Issues
12

EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems

Editor(s)-in-Chief: Silvia Gabrielli and Tiziana Catarci
Guest Editor(s): P. Cipresso, M. Hoogendoorn, M. Klein and A. Matic

The design of Ambient Systems is a cross disciplinary endeavour aimed at supporting and augmenting people’s activities in everyday life, by embedding computational intelligence in the distributed network of devices available in their living environment. While technology needs to become more and mor…

The design of Ambient Systems is a cross disciplinary endeavour aimed at supporting and augmenting people’s activities in everyday life, by embedding computational intelligence in the distributed network of devices available in their living environment. While technology needs to become more and more invisible to provide smart support, novel forms of user experience and multimodal interaction need to be devised to enable fluid, intuitive and appealing transitions between the physical and digital world. This journal seeks contributions from leading experts and visionary thinkers in industry and research, about the principles, interaction paradigms, methods and applications that best can drive the future design of Ambient Systems and their human-centred, situated interfaces. Relevant topics covered by this journal concern: * Methods and tools for the development of Pervasive Environmental infrastructure * Design of highly immersive contents for Ambient Media * Trustful mechanisms for context awareness, social sensing and inference * AIterative design and evaluation studies of multimodal interfaces * Adaptive and personalized solutions for ambient intelligence * Embodied agents and affective interfaces * Personal, social, safety and ethical issues raised by Ambient system applications, such as Domotics, Ambient Assisted Living, Pervasive Edutainment Environments

more »
Submission Instructions
Publisher
ICST
ISSN
2032-927X
Volume
13
Published
22nd Feb 2013

  • Special Issue “Technology for Mental Health”

    Editorial in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems 13(01-06): e1

    Pietro Cipresso, Mark Hoogendoorn, Michel Klein, Aleksandar Matic

    Abstract
    more »

  • Managing Data in Help4Mood

    Research Article in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems 13(01-06): e2

    Maria K. Wolters, Juan Martínez-Miranda, Soraya Estevez, Helen F. Hastie, Colin Matheson

    Abstract
    Help4Mood is a system that supports the treatment of people with depression in the community. It collects rich cognitive, psychomotor, and motor data through a Personal Monitoring System and a Virtu…Help4Mood is a system that supports the treatment of people with depression in the community. It collects
    rich cognitive, psychomotor, and motor data through a Personal Monitoring System and a Virtual Agent,
    which is then analysed by a Decision Support System; analysis results are fed back to patients and their
    treating clinicians. In this paper, we describe how the complex data is managed and discuss ethical issues.
    Data is stored in functional units that correspond to treatment relevant entities. Custom XML DTDs are
    defined for each unit, which are used to exchange information between system components. As far as possible,
    observations and findings are coded using SNOMED CT to ensure interoperability with other applications
    such as Electronic Health Records.
     more »

  • Increasing engagement with computerised cognitive behavioural therapies

    Research Article in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems 13(01-06): e3

    K. Cavanagh, A. Millings

    Abstract
    The evidence base for computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) for common mental health problems has expanded rapidly in recent years. Reviews and meta-analyses have produced promising findi…The evidence base for computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) for common mental health problems has expanded rapidly in recent years. Reviews and meta-analyses have produced promising findings with regard to CCBT’s effectiveness and acceptability, but developing and supporting effective and sustainable models of CCBT service implementation remains a challenge. This paper considers CCBT usage and explores the uptake of, and engagement with, CCBT. Recent literature on the topic of engagement with CCBT is summarised. Factors relating to discontinuation of use or ‘drop-out’ are also explored. Drawing on this evidence base we propose a simple ‘4 Ps’ model of engagement factors: the programme, the problem, the person and the provider. We highlight some actions that researchers, service developers and providers can take that might increase uptake and engagement within the CCBT services that they provide. Managing expectations and promoting hope in both service users and providers are emphasised.
     more »

  • Cognitive assessment of executive functions using brain computer interface and eye-tracking

    Research Article in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems 13(01-06): e4

    P. Cipresso, P. Meriggi, L. Carelli, F. Solca, B. Poletti, D. Lulé, A.C. Ludolph, V. Silani, G. Riva

    Abstract
    New technologies to enable augmentative and alternative communication in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have been recently used in several studies. However, a comprehensive battery for cognitiv…New technologies to enable augmentative and alternative communication in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have
    been recently used in several studies. However, a comprehensive battery for cognitive assessment has not been
    implemented yet. Brain computer interfaces are innovative systems able to generate a control signal from brain
    responses conveying messages directly to a computer. Another available technology for communication purposes is the
    Eye-tracker system, that conveys messages from eye-movement to a computer. In this study we explored the use of
    these two technologies for the cognitive assessment of executive functions in a healthy population and in a ALS patient,
    also verifying usability, pleasantness, fatigue, and emotional aspects related to the setting. Our preliminary results may
    have interesting implications for both clinical practice (the availability of an effective tool for neuropsychological
    evaluation of ALS patients) and ethical issues.
     more »

  • Computerized experience-sampling approach for realtime assessment of stress

    Research Article in EAI Endorsed Transactions on Ambient Systems 13(01-06): e5

    S. Serino, P. Cipresso, G. Tartarisco, G. Baldus, D. Corda, G. Pioggia, A. Gaggioli, G. Riva

    Abstract
    The incredible advancement in the ICT sector has challenged technology developers, designers, and psychologists to reflect on how to develop technologies to promote mental health. Computerized exper…The incredible advancement in the ICT sector has challenged technology developers, designers, and psychologists to
    reflect on how to develop technologies to promote mental health. Computerized experience-sampling method appears to be
    a promising assessment approach to investigate the real-time fluctuation of experience in daily life in order to detect
    stressful events. At this purpose, we developed PsychLog (http://psychlog.com) a free open-source mobile experience
    sampling platform that allows psychophysiological data to be collected, aggregated, visualized and collated into reports.
    Results showed a good classification of relaxing and stressful events, defining the two groups with psychological analysis
    and verifying the discrimination with physiological measures. Within the paradigm of Positive Technology, our innovative
    approach offers for researchers and clinicians new effective opportunities for the assessment and treatment of the
    psychological stress in daily situations.
     more »