Wizards of Oz in the Evolving Map of Design Research – Trying to Frame GUI Interaction Interviews

We present and discuss GUI-ii, Graphical User Interface interaction interview, a method used to remotely discuss, develop and test GUI prototypes with users and stakeholders. Examples of such sessions are presented to demonstrate that the main benefits of GUI-ii are that this way of co-designing allows for interaction-informed discussions around functions and user interfaces, where re-design and hands-on experience can be integrated and efficiently carried out remotely. Using a facilitation tool to enact GUI layout and responses allows participation and evaluation to take turns in participatory design processes in a productive way. We discuss this form of Participatory Design along the dimensions found in Sanders’ Map of Design Research. The discussion concludes that GUI-ii facilitates participation by relaxing demands for physical presence and by allowing people to participate from their own work environment while still making it easy for them to directly influence contents, structure and interaction

Tangled Paths: A Random Graph Model from Mallows Permutations

We introduce the random graph $\mathcal{P}(n,q)$ which results from taking the union of two paths of length $n\geq 1$, where the vertices of one of the paths have been relabelled according to a Mallows permutation with real parameter $0<q(n)\leq 1$. This random graph model, the tangled path, goes through an evolution: if $q$ is close to $0$ the graph bears resemblance to a path and as $q$ tends to $1$ it becomes an expander. In an effort to understand the evolution of $\mathcal{P}(n,q)$ we determine the treewidth and cutwidth of $\mathcal{P}(n,q)$ up to log factors for all $q$. We also show that the property of having a separator of size one has a sharp threshold. In addition, we prove bounds on the diameter, and vertex isoperimetric number for specific values of $q$.Comment: 40 pages, 7 figure

Analyzing a Pattern-Based Model of a Real-Time Turntable System

AbstractDesigners of industrial real-time systems are commonly faced with the problem of complex system modeling and analysis, even if a component-based design paradigm is employed. In this paper, we present a case-study in formal modeling and analysis of a turntable system, for which the components are described in the SaveCCM language. The search for general principles underlying the internal structure of our real-time system has motivated us to propose three modeling patterns of common behaviors of real-time components, which can be instantiated in appropriate design contexts. The benefits of such reusable patterns are shown in the case-study, by allowing us to produce easy-to-read and manageable models for the real-time components of the turntable system. Moreover, we believe that the patterns may pave the way toward a generic pattern-based modeling framework targeting real-time systems in particular

The complexity of finding optimal subgraphs to represent spatial correlation

Understanding spatial correlation is vital in many fields including epidemiology and social science. Lee, Meeks and Pettersson (Stat. Comput. 2021) recently demonstrated that improved inference for areal unit count data can be achieved by carrying out modifications to a graph representing spatial correlations; specifically, they delete edges of the planar graph derived from border-sharing between geographic regions in order to maximise a specific objective function. In this paper we address the computational complexity of the associated graph optimisation problem. We demonstrate that this problem cannot be solved in polynomial time unless P = NP; we further show intractability for two simpler variants of the problem. We follow these results with two parameterised algorithms that exactly solve the problem in polynomial time in restricted settings. The first of these utilises dynamic programming on a tree decomposition, and runs in polynomial time if both the treewidth and maximum degree are bounded. The second algorithm is restricted to problem instances with maximum degree three, as may arise from triangulations of planar surfaces, but is an FPT algorithm when the maximum number of edges that can be removed is taken as the parameter.Comment: Numerous new results adde

How Did Zika Virus Emerge in the Pacific Islands and Latin America?

The unexpected emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Pacific Islands and Latin America and its association with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZVS) (which includes microcephaly) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have stimulated wide-ranging research. High densities of susceptible Aedes spp., immunologically naive human populations, global population growth with increased urbanization, and escalation of global transportation of humans and commercial goods carrying vectors and ZIKV undoubtedly enhanced the emergence of ZIKV. However, flavivirus mutations accumulate with time, increasing the likelihood that genetic viral differences are determinants of change in viral phenotype. Based on comparative ZIKV complete genome phylogenetic analyses and temporal estimates, we identify amino acid substitutions that may be associated with increased viral epidemicity, CZVS, and GBS. Reverse genetics, vector competence, and seroepidemiological studies will test our hypothesis that these amino acid substitutions are determinants of epidemic and neurotropic ZIKV emergence

Використання хмарних технологій в освіті

GCVAR in core, accessory and whole genomes. (PDF 31 kb

Ultrasensitive and Robust Point-of-Care Immunoassay for the Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. There is ongoing effort to eliminate malaria from endemic regions, and sensitive point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests are required to support this effort. However, current POC tests are not sufficiently sensitive to detect P. falciparum in asymptomatic individuals. After extensive optimization, we have developed a highly sensitive and robust POC test for the detection of P. falciparum infection. The test is based on upconverting nanophosphor-based lateral flow (UCNP-LF) immunoassay. The developed UCNP-LF test was validated using whole blood reference panels containing samples at different parasite densities covering eight strains of P. falciparum from different geographical areas. The limit of detection was compared to a WHO-prequalified rapid diagnostic test (RDT). The UCNP-LF achieved a detection limit of 0.2-2 parasites/μL, depending on the strain, which is 50- to 250-fold improvement in analytical sensitivity over the conventional RDTs. The developed UCNP-LF is highly stable even at 40 °C for at least 5 months. The extensively optimized UCNP-LF assay is as simple as the conventional malaria RDTs and requires 5 μL of whole blood as sample. Results can be read after 20 min from sample addition, with a simple photoluminescence reader. In the absence of a reader device at the testing site, the strips after running the test can be transported and read at a central location with access to a reader. We have found that the test and control line signals are stable for at least 10 months after running the test. The UCNP-LF has potential for diagnostic testing of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals

Nucleosome-mediated cooperativity between transcription factors

Cooperative binding of transcription factors (TFs) to cis-regulatory regions (CRRs) is essential for precision of gene expression in development and other processes. The classical model of cooperativity requires direct interactions between TFs, thus constraining the arrangement of TFs sites in a CRR. On the contrary, genomic and functional studies demonstrate a great deal of flexibility in such arrangements with variable distances, numbers of sites, and identities of the involved TFs. Such flexibility is inconsistent with the cooperativity by direct interactions between TFs. Here we demonstrate that strong cooperativity among non-interacting TFs can be achieved by their competition with nucleosomes. We find that the mechanism of nucleosome-mediated cooperativity is mathematically identical to the Monod-Wyman-Changeux (MWC) model of cooperativity in hemoglobin. This surprising parallel provides deep insights, with parallels between heterotropic regulation of hemoglobin (e.g. Bohr effect) and roles of nucleosome-positioning sequences and chromatin modifications in gene regulation. Characterized mechanism is consistent with numerous experimental results, allows substantial flexibility in and modularity of CRRs, and provides a rationale for a broad range of genomic and evolutionary observations. Striking parallels between cooperativity in hemoglobin and in transcription regulation point at a new design principle that may be used in range of biological systems