Visual Exploration of Combined Architectural and Metric Information

We present MetricView, a software visualization and exploration tool that combines traditional UML diagram visualization with metric visualization in an effective way. MetricView is very easy and natural to use for software architects and developers yet offers a powerful set of mechanisms that allow fine customization of the visualizations for getting specific insights. We discuss several visual and architectural design choices which turned out to be important in the construction of MetricView, and illustrate our approach with several results using real-life datasets

The Extension and Advisory Service Systems Yardstick (EAS-Y)

Extension and advisory services (EAS) play a key role in facilitating innovation processes, empowering marginalized groups through capacity development, and linking farmers with markets. Advisory services are increasingly provided by a range of actors and funded from diverse sources. With the broadened scope of EAS and the growing complexity of the system, the quantitative performance indicators used in the past (e.g. related to investment, staffing or productivity) are not adequate anymore to understand whether the system is well-functioning. To enable evidence based and informed policy and investment decision for extension and advisory systems, the EAS-Yardstick (EAS-Y) has been developed through a consultative expert process. It constitutes a holistic scoring tool based on a comprehensive set of metrics that can capture all the nuances of the pluralistic EAS. Metrics are organized into two modules, related to EAS performance and to EAS outcomes, each subdivided into key EAS topics. These cover elements of the EAS enabling environment, scope and provision of services, and coordination, collaboration and learning in the system. At the outcome level, topics include the acquisition of skills, changes in behaviours and livelihood transformations. All metrics are operationalized through a scoring mechanism. EAS-Y is digitally enabled through the Kobo toolbox and is used for participatory assessments in various contexts. Assessments can support a systematic crosscountry analysis, complementing findings from more specific impact evaluations of EAS interventions or in-depth process evaluations. As such, it contributes to substantially enhance EAS system performance and outcomes by guiding investment and policy decisions

The Seven-sphere and its Kac-Moody Algebra

We investigate the seven-sphere as a group-like manifold and its extension to a Kac-Moody-like algebra. Covariance properties and tensorial composition of spinors under $S^7$ are defined. The relation to Malcev algebras is established. The consequences for octonionic projective spaces are examined. Current algebras are formulated and their anomalies are derived, and shown to be unique (even regarding numerical coefficients) up to redefinitions of the currents. Nilpotency of the BRST operator is consistent with one particular expression in the class of (field-dependent) anomalies. A Sugawara construction is given.Comment: 22 pages. Macropackages used: phyzzx, epsf. Three epsf figure files appende

Uniqueness in Discrete Tomography of Delone Sets with Long-Range Order

We address the problem of determining finite subsets of Delone sets $\varLambda\subset\R^d$ with long-range order by $X$-rays in prescribed $\varLambda$-directions, i.e., directions parallel to non-zero interpoint vectors of $\varLambda$. Here, an $X$-ray in direction $u$ of a finite set gives the number of points in the set on each line parallel to $u$. For our main result, we introduce the notion of algebraic Delone sets $\varLambda\subset\R^2$ and derive a sufficient condition for the determination of the convex subsets of these sets by $X$-rays in four prescribed $\varLambda$-directions.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures; condensed and revised versio

New genetic loci implicated in fasting glucose homeostasis and their impact on type 2 diabetes risk

Levels of circulating glucose are tightly regulated. To identify new loci influencing glycemic traits, we performed meta-analyses of 21 genome-wide association studies informative for fasting glucose, fasting insulin and indices of beta-cell function (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in up to 46,186 nondiabetic participants. Follow-up of 25 loci in up to 76,558 additional subjects identified 16 loci associated with fasting glucose and HOMA-B and two loci associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. These include nine loci newly associated with fasting glucose (in or near ADCY5, MADD, ADRA2A, CRY2, FADS1, GLIS3, SLC2A2, PROX1 and C2CD4B) and one influencing fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (near IGF1). We also demonstrated association of ADCY5, PROX1, GCK, GCKR and DGKB-TMEM195 with type 2 diabetes. Within these loci, likely biological candidate genes influence signal transduction, cell proliferation, development, glucose-sensing and circadian regulation. Our results demonstrate that genetic studies of glycemic traits can identify type 2 diabetes risk loci, as well as loci containing gene variants that are associated with a modest elevation in glucose levels but are not associated with overt diabetes

Spegling av barns identitet. Pedagogers syn på hur de i samspel påverkar barns identitetsskapande

We present MetricView, a software visualization and exploration tool that combines traditional UML diagram visualization with metric visualization in an effective way. MetricView is very easy and natural to use for software architects and developers yet offers a powerful set of mechanisms that allow fine customization of the visualizations for getting specific insights. We discuss several visual and architectural design choices which turned out to be important in the construction of MetricView, and illustrate our approach with several results using real-life datasets.

Insertion of nanostructured titanates into the pores of an anodised TiO2 nanotube array by mechanically stimulated electrophoretic deposition

TiO2 nanotube (TiO2NT) surfaces can achieve a high area surface and enhanced electrocatalytic properties. One of the key challenges is the insertion of nanostructured titanates deeply into the pores of TiO2NT. We describe the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of two different titanates - nanosheets (TiNSs) and nanotubes (TiNTs) into the pores of TiO2NT to produce controlled hierarchical surfaces. A sufficiently high applied cell potential and mechanical stimulation of the surface are important to incorporate TiNSs and TiNTs inside the pores of TiO2NTs. The electrodes show improved hydrophobicity after deposition of titanates. The beneficial effect of a counter electrode equipped with a brush to avoid the accumulation of a thick outer layer on TiO2NTs is highlighted