Development of testing and evaluation protocol for occupancy sensing technologies in building HVAC control: A case study of representative people counting sensors

Mobile device applications (apps) have the potential to become a mainstream delivery method, providing services, information, and tools to extension clientele. Testing, promoting, and launching an app are key components supporting the successful development of this new technology. This article summarizes the considerations and steps that must be taken to successfully test, promote, and launch an app and is based on the authors’ experience developing two horticulture apps, IPMPro and IPMLite. These apps provide information for major pests and plant care tasks and prompt users to take action on time-sensitive tasks with push notifications scheduled specifically for their location. App testing and evaluation is a continual process. Effective tactics for app testing and evaluation include garnering focus group input throughout app development and postlaunch, in-house testing with simulators, beta testing and the advantages of services that enhance information gained during beta testing, and postlaunch evaluations. Differences in promotional and bulk purchasing options available among the two main device platforms, Android and iOS, are explored as are general preparations for marketing the launch of a new app. Finally, navigating the app submission process is discussed. Creating an app is an involved process, but one that can be rewarding and lead to a unique portal for extension clientele to access information, assistance, and tools.

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Managing relationships in qualitative impact evaluation of international development: QuIP choreography as a case study

Evaluation ◽

10.1177/1356389018763243 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 169-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James Copestake ◽

Claire Allan ◽

Wilm van Bekkum ◽

Moges Belay ◽

Tefera Goshu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

International Development ◽

Collaborative Design ◽

Impact Evaluation ◽

Confirmation Bias ◽

Evaluation Methods ◽

Important Influence ◽

Double Blind ◽

Ethical Concerns ◽

Evaluation Protocol

Who does what and when during an impact evaluation has an important influence on the credibility and usefulness of the evidence generated. We explore such choreography from technical, political and ethical perspectives by reflecting on a case study that entailed collaborative design of a qualitative impact evaluation protocol (‘the QuIP’) and its pilot use in Ethiopia and Malawi. Double blind interviewing was employed to reduce project-specific confirmation bias, followed by staged ‘unblindfolding’ as a form of triangulation. We argue that these steps can enhance credibility of evidence, and that ethical concerns associated with them can be addressed by being open with stakeholders about the process. The case study illustrates scope for better use of qualitative impact evaluation methods in complex international development contexts.

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Direct continuous electromyographic control of a powered prosthetic ankle for improved postural control after guided physical training: A case study

Wearable Technologies ◽

10.1017/wtc.2021.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Aaron Fleming ◽

Stephanie Huang ◽

Elizabeth Buxton ◽

Frank Hodges ◽

He Helen Huang

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Load Transfer ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Physical Therapist ◽

Continuous Control ◽

Rapid Improvement ◽

Prosthetic Joints ◽

Evaluation Protocol ◽

Control Paradigm

Abstract Despite the promise of powered lower limb prostheses, existing controllers do not assist many daily activities that require continuous control of prosthetic joints according to human states and environments. The objective of this case study was to investigate the feasibility of direct, continuous electromyographic (dEMG) control of a powered ankle prosthesis, combined with physical therapist-guided training, for improved standing postural control in an individual with transtibial amputation. Specifically, EMG signals of the residual antagonistic muscles (i.e. lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior) were used to proportionally drive pneumatical artificial muscles to move a prosthetic ankle. Clinical-based activities were used in the training and evaluation protocol of the control paradigm. We quantified the EMG signals in the bilateral shank muscles as well as measures of postural control and stability. Compared to the participant’s daily passive prosthesis, the dEMG-controlled ankle, combined with the training, yielded improved clinical balance scores and reduced compensation from intact joints. Cross-correlation coefficient of bilateral center of pressure excursions, a metric for quantifying standing postural control, increased to .83(±.07) when using dEMG ankle control (passive device: .39(±.29)). We observed synchronized activation of homologous muscles, rapid improvement in performance on the first day of the training for load transfer tasks, and further improvement in performance across training days (p = .006). This case study showed the feasibility of this dEMG control paradigm of a powered prosthetic ankle to assist postural control. This study lays the foundation for future study to extend these results through the inclusion of more participants and activities.

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