Smartphone sensing platform for emergency management

The increasingly sophisticated sensors supported by modern smartphones open up novel research opportunities, such as mobile phone sensing. One of the most challenging of these research areas is context-aware and activity recognition. The SmartRescue project takes advantage of smartphone sensing, processing and communication capabilities to monitor hazards and track people in a disaster. The goal is to help crisis managers and members of the public in early hazard detection, prediction, and in devising risk-minimizing evacuation plans when disaster strikes. In this paper we suggest a novel smartphone-based communication framework. It uses specific machine learning techniques that intelligently process sensor readings into useful information for the crisis responders. Core to the framework is a content-based publish-subscribe mechanism that allows flexible sharing of sensor data and computation results. We also evaluate a preliminary implementation of the platform, involving a smartphone app that reads and shares mobile phone sensor data for activity recognition.Comment: 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management ISCRAM2014 (2014

Introduction to Communication and Information Systems Technology for Crisis and Disaster Management Minitrack

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Basic digital competence in Norwegian banking

While the 21st century is crowded with disruptive technologies and ground-breaking innovations, this study will take a step back and explore basic digital competence, such as navigating a spreadsheet or using word processing tools and e-mail to conduct tasks at work. Based on a case study approach where data is derived from iterative testing of 213 employees in the banking sector and 10 semi-structured interviews, we contribute to the literature of information infrastructure and knowledge management by addressing the basic digital level of competence amongst employees. We found that the level of basic digital competence was surprisingly low, especially regarding spreadsheets; however, our analysis revealed that the skills can be quickly improved. The challenge is rather to make employees aware of the possibilities and benefits of improvement. This paper presents insights that should be useful for employees and managers in banks and similar industries. It also reminds researchers within information systems to pay attention to basic digital competence.publishedVersio

Abundance of Crabs and Predation on Hemigrapsis oregonensis in Tiscornia Marsh, San Francisco Bay

With a carapace width ranging up to 35 mm for adult males and 29 mm for adult females, Hemigrapsis oregonensis is a native shore crab typically found in the rocky intertidal zone along the Northern Pacific coast. Although this habitat provides protection against desiccation as well as changes in temperature, it may also expose H. oregonensis to predators who prefer the same habitat. The goal of this research was to investigate both the predation on H. oregonensis and the abundance of various crabs of Tiscornia Marsh in San Francisco Bay. We hypothesize that the largest predation will occur in the mud with no vegetation habitat, followed by the mud with Spartina foliosa habitat, then the rock with no vegetation habitat and rock with Spartina foliosa habitat will have equal rates of predation. In regards to the abundance of crabs, we hypothesize that the rock with no vegetation and rock with Spartina foliosa habitats will have an equal abundance of crabs, followed by the mud with Spartina foliosa, and finally the mud with no vegetation having the least amount of crabs. At each of these four different habitat types, 20 tethers were set out to monitor predation rates over a 24 hour period. Then, 10 traps were used at each habitat to record the abundance of crabs every 24 hours spanning three days, for a total of 30 traps. Results supported the hypothesis that the largest amount of crabs would be found in the rocks with no vegetation, however, the results did not support the hypothesis that the largest predation rate would occur in the mud habitat. Instead, the most predation on H. oregonensis was found in the rock with Spartina foliosa habitat. Based on these results, more research needs to be conducted to determine if the distribution throughout the different habitats of H. oregonensis is due to the presence of Spartina Foliosa, predators, or another factor

Prevalence of Soccer Heading in Middle School American Youth Club Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of soccer heading during a season in a youth soccer club competitive team Heading events were recorded real time using a recording datasheet for a single team and their opponent teams during the 2014 season of a youth soccer league. Position on the field at the time of the heading event was also documented. Mean heading events were 35.5 events/match. A paired sample t-test showed no statistically significant difference between observed team and opponent teams. Mean standardized assessment of concussion (SAC) score for the observed soccer team was 24.9±2.6 (out of 30). ANOVA showed no significant differences in heading events between forward, middle, and defensive field positions

The Role of e-Health in Disasters: A Strategy for Education, Training and Integration in Disaster Medicine

This paper describes the origins and progress of an international project to advance disaster eHealth (DEH) – the application of eHealth technologies to enhance the delivery of healthcare in disasters. The study to date has focused on two major themes; the role of DEH in facilitating inter-agency communication in disaster situations, and the fundamental need to promote awareness of DEH in the education of disaster managers and health professionals. The paper deals mainly with on-going research on the second of these themes, surveying the current provision of disaster medicine education, the design considerations for a DEH programme for health professionals, the key curriculum topics, and the optimal delivery mode

College Students’ Attitudes Towards Remote Instruction During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Future Directions

Undergraduate and graduate education students completed a survey to examine their attitudes toward remote instruction during the coronavirus pandemic. At the conclusion of the Spring 2020 semester in which all courses transitioned from a face-to-face to an online format, students, N = 93, were asked to describe what worked well in their courses in regards to their remote instruction experience and, when things did not go so well, what would have helped to make their experience better. The qualitative data were coded, and inductive analysis was used to generate categories (Johnson, 2012; Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Responses were grouped into labeled categories, and illustrative quotes were chosen to represent categories. Results revealed that remote instruction was somewhat worse than regular instruction. Across all respondents, analysis of responses to the open-ended questions revealed four themes that students believed were integral to remote instruction, (1) communication between students and faculty, (2) flexibility with assignments, (3) increased virtual interaction, and (4) support. Findings suggest how faculty can facilitate and ameliorate remote and hybrid instruction for their students

THE ROLE OF EHEALTH IN DISASTERS: A STRATEGY FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INTEGRATION IN DISASTER MEDICINE

This paper describes the origins and progress of an international project to advance disaster eHealth (DEH) – the application of eHealth technologies to enhance the delivery of healthcare in disasters. The study to date has focused on two major themes; the role of DEH in facilitating inter-agency communication in disaster situations, and the fundamental need to promote awareness of DEH in the education of disaster managers and health professionals. The paper deals mainly with on-going research on the second of these themes, surveying the current provision of disaster medicine education, the design considerations for a DEH programme for health professionals, the key curriculum topics, and the optimal delivery mode

Validación en español de las propiedades psicométricas de la Generic Multifaceted Automaticity Scale (GMAS) para actividades físicas

Esta investigación presenta la validación al español de la Generic Multifaceted Automaticity Scale (GMAS) elaborada y validada en francés por Boiché et al. (2016). Esta escala mide tres propiedades de la automaticidad aplicadas a las actividades físicas: (a) la falta de intencionalidad para activar un comportamiento; (b) la eficiencia en su ejecución; y (c) la dificultad para controlarlo una vez adoptado. Dos estudios evaluaron sus propiedades psicométricas. En el primer estudio (N= 245) se realizaron un análisis factorial, una estimación de la coherencia interna a través del alpha de Cronbach y de validez convergente. Se confirmó un modelo en tres factores: (a) falta de intencionalidad, (b) la eficiencia y (c) el control (χ²/df = 2,24; TLI = .96; CFI = .97; SRMR=.08 RMSEA = .08; 90 [.05 - .10]). La GMAS presentó una consistencia interna satisfactoria (α =.89). Asimismo, los resultados mostraron que cuanto mayor sea la automaticidad, mayores serán los niveles de actividad física. Un segundo estudio (N=151) mostró que la automaticidad predijo significativamente la adopción de los transportes activos (β =.29; p < .05) independientemente de las intenciones. La GMAS es un instrumento válido en español para evaluar las propiedades automáticas de las actividades físicas.This research presents the Spanish validation of the Generic Multifaceted Automaticity Scale (GMAS) developed and validated in French by Boiché et al. (2016). This scale measures three properties of automaticity applied to physical activities: (a) the intentionality to activate a behaviour; (b) the efficiency of its execution; and (c) the difficulty to control it once adopted. Two studies evaluated its psychometric properties. Two studies evaluate the GMAS psychometric properties. In the first study (N= 245), a factorial analysis, reliability estimation by Cronbach's alpha, and convergent validity analysis were performed. A three-factor model was confirmed: (a) lack of intentionality, (b) efficiency and (c) control (χ²/df = 2,24; TLI = .96; CFI = .97; SRMR=.08 RMSEA = .08; 90 [.05 - .10]) with a good internal consistency (α =.89). The results show that high levels of automaticity are related to high levels of physical activity. The second study (N=151) shows that automaticity predicts the adoption of active modes of transportation, over and beyond intentions (β = .29; p < .05). These results suggest that the Spanish version of the GMAS is a valid instrument to evaluate the automatic properties of physical activity behaviours.Esta estudo apresenta a validação em espanhol da Generic Multifaceted Automaticity Scale (GMAS) elaborada e validada em francês por Boiché et al. (2016). Esta escala mede três propriedades de automaticidade aplicadas às atividades físicas: (a) a intencionalidade de ativar um comportamento; (b) a eficiência de sua execução; e (c) a dificuldade de controlá-lo uma vez adotado. Dois estudos avaliaram as propriedades psicométricas do GMAS. No primeiro estudo (N = 245) foi realizado análise fatorial, estimação de fiabilidade pelo alpha de Cronbach e validação de convergência. Um modelo de três fatores foi confirmado: a) falta de intencionalidade, b) eficiência e c) controlo (χ²/df = 2,24; TLI = .96; CFI = .97; SRMR=.08 RMSEA = .08; 90 [.05 - .10]) e uma boa consistência interna (α =.89). Conjuntamente, altos níveis de automaticidade foram correlacionados com altos níveis de atividade física. O segundo estudo (N = 151) revelou que a automaticidade previu a adoção de modos ativos de transporte, para além das intenções (β =.29; p < .05). A versão em espanhol do GMAS é um instrumento válido para avaliar as propriedades automáticas dos comportamentos relacionados a atividade física