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Trust‐ability, reputation, security and quality are the main concerns for public and private financial institutions. To detect fraudulent behaviour, several techniques are applied pursuing different goals. For well‐defined problems, analytical methods are applicable to examine the history of customer transactions. However, fraudulent behaviour is constantly changing, which results in ill‐defined problems. Furthermore, analysing the behaviour of individual customers is not sufficient to detect more complex structures such as networks of fraudulent actors. We propose NEVA (Network dEtection with Visual Analytics), a Visual Analytics exploration environment to support the analysis of customer networks in order to reduce false‐negative and false‐positive alarms of frauds. Multiple coordinated views allow for exploring complex relations and dependencies of the data. A guidance‐enriched component for network pattern generation, detection and filtering support exploring and analysing the relationships of nodes on different levels of complexity. In six expert interviews, we illustrate the applicability and usability of NEVA.

Guidance is an emerging topic in the field of visual analytics. Guidance can support users in pursuing their analytical goals more efficiently and help in making the analysis successful. However, it is not clear how guidance approaches should be designed and what specific factors should be considered for effective support. In this paper, we approach this problem from the perspective of guidance designers. We present a framework comprising requirements and a set of specific phases designers should go through when designing guidance for visual analytics. We relate this process with a set of quality criteria we aim to support with our framework, that are necessary for obtaining a suitable and effective guidance solution. To demonstrate the practical usability of our methodology, we apply our framework to the design of guidance in three analysis scenarios and a design walk‐through session. Moreover, we list the emerging challenges and report how the framework can be used to design guidance solutions that mitigate these issues.

To complement the currently existing definitions and conceptual frameworks of visual analytics, which focus mainly on activities performed by analysts and types of techniques they use, we attempt to define the expected results of these activities. We argue that the main goal of doing visual analytics is to build a mental and/or formal model of a certain piece of reality reflected in data. The purpose of the model may be to understand, to forecast or to control this piece of reality. Based on this model-building perspective, we propose a detailed conceptual framework in which the visual analytics process is considered as a goal-oriented workflow producing a model as a result. We demonstrate how this framework can be used for performing an analytical survey of the visual analytics research field and identifying the directions and areas where further research is needed.

Implant failures are primarily related to bacterial infections and inflammation. Nanocoating of implant devices with organic molecules is a method used for improving their integration into host tissues and limiting inflammation. Bioengineered plant-derived rhamnogalacturonan-Is (RG-Is) from pectins improve tissue regeneration and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro effect of RG-I nanocoating on human gingival primary fibroblast (HGF) activity and proinflammatory response following Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) infection. Infected HGFs were incubated on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) plates coated with unmodified RG-I isolated from potato pectin (PU) and dearabinanated RG-I (PA). HGF morphology, proliferation, metabolic activity, and expression of genes responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover and proinflammatory response were examined. Following the P. gingivalis infection, PU and PA significantly promoted HGF proliferation and metabolic activity. Moreover, gene expression levels of IL1B, IL8, TNFA, and MMP2 decreased in the infected cells cultured on PU and PA, whereas the expression of COL1A1, FN1, and FGFR1 was upregulated. The results indicate that RG-Is are promising candidates for nanocoating of an implant surface, can reduce inflammation, and enhance implant integration, particularly in medically compromised patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3475-3481, 2017.

The cycle plot is an established and effective visualization technique for identifying and comprehending patterns in periodic time series, like trends and seasonal cycles. It also allows to visually identify and contextualize extreme values and outliers from a different perspective. Unfortunately, it is limited to univariate data. For multivariate time series, patterns that exist across several dimensions are much harder or impossible to explore. We propose a modified cycle plot using a distance-based abstraction Mahalanobis distance to reduce multiple dimensions to one overview dimension and retain a representation similar to the original. Utilizing this distance-based cycle plot in an interactive exploration environment, we enhance the Visual Analytics capacity of cycle plots for multivariate outlier detection. To enable interactive exploration and interpretation of outliers, we employ coordinated multiple views that juxtapose a distance-based cycle plot with Cleveland's original cycle plots of the underlying dimensions. With our approach it is possible to judge the outlyingness regarding the seasonal cycle in multivariate periodic time series.

Thickness variations can modulate the propagation of bending waves in thin-walled structures. A smooth reduction of the thickness results in a decreasing propagation speed and an increasing amplitude of the bending wave. Acoustic black holes (ABH) make use of this modulation to enhance the energy dissipation in the vicinity of this thickness diminution. Using the concept of ABH, no additional mass is needed to reduce structure-borne noise. Therefore, this concept is suitable for reducing the vibrational energy in lightweight structures, which is vital in aerospace and automotive applications, among others. Locally modifying the thickness of a structure can significantly influence the global energy distribution in the structure. This contribution investigates the influence of different local thickness profiles on the global energy distribution. The results deliver insights for the design of such thickness variations in thin-walled structures to improve their vibrational behavior. Several numerical models are evaluated to assess the dependency between the geometric design parameters of the thickness variation and the energy distribution in the structure.

The demand for lightweight structures in aerospace and automotive is on the rise and so are the requirements regarding the vibro-acoustic behavior. Materials with a high stiffness-to-mass ratio are often used in this field, but these materials typically have an unfavorable vibrational behavior regarding structure-borne noise. Acoustic metamaterials offer a solution for improving the vibro-acoustic performance of the structure, while the stiffness-to-mass ratio remains nearly constant. Such a metamaterial consists of periodic patterns of microstructures placed on the host structure. They modify the vibrational behavior of the host by adding local resonances and thus minimize vibrations at specific frequencies. Distinct resonances can have a major contribution to the acoustic behavior of a structure, so it is of interest to tailor microstructures, that generate stop bands at certain frequencies. This can be computationally expensive, so efficient numerical models are required for the design of acoustic metamaterials. Initial investigations show, that a parametric model order reduction (PMOR) method based on the Loewner framework can generate such models.

To complement the currently existing definitions and conceptual frameworks of visual analytics, which focus mainly on activities performed by analysts and types of techniques they use, we attempt to define the expected results of these activities. We argue that the main goal of doing visual analytics is to build a mental and/or formal model of a certain piece of reality reflected in data. The purpose of the model may be to understand, to forecast or to control this piece of reality. Based on this model-building perspective, we propose a detailed conceptual framework in which the visual analytics process is considered as a goal-oriented workflow producing a model as a result. We demonstrate how this framework can be used for performing an analytical survey of the visual analytics research field and identifying the directions and areas where further research is needed. published

Sets comprise a generic data model that has been used in a variety of data analysis problems. Such problems involve analysing and visualizing set relations between multiple sets defined over the same collection of elements. However, visualizing sets is a non-trivial problem due to the large number of possible relations between them. We provide a systematic overview of state-of-the-art techniques for visualizing different kinds of set relations. We classify these techniques into six main categories according to the visual representations they use and the tasks they support. We compare the categories to provide guidance for choosing an appropriate technique for a given problem. Finally, we identify challenges in this area that need further research and propose possible directions to address these challenges. Further resources on set visualization are available at http://www.setviz.net.

Phase transitions of finite systems of charged microspheres trapped in a gaseous discharge plasma in twodimensional and three-dimensional arrangements are investigated. Novel experimental techniques to drive phase transitions in these dust clusters as well as advanced theoretical concepts to quantitatively characterize these transitions are presented (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Objective Models for the structured delivery of care rely on organizational attributes of practice teams. The Survey of Organizational Attributes for Primary Care (SOAPC) is known to be a valid instrument to measure this aspect in the primary care setting. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of a translated and culturally adapted German version of the SOAPC. Methods The SOAPC was translated and culturally adapted according to established standards. The external validity of the German SOAPC was assessed using the German version of the Warr-Cook-Wall scale. A total of 200 practices randomly selected from a conference database were asked to participate in the validation study. Practice, clinicians and staff characteristics were determined via short-form questionnaires. We used standardized statistical procedures to reveal the psychometric properties of the SOAPC. Results A total of 54 practice teams participated by returning 297 completed questionnaires (297/425, response rate 69.8%). All four domains of the SOAPC (communication, decision making, stress/chaos, history of change) could be approved by factor analysis. Internal consistency is underlined by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.70 or higher in all categories. We show strong correlation with the Warr-Cook-Wall scale in all corresponding categories indexing high external validity. Conclusions The German SOAPC is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of organizational attributes of practice teams as the providers of quality of care. Moreover, the tool makes it possible to map the state of implementation of quality management and practice organization. The availability of the German SOAPC encourages further research on this topic in German-speaking countries.

Rationale, aims and objectives It is mandatory for the design of an efficient software product to know the different groups of users of a software tool, the tasks the users want to perform with it, and the information that is required for it. Our goal is to establish a comprehensive information source for the development of a consistent software environment supporting all tasks emerging from the creation to the execution of a computerized clinical practice guideline (CPG) for different user groups. Methods We conducted a comprehensive literature review to investigate the different user groups of a computerized CPG as well as their specific information needs. Results We provide a complete catalogue of every single aspect that may be related to information needs of any party concerned. In particular, we give detailed information on the tasks of guideline modellers on the one hand, and clinical information needs (i.e. information needs of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and patients) on the other hand. Conclusion By providing categorized information from several studies and publications, we establish an exhaustive information basis for the design of a useful software tool facilitating the formalization and the execution of a CPG.

Investigations into changes in dehydrogenase activity, sludge volume index, and floc size were carried out in the conditions of dynamic substrate overload. An analysis of the changes of particular parameters in the load function is especially useful in these conditions. The analysis takes into account chronological succession of the obtained results. Interrelationships between the considered parameters were observed. Although dehydrogenase activity showed the greatest precision in reflecting changes in organic loading and substrate removal rate, it was impossible on this basis to predict negative changes in the structure of flocs. However, measurements of floc size made this possible. It has been shown that the average size of flocs and their size distribution are important parameters for the proper control of the activated sludge process. It has also been stated that only an assessment of both biochemical and physical properties gives the correct picture of changes taking place in activated sludge.

Stereoselective syntheses of deuterium labelled marmesins 3a-3e as metabolic probes for biosynthetic studies are described. Starting from iodo-umbelliferone (5), the title compounds were readily available by copper catalysed alkylation-cyclisation and subsequent transfer-hydrogenation of the resulting furanocoumarins 6a-6e. The bioconversion of marmesin by a microsomal preparation of A. majus yielded psoralene (4) and acetone in a single step and proceeded as a syn-elimination of the alkoxy-substituent together with a single hydrogen atom from a vicinal carbon atom (β-cleavage).

OBJECTIVE The influence of ketoconazole on the various enzymes of human adrenal steroid biosynthesis was examined in vitro. MEASUREMENTS After incubation of human adrenal tissue slices with labelled precursors and ketoconazole (0-2000 microM), radioactive metabolites were separated by thin-layer chromatography and quantified by liquid scintillation counting. Enzyme activity was assessed by measuring conversion of tritium-labelled precursors to products. RESULTS In vitro, ketoconazole showed a significant inhibition on the following adrenal enzyme systems (with decreasing activity): C17,20-desmolase (IC50 2 microM), 16 alpha-hydroxylase (IC50 9 microM), 17 alpha-hydroxylase (IC50 18 microM), 18-hydroxylase (IC50 28 microM), and 11 beta-hydroxylase (IC50 35 microM). In the tested concentrations ketoconazole had no inhibitory effect on the 21-hydroxylase, the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase component of the C17,20-desmolase enzyme system. CONCLUSIONS The data are in accordance with clinical findings where a strong suppression of serum androgen levels by relatively selective inhibition of C17, 20-desmolase has been assumed. The predominant blocking effect of ketoconazole on adrenal as well as on gonadal androgen biosynthesis might be of clinical benefit in the management of hyperandrogenic states.

Nicht schrittweise wie bei der oxidativen Dealkylierung von Steroiden [Gl. (1)], sondern in nur einem Schritt wird (+)-Marmesin 1 durch die Psoralen-Synthase (ein Cytochrom P450) im Sinne einer syn-Eliminierung zum phototoxischen Psoralen 2 und Aceton dealkyliert.

The Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii Sym plasmid pRtr5a was transferred by conjugation to R. meliloti strains deleted or mutated in the nod and fix genes, and also to a plasmid-less strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The plasmid transfer led to the elimination of the resident cryptic plasmid of the R. meliloti recipients. The Sym plasmid of the recipients was only eliminated in the case of a deletion. In some cases the transferred plasmid was instable. The nod and nif/fix genes of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii were expressed in R. meliloti and somewhat delayed in A. tumefaciens. A high level of nitrogen fixation on clover was only found in R. meliloti containing pRtr5a. However, this occurred only if the nif/fix genes of the recipient had been deleted before. Inoculation of clover with this R. meliloti strain resulted in a higher dry matter production in comparison to clover inoculated with the donor strain.

Some measurements of the metabolic activity of microorganisms in a standard activated sludge system have been made. The investigations have shown that the measurements of the respiratory activity of microorganisms are a convenient and reliable method for determining the metabolic activity of microorganisms. The values of respiratory activity have shown a high correlation with the rate of substrate removal in a continuous activated sludge process. Hydrogenase activity has shown moderate correlation with the rate of substrate removal. The ATP values did not correlate with any of the methods of measuring the metabolic activity of microorganisms and the quantity of the dry organic mass of activated sludge. Howeever, the highest correlation between the particular parameters of the activated sludge process was obtained after assuming that the ATP total corresponds to the quantity of the active biomass which fact points at the correctness of such an assumption.

The host plant genotype significantly influenced the nodule Lb content in all of the combinations examined between 5 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars and 5 Rhizobium meliloti strains inoculated, on the contrary not the bacterial genotype. The inoculation with the strains exhibiting an increased activity of uptake hydrogenase caused an elevation of the nodule Lb content. By IEF 4 major Lb components were found. Their proportions were changed throughout the nodule development.

An R-prime plasmid (pJB3JI-18) carrying a 10 kb region of Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 DNA which codes for uptake hydrogenase activity was isolated from a Km8 derivative of R68.45. R-prime plasmids were obtained by transferring R68.45 to ORS571, retransferring it to E. coli, and selecting transconjugants for hydrogenase activity by means of a colour test based on methylene blue. The R-prime plasmid DNA was hybridized with a DNA region which contained the hup genes of Bradyrhiobium japonicum, indicating homology between the heterologous hup genes. Transfer of the R-prime plasmid to different Hup− mutants restored the Hup+ phenotype. When it was introduced to R. meliloti strains, it maintained its molecular weight and did not affect indigenous plasmids in two of three recipients. In the third recipient cointegrate formation and incompatibility with indigenous plasmids were found.

Yttrium- and rare-earth-substituted derivatives of Ca{sub 3-} {sub v}R{sub v} Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} (R =Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. All phases adopt the K{sub 4}CdCl{sub 6}-type structure with space group R3-barc), in which the trivalent R {sup 3+} substituents randomly occupy the Ca{sup 2+} site. The homogeneity range of Ca{sub 3-} {sub v}R{sub v} Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} extends to v{approx}0.90 for the substituents concerned. A significant increase in the Co2-O distances within the trigonal-prismatic Co2O{sub 6} co-ordination polyhedra upon introduction of R {sup 3+} confirms that extra electrons from the R {sup 3+}-for-Ca{sup 2+} substitution exclusively enter the Co2 site of the quasi-one-dimensional Ca{sub 3-} {sub v}R{sub v} Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} structure, thereby formally reducing its oxidation state. This is furthermore supported by magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements. The long-range ferrimagnetic ordering temperature is reduced upon R substitution and appears to vanish for v>{approx}0.30. - Graphical abstract: Yttrium- and rare-earth-substituted derivatives of Ca{sub 3-} {sub v}R{sub v} Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} have been synthesized. A significant increase in the Co2-O distances within the trigonal-prismatic Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} coordination polyhedra confirmsmore » that extra electrons from the R {sup 3+}-for-Ca{sup 2+} substitution enter the Co2 site, thereby formally reducing its valence state. The long-range ferrimagnetic ordering of the parent Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} phase vanishes at v>{approx}0.30 in Ca{sub 3-} {sub v}R{sub v} Co{sub 2}O{sub 6}.« less