Affective Film Dataset from India (AFDI): Creation and Validation with an Indian Sample

We describe the creation of an affective film dataset for researchers interested in studying a broad spectrum of emotional experiences. Two hundred twenty-two 60-seconds long video clips were selected based on multimedia content analysis and screened in the lab with 407 participants. The participants' ratings mapped to 31 emotion categories in the first stage. Based on the selection criteria, 69 audio-visual clips were selected. These selected affective clips were then presented to 271 participants. Participants rated these clips on rating scales and categorized them into emotion categories. The affective clips were able to induce 19 basic and complex emotion categories reliably. Since the presented dataset is comprised of film clips based on both Indian and western content, the dataset can effectively be used for cross-cultural emotion research. From the dataset, researchers can select emotional movie clips based on the ratings and quantitative measures, including the reliability measures presented in this work. We also show a continuity of emotional experiences using an advanced visualisation technique to complement the existing knowledge based on V-A space with the information on how the transitions among emotion categories are taking place.

Micro-CT protocols for scanning and 3D analysis of Hexaplex trunculus during its different life stages

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a high-resolution 3D-imaging technique which is now increasingly applied in biological studies focusing on taxonomy and functional morphology. The creation of virtual representations of specimens can increase availability of otherwise underexploited and inaccessible samples. The 3D model dataset can be also further processed through volume rendering and morphometric analysis. The success of micro-CT as a visualisation technique depends on several methodological manipulations, including the use of contrast enhancing staining agents, filters, scanning mediums, containers, exposure time and frame averaging. The aim of this study was to standardise a series of micro-CT scanning and 3D analysis protocols for a marine gastropod species, Hexaplex trunculus. The analytical protocols have followed all the developmental stages of this gastropod, from egg capsules and embryos to juveniles and adults.

Network visualisation of synthetic biology designs

Visualising the complex information captured by synthetic biology designs is still a major challenge. The popular glyph approach where each genetic part is displayed on a linear sequence allows researchers to generate diagrams and visualise abstract designs, but only represents a single, static representation that results in visualisation that is not specific to the requirements of a user resulting in a one-size-fits-all visualisation. We developed a network visualisation technique that automatically turns all design information into a graph, displaying otherwise hidden data. The structure of the resulting graphs can be dynamically adjusted according to specific visualisation requirements, such as highlighting proteins, interactions or hierarchy. Since biological systems have an inherent affinity with network visualisation, we advocate for adopting this approach to standardise and automate the representation of complex information.

Vulnerability to cavitation is linked to home climate precipitation across eight eucalypt species

Vulnerability to cavitation in leaves is the result of highly adaptive anatomical and physiological traits that can be linked to water availability in a species' climate of origin. Despite similar gross leaf morphology, eucalypt species are often confined to specific climate envelopes across the variable rainfall environments of Australia. In this study, we investigate how the progression of cavitation differs among eucalypts and whether this is related to other hydraulic and physical leaf traits. We used the Optical Visualisation technique to capture cavitation progression across the leaves of eight eucalypt species (Angophora crassifolia, Corymbia tessellaris, Eucalyptus atrata, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus laevopinea, Eucalyptus longifolia, Eucalyptus macrandra, Eucalyptus tereticornis) from a wide range of climates and grown in a common garden setting. Vulnerability to cavitation, represented by the leaf water potential required for 50% cavitation of leaf vessels, varied significantly among species (-3.48 MPa to -8.25 MPa) and correlated linearly with home climate precipitation and leaf SLA (R2 of 0.64 and 0.75, respectively). P12-P88, the range of water potentials between which 12% to 88% of cavitation occurs, was decoupled from P50 but also correlated with leaf SLA (R2 of 0.72). We suggest the magnitude of P12-P88 may be representative of a species' drought strategy - a large P12-P88 signifying leaves that exhibit drought tolerance (retention of leaves under drought conditions) and a small P12-P88 signifying drought avoidance (leaf shedding after a threshold of drought is reached). Our results agree with other studies that highlight these cavitation metrics as genetically fixed traits. Turgor loss point, on the other hand, may be more plastic, as evidenced by the low variability of this trait across these eucalypt species grown in a common garden environment. Further study will help to establish the SLA-related anatomical traits that impart cavitation resistance and to extend these conclusions to a greater number of species and home climates.

Human–Machine Perception of Complex Signal Data

Electrocardiograms (ECGs), which capture the electrical activity of the human heart, are widely used in clinical practice, and notoriously difficult to interpret. Whilst there have been attempts to automate their interpretation for several decades, human reading of the data presented visually remains the ‘gold standard’. We demonstrate how a visualisation technique that significantly improves human interpretation of ECG data can be used as a basis for an automated interpretation algorithm that is more accurate than current signal processing techniques, and has the benefit of the human and machine sharing the same representation of the data. We discuss the potential of the approach, in terms of its accuracy and acceptability in clinical practice.

Exoscopic visualisation with VITOM® 3D in cochlear implantation: preliminary results

Key points - 3D exoscopy is an emerging visualisation technique designed to improve ergonomics and image quality during surgeries. - We present a novel application of the VITOM® 3D exoscope in cochlear implantation (IDEAL Stage 2a prospective case series). - The system enabled high-quality visualisation during both posterior tympanotomy and electrode insertion. - Both the chief surgeon and the staff members rated the ergonomics of the system highly. - 3D exoscopy is a useful alternative to conventional microscopy, but the two techniques remain to be directly compared in larger studies.

VARIETY OF ARRANGEMENTS OF NUMERICAL DATA FOR A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MATHEMATICS

Effective arranging of numerical data and design of associated computational algorithms are important for any area of mathematics for teaching, learning and research purposes. Usage of various algorithms for the same area makes mathematics teaching goal-oriented and diverse. Matrices and linear-algebraic ideas can be used to make algorithms visual, two dimensional (2D) and easy to use. It may contribute to the planned educational reforms by teaching school and university students deeper mathematical thinking. In this article we give novel data arranging techniques (2D and 3D) for matrix multiplication. Our 2D method differs from the standard, formal approach by using block matrices. We find this method a helpful alternative for introducing matrix multiplication. We also give a new innovative 3D visualisation technique for matrix multiplication. In this method, matrices are positioned on the faces of a rectangular cuboid. Computerized implementations of this method may be considered as student project proposals.