University of Victoria

About: University of Victoria is a education organization based out in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 14994 authors who have published 41051 publications receiving 1447972 citations. The organization is also known as: Victoria College.

Choosing MUSE: Validation of a Low-Cost, Portable EEG System for ERP Research

Abstract: In recent years there has been an increase in the number of portable low-cost electroencephalographic (EEG) systems available to researchers. However, to date the validation of the use of low-cost EEG systems has focused on continuous recording of EEG data and/or the replication of large system EEG setups reliant on event-markers to afford examination of event-related brain potentials (ERP). Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to conduct ERP research without being reliant on event markers using a portable MUSE EEG system and a single computer. Specifically, we report the results of two experiments using data collected with the MUSE EEG system – one using the well-known visual oddball paradigm and the other using a standard reward-learning task. Our results demonstrate that we could observe and quantify the N200 and P300 ERP components in the visual oddball task and the reward positivity (the mirror opposite component to the feedback-related negativity) in the reward-learning task. Specifically, single sample t-tests of component existence (all p’s < 0.05), computation of Bayesian credible intervals, and 95% confidence intervals all statistically verified the existence of the N200, P300, and reward positivity in all analyses. We provide with this research paper an open source website with all the instructions, methods, and software to replicate our findings and to provide researchers with an easy way to use the MUSE EEG system for ERP research. Importantly, our work highlights that with a single computer and a portable EEG system such as the MUSE one can conduct ERP research with ease thus greatly extending the possible use of the ERP methodology to a variety of novel contexts.

Response to the presence of a child with disabilities: parental stress and family functioning over time

Abstract: Parental stress and family functioning over time in families of children with disabilities was investigated. Comparisons were made between two time periods and with families of children who did not have disabilities; predictors of parental stress were identified. Results showed a high level of stability in parental stress and a modest degree of consistency over time in family functioning in families of children with disabilities. In these aspects, families of children with disabilities were not different from comparison families. There was also stability in the best predictors of parental stress (presence or absence of disabilities and the quality of family relationship). Of significant concern, families of children with disabilities were distinguished by the exceedingly greater amount of stress at both periods of study. Implications for family services and research were drawn.

Understanding vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change related risks

Abstract: DOLAN, A.H., and WALKER, I.J., 2003. Understanding vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change related risks. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 39 (Proceedings of the 8th International Coastal Symposium), pg – pg. Itajai, SC – Brazil, ISSN 0749-0208 This paper discusses the concept of vulnerability as characterized in the climate change literature and presents a framework for assessing adaptive capacity. The framework recognizes inherent susceptibilities of humanenvironment systems exposed to climate variability and change. As climate change impacts are unevenly distributed among and within nations, regions, communities and individuals due to differential exposures and vulnerabilities, the framework highlights determinants of adaptive capacity at the local scale and situates them within larger regional, national and international settings. Determinants include: access and distribution of resources, technology, information and wealth; risk perceptions; social capital and community structure; and institutional frameworks that address climate change hazards. This broader approach contrasts typical impact assessments that focus largely on reducing economic detriments of change. The framework provides a methodological starting point that, as a community-based or ‘bottom-up’ approach, yields important insight on local responses to climate change. It also recognizes that short-term exposure to variability is an important source of vulnerability superimposed on long-term change. At the community level, perceptions and experiences with climate extremes can identify inherent characteristics that enable or constrain a community to respond, recover and adapt. As such, local and traditional knowledge is key to climate change research and should be incorporated into research design and implementation. This approach provides locally relevant outcomes that could promote more effective decision-making, planning and management in remote areas susceptible to climate change hazards. As part of a larger study, this approach will be refined with local input to study sea-level rise impacts on one of Canada’s most sensitive coastlines, northeast Graham Island, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia. Preliminary evidence of changes and responses in this area are identified as a brief case study.

Personal Visualization and Personal Visual Analytics

Abstract: Data surrounds each and every one of us in our daily lives, ranging from exercise logs, to archives of our interactions with others on social media, to online resources pertaining to our hobbies. There is enormous potential for us to use these data to understand ourselves better and make positive changes in our lives. Visualization (Vis) and visual analytics (VA) offer substantial opportunities to help individuals gain insights about themselves, their communities and their interests; however, designing tools to support data analysis in non-professional life brings a unique set of research and design challenges. We investigate the requirements and research directions required to take full advantage of Vis and VA in a personal context. We develop a taxonomy of design dimensions to provide a coherent vocabulary for discussing personal visualization and personal visual analytics. By identifying and exploring clusters in the design space, we discuss challenges and share perspectives on future research. This work brings together research that was previously scattered across disciplines. Our goal is to call research attention to this space and engage researchers to explore the enabling techniques and technology that will support people to better understand data relevant to their personal lives, interests, and needs.

Microscale flow visualization

Abstract: Advances in microfluidic and nanofluidic technologies have been paralleled by advances in methods for direct optical measurement of transport phenomena on these scales. A variety of methods for microscale flow visualization have appeared and evolved since the late 1990s. These methods and their applications to date are reviewed here in detail, and in context of the both the fundamental phenomena they exploit and the fundamental phenomena they are applied to measure. Where possible, links to macroflow visualization methods are established, and the physical mechanisms underlying these methods are explained.