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Many interfaces attempt to assist users by offering suggestions, predicting actions, or correcting user input. Although these attempts may often be beneficial, they will occasionally fail, and prior research from psychology and behavioral economics on loss aversion suggests that such failures may have an overweighted impact on subjective preferences. To better understand the relationship between interface outcomes and subjective preferences, we adapted to interaction a model from behavioral economics describing reference-dependent preferences. Two experiments examined our model's predictions: both involved word-snapping interface assistance during text selection, with subjects choosing whether they preferred unassisted text selection (no snapping) or assisted text selection (snapping). In Experiment 1, the word-snapping feature could be disabled when it was unhelpful by backtracking the selection, which required progress losses in terms of target characters selected. In Experiment 2, word-snapping could be disabled by pressing a modifier key and waiting for an animation to complete, without need for the loss of target characters. Time and error performance with both experimental methods were comparable. The model predicts an aversion to progress losses in Experiment 1 that should be neutralized in Experiment 2, and the results of both experiments conformed to these predictions. We discuss the implications of the model as a platform for understanding user preferences more broadly, especially when considering interfaces that risk periodically failing to meet user expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Word-Gesture keyboards allow users to enter text using continuous input strokes (also known as gesture typing or shape writing). We developed a production model of gesture typing input based on a human motor control theory of optimal control (specifically, modeling human drawing movements as a minimization of jerk—the third derivative of position). In contrast to existing models, which consider gestural input as a series of concatenated aiming movements and predict a user’s time performance, this descriptive theory of human motor control predicts the shapes and trajectories that users will draw. The theory is supported by an analysis of user-produced gestures that found qualitative and quantitative agreement between the shapes users drew and the minimum jerk theory of motor control. Furthermore, by using a small number of statistical via-points whose distributions reflect the sensorimotor noise and speed-accuracy trade-off in gesture typing, we developed a model of gesture production that can predict realistic gesture trajectories for arbitrary text input tasks. The model accurately reflects features in the figural shapes and dynamics observed from users and can be used to improve the design and evaluation of gestural input systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactive computing tasks are composed of sequences of sub-interactions (or “moments”), each of which yields a slightly different user experience. Prior work, predominantly from the psychology literature, suggests that the order of these moments can affect people's retrospective evaluation of experiences. Several kinds of sequencing effects have been examined, including primacy, recency, and peak-end effects . We review previous research on sequencing effects and their potential application in Human-Computer Interaction, of which prior work has found mixed results regarding the influence of interaction sequence on preference – possibly because the magnitude of experiential changes caused by interactive tasks are weaker than those studied in psychological experiments. However, sequencing effects are still of great importance to interface design, because when they occur, they have the potential to substantially change user preferences for common interactions. To explore the subtlety of sequencing effects in HCI, we describe two experiments that examined user preferences for series of interactions with different orderings that created positive and negative recency and primacy effects. Positive and negative experiences were created with simulated system assistance that either worked well (aiding the user in drag-and-drop tasks) or worked poorly (hindering the user). In both experiments, the series differed only in the order of positive and negative momentary experiences. Results of Experiment 1 were mixed: the study provided some support for recency effects, but without strong evidence. Experiment 2 modified the experimental method to better accentuate the positive and negative experiences, and produced results showing strong effects of recency, but not of primacy. We discuss reasons for these results, consider overall explanations for the subtle nature of sequencing effects on HCI tasks, and provide an agenda for further research and design lessons regarding recency effects. Overall, we contribute new understanding of a phenomenon that can have a substantial impact on user experience, but that is currently underexplored in HCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines secondary school students' perceptions of inhibiting factors in seeking counselling. Responses to a questionnaire completed by 1346 secondary school students were analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Exploratory factor analysis highlighted that within 21 pre-defined inhibiting factors, items loaded strongly on one component, ‘diffident’, suggesting that this is a main inhibiting factor. A second component, ‘self-reliant’, also emerged as a main inhibiting factor. Significant differences were found across gender, with female participants rating the pre-defined inhibitory factors higher than males on items relating to diffidence and self-reliance. The main inhibiting factors, ‘diffidence’ and ‘self-reliance’, warrant development into measures for future investigations into students' views of school-based counselling. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: This study replicates a research investigation conducted by Cooper (2006), examining three factors that may affect students' willingness to attend a school-based counselling service: location of the service (school-based or external); format (individual or group); and gender of counsellor. Method: The views of 589 students from four Northern Ireland secondary and grammar schools were surveyed and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: As found by Cooper (2006), more than two thirds (68.2%) of students expressed a preference for seeing a counsellor in their school; over 80% of students expressed a preference for seeing a counsellor on their own; and a marked preference for female counsellors existed, particularly amongst female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study looked at whether secondary school students would rather see a counsellor of the same ethnic origin as themselves, and whether this varied by ethnicity and gender. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 761 students participating from two Glasgow secondary schools and four Belfast secondary/grammar schools. The study investigated participants' responses to the question 'Do you prefer speaking to a counsellor who is of the same ethnic origin as you?' Results: Overall, the study found that 26.6% of students would rather see a counsellor of similar ethnic origin, 5.5% would rather not, 14.8% were not sure, and 53.1% did not mind. Students of white, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and non-specific ethnic origins did not differ significantly in how much they would rather see a counsellor from their own ethnic background; but students of a BME background were approximately three times more likely to express a preference for a counsellor not of their ethnic origin as compared with white students. It was also found that twice as many male students would prefer not to see a counsellor of the same ethnic origin as themselves, as compared with female students. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to other research and methodological limitations of this study are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an author's idea regarding conflicts of religious beliefs and tolerance. Rationality of the belief in God professed by most Christians; Political problems posed by religious diversity; Factors that influenced conflicts of religious beliefs.

Focuses on the book "Papers in Ethics and Social Philosophy," by David Lewis. Contents of the book; Papers in metaphysics and epistemology.

Comments on the issues regarding the structural features of Lutheran and Catholic thought discussed by Daphne Hampson in her book "Christian Contradictions." Derivation of Lutheran structure from the writings of Martin Luther; Radical differences of the two structures; Account of Christian love.

In this response to the papers on Jonathan Edwards's ethical thought by Stephen A. Wilson, Gerald R. McDermott, William C. Spohn, and Roland A. Delattre, I comment on their efforts to show that ideas drawn from Edwards can be successfully appropriated for use in contemporary ethics. I conclude that the four authors build a strong cumulative case for the view that some elements of Edwards's thought can serve as resources for our ethical reflections. But I also argue for a deflationary view of how much of Edwards we will find it feasible to take on board when we engage in the task of working out a religious ethics we might accept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the philosophical framework proposed in the book 'Finite and Infinite Gods: A Framework for Ethics,' by Robert Adams. Diversity of divine volitions; Distinction between obligation and supererogation; Transcendence of the standard of goodness.

Focuses on forms of religious diversity. Impact of modern technology on fostering communication between adherents of different religions; Availability of translation and commentaries on various religious traditions; Focus of contemporary religious diversity on epistemology and political philosophy.

Examines Nicholas Wolterstoff's position in his book 'Divine Discourse' on whether God speaks. Defects in Wolterstoff's argument for the conclusion that God can have the obligations of a speaker; Determination of whether God causes the events generative of discourse; Incompleteness of Wolterstoff's argument that some actual person is entitled to believe that God has spoken to him or her.

Argues on the conclusions of the book `The Epistemology of Religious Experience' written by Keith Yandell. Yandell on retrospection and the self; Construction of parallel argument; Presentation of response to criticism.

In this paper, I argue by example for the possibility of genuine dilemmas internal to Christian ethics. My example is the life of Sebastian Rodrigues, who is the protagonist of Shusaku Endo's moving novel Silence. The first part of the paper is devoted to retelling Endo's story, highlighting salient ethical and religious features of the life of Rodrigues. The latter half of the paper argues for an interpretation of the story according to which Rodrigues confronts a real conflict between the obligation to love God with total devotion and the obligation to love one's neighbor as oneself. I conclude with the suggestion that the outcome of this conflict is not ultimately tragic because it serves providentially to move Rodrigues closer to Christ in suffering love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses Christian exclusivism and its philosophical implications. Historical background of Christian exclusivism; Pressure exerted by Islam on European Christendom during the medieval era; Lack of confidence manifested by many Christians on exclusivism; Acknowledgment that evil is associated with Christian exclusivism; John Hick's religious pluralism; Doxastic practice approach of William P. Alston.

Discusses and reviews the book `Theology for a Scientific Age: Being and Becoming--Natural and Divine,' by A. Peacocke. Stands on many controversial philosophical questions; Assumptions about scientific and theological enterprises; Implications of science for theology.

Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events are interesting from a scientific perspective as they are the product of a broad set of physical processes from the corona out through the extent of the heliosphere, and provide insight into processes of particle acceleration and transport that are widely applicable in astrophysics. From the operations perspective, SEP events pose a radiation hazard for aviation, electronics in space, and human space exploration, in particular for missions outside of the Earth's protective magnetosphere including to the Moon and Mars. Thus, it is critical to improve the scientific understanding of SEP events and use this understanding to develop and improve SEP forecasting capabilities to support operations. Many SEP models exist or are in development using a wide variety of approaches and with differing goals. These include computationally intensive physics-based models, fast and light empirical models, machine learning-based models, and mixed-model approaches. The aim of this paper is to summarize all of the SEP models currently developed in the scientific community, including a description of model approach, inputs and outputs, free parameters, and any published validations or comparisons with data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pays tribute to the late Philip L. Quinn, John A. O'Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.

Interstellar neutrals (ISNs), pick-up ions (PUIs), and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) are fundamental constituents of the heliosphere and its interaction with the neighboring interstellar medium. Here, we focus on selected aspects of present-day theory and modeling of these particles. In the last decades, progress in the understanding of the role of PUIs and ENAs for the global heliosphere and its interaction with very local interstellar medium is impressive and still growing. The increasing number of measurements allows for verification and continuing development of the theories and model attempts. We present an overview of various model descriptions of the heliosphere and the processes throughout it including the kinetic, fluid, and hybrid solutions. We also discuss topics in which interplay between theory, models, and interpretation of measurements reveals the complexity of the heliosphere and its understanding. They include model-based interpretation of the ISN, PUI, and ENA measurements conducted from the Earth's vicinity. In addition, we describe selected processes beyond the Earth's orbit up to the heliosphere boundary regions, where PUIs significantly contribute to the complex system of the global heliosphere and its interaction with the VLISM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]