Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Slow down'

In dieser Dissertation wird ein Modell des visuellen Systems untersucht, basierend auf dem Prinzip des unüberwachten Langsamkeitslernens und des SFA-Algorithmus (Slow Feature Analysis). Dieses Modell wird hier für die invariante Objekterkennung und verwandte Probleme eingesetzt. Das Modell kann dabei sowohl die zu Grunde liegenden diskreten Variablen der Stimuli extrahieren (z.B. die Identität des gezeigten Objektes) als auch kontinuierliche Variablen (z.B. Position und Rotationswinkel). Dabei ist es in der Lage, mit komplizierten Transformationen umzugehen, wie beispielsweise Tiefenrotation. Die Leistungsfähigkeit des Modells wird zunächst mit Hilfe von überwachten Methoden zur Datenanalyse untersucht. Anschließend wird gezeigt, dass auch die biologisch fundierte Methode des Verstärkenden Lernens (reinforcement learning) die Ausgabedaten unseres Modells erfolgreich verwenden kann. Dies erlaubt die Anwendung des Verstärkenden Lernens auf hochdimensionale visuelle Stimuli. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wird versucht, das hierarchische Modell mit Top-down Prozessen zu erweitern, speziell für die Rekonstruktion von visuellen Stimuli. Dabei setzen wir die Methode der Vektorquantisierung ein und verbinden diese mit einem Verfahren zum Gradientenabstieg. Die wesentlichen Komponenten der für unsere Simulationen entwickelten Software wurden in eine quelloffene Programmbibliothek integriert, in das ``Modular toolkit for Data Processing'''' (MDP). Diese Programmkomponenten werden im letzten Teil der Dissertation vorgestellt.
This thesis examines a model of the visual system, which is based on the principle of unsupervised slowness learning and using Slow Feature Analysis (SFA). We apply this model to the task of invariant object recognition and several related problems. The model not only learns to extract the underlying discrete variables of the stimuli (e.g., identity of the shown object) but also to extract continuous variables (e.g., position and rotational angles). It is shown to be capable of dealing with complex transformations like in-depth rotation. The performance of the model is first measured with the help of supervised post-processing methods. We then show that biologically motivated methods like reinforcement learning are also capable of processing the high-level output from the model. This enables reinforcement learning to deal with high-dimensional visual stimuli. In the second part of this thesis we try to extend the model with top-down processes, centered around the task of reconstructing visual stimuli. We utilize the method of vector quantization and combine it with gradient descent. The key components of our simulation software have been integrated into an open-source software library, the Modular toolkit for Data Processing (MDP). These components are presented in the last part of the thesis.

This thesis takes its departure in the view of modern society as being characterised by a heavy focus on efficiency and economic growth, and perception that everything is moving faster and faster in line with Hartmut Rosa´s theory of social acceleration. The effects of this can be seen in rising numbers of stress related sicknesses and mental health problems, as well as a heavy pressure on the earths resources to facilitate continued growth. The aim of the thesis is to investigate the challenges and possibilities for individuals in Sweden to slow down and live a simpler life in this context. Previous research suggests that slower lifestyles can be beneficial both for well-being and environmental sustainability reasons, so understanding the preconditions of this to be possible can be an important aspect when trying to plan for a sustainable future. The theoretical framework consists of the model of voluntary simplicity lifestyle by Osikominu and Bocken (2020), the theory of social acceleration by Rosa (2009) and selected writings on Social Change. The thesis is based on a thematic analysis of empiric material from individuals in Sweden who has transitioned to a slower and more simple lifestyle, generally in terms of working less, reducing their consumption and living closer no nature, and also are visible on social media, reaching out to many others as inspiration. The material consists of writings and recordings from the study-persons in the form of blog-posts and podcasts. The study could confirm that many parts of the VSL-model also were applicable and experienced in the Swedish context. Most participants had in common that their previous lifestyle was characterised by stress, pressure, and living according to others expectations, in line with Rosa´s theory of social acceleration. Their new slower and simpler lifestyles were a decision to follow their own path in life and start to value their time more. The challenges that could be recognised was the norm of working full-time, achievement values, living outside the norm, ethical dilemmas regarding consumption and, for those living on the countryside, transport and infrastructure. The possibilities most recognised were concerning their wellbeing, closely related to their possibility of finding time for recovery, as well as living more in contact with the environment. Social life appeared both as a challenge and a possibility.

We examine how speed of automation is affected by different employment protection regimes - one with lenient and one with stringent regulation. To assess we examine how occupations shares in the UK, US, Germany and Spain has changed from 1991-2013. According to our estimates, we find that the speed, of which high-risk occupations shrink over time, slows down in countries with a stringent EPL, Germany and Spain, regime relative to lenient EPL levels, the UK and US.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, ischemia, etc. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is histopathologically characterized by the presence of extracellular senile plaque (SP), predominantly consisting of fibrillar amyloid-peptide (Aβ), intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and cell loss in the selected regions of the brain. However, the pathogenesis of AD remains largely unknown, but a number of hypothesis were proposed for AD mechanisms, which include: the amyloid cascade, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation hypothesis, and all of them are based, to some extent on the role of A. Accumulated evidence indicates that the increased levels of ROS may act as important mediators of synaptic loss and eventually promote formation of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. Therefore a vicious circle between ROS and Aaccumulation may accelerate progression of AD. For these reasons, growing attention has focused on oxidative mechanism of Atoxicity as well as the search for novel neuroprotective agents. A strategy to prevent the oxidative stress in neurons may be the use of chemopreventive agents as inducers of antioxidant and phase 2 enzymes. Sulforaphane (SF), derived from corresponding glucoraphanin, glucosinolate found in abundance in cruciferous vegetables, has recently gained attention as a potential neuroprotective compound inducer of antioxidant phase 2 enzymes. Consistent with this evidence, the study is aimed at identifying the SF ability to prevent and counteract the oxidative damage inducted by oligomers of Aβ (1-42) in terms of impairment in the intracellular redox state and cellular death in differentiated human neuroblastoma and microglia primary cultures. In addition we will evaluated the mechanism underlying the SF neuroprotection activity.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, ischemia, etc. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is histopathologically characterized by the presence of extracellular senile plaque (SP), predominantly consisting of fibrillar amyloid-peptide (Aβ), intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and cell loss in the selected regions of the brain. However, the pathogenesis of AD remains largely unknown, but a number of hypothesis were proposed for AD mechanisms, which include: the amyloid cascade, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation hypothesis, and all of them are based, to some extent on the role of A. Accumulated evidence indicates that the increased levels of ROS may act as important mediators of synaptic loss and eventually promote formation of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. Therefore a vicious circle between ROS and Aaccumulation may accelerate progression of AD. For these reasons, growing attention has focused on oxidative mechanism of Atoxicity as well as the search for novel neuroprotective agents. A strategy to prevent the oxidative stress in neurons may be the use of chemopreventive agents as inducers of antioxidant and phase 2 enzymes. Sulforaphane (SF), derived from corresponding glucoraphanin, glucosinolate found in abundance in cruciferous vegetables, has recently gained attention as a potential neuroprotective compound inducer of antioxidant phase 2 enzymes. Consistent with this evidence, the study is aimed at identifying the SF ability to prevent and counteract the oxidative damage inducted by oligomers of Aβ (1-42) in terms of impairment in the intracellular redox state and cellular death in differentiated human neuroblastoma and microglia primary cultures. In addition we will evaluated the mechanism underlying the SF neuroprotection activity.

Entendre’ns. Aquest és un dels reptes de la societat actual, globalitzada, digitalitzada i en continu flux de moviments. Tot complint la seva funció social, els mitjans de comunicació són l’àgora de trobada d’idees, pensaments, mentalitats i interessos diferents que precisament entren en diàleg per entendre’s. Malgrat tot, el paper tradicional del periodisme està en controvèrsia des de finals de la dècada dels noranta amb l’arribada de la xarxa. Canvis en rutines, models de negoci, noves plataformes han obert un paradigma revolucionari, que comporta també greus conseqüències. Així, les fake news i els discursos d’odi cap a l’Altre ja són paraules clau recurrents a moltes capçaleres. En aquest entorn, el periodisme narratiu no ha perdut la seva essència. Deixa de banda les prerrogatives del món digital, obvia les bases del periodisme informatiu i posa el focus en les normes del Nou Periodisme que noms com Lillian Ross, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion o Gay Talese van establir; expliquen la realitat amb les eines de la literatura. Donen a conèixer les històries humanes, posen cara als conceptes i desperten l’empatia del públic cap als temes que tracten, especialment, aquells més complexos. Les religions, el diàleg intercultural i interreligiós estan entre aquests. En aquest sentit, les diferències entre cultures, nacionalitats i confessions es manifesten socialment, política i econòmica. Estereotips o prejudicis estan darrere de relacions humanes i comporten conseqüències a nivell personal, però també a nivell polític i internacional. Aquesta tesi doctoral analitza, per un costat, les característiques del periodisme narratiu, lent i literari, adaptades al món digital ràpid, efímer i líquid. Es pregunta com es desenvolupa, per què pot sobreviure i crear nous models de negoci tot incomplint les normes del món digital i qui són i com són els responsables de tal pràctica: els periodistes narratius. D’altra banda, es posa a prova aquest gènere com a espai d’activisme a través del coneixement. Pot el periodisme narratiu fer-nos conèixer millor l’Altre? Les tècniques d’aquest gènere permeten que el públic s’interessi i empatitzi amb els temes tractats? Com influeix la digitalització en aquesta funció? Som davant un gènere que subratlla la funció social del periodisme i fomenta el diàleg? Aquestes preguntes es responen a través de 38 entrevistes en profunditat a periodistes narratius com Leila Guerriero, Ted Conover, Jon Lee Anderson o Larissa MacFarquhar, 75 anàlisis de contingut de les revistes triades com a mostra —Jot Down, Gatopardo y The New Yorker¬¬— així com l’estudi de les 19 webs catòliques més influents segons el rànquing Alexa. Amb tot plegat, es tracta d’una dissertació que apropa dos móns aparentment allunyats, basteix ponts i suggereix que el periodisme narratiu és un espai per conèixer millor l’Altre, tot aportant coneixement i obrint així la trobada i el diàleg per a un món millor.
Entenderse. Este es uno de los retos de la sociedad actual, globalizada, digitalizada y en continuo flujo de movimientos. Cumpliendo su función social, los medios de comunicación son el ágora de encuentro de ideas, pensamientos, mentalidades e intereses distintos que precisamente entran en diálogo para entenderse. Sin embargo, el papel tradicional del periodismo está en controversia desde finales de la década de los noventa con la llegada de la red. Cambios en rutinas, modelos de negocio, nuevas plataformas han abierto un paradigma revolucionario, que conlleva también, graves consecuencias. Así, las fake news y los discursos de odio hacia el Otro ya son palabras clave recurrentes en muchas cabeceras. En este entorno, el periodismo narrativo no ha perdido su esencia. Deja de lado las prerrogativas del mundo digital, obvia las bases del periodismo informativo y pone el foco en las normas del Nuevo Periodismo que nombres como Lillian Ross, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion o Gay Talese establecieron; explican la realidad con las herramientas de la literatura. Dan a conocer las historias humanas, ponen rostro a los conceptos y despiertan la empatía del público hacia los temas que tratan, especialmente, aquellos más complejos. Las religiones, el diálogo intercultural e interreligioso están entre ellos. En este sentido, las diferencias entre culturas, nacionalidades y confesiones se manifiestan social, política y económicamente. Estereotipos y prejuicios están detrás de relaciones humanas y conllevan consecuencias a nivel personal, pero también a nivel político e internacional. Esta tesis doctoral analiza, por un lado, las características del periodismo narrativo, lento y literario, adaptadas al mundo digital rápido, efímero y líquido. Se pregunta cómo se desarrolla, por qué puede sobrevivir y crear nuevos modelos de negocio incumpliendo las normas del mundo digital y quiénes son y cómo son los responsables de semejante práctica: los periodistas narrativos. Por el otro, se pone a prueba este género como espacio de activismo a través del conocimiento. ¿Puede el periodismo narrativo hacernos conocer mejor al Otro? ¿Las técnicas de este género permiten que el público se interese y empatice con los temas tratados? ¿Cómo influye la digitalización en esta función? ¿Estamos ante un género que subraya la función social del periodismo y fomenta el diálogo? Estas preguntas se responden a través de 38 entrevistas en profundidad a periodistas narrativos como Leila Guerriero, Ted Conover, Jon Lee Anderson o Larissa MacFarquhar, 75 análisis de contenido de las revistas escogidas como muestra —Jot Down, Gatopardo y The New Yorker¬¬— así como el estudio de las 19 webs católicas más influyentes según el ránquing Alexa. Con todo, se trata de una disertación que une dos mundos aparentemente alejados, tiende puentes y sugiere que el periodismo narrativo es un espacio para conocer mejor al Otro, aportando conocimiento y abriendo así el encuentro y el diálogo para promover un mundo mejor.
Understand and be understood. This is one of the challenges of today's, globalized, digitized society in a continuous state of flux. In fulfilling its social function, media are an agora – a meeting place and mixing pot of different ideas, thoughts, mentalities and interests that deploy dialogue to understand each other. Journalism’s traditional role has been controversial since the late 1990s with the advent of Internet. Transformations in routines and business models, together with the appearance of new platforms, have spawned a rebellious paradigm, with momentous and far-ranging consequences. This includes fake news and hate speech towards the Other, which already recurrently appear as keywords in many headlines. In this environment, narrative journalism has not lost its essence. It has sidestepped the prerogatives of the digital world, and avoided being trapped in the informative journalism past. It has successfully remained focused on the norms of the New Journalism that well-known authors such as Lillian Ross, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion and Gay Talese established; they explain reality using the tools of literature. They broadcast human stories, put a face to the concepts and arouse the public's empathy towards the topics they deal with, especially the more complex ones. Religions and intercultural and interreligious dialogue are among these. In this sense, the differences between cultures, nationalities and religions manifest themselves socially, politically and economically. Stereotypes and prejudices are negative driving forces behind human relationships with considerable consequences, not only on a personal level. This doctoral thesis analyses, on one hand, the characteristics of narrative, slow and literary journalism, adapted to the fast, ephemeral and liquid digital world. It ponders how it develops, how it is able to survive, thrive and create new business models in breach of the rules of the digital world. Just as importantly, it deliberates on those who are responsible for such practices: narrative journalists. On the other hand, this genre is tested as a space for activism through knowledge. Can narrative journalism help us know the Other better? Do the techniques of this genre allow the public at large to be interested in, and empathize with, the topics discussed? How does digitalization influence this function? Are we dealing with a genre that underlines the social function of journalism and encourages dialogue? These questions are answered through 38 in-depth interviews with narrative journalists such as Leila Guerriero, Ted Conover, Jon Lee Anderson and Larissa MacFarquhar, 75 content analysis of the magazines chosen as sample -Jot Down, Gatopardo and The New Yorker- as well as the study of the 19 most influential Catholic websites according to the Alexa ranking. Nevertheless, it is a thesis that unites two seemingly distant worlds, builds bridges and suggests that narrative journalism is an apt space for getting to know the Other better, contributing knowledge and thus promoting encounter and dialogue for a better world.

Le repliement intracellulaire des protéines nouvellement synthétisées est assisté par des réseaux cellulaires de protéines chaperons. Chez Escherichia coli, la coopération entre les protéines chaperons Trigger Factor (TF) et DnaK est prédominante dans ce processus. En accord avec ceci, la délétion simultanée des gènes codants pour ces deux protéines chaperons conduit à une croissance bactérienne très réduite et à l'accumulation d'un grand nombre de protéines cytoplasmiques sous forme d'agrégats. Au cours de cette étude, nous avons utilisé ces phénotypes afin de mettre en évidence des interactions potentielles au sein du réseau de protéines chaperons in vivo. Nous avons montré que la perte des protéines chaperons TF et DnaK, et donc des voies de repliements dans lesquelles elles sont impliquées, pouvait être secourue de façon efficace par la surexpression du chaperon Hsp33, connu pour être activable en réponse à un stress oxydatif sévère. En outre, la délétion du gène hslO, codant pour Hsp33, n'était plus tolérée en l'absence de TF et DnaK. Cependant, en comparaison avec d'autres protéines chaperons comme GroESL ou SecB, la suppression de ces phénotypes par Hsp33 n'a pas pu être attribuée à un éventuel chevauchement de fonctions avec DnaK et TF. Au contraire, nos résultats montraient qu' Hsp33 surexprimée fixait de façon spécifique le facteur d'élongation-Tu (EF-Tu) et favorisait sa dégradation par la protéase Lon. Cette action synergétique entre Hsp33 et Lon était responsable du rétablissement de la croissance bactérienne en l'absence de TF et DnaK, possiblement via le rétablissement du couplage entre la vitesse de traduction et les capacités de repliement des protéines nouvellement synthétisées du double mutant. Afin de soutenir cette hypothèse, nous avons ensuite montré que la surexpression de la toxine HipA qui inhibe EF-Tu, était aussi capable de supprimer le phénotype de thermosensibilité et de réduire significativement l'agrégation des protéines en l'absence de TF et DnaK
Intracellular de novo protein folding is assisted by cellular networks of molecular chaperones. In Escherichia coli, cooperation between the chaperones Trigger Factor (TF) and DnaK is central to this process. Accordingly, the simultaneous deletion of both chaperone-encoding genes leads to severe growth and protein folding defects. Herein, we took advantage of such defective phenotypes to further elucidate the interactions of chaperone networks in vivo. We show that disruption of the TF/DnaK chaperone pathway is efficiently rescued by over-expression of the redox-regulated chaperone Hsp33. Consistent with this observation, the deletion of hslO, the Hsp33 structural gene, is no longer tolerated in the absence of the TF/DnaK pathway. However, in contrast with other chaperones like GroESL orSecB, suppression by Hsp33 was not attributed to its potential overlapping general chaperone function(s). Instead, we show that over-expressed Hsp33 specifically binds to elongation factor-Tu (EF-Tu) and targets it for degradation by the protease Lon. This synergistic action of Hsp33 and Lon was responsible for the rescue of bacterial growth in the absence of TF and DnaK, by presumably restoring the coupling between translation and the downstream folding capacity of the cell. In support of this hypothesis, we show that over-expression of the stress-responsive toxin HipA, which inhibits EF-Tu, also rescues bacterial growth and protein folding in the absence of TF and DnaK

This thesis is focused on analysis and evaluation of the trolley deceleration effect on his standing passengers. The first part focuses on theoretical knowledge in terms of legislative requirements for the operation of trolleybuses and transport standing passengers. This section also lists physical findings during deceleration and forces acting on the vehicle. The central part is divided into two measurements. The first measure is aimed at obtaining data (deceleration) and information (number of passengers, increased stability, and fall) of the normal operation of the standing passengers in interior trolley. The second measurement will be focused on driving performance demonstration tests with the interior trolley helpers in various traffic situations. The conclusion of this thesis will summarize the values and knowledge of both measurements. The evaluated data set will limit the slowdown in the trolley passengers where standing still maintains stability.

La Fictionnalisation du spectateur interroge des dispositifs scéniques reposant sur le concept d'intégration du spectateur à la représentation par le biais d'une insertion fictionnelle, donnant lieu à des spectacles souvent immersifs et/ou participatifs. Elle interroge les frontières de la fiction théâtrale, de la capacité spectatrice ainsi que leurs portées politiques. Elle permet de confronter l'esthétique de certains dispositifs immersifs de théâtre avec les mutations et l'imaginaire du capitalisme contemporain. Au croisement de différents champs disciplinaires, cette recherche méta-création a été élaborée à partir d'une réflexion pratique de trois spectacles de notre compagnie Le Mot Nu Ment, intégrant la dimension du processus de création. Chaque spectacle a engendré une figure spectatorielle, reliée à un enjeu politique : le Spectateur Augmenté, invitant à une immersion fictionnelle via les nouvelles technologies, reprenant les codes du capitalisme cognitif ; le Spectateur Sensible, proposant une contre-critique du modèle attentionnel, par une tentative de décroissance de l'attention ; et le Spectre-Acteur, reprenant des codes d'alertes, de servitude et de domination. Ces figures fictionnalisantes sont illustrées par un corpus de spectacles contemporains occidentaux et majoritairement européens, visibles sur les scènes de théâtre public des artistes Rimini Protokoll, Zecora Ura, Clyde Chabot, Marcus Borja, Vlad Troitsky et Lotte van den Berg. La fictionnalisation du spectateur propose d'étudier les mutations de la fiction et du spectateur, comme insufflant de nouveaux états d'être au monde
The spectator’s fictionalization is a study of theater performances that integratethe spectator in the scenic representation thanks to a fictional insertion that transforms the play into an immersive or participative form. It looks at borders of drama fiction and spectator capacities through political reach. It leads to a confrontation between the aesthetic of theatrical performances and all the mutations of capitalism’s imagination. This research, called meta-creation, appeals to a disciplinary hybridization and takes source in a practical thinking with three performances of our company Le Mot Nu Ment, integrating the creation process. Each performance inspires the elaboration of a spectator figure, related to a political stake: the Augmented Spectator, asking to a fictional immersion with new technologies, using cognitive capitalism codes; the Sensitive Spectator, suggesting another critic of attentionnal models through a slow down proposal for the attention; and the Spectr-actor, recreating a threat system, through servitude and domination of the capitalist society. Those shapes of spectator’s fictionalization are illustrated by contempory occidental and mostly European performances forming a corpus of examples that are visible on Public Theatre stages such as: Rimini Protokoll, Zecora-Ura, Clyde Chabot, Marcus Borja, Vlad Troitsky and Lotte Van den Berg. The spectator's fictionalization is asking of fiction and spectator moving borders, as new states of being in the World

Il sonno e la veglia vengono comunemente considerati come due stati distinti. L’alternanza tra essi, la cui presenza è stata dimostrata in ogni specie animale studiata fino ad oggi, sembra essere una delle caratteristiche che definisce la nostra vita. Allo stesso tempo, però, le scoperte portate alla luce negli ultimi decenni hanno offuscato i confini tra questi due stati. I meccanismi del sonno hanno sempre affascinato i neurofisiologi, che infatti, nell’ultimo secolo, li hanno caratterizzati in dettaglio: ora sappiamo che all’attività del sonno sottostà una specifica attività neuronale chiamata slow oscillation. La slow oscillation, che è costituita da (ancora una volta) un’alternanza tra periodi di attività e periodi di iperpolarizzazione e silenzio neuronale (OFF-periods), è la modalità base di attivazione del cervello dormiente. Questa alternanza è dovuta alla tendenza dei neuroni surante lo stato di sonno, di passare ad un periodo silente dopo un’attivazione iniziale, una tendenza a cui viene dato il nome di bistabilità neuronale. Molti studi hanno dimostrato come la bistabilità neuronale tipica del sonno ed i relativi OFF-periods, possano accadere anche durante la veglia in particolari condizioni patologiche, nelle transizioni del sonno e durante le deprivazioni di sonno. Per questo motivo, se accettassimo che la bistabilità neuronale e gli OFF-periods rappresentino una caratteristica fondamentale del sonno, allora dovremmo ammettere che stiamo assistendo ad un cambio di paradigma: da una prospettiva neurofisiologica il sonno può intrudere nella veglia. In questa tesi ho analizzato i nuovi -fluidi- confini tra sonno e veglia e le possibili implicazioni di questi nel problema della persistenza personale attraverso il tempo. Inoltre, ho studiato le implicazioni cliniche dell’intrusione di sonno nella veglia in pazienti con lesioni cerebrali focali di natura ischemica. In particolare, i miei obiettivi sono stati: 1) Dimostrare come la bistabilità neuronale possa essere responsabile della perdita di funzione nei pazienti affetti da ischemia cerebrale e come questo potrebbe avere implicazioni nello studio della patofisiologia dell’ischemia cerebrale e nella sua terapia; 2) Stabilire le basi per un modello di sonno locale presente nella vita di tutti i giorni: la sensazione di sonnolenza. Infatti, essa potrebbe riflettere la presenza di porzioni di corteccia in stato di sonno, ma durante lo stato di veglia; 3) Difendere il criterio biologico di identità, che troverebbe nell’attività cerebrale la continuità necessaria al mantenimento della nostra identità nel tempo.
Sleep and wakefulness are considered two mutually exclusive states. The alternation between those two states seems to be a defining characteristic of our life, a ubiquitous phenomenon demonstrated in every animal species investigated so far. However, during the last decade, advances in neurophysiology have blurred the boundaries between those states. The mechanisms of sleep have always intrigued neurophysiologists and great advances have been made over the last century in understanding them: we now know that the defining characteristic underlying sleep activity is a specific pattern of neuronal activity, namely the slow oscillation. The slow oscillation, which is characterized by the periodic alternation between periods of activity (ON-periods) and periods of hyperpolarization and neuronal silence (OFF-periods) is the default mode of activity of the sleeping cortex. This alternation is due to the tendency of neurons to fall into a silent period after an initial activation; such tendency is known as “bistability”. There is accumulating evidence that sleep-like bistability, and the ensuing OFF-periods, may occur locally in the awake human brain in some pathological conditions, in sleep transition, as well as after sleep deprivation. Therefore, to the extent that bistability and OFF periods represents the basic neuronal features of sleep, a paradigm shift is in place: from a neurophysiological perspective sleep can intrude into wakefulness. In this thesis, I explore the fluid boundaries between sleep and wakefulness and investigate their possible implications on the problem of personal persistence over time. Moreover, I study the clinical implications of the intrusion of sleep into wakefulness in patients with focal brain injury due to stroke. Specifically, I aim to: 1) show how the sleep-like bistability can be responsible for the loss of function in stroke patients. This may have implications for understanding the pathophysiology of stroke and helping to foster recovery; 2) establish the basis for a model of local sleep that might be present in the everyday life, id est the sensation of sleepiness. Indeed, sleepiness could reflect islands of sleep during wakefulness; 3) advocate the biological criterion of identity, in which the continuity necessary for maintaining ourselves over time could be represented by never resting activity in the brain.

碩士
國立臺灣科技大學
應用外語系
104
In the mental process of translation from one language to another, the processing time is expected to increase when different kinds of mismatch such as lexical mismatch or structural mismatch are encountered. Among them, the mismatches that defy transferring, or the ones that have no easy counterparts, for example, “P is for parking” vs. “P是用來表示泊車”, are sure to be more challenging because no corresponding or ready-made expressions come to mind right away. The collection of transfer-defying structures will certainly help translator training programs in that student translators will have the chance to prepare themselves for how to find their way out in similar situations. In this study, an English parser is used to annotate English sentences of different corpora automatically by representing each event in each sentence with a case frame of normalized Who Did What to Whom and its inter-event relations between related events in the same sentence. Then, an annotation in Chinese similar to the automatic annotation in English will be manually performed to each sentence’s translation in Chinese. Comparing the case frames and the inter-event relations between the original English text and its Chinese counterpart, it is expected to identify sentences that defy transferring in translation, ranging from missing some parts of speech to having entirely different case frames. Those sentences are expected to show mismatch of different kinds, based on linguistic relativity and contrastive analysis. The paired case frames of events of the same meaning in different languages will be used to show how a cure may be found for such transfer-defying mismatch with a hope to accelerating translation speed or easing processing burden.

碩士
東海大學
建築學系
102
“Microscopic Observation” is an approach which recognizes a phenomenon as minute motion of a small object, not the whole as static taken together. From the viewpoint of physics, we are at a position to focus on the movement of each molecule, which is a component of the object. People, nature and materials are, when they are viewed from afar, static and boring objects. However, we realize these objects, looking like a holistic entity, are actually dynamic and closely connected to various elements as we come closer to them. Microscopic designing methodology is to create affluent relationships around people by finding clues from movements.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017
This research report intends to illuminate the effect of how we can slow down, clear our minds and come to a complete standstill in extremely fast cities. To apprehend these effects the investigation focuses contextually, around the eastern edge of Newtown Johannesburg. This site is juxtaposed within the intensity of major transport nodes. We are living in a world that is accelerating at a frightening pace, and people are not keeping up - there is very little time in one’s day to escape the rapidity, acquire peace of mind and absorb the present moment. This research report acts as a precedent for how future utopian cities can host a space that encourages a meditative-lifestyle of slowing down. I unfold three theories to help support my investigation; Lieven de Cauter’s theory on capsularisation tells us how man has turned to ‘hyper-individualisation’, closing himself off from the world and creating social barriers. The second theory I look at is non-places by Marc Augé who talks about the in between places we pass through such as petrol stations, bus stops, terminals, etcetera, and how these transient spaces have become more meaningful because one is spending more time in them due to technological advancement. I label these as delayed spaces in my thesis which is the third theory I look at by Fardjadi and Mostafavi. I engage with these last two theories by doing an evaluation on them; these include multi-faith spaces, petrol stations, bus stops, terminals and launderettes. I do so because these are spaces where people slow down and pass through within an ordinary day. I suggest how these activities, that are normally considered mundane, can be transcended through different opportunities to slow down through a meditative life-style. Within each evaluation particular lessons are acquired that are integrated in the overall building design. At one point in the research report I take a time-out from the design process to question the value of slow architecture. Much of the working world as well as universities have an uncomfortable urgency when it comes to design. There is no time to reflect on mistakes made or gain perspective on the process which leads to quick decisions without much thought, and often lack in creative depth or meaning. I touch on my own design process and thinking as an example to explain why it is important to slow down and review what has been done to be able to move forward with clear direction. In terms of the architecture for my research report, two specific concepts are unravelled; the first one is movement - how one approaches the building as well as the circulation within it. I used the labyrinth and the notion of time-frames to support this idea of slowing down from speed to stillness which determined my program. The second concept is the ‘consciousness capsules’ which host the main meditative spaces and activities in the building. These activities make up the program and they include a multi-functional gathering space, a communal library to learn about meditation and its philosophy, hand-craft workshops (such as painting, quilting and basket weaving), meditation rooms, collective yoga, a dormitory, and finally a public garden terrace at the very top accompanied by a walking labyrinth. The whole journey through the building portrays a ‘stairway to heaven’ and provides an overview of the city that allows for one to escape the bustle and re-collect ones’ thoughts and immerse in the present moment - as nothing is more urgent today than slowing down.
GR2017

碩士
國立成功大學
土木工程學系碩博士班
96
In the present study the effect of the variation in porosity in dry granular matters is modeled by using the Wilmanski’s model. To obtain the complete constitutive equations, A thermodynamic analysis,based on the Müller-Liu entropy production principle, is performed to derive the equilibrium expressions of the constitutive variables. Non-equilibrium responses are proposed by means of a quasi-linear theory. The model is subsequently employed to study an isothermal dry granular slow flow down an inclined moving plane, of which the results are compared with the experimental results. It is seen that far dry granular flows with slow to moderate velocities, the Wilmanski’s model is sufficient to describe the effects induced by the variation in porosity, whilst for very rapid flows like avalanche the wilmanski’s model deliver inaccurate predictions of velocity and volume fraction profiles.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Investigação Biomédica apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a very rare, lethal genetic disorder, is characterized by accelerated aging. This disorder is caused by a de novo point mutation (C608G) within the lamin A/C gene (LMNA), that partially activates a cryptic splice donor site in exon 11, resultant in the production of an abnormal lamin A, termed progerin. Since progerin does not undergo the normal proteolytic processing, it remains permanently farnesylated in the nuclei of HGPS cells, whose accumulation is responsible for the progression of HGPS phenotype and consequently the occurrence of several features of premature aging. Children succumb to myocardial infarction or stroke in their early teens, at an average age of 14.6 years. Numerous promising strategies with different targets have been proposed to improve the HGPS disease. Lonafarnib, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, is the only compound with described beneficial effects in HGPS patients, ameliorating cardiovascular and bone outcomes but only extending lifespan by 1.6 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies to delay/stop the disease progression.Increasing evidence suggests that metabolic and endocrine alterations contribute to HGPS phenotype, including hormone X. This hormone is significantly decreased in HGPS patients which may relate to metabolic dysfunction, lipodystrophy, and cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, lipodystrophy, hormone X circulating levels, and metabolic alterations were not improved by lonafarnib, suggesting a window for combined therapy with hormone X. Given that leptin levels are higher in healthy centenarians than younger elderly individuals, and leptin treatment reverses metabolic abnormalities in many cases of lipodystrophy, leptin treatment may promote lifespan and healthspan benefits. In HGPS disease, autophagy is considered one of the mechanisms responsible for progerin clearance and delaying aging progression in HGPS cells. Hormone X has been shown to increase the cell proliferation capacity and also stimulate autophagy. In line with this, hormone X may also exert its beneficial effects by stimulating autophagy and progerin clearance, rescuing the senescent phenotype of HGPS cells. Taking all this into account, we hypothesized that hormone X therapy can be considered as a promising strategy to delay or block the premature aging of HGPS and potentially to increase healthspan and lifespan. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to assess the role of hormone X and investigate the therapeutic potential of this hormone to delay the premature cellular aging phenotype of HGPS-patients derived cells.In HGPS cells, hormone X increased the levels of the autophagic marker, LC3B, and enhanced autophagic flux. Hormone X also decreased phospho-MTOR levels supporting that hormone X stimulates autophagy through MTOR inhibition in HGPS cells. The levels of progerin decreased in leptin-treated cells, suggesting that hormone X enhanced progerin clearance through autophagic stimulation. Concomitant with progerin clearance, hormone X decreased the number of dysmorphic nuclei, a hallmark of HGPS cells, by increasing nuclear circularity, rescuing the nuclear morphology in HGPS cells. Hormone X also decreased DNA damage in HGPS cells, as shown by a reduction in the number of γH2AX foci, a marker of DNA damage. HGPS cells exhibited swollen and fragmented mitochondria suggestive of mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, hormone X improved mitochondrial defects that may impact mitochondrial function. However, mitochondria respiratory capacity was decreased in hormone X-treated cells. Hormone X increased HGPS cells' proliferative capacity, as determined by an increase in the number of Ki-67+ cells, a marker of cell proliferation, and a reduction of p53 protein levels, a well-known cell cycle inhibitor. Moreover, hormone X also increased the expression of fibronectin, an extracellular matrix protein critical for fibroblasts' adhesion and proliferation. Furthermore, hormone X decreased senescence-associated-beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity. Fewer SA-β-Gal–positive cells were observed in hormone X-treated cells, indicating that hormone X delayed the progression of cellular senescence in HGPS cells.Altogether, our study shows, for the first time, that hormone X stimulates autophagy, enhances progerin clearance, ameliorates nuclear and mitochondria morphology, rescues DNA damage, increases cell proliferation, and reduces cellular senescence. Since hormone X ameliorated and reversed several cellular hallmarks of premature aging of HGPS cells, these results strongly support that hormone X can be considered as an promising therapeutic strategy to delay or block the premature aging of HGPS and potentially to increase lifespan and healthspan. Moreover, given the similarities between HGPS and physiological aging, this study also gives a contribution to better understanding hormone X anti-aging role.
A Progeria, também conhecida como síndrome de Hutchinson-Gilford (HGPS) é uma doença extremamente rara e fatal, sendo caracterizada por envelhecimento acelerado. A HGPS é uma doença genética autossómica dominante caracterizada por uma mutação pontual de novo (G608G) no exão 11 do gene LMNA, ativando parcialmente um local de splicing alternativo, resultando na síntese de uma proteína lamina A mutada, designada por progerina. Esta proteína truncada não é processada normalmente tornando-se permanentemente farnesilada, cuja acumulação é responsável pela progressão do fenótipo da HGPS e, consequentemente, pela ocorrência de várias características que se assemelham ao envelhecimento precoce. As crianças morrem de enfarte do miocárdio ou acidente vascular cerebral no início da adolescência, com uma idade média de 14,6 anos.Inúmeras estratégias promissoras com diferentes alvos têm sido propostas para melhorar a HGPS. O lonafarnib, um inibidor da farnesiltransferase, é o único fármaco com efeitos benéficos descritos nestes doentes, melhorando alguns efeitos cardiovasculares e ósseos, mas apenas aumentando a esperança média de vida em 1,6 anos. Pelo que é extremamente urgente a descoberta de novas estratégias terapêuticas para retardar ou interromper a progressão da doença.Evidências sugerem que alterações metabólicas e endócrinas contribuem para o fenótipo da HGPS, incluindo a hormona X. A hormona X está significativamente diminuída em doentes com HGPS e isso pode estar relacionado com disfunção metabólica, lipodistrofia e doença cardiovascular. Curiosamente, a lipodistrofia, os níveis da hormona X e as alterações metabólicas não melhoraram com o lonafarnib, sugerindo uma janela terapêutica para terapia combinada com a hormona X. Dado que os níveis da hormona X são mais altos em centenários saudáveis do que em idosos e a hormona X reverte complicações metabólicas em muitos casos de lipodistrofia, o tratamento com hormona X pode promover benefícios para a saúde destes doentes.Na progeria, a autofagia é considerada um dos mecanismos responsáveis pela eliminação da progerina e pelo retardar da progressão do envelhecimento. Uma vez que a leptina aumenta a capacidade de proliferação celular e também a autofagia em vários tipos de células, , a hormona X pode exercer os seus efeitos benéficos ao estimular a autofagia e a diminuição dos níveis de progerina, resgatando o fenótipo senescente das células HGPS. Neste sentido, colocamos a hipótese que a terapia com a hormona X pode ser considerada uma estratégia promissora para atrasar ou bloquear o envelhecimento prematuro em HGPS e, potencialmente, aumentar qualidade de vida e a longevidade destes doentes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi, portanto, avaliar o papel da hormona X como potencial estratégia terapêutica para retardar o fenótipo do envelhecimento celular prematuro de células derivadas de doentes com HGPS.Este estudo mostra que o tratamento com leptina estimula o fluxo autofágico em células de doentes com HGPS. A hormona X diminuiu os níveis de phospo-MTOR, sugerindo que a hormona X induz autofagia através da inibição de MTOR. A hormona X levou à diminuição dos níveis de progerina em células HGPS e concomitantemente, diminuiu o número de núcleos dismórficos, aumentando a circularidade nuclear e resgatando a morfologia nuclear em células HGPS. A hormona X também diminuiu os danos no DNA em células HGPS, demonstrado pela redução no número de foci de γH2AX, um marcador de danos do DNA. A hormona X melhorou a morfologia mitocondrial que pode afetar a função mitocondrial. No entanto, a respiração mitocondrial diminuiu nas células tratadas com hormona X. Para além disso, a hormona X aumentou a capacidade proliferativa das células HGPS, conforme determinado por um aumento no número de células positivas para Ki-67, um marcador de proliferação celular, e uma redução dos níveis da proteína p53, um conhecido inibidor do ciclo celular. A hormona X também aumentou a expressão de fibronectina, uma proteína da matriz extracelular fundamental para a adesão e proliferação dos fibroblastos. Mais ainda, a hormona X diminuiu a atividade da beta-galactosidase associada à senescência, indicando que a hormona X retardou a progressão da senescência celular em células HGPS.Em conclusão, o nosso estudo demonstra, pela primeira vez,que a hormona X estimula a autofagia, reduz os níveis de progerina, melhora a morfologia nuclear e mitocondrial, reduz os danos no DNA, aumenta a proliferação celular e reduz a senescência celular. Estes resultados corroboram a hipótese de que a hormona X pode ser considerada uma estratégia terapêutica promissora para atrasar ou bloquear o envelhecimento prematuro que caracteriza a doença HGPS e potencialmente aumentar a longevidade e qualidade de vida destes doentes. Para além disso, dadas as semelhanças entre a progeria e o normal envelhecimento, este estudo também contribui para uma melhor compreensão do papel da hormona X no processo de envelhecimento.
Outro - This work was performed in the Neuroendocrinology and Aging group, of the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. This study was supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Centro 2020 Regional Operational Programme under project CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012 (HealthyAging 2020) and through the COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization and Portuguese national funds via FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under project[s] POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030167 (PTDC/MED-FAR/30167/2017), and UIDB/04539/2020 and UIDP/04539/2020, FCT Investigator Programme (IF/00825/2015), and SFRH/BD/120023/2016 fellowship.

碩士
國立東華大學
族群關係與文化學系
100
This study is written by means of self narrative inquiry and I review the significant experience in my previous life including the praxis from giving birth to bringing up a body. Then I redevelop the track of my own after understanding of the aforementioned experience. With the conversation and continual review within the multiple social relations, my praxis of movement is regarded as the coordinative reference. Also, during the process of inquiring life, it reflects the tacit knowledge and social vein hidden behind. Because of marriage, I go into another family; with multiple characters, I go through a long and learning way. The following compromise and motherhood from the marriage make me unable to work but cease; fortunately, the unconscious confusion and frustration gradually become the beginning to awake. Through the daily routine, I have plenty of opportunities to differentiate and listen. In the various positions, I have also got the chance to broaden the horizons which were invisible and hidden in the past and then go beyond the limitation and move forward to the learning community. Although the structure can’t be changed, human beings can move in the different positions. The meaning of education makes me not separate from the reality. It leads me to a wholly new world that I can choose, review, create, adjust and return the family including the relationship between humans and me.

碩士
國立台東師範學院
國民教育研究所
86
Based on the idea of teacher as researcher and applying the critical action re search in elementary classroom, this thesis intends to represent the processes and findings of an elementary science teacher of study his own teaching perfo rmances. Under the considerations of cycle process of curriculum designs, inst ructional applying, instructional evaluation and teaching reflection and the d ual roles of teacher and researcher, the research utilized the collaborative a ction research in collecting data. That is an outside researcher was invited a nd assisted in collecting the following data: audio/video recording, kid''''s jou rnal, observer field notes, teaching diary, teacher''''s journal, interview and d ocuments. Researcher repeated the process of analying, categorizing and compar ing the data, and finally decided to use the teaching problems, teaching strat egies, teaching transform and findings to construct the current articles. The findings of the research are abstracted as follows. 1. The main reason for a t eacher lost his temper during the teaching is because he intends to control th e teaching method and rhythm. Once the teacher emancipated himself from the te aching method, it is not only to solve the problems of teacher lost temper and ha rdly to reach the teaching goals, but also provides a easy, free and happy context for students in learning science. 2. To group students in doing scien ce activities generally accompany with the conflict among the group members. T his is related to the way of teacher in arranging the students to be a heterog eneous group and assigning who is the team leader. Moreover, students are less interested in collaborating to learn and to complete experiments under such s ituation. However, if teacher can open his mind and allows students to group t ogether by their free will, most students will learn how to communicate each o ther and work together very well. 3. To utilize the student''''s journal, alterna tive assessment or research report to replace the traditional paper and pencil tests, researcher finds that students will pay more attention in teaching act ivities, teacher will also be able to depth understand the student''''s ability a nd to adjust his teaching contents and strategies. 4. The researcher finds tha t a teacher will change his teaching method not only he is willing to , but al so is influenced by the participant observer''''s suggestions, colleague''''s encour agement, and school administration affair. Finally, researcher reflects and an alyzes the process and findings of his teaching performances and gives advice to elementary science teachers: (1.) offer more time and chance to students in learning science; (2) utilize the feedback and explore teaching method to aro use student''''s old experience to learn the new topic. In addition, to conduct t he research of ''''teacher as researcher'''' by an collaborative approach, one shoul d consider the research tools (participants) and influence of the participants on the teaching environments, the conflicts of interpretation between the tea cher and participant, and the teacher''''s psychological struggling in represent his findings into words.

The term Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) defines a group of inherited dystrophies characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors (PRs) and abnormalities in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In typical RP, primary degeneration of rods is followed by secondary death of cones. Affected individuals exhibit initial night blindness and constricted visual field, while central vision is eventually lost later, as cone cells degenerate. Unfortunately, there is no cure for RP. An important concept of RP pathophysiology is the biological link(s) between rod and cone death in this disease, where mutations are usually rod-specific and cones, genetically intact, degenerate as a consequence of a bystander effect. To note, the main cause of clinically significant vision loss is associated with cone, rather than with rod death. Although cones represent less than 5% of all PRs in the retina of most mammals, their role on human vision is crucial and their degeneration leads to a condition of irreversible vision loss. Survival of still-functioning cones following rod death enables patients with a night-blindness disease to lead normal lives for some time (Shelley et al., 2009). Previous studies of our laboratory and based on the rd10 mouse model of human RP demonstrated with molecular tools that inflammation emerges as a relevant component of RP, overcoming any other biological process expected to occur in this pathology. Here, we hypothesized that cones, non-primarily affected by the disease-causing mutation and long lasting with respect to rods, may suffer from side effects of such inflammatory process and finally die out. In this study, we employed a protocol of synthetic steroid administration to test the hypothesis that counteracting retinal inflammation concomitantly to the acute phase of PR degeneration may improve cone fate. Indeed, we demonstrated that systemic Dexamethasone treatment resulted in decreased inflammatory response at retinal level and this event was associated to improved cone survival and preservation of visual acuity in rd10 mice. Subsequently, we postulated that different classes of Mononuclear Phagocytes (MPs, such as microglia and monocytes-derived macrophages, primarily involved in the inflammatory response) played different roles in the chronic, noxious inflammatory response found at retinal level. The particular role of the CCL2 chemokine was assessed. Altogether, our findings suggest a link between local retinal inflammation and worsening of cone fate, opening the perspective of slowing down retinal decay and vision loss in RP by using anti-inflammatory strategies.

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia
What happens when we unexpectedly see an attractive potential partner? Previous studies in laboratorial settings suggest that the visualization of attractive and unattractive photographs influences time. The major aim of this research is to study time perception and attraction in a realistic social scenario, by investigating if changes in subjective time measured during a speed dating are associated with attraction. In the event, the duration of the dates was variable and participants had to estimate the time that passed. Among other measures, participants also rated the potential partners in terms of their physical attractiveness before and after the dates and reported if they would like to exchange contact with them. Results showed that, in a real speed dating situation, when there is a perception of the partner as being physically more attractive, women tend to overestimate the duration of that meeting, whereas men tend to underestimate its duration. Such changes may reflect evolutionary adaptations which make the human cognitive system more responsive in situations related to reproductive fitness.
O que acontece quando inesperadamente vemos um potencial parceiro atraente? Estudos anteriores em contexto laboratorial sugerem que a visualização de fotografias de pessoas atraentes e não atraentes influencia a perceção do tempo. O objetivo principal desta investigação é estudar a relação entre perceção temporal e a atração num cenário mais realista, investigando se alterações no tempo subjetivo durante um speed dating estão associadas com a atração. No evento, a duração dos encontros era variável e os participantes tinham que estimar o tempo que passou. Além disso, entre outras medidas, os participantes avaliaram os potenciais parceiros em termos da sua atratividade física antes e depois dos encontros e reportaram se estavam interessados em trocar contacto com eles. Os resultados mostraram que, numa situação de speed dating real, quando há a perceção do parceiro como sendo fisicamente mais atraente, as mulheres tendem a estimar a duração do encontro como sendo maior, enquanto que os homens tendem a estimar a duração como sendo menor. Estas alterações podem refletir adaptações evolutivas que tornam o sistema cognitivo humano mais responsivo em situações relacionadas com o fitness reprodutivo.

The Pre-listening Stage in L2 Listening Instruction to A2 - B1 Adult Learners By Hana Ždímalová This dissertation deals with listening instruction to adult EFL learners in the Czech Republic and the phenomenon of pre-listening, which is currently under-researched. It examines adult EFL students' perspectives and perceptions of listening instruction and of the inclusion of different pre-listening techniques, particularly at CEFR A2-B1 proficiency levels. The theoretical part of the study focuses on current developments in listening research and the historical context of the development of listening instruction in classical FLT methodology. The pre-listening stage has been integral to L2 listening instruction since the beginning of Communicative Language Teaching. However, some controversial issues have recently been raised. For example, teachers are sometimes suspected of spending too much time on the pre- listening stage (Field 2002; 2008) and the overall usefulness of previewed comprehension questions in testing listening has been challenged (Sherman 1997). Moreover, adult students' listening needs and their perceptions of listening instruction have not yet been thoroughly researched (Graham 2006; Graham and Macaro 2008). This study argues that we should ask the students about their perceptions...