Simplifying knowledge creation and access for end-users on the SW

In this position paper, we argue that improved mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and access on the semantic web (SW) will be necessary before it will be adopted widely by end-users. In particular, we propose an investigation surrounding improved languages for knowledge exchange, better UI mechanisms for interaction, and potential help from user modeling to enable accurate, efficient, SW knowledge modeling for everyone

Human-Computer Interaction for BCI Games: Usability and User Experience

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) come with a lot of issues, such as delays, bad recognition, long training times, and cumbersome hardware. Gamers are a large potential target group for this new interaction modality, but why would healthy subjects want to use it? BCI provides a combination of information and features that no other input modality can offer. But for general acceptance of this technology, usability and user experience will need to be taken into account when designing such systems. This paper discusses the consequences of applying knowledge from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to the design of BCI for games. The integration of HCI with BCI is illustrated by research examples and showcases, intended to take this promising technology out of the lab. Future research needs to move beyond feasibility tests, to prove that BCI is also applicable in realistic, real-world settings

The Unusual Universality of Branching Interfaces in Random Media

We study the criticality of a Potts interface by introducing a {\it froth} model which, unlike its SOS Ising counterpart, incorporates bubbles of different phases. The interface is fractal at the phase transition of a pure system. However, a position space approximation suggests that the probability of loop formation vanishes marginally at a transition dominated by {\it strong random bond disorder}. This implies a linear critical interface, and provides a mechanism for the conjectured equivalence of critical random Potts and Ising models.Comment: REVTEX, 13 pages, 3 Postscript figures appended using uufile

Comparison of two approaches to forced convection in crystal growth of II-VI compounds by THM

Hg1 - xCdxTe and Cd1 - xZnxTe single crystals were grown by the tracwelling heater method (THM), applying two different techniques of artificially stirring the solution zone. Accelerated crucible rotation (ACRT) was used in a vertical growth arrangement and compared a technique with constant rotation around the horizontal axis of the ampoule. The dominant hydrodynamic mechanisms of noth methods are discribed by the rotating disc model and are suggested to be almost identical with respect to the growth conditions at the interface. Convective flow is effectively enhanced adhacent to the growing crystal, where the matter transport is regarded as the rate-limiting step of solution growth. Inclusion density analysis by IR microscopy was used to characterise the crystals of Cd1 - xZnxTe grown at different rates. It was shown that forced convection allows an increase in the crystal growth rate from a few mm day-1 with ACRT or horizontally rotating THM