Pjf Peter Peters

Consume: A privacy-preserving authorisation and authentication service for connecting with health and wellbeing APIs

Abstract The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) application within the health- and wellbeing domain enables individuals to monitor their health. Acquired data can be used privately, contribute to clinical databases, or for research. The amount of health and wellbeing tracking devices introduces complexity in data aggregation and scattered overviews. Few services exist to aggregate health data. Current services raise privacy concerns. Consume is a service for aggregating authentication and authorisation for Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Consume aims at research and allows to add existing and custom APIs on-the-fly without restarting services.

Design of a medical simulator hard- and software architecture

Using simulators for training is an accepted practice in medical education and in advanced medical training. Creating simulators that perform the functionality required and respond to interventions in a realistic way is key. The first iteration in the design cycle of creating a hard- and software platform that will support the development of these kind of simulators is the topic of this paper. The design approach, the hard- and software choices, the hard- and software architectures and the first results of creating a baby simulator prototype will be discussed.

Size Variation and Flow Experience of Physical Game Support Objects

This paper is about designing and evaluating an innovative type of computer game. Game support objects are used to enrich the gaming experience [7]. The added objects are active but are simpler than real robots. In the study reported here they are four helper ghosts connected to a traditional Pacman game. In earlier projects we already found that children consider such type of additions attractive. We also found that the computer screen tends to draw the user’s attention away from the support objects; therefore, the new set-up described here was designed to facilitate simultaneous screen and object-based interactions. The object interaction is essential for playing the game and not just an add-on. In order to develop a better understanding of this type of interaction and thus create future games more systematically, we did a formal user test in which we systematically varied one parameter. Three different versions of the system have been built and tested; they differ in the size of the ghosts (42cm, 15cm, 6cm high). We report on the playability of the new game, the embodiment of the interaction, the degree of flow that could be achieved and the effect of the size of the game support objects on both flow and scores. The lessons learned include a number of insights regarding the design of physical game extensions. The most important finding is that the size of the objects is relevant with respect to fun. No significant effects of size on flow were found. Visibility and distances are critical, however. Observations and interviews indicate that certain ergonomic aspects of the interaction, which are a consequence of the size parameter variation, are really decisive, not the perception of size as such.

A bioresponse system for caregivers of adults with severe or profound Intellectual disabilities

Background: Previous literature demonstrates a high association between problem behaviours (PB) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in intellectual disability (ID) and autism (ASD). Neuroradiological literature about this topic is still scarce. Aims: The present study aims at integrating neuro-imaging findings (PET, MRI). Methodology: Two groups with mild-to-moderate ID and ASD with PB (n = 30; MDD = 15) and without (n = 12; MDD = 1) were formed. PB was assessed by the Dutch version of Disturbing Behavior Scales for Intellectual Disability. MDD was screened with the use of the DM-ID (Diagnostic Manual-Intellectual Disability). Every patient received a structural MRI (volumetry hippocampus and amygdala) and at least every second patient a PET scan Results: MDD versus no-MDD as a whole (± PB) demonstrated hypermetabolism cerebellum, brainstem, pallidum. Furthermore, MDD in ID, ASD, PB versus no PB correlated with hypermetabolism in cerebellum, and hypometabolism in the middle frontal and precentral gyrus. PB (+/- MDD) first PET scan versus second PET scan (after a minimum 6 months of treatment) demonstrated hypometabolism of the precentral gyrus. In the case of no-PB and MDD versus no-MDD, hypometabolism cerebellum and precentral gyrus could be screened. PB and MDD versus no-PB and no-MDD demonstrated hypermetabolism pallidum. Summarizing the structural MRI results, the volumes of the hippocampus and amygdala did not show a significant correlation with PB or MDD. Conclusion: ASD, PB and MDD in ID are mutually enhancing factors in hypometabolism precentral gyrus and mid-frontal gyrus. MDD and PB in ID and ASD are correlated with hypermetabolism cerebellum and pallidum. PET data are discussed in relation to the high association between PB and MDD in ID and ASD.