Rehabilitation of executive dysfunction: A controlled trial of an attention and problem solving treatment group

In this study, the effectiveness of a group-based attention and problem solving (APS) treatment approach to executive impairments in patients with frontal lobe lesions was investigated. Thirty participants with lesions in the frontal lobes, 16 with left frontal (LF) and 14 with right frontal (RF) lesions, were allocated into three groups, each with 10 participants. The APS treatment was initially compared to two other control conditions, an information/education (IE) approach and treatment-as-usual or traditional rehabilitation (TR), with each of the control groups subsequently receiving the APS intervention in a crossover design. This design allowed for an evaluation of the treatment through assessment before and after treatment and on follow up, six months later. There was an improvement on some executive and functional measures after the implementation of the APS programme in the three groups. Size, and to a lesser extent laterality, of lesion affected baseline performance on measures of executive function, but there was no apparent relationship between size, laterality or site of lesion and level of benefit from the treatment intervention. The results were discussed in terms of models of executive functioning and the effectiveness of domain specific interventions in the rehabilitation of executive dysfunction.

Comprensi��n en resoluci��n de problemas en F��sica: niveles de representaci��n e inferencias basadas en el conocimiento. Comprehension in Physics Problem-Solving: levels of representation and knowledge-based inferences.

Se propone desarrollar e integrar estudios sobre Modelado y Resoluci��n de Problemas en F��sica que asumen como factores explicativos: caracter��sticas de la situaci��n planteada, conocimiento de la persona que resuelve y proceso puesto en juego durante la resoluci��n. Interesa comprender c��mo los estudiantes acceden al conocimiento previo, qu�� procedimientos usan para recuperar algunos conocimientos y desechar otros, cu��les son los criterios que dan coherencia a sus decisiones, c��mo se relacionan estas decisiones con algunas caracter��sticas de la tarea, entre otras. Todo ello con miras a estudiar relaciones causales entre las dificultades encontradas y el retraso o abandono en las carreras.Se propone organizar el trabajo en tres ejes, los dos primeros de construcci��n te��rica y un tercero de implementaci��n y transferencia. Se pretende.1.-Estudiar los procesos de construcci��n de las representaciones mentales en resoluci��n de problemas de f��sica, tanto en expertos como en estudiantes de diferentes niveles acad��micos.2.-Analizar y clasificar las inferencias que se producen durante las tareas de comprensi��n en resoluci��n de problemas de f��sica. Asociar dichas inferencias con procesos de transici��n entre representaciones mentales de diferente naturaleza.3.-Desarrollar materiales y dise��os instruccionales en la ense��anza de la F��sica, fundamentado en un conocimiento de los requerimientos psicol��gicos de los estudiantes en diversas tareas de aprendizaje.En t��rminos generales se plantea un enfoque interpretativo a la luz de marcos de la psicolog��a cognitiva y de los desarrollos propios del grupo. Se trabajar�� con muestras intencionales de alumnos y profesores de f��sica. Se utilizar��n protocolos verbales y registros escritos producidos durante la ejecuci��n de las tareas con el fin de identificar indicadores de comprensi��n, inferencias, y diferentes niveles de representaci��n. Se prev�� analizar material escrito de circulaci��n corriente sea comercial o preparado por los docentes de las carreras involucradas.Las caracter��sticas del objeto de estudio y el distinto nivel de desarrollo en que se encuentran los diferentes ojetivos espec��ficos llevan a que el abordaje contemple -seg��n consideracion de Juni y Urbano (2006)- tanto la l��gica cualitativa como la cuantitativa.

An Empirical Examination of the R&D Boundaries of the Firm - A Problem-Solving Perspective

We consider, both theoretically and empirically, how different organization modes are aligned to govern the efficient solving of technological problems. The data set is a sample from the Chinese consumer electronics industry. Following mainly the problem solving perspective (PSP) within the knowledge based view (KBV), we develop and test several PSP and KBV hypotheses, in conjunction with competing transaction cost economics (TCE) alternatives, in an examination of the determinants of the R&D organization mode. The results show that a firm���s existing knowledge base is the single most important explanatory variable. Problem complexity and decomposability are also found to be important, consistent with the theoretical predictions of the PSP, but it is suggested that these two dimensions need to be treated as separate variables. TCE hypotheses also receive some support, but the estimation results seem more supportive of the PSP and the KBV than the TCE.

The association between need for touch and desire for unique products and consumer (inter)dependent problem-solving

Some people cannot buy products without first touching them, believing that doing so will create more assurance and information and reduce uncertainty. The international consumer marketing literature suggests an instrument to measure consumers' necessity for pohysical contact, called Need for Touch (NFT). This paper analyzes whether the Need for Touch structure is empirically consistent. Based on a literature review, we suggest six hypotheses in order to assess the nomological, convergent, and discriminant validity of the phenomenon. Departing from these, data supported four assumptions in the predicted direction. Need for Touch was associated with Need for Input and with Need for Cognition. Need for Touch was not associated with traditional marketing channels. The results also showed the dual characterization of Need for Touch as a bi-dimensional construct. The moderator effect indicated that when the consumer has a higher (vs. lower) Need for Touch autotelic score, the experiential motivation for shopping played a more (vs. less) important role in impulsive motivation. Our Study 3 supports the NFT structure and shows new associations with the need for unique products and dependent decisions.

Improving Information Problem Solving skills in Secondary Education through embedded instruction

This empirical study consists in an investigation of the effects, on the development of Information Problem Solving (IPS) skills, of a long-term embedded, structured and supported instruction in Secondary Education. Forty secondary students of 7th and 8th grades (13���15 years old) participated in the 2-year IPS instruction designed in this study. Twenty of them participated in the IPS instruction, and the remaining twenty were the control group. All the students were pre- and post-tested in their regular classrooms, and their IPS process and performance were logged by means of screen capture software, to warrant their ecological validity. The IPS constituent skills, the web search sub-skills and the answers given by each participant were analyzed. The main findings of our study suggested that experimental students showed a more expert pattern than the control students regarding the constituent skill ���defining the problem��� and the following two web search sub-skills: ���search terms��� typed in a search engine, and ���selected results��� from a SERP. In addition, scores of task performance were statistically better in experimental students than in control group students. The paper contributes to the discussion of how well-designed and well-embedded scaffolds could be designed in instructional programs in order to guarantee the development and efficiency of the students��� IPS skills by using net information better and participating fully in the global knowledge society.

Measurement Problems and Problem-Solving in Kraft Pulping

T��m��n ty��n tarkoituksena on koota yhteen selluprosessin mittausongelmat ja mahdolliset mittaustekniikat ongelmien ratkaisemiseksi. P����paino on online-mittaustekniikoissa. Ty�� koostuu kolmesta osasta. Ensimm��inen osa on kirjallisuusty��, jossa esitell����n nykyaikaisen selluprosessin perusmittaukset ja s����t��tarpeet. Mukana on koko kuitulinja puunk��sittelyst�� valkaisuun ja kemikaalikierto: haihduttamo, soodakattila, kaustistamo ja meesauuni. Toisessa osassa mittausongelmat ja mahdolliset mittaustekniikat on koottu yhteen ���tiekartaksi���. Tiedot on koottu vierailemalla kolmella suomalaisella sellutehtaalla ja haastattelemalla laitetekniikka- ja mittaustekniikka-asiantuntijoita. Prosessikemian paremmalle ymm��rt��miselle n��ytt���� haastattelun perusteella olevan tarvetta, mink�� vuoksi konsentraatiomittaukset on valittu jatkotutkimuskohteeksi. Viimeisess�� osassa esitell����n mahdollisia mittaustekniikoita konsentraatiomittausten ratkaisemiseksi. Valitut tekniikat ovat l��hi-infrapunatekniikka (NIR), fourier-muunnosinfrapunatekniikka (FTIR), online-kapillaarielektroforeesi (CE) ja laserindusoitu plasmaemissiospektroskopia (LIPS). Kaikkia tekniikoita voi k��ytt���� online-kytkettyin�� prosessikehitysty��kaluina. Kehityskustannukset on arvioitu s����t����n kytketylle online-laitteelle. Kehityskustannukset vaihtelevat nollasta miesty��vuodesta FTIR-tekniikalle viiteen miesty��vuoteen CE-laitteelle; kehityskustannukset riippuvat tekniikan kehitysasteesta ja valmiusasteesta tietyn ongelman ratkaisuun. Ty��n viimeisess�� osassa arvioidaan my��s yhden mittausongelman ��� pesuh��vi��mittauksen ��� ratkaisemisen teknis-taloudellista kannattavuutta. Ligniinipitoisuus kuvaisi nykyisi�� mittauksia paremmin todellista pesuh��vi��t��. Nyky����n mitataan joko natrium- tai COD-pesuh��vi��t��. Ligniinipitoisuutta voidaan mitata UV-absorptiotekniikalla. My��s CE-laitetta voitaisiin k��ytt���� pesuh��vi��n mittauksessa ainakin prosessikehitysvaiheessa. Taloudellinen tarkastelu pohjautuu moniin yksinkertaistuksiin ja se ei sovellu suoraan investointip����t��sten tueksi. Parempi mittaus- ja s����t��j��rjestelm�� voisi vakauttaa pesem��n ajoa. Investointi ajoa vakauttavaan j��rjestelm����n on kannattavaa, jos todellinen ajotilanne on tarpeeksi kaukana kustannusminimist�� tai jos pesurin ajo heilahtelee eli pesuh��vi��n keskihajonta on suuri. 50 000 ��� maksavalle mittaus- ja s����t��j��rjestelm��lle saadaan alle 0,5 vuoden takaisinmaksuaika ep��vakaassa ajossa, jos COD-pesuh��vi��n vaihteluv��li on 5,2 ��� 11,6 kg/odt asetusarvon ollessa 8,4 kg/odt. Laimennuskerroin vaihtelee t��ll��in v��lill�� 1,7 ��� 3,6 m3/odt asetusarvon ollessa 2,5 m3/odt.

Chelyabinsk CHP-3 ���locked power��� problem solving

All over the world power systems become bigger and bigger every day. New equipment is installed, new feeders are constructed, new power units are installed. Some old elements of the network, however, are not changed in time. As a result, ���bottlenecks��� for capacity transmission can occur. By locked power problem the situation when a power plant has installed capacity exceeding the power it can actually deliver is usually meant. Regime, scheme or even technical restrictions-related issues usually cause this kind of problem. It is really important, since from the regime point of view it is typical decision to have a mobile capacity reserve, in case of malfunctions. And, what can be even more significant, power plant owner (JSC Fortum in our case) losses his money because of selling less electrical energy. The goal of master`s thesis is to analyze the current state of Chelyabinsk power system and the CHP-3 (Combined Heat and Power plant) in particular in relation with it`s ability to deliver the whole capacity of the CHP in it`s existing state and also taking into consideration the prospect of power unit 3 installation by the fourth quarter of 2010. The thesis contains some general information about the UPS of Russia, CPS of Ural, power system of Chelyabinsk and the Chelyabinsk region itself. Then the CHP-3 is described from technical point of view with it`s equipment observation. Regimes for the nowadays power system and for the system after the power unit 3 installation are reviewed. The problems occurring are described and, finally, a solution is offered.

Adaptation of TRIZ Method for Problem Solving in Process Engineering

TRIZ is one of the well-known tools, based on analytical methods for creative problem solving. This thesis suggests adapted version of contradiction matrix, a powerful tool of TRIZ and few principles based on concept of original TRIZ. It is believed that the proposed version would aid in problem solving, especially those encountered in chemical process industries with unit operations. In addition, this thesis would help fresh process engineers to recognize importance of various available methods for creative problem solving and learn TRIZ method of creative problem solving. This thesis work mainly provides idea on how to modify TRIZ based method according to ones requirements to fit in particular niche area and solve problems efficiently in creative way. Here in this case, the contradiction matrix developed is based on review of common problems encountered in chemical process industry, particularly in unit operations and resolutions are based on approaches used in past to handle those issues.

Matrix Mind : on managerial reframing in multidimensional problem solving

Det ��r inte ovanligt att man i organisationer st��lls inf��r problem som inte kan hanteras inom befintlig organisationsstruktur. Sk��len kan vara att fr��gorna har m��nga ��� ibland konflikterande ��� dimensioner och perspektiv som samtidigt m��ste beaktas. I den h��r avhandlingen studeras vilka tankem��nster och f��rest��llningar som fanns n��r grupper av chefer f��rs��kte l��sa komplexa problem, som inte hade en naturlig organisatorisk hemvist och hur de omsatte dessa tankem��nster i handling. Vad k��nnetecknade det ledarskap som ut��vades under probleml��sningsprocessen? Avhandlingens empiri h��mtas fr��n ledarutvecklingsprogram i tv�� internationellt verksamma f��retag i Sverige, och omfattar 14 verkliga aff��rsproblem i dessa f��retag och den process varigenom de l��stes. De 14 seminarierna utg��r exempel p�� hur m��ngdimensionella fr��gest��llningar framg��ngsrikt hanteras utanf��r den befintliga organisationsstrukturen. Studien ger, genom att adressera fr��gor kring tankes��tt och ledningsprocesser, en djupare f��rst��else f��r f��ruts��ttningarna f��r detta, och lyfter s��rskilt fram betydelsen av ett ledarskap som inbegriper begreppen intervention, f��rm��ga och omtolkning. Som ett samlat begrepp introduceras bilden att ut��va ledarskapet utifr��n ett matrix mind. Att p��verka strukturer (i vid mening) och d��rigenom de f��rm��gor som utvecklas, ��r del i detta ledarskap. Det sker genom interventioner (ingrepp som p��verkar relationer i t ex en grupp) och baserades i den aktuella empirin p�� uppfattningar om v��rdet av problematisering, erfarenhetsutbyte och av ett spr��k, som b��de beskriver och anger inriktning f��r aktiviteter. Interventioner i strukturer (och till dem knutna processer) beskriver dock bara delvis detta ledarskap. Att leda med ett matrix mind innefattar ocks�� ett nyfiket och kreativt f��rh��llningss��tt, och att utifr��n detta leda omtolkning av problem. I empirin finns flera exempel p�� detta. Avhandlingen avser att ge ett bidrag inom s��v��l organisations- som ledarskapsteori.