The benefits of synchronous collaborative information visualization: evidence from an experimental evaluation

A great corpus of studies reports empirical evidence of how information visualization supports comprehension and analysis of data. The benefits of visualization for synchronous group knowledge work, however, have not been addressed extensively. Anecdotal evidence and use cases illustrate the benefits of synchronous collaborative information visualization, but very few empirical studies have rigorously examined the impact of visualization on group knowledge work. We have consequently designed and conducted an experiment in which we have analyzed the impact of visualization on knowledge sharing in situated work groups. Our experimental study consists of evaluating the performance of 131 subjects (all experienced managers) in groups of 5 (for a total of 26 groups), working together on a real-life knowledge sharing task. We compare (1) the control condition (no visualization provided), with two visualization supports: (2) optimal and (3) suboptimal visualization (based on a previous survey). The facilitator of each group was asked to populate the provided interactive visual template with insights from the group, and to organize the contributions according to the group consensus. We have evaluated the results through both objective and subjective measures. Our statistical analysis clearly shows that interactive visualization has a statistically significant, objective and positive impact on the outcomes of knowledge sharing, but that the subjects seem not to be aware of this. In particular, groups supported by visualization achieved higher productivity, higher quality of outcome and greater knowledge gains. No statistically significant results could be found between an optimal and a suboptimal visualization though (as classified by the pre-experiment survey). Subjects also did not seem to be aware of the benefits that the visualizations provided as no difference between the visualization and the control conditions was found for the self-reported measures of satisfaction and participation. An implication of our study for information visualization applications is to extend them by using real-time group annotation functionalities that aid in the group sense making process of the represented data

Characterization and dynamics of specific T cells against nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1)-mutated peptides in patients with NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia

Nucleophosmin(NPM1)-mutated protein, a leukemia-specific antigen, represents an ideal target for AML immunotherapy. We investigated the dynamics of NPM1-mutated-specific T cells on PB and BM samples, collected from 31 adult NPM1-mutated AML patients throughout the disease course, and stimulated with mixtures of 18 short and long peptides (9-18mers), deriving from the complete C-terminal of the NPM1-mutated protein. Two 9-mer peptides, namely LAVEEVSLR and AVEEVSLRK (13.9-14.9), were identified as the most immunogenic epitopes. IFNγ-producing NPM1-mutated-specific T cells were observed by ELISPOT assay after stimulation with peptides 13.9-14.9 in 43/85 (50.6%) PB and 34/80 (42.5%) BM samples. An inverse correlation between MRD kinetics and anti-leukemic specific T cells was observed. Cytokine Secretion Assays allowed to predominantly and respectively identify Effector Memory and Central Memory T cells among IFNγ-producing and IL2-producing T cells. Moreover, NPM1-mutated-specific CTLs against primary leukemic blasts or PHA-blasts pulsed with different peptide pools could be expanded ex vivo from NPM1-mutated AML patients or primed in healthy donors. We describe the spontaneous appearance and persistence of NPM1-mutated-specific T cells, which may contribute to the maintenance of long-lasting remissions. Future studies are warranted to investigate the potential role of both autologous and allogeneic adoptive immunotherapy in NPM1-mutated AML patients

Prognostic Relevance of Multi-Antigenic Myeloma-Specific T-Cell Assay in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathies

: Multiple Myeloma (MM) typically originates from underlying precursor conditions, known as Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). Validated risk factors, related to the main features of the clonal plasma cells, are employed in the current prognostic models to assess long-term probabilities of progression to MM. In addition, new prognostic immunologic parameters, measuring protective MM-specific T-cell responses, could help to identify patients with shorter time-to-progression. In this report, we described a novel Multi-antigenic Myeloma-specific (MaMs) T-cell assay, based on ELISpot technology, providing simultaneous evaluation of T-cell responses towards ten different MM-associated antigens. When performed during long-term follow-up (mean 28 months) of 33 patients with either MGUS or SMM, such deca-antigenic myeloma-specific immunoassay allowed to significantly distinguish between stable vs. progressive disease (p < 0.001), independently from the Mayo Clinic risk category. Here, we report the first clinical experience showing that a wide (multi-antigen), standardized (irrespective to patients' HLA), MM-specific T-cell assay may routinely be applied, as a promising prognostic tool, during the follow-up of MGUS/SMM patients. Larger studies are needed to improve the antigenic panel and further explore the prognostic value of MaMs test in the risk assessment of patients with monoclonal gammopathies

Nat Metab.

Bile acids (BAs) are signalling molecules that mediate various cellular responses in both physiological and pathological processes. Several studies report that BAs can be detected in the brain1, yet their physiological role in the central nervous system is still largely unknown. Here we show that postprandial BAs can reach the brain and activate a negative-feedback loop controlling satiety in response to physiological feeding via TGR5, a G-protein-coupled receptor activated by multiple conjugated and unconjugated BAs2 and an established regulator of peripheral metabolism3,4,5,6,7,8. Notably, peripheral or central administration of a BA mix or a TGR5-specific BA mimetic (INT-777) exerted an anorexigenic effect in wild-type mice, while whole-body, neuron-specific or agouti-related peptide neuronal TGR5 deletion caused a significant increase in food intake. Accordingly, orexigenic peptide expression and secretion were reduced after short-term TGR5 activation. In vitro studies demonstrated that activation of the Rho–ROCK–actin-remodelling pathway decreases orexigenic agouti-related peptide/neuropeptide Y (AgRP/NPY) release in a TGR5-dependent manner. Taken together, these data identify a signalling cascade by which BAs exert acute effects at the transition between fasting and feeding and prime the switch towards satiety, unveiling a previously unrecognized role of physiological feedback mediated by BAs in the central nervous system.Développment d'une infrastructure française distribuée coordonnéeLa signalisation des acides biliaires dans le cerveau et son rôle dans le contrôle métaboliqueInnovations instrumentales et procédurales en psychopathologie expérimentale chez le rongeu

The perils of visualization: a classification of risks associated with graphic representations of information

In this paper, we review and classify the disadvantages and risks associated with the use of visual representations of information. We complement a review of literature with expert interviews and focus group results on the practical negative experiences with the use of visual representations of information. Based on these two sources, we distinguish between social, cognitive, and emotional risks of visualization that can be viewed from two perspectives: from the point of view of the user and from the point of view of the designer of a graphic representation. We discuss implications of the identified disadvantages and ways of overcoming or avoiding them. The paper concludes by providing an outlook on overlooked or emergent risks of visualization

Usability of Diagrams for Group Knowledge Work: Toward an Analytic Description. Paper presented at the I-KNOW

Abstract: Diagrams are often conceived as static representations. In this paper, by contrast, we explore how conceptual graphic representations can be used as communicative devices for knowledge-intense activities in groups. We do so by reviewing and extending existing cognitive and communicative dimensions and criteria. The aim of our research is to formalize the description of diagrams used in management discussions, analyzing their communicative and collaborative functions in order to better use them in knowledge creation and sharing in teams. We start with reviewing and merging the literature on cognitive and communicative dimensions and the literature on boundary objects, as well as information visualization, in order to compile the most relevant dimensions for knowledge creation and sharing in team. Thus, we cluster those dimensions obtaining eight macro-dimensions. We propose a formal analysis of diagrams which can be used as a tool for selecting and modifying appropriate visualizations for different knowledge-intensive activities in teams. An application example illustrates this approach

Social media platforms for social good,"

Abstract-The disruptive potential of social media in generating participation and networking has been readily exploited by marketers and politicians. The power of these digital networks can be used by individuals and groups for good causes, to have a positive impact on the society at large. Social media platforms are starting to be used by citizens for promoting social causes, creating community engagement to answer societal needs. Yet, precisely because social media platforms have a viral effect, they pose completely new challenges: (1) emerging from a crowded environment, (2) monitoring/managing the truthfulness of information and (3) taking into account cultural differences and preferences. Two exemplary cases of social campaigns based on social media platforms are provided -Kony 2012 and Soita Mummolle -to illustrate typical challenges and potential solutions. Future research directions are proposed

Ethnography, User Observation, and Interviews

Incorporating everyday knowledge in user experience design is fundamental for developing digital technologies that can improve people’s lives. Deploying ethnography, user observation, and interviews, HCI researchers can move beyond a focus on individual users’ interaction with a system and consider the broader social and cultural contexts in which technology is used. Through these methodologies, hypotheses are developed that can be transferred into design specifications. The aim of this chapter is to describe in practice ethnography, user observation and interviews for the HCI field. It provides a description of each methodology, evidence of exemplary applications for user experience design, main advantages, recommendations for overcoming limitations, and for data analysis. It concludes by introducing personas as an epistemological tool to represent the kind of knowledge produced through field observations and interviews as a practical tool that can guide user experience design