Diagram Layout Research Articles

Redesign of a Life Cycle Figure Improves Student Conceptions of Ecology and Evolution

Life cycle diagrams communicate the developmental life stages of an organism. Design choices may inadvertently communicate additional information about survivorship rates, genetic variation, and microevolutionary change. In this controlled experiment, we randomly assigned one of three life cycle diagrams to 684 college students. Each figure included identical life stages of a fictitious organism’s development but differed in (1) the number of offspring (single or multiple) and (2) layout (cyclical or linear). Each participant could reference the figure when answering questions about organism survival, variation among offspring, and variation between generations. Students scored 28–30% higher on questions about survivorship when the available diagram included multiple offspring. Students scored 19–30% higher on questions about microevolution when the diagram layout was linear. Overall, students who received the figure with a linear layout and multiple offspring earned the highest average score (54.5%, or 3.3 of six questions) on the assessment, while students with the traditional figure (cyclical layout with single offspring) scored the lowest average (26.1%, or 1.6 of six questions). These results suggest that figure design affects student interpretations and may assist student learning about ecology and evolution concepts and common misconceptions.

Logistics Center Space Layout Design

Logistics center is an important node in the logistics network. Scientific layout planning is very important to improve the overall operational efficiency of the logistics center. The layout of each functional area of the logistics center will directly affect the overall planning of the logistics center. The traditional layout method is subjective and cannot objectively reflect the relationship between functional areas. On the basis of combing the relevant literature at home and abroad, this paper makes the layout planning of the functional area of the logistics center. Based on the analysis of the demand of logistics center, the division of functional areas and the determination of the scale of functional areas, the location relationship diagram of functional areas is drawn by using the correlation diagram layout method, so as to obtain the layout scheme of logistics center and provide the basis for the planning of logistics center.

Aspects of modelling requirements in very-large agile systems engineering

Using models for requirements engineering (RE) is uncommon in systems engineering, despite the widespread use of model-based engineering in general. One reason for this lack of use is that formal models do not match well the trend to move towards agile developing methods. While there exists work that investigates challenges in the adoption of requirements modelling and agile methods in systems engineering, there is a lack of work studying successful approaches of using requirements modelling in agile systems engineering. To address this gap, we conducted a case study investigating the application of requirements models at Ericsson AB, a Swedish telecommunications company. We studied a department using requirements models to bridge agile development and plan-driven development aspects. We find that models are used to understand how requirements relate to each other, and to keep track with the product’s evolution. To cope with the effort to maintain models over time, study participants suggest to rely on text-based notations that bring the models closer to developers and allow integration into existing software development workflows. This results in tool trade-offs, e.g., losing the possibility to control diagram layout.

Evaluating the layout quality of UML class diagrams using machine learning

UML is the de facto standard notation for graphically representing software. UML diagrams are used in the analysis, construction, and maintenance of software systems. Mostly, UML diagrams capture an abstract view of a (piece of a) software system. A key purpose of UML diagrams is to share knowledge about the system among developers. The quality of the layout of UML diagrams plays a crucial role in their comprehension.In this paper, we present an automated method for evaluating the layout quality of UML class diagrams. We use machine learning based on features extracted from the class diagram images using image processing. Such an automated evaluator has several uses: (1) From an industrial perspective, this tool could be used for automated quality assurance for class diagrams (e.g., as part of a quality monitor integrated into a DevOps toolchain). For example, automated feedback can be generated once a UML diagram is checked in the project repository. (2) In an educational setting, the evaluator can grade the layout aspect of student assignments in courses on software modeling, analysis, and design. (3) In the field of algorithm design for graph layouts, our evaluator can assess the layouts generated by such algorithms. In this way, this evaluator opens up the road for using machine learning to learn good layouting algorithms. Approach.We use machine learning techniques to build (linear) regression models based on features extracted from the class diagram images using image processing. As ground truth, we use a dataset of 600+ UML Class Diagrams for which experts manually label the quality of the layout. Contributions.This paper makes the following contributions:(1) We show the feasibility of the automatic evaluation of the layout quality of UML class diagrams.(2) We analyze which features of UML class diagrams are most strongly related to the quality of their layout.(3) We evaluate the performance of our layout evaluator.(4) We offer a dataset of labeled UML class diagrams. In this dataset, we supply for every diagram the following information: (a) a manually established ground truth of the quality of the layout, (b) an automatically established value for the layout-quality of the diagram (produced by our classifier), and (c) the values of key features of the layout of the diagram (obtained by image processing). This dataset can be used for replication of our study and others to build on and improve on this work.Editor’s note: Open Science material was validated by the Journal of Systems and Software Open Science Board..

Influence of diagram layout and scrolling on understandability of BPMN processes: an eye tracking experiment with BPMN diagrams

Business process modeling is an important activity for developing software systems—especially within digitization projects and when realizing digital business models. Specifying requirements and building executable workflows is often done by using BPMN 2.0 process models. Although there are several style guides available for BPMN, e.g., by Silver and Richard (BPMN method and style, vol 2, Cody-Cassidy Press, Aptos, 2009), there has not been much empirical research done into the consequences of the diagram layout. In particular, layouts that require scrolling have not been investigated yet. The aim of this research is to establish layout guidelines for business process modeling that help business process modelers to create more understandable business process diagrams. For establishing benefits and penalties of different layouts, a controlled eye tracking experiment was conducted, in which data of 21 professional software developers was used. Our results show that horizontal layouts are less demanding and that as many diagram elements as possible should be put on the initially visible screen area because such diagram elements are viewed more often and longer. Additionally, diagram elements related to the reader’s task are read more often than those not relevant to the task. BPMN modelers should favor a horizontal layout and use a more complex snake or multi-line layout whenever the diagrams are too large to fit on one page in order to support BPMN model comprehension.

RNAStructViz: graphical base pairing analysis.

We present a new graphical tool for RNA secondary structure analysis. The central feature is the ability to visually compare/contrast up to three base pairing configurations for a given sequence in a compact, standardized circular arc diagram layout. This is complemented by a built-in CT-style file viewer and radial layout substructure viewer which are directly linked to the arc diagram window via the zoom selection tool. Additional functionality includes the computation of some numerical information, and the ability to export images and data for later use. This tool should be of use to researchers seeking to better understand similarities and differences between structural alternatives for an RNA sequence. https://github.com/gtDMMB/RNAStructViz/wiki.

MODELING A FLUID POWER DRIVE OF THE EXCAVATOR EQUIPMENT

Problem. The hydraulic drive of modern construction and road machines is quite complex, and it takes a lot of time and effort to model the entire drive in full. However, improving the quality of design with reducing terms and costs becomes possible only with the use of modern technologies, computer hardware and software. The existing models of hydraulic system working processes in the physical modeling environment SimHydraulics are presented by block diagram layouts from standard library elements (slide valve, hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder, safety and reverse valves, hydraulic locks, etc.). However, they do not consider the influence of time-varying external forces, which are a reaction during transient processes in multi-link mechanical systems. Goal. The aim of the work is to develop a simulation model of the fluid power drive of the excavator working equipment mechanical system in the MATLAB & SimHydraulics package for studying the dynamics of transient processes of multilink mechanical objects. Methodology. The article describes an example of developing a physical simulation model of the excavator working equipment fluid power drive in the SimHydraulics package. Using the real technical characteristics of the hydraulic equipment of the Borex 2201 excavator, the performance of the developed model was checked and the power characteristics of the actuators were determined. Originality. Using the blocks described in the article, a simulation model of the interaction of the excavator working equipment mechanical system with its fluid power drive can be created. Practical value. The model proposed makes it possible to obtain values characterizing transient processes, including changes in the value of the generalized coordinates of the characteristic points in the working equipment, the rate of their change, and the effort in the hydraulic cylinder. A visual representation of the manipulator movement can be obtained using the SimScape built-in visualization function. The resulting model allows solving problems of analysis and synthesis of excavator operation control systems.

Investigation of Aesthetic Criteria for Creating Highly Readable Class Diagram Layouts

Investigation of Aesthetic Criteria for Creating Highly Readable Class Diagram Layouts

AI2D-RST: a multimodal corpus of 1000 primary school science diagrams

This article introduces AI2D-RST, a multimodal corpus of 1000 English-language diagrams that represent topics in primary school natural sciences, such as food webs, life cycles, moon phases and human physiology. The corpus is based on the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence Diagrams (AI2D) dataset, a collection of diagrams with crowdsourced descriptions, which was originally developed to support research on automatic diagram understanding and visual question answering. Building on the segmentation of diagram layouts in AI2D, the AI2D-RST corpus presents a new multi-layer annotation schema that provides a rich description of their multimodal structure. Annotated by trained experts, the layers describe (1) the grouping of diagram elements into perceptual units, (2) the connections set up by diagrammatic elements such as arrows and lines, and (3) the discourse relations between diagram elements, which are described using Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST). Each annotation layer in AI2D-RST is represented using a graph. The corpus is freely available for research and teaching.

Research on Traction Load Characteristics of Sichuan-Tibet Railway Under Different Weather

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway faces severe challenges such as changeable weather and long ramps. In order to reduce the ramp stop accidents of locomotive, the traction characteristic curve and braking characteristic curve of the locomotive are revised considering the wheel-rail adhesion limit under different weather conditions. Then the traction quality of dry rail, wet rail and ice rail is given. The modified characteristic curves and traction quality are used to simulate the traction load of Sichuan-Tibet Railway under different rail surface conditions. The results show that under dry rail conditions, the traction quality is 2500 tons and the driving power and regenerative braking power are extremely large, respectively 20MW and 16MW. Under wet rail and ice rail conditions, traction quality and regenerative braking power are significantly limited by adhesion. When ice rail, the traction quality is only 1200 tons; the driving power and the regenerative braking power are only respectively 14MW and 9 MW. At the same time, the running interval when growing uphill is 7 minutes longer than that under dry rail conditions. It provides a reference for the layout of the train operation diagrams and the design of the traction power supply system.

Ambulatory Anesthesia, An Issue of Anesthesiology Clinics, Volume 37, Number 2

Ambulatory Anesthesia, An Issue of Anesthesiology Clinics, Volume 37, Number 2

모바일 애플리케이션으로 작동하는 융합 제품의 GUI 디자인을 위한 조작 도형 레이아웃 연구

모바일 애플리케이션으로 작동하는 융합 제품의 GUI 디자인을 위한 조작 도형 레이아웃 연구

Optimization Method of Locomotive Working Diagram Layout

Rational scheduling of locomotive paths (the locus of the locomotive point in the train working diagram) is an important step in drawing a locomotive working diagram by a computer. But there are some problems in this process, such as the computer usually drawing a locomotive path that overlaps with another locomotive path (in the circumstances, the actual users of the locomotive working diagrams often misread the locomotive planning). At present, there are many studies about assigning sets of locomotives to each train in a preplanned train schedule; in contrast, the studies of visualizing the locomotive planning are relatively rare. Through investigating the locomotive working diagram users, this paper points out that the layout of locomotive paths should put the distance between lines being as large as possible and should put the number of the intersection between lines being as few as possible as the optimization aim which is based to solve the problem of the lines overlap or the problem of the lines beyond the margins for drawing the locomotive paths. This paper also builds the optimization model of locomotive working diagram layout. Based on determining the position of locomotive paths which can be delineated, a genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimizing model of locomotive working diagram layout in this paper. An example of a train working diagram with 36 trains is given at the end of the paper, which indicates that the optimization model of locomotive working diagram layout can better solve the problem of locomotive planning visualization.

Definition of the Criteria for Layout of the UML Use Case Diagrams

Abstract Nowadays, the topicality and applicability of model-driven development in the object-oriented development approach has increased, so it is important that created models and diagrams display not only the content, but also visually reflect information. Transparent diagram placement that influences work productivity is important for displaying information. Manual layout of diagrams is a time-consuming activity, which can also be ineffective, so in this paper the application of UML use case automatic layout is reviewed. The paper also examines the requirements of use case diagrams and placement criteria, which will serve as a basis for the creation of an automatic use case diagram layout algorithm.

Establishment and Analysis of Energy Consumption Model of Heavy-Haul Train on Large Long Slope

AC heavy-haul trains produce a huge amount of regenerative braking energy when they run on long downhill sections. If this energy can be used by uphill trains in the same power supply section, a reduction in coal transportation cost and an improvement in power quality would result. To accurately predict the energy consumption and regenerative braking energy of heavy-haul trains on large long slopes, a single-particle model of train dynamics was used. According to the theory of railway longitudinal section simplification, the energy consumption and the regenerative braking energy model of a single train based on the train attributes, line conditions, and running speed was established. The model was applied and verified on the Shenshuo Railway. The results indicate that the percentage error of the proposed model is generally less than 10%. The model is a convenient and simple research alternative, with strong engineering feasibility. Based on this foundation, a model of train energy consumption was established under different interval lengths by considering the situation of regenerative braking energy in the multi-train operation mode. The model provides a theoretical foundation for future train diagram layout work with the goal of reducing the total train energy consumption.

Strategy Analysis of Non-consequence Inference with Euler Diagrams

How can Euler diagrams support non-consequence inferences? Although an inference to non-consequence, in which people are asked to judge whether no valid conclusion can be drawn from the given premises (e.g., All B are A; No C are B), is one of the two sides of logical inference, it has received remarkably little attention in research on human diagrammatic reasoning; how diagrams are really manipulated for such inferences remains unclear. We hypothesized that people naturally make these inferences by enumerating possible diagrams, based on the logical notion of self-consistency, in which every (simple) Euler diagram is true (satisfiable) in a set-theoretical interpretation. The work is divided into three parts, each exploring a particular condition or scenario. In condition 1, we asked participants to directly manipulate diagrams with size-fixed circles as they solved syllogistic tasks, with the result that more reasoners used the enumeration strategy. In condition 2, another type of size-fixed diagram was used. The diagram layout change interfered with accurate task performances and with the use of the enumeration strategy; however, the enumeration strategy was still dominant for those who could correctly perform the tasks. In condition 3, we used size-scalable diagrams (with the default size as in condition 2), which reduced the interfering effect of diagram layout and enhanced participants’ selection of the enumeration strategy. These results provide evidence that non-consequence inferences can be achieved by diagram enumeration, exploiting the self-consistency of Euler diagrams. An alternate strategy based on counter-example construction with Euler diagrams, as well as effects of diagram layout in inferential processes, are also discussed.

Analysis of Sequence Diagram Layout in Advanced UML Modelling Tools

Abstract System modelling using Unified Modelling Language (UML) is the task that should be solved for software development. The more complex software becomes the higher requirements are stated to demonstrate the system to be developed, especially in its dynamic aspect, which in UML is offered by a sequence diagram. To solve this task, the main attention is devoted to the graphical presentation of the system, where diagram layout plays the central role in information perception. The UML sequence diagram due to its specific structure is selected for a deeper analysis on the elements’ layout. The authors research represents the abilities of modern UML modelling tools to offer automatic layout of the UML sequence diagram and analyse them according to criteria required for the diagram perception.

Drawing Interactive Euler Diagrams from Region Connection Calculus Specifications

This paper describes methods for generating interactive Euler diagrams. User interaction is needed to improve the aesthetic quality of the drawing without writing tedious formal specifications. More precisely, the user can modify the diagram's layout on the fly by mouse control. We prove that the satisfiability problem is in $${\textsf {PSPACE}}$$PSPACE and we provide two syntactic fragments such that the corresponding restricted satisfiability problem is already $${\textsf {NP}}$$NP-hard. We describe (1) an improved local search based approach, (2) a method inspired from the gradient method and a hybrid method mixing both (1) and (2). A software tool was implemented and its implementation is described. We also experimentally compare the different methods. We first see that the improved local search and the hybrid method outperforms the local search from the literature and the gradient method for generating a diagram. Concerning interaction, the local search approach is not suitable but hybrid method and gradient method give both good results in terms of quality of drawings and stability. Specifications are written using region connection calculus ($${\mathbf{RCC-8 }}$$RCC-8), radius constraints and disjunctions. Euler diagrams are described as set of circles.

Improving Search-Based Schematic Layout by Parameter Manipulation

This paper reports on a method to improve the automated layout of schematic diagrams by widening the search space examined by the system. In search-based layout methods there are typically a number of parameters that control the search algorithm which do not affect the fitness function, but nevertheless have an impact on the final layout. We explore how varying three parameters (grid spacing, the starting distance of allowed node movement and the number of iterations) affects the resultant diagram in a hill-climbing layout system. Using an iterative process, we produce diagram layouts that are significantly better than those produced by ad-hoc parameter settings.

The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) Level 3 Package: Layout, Version 1 Core

SummaryMany software tools provide facilities for depicting reaction network diagrams in a visual form. Two aspects of such a visual diagram can be distinguished: the layout (i.e.: the positioning and connections) of the elements in the diagram, and the graphical form of the elements (for example, the glyphs used for symbols, the properties of the lines connecting them, and so on). For software tools that also read and write models in SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language) format, a common need is to store the network diagram together with the SBML representation of the model. This in turn raises the question of how to encode the layout and the rendering of these diagrams. The SBML Level 3 Version 1 Core specification does not provide a mechanism for explicitly encoding diagrams, but it does provide a mechanism for SBML packages to extend the Core specification and add additional syntactical constructs. The Layout package for SBML Level 3 adds the necessary features to SBML so that diagram layouts can be encoded in SBML files, and a companion package called SBML Rendering specifies how the graphical rendering of elements can be encoded.The SBML Layout package is based on the principle that reaction network diagrams should be described as representations of entities such as species and reactions (with direct links to the underlying SBML elements), and not as arbitrary drawings or graphs; for this reason, existing languages for the description of vector drawings (such as SVG) or general graphs (such as GraphML) cannot be used.