Towards a product design assessment of visual analytics in decision support applications: a systematic review

There is currently an increasing effort to develop visual analytics (VA) tools that can support human analytical reasoning and decision making. In the last decade, advances in this field has allowed the application of various kinds of VA systems in real-world settings. While this represents a promising start from a product design perspective, part of the challenge to the research community is that current VA tools have evolved without due consideration of standardized design criteria and processes. Accordingly, some questions remain to be addressed on what are the useful, underlying attributes of effective VA tools and how their impact can be measured in human-product interaction. These considerations indicate a need to identify a specific range of VA tools and assess their capabilities through state-of-the-art empirical analysis. To address these issues, we conducted a systematic review of 470 VA papers published between 2006 and 2012. We report on the bibliometric techniques, the evaluation attributes and the metrics that were used to sample and analyze the body of literature. The analysis focused mainly on 26 papers that implemented visual analytics decision support tools. The results are presented in the form of six inductively derived design recommendations that, when taken together, uniquely contribute to the fields of product design and visual analytics.     

Evaluating visual analytics at the 2007 VAST Symposium contest

In this article, we report on the contest's data set and tasks, the judging criteria, the winning tools, and the overall lessons learned in the competition. We believe that by organizing these contests, we're creating useful resources for researchers and are beginning to understand how to better evaluate VA tools. Competitions encourage the community to work on difficult problems, improve their tools, and develop baselines for others to build or improve upon. We continue to evolve a collection of data sets, scenarios, and evaluation methodologies that reflect the richness of the many VA tasks and applications.     

Eyepiece focus and vergence/accommodation conflict: Implications for night‐vision devices

Abstract— Aviation increasingly conducts night operations using night‐vision devices. However, design of some aspects may limit performance. As pointed out by Kotulak, vergence/accommodation mismatch in NVDs, usually due to eyepiece focus misadjustments, is sometimes a source of visual acuity (VA) decrement. The increased separation between sensors, existing in some binocular helmetmounted displays, was also identified to be potentially responsible for decreased VA at short distances. Based upon knowledge pertaining to vergence and accommodation, a study was performed to better understand the problem of dissociation accommodation/convergence. Different conditions of interocular separation and viewing distances were used. Twelve subjects participated and were asked to resolve Landolt C charts using night‐vision goggles. The results show that, with the eyepiece focus fixed at 10 m, the decrease in VA is roughly proportional to the interocular separation, when looking at short distances. A fixed eyepiece focus at 4 m considerably reduces the conflict and results in improved VA. An additional experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of fixing the objective lenses focus at infinity. With this setting, the decrease in VA at a short distance was such that effects of the mismatch accommodation/convergence are no longer apparent regardless of the interocular separation.     

Co-Insights framework for collaborative decision support and tacit knowledge transfer

Abundant software tools use visual analytics (VA) techniques to support various decisions with the aim of boosting better insights. Large organizations, however, lose efficiency in selecting the right tools to support the persons who apply the tools to various decision tasks. Consequently, the creation and sharing of insights are far from optimal, leading consistently to sub-optimal decisions. In this work, the Co-Insights framework is introduced with automated collaboration support features to enable effective creation and sharing of distributed insights. A collaboration network (Co-Net) is established to model the collaborative decision making process in an organization. Two important features of the Co-Insights framework are developed: collaborative agent allocation analysis (CA3) for task–participant matching; and a robust mechanism for the recommendation of selected VA tools, by participant–tool matching. Thus, by better matching of tasks and tools with participants, the creation and sharing of insights are improved in any collaborative team for better decision making, accompanied with the tacit knowledge transfer to sustain the entire organization. To validate the effectiveness of these two main features, two experiments built on the Co-Net model are performed to test the newly developed algorithms. It has been found that CA3 significantly improves the matching scores by up to 35%, compared with conventional task–participant matching methods. The neural network based participant–tool matching mechanism yields robust results with 4% mismatches for 10% noise levels, and with 16% mismatches for 30% noise levels. Real case applications and implications are described, and further plans to extend this new framework are also outlined based on the reported experiments and evaluations.     

Stress in interactive applications: analysis of the valence-arousal space based on physiological signals and self-reported data

Measuring users’ emotional reaction to interactive multimedia and hypermedia is important. One particularly popular self-reported method for emotion assessment is the Valence-Arousal (VA) Scale: a 9?×?9 affective grid. This paper aims to identify specific stress region(s) in the VA space by combining self-reported ratings (pairs of VA) and physiological signals (skin conductance). To this end, 31 healthy volunteers participated in an experiment by performing five stressful interaction tasks while their skin conductance was monitored. The selected interaction tasks were most frequently listed as stressful by a separate group of 15 interviewees. After each task, participants expressed their perceived emotional experience using the VA rating space. Our findings show which regions in the VA rating space may reliably indicate self-reported stress that is in alignment with one’s measured skin conductance while using interactive applications. One additional important contribution of this work is the proposed approach for the empirical identification of affect regions in the VA space based on physiological signals.     

Smartphone based sperm counting - an alternative way to the visual assessment technique in sperm concentration analysis

Sperm Counting is the first phase of the infertility diagnosis. Computer Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) and Visual Assessment (VA) are two evaluation techniques employed in analyses. VA is carried out by observing sperm on counting chambers. Therefore, diagnosis strongly depends on the skills and experiences. CASA isolates the human factor by utilizing the computer based techniques. However, it is more costly than VA and requires exhausted parameter settings. In this study, we present a novel approach that uses smartphone and computer for sperm counting analysis. Smartphone is used to obtain images similar to VA technique. Then, sample videos are transferred to the computer side where we developed the Computerized Sperm Counting Software (CSCS) to count the sperm using counting chambers and eliminate human effects. CSCS consists of four modules: (1) Data Acquisition and Organization, (2) Regions of Interest (ROI) detection, (3) Motile/Immotile Sperm Detection, (4) Counting. Smartphone based data acquisition provided less costly design contrary to CASA systems. ROI extraction was realized by a combinational approach of line detection and segmentation methods. Background and Foreground extractions were employed in immotile and motile sperm detection process, respectively. Additionally, active contour was implemented to enhance the segmentation of immotile sperm. As the final step, detected sperms were counted by pixel based blob analysis. According to experimental results, the proposed smartphone based sperm concentration analysis can be adapted in laboratories due to its modularity, functionality, accuracy and cost when compare to CASA and VA based sperm counting analysis.

     

A new forwarding address for next generation networks

The forwarding address plays an important role in constructing a communication network.In this paper,a new forwarding address suitable for next generation networks named the vector address(VA) is proposed which is different from the forwarding address coding methods of current networks.The characteristics of the VA are analyzed.Complex network theory and a theoretical analysis method are introduced to study the average address length of the VA when used to construct a global network.Simulation experiments in a practical network topology model are carried out to validate the results.The results show that not only can the VA construct a simpler,more secure,and more scalable network,but it also can accommodate many more users than an Internet Protocol(IP) network with the same address length.     

Netlib and NA-Net: Building a Scientific Computing Community

Two resources evolved in the early 1980s to serve the needs of the scientific computing community. These resources were Netlib, a software repository that facilitated distribution of public-domain software, and NA-Net, a file of analysts' contact information that eventually supported an online directory and newsletter digest. The authors who created Netlib and NA-Net explain the history of these resources and their continuing impact.     

基于用户自定义兴趣区的飞行员眼动数据可视分析方法

针对传统基于兴趣区的可视化方法在分析飞行员眼动数据过程中无法关注细节的问题,提出了一种基于用户自定义兴趣区的眼动数据可视分析方法。首先,根据具体的分析任务,引入对任务背景图像的自我划分和定义;然后,在此基础上,结合多种辅助视图和交互手段,设计并实现了面向飞行员培训的眼动数据可视分析系统,帮助分析人员分析不同的飞行员之间的眼动差异,最后通过案例分析,证明了可视分析方法的有效性和分析系统的实用性。实验结果表明,较传统方法来说,所提方法增加了分析人员在分析过程中的主动性,在整体和局部方面,支持分析人员对任务背景进行细节的探索,增加了分析人员分析数据的多角度性,让分析人员能够结合整体发现飞行学员在训练过程中认知困难的部分,进而制定更有针对性、更有效的训练课程。     

健康最重要 防辐射机箱该怎么选

讨论常用的拓扑发现协议和工具,包括SNMP、ICMP、DNS以及ARP等其他工具,说明网络自动拓扑发现的基本工具各有利弊,在使用时,要根据网络的具体情况选择适当的发现工具,或者将多种工具结合起来使用,并且对于网络层拓扑发现提出改进算法.     

计算机网络拓扑发现相关问题探讨

讨论常用的拓扑发现协议和工具,包括SNMP、ICMP、DNS以及ARP等其他工具．说明网络自动拓扑发现的基本工具各有利弊,在使用时,要根据网络的具体情况选择适当的发现工具,或者将多种工具结合起来使用．并且对于网络层拓扑发现提出改进算法。     

Bad and good news about using software assurance tools

Software assurance tools – tools that scan the source or binary code of a program to find weaknesses – are the first line of defense in assessing the security of a software project. Even though there are a plethora of such tools available, with multiple tools for almost every programming language, adoption of these tools is spotty at best. And even though different tools have distinct abilities to find different kinds of weaknesses, the use of multiple tools is even less common. And when the tools are used (or attempted to be used), they are often used in ways that reduce their effectiveness. We present a step‐by‐step discussion of how to use a software assurance tool, describing the challenges that can occur in this process. We also present quantitative evidence about the effects that can occur when assurance tools are applied in a simplistic or naive way. We base this presentation on our direct experiences with using a wide variety of assurance tools. We then present the US Department of Homeland Security funded Software Assurance Marketplace (SWAMP), an open facility where users can upload their software to have it automatically and continually assessed by a variety of tools. The goal of the SWAMP is to simplify the task of the programmer in using assurance tools, thereby removing many of the obstacles to their adoption. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Software: Practice and Experience Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DEVAN: a tool for detailed video analysis of user test data

A tool was developed for structured and detailed analysis of video data from user tests of interactive systems. It makes use of a table format for representing an interaction at multiple levels of abstraction. Interactions are segmented based on threshold times for pauses between actions. Usability problems are found using a list of observable indications for the occurrence of problems. The tool was evaluated by having two analysts apply it to three data sets from user tests on two different products. The segmentation technique proved to yield meaningful segments that helped in understanding the interaction. The interaction table was explicit enough to discuss in detail what had caused the differences in the analysts' lists of usability problems. The results suggested that the majority of differences were caused by unavoidable differences in interpretations of subjects' behaviour and that only minor improvements should be expected by refining the tool.     

Nonuniform viewing angle of integral imaging display

While the viewing angle (VA) is an important parameter of three‐dimensional (3‐D) displays, a method has not yet been devised to determine the VA. We proposed a new approach to determine a VA of an integral imaging display. An integrated point appears at the cross section between collected rays and a lens array; the VA of the integrated point is thus equal to the angle between the two farthest rays. This approach is useful to determine the VA of all 3‐D displays, because a 3‐D point appears in the cross section of collected rays. The result of this study showed that the VA depends on the position of the integrated point and is smaller than the VA of the conventional calculation.     

An empirical comparison of textual and graphical data structuredocumentation for Cobol programs

The author presents the results of an experimental investigation into the comparative usefulness of textual tools and graphical tools for the program understanding phase of Cobol program maintenance. Both novice and experienced programmers are used as subjects. The results show a slight superiority for graphical tools when they are used by less experienced programmers. They cast doubt on the importance of rigid adherence to program design methodologies for experienced programmers and on the extensibility of experiments using relatively inexperienced student subjects     

Evaluating gaze-based interface tools to facilitate point-and-select tasks with small targets

Gaze interaction affords hands-free control of computers. Pointing to and selecting small targets using gaze alone is difficult because of the limited accuracy of gaze pointing. This is the first experimental comparison of gaze-based interface tools for small-target (e.g. <12 × 12 pixels) point-and-select tasks. We conducted two experiments comparing the performance of dwell, magnification and zoom methods in point-and-select tasks with small targets in single- and multiple-target layouts. Both magnification and zoom showed higher hit rates than dwell. Hit rates were higher when using magnification than when using zoom, but total pointing times were shorter using zoom. Furthermore, participants perceived magnification as more fatiguing than zoom. The higher accuracy of magnification makes it preferable when interacting with small targets. Our findings may guide the development of interface tools to facilitate access to mainstream interfaces for people with motor disabilities and other users in need of hands-free interaction.     

Everyday use of computer-mediated communication tools and its evolution over time: An ethnographical study with older people

Based on a 3-year ethnographical study, this paper discusses the prolonged use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools by approximately 400 older people in an adult education centre in Barcelona (Spain). Contrary to oversimplified views of older people as ICT users, this paper shows that they make a very rich use of CMC tools. Relevant elements of this use are their permanent desire to feel and be included, social, independent and competent ICT users. Despite the numerous interaction issues they face when using ICT, some are constant across different tools. Difficulties due to cognition limit their interactions more severely than those problems due to perceiving visual information or using the mouse. By examining the longitudinal aspect of the study, this paper addresses the evolution of technology use and whether the interaction issues that most of the current older people exhibit will be relevant when today’s more ICT literate young adults grow older. Interaction issues due to cognition are time-persistent, and independent of both experience and practice with ICT. Difficulties reading from the screen or using input devices are overcome with ICT experience. The strategies adopted by older people for coping with all these interaction issues are always targeted at feeling and being included, social, independent and competent ICT users. The results deepen current understanding of tools use in connecting older people with their social circles and the interaction issues most of them encounter when using ICT. The results also suggest that cognitive-related problems will be the most important ones in our work with the next generation of older people.     

Deformed nanostructure of photo‐induced biaxial cholesteric films and their application in VA‐mode LCDs

Abstract— Novel biaxial retardation films made from photo‐induced deformed cholesteric liquid‐crystal (LC) nanostructures using reactive mesogen mixtures (RMMs) for a viewing‐angle compensation of vertically aligned liquid‐crystal displays (VA‐LCDs) was developed. The deformed cholesteric LC nanostructure has been observed by X‐ray‐diffraction (XRD) measurement. The birefringence of the film was described well by our optical model based on a form birefringence theory. The VA‐LCDs with photo‐induced biaxial cholesteric films have excellent viewing‐angle properties.     

Knowledge elicitation with multiple experts: considerations and techniques

The already difficult knowledge acquisition process is complicated when the expert system being developed requires interaction with multiple experts. In this tutorial for novice knowledge engineers and managers we discuss some considerations involved in using multiple experts, including (1) deciding when multiple experts may be necessary, (2) eliciting knowledge from multiple experts individually or in small groups, and (3) knowledge engineer capabilities and preparation. Next, we present three specific group-appropriate techniques to elicit knowledge during a knowledge acquisition session: brainstorming, consensus decision making, and the nominal group technique. Finally, we consider the importance and objectives of debriefing following knowledge acquisition from multiple expertsDr K. McGraw currently heads Cognitive Technologies, a consulting firm in Alexandria, VA. She is on assignment with Falcon Microsystems at 1801 McCormick Dr., Landover, MD 20785.