Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 29 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-26).

The ease at which individuals acquire a second language is astounding. Individuals are capable of learning a second language at any point through out their lifespan, although it is easier to learn a second language early in life. With increasing knowledge about linguistic neural processing and the brain’s capacity for plasticity, the research on bilingualism has increased substantially. Researchers have become increasingly more interested in the long-term effects of acquiring a second language, especially the enhancement of executive function (EF). This enhancement, also known as bilingual advantage, has been studied for a range of EFs, including inhibition, attention, problem solving, and reasoning. Although this effect was first demonstrated in bilingual children, researchers have extended the quest for understanding to young, middle, and older adults; however, the research findings are mixed for young adults. In order clarify these mixed results, the age of second language acquisition has been included as an experimental variable, producing three relevant groups: early bilinguals, late bilinguals, and monolinguals. There are several ways in which EFs can be measured, including behavioral rating scales, computerized cognitive tasks with behavioral outcomes (i.e., response times and accuracy), and computerized event-related potential cognitive tasks. A novel multi-level approach to measuring the bilingual advantage was developed and used as a framework for the current dissertation; i.e., the bilingual advantage was measured at three levels of measurement. This approach predicts that more complex levels of measurement (i.e., executive behaviors) would produce null findings between the three groups, while differences between early bilinguals and the other two groups would be predicted for less complex levels of measurement (i.e., neurophysiological markers). This approach predicts mixed results for levels of measurement that involve moderate complexity (e.g., computerized tasks of EF). Early bilinguals, late bilinguals, and monolinguals were compared across three hierarchical levels of measurement: (i) executive behaviors; (ii) information processing (i.e., computerized tasks of EF); and (iii) neurophysiology (i.e., event-related potential paradigm). Findings generally support the multi-level approach: no differences were found at the executive behavior level, limited and mixed differences were found at the information processing level, and differences between groups were found at the neurophysiological level. / Graduate

This dissertation is comprised of three different studies researching user perception of comfort when using wearable technology. The first study investigated the use of altered smart glasses to study comfort, preference, and performance while executing common logistical order picking and shipment putting tasks. The impact of design type (weighted front, side, or back) was investigated using comfort rating scales (CRS). There was no significant difference in device preference regardless of task type. Despite the side weighted arrangement being the most comfortable, the participants still felt uncomfortable. The second study explored modifying the weights to the six dimensions of the CRS to create a comfort score. There was a strong correlation between the weighted and unweighted comfort score. Participants identified Harm as the most important dimension. The results suggest that the participants valued importance did not make a difference in the comfort score. The final study examined the use of a wand scanner and two wearable devices to study comfort and performance while executing common logistical shipment putting tasks. The impact of the wearables was investigated using the CRS. Participants identified the ring and wand scanner to be the most comfortable and the glasses as the least comfortable device. The CRS scores showed that participants became more uncomfortable using the smart glasses over time during the completion of the putting task. These three studies provided insight for industry from a comfort perspective that will be helpful when trying to incorporate wearable technology in the work place.

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Executive functioning is an umbrella term used to describe abilities that include self-monitoring, goal-setting, planning, organization, attention, and working memory. Broadband behavior rating scales are commonly used by school psychologists and the instruments often now include an executive functioning scale. It is unknown, however, how these scales, based on a few items, compare to more extensive rating scales that solely measure executive functioning. The current study examined the overall consistency between the executive functioning scale on one broadband instrument to another instrument that assesses multiple areas of executive functioning by having teachers complete both instruments at the same point in time. The comparisons revealed statistically significant correlations, but significantly different mean scores between the executive functioning CAB-T score and the overall BRIEF score. Furthermore, classification consistency (i.e., scores from the two scales are both in the average range or clinically significant range) only occurred approximately two-thirds of the time. Thus, concerns were raised about the use of the scale from the broadband instrument as a general measure of executive functioning.

The assessment of children’s social-emotional skills, especially in the preschool years, is essential, as it yields early identification of problems and allows for appropriate interventions to be tried. School psychologists and other professionals use a variety of assessment methods (e.g., observations, interviews, behavior rating scales) to determine a child’s social-emotional abilities. Two popular behavior rating scales used frequently by professionals are the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Third Edition (BASC-3) and the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL 1.5-5). The current study examines the consistency of results from the two instruments. Fifty-six Head Start teachers from two regions of the country completed both the BASC-3 and the CBCL 1.5-5 at the same point of time while thinking of a specific student who displays behavioral concerns. The findings revealed that most of similarly named scales from the two instruments correlated significantly. However, 40% of those comparisons resulted in significantly different mean scores. Approximately half of the comparisons resulted in adequate classification consistency (i.e., either average or clinically significant). Overall, the findings imply that the two instruments do not always measure similarly named behavioral constructs in a consistent manner.

INTRODUÇÃO: Correlações significativas entre asma e ansiedade e entre ansiedade e distúrbios do equilíbrio têm sido consistentemente descritas. Estas observações sugerem que as anormalidades de equilíbrio também podem estar presentes em pacientes asmáticos, embora ainda não existam estudos envolvendo asma, ansiedade e desequilíbrio postural. Esta questão é clinicamente importante porque déficits posturais não tratados potencialmente podem piorar o prognóstico da asma, desencadeando a ansiedade e, conseqüentemente, sintomas respiratórios. Este estudo exploratório tem como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do controle postural em pacientes com asma e sua possível correlação com sintomas de ansiedade. MÉTODOS: 41 indivíduos com asma controlada persistente e 41 controles, pareados por idade e sexo, foram comparados. Sintomas de ansiedade foram avaliados pelo Inventário de Estado-Traço de Ansiedade de Spielberger (IDATE). O controle do equilíbrio foi avaliado pela posturografia dinâmica, que avalia o deslocamento do centro de pressão (CoP) do corpo sobre uma plataforma de pressão, gerando escores de equilíbrio e suas variáveis cinéticas, como área e velocidade de deslocamento do CoP em sentidos látero-lateral e ântero-posterior. RESULTADOS: O grupo asma apresentou escores significativamente maiores no IDATE-Estado (46,8 ± 11,38 vs 38,2 ± 13,16; t = 2,89, p = 0,005) e no IDATE-Traço (50,1 ± 13,60 versus 37,9 ± 12,67; t = 4,22, p <0,001). Na posturografia dinâmica, o teste t de Student evidenciou pior desempenho dos asmáticos nos escores de equilíbrio e na área de deslocamento do CoP, porém o teste de correlação de Pearson não evidenciou associação entre maiores escores de ansiedade com menores escores de equilíbrio (r < 0,3 em todas as condições avaliadas). CONCLUSÃO: As anormalidades de equilíbrio parecem frequentes em pacientes com asma, porém de forma independente da presença de sintomas de ansiedade. No entanto, a presença de disfunção vestibular, ainda que subclínica, pode ter um grande impacto no prognóstico desses pacientes. Estes achados sugerem que queixas relacionadas com o desequilíbrio devem ser investigadas em asmáticos, principalmente naqueles que representem níveis mais elevados de ansiedade / INTRODUCTION: Significant correlations between asthma and anxiety and between anxiety and balance disorders have been consistently described. These observations suggest that equilibrium abnormalities can also be present in asthmatic patients. This issue is clinically important because untreated postural deficits can potentially worse the prognosis of asthma by triggering anxiety and, consequently, respiratory symptoms. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the efficiency of postural control in asthma patients and its possible correlation with anxiety symptoms. METHODS: 41 subjects with persistent controlled asthma and 41 controls, matched for age and sex, were compared. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Spielbergers Inventory of State-Trait Anxiety (STAI). The balance control was assessed by dynamic posturography, which assesses the displacement of center of pressure (CoP) of the body on a platform of pressure, generating scores of balance and their kinetic variables such as area and speed of displacement of the CoP in lateral and anteroposterior directions. RESULTS: The asthma group had significantly higher scores in STAIState (46.8 ± 11,38 versus 38.2 ± 13,16; t = 2,89; p=0,005) and in STAI-Trait (50.1 ± 13,60 versus 37.9 ± 12,67; t = 4,22; p<0,001). In dynamic posturography, the Student t test showed worst performance of asthmatics in balance scores and in the area of the CoP displacement, but the Pearson correlation test showed no association between higher anxiety scores with lower balance scores (r <0.3 in all conditions evaluated). CONCLUSION: Balance abnormalities seems frequent in asthma patients independently from the presence of anxiety symptoms. However, the presence of vestibular dysfunction, working via anxiety provocation, may have a major impact in the prognosis of these patients. These findings suggest that disequilibrium related complaints must be investigated in asthmatic patients mainly in those presenting higher levels of anxiety

Au Wing-cheong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-91). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.ii / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.viii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER II. --- REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE --- p.3 / The construct of community living skills --- p.3 / Assessment tools for community living skills --- p.6 / The St. Louis Inventory of Community Living Skills --- p.9 / Prediction of community level-of-care --- p.12 / Training community living skills in Hong Kong --- p.15 / Chapter CHAPTER III. --- RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY --- p.17 / de-institutionalization movement and community living skills training --- p.17 / Lack of structured community living skills assessment toolsin Hong Kong --- p.20 / The choice of the SLICLS for cross-cultural validation --- p.21 / Chapter CHAPTER IV. --- GENERAL METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS --- p.23 / An introduction to the test construction procedures --- p.23 / An outline of the cross-cultural validation process --- p.24 / Issues concerning reliability of rating scales --- p.26 / Issues concerning validity of rating scales --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER V. --- METHOD --- p.31 / Translation of the SLICLS --- p.31 / Content validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.32 / Inter-rater reliability of the SLICLS-C --- p.34 / Internal consistency of the SLICLS-C --- p.35 / Construct validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.36 / Concurrent validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.37 / Predictive validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.38 / Ethical considerations --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPTER VI. --- RESULTS --- p.43 / The SLICLS-C --- p.43 / Content validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.44 / Inter-rater reliability of the SLICLS-C --- p.46 / Internal consistency of the SLICLS-C --- p.48 / Construct validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.49 / Concurrent validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.52 / Predictive validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER VII. --- DISCUSSION --- p.59 / Validity of the SLICLS-C --- p.59 / Reliability of the SLICLS-C --- p.62 / Accuracy of the SLICLS-C in predicting community level of care --- p.63 / Significance of the study --- p.65 / Limitations of the study --- p.67 / Recommendations for further studies --- p.69 / Chapter CHAPTER VIII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.70 / REFERENCES --- p.73 / APPENDICES --- p.92

INTRODUÇÃO: Correlações significativas entre asma e ansiedade e entre ansiedade e distúrbios do equilíbrio têm sido consistentemente descritas. Estas observações sugerem que as anormalidades de equilíbrio também podem estar presentes em pacientes asmáticos, embora ainda não existam estudos envolvendo asma, ansiedade e desequilíbrio postural. Esta questão é clinicamente importante porque déficits posturais não tratados potencialmente podem piorar o prognóstico da asma, desencadeando a ansiedade e, conseqüentemente, sintomas respiratórios. Este estudo exploratório tem como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do controle postural em pacientes com asma e sua possível correlação com sintomas de ansiedade. MÉTODOS: 41 indivíduos com asma controlada persistente e 41 controles, pareados por idade e sexo, foram comparados. Sintomas de ansiedade foram avaliados pelo Inventário de Estado-Traço de Ansiedade de Spielberger (IDATE). O controle do equilíbrio foi avaliado pela posturografia dinâmica, que avalia o deslocamento do centro de pressão (CoP) do corpo sobre uma plataforma de pressão, gerando escores de equilíbrio e suas variáveis cinéticas, como área e velocidade de deslocamento do CoP em sentidos látero-lateral e ântero-posterior. RESULTADOS: O grupo asma apresentou escores significativamente maiores no IDATE-Estado (46,8 ± 11,38 vs 38,2 ± 13,16; t = 2,89, p = 0,005) e no IDATE-Traço (50,1 ± 13,60 versus 37,9 ± 12,67; t = 4,22, p <0,001). Na posturografia dinâmica, o teste t de Student evidenciou pior desempenho dos asmáticos nos escores de equilíbrio e na área de deslocamento do CoP, porém o teste de correlação de Pearson não evidenciou associação entre maiores escores de ansiedade com menores escores de equilíbrio (r < 0,3 em todas as condições avaliadas). CONCLUSÃO: As anormalidades de equilíbrio parecem frequentes em pacientes com asma, porém de forma independente da presença de sintomas de ansiedade. No entanto, a presença de disfunção vestibular, ainda que subclínica, pode ter um grande impacto no prognóstico desses pacientes. Estes achados sugerem que queixas relacionadas com o desequilíbrio devem ser investigadas em asmáticos, principalmente naqueles que representem níveis mais elevados de ansiedade / INTRODUCTION: Significant correlations between asthma and anxiety and between anxiety and balance disorders have been consistently described. These observations suggest that equilibrium abnormalities can also be present in asthmatic patients. This issue is clinically important because untreated postural deficits can potentially worse the prognosis of asthma by triggering anxiety and, consequently, respiratory symptoms. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the efficiency of postural control in asthma patients and its possible correlation with anxiety symptoms. METHODS: 41 subjects with persistent controlled asthma and 41 controls, matched for age and sex, were compared. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Spielbergers Inventory of State-Trait Anxiety (STAI). The balance control was assessed by dynamic posturography, which assesses the displacement of center of pressure (CoP) of the body on a platform of pressure, generating scores of balance and their kinetic variables such as area and speed of displacement of the CoP in lateral and anteroposterior directions. RESULTS: The asthma group had significantly higher scores in STAIState (46.8 ± 11,38 versus 38.2 ± 13,16; t = 2,89; p=0,005) and in STAI-Trait (50.1 ± 13,60 versus 37.9 ± 12,67; t = 4,22; p<0,001). In dynamic posturography, the Student t test showed worst performance of asthmatics in balance scores and in the area of the CoP displacement, but the Pearson correlation test showed no association between higher anxiety scores with lower balance scores (r <0.3 in all conditions evaluated). CONCLUSION: Balance abnormalities seems frequent in asthma patients independently from the presence of anxiety symptoms. However, the presence of vestibular dysfunction, working via anxiety provocation, may have a major impact in the prognosis of these patients. These findings suggest that disequilibrium related complaints must be investigated in asthmatic patients mainly in those presenting higher levels of anxiety

In recent years, autism diagnoses have steadily increased, putting a substantial emphasis on early identification as a crucial component for intervention. Autism diagnoses, however, often require a thorough and comprehensive assessment from a highly trained practitioner. Although ideal, such assessments are often time consuming and expensive, creating a need for a quicker, more simplistic method of screening for autism. Clinicians customarily used behavior rating scales to identify a number of various problem behaviors and/or disorders. The purpose of the present study is to examine the utility of two common behavior rating scales in accurately discriminating between a group of preschoolers with autism and a group of referred preschoolers with autism. Parents/guardians of 74 preschoolers with and without autism, who had been referred to a child development clinic due to behavioral or developmental concerns, completed both behavior rating scales as part of a comprehensive assessment. Although analyses revealed significant differences between the two groups of participants on two of the scales from one of the instruments, these findings demonstrate little clinical value for screening purposes.