1,721,011 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Development of a design tool to optimise acceptance of exoskeletons by older adults
No full textOlder adults may have some prior use and knowledge of technology, but may also express or
experience the digital divide, whereby the pace of emerging technology can present challenges
to older adults and their ability to ‘keep up’. This can be a factor to device abandonment or loss
in confidence to adopt the technology. The experience of ageing can be a positive one, with
many older adults expressing the freedoms of mind and body when possible.
Exoskeletons and exosuits offer capacity to augment the ability and mobility of older adults
who experience functional limitations. However, these emerging technologies also present
challenges of acceptance and adoption by older adult users. It is critical that understanding and
insights are incorporated throughout concept development phases as a means to optimise
acceptance and adoption.
Study 1 explored and engaged with 22 older adult participants in order to observe and
understand challenges to mobility and quality of life as we age. In addition, it implemented a
number of design methods and collaborative approaches in order to share the findings from the
fieldwork, culminating in a Co-Design Symposium.
Study 2 completed a narrative review regarding the Technology Acceptance Models and user
centred design guidance in relation to older adults’ acceptance of exoskeletons.
Study 3 was an opportunity to conduct a second phase of fieldwork with 24 new older adult
participants. The purpose of this fieldwork was to investigate the perceptions older adults have
to emerging technologies, including exoskeletons.
Study 4 Upon completion and analysis of the fieldwork, novel outputs emerged that created
the basis for a Pilot study with older adult participants and XoSoft exoskeleton in a lab setting.
Globally, as the ageing population currently continues to grow, the intervention of social robots
and robotic assistive devices offers potential additional supports to independence and quality
of life.
Gerontechnology ensures we, as designers or developers of emerging technologies include
understanding of the older adults’ experience and acceptance as part of a user-centred design
approach. Older adults have specific acceptance criteria regarding exoskeletons and exosuits,
and to date, this is currently not widely understood or documented.
This research documents a ground theory approach, gaining knowledge, understanding and
insights from older adults. It offers interpretations and analyses that have emerged as crucial
factors to the development of an original approach to exoskeleton and exosuit development
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Circumferential compression of the lower limb and implications for soft exoskeleton design
No full textA variety of pathologies impair human gait by reducing the ability to control the lower
limbs, which causes the need for gait-assistive devices. The increase in interest and the
advances in wearable-robot technologies have given rise to exoskeletons for locomotion
assistance and gait rehabilitation, or strength and endurance augmentation. Recently,
a whole new generation of soft exoskeletons has emerged that addresses technological
and usability challenges of traditional exoskeletons. The growing use of soft wearable
robotics among vulnerable user populations is increasing the need to determine user centred design standards and ergonomics aspects of the physical contact between soft
exoskeletons and humans.
Excessive mechanical loading of tissues can cause discomfort and pressure-related
soft tissue injuries. The risk for tissue damage depends on the nature of mechanical
loading and the nature of the soft tissues affected. Existing approaches to assessing
potential risks to tissue viability were reviewed, with the focus on pressure-related
pain perception (Reviews 1 and 2) and deep tissue oxygenation (Review 3).
The relationship between circumferential compression magnitude, duration, frequency,
anatomical and mechanical properties of compressed tissues, muscle oxygenation, and
discomfort/pain perception was investigated experimentally at the lower limb using a
computerised cuff inflation system with pneumatic cuffs to simulate soft exoskeletons
(Studies 1-3). During compression, discomfort was continuously rated on an electronic
Visual Analogue Scale, and deep tissue oxygenation was continuously monitored using
Near-infrared spectroscopy. Assessments were performed at different assessment sites
in static (standing) and dynamic (walking) conditions. Compression was best tolerated at
the calf, using narrower cuffs and intermittent inflation pattern. Pressures that caused
discomfort and pain were lower during walking than standing still. Intermittent cuff
inflation caused an increase in muscle oxygenation. Finally, the relationship between
pneumatic cuff inflation pressure and interface pressure was established for different
assessment sites and cuff widths (Study 4). Using regression equations, interface pressures
can be predicted for specific assessment sites and cuff widths.
This thesis has contributed to informing user-centred design and ergonomics evaluation
of soft exoskeletons, specifically in relation to contact pressure. On the basis of these
findings, further research can now be performed involving vulnerable groups, such as
older age adults and patients with neuromuscular disorders, with minimised risk of
soft tissue injury
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
Sustainable design education: learning strategies for multidisciplinary education of undergraduates and professionals.
No full textThe concept of sustainable design as a specialism within design, business and manufacture is not a new one. Writers and educators such as Victor Papanek (Papanek 1971) and
Buckminster Fuller (Fuller and Snyder 1969) were advocating a change in the way we taught students how to design and look at the world in which they live. In parallel with this, many other experts (Carson 1962; Lovelock 1979) were highlighting the difficulties being caused by
industrialisation and global trade in the natural environment. Issues such as the dramatic impact of the global population on ecosystems; the strains on the global and local economic systems and the challenges meted by social inequity were starting to be raised by scientists,
economists and even designers as early as the 1960s. These are now finally accepted as real problems for today's students and professionals and for the world as a whole. They now provide clear opportunity both to graduates and to businesses as fields in which they can provide and develop expertise with a view to mitigating past and future problems. This research grew out of an opportunity to examine how students and professionals learn to
contextualise their design training through a sustainable design lens. Over a five year period from 2004-09 the research sought to evaluate how the learner understands and· applies their knowledge and skills and to begin the process of developing a sustainable design mindset.
Through the development of a series of case studies the research goes on to develop learning strategies that can assist the learner to work in a multidisciplinary environment and to develop a sustainable literacy with their colleagues from non design disciplines.
The work outlined here deals with how undergraduate students learn about sustainable design in a studio based environment over an extended period. It looks at the use of elearning, multidisciplinary project work, live projects and the mixing students with professionals all through the vehicle of sustainable design. The research also develops a number of strategies for assisting both SME (Small and
Medium Enterprises) and practicing design professionals to learn about sustainable design. These strategies encourage the professionals to look at sustainability in a holistic manner and to develop a personal understanding about how it can influence their business and their design practice.
The principal research question is: How can the third level effectively educate students, SMEs and professionals in sustainable design so as to be able to apply their knowledge, skills and competencies to design and industry practice in an effective manner within a complex and rapidly changing world paradigm? This body of research is a first comprehensive comparison of how undergraduate students, SME professionals and design professionals learn about sustainable design. It develops a number of learning strategies and proposes a sustainable design learning model based on the findings of the applied research
koamabayili/VECTRON-author-checklist: VECTRON author checklist
No full textWe have done our best to complete the author checklist relating to the use of animals in the hut study. Note that the objective for the hut study was to evaluate the IRS treatment applications for residual efficacy against Anopheles mosquitoes, including the local An. coluzzii mosquito population. Cows were only used to attract mosquitoes into the huts and no tests were carried out directly on the cows. The author checklist is intended for use with studies where experiments are carried out on animals, which is why we have had such difficulty in completing this for the hut study, as many of the questions do not relate to how the cows were used
- …
