Integrating the strengths of cognitive emotion models with traditional HCI analysis tools

This paper reports an attempt to integrate key concepts from cognitive models of emotion to cognitive models of interaction established in HCI literature. The aim is to transfer the strengths of interaction models to analysis of affect-critical systems in games, e-commerce and education, thereby increasing their usefulness in these systems where affect is increasingly recognised as a key success factor. Concepts from Scherer’s appraisal model and stimulation evaluation checks, along with a framework of emotion contexts proposed by Coulson (An everything but framework for modelling emotion. In proceeding of AAAI spring symposium on architectures for emotion, 2004), are integrated into the cycle of display-based action proposed by Norman (The design of everyday things. Basic Books, New York, 1988). Norman’s action cycle has commonly been applied as an interaction analysis tool in the field of HCI. In the wake of the recent shift of emphasis to user experience, the cognition-based action cycle is deemed inadequate to explicate affective experiences, such as happiness, joy and surprise. Models based on appraisal theories, focusing on cognitive accounts of emotion, are more relevant to understanding the causes and effects of feelings arising from interacting with digital artefacts. The paper explores the compatibility between these two genres of model, and future development of integrated analysis tools

Issues faced by vision-impaired users of interactive TV search facilities

This paper reports two studies of digital television users. The first study investigates the behaviour of non-impaired users to understand typical usage patterns and problem-solving, attempting three representative tasks using a digital television terrestrial receiver. Videos were analysed to identify problem incidents and attempts at recovery. Patterns observed included misidentifying handset menu options leading to extended guessed action, repeated misspecification of task and repeated re-performance to confirm actions. The results show that interaction with Digital TV in its current handset-based form involves considerable reactive action specification and corrective action, suggesting that interaction endemically difficult for those with various levels of low vision. The second study, a less formal probe of users with visual impairments, suggests that even users with relatively mild visual impairments may struggle with current two-device interaction. However, suitable strategies for supporting vision impaired users may as much to do with user preferences rather than simply accessibility. We conclude by discussing the efficacy of current two-device interaction support and possible future directions

<i>‘We’re not that gullible!’</i> Revealing dark pattern mental models of 11-12 year-old Scottish children

Deceptive techniques known as dark patterns specifically target online users. Children are particularly vulnerable as they might lack the skills to recognise and resist these deceptive attempts. To be effective, interventions to forewarn and forearm should build on a comprehensive understanding of children’s existing mental models. To this end, we carried out a study with 11-12 year old Scottish children to reveal their mental models of dark patterns. They were acutely aware of online deception, referring to deployers as being ‘up to no good’. Yet, they were overly vigilant and construed worst-case outcomes, with even a benign warning triggering suspicion. We recommend that rather than focusing on specific instances of dark patterns in awareness raising, interventions should prioritise improving children’s understanding of the characteristics of, and the motivations behind, deceptive online techniques. By so doing, we can help them to develop a more robust defence against these deceptive practices

Mental Models of Dark Patterns

In this paper, we report on the literature related to understanding young learners’ mental models related to deceptive “dark patterns” used by malicious agents online: so-called sludge. We also discuss elicitation of mental models, particularly when carrying out activities to reveal the mental models of young learners. In addition, we review the ethical considerations when carrying out research in this domain. Finally, we propose the design of an activity to implement the lessons we have learned to assess the sludge-related mental models of young learners

'We're not that gullible!' Revealing 'dark pattern' mental models of 11-12 year-old Scottish children

Deceptive techniques known as dark patterns specifically target online users. Children are particularly vulnerable as they might lack the skills to recognise and resist these deceptive attempts. To be effective, interventions to forewarn and forearm should build on a comprehensive understanding of children's existing mental models. To this end, we carried out a study with 11-12 year old Scottish children to reveal their mental models of dark patterns. They were acutely aware of online deception, referring to deployers as being 'up to no good'. Yet, they were overly vigilant and construed worst-case outcomes, with even a benign warning triggering suspicion. We recommend that rather than focusing on specific instances of dark patterns in awareness raising, interventions should prioritise improving children's understanding of the characteristics of, and the motivations behind, deceptive online techniques. By so doing, we can help them to develop a more robust defence against these deceptive practices

Pharmacological Inhibition of polysialyltransferase ST8SiaII Modulates Tumour Cell Migration

YesPolysialic acid (polySia), an α-2,8-glycosidically linked polymer of sialic acid, is a developmentally regulated posttranslational modification predominantly found on NCAM (neuronal cell adhesion molecule). Whilst high levels are expressed during development, peripheral adult organs do not express polySia-NCAM. However, tumours of neural crest-origin re-express polySia-NCAM: its occurrence correlates with aggressive and invasive disease and poor clinical prognosis in different cancer types, notably including small cell lung cancer (SCLC), pancreatic cancer and neuroblastoma. In neuronal development, polySia-NCAM biosynthesis is catalysed by two polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV, but it is ST8SiaII that is the prominent enzyme in tumours. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ST8SiaII inhibition by a small molecule on tumour cell migration, utilising cytidine monophosphate (CMP) as a tool compound. Using immunoblotting we showed that CMP reduced ST8iaII-mediated polysialylation of NCAM. Utilizing a novel HPLC-based assay to quantify polysialylation of a fluorescent acceptor (DMB-DP3), we demonstrated that CMP is a competitive inhibitor of ST8SiaII (Ki = 10 μM). Importantly, we have shown that CMP causes a concentration-dependent reduction in tumour cell-surface polySia expression, with an absence of toxicity. When ST8SiaII-expressing tumour cells (SH-SY5Y and C6-STX) were evaluated in 2D cell migration assays, ST8SiaII inhibition led to significant reductions in migration, while CMP had no effect on cells not expressing ST8SiaII (DLD-1 and C6-WT). The study demonstrates for the first time that a polysialyltransferase inhibitor can modulate migration in ST8SiaII-expressing tumour cells. We conclude that ST8SiaII can be considered a druggable target with the potential for interfering with a critical mechanism in tumour cell dissemination in metastatic cancers.Yorkshire Cancer Research; EPSRC; Association for International Cancer Research; Jordanian Government PhD scholarshi