The cognitive processing of a stimulus does not only depend on the physical properties of the stimulus itself but also on the larger context in which it occurs. In this thesis I will present a number of studies that investigate this context-dependency at different levels of cognition. In particular these levels include (1) sensory processing within a modality, (2) sensory integration across modalities and (3) the relation between sensory perception and motor behavior. Accordingly the chapters in this thesis are partitioned into three larger parts, each of which relates to one of these levels. The first study in Part 1 investigates the role of neural oscillations during perceptual grouping. By measuring EEG during contour integration we were not only able to identify the neural sources involved in this process but also to demonstrate local and long-range synchronization of oscillatory activity within frontoparietal networks. This study is then followed by a more general discussion about the properties of oscillatory activity and how they might relate to event-related potentials. The focus of Part 2 will then be on cross-modal interactions and their possible utilization for real-life applications. First we show that simultaneously presented auditory and tactile cues lead to interactions on both a behavioral and neural level. Subsequently we demonstrate how the observed perceptual effects can be used to optimize auditory and tactile localization performance. Finally we propose a setup for utilizing tactile information to enhance the perceptual interpretation of 360° visual scenes. The third and last part of this thesis is dedicated to problems and applications of measuring EEG in the presence of eye movements. Therefore we use eye tracking to investigate and characterize EEG artifacts resulting from ocular activity. Subsequently we develop an algorithm that allows objectively and reliably identifying these artifacts and removing them from the data without affecting the signal from neural sources. Employing this algorithm we then demonstrate that combined EEG and eye tracking can be used for monitoring and shaping both the gaze behavior and the related brain activity in ASD patients. Next to studying cognition with regard to perceptual and behavioral context, this thesis also focuses on the question how the context-relevant signal components can be identified and extracted from the EEG. In the studies presented here we applied a variety of different strategies to approach this problem. These range from resorting to prior knowledge and analyzing only activity from predetermined cortical sources on the one hand, to purely data driven approaches based on logistic regression or eye tracking information on the other hand.

Corruption is a kind of behavior that undermines good governance. Current research has suggested that Jamaica's present anticorruption policy is ineffective, and needs strengthening. A civic organization in Jamaica has advocated for an independent anticorruption agency, with both investigative and prosecutorial powers to strengthen Jamaica's anticorruption policy. Little is known about the perspectives from the Jamaican business community on this concept. The purpose of this study was to discover and understand perspectives from the Jamaican business community on this concept. A framework included in this study is the principal-agent theory, which provides an understanding of the essence and relevance of perspectives from the Jamaican business community. Phenomenological research was used to gain a deep understanding of these perspectives. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 5 business owners and a focus group comprising of 6 business owners. The data were analyzed thematically. Two perspectives were that an independent anticorruption agency with both investigative and prosecutorial powers in Jamaica could result in an improvement in some social benefits for its people, but the agency itself could experience challenges. Participants also thought that a collaboration among societal actors in Jamaica could bring increased success in terms of corruption control. An implication for positive social change is that societal actors in Jamaica can use collaboration to achieve effective public policies for Jamaica.

The mission statements of Utah State University and the Department of Biology, as well as the requirements of funding agencies like the National Science Foundation encourage an integration of teaching and research. I have attempted to achieve that in my dissertation work by using tools I originally created to support and inform my biological research projects to teach science content and inquiry to middle school and undergraduate students. Chapter 2 of this dissertation reports the results of surveys for Hymenophyllum wrightii, a fern with independent gametophyte populations in the Pacific Northwest, which improved our understanding of the range, distribution, and habitat requirements of this species that was previously thought to be rare. The result of these surveys led to the removal of the species from the Forest Service's Alaska Region Sensitive Species List and provided a first report of the species in the contiguous United States. A preliminary genetic data analyses of gametophyte populations found during the surveys sets the stage for future work to determine the relationships between the independent gametophyte populations and sporophytes growing in Haidi Gwaii, British Columbia and East Asia, which is important for understanding their evolutionary and conservation potential. Chapter 3 describes an attempt to explore the population genetics of another fern with independent gametophyte populations, Crepidomanes intricatum in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern North America. This species apparently exists only as gametophytes, which raises interesting questions about how and when it was established, and its conservation and evolutionary potential. This population genetics analysis was not able to be completed, but led to an analysis of potential sources of error in genotyping-by-sequencing datasets and to the development of a set of software tools for evaluating the quality of these datasets. To help better visualize the evolutionary processes at work in populations of ferns with independent gametophytes, I developed an interactive software tool to simulate populations of ferns in a virtual 3-dimensional space. Chapter 4 describes that tool, an educational activity using it to teach population genetics and science inquiry to undergraduates, and the results of a study demonstrating its effects on student content learning and confidence in their ability to perform inquiry. This tool and the activity built around it have been used in undergraduate genetic laboratories at Utah State University since 2011. The apparent benefits of this simulation tool led to a collaboration with educators and the development of another 3-dimensional simulation tool to teach eight grade students about the effects of the environment and human impacts on living organisms. Chapter 4 presents an educational activity using this tool that has been used as part of a larger National Science Foundation funded project to train teachers to use technology in the classroom. The simulations are publicly available and have been used by hundreds of students in two Utah school districts. Together, these projects demonstrate on way that research to expand knowledge can lead to tools to impart knowledge to students.

Problem This study was concerned with the effectiveness of two different programs for teaching remedial mathematics to community college students. An individualized instruction program, making use of independent study and the small group setting, was compared with the traditional lecture-textbook instruction program to determine if there existed significant differences in (a) the rate of attrition, and (b) mathematics performance. A secondary objective was to determine if significant differences existed between students enrolled in remedial mathematics classes at 9 AM and those enrolled at 12 Noon. Method The target population consisted of all students in fourteen community colleges in the Los Angeles area. The sample consisted of all students enrolled in the 9 AM and 12 Noon elementary algebra classes at Rio Hondo College during the fall semester, 1972. One experimental group and one control group were randomly formed from all the students enrolled at 9 AM. The same procedure was used at 12 Noon. The posttest-only control group design was utilized in the study. A chisquare test was used to determine if frequency of dropout is associated with being in the control or experimental groups. Mean scores on a mathematics posttest of achievement were analyzed by two -way analysis of covariance to determine if mathematics performance is associated with being in the control or experimental groups, and if mathematics performance is associated with being in the 9 AM or 12 Noon classes. Results According to the study, there appeared to be no significant differences, at the .05 level, in either the rate of attrition or mathematics performance of community college students taught remedial mathematics under an individualized instruction program as compared with those students taught under the traditional lecture-textbook instruction program. Also, there appeared to be no significant difference, at the .05 level, in the mathematics performance of community college students enrolled in 9 AM remedial mathematics classes compared to students enrolled in 12 Noon remedial mathematics classes. Conclusions As a result of the findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn. Community college remedial mathematics classes using an individualized instruction program as described in this study did not have significantly fewer dropouts than those classes using the traditional lecture-textbook approach. Community college students enrolled in remedial mathematics courses taught under an individualized instruction program as described in this study did not receive significantly higher scores on a mathematics posttest of achievement than those students taught under the traditional lecture-textbook instruction program. There was no significant difference in mathematics performance of community college students enrolled in remedial mathematics courses taught at 9 AM and those taught at 12 Noon. The study, even though the results did not show significant differences at the .05 level, proved to be very helpful in planning for further mathematics classes at the community college.

abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the Feasibility of Using a Non-Counter Movement Squat to Assess Lower Body Strength in Adults ages 20-70 years. Feasibility was tested by measuring five feasibility metrics described by Bowen et al. (Bowen et al., 2009): Acceptability, Demand, Implementation, Practicality, and Limited Efficacy. Seven male subjects and fifteen female subjects participated in the study. The subjects had their height, weight, body fat percentage by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and grip strength measured. Subjects performed a warm-up on a cycle ergometer, a Non-Counter Movement Squat Test (NCMST) 1-repetition maximal strength test using a Smith machine, and a cool down on a treadmill. Each subject then completed a post-participation questionnaire used to measure acceptability, Demand was measured by subjects who agreed to participate, implementation was measured by subjects who completed the protocol, practicality was measured by an administrator survey, and limited efficacy was measured by distribution of strength results by age and for all subjects by sex. Results showed acceptance of hypotheses of acceptability, demand, implementation and practicality for both males and females. Limited efficacy was inconclusive for both males and females resulting in rejection of hypothesis. The findings of this study show that further research is needed to compare the NCMST to other lower body muscular strength tests to determine the validity of the NCMST. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Healthcare Innovation 2019

There is a lack of knowledge in the area of training needs for Deaf/Blind vocational rehabilitation and/or independent living service providers in Florida. This quantitative study utilized self-report surveys of Deaf/Blind providers in Florida to determine what needs to be done related to professional development. The researcher attempted to determine what service providers identify as areas of strength, and what areas they perceive to be those which require additional professional development training. The study participants were 31 professionals who worked at state agencies, non-profits, for-profits, private, or federal agencies that provide services to the Deaf/Blind population in Florida in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and/or independent living. The survey was developed by the researcher based on previous research in the areas of best practice in vocational rehabilitation and independent living. The areas that the survey addressed are interagency collaboration/relationship building, self-determination, parent involvement/parent support, and additional training areas. There were 18 questions on the survey that took participants no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Quantitative data were collected using a commercial platform to keep respondents’ information confidential and analyzed using descriptive statistics which include percentages and other data. Key areas were identified in which providers to the Deaf/Blind may need additional training in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and independent living. The results suggested that the background training of Deaf/Blind providers is varied. Even though Deaf/Blind providers’ training is varied, perceived strengths and weaknesses were suggested.

This is a descriptive and analytical study of the twelve adolescents who have participated in the Independent Living Subsidy Program (ILSP) in the Model Cities area of Portland. It is an assessment of the program’s impact on the adolescents in working toward the goals of independence and self-sufficiency. The concept of a program which would subsidize out-of-home care for certain adolescents in living facilities of their own, with a measure of independence, was conceived by a caseworker at the Children’s Services Division (CSD) and an administrator of a children’s residential care facility.

En este estudio se examina la creación de la idea de negocio llamada Easy Move. Esta idea de negocio quiere aprovechar el boom inmobiliaria que se presenta en Perú adaptando las necesidades del mercado al servicio. El concepto de este servicio es de conectar a un transportista independiente con un cliente interesado en el servicio de mudanza. Por medio de hipótesis y concierge se examinan los posibles escenarios de este negocio y se va dando forma a la idea negocio de acuerdo a las necesidades de los clientes. Los datos analizados muestran que existen diferentes tipos de necesidades en las personas que se quieren mudar. Se identifican diferentes tipos de clientes, las personas que planifican su mudanza, las personas que no planifican su mudanza y necesitan mudarse de inmediato y los transportistas independientes que necesitan clientes interesados en sus servicios. Además, los datos analizados reflejan que, si se resuelve el problema de un potencial cliente, este se sentirá satisfecho y adquirirá el servicio. / This study examines the creation of the business idea called Easy Move. This business idea is going to take advantage of the real estate boom that is present in Peru, adapting the needs of the market to the service. The concept of this service is to connect an independent carrier with a customer interested in moving services. By means of hypothesis and concierge, the possible scenarios of this business are examined, and the business idea is shaped according to the needs of the clients. The data analysed showed that there are different types of needs in people who want to move. Different types of clients are identified, the people who plan their move, the people who do not plan their move, and need to move immediately and the independent carriers that need clients interested in their services. In addition, the analysed data reflects that if the problem of a potential client is solved, they will feel satisfied and will require the service. / Trabajo de investigación

A qualitative research approach and the reliance to a large extent on existing literature are used in this study to demonstrate Zambia's stagnant position in becoming a true democracy. While the country is seen as a beacon of peace in Africa, reflected in the peaceful transfer of power after elections, police brutality is rampant. Those with divergent views are not spared and suffer at the hands of police using the Public Order Act in instances of ‘breach of peace' and as an excuse for maintaining ‘public order'. Zambia continues to have a poor human rights record, reflected in the perpetration of violence against its citizenry with impunity by government officials and the political elites. Alleged cases of corruption rarely end in convictions despite overwhelming evidence of illegal practices. The Electoral Commission of Zambia and the judiciary are often accused of being biased towards the political establishment. A failure to appear autonomous has not only negatively affected their operations but has created negative perceptions and a loss of public confidence in these critical institutions. This, in turn, has resulted in the further undermining of democracy, as these important agencies are seemingly ineffective in ensuring that Zambia becomes a true democracy.

Background: In this world of rapidly developing technologies, it has become less of a challenge for individuals to start a career within music and promote their brand. The emergence of social media has revolutionized digital marketing and facilitated the distribution of music across different online platforms. Artists working independently in the music industry have been challenged to undertake a dual role of being both a creator of music, as well as a marketer. Purpose: This research covers an uninvestigated topic. The paper firstly explores the various possibilities for self-promotion for independent artists, provided by living in a technological world. The second aspect which is examined is how record labels can support artists in their careers through doing their promotion campaigns and establishing their brand identity. Method: This is an exploratory qualitative study, which was conducted deductively. Eight semi- structured interviews were held with independent artists working with music in Sweden, the findings from which were organized through a thematic analysis. The design of the research follows a case study approach. Conclusion: The empirical findings suggest that independent artists use a DIY (Do It Yourself) approach in their careers, specifically in the marketing of their music and their personal brand. Using features provided by social media channels, distribution companies and music streaming services, as well as having consistent personal branding were some of the ways in which independent artists digitally self-promote themselves. On the other side, labels support artists by having bigger budgets and doing more outspread digital promotion campaigns, which allows the artists to focus on the creation of music, rather than on marketing planning and decision-making. The study contributes to research within the field of music marketing. Furthermore, suggestions for future research are provided.