Influential Visual Design Parameters on TV Weather Maps

Abstract

Information transformation on television weather maps (TVWMs) is influenced by visual elements for a broad range of viewers. This research emphasizes the cartographic aspects of TVWMs through evaluating their visual variables. Currently defined visual variables including basic, dynamic and motion variables are investigated and some suggestions are made to improve their application on TVWMs. The rates of the represented visual information within different frames and the related standard deviation are proposed as measures to improve the performance of the ‘duration’ dynamic variable. The concept of ‘visual expressions’ is introduced, and their applications at the organisational level of map design are discussed. Such expressions (including background, boundary, spatial order, zoom and overview maps) are examined as tools for ‘user orientation’ in particular, and their role as dominant parameters in TVWMs’ cartographic communication is considered. Their incorporation in TVWMs of a number of global news channels is evaluated. Firstly, the concepts of visual design parameters are utilized as a foundation for an analytical evaluation, then an empirical evaluation is carried out based on a statistical investigation of a sample of TV viewers. The resulting ranking order and correlation coefficients for each of the elements shows a firm agreement, corroborating views on the importance and proficiency of the visual elements in communicating weather information. As a result, TVWMs of well-known global TV channels (BBC, Euronews, France24, PressTV) are ranked with respect to the effectiveness of their designs.     

Investigating the Effectiveness of an Efficient Label Placement Method Using Eye Movement Data

Abstract

This paper focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of dynamic and interactive maps in relation to the user. A label placement method with an improved algorithmic efficiency is presented. Since this algorithm has an influence on the actual placement of the name labels on the map, it is tested if this efficient algorithms also creates more effective maps: how well is the information processed by the user. We tested 30 participants while they were working on a dynamic and interactive map display. Their task was to locate geographical names on each of the presented maps. Their eye movements were registered together with the time at which a given label was found. The gathered data reveal no difference in the user’s response times, neither in the number and the duration of the fixations between both map designs. The results of this study show that the efficiency of label placement algorithms can be improved without disturbing the user’s cognitive map. Consequently, we created a more efficient map without affecting its effectiveness towards the user.     

基于本体语义的地理信息服务发现

基于本体语义研究地理信息服务发现问题.将加权语义距离和Wu-Palmer法相结合并进行改进计算本体概念语义相似度.引入服务接口依赖关系,提出支持接口多态性的本体语义地理信息服务输入输出匹配方法.最后开发实验原型对基于本体的地理信息服务匹配方法进行实验与分析.     

Study of the attentive behavior of novice and expert map users using eye tracking

The aim of this paper is to gain better understanding of the way map users read and interpret the visual stimuli presented to them and how this can be influenced. In particular, the difference between expert and novice map users is considered. In a user study, the participants studied four screen maps which had been manipulated to introduce deviations. The eye movements of 24 expert and novice participants were tracked, recorded, and analyzed (both visually and statistically) based on a grid of Areas of Interest. These visual analyses are essential for studying the spatial dimension of maps to identify problems in design. In this research, we used visualization of eye movement metrics (fixation count and duration) in a 2D and 3D grid and a statistical comparison of the grid cells. The results show that the users’ eye movements clearly reflect the main elements on the map. The users’ attentive behavior is influenced by deviating colors, as their attention is drawn to it. This could also influence the users’ interpretation process. Both user groups encountered difficulties when trying to interpret and store map objects that were mirrored. Insights into how different types of map users read and interpret map content are essential in this fast-evolving era of digital cartographic products.     

Visual clutter reduction in zoomable proportional point symbol maps

ABSTRACT

Proportional point symbols are commonly used in map displays. However, when such displays are zoomed out, the available map space shrinks and consequently symbols overlap and the display suffers from visual clutter. Therefore, solutions are needed to reduce visual clutter in zoomable map displays that contain proportional point symbols. The authors add to the body of knowledge through the investigation of the performance of three solutions: aggregation of unit areas, the displacement of overlapping symbols, and modified symbolization; four variations of modified symbolization are examined in detail. The original study begins with a consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of the solutions, with an emphasis on information loss. Thereafter, user sessions with 165 participants are arranged to gain empirical evidence of the performance of the solutions. The results reveal that although participants zoom out the map to zoom levels that implement visual clutter reduction techniques, they tend to zoom in the map and pan it to examine specific areas. Moreover, they willingly use the map with aggregated unit areas in cases when the solution facilitates task accomplishment. A certain amount of skepticism attaches to the solution that displaces overlapping symbols.     

Translating Bertin into Arabic today: new hidden facets of Semiology of Graphics

ABSTRACT

Semiology of Graphics is a seminal work of contemporary cartography. Published in 1967 by Jacques Bertin, the book attracted as much mistrust as it did interest even if some claims seem obsolete or outdated with the advent of GIS. This article discusses some underlying perspectives regarding an Arabic translation of Sémiologie Graphique. First, one may question the usefulness and the language of translation, and what issues readers should learn or be aware of before reading the book. In the Arab world, little research has engaged graphical semiology and its paradigms are rarely encountered. Second, only a limited number of graphical procedures have been experimented or implemented by digital means. There is a gap between some theoretical statements and their practical applications. Third, many other semiological aspects remain, in substance, little known in detail. This article considers whether these should be revisited by visualization and graphical analytics.     

青藏高原通道流模型动力环境的数值模拟

"中、下地壳流"模型作为一种可能的动力学演化机制,在解决诸如喜马拉雅造山带和青藏高原东缘、南缘等区域地壳中岩层的通道流或韧性剪切挤出等方面的解释给出了相应的模型和阐述.本文基于青藏高原壳、幔介质平均速度模型,采用二维黏弹性数值模型对高原下地壳物质流动的动力学边界条件进行探讨.研究结果表明:(1)青藏高原下地壳与上地幔盖层物质作为坚硬的固态物质相接,不具备可运动的边界条件,难以在Moho界面处任意地域发生相互运动.壳、幔介质中需存在可供物质高速运动的边界条件,即以上地壳底部的低速层为上滑移面,以上地幔软流圈顶部为下滑移面,才有可能在足够强的力系作用下促使"下地壳+岩石圈盖层"物质发生同步运移;(2)若不具备这样的初始与边界条件是难以产生深部物质运移的.因此,青藏高原深部壳、幔物质运动不可能是普遍存在的,只能是局部和在特异环境下才能实现.     

Scholte waves on fluid-solid interfaces by means of an integral formulation

The present work shows the propagation of Scholte interface waves at the boundary of a fluid in contact with an elastic solid, for a broad range of solid materials. It has been demonstrated that by an analysis of diffracted waves in a fluid it is possible to infer the mechanical properties of the elastic solid medium, specifically, its propagation velocities. For this purpose, the diffracted wave field of pressures and displacements, due to an initial wave of pressure in the fluid, are expressed using boundary integral representations, which satisfy the equation of motion. The source in the fluid is represented by a Hankel’s function of second kind and zero order. The solution to this wave propagation problem is obtained by means of the Indirect Boundary Element Method, which is equivalent to the well-known Somigliana representation theorem. The validation of the results is carried out by using the Discrete Wave Number Method and the Spectral Element Method. Firstly, we show spectra of pressures that illustrate the behavior of the fluid for each solid material considered, then, we apply the Fast Fourier Transform to show results in time domain. Snapshots to exemplify the emergence of Scholte’s waves are also included.     

Ontologies of geographic information

This article explores the notion of a system of ontologies specifically designed for the needs of an information science. A framework for geographic information ontologies is outlined that focuses on geographic information constructs rather than on the direct representation of real-world entities or on linguistic terms. The framework takes the form of a generative hierarchy anchored by the notion of intentionality at one end and of a spatiotemporal field of potentially relevant information at the other. Two theoretical notions are used in the generation of the hierarchy. The first is the principle of semantic contraction, whereby, starting from a level of geographic information constructs specified so as to reflect user intentionality, semantically coherent domains of properties are removed over several steps until only the rudiments of a spatiotemporal information system are left. The second notion is that of object of discourse, which allows entities to be represented as the composites of geographic information constructs at the higher levels of the hierarchy, explicitly reflecting the connections between the purpose, function, appropriate internal constitution, and ensuing categorization of the entities represented. The framework's main contribution is thus twofold: first, it allows the notions of user purpose and object function to be directly built into geographic representations; second, it proposes a hierarchy of ontological levels that are linked by systematic semantic relations. Further, the framework presents an integrated view of object and field representations. It may also provide a novel perspective on a number of issues of ongoing interest in geographic information science.     

Dynamics of convective dissolution from a migrating current of carbon dioxide

During geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), trapping of the buoyant CO₂ after injection is essential in order to minimize the risk of leakage into shallower formations through a fracture or abandoned well. Models for the subsurface behavior of the CO₂ are useful for the design, implementation, and long-term monitoring of injection sites, but traditional reservoir-simulation tools are currently unable to resolve the impact of small-scale trapping processes on fluid flow at the scale of a geologic basin. Here, we study the impact of solubility trapping from convective dissolution on the up-dip migration of a buoyant gravity current in a sloping aquifer. To do so, we conduct high-resolution numerical simulations of the gravity current that forms from a pair of miscible analogue fluids. Our simulations fully resolve the dense, sinking fingers that drive the convective dissolution process. We analyze the dynamics of the dissolution flux along the moving CO₂–brine interface, including its decay as dissolved buoyant fluid accumulates beneath the buoyant current. We show that the dynamics of the dissolution flux and the macroscopic features of the migrating current can be captured with an upscaled sharp-interface model.