Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-14T18:15:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lucienebandeirarodriguesdemelo.pdf: 2519536 bytes, checksum: 8efc05845c9ae6f4510a1fc453949e1b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-09-26T20:18:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lucienebandeirarodriguesdemelo.pdf: 2519536 bytes, checksum: 8efc05845c9ae6f4510a1fc453949e1b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-26T20:18:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lucienebandeirarodriguesdemelo.pdf: 2519536 bytes, checksum: 8efc05845c9ae6f4510a1fc453949e1b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-17 / A classificação de função executiva, que corresponde a um sistema gerenciador que tem como atributo organizar uma sequência de ações a fim de atingir um objetivo, tem sido amplamente estudada por dois conceituados autores, quais sejam, Joaquin Fuster e Alan Baddeley. O objetivo deste trabalho teórico é propor uma fusão entre as ideias destes dois neurocientistas. Fuster postulou que a função executiva opera por meio de redes neurais interativas e sobrepostas (cógnitos), distribuídas nos córtices de associação (principalmente o córtex pré-frontal), que alimentam o ciclo percepção-ação, constituindo assim as unidades básicas do processamento executivo. As atividades de ordenação dos cógnitos e programação temporal das ações em novas e complexas sequências de comportamento se dá por meio da integração de estímulos externos (sensoriais) e estímulos internos (memórias), tornando possível a integração temporal de ações para o cumprimento de metas. Fuster divide a função executiva de integração temporal do córtex pré-frontal em três sub-funções cognitivas: ajuste preparatório, controle inibitório e memória de trabalho. Baddeley, por outro lado, propôs o modelo multicomponente para a memória de trabalho (MT) que é composto por um executivo central, uma alça fonológica, um esboço visuoespacial e um buffer episódico. Sendo a atenção um pré-requisito para o armazenamento temporário de uma informação, Baddeley propôs que a MT depende de um sistema atencional de supervisão, o executivo central. Contudo, é possível que o executivo central seja análogo à função de controle inibitório proposta por Fuster, não se caracterizando como um elemento de memória, uma vez que ele não armazena nenhum tipo de informação. Assim, propomos uma nova classificação da função executiva que engloba os modelos de Fuster e de Baddeley. Desta forma, a função executiva (caracterizada pela função de integração temporal), ficaria subdividida em: controle inibitório, ajuste preparatório e memória de trabalho. E a memória de trabalho (que integra a função executiva) seria composta pela alça fonológica, o esboço visuoespacial e o buffer episódico. / The classification of the executive function, which corresponds to a system manager that has the attribute organize a sequence of actions to achieve a goals, has been widely studied by two respected authors, namely, Joaquim Fuster and Alan Baddeley. The objective of this theoretical work is to propose a merger between the ideas of through interactive and overlapping neural networks (learning), distributed in association cortices (especially the prefrontal cortex) that fuel the perception-action and thus constitute the basic units of processing executive. The activities of ordering occurs through the integration of external stimuli (sensory) and internal stimuli (memories), making possible the temporal integration of actions to accomplish goals. Fuster divides the executive function of temporal integration of the prefrontal cortex into three sub-cognitive functions: setting preparatory, inhibitory control and working memory (WM) which consists of a central executive, a phonological loop, a visuospatial sketch and an episodic buffer. Attention being a prerequisite for the temporary storage of information, Baddeley proposed that WM depends on a supervisory attentional system, the executive central. However, it is possible that the central executive function is analogous to the inhibitory control proposed by Fuster, be characterized as a memory element, since it does not store any kind of information. Therefore, we propose a new classification of executive function which includes models Fuster and Baddeley. Thus, the executive function (characterized by the function of integration time), would be subdivided into inhibitory control, set preparatory and working memory. And the working memory (which includes the executive function) would be made by phonological loop, visuospatial sketch and the episodic buffer.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with both cognitive and behavioural executive dysfunction. Assessment of executive dysfunction has traditionally been measured using tests that were not based on theory and this has been postulated as one reason why there are poor predictive relationships between performance on traditional executive tasks and functional outcome following TBI. Baddeley�s (1996) working memory model may offer a theoretical basis with which to design new executive measures and possibly improve prediction of outcome. Baddeley�s theory has made recent advances in identifying core central executive (CE) processes that are likely to be relevant to TBI. The research presented in the thesis used Baddeley�s proposed coordinative sub function of the CE (and it related dual tasking measure) to assess: (a) whether this theoretically based dual tasking test would be sensitive to TBI injury status and show a significant relationship with functional outcome, (b) whether the theoretically based test would be more sensitive to the above relationships than executive measures that have been traditionally available, and (c) whether more ecologically relevant dual tasks could be developed that reflect the coordinative construct and improve predictive relationships between task performance and real life functional ability. This study found that Baddeley�s Dual Task Test (DTT) measure was sensitive to TBI injury and was related to functional outcome following injury. A questionnaire assessing everyday dual tasking ability was developed as was an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task. The dual tasking questionnaire reflected Baddeley�s coordinative construct, however, applications to an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task were less successful. These ecologically relevant tasks showed a relationship between language dysfluencies and dual tasking and identified avoidance of dual tasking in everyday settings as an important predictor of functional outcome following injury. Overall the DTT and the dual tasking questionnaire showed greater injury sensitivity and stronger relationships with outcome than three executive measures traditionally used in clinical practice. Regression analysis confirmed that the dual based tasks were helpful in predicting a variety of outcomes following TBI, and implications for rehabilitation planning are discussed. Further increases in the predictive power of the dual tasking construct are likely to be achieved when mechanisms of action involved in both laboratory-based and real-life dual tasking are identified. Findings from the current study suggest a range of mechanisms could be involved in dual tasks and these are discussed.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently associated with both cognitive and behavioural executive dysfunction. Assessment of executive dysfunction has traditionally been measured using tests that were not based on theory and this has been postulated as one reason why there are poor predictive relationships between performance on traditional executive tasks and functional outcome following TBI. Baddeley�s (1996) working memory model may offer a theoretical basis with which to design new executive measures and possibly improve prediction of outcome. Baddeley�s theory has made recent advances in identifying core central executive (CE) processes that are likely to be relevant to TBI. The research presented in the thesis used Baddeley�s proposed coordinative sub function of the CE (and it related dual tasking measure) to assess: (a) whether this theoretically based dual tasking test would be sensitive to TBI injury status and show a significant relationship with functional outcome, (b) whether the theoretically based test would be more sensitive to the above relationships than executive measures that have been traditionally available, and (c) whether more ecologically relevant dual tasks could be developed that reflect the coordinative construct and improve predictive relationships between task performance and real life functional ability. This study found that Baddeley�s Dual Task Test (DTT) measure was sensitive to TBI injury and was related to functional outcome following injury. A questionnaire assessing everyday dual tasking ability was developed as was an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task. The dual tasking questionnaire reflected Baddeley�s coordinative construct, however, applications to an in vivo conversation and motor based dual task were less successful. These ecologically relevant tasks showed a relationship between language dysfluencies and dual tasking and identified avoidance of dual tasking in everyday settings as an important predictor of functional outcome following injury. Overall the DTT and the dual tasking questionnaire showed greater injury sensitivity and stronger relationships with outcome than three executive measures traditionally used in clinical practice. Regression analysis confirmed that the dual based tasks were helpful in predicting a variety of outcomes following TBI, and implications for rehabilitation planning are discussed. Further increases in the predictive power of the dual tasking construct are likely to be achieved when mechanisms of action involved in both laboratory-based and real-life dual tasking are identified. Findings from the current study suggest a range of mechanisms could be involved in dual tasks and these are discussed.

In this thesis is presented work carried out during the course of the last 42 months. It concerns approaches towards total syntheses of the complanadine alkaloids. The main focus is the development of a model system to establish the viability of the key step in our proposed route to the complanadines. The thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the complanadines, their biological activity and accomplished total syntheses to date. A brief introduction to the Diels–Alder reaction and selected examples of its application in the total syntheses of natural products are given. The Kondrat’eva oxazole–olefin hetero-Diels–Alder reaction as a method of pyridine formation is described and its application in the total synthesis of natural products is reviewed. Chapter 2 is the first part of the results and discussion section. It details our retrosynthetic analysis of complanadine A, outlines the corresponding proposed forward synthesis and presents a model system designed and synthesised to test the applicability of the Kondrat’eva oxazole–olefin hetero-Diels–Alder reaction in the context of our proposed total synthesis. Chapter 3 discusses work carried out in approaches to the total synthesis of complanadines and their monomeric subunit, lycodine, by means of the methodology developed in the previous chapter. Chapter 4 is the experimental section, which gives descriptions of the synthetic procedures employed and spectroscopic data for all compounds synthesised, both novel and previously reported, as discussed in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. Supplementary information such as X-Ray data for synthesised compounds and selected NMR spectra are enclosed in the appendices.

Cette étude s'inscrit dans le courant de recherche de la psychologie cognitive différentielle. Ce courant s'intéresse plus particulièrement aux différences individuelles observées dans les tests classiques d'intelligence en utilisant l'approche du traitement de l'information. De façon générale ce mémoire s'intéresse aux possibilités appliquées du modèle de mémoire de travail de Baddeley (1986). L'objectif plus spécifique est d'étudier le rôle de deux composantes de ce modèle soit la boucle articulatoire et la tablette visuo-spatiale dans les sous-tests de l'échelle de mémoire à court terme du Stanford-Binet, quatrième édition. La méthodologie utilisée est celle de la charge mnémonique (memory loading). Il s'agit de comparer la performance obtenue dans le rappel sériel différé de deux types de tâches (spatiales et verbales) en employant comme tâches interférentes les items de l'échelle de mémoire. Il est postulé que la boucle articulatoire est impliquée dans tous les sous-tests. Cependant, un de ces sous-tests sollicite possiblement les ressources de la tablette visuo-spatiale. Un protocole intra-sujet de type quasi-expérimental est utilisé avec seize sujets étudiants universitaires. Les résultats observés ne démontrent aucune interaction significative de la charge mnémonique avec les tâches interférentes. Cependant, pour l'ensemble des conditions, le pourcentage d'erreurs au rappel de la tâche verbale est plus élevé que celui qui est observé pour la tâche visuo-spatiale. Aussi, les sous tests montrent un effet indifférencié aux deux types de tâches.

La présente étude s'intéresse à la contribution de la mémoire à long terme lors du rappel sériel immédiat. Afin de vérifier la compatibilité de cette hypothèse avec le modèle de la mémoire de travail de Baddeley (1986, 1990a, 1990b,1992a, 1992b), deux expérimentations ont été mises sur pied. Suite à la validation de listes de mots et de non mots en regard du critère d'homogénéité des vitesses d'articulation, les empans pour ces différents types d'items sont mesurés tant en présence de même qu'en absence de suppression articulatoire. Préalablement, il avait été postulé que l'additivité d'une contribution de la mémoire secondaire à celle de la boucle phonologique devrait générer des effets significatifs du type de stimuli employé et de la suppression articulatoire ainsi qu'une absence d'interaction entre ces deux facteurs. En dépit de la présence d'une interaction contribuant à expliquer un faible pourcentage de la variance totale expliquée par le modèle statistique, les résultats obtenus ont permis de vérifier cette hypothèse. En ce qui a trait à la dynamique de l'additivité, elle a été élaborée à partir de la formulation de Hulme, Maughan et Brown (1991). Ces derniers ont proposé que la familiarité des items facilitait la reconstitution du contenu de la boucle phonologique lors du rappel.

Student Number : 9000358J - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Psychology - Faculty of Humanities / Memory is a collection of systems in the brain that work in conjunction with other systems and modalities to effect encoding, storage, retrieval, and learning of information. It also plays a part in the executive and other higher order functions (Banich, 1997). Patients who suffered a traumatic brain injury frequently have impaired memory functioning and a host of consequential problems as well. Rehabilitation of TBI patients is focused primarily on helping TBI patients to cope with and compensate for their disabilities (Hart, Whyte, Polansky, Millis, Hammond, Sherer, Bushnik, Hanks & Kreutzer, 2003) and one of the most important aspects of rehabilitation is memory (Quemada, Cespedes, Ezkerra, Ballesteros, Ibarra & Urruticoechea, 2003). In this study a commercially available memory enhancement program (Mega Memory® System) was used in an intervention with ten male TBI sufferers to evaluate its effectiveness in rehabilitation of memory. Subjects were assessed before and after the intervention on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Tests and the Benton Visual Retention Test. Group results on Rivermead did not show any significant improvement of memory functioning, but the Number Correct scores on the Benton did. All subjects showed improvement on different aspects of memory functioning, especially in the domains of memory for everyday events, verbal, figurative, and spatial memory immediately following administration of the program. Overall the changes in memory functioning was not significant.

No description available.

The desire to enhance and make ourselves better is not a new one and it has continued to intrigue throughout the ages. Individuals have continued to seek ways to improve and enhance their well-being for example through nutrition, physical exercise, education and so on. Crucial to this improvement of their well-being is improving their ability to remember. Hence, people interested in improving their well-being, are often interested in memory as well. The rationale being that memory is crucial to our well-being. The desire to improve one’s memory then is almost certainly as old as the desire to improve one’s well-being. Traditionally, people have used different means in an attempt to enhance their memories: for example in learning through storytelling, studying, and apprenticeship. In remembering through practices like mnemonics, repetition, singing, and drumming. In retaining, storing and consolidating memories through nutrition and stimulants like coffee to help keep awake; and by external aids like notepads and computers. In forgetting through rituals and rites. Recent scientific advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and information technologies, present a wide variety of technologies to enhance many different aspects of human functioning. Thus, some commentators have identified human enhancement as central and one of the most fascinating subject in bioethics in the last two decades. Within, this period, most of the commentators have addressed the Ethical, Social, Legal and Policy (ESLP) issues in human enhancements as a whole as opposed to specific enhancements. However, this is problematic and recently various commentators have found this to be deficient and called for a contextualized case-by-case analysis to human enhancements for example genetic enhancement, moral enhancement, and in my case memory enhancement (ME). The rationale being that the reasons for accepting/rejecting a particular enhancement vary depending on the enhancement itself. Given this enormous variation, moral and legal generalizations about all enhancement processes and technologies are unwise and they should instead be evaluated individually. Taking this as a point of departure, this research will focus specifically on making a case for ME and in doing so assessing the ESLP implications arising from ME. My analysis will draw on the already existing literature for and against enhancement, especially in part two of this thesis; but it will be novel in providing a much more in-depth analysis of ME. From this perspective, I will contribute to the ME debate through two reviews that address the question how we enhance the memory, and through four original papers discussed in part three of this thesis, where I examine and evaluate critically specific ESLP issues that arise with the use of ME. In the conclusion, I will amalgamate all my contribution to the ME debate and suggest the future direction for the ME debate.