PANORAMA : explorations in the aesthetics of social awareness

In this paper we reflect on our experiences in developing PANORAMA, a playful application meant to promote and support social awareness in a work environment, through art-inspired visualisations of social processes and personal contributions. With respect to the design of PANORAMA, we found common notions of visual semiotics helpful in determining the overall composition of the screen layout. More in general, however, the development of PANORAMA proved to be an exercise in interaction aesthetics, which as we will argue in this paper may greatly benefit from common notions in interactive video game play. In this paper we will only briefly discuss technical and deployment issues, since our main contribution here is to establish the relation between the aesthetics of interaction and game play.

Engineering social awareness in work environments

A growing interest is seen for designing intelligent environments that support personally meaningful, sociable and rich everyday experiences. In this paper we describe an intelligent, large screen display called Panorama that is aimed at supporting and enhancing social awareness within an academic work environment. Panorama is not intended to provide instrumental or other productivity related information. Rather, the goal of Panorama is to enhance social awareness by providing interpersonal and rich information related to co-workers and their everyday interactions in the department. A two-phase assessment of Panorama showed to promote curiosity and interest in exploring different activities in the environment.

Being social @ work: designing for playfully mediated social awareness in work environments

Awareness within work environments should not be seen limited to important work-related information, activities and relationships. Mediating somewhat casual and engaging encounters related to non-work issues could also lead to meaningful and pleasurable experiences. This paper explores a design approach to support playfully mediated social awareness within an academic environment. Using ethnographic exploration and understanding the current and aspired practices, we provide details of two broad (and some times overlapping) categories of interaction for supporting and enhancing playfully mediated social awareness amongst staff members: 1) Self-Reflections and 2) Casual Encounters. We implement these two categories of interaction in an intelligent, asynchronous, large screen display called Panorama, for the staff room of our computer science department. Panorama attempts to mediate non-critical, non-work related information about the staff-members in an engaging manner to enhance social awareness within the department. We particularly emphasize on the soft design issues like reflections, belonging, care, pleasure and playfulness utilized in our design approach. The result of a two-phase assessment study suggests that our conceptualization of social awareness and the Panorama application has the potential to be easily incorporated into our academic environment.

Quantitative sensory measures distinguish office workers with varying levels of neck pain and disability

This study was undertaken to investigate any relationship between sensory features and neck pain in female office workers using quantitative sensory measures to better understand neck pain in this group. Office workers who used a visual display monitor for more than four hours per day with varying levels of neck pain and disability were eligible for inclusion. There were 85 participants categorized according to their scores on the neck disability index (NDI): 33 with no pain (NDI < 8); 38 with mild levels of pain and disability (NDI 9–29); 14 with moderate levels of pain (NDI ⩾ 30). A fourth group of women without neck pain (n = 22) who did not work formed the control group. Measures included: thermal pain thresholds over the posterior cervical spine; pressure pain thresholds over the posterior neck, trapezius, levator scapulae and tibialis anterior muscles, and the median nerve trunk; sensitivity to vibrotactile stimulus over areas of the hand innervated by the median, ulnar and radial nerves; sympathetic vasoconstrictor response. All tests were conducted bilaterally. ANCOVA models were used to determine group differences between the means for each sensory measure. Office workers with greater self-reported neck pain demonstrated hyperalgesia to thermal stimuli over the neck, hyperalgesia to pressure stimulation over several sites tested; hypoaesthesia to vibration stimulation but no changes in the sympathetic vasoconstrictor response. There is evidence of multiple peripheral nerve dysfunction with widespread sensitivity most likely due to altered central nociceptive processing initiated and sustained by nociceptive input from the periphery.

Associations between individual and workplace risk factors for self-reported neck pain and disability among female office workers

A cross-sectional survey of female office workers (n=333) was undertaken to determine the level of neck pain and disability (Neck Disability Index—NDI) and to explore the relationship between individual and workplace risk factors with the NDI score and the presence of pain. Workers reported nil (32%), mild (53%), moderate (14%) and severe (1%) neck pain. There were more risk factors associated with the NDI score than the presence of neck pain. The presence of neck pain was associated with a history of neck trauma (OR: 4.8), using a graduated lens (OR: 4.6), and negative affectivity (OR: 2.7) in the multiple regression model. Factors associated with higher NDI score were using the computer mouse for more than 6 h per day, higher negative affectivity, older age and an uncomfortable workstation. These results suggest that measuring the level of neck pain and disability rather than just the presence of neck pain provides more specific directives for the prevention and management of this disorder.

Interactive effects from self-reported physical and psychosocial factors in the workplace on neck pain and disability in female office workers

This study explored the interaction between physical and psychosocial factors in the workplace on neck pain and disability in female computer users. A self-report survey was used to collect data on physical risk factors (monitor location, duration of time spent using the keyboard and mouse) and psychosocial domains (as assessed by the Job Content Questionnaire). The neck disability index was the outcome measure. Interactions among the physical and psychosocial factors were examined in analysis of covariance. High supervisor support, decision authority and skill discretion protect against the negative impact of (1) time spent on computer-based tasks, (2) non-optimal placement of the computer monitor, and; (3) long duration of mouse use. Office workers with greater neck pain experience a combination of high physical and low psychosocial stressors at work. Prevention and intervention strategies that target both sets of risk factors are likely to be more successful than single intervention programmes. Statement of Relevance The results of this study demonstrate that the interaction of physical and psychosocial factors in the workplace has a stronger association with neck pain and disability than the presence of either factor alone. This finding has important implications for strategies aimed at the prevention of musculoskeletal problems in office workers.

Promoting resilience in children with intellectual disability : a randomized controlled trial in Australian schools

Children with intellectual disability are more vulnerable to adverse developmental outcomes because of the lifelong risks associated with cognitive impairment. Difficulties with learning and adaptive behaviour inevitably produce considerable personal, social and economic disadvantage. Of concern is consistent evidence that psychiatric disorders affect a substantial proportion of people with intellectual disability. The estimated prevalence rate of between 35 and 49 % is three times that found in the general population (Wallander, Dekker, & Koot, 2006). Until recently, mental illness has been relatively neglected for people with intellectual disability, especially in relation to prevention or early detection (Kolaitis, 2008) and most research to date has been descriptive rather than focused on intervention (Bouras, 2013). Yet a considerable body of evidence demonstrates that efficacious interventions do exist for preventing psychopathology and enhancing resilience in typically developing children and adolescents (see Mallin, Walker, & Levin, 2013 for a review). In order to prevent the high comorbidity of intellectual disability and psychopathology, there is a compelling need for evidence-based practices that promote the resilience of individuals with intellectual disability (Matson, Terlonge, & Minshawi, 2008). In this chapter, we describe a randomized controlled trial of an intervention that was designed to enhance the resilience of a group of children with mild intellectual disability as they prepared to make the transition to high school. We report results from our evaluation of this intervention, and reflect on the difficulties of providing successful interventions for children whose lives are complicated not only by intellectual disability, but also by a range of contextual disadvantages.

6 versus 12 month performance of polycaprolactone-based scaffold plus recombinant human morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in an ovine thoracic interbody fusion model

Introduction Well-designed biodegradable scaffolds in combination with bone growth factors offer a valuable alternative to the current gold standard autograft in spinal fusion surgery Yong et al. (2013). Here we report on 6- vs 12- month data set evaluating the longitudinal performance of a CaP coated polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) as a bone graft substitute within a large preclinical animal model. Methods Twelve sheep underwent a 3-level (T6/7, T8/9 and T10/11) discectomy with randomly allocated implantation of a different graft substitute at each of the three levels; (i) calcium phosphate (CaP) coated polycaprolactone based scaffold plus 0.54µg rhBMP-2, (ii) CaP coated PCL- based scaffold alone or (iii) autograft (mulched rib head). Fusion assessments were performed via high resolution clinical computed tomography and histological evaluation were undertaken at six (n=6) and twelve (n=6) months post-surgery using the Sucato grading system (Sucato et al. 2004). Results The computed tomography fusion grades of the 6- and 12- months in the rhBMP-2 plus PCL- based scaffold group were 1.9 and 2.1 respectively, in the autograft group 1.9 and 1.3 respectively, and in the scaffold alone group 0.9 and 1.17 respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the fusion scores between 6- and 12- month for the rhBMP plus PCL- based scaffold or PCL – based scaffold alone group however there was a significant reduction in scores in the autograft group. These scores were seen to correlate with histological evaluations of the respective groups. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of scaffold-based delivery of rhBMP-2 in promoting higher fusion grades at 6- and 12- months in comparison to the scaffold alone or autograft group within the same time frame. Fusion grades achieved at six months using PCL+rhBMP-2 are not significantly increased at twelve months post-surgery.

Vulnerability to loneliness in people with intellectual disability: an explanatory model

Research with typically developing groups has identified loneliness as a significant predictor of a range of physical and mental health problems. This paper reviews research about loneliness in children and adults with intellectual disability. Although a considerable body of evidence has highlighted the difficulties individuals with intellectual disability have with friendships, there is a relative scarcity of research focused explicitly on loneliness. The available evidence suggests that up to half of those with intellectual disability are chronically lonely, compared with around 15-30% of people in the general population. The cognitive, physical and mental health problems already associated with intellectual disability are likely to be compounded by experiences of chronic loneliness. We argue that people with intellectual disability are highly vulnerable to loneliness and present a theoretical model of vulnerability that comprises three reciprocally influencing domains: social attitudes and expectations; opportunities and experiences; and skill deficits associated with intellectual disability. We propose that societal views which have traditionally devalued and stigmatised those with intellectual disability limit their opportunities for experiencing social and emotional connectedness with others. Individual skill deficits in areas such as communication, self-regulation and social understanding, as well as functional difficulties associated with intellectual disability, also potentially influence the opportunities and experiences of people with intellectual disability, both directly and via multiple layers of the social context. In turn, limited opportunities will entrench particular skill deficits and reinforce negative attitudes towards intellectual disability. Future research about loneliness and intellectual disability needs to address the difficulties of measuring emotional isolation in this population, as well as the possibility that people with intellectual disability may understand, experience and interpret loneliness somewhat differently from others. The model proposed in this paper provides a starting point for developing a more sophisticated understanding of the experience of loneliness for individuals with intellectual disability.

Mastery motivation in children with intellectual disability : Is there evidence for a Down syndrome behavioural phenotype?

The main purpose of the current study was to provide empirical evidence to support or refute assumptions of phenotypic deficits in motivation for children with Down syndrome. Children with moderate intellectual disability associated with etiologies other than Down syndrome were recruited in an extension of a previous study that involved children with Down syndrome and typically developing children. The participants were 29 children with moderate intellectual disability and 33 children with Down syndrome who were matched on mental age to 33 typically developing children, aged 3 to 8 years. Mastery motivation was assessed on task measures of curiosity, preference for challenge, and persistence, as well as parental reports. There were no significant group differences on the mastery motivation tasks. Parental ratings of mastery motivation differed, with typically developing children generally being rated more highly than each of the disability groups. The view that motivational deficits are part of the Down syndrome behavioural phenotype was not supported.

The development of an intervention to promote the capacity to wait in children with intellectual disability

Aim: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) often have difficulty with waiting, an important aspect of everyday life. Successful waiting require cognitive, emotional and behavioural self-regulation, and is an essential element in the capacity to delay gratification. Method: We developed an intervention to provide parents with the knowledge and strategies to promote their child’s capacity to wait. The intervention was grounded in previous work about the skills underpinning successful waiting, such as goal-setting, understanding time, and managing frustration. Eleven parents of children with ID (mean CA 9.4 years; mean MA 47 months) participated in an intervention trial. Following pre-testing of their child’s capacity to wait and delay gratification, parents attended a 1 day workshop that was followed by monthly phone discussions with the researchers to monitor progress and provide advice. Post-testing was undertaken 1 year later. Results: Compared with a wait-listed control group, children whose parents had completed the intervention displayed significant improvements in their capacity to wait on a delay of gratification task. Parents reported that their child had become more successful in everyday waiting situations. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study are promising and pave the way for larger-scale interventions to improve self-regulatory skills in people with ID.

Semiparametric estimates of the supply and demand effects of disability on labor force participation

This paper modifies and uses the semiparametric methods of Ichimura and Lee (1991) on standard cross-section data to decompose the effect of disability on labor force participation into a demand and a supply effect. It shows that straightforward use of Ichimura and Lee leads to meaningless results while imposing monotonicity on the unknown function leads to substantial results. The paper finds that supply effects dominate the demand effects of disability.

Measuring the biases in self-reported disability status : Evidence from aggregate data

Self-reported health status measures are generally used to analyse Social Security Disability Insurance's (SSDI) application and award decisions as well as the relationship between its generosity and labour force participation. Due to endogeneity and measurement error, the use of self-reported health and disability indicators as explanatory variables in economic models is problematic. We employ county-level aggregate data, instrumental variables and spatial econometric techniques to analyse the determinants of variation in SSDI rates and explicitly account for the endogeneity and measurement error of the self-reported disability measure. Two surprising results are found. First, it is shown that measurement error is the dominating source of the bias and that the main source of measurement error is sampling error. Second, results suggest that there may be synergies for applying for SSDI when the disabled population is larger. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Atmosphere : a framework for contextual awareness

This article enhances existing approaches to present-day asynchronous awareness concepts by providing the means to explicitly represent and mediate contextual information. The resulting concept of contextual awareness takes different notions of the term context into account. Following a human-centered approach, the proposed methods serve as mediators for context between persons rather than automatically detecting context. Based on this variant of awareness, the atmosphere framework is introduced to provide mechanisms to deal with the problem of workload in tandem with contextual information. Atmosphere provides a highly tailorable structure and interface to deal with a wide variance of user and organizational requirements. The article closes with the description of a partial implementation of the framework and its evaluation.

Psychotropics and challenging behaviour in people with an intellectual disability

Hilmer and Gnjidic drew attention to the pharmacological management of behavioural problems in nursing home residents, and called for a reduction in inappropriate prescribing and the development of alternative management strategies.1 We extend these concerns to another vulnerable population — people with intellectual disability. Historically, this population is one of the most medicated groups in modern society.