Multimedia Support Research Articles

Monitoring high performance data streams in vertical markets: Theory and applications in public safety and healthcare

Over the last several years, monitoring high performance data stream sources has become very important in various vertical markets. For example, in the public safety sector, monitoring and automatically identifying individuals suspected of terrorist or criminal activity without physically interacting with them has become a crucial security function. In the healthcare industry, noninvasive mechanical home ventilation monitoring has allowed patients with chronic respiratory failure to be moved from the hospital to a home setting without jeopardizing quality of life. In order to improve the efficiency of large data stream processing in such applications, we contend that data stream management systems (DSMS) should be introduced into the monitoring infrastructure. We also argue that monitoring tasks should be performed by executing data stream queries defined in Continuous Query Language (CQL), which we have extended with: 1) new operators that allow creation of a sophisticated event-based alerting system through the definition of threshold schemes and threshold activity scheduling, and 2) multimedia support, which allows manipulation of continuous multimedia data streams using a similarity-based join operator which permits correlation of data arriving in multimedia streams with static content stored in a conventional multimedia database. We developed a prototype in order to assess these proposed concepts and verified the effectiveness of our framework in a lab environment.

Multimedia support in preoperative patient education for radical prostatectomy: The physicians’ point of view

ObjectiveTo systematically assess the physicians’ point of view of multimedia support in preoperative patient education for radical prostatectomy. MethodsWe evaluated the view of physicians performing multimedia supported preoperative educations within a randomized controlled trial. Therein 8 physicians educated 203 patients for radical prostatectomy. ResultsAll physicians rated multimedia supported education better than the standard procedure. Main reasons were better comprehensibility, the visual presentation, and greater ease in explaining complex issues. Objective time measurement showed no difference between both educations. The major disadvantage was the impression, that multimedia supported education lasted longer. Moreover, they had the impression that some details could be further improved. Given the choice, every physician would decide for multimedia support. ConclusionPhysicians appreciate multimedia support in preoperative education and contrary to their impression, multimedia support does not prolong patient education. Therefore, patients and physicians likewise profit from multimedia support for education and counseling. Practice implicationsThe readiness of physicians is a possible obstacle to this improvement, as their view is a key factor for the transition to everyday routine. Therefore, our results could alleviate this possible barrier for establishing multimedia supported education in clinical routine.

UP-02.156 Improving the Preoperative Consultation Before Radical Prostatectomy Using Multimedia Support: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A basic understanding of the planned surgical procedure is necessary for valid informed consent and might be eased by better visualisation. Therefore, we supported the preoperative consultation before radical prostatectomy with a computer-based multimedia tool and examined the effects in a randomized controlled trial.

Novel Approach to Support Multimedia Services Over DTMB System

In the conventional digital television terrestrial multimedia broadcasting (DTMB) systems, all the transport streams (TS) from various programs are multiplexed in the level of TS packets, which have the same interleaving, constellation mapping, channel coding, and thus the same quality of service (QoS). Moreover, due to the convolutional interleaving mode, the receivers have to be turned on all the time to obtain the designated data until all the received signals are de-interleaved. In this paper, for DTMB systems, the concept of the physical sub-channel (PSC) in time-frequency domain is proposed, and the scheme to support services with different QoS requirements is also addressed. Based on these techniques, a novel approach to support multimedia services over DTMB systems in a backward compatible manner is proposed and evaluated by computer simulations.

A multimodal exercise program and multimedia support reduce cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomised controlled clinical trial

Aim of the studyTo evaluate the effects of an 8-week multimodal physical therapy program with multimedia support on cancer-related fatigue, cortisol and IgA salivary concentrations, α-amylase activity and neck-shoulder mobility, in breast cancer. MethodsThis was a prospective randomised clinical trial using between-groups design. Seventy-eight breast cancer survivors during first year after treatment participated. Participants were assigned into 2 groups: CUIDATE group (multimodal program) or control group (usual care). CUIDATE program consisted of 24h of individual physical training and 12h of stretching and massage interventions. Measurements included the Piper Fatigue Scale, cortisol and IgA salivary levels, α-amylase activity and active cervical-shoulder range of motion. ResultsCompared to the control group, CUIDATE group showed a estimated improvement for total fatigue score of −2.49 points immediately after treatment (between-group effect size 0.68; P<0.001) and −1.43 at 6 month follow-up (between group effect size: 0.43; P<0.01). CUIDATE group showed a decrease in α-amylase activity of −41.77U/ml immediately after treatment compared to the control group (between-group effect size: 0.24; P=0.046). Further, significant between-group improvements for shoulder flexion, horizontal abduction, cervical extension and lateral-flexion (between-group effect sizes ranging 0.30–0.75; all P<0.05) after treatment were also found. ConclusionsAn 8-week multimodal physical therapy program was effective at short and 6 month follow-up for decreasing fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The program was also effective in decreasing α-amylase activity and improving shoulder and cervical range of motion.

Multi-Media Support for Informed/Shared Decision-Making Before and After a Cancer Diagnosis

To define and distinguish informed decision-making (IDM) from shared decision-making (SDM) and review the evidence for technology-based interventions designed to facilitate informed decisions about cancer screening and treatment. Peer-reviewed research articles from Medline and other data sources accessible through pubmed.gov. There is evidence that multi-media decision aids (DAs) or support systems can improve quality of decision-making in terms of enhancing knowledge relevant to decision-making, reducing decisional conflict, and customizing education and coaching of patients with cancer. Nurses have a key role to play in designing, deploying, monitoring, and evaluating multi-media DAs in oncology practice settings. DAs are an adjunct to interpersonal education, providing information to patients in both the clinical setting and in more familiar settings without the time constraints of clinical encounters. Nurses can adopt such DAs and support systems and work with patients to ensure that information has been comprehended, that values have been considered, and that patients play an active role in the decision-making process as they desire.

Multimedia Tools for the Development of Algorithmic Thinking

The area of software development has undergone a rapid expansion and this trend is so far continuing. Each developer has to learn constantly and master new technology. However, the foundation a developer gains at the beginning of his/her career playing a crucial role. An essential part of studies at faculties preparing students in the area of computer science is the development of students ability to think algorithmically. There are many different theoretical researches which deal with the question of how to consequently develop algorithmic thinking of students. Their basic aim is to improve the quality of teaching and students self-learning. The aim of this paper is to introduce our approach that has proven to be successful in the optimization of teaching and learning a subject developing algorithmic thinking of beginners. This is followed by a discussion of the benefits of multimedia applications, explaining and visualizing the subject matter, testing the knowledge of students, and the recent key patents that have emerged in this field. A brief description of further deepening of algorithmic thinking within combinatorial optimization using appropriate multimedia support is given at the end of the paper. Keywords: Algorithms, algorithmic thinking, graph-algorithms, multimedia application, virtual learning environment, visualization, Data Structures, Program ALGORITHMS, Animations Video Tutorials, Video Tutorials

Integrating multimedia streaming from heterogeneous sources to JavaME mobile devices

SUMMARYThanks to technological advancement, at present there exist many devices with multimedia support in our environment; among them, being mobile devices, which offer the ability to display video and audio resources from the palm of the hands, and even act as multimedia sources. However, the heterogeneity of such devices makes the multimedia integration difficult to get portable solutions. This problem is the focus of this document, which integrates environmental multimedia resources (IP cameras, Webcams, Aibo cameras and microphones) to be played in real time over Virtual Machines, in particular, using JavaME devices. We also present the techniques for generating multimedia streaming from the Virtual Machines accessing the cameras and microphones of mobile devices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Possibilities of the use of ICT in interuniversity studies

Teaching supported by ICT is a common component part of education. On-line courses have reached even the foreign language teaching and the students book them up very frequently. The courses exploit the excellent technical background offered by the Faculty of Informatics and Management of the University Hradec Kralove and are accommodated to the needs both of students and study subjects. The Department of Applied Linguistics uses the on-line courses in full time and combined studies, first of all in the form of blended learning. The courses of German have been made and designed originally as a multi-media support of contact teaching, that is as supplementary courses, nevertheless they proved their worth – beyond all expectations – even as separate on-line courses.

Video-based assistance system for training in minimally invasive surgery

In this paper, the development of an assisting system for laparoscopic surgical training is presented. With this system, we expect to facilitate the training process at the first stages of training in laparoscopic surgery and to contribute to an objective evaluation of surgical skills. To achieve this, we propose the insertion of multimedia contents and outlines of work adapted to the level of experience of trainees and the detection of the movements of the laparoscopic instrument into the monitored image. A module to track the instrument is implemented focusing on the tip of the laparoscopic tool. This tracking method does not need the presence of artificial marks or special colours to distinguish the instruments. Similarly, the system has another method based on visual tracking to localize support multimedia content in a stable position of the field of vision. Therefore, this position of the support content is adapted to the movements of the camera or the working area. Experimental results are presented to show the feasibility of the proposed system for assisting in laparoscopic surgical training.

Openmax hardware native support for efficient multimedia embedded systems

In the last years, the multimedia embedded market has undergone an exceptional growth, demanding at the same time new products or evolutions of exiting ones in very tight time windows. In this paper, we present a proposal which allows developers to build multimedia products in a quick, flexible and efficient manner, helping them to cope with the depicted scenario. We focus specifically in our outgoing work regarding a hardware implementation of a well known standard for multimedia applications: OpenMax. Relaying on the OpenMax standard we assure the usefulness of our proposal. In addition, the hardware nature of the mechanisms and architecture outlined in this article allows achieving improved and easy to obtain implementations of multimedia applications.

Designing for Children's Mobile Storytelling

Mobile technologies offer novel opportunities for children to express themselves in-context, seamlessly, without disrupting the flow of their formal learning activities or informal play. Most contemporary mobile devices are equipped with multimedia support that can be used to create multimodal stories that represent the rich life narratives children experience, imagine, and want to share. The authors investigated these issues over a 9-month series of participatory design sessions in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) at the University of Maryland. In this article, the authors describe their work with children in designing mobile tools for story creation and collaboration. Throughout this work, they asked the following questions: What stories do children want to tell, and how do they want to convey them in a mobile context? The findings suggest the need for mobile technology-based applications that support children’s unique storytelling habits, particularly interruptability and multimodality.

Table of Contents

Abstract Cover Story Use multimedia wisely to best enhance adult online courses Use these strategies to ensure multimedia support learning About the School for New Learning Online Requiring small‐group work online is a good strategy, but beware of ‘free‐riders’ Know when to effectively use multimedia Briefing Fla. community college changes its name CAEL and ACT form tuition benefits company GI Bill claims for education may improve University of Phoenix awards scholarships Transitions Urge students to take advantage of textbook tax credit What Would You Do? How should you react if students say an adjunct appears to be impaired? Students Speak/Resources Student overcomes barriers to become a teacher Resources Community college directors predict more budget cuts Report highlights returning veterans' plight Book offers students tips for online learning Program Profile Business school's MBA enrollment doubles Conference Calendar Veterans Survey offers national snapshot of programs, policies for vets Lawsuits &amp; Rulings DISABILITY Student with disability wins right to live on campus LICENSING Out‐of‐state students challenge Wisconsin's diploma privilege ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENTS Training, accommodations resolve med student's complaint Leaders &amp; Innovators ROBERT J. DEAHL, DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, MILWAUKEE, WIS. Marquette's successful Harley partnership provides smooth ride for all Dean reveals greatest challenges, and how he copes with them

Man-Machine Interface for Human-Robot Collaborative Cellular Manufacturing System

In a human-centered cellular manufacturing system, various machines, including robots, are implemented to support the human operator with the goal of improving overall productivity. In order to ensure the effectiveness of such a system, an effective man-machine interface (MMI) plays an important role in ensuring collaboration and safety, and providing assembly information support. Using a task analysis approach, the assembly operation is broken down into a hierarchical task structure and remodeled for collaboration. In the modeling, appropriate operation properties are extracted as assembly information and, together with reference media in various formats, multimedia support information is produced. The assembly information support is presented on a workbench incorporating a horizontal LCD TV display, and the human operator interacts with the operation control system through a GUI on a touch screen monitor. To ensure collaboration safety, the control system monitors input from safety sensors, an operator safety monitoring system, and robot control. A system performance evaluation study has proven the effectiveness of the system in improving collaborative operation.

Design of the QoS framework for the IEEE 802.16 mesh networks

AbstractIEEE 802.16 (WiMax) technology is designed to support broadband speeds over wireless networks for the coming era of broadband wireless access (BWA). IEEE 802.16 is expected to provide transmission of high‐rate and high‐volume multimedia data streams for fixed and mobile applications. As an extension of point‐to‐multipoint (PMP) configuration, the IEEE 802.16 mesh mode provides a quicker and more flexible approach for network deployment. Multimedia networking requires quality‐of‐service (QoS) support, which demands elaborate mechanisms in addition to the four service types defined in the specification. By examining standard centralized and distributed scheduling/routing schemes in the mesh mode from QoS aspect, a BS‐controlled and delay‐sensitive scheduling/routing scheme is proposed in the paper. Associate mechanisms including admission control, flow setup and link state monitoring are also proposed. Integration of the proposed mechanisms is presented as a complete QoS framework. Simulation study has demonstrated that the average delay as well as the delay jitters per hop in the proposed scheme is smaller than that of the distributed scheme and much smaller than that of the centralized scheme. Furthermore, proposed mechanisms can also achieve higher throughput than the contrasts and generate much smaller signaling overhead, making the proposed framework a promising scheme for multimedia support in the IEEE 802.16 mesh network. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Development and evaluation of a system enhancing Second Life to support synchronous role‐based collaborative learning

AbstractResearch and commercial interest toward 3D virtual worlds are recently growing because they probably represent the new direction for the next generation of web applications. Although these environments present several features that are useful for informal collaboration, structured collaboration is required to effectively use them in a working or in a didactical setting. This paper presents a system supporting synchronous collaborative learning by naturally enriching Learning Management System services with meeting management and multimedia features. Monitoring and moderation of discussions are also managed at a single group and at the teaching level. The Second Life (SL) environment has been integrated with two ad hoc developed Moodle plug‐ins and SL objects have been designed, modeled, and programmed to support synchronous role‐based collaborative activities. We also enriched SL with tools to support the capturing and displaying of textual information during collaborative sessions for successive retrieval. In addition, the multimedia support has been enhanced with functionalities for navigating multimedia contents. We also report on an empirical study aiming at evaluating the use of the proposed SL collaborative learning as compared with face‐to‐face group collaboration. Results show that the two approaches are statistically undistinguishable in terms of performance, comfort with communication, and overall satisfaction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

The effects of multimedia-enhanced instruction on the vocabulary of English-language learners and non-English-language learners in pre-kindergarten through second grade.

This study compared traditional and multimedia-enhanced read-aloud vocabulary instruction and investigated whether the effects differed for English-language learners (ELLs) and non-English-language learners (non-ELLs). Results indicate that although there was no added benefit of multimedia-enhanced instruction for non-ELLs, there was a positive effect for ELLs on a researcher-designed measure and on a measure of general vocabulary knowledge. Furthermore, for children in the multimedia-enhanced condition, the gap between non-ELLs and ELLs in knowledge of instructional words was closed, and the gap in general vocabulary knowledge was narrowed. The multimedia support did not negatively impact non-ELLs, indicating the potential of multimedia-enhanced vocabulary instruction for ELLs in inclusive settings.

Toward Neural Networks Solution for Multimedia Support in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

In this paper, we detail an integrated model for quality of service (QoS) support with service differentiation based on neural networks in wireless mobile ad hoc networks. The model aims at minimizing end-to-end delay for real-time traffic when the network has low to medium dynamics. The use of multi-service classes allows per-flow end-to-end QoS support. The operation of the model is based on a set of core functionality that is augmented with an intelligent learning layer. Core operations ensure different tasks of routing and QoS support control such as route discovery, resources reservation, admission control, traffic adaptation and detection and recovery of QoS violation. The added intelligent layer learns from the different operations performed by the core functionality by means of a Multilayered Feedforward Neural Network according to user requirements and network state. The integrated model showed in simulations that the core functionality together with the intelligent learning improve the quality of data delivery in the network comparatively to models such as SWAN. Te effect of the learning rate on the convergence of network training was also examined. Using intelligent neural networks tools to support the multimedia services in ad hoc networks is a promising avenue.

Estimating Manual Test Execution Effort and Capacity Based On Execution Points

In some domains, such as the mobile application domain, functional tests may not be feasible to automate due to limited test automation technology (multimedia support, etc.) or high cost to port automated tests for different phone models and operating systems. In this context, test teams should be able to estimate the effort required to manually execute tests on schedule.Although several effort estimation approaches have been proposed over the years, none of them are appropriate for estimating manual test execution effort. The main reason for that is the lack of size measures for test projects. In this paper, we present execution points, a measure for the size and execution complexity of tests that is calculated based on test specifications. We also show how to estimate manual test execution effort and capacity based on this measure. Finally, results from an empirical study suggested the viability of our proposed measure.

The consolidation of nuclear education and training through networking and knowledge management: a case study of Romania

Nuclear education and training networks will be developed at the national level to consolidate the existing expertise and provide a solid basis for networking at the international dimension. The Romanian Network of Excellence in Nuclear Physics and Engineering (REFIN) aims to develop an efficient, flexible and modern training system in the nuclear education area, which answers the requirements of the nuclear industry (Nuclear Power Plants – NPP, regulatory bodies, subcontractors, dismantling, radioprotection, waste management) and conforms to the perspectives of the EU and regional research initiatives. This project gathers all the Romanian entities (universities, R&D centres, training facilities) involved in nuclear education and uses the existing experience of the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN). REFIN implemented pilot modern training courses, delivered handbooks and multimedia support for these courses to strengthen and better use the existing research infrastructure for R&D among the network partners. It also introduced advanced learning technologies. All of the project partners' nuclear courses are available on the network's website using a MOODLE e-learning platform. Both current and specific educational and training activities of the network partners are oriented towards the nuclear knowledge management requirements. On this basis, the existing problems of nuclear knowledge management in Romania were identified as: difficulties in preserving the existing expertise, little or no interest in nuclear education and a low level of organisation of existing knowledge.