In this Thesis, I systematize, clarify, and expand the current theory of emotion based on the principles of predictive processing-the interoceptive inference view of emotion-so as to show the following: (1) as it stands, this view is problematic. (2) Once expanded, the view in question can deal with its more pressing problems, and it compares favourably to competing accounts. Thus, the interoceptive inference view of emotion stands out as a plausible theory of emotion. According to the predictive processing (PP) framework, all what the brain does, in all its functions, is to minimize its precision-weighted prediction error (PE) (Clark, 2013, 2016; Hohwy, 2013). Roughly, PE consist in the difference between the sensory signals expected (and generated) from the top-down and the actual, incoming sensory signals. Now, in the PP framework, visual percepts are formed by minimizing visual PE in a specific manner: via visual perceptual inference. That is, the brain forms visual percepts in a top-down fashion by predicting its incoming lower-level sensory signals from higher-level models of the likely (hidden) causes of those visual signals. Such models can be seen as putting forward content-specifying hypotheses about the object or event responsible for triggering incoming sensory activity. A contentful percept is formed once a certain hypothesis achieves to successfully match, and thus supress, current lower-level sensory signals. In the interoceptive inference approach to interoception (Seth, 2013, 2015), the principles of PP have been extended to account for interoception, i.e., the perception of our homeostatic, physiological condition. Just as perception in the visual domain arises via visual perceptual inference, the interoceptive inference approach holds that perception of the inner, physiological milieu arises via interoceptive perceptual inference. Now, what might be called the interoceptive inference theory of valence (ITV) holds that the interoceptive inference approach can be used so as to account for subjective feeling states in general, i.e., mental states that feel good or bad-i.e., valenced mental states. According to ITV, affective valence arises by way of interoceptive perceptual inference. On the other hand, what might be called the interoceptive inference view of emotion (IIE) holds that the interoceptive inference approach can be used so as to account for emotions per se (e.g., fear, anger, joy). More precisely, IIE holds that, in direct analogy to the way in which visual percepts are formed, emotions arise from interoceptive predictions of the causes of current interoceptive afferents. In other words, emotions per se amount to interceptive percepts formed via higher-level, content-specifying emotion hypotheses. In this Thesis, I aim to systematize, clarify, and expand the interoceptive inference approach to interoception, in order to show that: (1) contrary to non-sensory theories of affective valence, valence is indeed constituted by interoceptive perceptions, and that interoceptive percepts do arise via interoceptive perceptual inference. Therefore, ITV holds. (2) Considering that IIE exhibits problematic assumptions, it should be amended. In this respect, I will argue that emotions do not arise via interoceptive perceptual inference (as IIE claims), since this assumes that there must be regularities pertaining to emotion in the physiological domain. I will suggest that emotions arise instead by minimizing interoceptive PE in another fashion. That is, emotions arise via external interoceptive active inference: by sampling and modifying the external environment in order to change an already formed interoceptive percept (which has been formed via interoceptive perceptual inference). That is, emotions are specific strategies for regulating affective valence. More precisely, I will defend the view that a certain emotion E amounts to a specific strategy for minimizing interoceptive PE by way of a specific set of stored knowledge of the counterfactual relations that obtain between (possible) actions and its prospective interoceptive, sensory consequences ("if I act in this manner, interoceptive signals should evolve in such-and-such way"). An emotion arises when such knowledge is applied in order to regulate valence.

O presente trabalho analisa dois momentos na obra do grupo de rap paulistano Racionais Mc´s. O primeiro momento, de 1990 a 1993, estrutura um modo de crítica que se caracteriza pelo tom denuncista, assemelhado ao tom professoral, no enfoque das composições, cujo ponto de vista dos raps não se constrói a partir da periferia, mas deslocado, pretensamente acima dela, em razão da posição em destaque do rapper nesse espaço social. Já o segundo momento, a partir dos raps Fim de semana no parque e Homem na estrada, do álbum Raio X do Brasil (1993), é marcado pela superação do ponto de vista professoral, pois as composições formalizam a perspectiva do morador de periferia, cujo resultado estético não só olha para a periferia, mas partir desse espaço social. / The present work focus on and analyses two moments in the work of São Paulo rap group Racionais MC\'s. The first of these moments, from 1990 to 1993, structures a critical mode that singularizes itself by an accusatory, rather preachy, tone in the artistic approach developed by the compositions. Its point of view does not builds itself from the peripheral world, but is displaced as if above it, due to the rapper\'s outstanding position in that social space. The second moment, starting with the raps \"Weekend in the park\" (\"Fim de semana no parque\") and \"The man in the road\" (\"Homem na estrada\"), from the Raio X do Brasil album (1993), overcomes that preachy tone, as the aforementioned compositions formalize the peripheral resident\'s perspective, the aesthetic result of which does not only look at the periphery, but from that social space.

Resumo: Nesta dissertação nós mostraremos, pela contribuição da filosofia de Merleau-Ponty, focalizando o conceito de expressão e os processos de referenciação, que as relações entre linguagem, corpo e mundo da vida são formadoras do simbolismo e da significação. Em acréscimo, examinaremos alguns desenvolvimentos recentes das vertentes lingüísticas de uma perspectiva sócio-cognitiva da linguagem, refletindo sobre as conseqüências da afirmação da união senciente-sensível para a ontologia clássica da mente e da linguagem, como também para a teoria corrente do conhecimento e dos debates epistemológicos sobre a negação dos dualismos interno-externo, sujeito-objeto e mente-corpo. / Abstract: In this dissertation we will show, through contribution of the philosophy Merleau-Ponty, focusing the conception of expression and the referention processes, however relations between language, body and life's world is formed the simbolism and the signification. In addition, we will examine some recent developments from the linguistics siope of a social-cognitive view of the language, reflecting upon the consequences of this assert of the unite perceive-perceptible to the classic ontogeny of mind and language, as well as to current theory of knowledge and espistemological debates about negation of the dualisms internal-external, subject-object, mind-body. / Orientador: Jonas Gonçalves Coelho / Coorientador: Edwiges Maria Morato / Banca: Helena Franco Martins / Banca: Mariana Claudia Broens / Banca: Rosana do Carmo Novaes Pinto / Banca: Lourenço Chacon / Mestre

[pt] Rendering Baseado em Imagens (IBR - Image-Based Rendering) é um a tendência forte em visualização devido à alta qualidade da imagem. Um dos problemas mais complexos é a composição de objetos (3D ou não) na imagem do panorama. O uso de IBR em plataformas restritas, como os celulares, encontra inúmeras dificuldades e não conta com muitos trabalhos na literatura. Este trabalho analisa as possibilidades de implementação de IBR com objetos ativos em celulares. Um protótipo é proposto e resultados são comentados. / [en] Image Based Rendering (IBR) is a strong tendence in visualization due to the high quality of the images. One of the most complex problems is the 2D/3D object composition in a panorama. The use of IBR in limited platforms, like cell phones, faces a number of problems and the literature is scarse. This work analizes the possibility of implementing IBR with active objects in cell phones. A prototype is presented and results are analyzed.

The resource-based view of the firm (RBV) is one the most important areas of research content to emerge in the field of strategic management in the last 15 years. The RBV is prescriptive. That is, the RBV prescribes that competitive advantage stems from those resources that are valuable, rare, inimitable, and nonsubstitutable (VRIN). With rare exception, resources that meet the VRIN criteria are widely purported to be intangible in nature. From a research perspective, the RBV stream tends to be dominated by conceptual discussions and advancements. However, empirical tests of the core premises, or the main prescription, of the theory are argued to be very limited in quantity. To add to the body of empirical research that seeks to verify the main prescription of the RBV, this research undertakes a new and different level of analysis, one that has not been previously tested. Given that firms compete with both tangible and intangible resources, the present study is interested in determining if, as the RBV implicitly prescribes, resources that are intangible in nature are more important determinants of firm success than tangible resources. Although the research question is basic and fundamental, it has rarely been appropriately or adequately tested within the RBV stream, as is demonstrated by this thesis. To carry out the research, this study offers a conceptual model of the firm’s resource pool that includes tangible assets (financial and physical assets), intangible assets (intellectual property assets, organizational assets, reputational assets), and capabilities. A series of hypotheses are posited to explore the proposition that intangible resources contribute more greatly to firm success, on the dimensions of sales turnover, market share, and profitability, than tangible resources. / A field survey, administered to 2000 manufacturing and services businesses operating in Australia, is used to gather the data. Of the 2000 surveys sent, the hypotheses are empirically tested using multiple hierarchical regression analysis on a final sample of 291 firms. Control variables include firm age and Porter’s five forces of industry structure. Based on the results, verification of the RBV’s main prescription can not be supported unequivocally. Intellectual property assets, for example, do not have a statistically significant association with firm success, after accounting for the effects of tangible resources and the control variables. Organizational assets, however, not only explain additionally significant variation in firm success, after accounting for the effects of tangible resources and the control variables, but make among the greatest, unique contribution to firm success based on the size of the beta coefficients. Reputational assets offer additional explanatory power to predicting firm success after accounting for the effects of tangible assets and the control variables, but only with respect to one measure of firm success does its beta coefficient make a larger, unique contribution than financial assets. Lastly, contrary to theory, capabilities are not the single most important determinant of firm success, after accounting for the effects of intangible assets, and tangible and intangible assets, in two separate hierarchical regression equations. This finding is surprising and explanations are provided. Overall, the study raises some questions with respect to just which resources are the most important determinants of a firm’s market and financial success and offers a fruitful avenue for further research.

The primary function of an automobile rear View Mirror is to provide the driver with a clear vision interpretation of all objects to the rear and side of the vehicle. The rear View Mirror is a bluff body and there are several problems associated with the rear View Mirror. These include buffeting, image distortion (due to aerodynamically induced and structural vibration), aerodynamically induced noise (due to cavities and gaps) and water and dirt accumulation on Mirror glass Surface. Due to excessive glass vibration, the rear View Mirror may not provide a clear image. Thus, vibrations of Mirror can severely impair the driver's vision and safety of the vehicle and its occupants. The rear View Mirrors are generally located close to the A-pillar region on the side window. A conical vortex forms on the side window close to A-pillar due to A-pillar geometry and the presence of side rear View Mirror and flow separation from it makes the airflow even more complex. The primary objective of this work is to study the aerodynamic pressures on Mirror Surface at Various speeds to determine the effects of aerodynamics on to Mirror vibration. Additionally, the Mirror was modified by Shrouding around the external periphery to determine the possibility of minimisation of aerodynamic pressure fluctuations and thereby vibration. The Shrouding length used for the analysis was of 24mm, 34mm and 44mm length. The mean and fluctuating pressures were measured using a production rear side View Mirror fitted to a ¼ quarter production passenger car in RMIT Industrial Wind Tunnel. The tests were also conducted in semi-isolation condition to understand influence of the A-pillar geometry. The mean and fluctuating pressures were converted into non-dimensional pressure coefficients (Cp and Cprms) and the frequency content of the fluctuating pressure was analysed. The results show that the fluctuating aerodynamic pressures are not uniformly distributed over an automobile Mirror Surface. The highest magnitude of fluctuating pressure for the standard Mirror was found at the central bottom part of the Mirror Surface. The highest magnitude of fluctuating pressure for the modified Mirror was found at the central top part of the Mirror Surface. As expected, the modification has significant effect on the magnitude of fluctuating pressure. The results show that an increase of Shrouding length reduces the magnitude of the fluctuating pressure. The frequency-based analysis was done to understand the energy characteristics of the flow, particularly to its phase, since it is the out of phase components that usually cause Mirror rotational vibration. The spectral analysis showed that the magnitude of the energy distribution reduces with increase of shrouding length throughout the frequency range. Flow visualisation was also used to supplement the pressure data. The effects of yaw angles were not included in this study, however, are thought to be worthy of further investigation. On road testing and the variation of mirror locations might have some effects on the fluctuating pressures. These need to be investigated in the future work. The quarter model used in this study was a car specific. However, for more generic results, a simplified model with variable geometry can be used in future study.

My dissertation asserts that the discourses which at the present time construct the world of work for teachers in adult TESOL, are no longer adequate to represent the field in these new and rapidly changing times. For the last forty years the discourses that have constructed the field present a totalising, gender free, liberal humanist view of TESOL, rendering women's experience invisible, no longer speaking to or for women teachers who make up more than ninety percent of the teachers in Victorian adult TESOL programs (Cope & Kalantzis 1993, Brodkey 1991, Fine 1992, Peirce 1995). I begin by exploring the work of women teachers in adult TESOL, focusing on women teaching in the fast growing de-institutionalised settings of adult TESOL programs, which remain marginalised from the central programs in terms of administrative policy and practice. I report the findings of a series of projects undertaken by the teachers and the researcher by which new insights and understandings of teachers beliefs about their work and the changes which are currently reconstructing the field of adult language and literacy education in Australia, have been gained. I questions the discourses of applied linguistics which have for the past forty years constructed the field of adult TESOL in Australia and suggests that these lack a social theory (Candlin 1989). From the research findings I questions the possibility of continuing to work in the ways of the past, in the current climate of reconstruction of the field, rapid policy change and continued erosion of resources. I suggest that the previously loose system which held this field of work together, the ways of working, the understandings of practice, have in the light of these new times, been stretched to the limit and are in real danger of collapse. For the women working in TESOL this continued incursion of the systems into their work and the changes that have taken place, the denial of their ways of working, their local knowledge and gendered experiences, can be read against Habermas' concept of the colonisation of the lifeworld of language teaching (Habermas 1987).

<p>The purpose of this paper was to examine how young parenthood is represented by the professionals and their thoughts and experiences from meetings with the young parents, and how the professionals work with this group of parents. As professionals we refer to those who work with young parents, and the definition of young parents are parents in the ages 15-24. The paper also discusses what needs these parents have, and what kind of support the society offers, according to the professionals. The method we worked with was interviews and we interviewed six professionals to find out how the professionals looked upon the young parents and their situation. Earlier research has stated that young parenthood is associated with many risks and disadvantages for both the parents and their children. What we discovered was that young parenthood not necessarily has to be only about disadvantages. Many benefits were brought up during our interviews. Among others the professionals saw the young parents as more spontaneous and more to easy with their children, compared to older parents. The young parents also seemed less concerned than the older parents and their young age made them more biologically suited to have children. Some of the disadvantages we found were that many lacked higher education and trouble finding suitable accommodation because of lack of income. As a conclusion the professionals stated that a social network was of most importance for the young parents.</p>

<p>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a global concern and has been adopted by many largemultinational corporations. Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the mostcommon type of business in the EU including Sweden, yet most research on CSR has beenfocused on large corporations. As SMEs run in various settings and there have been littleempirical studies on CSR in SMEs, the purpose of this study is to fill a part of the researchgap and provide an in-depth look at CSR in SME to investigate specific barriers and/oropportunities to addressing CSR. This study reviews the relevant literature of CSR in SMEs.Through semi-constructed interviews with two small-sized organic product companies inSweden, this study analyzed CSR from an SME perspective in a Swedish context by CSRtheory and Resource-Based View (RBV). According to the findings, the main barrier for CSRfor the case companies is financial recourse constraints, while the main opportunity is theircapability for communication. This study contributes and motivates CSR in SMEs bydemonstrating how they understand CSR, how they communicate with both internal andexternal stakeholders of their best practices, and providing examples to share the experiencesfor SMEs.</p>

<p>Denna undersökning syftar till att undersöka nationella skillnader i moralutveckling och innehåll i moraliskt resonemang. Studien omfattar 445 svenska och 148 amerikanska ungdomar i åldern 14-19 år. De svenska fpp är hämtade från högstadium och gymnasium i Stockholmsområdet, och de amerikanska från två katolska privatskolor i New York. Dessa tog del av ett moralfrågeformulär av Gibbs (Gibbs & Widaman, 1982; Socio-moral Reflection Measure; SRM) som är en reviderad version av Kohlbergs intervjumetod för bedömning av en individs moralutveckling och kvalitativa, moraliska synsätt i frågor rörande moral. Vid analysen förelåg inga nationella skillnader i moralutvecklingsnivå. Resultaten visade ej heller på skillnader mellan svenska och amerikanska ungdomars sätt att resonera kring moraliska frågor, utom i två fall, som kan tänkas visa på ett typiskt svenskt och ett typiskt amerikanskt sätt att tänka och försvara etiska ställningstaganden. Resultatet diskuteras utifrån (nämnda) teorier inom ämnesområdet.</p> / <p>The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are National differences in moral development and content of moral reasoning. The study includes 445 Swedish and 148 North American youths in the age of 14-19 years. The Swedish subjects of the study come from an upper level of compulsory school in the area around Stockholm, and the North American subjects of the study come from two private Catholic schools in New York. The subjects answered Gibbs’ Moral questionnaire (Gibbs & Widaman, 1982; Socio-moral Reflections Measure; SRM), which is a revised version of Kohlberg’s survey method for estimating individual moral development and qualitative moral viewpoints. The analysis showed no Nation-bound differences concerning moral development level between the youths. Neither could any differences between Swedish and North American young peoples’ way of reasoning on moral issues be traced, except in two cases, which possibly show a typical Swedish and a typical North American way of thinking and defending ethical standpoints. The result is discussed in relation to mentioned theories of the subject area.</p>