Evocative computing – creating meaningful lasting experiences in connecting with the past

We present an approach – evocative computing – that demonstrates how ‘at hand’ technologies can be ‘picked up’ and used by people to create meaningful and lasting experiences, through connecting and interacting with the past. The approach is instantiated here through a suite of interactive technologies configured for an indoor-outdoor setting that enables groups to explore, discover and research the history and background of a public cemetery. We report on a two-part study where different groups visited the cemetery and interacted with the digital tools and resources. During their activities serendipitous uses of the technology led to connections being made between personal memo-ries and ongoing activities. Furthermore, these experiences were found to be long-lasting; a follow-up study, one year later, showed them to be highly memorable, and in some cases leading participants to take up new directions in their work. We discuss the value of evocative computing for enriching user experiences and engagement with heritage practices

Testing gravity with motion of satellites around galaxies: Newtonian gravity against Modified Newtonian Dynamics

The motion of satellite galaxies around normal galaxies at distances 50-500 kpc provides a sensitive test for the theories. We study the surface density and the velocities of satellites around isolated galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We find that the surface number-density of satellites declines with the projected distance as a power law with the slope -1.5-2. The rms velocities gradually decline: observations exclude constant velocities at a 10 sigma level. We show that observational data strongly favor the standard model: all three major statistics of satellites - the number-density profile, the line-of-sight velocity dispersion, and the distribution function of the velocities -- agree remarkably well with the predictions of the standard cosmological model. Thus, that the success of the standard model extends to scales (50-500) kpc, much lower than what was previously considered. MOND fails on these scales for models which assume any single power-law number-density profile of satellites and any constant velocity anisotropy by predicting nearly constant rms velocities of satellites. Satellite data can be fit by fine-tuned models, which require (1) specific non-power-law density profile, (2) very radial orbits at large distances (velocity anisotropy beta =0.6-0.7 at 200-300 kpc), and (3) 2-2.5 times more stellar mass than what is found in the galaxies. The external gravity force - a necessary component for MOND -- makes the situation even worse. We argue that a combination of satellite data and observational constraints on stellar masses make these models very problematic.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Understanding preferences for tree attributes: the relative effects of socio-economic and local environmental factors

Urban plant biodiversity is influenced by both the physical environment and attitudes and preferences of urban residents for specific plant types. Urban residents are assumed to be disconnected from their immediate environment, and cultural and societal factors have been emphasized over environmental factors in studies of landscaping choices. However, we postulate that local climatic and environmental factors can also affect preferences for plant attributes. Therefore, spatial and temporal patterns in urban tree biodiversity may be driven not only by the direct effect of environmental variables on plant function, but also by the effect of environmental variables on attitudes toward trees and associated choices about which types of trees to plant. Here, we tested the relative effects of socio-economic and local environmental factors on preferences toward tree attributes in five counties in southern California in and surrounding Los Angeles, based on 1,029 household surveys. We found that local environmental factors have as strong an effect on preferences for tree attributes as socio-economic factors. Specifically, people located in hotter climates (average maximum temperature 25.1 °C) were more likely to value shade trees than those located in cooler regions (23.1 °C). Additionally, people located in desert areas were less likely to consider trees to be important in their city compared with people located in naturally forested areas. Overall, our research demonstrates the inherent connections between local environmental factors and perceptions of nature, even in large modern cities. Accounting for these factors can contribute to the growing interest in understanding patterns of urban biodiversity

Diagonals part two: assessment and trunk rules

Part two describes the assessment process of the diagonals, including the front, back and homolateral structures. We discuss various positions for assessment including patients laying down on their back and side, sitting and standing. We also look at the use of the balance reaction test Statiek to assess the capability of both the diagonals and homolateral structures. This provides a greater understanding of what the diagonals can do, and what would be considered normal or abnormal as assessing both gives the examiner a greater appreciation of what to expect. We can use this practice to increase our awareness of what to observe and feel for, identifying some tips of where to place your hands to enable you to both apply pressure and feel for the amount of resistance the patient can apply in response. Subtle differences can be observed in patients depending on various individual characteristics they may have such as different leg lengths when comparing the left and right sides, or if somebody has a recognized problems within the structure and function of their backs. We begin to describe “trunk rules” as everyone should has the same reaction response when performing movements but these can present differently depending on the individuals level of mobility and selectivity. This article starts to briefly consider body scheme which is the perception of the body and its influence on the reaction of muscle patterns This perception can alter the overall function of the diagonals. In part three Pathology we will go more into developing the understanding of the impact that perception plays in the control and movement of diagonals. In the final section we move on to describing the trunk rules, discussing how both diagonals and the homolateral structures work in collaboration to help control and enable a greater range of movements of the trunk, and how this supports the keypoints of the great joints, identifying which movements are enabled and which are restricted

Diagonals part four: Stroke 2. Transfers in bed and the chain rules

An individual's diagonals tend to be severely affected following a stroke. Therefore training needs to focus on restoring the diagonals and if possible the homo- lateral structure on the affected side. Maintaining overall movement in bed is extremely important promoting the individual's independence. In part 4 we must consider the whole process of rehabilitation especially considering their home environment. Exercises lying in a sideways position are the most effective form of task specific strengthening exercises that have a greater impact on the potential re-establishment of movement in bed for individuals, along with developing greater coordination in the homo-lateral structure, which could eventually lead to the possibility of balance control and walking. Exercises are structured to consider the need to relearn the movements themselves, then progress towards making them more practical activities of daily living (A.D.L.) movements, where the movements will be required throughout the day (with some assistance initially), removing this support over time as the skills develop towards independence for the individual. Training/learning requires repetition by variation of which there are a wide range of exercises to choose from, which require load bearing movements which help develop better coordination and muscle power. To provide a complete package of recovery, every movement will be discussed and analyzed, to identify the best movements with the least level of assistance as a starting place, to increase the overall potential of reducing this assistance towards independence in the future. The appendix provides information on the training of limbs (Especially the arms) using the chain rules. Too often we start with an ‘open chain’ which can sometimes be too strenuous for the individual and can sometimes be very challenging affecting the individuals performance and overall motivation to achieve their full potential. Training using the variety of method of the chains enable the tasks to be more achievable, so by using these learning/training rules can promote better recovery

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Deep VLT spectroscopy of the z=2.49 Radio Galaxy MRC 2104-242: Evidence for a metallicity gradient in its extended emission line region

We present spectroscopic observations of the rest-frame UV line emission around radio galaxy MRC 2104-242 at z=2.49, obtained with FORS1 on VLT Antu. The morphology of the halo is dominated by two spatially resolved regions. Lya is extended by >12 arcsec along the radio axis, CIV and HeII are extended by ~8 arcsec. The overall spectrum is typical for that of high redshift radio galaxies. The most striking spatial variation is that NV is present in the spectrum of the region associated with the center of the galaxy hosting the radio source, the northern region, while absent in the southern region. Assuming that the gas is photoionized by a hidden quasar, the difference in NV emission can be explained by a metallicity gradient within the halo. This is consistent with a scenario in which the gas is associated with a massive cooling flow or originates from the debris of the merging of two or more galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A Letter