Readability is a major issue with all maps. In this study, we evaluated whether we can predict map readability using analytical measures, both single measures and composites of measures. A user test was conducted regarding the perceived readability of a number of test map samples. Evaluations were then performed to determine how well single measures and composites of measures could describe the ma

This report presents the results from a study of 90 km/h rural roads, where the effects of narrow vs. wide lanes on deterioration, safety, winter maintenance etc have been studied. Empirical studies have been performed of lateral positioning and speed on 16 road objects that vary with regards to lane width (3.25m respectively 3.75m) and presence of guardrail (with or without), other parameters hav

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and polarization spectroscopy (PS) is used for OH-thermometry utilizing the off-diagonal A-X (1,0) band. Both techniques are used simultaneously in order to allow a comparison of the results. For deriving temperature information from the spectra, three methods are employed: (1) a contour fit method comparing experimental and calculated spectra, (2) spectral fitting

The aim of this contribution is partly to build consensus on a consistent modelling methodology (CMM) of complex real processes in wastewater treatment by combining classical concepts with results from applied mathematics, and partly to apply it to the clarification-thickening process in the secondary settling tank. In the CMM, the real process should be approximated by a mathematical model (proce

Silicon (Si), in the form of dissolved silicate (DSi), is a key nutrient in marine and continental ecosystems. DSi is taken up by organisms to produce structural elements (e.g., shells and phytoliths) composed of amorphous biogenic silica (bSiO(2)). A global mass balance model of the biologically active part of the modern Si cycle is derived on the basis of a systematic review of existing data reg

Popular Abstract in English This thesis is a collection of three independent but closely related studies. The focus is on the potential causes of skill mismatch, the extent of skill mismatch, the socio-demographic make-up of skill mismatch, and the consequences of skill mismatch in terms of earnings as well as employer sponsored adult education/training. A distinction is made between skill mismatcThis thesis is a collection of three independent but closely related studies. The focus is on the potential causes of skill mismatch, the extent of skill mismatch, the socio-demographic make-up of skill mismatch, and the consequences of skill mismatch in terms of earnings as well as employer sponsored adult education/training. A distinction is made between skill mismatch and education mismatch. Al

We describe a method to fill thin films of nanoporous TiO2 with solid organic hole-conducting materials and demonstrate the procedure specifically for use in the preparation of dye-sensitized solar cells. Cross-sections of the films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and it was observed that a hot molten organic material fills pores that are 10 mu m below the surface of the film. We

Homing by the nocturnal Namib Desert spider Leucorchestris arenicola (Araneae: Sparassidae) is comparable to homing in diurnal bees, wasps and ants in terms of path length and layout. The spiders' homing is based on vision but their basic navigational strategy is unclear. Diurnal homing insects use memorised views of their home in snapshot matching strategies. The insects learn the visual scenery

Objectives: To estimate the rate of malignancy in adnexal lesions described as unilocular cysts at transvaginal ultrasound examination, to investigate if there are differences in clinical and ultrasound characteristics between benign and malignant unilocular cysts. Methods: 3511 patients with an adnexal mass underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination between 1999 and 2007. The sonologists used

The recently developed Exchange Metal Cluster Source (EXMEC) is described. The source is designed for electron-spectroscopic studies of neutral metal clusters. Preliminary results on the rubidium and tin clusters using synchrotron radiation excited photoelectron spectroscopy show the capability for cluster production in the size regime of few tens to few hundred of atoms per cluster. A wide range

Semiconductor nanowire arrays offer significant potential for biosensing applications with optical read-out due to their high surface area and due to the unique optical properties of one-dimensional materials. A challenge for optical read-out of analyte-binding to the nanowires is the need to efficiently collect and detect light from a three-dimensional volume. Here we show that light from fluorop

Microbial activity in soil is usually limited by the availability of carbon (C). Adding an easily available C source, like glucose, has therefore been a common approach to study alleviation of resource limitations. Most such studies have relied on respiration to study microbial dynamics, with few following the explicit growth response. We determined the response in bacterial and fungal growth, as

Interference among predators decreases per capita foraging rates and has implications for both community dynamics and top-down trophic processes. Interference originates from behavioural interactions among foragers, and these behaviours could be affected by environmental conditions. In experiments on pike foraging alone or among conspecifics in different levels of water turbidity, we expected high

1. Permutation tests are important in ecology and evolution as they enable robust analysis of small sample sizes and control for various forms of dependencies among observations. A common source of dependence is spatial autocorrelation. Accounting for spatial autocorrelation is often crucial, because many ecological and evolutionary processes are spatially restricted, such as gene flow, dispersal,

Although chemical functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes was extensively studied, in many cases detailed information about the influence of the nanotube metallicity and diameter is missing. Here, we present an X-ray photoemission and absorption spectroscopy study of endohedrally functionalized carbon nanotubes with different diameters, where Ni(II) acetylacetonate molecules are reacte