Retinal slit lamp video mosaicking

Purpose To this day, the slit lamp remains the first tool used by an ophthalmologist to examine patient eyes. Imaging of the retina poses, however, a variety of problems, namely a shallow depth of focus, reflections from the optical system, a small field of view and non-uniform illumination. For ophthalmologists, the use of slit lamp images for documentation and analysis purposes, however, remains extremely challenging due to large image artifacts. For this reason, we propose an automatic retinal slit lamp video mosaicking, which enlarges the field of view and reduces amount of noise and reflections, thus enhancing image quality. Methods Our method is composed of three parts: (i) viable content segmentation, (ii) global registration and (iii) image blending. Frame content is segmented using gradient boosting with custom pixel-wise features. Speeded-up robust features are used for finding pair-wise translations between frames with robust random sample consensus estimation and graph-based simultaneous localization and mapping for global bundle adjustment. Foreground-aware blending based on feathering merges video frames into comprehensive mosaics. Results Foreground is segmented successfully with an area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9557. Mosaicking results and state-of-the-art methods were compared and rated by ophthalmologists showing a strong preference for a large field of view provided by our method. Conclusions The proposed method for global registration of retinal slit lamp images of the retina into comprehensive mosaics improves over state-of-the-art methods and is preferred qualitatively.

Secondary data analysis of a pilot study of use of an instructional video for dietary assessment

Introduction. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are used study the association between dietary intake and disease. An instructional video may potentially offer a low cost, practical method of dietary assessment training for participants thereby reducing recall bias in FFQs. There is little evidence in the literature of the effect of using instructional videos on FFQ-based intake. Objective. This analysis compared the reported energy and macronutrient intake of two groups that were randomized either to watch an instructional video before completing an FFQ or to view the same instructional video after completing the same FFQ. Methods. In the parent study, a diverse group of students, faculty and staff from Houston Community College were randomized to two groups, stratified by ethnicity, and completed an FFQ. The "video before" group watched an instructional video about completing the FFQ prior to answering the FFQ. The "video after" group watched the instructional video after completing the FFQ. The two groups were compared on mean daily energy (Kcal/day), fat (g/day), protein (g/day), carbohydrate (g/day) and fiber (g/day) intakes using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. Demographic, height, and weight information was collected. Dietary intakes were adjusted for total energy intake before the comparative analysis. BMI and age were ruled out as potential confounders. Results. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean daily dietary intakes of energy, total fat, protein, carbohydrates and fiber. However, a pattern of higher energy intake and lower fiber intake was reported in the group that viewed the instructional video before completing the FFQ compared to those who viewed the video after. Discussion. Analysis of the difference between reported intake of energy and macronutrients showed an overall pattern, albeit not statistically significant, of higher intake in the video before versus the video after group. Application of instructional videos for dietary assessment may require further research to address the validity of reported dietary intakes in those who are randomized to watch an instructional video before reporting diet compared to a control groups that does not view a video.^

"Teens talk healthy weight": A video technology project

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a motivational weight management DVD on knowledge of obesity related diseases, readiness, motivation, and self-efficacy to lose weight, connectedness to their care provider, and patients return to clinic. Design. A randomized control trial was conducted in which 40 overweight/obese adolescents and their parents/caregivers were randomly assigned to standard care alone or standard care plus DVD. Subjects completed a set of pre- and post-questionnaire measures. A group of 22 patients was also formed as a historical control group in order to account for the potential effect of extra attention given to subjects prospectively enrolled. Methods. The adolescents and their parent/caregiver were placed into a patient room. Consent was obtained and a set of written pre-questionnaires were given to both the parent and the adolescent. Standard care was provided to all patients by the Registered Dietitian and physician; the DVD was shown in addition to standard care among the intervention group. A set of post-questionnaires were given and compensation was provided. Analysis. Groups were compared to determine equivalence at baseline. Analysis of covariance was used to evaluate changes over time, while controlling for pre-test scores and race/ethnicity. Results. Parents who viewed the DVD experienced greater changes in correct knowledge as compared to parents who did not view the DVD. Conclusion. Our study found only one substantial benefit of the DVD beyond standard clinical practices. This is an important area for change as it increased awareness of obesity as a serious disease and has future clinical implications.^

Increasing awareness of colorectal cancer screening through targeted exam room based video messages

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third largest cause of cancer death in the United States. While the disease burden is high, there are proven methods to screen for CRC and detect it at a stage that is amenable to cure. Patients with low health literacy have difficulty navigating the health care system and are at increased risk to not receive preventive care services such as colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). To address this need, an exam-room based video was developed to be played for patients in the privacy of the exam room, while they are waiting to be seen by their medical provider. In roughly 2 minutes, the video informs the patient about CRC and CRCS and how they can successfully complete CRCS. One of the key barriers to completing CRCS is the need to increase patients' knowledge and improve attitudes surrounding CRCS. This study examines the impact of the video on patients' knowledge and attitudes about CRC and CRCS in a medically underserved patient population in Houston, Texas. ^ Sixty-one patients presenting for routine medical care were enrolled in the study. Depending on their randomization, the patients either received routine information about CRC and CRCS or they watched the video. We found that the patients who did watch the video did have improvements in their knowledge and improved attitudes about CRC and CRCS. Future studies will be needed to examine whether the video improves the patients' completion of CRCS.^

Development and evaluation of a video-based modeling strategy for the dissemination phase of a school health tobacco -use prevention program

Even the best school health education programs will be unsuccessful if they are not disseminated effectively in a manner that encourages classroom adoption and implementation. This study involved two components: (1) the development of a videotape intervention to be used in the dissemination phase of a 4-year, NCI-funded diffusion study and (2) the evaluation of that videotape intervention strategy in comparison with a print (information transfer) strategy. Conceptualization has been guided by Social Learning Theory, Diffusion Theory, and communication theory. Additionally, the PRECEDE Framework has been used. Seventh and 8th grade classroom teachers from Spring Branch Independent School District in west Houston participated in the evaluation of the videotape and print interventions using a 57-item preadoption survey instrument developed by the UT Center for Health Promotion Research and Development. Two-way ANOVA was used to study individual score differences for five outcome variables: Total Scale Score (comprised of 57 predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing items), Adoption Characteristics Subscale, Attitude Toward Innovation Subscale, Receptivity Toward Innovation, and Reinforcement Subscale. The aim of the study is to compare the effect upon score differences of video and print interventions alone and in combination. Seventy-three 7th and 8th grade classroom teachers completed the study providing baseline and post-intervention measures on factors related to the adoption and implementation of tobacco-use prevention programs. Two-way ANOVA, in relation to the study questions, found significant scoring differences for those exposed to the videotape intervention alone for both the Attitude Toward Innovation Subscale and the Receptivity to Adopt Subscale. No significant results were found to suggest that print alone influences favorable scoring differences between baseline and post-intervention testing. One interaction effect was found suggesting video and print combined are more effective for influencing favorable scoring differences for the Reinforcement for the Adoption Subscale.^ This research is unique in that it represents a newly emerging field in health promotion communications research with implications for Social Learning Theory, Diffusion Theory, and communication science that are applicable to the development of improved school health interventions. ^

Medios audiovisuales en soportes telemáticos, cine, video y televisión

La Cumbre Mundial de la Sociedad de la Información y el Conocimiento (Ginebra 2003/Túnez 2005) establece que, entre otros importantes puntos, en el documento final firmado por más de 190 presidentes de los cinco continentes el derecho a la información, no sólo en lo que se refiere al acceso sino también el derecho a expresarse libremente. Por otro lado asume la necesidad de desarrollar infraestructuras, políticas públicas y de estado que aseguren los beneficios del desarrollo tecnológico, no sólo dentro de los limites del mercado sino también en educación y cultura. La necesidad de abordar el desarrollo y crecimiento de las TICs y la posibilidad de acortar la brecha tecnológica, como un paso más para acortar la brecha económica y social en todo el mundo, es un desafío que no sólo deben asumir los gobiernos o tecnólogos pro o contra el avance tecnológico, sino también docentes, investigadores y la sociedad en general. Asumir algunas tecnologías como nuevos medios de comunicación, narrativas multimediales y lenguajes integrados en un único soporte y permitirá no sólo reflexionar sobre las TICs en forma particular sino también pensarlas como una herramienta útil para promover nuevas y necesarias reflexiones con una participación amplia; asegurando el pluralismo y la democratización de la información que estas tecnologías han publicitado desde su lanzamiento, pero que sólo a través de programas de investigación y desarrollo de gobiernos, universidades y Sociedad Civil podrán ser realidad. El presente proyecto, se relaciona en forma directa con la investigación anterior de este grupo: “Medios Audiovisuales en Soporte Telemáticos para la Educación. Cine, Video y TV: Estampas de la Crisis"; profundizando en esta etapa las formas de divulgación del mismo y sobre todo generando una reflexión sobre el papel de las TICs en nuestra sociedad actual y definiendo estrategias que mejoren el acceso y la producción de información en forma masiva, plural, democrática y con altos niveles de participación ciudadana. El proyecto se enmarca en el tipo de actividad orientada al desarrollo experimental. Su objetivo es el relevamiento teórico, la producción audiovisual digital y la difusión masiva por redes y medios telemáticos de la problemática cotidiana social y cultural con que se expresa la crisis que vive nuestro país, región y provincia, con el fin de plasmar imágenes y contenidos de gran perdurabilidad por su registro digital, orientados a la generación de espacios para la reflexión y el replanteo teórico crítico acerca de lo que nos sucedió y sucede, sobre todo dentro de espacios educativos, culturales y de la Sociedad Civil, con el fin de aportar ideas, escenarios posibles y proyectos a la Sociedad y el momento que nos toca vivir. Ser parte de una hipótesis que remite al mundo de las imágenes y al desarrollo de las TICs como modo de registro y difusión esencial para testimoniar y reflexionar sobre la crisis actual y el papel progresista y democratizador que pueden jugar las nuevas tecnologías en la promoción de espacios físicos y virtuales para el reforzamiento de la ciudadanía plena. La metodología se establece a través de tres momentos diferentes: 1- Relevamiento teórico, a través de encuestas cuanti-cualitativas, entrevistas, análisis de casos y seguimiento de la información económica, política, social y cultural de los últimos años. 2- El tratamiento de la información audiovisual, en soportes digitales, seguirá los pasos metodológicos propios del proceso de pre-producción, producción y post-producción específico de una realización audiovisual. 3- La difusión a través de redes y medios telemáticos de los productos obtenidos y el seguimiento de los procesos dinámicos (sincrónicos y asincrónicos) de participación, intercambio de ideas, reflexiones y propuestas a través de internet y sus herramientas (foros y chats), videoconferencias, aulas virtuales, etc. Como resultado final, se espera obtener un conjunto de producciones en soportes digitales on y off-line con el fin de promover escenarios de debate, reflexión y propuestas dentro de ámbitos educativos (polimodal y superior) ONGs., OSC y espacios públicos y privados. Para la consecución de su objetivo, metodología y resultado la Universidad Nacional de Cuyo y la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, cuentan como centro de desarrollo e investigación en TICs con el Centro de Información (CICUNC), uno de los proyectos institucionales más importantes y adelantados tecnológicamente para la comunicación y la educación en el contexto de las Universidades Nacionales y uno de los centros tecnológicos y de producción de contenidos más avanzado del país y de América Latina.

Experiencia y subjetividad adolescente. Reflexiones en torno a un taller de video documental en una escuela secundaria pública del conurbano bonaerense

Fil: Paredes, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Seminario de tecnología educativa : La computadora y el video

Fil: Vega Zarca, María Silvina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.