No / Evidence suggests than human time perception is likely to reflect an ensemble of recent temporal experience. For example, prolonged exposure to consistent temporal patterns can adaptively realign the perception of event order, both within and between sensory modalities (e.g. Fujisaki et al., 2004 Nat. Neurosci., 7, 773-778). In addition, the observation that 'a watched pot never boils' serves to illustrate the fact that dynamic shifts in our attentional state can also produce marked distortions in our temporal estimates. In the current study we provide evidence for a hitherto unknown link between adaptation, temporal perception and our attentional state. We show that our ability to use recent sensory history as a perceptual baseline for ongoing temporal judgments is subject to striking top-down modulation via shifts in the observer's selective attention. Specifically, attending to the temporal structure of asynchronous auditory and visual adapting stimuli generates a substantial increase in the temporal recalibration induced by these stimuli. We propose a conceptual framework accounting for our findings whereby attention modulates the perceived salience of temporal patterns. This heightened salience allows the formation of audiovisual perceptual 'objects', defined solely by their temporal structure. Repeated exposure to these objects induces high-level pattern adaptation effects, akin to those found in visual and auditory domains (e.g. Leopold & Bondar (2005) Fitting the Mind to the World: Adaptation and Aftereffects in High-Level Vision. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 189-211; Schweinberger et al. (2008) Curr. Biol., 18, 684-688).

No / Language is more than a source of information for accessing higher-order conceptual knowledge. Indeed, language may determine how people perceive and interpret visual stimuli. Visual processing in linguistic contexts, for instance, mirrors language processing and happens incrementally, rather than through variously-oriented fixations over a particular scene. The consequences of this atypical visual processing are yet to be determined. Here, we investigated the integration of visual and linguistic input during a reasoning task. Participants listened to sentences containing conjunctions or disjunctions (Nancy examined an ant and/or a cloud) and looked at visual scenes containing two pictures that either matched or mismatched the nouns. Degree of match between nouns and pictures (referential anchoring) and between their expected and actual spatial positions (spatial anchoring) affected fixations as well as judgments. We conclude that language induces incremental processing of visual scenes, which in turn becomes susceptible to reasoning errors during the language-meaning verification process.

PURPOSE: Gait during obstacle negotiation is adapted in visually normal subjects whose vision is temporarily and unilaterally blurred or occluded. This study was conducted to examine whether gait parameters in individuals with long-standing deficient stereopsis are similarly adapted. METHODS: Twelve visually normal subjects and 16 individuals with deficient stereopsis due to amblyopia and/or its associated conditions negotiated floor-based obstacles of different heights (7-22 cm). Trials were conducted during binocular viewing and monocular occlusion. Analyses focused on foot placement before the obstacle and toe clearance over it. RESULTS: Across all viewing conditions, there were significant group-by-obstacle height interactions for toe clearance (P < 0.001), walking velocity (P = 0.003), and penultimate step length (P = 0.022). Toe clearance decreased (approximately 0.7 cm) with increasing obstacle height in visually normal subjects, but it increased (approximately 1.5 cm) with increasing obstacle height in the stereo-deficient group. Walking velocity and penultimate step length decreased with increasing obstacle height in both groups, but the reduction was more pronounced in stereo-deficient individuals. Post hoc analyses indicated group differences in toe clearance and penultimate step length when negotiating the highest obstacle (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion of either eye caused significant and similar gait changes in both groups, suggesting that in stereo-deficient individuals, as in visually normal subjects, both eyes contribute usefully to the execution of adaptive gait. Under monocular and binocular viewing, obstacle-crossing performance in stereo-deficient individuals was more cautious when compared with that of visually normal subjects, but this difference became evident only when the subjects were negotiating higher obstacles; suggesting that such individuals may be at greater risk of tripping or falling during everyday locomotion.

This study employed multiple assessments, including sleep/resting waking EEG (visual scoring and power spectral analysis) and psychomotor vigilance task, to access effects of varying pulse-modulated microwaves (such as: 'talk', 'listen' and 'standby' mode signals) emitted from a standard mobile phone. The idea was prompted by a finding that the pulse modulation frequencies of mobile phone signals correspond to the frequencies of brain delta and alpha waves. Thereby it is possible the brain is able to recognize and respond to the low-frequency components of the mobile phone signals. Supporting evidence comes from repetitively reported EEG alpha and spindle effects of the 2, 8 and 217-Hz pulsed microwave exposure. Furthermore, brain imaging (EEG and PET) studies reveal 'low-frequency pulse-modulated waves' rather than the 'microwave frequency carrier waves' is the sine qua non for inducing these brain physiological effects [Huber et al., 2002, 2005; Regel et al., 2007a]. On the other hand, recent converging evidence, from molecular, behavioural and electrophysiological level, have shown that brain plasticity is a continuous process from waking to sleep and, sleep, a well-defined physiological condition, is 'shaped' by the waking experiences. The latter findings suggest certain sleep EEG features may characterize levels of cortical plasticity during wakefulness. The work presented in this thesis was inspired by these studies and aimed to understand how the real mobile phone signals with different low-frequency pulsing components [such as 'talk' (8, 217 Hz pulsed), 'listen' (2, 8, 217 Hz pulsed) and 'stand by' mode < 2 Hz pulsed)] change human brain electrical activities from waking to sleep. We approached this question based on EEG analysis in two domains: (1) EEG visual scoring; (2) EEG spectral analysis from relaxed waking to the deeper stages of non-NREM sleep. We also looked at the effects on the psychomotor vigilance performance. Results suggest 'talk' and 'Iisten/standby' modes have inverse effects on the distinctive thalamo-cortical oscillation modes and may thus impart inverse effects on their sleep structures. The implications of this study are of practical importance as it suggests the thalamo-cortical oscillations can be modulated by synchronizing rTMS/tDCS/DBS and sleeplwaking EEG. This concept may be applied to modulate the brain oscillation modes for enhancing sleep-dependent brain plastiCity or information processing.

<p>Multipla skleroza (MS) je hronična, inflamatorna, demijelinizaciona i degenerativna bolest centralnog nervnog sistema koja rezultuje &scaron;irokim spektrom invaliditeta. U sklopu bolesti mogu da se pojave brojni simptomi koji se ispoljavaju kroz poremećaje kognitivnih i motoričkih sposobnosti. Efekti kognitivne i motoričke disfunkcije su veliki i ne utiču samo na obolelog već i na člano e porodice i udruženi su sa socijalnom participacijom osoba sa MS. Ciljevi istraživanja su: utvrditi stepen socijalne participaci je, prisutnost poremećaja kognitivnih sposobnosti (pamćenja, verbalne fluentnosti, vizuo prostorne funkcije, govora i pažnje) i poremećaja motoričkih sposobnosti (manuelnih sposobnosti i hoda) kod obolelih od MS. Istraživanje je sprovedeno tokom 2013. i 2014. godine na Klinici za neurologi ju, Kliničkog centra Vojvodi ne. Uzorak je činilo 108 ispitanika obolelih od MS (relapsno-remitentna forma) starosti od 20 do 53 godine (AS 39,86 godina; SD 8,20 godina). Metode primenjene u istraživanju su: Op&scaron;ti upitnik, Kognitivni skrining audio zapisom (Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen &ndash; ARCS), Tempom uslovljen auditivni test serijskog sabiranja (Paced Auditory Serial Additional Test &ndash; PASAT), Test 9 rupa (9 Hole Peg Test), Test 25 koraka (25 Foot Walk Test), Skala za procenu neurolo&scaron;kog deficita (Expanded Disability Status Scale &ndash; EDSS), Upitnik za procenu socijalne participacije i Skala za procenu invaliditeta 2.0 Svetske zdravstvene organizacije (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule &ndash; WHO DAS 2.0). Prema na&scaron;im rezultatima, niži stepen neurolo&scaron;kog deficita praćen je vi&scaron;om participacijom i vi&scaron;im nivoom aktuelnog funkcionisanja i obrnuto (r=0,43, p=0,00). Ispitanici sa blagim neurolo&scaron;kim deficitom imaju bolju participaciju (niži skor na WHO DAS 2.0 skali) od osoba sa izraženim neurolo&scaron;kim deficitom. Pozitivna korelacija postoji između stepena poremećaja kognitivnih sposobnosti i stepena neurolo&scaron;kog deficita kod obolelih od MS, odnosno veći neurolo&scaron;ki deficit je praćen pri sutno&scaron;ću kognitivnih deficita (r=-0,27, p=0,00). Osobe bez neurolo&scaron;kog deficita i osobe sa blagim neurolo&scaron;kim deficitom imaju značajno niže skorove odnosno bo lje motoričke sposobnosti i gornjih i donjih ekstremiteta od osoba sa izraženim neurolo&scaron;kim deficitom (p=0,00). Korelacije izme đu kognitivnog funkcionisanja merenog ARCS i aktuelnog nivoa funkcionisanja (invaliditeta) su negativne. Vi&scaron;i stepen invalidnosti praćen je i lo&scaron;ijim kognitivnim statusom. Hijerarhijskom regresionom analizom se proveravao zajednički doprinos svih prediktorskih varijabli u obja&scaron;njavanju ukupne participacije osoba sa MS. Najveći doprinos imaju starost ispitanika, kognitivne sposobnosti i motoričke sposobnosti gornjih ekstremiteta. Rezultati omogućavaju uvid u motoričke i kognitivne sposobnosti obolelih od MS kao i saznanja o faktorima koji utiču na stepen socijalne participacije. Na osnovu ovih rezultata moguće je planiranje programa rehabilitacije i psiho socijalne podr&scaron;ke obolelima od MS. ARCS može da se primenju je kao nova, jednostavna, efikasna i jeftina metoda u skriningu kognitivnih sposobnosti kod obolelih od MS.</p> / <p>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating degenerative disease of the central nervous system that results in a vast spectrum of disabilities. As part of the disease, many symptoms can occur that manifest as impairments of cognitive and motor abilities. The effects of cognitive and motor dysfunctions are significant and affect not only the patient but also his/her family, and are associated with the social participation of people with MS. The research objectives were to determine the degree of social participation, the presence of cognitive abilities (memory, verbal fluency, visuo spatial functions, speech and attention) and disorders of motor skills (manual skills and gait) in patients with MS. The study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Neurology Clinic, Clinical Center of Vojvodina. The sample consisted of 108 patients suffering from the relapsing-remitting form of MS, aged 20-53 years (AS 39,86 years; SD 20,8 years). The methods applied in the study were the General Questionnaire, the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS), the Paced Auditory Serial Additional Test (PASAT), the 9 Hole Peg Test, the 25 Foot Walk Test, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO DAS 2.0). According to our results, a lower degree of neurological deficit was associated with a higher degree of participation and a higher level of current functioning, and vice versa (r= 0,43, p= 0,00). Subjects with mild neurological deficits had better social participation (a lower score on the WHO DAS 2.0 scale) compared with subjects with severe neurological deficits. A positive correlation was found between the degree of cognitive ability and the degree of neurological deficit in patients with MS, i.e. a greater neurological deficit was accompanied by the presence of cognitive deficits (r = -0,27, p= 0,00). Subjects with no neurological deficits and those with mild neurological deficits had significantly lower scores and better motor skills of both upper and lower extremities, compared with those with severe neurological deficits (p = 0,00). Correlations between cognitive functioning as measured by the ARCS and the current level of functioning (disability) were negative. A higher degree of disability was associated by a worse cognitive status. The hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the joint contribution of all predictor variables to the overall participation of people with MS. The highest contribution was found forage and cognitive and motor skills of upper extremities. The results provide insights in to the motor and cognitive abilities of patients with MS, as well as in formation about the factors influencing the level of their social participation. Based on these results it is possible to plan a program of rehabilitation and psychosocial support to patients with MS. The ARCS may be utilized as a new, simple, efficient and inexpensive method in the screening of cognitive abilities of people with MS.</p>

The aim of the diploma thesis was to observe the capability of imitation in orofacial area of three days old infants and analyze if the capability relates to quality of psychomotor development, thus whether it relates with a global motor model. This paper is a pilot study comprising seventeen infants. Each of them was supposed to attend four visits during the first six months of their life. It included visits in the first few days, between the fourth and the sixth week, the third month and the sixth month of their life. The psychomotor development was examined and within the first visit there was established communication with the child by means of eye contact and imitation. Each child's attempt at imitation and response was recorded. This thesis can serve as a basis for further research dealing with this topic that includes the imitation skill of mirror neurons related to psychomotor development.

Diploma thesis "Psychomotricity in swimming education of preschool children" focuses on the use of psychomotor activities when teaching preschool children swimming. The theoretical part describes in detail, all according to available sources, the terms related to psychomotricity, development and swimming of a preschool child. The practical part of thesis focuses on the fact, whether it is beneficial and appropriate to apply psychomotor activities in swimming education. Further it strives to find out how big is the psychomotor awareness of Czech swimming instructors.

Resume My dissertation follows early child support and care offered to children of early and pre- school age with risk psychomotor development. This support includes not only help to children with physical, mental or sensual defects, but also help to their patents, who participate in the research by filling anonymous questionaires regarding their satisfaction or displeasure with given subjects. The results of the research show among other two fundemental outcomes based on positive evaluation of the specialists who were taking care of the children and their parents. It also shows the satisfaction with consulting services to the parents who are using using them.

The thesis devotes to the negative effects of alcohol abuse during pregnancy on early psychical development of the child. It surveys the problematic fields of development of the children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. The theoretical survey is accompanied by qualitative empirical part, which contains four case studies of children in the age of 6 - 72 weeks whose mothers were drinking alcohol during pregnancy. There are several problematic areas in the development of these children, for example growth deficit, retardation of the psychomotor development (especially in speech, gross motor skills and social behaviour), attachment disorders and eating disorders. These signs correspond to the scientific literature, but there are differences in the extent and frequency in the children Key words: alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, early psychomotor development

This diploma thesis introduces the options for motor skills assessment of preschool children in the pedagogical and health care setting. This thesis is divided into two parts - theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part, the author describes the psychomotor development of a child with a focus on the preschool period. The following chapter provides an overview of pedagogical and healthcare professions that mostly focus on the psychomotor development matters. The following chapters analyse the options for motor skills diagnostics in preschool children, including an overview of the most commonly used tests. In the practical part, a set of diagnostic tasks was created for the purpose of rough estimation of motor skills levels of preschool children. The suggested task set was then put to a clinical trial in five kindergartens in two cities in the Czech Republic. The practical part consists of a description of individual tasks in the task set, their evaluation, description of the used sample of children, administration of the task set and collection of data in accordance with stated ethical principles of research. There data is then presented, analysed and the resolving power of the task set is evaluated. The addendum of the practical part contains suggested modifications of the diagnostic...