INTRODUCTION: The association of Sleep-Related Movement Disorders (SRMDs) such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements (PLMs) with cerebrovascular disease is underexplored. Emerging evidence links them to vascular disease, for which white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are a well-recognized biomarker. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based observational study in which high-risk TIA and minor stroke patients were assessed for vascular risk factors, WMHs and polysomnography-determined sleep variables. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were enrolled, of whom 44 completed polysomnography. Twenty-five percent had RLS, which was associated with lower quality of life. Independent of the effect of classical vascular risk factors, PLMs (but not RLS) were associated with WMHs on linear regression analyses (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: SRMDs are prevalent after minor stroke/TIA. RLS is associated with poor quality of life, while PLMs are associated with WMHs. Whether PLMs are implicated in the pathogenesis of WMHs or whether WMHs exacerbate PLMs remains uncertain.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Twenty-three years ago, Israeli fighter pilots destroyed the Osiraq nuclear reactor and made a profound statement about global nuclear proliferation. In light of the recent preventive regime change in Iraq, a review of this strike reveals timely lessons for future counterproliferation actions. Using old, new, and primary source evidence, this thesis examines Osiraq for lessons from a preventive attack on a non-conventional target. Before attacking Osiraq, Israeli policymakers attempted diplomatic coercion to delay Iraq's nuclear development. Concurrent with diplomatic actions, Israeli planners developed a state of the art military plan to destroy Osiraq. Finally, Israeli leaders weathered the international storm after the strike. The thesis examines Israeli decisionmaking for each of these phases. The thesis draws two conclusions. First, preventive strikes are valuable primarily for two purposes: buying time and gaining international attention. Second, the strike provided a one-time benefit for Israel. Subsequent strikes will be less effective due to dispersed/hardened nuclear targets and limited intelligence. / Major, United States Air Force

With the intensively increasing of digital media new challenges has been created for authentication and protection of digital intellectual property. A hash function extracts certain features of a multimedia object e.g. an image and maps it to a fixed string of bits. A perceptual hash function unlike normal cryptographic hash is change tolerant for image processing techniques. Perceptual hash function also referred to as robust hash, like any other algorithm is prone to errors. These errors are false negative and false positive, of which false positive error is neglected compared to false negative errors. False positive occurs when an unknown object is identified as known. In this work a new method for raising false alarms in robust hash function is devised for evaluation purposes i.e. this algorithm modifies hash key of a target image to resemble a different image’s hash key without any significant loss of quality to the modified image. This algorithm is implemented in MATLAB using block mean value based hash function and successfully reduces hamming distance between target image and modified image with a good result and without significant loss to attacked imaged quality.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a prominent risk factor for subsequent stroke, and its associated morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Studies have demonstrated up to 80% reductions in subsequent stroke rate with prompt, optimized protocols for rapid TIA evaluation and treatment. National Stroke Association (NSA) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines have recommended institution of protocols assuring timely completion of the recommended testing, and evaluation by a stroke expert within 48 hours. However, limited literature exists on the implementation of guideline-based care in rural regions, and the few studies related to TIA suggest that barriers including difficulty accessing services and poorly updated TIA knowledge amongst rural, non-neurologist providers exist despite national guidelines. Behavior change theories have suggested that evaluating factors hindering or motivating behavior change may aid in tailoring implementation of guideline-based practices. This descriptive study sought to understand ED health care providers' perceived barriers to implementation of NSA/AHA TIA guidelines in a rural state. All healthcare providers in each of the state's emergency departments were invited by email to complete an online anonymous survey assessing knowledge of present TIA guidelines and perceived barriers to implementation of these guidelines in their practice setting using a modified Barriers and Facilitators Assessment Instrument (BFAI). After completing the knowledge based questions, respondents were presented a brief educational overview of the guidelines to ensure adequate familiarity with the TIA guidelines to complete the BFAI. Thirty-nine respondents completed the survey. Twenty-seven worked at regional or academic medical centers, and 12 worked at critical access hospitals representing the more rural regions of the state. Consistent with prior work, the most notable finding of this study was a low awareness of the present TIA guidelines amongst ED providers, with none of the survey respondents correctly identifying all items consistent with the evaluation guidelines for TIA. In addition to a low awareness of the guidelines, a number of perceived barriers to implementation were identified, which may inform efforts at implementation, and/or offer a model for similar barrier assessment elsewhere.

The three print series I completed within the past two years appear hardly related at first. However, these individual bodies of work, when examined chronologically, are continually informed by similar ideas. The most obvious of these is the act of piecing elements together to form something that had previously not existed, yet still influences the original source. In all three series, images are taken from an original source and re-contextualized. The idea of cultural or anthropological landscapes is also a theme throughout my work. Each individual series toyed with the idea of an imaginary or theoretical anthropological landscape in direct comparison to its pre-existing model. These humorous and oftentimes puzzling images are influenced by my over-active imagination, fueled by equal parts pop culture, playful cynicism, and desperate idealism.

Background: Studies regarding number of pregnancies and coronary heart disease have shown inconsistent results. In the present study, we assessed the association between number of pregnancies and heart attack (HA) in women.Methods: Using data from NHANES III a cross sectional data analysis of 10634 women aged 17 and above was conducted. We considered socio-demographic factors and other potential risk factors including physical activity, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, BMI, age, and family history of heart attack. We conducted Bivariate analysis to determine prevalence and crude odds ratios. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding variables using SPSS. Results: The prevalence and 95% CI of HA was 3.4% (3.0% – 3.7%). The age adjusted odds ratios for 7+ pregnancies was 2.33 95% CI [1.42-3.81], but this became insignificant when a fully adjusted model was used (odds ratio, 1.68: 95% CI, 0.89 to 3.16). For those with 4 pregnancies the risk was lowest in both age adjusted and fully adjusted models confirming the well known "J" shaped non linear relationship between number of pregnancies and heart attack. Conclusion: We found an association that was not significant between number of pregnancies and heart attack. Further studies using physician-confirmed diagnosis is needed to appropriately asses the potential relationship of gravidity and heart attack.

The thesis is focused on discrediting texts on the personalities of Czechoslovak dissidents in years 1977-1979 and 1985-1988. It studies the historical background of these years and describes this problem in the way of critical discourse analysis. Therefore, there is used description of the historical period with analysis of texts in three newspapers, called Rude Právo, Mladá Fronta and Lidová Demokracie. The objective of the work is collection of texts of the newspapers in mentioned period and demonstration of typical discrediting text. First of all, there is pointed what it means "dissent". There are described groups and people, who were connected with these activities. Secondly, there is shown special cause about lawsuit with Václav Havel and Tomáš Řezáč. The perspective is focused on exceptional and special action which was linked with discrediting texts and official law. After that are summarized aspects and significance of discrediting texts. There is hope that this thesis dispels the complex problem of discrediting texts, and that the case for ideology developed through media is clear.

Title: The analysis of the fast counter - attack during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil Aims: The main aim of the thesis is to analyze all scored goals during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Brazil. In total 64 matches were played there. The attention will be paid to players in offensive and defensive attacks, particularly during the fast counter - attack finished by goal. The next aim of the thesis is detailed analysis of all fast counter - attacks from a qualitative and quantitative points of view, especially the place of establishment, execution time of the attack and the number of players who participated in the match. The other aims of the thesis include to plot all goals from the fast counter - attack, describe action and find out the main mistakes. Methods: The main technique which is used for the data acquisition related to scored goal is the indirect observation. Successfully finished counter - attacks are analyzed from the two points of view, which are quantity and quality. The first one is dedicated to forms of attacks, the technique of kicking and to the numbers of players who participated. The quality research is focused on the analysis of scored goals after the fast counter - attack. Subsequently these situations are plotted and described. They also could be a specific...

Title of project: The analysis of finishing attacks in football at EURO 2012 Aim of project: The aim of this thesis is to identify the most often and effective way of finishing attacks on EURO 2012 in chosen national teams, compare the results with the ones from WC 2010, identify characteristic models of finishing attacks and create a set of exercises for the training process. Methodology:Research was analyzed from indirect observation of video recordings of football matches from EURO 2012. Results: The most effective way of finishing is shooting from first or second touch within the penalty area. The identified models of finishing are combinations in front of the penalty area, intersection to the goal line with a back pass, passing the ball from the wing area in front of the penalty area, centre ball behind the line of defence and a vertical intersection pass behind the defence. Key words: football -shooting - Czech national team - Spain - Netherlands - finishing - attack - model

Title: The analysis of quick counter-attack in football. Objectives: The main objective of this thesis was to analyse all scored goals and quick counter-attack in the World Cup 2010 in football in South Africa. The data which was related with all scored goals was summarized based on observation. Another objective was to monitor the techniques, the shooting space, the number of attacking and defending players, which subsequently helped to describe the particular model situation which can be applied to the methodology and didactics in the training process. Methods: The method of indirect observation of the video from single matches was used in this thesis. Furthermore, in this thesis was performed quantitative analysis of all the scored goals, the analysis of the successful quick counter-attacks and finally, from all analysis was created a model situation. Results: The results demonstrated and explained the issues of all scored goals and the results used quick counter-attack on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Particular model situation and practical exercises which are in the thesis graphically illustrated, can be applied in practice. Keywords: Football, scored goals, quick counter-attack, application to practice, analysis.