Modern smartphones contain sophisticated sensors to monitor three-dimensional movement of the device. These sensors permit devices to recognize motion gestures - deliberate movements of the device by end-users to invoke commands. However, little is known about best-practices in motion gesture design for the mobile computing paradigm. To address this issue, we present the results of a guessability study that elicits end-user motion gestures to invoke commands on a smartphone device. We demonstrate that consensus exists among our participants on parameters of movement and on mappings of motion gestures onto commands. We use this consensus to develop a taxonomy for motion gestures and to specify an end-user inspired motion gesture set. We highlight the implications of this work to the design of smartphone applications and hardware. Finally, we argue that our results influence best practices in design for all gestural interfaces.

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User-defined motion gestures for mobile interaction

Role of subnano-, nano- and submicron-surface features on osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

The authors investigated the technological utility of counterclockwise (CCW) and clockwise (CW) circular-rotating fields (HCCW and HCW) and spin-polarized currents with an angular frequency ωH close to the vortex eigenfrequency ωD, for the reliable, low-power, and selective switching of the bistate magnetization (M) orientations of a vortex core (VC) in an array of soft magnetic nanoelements. CCW and CW circular gyrotropic motions in response to HCCW and HCW, respectively, show remarkably contrasting resonant behaviors, (i.e., extremely large-amplitude resonance versus small-amplitude nonresonance), depending on the M orientation of a given VC. Owing to this asymmetric resonance characteristics, the HCCW(HCW) with ωH∼ωD can be used to effectively switch only the up (down) core to its downward (upward) M orientation, selectively, by sufficiently low field (∼10Oe) and current density (∼107A∕cm2). This work provides a reliable, low power, effective means of information storage, information recording, and inf...

/pdf/reliable-low-power-control-of-ultrafast-vortex-core-1v7nbyitss.pdf

Reliable low-power control of ultrafast vortex-core switching with the selectivity in an array of vortex states by in-plane circular-rotational magnetic fields and spin-polarized currents

Energy and environmental assessment of a traction lithium-ion battery pack for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

In order to investigate the effects of lead exposure on risk of cardiovascular disease during occupational exposure to this metal, plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density liporotein (HDL), low-density liporotein (LDL) and triglyceride were determined in various artisans in Abeokuta, Nigeria who have been shown to be occupationally exposed to lead and these were related to blood lead levels. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was observed in the artisans. Total cholesterol in the artisans was between 1.5 and 2.0 times higher in the artisans than that present in controls while LDL cholesterol was between 1.6 and 2.4 times higher in the artisans when compared with control subjects [p 0.05]. A significant positive correlation was observed between blood lead and total cholesterol on one hand [r = 0.372; p = 3.0 × 10-5] and blood lead and LDL cholesterol on the other hand [r = 0.283; p = 0.001]. LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio was also higher in the artisans when compared with control. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and other anthropometric parameters were not significantly different between the artisans and the control subjects [p > 0.05]. Results suggest that lead exposure increases cholesterol synthesis and transport to peripheral tissues whereas reverse cholesterol transport to the liver is not affected.

/pdf/plasma-lipid-profiles-and-risk-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-44dagx16tq.pdf

Plasma lipid profiles and risk of cardiovascular disease in occupational lead exposure in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Two new studies explore vortex core switching in ferromagnetic nanodisks, which could have implications for information storage

/pdf/magnetism-vortex-ups-and-downs-nomv1dvd59.pdf

Magnetism: Vortex ups and downs

Tribology: Fact or friction?

Carbon nanotubes: turn the radio up (if you can find it).

With a clever combination of photolithography, etching and electroplating, it is possible to ‘draw’ sub-100-nm lines of noble metals over large areas

Jessica Thomas

Papers

Magnetism: Vortex ups and downs

Tribology: Fact or friction?

Carbon nanotubes: turn the radio up (if you can find it).

Patterning: Etch a sketch

NEMS: Twice as good