Quantification and prediction of capillary fluid flow in planar nanochannels is essential to the development of many emerging nanofluidic technologies. Planar nanochannels are typically produced using the standard nanofabrication processes of thermal bonding or sacrificial etching. Both approaches may yield nanochannels that are bowed and/or exhibit non-uniform (i.e. non-planar) wall spacing. These variations in wall spacing affect the transient dynamics of a liquid plug filling the nanochannel, causing deviations from the classical behavior in a parallel-plate channel as described by the Washburn model. Non uniform wall spacing impacts the overall frictional resistance and influences the meniscus curvature. In this thesis, a new analytical model that predicts the meniscus location over time in micro- and nanochannels as a function of channel height was compared to experimental filling data of well-characterized channels with different heights. The wall-to-wall spacing of the utilized nanochannels exhibited height variations between 60 and 300 nm. The model was also validated with microscale channels that were fabricated with a linear variation in the wall-to-wall spacing from 100 µm to 400 µm. The filling speed and meniscus shape during the filling process were determined by dynamic imaging of the meniscus front for several different liquids. A modified Washburn equation that utilizes an effective channel height to predict the filling speed corresponding to the location of the tallest height within a channel was derived. A model was also developed to predict the meniscus distortion encountered in a non-constant height channel, provided the cross-sectional channel heights and the distance from the channel entrance are known. The models developed herein account for induced transverse pressure gradients created by non-constant channel heights. The models are compared to experimental data derived from both nanoscale and microscale channels with good qualitative agreement. These results demonstrate that the capillary flow in nanochannels with non-parallel-plate, linear tapered, or parabolic cross sections can be predicted.

The wave field in the Baltic Sea has been modelled for a two-year period with the spectral wave model HYPAS. There is a large seasonal variation in the field and a minor annual one, both reflect the wind variation in the area. Since the Baltic Sea is fetch limited, the dominant wind direction is important for the maximum wave heights. By studying the modelled wave energy density in combination with bottom type maps, the effect of the wave field on the sediment surface is examined. Up to half the bottoms in the Baltic Sea are affected ~25% of the time. A statistical relation between wave energy density and bottom types is found for the Gulf of Riga, but in the rest of the area the sediment maps were to coarse. It is, due to this, not possible to say if the result is valid for the whole area or if it is site specific. During resuspension events the remineralisation is increased since deposited organic material is reintroduced into the watermass and there exposed to higher levels of oxygen. This process could act as an increased regional source of nitrogen in nutrient budgets and thus influence the conditions for nitrogen fixation and perhaps explain some of the geographical differences in the nitrogen fixation rates.

Expressiveness, and more recently, succinctness, are two central concerns of finite model theory and descriptive complexity theory. Succinctness is particularly interesting because it is closely related to the complexity-theoretic trade-off between parallel time and the amount of hardware. We develop new bounds on the expressiveness and succinctness of first-order logic with two variables on finite words, present a related result about the complexity of the satisfiability problem for this logic, and explore a new approach to the generalized star-height problem from the perspective of logical expressiveness. We give a complete characterization of the expressive power of first-order logic with two variables on finite words. Our main tool for this investigation is the classical Ehrenfeucht-Fra¨ıss´e game. Using our new characterization, we prove that the quantifier alternation hierarchy for this logic is strict, settling the main remaining open question about the expressiveness of this logic. A second important question about first-order logic with two variables on finite words is about the complexity of the satisfiability problem for this logic. Previously it was only known that this problem is NP-hard and in NEXP. We prove a polynomialsize small-model property for this logic, leading to an NP algorithm and thus proving that the satisfiability problem for this logic is NP-complete. Finally, we investigate one of the most baffling open problems in formal language theory: the generalized star-height problem. As of today, we do not even know whether there exists a regular language that has generalized star-height larger than 1. This problem can be phrased as an expressiveness question for first-order logic with a restricted transitive closure operator, and thus allows us to use established tools from finite model theory to attack the generalized star-height problem. Besides our contribution to formalize this problem in a purely logical form, we have developed several example languages as candidates for languages of generalized star-height at least 2. While some of them still stand as promising candidates, for others we present new results that prove that they only have generalized star-height 1.

The purpose of this study was to observe physiological metrics relative to training-induced adaptations in conjunction with laboratory- and competition-based performances in a super-heavyweight weightlifter recovering from a meniscus injury. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a collegiate level male weightlifter (23.2 yrs; 131.9 kg; 187.3 cm) over the course of 21-weeks post-meniscus surgery. Body mass, body fat percentage, hydration status, vastus lateralis muscle cross-sectional area, jump performance, and isometric midthigh pull were regularly assessed as part of an ongoing athlete monitoring program. Pre-injury baseline (T0) measurements were collected relative to a major national competition (COMP1). Post-injury measurements took place at the end of sequential training blocks: strength-endurance training block 1 (T1), basic strength block 2 (T2), and transmutation block 3 (T3). The final measurement session (T4) was conducted three-days post-local competition (COMP2). Only statistically significant increases were observed from T0-T4 for muscle CSA (p=0.0367), isometric peak force (pp=0.0367), and rate of force development at 250ms (p=.0367). While non-significant changes were observed for jumping performance, jump height and net impulse did, however, return to baseline. Competition based performances also showed marked improvements from pre-to-post injury via an increase in weightlifting total (3.2%∆, +9kg) and Sinclair score (1.8%∆, +5.3au). Thus, based on these findings, implementing an evidence-based training program along with a sound athlete monitoring protocol can aid with reducing an athlete’s return-to-train timeline while improving physiological, laboratory- and competition-based performance outcomes.

Training load monitoring is crucial to examine fatigue status. The currently available methodsshow diverse validity, and each come with their limitations. The advantages of CMJ are manyand seem to be useful within team sports, although its use on endurance athletes needs moreresearch. Using force plates is agreed to be the best method, but the uncertainty of whichvariables to use when monitoring fatigue creates difficulties, yet currently, no optimal methodis identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of CMJ and its variables onendurance athletes. Ten triathletes participated in the study, performing the CMJ two times aweek for five weeks. The training load from each session was quantified using Lucia’sTRIMP. A correlation analysis between total TRIMP three days prior to testing and eightdifferent CMJ-variables were made; jump height-flight time (JH-FT), jump height-impulse(JH-IM), Reactive Strength Index-flight time (RSI-FT), Reactive Strength Index-impulse(RSI-IM), braking duration (B-DUR), braking impulse (B-IM), propulsive duration (P-DUR),propulsive impulse (P-IM). A small positive correlation was found between TRIMP and JHFT (r =0.23), JH-IM (r = 0.24), RSI-FT (r = 0.13), and RSI-IM (r = 0.13). B-DUR and B-IMhad a small negative correlation (r = -0.10, r = -0.11) while P-DUR and P-IM showed nocorrelation (r = < 0.02). No significance was found in any correlations (p > 0.05). Resultsindicated that JH may provide better information about fatigue compared to other variables.Variables from the braking phase seem more sensitive to training load compared to thepropulsive phase. Using flight time seems to provide similar results as impulse which couldsimplify fatigue monitoring. However, due to limitations of the study the results should beviewed with caution and more research is needed for further conclusions.Keywords; Jump height, Reactive Strength Index, Flight time, impulse

Bakgrund: En av grundstenarna i den svenska skolsköterskans arbete är hälsosamtalen och hälsokontrollerna där tillväxtkontroller ingår. Målet med hälsosamtalen och hälsoundersökningarna är att främja barn och ungdomars hälsa. Tillväxtkontroller är idag ett screeningprogram som saknar belägg för vilken nytta det egentligen har för barn och ungdomar. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva hur tillväxtkontroller i skolan påverkar barn och ungdomar. Resultat: Denna integrativa litteraturöversikt resulterade i tre kategorier; Känsla av obehag, Kroppsfokus förstärks och kroppsmissnöjet ökar och Förstärkt hälsomedvetenhet. Slutsats: Normer och utseendeideal med samhällets starka utseendekultur bidrar till att moment som bedömer våra kroppar blir problematiskt. Att avvika från normen eller att vara rädd för att avvika från normen kan bidra till sänkt självkänsla och självbild. Sänkt självkänsla och självbild kan prägla livsvärlden utifrån ett livsloppsperspektiv. Det är därför viktigt att elevhälsan och skolsköterskor arbetar med att stärka barn och ungdomar i deras fysiska, psykiska och sociala utveckling. Detta genom att motverka de dominerande skönhetsidealen genom att främja upplevelse av hälsa och en känsla av sammanhang. / Background: In Sweden, health visits including height and weight measurements are one of the signature tasks for the school nurse. The school nurse as part of the school health staff aims to support children and adolescents to good health and a sense of coherence, SOC. This to offer students the best possible chances to good education in school. Height and weight measurements in schools as a screening program still lack evidence of what benefit it actually has for the individual. Purpose: The purpose is to describe how height and weight measurements in school affect children and adolescents. Results: This integrative literature review resulted in three categories; Feeling of discomfort, Focus on the body is elevated and Enhanced health awareness. Conclusion: Society's unattainable standards and ideals of beauty with a firm beauty culture contribute to the fact that screening our bodies become problematic. Deviating from the norm or being afraid of deviating from the norm can contribute to lowered self-esteem and self-image, which can affect the individuals’ experience of life and health in a life course perspective. It is therefore important that school health staff and school nurses work to support children and adolescents in their physical, psychological and social development. They also need to be aware of the importance to work with dismantle the dominant ideals of beauty because all children and adolescents have the right to experience good health and a sense of coherence.

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