Au cours de la Guerre de Cent ans, la ville de Mâcon est confrontée à des pouvoirs concurrents, dans le climat de recomposition du pouvoir royal dans le 1er quart du XVe siècle. L'accent est mis sur l'information, sa circulation et ses effets sur le gouvernement urbain.La première partie éclaire les effets de la guerre sur la ville. La seconde partie implique d'étudier la démographie de la ville, l'étude des prix et des finances de la ville, les circuits économiques. La troisième partie traite plus spécifiquement de l'information, suivie de l'étude de la transmission et de la réception des nouvelles, puis de la façon de délibérer. Une vie politique active donc.

Au cours de la Guerre de Cent ans, la ville de Mâcon est confrontée à des pouvoirs concurrents, dans le climat de recomposition du pouvoir royal dans le 1er quart du XVe siècle. L’accent est mis sur l’information, sa circulation et ses effets sur le gouvernement urbain.La première partie éclaire les effets de la guerre sur la ville. La seconde partie implique d’étudier la démographie de la ville, l’étude des prix et des finances de la ville, les circuits économiques. La troisième partie traite plus spécifiquement de l’information, suivie de l’étude de la transmission et de la réception des nouvelles, puis de la façon de délibérer. Une vie politique active donc. / During the Hundred Years' War, the city of Mâcon is confronted with rival powers, in the 1st quarter of the XVth century. The subject of this work is the information, itstraffic and its effects on the urban government. The first part shows the effects of the war on the city. The second part involves to study the demography of the city, the study of the prices and the finances of the city. The third part deals more specifically with the information, followed by the study of the transmission and the reception of the news, then of the way of deliberating. A political life activates.

Neuroglobin (Ngb) and cytoglobin (Cygb) are two new additions to the globin family, exhibiting heme iron hexa-coordination, a disulfide bond and large internal cavities. These proteins are implicated in cytoprotection under hypoxic-ischemic conditions, but the molecular basis of their cytoprotective function is unclear. Herein, a photothermal and spectroscopic study of the interactions of diatomic ligands with Ngb, Cygb, myoglobin and hemoglobin is presented. The impact of the disulfide bond in Ngb and Cygb and role of conserved residues in Ngb His64, Val68, Cys55, Cys120 and Tyr44 on conformational dynamics associated with ligand binding/dissociation were investigated. Transient absorption and photoacoustic calorimetry studies indicate that CO photo-dissociation from Ngb leads to a volume expansion (13.4±0.9 mL mol-1), whereas a smaller volume change was determined for Ngb with reduced Cys (ΔV=4.6±0.3 mL mol-1). Furthermore, Val68 side chain regulates ligand migration between the distal pocket and internal hydrophobic cavities since Val68Phe geminate quantum yield is ~2.7 times larger than that of WT Ngb. His64Gln and Tyr44Phe mutations alter the thermodynamic parameters associated with CO photo-release indicating that electrostatic/hydrogen binding network that includes heme propionate groups, Lys 67, His64, and Tyr 44 in Ngb modulates the energetics of CO photo-dissociation. In Cygb, CO escape from the protein matrix is fast (< 40 ns) with a ΔH of 18±2 kcal mol-1 in Cygbred, whereas disulfide bridge formation promotes a biphasic ligand escape associated with an overall enthalpy change of 9±4 kcal mol-1. Therefore, the disulfide bond modulates conformational dynamics in Ngb and Cygb. I propose that in Cygb with reduced Cys the photo-dissociated ligand escapes through the hydrophobic tunnel as occurs in Ngb, whereas the CO preferentially migrates through the His64 gate in Cygbox. To characterize Cygb surface 1,8-ANS interactions with Cygb were investigated employing fluorescence spectroscopy, ITC and docking simulations. Two 1,8-ANS binding sites were identified. One binding site is located close to the extended N-terminus of Cygb and was also identified as a binding site for oleate. Furthermore, guanidinium hydrochloride-induced unfolding studies of Cygb reveal that the disulfide bond does not impact Cygb stability, whereas binding of cyanide slightly increases the protein stability.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka om autentisk CSR leder till större lönsamhet än opportunistisk CSR. Metod: I föreliggande studie antas en positivistisk forskningsfilosofi med en hypotetisk-deduktiv ansats. Studien är kvantitativ och sekundärdata har samlats in från databasen Thomson Reuters Datastream. En longitudinell design har använts där data som sträcker sig över tio år har inhämtats för studiens urval om 525 publika bolag, inhämtad data har analyserats statistiskt. Resultat &amp; slutsats: Studiens resultat visar att en positiv relation mellan CSR och finansiell prestation föreligger. Av studien framgår även att autentisk CSR kan ha större påverkan på det finansiella resultatet än opportunistiskt beroende på vilka variabler för autenticitet som används. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Föreliggande studie är av longitudinell design och sträcker sig över tio år. En studie som undersöker en kortare period kan vara intressant för vidare forskning då detta kan innebära ett större urval av bolag. Forskning som vidareutvecklar begreppet autenticitet och autentisk CSR konceptuellt och hur detta kan mätas är även något som vidare forskning kan fokusera på. Uppsatsens bidrag: Ur ett teoretiskt perspektiv bidrar studien till redovisningslitteraturen genom att diskutera om autentisk CSR leder till bättre finansiell prestation, via genomförda mätningar avseende autenticitet i relation till CSR och utvecklingen av hur detta kan operationaliseras. Ur ett praktiskt perspektiv bidrar föreliggande studie till ökad förståelse för företag om vikten av att verka autentiskt i sitt CSR-arbete. / Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether authentic CSR leads to greater profitability than opportunistic CSR. Method: In this study, a positivistic researchphilosophy is assumed with a hypothetical deductive approach. The study is quantitative and secondary data has beencollected from the Thomson Reuters Datastream. A longitudinal design has been used where data covering ten years has been obtained for the study's selection of 525 public companies, collected data has been statistically analyzed. Result &amp; Conclusions: The results show that when a company pursues authentic CSR the positive effect of its CSR initiatives on company performance is stronger than for those who pursues opportunistic CSR, however the result depends on the variables used to measure authenticity. Suggestions for future research: The present study is of longitudinal design and extends over ten years. A study that examines a shorter period may be interesting for further research as this may obtain a larger selection of companies. Research that further develops the concept of authenticity and authentic CSR conceptually and how this can be measured is also something that further research can focus on. Contribution of the thesis: From a theoretical perspective this study contributes to the accounting literature by discussing whether authentic CSR leads to better financial performance, as well as through completed measurements regarding authenticity in relation to CSR and the development of how this can be operationalized. From a practical perspective, the present study contributes to increased understanding for companies about the importance of acting authentically in their CSR work.

Schimmeliges Brot, Nasensekret, offene Wunden, Cholera, schmutzige Toiletten, Maden, Begegnungen mit Leichen, Sodomie und sogar Mord – alle diese Dinge haben einen potentiell Ekel erregenden Charakter gemeinsam und gehören somit zu den häufigsten Ekel auslösenden Faktoren (Haidt et al. 1994; Rozin et al. 2000; Oaten et al. 2009). Dies wurde in verschiedensten Studien bereits anhand von theoretischen Fragestellungen, Bildern, Viedeoclips, Gerüchen und Geräuschen untersucht (Rozin et al. 1999; Vernet-Maury et al. 1999; Wright et al. 2004; Stevenson und James 2008; de Jong et al. 2011). In der Fachliteratur finden sich jedoch nur sehr wenige Studien in Bezug auf Töne bzw. Geräusche und fast keine Nachweise dafür, dass auch über Tasteindrücke Ekel ausgelöst werden kann. Bei der Erforschung von Emotionen stellt sich oft die Frage nach deren Objektivierbarkeit. Aus diesem Grund erfolgten in den letzten Jahren zahlreiche Studien, in denen beim Empfinden von Emotionen gleichzeitig Parameter des autonomen Nervensystems gemessen wurden. Dabei gibt es allerdings einige Kontroversen darüber, ob ein emotionsspezifisches Verhalten dieser Parameter vorliegt (Vernet-Maury et al. 1999; Cacioppo et al. 2000; Barrett 2006). Zusätzlich fällt bei solchen Untersuchungen erneut eine Verteilung der präsentierten Reize mit einer deutlich höheren Anzahl an Bildern, Videoclips und Gerüchen gegenüber Geräuschen und Tasteindrücken auf (Kreibig 2010). Um nachzuweisen, dass Ekel über verschiedene Sinneseindrücke ausgelöst werden kann, wurden in dieser Studie 125 Probanden mit Ekel erregenden und neutralen Bildern, Geräuschen, Gerüchen und Tasteindrücken konfrontiert. Diese wurden in folgende Kategorien aufgeteilt: verdorbenes Essen, kranker Mensch und Fäkalien. Nach den jeweiligen Reizen erfolgte eine subjektive Einschätzung der Probanden über die empfundene Emotion mittels einer Abfrage der Basisemotionen und der Self-Assessment Mannikin. Des Weiteren wurde jeweils eine Kategorie der Sinnesreize zuvor benannt. Zusätzlich erfolgten mit einem Teil der Probanden Wiederholungsmessungen, zur Messung einer eventuellen Gewöhnung an diese Reize. Weiterhin wurden Parameter des autonomen Nervensystems (Herzfrequenz, systolischer Blutdruck und Hautleitwert) bei allen Probanden und Durchläufen aufgezeichnet. Die Probanden wurden zuvor auf Einschränkungen hinsichtlich ihrer Sinneswahrnehmungen überprüft. Die Auswertung der Ergebnisse erfolgte nach den subjektiven Bewertungen, der Parameter des autonomen Nervensystems, nach Geschlecht getrennt und jeweils in Bezug auf die Wiederholungsmessungen. Es ergaben sich dabei im Wesentlichen folgende Ergebnisse: 1. Es konnte anhand der subjektiven Bewertungen gezeigt werden, dass alle potentiell ekeligen Sinnesreize auch als ekelig empfunden wurden. Gerüche und Tasteindrücke riefen zusätzlich Überraschung hervor. Visuelle Reize lösten am stärksten Ekel aus. Es konnte erstmals demonstriert werden, dass sich in Bezug auf die unterschiedlichen Sinneskanäle, unterschiedliche autonome Aktivierungen zeigten. Ein allgemein ekelspezifisches Verhalten der autonomen Parameter wurde im Einklang mit der Literatur nicht nachgewiesen (Barrett 2006). 2. Frauen ekelten sich in Bezug auf Bilder mehr als Männer, was sich mit anderen Literaturangaben deckt (Rozin et al. 1999; Curtis et al. 2004). Zudem wurde für Frauen teilweise eine höhere sympathische Aktivierung beim Wahrnehmen von Tönen, Gerüchen und haptischen Eindrücken ermittelt. 3. Das Label führte zu einem höheren Empfinden von Ekel für Tasteindrücke und Gerüche und zu einem größeren Blutdruckabfall bei Gerüchen. Dies bestätigt den großen Einfluss von Assoziationen beim Wahrnehmen von Gerüchen, da ein Käsegeruch je nach Kontext auch als Schweißgeruch interpretiert werden kann. Dieser Bewertungsaspekt konnte bereits für Gerüche nachgewiesen werden (Herz und von Clef 2001; Bensafi et al. 2007) und lässt ebenso für Tasteindrücke eine assoziative Komponente vermuten. 4. Bei den Wiederholungsmessungen fand keine Gewöhnung für Töne und Gerüche statt und die autonomen Messungen zeigten, dass keine Sensitivierung stattfindet. Auch nach Abschluss dieser Studie konnte keine eindeutige Aussage hinsichtlich eines Ekel spezifischen Verhaltens autonomer Parameter getroffen werden. Das Verhalten des autonomen Nervensystems ist von vielen Faktoren abhängig und wird wie hier gezeigt, durch den angesprochenen Sinneskanal mit beeinflusst. Ebenso spielen Geschlechtsunterschiede, Assoziationen und wiederholte Reizexposition eine Rolle beim Empfinden von Ekel. Alle diese Aspekte wurden in der durchgeführten Studie berücksichtigt und kontrovers diskutiert. Es wird hierbei keineswegs ein Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit erhoben. Diese Studie hatte zum Ziel verschiedene Aspekte in Bezug auf die Emotion Ekel mit Hilfe der Parameter des autonomen Nervensystems zu untersuchen. Die vorliegende Studie hilft widersprüchliche Ergebnisse in der Literatur aufzuklären und einzuordnen, indem erstmals ausführlich auf die Relevanz des angesprochenen Sinneskanals hingewiesen wird. / Mould bread, nasal discharge, gaping wounds, Cholera, dirty toilets, maggots, confrontation with corpses, sodomy and even murder – all these things have a potential disgusting character and rank among the most disgusting cues (Haidt et al. 1994; Rozin et al. 2000; Oaten et al. 2009). This has been evaluated in different studies with the help of theoretical questions, pictures, video clips, odours and sounds (Rozin et al. 1999; Vernet-Maury et al. 1999; Wright et al. 2004; Stevenson und James 2008; de Jong et al. 2011). However, only few studies concern disgusting sounds and to even lesser extend haptical impressions. It is one of the most challenging questions in emotion research, how to objectify them. In recent years several studies dealt with the problem of measuring patterns of autonomic responses towards emotions. Nevertheless whether there are emotion specific patterns is discussed controversially (Vernet-Maury et al. 1999; Cacioppo et al. 2000; Barrett 2006). Furthermore, there are again few studies dealing with sounds and haptical impressions (Kreibig 2010). Aim of the present study was to arouse a feeling of disgust through different sensory stimuli. 125 subjects were tested. Before measurement started all subjects were tested concerning restrictions of their sense perception. The participants were confronted with disgusting and neutral pictures, sounds, odours and haptical impressions. These stimuli were separated into three categories: spoiled food, sick person and feces. Additionally always one category was labeled and with a part of the subjects a repetition of measurement was realized. After presentation of each stimulus, participants rated the evoked basic emotion, valence and arousal. During all measurements, patterns of the ANS (heart rate, systolic blood pressure and skin conductance level) were recorded. The analysis based on the ratings, patterns of the ANS, sex and on the repetition measurements. The essential results were as follows: 1. All potential disgusting stimuli evoked a feeling of disgust. Additionally, sounds and haptical impression also evoked surprise. Visual stimuli were rated as most disgusting. Stimulation of different senses induced a different activation of the autonomic nervous system. In accordance with the current literature (Barrett 2006) a general disgust specific behavior could not be proofed. 2. Females felt more disgusted while watching related pictures. This is in line with previous studies (Rozin et al. 1999; Curtis et al. 2004). Furthermore, females showed partly a higher sympathetic activation if confronted with sounds odours and haptical stimuli. 3. The label enhanced feelings of disgust for haptical impressions and odours, only. The label led to a higher deceleration of systolic blood pressure after presentation of disgusting odours. This is in accordance to the previously described suggestibility in olfaction (Herz und von Clef 2001; Bensafi et al. 2007). It can be supposed that there is such an associative component for haptical impressions. 4. Concerning the repetitive measurements no habituation for sounds and odours was found, in contrast to pictures and haptical impressions. Autonomous measurements showed no sensitization. In conclusion, it is not possible to finally judge, whether there is a disgust specific behavior of patterns of ANS or not. This depends on several factors, including the senses disgust is evoked through. Also gender differences and repetitive measurement affect the feeling of disgust. All these aspects were considered in this study and were discussed controversially. This study does not raise the claim to completeness. However, it helps to clarify and classify the inconsistent results in literature by pointing out the relevance of the different sensory channels.

Thesis advisor: Elizabeth Kensinger / Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) tend to have emotional memory biases in the encoding and retrieval of social memories. Research has shown reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in clinical populations suffering from anxiety, including social anxiety. Heightened sympathetic activation—as measured by the electrodermal activity (EDA)—has also been associated with anxiety disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between HRV, social anxiety, and re-experiencing of emotional autobiographical memories. 44 healthy young adults were recruited from the Boston College campus through SONA. Participants were given an online survey that instructed them to retrieve 40 specific events from the past in response to 40 socially relevant cues. For each event, participants were instructed to provide a brief narrative, make several ratings for the event (on a scale from 1-7), and indicate the specific emotions they experienced both at the time of retrieval and of the event. Approximately one month after the completion of the memory survey, participants engaged in a 2-hour memory retrieval session while undergoing psychophysiological monitoring (heart rate, skin conductance, and respiration). Following the retrieval task, participants completed self-report questionnaires of social anxiety symptom severity and trait emotion regulation strategy (i.e., tendency to reappraise or suppress emotions). The present study found that positive memories had higher re-experiencing ratings as compared to negative memories. Contrary to the original study hypothesis, however, there was no significant interaction between average re-experiencing (or arousal) ratings of positive or negative social autobiographical memories and SAD likelihood. A nonlinear, cubic relationship was found between one of three metrics of HRV and social anxiety symptom severity. A significant effect was found between skin conductance and SAD likelihood, which was likely driven by an almost significance difference in skin conductance between the SAD unlikely and the SAD very probable groups; these findings provide further insight into the relationship between autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning and social anxiety. Further, the present results suggest the intriguing possibility that there may be a nonlinear relationship between HRV and severity of social anxiety. Future research with a larger sample size is needed to corroborate these findings. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Psychology.

Québec Université Laval, Bibliothèque 2012

Bien plus qu'un simple fait militaire, la guerre de la Conquête n'a néanmoins que très peu retenu l'attention des historiens dans sa dimension humaine. Afin d'en connaître davantage sur les conséquences de cet événement sur la population civile laurentienne, cette étude se propose de retracer les parcours de vie d'un groupe particulièrement vulnérable et symptomatique de ce contexte de crise, les presque veuves, c'est-à-dire ces femmes habitant la vallée du Saint-Laurent dont l'époux a été fait prisonnier, a été porté disparu ou dont la mort n'a pas été officiellement recensée en ces temps troublés. Ni tout à fait veuves ni pleinement mariées, ces presque veuves ont dû apprendre à composer avec l'incertitude de leur état matrimonial et toutes les difficultés en découlant. En tant que chef de famille de remplacement, il incombait à ces femmes d'assurer leur survie de même que celle de leurs enfants à charge et ce, malgré les contraintes érigées devant elles par une société patriarcale cherchant à limiter et à encadrer le pouvoir des femmes. Au cœur des stratégies de survie mises en œuvre par ces femmes pour mettre un terme à leur vulnérabilité se trouvent les réseaux de sociabilité, qu'il s'agisse des solidarités familiales préexistantes ou encore de la recréation d'un réseau social. Dans le cadre de cette étude, une attention est également portée à la mobilité géographique des presque veuves, laquelle s'inscrit dans les stratégies de survie déployées par ces femmes pour espérer survivre à la Conquête. / The Seven Years War has been storied and very well documented from a military standpoint. Alas, few historians delved into the human and social perspective of the war that haunted the civilian population of the Saint Lawrence Valley. To this end, this thesis will retrace the life trajectories of a remarkably vulnerable group of civilian to highlight the hazards and consequences of the Seven Years War: the "semi widows". They are defined as the women living in the Saint Laurence Valley whose spouses have been captured, declared missing in action or whose deaths have not been officially recorded. The vulnerability of these women is symptomatic of these troubled times in this patriarchal society as they are neither completely widowed, nor fully married. Thus from the uncertainty of their peculiar marital status, many complex obstacles arose. As substitute householders, the semi widows had to ensure their own survival as well as the survival of their young children despite the constraints of a patriarchal system that sought to limit and to regulate women's power. Social networking appears to be amongst the most important survival strategy implemented by these women to lessen their vulnerability, whether it is pre-existing family solidarities or the creation of a new social network. This thesis will also analyze the geographical mobility of the semi widows as a survival strategy during and after the war.

The images of Japanese women in the Japanese contemporary literature (1935-1975) — Short-stories crowned with the Akutagawa Prize Japanese women carry with them the myth to be Japanese. But is it a reality? How were their lives before the Second World War, after it and during the economic growth until 1975? Were they unhappy submitted to this myth? I try to present the contemporary history of Japanese women through a research on the short-stories crowned with the Akutagawa Prize from 1935 to 1975. These short-stories are autobiographic, journalistic or documentary, and they are a true reflection of their time. Also, the female characters give witness of Japanese women’s lives in each period through literature, that is the most active, direct, touching and understandable form for the reader. Thus, I intend to contribute to a larger understanding of the Japanese society and culture. The first chapter is devoted to the period of war between 1935 and 1945. And the second chapter is about the period of rapid economic upturn, starting with the ruins and famine of the post-war years from 1945 to 1955. Indeed, the post-war years end in 1955 in Japan. Then, the third chapter is about the dazzling economic growth between 1955 and 1970. And finally in the fourth chapter, during the period going from 1970 to 1975, most Japanese people think they are now out of misery, being part of the middle class and happy about the situation. In total, I examine 57 short-stories : 18 in the first chapter, 10 in the second chapter, 21 in the third chapter, and 8 in the fourth chapter. Also, there are 112 female characters to analyse in all : 41 in the fist chapter, 18 in the second chapter, 33 in the third chapter and 20 in the fourth chapter. Through the evolution and changes along this period of time, the lives of our heroines change too. First, they are kept under the strict respect of social rules. And during the war, they suffer from poverty and misery. Then, the time comes for the share of tasks between women and men. From then on, women take mostly care of their homes. Besides, let us note that the importance of the education of girls is continuously stressed, even if the main aim is to make them “good wives and good mothers”. Finally, Japanese women’s morale stays intact during the period chosen for our research. A significant change seems to happen thereafter. / Images de femmes dans la littérature japonaise contemporaine (1935-1975) — cas des nouvelles couronnées par le prix Akutagawa Les Japonaises portent en elles le mythe de la Japonaise. Mais est-ce une réalité ? Quelle était leur vie pendant la période de l’avant-guerre, de l’après-guerre et de la croissance économique jusqu’en 1975 ? Étaient-elles malheureuses en étant soumises à ce mythe ? Nous avons tenté de transcrire l’histoire contemporaine des Japonaises à travers une recherche sur les nouvelles couronnées par le prix Akutagawa entre 1935 et 1975. Les œuvres sont autobiographiques, journalistiques ou documentaires, ancrées dans chaque époque et leurs personnages féminins témoignent des vies des Japonaises de leur temps sous forme littéraire, c’est-à-dire la forme la plus active, la plus directe, la plus touchante et la plus compréhensive pour le lecteur. Ainsi contribuons-nous à la compréhension de la société et de la culture japonaises. Le premier chapitre est consacré à la période de la guerre entre 1935 et 1945. Le deuxième chapitre concerne l’époque de la remontée économique rapide, partant des ruines et de la famine de l’après-guerre entre 1945 et 1955. En effet, 1955 marque la fin de l’après-guerre au Japon. Le troisième chapitre porte sur l’époque de la croissance économique fleurissante entre 1955 et 1970. Et le dernier et quatrième chapitre parcourt la période entre 1970 et 1975. C’est la période où quasiment tous les Japonais se croient sortis de la misère, ils se considèrent appartenir à la classe moyenne et ils s’en réjouissent. Quant au nombre de nouvelles, nous analysons en tout cinquante-sept nouvelles : dix-huit œuvres dans le premier chapitre, dix dans le deuxième, vingt-et-une dans le troisième et huit dans le quatrième. Et nous comptons au total cent-douze personnages féminins à étudier, soit quarante-et-un dans le premier chapitre, dix-huit dans le deuxième, trente-trois dans le troisième et vingt dans le quatrième. À travers l'évolution et les bouleversements dans le temps, les vies de nos héroïnes se modifient. D’abord, elles vivent dans la stricte obéissance de la règle sociale. Ensuite, elles tombent dans la pauvreté et la misère à cause de la guerre. Et puis arrive le temps du partage des tâches entre les hommes et les femmes et ces dernières se retirent presque complètement dans leur foyer. Néanmoins, l’éducation des filles est renforcée régulièrement, même si la raison principale est d'en faire de « bonnes épouses et bonnes mères ». Nous remarquons que la morale des Japonaises ne se transforme pas pendant la période concernée par notre recherche. Un changement significatif semble intervenir par la suite.

The electro-optic technique of measuring the cardiovascular pulse wave known as photoplethysmography (PPG) is clinically utilised for noninvasive characterisation of physiological components by dynamic monitoring of tissue optical absorption. There has been a resurgence of interest in this technique in recent years, driven by the demand for a low cost, compact, simple and portable technology for primary care and community-based clinical settings, and the advancement of computer-based pulse wave analysis techniques. PPG signal provides a means of determining cardiovascular properties during the cardiac cycle and changes with ageing and disease. This thesis focuses on the photoplethysmographic signal for cardiovascular assessment. The contour of the PPG pulse wave is influenced by vascular ageing. Contour analysis of the PPG pulse wave provides a rapid means of assessing vascular tone and arterial stiffness. In this thesis, the parameters extracted from the PPG pulse wave are examined in young adults. The results indicate that the contour parameters of the PPG pulse wave could provide a simple and noninvasive means to study the characteristic change relating to arterial stiffness. The pulsatile component of the PPG signal is due to the pumping action of the heart, and thus could reveal the circulation changes of a specific vascular bed. Heart rate variability (HRV) represents one of the most promising quantitative markers of cardiovascular control. Calculation of HRV from the peripheral pulse wave using PPG, called pulse rate variability (PRV), is investigated. The current work has confirmed that the PPG signal could provide basic information about heart rate (HR) and its variability, and highly suggests a good alternative to understanding dynamics pertaining to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) without the use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) device. Hence, PPG measurement has the potential to be readily accepted in ambulatory cardiac monitoring due to its simplicity and comfort. Noncontact PPG (NPPG) is introduced to overcome the current limitations of contact PPG. As a contactless device, NPPG is especially attractive for physiological monitoring in ambulatory units, NICUs, or trauma centres, where attaching electrodes is either inconvenient or unfeasible. In this research, a prototype for noncontact reflection PPG (NRPPG) with a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) as a light source and a high-speed PiN photodiode as a photodetector is developed. The results from physiological experiments suggest that NRPPG is reliable to extract clinically useful information about cardiac condition and function. In summary, recent evidence demonstrates that PPG as a simple noninvasive measurement offers a fruitful avenue for noninvasive cardiovascular monitoring. Key words: Photoplethysmography (PPG), Cardiovascular assessment, Pulse wave contour analysis, Arterial stiffness, Heart rate (HR), Heart rate variability (HRV), Pulse rate variability (PRV), Autonomic nervous system (ANS), Electrocardiogram (ECG).