Bauhaus University, Weimar

About: Bauhaus University, Weimar is a education organization based out in Weimar, Thüringen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Isogeometric analysis. The organization has 1421 authors who have published 2998 publications receiving 104454 citations. The organization is also known as: Bauhaus-Universität Weimar & Hochschule für Architektur und Bauwesen.

Opinion Dynamics and Communication Networks

Abstract: This paper examines the interplay of opinion exchange dynamics and communication network formation. An opinion formation procedure is introduced which is based on an abstract representation of opinions as $k$--dimensional bit--strings. Individuals interact if the difference in the opinion strings is below a defined similarity threshold $d_I$. Depending on $d_I$, different behaviour of the population is observed: low values result in a state of highly fragmented opinions and higher values yield consensus. The first contribution of this research is to identify the values of parameters $d_I$ and $k$, such that the transition between fragmented opinions and homogeneity takes place. Then, we look at this transition from two perspectives: first by studying the group size distribution and second by analysing the communication network that is formed by the interactions that take place during the simulation. The emerging networks are classified by statistical means and we find that non--trivial social structures emerge from simple rules for individual communication. Generating networks allows to compare model outcomes with real--world communication patterns.

The Interactive Enactment of Care Technologies and its Implications for Human-Robot-Interaction in Care

Abstract: Various technical innovations for the care sector, particularly robots, are being developed to cope with demographic change and to support nursing staff. A central issue for the successful integration of such technology into gerontological care practices has not yet been appropriately addressed from an HCI perspective. Here, we draw from observation of lifting devices, used to move residents between bed and chairs. We found that this process is always moderated and facilitated by caregivers’ ‘interaction work’: The function(ing) of care technology is inseparable from the interactive practices of care staff enacting these functions and from the emotional labor inherent to care practice. The caregivers’ verbal, manual and emotional actions, and also the residents’ active cooperation in the process are important factors for safe, fluid, and pleasant human-machine interaction. We propose to understand such technical care settings as a triadic interaction, and to take account of this in the future design of care technologies, in particular for robotic solutions.

Laser Pointer Tracking in Projector-Augmented Architectural Environments

Abstract: We present a system that employs a custom-built pan-tilt-zoom camera for laser pointer tracking in arbitrary real environments. Once placed in a room, it carries out a fully automatic self-registration, registrations of projectors, and sampling of surface parameters, such as geometry and reflectivity. After these steps, it can be used for tracking a laser spot on the surface as well as an LED marker in 3D space, using inter-playing fish-eye context and controllable detail cameras. The captured surface information can be used for masking out areas that are problematic for laser pointer tracking, and for guiding geometric and radiometric image correction techniques that enable a projector-based augmentation on arbitrary surfaces. We describe a distributed software framework that couples laser pointer tracking for interaction, projector-based AR as well as video see-through AR for visualizations, with the domain specific functionality of existing desktop tools for architectural planning, simulation and building surveying.

On the Security of Tandem-DM.

Abstract: We provide the first proof of security for Tandem-DM, one of the oldest and most wellknown constructions for turning a blockcipher with n-bit blocklength and 2n-bit keylength into a 2n-bit cryptographic hash function. We prove, that when Tandem-DM is instantiated with AES-256, i.e. blocklength 128 bits and keylength 256 bits, any adversary that asks less than 2 queries cannot find a collision with success probability greater than 1/2. We also prove a bound for preimage resistance of Tandem-DM. Interestingly, as there is only one practical construction known (FSE’06, Hirose) turning such an (n, 2n)-bit blockcipher into a 2n-bit compression function that has provably birthday-type collision resistance, Tandem-DM is one out of two structures that possess this desirable feature.