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ADHD affects executive functions and pharmacological treatment is the most common intervention. Medication is ineffective for some and psychosocial interventions are scarcely available. CBT that teaches organizational skills for managing ADHD-symptoms has shown promising results. Smartphones can help individuals perform executive tasks such as planning and organization and they could be efficacious as a support tool for ADHD patients. The current study is a RCT that compares an online course (n=29) based on previously effective CBT treatments for ADHD to a wait-list control (n=29). The intervention focused on teaching the use of an online calendar and smartphone apps. The intervention brought significant improvement (p < 0.001) to participants regarding ADHD symptoms and 38% of participants were considered clinically significantly improved. This indicates that online treatments using IT-tools for ADHD is effective and that smartphones can be used as a tool for aiding individuals with impairments in executive functions.

The research undertaken aims to contribute to the debate about market efficiency and market volatility in an Islamic context. The research relates to the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) and covers the period 1992 to 2007. It undertakes quantitative analysis involving two key elements: first, testing for random walk and calendar anomaly effects in market returns and, second, modelling volatility in market returns. The thesis applies a series of standard econometric and statistical techniques to this issue. The key ‘novel’ contributions of this study relate to the focus on Islamic religious holiday effects and also the application of behavioural finance theoretical models to explain the findings in terms of the influence of social mood (mood misattribution) effects. These are approaches that have not been previously applied in the literature within an Islamic context. The author argues that the econometric and statistical techniques applied are ‘fit for purpose’. Standard methods are applied; however, these are applied in ‘novel’ ways in parts of the thesis. For example, moving-date calendar effects are modelled for the first time and the modelling of volatility makes use of interaction effects to explore the impact of interactions between different mood-influencing variables. The study begins by identifying that the ASE index returns do not follow a Random Walk. It then goes on to identify day-of-the-week effects. First trading day of the week effects found in relation to the first trading day that follows the Muslim holy day of Friday. Monthly calendar effects were also found. January or turn-of-the-year effects were found in the ASE similar to those found previously in some Western markets. However, the largest monthly effects were found in relation to the holy month of Ramadan. Most significantly, Ramadan was found to be the only month where the average daily returns were both statistically different from the other months in the year and also positive. This, it is argued in the thesis, is due to social mood (or mood misattribution) effects. The research looks beyond informational efficiency and develops a number of ‘novel’ contributions to research in this area in terms of both the empirical findings and the behavioural finance-related interpretation of these findings, as well as the influence of Islamic ethics in Amman’s stock market returns. The thesis also examines the relationship between seven behavioural mood-proxy variables and stock market returns. Fama (1991) argues that efficiency and volatility are unrelated. In this thesis, however, evidence is uncovered which suggests that this may not be the case. High levels of volatility were found at the start and at the end of the Ramadan holy festival; this volatility, it is argued, is related to social mood. This issue is examined further by exploring previously unstudied interactions between mood-related Ramadan effects and mood-related weather and biorhythmic effects. The results of this thesis, the author believes, provide strong evidence for the existence of Muslim religion investment decision biases associated with social mood effects (mood misattribution). It is argued that these social mood effects in the case of Jordan relate mainly to Islamic ethics and cultural issues, as they are found predominantly during the Ramadan religious holiday. Despite the existence of decision biases within the ASE, no profitable trading anomaly opportunities were identified. This may be due, in part, to Jordan having high trading transaction costs. It is possible, however, that profitable trading opportunities related to Islamic holidays may exist in countries that follow stricter religious observance. The author believes that there is an opportunity to extend this research to countries such as Bahrain.

Poor quality of information and forecasting create a number of problems for manufacturing companies, such as poor planning of products and insufficient service levels, which leads to increased inventory and stock holding or stockouts and increased total costs. Cussons (UK) Limited is experiencing precisely these problems. Apart from these problems normally associated with forecasting demand for fast moving consumer goods there is an additional problem of reconciling the Western calendar with the Muslim calendar, and a recognition of the effects that Muslim religious holidays, as opposed to Christian religious holidays, have on demand. Muslim religious holidays rotate backwards with regard to the Western calendar, but in fact they occur at known dates and therefore the effect they have on demand for products can be taken into consideration when attempting to forecast demand. An additional problem that influences Cussons' sales in the market is the seasonal pattern of demand. Due to this, there is an increase in demand for Cussons' products during summer months. From the analysis of both data sets it was identified that the warehouse movement data is less variable and more reliable for business forecasting than order data. In this thesis, these forecasting problems are examined as a case study, focusing on these particular problems. To overcome these problems and to improve business forecasting of Cussons' products in the Middle East market, a forecasting strategy has been suggested which will enable Cusson's to reduce the inventories throughout the supply chain and to improve their customer's service.

This diploma thesis is focused on the question how the Maya from Tikal celebrated ends of the katun cycles of their calendar during the Classic period. To answer this question the tesis brings the analysis of all Tikal's katun period-ending steale and altars. The accent is put on katun period-ending rituals. This thesis is also concerned with twin-pyramid complexes which were developed at Tikal to host katun-ending commemoration. Keywords Pre-Columbian America, Mesoamerica, the Maya, the Maya calendar, katuns, rituals, stelae.

För att arbetsledaren skall utveckla en logistikorganisation som fungerar mer än väl bygger detta alltid på att de interna logistikrutinerna är välfungerande. Rutinerna skall fungera om riktlinjer och stöd för arbetsledaren i alla typer av projekt. Studien syftar att studera NCC-projekt som använder och/eller inte använder det nya verktyget, lossningskalender, för att identifiera dess positiva resultat Studien använder en kvalitativ metod där författaren genomför intervjuer med 4 respondenter inom NCC. Resultatdelen består av tre kategorier efter bearbetning av insamlade data, dessa är: Effektivisering, Dokumentering och Stöd för arbetsledning. Elektroniska logistikverktyg som lossningskalendern är av stor betydelse för arbetsledaren och kan vara avgörande i kvalitén i samtliga byggprojekt. / Logistics has long been a topic for discussion that has recently gained more attention. In order for the supervisor to develop a logistics organization that works more than well, this always means that the internal logistics routines are well functioning. The procedures should work on guidelines and support for the supervisor in all types of projects. The study aims to study NCC-projects that use and / or do not use the new tool, release calendar, to identify its positive results. The study uses a qualitative method in which the author conducts interviews with 4 respondents within NCC. The result consists of three main categories processing collected data, these categories are: Efficiency, documentation and Support for work management. Electronic logistics tools like the unloading calendar are of great importance to the supervisor and can be decisive in the quality of all construction projects.

Quel impératif pousse Guilloux à se tourner vers les autres? Provient-il d'un appel au sentiment ? D'un appel à la raison ? Est-il la réponse à une éthique ? Pourquoi cette nécessité de rendre la vie valable ? La valeur d'un homme se juge d'aprés ses actes semble dire Guilloux. Qu'est-ce qu'écrire en regard de l'action ? Comment écrire dans un monde en guerre ? L'écriture peut-elle être agissante ? Guilloux a voulu partager ses interrogations avec ses lecteurs, esquisser tous les cheminements possibles jusqu'à la contradiction. D'abord, montrer le processus de mythification entourant les actions des hommes qui ont précédé Guilloux dans cette vie. Ceux d'avant savaient agir ensemble et pour le bien de tous, ce savoir s'est perdu laissant l'individu seul face à ses doutes. Les tourments qui agitent le début du XXème siècle n'ont fait qu'exacerber le questionnement existentiel. Les divers degrés de responsabilité des hommes se dévoilent ainsi dans leurs manières de se conduire vis-à-vis d'autrui, autant d'engagements concrets ou de retraits qui attestent de l'humanité ou de l'inhumanité: ? Trop et pas assez d'intelligence ? trop et pas assez d'amour ?. Ni la famille, ni la société, jaugée au travers de ses institutions, l'école, la justice, le clergé, ne répondent plus à l'exigence d'équité. Alors c'est aux hommes de s'unir. Agir, pour Guilloux, semble une forme de révolte et d'indignation contre la souffrance et l'injustice. Lutter, c'est aussi veiller sur la vie des autres. En refusant toutes compromissions, les personnages que Guilloux met en scène voient leur champ d'action se réduire à l'action humanitaire, quant à l'auteur lui revient le devoir de témoigner. Il se lance alors dans une écriture labyrinthique, un incessant jeu de miroir qui rapproche les hommes les plus différents : l'homme d'action, l'homme de lettres, l'homme militant, l'homme pas cru, l'homme en difficulté, l'homme perdu? chacun explore, estime, selon son itinéraire, la valeur accordée à sa vie et à celles des autres, hanté toujours par le devoir et la volonté de changer le monde / What is writing compared to action ? How to write in a state of war ? Guilloux wanted to share his ethical questioning with his readers, try every possible ways to the point of contradiction. First, he tried to show the mythification process of the people who lived before Guilloux's lifetime. The people who lived in days of old knew how to act together, this knowledge is now lost and individuals remain all alone facing their doubts. The troubles of the beginning of the 20th century could but magnify the existencial questioning. The different degrees of responsibility of the people highlight their commitments or retreats and give evidence of the humanity or the inhumanity. It is now up to men to unite against injustice. Acting to Guilloux is a form of revolt. Guilloux's characters refuse to compromise themselves and as a consequence their field of action becomes barely humaniatrian. The author has the duty to give his own account

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T16:45:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ricardo Trovao.pdf: 1168794 bytes, checksum: c750c7a8291364d885a4d96d2632a81e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The efficient markets hypothesis is one of most important subjects on finance theory. However, over the last years, with the intensification of the studies and the arise of evidences of existence of abnormal behavior of financial assets return (anomalies), this theory began to be discussed on academic environment. The debate of the subject is still incipient, showing on one side the efficient hypothesis defenders and on the other side the adepts of the behavioral finance tendency. Among the anomalies, the Monday effect and January effect can be detached as two of the most persistent detected on the stock markets of several countries. On this scenario, the purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the existence of the calendar anomalies Monday effect and January effect on the Brazilian stock market. The Monday effect is characterized by lower returns on this day than on the other days of the week. The January effect is described by higher returns on this month than on the other months of the year. In order to verify the Monday effect, the sample used is the Ibovespa dollarizated daily average returns from 1986 to 2006. To investigate the January effect the sample is composed by the Ibovespa dollarizated monthly closing returns from 1969 to 2006. The daily and monthly returns samples were analyzed considering and excluding the atypical returns (outliers). Parametric and non parametric statistical tests were used. The analysis of the results have indicated evidences of existence of the Monday effect, both when the atypical returns were considered and excluded from the database. It has shown also that there are no evidences of existence of the January effect, both when the atypical returns were considered on the database or not / A hipótese de mercados eficientes é um dos assuntos mais importantes dentro da teoria de finanças. Porém, nos últimos anos, com a intensificação dos estudos e o surgimento de evidências da existência de comportamentos anormais nos retornos dos ativos financeiros (anomalias), esta teoria passou a ser questionada no meio acadêmico. A discussão do tema é ainda incipiente e objeto de muita polêmica, tendo, de um lado, os defensores da hipótese de eficiência e, de outro, os adeptos da corrente das finanças comportamentais. Dentre as anomalias, destacam-se o efeito segunda-feira e o efeito janeiro sendo duas das mais persistentes detectadas nos mercados acionários de diversos países. Dado este cenário, os objetivos da presente dissertação são a verificação da existência das anomalias de calendário efeito segunda-feira e efeito janeiro no mercado acionário brasileiro. O efeito segunda-feira caracteriza-se por retornos menores neste dia em relação aos demais dias da semana. Pelo efeito janeiro, os retornos neste mês seriam maiores do que nos outros meses do ano. Para a verificação do efeito segunda-feira, foram utilizadas as cotações diárias médias dolarizadas do Ibovespa, no período de 1986 a 2006. Já na averiguação do efeito janeiro foram utilizadas cotações mensais de fechamento dolarizadas do Ibovespa, no período de 1969 a 2006. Optou-se por incluir nas amostras os retornos atípicos (outliers) e também por fazer as análises excluindo tais valores das bases de retornos diários e mensais. Foram utilizados testes estatísticos paramétricos e não paramétricos. A análise estatística dos resultados diários indicou evidências da existência do efeito segunda-feira nas situações em que os retornos atípicos foram incluídos e excluídos da base de dados. A análise dos retornos mensais não apontou evidências para a existência do efeito janeiro, independentemente de terem sido excluídos, ou não, os retornos atípicos

Pour assister les aînés, les technologies apparaissent a priori comme des ressources intéressantes. Encore faut-il qu’elles soient acceptées. Les modèles théoriques d’acceptation des technologies existants s’ancrent difficilement dans les cadres disciplinaire et empirique de la gérontologie. L’objectif de cette recherche est donc de proposer une théorisation du processus d’acceptation des technologies qui tienne compte du vieillissement biopsychosocial. Une démarche scientifique empirico-inductive est mise en œuvre. Il s’agit d’une Théorisation Ancrée (TA) dans l’expérience vécue par des aînés associés à la conception d’un calendrier interactif (Amelis). Les études psycho-ergonomiques conduites pour la conception avant et pendant l’usage d’Amelis montrent que les AME ont plusieurs fonctions utiles pour les aînés. Mais des obstacles d’usage apparaissent concernant l’apprentissage, la crédibilité du système, ou encore ses sollicitations corporelles, émotionnelles et cognitives envers l’utilisateur. La compréhension de cette réalité vécue par les aînés assure l’ancrage empirique de la TA dont les résultats mettent en évidence la centralité du concept de temporalité. Ce concept se décline selon les dimensions chronologique, adaptative et axiologique du temps. Ainsi, dans un contexte gérontologique, l’acceptation d’une technologie se rapporte à des moments spécifiques, à des processus développementaux et adaptatifs mais aussi aux perceptions et valeurs accordées au temps. Intégrer le concept de temporalité et ses déclinaisons aux modèles d’acceptation des technologies renforcerait leur cohérence théorique et empirique avec le vieillissement. / Technologies may support older adults in their aging process. However, to be useful, they have to be accepted. Existing technology acceptance models are not well adapted into the gerontological context. These models probably neglect aging-specific acceptance factors. The aim of this study is to understand the technology acceptance process by the older people. We develop an inductive and empirical approach for conceptualising the acceptance dimensions related to the biopsychosocial experience of aging. We used an adaptation of the Grounded Theory (GT) methodology to investigate older participants’ experience during the participatory design of an interactive calendar called Amelis. Both the design studies and the usage studies highlight that Amelis can be useful for the elderly in different ways. Nevertheless, we identify barriers to the use of such technology. They are related to the learning process, the credibility of the electronic device, and various loads for users (i.e. cognitive, emotional, physical). Understanding user experience represents the empirical basis of the GT. The GT results emphasize that time is a key concept to analyze technology acceptance by the elderly. Three conceptual dimensions appear regarding time: chronological, adaptive, axiological. The gerontological context gives precise meaning to those dimensions. Accordingly, technology acceptance by the elderly especially depends on (1) specific moments (2) adjustment process regarding aging changes (3) time value. Underlining the importance of time provides directions for further research within the elderly. It also supports the evolution of professional practices as well as institutional choices.

The concept of the natural year (Swahili `mwaka´) is found throughout the Bantu family of languages (Guthrie 1970: iv, 143) Today there are three possible years for the Swahili. First there is the Swahili year, the first day of which was once celebrated by all the Swahili people, while the year itself was of especial importance to farmers, to sailors and fishermen as well as to travellers and scholars. Secondly there is the Islamic-Swahili year, the first day of which is, in practice, celebrated on the first day of the first month after Ramadhani - 1 mfungo mosi (and not on 1 Muharram). Finally there is, since the arrival of European- hristians in the the second half of the nineteenth century, the Gregorian year, which is known to Swahilis who have attended primary school and 1 January has been a government holiday ever since.