Application of Haddon’s matrix in qualitative research methodology: an experience in burns epidemiology

Background: Little has been done to investigate the application of injury specific qualitative research methods in the field of burn injuries. The aim of this study was to use an analytical tool (Haddon’s matrix) through qualitative research methods to better understand people’s perceptions about burn injuries. Methods: This study applied Haddon’s matrix as a framework and an analytical tool for a qualitative research methodology in burn research. Both child and adult burn injury victims were enrolled into a qualitative study conducted using focus group discussion. Haddon’s matrix was used to develop an interview guide and also through the analysis phase. Results: The main analysis clusters were pre-event level/human (including risky behaviors, belief and cultural factors, and knowledge and education), pre-event level/object, pre-event phase/environment and event and post-event phase (including fire control, emergency scald and burn wound management, traditional remedies, medical consultation, and severity indicators). This research gave rise to results that are possibly useful both for future injury research and for designing burn injury prevention plans. Conclusion: Haddon’s matrix is applicable in a qualitative research methodology both at data collection and data analysis phases. The study using Haddon’s matrix through a qualitative research methodology yielded substantially rich information regarding burn injuries that may possibly be useful for prevention or future quantitative research

Dealing with mobility: Understanding access anytime, anywhere

The rapid and accelerating move towards the adoption and use of mobile technologies has increasingly provided people and organisations with the ability to work away from the office and on the move. The new ways of working afforded by these technologies are often characterised in terms of access to information and people ‘anytime, anywhere’. This paper presents a study of mobile workers that highlights different facets of access to remote people and information, and different facets of anytime, anywhere. Four key factors in mobile work are identified from the study: the role of planning, working in ‘dead time’, accessing remote technological and informational resources, and monitoring the activities of remote colleagues. By reflecting on these issues, we can better understand the role of technology and artefact use in mobile work and identify the opportunities for the development of appropriate technological solutions to support mobile workers

A case of implementing RFID-based real-time shop-floor material management for household electrical appliance manufacturers

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies provide automatic and accurate object data capturing capability and enable real-time object visibility and traceability. Potential benefits have been widely reported for improving manufacturing shop-floor management. However, reports on how such potentials come true in real-life shop-floor daily operations are very limited. As a result, skeptics overwhelm enthusiasm. This paper contributes to the re-vitalization of RFID efforts in manufacturing industries by presenting a real-life case study of applying RFID for managing material distribution in a complex assembly shop-floor at a large air conditioner manufacturer. The case study discusses how technical, social and organizational issues have been addressed throughout the project within the company. It is hoped that insights and lessons gained be generalized for future efforts across household electrical appliance manufacturers that share similar shop-floor. © 2010 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Universal Mobile Application Development (UMAD) On Home Automation

At present scenario the market is flooded with many cell phones compatibility issues intended with Operating System and hardware's, so the applications are not made in a manner to suite large mass. Till now the applications made were targeted to a particular Operating System only which restricted there usability. With the limitations of above in mind there is a need of a universal mobile application development (UMAD) platform. So that an application can be developed in a universal XML format which can be easily ported to any other mobile devices.  This paper presents the design and implementation of the Home automation system on one of the Operating System and creation of a unique XML document that can be placed over the server which can be adapted by any other mobile device without any platform issues. The XML format which controls the layout of the screen remains common, only the part which needs to be coded on every platform is the downloading of the XML file from the server and parsing it. This reduces a lot of coding effort as the design part is coded only once, and the same file can be used by every other platform. We have taken Home Automation system as our application, in which all the household devices such as Bulb, Fan, AC etc. all are controlled by a smartphone which is connected to a server containing the XML file via an internet connection. Every change made by the user on the smartphone affects the data in the XML file of server, which thus helps in continuous updating of data and all other users get an updated Graphical User Interface. We have taken Home Automation as one of our application, but the same principle can be implemented in any other applications like Mobile Themes, Games etc. Keywords: Android, Hardware Modulator, Home Automation, iOS, UMAD, Universal Mobile Application, XML

TechNews digests: Jan - Nov 2006

TechNews is a technology, news and analysis service aimed at anyone in the education sector keen to stay informed about technology developments, trends and issues. TechNews focuses on emerging technologies and other technology news. TechNews service : digests september 2004 till May 2010 Analysis pieces and News combined publish every 2 to 3 month

Horizon Report 2009

El informe anual Horizon investiga, identifica y clasifica las tecnologías emergentes que los expertos que lo elaboran prevén tendrán un impacto en la enseñanza aprendizaje, la investigación y la producción creativa en el contexto educativo de la enseñanza superior. También estudia las tendencias clave que permiten prever el uso que se hará de las mismas y los retos que ellos suponen para las aulas. Cada edición identifica seis tecnologías o prácticas. Dos cuyo uso se prevé emergerá en un futuro inmediato (un año o menos) dos que emergerán a medio plazo (en dos o tres años) y dos previstas a más largo plazo (5 años)

Design and Implementation of a Short Message Service Based Remote Controller

Safeguarding our home appliances has become an issue when dealing with an advancement and growth of an economy. This research focuses on the controlling of home appliances remotely when the user is away from the house. The system is Short Message Service (SMS) based and uses wireless technology to revolutionize the standards of living. It provides ideal solution to certain problems faced by home owners in daily life. Due to its wireless nature, it is more adaptable and cost-effective. The research is divided into two sections; the hardware and the software sections. The hardware section consists of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) modem module, The Control module, the Appliance module, the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module and the power supply module. The GSM modem receives the message sent by the person who wishes to operate any of the connected appliances, it then forwards it to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller decodes the message, switches on or switches off the appropriate appliance, updates the LCD and sends a feedback to the mobile phone via the GSM modem. Overall, the work employs The ATmega16 microcontroller, relays, a programmer to program the microcontroller, a mobile phones and a GSM modem. The AT commands is used to handle communication between the modem and the ATmega16 microcontroller. Flow code is used for the programming of the microcontroller. The overall work was implemented with a constructed work, tested working and perfectly functional.Keywords: Short Message Service, Global System for Mobile Communications, Remote Control, Electronic Circuit Design

Daddy, I know what the story means — now, I just need help with the words

This article describes a single instance of literacy learning involving the author and his two daughters, and provides a demonstration of how this literacy event can be unpacked both theoretically and practically in a way that a reflective practitioner could do. The aim of this article is to stimulate some reflective thinking and start some new conversations about what theoretical assumptions should drive reading instruction in the 21st century

Home-Automation System

Nuestro proyecto trata de obtener un sistema centralizado para el manejo y monitorización de un conjunto de aparatos eléctricos del hogar, tales como luces, cámaras, sensores, y otros aparatos mediante una aplicación para dispositivos móviles Android. También se facilita una herramienta web para administrar dichos aparatos. Nuestro sistema da soporte al manejo individual y manual de estos aparatos, por ejemplo encender una lámpara, así como la posibilidad de incluir programas que se ejecuten a una determinada hora, y con una determinada recurrencia. Por ejemplo, se puede programar el encendido de una luz todos los días a las 20:00. Además, también se pueden crear reglas que, dado una determinada situación, realicen una serie de acciones. Por ejemplo, si se detecta que la luminosidad baja de cierto valor (detectado mediante un sensor de luz), se encienda una lámpara. Para conseguir esto se ha realizado una aplicación centralizada, a modo de servidor, que se comunica con los aparatos eléctricos mediante diferentes protocolos de comunicación, así como con el dispositivo móvil Android, y una aplicación web administrativa, a través de un portal de servicios web