GlobalFestival: Evaluating Real World Interaction on a Spherical Display

Spherical displays present compelling opportunities for interaction in public spaces. However, there is little research into how touch interaction should control a spherical surface or how these displays are used in real world settings. This paper presents an in the wild deployment of an application for a spherical display called GlobalFestival that utilises two different touch interaction techniques. The first version of the application allows users to spin and tilt content on the display, while the second version only allows spinning the content. During the 4-day deployment, we collected overhead video data and on-display interaction logs. The analysis brings together quantitative and qualitative methods to understand how users approach and move around the display, how on screen interaction compares in the two versions of the application, and how the display supports social interaction given its novel form factor

Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.: The Expanding Use of Punitive Damages in Breach of Insurance Contract Actions

This comment discusses the case of Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co. in which the California Court of Appeals authorized $2,500,000 in punitive damages for an Insurance company\u27s breach of contract and the appropriateness of punitive damages in general for breach of insurance contracts. The author begins by looking at the purposes of punitive damages. The author then addresses the use of punitive damages in contact actions. Next, the author addresses punitive damages in insurance contracts before Egan. Finally the author does a critical evaluation of the Egan case and concludes that punitive damages can be an effective means of combating breach of contracts by insurers

Development and Characterization of Eukaryotic Biomimetic Liposomes

This study developed and characterized phospholipid vesicles, or liposomes, that mimic cell surfaces. Microemulsified liposomes contained biotinylated phosphatidylethanolamine, allowing them to be immobilized to avidin-coated glass. Laminin (LN), glycosphingolipids (GMl and GM3), and Escherichia coli\u27s mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (EcoMscL) were embedded into liposome membranes. It was determined whether these embedded molecules exhibited their physiological roles of adhesion, cell recognition, and mechanosensation, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was employed to examine the interaction of fluorescently probed proteins, toxins, and bacteria with the immobilized microemulsified liposomes. Capture of individual and simultaneous multiple species of bacteria by GMl, GM3, or LN liposomes was quantified using ELISA and PCR. Surface-bound liposomes were unilamellar and immovable, allowing removal of unincorporated probes and biomolecules. Liposomes remained intact and stable against leakage of encapsulated sulforhodamine B for several months after immobilization. Functional reconstitution of EcoMscL was examined using CLSM during modulations in the immursing solution. Cholera toxin(Β subunit) (CTB), bovine lactoferrin (BLF), and E. coli O157:H7 were co-localized proximate to the surface of GMl liposomes. ELISAs determined E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enteritidis were captured on GMl liposomes containing GMI at 8.9 molar percent of total lipid. Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua were not captured on the same liposomes. PCR identified the capture of specific bacterial species from individual species and mixtures of several species on liposomes. Simultaneous assays with mixtures of multiple species showed that the receptor-associated binding of bacteria, described with PCR assays of an individual species, were independent of competitive microorganisms. L. monocytogenes and L. innocua were more frequently bound to LN liposomes than other liposomes, indicating LN promotes adhesion of both the pathogenic and a nonpathogenic strain of Listeria. E. coli O157:H7 was more frequently captured on GMI liposomes than other liposomes, indicating a specificity for this bacteria. S. enteritidis bound to all liposomes, indicating a non-specific interaction. Known eukaryotic biomolecules implicated in cell recognition, adhesion, and mechanosensation were embedded in a system of artificial bilayers immobilized on a solid support. Liposomes constitute a biomimetic capable of specifically interacting and capturing proteins, toxins, and bacteria in solution

Bridgehead approaches toward polycyclic alkaloids

Relatively little attention has been given to the use of bridgehead radicals in synthetic organic chemistry. In an effort to exploit the potential of this intermediate, a study has been undertaken to show the usefulness of these intermediates for the preparation of complex systems. As a result of this study, it has been shown that bridgehead radicals can be prepared in highly functionalized systems. The radical adducts from these reactions have been used for the preparation of potential intermediates of the polycyclic diterpene alkaloids

An assessment of lodging/gaming properties\u27 responsiveness to the requirements of Title Ii of the Americans with Disabilities Act

An assessment of lodging/gaming properties responsiveness to the requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act examines three Las Vegas lodging gaming/properties in detail. The assessment is made though the use of varying methodologies that generated (1) the organizational policies for responding to the intent of the law and (2) the physical ability of the properties to comply with the law. In addition, the opinions of disabled persons who are current users of Las Vegas\u27 lodging/gaming industry. The assessment allows the industry to better its ability to understand and serve the needs of persons with disabilities

Measuring structural characteristics of community fields: a case study

Empirical techniques to measure structural characteristics of community action are presented. Community field theory is used to conceptually describe community action structures. Community fields are defined as emergent social structures through which local action becomes coordinated to meet broad community objectives;Network analysis, a method for studying structures of social relationships, is shown to be highly concordant with community field theory. Two distinct types of network analysis models are illustrated using data collected in a central Iowa community;One model measures the degree to which special interest fields in the local society are coordinated with one another. Coordination is studied in terms of actor\u27s participation in institutional interest fields. Actors who participate in multiple special-interest fields are presumed to provide a coordinative linkage between them;Empirical findings for the central Iowa community indicate relatively strong coordinative linkages among six of eight identified special-interest fields. These findings are shown to be useful for diagnosing existing community action structures, for guiding the development of planned change strategies, and for evaluating community development programs;The second type of network model measures actors\u27 leadership prominence in the community field structure. Leadership prominence is conceptualized as a property of the actor\u27s position in the structure of goal-directed social action. This measure was available information about the direct and indirect social relationships among all actors identified as participants in institutional interest fields. It accounts for behavioral roles that contribute to the multi-interest orientation of the community field. This measure identifies prominent actors in the community field as well as in special interest fields and can be used by practitioners to locate individuals who can facilitate or block planned change programs;In addition to illustrating empirical measures, several alternative directions for future research are discussed

James Wilson : progressive constitutionalist.

This essay is a biography and ideological interpretation of James Wilson. Wilson was an important member of the Revolutionary generation whom historians and political theorists too often overlook. Moving from the rise of historical interest in Wilson and reasons why Wilson deserves study, this essay tells the story of Wilson\u27s ideological development from the opposition Whig struggles of the 1760s until his law lectures in 1790 and 1791. Originally willing to accept Lockean ideas of contractualism in the British constitution he, like many Americans, rejected such contractualism during the Revolution in favor of an un-transferrable popular sovereignty that could only convey instrumental powers. The American constitutions were instruments of the People, not contracta. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that Wilson\u27s understanding of popular sovereignty, instrumentalism and, ultimately, the 1787 federal Constitution, was couched in a progressive vision of civil society. For Wilson, such concepts were not clever manipulations used to establish power and conservatism in government, but rather, appreciable discoveries drawn from the American experience