Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Recent studies within the social sciences have espoused a need to reconceptualize autism out of the domain of the intrapersonal and into the realm of the sociocultural. Semi-structured in-depth interviewing was used to examine the selfperceptions and experiences of twelve people who identified as on the autism spectrum. Social scientists have tended to grant the topic of autism to the domain of psychology; as a result autistic perception has been stigmatized resulting in the exclusion of autistic perspectives in knowledge production on the lived experiences of autistic actors. The first-hand accounts examined in this study lend support to the idea that symbolic interactionism provides a more nuanced framework for studying how autistic perception influences autistic experience in contrast to the functionalist-reductionist approach of cognitive psychology. From this perspective we can position autistic differences in disposition and interaction as socioculturally situated rather than as solely a result of individual cognitive impairment. The application of microsociological concepts to autistic perception and interaction has the potential to expand knowledge on both autistic experience and the social construction of normative order.

Symbolic computation has been widely applied to Combinatorics, Number Theory, and also other fields. Many reliable and fast algorithms with corresponding implementations now have been established and developed. Using the tool of Experimental Mathematics, especially with the help of mathematical software, in particularly Mathematica, we could visualize the data, manipulate algorithms and implementations. The work presented here, based on symbolic computation, involves the following two parts. The first part introduces a systematic integration method, called the Method of Brackets. It only consists of a small number of simple and direct rules coming from the Schwinger parametrization of Feynman diagrams. Verification of each rule makes this method rigorous. Then it follows a necessary theorem that different series representations of the integrand, though lead to different processes of computations, do not affect the result. Examples of application lead to further discussions on analytic continuation, especially on Pochhammer symbol, divergent series and connection to Mellin transform of the Method of Brackets. In the end, comparison with other integration methods and a Mathematica package manual are presented. The second part provides a symbolic approach on the study of Bernoulli numbers and its generalizations. The Bernoulli symbol $\mathcal{B}$ originally comes from Umbral Calculus, as a formal approach to Sheffer sequences. Recently, a rigorous footing by probabilistic proof makes it also a random variable with its density function a shifted hyperbolic trigonometric function. Such an approach together with general method on random variables gives a variety of results on generalized Bernoulli polynomials, multiple zeta functions, and also other related topics. / Lin Jiu

Research in the field of music information retrieval (MIR) is concerned with methods to effectively retrieve a piece of music based on a user's query. An important goal in MIR research is the ability to successfully retrieve music stored as recorded audio using note-based queries. In this work, we consider the searching of musical audio using symbolic queries. We first examined the effectiveness of using a relative pitch approach to represent queries and pieces. Our experimental results revealed that this technique, while effective, is optimal when the whole tune is used as a query. We then suggested an algorithm involving the use of pitch classes in conjunction with the longest common subsequence algorithm between a query and target, also using the whole tune as a query. We also proposed an algorithm that works effectively when only a small part of a tune is used as a query. The algorithm makes use of a sliding window in addition to pitch classes and the longest common subsequence algorithm between a query and target. We examined the algorithm using queries based on the beginning, middle, and ending parts of pieces. We performed experiments on an audio collection and manually-constructed symbolic queries. Our experimental evaluation revealed that our techniques are highly effective, with most queries used in our experiments being able to retrieve a correct answer in the first rank position. In addition, we examined the effectiveness of duration-based features for improving retrieval effectiveness over the use of pitch only. We investigated note durations and inter-onset intervals. For this purpose, we used solely symbolic music so that we could focus on the core of the problem. A relative pitch approach alongside a relative duration representation were used in our experiments. Our experimental results showed that durations fail to significantly improve retrieval effectiveness, whereas inter-onset intervals significantly improve retrieval effectiveness.

In recent years, symbolic and constraint-solving techniques have been making major advances and are continually being deployed in new business and engineering applications. A major push behind this trend has been the development and deployment of sophisticated methods that are able to comprehend and evaluate important sub-classes of symbolic problems (such as those in polynomial, linear inequality and finite domains). However, relatively little has been explored in higher-order domains, such as equations with unknown functions. This paper proposes a new symbolic method for solving a class of higher-order equations with an unknown function over the complex domain. Our method exploits the closure property of group structure (for functions) in order to allow an equivalent system of equations to be expressed and solved in the first-order setting. Our work is an initial step towards the relatively unexplored realm of higher-order constraint-solving, in general; and higher-order equational solving, in particular. We shall provide some theoretical background for the proposed method, and also prototype an implementation under Mathematica. We hope that our foray will help open up more sophisticated applications, as well as encourage work towards new methods for solving higher-order constraints. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

A program to control a robot manipulator for industrial assembly operations must take into account possible errors in parts placement and tolerances of the parts themselves. Previous approaches to this problem have been to (1) engineer the situation so that the errors are small or (2) let the programmer analyze the errors and take explicit account of them. This paper gives the mathematical underpinnings for building programs (plan checkers) to carry out approach (2) automatically. The plan checker uses a geometric CAD-type database to infer the effects of actions and the propagation of errors. It does this symbolically rather than numerically, so that computations can be reversed and desired resultant tolerances can be used to infer required initial tolerances or the necessity for sensing. The checker modifies plans to include sensing and adds constraints to the plan which ensure that it will succeed. An implemented system is described and results of its execution are presented. The plan checker could be used as part of an automatic planning system of as an aid to a human robot programmer.

Classical mechanics is deceptively simple. It is surprisingly easy to get the right answer with fallacious reasoning or without real understanding. To address this problem we use computational techniques to communicate a deeper understanding of Classical Mechanics. Computational algorithms are used to express the methods used in the analysis of dynamical phenomena. Expressing the methods in a computer language forces them to be unambiguous and computationally effective. The task of formulating a method as a computer-executable program and debugging that program is a powerful exercise in the learning process. Also, once formalized procedurally, a mathematical idea becomes a tool that can be used directly to compute results.

The purpose of this study is to give an insight in how home care givers with different ethnic background, other than European, experience their work as home care givers. It is a qualitative study based on interviews and observations of four different home care givers. Among the questions studied include; if ethnicity is a resource or not, how does it affect home care givers in doing their work? What importance does it have on the organisation as a home care entrepreneur? Has the home care entrepreneur a perspective of diversity? The results of the study have been analyzed with the help of symbolic interaction. The results have led us to conclude that the home care givers have a professional identity, which does not include an ethnic identity. Further more results indicate that ethnicity has a limited impact on the home care givers of non European origin that have not experienced discrimination. For the home care givers who earlier on in their carrier(s) have had experiences of discrimination, exist uncertainties, especially during their first visit in the homes. How the home care entrepreneur give guidelines to solving problems and conflicts between client and home care givers are of great significance.

In a world of development and scarce resources sustainable development has been presented as an approach of dealing with our issues of welfare. Economic, environmental and social aspects are incorporated in the approach in order to solve the problems of today. While sustainable development is pervaded in policies and planning of nations and communities, the three aspects of it have all specific definitions which are to be applied, some aspects are well defined whilst others are not yet fully determined. The purpose of this qualitative study is to highlight the social aspect of sustainable development. The social sustainability is assessed by investigating how a municipality in Sweden meets the variables of social sustainability established by the Swedish government. It investigates the structure plans of a community south of Stockholm, Haninge Municipality. It seeks to understand how the municipality implements social sustainability in practice to solve the issues of the alienated residential area Jordbro. By using a method of interpretation of texts in form of governmental documents of social sustainability, municipal structure plans together with incorporated interviews with locals and an internship at the municipality house of Haninge, the study gives a comprehensive understanding of social sustainability in Stockholm and issues which the municipality is to deal with. It indicates that social sustainability is taking a smaller role in the structure planning documents of the municipality, and it also indicates a lack of interaction and incorporation of locals. Furthermore the study suggests some solutions to the problems of social sustainability.

Alzheimer disease (AD) and related dementias affect nearly one in thirteen Canadians over the age of 65. Difficulties in communicating are frequently cited as the greatest source of stress for individuals who have a diagnosis of dementia and their families. Despite the wide recognition that the family is affected by a relative’s diagnosis of dementia, there has been little research aimed at understanding the experience of the family as a unit. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the family experience of communicating with a relative who has dementia. This study used a qualitative single case study design, drawing on the theory of Symbolic Interactionism. Three members of one family participated in two individual interviews and a family interview. The family member who was experiencing symptoms associated with AD but whose diagnosis was referred to as “cognitive impairment” (CI), participated in one individual interview. Interviews were transcribed and the data was analyzed using constant comparative analysis. The findings that emerged from the data indicate that the participating family approached communication with the intention of achieving three particular goals in their interactions. These goals were to include, protect, and bring happiness to their afflicted family member. Three strategies were identified as the primary strategies used to achieve these goals: interpreting, scripting, and translating. Further, the family was organized in such a way that members were positioned either as part of the ‘core’ of the family or on the ‘outskirts’ of the family. Family members that pursued and achieved the three goals in their interactions with the relative who has CI were considered to be part of the core while others who were not willing or capable of interacting in this way were positioned on the outskirts of the family. Understanding the communication experience of the family as a unit offers a vital link to meet the needs of families dealing with the effects of CI. This knowledge will aid in formulating important new questions and insights for researchers and clinicians to provide the care and support necessary to promote the well-being of families affected by CI.

Leadership represents a diverse and dynamic area of study, occupying a vast area in sociological literature. However, the nonprofit sector is somewhat neglected in literature that examines leadership as a performance. Heightened demand for accountability, funding shortages and other challenges in the nonprofit sector have spurred recent trends such as coalition-building and business-like practices. Nonprofit leaders must satisfy multiple internal and external stakeholders with opposing values and expectations. This creates a rich and yet incomplete area in which to study impression management. This thesis employs an interpretivist perspective, specifically utilizing symbolic interactionism to understand how the participants create and maintain impressions. By employing Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical metaphors, this thesis addresses how the participants use symbolic representations of leadership in order to create desired impressions. It also explores the strategies used by the participants in order to present a front of competent leadership during the interviews. Lastly, the research asks the participants to reflect on their impression management activities. To address these questions, 19 leaders were interviewed at 11 different nonprofits in Canada and in Egypt for approximately one hour each, using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Simple observation was also applied. A combination of purposive, snowball and convenience sampling was used to select the organizations. iv The research offers a number of significant findings. First, the manner and appearances of the leaders and the design of their office space provides avenues in which to convey leadership, financial and organizational messages, as well as information about the leaders’ roles and statuses. For example, visual cues may be used to express their participative approach to leadership, convey organizational frugality or success and create a corporate culture. Second, the participants commonly self-identified as benevolent and humble “servant leaders” by attempting to appear as mentors. They downplayed their authority and claimed to integrate staff feedback into the organization. They also claimed to employ a benevolent form of discipline that focuses on learning. When discussing mistakes, the participants claimed to respond in an ideal way, by apologizing and learning from their errors. However, they claimed to, at times, act authoritatively and convey “professionalism.” The leaders displayed their authority during the course of the interview and laid claim to qualifications that made them especially suited for the job. These kinds of inconsistencies suggest that impression management is not static or flawless, but rather a series of performances fraught with contradiction and tension. Third, about half of the participants admitted to consciously changing their behaviour, language and appearances in situations in order to build trust with stakeholders. This involves at times appearing “professional” while at other times self-humbling in order to build a shared-identity with others. The participants struggle to appear sincere, but recognize that their impressions are sometimes met with suspicion. There are limitations to the sampling technique and research design. A larger sample that interviewed a group of leaders from one region would be preferable to this small, cross-national one. In this thesis it is impossible to know whether the participants’ claims are warranted. Longitudinal participant observation would enable the researcher to see inconsistencies and also to understand how others interpret the leaders’ impression management attempts. However, the research has many benefits; in addition to contributing to the literature and providing examples of Goffman’s dramaturgical metaphors in the context of nonprofit leadership, this thesis may assist leaders in their goals. This thesis could lead to increased self-reflexivity or sharing of impression management techniques and could potentially assist nonprofit leaders with their tenuous missions.