Die zugrunde liegenden Prozesse altersbedingter Veränderungen exekutiver Funktionen werden vielfach untersucht. Für eine flexible Anpassung ist die Überwachung von Handlungen und deren Konsequenzen notwendig. Handlungsüberwachung wird mit ereigniskorrelierten Potentialen (EKP) wie der error-related negativity/error negativity (ERN/Ne) und der correct-related negativity/correct negativity (CRN) gemessen. Die Arbeit untersucht die Handlungsüberwachung bei jüngeren und älteren Erwachsenen mit dem Ziel, das Wissen über kompensatorische Strategien bei Älteren und deren Auswirkung auf die EKP Befunde zu erweitern. Ältere zeigten reduzierte ERN/Ne und größere oder vergleichbar große CRN Amplituden im Vergleich zu Jüngeren. Während nur die Jüngeren eine Reduktion der ERN/Ne mit größerer Aufgabenschwierigkeit zeigten, zeigten beide Gruppen eine ERN/Ne Reduktion unter der Instruktion, die Geschwindigkeit anstatt Genauigkeit erforderte. Nur bei Jüngeren variierte die CRN mit der Kompatibilität der Trials, mit der Aufgabenschwierigkeit und Instruktion. Ältere wiesen geringere Fehlerraten und längere Reaktionszeiten als Jüngere auf. Dieses Muster deutet auf eine kompensatorische oder strategische Anpassung in Folge von Defiziten in der Nutzung einer erfolgreichen Kombination von proaktiver und reaktiver Kontrolle hin. Es wird postuliert, dass ERN/Ne und CRN einen gemeinsamen Prozess darstellen, der allgemeine Überwachungsfunktionen reflektiert. Die ERN/Ne beinhaltet zusätzlich einen Prozess, der Fehlerüberwachung signalisiert. Daraus ergibt sich die Vermutung, dass die reduzierte ERN/Ne bei Älteren entweder auf eine Verringerung spezifischer Fehlerprozesse oder auf eine Beeinträchtigung allgemeiner Überwachungsfunktionen zurückzuführen ist. Altersbezogene Veränderungen der EKP Befunde könnten den veränderten Einsatz von kompensatorischer Kontrolle bei Älteren im Vergleich zu Jüngeren reflektieren. Dieser Frage sollte in zukünftigen Studien nachgegangen werden. / Executive functions decline with age and a growing body of research aims at investigating age-related changes of the underlying processes. One important function is to monitor actions and action outcomes, which is necessary for flexible adjustments and learning. This so-called performance monitoring can be measured with event-related potentials (ERP), namely the error-related negativity/error negativity (ERN/Ne) and the correct-related negativity/correct negativity (CRN). This work examined performance monitoring in younger and older adults with the aim to advance knowledge about compensatory strategies in older adults and their implications for ERP results. Findings revealed reduced ERN/Ne and larger or similar-sized CRN in older compared to younger adults. While only younger adults showed a decrease of ERN/Ne with higher task difficulty, both age groups showed a reduction of ERN/Ne in the speed compared to the accuracy condition. Additionally, only younger adults showed variations, in that the CRN was smaller for compatible compared to incompatible trials, in the easy compared to the difficult condition, and in the speed compared to the accuracy condition. Behaviorally, older adults had less errors and longer response latencies than younger adults. This pattern may reflect compensatory or strategic adjustments with age which may be due to deficits in the use of a successful combination of proactive and reactive control. It was further assumed that ERN/Ne and CRN share a common process that reflects general monitoring functions and ERN/Ne includes an additional process that reflects error-specific monitoring. Accordingly, the ERN/Ne attenuation in older adults is either caused by reduced error-specific processing or compromised general monitoring functions. Age-related changes in ERP findings indicate altered engagement of compensatory cognitive control in older compared to younger adults. However, this question has to be further clarified in future studies.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-05-30T18:10:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBPA.pdf: 2135115 bytes, checksum: 490e7ac428af85f9a9fa80c775e8fe78 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-30T18:17:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBPA.pdf: 2135115 bytes, checksum: 490e7ac428af85f9a9fa80c775e8fe78 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-30T18:17:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBPA.pdf: 2135115 bytes, checksum: 490e7ac428af85f9a9fa80c775e8fe78 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-30T18:24:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissBPA.pdf: 2135115 bytes, checksum: 490e7ac428af85f9a9fa80c775e8fe78 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-09 / Não recebi financiamento / This paper aims to present the local influence diagnostic methodology of Cook (1986) along with the selection of the appropriate perturbation schemes proposed by Zhu et al. (2007) in ultrastructural calibration model with replicas. The methodology of Cook (1986) will be used to investigate the robustness and sensitivity of model, where the adopted perturbation schemes were weighting cases and response variables. Perturbing the model and/or data in an arbitrary way can lead to miss interpretations of diagnostic analysis and wrong conclusions. Therefore, this study will evaluate the induced perturbations according to the methodology of Zhu et al. (2007) and if the perturbations are not suitable, we will propose a new way of perturbing the model or the data. As an application it was considered a data set with balanced repeated replication to evaluate which levels and laboratories exercise a disproportional effect on inferences made in the model. / Este trabalho tem como proposta apresentar a metodologia de diagnóstico de influência local de Cook (1986) conjuntamente com a metodologia de seleção da perturbação adequada proposta por Zhu et al. (2007) no modelo de calibração ultraestrutural com réplicas. A metodologia de Cook (1986) será utilizada para investigar a robustez e a sensibilidade do modelo, onde os esquemas de perturbação adotados foram ponderação de casos e na variável resposta. Perturbar o modelo e/ou os dados de forma arbitraria pode conduzir a interpretações sobre a análise de diagnostico e a conclusões equivocadas. Portanto, este trabalho irá avaliar as perturbações propostas segundo a metodologia de Zhu et al. (2007) e caso as perturbações não sejam adequadas, iremos propor uma nova forma de fazer as perturbações. Foi utilizado como aplicação a analise de um conjunto de dados com replicas balanceadas e foram avaliadas quais patamares e laboratórios exercem um efeito desproporcional nas inferências feitas sob o modelo.

The diploma thesis invastigates the effect of specifically designed six-week clinical Pilates program on posture and low back pain. The theoretical part contains an overview of the Pilates method - the history, principles and its usage in rehabilitation. It also briefly describes the concept of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), which, along with the original Pilates method and the Spiraldynamic concept, has created the current Pilates Clinic Method. Furthermore, one chapter is devoted to the system of training Pilates teachers in the Czech Republic. The main objective of the practical part is to evaluate and compare the effect of an organized and an individual six-week Pilates exercise programme in patients with faulty posture and low back pain. Subsequently, constitutive objectives are set on the basis of selected examination methods. Firstly, evaluation of the exercise programme by the means of clinical objective tests combined into 5 groups: standing and balance, spinal mobility, DNS tests, somatognosia (shoulder width) and respiratory amplitude. Secondly, with the instrumental measurement of Bodystat's values: height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, fat, active body mass, water and body mass index. Thirdly, subjective evaluation using standardized questionnaires the...

As technological advancements and manufacturing techniques continues to bring us more complex and powerful hardware, software engineers struggle to keep up with this rapid progress and reap the benefits brought by this hardware. In the field of safety-critical system development, where a thorough understanding and deterministic nature of the hardware often is required, the cost of development closely relates to the complexity of the hardware used. For software developers to be able to reap the benefits of the technological advancement in hardware design, a Correct-by-Construction with a model- based design flow seem promising. Even though there seem to be significant benefits in using a Correct-by-Construction workflow for developing safety- critical systems, it is far from exclusively used within the industry. Therefore, this thesis illustrates how a model-based design flow should be applied when developing safety-critical systems for usage in the rail transport sector. This thesis also explores the benefits Correct-by-Construction can bring to the development process of safety-critical systems. Within this thesis, two different modeling tools, ForSyDe and Simulink, were used to achieve a model-based design flow. The functionality of these tools is investigated to see how they can be used for developing safety-critical systems, meeting the EN 50128 standard. The result presented is an example of how these tools can be used within a model-based design flow which meets the EN 50128 standard for developing Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 4 systems. The thesis also compares the tools investigated and highlights their differences. Finally, future work required to create a complete Correct-by-Construction workflow that complies with the EN 50128 standard requirements for system development is identified. / Allt eftersom teknologiska framsteg och tillverkningstekniker fortsätter att ge oss tillgång till mer komplex och kraftfull hårdvara så kämpar mjukvaruingenjörer fibrilit med att kunna hänga med i denna utvecklingstakt och kunna utnyttja de nya möjligheterna som denna nya hårdvara ger. Inom fältet för säkerhetskritiska system, där en genomgående förståelse av och deterministiska egenskaper för hårdvara ofta krävs, så är kostnaden för utveckling nära relaterat till komplexiteten för hårdvaran som används. För att kunna ta till vara på de fördelar som dessa nya teknologiska framsteg för med sig så föreslås ofta användningen av utvecklingsprocessen Korrektvid- Konstruktion. Även fast det verkar finnas stora fördelar med att använda Korrekt-vid-Konstruktion som utvecklingsprocess så har det inte sett en bred användning inom industrin. På grund av detta så försöker denna avhandling svara på hur ett modelleringsbaserat utvecklingsflöde kan användas vid utveckling av säkerhetskritiska system för tågtransportsektorn. Arbetet undersöker även fördelarna med användningen av Korrekt-vid-Konstruktion vid utveckling av säkerhetskritiska system. Arbetet i denna avhandling undersöker hur två olika modeleringsverktyg, ForSyDe och Simulink, kan användas i ett modeleringsbasert utvecklingsflöde. Funktionaliteten för dessa modeleringsverktyg undersöks för att se hur dem kan användas för utveckling av säkerhetskritiska system på ett sätt som klarar av kraven i EN 50128 standarden. Resultaten som presenteras är ett exempel på hur dessa verktyg kan användas i ett modeleringsbaserat utvecklingsflöde som möter kraven i EN 50128 standarden för utveckling av SIL 4 system. Arbetet jämför även de undersökta modeleringsverktygen för att påvisa deras skillnader. Till sist så beskrivs det framtida arbete som krävs för att få till en komplett utvecklingsprocess som är Korrekt-vid-Konstruktion och även möter systemutvecklingskraven i EN 50128 standarden.

L'implantation en Virgule Flottante (VF) d'une fonction à valeurs réelles est réalisée avec arrondi correct si le résultat calculé est toujours égal à l'arrondi de la valeur exacte, ce qui présente de nombreux avantages. Mais pour implanter une fonction avec arrondi correct de manière fiable et efficace, il faut résoudre le «dilemme du fabricant de tables» (TMD en anglais). Deux algorithmes sophistiqués (L et SLZ) ont été conçus pour résoudre ce problème, via des calculs longs et complexes effectués par des implantations largement optimisées. D'où la motivation d'apporter des garanties fortes sur le résultat de ces pré-calculs coûteux. Dans ce but, nous utilisons l'assistant de preuves Coq. Tout d'abord nous développons une bibliothèque d'«approximation polynomiale rigoureuse», permettant de calculer un polynôme d'approximation et un intervalle bornant l'erreur d'approximation à l'intérieur de Coq. Cette formalisation est un élément clé pour valider la première étape de SLZ, ainsi que l'implantation d'une fonction mathématique en général (avec ou sans arrondi correct). Puis nous avons implanté en Coq, formellement prouvé et rendu effectif 3 vérifieurs de certificats, dont la preuve de correction dérive du lemme de Hensel que nous avons formalisé dans les cas univarié et bivarié. En particulier, notre «vérifieur ISValP» est un composant clé pour la certification formelle des résultats générés par SLZ. Ensuite, nous nous sommes intéressés à la preuve mathématique d'algorithmes VF en «précision augmentée» pour la racine carré et la norme euclidienne en 2D. Nous donnons des bornes inférieures fines sur la plus petite distance non nulle entre sqrt(x²+y²) et un midpoint, permettant de résoudre le TMD pour cette fonction bivariée. Enfin, lorsque différentes précisions VF sont disponibles, peut survenir le phénomène de «double-arrondi», qui peut changer le comportement de petits algorithmes usuels en arithmétique. Nous avons prouvé en Coq un ensemble de théorèmes décrivant le comportement de Fast2Sum avec double-arrondis. / The Floating-Point (FP) implementation of a real-valued function is performed with correct rounding if the output is always equal to the rounding of the exact value, which has many advantages. But for implementing a function with correct rounding in a reliable and efficient manner, one has to solve the ``Table Maker's Dilemma'' (TMD). Two sophisticated algorithms (L and SLZ) have been designed to solve this problem, relying on some long and complex calculations that are performed by some heavily-optimized implementations. Hence the motivation to provide strong guarantees on these costly pre-computations. To this end, we use the Coq proof assistant. First, we develop a library of ``Rigorous Polynomial Approximation'', allowing one to compute an approximation polynomial and an interval that bounds the approximation error in Coq. This formalization is a key building block for verifying the first step of SLZ, as well as the implementation of a mathematical function in general (with or without correct rounding). Then we have implemented, formally verified and made effective 3 interrelated certificates checkers in Coq, whose correctness proof derives from Hensel's lemma that we have formalized for both univariate and bivariate cases. In particular, our ``ISValP verifier'' is a key component for formally verifying the results generated by SLZ. Then, we have focused on the mathematical proof of ``augmented-precision'' FP algorithms for the square root and the Euclidean 2D norm. We give some tight lower bounds on the minimum non-zero distance between sqrt(x²+y²) and a midpoint, allowing one to solve the TMD for this bivariate function. Finally, the ``double-rounding'' phenomenon can typically occur when several FP precision are available, and may change the behavior of some usual small FP algorithms. We have formally verified in Coq a set of results describing the behavior of the Fast2Sum algorithm with double-roundings.

L'implantation en Virgule Flottante (VF) d'une fonction à valeurs réelles est réalisée avec arrondi correct si le résultat calculé est toujours égal à l'arrondi de la valeur exacte, ce qui présente de nombreux avantages. Mais pour implanter une fonction avec arrondi correct de manière fiable et efficace, il faut résoudre le "dilemme du fabricant de tables" (TMD en anglais). Deux algorithmes sophistiqués (L et SLZ) ont été conçus pour résoudre ce problème, via des calculs longs et complexes effectués par des implantations largement optimisées. D'où la motivation d'apporter des garanties fortes sur le résultat de ces pré-calculs coûteux. Dans ce but, nous utilisons l'assistant de preuves Coq. Tout d'abord nous développons une bibliothèque d'"approximation polynomiale rigoureuse", permettant de calculer un polynôme d'approximation et un intervalle bornant l'erreur d'approximation à l'intérieur de Coq. Cette formalisation est un élément clé pour valider la première étape de SLZ, ainsi que l'implantation d'une fonction mathématique en général (avec ou sans arrondi correct). Puis nous avons implanté en Coq, formellement prouvé et rendu effectif 3 vérifieurs de certificats, dont la preuve de correction dérive du lemme de Hensel que nous avons formalisé dans les cas univarié et bivarié. En particulier, notre "vérifieur ISValP" est un composant clé pour la certification formelle des résultats générés par SLZ. Ensuite, nous nous sommes intéressés à la preuve mathématique d'algorithmes VF en "précision augmentée" pour la racine carré et la norme euclidienne en 2D. Nous donnons des bornes inférieures fines sur la plus petite distance non nulle entre sqrt(x²+y²) et un midpoint, permettant de résoudre le TMD pour cette fonction bivariée. Enfin, lorsque différentes précisions VF sont disponibles, peut survenir le phénomène de "double-arrondi", qui peut changer le comportement de petits algorithmes usuels en arithmétique. Nous avons prouvé en Coq un ensemble de théorèmes décrivant le comportement de Fast2Sum avec double-arrondis.

This study has developed a method to create an, to a big extent, automated testing system for NMP (Networked Music Performance) communication over LAN and WAN to be able to benchmark the UDP streaming engine JackTrip using a client-server model. The method is not locked into using JackTrip only, it could be used to do experiments with other engines too. The study tried to answer the question if latency correlates to amount of correctly aligned audio, and to what extent the audio is correctly aligned in respect to tolerated latency (based on earlier research) when at least two musicians remote-conducting musical pieces together. There were 13 different buffer settings tested, which used no redundancy and redundancy of 2, and which were sent through 4 different LAN/WAN-scenarios. A big dataset was produced, with about 82 minutes’ worth of audio per test. To post-process the data a phase cancelling method was used to measure correctly aligned audio, while the latency was measured by counting the number of samples from the start of each audio file to the first sample that were not null or not under a certain threshold. The results showed clear correlations of buffer sizes impact of latency and amount of correctly audio sent over the network. If the buffer sizes are greater, it will produce higher latency and increase the amount of correctly aligned audio, and on the opposite side, if using less buffer, it will produce lower latencies and less correctly aligned amount of audio. The study also showed that there was very little impact of using higher redundancies, both regarding latency and amount of correctly audio. When analysing the amount of correct data when respecting the tolerated level of latency, the study showed a support for correctly aligned amount of streamed audio up to 65% when using JackTrip. / Den här studien har utvecklat en metod för att skapa ett, till stor del, automatiserat testsystem för NMP-kommunikation (Networked Music Performance) över LAN och WAN för att kunna prestandatesta den UDP-strömmande ljudmotorn JackTrip, med en klient-server-modell. Metoden är inte låst till att endast användas med JackTrip, den kan användas för att göra experiment med andra motorer också. Studien försökte svara på frågorna om latens korrelerar med mängden korrekt justerat ljud, och till hur stor del som ljudet är korrekt justerad med hänsyn till tolererbar latens (baserat på tidigare undersökning) när minst två musiker fjärrmusicerar tillsammans. Det testades 13 olika buffertinställningar, som använde ingen redundans samt med redundans på 2, och som kördes genom 4 olika LAN / WAN-scenarier. En stor datamängd producerades, med ca 82 minuters ljud per test. För att post-bearbeta data användes en fas-elimineringsmetod för att mäta mängden korrekt justerat ljud, medan latensen var uppmätt genom att räkna antalet samplingar från starten av varje ljudfil till den första samplingen som inte var innehållslös eller inte under ett specifikt tröskelvärde. Resultaten visade tydlig korrelation av buffertstorlekens påverkan av latens och mängd korrekt ljud skickat över nätverket. Om buffertstorlekarna är större kommer det att ge högre latens och öka mängden korrekt justerat ljud, och tvärtom, om mindre buffert används, kommer det att ge lägre latens och mindre rätt justerad mängd ljud. Studien visade också att det gav mycket liten effekt att använda högre redundans, både vad gällande latens och mängden korrekt ljud.  Vid analys av mängden korrekta data med hänsyn till den tolererade latensnivån visade studien ett stöd för korrekt justerat mängd av strömmat ljud upp till 65% vid användning av JackTrip.

N世代青年族群是開始以網路為主，資訊傳遞翻轉的新興世代，本研究藉由資訊-動機-行為技能模式（簡稱IMB模式）瞭解影響青年族群正確用藥行為的因子，探討青年族群醫藥素養、個人態度、用藥自我效能、行為障礙感知、醫藥傳播資訊暴露程度及正確用藥行為的發展現況，藉此發現喚起病人或家屬對病人安全及醫療風險認知的切入點，並增加警覺及主動積極性行為，與醫藥人員共同合作。為自己的健康狀態把關。 本研究所採用的方法是網路問卷調查，針對1977年到1997年出生的N世代青年族群蒐集資料，共獲得1,198份有效問卷。 本研究發現青年族群整體的用藥行為偏向經常做到，其中實踐程度由高至低依序為堅持正當藥品取得方式、主動告知身體狀況、看清楚用藥標示和主動諮詢專業。青年族群九成九以上有高醫藥素養，有六成以上的受訪者得到滿分。大部分青年族群偏向「同意」有正向的用藥態度；自我效能整體的認同度偏向於「同意」。受訪者對於用藥行為障礙感知程度整體偏向「不同意」有用藥行為障礙。 多數青年從媒體獲得醫藥資訊的頻率偏向「每月1~2次」為主。整體面向暴露由高至低為專業管道、傳統大眾媒體及新興網路。青年族群前三大醫藥資訊暴露管道依序為Facebook、電視、醫護人員，而BBS、大眾運輸工具看板、海報、傳單、宣傳手冊、產品包裝等是接著依序常用的管道。 醫藥素養只對堅持正當藥品取得方式有統計顯著正向預測力。個人態度和自我效能與用藥行為的四項依變項主動告知身體狀況、看清楚用藥標示、堅持正當藥品取得方式和主動諮詢專業，在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析都顯示有統計顯著正向相關。行為障礙感知與用藥行為的四項依變項主動告知身體狀況、看清楚用藥標示、堅持正當藥品取得方式和主動諮詢專業，在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析都顯示有統計顯著負向相關。 傳統大眾媒體與主動告知身體狀況、看清楚用藥標示和主動諮詢專業，在相關分析顯示有統計顯著正向相關，但階層複迴歸分析都未有統計顯著預測力；堅持正當藥品取得方式在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析都是顯著負向相關。新興網路與主動告知身體狀況和主動諮詢專業，在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析顯示都有統計顯著正向相關；新興網路與看清楚用藥標示，在相關分析顯示有統計顯著正向相關，但階層複迴歸分析未有統計顯著預測力；新興網路與堅持正當藥品取得方式在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析都是顯著負向相關。專業管道與主動告知身體狀況、看清楚用藥標示和主動諮詢專業，在相關分析及階層複迴歸分析顯示都有統計顯著正向相關；專業管道與堅持正當藥品取得方式在相關分析是顯著負向相關，但階層複迴歸分析中是無統計顯著預測力。 本研究的主要貢獻是證實藉由IMB模式的各項因子，都能有效預測部分或全部的正確用藥行為，尤其是個人態度、自我效能及行為障礙感知這三面向，並且呼應行為技能是影響行為的重要關鍵。因此往後如果有醫藥行為要推廣或宣傳時，就可以藉助IMB模式的因子為原型、大綱，相信會有更好的效果產生，也希望有人可以做後續相關研究，證實IMB模式的可行性。 / The Net Generation is the first generation to grow up in the digital world. The goal of this study is to understand the medical behavior of the Net Generation using the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model and the conditions of health literacy, personal attitudes, medical self-efficacy, the perception of behavioral barriers, the level of media exposure and medical behavior. To emphasize patient safety and medical risks, we tried to find the way to improve the awareness and active behavior to cooperate with medical professionals and to maintain self-health. The 1,198 effective samples were collected from people who were born between 1977 and 1999 through a web questionnaire. The study found that the Net Generation usually had correct medication-taking behavior. The frequency of the behavior from high to low was obtaining medicine through official channels, actively telling self-conditions, clearly reading medication labels, and actively consulting medical professionals. Over 99% of the participants had high health literacy and over 60% got full scores. Most of the participants tended to agree that they had positive personal attitudes and self-efficacy but disagreed they had the perception of behavioral barriers. Most of the participants obtained medical information through media once or twice a month. The exposure to media from high to low was professional channels, traditional mass media, and internet. The exposure to media channels in order were: Facebook, television, medical professionals, BBS, public transportation boards, and advertising brochures. Health literacy could only positively predict actively telling self-conditions. Personal attitudes and self-efficacy could positively predict four dependent variables of correct medication-taking behavior including obtaining medicine through official channels, actively telling self-conditions, clearly reading medication labels, and actively consulting medical professionals. And, the perception of behavioral barriers could negatively predict them. There were some statistically positive correlations between traditional mass media and correct medication-taking behavior including actively telling self-conditions, clearly reading medication labels, and actively consulting medical professionals. However, there was no prediction in hierarchical regression. There was a statistically negative correlation in Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression between traditional mass media and obtaining medicine through official channels. There were statistically positive correlations in Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression between internet and actively telling self-conditions or actively consulting medical professionals. However, there was a statistically negative correlation between internet and obtaining medicine through official channels. There was a statistically positive correlation between the internet and clearly reading medication labels but there was no prediction in hierarchical regression between them. There were statistically positive correlations in Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical regression between professional channels and actively telling self-conditions, clearly reading medication labels, or actively consulting medical professionals. There was a statistically negative correlation between professional channels and obtaining medicine through official channels but there was no correlation in hierarchical regression. The main contribution of this study was to support the argument that the IMB model could predict correct medication-taking behavior, especially when personal attitudes, self-efficacy and the perception of behavioral barriers are looked at. Therefore, behavioral skills were the key to correctly using medication. If someone wants to do medical behavior promotions, then the concept of the IMB model could be very effective.

The goal of this work is to develop and demonstrate a comprehensive analysis of single and multi-body composite strip-beam systems using an asymptotically-correct geometrically nonlinear theory. The comprehensiveness refers to the two distinguishing features of this work, namely the unified framework for the analysis and the inclusion of the usually ignored cross-sectional nonlinearities in thin-beam and multi-beam analyses. The first part of this work stitches together an approach to analyse generally anisotropic composite beams. Based on geometrically exact nonlinear elasticity theory, the nonlinear 3-D beam problem splits into either a linear (conventionally considered) or nonlinear (considered in this work) 2-D analysis of the beam cross-section and a nonlinear 1-D analysis along the beam reference curve. The two sub-tasks of this work (viz. nonlinear analysis of the beam cross-section and nonlinear beam analysis) are accomplished on a single platform using an object-oriented framework. First, two established nonlinear cross-sectional analyses (numerical and analytical), both based on the Variational-Asymptotic Method (VAM), are invoked. The numerical analysis is capable of treating cross-sections of arbitrary geometry and material distributions and can capture certain nonlinear effects such as the trapeze effect. The closed-form analytical analysis is restricted to thin rectangular cross-sections for generally anisotropic composites but captures ALL cross-sectional nonlinearities, and not just the well-known Brazier and trapeze effects. Second, the well-established geometrically-exact nonlinear 1-D governing equations along the beam reference curve, after being generalized to utilize the expressions for nonlinear stiffness matrix, are solved using the mixed variational finite element method. Finally, local 3-D stress, strain and displacement fields for representative sections in the beam are recovered, based on the stress resultants from the 1-D global beam analysis. This part of the work is then validated by applying it to an initially twisted cantilevered laminated composite strip under axial force. The second part is concerned with the dynamic analysis of nonlinear multi-body systems involving elastic strip-like beams made of laminated, anisotropic composite materials using an object-oriented framework. In this work, unconditionally stable time-integration schemes presenting high-frequency numerical dissipation are used to solve the ensuing governing equations. The codes developed based on such time-integration schemes are first validated with the literature for two standard test cases: non-linear spring mass oscillator and pendulum. In order to apply the comprehensive analysis code thus developed to a multi-body system, the four-bar mechanism is chosen as an example. All component bars of the mechanism have thin rectangular cross-sections and are made of fiber reinforced laminates of various types of layups. They could, in general, be pre-twisted and/or possess initial curvature, either by design or by defect. They are linked to each other by means of revolute joints. Each component of the mechanism is modeled as a beam based on the first part of this work. Results from this analysis are compared with those available in the literature, both theoretical and experimental. The margins between the linear and non-linear results are evaluated specifically due to the cross-sectional nonlinearities and shown to vary with stacking sequences. This work thus demonstrates the importance of geometrically nonlinear cross-sectional analysis of certain composite beam-based four-bar mechanisms in predicting system dynamic characteristics. To enable graphical visualization, the behavior of the four-bar mechanism is also observed by using commercial software (I-DEAS + NASTRAN + ADAMS). Finally, the component-laminate load-carrying capacity is estimated using the Tsai-Wu-Hahn failure criterion for various layups and the same criterion is used to predict the first-ply-failure and the mechanism as a whole.

La prise de décision est un mécanisme qui fait intervenir les structures neuronales supérieures afin d’effectuer un lien entre la perception du signal et l’action. Plusieurs travaux qui cherchent à comprendre les mécanismes de la prise de décision sont menés à divers ni- veaux allant de l’analyse comportementale cognitive jusqu'à la modélisation computationnelle. Le but de ce projet a été d’évaluer d’un instant à l’autre comment la variabilité du signal observé («bruit»), influence la capacité des sujets humains à détecter la direction du mouvement dans un stimulus visuel. Dans ces travaux, nous avons éliminé l’une des sources potentielles de variabilité, la variabilité d’une image à l’autre, dans le nombre de points qui portaient les trois signaux de mouvements cohérents (gauche, droite, et aléatoire) dans les stimuli de Kinématogramme de points aléatoires (KPA), c’est-à-dire la variabilité d’origine périphérique. Les stimuli KPA de type « V6 » étaient des stimuli KPA standard avec une variabilité instantanée du signal, et par contre les stimuli KPA de type « V8 », étaient modifiés pour éliminer la variabilité stochastique due à la variabilité du nombre de pixels d’un instant à l’autre qui portent le signal cohérent. Si la performance des sujets, qui correspond à leur temps de réaction et au nombre de bonnes réponses, diffère en réponse aux stimuli dont le nombre de points en mouvement cohérent varie (V6) ou ne varie pas (V8), ceci serait une preuve que la variabilité d’origine périphérique modulerait le processus décisionnel. Par contre, si la performance des sujets ne diffère pas entre ces deux types de stimuli, ceci serait une preuve que la source majeure de variabilité de performance est d’origine centrale. Dans nos résultats nous avons constaté que le temps de réaction et le nombre de bonnes réponses sont modulés par la preuve nette du mouvement cohérent. De plus on a pu établir qu’en éliminant la variabilité d’origine périphérique définit ci-dessus, on n’observe pas réellement de modification dans les enregistrements. Ce qui nous à amené à penser qu’il n y a pas de distinction claire entre la distribution des erreurs et les bonnes réponses effectuées pour chacun des essais entre les deux stimuli que nous avons utilisé : V6 et V8. C’est donc après avoir mesuré la « quantité d’énergie » que nous avons proposé que la variabilité observée dans les résultats serait probablement d’origine centrale. / Decision-making is a mechanism that primarily involves supraspinal neural structures to perform a link between the perception of the signal and action. Several studies that seek to understand the mechanisms of decision-making are conducted at various levels ranging from cognitive behavioral analysis to computational modeling. The purpose of this project was to evaluate how moment-to-moment variability of the sensory stimuli observed, influences the ability of humans to detect the direction of motion in a visual stimulus. In this work, we eliminated one of the potential sources of variability, namely variability from one visual image to another of the number of points which carried three different motion signals (coherent left, coherent right, and random) in Random-dot Kinematogram (RDK) stimuli, i.e a source of variability of external origin. “V6” stimuli were standard RDK stimuli with instantaneous (i.e., moment-to-moment) signal variability, whereas “V8” stimuli were modified to eliminate the stochastic variability due to variability in the number of points, which carried the coherent signal from image frame to image frame in the RDK stimuli. If the performance of the subjects, as measured by their reaction times and the number of correct answers, differs in response to the stimuli of which the number of points moving coherently varies (V6) or does not vary (V8) from moment to moment in the visual stimulus, this would be a proof that the variability of peripheral origin would modulate the decision-making process. On the other hand, if the performance of the subjects does not differ between the two types of stimuli, this would be a proof that the major source of variability of performance is of central origin. In our results we found that the strength of coherent movement modulates the reaction times and the number of correct responses of subjects. However, eliminating the variability of peripheral origin defined above, had little significant effect on the performance of the subjects. There is no clear difference between the distribution of reaction times or between errors and correct answers for each test performed between both V6 and V8 stimuli. Finally, after measuring the amount of motion energy in the RDK stimuli, we could propose that: the origin of the observed variability in the results would primarily be of central origin.