The dissertation thesis studies the extension of the context of the term model as a means of interpretation for Czech and Slovak post-conceptual works of art. Based on result of a historical excursion into the history of painting, sculpture and architecture, the thesis offers a new typology of a model which is exemplified on particular work of art of Czech and Slovak post-conceptual era in the first two decades of the 21st century. The historical part of the thesis concludes the following: model in the art is an emancipated form originating from different academic as well as layman discourse; emancipated model has a methaphorical layer and thus it reflects wide historical, cultural and social relations. The categories proposed include: a linear model, a physical model, a cognitive model and an immersive model. The linear model encompases the sketch themes and so-called visualization metaphors (graphs, charts, schemes, etc) and originates as a reaction to information saturation and complicated networks. The physical model is a form to architecture and hobby modelling, it is characterised by a simple, „sketchy“ structure reacting to social themes and individual and collective memory. The cognitive model points to the cognitive turn of the society, it evaluates the materialisation of mental space and explains the emancipated model as an open category. Finally, the immersive model interprets the medium of exhibition as a model form which is articulated by and artisitic manifesto or an architectural interference. Another form of immersion that is being discussed in the chapter about immersive models, is a photographic or 3 D computer illusion as a reaction to society‘s virtualisation. Simultaneously to theoretical-historical research, an artistic research was taking place which became the basis for the creation of different categories and typologies of model. Each proposed category thus includes a so-called author‘s note reflecting the practical part of the dissertation thesis.

Tirant parti de notre expérience avec une approche traditionnelle des environnements d'assistance ambiante (AAL) qui repose sur l'utilisation de nombreuses technologies hétérogènes dans les déploiements, cette thèse étudie la possibilité d'une approche simplifiée et complémentaire, ou seul un sous-ensemble hardware réduit est déployé, initiant un transfert de complexité vers le côté logiciel. Axé sur les aspects de raisonnement dans les systèmes AAL, ce travail a permis à la proposition d'un moteur d'inférence sémantique adapté à l'utilisation particulière à ces systèmes, répondant ainsi à un besoin de la communauté scientifique. Prenant en compte la grossière granularité des données situationnelles disponible avec une telle approche, un ensemble de règles dédiées avec des stratégies d'inférence adaptées est proposé, implémenté et validé en utilisant ce moteur. Un mécanisme de raisonnement sémantique novateur est proposé sur la base d'une architecture de raisonnement inspiré du système cognitif. Enfin, le système de raisonnement est intégré dans un framework de provision de services sensible au contexte, se chargeant de l'intelligence vis-à-vis des données contextuelles en effectuant un traitement des événements en direct par des manipulations ontologiques complexes. L’ensemble du système est validé par des déploiements in-situ dans une maison de retraite ainsi que dans des maisons privées, ce qui en soi est remarquable dans un domaine de recherche principalement cantonné aux laboratoires / Leveraging our experience with the traditional approach to ambient assisted living (AAL) which relies on a large spread of heterogeneous technologies in deployments, this thesis studies the possibility of a more “stripped down” and complementary approach, where only a reduced hardware subset is deployed, probing a transfer of complexity towards the software side, and enhancing the large scale deployability of the solution. Focused on the reasoning aspects in AAL systems, this work has allowed the finding of a suitable semantic inference engine for the peculiar use in these systems, responding to a need in this scientific community. Considering the coarse granularity of situational data available, dedicated rule-sets with adapted inference strategies are proposed, implemented, and validated using this engine. A novel semantic reasoning mechanism is proposed based on a cognitively inspired reasoning architecture. Finally, the whole reasoning system is integrated in a fully featured context-aware service framework, powering its context awareness by performing live event processing through complex ontological manipulation. the overall system is validated through in-situ deployments in a nursing home as well as private homes over a few months period, which itself is noticeable in a mainly laboratory-bound research domain

Cognitive and behavioral models have become popular methods to create autonomous self-animating characters. Creating these models presents the following challenges: (1) Creating a cognitive or behavioral model is a time intensive and complex process that must be done by an expert programmer (2) The models are created to solve a specific problem in a given environment and because of their specific nature cannot be easily reused. Combining existing models together would allow an animator, without the need of a programmer, to create new characters in less time and would be able to leverage each model's strengths to increase the character's performance, and to create new behaviors and animations. This thesis provides a framework that can aggregate together existing behavioral and cognitive models into an ensemble. An animator only has to rate how appropriately a character performed and through machine learning the system is able to determine how the character should act given the current situation. Empirical results from multiple case studies validate the approach taken.

The main purpose of the study was to develop a cognitive model to motivate principals in the Mpumalanga Province, particularly in the Bohlabela District. That was done firstly by identifying and explaining main factors affecting motivation of principals, and later developed a cognitive model of motivation from such factors. The study used the interpretative approach, particularly constructive-interpretative paradigm to collect and analyse principals’ subjective, but accurate accounts of their views, feelings, perceptions and experiences regarding the factors they had found motivating or de-motivating. A case study method was used as the main design method and was implemented through purposive sampling to identify information-rich participants. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the main data collection technique and the data obtained were confirmed, corroborated and augmented by observational field notes and documents analysis, particularly during data analysis. The researcher segmented and coded the data inductively into two main themes, which served as the main empirical research findings. Such findings indicated that motivation is influenced by both cognitive and systemic factors. It is recommended that setting difficult, but specific intrinsic outcomes and consciously employing cognitive abilities to pursue them, might improve motivation. Furthermore, full personal responsibility should be taken regarding the attainment of such intrinsic outcomes. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

本文試圖將日程紀錄法的研究典範應用於憂鬱的心理病理研究，聚焦於兩研究問題：（一）探討個體的憂鬱症狀與其日常生活正/負向情感傾向的關係，以及該正/負向情感傾向如何影響其每日的正/負向想法；（二）根據「素質-壓力模式」的觀點，探討個體於日常生活中展現的情感傾向與認知特性，在控制住基準點的憂鬱症狀後，是否仍可顯著預測個體處於壓力狀態的憂鬱症狀。93名大學生完整參與本研究，問卷評估包括基準點的憂鬱症狀、日程紀錄期間的每日正/負向情感與正/負向想法、以及其期中考期間的憂鬱症狀。研究顯示憂鬱個體展現較低的正向情感傾向與較強的負向情感傾向，而個體的正/負向情感傾向與狀態可顯著預測其正/負向想法，且情感傾向與狀態對想法存在顯著的交互作用；另外，個體於日常生活展現的平均負向想法與正向情感傾向，在控制住基準點的症狀後，仍可顯著預測其處於壓力的憂鬱症狀。最後，我們則探討本研究對心理病理與治療的意涵。 / The authors attempted using diary method paradigm to study psychopathology of depression. The study focused on two questions: (1) explore the relationship between individuals’ depressive symptoms and their tendency of positive/ negative affect, and how the tendency of affect impact their daily positive/ negative thoughts; (2) according to the view of diathesis-stress model, explore how the affective tendency and cognitive characteristics exhibited in daily life could predict their depressive symptoms under stress after the initial symptoms are controlled. 93 participants finished all questionnaires, including initial depressive symptoms, daily positive/ negative affect, positive/ negative thoughts, and depressive symptoms under midterm examination. The results showed that depression is related to low positive affect and high negative affect. Individuals’ tendency and state of positive/ negative affect could predict their daily positive/ negative thoughts, and there exist a significant interaction effect between tendency and state to thoughts. Further, individuals’ tendency of positive affect and average negative could predict their depressive symptoms under stress after the initial symptoms are controlled. Finally, the implications for psychopathology and therapy are discussed.

This chapter reviews the literature applying health behavior theories to indoor tanning. Few studies have tried to fit full versions of health behavior models to indoor tanning. Theoretical models from the family of theories referred to as the reasoned action approach (e.g., theory of planned behavior, behavioral alternative model, prototype willingness model, etc.) have been most commonly used to study indoor tanning. Results indicate that these models fit indoor tanning data moderately to extremely well. Two lesser known models, problem behavior theory and the terror management health model, have also demonstrated a reasonable fit. Two other common models, the health belief model and social cognitive theory, have never been fully tested with indoor tanning. However, key constructs from these models (e.g., perceived susceptibility and threat, modeling) have been used to understand indoor tanning. Empirical research conducted represents a solid start toward developing strong, comprehensive models of indoor tanning that can guide intervention efforts. This initial work needs to be expanded by conducting longitudinal studies and by including a broader age range in studies because the majority of existing work has focused on young adults. Incorporating findings related to tanning dependency, peer group affiliation, media influences and other constructs into these foundational models will also improve our understanding and ability to develop efficacious interventions to reduce engagement in this health risk behavior.

Cette recherche a comme objectif d’analyser le discours persuasif dans le cadre du discours religieux. Notre travail dissèque les outils utilisés par les locuteurs pour persuader les auditeurs à l’appui d’un vaste présupposé théorique. Cette thèse s’appui sur les propositions d’étude du domaine de la rhétorique, de l’analyse du discours, de la pragmatique et de la linguistique cognitive.Nous démontrons que ces domaines si différents peuvent être complémentaires dans l’étude des techniques persuasives. Nous avons identifié et analysé certaines opérations cognitives orchestrées par le cerveau humain lors de la persuasion. Ces opérations sont identifiables grâce à des indices linguistiques spécifiques.L’ossature de cette recherche consiste à expliquer comment est structuré le discours religieux et persuasif et de quelles techniques disposent les orateurs. Grâce aux réponses à ces questions centrales, nous sommes en mesure de connaître plus profondément les astuces du discours de la persuasion qui peuvent être utiles bien au-delà du domaine de la linguistique / This research has as an objective analysis of the persuasive speech in the context of religious discourse. Our work dissects the tools used by speakers to persuade listeners to support a broad theoretical assumption. This thesis is supported on the proposed study area Rhetoric of discourse analysis, pragmatics and cognitive linguistics.We show that if these different areas can be complementary in the study of persuasive techniques. We have identified and analyzed some orchestrated by the human brain during cognitive processes of persuasion. These operations are identified by specific linguistic cues.The framework of this research is to explain how the religious structured and persuasive speeches and what techniques have speakers. With answers to these key questions, we are able to know more deeply the tricks of speech of persuasion that can be useful well beyond the field of linguistics

The main purpose of the study was to develop a cognitive model to motivate principals in the Mpumalanga Province, particularly in the Bohlabela District. That was done firstly by identifying and explaining main factors affecting motivation of principals, and later developed a cognitive model of motivation from such factors. The study used the interpretative approach, particularly constructive-interpretative paradigm to collect and analyse principals’ subjective, but accurate accounts of their views, feelings, perceptions and experiences regarding the factors they had found motivating or de-motivating. A case study method was used as the main design method and was implemented through purposive sampling to identify information-rich participants. Semi-structured interviews were employed as the main data collection technique and the data obtained were confirmed, corroborated and augmented by observational field notes and documents analysis, particularly during data analysis. The researcher segmented and coded the data inductively into two main themes, which served as the main empirical research findings. Such findings indicated that motivation is influenced by both cognitive and systemic factors. It is recommended that setting difficult, but specific intrinsic outcomes and consciously employing cognitive abilities to pursue them, might improve motivation. Furthermore, full personal responsibility should be taken regarding the attainment of such intrinsic outcomes. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)