Within the deaf population, an extreme mental health professional shortage exists that may be alleviated with videoconferencing technology – also known as telehealth. Moreover, much needed mental health education within the deaf population remains largely inaccessible. Researchers have forewarned that the deaf population may remain underserved if significant changes do not take place with traditional service delivery methods. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of telehealth in teaching psychoeducational objectives, with special emphasis given to its application to the deaf population. The results of this study indicate that telehealth can be considered to be an efficacious and cost effective option in delivering health care to the deaf population. Results also indicate participant satisfaction with the technology.

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Personal interaction and proximity have been the cornerstones for relationship development in counselor education for decades. However, these concepts are opposed by the physical distance and lack of proximity inherent in a distance classroom environment. As the use of distance education increases in higher education, counselor educators must ensure that quality teaching and learning is maintained in the distance classroom. The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of counselor education courses taught at a distance using video teleconferencing (VTC); specifically, student satisfaction with course delivery and relationship development in the VTC environment was the focus of the study. Research questions included the following: 1.To what extent are counselor education students satisfied with graduate counseling classes delivered via videoconferencing? Specifically, student satisfaction with: a. the instructor characteristics, b. the technological characteristics, and c. the course management characteristics of the class? 2. What are counselor education students' perceptions of teacher/student relationship development in the VTC classroom environment? 3. What is the relationship between student satisfaction and relationship development when counselor education courses are taught via VTC? Responses from 43 Virginia Tech master's and doctoral level students who participated in VTC Counselor Education courses between 1998 and 2006 were used to explore student satisfaction and instructor/student relationship development in the VTC class environment. The Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory © (BLRI; Barrett-Lennard, 1962) and the Telecourse Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ; Biner, 1993) were the instruments used to create an on-line questionnaire. Participants reported highly positive feelings about the instructor/student relationship (M = 4.1) and perceived that relationship to be honest, direct, sincere, and open. Student satisfaction and relationship development in the VTC class environment were found to be related to one another (r = .48) However, the technology used to deliver VTC courses was not found to be related to students' feelings about their instructor or to their ability to build a relationship with the instructor. Reliability scores in this study were comparable to published scores for these instruments. / Ph. D.

Two new methods for coding image sequences in video conferencing systems are developed in this dissertation. A simple 3-D gradient operator is developed to estimate motion in an image sequence on a pixel-by-pixel basis. A stochastic 3-D gradient operator is also developed for a gradient calculation which is more robust to the noise effects of the image sequence. These gradient operators are used to estimate motion in the next frame using information from three previous frames. The concept of tangent plane, which is perpendicular to the gradient vector, is introduced to guide searching for the motion vector. The simplified 3-d gradient motion estimation (GME) technique is compared to Netravali's pixel-recursive method with scalar quantization. It was found that performance of the GME technique is very close to that of Netravali' s technique with less computational complexity. To adapt the motion estimation techniques to vector quantization, two new supplementary methods of motion estimation using the pixel motion vectors from the motion estimator were studied. The methods use either the pixel motion vectors directly on the moving block (pixel motion estimation) or calculate the block motion vector from the pixel motion vectors (block motion estimation). For both methods, the differences between the prediction block and the moving block are vector quantized. / Ph. D.

Leung, Yiu-Wing. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-157). / Acknowledgments / Abstract / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Broadband Video Services --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Videoconference Services --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Videoconference Systems --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Chapter Summary and Thesis Organization --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Efficient Algorithms for Multiple Destinations Routing --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Background --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Integer Programming Formulation of the MDR Problem --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- Heuristics for Multiple Destinations Routing --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4 --- Performance Comparisons --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Connection Optimization for Two Types of Videoconferences --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1 --- Background --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- The Videoconference Services --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3 --- Connection Optimization --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4 --- Performance Analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- A TDM-based Multibus Packet Switch --- p.81 / Chapter 4.1 --- Background --- p.81 / Chapter 4.2 --- Architecture of the Multibus Switch --- p.89 / Chapter 4.3 --- Operation of the Multibus Switch --- p.93 / Chapter 4.4 --- Performance Analysis --- p.95 / Chapter 4.5 --- Numerical Results --- p.106 / Chapter 4.6 --- Discussions --- p.109 / Chapter 4.7 --- Chapter Summary --- p.113 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- A Modular Shared Media Video Switch --- p.114 / Chapter 5.1 --- System Architecture and Operation --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2 --- Slot Assignment for Point-to-Point Transmissions --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3 --- Slot Assignment for Point-to-Multipoint Transmissions --- p.132 / Chapter 5.4 --- Network Design Example --- p.136 / Chapter 5.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.143 / Appendix --- p.144 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions --- p.147 / References --- p.150

by Ling Ho-Ming, Desmond, Yeung Yuk-Lam. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-75). / Questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Problem Statement --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Purpose of the study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypotheses of the Study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Hypothesis 1 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Hypothesis 2 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Hypothesis 3 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Hypothesis 4 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Hypothesis 5 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Hypothesis 6 --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.7 --- Hypothesis 7 --- p.7 / Chapter CHATPER II --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Development of Videoconferencing --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Type of Videoconferencing System --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Application of Videoconferencing System --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Benefits and Costs of Using Videoconferencing --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Videoconferencing in China --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Background --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Market Situation --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Industry Players --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- METHODOLOGY --- p.29 / Chapter 3.1 --- Scope of Study --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Design --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Mail survey --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Sampling Plan --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Target population --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Sampling method --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Judgment sampling --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Sample size --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4 --- Instrument --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Questionnaire --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Pilot test --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Data Collection --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Data analysis --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- RESULTS --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1 --- Exploratory Research --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2 --- Descriptive Research --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Respondents' Background Characteristics --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Perceived Degree of Agreement on Benefits of VC --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Perceived Importance of Selection Criteria --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Factor Groupings of Benefits --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Factor Groupings of Criteria --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Relationship Between Overall Employee Size and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Relationship Between Average Annual Sales Revenue and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Difference in Perceptions Between VC Using Companies and Non-VC Using Companies --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Difference in Perceptions Between Companies Planning to Purchase VC and Companies Not Planning to Purchase VC --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Different Years of Establishment of Shanghai Office --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.11 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Different Sized Companies --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.12 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Companies with Different Average Annual Sales Revenue --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- "DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS" --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1 --- Discussion of Survey Findings --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Respondents' Background Characteristics --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Discussion of Benefit Factors --- p.57 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Discussion of Criteria Factors --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Relationship Between Overall Employee Size and Offtce(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Relationship Between Average Annual Sales Revenue and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Difference in Perception Among Various Respondents' Characteristics --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2 --- Conclusions --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3 --- Recommendations --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Attractiveness of VC Industry in China --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Suggested Market Positioning --- p.66 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Suggestions for Future Research Studies --- p.71 / REFERENCES --- p.73 / APPENDIX 1 --- p.76 / APPENDIX 2 --- p.77 / APPENDIX 3 --- p.79 / APPENDIX 4 --- p.83 / APPENDIX 5 --- p.84 / APPENDIX --- p.85 / APPENDIX 7 --- p.86 / APPENDIX 8 --- p.87 / APPENDIX 9 --- p.88 / APPENDIX 10 --- p.89

by Feng Gang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-181). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

In this thesis, we attempt to revisit the problem of multi-party conferencing from a practical perspective, and tore think the design space involved in this problem. We believe that an emphasis on low end-to-end delays between any two parties in the conference is a must, and the source sending rate in a session should adapt to bandwidth availability and congestion. We present Celerity, a multi-party conferencing solution specifically designed to achieve our objectives. It is entirely Peer-to-Peer(P2P), and as such eliminating the cost of maintaining centrally administered servers. It is designed to deliver video with low end-to-end delays, at quality levels commensurate with available network resources over arbitrary network topologies where bottlenecks can be anywhere in the network. This is in contrast to commonly assumed P2P scenarios where bandwidth bottlenecks reside only at the edge of the network. The highlight in our design is a distributed and adaptive rate control protocol, that can discover and adapt to arbitrary topologies and network conditions quickly, converging to efficient link rate allocations allowed by the underlying network. In accordance with adaptive link rate control, source video encoding rates are also dynamically controlled to op-timize video quality in arbitrary and unpredictable network conditions. Celerity runs on the application layer and uses UDP to deliver the data. With the distributed rate control protocol, Celerity can deliver video at quality levels without the acknowledge of the underlying network topology, bandwidth, and the routing. We have implemented Celerity in a prototype system, and demonstrateits su¬perior performance over existing solutions in a local experimental test bed and over the Internet. In addition, using Celerity we have developed a multi-party conferencing system which provides real-time video and audio communication and allows users to dynamically join and leave, it achieves better user experience(low delay and high throughput) than existing products. / Chen, Xiangwen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-68). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Motivation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Contribution --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Thesis Organization --- p.4 / Chapter 2 --- Related Work --- p.5 / Chapter 3 --- Problem Formulation and Celerity Overview --- p.7 / Chapter 3.1 --- Settings --- p.7 / Chapter 3.2 --- Problem Formulation --- p.9 / Chapter 3.3 --- Celerity Overview --- p.10 / Chapter 4 --- Packing Delay-bounded Trees --- p.13 / Chapter 5 --- Overlay Link Rate Control --- p.18 / Chapter 5.1 --- Considering Both Delay and Loss --- p.18 / Chapter 5.2 --- A Loss-Delay Based Primal-Subgradient-Dual Algorithm --- p.20 / Chapter 5.3 --- Computing Subgradients of R{U+2098}(c{U+2098}, D) --- p.23 / Chapter 6 --- PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION --- p.26 / Chapter 6.1 --- Peer Functionality --- p.26 / Chapter 6.2 --- Critical Cut Calculation --- p.29 / Chapter 6.3 --- Utility Function --- p.29 / Chapter 6.4 --- Opportunistic Local Loss Recovery --- p.29 / Chapter 6.5 --- Fast Bootstrapping --- p.30 / Chapter 6.6 --- Operation Overhead --- p.30 / Chapter 6.7 --- Peer Computation Overhead --- p.31 / Chapter 6.8 --- System Implementation --- p.32 / Chapter 7 --- Experiments --- p.34 / Chapter 7.1 --- LAN Testbed Experiments --- p.34 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Absence of Network Dynamics --- p.36 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Cross Traffic --- p.39 / Chapter 7.1.3 --- Link Failure --- p.40 / Chapter 7.2 --- Peer Dynamics Experiments --- p.41 / Chapter 7.3 --- Internet Experiments --- p.42 / Chapter 8 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.46 / Chapter A --- Packing Delay-bounded Trees in the Presence of Helpers --- p.47 / Chapter B --- Proof of Theorem 1 and Theorem 3 --- p.50 / Chapter C --- Proof of Corollary 1 and Corollary 2 --- p.56 / Chapter D --- Proof of Proposition 1 --- p.58 / Chapter E --- Proof of Theorem 2 --- p.60 / Bibliography --- p.66

Apesar dos avanços tecnológicos voltados para o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação em Saúde, vários aspectos normativos ainda estão sendo discutidos em âmbito nacional para o estabelecimento de uma legislação específica para a área de telemedicina. As normativas mais utilizadas como referência para definição do escopo de atuação profissional em telemedicina são: a RESOLUÇÃO CFM nº 1.643/2002, que define e disciplina a prestação de serviços através da Telemedicina e a RESOLUÇÃO CFM nº 2.107/2014, que define e normatiza a Telerradiologia e revoga a RESOLUÇÃO CFM nº 1890/09. Essa dissertação apresenta um estudo retrospectivo, quantitativo, descritivo, baseado em levantamento bibliográfico que tem como proposta verificar a conformidade das formas de uso da telemedicina e da telessaúde, nos contextos nacional e internacional, em relação ao modelo proposto para essa atividade pelo CFM, representado pelas resoluções 1.643/2002 e 2.107/2014. O levantamento bibliográfico foi feito no período de 2009 a 2015, nas bases de dados Scielo, PubMed e IEEE, com base nas palavras chaves videoconferencing, webconferencing, VTC, meeting, telemedicine e telehealth e suas combinações. Foram encontrados, incialmente, 2352 artigos que foram reduzidos para 572 após a leitura de seus resumos e, novamente reduzidos para 115, após a leitura parcial dos artigos. Os 115 artigos selecionados foram lidos na íntegra. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o uso da telemedicina pode ampliar consideravelmente a área de atendimento especializado dos grandes centros médicos, o que deve ser incentivado, principalmente em países com menores recursos financeiros, ou com poucos especialistas, ou extremamente extensos, como no caso do Brasil / Despite technological advances aiming the best use of Information and Communication Technology in Healthcare, several normative aspects are still being discussed in national scope, in order to establish a specific legislation for telemedicine area. There are some specifically normative aspects for professional orientation in telemedicine as follows: CFM no. 1.643/2002 that define disciplines and services provided by telemedicine, and CFM no. 2.107/2014 that define and guide the teleradiology services. This work was a retrospective, quantitative and descriptive study based on bibliographic surveying, in order to verify the conformity of the use of telemedicine and telehealth in both national and international contexts, according to the CFM proposed model for this activity, represented by CFM resolutions no. 1.643/2002 and no. 2.107/2014. The bibliographic surveying between 2009 and 2015 used Scielo, PubMed, and IEEE databases, and the key words: videoconferencing, webconferencing, VTC, meeting, telemedicine, and telehealth plus their combinations. We found 2352 articles, reduced to 572 after reading their abstracts. One hundred and fifteen potentially relevant articles were selected after partial reading of the articles. After that, the 115 selected articles were fully read. The results showed that the use of telemedicine could considerably increase the area of specialized attending crew on important medical facilities, what should be encouraged mainly in countries with few or no financial resources, or the small number of specialists, or extensive areas such as Brazil

The occurrence of depression in the United States is steadily increasing. In every age group, women have a higher rate of depression than men, and U.S. women between the ages of 40 and 59 have a depression rate of 12%. Adult women living in rural areas experience physical and/or psychological impairment and lack access to mental health treatment. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to examine participants' preferences for treatment delivery method based on patient perceptions of the clinical experience, patient satisfaction, and therapeutic bond. The working alliance theory provided the theoretical foundation. Data collection included survey responses from a self-selected sample of 264 adult females ages 40 to 65. Results from independent sample t tests indicated that participants favored CBT treatment delivered via videoconferencing more than in-person treatment. Implications for social change include improving the lives of adult women suffering from depression by providing treatment via videoconferencing when in-person services are not available. Psychologists may apply findings in clinical practice, thereby benefiting individuals, families, and communities.