Autonomic Modulation in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy During a Computer Task: A Prospective Transversal Controlled Trial Assessment by Non-linear Techniques

Introduction: Due to functional and autonomic difficulties faced by individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the use of assistive technology is critical to provide or facilitate functional abilities. The key objective was to investigate acute cardiac autonomic responses, by application of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), during computer tasks in subjects with DMD via techniques based on non-linear dynamics.Method: HRV was attained via a Polar RS800CX. Then, was evaluated by Chaotic Global Techniques (CGT). Forty-five male subjects were included in the DMD group and age-matched with 45 in the healthy Typical Development (TD) control group. They were assessed for 20 min at rest sitting, and then 5 min whilst performing the maze task on a computer.Results: Both TD and DMD subjects exhibited a significantly reduced HRV measured by chaotic global combinations when undertaking the computer maze paradigm tests. DMD subjects presented decreased HRV during rest and computer task than TD subjects.Conclusion: While there is an impaired HRV in subjects with DMD, there remains an adaptation of the ANS during the computer tasks. The identification of autonomic impairment is critical, considering that the computer tasks in the DMD community may elevate their level of social inclusion, participation and independence.

Toward a Connected System—Understanding the Contribution of Light from Different Sources on Occupants’ Circadian Rhythms

Light that enters humans’ eyes and impacts circadian rhythms may come from various sources, including the sun, electric lighting systems, and self-luminous displays. Occupants’ activities strongly impact the light entering their eyes, which is difficult to predict and not yet well understood. This study investigated the circadian contributions of light from different sources in real building environments to better understand the variables that influence the circadian health of occupants. Spectral irradiance distributions at a position equivalent to the front of an eye of a seated occupant in various interior office spaces were collected. Daylight and electric light were measured separately, and light emitted from displays was measured when a variety of different computer tasks was performed. Circadian stimulus (CS) and α-opic irradiance, defined by CIE DIS026/E:2018, were further calculated, and the circadian effects of light from different sources were compared. The results show that daylight has the greatest circadian effect, while electric light in spaces that were predominantly designed with conventional downward lighting has a very limited impact. The circadian effect of light from screens was considerably high. The outcomes suggest that, to optimise the circadian effects of light, connected lighting systems are needed to control light from different sources.

Use Dynamic Scheduling Algorithm to Assure the Quality of Educational Programs and Secure the Integrity of Reports in a Quality Management System

The implementation of quality processes is essential for an academic setting to meet the standards of different accreditation bodies. However, processes are complex because they involve several steps and several entities. Manual implementation (i.e., using paperwork), which many institutions use, has difficulty following up the progress and closing the cycle. It becomes more challenging when more processes are in place, especially when an academic department runs more than one program. Having n programs per department means that the work is replicated n times. Our proposal in this study is to use the concept of the Tomasulo algorithm to schedule all processes of an academic institution dynamically. Because of the similarities between computer tasks and the processes of workplaces, applying this method enhances work efficiencies and reduces efforts. Further, the method provides a mechanism to secure the integrity of the reports of these processes. In this paper, we provided an educational institution case study to understand the mechanism of this method and how it can be applied in an actual workplace. The case study included operational activities that are implemented to assure the program’s quality.

Evaluation of Multimodal Tongue Drive System by People with Tetraplegia for Computer Access

The multimodal Tongue Drive System (mTDS) is an assistive technology for people with tetraplegia that provides an alternative method to interact with a computer by combining tongue control, head gesture, and speech. This multimodality is designed to facilitate the completion of complex computer tasks (e.g. drag-and-drop) that cannot be easily performed by existing uni-modal assistive technologies. Previous studies with able-bodied participants showed promising performance of the mTDS on complex tasks when compared to other input methods such as keyboard and mouse. In this three-session pilot study, the primary objective is to show the feasibility of using mTDS to facilitate human-computer interactions by asking fourteen participants with tetraplegia to complete five computer access tasks with increased level of complexity: maze navigation, center-out tapping, playing bubble shooter and peg solitaire, and sending an email. Speed and accuracy are quantified by key metrics that are found to be generally increasing from the first to third session, indicating the potential existence of a learning phase that could result in improved performance over time.

Evaluation of Multimodal Tongue Drive System by People with Tetraplegia for Computer Access

The multimodal Tongue Drive System (mTDS) is an assistive technology for people with tetraplegia that provides an alternative method to interact with a computer by combining tongue control, head gesture, and speech. This multimodality is designed to facilitate the completion of complex computer tasks (e.g. drag-and-drop) that cannot be easily performed by existing uni-modal assistive technologies. Previous studies with able-bodied participants showed promising performance of the mTDS on complex tasks when compared to other input methods such as keyboard and mouse. In this three-session pilot study, the primary objective is to show the feasibility of using mTDS to facilitate human-computer interactions by asking fourteen participants with tetraplegia to complete five computer access tasks with increased level of complexity: maze navigation, center-out tapping, playing bubble shooter and peg solitaire, and sending an email. Speed and accuracy are quantified by key metrics that are found to be generally increasing from the first to third session, indicating the potential existence of a learning phase that could result in improved performance over time.

Testing an online measure of ideal portion size: A pilot study

Portion size is known to be a key driver of food intake. As consumed portions are often pre-planned, ‘ideal portion size’ – an individual’s preferred meal size selected prior to eating – has been identified as a strong predictor of actual consumption. However, assessments of ideal portion size have predominantly relied on laboratory-based computer tasks, limiting use online. Therefore, this study sought to pilot test the validity of a web-based tool to measure ideal portion size. In an online study (N = 48), participants responded to images of a range of foods. Each food was photographed in a series of different portions, and loaded into an ‘image carousel’ that would allow participants to change the size of the displayed portion by moving a slider left-to-right. Using this image carousel, participants selected their ideal portion size. They also completed measures of expected satiety and expected satiation, and self-reported their age and body mass index (BMI). A non-parametric correlation matrix was used to explore associations between ideal portion size and identified predictors of food intake. Supporting convergent validity of this measure, ideal portion size was significantly correlated with expected satiety and expected satiation (after controlling for effects of baseline hunger and fullness), consistent with past research. Similarly, supporting divergent validity of this measure, ideal portion size was not significantly correlated with age or BMI. Pilot results support the validity of this web-based tool to measure ideal portion size, though further research is needed to validate use with comparisons to actual food intake.

Eye movements in real-life search are guided by task-irrelevant working-memory content

Attention is automatically guided towards stimuli that match the contents of working memory. This has been studied extensively using simplified computer tasks, but it has never been investigated whether (yet often assumed that) memory-driven guidance also affects real-life search. Here we tested this open question in a naturalistic environment that closely resembles real life. In two experiments, participants wore a mobile eye-tracker, and memorized a color, prior to a search task in which they looked for a target word among book covers on a bookshelf. The memory color was irrelevant to the search task. Nevertheless, we found that participants’ gaze was strongly guided towards book covers that matched the memory color. Crucially, this memory-driven guidance was evident from the very start of the search period. These findings support that attention is guided towards working-memory content in real-world search, and that this is fast and therefore likely reflecting an automatic process.Significance statementA core concept in the field of visual working memory (VWM) is that visual attention is automatically guided towards things that resemble the content of VWM. For example, if you hold the color red in VWM, your attention and gaze would automatically be drawn towards red things in the environment. So far, studies on such memory-driven guidance have only been done with well-controlled computer tasks that used simplified search displays. Here we address the crucial and open question of whether attention is guided by the content of VWM in a naturalistic environment that closely resembles real life. To do so, we conducted two experiments with mobile eye tracking. Crucially, we found strong memory-driven guidance from the very early phase of the search, reflecting that this is a fast, and therefore likely automatic, process that also driven visual search in real life.