No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.

Introduction: Caffeine has long been used to enhance athletic performance. The research regarding caffeine’s effects on strength and power performance is lacking, especially in female athletes. Purpose: To analyze the acute effects of caffeine on jumping performance and maximal strength in female collegiate athletes. Methods: Eight female collegiate athletes performed two testing sessions separated by one week. Using a double-blind approach, athletes randomly received 6 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine (CAF) or a placebo (PLA). Following 60min of quiet sitting and a standardized warm-up, athletes were tested on measures of squat jump height (SJH) and peak power (SJPP), countermovement jump height (CMJH) and peak power (CMJPP), and isometric mid-thigh pull peak force (IPF) and rate of force development (RFD) on force platforms. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and tympanic temperature were measured at three time points across the testing session. A paired samples t-test with Hedge’s g effect size was used to compare performance results between conditions. A 2 x 3 (condition x time) repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze changes in physiological measures between and within conditions. Alpha level for all analyses was set at pResults: There were small to moderate differences in SJH (p=0.08, g=0.26), SJPP (p=0.03, g=0.63), CMJH (p=0.004, g=0.27), CMJPP (p=0.18, g=0.20), IPF (p=0.08, g=0.25), and RFD (p=0.22, g=0.40) in favor of caffeine over placebo. Physiological measurements increased similarly across time for both conditions with the exception of SBP, which was greater following caffeine 3 administration compared to placebo (p=0.02). Conclusions: Caffeine ingestion produced small to moderate improvements in jumping performance; however, caffeine failed to significantly affect maximal strength when compared with the placebo. Nonetheless, there was a small increase in IPF and RFD compared to placebo. Therefore, caffeine appears to be an effective ergogenic aid when used to enhance jumping performance and possibly maximal strength in female collegiate athletes.

This report is the result of a Master’s Degree Thesis done at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, during October 2014 to April 2015. The project was commissioned by Lidl in collaboration with Stockholms Stad and Integrated Transport Research Labs at KTH, and is a part of the Off-peak project. The Aim of the project was to help Lidl perform quieter street unloadings during off-peak hours. The unloading, today, is done with electrical pedestrian trucks and roll containers. Information was gathered about the current equipment and the current method of unloading was studied through observations. There were three problematic areas identified: the uneven ground, the hardware and the user. These were studied further on a pedestrian truck which was borrowed from Lidl for the thesis work. A market study was performed to see what solutions existed on the market. Information was also gathered on Off-peak projects in other cities and what the benefits of such projects could be. Study visits were made to Toyota-BT in Mjölby and Karnag in Täby to gather further knowledge. A meeting was held with K.Hartwall at Integrated Transport Research Lab to discuss their current solutions. The three problematic areas were discussed during a midterm meeting. Two of them were selected for future work: an add-on module to keep the fork carriage from rattling and an aid for the drivers of the trucks that shows the noise level. Many iterations of brainstorming, testing and evaluating led to the final results. The testing showed that the module that was supposed to keep the fork carriage from rattling didn’t have the desired results. The choice was then made to develop a spring solution to keep the forks from bouncing of each other. This led to the development of a leaf spring solution that is mounted on the underside of the fork carriage. The development of an aid for the drivers led to the Noise Advisor which is a sound level meter that sits on the side of the trucks mast and gives visual feedback to the driver. / Denna rapport är resultatet av ett examensarbete utfört på Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, KTH, från oktober 2014 till april 2015. Projektets uppdragsgivare var Lidl och det utfördes i samarbete med Stockholms Stad och Integrated Transport Research Labs på KTH, som en del av Off-peak projektet. Målet med projektet var att hjälpa Lidl utföra tystare gatulossningar under off-peak tider. Lossningen idag sker med hjälp av elektriska ledtruckar samt rullburar. En bakgrundsstudie genomfördes där den nuvarande utrustningen och metoden för gatulossning studerades genom observationer på plats. Då identifierades tre problemområden: den ojämna marken, utrusningen och användaren. Dessa studerades vidare på en ledtruck och några rullburar som lånades in från Lidl. En marknadsundersökning utfördes för att se vilka lösningar som redan fanns på marknaden. Andra off-peak projekt i andra städer studerades och vilka fördelar de medförde. Studiebesök gjordes på Toyota-BT i Mjölby och Karnag i Täby för att samla ytterligare kunskap. Ett möte hölls med K.Hartwall på Integrated Transport Research Lab för att diskutera deras nuvarande lösningar. De tre problemområdena diskuterades under ett avstämmningsmöte som hölls i mitten av projektet. Då valdes två av dessa områden: en tilläggsmodul som ska motverka att gaffeln skramlar och en dosa som ger feedback till förare om ljudnivån när hen kör den. Många iterationer av brainstorming, tester och utvärderingar ledde till det slutliga resultatet. Testen visade att påbyggnadsmodulen, som var tänkt att förhindra gaffeln från att skramla, inte gav något bra resultatet. Då gjordes valet att utveckla en lösning som med hjälp av en fjäder förhindrar att gafflarna slår mot varandra. Detta ledde till utvecklingen av en lösning med en bladfjäder som monteras på undersidan av gaffeln. Utvecklingen av ett hjälpmedel till förarna ledde till Noise advisor som är en ljudnivåmätare som sitter på sidan av ledtrucken och ger en visuell feedback till föraren.

In several situations, and among various treatment effects, researchers might test for an umbrella alternative. The need for an umbrella alternative arises in the evaluation of the reaction to drug dosage. For instance, the reaction might increase as the level of drug dosage increases, where after exceeding the optimal dosage a downturn may occur. A test statistic used for the umbrella alternative was proposed by Mack and Wolfe (1981) using a completely randomized design. Moreover, an extension of the Mack-Wolfe test for the randomized complete block design was proposed by Kim and Kim (1992), where the blocking factor was introduced. This thesis proposes two nonparametric test statistics for mixed design data with k treatments when the peak is known and four statistics when the peak is unknown. The data are a mixture of a CRD and an RCBD. A Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to compare the power of the first two proposed tests when the peak is known, and each one of them has been compared to the tests that were proposed by Magel et al. (2010). Also, it is conducted to compare the power of the last four proposed tests when the peak is unknown. In this study, we consider the simulation from exponential, normal and t distributions with 3 degrees of freedom. For every distribution, equal sample sizes for the CRD portion are selected so that the sample size, n, is 6, 10, 16 and 20. The number of blocks for the RCBD are considered to be half, equal and twice the sample size for each treatment. Furthermore, a variety of location parameter configurations are considered for three, four and five populations. The powers were estimated for both cases, known and unknown peak. In both cases, the results of the simulation study show that the proposed tests, in which we use the method of standardized first, generally perform better than those with standardized second. This thesis also shows that adding the distance modification to the Mack-Wolfe and Kim- Kim statistics provides more power to the proposed test statistics more than those without the application of the distance modification.

This study analyzes and reports on the characteristics of writing-triggered peak experience and other positive human experiences and explores some possible factors that can bring about such moments. Three basic questions were explored: Can writing trigger peak experience and other positive human experiences? How are writing-triggered peak experience and other positive human experiences best described? What factors influence the occurrence of writing-triggered peak experience and other positive human experiences? Participants were asked to write about their happiest moment in writing. The sample consisted of 270 students enrolled in undergraduate writing classes at a major southwestern university. Of 270 participants, 119(44%) reported having had at least one peak experience or similar positive human experience as a result of writing. Protocols reporting peak experience and other positive human experiences in writing were analyzed for content, yielding a total of 14 descriptive attributes. The participants described their writing experiences as flow of the words, the process of writing is its own reward, peak performance, clarity, disappearance of negative states of mind, and enhanced sense of power and personal worth. Content analysis also yielded 13 possible triggers of peak experience and other positive human experiences including self-expression, realization, free writing, use of writing for introspection, and creative and inspirational writing. In addition, personal orientation was explored as a possible trigger of peak experience and other positive human experiences using a 16-item questionnaire. Factor analysis results yielded four factors: (1) aesthetic creative expressive writing, (2) writing as a thinking and problem solving tool (3) self-discovery, and (4) not interested in writing. Factor one accounted for the highest variance (37%). The common elements in this factor were expressive writing, self-related writing and creative poetic writing with poetic and creative writing having the highest loading.

No description available.

Thesis (MSc (Physiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / 251 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages and numbered pages 1-151. Includes bibliography, list of appendixes, abbreviations, variables, figures and tables. Digitized at 300 dpi (OCR), using a Bizhub 250 scanner. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Whistle Watch™, an innovative and commercialised peak flow monitor, inspired this study, with its abnormal and complex measuring behaviour. The Whistle Watch™ latter is an audible peak flow monitor with a threshold-activated whistle as the essential component. The whistle is calibrated for a certain flow, and then encased in a body with a variable exhaust valve to atmosphere. Using the Whistle Watch™, with the exhaust valve pre-set, executing a forced expiratory effort, the audible notification of the whistle would indicate a stable asthmatic condition at that setting. No audible notification would result in the use of medication as a preventative measure. Due to the absence of existing theories and literature on the mechanics of whistles, the Whistle Watch™ was empirically developed. This study therefore, focuses on the characterisation and consequent improved understanding ofthe mechanics ofa whistle, with the objective to monitor pulmonary function in a novel way. During this study, a novel technique was developed to determine the reed activation point, or onset of oscillation, in terms of pressure. This technique was then implemented throughout the study. The initial observation and experimentation underlined the whistle's activation sensitivity towards any irregularities of the reed surface. A statistical spread of reed activation pressures defined the reed's inherent non-linear properties. A high dependence of reed activation towards upstream geometry was noted, and a clarification hypothesis was formulated. The effect of reed dimensions on activation pressure was exposed as a complex unexplored field. Existing mathematical reed theories only accommodate steady state oscillations, whereas the completed study indicated a high sensitivity of the reed activation pressure towards different input envelopes. This sensitivity was encapsulated in a mathematical model, with initial support and proofprovided by a previous independent study. All the observed effects and phenomena had far reaching practical application towards the production and quality control ofthe Whistle Watch™. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Whistle Watch™, 'n inoverende, kommersieel piekvloeimonitor, was die inspirasie vir die studie, deur sy abnorrnale en ingewikkelde meet-gedragskenrnerke. Laasgenoemde is 'n piekvloeimonitor met 'n fluit wat geaktiveer word by 'n vooraf vasgestelde drempel. Die fluit word gekalibreer vir 'n bepaalde vloei, waarna dit geenkapsuleer word in 'n hoofdeel met 'n veranderlike uitlaat na die atmosfeer. By die gebruik van die Whislte Watch™, met die uitlaatklep gestel op 'n voorafbepaalde vloeitempo, word 'n bepaalde ekspirasievlak verkry. Hierdie vlak het 'n hoorbare kennisgewing tot gevolg, wat 'n stabiele asmatiese toestand aandui. In die afwesigheid van 'n hoorbare respons, word medikasie as voorkornende rnaatreel vereis. Die Whislte Watch™ is empiries ontwikkel in die afwesigheid van bestaande teoriee en literatuur ten opsigte van die werking van fluite. Die fokus van hierdie studie word dus geplaas op die karakterisering van die werking van fluite, wat 'n beter begrip tot gevolg het. 'n Nuwe benadering tot die monitering van die pulrnonere funksie is dus haalbaar. Tydens die studie is 'n unieke tegniek ontwikkel om die aktiveringspunt van die riet, of die aanvang van ossilasie in terrne van druk, te bepaal. Hierdie tegniek is toe dwarsdeur die studie geiinplimenteer. Die fluit se aktiveringssensitiwiteit, in terrne van die oppervlak-onreelmatighede, van die riet was duidelik waarneembaar. Die inherente nie-liniere eienskappe van die riet is duidelik waarneembaar in rietaktiveringsdrukke. 'n Verklarende hipotese is as gevolg van 'n afhanklikheid van die rietaktiveringsdrukke relatief tot stroom-op geometrie, gestel. Die effek wat rietafinetings op aktiveringsdrukke het, was blootgel~ as 'n komplekse onontwikkelde gebied. Bestaande wiskundige rietteoriee maak slegs voosiening vir nie-fluktuerende ossilasies. Na voltooiing van hierdie studie is dit duidelik dat daar wei 'n hoe sensitiwiteit van die rietaktiveringsdrukke bestaan, met verwysing na verskillende ekspiratoriese profiele. Hierdie sensitiwiteit word vervat in 'n wiskundige model met toepaslilke ondersteuning en bewyse uit 'n vorige, onathanklike studie. Aile waarneembare phenomena het resulterende praktiese impakte ten opsigte van die produksie en gehalteversekering van die Whistle Watch™.

I den här uppsatsen behandlas ämnet självförsörjningsmöjligheter i bostadsområdet Rosendal i Uppsala. Utgångspunkten skrivs utifrån en ökad brist på fossila energimedel och dess konsekvenser för dagens livsmedelsstruktur vilket idag är beroende av olja. Syftet med uppsatsen är således att ta reda på hur väl bostadsområdet Rosendal är utformat för en omställning till brist på fossila bränslen, där självförsörjning ses som en viktig del för befolkningens överlevnad. För att undersöka självförsörjningsmöjligheterna i området Rosendal utfördes observationer och skriftliga intervjuer med boende i området. Med utgångspunkt i läst litteratur formulerades egna kriterier angående ämnet om ett fungerande lokalt självförsörjande. Resultatet av undersökningen blev att Rosendal inte uppfyller de formulerade kriterierna för en fungerande självförsörjning och att det inte ges ut någon information angående odlingsmöjligheter till de som bor i området. Fler åtgärder och processer behöver därför genomföras gällande odlingsfunktioner i bostadsområden för att uppnå en hållbar utveckling där nästa generationens medborgare försäkras en tillgång på livsmedel. Förslagsvis bör regeringen ge tydligare mål angående en god bebyggd miljö där självförsörjningsfunktioner i bostadsområdet ställs som ett kriterium för hållbart byggande. Information till befolkningen angående den eventuella minskningen av fossila energimedel såsom olja är likväl relevant för att starta processen mot ett fossilfritt samhälle.

This thesis provides a critical review of the Transition movement, a grassroots response to peak oil and climate change, co-founded by this author. It focuses on two key aspects of the Transition approach, resilience and economic relocalisation, with the aim of analysing whether and how they can be implemented in a locality based on the Transition approach, and assessing what socio-economic and community-related structures would be necessary to implement such a process. The focus of the research is Totnes, Devon, which because of its status as the UK’s first Transition initiative and the longer history of various initiatives to promote local resilience, offers a valuable case study of attempts to practically implement resilience and localisation. A variety of research methods were employed, including surveys, focus groups, oral history and in-depth interviews, as well less conventional public participation methods such as Open Space and World Café. The first major finding was that Transition Town Totnes (TTT) has become a significant organisation in the town, with a high level of popular support. It was also found that the obstacles to resilience and relocalisation lie not, as was hypothesised, in a lack of skills or an absence of community cohesion, but in issues of governance and the need for increased social entrepreneurship. It was found that what researchers call the ‘Value Action Gap’ (i.e. the gap between people’s declared sympathies and intentions and their actions) exists in Totnes as much as anywhere else, but that some of TTT’s projects, such as ‘Transition Together’, are working imaginatively to overcome this and to reduce emissions. From this evidence is it concluded that Transition’s approach towards relocalisation and reducing carbon emissions can be argued to be effective in, generating engagement and initiating new enterprises. Like other ‘green’ initiatives, it struggles to engage those from more disadvantaged backgrounds, but some of its initiatives are showing promise for overcoming this. Its primary contribution is in suggesting a redefining of resilience, not as a state of preparedness for disaster, but as a desired characteristic of a sustainable society. A more resilient community, it is argued, would be one more in control of its food and energy production, as well as being one that enables inward financial investment. It also argues that the government focus on ‘localism’, the devolving of political power to the local level, ought to be expanded to include ‘localisation’, the strengthening of local production to meet local needs, a shift which would financially benefit local communities. It argues that the key challenge for Transition initiatives such as TTT is going to be scaling up from being ‘niche’ organisations to become economically viable organisations with a broad appeal and engagement, and also articulates the need for ‘Resilience Indicators’ which would allow communities to measure the degree to which their levels of resilience are increasing.