Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Also available in print.

Mounting evidence has suggested that structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and other areas within the medial-frontal cortex are part of a reinforcement learning system responsible for the optimization of behaviour (Holroyd & Coles, 2002). However, we also learn without reinforcement and it has been less clear what neural structures are recruited in these instances. The P300 component of the human event-related brain potential (ERP) has been intensely researched in regards to context updating and the processing of novel stimuli (Spencer, Dien, & Donchin, 2001). Here, I sought to elaborate on the role of the P300 ERP component in implicit learning of stimulus frequencies – learning driven by the stimulus itself and not reward feedback. I propose over the course of three experiments that I have provided evidence indicating that the P300 and its neural sources play a role in feedback-free learning mechanisms. Specifically, in a feedback-free paradigm participants are shown to learn stimulus frequencies. While this occurs, P300 amplitude scales in line with participant behaviour and stimulus frequency. A common trend is revealed in how quickly this amplitude scaling occurs, suggesting further mechanisms are at play. Trial-by-trial analysis ultimately shows that behavioural prediction error formula and neural correlate prediction errors utilize a nearly identical function. These trends hold even in a passive auditory task in which the participant is fully distracted. / Graduate

A técnica da remoção seletiva de tecido cariado (RSTC) para lesões de cárie profundas em dentina de dentes decíduos e permanentes, já é consenso na literatura e é sustentada por pesquisas que demonstram excelentes resultados clínicos, radiográficos e microbiológicos. No entanto, a longevidade de restaurações adesivas realizadas após a RSTC, principalmente na dentição decídua, vem gerando algumas dúvidas e preocupações quanto ao seu desempenho, merecendo esclarecimentos. O objetivo deste estudo randomizado, controlado e multicêntrico foi comparar a taxa de sucesso de restaurações adesivas realizadas em dentes decíduos posteriores após a remoção total (RTTC) ou seletiva (RSTC) de tecido cariado ao longo de 30 meses. Métodos: Crianças de 4 a 8 anos de idade portadoras de pelo menos duas lesões cavitadas ativas em metade interna de dentina (metade interna da dentina na avaliação do RX interproximal e com pelo menos 1mm de dentina separando a lesão cariosa da polpa) e que se enquadrassem nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão participaram do estudo. Para cada criança os dentes (no mínimo dois, mas podendo ser mais) foram aleatoriamente divididos de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos: RTTC (grupo controle) ou RSTC (grupo teste). Nos casos em que ocorreu exposição pulpar, o dente foi devidamente tratado e excluído da amostra, os dados em relação ao tipo de remoção de tecido cariado que levou à exposição foram coletados. Quatro instituições participaram do estudo (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade de São Paulo; Universidade Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidade Internacional do Equador), resultando em quatro odontopediatras que realizaram os procedimentos de remoção de tecido cariado e posterior restauração em resina composta, avaliadas clinicamente no baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 e 30 meses. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia local e isolamento absoluto. Características sociodemográficas foram coletadas no baseline e características clínicas como índice ceod/CPOD, índice de placa visível (IPV) e índice de sangramento gengival (ISG) foram coletados em todos os períodos de acompanhamento. Em todos os momentos experimentais foram avaliados os aspectos clínicos das restaurações por um examinador cego e calibrado através do índice FDI adaptado. Para determinar as taxas de sucesso das restaurações de resina composta foram geradas curvas de sobrevida com o estimador Kaplan-Meyer para cada grupo avaliado, assim como as taxas de falha anual das restaurações. O modelo de regressão de Cox com falhas compartilhadas foi realizado para avaliar diferenças nas taxas de sobrevida das restaurações de acordo com o tratamento, instituição e características clínicas e demográficas da amostra. Resultados: Cento e seis crianças (51 meninos e 55 meninas) colaboraram com 278 dentes submetidos a restaurações adesivas, 137 após RTTC e 141 após RSTC. Oito exposições pulpares ocorreram no grupo da RTTC e quatro no grupo da RSTC. A taxa global de sucesso das restaurações foi 87,1% (85,4% para RTTC e 88,7% para RSTC) e o tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 30 meses. A taxa anual de falha foi de 7% após 24 meses de acompanhamento. Não houve diferença no risco de falha (TR) de acordo com o grupo de tratamento (TR 0,75; IC 95%: 0,38-1,46) e instituição (USP TR 0,44; IC 95%: 0,94-2,09; PERU TR 0,92; IC 95%: 0,26-3,19 EQUADOR TR 1,39; IC 95%: 0,45-4,28). Foram encontradas observações análogas em relação a todas as variáveis clínicas e demográficas. Conclusões: As restaurações adesivas realizadas em dentes decíduos com lesões cavitadas profundas em dentina apresentam sobrevida satisfatória após 33 meses de acompanhamento, independentemente da técnica realizada para remoção de tecido cariado. / The selective caries removal technique (SCR) for active deep carious lesions in deciduous and permanent teeth is already a consensus in the literature and is supported by studies that demonstrate excellent clinical, radiographic and microbiological results. However, the longevity of restorations performed after the SCR, mainly in primary dentition, has generated some doubts and concerns about its performance, deserving clarification. This multicenter study aimed to compare the success rate of adhesive restorations performed on posterior deciduous teeth after total or selective caries removal over 30 months Methods: Children between 4 - 8 years old with at least two active cavitated lesions in deep dentin (inner half of the dentin in the evaluation of the interproximal RX and with at least 1mm of dentin separating the carious lesion of the pulp) and that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in the study. For each child, teeth were randomized and submitted to one of the treatment groups: total caries removal (TCR - control group) or SCR (test group). Children could have more than 2 teeth included. In cases of pulp exposure, data were analyzed and the tooth was excluded from the sample. Four institutions participated in the study (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia and International Universidad of Ecuador), resulting in four pediatric dentists who performed the caries removal procedures and subsequent restorations in composite resin. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia and rubber dam use. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected at the baseline and clinical characteristics as dmft and visible plaque and gingival bleeding index were collected in all follow-up periods. Radiographs were taken only at baseline and restorations were clinically assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 33 months by a blinded, trained and calibrated operator in each institution. The characteristics of the restorations were recorded according to an adaptation of the FDI criteria. Survival estimates for restoration longevity were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. We also estimated the annual failure rate of the restorations. Cox regression model with shared frailty was performed to assess differences in survival rates of the restoration according to the intervention treatment, institution and clinical and demographic characteristics of the sample. Results: one hundred and six children (51 boys and 55 girls) collaborated with 278 teeth submitted to adhesive restorations (137 after TCR and 141 after SCR). Pulp exposure occurred in eight teeth (2.8%) allocated to TCR, and in four (1.4%) allocated to SCR group. The overall success rate of restorations was 87.1% (85.4% for TCR and 88.7% for SCR) and mean survival time was 30.3 months. The annual failure rate was 7% after 24 months of follow-up. There were no differences in the risk of failure according to the treatment group (HR 0.75;95%CI:0.38-1.46) and institution (USP HR 0.44;95%CI:0.94-2.09; PERU HR 0.92;95%CI:0.26-3.19; ECUADOR HR 1.39;95%CI:0.45-4.28). Analogous observations were found regarding all the clinical and demographic variables. Conclusions: Composite restorations of active deep carious lesions performed in posterior primary teeth show satisfactory survival of 87.1% after 33 months of follow-up, regardless of the technique performed for carious tissue removal.

A técnica da remoção seletiva de tecido cariado (RSTC) para lesões de cárie profundas em dentina de dentes decíduos e permanentes, já é consenso na literatura e é sustentada por pesquisas que demonstram excelentes resultados clínicos, radiográficos e microbiológicos. No entanto, a longevidade de restaurações adesivas realizadas após a RSTC, principalmente na dentição decídua, vem gerando algumas dúvidas e preocupações quanto ao seu desempenho, merecendo esclarecimentos. O objetivo deste estudo randomizado, controlado e multicêntrico foi comparar a taxa de sucesso de restaurações adesivas realizadas em dentes decíduos posteriores após a remoção total (RTTC) ou seletiva (RSTC) de tecido cariado ao longo de 30 meses. Métodos: Crianças de 4 a 8 anos de idade portadoras de pelo menos duas lesões cavitadas ativas em metade interna de dentina (metade interna da dentina na avaliação do RX interproximal e com pelo menos 1mm de dentina separando a lesão cariosa da polpa) e que se enquadrassem nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão participaram do estudo. Para cada criança os dentes (no mínimo dois, mas podendo ser mais) foram aleatoriamente divididos de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos: RTTC (grupo controle) ou RSTC (grupo teste). Nos casos em que ocorreu exposição pulpar, o dente foi devidamente tratado e excluído da amostra, os dados em relação ao tipo de remoção de tecido cariado que levou à exposição foram coletados. Quatro instituições participaram do estudo (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Universidade de São Paulo; Universidade Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidade Internacional do Equador), resultando em quatro odontopediatras que realizaram os procedimentos de remoção de tecido cariado e posterior restauração em resina composta, avaliadas clinicamente no baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 e 30 meses. Todos os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia local e isolamento absoluto. Características sociodemográficas foram coletadas no baseline e características clínicas como índice ceod/CPOD, índice de placa visível (IPV) e índice de sangramento gengival (ISG) foram coletados em todos os períodos de acompanhamento. Em todos os momentos experimentais foram avaliados os aspectos clínicos das restaurações por um examinador cego e calibrado através do índice FDI adaptado. Para determinar as taxas de sucesso das restaurações de resina composta foram geradas curvas de sobrevida com o estimador Kaplan-Meyer para cada grupo avaliado, assim como as taxas de falha anual das restaurações. O modelo de regressão de Cox com falhas compartilhadas foi realizado para avaliar diferenças nas taxas de sobrevida das restaurações de acordo com o tratamento, instituição e características clínicas e demográficas da amostra. Resultados: Cento e seis crianças (51 meninos e 55 meninas) colaboraram com 278 dentes submetidos a restaurações adesivas, 137 após RTTC e 141 após RSTC. Oito exposições pulpares ocorreram no grupo da RTTC e quatro no grupo da RSTC. A taxa global de sucesso das restaurações foi 87,1% (85,4% para RTTC e 88,7% para RSTC) e o tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 30 meses. A taxa anual de falha foi de 7% após 24 meses de acompanhamento. Não houve diferença no risco de falha (TR) de acordo com o grupo de tratamento (TR 0,75; IC 95%: 0,38-1,46) e instituição (USP TR 0,44; IC 95%: 0,94-2,09; PERU TR 0,92; IC 95%: 0,26-3,19 EQUADOR TR 1,39; IC 95%: 0,45-4,28). Foram encontradas observações análogas em relação a todas as variáveis clínicas e demográficas. Conclusões: As restaurações adesivas realizadas em dentes decíduos com lesões cavitadas profundas em dentina apresentam sobrevida satisfatória após 33 meses de acompanhamento, independentemente da técnica realizada para remoção de tecido cariado. / The selective caries removal technique (SCR) for active deep carious lesions in deciduous and permanent teeth is already a consensus in the literature and is supported by studies that demonstrate excellent clinical, radiographic and microbiological results. However, the longevity of restorations performed after the SCR, mainly in primary dentition, has generated some doubts and concerns about its performance, deserving clarification. This multicenter study aimed to compare the success rate of adhesive restorations performed on posterior deciduous teeth after total or selective caries removal over 30 months Methods: Children between 4 - 8 years old with at least two active cavitated lesions in deep dentin (inner half of the dentin in the evaluation of the interproximal RX and with at least 1mm of dentin separating the carious lesion of the pulp) and that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in the study. For each child, teeth were randomized and submitted to one of the treatment groups: total caries removal (TCR - control group) or SCR (test group). Children could have more than 2 teeth included. In cases of pulp exposure, data were analyzed and the tooth was excluded from the sample. Four institutions participated in the study (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia and International Universidad of Ecuador), resulting in four pediatric dentists who performed the caries removal procedures and subsequent restorations in composite resin. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia and rubber dam use. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected at the baseline and clinical characteristics as dmft and visible plaque and gingival bleeding index were collected in all follow-up periods. Radiographs were taken only at baseline and restorations were clinically assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 33 months by a blinded, trained and calibrated operator in each institution. The characteristics of the restorations were recorded according to an adaptation of the FDI criteria. Survival estimates for restoration longevity were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. We also estimated the annual failure rate of the restorations. Cox regression model with shared frailty was performed to assess differences in survival rates of the restoration according to the intervention treatment, institution and clinical and demographic characteristics of the sample. Results: one hundred and six children (51 boys and 55 girls) collaborated with 278 teeth submitted to adhesive restorations (137 after TCR and 141 after SCR). Pulp exposure occurred in eight teeth (2.8%) allocated to TCR, and in four (1.4%) allocated to SCR group. The overall success rate of restorations was 87.1% (85.4% for TCR and 88.7% for SCR) and mean survival time was 30.3 months. The annual failure rate was 7% after 24 months of follow-up. There were no differences in the risk of failure according to the treatment group (HR 0.75;95%CI:0.38-1.46) and institution (USP HR 0.44;95%CI:0.94-2.09; PERU HR 0.92;95%CI:0.26-3.19; ECUADOR HR 1.39;95%CI:0.45-4.28). Analogous observations were found regarding all the clinical and demographic variables. Conclusions: Composite restorations of active deep carious lesions performed in posterior primary teeth show satisfactory survival of 87.1% after 33 months of follow-up, regardless of the technique performed for carious tissue removal.

Magister Legum - LLM / News coverage of high profile criminal matters has increased in South Africa. Such matters are of public concern, as every citizen has a right to receive and impart information and to debate openly and frankly matters which are of public concern, including matters before the courts. The legitimacy of the courts is dependent on robust media reportage and public scrutiny of judicial matters which such reportage stimulates. However, criminal trials of high profile accused persons such as Oscar Pistorius, Shrien Dewani and J Arthur Brown, turn easily into a show with strong entertainment value, giving the media strong profitmaking reasons to cover it. In their pursuit of profit and in seeking to satisfy the curiosity of their readers, listeners or viewers, the media regularly resort to trial by media or adverse pre-trial publicity. Trial by media is nothing more than commercially motivated expression which does not warrant constitutional protection. At the receiving end of such coverage are accused persons. Public censure of crime and of accused persons which follows trial by media should not be imposed on the innocent. The right to a fair trial requires that an accused be treated fairly from the inception of the criminal process, from which point the person suspected of committing the crime in question is considered innocent. Any pre-trial process which implies that the accused is guilty, including any such process influenced by media reports surrounding criminal offences, violates the presumption of innocence. Despite the availability of remedies, the media in South Africa usually are not held to account for their actions and persist with adverse, biased and irresponsible pre-trial reporting. Courts have shown a tendency to protect the media in these cases, despite the effect of such reporting on the judicial process, the administration of justice and the fair trial rights of accused persons. The reason for this is usually the hesitation on the part of judges to recognise their susceptibility to extraneous matters. Judges should not be placed in a position where their independence and impartiality are questioned as a result of media sensationalism. Where the media create mistrust in the integrity of the judiciary, the rule of law is in peril.

This study investigated the effect of cognitive factors on competency to stand trial. Previous researchers have investigated how psychological variables --such as psychosis and intelligence--contribute to incompetency. Although several researchers have established that intelligence contributes to incompetency, very few have investigated the role of specific cognitive abilities within the realm of intelligence. This study investigated the performance of 55 defendants referred for competency restoration on neuropsychological measures. Specifically, competent defendants and incompetent defendants were compared on several measures assessing functioning in seven cognitive domains. Competent defendants performed significantly better than incompetent defendants on measures of verbal comprehension, social judgment, verbal memory, and executive functioning. Competent and incompetent defendants did not differ on attention, visual spatial skills, or nonverbal memory.

Criminal procedure in front of a single judge Abstract The master thesis focuses on the legislation concerning criminal procedure in front of a single judge and its purpose is not only the description of all aspects of such criminal procedure but also the presentation of disputable questions and their answers. Another objective of the thesis is to identify inappropriate legislation and provide solutions in the form of de lege ferenda thoughts, including the provision of opinions as to future legislation. Based on methods of description, analysis and historical comparison, the master thesis provides a comprehensive view on the single judge, while using commented legislation, academic literature and case law. The first chapter closely describes the historical evolution of the role of the single judge from 1918 (respectively since 1873 as the Austrian-Hungarian legislation had been adapted) until today. The second chapter solves a problematic question whether the single judge can administer justice at a regional court or only at a county court. The following chapters focus on the core of the thesis, which is described in the next three chapters. The third chapter presents the very first actions of the single judge after the prosecution is delivered to him. The fourth chapter is dedicated to the criminal order...

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