Students Weigh In: Usability Test of Online Library Tutorials

Librarians can improve their online tutorials by borrowing usability testing techniques from the computer science field to improve the human-computer interface. This study involved a multimethod usability test of librarian-created tutorials to determine what students learned, how they felt on several affective questions, and what they suggested for improving the tutorials. Results of pre- and post-tests showed that student knowledge increased, and surveys and focus group findings lean to several suggestions for improving engagement and placing tutorials where they will be most effective. This case study demonstrates the value of user input to improve the effectiveness of online instruction for information literacy.     

Developing a limb repositioning robotic interface for persons with severe physical disabilities

Limb repositioning is necessary for individuals with severe physical disabilities to sustain muscle strength and prevent pressure sores. As robotic technologies become ubiquitous, these tools offer promise to support the repositioning process. However, research has yet to focus on ways in which individuals with severe physical disabilities can control robots for these tasks. This paper presents a study that examines the needs and attitudes of potential users with physical disabilities to control a robotic aid for limb repositioning. Subjects expressed interest in using brain–computer interface (BCI) and speech recognition technologies for purposes of executing robotic tasks. The performance of four subjects controlling arm movements on an avatar through the keyboard, mouse, BCI, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition was evaluated. Although BCI and speech technologies may limit physical fatigue, more challenges were faced using BCI and speech conditions compared to the keyboard and mouse. This research promotes accessibility into mainstream robotic technologies and represents the first step in the development of a robotic prototype using a BCI and speech recognition technologies for limb repositioning.     

Kernel methods for software effort estimation

Analogy based estimation (ABE) generates an effort estimate for a new software project through adaptation of similar past projects (a.k.a. analogies). Majority of ABE methods follow uniform weighting in adaptation procedure. In this research we investigated non-uniform weighting through kernel density estimation. After an extensive experimentation of 19 datasets, 3 evaluation criteria, 5 kernels, 5 bandwidth values and a total of 2090 ABE variants, we found that: (1) non-uniform weighting through kernel methods cannot outperform uniform weighting ABE and (2) kernel type and bandwidth parameters do not produce a definite effect on estimation performance. In summary simple ABE approaches are able to perform better than much more complex approaches. Hence,—provided that similar experimental settings are adopted—we discourage the use of kernel methods as a weighting strategy in ABE.     

Restoration of stormwater retention capacity at the allotment-scale through a novel economic instrument

Urbanisation results in changes to runoff behaviour which, if not addressed, inevitably degrade receiving waters. To date, most stormwater management has focussed on the streetscape and public open space. Given that much of the catchment imperviousness is located on private land, we developed and tested a novel economic instrument (a uniform price auction) for encouraging allotment-scale stormwater retention. We evaluated bids using an integrated environmental benefit index (EBI), based on the ability of the proposed works to reduce runoff frequency, pollutant loads and to reduce potable water demand. The uniform price auction resulted in 1.4 ha of impervious areas being effectively 'disconnected' from the stormwater system. The EBI provided an objective and transparent method of comparing bids, which varied in the type of works proposed (e.g. rainwater tank, rain-garden), the cost and the resulting environmental benefit. Whilst the pilot auction was a success, the public subsidy of works undertaken was around 85%, meaning that property owners a relatively small private benefit in the works. Future auction rounds will be revised to (i) test an EBI which is more focussed on the protection of streams (assessing changes to runoff frequency, baseflow volumes and water quality) and (ii) provide an auction process which is simpler to understand, and provides greater practical support for landholders who wish to undertake works.     

The impact of misregistration on SRTM and DEM image differences

Image differences between Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data and other Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are often performed for either accuracy assessment or for estimating vegetation height across the landscape. It has been widely assumed that the effect of sub-pixel misregistration between the two models on resultant image differences is negligible, yet this has not previously been tested in detail. The aim of this study was to determine the impact that various levels of misregistration have on image differences between SRTM and DEMs. First, very accurate image co-registration was performed at two study sites between higher resolution DEMs and SRTM data, and then image differences (SRTM–DEM) were performed after various levels of misregistration were systematically introduced into the SRTM data. It was found that: (1) misregistration caused an erroneous and dominant correlation between elevation difference and aspect across the landscape; (2) the direction of the misregistration defined the direction of this erroneous and systematic elevation difference; (3) for sub-pixel misregistration the error due solely to misregistration was greater than, or equal to the true difference between the two models for substantial proportions of the landscape (e.g., greater than 33% of the area for a half-pixel misregistration); and (4) the strength of the erroneous relationship with aspect was enhanced by steeper terrain. Spatial comparisons of DEMs were found to be sensitive to even sub-pixel misregistration between the two models, which resulted in a strong erroneous correlation with aspect. This misregistration induced correlation with aspect is not likely specific to SRTM data only; we expect it to be a generic relationship present in any DEM image difference analysis.     

Aberrant protein expression in plasma and kidney tissue during experimental obstructive nephropathy

Kidney failure is a major health problem worldwide. Patients with end-stage renal disease require intensive medical support by dialysis or kidney transplantation. Current methods for diagnosis of kidney disease are either invasive or insensitive, and renal function may decline by as much as 50% before it can be detected using current techniques. The goal of this study was, therefore, to identify biomarkers of kidney disease (associated with renal fibrosis) that can be used for the development of a non-invasive clinical test for early disease detection. We utilized two protein-profiling technologies (SELDI-TOF MS and 2-D) to screen the plasma and kidney proteome for aberrantly expressed proteins in an experimental mouse model of unilateral uretric obstruction, which mimics the pathology of human renal disease. Several differentially regulated proteins were detected at the plasma level of day-3-obstructed animals, which included serum amyloid A1, fibrinogen α, haptoglobin precursor protein, haptoglobin and major urinary proteins 11 and 8. Differentially expressed proteins detected at the tissue level included ras-like activator protein 2, haptoglobin precursor protein, malate dehydrogenase, α enolase and murine urinary protein (all p<0.05 versus controls). Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the up-regulation of fibrinogen. Interestingly, these proteins are largely separated into four major classes: (i) acute-phase reactants (ii) cell-signaling molecules (iii) molecules involved in cell growth and metabolism and (iv) urinary proteins. These results provide new insights into the pathology of obstructive nephropathy and may facilitate the development of specific assay(s) to detect and monitor renal fibrosis.     

An assessment of simple referee methods for the prediction of lean in pig carcasses

A study was carried out in which carcass characteristics of 36 gilts were evaluated: 18 originated from the Hungarian 'Hungahyb' cross-breed, another 18, with undefined genetic background, from small private household plots. Two, rather simple substitute reference methods, called referee methods, were evaluated: measurement of carcass weight without skin and subcutaneous fat ('meat + bone'), and measurement of carcass weight without skin, subcutaneous fat and bone ('boneless meat'). Both methods gave a rather close relationship with the Kulmbach reference lean; however, removal of bone had presumably a beneficial effect on stability of prediction. The importance of preliminary information in quantitative form, giving a theoretical background for prediction equations, was presented as an example. Simple material balances could be formulated between reference lean and 'meat + bone' or 'boneless meat' content. Such material balances could not be set up with the indirect, rapid surrogate methods using mainly linear measurements (e.g. fat and muscle thickness, etc.) For this reason, as several other publications demonstrated, these latter methods seem to be more susceptible to bias than the referee methods. By determining the lipid content of the homogenised 'boneless meat' component, a 'lean' value adjusted to 3% fat content could be calculated from data which was compared to the dissected reference lean standardised also to contain 3% fat. These relationships, for several reasons discussed in this paper, were not as close as expected. So, further studies are needed to reveal these discrepancies.     

Solutions of the general equations for the radiation dose dependence of the molecular weights of irradiated polymers with an initial Schulz-Zimm distribution

Summary The general equations for the radiation dose dependence of irradiated polymer molecular weights have been solved exactly. For an initial most probable molecular weight distribution (=1), the solutions are analytical and exact. For the general case (1) the solutions are numerical and exact. The present approach has resulted in the solutions for both =1 and 1 being incorporated into a group of FORTRAN computer programs which will solve experimental data for scission and crosslinking yields by both minimization and exact treatments. Simulated data treated using these FORTRAN programs are give. The FORTRAN programs are available from the authors.     

Voice of the users: an extended study of software feedback engagement

Requirements Engineering - Many software users give feedback online about the applications they use. This feedback often contains valuable requirements information that can be used to guide the...     

Review Paper: A critical review of the present and future prospects for electronic paper

Abstract— The commercial success of monochrome electronic paper (e‐Paper) is now propelling the development of next‐generation flexible, video, and color e‐Paper products. Unlike the early battles in the 1980s and 1990s between transmissive and emissive display technologies, there is a extraordinary diversity of technologies vying to become the next generation of e‐Paper. A critical review of all major e‐Paper technologies, including a technical breakdown of the performance limitations based on device physics and commentary on possible future breakthroughs, is presented. In addition, the visual requirements for color e‐Paper are provided and compared to standards used in conventional print. It is concluded that researchers have much work remaining in order to bridge the significant gap between reflective electronic displays and print‐on‐paper.