Using Pinch Gloves(TM) for both Natural and Abstract Interaction Techniques in Virtual Environments

Usable three-dimensional (3D) interaction techniques are difficult to design, implement, and evaluate. One reason for this is a poor understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the wide range of 3D input devices, and of the mapping between input devices and interaction techniques. We present an analysis of Pinch Gloves™ and their use as input devices for virtual environments (VEs). We have developed a number of novel and usable interaction techniques for VEs using the gloves, including a menu system, a technique for text input, and a two-handed navigation technique. User studies have indicated the usability and utility of these techniques

Exactly Conservative Integrators

Traditional numerical discretizations of conservative systems generically yield an artificial secular drift of any nonlinear invariants. In this work we present an explicit nontraditional algorithm that exactly conserves these invariants. We illustrate the general method by applying it to the three-wave truncation of the Euler equations, the Lotka--Volterra predator--prey model, and the Kepler problem. This method is discussed in the context of symplectic (phase space conserving) integration methods as well as nonsymplectic conservative methods. We comment on the application of our method to general conservative systems.Comment: 30 pages, postscript (1.3MB). Submitted to SIAM J. Sci. Comput

Hartree-Fock calculations for the ground and first excited states of H2

Hartree-Fock calculation for ground and first excited state of H

Formative Care: defining the purpose and clinical practice of care for the frail

The emerging population of older people with chronic, progressive degenerative diseases pose the greatest challenge to the sustainability of health and care systems but services are not well developed for their needs1,2 and robust metrics of experience lacking. Modern Medicine generally can be described in terms of prevention, diagnosis and the evidenced treatment of acute and long-term conditions. Additionally, and particularly, for older people needs assessment, rehabilitation, palliative and end of life care are well established. These clinical domains are broadly mirrored in social care where prevention, personalisation, enablement, empowerment and risk management are commonly cited. The early phase of Geriatric Medicine highlighted the importance of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation in reducing care needs3 and the improvement of living conditions and general support.4 Collectively, these have successfully limited avoidable dependency. In recent years, development has focused on improving end of life care. However, ageing populations feature a growing number of older dependent people who are increasingly unresponsive to traditional treatment(s) but for whom dying and death is not imminently anticipated. This emerging dependent population is increasingly recognized5 as is the complexity of managing multiple morbidities.6 However, there is little coherence to the purpose of medicine for this population in spite of frequent public, professional and political concerns with common themes of dignity, quality of life and affordability.7,8 The continued major failures of care9 and inadequate clarity over life status10 or monitoring measures to assess experience11 all point to a need for new thinking in this ‘clinical space’