7903 research outputs found
Sort by
The Use of the Media for Formal and Non-Formal Education
Get PDFDear Reader,
With some risk of exaggeration, it is said that the media are a major factor in the contemporary social construction of reality, If something isn\u27t in print, radio, TV or other media, it does not exist socially and culturally. To the extent that this is true, with the medium of this CSCC NEWSLETTER for our friends and associates as well as colleagues in the field of communication, the CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE begins to exist.
In this first issue it seems appropriate to state why we exist -- our orientation, objectives, and functions. We hope that by focusing on the intelligent sill. use of communications for the construction of a truly humane socio-cultural reality, we will provide a forum and a service for those of you who share this concern.
Since so many of our associates are involved in some form of education, seems fitting to begin with a discussion of recent reports and discussions regarding the use of media for education.
Over the last twenty years there has been a great deal of innovative experience with various forms of instructional media which could greatly enhance the capacity of educators. In the REVIEW ESSAY of this issue we indicate a few of the important survey books and articles which summarize some of what we know about the potential effectiveness of instructional media. As these authors emphasize, in this pioneering phase there has been too much fascination with simply overcoming distances by radio and with the supposed magic of the flashing pictures of TV. The research also has been too much concerned with proving that it is possible to teach with radio and TV. But it is suggested that both researchers and educators must now get down to perfecting the art of how to instruct through the different media forms.
In the section on CURRENT RESEARCH we present a sample of some major research\u27 projects which illustrate current trends in this area of communication research, In the editorial PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, views regarding more fruitful approaches in study of instructional media are presented.
Since this NEWSLETTER is intended to be a forum for discussion of current issues, we invite our readers to send in their own views.
Robert A. White, the Editor
Integrated Capillaric Sensors and Design of Sensor Systems for Human Movement Analysis Using Skin-Mountable Patches
No full textThis thesis presents the development and integration of capillaric strain sensors (CSSs) for human movement recognition. CSSs operate by detecting volume changes in closed microfluidic networks in response to linear strain, offering tunable directionality and sensitivity. By adopting strategies from electrical digital circuits, CSSs were configured in OR and AND logic gate arrangements, enabling simplified movement recognition without extensive computational resources. Digital image correlation techniques were employed to map strain fields, facilitating accurate predictions of sensor responses. Skin-mounted CSS patches as small as 3 × 3 mm² demonstrated effective human movement detection, highlighting their potential in wearable technology applications.
Building on the demonstrated programmability and sensitivity of CSS‐based logic arrays for movement recognition, we next sought to simplify the readout and enhance robustness by introducing a true digital switching mechanism. Consequently, we developed a digital strain sensor (DigSS) that leverages the geometry-dependent corner flow in capillaric channels to produce a binary ON/OFF response once a predefined strain threshold is reached. This behavior is achieved through the channel geometry dependence of corner flow in CSSs, resulting in an electrofluidic switch. The DigSS operates robustly for hundreds of cycles with a strain limit of detection of 0.0026. To facilitate integration, a linear optimization-based computer-aided design tool (CAD) for the integrated DigSS (iDigSS) was created. Benchtop experiments showed that the CAD based iDigSS is capable of distinguishing a target strain-field profile from 35 of the 36 theoretically distinguishable profiles without requiring signal processing. Human subject trials demonstrated the system\u27s ability to differentiate a specific shoulder movement from five others and to wirelessly record wrist extension counts and durations.
To address the challenge of uneven strain-induced bubble generation in adjacent reservoirs, overlapping reservoir designs were implemented. This architectural modification ensured synchronized meniscus formation across reservoirs under nonuniform and dynamic strain conditions, enhancing the consistency and reliability of sensor outputs.
Together, these studies advance the understanding of how mechanical, chemical, and geometric design principles can be combined to create integrated skin patches for movement recognition and assessment. These findings enable the development of skin‐strain sensors tailored for next-generation human movement detection
Effects of Near-Infrared Light Stimulation on Cognition and Biomarkers
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is an experimental treatment that potentially slows the progression of neurodegenerative diseases by affecting cerebral blood flow, inflammatory processes, and ATP production. Preliminary tPBM studies in humans show that tPBM stimulation can positively influence cognitive function. The objective of this study was to build a cohesive hardware and software system safe for human use, and use that system and another tPBM device to test the cognitive effects and EEG and HRV biomarkers of tPBM.
METHODS: A lab-built prototype device was designed based on the industry standard Neuronic LIGHT tPBM device. The prototype consists of 360 LEDs at 10 focused locations over the head. Both tPBM devices used 1070 nm LEDs and investigated candidate cognitive effects and biomarkers by testing the cognitive performance of healthy adults (N=22) before and after tPBM at 6 Hz with a 90% duty cycle compared to a sham procedure. Mechanisms associated with tPBM were measured by PPG and EEG. Heart rate variability (HRV) derived from PPG served as a biomarker for cerebrovascular effects. Theta power was used as a biomarker for change in neural activity associated with tPBM. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the independent effect of tPBM on cognitive performance, theta power, and HRV.
RESULTS: The prototype device built had all the same basic functionalities of the Neuronic LIGHT device and had measured irradiance and fluence values of 105 mW/cm² and 56.7 J/cm², respectively. Initial results indicate within subject changes in working memory and processing speed were not associated with Neuronic or prototype protocols. Additionally, HRV and EEG PSD values were not associated with the tPBM protocols for either device.
DISCUSSION: Additional testing needs to be conducted at different stimulation parameters with larger sample sizes to determine the reliable effects of tPBM on cognition and physiological features. In the future, the relationship between features like EEG, HRV, and cognition should be investigated to determine if there is a direct relationship between physiological features and cognitive function
Sustainable Water Solution for San Jose Urban Garden
No full textIn collaboration with the Urban Grower’s Network, a sustainable water supply was designed to irrigate one acre of row crops in a proposed garden in Downtown San Jose. In order to align with the stakeholders’ goals of sustainability, cost, reliability, and generating a positive impact on the community, stormwater runoff from the parking area will be collected through a bioswale and held in an underground cistern. The water will then be pumped up through a reverse osmosis system and distributed to the crops through drip irrigation. There will be a separate above ground rainwater harvesting system from the classroom for educational purposes. The design ensures that one acre of row crops will be irrigated for an entire year without reliance on city water supply
