Electronic Aids Research Articles

Current Use and Future Perspectives of Spatial Audio Technologies in Electronic Travel Aids

Electronic travel aids (ETAs) have been in focus since technology allowed designing relatively small, light, and mobile devices for assisting the visually impaired. Since visually impaired persons rely on spatial audio cues as their primary sense of orientation, providing an accurate virtual auditory representation of the environment is essential. This paper gives an overview of the current state of spatial audio technologies that can be incorporated in ETAs, with a focus on user requirements. Most currently available ETAs either fail to address user requirements or underestimate the potential of spatial sound itself, which may explain, among other reasons, why no single ETA has gained a widespread acceptance in the blind community. We believe there is ample space for applying the technologies presented in this paper, with the aim of progressively bridging the gap between accessibility and accuracy of spatial audio in ETAs.

Features of Educational Electronic Grade Development by Engineering Disciplines

Traditional teaching aids lose their relevance in connection with the introduction of a competence approach, therefore, it is necessary to introduce such manuals that will allow students to retain their mobility and productivity without losing the quality of teaching. The relevance of the chosen topic is determined by the identification of the features of the development of qualitatively new electronic teaching aids in the university. The purpose of the research: identification of features of the development of an electronic textbook in the formation of professional competencies of students. For this purpose we have singled out the definition of the term “electronic publication”. The problems associated with the development and implementation of electronic textbooks have been identified. The principles of creating electronic materials have been singled out, which is part of the structure and composition of the electronic textbook, as well as the experiments carried out by us, demonstrating, firstly, the need to use information technology in education, and secondly the informativeness and effectiveness of the electronic textbook. One of the main recommendations for the creation of an electronic textbook is the need to provide the teacher with an adequate individual perception, understanding of the teaching material by students. It is necessary to timely eliminate errors, as well as update data: a glossary, practical tasks and text textbooks.

Use of a hand-held digital cognitive aid in simulated crises: the MAX randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive aids improve the technical performance of individuals and teams dealing with high-stakes crises. Hand-held electronic cognitive aids have rarely been investigated. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a smartphone application, named MAX (for Medical Assistance eXpert), on the technical and non-technical performance of anaesthesia residents dealing with simulated crises. MethodsThis single-centre randomized, controlled, unblinded trial was conducted in the simulation centre at Lyon, France. Participants were anaesthesia residents with >1 yr of clinical experience. Each participant had to deal with two different simulated crises with and without the help of a digital cognitive aid. The primary outcome was technical performance, evaluated as adherence to guidelines. Two independent observers remotely assessed performance on video recordings. ResultsFifty-two residents were included between July 2015 and February 2016. Six participants were excluded for technical issues; 46 participants were confronted with a total of 92 high-fidelity simulation scenarios (46 with MAX and 46 without). Mean (sd) age was 27 (1.8) yr and clinical experience 3.2 (1.0) yr. Inter-rater agreement was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.85–0.92). Mean technical scores were higher when residents used MAX [82 (11.9) vs 59 (10.8)%; P<0.001]. ConclusionThe use of a hand-held cognitive aid was associated with better technical performance of residents dealing with simulated crises. These findings could help digital cognitive aids to find their way into daily medical practice and improve the quality of health care when dealing with high-stakes crises. Clinical trial registrationNCT02678819.

Obstacle Detection Display for Visually Impaired: Coding of Direction, Distance, and Height on a Vibrotactile Waist Band

Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs) can potentially increase the safety and comfort of blind users by detecting and displaying obstacles outside the range of the white cane. In a series of experiments we aim to balance the amount of information displayed and the comprehensibility of the information taking into account the risk of information overload. In Experiment 1 we investigate perception of compound signals displayed on a tactile vest while walking. The results confirm that the threat of information overload is clear and present. Tactile coding parameters that are sufficiently discriminable in isolation may not be so in compound signals and while walking and using the white cane. Horizontal tactor location is a strong coding parameter and temporal pattern is the preferred secondary coding parameter. Vertical location is also possible as coding parameter but it requires additional tactors and makes the display hardware more complex and expensive and less user friendly. In Experiment 2 we investigate how we can off-load the tactile modality by mitigating part of the information to an auditory display. Off-loading the tactile modality through auditory presentation is possible, but this is off-loading is limited and may result in a new threat of auditory overload. In addition, taxing the auditory channel may in turn interfere with other auditory cues from the environment. In Experiment 3 we off-load the tactile sense by reducing the amount of displayed information using several filter rules The resulting design was evaluated in Experiment 4 with visually impaired users. Although they acknowledge the potential of the display, the added of the ETA as a whole also depends on its sensor and object recognition capabilities. We recommend to use not more than two coding parameters in a tactile compound message and apply filter rules to reduce the amount of obstacles to be displayed in an obstacle avoidance ETA.

Electronic memory aids for people with dementia experiencing prospective memory loss: A review of empirical studies

This paper details a review of the literature on the use of electronic aids for prospective memory for people with dementia. Key findings of the review are that: electronic memory aids show potential for supporting people’s prospective memory but the devices and software applications need further development in order to function reliably; sample sizes of studies are often very small, limiting the generalisability of their findings; few studies of devices are conducted in users’ home environments; and most of the studies focus on the effectiveness of the electronic memory aid, rather than outcomes for users, such as improved daily functioning, quality of life, or social connectedness. The review concludes that future studies with robust devices are required that explicitly focus on the varying needs and capacities of people with dementia, in order to generate additional evidence for the effectiveness of electronic memory aids for this cohort.

Internet of Things (IOT) Solution for Increasing the Quality of Life of Physically Challenged People

Visually Impaired (VI) people generally face difficulties during their pedestrian commute, when forced on to side-walks cluttered with vendors, animals and other obstacles. No single system can comprehensively cover all of their mobility needs. The proposed system intends to provide smart electronic aid for the VI which is appropriate to complement their white cane using the principles of the IoT. It detects any low-lying obstacles on its course and alerts the user to them and also uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which is a component of any smart phone, to pinpoint the VI's location when necessary. A feedback system, which is essentially a simple auditory circuit, which alarms the user of any obstacle, and informs priory designated guardians about the VI's current whereabouts, done by transmitting the coordinates of VI to a registered mobile number fed into an Android Application.

Demographics, farm and reproductive management strategies used in Australian automatic milking systems compared with regionally proximal conventional milking systems.

To determine the management practices utilised in automatic milking systems (AMS) that affect reproductive management and performance and how these compare with the management practices used in regionally proximal conventional milking systems (CMS). This study examined demographic and management data from AMS and CMS dairy farms through a survey, with a specific focus on reproductive management procedures. Overall, responses from AMS and CMS dairy farms showed little difference in terms of respondent demographics, farm size, herd structure and most farm management strategies. AMS dairies were more likely to use activity meters or other electronic oestrus detection aids than CMS dairies (P < 0.001) and were also more likely to have changed to electronic recording systems (P = 0.007). Although many respondents indicated that they used key monitoring parameters to assess reproductive performance (e.g. days in milk, conception vs pregnancy rate etc.), the format of responses varied significantly, indicating a relatively widespread (among the respondents) lack of knowledge regarding the meaning and usage of some of these common parameters/terminology. Ultimately, reproductive management practices of AMS dairies were largely similar to those of CMS dairies, indicating that such practices can be implemented in a practical sense, even though the resultant reproductive performance is not yet understood. Understanding that the key reproductive management strategies do not need to change vastly is important to ensure that new adoptees are well informed. Further work is needed to objectively measure AMS performance to increase the knowledge base and generate the confidence that will facilitate further adoption of this innovation.

Novel remote electronic medication supply model for opioid-dependent outpatients with polypharmacy\u2013\u2013first long-term case study

BackgroundPatients with substance use disorders grow older thanks to effective treatments. Together with a high prevalence of comorbidities, psychological problems, and low social support, these patients are at high risk for medication non-adherence. Established treatment facilities face challenges to accommodate these complex patients within their setting. Electronic medication management aids (e-MMAs) might be appropriate to simultaneously monitor and improve adherence for these patients.Case presentationWe report the first long-term experiences with a novel remote electronic medication supply model for two opioid-dependent patients with HIV. John (beginning dementia, 52 years, 6 tablets daily at 12 am) and Mary (frequent drug holidays, 48 years, 5–6 tablets daily at 8 pm) suffered from disease progression due to non-adherence. We electronically monitored adherence and clinical outcomes during 659 (John) and 953 (Mary) days between July 2013 and April 2016. Both patients retrieved over 90% of the pouches within 75 min of the scheduled time. Technical problems occurred in 4% (John) and 7.2% (Mary) of retrievals, but on-site support was seldom required. Viral loads fell below detection limits during the entire observation period.ConclusionsContinuous medication supply and persistence with treatment of over 1.7 years, timing adherence of more than 90%, and suppressed HIV viral load are first results supporting the feasibility of the novel supply model for patients on opioid-assisted treatment and polypharmacy.

Smart guiding glasses for visually impaired people in indoor environment

To overcome the travelling difficulty for the visually impaired group, this paper presents a novel ETA (Electronic Travel Aids)-smart guiding device in the shape of a pair of eyeglasses for giving these people guidance efficiently and safely. Different from existing works, a novel multi sensor fusion based obstacle avoiding algorithm is proposed, which utilizes both the depth sensor and ultrasonic sensor to solve the problems of detecting small obstacles, and transparent obstacles, e.g. the French door. For totally blind people, three kinds of auditory cues were developed to inform the direction where they can go ahead. Whereas for weak sighted people, visual enhancement which leverages the AR (Augment Reality) technique and integrates the traversable direction is adopted. The prototype consisting of a pair of display glasses and several low cost sensors is developed, and its efficiency and accuracy were tested by a number of users. The experimental results show that the smart guiding glasses can effectively improve the user's travelling experience in complicated indoor environment. Thus it serves as a consumer device for helping the visually impaired people to travel safely.

Usage of teaching aids in increasing cognition among slow learners through art lessons

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using electronic and non-electronic teaching aids in improving the cognitive levels among slow learners through art lessons. The research method used was the Hermeneutic method in which the daily lesson plans and the observations of students’ artworks were analyzed. This research was carried out in a school in Kuala Kangsar district and about nine slow-learners were involved in the study as the sample. The students’ cognitive level could be improved through the subject of Art and the development of their psychomotor skills could be improved through making handicrafts. From this research, the results obtained showed that the use of electronic and non-electronic teaching aids positively affected the improvisation of a student’s cognitive level and psychomotor skills among slow learners.

Contemporary trends in designing and using computer technologies in special education

This article examines the current trends in the development and use of computer technology in special education, as well as provides the basic characteristics of the classification of TME. Technical meansoccupy a special positionin the system of education, as their use increases the effectiveness of education. The article states that teaching geography is impossible without the use of visual aids, as most of the objects and natural phenomena presented in the school course can not be observed in nature, and, in this sense, the study of geography requires students to have an advanced imagination and distraction techniques . The use of computer technologies in teaching geography to children with hearing impairment is difficult due to the lack of specially designed electronic aids, particularly taking into account the age and mental development of children in this category and guidelines for working with modern technical means of education. Using TME in a special (remedial) school is of great importance for the overall development of students with reduced motivation to learn. It should be noted that, over time, a number of technical means of educationin special remedial schools is becoming less relevantand is being replaced by modern technical devices, computer technology, for which the methods of operation are not well developedat the moment. The use of technical means opens up new opportunities for extra-curricular and leisure activities of environmental study nature with hearing-impaired students. The intensive nature of introducing computer technology in the educational process of remedial schools and the lack of special modern technical means of teaching geography to children with hearing impairmentare indicative of the need to establish the scientific concept of developing methodological support of technical means of education. The authors highlight the significant role of TME in the formation of knowledge on geographic objects and phenomena in students with hearing impairment.

Does an electronic cognitive aid have an effect on the management of severe gynaecological TURP syndrome? A prospective, randomised simulation study

BackgroundLack of familiarity with the content of current guidelines is a major factor associated with non-compliance by clinicians. It is conceivable that cognitive aids with regularly updated medical content can guide clinicians’ task performance by evidence-based practices, even if they are unfamiliar with the actual guideline. Acute hyponatraemia as a consequence of TURP syndrome is a rare intraoperative event, and current practice guidelines have changed from slow correction to rapid correction of serum sodium levels. The primary objective of this study was to compare the management of a simulated severe gynaecological transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) syndrome under spinal anaesthesia with either: an electronic cognitive aid, or with management from memory alone. The secondary objective was to assess the clinical relevance and participant perception of the usefulness of the cognitive aid.MethodsAnaesthetic teams were allocated to control (no cognitive aid; n = 10) or intervention (cognitive aid provided; n = 10) groups. We identified eight evidence-based management tasks for severe TURP syndrome from current guidelines and subdivided them into acute heart failure (AHF)/pulmonary oedema tasks (5) and acute hyponatraemia tasks (3). Implementation of the treatment steps was measured by scoring task items in a binary fashion (yes/no). To assess whether or not the cognitive aid had prompted a treatment step, participants from the cognitive aid group were questioned during debriefing on every single treatment step. At the end of the simulation, session participants were asked to complete a survey.ResultsTeams in the cognitive aid group considered evidence-based treatment steps significantly more often than teams of the control group (96% vs. 50% for ‘AHF/pulmonary oedema’ p < 0.001; 79% vs. 12% for ‘acute hyponatraemia’ p < 0.001). Without the cognitive aid, performance would have been comparable across both groups. Nurses, trainees, and consultants derived equal benefit from the cognitive aid.ConclusionsThe cognitive aid improved the implementation of evidence-based practices in a simulated intraoperative scenario. Cognitive aids with current medical content could help to close the translational gap between guideline publication and implementation in acute patient care. It is important that the cognitive aid should be familiar, in a format that has been used in practice and training.

An enhanced obstacle avoidance method for the visually impaired using deformable grid

Various obstacle avoidance (OA) methods with the monocular vision have been studied to assist visually impaired people. Recently, a method that effectively locates obstacles at a risk of collision using the shape variation of a grid, called deformable grid (DG), was introduced [11]. To further improve the detection performance of the previous work, a vertex deformation function representing the displacement of each vertex in the DG is firstly defined employing the perspective projection geometry. Then, the collision risk is accurately estimated based on the shape variation of the DG that is measured using the vertex deformation function. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms other conventional methods as well as the previous work in terms of both the accuracy and processing time, and clearly detects obstacles that present a risk of collision in a variety of scenarios. This method is suitable for application to electronic travel aid (ETA) systems using consumer devices, such as smart-phones, tablets, and wearable devices.

General reflections on improved access and public engagement in the past, present and future in Canada

Public engagement has been a central part of the author’s archival career in the course of the last three decades even if methods of offering services to the public have changed. The article is a personal reflection of how the author’s generation of archivists in Canada developed access to archival resources, and learned how to adjust to the changing needs and demands of society. In the 1980s, when raising public interest in archives was not a major goal, resources were made available through, for example, index cards and printed brochures. When computers were introduced in the late 1980s, archival institutions invested a large amount of financial resources and training time to develop rules of description and create electronic finding aids. Computers changed the traditional functions of the archivist even more when, in the late 1990s, archival institutions began to create websites to market their services. A high level of connectivity between archivists, creators and users is becoming more important: innovative projects developed with local Franco-Albertan communities are described; this level of deep public engagement may become even more necessary over the coming years in a modern world where marketing is essential for archival institutions to survive.

The effect of an electronic cognitive aid on the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction during caesarean section: a prospective randomised simulation study

BackgroundCognitive aids have come to be viewed as promising tools in the management of perioperative critical events. The majority of published simulation studies have focussed on perioperative crises that are characterised by time pressure, rare occurrence, or complex management steps (e.g., cardiac arrest emergencies, management of the difficult airway). At present, there is limited information on the usefulness of cognitive aids in critical situations with moderate time pressure and complexity. Intraoperative myocardial infarction may be an emergency to which these limitations apply.MethodsAnaesthetic teams were allocated to control (no cognitive aid; n = 10) or intervention (cognitive aid provided; n = 10) groups. The primary aim of this study was to compare cognitive aid versus memory for intraoperative ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management in a simulation of caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia. We identified nine evidence-based metrics of essential care from current guidelines and subdivided them into mandatory (high level of evidence; no interference with surgery) and optional (lower class of recommendation; possible impact on surgery) tasks. Six clinically relevant tasks were added by consensus. Implementation of these steps was measured by scoring task items in a binary fashion (yes/no). The interval between the diagnosis of STEMI and the first contact with the cardiac catheterisation lab was measured. To determine whether or not the cognitive aid had prompted an action, participants from the cognitive aid group were interviewed during debriefing on every single treatment step. At the end of the simulation, session participants were asked to complete a survey.ResultsThe presence of the cognitive aid did not shorten the time interval until the cardiac catheterisation lab was contacted. The availability of the cognitive aid improved task performance in the tasks identified from the guidelines (93% vs. 69%; p < 0.001) as well as overall task performance (87.5% vs. 59%; p < 0.001). The observed difference in performance can be attributed to the use of the cognitive aid, as performance from memory alone would have been comparable across both groups. Trainees appeared to derive greater benefit from the cognitive aid than did consultants and nurses.ConclusionsThe management of intraoperative ST-elevation myocardial infarction can be improved if teams use a cognitive aid. Trainees appeared to derive greater benefit from the cognitive aid than did consultants and nurses.

Specificity of use of computer technology in education of geography of students with hearing impairment

The article reviews the use of computer technologies at different stages of the lesson and its combination with other techniques and methods of educational activity, as well as observations of practical activity of teachers in special (remedial) schools. The article also evaluates the potential of geography as an academic subject in a special (remedial) school. A lesson of geography in a special school meaningfully integrates the knowledge of nature, society and humans, through which systematization and expansion of understanding objects and phenomena of the surrounding environment is exercised in the students. Geography as a subject of natural science curriculum offers significant opportunities for the development of elementary knowledge on objects and phenomena of animate and inanimate nature, the relationship and interdependence of humans and nature in students with hearing impairment; enriching personal experience of children as a result of systematic observations; the development of required practical skills in the students.The researchers note the significant role of geography lessons in remediating mental and psychological deficiencies in students from special (remedial) institutions. Geography as a subject in a special (remedial) school has an exceptional importance for the overall development of the students.The use of computer technologies in teaching geography to children with hearing impairment is difficult due to the lack of specially designed electronic aids, particularly taking into account the age and mental development of children in this category and guidelines for working with modern TME.The researchers emphasize the significance of visualization in the process of teaching geography to students with hearing impairment as well as note the need for a reasonable combination of verbal, visual and practical methods.This article presents the results of ascertaining experiment and the results of a survey among teachers. Observations of the educational process and surveying the teachers of special (remedial) schools at the stage of the ascertaining experiment revealed the basic forms, tools, techniques and methods of teaching geography to students with hearing impairment.

Profound vision loss impairs psychological well-being in young and middle-aged individuals.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of profound vision loss on psychological well-being in adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults with regard to mood, interpersonal interactions, and career-related goals. In addition, we assessed the significance of the resources that may be used to enhance psychological well-being in cases of profound vision loss, and in particular, examined the utility of low vision aids and the role of the ophthalmologist as a provider of emotional support.MethodsA questionnaire was issued to individuals aged 13–65 years with profound vision loss resulting from Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Depression prevalence was evaluated with questions regarding major depressive disorder symptomatology. Participants appraised the effects of vision loss on their interpersonal interactions and career goals by providing an impact rating (IR) on a 21-point psychometric scale from −10 to +10. Social well-being index was defined as the average of interpersonal IR and career IR. Subjects were additionally asked about the use of low vision aids and sources of emotional support.ResultsA total of 103 participants (mean age =26.4±11.2 years at LHON diagnosis; mean ± standard deviation) completed the questionnaire. Nearly half (49.5%) met the depression criteria after vision loss. Negative impacts on interpersonal interactions (median IR = −5) and career goals (median IR = −6) were observed; both ratings were worse (P<0.001) for depressed versus nondepressed subjects. Older age at diagnosis corresponded to higher depression prevalence and increased incidence of negative interpersonal IR and career IR. Sixty-eight percent of subjects used electronic vision aids; controlling for age, social well-being index was higher among these individuals than for those who did not use electronic aids (P=0.03). Over half of the participants (52.4%) asserted that they derived emotional support from their ophthalmologist.ConclusionProfound vision loss in adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults is associated with significant negative psychological and psychosocial effects, which are influenced by age and use of electronic vision aids. Ophthalmologists, in addition to managing vision loss, may serve an important role in the emotional adaptation of these patients.

Current Status of Electronic "Continuous" Eye Pressure Measurements

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is generally measured at individual points and usually only once, but rarely more often, during office hours and with various different instruments. This is probably inadequate for diagnosis, assessment of progression, and therapeutic decision making, since the IOP is not a static measurement, but rather one that is subject to greater or lesser fluctuations over shorter or longer periods. This has prompted the desire for more regular or even continuous measurements. This can be achieved with self-tonometers (not discussed in this article) or by using electronic aids with sensors in the eye (invasive; in the intraocular lens, in the ciliary sulcus, on the iris, in the posterior or anterior chamber, suprachoroidal or subconjunctival) or on the eye (non-invasive; sensor contact lens). Despite numerous advances and miniaturisations, there is as yet still no continuous measurement technique (either invasive or non-invasive) that can be used routinely, but development of such a device is at an advanced stage.

Electronic Travel Aid for Visually Impaired People based on Computer Vision and Sensor Nodes using Raspberry Pi

Electronic Travel Aid for Visually Impaired People based on Computer Vision and Sensor Nodes using Raspberry Pi

Smart Electronic Travel Stick for the Visually Challenged

Science and technology has always played a prominent role in comforting human lives. The main objective of this work is based on mollifying the disabilities of blindness by creating a microcontroller based automated hardware that can ratify a visually impaired person to detect obstacles in front of him/her instantly and guide him/her in a proper way to reach his/her destination. The hardware consists of a microcontroller integrated with Arduino Uno board, microcontroller, ultrasonic sensor, GPS module, GSM module, serial driver, buzzer, LED and other additional equipments. It acts as a better navigational tool for the visually impaired. The sensors used in this model provide information about the outside environment. GPS Technology is integrated with pre-programmed locations and it is sent to the desired number through GSM module when required. This presents a design and a system concept to provide smart electronic aid for blind people. The aim of the overall system is to produce an economic and productive navigation aid for the visually challenged which can give them a sense of artificial vision and object detection by providing information about the environmental scenario of static and dynamic objects around them. Ultrasonic sensors are used to detect obstacles from a distance so as to guide the blind perso in the right path.