3,695 research outputs found
Parallel earcons: reducing the length of audio messages
No full textThis paper describes a method of presenting structured audio messages, earcons, in parallel so that they take less time to play and can better keep pace with interactions in a human-computer interface. The two component parts of a compound earcon are played in parallel so that the time taken is only that of a single part. An experiment was conducted to test the recall and recognition of parallel compound earcons as compared to serial compound earcons. Results showed that there are no differences in the rates of recognition between the two groups. Non-musicians are also shown to be equal in performance to musicians. Some extensions to the earcon creation guidelines of Brewster, Wright and Edwards are put forward based upon research into auditory stream segregation. Parallel earcons are shown to be an effective means of increasing the presentation rates of audio messages without compromising recognition rates
Interview With P.C. Hodgell
No full textP.C. Hodgell, author of God Stalk and Dark of the Moon, was one of the many authors who attended Mythcon XIX in Berkeley last summer. She was good enough to meet with the Mythic Circle writers\u27 roundtable and share some of her experiences with us. The following is transcribed from a low-quality tape; when it was possible to recognize a speaker’s voice I have identified them - others are noted as ct. Hope you enjoy it
Using non-speech sounds to improve access to 2D tabular numerical information for visually impaired users
No full textWe investigated two solutions for numerical (2D) tabular data discovery and overview for visually impaired and blind users. One involved accessing information in tables (26 rows x 10 columns containing integers between and including 0 and 100) by this target user group using both speech and non-speech sounds. The other involved accessing similar information in tables of the same size through speech only by the same user group. We found that opportunities to access data through non-speech sounds result in a highly significant decrease in the overall subjective workload, more specifically in the mental, temporal, performance, and frustration workload categories. This subjective workload assessment was supported by our quantitative results which showed a highly significant decrease in the average time taken to complete a given data comprehension task and a significant increase in the number of successuflly completed tasks
Nonequilibrium and classical dissipation scalings in DNS of homogeneous isotropic decaying turbulence
No full textWe present data from direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic decaying turbulence showing both the non-equilibrium and the classical dissipation scalings reported in wind-tunnel experiments of both regular and fractal grid-generated turbulence, i.e. Cε ∼ (Re0/Reλ)n with n of order unity and Cε ∼ constant, respectively (Re0 and Reλ are global and local Reynolds numbers). These two dissipation behaviours lead to different power-law decay exponents in both regimes also in accord with the experiments. Finally, we show that in both regimes the maximum non-linear energy cascade flux, Π, reasonably satisfies the classical expectation that Π ∼ K3/2/l
Reinforcing glass with glass: Application of transport reinforcement in structural glass beams
No full textDue to the increasing demand of transparency in buildings, it is no longer unusual to apply transparent elements into the bearing structure. Glass is a strong but very brittle material, which means safety is rather problematic should it break. Safety is an issue that has to be improved before glass can be considered suitable for structural elements. Earlier studies have shown that reinforcing glass beams will provide reasonable residual load-bearing capacity, which could provide this safety. Glass fibre is suitable as reinforcement material when the transparency is regarded as important. In February 2009 at the Faculty of Architecture at Delft University of Technology, P.C. Louter designed and tested a laminated glass beam with embedded glass fibre rods. The bonding interlayer consisted of SentryGlas foil, developed by DuPont and often applied for lamination in hurricane-resistant windows. The results were promising and the concept showed high potential for further research. The study of this thesis project is focussed on improving the concept of embedding reinforcement in laminated glass beams.Design and ConstructionCivil Engineering and Geoscience
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No full textPeterson, Andrew; Peterson, P.C; Peterson, J.H.; Sturrock, W.A.; Smith, Harry; Buzzard, Harry; Toui, Ung; Tan, Yuk; Yuen, Wah; Scharphuis, Rolf; Wright, Percy
Quantitative overview of N <inf>2</inf> fixation in nostoc Punctiforme ATCC 29133 through cellular enrichments and iTRAQ shotgun proteomics
No full textNostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 is a photoautotrophic cyanobacterium with the capacity to fix atmospheric N2. Its ability to mediate this process is similar to that described for Nostoc sp. PCC 7120, where vegetative cells differentiate into heterocysts. Quantitative proteomic investigations at both the filament level and the heterocyst level are presented using isobaric tagging technology (iTRAQ), with 721 proteins at the 95% confidence interval quantified across both studies. Observations from both experiments yielded findings confirmatory of both transcriptional studies, and published Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 iTRAQ data. N. punctiforme exhibits similar metabolic trends, though changes in a number of metabolic pathways are less pronounced than in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. Results also suggest a number of proteins that may benefit from future investigations. These include ATP dependent Zn-proteases, N-reserve degraders and also redox balance proteins. Complementary proteomic data sets from both organisms present key precursor knowledge that is important for future cyanobacterial biohydrogen research
The design and evaluation of an auditory-enhanced scrollbar
No full textA structured method is described for the analysis of interactions to identify situations where hidden information may exist and where non-speech sound might be used to overcome the associated problems. Interactions are considered in terms of events, status and modes to find any hidden information. This is then categorised in terms of the feedback needed to present it. An auditory-enhanced scrollbar, based on the method described, was then experimentally tested. Timing and error rates were used along with subjective measures of workload. Results from the experiment show a significant reduction in time to complete one task, a decrease in the mental effort required and an overall preference for the auditory-enhanced scrollbar
Foreign Direct Investment. The key determinants of foreign direct investment in Poland. Case company: ArgusPack P.C.
No full textThe aim of this thesis was to provide a better understanding of the determinants of foreign direct invest-ment (referred to hereafter as “FDI”). The company ArgusPack P.C. is a flexible packaging manufacturer located in Greece which decided to engage using FDI in Poland. Thus, the factors that favors FDI into the selected region had to be determined.
This thesis was a qualitative research, an empirical non-numerical data research. For primary data a series of interviews was conducted by the author and for secondary data peer-reviewed articles and literatures that fully-describe the determinants of FDI were utilized. There are numerous theories that define the FDI, such as Vernon’s product life cycle (Vernon, 1966), Buckley and Casson’s internalization theory (P. Buckley, 1976) and Dunning’s eclectic paradigm (Dunning J. , 2001). In this project, the Dunning’s eclectic paradigm theory was selected and applied, aiming to provide a better understanding of the factors that motivates a company or an organization to become involved using FDI. Through a research study the primary data were collected and through excessive academic research the secondary data were collected as well. In conclu-sion, an analysis of the primary data in combination with the secondary data was done mainly focusing on the participants’ point of view and the way it aligns with the theoretical aspect given by this thesis. In the end a conclusion and recommendation were formed based on all data mentioned and the personal belief of the author.
Finally, since the key determinants have been identified and examined. Foreign direct investment seems to be an adequate business strategy for ArgusPack P.C. in Polan
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