UCC/BDCAT tutorial chairs’ welcome

The call for tutorials at UCC\u2719 and BDCAT\u2719 attracted submissions from Australia and Europe. The tutorial chairs reviewed and accepted two revised tutorials, and decided to award a third spot on a FCFS basis to ensure that conference attendees have access to learning resources across all conference topics

ExploroBOT: Rapid Exploration with Chart Automation

General-purpose visualization tools are used by people with varying degrees of data literacy. Often the user is not a professional analyst or data scientist and uses the tool infrequently, to support an aspect of their job. This can present difficulties as the user’s unfamiliarity with visualization practice and infrequent use of the tool can result in long processing time, inaccurate data representations or inappropriate visual encodings. To address this problem, we developed a visual analytics application called exploroBOT. The exploroBOT automatically generates visualizations and the exploration guidance path (an associated network of decision points, mapping nodes where visualizations change). These combined approaches enable users to explore visualizations based on a degree of “interestingness”. The user-driven approach draws on the browse/explore metaphor commonly applied in social media applications and is supported by guided navigation. In this paper we describe exploroBOT and present an evaluation of the tool

Non-linear Machine Learning with Active Sampling for MOX Drift Compensation

Abstract—Metal oxide (MOX) gas detectors based on SnO2 provide low-cost solutions for real-time sensing of complex gas mixtures for indoor ambient monitoring. With high sensitivity under ideal conditions, MOX detectors may have poor longterm response accuracy due to environmental factors (humidity and temperature) along with sensor aging, leading to calibration drifts. Finding a simple and efficient solution to correct such calibration drifts has been the subject of numerous studies but remains an open problem. In this work, we present an efficient approach to MOX calibration using active and transfer sampling techniques coupled with non-linear machine learning algorithms, namely neural networks, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and radial kernel support vector machines (SVM). Applied on the UCI’s HT detectors dataset, the study evaluates methods for active sampling, makes an assessment of suitable neural networks architectures and compares the performance of neural networks, XGBoost and radial kernel SVM to classify gas mixtures (banana and wine odours, clean air) in the presence of humidity and temperature changes. The results show high classification accuracy levels (above 90%) and confirm that active sampling can provide a suitable solution. Index Terms—Neural Networks, Extreme Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, Support Vector Machines, Non-Linear Learning Methods, Machine Learnin

KnowText: Auto-generated Knowledge Graphs for custom domain applications

While industrial Knowledge Graphs enable information extraction from massive data volumes creating the backbone of the Semantic Web, the specialised, custom designed knowledge graphs focused on enterprise specific information are an emerging trend. We present “KnowText”, an application that performs automatic generation of custom Knowledge Graphs from unstructured text and enables fast information extraction based on graph visualisation and free text query methods designed for non-specialist users. An OWL ontology automatically extracted from text is linked to the knowledge graph and used as a knowledge base. A basic ontological schema is provided including 16 Classes and Data type Properties. The extracted facts and the OWL ontology can be downloaded and further refined. KnowText is designed for applications in business (CRM, HR, banking). Custom KG can serve for locally managing existing data, often stored as “sensitive” information or proprietary accounts, which are not on open web access. KnowText deploys a custom KG from a collection of text documents and enable fast information extraction based on its graph based visualisation and text based query methods

Jahn-Teller-driven Phase Segregation in Mnx_{x}Co3−x_{3-x}O4_{4} Spinel Thin Films

Transition metal spinel oxides comprised of Earth-abundant Mn and Co have long been explored for their use in catalytic reactions and energy storage. However, understanding of functional properties can be challenging due to differences in sample preparation and the ultimate structural properties of the materials. Epitaxial thin film synthesis provides a novel means of producing precisely-controlled materials to explore the variations reported in the literature. In this work, Mn$_{x}$Co$_{3-x}$O$_{4}$ samples from x = 0 to x = 1.28 were synthesized through molecular beam epitaxy and characterized to develop a material properties map as a function of stoichiometry. Films were characterized via in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and polarized K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Mn cations within this range were found to be octahedrally coordinated, in line with an inverse spinel structure. Samples largely show mixed Mn$^{3+}$ and Mn$^{4+}$ character with evidence of phase segregation tendencies with increasing Mn content and increasing Mn$^{3+}$ formal charge. Phase segregation may occur due to structural incompatibility between cubic and tetragonal crystal structures associated with Mn$^{4+}$ and Jahn-Teller active Mn$^{3+}$ octahedra, respectively. Our results help to explain the reported differences across samples in these promising materials for renewable energy technologies.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures; Supplemental info and figures, 9 page

'I would rather die': reasons given by 16-year-olds for not continuing their study of mathematics

Improving participation rates in specialist mathematics after the subject ceases to be compulsory at age 16 is part of government policy in England. This article provides independent and recent support for earlier findings concerning reasons for non- participation, based on free response and closed items in a questionnaire with a sample of over 1500 students in 17 schools, close to the moment of choice. The analysis supports findings that perceived difficulty and lack of confidence are important reasons for students not continuing with mathematics, and that perceived dislike and boredom, and lack of relevance, are also factors. There is a close relationship between reasons for non-participation and predicted grade, and a weaker relation to gender. An analysis of the effects of schools, demonstrates that enjoyment is the main factor differentiating schools with high and low participation indices. Building on discussion of these findings, ways of improving participation are briefly suggested

The role of the traditional leader in implementing maternal, newborn and child health policy in Malawi

Traditional leaders play a prominent role at the community level in Malawi, yet limited research has been undertaken on their role in relation to policy implementation. This article seeks to analyse the role of traditional leaders in implementing national maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) policy and programmes at the community level. We consider whether the role of the chief embodies a top-down (utilitarian) or bottom-up (empowerment) approach to MNCH policy implementation. Primary data were collected in 2014/15, through 85 in-depth interviews and 20 focus group discussions in two districts in Malawi. We discovered that traditional leaders play a pivotal role in supporting MNCH service utilization, through mobilization for MNCH campaigns, and encouraging women to give birth at the health facility rather than at home or in the community setting. Women and their families responded to bylaws to deliver in the facility out of respect for the traditional leader, which is ingrained in Malawian culture. Fines were imposed on women for delivering at home, in the form of goats, chickens and money. Fear and coercion were often used by traditional leaders to ensure that women delivered at the health facility. Chiefs who failed to enforce these bylaws were also fined. Although the role of the traditional leader was often positive and encouraging in relation to MNCH service utilization, this was sometimes carried out in a coercive manner. Results show evidence of a utilitarian top-down model of policy implementation, where the goal of health service utilization justified the means, through encouragement, fear, punishment or coercion. Although the bottom-up approach would be associated with a more empowerment approach, it is unlikely that this would have been successful in Malawi, given the hierarchical nature of society. Further research on policy implementation in the context of community participation is needed

Association of Sedentary Time with Mortality Independent of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior has emerged as a novel health risk factor independent of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Previous studies have shown self-reported sedentary time to be associated with mortality; however, no studies have investigated the effect of objectively measured sedentary time on mortality independent of MVPA. The objective our study was to examine the association between objectively measured sedentary time and all-cause mortality. METHODS: 7-day accelerometry data of 1906 participants aged 50 and over from the U.S. nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 were analyzed. All-cause mortality was assessed from the date of examination through December 31, 2006. RESULTS: Over an average follow-up of 2.8 years, there were 145 deaths reported. In a model adjusted for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors, multiple morbidities, mobility limitation, and MVPA, participants in third quartile (hazard ratio (HR):4.05; 95%CI:1.55-10.60) and fourth quartile (HR:5.94; 95%CI: 2.49-14.15) of having higher percent sedentary time had a significantly increased risk of death compared to those in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that sedentary behavior is a risk factor for mortality independent of MVPA. Further investigation, including studies with longer follow-up, is needed to address the health consequences of sedentary behavior

Serological Profiling of a Candida albicans Protein Microarray Reveals Permanent Host-Pathogen Interplay and Stage-Specific Responses during Candidemia

Candida albicans in the immunocompetent host is a benign member of the human microbiota. Though, when host physiology is disrupted, this commensal-host interaction can degenerate and lead to an opportunistic infection. Relatively little is known regarding the dynamics of C. albicans colonization and pathogenesis. We developed a C. albicans cell surface protein microarray to profile the immunoglobulin G response during commensal colonization and candidemia. The antibody response from the sera of patients with candidemia and our negative control groups indicate that the immunocompetent host exists in permanent host-pathogen interplay with commensal C. albicans. This report also identifies cell surface antigens that are specific to different phases (i.e. acute, early and mid convalescence) of candidemia. We identified a set of thirteen cell surface antigens capable of distinguishing acute candidemia from healthy individuals and uninfected hospital patients with commensal colonization. Interestingly, a large proportion of these cell surface antigens are involved in either oxidative stress or drug resistance. In addition, we identified 33 antigenic proteins that are enriched in convalescent sera of the candidemia patients. Intriguingly, we found within this subset an increase in antigens associated with heme-associated iron acquisition. These findings have important implications for the mechanisms of C. albicans colonization as well as the development of systemic infection