This thesis studies the feasibility and methodology of applying state-of-the-art computer technology in scientific workflow modelling, within a collaborative environment. The collaborative environment also indicates that the people involved include non-computer scientists or engineers from other disciplines. The objective of this research is to provide a systematic methodology based on a web environment for the purpose of lowering the barriers brought by the heterogeneous features of multi-institutions, multi-platforms and geographically distributed resources which are implied in the collaborative environment of scientific workflow.

A short wakeful rest immediately after new learning boosts verbal memory retention over several minutes. This memory boost is observed both in healthy people and in patients with amnesia, including patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Wakeful resting is hypothesized to boost memory by protecting the memory consolidation (strengthening) process from interfering sensory stimulation. The effect of a short wakeful rest immediately after new learning has, to this stage, been tested only over standard retention intervals (≤1 hour). The objectives of this PhD project were to: 1.) examine whether a short wakeful rest immediately after learning boosts memory over a longer retention interval (7 days) in healthy older adults (Experiment 1, Experiment 2) and aMCI/mild AD patients (Experiment 3) 2.) investigate whether intentional rehearsal is necessary and sufficient to boost memory during wakeful rest, over both short-term (15-minute) and long-term (7-day) delays (Experiment 4, 5 and 6) 3.) compare the effect of a short post-learning rest on retention as assessed via cued recall, free recall and recognition, both over short delays (15 minutes) and long delays (7 days and 4 weeks) (Experiments 4,5 and 7) 4.) examine whether a short wakeful rest immediately after learning boosts retention of real-life-like stimuli (face/name paired associates) in healthy older adults and aMCI/mild AD patients (Experiment 8, Experiment 9) In order to accomplish these aims, several samples of healthy adults and amnesic patients were tested, utilising a range of experimental designs. In all experiments, the learning of new material was followed immediately (i) by a brief wakeful rest, or (ii) by a cognitively demanding task. A delayed memory test took place after a range of intervals. The results demonstrate a pronounced memory enhancement over 15-30 minutes and 7 days in aMCI/mild AD patients via a short post-learning wakeful rest. A similar, albeit less pronounced 7-day memory benefit via post-learning wakeful rest was found in healthy older adults. Moreover, it was found that post-learning wakeful resting boosted 7-day recognition memory in healthy older adults, even when the learned material could not be rehearsed intentionally. Although intentional rehearsal did provide a 7-day memory improvement in healthy older adults, the present results indicate that it is not necessary in order to enhance long-term recognition memory via wakeful resting. The long-lived memory benefit gained via post-learning wakeful rest was shown to last at least 4 weeks in healthy adults, and free recall tests were more sensitive to the post-learning delay manipulation than cued recall tests. Finally, healthy controls and aMCI/mild AD patients who were able to learn face/name pairs showed enhanced 30-minute retention of these stimuli following wakeful rest conditions. The present findings demonstrate that both clinical and non-clinical populations are able to retain more new information over long periods, if the time interval immediately after new learning is devoid of further sensory stimulation. These results contribute to a growing body of literature stipulating that minimizing sensory stimulation frees early memory consolidation resources, allowing for superior offline consolidation of verbal material over a standard (≤1 hour) interval. The findings of this thesis extend this hypothesis over (i) a longer interval and (ii) to real-life-like stimuli, and these results are examined in light of memory consolidation theory. Implications of the premise of retroactive interference as a mechanism of longer-term forgetting are discussed.

O protocolo de treinamento de força (TF) 3x15:88s (sériesxrepetições:pausa entre as séries) é usualmente recomendado para hipertensos. Durante a execução dos protocolos de TF a pressão arterial (PA) se eleva expressivamente, o que pode gerar um risco de eventos cardiovasculares indesejados ao hipertenso. A manipulação da densidade de treinamento pode ser uma forma de amenizar esses picos de PA sem alterar o volume ou a intensidade do protocolo de TF. Objetivo: Comparar o efeito agudo da execução de dois protocolos de TF equalizados em densidade sobre as respostas cardiovasculares em hipertensos medicados. Materiais e Métodos: 12 hipertensos essenciais (48±8 anos) executaram dois protocolos de TF equalizados em densidade em dias diferentes e de forma aleatória: A)- 3x15:88s e B)- 9x5:22s com a intensidade de 50%1RM, em dois diferentes exercícios, extensão bilateral de joelhos (EBJ) e flexão unilateral de cotovelo (FUC). Os dois protocolos continham o mesmo número de repetições (45rep) e a mesma duração total de pausa (176s). A PA e frequência cardíaca (FC) foram constantemente monitoradas. Também foi medida a concentração de lactato, a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e a de recuperação (PSR). Resultados: A ANOVA de dois fatores (protocolo e tempo) revelou maiores deltas de PA sistólica (PAS) no protocolo 3x15:88s tanto no EBJ (+84±39 vs +67±20 mmHg) quanto no FUC (+46±25 vs +37±18 mmHg). Já a PA diastólica (+58±37 vs +39±13 mmHg) também foi maior no protocolo 3x15:88s, mas apenas no EBJ. O protocolo 3x15:88s apresentou maior PSE no EBJ e maior concentração de lactato no FUC. Além disso, os dois protocolos de TF geraram o mesmo estresse cardiovascular médio demonstrado pelo cálculo da área sob a curva de PA a cada batimento cardíaco. Conclusão: O protocolo 9x5:22s foi mais eficaz em reduzir o pico de PA do que o protocolo com característica aos recomendados aos hipertensos. Assim, a aplicação desse protocolo reduz o risco de eventos cardiovasculares indesejados / resistance exercise (RE) protocol composed of 3x15:88s (setsxreps:rest) is usually recommended for hypertensive individuals. During the execution of RE protocols, the blood pressure (BP) rises significantly, which can generate a high risk of cardiovascular events. Manipulation of the work:rest ratio may be a strategy to decrease BP peaks without altering the total work provided by the RE protocol. Objective: To compare the acute effect of two RE protocols equated by work : rest ratio on cardiovascular responses in medicated hypertensive volunteers. Materials and Methods: 12 subjects (48±8 y) performed two RE protocols equated by work:rest ratio on different days and in random order: A)- 3x15:88s and B)- 9x5:22s with the intensity of 50%1RM in two different exercises, bilateral knee extension (BKE) and unilateral elbow flexion (UEF). The two RE protocols contained the same number of reps (45 reps) and the same total rest duration (176s). Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Blood lactate concentration, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and rate of perceived recovery (RPR) were also measured. Results: The two-way ANOVA (protocol and time) revealed higher systolic BP delta (SBP) in the 3x15:88s protocol in both BKE (+84±39 vs. +67±20 mmHg) and UEF (+46±25 vs. +37±18 mmHg) exercises. The diastolic BP (DBP) was higher in the 3x15:88s protocol only in the BKE (+58±37 vs 39±13 mmHg). In addition, the 3x15:88s protocol showed higher RPE in the BKE and higher lactate concentration in the UEF. Furthermore, the two protocols generate the same mean cardiovascular stress demonstrate by the blood pressure area under the curve. Conclusion: The protocol 9x5:22s was more effective in reducing the peak of BP than a protocol with the characteristics recommended to hypertensive patients (3x15:88s). Thus, the application of this protocol reduces the risk of cardiovascular events

The areas of study in the Proof thesis contain research on the play, the playwright, and the acting style utilized in the performance and character analysis. The acting style in this process focuses on the actor’s creative work in preparation of portraying a female character. This character is a controlling woman that is unable to manipulate others. By using relaxation techniques involving the Alexander Technique, the actor was able to transition into the character with honest emotions and motives. Finding similarities to the character by using personal relationships gave the actor the ability to discover connections with the character in portrayal. These connections are used to motivate the actor’s process in creating an authentic character. The results are found through the actor’s reflections and performances. The findings show discipline and routine in the actor’s process to portray the character.

The purposes of this study were to examine the effect of ballistic concentric-only half-squats (COHS) on subsequent squat-jump (SJ) performances at various rest intervals and to examine the relationships between changes in SJ performance and bilateral symmetry at peak performance. Thirteen resistance-trained men performed an SJ immediately and every minute up to 10 min on dual force plates after 2 ballistic COHS repetitions at 90% of their 1-repetition-maximum COHS. SJ peak force, peak power, net impulse, and rate of force development (RFD) were compared using a series of 1-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. The percent change in performance at which peak performance occurred for each variable was correlated with the symmetry index scores at the corresponding time point using Pearson correlation coefficients. Statistical differences in peak power (P = .031) existed between rest intervals; however, no statistically significant pairwise comparisons were present (P > .05). No statistical differences in peak force (P = .201), net impulse (P = .064), and RFD (P = .477) were present between rest intervals. The relationships between changes in SJ performance and bilateral symmetry after the rest interval that produced the greatest performance for peak force (r = .300, P = .319), peak power (r = –.041, P = .894), net impulse (r = –.028, P = .927), and RFD (r = –.434, P = .138) were not statistically significant. Ballistic COHS may enhance SJ performance; however, the changes in performance were not related to bilateral symmetry.

Hospitals are the largest and most complex organizations where health care is provided. Safe and effective patient care services in hospitals depend on the efficient decisions made by hospital executives. The main task of hospital executives is to ensure the hospital can provide high quality patient care and services. “Android Mobile Application For Hospital Executives” is an Android application used for displaying hospital performance metrics on a daily basis. This application allows hospital executives to review and monitor hospital operational data with ease of access and in a portable manner. Thus, reducing the effort of the hospital executives to perform their tasks.

Title: A time motion analysis of lead climbing of elite climbers in the competition route of Czech Cup. Objectives: The aim of this works is to perform time motion analysis of lead climbing of elite climbers in the competition route of Czech Cup. Methods: Data were collected by video recording. Observation criteria were set (total time, holding, quickdraw clipping, rest and chalking). 8 climbers were measured on the 10- UIAA difficulty route. Results: The average climbing time was 203 ± 32,6 s, the average holding time was 7,1 ± 0,8 s (total 161,3 ± 29,2 s), the average rets period was 1,2 ± 0,4 s (total 6,5 ± 3,3 s), the average quickdraw clipping time was 2,3 ± 0,4 s (total 24,9 ± 4,6 s), the average chalking time was 2,1 ± 0,6 s (total 16 ± 3,7 s) and the average hand-transfer time was 0,9 ± 0,2 s (total 38,4 ± 9,1 s). Climbers climbed 4,8 meters per minute. Conclusions: The static part almost four times prevails the dynamic part. There were no significant differences between right and left hand in our measurements. Keywords: holding, loading, rest, static phase, dynamic phase

<p>The overarching purpose of the current thesis was to assess the long term effects of a treatment program involving flotation-REST for the experience of pain, from the point of view of variables connected with Melzack´s neuromatrix theory, and to examine the extent of a potential attention-placebo effect in connection with flotation-REST.</p><p>The first study (Paper I) aimed to investigate long-term effects of flotation-REST four months after treatment. Seventy patients participated, diagnosed as having stress-related pain. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a flotation-REST group and participated in a total of twelve flotation REST or control sessions. Results indicated that pain areas, stress, anxiety and depression decreased, while sleep quality, optimism, and prolactin increased. Positive effects generally maintained four months after treatment. The second (Paper II) examined the potential effects of attention-placebo. Thirty-two patients who were diagnosed as having stress-related muscular pain were treated for a period of six weeks. Half of the patients were also given attention for a period of 12 weeks, while the remainder received attention for 6 weeks. Participants in both groups exhibited lowered blood pressure, reduced pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affectivity, as well as increased optimism, energy, and positive affectivity. The third (Paper III) investigated whether or not 33 flotation sessions were more effective for stress related ailments as compared to 12 sessions. Participants were 37 patients with stress related ailments. Analyzes for subjective pain and psychological variables typically indicated that 12 sessions were enough to get considerably improvements and no further improvements were noticed after 33 sessions. Finally, the fourth study (Paper IV) aimed to examine whether and how the combination of therapy and flotation tank could be used to treat patients with severe stress problems. Two women on long-term sick-leave participated in the study, which was carried out over a period of one year. Four overarching themes were generated: the therapeutic work model, transformation of feelings, self-insight and meaning. These together constituted a “therapeutic circle” which after a while transformed in to a “therapeutic spiral” of increased meaning and enhanced wellbeing.</p><p>It was therefore concluded that flotation tank therapy is an effective method for the treatment of stress-related pain.</p>

The overarching purpose of the current thesis was to assess the long term effects of a treatment program involving flotation-REST for the experience of pain, from the point of view of variables connected with Melzack´s neuromatrix theory, and to examine the extent of a potential attention-placebo effect in connection with flotation-REST. The first study (Paper I) aimed to investigate long-term effects of flotation-REST four months after treatment. Seventy patients participated, diagnosed as having stress-related pain. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a flotation-REST group and participated in a total of twelve flotation REST or control sessions. Results indicated that pain areas, stress, anxiety and depression decreased, while sleep quality, optimism, and prolactin increased. Positive effects generally maintained four months after treatment. The second (Paper II) examined the potential effects of attention-placebo. Thirty-two patients who were diagnosed as having stress-related muscular pain were treated for a period of six weeks. Half of the patients were also given attention for a period of 12 weeks, while the remainder received attention for 6 weeks. Participants in both groups exhibited lowered blood pressure, reduced pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affectivity, as well as increased optimism, energy, and positive affectivity. The third (Paper III) investigated whether or not 33 flotation sessions were more effective for stress related ailments as compared to 12 sessions. Participants were 37 patients with stress related ailments. Analyzes for subjective pain and psychological variables typically indicated that 12 sessions were enough to get considerably improvements and no further improvements were noticed after 33 sessions. Finally, the fourth study (Paper IV) aimed to examine whether and how the combination of therapy and flotation tank could be used to treat patients with severe stress problems. Two women on long-term sick-leave participated in the study, which was carried out over a period of one year. Four overarching themes were generated: the therapeutic work model, transformation of feelings, self-insight and meaning. These together constituted a “therapeutic circle” which after a while transformed in to a “therapeutic spiral” of increased meaning and enhanced wellbeing. It was therefore concluded that flotation tank therapy is an effective method for the treatment of stress-related pain.

Usage of smart phones has become more common nowadays. Timelog system is a user friendly and web based application which systemizes the business of a company with the focus on time tracking. Following the Timelog system from small screen of smart phones is not user-friendly because the Timelog application and its features have not been designed to be accessed from these devices. The solution is creating a smart phone client for the Timelog system which can connect to the database of the system. An appropriate approach is to design a Web Service as an intermediate layer to communicate between the client side and the database.The result is a smart phone client that can be used by users of Timelog system to manage their business when they use their mobiles instead of personal computers. The Web Service can also be used for other smart phone platforms. As a result it can be considered as a generic protocol for the mobile-user of Timelog system.