John Crowley’s Little, Big is an innovative piece of fantasy writing. This thesis aims to prove that Crowley’s innovation lays the groundwork for new avenues in which fantastic space can be manipulated and constructed. Deep study in Euclidean geometry, modern physics, and occult astronomy reveal a new fantastic space, and a new concept for the threshold of Faerie. Crowley’s fantastic space is constructed as infundibular; with layers of concentricities that funnels his characters to their final destination of self-actualization and the heaven-like realm of Faerie. Crowley amalgamates the boundaries of Faerie and the primary world in an unusual fashion that is noted as Coalesced Fantasy: a fantasy wherein there is ultimately no dichotomy between Faerie and the primary world, as there is no division between the fantastic and science. This deliberate aim to blend boundaries is to establish an All in One theory. Faerie and the primary world oppose each other as antithetical conical space, and Crowley’s Edgewood house serves as the threshold to allow man to access the divinity and vastness of Faerie. Faerie (Divinity/macrocosm) and man (microcosm) exist in and amongst one another; everything is connected and every path intersects, spinning on a hyperbolic plane in this new, quantifiable space. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

O propósito do presente trabalho foi investigar, a partir de uma configuração espacial de estímulos colineares no campo aberto, a acurácia e estabilidade dos ajustes e estimativas de distância. Para isso foram analisados os aspectos referidos ao emprego de uma tarefa de ajuste de colinearidade e os dados confrontados com o fenômeno perceptual de anisotropia do espaço percebido. Adicionalmente, os resultados foram ajustados a partir de diferentes modelos, avaliando suas implicações para a geometria do espaço visual. Ainda, foram considerados os aspectos cognitivos vinculados a este tipo de tarefa quando empregadas no campo aberto, especialmente, em relação à visualização mental e a correção cognitiva. Participaram do estudo, como voluntários nos diferentes experimentos, 96 observadores, com idade média de 26 anos para mulaquis e 28 anos para os homens. Na coleta de dados experimentais foram utilizados recursos técnicos implícitos - apontamento exocêntrico e, também, recursos diretos -estimativa verbal de distância em campo aberto. Os resultados revelaram que os observadores apresentaram um bom desempenho na tarefa de colinearidade, com erros variando sistematicamente em função da distância egocêntrica do alvo. Os alinhamentos de colinearidade foram similares aos encontrados na literatura e não apresentaram variações quando agregado mais um alvo marcando o centro da configuração espacial de estímulos. Os julgamentos de distância egocêntrica e exocêntrica foram ajustados usando diferentes modelos teóricos (linear, função de potência, Generalizado, Tangle). O melhor ajuste foi obtido pelo Tangle, o modelo não linear de Foley, Ribeiro-Filho e Da Silva (2004) (RMSE=0,29m para distância egocêntrica e 0,31m para distância exocêntrica). Neste modelo ficou evidenciado que a desigualdade do triângulo foi cumprida para ângulos que variavam desde 67 até 101 graus, enquanto a soma dos segmentos das linhas de colinearidade não igualou o valor da distância entre seus pontos extremos. A anisotropia do espaço visual encontrada, nos experimentos, foi coerente com a reportada na literatura, aparecendo como um fenômeno difícil de ser representado geometricamente. As evidências apresentadas nesta tese, apontam à relevância dos processos cognitivos no momento de realizar tarefas espaciais como: o ajuste de colinearidade, a visualização mental ou a estimação de distância, tendo um aumento das correções cognitivas se incrementada a complexidade do ambiente visual. Foram encontradas diferenças nos julgamentos segundo o sexo dos observadores, com variações dependentes das tarefas consideradas. Sumariando, o trabalho experimental apresentado permitiu agregar informações para área temática desta pesquisa, contribuindo com uma análise ampliada sobre procedimentos baseados no ajuste de colinearidade, à aplicação do modelo de Foley, Ribeiro-Filho e Da Silva (2004) em estimativas baseadas neste tipo de tarefas no campo aberto, e sobre os aspectos cognitivos intervenientes. / The purpose of the present work was to investigate, using a spatial configuration of collinear stimuli in the open field, the accuracy and stability of the adjustments and distance estimates. Aspects related with the collinearity task were analyzed and the data confronted with the phenomenon of the anisotropy of perceived space. In addition, the results were fitted using different theoretical models, assessing their implications for the geometry of the visual space. The cognitive aspects related with this kind of task, when used in the open field, were also considered, particularly these referred to mental visualization and cognitive correction. 96 volunteers participated in the different experiments of this study, with a mean age of 26 years old for women and 28 for the men. In the collection of the experimental data, indirect measures were used, in particular a kind of exocentric pointing task, and, also, direct measures, like verbal judgments. The result shows that the observers achieved a good performance in the collinearity task, with errors varying systematically in function of the egocentric distance to the target. The results of the collinearity task were analogous to those found in the literature, and they didnt show significant variations when one more target, indicating the center of the spatial configuration of stimuli, was added on. The egocentric and exocentric distance judgments were adjusted using different theoretical models (lineal, power function, Common model, Tangle). The best fit was obtained by the Tangle, the non-linear model of Foley, Ribeiro-Filho and Da Silva (2004) (with RMSE=0,29m for egocentric distances and 0,31m for exocentric distances). In this model it was evidenced that the inequality of the triangle was accomplished for angles that varied from 67 to 101 degrees, while the sum of the segments of the collinearity lines didnt equal the value of the total distance among their extreme points. The anisotropy of the visual space found in the experiments, was coaquint with the reports in the literature, appearing as a phenomenon difficult of being represented geometrically. The evidences presented in this work point to the relevance of the cognitive processes when performing spatial tasks such as: collinearity adjust, mental visualization, distance estimation, with the cognitive corrections increasing as the complexity of the visual environment grown. They were also found differences in the judgements according to the observers sex, with variations depending on the considered tasks. Summarizing, the present experimental work contributed to this area of research, with an analysis aproximadamente the procedures based on the adjust of collinearity, the application of the theoretical model of Foley, Ribeiro-Filho and Da Silva (2004) in estimatives based on this kind of tasks in the open field, as well on the related cognitive aspects.

Visuospatial thinking skills are essential for many professional and educational fields, including science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.). The ability to rotate objects mentally is foundational to various types of spatial abilities, e.g. spatial visualization, perspective taking, spatial relations, etc. (Caroll, 1993). In order to attain and maintain mental rotation skills, the process of explicit decomposing the movements involved during the rotational process is required to embolden learning and conceptualization. In pilot studies, I found when learners verbally confirm the thinking and planning methods before performing rotation tasks, it helps learners formulate a complete mental rotation understanding. Moreover, this augments learners’ abilities to transfer the skill to other types of spatial oriented tasks. The dissertation study further investigated how explicitly planning as a type of training during 3D manipulations helps learners improve their abilities at mental rotation and other spatial thinking skills. Students from New York City metropolitan area (n=127) were recruited and consented to participate in the study. Using a 2x2 factorial between-subjects design plus a control, students were randomly assigned to one level of propositional explanation (explicit propositional integration vs. without) and one of training environment or rotational method (computer-assisted vs. physical-manipulation), or to a control group (no rotation). In the manipulation, learners operated the rotation of seven distinct stimuli in either single or multiple rotations for a total of 42 training trials over two 50-minute sessions on two separate days. I assessed mental rotation abilities using a pre and post repeated measures of the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotation Task and two standardized post-assessments, the Surface Development Task for near transfer of rotational skills and the far transfer of the Topographical Map Assessment. Overall, this dissertation confirmed that learners who engaged in explicitly integrating propositional in explaining their planning process improved in their 3D Spatial thinking skills and outperformed students who did not explicitly integrate their plans to complete the same spatial tasks on both the direct and near transfer tasks. There were no differences on the measures of far transfer. Results from this study can inform professionals ranging from educators to instructional designers as well as child developmentalists and caretakers. By coupling explicit explanations with internal spatial thinking, individuals can improve their 3D spatial thinking skills with prospects for benefits that extend not only into everyday activities but additional activities in S.T.E.A.M. related endeavors.

Os parques são espaços de lazer essenciais para convivência e interação na sociedade, sendo locais públicos, que devem oferecer igualdade de possibilidades e utilização por todos, não segregando ou excluindo. Mas, na realidade, os parques públicos urbanos brasileiros ainda não dispõem de condições básicas para o deslocamento seguro e autônomo das pessoas com deficiência visual. Por meio desta pesquisa, objetivou-se identificar as restrições que o ambiente impõe a esse grupo de indivíduos, bem como conhecer suas necessidades, habilidades e limitações, compreendendo a sua percepção do espaço, e identificando a influência dos elementos cognitivos auxiliares dessa percepção. Buscou-se ainda avaliar a eficácia das medidas de acessibilidade implantadas em parques urbanos para as pessoas com deficiência visual, analisando a sua relação com estes espaços livres públicos de lazer. Para tal, realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica aprofundada acerca do tema, atentando para as normas e legislações vigentes; entrevistas com especialistas de outras áreas do conhecimento, como psicólogos, educadores e especialistas em orientação e mobilidade; e contou-se com a contribuição de pessoas com deficiência visual por meio da aplicação de ferramentas como entrevistas, grupos focais, observações participantes, e passeios acompanhados em alguns parques de São Paulo, para a coleta de dados. O estudo pautou-se por uma abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa, cujos resultados ressaltaram a importância dos parques como espaços de lazer para as pessoas com deficiência visual e a atual falta de acessibilidade dos mesmos. Apesar da legislação brasileira, e em especial da cidade de São Paulo, estabelecer a garantia de acesso e utilização dos parques pelas pessoas com deficiência em geral, essa determinação não é cumprida pelo próprio poder público, responsável pelo gerenciamento e manutenção dos parques uranos. E em relação às normas atuais, esta dissertação sugere alguns acréscimos e recomendações para que os parques realmente possibilitem o deslocamento autônomo e independente das pessoas cegas e com baixa visão. Por fim, com a realização desta pesquisa percebe-se que os ambientes muito abertos, amplos e com muitas pessoas são naturalmente complicados para as pessoas com deficiência visual, mas é possível deixá-los totalmente acessíveis para este público-alvo, e é algo necessário, visto que esta parte da população demonstrou grande interesse e deve ser incluída plenamente nos espaços públicos em questão. / Parks are places for leisure activities, they are essential for society\'s coexistence and interaction, being by definition public sites that should offer equal possibilities and universal use, never segregating or excluding. However, in fact, urban public parks in Brazil still do not dispose of basic requirements for the safe and independent displacement of the visually impaired persons. The present research seeks to identify the restrictions imposed by the environment to this group of individuals, as well as knowing their needs, abilities and limitations, understanding their perception of space and identifying the influence of the cognitive elements that assist this perception. Additionally, the present work intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the accessibility measures implemented in urban parks for the visually impaired individuals, analyzing their relationship with those public free leisure sites. In order to do so, a deep bibliographic review about the theme was done, with special attention to the current rules and legislations; interviews with specialists from other fields of knowledge such as psychologists, teachers and specialist in orientation and mobility. The research has been aided by visually impaired persons whom have participated in several activities for data collection, interviews, focus groups, participant observations, as well as accompanied tours through some parks of Sao Paulo. This study is guided by a qualitative approach research method, which results highlighted the importance of parks as leisure sites for visually impaired individuals and the actual lack of accessibility of those free public sites. Even though the Brazilian legislation and specially the Sao Paulo municipality laws do establish that access and use of the parks by the visually impaired citizens is guaranteed, the public forces do not comply with such determinations, though those forces answer for the management and maintenance of urban parks. In relation to the current laws, this dissertation suggests some additions and recommendations so that parks really enable the independent and self-governing displacement of the blind and of the low vision persons. Conclusively, the present research allow us to perceive that environments that are very open, wide and crowded are naturally challenging for the visually impaired, but it is possible to make those environments completely accessible to this audience, and it is rather necessary, once part of this population showed great interest and should be fully included in the public sites concerned.

<p>A large part of research about libraries and library buildings in Sweden has been focused on how the building looks not how it functions with the library. The aim with this master’s thesis is to study how a library building is functioning and how its users are experiencing it. This is studied in three libraries, Kungliga tekniska högskolans bibliotek, Sambiblioteket in Härnösand and Vitterhetsakademiens bibliotek. With the questions of how they were planed, what did the libraries want from the new building and which of these demands were realized. The theory and method will are inspired from Daniel Koch and Inger Bergström.I have visited these libraries and also have read the few published articles about them. I have, too, interviewed librarians and users in the libraries. These libraries have all established a new library building in the 2100th century. The study shows that is not always easy to build a new library. There are a lot of actors involved in the planning, and that effects how the library will function in the building as well how the users move within and experience the room.</p>

A large part of research about libraries and library buildings in Sweden has been focused on how the building looks not how it functions with the library. The aim with this master’s thesis is to study how a library building is functioning and how its users are experiencing it. This is studied in three libraries, Kungliga tekniska högskolans bibliotek, Sambiblioteket in Härnösand and Vitterhetsakademiens bibliotek. With the questions of how they were planed, what did the libraries want from the new building and which of these demands were realized. The theory and method will are inspired from Daniel Koch and Inger Bergström.I have visited these libraries and also have read the few published articles about them. I have, too, interviewed librarians and users in the libraries. These libraries have all established a new library building in the 2100th century. The study shows that is not always easy to build a new library. There are a lot of actors involved in the planning, and that effects how the library will function in the building as well how the users move within and experience the room.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.) in Spatial Information Science and Engineering--University of Maine, 2009. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96).

published_or_final_version / Physiology / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

In recent years, the focus of cartographic research has shifted from the cartographic communication paradigm to the scientific visualization paradigm. With this, there has been a resurgence of cognitive research that is invaluable in guiding the design and evaluation of effective cartographic visualization tools. The design of new tools that allow effective visual exploration of spatial data and data quality information in a resource management setting is critical if decision-makers and policy setters are to make accurate and confident decisions that will have a positive long-term impact on the environment. The research presented in this dissertation integrates the results of previous research in spatial cognition, visualization of spatial information and on-line map use in order to explore the design, development and experimental testing of four interactive visualization tools that can be used to simultaneously explore spatial data and data quality. Two are traditional online tools (side-by-side and sequenced maps) and two are newly developed tools (an interactive "merger" bivariate map and a hybrid o f the merger map and the hypermap). The key research question is: Are interactive visualization tools, such as interactive bivariate maps and hypermaps, more effective for communicating spatial information than less interactive tools such as sequenced maps? A methodology was developed in which subjects used the visualization tools to explore a forest species composition and associated data quality map in order to perform a range of map-use tasks. Tasks focused on an imaginary land-use conflict for a small region of mixed boreal forest in Northern Alberta. Subject responses in terms of performance (accuracy and confidence) and preference are recorded and analyzed. Results show that theory-based, well-designed interactive tools facilitate improved performance across all tasks, but there is an optimal matching between specific tasks and tools. The results are generalized into practical guidelines for software developers. The use of confidence as a measure of map-use effectiveness is verified. In this experimental setting, individual differences (in terms of preference, ability, gender etc.) did not significantly affect performance.