Use In Environments Research Articles

A versatile software package for inter-subject correlation based analyses of fMRI

In the inter-subject correlation (ISC) based analysis of the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, the extent of shared processing across subjects during the experiment is determined by calculating correlation coefficients between the fMRI time series of the subjects in the corresponding brain locations. This implies that ISC can be used to analyze fMRI data without explicitly modeling the stimulus and thus ISC is a potential method to analyze fMRI data acquired under complex naturalistic stimuli. Despite of the suitability of ISC based approach to analyze complex fMRI data, no generic software tools have been made available for this purpose, limiting a widespread use of ISC based analysis techniques among neuroimaging community. In this paper, we present a graphical user interface (GUI) based software package, ISC Toolbox, implemented in Matlab for computing various ISC based analyses. Many advanced computations such as comparison of ISCs between different stimuli, time window ISC, and inter-subject phase synchronization are supported by the toolbox. The analyses are coupled with re-sampling based statistical inference. The ISC based analyses are data and computation intensive and the ISC toolbox is equipped with mechanisms to execute the parallel computations in a cluster environment automatically and with an automatic detection of the cluster environment in use. Currently, SGE-based (Oracle Grid Engine, Son of a Grid Engine, or Open Grid Scheduler) and Slurm environments are supported. In this paper, we present a detailed account on the methods behind the ISC Toolbox, the implementation of the toolbox and demonstrate the possible use of the toolbox by summarizing selected example applications. We also report the computation time experiments both using a single desktop computer and two grid environments demonstrating that parallelization effectively reduces the computing time. The ISC Toolbox is available in https://code.google.com/p/isc-toolbox/

A Refitting Study of Late Early to Middle Stone Age Lithic Assemblages from the Site of Kudu Koppie, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The examination of lithic material from the late Early Stone Age (ESA) and Middle Stone Age (MSA) levels of Kudu Koppie (KK), Limpopo Province (South Africa) has revealed a range of raw material exploitation patterns and lithic technology. Situated on an escarpment within close proximity to the modern day Limpopo River, and given the high concentration of raw material sources within easy access of the site, KK offered an ideal environment for use by early human groups. This paper reviews the results of a refitting study of material associated with four types of raw material from four out of ten excavated squares at KK. The results demonstrate evidence for a range of technological approaches that are, in some cases, associated with differential use of various lithic materials. In addition, the analysis of the KK refits offers high-resolution insights into the unique qualities of individual technological events including the recycling of previously exploited nodules and, through additional flaking, the co-opting and alteration of one type of tool for the purpose of producing a second form of tool. Moreover, this paper also clearly demonstrates the applicability and value of refitting large Early and Middle Stone Age assemblages, thus offering interpretations concerning early prehistoric technological behaviour that would otherwise be rarely revealed.

Problems With COTS Software: A Case Study

This article reports on the use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software for developing a dynamic environment for an online public access catalogue (OPAC). COTS products are widely used throughout the industry. While there are many potential benefits, use of COTS components is also fraught with pitfalls. The research on creating a dynamic environment for OPACs is based on the previous work in this area, Public Access Catalogue Extension (PACE), which was developed with custom-based software programs. Although in the previous research project all the programs were successfully developed in C and C++, the present project relied very little on original and custom programming. Instead, a number of COTS products were used to construct the dynamic environment: Macromedia Director, 3D Dreams, Extreme 3D, Crossroads, and Easybase. These COTS products were chosen for their ability to produce the desired results, their availability at reasonable costs, and their capability to integrate with one another. A small experimental database with one hundred MARC records was constructed in Easybase. Models were built in Extreme 3D and converted to 3D Studio using Crossroads. These models were used in 3D Dreams to create three-dimensional environments for use in Macromedia Director.

Translating the simulation of procedural drilling techniques for interactive neurosurgical training.

Through previous efforts we have developed a fully virtual environment to provide procedural training of otologic surgical technique. The virtual environment is based on high-resolution volumetric data of the regional anatomy. These volumetric data help drive an interactive multisensory, ie, visual (stereo), aural (stereo), and tactile, simulation environment. Subsequently, we have extended our efforts to support the training of neurosurgical procedural technique as part of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons simulation initiative. To deliberately study the integration of simulation technologies into the neurosurgical curriculum and to determine their efficacy in teaching minimally invasive cranial and skull base approaches. We discuss issues of biofidelity and our methods to provide objective, quantitative and automated assessment for the residents. We conclude with a discussion of our experiences by reporting preliminary formative pilot studies and proposed approaches to take the simulation to the next level through additional validation studies. We have presented our efforts to translate an otologic simulation environment for use in the neurosurgical curriculum. We have demonstrated the initial proof of principles and define the steps to integrate and validate the system as an adjuvant to the neurosurgical curriculum.

Reliability Assessment of an Electronic System: A Case Study of Nokia N1650 Mobile Phone Charger in Zaria, Nigeria

This paper assesses the reliability of a Nokia N1650 mobile phone charger used in Zaria, Nigeria. The Part Stress Method was employed to assess the reliability of the system. Data on the failure rate of the system components were used, with special considerations given to factors like environment of use, quality of power supply and service personnel. A comparative assessment was made on the system, when operated within the Zaria environment and when operated within the country for which it was designed for (China).The result shows that a lower reliability level is associated with the use of the system in Zaria, Nigeria as compared with the reliability level when in use in the country for which it was designed for. The Mean-Time to Failure of the system which is the time it is expected to function without failure (MTTF) in Nigeria is 1 years as against 10 years in China. The ratio is 10:1 in favour of the designed country. The ratio of the failure rate of the system is also 10:1 in favour of the designed country, meaning it fails ten times faster in Zaria environment as compared to the country for which the system was designed for. These are accounted for by higher variation in the environmental factors such as temperature, poor power quality, and poor maintenance culture in the applied environment.

Assessing the Impact of Technology on Aircraft Systems Using Technology Impact Forecasting

In today’s atmosphere of constrained defense spending and reduced research budgets, determining how to allocate resources for research and design has become a critical and challenging task. In the area of aircraft design, there are many promising technologies to be explored, yet limited funds with which to explore them. In addition, issues concerning the uncertainty in technology readiness, as well as the quantification of the impact of a technology (or combinations of technologies), are of key importance during the design process. This paper presents a methodology that details a comprehensive and structured process in which to quantitatively explore the effects of technology for a given baseline aircraft. This process, called technology impact forecasting, involves the creation of an assessment environment for use in conjunction with defined technology scenarios, and it will have a significant impact on the resource allocation strategies for defense acquisition. The advantages and limitations of the method are discussed. In addition, an example of a technology impact forecasting application, an uninhabited combat aerial vehicle, is presented and serves to illustrate the applicability of this methodology to a military system.

Evaluation of an intelligent wheelchair system for older adults with cognitive impairments.

BackgroundOlder adults are the most prevalent wheelchair users in Canada. Yet, cognitive impairments may prevent an older adult from being allowed to use a powered wheelchair due to safety and usability concerns. To address this issue, an add-on Intelligent Wheelchair System (IWS) was developed to help older adults with cognitive impairments drive a powered wheelchair safely and effectively. When attached to a powered wheelchair, the IWS adds a vision-based anti-collision feature that prevents the wheelchair from hitting obstacles and a navigation assistance feature that plays audio prompts to help users manoeuvre around obstacles.MethodsA two stage evaluation was conducted to test the efficacy of the IWS. Stage One: Environment of Use – the IWS’s anti-collision and navigation features were evaluated against objects found in a long-term care facility. Six different collision scenarios (wall, walker, cane, no object, moving and stationary person) and three different navigation scenarios (object on left, object on right, and no object) were performed. Signal detection theory was used to categorize the response of the system in each scenario. Stage Two: User Trials – single-subject research design was used to evaluate the impact of the IWS on older adults with cognitive impairment. Participants were asked to drive a powered wheelchair through a structured obstacle course in two phases: 1) with the IWS and 2) without the IWS. Measurements of safety and usability were taken and compared between the two phases. Visual analysis and phase averages were used to analyze the single-subject data.ResultsStage One: The IWS performed correctly for all environmental anti-collision and navigation scenarios. Stage Two: Two participants completed the trials. The IWS was able to limit the number of collisions that occurred with a powered wheelchair and lower the perceived workload for driving a powered wheelchair. However, the objective performance (time to complete course) of users navigating their environment did not improve with the IWS.ConclusionsThis study shows the efficacy of the IWS in performing with a potential environment of use, and benefiting members of its desired user population to increase safety and lower perceived demands of powered wheelchair driving.

Social networking: a collaborative open educational resource

Studies undertaken since the introduction of Web 2.0 have focussed mainly on open educational resources (OERs) such as email, blogging and virtual learning environments. No consistent efforts have been undertaken to study the use of social networking sites as a tool for learning in the second language classroom. This study examined the use of social networking sites as a means of establishing an asynchronous online environment for use in language learning in a classroom setting. The findings described are based on the use of a social networking site called Ning in a classroom during a summer school project, which was conducted at a further education college in the UK. The project focussed in particular on informal language practice when using social networking sites. The paper then examines the effect the use of the social networking tool had on group cohesion and learner-to-learner interaction, and how these, in turn, enhanced informal language learning due to an increase in learner collaboration. The study found that the use of Ning enhanced group cohesion and that learners started working in different groups once Ning was introduced. Finally, it highlights the potential technical and administrative barriers that can impede an institution in implementing its educational strategy in regards to OERs – in this case, social networking sites in the classroom. The further education college in which this study took place had no policies in place in regards to the use of OERs in the classroom, thus the paper concludes with recommendations in regards to training and policies so that researchers and practitioners can learn from the project.

Target-directed catalytic metallodrugs

Most drugs function by binding reversibly to specific biological targets, and therapeutic effects generally require saturation of these targets. One means of decreasing required drug concentrations is incorporation of reactive metal centers that elicit irreversible modification of targets. A common approach has been the design of artificial proteases/nucleases containing metal centers capable of hydrolyzing targeted proteins or nucleic acids. However, these hydrolytic catalysts typically provide relatively low rate constants for target inactivation. Recently, various catalysts were synthesized that use oxidative mechanisms to selectively cleave/inactivate therapeutic targets, including HIV RRE RNA or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). These oxidative mechanisms, which typically involve reactive oxygen species (ROS), provide access to comparatively high rate constants for target inactivation. Target-binding affinity, co-reactant selectivity, reduction potential, coordination unsaturation, ROS products (metal-associated vs metal-dissociated; hydroxyl vs superoxide), and multiple-turnover redox chemistry were studied for each catalyst, and these parameters were related to the efficiency, selectivity, and mechanism(s) of inactivation/cleavage of the corresponding target for each catalyst. Important factors for future oxidative catalyst development are 1) positioning of catalyst reduction potential and redox reactivity to match the physiological environment of use, 2) maintenance of catalyst stability by use of chelates with either high denticity or other means of stabilization, such as the square planar geometric stabilization of Ni- and Cu-ATCUN complexes, 3) optimal rate of inactivation of targets relative to the rate of generation of diffusible ROS, 4) targeting and linker domains that afford better control of catalyst orientation, and 5) general bio-availability and drug delivery requirements.

Human Factors and IT Medical Device Standards at AAMI

Human Factors and IT Medical Device Standards at AAMI

The influence of age, gender and other information technology use on young people's computer use at school and home

Young people are exposed to a range of information technologies (IT) in different environments, including home and school, however the factors influencing IT use at home and school are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate young people's computer exposure patterns at home and school, and related factors such as age, gender and the types of IT used. 1351 children in Years 1, 6, 9 and 11 from 10 schools in metropolitan Western Australia were surveyed. Most children had access to computers at home and school, with computer exposures comparable to TV, reading and writing. Total computer exposure was greater at home than school, and increased with age. Computer activities varied with age and gender and became more social with increased age, at the same time parental involvement reduced. Bedroom computer use was found to result in higher exposure patterns. High use of home and school computers were associated with each other. Associations varied depending on the type of IT exposure measure (frequency, mean weekly hours, usual and longest duration). The frequency and duration of children's computer exposure were associated with a complex interplay of the environment of use, the participant's age and gender and other IT activities.

Influência do ambiente familiar no consumo de crack em usuários

OBJETIVOS: Analisar a influência do ambiente familiar no consumo de crack em usuários habituais ou dependentes. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa qualitativa, realizada com 15 familiares de usuários de crack em tratamento em um serviço especializado, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Os dados foram analisados de acordo com conteúdo temático e organizados em categorias. RESULTADOS: Dentre os fatores de influência, verificou-se a deficiência de suporte parental, a superproteção dos filhos, a presença de cultura implícita do uso de drogas, a existência de conflitos e violências, a desinformação e o desconhecimento sobre o uso de drogas. CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se que as famílias apresentaram vários elementos considerados desfavoráveis no ambiente familiar, os quais atuaram como elemento facilitador ao uso crack.

남해안 어류 및 전복가두리양식장의 퇴적물-수층 경계면에서의 물질플럭스 비교: 현장배양과 실내배양실험 연구

지속적인 양식활동과 어장환경 보호를 위해서는 연안해역과 양식어종마다 각기 다른 연안생태계의 물질순환에 대한 연구가 필요하며, 양식장아래 퇴적물-수층 경계면의 침강 용출 플럭스에 관한 정확한 산정이 중요하다. 이에 관한 연구방법 중 벤틱 챔버를 이용한 현장배양법과 코아 채니를 이용한 실내배양실험법으로 퇴적물 산소요구량과 용존무기질소 용출 플럭스를 비교하여 보았다. 통영 어류 가두리양식장, 여수 어류 가두리양식장, 완도 전복양식장에 대하여, 퇴적물 산소요구량을 측정하여본 결과, 현장배양법은 116, 34, <TEX>$31\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX>, 실내배양법은 52, 17, <TEX>$15\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX>이었고, 용존무기질소 용출 플럭스의 경우, 현장배양법은 7.18, 7.98, <TEX>$1.78\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX>, 실내배양법은 3.33, 3.74, <TEX>$1.96\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX>로, 현장배양법이 실내배양법보다 약 2배 높게 나타났다. 본 연구는 각 양식장에 따른 물질 플럭스를 살펴봄으로서, 양식장아래 퇴적물-수층 경계면에 대한 두 가지 물질수지 계산 방법의 특성을 비교하였다. It is necessary to study the material circulation of coastal ecosystem according to aquacultural activity in order to induce the sustainable production of aquaculture and the fishery environment for the useful use. Hence, it is essential to make an exact assessment for the sedimentation release flux at the sediment-water interface in the aquafarm. Sediment oxygen demand and dissolved inorganic nitrogen release fluxes were compared using in-situ and laboratory incubational examination. Sediment oxygen demands were 116, 34, and <TEX>$31\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX> (in-situ incubation), 52, 17, and <TEX>$15\;mmol\;O_2\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX> (Core incubation) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen release fluxes were 7.18, 7.98, and <TEX>$1.78\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX> (in-situ incubation), 3.33, 3.74, and <TEX>$1.96\;mmol\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$</TEX> (Core incubation) at Tongyeong finfish, Yeosu finfish, and Wando abalone cage farms, respectively. Consequently, in-situ incubation results showed two times higher than laboratory examination. We compared the material flux at the sediment-water interface of each farm and the characteristics between two different kinds of material flux examination.

Spectroscopic remote sensing of the distribution and persistence of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in Barataria Bay marshes

We applied a spectroscopic analysis to Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data collected from low and medium altitudes during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to delineate the distribution of oil-damaged canopies in the marshes of Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Spectral feature analysis compared the AVIRIS data to reference spectra of oiled marsh by using absorption features centered near 1.7 and 2.3μm, which arise from CH bonds in oil. AVIRIS-derived maps of oiled shorelines from the individual dates of July 31, September 14, and October 4, 2010, were 89.3%, 89.8%, and 90.6% accurate, respectively. A composite map at 3.5m grid spacing, accumulated from the three dates, was 93.4% accurate in detecting oiled shorelines. The composite map had 100% accuracy for detecting damaged plant canopy in oiled areas that extended more than 1.2m into the marsh. Spatial resampling of the AVIRIS data to 30m reduced the accuracy to 73.6% overall. However, detection accuracy remained high for oiled canopies that extended more than 4m into the marsh (23 of 28 field reference points with oil were detected). Spectral resampling of the 3.5m AVIRIS data to Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) spectral response greatly reduced the detection of oil spectral signatures. With spatial resampling of simulated Landsat ETM data to 30m, oil signatures were not detected. Overall, ~40km of coastline, marsh comprised mainly of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, were found to be oiled in narrow zones at the shorelines. Zones of oiled canopies reached on average 11m into the marsh, with a maximum reach of 21m. The field and airborne data showed that, in many areas, weathered oil persisted in the marsh from the first field survey, July 10, to the latest airborne survey, October 4, 2010. The results demonstrate the applicability of high spatial resolution imaging spectrometer data to identifying contaminants in the environment for use in evaluating ecosystem disturbance and response.

Managing 3D Multi User Learning Environments - A Case Study on Training Disaster Management

3D Multi User Virtual Environments (3D MUVE), or commonly known as 3D virtual worlds, have shown proven success in enhancing the present teaching and learner support methodologies. Integrated educational environments that are formed using 3D MUVE can be referred as 3D Multi User Learning Environments (3D MULE). The intrinsic rich and dynamic features of 3D virtual worlds can sufficiently increase the student engagement with the learning tasks in 3D MULE. However, with the facilitation for diverse learning activities, 3D MULE can introduce a new set of challenges for the teachers and students; therefore, suitable management strategies for 3D MULE can be essential for success. In this research, we have proposed a framework for managing 3D MULE using policy considerations and a guidance tool to facilitate policy implementations. This paper presents the evaluation of the proposed strategies for making policy considerations to manage 3D MULE and the developed user guidance tool. To increase the accuracy while evaluating for real educational uses, we selected a teaching and training environment in use as the case study. This case study, a 3D MULE supported learning aid for humanitarian disaster management, provided valuable and supportive feedback to validate the completed work while shaping the orientation of the future research on facilitating 3D MULE management.

A brief observational instrument for the assessment of infant home environment: development and psychometric testing.

The present paper reports on the development and the psychometric properties of a brief observational assessment of home environments for use in large-scale investigations with young infants. We generated observational items conceptually relevant for child development by two methods. First, we adapted the Infant Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (IT-HOME) inventory for use in an exclusively observational context. Second, we added new observational items following a review of relevant literature and consulting professionals. The quality of the instrument was first evaluated in a pilot study (n = 926). In our study sample of 3406 families and their children (median age = 3.1 months, range = 1.6-6.0), exploratory factor analysis was used to identify latent constructs, Cronbach's alpha was used as a measure of internal consistency, and convergent validity was evaluated against family socio-demographic characteristics. Inter-observer agreement was investigated in a sub-sample of the respondents (n = 124). The results supported good psychometric properties of the instrument based on: (a) exploratory factor analysis yielding three meaningful latent constructs, (b) Cronbach's alphas ranging from α = 0.66 to α = 0.90, (c) inter-observer agreement ranging from r = 0.75 to r = 0.91, and (d) associations between the instrument and socio-demographic characteristics in the expected direction [e.g. Odds Ratio for low income = 15.24, 95% confidence interval (11.60, 20.01)].

Indirect and Direct Selection for Yield in Coffea canephora Genotypes Under Drought-Stress and Non-stress Conditions

It is a normal practice to select coffee in non-drought-stress environments for use in drought-stress and non-stress conditions. This study assesses the efficiencies of drought stress and non-stress selection environments to improve coffee for adaptability. In a nine-year experiment, 18 genotypes were tested simultaneously under drought-stress and non-stress conditions. Six traits related to Robusta coffee adaptation were evaluated to determine the best environment for improvement and traits amenable to selection for broad adaptation to drought stress. Drought-stress significantly reduced fruit set, fruit/node, number of primary branches, and yields. Span, girth, and diameter of primary branches were not reduced by stress. Genetic correlations between the environments were significant for all the traits (rG = 0.47–0.84) except fruit/node and number of primary branches. Selection of genotypes with broad adaptation to water-deficit stress should be possible through an index including span, girth, diameter of primary branches, fruit set, and yield itself. Lower genotypic and environmental variation coefficients but higher genetic variances and broad-sense heritabilities were observed under non-stress than under stress conditions. Correlated response to selection as against response to selection under stress (0.02–0.90) and non-stress (0.03–0.93) was lower than unity for all the traits. Hence, direct selection of genotypes is predicted to be more efficient in the environments in which they are intended to be used rather than in indirect selection. However, when resources are limited, it is better to select under non-stress conditions.

Binder-Free Green Composite Using Bamboo Fibres Extracted with a Machining Centre: Influence of Moisture Absorption on Mechanical Properties

Bamboo grows faster than other renewable natural materials. Bamboo fibre, in particular, has attracted attention as an environmentally superior material. Therefore, we proposed a sustainable manufacturing system using bamboo. An extraction method of bamboo fibres end-milled using a machining centre with in-situ measurement was also proposed. Bamboo fibres with high precision shapes are efficiently acquired. Previously, we proposed the fabrication of binder-free composite by a hot press forming method that only uses bamboo fibres extracted by a machining centre. We experimentally demonstrated various hot press forming conditions and achieved proper ones to optimize the forming process. However, when the environment changes, the characteristics of the binder-free composite are not known. If we want to use the binder-free composite, we have to know how much it is affected by the external environment for use as a mechanical object. Therefore, we investigated the changes of the characteristics at high temperature and high humidity.

The New Zealand Index of Neighbourhood Social Fragmentation: Integrating Theory and Data

We report on the development and validation of a neighbourhood measure of social fragmentation. Firstly, we developed a theoretical model of neighbourhood-level social fragmentation, as the structural antecedent to collective social functioning, with three domains (attachment, resources, and means of sharing of norms and values). Secondly, utilising the New Zealand 1996 and 2001 Censuses, variables were constructed to create the New Zealand Index of Neighbourhood Social Fragmentation (NeighFrag) at the small-area level. Nine census variables contributed substantively to a principal components analysis: homeownership, mobility, marital status, nonfamily households, single-person households, children, immigrants, non-English/Māori speakers, and long-term residents. Thirdly, relationships between NeighFrag and other contextual measures were examined, as well as its relationship with individual perceptions of neighbourhood cohesion. The NeighFrag index had a moderate association with deprivation and social capital. It was inversely associated with individual perception of neighbourhood cohesion in multilevel analyses, after adjusting for individual factors and neighbourhood deprivation. Combined, this suggests that NeighFrag provides a meaningful national-level index of neighbourhood social environments for use in analyses.

A Review of Photo Sensor Laser Range Finder Hokuyo URG-04LX-UG01 Applications

Laser sensor such as laser range finder (LRF) become more and more famous nowadays, many researchers has used, developed and integrate the laser sensor inside their system to achieve their goals. In this paper, we use one of the flagship products of Hokuyo companies, especially their photo sensor/SOKUIKI sensor or known as 2D LRF sensor, a URG-04LX-UG01. Here we review the most recent application on a research work that uses URG-04LX-UG01 since this product launched in 2010. In point of view of interface, sensor combination, environment of use, and functionality of the sensor itself is how we deliver the review. The uniqueness of the application applied is how we assess the research work.