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The increasing number of self-report surveys being collected using computers has led to a body of literature examining the response rates for computerized surveys compared with the more traditional paper-and-pencil method. However, results from individual studies have been inconsistent, and the meta-analyses available on this topic have included studies from a restricted range of years and did not use proper statistical procedures for examining comparability. Consequently, we conducted a meta-analysis with 96 independent effect sizes spanning over two decades of studies; we also assessed potential moderators. Comparability was determined using confidence interval equivalence testing procedures. The meta-analysis indicated nonequivalence, with those in the paper-and-pencil condition being almost twice as likely to return surveys as those in the computer condition. There was large heterogeneity of variance, and 11 of the 18 potential moderators were significant. Two meta-regressions yielded only two significant unique moderators: population and type of measure. Results highlighted issues within the response rate literature that can be addressed in future studies, as well as provided an example of using equivalence testing in meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large body of literature on the comparability of mean scores for self-report survey responses gathered using paper-and-pencil and computer data collection methodologies has yielded inconclusive results. However, no comprehensive meta-analysis has been conducted in this field, and those that are available for specific measures have typically not differentiated between studies using between-groups and within-subjects designs. Also, few individual studies, and no meta-analyses, have used correct statistical procedures to determine the equivalence of the two methodologies. Consequently, we conducted two meta-analyses assessing quantitative equivalence (i.e., mean scores), with the first consisting of 144 independent effect sizes from studies with between-groups designs and the second including 70 independent effect sizes from studies using within-subjects designs. Both meta-analyses assessing mean scores indicated equivalence across conditions, with large heterogeneity of variance in the between-groups analysis. Presence of others in both the paper-and-pencil and computer conditions accounted for a significant portion of this variance. Heterogeneity of variance was small for the within-subjects design analysis. Overall, results indicated that the mean scores for self-report surveys using paper-and-pencil and the computer are comparable, although heterogeneity differs for the study designs. Equivalence testing was demonstrated to be the recommended statistical procedure for this type of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review of 34 articles published within the last 20 years, that explored the implications of increased use of computer-based summative assessments revealed six key themes. Specifically: shifts in assessment design; impact on teachers; variation in computer familiarity; student experience; logistics and infrastructure; and hardware and software issues. Findings relating to comparability of results between the assessment modes are also discussed. This review evaluates the computer-based assessment (CBA) literature to identify the advantages and challenges for introducing CBA within educational institutions. The findings of this review will be of particular interest to those affected by a steady trend towards the introduction of CBA affecting both teachers and students. The review also provides a coherent summary of the existing literature in this rapidly changing field for researchers. • CBA promotes student learning, engagement and motivation. • Students prefer CBA and request to complete assessments digitally. • Multiple benefits to teachers of CBA, including automated marking and record keeping. • Using assessments with digital tools better assess a student's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is lacking on the equivalence of paper-and-pencil and computer-administered surveys in older adult samples. In addition, few comparability studies have used best practices for examining equivalence. The current study investigated quantitative (means), qualitative (internal consistency and intercorrelations), and auxiliary (missing items, completion time, and comfort) equivalence for completing self-report surveys in paper-and-pencil or computerized conditions in an older adult sample. One hundred and eight older adults ages 60 and over were randomly assigned to a paper-and-pencil or computer condition and completed questionnaires assessing personality, social desirability, and computer self-efficacy. Results generally showed qualitative equivalence, with some notable differences for quantitative and auxiliary equivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the results of a study of English children's performance on a computer mathematics assessment compared with a pencil-and-paper assessment. Two matched samples of children were each assessed on one of two mathematics pencil-and-paper tests and assessed a month later on a cloned computer test. The performance scores were better on the computer tests than on the pencil-and-paper tests, although this was not statistically significant in every case. The paper goes on to discuss some of the differences between performance and approach to the question between the two media, and explores possible reasons for these differences. In conclusion, the computer tests were found to have an overall positive effect on children's performance, although not for every child and, in some instances, the computer assessment limited the way in which a question could be answered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning performance evaluation is an important part of computer English teaching. Through evaluation, students can understand whether they have reached the learning goals of a lesson, and what are their shortcomings, so that they can continuously improve and improve themselves against these shortcomings. Combining actual needs, based on neural network and artificial intelligence technology, this paper constructs a computer English learning performance evaluation model based on machine learning. The computer English learning performance evaluation system in this paper is constructed on the basis of auditory characteristics and introduces a wavelet entropy feature based on the best tree wavelet packet decomposition, and it is applied to the establishment of an adaptive model. Moreover, this paper uses controlled experiments to analyze the model performance and combines mathematical statistics to visually display the model effect. From the research results, it can be seen that the performance of the model constructed in this paper basically meets the expected requirements and actual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : To compare the agreement between anxiety, depression and supportive care needs data obtained using a touchscreen computer survey with traditional pen-and-paper surveys. Methods : The sample consisted of 1304 consecutive patients attending the medical or radiation oncology outpatient department in two public cancer treatment centres. Of the 357 eligible patients, 355 (99%) consented to participate and 350 (98%) completed both touchscreen computer and pen-and-paper versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and short-form Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-short). Results : Simple κ values indicated moderate agreement ($\{\backslash bar\; X\}$ = 0.57) between the two modes of survey administration for most HADS items. Simple κ coefficients indicated only fair agreement ($\{\backslash bar\; X\}$ = 0.28) when a simplified response option format was used in the computerised SCNS-short. When the paper and computerised survey used the same response format, simple kgr; coefficients increased and indicated moderate agreement ($\{\backslash bar\; X\}$ = 0.44) for most SCNS-short items. κ Coefficients indicated at least moderate agreement (κ > 0.41) in identifying patients with elevated levels of anxiety and depression; there were no significant differences in the proportion of patients identified with elevated levels of anxiety and depression according to computer survey compared to paper survey. Prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted κ (PABAK) coefficients indicated at least moderate agreement ($\{\backslash bar\; X\}$ = 0.79) in identifying participants with moderate/high levels of unmet needs. However, participants tended to report lower levels of unmet needs with a simplified response format in the computerised SCNS-short compared to the paper survey. This was not observed when the response format of the computerised SCNS-short replicated the paper survey. Conclusions : Despite the advantages that computerised surveys offer for simplifying survey presentation, current results suggest the need to exactly replicate the question and response option format of the original paper survey to ensure the data collected are equivalent. This finding is particularly important given the potential application of computerised surveys in the clinical setting to quickly assess and identify patients' concerns requiring intervention by health care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most applications in engineering use a data acquisition device hooked up to a personal computer for data processing. Finding less costly, easily accessible and reliable devices will make personal computer (PC) based data acquisition systems less difficult. A soundcard may be used as such a device for it is standard in almost every PC. It can also process any voltage signal within its limits. This paper proposes a way to enable the PC to be used as an oscilloscope. A voltage signal is acquired via the soundcard LINE IN port. The maximum and minimum input signal amplitude requirements for the soundcard are established to be +1 V and –1 V respectively. Based on these findings, hardware circuitry is designed to clip any high amplitude input signals to the range of ±1 V while allowing low amplitude signals to go through to the soundcard unclipped. MATLAB is then employed to acquire, process and display the signal. The final output from MATLAB is compared with the original signal to determine accuracy of the designed oscilloscope. Analysis of the results obtained shows that the final oscilloscope designed enables the soundcard to process input signals with a high level of accuracy. The final design yields a hardware cost at a fraction of an iPod while providing an elegant user interface. This makes it suitable for college students, basement hackers and even professional engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A version of the Geriatric Mental State Schedule developed for the microcomputer is described and compared to the usual paper version of the questionnaire. The advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques are discussed. A feasibility study of the microcomputer-administered questionnaire is described. A shortened version of the Geriatric Mental State Schedule (version A) is administered to a number of geriatric patients attending psychogeriatric day hospitals. The study compares the microcomputer-administered with the pencil-and-paper questionnaire. Two raters administer the questionnaire using the two techniques to a group of patients and the reliability is evaluated by comparing the correlation coefficients for the scores obtained on the questionnaire, as well as by evaluating Cohen's kappa statistic. The correlation results show that there is significant positive correlation between the paper and the microcomputer-administered questionnaire. However, the kappa values comparing diagnoses obtained with the AGECAT program are not high and reasons for this are discussed. Further developments of the system, including an authoring program (QUESTLAN) for such questionnaires and the use of portable microcomputers in the community, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cong, W.; Guo, J., and Yu, H., 2019. On-line analysis of marine water quality data based on large electronic computer. In: Guido-Aldana, P.A. and Mulahasan, S. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources and Exploration. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 93, pp. 47–53. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In order to make full use of marine resources, develop marine economy and build a powerful marine country, in recent years, the state has focused on the on-line analysis technology of marine water. In order to solve the problems of rapid change of marine environment and difficulty in the detection and analysis of water quality data, this paper presents an online analysis method of marine water quality data based on large electronic computer after comparing various methods of marine water quality detection in China and abroad. This method uses a variety of marine water quality sensors to collect marine water quality data synthetically, and then uses multi-sensor fusion technology to fuse the collected water quality data. Finally, it combines multi-sensor D-S evidence theory data fusion technology with computer to analyze water quality data synthetically online. It is concluded that this method can effectively improve the ability of marine pollution early warning and marine ecological environment protection by real-time comprehensive analysis and research of marine water quality data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to make full use of marine resources, develop marine economy and build a powerful marine country, in recent years, the state has focused on the on-line analysis technology of marine water. In order to solve the problems of rapid change of marine environment and difficulty in the detection and analysis of water quality data, this paper presents an online analysis method of marine water quality data based on large electronic computer after comparing various methods of marine water quality detection in China and abroad. This method uses a variety of marine water quality sensors to collect marine water quality data synthetically, and then uses multi-sensor fusion technology to fuse the collected water quality data. Finally, it combines multisensor D-S evidence theory data fusion technology with computer to analyze water quality data synthetically online. It is concluded that this method can effectively improve the ability of marine pollution early warning and marine ecological environment protection by real-time comprehensive analysis and research of marine water quality data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an investigation of semiotic mechanisms mediating collaborative activity during pair/group work interaction at the computer. The study is informed by sociocultural theory. The participants were university students of L2 Spanish performing three tasks in two modes of implementation: computer vs. paper-based. The questions addressed relate to the degree and functions of repetition, L1 and reading aloud deployed during interaction in both media. The findings suggest there is a high degree of variation in the use of these semiotic tools. No significant medium-related difference was found in the degree to which these mechanisms were deployed by the participants, but a significant difference was found between the use of the three mechanisms overall. The functions for which the mechanisms were used provide some interesting insights into the nature of semiotic mediation during interaction in general and into the role of the computer in the L2 classroom, in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the barriers that prevent the use of computers in teaching, as well as the possibilities of their elimination in order to achieve precise acquisition of knowledge in various fields. The survey considered five research questions and answers using mean and standard deviation. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested using the z-test statistical tool. The results show that students believe that using computers in teaching limited, and that the most important barrier is technical equipment on the educational institution. All barriers can be overcome by organizing a large number of useful and practical courses and seminars about computers. The results have confirmed that there are no significant differences between male and female students in thinking about the barriers of using computers in teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About assistive technology we can say that it is an “umbrella”, a term that refers to any service-based product or technology that enables people with disabilities of different ages, activities in their daily lives, education, work or leisure time. The aim of this paper is about technologies which enhance the education of students with learning disabilities. But what do we mean students with LD, why do we need technologies and what kind of technologies do we have for students with LD (learning disabilities)? According to some researches “Students with learning disabilities are not "dumb" or "lazy." In fact, they usually have average or above average intelligence”. Learning disability is a term which describes a type of problem which has to do with learning problems, for example students with problems in writing, reading, speaking, listening and so on. Learning disabilities can be identified while children are in the elementary school. This is possible because children while are in elementary school they face with these kinds of problems. When they start school or when they start to learn teachers also parents can identify that child has problem for example if they cannot read or have other problem. So, assistive technologies are technologies that can help students with disabilities to perform and to achieve what they want. Nowadays we have so many technologies. For example, abbreviation expanders, these software programs allow a user to create, store, and re-use abbreviations for frequently-used words or phrases. Audio Books & Publications-Recorded books allow users to listen to text. Electronic Math Worksheets are software programs that can help students organize, work through math problems on a computer screen. We have also many technologies which help students to achieve successes. For example students who have problem with reading can use tool that might read textbooks through the computer that can scan and read it e.g. optical character recognition, students with poor vision may use enlarged text, also we have alternative keyboards, these keyboards have special overlays that customize the appearance and function of a standard keyboard. Students who have problem with math may benefit from a tool - electronic math worksheet and this tool helps students to calculate and work with math problems, speech recognition software program may help students who have problem in writing, students can dictate a word into microphone and the spoken word will appear on the computer screen like a text.To sum up, nowadays we have so many technologies which can help students in education to achieve success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing number of electric vehicles, the location problem of charging stations has been paid more and more attention. It is more efficient and scientific to select electric vehicle charging stations through intelligent algorithms. Aiming at the location selection of electric vehicle charging station based on time satisfaction, a bi-level planning model is constructed for electric vehicle charging station location, and introduces genetic algorithm into the model to scientifically calculate the location of charging station. The candidate data string is extracted by genetic algorithm, and the text candidate string and the image candidate string are obtained. The candidate string is used as the document attribute to construct the electric vehicle charging station location plan, and then the ideal charging station address is solved. Finally, the method is applied. It is used in the planning analysis of the area near Chaowai Street in Chaoyang District, Beijing. The research results show that the six charging points calculated by the method can meet the demand of the charging vehicles of the residents in the planned area, which is in line with the actual situation of the planned area. This also shows that the double-layer planning model is used for site selection. The research in this paper shows that the genetic algorithm can be effectively used in the location problem, which can improve the efficiency of work and the accuracy of site selection. The relevant conclusions can provide a theoretical reference for the development of site selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of new engineering courses, professional mathematics teaching needs to keep pace with the times and improve the progressiveness and scientific nature of teaching methods. In order to improve the mathematics teaching effect of computer majors, This article constructs a new teaching environment through simulation system construction methods, analyzes the shortcomings of traditional teaching models through comparative analysis methods, and improves the teaching platform based on the actual needs of mathematics professionals in current society. The curve interpolation technology is improved, and a forward-looking real-time Matlab simulation algorithm is designed. Through the evaluation and analysis, it can be seen that the mathematics teaching system for computer majors based on MATLAB can effectively improve the intuitive effect of advanced mathematics teaching, and help to improve the teaching quality of advanced mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cong, W.; Guo, J., and Yu, H., 2019. On-line analysis of marine water quality data based on large electronic computer. In: Guido-Aldana, P.A. and Mulahasan, S. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources and Exploration. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 93, pp. 47–53. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In order to make full use of marine resources, develop marine economy and build a powerful marine country, in recent years, the state has focused on the on-line analysis technology of marine water. In order to solve the problems of rapid change of marine environment and difficulty in the detection and analysis of water quality data, this paper presents an online analysis method of marine water quality data based on large electronic computer after comparing various methods of marine water quality detection in China and abroad. This method uses a variety of marine water quality sensors to collect marine water quality data synthetically, and then uses multi-sensor fusion technology to fuse the collected water quality data. Finally, it combines multi-sensor D-S evidence theory data fusion technology with computer to analyze water quality data synthetically online. It is concluded that this method can effectively improve the ability of marine pollution early warning and marine ecological environment protection by real-time comprehensive analysis and research of marine water quality data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of science and technology, computer has been accepted and used by the public, people can get more information and a wider exchange space from the computer. The computer plays a great role in promoting the dissemination and development of things, and aerobics is no exception. The computer provides more information and exchange opportunities for the development of aerobics. This paper is to explore the role of computer in the aerobics. This paper introduces the computer's influence on the aerobics. First, the article starts with the function of the computer. Then, the article analyzes the computer for the development of aerobics in many ways. Computer has the promotion effect for the development of aerobics. Because the computer is used more and more frequently, the role of the computer for aerobics will become more and more important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: With the rapid development of computer software and hardware technology and network technology, aiming at the limitations of the traditional image compression standards and the deficiencies of the existing computer desktop image compression methods. By analyzing the characteristics of computer desktop image, according to the characteristics of desktop compression, a compression scheme based on high efficiency video coding (HEVC) and color clustering is proposed, which divides blocks into text/graphics blocks, natural image blocks and mixed blocks based on the features of histogram information and texture information of blocks. In block division and classification, an adaptive dynamic block classification algorithm is proposed which is different from the traditional block partitioning. Compared with the traditional method, the new block classification algorithm can save the code stream and improve the classification accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores Apple and Microsoft television commercials from the last 25 years and argues that they visualize three phases of the human-computer relationship through the changing positions of the computer and the human body. The three phases are: disembodied cyberspace, embodied hybridity and ubiquity. Ultimately, what becomes apparent is the extent to which these television commercials demonstrate what Henry Jenkins calls a 'cultural convergence' in relation to the human-computer relationship and why this convergence experienced a shift from phase one to phase two around the turn of the millennium. The paper ends by examining more recent Apple and Microsoft television commercials in order to explore the possibility of a new, third phase in the human-computer relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage conditions of a product or system can be monitored and analyzed to provide information to improve the design and qualification of future products. This paper discusses a method to collect and analyze product usage conditions and use this data for product design and testing. A case study of the usage monitoring of commercial computers is presented. Three parameters-temperature, humidity, and vibration-were monitored inside computers being operated by a variety of users. The collected data was compared with the product specifications. Four group tests were conducted. The first group test simulated different human usage conditions, such as lifting the computer, inserting it into a bag, dropping it, and so on. The second group test involved daily usage monitoring on different users (mainly office and home users). The third group test involved usage monitoring of a single user during different time periods. The fourth group test was an experiment carried out for validation tests in the lab. The relationship between the real-life load levels and product qualification test load levels was then established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research provides a qualitative elaboration of the research of Reeves and Nass (1996) and Ferdig and Mishra (2004), examining the ways in people relate to computers as social agents. Specifically, this paper investigates the ways in which humans, due to a natural tendency to anthropomorphize computers, may experience significant emotions of grief and loss when computers crash. A content analysis of narratives describing human reactions to computer crashes demonstrates that the metaphoric language used to describe computer failure frames humans’ experience with computer loss in language that highlights the negative impact of human/computer interaction and that references Kubler-Ross’s (1969) stage theory of grief: denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theory of conceptual metaphor, this paper discusses the formation and characteristics of conceptual metaphor in the computer field and its influence on human thinking. The functions of the human brain and the expressions and related concepts used to describe these functions are applied to the computer, thus conceptual metaphor concerning the computer come into being. Conceptual metaphor in the field of computer, which is not only of universality but also of systematization, reflects human’s cognition of the computer and also influences human’s thinking mode to cognize the world. The study of this kind of conceptual metaphor can deepen our understanding of computer science and widen the research field of metaphor cognitive function as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current challenges in early identification of autism spectrum disorder lead to significant delays in starting interventions, thereby compromising outcomes. Digital tools can potentially address this barrier as they are accessible, can measure autism-relevant phenotypes and can be administered in children's natural environments by non-specialists. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and characterise potentially scalable digital tools for direct assessment of autism spectrum disorder risk in early childhood. In total, 51,953 titles, 6884 abstracts and 567 full-text articles from four databases were screened using predefined criteria. Of these, 38 met inclusion criteria. Tasks are presented on both portable and non-portable technologies, typically by researchers in laboratory or clinic settings. Gamified tasks, virtual-reality platforms and automated analysis of video or audio recordings of children's behaviours and speech are used to assess autism spectrum disorder risk. Tasks tapping social communication/interaction and motor domains most reliably discriminate between autism spectrum disorder and typically developing groups. Digital tools employing objective data collection and analysis methods hold immense potential for early identification of autism spectrum disorder risk. Next steps should be to further validate these tools, evaluate their generalisability outside laboratory or clinic settings, and standardise derived measures across tasks. Furthermore, stakeholders from underserved communities should be involved in the research and development process. The challenge of finding autistic children, and finding them early enough to make a difference for them and their families, becomes all the greater in parts of the world where human and material resources are in short supply. Poverty of resources delays interventions, translating into a poverty of outcomes. Digital tools carry potential to lessen this delay because they can be administered by non-specialists in children's homes, schools or other everyday environments, they can measure a wide range of autistic behaviours objectively and they can automate analysis without requiring an expert in computers or statistics. This literature review aimed to identify and describe digital tools for screening children who may be at risk for autism. These tools are predominantly at the 'proof-of-concept' stage. Both portable (laptops, mobile phones, smart toys) and fixed (desktop computers, virtual-reality platforms) technologies are used to present computerised games, or to record children's behaviours or speech. Computerised analysis of children's interactions with these technologies differentiates children with and without autism, with promising results. Tasks assessing social responses and hand and body movements are the most reliable in distinguishing autistic from typically developing children. Such digital tools hold immense potential for early identification of autism spectrum disorder risk at a large scale. Next steps should be to further validate these tools and to evaluate their applicability in a variety of settings. Crucially, stakeholders from underserved communities globally must be involved in this research, lest it fail to capture the issues that these stakeholders are facing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore a possible reason for technical failures. Design/methodology/approach - Humorous fiction. Findings- Reflects on the tendency to project human emotions and intelligence into inanimate objects. Research limitations/implications- Blaming your tools for your errors is not a successful strategy. Originality/value - Humorous explanation for technical failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the use of computers in the video-recorded encounters between emergency social workers and their clients at an emergency social work office. It is asked how the emergency social workers navigate between the computer and their clients. In addition, how the use of computers directsthe encounters and the accomplishment of institutional tasks of emergency social work is reflected on. It is demonstrated how the emergency social workers' orientation between the use of the computer and the client shifts throughout the interaction; it is an interactional accomplishment. Workers use computers as a resource, but the use of computers entails a balance between the computer and the client or even focus on the computer instead of the client. Thus, on the interactional level, the outcomes of computer use can be successful, but momentarily undesired. Computers are essential tools i n the everyday work of emergency social services; they support the handling of the institutional task of retrieving and exchanging information quickly and in situ. It is obvious, though, that emergency social work requires the skill of being able to use computers in a good interactional manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the computer in medical consultations in which English- Spanish-bilingual medical providers interact with Spanish-monolingual patients. Following previous studies that have revealed that the presence of the computer in consultations detracts from direct provider- patient communication, we pay specific attention to how the use of the computer in Spanishlanguage medical consultations can complement or adversely affect the co-construction of the patient's health narrative. The data for the present study consist of 36 Spanish-language medical consultations in Southern California. Applying a conversation analytical approach to the health narratives in the corpus, we argue that the computer is essentially a third interactant to which medical providers orient through lowered volume, minimal responses, bureaucratic side talk, and, most importantly, codeswitching to English - all of which strip the patients of control over the co-construction of their health narrative with their medical provider. Because the patient does not have access to the computational task and the language, we posit that this exacerbates the already existing adverse effects that the computer has on provider-patient interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a personal exploration of the puzzling contradiction between the fundamental excitement of statistics and its poor public image. It begins with the historical foundations and proceeds through the role of applications and the dramatic impact of the computer in shaping the discipline. The mismatch between the reality of statistics and its public perception arises from a number of dichotomies, some of which are explored. In particular, although statistics is perhaps typically seen as an impersonal discipline, in some sense it is very personal, and many of its applications are aimed at providing unique benefit to individuals. This benefit depends on the creation of detailed data sets describing individuals, but the contrary view is that this represents an invasion of privacy. Some observations on statistical education are made, and issues which will affect the future health of the discipline are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to revisit the controversial issue of the association of violent video games and aggressive behaviour. Conclusions: Several lines of evidence suggest that there is a link between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behaviour. However, methodological shortcomings of research conducted so far make several interpretations of this relationship possible. Thus, aggressive behaviour may be a consequence of playing violent video games, an expression of hostile traits that existed before exposure to these games, and/or it may be a result of several possible combinations of these and other factors. Mental health professionals need to be aware of these potentially negative effects of violent video games when assessing patients who present with aggression. There is a need for prospective, long-term studies similar to those evaluating the effects of television and film violence on children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that computers are not merely information-processors but rather representation-processors, who are the people most suited to dealing with representations of consciousness or the lack of it, once these consist in a computer? Who are the experts on irredundant holism when it comes to making sense of and manipulating these representations? Neither scientists nor philosophers, but rather artists, poets and so on. If this is the case it is not surprising that there already exists, in and out of the computational domain, a body of knowledge about and evidence for the synthesis in an almost alchemical way of the scientific and philosophical (spiritual, one might almost say) approaches to consciousness. This presentation will examine aspects of zombie in both computer-based and traditional art, with several previously unknown examples of the use of zombie-like imagery in classical art leading to contemporary attempts to portray the ‘nothing’ that being a zombie is like. Audience participation will be more or less obligatory. This document is really background notes to the above, pretending to be a paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of recent policies aiming at raising the computer literacy of young generations and at reducing the digital divide, this paper analyzes to what extent the probability of an individual having computer abilities is affected by the computer skills of her household's other members, i.e. if there are significant within household peer effects. We show how peer effects can be identified when skills are measured with a continuous variable and the learning costs are increasing and convex. Our application on a sample of Italian households indicates that peer abilities within a family significantly increase the individual probability of being skilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Will quantum computation become an important milestone in human progress? Passionate advocates and equally passionate skeptics abound. IEEE already provides useful, neutral forums for state-of-the-art science and engineering knowledge as well as practical benchmarks for quantum computation evaluation. But could the organization do more? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of technology into educational systems has brought about changes in the style of teaching and learning. Nowadays, educational institutions are adopting technologies such as computers, and the Internet to enhance teaching and learning activities. However, the use of technologies has not served the intended purpose due to the digital divide. The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals with access and skills to use technology and those without such access and skills. Students who grew up using computers and related technologies are often at an advantage because they have sufficient technological skills to capitalize on technology for learning purposes. This study investigated the factors affecting students' computer self-efficacy prior to joining the university as well as the challenges faced by first-year students while using technology for learning purpose. It examined the effects of the apartheid legacy and other factors contributing to the digital divide in the South African context. A quantitative methodology was employed, and 370 questionnaires were distributed to first-year students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The result showed that the timing of access to technology and computer anxiety have a direct relationship with a student's computer self-efficacy. The result also showed that students from disadvantaged schools experience challenges with the hardware components of computers and application programmes. The article concludes with recommendations on how these challenges could be managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dye Jigger is one of the most difficult dyeing machines to use. Theoretically, one should not be able to dye successfully on this type of equipment. The textile industry has seen the development of jig equipment proceed from the most primitive types to the very sophisticated types being manufactured today. This paper discusses recent improvements in the equipment along with trends toward automation and their implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine can be recollected as a fossilized image of the first digital computer. It is essentially distinguished from all prior and analog computers by the transcription of the 'mechanical notation', the separation of the mnemonic 'store' from the cybernetic 'mill', and the infinite miniaturization of its component parts. This substitution of finite space for an accelerating singularity of time creates the essential rupture of the digital, in which a singular calculation of mechanical force stands opposed to the universal totality of space. Babbage's criticism of Christian doctrine to preserve the mathematical consistency of mechanics and computing would result in the collapse of the Christian Trinity into a digital theology. This Arian subordinate difference of the Son to the Father would then be infinitely transcribed in a technical contradiction that would threaten to annul the metaphysical ground of any machine. Against digital and postdigital theologies alike, this rupture can only be repaired by a dialectical analysis of the digital into a hyperdigital grammar, which is created by Christ the Logos in a trinitarian ontology of computers. Digital computers can thus be vindicated from theological suspicion as incarnationally accelerated calculators of the sacraments, or 'sacramental engines' of the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children learn quickly from their own parents and as they grow up computers offer more learning options. However they would learn better if the lessons are properly constructed using cognitive, constructivist, collaborative and technical education principles i.e., incorporating mathematics lessons on the computers. This paper reports an 'experience' gained by a veteran mathematics teacher in building a courseware called CDiCL using ADDIE principles. The quasi-experimental research was run in Polytechnic Kota Bharu PKB, Kelantan under Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia among 137 students at Certificate Engineering students in March 2006 among 4 different groups within 8 weeks. It was discovered CD only group scored the highest gain score of 6 points (difference in Post Test and Pre Test) while CL (Collaborative Learning) only group scored the least 2 points. From clinical interview, many students failed to understand mathematics from the courseware because of English and behavior problems among participants but some leaders in CL group gained leadership experience demanding soft skills in understanding peers' limited skills and anxiety at presenting mathematics problem solving. The study concluded with a framework/rubrics for teachers to be effective dealing with mixed ability group of students learning mathematics on computers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computers have changed the way we interact and work in our daily life. With ubiquitous computing and handheld devices, we have started generating data at larger rate than ever. Tech Companies, Programmers, Software engineers and even user may be using different computer databases to help their businesses and daily life. This article addresses the question of copyrightability of computer databases. In India, computer databases are granted protection under copyright law. The article defines the different principles of protection of computer databases with a short comparative study with US and UK legal position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the prospect and challenges of Electronic Information Resources (EIR) usage by Distance Learning Students of University of Ibadan. The use of EIR for traditional and distance learning cannot but be looked into. The world is changing at a faster pace and new innovative ways are important in delivering good, quality and sustainable education. The results of the study show the negative attitudes of students facing many challenges at the Distance Learning Centre towards the usage of Electronic Information Resources (EIR); they also have positive hope towards the prospect of using Electronic Information Resources (EIR) in the six departments sampled. Students complained of not having full access to Electronic Computer at the DLC, University of Ibadan, and advocated for the provision of student cybercafé/ICT Center at the DLC, University of Ibadan. Students also stated that there should be adequate electricity power supply, provision of good Internet Services and Distribution of Personal Laptop Computers for online interactive class [OIC] and Portable Android Tablet [PAT] loaded with e-books and e-journals that can be accessed both Online and Offline to students at affordable price. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire and personal observation. Questionnaire was basically used to collect data on prospect and challenges of Electronic Information Resources (EIR) usage by Distance Learning students of Ibadan University. Only 288 students could be gathered across the six Departments at the faculty of Education, University of Ibadan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a device made within the Automation Laboratory of the Wood Industry Faculty. The device employs the SHT11 digital output dual sensor for temperature and relative humidity. The sensor is used with certain computerized wood drying installations or with air-conditioning installations. The same sensor can be successfully employed to lead the wood drying process in small sized installations for experimental determinations. As for the latter, the Automation Laboratory of the Wood Industry Faculty realized and experimented different circuit diagrams which connect the sensor to a PC compatible computer. The final connection variant makes use of a microcontroller with alphanumeric display and RS 232 interface of communication with a computer in order to record the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many credit Charles Babbage (1791–1871) as the father of the computer. A copy of the American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge, which originally published an article in Volume 1, 1834, describes the first Calculating Engine designed by Charles Babbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes that the modern computer screen is derived more from the radar screen rather than, as might be expected, the television screen, which has important ramifications for how the computer has developed and been understood. These ramifications are being obscured by the current drive towards the convergence of television and computing. This article traces the modern computer screen back to the development of nuclear early warning systems in the 1960s (based on the British radar networks of the Second World War) and to the work of ex-radar operator Douglas Engelbart and his Augmentation Research Center at Stanford Research Institute, both of which were instrumental in how we now understand and use computers as real-time' machines, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Due to restrictions during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, smartphone, tablet and computer (STC) overuse might occur. There were some concerns that light sources which emit blue light might affect anterior and posterior segment structures. We investigated the effects of STC overuse on children's eyes during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four children's findings at baseline (the early period of the pandemic) (group 1) were compared with those after 1 year (group 2). Correlations between daily STC use time (DSTCUT) and the ocular parameters in group 2 were evaluated. Results: Compared to group 1, group 2 had longer DSTCUT (1.49±0.33 vs 5.62±0.57 hours, p<0.001), lower tear break-up time (TBUT) (12.70±1.45 vs 9.50±2.10 seconds, p=0.015), higher ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score (14.52±4.19 vs 25.22±5.75, p=0.007), more myopic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) (-1.00±0.30 vs -1.80±0.40 dioptres, p=0.031), and greater axial length (22.69±0.43 vs 23.42±0.37 millimetres, p=0.038). Schirmer tests, central corneal thicknesses (CCT), keratometries, anterior chamber depths (ACD), lens thicknesses (LT), retinal nerve fibre layer thicknesses, choroidal thicknesses and macular thicknesses of groups were similar (p>0.05). In group 2 as DSTCUT increased, TBUT (r=-0.368, p=0.034) decreased, OSDI score (r=0.384, p=0.028) increased and more myopic SER (r=0.340, p=0.045) occurred. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study in children to comprehensively investigate the effects of STC overuse during a pandemic on ocular surface, anterior and posterior segment structures together. We found that STC overuse during the pandemic might increase the tendency to dry-eye and myopia, and might cause axial elongation. We also determined that at 1-year follow-up, STC overuse had no effect on CCT, keratometry, ACD, LT, and posterior segment parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of computing is a fascinating story. The search for little known pioneers of automation, missed fathers of the computer, unfamiliar founders of computer science, or unrecognized creators of artificial intelligence, invites us to look at the past with an open mind. In this article, we provide a comprehensive examination of the almost unknown contribution of a Spanish pioneer in all those fields during the first two decades of the 20th century, the engineer and mathematician Leonardo Torres Quevedo (1852–1936). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental control is considered important in preventing drug use among adolescents. This study aimed to explore the association between the perception of parental monitoring of computer use and drug use among adolescent students. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in 2012 among 2,980 students aged 12-17 years from Southern Brazil. The outcomes investigated were the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit drugs in the previous year. The main exposure was the self-reported perception of parental monitoring of computer use. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for the multivariable analysis. The prevalence rates of drugs used were 48.3% (95% confidence interval[CI]: 46.5–50.0) for alcohol, 9.7% (95%CI: 8.7–10.7) for tobacco, 5.1% (95%CI: 4.3–5.9) for cannabis, and 8.7% (95%CI: 7.7–9.7) for other illicit drugs. The absence of monitoring of computer use was reported by 44.3% (95%CI: 42.5–46.1) of the students. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that students aged 12 to 14 years who reported no parental monitoring of computer use had a higher probability of alcohol (Prevalence Ratio[PR] = 1.26, 95%CI:1.07–1.49) and cannabis use (PR = 3.25, 95%CI:1.11–9.53). In addition, a higher consumption of tobacco was observed among students aged 15 to 17 years who reported no parental monitoring of computer use (PR = 1.75, 95%CI:1.17–2.63). In both age groups, psychiatric morbidity was a covariate significantly associated with drug use throughout analysis. Parental monitoring of computer use was significantly associated with adolescent drug use, suggesting its importance in preventing drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the term "computer" and the processes and effects of technologies in human communication broaden, there is a need to have an accounting of the computer-mediated communication (CMC) subdiscipline. After identifying some of the changes that have occurred in both devices and our theories of CMC, suggestions are offered for how to uniquely situate CMC in the future. Ultimately, this article calls for a realignment of CMC scholarship away from focusing on the technological devices and toward an increased focus on the process, role, and effects of mediation. A litmus test whereby future researchers, authors, reviewers, and editors can help assess whether a study is of CMC or simply uses CMC is offered, and in doing so this work provides a foundation to develop theory and scholarship germane to the context of mediated interaction for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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