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Testing the speed and accuracy of navigating layouts of web page elements through the use of an eye tracking and speech recognition mechanism
No full textThe use of world wide web has increased rapidly over the past few years. In addition, websites
covering many topics, are the first source of information. The content of these websites are
designed in creative ways to help the web users navigate quickly and easily along with using
the input mechanisms. New input mechanisms have been introduced to the field of computer
interaction such as mouse, keyboard, touch pad, touch screen and touch pen. Since then
computer users have been increasingly using these new techniques to communicate with
computers. This tendency pushed computer engineers to come up with more intuitive ways to
facilitate interaction mechanism. Moreover, there remains significant demand to meet the
needs of physically challenged users in communicating with computers. Furthermore, the
traditional methods of navigating websites lack the ability to sense our attention. Hence there
must be new alternative input mechanisms to navigate web pages rather than using a mouse
and keyboard (KB). Among these mechanisms are the ones that interact with our capabilities,
such as voice, and our senses such as sight. This motivated us to think of alternative methods to
navigate web pages other than using traditional methods. For this purpose, eight basic layouts
of page elements were designed with seven tasks, and each task represented one of the these
layouts. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) techniques and evaluation methods were
followed to test the speed and accuracy of navigating the layouts through the use of eye
tracking and speech recognition mechanisms
A study into the effect of RBM5 expression on a small cell lung cancer cell line
No full textRNA Binding Motif domain protein 5 (RBM5) has been described as a lung cancer tumour suppressor gene. It influences the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the alternative splicing of various genes. In this study, the function of RBM5 was examined in a small cell lung cancer cell line, GLC20, in which RBM5 is deleted. GLC20 sublines expressing RBM5 were used for this study. It was observed that increased RBM5 expression associated with an increase in GLC20 cell death in the presence of cisplatin and a decrease in GLC20 cell proliferation. Increased RBM5 expression also resulted in a decrease in the EC50 of GLC20 cells towards cisplatin. The type of cell death triggered by both RBM5 expression and cisplatin treatment was observed to be apoptosis. Increased RBM5 expression resulted in changes in RBM10 alternative splicing. These results suggest that RBM5 expression may be important in the development of small cell lung cancer
Protein content and protease activity in senescing roots and leaves of wetland monocot species with contrasting root turnover strategies
No full textPerennial herbaceous monocots in Northern Ontario wetlands can be classified in two
distinct types of root turnover strategies: those with overwintering roots, and those with
complete root mortality at the end of the growing season. All species have autumnsenescing
leaves. The present thesis is part of investigations to understand adaptive
advantages of the two strategy types, focusing on nutrient remobilization from senescing
roots. Existing data on nutrient remobilization from senescing roots is based on changes
in element content in dying roots, and do not differentiate between remobilization and
leaching out. Root protein content and aminopeptidase activity was assessed for gardengrown
plants of six species from September to November, three species with autumnsenescing
roots (Rhynchospora alba, Sagittaria latifolia, Sparganium americanum) and
three with overwintering roots (Carex oligosperma, Iris versicolor, Scirpus microcarpus). We hypothesized that protein degradation and protease activity would be higher in
autumn-senescing roots. The results confirm the existence of two root turnover strategies,
species with annual roots showing a decline in root protein content, while species with
perennial roots did not show such a decrease. Leaf protein content deceased in all species
but C. oligosperma, known to senesce late. Total root aminopeptidase activity per fresh
mass decreased in species with annual roots, but not in those with perennial roots. In
contrast to expectation, specific aminopeptidase activity did not change over time and did
not differ between the strategies. We conclude that nitrogen remobilization is an active
process in senescing roots, and in autumn occurs only in annual roots. However, temporal
characterization of root enzyme activities requires more detailed investigation
Perception of enjoyment and masking smiles with self-report measures of rating on scales from happiness to negative emotions
No full textPrevious studies explored individual’s judgment of masking smiles using
dichotomous or categorical measures of rating which force individuals to categorize the
masking smile into one discrete category. The current study further examined
individuals’ ability to distinguish between enjoyment and masking smiles (smiles
containing trace of negative emotion) with positive-negative dimensional rating scales.
Thirty-two undergraduate students participated in the smile judgment study, which
consisted an Enjoyment smile and six masking smiles: a smile with a trace of fear, of
disgust, of anger in the brow, anger in the mouth, sadness in the brow and sadness in the
mouth. Participants had to evaluate each smile with four different scales, which contained
a positive and negative dimension (Happiness and either Fear, Sadness, Anger, and
Disgust).
Results indicated that participants could distinguish between the masking smiles
and enjoyment smiles as they rated the enjoyment smiles more positively than the
masking smiles. Participants were most sensitive to masking smiles containing traces of
fear as they rated this expression more negatively compared to the other masking smiles.
Other than the expression of anger (in the brow), masking smiles were rated more
negatively overall than the genuine enjoyment smiles. Finally, response rates were
quicker for enjoyment smiles than the masking smiles. Using dimensional measures of
rating in the smile judgment task did not change individuals’ judgment of the masking
smiles but may change the way the smiles are processed
Examining the effects of eye-tracking strategies and gender on multitask performance and eye movements during sleep deprivation
Get PDFThe current study implemented eye-tracking strategies on a computerized multitasking simulator in order to examine its effects on cognitive performance and dwell time on tasks during sleep deprivation. The study also looked at gender differences on multitask performance and dwell time on tasks before and after sleep deprivation. There were training trials before being sleep deprived and a testing trial after being sleep deprived for control and experimental groups. The experimental group had the eye-tracking strategies implemented on the multitasking simulator while the control group did not. It was hypothesised that eye-tracking strategies provided on the multitasking simulator would help individuals score better and equally distribute dwell time on tasks after being sleep deprived. It was also hypothesized that both genders would have similar scores and dwell times. Results showed that regardless of the eye-tracking strategies being provided or not, individuals performed better after being sleep deprived. Dwell times decreased for most of the tasks from training to testing and were not equally distributed. No conclusions in terms of gender differences were made due to limitations of unequal distribution of males and females on experimental and control groups. Results suggested that one night of sleep deprivation may not be enough for cognitive impairment to occur in the population examined. Future studies should look at implementing eye-tracking strategies when there is certainty that cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation is occurring
X-ray scattering point models for breast cone-beam computed tomography
No full textThe purpose of this work was to determine via simulations the potential use of sim-
plified scattering point models in full-field breast Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
(CBCT).
A many Scattering Point (MSP) per incident beamlet model and a Single Scat-
tering Point (SSP) model were tested against Geant4 simulations, as well as against
each other. Comparisons were made using both homogeneous as well as heterogeneous
phantoms. The homogeneous phantoms were cylinders, 14 cm and 7 cm in diameter
and 10.5 cm in length with various fibroglandular(fib):fat compositions. The hetero-
geneous phantom was the 14 cm phantom mentioned previously, but modeled as pure
fib with a number of smaller embedded cylinders composed of fat. A second configu-
ration with the compositions of the main and embedded cylinders swapped was also
tested. The simulation used a 60 kV tungsten anode spectrum with a HVL of 3.7 mm
Al which irradiated the simulated breast phantom over 300 projections. The detector
was modeled as 300 × 300, 1 mm2 energy integrating pixels, with a DQE of unity.
Both of the models approximate the cone-beam as a number of individual beamlets
(300 × 300 to match with the detector) with scattering points placed along their in-
tersections with the phantom. The MSP model incorporated a single scattering point
per 1 cm of incident beamlet length within the phantom. The SSP model used an
adjustable single scattering point positioned at a fractional depth within the phan-
tom. By comparing results from these two scattering point models, values of were
determined which would yield SSP model scatter approximations matching those of
iii
the MSP model. Both models were tested against Geant4 simulations for their ability
to adequately estimate the scatter signals upon the detector. The SSP model was
also tested for its ability to correct for the cupping artifact in reconstructed images of
the heterogeneous phantom, without assuming knowledge of the inner heterogeneous
geometry.
The Hounsfield Units (HU) obtained with primary photons were 48.5±3.18 and
−159 ± 23.0 for fib and fat respectively for one of the heterogeneous phantom con-
figurations. Due to the cupping artifact in the reconstructed images which included
scatter, these values were −46.6 ± 18.9 and −215 ± 34.0 respectively. Following cor-
rections for the single scatter, via the SSP model, the corresponding CT numbers
became 52.3 ± 3.67 and −161 ± 23.3.
It was encouraging to see that a simple model can minimize the effects of single
scattered photons during CBCT of a heterogeneous phantom. The HUs obtained
post-scatter correction agreed well with those obtained with primary photons. The
preliminary findings encourage further efforts for thoroughly testing these scatter
point models’ applicability for obtaining higher quality CBCT images
Pour une indépendance économique des auditrices des institutions de formation et d'éducation féminine (IFEF) de Côte d'Ivoire
No full textCet article, qui s'inscrit dans une perspective de "thinking outside the box", porte sur le processus d'autonomisation économique des femmes et filles formées dans les Institutions de Formation et d'Éducation Féminine (IFEF) de Côte-d'Ivoire. La question de recherche que les auteurs tentent d'instruire est la suivante: "Quels sont les besoins de formation en vue d'une indépendance économique des auditrices des IFEF de Côte d'Ivoire? Pour répondre à cette question de recherche, 19 actrices du tissu socio-économique ivoirien, volontaires, ont participé à des entrevues individuelles et de groupe. Trois grandes perspectives pour une indépendance économique des auditrices, issues des résultats, sont présentées et discutées
Demonstrating Anishinaabe storywork circle pedagogy: creating conceptual space for ecological relational knowledge in the classroom.
No full textAboriginal education reform policies, Truth and Reconciliation initiatives, and climate change indicators signal opportunity and an urgency for action to effect positive change through relationship with Aki1. Aboriginal peoples’ ancient and wholistic ways of knowing, being, doing, and feeling are touchstones to support timely transformative processes in education and Canadian society. Current educational initiatives emphasize learning Aboriginal content and the integration of historical perspectives and contemporary arts into the Ontario curricula. This case study of 17 participants in a grade 4/5 classroom explores a research journey in northeastern Ontario demonstrating how the oral tradition and an Anishinaabe storywork Circle pedagogy
create conceptual space for Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge within the urban public school classroom. An Anishinaabe shared learning process devoid of power imbalance draws on the life experience of each student and educator in a culture and land-based approach. This study addresses the following research questions: What is Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge and what principles and concepts of Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge are made visible in a public school classroom? How is Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge socially enacted in the classroom? How does the teacher's perception of Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge transform their pedagogy? A critical Indigenous2 research theory and qualitative methodological approach bring forward a narrative inclusive of teacher and
elementary student voices and participant researcher reflections and query.
1 Aki is the Anishinaabemowin term for "Land". Anishinaabemowin refers to the Aboriginal languages of
the Anishinaabek people, spoken by the Algonquin, Chippewa, Delaware, Mississauga, Odawa, and Ojibway and Pottawatomi people of the Great Lakes Region.
2 The term Indigenous refers to the first peoples that occupied the continents of the world and is used in this
research context to refer to all first peoples-unique in our own cultures-but common in our experiences of
colonialism and our understanding of the world (Wilson, 2008, p. 15). Anishinaabe cultural ecological relational knowledge refers to a specific area of Indigenous knowledge that suits the study's local context regarding Anishinaabe cultural origins, linguistic family, and community traditions. An animated learning process and experience incorporates life experience, relational collectivity, and inner knowing for Anishinaabe cultural ecological relational knowledge regarding the self in relationship with Aki and each other. The ‘school yard as classroom’ is utilized and this is especially supportive for First Nation students in transition to the city. Students’ and educators’ engagement in an inclusive community of respect and mutual understanding supports exploration of biophilia (the love of nature) and balanced
relationships. The incorporation of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway language) conveys worldview
perspectives and exemplifies the Indigenous paradigm and ways of knowing. The Anishinaabe storywork Circle process builds identity and supportive relationships which are strongly associated with school success of particular relevance for Aboriginal student engagement in school. Classroom teacher praxis is stimulated in response to Anishinaabe ecological relational knowledge and an Anishinaabe storywork Circle pedagogy. A robust process for change emerges through an examination of ecological systems theory. The impacts of relationshipbuilding, creation of a kind, respectful and inclusive classroom environment to interrupt systemic
hegemony and racism are discussed
Multiple dietary supplement and protection against radiation-induced damage
No full textRadiotherapy is a critical part of cancer treatment. With the recent medical advancements
and increased survival rate of cancer patients, there is also an increased risk of radiationrelated
tissue damage and toxicity which could lead to severe organ damage or even organ
failure. Medications that could be used as prophylaxis or treatment provide a better quality
of life for cancer patients. In the present study, we evaluated the radio-protective potential of
multiple dietary supplement (MDS) in an animal model by looking at the gene expression
levels of the renin-angiotensin system. In mice receiving 5 Gy radiation, MDS administration
as prophylaxis or treatment was able to decrease the expression levels of angiotensinogen
which suggested the lower activity of RAS in irradiated kidney tissue. This finding indicates
MDS potential for tissue radioprotection. Study of expression levels of kidney antioxidant
enzymes also suggested benefits of MDS in protecting kidney tissue from radiation-induced
reactive oxygen species evidenced by the lack of upregulation in expression levels of genes
such as GPX1, NOS3 and SOD2 in mice receiving MDS as prophylaxis. Also, systemic
effects of MDS to protect the body from radiation-induced physiological stress was studied
by evaluating genes involved in catecholamine biosynthesis pathway in adrenal. Data from
expression levels of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) suggests MDS
protected the animal from radiation-induced physiological stress. MDS was useful both for
prophylaxis and treatment. Further examination was also conducted to determine MDS
effects on radiation-induced antioxidant and DNA damage and repair response and also
changes in expression levels of DNA methyltransferases. Collectively our results suggested
MDS has the potential to protect the mice tissue from radiation induced tissue damage,
oxidative stress and physiological stress
An analysis of perceptual fluency and sexuality schemas: the effect on ratings of relatedness and processing speed
No full textThis study looked at how response times and ratings of relatedness were impacted by congruency
and fluency of stimuli. It was predicted that when information was presented in the fluent or
congruent conditions, response times would be faster than for information that was presented in
the incongruent or disfluent conditions. It was also hypothesized that the slowdown effect
associated with incongruent category label pairings would be eliminated through the
manipulation of fluency. The prediction was also made that ratings of relatedness would be
lower for category labels that were presented disfluently or incongruently than labels presented
fluently or congruently.
The congruency by fluency interaction displayed support for the first and second
hypothesis. There was a significant difference in response times between the Congruent/Fluent
and Incongruent/Disfluent conditions in Group 1. Another interesting finding was that the
response times for the Congruent/Disfluent and Incongruent/Fluent conditions in Group 2 had no
significant difference, indicating that the typical slowdown caused by the incongruent condition
had been eliminated. The third hypothesis, related to attribute ratings, was supported by the main
effect of congruency and the interaction between congruency and sexuality. These results
demonstrated that when presented congruently paired labels were rated as more related than
incongruently paired labels. Therefore, these results suggest that fluency can impact response
times through the use of the sexuality IAT. Future studies should analyze whether sexuality
schemas vary for different ages and whether the current results hold true for different age group