What does augmented reality mean as a medium of expression for computational artists?

As augmented reality (AR) quickly evolves with new technological practice, there is a growing need to question and reevaluate its potential as a medium for creative expression. The authors discuss AR within computational art, framed within AR as a medium, AR aesthetics and applications. The Forum for Augmented Reality Immersive Instruments (ARImI), a two-day event on AR, highlights both possibilities and fundamental concerns for continuing artworks in this field, including visual bias, sensory modalities, interactivity and performativity. The authors offer a new AR definition as real-time computationally mediated perception

KIMA - A holographic telepresence environment based on cymatic principles

KIMA is a holographic surround-sound installation that visualizes telepresence as both a phonetic and a synaesthetic phenomenon. The performance piece is based on the physical conditions of cymatics-the study of physically visible sound wave patterns. Two environments, a quad surround and a holographic interface, build the framework of a telematic experience that illustrates communication as wave forms while focusing on the relationship between sound and matter. © 2013 Oliver Gingrich, Alain Renaud, Eugenia Emets

Prevalence and genotypes of Candida albicans from necrotising periodontal disease and the tongue

OBJECTIVES : The objectives were to determine the prevalence of Candida albicans in lesions of necrotising periodontal disease (NPD) and on the tongue of patients and to compare the fingerprinting patterns of C. albicans isolates from the two oral sites. METHODS : Microbiological specimens were taken from NPD lesions and the tongue of 87 patients and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose and CHROMagar, followed by treating patients according to a standard protocol. DNA fingerprinting, using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with a 32P-labelled Ca3 probe, was performed on paired isolates of C. albicans simultaneously isolated from NPD lesions and the tongue. RESULTS : C. albicans was isolated from 47 (54%) patients in total, from only the tongue in 39 (44.8%), simultaneously from the tongue and diseased sites in 7 (8.0%) and only from diseased site in 1 patient (1.1%). The DNA fingerprinting patterns of the isolates were similar within each pair but differed between the 7 pairs, without any evidence of a predominant genetic subtype among the isolates. The clade affiliation resembled that of previously fingerprinted isolates obtained from the region. No statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the extent (p = 0.4621) or severity (p = 0.3365) of NPD lesions and the presence of yeasts (Fisher’s Exact Test). NPD in all patients presenting for a follow-up visit had resolved with conventional treatment and without the addition of antifungal agents. CONCLUSION : No association between C. albicans and NPD could be demonstrated and evidence is presented that it is unlikely that the C. albicans isolated from NPD represent a pathogenic subgroup and are more likely to be contaminants from elsewhere in the mouth. KeywordsSouth African Medical Research Council (MRC) grant to EB.http://www.cmepub.com/journals/international-journal-of-oral-health-dental-management-homeam2018Oral Pathology and Oral Biolog

Platelet count and platelet indices of symptomatic and asymptomatic children infected by malaria in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Malaria infection has been reported to be a major problem affecting developing countries. This study aimed at the effect of malaria parasite infection on platelets count, and platelet indices; mean platelet volume (MPV), platelets distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT) among symptomatic subjects.Methods: A case-control study design with a total of 112 subjects (males and females) comprising of 58 symptomatic and 54 asymptomatic children infected by malaria, age range of 0-15 years from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were enrolled. Thick and thin film method was used to ascertain malaria parasite density.Results: The mean values of the symptomatic malaria subjects were found to be significantly reduced in PCT, PDW and PC (0.16±0.04, 15.84±0.89 and 181.45±43.62) and significant high in MPV and MPD (9.36±1.05 and (418.80±554.40) against that of asymptomatic malaria subject (p˂0.05). The mean MPV was significantly increased in 6-10 and 11-15 years (9.35±0.90 and 9.81±1.16) when compared with 0-5 years (8.60±0.62) age range symptomatic malaria subject groups while mean PC was significantly decrease in 6-10 and 11-15 years (172.14±35.52 and 181.55±48.49) when compared to 0-5 years (204.36±36.92) age range groups. A moderate positive significant correlation between PCT versus MPV (r=0.327) while PC versus PCT shows a strong (r=0.895) positive significant correlation (p˂0.05).Conclusions: There is significant increase MPD and MPV, decrease PC, PCT and PDW in the symptomatic group compared to the asymptomatic. It is important that platelet indices and platelet count should be included as a routine screening investigation to detect malaria parasite infection and treated accordingly

Automatic Detection of User Abilities through the SmartAbility Framework

This paper presents a proposed smartphone application for the unique SmartAbility Framework that supports interaction with technology for people with reduced physical ability, through focusing on the actions that they can perform independently. The Framework is a culmination of knowledge obtained through previously conducted technology feasibility trials and controlled usability evaluations involving the user community. The Framework is an example of ability-based design that focuses on the abilities of users instead of their disabilities. The paper includes a summary of Versions 1 and 2 of the Framework, including the results of a two-phased validation approach, conducted at the UK Mobility Roadshow and via a focus group of domain experts. A holistic model developed by adapting the House of Quality (HoQ) matrix of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach is also described. A systematic literature review of sensor technologies built into smart devices establishes the capabilities of sensors in the Android and iOS operating systems. The review defines a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as search terms used to elicit literature from online repositories. The key contribution is the mapping of ability-based sensor technologies onto the Framework, to enable the future implementation of a smartphone application. Through the exploitation of the SmartAbility application, the Framework will increase technology amongst people with reduced physical ability and provide a promotional tool for assistive technology manufacturers