By the year 2025, it is anticipated that over 300 million individuals world wide will have type 2 diabetes, with a projected increase from 84 to 288 million (170%) in developing countries and from 51 to 72 million (42%) in developed countries. Diabetes leads to a markedly increased risk of heart disease and renal failure and to expensive and debilitating retinopathy and neuropathy. Cognitive decline is also increased. As there is accumulating evidence of the beneficial effects of moderate carbohydrate, low fat dietary patterns compared to high carbohydrate diets, this thesis will focus on the effects of moderate carbohydrate high protein dietary patterns (total carbohydrate: protein: fat ratio of 40%:34%:26%) on glycemic control, risk factors for macrovascular disease and cognitive function. Information on two key areas in type 2 diabetes will be presented, 1. Acute effects of dietary patterns, moderately carbohydrate restricted and high in protein on glucose levels assessed using continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) with verification of these results through a small repeat study. 2. Chronic effects of energy restricted dietary patterns, moderately carbohydrate restricted and high in protein on glucose levels, HbA1c, cognitive function, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers and renal function. In the acute study, we recruited 23 subjects with type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomized to each of 4, 3-day interventions in a cross over design with a 4 day wash out period in which the carbohydrates were distributed differently at each meal; carbohydrates evenly distributed across the day, or carbohydrates loaded at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Glucose levels were continuously measured using CGMS. Outcomes were assessed by postprandial peak glucose (Gmax), time spent above 12 mmol/L (T>12) and total area under the glucose curve (AUC20). The intervention showed that an even distribution of carbohydrates did not optimise blood glucose control, whereas carbohydrates loaded at the lunch time meal provided the most favourable postprandial profile. To verify these results we conducted a repeat study. Six of the previous participants accepted the invitation to return and complete the even distribution arm of the study after a 20 week time lag. The intervention showed that although HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), AUC, exercise and ambient temperature remained constant there was a significant effect of change in sunlight hours on Gmax, suggesting an effect of sunlight. To assess the chronic effects of energy restricted dietary patterns on the determinants of HbA1c, cognitive function, CVD risk markers and renal function under conditions of weight loss, we recruited 82 participants with type 2 diabetes. These participants were randomised to one of two high protein energy restricted dietary patterns that differed in cholesterol content, for a 12 week period, in a parallel design. A sub group of these participants completed cognitive function testing with (n=34) or without (n=17) CGMS at baseline and at 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of the intervention the determinants of HbA1c under conditions of energy restriction were evaluated. The intervention showed the change in FBG accounted for most of the variance in change in HbA1c, but % energy reduction also contributed independently of FBG. Both energy restricted high protein diets equally improved glycemic control, particularly T>12, AUC, HbA1c and FBG. Fifty one participants completed cognitive testing to evaluate the effect of weight loss and blood glucose control on cognition. Cognitive function was not altered by time, diet, baseline lipid levels. Working memory was predicted by FBG. Short term memory was predicted by FBG, Gmax and AUC24. Sixty five participants completed 12 weeks of the intervention to assess CVD risk markers and renal function. Renal function was maintained and CV markers improved on both dietary patterns, with greatest improvement in HDL-C observed in the group consuming a high protein, energy restricted dietary pattern, high in dietary cholesterol. In conclusion, in the context of a high protein, carbohydrate restricted dietary pattern, cognitive function and renal function did not change, while glycemia and CV risk profiles improved with weight loss over the short term. Under conditions of energy balance diurnal glucose profiles were optimal when the carbohydrates were loaded in the lunch meal. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1342253 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

By the year 2025, it is anticipated that over 300 million individuals world wide will have type 2 diabetes, with a projected increase from 84 to 288 million (170%) in developing countries and from 51 to 72 million (42%) in developed countries. Diabetes leads to a markedly increased risk of heart disease and renal failure and to expensive and debilitating retinopathy and neuropathy. Cognitive decline is also increased. As there is accumulating evidence of the beneficial effects of moderate carbohydrate, low fat dietary patterns compared to high carbohydrate diets, this thesis will focus on the effects of moderate carbohydrate high protein dietary patterns (total carbohydrate: protein: fat ratio of 40%:34%:26%) on glycemic control, risk factors for macrovascular disease and cognitive function. Information on two key areas in type 2 diabetes will be presented, 1. Acute effects of dietary patterns, moderately carbohydrate restricted and high in protein on glucose levels assessed using continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) with verification of these results through a small repeat study. 2. Chronic effects of energy restricted dietary patterns, moderately carbohydrate restricted and high in protein on glucose levels, HbA1c, cognitive function, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers and renal function. In the acute study, we recruited 23 subjects with type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomized to each of 4, 3-day interventions in a cross over design with a 4 day wash out period in which the carbohydrates were distributed differently at each meal; carbohydrates evenly distributed across the day, or carbohydrates loaded at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Glucose levels were continuously measured using CGMS. Outcomes were assessed by postprandial peak glucose (Gmax), time spent above 12 mmol/L (T>12) and total area under the glucose curve (AUC20). The intervention showed that an even distribution of carbohydrates did not optimise blood glucose control, whereas carbohydrates loaded at the lunch time meal provided the most favourable postprandial profile. To verify these results we conducted a repeat study. Six of the previous participants accepted the invitation to return and complete the even distribution arm of the study after a 20 week time lag. The intervention showed that although HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), AUC, exercise and ambient temperature remained constant there was a significant effect of change in sunlight hours on Gmax, suggesting an effect of sunlight. To assess the chronic effects of energy restricted dietary patterns on the determinants of HbA1c, cognitive function, CVD risk markers and renal function under conditions of weight loss, we recruited 82 participants with type 2 diabetes. These participants were randomised to one of two high protein energy restricted dietary patterns that differed in cholesterol content, for a 12 week period, in a parallel design. A sub group of these participants completed cognitive function testing with (n=34) or without (n=17) CGMS at baseline and at 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of the intervention the determinants of HbA1c under conditions of energy restriction were evaluated. The intervention showed the change in FBG accounted for most of the variance in change in HbA1c, but % energy reduction also contributed independently of FBG. Both energy restricted high protein diets equally improved glycemic control, particularly T>12, AUC, HbA1c and FBG. Fifty one participants completed cognitive testing to evaluate the effect of weight loss and blood glucose control on cognition. Cognitive function was not altered by time, diet, baseline lipid levels. Working memory was predicted by FBG. Short term memory was predicted by FBG, Gmax and AUC24. Sixty five participants completed 12 weeks of the intervention to assess CVD risk markers and renal function. Renal function was maintained and CV markers improved on both dietary patterns, with greatest improvement in HDL-C observed in the group consuming a high protein, energy restricted dietary pattern, high in dietary cholesterol. In conclusion, in the context of a high protein, carbohydrate restricted dietary pattern, cognitive function and renal function did not change, while glycemia and CV risk profiles improved with weight loss over the short term. Under conditions of energy balance diurnal glucose profiles were optimal when the carbohydrates were loaded in the lunch meal. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1342253 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

Le travail suivant porte sur le concours lancé à Paris en 1797/99 par la Classe des sciences morales et politiques de l’Institut National, aujourd’hui l’Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques, sur la question de l’influence des signes sur la pensée.Quelques années seulement après l’introduction d’une nouvelle terminologie dans le domaine de la chimie, la question se posait de savoir s’il était possible d’établir en philosophie une terminologie aussi précise que dans les Sciences Naturelles. Cette thématique embrasse ainsi des questions relevant des théories de la connaissance, des théories du signe et de l’épistémologie.Sur les 23 réponses anonymes au concours, seules les trois réponses suivantes ont été jusqu’ici publiées et de ce fait suffisamment connues et analysées, celles de Joseph Marie Degérando (1772--‐1842), Pierre-François Lancelin (1769--‐1809) et Pierre Prévost (1751--‐1839).Les autres réponses, qui se trouvent aux Archives de l’Institut de France, sont jusqu’à ce jour pour la plupart inconnues et non publiées.Pour la première fois, dans ce travail, elles sont mises au jour et analysées dans le cadre des théories du langage du 18ème siècle et du courant de la philosophie du langage des Idéologues .L’un des enjeux est en particulier de traiter les différentes réponses comme constituant une série et de les analyser toutes de la même manière, sans mettre l’accent sur la dissertation de Degérandos qui a reçu le prix. Cela permet ainsi de faire ressortir les structures des arguments sur l’indépendance de la pensée scientifique et des signes ou sur la réévaluation différente de la fonction cognitive des signes sur la construction des idées. / This thesis examines the question of the Paris contest and the impact of symbols on reasoning in 1797/99, tendered by the Classe des sciences morales et politiques at the Institut National which is called Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques today. The aim was to find out whether, a couple of years after a new terminology had been introduced in chemistry, a terminology which should be as precise as the one for natural science could also be established in philosophy.The epistemic and semiotic elements of the topic are considered, as are any further questions and issues that develop. Out of the 23 anonymous entries sent in for the contest only three have been analysed scientifically so far.These are the entries sent in by Joseph Marie Degérando (1772-‐1842), Pierre-­‐François Lancelin (1769-1809) and PierrePrévost(1751-1839), which have been published and are familiar to many people.The remaining entries, which can be found today in the Archives des Institut de France are mostly unknown and have not been published yet. In this thesis they will be assessed and put into the wider context of linguistic theory at the close of the 18th century and the linguistic philosophy of the so called Idéologues. A main focus will be on the fact that they need to be seen as a series of texts and to make sure that each entry gets the same attention with no special focus on Degérandos award‐winning work.In the process a couple of overarching structures of argument emerged, such as the independence of scientific thought from symbols or the different weighing of the cognitive function of symbols for the emergence of ideas.

In the 1980s, in the discipline of Classical studies in the field of Greco-Roman philosophy, the scholars showed renewed interest in the subject of the emotions. The outcome of their research reinstated the cognitive function in emotions. The research also recognised that the values and beliefs in the emotions are culturally conditioned. This outcome opened the possibility of discovering the values of a culture by analysing the emotions. Another outcome of the research showed that the interpretation of a lexical term, designating an emotion, did not necessarily imply the same meaning universally. The knowledge of the emotions in this discipline influenced numerous branches of academic study. It was noted that this did not apply to New Testament studies and therefore became an opportunity for a research subject, namely: An Analysis of Emotions of Anger and Fear in the Undisputed Pauline letters. The purpose was to determine their meanings within the context of Imperial Roman values. The analysis was based on Aristotle's definition of anger and fear. This approach also required a study of social conditions in the provincial Roman cities in which Paul had formed communities. The study was dependent on the emotional language used by Paul in his undisputed letters. Louw-Nida New Testament Greek-English Lexicon based on Semantic Domains was used to locate the words that expressed the emotional concepts of anger and fear. The essence of the research problem was to discover the meaning of the emotions in the undisputed Pauline letters in the first century CE. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

Final thesis titled Visual Literacy in the Digital Era is primarily focused on understanding image in the context of contemporary digital era, which is characterized particularly by abundance of visual images. Using analysis of principles of New Media and Surface Aesthetics, which is based on visual communication strategies, it tries to define new demands on viewers' perceptional capabilities and emerging consequences for their cognitive functions. Farther there are applied findings of contemporary cognitive psychology and neurobiology on artistic movements of 20th and 21st century and general artistic tendencies. In dependence on the analysis and application of gained findings there is in conclusion reassessed Visual Literacy in its existing definition, which is not sufficient for new demands that has arisen and do not take account of current level of viewers' literacy.

Introduction. Les survivants de la leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë développent de nombreux effets indésirables plusieurs années après les traitements. Une pratique régulière d’activité physique et une bonne capacité cardiorespiratoire peuvent réduire le risque de désordre neurocognitif et améliorer la santé cognitive. L’objectif de l’étude est d’examiner l’effet de la capacité cardiorespiratoire et de l’exercice physique sur la santé cognitive des survivants. Méthodologie. Nos analyses incluent 219 survivants d’une leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë. Tous les participants ont réalisé un test d’effort cardiopulmonaire sur ergocycle et ont rempli un questionnaire d’activité physique. Pour mesurer les variables cognitives, une batterie de tests neuropsychologiques (c.-à-d. fluence verbale, flexibilité cognitive, mémoire de travail, vitesse de traitement) a été complétée. Les rapports de cote ont ensuite été calculés pour déterminer la fraction préventive des variables de santé physique sur les variables de santé cognitive. Résultats. La cohorte comporte 52% d’hommes et 48% de femmes. Un total de 182 survivants (83%) possède une condition cardiorespiratoire en dessous de leur prédite (<100%). Nos analyses montrent qu’il existe une association entre une bonne capacité cardiorespiratoire et la vitesse de traitement (fraction préventive de 70% pour la main dominante (p<0.01) et 65% pour la main non dominante (p<0.01)) ainsi qu’avec la flexibilité mentale (D-KEFS - changements de catégories, fraction préventive de 61% (p<0.05)). Conclusion. Une bonne capacité cardiorespiratoire et un bon niveau d’activité physique ont été associés à une fraction préventive sur la plupart des variables de santé cognitive étudiées. La prévalence des moins bonnes performances dans la vitesse de traitement et dans la flexibilité cognitive a été significativement associée à une meilleure capacité cardiorespiratoire chez les survivants d’une leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë. / Introduction. Most childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors develop chronic treatment-related adverse effects several years after the end of the treatment. Regular physical activity and a good cardiorespiratory fitness can decrease the risks of neurological disturbances and increase cognitive function scores. The aim of this study was to examine the preventive fraction of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels on cognitive functions. Methods. We enrolled 219 survivors of childhood ALL. The participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, neuropsychological tests of processing speed and executive functions (i.e. verbal fluency, cognitive flexibility, working memory) and completed a physical activity questionnaire. We calculated the odds ratio to obtain the preventive fraction of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels on cognitive functions. Results. The cohort is 52% male and 48% female. A total of 182 survivors (83%) have a cardiorespiratory fitness below their predicted (<100%). Our analyses show that there is an association between good cardiorespiratory fitness and processing speed (preventive fraction of 70% for dominant hand (p<0.01) and 65% for non-dominant hand (p<0.01)) and with cognitive flexibility identified as the category switching measure of the D-KEFS verbal fluency (preventive fraction of 61%; p<0.05). Conclusion. Good cardiorespiratory fitness (≥100% predicted value) and good levels of physical activity (≥150 min MVLPA/week) were associated to a preventive fraction for most cognitive function variables measured. Good cardiorespiratory fitness levels were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of poor performance in processing speed (i.e., dominant hand and non-dominant hand) and in cognitive flexibility (i.e., category switching) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors.

There is a well-documented bidirectional relationship between pain and cognitive dysfunction, especially working memory. Despite this extensive body of research, the pain–working memory relationship is poorly understood. Pain catastrophizing – exaggerated negative cognitive and emotional responses towards pain – may contribute to working memory deficits by occupying finite, shared cognitive resources, but this has yet to be investigated. The present study sought to clarify the role of pain catastrophizing (assessed as both a trait-level disposition and state-level process) in working memory dysfunction. Healthy undergraduate participants were randomized to an ischemic pain or control task, during which they completed verbal and non-verbal working memory tests. They also completed measures of state- and trait-level pain catastrophizing. Mediation analyses indicated that state-level pain catastrophizing mediated the relationships of pain group to both verbal and non-verbal working memory, such that participants in the pain group (vs. the control group) catastrophized more about their pain, which then resulted in worse verbal and non-verbal working memory performance. In moderated mediation analyses, trait-level pain catastrophizing moderated this mediation effect for both verbal and non-verbal working memory. Those participants in the pain group who reported greater tendency to catastrophize about pain in general exhibited greater catastrophizing in-the-moment during the pain task, thereby leading to worse verbal and non-verbal working memory performance. These results provide evidence for pain catastrophizing as a putative mechanism and moderating factor of working memory dysfunction in pain. Future research should replicate these results in chronic pain samples, investigate other potential mechanisms (e.g., sleep), and develop interventions to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction by targeting pain catastrophizing.

Syftet med den aktuella studien var att undersöka om det finns något samband mellanfysisk aktivitet och kognitiv aktivitet kopplat till den kognitiva förmågan i åldersgruppen 65+.Det har studerats om det finns något samband mellan olika mängd på fysisk aktivitet (mycketansträngande, måttligt ansträngande, promenader) samt stillasittande och den kognitivaförmågan (exekutiva funktioner, analytiskt tänkande, bearbetningshastighet). Totalt deltog 30personer, varav 63% kvinnor, i åldrarna 65 till 84 år (M = 73,93, SD = 5.85) som rekryteradesvia offentliga mötesplatser för åldersgruppen samt via personliga kontakter. Deltagarnabesvarade frågeformulär med bakgrundsfrågor (kön, ålder, utbildningsnivå) samt ettsjälvskattningsformulär om fysiska aktivitetsvanor (International Physical ActivitiesQuestionnaire, IPAQ) och ett självskattningsformulär om kognitiva aktivitetsvanor (FloridaCognitive Activities Scale, FCAS). Efter detta fick deltagarna genomföra de fyrakognitionstesterna; Trail Making Test A (TMT A), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)som mäter bearbetningshastigheten, Trail Making Test B (TMT B) som mäter exekutivfunktion samt Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) som mäter analytiskt tänkande.Resultatet visade på signifikant samband mellan ålder och bearbetningshastighet samtexekutiv funktion. Signifikant samband fanns även mellan kognitiv aktivitet ochbearbetningshastighet samt exekutiv funktion. Signifikant samband kunde även identifierasmellan promenader och analytiskt tänkande. Inga signifikanta resultat kunde hittas förresterande variabler och kognitiv förmåga.Resultatet från aktuell studie tyder på att högre grad av kognitiv aktivitet har ettsamband med bearbetningshastighet och exekutiva funktioner. Resultatet visar även attpromenader är relaterat till analytiskt tänkande. Ålder visade sig signifikant ha ett sambandmed bearbetningshastighet och exekutiva funktioner. / The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether there is any relationshipbetween physical activity and cognitive activity linked to cognitive ability in the age group65+. The study investigated whether there is any relationship between different amounts ofphysical activity (very strenuous, moderately strenuous, walking) as well as sedentary timeand cognitive ability (executive functions, analytical thinking, processing speed). A total of 30people participated, of which 63% were women, aged between 65 to 84 years (M = 73.93, SD= 5.85), who were recruited via public meeting places for the age group as well as viapersonal contacts. The participants answered questionnaires with background questions(gender, age, level of education) as well as a self-assessment questionnaire on physicalactivity habits (International Physical Activities Questionnaire, IPAQ) and a self-assessmentquestionnaire on cognitive activity habits (Florida Cognitive Activities Scale, FCAS). Afterthis, the participants had to complete the four cognitive tests; Trail Making Test A (TMT A),Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) which measures processing speed, Trail Making TestB (TMT B) which measures executive function and the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT)which measures analytical thinking.The results showed a significant relationship between age and processing speed aswell as executive function. There was also a significant relationship between cognitiveactivity and processing speed as well as executive function. A significant relationship couldalso be identified between walking and analytical thinking. No significant results could befound for the remaining variables and cognitive ability.The results from the current study indicate that a higher degree of cognitive activityhas a relationship with processing speed and executive functions. The result also shows thatwalking is related to analytical thinking. Age was found to be significantly related toprocessing speed and executive functions.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an endogenously occurring phospholipid that has been shown to have cognition and mood enhancing properties in humans, possibly through its role as an enzyme co-factor in cellular signal transduction. Specifically, PS has been identified as activator of classical isoforms of protein kinase C, an enzyme known to be involved in the growth and differentiation of neural cells, and is therefore thought to play a role in the protection of neurons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supplementation with PS and caffeine on measures of cognition, reaction time and mood prior to and following an exercise stress. Twenty, healthy, resistance trained males (17) and females (3) (mean ± SD; age: 22.75 ± 3.27 yrs; height: 177.03 ± 8.44cm; weight: 78.98 ± 11.24kg; body fat%: 14.28 ± 6.6), volunteered to participate in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants were assigned to a PS group (400mg/day PS; 100mg/day caffeine, N=9) or PL (16g/day Carbs, N=11) delivered in the form of 4 candy chews identical in size, shape and color. Subjects performed an acute bout of full body resistance exercise, prior to (T1) and following 14 days of supplementation (T2). Measures of reaction time (Dynavision® D2 Visuomotor Training Device), cognition (Serial Subtraction Test, SST), and mood (Profile of Mood States, POMS) were assessed immediately before and following resistance exercise in both T1 and T2. Data was analyzed using two-way ANCOVA and repeated measures ANOVA. Supplementation with 400mg PS and 100mg caffeine did not have a significant impact upon measures of reaction time or cognition between groups at baseline or following acute resistance exercise. However, there was a non-significant trend to the attenuation of fatigue iv between groups, following acute resistance exercise (p = 0.071). Interestingly, our data suggests that acute resistance exercise alone may improve cognitive function. Although more research is necessary regarding optimal dosage and supplementation duration, the current findings suggest that supplementation 400mg/day PS with 100mg/day caffeine may attenuate fatigue following acute resistance exercise. It is possible that the lack of significance may be the result of both an inhibition of the PS activated pathway and a withdrawal effect from caffeine.

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