Number Skills Mobile Application for Down Syndrome Children

Studies found that learning number skills seems to be more difficult for Down Syndrome (DS) children compared to reading skills. They need personalized learning in numbers due to their slower pace of learning. Unfortunately, there is limited theory to guide DS children to learn and master in mathematics. Besides that, with the advancement of technology, the learning style of special children has been improved from time to time from the paper and pen method, to the use of computer application such as courseware, and the latest technology is mobile application in smart phones and tablets. But, as for now, there is no personalized mathematics learning mobile application for DS children. To address this problem, the aim of this project is to develop a mobile application on learning the basic numbers for Down Syndrome children, with the objective of identifying the suitable learning theory to be used in developing numeracy conceptual framework for them. The other objective is to evaluate the user acceptance on the developed mobile application at the last phase of the project development. The study will be focusing on the Down Syndrome children with moderate level of IQ who are learning to recognize basic numbers. In this project, the method used to achieve the objectives is Rapid Application Development (RAD). The phase of requirement planning was done through interview, research and literature review study on gathering information about Down Syndrome, learning theories and the suitable development platform for the application. For user design phase, the suitable learning theory has been designed, the draft as well as the flow of suitable user-interface has been created. The construction part involved activities of developing and validating the mobile application, and user acceptance test. Lastly, after conducted a user testing to DS children who have different level of IQ, the result shows that the mobile application is really suitable for DS children who have moderate level IQ as stated in the scope before. This is because it is able to assist them in understanding basic numbers through the process of learning mathematics based on the learning theory included in the application learning style

The Antagonistic Anatomy of Anti-shippers: A Thematic Analysis

Within the transformative fandom community is an ideologically-affiliated group known as anti-shippers, whose rhetoric contends that fictional interests are an indication of those held in reality. Anti-shippers focus solely on fictional material perceived to be sexual in nature and make frequent references to pedophilia. This rhetoric is used to justify harassment against individuals who do not share in their beliefs. As this population primarily operates on social media, this study was designed to conduct an exploratory investigation into themes gleaned from posts authored by anti-shippers on Twitter. Utilizing latent content analysis, a total of 187 posts from 222 unique users were evaluated, resulting in the identification of 19 themes. Anti-shippers were found to operate from an antagonistic in-group versus out-group position. Several topical themes, such as incest, pedophilia, and sexual grooming were observed. Additionally, anti-shippers exhibited a number of behavioral themes, to include hypervigilance, harassment, and preoccupation, while themes regarding beliefs and values, particularly disgust and morality were also noted. Though further research is required, these themes indicate a troubling pattern, suggesting that anti-shippers present a risk to the transformative fandom community, its members, and themselves

Number Skills Mobile Application for Down Syndrome Children

Studies found that learning number skills seems to be more difficult for Down Syndrome (DS) children compared to reading skills. They need personalized learning in numbers due to their slower pace of learning. Unfortunately, there is limited theory to guide DS children to learn and master in mathematics. Besides that, with the advancement of technology, the learning style of special children has been improved from time to time from the paper and pen method, to the use of computer application such as courseware, and the latest technology is mobile application in smart phones and tablets. But, as for now, there is no personalized mathematics learning mobile application for DS children. To address this problem, the aim of this project is to develop a mobile application on learning the basic numbers for Down Syndrome children, with the objective of identifying the suitable learning theory to be used in developing numeracy conceptual framework for them. The other objective is to evaluate the user acceptance on the developed mobile application at the last phase of the project development. The study will be focusing on the Down Syndrome children with moderate level of IQ who are learning to recognize basic numbers. In this project, the method used to achieve the objectives is Rapid Application Development (RAD). The phase of requirement planning was done through interview, research and literature review study on gathering information about Down Syndrome, learning theories and the suitable development platform for the application. For user design phase, the suitable learning theory has been designed, the draft as well as the flow of suitable user-interface has been created. The construction part involved activities of developing and validating the mobile application, and user acceptance test. Lastly, after conducted a user testing to DS children who have different level of IQ, the result shows that the mobile application is really suitable for DS children who have moderate level IQ as stated in the scope before. This is because it is able to assist them in understanding basic numbers through the process of learning mathematics based on the learning theory included in the application learning style

Disabling seclusion: an integrated job empowerment and skills development centre for persons with intellectual disabilities

This document is submitted in partial fullfilment for the degree: Master of Architecture [Professional] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2015.People with intellectual disabilities are considered to be marginalised in our society. They continue to face prejudices, stigmas and are discriminated against resulting in social exclusion. This thesis develops a framework and methodology for pursuing inclusive environments and viable productivity within the workplace for persons with intellectual disabilities. The lack of opportunities within the workplace for individuals with intellectual disabilities intensi es their exclusion from society. The road to achieving inclusivity within the workplace has become a challenging one to navigate, as previous strategies which were developed to enable equality are far removed from what was intended. More often than ever before, employers are challenged from both a legal and political perspective for failing to diversify the workplace. Equality advocates as well as those who attempt to diversify their companies face obstacles within the workplace, namely inadequate resources or uncertainty about their appropriate role or approach in dealing with minorities. The building will serve as a learning hub, used by both persons with intellectual disabilities and people who are commonly referred to as able bodied. It will function as a level between education (if any) and the period before entering the workplace. The learning hub will afford persons with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to explore their capabilities in environments similar to that of a workplace and gain knowledge and experience prior to entering the workplace. The program envisaged in this thesis will demonstrate that this intervention is mutually bene cial to a company and the individual with an intellectual disability. In the first instance, the employer acquires knowledge and skills to act as a catalyst in enabling the transition of a person with an intellectual disability into the workplace to augment inclusivity. Secondly, the person with an intellectual disability through the program will be clothed with knowledge and expertise enabling meaningful participation amongst able-bodied employees. The transformation within workplaces as a result of the knowledge gained through this centre should create an enabling environment that incorporates the individual’s needs or one that best satis es their needs. The support by the employer is vital in the outcome and success of integrating people with disabilities into the social framework. The building is developed around a range of interactive programs between those with intellectual disabilities and people acting as the supervisors from workplaces. The supervisors, through training will be best placed to oversee progression and be empathetic toward staff with intellectual disabilities. This will enable them to transfer their knowledge and expertise of dealing with and accommodating employees with intellectual disabilities to their respective workplaces. A mock work environment will form the basis of the experiential training ground and in conjunction with job sampling will establish where a user will be best suited within the work environment. Public facilities encourage members of the public to become active participants within the space providing exposure and understanding towards those with intellectual disabilities. The centre is expected to be both accessible and lasting and will mediate experiential training and aligning it to workplace practices. The centre will be a vital space to enhance inclusion and for producing sustainable change for this marginalised group of persons. The building is located within an educational precinct on Melle Street, Braamfontein. The site which is in close proximity to the Central Business District allows for the centre to feed into businesses and vice versa. The location also allows for easy access to people from all over Johannesburg utilising various transport methods. The site being amid universities and schools ensures integration and optimum use, for educational facilities to link into this program. It also allows for social cohesion through exposure between the users of the building and other students in the surrounding area.EM201

Oral Contraceptive Androgenicity and Cognitive Performance Among Women

Oral contraceptives (OCs) may lower endogenous sex hormones while introducing synthetic progestins with varying degrees of biological androgenicity or masculinizing effects. No study has examined the relationship between OC androgenicity and female performance on visuospatial (i.e., line orientation, matrix reasoning), verbal (i.e., word memory, analogical reasoning) and facial expression processing (i.e., emotion recognition, emotion intensity differentiation). We hypothesized a positive relationship between androgen status and line orientation, matrix reasoning and analogical reasoning performance and a negative relationship between androgen status and word memory, emotion recognition and emotion intensity differentiation. One hundred seventy nine females (82.1% Caucasian) ages 15-21 from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort were assigned to groups based on the androgenicity of their OC progestins: "highly androgenic” (Levonorgestrel), “androgenic” (Norethindrone), “antiandrogenic” (Drospirenone) and controls. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that composite emotion recognition performance was significantly different among groups F(6,348) = 2.23, p < .05; Wilk's Λ = 0.927, partial η2 =.037. Univariate one-way analyses of variance revealed marginally significant emotion recognition (p = .107, partial η2 =.034) and emotion intensity differentiation (p = .064, partial η2 =.040) among groups. Tukey’s post hoc tests revealed that “highly androgenic” OC users (M = 81.85, SD = 8.21) outperformed controls (M = 77.05, SD = 8.25) on emotion intensity differentiation. There were no differences in line orientation, matrix reasoning, word memory, analogical reasoning, anger recognition or anger intensity differentiation. Findings suggest that some aspects of facial expression processing (i.e., emotion intensity) may be more sensitive to sex hormone changes than others (i.e., emotion recognition). Emotion intensity differentiation patterns suggest that OCs may not exert clinically meaningful androgenic effects on cognition.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201

Smells, well-being and the built environment

In this Research Topic, we aimed to collect a range of contributions to understand the emotional and wellbeing responses resulting from smells in different public spaces (museums, highstreets, heritage buildings, food districts, neighborhoods, squares, etc.) to inform future spatial design and management. The articles in this Research Topic are presented according to three types of contributions: reviews and conceptual analyses, empirical research in fieldwork, in laboratory studies and technological applications. Reviews and Conceptual Analyses Xiao et al. reviewed smellscape research studies conducted in the past 10 years to identify the challenges and related areas of future research, namely smell archives and databases, social justice within odor control and management, and research into advanced building materials. Spence reviewed the changing role of smells in the built environment from negative associations with sanitation to meaningful personal and cultural associations with memories and experiences which led to an evaluation of different approaches in examining the impact of smells on people's mood or wellbeing and the challenges of researching smells in the multi-sensory environment. Moving from the sick building sydrome to sick transport sydrome, Spence further reviewed the smells in transport environments as aesthetic and functional, and suggests challenges for future transportation to produce a more tangible vision to integrate smells in the design process to achieve the right balance of olfactory stimulation. Looking backwards to scented past, Bembibre and Strlič make the case for the need of knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary interpretation of findings in the field of olfactory heritage, providing an overview of methodological and museal studies as well as challenges associated with historical scent reconstruction. Empirical Research - Fieldwork Pálsdóttir et al. carried out a field study with participants suffering from stress-related mental disorders and explored how they would describe their smellscape perception of a garden in the context of a nature-based rehabilitation intervention. In a different field study, de Groot investigated whether ambient scents could affect customers' subjective experience and spending behavior in an experiment with customers of a second-hand clothing store. The author concluded that for that to happen, the smellscape should have a meaningful link to the physical context. Masaoka et al. present the results of a study conducted to examine whether continuous odor stimuli associated with autobiographical memories could activate olfactory areas in the brain of older adults and assess whether this odor stimulation could have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. Empirical Research - Laboratory Studies and Technological Applications Masaoka et al. investigated the potential protective effect from age-related cognitive decline of continuous odor stimuli associated with autobiographical memories and whether those could activate the above olfactory areas in older adults. Jiang et al. used blood pressure, pulse rate, EEG, POMS, and SD data to examine the odor-visual effects of the Primula forbesii Franch compared with the non-fragrant Primula malacoides Franch on the physiological and psychological state of Chinese female college students in the indoor environment. Courrèges et al. examined the correlations between odor and texture in users' perceptions of cosmetic creams cross-culturally, in laboratory conditions, using questionnaires, minimizing the impacts of branded messages from the packing and retail spaces. Amores et al. discussed the design and technical implementation of Essence- a smartphone-controlled wearable device that monitors users' EEG and real-time sleep staging algorithm to release scents to interact with users- in home-based sleep environments. The articles included in this Research Topic represent a nice balance between the theoretical reviews, empirical studies and laboratory research, showing the vibrance and dynamic in this research field as well as new technological developments such as extended reality, emotional sensors (i.e. EEG, GSR) and odor monitoring devices. New insights are drawn into the theoretical frameworks to understand relationships between smells, wellbeing and emotions, behaviors and physiological aspects; methodological approaches to measure smell triggered emotions, experiences, and quality of life; practical explorations on the process and challenges of using smells to influence user experiences in the built environment

Physical and Mental Coordination in the Elderly: A Causal Role for the Cerebellum?

The mechanisms underlying the progressive changes in tissues and organs that characterise normal ageing remain unclear. The cerebellum is known to play a major role in motor function, but recent research suggests it plays an equivalent role in cognition. Working with the hypothesis that cortico-cerebellar loops ensure smooth and coordinated activity in both domains, this thesis investigates the possible role of the cerebellum in normal ageing and in interventions to improve function, seeking to contribute to both theoretical and applied approaches to ageing. Study one investigated relationships between motor and cognitive function using raw data from a national normative sample of adults aged 16 to 75, employing a test battery assessing motor and cognitive skills. Differences between age groups were demonstrated in some tests of complex processing speed, working memory and executive function, with suggestive evidence that senescence in tests is reflected in tests sensitive to cerebellar function. Study two refined the battery, while including further measures of motor and memory performance to investigate linkages between cognitive and cerebellar function. Using a sample of 256 older adults, results were variable but provided evidence that pegboard performance could act as a predictor of some cognitive functions. Study three investigated a proactive intervention for healthy older adults designed to improve cerebellar function, and therefore balance and executive function. This involved an 8-10 week self-administered, internet-based coordinative exercise intervention using a ‘cerebellar challenge’ suite of graded activities. Performance on a basket of tests was assessed before and after, and also compared with performance changes in a no-intervention control group. Significantly greater benefits for the intervention group than the controls were found for balance physical coordination and controlled information processing. Overall, these studies support current research indicating cerebellar contribution to both cognitive and motor problems arising in old age, and present evidence that non-verbal memory and controlled speeded information problems may be alleviated through targeted activities affecting cerebellar function improving postural stability and physical coordination

Towards simultaneous electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy for improving diagnostic accuracy in prolonged disorders of consciousness: a healthy cohort study

Qualitative clinical assessments of the recovery of awareness after severe brain injury require an assessor to differentiate purposeful behaviour from spontaneous behaviour. As many such behaviours are minimal and inconsistent, behavioural assessments are susceptible to diagnostic errors. Advanced neuroimaging tools such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography (EEG) can bypass behavioural responsiveness and reveal evidence of covert awareness and cognition within the brains of some patients, thus providing a means for more accurate diagnoses, more accurate prognoses, and, in some instances, facilitated communication. As each individual neuroimaging method has its own advantages and disadvantages (e.g., signal resolution, accessibility, etc.), this thesis studies on healthy individuals a burgeoning technique of non-invasive electrical and optical neuroimaging—simultaneous EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)—that can be applied at the bedside. Measuring reliable covert behaviours is correlated with participant engagement, instrumental sensitivity and the accurate localisation of responses, aspects which are further addressed over three studies. Experiment 1 quantifies the typical EEG changes in response to covert commands in the absence and presence of an object. This is investigated to determine whether a goal-directed task can yield greater EEG control accuracy over simple monotonous imagined single-joint actions. Experiment 2 characterises frequency domain NIRS changes in response to overt and covert hand movements. A method for reconstructing haemodynamics using the less frequently investigated phase parameter is outlined and the impact of noise contaminated NIRS measurements are discussed. Furthermore, classification performances between frequency-domain and continuous-wave-like signals are compared. Experiment 3 lastly applies these techniques to determine the potential of simultaneous EEG-fNIRS classification. Here a sparse channel montage that would ultimately favour clinical utility is used to demonstrate whether such a hybrid method containing rich spatial and temporal information can improve the classification of covert responses in comparison to unimodal classification of signals. The findings and discussions presented within this thesis identify a direction for future research in order to more accurately translate the brain state of patients with a prolonged disorder of consciousness

The role of non-invasive camera technology for gait analysis in patients with vestibular disorders

Purpose of the study Current balance assessments performed in clinical settings do not provide objective measurements of gait. Further, objective gait analysis typically requires expensive, large and dedicated laboratory facilities. The aim of this pilot study was to develop and assess a low-cost, non-invasive camera technology for gait analysis, to assist the clinical assessment of patients with vestibular disorders. Materials and methods used This is a prospective, case-controlled study that was developed jointly by the local Neurotology Department and the Centre for Sports Engineering Research. Eligible participants were approached and recruited at the local Neurotology Clinic. The gait assessment included two repetitions of a straight 7-metre walk. The gait analysis system, comprised of a camera (P3215-V, Axis Communications, Sweden) and analysis software was installed in an appropriately sized clinic room. Parameters extruded were walking velocity, step velocity, step length, cadence and step count per meter. The effect sizes (ESB) were calculated using the MatLab and were considered large, medium or small if >0.8, 0.5 and 0.2 respectively. This study was granted ethical approval by the Coventry and Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee (15/WM/0448). Results Six patients with vestibular dysfunction (P group) and six age-matched healthy volunteers (V group) were recruited in this study. The average velocity of gait for P group was 1189.1 ± 69.0 mm·s-1 whereas for V group it was 1351.4 ± 179.2 mm·s-1, (ESB: -0.91). The mean step velocities were 1353.1 ± 591.8 mm·s-1 and 1434.0 ± 396.5 mm·s-1 for P and V groups respectively (ESB: -0.20). The average cadence was 2.3 ± 0.9 Hz and 2.0 ± 0.5 Hz for P and V groups respectively (ESB: 0.60). The mean step length was 620.5 ± 150.7 mm for the P group and 728.5 ± 86.0 mm for the V group (ESB = -1.26). The average step count per meter was 1.7 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.1 for P and V groups respectively (ESB = 3.38). Conclusion This pilot study used a low-cost, non-invasive camera technology to identify changes in gait characteristics. Further, gait measurements were obtained without the application of markers or sensors to patients (i.e. non-invasive), thus allowing current, clinical practice to be supplemented by objective measurement, with minimal procedural impact. Further work needs to be undertaken to refine the device and produce normative data. In the future, similar technologies could be used in the community setting, providing an excellent diagnostic and monitoring tool for balance patients

The Expression and Enactment of Interest and Curiosity in a Multiple Source Use Task

Selecting and incorporating multiple text and non-text sources is an academic task that has been identified as both commonplace and challenging for undergraduate students. Although the term digital natives is frequently used to describe students of this generation, the degree to which undergraduate students prefer or effectively use digital as compared to print sources has been relatively unaddressed. Additionally, although individual differences such as knowledge have been identified as important for multiple source use and comprehension, the role of motivational variables has been under-examined and has focused on source use within a single medium (i.e., digital or print). This study investigated the role of two motivational variables, interest and curiosity. It examined the degree to which the confluence of these motivational variables in conjunction with knowledge predicted source selection, source use, and task performance when students were provided with multiple print and digital sources. Undergraduate students wore a head-mounted videocamera as they developed a PowerPoint presentation on Alzheimer's disease based on 16 available resources (8 print and 8 digital). Follow-up interviews were conducted to determine the degree to which interest and curiosity influenced students' selection and use of sources. Measures of topic knowledge, topic interest, and epistemic trait curiosity were assessed a priori. A coding scheme for capturing use of print and digital sources was developed for the purpose of this study. Differences across source medium and source type (e.g., textbook, image) were evident. Although students exhibited preferences for selecting several types of sources in a digital format, they spent twice as long using print sources, incorporated more print sources into their presentations, and developed more inferences based on print sources. Students with more knowledge, interest, and curiosity spent more time using print sources but less time using digital sources. Further, students' presentations revealed a tendency to replicate material from sources rather than to draw inferences, make conclusions, or integrate material across sources. Findings suggest the tendency for undergraduate students to focus their processes on the management of information rather source integration particularly when using digital compared to print sources