Interaction Space: How can interaction spaces be described to help the design of Experience Labs

A number of projects which have been undertaken by the Experience Labs illustrate the potential role a ‘technology’ can have in interpreting and facilitating interaction between humans. Project briefs are simplified to focus on the interactive element. Diagrams below show a proposed solution-space or a combination of proposals within a project. Generally the problem-space in these projects exists without a form of technology. The Experience Labs are creating the environment for people to articulate experiences of the current interaction space as well as help them understand the effect of proposed new technologies. The Experience Labs help to unpick the ‘conversation unfolding’ with a goal to come to intuitive and engaging interaction spaces

Touchscreen thimbles: Enabling intuitive interaction

We are interested in the challenge that the ever- increasing use of capacitive touchscreens represent. This is because they rely on the electrical properties of the human skin, which changes over time, often becoming less conductive with age. So, we consider the potentially increasing problem this would represent, with a layered model of skin interactions, as a frame from which to conceptualise different classes of approaches and better understand the design requirements. Conscious of the need to retain a sense of touch, rather than a stylus with a conductive tip or gloves with conductive finger tips, we then propose suitable thimbles for touchscreens. We conceptualised a touchscreen thimble to be worn on the body that would maintain a sense of touch. So it would be a pros-palliare, rather than a prosthesis. Developing a proof of concept prototype consisting of a rigid base combined with a conductive fabric for the finger tip, to address the limitations we observed with existing approaches. We conclude by considering the wider potential of our idea in designing a preferable future for touchscreen use. Including, the potential for multiple touchscreen thimbles to be worn simultaneously to support multi-touch gestures, and for them to be worn as an enhancement for able-bodied users

Designing in Rural Highland Contexts: Exploring the Role of Technology in Facilitating Human Connections

There is a need when introducing new technology in health and social care settings to involve those who will use the technology, or be affected by it, at an early stage of the design process. Experience Labs employ a participatory approach for different stakeholders to share lived experiences, and collaboratively create ideas and solutions for health and social care challenges. The Labs serve the whole of Scotland, including the remote Highland areas, and are designed bespoke to the project goal and context. In this paper, we propose that the participatory approach of the Experience Labs provides a valuable space for collaboration to explore the potential and impact of supportive technology in rural communities. Initial findings suggest that participating in Experience Labs leads to a better understanding of communities of care as established by individuals and support structures in place, and how these can be mediated by technology. We conclude that the introduction of technology in these rural Highland communities of care needs to support existing networks, unique to each community, and consider the impact on changing existing structures

Insole : Project Report

The ‘insole device’ is a novel biomedical device to measure gait and balance for extended periods to support the assessment of the risk of falls in the elderly. This project was proposed by Principal Investigator Prof Lynne Baillie and Research Associate Dr Philip Smit, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), and accepted by the Digital Health & Care Institute as Experience Labs, which took place in February and July 2015. Prior to the Experience Labs, interviews were conducted with Margaret Anderson, NHS lead for Falls Acute and Community, and Professor Dawn Skelton, renowned expert in falls at GCU. The interviews provided insights into the falls process, which shaped the sessions in the Labs. In the Labs, a design-led approach was applied to explore the potential of the insole device and generate a pool of user experiences, needs and wishes. In Experience Lab 1, participants were invited to describe their experience of the falls process after having a fall or from a professional perspective. The Lab captured different referral pathways in the falls process; the activities done at each referral; the prior information available; the output of the session; and how the insole device was perceived to have a potential role in the process. The findings of the first Lab were used to develop realistic scenarios for the proposed use of the insole device. In Experience Lab 2, participants were asked to reflect on these scenarios. Three scenarios were presented in video format, each capturing unique elements of the pool of user experiences, needs and wishes. The outputs from the Labs included audio, photos, videos and field notes which were analysed for emerging themes. The findings of the Labs provide insights on the potential use of an insole device in a falls clinic assessment as well as requirements for use in daily life. The findings show a need for the insole to complement a physiotherapist’s expertise in full-body assessment. Proposed data representation elements are: 1) alignment with current balance and gait indicators, 2) presenting a ‘norm’ for each individual, and 3) a dynamic live view for interpretation during assessment activities

LED

The “LED-based indoor tracking of people living with dementia” project proposes a novel device that uses LED lighting to convey position information indoors of people living with dementia. This project was proposed by Dr. Sinan Sinanovic, Senior Lecturer from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), and accepted by the Digital Health and Care Institute as Experience Labs, which took place in February and June 2015. The co-Principal Investigators in the project were Dr Roberto Ramirez-Iniguez, Dr Lynne Baillie and Dr Wasiu Popoola. The Experience Labs, by using a design-led approach, provided the opportunity to explore the full potential of the LED-based indoor tracking device, and generated a pool of user experiences, needs and wishes. Prior to the Experience Labs, interviews were conducted with Andrew Lowndes, Research Fellow at GCU with extensive experience in care for older people living with dementia, and Gillian Constable, social work expert. The interviews provided insights into the experience of dementia, which shaped the following Labs. In Experience Lab 1, participants were invited to express their experiences of living with dementia and (large) indoor environments, as well as their opinions on being tracked and wearing a sensor device. The findings from the first lab were used to develop realistic scenarios depicting proposed uses of the tracking device. In Experience Lab 2, participants were asked to reflect upon these scenarios. Three scenarios were presented in video format, each capturing unique elements of the pool of user experiences, needs and wishes. The outputs from the Labs included audio, photos, videos and field notes which were analysed for emerging themes. The findings provide insights on the potential use of an indoor tracking system for people living with dementia, as well as requirements for use in daily life. The findings show a preferred role for informal carers in responding to alerts about behaviour recognized by the system. In addition, the findings recognised a potential benefit to making captured data accessible to the person living with dementia and their loved ones, in order to support positive and motivational use of insights gained into daily life

LTSmin: high-performance language-independent model checking

In recent years, the LTSmin model checker has been extended with support for several new modelling languages, including probabilistic (Mapa) and timed systems (Uppaal). Also, connecting additional language front-ends or ad-hoc state-space generators to LTSmin was simplified using custom C-code. From symbolic and distributed reachability analysis and minimisation, LTSmin’s functionality has developed into a model checker with multi-core algorithms for on-the-fly LTL checking with partial-order reduction, and multi-core symbolic checking for the modal μ calculus, based on the multi-core decision diagram package Sylvan.\ud In LTSmin, the modelling languages and the model checking algorithms are connected through a Partitioned Next-State Interface (Pins), that allows to abstract away from language details in the implementation of the analysis algorithms and on-the-fly optimisations. In the current paper, we present an overview of the toolset and its recent changes, and we demonstrate its performance and versatility in two case studies

Селекція in vitro м'якої пшениці на стійкість до Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici

Методом прямої клітинної селекції отримано стійкі до культурального фільтрату Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici калюсні лінії пшениці сорту Зимоярка та індуковано рослини-регенеранти. Вирощено насіннєве покоління R1, лабораторним способом оцінено його стійкість до метаболітів патогену. Виділено форми з підвищеною толерантністю.Методом прямой клеточной селекции получены резистентные к культуральному фильтрату G. graminis var. tritici каллюсные линии пшеницы сорта Зимоярка и индуцированы растениярегенеранты. Получено семенное поколение R1 и проведена его лабораторная оценка на устойчивость к метаболитам патогена. Выделены формы с повышенной толерантностью.By method of direct cellular selection resistant to culture filtrate of G. graminis var. tritici calli lines of bread wheat cultivar Zimoyarka were received, and plants-regenerants were induced. Seed generation R1 was received and its laboratory estimation for resistance to metabolites of pathogen was provided. Forms with the raised tolerance were allocated

Digital Brokering : Project Report

The digital brokering system is a new concept designed to connect those who need services with those who can provide them. This concept was proposed by Albyn Housing Association and the University of the Highlands and Islands, and accepted by the Digital Health & Care Institute as an Experience Lab, which took place in December 2014 in Inverness.The Experience Lab aimed to create a setting for stakeholders (service users, public sector, third sector and private businesses) to elicit issues around the deployment of a digital platform. Using Actor Network Mapping, the Lab focused on identifying existing practices and barriers of service provision, and exploring potential solutions for the digital brokering system.Several key findings emerged relating to the barriers faced by services users in relation to knowledge, accessibility and availability of services, which led to the identification of the opportunity for the software to function as a directory with high functionality offline as well as online. Additionally, the identification of unmet needs, service exchange and a skills bank represented how the software could have a role in connecting resources within communities. Findings included implications and recommendations regarding the responsibility of the moderator, the functionality and roll out of the software

Digital Empathy : Role of Empathy in Digital Health Interactions

Digital Empathy employed a participatory design approach to investigate the role of empathy within the emergent and future models of digital healthcare services, such as Video Conferencing (VC) consultations. The project had a particular focus on delivering care for people living with longterm conditions, e.g. diabetes. A number of factors have an impact on empathy, such as patient pre-conceptions and other individual characteristics, the corresponding behaviours and beliefs of the clinician, and the setting of the consultation. The aim of the Experience Labs was to explore whether people’s perception of empathy changes in a digital context, and to identify factors that are deemed important to empathic VC consultation. The project was carried out in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands. Two Experience Labs were held across three locations in the North of Scotland between February and June 2016. This report presents the findings from Lab activities. The findings from the Labs highlight key factors such as access to shared and meaningful data; clear verbal communication; providing choice of preferred pathways for continued care; presence of the diabetic nurse; preparation and access to information before consultation; and summary to take away afterwards as some of the key factors that have an impact on empathic VC consultation