The research entails the early identification of neuropsychological learning disabilities in grade 1 learners. The researcher used the definition, criteria and characteristics of the DSM-IV for the identification of neuropsychological learning disabilities. The section of Learning Disabilities or Disorders includes Reading Disorders, Mathematic Disorder, Disorder of Written Expression and Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Learning Disabilities are diagnosed when the learner’s achievement on individually administrated, standardized tests in reading, mathematics or written expression is substantially below that expected for age, schooling and the level of intelligence. The learning problems, such as unsatisfied reading, mathematical or writing skills, significantly interfere with the learner’s academic achievement. Mathematic Disorder and Disorder of Written Expression most commonly occur as early as in the beginning or first grade, when formal reading instruction usually begin. Neuropsychological learning disabilities have a negative influence on the learner’s scholastic achievement, social development and emotional functioning. The research is focused on the grade 1 learners only. There is no differentiation regarding gender. In the literature study, the researcher observed five important components regarding neuropsychological learning disabilities, namely:- -- Definition, criteria and characteristics; -- Classification; -- Causes; -- The localization of the cortical areas of the brain associated with neuropsychological abilities; and -- The Neurofeedback. The Neurofeedback is based on the tenents that brain electrical activity reflects mental status and that the activity can be trained. The researcher also observed in the literature study certain risk factors regarding neuropsyhological learning disabilities, namely phonological awareness, analysis, synthesis, word recognition and syntax. The researcher considered these components in conjunction with the compilation of the neuropsychological test battery. The researcher could determine the follow findings with the assistance of the neuropsychological test battery:- -- The developmental delays which are present. -- The brain areas in which the cognitive abilities, associated with the developmental delays, are located. -- The limited functioning of brain wave activities which are associated with the cognitive abilities and developmental delays. -- The early idenitification of neuropsychological learning disabilities in grade 1 learners. The researcher found that the Neurofeedback programme is a useful contribution for the early identification of neuropsychological learning disabilities in grade 1 learners. / Thesis (PhD (Learning Support, Guidance and Counselling))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Le développement des systèmes multiprocesseurs intégrés sur puce (MPSoC) répond au besoin grandissant des architectures de calcul intensif. En revanche, l'évolution de leurs performances est entravée par leurs réseaux de communication sur puce (NoC) à cause de leur consommation d'énergie ainsi que du retard. C'est dans ce contexte que les NoC à base d'interconnexions RF et filaires (RFNoC) ont émergé. Afin de gérer au mieux et d'optimiser la conception d'un RFNoC, il est indispensable de développer une plateforme de simulation intégrant à la fois des circuits analogiques et numériques.Dans un premier temps, la simulation temporelle d'un RFNoC avec des composants dont les modèles sont idéaux est utilisée pour optimiser l'allocation des ressources spectrales disponibles. Le cas échéant, nous proposons des solutions pour améliorer la qualité de signal transmis. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons développé en VHDL-AMS des modèles comportementaux et précis de chacun des composants du RFNoC. Les modèles de l'amplificateur faible bruit (LNA) et du mélangeur, prennent en compte les paramètres concernant, l'amplification, les non-linéarités, le bruit et la bande passante. Le modèle de l'oscillateur local considère les paramètresconventionnels, notamment le bruit de phase. Quant à la ligne de transmission, un modèle fréquentiel précis, incluant l'effet de peau est adapté pour les simulations temporelles. Ensuite, l'impact des paramètres des composants sur les performances du RFNoC est évalué afin d'anticiper les contraintes qui s'imposeront lors de la conception du RFNoC. / The development of multiprocessor systems integrated on chip (MPSoC) respondsto the growing need for intensive computation systems. However, the evolutionof their performances is hampered by their communication networks on chip(NoC) due to their energy consumption and delay. It is in this context that the wired RF network on chip (RFNoC) was emerged. In order to better manage and optimize the design of an RFNoC, it is necessary to develop a simulation platform adressing both analog and digital circuits.First, a time domaine simulation of an RFNoC with components whose modelsare ideal is used to optimize the allocation of the available spectrum resources. Where appropriate, we provide solutions to improve the quality of transmitted signal. Secondly, we have developed, in VHDL-AMS, behavioral and accurate models of all RFNoC components. The models of the low noise amplifier (LNA) and the mixer take into account the parameters for the amplification, nonlinearities, noise and bandwidth. The model of the local oscillator considers the conventional parameters, including its phase noise. Concerning the transmission line, an accurate frequency model, including the skin effect is adapted for time domaine simulations. Then, the impact of component parameters on RFNoC performances is evaluatedto anticipate constraints of the RFNoC design.

En compétition comme à l’entrainement, le comportement des nageurs émerge de l’interaction entre les ressources des nageurs et les contraintes éprouvées (organismique, environnementale et de tâche). L’objectif de ce travail est d’analyser la variabilité intra et inter-individuelle des aspects cinématiques du mouvement des nageurs en compétition et à l’entrainement. Nos résultats montrent l’existence d’une stabilité inter-longueur et une variabilité fonctionnelle intra-longueur dépendantes de la distance de l’épreuve, du genre et des différentes parties de la course en compétition. Les profils de gestion de course singuliers dépendent probablement des ressources mobilisables émotionnelles, cognitives, métaboliques et techniques. Les adaptations du nageur au cours d’un test maximal (9 X 25m) sans fatigue avec incrémentation aléatoire de la fréquence de nage a révélé la difficulté des nageurs à respecter des fréquences imposées situées au-delà de leurs fréquences préférentielles, et ce, surtout chez les nageuses. Pour les nageurs masculins, les fréquences éloignées des fréquences préférentielles ont induit une désorganisation motrice caractérisée par une augmentation des accélérations latérales et verticales. Ce travail propose des nouvelles pistes d’entraînement comme le travail individuel des stratégies de course inter et intra longueurs, et l’intérêt d’élargir la gamme de fréquences sollicitées afin d’acquérir une technique stable et économe, mais variable et adaptable en même temps. Cette variabilité faciliterait la mobilisation de leurs ressources pour développer une capacité et une flexibilité adaptatives permettant de surmonter les contraintes éprouvées. / In swimming competition just like in training, swimmers’ behaviours emerge from the interaction of constraints (organismic, environmental, and task). The aim of this work is to analyse the intra and inter-individual variability of the cinematic aspects of the movement of swimmers during competition and training. Our results have shown there is inter-lap stability and intra-lap functional variability in competition which depends on the distance of the race, the gender and the lap. Singular pacing profiles was discovered suggesting swimmers manage their speed differently depending on the available resources to deal with the race constraints. The swimmers’ adaptations at training during a protocol of 9 X 25m whilst increasing the stroke rate and the swimmers’ ability to respect an imposed frequency range was assessed, as well as the stroke rate amplitude range from the preferential and maximal stroke rate. Upon completion of the trials, the impact of stroke rate amplitude ranges on motor adaptability (coordination, efficiency) was evaluated. The difficult for all swimmers when performing above their preferential stroke rate, particularly for female athletes has been found and male swimmers exhibited disruption in forearm acceleration beyond their preferential stroke rate. This work proposes news paths for swimming training: working race strategies and training beyond the preferential stroke rate can allows swimmers to have a stable technique with a certain variability. This variability would give to swimmers the ability and flexibility to adapt and cope with constraints using their individual resources. / Durante la competencia o al entrenamiento, el comportamiento del nadador aparece de la interacción entre los recursos de él y sus restricciones encontradas (organísmicas, ambientales, y de acción). El objetivo de este trabajo es de analizar la variabilidad individual del aspecto cinemático del movimiento de nadadores en competencia y al entrenamiento. Nos resultados muestran la existencia de una estabilidad entre los largos y una variabilidad funcional al interior de cada largo, la cual depende de la distancia, el tipo de prueba, el género y de las diferentes partes de la carrera en situación de competencia. Los modelos singulares de la gestión de la carrera dependen probablemente de los recursos utilizados emocionales, cognitivos, metabólicos y técnicos. Las adaptaciones durante un test de sprint sin fatiga (9 X 25m) con una incrementación aleatoria de la frecuencia de nado han mostrado la dificultad de los nadadores a guardar la frecuencia pedida cuando es superior a la frecuencia preferencial (FRP), sobre todo en las nadadoras. Las frecuencias alejadas de la FRP inducen una desorganización motriz aumentación de aceleraciones laterales y verticales en los nadadores masculinos. Este trabajo propone nuevas pistas para el entrenamiento como el trabajo individual de las estrategias de carrera entre y al interior de cada largo, o el interés de aumentar el rango de frecuencias solicitado con el objetivo de adquirir una técnica estable y económica, así como variable y adaptable. Esta variabilidad facilitaría a los nadadores la movilización de sus recursos para desarrollar une capacidad a ser flexible y adaptativo, lo que podría permitir de superar las adversidades encontradas.

In this thesis, we assume a pan-European issue of the decline of interest in science and science education. In connection with this issue we conducted a literature search. We have also mapped the literature related to the issue of education research in the Czech Republic and the rest of the world. In an effort to increase pupils' interest, increase enthusiasm for science, we deal with activation teaching methods that compare with frontal teaching. As a motivational method we chose a research method of teaching. We prepared a lesson, which we tested among pupils of secondary school. In this work we watched 16 hours in 6 classes. Those lectures were inquiry and frontal way led. The results are presented in the practical part of this thesis. During lectures we wanted to stimulate students' interest in science and science research. Keywords academic instruction, frontal teaching, science education, cooperation, sensors Pasco, microscope, pupil, elementary school, Key Competencies

No description available.

The influence of biological relationships on the morphology of the human skeleton is a current theme in bioarchaeology and forensic research. Whether it is the discovery of kinship relationships in an anonymous cemetery or the question of individual identification based on familial similarity, research is limited by a number of factors. Above all, there is the shortage of osteological assemblages with genealogical documentation. Most such samples also include only a small number of individuals, and thus the number of different degrees of their relatedness is limited. Related to this is the lack or absence of methods suitable for either the exact expression of the degree of morphological similarity between individuals or the statistical evaluation of results. However, for this dissertation an opportunity arose to analyze several osteological assemblages with genealogical documentation from the 17th to 20th centuries, comprising almost one hundred individuals. This represents one of the largest such units in the world to date. The individual samples also include several cases of consanguineous marriages with subsequent generations. The aim of the first part of the dissertation is to propose new methodological approaches to expressing the degree of similarity of individuals based on different types of...

While signatures of attention can be observed in widespread areas within and outside of cortex, the control of attention is thought to be regulated by higher cognitive brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex. In their recent study on mice Kim et al. could show that successful allocation of attention is characterized by increased spiking of a specific type of inhibitory interneurons, the parvalbumin neurons, and higher oscillatory activity in the gamma band in the local prefrontal network. It was recently demonstrated that encoding of working memory in prefrontal areas is linked to bursts of gamma oscillations, a discontinuous network process characterized by short periods of intense power in the gamma band. The relationship between attention and working memory is unclear, and it is possible that these two cognitive processes share encoding principles. To address this gap, the electrophysiological data collected in the Carlén Lab have been analyzed with advanced spatio-temporal approaches. In particular, we have analyzed bursting gamma activity in medial prefrontal cortex during attentional processing and investigated the similarities to gamma bursting observed during working memory. Gamma-band bursts during attention were reliably detected with several methods. We have characterized several features of the bursts, including the occurrence, duration and amplitude. The neuronal firing rates during and outside of bursts have also been computed. We investigated the correlation between different criteria characterizing the gamma burst and successful vs failed allocation of attention. Control data were generated to discuss the obtained results. The aim of the study was to explore the hypothesis that the medial prefrontal cortex encodes attention trough gamma bursts, which could reveal some similarities and differences in coding of central cognitive processes. No clear difference was found in the characterization between successful and failed allocation of attention. In addition, results were very similar in control set and original data. No underlying mechanism could be identified from this analysis. Therefore, as the bursts occurring in the gamma band in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were not discriminative with respect to the different tested conditions, they do not seem to encode information related to attention. / Även fast flera olika hjärnområdens aktivitet kan korreleras med uppmärksamhet, anses kontrollen av uppmärksamhet regleras av högre kognitiva hjärnområden, såsom främre hjärnbarken. I en nyligen publicerad artikel studerade Kim et al. hjärnaktiviteten hos möss och kunde visa att en framgångsrik uppmärksamhet kännetecknas av en ökad aktivitet av en specifik typ av inhiberande nervceller, parvalbumin celler, och högre oscillerande aktivitet i gammafrekvens i främre hjärnbarkens lokala nätverk. Det har nyligen visats att kodning av arbetsminne i främre hjärnbarken är kopplat till utbrott av gamma-oscillationer, en diskontinuerlig nätverksprocess som kännetecknas av korta perioder av intensiva oscillationer av det lokala nätverket i gammafrekvens . Relationen mellan uppmärksamhet och arbetsminne är oklar, och det är möjligt att dessa två kognitiva processer delar kodningsprinciper. För att minska detta gap av kunskap har den elektrofysiologiska datan som samlats in i Carlén Lab analyserats med avancerade spatio-temporala tillvägagångssätt. I synnerhet har vi analyserat utbrott i gammaaktivitet i främre hjärnbarken under uppmärksamhet och undersökt likheterna med gamma- utbrott observerade under arbetsminne. Gamma-bandutbrott under uppmärksamhet påvisades på ett tillförlitligt sätt med flera metoder. Vi har karaktäriserat flera funktioner hos utbrotten, inklusive förekomsten, varaktigheten och amplituden. De enskilda cellernas aktivitet undersöktes även under och utanför utprotten av gamma-oscillationer. Vi undersökte sambandet mellan de olika kriterier som karakteriserar gamma-utbrott under framgångsrik mot misslyckad allokering av uppmärksamhet. Kontrolldata genererades för att diskutera de erhållna resultaten. Syftet med studien var att utforska hypotesen att den främre hjärnbarken kodar uppmärksamhet genom gamma-utbrott, vilket kan avslöja vissa likheter och skillnader i kodning av centrala kognitiva processer. Ingen klar skillnad hittades i karaktäriseringen mellan framgångsrik och misslyckad allokering av uppmärksamhet. Dessutom var resultaten mycket likartade i kontrolluppsättningen och den ursprungliga datan. Ingen underliggande mekanism kunde identifieras ur denna analys. Eftersom de utbrott som uppstod i gamma-bandet i främre hjärnbarken inte var unika med hänsyn till de olika testade förhållandena, tycks de därför inte koda information relaterad till uppmärksamhet.

<p> Although interest in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) from researchers and consumers continues to increase, many BCIs lack the complexity and imaginative properties thought to guide users towards successful brain activity modulation. In this research, an experimental story brain-computer interface (ES-BCI) was developed, with which users could interact using cognitive strategies; specifically, thinking about the story and engaging with the main character of the story through their thought processes. In this system, the user’s frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) measured with electroencephalography (EEG) was linearly mapped to the color saturation of the main character in the story. Therefore, the color saturation of the main character increased as FAA recorded from the participant’s brain activity increased above the FAA threshold required to receive visual feedback. A user-friendly experimental design was implemented using a comfortable EEG device and short neurofeedback (NF) training protocol. Eight distinct story scenes, each with a View and Engage NF component were created, and are referred to as blocks. In this system, seven out of 19 participants successfully increased FAA during the course of the study, for a total of ten successful blocks out of 152. Results concerning left (Lact) and right (Ract) prefrontal cortical activity contributions to FAA in both successful and unsuccessful blocks were examined to understand FAA measurements in greater detail. Additionally, electrodermal activity data (EDA) and self-reported questionnaire data were investigated to understand the user experience with this ES-BCI. Results suggest the potential of ES-BCI environments for engaging users and allowing for FAA modulation. New research directions for artistic BCIs investigating affect are discussed. </p>

No description available.

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar da importância dos medicamentos antidepressivos no tratamento dos transtornos de humor e de ansiedade, sua ação sobre sistemas cerebrais responsáveis pela expressão emocional ainda não foram claramente estabelecidos. Estudos recentes têm examinando o sinal dependente de nível de oxigenação sanguínea (do inglês, \"BOLD\") durante estímulos emocionais em indivíduos saudáveis sob uso de antidepressivos. Nesse estudo, pretendemos estender essa avaliação às alterações do humor e comportamento emocional devido ao uso prolongado de um antidepressivo bloqueador de serotonina e noradrenalina em pessoas saudáveis. MÉTODOS: foram selecionados dezesseis voluntários, sem antecedentes psiquiátricos pessoais ou familiares, que participaram de um ensaio farmacológico simples-cego de quatro semanas de doses baixas de clomipramina (até 40 mg/dia). Ao final desse período, dez sujeitos foram selecionados como não responsivos, e os restantes seis sujeitos foram selecionados como responsivos por apresentarem claras mudanças em três dos quatro seguintes critérios: tolerância interpessoal, eficiência, bem estar, e mudança substancial em sua auto percepção. O grupo de sujeitos classificados como responsivos foram submetidos a um ensaio controlado duplo-cego confirmatório. A aquisição de imagens cerebrais ocorreu após quatro semanas de uso de medicação (simples cego) e quatro semanas após a sua suspensão, ao final da participação no ensaio farmacológico. O imageamento cerebral foi realizado durante a indução de estados afetivos de felicidade, irritabilidade e neutros por relatos autobiográficos. A resposta emocional desses estados foi obtida por escalas de auto avaliação de ansiedade, irritabilidade e felicidade. As diferenças de sinal entre os estados afetivos foram utilizadas para a análise estatística da interação dos efeitos estado medicamentoso e grupo por testes ANOVA. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada uma interação significativa entre o efeito de grupo e o estado medicamentoso sobre os estados afetivos de irritabilidade, mas não sobre os de felicidade. Se observou redução na auto avaliação de ansiedade no grupo responsivo com o uso de medicação na diferença entre os estados induzidos de irritabilidade e felicidade, em comparação com o efeito no grupo não responsivo; e também, redução na auto avaliação de felicidade com o uso de clomipramina na totalidade da amostra, na diferença entre o estados induzidos de irritabilidade e neutro. A alteração sobre o efeito BOLD (p < 0,005) foi localizada em regiões adjacentes à junção frontoparietal para a indução de irritabilidade em relação à felicidade e em relação aos estados neutros, no grupo responsivo em relação ao não responsivo, durante o período em uso relativo àquele sem uso de clomipramina, e na junção têmporo-paríeto-occipital, exclusivamente para a diferença irritabilidade-felicidade. CONCLUSÕES: a modificação favorável que sujeitos saudáveis apresentaram ao uso prolongado de um antidepressivo bloqueador da serotonina e noradrenalina, pode estar relacionada à modificação no processamento cerebral da memória autobiográfica de emoções negativas / INTRODUCTION: despite the importance of antidepressant agents to the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders, there is not yet a clear understanding of their actions upon specific brain systems relevant to emotional processing. Recent studies have examined blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal during emotion stimuli in healthy individuals in antidepressant use. The study intends to extend these measures to the changes over mood and emotional behavior by prolonged use of a serotonin and noradrenaline blocker antidepressant. METHODS: we selected sixteen subjects, with no personal or family history of psychiatric disorders, which participated of a four-week single-blind trial with low doses of clomipramine (up to 40mg/day). After this period, ten subjects were classified as non responsives, the remaining six subjects being classified as responsives because clomipramine provided positive changes in three of four of the following criteria: interpersonal tolerance, self-efficacy, mood and self-perception of a substantial change. Responsives were included in a placebo-controlled confirmatory trial. Imaging sessions occurred at the end of the four-week course of clomipramine and again after a four-week clomipramine washout period, at the end of pharmacological trial. Subjects were scanned during the induction of irritability, happiness and neutral affective states by autobiographical recall. Self-report assessment was performed for each induction by anxiety, irritability and happiness scales. Inter-condition differences (affective induction) were used in the analysis of interaction of medication status and group effects by ANOVA tests. RESULTS: A significant interaction was found between group and treatment during irritability, but not during happiness emotions. It was observed a reduction in the scale of self-evaluation of anxiety in responsive group with the use of medication to the difference between irritability-happiness states, compared to the non responsive group; and a reduction in auto evaluation of happiness, in the totality of the sample in use of clomipramine, in difference irritability-neutral. There was a significant increase of BOLD effect in the responsive group during use relative to the period without use of clomipramine, compared to the effect on non-responsive group (p < 0.005). This effect was located in regions that surround the frontoparietal junction to the irritability relative to happiness and to irritability relative to neutral induction, and in the temporo-parieto-occipital junction, exclusively to the irritability relative to happiness induction. CONCLUSIONS: The favorably changes in healthy subjects who respond to prolonged serotonin and noradrenaline blocker use, may relate to changes in neural processes of autobiographical memory of negative emotions