1,779 research outputs found
Multidimensional spectroscopy with a single broadband phase-shaped laser pulse
We calculate the frequency-dispersed nonlinear transmission signal of a
phase-shaped visible pulse to fourth order in the field. Two phase profiles, a
phase-step and phase-pulse, are considered. Two dimensional signals obtained by
varying the detected frequency and phase parameters are presented for a three
electronic band model system. We demonstrate how two-photon and stimulated
Raman resonances can be manipulated by the phase profile and sign, and selected
quantum pathways can be suppressed.Comment: 26 pages, 15 figure
Spin-resolved electron-impact ionization of lithium
Electron-impact ionization of lithium is studied using the convergent
close-coupling (CCC) method at 25.4 and 54.4 eV. Particular attention is paid
to the spin-dependence of the ionization cross sections. Convergence is found
to be more rapid for the spin asymmetries, which are in good agreement with
experiment, than for the underlying cross sections. Comparison with the recent
measured and DS3C-calculated data of Streun et al (1999) is most intriguing.
Excellent agreement is found with the measured and calculated spin asymmetries,
yet the discrepancy between the CCC and DS3C cross sections is very large
Organizing information on the next generation web - Design and implementation of a new bookmark structure
The next-generation Web will increase the need for a highly organized and ever evolving method to store references to Web objects. These requirements could be realized by the development of a new bookmark structure. This paper endeavors to identify the key requirements of such a bookmark, specifically in relation to Web documents, and sets out a suggested design through which these needs may be accomplished. A prototype developed offers such features as the sharing of bookmarks between users and groups of users. Bookmarks for Web documents in this prototype allow more specific information to be stored such as: URL, the document type, the document title, keywords, a summary, user annotations, date added, date last visited and date last modified. Individuals may access the service from anywhere on the Internet, as long as they have a Java-enabled Web browser
Comparison of experiment and theory for superelastic electron-collision studies from laser-aligned magnesium
A combined experimental and theoretical study of superelastic electron collisions from laser-aligned magnesium atoms for a range of collision energies from 35 to 55 eV is presented. 24Mg atoms were excited from the 3 1S0 ground state to the 3 1P1 excited state using continuous-wave linearly polarized laser radiation at ∼285 nm. Electrons of well-defined energy Einc then deexcited the targets, and the superelastically scattered electrons emerging from the collision were detected as a function of scattering angle and laser polarization. Results for alignment of the target by the electron beam are presented for a range of scattering angles, for outgoing energies from Eout=35 to 55 eV. The agreement between the measurements and the results of the convergent close-coupling theory are encouraging, but some discrepancies remain
Multi Visualization and Dynamic Query for Effective Exploration of Semantic Data
Semantic formalisms represent content in a uniform way according to ontologies. This enables manipulation and reasoning via automated means (e.g. Semantic Web services), but limits the user’s ability to explore the semantic data from a point of view that originates from knowledge representation motivations. We show how, for user consumption, a visualization of semantic data according to some easily graspable dimensions (e.g. space and time) provides effective sense-making of data. In this paper, we look holistically at the interaction between users and semantic data, and propose multiple visualization strategies and dynamic filters to support the exploration of semantic-rich data.
We discuss a user evaluation and how interaction challenges could be overcome to create an effective user-centred framework for the visualization and manipulation of semantic data. The approach has been implemented and evaluated on a real company archive
Browsing Icons: A Task-Based Approach for a Visual Web History
We have implemented a task and session based visual web history tool called
Browsing Icons that dynamically draws animated graphs of the user's paths
through the web. Using a proxy, it can be attached to any common web browser.
Every web session builds an individual Browsing Graph with a characteristic
shape. The graphs are organized in a hierarchy of user-defined tasks. Users can
interrupt tasks and continue later using the graphs that provide access to all
the web pages they have visited so far. The graphs can be reused for similar or
recurrent tasks. By clustering the history hierarchically according to tasks, we
try to cope with scale and to provide a powerful concept for easy revisitation.
The visualizations have been implemented using the Jazz framework for zoomable
user interfaces (ZUIs) in Java.
A usability study showed that users like the system very much and appreciate its
support of revisiting web pages. Ten users revisited web pages after a few
minutes and other web pages after one to six days using both Netscape with
Browsing Icons and Netscape alone. With the tool they completed the short-term
revisits in 84% of the time required when using Netscape alone. The revisits
after one to six days users could accomplish in 57.8% of the time they needed
when using Netscape, thereby visiting only 53.8% as many pages. Users were
significantly more satisfied with Browsing Icons than with pure Netscape.
KEYWORDS: Web History Visualization, Task Based Information Organization,
Information Visualization, Web Browser Usability, Jazz.
UMIACS-TR-2001-85
HCIL-TR-2001-1
A Fisheye Calendar Interface for PDAs: Providing Overviews for Small Displays
Calendar applications for small handheld devices such as PDAs are growing in
popularity. This led us to develop FishCal, a novel calendar interface for
PDAs. It supports users in performing planning and analysis tasks by using a
fisheye representation of dates coupled with compact overviews, user control
over the visible time period, and integrated search. This enables users to see
overviews and to easily navigate the calendar structure, and to discover
patterns and outliers.
FishCal was evaluated in a benchmark usability study comparing it to Microsoft's
Pocket PC 2002(tm) calendar. Eleven users performed complex tasks significantly
faster and completed them more often with FishCal. Task by task user
satisfaction data showed a significant advantage for FishCal as well. A number
of usability issues were identified to aid in the iterative refinement of
FishCal.
Keywords
Fisheye Views, Information Visualization, Calendar Interfaces, PDAs, Animation,
Graphics.
(UMIACS-TR-2002-48)
(HCIL-TR-2002-09
Learning Analytics and iSchools: What, Why, & Worries
This SIE is aimed at members of the iSchool community who are interested in learning about Learning Analytics (LA) and thinking through how this arena for Big Data is relevant to the intellectual agenda(s) undertaken by iSchools. We expect that attendees will leave the session with an understanding of what learning analytics is, why LA is relevant to iSchools, and how we can design structures that support the ethical use of these tools. We will reach the broader conference community by designing the SIE to be spread over two days where the participants will query other conference colleagues between the two sessions and report back at the second session. The activity between sessions will be based on ethical scenarios described below supported by simple and specific tasks that participants will be given.ye
Favorite Folders: A Configurable, Scalable File Browser
Microsoft Windows Explorer, the most widely used file browser in
Microsoft Windows, shows almost all directories in the file system. However,
most users usually access only a subset of the directories in their machine. If
the file browser shows only the directories users are interested in, they can
select the directory they want more easily and quickly.
This paper introduces a configurable, scalable file system explorer that reduces
selection time by showing only the directories users want to see. We give users
an easy way to hide directories behind a special ellipsis node. In addition,
those hidden directories are one click away.
We present a preliminary field study conducted to validate the concept of
Favorite Folders and a theoretical model to predict the performance times.
Keywords: Windows Explorer, file browser, adaptive interfaces, customizable
interfaces
UMIACS-TR-2003-38
HCIL-TR-2003-1
AN EVALUATION OF MARYLAND'S NEW VOTING MACHINE
Four counties in Maryland used new touch screen voting machines in the 2002
elections, replacing their mechanical lever and punch card voting systems with
the AccuVote-TS touch screen voting machine manufactured by Diebold Election
Systems. The Center for American Politics and Citizenship (CAPC) and the
Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) at the University of Maryland conducted an
exit poll in Montgomery and Prince George's counties to evaluate the performance
of the new voting machines.
In this second of two reports prepared by CAPC and HCIL on the new voting
machines, we found that most voters like the new voting machines and trust them
to accurately record their votes. However, a significant number of voters still
have concerns about the new machines, many needed help using them, and some
continue to report technical problems with the machines. Voters who do not
frequently use computers or have not attended college had the most difficulty
using the machines.
Major Findings:
* Seven percent of voters felt that the touch screen voting
machine was not easy to use, compared to 93 percent who felt it was easy to use
or held a neutral opinion.
* Nine percent of voters did not trust the touch screen voting
machine, compared to with 91 percent who did. Only 70 percent trusted the
mechanical lever or punch card system they previously used.
* Three percent of voters reported encountering technical problems
with the new machines.
* Nine percent of the voters asked for and 17 percent received
assistance using the new machine.
* More than one-quarter of the voters who use computers once a
month or less received assistance using the voting machine.
* One-third of voters who have not attended college received
assistance using the voting machine.
* Voters in Prince George's County found the election judges to be
more helpful than did voters in Montgomery County.
Four counties in Maryland used new touch screen voting machines in the 2002
elections. Alleghany, Dorchester, Montgomery, and Prince George's replaced their
mechanical lever and punch card voting systems with the AccuVote-TS touch screen
voting machine manufactured by Diebold Election Systems. All 24 of Maryland's
counties will purchase AccuVote-TS voting machines by 2006.
The University of Maryland conducted an exit poll in Montgomery and Prince
George's Counties to assess the performance of the new voting machine. Our
sample included 1,276 respondents from 22 precincts in the two counties. The
response rate was 74.6 percent.
(UMIACS-TR-2002-107)
(HCIL-TR-2002-25
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