OSCAR: A Semantic-based Data Binning Approach

Binning is applied to categorize data values or to see distributions of data. Existing binning algorithms often rely on statistical properties of data. However, there are semantic considerations for selecting appropriate binning schemes. Surveys, for instance, gather respondent data for demographic-related questions such as age, salary, number of employees, etc., that are bucketed into defined semantic categories. In this paper, we leverage common semantic categories from survey data and Tableau Public visualizations to identify a set of semantic binning categories. We employ these semantic binning categories in OSCAR: a method for automatically selecting bins based on the inferred semantic type of the field. We conducted a crowdsourced study with 120 participants to better understand user preferences for bins generated by OSCAR vs. binning provided in Tableau. We find that maps and histograms using binned values generated by OSCAR are preferred by users as compared to binning schemes based purely on the statistical properties of the data.Comment: 5 pages (4 pages text + 1 page references), 3 figure

Kartografske projekcije – praktični odabir, upotreba i aktualne smjernice istraživanja

The 2022 AutoCarto conference took place on November 1st – 4th. The conference venue was the campus of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) in Redlands, California. A pre-conference workshop titled “Map Projections – Practical Selection with Use and Current Research Directions” was organized by Sarah Battersby and Fritz Kessler and held on November 1st. There were 12 participants in attendance. Representatives from private industry, government, and academia were represented at the workshop.Konferencija AutoCarto 2022. održana je od 1. do 4. studenoga 2022. Konferencija je održana u kampusu Instituta za istraživanje sustava okoliša (Esri) u Redlandsu u Kaliforniji. Pretkonferencijsku radionicu pod nazivom „Kartografske projekcije – Praktični odabir, upotreba i aktualne smjernice istraživanja“ organizirali su Sarah Battersby i Fritz Kessler, a održana je 1. studenoga 2022. Bilo je nazočno 12 sudionika. Na radionici su bili zastupljeni predstavnici privatnih poduzeća, vlade i akademske zajednice

A Raster-Based Neighborhood Model for Evaluating Complexity in Dynamic Maps

ABSTRACT: The cartographic community has taken a renewed interest in evaluating the effectiveness of automated map displays, given their increasing prevalence among general map users. The changing values of the mapped area from frame to frame in a dynamic thematic map constitute its main element of visual complexity, while many of the peripheral map components often change little (titles) or not at all (scale bars, color ramps). Building on recent research into visual complexity as it relates to dynamic thematic mapping, this study developed a raster-based GIS model for evaluating the graphical variability between sequences of choropleth maps as they would appear as scenes in a dynamic map. The evaluation of visual complexity is based on two previously established metrics, Basic Magnitude of Change (BMOC) and Magnitude of Rank Change (MORC), for describing the variability and average class 'jump' for enumeration units across map scenes. The model presented in this paper uses a neighborhood focal operator that sequentially moves across the entire map, replicating the user's viewing perspective as it divides the scene to instantaneously focus only on the part of the map within the foveal viewing area, a zone of enhanced visual-cognitive acuity. This model accepts a single vector map, uses its class membership attribute data as inputs, computes the BMOC and MORC variability, and writes the value to the focus. The model output is two smoothed map images depicting relative visual complexity values for the sequence of maps. While the neighborhood paradigm can theoretically be used to quantify change on either a vector or raster map, the raster-based approach suggests several improvements over one based on vector polygons. These include a potentially higher degree of accuracy in modeling the user's perspective, especially if enumeration units vary widely in size within the foveal area and map itself, plus the ability to use (with minimal customization) existing image-processing software such as ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and ENVI to perform analysis of dynamic map complexity

An eHealth Intervention for Patients in Rural Areas: Preliminary Findings From a Pilot Feasibility Study

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.Background: eHealth facilitation of chronic disease management has potential to increase engagement and effectiveness and extend access to care in rural areas. Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of an eHealth system for the management of chronic conditions in a rural setting. Methods: We developed an online management program which incorporated content from the Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program (Flinders Program) and used an existing software platform (goACT), which is accessible by patients and health care workers using either Web-enabled mobile phone or Internet, enabling communication between patients and clinicians. We analyzed the impact of this eHealth system using qualitative and simple quantitative methods. Results: The eHealth system was piloted with 8 recently hospitalized patients from rural areas, average age 63 (SD 9) years, each with an average of 5 chronic conditions and high level of psychological distress with an average K10 score of 32.20 (SD 5.81). Study participants interacted with the eHealth system. The average number of logins to the eHealth system by the study participants was 26.4 (SD 23.5) over 29 weeks. The login activity was higher early in the week. Conclusions: The pilot demonstrated the feasibility of implementing and delivering a chronic disease management program using a Web-based patient-clinician application. A qualitative analysis revealed burden of illness and low levels of information technology literacy as barriers to patient engagement

Does the availability of snack foods in supermarkets vary internationally?

BackgroundCross-country differences in dietary behaviours and obesity rates have been previously reported. Consumption of energy-dense snack foods and soft drinks are implicated as contributing to weight gain, however little is known about how the availability of these items within supermarkets varies internationally. This study assessed variations in the display of snack foods and soft drinks within a sample of supermarkets across eight countries.MethodsWithin-store audits were used to evaluate and compare the availability of potato chips (crisps), chocolate, confectionery and soft drinks. Displays measured included shelf length and the proportion of checkouts and end-of-aisle displays containing these products. Audits were conducted in a convenience sample of 170 supermarkets across eight developed nations (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK), and United States of America (US)).ResultsThe mean total aisle length of snack foods (adjusted for store size) was greatest in supermarkets from the UK (56.4 m) and lowest in New Zealand (21.7 m). When assessed by individual item, the greatest aisle length devoted to chips, chocolate and confectionery was found in UK supermarkets while the greatest aisle length dedicated to soft drinks was in Australian supermarkets. Only stores from the Netherlands (41%) had less than 70% of checkouts featuring displays of snack foods or soft drinks.ConclusionWhilst between-country variations were observed, overall results indicate high levels of snack food and soft drinks displays within supermarkets across the eight countries. Exposure to snack foods is largely unavoidable within supermarkets, increasing the likelihood of purchases and particularly those made impulsively.<br /