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Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur Ultra Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) uppfattas från tränares perspektiv. Uppsatsen jämför även metoden med taper och en mer traditionell träningsmetod. Studien baseras på 12 intervjuer med tränare som arbetat med junior/senior-simmare och en litteratursökning för att kunna besvara frågeställningarna. Vidare analyseras det genom teorin praxisgemenskap och metoden kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet visar att USRPT är en högintensiv metod som uppfattas olika av simtränare men att den utvecklar den anaeroba kapaciteten och inte den aeroba. Skillnader och likheter mellan USRPT, taper och mera traditionella metoder kan enligt studien mätas på två skalor bestående av intensitet och volym. Det påvisades av tränare att USRPT och taper kan ha samma volym men att det förstnämnda är mer intensivt. / The aim of this study was to examine how Ultra Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) is being perceived by swim coaches. It also compared the method with taper and a more traditional approach to swim training. The study was based on 12 interviews with swim coaches who have worked with junior/senior-swimmers and a literature search to be able to answer the questions. Furthermore, it was analyzed through with the theory community of practice and the method qualitative content analysis. The results showed that USRPT is a high-intensity method that is perceived differently by different coaches but develops the anaerobic capacity and not the aerobic capacity. The differences and similarities between USRPT, taper and a more traditional approach could, according to the study, be measured on two different scales. These are intensity and volume. It was pointed out by swim coaches that USRPT and taper could have the same volume, but that the first-mentioned is more intense.

The adoption rate of health information technology (HIT) remains low in developing countries, where healthcare institutions experience high operating costs and loss of revenue, which are related to systems and processes inefficiency. The purpose of this case study was to explore strategies leaders in Zimbabwe used to implement HIT. The conceptual framework of the study was Davis's technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were gathered through observations, review of organizational documents (i.e., policies, procedures, and guidelines), and in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 10 healthcare leaders and end-users from hospitals in Zimbabwe who had successfully implemented HIT. Transcribed interview data were coded and analyzed for emerging themes. Implementation strategies, overcoming barriers to adoption, and user acceptance emerged as the themes most healthcare leaders associated with successful HIT projects. Several subthemes also emerged, including: (a) the importance of stakeholder involvement, (b) the importance of management buy-in, and (c) the low level of IT literacy among healthcare workers. The strategies identified in this study may provide a foundation on which healthcare leaders in developing countries can successfully adopt and implement HIT. The recommendations from this study could lead to positive social change by providing leaders with knowledge and skills to use information technology strategies to deliver better healthcare at lower costs while creating employment for local communities.

技術分析一直是許多研究的熱門主題，也被眾多市場參與者廣泛運用在市場交易，而最普遍且最受歡迎的技術分析工具即為移動平均法。 本研究設計三種移動平均交易方法（一種只考慮收盤價，一種考慮收盤價及交易量，而另一種則將交易量作為收盤價的權重），每種交易方法皆使用五天為短期移動平均天數，十天、五十天、一百天、一百五十天、兩百天為長期移動平均天數，總計十五種移動平均交易規則，運用在臺灣中型100成分股以產生買進與賣出訊號，並依訊號進行交易動作，進而在未考慮交易成本的假設下計算出單次交易的平均報酬、平均持有天數，以及Hit ratio（正報酬的交易次數占總交易次數的比例），藉以探討移動平均法在此種股票的獲利性。而以交易量為價格權重來產生移動平均交易方法是基於相信帶有較高交易量的價格較有意義，盼藉以測試此種方法是否正如預期，相較於一般傳統的價格移動平均法有更好的績效。 本研究雖然未考慮交易成本，但呈現的單次交易平均報酬可以提供讀者與實際臺灣股票市場交易成本作比較，藉以了解考慮交易成本後的情況。而本研究除了呈現所有成分股單次交易的平均報酬、平均持有天數及Hit ratio的平均值，也將成分股依照ICB行業分類指標分成幾個主要產業，並呈現各產業內成分股的平均值，企圖了解特定交易方法是否在特定產業有較好的績效。 結果顯示，產生最好績效的移動平均交易方法也僅能有一半的交易次數得到正報酬，而就整體而言，將交易量作為價格權重的移動平均方法，也沒有產生相較於傳統價格移動平均法更好的績效，因此可以說，這類的技術分析對於這些股票無法有較好的績效。 / Technical analysis has been widely studied and used by many researchers and market participants. The most common and popular technical trading rule is moving average since it is mathematically well defined and used by many analysts. This article examines the profitability of technical analysis for FTSE TWSE Mid-Cap Taiwan 100 Index constituents under the hypothesis of no transaction costs. It uses three strategies (Price Strategy, Price and Volume Strategy, and PV Strategy) and fifteen moving average rules to generate buy and sell signals, and then compute average returns per trading, average holding days per trading, and hit ratios to see the profitability. It is believed that prices come with high volumes are more meaningful than those with low volumes. All of these strategies and trading rules are not only used for all constituents of FTSE TWSE Mid-Cap Taiwan 100 Index without consid-ering industry classifications but also for each major industry classifications of these constituents. Therefore, we can understand whether specific trading rules have better performances for specific industries of these stocks. The results are not that optimistic. Overall Price and Volume Strategy has the best results of hit ratio, however, the highest value is barely 50%, which means it can only have a half trading times positive returns. As for PV Strategy which uses weighted price moving average to trade, the performance has no significantly better than using simple price moving average rule. It can say that Technical Analysis like moving average can hardly have good performances on these stocks.

L'autisme est un trouble du développement du système nerveux central défini par des altérations des interactions sociales et de la communication, et par des comportements restreints et répétitifs. Sa prévalence est actuellement évaluée jusqu'à 1% dans la population générale. L'autisme est caractérisé par une grande hétérogénéité sur les plans phénotypiques et génétiques. À ce jour, plus de 300 gènes candidats ont été caractérisés soit par des variations du nombre de copies (CNV) et/ou des variations nucléotidiques (SNV). Leur identification a permis de mettre en évidence une contribution significative de mutation de novo, ainsi que l'implication de voies physiopathologiques cibles, en particulier la densité post-synaptique (PSD). / Autism is a developmental disorder of the central nervous system defined by impairments in social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Its prevalence is currently estimated at around 1% in the general population. Autism is characterized by a wide heterogeneity at both phenotypic and genetic level. To date, more than 300 candidate genes were characterized either by copy number variations (CNV) and/or nucleotide variations (SNV). Their identification has highlighted a significant contribution of de novo mutations, as well as the involvement of targeted pathophysiological pathways, particularly post-synaptic density (PSD).

Les cellules solaires à base de nanofils de silicium offrent une alternative intéressante pour la réalisation de panneaux photovoltaïques à haut rendement et à faible coût. Elles bénéficient notamment des excellentes propriétés optiques des nanofils qui forment une surface à très faible réflectivité tout en piégeant efficacement la lumière. Dans cette thèse, nous utilisons et améliorons une méthode de gravure chimique peu coûteuse et industrialisable pour la fabrication de forêts de nanofils de silicium. En adaptant la mouillabilité du substrat et des nanofils, nous avons remédié au problème d'agglomération inhérent à cette méthode lorsqu’on veut obtenir des forêts denses et désordonnées de nanofils. En combinant cette méthode de gravure chimique à la lithographie assistée par nanosphères, nous avons pu fabriquer des réseaux ordonnés de nanofils avec un contrôle précis des propriétés géométriques (diametre des nanofils et distance entre eux). Les propriétés optiques de ces réseaux ont été étudiées théoriquement et expérimentalement afin d'identifier les configurations optimales. Nous avons ensuite fabriqué des cellules solaires à partir de ces différents types de nanofils et deux types de structures. Le premier type, des cellules solaires HIT (Hétérojonction avec couche mince Intrinsèque) à base de nanofils de silicium, a été fabriqué par RF-PECVD. L'optimisation des conditions de dépôt plasma nous a permis d'obtenir des cellules solaires hautement performantes: rendements de 12,9% et facteurs de forme au-delà de 80%. Le second type, des cellules solaires hybrides, est basé sur la combinaison d'une couche organique et des nanofils de silicium. La caractérisation des cellules fabriquées montre des rendements prometteurs. Enfin, nous présentons des résultats préliminaires pour transférer ces concepts à une technologie couches minces. / Silicon Nanowire (SiNW) based solar cells offer an interesting choice towards low-cost and highly efficient solar cells. Indeed solar cells based on SiNWs benefit from their outstanding optical properties such as extreme light trapping and very low reflectance. In this research project, we have fabricated disordered SiNWs using a low-cost top-down approach named the Metal-Assisted-Chemical-Etching process (MACE). The MACE process was first optimized to reduce the strong agglomeration observed at the top-end of the SiNWs by tuning the wettability properties of both the initial substrate and the SiNWs surface. By combining the MACE process with the nanosphere lithography, we have also produced ordered SiNW arrays with an accurate control over the pitch, diameter and length. The optical properties of these SiNW arrays were then investigated both theoretically and experimentally in order to identify the geometrical configuration giving the best optical performance. Disordered and ordered SiNW arrays have been integrated into two types of solar cells: heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) and hybrid devices. SiNW based HIT devices were fabricated by RF-PECVD and the optimization of the process conditions has allowed us to reach efficiency as high as 12.9% with excellent fill factor above 80%. Hybrid solar cells based on the combination of SiNWs with an organic layer have also been studied and characterized. The possible transfer of this concept to the thin film technology is finally explored.

Information technology is ubiquitous in society and industry; however, healthcare is just beginning to explore how health information technology (HIT) can be optimized to support quality care. HIT can assist with standardizing care delivery, increasing access to evidence-based medicine, improving accuracy and ease of documentation, and assisting with patient education. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), specifically nurse practitioners (NPs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs), play a pivotal role in the healthcare delivery system. To be effective practitioners, providers must manage, integrate, and assimilate a multitude of knowledge with each patient encounter. HIT can serve as the channel through which the NP and CNM provides cost-effective, efficient, and quality care. However, healthcare providers have been slow to adopt and implement HIT resources. We know that adoption of HIT by healthcare providers is varied among provider and practice settings. However, few studies have examined the impact on and utilization of information technology by APRNs, specifically nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives.The purpose of this research was to investigate the utilization and influence of HIT on the clinical decision making of Kentucky nurse practitioners and nurse midwives (Kentucky APRNs). A descriptive cross-sectional design using survey methodology and convenience sampling was employed. Participants were asked to complete an author-modified, web-based survey tool that was based on current research. The 40-question tool was designed to explore providers' attitudes and perceptions of technology, determine their knowledge and utilization of various electronic and traditional print medical resources, and assess the penetration of and daily usage of HIT in practice.This study revealed information related to Kentucky APRN's utilization and influence of HIT on clinical decision making. Establishing exploratory Kentucky APRN findings will assist in evaluating further HIT utilization in Kentucky. Findings suggested that APRNs in Kentucky are beginning to explore the benefits of HIT; however, additional research will be required to identify the true penetration and utilization of technology in Kentucky. Although additional research is needed, HIT appears to be having an overall impact on the clinical practice of Kentucky APRNs.

Whilst high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity may protect against cardiometabolic risk factor clustering, evidence suggests these outcomes are below optimal in English youths. Adolescence is a key stage in health behaviours development, and thus represents an opportunity for interventions aiming to improve the cardiometabolic health, fitness and activity levels of this population. Recently, there has been growing interest in the efficacy of low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time efficient way of improving health and fitness outcomes in adults. Contrastingly, the effects of low-volume HIT in adolescents remains relatively unknown. The first aim of this programme therefore was to develop a novel school-based low-volume HIT intervention. The second was to determine the effectiveness of this model for improving the cardiometabolic health, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels of adolescents. Study one examined adolescents’ views towards high-intensity exercise, and the proposed low-volume HIT intervention. This data was used to design the novel low-volume HIT model. In Study 2, participants’ heart rate and perceived exertion responses to three prototype prescriptions of low-volume HIT, based on boxing, dance and football were examined. Here, it was indicated that these activities were capable of eliciting a high-intensity training response (~90% of maximum heart rate). Study 3 incorporated the main intervention, which examined the effect of a 10-week multi-activity low-volume HIT intervention (named Project FFAB [Fun Fast Activity Blasts]) on various health and fitness outcomes in adolescents. Here, beneficial effects were detected in the intervention participants compared to the controls for triglycerides, waist circumference, lipid accumulation product and daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Study 4 assessed the fidelity of the intervention, and found that this had been largely upheld. Collectively therefore, it appears that Project FFAB represents a viable strategy for improving aspects of cardiometabolic health and physical activity levels in adolescents.

Despite clear recommendations on the minimal amount of physical activity for achieving health benefits and reducing risk of chronic disease, the majority of people in the Western world remain sedentary. As a 'lack of time' has been identified as one of the main barriers to becoming and remaining physically active, in the past decade research has focused on high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time-efficient alternative to aerobic exercise. Although initial studies convincingly demonstrated equal or better health benefits with various HIT protocols compared to much larger volumes of aerobic exercise, these HIT protocols tend to be very strenuous and as such are unlikely to be adhered to by sedentary populations. Furthermore, most HIT protocols are not as time-efficient as sometimes claimed, with the total time per exercise session generally exceeding 20-30 minutes. This thesis aimed to characterise the effects of a novel reduced-exertion HIT (ReHIT) protocol, requiring a maximum of 2 x 20 s all-out sprint efforts in a 10 min training session, upon insulin sensitivity, aerobic capacity, glycogen utilisation and associated acute metabolic responses. The ReHIT exercise bouts were well tolerated by participants, but were associated with a substantial disturbance of physiological homeostasis including muscle glycogen degradation, lactate accumulation, excursions in plasma volume, post-exercise oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio and heart rate, as well as a skeletal muscle signalling response through AMPK, and increases in skeletal muscle GLUT4 and PGC1α mRNA expression (Chapter 4 and 5). The combined training studies (n=49) provide some support for improvements in key disease biomarkers following ReHIT, with improvements in insulin sensitivity observed in men, and increased aerobic capacity observed in men and women (Chapter 7). These observations highlight a potential regulatory role for glycogen in exercise-induced adaptation. However, the mean improvements in insulin sensitivity in men were not consistent between the two training studies (Chapter 2 and 6), and there was a high level of variability observed between individuals (Chapter 6 and 7). Therefore, the impact of ReHIT on insulin sensitivity needs to be further explored in the context of a randomised controlled trial, and the mechanisms underpinning the large variability in adaptive response need to be characterised.

Some managers of primary care provider (PCP) facilities lack the strategies to implement electronic health records (EHRs), which could decrease healthcare costs and enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare that patients receive. The purpose of this single-case study was to explore the strategies PCP managers used to implement EHRs to decrease healthcare costs. The population consisted of 5 primary care managers with responsibility for the administration, oversight, and direct working knowledge of EHRs in Central Florida. The conceptual framework was the technology acceptance model. Data were collected from semistructured face-to-face interviews and the review of company documents, including training logs, activity records, and cost information. Methodological triangulation was used to validate the creditability and interpretation of the data in transcribing themes. Three themes emerged from the analysis of study data: implementation of EHRs, costs of implementing EHRs, and perceived usefulness of EHRs. Participants indicated that the implementation of EHRs depended on motivation, financial cost, and the usefulness of EHRs relating to training that reflected user-friendliness. The implications of this study for social change include the potential to lower the cost and improve the efficiency of healthcare for patients. The use of EHR systems could enhance the quality of care delivered to patients through improved accessibility, elimination of duplicative tests, and retrieval of accurate patient information. The use of EHRs can lead to a comprehensive preventative healthcare system resulting in a healthier environment.