Exploring digital encounters in the city

In this paper we explore the types of encounters that technology enables. We consider the differences between digital and non-digital encounters, and investigate how technology can be appropriated for shared interactions that support conscious (or unconscious) social encounters. Finally, we describe two prototypes that generate different types of digital encounters in a city context, and we discuss our initial results

A design framework for pervasive computing systems

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Correlating Pedestrian Flows and Search Engine Queries

An important challenge for ubiquitous computing is the development of techniques that can characterize a location vis-a-vis the richness and diversity of urban settings. In this paper we report our work on correlating urban pedestrian flows with Google search queries. Using longitudinal data we show pedestrian flows at particular locations can be correlated with the frequency of Google search terms that are semantically relevant to those locations. Our approach can identify relevant content, media, and advertisements for particular locations.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl

The Impact of Diabetes Type 2 in the Pathogenesis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Review

Introduction. Clinical observation of larger prostate glands in men with diabetes mellitus type 2 led some investigators to hypothesize that an association between these two conditions exists. In fact, both diseases are very common in men as they age and seem to be sharing similar epidemiologic features. Several studies examining the above hypothesis were yielded. Aim. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the existing literature focusing on the coexistence of BPH and diabetes mellitus type 2 and to elucidate whether or not an association among these conditions exists. Methods. We identified studies published from 1990 onwards by searching the MEDLINE database of the National Library of Medicine. Initial search terms were benign prostatic hyperplasia, epidemiology, and risk factor, combined with diet hyperinsulinemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2. Results. Diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperinsulinemia are quite common conditions and often coexist with BPH. There are several studies (observational, epidemiological, and experimental) examining the association between them in literature. Conclusion. Evidence suggests that an association between BPH and diabetes through a common pathogenic mechanism is possible. The specific pathway interfering in the development of both conditions is still poorly investigated; thus, the exact relationship of BPH to diabetes remains unclear

Sensing bluetooth mobility data: potentials and applications

Information related to mobility dynamics constitutes an important factor to be considered in traffic management to improve the efficiency of existing systems. We present a proof-of-concept deployment of sensors using the Bluetooth technology to detect traffic flow conditions. Besides traditional method consisting of a network of stationary sensors, we present a novel approach that uses sensors deployed in moving vehicles that allows new type studies and captures new insights of mobility. Both approaches complement the most common methods of traffic sensing while being more cost-effective and easily available. Early experimental results show the variety of information available through both approaches spanning from Origin/Destination matrices and travel times to insights into emerging mobile neighborhoods. These metrics are important to improve traffic management increasing the efficiency of urban mobility networks

Citizen motivation on the go: the role of psychological empowerment

Although advances in technology now enable people to communicate ‘anytime, anyplace’, it is not clear how citizens can be motivated to actually do so. This paper evaluates the impact of three principles of psychological empowerment, namely perceived self-efficacy, sense of community and causal importance, on public transport passengers’ motivation to report issues and complaints while on the move. A week-long study with 65 participants revealed that self-efficacy and causal importance increased participation in short bursts and increased perceptions of service quality over longer periods. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for citizen participation projects and reflect on design opportunities for mobile technologies that motivate citizen participation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gamification of Mobile Experience Sampling Improves Data Quality and Quantity

The Experience Sampling Method is used to capture high-quality in situ data from study participants. This method has become popular in studies involving smartphones, where it is often adapted to motivate participation through the use of gamification techniques. However, no work to date has evaluated whether gamification actually affects the quality and quantity of data collected through Experience Sampling. Our study systematically investigates the effect of gamification on the quantity and quality of experience sampling responses on smartphones. In a field study, we combine event contingent and interval contingent triggers to ask participants to describe their location. Subsequently, participants rate the quality of these entries by playing a game with a purpose. Our results indicate that participants using the gamified version of our ESM software provided significantly higher quality responses, slightly increased their response rate, and provided significantly more data on their own accord. Our findings suggest that gamifying experience sampling can improve data collection and quality in mobile settings