Design, implementation and evaluation of a gamified digital cultural probe in the context of energy consumption

Treballs Finals de Grau d'Enginyeria Informàtica, Facultat de Matemàtiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2017, Director: Inmaculada Rodríguez Santiago[en] Cultural Probes (CP) is a HCI technique used to gather data about people (feelings, thoughts, interactions, knowledge, etc) in order to inspire the design of applications. It consists in giving participants a series of tasks to perform, which they return after some time so the information can be analyzed by the design team. This project proposes the design and implementation (as a mobile application) of a gamified Cultural Probe in the context of energy consumption. Given that one of the drawbacks of CP is the low completion rate and, therefore, the lack of data gathered, the use of gamification is believed to enhance the participation of users by motivating them to complete the tasks. The particular approach of this CP is that participants not only provide data about themselves, but also about other people. Specifically, it is designed to be completed by children, who have to perform four different tasks taking the role of a psychologist, a detective, an electrician and a journalist (depending on what the task is about) to gather information about their own and also their families’ electric consumption. Additionally, the realization of the CP might raise awareness on them about energy and environmental related issues. After the implementation of the proposed design as an Android app, the CP has been evaluated with children from two primary schools in Barcelona, who have interacted with two different versions (gamified and non gamified) of the app, to test the hypothesis that gamified Cultural Probes may show better results than non gamified ones. Even though the evaluation showed slightly better results for the non gamified CP, the difference is not statistically significant, opening a door to do more research on the subject

AMYGDALA AND VENTRAL STRIATAL REACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS AT HIGH-RISK FOR DEPRESSION

Previous research has shown that depression clusters within families. Adolescents from these families (i.e., high-risk) have approximately a three-fold increased risk of developing depression, an earlier mean age at onset, and greater lifetime morbidity in comparison with low-risk adolescents. Understanding the developmental pathways and mechanisms of susceptibility to depression, especially at the level of neurobiological circuits, is critical for the development of more effective intervention and prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk adolescents. The current study examined the functional reactivity of affect- and reward-related neural circuitries in high-risk and low-risk adolescents, as well as the functional coupling between regions of PFC and amygdala and ventral striatum. Adolescents (aged 12-15 years)—stratified according to familial history of depression (i.e., high- and low-risk)—completed two fMRI paradigms known to reliably elicit threat-related amygdala and reward-related ventral striatal reactivity, respectively. Using a conservative threshold, employed because of the very large sample size (> 300 adolescents), the present analyses failed to detect significant differences between these groups at the level of the amygdala and ventral striatum. When a more liberal threshold was applied, hypothesized differences were observed for both the amygdala reactivity paradigm and the ventral striatal reactivity paradigm: high-risk adolescents displayed relatively greater amygdala reactivity and relatively blunted VS reactivity compared to low-risk adolescents. Additionally, these data offer some evidence to suggest that alterations in functional connectivity of the threat-related amygdala reactivity network (but not reward-related VS reactivity) may vary as a function of risk status during adolescence

Neurodevelopmental correlates and predictors of alcohol use and abuse in early adulthood

Alcohol use and abuse are significant concerns within adolescence and early adulthood. Although anxiety and depression frequently co-occur with alcohol use in adolescence and are postulated to be a pathway to alcohol problems (e.g., Chassin et al., 1993; Sher et al., 2005), prior work has predominantly focused on the so-called ‘externalizing’ pathway to alcohol use. One possibility is that the combination of both kinds of problems could be more pernicious than externalizing problems alone, but this has not been investigated. Furthermore, while the role of internalizing and/or externalizing problems on alcohol use could be exacerbated by the presence of neurobiological characteristics, the potential moderating role of factors such as the function of neural emotion-processing circuitry has been neglected. The current study examined the effects of both internalizing and externalizing disorders, symptom severity, and chronicity across development (between ages 8 to 17) on alcohol use and dependence at age 20. Also explored were the potential moderating effects of amygdala reactivity and functional connectivity measured during a face-processing paradigm at age 20. Study aims were tested within the context of a longitudinal study of 111 boys prospectively followed from early childhood to age 20. Although contrary to our hypotheses, results supported prior findings suggesting that internalizing symptomatology alone may be protective against problematic alcohol use/dependence. However, in combination with high externalizing problems or early onset of alcohol intoxication, high internalizing problems were related to alcohol use and dependence. Across the majority of study observations, it was the comorbid internalizing/externalizing group that demonstrated the highest scores on alcohol outcome measures. Moreover, these effects were exacerbated for some of the alcohol use outcomes by the strength of the functional connectivity between the amygdala and the anterior cingulate cortex (BA 32 and BA 24), a limbic area involved in emotion regulation. Conceivably, the combination of both types of problems combined with difficulty controlling negative emotion creates a pattern of dysregulation that makes youth vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and leads them to problems with controlling their use. Differences between this study and prior literature are explored and limitations of the present study are discussed

Pediatric Hearing Aid Management: Experiences and Perspectives of Spanish-Speaking Parents

Purpose: The purpose of the study was twofold: (a) to explore hearing aid management experiences of Spanish-speaking parents who have young children using hearing aids and (b) to explore parents\u27 access to the Internet and perceptions about remote audiology services. Method: The study used a mixed methods design. Data were collected through a phone interview. Results: Eleven mothers of children aged 14-60 months participated. Most of the children (9/11) had a bilateral hearing loss, and two had an additional disability. Three themes emerged for hearing aid management experiences: audiology services, routines, and emotional challenges/supports. Parents had variable levels of confidence in their skills ranging from no confidence to complete confidence, with the greatest variability for three items: (a) using the listening tube to make sure that the sound quality of the hearing aid is good, (b) removing moisture from the earmold tubing, and (c) troubleshooting problems when your child\u27s hearing aids are not working. All participants reported having consistent Internet access and had positive perceptions about the possibility of remote audiology services. Conclusion: This study provided insights into hearing aid management experiences and perceptions of Spanish-speaking parents. Parents described variability for audiology services, routines for hearing aid use and care, and access to other parents of children with hearing loss. Spanish-speaking parents present additional elements in hearing care process that need to be incorporated in planning. Remote services may be an opportunity to enhance access to support that could improve effectiveness of hearing aid management

Metaceratodus baibianorum from the La Colonia Formation: tooth plate anomalies and the possible presence of tertiary dentine

The dentition of Mesozoic dipnoans is formed by tooth plates that are not replaced throughout their lives. These can suffer different types of lesions that may be permanent or disappear with wear through action of the jaws. Here, we describe pathologies on the tooth plates of Metaceratodus baibianorum from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) La Colonia Formation of Patagonia in Argentina. Of the total number of analysed tooth plates (N ¼ 127), 27.5% show signs of different pathologies including caries, abscesses, hyperplasia, fractures, alterations in growth, and erosion. No tooth plates with parasitic invasions, attrition or osteopenia were observed. Some examples of occlusal caries show pulpal overgrowths on the pulp surface. CT scanning demonstrates that these are similar to tertiary dentine in their coincidence with lesions, higher density relative to the surrounding dentine, and fewer pulp canals resulting in fewer dentinal tubules. Such features may indicate that dipnoans are, or at least were, able to generate some form of reparative or reactionary dentine.Fil: Panzeri, Karen Magalí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Nahuel Antu. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentin

Evolución de las fusiones bancarias y su impacto en el Sistema Financiero Venezolano, período 2000-2004

1 archivo PDF (14 páginas). magyeaddRESUMEN: La banca venezolana ha sido en los últimos años escenario de las denominadas “fusiones bancarias”, las cuales se implementaron como medida para subsistir ante un cambio en el ámbito económico. Así pues, el Estado venezolano contribuyó a que este proceso se efectuará en poco tiempo, por lo que aprobó en Leyes Habilitantes, las bases legales del proceso de fusiones bancarias. En tal sentido, el objetivo fundamental de este trabajo consistió en estudiar la evolución de las mismas y su impacto en el sistema financiero venezolano, en el periodo 2000-2004 para lo cual se utilizó una investigación de carácter descriptiva y explicativa, así como una estrategia de estudio documental. Todo se dio de acuerdo con lo previsto, pero las causas que inicialmente justificaban este proceso, que era el de fortalecer al Sistema Financiero y prestar un mejor servicio al cliente, quedaron atrás. Por el contrario, todo pareciera indicar que dicho proceso ha sido el gran negocio del siglo xx, pues los bancos más fuertes, a nivel de captaciones y colocaciones, incrementaron desproporcionalmente sus ganancias y eliminaron gran parte de su competencia. ABSTRACT: Venezuelan banks have in recent years been the scene of so-called "bank mergers", which were implemented as a measure to stand before a change in the economic sphere. Thus, the Venezuelan government contributed to this process will be achieved in a short time, so it approved in enabling laws, the legal basis of the process of bank mergers. In this regard, the fundamental objective of this work was to study the evolution of the same and its impact on the Venezuelan financial system in the 2000-2004 period for which an investigation of descriptive and explanatory character was used as well as a strategy documentary study. Everything went according to plan, but the causes which initially justified this process, which was to strengthen the financial system and provide better customer service, stayed behind. On the contrary, everything seems to indicate that this process has been the big business of the twentieth century, as the strongest banks at the level of deposits and loans, disproportionately increased their profits and eliminated much of its competition. PALABRAS CLAVE: Procesos, finanzas. Fusiones bancarias. KEYWORDS: Processes, finances

Supporting play exploration and early developmental intervention versus usual care to enhance development outcomes during the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background While therapy services may start in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) there is often a gap in therapy after discharge. Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) supports parents, helping them build capacity to provide developmentally supportive opportunities starting in the NICU and continuing at home. The purpose of this single blinded randomized pilot clinical trial was to evaluate the initial efficacy of SPEEDI to improve early reaching and exploratory problem solving behaviors. Methods Fourteen infants born very preterm or with neonatal brain injury were randomly assigned to SPEEDI or Usual Care. The SPEEDI group participated in 5 collaborative parent, therapist, and infant interventions sessions in the NICU (Phase 1) and 5 at home (Phase 2). Parents provided daily opportunities designed to support the infants emerging motor control and exploratory behaviors. Primary outcome measures were assessed at the end of the intervention, 1 and 3 months after the intervention ended. Reaching was assessed with the infant supported in an infant chair using four 30 s trials. The Early Problem Solving Indicator was used to evaluate the frequency of behaviors during standardized play based assessment. Effect sizes are including for secondary outcomes including the Test of Infant Motor Performance and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Results No group differences were found in the duration of toy contact. There was a significant group effect on (F1,8 = 4.04, p = 0.08) early exploratory problem-solving behaviors with infants in the SPEEDI group demonstrating greater exploration with effect sizes of 1.3, 0.6, and 0.9 at the end of the intervention, 1 and 3 months post-intervention. Conclusions While further research is needed, this initial efficacy study showed promising results for the ability of SPEEDI to impact early problem solving behaviors at the end of intervention and at least 3 months after the intervention is over. While reaching did not show group differences, a ceiling effect may have contributed to this finding. This single blinded pilot RCT was registered prior to subject enrollment on 5/27/14 at ClinicalTrials.Gov with number NCT02153736

Desenvolvimento de uma matriz expandida feita por farinha e amido de mandioca por extrusão

An expanded matrix was obtained from the simple screw extrusion process using a mixture of starch and cassava flour. Two experimental designs were made: the first design included two factors, cassava flour content and moisture percentage and the second design used two factors, temperature profile and screw speed. The respective combinations of the experimental designs that presented outstanding mechanical properties were the mixture with 15 % flour and 22 % humidity, at process conditions of 100 rpm and 125 °C. Under these conditions, an expanded material was obtained, which, presented a high density, low expansion index and high resistance to compression.Se obtuvo una matriz expandida empleando el proceso de extrusión de tornillo simple, usando una mezcla de almidón y harina de yuca. Se realizaron dos diseños experimentales: el primer diseño incluyó dos factores, el contenido de harina de yuca y el porcentaje de humedad y el segundo diseño utilizó dos factores, el perfil de temperatura y la velocidad del tornillo. Las combinaciones respectivas de los diseños experimentales que presentaron propiedades mecánicas sobresalientes fueron la mezcla con 15% de harina y 22% de humedad, en condiciones de proceso de 100 rpm y 125 °C. En estas condiciones, se obtuvo un material expandido que presentaba una alta densidad, un bajo índice de expansión y una alta resistencia a la compresión.Uma matriz expandida foi obtida a partir do processo simples de extrusão por parafuso, utilizando uma mistura de amido e farinha de mandioca. Foram realizados dois delineamentos experimentais: o primeiro, com dois fatores, o teor de farinha de mandioca e a porcentagem de umidade; o segundo, com dois fatores, perfil de temperatura e velocidade do parafuso. As respectivas combinações dos projetos experimentais que apresentaram excelentes propriedades mecânicas foram a mistura com 15% de farinha e 22% de umidade, em condições de processo de 100 rpm e 125 ° C. Nessas condições, foi obtido um material expandido, que apresentou alta densidade, baixo índice de expansão e alta resistência à compressão

Parent Challenges, Perspectives and Experiences Caring for Children Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing With Other Disabilities: A Comprehensive Review

Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to explore parent challenges in caring for children who are deaf or hard of hearing with other disabilities and discuss implications for audiologists related to supporting families. Design: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, and through qualitative analysis, emergent themes were identified, and a narrative summary generated. Study sample: Nine research studies were included in this review. Combined, these studies reflect a sample of 111 children, 23 families and 41 parents. Results: Three broad themes were identified, and include parent-reported challenges related to family, professional and child variables. Sub-themes were identified within each broad theme to further describe parent experiences, such as challenges related to decision-making and planning, interprofessional collaboration, and child communication and behaviours. Conclusions: Parents of children with hearing loss and additional disabilities face unique challenges related to family, professional and child variables that could impact how they manage their child’s hearing care