291 research outputs found
Yoga in Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality (VR) technology involves computer visualization of a simulated (virtual) environment (e.g., coral reef) presented using a head mounted display (HMD), typically together with accompanying audio (music, sounds, e.g., sea creatures, passing boat). The user may simply view the environment but typically interacts with it in some determined way, e.g., through selection of buttons or hand movements that mimic behaviors appropriate to the virtual environment (e.g., snorkeling in the reef). Research including our own previous studies have already shown that practicing guided meditations using a HMD is associated with positive affect as compared with non-VR meditation. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic yoga studios were mandated to move their classes into virtual format. However, to our knowledge the application of immersive VR technology to yoga instruction has not yet been explored. This pilot study proposes to investigate the satisfaction and sense of presence experienced during the different online delivery of yoga instruction in 5 formats, specifically: 1) traditional in-person; 2) pre-recorded 360° videos viewed by HMD; 3) pre-recorded 360° videos viewed without HMD (i.e., on standard flatscreen such as laptop or smartphone); 4) live streamed 360° videos viewed with HMD; and 5) live streamed 360° videos viewed without HMD
Specifying and Realising Interactive Voice Services
VoiceXML (Voice Extended Markup Language) has become a major force in interactive voice services. However current approaches to creating Voice-XML services are rather low-level. Graphical representations of VoiceXML are close to the textual form of the language, and do not give a high-level description of a service. CRESS (Chisel Representation Employing Systematic Specification) can be used to give a more abstract, language-independent view of interactive voice services. CRESS is automatically compiled into VoiceXML for implementation, and into LOTOS (Language Of Temporal Ordering Specification) or SDL (Specification and Description Language) for automated analysis. The paper explains how CRESS is translated into VoiceXML and LOTOS
Finding and Resolving Security Misusability with Misusability Cases
Although widely used for both security and usability concerns, scenarios used in security design may not necessarily inform the design of usability, and vice- versa. One way of using scenarios to bridge security and usability involves explicitly describing how design deci- sions can lead to users inadvertently exploiting vulnera- bilities to carry out their production tasks. This paper describes how misusability cases, scenarios that describe how design decisions may lead to usability problems sub- sequently leading to system misuse, address this problem. We describe the related work upon which misusability cases are based before presenting the approach, and illus- trating its application using a case study example. Finally, we describe some findings from this approach that further inform the design of usable and secure systems
Identifying Implicit Vulnerabilities through Personas as Goal Models
When used in requirements processes and tools, personas
have the potential to identify vulnerabilities resulting from misalignment between user expectations and system goals. Typically, however,
this potential is unfulfilled as personas and system goals are captured
with different mindsets, by different teams, and for different purposes. If
personas are visualised as goal models, it may be easier for stakeholders
to see implications of their goals being satisfied or denied, and designers
to incorporate the creation and analysis of such models into the broader
RE tool-chain. This paper outlines a tool-supported approach for finding
implicit vulnerabilities from user and system goals by reframing personas
as social goal models. We illustrate this approach with a case study where
previously hidden vulnerabilities based on human behaviour were identified
A synthesis of atmospheric mercury depletion event chemistry in the atmosphere and snow
It was discovered in 1995 that, during the spring time, unexpectedly low concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) occurred in the Arctic air. This was surprising for a pollutant known to have a long residence time in the atmosphere; however conditions appeared to exist in the Arctic that promoted this depletion of mercury (Hg). This phenomenon is termed atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) and its discovery has revolutionized our understanding of the cycling of Hg in Polar Regions while stimulating a significant amount of research to understand its impact to this fragile ecosystem. Shortly after the discovery was made in Canada, AMDEs were confirmed to occur throughout the Arctic, sub-Artic and Antarctic coasts. It is now known that, through a series of photochemically initiated reactions involving halogens, GEM is converted to a more reactive species and is subsequently associated to particles in the air and/or deposited to the polar environment. AMDEs are a means by which Hg is transferred from the atmosphere to the environment that was previously unknown. In this article we review Hg research taken place in Polar Regions pertaining to AMDEs, the methods used to collect Hg in different environmental media, research results of the current understanding of AMDEs from field, laboratory and modeling work, how Hg cycles around the environment after AMDEs, gaps in our current knowledge and the future impacts that AMDEs may have on polar environments. The research presented has shown that while considerable improvements in methodology to measure Hg have been made but the main limitation remains knowing the speciation of Hg in the various media. The processes that drive AMDEs and how they occur are discussed. As well, the role that the snow pack and the sea ice play in the cycling of Hg is presented. It has been found that deposition of Hg from AMDEs occurs at marine coasts and not far inland and that a fraction of the deposited Hg does not remain in the same form in the snow. Kinetic studies undertaken have demonstrated that bromine is the major oxidant depleting Hg in the atmosphere. Modeling results demonstrate that there is a significant deposition of Hg to Polar Regions as a result of AMDEs. Models have also shown that Hg is readily transported to the Arctic from source regions, at times during springtime when this environment is actively transforming Hg from the atmosphere to the snow and ice surfaces. The presence of significant amounts of methyl Hg in snow in the Arctic surrounding AMDEs is important because this species is the link between the environment and impacts to wildlife and humans. Further, much work on methylation and demethylation processes has occurred but these processes are not yet fully understood. Recent changes in the climate and sea ice cover in Polar Regions are likely to have strong effects on the cycling of Hg in this environment; however more research is needed to understand Hg processes in order to formulate meaningful predictions of these changes
Evaluation of ion exchange processes in drug-eluting embolization beads by use of an improved flow-through elution method.
n improved method for evaluating drug release behaviour of drug-eluting embolization beads (DEBs) was developed utilizing an open-loop flow-through system, in which the beads were packed into an occlusive mass within the system and extracted with a flowing elution medium over time. Glass beads were introduced into the beads mass in order to ensure laminar flow, reduce dead volume and improve reproducibility by compensating for swelling phenomena. The effects of glass bead ratio, elution medium flow rate and ion concentration, DEB size and drug concentration and drug type (doxorubicin and irinotecan) were evaluated using DEB composed of a sulfonate-modified polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (DC Bead™) as the test article. The rate and amount of drug elution from the packed beads was affected by flow rate, the bead size and initial loading dose. The raw data from the concentration profile analysis provided valuable information to reveal the drug elution behaviour akin to the pharmacokinetic data observed for embolized beads (yielding in vitro Cmax and tmax data) which was complementary to the normal cumulative data obtained. A good correlation with historical reported in vivo data validated the usefulness of the method for predicting in vivo drug elution behaviour
The characteristics of electrical trees in the inner and outer layers of different voltage rating XLPE cable insulation
Investigation of the heave dynamics of Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV): parametric and chaotic studies
Mechanism of effector capture and delivery by the type IV secretion system from Legionella pneumophila
Legionella pneumophila is a bacterial pathogen that utilises a Type IV secretion (T4S) system to inject effector proteins into human macrophages. Essential to the recruitment and delivery of effectors to the T4S machinery is the membrane-embedded T4 coupling complex (T4CC). Here, we purify an intact T4CC from the Legionella membrane. It contains the DotL ATPase, the DotM and DotN proteins, the chaperone module IcmSW, and two previously uncharacterised proteins, DotY and DotZ. The atomic resolution structure reveals a DotLMNYZ hetero-pentameric core from which the flexible IcmSW module protrudes. Six of these hetero-pentameric complexes may assemble into a 1.6-MDa hexameric nanomachine, forming an inner membrane channel for effectors to pass through. Analysis of multiple cryo EM maps, further modelling and mutagenesis provide working models for the mechanism for binding and delivery of two essential classes of Legionella effectors, depending on IcmSW or DotM, respectively
High methylmercury in Arctic and subarctic ponds is related to nutrient levels in the warming eastern Canadian Arctic
Permafrost thaw ponds are ubiquitous in the eastern
Canadian Arctic, yet little information exists on their potential as
sources of methylmercury (MeHg) to freshwaters. They are
microbially active and conducive to methylation of inorganic
mercury, and are also affected by Arctic warming. This multiyear
study investigated thaw ponds in a discontinuous permafrost region
in the Subarctic taiga (Kuujjuarapik-Whapmagoostui, QC) and a
continuous permafrost region in the Arctic tundra (Bylot Island,
NU). MeHg concentrations in thaw ponds were well above levels
measured in most freshwater ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic
(>0.1 ng L−1). On Bylot, ice-wedge trough ponds showed
significantly higher MeHg (0.3−2.2 ng L−1) than polygonal
ponds (0.1−0.3 ng L−1) or lakes (<0.1 ng L−1). High MeHg was
measured in the bottom waters of Subarctic thaw ponds near
Kuujjuarapik (0.1−3.1 ng L−1). High water MeHg concentrations in thaw ponds were strongly correlated with variables
associated with high inputs of organic matter (DOC, a320, Fe), nutrients (TP, TN), and microbial activity (dissolved CO2 and
CH4). Thawing permafrost due to Arctic warming will continue to release nutrients and organic carbon into these systems and
increase ponding in some regions, likely stimulating higher water concentrations of MeHg. Greater hydrological connectivity
from permafrost thawing may potentially increase transport of MeHg from thaw ponds to neighboring aquatic ecosystems
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