Network Visualization Design using Prefuse Visualization Framework

Visualization of network simulation events or network visualization is an effective and low cost method to evaluate the health and status of a network and analyze network designs, protocols, and network algorithms. This research designed and developed a network event visualization framework using an open source general visualization toolkit. This research achieved three major milestones during the development of this framework: A robust network simulator trace file parser, multiple network visualization layouts {including user-defined layouts, and precise visualization timing controls and integrated display of network statistics. The parser architecture is extensible to allow customization of simulator trace formats that are accepted by the visualization framework. This design makes the framework capable of accepting trace files from different network simulators and provides one common visualization testbed to study network scenarios run on different simulators. Multiple network visualization layouts are made possible using the prefuse visualization toolkit Layout class which provides many different visualization layouts and is easily extensible to create new Layout subclasses. Finally, precise timing controls give users better control for quicker navigation to specific network events at any time. The toolkit design is readily extensible allowing developers to easily expand the framework to meet research-specific visualization goals

Longitudinal associations between sports participation, body composition and physical activity from childhood to adolescence

Several important research questions have been addressed: (1) What are the cross-sectional associations between sports club participation, objectively measured physical activity, and adiposity? (2) Do measures of physical activity and adiposity predict subsequent sports club participation? (3) Does sports club participation predict subsequent measures of physical activity and adiposity? and (4) Do changes in sports club participation predict changes in objective measures of physical activity and adiposity?  Longitudinal and cross-sectional design.  Data from the Gateshead Millennium Study birth cohort (n=609 at age 7 years) were analysed for associations between adiposity, sports club participation and accelerometer-measured physical activity from ages 7y to 9y to 12y.  Seventy-two per cent of 9 year olds and 63% of 12 year olds took part in a sports club. Sports club participation was significantly associated with overall accelerometer-measured physical activity at 12y (coefficient=0.0.09; 95% CI: 0.01-0.16) but not 9y. An inverse relationship between fat mass (estimated from bioelectric impedance) and sport club participation, and between fat mass and accelerometer-measured physical activity was observed at 12y, but not 9y. Sports club participation at 9y was highly predictive of participation at 12y. Sports club participation was significantly associated with socioeconomic status; fewer children from poorer areas took part.  Sports club participation in adolescence may be associated with decreased levels of adiposity. Furthermore, the potential benefits of sports club participation for adiposity are likely generated from continuous participation in sports, rather than any long-term protective effects