Adding generic contextual capabilities to wearable computers

Context-awareness has an increasingly important role to play in the development of wearable computing systems. In order to better define this role we have identified four generic contextual capabilities: sensing, adaptation, resource discovery, and augmentation. A prototype application has been constructed to explore how some of these capabilities could be deployed in a wearable system designed to aid an ecologist's observations of giraffe in a Kenyan game reserve. However, despite the benefits of context-awareness demonstrated in this prototype, widespread innovation of these capabilities is currently stifled by the difficulty in obtaining the contextual data. To remedy this situation the Contextual Information Service (CIS) is introduced. Installed on the user's wearable computer, the CIS provides a common point of access for clients to obtain, manipulate and model contextual information independently of the underlying plethora of data formats and sensor interface mechanisms

Synthesizing an Autonomous Business Out of Social Parts: A Cognitive Analysis

A programmable autonomous business is a novel kind of business built entirely in software that is functionally indistinguishable from a conventional business—acquiring customers, providing a product to those customers, and making an actual profit for doing so. The difference is that the autonomous business has no employees or managers guiding it; all operations are automated in software. While we know that autonomous businesses are possible, we do not understand why. To address this issue I analyze a basic autonomous business as a distributed cognitive system. I show that an autonomous business is composed of a rather mundane set of social practices whose performance is mediated by online technology. These social practices when performed offline have nothing to do with business. However, the synthesis of these technological-mediated social practices results in the emergence of an autonomous business. I discuss why mediating the performance of these social practices with online technologies allows them to instantiate business processes, and conclude by describing the practical applications of the findings and outlining areas for future research

Biochemical Characterization of SAC9, a Putative Phosphoinositide Phosphatase in Arabidopsis thaliana, and Its Role in Cellular Abnormalities

The phospholipid phosphatidylinositol and its phosphorylated derivatives, collectively referred to as phosphoinositides, form the basis for a multifaceted signaling pathway regulating many different cellular processes in eukaryotic cells. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, PI(4,5)P2, assumes a central position in this complex pathway. It can serve as a precursor for the generation of second messengers but can also act as a ligand to partner proteins. In order to mediate their physiological effects properly, the location and quantity of PI(4,5)P2 and other phosphoinositides have to be tightly controlled by enzymes. In general, phospholipid kinases lead to the activation of the pathway, whereas phospholipid phosphatases attenuate or terminate the signaling cascade. The SAC domain-containing protein 9 from Arabidopsis thaliana has been identified as a putative phosphoinositide phosphatase, but very little has been published on this particular protein. In my dissertation research, I broadened our knowledge of this protein and the effects seen in Arabidopsis plants carrying the mutant allele. I used molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches to analyze the function of the putative phosphoinositide phosphatase, SAC9. To understand its physiological role, I investigated the cellular effects of a mutation in the SAC9 gene at the light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy levels. My studies show that AtSAC9 is a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 180 kDa and that it most likely is a phosphoinositide phosphatase. Furthermore, I show that the mutation of SAC9 induced unique cell wall defects that most likely have contributed to the stuntedness of the root. However, the cortical microtubule cytoskeleton was not disturbed in elongating root cells. These data are augmented by applying a novel approach for the mathematical analysis of cortical microtubule orientation

Factors shaping the evolution of electronic documentation systems

The main goal is to prepare the space station technical and managerial structure for likely changes in the creation, capture, transfer, and utilization of knowledge. By anticipating advances, the design of Space Station Project (SSP) information systems can be tailored to facilitate a progression of increasingly sophisticated strategies as the space station evolves. Future generations of advanced information systems will use increases in power to deliver environmentally meaningful, contextually targeted, interconnected data (knowledge). The concept of a Knowledge Base Management System is emerging when the problem is focused on how information systems can perform such a conversion of raw data. Such a system would include traditional management functions for large space databases. Added artificial intelligence features might encompass co-existing knowledge representation schemes; effective control structures for deductive, plausible, and inductive reasoning; means for knowledge acquisition, refinement, and validation; explanation facilities; and dynamic human intervention. The major areas covered include: alternative knowledge representation approaches; advanced user interface capabilities; computer-supported cooperative work; the evolution of information system hardware; standardization, compatibility, and connectivity; and organizational impacts of information intensive environments

Instructional Logistics and Chunque-Based Learning Systems

Existing instructional design and curriculum design strategy components were synthesized to provide a comprehensive set of design models for the development of learning systems. The term instructional logistics was coined to define the management of student progress through a series of customized learning experiences. Strategies were developed for the design of student-centered learning systems by partitioning a curriculum into meaningful and manageable pieces (called chunques) and by manipulating those pieces to create personalized and individualized paths through a series of self-contained learning experiences. Strategies were developed to organize a collection of chunques into a path based on initial simplified mental models designed specifically to make the subject matter more appropriate for novice learners. Two types of paths were proposed: paths created prior to instruction based on the best guess at what is optimal for the particular circumstances (anticipatory paths) and paths modified on the fly based on diagnostic information gathered during the learning process (adaptive paths). Curriculum design decisions were based on two propositions: that curriculum decisions can be categorized as value-laden decisions, based on some conception of worth, or as technical decisions, based on instructional needs. The three souls proposition was developed, which proposes that educational goals can be categorized as education-to-be, sagacity-to-know, or training-to-do

Exploration Games:Can Game-Guided Systems Support Users in Automated Exhibition Sites?

This article delves into the potential of incorporating elements fromadventure games into museum exhibitions, with a particular focus on automatedexhibition sites. We advocate that principles derived from adventure games canadeptly bridge the two primary expectations of exhibitions: enlightenment andexperience. Exploration-based games, such as Explore the Redoubt (XTR)crafted for automated venues, enable users to fulfill both these objectives. XTR,conceived to address the prevailing research voids, integrates game mechanicsinto the automated exhibition environment, enhancing visitor motivation andengagement. It harnesses interactive digital mediums to present cultural heritagein a relaxed, informal manner.Existing research scarcely touches upon the design of experiential learninggames developed for automated sites, which encompass both indoor and outdoordisplays. Our methodology contemplates the transformation of visitor conduct atexhibitions, morphing them into avid knowledge seekers. We challenge theadequacy of current user experience models in portraying exhibitions striving toprovide both enlightenment and an immersive experience. Consequently, weintroduce a framework for museum interactions that deeply engages users, urgingthem to define their exploration trajectories, seamlessly fusing enlightenment,and engagement. Our study is set in a 17th-century redoubt where initialobservations indicated greater outdoor engagement compared to indoor spaces.This observation fueled our initiative to amplify indoor visitor participation.After testing XTR with 30 participants and employing a combination ofobservations and interviews, we derived key insights on designing digitalexploration games that seamlessly combine enlightenment and engagement. Weconclude with three design strategies to enhance visitor curiosity and exploration

3D visualization of cadastre : assessing the suitability of visual variables and enhancement techniques in the 3D model of condominium property units

La visualisation 3D de données cadastrales a été exploitée dans de nombreuses études, car elle offre de nouvelles possibilités d’examiner des situations de supervision verticale des propriétés. Les chercheurs actifs dans ce domaine estiment que la visualisation 3D pourrait fournir aux utilisateurs une compréhension plus intuitive d’une situation où des propriétés se superposent, ainsi qu’une plus grande capacité et avec moins d’ambiguïté de montrer des problèmes potentiels de chevauchement des unités de propriété. Cependant, la visualisation 3D est une approche qui apporte de nombreux défis par rapport à la visualisation 2D. Les précédentes recherches effectuées en cadastre 3D, et qui utilisent la visualisation 3D, ont très peu enquêté l’impact du choix des variables visuelles (ex. couleur, style) sur la prise de décision. Dans l’optique d'améliorer la visualisation 3D de données cadastres, cette thèse de doctorat examine l’adéquation du choix des variables visuelles et des techniques de rehaussement associées afin de produire un modèle de condominium 3D optimal, et ce, en fonction de certaines tâches spécifiques de visualisation. Les tâches visées sont celles dédiées à la compréhension dans l’espace 3D des limites de propriété du condominium. En ce sens, ce sont principalement des tâches notariales qui ont été ciblées. De plus, cette thèse va mettre en lumière les différences de l’impact des variables visuelles entre une visualisation 2D et 3D. Cette thèse identifie dans un premier temps un cadre théorique pour l'interprétation des variables visuelles dans le contexte d’une visualisation 3D et de données cadastrales au regard d’une revue de littéraire. Dans un deuxième temps, des expérimentations ont été réalisées afin de mettre à l’épreuve la performance des variables visuelles (ex. couleur, valeur, texture) et des techniques de rehaussement (transparence, annotation, déplacement). Trois approches distinctes ont été utilisées : 1) discussion directe avec des personnes œuvrant en géomatique, 2) entrevue face à face avec des notaires et 3) questionnaire en ligne avec des groupes ciblés. L’utilisabilité mesurée en termes d’efficacité, d’efficience et de degré de satisfaction a servi aux comparaisons des expérimentations. Les principaux résultats de cette recherche sont : 1) Une liste de tâches visuelles notariales utiles à la délimitation des unités de propriété dans le contexte de la visualisation 3D de condominium ; 2) Des recommandations quant à l'adéquation de huit variables visuelles et de trois techniques de rehaussement afin d’optimiser la réalisation d’un certain nombre de tâches notariales ; 3) Une analyse comparative de la performance de ces variables entre une visualisation 2D et 3D.3D visualization is being widely used in GIS (geographic information system) and CAD (computer-aided design) applications. It has also been introduced in cadastre studies to better communicate overlaps to the viewer, where the property units vertically stretch over or cover one part of the land parcel. Researchers believe that 3D visualization could provide viewers with a more intuitive perception, and it has the capability to demonstrate overlapping property units in condominiums unambiguously. However, 3D visualization has many challenges compared with 2D visualization. Many cadastre researchers adopted 3D visualization without thoroughly investigating the potential users, the visual tasks for decision-making, and the appropriateness of their representation design. Neither designers nor users may be aware of the risk of producing an inadequate 3D visualization, especially in an era when 3D visualization is relatively novel in the cadastre domain. With a general aim to improve the 3D visualization of cadastre data, this dissertation addresses the design of the 3D cadastre model from a graphics semiotics viewpoint including visual variables and enhancement techniques. The research questions are, firstly, what is the suitability of the visual variables and enhancement techniques in the 3D cadastre model to support the intended users' decision-making goal of delimitating condominium property units, and secondly, what are the perceptual properties of visual variables in 3D visualization compared with 2D visualization? This dissertation firstly identifies the theoretical framework for the interpretation of visual variables in 3D visualization as well as cadastre-related knowledge with literature review. Then, we carry out a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility of visual variables and enhancement techniques in a form of an expert-group review. With the result of the preliminary evaluation, this research then performs the hypothetico-deductive scientific approach to establishing a list of hypotheses to be validated by empirical tests regarding the suitability of visual variables and enhancement techniques in a cartographic representation of property units in condominiums for 3D visualization. The evaluation is based on the usability specification, which contains three measurements: effectiveness, efficiency, and preference. Several empirical tests are conducted with cadastral users in the forms of face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires, followed by statistical analysis. Size, shape, brightness, saturation, hue, orientation, texture, and transparency are the most discussed and used visual variables in existing cartographic research and implementations; thus, these eight visual variables have been involved in the tests. Their perceptual properties exhibited in the empirical test with concrete 3D models in this work are compared with those in a 2D visualization, which is derived from a literature-based synthesis. Three enhancement techniques, including labeling, 3D explosion, and highlighting, are tested as well. There are three main outcomes of this work. First, we established a list of visual tasks adapted to notaries for delimiting property units in the context of 3D visualization of condominium cadastres. Second, we describe the suitability of eight visual variables (Size, Shape, Brightness, Saturation, Hue, Orientation, Texture, and Transparency) of the property units and three enhancement techniques (labeling, 3D explosion and highlighting) in the context of 3D visualisation of condominium property units, based on the usability specification for delimitating visual tasks. For example, brightness only shows good performance in helping users distinguish private and common parts in the context of 3D visualization of property units in condominiums. As well, color hue and saturation are effective and preferable. The third outcome is a statement of the perceptual properties’ differences of visual variables between 3D visualization and 2D visualization. For example, according to Bertin (1983)’s definition, orientation is associative and selective in 2D, yet it does not perform in a 3D visualization. In addition, 3D visualization affects the performance of brightness, making it marginally dissociative and selective

Using AI Planning Techniques for Army Small Unit Operations

Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Artificial Intelligence Planning and Scheduling Systems (AIPS 2000)In this paper, we outline the requirements of a planning and decision aid to support US Army small unit operations in urban terrain and show how AI planning technologies can be exploited in that context. The work is a rare example of a comprehensive use of AI technologies across the whole planning lifecycle, set in a realistic application in which the actual user community set the requirements. The phases involved include: * Domain knowledge elicitation * Rich plan representation and use * Hierarchical Task Network Planning * Detailed constraint management * Goal structure-based plan monitoring * Dynamic issue handling * Plan repair in low and high tempo situations * Interfaces for users with different roles * Management of planning and execution workflo