Direct combination: a new user interaction principle for mobile and ubiquitous HCI

Direct Combination (DC) is a recently introduced user interaction principle. The principle (previously applied to desktop computing) can greatly reduce the degree of search, time, and attention required to operate user interfaces. We argue that Direct Combination applies particularly aptly to mobile computing devices, given appropriate interaction techniques, examples of which are presented here. The reduction in search afforded to users can be applied to address several issues in mobile and ubiquitous user interaction including: limited feedback bandwidth; minimal attention situations; and the need for ad-hoc spontaneous interoperation and dynamic reconfiguration of multiple devices. When Direct Combination is extended and adapted to fit the demands of mobile and ubiquitous HCI, we refer to it as Ambient Combination (AC) . Direct Combination allows the user to exploit objects in the environment to narrow down the range of interactions that need be considered (by system and user). When the DC technique of pairwise or n-fold combination is applicable, it can greatly lessen the demands on users for memorisation and interface navigation. Direct Combination also appears to offers a new way of applying context-aware information. In this paper, we present Direct Combination as applied ambiently through a series of interaction scenarios, using an implemented prototype system

High Sensitivity Mass Spectrometric Quantification of Serum Growth Hormone by Amphiphilic Peptide Conjugation

Amphiphilic peptide conjugation affords a significant increase in sensitivity with protein quantification by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. This has been demonstrated here for human growth hormone in serum using N-(3-iodopropyl)-N,N,N-dimethyloctylammonium iodide (IPDOA-iodide) as derivatizing reagent. The signal enhancement achieved in comparison to the method without derivatization enables extension of the applicable concentration range down to the very low concentrations as encountered with clinical glucose suppression tests for patients with acromegaly. The method has been validated using a set of serum samples spiked with known amounts of recombinant 22 kDa growth hormone in the range of 0.48 to 7.65 \mug/L. The coefficient of variation (CV) calculated, based on the deviation of results from the expected concentrations, was 3.5% and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was determined as 0.4 \mug/L. The potential of the method as a tool in clinical practice has been demonstrated with patient samples of about 1 \mug/L

Synthesis, Biodistribution and In vitro Evaluation of Brain Permeable High Affinity Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3

Abstract The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) is a member of the endocannabinoid system and is known for its important role in (neuro)inflammation. A PET-imaging agent that allows in vivo visualization of CB2 expression may thus allow quantification of neuroinflammation. In this paper, we report the synthesis, radiosynthesis, biodistribution and in vitro evaluation of a carbon-11 ([11C]MA2) and a fluorine-18 ([18F]MA3) labeled analogue of a highly potent N-arylamide oxadiazole CB2 agonist (EC50 = 0.015 nM). MA2 and MA3 behaved as potent CB2 agonist (EC50: 3 nM and 0.1 nM, respectively) and their in vitro binding affinity for hCB2 was found to be 87 nM and 0.8 nM, respectively. Also MA3 (substituted with a fluoro ethyl group) was found to have higher binding affinity and EC50 values when compared to the originally reported trifluoromethyl analogue 12. [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3 were successfully synthesized with good radiochemical yield, high radiochemical purity and high specific activity. In mice, both tracers were efficiently cleared from blood and all major organs by the hepatobiliary pathway and importantly these compounds showed high brain uptake. In conclusion, [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3 are shown to be high potent CB2 agonists with good brain uptake, these favorable characteristics makes them potential PET probes for in vivo imaging of brain CB2 receptors. However in view of its higher affinity and selectivity, further detailed evaluation of MA3 as a PET tracer for CB2 is warranted

Diving in at the deep end : the value of alternative in-situ approaches for systematic library search

OPAC interfaces, still the dominant access point to library catalogs, support systematic search but are problematic for open-ended exploration and generally unpopular with visitors. As a result, libraries start subscribing to simplified search paradigms as exemplified by web-search systems. This is a problem considering that systematic search is a crucial skill in the light of today’s abundance of digital information. Inspired by novel approaches to facilitating search, we designed CollectionDiver, an installation for supporting systematic search in public libraries. The CollectionDiver combines tangible and large display direct-touch interaction with a visual representation of search criteria and filters. We conducted an in-situ qualitative study to compare participants’ search approaches on the CollectionDiver with those on the OPAC interface. Our findings show that while both systems support a similar search process, the CollectionDiver (1) makes systematic search more accessible, (2) motivates proactive search approaches by (3) adding transparency to the search process, and (4) facilitates shared search experiences. We discuss the CollectionDiver’s design concepts to stimulate new ideas toward supporting engaging approaches to systematic search in the library context and beyond.Postprin

The macroeconomics of Sir William Petty and Nicholas Barbon : were their discoveries inevitable?

The notion of how a discipline acquires knowledge has twin hypotheses. Discovery may be the result of individual genius or it may simply occur when certain existential factors arise in a society. Robert Merton is the most well-known proponent of the latter supposition and cites as empirical evidence for this notion, simultaneous and independent discoveries of similar concepts, which he terms multiples. Opponents of this thesis, such as Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, criticize the idea for several reasons. For example, there is the problem of long-delayed discovery, as well as the notion that scholars may write before their time, and finally the fact that the argument is largely tautological in nature. This research offers an additional hypothesis for the Mertonian theory of inevitable discovery and thereby, helps to blunt some of the criticisms. This new thesis asserts that for discovery to be inevitable, certain existential factors must arise and two or more scientists must share a similar conceptualized reality. Hence, new existential factors only provide the necessary conditions for inevitable discovery, while the sharing of similar conceptualized realities supplies the sufficient conditions. To evaluate this proposition, the conceptualized realities and macroeconomic principles of two late seventeenth century English economists, Sir William Petty and Nicholas Barbon were evaluated and compared. The results of the study indicate that these two writers of economic tracts did indeed share similar conceptualized realities, thus, establishing sufficient conditions for discovery. They were both the sons of artisans and had similar educational experiences in that they each studied medicine in the Lowlands as it was then taught. The new proposition was then evaluated in two ways: First, their individual theories were compared and then, their overall macroeconomic analyses were contrasted. In regards to the first comparison, four of their respective individual economic theories can rightly be classified as what I have termed, mini-multiples. I have defined mini- multiples as simultaneous independent discoveries found within the respective corpora of thought of two or more economists. Secondly, the central messages, a term coined by Don Patinkin, of these two economists also appears to be an example of independent, multiple discoveries. Petty\u27s central message of a demand-driven economy that periodically experiences low levels of output and employment is echoed in the writings of Barbon. Consequently, this study indicates that the macroeconomic theories and analyses, that have as their underlying structure Petty and Barbon\u27s conceptualized realities, do indeed seem to be examples of multiple discoveries

The Values of Tangible User Interfaces: How to discover, assess and evaluate them?

Since the introduction of Tangible User Interfaces, in the beginning of the 90s, a generation grew up interacting with computers. At the same time the context of computing changed dramatically: from a device used almost exclusively by specialists, it evolved to a general device that plays a dominant role in our societies. But where does this leave TUI? In many respects, the idea of tangibility plays a marginal role in Human Computer Interaction. It makes sense to re-evaluate the intrinsic values of TUI design. This paper proposes to research the appropriate metrics to do so

Physicality and Cooperative Design

CSCW researchers have increasingly come to realize that material work setting and its population of artefacts play a crucial part in coordination of distributed or co-located work. This paper uses the notion of physicality as a basis to understand cooperative work. Using examples from an ongoing fieldwork on cooperative design practices, it provides a conceptual understanding of physicality and shows that material settings and co-worker’s working practices play an important role in understanding physicality of cooperative design

Evaluating Metaphor Reification in Tangible Interfaces

International audienceMetaphors are a powerful conceptual device to reason about human actions. As such, they have been heavily used in designing and describing human computer interaction. Since they can address scripted text, verbal expression, imaging, sound, and gestures, they can also be considered in the design and analysis of multimodal interfaces. In this paper we discuss the description and evaluation of the relations between metaphors and their implementation in human computer interaction with a focus on tangible user interfaces (TUIs), a form of multimodal interface. The objective of this paper is to define how metaphors appear in a tangible context in order to support their evaluation. Relying on matching entities and operations between the domain of interaction and the domain of the digital application, we propose a conceptual framework based on three components: a structured representation of the mappings holding between the metaphor source, the metaphor target, the interface and the digital system; a conceptual model for describing metaphorical TUIs; three relevant properties, coherence, coverage and compliance, which define at what extent the implementation of a metaphorical tangible interface matches the metaphor. The conceptual framework is then validated and applied on a tangible prototype in an educational application