Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAMT.pdf: 4026803 bytes, checksum: b915370a358d3f27f7a93f41bba89e3c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-26 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This longitudinal study investigated the development of reaching behavior in the seated position in preterm infants at the ages of 5, 6 and 7 months by analyzing kinematic variables (straightness and adjustment indexes, movement unit, mean and final velocities). The correlation between kinematic variables and grasping was verified. The participants were nine low-risk preterm infants with no cerebral lesions. Ten fullterm infants served as control. In both groups, kinematic variables remained unchanged over age, except for the adjustment index, which was higher at 6 months in the preterm group. Successful grasping increased in both groups over age and it was shown to be negatively correlated with mean velocity in the preterm infants. At the ages of 6 and 7 months, preterms showed lower mean and final velocities and higher adjustment index when compared with fullterms. The relative constancy in the kinematic variables suggests that, after having explored the action possibilities during the acquisition phase, the infants selected an adaptative pattern to perform the reaching movements. Slower movements and greater adjustments may be functional strategies of preterms to achieve successful grasps. / Este estudo lomgitudinal investigou o desenvolvimento do comportamento do alcance na postura sentada em lactentes pré-termo nas idades de 5, 6 e 7 meses por meio da análise das variáveis cinemáticas (índice de retidão e ajjuste, unidades de movimento, velocidade média e final). Foi verificada também a correlação entre as variáveis cinemáticas e a preensão do alcance. Participaram do estudo 9 lactentes pré-termo sem lesões cerebrais e 10 lactentes a termo seriram como controle. Em ambos os grupos, as variáveis cinemáticas não se modificaram ao longo da idade, exceto o índice de ajuste, o qual foi maior aos 6 meses no grupo pré-termo. O alcance com preensão aumentou em ambos os grupos ao longo da idade e foi encontrada uma correlação negativa com a velocidade média no grupo pré-termo. Aos 6 e 7 meses, os lactentes pré-termo mostraram velocidade média e final menor e o índice de ajuste maior que os lactentes a termo. A relativa constância nas variáveis cinemáticas sugere que, após os lactentes terem explorado as possibilidades de ação durante a fase de aquisição de alcance, eles selecionaram um padrão adaptativo para realizar o alcance. Os movimentos mais lentos e com maiores ajustes realizados pelos lactentes pré-termo podem ser estratégias funcionais para realizar o alcance com preensão.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3489.pdf: 2247804 bytes, checksum: d4e7a8be79e98395e011890d48e15af9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Considering that changes in the organism s adaptability process occur in response to the convergent influence of intrinsic and extrinsic constraints, studies have shown that the body orientation and practice can positively influence the movements of the upper extremities in infants. Thus, this study has two objectives divided into two studies: (1) assess the influence of body orientation and (2) assess the specific training influence during reaching s emergence period. To meet the objectives proposed, the kinematic variables (spatio-temporal) were obtained through infants assessments at two positions: supine position and reclined at 45°, in a baby chair until 3 days after emergence of reaching. In Study 1, reaches were analyzed in these two positions. In Study 2, two assessments were performed: pre training and post training, i.e., before and immediately after training, respectively. To complete the training protocol, infants were divided into three groups: no training, supine training group and reclined training group. The results indicated that the different postures were not able to promote changes in reaching spatio-temporal parameters at the time this ability emerges. However, specific training was effective to promote faster reaches in infants in the reach s emergency phase, with recline training position being more appropriated than supine position. Moreover, the effects of training in specific positions were not transferable from one to another. Therefore, during the emergence period of reaching, infants have irregular trajectories and as this ability is fundamental for infants motor, social, perceptual and cognitive development, different positions and specific training can be used as intervention strategies to promote different sensory and motor experiences and thus provide different demands on the neuromotor system, promoting new movement strategies. / Considerando que as mudanças no processo de adaptabilidade do organismo ocorrem em resposta à influência convergente de restrições intrínsecas e extrínsecas, estudos têm demonstrado que a orientação corporal e a prática podem influenciar positivamente os movimentos dos membros superiores em lactentes. Sendo assim, o presente estudo apresenta dois objetivos divididos em dois estudos: (1) verificar a influência da orientação corporal e (2) verificar a influência do treino específico no período de emergência do alcance em lactentes. Para atender aos objetivos proposto, as variáveis cinemáticas (espaçotemporais) foram obtidas por meio de avaliações dos lactentes nas posições, supina e reclinada a 45° com a horizontal, em uma cadeira infantil, até 3 dias após a emergência do alcance. No Estudo 1, foram analisados os alcances realizados nessas duas posições. No Estudo 2, foram realizadas duas avaliações do alcance: a pré-treino e a pós-treino, ou seja, antes e logo após o treino, respectivamente. Para realizar o protocolo de treino, os lactentes foram subdivididos em três grupos: grupo controle, grupo de treino em supino e grupo de treino em reclinado. Os resultados indicaram que as diferentes posturas não foram capazes de promover alterações nos parâmetros espaço-temporais do alcance no momento de emergência dessa habilidade. Entretanto, o treino específico foi efetivo para promover alcances mais rápidos em lactentes na fase de emergência do alcance, sendo treino na postura reclinada mais indicado do que na postura supina. Além disso, os efeitos dos treinos nas posições específicas não foram transferíveis de uma para outra. Portanto, no período de emergência do alcance, os lactentes apresentam trajetórias irregulares. Sendo essa habilidade fundamental para o desenvolvimento motor, social, perceptual e cognitivo do lactente, diferentes posições e treinos específicos poderão ser utilizados como estratégias de intervenção para promover experiências sensório motoras e, assim, proporcionar diferentes demandas ao sistema neuromotor, favorecendo a utilização de novas estratégias de movimento.

Le contexte temporel influence profondément la façon dont nous nous comportons. De manière similaire, il donne forme à l'activité du cortex moteur (LFP et potentiels d'action), pendant la préparation motrice, mais aussi en absence de préparation d'un mouvement. / The temporal context deeply shapes the motor cortical activity (spikes and LFPs), during movement preparation but also outside movement preparation.

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar influências do Fit Estratégico para o alcance de acordos em negociações de Fusões e Aquisições (F&A). A metodologia envolveu pesquisa qualitativa com suporte quantitativo para desenvolver estrutura analítica que integrasse elementos de F&A e Negociação, permitindo identificar e avaliar 115 variáveis em 20 casos reais de negociações de F&As, 10 com Acordo Alcançado e 10 com Acordo Não Alcançado. Embora com limitações, o estudo alcançou os objetivos propostos identificando quatro Macrorrelações de Influência (MRI) principais: Existência de Fit Estratégico influencia positivamente a chance de acordo, através das Sinergias, assim como sua ausência influencia negativamente; Riscos e Impedimentos integram a Equação de Valor para o Comprador, quando eles ameaçam a captura de valor, podem inviabilizar a chance de acordo; Pressões Indutoras influenciam positivamente a chance de acordos em operações de F&As; e, Interesses Críticos Convergentes são condição precedente para o alcance de acordos em operações de F&As. Esta dissertação contribui para o desenvolvimento de uma visão integrada entre F&A e Negociação, permitindo uma conduta mais consciente, consistente e estratégica para alcançar acordos. Atenção particular é dada à MRI que envolve Fit Estratégico. Além de demonstrar ser forte fator de influência (82% dos casos com Fit atingiram acordo), a estrutura analítica quantitativa utilizada se revelou robusta (os resultados observados nos 20 casos confirmam estudo anterior com 218 casos de Shelton, 1988), apresentando aptidão para ser convertida em ferramenta de suporte à decisão, já que permite avaliar potencial sinérgico entre empresas e nichos de mercado. / The objective of this work is to analyze the influences of Strategic Fit in order to reach agreements in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) negotiations. The method involved a qualitative research with quantitative support to develop an analytical framework that integrates elements of M&A and Negotiation, allowing to identify and evaluate 115 variables in 20 actual cases of M&A negotiations of Which 10 Reached a Deal, and 10 Did Not Reach a Deal. Although with limitations, the study achieved its proposed objectives identifying four macro-relations of influence (MRI): Strategic Fit presence positively influences the chance of an agreement, through Synergies and its absence has a negatively influence; Risks and Impediments are part of the Value Equation to the Buyer, when threatening the capture of value they can prevent the chance of agreement; Inducing Pressures positively influences the chance of agreements in M&A transactions; and Critical Converging Interests is a pre-condition to reach agreements in M&A operations. This dissertation contributes to the development of an integrated view between M&A and Negotiation, enabling a more cognizant, consistent and strategic behavior in order to reach agreements. Particular attention is given to the MRI that involves Strategic Fit, as it proved a strong influencing factor (82% of cases with Strategic Fit reached an agreement). As well, the quantitative analytical framework used showed to be robust (results in the 20 cases studied in here confirmed a previous study by Shelton in 1988 of 218 cases) indicating potential to become a decision-supporting tool, since it allows the synergy potential evaluation between companies and market niches.

No description available.

Background: Sports have a significant impact on people all around the world. Although sport brings a lot of joy, a sense of togetherness, and pride, it also involves ethically difficult issues such as doping. Doping in sports is a growing global concern that jeopardizes sports ethics, values, and integrity (The World Anti-Doping Agency WADA, a). Previous research has mainly approached the topic by understanding athletes’ motivation behind the decision to dope. Hence, there is a growing need to understand athletes’ attitudes and beliefs towards clean sports. Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively understand athletes’ attitudes and beliefs on reaching the top without doping and their beliefs on whether doping affects the results of competitions at the national and international levels. Also, it was examined whether variables such as age, gender, testing history, and sports have any distinguished matter on athletes’ attitudes towards clean sports. Method: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study explored athletes' attitudes and beliefs on clean sports. A total of 73 tested athletes (response rate 14,4%) completed a web-based "Assessments of Doping Control and FINCIS Activities" -survey. Results: In this research, athletes’ age, gender, testing history, and sports did not show any significance concerning athletes' attitudes towards reaching the national and international tops without doping. In the open-ended questions, athletes expressed trust in national-level competitions but had more suspicions about international competitions. Conclusion: The results suggest that the athletes in this research reported positive attitudes and beliefs in competing clean. However, it is challenging to determine whether athletes feel that they need to answer “correctly” and according to the values of clean sports. Therefore, it is important to continue studying athletes’ attitudes and clean sports.

No description available.

There is considerable evidence to suggest that object affordances (see Gibson, 1966) can serve to moderate volitional responses by “priming” the visuomotor system toward certain actions (e.g., Tucker & Ellis, 1998). Typically, these studies assume that shorter voluntary reaction time latencies reflect more efficient movement planning. Questions remain however, as to whether object affordances offer the same motor priming benefits in situations where the temporal window to initiate motor action precludes volitional movements (e.g., during an unexpected balance perturbation). The efficiency of balance reactions to a perturbation is dependent upon the ability for the motor system to generate short latency actions at the onset of instability. Due to the rapid nature of these actions, they are suggested to be regulated by information received prior to the perturbation. In this study, participants sat in a custom-built chair that delivered posterior perturbations and, on each trial, were presented with two of three types of stimuli within their reach (two graspable poles that varied in orientation and a flat non-graspable control). They were instructed to reach and grasp one of the poles at the moment of perturbation so as to mitigate the tilt. To assess cortical activity that may be indicative of motor planning in response to the perception of object affordances, changes in oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the right and left premotor cortices were measured using a continuous wave fNIRS system. Results revealed a significant increase (F= 4.62, p= .043) in oxy-Hb in the right and left hemisphere (M = .023 µM) in response to objects that afford an optimal form of grasping action (mitigating excessive supination or pronation of the hand), compared to when no grasping opportunity was present (M = -.051 µM). These results suggest that affordances may be used to prime the system in the event of a balance threat. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Lorsque le système nerveux central est exposé à une nouvelle association visuoproprioceptive, l’adaptation de la carte visuomotrice est nécessaire afin d’exécuter des mouvements précis. L’efficacité de ces processus adaptatifs correspond aussi à la capacité à les transférer dans des contextes différents de l’apprentissage de cette nouvelle association, par exemple dans de nouvelles régions de l’espace extrapersonnel (généralisation spatiale). Comme le contexte exerce une influence considérable sur les processus adaptatifs, les composantes multidimensionnelles de la tâche et de la perturbation pourraient constituer des éléments affectant considérablement l’adaptation et la généralisation spatiale. Ce mémoire présente une étude exploratoire de l’adaptation à une perturbation triaxiale, introduite graduellement, réalisée dans un environnement virtuel tridimensionnel et sa généralisation spatiale. Nos résultats suggèrent que les trois axes de l’espace présentent des différences importantes quant aux processus adaptatifs qui les sous-tendent. L’axe vertical présente à la fois une plus grande variabilité et de plus grandes erreurs spatiales au cours de l’adaptation comparativement à l’axe sagittal et à l’axe horizontal, tandis que l’axe sagittal présente une plus grande variabilité que l’axe horizontal. Ces différences persistent lors de l’effet consécutif, l’axe vertical affichant une désadaptation importante. Le test de généralisation spatiale montre une généralisation à l’ensemble des cibles, cependant, la généralisation semble plus faible le long de l’axe vertical. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’adaptation à une translation tridimensionnelle se généralise à travers l’espace le long des trois axes de l’espace et renforcent l’idée que le système nerveux central utilise une stratégie de décomposition modulaire des composantes de l’espace tridimensionnel. / We explored visuomotor adaptation and spatial generalization in the context of three-dimensional reaching movements performed in a virtual reality environment using a learning paradigm composed of four phases: pre-exposure, baseline, learning, and post-exposure (aftereffect and generalization). Subjects started by performing five reaching movements to six 3D memorized target locations without visual feedback (pre-exposure). Next, subjects performed twelve reaching movements to the learning target with veridical visual feedback (baseline). Immediately after, the 3D visuomotor dissociation (horizontal, vertical and sagittal translations) between actual hand motions and visual feedback of hand motions in the 3D virtual environment was gradually introduced (learning phase). Finally, subjects aimed at the pre-exposure and baseline targets without visual feedback (post-exposure). Although subjects were unaware of the visuomotor perturbation, they showed movement adaptation for each component of the triaxial perturbation, but they displayed reduced adaptation rate along the vertical axis. Subjects persisted in applying the new visuomotor association when the perturbation was removed, but the magnitude of this post-exposure shift was lower along the vertical axis. Similar trends were observed for movement aimed at pre-exposure targets. Furthermore, these post-exposure shifts were, on average, greater along the horizontal and sagittal axes relative to the vertical axis. These results suggest that the visuomotor map may be more adaptable to shifts in the horizontal and sagittal directions, than to shifts in the vertical direction. This finding supports the idea that the brain may employ a modular decomposition strategy during learning to simplify complex multidimensional visuomotor tasks.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.