An investigation into the optimum training paradigm for alpha electroencephalographic biofeedback

Alpha neurofeedback training has been put forward for use in the optimal performance field as a way to enhance cognitive abilities and musical performance amongst others. The literature to date, however, has been characterised by methodological limitations and disagreement on procedural and analytic matters which makes drawing conclusions and comparing results problematic. To provide clarity to the field, and to enable effective investigation of the usefulness of alpha neurofeedback training in the realm of optimal performance, it would be useful if a standardised way of conducting alpha neurofeedback was established. It is unclear, for instance, what influence the current variations have on participants’ ability to train their alpha and to the outcome (e.g. on cognition) of their performance. This thesis therefore sets out to investigate whether there is an optimum methodology for alpha neurofeedback training. The first experiment was designed to establish an index of learning to use in the successive experiments; that is, to establish how alpha should be measured and how participants’ performance should be analysed. Fifty-two participants were given 10 sessions of once weekly alpha (8-12Hz) enhancement and alpha suppression training at Pz. From the results of this first experiment it was decided that amplitude and per cent time would be the measures used to investigate participants’ performance and that analyses of participants’ performance both within and across sessions would be examined. Further, it was decided that baseline measures needed to be incorporated in to the analyses in order to establish a clearer picture of participants’ ability to learn. Experiment 2 involved training 33 participants to both enhance and suppress their alpha (8-12Hz) at Pz. Over the course of 10 once weekly sessions, 17 participants trained with their eyes open and 16 were trained with their eyes closed. The results suggested that eyes open alpha neurofeedback training is a more optimal training paradigm than eyes closed. The third experiment therefore set out to examine whether the type of eyes open training has an influence on participants’ performance. Specifically, 15 participants were given audio feedback, 15 were given audio-visual feedback, and 17 were given visual feedback over the course of 10 once weekly alpha (8-12Hz) enhancement and alpha suppression sessions. The results showed that of the 3 types of feedback, audio feedback produced the more optimal results. Although there are further aspects of methodology and analysis to be investigated, the results from this thesis suggest that these fundamental design decisions do make a difference to the participants’ ability to exert a conscious control over their own EEG alpha activity suggesting that there is, in fact, an optimum methodology for alpha (8-12Hz) neurofeedback training

A generalized Fellner-Schall method for smoothing parameter estimation with application to Tweedie location, scale and shape models

We consider the estimation of smoothing parameters and variance components in models with a regular log likelihood subject to quadratic penalization of the model coefficients, via a generalization of the method of Fellner (1986) and Schall (1991). In particular: (i) we generalize the original method to the case of penalties that are linear in several smoothing parameters, thereby covering the important cases of tensor product and adaptive smoothers; (ii) we show why the method's steps increase the restricted marginal likelihood of the model, that it tends to converge faster than the EM algorithm, or obvious accelerations of this, and investigate its relation to Newton optimization; (iii) we generalize the method to any Fisher regular likelihood. The method represents a considerable simplification over existing methods of estimating smoothing parameters in the context of regular likelihoods, without sacrificing generality: for example, it is only necessary to compute with the same first and second derivatives of the log-likelihood required for coefficient estimation, and not with the third or fourth order derivatives required by alternative approaches. Examples are provided which would have been impossible or impractical with pre-existing Fellner-Schall methods, along with an example of a Tweedie location, scale and shape model which would be a challenge for alternative methods

Parent-child interactions during joint engagement with touchscreen technology: A comparison of younger versus older toddlers

With a plethora of touchscreen apps aimed at young children, parents are receiving mixed messages about the appropriateness of such technology for their toddlers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2016) advises limited engagement with digital media for this age group and encourages parents to co-engage with children when they are using screens. However, very little is known about parent-child interaction in the context of joint engagement with digital screen media in the toddler years. This study observed 56 toddlers (M = 32.5 months old; 53 % female) and a parent (52 mothers; 4 fathers) performing a 3-minute drawing task on a touchscreen tablet (digital condition), and on an Etch-A-Sketch (non-digital condition) using a repeated measures design. Observations were analysed using global ratings of dyadic interaction, comparing warmth, cooperation and conflict between digital and non-digital conditions. A mixed MANCOVA analysis, controlling for levels of daily usage of touchscreens, revealed lower levels of parent-child cooperation and warmth in the digital condition compared to the non-digital condition. In addition, there was a main effect of age with younger dyads displaying less cooperation overall, particularly in the digital condition where interactions were also less warm. Results suggest that co-engaging with digital technology can be a challenging and potentially emotionally charged context for both parents and young children. Younger toddlers, especially, may be more likely to experience less cooperative interactions when co-engaging with digital technology with a parent. Results are discussed in relation to developmental differences between 2- and 3-year olds, and the need for more nuanced guidance for parents supporting young children’s interaction with digital media

Evidential-EM Algorithm Applied to Progressively Censored Observations

Evidential-EM (E2M) algorithm is an effective approach for computing maximum likelihood estimations under finite mixture models, especially when there is uncertain information about data. In this paper we present an extension of the E2M method in a particular case of incom-plete data, where the loss of information is due to both mixture models and censored observations. The prior uncertain information is expressed by belief functions, while the pseudo-likelihood function is derived based on imprecise observations and prior knowledge. Then E2M method is evoked to maximize the generalized likelihood function to obtain the optimal estimation of parameters. Numerical examples show that the proposed method could effectively integrate the uncertain prior infor-mation with the current imprecise knowledge conveyed by the observed data

The Undisclosed Principal Doctrine: Rationalisations, Justifications and Origins

The undisclosed principal doctrine is anomalous in the common law. The doctrine enables a principal to sue and be sued on a contract made by his or her agent with a third party who did not know the principal existed. In so holding, the doctrine appears to fly in the face of fundamental contract law principles. Commentators have provided a range of explanations for the doctrine's existence despite its apparent anomalous nature. This article critically analyses four explanations for the doctrine: the principal impliedly intends to contract with the third party; the principal provides the consideration to support the contract; the doctrine is a primitive form of assignment; and an "intervention thesis" that justifies the doctrine by coupling the consideration justification with the nature of the principal-agent relationship. All four of these theories are found not to withstand analysis. This article then considers a theory that the doctrine evolved out of the foreign principal doctrine in the mid-19th century due to changing customs and practices in international trade. While this theory is found wanting evidentially, this article agrees that the doctrine's origins almost certainly lie in mercantile custom, incorporated into the common law via the law merchant, most likely in the 17th to 18th centuries, from which point it ossified into a standard agency doctrine of general application. The article concludes by suggesting that the doctrine ought simply to be recognised as anomalous and exceptional to the standard rules of contract formation, rather than unconvincingly rationalised or justified on grounds that only act to further reduce its doctrinal coherence

Examining the effects of animal assisted activities against standard treatment in a university setting

The wellbeing of university students has become a global issue in recent years, with the rise of students seeking help for their mental health, the demand for such services has increased exponentially, leading many Universities to struggle in meeting these growing demands. With research in the area manly focused on formal methods of student support, the current study explores the use of more informal sources of support. 100 university students who had attended a standard informal student support session (known as Chooseday Chill) or a wellbeing dog session, were asked to complete a questionnaire measuring their anxiety and overall wellbeing. Results indicated that when compared to the standard support, students who attended the wellbeing dog sessions reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of wellbeing at the end of the sessions. The authors discuss the practical implications of these findings for treatment in Higher Education

Facility dogs as a tool for building rapport and credibility with child witnesses

The present student examined the perspectives of legal professionals in relation to the use of facility dogs in building rapport and credibility with child witnesses. 70 legal professionals from across North America, who had experience interviewing children, both with and without the use of a facility dog, were recruited to take part in the study. Utilising a holistic mixed-method design, data was collected via an online questionnaire, which asked participants about the impact they felt a facility dog had on rapport and witness credibility during police interviews with children. The results highlighted the positive impact that facility dogs have on child witnesses, not only in helping build rapport and witness credibility, but also for creating a more positive experience for young witnesses going through the criminal justice process. The results therefore provide evidence for the consideration of these dogs in countries beyond North America, as they provide an invaluable service to young witnesses

THE ANTHROPOMETRY OF BODY ACTION

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73105/1/j.1749-6632.1955.tb32112.x.pd

The development and application of time resolved PIV at the University of Strathclyde

This paper describes the development of time resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. The Department's first PIV systems were developed on a limited budget and used existing and second hand equipment. The original technique which, employed 16mm high speed cinematography, is described. The introduction and development of low cost systems employing high speed digital video (HSDV) is discussed and, finally, the Department's new time resolved PIV system, supplied by Dantec Dynamics, is introduced. For each of the PIV systems that have been developed a critical analysis of their functionality is given and samples of the data that they have been produced are shown. Data are presented from systems such as de-rotated centrifugal impellers, air bubbles growing in columns of water, pulsatile jets and vortex shedding