Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with both cognitive and behavioural executive dysfunction. Assessment of executive dysfunction has traditionally been measured using tests that were not based on theory and this has been postulated as one reason why there are poor predictive relationships between performance on traditional executive tasks and functional outcome following TBI. Baddeley�s (1996) working memory model may offer a theoretical basis with which to design new executive measures and possibly improve prediction of outcome. Baddeley�s theory has made recent advances in identifying core central executive (CE) processes that are likely to be relevant to TBI. The research presented in the thesis used Baddeley�s proposed coordinative sub function of the CE (and it related dual tasking measure) to assess: (a) whether this theoretically based dual tasking test would be sensitive to TBI injury status and show a significant relationship with functional outcome, (b) whether the theoretically based test would be more sensitive to the above relationships than executive measures that have been traditionally available, and (c) whether more ecologically relevant dual tasks could be developed that reflect the coordinative construct and improve predictive relationships between task performance and real life functional ability. This study found that Baddeley�s Dual Task Test (DTT) measure was sensitive to TBI injury and was related to functional outcome following injury. A questionnaire assessing everyday dual tasking ability was developed as was an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task. The dual tasking questionnaire reflected Baddeley�s coordinative construct, however, applications to an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task were less successful. These ecologically relevant tasks showed a relationship between language dysfluencies and dual tasking and identified avoidance of dual tasking in everyday settings as an important predictor of functional outcome following injury. Overall the DTT and the dual tasking questionnaire showed greater injury sensitivity and stronger relationships with outcome than three executive measures traditionally used in clinical practice. Regression analysis confirmed that the dual based tasks were helpful in predicting a variety of outcomes following TBI, and implications for rehabilitation planning are discussed. Further increases in the predictive power of the dual tasking construct are likely to be achieved when mechanisms of action involved in both laboratory-based and real-life dual tasking are identified. Findings from the current study suggest a range of mechanisms could be involved in dual tasks and these are discussed.

To those individuals who felt alienated and disillusioned by traditional Western forms of religion, Alan Watts offered a different way of looking at the world and a new understanding of what it means to be religious. Borrowing heavily from Taoism, Zen Buddhism, Vendanta Hinduism and other Eastern traditions, Watts argues that our widely accepted notion of a person as an active, willing agent existing as a lonely island of consciousness is an illusion rooted in social and linguistic conventions. / In place of the typical Western image of God as an external personal being governing the universe by means of his omnipotent will and omniscient intellect, Watts argues in favour of the Eastern image of God as the mysterious depth and ground of all being. / If education is concerned with the task of enabling a person to grow and mature as a full human being and religion is concerned with fostering the uniquely human capacity to be fully present and open to the mystery and wonder of existence, then it follows that being educated and becoming religious are part of the same process. For Watts, religious education is characterized not according to a specific content but rather an underlying set of values which promote an awareness of humanity's interrelationship and interdependence with the rest of the universe.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with both cognitive and behavioural executive dysfunction. Assessment of executive dysfunction has traditionally been measured using tests that were not based on theory and this has been postulated as one reason why there are poor predictive relationships between performance on traditional executive tasks and functional outcome following TBI. Baddeley�s (1996) working memory model may offer a theoretical basis with which to design new executive measures and possibly improve prediction of outcome. Baddeley�s theory has made recent advances in identifying core central executive (CE) processes that are likely to be relevant to TBI. The research presented in the thesis used Baddeley�s proposed coordinative sub function of the CE (and it related dual tasking measure) to assess: (a) whether this theoretically based dual tasking test would be sensitive to TBI injury status and show a significant relationship with functional outcome, (b) whether the theoretically based test would be more sensitive to the above relationships than executive measures that have been traditionally available, and (c) whether more ecologically relevant dual tasks could be developed that reflect the coordinative construct and improve predictive relationships between task performance and real life functional ability. This study found that Baddeley�s Dual Task Test (DTT) measure was sensitive to TBI injury and was related to functional outcome following injury. A questionnaire assessing everyday dual tasking ability was developed as was an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task. The dual tasking questionnaire reflected Baddeley�s coordinative construct, however, applications to an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task were less successful. These ecologically relevant tasks showed a relationship between language dysfluencies and dual tasking and identified avoidance of dual tasking in everyday settings as an important predictor of functional outcome following injury. Overall the DTT and the dual tasking questionnaire showed greater injury sensitivity and stronger relationships with outcome than three executive measures traditionally used in clinical practice. Regression analysis confirmed that the dual based tasks were helpful in predicting a variety of outcomes following TBI, and implications for rehabilitation planning are discussed. Further increases in the predictive power of the dual tasking construct are likely to be achieved when mechanisms of action involved in both laboratory-based and real-life dual tasking are identified. Findings from the current study suggest a range of mechanisms could be involved in dual tasks and these are discussed.

Zugl.: Flensburg, Univ., Diss., 2008

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-169).

Thesis (M.A. in English) -- University of Dayton. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed 06/23/10). Advisor: James Boehnlein. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-46). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-170).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisor: Lisa Moore. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract: This study explores how the photographs of Alan Kurdi were used by Swedish newspapers, how they may have been perceived by the readers of those newspapers, and whether there are any ethical considerations when using the photography of Alan Kurdi. It answers three research questions; “How were the photographs of Alan Kurdi used by Swedish newspapers?”, “What potential meanings of the photographs of Alan Kurdi were interpreted by the readers of the articles?” and “What are the ethical implications of using the photographs of Alan Kurdi in the newspapers?” In order to investigate this the top 5 Swedish newspapers were studied and all the articles containing the photographs were studied. Through Sensitising Concepts and Inductive Analysis several topics and categories were discovered. The most common topic used by the newspapers was the topic of Alan Kurdi himself. In order to analyse these results Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding Model of Communication is applied. The model identifies three types of receivers. Those who use preferred reading, negotiated reading and oppositional reading. By applying this model the way the photographs of Alan Kurdi was perceived by the readers of the newspapers can be analysed through the three different perspectives. Through the analysis it was argued that the most common way to perceive the photographs was humanising. The photographs worked both as an icon for the refugee crisis and to describe Alan Kurdi or the situation he was fleeing from. These topics can be argued to have a humanising effect on the refugee crisis as a whole. This was evident when charitable donations increased and there was a change in policy for refugees in Sweden that was less strict than before. However, after only a few months the public opinion grew harsher towards refugees and immigrants. This leads to the question - was it worth it? The photographs were used without consent and they could be argued to be exploitative of Alan Kurdi as well as his family. They can also be argued to be unethical. This papers concludes that the photographs were used by Swedish newspapers extensively, it seems in the most part with the intention of humanising the refugee crisis, and when looking at the rise in charitable donations and change in policy it seems to have worked. For a while. In truth, the photographs made no lasting difference, and it can be argued that the use of the photographs was unethical and the results that came from their publication did not justify the exploitation of Alan Kurdi.