Warm-up routines commonly include stretching to increase flexibility (joint range of motion - ROM), optimise performance, and reduce the risk of injury. Literature suggests that static stretching as part of the warm-up routines decreases force and power production compared to an active warm-up or a warm-up including dynamic stretching, and therefore could be detrimental to performance. This has led to an increased interest in the use of dynamic stretching by many athletes while the benefits of such interventions and their potential mechanisms of action are not well understood. Studies presented in this thesis were conducted to examine the effects of acute dynamic stretching on aspects of performance (e.g. torque production capacity of the plantarflexors and running economy) and to identify possible neuromechanical mechanisms underpinning any potential changes. Furthermore, we attempted to examine whether altered pain tolerance/perception to stretch may be a contributing factor to the increased ROM using adaptations in the neural substrates involved by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. In the first study, both slow dynamic stretching and fast dynamic stretching increased ROM, and this was due to an increased tendon elongation. Importantly, dynamic stretching was not detrimental to the torque producing capacity of the ankle plantarflexors. Effects of dynamic stretching on the sensorimotor performance remained mainly unclear. Employment of shear wave elastography technique in the second study suggested an increase in muscle stiffness, a decrease in fascicle strain, and showed an increase in muscle thickness after dynamic stretching, supporting an increase in tendon compliance as a contributing factor to increased flexibility after dynamic stretching. In the third study, the improved running economy by dynamic stretching may be attributable to the decreased dynamic joint ankle and vertical stiffness. The fMRI study was not conclusive due to methodological issues. Present findings have practical implications for the use of dynamic stretching in sporting contexts.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-02-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:01:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 manzatto_ag_dr_rcla.pdf: 670572 bytes, checksum: 214e3956624d3fad7ce979a8133dfb58 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / As alterações na estrutura e na composição florística de um fragmento de floresta estacional Semidecidual foram descritos para o período de 14 anos (1989 - 2003). Esse fragmento, denominado Mata da Fazenda São José (MFSJ), apresentou para o período de estudo um aumento na densidade arbustivo-arbórea, entretanto houve uma diminuição da área basal total para a comunidade. A composição florística apresentou grande dinamismo, registrando a perda de 42 espécies e o ingresso de 38. As espécies dominantes apresentaram variações nos seus valores de densidade relativa, demonstrando que a estrutura fitossociológica é dinâmica, alterando-se ao longo do tempo. As análises multivariadas da vegetação indicaram a presença de quatro grupos vegetacionais relacionados aos quatro subgrupos edáficos identificados na área de estudo. As análises quantitativas e qualitativas da estrutura da comunidade demonstraram diferenças em cada um destes subgrupos, os quais apresentaram, ao longo do período de estudo, diferenças referentes às suas alterações na estrutura e na substituição das espécies. Essa característica tem modulado ao longo do tempo e projetado uma comunidade altamente diversificada, apresentando peculiaridades quanto às áreas que constituem o mosaico sucessional. / Changes in the structure and composition in the tropical semideciduous forest were described in 14-year-period. The studied fragment called Mata da Fazenda São José (MFSJ) presents under the studied period an increasing scrubs and trees density rate, however there was a decreasing rate on its total community basal area. The floristic composition showed great dynamism, indicating 42 species loss and 38 species gain. The main species presented variability on its relative density, demonstrating that the phytosociological structures is dynamic and changes as time passes by. The multivariate analysis of vegetation indicated four vegetation groups, related to the four different soil subgroups found on the study area. The quantitative and qualitative analysis over the community structures, presented differences on each of these groups which presented, along the studies period, differences related to its structure changing and species substitution. This characteristic has modulated and projected a highly diversified community showing different characteristics on the fields compounding the succession patch.

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Wang, Chongyu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.1 / Abstract in Chinese --- p.3 / Acknowledgement --- p.4 / Contents --- p.5 / List of Tables --- p.7 / List of Figures --- p.8 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2. --- Conventional Dynamic Programming --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1. --- Principle of optimality and decomposition --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2. --- Backward dynamic programming --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3. --- Forward dynamic programming --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4. --- Curse of dimensionality --- p.23 / Chapter 3. --- Surrogate Constraint Formulation --- p.26 / Chapter 3.1. --- Surrogate constraint formulation --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2. --- Singly constrained dynamic programming --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3. --- Surrogate dual search --- p.29 / Chapter 4. --- Distance Confined Path Algorithm --- p.34 / Chapter 4.1. --- Yen´ةs algorithm for the kth shortest path problem --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2. --- Application of Yen´ةs method to integer programming --- p.36 / Chapter 4.3. --- Distance confined path problem --- p.42 / Chapter 4.4. --- Application of distance confined path formulation to integer programming --- p.50 / Chapter 5. --- Convergent Surrogate Dual Search --- p.59 / Chapter 5.1. --- Algorithm for convergent surrogate dual search --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2. --- "Solution schemes for (Pμ{αk,αβ)) and f(x) = αk" --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3. --- Computational Results and Analysis --- p.68 / Chapter 6. --- Conclusions --- p.72 / Bibliography --- p.74

This thesis provides reflections on a practice of corrective feedback known as dynamic Written Corrective Feedback (dynamic WCF). First addressing 20 years of concerns regarding the highly-debated topic of feedback in second language (L2) writing and then outlining dynamic WCF as a pedagogical practice founded on four principles, the thesis finally introduces a recently developed handbook for instructors. This handbook presents the four foundational principles of dynamic WCF (timeliness, manageability, meaningfulness, and constancy) to first-time instructors and supports the implementation of dynamic WCF to optimize benefit and enhance manageability in written corrective feedback.

In this thesis we shall investigate the numerical solutions to several important practical static and dynamic optimization problems in engineering and physics. The thesis is organized as follows.In Chapter 1 a general literature review is presented, including motivation and development of the problems, and existing results. Furthermore, some existing computational methods for optimal control problems are also discussed.In Chapter 2 the design of a semiconductor device is posed as an optimization problem: given an ideal voltage-current (V - I) characteristic, find one or more physical and geometrical parameters so that the V-I characteristic of the device matches the ideal one optimally with respect to a prescribed performance criterion. The voltage-current characteristic of a semiconductor device is governed by a set of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE), and thus a black-box approach is taken for the numerical solution to the PDEs. Various existing numerical methods are proposed for the solution of the nonlinear optimization problem. The Jacobian of the cost function is ill-conditioned and a scaling technique is thus proposed to stabilize the resulting linear system. Numerical experiments, performed to show the usefulness of this approach, demonstrate that the approach always gives optimal or near-optimal solutions to the test problems in both two and three dimensions.In Chapter 3 we propose an efficient approach to numerical integration in one and two dimensions, where a grid set with a fixed number of vertices is to be chosen so that the error between the numerical integral and the exact integral is minimized. For one dimensional problem two schemes are developed for sufficiently smooth functions based on the mid-point rectangular quadrature rule and the trapezoidal rule respectively, and another method is also developed for integrands which are not ++ / sufficiently smooth. For two dimensional problems two schemes are first developed for sufficiently smooth functions. One is based on the barycenter rule on a rectangular partition, while the other is on a triangular partition. A scheme for insufficiently smooth functions is also developed. For illustration, several examples are solved using the proposed schemes, and the numerical results show the effectiveness of the approach.Chapter 4 deals with optimal recharge and driving plans for a battery-powered electric vehicle. A major problem facing battery-powered electric vehicles is in their batteries: weight and charge capacity. Thus a battery-powered electric vehicle only has a short driving range. To travel for a longer distance, the batteries are required to be recharged frequently. In this chapter we construct a model for a battery-powered electric vehicle, in which driving strategy is to be obtained so that the total traveling time between two locations is minimized. The problem is formulated as an unconventional optimization problem. However, by using the control parameterization enhancing transformation (CPET) (see [100]) it is shown that this unconventional optimization is equivalent to a conventional optimal parameter selection problem. Numerical examples are solved using the proposed method.In Chapter 5 we consider the numerical solution to a class of optimal control problems involving variable time points in their cost functions. The CPET is first used to convert the optimal control problem with variable time points into an equivalent optimal control problem with fixed multiple characteristic times (MCT). Using the control parameterization technique, the time horizon is partitioned into several subintervals. Let the partition points also be taken as decision variables. The control functions are approximated by piecewise constant or piecewise linear functions ++ / in accordance with these variable partition points. We thus obtain a finite dimensional optimization problem. The CPET transform is again used to convert approximate optimal control problems with variable partition points into equivalent standard optimal control problems with MCT, where the control functions are piecewise constant or piecewise linear functions with pre-fixed partition points. The transformed problems are essentially optimal parameter selection problems with MCT. The gradient formulae are obtained for the objective function as well as the constraint functions with respect to relevant decision variables. Numerical examples are solved using the proposed method.A numerical approach is proposed in Chapter 6 for constructing an approximate optimal feedback control law of a class of nonlinear optimal control problems. In this approach, the state space is partitioned into subdivisions, and the controllers are approximated by a linear combination of the 3rd order B-spline basis functions. Furthermore, the partition points are also taken as decision variables in this formulation. To show the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a two dimensional and a three dimensional examples are solved by the approach. The numerical results demonstrate that the method is superior to the existing methods with fixed partition points.

This thesis develops and tests a two-dimensional discrete dynamic model for the simulation of granular flows in silos and hoppers. The granular material considered is assumed to be an assembly of viscoelastic discs and the motion of such a particle system is shown to be governed by a set of nonlinear first order ordinary differential equations. This system of equations is then solved numerically using the centered finite difference scheme. Based on the model presented, a computer program has been developed and used to analyse the flow behaviour of granular materials during filling and emptying of a silo. The results show that the discrete dynamic model developed is capable of modelling granular flows in silos, particularly predicting wall pressures and analysing flow blockage.

This experiment was designed to examine aspects of human visual perception during approaches to a runway. The runway width illusion has commonly been reported to contribute to the dangerous tendency of pilots to fly low approaches to runways that are wide and high approaches to runways that are narrow. Attempts to prevent the runway width illusion have not attempted to identify the ideal location for an indicator of altitude. Thus the present experiment examined the effect of varying runway width and manipulated scenes in order to determine whether the runway width illusion was present and where participants were focusing their attention in the scenes. Thirty-two non-pilot participants and 3 pilots took part in the experiment and viewed static and dynamic scenes of runways that were narrow (30.48m), medium (60.96m) or wide (91.44m) at one of three viewing heights low (30.48m), medium (45.72m) or high (60.96m). After viewing scenes, participants were required to estimate their altitude and aim-point. The results of this experiment revealed that participants were fairly inaccurate at estimating altitude and were inclined to overestimate aim-point, however the data also indicated that there was a robust runway width illusion that was present across static and dynamic trials and in both altitude and aim-point data. The standard marking on the runway in an attempt to prevent the runway width illusion was not effective at preventing incorrect altitude estimations but did assist participants to estimate aim-point. It was also found that the objects that participants' most commonly reported using to estimate altitude in the visual scene were located in the lower segment of the scenes.

This research focuses on improvements and application of 1D finite elements for nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete frames under extreme loadings. The concept of force interpolation is adopted for the element formulation and a solution scheme developed based on a total secant stiffness approach that provides good convergence characteristics. The geometrical nonlinearities including 2nd order P-Delta effects as well as catenary action are considered in the element formulation. It is shown that geometrical nonlinearities may have a significant effect on member (structure) response within extreme loading scenarios. In the analysis of structures subjected to extreme loadings, accurately modelling of the post peak response is vital and, in this respect, the objectivity of the solution with softening must be maintained. The softening of concrete under compression is taken into account, and the objectivity preserved, by adopting a nonlocal damage model for the compressive concrete. The capability of nonlocal flexibility-based formulation for capturing the post-peak response of reinforced concrete beam-columns is demonstrated by numerical examples. The 1D frame element model is extended for the modelling of 3D framed structures using a simplified torque-twist model that is developed to take account of interaction between normal and tangential forces at the section level. This simplified model can capture the variation of element torsional stiffness due to presence of axial force, bending moment and shear and is efficient and is shown to provide a reasonable degree of accuracy for the analysis of 3D reinforced concrete frames. The formulations and solution algorithms developed are tested for static and dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete framed structures with examples on impact analysis of beams, dynamic analysis of frames and progressive collapse assessment of frames taken from the literature. The verification shows that the formulation is very efficient and is capable of modelling of large scale framed structures, under extreme loads, quickly and with accuracy.

The main purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching in the warm-up, on hamstring flexibility using a reliable set-up for measurement. Static and dynamic flexibility was measured using five modifications of the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test to measure hip flexion range of motion (ROM). In the first part of the study (n = 33) hamstring flexibility was measured using a Static-passive, Static-active, Dynamic-supine and Dynamic-standing tests. The results of this study were used to calculate reliability statistics and to compare the various static and dynamic flexibility tests. There was a significant difference between Static-passive (SPH) and the Dynamic-supine (DSUH) tests (p less than .05). This was followed by an intervention study (n = 12) where participants were randomly assigned to three intervention treatments of 225 seconds on separate days: No stretching (Treatment I), Static stretching (Treatment 2) and Dynamic stretching (Treatment 3) in a cross-over study design. Static stretching had no impact on dynamic hamstring flexibility; however, dynamic stretching improved dynamic flexibility while simultaneously increasing static flexibility. This has implications for the specificity of stretching in sport.