The obesity epidemic is a significant problem in the United States. It is well established that lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy eating and physical inactivity, are key contributors. These causes are generally voluntary activities and it is important to examine health decision-making with respect to these behaviors. The current study examined time-varying factors of stress and mood and their relationship with healthy eating and physical activity in a sample of undergrads (N = 26). Ecological momentary assessment via one's cell phone was used to collect multiple measurements over six days. Positive mood was found to follow physical activity episodes for up to five hours, and preceded physical activity for up until five before the activity occurred. These results are consistent with those from previous literature, and suggest a clear association between positive mood and physical activity. Future research should incorporate more objective measures of physical activity and eating.

in English Choice of Mood in Spanish Grammatical Constructions Expressing Potentiality (with Reference to Czech and Italian) Key words: Mood, Subjunctive, Potentiality, Corpus, Spanish, Italian, Czech The objective of this paper is to study the systemic possibilities of alternation between the subjunctive and the indicative in Spanish grammatical constructions expressing potentiality, the semantical differences this alternation brings and also the frequency these two modes appear in respective constructions. In order to achieve this objective I studied not only the specialized literature in the topic but also the language corpora. Later I compared the situation in Spanish with Italian and Czech as well. The results of my study brought me to the conclusion that it is necessary to study each expression of potentiality separately because the verbal modes do not appear equally often after these expressions. On the other hand, the use of the conjunctive in Italian is far more formalized. Czech does not posses any systemic tool that could work for the Spanish subjunctive in every context. However, its translation as the conditional or the future indicative is possible.

La dépression est fréquente, sa prise en charge difficile et les connaissances de sa physiopathologie très incomplètes. Il est établi qu’il existe une composante familiale et héréditaire au trouble dépressif mais le substrat biologique de cette vulnérabilité est inconnu et souvent les études souffrent d’un manque de reproductibilité. Par ailleurs, il n’existe pas de bio-marqueur validé utilisable en pratique courante.Nous proposons dans ce travail de thèse d’explorer les ARN périphériques chez les patients souffrant de dépression de façon à explorer s’ils peuvent définir des bio-marqueurs et si leur étude peut nous permettre de mieux comprendre le processus physiopathologique.Nous avons recruté des patients souffrant de dépression sévère dans plusieurs études pour répondre à nos objectifs. Nous avons été attentif dans ces études à des problèmes méthodologiques importants, en particulier à propos du choix des gènes de contrôle pour les PCR en temps réel, du choix de critères statistiques dans l’étude pan-génomique et de la prise en compte de prélèvements répétés chez les sujets sains pour contrôler toute variation due à des facteurs non contrôlés. En accord avec une abondante littérature sur le sujet, nous avons pu mettre en évidence des gènes déjà décrits dont l’expression transcriptionnelle est dérégulée chez les patients par rapport aux sujets contrôles ou au cours de l’évolution de la dépression, dans des études centrées sur des gènes candidats et une étude pan-génomique.Nous avons pu également mettre en évidence de façon nouvelle l’expression dérégulée chez les patients déprimés de gènes impliqués dans la régulation chromatinienne ou l’expression des gènes.Nous avons également pu nous rendre compte que les approches pan-génomiques complétaient l’approche gène candidat avec une meilleure convergence que ne le laissait supposer la littérature.Nous avons également étudié les micro-ARN et mis en évidence qu’un certain nombre d’entre eux étaient des marqueurs traits ou des marqueurs liés à l’état au cours de la dépression.L’ensemble des données issues de notre étude pan-génomique et de notre étude sur les micro-ARN montre qu’il existe des interactions probables entre les micro-ARN et les ARNm dérégulés et ces données confirment le rôle possible des gènes régulant la chromatine ou l’expression des gènes dans la dépression.Enfin, l’étude des variabilités inter- et intra-individuelles de l’expression génétique confirme l’absence d’altération globale de la transcription au cours de la dépression et souligne l’importance d’un ensemble de molécules régulant la transcription dont l’expression est contrainte c’est à dire très peu variable d’un individu à l’autre et d’un moment à l’autre chez un même sujet.Si nous n’avons pas pu mener une étude validant des marqueurs biologiques, nos résultats ouvrent la voie à l’exploration à plus grande échelle de ces marqueurs potentiels comme à l’étude d’hypothèses originales sur la physiopathologie de la dépression. / Major depression is a frequent and severe disease whose treatment is often inconsistent and patients care remains insufficient. Despite some hypothesis which implicate mono-amine and genetic factors, the pathophysiology of major depression remains unclear. Moreover, no biological marker is available in current clinical practice.Our work aims to propose methodological tools and offers preliminary results to develop such biological markers by studying gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from severe depressive patients and sex and age-matched controls in different comparative prospective studies. Candidate gene and pangenomic approaches were combined. Moreover, we explored for the first time human microRNA transcription variation in major depression by multiplex RT-qPCR.Among our main findings, we demonstrate that some well-known candidate gene such as serotonin transporter mRNA could be interesting biomarkers of major depression evolution or prognosis. In addition, pangenomic study highlights the implication of genes related to chromatin structure and gene expression regulation like histone family. We also identified variations in the expression of a set of microRNAs during a major depressive episode and, with in silico approaches, we propose putative functional interactions between candidate miRNAs and mRNAs.Overall, our work underlines the feasibility and the relevance of studying the level of expression of RNAs in a psychiatric disorder using peripheral tissues. We obtained both convergent and novel results in regard to previous investigations opening the way to better knowledge of major depression pathophysiology as well as biomarkers development.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Mark D. Haub / Mark D. Haub / Psychological problems and human error are leading causes of death and disability among military service members. Strategies to improve the psychological health and cognitive performance of those in the military are much needed. Recent advances in neuroscience suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may play an important role in the psychological well-being of those in the military. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between omega-3 status and psychological outcome variables among soldiers deploying to combat. Data collection was preceded by the development and reliability testing of a novel food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed to capture intake from contemporary sources of omega-3 fatty acids including functional foods and supplements. Based on the instrument assessment study (Chapter 2) conducted among university students (n = 165), this FFQ appears to be a comprehensive and reliable (n = 54, ρ = 0.86, p < 0.001) instrument for measuring docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intakes in young adults. As described in Chapter 3, intake of EPA + DHA as estimated by the FFQ was positively correlated (r = 0.39, p < 0.001) with biomarker measurements of omega-3 status. Primary data were obtained from a volunteer sample of soldiers (n = 272) scheduled for deployment to Iraq. Preliminarily analyses revealed relationships between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) screening scores and psychological outcome variables (Chapter 4). Primary analyses (Chapter 5) indicated intake of EPA + DHA was not significantly correlated with mood, nor were omega-3 exposure variables correlated with cognitive performance based on the required p value (< 0.001) calculated using the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. Among participants with EPA + DHA intakes at or below the median, omega-3 HUFA was related (p < 0.002) to happiness (β = -0.46), depression (β = 0.44), and fatigue (β = 0.43). Although exploratory in nature, the results of this study suggest a relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and mood. Given the current concerns regarding the psychological health of those in the military, additional research is warranted.

The thesis An Extraordinary Encounter with Chekhov strives to examine the process and phases involved in the design of the set for Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. This play was produced in the Spring of 2007, at the University of New Orleans. This production was chosen by the graduate committee, as the final work to complete my Master of Fine Arts degree in set design. I seek to examine the nature of the creative process for the set design through a series of encounters, from the initial encounter with the play to the various encounters with the director and other collaborators. These various encounters will include the, research and preparation to the final creation of the set design examined in detail. Copies of all the research, renderings, photos, draftings and any supporting materials that were relevant to the creative process will accompany the text of the thesis.

Unangam Tunuu has been recorded since the early days of contact in the mid 1700s; it is the sole representative of the 'Aleut' branch in the Eskimo-Aleut language family, and though it shares certain features with Yupik, Inuktitut and other Eskimo languages, it is distinct and employs a host of unique strategies to convey meaning. In this paper I will give an overview of the language, Unangam Tunuu, and background of the Indigenous people who speak it. I will also give a brief overview of the grammatical category of mood, discuss how mood is traditionally understood to function in European languages, and how it is represented in Unangam Tunuu. I will argue that the category of mood in Unangam Tunuu and the markers which have been glossed as such show many irregularities from what has been traditionally considered mood, and argue that this category needs to be critically re-examined. I will also suggest elicitation plans to assist in testing for mood-marking, specifically the indicative, as well as subjunctive-like or irrealis inflections.

Abstract The report investigates computer generated (CG) lighting techniques with a focus on the rendering of interior architectural visualisations. With rapid advancements in CG technology, the demand and expectation for greater photorealism in visualisations are increasing. The tools to achieve this are widely available and fairly easy to apply; however, renderings on a local scale are still displaying functionality and lack visual appeal. The research discusses how design principles and aesthetics can be used effectively to create visual interest and display mood in the visualisation, with strong attention to the elements that are defined as the fundamentals in achieving photorealism. The focus is on a solid understanding of CG lighting techniques and principles in order to achieve high quality, dynamic visualisations. Case studies examine the work of lighting artist James Turrell and 3D artist Jose Pedro Costa and apply the findings to a creative project, encompassing the discussions in the report. The result is the completion of three photorealistic renderings of an interior visualisation, using different CG lighting techniques to convey mood. The research provides a platform for specialisation in the 3D environment and encourages a multidisciplinary approach to learning.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how children experience their everyday travel. More specifically how do certain travel characteristics influence children’s current mood, experiences of their everyday travel, and their cognitive performance. The thesis consists of two papers (Papers I and II). In Paper I, 206 children (101 girls) in grade 4 (aged 10), in the city of Staffanstorp in Sweden, recorded all their journeys in a diary during one school week, along with reports of their travel mode, their current mood while travelling (ranging from very sad to very happy and from very tired to very alert), their activities on arrival, and their experiences regarding those activities. In Paper II, a sample of 344 children (165 girls) between the ages of 10 and 15 was taken at five public schools in Värmland County, Sweden. The children rated their current mood, filled out the Satisfaction with Travel Scale (capturing the travel experience), reported details about their journeys, and took a word-fluency test. The findings show that children’s immediate affective experiences (current mood) vary with how they travel and where they go, and that there is a difference between boys’ and girls’ experiences. Children who travel by car experience the lowest degree of quality and activation, something which is also maintained throughout the school day (as the case with activation). Social activities during travel add to higher degree of quality and excitement, while solitary activities bring more stress. The findings further show that using a smartphone or doing a combination of activities during the journey results in better cognitive performance, as do longer traveling times. It is concluded that where and how children travel, what they do when traveling, and for how long they travel all affect children’s travel experiences, mood, and/or cognitive performance. This thesis sheds light on a neglected research area – which is the experiences of travel – through the lens of a child. / The purpose of this licentiate thesis is to examine how children experience their everyday travel. More specifically, do travel mode, travel time, and travel activities influence children’s experiences of their everyday travel, how they feel, and how they perform at school. In Paper 1 we investigate whether children’s moods, while travelling, vary with travel mode and destination. In Paper 2 we investigate whether children’s experiences of travel and current mood vary with travel mode, traveling time, and activities during travel. We also investigate whether the travel experience affects cognitive performance. The overall findings of the two studies suggest that where and how children travel, what they do when traveling, and for how long they travel all affect children’s travel experiences, moods, and cognitive performance. These novel findings bring important knowledge of the impact of a journey. Children are the next generation of traveler; how they experience their day-to-day travel may contribute toward their future travel behavior and influence how societies travel in the future.

Nos transtornos de humor, o estigma internalizado (internalização de estereótipos depreciativos associados a uma condição) é desafiador e prejudicial para a reabilitação e qualidade de vida do indivíduo. O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar o estigma internalizado e as associações entre essa variável e as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas, além da esperança e adesão ao tratamento entre pessoas com transtornos de humor. Este estudo com abordagem quantitativa foi realizado com uma amostra de conveniência de 108 pacientes com transtornos de humor, em tratamento em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial no interior de São Paulo - Brasil. Na coleta de dados foram aplicados os instrumentos: ISMIBR para investigar o estigma internalizado; MAT para investigar a adesão ao tratamento, EEH para analisar a esperança; aplicação da BPRS-a para observar a sintomatologia dos pacientes, e um questionário com questões sociodemográficas e clínicas. Na análise de dados foram empregados testes de comparação de média, teste de correlação e regressão linear múltiplo. Neste estudo predominam mulheres, sem ensino superior, sem companheiro, sem trabalho. A maioria tinha transtorno afetivo bipolar, era aderente ao tratamento medicamentoso, referiu internações psiquiátricas e tentativas prévias de suicídio e negou episódios de heteroagressão. Na amostra investigada, maiores níveis de estigma estiveram associados à maior sintomatologia, menor nível de esperança, tentativas prévias de suicídio, histórico de comportamento agressivo, internações psiquiátricas, não adesão ao tratamento e não ter trabalho. No modelo de regressão linear múltiplo estiveram associadas ao estigma as variáveis trabalho, tentativas de suicídio, sintomas e esperança. Nesse estudo foram identificados fatores que podem conferir ao indivíduo maior vulnerabilidade ao estigma internalizado e que precisam ser cuidadosamente investigados e abordados em intervenções voltadas para a redução do estigma e à reabilitação psicossocial / In mood disorders, the internalized stigma (internalization of derogatory stereotypes associated with a condition) is challenging and detrimental to the individual\'s rehabilitation and quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the internalized stigma and the associations between these variables and sociodemographic, clinical variables, as well as hope and adherence to treatment among people with mood disorders. This quantitative approach was carried out with a convenience sample of 108 patients with mood disorders undergoing treatment at a Psychosocial Care Center in the interior of São Paulo - Brazil. In the data collection, the following instruments were applied: ISMI-BR to investigate internalized stigma; MAT to check adherence to treatment, EEH to examine the hope and application of BPRS-a to observe patient\'s symptomatology and a questionnaire with sociodemographic and clinical issues. In the data analysis, mean comparison, correlation test, and multiple linear regression tests were used. In this study, women predominated, without higher education, without a partner, without work. Most of them presented bipolar affective disorder, adhered to drug treatment, reported psychiatric hospitalizations and previous suicide attempts, and denied episodes of heteroaggression. In the sample investigated, higher levels of stigma were associated with greater symptomatology, lower level of hope, previous attempts of suicide, history of aggressive behavior, psychiatric hospitalizations, non-adherence to treatment and not having a job. In the multiple linear regression model, the variables labor, suicide attempts, symptoms, and hope were associated with the stigma. In this paper, were identified factors that may give the individual greater vulnerability to internalized stigma and which need to be carefully investigated and addressed in interventions or aiming at reducing stigma and psychosocial rehabilitation

São escassos os estudos que analisam o contínuo temporal dos estados de ânimo ao longo de um período competitivo esportivo. Embora os estados de ânimo pareçam estáveis ao longo do tempo, diferentes estímulos e contextos presentes modificam a intensidade e a valência desses estados. Além disso, há fenômenos psicológicos como decaimento, em que traços de informação perdem sua ativação devido, principalmente, à passagem do tempo e a expectativa, que é a espera pela ocorrência de um evento em um determinado tempo. O objetivo desse estudo foi examinar as alterações dos estados de ânimo em jovens atletas de futebol, separados por posição e função, que ocorreram num período competitivo, em função do decurso temporal. Assim, processos como decaimento dos estados de ânimo e a influência da expectativa pela ocorrência jogo foram analisados, bem como a influência do contexto nas variações dos estados de ânimo dos atletas. Participaram deste estudo 18 jovens atletas (média de 15,4 anos ± 0,266) de um clube de futebol que estava disputando um campeonato estadual. Para o acesso aos estados de ânimo, foi utilizada a versão reduzida da Lista de Estados de Ânimo Presentes (LEAP), juntamente com um formulário de instruções de preenchimento, aplicada minutos antes de alguns treinamentos e jogos. Foram calculados os valores de presença de cada Fator da LEAP em cada evento para cada participante. Os dados foram coletados em três tipos de Eventos: antes do último treino antecedente ao jogo (Treino-Pré), antes do jogo (Pré-jogo) e antes do primeiro treino subsequente ao jogo (Treino-Pós). Os 18 jogadores foram divididos em dois grupos: Ações Defensivas (AD) e Ações Ofensivas (AO). Foram encontrados padrões de alteração dos estados de ânimo, representados pelos Fatores II (Fadiga), VII (Interesse) e XII (Serenidade) da LEAP, em função do decurso temporal, permitindo a análise dos processos de decaimento desses estados de ânimo e a influência da expectativa nessas alterações. Também foi encontrado que alguns estados de ânimo diferiram seus padrões de alteração de acordo com um intervalo temporal (Fatores IV Limerência/Empatia e; VII Interesse), bem como tiveram valores de presença diferentes na comparação entre esses intervalos. Além disso, os Fatores III (Esperança), V (Fisiológico) e XI (Receptividade) apresentaram padrões de alteração em função do decurso temporal em diferentes intervalos temporais. Variáveis contextuais, como o resultado das partidas e a competição esportiva em si, também foram influentes nessas alterações. Fadiga, esperança, empatia, estados ligados à propriocepção, interesse, receptividade e serenidade foram os estados de ânimo presentes durante todo o estudo. Ressalta-se a importância de incluir a temporalidade como variável influente nos modelos de variação de processos neurobiológicos, sobretudo nas investigações acerca de aspectos subjetivos como os estados de ânimo. / There are few studies analyzing the time course of mood during a competitive sports season. Although moods seem stable over the time course, different stimuli and present contexts change their intensity and valence. Furthermore, there are psychological phenomena like the decay process, in which information traces lose activation with the passage of time and expectancy, which is a waiting for an occurrence of an event in a given time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to exam mood changes in youth soccer players, grouped by position and role, which occurred during a competitive season, in function of time course. Processes like mood decay and the influence of expectation for the game were analyzed, as well as the influence of context in the athletes mood variations. Eighteen young players (15.4 ± 0,266 year-old) from a soccer club, which was playing for a state championship, participated in this study. For the assessment of mood, a short form of Lista de Estados de Ânimo Presentes (LEAP Present Mood List) was used, along with instructions to fill the form, applied few moments before some training sessions and matches. Presence values of each LEAPs Factor were calculated for each participant in each event. The data was collected in three types of events: prior to the last trainning session before the match (Treino-Pré), at a few moments before the match (Pré-jogo) and prior to the first training session after the match. The eighteen players were divided in two groups: Defensive Actions (AD) and Offensive Actions (AO). Results have shown patterns of mood changes, represented by LEAPs Factors II (Fatigue), VII (Interest) and XII (Serenity), in function of time course, allowing the analysis of mood decay process and the influence of the expectation in these changes. Also, some moods showed different patterns in function of a given time interval (Factors IV Limerence/Empathy and VII Interest), as well as different presence values in these time intervals comparison. Moreover, Factors III (Hope), V (Physiologic) and XI (Receptivity) have shown patterns of mood changes in function of time course in different intervals of time. Contextual variables, like the outcome of the matches and the sport competition itself, were influential in these changes. Fatigue, hope, empathy, states related to proprioception, interest, receptivity and serenity were the present moods all along the study. The importance of including temporality as an influential variable in neurobiological models is noteworthy, especially in the investigations about subjective aspects like mood.