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Investigating aesthetics to afford more ‘felt’ knowledge and ‘meaningful’ navigation interface design
Get PDFAesthetically manipulating the visual variables of a navigation interface design has the potential for substantial improvements in the interpretation of, and subsequent navigational choices made resulting from that design. This paper reports on a study that explores how an ‘optimal’ path is understood across fifteen different types of route map designs for ten cities (approximately 150 route map designs in total). We are interested in how participants make sense of the route map, and subsequently choose an optimal pathway. The findings show that participants who experience certain aesthetically designed route maps are more inclined to meaningfully link information and create connections. By more deeply understanding people’s perceptions of the aesthetics of a navigation problem space – particularly the ways in which people value and connect with aesthetic elements and how these impact the decisions made – a novel insight into individuals’ understanding of data visualisation and how aesthetics affect is achieved
iCUS: Intelligent CU Size Selection for HEVC Inter Prediction
Get PDFThe hierarchical quadtree partitioning of Coding Tree Units (CTU) is one of the striking features in HEVC that contributes towards its superior coding performance over its predecessors. However, the brute force evaluation of the quadtree hierarchy using the Rate-Distortion (RD) optimisation, to determine the best partitioning structure for a given content, makes it one of the most time-consuming operations in HEVC encoding. In this context, this paper proposes an intelligent fast Coding Unit (CU) size selection algorithm to expedite the encoding process of HEVC inter-prediction. The proposed algorithm introduces (i) two CU split likelihood modelling and classification approaches using Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Bayesian probabilistic models, and (ii) a fast CU selection algorithm that makes use of both offline trained SVMs and online trained Bayesian probabilistic models. Finally, (iii) a computational complexity to coding efficiency trade-off mechanism is introduced to flexibly control the algorithm to suit different encoding requirements. The experimental results of the proposed algorithm demonstrate an average encoding time reduction performance of 53.46%, 61.15%, and 58.15% for Low Delay B , Random Access , and Low Delay P configurations, respectively, with Bjøntegaard Delta-Bit Rate (BD-BR) losses of 2.35%, 2.9%, and 2.35%, respectively, when evaluated across a wide range of content types and quality level
Modulation of spinal excitability following neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed to voluntary contraction
Get PDFPurpose. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) superimposed on voluntary muscle contraction has been recently
shown as an innovative training modality within sport and rehabilitation, but its effects on the neuromuscular system are
still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate acute responses in spinal excitability, as measured by the Hoffmann
(H) reflex, and in maximal voluntary contraction (MVIC) following NMES superimposed to voluntary isometric
contractions (NMES+ISO) compared to passive NMES only and to voluntary isometric contractions only (ISO). Method.
Fifteen young adults were required to maintain an ankle plantar-flexor torque of 20% MVC for 20 repetitions during each
experimental condition (NMES+ISO, NMES and ISO). Surface electromyography was used to record peak-to-peak Hreflex and motor waves following percutaneous stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in the dominant limb. An
isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess maximal voluntary contraction output of the ankle plantar flexor muscles.
Results. H-reflex amplitude was increased by 4.5% after the NMES+ISO condition (p < 0.05), while passive NMES and
ISO conditions showed a decrease by 7.8% (p < 0.05) and no change in reflex responses, respectively. There was no
change in amplitude of maximal motor wave and in MVIC torque during each experimental condition. Conclusion. The
reported facilitation of spinal excitability following NMES+ISO could be due to a combination of greater motor neuronal
and corticospinal excitability, thus suggesting that NMES superimposed onto isometric voluntary contractions may
provide a more effective neuromuscular stimulus and, hence, training modality compared to NMES alone
Voices of Transition: sharing experiences from the primary school
Get PDFTransition has long been acknowledged to have an impact upon the academic,
social and emotional development of learners, which can be long lasting in effect.
Using an interpretive methodology, the voices of the three key stakeholders
involved in primary education transition – learners, practitioners and
parents/caregivers - were sought and recorded to inform good practice. Data was
collected using online and paper questionnaires, interviews and focus groups.
Findings concluded that to enable successful transition there is a need for all
involved to: prepare and plan, engage in effective communication, foster positive
relationships, and be responsive to individual needs
Ageing John Banville: from Einstein to Bergson
No full textThere is a clear engagement with theories of time across Banville’s oeuvre, from his earliest published work through to the twenty-first-century novels. I explore how, in their engagement with age and ageing, Banville’s characters adopt and interrogate Albert Einstein’s and Henri Bergson’s competing ideas of the present and the passage of time, sliding from favouring the former to prioritising the latter. Martin Heidegger’s conception of Dasein, a Being-toward-death, allows me to explore how Banville’s characters evoke either Einstein’s spacetime and series of nows, or Bergson’s psychologised Duration (Durée). This is borne out in Gabriel Godkin’s subverted and anti-atavistic narrative in 'Birchwood' (1973), the battle over authenticity between Copernicus and Rheticus in 'Doctor Copernicus' (1976), and how Hermes controls the mortals’ time and tries his best to age in 'The Infinities' (2009). I conclude that Banville’s characters’ evolving preference for Bergsonian over Einsteinian tropes indicates an acceptance and happy engagement with the ageing process
Comparison between Modelflow® and echocardiography in the determination of cardiac output during and following pregnancy at rest and during exercise
Get PDFDuring pregnancy, assessment of cardiac output (Q ̇), a fundamental measure of cardiovascular function, provides important insight into maternal adaptation. However, methods for dynamic Q ̇ measurement require validation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the agreement of Q ̇ measured by echocardiography and Modelflow® at rest and during submaximal exercise in non-pregnant (n = 18), pregnant (n = 15, 22-26 weeks gestation) and postpartum women (n = 12, 12-16 weeks post-delivery). Simultaneous measurements of Q ̇ derived from echocardiography [criterion] and Modelflow® were obtained at rest and during low-moderate intensity (25% and 50% peak power output) cycling exercise and compared using Bland-Altman analysis and limits of agreement. Agreement between echocardiography and Modelflow® was poor in non-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women at rest (mean difference ± SD: -1.1 ± 3.4; -1.2 ± 2.9; -1.9 ± 3.2 L.min-1), and this remained evident during exercise. The Modelflow® method is not recommended for Q ̇ determination in research involving young, healthy non-pregnant and pregnant women at rest or during dynamic challenge. Previously published Q ̇ data from studies utilising this method should be interpreted with caution
A novel method to categorise stretch-shortening cycle performance across maturity in youth soccer players
No full textThis study utilised a novel method to categorise stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function during a drop jump (DJ) using the force-time curve. This method was then used to determine the effect of maturity status upon SSC function and effect of SSC function on drop jump performance. Pre-, circa- and post-peak height velocity male youth soccer players completed a pre-season 30 cm DJ onto a force plate. SSC function was categorised as poor (impact peak and not spring like), moderate (impact peak and spring like) or good (no impact peak and spring-like). Interactions between SSC function and maturity status, and SSC function and kinetic variables were explored. Youth soccer players displaying good SSC function were older and more mature than those with poor SSC function, however, 9.9% of post-PHV still displayed poor SSC function. Players with good SSC function recorded significantly shorter ground contact times, reduced time between peak landing and takeoff force, reduced centre of mass displacement and significantly greater takeoff forces than players with moderate and poor SSC function (all p < 0.05). SSC function during a standardized DJ improves with maturation, but a portion of mature players still demonstrate poor SSC function. Good SSC function was associated with improved DJ outcome measures except jump height. Tailored training interventions based upon SSC competency may be required to optimally enhance SSC function
Utility of the anterior reach y-balance test as an injury risk screening tool in elite male youth soccer players
Get PDFObjectives: Examine growth and maturation trends in dynamic balance using the anterior reach Y-Balance test, and its utility as an injury risk screening tool.
Design: Cross sectional and prospective cohort.
Setting: Elite male youth soccer players.
Participants: 346 players grouped as pre, circa or post peak height velocity (PHV).
Main outcome measures: Pre-season anterior reach absolute and relative Y-Balance test scores and seasonal prospective lower extremity injury monitoring.
Results: Absolute reach distances were greatest post-PHV (p 4 cm in any group.
Conclusions: Anterior reach scores increased injury risk, but associations were small and inconsistent. The Y-Balance should be used with caution as a screening tool in this cohort
Antisemitism on Twitter: Collective efficacy and the role of community organisations in challenging online hate speech
Get PDFIn this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study of online antagonistic content related to Jewish identity posted on Twitter between October 2015 and October 2016 by UK-based users. We trained a scalable supervised machine learning classifier to identify antisemitic content to reveal patterns of online antisemitism perpetration at the source. We built statistical models to analyse the inhibiting and enabling factors of the size (number of retweets) and survival (duration of retweets) of information flows in addition to the production of online antagonistic content. Despite observing high temporal variability, we found that only a small proportion (0.7%) of the content was antagonistic. We also found that antagonistic content was less likely to disseminate in size or survive fora longer period. Information flows from antisemitic agents on Twitter gained less traction, while information flows emanating from capable and willing counter-speech actors -i.e. Jewish organisations- had a significantly higher size and survival rates. This study is the first to demonstrate that Sampson’s classic sociological concept of collective efficacy can be observed on social media (SM). Our findings suggest that when organisations aiming to counter harmful narratives become active on SM platforms, their messages propagate further and achieve greater longevity than antagonistic messages. On SM, counter-speech posted by credible, capable and willing actors can be an effective measure to prevent harmful narratives. Based on our findings, we underline the value of the work by community organisations in reducing the propagation of cyberhate and increasing trust in SM platforms
Using machine learning to improve our understanding of injury risk and prediction in elite male youth football players
No full textObjectives: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the use of machine learning improved the ability of a neuromuscular screen to identify injury risk factors in elite male youth football players.
Methods: 355 elite youth football players aged 10 to 18 years old completed a prospective pre-season neuromuscular screen that included anthropometric measures of size, as well as single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), single leg hop for distance (SLHD), 75% hop distance and stick (75%Hop), Y-balance anterior reach and tuck jump assessment. Injury incidence was monitored over one competitive season. Risk profiling was assessed using traditional regression analyses and compared to supervised machine learning algorithms constructed using decision trees.
Results: Using continuous data, multivariate logistic analysis identified SLCMJ asymmetry as the sole significant predictor of injury (OR 0.94, 0.92-0.97, p<0.001), with a specificity of 97.7% and sensitivity of 15.2% giving an AUC of 0.661. The best performing decision tree model provided a specificity of 74.2% and sensitivity of 55.6% with an AUC of 0.663. All variables contributed to the final machine model, with asymmetry in the SLCMJ, 75%Hop and Y-balance, plus tuck jump knee valgus and anthropometrics being the most frequent contributors.
Conclusions: Although both statistical methods reported similar accuracy, logistic regression provided very low sensitivity and only identified a single neuromuscular injury risk factor. The machine learning model provided much improved sensitivity to predict injury and identified interactions of asymmetry, knee valgus angle and body size as contributing factors to an injurious profile in youth football players