Non-visual information display using tactons

This paper describes a novel form of display using tactile output. Tactons, or tactile icons, are structured tactile messages that can be used to communicate message to users non visually. A range of different parameters can be used to construct Tactons, e.g.: frequency, amplitude, waveform and duration of a tactile pulse, plus body location. Tactons have the potential to improve interaction in a range of different areas, particularly where the visual display is overloaded, limited in size or not available, such as interfaces for blind people or on mobile and wearable devices

The Changing Context of Practice

Environmental and organizational changes are putting new demands on training. Training must change to support new organizational structures within a complex and changing business and social environment. Evaluation of training must be multilevel, customer focused, and support continuous improvement of training.The challenge is to provide meaningful data that enables assessment of customer satisfaction, business impact, and return on investment

Multi-wavelength Radio Continuum Emission Studies of Dust-free Red Giants

Multi-wavelength centimeter continuum observations of non-dusty, non-pulsating K spectral-type red giants directly sample their chromospheres and wind acceleration zones. Such stars are feeble emitters at these wavelengths however, and previous observations have provided only a small number of modest S/N measurements slowly accumulated over three decades. We present multi-wavelength Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array thermal continuum observations of the wind acceleration zones of two dust-free red giants, Arcturus (Alpha Boo: K2 III) and Aldebaran (Alpha Tau: K5 III). Importantly, most of our observations of each star were carried out over just a few days, so that we obtained a snapshot of the different stellar atmospheric layers sampled at different wavelengths, independent of any long-term variability. We report the first detections at several wavelengths for each star including a detection at 10 cm (3.0 GHz: S band) for both stars and a 20 cm (1.5 GHz: L band) detection for Alpha Boo. This is the first time single luminosity class III red giants have been detected at these continuum wavelengths. Our long-wavelength data sample the outer layers of Alpha Boo's atmosphere where its wind velocity is approaching its terminal value and the ionization balance is becoming frozen-in. For Alpha Tau, however, our long-wavelength data are still sampling its inner atmosphere, where the wind is still accelerating probably due to its lower mass-loss rate. We compare our data with published semi-empirical models based on ultraviolet data, and the marked deviations highlight the need for new atmospheric models to be developed. Spectral indices are used to discuss the possible properties of the stellar atmospheres, and we find evidence for a rapidly cooling wind in the case of Alpha Boo. Finally, we develop a simple analytical wind model for Alpha Boo based on our new long-wavelength flux measurements

Observations on the changes in status and movements of birds at the Middlesex Field Study Centre, Manjimup, Western Australia, based on twenty-five years of daily records

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of data recorded by R and M Brown on the occurrence of birds at the Middlesex Field Study Centre, Manjimup, between July 1974 and June 1999. During this period of twenty-five years daily records were kept of the presence or absence of 116 species of birds that visited the 2 hectare Home Farm and Home Dam of the Centre. During this time the number of records of 13 species increased, 33 decreased, 12 remained stable, 21 fluctuated and 5 increased and then decreased. A number of factors appeared likely to be correlated with the changes in status of the birds. These included the increasing salinity of the streams, the increase in the number of irrigation dams in the area, the changes in agricultural practice in the area with an increase in the number of vineyards and vegetable crops leading to increased use of herbicides and insecticides, the planting of an arboreatum at the Centre, the provision of additional nest boxes for swallows, the impact of myxomytosis and calici virus on rabbit numbers, and the road maintenance activities of the local shire. Rainfall records were maintained at the Centre and some changes in status appear to correlate with years of low rainfall. The data provide a useful base line for future studies of bird life in the area

Thinking about Developing Business Leadership for the Post-COVID World

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a successful model on how to prepare business students to be successful in a new, post-pandemic world that faces enormous social challenges. Design/methodology/approach– The article discusses the current business and social movements that suggest the relevance of social entrepreneurship and explain the pedagogical model developed at the Center for Nonprofits at Sacred Heart University. Findings– The article suggests how this pedagogical model may provide students with the skills, attitudes and values required for successful social entrepreneurship processes. Research limitations/implications– The article presents the current picture which will undoubtedly changes over time. Thus the context is time constrained. The article presents one model to develop leaders\u27 skills. There are many other models and experiences that should be considered and evaluated. Practical implications– The case explains a key initiative that can help universities improve pedagogical tools on building students’ social entrepreneurship skills and extend this impact to their success in the postpandemic environment and impact on surrounding communities. Social implications– There is a growing need for business leaders to have sophisticated business skills and purpose beyond financial profit. The article looks at the dual roles of social entrepreneurs as a model for the leaders and the Nonprofit Center at Sacred Heart University to develop the skills of the future leaders. Originality/value– The article presents a new vision of the skills necessary for a leader in today’s environment. It draws from the literature on social entrepreneurship. It also presents one model that has been successful for 15 years and the pedagogical underpinnings of that model