SmartPowerchair: characterisation and usability of a pervasive System of Systems

A characterisation of a pervasive System of Systems called the SmartPowerchair is presented, integrating pervasive technologies into a standard powered wheelchair (powerchair).The SmartPowerchair can be characterised as a System of Systems (SoS) due to focusing on selection of the correct combination of independent and interoperable systems that are networked for a period of time to achieve the specific overall goal of enhancing the quality of life for people with disability. A high-level two-dimensional SoS model for the SmartPowerchair is developed to illustrate the different SoS lifecycle stages and levels. The results from a requirements elicitation study consisting of a survey targeting powerchair users was the input to a Hierarchical Task Analysis defining the supported tasks of the SmartPowerchair. The system architecture of one constituent system (SmartATRS) is described as well as the results of a usability evaluation containing workload measurements. The establishment of the SmartAbility Framework was the outcome of the evaluation results that concluded Range of Movement (ROM) was the determinant of suitable technologies for people with disability. The framework illustrates how a SoS approach can be applied to disability to recommend interaction mediums, technologies and tasks depending on the disability,impairments and ROM of the user. The approach therefore, creates a‘recommender system’ by viewing Disability Type, Impairments, ROM, Interaction Medium, Technologies and Tasks as constituent systems that interact together in a SoS

SmartDisability: A Smart System of Systems approach to Disability

This paper introduces the SmartDisability Framework; a System of Systems to consider mappings between the Disability Types, Range of Movement and Interaction Mediums to produce Technology and Task recommendations. Each element is seen as a constituent system that relies on interaction between the user and technology. The recommended technologies are viewed as independent and operable constituent systems that are networked together to assist people with disability. The SmartDisability conceptual model (based on the familiar disability symbol) and extracts from the initial development stage of the framework are presented. The framework has been populated through a systematic literature review of disability classification, Range of Movement, interaction mediums, `off-the-shelf' technologies and tasks. The framework was augmented by the results of a previously conducted requirements elicitation process, involving surveys and semi-structured interviews, and a user evaluation with head tracking technology. Quality Function Deployment determined the relationships within the framework to ensure that user requirements were fully analysed. The anticipated validation process involving a focus group utilising fictional personas and routes to exploitation (through the development of an application) are also discussed

SmartAbility: Detection of reduced physical abilities through smartphone sensors

This paper describes a developed Android application to accompany the SmartAbility Framework, in order to recommend technologies for people with reduced physical ability. The framework is a culmination of previously conducted research, including requirements elicitation and technology trials. The application is based on a previous prototype version that required manual input of user abilities. The presented version detects the action that users are able to perform independently through the adoption of sensor technologies that are built-into Android devices, such as the accelerometer and step counter. The knowledge contained within the framework is subsequently used to derive recommendations of technology that could be suitable for the user. Future enhancements to the application will enable complete automatic detection, without the requirement for manual input. The exploitation of the SmartAbility application is anticipated to increase technology awareness amongst the user community, as well as providing a means for assistive technology manufacturers to promote their products

Made for performance : study of the mature poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins

This work is a study of the mature poetry and poetics of Gerard Manley Hopkins with particular reference to his own oft-stated view that his poetry was intended to be read aloud "with the ear" or to be performed. The study begins by placing Hopkins historically with regard to the effects on the European mind of printing, the work of Peter Ramus, and the subjective-objective dilemma which particularly perturbed the Romantic poets. Attention is especially given to Hopkins's relation with the seventeenth century. The conclusion is that with respect to these historical influences he belongs in the main to traditions which existed in full force in the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan era, though in many obvious respects he has the concerns typical of his age. Hopkins's speculations on language are then examined and some consideration given to the way these influenced his poetics and poetry; further, Hopkins's theories of knowledge and Being, in which language has a significant place, is also examined in relation to his poetic theories. Thereafter consideration is given to the development of Hopkins's ideas on the nature of the art he was writing, the kind of performance he envisaged for his poems, and the relationships these discussions suggest exist between poet, work and different types of audience. Before the main section of the thesis some attention is given to the influences Hopkins came under throughout his life and which gave his art and the poetic theory underlying it their particular nature. The main section consists of a detailed examination of the mature poetry, with special regard to Hopkins's rhythms, syntax, and various kinds of "counterpoint" he used, and the sound-structures of his verse - stanzaic forms and the complicated patterns of sound drawn largely from Welsh poetry. The aims of this part of the work are to describe how these features give the poems their dramatic character, to suggest ways in which the unusual nature of this poetry necessitates changes in our approach to it in terms of our critical assumptions, interpretation, and the kind of performance it requires, and to indicate how important these considerations are to any understanding or judgement of Hopkins's achievement. In the light of these discussions and the examination of the poems themselves, three major conclusions are reached. First, Hopkins's status as a major poet is felt to be justified in view of the achievement represented by Sprung Rhythm, his use of the sonnet form, his masterly poetic vision and craftsmanship, and many of the poems in a notably small canon, but in addition, these achievements embrace another, the fusion in his work of a number of vital, and in some cases opposed, traditions in English poetry - an achievement which makes him a particularly important poet in the development of poetry in English. In view of Hopkins's narrow range and lack of rich human sympathies, which are leading to qualifications of his work, this is a significant argument for his greatness. Secondly, his poems use a creative language of knowledge, comparable to our other ways of developing epistemologies such as science or logic, though it is more comprehensive in that it takes in the whole nature of man and the nature of its referents, And thirdly, the performance of Hopkins's poems is seen as the essential way by which the experience and knowledge offered by each is realised in the fullest and most vivid manner by the reader

The development of a SmartAbility Framework to enhance multimodal interaction for people with reduced physical ability.

Assistive technologies are an evolving market due to the number of people worldwide who have conditions resulting in reduced physical ability (also known as disability). Various classification schemes exist to categorise disabilities, as well as government legislations to ensure equal opportunities within the community. However, there is a notable absence of a process to map physical conditions to technologies in order to improve Quality of Life for this user group. This research is characterised primarily under the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) domain, although aspects of Systems of Systems (SoS) and Assistive Technologies have been applied. The thesis focuses on examples of multimodal interactions leading to the development of a SmartAbility Framework that aims to assist people with reduced physical ability by utilising their abilities to suggest interaction mediums and technologies. The framework was developed through a predominantly Interpretivism methodology approach consisting of a variety of research methods including state- of-the-art literature reviews, requirements elicitation, feasibility trials and controlled usability evaluations to compare multimodal interactions. The developed framework was subsequently validated through the involvement of the intended user community and domain experts and supported by a concept demonstrator incorporating the SmartATRS case study. The aim and objectives of this research were achieved through the following key outputs and findings: - A comprehensive state-of-the-art literature review focussing on physical conditions and their classifications, HCI concepts relevant to multimodal interaction (Ergonomics of human-system interaction, Design For All and Universal Design), SoS definition and analysis techniques involving System of Interest (SoI), and currently-available products with potential uses as assistive technologies. - A two-phased requirements elicitation process applying surveys and semi-structured interviews to elicit the daily challenges for people with reduced physical ability, their interests in technology and the requirements for assistive technologies obtained through collaboration with a manufacturer. - Findings from feasibility trials involving monitoring brain activity using an electroencephalograph (EEG), tracking facial features through Tracking Learning Detection (TLD), applying iOS Switch Control to track head movements and investigating smartglasses. - Results of controlled usability evaluations comparing multimodal interactions with the technologies deemed to be feasible from the trials. The user community of people with reduced physical ability were involved during the process to maximise the usefulness of the data obtained. - An initial SmartDisability Framework developed from the results and observations ascertained through requirements elicitation, feasibility trials and controlled usability evaluations, which was validated through an approach of semi-structured interviews and a focus group. - An enhanced SmartAbility Framework to address the SmartDisability validation feedback by reducing the number of elements, using simplified and positive terminology and incorporating concepts from Quality Function Deployment (QFD). - A final consolidated version of the SmartAbility Framework that has been validated through semi-structured interviews with additional domain experts and addressed all key suggestions. The results demonstrated that it is possible to map technologies to people with physical conditions by considering the abilities that they can perform independently without external support and the exertion of significant physical effort. This led to a realisation that the term ‘disability’ has a negative connotation that can be avoided through the use of the phrase ‘reduced physical ability’. It is important to promote this rationale to the wider community, through exploitation of the framework. This requires a SmartAbility smartphone application to be developed that allows users to input their abilities in order for recommendations of interaction mediums and technologies to be provided

Spatial distribution of mortality in Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas: reflection on mechanisms of OsHV-1 transmission

The ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1) has the potential to devastate Crassostrea gigas culture in Australia as it has done in many other countries, highlighting the need for a better understanding of disease expression and transmission. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of OsHV-1 associated mortalities in one of only two infected areas in Australia, Woolooware Bay (Botany Bay New South Wales). In October 2011, healthy sentinel Pacific oysters were placed in three different locations at three different tidal levels and OsHV-1 associated mortalities were closely monitored over 7 months. The outbreak started in November 2011 and the disease remained active until April 2012. Three major mortality events were detected. Rather than being a propagating epizootic, it appeared that most oysters were infected from the same environmental source. The distribution of OsHV-1 associated mortalities was spatially clustered, highly variable and clearly dependent on the age of oysters and their position in the water column. Non-random distribution of mortalities at macro scale (sites several km apart) and micro scale (within rearing trays), and vertical clustering patterns in the water column are discussed in relation to mechanisms of transmission in water. We hypothesise that OsHV-1 may be carried through water by particles, possibly plankton. Key words: Crassostrea gigas, Ostreid herpesvirus 1, summer mortalities, spatial distribution, plankton, disease transmissionFunded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the University of Sydney and the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authorit

From Requirements to Operation: Components for Risk Assessment in a Pervasive System of Systems

Framing Internet of Things (IoT) applications as a System of Systems (SoS) can help us make sense of complexity associated with interoperability and emergence. However, assess- ing the risk of SoSs is a challenge due to the independence of component systems, and their differing degrees of control and emergence. This paper presents three components for SoS risk assessment that integrate with existing risk assessment approaches: Human System Integration (HSI), Interoperability identification and analysis, and Emergent behaviour evaluation and control measures. We demonstrate the application of these components by assessing a pervasive SoS: a SmartPowerchair

Authentibility Pass: An Accessible Authentication Gateway for People with Reduced Abilities

Authentication is a key component of modern web interfaces. As such, it is important that these authentication mechanisms are inclusive to all users including those with reduced abilities. In this paper, we describe our work on Authentibility Pass that allows users with reduced abilities to communicate their authentication and accessibility requirements to organisations, thus ensuring that authentication is accessible. We first, describe a market validation phase of 30 minute interviews (N=9) with key stakeholders, such as higher education institutions, charities and financial institutions. From our findings, we identified that people with reduced abilities need to repeatedly inform organisations of their requirements. The Authentibility Pass Proof of Concept was then developed comprising of an Android application, database, web interface and Application Programming Interface (API). The market validation results, requirements specification, user interface designs and preliminary evaluation results are discussed, including suggestions for future work. Authentibility Pass will increase the awareness of organisations to customer requirements with reduced abilities, resulting in higher levels of satisfaction

Experimental infections of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas using the Australian OsHV-1 µVar strain

In Australia the spread of the Ostreid herpesvirus OsHV-1 microvariant (OsHV-1 µVar) threatens the Pacific oyster industry. There was an urgent need to develop an experimental infection model in order to study the pathogenesis of the virus in controlled laboratory conditions. The present study constitutes the first attempt to use archived frozen oysters as a source of inoculum, based on the Australian OsHV-1 µVar strain. Experiments were conducted to test (i) the virus infectivity, (ii) the dose-response relationship for OsHV-1, and (iii) the best storage conditions to keep infective viral inoculum. Intramuscular injection of a viral inoculum consistently led to an onset of mortality 48h post injection and a final cumulative mortality exceeding 90%, in association with high viral loads (1 x 105 – 3 x 107 copies of virus mg-1) in dead individuals. For the first time an infective inoculum was produced from frozen oysters (tissues stored at -80°C for 6 months). Storage of purified viral inoculum at +4°C for 3 months provided similar results to use of fresh inoculum whereas storage at -20°C, -80°C and room temperature was detrimental to infectivity. A dose-response relationship for OsHV-1 was identified but further research is recommended to determine the most appropriate viral concentration for development of infection models that would be used for different purposes. Overall, this work highlights the best practices and potential issues that may occur in the development of a reproducible and transferable infection model for studying the pathogenicity of the Australian OsHV-1 strain in C. gigas under experimental conditions. Keywords: Ostreid herpesvirus 1; Crassostrea gigas; experimental infection model; dose-response; inoculum preparation; storage condition

A comparison of uterine contractile responsiveness to arginine vasopressin in oviparous and viviparous lizards

Nonapeptides and their receptors regulate a diverse range of physiological processes. We assessed the contractile responsiveness of uteri from the squamate viviparous-oviparous species pair, Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii and Lampropholis guichenoti, as well as the bimodally reproductive species, Saiphos equalis, to arginine vasopressin (AVP). We assessed the resulting uterine contractility as a function of pregnancy status, species and parity mode. We also measured mRNA abundance for the nonapeptide receptor, oxytocin receptor (oxtr), in uteri from P. entrecasteauxii and L. guichenoti and compared expression across pregnancy status and parity mode. We found that pregnant uteri exhibited a significantly greater contractile response to AVP than non-pregnant uteri in all three lizard species studied. Cross-species comparisons revealed that uteri from viviparous P. entrecasteauxii were significantly more responsive to AVP than uteri from oviparous L. guichenoti during both pregnant and non-pregnant states. Conversely, for non-pregnant S. equalis, uteri from viviparous individuals were significantly less responsive to AVP than uteri from oviparous individuals, while during pregnancy, there was no difference in AVP contractile responsiveness. There was no difference in expression of oxtr between L. guichenoti and P. entrecasteauxii, or between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals within each species. We found no significant correlation between oxtr expression and AVP contractile responsiveness. These findings indicate that there are differences in nonapeptide signalling across parity mode and suggest that in these lizards, labour may be triggered either by an increase in plasma nonapeptide concentration, or by an increase in expression of a different nonapeptide receptor from the vasopressin-like receptor family