Rare events play a crucial role in our society and a great effort has been dedicated to numerically study them in different contexts. This thesis proposes a numerical methodology based on Monte Carlo Metropolis-Hastings algorithm to efficiently sample rare events in chaotic systems. It starts by reviewing the relevance of rare events in chaotic systems, focusing in two types of rare events: states in closed systems with rare chaoticities, characterised by a finite-time Lyapunov exponent on a tail of its distribution, and states in transiently chaotic systems, characterised by a escape time on the tail of its distribution. This thesis argues that these two problems can be interpreted as a traditional problem of statistical physics: sampling exponentially rare states in the phase-space - states in the tail of the density of states - with an increasing parameter - the system size. This is used as the starting point to review Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, a traditional and flexible methodology of importance sampling in statistical physics. By an analytical argument, it is shown that the chaoticity of the system hinders direct application of Metropolis-Hastings techniques to efficiently sample these states because the acceptance is low. It is argued that a crucial step to overcome low acceptance rate is to construct a proposal distribution that uses information about the system to bound the acceptance rate. Using generic properties of chaotic systems, such as exponential divergence of initial conditions and fractals embedded in their phase-spaces, a proposal distribution that guarantees a bounded acceptance rate is derived for each type of rare events. This proposal is numerically tested in simple chaotic systems, and the efficiency of the resulting algorithm is measured in numerous examples in both types of rare events. The results confirm the dramatic improvement of using Monte Carlo importance sampling with the derived proposals against traditional methodologies: the number of samples required to sample an exponentially rare state increases polynomially, as opposed to an exponential increase observed in uniform sampling. This thesis then analyses the sub-optimal (polynomial) efficiency of this algorithm in a simple system and shows analytically how the correlations induced by the proposal distribution can be detrimental to the efficiency of the algorithm. This thesis also analyses the effect of high-dimensional chaos in the proposal distribution and concludes that an anisotropic proposal that takes advantage of the different rates of expansion along the different unstable directions, is able to efficiently find rare states. The applicability of this methodology is also discussed to sample rare states in non-hyperbolic systems, with focus on three systems: the logistic map, the Pomeau-Manneville map, and the standard map. Here, it is argued that the different origins of non-hyperbolicity require different proposal distributions. Overall, the results show that by incorporating specific information about the system in the proposal distribution of Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, it is possible to efficiently find and sample rare events of chaotic systems. This improved methodology should be useful to a large class of problems where the numerical characterisation of rare events is important.

The Alzheimer's Disease Life Events study examines whether there is a relationship between life events and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ADLE study uses a mixed methods approach to answer the central research question:Are life events a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease? The central research question uses the following theory questions to examine:1. Is there a difference between the number of life events between patients and controls, using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS)(Brown and Harris, 1978) as a measurement tool?2. Is there a difference in the way (i.e. positive, neutral and negative) life events are discussed and in the range of emotions expressed when discussing life events between the patients and controls? 3. Are there any differences in the narrative constructions of life events, as interpreted by the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM)(Wengraf, 2001, 2008) between the patient and control groups? 4. Can the differences, between the patient and control groups, in the narratives be developed into a diagnostic marker? 5. Can the Emotion Word Coding (EWC)(Danner et aI., 2000) be used as a diagnostic marker by being applied to text collected from patients and controls over a period of decades? The ADLE study found that the patient group had experienced more life events in comparison with the control group as defined by the LEOS (Brown and Harris, 1978), and that the patient group had experienced more bereavements under the age of 51 years. The evidence supports the association between life events and AD.Even though there were significantly more life events experienced by the patients, the EWC (Danner et aI., 2001) found significantly fewer discussions expressing emotion bythe patients, particularly the negatively described ones. The range of negative and positive words used to describe the life events was significantly fewer too. This implies that the ways the patients express emotions about life events is substantially different from the controls. This finding was mirrored in the thematic field analysis of the BNIM interviews (Wengraf, 2001, 2008), which found differences in the content and structure of the narratives, and the emotional expression in the narratives about life events. A tool has been constructed using the differences between patients and controls to contribute to the early diagnosis of AD. In addition, the ADLE study has contributed to a gap in the knowledge about life events and AD.

The current investigation examined the singular and interactive effects of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and perceived control over anxiety-related events in the prediction of panic symptoms using a biological challenge paradigm. Two hundred and twenty-nine participants (mage = 21.02, SD = 7.55, 124 females) were recruited from the greater Burlington, Vermont community. Results indicated that pre-challenge AS, but not perceived control over anxiety-related events, significantly predicted post-challenge panic attack symptoms, anxiety focused on bodily sensations, and interest in returning for another challenge (behavioral avoidance). There were no interactive effects between AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events. For the physiological measures, pre-challenge AS was predictive of change in skin conductance level (pre-post challenge), and pre-challenge perceived control over anxiety-related events was predictive of change in respiration rate (breathes per minute). No significant effects were evident for heart rate and there were no significant interactive effects between AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events for any of the physiological variables. Findings of the investigation are discussed in relation to the role of AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events in terms of vulnerability for panic psychopathology.

The experiences of some children participating in the demanding and intensive world of elite sport appear to compromise one of the primary aims of both childhood and parenthood, which should be for children to arrive on the threshold of adulthood with their futures open and unlimited. A body of evidence in the medical and socio-psychologicalliterature contends that child athletes participating in elite sport are being harmed physically, psychologically, and socially by the intensive training and competition practices required of athletes in sports such as women's gymnastics, figure skating, and others. Participation by children in the highest levels of sport change attitudes and impels behaviours in ways that are unique in their extent and devastating in their consequences. As the varying and often conflicting agendas of athletes, parents, coaches, agents, and sporting bureaucracies come into conflict, considerations of care and regard for the athletes become down played or even ignored, resulting in these young athletes being harmed, and their futures compromised. Children are characterised by their vulnerability, naivety, and inability to formulate their own life-plans, necessitating a degree of parental paternalism in their relationships with adults. This paternalism is justified by the child's dependency on others for protection, and for developing the necessary skills for self-sufficiency and self-determination secured through their burgeoning autonomy as they advance towards adulthood. Under law, parents are given primary responsibility for the health and welfare of their children, because they are ideally situated to determine their child's best interests. In sport, this responsibility is regularly transferred from the parents to the coach and other involved adults. Unfortunately, however, children may be exploited by the very individuals who are entrusted with their care and nurturance. A further body of evidence claims the inescapability of paternalism in relationships between adults and children in elite sport has been exploited: it is disrespectful of the child's burgeoning autonomy, and jeopardises his or her right to an open future. The child's right to an open future is an autonomy right-in-trust saved until he or she is more fully formed and capable of exercising self-determination. This right may be violated in advance of adulthood by foreclosure of options. In this thesis, I argue that elite sport children require a form of paternalism that protects their interests while at the same time is autonomy-respectful. This is actualised by a bifurcated rights system, which works towards securing non-harmful sports practices and preventing the premature foreclosure of life opportunities for elite child athletes post-sport.

Most surgeries and many medical procedures commonly make use of some form of anesthesia to maximize patient comfort and safety. However, all are associated with risks. Obesity and related health care problems are relatively common in anesthesia and also have a negative effect on morbidity and mortality. Trends in pediatric obesity show increases in both the prevalence and risks for the development of other disease. Using the 1997 through 2009 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), this study will assess diagnostic codes to identify complications related to anesthesia in the obese pediatric population. Information gained from this study may serve to advance research and the development of anesthetic techniques to improve both safety and overall health for this population.

This thesis examines Britain’s relationship with the Olympic Games between 1908 and 1920, a period which witnesses Britain’s first serious entrance into the Olympics and the development of the Olympic Games into the movement which it is today. This thesis uses the British media as the primary source to analyse and examine the development of the nation’s attitudes and identities towards the Olympics. The Games of this period, from London (1908), Stockholm (1912), Antwerp (1920), along with the preparations for the aborted 1916 Berlin Olympics are considered. The reaction to the British performance at each of the Olympics is the main focus of the research. There is also extensive examination into the periods in between the Games, as at this time the most plentiful discussion regarding the British approach appears, particularly that after the Stockholm Olympics. In an attempt to create a well rounded picture of how the Olympics are perceived across Britain, sections of the press in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been examined. Throughout the thesis there are reoccurring themes that appear. British perspectives towards the Olympics and their own identity are considered, and throughout there is analysis regarding this. Athletics is at the centre of British Olympic involvement, but field events are viewed as a poorer cousin to track events by those in England in particular, this thesis examines this identity. The period of this thesis is prominently remembered for the First World War, and consequently the relationship between Britain and Germany from an Olympic perspective is examined.

Title: Principles of safety measures of sports events organizers without the involvement of police Objectives: The aim of this thesis is a description of security measures at sporting events organizers. Methods: The thesis theoretical style is focused on searching for available sources of study and research, and writing their summary comparing safety measures of the organizers. Results: This work describes the activities of the organizers of sports events and precautions that must be provided prior to each sports organizer game. The work includes development of both selected sports, a description of spectator violence and groups on spectator violence most often involved. Keywords: safety, organizer, sports events, violence, viewer

Title: Trends in performance development in combined events. Objectives: The aim of this work was to investigate trends of the performance development in combined events during 2005-2014 based on results of top level competitions and interindividual variability of the point structure of individual combined events athletes. Methods: In this work we used the method of comparison and analysis of the performance development in combined events. Results: The trend of the performance in combined events did not change. Combined events are dominated by athletes with excellent sprint-jumping performances without significant weaknesses in throwing disciplines. The evenness of women opponents is more evident than among men. Slight progression in men's decathlon ocurred in the years 2012-2014 because of the high scores of Ashton Eaton's winning performances. Carolina Klüft dominated women heptathlon in the years 2005-2007, but the average score among heptathletes did not increase. In indoor pentathlon, the development was slightly progressive until 2012. Average scores of pentathletes were similar to the winning performances showing high evenness of opponents. Point structures of five selected male and female athletes (of top performance level) in the observed time period show understandable differences from...

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Educational Leadership / Kakali Bhattacharya / Royce Ann Collins / How can an adult make meaning from and develop through experiences of mental illness, spiritual awareness, and death? The purpose of this autoethnographic bildungsroman is to explore how a male in the general population describes how life events have influenced his identity development over a period of 23 years, spanning three decades. The researcher-participant asks two primary questions: 1) How does the individual describe his adult development in terms of life events or “individual and cultural episodes” (Smith & Taylor, 2010, p. 52) related to mental illness, spiritual awareness, and death over time? and 2) How does the individual describe his possible selves in constructing a new sense of identity? Addressing these questions contributes to the literature of adult and continuing education by providing a glimpse into stories of lived experiences over time in the light of adult development.

In 2006, Steven Oakley, an eighteen-year-old high school senior from Pennsylvania, is bribed by his father to go on a volunteer trip to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana. During his time, he meets a broken family whose experiences change Steven’s perspective on his own privileged life.