Tangible Interaction in Mixed Reality Systems

chapitre 6, ISBN 978-1-84882-732-5In this chapter, we discuss the design of tangible interaction techniques for Mixed Reality environments. We begin by recalling some conceptual models of tangible interaction. Then, we propose an engineering-oriented software/hardware co-design process, based on our experience in developing tangible user interfaces. We present three different tangible user interfaces for real-world applications, and analyse the feedback from the user studies that we conducted. In summary, we conclude that, since tangible user interfaces are part of the real world and provide a seamless interaction with virtual words, they are well-adapted to mix together reality and virtuality. Hence, tangible interaction optimizes a users' virtual tasks, especially in manipulating and controlling 3D digital data in 3D space

Interaction Tangible sur Table, définitions et modèles

International audienceIn recent years, tangible user interfaces, which imply interactions performed with one or several objects, gain more and more interest in research in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The tangible object represents a subject or an action. It acts on the system, as an action in classical user interfaces (e.g,. GUI). Interaction on a table, which is a common furniture in everyday life and used in multiple activities (desktop, coffee table, kitchen table, etc.), opens a new way for research and development in HCI. In this article, we present definitions, models, and key issues elicited from the literature that enable understanding and reasoning about the couple within an interactive system. Then, we propose a framework that allows to characterize applications supported by the couple in a domain-independent manner.Depuis quelques années les interfaces tangibles impliquant des interactions réalisées via un objet (ou plusieurs) prennent de plus en plus d’importance dans les recherches en interaction homme-machine. L’objet tangible représente un sujet ou une action ; l’objet agit sur le système, telle une action sur une interface « classique ». L’interaction sur table, c’est-à-dire sur un meuble présent dans la vie courante et utilisé à diverses fins (bureau, table à manger, table de salon, table bar, etc.), ouvre un champ nouveau de recherche et de développement. La mise en exergue, issue de l’état de l’art, des définitions, modèles et problématiques, permet d’abord d’appréhender le couple (table, objet tangible) au sein d’un système interactif. Puis, nous proposons un cadre qui permet de positionner des applications mettant en oeuvre le couple (table, objet tangible). Le cadre est décrit de manière à être utilisé pour positionner des applications indépendamment du domaine

A crucial role in fertility for the oyster angiotensin-converting enzyme orthologue CgACE

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a highly conserved metallopeptidase. In mammals, the somatic isoform governs blood pressure whereas the germinal isoform (tACE) is required for fertility. In Ecdysozoans, ACE-like enzymes are implicated in reproduction. Despite ACE orthologues being present from bacteria to humans, their function(s) remain(s) unknown in distant organisms such as Lophotrochozoans. In silico analysis of an oyster (Crassostrea gigas) EST library suggested the presence of an ACE orthologue in molluscs. Primer walking and 5'-RACE revealed that the 1.9 kb cDNA encodes CgACE, a 632 amino acid protein displaying a conserved single active site and a putative C-terminal transmembrane anchor, thus resembling human tACE, as supported by molecular modelling. FRET activity assays and Maldi-TOF spectrometry indicated that CgACE is a functional dipeptidyl-carboxypeptidase which is active on Angiotensin I and sensitive to ACE inhibitors and chloride ion concentration. Immunocytochemistry revealed that, as its human counterpart, recombinant CgACE is synthesised as a transmembrane enzyme. RT-qPCR, in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry shed light on a tissue, and development stage, specific expression pattern for CgACE, which is increased in the gonad during spermatogenesis. The use of ACE inhibitors in vivo indicates that the dipeptidase activity of CgACE is crucial for the oyster fertilization. Our study demonstrates that a transmembrane active ACE is present in the oyster Crassostrea gigas, and for the first time ascribes a functional role for ACE in Lophotrochozoans. Its biological function in reproduction is conserved from molluscs to humans, a finding of particular evolutionary interest especially since oysters represent the most important aquaculture resource worldwide

Br J Haematol

International audienc

Gametogenesis in the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas: A Microarrays-Based Analysis Identifies Sex and Stage Specific Genes

Background: The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Mollusca, Lophotrochozoa) is an alternative and irregular protandrous hermaphrodite: most individuals mature first as males and then change sex several times. Little is known about genetic and phenotypic basis of sex differentiation in oysters, and little more about the molecular pathways regulating reproduction. We have recently developed and validated a microarray containing 31,918 oligomers (Dheilly et al., 2011) representing the oyster transcriptome. The application of this microarray to the study of mollusk gametogenesis should provide a better understanding of the key factors involved in sex differentiation and the regulation of oyster reproduction. Methodology/Principal Findings: Gene expression was studied in gonads of oysters cultured over a yearly reproductive cycle. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering showed a significant divergence in gene expression patterns of males and females coinciding with the start of gonial mitosis. ANOVA analysis of the data revealed 2,482 genes differentially expressed during the course of males and/or females gametogenesis. The expression of 434 genes could be localized in either germ cells or somatic cells of the gonad by comparing the transcriptome of female gonads to the transcriptome of stripped oocytes and somatic tissues. Analysis of the annotated genes revealed conserved molecular mechanisms between mollusks and mammals: genes involved in chromatin condensation, DNA replication and repair, mitosis and meiosis regulation, transcription, translation and apoptosis were expressed in both male and female gonads. Most interestingly, early expressed male-specific genes included bindin and a dpy-30 homolog and female-specific genes included foxL2, nanos homolog 3, a pancreatic lipase related protein, cd63 and vitellogenin. Further functional analyses are now required in order to investigate their role in sex differentiation in oysters. Conclusions/Significance: This study allowed us to identify potential markers of early sex differentiation in the oyster C. gigas, an alternative hermaphrodite mollusk. We also provided new highly valuable information on genes specifically expressed by mature spermatozoids and mature oocytes

Développements d'outils de caractérisations opto-électriques multi-échelles pour les dispositifs photovoltaïques organiques

Les cellules solaires organiques continuent leur essor dans le domaine du photovoltaïque, grâce aux structures et matériaux activement étudiés, pour tendre vers le maximum de rendement et passer le cap de l'industrialisation. La séparation de phase des matériaux qui constituent la couche photo-active des cellules à hétérojonction en volume gouverne en partie les performances de la cellule, ainsi que des phénomènes de recombinaison liés à la photo-conversion. Des moyens de caractérisation spécifiques sont nécessaires pour sonder les propriétés des cellules aussi bien à l'échelle microscopique qu'à l'échelle nanométrique. Des bancs de caractérisations opto-électriques pour les cellules solaires organiques ont alors été développés. Ainsi, la technique du courant induit par faisceau lumineux (LBIC) permet de visualiser l'uniformité des cellules avec une résolution de 50µm. La microscopie à force atomique en mode conduction (C-AFM) permet quant à elle de sonder les propriétés photo-électriques des cellules à l'échelle du nanomètre.Organic solar cells are becoming more prominent in the photovoltaic field thanks to new materials and stacked structures. The active layer of bulk heterojunction solar cells is composed of an interpenetrating network of electron donor and acceptor materials. Vertical phase separation governs cells power conversion efficiency and recombination phenomena are still being studied. Specific characterization tools are necessary to gain insights into cell properties at the nanometer scale and at the molecular level. In this context, this thesis allowed the development of electrical characterization tools for bulk heterojunction organic solar cells based on polymer/fullerene blend. Thus, the Light Beam induced Current (LBIC) technique has been developed to check the current uniformity of the cells with a 50µm resolution. Conductive-AFM (C-AFM) has been used to probe the photovoltaic properties of the cells in the nanometer range

La transformation de l'industrie pharmaceutique depuis le XXe siècle

Au XIXème siècle, la production de produits pharmaceutiques est encore majoritairement locale et artisanale. Au début du XXIème siècle, l'industrie pharmaceutique s'exprime dans un marché gigantesque avec une production de masse par des laboratoires multinanationaux. Comment la production d'un produit de santé, bien d'interêt publique, tel que le médicament a-t-elle évoluée depuis plus de 100 ans? En replaçant les origines de l'industrie pharmaceutique, plusieurs étapes clefs ont conduit à l'avènement d'entreprises multinationales. L'essor industriel couplé aux avançées scientifiques ont transformé le paysage économique du médicament. Ce secteur économique possède des caracteristiques uniques et subi depuis peu une profonde mutation qui s'est accélérée avec la crise financière. Depuis le XXème siècle, l'industrie pharmaceutique s'est créée une identité forte et a prospéré mais elle est sans cesse en évolution et a profondéméent changé en l'espace d'un siècle. Retour sur les changements majeures et les nouvelles stratégies dans l'industrie pharmaceutique.In the XIXth century, the production of pharmaceutical products is still mostly local and artisanal. At the beginning of the XXIst century, the pharmaceutical industry is became a huge market with mass production controlled by big pharmas. How the production of health products, a public concern, like drugs has it evolved for over 100 years? By tracing the origins of the pharmaceutical industry, several key steps led to the advent of multinational companies. The industrial growth coupled with scientific progress have transformed the economical landscape of the drug market. This economic sector has unique characteristics and is recentely undergoing a profound change that has been accelerated by the financial crisis. Since the XXth century, the pharmaceutical industry has created a strong identity and prospered, but it is constantly evolving and has deeply changed in the space of a century. Back on the major changes and new strategies in the pharmaceutical industry.AMIENS-BU Santé (800212102) / SudocSudocFranceF

La rage dans tous ses états (un problème de santé publique)

MONTPELLIER-BU Pharmacie (341722105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Prise en charge des situations à risque hémorragique chez les patients traités par antivitamines K en ambulatoire (enquête auprès de médecins généralistes de la région Midi-Pyrénées)

TOULOUSE3-BU Santé-Centrale (315552105) / SudocSudocFranceF

A Leptospirose bovina

A leptospirose é uma doença zoonótica com uma distribuição mundial que pode afectar a maioria dos mamíferos. A doença é causada pela bactéria do género Leptospira, existindo mais de 60 espécies e 300 serovares. A leptospirose bovina é provocada principalmente pela infecção pelo serovar Hardjo, apesar de numerosos serovares poderem infetar e causar leptospirose nos bovinos. A forma crónica da doença é a principal forma da doença nos bovinos, responsável por importantes perdas económicas, provocando falhas reprodutivas, nomeadamente abortos, infertilidade e mortinatalidade. As leptospiras podem ser isoladas dos rins e do trato reprodutor dos animais infetados e a transmissão pode ocorrer por contato directo com animais infetados ou indiretamente através do ambiente contaminado. O diagnóstico clínico é geralmente difícil, pois os animais manifestam poucos sinais clínicos e geralmente são inespecíficos. O diagnóstico laboratorial é laborioso pela dificuldade em cultivar e isolar as bactérias. O teste de micro-aglutinação (MAT) é o teste serológico de referência mas a sua interpretação é difícil, principalmente na fase crónica da doença. O controlo da leptospirose é baseado na gestão do meio ambiental, na vacinação e na implementação duma antibioterapia com objectivo da cura bacteriológica, da diminuição do risco de transmissão dentro do rebanho e da diminuição das perdas devido a falhas reprodutivas.Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with a global distribution that affects most mammals. The disease is caused by bacteria to genus of Leptospira, with more than 60 species and 300 serovars. Bovine leptospirosis is caused mainly by infection with serovar Hardjo, but numerous serovars can affect and cause leptospirosis in cattle. The chronic form of the disease is the most frequent presentation in cattle, responsible for important economic losses, causing reproductive failures, mainly abortion, sterility and stillbirth. Leptospires can be isolated from the kidneys and reproductive tract of infected animals and transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated environment. The clinical diagnosis is generally difficult, because the animals express few clinical signs, which are generally nonspecific. Laboratory diagnosis is laborious due to the difficulty in cultivating and isolating bacteria. The microagglutination test (MAT) is the serological test, but its interpretation is difficult, especially in the chronic phase of the disease. Leptospirosis control is based on environmental management, vaccination and the implementation of antibiotherapy with the aim of a bacteriological cure, a reduction in the risk of transmission within the herd and a reduction in losses due to reproductive failure