594 research outputs found
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An Exploratory Study into the Accessibility of a Multi-User Virtual World for Young People with Aphasia
This paper describes an exploratory study into the accessibility of the virtual world Second Life for two young people with aphasia. Aphasia is a communicative disorder most commonly caused by a stroke. It affects both written and spoken language, is frequently accompanied by right-sided paralysis and people with aphasia can experience isolation and social exclusion. Multi-user virtual worlds are a potential source of fun and contact with others, but how accessible are such worlds to those with communication issues?
We report an investigation into the accessibility and potential of Second Life for people with aphasia. This was accomplished through a critique and an empirical study involving two young people: Ann was in her mid twenties and Bob in his early thirties. They were selected because both were comfortable with computer technologies before their strokes and each continues to use them, albeit in a more limited capacity. We discuss implications of the results for people with aphasia interacting with multi-user virtual worlds
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Not all sharing is equal: The impact of a large display on small group collaborative work
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A pragmatics' view of patient identification
Patient identification is a central safety critical aspect of healthcare work. Most healthcare activities require identification of patients by healthcare staff, often in connection with the use of patient records. Indeed, the increasing reliance on electronic systems makes the correct matching of patients with their records a keystone for patient safety. Most research on patient identification has been carried out in hospital settings. The aim was to investigate the process of identification of patients and their records in the context of a primary healthcare clinic
Theory borrowing in IT-rich contexts : lessons from IS strategy research
While indigenous theorizing in information systems has clear merits, theory borrowing will not, and should not, be eschewed given its appeal and usefulness. In this article, we aim at increasing our understanding of modifying of borrowed theories in IT-rich contexts. We present a framework in which we discuss how two recontextualization approaches of specification and distinction help with increasing the IT-richness of borrowed constructs and relationships. In doing so, we use several illustrative examples from information systems strategy. The framework can be used by researchers as a tool to explore the multitude of ways in which a theory from another discipline can yield the understanding of IT phenomena
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Public yet private: the status, durability and visibility of handover sheets
Drawing on data from a multi-site case study of a range of clinical settings, this paper explores the form of nursing handover sheets and the processes through which they are created and updated. We argue that these documents function as both public and private documents, having relevance for the whole ward while also acting as a personal workspace. Such dual functionality needs to be supported by any technology that seeks to provide for the work of handover, if the handover sheet is to continue to act as a space for work, rather than just a repository of information
Reconceptualising clinical handover: Information sharing for situation awareness
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Change as Crisis or Growth? Toward a Trans-disciplinary View of Information Systems as a Field of Study: A Response to Benbasat and Zmud\u27s Call for Returning to the IT Artifact
Benbasat and Zmud (2003) express concern that the research community in Information Systems is responsible for the ambiguity of the discipline\u27s central identity by underinvestigating phenomena intimately associated with IT-based systems and overestimating phenomena distantly associated with IT-based systems (p.183). Their related argument is that IS needs to focus on the core of the discipline to survive. I seriously contend this point of view. Questioning that we are at a crossroads in the Information Systems (IS) field, I argue that the field should become less disciplinary, and more trans-disciplinary in nature. I build my case by focusing on - and then questioning - underpinnings in their argument. These include: (1) their definitions of IS as a field; (2) the locus of our field in organizations; (3) the assumption that IS is a discipline; and (4) the lack of consideration given to the inter- and trans-national nature of IS as a field of study. Thus, the paper attempts to reposition Information Systems (IS) as quintessentially trans-disciplinary in nature. This case develops by considering how fields of study evolve over time. This evolution can be seen as either natural or as producing crisis. Next, I offer an alternative core to Benbasat\u27s and Zmud\u27s IT artifact. Following this, I present an appropriate locus of study for IS, one that offers a less constricting boundary than that of the organization, including societal and cross-cultural considerations. Finally, I question the very notion of discipline as applied to IS, and identify implications for the IS academy
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A theoretical framework for computer models of cooperative dialogue, acknowledging multi-agent conflict
This thesis describes a theoretical framework for modelling cooperative dialogue. The linguistic theory is a version of speech act theory adopted from Cohen and Levesque, in which dialogue utterances are generated and interpreted pragmatically in the context of a theory of rational interaction. The latter is expressed as explicitly and formally represented principles of rational agenthood and cooperative interaction. The focus is the development of strategic principles of multi-agent interaction as such a basis for cooperative dialogue. In contrast to the majority of existing work, these acknowledge the Positive role of conflict to multi-agent cooperation. and make no assumptions regarding the benevolence and sincerity of agents. The result is a framework wherein agents can resolve conflicts by negotiation. It is a preliminary stage to the future building of computer models of cooperative dialogue for both HCI and DAI, which will therefore be more widely and generally applicable than those currently in existence.
The theory of conflict and cooperation is expressed in the different patterns of mental states which characterise multi-agent conflict, cooperation and indifference as three alternative postural relations. Agents can recognise and potentially create these. Dialogue actions are the strategic tools with which mental states can be manipulated, whilst acknowledging that agents are autonomous over their mental states; they have control over what they acquire and reveal in dialogue. Strategic principles of belief and goal adoption are described in terms of the relationships between autonomous agents' beliefs, goals, preferences, and interests, and the relation of these to action. Veracity, mendacity, concealing and revealing are defined as properties of acts. The role of all these elements in reasoning about dialogue action and conflict resolution, is tester in analyses of two example dialogues; a record of a real trade union negotiation and an extract from "Othello" by Shakespeare
To determine the impact of dietary calcium from dairy, and/or total dairy intake on the body mass index of Grade 2 leaners in Pietermaritzburg.
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzbug.Introduction: International and local figures show a steep rise in the incidence of overweight and obesity in both adults and children, with more children suffering from overweight, obesity and their associated diseases of lifestyle than ever before. The aetiology of overweight and obesity is complex, with many interrelated factors involved. The South African government implemented the Food Based Dietary Guidelines in an attempt to guide the public on making healthy food choices. One of the guidelines encourages the public to “have milk, maas or yoghurt every day” due to the beneficial health effects of these dairy products. South African studies investigating the calcium intake of different age groups have shown children to consume inadequate amounts of calcium. A recent national survey showed the age group of 7 to 8 years old in particular, to have the lowest calcium intake of all age groups studied. Several international studies have shown dairy products, and specifically milk, to have an inverse relationship with Body Mass Index (BMI) in both adult and paediatric subjects. However, other international studies have provided conflicting results. No such study has been conducted in South Africa, and so the need arose to investigate a possible association between dairy products and childrens’ BMI.
Aim: To determine the impact of dietary calcium from dairy and/or total dairy intake, on the body mass index of Grade 2 learners in Pietermaritzburg.
Objectives: To determine the following regarding Grade 2 learners: the prevalence of overweight and obesity by interpreting their BMI; their calcium intake from dairy, and their total dairy intake; the contribution of dairy products to meeting their calcium requirements; whether a relationship exists between their dietary calcium (from dairy), and/or total dairy intake and their BMI; and possible barriers to dairy intake.
Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 91 Grade 2 learners from quintile 5 (fee-paying) schools in Pietermaritzburg. A three-part questionnaire, comprised of an anthropometric section, demographic questions, and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were administered to the parents/guardians of the Grade 2 learners. The BMI of the learners was compared to both the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) classifications for overweight and obesity. The calcium intake was obtained from the FFQ, and compared to the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for calcium for 4 to 8 year olds. The dairy intake was also determined, and compared to the recommended national guidelines.
Results: The study population comprised 57% female and 43% male learners, of whom 40.7% were Black African, 27.5% were White, 17% were Indian and 13.2% were Coloured. Of these learners, 28.6% (WHO) and 24.2% (IOTF) were overweight and 19.8% (WHO) and 15.4% (IOTF) were obese. More female learners were overweight than male learners, but a greater percentage of male learners were obese than female learners. Calcium intake from dairy was significantly below the EAR of 800 mg per day for 75.8% (n=69) of learners, with the average intake from the FFQ recorded as 615.2 mg. The mean number of dairy servings per day was 2.03, also below the recommended number of 3 servings of dairy per day. No relationship between BMI and calcium, or BMI and total dairy intake was established. Despite the low intake of dairy, no significant barriers to the consumption of dairy were identified.
Conclusion: Grade 2 learners do not consume enough dairy products in their diet, and are therefore unable to meet the calcium requirements for their age. Greater effort is required by government, schools, health professionals and parents/guardians to promote, and encourage children to consume more dairy products. Further research on this topic is recommended, where the impact of lower fat and sugar containing dairy products on body fat (as opposed to BMI) can be investigated
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