A Design Space for Visualization Onboarding in Data-Driven Stories

Data-Driven Stories (DDS) are stories that combine text and data portrayed as visualization in a narrative format. They are among the popular ways of communicating information by online medias nowadays. For DDS authors and designers, it's important to minimize the risk of misinterpreting visualizations by their readers. Visualization onboarding, embedding knowledge and guidance have been meant to provide adequate support for readers to understand visualizations as they progress through DDS. Onboarding is a continuous mechanism which involves various DDS elements and interactions on each step. Several previous studies attempted to identify and classify storytelling techniques in DDS. While these techniques prospect a satisfactory communication, it's not clear how they can be applied to facilitate the visualization understanding throughout the story. They rather conceptualized different aspects of storytelling individually, and as such, the chronology of onboarding steps has been missed. Although their techniques and design spaces represent a tangible level of abstraction, they will not benefit authors in the story design process. Authors either rely on their guess work or mimic previous DDS to accommodate support in their DDS scenarios. In this project, our overall goal is to propose a multidimensional design space for onboarding techniques in DDS that can benefit to authors during their design process.

DRIVERS AND CONSEQUENCES OF BUSINESS-REFERENCE-CONTENT (BRC): THE ROLE OF NARRATIVE TRANSPORTATION IN B2B COMMUNICATION

COVID-19 is bringing changes in B2B sales and marketing strategies. Digital interaction with potential customers has become more critical. Business-reference content (BRC) is the most shared content, mainly using narrative format, available to potential customers through digital touchpoints. Reducing perceived purchasing risk has been recognized as the primary benefit of using BRC, but empirical research on this has been insufficient. Therefore, this research investigated the underlying mechanisms of BRC and related processes that lower risk perception based on narrative transportation theory. For empirical analysis, a serial-parallel mediating model was established in which BRC type (narrative versus non-narrative) influences purchase intention through the mediation of narrative transportation and perceived purchase risks – functional risk and financial risk. In this experimental study, an online survey was conducted in which 233 purchasing managers in Korean companies participated. The analysis confirmed that the BRC type had a significant effect on the level of receivers’ narrative transportation. In addition, serial-parallel mediating effects through narrative transportation (primary mediator) and perceived functional risk and perceived financial risk (secondary mediators) were all significant. This research provides meaningful implications in that it broadens the theoretical understanding of BRC by presenting the integrated BRC effect model. Also, it clarifies the importance of narrative BRC in B2B marketing practices.

Elevating the Voices for All Learners through Shared Stories of Science Learning

This study examines the science learning experiences across the lifespan of two groups of college students: adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in a post-secondary inclusive program, and adults in a preservice secondary education teacher candidate program. Data, in the form of personal narrativescience storieswere collected using a paired-interview approach in which students from each group interviewed one another about their science learning across their lifespans, and recorded responses using an online form. Across the stories, several clear themes emerged. Similarities and differences were found across and within the groups and are shared in a narrative format. Trends that emerged both across and within groups are shared,and recommendations are made for current and future teachers for best practices in teaching science to all students, including those with a variety of disabilities.

A Comprehensive Review of Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi)

Jatamansi, that is Nardostachys jatamansi, is a well-known plant used in Ayurveda classics, which is used in “nervous headache, excitement, menopausal symptoms, flatulence, epilepsy and intestinal colic”. A lot of research has also been conducted on this plant exploring its pharmacological utilization. Though there are many review articles available on this plant but no review has comprehensively covered all aspects of Jatamansi. Objectives: This article is thus aim to collect and comprehensively review information available regarding the medicinal use of Jatamansi and identify areas that need further research. Data source: Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) was reviewed from Samhitas and from more than 55 research articles for medicinal uses and other important aspects. Review methods: This review is in a narrative format and done from literature and publications relevant to Jatamansi that were identified through a systematic search of major computerized medical databases. Result: Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) is concluded to have indications- Vatavyadhi, Shotha, Shoola, Daha, Varnavikara, Swedadhikya, Apasmara, Apatantraka, Unmada, Manasavikara, Mastishkadaurbalya, Shirahshoola, Agnimandya, Anaha, Udarashoola, Chhardi, Kamala, Hriddrava, Raktabharadhikya, Arsha, Hikka, Kasa, Shwasa, Mootrakrichchhra, Klaibya, Sadyovrana, Bhagna, Garbhashayashotha, Twagvikara, Vatarakta, Sannipatika jwara, Mukharoga, Netraroga, Vishavikara & Bhootabadha. Jatamansi also possesses activities like hepatoprotective, antifungal and antibacterial, cardio protective, hypolipidemic, antidepressant, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antiparkinson, anticonvulsant, antihyperglycemic, nootropic, anticancer and radioprotective. Conclusion: Ayurvedic indications of Nardostachys jatamansi are compared with Article concluded effect and then areas of further research are identified.

Persuasive Effects of Message Framing and Narrative Format on Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination: A Study on Chinese College Students

During a public health crisis, the provision and dissemination of health-related information are important for the relevant authorities to keep the public informed. By using different types of message framing, the authorities can effectively guide and persuade people to adopt health-related behaviors (such as vaccination). In this study, a web-based experiment using a 2 × 2 (message framing: gain framing versus loss framing) × (message presentation: narrative versus non-narrative) design was conducted to investigate the effects of different message frames on vaccination promotion. In total, 298 college students were recruited to participate in this study. The results suggest that, for message framing, loss-framed (vs. gain-framed) messages lead to higher intentions to get vaccinated. Furthermore, compared with non-narrative messages, narrative messages are more persuasive in promoting vaccination behavior. However, the interaction effect between gain–loss message framing and narrative framing is not significant. Additionally, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived costs mediate the effect of narrative framing on behavioral intentions. In other words, compared with non-narrative messages, narrative messages lead to higher levels of perceived severity and perceived benefits, and a lower level of perceived costs, which in turn increase intentions to get vaccinated. This paper provides insightful implications for both researchers and practitioners.

Narratives are Persuasive Because They are Easier to Understand: Examining Processing Fluency as a Mechanism of Narrative Persuasion

Theory suggests that people are more persuaded by information presented within a narrative. We argue there is room for greater understanding about why this may be the case. Accordingly, we 1) examine whether narratives are indeed more persuasive than non-narratives and 2) evaluate two theoretical mechanisms that could be responsible for these effects. Results from a laboratory-based, preregistered experiment (N = 554) support our primary argument that narratives are processed more fluently (easily) than non-narratives, and when processing is eased, persuasion becomes more likely. This work offers a parsimonious and powerful explanation for the advantages of providing persuasive information within a narrative format and advances theory in narrative persuasion.

Review of the adaptations in opioid agonist treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Focus on buprenorphine-based treatment

Background: Availability and access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) are limited despite its evidence of effectiveness in treating opioid use disorders (OUDs). COVID-19 pandemic has inadvertently exacerbated the problems of restricted access to OAT and, at the same time, has increased odds of harm due to opioid use.Objectives: We examined (a) adaptations conceived or implemented in the buprenorphine (BPN)-based OAT service delivery at the national, regional, or local level during the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) the impact of such transformations on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of service delivery. We focused exclusively on BPN-based OAT.Methods: We carried out a systematic electronic database search in PubMed and Google Scholar. We included all types of articles. Additionally, we looked up relevant websites of international and national government agencies working in the field of drug abuse.Results: We included 21 articles from 10 countries in the review and summarized the results in a narrative format. The majority of literature was from developed countries. We observed changes in the BPN initiation, dosing, and dispensing protocols, and particular emphasis on telemedicine. There was limited literature on service provisions for the vulnerable population. The changing modes of service delivery have possibly increased the number of new patients and reduced the risk of exposure owing to limited in-person contact.Conclusion: Newer adaptations to meet with the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the BPN-based OAT delivery tend to be innovative, flexible, and patient centered. Although it is too early to comment on these newer adaptations’ impact, the outcome's directions appear to be positive.

The American War in Afghanistan

The American War in Afghanistan is a full history of the war in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2020. It covers political, cultural, strategic, and tactical aspects of the war and details the actions and decision-making of the United States, Afghan government, and Taliban. The work follows a narrative format to go through the 2001 US invasion, the state-building of 2002–2005, the Taliban offensive of 2006, the US surge of 2009–2011, the subsequent drawdown, and the peace talks of 2019–2020. The focus is on the overarching questions of the war: Why did the United States fail? What opportunities existed to reach a better outcome? Why did the United States not withdraw from the war?

The protocol for a scoping review analyzing the association between physical activity interventions after a genitourinary cancer diagnosis and incidences of depression and anxiety

The following is a protocol for a planned scoping review of the effect of physical activity interventions on incidences of depression and anxiety incidences in men diagnosed with a genitourinary cancer. If exercise interventions are found to correlate with lower incidences of depression and anxiety, physical activity interventions offer a potentially modifiable, low-cost, accessible, and natural intervention to improve quality of life outcomes in men with genitourinary cancers. We plan to screen literature from publicly available databases, PubMed and Embase, for intervention studies in this area by implementing abstract/title and full-text screening by two independent reviewers followed by data extraction performed by two independent reviewers. Results will be synthesized in narrative format accompanied by relevant tabulated findings. We anticipate no ethical risks while completing this scoping review. Upon completion of this scoping review, results will be disseminated via publication.

Rapid Interpretation of Temporal–Spatial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operational Data – RITSUD: Aiding UAV Operators With Visualizations of Patterns-of-Life Activities

To accomplish their missions, the operators of military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aggregate and process information from multiple sources under time constraints, while experiencing partial sensory deprivation. We aimed to design, develop, and evaluate the need for designated information aids in the form of visualizations of spatial and temporal patterns-of-life for specific operational mission phases. In an evaluation conducted to assess the usefulness of the proposed visualizations, experienced UAV operators from two nations were presented with five scenarios in a narrative format. Each scenario contained one information-aid visualization for a specific mission phase. Participants had to interpret each mission phase and rate the information aid. Results showed that, in general, most operators favored the aids, but their appreciation of specific aids depended on the mission phase. There were also statistically significant differences between the nations. The results emphasize the potential for equipping UAV operators with information aids in the form of visualizations of spatial and temporal patterns-of-life. Moreover, the findings underline the need for more rigorous analyses of operators’ missions, as the need for specific visualizations was shown to vary with mission phase, and some visualizations were found to be more widely useful than others.