Esta dissertação se refere à pesquisa realizada na CASA Osasco I, uma das unidades de internação da Fundação CASA instituição que substituiu a FEBEM-SP com adolescentes em cumprimento da medida socioeducativa de privação de liberdade. Como metodologia de pesquisa, foram realizadas, entre outubro de 2008 e janeiro de 2010, oficinas semanais de criação, que, sem um formato prévio nem objetivando um produto de oficina, permitiram que os adolescentes e a pesquisadora construíssem, no tempo da pesquisa, um espaço de encontro, que se configurou não só como locus de observação, mas de criação e participação nas imagens. A longa duração do campo permitiu, também, o acompanhamento da passagem integral de alguns adolescentes pela internação: da chegada à unidade ao retorno ao mundão. A pesquisa busca penetrar na dimensão simbólica e imaginária da privação de liberdade e nas imagens que se constelam no simbolismo da passagem, a partir das narrativas que o encontro produziu. Das oficinas resultou outro importante material de análise, os diários de oficina, que traçam um horizonte de conflitos em torno da experiência de privação de liberdade. Quatro diários foram selecionados e relacionados a posteriori aos elementos materiais terra, água, fogo e ar por apresentarem diferentes configurações imaginárias, conforme a aderência da imaginação a um dos quatro elementos. A leitura das imagens surgidas em oficina, e presentes nos diários, foi inspirada na fenomenologia da imaginação poética de Gaston Bachelard, considerando as noções de imaginação material e imaginação dinâmica que a sustentam. Por fim, foi realizada uma leitura simbólica das passagens empreendidas por dois adolescentes e um educador da CASA Osasco, com base na teoria de Gilbert Durand sobre o imaginário e com o auxílio de teóricos como Junito Brandão e Erich Neumann. Realizando aproximações entre os três passageiros e algumas figuras míticas, a análise procurou observar como os narradores atualizam os mitos estudados. / This dissertation refers to the research conducted in Osasco CASA I, one of the inmate units of CASA Foundation former FEBEM-SP - where teenagers, deprived of liberty, comply social & educational measures. As a research methodology, creation workshops were weekly conducted between October 2008 and January 2010. Those workshops didnt have a programmed format nor they targeted a specific product, enabling the researcher and the adolescents to build, throughout the research period, a meeting point, which was set up not only as a locus of observation, but also as a place of image creation and engagement. The duration of the field trips has also allowed the monitoring of the entire stay of some adolescents: from their arrival to the return to mundão (a slang for the outside world). The research seeks to penetrate in the imaginary and symbolic dimensions of the liberty deprivation, as well as in the images that constellate the symbolism of passage, from the narratives that the meeting produced. The workshops produced another important material for analysis, the workshop journals, which outlined a gamut of conflicts around the experience of liberty deprivation. Four journals had been selected and further connected to the material elements - earth, water, fire and air, for presenting different imaginary configurations, according to the adherence of the imagination to the material elements. The image readings arisen during the workshops, as seen on the journals, were inspired by Gaston Bachelards phenomenology of the poetic imagination, taking in consideration the notions of material imagination and dynamic imagination that sustain it.Finally, a symbolic reading of the \"passages\" taken by two teenagers and an educator from CASA Osasco has been performed, based on Gilbert Durands theory on the imaginary, with the theoric aid from Junito Brandão and Erich Neumann. Connecting those three passengers and a few mythical figures, the analysis endeavors to observe how the narrators update these myths.

Les systèmes radar à synthèse d’ouverture (RSO) sont utilisés depuis de nombreuses années pour des applications militaires telles que la détection des cibles cachées. L’amélioration constante de la résolution de ces capteurs permet aujourd’hui d’accéder à un niveau de détail élevé dans la scène imagée. Cependant, l’interprétation de ces images demeure particulièrement compliquée dans le cas des milieux urbains. En effet, ces milieux particuliers sont sièges de nombreux phénomènes physiques et d’interactions multiples qui rendent la tâche de détection difficile et parfois erronée. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrit cette thèse. L’objectif est d’étudier la faisabilité de détection d’une cible en non visée directe du capteur à l’intérieur d’une scène simple et représentative du milieu urbain: le canyon urbain. Une étude sur la phénoménologie de propagation électromagnétique à l’intérieur des canyons urbains est menée à l’aide de mesures en environnement contrôlé à échelle réduite. Ces mesures ont permis la validation d’un outil électromagnétique commercial pour l’étude de la propagation d’une configuration à échelle réelle. Se basant sur les résultats de simulation du code électromagnétique validé, un outil maison, dédié à la prédiction des zones de détection d’une cible à l’intérieur d’un canyon urbain et à l’analyse de la signature électromagnétique correspondante, a été développé et validé. En outre, ce code contribue à l’interprétation complète de données radiométriques et interférométriques d’une scène urbaine réelle. / Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems have been used since many years for military applications such as the detection of hidden targets. With improved resolutions of these systems, high level of details can be distinguished in the corresponding images. However, some difficulties are encountered when analyzing the SAR images of urban areas. In particular, in these areas, many physical phenomena and interactions occur that make the detection of a target a challenging task. In this framework, the goal of the thesis is to investigate the feasibility of detecting Non Line Of Sight targets inside a simple and representative scene: the urban canyon. A study of the electromagnetic (EM) phenomenology of propagation inside urban canyons has been performed using indoor data at a reduced scale. These data allowed the validation of an EM commercial tool that studies the EM propagation at a real scale. Based on the results of simulation of this code, an in-house code was developed dedicated to predict the detection of a target inside an urban canyon and to analyze the corresponding EM signature. Moreover, this code contributed to a full interpretation of InSAR data of a real complex urban scene with targets.

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs) are an attractive choice for many surveillance tasks. However, video from an SUAV can be difficult to use in its raw form. In addition, the limitations inherent in the SUAV platform inhibit the distribution of video to remote users. To solve the problems with using SUAV video, we propose a system to automatically create geo-referenced mosiacs of video frames. We also present three novel techniques we have developed to improve ortho-rectification and geo-location accuracy of the mosaics. The most successful of these techniques is able to reduce geo-location error by a factor of 15 with minimal computational overhead. The proposed system overcomes communications limitations by transmitting the mosaics to a central server where there they can easily be accessed by remote users via the Internet. Using flight test results, we show that the proposed mosaicking system achieves real-time performance and produces high-quality and accurately geo-referenced imagery.

<p>In the present thesis, three empirical studies investigate autobiographical odor memory with regard to: (a) whole life-span age distributions, (b) phenomenological experience, (c) semantic processing, and (d) odor imagery. Study I explored potential influences of cue type (words, pictures, odors) on the retrieval of autobiographical memories. The results indicated that odor-evoked events were older than memories evoked by words and pictures. The bump for olfactory evoked information peaked in the first decade of life (<10 years of age), whereas the bump of the word- and picture-evoked age distributions peaked in the second decade (i.e., 11-20 years of age). Also, olfactory evoked events were associated with stronger feelings of being brought back in time. Study II investigated the influence of verbal processing on the retrieval of autobiographical olfactory information. The results revealed that semantic knowledge (i.e., the odor name) affected both the age distribution and phenomenological experience. Also, olfactory memories were associated with a higher emotional arousal. Study III addressed the influences of olfactory imagery on the age distribution and phenomenological experiences. The results showed that events evoked by odor imagery were older than memories evoked by words. No differences in phenomenological experiences were found between the two cue conditions. Based on these findings, it is suggested that (a) memories evoked by olfactory information are older than memories evoked by verbal and visual information, (b) odor memories are more emotional and associated with stronger feelings of being brought back in time, (c) knowledge of an odor’s name produces a shift from a more perceptually to a more conceptually driven retrieval, and that (d) imagined odor cues mimic the age distribution of events evoked by real odors. Overall, the results suggest that memories triggered by the olfactory sensory system are different from memories evoked by verbal or visual information.</p>

<p>The use of banned toxic weapons in Iraq during Gulf War 1991 started new debates. The increase in cancer cases was the main focus of these issues. The gap in literature motivated this study to find out the correlation between use of DU weapons and its effects on human health. The different probable causes of increase in cancer cases, in Iraq after Gulf War 1991, have been discussed in this study. Three causes; DU, brick kilns smoke near Basra and Kuwait oil fire smoke have been selected. The major emphasis of this study is on use of Depleted Uranium (DU). Different statistical data sets have been used and displayed in the form of maps and graphs using GIS methodologies. It’s hard to say after this GIS based study that the fired Depleted Uranium is the sole cause of increase in cancer incidences in Iraq, while some trends and risk factors at least can be observed where increase in cancer cases in different Governorates in Iraq is clearly visible after Gulf War 1991. After analyzing satellite images of different dates, the second part of this study concludes that Kuwait oil wells smoke is not responsible for increase in cancer incidences in Iraq. A small debate has been initiated regarding smoke in brick kilns near Basra. No study has been found in this regard which can provide evidences that brick kilns smoke is the cause of increase in cancer incidences in southern Iraq.</p><p>It’s not easy to carry out a full fledge GIS based study to prove DU as cause of increase in cancer cases. The main limitation in this regard is unavailability of required data. Therefore a new GIS based methodology has been devised which can be used to prove relationship between exposure to DU and increase in cancer cases in Iraq. This new methodology is also dependent on specific data sets. Hence this methodology also recommends the collection of specific data sets required for this study.</p><p>At the end, a detailed study, with honesty, has been suggested to fill up the gaps found in literature whether use of Depleted Uranium in weapons is harmful for human health or not.</p>

<p>This&nbsp / thesis&nbsp / examines&nbsp / the&nbsp / changes&nbsp / that&nbsp / have&nbsp / occurred&nbsp / within&nbsp / West-Coast Renosterveld within&nbsp / the&nbsp / last 350 years, and assesses&nbsp / the viability of&nbsp / the&nbsp / remaining fragments.</p>

In the present thesis, three empirical studies investigate autobiographical odor memory with regard to: (a) whole life-span age distributions, (b) phenomenological experience, (c) semantic processing, and (d) odor imagery. Study I explored potential influences of cue type (words, pictures, odors) on the retrieval of autobiographical memories. The results indicated that odor-evoked events were older than memories evoked by words and pictures. The bump for olfactory evoked information peaked in the first decade of life (&lt;10 years of age), whereas the bump of the word- and picture-evoked age distributions peaked in the second decade (i.e., 11-20 years of age). Also, olfactory evoked events were associated with stronger feelings of being brought back in time. Study II investigated the influence of verbal processing on the retrieval of autobiographical olfactory information. The results revealed that semantic knowledge (i.e., the odor name) affected both the age distribution and phenomenological experience. Also, olfactory memories were associated with a higher emotional arousal. Study III addressed the influences of olfactory imagery on the age distribution and phenomenological experiences. The results showed that events evoked by odor imagery were older than memories evoked by words. No differences in phenomenological experiences were found between the two cue conditions. Based on these findings, it is suggested that (a) memories evoked by olfactory information are older than memories evoked by verbal and visual information, (b) odor memories are more emotional and associated with stronger feelings of being brought back in time, (c) knowledge of an odor’s name produces a shift from a more perceptually to a more conceptually driven retrieval, and that (d) imagined odor cues mimic the age distribution of events evoked by real odors. Overall, the results suggest that memories triggered by the olfactory sensory system are different from memories evoked by verbal or visual information.

The thesis has been developed as part of the requirements for a PhD degree at the Artificial Intelligence and Integrated Computer System division (AIICS) in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Linköping University.The work focuses on issues related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) navigation, in particular in the areas of guidance and vision-based autonomous flight in situations of short and long term GPS outage.The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part presents a helicopter simulator and a path following control mode developed and implemented on an experimental helicopter platform. The second part presents an approach to the problem of vision-based state estimation for autonomous aerial platforms which makes use of geo-referenced images for localization purposes. The problem of vision-based landing is also addressed with emphasis on fusion between inertial sensors and video camera using an artificial landing pad as reference pattern. In the last chapter, a solution to a vision-based ground object geo-location problem using a fixed-wing micro aerial vehicle platform is presented.The helicopter guidance and vision-based navigation methods developed in the thesis have been implemented and tested in real flight-tests using a Yamaha Rmax helicopter. Extensive experimental flight-test results are presented. / WITAS

Maps are essential tools for providing tourism information. Hence, it is imperative for tourism marketers to understand how tourists perceive spatial information and sense physical places virtually presented in digital maps. Based on sense of place, spatial cognition, and virtual reality literature, this study constructed a conceptual framework to measure how different interactivity levels of a digital map interface affect potential tourists' experience when exploring maps. In addition, the study explored how individual characteristics such as place attachment and spatial ability affect virtual-spatial experiences. An experiment was conducted to test the developed Virtual Spatial Experience model. Google Earth maps were manipulated using two experimental conditions: low level (satellite view map only) vs. high level (three dimensional (3D) dynamic objects). The questionnaire included self-report items regarding perceived map interactivity, spatial ability, affective place attachment, spatial orientation, spatial imagery, and spatial presence. Responses from 211 students were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study results showed that map interfaces influence human perceptions of map interactivity. Perceived map interactivity positively affected virtual spatial experiences: spatial orientation, spatial imagery and spatial presence. Spatial ability positively influenced spatial orientation which in turn led to greater spatial imagery and ultimately greater spatial presence. The results further demonstrated that affective place attachment positively influenced spatial presence. The findings provided evidence that sense of place in the real world, such as affective place attachment to the experimental setting (Walt Disney World, Florida), influences spatial experiences of an environment virtually presented in the map. Therefore, by applying place attachment to virtual environment studies, this study expanded the scope of theories used in exploring human spatial experience. Moreover, evaluating the influence of map interactivity, this study provided practical implications for designing destination maps. By applying 3D dynamic objects as a design feature in an interactive map, tourism marketers can produce enhanced virtual spatial experiences. As this study used Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park presented on Google Earth as the experimental setting, the collected data also informs the understanding of virtual experiences and perceptions of the park.

Mental training has been studied extensively for the past century but we are still not completely sure how it affects brain and behavior. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to examine one aspect of mental training i.e. motor imagery. In Study I, active high jumpers were trained for 6 weeks using a motor imagery mental training program. We measured behavioral effects in motor parameters such as total height, false attempts, take off angle, and bar clearance. A significant improvement was found on the bar clearance component compared to a control group of high jumpers that did not participate in the mental training program. The results emphasize the importance of using appropriate outcome measures since mental training may affect distinct features of the movement rather than the entire movement. Study II used fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to examine the neural correlates of imagery for active high jumpers, and also how imagery training affects brain activity. Active high jumpers were compared to a control group of high jumping novices and the results showed that high jumpers were able to activate motor regions, whereas controls used parts of the visual system to perform imagery of the high jump. Thus, we were able to show how important well established motor representations are in order to achieve a neural overlap between imagery and action. In study III we examined the effects after motor, mental and combined motor and mental training on a finger tapping task. Behaviorally, even though mental training improved performance, adding mental training to motor training did not improve the results beyond only using motor training. Imaging results showed that motor and mental training engaged different neural systems, with motor training associated with motor activity and mental training with visual activity. The combination of motor and mental training activated both motor and visual systems. Additionally combining motor and mental training resulted in transfer to an untrained motor sequence and neural data indicated that cerebellum mediated the transfer. The overall findings explain how mental training can be used to improve motor performance and motor parameters. Moreover, it also illustrates that the neural processes underlying such improvements may be distinct from motor training and that the brain may react differently during mental training depending on prior physical experience of the action.