The Effects of Mixed-Initiative Visualization Systems on Exploratory Data Analysis

The primary purpose of information visualization is to act as a window between a user and the data. Historically, this has been accomplished via a single-agent framework: the only decision-maker in the relationship between visualization system and analyst is the analyst herself. Yet this framework arose not from first principles, but a necessity. Before this decade, computers were limited in their decision-making capabilities, especially in the face of large, complex datasets and visualization systems. This paper aims to present the design and evaluation of a mixed-initiative system that aids the user in handling large, complex datasets and dense visualization systems. We demonstrate this system with a between-groups, two-by-two study measuring the effects of this mixed-initiative system on user interactions and system usability. We find little to no evidence that the adaptive system designed here has a statistically significant impact on user interactions or system usability. We discuss the implications of this lack of evidence and examine how the data suggests a promising avenue for further research

Controlling and characterizing microstructure in lithium-ion battery electrodes

Lithium-ion battery electrodes consist of a functional composite containing electroactive solid particles where redox reactions occur, conductive additives, a polymeric binder to provide mechanical support, and void regions filled with electrolyte during cell fabrication. While much of the focus in the battery materials field is on the chemistry of the electroactive materials that dictate the fundamental limits on the energy density of the cell, the morphology of the electroactive materials and the microstructure of the electrode also have a significant influence on the resulting electrochemical properties. An example of an electrode microstructure is shown in Figure 1. For certain operating conditions and electrode architectures the transport of ions through the electrode microstructure can limit the performance of the cell, which means that controlling and understanding the microstructure can open up battery designs that improve the performance and energy density at the cell level. This strategy should be broadly applicable to multiple battery materials. In this paper, we will describe progress in our lab in synthesizing battery electroactive particles of controllable morphology and processing these particles into composite electrodes. The size, shape, and polydispersity of the particles results in different packing in the electrode and thus different electrode microstructures, while the active material composition is kept constant. Characterization of these electrodes to elucidate microstructure effects on electrochemical performance will also be described, in particular how different transport limitations become relevant for different electrode geometries. Measurements of the tortuosity of the electrodes will be detailed, and the conditions will be determined where transport is limited either within the electroactive particles or through the electrode microstructure. The electrodes described in this paper are functional composites for energy storage applications which is of relevance to the topical theme of this conference. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Coronary microcirculation dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension

The number of articles regarding microcirculation dysfunction in the literature increases. One should bear them inmind especially in case of patients, who declare typical angina, and in whom during coronary angiography we donot reveal significant lesions in coronary arteries. Arterial hypertension is one of diseases, which may contribute tomicrocirculation dysfunction and vessels remodeling. In this short review, we discuss possible mechanism of abovementioneddisturbances.The number of articles regarding microcirculation dysfunction in the literature increases. One should bear them in mind especially in case of patients, who declare typical angina, and in whom during coronary angiography we do not reveal significant lesions in coronary arteries. Arterial hypertension is one of diseases, which may contribute to microcirculation dysfunction and vessels remodeling. In this short review, we discuss possible mechanism of above-mentioned disturbances

Changes in undergraduates’ marijuana, heavy alcohol and cigarette use following legalization of recreational marijuana use in Oregon

Background and AimsRecreational marijuana legalization (RML) went into effect in Oregon in July 2015. RML is expected to influence marijuana use by adolescents and young adults in particular, and by those with a propensity for substance use. We sought to quantify changes in rates of marijuana use among college students in Oregon from pre‐ to post‐RML relative to college students in other states across the same time period.DesignRepeated cross‐sectional survey data from the 2012–16 administrations of the Healthy Minds Study.SettingSeven 4‐year universities in the United States.ParticipantsThere were 10 924 undergraduate participants. One large public Oregon university participated in 2014 and 2016 (n = 588 and 1115, respectively); six universities in US states where recreational marijuana use was illegal participated both in 2016 and at least once between 2012 and 2015.MeasurementsSelf‐reported marijuana use in the past 30 days (yes/no) was regressed on time (pre/post 2015), exposure to RML (i.e. Oregon students in 2016) and covariates using mixed‐effects logistic regression. Moderation of RML effects by recent heavy alcohol use was examined.FindingsRates of marijuana use increased from pre‐ to post‐2015 at six of the seven universities, a trend that was significant overall. Increases in rates of marijuana use were significantly greater in Oregon than in comparison institutions, but only among students reporting recent heavy alcohol use.ConclusionsRates of Oregon college students’ marijuana use increased (relative to that of students in other states) following recreational marijuana legislation in 2015, but only for those who reported recent heavy use of alcohol. Such alcohol misuse may be a proxy for vulnerabilities to substance use or lack of prohibitions (e.g. cultural) against it.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138912/1/add13906_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138912/2/add13906.pd