bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification and characterization of US consumers based on their perceptions of risk of tablet use in international hotels
Authors: Morosan Cristian , DeFranco Agnes
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Cyber-attacks on hotel information systems could threaten the privacy of consumers and the integrity of the data they exchange upon connecting their mobile devices to hotel networks. As the perceived cyber-security risk may be reflected heterogeneously within the US consumer population traveling internationally, the purpose of this study is to examine such heterogeneity to uncover classes of US consumers based on their perceptions of risk of using tablets for various tasks when staying in hotels abroad.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 1,016 US consumers who stayed in hotels abroad, this study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to classify the consumers based on their perceptions of risk associated with several tablet use behaviors in hotels.

Findings

The analysis uncovered four latent classes and produced a characterization of these classes according to several common behavioral (frequency of travel, the continent of the destination, duration of stay and purpose of travel) and demographic (gender, age, income and education) consumer characteristics.

Originality/value

Being the first study that classifies consumers based on the risk of using tablets in hotels while traveling internationally, this study brings the following contributions: offers a methodology of classifying (segmenting) consumer markets based on their cyber-security risk perceptions, uses LPA, which provides opportunities for an accurate and generalizable characterization of multivariate data that comprehensively illustrate consumer behavior and broadens the perspective offered by the current literature by focusing on consumers who travel from their US residence location to international destinations.
Ethical leadership, team leader’s cultural intelligence and ethical behavior of team members
Authors: Presbitero Alfred , Teng-Calleja Mendiola
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Drawing from Social Learning Theory and Multiple Loci of Intelligence Theory, the purpose of this paper is to assert that, through the mechanisms of social learning and role modeling, perceived ethical leadership is positively and significantly related to ethical behavior of individual members of global teams. Moreover, this study argues that perceived cultural intelligence (CQ) of leaders which consists of perceptions of members regarding leader’s cultural knowledge and skills on how to act ethically in different cultural contexts would moderate the relationship between ethical leadership and ethical behavior of individual members of global teams.

Design/methodology/approach

To test these assertions, a survey study was conducted involving individual members of global teams in Australia (n=234).

Findings

Results demonstrate that perceived ethical leadership is positively and significantly related to an individual’s ethical behavior. Furthermore, results show that perceived leader’s CQ serves as a moderator in strengthening the relationship between perceived ethical leadership and individual member’s display of ethical behavior.

Originality/value

This study fills the gaps in the literature by examining ethical behavior of individual members of culturally diverse teams and the role that leaders play in influencing their individual display of ethical behavior. Such knowledge can provide insights particularly for human resource practitioners on how to effectively generate and ensure the display of ethical behavior in contexts that are culturally diverse like in global teams.
Biodiversity within Medicago truncatula genotypes toward response to iron deficiency: Investigation of main tolerance mechanisms
Authors: Kallala Nadia , M’sehli Wissal , Jelali Karima , Batnini Marwa , Badri Mounawer , Nouairi Issam , Mhadhbi Haythem
Published: July 2019

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the major environmental stresses affecting plant production in the world. The selection of tolerant genotypes is considered an effective remediation strategy for this stress. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the biodiversity within Medicago truncatula plants in response to Fe deficiency, to identify tolerant genotypes and to assess the main tolerance mechanisms. To do this, a screening test was performed on 20 M. truncatula genotypes cultivated in minimal medium. Biometric and physiological markers were analyzed, including plant biomass, chlorophyll and root architecture. Results showed a biodiversity among the 20 genotypes. Interestingly, Fe deficiency tolerance was highest in TN8.20 and A17 genotypes. However, the lowest tolerance behavior was observed in TN1.11 and TN6.18. In order to investigate the main tolerance mechanisms, an experiment was conducted in the hydroponic system on already selected genotypes. Assessment of Fe deficiency tolerance was performed mainly on plant growth parameters, Fe (III)‐chelate‐reductase activity, rhizosphere acidification and antioxidant system defense. The relative better tolerance of A17 and TN8.20 to Fe deficiency was positively correlated with their capacity to maintain higher Fe‐acquisition efficiency in roots via rhizosphere acidification and the stimulation of Fe (III)‐chelate‐reductase activity. Moreover, tolerant genotypes showed the lowest decreases in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity (CO2 assimilation) compared to the sensitive ones. The efficiency of antioxidant capacity of the tolerant genotypes was revealed in stimulation of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities as well as accumulation of polyphenols, leading to the maintenance of cell integrity under Fe deficiency.
The effect of stakeholder culture on managers’ perceptions of stakeholder attributes in Australian not‐for‐profit organizations
Authors: Jiao Lu , Harrison Graeme , Chen Jinhua
Published: July 2019

We examine the relation between stakeholder culture and managers’ perceptions of stakeholder attributes of power, legitimacy, and urgency in Australian not‐for‐profit (NFP) organizations. Examination of this relation is important because managers’ perceptions of stakeholder attributes determine how stakeholder relationships are managed, which affects (positively or negatively) the ability of NFP organizations to fulfil their social mission. Data were collected through a survey of top managers of 478 NFP organizations. Our results show that the stakeholder cultures of altruist and instrumentalist, manifesting different moral values, differentially affect NFP managers’ perceptions of the three stakeholder attributes for clients and government. Specifically, an altruist stakeholder culture affects managers’ perception of client legitimacy, while an instrumentalist culture affects managers’ perception of government power. We also investigate the mediating effects of power and legitimacy on the relation between stakeholder cultures and urgency. We find that managers’ perceptions of power and legitimacy act as crucial cues for managers to perceive stakeholder urgency. Our study contributes to the stakeholder management literature and has important implications for managers of NFP organizations in managing stakeholder relationships in the contemporary environment.
Marriage, Sex, and the Church of Scotland: Exploring Non‐Conformity Amongst the Lower Orders
Authors: Barclay Katie
Published: July 2019

The history of marriage amongst the Scottish lower orders in the eighteenth century has largely been a story of sexual discipline by the Kirk (Church of Scotland). As much of this history has been produced through kirk session records — the arm of the church that monitored sexual morality and marital conformity — this is often construed as a story of contest between the church and a resistant lower orders, trying to negotiate alternative forms of family life. Using kirk session and secular court records and popular literature, this article explores how religious belief shaped sexual and marital behaviour, particularly non‐conformity, during this period. It examines the Kirk's interpretation of chastity and marriage, how these ideas filtered into popular culture and were used by the lower orders to negotiate their own sexual and marital behaviour and relationship to the Church. It argues that the Kirk's varying attitude to marital and sexual non‐conformity meant that marital non‐conformity was less significant than sexual sin in the popular and religious imagination.
“Modernizing” Māori Marriage in New Zealand
Authors: Wanhalla Angela
Published: July 2019

In 1952, Māori forms of customary marriage were made legally invalid. This article investigates the application of a state marriage registration system to Māori in the early decades of the twentieth century that was designed to encourage Māori to conform to European marital models. It focuses, in particular, on how Christianity and English law were deployed as modernising forces by a new generation of Māori intellectuals who emerged in the 1890s under the banner of the Te Aute College Students' Association (TACSA), later known as the Young Māori Party. United by their Anglican faith, TACSA favoured a process of adaptive acculturation in certain areas of social life, where select customs were to be retained and protected, so as to secure demographic and cultural survival. Marriage was highly valued because it was linked to the collective interests of whānau (family) and iwi (tribe) in matters of land and inheritance. As marriage was linked to collective futures, the article argues that maintaining and protecting marriage customs was one strategy for holding on to culture, land and autonomy in the face of increasing state efforts to require Māori to conform to European norms and traditions.
The Polygamy Question: Missions, Marriage, and Assimilation
Authors: Rademaker Laura
Published: July 2019

Polygamy was a vexed question for missionaries in the Northern Territory of Australia. In the mid twentieth century, Christian missions of various denominations worked with the Australian Commonwealth Government to achieve a policy of assimilating Aboriginal people into white Australian culture. Yet there was little consensus as to how this assimilation policy could or should be applied to Aboriginal marriages. This article demonstrates that the issue of polygamy exposed divisions between church and state as well as among Christian denominations over their understandings of marriage. These differences stemmed from differing spiritual visions of assimilation in Australia. The conflicts over marriage in the Northern Territory, therefore, reveal that assimilation, and settler‐colonialism more broadly, operated on a religious plane as Aboriginal people, missionaries, and bureaucrats engaged in a spiritual contest over what represented a legitimate and acceptable marriage in that land.
Bodies in “Heathen” Places: Regulating Marriage without a State
Authors: Faull Katherine M. , Petterson Christina
Published: July 2019

In 1787 Bishop in the Moravian Church August Spangenberg drew up a set of Instructions and an official statement (Gutachten) on the problem of marriage within the “Heathen” congregations. Alarming reports from the missionaries revealed that lack of civic laws, a particular mindset cultivated by said laws, and a well‐organised state meant that the sexuality of non‐European congregants could not be regulated and ordered. The present article analyses the seemingly coherent European context, which Spangenberg uses as a contrast to the unruly native communities in the first part of the Gutachten and examines what he emphasises as the parameters within which proper marriage regulation can take place. Given the pre‐Revolution date, and the current state of the state at this point in history, the Gutachten could give us valuable insights into the process of the formation of the state and its fundamental institutions.
Natural history of gastroesophageal reflux: A prospective cohort study in a stratified, randomized population in Beijing
Authors: Fang Xiucai , Zhu Liming , Wu Dongsheng , Wang Zhifeng , Fei Guijun , Chang Min , Liu Fangyi , Xin Haiwei , Xu Tao , Chen Wei , Wen Ping , Li Shan , Zhao Wei , Chen Weiguang , Yao Fang , Sun Xiaohong , Han Shaomei , Ke Meiyun
Published: July 2019

Objective

To explore the natural history of and risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in a prospective cohort in Beijing, China.

Methods

We selected adult participants using a stratified randomized method and performed initial surveys in 1996 and the current survey in 2008. Well‐trained investigators administered the survey questionnaire using face‐to‐face interviews. Reflux symptoms were evaluated by their intensity and frequency. GER was defined as heartburn, acid reflux, and food regurgitation at least once a week, and monthly reflux was defined as at least one of the above symptoms occurring 1‐3 days per month.

Results

The resurvey response rate was 47.8% (1189/2486). Over 12 years, 66.9% of the respondents remained unchanged, and one‐third changed, with a GER new onset rate of 7.0 per 1000 person‐years and a GER disappearance rate of 64.6 per 1000 person‐years. This kept the GER prevalence stable at 8.2% to 9.5% (P = 0.28). GER and monthly reflux exhibited significant differences in their tendency to persist or become aggravated to GER (22.4% vs 11.9%, P = 0.02). Participants who initially had single, mild to moderate, daily GER were more likely to recover from reflux over time. Participants with persistent and aggravated GER had more severe heartburn and acid reflux than those with new‐onset GER in the current survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that emotional depression is a risk factor for GER aggravation (odds ratio 3.52, 95% confidence interval 1.43‐8.67, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The initial symptom profile of reflux determines the outcome of GER over time.
A validated workflow for rapid taxonomic assignment and monitoring of a national fauna of bees (Apiformes) using high throughput DNA barcoding
Authors: Creedy Thomas J. , Norman Hannah , Tang Cuong Q. , Qing Chin Kai , Andujar Carmelo , Arribas Paula , O’Connor Rory S. , Carvell Claire , Notton David G. , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: July 2019

Improved taxonomic methods are needed to quantify declining populations of insect pollinators. This study devises a high‐throughput DNA barcoding protocol for a regional fauna (United Kingdom) of bees (Apiformes), consisting of reference library construction, a proof‐of‐concept monitoring scheme, and the deep barcoding of individuals to assess potential artefacts and organismal associations. A reference database of cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (cox1) sequences including 92.4% of 278 bee species known from the UK showed high congruence with morphological taxon concepts, but molecular species delimitations resulted in numerous split and (fewer) lumped entities within the Linnaean species. Double tagging permitted deep Illumina sequencing of 762 separate individuals of bees from a UK‐wide survey. Extracting the target barcode from the amplicon mix required a new protocol employing read abundance and phylogenetic position, which revealed 180 molecular entities of Apiformes identifiable to species. An additional 72 entities were ascribed to nuclear pseudogenes based on patterns of read abundance and phylogenetic relatedness to the reference set. Clustering of reads revealed a range of secondary operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in almost all samples, resulting from traces of insect species caught in the same traps, organisms associated with the insects including a known mite parasite of bees, and the common detection of human DNA, besides evidence for low‐level cross‐contamination in pan traps and laboratory procedures. Custom scripts were generated to conduct critical steps of the bioinformatics protocol. The resources built here will greatly aid DNA‐based monitoring to inform management and conservation policies for the protection of pollinators.
Dynamic efficiencies of the 1997 Boeing‐McDonnell Douglas merger
Authors: An Yonghong , Zhao Wei
Published: July 2019

We evaluate the welfare effects of the 1997 Boeing‐McDonnell Douglas merger in the medium‐sized, wide‐body aircraft industry. We find that the merger led to lower prices. To explain the price drop, we develop a dynamic oligopoly game with learning‐by‐doing. We quantify the welfare effects of the merger by incorporating both increased market power and merger efficiencies from accelerated learning‐by‐doing. Our dynamic analysis indicates that net consumer surplus increased by as much as $5.14 billion, whereas a static model ignoring efficiencies of learning‐by‐doing predicts a $0.92 billion loss.
Prognostic significance of molecular characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid for non‐small cell lung cancer patients with leptomeningeal metastasis
Authors: Li Ning , Liu Yutao , Duan Jianchun , Yang Boyan , Bai Hua , Sun Rui , Yu Lei , Wang Jie
Published: July 2019

Background

Studies in EGFR+ non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) comparing survival rates and gene mutation detection with matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma are relatively scarce. We evaluated gene mutations, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes in EGFR+ NSCLC patients with LM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed gene mutation status in the CSF and plasma of 32 EGFR+ NSCLC patients with LM for prognostic significance.

Results

The rate of LM disease control was significantly higher in patients that switched EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatments, initiated EGFR‐TKIs, or received high‐dose EGFR‐TKI treatment than those who continued their current EGFR‐TKI treatment, received chemotherapy, or were not administered antitumor treatment (24/24, 100.0% vs. 1/8, 12.5%; P = 0.000). Overall survival was 27.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.0–37.5), median survival after LM was 7.0 months (95% CI 5.0–11.0), and median survival before LM was 17.0 months (95% CI 12–25.5). Median survival after LM was significantly shorter in patients with “worse” status (n = 7) than in those with “improved/stable” status (n = 25; 4.2 [95% CI 2.2–6.1] vs. 33.7 [95% CI 25.5–41.8] months, HR 10.114, 95% CI 0.29–1.37; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

EGFR‐TKIs should be the priority course of treatment in EGFR+ NSCLC patients after a diagnosis of LM. Liquid biopsy in both plasma and CSF, as well as dynamic detection, play important roles in the direction of treatment for such patients.
Adenocarcinoma masked by re‐expansion pulmonary edema after chest drainage for pneumothorax
Authors: Jung Jae Jun , An Hyo Jung , Jeon Kyung Nyeo , Kim Jong Woo
Published: July 2019

Re‐expansion pulmonary edema is a rare complication that may occur after chest drainage performed for pneumothorax. This condition manifests as areas of ground‐glass opacities (GGO) and septal thickening on imaging studies. In the case reported here, chest computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse ground‐glass opacity secondary to ruptured bullae in a patient who underwent chest tube drainage for pneumothorax, suggesting re‐expansion pulmonary edema. Histopathological examination of lung tissue resected from the vicinity of the bullae showed focal adenocarcinoma, which was masked by re‐expansion pulmonary edema on preoperative computed tomography. Right upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed on postoperative day 3.
Efficacy and safety of artificial pneumothorax with position adjustment for CT‐guided percutaneous transthoracic microwave ablation of small subpleural lung tumors
Authors: Jia Haipeng , Tian Jie , Liu Bo , Meng Hong , Pan Fengmin , Li Chunhai
Published: July 2019

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of artificial pneumothorax with position adjustment for computed tomograpy (CT)‐guided percutaneous transthoracic microwave ablation (MWA) of small subpleural lung tumors.

Methods

Fifty‐six patients with small subpleural lung tumors (< 3.0 cm) entered the study and underwent CT‐guided MWA with (group I: 24 patients with 24 tumors) or without (group II: 32 patients with 34 tumors) the support of artificial pneumothorax. Follow‐up contrast‐enhanced CT scans were reviewed. Pain VAS (visual analog scale) scores at, during, and after ablation were compared between the two groups. Technical success, technique efficacy, local tumor control and complications were compared.

Results

Creation of the artificial pneumothorax was achieved for 24/24 (100%) in group I and no complication related to the procedure was observed. Technical success of MWA was achieved for all 58 tumors. Primary efficacy of MWA was achieved in 23 of 24 tumors (95.8%) treated in group I, and 32 of 34 tumors (94.1%) treated in group II (P = 0.771). The 12‐month local tumor control was achieved in 87.5% (21/24) in group I compared with 88.2% (30/34) in group II (P = 0.833). Pain VAS scores in group I were significantly decreased after the pneumothorax induction at, during, and after ablation compared with group II (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in MWA‐related complications (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Artificial pneumothorax with position adjustment for CT‐guided MWA is effective and may be safely applied to small subpleural lung tumors. Artificial pneumothorax is a reliable therapy for pain relief.
Sternal reconstruction with bone cement block using the rigid plate fixation technique
Authors: Jung Jae Jun , Kim Seung Soo , Kang Dong Hoon , Moon Seong Ho , Yang Jun Ho , Byun Joung Hun , Kim Jong Woo , Kim Sung Hwan
Published: July 2019

Chest computed tomography demonstrated a suspected primary tumor in the upper sternal body of a 48‐year‐old woman who presented with sternal pain. After being diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, she underwent sternal resection. Subsequent chest wall reconstruction was performed after careful planning using a bone cement block made of polypropylene mesh and polymethylmethacrylate. The block was fixed to the manubrium and ribs using the SternaLock System. She was discharged following an uneventful postoperative recovery, and is currently undergoing follow‐up.
Phenological growth stages of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) according to the extended BBCH scale
Authors: Adiga Jamboor D. , Muralidhara Bommanahalli M. , Preethi Palpandian , Savadi Siddanna
Published: July 2019

The cashew is an important nut crop cultivated in the tropical regions. It is known for its economic and nutritional value. Phenology is the study of seasonal timing of recurring events in the annual growth cycle. A generic scale such as the Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale defines developmentally similar growth stages of different crops and within it, more specific scales for individual species can be developed. In the current study, detailed descriptions and codes are proposed for the growth stages of cashew using a modified three‐digit scale of BBCH. Seven principal growth stages viz. bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturity were described. A total of thirty‐seven secondary growth stages were identified and described within the seven principal growth stages. Due to the importance of phenological growth stages in crop management and crop improvement, the proposed phenological scale is expected to facilitate better adoption of cultural practices, efficient germplasm characterisation and help in studying the impact of climate change on cashew production.
Reduction in Drinking was Associated With Improved Clinical Outcomes in Women With HIV Infection and Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial of Oral Naltrexone Versus Placebo
Authors: Cook Robert L. , Zhou Zhi , Miguez Maria Jose , Quiros Clery , Espinoza Luis , Lewis John E. , Brumback Babette , Bryant Kendall
Published: July 2019

Background

Alcohol consumption is associated with poor health outcomes in women living with HIV (WLWH), but whether medication can help to reduce drinking in non–treatment‐seeking women or whether reduction in drinking improves HIV outcomes is unclear. We conducted a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of daily oral naltrexone (50 mg) versus placebo in WLWH who met criteria for current unhealthy alcohol use.

Methods

WLWH with current unhealthy alcohol use (>7 drinks/wk or >3 drinks/occasion) were randomly assigned to daily oral naltrexone 50 mg (n = 96) or placebo (n = 98) for 4 months. Drinking outcomes, including the proportion of women who reduced (<unhealthy use criteria) or quit drinking, were assessed at baseline, 2 months, 4 months (end of treatment), and 7 months. In a secondary analysis, HIV viral suppression and changes in CD4 counts were compared in women who did or did not reduce/quit drinking, regardless of intervention assignment.

Results

The participants’ mean age was 48 years, 86% were African American, and 94% were receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy. Among all participants, 89% and 85% completed the 4‐month and 7‐month follow‐ups, respectively. Participants in both groups substantially reduced drinking over time. At 1 and 3 months, naltrexone was associated with a greater reduction in drinking (p < 0.05), but the proportion who reduced/quit drinking at 4 months (52% vs. 45%, p = 0.36) or 7 months (64% in both groups) was not different. HIV viral suppression at follow‐up was significantly better in participants who reduced/quit drinking versus those continuing unhealthy alcohol use at 4 months (72% vs. 53%, p = 0.02) and 7 months (74% vs. 54%, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Participating in an RCT to reduce drinking was associated with significant drinking reduction regardless of medication assignment, suggesting that nonmedication aspects of research study participation (e.g., repeated assessments and support from research staff) could be important interventions to help reduce drinking outside of research studies. Drinking reduction was associated with improved HIV viral suppression, providing evidence to support recommendations to avoid unhealthy alcohol use among WLWH.
“Can't Wait to Blackout Tonight”: An Analysis of the Motives to Drink to Blackout Expressed on Twitter
Authors: Riordan Benjamin C. , Merrill Jennifer E. , Ward Rose Marie
Published: July 2019

Background

Alcohol‐related blackouts are associated with a range of negative consequences and are common among social drinkers. Discussing alcohol use on social networking platforms (e.g., Twitter) is common and related to higher alcohol consumption levels. Due to the widespread nature of alcohol‐related social networking posts and alcohol‐related blackouts, we examined the content of alcohol‐related blackouts posts/“Tweets” on Twitter, with a focus on intentions to blackout and specific motivations for blacking out.

Methods

A set of Tweets containing “blackout,” “blackout,” “blacking out,” “blacked out,” or “blacks out” were collected from April 26, 2018, and April 29, 2018. Using NVivo software, we coded all preblackout Tweets (i.e., before the blackout experience) for intentions and motives to blackout.

Results

Most Tweets that we collected expressed an intention to blackout and these intentions ranged in strength (i.e., will blackout vs. might blackout). With respect to specific motives for blacking out, celebration motives were identified. For example, Tweets addressed blacking out to celebrate one's birthday, someone else's birthday, a school or work accomplishment, a sports win, during a vacation, or a holiday. Another endorsed motive for blacking out was loss or coping motives. For example, the Tweets commented on blacking out to deal with stress or a bad day.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that Twitter users express intentions to blackout due to celebration or coping reasons. Given the consequences associated with blackout drinking, future research should consider the link between blackout intentions, blackout motives, and alcohol‐related harm.
The negative impacts of fire on the resurrection ecology of invertebrates from temporary wetlands in Cape Flats Sand Fynbos in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Blanckenberg Michelle , Mlambo Musa C. , Parker Denham , Reed Cecile
Published: July 2019

Fire is an important environmental disturbance in Mediterranean‐climate regions; however, its intensity and frequency are predicted to increase under climate change scenarios with unknown implications for ecosystems in these regions. Temporary wetlands, with their periodic wet and dry phases, are considered one of the most productive systems in the world and their invertebrate communities form a crucial diet component for higher trophic levels. The effect of fire on the hatching success of invertebrate propagules from temporary wetlands in the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (Cape Town, South Africa) was investigated. Homogenised soil samples from these wetlands were either experimentally subjected to vegetation fires (treatment samples) or were left as is (control samples). The results revealed that fire had a significant negative impact on invertebrate hatching success, as revealed by analyses of the different diversity measures (e.g. taxon richness, Shannon diversity and Pielou's evenness) and community composition. Proper management of fire, especially in the Mediterranean‐climate regions, which replicates the natural fire intervals typical of the area (10–15 years) and avoids unregulated or accidental fires, is essential to ensuring future protection of these critical biodiversity hotspots created by the temporary wetlands.
Confirmation that variants in TTI2 are responsible for autosomal recessive intellectual disability
Authors: Ziegler Alban , Bader Patricia , McWalter Kirsty , Douglas Ganka , Houdayer Clara , Bris Céline , Rouleau Stephanie , Coutant Régis , Colin Estelle , Bonneau Dominique
Published: July 2019

TTI2 (MIM 614126) has been described as responsible for autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ID; MRT39, MIM:615541) in only two inbred families. Here, we give an account of two individuals from two unrelated outbred families harbouring compound heterozygous TTI2 pathogenic variants. Together with severe ID, progressive microcephaly, scoliosis and sleeping disorder are the most striking features in the two individuals concerned. TTI2, together with TTI1 and TELO2, encode proteins that constitute the triple T heterotrimeric complex. This TTT complex interacts with the HSP90 and R2TP to form a super‐complex that has a chaperone function stabilising and maturing a number of kinases, such as ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated and mechanistic target of rapamycin, which are key regulators of cell proliferation and genome maintenance. Pathogenic variants in TTI2 logically result in a phenotype close to that caused by TELO2 variants.
Interactive Visualization of Flood and Heavy Rain Simulations
Authors: Cornel D. , Buttinger‐Kreuzhuber A. , Konev A. , Horváth Z. , Wimmer M. , Heidrich R. , Waser J.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we present a real‐time technique to visualize large‐scale adaptive height fields with C ‐continuous surface reconstruction. Grid‐based shallow water simulation is an indispensable tool for interactive flood management applications. Height fields defined on adaptive grids are often the only viable option to store and process the massive simulation data. Their visualization requires the reconstruction of a continuous surface from the spatially discrete simulation data. For regular grids, fast linear and cubic interpolation are commonly used for surface reconstruction. For adaptive grids, however, there exists no higher‐order interpolation technique fast enough for interactive applications.

Our proposed technique bridges the gap between fast linear and expensive higher‐order interpolation for adaptive surface reconstruction. During reconstruction, no matter if regular or adaptive, discretization and interpolation artifacts can occur, which domain experts consider misleading and unaesthetic. We take into account boundary conditions to eliminate these artifacts, which include water climbing uphill, diving towards walls, and leaking through thin objects. We apply realistic water shading with visual cues for depth perception and add waves and foam synthesized from the simulation data to emphasize flow directions. The versatility and performance of our technique are demonstrated in various real‐world scenarios. A survey conducted with domain experts of different backgrounds and concerned citizens proves the usefulness and effectiveness of our technique.
CV3: Visual Exploration, Assessment, and Comparison of CVs
Authors: Filipov V. , Arleo A. , Federico P. , Miksch S.
Published: July 2019

The Curriculum Vitae (CV, also referred to as “résumé”) is an established representation of a person's academic and professional history. A typical CV is comprised of multiple sections associated with spatio‐temporal, nominal, hierarchical, and ordinal data. The main task of a recruiter is, given a job application with specific requirements, to compare and assess CVs in order to build a short list of promising candidates to interview. Commonly, this is done by viewing CVs in a side‐by‐side fashion. This becomes challenging when comparing more than two CVs, because the reader is required to switch attention between them. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the CVs are structured similarly, thus making the overview cluttered and significantly slowing down the comparison process. In order to address these challenges, in this paper we propose “CV3”, an interactive exploration environment offering users a new way to explore, assess, and compare multiple CVs, to suggest suitable candidates for specific job requirements. We validate our system by means of domain expert feedback whose results highlight both the efficacy of our approach and its limitations. We learned that CV3 eases the overall burden of recruiters thereby assisting them in the selection process.
An Exploratory User Study of Visual Causality Analysis
Authors: Yen Chi‐Hsien Eric , Parameswaran Aditya , Fu Wai‐Tat
Published: July 2019

Interactive visualization tools are being used by an increasing number of members of the general public; however, little is known about how, and how well, people use visualizations to infer causality. Adapted from the mediation causal model, we designed an analytic framework to systematically evaluate human performance, strategies, and pitfalls in a visual causal reasoning task. We recruited 24 participants and asked them to identify the mediators in a fictitious dataset using bar charts and scatter plots within our visualization interface. The results showed that the accuracy of their responses as to whether a variable is a mediator significantly decreased when a confounding variable directly influenced the variable being analyzed. Further analysis demonstrated how individual visualization exploration strategies and interfaces might influence reasoning performance. We also identified common strategies and pitfalls in their causal reasoning processes. Design implications for how future visual analytics tools can be designed to better support causal inference are discussed.
A Visual Tool for the Analysis of Algorithms for Tomographic Fiber Reconstruction in Materials Science
Authors: Fröhler B. , Elberfeld T. , Möller T. , Hege H.C. , Weissenböck J. , De Beenhouwer J. , Sijbers J. , Kastner J. , Heinzl C.
Published: July 2019

We present visual analysis methods for the evaluation of tomographic fiber reconstruction algorithms by means of analysis, visual debugging and comparison of reconstructed fibers in materials science. The methods are integrated in a tool (FIAKER) that supports the entire workflow. It enables the analysis of various fiber reconstruction algorithms, of differently parameterized fiber reconstruction algorithms and of individual steps in iterative fiber reconstruction algorithms. Insight into the performance of fiber reconstruction algorithms is obtained by a list‐based ranking interface. A 3D view offers interactive visualization techniques to gain deeper insight, e.g., into the aggregated quality of the examined fiber reconstruction algorithms and parameterizations. The tool was designed in close collaboration with researchers who work with fiber‐reinforced polymers on a daily basis and develop algorithms for tomographic reconstruction and characterization of such materials. We evaluate the tool using synthetic datasets as well as tomograms of real materials. Five case studies certify the usefulness of the tool, showing that it significantly accelerates the analysis and provides valuable insights that make it possible to improve the fiber reconstruction algorithms. The main contribution of the paper is the well‐considered combination of methods and their seamless integration into a visual tool that supports the entire workflow. Further findings result from the analysis of (dis‐)similarity measures for fibers as well as from the discussion of design decisions. It is also shown that the generality of the analytical methods allows a wider range of applications, such as the application in pore space analysis.
Robust Extraction and Simplification of 2D Symmetric Tensor Field Topology
Authors: Jankowai Jochen , Wang Bei , Hotz Ingrid
Published: July 2019

In this work, we propose a controlled simplification strategy for degenerated points in symmetric 2D tensor fields that is based on the topological notion of robustness. Robustness measures the structural stability of the degenerate points with respect to variation in the underlying field. We consider an entire pipeline for generating a hierarchical set of degenerate points based on their robustness values. Such a pipeline includes the following steps: the stable extraction and classification of degenerate points using an edge labeling algorithm, the computation and assignment of robustness values to the degenerate points, and the construction of a simplification hierarchy. We also discuss the challenges that arise from the discretization and interpolation of real world data.
Analysis of Long Molecular Dynamics Simulations Using Interactive Focus+Context Visualization
Authors: Byška J. , Trautner T. , Marques S.M. , Damborský J. , Kozlíková B. , Waldner M.
Published: July 2019

Analyzing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is a key aspect to understand protein dynamics and function. With increasing computational power, it is now possible to generate very long and complex simulations, which are cumbersome to explore using traditional 3D animations of protein movements. Guided by requirements derived from multiple focus groups with protein engineering experts, we designed and developed a novel interactive visual analysis approach for long and crowded MD simulations. In this approach, we link a dynamic 3D focus+context visualization with a 2D chart of time series data to guide the detection and navigation towards important spatio‐temporal events. The 3D visualization renders elements of interest in more detail and increases the temporal resolution dependent on the time series data or the spatial region of interest. In case studies with different MD simulation data sets and research questions, we found that the proposed visual analysis approach facilitates exploratory analysis to generate, confirm, or reject hypotheses about causalities. Finally, we derived design guidelines for interactive visual analysis of complex MD simulation data.
IGM‐Vis: Analyzing Intergalactic and Circumgalactic Medium Absorption Using Quasar Sightlines in a Cosmic Web Context
Authors: Burchett J.N. , Abramov D. , Otto J. , Artanegara C. , Prochaska J.X. , Forbes A.G.
Published: July 2019

We introduce IGM‐Vis, a novel astrophysics visualization and data analysis application for investigating galaxies and the gas that surrounds them in context with their larger scale environment, the Cosmic Web. Environment is an important factor in the evolution of galaxies from actively forming stars to quiescent states with little, if any, discernible star formation activity. The gaseous halos of galaxies (the circumgalactic medium, or CGM) play a critical role in their evolution, because the gas necessary to fuel star formation and any gas expelled from widely observed galactic winds must encounter this interface region between galaxies and the intergalactic medium (IGM). We present a taxonomy of tasks typically employed in IGM/CGM studies informed by a survey of astrophysicists at various career levels, and demonstrate how these tasks are facilitated via the use of our visualization software. Finally, we evaluate the effectiveness of IGM‐Vis through two in‐depth use cases that depict real‐world analysis sessions that use IGM/CGM data.
Evaluating image quality measures to assess the impact of lossy data compression applied to climate simulation data
Authors: Baker A. H. , Hammerling D. M. , Turton T. L.
Published: July 2019

Applying lossy data compression to climate model output is an attractive means of reducing the enormous volumes of data generated by climate models. However, because lossy data compression does not exactly preserve the original data, its application to scientific data must be done judiciously. To this end, a collection of measures is being developed to evaluate various aspects of lossy compression quality on climate model output. Given the importance of data visualization to climate scientists interacting with model output, any suite of measures must include a means of assessing whether images generated from the compressed model data are noticeably different from images based on the original model data. Therefore, in this work we conduct a forced‐choice visual evaluation study with climate model data that surveyed more than one hundred participants with domain relevant expertise. In addition to the images created from unaltered climate model data, study images are generated from model data that is subjected to two different types of lossy compression approaches and multiple levels (amounts) of compression. Study participants indicate whether a visual difference can be seen, with respect to the reference image, due to lossy compression effects. We assess the relationship between the perceptual scores from the user study to a number of common (full reference) image quality assessment (IQA) measures, and use statistical models to suggest appropriate measures and thresholds for evaluating lossily compressed climate data. We find the structural similarity index (SSIM) to perform the best, and our findings indicate that the threshold required for climate model data is much higher than previous findings in the literature.
Designing Animated Transitions to Convey Aggregate Operations
Authors: Kim Younghoon , Correll Michael , Heer Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Data can be aggregated in many ways before being visualized in charts, profoundly affecting what a chart conveys. Despite this importance, the type of aggregation is often communicated only via axis titles. In this paper, we investigate the use of animation to disambiguate different types of aggregation and communicate the meaning of aggregate operations. We present design rationales for animated transitions depicting aggregate operations and present the results of an experiment assessing the impact of these different transitions on identification tasks. We find that judiciously staged animated transitions can improve subjects' accuracy at identifying the aggregation performed, though sometimes with longer response times than with static transitions. Through an analysis of participants' rankings and qualitative responses, we find a consistent preference for animation over static transitions and highlight visual features subjects report relying on to make their judgments. We conclude by extending our animation designs to more complex charts of aggregated data such as box plots and bootstrapped confidence intervals.
Focus+Context Exploration of Hierarchical Embeddings
Authors: Höllt T. , Vilanova A. , Pezzotti N. , Lelieveldt B.P.F. , Hauser H.
Published: July 2019

Hierarchical embeddings, such as HSNE, address critical visual and computational scalability issues of traditional techniques for dimensionality reduction. The improved scalability comes at the cost of the need for increased user interaction for exploration. In this paper, we provide a solution for the interactive visual Focus+Context exploration of such embeddings. We explain how to integrate embedding parts from different levels of detail, corresponding to focus and context groups, in a joint visualization. We devise an according interaction model that relates typical semantic operations on a Focus+Context visualization with the according changes in the level‐of‐detail‐hierarchy of the embedding, including also a mode for comparative Focus+Context exploration and extend HSNE to incorporate the presented interaction model. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we present a use case based on the visual exploration of multi‐dimensional images.
InsideInsights: Integrating Data‐Driven Reporting in Collaborative Visual Analytics
Authors: Mathisen A. , Horak T. , Klokmose C. N. , Grønbæk K. , Elmqvist N.
Published: July 2019

Analyzing complex data is a non‐linear process that alternates between identifying discrete facts and developing overall assessments and conclusions. In addition, data analysis rarely occurs in solitude; multiple collaborators can be engaged in the same analysis, or intermediate results can be reported to stakeholders. However, current data‐driven communication tools are detached from the analysis process and promote linear stories that forego the hierarchical and branching nature of data analysis, which leads to either too much or too little detail in the final report. We propose a conceptual design for integrated data‐driven reporting that allows for iterative structuring of insights into hierarchies linked to analytic provenance and chosen analysis views. The hierarchies become dynamic and interactive reports where collaborators can review and modify the analysis at a desired level of detail. Our web‐based InsideInsights system provides interaction techniques to annotate states of analytic components, structure annotations, and link them to appropriate presentation views. We demonstrate the generality and usefulness of our system with two use cases and a qualitative expert review.
Investigating the Manual View Specification and Visualization by Demonstration Paradigms for Visualization Construction
Authors: Saket Bahador , Endert Alex
Published: July 2019

Interactivity plays an important role in data visualization. Therefore, understanding how people create visualizations given different interaction paradigms provides empirical evidence to inform interaction design. We present a two‐phase study comparing people's visualization construction processes using two visualization tools: one implementing the manual view specification paradigm (Polestar) and another implementing visualization by demonstration (VisExemplar). Findings of our study indicate that the choice of interaction paradigm influences the visualization construction in terms of: 1) the overall effectiveness, 2) how participants phrase their goals, and 3) their perceived control and engagement. Based on our findings, we discuss trade‐offs and open challenges with these interaction paradigms.
Notes on Designer Entrepreneurs and “The Geppetto Effect”
Authors: Valencia Hernandez Jose Aldo , Pearce Alison
Published: July 2019

The skills and talents of a design professional are not necessarily the skills and talents that will help them succeed with a startup business. Many “entrepreneur designers” could do with some help from professionals who can help them see the “big picture.”

When designer entrepreneurs fall in love with their designs, the perfect can become the enemy of the good.
Future Directions: Design Meets Neuroscience
Authors: Flory Melanie , Ivanova Ninela
Published: July 2019

Design thinking can find much material in the fields of psychology and neuroscience research, while neuroscience can benefit from design’s potential to influence and engage human beings. The authors of this article found that they had a lot to say to each other.

A designer and a neuroscientist join forces and discover a whole new world.