Page 11 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Glossary xxi

Extension Straightening movement that increases the angle between two body parts (e.g., when straight-
ening the knee). When a joint can move forward and backward such as the neck and trunk, extension
refers to movement in the posterior direction.
External rotation (sometimes termed lateral rotation) Rotational movement away from midline (e.g.,
with a straight leg, by pointing the toe and turning the leg outwards, you are externally rotating the
hip).
Fieldbus Family of industrial computer network protocols used for real-time distributed control.
Flexion Bending movement that decreases the angle between two body parts (e.g., flexing the knee is
moving the foot toward the buttock and decreasing the angle at the knee joint). When a joint can move
forward and backward, such as the neck and trunk, flexion refers to movement in the anterior direction.
Frontal lobes Area at the front of the cortex in the human brain; this area is the most recently evolved and
includes areas involved in executive functioning.
Frontotemporal dementia Form of dementia distinguished by its progression from the frontal and tem-
poral areas of the brain. Dysexecutive symptoms or language deficits are often the earliest experienced
by patients as areas responsible for emotional control, inhibition, and language processing.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Imaging technique that builds on the technique of MRI
and measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow when an activity occurs. When an area
of the brain is in use blood flow to that area increases. There are differences in the magnetic properties
of arterial (oxygen rich) and venous (oxygen poor) blood. Deoxygenated blood is more magnetic than
oxygenated blood. This difference lead to an improved MR signal as the oxygenated blood interferes
less with the MR signal and this can be mapped to show neuron activity.
Gateway Network node equipped for interfacing with another network that uses different protocols.
Hemianopia Decreased vision or blindness in half the visual field, usually one side of the vertical midline.
Both eyes are affected.
Huntington disease Inherited disease that leads to brain cell death; problems with mood followed by
coordination difficulties are often experienced as the earliest symptoms.
Inferior, middle, and superior frontal regions Regions of the frontal part of the cortex that can be
described in terms of their spatial relation to each other from top of the front of the brain (superior)
down to middle (middle) and bottom (inferior) regions.
Infrared (IR) Control signals in the infrared frequency range.
Integrated Assistive Technology System designed to allow an individual with a disability access to and
control of more than one function, which they would otherwise be unable to achieve.
Integrated circuit (IC) Complex electronic circuitry built onto a single piece of semiconductor of very
small dimensions.
Interfaces Shared boundary across at which two or more distinct components of a system interact; for
example, the user interface of a computer is where the computer’s hardware, software, and the human
user interact.
Internal rotation (sometimes termed medial rotation) Rotational movement toward midline e.g., with a
straight leg, by pointing the toe and turning the leg inward, you are internally rotating the hip).
Internet of things (IoT) Network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embed-
ded with electronics that enable these objects to connect and exchange data.
Internet of Things (IoT) Widespread use of internet for communication between devices and systems.
IoS Apple operating system, or Apple device.
Keyguard Raised grid over touch screen to differentiate the discrete selection areas of icons.
KNX Standardised OSI-based network communications protocol for building automation.
Kyphosis Abnormal outward curvature of the spine, usually of the upper back so that the spine is bent
forward.
Learning difficulty Developmental cognitive impairment in a specific domain (e.g., reading, arithmetic)
and present in the context of neurotypical general intellectual development.