Dependence Of Mobility Research Articles

Early Independent Wheeled Mobility in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Norwegian Population-Based Registry Study

Background: The aim was to explore independent wheeled mobility in children with CP, and identify predictors of early independent wheeled mobility and changes over time across birth cohorts. Methods: We included data from the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy (NorCP) comprising 11,565 assessments of 1780 children born in 2002–2019. Variables included demographic data, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels, wheelchair use, and independent wheeled mobility. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify predictors for early independent wheeled mobility. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to compare birth cohorts. Results: Of 769 (43%) children who used a wheelchair, 511 (67%) had independent wheeled mobility. Two thirds of the children (n = 337) achieved independent wheeled mobility before age 7. Most children with independent wheeled mobility used powered wheelchairs. Children at GMFCS levels III and IV were more likely to reach independent wheeled mobility at an early age. Children at MACS levels III–V had a lower probability of early independent wheeled mobility. The average age of achieving independent mobility decreased from 9.5 to 4.0 years between birth years 2002 and 2019. Conclusions: Two in three children were independent wheelchair users before 7 years of age, and the age of obtaining independent wheeled mobility has decreased over the last 20 years. Children with better hand function were more likely to obtain early independent wheeled mobility. Early intervention programs to promote mobility, development and participation should include powered mobility, adapted steering options, and interventions for hand function.

Development of Fuzzy Algorithm as Mobility Aid for Blind Person Using Two Sensor Points

White canes are an ideal choice for blind person to do independent mobility because of its relatively cheap price. However, whitecane has the disadvantage of only being able to identify objects in front of it when they have been touched and cannot provide a choice of direction. This study developed a prototype whitecane with a feature that can provide a choice of direction based on the results of identifying the distance of the object to its user. This prototype was designed and implemented using two ultrasonic sensors installed on the stick as a replacement for the spatial sensing system. Both distance data from the sensors are processed in the Arduino Nano microcontroller to carry out the Fuzzy process stages. Fuzzy input process, rule-based Fuzzy inference, and Defuzzification for decision output. The results of the decision are translated into voice information to the user. Experiments with three scenarios showed that the utilization of the system with constant contact O&M technique showed a success rate of 100% while the other two techniques were only 33.3%. So the constant contact O&M technique can support effective mobility for the use of assistive aids and can be developed into a new technique.

Impact of Traffic Park Use on Children’s Traffic Rule Awareness and Behavioral Intentions: Case Study in Toyohashi City

To ensure children’s safe independent mobility on the road, they need to learn basic traffic rules. In this case, traffic rule education in a realistic environment through a play-way method can be a significant learning strategy. This research focuses on the “Traffic Park (TP)”, which provides that opportunity. Specifically, this research examined how elementary school children’s knowledge of traffic rules and behavioral intentions are influenced by their experiences of using and playing in a TP before and after they start school. Children from four different elementary schools (grades 1~6) were surveyed in Toyohashi City, Japan using a web-based questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the effect of TP use experience on children’s awareness of traffic rules and behavioral intentions. Three distinct SEM models were tested to measure the effect pattern of children’s TP use experience on their traffic rule awareness and behavioral intentions. The results show that TP use experience before entering school has a statistically significant effect on children’s traffic rule awareness (β = 0.16, p < 0.004; model 1) and behavioral intention improvement (β = 0.09, p < 0.07; model 2). However, TP use experience after entering school was found to have no significant effect. Finally, children’s TP use experience indirectly improves their behavioral intentions (β = 0.74, p < 0.001; model 3) by improving their awareness of traffic rules. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the contribution of TPs in promoting children’s safe independent mobility and fostering the development of sustainable child-friendly cities worldwide.

YOLOv8-Based XR Smart Glasses Mobility Assistive System for Aiding Outdoor Walking of Visually Impaired Individuals in South Korea

This study proposes an eXtended Reality (XR) glasses-based walking assistance system to support independent and safe outdoor walking for visually impaired people. The system leverages the YOLOv8n deep learning model to recognize walkable areas, public transport facilities, and obstacles in real time and provide appropriate guidance to the user. The core components of the system are Xreal Light Smart Glasses and an Android-based smartphone, which are operated through a mobile application developed using the Unity game engine. The system divides the user’s field of vision into nine zones, assesses the level of danger in each zone, and guides the user along a safe walking path. The YOLOv8n model was trained to recognize sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bus stops, subway exits, and various obstacles on a smartphone connected to XR glasses and demonstrated an average processing time of 583 ms and an average memory usage of 80 MB, making it suitable for real-time use. The experiments were conducted on a 3.3 km route around Bokjeong Station in South Korea and confirmed that the system works effectively in a variety of walking environments, but recognized the need to improve performance in low-light environments and further testing with visually impaired people. By proposing an innovative walking assistance system that combines XR technology and artificial intelligence, this study is expected to contribute to improving the independent mobility of visually impaired people. Future research will further validate the effectiveness of the system by integrating it with real-time public transport information and conducting extensive experiments with users with varying degrees of visual impairment.

RADAR – Radiomics on aSDH: predicting outcome with surface area

BackgroundAcute subdural hematoma is a critical condition, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, a portion of patients only show limited clinical improvement post-evacuation. Surgical intervention decisions are critically important, as they can either improve or worsen a patient’s condition. Radiomics offers significant potential by extracting complex patterns from digital medical images and transforming them into high-dimensional data that reflect the underlying pathophysiology. By integrating Radiomics with individual patient characteristics, we can develop decision support models. This study aims to analyze radiomic parameters of aSDH to determine whether they support the decision to proceed with urgent surgery or opt for a conservative approach. We hypothesized that surface area could be a significant predictor of neurological outcome such as maintaining independent mobility (mRS ≥ 3) and survival rates.MethodsThis retrospective study involved radiomic analysis according to neurological outcome and survival. Radiomic parameters were measured using 3D Slicer software. Statistical analyses explored correlations, employing AUC-analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival.ResultsOur findings revealed significant correlations between hematoma and surface area with poorer neurological prognosis. Further subgroup analysis showed surface area as a significant predictor for poorer outcomes in patients undergoing craniotomy (p = 0.006 in univariant- and p = 0.020 in multivariant analysis). In the total cohort, among conservatively managed and craniotomy subgroups, survival analysis highlighted an advantageous survival for patients exhibiting smaller surface areas (< 339.50 cm2).ConclusionsEspecially in craniotomy patients, surface area emerged as a possible predictor for neurological outcome and survival.

Validation of Spatial Orientation Screening questionnaire for use in memory clinic patients.

Spatial orientation is required for independent mobility in society. Deficits in spatial orientation can be an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and there is a need for brief assessment tools to identify impairments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the construct and known-group validity of our newly developed Spatial Orientation Screening (SOS) questionnaire. We included 132 patients with subjective cognitive decline (n = 16), mild cognitive impairment (n = 32), or all-cause dementia (n = 84) from a memory clinic and a reference group of cognitively unimpaired older adults (n = 108). The patients and their next-of-kin answered the self- and proxy-rated versions of the 4-item SOS (0-8 points) and the 10-item Questionnaire of Everyday Navigational Ability (QuENA, 0-30 points). The patients also performed the Floor Maze Test (FMT) for performance-based spatial abilities. Mean ages (SD) of the patient and reference groups were 68.6 (±7.6) years and 73.7 (±6.7) years, respectively. Construct validity between self-rated versions of the SOS and QuENA was satisfactory with rs = 0.66, between the proxy-rated versions rs = 0.61, and between the proxy-reported SOS and FMT rs = 0.49 (all p < 0.001). Known-group validity was also acceptable, with significantly higher median (IQR) SOS self-reported scores in patients 1.0 (2.0) compared to the reference group 0.2 (0.5) points, (p < 0.001). Informants reported more severe impairments compared to the patients' self-reports on both SOS and QuENA (both p < 0.001). The SOS had satisfactory validity for use as a screening instrument for assessment of spatial orientation in memory clinic patients.

Controller Design for Active Four-wheel Steering and Four-wheel Independent Drive-based Mobile Robot: Enhancing Cornering Performance in Negative Phase

Controller Design for Active Four-wheel Steering and Four-wheel Independent Drive-based Mobile Robot: Enhancing Cornering Performance in Negative Phase

Identifying the Influence of Dangerous Intersections in Measuring Accessibility for Children's Independent Mobility, A Case Study in Montreal, Canada

Identifying the Influence of Dangerous Intersections in Measuring Accessibility for Children's Independent Mobility, A Case Study in Montreal, Canada

POWER ASSIST ADD-ONS FOR OLDER ADULT MANUAL WHEELCHAIR USERS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract Manual wheelchairs can promote independence among users of all ages. However, there are age-related differences in the level of disability, strength, stamina, and the environmental conditions within which the wheelchair is used. Using power assist add-ons may mitigate these limitations and help individuals in independent mobility. A gap in the literature is an understanding of the ways in which aging may limit the functionality of power assists on wheelchairs and the impact on independence and active aging. This scoping review analyzes scientific and gray literature to examine the use of power assist add-ons among older adults who use manual wheelchairs, as well as their advantages, limitations, and potential benefits in promoting independence and active aging. This review was guided by the PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews, and the Arksey and O’Malley review methodology. The literature search was carried out in two phases: 1) a keyword and MeSH search of electronic databases, proceedings, as well as symposia for relevant titles/abstracts; and 2) a search of Google and Google Scholar, as well as hand searches. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included 20 publications with a focus on power-assist wheelchair technology for full review. Results indicate that power-assist add-ons for manual wheelchairs show promise in improving mobility and reducing user exertion for older adults. However, concerns regarding safety, indoor maneuverability, and user preferences highlight the need for specialized training and retrofitting power assist add-ons, especially among older users. Further research on user-centered design, and adherence to safety standards are warranted.

Millisecond Label-Free Single Peptide Detection and Identification Using Nanoscale Electrochromatography and Resistive Pulse Sensing.

We are developing a unique protein identification method that consists of generating peptides proteolytically from a single protein molecule (i.e., peptide fingerprints) with peptide detection and identification carried out using nanoscale electrochromatography and label-free resistive pulse sensing (RPS). As a step in realizing this technology, we report herein the nanoscale electrochromatography of model peptides using thermoplastic columns with surfaces engineered to identify peptides via their molecularly dependent mobility (i.e., time-of-flight, ToF). ToFs were elucidated using a dual in-plane nanopore sensor, which consisted of two in-plane nanopores placed on either end of the nanoelectrochromatography column. The surface of the nanocolumn, which consisted of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), was activated with an O2 plasma, creating surface carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) inducing a surface charge on the column wall as well as affecting its hydrophilicity. To understand scaling effects, we carried out microchip and nanochannel electrochromatography of the peptides labeled with an ATTO 532 reporter to allow for single-molecule tracking. Our results indicated that the apparent mobilities of the model peptides did not allow for their separation in a microchannel, but when performed in a nanocolumn, clear differences in their apparent mobilities could be observed especially when operated at high electric field strengths. We next performed label-free detection of peptides using the dual in-plane nanopore sensor with the two pores separated by a 5 μm (length) column with a 50 nm width and depth. When a single peptide molecule passed through an in-plane nanopore, the sensor read a pair of resistive pulses with a time difference equivalent to ToF. We identified the peptides by evaluating their ToF, normalized RPS current transient amplitude (ΔI/I0), and RPS peak dwell time (td). We could identify the model peptides with nearly 100% classification accuracy at the single-molecule level using machine learning with a single molecule measurement requiring <10 ms.

Role of doping level, electric field and temperature on the charge transport properties of electrochemically polymerized poly(3-butylthiophene) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) devices

Abstract In this article, the charge transport properties of electrochemically polymerized poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) devices using a sandwiched metal/polymer/metal structure are explored. These devices are successfully fabricated at different doping levels using electrochemical polymerization and thermal evaporation techniques. Low temperature-dependent Current-Voltage (I-V) measurement reveals that space charge limited conduction (SCLC) mechanism with a field and temperature-dependent mobility in the form of the Poole-Frenkel model governs the transport mechanism. The zero-field dependent mobility exhibits a thermally activated behavior, with two activation processes observed- one at higher and another at lower temperatures. The activation energy increases with the decrease in doping level at higher temperature regions, indicating the significant role of doping level in the activation process. However, electric field plays a significant role in the transport mechanism at lower temperatures. Comparatively, P3HT devices exhibit lower conductivity and mobility values than P3BT devices. The mobility ratio μ(0,300K)/μ(0,50K) for P3HT devices is considerably larger than that for P3BT devices. Additionally, the activation energy of P3HT devices is higher, providing evidence of a higher relative energetic disorder than P3BT devices.&amp;#xD;

Independent or Freelance Mobile Application Development in Ghana: Unraveling Opportunities and Challenges

Independent or Freelance Mobile Application Development in Ghana: Unraveling Opportunities and Challenges

Pengaruh Self Service Technology (SST) Terhadap Kepuasan Nasabah Bank Umum Syariah

This research aims to explain the influence of Self Service Technology on the satisfaction of customers of Sharia Commercial Banks. The variables used in this study are two independent variables, X1 ATM and X2 Mobile Banking. The method used is a quantitat4e method with data collection through the distribution of questionnaires to customers of Sharia Commercial Banks who use Self Service Technology. The sampling technique used in this research is purpos4e sampling, with a sample size of 100 respondents. The focus of this research is on students of Un4ersitas Islam 45 Bekasi who have accounts in Sharia banks and use Self Service Technology. Instrument testing is conducted using validity and reliability tests. Data analysis is performed using classic assumption tests and hypothesis testing with multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicate that ATM and Mobile Banking services have a posit4e impact on the satisfaction of customers of Sharia Commercial Banks. This is because customers who use ATM services usually use them for cash withdrawals, while Mobile Banking is commonly utilized for transactions other than cash withdrawals because it can be done anywhere and anytime.

Reimagining Urban Spaces for Children: Insights and Future Directions

Despite decades of international efforts, children remain overlooked in urban planning, which predominantly caters to adults. This editorial introduces a thematic issue of &lt;em&gt;Urban Planning&lt;/em&gt; that compiles 13 articles exploring how cities can be redesigned to better serve children’s needs and rights. The collection covers a range of critical themes, including children’s mobility and the constraints imposed by car-centric environments, the lack of accessible and inclusive play spaces, and the disconnection between children and nature exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The articles highlight barriers to children’s independent mobility, the importance of unstructured green and grey spaces, and the need for multigenerational public spaces. Additionally, they emphasize the role of children in environmental stewardship and urban wellbeing. We argue for a holistic, child-centred approach to urban planning, calling for greater integration of children’s voices in decision-making and the creation of urban environments that promote children’s well-being, mobility, and inclusion. The thematic issue provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the urgent need to reshape urban spaces for children, fostering more liveable, sustainable cities for all.

An exploration into the levels of automobile usage and independent mobility for children in Belgium

ABSTRACT Independent mobility, where children travel without adult supervision, fosters neighborhood familiarity, security, pride, and connection. Given the noted benefits, both mentally and physically, of allowing children and adolescents to travel and recreate through independent physical activity, it is important to recognize the disparities found in rates of independent mobility. This study examines patterns of independent and accompanied travel among Belgian children (aged 6–17) across varying urbanization levels, using national travel surveys from 2010 and 2017 analyzed via generalized linear models. The results of this analysis show that independent mobility is significantly higher in the most urbanized areas and lowest in the rural regions. The data show that females are less likely to make independent trips regardless of the level of urbanization and that both males and females increase independent travel as they get older. Interestingly, despite a decrease in automobile travel for all teenagers, males still have a significantly higher share of independent travel, suggesting that even as female youth shift to active travel, they are chaperoned at higher rates than their male counterparts. The results suggests that opportunities for autonomy and neighborhood security, through independent travel, in childhood neighborhoods are unequally distributed by gender and location.

How parental satisfaction with green open spaces shapes children’s outdoor play considering independent mobility as the key mediator

ABSTRACT Children’s physical activity has been declining globally, raising concerns about their health. Although green spaces are essential for outdoor play, research has not fully explored how parents’ views on these areas affect children’s outdoor activities. This study addressed this by using a structural equation model to analyze the relationship between parents’ perceptions of green space qualities – safety, proximity, diversity, cleanliness, and aesthetics – and children’s outdoor play, with a focus on independent mobility as a mediating factor. Key findings include:(1) Higher parental satisfaction with safety and proximity was associated with increased children’s outdoor play and independent mobility. (2) Higher parental satisfaction with diversity, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal of green spaces was linked to higher levels of outdoor play among children. (3) Younger children and girls were found to have less independent mobility and lower outdoor play. (4) Parents with longer residence in an area and lower educational levels reported higher satisfaction with the quality of urban green spaces. These results underscore the need to prioritize the development and maintenance of high-quality green spaces, ensuring they cater to the needs and preferences of families to foster healthier and more active communities.

Understanding the Factors Affecting Traffic Danger for Children: Insights From Focus Group Discussions

Children’s safety on urban roads is a critical concern with young pedestrians and cyclists being among the most vulnerable groups to traffic-related dangers. The prioritization of motor vehicle traffic in road infrastructure poses significant risks to child pedestrians and cyclists navigating city streets. Furthermore, children’s independent mobility has been restricted due to traffic danger and their parents’ concerns about it. Given the important implications of this issue, a serious gap was identified in that no measure of traffic danger exists, with outcomes (e.g., collisions) being used as a proxy. Identifying factors contributing to traffic danger, how they interact, and how they impact traffic are imperative to identify where mitigation is needed to address these problems. This article delves into the complexities of traffic risks for children, focusing on intersections and streets. Six focus groups, including experts (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 3), parents (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 2), and children aged 8 to 12 (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 1), were conducted to gather insights on factors impacting traffic danger. Thematic analysis revealed eight key themes, highlighting the importance of addressing traffic volume, speed, vehicle size, road design, driver behavior, visibility, and land use. These findings contribute to a comprehensive framework for understanding traffic danger for children. Additionally, the article examines how stakeholders’ perspectives align with standard measures of traffic danger in the literature.

Accessible Infrastructure Development for the Visually Impaired

This paper focuses on daily struggles of visually impaired individuals with public infrastructure and services. Although it is now a cliche on making progress globally in disability rights, the reality on the ground is different. Infrastructure supporting independent mobility and social inclusion for the blind are often far from providing such aids and considerations, something that makes them navigate through a world whose design does not reflect the needs of the visually impaired people. The study brings out the critical issues of scarcity of tactile paving, inadequacy of braille signage, and complete absence of audible traffic signals, each of which is a grim reminder of how systematic these individuals are left out from being part of society. These are the physical barriers, but much more is beyond this. This research proposes practical solutions that can develop more inclusive standards, integrate innovative technologies, and overcome social and financial hurdles. By raising these issues, the paper seeks to contribute important ideas for policymakers, urban planners, and advocacy groups to truly motivate the collective action needed to make public spaces fully and widely accessible. The findings underscore the need for shared responsibility in infrastructure improvement, which will significantly enhance the quality of life for the blind and help reach society’s goals of being fairer and more inclusive.

Audio-Vibratory You-Are-Here Mobile Maps for People with Visual Impairments

Self-localization and wayfinding are challenging tasks for people with visual impairments (PVIs), severely impacting independent mobility. Visual “You-are-here” (YAH) maps are useful for assisting local wayfinding of sighted users. They are used to self-localize and display points of interest, landmarks and routes in the surroundings. However, these maps are not always available and rarely accessible to PVIs. Relying on an iterative participatory design process with eight end-users with visual impairments, we created a proof of concept of a mobile audio-vibratory YAH map. Our design is based on either a tablet or a smartphone to ensure a small and portable solution. A user study with ten PVIs showed that the audio-vibratory YAH map that we designed provides the user with a good understanding of the surroundings and wayfinding cues. Surprisingly, the results show that the audio-vibratory YAH map prototype was as usable as the control condition (audio-tactile YAH map with a tactile overlay), with similar user satisfaction and cognitive load. A follow-up field study with two participants showed the effectiveness of the prototype for assisting in crossroad understanding. To conclude, our innovative design of a mobile audio-vibratory YAH map can overcome the portability and printing issues associated with tactile overlays and can be an appropriate solution for assisting the pedestrian navigation of PVIs.

A secure routing and black hole attack detection system using coot Chimp Optimization Algorithm-based Deep Q Network in MANET

A Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a widely used and vibrant network, which is unevenly distributed in the environment. It is a set of self-organized independent mobile nodes interconnected without any centralized infrastructure. However, this topology nature makes the network prompt to various network security attacks. To address this issue, this paper proposes a Coot Chimp Optimization Algorithm- Deep Q-Network (CChOA-DQN) for detecting the black hole attacks in MANET. Here, the designed CChOA is used for the identification of the optimal route in the MANET for transmitting data, which takes into fitness parameters, such as energy, distance, neighbourhood quality, link quality, and trust. The features are extracted using the Fisher score and augmented using the over-sampling technique, which is further allowed for the detection process using DQN. Also, the weights of the DQN are enhanced using the CChOA algorithmic technique to enhance the detection performance. Additionally, the results gathered from the experiment revealed that CChOA attained high performance with a maximum of 0.983 Mbps throughput, 93.70 % Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), and minimum end-end delay of 0.096Sec, Residual energy of 0.119 J, and Control overhead of 4473.11. Also, the CChOA-DQN technique achieved the minimum False Positive Rate (FPR) of 0.122, False Negative Rate (FNR) of 0.121, Computation time of 0.153 and Run time of 0.094.