Video Communication Tools Research Articles

PEER-TO-PEER AUDIO STREAMING USING THE TOR NETWORK: PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

This article analyses the potential and challenges associated with the implementation of audio streaming in the anonymous Tor network and the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies. The main focus is on discussing the technical and conceptual issues that arise when integrating audio streaming services with the Tor network, including delays, limited bandwidth and other limitations that affect audio quality. The aim of the study is to find practical solutions to the problem of anonymous audio streaming using Tor technologies or other means to preserve anonymity. By analysing different approaches and tools, it becomes apparent that peer-to-peer broadcasting offers a flexible solution that allows audio to be transmitted over P2P networks, reducing the load on individual nodes and optimising bandwidth usage. This solution offers opportunities for scalability, fault tolerance, bandwidth optimisation and latency reduction, making it an attractive option for audio streaming setups. Meanwhile, the Utopia ecosystem, with its decentralised structure and high level of privacy protection, is another potential solution. Not only does it allow bypassing censorship and firewalls, but it also ensures anonymity in communication and data exchange. With its built-in audio and video communication tools, as well as the ability to create private channels and share files, Utopia can become a reliable platform for streaming audio. Thus, based on the analysis, the solution to the problem of anonymous audio streaming may lie in the integration of technologies such as Peercasting and Utopia, which provide not only the technical capability for streaming, but also a high level of privacy protection for users. It is also important to consider the flexibility of these solutions and the ability to adapt to the specifics of anonymous networks and user requirements. The practical significance of the study of audio streaming over Tor using P2P technologies is to develop methods to increase the anonymity and security of audio communications, which is critical in the face of growing threats to privacy on the Internet. This allows to overcome censorship and Internet restrictions in repressive regimes, providing users with freedom of thought and access to information.

Self-rating via video communication in children with disability - a feasibility study.

Different barriers may hinder children with developmental disabilities (DD) from having a voice in research and clinical interventions concerning fundamentally subjective phenomena, such as participation. It is not well-investigated if video communication tools have the potential to reduce these barriers. This study investigated the feasibility of administering a self-rating instrument measuring participation, Picture My Participation (PmP), via a video communication tool (Zoom), to children with DD. PmP was administered to 17 children with DD (mean age 13 years). The pictorial representations of activities and response options in PmP were displayed in a shared PowerPoint presentation, enabling nonverbal responses with the annotate function in Zoom. Child and interviewer perceptions of the interview were measured through questionnaires developed for the purpose. All the children completed the interview. Most PmP questions were answered, and no adverse events were registered. Technical issues could generally be solved. No special training or expensive equipment was needed for the interviews. Interviewer-guided self-ratings of participation and related constructs through video communication may be a feasible procedure to use with children with DD from age 11. Offering video communication may increase children's chances to contribute subjective experiences in research and clinical practice.

A transition support system to build decarbonization scenarios in the academic community

A growing portion of scientists realises the need to not only alert about climate change, but also change their professional practices. A range of tools have emerged to promote more sustainable activities, yet many scientists struggle to go beyond simple awareness-raising to create concrete transition actions. Here we propose a game-based transition support system MaTerre180’, which has been designed to build scenarios of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in the academic community. After providing a common scientific background about the context (global warming issue, its causes and consequences) and setting up a challenge (50% reduction of carbon budget by 2030), the participants belonging to the academic community and its governance bodies immerse themselves into fictional characters, to simulate the behaviour of real research groups. The game has been deployed during the year 2021, with six hundred participants from nine countries and 50 cities. Results explore clear pathways for GHG reductions between 25 and 60%, and a median reduction of 46%. The alternatives allowing the greatest reduction are video communication tools (36%), followed by mutualization of professional activities and voluntary cancellation or reduction, that represent 22 and 14% of reduction, respectively. The remaining 28% of reduction consists of transport alternative, relocation of professional activities, extended duration of some travels, etc. In addition, the analyses pointed out the importance of the guided negotiation phase to bring out some alternatives such as relocation, local partners and computing optimization. An added value of this transition support system is that the information it collects (anonymously) will be used to answer pressing research questions in climate change science and environmental psychology regarding the use of serious games for promoting changes in attitudes and behaviours towards sustainability, and including broader questions on how network structures influence “climate behaviour”, knowledge and the governance of the commons. Modestly, MaTerre180’ offers an innovative game-based transition support system to build scenarios of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in the academic community. It is not simply a question of moving tokens on a virtual gameboard and a playful adjustment of practices, but rather a question of brainstorming about possible and desirable ways of remodelling research and teaching communities and embracing a new paradigm. After tens of workshops, our results show clear pathways for reaching up to 50% GHG reductions and stress the importance of guided negotiations to bring out alternatives to carbonized activities. This first attempt reinforces our belief that scientific engagement is at the heart of the international development agenda and a key approach to tear down the institutional barriers that inhibit the transformation needed to achieve a more sustainable society.

REMOTE LEARNING SYSTEM MODEL FOR ROBOT PROGRAMMING

The article present the model of the system for remote learning of robot programming, It is built on the basis of the core of the platform, which consists of four layers: the infrastructure layer contains elements that are necessary for the functioning of the ecosystem, and features of the placement of the hardware of this system relative to each other; the hardware layer is a set of devices that make up the hardware configuration of the system: robots, computers which they are connected to, web cameras which are to display the positions of all functional nodes of the robot in detail; the software layer, which includes software tools that support the display of several webcams, an environment for programming and code compilation; the communication layer, which includes the communication channels between the robot and the computer, which will be accessed remotely, as well as the computer’s access to the Internet. The implementation of the model is to be carried out in the following directions: information and consultation; educational one; popularization of robotics and scientific and technical creativity; equipping resource centers divided into functional and technological zones; technological one. The advantages of remote as an element of adaptive education, which enables a student to remotely connect to a class or classroom through specific software, are revealed. The views of scientists regarding the problems of distance learning as an element of adaptive education are analyzed. When studying robotics, it was found that scientists mostly pay attention to the use of Internet services, virtual learning environments, robotics as a promising direction for the development of STEM education or analyze certain control systems, but practically do not focus on remote learning. In practice, the specified model will be implemented through a connection to a computer located in the classroom of the educational institution using a remote access system, on the desktop of which the robot will be displayed from two angles. It also displays the environment for writing and compiling the C++ programming language used for programming the robot directly, and after compiling the code, the user can immediately check the result of the code. In this way, a remote workplace will be created, to which students will be able to connect to perform laboratory classes, and visually observe the results of their work using video communication tools. Practical implementation of the model of remote learning of robot programming was ensured at the Department of Computer Technology of Ternopil V. Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University via connection to a computer located in a classroom of the mentioned educational institution. The procedure was provided by a remote access system. The desktop of the above mentioned computer presents the reflection of the robot from two angles. Also, it shows the environment for writing and compilation of the programming language C++ which will be used for programming of robot. After compilation of the code, a user will immediately have the opportunity to check the result of the code in action. A remote workplace was organized in this way enabling students to connect to it in order to do the laboratory tasks, and observe the results of their work with the help of video conferencing tools.

CrossQuestion Game: A Design of a Group-Based Assessment Tool to Enhance Student Motivation during Pandemic

This paper explores the effect of applying gamification and flipped classroom approaches through our group-based assessment game, the CrossQuestion, in the course of IT in Business. The course teaches basic IT fundamentals and their application in different functional areas of business and management. In Spring 2020-21, we delivered this course through Moodle platform, integrated with the Zoom video communication tool, to introduce the CrossQuestion game as supplemental resources to engage students. We conducted measurements using the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey scales to verify the game's learning effect. We divided students into an experimental group (85 students who played the CrossQuestion game through gamified flipped classroom session–Spring 2020-21) and a control group (60 students who previously underwent lecture-based instructions and individualized formal assessments–Spring 2019-20). The analysis of students’ grades confirms improvement by applying gamified flipped classroom group-based assessments in the learning process. The students’ questionnaire also confirms that group-based assessments can improve students’ motivation. We developed a game system that was attractive to the students, implying that it can be an effective instructional and recreational material to boost morale, increase collaboration, enhance engagement and socialization opportunities, especially during this challenging pandemic.

Preface

Welcome to 2021 11th International Conference on Applied Physics and Mathematics (ICAPM 2021), which should be held in Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan, Shanghai, China during February 1-3, 2021. Due to the unfolding coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and travel restrictions, and the safety of the participants, ICAPM 2021 was held virtually. In ICAPM 2021, we ran two keynote sessions of 45 minutes, two invited sessions of 20 minutes, and five online sessions of 90 minutes. The year of 2020 was a hard, sad & disappointing year for all. COVID-19 cases around the world continue to rise, particularly with new variant strains, as a result of updated overseas government border requirements and as a further proactive safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Up until now, good news is COVID-19 vaccine has been used in few people, but current COVID-19 vaccine supply is not enough to vaccinate all people immediately. Due to the spread of COVID-19 this is the first virtual conference held by ICAPM. ICAPM 2021 was meetings taking place through a video communication tool with participants attending them remotely. ICAPM is organized by American Society for Research (ASR). It has been successfully held in 10 consecutive years since 2011, respectively. In the past four years, ICAPM 2017, ICAPM 2018, ICAPM 2019, and ICAPM 2020 Conference Proceedings have been archived into IOP Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Volumes 814 (2017), 1039 (2018), 1298 (2019), and 1593 (2020) indexed by ISI Web of Science (Conference Proceedings Citation Index (CPCI), Scopus, Engineering Information (EI), etc. The goals of ICAPM 2021 are threefold. First, it should provide a forum for the exchange of information between participants in this interdisciplinary meeting. Second, it should provide an opportunity to establish and renew personal relationships between participants. Finally, you might learn more about an innovative topic discussed in this meeting. Selected and important results will also publish in the peer-reviewed conference journals “Journal of Physics: Conference Series“.We express our thanks and appreciation to our keynote speaker Naoyuki Ishimura, Conference Chair of ICAPM 2020, Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Chuo University in Japan, and invited speakers Kuo-Chih Chuang, Associate Professor, Zhejiang University, China, Frank Gunzer, Professor and Head, Electronics Engineering Department, German University in Cairo, Egypt, and all the participants and committee members for all support to ICAPM 2021. All the Session Chairs are also appreciated for assisting in the organization of technical sessions.February 2021Po-Liang LiuProfessor and Head, Graduate Institute of Precision Engineering, National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwanpliu@dragon.nchu.edu.twList of Committees, Conference Chairs, Program Chairs, Publicity Chairs, Technical Committees and this titles are available in this pdf.

Implementing a telemedicine curriculum for internal medicine residents during a pandemic: the Cleveland Clinic experience

Telemedicine training was not a substantial element of most residency programmes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures changed this. The Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Programme (IMRP) is...

Is video communication technology building bridges between the primary health care and the emergency department in the Region of Southern Denmark?

Background: In 2017, 2523 patients above the age of 64 were admitted from the community of Aabenraa to the Emergency Department (ED). Around 54% of them discharged from the ED within 48 hours. The aim of the CoLab project is to explore the information barriers in the transition of elder patients between primary health care (PHC) and the ED and back. Furthermore, to investigate whether a standardized communication tool combined with video communication technology improves the cross-sectoral communication and collaboration between nurses in the ED and PHC.
 Methods: This was an exploratory and qualitative study. Data was generated from semi-structured group interviews with seven PHC nurses and two ED nurses. The standardized communication tool was developed from both a similar tool constructed by the Danish society for patient safety: ISBAR MED SALSA and the results from the interviews. Video communication via iPad was used between the acute care nurses in PHC and ED and a stationary video communication tool was installed between the ED and the two call centers in PHC.
 Results: The interim analysis of the study so far suggests that is it not possible to establish a scheduled time for communication between ED and the PHC because of the established fast track patient pathways. Using a communication tool as guide for information sharing led to a higher quality exchange of information between PHC and ED. Both the PHC and ED nurses saw improvement in exchanging information by combining the standardized communication tool with video conferencing. This has raised the understanding of each other’s work areas and the need for sharing information about the transition of the elder patients between the PHC and ED.
 Conclusion: The project is still in progress. However, the midterm analysis has shown evidence that a standardized communication tool combined with video communication would improve the quality of cross-sectoral communication and collaboration between nurses in the ED and PHC. We believe that communication barriers should be reduced or eliminated in order to improve cross-sectoral collaboration and the continuity of care for the elder patient during the transition between PHC and ED.

Low-Latency Video Streaming With Congestion Control in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

In this paper, we address the challenge of delivering a video stream, encoded with multiple descriptions, in a mobile ad-hoc environment with low-latency constraints. This kind of application is meant to provide an efficient and reliable video communication tool in scenarios where the deployment of an infrastructure is not feasible, such as military and disaster relief applications. First, we present a recently proposed protocol that employs a reliable form of one-hop broadcast to build an efficient overlay network according to a multi-objective function that minimizes the number of packets injected in the network and maximizes the path diversity among descriptions. Then, we introduce the main contribution of this paper: a cross-layer congestion control strategy where the MAC layer is video-coding aware and adjusts its transmission parameters (namely, the RTS retry limit) via congestion/distortion optimization. The main challenge in this approach is providing a reliable estimation of congestion and distortion, given the limited information available at each node. Our simulations show that, if a stringent constraint of low delay is imposed, our technique grants a consistent gain in terms of both PSNR and delay reduction, for bitrates up to a few megabits per second.

PresenceScape: Virtual World Mediated Rich Communication

The shift toward more horizontal and distributed organizations has presented communication challenges for individuals and institutions that are physically separated from one another. Video communication platforms such as Skype, Jabber, and the Cisco video communication system are widely deployed in enterprise environments to enable employee communication over a distance. Those video communication tools that are capable of audio-video exchange and document sharing are sufficient to establish and support communication for formal and scheduled meetings. However research indicates that a good deal of communication and interaction within the enterprise environment is not pre-scheduled. Although not supported by existing video communication tools, this informal communication and interaction plays an essential role in creating and maintaining collaborative relationships. This paper presents an innovative application called PresenceScape, which aims to support informal communication and interaction by leveraging a customized virtual world such as Second Life or OpenSimulator. The system is able to capture real life events, translate them into virtual representation based on user-defined rules, and visually represent those interpreted events in a virtual world. By providing an immersive and interactive common working environment with rich presence and context information, PresenceScape creates a “better than real” office working experience for remote users. © 2012 Alcatel-Lucent.

The Capabilities of Oovoo and Skype for Language Education

Oovoo and Skype are free chat and video communication tools which allow users to send pre-recorded video messages, chat synchronously with other users, and participate in video conferences with up to three users at a time for free using the internet. With a paid subscription up to six users can simultaneously video conference and you can record the sessions to share with others. Oovoo, similar to Skype, also allows for calls to land-line or mobile phones. Using OoVoo and Skype, users can share information, such as uploading links to outside web pages and transferring files, through a chat window. The great advantage of these services is that they are free to use. This makes them an ideal choice to use in many circumstances, especially for long distance or international calling since there are no fees or charges involved. Another benefit of using Skype or Oovoo is that these services can use the internal microphone, speakers, and web camera of a laptop computer, allowing a hands-free call so the user can take notes, chat, or follow internet links. However, use of a headset offers better clarity in many cases.Oovoo and Skype are also innovative ways to practicing a foreign language while minimizing the risk of things going wrong or learners making mistakes in an stress-free environment. It helps language teachers as well as learners to improve their technology literacy and increase their confidence using technology in the classroom. It is an excellent opportunity for shy learners who are not fluent enough to communicate in the new languages. Pioneers of using Skype in the classroom immediately noted the potential for international connections between classrooms and students (Waters, 2008b). This is a natural fit for language educators interested in having cross-cultural exchanges with students using Skype. One Australian educator has used Skype for inter-school debates (Smethurst, 2009). This may be of interest to language teachers, as it is noted that activities such as debates and speech competitions in the target language are on the rise (Eaton, 2010a).

Technologically mediated complex problem‐solving on a statistics task

Simulations on computers can allow many experiments to be conducted quickly to help students develop an understanding of statistical topics. We used a simulation of a challenging problem in statistics as the focus of an exploration of situations where members of a problem‐solving group are physically separated then reconnected via combinations of computer and communications technology to work collaboratively on the simulation. The particular focus in this work was on trying to understand how students could use a system which allowed them to conduct variable based practical experiments in order to help them develop their knowledge and understanding of a statistics topic. We wished to develop an understanding of the virtual space created by shared simulations and video communication tools for supporting collaborative work between people at a distance. The paper reports on an experiment involving 48 subjects using this virtual space to establish the impact on their statistics understanding and to map their use of this distributed environment for learning. It establishes that the virtual space is effective for learning, and that the video conferencing condition which allows for eye contact between the pairs has some advantages for successful problem‐solving with the simulation. In addition the experimental setting provided some opportunities for exploring subjects' understanding of statistical and experimental concepts.

病害虫の遠隔診断システム

本論文では，コンピュータネットワークを使って，遠隔地から病害虫の診断を実施する遠隔診断システムを提案する．遠隔診断システムは，地理的に離れた場所に存在する利用者がコンピュータネットワークを通して画像データを利用することで，遠隔地に居ながらにして病害虫の診断を可能とするシステムの実現を目指すものである．本論文では，病害虫の遠隔診断システムに要求される機能を明らかにし，それを満足する実験システムを構築した．このシステムを用いて，実際の事例について遠隔診断に適用する実験を行った．実験の結果，システムは有効に機能し，画像による病害虫の遠隔診断が可能であることを確認した．