Inferring Intent from Interaction with Visualization

Today\u27s state-of-the-art analysis tools combine the human visual system and domain knowledge, with the machine\u27s computational power. The human performs the reasoning, deduction, hypothesis generation, and judgment. The entire burden of learning from the data usually rests squarely on the human user\u27s shoulders. This model, while successful in simple scenarios, is neither scalable nor generalizable. In this thesis, we propose a system that integrates advancements from artificial intelligence within a visualization system to detect the user\u27s goals. At a high level, we use hidden unobservable states to represent goals/intentions of users. We automatically infer these goals from passive observations of the user\u27s actions (e.g., mouse clicks), thereby allowing accurate predictions of future clicks. We evaluate this technique with a crime map and demonstrate that, depending on the type of task, users\u27 clicks appear in our prediction set 79\% -- 97\% of the time. Further analysis shows that we can achieve high prediction accuracy after only a short period (typically after three clicks). Altogether, we show that passive observations of interaction data can reveal valuable information about users\u27 high-level goals, laying the foundation for next-generation visual analytics systems that can automatically learn users\u27 intentions and support the analysis process proactively

Radiative Neutrino Mass with Z3Z_3 Dark matter: From Relic Density to LHC Signatures

In this work we give a comprehensive analysis on the phenomenology of a specific $\mathbb{Z}_3$ dark matter (DM) model in which neutrino mass is induced at two loops by interactions with a DM particle that can be a complex scalar or a Dirac fermion. Both the DM properties in relic density and direct detection and the LHC signatures are examined in great detail, and indirect detection for gamma-ray excess from the Galactic Center is also discussed briefly. On the DM side, both semi-annihilation and co-annihilation processes play a crucial role in alleviating the tension of parameter space between relic density and direct detection. On the collider side, new decay channels resulting from $\mathbb{Z}_3$ particles lead to distinct signals at LHC. Currently the trilepton signal is expected to give the most stringent bound for both scalar and fermion DM candidates, and the signatures of fermion DM are very similar to those of electroweakinos in simplified supersymmetric models.Comment: 40 pages, 24 figure

Experimental study on behaviour of retrofitted square hollow section slender columns under axial compression

An experimental investigation was conducted in this study on axially loaded square hollow section (SHS) slender columns retrofitted by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). A total of seven specimens with identical cross section dimensions and raw material properties were compressed between pinned ends to identify the influence of the CFRP, in which six specimens were retrofitted by the CFRP. The effects of many influential factors including different layers of the CFRP, retrofitting directions of the CFRP and retrofitting sequences of the CFRP on the behaviour of the CFRP strengthened SHS slender columns were carefully evaluated. The column strengths obtained from the experimental investigation are compared with the design strengths calculated using the design equations given in the British Standard (CIRIA) and the equations modified based on the section conversion method proposed by Canadian Standard (CAN/CSA-S16-01). It is shown from the comparison that the ultimate strengths of the SHS slender columns were enhanced by retrofitting with the CFRP. The retrofitting directions of the CFRP in the longitudinal directions were found to have a great influence on the ultimate strengths of the CFRP strengthened SHS slender columns. Furthermore, a correction factor (βc) is proposed in this paper for the stability of the CFRP retrofitted SHS slender columns under axial compression

Heterologous Expression of the Leuconostoc Bacteriocin Leucocin C in Probiotic Yeast Saccharomyces boulardii

The yeastSaccharomyces boulardiiis well known for its probiotic effects such as treating or preventing gastrointestinal diseases. Due to its ability to survive in stomach and intestine,S. boulardiicould be applied as a vehicle for producing and delivering bioactive substances of interest to human gut. In this study, we cloned the genelecCencoding the antilisterial peptide leucocin C from lactic acid bacteriumLeuconostoc carnosuminS. boulardii. The constructedS. boulardiistrain secreted a peptide, which had molecular weight corresponding to leucocin C in SDS-PAGE. The peptide band inhibitedListeria monocytogenesin gel overlay assay. Likewise, concentratedS. boulardiiculture supernatant inhibited the growth ofL. monocytogenes. The growth profile and acid tolerance of the leucocin C secretingS. boulardiiwere similar as those of the strain carrying the empty vector. We further demonstrated that the cells of the leucocin C producingS. boulardiiefficiently killedL. monocytogenes, also without antibiotic selection pressure. These results showed that antilisterial activity could be added to the arsenal of probiotic activities ofS. boulardii, demonstrating its potential as a carrier for therapeutics delivery.Peer reviewe

Numerical simulation of hydrodynamics and reaeration over a stepped spillway by the SPH method

Aerated flows are characterized by complex hydrodynamics and mass-transfer processes. As a Lagrangian method, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) has a significant advantage in tracking the air-water interface in turbulent flows. This paper presents the application of an SPH method to investigate hydrodynamics and reaeration over stepped spillways. In the SPH method, the entrainment of dissolved oxygen (DO) is studied using a multiphase mass transfer SPH method for reaeration. The numerical results are compared with the hydrodynamics data from Chanson and DO data from Cheng. The simulation results show that velocity distribution and the location of free-surface aeration inception agree with the experimental results. Compared with the experimental results, the distribution of DO concentration over the stepped spillway is consistent with the measurement results. The study shows that the two-phase DO mass transfer SPH model is reliable and reasonable for simulating the hydrodynamics characteristics and reaeration process

Freeway Multisensor Data Fusion Approach Integrating Data from Cellphone Probes and Fixed Sensors

Freeway traffic state information from multiple sources provides sufficient support to the traffic surveillance but also brings challenges. This paper made an investigation into the fusion of a new data combination from cellular handoff probe system and microwave sensors. And a fusion method based on the neural network technique was proposed. To identify the factors influencing the accuracy of fusion results, we analyzed the sensitivity of those factors by changing the inputs of neural-network-based fusion model. The results showed that handoff link length and sample size were identified as the most influential parameters to the precision of fusion. Then, the effectiveness and capability of proposed fusion method under various traffic conditions were evaluated. And a comparative analysis between the proposed method and other fusion approaches was conducted. The results of simulation test and evaluation showed that the fusion method could complement the drawback of each collection method, improve the overall estimation accuracy, adapt to the variable traffic condition (free flow or incident state), suit the fusion of data from cellphone probes and fixed sensors, and outperform other fusion methods

Correlation between diopters and refractive parameters among 5 to 12 years old school-age children of Lanzhou city

AIM: To investigate the epidemiological status of refractive state among school-age children of 5 to 12 years in Chengguan district of Lanzhou city, and to analyze the correlation with axial length(AL), horizontal and vertical corneal refractive power(K1, K2), anterior chamber depth(ACD)and corneal diameter(W-W). <p>METHODS: The value of AL, K1, K2, ACD and W-W of 813 school-age children(1626 eyes)aged 8.46±2.30 years old(5-12 years)were measured by IOL-Master, refractive error was measured by computer refractor. The eyes were divided into 5 groups according to different mean spherical equivalent(SE)diopter: high myopia, moderate myopia, low myopia, emmetropia and hyperopia. The correlation between diopter and different refractive parameters of different ages and different diopter groups were analyzed respectively, the SPSS 19.0 was used for the statistical analysis.<p>RESULTS: There were statistically significant difference(<i>P</i><0.05)in uncorrected visual acuity and refractive state among the different groups of 5-12 years school-age children, the prevalence of myopia tended to increase with the age. There were statistically significant difference in AL and ACD among the different age groups(<i>P</i><0.05), AL and ACD increased with the age. There were statistically significant difference in AL among three myopic groups(<i>P</i><0.05). There were statistically significant difference in ACD between low myopia and moderate myopia, low myopia and high myopia(<i>P</i><0.05). There were statistically significant difference in corneal refractive power and corneal diameter between low myopia and high myopia, moderate myopia and high myopia(<i>P</i><0.05). SE was negatively correlated with AL(<i>r</i>=-0.764, <i>P</i><0.01)and ACD(<i>r</i>=-0.498, <i>P</i><0.01), but had week correlation with corneal refractive power or corneal diameter.<p>CONCLUSION: The increase of AL plays an important role in the changes of refractive among school-age children of 5-12 years, AL is the main morphological variable related to myopia. Meanwhile, refractive changes may be affected by corneal refractive power(K1, K2), ACD and corneal diameter(W-W). 7-8 years old can be regarded as the main phase from emmetropization to myopization of school-age children

Self-Assembly of Isostatic Self-Dual Colloidal Crystals

Self-dual structures whose dual counterparts are themselves possess unique hidden symmetry, beyond the description of classical spatial symmetry groups. Here we propose a strategy based on { a nematic monolayer of} attractive half-cylindrical colloids to self-assemble these exotic structures. { This system can be seen as a 2D system of semi-disks.} By using Monte Carlo simulations, we discover two isostatic self-dual crystals, i.e., an unreported crystal with pmg {space-group} symmetry and the twisted Kagome crystal. For the pmg crystal approaching the critical point, we find the double degeneracy of the {full} phononic spectrum at the self-dual point, and the merging of two tilted Weyl nodes into one \emph{critically-tilted} Dirac node. The latter is `accidentally' located on the high-symmetry line. The formation of this unconventional Dirac node is due to the emergence of the critical flat bands at the self-dual point, which are linear combinations of \emph{finite-frequency} floppy modes. These modes can be understood as mechanically-coupled self-dual rhomb chains vibrating in some unique uncoupled ways. Our work paves the way for designing and fabricating self-dual materials with exotic mechanical or phononic properties.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure