NIME: A Community of Communities

Commentary on the article Fourteen Years of NIME: The Value and Meaning of Community in Interactive Music Research by A. Marquez-Borbon and P. Stapleton

Dimensional Affect and Expression in Natural and Mediated Interaction

There is a perceived controversy as to whether the cognitive representation of affect is better modelled using a dimensional or categorical theory. This paper first suggests that these views are, in fact, compatible. The paper then discusses this theme and related issues in reference to a commonly stated application domain of research on human affect and expression: human computer interaction (HCI). The novel suggestion here is that a more realistic framing of studies of human affect in expression with reference to HCI and, particularly HCHI (Human-Computer-Human Interaction) entails some re-formulation of the approach to the basic phenomena themselves. This theme is illustrated with several examples from several recent research projects.Comment: Invited article presented at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Society for Psychophysics, Tokyo, Japan, 20-23 October, 2007, Proceedings of Fechner Day vol. 23 (2007

A Mimetic Strategy to Engage Voluntary Physical Activity In Interactive Entertainment

We describe the design and implementation of a vision based interactive entertainment system that makes use of both involuntary and voluntary control paradigms. Unintentional input to the system from a potential viewer is used to drive attention-getting output and encourage the transition to voluntary interactive behaviour. The iMime system consists of a character animation engine based on the interaction metaphor of a mime performer that simulates non-verbal communication strategies, without spoken dialogue, to capture and hold the attention of a viewer. The system was developed in the context of a project studying care of dementia sufferers. Care for a dementia sufferer can place unreasonable demands on the time and attentional resources of their caregivers or family members. Our study contributes to the eventual development of a system aimed at providing relief to dementia caregivers, while at the same time serving as a source of pleasant interactive entertainment for viewers. The work reported here is also aimed at a more general study of the design of interactive entertainment systems involving a mixture of voluntary and involuntary control.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, ECAG08 worksho

In Pursuit of Affordable Health Care: On the Ground Lessons From Families in Massachusetts

Based on focus group discussions, compares the coverage and healthcare costs of families with employer-sponsored insurance and those without after the state's 2006 healthcare reform. Draws lessons on eligibility rules, enrollment procedures, and outreach

Turning to Medicaid and SCHIP in an Economic Recession: Conversations With Recent Applicants and Enrollees

Based on focus group discussions, examines how the loss of jobs and employer-sponsored health insurance affects families. Explores the limitations of COBRA and private insurance and the role of Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs

Effects of Senescence on Vascular Smooth Muscle in the Yellow Mud Turtle "Kinosternon flavescens" (Family "Kinosternidae")

28 leaves. Advisor: James L. ChristiansenCurrent literature suggests that reptiles do not undergo senescence and certainly do not age in a manner similar to mammals. This study examines age-related changes in reptilian arteries to evaluate similarities to age-related changes in mammals. Arterial sections from a wild population of turtles ranging in age from 6 to 3% years were examined histologically. Connective tissue-stained arteries showed statistically significant deposition of connective tissue in the tunica media with advancing age, consistent with senescent mammalian arteries. Living rings of arterial tissue from the same turtles were stimulated with potassium chloride, phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and isoproterenol to identify physiological responses in the vascular smooth muscle. No statistically significant changes in response related to aging were observed. Contractions were produced by acetylcholine, a feature typical of "Pseudemys scripta" and not of mammals. Isoproterenol did not produce contractions suggesting "K. flavescens" lack beta-2 receptors or these receptors do not operate similarly to mammals. The lack of decrease in arterial responsiveness in senescent arteries suggests that turtles may possess a mechanism for increasing myofibril strength in the presence of decreased myofibril mass and increased connective tissue

The servants in Psalms 22, 69, and 102

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