Combined Method for Evaluating Accessibility in Serious Games

Nowadays, one of the learning resources in the educational area are serious games, also called training games; they are games designed with a different purpose than fun, whose main objective is to reinforce the new concepts more creatively. However, not all existing serious games are accessible in a way that allows access to a more significant number of users. Therefore, this research proposes to apply a combined method to evaluate accessibility in serious games, considering the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. As a case study, we evaluated the accessibility of 82 serious games developed by Physical Education Technology Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado. We propose to replicate this combined method for users with various types of disabilities, considering the various accessibility barriers. As future work, we suggest generating an accessibility heuristic evaluation focused on serious games, based on the accessibility issues identified. Finally, we believe it is essential to strengthen accessibility policies in each country, as well as implement best practices that generate innovation by incorporating diversity in building and designing more inclusive serious games.This research was funded by Universidad de Las Américas-Ecuador, as part of an internal research project FGE.PAV.19.11

A Heuristic Method for Evaluating Accessibility in Web-Based Serious Games for Users with Low Vision

Nowadays, serious games have become a beneficial resource in the learning process; they are part of our culture and promote social inclusion. Designing accessible serious games is a complete challenge, even more for non-experts. Most existing serious games do not meet accessibility standards because of a lack of methods that include standards and help create more accessible serious games. For this reason, our research presents a heuristic method with three modifications to Giorgio Brajnik’s barrier walkthrough method and based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1). We defined 28 barriers for the users with low vision and the related impact and persistence variables by defining severity ranges to evaluate accessibility. This method allows measuring the accessibility of web-based serious games; the method proposed in this article can be a good help for non-experts. As a case study, this heuristic method was applied to 40 web-based serious games. The evaluators concluded that serious games should apply WCAG 2.1 to achieve an adequate and inclusive accessibility level. However, this study has limitations; the heuristic method depends on the evaluators’ experience. This work can contribute to studies related to accessibility heuristics in serious games; it can also help construct a software tool that applies WCAG 2.1 and helps experts and non-experts evaluate accessibility in serious games.This research was funded by Universidad de Las Américas-Ecuador, as part of an internal research project FGE.PAV.19.11

Volumetric efficiency modelling of internal combustion engines based on a novel adaptive learning algorithm of artificial neural networks

[EN] Air mass flow determination is one of the main variables on the control of internal combustion engines. Effectiveness of intake air systems is evaluated through the volumetric efficiency coefficient. Intake air systems characterization by means of physical models needs either significant amount of input data or notable calculation times. Because of these drawbacks, empirical approaches are often used by means of black-box models based on Artificial Neural Networks. As alternative to the standard gradient descendent method an adaptive learning algorithm is developed based on the increase of hidden layer weight update speed. The results presented in this paper show that the proposed adaptive learning method performs with higher learning speed, reduced computational resources and lower network complexities. A parametric study of several Multiple Layer Perceptron (MLP) networks is carried out with the variation of the number of epochs, number of hidden neurons, momentum coefficient and learning algorithm. The training and validation data are obtained from steady state tests carried out in an automotive turbocharged diesel engine. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Authors want to acknowledge the "Apoyo para la investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID)", grant for doctoral studies (FPI S1 2015 2512), of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Luján, JM.; Climent, H.; García-Cuevas González, LM.; Moratal-Martínez, AA. (2017). Volumetric efficiency modelling of internal combustion engines based on a novel adaptive learning algorithm of artificial neural networks. Applied Thermal Engineering. 123:625-634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.05.087S62563412

Pollutant emissions and diesel oxidation catalyst performance at low ambient temperatures in transient load conditions

[EN] In this paper an experimental analysis of the ambient temperature effect on diesel engine pollutant emissions is carried out. The study is focused on hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide of both engine out pollutants formation analysis and diesel oxidation catalyzer (DOC) performance. The experiments were carried out at transient engine load conditions of Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) at two levels of ambient temperature: 20ºC and -7ºC. The study presented in this work shows significant different results depending on the pollutant analysed. Regarding hydrocarbons, a significant dependence of pollutant formation on ambient temperature is observed, being the emissions at -7 ºC between two and three times the emissions at 20 ºC. The DOC performance between temperatures shows similar conversion efficiency. In the case of carbon monoxide formation, temperature dependence plays a less important role than the engine load conditions. The reduction of air fuel ratio at transient conditions drives to unsteady CO profiles emissions along the WLTC that reduce the pollutant conversion with a greater negative impact at -7 ºC.The authors of this paper wish to thank Juan Antonio Lopez Cascant for his invaluable work during the laboratory setup and the experimental campaign. Authors also want to acknowledge the "Apoyo para la investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID)", grant for doctoral studies (FPI S1 2015 2512), of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Luján, JM.; Climent, H.; García-Cuevas González, LM.; Moratal-Martínez, AA. (2018). Pollutant emissions and diesel oxidation catalyst performance at low ambient temperatures in transient load conditions. Applied Thermal Engineering. 129:1527-1537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.10.138S1527153712

A Review of Emerging Technologies and Their Acceptance in Higher Education

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 impacted the entire world, but technological progress led to the appearance of new and innovative emerging technologies (ETs). These technologies proved to have a wide potential for use as support in education, but being a new technology, certain complications arose when it came to their application in the educational model. Nowadays, there are many digital technologies, so it is necessary to identify those that can be used in today’s education. Digital technologies have been implemented in all types of sectors, one of them being education, and the use of these technologies translates into significant improvements in educational processes and learning outcomes. Despite this, there is currently little research on the use of ETs as a support in the academic process. This research uses systematic mapping (SM) of the last 5 years, together with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to identify the use and acceptance of ETs in higher education. For the SM, a keyword search string was used in three scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore). To apply the UTAUT, a survey was conducted with 120 students on the acceptance of ETs as support in higher education. The results obtained indicate that ETs provide some optimization of educational processes, with greater immersion and application of knowledge when using technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mobile learning. Likewise, ETs can motivate students, allowing them to reach new academic and professional achievements.This work was financed by the Universidad de Las Américas through project code: TIC.LCC.22.01

Iberoamerican network of medicine post-consumption programs: past, present and future

La contaminación por residuos farmacéuticos es una preocupación a nivel mundial. Diversos estudios han demostrado el efecto deletéreo que estos productos ocasionan sobre los ecosistemas en general, incluyendo los seres humanos. Entre las estrategias propuestas para mitigar esta problemática figuran los programas de gestión posconsumo de medicamentos, basados, en su mayoría, en conceptos de Responsabilidad Social Empresaria, Economía Circular y Logística Inversa. De tales programas se destacan cuatro, que han sido instalados con éxito, en Colombia (Punto Azul), España (SIGRE), México (SINGREM) y Portugal (VALORMED). En forma conjunta integran la Red Iberoamericana de Programas Posconsumo de Medicamentos. En este trabajo se brinda un panorama de los orígenes de estos programas, su situación actual y las proyecciones futuras.A contaminação por resíduos farmacêuticos é uma preocupação mundial. Vários estudos têm mostrado o efeito deletério que esses produtos causam nos ecossistemas em geral, inclusive no ser humano. Entre as estratégias propostas para mitigar esse problema estão os programas de gestão de medicamentos pós-consumo, em sua maioria baseados nos conceitos de Responsabilidade Social Corporativa, Economia Circular e Logística Reversa. Destacam-se quatro desses programas, implantados com sucesso na Colômbia (Punto Azul), Espanha (SIGRE), México (SINGREM) e Portugal (VALORMED). Juntos, eles compõem a Rede Ibero-Americana de Programas Pós-Consumo de Medicamentos. Este artigo fornece uma visão geral sobre as origens desses programas, sua situação atual e projeções futuras.Contamination by pharmaceuticals is a worldwide concern. Several studies have shown the deleterious effect that these products cause to ecosystems, including human beings. Among the strategies proposed to mitigate this problem are postconsumer drug management programs, mostly based on the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility, Circular Economy, and Reverse Logistics. Four of these programs stand out, which have been successfully installed in Colombia (Punto Azul), Spain (SIGRE), Mexico (SINGREM) and Portugal (VALORMED). Together they conform the Ibero-American Network of Post-Consumer Drug Programs. This paper provides an overview of the origins of these programs, their current situation, and future projections.Fil: Aedo, José A.. Sistema Nacional de Gestión de Residuos de Envases y Medicamentos; MéxicoFil: Figueiredo, Luis. Sociedade Gestora de Resíduos de Embalagens e Medicamentos; PortugalFil: González Vidal, Noelia Luján. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Control de Calidad de Medicamentos; Argentina. Sociedad Iberoamericana de Salud Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Mampasso, Juan C.. Medicamento y Medio Ambiente; EspañaFil: Pinzon Ramirez, J.c.. Corporación Punto Azul; ColombiaFil: Trujillo Sanchez, J.e.. Corporación Punto Azul; Colombi

Iberoamerican network of medicine post-consumption programs: past, present and future

La contaminación por residuos farmacéuticos es una preocupación a nivel mundial. Diversos estudios han demostrado el efecto deletéreo que estos productos ocasionan sobre los ecosistemas en general, incluyendo los seres humanos. Entre las estrategias propuestas para mitigar esta problemática figuran los programas de gestión posconsumo de medicamentos, basados, en su mayoría, en conceptos de Responsabilidad Social Empresaria, Economía Circular y Logística Inversa. De tales programas se destacan cuatro, que han sido instalados con éxito, en Colombia (Punto Azul), España (SIGRE), México (SINGREM) y Portugal (VALORMED). En forma conjunta integran la Red Iberoamericana de Programas Posconsumo de Medicamentos. En este trabajo se brinda un panorama de los orígenes de estos programas, su situación actual y las proyecciones futuras.A contaminação por resíduos farmacêuticos é uma preocupação mundial. Vários estudos têm mostrado o efeito deletério que esses produtos causam nos ecossistemas em geral, inclusive no ser humano. Entre as estratégias propostas para mitigar esse problema estão os programas de gestão de medicamentos pós-consumo, em sua maioria baseados nos conceitos de Responsabilidade Social Corporativa, Economia Circular e Logística Reversa. Destacam-se quatro desses programas, implantados com sucesso na Colômbia (Punto Azul), Espanha (SIGRE), México (SINGREM) e Portugal (VALORMED). Juntos, eles compõem a Rede Ibero-Americana de Programas Pós-Consumo de Medicamentos. Este artigo fornece uma visão geral sobre as origens desses programas, sua situação atual e projeções futuras.Contamination by pharmaceuticals is a worldwide concern. Several studies have shown the deleterious effect that these products cause to ecosystems, including human beings. Among the strategies proposed to mitigate this problem are postconsumer drug management programs, mostly based on the concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility, Circular Economy, and Reverse Logistics. Four of these programs stand out, which have been successfully installed in Colombia (Punto Azul), Spain (SIGRE), Mexico (SINGREM) and Portugal (VALORMED). Together they conform the Ibero-American Network of Post-Consumer Drug Programs. This paper provides an overview of the origins of these programs, their current situation, and future projections.Fil: Aedo, José A.. Sistema Nacional de Gestión de Residuos de Envases y Medicamentos; MéxicoFil: Figueiredo, Luis. Sociedade Gestora de Resíduos de Embalagens e Medicamentos; PortugalFil: González Vidal, Noelia Luján. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Cátedra de Control de Calidad de Medicamentos; Argentina. Sociedad Iberoamericana de Salud Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Mampasso, Juan C.. Medicamento y Medio Ambiente; EspañaFil: Pinzon Ramirez, J.c.. Corporación Punto Azul; ColombiaFil: Trujillo Sanchez, J.e.. Corporación Punto Azul; Colombi

Smart ICTs for the enhancement of traffic logistics in the Port of Seville

Las ponencias del congreso pueden descargarse desde: http://www.pianc.org.ar/_stage/papers_in.phpThis paper focuses in the optimization of intermodal transport by the development of a freight geolocation and telecontrol platform for intermodal transport. This system, Cooperative Unitized Tracking System (CUTS), is being developed under the project TECNOPORT2025, which is an initiative of the Port Authority of Seville (PAS), co-funded by the European Commission by means of the ERDF (European Region Development Funds), under the Pre-commercial Public Procurement model aiming the “Port of Future”

Factors related with symptom duration until diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic colorectal cancer

[Abstract] Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) survival depends mostly on stage at the time of diagnosis. However, symptom duration at diagnosis or treatment have also been considered as predictors of stage and survival. This study was designed to: 1) establish the distinct time-symptom duration intervals; 2) identify factors associated with symptom duration until diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of all incident cases of symptomatic CRC during 2006-2009 (795 incident cases) in 5 Spanish regions. Data were obtained from patients' interviews and reviews of primary care and hospital clinical records. Measurements: CRC symptoms, symptom perception, trust in the general practitioner (GP), primary care and hospital examinations/visits before diagnosis, type of referral and tumor characteristics at diagnosis. Symptom Diagnosis Interval (SDI) was calculated as time from first CRC symptoms to date of diagnosis. Symptom Treatment Interval (STI) was defined as time from first CRC symptoms until start of treatment. Nonparametric tests were used to compare SDI and STI according to different variables. Results: Symptom to diagnosis interval for CRC was 128 days and symptom treatment interval was 155. No statistically significant differences were observed between colon and rectum cancers. Women experienced longer intervals than men. Symptom presentation such as vomiting or abdominal pain and the presence of obstruction led to shorter diagnostic or treatment intervals. Time elapsed was also shorter in those patients that perceived their first symptom/s as serious, disclosed it to their acquaintances, contacted emergencies services or had trust in their GPs. Primary care and hospital doctor examinations and investigations appeared to be related to time elapsed to diagnosis or treatment. Conclusions: Results show that gender, symptom perception and help-seeking behaviour are the main patient factors related to interval duration. Health service performance also has a very important role in symptom to diagnosis and treatment interval. If time to diagnosis is to be reduced, interventions and guidelines must be developed to ensure appropriate examination and diagnosis during both primary and hospital care.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI:052273Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI050787Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI050700Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI052692Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI05214

Diagnosis delay and follow-up strategies in colorectal cancer. Prognosis implications: a study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Controversy exists with regard to the impact that the different components of diagnosis delay may have on the degree of invasion and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. The follow-up strategies after treatment also vary considerably. The aims of this study are: a) to determine if the symptoms-to-diagnosis interval and the treatment delay modify the survival of patients with colorectal cancer, and b) to determine if different follow-up strategies are associated with a higher survival rate.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Multi-centre study with prospective follow-up in five regions in Spain (Galicia, Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Aragón and Valencia) during the period 2010-2012. Incident cases are included with anatomopathological confirmation of colorectal cancer (International Classification of Diseases 9th revision codes 153-154) that formed a part of a previous study (n = 953).</p> <p>At the time of diagnosis, each patient was given a structured interview. Their clinical records will be reviewed during the follow-up period in order to obtain information on the explorations and tests carried out after treatment, and the progress of these patients.</p> <p>Symptoms-to-diagnosis interval is defined as the time calculated from the diagnosis of cancer and the first symptoms attributed to cancer. Treatment delay is defined as the time elapsed between diagnosis and treatment. In non-metastatic patients treated with curative intention, information will be obtained during the follow-up period on consultations performed in the digestive, surgery and oncology departments, as well as the endoscopies, tumour markers and imaging procedures carried out.</p> <p>Local recurrence, development of metastases in the follow-up, appearance of a new tumour and mortality will be included as outcome variables.</p> <p>Actuarial survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression and competitive risk survival analysis will be performed.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will make it possible to verify if the different components of delay have an impact on survival rate in colon cancer and rectal cancer. In consequence, this multi-centre study will be able to detect the variability present in the follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer, and if this variability modifies the prognosis. Ideally, this study could determine which follow-up strategies are associated with a better prognosis in colorectal cancer.</p