Influence of affective image content on subjective quality assessment

Image quality assessment (IQA) enables distortions introduced into an image (e.g., through lossy compression or broadcast) to be measured and evaluated for severity. It is unclear to what degree affective image content may influence this process. In this study, participants (n=25) were found to be unable to disentangle affective image content from objective image quality in a standard IQA procedure (single stimulus numerical categorical scale). We propose that this issue is worthy of consideration, particularly in single stimulus IQA techniques, in which a small number of handpicked images, not necessarily representative of the gamut of affect seen in true broadcasting, and unrated for affective content, serve as stimuli

EMDR Effects on Pursuit Eye Movements

This study aimed to objectivize the quality of smooth pursuit eye movements in a standard laboratory task before and after an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) session run on seven healthy volunteers. EMDR was applied on autobiographic worries causing moderate distress. The EMDR session was complete in 5 out of the 7 cases; distress measured by SUDS (Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale) decreased to a near zero value. Smooth pursuit eye movements were recorded by an Eyelink II video system before and after EMDR. For the five complete sessions, pursuit eye movement improved after their EMDR session. Notably, the number of saccade intrusions—catch-up saccades (CUS)—decreased and, reciprocally, there was an increase in the smooth components of the pursuit. Such an increase in the smoothness of the pursuit presumably reflects an improvement in the use of visual attention needed to follow the target accurately. Perhaps EMDR reduces distress thereby activating a cholinergic effect known to improve ocular pursuit

Behavioural interventions to treat anxiety in adults with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: The BEAMS ‐ ID feasibility study

Background: The aim of this feasibility study was to adapt and model a behavioural intervention for anxiety with autistic adults with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Method: Twenty‐eight autistic adults with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities, 37 carers, and 40 therapists took part in this single‐group non‐randomised feasibility study designed to test intervention feasibility and acceptability, outcome measures, and research processes. Results: The intervention was judged as feasible and acceptable by autistic adults with intellectual disabilities, carers, and therapists. Minor intervention revisions were suggested. Carers completed 100% of outcome measures and the missing data rate was low. Complying with legislation governing the inclusion of participants who lack capacity to decide whether they wanted to take part in this study led to an average 5‐week enrolment delay. Conclusion: The intervention and associated study processes were judged to be feasible and acceptable and should now be tested within a larger randomised trial

Psychometric properties of the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation‐Learning Disabilities 30‐Item (CORE‐LD30)

Background There is paucity in availability of valid and reliable measures of psychopathology that can be routinely applied with an ID population in clinical practice. The psychometric properties of the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation-Learning Disabilities 30-Item version (CORE-LD30) are examined. Method The CORE-LD30 was administered to 271 sequential referrals to three NHS ID services providing psychological support. A Principal Components Analysis with oblique rotation was conducted with examination of convergent validity for extracted domains. Results Three rotated factors were extracted with good levels of internal consistency reported for the overall measure (α=.92) and each of the domains, conceptually labelled Problems/Symptoms (PS; α=.90), Risk to Self (RS; α=.76) and Risk to Others (RO; α=.71). Convergent validity is reported for two domains (PS with the GDS-LD, and RO with the HoNOS-LD), and support for the CORE-LD30 as a ‘core’ measure indicated. Conclusion The CORE-LD30 is recommended as a useful broad ranging measure of psychopathology for use with an ID population. Domains may prove to be useful for research and clinical purposes. Further research is recommended to examine the ability to monitor clinical change associated with specific levels of presentation and different clinical presentations/cohorts

Bibliography of publications, reports and conference presentations by staff of and consultants to the Supervising Scientist 1978-June 2000

Made available by the Northern Territory Library via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).Date:2000-0

Online training more attractive than traditional...: A challenge at risk

This paper summarises a number of projects all concerned with university students' use of institutional ICT facilities. In each case I note a discrepancy between the stated expectations of educational policy makers and technology architects. Together the cases discussed suggest that much more research is needed to understand established cultures of learning if new technologies are to be interfaced productively with a resilient status quo.Cet article résume plusieurs projets concernant l'usage par des étudiants de ressources informatiques universitaires. Dans chaque cas, nous observons une discordance entre les attentes affichées par les décideurs des politiques éducatives et celles des architectes de la technologie. L'ensemble des cas discutés suggère que bien plus de recherches est nécessaire pour comprendre les cultures établies de l'apprentissage si les nouvelles technologies doivent y être introduites de façon productive dans un milieu réactif