Emotion in interactive systems: applying transactional analysis

This paper argues the need for, and the possible benefits of, taking a more subjective, emotional view of users and interactive systems. A brief résumé of the Transactional Analysis model from behavioural psychology is given. Two examples representing computer mediated interaction and direct human computer interaction are considered. An investigation is described in which the Transactional Analysis model is used to analyse interaction over an email discussion list, and between two subjects and a computer application. This analysis illustrates how the model can be applied to the study of emotion within interactive systems, and used to inform the design process. The closing discussion also comments on the nature of current interfaces and their creator

Impact of nutrition on phenotype in CFTR-deficient mice.

To elucidate the impact of nutrition in cystic fibrosis (CF), we compared the phenotypic traits of Cftr -/- mice fed either a lipid-enriched liquid diet (Peptamen) or a standard chow combined with polyethylenglycol osmotic laxative (PEG), two strategies commonly used to prevent intestinal obstruction in CF mice. Survival, growth, liver, and ventilatory status were determined in Cftr -/- and Cftr +/+ mice, followed-up until 120 d. Ventilation was recorded in conscious animals using whole-body plethysmography. We found that the survival rate was similar in Peptamen and PEG Cftr -/- mice. Cftr -/- mice had lower minute ventilation than Cftr +/+ mice, whatever the diet. Both Cftr -/- and Cftr +/+ mice fed Peptamen displayed preadult growth delay compared with PEG-treated animals. Despite subsequent growth catch-up, Cftr -/- mice remained smaller than Cftr +/+ mice, whatever the diet. All Peptamen fed Cftr -/- mice showed hepatomegaly and liver steatosis, which also occurred but to a lesser extent in Peptamen fed Cftr +/+ animals. Therefore, while both treatment strategies are similarly efficient to avoid high mortality at weaning, Peptamen induces preadult growth delay and liver steatosis. These effects of diet are important to consider in future animal studies and also prompt to evaluate high-energy diets in CF patients.Comparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Animal Forests of the World: An Overview

In the marine benthos, megabenthic communities dominated by sessile suspension feeders (such as sponges, corals, and bivalves) form three-dimensional structures which provide architectural complexity and shelter for several species. These communities are, in part, structurally and functionally similar to the terrestrial forests, with the main difference that they are dominated by animals instead of plants. The term “animal forests” has been introduced to describe these communities, highlighting the structural and functional similarities with their terrestrial counterparts trying to gather, in a single concept, all the three-dimensional alive structures dominated by sessile animals. Among the animal forests, tropical coral reefs, due to their high biodiversity, have been defined as the “rainforests of the sea” and have attracted the interest of scientists all over the world. However, during the last decades, many other animal forests have been subjected to the attention of the scientific community; Cold-water coral communities, with their key role in ecosystem functioning, fisheries sustainability, and potential carbon sinks in deep benthic ecosystems, are an example of other animal forests that probably cover larger extensions than the tropical shallow coral reefs, but for which the distribution and fully understanding of their functionality are still largely unknown. Similarly, recent technological advances have allowed scientists to explore the mesophotic environment, revealing complex and unknown animal forests in the so-called twilight zone. Gradually, we begin to understand the real extension of these three-dimensional benthic communities and their ecological importance. The animal forests are probably one of the most widely distributed ecosystems on the planet, due to the wide spectra of environments they occupy, from the shallow mussel beds to the tropical and the deepest cold-water coral communities or Antarctic sponge grounds. However, during the last 20 years or so, there has been an increasing evidence of important changes in marine ecosystems due to human-induced disturbances, which are dramatically reducing biodiversity, biomass, and the potential recover of the animal forests all over the world. Many aspects related to the occurrence, distribution, life history, population dynamics, trophic ecology, or physiology of the organisms which structure these communities still need to be understood in order to get an insight into their functional ecology and dynamics. The concept of animal forests imply a holistic approach allowing the pooling of different ecosystems under the same umbrella and possibly lead to a better understanding of their ecological role and the application of effective management and conservation measure