VizAssist: an interactive user assistant for visual data mining

We study in this work how a user can be guided to find a relevant visualization in the context of visual data mining. We present a state of the art on the user assistance in visual and interactive methods. We propose a user assistant called VizAssist, which aims at improving the existing approaches along three directions: it uses simpler computational models of the visualizations and the visual perception guidelines, in order to facilitate the integration of new visualizations and the definition of a mapping heuristic. VizAssist allows the user to provide feedback in a visual and interactive way, with the aim of improving the data to visualization mapping. This step is performed with an interactive genetic algorithm. Finally, VizAssist aims at proposing a free on-line tool (www.vizassist.fr) that respects the privacy of the user data. This assistant can be viewed as a global interface between the user and some of the many visualizations that are implemented with D3js.     

AgCuS: A Single Material Diode with Fast Switching Times

Pnp-switchable semiconductor materials are capable of switching their electronic properties from p- to n-type conduction. Observed in the handful of discovered compounds, this behavior is usually accompanied by a temperature-dependent phase transition. During this transition, the dynamical rearrangement of a certain substructure enables the change of the predominant charge carrier type. Considering the immense demand for compact and flexible electronic components, one possible approach is the construction of unconventional one-compound diodes using these pnp-switchable materials. In this study, pnp-switchable AgCuS is applied to realize a functional one-compound diode. AgCuS is accessible in large quantities as bulk material in a simple and short timeframe. Featuring an addressable pnp-switch at 364 K, this material is suitable for diode generation and usage in varied applications. The diode properties of AgCuS devices are reported and illustrate its reversibility and flexibility for diode operation. The material is fully characterized with regards to its electrical and thermal properties, as well as its diode performance. Properties of AgCuS are discussed in relation to the pnp-switchable material Ag₁₈Cu₃Te₁₁Cl₃, which is successfully used to fabricate the first one-compound diode operating close to room temperature.