The current study evaluated the methods outlined in the Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge Relational Training System Transformation Module (PEAK-T). Researches evaluated the validity and efficacy of the PEAK-T assessment at identifying skill deficits as well as its ability to identify appropriate intervention to target those deficits. Additionally, the current study evaluated the efficacy and validity of the methods as outline by the PEAK-T curriculum at teaching target skills. The PEAK-T assessment was conducted to identify three programs for each of the participants. Baseline probes of three boys with autism suggested that programs identified by the PEAK-T assessment were not in their repertories prior to treatment. Following treatment each of the participants was able to achieve mastery of all three programs this included directly trained as well as derived relations. The PEAK-T assessment was run following the intervention, all participants exhibited an increase in total PEAK-T score.

In the last years, the amount of available data in the field of computational biology steadily increased. In order to be able to analyze these data, various algorithms have been developed by bioinformaticians to process them efficiently. Moreover, computational models were developed to predict for instance biological relationships of species. Furthermore, the prediction of properties like the structure of certain biological molecules is modeled by complex algorithms. Despite these advances in handling such complicated tasks with automated workflows and a huge variety of freely available tools, the expert still needs to supervise the data analysis pipeline inspecting the quality of both the input data and the results. Additionally, choosing appropriate parameters of a model is quite involved. Visual support puts the expert into the data analysis loop by providing visual encodings of the data and the analysis results together with interaction facilities. In order to meet the requirements of the experts, the visualizations usually have to be adapted for the application purpose or completely new representations have to be developed. Furthermore, it is necessary to combine these visualizations with the algorithms of the experts to prepare the data. These in-situ visualizations are needed due to the amount of data handled within the analysis pipeline in this domain. In this thesis, algorithms and visualizations are presented that were developed in two different research areas of computational biology. On the one hand, the multi-replicate peak-caller Sierra Platinum was developed, which is capable of predicting significant regions of histone modifications occurring in genomes based on experimentally generated input data. This algorithm can use several input data sets simultaneously to calculate statistically meaningful results. Multiple quality measurements and visualizations were integrated into to the data analysis pipeline to support the analyst. Based on these in-situ visualizations, the analyst can modify the parameters of the algorithm to obtain the best results for a given input data set. Furthermore, Sierra Platinum and related algorithms were benchmarked against an artificial data set to evaluate the performance under specific conditions of the input data set, e.g., low read quality or undersequenced data. It turned out that Sierra Platinum achieved the best results in every test scenario. Additionally, the performance of Sierra Platinum was evaluated with experimental data confirming existing knowledge. It should be noticed that the results of the other algorithms seemed to contradict this knowledge. On the other hand, this thesis describes two new visualizations for RNA secondary structures. First, the interactive dot plot viewer iDotter is described that is able to visualize RNA secondary structure predictions as a web service. Several interaction techniques were implemented that support the analyst exploring RNA secondary structure dot plots. iDotter provides an API to share or archive annotated dot plots. Additionally, the API enables the embedding of iDotter in existing data analysis pipelines. Second, the algorithm RNApuzzler is presented that generates (outer-)planar graph drawings for all RNA secondary structure predictions. Previously presented algorithms failed in always producing crossing-free graphs. First, several drawing constraints were derived from the literature. Based on these, the algorithm RNAturtle was developed that did not always produced planar drawings. Therefore, some drawing constraints were relaxed and additional drawing constraints were established. Building on these modified constraints, RNApuzzler was developed. It takes the drawing generated by RNAturtle as an input and resolves the possible intersections of the graph. Due to the resolving mechanism, modified loops can become very large during the intersection resolving step. Therefore, an optimization was developed. During a post-processing step the radii of the heavily modified loops are reduced to a minimum. Based on the constraints and the intersection resolving mechanism, it can be shown that RNApuzzler is able to produce planar drawings for any RNA secondary structure. Finally, the results of RNApuzzler are compared to other algorithms.

Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the difference in peak force (PF) production with and without the inclusion of lifting straps (LS) during an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). An additional goal of this study was to identify potential asymmetry during the two protocols while evaluating the potential use of a dual force plate IMTP as a tool for player monitoring programs. Methods: Twenty-one NCAA division I men (n=10) and women (n=11) soccer players performed a maximal IMTP over dual force plates with and without the assistance of LS. The PF total between the two plates for both conditions was used to examine the effect of LS. Asymmetry was assessed by the PF of the separate force plates by calculation of a symmetry index (SI). Results: The PF achieved with the assistance of LS was significantly greater for males (strapped: 2102.3±506.2N, unstrapped: 1468.6±286.0N; p 1105.0±294.7N, unstrapped: 940.6±155.7N; pConclusion: The inclusion of LS on the IMTP allowed for a significantly greater PF production for male and female soccer athletes. However, the increase in PF with the inclusion of LS was greater in the males who saw a large effect size (d=1.959, pp=0.024). Both male and female soccer players possessed some level of asymmetry that did increase with the inclusion of LS, but no significant difference was found between conditions.

Twenty Virginia Tech varsity football players, age 18-24, volunteered as subjects to examine the effects of wearing prophylatic knee sleeves/ braces on selected isokinetic measures (i.e. strength, power and endurance). Each subject performed the Biodex (Multi-Joint System 2AP) knee extension test in each of three experimental conditions: sleeved with the Don Joy Knee support (S-DJ); braced with the McDavid lateral knee support (B-MD); and the control, unsupported condition (C-UN). The order of experimental conditions and the specific knee tested were randomized. The subjects were administered a Biodex knee extension test at 60 deg/sec, 210 deg/sec, and 450 deg/sec. The test protocol consisted of five maximal repetitions at 60 deg/sec, twenty maximal repetitions at 210 deg/sec and thirty maximal repetitions at 450 deg/sec. The following isokinetic measures were recorded: (1) peak torque to body weight ratio at 60 deg/sec. (2) work to fatigue ratio at 210º and 450 deg/sec. (3) average power at 210º and 450 deg/sec, and (4) range of motion at 60º, 210º, and 450 deg/sec. One way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant difference ( p > .03 ) in peak torque to body weight ratio treatment groups; work to fatique ratio, average power and range of motion revealed no significant diference among the three experimental conditions. The investigator concluded that prophylatic knee sleeves/braces effects peak torque to body weight ratio; the effect of different levels of condition does not depend on what level of speed is present for work to fatigue, average power and range of motion. / Master of Science

This study compared peak force, peak power, peak velocity, impulse, work, and vertical displacement between the high bar back squat (HBBS) and low bar back squat (LBBS). Six trained males performed each using 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% of their recent training 1 repetition maximum. Dual force plates recorded force-time curve characteristics of ground reaction forces and four potentiometers tracked vertical and horizontal barbell displacement. Repeated–measures analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect for load (p<0.01) across all variables, but no significant effects for condition or interaction. The HBBS generated higher peak force in loads 20%–80%, higher peak power in loads 20%–60% and 80%–90%, higher peak velocity at every load, and greater vertical displacement at every load. The LBBS generated a larger impulse at loads 30%-90% and the HBBS generated more work at loads 20%, 40%, and 60%–90%.

Lithium and neodymium are two critical materials in our modern society, many technological solutions depend on them. Lithium is used in batteries, which are used in cars and portable electronics. Neodymium, which is a rare earth element, is mainly used in permanent magnets which are used in smartphones, hard disc drives and turbines. There are many reports regarding the availability of the metals, with different results. The available data on the reserves varies considerably, from the few sources there are. In this report, based on geological availability, forecasts are done to investigate how much the production can increase and when it will peak. The prognoses are based on historic production to which different functions, the logistic, gompertz and richards, are fitted with the least square method. The production will peak in the end of this century and in the beginning of the next century for both metals. The production of lithium does not seem to be sufficient for both producing electric and hybrid cars with only li-ion batteries along with fusion. The neodymium production will be sufficient for producing a lower percentage of direct driven wind turbines and electric cars with NiMH batteries. Lithium in seawater is sometimes considered a future source. Since the lithium concentration is low, large volumes have to be processed in order to extract a reasonable amount of lithium. Currently it is not economic to extract lithium from seawater.

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This thesis is submitted as a PhD by Publication. Part A provides an overview of the thesis and summarises its context, research questions, methodological approach and key findings. Part B is a collection of nine, first-named academic papers. The thesis addresses two highly complex and controversial questions within energy policy, namely the nature and magnitude of ‘rebound effects’ from energy efficiency improvements and the extent and rate of depletion of global oil resources. Both of these questions are critically important to the development of a sustainable energy system and both are the subject of long-standing and highly polarised disputes. The thesis adapts, develops and applies a common methodology for reviewing the evidence on these questions, supplements this with original primary research and syntheses the results in a way that improves understanding and provides new insights. The thesis includes four papers examining different aspects of rebound effects and four examining different aspects of global oil depletion. Given the complexity of the chosen topics, the papers cover a wide range of questions, issues and approaches. Collectively the papers: clarify relevant definitional and conceptual issues; evaluate competing methodological and analytical techniques; appraise the methodological quality of empirical studies; identify levels of uncertainty and potential sources of bias; develop simple mathematical models; conduct statistical analyses of primary data; compare and evaluate the results of modelling studies; and synthesise results from multiple research areas to provide novel insights into poorly understood phenomena. A ninth paper evaluates the strengths and limitations of systematic review techniques when applied to complex, policy-relevant questions such as these. The thesis draws two main conclusions. First, rebound effects are frequently large and can substantially reduce the energy and carbon savings achieved from improved energy efficiency. Second, there is a significant risk that the global production of conventional oil will enter sustained decline before 2020. These conclusions run counter to conventional wisdom and have significant implications for public policy. The thesis also shows how the methodology of systematic reviews can be adapted and modified to make a valuable contribution to energy and climate policy research.

Transport plays a vital role in society, and energy for transport relies on fossil fuels. However, the future of the transport system is uncertain due to a concept relating to the diminishing supply of fossil fuels, termed ‘peak oil’. Transport policy makers have an important role to play in planning for a possible reduction in the availability of fossil fuels, however it remains unclear how they perceive the issue, exactly who or what influences their perception, and even if they are prepared (or not) to put in place measures that could minimise the potential impacts. It is vital that we understand all the factors and the actors involved in transport policy making, in order to understand why this issue is not currently widely accepted as part of mainstream transport policy. A conceptual model and theoretical framework have been developed to outline a method for gaining a better understanding of the characteristics of, and influences on, the transport policy makers at a local level, and how they view the peak oil problem. In order to test the theoretical framework, a series of case studies were conducted in three cities of varying sizes in New Zealand. The case studies involved interviews and surveys with transport policy makers. The results of the case study established that many technical staff have major concerns about peak oil but their concerns are not translated into policy because the majority of elected officials, who give the final approval on policy, believe that alternative fuels and new technologies will mitigate any peak oil impacts. This view is reinforced by a lack of scientific evidence to the contrary, and a lack of political and financial support from Central government to plan for peak oil. A change in attitude towards peak oil by Central government is a pre-requisite to introducing planning for peak oil at the local level in New Zealand.

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