Stenomaps: Shorthand for shapes

We address some of the challenges in representing spatial data with a novel form of geometric abstraction-the stenomap. The stenomap comprises a series of smoothly curving linear glyphs that each represent both the boundary and the area of a polygon. We present an efficient algorithm to automatically generate these open, C1-continuous splines from a set of input polygons. Feature points of the input polygons are detected using the medial axis to maintain important shape properties. We use dynamic programming to compute a planar non-intersecting spline representing each polygon's base shape. The results are stylised glyphs whose appearance may be parameterised and that offer new possibilities in the 'cartographic design space'. We compare our glyphs with existing forms of geometric schematisation and discuss their relative merits and shortcomings. We describe several use cases including the depiction of uncertain model data in the form of hurricane track forecasting; minimal ink thematic mapping; and the depiction of continuous statistical data

Exploring curved schematization

Hand-drawn schematized maps traditionally make extensive use of curves. However, there are few automated approaches for curved schematization most previous work focuses on straight lines. We present a new algorithm for area-preserving curved schematization of geographic outlines. Our algorithm converts a simple polygon into a schematic crossing-free representation using circular arcs. We use two basic operations to iteratively replace consecutive arcs until the desired complexity is reached. Our results are not restricted to arcs ending at input vertices. The method can be steered towards different degrees of 'curviness': we can encourage or discourage the use of arcs with a large central angle via a single parameter. Our method creates visually pleasing results even for very low output complexities. We conducted an online user study investigating the effectiveness of the curved schematizations compared to straight-line schematizations of equivalent complexity. While the visual complexity of the curved shapes was judged higher than those using straight lines, users generally preferred curved schematizations. We observed that curves significantly improved the ability of users to match schematized shapes of moderate complexity to their unschematized equivalents

AGOR status report

The operations of the superconducting cyclotron AGOR over the past years will be reviewed. Reliability issues encountered after nearly 25 years of operation and mitigation measures to warrant reliable operation for the coming decade will be discussed. The research performed with AGOR has significantly shifted from fundamental physics to radiation biology and medical radiation physics, both in collaboration with the Groningen Proton Therapy Center, and radiation hardness studies. The radiation biology research will be substantially expanded in the coming years with a new beam line for image guided preclinical research. For this research new dose delivery modalities including scanning, spatial fractionation and very high dose rates are developed. In addition, a new program has been started on the production of exotic nuclei, for which a new superconducting solenoid fragment separator will be developed. For the radiation hardness testing a cocktail beam at 30 MeV/amu with several ion species up to Xe has been developed and is now routinely delivered for experiments. A cocktail at 15 MeV/amu up to Bi is under development

Map schematization with circular arcs

We present an algorithm to compute schematic maps with circular arcs. Our algorithm iteratively replaces two consecutive arcs with a single arc to reduce the complexity of the output map and thus to increase its level of abstraction. Our main contribution is a method for replacing arcs that meet at high-degree vertices. This allows us to greatly reduce the output complexity, even for dense networks. We experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of our algorithm in three scenarios: territorial outlines, road networks, and metro maps. For the latter, we combine our approach with an algorithm to more evenly distribute stations. Our experiments show that our algorithm produces high-quality results for territorial outlines and metro maps. However, the lack of caricature (exaggeration of typical features) makes it less useful for road networks

Multi-Granular Trend Detection for Time-Series Analysis

Time series (such as stock prices) and ensembles (such as model runs for weather forecasts) are two important types of one-dimensional time-varying data. Such data is readily available in large quantities but visual analysis of the raw data quickly becomes infeasible, even for moderately sized data sets. Trend detection is an effective way to simplify time-varying data and to summarize salient information for visual display and interactive analysis. We propose a geometric model for trend-detection in one-dimensional time-varying data, inspired by topological grouping structures for moving objects in two- or higher-dimensional space. Our model gives provable guarantees on the trends detected and uses three natural parameters: granularity, support-size, and duration. These parameters can be changed on-demand. Our system also supports a variety of selection brushes and a time-sweep to facilitate refined searches and interactive visualization of (sub-)trends. We explore different visual styles and interactions through which trends, their persistence, and evolution can be explored

Topologically safe curved schematization

Traditionally schematized maps make extensive use of curves. However, automated methods for schematization are mostly restricted to straight lines. We present a generic framework for topology-preserving curved schematization that allows a choice of quality measures and curve types. Our fully-automated approach does not need critical points or salient features. We illustrate our framework with Bézier curves and circular arcs

Состояние и перспективы развития рынка лакокрасочных материалов Украины

Целью статьи является рассмотрение состояние рынка лакокрасочных материалов Украины и мира на сегодняшний день, анализ объемов поставок и производства ЛКМ,а также разработка предложений по улучшению этой отрасли

Tunnelivadelman kirvatorjunnan tehostaminen Anthocoris nemoralis -petoluteen avulla

Tunneli suojaa vadelmakasvustoa monilta kasvitaudeilta ja tuholaisilta, mutta tunneliin päästessään esimerkiksi kirvat lisääntyvät nopeasti, eivätkä biologiset torjuntaeliöt aina torju kirvoja riittävän tehokkaasti. Tunnelivadelmalla esiintyy isovattukirvaa sekä pikkuvattukirvaa. Kirvatorjun-nan tehostamiseen lähdettiin hakemaan apua kenttäkokeella, jossa kirvatorjuntaan käytettiin tyrninokkaludetta (Anthocoris nemoralis). Toimeksiantajana opinnäytetyössä oli biologinen torjuntafirma Biotus Oy. Koe suoritettiin uusimaalaisella tilalla kahdessa vadelmatunnelissa kesän 2017 aikana. Tunneleihin levitettiin kolmen viikon välein hyötyeliöitä. Hyötyeliöinä kokeessa käytettiin vainokaisia, kirvasääskiä sekä tyrninokkaluteita. Kirvojen määrä tunneleista laskettiin joka viikko ja samalla havainnoitiin hyötyeliöiden sekä tuhoeliöiden esiintyvyyttä tunneleissa. Ensimmäiset kirvahavainnot tunneleissa tehtiin heinäkuussa. Suurin osa havaituista kirvoista oli pikkuvattukirvan siivetöntä muotoa. BerryProtect -putkilo oli toimiva ennakkotorjunnassa. Kirvasääski torjui tehokkaammin toisessa tunnelissa, kun taas toisessa tyrninokkalude oli tehokkaampi. Näillä levitysstrategioilla saatiin kuitenkin Wennborgin tilan kannalta toimiva lopputulos