Cord UIs: Controlling Devices with Augmented Cables

Cord UIs are sensorial augmented cords that allow for simple metaphor-rich interactions to interface with their connected devices. Cords offer a large underexplored space for interactions as well as unique properties and a diverse set of metaphors that make them potentially interesting tangible interfaces. We use cords as input devices and explore different interactions like tying knots, stretching, pinching and kinking to control the flow of data and/or power. We also look at ways to use objects in combination with augmented cords to manipulate data or properties of a device. For instance, placing a clamp on a cable can obstruct the audio signal to the headphones. Using special materials such as piezo copolymer cables and stretchable cords we built five working prototypes to showcase the interactions described in this paper

Kinetic Blocks: Actuated Constructive Assembly for Interaction and Display

Pin-based shape displays not only give physical form to digital information, they have the inherent ability to accurately move and manipulate objects placed on top of them. In this paper we focus on such object manipulation: we present ideas and techniques that use the underlying shape change to give kinetic ability to otherwise inanimate objects. First, we describe the shape display's ability to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble structures from simple passive building blocks through stacking, scaffolding, and catapulting. A technical evaluation demonstrates the reliability of the presented techniques. Second, we introduce special kinematic blocks that are actuated and sensed through the underlying pins. These blocks translate vertical pin movements into other degrees of freedom like rotation or horizontal movement. This interplay of the shape display with objects on its surface allows us to render otherwise inaccessible forms, like overhangs, and enables richer input and output

Effects of the Lethal Yellow Gene (C57BL/6J;A̲y̲) on Uterine Capacity and Ovarian Hypertrophy Following Unilateral Ovariectomy in Mice

The lethal yellow allele, AY is a mouse mutation which manifests itself in a number of defects. Several studies have used AY as a subject since it was first described in 1905 by Cuenot. Despite these investigations, primary genetic and molecular lesions associated with AY remain unknown. Cuenot reported three aberrant phenotypic aberrations caused by AY: yellow coat color, obesity, and lethality in homozygous embryos (AY/AY). Bray and York reviewed a number of additional AY-induced abnormalities, one of which is AY-induced reproductive senescence. Reproductive failure of AY/-mice is the main emphasis of this thesis. Through investigation of the causes of AY-induced sterility we may be able to elucidate fundamental problems and apply this information to other animals displaying reduced or aberrant reproductive performance. Although this study concentrates on AY-induced reproductive senescence, some other AY-induced abnormalities are: 1) abnormal embryo-uterine interactions at implantation. 2) increased carcass size. 3) defects in regulation of body heat. 4) metabolic pathways preferring fat synthesis. 5) aberrant biochemistry leading to a diabetic-like condition and obesity. Items 1-5, listed above, are all of interest in-biological research. Their common denominator is the lethal yellow gene. This study is designed to shed light on the process of aberrant reproduction by using a mutation as a probe. In this instance, nature provides the experimental treatment. Because mutations are repeatable, predictable, and capable of being characterized, they make elegant experimental manipulations

The Junior-Executive Trainee Program in Yakima and How the Junior College Can Help Prepare Candidates

It was the purpose of this study to (1) determine how extensively the junior-executive training program is employed by Yakima business firms; (2) to determine the positions junior-executive trainees fill within the employing firm; and (3) to determine what basic educational background should be supplied by the junior college to prepare students for the junior-executive trainee program in Yakima

Influence of ultrasound-assisted par-frying on crust formation and browning during the production of French fries

Frying is a key processing step during the production of French fries and important for end product quality and sensory attributes. It is governed by heat and mass transfer between the frying oil and the potato strips. Crust and color of the French fries are key quality parameters and important in consumer perception. Crust formation is a result of combined heat and mass transfer effects. Convective heat transfer from frying oil to potato strips and heat conduction within the tissue cause water evaporation. Mass transfer occurs in the form of water vapor release to the frying oil and oil absorption in the outer layers of the potato strips. Browning of French fries is related to Maillard reactions between reducing sugars and amino acids. High contents of reducing sugars are often related to an undesired dark color and bitter taste of French fries. High-intensity ultrasound transmitted to liquid media causes cavitation and microstreaming, which can influence boundary layers and cell structures and result in improved heat and mass transfer. The influence of an ultrasound treatment of potato strips during the par-frying step was investigated in order to determine the effect on the resulting changes in product quality. Improved heat transfer at the product surface due to micro-streaming in the oil and a facilitated release of vapor from the product surface was observed. A faster crust formation was found at the initial phase of frying but the crust was found to become softer at longer sonication times due to persistent mechanical ultrasound effects. French fries from ultrasound assisted par-frying had a lighter color after finish-frying in comparison to the conventionally par-fried samples due to an improved release of reducing sugars from the tissue. Ultrasound-assisted par-frying showed to be effective in modifying heat and mass transfer with an impact on crust formation and browning of French fries. Further work is required regarding the optimization of parameters and sonication times

Columbia River Basin Water Law Institutions and Policies Survey: Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission

Report to the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commissio

Cell Pattern in Adult Human Corneal Endothelium

A review of the current data on the cell density of normal adult human endothelial cells was carried out in order to establish some common parameters appearing in the different considered populations. From the analysis of cell growth patterns, it is inferred that the cell aging rate is similar for each of the different considered populations. Also, the morphology, the cell distribution and the tendency to hexagonallity are studied. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that this phenomenon is analogous with cell behavior in other structures such as dry foams and grains in polycrystalline materials. Therefore, its driving force may be controlled by the surface tension and the mobility of the boundaries

Physical object augmentation and actuation for display and interaction on shape changing interfaces

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2015.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 81-87).Pin based shape displays can not only give physical form to digital information, but they have the inherent ability to accurately move and manipulate objects that are placed on top of them. This document presents ways and ideas that show how a shape display's dynamic shape changing ability can work in unison with physical objects that are placed on top of it. First, we introduce the idea of shape synthesis, which is the physical augmentation of inert physical objects with the dynamic shape to create a seemingly new object. This synthesized object combines the advantages of the inert object's natural affordances with the computational power of dynamic shape change. In so doing, we can substitute for passive objects, complement passive objects and enable easier interactions with a shape display. We then show that a shape display can be used to assemble, disassemble and reassemble structures from simple passive building blocks through stacking, scaffolding and catapulting. Then, we introduce special unpowered kinematic modules that can be driven and sensed through the underlying pins. These modules can translate the vertical pin movement into other degrees of freedom like rotation or horizontal movement. This suggests that a shape display can be regarded as a versatile physical control platform that can drive and control a variety of useful mechanisms and objects.by Philipp Schoessler.S.M