D-touch: A Consumer-Grade Tangible Interface Module and Musical Applications

We define a class of tangible media applications that can be implemented on consumer-grade personal computers. These applications interpret user manipulation of physical objects in a restricted space and produce unlocalized outputs. We propose a generic approach to the implementation of such interfaces using flexible fiducial markers, which identify objects to a robust and fast video-processing algorithm, so they can be recognized and tracked in real time. We describe an implementation of the technology, then report two new, flexible music performance applications that demonstrate and validate it

Intimate interfaces in action: assessing the usability and subtlety of emg-based motionless gestures

Mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones and networked personal digital assistants (PDAs), allow users to be constantly connected and communicate anywhere and at any time, often resulting in personal and private communication taking place in public spaces. This private -- public contrast can be problematic. As a remedy, we promote intimate interfaces: interfaces that allow subtle and minimal mobile interaction, without disruption of the surrounding environment. In particular, motionless gestures sensed through the electromyographic (EMG) signal have been proposed as a solution to allow subtle input in a mobile context. In this paper we present an expansion of the work on EMG-based motionless gestures including (1) a novel study of their usability in a mobile context for controlling a realistic, multimodal interface and (2) a formal assessment of how noticeable they are to informed observers. Experimental results confirm that subtle gestures can be profitably used within a multimodal interface and that it is difficult for observers to guess when someone is performing a gesture, confirming the hypothesis of subtlety

Evaluating semi-automatic annotation of domestic energy consumption as a memory aid

Frequent feedback about energy consumption can help conservation, one of the current global challenges. Such feedback is most helpful if users can relate it to their own day-to-day activities. In earlier work we showed that manual annotation of domestic energy consumption logs aids users to make such connection and discover patterns they were not aware of. In this poster we report how we augmented manual annotation with machine learning classification techniques. We propose the design of a lab study to evaluate the system, extending methods used to evaluate context aware memory aids, and we present the results of a pilot with 5 participants

The potential of physical motion cues: changing people’s perception of robots’ performance

Autonomous robotic systems can automatically perform actions on behalf of users in the domestic environment to help people in their daily activities. Such systems aim to reduce users' cognitive and physical workload, and improve wellbeing. While the benefits of these systems are clear, recent studies suggest that users may misconstrue their performance of tasks. We see an opportunity in designing interaction techniques that improve how users perceive the performance of such systems. We report two lab studies (N=16 each) designed to investigate whether showing physical motion, which is showing the process of a system through movement (that is intrinsic to the system's task), of an autonomous system as it completes its task, affects how users perceive its performance. To ensure our studies are ecologically valid and to motivate participants to provide thoughtful responses we adopted consensus-oriented financial incentives. Our results suggest that physical presence does yield higher performance ratings.<br/

Energy advisors at work: charity work practices to support people in fuel poverty

We present an ethnographic study of energy advisors working for a charity that provides support, particularly to people in fuel poverty. Our fieldwork comprises detailed observations that reveal the collaborative, interactional work of energy advisors and clients during home visits, supplemented with interviews and a participatory design workshop with advisors. We identify opportunities for Ubicomp technologies that focus on supporting the work of the advisor, including complementing the collaborative advice giving in home visits, providing help remotely, and producing evidence in support of accounts of practices and building conditions useful for interactions with landlords, authorities and other third parties. We highlight six specific design challenges that relate the domestic fuel poverty setting to the wider Ubicomp literature. Our work echoes a shift in attention from energy use and the individual consumer, specifically to matters of advice work practices and the domestic fuel poverty setting, and to the discourse around inclusive Ubicomp technologies

Rigor, Relevance and Impact:The Tensions and Trade-Offs Between Research in the Lab and in the Wild

As an interdisciplinary field, CHI embraces multiple research methods, ranging from controlled lab experiments to field studies in homes and communities. While quantitative research in the lab emphasizes the scientific rigor of hypothesis testing; qualitative research in the wild focuses on the understanding of the context of technologies in use, and each type of research has a correspondingly different kind of impact. This panel invites researchers with varied backgrounds to talk about the tensions and trade-offs between research in the lab and in the wild, with respect to scientific rigor, real-world relevance and impact. The goal is to enhance mutual understanding among researchers with diverse goals, values and practices within the CHI community

'A bit like British Weather, I suppose' Design and Evaluation of the Temperature Calendar

In this paper we present the design and evaluation of the Temperature Calendar -- a visualisation of temperature variation within a workplace over the course of the past week, highlights deviation from organisational temperature policy, and aims to bring staff "into the loop" of understanding and managing heating, and so reduce energy waste. The display was deployed in five public libraries. Analysis of logs, questionnaires and interviews shows staff used the displays to understand heating in their buildings, and took action to relate their libraries to organisational policy and improve thermal comfort. We also present a subsequent lab study, demonstrating that adding electricity consumption to the visualisation did not improve likelihood of spotting heating "errors". Bringing together our results, we discuss three topics of relevance to the research community: design implications for workplace displays, the engagement of staff through focus on organisational policy, and sustainability cost-benefit analysis of the Temperature Calendar

RAPD Analysis, Plasmid Profiles, Antibiotic Resistance and Occurrence of the Van Genes in Enterococcus Species Isolated from Human And Poultry

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the molecular relatedness of the Enterococcus spp. isolated among poultry and clinical samples. A total of 71 poultry isolates and 29 clinical isolates were examined in this study. The poultry samples obtained from market in Sri Serdang, Selangor and Makmal Kesihatan Awam Veterinar. Petaling Jaya, whereas the clinical samples were from Hospital Universiti. Kuala Lumpur. E. faecalis (41 of 71 , 58%) was the dominant species isolated from poultry samples. Besides that, E. faecium (3 of 71, 4%). E. casseliflavus (4 of 71, 6%), E. durans (18 of 71, 25%) and E. hirae (5 of 71, 7%) were also detected. Twenty-nine isolates from clinical samples were identified as E. faeca/is (19 isolates, 66%), E. faecium (8 isolates, 28%), E. mundtii (1 isolate, 3%) and E. raffinosus (1 isolate, 3%). All isolates were resistant against ceftazidime, erythromycin. kanamycin, nalidixic acid and streptomycin (100%). Clinical isolates also demonstrated high resistance to cephalothin, gentamicin and norf\oxacin (100%). Sixty-four of 71 poultry isolates, and 26 of 29 clinical isolates were resistant to vancomycin and this indicated high prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci detected among the isolates. All seventyone isolates from poultry exhibited multiple resistance with Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) indices ranging between 0.53 to 1.0 while for clinical isolates the range were between 0.6 to 0.86. These high MAR index suggests that a\l the isolates originated from high risk sources. According to plasmid profile analysis. 29 plasmid patterns were observed among poultry isolates with the plasmid DNA bands ranging in sizes from 1.1 to 35.8 megadalton. The plasmid analysis among clinical isolates were grouped into 9 plasmid patterns ranging in sizes from 1.85 to 35.8 megadalton. RAPD-PCR has been used to generate polymorphic genomic fingerprints to discriminate the enterococci isolates. Two primers (GEN15008 and GEN15009) were chosen after screening a set of 10 primers. These two primers yield reproducible and typeable results in most isolates examined with the bands ranging in sizes from 0.25 kb to 5.0 kb. From the dendrogram generated to study the interspecific relatedness among the isolates. 2 main clusters were observed and further subdivided into several subclusters defining the genetic heterogeneity among the isolates. The vanA specific (732 bp) fragment was detected in 96 of 100 (96%) of the isolates. 29 (100%) of dinical isolates and 67 of 71 (94%) of poultry isolates were positive for vanA gene. 4 of 71 (6%) of poultry were positive for vanC2IC3 gene (439 bp). Isolates containing the vanS or vanC1 gene were not found