Arsenic contamination of the environment is a worldwide health hazard. This research project focused on four areas: development and testing of low cost, field portable devices capable of measuring levels of arsenic at 10 μg L-1 or less; specific chemical techniques for such testing; creation of educational tools and techniques to allow operators who lack advanced chemistry training to perform accurate testing; and the determination and use of a biomarker in DNA as a cancer predictor in individuals exposed to environmental arsenic. The analytical techniques explored include: (1) the Gutzeit method of arsenic determination though arsine gas production, which was investigated in three experiments: measuring arsenic levels in soil samples, using Gutzeit-based kits using silver nitrate as a reactant for arsine gas, and sensitivity comparison of three commercial test kits over varying time periods up to twenty-four hours. (2) The molybdenum blue method, technologically quantified through three different experiments: digital photographic analysis, spectroscopic analysis, and flow injection. (3) Filtration of arsenic contaminated water with wood-ash, sand, ferric oxide, and commercially available steel wool; and the construction of a filtering device constructed of recyclable discarded soda bottles. Further, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the DNA of arsenic exposed individuals were studied to determine what immune response genes might be implicated in arsenic susceptibility. The major conclusions of this research were: digital image analysis used with the Gutzeit method improves precision and accuracy; silver nitrate proved to be a better measurement tool at low concentrations of arsenic than mercuric bromide; and the Gutzeit method can be applied to soils in the Hach kit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many researchers noted changes in exercise, physical activity, and sports behaviors. The current study attempts to identify aspects of motivation for physical activity, exercise, and sport for students in two countries, the USA and Hungary. The current study used the Sports Motivation Scale II to measure students’ motivation based on the Self-Determination Theory. Results indicated that students in the USA were more motivated for exercise, physical activity, and sport during the COVID-19 pandemic than were their Hungarian counterparts. Students in the United States scored higher (MUS = 17.88) in overall motivation than their Hungarian counterparts (MHungary = −11.57) (F(1,413) = 1290.764, p < 0.001). No other significant differences were identified. These differences could have been due to the differences in types of universities. Perhaps students in Hungary experienced different influences by being enrolled at a university that specializes in sport.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第24233号 / 工博第5061号 / 新制||工||1790(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科材料化学専攻 / (主査)教授 三浦 清貴, 教授 田中 勝久, 教授 藤田 晃司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

<p> The principal subject of this thesis is to experimentally determine the beta attenuation patterns in tooth enamel layers, and to examine the predictions of two theoretical models which are involved in the beta dose calculations of ESR dating. One of the models is based on empirical equations (Yokoyama, 1982) and employed by R.Grün (1986) in the DATA software of ESR dating, the other is based on the "one group" transport theory which was incorporated in the ROSY dating programme (B.J. Brennan, et al., 1997).</p> <p> The theoretical bases of Grün's approximation (i.e. the empirical approach) and the "one group" transport theory are discussed. Their predictions of beta attenuation under 2-π geometry are compared with the results of Monte Carlo simulations, and were then compared with the results of our experimental work, which show clear inclination to the predictions of "one group" theory and Monte Carlo. The previous experiment of Aitken et al.(1985) is also described and its flawed geometric arrangement is discussed.</p> <p> In this study, two sets of experiments are performed. The first set used pitchblende as the irradiator and employed the configuration of irradiator-absorber-detector, which is aimed to reassess the experiment of Aitken et al. (1985). The second set of our experiments used a pure beta source of 90Sr(90Y) and employed the innovative configuration of tooth enamel pellets in a hole of tooth enamel holder, which substantially solved the problem encountered in the first set (e.g. gamma background subtraction and non-2π geometry, etc.).</p> <p> Based on our experimental results as well as the discussion of Aitken et al.'s experiment, a conclusion is drawn that the "one group" theory is more reliable in predicting beta doses in ESR dating samples, and consequently, it challenges the ESR ages calculated by DATA software which employs the empirical approach. The comparison of ESR ages calculated by the two dating programmes is shown, and some revisions of published ESR ages based on DATA programme demonstrate the great significance of our experimental results.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This dissertation discusses research that focuses on understanding transneptunian objects (TNOs) using a variety of techniques and approaches. In Chapter 1, I introduce the main concepts used throughout this dissertation and discuss the current understanding of the transneptunian region. In Chapter 2, I discuss my efforts to understand how Neptune's late stages of migration affect the Haumea family, the only known collisional family in the transneptunian region. Using advanced simulations of Neptune migration, I find that the Haumea family can plausibly form before the termination of giant planet migration and show that this extensively mixes the family. The simplest explanation for the formation of Haumea and its family is a slow disruption of a large, primordial binary system. In Chapter 3, I examine the detectability of non-Keplerian effects in the mutual orbits of transneptunian binaries. I find non-Keplerian effects are common, with 20% of TNBs best explained by a non-Keplerian orbit. I also demonstrate that one of the components of TNB (66652) Borasisi-Pabu is a contact binary. In Chapter 4, I examine the non-Keplerian orbits of Hi'iaka and Namaka, the satellites of Haumea, showing that they are strongly affected by both inter-satellite gravitational interactions and precession caused by Haumea's nonspherical gravitational field. Future observations of the Haumea system, combined with non-Keplerian fitting, will sensitively probe Haumea's interior. Lastly, in Chapter 5, I explore the mutual orbits of Cold Classical TNO binaries using non-Keplerian orbit fitting. Out of a sample of 18 binaries, 6 have significantly non-Keplerian orbits, allowing detailed characterization of their system architecture. I find that 3 of these systems are best explained as hierarchical systems, while the remaining 3 are consistent with precession due to the Sun's gravitational influence. The hierarchical systems I find strongly support the streaming instability theory of planetesimal formation.

För att uppfylla studiens syfte, att utforska och fördjupa förståelsen för backstagearbetares arbetslivssituation och de underliggande drivkrafterna som motiverar dem till arbete, har 11 personer yrkesverksamma i den svenska livemusikbranschen intervjuats. Deras tankar presenteras i form av arbetslivsberättelser som analyseras med hjälp av Self-Determination Theory. Resultatet visar att behoven av autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet till hög grad tillfredsställs och att det motiverar backstagearbetare till arbete i livemusikbranschen. Studien visar också att autonomi är kopplat till evenemang som överensstämmer med personliga värderingar, att kompetensen används för intressen på samhälls- och individnivå, samt att samhörighet för backstagearbetare består av två delbehov: att uppfylla det egna behovet samt att bidra till att andras behov av samhörighet tillfredsställs. / To accomplish the main goal of this study, exploring and deepening the understanding of what motivates individuals to work backstage in the live sector of the Swedish music industry, we conducted 11 interviews with professionals within the live music industry. Their thoughts are presented in work life stories that we analyze using the Self-Determination Theory. The results indicate that the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are satisfied, contributing to work-related motivation in the live music industry. The study also reveals that autonomy is linked to events aligning with personal values, competence contributes to both societal and individual interests, and relatedness within the live music industry are based on two components: to satisfy one's own need of relatedness and contributing to the satisfaction of others' need of relatedness.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka relationen mellan arbetsbelastning och arbetstillfredsställelse, samt om och i så fall hur denna relation modereras utifrån upplevd autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet i arbetet. Målgruppen var tjänstemän som rekryterades dels via sociala medier och dels via en stor svensk IT-organisation. För att undersöka relationen mellan arbetsbelastning och arbetstillfredsställelse genomfördes en korrelationsanalys. Studiens tre hypoteser testades genom tre modereringsanalyser med varje psykologiskt behov som moderator. Resultaten visade inget signifikant samband mellan arbetsbelastning och arbetstillfredsställelse och inte heller för modereringsanalyserna. Det fanns därmed inte heller något stöd för hypoteserna och mer detaljerade tolkningar görs i diskussionen

Many Inuit feel they are not benefitting from research activities that come from colonial research licensing practices and laws enabling state control over research. In Nunavut, research licensing also helped to increase community engagement in research. The Nunavut Research Institute (NRI), based in Iqaluit, Nunavut manages research and issues physical/natural, health, and social science research licenses in the Territory. In partnership with the NRI, we examined social science and Inuit knowledge research licensed between 2004-2019, to understand the scope of research trends in Nunavut. Using the 568 project summaries from social science research licenses, thematic content analysis was conducted to: i) identify research topics in social science and Inuit knowledge projects; ii) determine frequency and diversity of topics according to leadership, location, and timeframe; iii) develop new metrics to improve tracking of research topics; and, iv) contribute to the development of a Nunavut research portal making NRI research applications/reports public. Through this analysis we learned that social science research in Nunavut increased over time. Research projects are predominantly led by Canadian academics, with the highest concentration of research being in Iqaluit. Social science research is mainly focused on cultural topics, conducted using interviews, and shared in peer-reviewed journal articles. Community engagement has also increased over time in Nunavut, and research intensity appears to be connected to the availability of research-related capacity and infrastructure in a community. This research is an important starting point in making research trends more accessible to Nunavummiut (people of Nunavut), and more useable by decision-makers regarding research intensity and potential fatigue in some Nunavut communities. Long term, improving tracking of metrics such as funding sources and reporting mechanisms can contribute to policy reform and to advancing the NRI licensing database. This is an initial step contributing to Nunavut-specific approaches to Inuit self-determination in research. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / Many Inuit feel they are not involved in the research process or seeing benefits from research outcomes. For my MA research, I am working with the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) licensing database analyzing summaries of social science research applications from 2004-2019. The objectives are to: 1) Identify research topics addressed in social science projects; 2) Determine the variation of research topics across Nunavut over the past 16 years; 3) Develop new metrics to improve tracking of research topics; 4) Contribute to the development of a Nunavut research database making NRI research applications publicly accessible Through this analysis we learned that social science research in Nunavut has increased over time. Research projects are mainly led by Canadian academics, focused on cultural topics, and concentrated in Iqaluit. Community engagement has also increased over time in Nunavut and appears to be linked with the availability of research-related capacity and infrastructure in a community. This research is an important starting point in making research trends more accessible to Nunavummiut (people of Nunavut). This work is also an initial step contributing to Nunavut-specific approaches to Inuit self-determination in research.

No description available.

No description available.