Development and Testing of Motion-Detection Techniques for People with Cerebral Palsy

This paper describes several computer access methods tested by Eva, a woman with choreoathetosic cerebral palsy. This disease prevents her from controlling the peripherals and configurations that normally give access to information and communication technologies, further limiting her independence. To make Eva access a computer, we focused our efforts on the methodologies that Eva could control by just moving her neck and head. These sensors were: Kinect, inertial measurement units (IMU), and video. Kinect, composed of a system of cameras and sensors, gives the option to interact and control the devices contactlessly. The IMU is a device consisting of an accelerometer and a gyroscope that measure velocity, orientation, and gravitational forces. For live image processing, a common webcam was used. During the development of the experiment, Eva must follow a sequence shown on the computer screen that alternates movement of the head with rest. These movements involved moving the head up, down, right, or left. Our results showed that the Kinect system could not be used effectively, while the image-processing algorithm obtained the best performance.

How High (Low) are the Possibilities of Teleworking in Mexico?

We estimate that about 10.6 percent of jobs could be done from home in Mexico, using 468 4-digit SINCO occupations and employment data in 2019. This is roughly half the estimate reported by Dingel and Neiman (2020) using teleworking criteria devised for the U.S. labor market. Owing to the peculiarities of the Mexican labor market, we report results by type of contract (formal and informal), geographical area, and gender. We validate our teleworking measure by exploiting the cross-state variation of real GDP per worker, the share of services in employment, and internet and computer access within the household. We find that the gap in teleworking possibilities favorable to females has its root in the disparate occupation structures across gender. During the pandemic, the decline in the share of non-telework jobs in females has been thrice as much as that in males

Comparison of library website function access tools 2014–2018

PurposeFour years after the release of a responsive design website that provides a dynamic screen layout across three access devices (computer, tablet and smartphone), a repeat study was conducted to determine changes in the way that library website functions are and are not accessed.Design/methodology/approachA survey, similar to the original study, was used to determine the rate of access of 20 website functions by three access devices (computer, tablet and smartphone) and a “did not use” (DNU) category. A two-proportion Z-test was used to determine significant differences in the rate of access for each website function and the “did not use” (DNU) category by each access device from 2014 to 2018.FindingsThe computer is still the primary tool used to access website functions, but its rate of use is declining, while access via the smartphone is increasing, including research and for learning functions traditionally accessed only by computer. Access by tablet, with poor website function access rates in 2014, declined in use, with some rates approaching zero. Increases in the DNU category for website functions occurred, but reasons why were not determined. The increases raised questions about the relevance of some of the website functions and if other actions are needed to increase use.Originality/valueRepeating the 2014 study provided insights into the changing landscape of device preferences for accessing library website functions. The number of significant changes identified demonstrates the importance of recurring studies to determine how online access to library website functions evolves over time.

VIRTUAL LABORATORY PRACTICAL WORK AS A WAY OF STUDYING NATURAL DISCIPLINES

In the article the way of using information technology in the natural education is activated, such as computer modeling of chemical, physical or biological phenomenon processes, introduction into the educational process of the virtual laboratory works. The relevance of the introduction of virtual laboratories in educational practice is due, firstly, to the information challenges of the time, and secondly, the regulatory requirements for the organization of the educational process of general secondary and higher education. It is mentioned that the use of virtual laboratories in the educational process allows students to conduct experiments with equipment and materials that he is able to use due to lack of a real laboratory or its lack of technical content, get practical skills of conducting experiments of integrated natural direction initiating computer models and the process of operation of unique equipment of chemical, physical, biological laboratory, to study dangerous in the real situation processes and phenomena of natural origin, without fear of possible consequences. The article reveals the advantages and disadvantages of using a virtual laboratory workshop during the study of natural sciences. Possibilities of modern virtual laboratories of a natural direction which allow to model objects and processes of the surrounding world and also to organize computer access to the real laboratory equipment. The possibility of realization of a virtual laboratory workshop on chemical disciplines of the natural cycle in the environment of a virtual simulator of the laboratory IrYdiumChemistryLab is shown. This virtual laboratory involves the formulation of specific tasks or the formation of its own strategy for planning the experiment,the resource immediately differs in the ability to intervene in the program and design your own virtual experiment Created on the basis of IrYdiumChemistryLab virtual laboratory works allow to prepare diluent of various concentrations, to calculate and measure concentrations of ions in solutions of strong and weak electrolytes, to titrate, etc. Virtual laboratories must be present in the practice of teaching natural sciences (chemistry, physics, biology). The need to use a virtual laboratory workshop during distance learning is especially relevant.

Latino men’s preferences for technology-mediated behavioral lifestyle interventions (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Although Latino men have the highest prevalence (45%) of obesity among all men in the US, traditional weight loss interventions do not engage this hard-to-reach and diverse group. Technology-mediated weight loss interventions may offer advantages given Latinos’ rapidly increasing access to the internet. OBJECTIVE We examined whether Latino men who were overweight or obese preferred engaging in a weight loss intervention with one of 2 technology-mediated options – live group sessions on videoconference or pre-recorded videos available online – or in-person groups sessions. We also examined whether men differed according to demographic, clinical, employment, cultural, and technology use and access factors across the 3 intervention options chosen. Finally, we assessed whether men who chose a videoconference group attended more sessions than men who chose an in-person group. METHODS Latino men (n=202, 47.3 ± 11.8 years) were participants in a comparative effectiveness trial based in primary care and randomized to receive the HOMBRE (Hombres con Opciones para Mejorar su Bienestar y Reducir EnfermedadeS cronicas) intervention. HOMBRE was a culturally adapted weight loss intervention offering 3 delivery options with each providing the same evidence-based weight loss sessions. During an orientation session, a trained bilingual coach helped men select one of the 3 intervention options. We used chi-square tests and ANOVA to examine bivariate associations and canonical discriminant analysis for multivariate associations of demographic, clinical, employment, cultural, and technology use and access factors with men’s intervention choice. RESULTS Most Latino men preferred one of the 2 technology-mediated interventions versus a traditional in-person group (60% vs 40%, respectively) with 22% choosing videoconference groups and 38% choosing online videos. For men who selected a group delivery option, 86% attended >25%, 82% attended >50%, and 58% attended >75% of the sessions, with no differences by type of group. Latino men who chose a technology-mediated intervention were more likely to have higher education, be working full or part time, only speak English, be more acculturated, and have computer access than men who chose an in-person group. The canonical discriminant analysis identified 1 orthogonal dimension that distinguished between men who chose an in-person group versus online videos. Participants with a profile of speaking Spanish, being older, using a computer infrequently, having an occupation that requires mostly sitting or standing (relative to having no job), not living with another person, and having less sleep disturbance had a higher probability of choosing an in-person group versus online videos. CONCLUSIONS The majority of Latino men offered a choice for weight loss interventions preferred technology-mediated options to in-person groups, especially for educated, English-speaking Latino men with computer access. Providing options that accommodate the diversity of Latino men’s preferences is important for increasing engagement in behavioral interventions. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03092960

Evaluation of Multimodal Tongue Drive System by People with Tetraplegia for Computer Access

The multimodal Tongue Drive System (mTDS) is an assistive technology for people with tetraplegia that provides an alternative method to interact with a computer by combining tongue control, head gesture, and speech. This multimodality is designed to facilitate the completion of complex computer tasks (e.g. drag-and-drop) that cannot be easily performed by existing uni-modal assistive technologies. Previous studies with able-bodied participants showed promising performance of the mTDS on complex tasks when compared to other input methods such as keyboard and mouse. In this three-session pilot study, the primary objective is to show the feasibility of using mTDS to facilitate human-computer interactions by asking fourteen participants with tetraplegia to complete five computer access tasks with increased level of complexity: maze navigation, center-out tapping, playing bubble shooter and peg solitaire, and sending an email. Speed and accuracy are quantified by key metrics that are found to be generally increasing from the first to third session, indicating the potential existence of a learning phase that could result in improved performance over time.

Evaluation of Multimodal Tongue Drive System by People with Tetraplegia for Computer Access

The multimodal Tongue Drive System (mTDS) is an assistive technology for people with tetraplegia that provides an alternative method to interact with a computer by combining tongue control, head gesture, and speech. This multimodality is designed to facilitate the completion of complex computer tasks (e.g. drag-and-drop) that cannot be easily performed by existing uni-modal assistive technologies. Previous studies with able-bodied participants showed promising performance of the mTDS on complex tasks when compared to other input methods such as keyboard and mouse. In this three-session pilot study, the primary objective is to show the feasibility of using mTDS to facilitate human-computer interactions by asking fourteen participants with tetraplegia to complete five computer access tasks with increased level of complexity: maze navigation, center-out tapping, playing bubble shooter and peg solitaire, and sending an email. Speed and accuracy are quantified by key metrics that are found to be generally increasing from the first to third session, indicating the potential existence of a learning phase that could result in improved performance over time.

Iranian Clinical Nurses’ and Midwives’ Attitudes and Awareness Towards Telenursing and Telehealth

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the attitudes and awareness of Iranian clinical nurses and midwives towards telenursing and telehealth also referred to as e-health. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2019 in Iran. Nurses and midwives were randomly recruited from hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Iran using a stratified cluster random sampling method. Data were collected using a reliable and valid Persian-language questionnaire consisting of 32 close-ended survey items to examine Internet/computer access, daily Internet use and awareness of and general attitude towards telehealth and telenursing; statistical analyses were performed. Results: A total of 523 nurses and midwives were included in this study (response rate: 94.4%). The mean age and duration of clinical practice were 33.36 ± 7.46 and 8.88 ± 6.73 years, respectively. The majority of participants recognised the definition of telenursing (66.7%) and telehealth (80.1%). A positive attitude towards telenursing and telehealth was reported by 73.0% of the participants. Clinical nurses and midwives with a master's degree were more aware of the definition of telehealth compared to those with undergraduate bachelor degrees (P = 0.03). Additionally, midwives significantly more frequently presented a positive attitude towards telehealth and telenursing compared to nurses (86.2% versus 71.2%; P = 0.01). Conclusion: The positive attitude of the current participants was an important factor in the promotion of telenursing and telehealth. The implementation of educational and infrastructure developmental programs can help speed up executional processes in these fields. KEYWORDS Telenursing; Telemedicine; Nurses; Midwives; Attitude; Awareness; Iran.

Access to educational information enabled by ICT tools in the Fort Beaufort Education District (FBED), Eastern Cape, South Africa

The benefits of the application of ICT tools in the education of high school learners have been well-established in various studies. As developments in technology have increased the reach of electronic information resources and enhanced learners’ access to educational information, it is imperative that these tools be available and accessible without any hindrances whatsoever to high school learners. This study was set out to evaluate the state of ICT infrastructure available to high school learners for the advancement of access to educational information while accentuating the efforts by the South African government to promote computer access in schools. This study underscores the importance of ICT tools for high school learners in ensuring quality educational outcome. A triangulated design was adopted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on the condition of ICT-enabled access to educational information from Grade 12 learners and teachers in the Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape South Africa. Results show that learners’ access to educational information is constrained by inadequate provision of ICT infrastructure, restricted access to ICT tools, regulations for use of personal ICT tools and absence of information literacy for high school learners. The study, therefore, recommends the improved and dedicated provision of ICT resources, ICT-enabled educational information literacy program and flexibility of rules regarding the use of personal ICT tools at school.

Row-by-Column, Plexiglass & Zoom, Oh My! A K-12 COVID-19 Storm / A Pilot

We are 21 years into the 21st century, and educational practices across North America were woefully unprepared to ‘flip the switch’ to online learning; at times no education occurred at all, not online or onsite. The COVID-19 pandemic disruptor storm peeled off the layers of blindfolds time accrued in an instant. Issues included three areas. Area one—unpreparedness: digital illiteracy relative to online learning and corresponding teaching models, equity issues pertaining to internet access and computer access, platforms that varied and were unreliable. Area two—inconsistent: (if any) guidelines on how to teach onsite, or those from a disease control group dictating a six-foot distancing, masks, plexiglass, and row-by-column with eyes facing forward (back to a 19th century teaching didactic model), and smaller class sizes. Area three-time/space continuum: the combining of online and onsite, teaching loads, and maintenance. This ‘alpha’ research study tried to capture a historic moment in time. A Human-centered Research Design (HcRD) protocol with three techniques to mitigate bias was used: (1) online survey, (2) focused interviews, and (3) crowd-sourced photographic content across two countries—USA and Canada as a convenience sample. The findings will reveal a ‘just-in-time’ snap shot of the tactics used pre- and current-, as well as ideas for post-pandemic—this research’s differentiator. The storm of COVID-19 played unprecedented havoc on schools across North America, but there are important learnings and these, along with some insights will be shared.