Megasatellites are polymorphic tandem repetitive sequences with repeat-units longer than or equal to 1000 base pairs. The novel algorithm Megasatfinder predicts megasatellites in the human genome. A structured method of analysing the algorithm is developed and conducted. The analysis method consists of six test scenarios. Scripts are created, which execute the algorithm using various parameter settings. Three nucleotide sequences are applied; a real sequence extracted from the human genome and two random sequences, generated using different base probabilities. Usability and accuracy are investigated, providing the user with confidence in the algorithm and its output. The results indicate that Megasatfinder is an excellent tool for the detection of megasatellites and that the generated results are highly reliable. The results of the complete analysis suggest alterations in the default parameter settings, presented as user guidelines, and state that artificially generated sequences are not applicable as models for real DNA in computational simulations.

Complex socio-technical systems, like command and control work in military operations and rescue operations, are becoming more and more common in the society, and there is a growing urge for more useful and effective systems. Qualitative data from complex socio-technical systems can be challenging to analyse. This thesis probes one way of enhancing existing analysis methods to better suit this task. Our case study is carried out at FOI (the Swedish Defence Research Agency). One of FOI’s tasks is to analyse complex situations, for example military operations, and they have developed an approach called the Reconstruction – exploration approach (R&E) for analysing distributed tactical operations (DTOs). The R&E approach has a rich contextual approach, but lacks a systematic analytic methodology. The assignment of this thesis is to investigate how the R&E approach could be enhanced and possibly merged with other existing cognitive analysis methods to better suit the analysis of DTOs. We identified that the R&E approach’s main weaknesses were the lack of structure and insufficient way of handling subjective data, which contributed to difficulties when performing a deeper analysis. The approach also needed a well-defined analysis method for increasing the validity of the identified results. One way of improvement was to integrate the R&E approach with several cognitive analysis methods based on their respective individual strengths. We started by analysing the R&E approach and then identified qualities in other methods that complemented the weaknesses in the R&E approach. Finally we developed an integrated method. The Critical Decision Method (CDM) appeared to be the most suitable method for integration with the R&E approach. Nevertheless, the CDM did not have all the qualities asked for so we chose to use functions from other methods included in our initial analysis as well; ETA and Grounded theory. The integration resulted in a method with a well-defined method for analysis and the possibility to handle subjective data. This can contribute to a deeper analysis of DTOs.

The objective of this study was to understand and develop procedures for the use of the AISC 2005 Specification's Direct Analysis Method for the analysis and design of heavy-industry industrial structures, to layout a systematic approach for the engineer to analyze and design using this method, and to determine if there will be any consequences to the practicing engineer in using this method. The relevant 13th Edition AISC stability analysis methods (Effective Length,First-Order, and Direct Analysis Methods) were researched in the 2005 Specification aswell as in available technical literature, and then were critically evaluated by their applicability and limitations. This study will help serve as a guide for the systematic approach for the practicing engineer to apply this method to analyze and design such complex steel frame structures using the computer-aided software called GTSTRUDL. To accomplish this purpose, two analytical models were studied using the Direct Analysis Method. The first model was a simple industrial structure and the second model was a more complex nuclear power plant boiler building.

<p>Megasatellites are polymorphic tandem repetitive sequences with repeat-units longer than or equal to 1000 base pairs. The novel algorithm Megasatfinder predicts megasatellites in the human genome. A structured method of analysing the algorithm is developed and conducted. The analysis method consists of six test scenarios. Scripts are created, which execute the algorithm using various parameter settings. Three nucleotide sequences are applied; a real sequence extracted from the human genome and two random sequences, generated using different base probabilities. Usability and accuracy are investigated, providing the user with confidence in the algorithm and its output. The results indicate that Megasatfinder is an excellent tool for the detection of megasatellites and that the generated results are highly reliable. The results of the complete analysis suggest alterations in the default parameter settings, presented as user guidelines, and state that artificially generated sequences are not applicable as models for real DNA in computational simulations.</p>

A ‘flexibilização do perímetro urbano’ é praticada nos municípios, por intermédio do poder público municipal, ao expandirem significativamente suas ‘zonas urbanas’ através de sucessivas ampliações do perímetro urbano. Essa prática, que está em conformidade com o conjunto da legislação vigente, ocorre segundo interesses políticos e econômicos, possivelmente sob demanda do mercado imobiliário e fundiário. O dimensionamento exagerado da zona urbana viabiliza a ocupação de áreas periféricas, distantes de áreas consolidadas, estimulando o processo de expansão urbana dispersa, cujos efeitos negativos repercutem sobre aspectos sociais, econômicos e ambientais dos municípios. A presente pesquisa desenvolve um estudo de caso em Lajeado / RS, no período entre 1984 e 2016, com o objetivo de investigar as ‘origens’ da flexibilização do perímetro urbano e, posteriormente, examinar suas ‘repercussões’ sobre a expansão urbana do município. O estudo das ‘origens’ investiga fatores associados à flexibilização do perímetro no município, considerando o papel da legislação e dos instrumentos de planejamento e analisando a evolução do crescimento urbano do município. O estudo das ‘repercussões’ investiga em que medida a flexibilização influenciou a expansão urbana de Lajeado, examinando de maneira associada, as ampliações ocorridas no perímetro urbano e a evolução da ‘mancha urbana’ (áreas construídas). A metodologia da pesquisa é estruturada por análises multi-temporais de indicadores demográficos, socioeconômicos e espaciais, implementadas com auxílio de técnicas e ferramentas SIG. A metodologia de análise da expansão urbana envolve procedimentos de classificação de imagens de sensoriamento remoto, utilizados na produção de mapas temáticos de cobertura do solo e de ‘áreas construídas’, posteriormente examinados através de métodos de análises ‘pós-classificação’ e ‘métricas da paisagem’. Os resultados obtidos para Lajeado permitiram demonstrar o rápido crescimento urbano do município no período analisado e, evidenciam que as ampliações do perímetro urbano tiveram influências significativas sobre o processo de expansão urbana, que se tornou mais intenso e apresentou características de dispersão espacial das ‘áreas construídas’. / The 'urban growth boundary flexibilization’ is practiced in the municipalities, by the means of the local public administration, to expand significantly its 'urban zone' through successive expansions of the urban growth boundary. This practice, which is in accordance with the existing legislation, occurs in according to political and economic interests, possibly under real estate and land market demands. The exaggerated urban zone sizing enables the occupation of peripheral areas, far from consolidated areas, stimulating the process of dispersed urban expansion, whose negative effects have an impact on social, economic and environmental aspects of the municipalities. This research develops a case study in Lajeado/RS, in the period between 1984 and 2016, with the objective of investigating the 'origins' of the urban growth boundary flexibilization and then, examine their 'repercussions' on the urban expansion. The study of 'origins' investigates factors associated with the boundary flexibilization in the municipality, considering the role of legislation and planning instruments, and analyzing the evolution of the urban growth. The study of ' repercussions ' investigates to what extent the flexibilization influenced the urban expansion of Lajeado, examining the enlargements that occurred in the urban zone, in association with the evolution of the ‘urban footprint’ (built-up areas). The research methodology is based on multi-temporal analysis of demographic, socioeconomic and spatial indicators, implemented with the support of GIS tools and techniques. The methodology of analysis of the urban expansion involves procedures of remote sensing image classification, used for production of thematic maps of land cover and built-up areas, that are afterward examined with methods of 'posclassification' and 'landscape metrics’ analysis. The results obtained for Lajeado allowed to demonstrate rapid urban growth of the municipality in the analysis period, and showed that the enlargement of the urban growth boundary had significant influences on the process of urban expansion, which became more intense and presented characteristics of spatial dispersion of the built-up areas.

A ‘flexibilização do perímetro urbano’ é praticada nos municípios, por intermédio do poder público municipal, ao expandirem significativamente suas ‘zonas urbanas’ através de sucessivas ampliações do perímetro urbano. Essa prática, que está em conformidade com o conjunto da legislação vigente, ocorre segundo interesses políticos e econômicos, possivelmente sob demanda do mercado imobiliário e fundiário. O dimensionamento exagerado da zona urbana viabiliza a ocupação de áreas periféricas, distantes de áreas consolidadas, estimulando o processo de expansão urbana dispersa, cujos efeitos negativos repercutem sobre aspectos sociais, econômicos e ambientais dos municípios. A presente pesquisa desenvolve um estudo de caso em Lajeado / RS, no período entre 1984 e 2016, com o objetivo de investigar as ‘origens’ da flexibilização do perímetro urbano e, posteriormente, examinar suas ‘repercussões’ sobre a expansão urbana do município. O estudo das ‘origens’ investiga fatores associados à flexibilização do perímetro no município, considerando o papel da legislação e dos instrumentos de planejamento e analisando a evolução do crescimento urbano do município. O estudo das ‘repercussões’ investiga em que medida a flexibilização influenciou a expansão urbana de Lajeado, examinando de maneira associada, as ampliações ocorridas no perímetro urbano e a evolução da ‘mancha urbana’ (áreas construídas). A metodologia da pesquisa é estruturada por análises multi-temporais de indicadores demográficos, socioeconômicos e espaciais, implementadas com auxílio de técnicas e ferramentas SIG. A metodologia de análise da expansão urbana envolve procedimentos de classificação de imagens de sensoriamento remoto, utilizados na produção de mapas temáticos de cobertura do solo e de ‘áreas construídas’, posteriormente examinados através de métodos de análises ‘pós-classificação’ e ‘métricas da paisagem’. Os resultados obtidos para Lajeado permitiram demonstrar o rápido crescimento urbano do município no período analisado e, evidenciam que as ampliações do perímetro urbano tiveram influências significativas sobre o processo de expansão urbana, que se tornou mais intenso e apresentou características de dispersão espacial das ‘áreas construídas’. / The 'urban growth boundary flexibilization’ is practiced in the municipalities, by the means of the local public administration, to expand significantly its 'urban zone' through successive expansions of the urban growth boundary. This practice, which is in accordance with the existing legislation, occurs in according to political and economic interests, possibly under real estate and land market demands. The exaggerated urban zone sizing enables the occupation of peripheral areas, far from consolidated areas, stimulating the process of dispersed urban expansion, whose negative effects have an impact on social, economic and environmental aspects of the municipalities. This research develops a case study in Lajeado/RS, in the period between 1984 and 2016, with the objective of investigating the 'origins' of the urban growth boundary flexibilization and then, examine their 'repercussions' on the urban expansion. The study of 'origins' investigates factors associated with the boundary flexibilization in the municipality, considering the role of legislation and planning instruments, and analyzing the evolution of the urban growth. The study of ' repercussions ' investigates to what extent the flexibilization influenced the urban expansion of Lajeado, examining the enlargements that occurred in the urban zone, in association with the evolution of the ‘urban footprint’ (built-up areas). The research methodology is based on multi-temporal analysis of demographic, socioeconomic and spatial indicators, implemented with the support of GIS tools and techniques. The methodology of analysis of the urban expansion involves procedures of remote sensing image classification, used for production of thematic maps of land cover and built-up areas, that are afterward examined with methods of 'posclassification' and 'landscape metrics’ analysis. The results obtained for Lajeado allowed to demonstrate rapid urban growth of the municipality in the analysis period, and showed that the enlargement of the urban growth boundary had significant influences on the process of urban expansion, which became more intense and presented characteristics of spatial dispersion of the built-up areas.

The Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a complex system tasked with ensuring the safety of navigation within specified areas known as VTS areas. Earlier research in the domain has often focused on the decision support systems and other tools employed by the VTS operators to provide the vessels in the area with VTS services. Consequently, less effort has gone into looking at the system itself and the human factors aspects of the system. This study uses the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) to create a functional model of the VTS. It looks at how a VTS works, what the different components are and how these components are related. The main purpose of the FRAM model is to serve as a basis for future application by identifying the functions that constitute the system, and to illuminate the potential variability therein. To demonstrate how it might be used, an instantiation of an observed scenario will be presented. A structural description of the VTS is also presented, which aims to serve as an introduction to the domain for readers who are previously unfamiliar with it. The functional model shows that a lot of the potential variability seems to lie in the functions that rely heavily on human interaction, which is to be expected, as human performance is highly variable. It also shows that the availability and reliability of relevant information is crucial in order to be able to provide the VTS services, and if the information for some reason is unavailable or insufficient it seems likely to cause variability.

This thesis described mechanical tests with monitoring of camera. The aim of this work is to obtain additional information about material behavior during the test. The mechanical tests were monitored high-definition (HD) digital video-camera and camera with high resolution. The method was applied to the tensile test and Pennsylvania notch test (PENT test). The videorecordings were processed with the assistance image analysis method. The marks were placed on both of these specimens, mutual movement these marks were used to obtain following characteristics. It was Poisson’s ratio and true stress by tensile test. By PENT test it was rate growth crack. The investigated material was elastomeric polyurethane filled by biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate for tensile test. Second material was polypropylene for PENT test. The camera is adding to the test gives extended information about the material and better interpretation results.

The subject of the thesis "The impact of construction investment on the company" is to evaluate the economic results of selected companies through financial indicators and showing its impact on the company financial plan. The first part focuses on theoretical background in construction investment. The second part is devoted to financial analysis of the 2010-2015 periods and commenting on the results of the methods used. In the accounting statements and financial plans, it is also described construction investment, its implementation and the impact on construction investments.

<p>  </p> <p>Food safety educators and specialists are committed to closing the food safety education gap among different actors in the supply chain, from farm to fork. To accomplish it, they have to understand the needs of the target population to disseminate information and develop interventions. This thesis is divided into three case studies to explore needs assessments (Ch. 1 and 2) and program evaluation (Ch. 3). The first needs assessment (Ch.1) was developed due to a recent multistate outbreak linked to dried wood ear mushrooms. This study evaluated YouTube video content on the preparation of different wood ear mushrooms dishes and investigated the food safety risk associated with the handling practices. Practices such as rehydration procedures were identified as key food safety risk factors that need future exploration. The second needs assessment (Ch.2) was developed due to the impact of small- and medium-sized farms on USA agriculture. This study aimed to understand consumers’ perceptions and expectations of produce from small- and medium-sized farms and their desire to pay a premium price for food safety information. The findings showed that consumers perceived the produce from these farms to be fresher and of higher quality. Also, they considered food safety as a minimum quality standard and valued produce safety information. Finally, multiple needs assessments have shown that low-income populations, including minority groups, have unique barriers to adopting food safety practices. The third study (Ch.3) evaluated a dialogue-based virtual food safety program for English- and Spanish-speaking low-income populations using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Findings suggest that the TPB helped to discern the behavior change intentions of this population and showed that the intervention was able to increase participants’ knowledge, attitudes toward the behavior, perceived behavioral control (PBC), subjective norms, and behavior change intentions. Future work could modify the program to fit other minority populations in the USA.</p>