abstract: Access to real-time situational information including the relative position and motion of surrounding objects is critical for safe and independent travel. Object or obstacle (OO) detection at a distance is primarily a task of the visual system due to the high resolution information the eyes are able to receive from afar. As a sensory organ in particular, the eyes have an unparalleled ability to adjust to varying degrees of light, color, and distance. Therefore, in the case of a non-visual traveler, someone who is blind or low vision, access to visual information is unattainable if it is positioned beyond the reach of the preferred mobility device or outside the path of travel. Although, the area of assistive technology in terms of electronic travel aids (ETA’s) has received considerable attention over the last two decades; surprisingly, the field has seen little work in the area focused on augmenting rather than replacing current non-visual travel techniques, methods, and tools. Consequently, this work describes the design of an intuitive tactile language and series of wearable tactile interfaces (the Haptic Chair, HaptWrap, and HapBack) to deliver real-time spatiotemporal data. The overall intuitiveness of the haptic mappings conveyed through the tactile interfaces are evaluated using a combination of absolute identification accuracy of a series of patterns and subjective feedback through post-experiment surveys. Two types of spatiotemporal representations are considered: static patterns representing object location at a single time instance, and dynamic patterns, added in the HaptWrap, which represent object movement over a time interval. Results support the viability of multi-dimensional haptics applied to the body to yield an intuitive understanding of dynamic interactions occurring around the navigator during travel. Lastly, it is important to point out that the guiding principle of this work centered on providing the navigator with spatial knowledge otherwise unattainable through current mobility techniques, methods, and tools, thus, providing the \emph{navigator} with the information necessary to make informed navigation decisions independently, at a distance. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Computer Science 2020

E-learning refers to computer-based learning experiences, self-paced or instructor-led, supported and enabled by information technology. Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), as a major form of e-learning systems, are increasingly adopted in universities and educational institutions for supporting various types of learning. Student engagement is critical for successful teaching and learning in VLEs. In existing VLEs, feeling isolated without adequate supervision from teachers may cause negative emotions such as anxiety. Such emotions may in turn significantly weaken students'motivation to engage in learning activities. In addition, the lack of effective interaction in learning activities also results in poor performance and engagement, even dropouts from online courses. In this thesis, we explore a set of approaches and tools to enhance student engagement and interaction in e-learning environments: (1) extract valuable information from the user posts in online course forums to advise the content organization of web pages; (2) instantly monitor and visualize students' interaction statuses in instructor-led learning; (3) identify and highlight the hotspot time slots and contents of the lecture recordings; (4) dynamically provide biofeedback-based visualization via wearable devices to reduce students' anxiety in self-paced learning.;We present a page-segmentation-based wrapper (eCF-wrapper) designed for extracting learner-posted data in online course forums. It consists of a novel page segmentation algorithm and a decision tree classifier. We also develop a web-based interaction-aware VLE (WebIntera-classroom), which employs a ubiquitous interactive interface to enhance the learner-to-content interactions, and a learning analytics tool to instantly visualize learners'interactions in learning activities. Additionally, we propose a high--granularity Learning Analytics Engine (hgLAE) to play a lecture recording, identify hotspots in a lecture recording and raise students'awareness of these hotspots. A questionnaire survey, interview and case study were conducted to investigate the instruction effect of WebIntera-classroom. Besides, we develop a physiologically-state-aware self-paced learning environment (FishBuddy) to alleviate anxiety and promote student engagement in self-paced learning by using wearable technology. The between-groups evaluation result shows that FishBuddy is useful in promoting student engagement (i.e., the consistency of engagement), and the students' self-reports indicate that FishBuddy is helpful for reducing anxiety and experience of isolation during the self-paced learning exercises.;Finally, the thesis is concluded with a discussion on the future work. Keywords: Virtual Learning Environment; Learning Analytics; Interaction; Engagement; Wearable Technology.

abstract: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention report around 29,668 United States residents aged greater than 65 years had died as a result of a fall in 2016. Other injuries like wrist fractures, hip fractures, and head injuries occur as a result of a fall. Certain groups of people are more prone to experience falls than others, one of which being individuals with stroke. The two most common issues with individuals with strokes are ankle weakness and foot drop, both of which contribute to falls. To mitigate this issue, the most popular clinical remedy given to these users is thermoplastic Ankle Foot Orthosis. These AFO's help improving gait velocity, stride length, and cadence. However, studies have shown that a continuous restraint on the ankle harms the compensatory stepping response and forward propulsion. It has been shown in previous studies that compensatory stepping and forward propulsion are crucial for the user's ability to recover from postural perturbations. Hence, there is a need for active devices that can supply a plantarflexion during the push-off and dorsiflexion during the swing phase of gait. Although advancements in the orthotic research have shown major improvements in supporting the ankle joint for rehabilitation, there is a lack of available active devices that can help impaired users in daily activities. In this study, our primary focus is to build an unobtrusive, cost-effective, and easy to wear active device for gait rehabilitation and fall prevention in individuals who are at risk. The device will be using a double-acting cylinder that can be easily incorporated into the user's footwear using a novel custom-designed powered ankle brace. The device will use Inertial Measurement Units to measure kinematic parameters of the lower body and a custom control algorithm to actuate the device based on the measurements. The study can be used to advance the field of gait assistance, rehabilitation, and potentially fall prevention of individuals with lower-limb impairments through the use of Active Ankle Foot Orthosis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2020

abstract: Technological advances in low power wearable electronics and energy optimization techniques make motion energy harvesting a viable energy source. However, it has not been widely adopted due to bulky energy harvester designs that are uncomfortable to wear. This work addresses this problem by analyzing the feasibility of powering low wearable power devices using piezoelectric energy generated at the human knee. We start with a novel mathematical model for estimating the power generated from human knee joint movements. This thesis’s major contribution is to analyze the feasibility of human motion energy harvesting and validating this analytical model using a commercially available piezoelectric module. To this end, we implemented an experimental setup that replicates a human knee. Then, we performed experiments at different excitation frequencies and amplitudes with two commercially available Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) modules. These experimental results are used to validate the analytical model and predict the energy harvested as a function of the number of steps taken in a day. The model estimates that 13μWcan be generated on an average while walking with a 4.8% modeling error. The obtained results show that piezoelectricity is indeed a viable approach for powering low-power wearable devices. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2020

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第22578号 / 情博第715号 / 新制||情||123(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻 / (主査)教授 黒田 知宏, 教授 守屋 和幸, 教授 吉川 正俊 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM

Human knee kinematics, especially during gait, are an important analysis tool. The current "gold standard" for kinematics measurement is a multi-camera, marker-based motion capture system with 3D position tracking. These systems are accurate but expensive and their use is limited to a confined laboratory environment. High deflection strain gauges (HDSG) are a novel class of sensors that have the potential to measure kinematics and can be inexpensive, low profile, and are not limited to measurements within a calibrated volume. However, many HDSG sensors can have a non-linear and non-monotonic response. This thesis explores using a nanocomposite HDSG sensor system for measuring knee kinematics in walking gait and overcoming the non-monotonic sensor response found in HDSGs through advanced modeling techniques. Nanocomposite HDSG sensors were placed across the knee joint in nine subjects during walking gait at three speeds and three inclines. The piezoresistive response of the sensors was obtained by including the sensors in a simple electrical circuit and recorded using a low-cost microcontroller. The voltage response from the system was used in four models. The first two models included a physics-based log-normal model and statistical functional data analysis model that estimated continuous knee angles. The third model was a discrete linear regression model that estimated the inflection points on the knee flexion/extension cycle. Finally, a machine learning approach helped to predict subject speed and incline of the walking surface. The models showed the sensor has the capability to provide knee kinematic data to a degree of accuracy comparable to similar kinematic sensors. The log-normal model had a 0.45 r-squared and was unsuitable as a stand-alone continuous angle predictor. After running a 10-fold cross validation the functional data analysis (FDA) model had an overall RMSE of 3.4° and could be used to predict the entire knee flexion/extension angle cycle. The discrete linear regression model predicted the inflection points on the knee kinematics graph during each gait cycle with an average RMSE of 1.92° for angle measures and 0.0332 seconds for time measures. In every estimate, the discrete linear regression model performed better than the FDA model at those points. The 10-fold cross validation of the machine learning approach using the discrete voltages could predict the categorical incline 90% of the time and the RMSE for the speed model was 0.23 MPH. The use of a HDSG as a knee kinematics sensor was shown as a viable alternative to existing motion capture technology. In future work, it is recommended that a calibration method be developed that would allow this sensor to be used independent of a motion capture system. With these advancements, this inexpensive and low profile HDSG will advance understanding of human gait and kinematics in a more affordable and scope enhancing way.

No description available.

Summary: Although the digital revolution has transformed many niches of human activity, healthcare sector and pharmaceutical drug development has been relatively slow in embracing emerging technologies to optimize health efficacy, especially in Nordic Countries. The topic is of more importance now owing to the present scenario of the corona virus (COVID-19)outbreak, which has caused unparalleled disruption in the conduct of clinical trials and presented challenges as well as opportunities for clinical trialists and data analysts. In this master thesis, the potential opportunity with virtual or digital clinical trials as viable options to enhance drug development efficiency is highlighted that offers diverse patients easier and attractive ways to participate in clinical trials. Special reference is made to wearable devices in clinical trial execution and generating real world data; its acquisition and processing in a virtual trial setting. Issues of patient safety, measurement reliability and validity, and data privacy & integrity are  reviewed, and considerations are put forward for mitigation of underlying regulatory andoperational barriers. The aim of this thesis is to assess the recent wearable technologies that generate Real World Data and to understand the potential of this data to transform Nordic healthcare industry. A systematic review of clinical trials involving wearable patient monitoring technique in North America, Nordic Countries and other European countries was conducted. Out of various innovative wearable technologies, Smartwatches are found to be the most common and it is also observed that these wearable technologies have been able to help in early detection and diagnosis of diseases and modify disease progression by real time monitoring of data and develop precision medicine. thus, it is concluded that Wearable Remote Patient Monitoring is a novel technique that has few barriers;but promises a big transformation in Nordic Countries as well as in entire healthcare industry.

Orientador: Rubens Nisie Tango / Coorientador: João Carlos da Rocha / Banca: Symone Cristina Teixeira / Banca: João Paulo Barros Machado / Resumo: A realidade cotidiana de uma pessoa com necessidades especiais (PNE) e de seus responsáveis ou cuidadores é cercada de desafios impostos pelos diferentes impedimentos ou restrições apresentadas. A dificuldade de se executar uma higienização oral adequada, muitas vezes por causa dos comprometimentos motores do PNE, impedem a abertura e manutenção da boca em posição colaborativa para os movimentos escovatórios provocando agravamento do quadro de saúde bucal. A pesquisa desenvolve um novo produto acessório e inovador chamado de dedeira rígida que proporciona a abertura e estabilização da boca em posição aberta de forma segura, confortável e facilitada, possibilitando as práticas de higienização oral da PNE pelos seus responsáveis. Os testes em voluntária com paralisia cerebral, realizados com o uso do protótipo da dedeira, prototipado em material ABS Plus (copolímero de acrilonitrila butadieno estireno), provaram sua efetividade e eficiência, proporcionando adequadamente a escovação dental com o uso da escova dental e pasta. Os objetivos da proposta foram não só alcançados, viabilizando a introdução, movimentação da escova livremente na boca e visualização do interior da cavidade bucal, como também se mostrou possível sua abrangência de utilização por outros profissionais da saúde, como cirurgião dentista e enfermeiros. A aceitação da paciente voluntária foi total, bem como de sua responsável, que pode perceber as facilitações de utilidade e segurança que a dedeira proporciona. ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The daily reality of a person with special needs and their guardians or caregivers is surrounded by challenges imposed by the different impediments or restrictions presented. The difficulty of performing adequate oral hygiene, often due to the motor impairment, prevents the opening and maintenance of the mouth in a collaborative position for the brush movements causing worsening of oral health. The research develops a new and innovative accessory product called rigid finger that provides the opening and stabilization of the mouth in an open position safely, comfortably and easily, enabling the oral hygiene practices by their guardians in a person with special needs. The tests in volunteers with cerebral palsy, performed using the prototype of the rigid finger, prototyped in ABS Plus material (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer), proved its effectiveness and efficiency, providing adequate brushing with the use of toothbrush and paste. The objectives of the proposal were not only achieved, enabling the introduction, movement of the brush freely in the mouth and visualization of the interior of the oral cavity, but it was also possible its use by other health professionals such as dental surgeon and nurses. The acceptance of the volunteer patient was complete, as well as that of her guardian, who can perceive the facilitations of usefulness and safety that the rigid finger provides. The difficulties found are related to the exchange the rigid finger to the other hand of t... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Marizilda dos Santos Menezes / Resumo: A fabricação digital se tornou uma realidade para a produção em diversos setores da indústria nos últimos anos. Com seu uso desenvolvido e consolidado em alguns setores como a medicina, a arquitetura e a robótica, ela ainda é pouco explorada na moda apresentando um grande potencial para construção de superfícies que possam ser vestidas. O uso da fabricação digital implica na concepção tridimensional da superfície vestível o que traz ao Design de Moda desafios a serem superados no que diz respeito ao custo, ao uso dos materiais, à distribuição de produtos e, principalmente, às formas de criação e construção. Sendo assim, esta pesquisa se propõe a investigar o desenvolvimento de superfícies tridimensionais mediante os processos de manufatura aditiva sob a ótica do Design de Superfícies. Analisa-se a viabilidade do uso destes métodos para a construção de superfícies vestíveis e são propostas estratégias para a utilização, de maneira a contribuir com o conhecimento teórico acerca do Design de Superfícies no que tange a tridimensionalidade e ao uso das tecnologias de fabricação digital. Para tal, inicia-se o trabalho com uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o Design de Superfícies, a fabricação de superfícies vestíveis ao longo da história e sobre a manufatura aditiva, em seguida, parte-se para a análise dos projetos realizados por designers envolvendo as superfícies tridimensionais e a fabricação digital, para então proceder com experimentações. Propõe-se a construção por meio de módu... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Digital manufacturing has become a reality for production in various industry sectors in recent years. With its use developed and consolidated in some sectors such as medicine, architecture and robotics, it is still poorly explored in fashion presenting a great potential for construction of wearable surfaces. The use of digital fabrication implies the three-dimensional design of the wearable surface which brings to Fashion Design challenges to be overcome with regard to cost, the use of materials, the distribution of products and especially the forms of creation and construction. Thus, this research aims to investigate the development of three-dimensional surfaces through additive manufacturing processes from the perspective of Surface Design. The feasibility of using these methods for the construction of wearable surfaces is analyzed and strategies for their use are proposed, in order to contribute to the theoretical knowledge about surface design in terms of three-dimensionality and the use of digital manufacturing technologies. To this end, the work begins with a literature review on Surface Design, the manufacture of wearable surfaces throughout history and on digital fabrication, then starts with the analysis of designs carried out by designers involving surfaces. dimensions and digital fabrication, and then proceed with experimentation. Modular construction is proposed as the main strategy for the construction of wearable surfaces through additive manufacturing. / Doutor