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Geometry vs Realism: an exploration of visual immersion in a synthetic reality space
Get PDFWith the broader aim of using a synthetic reality environment to improve and develop packaging designs for Welsh food Small-Medium Enterprises (SME), two studies were undertaken in a simulated environment to explore the geometry and realism of visual content of supermarket shelves, in relation to psychological variables that correlate with sense of presence. The first experiment compared two types of visual geometry: Linear perspective and ‘Natural’ perspective (using non-linear projection techniques) as well as the realism of the depicted supermarket scene (by comparing a Computer Aided Design (CAD) image versus a photograph). Results from the first experiment showed that the type of image geometry had more of an impact on the sense of presence than the realism of the depicted supermarket scene. A second study was then conducted to test whether a hybrid image of CAD components and a photograph could create a similar sense of presence compared with a photograph alone (because the use of a hybrid image can reduce costs). The results showed that there were no significant differences between the hybrid image and the photograph in terms of creating a sense of presence
Evaluation of Children’s Screen Viewing Time and Parental Role in Household Context
Get PDFLimited screen time has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children and no screen time for children under 2 years of age. With the advancement in technology, the prevalence and detrimental effects of excess screen time on children has become a global problem that can lead to health issues such as obesity and other cardiovascular diseases among both adults and children. This article examines the drivers of screen-related sedentary behavior within the home context and reports on parents’ attitude in supporting children’s associated behavior. The study implemented a mixed method approach of online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. A total of 140 questionnaires, 10 semistructured interviews, and responses from parents were used to evaluate children’s behavior toward screen use and parents’ perception. The analysis of the article has shown that parents are concerned about their children’s screen time during weekends and holidays with a significant correlation between the number of hours their children spend on on-screen activities and their level of concern (P < .01). Also, for the same P value (P < .01), it has been found that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between children’s screen time and their food and beverages consumption. Children’s use of screen technology is becoming a challenge for parents as they present barriers to healthy physical activities. From the parents’ viewpoint, there is a need to change the screen use habit and this requires an appropriate intervention that promotes gratifying measures to induce more active behaviors to displace screen viewing
Quality of Experience (QoE)-Aware Fast Coding Unit Size Selection for HEVC Intra-prediction
Get PDFThe exorbitant increase in the computational complexity of modern video coding standards, such as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), is a compelling challenge for resource-constrained consumer electronic devices. For instance, the brute force evaluation of all possible combinations of available coding modes and quadtree-based coding structure in HEVC to determine the optimum set of coding parameters for a given content demand a substantial amount of computational and energy resources. Thus, the resource requirements for real time operation of HEVC has become a contributing factor towards the Quality of Experience (QoE) of the end users of emerging multimedia and future internet applications. In this context, this paper proposes a content-adaptive Coding Unit (CU) size selection algorithm for HEVC intra-prediction. The proposed algorithm builds content-specific weighted Support Vector Machine (SVM) models in real time during the encoding process, to provide an early estimate of CU size for a given content, avoiding the brute force evaluation of all possible coding mode combinations in HEVC. The experimental results demonstrate an average encoding time reduction of 52.38%, with an average Bjøntegaard Delta Bit Rate (BDBR) increase of 1.19% compared to the HM16.1 reference encoder. Furthermore, the perceptual visual quality assessments conducted through Video Quality Metric (VQM) show minimal visual quality impact on the reconstructed videos of the proposed algorithm compared to state-of-the-art approaches
Healthism and the experiences of social, healthcare and self-stigma of women with higher weight
Get PDFThis study analyses how the discourse of healthism contributes to the social construction of weight stigma in women with higher-weight. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine women who had undergone bariatric surgery and had lived with higher-weight during many years. A thematic analysis from a latent and constructionist perspective showed how the discourse of healthism was behind the experiences of stigma lived by the participants in the social and healthcare field. Even instances of self-stigma were found in our data. This study also illustrates how people influenced by healthism assumed individualism and the importance of body shape, core values of neoliberal consumer societies. In this way, people tended to blame women with higher-weight for their weight and to discriminate against for being far from the socially established ideal body. The findings can be useful to prevent weight stigmatization and to promote more appropriate and respectful strategies for obesity prevention and treatment
Complicity, performance, and the 'doing' of sports coaching: An ethnomethodological study of work
Get PDFRecent attempts to ‘decode’ the everyday actions of coaches have furthered the case for sports coaching as a detailed site of ‘work’. Adhering to Harold Garfinkel’s ethnomethodological project, the aim of this article was to deconstruct contextual actors’ interactions, paying specific attention to the conditions under which such behaviours occur. The paper thus, explores the dominant taken-for-granted social rules evident at Bayside Rovers Football F.C. (pseudonym), a semi-professional football club. A 10-month ethnomethodologically informed ethnography was used to observe, participate and describe the Club’s everyday practices. The findings comprise two principal ‘codes’ through which the work of the Club was manifest; ‘to play well’ and ‘fitting-in’. In turn, Garfinkel’s writings are used as a ‘respecification’ of some fundamental aspects of coaches’ ‘unnoticed’ work and the social rules that guided them (Garfinkel, 1967). The broader value of this paper not only lies in its detailed presentation of a relatively underappreciated work context, but that the fine-grain analysis offered allows insightful abstraction to other more conventional forms of work, thus contributing to the broader interpretive project
Humans Optimize Ground Contact Time and Leg Stiffness to Minimize the Metabolic Cost of Running
Get PDFTrained endurance runners appear to fine-tune running mechanics to minimize metabolic cost. Referred to as self-optimization, the support for this concept has primarily been collated from only a few gait (e.g., stride frequency, length) and physiological (e.g., oxygen consumption, heart rate) characteristics. To extend our understanding, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of manipulating ground contact time on the metabolic cost of running in trained endurance runners. Additionally, the relationships between metabolic cost, and leg stiffness and perceived effort were examined. Ten participants completed 5 × 6-min treadmill running conditions. Self-selected ground contact time and step frequency were determined during habitual running, which was followed by ground contact times being increased or decreased in four subsequent conditions whilst maintaining step frequency (2.67 ± 0.15 Hz). The same self-selected running velocity was used across all conditions for each participant (12.7 ± 1.6 km · h−1). Oxygen consumption was used to compute the metabolic cost of running and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for each run. Ground contact time and step frequency were used to estimate leg stiffness. Identifiable minimums and a curvilinear relationship between ground contact time and metabolic cost was found for all runners (r2 = 0.84). A similar relationship was observed between leg stiffness and metabolic cost (r2 = 0.83). Most (90%) runners self-selected a ground contact time and leg stiffness that produced metabolic costs within 5% of their mathematical optimal. The majority (n = 6) of self-selected ground contact times were shorter than mathematical optimals, whilst the majority (n = 7) of self-selected leg stiffness' were higher than mathematical optimals. Metabolic cost and RPE were moderately associated (rs = 0.358 p = 0.011), but controlling for condition (habitual/manipulated) weakened this relationship (rs = 0.302, p = 0.035). Both ground contact time and leg stiffness appear to be self-optimized characteristics, as trained runners were operating at or close to their mathematical optimal. The majority of runners favored a self-selected gait that may rely on elastic energy storage and release due to shorter ground contact times and higher leg stiffness's than optimal. Using RPE as a surrogate measure of metabolic cost during manipulated running gait is not recommended
Are professional footballers becoming lighter and more ectomorphic? Implications for talent identification and development
Get PDFThe identification and development of talent is an essential component of modern professional football. The recognition of key physical characteristics of such footballers who successfully progress through talent development programs is of considerable interest to academics and those working in professional football. Using Football Yearbooks, we obtained the height, body mass and ages of all players from the English top-division over the seasons 1973–4, 1983–4, 1993–4, 2003–4 and 2013–4, calculating body-mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) and reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) (cm/kg0.333). The mean squad size increased over these decades from n = 22.4 (1973–4) to n = 27.8 (2013–4). Height also increased linearly by approximately 1.2 cm per decade. Body mass increased in the first four decades, but declined in the final season (2013–4). Regression analysis confirmed inverted “u” shape trends in both body mass and BMI, but a “J” shape trend in RPI, indicating that English top-division professional footballers are getting more angular and ectomorphic. We speculate that this recent decline in BMI and rise in RPI is due to improved quality of pitches and increased work-load required by modern-day players. Defenders were also found to be significantly taller, heavier, older and, assuming BMI is positively associated with lean mass, more muscular than other midfielders or attackers. The only characteristic that consistently differentiated successful with less successful players/teams was age (being younger). Therefore, English professional clubs might be advised to attract young, less muscular, more angular/ectomorphic players as part of their talent identification and development programs to improve their chances of success
UBC‐nepal expedition: Phenotypical evidence for evolutionary adaptation in the control of cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery at high altitude
Get PDFDebilitating side effects of hypoxia manifest within the central nervous system; however, high‐altitude natives of the Tibetan plateau, the Sherpa, experience negligible cerebral effects compared to lowland natives at extreme altitude. Phenotypical optimization of the oxygen cascade has been demonstrated in the systemic circulation of Tibetans and Sherpa, likely underscoring their adapted capacity to thrive at altitude. Yet, little is known as to how the cerebral circulation of Sherpa may be adapted. To examine potential differences in cerebral oxygen delivery in Sherpa compared to lowlanders we measured arterial blood gases and global cerebral blood flow (duplex ultrasound) during a nine‐day ascent to 5050m. Although cerebral oxygen delivery was maintained during ascent in lowlanders, it was significantly reduced in the Sherpa at 3400m (‐30.3 ± 21.6%; P < 0.01) and 4371m (‐14.2 ± 10.7%; P = 0.03). Furthermore, linear mixed effects modeling indicated that independent of differences in mean arterial pressure, pH and blood viscosity, race accounts for an approximate 100 mL · min−1 (∼17‐34%) lower CBF in Sherpa compared to lowlanders across ascent to altitude (P = 0.046). To ascertain the role of chronic hypoxia independent of the ascent, Sherpa who had not recently descended were also examined at 5050m. In these Sherpa, cerebral oxygen delivery was also lower compared to lowlanders (∼22% lower; P < 0.01). We highlight new information about the influence of race and genetic adaptation in the regulation of cerebral oxygen delivery. The lower cerebral oxygen delivery in the Sherpa potentially represents a positive adaptation considering Sherpa endure less deleterious cerebral consequences than lowlanders at altitude
Protection of the Ovine Fetal Gut against Ureaplasma-Induced Chorioamnionitis: A Potential Role for Plant Sterols
Get PDFChorioamnionitis, clinically most frequently associated with Ureaplasma, is linked to intestinal inflammation and subsequent gut injury. No treatment is available to prevent chorioamnionitis-driven adverse intestinal outcomes. Evidence is increasing that plant sterols possess immune-modulatory properties. Therefore, we investigated the potential therapeutic effects of plant sterols in lambs intra-amniotically (IA) exposed to Ureaplasma. Fetal lambs were IA exposed to Ureaplasma parvum (U. parvum, UP) for six days from 127 d–133 d of gestational age (GA). The plant sterols β-sitosterol and campesterol, dissolved with β-cyclodextrin (carrier), were given IA every two days from 122 d–131 d GA. Fetal circulatory cytokine levels, gut inflammation, intestinal injury, enterocyte maturation, and mucosal phospholipid and bile acid profiles were measured at 133 d GA (term 150 d). IA plant sterol administration blocked a fetal inflammatory response syndrome. Plant sterols reduced intestinal accumulation of proinflammatory phospholipids and tended to prevent mucosal myeloperoxidase-positive (MPO) cell influx, indicating an inhibition of gut inflammation. IA administration of plant sterols and carrier diminished intestinal mucosal damage, stimulated maturation of the immature epithelium, and partially prevented U. parvum-driven reduction of mucosal bile acids. In conclusion, we show that β-sitosterol and campesterol administration protected the fetus against adverse gut outcomes following UP-driven chorioamnionitis by preventing intestinal and systemic inflammation
The Role of Education in the Sustainable Regeneration of Built Heritage: A Case Study of Malta
Get PDFVernacular architecture has great historical, cultural and architectonic value, but also much potential for reducing energy demand. However, the eco-refurbishment of heritage buildings within Mediterranean countries poses particular challenges. The research presented in this paper is part of a wider study aiming to develop an effective framework for the sustainable regeneration of heritage buildings in Malta, using the 17th-century Presidential Palace of San Anton, Attard, as a case study. This paper focuses on the role of education in this field. Through qualitative research, including workshops with stakeholders, a stakeholders focus group and a public questionnaire, the awareness levels, educational background and attitudes of key stakeholders were analysed and assessed, as was the policy framework within which they operate. Interventions were found to be required at all levels. Increased awareness and education, a supportive policy framework, and a shift in the perceptions and attitudes of several key stakeholders were identified as crucial in ensuring that interventions on heritage buildings do not negatively affect their environmental performance, and/or impact their architectural and cultural value. This paper features recommendations outlining a supportive strategy for improving the knowledge base of stakeholders, including students, professionals, the public, policy-makers and operators