Pause analysis is a method that investigates processes of writing by measuring the amount of time between pen strokes. It provides the field of second language studies with a means to explore the cognitive processes underpinning the nature of writing. This study examined the potential of using free handwritten copying of sentences as a means of investigating components of the cognitive processes of adults who have English as their Second Language (ESL). A series of one pilot and three experiments investigated possible measures of language skill and the factors that influence the quality of the measures. The pilot study, with five participants of varying English competence, identified copying without pre-reading to be an effective task and ‘median' at the beginning of words to be an effective measure. Experiment 1 (n=20 Malaysian speakers) found jumbled sentences at the letter and word levels to effectively differentiate test-taker competence in relation to grammatical knowledge. Experiment 2 (n=20 Spanish speakers) investigated the jumbling effects further, but found that participants varied their strategy depending on the order of the sentence types. As a result, Experiment 3 (n= 24 Malaysian speakers) used specific task instructions to control participant strategy use, so that they either attended to the meaning of the sentences, or merely copied as quickly as possible. Overall, these experiments show that it is feasible to apply pause analysis to cognitively investigate both grammar and vocabulary components of language processing. Further, a theoretical information processing model of copying (MoC) was developed. The model assists in the analysis and description of (1) the flow of copying processes; (2) the factors that might affect longer or shorter pauses amongst participants of varying competence level; and (3) sentence stimuli design.

A interação entre a ingestão aguda de bebida alcoólica, fadiga mental e capacidade de realização de exercício físico é pouco conhecida. Seus possíveis efeitos parecem ter relação com as alterações fisiológicas que ocorrem no sistema nervoso central. Assim o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos da ingestão aguda de cerveja, combinada a uma tarefa de alta demanda cognitiva, sobre o desempenho físico, respostas fisiológicas e psicológicas, durante uma corrida de 30 minutos, realizada como contrarrelógio. Métodos: Dezesseis homens saudáveis e fisicamente ativos, com 25,8 anos (± 5,1) em média, sem qualquer restrição física ou clínica para prática de atividade física, realizaram cinco visitas ao laboratório para realização de uma sessão preliminar para determinação do VO2PICO, seguida de duas sessões de familiarização, e duas sessões experimentais com corrida de 30 minutos. Desta forma, eles realizaram: 1) Sessão preliminar; 2) Corrida após ingestão de cerveja; 3) Corrida após ingestão de cerveja sem álcool (placebo); 4) Corrida após instalação de fadiga mental e ingestão de cerveja; 5) Corrida após instalação de fadiga mental e ingestão de placebo. Após realização da sessão preliminar, os participantes realizaram as sessões 2 e 3 (familiarização), em ordem balanceada entre elas, sendo seguidas sequencialmente das sessões 4 e 5 (experimentais), em ordem balanceada entre elas. Para as análises de comparação entre pré e pós tarefa cognitiva e medidas de desempenho utilizou-se um teste T-Student. Para as comparações múltiplas das variáveis fisiológicas e psicológicas durante a corrida, entre as condições, utilizou-se um modelo misto com correção de Bonferroni. Resultados: Os participantes apresentaram aumento significante no tempo de reação durante o teste cognitivo, e na sensação de fadiga entre os momentos antes e após teste cognitivo, para indução de fadiga mental. O desempenho físico na corrida apresentou diferença significante, e a associação da fadiga mental à ingestão de cerveja também reduziu a distância final e a velocidade média em 12 dos 16 participantes. A economia de corrida apresentou uma tendência a significância, sugerindo possível potencialização da fadiga mental após ingestão de cerveja, tornando os indivíduos menos econômicos para realização do mesmo modelo de exercício. Para as variáveis fisiológicas e psicológicas ambas apresentaram efeito do tempo. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que a ingestão aguda de cerveja afeta o desempenho físico e altera a economia de corrida, indicando que, com baixas doses ofertadas de cerveja, na presença ou ausência de fadiga mental, ambos desempenho e economia de corrida são piorados em corrida de 30 minutos / The interaction of acute alcoholic beverage intake and exercise capacity is little known. It is possible effects appear to be related to the physiological changes that occur in the cardiovascular system, as well as in the central nervous system. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute beer intake, combined with a task of high cognitive demand, on physical performance, physiological and psychological responses, during a 30-minute run, performed as a time trial. Methods: Sixteen healthy and physically active men, with a mean age of 25,8 years (± 5,1) on average, without any physical or clinical restrictions to practice physical activity, performed five visits to the laboratory for a preliminary session to determine VO2PEAK, followed of two familiarization sessions, and two experimental sessions with a 30-minute run. In this way, they performed: 1) Preliminary session; 2) Running after ingesting beer; 3) Running after drinking non-alcoholic beer (placebo); 4) Running after installation of mental fatigue and beer intake; 5) Running after installation of mental fatigue and placebo intake. After the preliminary session, the participants performed sessions 2 and 3 (familiarization), in a balanced order between them, being followed sequentially from sessions 4 and 5 (experimental), in a balanced order between them. For the comparative analyzes between pre and post cognitive task and performance measures a Student\'s T-test was used. For the multiple comparisons of the physiological and psychological variables during the race, among the conditions, a mixed model with Bonferroni correction was used. Results: Participants presented a significant increase in reaction time during the cognitive test, and in the sensation of fatigue between the moments before and after the cognitive test, to induce mental fatigue. The physical performance in the race presented a significant difference, and the association of mental fatigue with beer intake also reduced the final distance and the mean velocity in 12 of the 16 participants. The running economy presented a tendency to significance, suggesting possible potentiation of mental fatigue after beer intake, making individuals less economical to perform the same exercise model. For the physiological and psychological variables, both had an effect of time. Conclusion: These results indicate that acute beer intake affects physical performance and alters running economy, thus indicating that with low doses of beer offered in the presence or absence of mental fatigue, both performance and running economy may be impaired 30 minutes running

Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka om mental trötthet leder till ökad diskriminering av överviktiga. Genom att använda en dual process-modell, inleddes undersökningen med en bedömningsuppgift som deltagarna fick utföra i labbmiljö. Vid ett senare tillfälle fick var och en ombesörja att de genomförde ett implicit associationstest (IAT), följt av en explicit graderingsfråga, där deltagarna uppskattade en eventuell skillnad i normal- kontra överviktigas mentala prestation. Syftet med dessa tester var att ta reda på om diskriminering mot överviktiga existerade inom gruppen i sin helhet på såväl implicit som explicit nivå. Hälften av gruppen hade genomgått en kraftig mental trötthetsbelastning före bedömningsuppgiften, med avsikt att se om bias mot överviktiga ökade vid mental trötthet. Resultatet för alla testningar var för sig visade på diskriminering mot överviktiga, men inte att det förekom någon högre diskriminering vid mental trötthet. Möjliga förbättringar i undersökningsdesignen diskuteras, liksom praktiska implikationer. / This study examined whether mental fatigue leads to increased discrimination against the obese. Using a dual process model, participants took part in an assessment task in a controlled laboratory setting, and thereafter completed an implicit association test (IAT), followed by an explicit question, where participants were asked to grade variances in the mental capacity between normal- versus overweight individuals. The intention was to explore possible obesity discrimination. Half of the group previously completed a strenuous memory task, with the purpose of achieving severe fatigue, in order to explore whether the bias increases with mental fatigue. Although the results revealed discrimination in all tests, there was no evidence of increased discrimination in mental fatigue. Possible improvement in the research design is discussed, as well as practical implications.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Sandra Faria, Florida State University, School of Nursing. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Feb.1, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains x, 133 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Individuals are required to manage multiple tasks which require strategic allocation of time and effort to ensure goals are reached efficiently. By providing the worker with autonomy over their work, performance and worker well-being have improved. This increased control allows individuals to organize work according to the needs of the body, which prevents fatigue leading to improved productivity. When given the option, humans tend to switch between tasks frequently. This behaviour can be used to determine the change in self-regulation strategies. An understanding of human task-switching behaviour is important for the design of job rotation systems. However, there is a lack of evidence explaining the factors motivating the need to switch between tasks. This study aims to use physiological, subjective and behavioural measures to explain the factors influencing selfregulation through the act of task-switching. Three primary hypotheses were developed to explain the factors underlying taskswitching behaviour. It was hypothesized that the degree of boredom experienced, the effort required to perform the task and the resource usage induced by the task are factors responsible in deciding task switching behaviour. Participants (17 males and 17 females) switched freely between five different information-processing tasks for the 45 minutes. Participants were allowed to switch back and forth between tasks and did not have to conduct all five tasks. The following measures were recorded during the experiment: subjective measures of boredom, mental effort, task frustration and perceived performance of the tasks; energy consumption and physiological measures of effort (HR, HRV and body temperature) and behavioural measures, including duration and frequency of task. Perceived boredom was found to differ among the tasks and before and after the experiment. The average boredom rating at each task transition for all tasks exceeded a score of 2.5 out of a possible 4. There were no significant changes in physiological measures between the beginning and end of the task trials. However, changes in physiological measures showed a decrease in effort investment following task transition. Heart rate variability was lower for externally-paced tasks than for self-paced tasks, despite the differences in cognitive demands. The most frequent task-switch combination occurred between tasks of high and low cognitive demand. The least frequent task-switching combination occurred between tasks of similar characteristics, which produced no differences in physiological responses. Task-switching behaviour was influenced by the degree of boredom, and therefore more time was spent on less monotonous tasks. The level of physiological effort required for the task affected task-switching behaviour. Task switches were made before any changes in effort took place in an attempt to maintain task efficiency. It appears plausible that a task switch was made to reduce effort investment and activation levels. The type of information processing resources used by different tasks affected the task-switching combinations. Individuals tended to switch between tasks of differing resources so that those in limited supply were able to replenish. Therefore the findings from this study can potentially be used to improve the design of job rotation systems. Such improvements may enhance productivity and worker well-being by inhibiting the onset of down regulation and fatigue processes. This study showed that autonomy is necessary for individuals to regulate behaviour to suit human needs. / Microsoft� Office Word 2007 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

Landscape development[1] can provide many benefits, including the reduction of stormwater runoff and the creation of habitats for wildlife. It can also provide health benefits. Researchers, such as Roger Ulrich and Rita Berto have demonstrated that views of trees and other vegetation are associated with lower blood pressure and reduced recovery times in hospitals and that environments with more natural elements may lessen mental fatigue (R. Ulrich 1984) and (Berto 2005). As rebuilding in New Orleans continues 11 years after Hurricane Katrina, landscape development has been limited or lacking, especially in the redevelopment of commercial properties. Two prominent reasons for this deficiency are a lack of funding and, until August of 2015, the absence of a comprehensive landscape ordinance. The purpose of the research presented here is to determine the degree to which community residents express a preference for healthier commercial environments. As part of my research, I measured community perceptions of four potential redevelopment concepts for a blighted strip shopping center utilizing attention restoration theory (ART), which postulates that certain environmental qualities contribute to reductions in mental fatigue. I found that commercial environments with the most quality landscaping[2] are those that neighborhood residents most prefer and are most conducive to better health. Keywords: mental fatigue, attention restoration theory, perceived restoration scale, commercial landscape quantity, public health, healthy urban environment [1] Refer to operational definitions (pages 4-6). [2] Refer to operational definitions (pages 4-6).

This study addresses the effects of the changing workforce and the physiological and psychological benefits of fitness. The purpose of this experiment is to test the relationship between situational stressors, perceived fitness, exercise locus of control, self-control, and perceived stress.

Presented master's thesis deals with detection of brain wakefulness from scalp EEG data with higher order statistics. Part of the thesis is a description of electroencephalography, from the method of signal generation, sensing, electroencephraphy, EEG signal artifacts, frequency bands of EEG signal to its possible processing. Furthermore, the concept of mental fatigue and the possibility of its detection in the EEG signal is described. Subsequently, the principles of higher statistical methods of PCA and ICA and the specific possibilities of decomposition of EEG signal are described using these methods, from which the method of group spatial-frequency ICA was chosen as a suitable method for selection of partial oscillatory sources in EEG signal. In the next part there is described a method of acquisition of data, a the suggestion of solution with selected method and a description of the implemented algorithm, that was applied to real 256-lead scalp EEG data captured during a block task focused on subject allertnes. The absolute and relative power of the EEG signal was decomposed. From the achieved results, we observe that the fluctuations of the spatial frequency patterns of relative power (especially for theta and alpha bands) significantly more closely correspond with the change of reaction time and the error of the subjects performing the task. These observations appear to be relatively consistent with previously published literature, and the current study shows that spatial frequency ICA is able to blindly isolate space-frequency patterns whose fluctuations are statistically significantly correlated with parameters (reaction time, error rate) directly flowing from the given task.

Through the evolution of digital media technology, social networks and more recently Web 3.0 (e.g. Cloud-based) technologies, culture and memory is being transformed, both in relation to how memories are represented, and how they may be engaged with or re-accessed. As digital technology alters ways in which knowledge is produced, stored, connected and shared, new terrains, tools and artefacts are formed; new cultural practices alter the ways in which we remember and the ways in which memory is processed, destabilising traditional “historically encoded social habits: religion, authority, morality, traditional values, or political ideology” (Diamantaki 2013). This doctoral project consists of two parts exploring questions of memory in contemporary time. The practice work submitted develops various imaginaries and investigates how to enable mnemonic practices so that works function as memory palaces where bodies and ‘collective' and ‘networked memories' (Hoskins, 2010) can be realised. The work, briefly summarised, includes communal activities in public spaces (a series of workshops and heritage day events, Rendezvous, centrally social activities organised between Fabrica and various charitable organisations in Brighton). It includes a series of installation works, as a transitional process of memory between body, object, an investigation of ubiquitous technology, are investigated – iremembr (2009-15); Rendezvous (2010-15); Untitled#21 (2012). And it leads to the development of an installation piece, 200.104.200.2 (2013-15), that seeks to offer or extend the possibilities of the act of remembering, of memory, as a post-Internet experience; a complex temporal, social, spatial and material, overlapping and merging human and silicon memory. In this, the written component of the combined and larger project, questions concerning memory and digital technology, and how to explore them, are taken up in theoretical terms, and the works I have produced returned to and explored in these contexts. A central project here has been to locate new forms of qualities of ‘digital' memory in a memory map or topology that builds on adapts, and develops other models. Aspects of zones of memory are explored centrally in each of the later thesis chapters each of which also takes up a particular aspect of my practice. The intention – and the contribution to the development of critical thinking around the digital – particularly critical thinking that comes through digital media art practice, is to question how digital technology intervenes in the process of memory; how the concept of digital memory is being thought about; leading me to investigate what does this new digital terrain do as it overlaps and re-writes to some extent the older ones? How does it change ‘how memory happens'.

L'estimation de l'état mental d'un individu sur la base de son activité cérébrale et de ses activités physiologiques résultantes est devenue l'un des challenges des interfaces cerveau-machine (ICM) dites passives, dans le but notamment de répondre à un besoin en neuroergonomie. Ce travail de thèse se focalise sur l'estimation des états de fatigue et de charge mentale. Son objectif est de proposer des chaines de traitement efficaces et réalistes dans leur mise en œuvre. Ainsi, un des points à l'étude a été la modulation des indicateurs de charge ainsi que la robustesse des performances de classification en fonction du temps passé sur une tâche (TPT). L'impact de la charge et du TPT sur les marqueurs d'état attentionnel a aussi été évalué. Pour ce faire, un protocole expérimental a été mis en œuvre afin de recueillir les signaux électro-encéphalographiques (EEG), cardiaques (ECG) et oculaires (EOG) de participants volontaires sains lors de la réalisation prolongée d'une tâche combinant charge en mémoire de travail et attention sélective. Des chaînes de traitement performantes incluant une étape de filtrage spatial et une classification supervisée ont été mises en place afin de classer au mieux ces états. La pertinence de plusieurs marqueurs électrophysiologiques a été comparée, notamment l'activité EEG spontanée et les potentiels évoqués (PEs), ainsi que différentes étapes de prétraitement dont les méthodes de filtrage spatial pour PEs. Des effets d'interactions ont été mis au jour entre les différents états mentaux, dont un effet négatif du TPT sur les performances en classification de la charge mentale lorsque l'on utilise des marqueurs mesurant la puissance moyenne de l'EEG dans des bandes de fréquence d'intérêt. La chaîne basée sur les PEs est en revanche robuste à cet effet. Une comparaison du type de stimuli utilisables pour éliciter les PEs a révélé que des stimuli tâche-indépendants permettent tout de même d'obtenir des performances très élevées, ce qui montre leur pertinence pour une implémentation en situation réelle. En perspective seront présentés des travaux en cours visant à mettre en évidence des marqueurs de charge mentale robustes à la tâche, ainsi que l'utilité des potentiels évoqués auditifs en paradigme de simple stimulus. / Mental state estimation on the basis of cerebral activity and its resulting physiological activities has become a challenge for passive Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), in particular to address a need in neuroergonomics. This thesis work focuses on mental fatigue and workload estimation. Its purpose is to provide efficient and realistic processing chains. Thus, one issue was the modulation of workload markers as well as classification performance robustness depending on time-on-task (TOT). The impact of workload and TOT on attentional state markers was also assessed. For those purposes, an experimental protocol was implemented to collect the electroencephalographic (EEG), cardiac (ECG) and ocular (EOG) signals from healthy volunteers as they performed for a prolonged period of time a task that mixes working memory load and selective attention. Efficient signal processing chains that include spatial filtering and classification steps were designed in order to better estimate these mental states. The relevance of several electrophysiological markers was compared, among which spontaneous EEG activity and event-related potentials (ERPs), as well as various preprocessing steps such as spatial filtering methods for ERPs. Interaction effects between mental states were brought to light. In particular, TOT negatively impacted mental workload estimation when using power features. However, the chain based on ERPs was robust to this effect. A comparison of the type of stimuli that can be used to elicit the ERPs revealed that task-independent probes still allow very high performance, which shows their relevance for real-life implementation. Lastly, ongoing work that aims at assessing task-robust workload markers, as well as the usefulness of auditory ERPs in a single-stimulus paradigm will be presented as prospects.