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EyePlay: Applications for Gaze in Games
No full textWhat new challenges does the combination of games and eye-tracking present? The
EyePlay workshop brings together researchers and industry specialists from the
fields of eye-tracking and games to address this question. Eye-tracking been
investigated extensively in a variety of domains in human-computer Interaction,
but little attention has been given to its application for gaming. As
eye-tracking technology is now an affordable commodity, its appeal as a sensing
technology for games is set to become the driving force for novel methods of
player-computer interaction and games evaluation. This workshop presents a
forum for eye-based gaming research, with a focus on identifying the
opportunities that eye-tracking brings to games design and research, on
plotting the landscape of the work in this area, and on formalising a research
agenda for EyePlay as a field. Possible topics are, but not limited to, novel
interaction techniques and game mechanics, usability and evaluation,
accessibility, learning, and serious games contexts
Issues in the development of open access to research data
No full textThis paper explores key issues in the development of open access to research
data. The use of digital means for developing, storing and manipulating data is
creating a focus on ‘data-driven science’. One aspect of this focus is the
development of ‘open access’ to research data. Open access to research data
refers to the way in which various types of data are openly available to public
and private stakeholders, user communities and citizens. Open access to
research data, however, involves more than simply providing easier and wider
access to data for potential user groups. The development of open access
requires attention to the ways data are considered in different areas of
research. We identify how open access is being unevenly developed across the
research environment and the consequences this has in terms of generating data
gaps. Data gaps refer to the way data becomes detached from published
conclusions. To address these issues, we examine four main areas in developing
open access to research data: stakeholder roles and values; technological
requirements for managing and sharing data; legal and ethical regulations and
procedures; institutional roles and policy frameworks. We conclude that
problems of variability and consistency across the open access ecosystem need
to be addressed within and between these areas to ensure that risks surrounding
a data gap are managed in open access
Personality, emotional intelligence and work preferences in software engineering: An empirical study
No full textContext: There is an increasing awareness among Software Engineering (SE)
researchers and practitioners that more focus is needed on understanding the
engineers developing software. Previous studies show significant associations
between the personalities of software engineers and their work preferences.
Objective: Various studies on personality in SE have found large, small or no
effects and there is no consensus on the importance of psychometric
measurements in SE. There is also a lack of studies employing other
psychometric instruments or using larger datasets. We aim to evaluate our
results in a larger sample, with software engineers in an earlier state of
their career, using advanced statistics.
Method: An operational replication study where extensive psychometric data from
279 master level students have been collected in a SE program at a Swedish
University. Personality data based on the Five-Factor Model, Trait Emotional
Intelligence Questionnaire and Self-compassion have been collected. Statistical
analysis investigated associations between psychometrics and work preferences
and the results were compared to our previous findings from 47 SE professionals.
Results: Analysis confirms existence of two main clusters of software
engineers; one with more "intense" personalities than the other. This
corroborates our earlier results on SE professionals. The student data also
show similar associations between personalities and work preferences. However,
for other associations there are differences due to the different population of
subjects. We also found connections between the emotional intelligence and work
preferences, while no associations were found for self-compassion.
Conclusion: The associations can help managers to predict and adapt projects
and tasks to available staff. The results also show that the Emotional
Intelligence instrument can be predictive. The research methods and analytical
tools we employ can detect subtle associations and reflect differences between
different groups and populations and thus can be important tools for future
research as well as industrial practice
The role of knowledge variety and intensity for regional innovation
No full textThis paper analyses the effect of variety and intensity of knowledge on the
innovation of regions. Employing data for Swedish functional regions, the paper
tests the role of the variety (related and unrelated) and intensity of (1)
internal knowledge generated within the region and also (2) external knowledge
networks flowing into the region in explaining regional innovation, as measured
by patent applications. The empirical analysis provides robust evidence that
both the variety and intensity of internal and external knowledge matter for
regions’ innovation. When it comes to variety, related variety of knowledge
plays a superior role
Remote Electronic and Acoustic Laboratories in Upper Secondary Schools
No full textDuring a substantial part of their time young people of today actually live in
a virtual world. The medial evolution has also influenced education and today
much research work basically concerns the transfer of the physical world into
the virtual one. One example is laboratories in physical science that are
available in virtual rooms. They enable studentsto sit at home in front of a
computer and on screen watch and operate the physical equipment in the
laboratory at school. It is a general agreement that laboratory lessons are
necessary in subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology. Physical
experiments provide a great way for students to learn more about nature and its
possibilities as well as limitations. Experimental work can be provided
bylaboratories in three different categories; 1) hands-on, 2) remote and 3)
simulated. This thesis concerns the usage of remotely controlled laboratories
in physics education at an upper secondary school. It is based on work carried
out in a joint project between Katedralskolan (upper secondary school), Lund,
Sweden, and Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH). The object with this
project is to investigate feasibility of using the VISIR (Virtual Instruments
System in Reality) technology for remotely controlled laboratories, developed
at BTH, in upper secondary schools.
This thesis consists of an introduction, followed by three parts where the
first part concerns the introduction of the remote lab to students and the
usage of the remote lab by students at the upper secondary school,
Katedralskolan. Both first year students and third year students carried out
experiments using the remote lab.
The second part concerns activities carried out by 2 teachers and 94 students
using the remote laboratory VISIR. An integration of VISIR with the learning
management system used at school is described. Teaching activities carried out
by teachers at Katedralskolan involving the VISIR lab are discussed, e.g., an
exam including problems of experimental work using the VISIR lab and an example
of a student report. Survey results on student satisfaction with the VISIR lab
at BTH and the perception of it are presented, indicating that VISIR is a good
learning tool. Furthermore, the survey resulted in a proposal of improvements
in the VISIR lab user interface.
Finally, the third part focuses on enhancements of the VISIR lab at BTH. An
improved version in the VISIR user interface is presented. New iPad and smart
phone availability of the VISIR lab is presented. Electronic experiments for
upper secondary school students are described in detail and examples of
suitable configurations are given. A new VISIR acoustic lab has beenimplemented
and initial experimentation by upper secondary school students have been
carried out. The outcomes from these experiments are discussed
Essentials of Nursing Care in Randomized Controlled Trials of Nurse-Led Interventions in Somatic Care: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Nursing practice has to contribute to evidence pointing out why
there is a need for more nurse-designed randomized control trials (RCTs)
focusing on evidence-based practice (EBP). How far this EBP has progressed in
different health aspects is usually established by systematic reviews of RCTs.
Nurse-led RCTs exist but no study has addressed the essentials of nursing care.
Aim: The aim was therefore to determine the essentials of nurses’ interventions
by means of nurse-led RCTs in somatic care focusing on the stated context,
goals, content, strategies as well as the nurse’s role related to
effectiveness. Methods: A systematic review was realized according to
Cochrane review assumptions to identify, appraise and synthesize all empirical
evidence meeting pre-specified eligibility criteria. The PRISMA statement
guided the data extraction process (n = 55) from PubMed and CINAHL. Results: Of
the RCTs in somatic care, 71% showed a positive effectiveness of nurse-led
interventions, of which the nurse had a significant role with regard to being
the
main responsible in 67% of the studies. Also, 47% of the RCTs presented a
theoretical standpoint related to the nurse-led interventions and most
prominent were international evidence-based guidelines. Goals were found to
have either a patient-centered or a professional-centered ambition.
Strategies were based on patient-directed initiatives, nurse-patient-directed
initiatives or nurse-directed initiatives, while contents were built upon
either a patient-nurse interaction or a
nursing management plan. Conclusions: This review underlines the necessity of
a holistic view of a
person, as nurse-led RCTs comprising a patient-centered ambition,
patient-directed initiative and patient-nurse interaction plan showed
beneficial nursing care effectiveness, particularly if theory-based. In a
nurse-led RCT, a basic theoretical perspective is advantageous as well as to
elucidate the role of the nurse in relation to the estimated effects
A method for comparing concepts with respect to sustainability and other values
No full textSelecting concepts involves challenging decisions because decision-makers must
consider many factors and the implications of the selection are far-reaching
and unknown. As markets become increasingly sustainability-driven, bringing
sustainability considerations into the decision is necessary. This is
challenging due to the complexity of the concept of sustainability and it being
unfamiliar to many decision-makers.
In this work we therefore aimed to develop support for helping decision-makers
to consider sustainability when selecting a concept.
We undertook a case study where we studied decision-makers selecting a road
construction process. Then we developed a method of support to help these
decision-makers to select a process.
The developed method helps decision-makers consider sustainability aspects when
selecting concepts. The method supports decision-makers to compare alternatives
by using indicators that are based on the values of actors in the extended
value network. Global society is included as an actor who values development
that is more sustainable.
We modelled and visualised the outputs from the developed method in order to
support decision-makers in the case study with their specific decision. Early
indications from our testing are that the method and general approach could be
useful for decision-makers wanting to consider sustainability in concept
selection
Horizontal and vertical target efficiency – a comparison between users and non-users of public long-term care in Sweden
No full textThe extent to which a system of services is in tune with the needs of the
population can be expressed in terms of target efficiency, which includes
horizontal target efficiency – the extent to which those deemed to need a
service receive it – and vertical target efficiency – the corresponding extent
to which those who receive a service actually need it. Vertical efficiency can
be measured by looking only at those receiving services. To measure horizontal
target efficiency in a population, one must have access to population surveys.
Data were taken from the baseline survey of the Swedish National Study on
Ageing and Care (SNAC study). The results show that more than 80 per cent of
those dependent in personal activities of daily living in the studied
geographic areas were users of public long-term care (LTC). Dependency in
instrumental activities of daily living was identified as the most important
predictor of using LTC. Vertical target efficiency was 83–95 per cent depending
on age, gender and type of household, if need was defined as dependency in
instrumental activities of daily living. It was considerably lower, 35–61 per
cent when defined as dependency in personal daily activities. Overall,
long-term target efficiency in Sweden must be regarded as high. Few persons who
need public LTC services fail to receive them
Psychosocial, Socio-Demographic and Health Determinants in Information Communication Technology Use by Older-Adults
No full textThe aim of the thesis was to investigate factors influencing ICT use by
older-adults. A selection of psycho-social, socio-demographic and health
determinants were investigated with Internet use. Data were collected through
questionnaires (Studies I-III) and interviews (Study IV).
Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, investigating Internet use
as a dichotomous variable, with the aforementioned factors. The results
indicated that psycho-social determinants did not affect older-adults’ Internet
use (Study I). Scoring higher on the personality traits openness and
extraversion did not affect whether the older adults started to use the
Internet (Study II). However, well-being increased for some frail older-adults
when using the tablet computer and connected to the Internet (Study IV).
Some socio-demographic determinants affected Internet use. Being younger in age
was a strong contributing factor in all four studies whether the older-adult
would use the Internet. Higher education influenced Internet use (Study I &
III), correlated with living in a rural or urban setting (Study III); yet
education was not influencing whether they would start to use the Internet.
Living alone was correlated with Internet use, especially if the older-adult
lived in an urban setting (Study III). Functional disability and household
economy did not affect Internet use.
Finally, the health determinants on Internet use were quite strong. Normal
cognitive functioning influenced whether older-adults would start to use the
Internet (Study II). The older-adult living in an urban environment, would use
the Internet if they had normal cognitive functioning (Study III). It was noted
also from Study IV that the learning to use the Tablet PC and Skype took longer
for older people and more repetition was needed. Being frail was a strong
factor whether the older-adult would use the Internet. They would not want to
learn or try to use the technology if they were too ill (Study IV).
The findings show only a small increase (7.7%) in Internet use by older-adults
over time. The indicators of non-use are: higher in age, lower educated, living
alone or rurally, lower cognition and frailty. There are two different profiles
of rural and urban Internet users. These determinants along with an
understanding of the use of technology, and a good support system, are a few
pillars in ICT adoption by older-adults. As ICT continues to develop as a means
to provide better health care, it will be important to take into account the
abovementioned indicators. In certain cases Internet use is not a given, which
continues to exclude older-adults. Part of healthy aging is social
participation; therefore being connected and included in the digital society is
important. Alternative and not only one design solutions should be explored in
health care and by organisations, so as to cater to the heterogeneity of the
aging population
Ground Moving Target Detection and Estimation By Using Dual Speed SAR Platform
No full textThe paper proposes a ground moving target detection and estimation method
aiming at Ultra Wide Band and -Beam (UWB) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
systems. The method is developed on the moving target detection by focusing
technique and requires a SAR system flying with two different speeds during the
integration time. The method allows us to detect ground moving target, even
hidden by clutter, and to estimate the target parameters, i.e. speed and
direction of motion. The accuracy of the estimations depends strongly on the
computational cost and can therefore be controlled. The proposal is tested with
the simulated CARABAS data