Enabling Accessibility Features in Enhanced VR Environments for Supporting Spatial Abilities and Social Interaction in Elderly and MCI Patients

2015 ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Segkouli ◽  
Ioannis Paliokas ◽  
Thanos Tsakiris ◽  
Konstantinos Votis ◽  
Dimitrios Tzovaras
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Spatial Abilities ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Elderly Users ◽  
3D Virtual Environments

This chapter addresses the critical issue of usability evaluation of interfaces by elderly users and the accessibility limitations concerning the infotainment domain of virtual spaces. The main idea behind this research is to achieve a shift in more adaptive HCI used in infotainment applications and in particular in socially aware 3D Virtual Environments (Metaverses) like Second Life. Among the main goals of the present work is to examine the ability of older persons and users with Mild Cognitive Impairments (MCI) that are familiarized with computers and VR environments, to access and navigate effectively through realistic scenarios based on daily simple activities. Findings propose better design practices for industrial HCI engineers to enhance the quality of interaction with Metaverses by customizing both the immersive and 2D interfaces to the needs and preferences of the special user groups mentioned before.

Patient satisfaction and comfort after a full-arch immediate loaded prosthesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Dellepiane ◽  
Francesco Pera ◽  
Paola Zunino ◽  
Maria Grazia Mugno ◽  
Paolo Pesce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Intermediate Phase ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Immediate Loading ◽  
Oral Rehabilitation ◽  
Masticatory Ability ◽  
Chewing Ability

The aim of this study was to assess oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients before, during and after completion of implant-supported full-arch immediate loading rehabilitation according to the Columbus Bridge Protocol (CBP). 25 patients with compromised dentition were rehabilitated according to the CBP and were assessed for OHRQoL using 4 questionnaires specifically realized for this study and inspired to the OHIP (Oral Health Impact Profile) questionnaire. Patients assessed themselves before surgery, during the healing period (1 week and 2 months after surgery) and after definitive prosthodontic treatment (4 months after surgery). The questionnaires specifically investigated patients’ pain, confort, home oral hygiene habits, satisfaction related to esthetics, masticatory ability, phonetics and general satisfaction toward the treatment.Patients reported an improvement of OHRQoL after full-arch immediate loading rehabilitation. A statistically significant improvement in aesthetic and chewing ability was found. After 4 months 92% of the patients did not feel tense with their smile, 96% did not show problems to relate with other people or smiling, 92% did not show difficulty to eat some foods. Phonetics was found to be a critical issue, especially in the intermediate phase of healing. One week after surgery the percentage of patients who was very satisfied with phonetics slightly decreased from 48% to 36%. The assessment of patients' OHRQoL related to full-arch immediate loading implant therapy exhibited a significant improvement of their quality of life. The questionnaires herein presented could be an effective tool to evaluate patients' reaction to oral rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Cognitive training interventions for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease - A cochrane review summary with commentary

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Cochrane Review ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Training Interventions

BACKGROUND: The majority of people living with Parkinson’s disease will develop impairments in cognition. These impairments are associated with a reduced quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The Cochrane Review aimed to investigate whether cognitive training improves cognition in people with Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairments or dementia. METHODS: A Cochrane Review by Orgeta et al. was summarized with comments. RESULTS: The review included seven studies with a total of 225 participants. There was no evidence for improvements in global cognition when cognitive training was compared to control conditions. Observed improvements in attention and verbal memory measures after cognitive training could not be confirmed in a subsequent sensitivity analysis. There was no evidence for benefits in other cognitive domains or quality of life measures. The certainty of the evidence was low for all comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of cognitive training for people with Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairments remains inconclusive. There is a pressing need for adequately powered trials with higher methodological quality.

Research on user needs for mobile information services in Chinese university libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Shengli Deng ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Ruoxin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Mobile Services ◽  
Information Services ◽  
User Needs ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Mobile Information Services

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the service demand of existing users and potential users for mobile information services provided by university libraries in China. The primary objective is to explore the impact of user experience on user needs, which is conducted by a comparison between two user groups over their needs from three aspects – service function, service mode and information content. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 353 library users from ten Chinese universities via questionnaires. Based on the user needs model, three dimensions of user needs were established for mobile information services and 26 measurement items were generated through a review of the literature. Furthermore, based on frequency analysis, independent samples t-test and the calculation of need rate, the demand differences in mobile information services between existing and potential users were explored. Findings Significant differences existed in the needs for service functions and service modes of mobile information services between existing users and potential users. Existing users cared more about such characteristics as intelligence, personalization and the variety of mobile services. Potential users, in contrast, concerned themselves more with the usability of mobile services and similarity to traditional information services. These two user groups showed little difference in the needs for information content, as they both have strict requirements for specialty, richness in and quality of information resources in mobile network environments. Originality/value Previous research on user needs for mobile libraries services has been primarily conducted from the perspectives of existing users. This study, however, compared the needs of existing and potential users based on their previous experiences, which can help libraries to know better what their users need and improve the quality of mobile information services to meet those needs. This can also make existing users more willing to use the services and cultivate the usage habits of potential users at the same time.

scholarly journals Three Social Classroom Applications to Improve Student Attitudes

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alf Inge Wang ◽  
Aleksander Aanesl. Elvemo ◽  
Vegard Gamnes
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Software Architecture ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Technical Quality ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Difference

The paper presents results of a quasiexperiment where the three social classroom applications Post-It, WordCloud, and Categorizer were used in software architecture lectures. Post-It and WordCloud are applications that allow students to brainstorm or give comments related to a given topic. Categorizer is a puzzle game where the students are asked to place a number of terms in one of two correct categories. The three applications are multimodal HTML5 applications that enable students to interact in a classroom using their own digital devices, and the teacher’s laptop is used to display progress and results on the large screen. The focus of this study was to evaluate how the difference of these applications and how their integration into the lecture affected the students’ motivation, engagement, thinking, activity level, social interaction, creativity, enjoyment, attention, and learning. In addition, the study evaluated the usability and the technical quality of the applications. The results of the experiment show that the way such applications are integrated into a lecture highly affects the students’ attitude. The experiment also showed that the game-based application was on average better received among the students and that the students’ attitude was highly sensitive to the difficulty level of the game.

scholarly journals Service Composition in IoT using Genetic algorithm and Particle swarm optimization

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeti Kashyap ◽  
A. Charan Kumari ◽  
Rita Chhikara
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Particle Swarm Optimization ◽  
Service Composition ◽  
Particle Swarm ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Swarm Optimization

AbstractWeb service compositions are commendable in structuring innovative applications for different Internet-based business solutions. The existing services can be reused by the other applications via the web. Due to the availability of services that can serve similar functionality, suitable Service Composition (SC) is required. There is a set of candidates for each service in SC from which a suitable candidate service is picked based on certain criteria. Quality of service (QoS) is one of the criteria to select the appropriate service. A standout amongst the most important functionality presented by services in the Internet of Things (IoT) based system is the dynamic composability. In this paper, two of the metaheuristic algorithms namely Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are utilized to tackle QoS based service composition issues. QoS has turned into a critical issue in the management of web services because of the immense number of services that furnish similar functionality yet with various characteristics. Quality of service in service composition comprises of different non-functional factors, for example, service cost, execution time, availability, throughput, and reliability. Choosing appropriate SC for IoT based applications in order to optimize the QoS parameters with the fulfillment of user’s necessities has turned into a critical issue that is addressed in this paper. To obtain results via simulation, the PSO algorithm is used to solve the SC problem in IoT. This is further assessed and contrasted with GA. Experimental results demonstrate that GA can enhance the proficiency of solutions for SC problem in IoT. It can also help in identifying the optimal solution and also shows preferable outcomes over PSO.

Qualitŕ della vita e invecchiamento della popolazione. Materiali per un'ipotesi alternativa alla questione pensionistica

2009 ◽  
pp. 67-91
Author(s):  
Adele Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Living Condition ◽  
Climate And Environmental Change ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Positive Ageing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Main Factor

The topic of this article is quality of life and ageing process specially focused on today young generations and their coming retirement situation. The main idea is that quality of life is increasing, that means longer, safer and better living condition; consequently positive ageing processes mean also reforming retirement sector. The hypothesis carried out in this paper is an alternative one. Despite of the positive trends, we describe how three main factor of nowadays life are, on the contrary, turning into worse condition the future of young generations and their coming life situation. Firstly we consider the socio-economic aspects, the impact on health and the implications connected with precarious work. Secondly we consider pollution and its effects on health, life quality and life expectation. Thirdly we pay attention about climate and environmental change and their effect on health, life quality and expectation. In conclusion, the retirement future of today young generations may be very different (worse) than expected. The paper in based on WHO, IPCC and European Agency for Safety and Health at Work data and reports.Key words: Young generations; Coming quality of life; Population ageing and future of retirement question.Parole chiave: Giovani generazioni; Qualitŕ della vita; Invecchiamento della popolazione e pensioni.

Quality of life in individuals with attenuated psychotic symptoms: Possible role of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and socio-cognitive impairments

2017 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 431-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Takahashi ◽  
Yuko Higuchi ◽  
Yuko Komori ◽  
Shimako Nishiyama ◽  
Mihoko Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms

scholarly journals Emerging Technologies to Control Oocyte Apoptosis Are Finally Treading on Fertile Ground

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 181-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan L. Tilly
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Premature Menopause ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Cell Renewal ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Control Oocyte ◽  
Gonadal Damage

As the medical community strives to improve on the efficacy of anticancer treatments, a critical issue not to be overlooked since the overall quantity of life has been substantially increased in many cancer survivors is the quality of that life post-therapy. Indeed, one of the most worrisome side effects of conventional cancer treatments is damage to the gonads. This problem is compounded in females since the ovaries, unlike the testes, are incapable of germ cell renewal in postnatal life. As a consequence, the inappropriate destruction of female germ cells (oocytes) following exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation is irreparable, often leading to premature menopause and infertility [1]. Considering recent estimates that 1 in 52 human females between birth and age 39 (i.e., the pre-reproductive and reproductive years) will be diagnosed with, and presumably treated for, cancer [2], new strategies to minimize or prevent gonadal damage during such treatments would have a profound positive impact on millions of lives.

Effectiveness of Teleassistance at Improving Quality of Life in People with Neuromuscular Diseases

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Martínez ◽  
Amaia Jometón ◽  
Manuel Pérez ◽  
Esther Lázaro ◽  
Imanol Amayra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Psychosocial Domain

AbstractRare neuromuscular diseases (NDs) are a group of inherited or acquired neurological pathologies affecting the muscles and the nervous system. Their low prevalence and high geographical dispersion can cause isolation and difficulties in social interaction between affected equals. New technologies, such as videoconferencing, offer a complementary option for improving the health of this population. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a teleassistance program at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through social interaction in adults with NDs. The sample consisted of 45 participants affected by rare NDs. Twenty-four participants were assigned to the experimental group (EG), which participated in the videoconferencing sessions, and 21 to the control group. Three questionnaires were administered: WHO-DAS II, Sickness Impact Profile, and SF-36 Health Survey. Effectiveness was assessed by a pre-post design. An online psychosocial program was applied over three-month period. Data revealed an improvement of the EG in psychosocial variables, e.g. “Getting along with people” (z = –2.289, r = –.47, p ≤ .05) or “Psychosocial Domain” (z = –2.404, r = –.49, p ≤ .05), and in physical variables, e.g. “Life activities” (z = –2.844, r = –.58, p ≤ .05). Social interaction appeared as a relevant factor at improving HRQoL levels. High levels of satisfaction about the teleassistance program were reported.

scholarly journals ‘Sustainable’ Rather Than ‘Subsistence’ Food Assistance Solutions to Food Insecurity: South Australian Recipients’ Perspectives on Traditional and Social Enterprise Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Booth ◽  
Christina Pollard ◽  
John Coveney ◽  
Ian Goodwin-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Enterprise Models ◽  
Food Charity

South Australian (SA) food charity recipients’ perspectives were sought on existing services and ideas for improvement of food assistance models to address food insecurity. Seven focus groups were conducted between October and November 2017 with 54 adults. Thematically analysed data revealed five themes: (1) Emotional cost and consequences of seeking food relief; (2) Dissatisfaction with inaccessible services and inappropriate food; (3) Returning the favour—a desire for reciprocity; (4) Desiring help beyond food; and, (5) “It’s a social thing”, the desire for social interaction and connection. Findings revealed that some aspects of the SA food assistance services were disempowering for recipients. Recipients desired more empowering forms of food assistance that humanise their experience and shift the locus of control and place power back into their hands. Some traditional models, such as provision of supermarket vouchers, empower individuals by fostering autonomy and enabling food choice in socially acceptable ways. Improvement in the quality of existing food assistance models, should focus on recipient informed models which re-dress existing power relations. Services which are more strongly aligned with typical features of social enterprise models were generally favoured over traditional models. Services which are recipient-centred, strive to empower recipients and provide opportunities for active involvement, social connection and broader support were preferred.

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