Using QR codes to aid accessibility in a museum

Purpose – This paper describes visitors' reactions to using an Apple iPad or smartphone to follow trails in a museum by scanning QR codes and draws conclusions on the potential for this technology to help improve accessibility at low-cost. Design/methodology/approach – Activities were devised which involved visitors following trails around museum objects, each labelled with a QR code and symbolised text. Visitors scanned the QR codes using a mobile device which then showed more information about an object. Project-team members acted as participant-observers, engaging with visitors and noting how they used the system. Experiences from each activity fed into the design of the next. Findings – Some physical and technical problems with using QR codes can be overcome with the introduction of simple aids, particularly using movable object labels. A layered approach to information access is possible with the first layer comprising a label, the second a mobile-web enabled screen and the third choices of text, pictures, video and audio. Video was especially appealing to young people. The ability to repeatedly watch video or listen to audio seemed to be appreciated by visitors with learning disabilities. This approach can have low equipment-cost. However, maintaining the information behind labels and keeping-up with technological changes are on-going processes. Originality/value – Using QR codes on movable, symbolised object labels as part of a layered information system might help modestly-funded museums enhance their accessibility, particularly as visitors increasingly arrive with their own smartphones or tablets

The effects of yoga on shoulder and spinal actions for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema of the arm: A randomised controlled pilot study

Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.Abstract Background: We aimed to evaluate the effect of an 8-week yoga intervention on the shoulder and spinal actions of women with breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema. Method: A randomised controlled pilot trial. The intervention group (n = 12) completed eight weeks of daily yoga sessions while the control group (n = 11) continued with best current care including information on compression sleeves, skin care, risks of temperature variations and recommended safe use of affected arm. Lumbo-pelvic posture, range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder and spine, and strength in shoulder and pectoral major and minor, and serratus anterior were taken at baseline, week 8 and after a 4-week follow-up. Outcome assessors were blinded to allocation. Results: At week eight the intervention group had an improvement in lumbo-pelvic posture, as indicated by a reduction in pelvic obliquity compared to the control group (mean difference = −8.39°, 95 % CI: −15.64 to −1.13°, p = 0.023). A secondary finding was that strength in shoulder abduction significantly increased following the yoga intervention in both the affected (9.5 kg; CI: 0.34 to 18.66, p = 0.042) and non-affected arm (11.58 kg; CI: 0.25 to 22.91; p = 0.045). There were no significant between group changes in any ROM measures as a result of the yoga intervention. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that participation in yoga may provide benefits for posture and strength in women with Breast Cancer Related Lymphoedema. The improvements may be attributed to the focus of yoga on overall postural and functional movement patterns. Further trials with longer intervention that follow this methodology are warranted. Trial registration: The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000202965. Keywords: Yoga, Arm lymphoedema, Breast cancer, Range of motion, Strength testing Abbreviations: BCRL, Breast cancer related lymphoedema; ROM, Range of motion; QOL, Quality of life; RCT, Randomised controlled trial; BIS, Bioimpedance spectroscopy; LPSI, Left posterior superior iliac spine; RPSI, Right posterior superior iliac spine; LACR, Left acromion; RACR, Right acromio

Metabolic Profiling of IDH Mutation and Malignant Progression in Infiltrating Glioma.

Infiltrating low grade gliomas (LGGs) are heterogeneous in their behavior and the strategies used for clinical management are highly variable. A key factor in clinical decision-making is that patients with mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) oncogenes are more likely to have a favorable outcome and be sensitive to treatment. Because of their relatively long overall median survival, more aggressive treatments are typically reserved for patients that have undergone malignant progression (MP) to an anaplastic glioma or secondary glioblastoma (GBM). In the current study, ex vivo metabolic profiles of image-guided tissue samples obtained from patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent LGG were investigated using proton high-resolution magic angle spinning spectroscopy (1H HR-MAS). Distinct spectral profiles were observed for lesions with IDH-mutated genotypes, between astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma histologies, as well as for tumors that had undergone MP. Levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) were correlated with increased mitotic activity, axonal disruption, vascular neoplasia, and with several brain metabolites including the choline species, glutamate, glutathione, and GABA. The information obtained in this study may be used to develop strategies for in vivo characterization of infiltrative glioma, in order to improve disease stratification and to assist in monitoring response to therapy

Religious Identity, Religious Attendance, and Parental Control

Using a national sample of adolescents aged 10–18 years and their parents (N = 5,117), this article examines whether parental religious identity and religious participation are associated with the ways in which parents control their children. We hypothesize that both religious orthodoxy and weekly religious attendance are related to heightened levels of three elements of parental control: monitoring activities, normative regulations, and network closure. Results indicate that an orthodox religious identity for Catholic and Protestant parents and higher levels of religious attendance for parents as a whole are associated with increases in monitoring activities and normative regulations of American adolescents

An Exploration of Virtual Multi-Family Groups in Schools during a Pandemic – Physically Distanced but Emotionally Close?

A body of evidence attests to the link between parenting styles and children’s emotional, cognitive and social outcomes. Consequently, many parenting interventions have developed utilising both behavioural and relational frameworks to support family functioning. One therapeutic, evidence-based approach, Multi-Family Groups (MFG) in schools, seeks to enable families to work with and alongside other families who have similar experiences to reduce social stigma, further social collaboration and equip parents and schools with new resources to tackle individual, specific problems. Social disruption caused by the Coronavirus outbreak has been found to cause cumulative stressors for families, potentially altering parenting practices and placing children at risk of harsher parenting. Arguably this increases the importance of effective interventions to support family functioning. This study provides a unique opportunity to explore the impact of the MFG model being delivered virtually in three, contrasting school settings as social distancing became mandatory. This case study used semi-structured interviews (n=9) with parents, school partners and educational psychologists, triangulated with the researcher’s presence at MFG meetings and supervision sessions. Qualitative data collected was analysed using Thematic Analysis which elicited six key themes within the overarching theme of ‘The Pandemic’: ‘connection as a coping mechanism’; ‘processes for change’; ‘challenges with online therapy’; ‘challenges with the structure online’; and ‘the future for online MFGs’. This study found strong therapeutic alliance online, essential for therapeutic approaches to create significant impact and benefits to all stakeholders. Implications of the research for Educational Psychology Service practice is discussed including evolving technology to enable fidelity of implementation

The Relationship Between Perceived Control Of Health In Older Adolescents And Their Likelihood Of Engaging In Health-Promoting Behavior: A Replication

This correlational study was designed to describe the relationship between perceived control of health in older adolescents between the ages of 2 0 and 21 years and the likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviors. This study was a replication of a study conducted by Mitchell (1987) with adolescents between the ages of 16 and 19 years. The theoretical framework for the study was predicated on Pender\u27s Health Promotion Model (Pender & Pender, 1986) which propositions that cognitive/perceptual and modifying constituents stimulate an individual\u27s likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behaviors. Antecedent researchers have established that cognitive/perceptual components such as locus of control may alter health- promoting behaviors. Perceived control of health was measured by the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale. Health-promoting behaviors were evaluated using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Fifty college students between the ages of 20 and 21 years, composed the sample. Three null hypotheses stated that there would be no relationship between the three subscales of the MHLC and the total score on the Lifestyle Profile. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample, and the iii Pearson\u27s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to calculate internal consistency for the MHLC and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile

Winged Victory

ANNETTE WILLIAMS JAFFEE of Princeton is currently completing a novel, Adult Education. Winged Victory is her first published story

Crisis of Youth Homelessness in Birmingham, Alabama

The economic and educational conditions of Jefferson County, Alabama, have contributed significantly to the increase of homeless families with children (LaGory et al., 2018). The failures of the foster care system have exponentially increased the population of homeless youth ages 19 to 26 (Burge et al., 2021). The lack of efficient public transportation emergency and affordable long-term housing has created a permanent population of homelessness (Kelly, 2020). Within the homeless culture, the increased incidents of violence, substance abuse, and sexual and physical abuse combined with functional illiteracy create an environment that breeds repetitive behaviors that reproduce the homeless outcomes (Burge et al., 2021). This dissertation-in-praxis will provide a window into the cultural and systemic causes that exacerbate the homeless condition in Birmingham’s youth as viewed by the Youth Towers’ staff. The legal termination of segregation by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 created an exodus to the suburbs as a haven for those desiring homogeneous communities (LaGory et al., 2018). Subsequently, the infrastructure that supports thriving communities, such as successful schools, adequate public transportation, neighborhood job sources for youth, and extracurricular activities, has been dismantled (Garson, 2005). Ultimately, the infrastructure provides few options for citizens experiencing stressful life events to stop the downward spiral of the economic conditions that lead to homelessness (Hall, 2023). This dissertation-in-praxis identified gaps in services and political systems that, if amended, could reduce such incidences and create a path to stability that would result in ending the pipeline to homelessness among the city’s youth

Cooling dynamics of a dilute gas of inelastic rods: a many particle simulation

We present results of simulations for a dilute gas of inelastically colliding particles. Collisions are modelled as a stochastic process, which on average decreases the translational energy (cooling), but allows for fluctuations in the transfer of energy to internal vibrations. We show that these fluctuations are strong enough to suppress inelastic collapse. This allows us to study large systems for long times in the truely inelastic regime. During the cooling stage we observe complex cluster dynamics, as large clusters of particles form, collide and merge or dissolve. Typical clusters are found to survive long enough to establish local equilibrium within a cluster, but not among different clusters. We extend the model to include net dissipation of energy by damping of the internal vibrations. Inelatic collapse is avoided also in this case but in contrast to the conservative system the translational energy decays according to the mean field scaling law, E(t)\propto t^{-2}, for asymptotically long times.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures, Latex; extended discussion, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.