bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volatile Aroma Compounds in Various Brewed Green Teas
Authors: Lee Jeehyun , Chambers Delores , Chambers Edgar , Adhikari Koushik , Yoon Youngmo
Published: August 2013

This study identifies and semi-quantifies aroma volatiles in brewed green tea samples. The objectives of this study were to identify using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) paired with a headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) the common volatile compounds that may be responsible for aroma/flavor of the brewed liquor of a range of green tea samples from various countries as consumed and to determine if green teas from the same region have similarities in volatile composition when green tea samples are prepared for consumption. Twenty-four green tea samples from eight different countries were brewed as recommended for consumer brewing. The aroma volatiles were extracted by HS-SPME, separated on a gas chromatograph and identified using a mass spectrometer. Thirty-eight compounds were identified and the concentrations were semi-quantified. The concentrations were lower than those reported by other researchers, probably because this research examined headspace volatiles from brewed tea rather than solvent extraction of leaves. No relationship to country of origin was found, which indicates that other factors have a greater influence than country of origin on aroma.
Assessment Impacts of Weather and Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) Change on Urban Vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP): A Case Study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Fu Yingchun , Lu Xueyu , Zhao Yaolong , Zeng Xiantie , Xia Lili
Published: August 2013

Net primary productivity (NPP) can indicate vegetation ecosystem services ability and reflect variation response to climate change and human activities. This study applied MODIS-1 km NPP products to investigate the NPP variation from 2001 to 2006, a fast urban expansion and adjustment period in Guangzhou, China, and quantify the impacts of weather and land use/land cover (LULC) changes, respectively. The results showed that the NPP mean value increased at a rate of 11.6 g∙C∙m−2∙yr−1 during the initial three years and decreased at an accelerated rate of 31.0 g∙C∙m−2∙yr−1 during the final three years, resulting in a total NPP loss of approximately 167 × 106 g∙C. The spatiotemporal of NPP varied obviously in the central area, suburb and exurb of Guangzhou driven by three patterns of weather and LULC changes. By the interactive effects and the weather variation dominated effects, NPP of most areas changed slightly with dynamic index less than 5% of NPP mean value in the central area and the suburb. The LULC change dominated effects caused obvious NPP reduction, by more than 15% of the NPP mean value, which occurred in some areas of the suburb and extended to the exurb with the outward urban sprawl. Importantly, conversion from wood grassland, shrublands and even forests to croplands occupied by urban landscapes proved to be a main process in the conversion from high-NPP coverage to low-NPP coverage, thereby leading to the rapid degradation of urban carbon stock capacity in urban fringe areas. It is helpful for government to monitor urban ecological health and safety and make relevant policies.
On the Support of Scientific Workflows over Pub/Sub Brokers
Authors: Morales Augusto , Robles Tomas , Alcarria Ramon , Cedeño Edwin
Published: August 2013

The execution of scientific workflows is gaining importance as more computing resources are available in the form of grid environments. The Publish/Subscribe paradigm offers well-proven solutions for sustaining distributed scenarios while maintaining the high level of task decoupling required by scientific workflows. In this paper, we propose a new model for supporting scientific workflows that improves the dissemination of control events. The proposed solution is based on the mapping of workflow tasks to the underlying Pub/Sub event layer, and the definition of interfaces and procedures for execution on brokers. In this paper we also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of current solutions that are based on existing message exchange models for scientific workflows. Finally, we explain how our model improves the information dissemination, event filtering, task decoupling and the monitoring of scientific workflows.
Changes in the landscape of health care database research from 2000 to 2011
Authors: Riera-Guardia Nuria , Saltus Catherine , Bui Christine , Harris David , Kaye James , Tennis Patricia , Castellsague Jordi , Perez-Gutthann Susana
Published: August 2013

We quantified the contribution to pharmacoepidemiologic research of studies conducted in automated health care databases over the last decade. We reviewed abstracts accepted at the International Conference of Pharmacoepidemiology in 2000 and 2011 to identify studies on drug safety, drug utilization, validation of database data, and disease epidemiology conducted in databases. We abstracted data on study objectives, database name and country, and number of databases used in each study. The total number of ICPE abstracts doubled from 389 in 2000 to 806 in 2011. Abstracts on database studies contributed 36 percent (139 of 389) of all abstracts in 2000 and 45 percent (360 of 806) in 2011. The most common study objective in both years was to evaluate drug safety. Abstracts on validation of database data increased from 2 to 39. Multiple-database abstracts increased from 9 to 43. The number of countries contributing to database abstracts increased from 14 to 22; the increase in countries was primarily in Europe and the Asian Pacific region. This study indicates that the use of health care databases in pharmacoepidemiologic research is growing in many countries. The different types of database studies and the number of studies conducted using multiple databases is also increasing, suggesting that larger study populations and greater collaboration among investigators are becoming more common.
Le paradoxe rural ou les enjeux de la ruralité et de la néoruralité aux États-Unis
Authors: Allmang Cedrick
Published: August 2013

Bien qu’il ne représente qu’un cinquième de la population des États-Unis, l’espace rural est essentiel à la composition de la nation américaine. Ses grands espaces, ses paysages, ses ressources, l’histoire de sa colonisation et son rôle dans la constitution politique des États-Unis, enfin son homogénéité « ethnique », constituent les repères essentiels d’une société américaine en perpétuelle transformation. Cependant, les facteurs structurants de ce monde rural, notamment l’existence de l’exploitation agricole familiale blanche et indépendante, sont fortement remis en cause par la transformation économique des espaces ruraux. Celle-ci qui s’accompagne d’un bouleversement dans leur composition sociale. Ce phénomène se produit alors même qu’une grande partie de la population urbaine américaine, en plein questionnement identitaire face à la mondialisation et aux défis du xxi e siècle, se tourne de plus en plus vers les espaces ruraux pour y trouver, dans une représentation très idéalisée, les piliers de son identité. Ce double mouvement crée un véritable paradoxe dans l’organisation des espaces ruraux et constitue aujourd’hui la principale dynamique de leur transformation.
L'eau, ses ingénieurs et ses tuyaux au Mexique
Authors: Bataillon Claude
Published: August 2013

Pays dont la majorité du territoire est aride, le Mexique s’est bâti sur trois systèmes de maîtrise de l’eau : l’empire aztèque, la Nouvelle Espagne, la technologie moderne nord-américaine. La préoccupation agricole, prédominante jusqu’aux années 1960, a été relayée par les besoins urbains, d’adduction d’eau mais aussi d’égouts, besoins particulièrement spectaculaires dans le bassin endoréique de la ville de Mexico.
Le process de construction de l'esprit malade et de sa maintenance à l'ère de l' Evidence-Based Mental Medicine
Authors: Briffault Xavier
Published: August 2013

Peu d’attention a été portée à l’extension de l’EBM à la médecine mentale (EBMM) et aux contraintes logiques qu’elle impose sur la relation thérapeutique. C’est ce à quoi s’intéresse cet article dont les objectifs sont d’expliciter le dispositif (épistémo et socio) logique de l’EBM ; d’en examiner l’instanciation à l’EBMM ; de mettre en évidence ce qu’il permet et ce qu’il empêche , ce comment il façonne et ce vers quoi il oriente, tout particulièrement s’agissant des processus diagnostiques ; d’examiner les conséquences de ce dispositif sur les approches possibles du sujet.
Le sujet en excès dans la biopolitique
Authors: Birman Joel , Hoffmann Christian
Published: August 2013

Le discours médical prend aujourd’hui une direction tout à fait morale au détriment de l’ éthique , parce que c’est la norme qui est toujours en question et pas le rapport singulier du sujet envers ce discours moral. Ce processus d’une médicalisation à l’infini met en question l’expérience de la clinique. Comme on sait, selon Foucault, dans la Naissance de la clinique , la constitution de la clinique dans le discours de l’anatomo-pathologie, faisait une place à un sujet de la finitude. En effet, ce sujet était défini par le rapport à la mort, au fur et à mesure que la vie était définie par Bichat comme l’ensemble des forces qui s’opposent à la mort. C’est par ce biais que la question de l’individualité de la maladie et de la singularité du malade a été mise en scène par la clinique au début du XIX e siècle. On peut dire que les nouvelles modalités prises par la pratique médicale contemporaine n’ont plus rien à voir avec l’expérience clinique. C’est à cause de ça que la question du sujet a été évacuée de la pratique médicale actuelle, avec toutes les conséquences que cela implique du point de vue bio-politique. Nous pouvons reconnaître aujourd’hui que la normalisation trouve sa limite dans la résistance du sujet pour ne pas être complètement assujetti et dominé par le pouvoir. C’est là qu’on peut retrouver la puissance désirante du sujet qui fait le contre point aux stratégies de la normalisation. Au fur et à mesure que le registre du sujet déborde le champ des normes, il ouvre à une autre clinique où s’impose une éthique du soin. Ce qui peut faire l’actualité de la psychanalyse dans le champ de la médecine.
Sur certains enjeux du diagnostic de « catatonie »
Authors: Dimitriadis Yorgos
Published: August 2013

Depuis les années 50 plusieurs auteurs ont signalé une raréfaction de la catatonie en tant que sous-catégorie de la schizophrénie. Après les années 70 la catatonie a commencé à être mise plus en rapport avec les troubles de l’humeur et certaines conditions médicales. Ce déplacement tient probablement à la tendance actuelle à privilégier la sémiologie qui concerne le comportement au détriment de la subjectivité. Néanmoins vue sous l’angle de la psychopathologie psychanalytique la catatonie est une manifestation du négativisme psychotique vis-à-vis, du désir de l’Autre.
Early Assessment for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Comparison of Two Metamemory Diagnostic Tests
Authors: Perfecto Kristian , Ahern Nancy R.
Published: August 2013

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing problem in the United States. Because of the inability of the Mini-Mental State Examination to detect AD in the early stages, other avenues of assessment must be explored. Two subjective assessment tests have been proposed to help evaluate progression from nonclinical to clinical AD: the Feeling-of-Knowing and Judgment-of-Learning tests. Currently, no conclusive evidence exists as to which test is better suited to assess for progression toward AD. These tests, however, have been reliable when used to assess metamemory. A decrease in metamemory can be an indicator of nonclinical AD. This article provides practice implications for mental health nurses in administering either test and calculating scores over time. The hope is that by using these two assessment tests, patients with AD may be diagnosed earlier and subsequently lead longer, better quality lives. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 51
(9), 17–21.]
Performances at Festival Periods in the Year and the “As If” Concept
Authors: Lyle Emily
Published: August 2013

While a researcher may be actively involved in fieldwork, the full understanding that both researcher and performer desire is bound to involve a theoretical dimension, which becomes especially vital when reference has to be made to the past. Performances at festival periods in the year are explored in terms of the relationship between an actual “as is” world and an “as if ” world of the imagination.
***
Ko se raziskovalec aktivno ukvarja s terenskim delom, je popolno razumevanje, ki si ga želita tako raziskovalec kot ustvarjalec, neločljivo prepleteno s teoretsko dimenzijo. Ta postane še posebej pomembna, ko se navežemo na preteklost. Izvedbe v prazničnih obdobjih skozi leto so raziskane v smislu razmerja med dejanskim svetom »kakor da« (as is) ter med svetom domišljije »kakor da« (as if).
An Investigation of the Traditional Music Session in Ireland’s Shannon Region
Authors: McEntire Nancy C.
Published: August 2013

Irish traditional music acquisition used to be restricted to specific regions and focused on personal instruction. Now that the individual player is being replaced by larger, less-personal groups of musicians, the question of how traditional learning is being accomplished becomes more critical.
***
Seznanjanje z irsko tradicijsko glasbo je bilo v preteklosti omejeno na specifične regije in se je opiralo na individualno poučevanje. Danes, ko posameznika nadomeščajo večje, manj osebne skupine glasbenikov, postaja vedno pomembnejše vprašanje, kako poučevati tradicijo.
Performers and Researchers in Neo-Pagan Settings
Authors: Velkoborská Kamila
Published: August 2013

In neo-pagan and magical settings, the traditional distinction between the anthropologist and the “others” disappears due to the fact that researchers and performers tend to have the same ethnic background, social position, and level of formal education. Author has identified main approaches towards magic used by anthropologists.
***
V novopoganskih in magičnih okoljih ni več tradicionalne razlike med antropologom in »drugimi«, saj imajo raziskovalci in izvajalci pogosto enako etnično ozadje, družbeno pozicijo in stopnjo formalne izobrazbe. Avtorica je izpostavila osnovne antropološke poglede na magijo.
The Problem of Performance Typology: The Case of Serbian Mourners
Authors: Mykytenko Oksana
Published: August 2013

This paper analyzes the performance process of Serbian mourning songs (tužbalice) and various ethnic and folklore conditions of the functional process of this genre.
***
V prispevku avtorica analizira postopke izvajanja srbskih žalostink (tužbalice) glede na različne etnične in folklorne okoliščine funkcionalnega procesa v tem žanru kot tudi glavnih značilnosti žanra.
The “Moral Codex” of a Researcher as a Bearer of Culture
Authors: Minniyakhmetova Tatiana
Published: August 2013

All researchers have their own methods of conducting fieldwork and making available information on the culture they have studied. However, a researcher that is simultaneously a bearer of culture must follow at least three principal ethic rules: First, there is knowledge or information that could be available to anyone. Second, there is knowledge or information that the researcher is initiated into, but the researcher is not allowed by the informant to make it available to anyone. Third, there are prohibitions against sharing certain knowledge or information. My research object is a diaspora group and it therefore requires a special approach to fieldwork.
***
Raziskovalci na številne načine in z različnimi metodami opravljajo terensko delo in omogočajo informacije o raziskovani kulturi. V vsakem primeru pa mora raziskovalec, ki je tudi sam nosilec kulture, slediti vsaj trem osnovnim etičnim pravilom: nekatere informacije so lahko dostopne komurkoli; določena znanja ali informacije lahko raziskovalec le selektivno objavi; nekaterih znanj ali informacij pa ni dovoljeno širiti. Avtorica raziskuje diasporo, ki zahteva poseben terenski pristop.
You Are Cordially Invited to … the Distanced Participation in a Royal Wedding
Authors: Hugoson Marlene
Published: August 2013

On 19 June 2010 Swedish Crown Princess Victoria married Mr Daniel Westling. The wedding was celebrated not only in the capital city of Stockholm, but also in the groom’s home village, where some 6,000 people assembled to watch and celebrate the wedding beneath a giant television screen placed in a country field. As examples of this type of distanced participation become more noticeable in the ritual year, the phenomenon becomes increasingly interesting to follow. This time the investigation leads to the small village of Ockelbo, Sweden, where the municipality organised a large-scale village feast and consciously rooted the performance in the rural identity of the area.
***
19. junija 2010 se je švedska kronska princesa Viktorija poročila z Danielom Westlingom. Poroke niso praznovali le v švedski prestolnici Stockholmu, marveč tudi v ženinovi domači vasi, kjer se je okrog 6000 ljudi zbralo k ogledu in praznovanju poroke pred ogromnim televizijskim zaslonom, nameščenim na podeželskem polju. Ker so primeri tovrstne oddaljene udeležbe v okviru ritualnega leta vse pogostejši, je ta fenomen postal zanimivejši za opazovanje. Tokrat je preiskava vodila v malo vasico Ockelbo na Švedskem, kjer je mestna občina organizirala obsežno vaško praznovanje in zavestno utemeljila izvedbo v ruralni identiteti področja.
Revival of Local Masking Traditions in Latvia as the Result of Cooperation between Performers and Researchers
Authors: Rancāne Aīda
Published: August 2013

At a time when it is possible to identify oneself with the global and universal, an opposite process is also occurring: an increase in interest in the local. This article describes the process of renewing three previously interrupted traditions. Is it possible to reconstruct a tradition at all, and what are the general conditions of cooperation between the researchers and participants to ensure a successful process?
***
V času, ko se je mogoče poistovetiti z globalnim in univerzalnim, se pojavlja tudi nasprotni proces – porast zanimanja za lokalno. V razpravi avtorica opiše proces obnavljanja treh predhodno prekinjenih tradicij in se sprašuje, ali je mogoče rekonstruirati tradicijo in v katerih okoliščinah lahko sodelovanje raziskovalca in udeležencev zagotovi uspeh?
Europe’s (Un)Common Heritage(s)
Authors: Nic Craith Máiréad
Published: August 2013

Although it draws on the past, the concept of heritage is rooted in the present and is used selectively for contemporary purposes. European institutions have reinforced the concept of a common European heritage, which is shared by all nation-states. In drawing on the discourse of heritage, there is an attempt to consolidate a narrative of European universal values. This paper critiques the vision of a common European heritage in the consolidation of European identity and assesses the idea of shared heritage as an instrument of social cohesion.
***
Čeprav se sklicuje na preteklost, je koncept dediščina zakoreninjen v sedanjosti in selektivno rabljen za sodobne namene. Evropske ustanove krepijo koncept skupne evropske dediščine, skupne vsem državam/narodom. V diskurzu o dediščini gre za poskus, da bi utrdili pripoved o evropskih splošnih vrednotah. Članek kritizira vizijo skupne evropske dediščine v utrjevanju evropske identitete in si prizadeva za zamisel o skupni dediščini kot orodju družbene povezanosti.
“We Preserved Everything Old.” Folk Tradition and Traditionalism in Culture of Ethnic Minorities
Authors: Prelić Mladena
Published: August 2013

The paper discusses the conceptualization of two widely spread concepts of culture of ethnic minorities – one which implies that the minority culture is by definition a traditionalist one, and the other that implies it is based exclusively or predominantly on traditional folk culture. These concepts have an impact on the self-understanding of members of the minorities themselves, as well as on the policies toward them by the relevant circles of the majority society. The data used in the discussion is mostly obtained during the long-term field study of Serbs in Hungary.
***
V članku je obravnavana konceptualizacija dveh široko razširjenih konceptov kulture etnične manjšin: ena implicira, da je manjšinska kultura po definiciji tradicionalistična, druga pa. da je osnovana izključno ali pretežno na tradicijski ljudski kulturi. Koncepta vplivata na samorazumevanje pripadnikov manjšin kakor tudi na politike odločilnih krogov večinske družbe. Podatki za razpravo so bili večinoma pridobljeni pri dolgotrajnem terenskem raziskovanju Srbov na Madžarskem.
The Impacts of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Unesco Policies in France
Authors: Fournier Laurent Sébastien
Published: August 2013

The article focuses on the “Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France” which were first introduced as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2005. This case study documents the implementation of the UNESCO policies in France, analysing the differences between the initial project and its transformations a few years after the nomination. Different French candidatures are examined to understand the impacts of intangible cultural policies in France.
***
Članek se osredinja na »Procesijske velikane in zmaje v Beligiji in Franciji«, ki so bili leta 2005 predstavljeni kot »Mojstrovina ustne in nesnovne dediščine človeštva«. Študija primera dokumentira uveljavljanje Unescove politike v Franciji z analizo razločkov med začetnim načrtom in njegovim spreminjanjem v nekaj letih po nominaciji. Obravnavani so različni francoski predlogi, ki osvetljujejo vplive politike nesnovne kulture v Franciji.
Drawing up an Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Austrian Approach
Authors: Stiermayr Eva
Published: August 2013

Though the implementation of the UNESCO-Convention in Austria is still in its beginnings, a significant and increasing interest in intangible cultural heritage can be identified. Tradition bearers request help and cooperation to enhance their visibility. A vast number of institutions discover intangible cultural heritage as a new dimension of cultural and research activities, and even public bodies express their interest in discussing issues under this headline.
***
Čeprav je v Avstriji uresničevanje Unescove Konvencije o varovanju nesnovne kulturne dediščine šele na začetku, je mogoče opaziti pomembno in rastoče zanimanje za nesnovno kulturno dediščino. Nosilci tradicije prosijo za pomoč in sodelovanje, da bi okrepili svojo vidnost oz. navzočnost v javnosti. Številne ustanove odkrivajo nesnovno kulturno dedišlino kot novo razsežnost kulturnih in raziskovalnih aktivnosti in tudi javne ustanove izražajo interes za razpravljanje o njej.
Communication Technology Integration in the Content Areas for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
Authors: Evmenova Anna S. , Behrmann Michael M.
Published: August 2013

A myriad of assistive/instructional technologies are available for students with high-incidence disabilities (Learning Disabilities/Emotional/Behavioral Disorders), but which do teachers actually use to teach content? This case study examines the current assistive technology implementation by teachers working with students with learning disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders. Through the chapter, one can learn about top technologies used in elementary, middle, and high school settings in language arts, math, science, and social studies, as well as discover creative and innovative ways to use assistive and instructional devices/programs in content coursework.
POMDP Models for Assistive Technology
Authors: Hoey Jesse , Poupart Pascal , Boutilier Craig , Mihailidis Alex
Published: August 2013

This chapter presents a general decision theoretic model of interactions between users and cognitive assistive technologies for various tasks of importance to the elderly population. The model is a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) whose goal is to work in conjunction with a user towards the completion of a given activity or task. This requires the model to monitor and assist the user, to maintain indicators of overall user health, and to adapt to changes. The key strengths of the POMDP model are that it is able to deal with uncertainty, it is easy to specify, it can be applied to different tasks with little modification, and it is able to learn and adapt to changing tasks and situations. This chapter describes the model, gives a general learning method which enables the model to be learned from partially labeled data, and shows how the model can be applied within our research program on technologies for wellness. In particular, we show how the model is used in four tasks: assisted handwashing, stroke rehabilitation, health and safety monitoring, and wheelchair mobility. The first two have been fully implemented and tested, and results are summarized. The second two are meant to demonstrate how the POMDP can be applied across a wide variety of domains, but do not have specific implementations or results. The chapter gives an overview of ongoing work into each of these areas, and discusses future directions.
Internet-Based Chronic Disease Self-Management for Youth
Authors: Stinson Jennifer , Gill Navreet
Published: August 2013

Chronic health conditions in children and youth are important health problems that seriously affect all aspects of their everyday lives. There is growing recognition of the need to promote disease self-management in youth with chronic health conditions. While there is evidence of the effectiveness of self-management programs to improve health outcomes in pediatric chronic illnesses, there are barriers to youth receiving these services. Internet-based programs offer an innovative approach to improve the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of these programs. This chapter provides an overview of Internet-based chronic disease self-management treatment programs for children and youth. It defines and describes the underlying theories, processes, and content elements of Internet-based self-management programs. Practical tips for program development and evaluation in terms of improved health outcomes are also discussed based on the authors’ experience with developing the “Teens Taking Charge: Managing Arthritis Online” self-management program for adolescents with arthritis. Future directions for theory, research, and clinical practice are also described.
Assistive Technologies, Tools and Resources for the Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies by People with Disabilities
Authors: Groba Betania , Pousada Thais , Nieto Laura
Published: August 2013

A person with disabilities can present difficulties in occupational performance. It is necessary to develop a set of resources, technological or otherwise, to offset these difficulties, and contribute to the integration of people with functional diversity in society. These resources are called support products or technology support, but do not eliminate the deficits, they can eliminate the limitation of the performance of persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) were formed as an alternative to personal empowerment of people with disabilities. To access and use of these new technologies are used to support specific products. In the market there is a diversity and variety of assistive technology, so it is necessary the classification and analysis of various products before the person can use it. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about assistive technology, and specifically those directly related to ICT.
Capacity Building for Different Abilities Using ICT
Authors: Freeman Ina , Freeman Aiofe
Published: August 2013

Social enterprises are expected to contribute to the well-being of society. One way this is done is through assisting individuals to become productive citizens. For those enterprises that work with individuals with disabilities, this is accomplished through education and assistance with various daily tasks. The disability population is increasing as the population ages and faces an increased potential for disability through disease and biological events as well as higher rates of diagnosis of developmental disability throughout the life span. When coupled with the increasing integration of individuals with disabilities into the community, there is a greater need for ways by which these individuals are included and supported. While technology is prevalent in today’s society, there is little training for those working with clients and little money to purchase the technology, leading to limited access. With few purchasers, little effort is expended to enhance the accessibility of existing technology and create more productive forms of technology. To decrease the costs to society, the role of social enterprises might research the necessary technology to further develop and facilitate the engagement of individuals with disabilities into society.
Aligning iPad Applications with Evidence-Based Practices in Inclusive and Special Education
Authors: Cumming Therese , Rodríguez Cathi Draper , Strnadová Iva
Published: August 2013

Special educators globally are adopting mobile technologies such as the iPad for use in classrooms for everything from textbook replacement to assistive technology. Despite the devices’ large potential for individualizing teaching, learning, and communication, these are relatively new technologies, and the evidence base to support their use as teaching and learning tools in special education is scarce. This chapter discusses a theoretical framework and several methods that can be used to support the use of iPads to assist students with disabilities. It also details the potential uses of iPads and their corresponding applications for students in special education.
Reading by Listening
Authors: Jones Marni Gail , Schwilk Christopher L. , Bateman David F.
Published: August 2013

Advances in technology have produced a variety of ways for students with a print disability to access written material through audio format: from Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic’s pre-recorded books to text-to-speech technology, such as Kurzweil’s screen reader. This chapter will describe the need for books in alternate formats, how they can be used, who the end users are, the pros and cons of various formats, where to access information about the technology available, sample products, and tips for their use. Note: The authors are not promoting or endorsing any specific technology, and received no reimbursement nor are affiliated with any of the products mentioned in this chapter.
Ways of ICT Usage among Mildly Intellectually Disabled Adolescents
Authors: Plichta Piotr
Published: August 2013

The chapter explores patterns of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) usage (particularly: cell phones and the Internet) among mildly intellectually disabled adolescents aged 13-17. Importance of leisure activity in life and rehabiliation of the disabled as well as a risk of digital exclusion are also underlined. The strong emphasis is put on an issue of victimization and perpetration of electronic aggression. Data were obtained from the unstructured interviews (qualitative approach). The research revealed several issues related to patterns of ICT usage. The data are presented as following categories: importance and declared range of ICT usage, ICT and its usage for communication purposes, awareness of the risks related to ICT usage, ICT usage and electronic aggression (divided in two categories: being a victim and/or being a perpetrator, ICT usage and issues related to family functioning). Such problem areas are not well recognized in either Polish or foreign literature.
What Do You Do With a Digital Pen?
Authors: Carlson Judith K.
Published: August 2013

This chapter describes an assistive technology device called a digital pen. Digital pens allow notes written to be uploaded to a computer and translated into word processing documents. The new LiveScribe Echo™ provides this feature and also digitally records an audio track to accompany the notes. This technology can be used by students with disabilities for note taking, writing, reading, mathematics, and virtually any content area. Using the pen for augmentative communication, as well as in-class assessment is discussed. Teachers can use a recording digital pen to create a “pencast” of a lecture. The pencast could then be available for repeated viewings by students who require repetition for learning or those not available when the content was covered. The chapter concludes that the recording digital pen’s applications and usage will expand as knowledge of the device increases.
DeepKøver
Authors: Najjar Mehdi , Courtemanche François , Hamam Habib , Dion Alexandre , Bauchet Jérémy , Mayers André
Published: August 2013

The chapter presents a novel modular adaptive artful intelligent assistance system for cognitively and/or memory impaired people engaged in the realisation of their activities of daily living (ADLs). The goal of this assistance system is to help disabled persons moving/evolving within a controlled environment in order to provide logistic support in achieving their ADLs. Empirical results of practical tests are presented and interpreted. Some deductions about the key features that represent originalities of the assistance system are drawn and future works are announced.
Ubiquitous Computing for Independent Living
Authors: Bergmann Neil W.
Published: August 2013

Ubiquitous computing technology (ICT) shows great potential in supporting the infirm elderly, and others managing complex health issues, to live independently in their own home. While these technologies have great promise, their adoption level is low in Australia. It is suggested that two concurrent strategies are needed to improve the penetration of ICT-based assistive technology in the community. Firstly, significant trials are needed to verify that such systems can provide improved health outcomes and reduce health system costs for suitably targeted patients. Secondly, research in security and privacy, open standards, human-computer interfaces and new models of care driving software specifications is needed, so that these health system benefits can be achieved at a reasonable cost, and with adequate consideration of the needs of clients and carers.
Teaching Executive Functions, Self-Management, and Ethical Decision-Making through Popular Videogame Play
Authors: Kulman Randy , Stoner Gary , Ruffolo Louis , Marshall Stephanie , Slater Jennifer , Dyl Amanda , Cheng Alice
Published: August 2013

Numerous studies support the contention that videogames can be useful in developing specific attention and memory skills. Videogames and other digital technologies also require the practice of critical-thinking and executive-functioning skills, but there is little evidence that these skills, which lead to decision-making and problem-solving skills, can be generalized from the game to the real world. This chapter examines strategies that use videogames to enhance the development of these problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills. This chapter discusses the use of these strategies with a clinical population of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities and considers methods for parents, teachers, and game publishers to make popular videogames a potent teaching tool for developing decision-making skills in children.
Collaborative Virtual Learning for Assisting Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Valeria Nia , Lu Marlene Valerie , Theng Lau Bee
Published: August 2013

Communication through speech is a vital skill, an innate ability in most human beings intended to convey thoughts, needs, and it is the very foundation of literacy. However, some people find it as one of the challenges in their lives, particularly children with Cerebral Palsy. Children with such disability suffer from brain injuries before, during, and after birth that evidently affect their motor, cognitive, and linguistic skills. Some of the additional complexities may also cause hearing, visual, and speech impairments that further decrease their learning abilities. Their development milestones in learning is slower than a typical child, thus they require intensive personal drilling. It is believed that the cognitive skills in these children can be improved to enable them to lead a more productive life. That was an antecedent that strongly motivated us to develop the proposed Virtual Collaborative Learning Tool. It aims to assist the learning ability of the targeted children through a responsive avatar of their parents, teachers, or caretakers. A preliminary study was conducted on voluntary participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed learning model. The results showed 80% of the participants were able to answer questions provided within the program.
Embodied Conversational Agents in Interactive Applications for Children with Special Educational Needs
Authors: Mencía Beatriz López , Pardo David Díaz , Trapote Alvaro Hernández , Gómez Luis A. Hernández
Published: August 2013

This chapter describes a collection of experiences and recommendations related with the design and evaluation of interactive applications integrating Embodied Conversational Agents (ECA) technology in real environments of use with children in Special Education. Benefits and challenges of using ECAs in this context are presented. These benefits and challenges have guided the creation of Special Education reinforcement applications incorporating ECAs, which have been used for extended periods of time at Infanta Elena Special Education School in Madrid. Co-design principles were applied in the development of two of the applications discussed here, with the participation of the school’s teaching staff and children with severe motor and mental disabilities (mainly with cerebral palsy). From the design experience a set of recommendations and observations were extracted, which the authors hope may serve as guidance for the scientific and educational communities when undertaking further research. For example, in an application to reinforce the learning of emotions it believe it beneficial to include ECAs that display a number of exaggerated facial expressions together with a combination of auditory and gestural reinforcements. The ECA should show its eyes and mouth clearly, in order to help the children focus their attention. These and other ECA strategies have been analysed to provide reinforcement in learning and also to attract the children’s attention when interacting with the application.
Affect-Sensitive Computing and Autism
Authors: Welch Karla Conn , Lahiri Uttama , Sarkar Nilanjan , Warren Zachary , Stone Wendy , Liu Changchun
Published: August 2013

This chapter covers the application of affective computing using a physiological approach to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during human-computer interaction (HCI) and human-robot interaction (HRI). Investigation into technology-assisted intervention for children with ASD has gained momentum in recent years. Clinicians involved in interventions must overcome the communication impairments generally exhibited by children with ASD by adeptly inferring the affective cues of the children to adjust the intervention accordingly. Similarly, an intelligent system, such as a computer or robot, must also be able to understand the affective needs of these children - an ability that the current technology-assisted ASD intervention systems lack - to achieve effective interaction that addresses the role of affective states in HCI, HRI, and intervention practice.
Electronic Voting by Means of Digital Terrestrial Television
Authors: Caldelli Roberto , Becarelli Rudy , Filippini Francesco , Picchioni Francesco , Giorgetti Riccardo
Published: August 2013

In this paper a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) based voting system is presented. This electronic voting technology allows disabled users to cast their vote from home by using common well-known devices. The needed equipment are a TV set, a Set Top Box (STB) with its remote control and a telephone line. The complete infrastructure consists of an MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) application that acts as a client application, a server application that acts as a network/counting server for e-voting, and a security protocol based on asymmetric key encryption to ensure authentication and secrecy of the vote. The MHP application is broadcasted by a certified (e.g., national) TV channel that grants its originality. The user needs a smart card issued by a national authority and to sign the encrypted ballot. The voter can browse the application by acting on the STB remote control. The server application is in charge to verify user identity, to gather and store user's encrypted ballots and finally to count votes. The communication between the client application and the server takes place by means of a secured channel (using HTTPS) while the voting operations are secured with the help of asymmetric keys encryption.
The Impact of International Management on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Workforce
Authors: Mouzakitis George S. , Goutou Despoina
Published: August 2013

Managers tend to recruit individuals of highest educational standards who deserve quality jobs and attractive remuneration. Equally, disabled persons should enjoy the same benefits. In our era of unprecedented technological development, education should be flexible in order to meet the contemporary demands and the needs of all persons. This chapter analyzes the use of aids, including educational games that can be helpful in supporting people with disabilities. Types of games and games for disabled persons are considered. A more active involvement of international managers in the use of games in educational/training courses for disabled persons is also proposed. Their duties must be amended to include participation in curricula design for any level of vocational/technical education.
Supporting Unskilled People in Manual Tasks through Haptic-Based Guidance
Authors: Covarrubias Mario , Bordegoni Monica , Cugini Umberto , Gatti Elia
Published: August 2013

This chapter presents a methodology that the authors developed for the evaluation of a novel device based on haptic guidance to support people with disabilities in sketching, hatching, and cutting shapes. The user’s hand movement is assisted by a sort of magnet or spring effect attracting the hand towards an ideal shape. The haptic guidance device has been used as an input system for tracking the sketching movements made by the user according to the visual feedback received from a physical template without haptic assistance. Then the device has been used as an output system that provides force feedback capabilities. The drawn shape can also be physically produced as a piece of polystyrene foam. The evaluation methodology is based on a sequence of tests, aimed at assessing the usability of the device and at meeting the real needs of the unskilled people. In fact, the system has been evaluated by a group of healthy and unskilled people, by comparing the analysis of the tracking results. The authors have used the results of the tests to define guidelines about the device and its applications, switching from the concept of “test the device on unskilled people” to the concept of “testing the device with unskilled people.”
Voice/Speech Recognition Software
Authors: Kitchenham Andrew , Bowes Doug
Published: August 2013

In this chapter, the authors discuss the promise of speech or voice recognition software and provide practical suggestions for the teacher or any stakeholder working with a disabled child. The authors begin the chapter with a brief overview of the legislation mandating the accommodation of special needs students in the classroom and discuss the implications of assistive technology. The authors then move on to an examination of the promise of the software. The authors end the chapter with practical ideas for implementation should the caregiver believe that voice recognition software will assist the disabled child in the learning process.
Features of Gaze Control Systems
Authors: Donegan Mick
Published: August 2013

Severely disabled people will often spend a significant part of their waking day using gaze control. Technology has a positive impact on many areas of their life. What simple features do people who have severe and complex disabilities need to use gaze control technology? In this chapter, we consider features that are enhancing the effective use of this innovative and rapidly growing method of computer control. It also provides practical hints in finding and choosing the best gaze control system for each individual.
On the Use of Speech Technologies to Achieve Inclusive Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Pérez Pérez Ana , Callejas Carrión Zoraida , López-Cózar Delgado Ramón , Griol Barres David
Published: August 2013

New technologies have demonstrated a great potential to improve the social, labour, and educational integration of people with special needs. That is why there is a special interest of academia and industry to develop tools to assist this people, improving their autonomy and quality of life. Usually, intellectual disabilities are linked with speech and language disorders. In this chapter, the authors present a review on the efforts directed towards designing and developing speech technologies adapted to people with intellectual disabilities. Also, they describe the work they have conducted to study how to gather speech resources, which can be used to build speech-based systems that help them to communicate more effectively.
Improving Cognitive Load on Students with Disabilities through Software Aids
Authors: Crespo Rubén González , Martíne Oscar Sanjuán , Lovelle Juan Manuel Cueva , García-Bustelo B. Cristina Pelayo , Díaz Vicente García , Ordoñez de Pablos Patricia
Published: August 2013

This chapter proposes a new way to improve the cognitive load and construction of e-learning environments making them more usable and accessible using emerging design. This causes a significant improvement in cognitive load. Accessibility within the area of Web applications, is actually present in different laws of many countries, trying that information could be used for everyone. This objective is limited when you are dealing with severe disabilities. An example of this is people with hearing disabilities who have never hear or speak. To solve these problems the authors propose a platform that brings a complete solution to accessibility.
Criteria of Development of Adaptive Didactic Games for People with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Delgado Eduardo César Contreras , González Isis Ivette Contreras
Published: August 2013

Children with intellectual disability have a diminished ability of social intelligence; thus, it is necessary to develop abilities in the area “use of the community” in order to suitably use these resources. An educative alternative is the use of didactic games in order to instruct disabled people. The approach used in this chapter is to propose criteria to developing games for people with intellectual disability. The authors use prototypes of games like for example to describe the proposed criteria applied in the areas of development and the situations of learning towards which the game focuses, in order to obtain the learning, as it is the intention of the game. The result that is expected is to enable these players so that they are self-sufficient to obtain inclusion of these vulnerable groups to the social surroundings. Concluding the chapter is a proposal for the development of a formal game by a company that could commercialize it and make it available for the targeted community.