Direct combination: a new user interaction principle for mobile and ubiquitous HCI

Direct Combination (DC) is a recently introduced user interaction principle. The principle (previously applied to desktop computing) can greatly reduce the degree of search, time, and attention required to operate user interfaces. We argue that Direct Combination applies particularly aptly to mobile computing devices, given appropriate interaction techniques, examples of which are presented here. The reduction in search afforded to users can be applied to address several issues in mobile and ubiquitous user interaction including: limited feedback bandwidth; minimal attention situations; and the need for ad-hoc spontaneous interoperation and dynamic reconfiguration of multiple devices. When Direct Combination is extended and adapted to fit the demands of mobile and ubiquitous HCI, we refer to it as Ambient Combination (AC) . Direct Combination allows the user to exploit objects in the environment to narrow down the range of interactions that need be considered (by system and user). When the DC technique of pairwise or n-fold combination is applicable, it can greatly lessen the demands on users for memorisation and interface navigation. Direct Combination also appears to offers a new way of applying context-aware information. In this paper, we present Direct Combination as applied ambiently through a series of interaction scenarios, using an implemented prototype system

Ramsey fringes in a Bose-Einstein condensate between atoms and molecules

In a recent experiment, a Feshbach scattering resonance was exploited to observe Ramsey fringes in a $^{85}$Rb Bose-Einstein condensate. The oscillation frequency corresponded to the binding energy of the molecular state. We show that the observations are remarkably consistent with predictions of a resonance field theory in which the fringes arise from oscillations between atoms and molecules.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

MARINE RESERVES FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Conventional methods of regulating commercial fisheries restrict catch by limiting either the quantity or efficiency of fishing effort, or by putting direct limits on catch. These regulatory practices are neither feasible nor desirable for many fisheries, and have failed to conserve fishery stocks in other fisheries. Marine reserves may be an effective alternative management strategy for some fisheries. Here we develop a dynamic model of marine reserves applicable to inshore fisheries. In contrast to previous models of reserves, the model is fully dynamic and provides information on both equilibrium conditions and the path to equilibrium. A simulation model based on red snapper data from the Gulf of Mexico is presented. The simulation results suggest that marine reserves can sustain or increase yields for moderate to heavily fished fisheries but will probably not improve yields for lightly fished fisheries.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Use of IC information in Japanese financial firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of: how Japanese financial firms (JFF) acquire and use company intellectual capital (IC) information in their common routine equity investment decisions, how this activity contributes to knowledge creation in the JFFs, and how investee company knowledge creation is affected by the JFFs.<p></p> Design/methodology/approach – The research employed a multi-case design, using four JFF cases. The investigation was performed in terms of Nonaka and Toyama's “theory of the knowledge creating firm”.<p></p> Findings – IC information contributed to earnings estimates and company valuation. Emotional information contributed to JFF feelings and confidence in their information use and valuation. JFF knowledge was an important component of the key interacting and informed contexts used by JFFs. This generated opportunities to improve disclosure and accountability between JFFs and their investee companies. Common patterns of behaviour across the JFFs were counterbalanced by variety and differences noted in JFF behaviour.<p></p> Practical implications – The findings provide important insights into how JFF knowledge creating patterns could limit or progress a common language of communication between companies and markets on the subject of IC. This could impact on the quality of corporate disclosure and accountability processes.<p></p> Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that there is a need for further use of qualitative studies of financial market behavior. Especially in the area of understanding the communication of IC between firms and financial markets, the potential of using sociology of finance approaches appears to be considerable

HST/STIS Imaging of the Host Galaxy of GRB980425/SN1998bw

We present HST/STIS observations of ESO 184-G82, the host galaxy of the gamma-ray burst GRB 980425 associated with the peculiar Type Ic supernova SN1998bw. ESO 184-G82 is found to be an actively star forming SBc sub-luminous galaxy. We detect an object consistent with being a point source within the astrometric uncertainty of 0.018 arcseconds of the position of the supernova. The object is located inside a star-forming region and is at least one magnitude brighter than expected for the supernova based on a simple radioactive decay model. This implies either a significant flattening of the light curve or a contribution from an underlying star cluster.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, AASTeX v5.02 accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Report on the methods used and data collected during the period September 1972-June 1973

The present study of benthic and planktonic organisms of the Corpus Christi and Aransas Bay systems was begun in September, 1972, under the combined aegis of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) through an inter-agency contract (IAC - (72-73) - 893). Prior to the initiation of this project, the TWDB had begun a similar project with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for the study of the San Antonio Bay system. The TWDB was also cooperating with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on a hydrographic study of several Texas bays. All of this research is ultimately to aid in determining the need for fresh water inflows into Texas estuarine systems. The present study expanded the estuarine research being coordinated by the TWDB into the most southerly Texas estuarine complex (Figure 1). The objectives of the present study as outlined in the initial contract are similar to the goals of all the research being coordinated by the TWDB and include: 1) the survey of benthic and planktonic communities and their seasonal fluctuations in the Corpus Christi and Aransas Bay systems; 2) the determination of the nutrient budget of these bay systems using data collected under the existing TWDB - USGS cooperative estuarine program; 3) the definition of the primary biological productivity of the Corpus Christi and Aransas Bay systems for the project period; [and] 4) the correlation of nutrient supplies and primary productivity of the estuarine system with seasonal fresh water flows. This report covers the first ten months of the study (September, 1972 - June, 1973). No collections were made during September, 1972, therefore 9 months of data are reported. Due to taxonomic difficulties in the early collection months, a back-log of samples was built up, preventing the inclusion of July and August data in this report. This data will be included in the next annual report. In this report we wish to outline prior pertinent research in this area, to describe our field and laboratory techniques, to present data thus far collected and recorded and to propose analytical methods by which the present data and that to be collected during the remainder of this project may be analyzed. Data collected during the period covered by this report has been stored in the TWDB's Coastal Data System (CDS), a computer operative data storage and retrieval system. The system operates on a 1106 Univac computer system which is located at the TWDB in Austin, Texas.First annual report to the Texas Water Development Board, December 1973.Marine Scienc