FAIR data representation in times of eScience: a comparison of instance-based and class-based semantic representations of empirical data using phenotype descriptions as example

Background The size, velocity, and heterogeneity of Big Data outclasses conventional data management tools and requires data and metadata to be fully machine-actionable (i.e., eScience-compliant) and thus findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). This can be achieved by using ontologies and through representing them as semantic graphs. Here, we discuss two different semantic graph approaches of representing empirical data and metadata in a knowledge graph, with phenotype descriptions as an example. Almost all phenotype descriptions are still being published as unstructured natural language texts, with far-reaching consequences for their FAIRness, substantially impeding their overall usability within the life sciences. However, with an increasing amount of anatomy ontologies becoming available and semantic applications emerging, a solution to this problem becomes available. Researchers are starting to document and communicate phenotype descriptions through the Web in the form of highly formalized and structured semantic graphs that use ontology terms and Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) to circumvent the problems connected with unstructured texts. Results Using phenotype descriptions as an example, we compare and evaluate two basic representations of empirical data and their accompanying metadata in the form of semantic graphs: the class-based TBox semantic graph approach called Semantic Phenotype and the instance-based ABox semantic graph approach called Phenotype Knowledge Graph. Their main difference is that only the ABox approach allows for identifying every individual part and property mentioned in the description in a knowledge graph. This technical difference results in substantial practical consequences that significantly affect the overall usability of empirical data. The consequences affect findability, accessibility, and explorability of empirical data as well as their comparability, expandability, universal usability and reusability, and overall machine-actionability. Moreover, TBox semantic graphs often require querying under entailment regimes, which is computationally more complex. Conclusions We conclude that, from a conceptual point of view, the advantages of the instance-based ABox semantic graph approach outweigh its shortcomings and outweigh the advantages of the class-based TBox semantic graph approach. Therefore, we recommend the instance-based ABox approach as a FAIR approach for documenting and communicating empirical data and metadata in a knowledge graph.

Implicating Human Values for designing a Digital Government Collaborative Platform for Environmental Issues: A Value Sensitive Design Approach

Digital technology is instrumental in designing e-government services to achieve environmental sustainability. This study aims to implicate essential human values for designing a Digital Government Collaborative Platform (DGCP), which seeks to enhance the collaboration between citizens and government officers to address environmental issues in Sri Lanka. The study adopts a value sensitive design (VSD) approach to identify human values to conceptualize the design. The results reveal 15 human values shared by citizens and officers of environmental authorities: transparency, safety, universal usability, feedback, authenticity, fairness, representativeness, accountability, legitimacy, informed consent, autonomy, awareness, human welfare, attitude, and trust. In addition to the identified human values, four system feature categories have been proposed from interviews. Thus, the study advances knowledge in designing an e-government system for collaboration between citizens and government officers, especially in tackling environmental problems in developing countries. Further, the study contributes knowledge to VSD for digital collaboration for improving environmental sustainability.

Universal Usability and Universal Design for Learning

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a construct that first appeared in the literature approximately 20 years ago. Yet, there is little agreement about what UDL looks like in the classroom. The purpose of this article is to assist students, educators, and parents in identifying universal usability designs, behaviors, and tools that reflect the practice of UDL in the classroom. Three types of exemplars are highlighted: platform tools, web-based curricula, and embedded supports. It is argued that knowing what UDL looks like is an essential step in measuring the outcomes of UDL.

Ten Years Later: Would You Recognize Universal Design for Learning If You Saw It?

This is the third and final column of a special series on the topic of universal design for learning. Interested readers are encouraged to review the previous two articles: Enhancing Executive Function While Addressing Learner Variability in Inclusive Classrooms (Volume 56, Issue 3) and Classroom Menus for Supporting the Academic Success of Diverse Learners (Volume 56, Issue 4). In the following column, I examine the relationship between universal usability and universal design for learning (UDL).

Determinants of variation of potato prices in the European Union

Prices are considered to be an only, directly observable market parameter, deciding on a degree of implementation of functions of market entities. The variability is inherent to prices, in accordance to an attribute of functioning on competitive market. Examination of factors affecting the prices is particularly significant on account of occurrence of many potential variables which may impact their levels and still increasing market ties among particular economies. Potato is one of the basic agricultural raw materials in the world. Potato is of high economic value, mainly through the universal usability both by manufacturers as well as consumers. The purpose of the article was to determine of variables characterizing strong dependency on evolving level of potato prices in the EU countries. Attempts of building a model aimed at depicting potato prices evolution in the European Union countries under an influence of particular variables was performed using panel data models. Conducted analyses allowed to indicate the occurrence of regional variation of potato prices in particular European Union countries. It was also shown that essential impact on a potato prices level is potato production volume, value of gross domestic product and potato import volumes.

Spectral Filtering of Photovoltaic Cells using Novel Bio-Filter: Silver Coated Hibiscus Extract using Butanol Solution

The adaptability of the solar photovoltaic cell is huge but not without its peculiar challenges. It has been reported that the patronage of photovoltaic (PV) in Africa is drastically dropping due to the dismal performance of PV in the first year of purchase. In this research, the bio-filter was proffered as an external solution to improving the efficiency and longevity of PV module. It was observed that the bio-filter improved the efficiency of the polycrystalline panel by 60%. This means that a good percentage of the solar IR radiation can be reflected from this proposed bio-filter. This research further affirms the significance of plants as a veritable tool to protect the PV panel. Hence, this bio-filter is adjudged to be cost-effective (i.e. affordable), universal usability and eco-friendly in both the long and short term.

Usando SVG para desarrollar mapas web para personas con discapacidad visual

This paper addresses the problem of accessibility in geographical web maps. A person with disability cannot use, nowadays, a web map with the same functionality as other users do. This problem creates a huge gap in universal usability, since a wide range of people are left out. This contravenes clearly the principles of the Web, which was created to benefit everyone in any circumstances. In addition, this kind of map would be very useful for people with disabilities, but they cannot take advantage of them due to accessibility problems. In this paper, some of the latest technologies (e.g. PostGIS or SVG) are used in order to provide a geographical web map with accessible features. Since no standard way of doing so exists, our objective is to research, design and implement a system which consists on the essential components to provide accessibility. What we propose is one of the many possible solutions, with some advantages and limitations, for the problem of accessibility on geographical web maps. This proposed solution leads to a discussion about the obtained result and some comments on the current state of the technologies involved in web accessibility.

Universal usability evaluation by using an integrated fuzzy multi criteria decision making approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated fuzzy approach to determine important universal usability problems (UUPs) by providing experts who behave like real users and to establish a work plan to correct the most important ones. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach with three stages is proposed for the evaluation of universal usability. At the first stage, UUPs are identified by performing modified heuristic evaluation, and severity rating of each problem is determined by experts. At the second stage, critical problems are specified by applying the fuzzy Delphi considering these severity ratings. At the third stage, Fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory approach is applied to prioritize critical problems as sub and main criteria. An illustrative example related to emergency service is performed to apply the proposed approach. Findings Results showed that the elevator button design, the elevator emergency button design and the position of the floor signboard are the first three problems that should be primarily improved as sub-criteria. In terms of main criteria, equitable use, simple and intuitive use, and perceptible information are the first three main criteria that should be improve in emergency service. Originality/value This study is original in terms of methodology and providing a new perspective for building design evaluation. The results can help the designers to see the UUPs in buildings, to focus the most important UUPs and to establish improvement ranking. These advantages provide time and cost-effective design improvement actions.