The effect of personality on collaborative task performance and interaction

Collocated, multi-user technologies, which support group-work are becoming increasingly popular. Examples include MERL's Diamondtouch and Microsoft's Surface, both of which have evolved from research prototypes to commercial products. Many applications have been developed for such technologies which support the work and entertainment needs of small groups of people. None of these applications however, have been studied in terms of the interactions and performances of their users with regards to their personality. In this paper, we address this research gap by conducting a series of user studies involving dyads working on a number of multi-user applications on the DiamondTouch tabletop device

Variabilite et fluctuation de la composition des inflorescences et des grappes chez quelques varietés de Vitis vinifera

Dans un milieu défini, les possibilités de production d'une variété de Vigne sont déterminées par le nombre moyen d'inflorescences par rameau ou fertilité moyenne des bourgeons latents laissés à la taille et par le poids moyen des grappes à la récolte. Cette dernière caractéristique peut se décomposer en plusieurs facteurs:nombre de fleursnombre de baies par grappepoids moyen des baies.Chacun de ces caractères constitue d'ailleurs un problème particulier pour le sélectionneur.La variabilité de la composition des inflorescences et des grappes entre variétés est un fait bien connu. Des données -concernant les cépages cultivés en Alsace se trouvent dans les différents tableaux du texte. La fluctuation de ce caractère a été beaucoup moins étudiée et des observations effectuées en 1959, 1960 et 1968 sur des branches à fruits d'une douzaine de bourgeons, ont permis de dégager les faits suivants: Le nombre de fleurs par inflorescence de même rang augmente considérablement avec le rang des rameaux sur les branches à fruits (exemple 1959 - Gewurztraminer: rameau de la base, N = 65, lOe rameau, N = 137). Dans le processus d'induction florale la détermination du nombre de fleurs semble être plus tardive que celle du nombre d'inflorescences primordiales.Sur un m~me rameau il est possible de trouver 1, 2 ou 3 inflorescences. Le nombre de fleurs N par inflorescence diminue considérablement avec le rang des inflorescences Nl > N2 > N3. (Ex. Riesling 1960: Nl = 271, N2 = 242, N3 = 157).Les inflorescences de rang 1 sont les plus fournies sur des rameaux à 3, puis à 2 inflorescences. (Ex. Silvaner 1968: Nl-3 infl. = 295, Nl-2 infl. = 227, Nl-1 infl. = 108).Chez la majorité des cépages il existe une corrélation négative entre le nombre de fleurs par inflorescence et le pourcentage de nouaison. De ce fait, la fluctuation du nombre de baies est beaucoup plus réduite que celle du nombre de fleurs.L'ablation, avant la floraison, d'une inflorescence sur 2 ou sur 3, est sans influence sur la nouaison des autres.Variabilität und Fluktuation im Aufbau der Infloreszenzen und Trauben einiger Sorten von Vitis viniferaUnter definierten Umweltbedingungen ist der potentielle Ertrag einer Rebsorte abhängig von der durchschnittlichen Anzahl der Infloreszenzen je Trieb oder der durchschnittlichen Fruchtbarkeit der beim Schnitt belassenen Winterknospen und von dem durchschnittlichen Traubengewicht. Das letztere Charakteristikum setzt sich zusammen aus:Anzahl der BlütenAnzahl der Beeren je Traubedurchschnittliches BeerengewichtJedes dieser Merkmale stellt den Züchter vor besondere Aufgaben.Die zwischen den Sorten bestehende Variabilität im Aufbau der Infloreszenzen und der Trauben ist eine bekannte Tatsache. Angaben über die im Elsaß angebauten Sorten finden sich in den Tabellen. Die Modifikation des Traubengewichtes ist sehr viel weniger untersucht worden, und Beobachtungen in den Jahren 1959, 1960 und 1968 an Tragruten mit etwa einem Dutzend Knospen lassen folgende Fakten erkennen: Die Anzahl der Blüten je Infloreszenz gleicher Insertionshöhe erhöht sich beträchtlich mit der Insertionshöhe des Triebes auf der Tragrute (z. B.: 1959 - Gewürztraminer: basaler Trieb n = 65, 10. Trieb n = 137). Im Verlauf der Blüteninduktion scheint die Anzahl der Blütenprimordien später als die der Infloreszenzen determiniert zu werden.An einem Trieb können sich 1, 2 oder 3 Infloreszenzen befinden. Die Blütenzahl je Infloreszenz verringert sich beträchtlich mit der Insertionshöhe der Infloreszenzen, wobei die n1 > n2 > na ist (z. B. Riesling 1960: n1 = 271, n2 = 242, n3 = 157 Blüten).Die basalen Infloreszenzen sind auf den Trieben mit 3, danach auf denen mit 2 Infloreszenzen am umfangreichsten (z. B. Silvaner 1968: bei 3 Infloreszenzen n1 = 295, bei 2 Infloreszenzen n1 = 227 und bei 1 Infloreszenz n1 = 108 Blüten).Bei der Mehrzahl der Sorten besteht eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Blütenzahl je Infloreszenz und dem prozentualen Fruchtansatz. Daher ist die Modifikabilität der Beerenzahl wesentlich geringer als die der Blütenzahl.Die Entfernung einer von 2 und 3 Infloreszensen vor der Blüte hat keinen Einfluß auf den Fruchtansatz der anderen Infloreszenzen

Orphan crops of archaeology-based crop history research

So-called ‘forgotten’ or ‘orphan’ crops are an important component of strategies aimed at preserving and promoting biodiversity. Knowledge of historical cultivation, usage, and geographic and evolutionary trajectories of plants, that is, crop history research, is important for the long-term success of such efforts. However, research biases in the crops chosen for study may present hurdles. This review attempts to systematically identify patterns in crop species representativeness within archaeology-based crop history research. A meta-analysis and synthesis of archaeo- botanical evidence (and lack thereof) is presented for 268 species known to have been cultivated for food prior to 1492 CE from the Mediterranean region to South Asia. We identified 39 genera with known crop plants in this geographical and histor- ical context that are currently absent from its archaeobotanical record, constituting ‘orphan’ crops of archaeobotany. In addition, a worldwide synthesis of crop species studied using geometric morphometric, archaeogenetic and stable isotope analyses of archaeological plant remains is presented, and biases in the species represented in these disciplines are discussed. Both disciplinary methodological biases and economic agenda-based biases affecting species representativeness in crop history research are apparent. This study also highlights the limited geographic diffusion of most crops and the potential for deeper historical perspectives on how crops become marginal- ized and ‘forgotten’

The effect of spinal manipulative therapy on pain relief and function in patients with chronic low back pain: an individual participant data meta-analysis

Background: A 2019 review concluded that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) results in similar benefit compared to other interventions for chronic low back pain (LBP). Compared to traditional aggregate analyses individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses allows for a more precise estimate of the treatment effect. Purpose: To assess the effect of SMT on pain and function for chronic LBP in a IPD meta-analysis. Data sources: Electronic databases from 2000 until April 2016, and reference lists of eligible trials and related reviews. Study selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) examining the effect of SMT in adults with chronic LBP compared to any comparator. Data extraction and data synthesis: We contacted authors from eligible trials. Two review authors independently conducted the study selection and risk of bias. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence. A one-stage mixed model analysis was conducted. Negative point estimates of the mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) favors SMT. Results: Of the 42 RCTs fulfilling the inclusion criteria, we obtained IPD from 21 (n = 4223). Most trials (s = 12, n = 2249) compared SMT to recommended interventions. There is moderate quality evidence that SMT vs recommended interventions resulted in similar outcomes on pain (MD −3.0, 95%CI: −6.9 to 0.9, 10 trials, 1922 participants) and functional status at one month (SMD: −0.2, 95% CI −0.4 to 0.0, 10 trials, 1939 participants). Effects at other follow-up measurements were similar. Results for other comparisons (SMT vs non-recommended interventions; SMT as adjuvant therapy; mobilization vs manipulation) showed similar findings. SMT vs sham SMT analysis was not performed, because we only had data from one study. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Limitations: Only 50% of the eligible trials were included. Conclusions: Sufficient evidence suggest that SMT provides similar outcomes to recommended interventions, for pain relief and improvement of functional status. SMT would appear to be a good option for the treatment of chronic LBP. Systematic Review Registration Number PROSPERO CRD4201502571

A Novel Tool for Online Community Moderator Evaluation

This study introduces a new instrument for leadership evaluation in online forums and other online communities which was developed using a grounded approach. Questions that emerged from the literature were then evaluated to create hypotheses that guided the development of an instrument for moderator evaluation. The Moderator Evaluation Contingency Scale (MECS) is modified from Fiedler’s contingency model to determine if a moderator is more task- or relationship-oriented in his or her approach to moderation and interactions with other members of a community. The MECS was developed and tested on Reddit in 2013–2014 using random sampling for Forum selection, moderator selection, and interactions with users. A content analysis using the MECS to evaluate posts was found to be a viable measure of a moderator’s ability to perform tasks like removing content as well as his or her ability to interact with users. Bots were analyzed using the MECS as well to determine bias. Next steps include making the instrument available for use by social media and niche community sites, administrators, and other moderators

Données relatives à l'influence du rendement sur le taux de sucre des raisins

L'influence du rendement sur le taux de sucres a été analysée sur différents cépages à partir de 66 essais contrôlés comprenant 1.700 parcelles élémentaires de 1962 à 1974, situées dans le vignoble alsacien. La variabilité des résultats présente un caractère aléatoire. Les calculs des coefficients de régression sucres sur rendement montrent, qu'en moyenne, une augmentation ou une diminution de rendement de 10 hectolitres par hectare conduit respectivement à une diminution ou à une augmentation de 0,17 degré d'alcoo! probable, correspondant à 2,9 g de sucres par litre de moût. Cette relation ne s'établit qu'au-dessus d'un rendement voisin de 40 hectolitres par hectare. Une évaluation chiffré des répercussions financières de l'interaction rendement-taux de sucres montre que le problème de rémunération de la production viticole en fonction des critères de qualité n'est pas facile à résoudre. +++ In the Alsatian Vineyard the yield's influence on the sugar content has been analysed between 1962 and 1974 on different varieties by hand of the data of 1.700 plots in 66 experiments, The variability of the results show a random effect. The calculation of the regression lines between sugar content and yield has show that, in average, an 10 hl per hectare in-or decrease of the yield produces a 0,17 degree de-or increase of the potential alcoholic content, i.e. a plus or minus of 2,9 grams of sugar per liter must. This relation however is only true upwards a yield of about 40 hl per hectare. The financial depercussions' estimation of the interaction yield-sugar shows that the payment of the grape production after quaiity criteria is not easy to be practiced

Paleogenetic Analyses Reveal Unsuspected Phylogenetic Affinities between Mice and the Extinct Malpaisomys insularis, an Endemic Rodent of the Canaries

International audienceBackground: The lava mouse, Malpaisomys insularis, was endemic to the Eastern Canary islands and became extinct at the beginning of the 14th century when the Europeans reached the archipelago. Studies to determine Malpaisomys' phylogenetic affinities, based on morphological characters, remained inconclusive because morphological changes experienced by this insular rodent make phylogenetic investigations a real challenge. Over 20 years since its first description, Malpaisomys' phylogenetic position remains enigmatic. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we resolved this issue using molecular characters. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers were successfully amplified from subfossils of three lava mouse samples. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions revealed, without any ambiguity, unsuspected relationships between Malpaisomys and extant mice (genus Mus, Murinae). Moreover, through molecular dating we estimated the origin of the Malpaisomys/mouse clade at 6.9 Ma, corresponding to the maximal age at which the archipelago was colonised by the Malpaisomys ancestor via natural rafting. Conclusion/Significance: This study reconsiders the derived morphological characters of Malpaisomys in light of this unexpected molecular finding. To reconcile molecular and morphological data, we propose to consider Malpaisomys insularis as an insular lineage of mouse