Liquid: Designing a Universal Sensor Interface for Ubiquitous Computing

This paper describes the specification of a universal sensor interface (USI) called Liquid, which allows for the collection and representation of sensor readings from a wide range of different sensors. We illustrate how it is possible for Liquid to collect data from a broad spectrum of sensors using a select method of sensor classification and to present this data within a common environment. We explore how this approach can extend itself to include sensors not yet conceived of with relative ease. Finally we explain how the Liquid USI provides developers of ubiquitous systems with a general-purpose toolkit for the development of sensor-based applications

Towards a framework for investigating tangible environments for learning

External representations have been shown to play a key role in mediating cognition. Tangible environments offer the opportunity for novel representational formats and combinations, potentially increasing representational power for supporting learning. However, we currently know little about the specific learning benefits of tangible environments, and have no established framework within which to analyse the ways that external representations work in tangible environments to support learning. Taking external representation as the central focus, this paper proposes a framework for investigating the effect of tangible technologies on interaction and cognition. Key artefact-action-representation relationships are identified, and classified to form a structure for investigating the differential cognitive effects of these features. An example scenario from our current research is presented to illustrate how the framework can be used as a method for investigating the effectiveness of differential designs for supporting science learning

Should you treat a symptomatic patient by phone when his child has confirmed strep throat?

Although no studies specifically evaluate this question, treatment for Group A beta- hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis without laboratory confirmation in the general population is not advisable (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on consensus guidelines) due to poor diagnostic accuracy. When you suspect GABHS pharyngitis either clinically or epidemio-logically, confirm the diagnosis of pharyngitis by a laboratory test. Patients with a positive throat culture or a rapid antigen detection test should receive appropriate treatment with antimicrobial therapy (SOR: A, based on clinical trials)

Dark Lancaster

In this position paper we'll outline a few ongoing and planned projects at Lancaster that are not all sweetness and light. In some we are interested in some of the darker aspects of human nature: frustration when things go wrong in order to design games with the right emotional impact; and anger of those seeking jobs in order to help train those who need to defuse fraught situations. In others we deliberately seek to design ‘bad’ situations; obviously this is necessary to study issues like frustration, but also we design bad things in order to understand what is good! Finally, there are times when good is dark and the bright light of day needs to be shrouded just a little

The effect of representation location on interaction in a tangible learning environment

Drawing on the 'representation' TUI framework [21], this paper reports a study that investigated the concept of 'representation location' and its effect on interaction and learning. A reacTIVision-based tangible interface was designed and developed to support children learning about the behaviour of light. Children aged eleven years worked with the environment in groups of three. Findings suggest that different representation locations lend themselves to different levels of abstraction and engender different forms and levels of activity, particularly with respect to speed of dynamics and differences in group awareness. Furthermore, the studies illustrated interaction effects according to different physical correspondence metaphors used, particularly with respect to combining familiar physical objects with digital--based table-top representation. The implications of these findings for learning are discussed

Giving voice to children in research: The power of child-centered constructivist grounded theory methodology

There has been a growing interest in giving voice to children in response to the introduction of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and evolving sociological discourses on childhood. Using child-sensitive methodologies such as constructivist grounded theory (CGT) enables children's voices to contribute authentic, meaningful, and eventually more actionable data, capable of informing policies and practices in children's best interests. In this article, we discuss how researchers using CGT can privilege children's voices through effective knowledge coconstruction by creating a child-sensitive research space and using methods that are appropriate to their abilities and interests. We draw on selected data from the first author's (I. S.) PhD project that explores Indian immigrant children's and their family carers' beliefs, practices, and experiences of asthma in New Zealand. We encourage researchers to consider CGT as one of the appropriate methodological choices to explicitly promote the voice of the child

South Asian immigrants' and their family carers' beliefs, practices and experiences of childhood long-term conditions: An integrative review

Aim: The aim was to examine South Asian immigrants' beliefs, practices and experiences of childhood long-term conditions. Design: This was an integrative review. Data sources: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for primary peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 2011 and April 2021. Review methods: Articles were screened based on PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklist for qualitative studies and the Joanna Brigg's Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for quantitative studies. Results: Fourteen studies were included in the review. South Asian immigrant children and their family carers experienced cultural clashes as they attempted to incorporate their cultural beliefs about long-term conditions into a more westernized biomedical approach. Families were overburdened by caregiving and struggled to find additional support for their children. The main findings were categorized into three themes: (1) cultural beliefs; (2) religious, spiritual and complementary and alternative medicine practices and (3) care and support of the child. Conclusion: Health-care providers should use a combination of culturally safe management strategies and a nuanced approach to educational initiatives on the biomedical aspects of various long-term conditions to effectively engage South Asian immigrant families with health services. Impact: The growth of South Asians worldwide along with the increased burden of long-term conditions among South Asian immigrant children has implications for health service delivery. However, no reviews to date have explored South Asian immigrants' experience of childhood long-term conditions. Incorporating South Asian immigrants' beliefs and practices into the plan of care promotes collaborative decision-making that can lead to better treatment adherence, improved health outcomes and higher patient and family satisfaction. The findings encourage clinicians, researchers and policymakers to develop culturally safe child/family-centred interventions to address the specific needs of South Asian immigrant children with long-term conditions

Build a Sporadic Group in your Basement

All simple finite groups are classified as members of specific families. With one exception, these families are infinite collections of groups sharing similar structures. The exceptional family of sporadic groups contains exactly twenty-six members. The five Mathieu groups are the most accessible of these sporadic cases. In this article, we explore connections between Mathieu groups and error-correcting communication codes. These connections permit simple, visual representations of the three largest Mathieu groups: M24, M23, and M22. Along the way, we provide a brief, nontechnical introduction to the field of coding theory

A Study of Culture and Conflict Management Styles of Community College Employees

This paper looks at the relationship of department culture and the conflict management styles that people possess. An explanation and the different components of culture are described by several researches. Conflict is also explained as well as the different types of conflict, and where conflict stems from. The study focused on three offices at a community college located in Upstate New York. Based on the offices belonging to different college divisions, the assumption was made that these offices would have different subcultures. The participants of the study work directly with students and often deal with confrontational situations. The goal of the study was to see if the three offices had different cultures and to determine if each of the office\u27s culture affected the conflict management styles of the employees in each office. The study used Harrison and Stokes (1992) Diagnosing Organizational Culture Questionnaire and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Management Questionnaire (1976) to determine the answers to the research questions