Towards a biodiversity knowledge graph

One way to think about "core" biodiversity data is as a network of connected entities, such as taxa, taxonomic names, publications, people, species, sequences, images, and collections that form the "biodiversity knowledge graph". Many questions in biodiversity informatics can be framed as paths in this graph. This article explores this futher, and sketches a set of services and tools we would need in order to construct the graph

Disentangling agglomeration and network externalities : a conceptual typology

Agglomeration and network externalities are fuzzy concepts. When different meanings are (un)intentionally juxtaposed in analyses of the agglomeration/network externalities-menagerie, researchers may reach inaccurate conclusions about how they interlock. Both externality types can be analytically combined, but only when one adopts a coherent approach to their conceptualization and operationalization, to which end we provide a combinatorial typology. We illustrate the typology by applying a state-of-the-art bipartite network projection detailing the presence of globalized producer services firms in cities in 2012. This leads to two one-mode graphs that can be validly interpreted as topological renderings of agglomeration and network externalities

Examining the impact of different street classification scenarios on active transportation equity. Insights from Athens, Greece

Transport equity is an essential characteristic of a just city and a concept related to social inclusion. This study examined how different street classification scenarios will affect active transportation equity. Four different scenarios with different planning rationales were developed that reformulate the street classification in a municipality within a metropolitan area, i.e., Kallithea in Athens, Greece. These scenarios give rise to new street categories that reallocate street space favoring active transport users. The evaluation of active transportation equity was carried out by utilizing spatial analysis and welfare economics through the lens of egalitarian and sufficientarian approaches. Based on the results, scenarios that propose new urban centers as well as a readable street classification with traffic calming zones determined by ring roads seem to be more efficient in accommodating vulnerable users in an equitable way. Hence, new planning schemes should rely on active modes, leaving automobiles behind. In general, measuring the impact of street classification scenarios through the lens of equity is critical for improving the quality of life in cities. Additionally, it is noteworthy knowledge for policy makers, planners, and local administrators. Finally, this research may inspire new studies, enriching the scientific debate

Readability of informed consent forms for whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing

Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing (WES, WGS) can generate an unprecedented amount of complex information, making the informed consent (IC) process challenging. The aim of our study was to assess the readability of English IC forms for clinical whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing using the SMOG and Flesch-Kincaid formulas. We analysed 36 forms, most of which were from US providers. The median readability grade levels were 14.75 (the SMOG formula) and 12.2 (the Flesch-Kincaid formula); these values indicate the years of education after which a person would be able to understand a text studied. All forms studied seem to fail to meet the average recommended readability grade level of 8 (e.g. by Institutional Review Boards of US medical schools) for IC forms, indicating that the content of the forms may not be comprehensible to many patients. The sections aimed at health care professionals (HCPs) in the forms indicate that HCPs should be responsible for explaining IC information to the patients. However, WES and WGS may be increasingly offered by primary care professionals who may not (yet) have sufficient training to be able to communicate effectively with patients about genomics. Therefore, to secure an adequate, truly informed consent process, the task of developing good, legible examples of IC forms along with educating HCPs in genomics should be taken seriously, and adequate resources should be allocated to enable these tasks

Algorithms, Automation, and News

This special issue examines the growing importance of algorithms and automation in the gathering, composition, and distribution of news. It connects a long line of research on journalism and computation with scholarly and professional terrain yet to be explored. Taken as a whole, these articles share some of the noble ambitions of the pioneering publications on ‘reporting algorithms’, such as a desire to see computing help journalists in their watchdog role by holding power to account. However, they also go further, firstly by addressing the fuller range of technologies that computational journalism now consists of: from chatbots and recommender systems, to artificial intelligence and atomised journalism. Secondly, they advance the literature by demonstrating the increased variety of uses for these technologies, including engaging underserved audiences, selling subscriptions, and recombining and re-using content. Thirdly, they problematize computational journalism by, for example, pointing out some of the challenges inherent in applying AI to investigative journalism and in trying to preserve public service values. Fourthly, they offer suggestions for future research and practice, including by presenting a framework for developing democratic news recommenders and another that may help us think about computational journalism in a more integrated, structured manner

Implications of automated vehicles for street design and planning: Espoo case

Automated Vehicles (AVs), in their foundational stage, are gradually emerging into Espoo’s road network. During the transition phase, AVs are expected to introduce several challenges and requirements for road operators in design and maintenance of physical infrastructure. This has pushed cities to investigate the potential changes needed to the way their road networks are operated and managed, to consistently support and optimize the outcomes from the introduction of AVs. The thesis uses a combination of qualitative methods, including map-based survey, road test drives, expert discussions and critical testing scenarios to identify and assess several street design elements in Espoo. The study assesses the automation ability of the Tesla Autopilot in the road network by experimenting several driving scenarios and weather conditions i.e. night and rain. The study also briefly tests other steering assist systems as a way to assess and compare capabilities of other steering assist systems within similar road environments. Today, the design and quality of road markings are the key features influencing the operation of machine vision based automated systems. Therefore, discussions regarding street design implications are mainly related to the design of longitudinal markings. In this study, several design elements had been identified and studied, including edge marking, lane split and merge marking, bus stop and side parking marking. Based on the current technological trends in vehicle automation, road operators are advised to consider several physical infrastructure and maintenance elements, including primarily the machine readability of line markings. The consistency in design, implementation and maintenance of road markings are seen to have the most benefit in facilitating the deployment of AVs today. However, it was observed that some road marking elements were more critical than others, and therefore, it is suggested that they have higher maintenance and design priority. While the study assesses street design elements that are seen significant for the operation of steering assist systems today, operators are advised to consider planning frameworks to plan for the introduction of AVs, in order to avoid making changes that may hinder their operation in the future. However, it is important to consider other aspects of road operation and management when considering any new innovative changes in street design in the future

Beyond the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic: opportunities to optimize clinical trial implementation in oncology

COVID-19 pandemic; OncologyPandemia de COVID-19; OncologíaPandèmia de COVID-19; OncologiaIn this paper, we aim to capitalize on the lessons learnt from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical trials and use them as a catalyst to launch a discussion over a framework of broader adaptations needed in the design and implementation of oncology clinical trialsNone declared

iPad use in Fieldwork: Formal and informal use to enhance pedagogic practice in a Bring Your Own Technology world.

We report on use of iPads (and other IOS devices) for student fieldwork use and as electronic field notebooks. We have used questionnaires and interviews of tutors and students to elicit their views on technology and iPad use for fieldwork. There is some reluctance for academic staff to relinquish paper notebooks for iPad use, whether in the classroom or on fieldwork. Students too are largely unaware of the potential of iPads for enhancing fieldwork. Apps can be configured for a wide variety of specific uses that make iPads useful for educational as well as social uses. Such abilities should be used to enhance existing practice as well as make new functionality. For example, for disabled students who find it difficult to use conventional note taking iPads can be used to develop student self-directed learning and for group contributions. The technology becomes part of the students’ personal learning environments as well as at the heart of their knowledge spaces – academic and social. This blurring of boundaries is due to iPads’ usability to cultivate field use, instruction, assessment and feedback processes. iPads can become field microscopes and entries to citizen science, and we see the iPad as the main ‘computing’ device for students in the near future. As part of Bring Your Own Technology/Device the iPad has much to offer, although both staff and students need to be guided in the most effective use for self-directed education via development of personal learning Environments

Rethinking Critical Success Factors for Enterprise System Adoption: The Case of a Transition Economy

This study’s goal is to investigate and better understand critical success factors (CSFs) for enterprise system (ES) adoption. The research setting embraces ES adoptions conducted in Polish companies, therefore it focuses on a transition economy environment. On the basis of research conducted among more than a hundred Polish companies that had adopted ES, an analysis based on grounded theory revealed 20 CSFs grouped into 4 categories. Next, a stakeholder analysis of discovered CSFs allowed us to propose stakeholder groups, the evaluation of their importance and relationships. Achieved results were compared with the findings of prior research conducted in developed and developing economies. The main results suggest that CSFs for ES adoption in transition economies are first and foremost people-related. The article concludes with the discussion of further research