation. No clear difference was found in psychical symptoms, although qualitative analysis indicated possible changes. Further research is needed to test subsequent hypothesis.

The diploma thesis deals with the conditions of the principal office entrance and the training required in selected European countries. In the theoretical part the thesis deals with the current situation of principals, the possible professional support and preparation needed before the post entrance. It also follows up the role of principals, their competencies and the process of acquisition and selection of principals. The selection of first-rate principals and their training can influence the effectiveness of the school and the quality of education provided. Due to this, the entrance conditions and their preparation were inquired. The process of acquisition, selection and preparation of principals was described and compared in the case of selected European countries from 1994 to 2012. The results provided show the changing role of school principals, the growing workload requirements principals have to deal with, the growing meaning of preparation and education of future principals and the necessity to attract talented leaders. Even though the entrance conditions are different in distinct European countries, some issues they deal with are similar. Owing to this, the results can provide stimuli and inspiration for current and future principals and for everybody interested in education. KEYWORDS:...

There are new challenges, facing the 21st century and one of them is the discussion around climate change and global warming. This phenomenon brings with it a deeper problem, which is the fact that millions of people have their lives strongly damaged as a consequence of the climate changes. There is no international instrument that protects these climate victims, which in this thesis are referred to as environmental refuges. This thesis focused on trying to evaluate solutions to the problem of environmental refugees. To achieve this we first had a look at the different types of forced migration since it would define which type of solution would suit this type of refugees the best. We had a look at the "Oustees" which are the people who are forced to move due to development projects in the different countries. Then we had a look at Bangladesh as one of the case studies since it is one of the countries at higher risk of suffering the adverse consequences of climate change, which forces many people to move internally or to cross the border to India. We were able to conclude that cross border migration increases tensions between countries and between social groups of the receiving communities. Since these people need protection and since these types of tensions threaten peace and security in some...