Descriptive Video Research Articles

Design Issues Associated with Discrete and Distributed Hypermedia GIS

The advancement of computer technology enables the integration of geographic information system (GIS) and multimedia technologies that incorporate not only spatial-temporal geographic information in image/vector format, but also multimedia geographic information in the form of descriptive text, terrestrial photographs, graphics, digital video, and sound. The concept of hypermedia GIS is reviewed in this paper. Design issues on the development of hypermedia GIS for use on individual personal computers (PC) (i.e., discrete systems) and on the Internet (i.e., distributed systems) are discussed. Software requirements, file formats, and data structures used in each system are described. The discrete and distributed hypermedia GIS provide the essential concepts and techniques for improved GIS applications such as visualization, spatial decision support systems, and spatial database management and exploration.

Injury Mechanisms for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Team Handball

Objective To describe the mechanisms for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female team handball. Study Design Descriptive video analysis. Methods Twenty videotapes of anterior cruciate ligament injuries from Norwegian or international competition were collected from 12 seasons (1988-2000). Three medical doctors and 3 national team coaches systematically analyzed these videos to describe the injury mechanisms and playing situations. In addition, 32 anterior cruciate ligament-injured players in the 3 upper divisions in Norwegian team handball were interviewed during the 1998-1999 season to compare the injury characteristics between player recall and the video analysis. Results Two main injury mechanisms for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in team handball were identified. The most common (12 of 20 injuries), a plant-and-cut movement, occurred in every case with a forceful valgus and external or internal rotation with the knee close to full extension. The other main injury mechanism (4 of 20 injuries), a 1-legged jump shot landing, occurred with a forceful valgus and external rotation with the knee close to full extension. The results from the video analysis and questionnaire data were similar. Conclusions The injury mechanism for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female team handball appeared to be a forceful valgus collapse with the knee close to full extension combined with external or internal rotation of the tibia.

Reaching Library Patrons with Special Services and Materials

SUMMARY This article covers the services, reading materials, and delivery formats offered by the Lee County (FL) Library System to assist children and adults using its Special Services programs. Bookmobile, Books-by-Mail, Family Literacy, and Talking Books programs reach patrons who have difficulty using a library, yet still want something good to read or view. Staff are attuned to the needs of their patrons for reader's advisory assistance and materials in special formats. Whether it's a descriptive video for a woman with low vision, graphic novels for a reluctant teen reader, or a bilingual picture dictionary for someone learning English, they are all routine requests for Special Services staff.

The Development of the Descriptive Video Servicesm

Television is an important means of obtaining information and sharing in the culture of this society. Because it is primarily a visual medium, blind and visually impaired people have not had full access to it. In 1990, after five years of research and development, a national service became available over the Public Broadcasting Service that makes television accessible to blind and visually impaired viewers. Developed by WGBH-TV in Boston, Descriptive Video Servicesm provides narrated descriptions of the key visual elements of television programs without interfering with their audio or dialogue.