John McGhee

Enhancing everyday paper interactions with paper circuits

Our interactions with paper are so habitual as to be subconscious. Paper is an inextricable component of our daily lives. In this paper we present the crafting of, and the reflections on, four prototypes; these prototypes explore how adding new functionality through paper circuits can enrich interactions with paper. We define paper circuits as circuits that have been made through the process of printing or applying conductive ink onto standard paper in order to form electronic or electric circuits. We will provide reflections on not just the benefits of paper circuitry, but also how the newly added affordances gained from paper circuitry effect the experience of paper interactions. This paper will illustrate how this new evolution of paper can be used to produce cheap lightweight ubiquitous electronic products, new art forms, and most importantly enhance the user experience of paper without losing the existing well-loved affordances that paper currently possesses.

3-D visualization and animation technologies in anatomical imaging

This paper explores a 3‐D computer artist’s approach to the creation of three‐dimensional computer‐generated imagery (CGI) derived from clinical scan data. Interpretation of scientific imagery, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is restricted to the eye of the trained medical practitioner in a clinical or scientific context. In the research work described here, MRI data are visualized and interpreted by a 3‐D computer artist using the tools of the digital animator to navigate image complexity and widen interaction. In this process, the artefact moves across disciplines; it is no longer tethered to its diagnostic origins. It becomes an object that has visual attributes such as light, texture and composition, and a visual aesthetic of its own. The introduction of these visual attributes provides a platform for improved accessibility by a lay audience. The paper argues that this more artisan approach to clinical data visualization has a potential real‐world application as a communicative tool for clinicians and patients during consultation.

Can theory be embedded in visual interventions to promote self-management? A proposed model and worked example

Nurses are increasingly involved in a range of strategies to encourage patient behaviours that improve self-management. If nurses are to be involved in, or indeed lead, the development of such interventions then processes that enhance the likelihood that they will lead to evidence that is both robust and usable in practice are required. Although behavioural interventions have been predominantly based on written text or the spoken word increasing numbers are now drawing on visual media to communicate their message, despite only a growing evidence base to support it. The use of such media in health interventions is likely to increase due to technological advances enabling easier and cheaper production, and an increasing social preference for visual forms of communication. However, the development of such media is often highly pragmatic and developed intuitively rather than with theory and evidence informing their content and form. Such a process may be at best inefficient and at worst potentially harmful. This paper performs two functions. Firstly, it discusses and argues why visual based interventions may be a powerful media for behaviour change; and secondly, it proposes a model, developed from the MRC Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions, to guide the creation of theory informed visual interventions. It employs a case study of the development of an intervention to motivate involvement in a lifestyle intervention among people with increased cardiovascular risk. In doing this we argue for a step-wise model which includes: (1) the identification of a theoretical basis and associated concepts; (2) the development of visual narrative to establish structure; (3) the visual rendering of narrative and concepts; and (4) the assessment of interpretation and impact among the intended patient group. We go on to discuss the theoretical and methodological limitations of the model.

Practical notes on paper circuits

This pictorial illustrates some basic and practical notes pertaining to paper circuitry, with a focus on the technicalities of printing, connecting and sensing. The process of creating paper circuit prototypes with little or no specialist equipment will be explored, along with an investigation into printed patterns and grounding options for creating touch and proximity sensors with conductive paint. The methods and techniques this pictorial explores are approached from a craft viewpoint as opposed to the possibly more expected engineering approach.

Journey to the centre of the cell: Virtual reality immersion into scientific data

Visualization of scientific data is crucial not only for scientific discovery but also to communicate science and medicine to both experts and a general audience. Until recently, we have been limited to visualizing the three‐dimensional (3D) world of biology in 2 dimensions. Renderings of 3D cells are still traditionally displayed using two‐dimensional (2D) media, such as on a computer screen or paper. However, the advent of consumer grade virtual reality (VR) headsets such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive means it is now possible to visualize and interact with scientific data in a 3D virtual world. In addition, new microscopic methods provide an unprecedented opportunity to obtain new 3D data sets. In this perspective article, we highlight how we have used cutting edge imaging techniques to build a 3D virtual model of a cell from serial block‐face scanning electron microscope (SBEM) imaging data. This model allows scientists, students and members of the public to explore and interact with a “real” cell. Early testing of this immersive environment indicates a significant improvement in students’ understanding of cellular processes and points to a new future of learning and public engagement. In addition, we speculate that VR can become a new tool for researchers studying cellular architecture and processes by populating VR models with molecular data.

The Fantastic Voyage: an arts-led approach to 3D virtual reality visualization of clinical stroke data

Stroke survivors directly link stroke education with their ability to access appropriate treatments and reduce their risk of future strokes. However, with such a diverse population a universal mode of delivering education must be sought. This paper places the artist at the heart of educating patients and carers about their disease by developing a technical process of delivering 3D CT patient stroke data on the Virtual Reality (VR) platform Oculus Rift DK2. VR has already been proven as an efficacious rehabilitation tool for this population but its use in education has not yet been established. This work is being piloted in a new collaboration between the Art & Design Faculty at the University of New South Wales, Australia and the Stroke Rehabilitation Service at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney. Importantly, this paper places the artists at the center of the process -- from developing the concept, to prototyping and creating the final visual aesthetic. The different stages of the technical design process are also described in this paper. These provide an early framework for working with VR in a clinical context. The practicalities and pitfalls of navigating vascular datasets in immersive real-time 3D on VR are discussed at the end of this paper. Several recommendations for the future development of this process and its scalability for clinical use are made.

Journey to the centre of the cell (JTCC): a 3D VR experience derived from migratory breast cancer cell image data

Journey to the Centre of the Cell (JTCC) is a multi-disciplinary initiative exploring the visualisation of nanotechnology. This particular VR research work demonstrates how Virtual Reality (VR) on HTC Vive head mounted display (HMD) can be used as a platform to interact with cell structures in a compelling immersive experience. Contemporary scientific cellular imaging modalities such as Fluorescence Microscopy and Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy can capture detailed cross-sectional image slices of molecular structures. The subsequent post-processed 3D data visualisation can provide additional educational insight for lay users. For the artist-researcher, this potential to educate raises valuable questions for further investigation, such as what 3D visualisation narrative should we adopt? In research work being carried out at the 3D Visualisation Aesthetics Lab (VAL) at UNSW Australia, arts-led modes of data augmentation are being developed to widen access to lay users, such as undergraduate science students. The prototype VR experience allows users to see nanoparticle cellular interactions on the surface of the cell as they enter the internal structure. The immersive visual work is a hybrid of ISO surface data and 3D arts-based representation. The prototype illustrates three cellular processes for nanoparticle internalisation: caveolar, macropinocytic and clathrin-mediated. This work builds on previous visualisation work carried out in the 3D-VAL using clinical imaging data in VR [1][2] for patient communication. 1. Caveolae are 60--80 nm wide pits in the plasma membrane that play a role in endocytosis. 2. Macropinocytosis is an actin-dependent endocytic process that leads to non-selective internalisation of fluid and membrane into large vacuoles (known as macropinosomes). 3. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is initiated by the binding of a ligand to a membrane receptor.

Can a Theory-Informed Interactive Animation Increase Intentions to Engage in Physical Activity in Young People with Asthma?

A theoretically-informed interactive animation was developed, using themes drawn from psychology, sociology, applied health research, and narrative theory, which aimed to encourage young people with asthma to engage in physical activity. The animation was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods. A web-based Interactive Modelling Experiment was used to evaluate whether the animation was effective in three key areas: knowledge about asthma, inhaler use, and intention to increase physical activity. One-to-one interviews and focus groups were used to evaluate the acceptability of the animation and whether the theoretical basis was effective. Preliminary qualitative findings indicate good acceptability and perceived effectiveness. The quantitative findings are less clear, with a change in simulated activity and inhaler use being found, but with no clear association between these changes and the animation itself. Future work will be carried out to established whether these levels of acceptability and perceived effectiveness are actually translated into behaviour change.

Alternative Ways of Seeing the Inner Body: An Arts-Led Approach to Visualising MRI Scan Data

As artists working with clinical radiological data how might we identify and develop new models of working within the context of disease communication? Historically, we can identify various models of mediating human inner body spaces. This practice-led research explores how a blended model of 3-D CGI image creation can result in imagery that moves beyond the didactic.

Developing a Theory-Informed Interactive Animation to Increase Physical Activity among Young People with Asthma

The current paper describes the development of a theory-informed interactive animation and which aims to increase levels of physical activity in young people with asthma. The project adopts a multi-disciplinary theoretical perspective, applying knowledge from applied health research, human centred design and psychology in order to best approach and develop a meaningful and effective health intervention.