Space for Two to Think: Large, High-Resolution Displays for Co-located Collaborative Sensemaking

Large, high-resolution displays carry the potential to enhance single display groupware collaborative sensemaking for intelligence analysis tasks by providing space for common ground to develop, but it is up to the visual analytics tools to utilize this space effectively. In an exploratory study, we compared two tools (Jigsaw and a document viewer), which were adapted to support multiple input devices, to observe how the large display space was used in establishing and maintaining common ground during an intelligence analysis scenario using 50 textual documents. We discuss the spatial strategies employed by the pairs of participants, which were largely dependent on tool type (data-centric or function-centric), as well as how different visual analytics tools used collaboratively on large, high-resolution displays impact common ground in both process and solution. Using these findings, we suggest design considerations to enable future co-located collaborative sensemaking tools to take advantage of the benefits of collaborating on large, high-resolution displays

Large High Resolution Displays for Co-Located Collaborative Intelligence Analysis

Large, high-resolution vertical displays carry the potential to increase the accuracy of collaborative sensemaking, given correctly designed visual analytics tools. From an exploratory user study using a fictional intelligence analysis task, we investigated how users interact with the display to construct spatial schemas and externalize information, as well as how they establish shared and private territories. We investigated the spatial strategies of users partitioned by tool type used (document- or entity-centric). We classified the types of territorial behavior exhibited in terms of how the users interacted with the display (integrated or independent workspaces). Next, we examined how territorial behavior impacted the common ground between the pairs of users. Finally, we recommend design guidelines for building co-located collaborative visual analytics tools specifically for use on large, high-resolution vertical displays

The role of interactive biclusters in sensemaking

Visual exploration of relationships within large, textual datasets is an important aid for human sensemaking. By un-derstanding computed, structural relationships between enti-ties of different types (e.g., people and locations), users can leverage domain expertise and intuition to determine the im-portance and relevance of these relationships for tasks, such as intelligence analysis. Biclusters are a potentially desirable method to facilitate this, because they reveal coordinated rela-tionships that can represent meaningful relations. Bixplorer, a visual analytics prototype, supports interactive exploration of textual datasets in a spatial workspace with biclusters. In this paper, we present results of a study that analyzes how users interact with biclusters to solve an intelligence analysis prob-lem using Bixplorer. We found that biclusters played four principal roles in the analytical process: an effective starting point for analysis, a revealer of two levels of connections, an indicator of potentially important entities, and a useful label for clusters of organized information

MicroRNA Regulation of Human Protease Genes Essential for Influenza Virus Replication

Influenza A virus causes seasonal epidemics and periodic pandemics threatening the health of millions of people each year. Vaccination is an effective strategy for reducing morbidity and mortality, and in the absence of drug resistance, the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis is comparable to that of vaccines. However, the rapid emergence of drug resistance has emphasized the need for new drug targets. Knowledge of the host cell components required for influenza replication has been an area targeted for disease intervention. In this study, the human protease genes required for influenza virus replication were determined and validated using RNA interference approaches. The genes validated as critical for influenza virus replication were ADAMTS7, CPE, DPP3, MST1, and PRSS12, and pathway analysis showed these genes were in global host cell pathways governing inflammation (NF-κB), cAMP/calcium signaling (CRE/CREB), and apoptosis. Analyses of host microRNAs predicted to govern expression of these genes showed that eight miRNAs regulated gene expression during virus replication. These findings identify unique host genes and microRNAs important for influenza replication providing potential new targets for disease intervention strategies

Classifying violent offenders and gang members : a consideration of childhood variables and future time perspective

Advisors: Alan Rosenbaum.Committee members: Julie Crouch; Fred Markowitz; Laura Pittman; Elizabeth Shelleby; Karen White.Research suggests there are various types of violent offenders, but little research has explored how factors linked to violence perpetration, such as childhood variables and future time perspective, may distinguish between offenders. These factors have also been linked to gang membership, but again, little research has explored how they distinguish between gang members and non-gang members. The current study investigated how delinquency, academic attainment, parents' criminal histories, relationship with parents, and future time perspective may differentiate between the different subtypes of violent offenders as well as differentiate gang members from non-gang members. This study employed archival data from a sample of 200 men sentenced to a term of probation. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between the variables of interest and offender subtype (family only, non-family only, generally violent). Multiple logistic regression was also used to examine the relationship between the predictor variables and gang membership. Results suggested delinquency during childhood played a role in distinguishing gang members from non-gang members. There were no other significant associations between childhood predictor variables and perpetrator subtype or gang membership. Findings underscore the importance of developing interventions for gang involvement that focus on preventing criminal activity at an early age (i.e., delinquent behavior). Results also emphasize the need for future research to explore other variables that may better predict violence perpetration and gang involvement, such as substance use and problem-solving abilities.Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy