Training executive functions in the laboratory and in real life : cognitive consequences of computer-based exercises and bilingualism

The question of the trainability of executive functions and the impact of such training on related cognitive skills has stirred considerable research interest. Despite a number of studies investigating this, the question has not yet been solved. The general aim of this thesis was to investigate two very different types of training of executive functions: laboratory-based computerized training (Studies I-III) and realworld training through bilingualism (Studies IV-V). Bilingualism as a kind of training of executive functions is based on the idea that managing two languages requires executive resources, and previous studies have suggested a bilingual advantage in executive functions. Three executive functions were studied in the present thesis: updating of working memory (WM) contents, inhibition of irrelevant information, and shifting between tasks and mental sets. Studies I-III investigated the effects of computer-based training of WM updating (Study I), inhibition (Study II), and set shifting (Study III) in healthy young adults. All studies showed increased performance on the trained task. More importantly, improvement on an untrained task tapping the trained executive function (near transfer) was seen in Study I and II. None of the three studies showed improvement on untrained tasks tapping some other cognitive function (far transfer) as a result of training. Study I also used PET to investigate the effects of WM updating training on a neurotransmitter closely linked to WM, namely dopamine. The PET results revealed increased striatal dopamine release during WM updating performance as a result of training. Study IV investigated the ability to inhibit task-irrelevant stimuli in bilinguals and monolinguals by using a dichotic listening task. The results showed that the bilinguals exceeded the monolinguals in inhibiting task-irrelevant information. Study V introduced a new, complementary research approach to study the bilingual executive advantage and its underlying mechanisms. To circumvent the methodological problems related to natural groups design, this approach focuses only on bilinguals and examines whether individual differences in bilingual behavior correlate with executive task performances. Using measures that tap the three above-entioned executive functions, the results suggested that more frequent language switching was associated with better set shifting skills, and earlier acquisition of the second language was related to better inhibition skills. In conclusion, the present behavioral results showed that computer-based training of executive functions can improve performance on the trained task and on closely related tasks, but does not yield a more general improvement of cognitive skills. Moreover, the functional neuroimaging results reveal that WM training modulates striatal dopaminergic function, speaking for training-induced neural plasticity in this important neurotransmitter system. With regard to bilingualism, the results provide further support to the idea that bilingualism can enhance executive functions. In addition, the new complementary research approach proposed here provides some clues as to which aspects of everyday bilingual behavior may be related to the advantage in executive functions in bilingual individuals.

Development of laboratory exercises for basic nuclear thermal hydraulics measurements

The thesis focuses on light water reactors (pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors) and measurement techniques for basic thermal hydraulics parameters that are used in a nuclear power plant. The goal of this work is a development of laboratory exercises for basic nuclear thermal hydraulics measurements.

Naamion takaa : n��yttelij��nty��n palapelini

The subject of this bachelor's thesis has its origins in the frequently asked question of an author; whether any of their own theatrical techniques correlate with those of any well-known theatrical personality. The aim of this bachelor's thesis, consequently, was to find out the true nature of the author as an actor and theatrical professional. The author started to put together a puzzle, from different fields of acting techniques, and came up with a solid picture. Different acting techniques and the basics of them were clarified and tested in practice. Techniques were reflected on, through great personalities in the field of theatre, via discussion. The selected personalities were Jouko Turkka, Antonin Artaud, Konstantin Stanislavski, Kaisa Korhonen and Bertolt Brecht. The toughness and physicality of acting played a strong role in this thesis. "Black pedagogy" was strongly criticized. The methods of Jouko Turkka were thoroughly investigated and, surprisingly to the author, turned out usable, although the author questioned the brutal ways that Turkka used them. The author carried out some of the physical exercises that corresponded to the different acting methods, and did "human tests" to understand the true meaning of the methods. Antonin Artaud abandoned all of his past life and sacrificed himself to art, which the author refuses to even consider it. The author found a soul-mate in Kaisa Korhonen and agreed with most of her methods. Many people who had worked with Kaisa Korhonen were interviewed to find out if she actually used the techniques. The author debated objectivity with Bertolt Brecht but, whereas Brecht saw it as the basis of everything, the author couldn't even consider it a usable technique. The author also had a discussion with Konstantin Stanislavski concerning the basics of acting, the study of singing, dancing and oral expression, and other beneficial skills. In the end, the author put herself on a plate, chopped herself into tiny pieces, started to study the pieces, and found out how she became as she is.

The Dynamic Analysis of a Human Skeleton Using the Flexile Multibody Simulation Approach

The human motion study, which relies on mathematical and computational models ingeneral, and multibody dynamic biomechanical models in particular, has become asubject of many recent researches. The human body model can be applied to different physical exercises and many important results such as muscle forces, which are difficult to be measured through practical experiments, can be obtained easily. In the work, human skeletal lower limb model consisting of three bodies in build using the flexible multibody dynamics simulation approach. The floating frame of reference formulation is used to account for the flexibility in the bones of the human lower limb model. The main reason of considering the flexibility inthe human bones is to measure the strains in the bone result from different physical exercises. It has been perceived the bone under strain will become stronger in order to cope with the exercise. On the other hand, the bone strength is considered and important factors in reducing the bone fractures. The simulation approach and model developed in this work are used to measure the bone strain results from applying raising the sole of the foot exercise. The simulation results are compared to the results available in literature. The comparison shows goof agreement. This study sheds the light on the importance of using the flexible multibody dynamic simulation approach to build human biomechanical models, which can be used in developing some exercises to achieve the optimalbone strength.

Hiljaisen tiedon siirtymisen mahdollisuudet ja esteet mentoroinnin avulla

Ty��n tavoitteena oli selvitt����, millaisia mahdollisuuksia ja esteit�� hiljaisen tiedon siirtymiselle mentoroinnin avulla oli ���Yritykset opiskelijoiden kummeina��� ��� projektissa. Tutkimuksessa kartoitettiin millaiset yritt��j��n ja opiskelijan ominaispiirteet tukevat ja est��v��t hiljaisen tiedon siirtymist��. Lis��ksi tutkittiin millaista tietoa mentorointiprosessissa siirtyy sek�� kysyttiin opiskelijoiden mielipiteit�� kummitoiminnan kehitt��misest�� tulevaisuudessa. Empiirisen tutkimuksen kohderyhm�� oli projektiin osallistuvat Lappeenrannan teknillisen yliopiston opiskelijat. Tutkimus toteutettiin s��hk��postikyselyn�� tammikuussa 2004. Tutkimuksen tuloksena oli, ett�� 58 % vastaajista koki oppineensa hiljaista tietoa projektin avulla enemm��n kuin kykenev��t sanoin kertomaan. Projektin avulla ty��llistyi 16 % ja harjoitust��it�� yrityksille opintoihinsa liittyen teki 14 % vastaajista. Tiedon siirtymisess�� mentoroinnin avulla t��rkeimm��ksi tekij��ksi nousivat opiskelijoiden kyky vastaanottaa tietoa sek�� yritt��j��n k��rsiv��llisyys opettaa. Estein�� hiljaisen tiedon siirtymiselle koettiin olevan kiire ja aikataulujen yhteensovittaminen.

Tutkintotavoitteisen aikuiskoulutuksen vaikuttavuus Case: Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto/Koulutus- ja kehitt��miskeskus/Metallitekniikka

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selvitt���� ja arvioida kahden konetekniikan maisteriohjelman vaikuttavuutta ohjelmiin osallistuneiden opiskelijoiden ja heid��n ty��nantajiensa n��k��kulmasta. Aikuiskoulutuksen vaikuttavuutta arvioidaan teemoilla osaaminen, tiedon siirtyminen yritysel��m����n ja ty��ura. Lis��ksi tarkastellaan millaista tukea aikuisopiskelija saa ja arvioidaan jatkotarpeita vastaaville koulutuksille. Tutkimus toteutettiin opiskelijoille tehdyn kvantitatiivisen kyselylomaketutkimuksen ja ty��nantajille tehdyn kvalitatiivisen teemahaastattelututkimuksen avulla. Menetelm��t t��ydent��v��t tutkimuksessa toisiaan ja antavat eri n��k��kulmia k��sitelt��viin aiheisiin. Tulokset esitet����n rinnakkain, joten samalla on mahdollisuus vertailla niiden tuloksia kesken����n. Opiskelulla on selv��sti vaikutusta ammatilliseen ja muuhun osaamiseen. Opiskellessa tullutta tietoa siirtyy ty��yhteis����n harjoitust��iden, palaverien ja varsinkin ep��virallisten keskustelujen kautta. Uraan opiskelu vaikuttaa selv��sti edist��v��sti, yritysten onkin syyt�� antaa valmistuneille uusia haasteita jos haluavat pit���� n��m�� itsell����n. Tukea aikuisopiskelija kaipaa monelta suunnalta, mutta erityisesti perheelt����n. Vastaavanlaiselle, ja my��s muulle alueelliselle koulutukselle on selke�� tarve my��s jatkossa.

Flexible Multibody Simulation Approach in the Dynamic Analysis of Bone Strains Activity

The objective of this study is to show that bone strains due to dynamic mechanical loading during physical activity can be analysed using the flexible multibody simulation approach. Strains within the bone tissue play a major role in bone (re)modeling. Based on previous studies, it has been shown that dynamic loading seems to be more important for bone (re)modeling than static loading. The finite element method has been used previously to assess bone strains. However, the finite element method may be limited to static analysis of bone strains due to the expensive computation required for dynamic analysis, especially for a biomechanical system consisting of several bodies. Further, in vivo implementation of strain gauges on the surfaces of bone has been used previously in order to quantify the mechanical loading environment of the skeleton. However, in vivo strain measurement requires invasive methodology, which is challenging and limited to certain regions of superficial bones only, such as the anterior surface of the tibia. In this study, an alternative numerical approach to analyzing in vivo strains, based on the flexible multibody simulation approach, is proposed. In order to investigate the reliability of the proposed approach, three 3-dimensional musculoskeletal models where the right tibia is assumed to be flexible, are used as demonstration examples. The models are employed in a forward dynamics simulation in order to predict the tibial strains during walking on a level exercise. The flexible tibial model is developed using the actual geometry of the subject���s tibia, which is obtained from 3 dimensional reconstruction of Magnetic Resonance Images. Inverse dynamics simulation based on motion capture data obtained from walking at a constant velocity is used to calculate the desired contraction trajectory for each muscle. In the forward dynamics simulation, a proportional derivative servo controller is used to calculate each muscle force required to reproduce the motion, based on the desired muscle contraction trajectory obtained from the inverse dynamics simulation. Experimental measurements are used to verify the models and check the accuracy of the models in replicating the realistic mechanical loading environment measured from the walking test. The predicted strain results by the models show consistency with literature-based in vivo strain measurements. In conclusion, the non-invasive flexible multibody simulation approach may be used as a surrogate for experimental bone strain measurement, and thus be of use in detailed strain estimation of bones in different applications. Consequently, the information obtained from the present approach might be useful in clinical applications, including optimizing implant design and devising exercises to prevent bone fragility, accelerate fracture healing and reduce osteoporotic bone loss.

���K��sitteit�� tarpeen mukaan". Kirjallisuustieteelliset k��sitteet lukion kirjallisuudenopetuksessa

Tavoitteeni t��ss�� tutkimuksessa oli selvitt����, miten kirjallisuustieteellisi�� proosa-anayysin k��sitteit�� opetetaan opetussuunnitelman mukaisissa lukion ��idinkielen ja kirjallisuuden oppikirjoissa ja miten hyvin kokelaat hallitsivat kertoja-k��sitteen tekstitaidon ylioppilaskokeessa kev����ll�� 2007. Samalla pohdin, mink��lainen kirjallisuustieteellinen k��sitteist�� palvelisi tekstianalyysin opetusta koulussa, koska Lukion opetussuunnitelman perusteet 2003 ja ��idinkielen ylioppilaskoe edellytt��v��t ��idinkielen ja kirjallisuuden opetukselta ja oppilailta k��sitteiden k��ytt����. Tutkimusaineistonani olivat kaikki kuusi k��yt��ss�� olevaa lukion ��idinkielen ja kirjallisuuden oppikirjaa ja 440 kpl kev����n 2007 ��idinkielen tekstitaidon ylioppilaskokeen vastausteksti��. Oppikirjoja tarkastelin soveltamalla niiden arviointiin Lev S. Vygotskin ajatuksia arkik��sitteiden ja tieteellisten k��sitteiden opettamisesta ja Hans Aeblin esitt��mi�� teoreettisia malleja k��sitteiden opettamisesta ja oppimisesta. Tutkimukseni osoittaa, ett�� opetussuunnitelmassa mainittujen proosa-analyysin k��sitteiden kertoja, n��k��kulma, motiivi, aihe ja teema opetus on ep��t��sm��llist��. Oppikirjoissa ei ole otettu huomioon sit��, ett�� k��sitteenoppiminen on monivaiheinen prosessi. My��sk����n problematiikkaa, joka aiheutuu kyseisten k��sitteiden m����rittelyn kirjavuudesta ja k��yt��st�� sek�� arkikielen k��sittein�� ett�� tieteellisin�� k��sittein��, ei oppikirjoissa k��sitell��. Sama n��kyy ylioppilaskoeaineistossa: oppilaat eiv��t hallitse k��sitett�� kertoja tieteellisen�� k��sitteen��. Tietoisuus kirjallisuustieteellisten k��sitteiden m����rittelyn problematiikasta ja arkik��sitteiden ja tieteellisten k��sitteiden ontologisista kategorioista on onnistuneen k��sitteenoppimisen edellytys. Kirjallisuustieteelliset k��sitteet ovat metak��sitteit��, jotka edellytt��v��t oppilaiden metak��sitteellisen tietoisuuden ja motivaation hy��dynt��mist�� opetuksessa, jossa olisi sovellettava monipuolisesti eri oppimisk��sitysten parhaita puolia hy��dynt��vi�� l��hestymistapoja, erilaisia pedagogisia diskursseja. Koulujen kirjallisuudenopetusta suunniteltaessa ja kirjallisuustieteellisi�� k��sitteit�� opetettaessa on otettava huomioon niin kirjallisuustieteen kuin kasvatustieteen n��k��kulma. Opetussuunnitelman ja ylioppilaskokeen asettama vaatimus k��sitteiden k��yt��st�� on kohtuuton, mik��li ei sovita, miten k��sitteet m����ritell����n ja mit�� k��sitteit�� kokelaiden oletetaan ylioppilaskokeessa hallitsevan. Kirjallisuustieteellisten k��sitteiden puutteellisen opetuksen oppikirjoissa ja niiden ep��m����r��isen k��yt��n ylioppilaskokeen teht��v��nannoissa ja arvioinnissa voi k��rjistyneimmill����n n��hd�� oppilaan oikeusturvakysymyksen��

Learning Robot Motions from Visual Sensing

Learning from demonstration becomes increasingly popular as an efficient way of robot programming. Not only a scientific interest acts as an inspiration in this case but also the possibility of producing the machines that would find application in different areas of life: robots helping with daily routine at home, high performance automata in industries or friendly toys for children. One way to teach a robot to fulfill complex tasks is to start with simple training exercises, combining them to form more difficult behavior. The objective of the Master���s thesis work was to study robot programming with visual input. Dynamic movement primitives (DMPs) were chosen as a tool for motion learning and generation. Assuming a movement to be a spring system influenced by an external force, making this system move, DMPs represent the motion as a set of non-linear differential equations. During the experiments the properties of DMP, such as temporal and spacial invariance, were examined. The effect of the DMP parameters, including spring coefficient, damping factor, temporal scaling, on the trajectory generated were studied.