Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Natalie Mladenov / The Colorado Front Range of the Rocky Mountains contains undeveloped, barren soils, yet in this environment there is strong evidence for a microbial role in increased nitrogen (N) export. Barren soils in alpine environments are severely carbon-limited, and organic carbon (OC) is the main energy source for heterotrophic microbial activity and sustenance of life. Atmospheric deposition can contain high amounts of OC. Atmospheric pollutants, dust events, and biological aerosols, such as bacteria, may be important contributors to the atmospheric OC load. In this stage of the research we evaluated seasonal trends and annual loadings in the chemical composition and optical spectroscopic (fluorescence and UV-vis absorbance) signatures of wet deposition and dry deposition in an alpine environment, at Niwot Ridge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to better understand the sources and chemical characteristics of atmospheric deposition. Dry deposition was found to be an important source of OC to the alpine. Wet deposition contributed substantially greater amounts of dissolved ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate. There were also positive relationships between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and ammonium, nitrate and sulfate concentrations in wet deposition, which may be derived from such sources as dust and urban air pollution. We also observed the presence of seasonally-variable fluorescent components in atmospheric samples that are different from aquatic dissolved organic matter (DOM). Finally, the quality of atmospheric organic compounds reflects photodegradation during transport through the atmosphere. These results are relevant because atmospheric inputs of carbon and other nutrients may influence nitrification in barren, alpine soils and, ultimately, the export of nitrate from alpine watersheds.

Alpine and arctic tree line expansion depends on the establishment of tree seedlings above the current tree line, which is expected to occur with climate warming. However, tree lines often fail to respond to higher temperatures. Other environmental factors are therefore likely important for tree seedling establishment. Above the tree line, establishing seedlings encounter existing vegetation such as bryophytes, which often dominate in arctic and alpine tundra. Bryophytes modify their environment in various ways and may mediate climate change effects on establishing tree seedlings, and with that tree line expansion. The aim of this thesis was to understand if and how the environment, in particular bryophytes, mediates the impact of climate change on tree seedling establishment at the alpine and arctic tree line. This was explored by reviewing literature on tree seedling establishment at alpine and arctic tree lines globally. In addition, tree seedling survival and growth of Betula pubescens and Pinus sylvestris were assessed experimentally. Here, individuals were planted into mono-specific mats of different bryophytes species and exposed to warming and different precipitation regimes. The literature review revealed that besides from temperature, tree seedling establishment is affected by a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors including water, snow, nutrients, light, disturbance and surrounding vegetation. Furthermore the review revealed that for example vegetation can change tree seedling responses to climate change. The experiments showed that especially tree seedling survival was adversely affected by the presence of bryophytes and that the impacts of bryophytes were larger than those of the climate treatments. Seedling growth, on the other hand, was not hampered by the presence of bryophytes, which is in line with earlier findings that seedling survival, growth and seed germination do not respond similarly to changes in environmental conditions. Moreover, we found several indications that vegetation above the tree line, including bryophytes, mediated tree seedling responses to warming and precipitation or snow cover. This thesis shows that temperature alone should not be used to predict future tree seedling establishment above the alpine and arctic tree line and that extrapolations from climate envelope models could strongly over or under estimate tree line responses to warming. This underlines the value of multi-factorial studies for understanding the interplay between warming and other environmental factors and their effects on tree seedling establishment across current tree lines.

Alpine and arctic tree line expansion depends on the establishment of tree seedlings above the current tree line, which is expected to occur with climate warming. However, tree lines often fail to respond to higher temperatures. Other environmental factors are therefore likely important for tree seedling establishment. Above the tree line, establishing seedlings encounter existing vegetation such as bryophytes, which often dominate in arctic and alpine tundra. Bryophytes modify their environment in various ways and may mediate climate change effects on establishing tree seedlings, and with that tree line expansion. The aim of this thesis was to understand if and how the environment, in particular bryophytes, mediates the impact of climate change on tree seedling establishment at the alpine and arctic tree line. This was explored by reviewing literature on tree seedling establishment at alpine and arctic tree lines globally. In addition, tree seedling survival and growth of Betula pubescens and Pinus sylvestris were assessed experimentally. Here, individuals were planted into mono-specific mats of different bryophytes species and exposed to warming and different precipitation regimes. The literature review revealed that besides from temperature, tree seedling establishment is affected by a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors including water, snow, nutrients, light, disturbance and surrounding vegetation. Furthermore the review revealed that for example vegetation can change tree seedling responses to climate change. The experiments showed that especially tree seedling survival was adversely affected by the presence of bryophytes and that the impacts of bryophytes were larger than those of the climate treatments. Seedling growth, on the other hand, was not hampered by the presence of bryophytes, which is in line with earlier findings that seedling survival, growth and seed germination do not respond similarly to changes in environmental conditions. Moreover, we found several indications that vegetation above the tree line, including bryophytes, mediated tree seedling responses to warming and precipitation or snow cover. This thesis shows that temperature alone should not be used to predict future tree seedling establishment above the alpine and arctic tree line and that extrapolations from climate envelope models could strongly over or under estimate tree line responses to warming. This underlines the value of multi-factorial studies for understanding the interplay between warming and other environmental factors and their effects on tree seedling establishment across current tree lines.

Title: Injury rate in the ski resorts in the Czech Republic Objectives: Objective of thesis is to obtain knowledges about injury rate in the ski resorts in the Czech republic Methods: I determined and processed information regarding all data about injury rate during winter seasons from 2003/2004 to 2012/2013 in the Czech Republic. Main source of all data was the database of Mountain Rescue Service in the Czech republic. Results: My results show summary of the total number of accidents in each winter seasons. Percentage of injury in alpine skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing of all injuries. The most common types of injuries and injury localization in the ski resorts in the Czech Republic for the season 2003/2004 - 2012/2013. Keywords: Safety in the mountains, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross countra skiing, injury

Title: Training of juniors in the alpine disciplines focused on power skills using balance aids Objectives: The aim of this study is to find out, effectiveness of selected special exercises focused on power skills using balance aids. Methods: Simple experiment lasted 23 weeks. The group was made up of skiers aged 17 to 19 (n = 11). The skiers were assigned to two groups with and without balance aids. All were tested in the beginning, middle and at the end of the training program. They did four physical tests: two-footed jump, chin-up, jumps over bench, five jumps. Results: The results of our experiment, show that exercises with balance aids are not so effective. We found difference only between first and second tests. We didn't find out difference at the third testing. The value of the tests are shown with averages and standard deviations in tables and graphs . Keywords: Alpine disciplines, power skills, juniors, balance aids, coordination

The purpose of the diploma thesis is the analysis of alpine timberline shifts in the Giant Mountains between 18th and 21st century. The altitudinal position of alpine timberline is a sensitive indicator which reflects human impacts as well as the climatic changes. Methodical approach included the reconstruction of alpine timberlines from the old maps (published in 1765, 1851-52, 1879, 1906) and their comparison with the newer data, which were evaluated from a series of aerial photographs dated 1936 and 2002 (actualized 2005; data provided by supervisor). Data obtained from the old maps and aerial photographs (1936) were compared and verified with old photos and postcards from Giant Mountains. The average altitude of alpine timberline increased during the study period. The increase in elevation of alpine timberline is significant between 19th and first half of 20th century, e. g. in period when the human influence in Giant Mountains decreased. It is concluded that position of alpine timberline in Giant Mountains depended on human influence. Key words: tree line, alpine timberline, human influence, Giant Mountains

TITLE: Alpine Skiing World Cup Organization Benefits in Relation to Špindlerův Mlýn Municipality AUTHOR: Bc. Petr Černý FACULTY: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport SUPERVISOR: Dr.. Libor Flemr, Ph.D. ABSTRACT This study focuses on the town of Spindleruv Mlyn, which is currently the largest, highest- rated, but also the most expensive ski resort in the Czech Republic and holds TOP ski resort, which in recent years as the only winter resort tried to host the World Cup in Alpine skiing women, in the disciplines of slalom and giant slalom women. Spindleruv Mlyn organized racing elite women's series for the first time in December 2005 and again in January 2008. Premiere World Cup Giant was initially held back in 2003, but then defeated the plans of the organizers of the lack of snow. A success for the next SP in Spindleruv Mlyn took place in March 2011. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the benefits for town of Spindleruv Mlyn (hence the whole county, region and Czech Republic) may have held such events as the World Cup in Alpine Skiing. Method: The calculation method was used a questionnaire comprising mainly by promoting the values that the organization of the event took place, but the city at the cost involved only a small fraction, so the effects are huge. I judged only influences the town...

Sports engineering can be considered as the bridge between the knowledge of sports science and the principles of engineering and has an important role not only in improving the athletic performance, but also in increasing the safety of the athletes. Testing and optimization of sports equipment and athletic performance are essential for supporting athletes in their quest to reach the podium. However, most of the equipment used by world-class athletes is chosen based only on subjective tests and the athletes’ feelings. Consequently, one of the aims of this thesis was to combine mechanics and mathematics to develop new objective test methods for sports equipment. Another objective was to investigate the possibility to accurately track and analyse cross-country skiing performance by using a real-time locating system. A long term aim is the contribution to increased knowledge about objective test and analysis methods in sports. The main methodological advancements are the modification of established test methods for sports equipment and the implementation of spline-interpolated measured positioning data to evaluate cross-country skiing performance. The first two papers show that it is possible to design objective yet sport specific test methods for different sports equipment. New test devices and methodologies are proposed for alpine ski helmets and cross-country ski poles. The third paper gives suggestions for improved test setups and theoretical simulations are introduced for glide tests of skis. It is shown, it the fourth paper, that data from a real-time locating system in combination with a spline model offers considerable potential for performance analysis in cross-country sprint skiing. In the last paper, for the first time, propulsive power during a cross-country sprint skiing race is estimated by applying a power balance model to spline-interpolated measured positioning data, enabling in-depth analyses of power output and pacing strategies in cross-country skiing. Even though it has not been a first priority aim in this work, the results from the first two papers have been used by manufacturers to design new helmets with increased safety properties and cross-country ski poles with increased force transfer properties. In summary, the results of this thesis demonstrate the feasibility of using mechanics and mathematics to increase the objectiveness and relevance when analysing sports equipment and athletic performance. / <p>QC 20160927</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T19:30:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiana Franco Cardoso.pdf: 4540835 bytes, checksum: 3ba29f33f894b24913e32b59edf81a88 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In August 1974, there was the inauguration of the Crematorium Jayme Augusto Lopes, popularly known as Crematorium Alpine Village. Thus, the city of São Paulo began offering two destinations for the dead body: burial and cremation. To track the origin of cremation in our city was required in addition to consulting the press, read the Minutes of the City Council, bills and a text of the Public Civil Action on missing politicians found in the ditch in Cemetery Perus. This study focused on the period between the years 1967 and 1974, revealed the position of Brazilian ecclesiastical and political authorities on the practice crematory, measures the contribution of the military to the installation of the first crematorium in the capital, the role of the press in disclosure of government plans, negotiations between the Church, doctors and politicians to define adequate conditions for the population of the city, and promote reflection on the constant transformation of the city of São Paulo in search of modernity / Em agosto de 1974, ocorreu a inauguração do Crematório Jayme Augusto Lopes, popularmente conhecido como Crematório de Vila Alpina. Dessa maneira, a cidade de São Paulo começou a oferecer dois destinos para o corpo morto: o sepultamento e a cremação. Para acompanhar a origem da cremação em nosso município foi necessário além de consultar a imprensa, ler Atas da Câmara Municipal, projetos de lei e um texto da Ação Civil Pública sobre desaparecidos políticos encontrados na vala do Cemitério de Perus. Esse estudo focado no período compreendido entre os anos de 1967 e 1974, revelou a posição de eclesiásticos brasileiros e de autoridades políticas sobre a prática crematória, a contribuição de medidas do governo militar para a instalação dos primeiros fornos na capital, o papel da imprensa na divulgação de planos governamentais, as negociações entre Igreja, médicos e políticos para definição de condições adequadas à população paulistana, além de promover reflexão sobre a constante transformação da cidade de São Paulo em busca de modernidade

Le climat alpin à plus de 2400 mètres d’altitude montre des fortes variations de température, des intensités lumineuses très élevées (3000 µmol photons m-2 s-1) qui sont connues pour générer un état de réduction importante de la chaine de transport des électrons photosynthétique. Le bon fonctionnement du processus photosynthétique est primordial pour les quelques espèces de plantes vasculaires qui sont présentes à l’étage alpin et qui doivent terminer leur cycle de vie lors d’une très courte période de végétation.Soldanella alpina et Ranunculus glacialis sont deux espèces inféodées aux étages alpin et nival. Dans leur site naturel de croissance nous avons mesuré des températures faibles (0.7°C) et fortes (37°C) sous des lumières supérieures à 2500 µmol photons m-2 s-1. Chez les espèces non-alpines ces conditions induisent la photoinhibition du PSII, ce qui est évité chez S. alpina et R. glacialis, par des mécanismes très différents. Les systèmes antioxydants et le quenching non photochimique sont particulièrement importants chez S. alpina. Chez Ranunculus glacialis, la photorespiration reste très importante et un contenu élevé en PTOX est décrit. Le rôle des antioxydants et de la PTOX dans la photoprotection des deux espèces ont été étudiés. Dans une partie de thèse, nous avons montré qu’une diminution de la capacité antioxydante par une diminution de la concentration en glutathion n’affecte pas la tolérance vis-à-vis de la photoinhibition à basse température. Dans une deuxième partie les résultats supposent qu’une surexpression de la PTOX chez le tabac augmente la photoinhibition à lumière forte par production des espèces réactives d’oxygène. En utilisant différentes conditions environnementales de croissance pour Ranunculus glacialis, nous avons pu montrer que l’expression de la PTOX est induite par des fortes lumières et non par des basses températures. Grâce à une approche associant mesures d’échanges gazeux et mesures de la fluorescence de la chlorophylle, nous avons montré qu’un flux d’électrons conséquent vers l’oxygène, indépendant de la photorespiration, corrélait avec la présence de la PTOX mais que l’activité de la PTOX sous des conditions qui permettent l’assimilation du CO2 et la photorespiration n’est pas maximale. Grâce à des mesures de fluorescence chlorophyllienne en présence de différents inhibiteurs photosynthétiques, nous avons pu montrer que l’importance de ce flux d’électrons vers l’oxygène corrèle avec la quantité de PTOX présente dans les feuilles, dans des conditions réductrices. Ces résultats nous ont amenés à conclure que chez Ranunculus glacialis, la PTOX peut prendre en charge un flux significatif d’électrons, éviter ainsi l’apparition d’un état réduit de la chaine de transfert photosynthétique, et protéger la plante vis-à-vis de la photoinhibition en agissant comme une valve de sécurité. Ces travaux permettent d’apporter des précisions sur un modèle original de photoprotection, qui a été l’objet de nombreuses controverses. / The alpine climate above 2400 meters altitude shows large variations in temperature and very important light intensity (3000 µmol photons m-2 s-1), which are known to generate a state of significant reduction in the photosynthetic electron transport chain. The proper functioning of the photosynthetic process is essential for vascular plants species that are present in this alpine environment and must complete their life cycle within a very short growing season.Soldanella alpina and Ranunculus glacialis are two species restricted to alpine and snow floors. In their natural growth environment we measured very low (0.7 ° C) and high temperature (37 ° C) under lights above 2500 µmol photons m-2 s-1. Among non-alpine species such conditions induce photoinhibition of PSII, which is avoided in S. alpina and R. glacialis, by very different mechanisms. Antioxidant systems and non-photochemical quenching are particularly important in S. alpina. In Ranunculus glacialis, photorespiration remains very important and a high content of PTOX is described. The roles of antioxidants and PTOX in photoprotection of both species were studied.In one part of the thesis, we showed that a decrease in antioxidant capacity by reducing the concentration of glutathione does not affect tolerance to low-temperature photoinhibition. In the second part the results imply that overexpression of PTOX in tobacco enhances photoinhibition by strong light to produce reactive oxygen species.Using different environmental conditions for Ranunculus glacialis growth, we showed that expression of the PTOX is induced by strong light, but not by low temperatures. With an approach combining gas exchange measurements and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, we showed that an electron flow to oxygen, independent of photorespiration, correlated with the presence of PTOX. Through measures of chlorophyll fluorescence in the presence of various inhibitors photosynthetic, we could show that the importance of this electron flow to oxygen correlates with the amount of PTOX in the leaves, under reducing conditions. These results led us to conclude that in Ranunculus glacialis, the PTOX may support a significant flow of electrons, thus avoiding the appearance of a reduced state of the photosynthetic chain transfer, and protect the plant from photoinhibition, acting as a safety valve. These studies are discussed to help clarify a new pathway of photoprotection, which was the subject of much controversy.