Validering av grundytetillväxtfunktioner för lärk i Heurekasystemet

Larch is getting more common in Sweden. This highlights the need of reliable growth models for larch species in Heureka DSS. Precise and accurate growth models are essential for long-term forest planning. The risk of using under- or overpredicted basal area growth in forest planning is that longterm projections could get more and more imprecise over time. This could, in turn, lead to suboptimal forest management and decision-making, leading to non-optimal choice of tree-species, early- or late timing of silvicultural treatments and ultimately to economic loss. The aim of this thesis was to validate Heureka’s basal area growth function for Siberian larch (Larix sibirica), European larch (Larix decidua) and hybrid larch (Larix x eurolepis). To validate the growth function, field trials of larch from all over Sweden were used to compare basal area growth prediction errors between Heureka predicted growth and basal area measured in the field. A sample of plots were also chosen for simulation in Heureka StandWise for further analysis of basal area, height and volume growth. Age-related prediction errors along with ground vegetation type were tested and compared for the Heureka basal area function. The results showed that basal area growth of Siberian larch was underpredicted at early age and overpredicted at old age, regardless of vegetation type. European larch basal area growth was neither under- nor overpredicted for the vegetation types but showed random error at young age. Basal area growth of Hybrid larch showed a general underpredicted with vegetation type bilberry while no such trend was seen for vegetation type no field vegetation. Heureka simulations showed a slightly higher underpredicted basal area growth than predictions from the growth function. This could be explained by that the predicted growth gets more imprecise over time or due to a too small sample size. There are possibilities to increase the precision of Heureka’s growth predicted where one strategy would be to develop and apply species specific growth models in Heureka DSS

Brownification of boreal lakes and streams : a summary of the knowledge state and analysis of trends in water chemistry of three streams in northern Sweden

Brunifiering av ytvatten är idag ett växande problem i många boreala vattensystem. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur det rådande kunskapsläget ser ut kring brunifiering av ytvatten i boreala sjöar och vattendrag. Studien innefattade även att undersöka bäckar i krycklans avrinningsområde utanför Umeå. Halter för DOC, järn, aluminium och sulfat undersöktes och analyserades i R-Studio, Minitab 18 och Excel för att se om det skett förändring över tid. Resultatet visar att halten DOC har ökat över tid för bäck 2 och 7, vilka är mer eller mindre belägna inom skogstäckta områden. Halten DOC är oförändrad för bäck 4 som är belägen på myrmark. Då skogen runt bäck 2 inte är brukad dras slutsatsen att andra faktorer än enbart markanvändning kan ge signifikant ökning av DOC. Ökningen av DOC kan enligt studien bero på att mängden sulfat minskat markant i bäckarna över tid. Trenden för järn har gått upp de senaste 20 åren i bäck 7 och kan ha påverkan på brunifieringen.Brownification of freshwater is today an increasing problem in many boreal aquatic systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge state of brownification of freshwater in boreal lakes and streams. This study also contained an analysis of streams in the Krycklan catchment outside Umeå. Concentrations of DOC, iron, aluminum and sulphate were examined and analyzed in R, Minitab 18 and Excel to see if there were any changes over time. The results showed an increase in DOC over time for stream 2 and 7, which are located in forest covered areas. Concentrations of DOC remained unchanged for stream 4 which is located on mires. As the forest around stream 2 has not been managed it is concluded that other factors than land use alone could significantly increase DOC. According to this study the increase in DOC could be a result of reduced amounts of sulphate in the streams over time. The trend of iron has gone upwards the last 20 years in stream 7 and might affect the brownification

Extreme weather affects Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) breeding success in South Greenland

In order to better understand the potential effects of climate change on the Peregrine Falcon, we investigated the relationship between extreme weather events and Peregrines’ breeding success in South Greenland. We defined three variables – number of days with extremely low temperatures, extreme precipitation, consecutive rainy days – and an additive variable, total days with extreme weather, and tested their relationship with Peregrines’ breeding success (measured as young per site and nest success) over a 33 year study period. Breeding success was negatively influenced by the number of days with extreme weather and extremely low temperature. The strongest relationship found was total days with extreme weather in the entire breeding season, which explained 22% and 27% of the variation in nest success and young per site, respectively. The number of days with extreme weather in our study related to fluctuations in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Thus, with a strengthening of the NAO, linked to climate change, more extreme weather may occur in the Arctic and induce increased variation in Peregrines’ breeding success. Our data did not allow us to pinpoint when in the breeding cycle inclement weather was particularly harmful, and we recommend finer-scale research (e.g. automated nest cameras) to better monitor the species-specific effects of rapidly changing climate

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Inflammatory and Hemostatic Markers in Men.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether higher levels of physical activity (PA) and less sedentary behavior (SB) are associated with less inflammation, indicated by inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers, in older men. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1139 men, from the British Regional Heart Study (mean ± SD age = 78 ± 5 yr), and longitudinal analyses of 490 men with two PA measures 1 yr apart were used in this study. Single fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for several biomarkers. PA and SB were measured using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. Total time and time spent in bouts of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA, and SB were derived. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, higher total PA, daily steps, and MVPA were all associated with lower levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and D-dimer, whereas higher levels of SB were associated with higher levels of IL-6, CRP, and tPA. Each additional 10 min of MVPA was associated with a 3.2% lower IL-6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -4.5% to -1.8%), 5.6% lower CRP (95% CI = -7.8 to -3.3), 2.2% lower tPA (95% CI = -3.0 to -1.4), 1.2% lower vWF (95% CI = -2.1 to -0.3), and 1.8% lower D-dimer (95% CI = -2.9 to -0.7), and for CRP, vWF, and D-dimer independently of SB. Associations between SB and IL-6 or tPA were independent of MVPA. Longer bouts of PA or SB were not more strongly associated with outcomes than shorter bouts. Longitudinal analyses were inconsistent with these findings, possibly because of power limitations. CONCLUSION: Although PA (particularly MVPA) was generally associated with inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers, we found no evidence that longer bouts were more important than shorter bouts

United We Stand, Divided We Fall: Historical Trajectory of Strategic Renewal Activities at Scandinavian Airlines System, 1946-2012

Although the second half of the twentieth century saw the rise and fall of ‘multi-flag companies’ in the civil aviation industry, our understanding of how some managed to buck the trend and achieve longevity remains limited. This paper advances business history and strategic management research by examining the strategic renewal activities of Scandinavian Airlines (formerly Scandinavian Airlines System) during the period 1946-2012. The study sheds light on the key roles of private and state owners, rivals as well as banks, in critical financial phases are discussed in terms of longevity in the company. The longevity of the business stems from the leaders’ ability to develop as anticipated and respond to change in their competitive arena in close interaction with the owners. Thus, incumbent firms that strategically renew themselves prior to or during market reform, such as deregulation, enhance their chances of developing the size of their networks and revenue streams. Our main contribution to business history and strategic management literatures is the development of context-specific stages, which shed light on the evolution of strategic renewal activities and shifts from older processes and routines towards customer service and efficiency

”Pojkar är som guld, flickor är som dukar” – En kvalitativ studie om synen på barn och sexuell trafficking i Kambodja

The purpose of this study was to look at the common opinion about children in Cambodia. By interviewing the professionals in different help organizations we studied the common opinion about children in general and the common opinion about children who are exposed to sexual trafficking. The ambition of the study was also to see if the common opinion about children in Cambodia affects the help that is available for the children who are exposed to sexual trafficking. This is a qualitative study including semi structured interviews with seven professionals who work with vulnerable children. The interview guide focused on the themes: children’s needs, sexual trafficking, children’s rights, childhood, children’s sexuality and gender. The study shows that the cultural context is a substantial factor when looking at the common opinion about children in Cambodia. The result indicates that children almost have an invisible position in the society and that children are looked upon as a passive individual in relation to its family. There’s little understanding of the concept of children’s needs and children’s rights in the Cambodian society. If children’s needs are mentioned, the psychical needs and the need of education are mostly discussed. The result also shows how the common opinion about children to some extent affects the help interventions of the organizations. Other factors that influence the help are the values of the professionals and the organization’s basic values. The result of the study indicates significant differences when it comes to the common opinion about girls and boys. This becomes clear when looking at how the social roles of the girls and boys differ in the household and in the society. The gender differences are distinct in the common opinion about sexuality. The representation of childhood in Cambodia, many times deviates from the common opinion about childhood in the western countries. The stories of the professionals show tendencies of how the common opinion is about to change into a more western approach on how to think about children and that many organizations work with the problem of sexual trafficking

Volvo 3P The New Generation’s Seat Project

Truck seats are one of the most important components of the truck and the place where the drivers spend most of their time. Today there are an abundance of seats and the divisions within Volvo 3P use different suppliers and different seats with many different names and features. In the struggle for attracting customers and be the leading truck manufacturer on the market, Volvo 3P needs to be more efficient and united on the seat level. The main problem of the thesis was to investigate “How to find synergies and still keep the brand distinction on product level within Volvo-, Renault-, and Mack Trucks”. The thesis is based on our case company Volvo 3P, which is one of the leading truck manufacturers in the world. In order to solve our main problem, we developed a model comprising three areas of investigation. The purpose of the model is to provide the initiator/reader with the necessary information for choosing a strategy for how to most effectively deliver answers to finding synergies but keeping the brand distinction. Our main conclusion is that there is a great opportunity for Volvo 3P to implement a common seat platform with removable seat cushions globally in Volvo, Renault, and Mack. However, we have found that the three brands need to be distinguished from each other in terms of different seat cushions and upholstery in order to stay appealing to their customer segment. Furthermore, we concluded with suggesting new seat families that can be used globally with the purpose of decreasing part numbers and costs and also with the purpose of being more united

Woman soldiers for peace : Soldiers opinions of female soldiers i peacekeeping mission

Den här uppsatsen undersöker hur svenska soldater upplever att kvinnliga soldater i en fredsbevarande insats påverkar den fredsbevarande insatsen. Syftet med uppsatsen är att ta reda på hur både kvinnliga och manliga svenska soldater som har tjänstgjort vid en fredsbevarande insats upplever att de kvinnliga soldaterna påverkade just den fredsbevarande insatsen. För att undersöka hur dessa soldater upplever att kvinnliga soldater påverkar har en kvalitativ studie gjorts. Det empiriska materialet består delvis av dokument angående hur svenska Försvarsmakten arbetar med jämställdhet och jämlikhet, majoriteten av den data som har insamlats består av intervjuer med soldater som har medverkat i en fredsbevarande insats åt Försvarsmaktens vägnar.  Resultaten av den studien har visat på att de svenska soldaterna upplever att kvinnliga soldater medför många positiva möjligheter och bör vara en naturlig del av en fredsbevarande insats. De svenska soldaterna upplever också att kvinnliga soldater medför många positiva möjligheter och inga märkbara nackdelar och bör därför vara en naturlig del av en fredsbevarande insats