Exploring Research through Design in Animal-Computer Interaction

This paper explores Research through Design (RtD) as a potential methodology for developing new interactive experiences for animals. We present an example study from an on-going project and examine whether RtD offers an appropriate framework for developing knowledge in the context of Animal-Computer Interaction, as well as considering how best to document such work. We discuss the design journey we undertook to develop interactive systems for captive elephants and the extent to which RtD has enabled us to explore concept development and documentation of research. As a result of our explorations, we propose that particular aspects of RtD can help ACI researchers gain fresh perspectives on the design of technology-enabled devices for non-human animals. We argue that these methods of working can support the investigation of particular and complex situations where no idiomatic interactions yet exist, where collaborative practice is desirable and where the designed objects themselves offer a conceptual window for future research and development

Enseñanzas mínimas de educación infantil : Real Decreto 1630-2006, de 29 de diciembre, por el que se establecen las enseñanzas mínimas del segundo ciclo de educación infantil

Se presenta el Real Decreto 1630-2006, de 29 de diciembre que establece las enseñanzas mínimas a impartirse en el segundo ciclo de educación infantil. Se indican los objetivos, contenidos y criterios de evaluación de cada una de las áreas que integran el segundo ciclo de educación infantil.MadridBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín 5 -3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]

Intruder States and their Local Effect on Spectral Statistics

The effect on spectral statistics and on the revival probability of intruder states in a random background is analysed numerically and with perturbative methods. For random coupling the intruder does not affect the GOE spectral statistics of the background significantly, while a constant coupling causes very strong correlations at short range with a fourth power dependence of the spectral two-point function at the origin.The revival probability is significantly depressed for constant coupling as compared to random coupling.Comment: 18 pages, 10 Postscript figure

Tunable fibre-coupled multiphoton microscopy with a negative curvature fibre

Negative curvature fibre (NCF) guides light in its core by inhibiting the coupling of core and cladding modes. In this work, an NCF was designed and fabricated to transmit ultrashort optical pulses for multiphoton microscopy with low group velocity dispersion (GVD) at 800 nm. Its attenuation was measured to be <0.3 dB m(-1) over the range 600-850 nm and the GVD was -180 ± 70 fs(2)  m(-1) at 800 nm. Using an average fibre output power of ∼20 mW and pulse repetition rate of 80 MHz, the NCF enabled pulses with a duration of <200 fs to be transmitted through a length of 1.5 m of fibre over a tuning range of 180 nm without the need for dispersion compensation. In a 4 m fibre, temporal and spectral pulse widths were maintained to within 10% of low power values up to the maximum fibre output power achievable with the laser system used of 278 mW at 700 nm, 808 mW at 800 nm and 420 mW at 860 nm. When coupled to a multiphoton microscope, it enabled imaging of ex vivo tissue using excitation wavelengths from 740 nm to 860 nm without any need for adjustments to the set-up

Interactions and Disorder in Quantum Dots: Instabilities and Phase Transitions

Using a fermionic renormalization group approach we analyse a model where the electrons diffusing on a quantum dot interact via Fermi-liquid interactions. Describing the single-particle states by Random Matrix Theory, we find that interactions can induce phase transitions (or crossovers for finite systems) to regimes where fluctuations and collective effects dominate at low energies. Implications for experiments and numerical work on quantum dots are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; version to appear in Phys Rev Letter

Special Theory of Relativity through the Doppler Effect

We present the special theory of relativity taking the Doppler effect as the starting point, and derive several of its main effects, such as time dilation, length contraction, addition of velocities, and the mass-energy relation, and assuming energy and momentum conservation, we discuss how to introduce the 4-momentum in a natural way. We also use the Doppler effect to explain the "twin paradox", and its version on a cylinder. As a by-product we discuss Bell's spaceship paradox, and the Lorentz transformation for arbitrary velocities in one dimension.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figur

Statistical Theory of Parity Nonconservation in Compound Nuclei

We present the first application of statistical spectroscopy to study the root-mean-square value of the parity nonconserving (PNC) interaction matrix element M determined experimentally by scattering longitudinally polarized neutrons from compound nuclei. Our effective PNC interaction consists of a standard two-body meson-exchange piece and a doorway term to account for spin-flip excitations. Strength functions are calculated using realistic single-particle energies and a residual strong interaction adjusted to fit the experimental density of states for the targets, ^{238} U for A\sim 230 and ^{104,105,106,108} Pd for A\sim 100. Using the standard Desplanques, Donoghue, and Holstein estimates of the weak PNC meson-nucleon coupling constants, we find that M is about a factor of 3 smaller than the experimental value for ^{238} U and about a factor of 1.7 smaller for Pd. The significance of this result for refining the empirical determination of the weak coupling constants is discussed.Comment: Latex file, no Fig

Partner or supplier: an examination of client/agency relationships in an IMC context

There is growing evidence from practitioners that the advertising industry is in a state of crisis. As campaigns become more integrated and multi-disciplinary, the relationship between advertising agencies and clients is being tested to its limits and is presently considered to be at an all-time low. Agencies feel less valued and are being excluded from C-suite discussion. Clients feel that agencies do not appreciate the changing landscape and how the customer experience is now key. Both sides recognise the need for more trust and collaboration. This study applies the agency theory and the social power theory to understand the pressures that the relationship is under. It looks for evidence that IMC is creating a movement away from a business alliance relationship by comparing qualitative data collected from both agencies and clients, using NVivo to identify themes. The findings identify four themes which illustrate this shift towards a supplier relationship: the client ownership of the customer journey, the lack of a strategic role of agencies, the challenges of agency collaboration and difficulties of agency specialisation

The motion of two masses coupled to a massive spring

We discuss the classical motion of a spring of arbitrary mass coupled to two arbitrary massive blocks attached at its ends. A general approach to the problem is presented and some general results are obtained. Examples for which a simple elastic function can be inferred are discussed and the normal modes and normal frequencies obtained. An approximation procedure to the evaluation of the normel frequencies in the case of uniform elastic function and mass density is also discussed.Comment: Standard Latex file plus three eps figure