Flow, Just Flow: Variations on a Theme

Flow, Just Flow: Variations on a Theme Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art University of Richmond Museums, VA January 29 to June 28, 2013 Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first used the term “flow” in 1975 to describe “being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz.” Accordingly, this experience of single-minded immersion in an activity that is continuously challenging and rewarding is the secret to a vigorous and satisfying life. Also referred to as “being in the zone,” this state of flow is the launching point for this exhibition and online catalogue, which present a variety of media involving kinetic forms, non-static content generation, visitor interaction, and collective states of being. Twenty-four works of art by twenty-one artists of national and international origin explore a range of definitions and applications of the word “flow,” from dynamism and movement to ideas and communication. The exhibition is organized by University of Richmond Museums and curated by N. Elizabeth Schlatter, Deputy Director and Curator of Exhibitions, University Museums. The exhibition and programs are made possible in part by the University’s Cultural Affairs Committee, and funds from the Louis S. Booth Arts Fund. Additional support has been provided by grants from the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and the Austrian Cultural Forum, Washington, DC.https://scholarship.richmond.edu/exhibition-catalogs/1000/thumbnail.jp

Entwicklungs- und Nutzungstrends im Bereich der digitalen Medien und damit verbundene Herausforderungen für den Jugendmedienschutz

Bericht im Rahmen des Programms "Jugend und Medien - Nationales Programm zur Förderung von Medien-kompetenzen". Forschungsbericht 09/13.Der von der Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) erstellte Teilbericht hält die Trends bezüglich Technik und Nutzungsverhalten fest: Die steigende Verfügbarkeit von mobilen Geräten mit Internetzugang, die Multifunktionalität dieser Geräte sowie die geräteunabhängige Datenspeicherung prägen die technischen Entwicklungen. Die zeit- und ortsunabhängige Mediennutzung, die stark zunehmende Kommunikation über digitale Medien sowie eine intensive Mediennutzung ab einem frühen Alter sind zentrale Nutzungstrends. Damit verlagert sich die Mediennutzung immer mehr hin zur Interaktion und Kommunikation, zunehmend auch verbunden mit Selbstdarstellung. Da fast alle Jugendlichen eigene Geräte besitzen, führt dies zu einer autonomeren Mediennutzung, was die Kontrollmöglichkeiten der Eltern einschränkt. Der vom Hans-Bredow-Institut für Medienforschung an der Universität Hamburg erstellte zweite Teilbericht systematisiert die durch die Entwicklungs- und Nutzungstrends entstehenden Risiken für Kinder und Jugendliche. Dabei gilt zu berücksichtigen, dass Minderjährige bei der Mediennutzung unterschiedliche Rollen einnehmen. Sie nehmen Informationen auf, sind Marktteilnehmende, sie kommunizieren untereinander und produzieren Medieninhalte. Das Spektrum möglicher Gefährdungen hat sich dadurch in den letzten Jahren stark erweitert und ist komplexer geworden. Einige Problembereiche bedürfen der besonderen Aufmerksamkeit: • Die Regulierung von ungeeigneten und nicht altersgerechten Medieninhalten; • die Gefahren, die im Zuge der Online-Kommunikation entstehen (Belästigung, sexuelle Anmache, ungewollte Kontakte); • der oft intransparente Umgang von Online-Anbietern mit persönlichen Daten. Die Autoren empfehlen daher, regulatorische Eingriffe und die Förderung von Medienkompetenzen miteinander zu kombinieren. Den Eltern kommt hierbei eine steigende Verantwortung zu. Sie müssen bereit und fähig sein, sich mit der Mediennutzung ihrer Kinder noch vermehrt auseinanderzusetzen, technische Schutzeinstellungen vorzunehmen und zu unterstützen, wenn es zu belastenden Erfahrungen gekommen ist. Die Studie ist Teil einer umfassenden Überprüfung des Handlungs- und Regulierungsbedarfs im Jugendmedienschutz, welche derzeit im Rahmen des nationalen Programms Jugend und Medien erfolgt. Dabei werden aktuell auch die Regulierungsaktivitäten der Kantone sowie der Industrie überprüft sowie erfolgversprechende Ansätze aus dem Ausland untersucht. Dem Bundesrat sollen die Ergebnisse der Arbeiten bis im Sommer 2015 vorliegen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt wird auch der Schlussbericht zu den Ergebnissen des nationalen Programms Jugendmedienschutz und Medienkompetenzen (Jugend und Medien) vorliegen

Estimating correlated observation error statistics using an ensemble transform Kalman filter

For certain observing types, such as those that are remotely sensed, the observation errors are correlated and these correlations are state- and time-dependent. In this work, we develop a method for diagnosing and incorporating spatially correlated and time-dependent observation error in an ensemble data assimilation system. The method combines an ensemble transform Kalman filter with a method that uses statistical averages of background and analysis innovations to provide an estimate of the observation error covariance matrix. To evaluate the performance of the method, we perform identical twin experiments using the Lorenz ’96 and Kuramoto-Sivashinsky models. Using our approach, a good approximation to the true observation error covariance can be recovered in cases where the initial estimate of the error covariance is incorrect. Spatial observation error covariances where the length scale of the true covariance changes slowly in time can also be captured. We find that using the estimated correlated observation error in the assimilation improves the analysis

REACTIVE STRENGTH INDEX-MODIFIED IN DIFFERENT PLYOMETRIC TASKS

The Reactive Strength Index-Modified (RSl,d) is a reliable method of measuring the explosiveness of an athlete during a range of plyometric exercises. The purpose of the current study was to measure the between-limb differences in RSlmod across three different plyometric tasks. Eleven recreationally active participants performed countermovement jumps, stop jumps and single-leg jumps. The study found no significant differences in RSlmod between dominant and non-dominant limbs across all three tasks (p>0.05), but did find RSI,d to be higher in the stop jump than a countermovement jump and single leg stop jump for both dominant and non-dominant limbs. These findings show RSlmod may not be an indicator of limb asymmetry, but may be useful for the coach when looking to develop ex@losive performance in an athlete or performer

Effects of Art from the Heart on Nurse Satisfaction and Patient Well-Being

Introduction. Art programs have been shown to positively affect unit culture, quality of care, and nursing practices. Art interventions improve well-being, reduce stress, and enhance nurse-patient communication. Art from the Heart (AFTH) is an art program that provides art supplies, visual art, and patient About Me pages to patients, families and employees at University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC).Objective. Assess the efficacy of AFTH through nursing staff perceptions, understanding, and attitudes toward the program.Methods. Structured interviews were conducted on Baird 4, an adult inpatient ward, at UVMMC. A 19-question survey using Likert scales and short answer formats was administered to nursing staff. Questions assessed perceptions of effects of art on patient anxiety and pain, communication, and job satisfaction. Surveys were analyzed to extract major and minor themes.Results. Twenty-eight interviews were obtained and two major themes emerged: nurse satisfaction and patient well-being. Nursing staff satisfaction minor themes included improved productivity, promoting conversation, and creating a positive influence on the unit. Respondents reported that AFTH helped initiate conversations with patients (100% of respondents) and reduced workday stress (68%). The second major theme, patient well-being, included benefits to patients with dementia, providing comfort, and serving as an outlet or distraction. Utilizing AFTH improved perceived patient mood (100%), health (78.5%), and reduced patient anxiety (89.3%).Conclusions. AFTH provides positive benefits by reducing nursing staff stress and perceived patient anxiety; improving communication, perceived patient mood and health; and creating a sense of community. AFTH should be expanded to the entire 6 Community Agency: Burlington City Arts, Art from the Hearthttps://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1240/thumbnail.jp

REACTIVE STRENGTH INDEX-MODIFIED IN DIFFERENT PLYOMETRIC TASKS

The Reactive Strength Index-Modified (RSlmod) is a reliable method of measuring the explosiveness of an athlete during a range of plyometric exercises. The purpose of the current study was to measure the between-limb differences in RSlmod across three different plyometric tasks. Eleven recreationally active participants performed countermovement jumps, stop jumps and single-leg jumps. The study found no significant differences in RSlmod between dominant and non-dominant limbs across all three tasks (p\u3e0.05), but did find RSI,d to be higher in the stop jump than a countermovement jump and single leg stop jump for both dominant and non-dominant limbs. These findings show RSlmod may not be an indicator of limb asymmetry, but may be useful for the coach when looking to develop exPlosive performance in an athlete or performer