Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cognitive side'

Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, 2006.<br>Typescript. [Submitted for the degree of] Doctor of Philosophy, Swinburne University of Technology - 2006. Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-290).

The purpose of this study is to analyse how three idioms, in English, French and Swedish, despite different lexical compositions are capable of conveying the same meaning. The idioms in question are a thorn in the side, une épine au pied/dans le pied and en nagel i ögat. This study is concerned with how different metaphorical images are used to express the same meaning. Furthermore, it examines what it is in the semantics of the lexical items that enables these idioms to express the same idiomatic meaning. Using a cognitive linguistic approach the analysis is conducted at a linguistic and a conceptual level. The analysis shows that these three different idioms are capable of conveying the same idiomatic meaning because they are motivated by the same conceptual metaphor.

The digital payment industry has become one of the fastest evolving markets in the world, but in the wake of its rapid advancement, an ever increasing gap between academic theory and the actual reality of this market widens - and especially so when it comes to entry theory. It is widely acknowledged that the world is moving towards an ever more homogeneous economy, but despite the fact that payment preferences differ greatly from country to country - research on this subject continues to revolve mainly around localized efforts. But as historical inequalities between poor and rich societies continue to dissipate - learning from nations at the forefront of technological advancement increases the likelihood that the developed strategy becomes applicable to an increased number of countries. By selecting a nation most conducive to technological growth, the purpose of this report is to map the present dynamics in its digital payment industry using both recent and traditional market entry theory. However, studies geared towards globalized strategy formulation cannot be assumed as having guaranteed access to internal company-data at all times. So in order to facilitate such studies, the level of dependency on primary data required for conducting such research needs to be understood first, which is why the work in this report is constrained strictly to data of secondary nature. This, not only to further map the characteristics of this market, but also to see how open the market is to public inspection. Ultimately, the academic contribution becomes that of providing a road-map towards adapting currently available market entry theory to suit the rapidly evolving conditions of the digital payment industry from a global perspective and, when failing to do so, the aim is to also explore avenues for further research towards this end goal.

With recent advances in electronics and communication technologies, our daily lives are immersed in an environment of Internet-connected smart things. Despite the great convenience brought by the development of these technologies, privacy concerns and security issues are two topics that deserve more attention. On one hand, as smart things continue to grow in their abilities to sense the physical world and capabilities to send information out through the Internet, they have the potential to be used for surveillance of any individuals secretly. Nevertheless, people tend to adopt wearable devices without fully understanding what private information can be inferred and leaked through sensor data. On the other hand, security issues become even more serious and lethal with the world embracing the Internet of Things (IoT). Failures in computing systems are common, however, a failure now in IoT may harm people's lives. As demonstrated in both academic research and industrial practice, a software vulnerability hidden in a smart vehicle may lead to a remote attack that subverts a driver's control of the vehicle. Our approach to the aforementioned challenges starts by understanding privacy leakage in the IoT era and follows with adding defense layers to the IoT system with attackers gaining increasing capabilities. The first question we ask ourselves is "what new privacy concerns do IoT bring". We focus on discovering information leakage beyond people's common sense from even seemingly benign signals. We explore how much private information we can extract by designing information extraction systems. Through our research, we argue for stricter access control on newly coming sensors. After noticing the importance of data collected by IoT, we trace where sensitive data goes. In the IoT era, edge nodes are used to process sensitive data. However, a capable attacker may compromise edge nodes. Our second research focuses on applying trusted hardware to build trust in large-scale networks under this circumstance. The application of trusted hardware protects sensitive data from compromised edge nodes. Nonetheless, if an attacker becomes more powerful and embeds malicious logic into code for trusted hardware during the development phase, he still can secretly steal private data. In our third research, we design a static analyzer for detecting malicious logic hidden inside code for trusted hardware. Other than the privacy concern of data collected, another important aspect of IoT is that it affects the physical world. Our last piece of research work enables a user to verify the continuous execution state of an unmanned vehicle. This way, people can trust the integrity of the past and present state of the unmanned vehicle.<br>Doctor of Philosophy<br>The past few years have witnessed a rising in computing and networking technologies. Such advances enable the new paradigm, IoT, which brings great convenience to people's life. Large technology companies like Google, Apple, Amazon are creating smart devices such as smartwatch, smart home, drones, etc. Compared to the traditional internet, IoT can provide services beyond digital information by interacting with the physical world by its sensors and actuators. While the deployment of IoT brings value in various aspects of our society, the lucrative reward from cyber-crimes also increases in the upcoming IoT era. Two unique privacy and security concerns are emerging for IoT. On one hand, IoT brings a large volume of new sensors that are deployed ubiquitously and collect data 24/7. User's privacy is a big concern in this circumstance because collected sensor data may be used to infer a user's private activities. On the other hand, cyber-attacks now harm not only cyberspace but also the physical world. A failure in IoT devices could result in loss of human life. For example, a remotely hacked vehicle could shut down its engine on the highway regardless of the driver's operation. Our approach to emerging privacy and security concerns consists of two directions. The first direction targets at privacy protection. We first look at the privacy impact of upcoming ubiquitous sensing and argue for stricter access control on smart devices. Then, we follow the data flow of private data and propose solutions to protect private data from the networking and cloud computing infrastructure. The other direction aims at protecting the physical world. We propose an innovative method to verify the cyber state of IoT devices.

Background: Fifty percent of medications are not taken as prescribed. This is a major public health issue yet there is very limited evidence on the factors associated with medicines adherence in people with mild to moderate Intellectually Disabilities and diabetes (IDD). This study evaluated the frequency of, and factors associated with, medicines non-adherence in this group compared to people without ID but with diabetes (non-IDD).Methods: A systematic review of the literature informed the theoretical model tested. A two-stage, sequential mixed methods study with 111 people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, (IDD = 33, non-IDD = 78) was then carried out. Stage one (quantitative) compared frequency of medication adherence in the group overall, IDD and non-IDD. Univariate and multiple regression analysis evaluated associations between factors (ID, depression, side effects, self-efficacy and perceived level of social support) and medicines non-adherence. Stage two (qualitative) explored findings of stage one with 12 stage one participants' carers using semi-structured interviews. Results: Data were collected between July 2014 and May 2016. The frequency of medicines adherence was similar in the IDD and non-IDD population (70% vs 62%, p = 0.41). The theoretical model did not predict medicines non-adherence. After controlling for support with medicines and complexity of regime (number of medications and use of insulin), depression was an independent predictor in the non-IDD and group overall (p < 0.001). In the IDD group, perceived side effects was an important, but non-significant, predictor of non-adherence (p = 0.06). Carers' perceptions of adherence and depression were consistent with stage one findings. Conclusions: Optimising adherence to diabetes medicines is equally challenging in IDD and non-IDD populations. Associations between independent factors and adherence differed between the two groups: in the non-IDD population, depressive symptoms were associated with non-adherence whereas in the IDD population perceived level of side effects appeared most dominant. Due to small sample sizes findings were inconclusive therefore, a sufficiently powered study further investigating the relationship between adherence and side effects in people with ID and diabetes is recommended.

<p> Prior research has shown that people perceive items in a larger font size as being more memorable than items in a smaller font size. This perception leads to higher judgments of learning (JOLs; i.e., confidence ratings regarding the likelihood of recalling an item) for larger font size items than smaller font size items. Yet other research has shown that people recalled more when the information was presented in a smaller font than when it was presented in a larger font size. The present study examined if there are boundary conditions of font sizes affecting JOLs and actual recall performance. As we expected, the results show that JOLs increased as a function of the size category. The results also show that font size impacted recall performance such that items in the Smallest size category were recalled at a higher rate than items in the other three font size categories.</p>

This thesis explored the relationship between cognitive biases to body size and one’s developed levels of body image concerns and weight status. Women with higher body image concerns were hypothesised to process body-related information in a biased fashion, specifically, to choose thin body ideals and rate thinner bodies higher on attractiveness, display an attentional bias towards thin bodies, and to estimate their own body size inaccurately. In study 1 (N = 84), although an attentional bias to thin bodies was not found, a positive thinness bias in young females was identified and related to one’s level of body image concerns. In study 2 (N = 61), an even more pronounced positive thinness bias was identified in a female sample with average to high levels of body image concerns. The study provided evidence that this bias can be successfully modified and that shifting the interpretation of body size can result in less extreme attitudes towards body size and improve one’s negative body image. Study 3 showed that a positive attitude towards thin female bodies exists in both young men (N = 67) and women (N = 67), but the choice of attractiveness ideals is related to one’s body image only when judging the bodies of one’s own gender. Study 4 (N = 87) indicated that regardless of one’s weight status, women higher in body image concerns present a greater discrepancy between their estimated and ideal size. However, the magnitude of one’s body size underestimation and inaccuracy in judging the amount of weight one would need to lose to achieve their body ideal was related to body image concerns for overweight and obese, but not normal weight women. Overall, the results show that cognitive body biases exist in young women and are related to one’s body image concerns and weight status.

Cognitive Radio (CR) has emerged as the key technology to enable dynamic spectrum access. Capabilities of CR can meet the unique requirements of many wireless networks. Hence, Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks (CRSN) is introduced as a promising solution to address the unique challenges of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) which have been widely used for reliable event detection for many applications. However, there exist many open research issues for the realization of CRSN. Among others, determination of optimal packet size for CRSN is one of the most fundamental problems to be addressed. The existing optimal packet size solutions devised for CR networks as well as WSN are not applicable in CRSN regime and would cause a waste of energy resources. Hence, the objective of this thesis is to determine the optimal packet size for CRSN that maximizes energy-efficiency while maintaining acceptable interference level for licensed primary users (PU) and remaining under the maximum allowed distortion level between tracked event signal and its estimation at sink. Energy-efficient packet size reduces energy consumption and increases the transmission efficiency for CRSN. In this thesis, the energy-efficient packet size optimization problem is analytically formulated. Then, sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method is used for solving the optimization problem. The variation of optimal packet size with respect to different parameters of CRSN network is observed through numerical analysis. Results reveal that PU behavior and channel bit error rate (BER) are the most critical parameters in determining energy-efficient optimal packet size for CRSN.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, 2011.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-128).<br>Every object in the world has a physical size which is intrinsic to how we interact with it: we pick up small objects like coins with our fingers, we throw footballs and swing tennis rackets, we orient our body to bigger objects like chairs and tables and we navigate with respect to landmarks like fountains and buildings. Here I argue that the size of objects in the world is a basic property of object representation with both behavioral and neural consequences. Specifically, I suggest that objects have a canonical visual size based on their real-world size (Chapter 2), and that we automatically access real-world size information when we recognize an object (Chapter 3). Further, I present evidence that there are neural consequences of realworld size for the large-scale organization of object knowledge in ventral visual cortex (Chapter 4). Specifically, there are regions with differential selectivity for big and small objects, that span from along the dorsal and lateral surfaces of occipito-temporal cortex in a mirrored organization. Finally, I suggest that the empirical findings can be coherently explained by thinking about the experience of an observer situated in a three-dimensional world. This work provides testable predictions about retinal size biases in visual experience, and an approach in which to understand the neural representation of any object in the world.<br>by Talia Konkle.<br>Ph.D.

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária<br>A Síndrome da Disfunção Cognitiva Canina (DCC) é uma alteração neurodegenerativa que afeta cães geriátricos. É caracterizada por um declínio progressivo na função cognitiva do animal, que resulta em défices de aprendizagem, memória e de percepção espacial e alterações nos padrões de sono e interação social. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de DCC em cães de idade igual ou superior a 7 anos e avaliar: i) a frequência de demonstração de sinais de DCC; ii) a sua relação com a idade, sexo e porte do animal, ingestão de dieta específica para cães geriátricos e a execução de atividades estimulantes; iii) a percepção da DCC pelos donos. Foram efetuados 100 inquéritos presenciais a proprietários de cães de idade igual ou superior a 7 anos (n=57 fêmeas, n= 43 machos) através da aplicação de um questionário dividido em: Parte I (identificação); Parte II (alterações comportamentais, adaptado de Rofina et al., 2006); Parte III (informações adicionais); Parte IV (dieta); Parte V (percepção do dono) e Parte VI (frequência de atividades estimulantes). Os dados da parte II do questionário foram utilizados num sistema de classificação consoante o grau de disfunção cognitiva, descrito por Fast et al. (2013). Os cães cujo score obtido foi de 10 foram incluídos no grupo sem DCC, os com score entre 11 e 15 no grupo de DCC borderline e os com score superior a 15 no grupo de DCC. Aos animais do grupo DCC foi realizada uma avaliação clínica e neurológica de modo a avaliar a existência de co-morbilidades confundíveis com o quadro de disfunção cognitiva. Foram excluídos 5 animais ou por impossibilidade de realização da avaliação clínica ou por co-morbilidade associada. Dos 95 cães da amostra final, 20% foram incluídos no grupo DCC, 69% no de DCC borderline e 11% no grupo sem DCC. As alterações mais frequentemente observadas na população em estudo, incidiram sobre a interação/atividade (24%) e o ciclo de sono/vigília (22%). Através de uma análise de regressão linear, demonstrou-se uma relação significativa entre a idade e o score (P <0,01), corroborando a ideia de que a DCC é um processo influenciado pelo avançar da idade. Já o porte, o sexo e a ingestão de dieta sénior não demonstraram relação com o score. Verificou-se que, a maioria dos proprietários de cães com DCC não valorizava as alterações comportamentais, associando-as a um fenómeno natural de envelhecimento (68%). O resultado de uma análise de regressão linear simples sugere que o estímulo cognitivo, através de jogos e brincadeiras frequentes com o animal, pode ter influência no atraso do processo de DCC (P <0,1).<br>ABSTRACT - Behavioral changes suggestive of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in geriatric dogs - Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCD) is a neurodegenerative process that affects geriatric dogs. It is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function, resulting in deficits in learning, memory and spatial perception as well as in changes in sleep patterns and social interaction. This study aimed mainly at determining the prevalence of CCD in 7 year old or older dogs and evaluate: i) the frequency in which CCD signs was displayed; ii) the possible relationship between the manifestation of CCD and the age, sex and size, specific diet for geriatric dogs and the execution of stimulating activities; iii) the owners perception of CCD. 100 surveys were made to owners of 7 year old or older dogs (n=57 female, n= 43 male) through the application of a questionnaire divided as follows: Part I (identification); Part II (behavioral changes, adapted from Rofina et al, 2006); Part III (additional information); Part IV (diet); Part V (perception of the owner) and Part VI (frequency of stimulating activities). The data of Part II of the questionnaire were used in a classification system according to the degree of cognitive dysfunction, described by Fast et al. (2013). The animals whose score was 10 were included in the group Without CCD, those with the score between 11 and 15 were included in the group of borderline CCD and those with score above 15, in the group of CCD. A clinical and neurological evaluation was performed to the animals of CCD group to evaluate the existence of co-morbidities confusable with the clinical picture of cognitive dysfunction. 5 animals were excluded due to the impossibility of carrying out the clinical evaluation or due to the presence of co-morbidities. Of the 95 selected geriatric dogs, 20% were included in the CCD group, 69% in the CCD borderline, with slight behavioral changes, and 11% in the Without DCC group. The most frequently observed changes in the study population were focused on the interaction/activity (24%) and the day/night rhythm (22%). Using a linear regression analysis, a relationship between age and the score obtained has been clearly demonstrated (P<0,01), supporting the idea that the CCD is a process influenced by advancing age. However, the size, sex and intake of senior diet didn’t show relationship with the score. It was found that most owners did not value the behavioral changes, linking them to the natural phenomenon of ageing (68%). The result of a simple linear regression analysis suggest that cognitive stimulation through games and frequent playing with the dog may have influence on the delay or prevention of the CCD process (P <0,1).

In this thesis, I address the question of where the disagreement between extended cognition theorists and intracranialists stems from. To lay out the state of the dialectic in the debate, Chapter 1 is dedicated to spelling out what the extended cognition view involves and reasons for supporting it. Chapter 2 is dedicated to spelling out what the intracranialist view involves and reasons for supporting it against extended cognition. In Chapter 3, I introduce my view, theoretical contextualism, as a two-dimensional framework that I claim should be used to characterise the debate, such that the reason there is a disagreement between the parties is because of their internal, theoretical contexts. In short, the parties are psychologically the same in regards to primary intension of ‘cognition’, yet are psychologically different in regards to secondary intension. In Chapter 4, I explore the potential explanatory virtues of the two views, and claim that they are views which are not incompatible with one another. Rather, I claim, under the framework of explanatory holism, that they are perhaps equally useful explanations for cognition, insofar as proponents of each party are asking distinct, worthwhile questions, with different answers given their different theoretical contexts. I explore whether the two different models of cognition pick out different natural kinds, and suggest that the question of whether cognition extends should be replaced by the question of which kind we should prefer, relative to a particular theoretical context. I conclude by suggesting that future research into extended cognition and intracranialism steer away from which view is determinedly correct, and toward what explanatory virtues they have in service of cognitive science. I claim this, because I ultimately think that the different questions and answers pertaining to the parties can play an important role in coming to a holistic, rich understanding of cognition as a whole.

Fortement critiqués à la suite des avatars de la « nouvelle économie », les analystes financiers sell-side, salariés des sociétés de courtage, représentent néanmoins des acteurs indispensables et incontournables, tant pour les directions d'entreprise que pour les investisseurs. Cette recherche a pour vocation d'essayer de comprendre comment les analystes financiers sell-side forment leur jugement. La première partie de cette thèse montre comment les recherches antérieurement réalisées en finance ainsi qu'en comptabilité, selon l'appréhension du futur qu'elles retiennent, ont étudié ce phénomène en intégrant progressivement l'inscription sociale de l'analyste. Cette dimension sert de point de départ pour une démarche compréhensive et qualitative, fondée sur la méthode de la Grounded Theory. La seconde partie propose un modèle d'analyse de la formation du jugement en tant que pratique institutionnellement encadrée et localement ajustée. Cette recherche montre comment l'inscription de l'analyste au sein de son « champ organisationnel » le conduit à devoir prendre en compte les modes de raisonnement et à interagir cognitivement avec les autres acteurs.

Body size is a universal property affecting biological structure and function, from cell metabolism to animal behavior. The nervous system, the physical generator of behavior, is also affected by variations in body size; hence potentially affecting the way animals perceive, interpret and react to the environment. When animals join to form groups, such individual differences become part of the structure of the society, even determining social roles. Here, I explore the association between body size, behavior and social organization in honeybees and bumblebees. Focusing on bumblebees, I explore the link between body size, brain allometry and learning and memory performance, within the context of task specialization. I show that body size goes along with brain size and with learning and memory performance, and that foraging experience affects such cognitive and neural features. Next, I explore the association between body size and foraging task specialization in honeybees. Previous evidence showed a link between specialization on pollen or nectar foraging and sensory sensitivity, further associating sensitivity to the quality and/or quantity of resource exploited. I hypothesize that, as in solitary bees, larger body size is associated with higher sensory sensitivity. I test this hypothesis by comparing body size and the quality and quantity of the resource exploited by wild Africanized and European honeybees. I show that nectar foragers are smaller and have fewer olfactory sensilla, which might underlie their lower sensitivity to odors. Also, larger bees collect more pollen (within pollen foragers) and more dilute nectar (within nectar foragers). To further test this `size hypothesis', I compare strains of bees selected to store large ("high strain") or small ("low strain") amounts of pollen surplus. As these strains differ in sensory sensitivity, I predict that the more sensitive high strain bees are larger and have more sensory sensilla. I show that high strain bees are generally bigger, but have fewer sensory sensilla than low strain bees. These results show that in bees, body size is associated with an individual's sensory, neural and cognitive features, further suggesting that body size plays a more important role in the organization of bee societies than generally assumed.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-22T13:28:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 marinafiqueiralopescançado.pdf: 1089501 bytes, checksum: 825ad490c7a233802c70894b30e9c29a (MD5)<br>Rejected by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br), reason: on 2017-08-24T11:33:27Z (GMT)<br>Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-24T14:06:42Z No. of bitstreams: 0<br>Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-30T12:39:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 0<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-30T12:39:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-02-03<br>CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>Apesar do consumo problemático de álcool ser um problema de saúde pública a busca por tratamento é pequena e a oferta de serviços especializados é insuficiente. Nos últimos anos cresceu o número de ofertas de tratamentos online para diferentes transtornos, incluindo o problemas com o uso de álcool. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade e aceitabilidade de uma psicoterapia online para dependentes de álcool e descrever os resultados clínicos iniciais. Para isso foi realizado um estudo piloto com os participantes com uso sugestivo de dependência cadastrados no site www.informalcool.org.br/bebermenos. Os convites foram realizados por e-mail e a psicoterapia proposta foi feita inteiramente por videoconferência. Observamos que entre o cadastramento e a realização da psicoterapia existem algumas etapas de perda. Foi feita a descrição dos participantes em cada etapa para melhor compreensão do perfil dos mesmos. Observou-se que o perfil prevalente para esta intervenção entre todas as etapas do recrutamento e da psicoterapia por internet foi homens, empregados, com alta escolaridade, em estágio de contemplação para mudança do comportamento de beber, com uma média de idade entre 37 e 41,3 anos e pontuação no teste AUDIT entre 22,7 e 26,0. Nenhum dos participantes da psicoterapia online havia se tratado anteriormente para o seu uso de álcool. Encontrou-se que a taxa de resposta aos e-mails convite para a psicoterapia por internet foi de 28,2%, e todos os participantes elegíveis convidados para participar aceitaram iniciar o tratamento, confirmando aceitabilidade. Dos 12 pacientes que iniciaram a psicoterapia 6 finalizaram. Houve redução no número de doses consumidas, de 9,6 doses para 3 doses por ocasião e aumento na quantidade de dias abstinente, de 14 dias para 21,3 dias. Consideramos que a amostra neste estudo apresentou boa aceitabilidade a proposta de psicoterapia por internet, ainda que se apresentem taxas de perda, uma vez que estas existem em estudos clínicos e em psicoterapia. Consideramos viável a realização de um ensaio clínico para avaliar a eficácia e efetividade da psicoterapia por internet.<br>Although problematic alcohol consumption is a public health problem, the search for treatment is small and the supply of specialized services is insufficient. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of online treatments for different disorders, including alcohol use disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the viability and acceptability of an online psychotherapy for alcohol dependents and to describe the initial clinical results. For this, a pilot study was carried out with the participants with suggestive use of dependence registered in the site www.informalcool.org.br/bebermenos. The invitations were made by e-mail and the proposed psychotherapy was done entirely by videoconference. We observe that between the registration and the accomplishment of the psychotherapy there are some stages of loss. The participants were described at each stage to better understand their profile. It was observed that the prevalent profile for this intervention between all stages of recruitment and internet psychotherapy was men, employed, with high schooling, in contemplation readiness to change drinking behavior, with a mean age between 37 and 41.3 years and AUDIT score between 22.7 and 26.0. None of the participants in online psychotherapy had previously treated themselves for their alcohol use. It was found that the response rate to e-mail invitations to online psychotherapy was 28.2%, and all eligible participants invited to attend agreed to initiate treatment, confirming acceptability. Of the 12 patients who started psychotherapy six finalized. There was a reduction in the number of standard drinks consumed, from 9.6 drinks to 3 drinks per occasion and an increase in the number of days abstinent, from 14 days to 21.3 days. We consider that the sample in this study presented a good acceptability to the proposal of psychotherapy delivered by Internet, even though there are rates of loss, since these exist in clinical studies and in psychotherapy. We consider it feasible to conduct a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of online psychotherapy.

The purpose of this project is to provide students and teachers with a disk of tools to aide in the development of Web pages either in the classroom or through online (distance education) learning. Many of the tools supplied on this disk have been field tested in a high school Web design class. When students are allowed to be creative and are able to fuse interesting visual displays the results can be significant in increasing cognitive and multiple intelligences skills.

Vertebrate brain size is remarkably variable at all taxonomic levels. Brains of mammals forexample, range from 0.1 gram in small bats (Chiroptera) to about 8-9 kilos in Sperm whales(Physeter macrocephalus). But what does this variation in size really mean? The link between brainsize and cognition is debated due to, for instance the difficulties of comparing cognitive ability indifferent species. A large number of comparative studies continue to provide information aboutcorrelations found both within and between species. The relative size of the brain is an example of apopular measurement that correlates with cognitive ability. But to date, no experimental studieshave yielded any proof causality between relative brain size and cognitive ability. Here I usedguppies selected for either large or small relative brain size to investigate differences in cognitiveperformance of a quantity discrimination task. The results from this experiment provideexperimental evidence that relative brain size is important for cognitive ability, and that a differencein cognitive ability could be obtained already after two generations of selection experiments onrelative brain size in a vertebrate.<br>Artificial Selection on Relative Brain Size in the Guppy Reveals Costs and benefits of Evolving a Larger Brain

Although, it is well established that regular exercise has a positive effect on various domains of cognitive functions, effects of a single session (acute) exercise on cognitive functions of an young adult is under debate. While a numbers of research have found positive associations between acute exercise and cognitive performance, multiple research have found no effect of acute exercise on the cognitive functions. There are also evidences that suggest that acute exercise reduces brain function of healthy young adults. This thesis took on a meta-analytical approach to determine the effect of a single session exercise on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults, and metaregression analyses were performed to identify the moderators that may influence the effect of acute exercise on cognitive functions of healthy young adults. After a comprehensive electronic search 59 experimental studies were found to be eligible for inclusions based on the pre-specified criteria. Results indicated that acute exercise has a small but significant effect on the cognitive functions of healthy young adults. However, larger effects are possible for particular cognitive outcomes (reaction time), when specific exercise parameters are used (5 minutes of exercise duration, moderate intensity exercise), and when specific assessment task is used (visual span board task, and serial subtraction of 7). The overall findings of this study is consistent with previous research. However, more research is needed to get a clear understanding of the acute exercise effect moderators.

Cette thèse s’intéresse à l’évaluation des systèmes interactifs. Elle vise à contribuer à l’extension et à l’outillage de la méthode Cognitive Walkthrough. Cette méthode a fait l’objet de nombreuses études et expérimentations au niveau international. Elle a aussi conduit à plusieurs modifications et extensions. Malgré l’intérêt que suscite la méthode, son utilisation pose de nombreux problèmes aussi bien méthodologiques qu’applicatifs. Dans un premier temps, cette thèse décrit les éléments clés liées à la prise en compte des facteurs humains dans la conception et l’évaluation des systèmes interactifs. Puis, elle propose un état de l’art sur l’évaluation des systèmes interactifs basée sur la méthode Cognitive Walkthrough. Ensuite la spécification d’un environnement d’aide à l’inspection des systèmes interactifs basé sur la méthode Cognitive Walkthrough est décrite. Une maquette de l’environnement dénommé CWE (« Cognitive Walkthrough Environment ») est proposée ; elle a fait l’objet d’une première évaluation. Une conclusion et des perspectives terminent le mémoire<br>This thesis is focused on the evaluation of interactive systems. It aims to contribute to the extension and equipment of the Cognitive Walkthrough method. This method is the subject of many studies and experiments worldwide. It has also undergone several modifications and extensions. Despite the interest in the method, its use poses many methodological and applicative problems. Firstly, this thesis describes the key elements related to human factors consideration in interactive system design and evaluation. Then, it proposes a state of the art on the evaluation of interactive systems based on the Cognitive Walkthrough method. Then the specification of an environment to support the inspection of interactive systems based on Cognitive Walkthrough is described. A mockup of an environment called CWE ("Cognitive Walkthrough Environment") is proposed; a first evaluation is exposed. A conclusion and perspectives end the thesis

The aim of this study is to examine the long-term cognitive effects and educational outcomes of being born small-for-gestational-age (SGA). It also assesses whether the family’s attitude towards education modifies the effect of SGA on cognitive performance. A total of 9598 children born in 1953 and living in the Stockholm metropolitan area in 1963 were included in this study. Data were obtained from the Stockholm Birth Cohort. Multiple ordinary least square regressions analyses suggest that SGA children have lower mean verbal, spatial and numerical test scores than appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children. However, these differences are small. Other results from modification analyses indicate that the effect of SGA status on cognitive performance is modified by the family’s attitude towards education. Additional logistic regression analyses suggest that the unadjusted difference in log odds of attaining higher education is largely explained by the family’s attitude towards education. The results suggest that the detrimental influences of being born SGA on some cognitive and educational outcomes are limited and may be reduced.

A preterm birth is associated with increased risk for neurocognitive deficits, but there is a need to further investigate brain/behavior relations among younger school age children born preterm. The main purpose of this study was to investigate relations between brain volumes and neuropsychological functioning, with an additional aim of examining side preference, among 18 school age children, nine born extremely/very preterm and nine born at-term. Brain volumes were examined using 3T MRI, neuropsychological functioning by WISC-IV and side preference through laterality observations. The children born preterm had, in general lower total brain volume, gray matter and WISC-IV score. Contrary to previous findings no difference was found regarding white matter volumes. Stronger right hand preference was associated to higher perceptual reasoning ability among both preterm and at-term born children, but the associations between right hand preference and brain volumes differed between the groups. The results in this study support previous findings showing long-term neurocognitive effects of a preterm birth.

This dissertation synthesizes and analyzes an emblematic sample of three prevalent psychological approaches to organizational change and learning, giving particular attention to the conception of cognition and emotion. It also explores some of the philosophical and psychological assumptions undergirding these approaches. A web model depicting various epistemological influences is offered as a tool for exploring influences on the psychological research within and beyond this study. A second conceptual model is also offered as a tool for considering the hierarchical treatment and preferential placement of cognition over emotion theory and practice. The project draws on general philosophy, psychology, evolutionary theory, and multiple other disciplines in the effort to understand why cognition is afforded a hallowed place while emotion is treated as an unruly subject. Dewey’s experiential, evolutionary psychology of emotion is repositioned as an alternative to what might be considered a Jamesian depiction of the relationship between cognition and emotion. Some of the implications of Dewey’s pragmatic reading and application of Darwinian naturalism are explored to raise awareness of the way that various interests are served through the rigid classification of human experience. Finally, an organizational fable is offered to help connect the project to the genuine problems that the reader brings to the text.

Researchers have found that law enforcement officers often experience stress. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if the size of the law enforcement agency (small, medium, or large) had any significant influence on how police officers perceive stress in their profession from a cognitive appraisal perspective with regards to Administrative/Organizational Pressure, Physical/Psychological Threats, and Lack of Support. Members of law enforcement (N = 144) from Utah and New York were surveyed utilizing Spielberger et al.'s Police Stress Survey. Archival data were provided by the National Police Suicide Foundation. Stress index scores were calculated manually for each survey completed, and then 3 separate ANOVAs were conducted to test the hypothesis. The results showed that officers from medium-sized departments perceive greater amounts of stress than those in large or small departments in the area of administrative/organizational pressure, while officers from large police departments perceived greater amounts of stress than their counterparts in small and medium-sized agencies in the areas of physical/psychological threats and lack of support. This study has implications for positive social change: understanding the stressors that police officer's face each day can help forensic psychologists understand the methods necessary to repair the strained relationship between the community and members of law enforcement; understanding the stressors can also open a pathway for researchers to begin the process of developing more a productive dialogue between police officers, their departmental leaders, and the communities they protect, which should begin during the early phases of academy training.

Competition over access for mates has led to the evolution of many striking examples of morphological traits and behaviour in animals. The rapid development of the sexual selection field in recent decades have dramatically advanced our understanding of what traits make individuals more successful in attracting mates and how preferences for mates evolve over time. However, till now, research in this field has put less emphasis on the mechanisms that underlie variation in mate choice and sexual behaviour. Cognitive processes could potentially be key drivers of individual variation in mating preferences and sexual behaviours and therefore deserve further investigation. In this thesis, I used guppies artificially selected for relative brain size as the model system to study the association between brain size, cognitive ability and various aspects of mate choice. Previous studies in this model system showed that large-brained individuals of both sexes outperformed small-brained individuals in cognitive tests. Here I quantified their sexual behaviours and mating preferences to provide novel empirical data concerning the association between brain size, cognitive ability and sexual selection. In dichotomous choice preference tests based on visual cues, comparisons between large-brained and small-brained guppies showed important differences in their assessment of mate quality. These results are not driven by pre-existing visual biases caused by the artificial selection since further investigation of the visual capacity of these fish detected no differences between large-brained and small-brained individuals in their sensitivity to colour or in their capacity to resolve spatial detail. I also quantified sexual behaviour in male guppies artificially selected for relative brain size and found no difference in the behaviours of large-brained and small-brained males in a single male-single female non-competitive scenario. On the contrary, in a more complex social setting I found a reduction in large-brained males in the rate of courtship towards females and dominance displays towards other males when exposed to different degrees of predation threat and different numbers of male competitors. However, this reduction in behavioural intensity did not result in a lower access to copulation with females for large-brained males. I likewise evaluated female sexual behaviour and found that large-brained females had higher behavioural flexibility such that they decreased their receptiveness towards males more strongly under higher levels of predation threat. Together, these results provide novel empirical evidence that brain size and cognitive ability are tightly linked to mating preferences and sexual behaviours. These findings suggest that brain size and cognitive ability might be important mechanisms behind variation in mating preferences and in sexually selected traits across and within species.<br><p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

Scientific research in psychology is intrinsically bound to the measurement of variables that are per nature highly complex, changeable, and most often unobservable. The design of measurement methods is mostly focused on the attempt to capture the main features of the psychological attribute of interest. The last fifteen years have seen a massive development and use of a new set of measurement instruments that go under the name of implicit measures, which accomplishes the primary goal of indexing psychological attributes interchangeably defined as automatic, uncontrollable, unconscious, impulsive, or implicit. The primary goal of the present work was to explore the implicitness feature of implicit measures and their functioning. The research covered the experimentation of several implicit measures in two different contexts within the broader domain of mental health: the automatic components of stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours towards people affected by a mental disease (Part 1) and the impulsive, automatic processes implied within people affected by a mental disease, more specifically, by an alcohol addiction disorder (Part 2). Part 1 of this dissertation is concerned with the design of two Implicit Association Tests targeting two aspects of mental illness stigma, namely, aetiological beliefs and prejudicial attitudes. The main objectives were to verify whether these two measures could be used as assessment techniques in this particular framework and to explore the plausible existence of implicit complements of mental illness stigma. Part 2 doubled the perspective of this research by experimenting implicit measurement techniques as means for change by adapting them to retrain the implicit processes they were initially designed to assess. The study took the form of a Randomised Clinical Trial with alcohol addict outpatients in which the combination of two training paradigms targeting maladaptive impulsive processes towards alcohol (i.e., attentional bias and approach bias) is examined. In both studies, the measurement properties of the implicit measures developed and their meaning in relation to the theoretical to-be-measured psychological attributes have been explored within a Rasch modelling perspective, through the application of the Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (MFRM) model. In Part 1, the MFRM model allowed disentangling the different ‘ingredients’ contributing to the emergence of the IATs effect and highlighting how implicit aetiological beliefs and evaluative associations with mental illness are multifaceted aspects. Semantic and evaluative implicit associations with mental illness resulted to be dependent on diagnostic categories and differently determined by biologic semantic associations and by a positive association primacy, respectively. Further, the MFRM evidenced the functioning of the IAT at the microscopic level. In Part 2, analysis of data of a group of participants at pre- and post-intervention assessment sessions evidenced the first promising results of the RCT: although participants did not show a substantial change in their alcohol attentional and approach bias measures, the MFRM showed a changing process in action. Experimental conditions showed to have a differential effect in bringing in a decrease and/or a reversal of the two cognitive biases. The MFRM contributed to the exploration of the dimensional and theoretical status of the two cognitive bias implicit measures and provided informative clues about their general and domain- specific features. Further, the MFRM retrieved first evidence about a differential effect of the stimuli used in improving control processes over the impulsive reactions towards alcohol. The intertwined elements of this work, namely, implicit measurement, mental health, and Rasch modelling, have been combined in the attempt not only to clarify the benefits of implicit methods in psychology, but also to unravel what it actually means to use implicit measures. The combination with a rigorous modelling approach indeed demonstrated both the limitations and the strength of this new family of instruments.<br>La ricerca scientifica in psicologia è intrinsecamente legata alla misurazione di variabili che per natura sono mutevoli, presentano un’elevata complessità e molto spesso non sono direttamente osservabili. Lo sviluppo di metodi di misurazione è funzionale alla ricerca di un mezzo per mettere in luce le diverse sfaccettature della variabile psicologica di interesse. Gli ultimi quindici anni hanno assistito ad un enorme sviluppo e applicazione di un nuovo insieme di strumenti di misura note come misure implicite, le quali hanno come scopo primario quello di quantificare quelle variabili psicologiche definite come automatiche, incontrollabili, inconsce, impulsive, o implicite. L’obiettivo principale di questo lavoro è stato quello di esplorare la natura propriamente implicita di alcune di queste misure, insieme al loro funzionamento. Il progetto di ricerca ha incluso la sperimentazione di alcuni metodi di misura impliciti in due diversi contesti all’interno del più ampio ambito della salute mentale: da una parte lo studio delle componenti automatiche nei processi di stigmatizzazione nei confronti di persone affette da un qualche disturbo mentale (Parte 1); dall’altra la considerazione dei processi impulsivi e automatici in persone affette da uno specific disturbo mentale, quale la dipendenza dal alcol (Parte 2). La Parte 1 della tesi include lo sviluppo di due Implicit Association Tests destinati alla valutazione di due aspetti inerenti lo stigma verso la malattia mentale: le credenze eziologiche e gli atteggiamenti pregiudiziali. Gli obiettivi principali hanno riguardato la verifica del possibile utilizzo di queste misure come strumenti di valutazione in questo specifico ambito, e nel contempo dell’effettiva esistenza di una controparte implicita nell’espressione dello stigma verso la malattia mentale. Nella Parte 2 la prospettiva ha assunto un’ulteriore duplice veste attraverso la sperimentazione delle tecniche di misurazione implicita come strumenti di cambiamento, attraverso il loro adattamento alla funzione di training di quei processi impliciti inizialmente misurati. Lo studio ha preso la forma di un Trial Clinico Randomizzato (TCR) con pazienti ambulatoriali dipendenti da alcol, nel quale è valutata la somministrazione di una combinazione di due training per il trattamento dei processi cognitivi automatici disfunzionali (i.e., bias attentivo e di approccio) implicati nella dipendenza da alcol. In entrambi gli studi sono state esplorate sia le proprietà misurative degli strumenti sviluppati, sia la loro relazione con l’ipotetica variabile psicologica misurata all’interno di una prospettiva di modellazione a tratti latenti, attraverso l’applicazione del Many-Facet Rasch Measurement model (MFRM). I risultati ottenuti nella Parte 1 mostrano come il modello MFRM sia riuscito a separare i diversi ‘ingredienti’ che contribuiscono all’emergere dell’effetto IAT evidenziando come le credenze eziologiche implicite e l’atteggiamento implicito nei confronti della malattia mentale siano multi-sfaccettati. Le associazioni semantiche e valutative nei confronti della malattia mentale sembrano cambiare in funzione della categoria diagnostica e sono rispettivamente determinate da associazioni con l’area semantica biologica e da un effetto primacy di associazioni positive. Il modello MFRM ha inoltre reso evidente il funzionamento dello IAT a livello microscopico. Nella Parte 2, l’analisi di un gruppo di partecipanti nelle sessioni di pre- e post- assessment ha dato i primi, promettenti risultanti sull’efficacia del TCR: nonostante al momento i partecipanti non abbiamo menifestato un significativo cambiamento nelle misure del bias attentivo e di approccio verso l’alcol, il modello MFRM ha dimostrato comunque che c’è effettivamente in atto un processo di cambiamento. Le condizioni sperimentali hanno prodotto un effetto discriminante nell’ottenere la diminuzione o il rovesciamento dei due bias cognitivi. Il modello ha inoltre contribuito all’esplorazione della dimensionalità e delle ipotesi teoriche alla base delle due misure implicite dei bias, dando suggerimenti rilevanti circa le loro caratteristiche dominio-generali e dominio-specifiche. Un ulteriore risultato riguarda un primo riscontro di un effetto esercitato dagli stimoli utilizzati nelle due misure nell’aumentare i processi di controllo degli impulsi nei confronti dell’alcol. In conclusione, l’intreccio tra misurazione implicita, salute mentale, e modelli di Rasch è nato allo scopo non solo di chiarire i benefici dell’utilizzo delle misure implicite in psicologia, ma anche per svelare che cosa significa effettivamente la misurazione implicita, mostrando sia i limiti che i punti di forza di questa nuova famiglia di strumenti attraverso la combinazione con un approccio metodologico e modellistico rigoroso.

This study investigated selective pressures associated with encephalization in mammals and discussed broader implications. Relative brain size as measured by EQ (Encephalization Quotient) was compared between ecological categories. Omnivores had higher average EQ than ecological specialists. Since specialists are disproportionately affected by extinction events, selection for ecological generalism is proposed as encephalization mechanism. This mechanism may reinforce the more widely known Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis (CBH)—the idea that possessing relatively large brains has buffered lineages against environmental change. CBH is tested here by comparing EQs in Procyon lotor (raccoon) in urban and rural environments. CBH predicts that raccoons in the most radically altered environment, the city, experience the strongest selection for encephalization. Urban raccoons studied here exhibit a higher EQ. Although results are preliminary, data suggest that encephalization is accelerated during abrupt periods of environmental change. Finally, implications for the evolution of biological complexity more generally are discussed.

The learning style theories, specifically the styles of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic, can have a significant influence on boosting the overall academic performance of students across the globe. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the qualities and implications of each style, whether positive or negative, on the individual achievement of each learner. Although much evidence has pointed to the importance of its application in the classroom, there has been research on the significance of other factors, such as neurological aspects, external influences, and controllable disciplinary actions. There is still much research to be done in regards to educational development, but one important takeaway for practice is the ability of an individual to realize their learning style in the classroom, ultimately allowing for the successful translation into various actions on daily life.

La coopération est un point de rencontre de nombreuses disciplines. L'automatique décrit la coopération homme-machine au travers des outils d'assistance qu'elle est capable de développer. Les sciences humaines l'étudient au travers du comportement en milieu collectif. Cette thèse s'inscrit dans ce courant pluridisciplinaire et propose des critères et des moyens pour concevoir des systèmes d'aide qui répondent aux exigences tant humaines qu'industrielles. La répartition dynamique de taches entre un opérateur humain et un système d'aide, est une forme de coopération qui permet de couvrir une vaste plage de l'activité de supervision et de contrôle de procédés complexes. Ce mémoire en donne un exemple puisque la recherche s'applique au contrôle de trafic aérien. Compte tenu du foisonnement de définitions de la coopération, notre recherche tente de recentrer les points de vue éparses et propose une synthèse en fonction des notions de savoir-faire et de savoir-coopérer. La description des agents coopératifs en fonction de ces notions facilite la recherche des lacunes dans l'organisation des agents, ainsi que dans les tâches qui leur sont affectées. Une méthodologie d'évaluation est notamment présentée. Elle s'appuie sur un modèle cognitif de l'opérateur humain, et des critères de performance pondérés par des critères sur la qualité de la coopération. L'une des solutions proposées a l'issue des expérimentations est la conception d'un espace de travail commun. En plus d'une interface homme-machine, il est muni de modules intelligents qui facilitent ou automatisent l'identification des plans des agents coopératifs. Le système d'aide dispose alors de données précises et objectives pour piloter le répartiteur et l'allocateur de tâches. Un exemple d'espace de travail commun est présenté, il répond a l'augmentation du trafic aérien en apportant un soutien actif à la coopération entre les contrôleurs aériens, les pilotes, et les systèmes d'aide.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006.<br>Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-143). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

La presente investigación buscó describir los factores conductuales (conductas sexuales de riesgo) y factores cognitivos (conocimientos, actitudes negativas y positivas, susceptibilidad y autoeficacia percibida) asociados al contagio del VIH en un grupo de 56 hombres que tienen sexo con otros hombres (HSH). Ellos asisten a una ONG en Lima, con edades entre 20 y 54 años (DE= 29.95). Para el objetivo, se usó parte del Cuestionario Confidencial de Vida Sexual Activa (CCVSA) desarrollado por el Ministerio de Salud de Colombia con la colaboración de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) (1997) y el VIH-65 (Bermúdez, Buela-Casal y Uribe, 2005). Se encontró que el 89% de los participantes reportan conductas de riesgo para la práctica de sexo oral, otro 61% con el sexo anal, 50% con el sexo vaginal y el 46% presentó una ITS en el último año. Los altos índices de incidencia en este tipo de conductas, anales y orales, son alarmantes ya que estos ponen en riesgo la salud con respecto al VIH. Por otro lado, se encontró niveles adecuados de conocimientos correctos, autoeficacia y actitudes frente a aspectos relacionados al VIH y a personas con dicha condición. Sin embargo, las escalas de susceptibilidad percibida; autoeficacia y actitudes negativas, mostraron índices de consistencia interna muy bajos por lo que no se pudieron incorporar al análisis de correlación luego de realizadas las pruebas de confiabilidad. No se hallaron correlaciones entre las conductas de riesgo y el nivel de conocimientos, ideas erróneas o las actitudes positivas en la muestra. Se discute la necesidad de realizar más investigaciones y de desarrollar y/o adaptar instrumentos más específicos a las poblaciones con las que se pretende trabajar.<br>This research sought to describe behavioral (risky sexual behavior) and cognitive factors (knowledge, positive and negative attitudes, susceptibility and perceived self-efficacy) associated to the infection of HIV in a group of 56 men that have sex with other men (MSM). They attend an NGO in Lima, and their ages range between 20 and 54 years (M= 29.95). The Confidential Active Sexual Life Questionnaire (CCVSA) developed by the Colombian Ministry of Health with the collaboration of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (1997) and HIV-65 (Bermudez, Buela-Casal and Uribe, 2005) were used to reach this objective. It was found that 89% showed risk behaviors in oral sex, another 61% had risk in anal sex, 50% in vaginal sex and 46% identified an STD in the last year. These high incidence rates in this type of behavior are alarming and put these people's health at risk with respect to HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, accurate levels of knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes were found. The need for more research is discussed, as well the development and/or adaptation of more accurate instruments.<br>Tesis

Ces dernières années, la question du sida s'est progressivement déplacée. Avec l'introduction des nouveaux traitements en 1996, le contexte thérapeutique s'est transformé, suscitant des changements de la perception de la maladie et de sa gravité accompagnés d'une reprise des comportements à risques, particulièrement visibles dans la génération « post-sida ». Dans ce contexte de dédramatisation, comment les acteurs parviennent-ils à se former une opinion sur un certain nombre d'aspects de la maladie ?<br />Mobilisant un paradigme structural, la thèse vise à comprendre la manière dont les structures de différents réseaux de discussion et d'échanges d'informations produisent différents types de confrontations cognitives et normatives, qui permettent que des représentations soient stabilisées ou au contraire modifiées.<br />Mais il est fréquent qu'un acteur appartienne à des réseaux porteurs de représentations hétérogènes. Ceci peut conduire un même acteur à partager des pensées différentes sur le même objet.<br />Une méthode originale a été élaborée pour enregistrer les convergences et divergences des opinons entre un acteur et deux interlocuteurs successifs différents. A chaque fois, l'acteur et l'interlocuteur répondaient en vis-à-vis aux mêmes séries de questions. L'étude montre les caractéristiques des relations qui pèsent sur la convergence des opinions, la fréquence des contextes relationnels hétérogènes et la manière dont des acteurs changent d'opinion selon ces contextes.<br />Au-delà des sociologies de l'influence ou de la diffusion des innovations, cette approche éclaire quelques processus cognitifs propres aux systèmes relationnels où sont élaborés des savoirs profanes partagés.

The aim of this thesis is to understand some of the processes involved in the selection of appropriate tasks, and in the selection of correct responses to those tasks. The main focus of the following experiments will be on how interference and conflict occurs during these processes, either at the perceptual or action selection stages when switching task. It should be possible to demonstrate with increases to the number of attributes, the experience of tasks associated with non-target attributes, and in varying the number of trials before switching tasks, that task selection consists of several stages or processes, and that these processes do not necessarily interact. This will show that the switch cost is not an unitary cost associated with changing a single response-stimulus setting, task parameter, or an overall task set, but a composite of various costs associated with different task selection processes.

Ces dernières années, la question du sida s'est progressivement déplacée. Avec l'introduction des nouveaux traitements en 1996, le contexte thérapeutique s'est transformé, suscitant des changements de la perception de la maladie et de sa gravité accompagnés d'une reprise des comportements à risques, particulièrement visibles dans la génération « post-sida ». Dans ce contexte de dédramatisation, comment les acteurs parviennent-ils à se former une opinion sur un certain nombre d'aspects de la maladie? Mobilisant un paradigme structural, la thèse vise à comprendre la manière dont les structures de différents réseaux de discussion et d'échanges d'informations produisent différents types de confrontations cognitives et normatives, qui permettent que des représentations soient stabilisées ou au contraire modifiées. Mais il est fréquent qu'un acteur appartienne à des réseaux porteurs de représentations hétérogènes. Ceci peut conduire un même acteur à partager des pensées différentes sur le même objet. Une méthode originale a été élaborée pour enregistrer les convergences et divergences des opinons entre un acteur et deux interlocuteurs successifs différents. A chaque fois, l'acteur et l'interlocuteur répondaient en vis-à-vis aux mêmes séries de questions. L'étude montre les caractéristiques des relations qui pèsent sur la convergence des opinions, la fréquence des contextes relationnels hétérogènes et la manière dont des acteurs changent d'opinion selon ces contextes. Au-delà des sociologies de l'influence ou de la diffusion des innovations, cette approche éclaire quelques processus cognitifs propres aux systèmes relationnels où sont élaborés des savoirs profanes partagés.

Nach einem ausführlichem Überblick über den Kenntnisstand der Genetik und Neurowissenschaft von allgemeiner Intelligenz und einer methodischen Anmerkung zur Notwendigkeit der Berücksichtigung latenter Variablen in den kognitiven Neurowissenschaften am Beispiel einer Reanalyse publizierter Ergebnisse wir das am besten etablierte Gehirnkorrelat der Intelligenz, die Gehirngröße, aus evolutionsgenetischer Perspektive neu betrachtet. Schätzungen des Koeffizienten additiv-genetischer deuten an, dass es keine rezente direktionale Selektion auf Gehirngröße gegeben hat, was ihre Validität als Proxy für Intelligenz in evolutionären Studien in Frage stellt. Stattdessen deuten Korrelationen der Gesichtssymmetrie älterer Männer mit Intelligenz und Informationsverarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit an, dass organismusweite Entwicklungsstabilität eine wichtige Grundlage von unterschieden in kognitiven Fähigkeiten sein könnte. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit geht es vornehmlich um die Alterung kognitiver Fähigkeiten, beginnend mit einem allgemeinen Überblick. Daten einer Stichprobe von über 130 Individuen zeigen dann, dass die Integrität verschiedener Nervenbahnen im Gehirn hoch korreliert, was die Extraktion eines Generalfaktors der Traktintegrität erlaubt, der mit Informationsverarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit korreliert. Der einzige Trakt mit schwacher Ladung auf diesem Generalfaktor ist das Splenium des Corpus Callosum, welches mit Veränderungen der Intelligenz über 6 Jahrzehnte korreliert und den Effekt des Bet2 adrenergischem Rezeptorgens (ADRB2) auf diese Veränderung mediiert, möglicherweise durch Effekte auf neuronale Komopensationsprozesse. Schließlich wird auf Basis neuer Analyseverfahren für Magnetresonanzdaten gezeigt, dass vermehrte Eiseneinlagerungen im Gehirn, vermutlich Marker für zerebrale Mikroblutungen, sowohl mit lebenslang stabilen Intelligenzunterschieden als auch mit der altersbedingten Veränderung kognitiver Fähigkeiten assoziiert sind.<br>After an extensive review of what is known about the genetics and neuroscience of general intelligence and a methodological note emphasising the necessity to consider latent variables in cognitive neuroscience studies, exemplified by a re-analysis of published results, the most well-established brain correlate of intelligence, brain size, is revisited from an evolutionary genetic perspective. Estimates of the coefficient of additive genetic variation in brain size suggest that there was no recent directional selection on brain size, questioning its validity as a proxy for intelligence in evolutionary analyses. Instead, correlations of facial fluctuating asymmetry with intelligence and information processing speed in old men suggest that organism-wide developmental stability might be an important cause of individual differences in cognitive ability. The second half of the thesis focuses on cognitive ageing, beginning with a general review. In a sample of over 130 subjects it has then been found that the integrity of different white matter tracts in the brain is highly correlated, allowing for the extraction of a general factor of white matter tract integrity, which is correlated with information processing speed. The only tract not loading highly on this general factor is the splenium of the corpus callosum, which is correlated with changes in intelligence over 6 decades and mediates the effect of the beta2 adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) on cognitive ageing, possibly due to its involvement in neuronal compensation processes. Finally, using a novel analytic method for magnetic resonance data, it is shown that more iron depositions in the brain, presumably markers of a history of cerebral microbleeds, are associated with both lifelong-stable intelligence differences and age-related decline in cognitive functioning.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2005.<br>Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], iv, 35 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-35).

Ces dernières décennies, la famille a connu des changements majeurs dans la majorité des pays de l’OCDE. D’une part, le taux de fertilité a baissé ; d’autre part, le nombre de séparation a fortement augmenté. Cette thèse se propose d’étudier les effets de ces changements de la structure familiale sur le capital humain des individus, en l’envisageant comme une nouvelle source d’inégalités. Dans un cadre micro-économique, cette thèse mobilise les outils économétriques pour les appliquer à de larges bases de données. Les trois chapitres de cette thèse présentent des résultats nouveaux sur l’effet de la séparation parentale et de la taille de la famille sur le capital humain de l’individu. Le premier chapitre porte sur l’effet de la séparation parentale en France sur la réussite professionnelle des individus, et montre un effet négatif de la séparation parentale sur le niveau d’étude et la position sociale de l’individu. En s’appuyant sur des données américaines, le second chapitre s’intéresse aux mécanismes expliquant cet effet, et en particulier, sur les changements du temps passé avec les parents. Ainsi, 30% de l’effet de la séparation parentale sur le développement socio-émotionnel des enfants serait expliqué par la baisse du temps passé avec au moins un parent présent. Le troisième chapitre considère un autre aspect de la structure familiale : la taille de la famille. Nous trouvons que l’arrivée d’un troisième enfant dans la famille diminue les compétences socio-émotionnelles des autres enfants, en particulier chez les filles<br>Family has known great transformations in the last decades in a large number of OECD countries. On one hand, fertility rates have decreased. On the other hand, the number of separations has increased sharply. This thesis asks whether these major changes of family structure affect child’s human capital, being a new source of inequalities. Using very large datasets and micro-econometric methods, the three chapters present original empirical evidence on whether parental separation and family size impact individual’s human capital. The first chapter studies the effect of parental separation in France on individual’s achievement, and find a negative effect of parental separation on individual’s educational attainment and social position. Using an American dataset, the second chapter asks whether this effect is driven by changes in time spent with parents, and find that 30% of the effect of parental separation on socio-emotional skills is explained by the decrease in time spent with at least one parent present. The third chapter accounts for another aspect of family structure: the number of children. Using a British dataset, we find that having a second sibling in the United Kingdom decreases the child’s socio-emotional skills, especially for girls

In visual cortex, high-contrast grating stimuli induce neurons to oscillate synchronously with a centre frequency in the gamma range (~30–80 Hz). The peak frequency of visual gamma oscillations is modulated by numerous factors, including stimulus properties, cortical architecture and genetics, however, it can be measured reliably over time. As demonstrated by both animal models and human pharmacological studies, the gamma peak frequency is determined by the excitation/inhibition balance and the time constants of GABAergic processes. This oscillatory parameter could thus reflect inter-individual differences in cortical function/physiology, representing a possible biomarker for pharmacological treatment in conditions such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. This thesis demonstrates the importance of measuring the gamma peak frequency accurately and reliably in magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings. In Chapter 2, a novel quality-control (QC) approach was validated for peak frequency estimation and identification of poor-quality data. In Chapter 3, QC of a previous pharmacological MEG study of visual gamma with tiagabine revealed a marked drug-induced reduction of peak frequency. Although contrasting with the null finding originally reported (Muthukumaraswamy et al., 2013), the result is supported by both animal models and recent human studies, demonstrating the potentialities of appropriate QC routines. In Chapter 4, testing for the effect of spatial attention on the gamma peak frequency in primary visual cortex resulted in no evidence of a change. However, the modulation of gamma amplitude by attention was consistent with a role in feed-forward signal propagation across the visual hierarchy. In Chapter 5, the QC approach was used to compare visual gamma data recorded at different sites of the UK MEG Partnership, demonstrating the feasibility of combining data from different MEG systems. These results have implications particularly for pharmacological and large-scale multi-site studies, both of which are emerging as promising approaches for the study of brain function with MEG.

Identifying the causes and consequences of intra-specific variation in cognitive abilities is fundamental to our understanding of the evolution of cognition. The social environment and cognitive abilities appear inextricably linked, yet evidence for how the social environment affects cognitive performances and further, how cognitive performances influence the social environment, has seldom been explored. Using the pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, I explore the relationships between individual variation in cognitive performances in relation to broad and fine-scale structure of the social environment and endeavour to separate cause and consequence. I demonstrate a positive causal effect of the broad-scale social environment on cognitive performances by observing increases in the accuracy of spatial discrimination performances when individuals are in larger groups (Chapter Two and Chapter Four). I show that the positive effects of larger group size occur over a relatively short period (less than one week), suggesting that cognitive performances are flexible in response to the social environment and I suggest four potential mechanisms. I show that while males are part of a social hierarchy, spatial discrimination performances are related to this fine-scale social structure and higher-ranking males outperform lower ranking males (Chapter Three). When attempting to determine cause and consequence, I found that spatial learning performances early in life did not predict adult cognitive performances on the same task or predict their adult social rank (Chapter Four). Hence, my results do not support that social rank is a consequence of spatial learning abilities in male pheasants. The relationship between spatial learning performances and social rank was found in adult males that had their social rank artificially elevated, suggesting that cognitive performances were not simply the result of the current social environment but remain closely related to past agonistic relationships. I did not find a relationship between early life aggression with performances on either a spatial or a non-spatial task in females or males (Chapter Five). This highlights the importance of investigating early life relationships and suggests that the relationship between spatial learning and aggression in adult males may become associated over time as a consequence of further spatial learning experiences, and, or, aggressive interactions. I then demonstrate a consequence of individual variation in cognitive abilities and show that adult foraging associations in the wild disassort by early life cognitive performances (Chapter Six). Individuals with good inhibitory control performance and poor visual discrimination performances were more central in social networks. I propose that differences in cognitive abilities manifest in foraging strategy and influence the resulting social structure. The implications of this predictable social structure remain to be explored. Finally, I discuss these results and how they contribute to our understanding of how the social environment causes individual differences in cognitive performances, as well as how variation in cognitive performances may shape the social environment. I suggest the potential implications of these findings and ideas for future work.

Preterm birth (&lt; 37 complete gestation weeks, GWs) is the single most prominent risk factor for the development of cerebral palsy (CP). This is due to the immature physiological state of the preterm born infant which increases the risk of brain lesions. In CP, prominent sensorimotor, cognitive, and perceptual deviations are manifested with varying degrees of functional impairment. Although most children born preterm (PT) do not develop CP, sensorimotor and cognitive deficits are frequently reported in the absence of major disability. To date, few studies have focused on detailed kinematic analysis of upper-body goal-directed movements and how aspects of movement organization and control are related to hand preference, intellectual function, gestational age, and sex within groups of prematurely born children. Further, studies evaluating effects of sensorimotor training in persons with CP is needed and of importance as positive effects on movement performance may increase individual autonomy as a consequence.To investigate the prevalence of non-right hand preference within children born preterm (PT) in comparison to children born fullterm (FT), a meta-analysis and literature review were performed (study I). It was shown that children born PT had increased rates of non-right handedness (NRH) corresponding to 22% compared to 12% in the FT group (odds ratio 2.12). In study II, hand preference and side specific movement performance in children born PT (. 35 GWs) compared to an age matched group of children born FT were investigated. All included participants were 4-8 years of age without major disability. Movement performance was studied through detailed kinematic registrations of the head, arm, and hand during a goal-directed task and hand preference through observations of the hand used when manipulating different objects. On a group level, the children born PT, specifically those born &lt; 33 GWs, showed an increased rate of NRH, weaker strength of hand preference, and a lack of side specificity in terms of movement kinematics. In general, the children born &lt; 33 GWs also displayed poorer movement organization and control as expressed by longer durations, less smooth and longer distances of the movement trajectories. These findings imply that preterm birth has long term effects on sensorimoror organization and function, possibly reflecting a developmental delay and/or a persistent effect that may be associated with the increased risk of deviations in brain development.In study III, associations between movement performance, assessed with the same task as in study II, and intellectual function (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th ed; WISC-IV) were studied. This study included a subsample of the children from study II at 6-8 years of age. The results showed a link between movement organization and general intellectual functioning (IQ), when controlling for effects of GA and sex, for the PT born but not the FT born children. These findings suggest shared neural underpinnings and interrelated development of motor and intellectual functions.In study IV, kinematic analysis of upper-body movements and subjective experience of change in upper-body function were applied before and after a period of synchronized metronome training (SMT) in adolescents with varying degree of CP to study the effects of this type of training. The SMT method applied entailed elements of movement timing and rhythmic activation coupled with feedback and was hypothesized to train sensorimotor integration. It was found that SMT did improve, to varying degrees, the organization and control of movements in adolescents with CP. The participants with more severe forms of CP reported substantial effects in daily living activities. The observed effects of SMT warrant further study of specific effects on movement planning, biomechanical constraints, and attention.The relation between hand preference and movement performance, movement performance and intellectual function, and aspects related to the SMT method applied in study IV are discussed. Specifically, the lack of side specific movement organization within the group of children born PT is discussed from perspectives of motor learning, plasticity, and genetics. The relations between movement performance and intellectual functions are considered and ideas for how this association could be tested are given. With relation to study IV, the functions trained by the specific SMT method applied and the accessibility of individuals with different degree of CP is discussed. Methodological considerations and ideas for future research approaches within these areas are presented.<br>Varje år föds det drygt 100 000 barn i Sverige. Cirka 5% av dessa barn föds för tidigt, det vill säga före 37 kompletta graviditetsveckor. Av de barn som föds för tidigt har majoriteten en gestationsålder (antalet graviditetsveckor) över 33 veckor (Medicinska födelseregistret, 2009). Omkring 8% av barn som föds för tidigt diagnosticeras senare med cerebral pares (CP) (Ancel, et al., 2006) och omkring hälften av personer med diagnosen CP har en för tidig födelsehistorik (Beaino et al., 2010). CP är ett paraplybegrepp som innefattar ett flertal icke-progressiva motoriska utvecklingsavvikelser av olika karaktär och funktionsnedsättningsgrad, orsakade av hjärnskador som inträffar under fosterlivet eller vid förlossningen. Vanligtvis så påverkas även sensorik, perception, kognition, och beteende negativt (Rosenbaum, Paneth, Leviton, Goldstein, &amp; Bax, 2008). En prematur födsel utgör den största riskfaktorn för utvecklingen av CP där risken är störst för de barn som föds allra tidigast (Murphy, Sellers, MacKenzie, Yudkin, &amp; Johnson, 1995). De allra flesta barn som föds för tidigt drabbas dock inte av grav sensomotorisk funktionsnedsättning som till exempel CP trots att det finns en ökad risk för hjärnskador hos denna grupp. Ett flertal studier har ändå visat att barn som fötts för tidigt och ej diagnosticerats med CP i högre grad än fullgångna barn generellt har både motoriska (e.g., Williams et al., 2010) och kognitiva (e.g., Bhutta, 2002) funktionsnedsättningar.I dagsläget så har endast ett fåtal studier fokuserat på att i detalj studera organiseringen av målinriktade hand-armrörelser hos barn som fötts för tidigt. Av dessa har merparten fokuserat på spädbarn i syfte att finna tidiga markörer för sensomotoriska avvikelser. Då de sensomotoriska problemen hos för tidigt födda barn kvarstår i skolåldern och i vissa fall är så diskreta att de upptäcks först när barnet börjar skolan så kan rörelseanalys vara en metod som kan bidra till ökad förståelse och kunskap om hur den sensomotoriska påverkan uttrycks hos äldre barn. Ett av syftena med denna avhandling var således att noggrant studera organiseringen av huvud-, arm-, och handrörelser under en målinriktad handling hos barn som fötts för tidigt jämfört med en grupp barn i samma åldrar (4-8 år) som fötts efter fullgången graviditet. Av intresse är att studera relationen mellan aspekter associerade med rörelseorganisation och handpreferens, intellektuell förmåga, gestationsålder, samt kön. Då barn och ungdomar med CP utgör den största diagnosgruppen som behandlas inom barn- och ungdomshabiliteringar (Odding, Roebroeck, &amp; Stam, 2006) finns det ett stort behov av att utvärdera effekten av redan existerande träningsmetoder. Ett ytterligare syfte med detta avhandlingsarbete var att utvärdera både kort- och långtidseffekter av en etablerad träningsmetod (synchronized metronome training; SMT) som antas främja den sensomotoriska integreringen hos ungdomar (12-17 år) med diagnosen CP. Effekterna av denna träningsmetod utvärderades med hjälp av detaljerad rörelseanalys samt ett frågeformulär gällande individens upplevelse av förändring.Då barn som fötts för tidigt i vissa studier har visat sig ha en ökad prevalens av icke-högerhänthet, det vill säga fler som är vänsterhänta eller tvåhänta (ambidextra), så utfördes en systematisk litteraturgenomgång och en metaanalys för att undersöka detta fenomen närmare (studie I). I denna studie visade det sig att barn som fötts för tidigt i större utsträckning var icke-högerhänta jämfört med barn som fötts efter en fullgången graviditet (odds ratio 2.12). Hos de för tidigt födda barnen var 22% icke högerhänta jämfört med 12% av de som fötts efter fullgången graviditet. Dock säger handpreferensstudier inget om hur kvaliteten på rörelser utförda med den föredragna eller icke-föredragna handen ser ut. För att undersöka sambandet mellan handpreferens och kvalitet på rörelser kopplade till den föredragna och icke-föredragna handen hos barn som fötts för tidigt, jämfört med fullgångna åldersmatchade kontroller, utfördes kinematiska rörelseanalyser samt ett testbatteri som undersöker handpreferens (studie II). Barnen utförde målinriktade rörelser, med en hand i taget, i en uppgift som ställer höga krav på öga-hand-koordination och precision. Uppgiften bestod i att plocka upp och trä så många pärlor som möjligt på en smal pinne under 30 sekunder. Denna studie visade att barnen med en för tidig födelsehistorik, speciellt de mycket för tidigt födda (före graviditetsvecka 33), i större utsträckning var klassificerade som icke-högerhänta och hade en svagare handpreferens i jämförelse med barnen som inte fötts för tidigt. De mycket för tidigt födda barnen visade även, som grupp, en sämre organisering av huvud-, arm-, och handrörelser vilket manifesterades i en ökad längd, tidsåtgång och ojämnhet av rörelsebanorna. Oavsett gestationsålder så visade den för tidigt födda gruppen barn inga sidoskillnader i kvaliteten på rörelserna vilket däremot var tydligt hos gruppen barn som fötts vid fullgången graviditet. Dock så skiljde sig gruppen barn som fötts moderat för tidigt (mellan graviditetsvecka 33 och 35) inte statistiskt signifikant åt från barnen i den fullgånget födda gruppen. Dessa resultat indikerar en långvarig effekt av för tidig födsel på sensomotorisk funktion. Den markanta påverkan som barnen som fötts före graviditetsvecka 33 uppvisade, kan tolkas som en effekt av den ökade risken för avvikelser i hjärnans utveckling.I studie III undersöktes sambanden mellan intellektuell förmåga och organiseringen av rörelser hos barn som fötts för tidigt samt hos barn som fötts efter en fullgången graviditet i 6-8 års ålder (en subgrupp ur studie II). Den intellektuella förmågan undersöktes med hjälp av Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4:e upplagan, och den kinematiska uppgiften var den samma som beskrivits ovan. Denna studie visade på skillnader i intellektuell förmåga, specifikt gällande generell intelligens samt verbal och perceptuell förmåga, där de för tidigt födda barnen hade lägre poäng än de fullgångna barnen. Viktigt att poängtera är dock att medelvärdena för gruppen för tidigt födda barn låg inom det normala spannet. Vidare så visade sig gestationsålder och generell intellektuell förmåga ha betydelse för det motoriska utförandet hos de för tidigt födda barnen, speciellt på den föredragna sidan. Kön bidrog inte till att förklara skillnader i organiseringen av rörelser. Intellektuell förmåga hade ingen relation till den sensomotoriska funktionen hos gruppen barn som fötts efter en fullgången graviditet. Detta belyser vikten av att studera kognitiva aspekter av motorisk funktion för att bättre förstå de skillnader eller avvikelser som ofta påvisas hos barn med en för tidig födelsehistorik. Dessutom skulle en sådan ansats öka kunskapen om den interrelaterade utvecklingen av motorisk och intellektuell förmåga, både ur ett beteendeperspektiv och ur ett hjärnutvecklingsperspektiv.Kinematisk rörelseanalys användes även i studie IV för att beskriva eventuella förändringar i rörelseorganisation efter SMT-träning hos ungdomar med olika typer av CP och varierande grad av funktionsnedsättning (studie IV). Ungdomarna utförde en målinriktad uppgift som bestod i att tända små lampor i sekventiell ordning. Testerna genomfördes vid tre tillfällen, före, i anslutning till avslutad SMT-träning samt 6 månader efter avslutad SMT-träning. Träningsperioden varade i 4 veckor och innefattade 12 individanpassade SMT-sessioner. Den typ av SMT-träning som användes i denna studie antas främja sensomotorisk integrering genom rytmisk aktivering och timing av rörelser mot en auditiv och visuell signal. Feedback på avvikelsen i synkronisering, och en instruktion om hur deltagaren skall uppnå bättre rörelsetiming, ges direkt både auditivt och visuellt. Denna studie visade på förändringar i rörelseorganisation och motorisk kontroll hos flertalet av deltagarna. Dessa effekter kvarstod till viss del vid uppföljningen efter 6 månader. Deltagarna med gravare funktionsnedsättning rapporterade substantiella förändringar i förmågan att delta i dagliga aktiviteter både direkt efter avslutad träning samt 6 månader senare. De rapporterade effekterna gällde ökad snabbhet, minskad muskeltonus, bättre arm-, hand- och fingerkontroll, samt ökad motivation att använda armen och handen både i träning och vardagliga aktiviteter. Dessa subjektivt upplevda förändringar tillsammans med de vi observerat i de kinematiska parametrarna utgör en grund för fortsatta studier av effekter av SMT hos denna grupp ungdomar och även hos andra grupper barn och ungdomar med motoriska problem. En ansats där effekter av SMT-metoder studeras utifrån rörelseplanering, biomekaniska restriktioner, samt uppmärksamhet skulle vara av betydelse.I avhandlingen diskuteras relationen mellan handpreferens och kvalitet på rörelser i relation till den föredragna och icke-föredragna handen, samband mellan organisering av rörelser och intellektuell förmåga, samt aspekter relaterade till SMT-metoden som applicerats i studie IV. Specifikt diskuteras avsaknaden av en sidospecifik rörelseorganisering hos gruppen barn som fötts för tidigt i relation till motorisk inlärning, hjärnans förmåga att förändra sig, och genetik. Relationen mellan organisering av rörelser och intellektuell förmåga betänks och förslag på hur detta samband kan undersökas i kommande studier ges. Vidare så diskuteras vilka funktioner som SMT-metoden tränar samt dess tillgänglighet för barn och ungdomar med olika grad av funktionsnedsättning relaterad till typ av CP diagnos. Metodologiska överväganden och idéer för framtida forskningsansatser inom dessa områden presenteras.<br><p>En viktig annan finansiär är Norrbacka-Eugenia Stiftelsen som bekostade hela min forskarutbildning.</p>