Touchscreen Computer Research Articles

Silence is Golden: Auditory Preferences in Zoo-housed Gorillas

ABSTRACT Enrichment is presented to improve the welfare of captive animals but sound is frequently presented with the assumption that it is enriching without assessing individuals’ preferences. Typically, presented sounds are unnatural and animals are unable to choose which sounds they can listen to or escape them. We examined preferences of three zoo-housed gorillas for six categories of sound. The gorillas selected unique icons on a computer touchscreen that initiated brief samples of silence, white noise, nature, animal, percussion, and electronic instrumental sounds. Following training, gorillas selected each sound paired with silence (Phase 2), each sound paired with each other sound (Phase 3), and one sound among all other sound categories (Phase 4). Initially, a single sound was associated with each icon, but additional exemplars of the category were added in phases 5–8. Preferences were generally stable and one gorilla showed a strong preference for silence. Although there were individual differences, a surprising general preference for unnatural over natural sounds was revealed. These results indicate the importance of assessing preferences for individuals before introducing auditory stimulation in captive habitats.

Individualized Target Training Facilitated Transfer of Group Housed Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus apella) to Test Cubicles and Discrimination of Targets on Computer Touch Screens.

Simple SummaryCoercion and non-voluntary procedures can cause fear, anxiety and maladaptive behaviors for captive animals, which makes animal husbandry and care more difficult and reduces animal welfare overall. Positive reinforcement training (i.e., using rewards for desired behaviors rather than punishment for undesirable behaviors) is shown to be beneficial in reducing animals’ fear responses and in encouraging voluntary cooperation across a wide range of species. This paper outlines two experiments in positive reinforcement training to understand the importance of individualized targets in facilitating the voluntary transfer of captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) from their group enclosure to individual test cubicles. Experiment 1, which assigned different colored and geometric targets to each animal, rewarded animals for touching and following their assigned target into their test cubicle. The animals rapidly acquired the ability to identify their target, ultimately allowing them to cooperate by moving from one space to another voluntarily. Experiment 2 rewarded animals for spontaneously identifying their assigned target among other animals’ targets and novel targets. The animals chose their target more often than predicted by chance, although they did make some errors.Animals in captivity often experience fear, anxiety and aggression during non-voluntary procedures, leading to adverse behaviors and ineffective outcomes for both animals and caretakers. Negative reinforcement and punishment, often due to ignorance regarding animal learning, can hurt animal welfare. However, voluntary participation through positive reinforcement training (PRT) can decrease stress related to these procedures and increase desired behaviors. Our goal was to demonstrate the positive effects of “target training” on animal welfare by training 10 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) in two experiments designed to facilitate movement from a group home enclosure to a test cubicle. In Experiment 1, each monkey was assigned an individualized target (a unique shape/color combination). In daily training sessions, the animal was rewarded with a click-sounding stimulus and a food reinforcer for (a) touching the target, (b) following the respective target into a test cubicle, and (c) touching progressively smaller targets until progressing to digitized images on a computer touch screen. All 10 animals learned to approach and touch their individual physical target in one or two sessions and were able to successfully transition this behavior to an image of their target on a touch screen, although they made more errors with the touch screen. In Experiment 2, the animals were presented with other animals’ targets and novel targets. The seven animals in this experiment all touched their target at higher-than-chance rates in Trial 1 without explicit discrimination training, but only five reached the learning criteria for the task (>83% correct for three consecutive testing days. These results demonstrate that target training can make voluntary movement from group housing to test cubicles easier and benefit future animal care and procedures.

A novel computerized assessment of manual spatial exploration in unilateral spatial neglect

ABSTRACT Unilateral spatial neglect is a neuropsychological syndrome commonly observed after stroke and defined by the inability to attend or respond to contralesional stimuli. Typically, symptoms are assessed using clinical tests that rely upon visual/perceptual abilities. However, neglect may affect high-level representations controlling attention in other modalities as well. Here we developed a novel manual exploration test using a touch screen computer to quantify spatial search behaviour without visual input. Twelve chronic stroke patients with left neglect and 27 patients without neglect (based on clinical tests) completed our task. Four of the 12 “neglect” patients exhibited clear signs of neglect on our task as compared to “non-neglect” patients and healthy controls, and six other patients (from both groups) also demonstrated signs of neglect compared to healthy controls only. While some patients made asymmetrical responses on only one task, generally, patients with the strongest neglect performed poorly on multiple tasks. This suggests that representations associated with different modalities may be affected separately, but that severe forms of neglect are more likely related to damage in a common underlying representation. Our manual exploration task is easy to administer and can be added to standard neglect screenings to better measure symptom severity.

Use of ICTs by Tribal Farmers for Obtaining Agricultural Information in Southern Rajasthan

Most of the tribal farmers of Southern Rajasthan are using ICT tools for seeking the agricultural information via mobile phones, television, radio, kisan call centre, information kiosks, internet and expert system. The study was conducted in Southern Rajasthan covering two districts (Banswara and Dungarpur) on the basis of availability of maximum facilities and infrastructures to promote use of ICT. Empirical data were collected personally from 160 farmers through a structured interview schedule. The results showed that majority of the farmers owned mobile phones as well as television and radio. The most frequently used ICT for social communication, contacting middle men for the marketing of produce and contacting experts on real time basis was mobile phone followed by television. The use of radio and kisan call centre was lower as compared to mobile phones and TV due to ICT availability and access levels being lower than other ICTs. Internet, touch screen computer and information kiosk and other application were still being rarely used by young and educated. Majority of the farmers (60.62%) were used the ICTs during the evening hours due to free and leisure time and telecast or broadcast of agricultural programs during the evening hours.

The Impact of Keyboard Type on Users' Perceptions of Password Strength

With the proliferation of mobile touchscreen computers, password entry no longer takes place exclusively on physical keyboards. Entering a strong password on a mobile device requires a person to navigate through multiple keyboard depths to access each character, while entering the same password on a desktop keyboard only requires a user to press keys that are accessible on a single layer. This paper investigates whether the extra physical and cognitive effort associated with using multiple levels of onscreen keyboards changes users' perceptions of password strength. Sixty participants judged perceived security by typing 36 passwords with a differing number of keyboard level transitions on either a mobile device or a desktop keyboard. Analysis revealed that passwords requiring a user to transition between keyboards increased perceptions of security. Passwords that required the use of the shift key on a desktop keyboard returned similar results. This suggests that users may overestimate the security of passwords based on the number of entry keystrokes.

PID control realization of drying system of the finishing line based on MCGS and PLC

In order to achieve the temperature control accuracy of the finishing line drying system, a PID control system based on MCGS and PLC is proposed. Using MCGS configuration software to edit the touch screen picture, Siemens PLC hardware configuration and programming, PID control algorithm to realize the conversion of analog and digital quantity, as well as the communication design between the upper computer (PC) and PLC and touch screen. Through the practical verification of assembly and debuggin, the control of the given value ± 5 °C of the drying system temperature of the finish line is realized.

A portable electromagnetic heating-microplasma atomic emission spectrometry for direct determination of heavy metals in soil

In this work, electromagnetic heating was firstly explored as sample introduction approach in portable microplasma-atomic emission spectrometer to achieve the direct, rapid analysis of soil sample. The device primarily consists of an electromagnetic heating unit, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) excitation source and an optical signal acquisition unit. A W-boat was used as an electromagnetic heating medium and sample carrier, and copper coil spiraled around the tube was used as magnetic induction coil. With applying a voltage on copper coil, W-boat was electromagnetically heated to vaporize analyte-containing species for sample introduction into the microplasma. The portable battery-powered device is controlled by a miniature touch screen computer with the main advantages of small size (40.5 cm (l) × 30 cm (w) × 15 cm (h).), light weight (less than 7 kg), low-power consumption (the average power consumption is 118 W). By this method, Hg, Cd and Pb in soil were simultaneously analyzed within 4 min. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for Hg, Cd and Pb in soils were 8.0 μg/kg, 17.8 μg/kg and 3.5 mg/kg, respectively, meeting the requirements for environmental quality standards for soils of China. Different types of CRM soils were analyzed, demonstrating good accuracy, stability and utility of this method. This technique could be a promising and powerful tool for on-site, rapid analysis of heavy metals in soil even other solid samples. Electromagnetic heating mode provides a good alternative for solid sampling to develop portable, miniaturized atomic spectrometers for solid sample analysis.

2233-PUB: Electronic Delivery Mode for Completing PROMs in the Norwegian Diabetes Register for Adults (NDR-A)

Background: The NDR-A is a national diabetes quality register. Norwegian health authorities specify that quality registers must include data from Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in addition to biomedical data. NDR-A retrieves data from electronic patient records (EPR). This raises the possibility of utilizing PROMs in clinical consultations. The main PROM included in NDR-A is the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (PAID). Aim: To test the feasibility of using electronic delivery mode to collect PROMs and examine how patients and health care providers experience the electronic PROMs and the EPR’s interfaces. Methods: We invited 441 adults (>18 yrs) with type 1 diabetes to complete PROMs via 1) a web interface from their home (n=304) or 2) a kiosk (touch-screen computer) in the outpatient clinic (n=137). Using a paper questionnaire and qualitative interviews, we examined patients and health care providers experiences with the electronic PROMs and the EPR’s interfaces. Results: Through the web interface, we reached out to 215 (71 %) of the patients of which 114 (38 %) responded. On the kiosk in the clinic, 69 (50 %) patients completed the PROMs, 24 (18 %) did not attend scheduled consultations, 5 (4 %) did not participate due to technical problems, 20 (15 %) declined participation, and 19 (14 %) did just not approach the kiosk as instructed (when a researcher was not present to remind them). Patients who completed the paper questionnaire experienced the PROMs to be relevant and were in high degree willing to complete PROMs annually. In the qualitative interviews, health care providers reported the PROMs and the EPR’s interfaces to be appropriate to improve the focus on patients’ diabetes-related psychological and emotional challenges and needs. Conclusion: The tested modes for electronic capture of PROMs have limitations in reaching patients. However, both patients who completed the PROMs and the health care providers were satisfied with the electronic PROMs and the EPR’s interfaces. Disclosure A. Haugstvedt: None. I. Hernar: None. R.B. Strandberg: None. J.G. Cooper: None. K.F. Løvaas: None. T. Madsen: None. M. Rekdal: Employee; Self; DIPS AS. M.M. Iversen: None. M. Graue: None.

A specially designed medical screen for children suffering from burns: A randomized trial of a distraction-type therapy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the specially designed medical dressing screen during wound dressing changes of children who suffered burns to their hand or foot. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingBurns and Plastic Reconstruction Unit. ParticipantsChildren (N=120) with burns on up to 1–5% of the total body surface area. InterventionsThe patients were selected and randomly allocated to 3 equal-sized groups as follows: control group (N=40): the children received only regular dressing changes; computer group (N=40): a touch-screen computer was used for children during dressing changes; medical screen group (N=40): a medical screen combined with the touch-screen computer were used for children during dressing changes. All patients underwent a dressing change once per day for four days. Data were distributed four times: immediately after the initial dressing change (T1); and immediately after each times at next three consecutive days (T2–T4). Main outcome measuresThe Pain level of the children evaluated by medical staffs was the primary outcome, the Pain level of the children evaluated by children's parents and the satisfaction of wound therapist were used as second outcomes. ResultsThe mean scores related to pain level at the medical screen group displayed significantly better results than those of control group and those of the computer group. Additionally, the results of the pain evaluated by parents and satisfaction score of the wound therapist at the medical screen group was also better than other groups. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated “that the” application of the medical screen for burns can relieve the pain of 1–3 years old children suffering from a burns during dressing changes. Additionally, the application of the medical screen also increased the satisfaction of the parents and the wound therapist performing the dressing changes.

Integrating touchscreen-based geriatric assessment and frailty screening for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia to drive personalized treatment decisions.

e24030 Background: AML is a disease of older adults, with median age of 68 years at presentation. NCCN guidelines suggest comprehensive geriatric assessments (GA) be included in clinical practice to guide treatment decisions. Utility of GA in older AML patients in a real-world environment is not yet established. We tested the feasibility of using a modified GA (mGA), administered by patient self-report on a touchscreen computer, real-time use and utility by clinicians and the correlation of mGA results on treatment decision-making. Methods: Sixty-two patients were recruited from three sites to complete a tablet-based mGA screening at a treatment decision-making time point. The mGA consists of the Frailty Index (FI) that includes four domains: age, activities of daily living, instrumental ADLs, and comorbidities. Falls within the past 6 months and patient reported health interference with function are also assessed. Results are displayed for the clinician to inform the treatment discussion. Results: Participants were mean age 73 years (range 61-88), 63% male, and 90% white. Frailty Index result was 32% fit, 40% intermediate, and 28% frail. Providers were asked the fit/frailty status prior to seeing the results of the mGA. Of 53 provider responses, there was 57% (n=30) provider concordance with the mGA result; 9% (n=5) said fit when mGA said intermediate and 17% (n=9) said intermediate when mGA said frail. When asked their goals of care, nearly all (n=60, 97%) patients agreed with the statement “my cancer is curable”, yet 30% (n=19) disagreed the treatment goal was to get rid of all the cancer. Nearly half (n=30) indicated they want to make treatment decisions together with the provider rather than provider or patient making decision alone. 73% (45/62) of patients were satisfied with the ease of using the survey and took an average 16.3 minutes to complete. Patient self-reported presence/severity of eight symptoms at baseline (see Table). Conclusions: A simple electronic tool may provide valuable insight into patient understanding of disease to better tailor patient-provider discussion and treatment decision-making. Providers overestimated fitness 26% of the time. Final results will be presented to include the outcome at 3 months by Frailty Index. [Table: see text]

<p>Measurement Equivalence of “Touch-Screen” versus “Paper-Based” Assessments of OHRQoL: A Randomized Crossover Trial</p>

PurposeTo determine the measurement equivalence of computer touch screen assessment (CTSA) and paper based assessment (PBA) of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14).Patients and MethodsA randomized crossover trial was conducted. Sixty participants were randomized to either i) Arm A: completed CTSA then PBA of OHIP-14, or ii) Arm B: PBA and then CTSA of OHIP-14 within the same day. User preference and time taken to complete the assessments were recorded. Agreement between CTSA and PBA was determined using directional difference (DD), absolute difference (AD), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThere was no significant difference in CTSA and PBA OHIP-14 scores (P>0.05). The magnitude of the DD in scores between assessment methods was small for overall scores and all domains (<0.3). The AD in OHIP-14 scores was small (~6% for overall score, between 8–16% for domains). Agreement between CTSA and PBA was high (ICC=0.9; 95% CI=0.8–0.9) for overall OHIP-14 scores, but ICC values varied across domains. Most (78%) preferred CTSA. There was no significant difference in time taken to complete assessments (P=0.09). Regression analyses did not identify any significant socio-demographic factor associated with absolute difference between CTSA and PBA scores.ConclusionThere is equivalence of measurements in OHRQoL assessments from CTSA and PBA, and the time taken to complete assessment by either means is similar. There is a greater preference for CTSA. This has implications to support the use of CTSA in OHRQoL assessments.

Repeated resurgence with and without a context change

Resurgence is the reoccurrence of a target response when reinforcement for a more recently reinforced alternative response is eliminated or reduced. The present study arranged two successive three-phase procedures to assess whether resurgence decreases with repeated assessments. Moreover, we arranged a contextual change from the first to second assessment for some groups. Phase 1 reinforced a target response on a touchscreen computer with typically developing adults as participants according to either variable-ratio or variable-interval schedules of reinforcement. Phase 2 extinguished target responding and reinforced alternative responding. Phase 3 tested for resurgence by extinguishing alternative responding. Resurgence reliably occurred in all tests and decreased from the first to second exposure to the procedures but there were no effects of context change. Therefore, repeated exposures to resurgence tests reduced those effects but contextual changes had no effect.

Preference for free or forced choice in Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii).

Empirical investigations of humans, pigeons, rats, and monkeys have indicated that these species will select free over forced choice, even when faced with identical outcomes. However, the same has yet to be quantitatively confirmed in nonhuman great apes. This experiment is the first systematic investigation of preference for free or forced choice in great apes using a paradigm in which extraneous variables are highly controlled. Three orangutans were given a choice of one of two virtual routes, one that provided a choice and one that did not via a touchscreen computer program. Choice of either route was rewarded with the same type and quantity of food. Initial results indicated a preference for free choice across all three participants. However, in two control conditions, orangutans' preferences varied, suggesting a weaker tendency to exercise choice than species previously tested. We suggest further investigation of preference for free and forced choice in orangutans and other great apes through alternative experimental paradigms that focus on increasing the fidelity of free and forced choice options.

Improving depression outcomes among Australian primary care patients: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

IntroductionDepression is a common and debilitating condition. In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) are the key providers of depression care. However, available evidence suggests that case finding for depression in primary...

Studies of the Cognitive Abilities of Rhesus Macaques

Behavioral experiments were run to study the capacities of Macaca mulatta monkeys to perform cognitive tests of different levels of difficulty presented on a computer touch screen. The task consisted of recognizing the dominant orientation in textures with different levels of ordering. Rates of learning were analyzed, along with the proportions of correct responses and task solution times in relation to task difficulty. The extent of exploratory activity was evaluated in parallel, in terms of reactions to unfamiliar objects (the “reaction to a novel object” test). The proportion of correct responses increased with increases in the ordering of the test images and was comparable with results obtained previously in humans in similar experimental conditions. In monkeys, the index of exploratory activity correlated with the rate of learning and was lower in those animals inclined to distraction of attention, i.e., with longer response times. The results obtained in monkeys allow the neural processes occurring in the human brain on recognition of objects to be modeled, from the encoding of the physical properties of images to decision-taking. The interaction between the level of exploratory activity and the rate of learning allows the “reaction to a novel object” test to be used for selecting potential individuals for participation in behavioral experiments, significantly reducing the time spent on training the monkeys to new tasks.

A Validation Study of the Inbrain CST: a Tablet Computer-based Cognitive Screening Test for Elderly People with Cognitive Impairment.

BackgroundComputerized versions of cognitive screening test could have advantages over pencil-and-paper versions by eliminating rater-dependent factors and saving the time required to score the tests and report the results. We developed a computerized cognitive screening test (Inbrain Cognitive Screening Test [Inbrain CST]) that takes about 30 minutes to administer on a touchscreen computer and is composed of neuropsychological tests already shown to be sensitive in detecting early cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aims of this study were to 1) introduce normative data for Inbrain CST, 2) verify its reliability and validity, 3) assess clinical usefulness, and 4) identify neuroanatomical correlates of Inbrain CST.MethodsThe Inbrain CST runs on the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system and comprises 7 subtests that encompass 5 cognitive domains: attention, language, visuospatial, memory, and executive functions. First, we recruited 480 cognitively normal elderly people (age 50–90) from communities nationwide to establish normative data for Inbrain CST. Second, we enrolled 97 patients from our dementia clinic (26 with subjective cognitive decline [SCD], 42 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI], and 29 with dementia due to AD) and investigated sensitivity and specificity of Inbrain CST for discriminating cognitively impaired patients from those with SCD using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Third, we compared the Inbrain CST scores with those from another neuropsychological test battery to obtain concurrent validity and assessed test–retest reliability. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based cortical thickness analyses were performed to provide anatomical substrates for performances on the Inbrain CST.ResultsFirst, in the normative sample, the total score on the Inbrain CST was significantly affected by age, years of education, and gender. Second, Inbrain CST scores among the three patient groups decreased in the order of SCD, aMCI, and AD dementia, and the ROC curve analysis revealed that Inbrain CST had good discriminative power for differentiating cognitively impaired patients from those with SCD. Third, the Inbrain CST subtests had high concurrent validity and test–retest reliability. Finally, in the cortical thickness analysis, each cognitive domain score and the total score of Inbrain CST showed distinct patterns of anatomical correlates that fit into the previously known brain–behavior relationship.ConclusionInbrain CST had good validity, reliability, and clinical usefulness in detecting cognitive impairment in the elderly. Furthermore, it showed neuroanatomical validity through MRI cortical thinning patterns. These results suggest that Inbrain CST is a useful cognitive screening tool with efficiency and validity to detect mild impairments in cognition in clinical settings.

Why acute ischemic stroke patients in the United States use or do not use emergency medical services transport? Findings of an inpatient survey

BackgroundPatients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who use emergency medical services (EMS) receive quicker reperfusion treatment which, in turn, mitigates post-stroke disability. However, nationally only 59% use EMS. We examined why AIS patients use or do not use EMS.MethodsDuring 2016–2018, a convenience sample of AIS patients admitted to a primary stroke center in South Carolina were surveyed during hospitalization if they were medically fit, available for survey when contacted, and consented to participate. The survey was programed into EpiInfo with skip patterns to minimize survey burden and self-administered on a touchscreen computer. Survey questions covered symptom characteristics, knowledge of stroke and EMS importance, subjective reactions, role of bystanders and financial factors. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed.ResultsOf 108 inpatients surveyed (out of 1179 AIS admissions), 49% were male, 44% African American, mean age 63.5 years, 59% mild strokes, 75 (69%) arrived by EMS, 33% were unaware of any stroke symptom prior to stroke, and 75% were unaware of the importance of EMS use for good outcome. Significant factors that influenced EMS use decisions (identified by regression analysis adjusting for stroke severity) were: prior familiarity with stroke (self or family/friend with stroke) adjusted odds ratio, 5.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.6, 15.1), perceiving symptoms as relevant for self and indicating possible stroke, 26.3 (7.6, 91.1), and bystander discouragement to call 911, 0.1 (0.01,0.7). Further, all 27 patients who knew the importance of EMS had used EMS. All patients whose physician office advised actions other than calling EMS at symptom onset, did not use EMS.ConclusionSystematic stroke education of patients with stroke-relevant comorbidities and life-style risk factors, and public health educational programs may increase EMS use and mitigate post-stroke disability.

Standardization of the Cancer Health Literacy Test – 6 in a non-cancer populations

Abstract Background The Cancer Health Literacy Test-6 (CHLT-6) was originally developed in a cancer population to identify persons with limited cancer health literacy (LCHL). There is no instrument to identify individuals with LCHL in non-cancer populations such as caregivers and epidemiologic samples. This study aims to test if the CHLT-6 can be used to identify persons with LCHL in non-cancer patient populations. The CHLT-6 was administered using a hand-held touch-screen computer. Methods A patient sample of 512 persons was used to test the CHLT-6 measurement structure and externally validate the test. English speaking, aged 18 or higher, and no history of cancer diagnosis were used as eligibility criteria. Participants were recruited from health fair grounds, primary care clinics, and community centers in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.A. Consistent with the analysis of the developmental sample, discrete latent variable modeling was used as the underlying measurement structure of the instrument. Results Two classes were clearly separated by the CHLT-6 items. Measurement invariance tests showed equivalence of conditional probabilities between gender, race/ethnicity, and educational groups. There were significant group differences in prevalence of LCHL. The CHLT-6 was externally validated using race/ethnicity, education, and income. Overall results were very similar to those reported in the cancer population. Conclusions The CHLT-6 is the first and only instrument to identify individuals with LCHL using a discrete latent variable framework. Measurement invariance tests provided empirical evidence that labels used to describe latent classes (i.e., limited and adequate cancer health literacy) have the same meaning between gender, race/ethnicity, and educational groups. Persons self-described as African Americans and low educational attainments have a high probability of belonging to the LCHL class. Key messages There is a strong support for psychometric properties of the CHLT-6 in a cross-validation sample. This study provides empirical basis for using the CHLT-6 in non-cancer populations.

A cross sectional survey of internet use among a highly socially disadvantaged population of tobacco smokers

BackgroundTobacco smoking is highest among population groups which are the most socially disadvantaged. Internet-based smoking cessation programs have been found to be effective, though rates of internet access are not well known in these groups. This study describes the rates of internet use and types of technology used to access the internet by a population of socially disadvantaged smokers. The study also examined relationships between sociodemographic and smoking behaviours with amount of internet use and type of device used.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 369 clients (response rate 77%) from two non-government community service organisations in metropolitan New South Wales, Australia was conducted using touchscreen computers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to examine results.ResultsEligible participants ranged from 19 to 88 years old current tobacco users. Over half (58%) of the participants reported weekly or more frequent use of the internet with less than a third (28%) not having any access. The odds of using the internet at least weekly decreased with age and as heaviness of smoking increased (OR = 0.94, p < 0.001; OR = 0.81, p = 0.022, respectively). Odds of internet use were higher as income increased (OR = 2.74, p < 0.001 for individuals earning $201–$400 per week; OR = 2.83, p = 0.006 for individuals earning > $400 per week). Device use differed for age and income.ConclusionsInternet-based interventions appear to reach the majority of socially disadvantaged populations. It is expected that this reach will continue to grow, making internet-based interventions a potential platform for providing care to low socioeconomic individuals who smoke, however inequalities may be exacerbated for those individual without internet access.ImplicationsInternet use among socially disadvantaged tobacco users is moderate (58%). An internet-based smoking cessation intervention for socially disadvantaged tobacco users may be an effective intervention however, older, heavier tobacco users may not benefit as easily due to limited internet access and therefore acknowledging these limitations when developing an intervention can help to acknowledge limitation of intervention reach.

What makes motion dazzle markings effective against predation?

AbstractMotion dazzle markings comprise patterns such as stripes and zig-zags that are postulated to protect moving prey by making predators misjudge the prey’s speed or trajectory. Recent experiments have provided conflicting results on their effect on speed perception and attack success. We focus on motion dazzle stripes and investigate the influence of four parameters—stripe orientation, stripe contrast, target size, and target speed—on perceived speed and attack success using a common experimental paradigm involving human “predators” attacking virtual moving targets on a computer touchscreen. We found that high-contrast stripes running parallel or perpendicular to the direction of motion reduce attack success compared to conspicuous uniform targets. Surprisingly, parallel stripes induced underestimation of speed, while perpendicular stripes induced overestimation of speed in relation to uniform black, suggesting that misjudgment of speed per se is sufficient to reduce attack accuracy. Across all the experiments, we found some support for parallel stripes inducing underestimation of target speed but these stripes reduced attack success only when targets were small, moved at an intermediate speed, and had high internal contrast. We suggest that prey features (e.g., size or speed) are an important determinant of capture success and that distortion of speed perception by a color pattern does not necessarily translate to reduced capture success of the prey. Overall, our results support the idea that striped patterns in prey animals can reduce capture in motion but are effective under a limited set of conditions.