Poemage Prototype

During 2013-14, our group developed the algorithm for a computational framework for interpreting sound in poetry, which allows us to detect sonic patterns and relationships in poetry. We can define these patterns algebraically and so describe them computationally through rules supported by a data abstraction. Using an NEH start-up grant to pay a postdoctoral fellow in English and a graduate student in Computer Science, we will use an innovative interactive design process to develop a prototype visualization tool, Poemage. Because our framework allows us to identify and visualize complex configurations and dynamics of sound, including but not limited to rhyme, in real time, Poemage will allow users to detect these dynamics in poems of their choosing, while inviting them to identify (and adjust for) what they deem interesting

Visualizing biological data

poste

Visualizing data: why an (interactive) picture is worth 1000 numbers

lectureOne of the most striking and unique aspects about this moment in human history is the amount of data we are generating. This data holds the promise of unlocking the mysteries of the universe, untangling complex natural and man-made systems, and allowing us to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. But generating data is only the first step - developing methods to make sense of vast collections of information is now widely considered the major challenge. A key component of addressing this challenge is visualization, which supports sense making by representing data as pictures and supporting exploration through human-computer interactions. Through the design of intuitive representations of data, visualization designers arc able to harness our perceptual system for quickly finding interesting patterns and trends in a sea of data, instead of relying on our more limited memory and cognition. Creating effective visualizations, however, relies on a combination of knowledge about computer science, design, application domains, and how people internalize the meaning of data. This talk discusses what we know about how to design effective, interactive visualizations, as well as some of the open challenges left to solve. It will also provide examples of how scientists use these tools to glean insight from complex data

The Relationship Between Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Romantic Relationship Quality

This investigation examined the relationship between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) use and romantic relationship quality. The research sample consisted of participants in the attachment phase of their romantic relationship who had been in the same, current romantic relationship for a minimum of two years. Participants were recruited via professional listservs, electronic social networking, and prior relationships with the principal investigator. A total of 165 individuals participated in the main analysis. Results revealed no significant differences on romantic relationship quality scores by SSRI use after controlling for interest in sexual activity, sexual relationship satisfaction, depression, anxiety, paranoid, dependent, schizoid, sexual activity per month, time spent with one?s partner, and dates per month. Correlational analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between SSRI use and interest in sexual activity, depressive symptoms, and dependent, paranoid, and passive-aggressive personality patterns. Results from independent T-tests found higher means on each of these variables with those using a SSRI. Higher scores on the scales that measured depressive symptoms and the personality patterns indicate the presence of more symptoms. However, higher scores on the interest in sexual activity variable indicate less interest in sexual activity. Correlational analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between partner?s antidepressant status and the overall score on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, dyadic satisfaction, dyadic cohesion, sexual activity per month, and sexual relationship satisfaction. Results from a MANOVA analysis revealed differences in mean scores on sexual relationship satisfaction by partner?s antidepressant status. No significant differences in mean scores were found between scores on the dyadic consensus, dyadic adjustment, and dyadic satisfaction by partner?s antidepressant status

Design activity framework for visualization design

pre-printAn important aspect in visualization design is the connection between what a designer does and the decisions the designer makes. Existing design process models, however, do not explicitly link back to models for visualization design decisions. We bridge this gap by introducing the design activity framework, a process model that explicitly connects to the nested model, a well-known visualization design decision model. The framework includes four overlapping activities that characterize the design process, with each activity explicating outcomes related to the nested model. Additionally, we describe and characterize a list of exemplar methods and how they overlap among these activities. The design activity framework is the result of reflective discussions from a collaboration on a visualization redesign project, the details of which we describe to ground the framework in a real-world design process. Lastly, from this redesign project we provide several research outcomes in the domain of cybersecurity, including an extended data abstraction and rich opportunities for future visualization research

rLOAD: does sex mediate the effect of acute antiplatelet loading on stroke outcome.

BackgroundBiologic sex can influence response to pharmacologic therapy. The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate the medicating effects of estrogen in the efficacy of acute antiplatelet loading therapy on stroke outcome in the rabbit small clot embolic model.MethodsFemale and male (20/group) New Zealand White rabbits were embolized to produce embolic stroke by injecting small blood clots into the middle cerebral artery via an internal carotid artery catheter. Two hours after embolization, rabbits were treated with standard dose antiplatelet loading (aspirin 10 mg/kg plus clopidogrel 10 mg/kg). Primary outcome measures were platelet inhibition, behavioral outcome P 50 (the weight of microclots (mg) that produces neurologic dysfunction in 50% of a group of animals), and effect of endogenous estrogen on outcome.ResultsFor the first time in a non-rodent model of stroke, it was found that higher endogenous estrogen levels resulted in significantly better behavioral outcome in female subjects (r s -0.70, p < 0.011). Platelet inhibition in response to collagen, arachidonic acid, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was not significantly different in females with higher vs. lower estrogen levels.ConclusionsBehavioral outcomes are improved with females with higher endogenous estrogen levels treated with standard dose antiplatelet loading. This is the first non-rodent study to demonstrate that higher endogenous estrogen levels in female rabbits appear to be neuroprotective in ischemic stroke. This research supports the further study of the effect of endogenous estrogen levels on outcome with standard dose antiplatelet loading in stroke patients not eligible for revascularization therapies

Baseline Study of the Hooded Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia minor): Its Utility as an Indicator Species of Freshwater Wetland Habitats

The hooded pitcher plant, Sarracenia minor, is an important member of bog and seepage savanna communities of the southeastern United States. Unfortunately these wetland communities have been damaged and are disappearing at an alarming rate. The goal of this study was to collect baseline data, which will be ultimately used to develop a model of the survivorship, growth rate, morphology and population dynamics of four populations of Sarracenia minor. The model will assess the effects of several environmental factors on changes in the morphology and population dynamics of S. minor on the UNF campus. Measurements on the survival, growth and morphology of S. minor from four populations were collected monthly. In addition, population-level changes in survival and recruitment were also monitored monthly using permanent field plots

Morphological Differences Among Two Populations of the Hooded Pitcher Plant, Sarrancenia minor, and its Usefulness as an Indicator Species for Bog and Seepage Savanna Communities

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a model of Sarracenia minor morphology under various environmental conditions, which can then be used to assess the overall health of these ecosystems. Because S. minor is sensitive to disturbance it may be a good candidate for use as an indicator species. Decline in habitat quality should be detectable as changes in the population dynamics and morphology of S. minor, thereby indicating that intervention may be necessary to maintain habitat viability. For instance, a population that consists primarily of large mature individuals indicates that the habitat may not be suitable for the recruitment of new progeny into the population. This alteration in population morphology suggests that leaf litter may be too deep for young propagules to become established and that a controlled bum, which removes thick layers of litter, may be required to restore the ecosystem to acceptable levels of ground cover that support sensitive species such as S. minor

Feasible Metabolisms in High pH Springs of the Philippines

A field campaign targeting high pH, H2-, and CH4-emitting serpentinite-associated springs in the Zambales and Palawan Ophiolites of the Philippines was conducted in 2012-2013, and enabled description of several springs sourced in altered pillow basalts, gabbros, and peridotites. We combine field observations of pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and oxidation-reduction potential with analyses of major ions, dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved gas phases in order to model the activities of selected phases important to microbial metabolism, and to rank feasible metabolic reactions based on energy yield. We document changing geochemical inventories in these springs between sampling years, and examine how the environment supports or prevents the function of certain microbial metabolisms. In all, this geochemistry-based assessment of feasible metabolisms indicates methane cycling, hydrogen oxidation, some iron and sulfur metabolisms, and ammonia oxidation are feasible reactions in this continental site of serpentinization