How natural is a natural interface? An evaluation procedure based on action breakdowns

This paper describes an issue-based method to evaluate the naturalness of an interface. The method consists of the execution of a series of tasks on that interface, which is subsequently systematically analyzed to identify breakdowns in the users’ actions. The systematic analysis of breakdowns is allowed by the support of video-coding software (The Observer by Noldus). This method is described on its theoretical bases and then applied to the evaluation of a natural interface, a walk-in-place locomotion system for virtual spaces called Superfeet. The procedure is comparative, since Superfeet is compared to two locomotion devices, Superfeet enhanced with headtracker and a more traditional Joypad. The test involves 36 participants (mean age = 23.68, SD = 3.14). The outcomes of the breakdown analysis are illustrated at a progressively finer level of granularity from the amount and length of breakdowns, to the circumstances of the breakdowns, to the type of actions involved in the breakdowns. The potential of this procedure for usability studies is finally synthesized.     

Amplitude vs intensity Bayesian despeckling in the wavelet domain for SAR images

In this paper, the problem of despeckling SAR images when the input data is either an intensity or an amplitude signal is revisited. State-of-the-art despeckling methods based on Bayesian estimators in the wavelet domain, recently proposed in the literature, are taken into consideration. First, how these methods proposed for one format (e.g., intensity) can be adapted to the other format (e.g., amplitude) is investigated. Second, the performance of such algorithms in both cases is analyzed. Experimental results carried out on simulated speckled images and on true SAR data are presented and discussed in order to assess the best strategy. From these results, it can be observed that filtering in the amplitude domain yields better performances in terms of objective quality indexes, such as preservation of structural details, as well as in terms of visual inspection of the filtered SAR data.     

The occurrence of long chain α,ω-diols in the lipids of steer and human meibomian glands

A group of long chain α,ω-diols (C₂₉ to C₃₄) has been identified in the lipids of steer and human meibomian gland excreta (meibum). These new lipids were isolated from the steer meibum unsaponifiables. Proof of structure was provided by 1) the column chromatographic behavior and TLC of the diols and their diacetates; 2) GLC on glass capillary columns; 3) fragmentation patterns in GC-MS; 4) NMR data, and 5) ozonolysis studies of the unsaturates. Chain types for the steer sample were 51% straight monoenes, 8.5% straight saturates, 39% iso and anteiso saturates and 1.5% iso and anteiso unsaturates. GC for the human sample gave straight monoenes 83%, straight saturates 8%, and iso plus anteiso saturates 9%. Close correspondence of the α,ω-diol chain lengths and types with meibum ω-hydroxy fatty acids suggests a biochemical precursor relationship.     

Pollution of mussels by particulate lead from sea water

Summary The accumulation of > 0.8 gm lead containing, suspended particles from polluted sea water in mussel (Mytillus galloprovincialis Lamarck) was studied. Lead was determined in the ash of the edible part of the mussel by a voltammetric macromethod. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for determining particulate lead in sea water. The statistically significant linear regression, observed for lead in mussel on lead in sea water, indicates that a fraction of lead found in the mollusc has a particulate origin, with an enrichment factor of about 2300.

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Verunreinigungen von Miesmuscheln durch bleihaltige Partikel aus Seewasser

Zusammenfassung Die Aufnahme von bleihaltigen Partikeln aus verunreinigtem Seewasser durch Miesmuscheln (Mytilus galloprorincialis Lamarck) wurde untersucht. Der Bleigehalt wurde in der Asche des Muschelfleisches durch eine voltammetrische Methode sowie in (> 0.8 m Partikeln) aus Seewasser durch Atomabsorptionsspektroskopie bestimmt. Der Bleigehalt der Miesmuscheln korreliert mit dem Bleigehalt des Seewassers, wobei der Anreicherungsfaktor ungefähr 2300 beträgt.

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Research performed with the financial support of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Roma), Contract n. 77.00009.10-115.38.04.     

Environ: Integrating VR and CAD in Engineering Projects

A main objective of large industrial-engineering departments is implementing integrated information systems to manage their projects' life cycles. Environ is an application motivated by the demand to use Virtual Reality in large engineering models generated by CAD tools. Environ's main goal is to offer 3D visualization resources for CAD models with enough realism to serve as an integration tool for several engineering activities in the oil and gas industry.     

Controlling the luminescence properties of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) entrapped in Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films of stearic acid

Properties of hybrid films can be enhanced if their molecular architecture is controlled. In this paper, poly (p-phenylene vinylene) was mixed with stearic acid in order to form stable hybrid Langmuir monolayers. Surface properties of these films were investigated with measurements of surface pressure, and also with polarization modulation infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The films were transferred from the air–water interface to solid supports through the Langmuir–Blodgett technique, and the viability of the film as optical device was investigated with fluorescence spectroscopy. Comparing the fluorescent spectra for the polymer in solution, as a casting film, and as an LB film, the emission bands for LB films were narrower and appeared at lower wavelengths. The interactions between the film components and the design for the LB film may take advantage of the method to immobilize luminescent polymers in mixed ultrathin films adsorbed in solid matrices.     

Numerical analysis of worst-case end-to-end delay bounds in FIFO tandem networks

This paper addresses the problem of computing end-to-end delay bounds for a traffic flow traversing a tandem of FIFO multiplexing network nodes using Network Calculus. Numerical solution methods are required, as closed-form delay bound expressions are unknown except for few specific cases. For the methodology called the Least Upper Delay Bound, the most accurate among those based on Network Calculus, exact and approximate solution algorithms are presented, and their accuracy and computation cost are discussed. The algorithms are inherently exponential, yet affordable for tandems of up to few tens of nodes, and amenable to online execution in cases of practical significance. This complexity is, however, required to compute accurate bounds. As the LUDB may actually be larger than the worst-case delay, we assess how close the former is to the latter by computing lower bounds on the worst-case delay and measuring the gap between the lower and upper bound.     

Innovative Design of Fire Doors: Computational Modeling and Experimental Validation

Usually the design of fire doors is carried out to fulfil thermal requirements only, whereas also thermal distortion could significantly affect the safety behavior of the door. Indeed, the door tends to bend away from its supporting frame due to a non-uniform temperature distribution, which could lead to flame and smoke propagation. In this work an innovative design scheme is proposed, where the mechanical response of the door is enhanced without affecting its insulating properties. This improvement is achieved by changing the disposition of the constitutive elements (insulating material and structural plates). The behavior of a conventional and of an innovative door during a fire test was simulated with three-dimensional (3D) finite element models. A non-linear thermo-mechanical transient analysis was performed as well. The numerical results were validated with an experimental campaign made on true scale specimens, where the doors were heated by a furnace reaching a maximum temperature of 950°C. The temperature distribution was measured with several thermocouples and an infrared camera, whereas displacements were monitored with a laser sensor. It was observed that, while temperatures on the unexposed surface were around 120°C in both cases, the maximum out-of-plane displacement measured in the innovative door was 3 times smaller than that of the conventional configuration.