Edyta Lukasik

Reengineering of computer science curriculum according to technology changes and market needs

This paper presents the reengineering of the Computer Science (CS) curriculum according to market needs. The new ACM-IEEE Computing Curricula 2013 in context of changes is presented. Next, the situation in ICT industry in EU, lack of ICT specialists and methods of acquisition the information about required competences as well as some results are described. The main part of this paper is dedicated to the reengineering of existing CS curriculum using the EU funds and describes the project and its implementation.

Analysis of rowing based on handle trajectory

The paper presents an analysis of a rowing technique and the participants fatigue based on the handles trajectory. The rowing was recorded with the use of Vicon motion capture. Seven non-rowers were participants in the research. 42 strokes were analysed in three phases of rowing. Two theses: (i) “handle trajectory indicates the fatigue while rowing” and (ii) “the rowing technique may be assessed by analysing the handle trajectory” were proven. The presented research concerns the following aspects: (i) handle trajectory analysis in a designated range (specified by two markers positions attached to the ergometer), (ii) duration analysis of the incorrect rowing technique (in time domain), (iii) tilt analysis based on the angle of the handles position relative to the floor (determined using two markers attached to the handle) and (iv) handles velocity analysis (determined using one marker attached to the handle). The participants fatigue is indicated by two analysed factors: stroke time and the handles velocity. The research concerns three stages of rowing selected in a way that the different fatigue phases were expected to be visible. The average stroke time increases in the following stages: by 0.13 second and by 0.6 second respectively. While rowing, the handles velocity is decreased. The rowing technique is described by parameters such as: the proper handles position within set boundaries, the surface area encompassed by the handles trajectory outside the designated range, time of the incorrect rowing technique and the handles tilt. The surface area clearly shows that in the final stages the movements are more incorrect than initially. The mean values of the tilt indicate that due to the fatigue the technique worsens in the middle and the final rowing stages. It is observed the participants tilt the handle to the right while rowing. It clearly indicates irregular forces acting on the handle. There is a difference in muscle strength of both arms in the participants of this research.

Analysis of Selected Elements of a Rower’s Posture Using Motion Capture – a Case Study

The paper presents research on the motion capture of rowers practising on the Concept II Indoor Rower ergometer, using a motion capture device produced by the Vicon company, as well as a wireless heart rate monitor. The aim of the article is to analyse and assess the extent of variation of the angular position of the rower’s back at different phases of rowing and in different degrees of fatigue. The back’s position during rowing was recorded using three markers: one being a component of the Plug-in Gait model (T10) and two additional ones (marked as S1 and S2). The results obtained with the motion capture system allow to clearly identify the degree of training of the subjects studied, their fatigue and rowing technique on the basis of the analysis of changes in the inclination of the back in different positions of the successive phases of rowing.

The rigid body gap filling algorithm

Using an optical passive motion capture system, researchers encounter problems involving marker occlusion. A marker can be covered during motion. This loss of information may cause various problems. For example, the output values of a biomechanical model (such as forces, moments etc.) cannot be computed or are incomplete in recording fragments in which markers are occluded. This paper presents a new, universal gap-filling algorithm for gaps in the trajectories of markers that belong to object segments which may be modelled (by approximation) as rigid bodies. It can fill in gaps in the trajectory of a marker which can be located at the beginning, at the end or in the middle of a recording. In order to assess the algorithm a series of automatic tests were conducted. A set of gapless files with real motion capture data post-processed by an expert was prepared. Then gaps of varying properties were artificially created in the test files. The gaps were filled using the proposed solution. The obtained results were compared to the original files prepared by the expert. The test dataset contains files with three types of movements representing different motion dynamics. The quality of the presented method was assessed for three body segments (head, torso and pelvic) and for three relative generated gap lengths (10%, 20% and 30%). 840 tests with artificially created missing markers were performed. Errors were highest for the torso segment and lowest for the head segment.

ALGORITHMS FOR TENNIS RACKET ANALYSIS BASED ON MOTION DATA

Modern technologies, such as motion capture systems (both optical and markerless), are more and more frequently used for athlete performance analysis due to their great precision. Optical systems based on the retro-reflective markers allow for tracking motion of multiple objects of various types. These systems compute human kinetic and kinematic parameters based on biomechanical models. Tracking additional objects like a tennis racket is also a very important aspect for analysing the player’s technique and precision. The motion data gathered by motion capture systems may be used for analysing various aspects that may not be recognised by the human eye or a video camera. This paper presents algorithms for analysis of a tennis racket motion during two of the most important tennis strokes: forehand and backhand. An optical Vicon system was used for obtaining the motion data which was the input for the algorithms. They indicate: the velocity of a tennis racket’s head and the racket’s handle based on the trajectories of attached markers as well as the racket’s orientation. The algorithms were implemented and tested on the data obtained from a professional trainer who participated in the research and performed a series of ten strikes, separately for: 1) forehand without a ball, 2) backhand without a ball, 3) forehand with a ball and 4) backhand with a ball. The computed parameters are gathered in tables and visualised in a graph.

What factors can affect lumbopelvic flexion-extension motion in the sagittal plane?: A literature review

Clinicians use forward bending and backward return in routine clinical examinations for evaluating spine mobility. The magnitude and timing of lumbar spine and pelvic contributions have been described in the literature as lumbopelvic rhythm. There is still limited knowledge about the factors which can determinate lumbar and hip mobility and coordination in the sagittal plane. The aim of this study is to demonstrate those factors contributing to the lumbopelvic rhythm and to explain the differences observed between subjects. The studies included in the review present possible explanations of observed lumbar-pelvic motion and/or coordination. They measure movement of the lumbar spine, the pelvis and/or the hip in the sagittal plane. The search was conducted in August 2017. Two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched. The search identified 126 potentially relevant articles (53 in PubMed, 73 in Web of Science). Initial screening based on titles and abstracts retrieved 35 articles. The second stage of selection involved reading the full texts of articles. Twenty-four papers were selected in this stage. After careful bibliographic study, seven papers were added for this review, resulting in a total of 31. This literature review demonstrates those factors contributing to lumbopelvic motion. Age and gender, hamstring muscle tightness, feet position, muscle fatigue, movement speed and external loading as well phase of motion can affect various aspects of lumbopelvic rhythm.

Algorithm Defining the Correctness of an Ergometer Rower’s Technique Using Three-Dimensional Data

The aim of the article is to present a model of the rower, taking into account the most important angles and the new algorithms for studying the position of the rower’s body at different phases of rowing. The positions of the rower’s back, elbows and wrists during rowing were analyzed. The paper presents research on the motion capture of rowers practicing on the Concept II Indoor Rower ergometer, using a motion capture system produced by Vicon. The data obtained with the motion capture system and the results generated with the proposed algorithm(s) allow to clearly identify the studied subjects’ degree of training and rowing technique on the basis of the analysis of changes in the inclination of the body parts in different phases of rowing.

E-LEARNING AS A SUPPORTING TOOL IN EDUCATION FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS

E-learning is a modern technology used in many universities for training, evaluation or assessment of the students. It has opened new opportunities for distance learning and virtual laboratories. The purpose of this paper is to assess the usefulness of the e-learning platform for Computer Science students at the Lublin University of Technology, Poland. The architecture of the platform is described. The survey examined the students of the first and second degree of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field. It verified the students’ knowledge about e-learning systems. The respondents indicated the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning platforms. They assessed the usefulness of individual components of the course and pointed out which should be reduced or expanded. The research results indicate the directions of development of this form of teaching in further education in this field. The students were also asked to evaluate the frequency of use of individual components of the courses. The results obtained indicate that an e-learning platform is a huge help in higher education, both for students and lecturers.