How to take a book off the shelf: Learning about ebooks from using a physical library

Little is known about how people select ebooks or books. This paper reports initial results of a study in which we observe patrons of two libraries when selecting books. From the results of the study we aim to gain insights into book selection strategies, which may be used to support ebook selection and purchasing

Book selection behavior in the physical library: implications for ebook collections

Little is known about how readers select books, whether they be print books or ebooks. In this paper we present a study of how people select physical books from academic library shelves. We use the insights gained into book selection behavior to make suggestions for the design of ebook-based digital libraries in order to better facilitate book selection behavior

Judging a book by its cover: interface elements that affect reader selection of ebooks

Digital library research has demonstrated the impact of content presentation on both search and reading behaviours. In this paper, we scrutinise the influence of ebook presentation on user behaviour, focussing on document thumbnails and the first page view. We demonstrate that flaws in presentation increase the volume of short time-span reading, and reduce the likelihood of long-span reading when compared to other documents. This reflects other patterns of information seeking behaviour that demonstrate increased short-term reading when information content is uncertain, and suggests an ineffective use of reader time on less useful content

Hero-X: Emerson Air Flow Design Challenge

This report will follow the development cycle as Capstone Team 12 solves the Emerson Airflow Problem. The problem was proposed by Emerson on HeroX: Incentive Competition, Challenges and Prizes forum. This problem is an open competition to any inventors who can solve the dilemma of measuring total air flow in a residential heating, ventilation and cooling system (HVAC). The solutions will be judged against a rubric given by Emerson that includes price-point, accuracy, scalability, ease of installation and ease of use in order of greatest to least importance [5]. The following report outlines the engineering process from interpreting the problem statement up to a proof of concept design. Each section will speak to a critical engineering consideration such as project planning, patent research, cost analysis, evaluation of competition, and design characteristics which lead to the final designs. In the final pages, two carefully designed products which solve the problem statement will be laid out in detail. The first design is a fan matrix which adjusts to fit in any units filter cavity for a non-intrusive reading at the source. The second is small pressure sensor which will traverse a duct and generate a velocity profile for a specific point in the system. Using a simple algorithm, it will determine average velocity in the section. Beyond this report, the team will further prototype and propose the solutions to Emerson by the submission deadline of January 25, 2016

Photoacoustic image guidance and tissue characterization in cardiovascular applications

Collectively, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death, across nations and across decades. Improved diagnostic imaging methods offer promise to alleviate the morbidity associated with these diseases. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is one such method, poised to make a significant impact on cardiovascular imaging, both as a research tool, as well as a clinical imaging modality. Offering the potential of molecular imaging in real-time, PA methods have been demonstrated in proof-of-concept studies tracking myocyte calcium dynamics. These results open the door to non-invasive longitudinal assessment of cardiac electrophysiological function, with implications for drug and contrast agent development. PA image guidance has also been extended to the characterization of cardiac radiofrequency ablation lesions. This method has been demonstrated to utilize endogenous chromophore changes resulting from ablation for the generation of depth-resolved tissue characterization maps, capable of assessing lesion extent. The technique has been subsequently validated by assessing high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation lesions in myocardium, with the hope for offering thermographic capabilities as well. While PA imaging offers such promise in cardiac ablation procedures, it is also in the process of clinical translation for image guidance and characterization in coronary artery disease applications. Research has shown, using Monte Carlo optical modeling, that using a simple dual-wavelength PA imaging technique has great potential for successful visualization of atherosclerotic plaques across multiple tissue types and at clinically relevant multiple millimeters of depth. Collectively these results offer a suite of PA imaging tools with the potential for molecular and thermographic imaging across a broad range of cardiovascular applications.Biomedical Engineerin

Perceptions and Reflections of a Professional Pianist: A Case Report on Learning Human Anatomy through Cadaveric Dissection

Anatomical knowledge of the human body is a prerequisite for effortless and expressive movement for musicians.  A 35-year-old professional pianist, with no prior experience in the medical field, voluntarily completed a cadaveric dissection module of the upper extremity and spine.  The pianist was able to explore the intricate connections between human anatomy and the performance of piano music, gaining knowledge to enhance music quality and to manage and prevent injuries.  This case describes the pianist’s perceptions and reflections and highlights the potential value of anatomical education for individuals in non-medical fields.  This is, to our knowledge, the first documented case of a musician learning anatomy through cadaveric dissection

Computational tool to accelerate CMAS-resistant TBC design for aero-turbine applications

Infiltration of molten Calcium-Magnesium Alumino-Silicate (CMAS) deposits is a primary cause of failure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on aero-turbine engine blades. Cooling of infiltrated CMAS deposits leads to densification and subsequent cracking and delamination driven by internal strain energy due to the thermal mismatch between the solidified CMAS melt and the porous columnar TBC architecture. Infiltration kinetics, and thus onset of mechanical failure, are strongly affected by the thermodynamic properties of the CMAS melt (viscosity, melting point, etc.) and the crystalline reaction products formed due to the interaction between the CMAS melt and TBC material, which can block the channels in the TBC structure and inhibit further melt infiltration. Additional complexity is added due to the wide range of CMAS deposit compositions found in nature, which can lead to vastly disparate melt behavior and CMAS-TBC reactivity dependent on both deposit and coating composition. A robust model to predict TBC failure and enable the design of novel CMAS-resistant TBC materials therefore relies on the ability to model CMAS melt properties and the reactivity between melt and coating. A computational design tool is currently under development to enable Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME)-informed modeling of CMAS-TBC interaction and coating performance. This computational tool leverages Calculation of PHase Diagram (CALPHAD)-based thermodynamic databases which include the components of CMAS-Fe deposits as well as RE zirconate (RE=Y,Gd) TBC materials. A tool framework compatible with the Thermo-Calc software will allow for wide availability of the design tool across academic and industrial R&D communities. The tool enables TBC design by streamlining thermodynamic calculations related to CMAS melt properties and CMAS/TBC reactivity, feeding results into property and performance models. A CMAS selection module contains a compiled list of CMAS compositions while also allowing for user-defined compositions, allowing for quick assessment of CMAS melt properties across relevant deposit compositions and ranges. Efficient comparison of CMAS/TBC interactions can be performed across a large number of pre-defined or user-defined CMAS chemistries. CMAS reactivity may also be assessed across a range of RE/Zr ratios as well as compared between various RE systems. Examples of tool functionalities and relevant thermodynamic calculations will be presented. Future work includes integration with thermomechanical and kinetic infiltration models to predict TBC performance

Guest Editorial Special Issue on Medical Imaging and Image Computing in Computational Physiology

International audienceThe January 2013 Special Issue of IEEE transactions on medical imaging discusses papers on medical imaging and image computing in computational physiology. Aslanid and co-researchers present an experimental technique based on stained micro computed tomography (CT) images to construct very detailed atrial models of the canine heart. The paper by Sebastian proposes a model of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) based on structural information derived from stained calf tissue. Ho, Mithraratne and Hunter present a numerical simulation of detailed cerebral venous flow. The third category of papers deals with computational methods for simulating medical imagery and incorporate knowledge of imaging physics and physiology/biophysics. The work by Morales showed how the combination of device modeling and virtual deployment, in addition to patient-specific image-based anatomical modeling, can help to carry out patient-specific treatment plans and assess alternative therapeutic strategies

Using Participatory Scenarios to Stimulate Social Learning for Collaborative Sustainable Development

Interdependent human and biophysical systems are highly complex and behave in unpredictable and uncontrollable ways. Social and ecological challenges that emerge from this complexity often defy straightforward solutions, and efforts to address these problems will require not only scientific and technological capabilities but also learning and adaptation. Scenarios are a useful tool for grappling with the uncertainty and complexity of social-ecological challenges because they enable participants to build adaptive capacity through the contemplation of multiple future possibilities. Furthermore, scenarios provide a platform for social learning, which is critical to acting in the face of uncertain, complex, and conflict-laden problems. We studied the Minnesota 2050 project, a collaborative project through which citizens collectively imagined future scenarios and contemplated the implications of these possibilities for the adaptability of their social and environmental communities. Survey and interview data indicate that these participatory scenario workshops built and strengthened relationships, enhanced participants’ understanding of other perspectives, and triggered systemic thinking, all of which is relevant to collective efforts to respond to social-ecological challenges through sustainable development activities. Our analysis shows that participatory scenarios can stimulate social learning by enabling participants to engage and to discuss options for coping with uncertainty through collaborative actions. Such learning can be of value to participants and to the organizations and decisions in which they are engaged, and scenario processes can be effective tools for supporting collaborative sustainable development efforts