Towards a Theory of Analytical Behaviour: A Model of Decision-Making in Visual Analytics

This paper introduces a descriptive model of the human-computer processes that lead to decision-making in visual analytics. A survey of nine models from the visual analytics and HCI literature are presented to account for different perspectives such as sense-making, reasoning, and low-level human-computer interactions. The survey examines the people and computers (entities) presented in the models, the divisions of labour between entities (both physical and role-based), the behaviour of both people and machines as constrained by their roles and agency, and finally the elements and processes which define the flow of data both within and between entities. The survey informs the identification of four observations that characterise analytical behaviour - defined as decision-making facilitated by visual analytics: bilateral discourse, divisions of labour, mixed-synchronicity information flows, and bounded behaviour. Based on these principles, a descriptive model is presented as a contribution towards a theory of analytical behaviour. The future intention is to apply prospect theory, a economic model of decision-making under uncertainty, to the study of analytical behaviour. It is our assertion that to apply prospect theory first requires a descriptive model of the processes that facilitate decision-making in visual analytics. We conclude it necessary to measure the perception of risk in future work in order to apply prospect theory to the study of analytical behaviour using our proposed model

Representation Effects and Loss Aversion in Analytical Behaviour: An Experimental Study into Decision Making Facilitated by Visual Analytics

This paper presents the results of an experiment into the relationship between the representation of data and decision-making. Three hundred participants online, were asked to choose between a series of financial investment opportunities using data presented in line charts. A single dependent variable of investment choice was examined over four levels of varying display conditions and randomised data. Three variations to line chart visualisations provided a controlled factor between subjects divided into three groups; -˜standard’ line charts, -˜tall’ line charts, and one dual-series line chart. The final results revealed a consistent main effect and two other interactions between certain display conditions and decision-making. The findings of this paper are significant to the study visualisation and to the field of visual analytics. This experiment was devised as part of a study into Analytical Behaviour, defined as decision-making facilitated by visual analytics - a new topic that encompasses existing research and real-world applications

Design Spaces in Visual Analytics Based on Goals: Analytical Behaviour, Exploratory Investigation, Information Design & Perceptual Tasks

This paper considers a number of perspectives on design spaces in visual analytics and proposes a new set of four design spaces, based on user goals. Three of the user goals are derived from the literature and are categorised under the terms exploratory investigation, perceptual tasks, and information design. The fourth goal is categorised as analytical behaviour; a recently defined term referring to the study of decision-making facilitated by visual analytics. This paper contributes to the literature on decision-making in visual analytics with a survey of real-world applications within the analytical behaviour design space and by providing a new perspective on design spaces. Central to our analysis is the introduction of decision concepts and theories from economics into a visual analytics context. Given the recent interest in decision-making we wanted to understand the emerging topic of analytical behaviour as a design space and found it necessary to look at more than just decision-making to make a valuable contribution. The result is an initial framework suitable for use in the analysis or design of analytical behaviour applications

A modelling study of post-combustion capture plant process conditions to facilitate 95–99% CO2 capture levels from gas turbine flue gases

The principal purpose of this study is to examine the changes in process conditions that might be needed to achieve up to 99% capture levels in amine post-combustion capture (PCC) plants for combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) flue gases. This information is of interest since, while 95% capture is adequate for current market and regulatory conditions, net zero fossil emissions (99% capture for a CCGT plant) will be required to deliver global climate mitigation targets and is increasingly a target for national climate policies. The conventionally-configured plant in the study is based on FEED studies carried out by Bechtel Corporation and uses MEA at 35% w/w. Performance modelling is undertaken using the Aspen Plus CCSI MEA Steady State Model. The results show that efficient operation at higher capture levels appears to be feasible with minimal adjustments to the plant configuration, provided that the absorber has a sufficient packing height and the stripper is capable of operation at pressures above 2 bar. The study primarily focuses on operation at low lean loadings (0.09–0.15 molCO2/molMEA) and correspondingly low L/G ratios (<1 by mass), the combination of which, in principle, can give a higher rich loading for a given capture level and packing height and consequently reduce energy consumption. However, for a given capture level, there is a minimum absorber packing height below which a near-optimal rich loading cannot be achieved for any lean loading and L/G ratio. For example, at a lean loading of 0.12 molCO2/molMEA, an absorber packing height of approximately 24 m is required for 99% capture with a minimal increase in specific energy requirements (3.77 GJ/tCO2 at 99% capture vs. 3.50 GJ/tCO2 at 95% capture). A stripper pressure of 2.4 bar is also found to be necessary to achieve this lean loading level without excessive energy requirements. The effect of varying lean loading at three constant rich loading levels is reported in detail, as are the effect of rich loading at constant lean loading and the effect of pressure on stripper performance and energy requirements. The study also examines the effects of cooling and intercooling at elevated capture levels. A simple analysis of break-even operating costs suggests that capture levels higher than the 95% envisaged in current United Kingdom guidance, to further reduce CO2 emissions costs for CCGT + PCC, might be attractive if carbon dioxide removal from air is the alternative

Sacro-lumbar Intersegmental Spinal Reflex in Autonomic Pathways Mediating Female Sexual Function

Author version made available in accordance with Publisher copyright policy

Novel spinal pathways identified by neuronal c-Fos expression after urethrogenital reflex activation in female guinea pigs

© 2014. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Pudendal nerve-spinal pathways are involved in urethrogenital sensation, pain and sexual activity. However, details of these pathways and their modulation are unclear. We examined spinal pathways activated by the urethrogenital reflex (UGR) and visualised by c-Fos immunoreactivity in reflexly activated neurons within spinal cord. In anaesthetised female guinea pigs, a balloon was inserted into the urethra and inflated with short-repeat or long-continuous distension to activate the UGR. A second balloon recorded reflex contractions of the vagina and uterus. Two control groups had either no balloon or a vaginal balloon only. Ninety minutes after UGR activation, c-Fos immunoreactivity in L3 and S2 spinal segments was examined. Reflex activated c-Fos immunoreactivity also was investigated in some animals with acute spinal transections at either L4 or T12 levels. There was no significant difference in spinal c-Fos expression between the control groups. Short-repeat distension reliably induced a UGR and a 2-3 fold increase in c-Fos-expressing neurons throughout dorsal, intermediate and lateral spinal grey matter at S2 and about two fold increase in superficial dorsal horn at L3. T12 transection had little effect on c-Fos expression at either spinal level. However, after L4 transection, UGR generation was associated with a 4-6 fold increase in c-Fos-expressing neurons in lateral horn and central canal areas at S2, and but only 20-30% increase at L3. Thus, UGR activates preganglionic neurons projecting to pelvic viscera in both sacral and lumbar spinal cord. The reflex also must activate ascending and descending spinal inhibitory circuits that suppress c-Fos-expression in neurons at both sacral and lumbar spinal levels

Availability analysis of post-combustion carbon capture systems: minimum work input

Published versio

Peer Assisted Learning to Support Student Role Transition in Occupational Therapy Education.

PAL may be defined as learning support enabling students to work co-operatively under the guidance of more experienced students. Second and third year students (PAL leaders) facilitate study sessions for groups of first or second years. PAL aims to support students to adjust to university life, to develop independent learning skills, and to acquire a clear view of course direction and subject matter through collaborative group discussion (Bournemouth University 2017). Transitioning into student roles can be complex and involves gaining a sense of relationships to others and of expected behaviours (Kielhofner 2008). Students are expected to dedicate their time to work activities to ensure academic success which may have a negative impact on occupational balance. Wilson and Wilcock (2005) suggest that first year occupational therapy students find it difficult to attain occupational balance due to environmental and personal factors and PAL sessions can assist with this transition. PAL has a positive impact not only for the student recipients but also for the PAL leaders in terms of confidence building, developing transferable skills and enhancing employability (Capstick et al 2004). From an educational perspective the PAL approach enhances deeper levels of engagement with the curriculum, supports stronger cohort identity and increases employability through the development of transferable skills. This poster will explore and reflect on the value of PAL in occupational therapy education for the students, PAL leaders and the educational organisation

Unique genetic and histological signatures of mouse pericardial adipose tissue

Obesity is a major risk factor for a plethora of metabolic disturbances including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence is showing that there is an adipose tissue depot-dependent relationship with obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction. While some adipose depots, such as subcutaneous fat, are generally metabolically innocuous, others such as visceral fat, are directly deleterious. A lesser known visceral adipose depot is the pericardial adipose tissue depot. We therefore set out to examine its transcriptional and morphological signature under chow and high-fat fed conditions, in comparison with other adipose depots, using a mouse model. Our results revealed that under chow conditions pericardial adipose tissue has uncoupling-protein 1 gene expression levels which are significantly higher than classical subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots. We also observed that under high-fat diet conditions, the pericardial adipose depot exhibits greatly upregulated transcript levels of inflammatory cytokines. Our results collectively indicate, for the first time, that the pericardial adipose tissue possesses a unique transcriptional and histological signature which has features of both a beige (brown fat-like) but also pro-inflammatory depot, such as visceral fat. This unique profile may be involved in metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity