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Ergonomic Evaluation of a High-Performance Gaming Input Device and a Comparison with Traditional Devices
Get PDFObjective: The goal of this study is to address the need for research on the ergonomic effects of computer gaming by providing an objective, ergonomic evaluation of a gaming input device using a simulated gaming task that compares ergonomic and performance measures with traditional computer input devices. The computer input devices included one traditional, a rollerball, and a gaming input device.
Methods: 20 participants wore sEMG sensors placed on the abductor pollicis brevis of the right hand. The subjects’ maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was recorded at the beginning of the study. Performance was measured by recording the number of correct sequences that subjects completed during their trail, while force was measured using sEMG. A Welch’s one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to analyze statistical significance of the data; a Games-Howell Pairwise Comparison test was used for the post hoc analysis.
Results: The difference in mean force exerted by the abductor pollicis brevis for the input devices was significant (p<0.001). The number of correct sequences completed by each subject, was also significant (p<0.001). Two post-hoc comparisons were statistically significant for each data set. The %MVC for the gaming input device was significantly different from both the rollerball input device (p= 0.021) and the traditional input device (p<0.001). The number of correct sequences for the traditional input device was significantly different from both the gaming input device (p<0.001) and the rollerball input device (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a possibility that gaming input devices increase force exertion while performing gaming tasks which may increase the risk of developing MSD’s of the hand and thumb, without an apparent increase in performance within the constraints of this study. Further research is needed to determine if similar results exist during a gaming task performed by actual gamers
Single Parents Describe Balancing Roles: Parent and Student
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative study was to explore lived experiences described by single-parent students while balancing their roles: parent and student. A qualitative design included a hermeneutic approach with interpretation that consisted of a transcript coding process. Approximately 30 hours were spent reading through transcripts, while highlighting words which identified themes. Seven themes evolved: structure, stress, not enough time, guilt, isolation, self-care, perfectionism. For example, structure, isolation, and not enough time were themes reflected as Meg stated, “I know what a priority is and what isn’t. Friends are not a priority. It’s like this constant balancing act. Everything is going a million miles a minute, so fast - the teaching, homework, learning, my kids, the days, studying.” Oncampus single-parent students’ academic support and family-friendly social activities were limited; inequities in social justice were evidenced. Following themes of structure, stress, and isolation, a homework-support group on campus was offered twice a week. There was scarce involvement by single-parent students. After the last six interviews, a different approach was used for support by following the themes of guilt and isolation. On campus, family-friendly social activities were offered and participation was successful. By offering family-friendly social activities on campus, single-parents received improved support while balancing their responsibilities of parent and student
Integration of a Fluxgate Magnetometer and GPS System into an Unmanned Aircraft System
Get PDFMagnetic method has been widely used for exploration of magnetic minerals or rocks and the detection of artificial objects such as unexploded ordinances (UXOs). However, a ground-based magnetic survey is time-consuming. Aeromagnetic surveys will be faster and more efficient. In this project, we integrated a fluxgate magnetometer and GPS units with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), i.e., Matrice 600 Pro, to measure magnetic anomalies for aero-geophysical exploration. To achieve this objective, we used an Arduino microprocessor to control a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer (FGM-301/310) and two GPS units (ANTGPS-SH-SMA). Arduino IDE codes were written for simultaneous data collection from the magnetometer and the two GPS antennas and for storing the data to a microSD card. These components will be attached to the DJI Matrice 600 Pro UAV. The whole system will be tested using a UXO sample. We will fly the UAS with the magnetometer over a sample UXO. With the two GPS antennas, the location and orientation of the magnetometer is obtained so that the three components of the magnetic field can be calculated. The data collected will be processed to create a georeferenced map of magnetic fields and will be interpreted. The accuracy of the fluxgate magnetometer and UAV system will be evaluated
Cloning Grnas to Enable Crispr-Mediated Human Gene Knockouts
Get PDFThe human genome encodes over 80 members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family. Many of the TRIM proteins are upregulated in cells responding to interferon-beta (IFNβ). Interestingly, screens have shown that approximately half of the TRIM proteins act on interferon signal transduction pathways in positive and negative feedback loops. Cell lines are being created that can be used as tools for identifying the step of IFN signaling acted upon by TRIM proteins. To create tools for this goal, we have cloned guide RNAs targeting IFNB, IFNAR1, IRF3, and IRF7 genes into the pSpCas9(BB)-2A-EGFP vector using recombination techniques. Success of cloning was confirmed by restriction digests and DNA sequencing. Human cells (293T) were successfully transfected and are currently being cultured to attain monoclonal EGFP+ lines. Screening for loss of gene expression in clonal lines will assessed by immunoblotting as well as tested functionally using luciferase reporter assays
Synthesis and Characterization of [CU(PDTC)L] Coordination Compound Series
Get PDFCarbon Tertrachloride (CT) is a potential environmental contaminants in water, and soil. We are interested in studying potential CT environmental remediation technologies. Specially we are interested in 2,6-pyridinedithiocarboxylic (PDTC) and the dechlorination properties of its copper based coordination compounds, [Cu(PDTC)L]X. In the interest of creating better performing more soluble coordination compounds we seek to understand the link between coordination compound electronic structure and reactivity. With the ultimate goal in mind we present IR, UV-Vis, and NMR evidence for the successful synthesis of a series of [Cu(PDTC)yL]X coordination compounds. Here L-Br, CN, PPh3 as well as the dimer species [Cu(PDTC)2]. These experimental spectra are compared to computational data calculated using DFT optimized structures utilizing a wide range of exchange and correlation density functionals
The Effects of Pulsed Electrical Stimulation on the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Prior to Exercise
Get PDFNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a commonly employed modality for rehabilitation and is growing in utilization due to its physiological effect in muscular activation. Recent comparative studies have examined utilizing stimulation versus isometric exercise and differences between genders on the effects of administering NMES after physical activity for recuperative purposes, but very little information exists regarding the effects of pre-stimulation to specific muscle groups for strength enhancement. This study aimed to answer this question by pre-stimulating the quadriceps femoris muscle prior to resistance training to determine if there is greater improvement in overall strength performance of the lower body. Fifteen healthy, recreationally and/or competitively active college students (male and female, ages 21 + 3 years, weight 152.8 + 42.2 lbs, height 66.1 + 6 inches) with at least 2 years of resistance training experience performed a 8-week strength training program targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle and its synergists (gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, soleus, gastrocnemius) for three nonconsecutive days each week. Individuals were randomly selected for placement in either the experimental (n=7) or control group (n=8). The experimental group received pulsed NMES prior to the workout for 15 minutes. Training volume for each participant was collected weekly to measure participants’ progress, and 1-repetition maximums were collected before and after the workout program to quantitatively determine any impact on strength from pulsed NMES. A Mann-Whitney U-test was used to statistically compare the improvements in strength performance between groups. The results indicated that pre-stimulation of the quadriceps muscle before exercise will result in enhanced strength performance. This study shows that administering NMES prior to resistance training is an efficient method of pre-activating muscle fibers, conditioning the muscle to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions during exercise, and allow for greater improvement in strength to be achieved more quickly
Analysis of Spiny Softshell Turtle Population Structures in Five River Systems in Eastern Montana
Get PDF The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is designated as a species of concern in the state of Montana due to a lack of knowledge regarding their conservation status, loss of habitat connectivity and anthropogenic changes in hydrology. Information on population abundance and basic population structure for this species is necessary to understand how altered hydrological regimes and catastrophic events may affect this highly aquatic species. Spiny softshell turtles were studied in five river and creek systems in southeastern Montana. Over three years a total of 553 spiny softshell turtles were captured. The proportion of females to males captured across all five systems was not significantly different between creeks and rivers, with a total of 89.69% females and 10.31% males. We developed four length / age classes (juvenile, sub-adult, reproductive adult, mature adult) based on reported age cohorts from other studies. Numbers of spiny softshell turtles in each cohort were found to be significantly different between the five systems p < 0.00001. The Musselshell and Yellowstone Rivers and Pryor Creek had evidence of juvenile age classes and a more even distribution of age classes than the other systems. The Bighorn River had mostly larger adults and the Musselshell River lacked significant numbers of mature adults. Average seasonal water temperatures, timing and magnitude of spring pulse flows, ice cover and scour in winter, and abundance of open gravel bars, should be examined as possible factors which may explain the observed differences in spiny softshell turtle demographic structures on these five systems
The Author: David Poulsen
Get PDFDavid A. Poulsen has been a broadcaster, teacher, football coach, stage and film actor and—most of all—writer. His writing career began in earnest when his story “The Welcomin’ “ won the 1984 Alberta Culture Short Story Competition. Now the author of more than 25 books, many for middle readers and young adults, David’s newest teen novel, And Then the Sky Exploded, is scheduled for an October release. It’s the story of Christian Larkin who learns that his great-grandfather helped build the A-bombs dropped on Japan and wants to make amends … somehow.David recently made his inaugural foray into the world of adult crime fiction with Serpents Rising, the first book in the Cullen and Cobb Mystery series. The follow-up novel, Dead Air, will be arriving in January of 2017. A UBC Creative Writing alumnus and former Writer in Residence at the Saskatoon Public Library, David lives with his wife Barb on a small ranch in the foothills of southwestern Alberta
Supercharged storytimes, supercharged solutions: Enhancing storytimes with a research-based community of practice
Get PDFThis article is a narrative of our session at the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA) Conference in Calgary on August 3, 2016, where we provided background on the research behind Supercharged Storytimes and then presented tips, tricks, and effective practices to help library staff to be intentional and interactive in the planning and delivery of early literacy storytimes. We also emphasized the importance of building a practitioner community to encourage professional growth through peer feedback and self-reflection of storytime programs. Storytime practitioners, both brand new and those with years of experience, will discover how to supercharge their storytimes and make an impact on the children in their communities
A Message from the Past President: PNLA Presidency… A year of Discovery!
Get PDFMy hope is that by telling folks what is involved and what can be gained from the experience it will become less of a looming gargantuan task, and more of an adventure to be enjoyed in small segments! Other ways to become involved are to volunteer for the Conference Committee or to run for the office of state/provincial representative to PNLA (chosen by your local association). Whatever choice you make, explore what this great organization has to offer and help us make PNLA stronger! I am happy to answer questions, so feel free to contact me - especially if you want to help with next summer’s con-ference! I look forward to meeting more of you at conferences, and getting to know better those of you who accept this adventurous challenge