Plasticity is a central concept within the life-span approach of development and is defined as the ability of an individual to change and reorganize in response to environmental challenges (e.g., Baltes & Singer, 20019. Such intraindividual changes can be induced by systematic cognitive training. Recent studies suggest that substantial amounts of plasticity can be induced in executive control functions with a process-based training approach. These newer studies show that repeated practice on executive control tasks not only improved performance on these trained tasks, but also led to improvements in nontrained tasks (i.e., transfer; e.g., Jaeggi, Buschkuehl, Jonides, & Perrig, 2008; Karbach & Kray, 2009). Executive control processes are especially relevant from a developmental perspective because executive control is involved in a wide range of complex cognitive activities (e.g., van der Sluis, de Jong, & van der Leij, 2007) and is one of the most central areas of cognitive development (e.g., Craik & Bialystok, 2006). The current thesis aimed at elucidating several important questions concerning the plasticity of executive control functions induced by systematic cognitive training. Firstly, the amount, range, and stability of plasticity in adolescents and older adults were investigated. Secondly, studies explored if training design, age, and interindividual differences moderate the amount and range of plasticity. Furthermore, the current thesis aimed at exploring how process-based training specifically leads to transfer effects. To explore these questions, all studies employed a pretest-posttest-design comparing a group of participants that was trained with a process-based training approach to a group of control partici-pants that did not receive the training. Pretraining and posttraining sessions incorporated systematic assessment of transfer measures in different cognitive domains. The first study set out to investigate if executive control can be trained in adolescents with a task switching training. Additionally, the study explored what particular domains of executive control may underlie training and transfer effects, and if acute bouts of exercise directly prior to cognitive training enhance training effects. Analyses indicated substantial training effects for both training groups (with or without acute exercise) and near transfer to a similar switching task. Other findings of transfer were limited to a speed task and a tendency for faster reaction times in an updating task. Thus, findings indicate, for the first time, that executive control can be enhanced in adolescents through a short training. Furthermore, analyses suggest that updating may be of particular relevance for the effects of the task switching training. Analyses revealed no additional effects of the exercise intervention. The second study set out to explore, for the first time, the effects of a process-based training ap-proach in old-old age (above 80 years). After ten sessions of practice on working memory tasks, the training group improved in four of the five trained tasks, emphasizing the potential for plasticity even in old-old age. The gains in the training group were largely driven by individuals who started out with a low capacity in the training tasks. Thus, findings suggest that working memory can be improved with a short executive control training even in old-old age, particularly for low-capacity individuals. The absence of transfer effects in this study may point to the limits of plasticity in this age group. The third study aimed at further elucidating the mixed findings regarding the amounts of training and transfer effects induced by executive control training in older adults. For that purpose, a sample of older adults covering a wide range from young-old to old-old age (65 to 95 years) was either trained for nine sessions on a visuospatial and a verbal working memory as well as an executive control task; or served as controls. Analyses revealed significant training effects in all three trained tasks, as well as near transfer to verbal working memory and far transfer to a nonverbal reasoning task. Remarkably, all training effects and the transfer effect to verbal working memory were even stable at a nine-month follow-up. These findings suggest that cognitive plasticity is preserved over a large range of old age and that even a rather short training regimen can lead to (partly specific) training and transfer effects. However, analyses also revealed that there are a range of factors that may moderate the amount of plasticity, e.g., age and baseline performance in the training domain. To summarize, the current thesis explored effects of short executive control trainings on cognitive functions in adolescents and older adults. The findings suggest a high potential for intraindividual variability across the whole life-span. Plasticity was shown on the level of training and transfer tasks, as well as on the level of stability of effects. Furthermore, results support the notion that process-based training improves executive control processes that in turn lead to improvements in tasks that rely on these processes. The current thesis makes important contributions to the conceptual debate about the potentials and limits of training-induced plasticity across the life-span. It benefits the debate in that it specifically delineates factors that moderate the obtained effects.

Telomeres form protective caps at the ends of linear chromosomes. They consist of repetitive DNA nucleotides and associated proteins of the shelterin complex. In vitro telomeres become shorter during cell division and when a critical shortness is reached they trigger a DNA damage response that leads to replicative senescence or apoptosis. Telomere shortening is a recognised hallmark of cellular ageing and seems to be also associated with organismal ageing. Telomere length (TL) and the rate of shortening vary across individuals and several studies have found that short telomeres and fast telomere depletion are associated with poor survival and early onset of age related diseases. However, longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the relationship of TL and TL dynamics with longevity measures. Relevant studies on livestock species are largely missing from the literature. In the dairy industry, farmers are forced to cull a considerable percentage of their heifers and cows at a young age due to fertility problems or diseases. As a consequence many replacement heifers have to be reared to maintain a specific herd size. This results in increased costs, consumption of resources, and damage to the environment. Breeding for an improved productive lifespan is difficult because longevity measures are recorded at the end of life and are known to have a low heritability. Therefore, the expected genetic improvement is generally slow, but could be considerably accelerated if an early life heritable biomarker was identified that is predictive of productive lifespan and could be used for animal selection. The question is if TL could be used as such a biomarker. The objectives of this thesis were to 1) develop robust methods to measure average relative leukocyte TL (RLTL) in cattle, 2) examine RLTL dynamics with age at a population as well as at an individual level, 3) estimate genetic parameters and 4) assess the association of RLTL and RLTL dynamics with productive lifespan. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) based assay developed for human studies was adapted to cattle and delivered robust results (repeatability > 80%, coefficient of variation=0.05). Different DNA extraction methods were tested for their effect on RLTL measurements and it was demonstrated that fast silica based DNA extraction methods are suitable for telomere projects which can improve the sample throughput and enable large-scale projects. Subsequently, RLTL in 1328 whole blood samples of 308 Holstein Friesian dairy cows and additionally in 284 whole blood samples of 38 female calves was measured. Repeatability and random regression models were used for the statistical analysis of telomere data. RLTL decreased considerably within the first year of life, but remained relatively stable afterwards at population level. Animals varied significantly in their amount and direction of telomere change. The genetic correlation between consecutive measurements in the same individual weakened with increasing sample interval from r=1 to r=0.69 which indicates that TL in the beginning of life might be under a different genetic control than TL later in life. For the first time in a livestock species we calculated heritability estimates for RLTL which were high (0.32-0.38) and remained constant over life. Long telomeres at birth were not predictive of better productive lifespan. However, animals with long RLTL at the ages of one and five years had a survival advantage. Also, animals that showed less average RLTL attrition over their lives remained in production for longer. TL dynamics differed among individuals and a considerable subset of individuals demonstrated telomere lengthening between consecutive measurements. On average, telomeres tend to shorten early in life and then remain relatively constant. While TL is a heritable trait throughout lifetime, telomere change is not heritable. Short TL at specific ages and telomere attrition over life were associated with poorer productive lifespan.

The wireless sensor network (WSN) is increasingly used in many areas nowadays. It can be applied to provide the solutions to environmental problems, help increasing security and safety systems, and make the detection of the problems more efficient, e.g. the earthquake or tidal wave, which will harmful to humans. The WNS is durable and resistant to all types of terrain and climate, but while the WSN system is more and more widespread, one of the obstacles hindering the growth of this technology and the demand for WSN applications is the limited battery lifespan. Consequently, there is a significant requirement for techniques for prolonging the battery’s lifespan. Therefore, one potential solution is to use alternative energy sources combined with the sensor nodes in WSN, specifically energy harvesting from existing environmental sources. This research project reviews the characteristics of each kind of energy harvesting, understanding the various energy sources (solar energy, vibration energy and wind power), including wireless power transfer (WPT) by using electromagnetic (EM) radiation energy transfer or RF radio-frequency emission and magnetic coupled energy transfer. They are adopted for extending node’s life in the WSN, based on published information. Then it compares these diverse alternative energy methods and identifies for the most suitable energy harvesting method for application to wireless sensor nodes in order to prolong the lifespan of the battery. The major findings from the researcher include that wireless power transfer energy harvesting (WPT) using the magnetic field is the most appropriate tool for extending the lifespan of the WSN system. In addition, the author also designed an experiment to test this alternative energy, achieving by modelling the wireless power transfer with four coils. From the experimental results, it can be seen that the WPT technique using energy harvesting with magnetic inductive source can be applied to prolong the lifespan of the WSN system.

Les rendements de conversion des cellules solaires atteignent en moyenne aujourd’hui 15%. Malgré ces rendements acceptables, il reste un verrou technologique important à lever : l’amélioration de la durée de vie des modules photovoltaïques. On observe en effet au cours de l’utilisation de ces composants dans des conditions climatiques intermittentes : pluie, neige, moisissures, poussières rayons UV, chocs, corrosion etc.... une perte rapide des propriétés optoélectroniques en fonction des conditions d’utilisation. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’essayer d’améliorer la durée de vie des panneaux solaires et d’améliorer la fiabilité des modules en diminuant le taux de dégradation.Notre approche commence par prendre en compte les effets de vieillissement et des défauts des modules photovoltaïques dont la dégradation est liée à la température, humidité, à la lumière Ultra violette, les fissures etc…. Les défauts de fonctionnement sont analysés et étudiés pour comprendre l’effet et l’importance de chaque paramètre dans les différents modes de dégradation afin de développer des modèles de simulation qui tiennent compte des conditions environnementales.Des algorithmes de commande ont été développés pour une utilisation qui évite au mieux les défauts et permet aux modules photovoltaïques de fonctionner dans des conditions optimales pour l’atténuation des dégradations. / Conversion efficiency of solar cells is now on average reaching 15%. Despite these acceptable yields, it remains important to raise a technological limitation: the improvement of the life span of photovoltaic modules. Effects are observed during the use of these components in intermittent weather: rain, snow, molds, dust UV rays, shock, corrosion etc... rapid losses of optoelectronic properties depending on the usage conditions. The objective of this thesis is in twofold: -to try to improve the lifespan of solar panels, and -to improve the reliability of the photovoltaic modules by decreasing their degradation rate. Our approach begins by taking into account the effects of aging of photovoltaic modules whose degradation is related to temperature, moisture, Ultra violet light, cracks etc... Faults are analyzed and studied to understand the impact and the importance of each parameter in the different modes of degradation to develop simulation models that take into account external environmental conditions. Control algorithms have been developed for a best utilization avoiding defects and allowing photovoltaic modules to operate in optimal conditions for mitigation of degradation processes.

Mosquitoes spread diseases that shorten and worsen the lives of many people, chiefly children in poor countries, around the world. Since Ronald Ross' discovery at the end of the nineteenth century that mosquitoes transmit malaria, field entomologists have collected a great deal of information about mosquito ecology. Despite this tremendous effort, there still remain significant gaps in our knowledge of mosquito ecology, in part, reflecting the significant variation in mosquito ecology across species and geographies. The main aim of this thesis is an attempt to synthesise the substantial information that field entomologists have collected on mosquito lifespan. In Chapters 2 and 3, I conduct meta-analyses of the two predominant approaches used to estimate mosquito lifespan: mark-release-recapture experiments and female mosquito dissection-based studies, respectively. These analyses produce estimates of mosquito lifespan by species and genus, and more broadly, allow for an appraisal of these two experimental approaches. In Chapter 4, I describe a recently developed approach, known as near-infrared spectroscopy, which enables estimation of the age of individual mosquitoes, and then perform an in silico analysis to explore the use of this technology for estimating the average lifespan of wild populations of mosquitoes. The emergence of mosquito resistance to the main insecticides used in vector control, along with the concerning recent discovery that the malaria parasites in Asia are becoming resistant to arteminisin - an important drug used to treat malaria - highlight the need for novel approaches to control disease transmission. Some recently-proposed approaches involve genetic modification of the mosquito vectors, for example, to render them incapable of acting as hosts for disease or to reduce their fecundity. In Chapter 5, I model the impact of a release of mosquitoes carrying a genetic construct known as a homing endonuclease, which has been constructed to bias the sex of mosquito offspring towards males, in computational environments that capture some facets of the real life landscapes where mosquito borne disease is rife. About a century ago, the famous Italian Malariologist Giovanni Grassi declared that malaria was a "giant with clay feet"; reflecting the optimism, in some academic circles at the time, that eradication of this terrible disease would soon occur. Unfortunately, a century of often unsuccessful attempts to control and eradicate malaria, and other mosquito borne diseases, would follow Grassi's statement, meaning that this fight is likely to continue throughout the twenty-first century. We now know much more about mosquitoes and mosquito borne disease than we did a generation ago, but there is still crucial information that we do not. In this thesis, I argue that in order to make significant inroads to disease eradication, further research on mosquito ecology is crucial. Only when we better understand our unwitting mosquito foe, can we design and implement effective disease control measures that are so desperately needed in those most desperate parts of the world.

The Brazil as a country road, which needs much its highways, however, currently the country uses for PAVEMENT scaling of a method developed in 1966 and updated in 1981 by Murilo Souza Engineer extinct DEER. The method that your main idea it is sizing foundation which is in the CBR, based on the empirical method. This way , along the growing fleet of the country and the emergence of some works of mechanistic-empirical nature, this work aims to make the analysis of a pavement through DNIT method and software use SisPavBR developed by Felipe Franco in their studies that began in 2007 in his thesis, making the adjustment and calibration of some performance prediction models .Similarly, We also did the use the AASHTOWare Pavement software developed by AASHTO as well as determining the thickness of the coating layer required to meet the demands imposed on the floor by means of mechanistic and empirical methods. For this, was then done using vehicle counting performed to BR116, however, they were necessary to create traffic volume of tracks (N) due DNIT method does not consider the arrangement of axes that SisPavBR and AASHTO are in their reviews .It was also conducted a survey of the executive cost km deck sized for each method, and statistical analysis was performed by AASHTO with variations in thickness of the coating base, subbase, base resilience modules, sub-base, subgrade and the volume of traffic to determine which of these variables cause greater interference on performance criteria. Thus, it was found that the surface scaled by DNIT need a coating thickness of 12.5 cm, the need SisPavBR 19.5 cm and 40 cm AASHTO needed, as the cost of the pavement was more higher for the dimensioning and AASHTO DNIT and SisPavBR had closest costs. The life time of DNIT pavement scaling was well below expectations in both analyzes, arriving in a case last only two months. Statistical analysis determined five equations to determine the deterioration mechanisms with R² above 0.85; it was determined that the major variables that affect the performance of flexible pavements are traffic volume and thickness of the coating. / O Brasil como um país rodoviário, necessita muito de suas rodovias, no entanto, atualmente o país faz uso para dimensionamento de pavimentos de um método desenvolvido em 1966 e atualizado em 1981, pelo Engenheiro Murilo Souza do extinto DNER. Método este que seu principal fundamento de dimensionamento está no CBR, baseando-se no método empírico. Desta forma, juntamente à crescente frota do país e com o surgimento de alguns trabalhos de cunho mecanístico-empírico, este trabalho tem como objetivos, fazer a análise de um pavimento por meio do Método do DNIT e do uso do software SisPavBR desenvolvido por Felipe Franco em seus estudos que iniciaram em 2007 em sua tese, realizando o ajuste e calibração de alguns modelos de previsão de desempenho. Da mesma forma, foi utilizado também o software AASHTOWare Pavement desenvolvido pela AASHTO, bem como a determinação da espessura da camada de revestimento necessária para atender as solicitações impostas aos pavimentos por meio dos métodos mecanísticos-empíricos. Para isto, foi então feito uso da contagem de veículos realizados para BR116, no entanto, foi necessário criar faixas de volume de tráfego (N), devido o método do DNIT não considerar o arranjo dos eixos que o SisPavBR e AASHTO fazem em suas avaliações. Foi realizado também o levantamento do custo executivo do km de pavimento dimensionado por cada método, e uma análise estatística foi realizada por meio da AASHTO com variações nas espessuras do revestimento, base, sub-base, módulos de resiliência da base, sub-base, subleito e o volume de tráfego, para determinar quais destas variáveis causam maior interferência nos critérios de desempenho. Desta maneira, verificou-se que o pavimento dimensionado pelo DNIT necessita de uma espessura de revestimento de 12,5 cm, o SisPavBR necessita de 19,5 cm e a AASHTO precisou de 40 cm, da mesma forma que o custo do pavimento foi mais elevado para o dimensionamento da AASHTO e o DNIT e SisPavBR tiveram custos mais próximos. A vida de projeto do pavimento do DNIT ficou bem abaixo do esperado em ambas as análises, chegando em um caso durar apenas 2 meses. A análise estatística determinou 5 equações para determinação dos mecanismos de deterioração com R² acima de 0,85; foi possível determinar que as principais variáveis que influenciam no desempenho dos pavimentos flexíveis são o volume de tráfego e a espessura do revestimento.

One of the first analytical tools that can be used to analyze data is the graphical representation. The time that is used as a measure in tasks in a wide range is problematic to grasp, and its mapping is not easy. In demographics, some tools, such as the Lexis diagram, are used. However, the list of graphical tools can be extended by diagrams that look at the time measure in different ways. Their use can be demonstrated not only on demographic data but also on non-demographic data and the modern statistical program R can be used too.

Dans la nature, les relations symbiotiques sont très répandues, et d’une importance écologique fondamentale. Les animaux sont apparus, ont évolué et vivent maintenant constamment associés avec une multitude de micro-organismes. Parmi les différents types de symbioses existantes, celles liant le microbiote et son hôte occupent une place centrale et équilibrée, basée sur des relations commensales ou mutualistes entre les partenaires. Ce microbiote est de plus en plus étudié, notamment en raison du rôle crucial qu’il joue dans la santé animale ainsi que dans le développement de pathologies. Dans cette effort de recherche, Drosophila melanogaster représente un modèle de choix, grâce à la facilité de générer et maintenir des lignées de mouches axéniques, ainsi que de les réassocier avec une communauté microbienne définie.L’association de la drosophile avec l’un des ses commensaux naturels, Lactobacillus plantarum, a permis de révéler l’effet promoteur de croissance de cette bactérie. En cas de carence nutritionnelle, des larves associées avec L. plantarum se développent beaucoup plus rapidement que leurs semblables axéniques. L’ajustement du développement en fonction des conditions environnementales est cependant crucial pour la formation d’un individu à la santé optimale, et dans ce cas les individus grandissent plus vite alors que les conditions nutritionnelles sont pauvres. Nous avons donc cherché à déterminer si ce qui semble être un avantage au stade larvaire pouvait se révéler délétère pour les stades suivants et avoir un effet néfaste sur les mouches adultes. Nous avons montré que L. plantarum est bénéfique pour D. melanogaster tout au long du cycle de vie de la mouche et permet l’émergence précoce d’adultes matures et fertiles sans impact négatif sur leur santé et leurs performances. De plus, dans certaines conditions, cette souche commensale entraîne une augmentation de la durée de vie de mâles nutritionnellement carencés.Des études plus larges analysant l’interaction de la drosophile avec plusieurs espèces bactériennes peuvent informer sur la dynamique d’un microbiote de mouche. En effet, au sein de la niche environnementale, les bactéries sont échangées entre l’animal et son substrat nutritif, et ces transferts réciproques pourraient altérer la composition de la communauté. Nous avons étudié cette question en utilisant un microbiote naturel, et avons observé un haut degré de similitude entre les bactéries associées avec les mouches et la composition de la communauté bactérienne de la nourriture, illustrant le caractère stable de l’association du microbiote de la drosophile avec la population de mouches au sien de la niche.Ces résultats illustrent le pouvoir du modèle drosophile pour l’étude des interactions entre les animaux et leur microbiote, qui permet de déchiffrer la dynamique des communautés de bactéries commensales ainsi que leur impact sur la physiologie animale. / In nature, symbiotic relationships are widespread, and of paramount ecological importance. Animals have appeared, evolved, and are now living constantly associated with a variety of microorganisms. In the spectrum of different symbioses types, the microbiota occupies a central and balanced part by establishing commensalistic or mutualistic relationships with its host. Over the last years, the microbiota has been extensively studied given the crucial role it plays in animal health and disease. In this research effort, Drosophila melanogaster represents a fruitful model, thanks to the ease to generate and maintain axenic flies, and the simplicity of re-associating them with a defined microbial community.The association of Drosophila with one of its natural commensals, Lactobacillus plantarum, revealed a growth-promoting effect mediated by this bacterial species. In case of nutrient scarcity, larvae associated with L. plantarum develop twice faster than the germ-free ones. However, adjusting development to environmental cues is key to organismal fitness, and yet here animals are growing fast even though the nutritional conditions are poor. We thus questioned whether what seems like an advantage could in turn be deleterious at later stages, and adversely impact adult fitness. We showed that L. plantarum is a true beneficial partner for D. melanogaster throughout the fly life cycle. Indeed, it allows the precocious emergence of mature and fertile adults without fitness drawbacks, and in certain conditions, this commensal can even increase the lifespan of nutritionally challenged males.Broader studies assessing the interaction of Drosophila with several bacterial species can inform about the dynamics of a fly microbiota. Indeed, in the environmental niche bacteria are transferred between the fly and its nutritive substrate, and these reciprocal transfers could alter the composition of the community. We addressed this question using a wild-derived microbial community and observed a high degree of similarity between the bacteria associated with the flies and the composition of the community in the diet, illustrating the stable association of the Drosophila microbiota with the fly population in the niche.Altogether these results emphasize the power of the Drosophila model in the study of the relationships between animals and their microbiota, which allows deciphering the dynamics of commensal bacterial communities and their impact on animal physiology.

The basic requirement for a good quality expert opinion are high quality sources of information, i.e. adequately detailed and valid groundwork. This dissertation analyzes groundwork for expert activities in the area of building operation appraisals, handling of information and its transmission within the life cycle of a construction. For this purpose, it is possible to divide the construction according to its functional parts. The thesis puts emphasis on drawing up a budget according to its functional parts, which is clearer for the investors, contractors and real estate administrators as well as the expert. A significant part of the dissertation is dedicated to recommendations on how to determine the usual price of building operations. In this section I define some options of how to determine the usual price of building operations, including their comparison. Likewise, I investigated and compared real agreed prices of building contracts for public commissions. The basic recommendation resulting from this chapter is the recommendation for the Czech statistics department to automate the data collection based on registers of building operations created with one of the budgeting programs (preferably according to functional parts). For the experts, I prepared a set of recommendations based on the analyzed differences between the budgeted prices and those applied in real contracts. There is no generally accepted method to evaluate the losses created due to delays in construction. For the purposes of this dissertation, I investigated the common prices of rent of the individual equipment and then established two approaches to put value on the cost of equipping the site, percentage rate and individual calculation. I examine in more detail the issues related to quantification of costs for wintertime arrangements. At the end of the chapter I define recommendations for experts. With regard to recommendations for establishing discounts from the construction price due to occurrence of defects and unfinished tasks, I analyzed real examples of distribution of defects and unfinished tasks at the moment of delivering the building operation to the investor and discovered that approximately 50% of defects are part of the surface working. Additionally, I analyzed the Czech technical regulations regarding surface working in order to find basis for assessment of the presence or absence of a defect. While investigating the approach to non-removable defects, I discovered incorrectly considered shelf life of waterproofing within the appraisal. Based on this, I investigated the market and determined the shelf life of common waterproofing systems. At the end of this dissertation I carry out a comparison of selected items of the two pricing systems most commonly used in the Czech Republic, URS and RTS. The differences are a result of contemplating using different technologies, varied mechanisms and diverse approaches to determine the costs of material.

The reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) protects against redox stress by providing reducing equivalents to antioxidants such as glutathione and thioredoxin. NADPH levels decline with aging in several tissues, but whether this is a major driving force for the aging process has not been well established. Global or neural overexpression of several cytoplasmic enzymes that synthesize NADPH have been shown to extend lifespan in model organisms such as Drosophila suggesting a positive relationship between cytoplasmic NADPH levels and longevity. Mitochondrial NADPH plays an important role in the protection against redox stress and cell death and mitochondrial NADPH-utilizing thioredoxin reductase 2 levels correlate with species longevity in cells from rodents and primates. Mitochondrial NADPH shuttles allow for some NADPH flux between the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Since a decline of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) is linked with aging and because NADP + is exclusively synthesized from NAD + by cytoplasmic and mitochondrial NAD + kinases, a decline in the cytoplasmic or mitochondrial NADPH pool may also contribute to the aging process. Therefore pro-longevity therapies should aim to maintain the levels of both NAD + and NADPH in aging tissues.