Search results for "flexibility"

2014

Evidence exists for age-related decline in face cognition ability. However, the extents to which attentional demand and flexibility to adapt viewing strategies contribute to age-related decline in face cognition tests is poorly understood. Here, we studied holistic face perception in older (age range 65-78 years, mean age 69.9) and young adults (age range 20-32 years, mean age 23.1) using the complete design for a sequential study-test composite face task (Richler et al., 2008). Attentional demand was varied using trials that required participants to attend to both face halves and to redirect attention to one face half during the test (high attentional demand), and trials that allowed parti…

A simplified framework to optimize MRI contrast preparation

2018

PURPOSE This article proposes a rigorous optimal control framework for the design of preparation schemes that optimize MRI contrast based on relaxation time differences. METHODS Compared to previous optimal contrast preparation schemes, a drastic reduction of the optimization parameter number is performed. The preparation scheme is defined as a combination of several block pulses whose flip angles, phase terms and inter-pulse delays are optimized to control the magnetization evolution. RESULTS The proposed approach reduces the computation time of B 0 -robust preparation schemes to around a minute (whereas several hours were required with previous schemes), with negligible performance loss. …

Effects of power resistance training program with elastic bands on body composition, muscle strength and physical function in older women

2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a power-strength resistance program with elastic bands on body composition, physical function, and muscle strength in older women. For such purpose, a randomized controlled trial with a pre-post-intervention design was conducted. Thus, 58 healthy, physically independent, sedentary women, aged 65-85 years, were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 28) or control group (n = 30). Measurements of body composition (total mass, total fat mass, total skeletal-muscle mass, and body fat percentage), isokinetic muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors (at 60º/second and 180º/second), and physical performance (flexibility, agility/dyn…

Energy management of multi-carrier smart buildings for integrating local renewable energy systems

2016

The proposed paper aims at defining a Building Management System (BMS) able to control energy flows inside a smart building integrated with various energy networks and Renewable Energy Resources (RES). The smart building envisaged in this work interacts with different energy carriers and is equipped with cogeneration and RES systems, as well as storage devices, which enable a certain degree of flexibility in the energy usage. The smart building is modelled as a multi-carrier hub, by defining the graphical and mathematical model of the building system. Moreover, the control criteria of the BMS are explained and the implementation of the BMS itself is depicted, along with some early results. …

Abitare la nuova scuola. Embodied cognition e spazi di apprendimento.

2018

With the help of the new technology, schools could re-examine the role of the teacher and offer experiences of individual development within shared spaces to the young generation of digital natives. By redesigning the learning environment and incorporating elements of the Embodied Cognition Design, in line with the indications of the national curriculum, students will be well prepared for the future, with capabilities and responsibilities, and will tend towards the realization of the self as active, critical and aware citizens. But, with the pressure of new technologies, a profound restructuring of learning teaching methodologies is also required, incorporating new architectural arrangement…

Semantic Verbal Fluency in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship with Chronological Age and IQ

2016

We administered a semantic verbal fluency (SVF) task to two groups of children (age range from 5 to 8): 47 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Group) and 53 with typical development (Comparison Group), matched on gender, chronological age, and non-verbal IQ. Four specific indexes were calculated from the SVF task, reflecting the different underlying cognitive strategies used: clustering (component of generativity and lexical-semantic access), and switching (executive component, cognitive flexibility). First, we compared the performance of the two groups on the different SVF task indicators, with the ASD group scoring lower than the Comparison Group, although the difference was grea…

Uses of places and setting preferences in a French Antarctic station

2007

The various uses of space as well as the environmental preferences of wintering people were investigated during 1 year in a French Antarctic station using daily participant observation (for uses of places) and a repeated measure of the perception and evaluation of the settings. The uses of places varied according to occupational and age subgroups: The young scientists expressed a higher need for privacy and a strong investment in their working areas, whereas the technicians preferred the social leisure area (main hall). These places were used as different behavior settings and thus corresponded to flexible environments. Flexibility was a characteristic of all the preferred places. A change…

Protective role of mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility on the burnout subtypes among psychology and nursing undergraduate stud…

2021

Abstract To explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and the burnout subtypes in university students of the Psychology and Nursing degrees, and to analyse possible risk factors for developing burnout among socio-demographic and studies-related characteristics. Design Cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 644 undergraduate students of Nursing and Psychology from two Spanish universities. Methods The study was conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. Bivariate Pearson's correlations were computed to analyse the association between mindfulness facets, self-compassion and psychological flexibility, and levels of burnout. Multivar…

Individual repeatability in timing and spatial flexibility of migration routes of trans-Saharan migratory raptors

2015

Satellite-tracking technology has allowed scientists to make a quantum leap in the field of migration ecology. Nowadays, the basic description of migratory routes of many species of birds has been reported. However, the investigation of bird migration at individual level (i.e. repeatability in migratory routes and timing) still remains seldom explored. Here, we investigated repeated migratory trips of a trans-Saharan endangered migratory raptor, the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, tracked by GPS satellite telemetry. We compared between- and within-individual variation in migratory routes and timing in order to assess the degree of repeatability (or conversely, the flexibility) in mi…

Multilayered cultural identity and the perception of the self

2012

This qualitative study examines the reciprocal relationship between a person’s multilayered cultural identity (MCI) and the concept of self (CoS), that is presented purely on a theoretical level and encompasses various theories. Nowadays, in an increasingly globalising world, it is not enough to merely look at a national, ethnic or other type of identity. It is important to realise that there are different layers in an identity that one can view themselves through. The ways an individual perceives themselves through their multicultural background can also be different. This thesis helps identify the ways a person can see themselves. The thesis also attempts to explain the varied nature of o…