Neuropsychological testing is one method used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. However, the testing process may be affected by subtle external factors which if not controlled for may have the ability to affect the scores obtained. The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of some of these external factors, namely caffeine, non-oily fish consumption and time of day. A secondary aim was to evaluate the use of a novel virtual assessment as a possible tool for the early detection of AD. Healthy elderly participants over the age of sixty with no existing cognitive impairment or neurological condition were recruited to take part. For each external factor investigated participants were required to undertake a cognitive assessment. The results demonstrated that subtle external factors present during a typical testing session have the ability to significantly affect the scores obtained. Scores on one part of the virtual test correlated with existing tests used for the early detection of cognitive impairment and were significantly lower in participants classified as mildly impaired. With further modification this test has the potential to be used as an early detection tool. The results have implications for the interpretation of neuropsychological test scores which may be considered when classifying participants, determining treatment interventions, selecting participants for research and making a diagnosis. These findings have important considerations for psychological and cognitive research that investigates human brain function.

Many United States secondary students perform poorly on standardized summative science assessments. Situated Assessments using Virtual Environments (SAVE) Science is an innovative assessment project that seeks to capture students' science knowledge and understanding by contextualizing problems in a game-based virtual environment called Scientopolis. Within Scientopolis, students use an "avatar" to interact with non-player characters (NPCs), artifacts, embedded clues and "sci-tools" in order to help solve the problems of the townspeople. In an attempt to increase students' success on assessments, SAVE science places students in an environment where they can use their inquiry skills to solve problems instead of reading long passages which attempt to contextualize questions but ultimately cause construct-irrelevant variance. However, within these assessments reading is still required to access the test questions and character interactions. This dissertation explores how students' in-world performances differ when exposed to a Reading Aloud Accommodation (RAA) treatment in comparison to a control group. Student perceptions of the treatment are also evaluated. While a RAA is typically available for students with learning disabilities or English language learners, within this study, all students were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control, regardless of any demographic factors or learning barriers. The theories of Universal design for learning and brain-based learning advocate for multiple ways for students to engage, comprehend, and illustrate their content knowledge. Further, through providing more ways for students to interact with content, all students should benefit, not just those with learning disabilities. Students in the experimental group listened to the NPCs speak the dialogue that provides them with the problem, clues, and assessment questions, instead of relying on reading skills to gather the information. Overall, students in the treatment group statistically outperformed those in the control. Student perceptions of using the reading aloud accommodation were generally positive. Ideas for future research are presented to investigate the accommodation further. / CITE/Mathematics and Science Education

Neuropsychological testing is one method used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. However, the testing process may be affected by subtle external factors which if not controlled for may have the ability to affect the scores obtained. The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of some of these external factors, namely caffeine, non-oily fish consumption and time of day. A secondary aim was to evaluate the use of a novel virtual assessment as a possible tool for the early detection of AD. Healthy elderly participants over the age of sixty with no existing cognitive impairment or neurological condition were recruited to take part. For each external factor investigated participants were required to undertake a cognitive assessment. The results demonstrated that subtle external factors present during a typical testing session have the ability to significantly affect the scores obtained. Scores on one part of the virtual test correlated with existing tests used for the early detection of cognitive impairment and were significantly lower in participants classified as mildly impaired. With further modification this test has the potential to be used as an early detection tool. The results have implications for the interpretation of neuropsychological test scores which may be considered when classifying participants, determining treatment interventions, selecting participants for research and making a diagnosis. These findings have important considerations for psychological and cognitive research that investigates human brain function.

This document is intended to give an overview of the human subject study in a driving simulator that was conducted by the Chair of Traffic and Transportation Psychology (Verkehrspsychologie – VPSY) of the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) to provide the Chair of Automotive Engineering (Lehrstuhl Kraftfahrzeugtechnik – LKT) of TUD with the necessary input for the validation of a stochastic traffic simulation, especially for the parameterization, consolidation, and validation of driver behaviour models. VPSY planned, conducted, and analysed a driving simulator study. The main purpose of the study was to analyse driving behaviour and gaze data at intersections in urban areas. Based on relevant literature, a simulated driving environment was created, in which a sample of drivers passed a variety of intersections. Considering different driver states, driving tasks, and traffic situations, the collected data provide detailed information about human gaze and driving behaviour when approaching and crossing intersections. The collected data was transferred to LKT for the development of the stochastic traffic simulation.

Saab Barracuda utvecklar och tillverkar avancerade kamouflagesystem för skydd mot upptäckt och identifiering genom signaturanpassning. Signaturanpassning är en grundläggande del av taktiska strategin för militära styrkor och uppnås genom att reducera kontrasten mot bakgrunden för ändamålsenliga våglängdsområden inom det elektromagnetiska spektrumet. I det visuella området reduceras signaturskillnader främst genom färger och mönster, vilket anpassas till målets taktiska miljö. För att kunna optimera kamouflage är det viktigt att kunna utvärdera och bedöma de olika inverkande egenskapernas effektivitet när det kommer till att reducera ett objekts signatur, vilket syftar på de egenskaper som karaktäriserar ett objekt och särskiljer den från dess omgivning. Konventionellt sett görs detta genom studier i fältmiljö. Metoden ger en verklighetsförankring men kombinationen av olika objekttyper, terränger, taktiska avstånd och miljörelaterade parametrar gör utvärderingsmomentet snabbt till en tids- och resurskrävande process. Syftet med arbetet är att ta fram en metod för virtuell utvärdering av kamouflage visuella maskeringsförmåga som bidrar till att göra framtagningen mer tids- och resurseffektiv. Tillvägagångssättet består av dokumentstudier i kombination med simuleringsstudier. Metodiken efterföljer Design research methodology (DRM) som syftar till att ge en förståelse för processer samt utveckla stöd för att förbättra eller optimera dem. Resultatet från studien bildar sammantaget med en metod för att virtuellt kunna utvärdera mönster. En 3D modell av kamouflagenätet har tagits fram och en metod för insamling av 2D bilder av terränger beskrivs. Metoden möjliggör utvärdering av maskeringsförmågan hos kamouflage på olika observationsavstånd och betraktningsvinklar där byte av mönster och bakgrunder med enkelhet kan utföras. Soldata kan anpassas till bilden för att erhålla ett visuellt, realistiskt resultat. Utvärdering görs i programmet Adobe Dimension och modellen har skapats i Autodesk 3ds Max. Inställningar för att efterlikna det fysiska nätets mekaniska samt spektrala egenskaper approximativt togs fram genom att subjektivt jämföra den optiska konstrasten mellan simulering och foto. Resultatet presenterades för forskning- och utvecklingsavdelningen på Saab Barracuda med 14 personer närvarande. / Saab Barracuda develops and manufactures advanced camouflage systems for protection against detection and identification through signature management. Signature management is a fundamental part of the tactical strategy of military forces and is achieved by reducing the contrast against the background of appropriate wavelength ranges within the electromagnetic spectrum. In the visual field, signature differences are mainly reduced by colors and patterns, which are adapted to the target's tactical environment. In order to enable optimization of camouflage, it is important to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the various influencing properties when it comes to reducing an object's signature, which further refers to the characteristics of an object that distinguish it from its surroundings. Nowadays, this is mainly done through field studies. The method provides an accurate picture of the dynamic range that occurs in reality, but the combination of different types of objects, terrains, tactical distances and environmental-related parameters quickly makes the evaluation process a time and resource consuming process. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a method for virtual evaluation of a camouflage visual signature in order to make the development process more time and resource efficient. The approach consists of document studies in combination with simulation studies. The methodology used to achieve the method follows Design research methodology (DRM), which aims to provide an understanding of processes and develop support to improve or optimize them. The results of the study together form a workflow for virtual evaluation of different patterns. A 3D model of the camouflage net has been developed and a method for collecting 2D images of terrains is described. The method enables evaluation at different observation distances and viewing angles where patterns and backgrounds easily can be changed. Sun and weather data can be adapted to the image to visually obtain a realistic result. Evaluation is done in Adobe Dimension and the model has been created in Autodesk 3ds max. The settings used to mimic the mechanical and spectral properties of the physical camouflage were approximated by subjectively comparing the optical contrast between simulation and photo. The result was presented for the research and development team on Saab Barracuda with 14 persons being present.

This document is intended to give an overview of the validation of the human subject study, conducted in the driving simulator of the Chair of Traffic and Transportation Psychology (Verkehrspsychologie – VPSY) of the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), as well of the validation of the stochastic traffic simulation developed in the AutoDrive project by the Chair of Automotive Engineering (Lehrstuhl Kraftfahrzeugtechnik – LKT) of TUD. Furthermore, the evaluation process of a C-AEB (Cooperative-Automatic Emergency Brake) system is demonstrated. The main purpose was to compare the driving behaviour of the study participants and the driving behaviour of the agents in the traffic simulation with real world data. Based on relevant literature, a validation concept was designed and real world data was collected using drones and stationary cameras. By means of qualitative and quantitative analysis it could be shown, that the driving simulator study shows realistic driving behaviour in terms of mean speed. Moreover, the stochastic traffic simulation already reflects reality in terms of mean and maximum speed of the agents. Finally, the performed evaluation proofed the suitability of the developed stochastic simulation for the assessment process. Furthermore, it could be shown, that a C-AEB system improves the traffic safety for the chosen test-scenarios.

Within the AutoDrive project, openPASS is used to develop a cognitive stochastic traffic flow simulation for urban intersections and highway scenarios, which are described in deliverable D1.14. The deliverable D2.16 includes the customizations of the framework openPASS that are required to provide a basis for the development and implementation of the driver behavior model and the evaluated safety function. The trial design for the evaluation of the safety functions is described. Furthermore, the design of the driver behavior study is introduced to parameterize and validate the underlying driver behavior model.

As part of the AutoDrive project, OpenPASS is used to develop a cognitive-stochastic traffic flow simulation for urban intersection scenarios described in deliverable D1.14. The deliverable D4.20 is about the design of the modules for the stochastic traffic simulation. This initially includes an examination of the existing traffic simulations described in chapter 2. Subsequently, the underlying tasks of the driver when crossing an intersection are explained. The main part contains the design of the cognitive structure of the road user (chapter 4.2) and the development of the cognitive behaviour modules (chapter 4.3).

As part of the AutoDrive project, the OpenPASS framework is used to develop a cognitive-stochastic traffic flow simulation for urban intersection scenarios described in deliverable D1.14. This framework was adapted and further developed. The deliverable D5.13 deals with the construction of the stochastic traffic simulation. At this point of the process, the theoretical design aspects of D4.20 are implemented. D5.13 explains the operating principles of the different modules. This includes the foundations, boundary conditions, and mathematical theory of the traffic simulation.

Objetivo: Evaluar la confiabilidad de la aplicación virtual del método RULA modificado de Lueder para la evaluación postural en teletrabajadores. Métodos y Materiales: Estudio observacional de tipo instrumental, realizado en teletrabajadores mayores de 20 años que trabajaron en los tiempos de pre, durante y post confinamiento y no presentaron diagnósticos que impidan el desarrollo de su trabajo. Se utilizó el método Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) y la herramienta RULER para clasificar el nivel de acción de las posturas disergonómicas evaluadas en las fotografías obtenidas a través de videollamadas hechas previamente con el trabajador. Se validó el estudio mediante el juicio de expertos y se aplicó el porcentaje de acuerdo y el coeficiente de Kappa de Cohen para la confiabilidad intraevaluador e interevaluador. Resultados: Se reclutaron y se evaluaron a 80 teletrabajadores, en un rango de edades de 20 a 70 años. Los puntajes obtenidos por ambas evaluadoras fueron similares. Además, se determinó la confiabilidad interevaluador del método RULA modificado mediante el coeficiente Kappa, obteniendo un valor por encima del 0.8 con IC 95% (0.82-0.95) y un porcentaje de acuerdo mayor al 90%, por el contrario, la confiabilidad intraevaluador se obtuvo un porcentaje de acuerdo mayor al 60%, un valor de 0.5 y IC 95% (0.40-0.64). Conclusión: La aplicación virtual del método RULA modificado es confiable para la evaluación del riesgo ergonómico en los puestos de trabajo de teletrabajadores. / Objective: Assess reliability of the virtual application of Lueder's modified RULA method for postural assessment in teleworkers. Methods and Materials: Instrumental observational study, carried out on teleworkers over 20 years of age who worked in the pre-, during and post-confinement periods and did not present diagnoses that prevented them from carrying out their work. It was used the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and the RULER tool to classify the level of action of the dysergonomic postures evaluated in the pictures obtained through the video calls made previously with the worker. It was validated by expert judgement and the percentage of agreement and Cohen's Kappa coefficient were applied for intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results: Eighty teleworkers, ranging in age from 20 to 70 years, were recruited and evaluated. The scores obtained by both assessors were similar. In addition, the inter-rater reliability of the modified RULA method was determined by means of the Kappa coefficient, obtaining a value above 0.8 with 95% CI (0.82-0.95) and a percentage of agreement greater than 90%, while the intra-rater reliability obtained a percentage of agreement greater than 60%, a value of 0.5 and 95% CI (0.40-0.64). Conclusion: The virtual application of the modified RULA method is reliable for ergonomic risk assessment at teleworkers' workstations. / Tesis