The understanding of gene movement in plant species is critical to the management of both plant and animal species reliant on that plant. Pollen is the mechanism by which plants pass their genetic material from one generation to the next. Pollen dispersal studies have focused primarily on purely random diffusion processes, while this may be a good assumption for species pollinated mainly by abiotic means, such as wind, it is most likely an over simplification for species that are pollinated by biotic means, such as insects [3]. Correlated random walk (CRW) models are a model of animal movement [10] and have been successfully used to explore the movement of animals in varying ecological contexts [1]. An agent-based model (ABM) is developed to describe pollen movement via insects as a correlated random walk (CRW). This model is used to explore how insect path lengths and pollen distribution are affected by the varying turning angle and plant density.

The projects goal was to create a device to simulate full contact gait in the cadaveric lower extremity. The Contact Gait Simulation System loads specific muscles to recreate anatomical dorsi and plantar flexion of the ankle under axial loading. A system of pneumatic load generation was connected a LabVIEW virtual instrument (VI), which controlled the application of these loads. The loads were roughly based off literature cited EMG data, and further modified from feedback. In addition to controlling the load system, the VI also coordinates external sensor timing. Along with this simulator, software was developed specifically for analyzing pressure data on a large scale. The results showed a plantar pressure scenario very closely associated to live pressure patterns both in timing and load distribution. The system is complete and usable for experimentation; additional calibration of the control programs will lead to the exact mimicking of a select or average gait.

Title: Girls physical activity on the second step of comprehensive school. Author's name: Lenka Hannsmannová Supervisor: Prof. Ing. Václav Bunc, CSc. Objectives: To measure physical activity of girl on secondary step of comprehensive school and to compare results with recommendations, to detect their physical and sport preferences via questionnaire and adjust School Education Plan accordingly, to obtain quantitative data from pedometer and qualitative data from questionnaire. Methods: Girls physical activity was measured by pedometer Omron. Obtained data was downloaded to PC and further processed with Omron Health Management Software. The questionnaire was created to detect girls' physical and sport preferences. Results: By pedometer physical activity monitoring was total amount of steps obtained for individual classes, average amount of steps for each girl, girls classification according to daily average amount of steps, total aerobic walking time, daily aerobic activity average time and these results were compared with health recommendations. The ratio of sporting and non-sporting girls outside school was obtained, estimated daily time of sporting activity in minutes, frequency of admitted sport and other activities, the preferences for school physical activities and lessons and which possible...

Our society has become less physically active (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010) and less connected to nature than ever before (Berger & Mcleod, 2006). Spending leisure time indoors, technological advancements, urban living, and car dependent communities have led to these changes (Dustin, Bricker, & Schwab, 2010; Hansen-Ketchum, Marck, & Reutter, 2009; Norman & Mills, 2004). As a result, physical health and mental health is deteriorating (Dustin et al., 2010; Maller, Townsend, Pryor, Brown & Leger, 2005). Physical activity and nature can each produce mental and physical health benefits; some approaches such as adventure-based counseling and wilderness therapy already incorporate these elements. A promising alternative approach using physical activity and nature has received attention in recent years. Walk and talk therapy has been described as an intervention that combines counseling, walking, and the outdoors (Doucette, 2004). Despite, a small number of therapists using the approach (Gontang, 2009), anecdotal research (Hays, 1994), and a description of the approach (Doucette, 2004), little is known about walk and talk therapy. In this qualitative study 11 therapists were interviewed about their experiences with walk and talk therapy. Main themes of the study suggested characteristics, a procedure, reasons walk and talk therapy evolved, limitations, outcomes, and a framework for practice for walk and talk therapy. Therapists believe walk and talk therapy is beneficial for clients as well as therapists. Implications for therapists, researchers, and counselor educators are provided.

Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à la monotonie de la vitesse de la marche aléatoire excitée (MAE) avec biais $bein[0,1]$ dans la première direction $e_1$. Nous présentons une nouvelle preuve de la monotonie de la vitesse pour des grandes dimensions $dgeq d_0$ et pour le cas où le paramètre $be$ est petit quand $dgeq 8$. Ensuite, nous considérons les marches aléatoires avec plusieurs cookies aléatoires. La monotonie de la vitesse est ausi prouvée pour les cas particuliers par exemple des dimensions sont grandes, le paramètre de dérive $be$ est petit ou le nombre de cookies est grand. Ce sont les cas où la marche aléatoire est proche à la marche aléatoire simple. Pour l'existence de la vitesse, nous avons montré la loi des grands nombres pour un cas particulier du cookie aléatoire stationaire, mais nous n'arrivons pas encore pour le cas stationaire. Sur la monotonie, nous avons aussi vérifié que le nombre de points visités par la marche aléatoire simple avec biais $be$ est croissant.Finalement, une question très interessant: la monotonie de la vitesse, est-elle vraie pour la MAE pour les petites dimensions $2leq dleq 8.$ Pour cette motivation, nous avons prouvé que la vitesse est indéfiniment différentiable pour $be>0.$ Au point critique $0$, nous avons prouvé que la dérivée de la vitesse existe et égale $0$ pour $d=2$, existe et est positive pour $dgeq 4.$ Mais nous ne savons pas encore si la dérivée de l'ordre 2 en point $0$ existe ou au moin la dérivée est continue en $0$ pour prouver la monotonie de la vitesse au voisinage de $0$? / In this thesis, we are interested in the monotonicity of the speed of the excited random walk (ERW) with bias $bein[0,1]$ in the first direction $e_1.$ The speed is defined as the limit obtained by the law of large number for the horizontal component. The speed depend on the bias $be.$ We present a new proof of the monotonicity of the speed for the dimension $dgeq d_0$, where $d_0$ is large enough, or for the parameter $be$ is small when $dgeq 8$. After that, we consider the random walk with multi-random cookies. The monotonicity of the speed is also proved for some particular cas, for exemple when the dimension is high, or the parameter drift is small, or the number of cookies is large. These are the cas where the walk is near the simple random walk. For the existence of the speed, we also proved the law of large number for a particular cas of stationary cookie but we haven't yet gotten the cas stationary. On the monotonicity, we also proved the rang of the simple random walk with drift $be$ is increasing in the drift. Finally, a question very interesting: the monotonicity of the speed of ERW is true for the small dimension $2leq dleq 8$, isn't it? For this motivation, we proved the speed is infinitly differentiable for all $be>0.$ At the critical point $0,$ we also proved the derivative of the speed at $0$ exists and equals $0$ for $d=2$, exists and is positive for $dgeq 4.$ But we haven't yet known if the derivative of order $2$ at $0$ exists or at least the derivative is continuous at $0$ to prove the monotonicity of the speed in a neighbor of $0$.

This work deals with the one-dimensional Stefan problem with a general time- dependent boundary condition at the fixed boundary. The solution will be obtained using a discrete random walk method and the results will be compared qualitatively with analytical- and finite difference method solutions. A critical part has been to model the moving boundary with the random walk method. The results show that the random walk method is competitive in relation to the finite difference method and has its advantages in generality and low effort to implement. The finite difference method has, on the other hand, higher accuracy for the same computational time with the here chosen step lengths. For the random walk method to increase the accuracy, longer execution times are required, but since the method is generally easily adapted for parallel computing, it is possible to speed up. Regarding applications for the Stefan problem, there are a large range of examples such as climate models, the diffusion of lithium-ions in lithium-ion batteries and modelling steam chambers for oil extraction using steam assisted gravity drainage.

Cette thèse théorique s'inscrit dans l'univers de l'Informatique quantique et celui du transfert d'énergie. Nous étudions le transport quantique d'un exciton utilisé dans le but de véhiculer une information quantique, ou de l'énergie, sur des graphes moléculaires complexes. Dans ce contexte, nous nous intéressons aux effets de différents environnements quantiques pouvant moduler le transport excitonique. Une première partie du manuscrit porte sur le transport d'information quantique en pré­sence d'un environnement de phonons locaux. Dans ce contexte, nous introduisons une ap­proche théorique appelée PT* permettant de traiter sur un pied d'égalité exciton et pho­nons. Cette théorie est tout d'abord appliquée au cas particulier du graphe en étoile. Par la suite, PT* est comparée à des calculs exacts menés sur une collection de graphes variés. Nous montrons ainsi que la théorie PT* possède une très grande force de prédictibilité et de multiples avantages théoriques et numériques ( durée de simulation, interprétations liées à l'intrication ... ) . Dans une deuxième partie du manuscrit, nous étudions le transport quantique d'énergie sur un graphe complexe en contact avec un système externe absorbant. Nous nous intéressons tout particulièrement à la caractérisation du phénomène d'absorption énergétique et son opti­misation (transition de superradiance). Nous mettons en évidence l'impact de la topologie du réseau sur l'évolution du processus d'absorption. Pour étendre cette étude, nous considérons ensuite la présence d'un désordre local brisant la symétrie du réseau de base. Nous montrons alors que le désordre peut influencer positivement l'évolution du processus d'absorption. / The scope of this PhD is twofold and can be integrated simultaneously in quantum infor­mation theory and energy transport. We theoretically study the excitonic quantum transport in order to transmit either quantum information or energy on complex molecular networks. In this context, we pay a special attention to the modulations that different quantum envi­ronments can generate on the excitonic transport. In a first part of the manuscript, we focus on the quantum transport of information in the presence of a local phononic environment. In this context, we introduce a theoretical approach, named PT*, treating on an equal footing exciton and phonons. Firstly, this theory is applied to a particular case : the star graph. Then, PT* is compared to exact numerical calculations realized on a collection of different graphs. In this context, we demonstrate that the PT* approach shows a very strong predictability but also several theoretical and numerical advantages (simulation duration, entanglement interpretations ... ). In a second part of the manuscript, we study the quantum transport of energy on a complex graph in contact with an external absorbing system. We focus on the optimisation of the absorption process ("superradiance transition"). We demonstrate that the topology of the considered network influences the absorption evolution. In order to extend this study, we then consider the presence of a local disorder breaking the inner symetry of the graph. In this context, we show that the disorder can benefically influence the absorption process.

This bachelor thesis has been collaborated with Saab Dynamics AB in Karlskoga. The purpose is to analyze time-based rangefinder based on Time-to-Digital Converter with short laser pulses. Compensation will be produced for timing walk-error that is introduced by a dynamic problem. The temperatures influence on the distance measurement will be verified. After collecting data from measurements, compensation is produced. With help from the compensation the measurements are working on different targets.

Orientador: José Paiani Spaniol / Resumo: Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo empírico sobre a presença do sal na constituição de paisagens que exibem tal matéria como um dos elementos de sua formação. As Paisagens de Sal escolhidas nesta pesquisa foram as salinas de Araruama, no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; o Deserto de Atacama, no Chile; e o Salar de Uyuni, na Bolívia. Através de residências artísticas realizadas nestes locais, se pretende o registro de imagens e vídeos, coleta de objetos e entrevistas que revelem as características visuais, históricas e culturais que o sal impõe a estas paisagens, bem como as especificidades cromáticas, materiais e naturais exibidas em cada uma das localidades. Como resultado das reflexões e da experiência vivenciada nas residências, também se pretende a produção de ações artísticas nas Paisagens de Sal, derivadas dos dados e impressões colhidos durante a pesquisa. / Abstract: This research aims to present a study on the presence of salt in the constitution of landscapes that exhibit such matter as a landscape forming element. The Salt Landscapes chosen in this research were the Araruama salt salines, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the Atacama Desert in Chile; and the Salar de Uyuni, in Bolivia. Through artistic residences in these places, the aim was to collect images, photographs, videos, interviews that reveal the visual, historical and cultural characteristics that the salt imposes on the landscapes, as well as the specific conditions in each one of the localities. Artistic actions are also foreseen in the Salt Landscapes as a result and reflection of the data collected in the research. / Doutor

A dor pélvica crônica é uma condição comum e debilitante, com etiologia complexa e pouco compreendida, usualmente resultante da interação de vários sistemas. Talvez por isso, mesmo após muita investigação, seja diagnosticada com dificuldade. Ademais, frequentemente, o tratamento limita-se ao alívio temporário e insatisfatório dos sintomas. A condição pode comprometer a capacidade para executar determinadas tarefas físicas, seja pela própria dor, pelo medo de apresentarem dor, pelos sintomas depressivos ou ansiosos, ou mesmo pelas limitações autonômicas apresentadas. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o desempenho físico de mulheres com dor pélvica crônica e identificar as variáveis clínicas associadas. Foram incluídas 162 mulheres, 81 portadoras de dor pélvica crônica atendidas no ambulatório especializado do HC-FMRP-USP e 81 mulheres saudáveis recrutadas entre as acompanhantes das pacientes. Foram realizados os testes de Caminhada de 6 minutos, de Alcance Funcional, Sentar e Levantar e, Pegar a Caneta. Todos os instrumentos utilizados foram traduzidos e validados para aplicação no Brasil. O projeto, juntamente com o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, foi aprovado no CEP-HC-FMRPUSP. Houve diferença estatística (p> 0,01) em todos os testes de performance. A média (± desvio padrão) nos testes, no grupo saudável e dor pélvica crônica, respectivamente, foram: 36,35 cm (±5,8) e 32,40 cm (±6,8) no teste de alcance funcional, 10,00 s (±2,0) e 13,46 s (±6,0) no teste de sentar e levantar, 2,50 s (±0,5) e 3,51 s (±1,7) no teste de pegar a caneta, e 536,97 m (±47,5) e 487,36 m (±65,8) no teste de caminhada de 6 minutos. O estudo demonstrou, portanto, que as mulheres com dor pélvica crônica possuem desempenho físico inferior ao de mulheres saudáveis e que este está independentemente associado com a cinesiofobia e a própria dor pélvica crônica e, eventualmente, com sintomas depressivos e com a qualidade de vida / Chronic pelvic pain is a common and debilitating condition, with complex and poorly understood etiology, usually resulting from the interaction of multiple systems. Maybe that is why, even after much research, is diagnosed with difficulty. Moreover, treatment is often limited to temporary and unsatisfactory relief of symptoms. The condition can compromise the ability to perform certain physical tasks, either by own pain, fear of pain, depressive or anxiety symptoms, or even by the autonomic limitations presented. The aim of the study was to evaluate the physical performance of women with chronic pelvic pain. Four physical performance tests (Functional Reach test; Sit-toStand test; Pen pick up test and 6-minute walk test) were conducted with 162 women, 81 with chronic pelvic pain treated at specialized clinics of the HC-FMRP-USP and 81 healthy women recruited from the caregivers. All instruments were validated and translated for Brazilian application. The project, along with the free and informed consent form was approved at the CEPHC-FMRP-USP. There was a statistical difference (p> 0.01) in all of the performance tests. The average (± standard deviation), in healthy group and chronic pelvic pain respectively, was: 36.35 cm (±5.8) and 32.40 cm (±6.8) in the functional reach test, 10.00 sec (±2.0) and 13.46 sec (±6.0) in the sit-to-stand test, 2.50 sec (±0.5) and 3.51 sec (±1.7) in the pen pick up test, 536.97 m (±47.5) and 487.36 m (±65.8) in the 6-minute walk test. The study showed, therefore, that women with chronic pelvic pain have lower physical performance than healthy women and that it is independently associated with kinesiophobia and with chronic pelvic pain and, eventually, with depressive symptoms and quality of life