VisBricks: multiform visualization of large, inhomogeneous data

Large volumes of real-world data often exhibit inhomogeneities: vertically in the form of correlated or independent dimensions and horizontally in the form of clustered or scattered data items. In essence, these inhomogeneities form the patterns in the data that researchers are trying to find and understand. Sophisticated statistical methods are available to reveal these patterns, however, the visualization of their outcomes is mostly still performed in a one-view-fits-all manner. In contrast, our novel visualization approach, VisBricks, acknowledges the inhomogeneity of the data and the need for different visualizations that suit the individual characteristics of the different data subsets. The overall visualization of the entire data set is patched together from smaller visualizations, there is one VisBrick for each cluster in each group of interdependent dimensions. Whereas the total impression of all VisBricks together gives a comprehensive high-level overview of the different groups of data, each VisBrick independently shows the details of the group of data it represents. State-of-the-art brushing and visual linking between all VisBricks furthermore allows the comparison of the groupings and the distribution of data items among them. In this paper, we introduce the VisBricks visualization concept, discuss its design rationale and implementation, and demonstrate its usefulness by applying it to a use case from the field of biomedicine.     

Preparation of amorphous composite materials

Composite meterialoconuioting of an amorphous Ni₇₅B₁₇Si₈ matrix and containing one or two reinforcing tungsten wire(s) were prepared by a modified melt-spinning technique, With this method it was possible to incorporate a single 10, 26 and 60m wire in the entire length of an amorphous ribbon, as well as two 26m wires. The process is continuous and allows the praparation of arbitrarily long composite ribbons.     

New DNA polymerase IIIC inhibitors: 3-subtituted anilinouracils with potent antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo

The development of resistance has rendered several antibiotics clinically ineffective, and there is an urgent medical need for potent and safe antibacterials with a novel and valid mode of action. To avoid cross-resistance, they should preferably inhibit targets that are not addressed by established antibiotics. In this respect, 6-anilinouracils represent a promising lead structure. They target the Gram-positive DNA polymerase IIIC, a target that is associated with a bactericidal mode of action. Moreover, they have no cross-resistance to marketed antibiotics. This paper describes the synthesis and biological characterization of structurally novel anilinouracils, some of which display potent in vivo efficacy in murine models of bacterial septicemia.     

Self-regulation and selective exposure: The impact of depleted self-regulation resources on confirmatory information processing.

In the present research, the authors investigated the impact of self-regulation resources on confirmatory information processing, that is, the tendency of individuals to systematically prefer standpoint-consistent information to standpoint-inconsistent information in information evaluation and search. In 4 studies with political and economic decision-making scenarios, it was consistently found that individuals with depleted self-regulation resources exhibited a stronger tendency for confirmatory information processing than did individuals with nondepleted self-regulation resources. Alternative explanations based on processes of ego threat, cognitive load, and mood were ruled out. Mediational analyses suggested that individuals with depleted self-regulation resources experienced increased levels of commitment to their own standpoint, which resulted in increased confirmatory information processing. In sum, the impact of ego depletion on confirmatory information search seems to be more motivational than cognitive in nature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nichtlineare modellbasierte prädiktive Regelung der Fahrzeugdynamik in Bezug auf eine aktive Wankstabilisierung und eine Nickreduzierung

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein nichtlinearer modellbasierter Regelungsansatz vorgestellt, der die Fahrzeugdynamik, im speziellen das Wank- und Nickverhalten eines...     

Validating intrinsic markers and optimizing spot sampling frequency to estimate fecal outputs

Indirect methods of spot sampling with intrinsic markers to estimate fecal output and nutrient digestibility often have been used in dairy nutrition research as alternatives to total collection of feces (TC) because of labor and expense. However, fecal output and nutrient digestibility estimated from the indirect method must be accurate regardless of altering dietary conditions. This experiment was designed to validate the accuracy of using indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) or acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as intrinsic markers to estimate fecal outputs and nutrient digestibility compared with TC and to determine the optimal number of spot sampling events to accurately determine fecal output and then nutrient excretion. The experiment used 12 multiparous lactating Holstein cows in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked by days in milk and milk yield and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diets: a diet containing about 49% corn silage on a dry matter basis and a diet containing about 48% alfalfa silage with high by-product (soyhulls) and supplemental K. During the final 3 d of 21-d periods, TC was performed, and 12 spot samples were collected for the same 3 d to represent every 2 h in a 24-h cycle. Fecal outputs and nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, or nitrogen estimated with iNDF or AIA as an intrinsic marker were compared with TC. Overall, fecal outputs and digestibility estimated with iNDF were similar to that estimated with TC, whereas AIA overestimated fecal output by 44 to 61% and underestimated nutrient digestibilities by 16 to 32%. However, potential differences in statistical inference of dietary effects between iNDF and TC were found. Data from individual spot samples were aggregated to represent spot sampling frequencies of 12 (SP12), 6 (SP6), 4 (SP4), or 2 (SP2) evenly spaced events starting at feeding time. Compared with TC, SP12 produced similar fecal content of iNDF, organic matter, and nitrogen, but fecal AIA content was greater. Furthermore, compared with SP12, SP6 produced similar fecal content of all nutrients, whereas marker and nutrient concentrations in SP4 and SP2 were different. In this experiment, iNDF was a better fecal marker than AIA, and a spot sampling frequency of at least 6 events was necessary. However, interpretation of dietary effects could be confounded when iNDF was used to estimate fecal outputs.     

Al-oxynitrides as a buffer layer for Pr2O3/SiC interfaces

We elaborate the possibility of combining high-k dielectrics with wide band gap semiconductors, i.e. Pr₂O₃ on SiC. The thermal stability of interfacial aluminum oxynitride (AlON) layers between Pr-oxide and SiC has been investigated by synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (SRPES). The interface of Pr₂O₃ with SiC is reactive. Such reaction is successfully prevented by utilizing a stable interlayer derived from AlON. No elemental carbon is observed in detectable amount after Pr-Oxide deposition on AlON covered 3C-SiC and subsequent vacuum annealing. After vacuum annealing at 500 °C AlON transformed to AlN and Pr-aluminate with a small amount of CN close to the SiC surface which were thermally stable even at 900 °C. AlON hence provides a good diffusion barrier between Pr-oxide dielectric and 3C-SiC.     

Defect tolerance assessment of ARIANE 5 structures on the basis of damage mechanics material modelling

Damage mechanics based material models have been applied to establish fracture control procedures for the failure prediction of ARIANE 5 main structural components as the booster cases including welds, the main stage, and the upper stage cryogenic tank. The main goals of the damage mechanics based investigations were the accurate failure prediction, the clarification of dependency of fracture toughness on geometry, the calibration of analytical methods and the interpretation and optimisation of small scale fracture tests for material characterization and quality assurance.The results of these investigations allowed a failure prediction accuracy with analytical tools which is close to 3D numerical simulations. This could be demonstrated both with ductile (Gurson) and brittle (RKR) damage mechanics models.