This abstract summarises the thesis entitled Defensive Avoidance in Paranoid Delusions: Experimental and Computational Approaches, submitted by Michael Moutoussis to The University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, in 2011.The possible aetiological role of defensive avoidance in paranoia was investigated in this work. First the psychological significance of the Conditioned Avoidance Response (CAR) was reappraised. The CAR activates normal threat-processing mechanisms that may be pathologically over-activated in the anticipation of threats in paranoia. This may apply both to external threats and also to threats to the self-esteem.A temporal-difference computational model of the CAR suggested that a dopamine-independent process may signal that a particular state has led to a worse-than-expected outcome. On the contrary, learning about actions is likely to involve dopamine in signalling both worse-than-expected and better-than-expected outcomes. The psychological mode of action of dopamine blocking drugs may involve dampening (1) the vigour of the avoidance response and (2) the prediction-error signals that drive action learning.Excessive anticipation of negative events might lead to inappropriately perceived high costs of delaying decisions. Efforts to avoid such costs might explain the Jumping-to-Conclusions (JTC) bias found in paranoid patients. Two decision-theoretical models were used to analyse data from the ‘beads-in-a-jar’ task. One model employed an ideal-observer Bayesian approach; a control model made decisions by weighing evidence against a fixed threshold of certainty. We found no support for our ‘high cost’ hypothesis. According to both models the JTC bias was better explained by higher levels of ‘cognitive noise’ (relative to motivation) in paranoid patients. This ‘noise’ appears to limit the ability of paranoid patients to be influenced by cognitively distant possibilities.It was further hypothesised that excessive avoidance of negative aspects of the self may fuel paranoia. This was investigated empirically. Important self-attributes were elicited in paranoid patients and controls. Conscious and non-conscious avoidance were assessed while negative thoughts about the self were presented. Both ‘deserved’ and ‘undeserved’ persecutory beliefs were associated with high avoidance/control strategies in general, but not with increased of avoidance of negative thoughts about the self. On the basis of the present studies the former is therefore considerably more likely than the latter to play an aetiological role in paranoia.This work has introduced novel computational methods, especially useful in the study of ‘hidden’ psychological variables. It supported and deepened some key hypotheses about paranoia and provided consistent evidence against other important aetiological hypotheses. These contributions have substantial implications for research and for some aspects of clinical practice.

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness of a two stage fault identification methodology for rotating machines operating under non-stationary conditions with the use of a single vibration transducer. The proposed methodology transforms the machine vibration signal into a discrepancy signal by means of smart feature selection and statistical models. The discrepancy signal indicates the angular position and relative magnitude of irregular signal patterns which are assumed to be indicative of gear faults. The discrepancy signal is also independent of healthy vibration components, such as the meshing frequency, and effects of fluctuating operating conditions. The use of the discrepancy signal significantly reduces the complexity of fault detection and diagnosis. The first stage of the methodology involves extracting smart instantaneous operating condition specific features, while the second stage requires extracting smart instantaneous fault sensitive features. The instantaneous operating condition features are extracted from the coefficients of the low frequency region of the STFT of the vibration signal, since they are sensitive to operating condition changes and robust to the presence of faults. Then the sequence of operating conditions are classified using a hidden Markov model (HMM). The instantaneous fault features are then extracted from the coefficients in the wavelet packet transform (WPT) around the natural frequencies of the gearbox. These features are the converse to the operating condition features,since they are sensitive to the presence of faults and robust to the fluctuating operating conditions. The instantaneous fault features are sent to a set of Gaussian mixture models (GMMs), one GMM for each identified operating condition which enables the instantaneous fault features to be evaluated with respect to their operating condition. The GMMs generate a discrepancy signal, in the angular domain, from which gear faults may be detected and diagnosed by means of simple analysis techniques. The proposed methodology is validated using experimental data from an accelerated life test of a gearbox operated under fluctuating load and speed conditions. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / Unrestricted

Thesis (MMED. (Forensic Medicine)) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / Traumatic intracranial haemorrhages are common, carry a high mortality rate and are therefore commonly known in the practice of forensic pathology as unnatural deaths. Studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in mortality rate among patients who received surgical interventions compared to patients who were treated medically. Missed or mis-diagnoses, which may be apparent during an autopsy procedure, present possible missed treatment opportunities. Aim/objective and methods The study investigated the discrepancy rate and discrepancy pattern of diagnosis between antemortem brain computed tomography (CT) scan findings and autopsy findings in deceased patients with traumatic intracranial haemorrhage (TIH). A quantitative retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on bodies presented with TIH at Pietersburg Hospital Forensic Pathology Department. A total of consecutive 85 cases with antemortem CT (ACT) scan findings were compared to autopsy findings using percentage agreement and Cohen’s kappa statistics. Results and conclusion There was a fair overall agreement (k=0.38) with overall discrepancy rate of 24.74%, ranging from 9.41% to 34.12% for individual TIH between ACT scan and autopsy findings. Subarachnoid haemorrhage had the lowest agreement between the ACT scan and autopsy findings for TIH. Patient and doctor factors associated with the discrepancies were assessed. Those associated factors, if addressed, may have a positive impact on patient outcome. As far as the debate on non-invasive autopsy procedure is concerned, as a result of existing discrepancy rate, we conclude that ACT should not be used alone in the determination of cause of death but may be used in conjunction with autopsy findings.

Previous research has suggested there may be racial differences in how adults perceive and rate children’s ADHD behavior (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity). The current study examined these differences between African-American/Black (AA/B) parents and European-American/White (EA/W) parents and teachers. Participants watched video clips of children in classrooms and rated their ADHD behaviors and their likelihood of having ADHD. Results showed that EA/W parents and teachers rated African-American boys’ ADHD behaviors and their likelihood of having ADHD higher than AA/B parents. Mechanisms by which these differences exist were explored, including beliefs about stigma related to ADHD, values in movement and expressiveness, experiences with racism, and racial attitudes. Results suggested that EA/W teachers’ racial attitudes toward African Americans were related to their ratings of African-American boys’ ADHD behaviors and likelihood of having ADHD. More research is necessary to further explain the mechanisms by which such discrepancies in ratings of African-American boys’ ADHD behaviors exist between African-American and European-American adults to inform culturally sensitive assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in African-American children.

1 Abstract My master's thesis is focused on analysis of extraordinary appeal in criminal procedure. Extraordinary appeal is one of extraordinary remedial measures which was introduced into the Czech Criminal Procedure Code with effect from 1 January 2002. The thesis is devided into 6 chapters and the main chapter of the thesis is focused on in-depth analysis of the grounds of an extraordinary appeal and the issue of so called extreme discrepancy. So far, the issue of so called extreme discrepancy has not yet been subject to in-depth analysis in professional literature, therefore I pay more attention to this matter. The importance of so called extreme discrepancy is significant for the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic and its decisions. It is a concept arising from the case law of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, which extends the grounds of an extraordinary appeal despite the grounds laid down in the Czech Criminal Procedure Code. Based on this concept the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic is obliged not only to review questions of law but also questions of fact in cases with so called extreme discrepancy. The Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic defends this concept saying it is neccessary to keep this approach in order to respect the fair trail within the meaning of the European...

Doctor Scientiae - DSc / Determining arch perimeter is of importance in both a clinical setting, where it is used to determine space requirements, as well as in an epidemiological setting where it is used to describe large populations. Physical measurement of arch perimeter is time consuming and may be prone to operator errors when done on study casts and even more so in a clinical situation. The use of a simple mathematical model to predict arch perimeter, using a few measurements that can be done easily and reliably, would be of great use to the practitioner.

Pornography has increasingly become a hot topic of discussion in the United States, likely due to its increasing rate of consumption. Recent scholarship has indicated the need to account for factors such as masturbation and sexual desire discrepancy when conducting pornography research. The current study isolated the influence pornography use had on those in heterosexual romantic relationships (N=713 couples) by parsing out the effects of sexual desire discrepancy and masturbation. This was done by using a series of nested actor-partner interdependence models (APIM) to see how the relationships between pornography use and sexual satisfaction changed in each model. Masturbation and sexual desire discrepancy were also investigated as potential moderators for the APIMs to explore the effects the levels of these variables had on that relationship. Results from these analyses demonstrated that the best-fitting model included measures of masturbation, sexual desire discrepancy, and sexual engagement (i.e., controls for the values making up sexual desire discrepancy), and that adding each of these variables to the model significantly changed pornography use's actor and partner effects. Masturbation and sexual desire discrepancy were not found to moderate these relationships. A discussion of the research implications of these findings, the limitations of this study, future directions for research, and clinical implications of this study are also presented.

This study examines how adding avatars, personal visual representations of the user, on online forms impacts self-reported willingness for behavioral change, when considering health habits. Avatars are a gamification element proposed to have a positive impact on behavioral change. No earlier research has examined the distinction between the effects of the contemplation that occurs when acquiring an avatar and those of the actual avatar. This distinction was explored with a randomly controlled trial in the form of three questionnaires (pretest, self-reflection, posttest), distributed to a control group and an intervention group. 37 participants (20 women, 17 men, M = 33.4 years, age span 29–38 years) completed the study. The pretest consisted of questions about their current health situation, followed by the self-reflection task. The posttest measured the outcome variable: ”How willing are you to make a change in your everyday life in order to improve or maintain your general health?”. For the intervention group, the self- reflection and posttest were accompanied by an avatar. The results were analysed with a Mann- Whitney’s U-test, which showed that the avatar groups' self-reported willingness for behavioral change was higher compared to the control group. The effect was statistically significant. We discuss the applications and practical and ethical implications of avatars for increasing motivation. Further research should be done to replicate these findings to further examine the mechanics of the avatar representation. / Denna studie undersöker hur tillägget av avatarer, en personlig visuell representation av användaren, i webbformulär kan påverka självrapporterad villighet för beteendeförändring kopplat till hälsovanor. Avatarer är ett spelifieringselement som föreslås kunna ha en positiv påverkan på beteendeförändring. Ingen tidigare forskning har gjorts på distinktionen mellan effekter av självreflektion som sker vid förvärvandet av en avatar och den faktiska avataren. Den här distinktionen undersöktes genom en randomiserad kontrollerad studie i form av tre enkäter (förtest, självreflektion, eftertest) för en kontroll- och interventionsgrupp. 37 deltagare (20 kvinnor, 17 män, M = 33.4 år, åldersspann 29–38 år) slutförde studien. Förtestet bestod av frågor om deltagarnas nuvarande hälsa, följt av självreflektionen. Eftertestet innehöll utfallsmåttet: “Hur villig är du att göra en förändring i din vardag för att förbättra eller bibehålla din generella hälsa?”. För interventionsgruppen ackompanjerades självreflektionen och eftertestet av en avatar. Resultaten analyserades med ett Mann-Whitneys U-test, som visade att avatargruppens självskattade villighet för beteendeförändring var högre jämfört med kontrollgruppen. Effekten var statistiskt signifikant. Vi diskuterar tillämpningar samt praktiska och etiska implikationer av avatarer för att öka motivation. Vidare forskning bör göras för att replikera dessa fynd för att ytterligare undersöka mekaniken bakom avatar-representation.

A thesis submitted to the College of Dental Medicine of Nova Southeastern University of the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes based on the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System (ABO-OGS) in a 30-month postgraduate orthodontic residency and to determine what factors affected these treatment outcomes. Methods: Consecutively debonded cases from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 treated by residents in the Orthodontics Department at Nova Southeastern University were graded using the ABO-OGS. The age and sex of the patient, the treatment time, the missed appointments and the number of providers were documented. Discrepancy indices were calculated for each patient. These variables were assessed and their associations with the obtained treatment outcome scores were evaluated. Results: The average OGS score of the debonded cases was 33.87. There was no significant correlation between total OGS score and the demographic or explanatory variables. There were significant correlations found between the discrepancy index (DI) and the treatment time, the number of providers, but not the OGS. Significant correlations were also identified between treatment time and the number of failed appointments and the number of providers. Extraction cases were shown to have a significantly longer treatment time. Out of the eight objective measurements of the OGS, occlusal contacts, marginal ridges, buccolingual inclination and alignment/rotations scored the highest points in our evaluation with an average of 7.81, 6.37, 5.04, and 5.01 respectively. Conclusions: This study indicated the Nova Southeastern University Orthodontic Department average OGS score is about 6 points higher than the ABO clinical exam passing score. The initial complexity of a case was not a pre-determined factor for the final treatment results. This study identified several aspects of treatment outcomes that need improvement including, occlusal contacts, marginal ridges, correcting buccolingual inclination and improving the alignment.

The current study aimed to investigate if there was a difference in self esteem of Swedish young adults when they were playing MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) compared to when they were not playing. Moreover, the purpose was to explore whether any discrepancy in self esteem was associated with well-being and/or the amount of time spent gaming. The sample (N=75) was 19-30 year olds who regularly played MMO. The study consisted of an online survey including the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, two versions of the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (one directed towards when playing and one towards when not playing) as well as questions concerning gaming habits. The results showed a significant difference in self esteem with a generally lower self esteem when playing compared to when not playing. The results indicated that MMO-playing functions as a separate context, where self esteem manifests differently from otherwise. The group reporting the lowest well-being showed a significant correlation between well-being and the discrepancy. This indicated that people with low well-being may have an increased sensitivity towards a discrepancy in self esteem where it tends to affect well-being negatively. The group that played the most showed a generally larger discrepancy compared to those who played the least. The patterns observed in the study motivate further research regarding why self esteem manifests differently in the MMO-playing context. / Studien ämnade att undersöka om det fanns en skillnad i självkänsla hos svenska unga vuxna då de spelande MMO(Massively Multiplayer Online Games) i relation till när de inte spelade. Vidare var syftet med studien att undersöka om någon diskrepans i självkänsla var associerat med välmående och/eller antal timmar de spelade. Urvalet (N=75) bestod av 19-30 åringar som regelbundet spelade MMO. Studien bestod av en online enkät med en Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale och två versioner av Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (en riktad mot då de spelande och en riktad mot då de inte spelade). Vidare bestod enkäten av frågor gällande spelvanor. Resultatet visade på en signifikant skillnad i självkänsla med en lägre självkänsla då de spelade än då de inte spelade. Resultatet tyder på att MMO-spelande fungerar som ett kontext där självkänsla manifesteras annorlunda. Gruppen som rapporterade lägst välmående visade på en signifikant korrelation mellan välmående och diskrepans. Detta indikerar att människor med lågt välmående kan ha en ökad känslighet för diskrepans i självkänsla, där diskrepansen verkar påverka välmående negativt. Gruppen som spelade mest tenderade vidare att  generellt ha en större diskrepans i jämförelse med dom som spelade minst. De mönster som observerats i den aktuella studien motiverar framtida forskning gällande varför självkänsla manifesteras annorlunda i MMO-spelande kontext.