Radar Plots Research Articles

The sensitivity and specificity of serum glycan-based biomarkers for cancer detection.

Most of clinically used serum biomarkers for cancer detection were established in early 1980s when the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was awarded for the "discovery of the principle for the production of monoclonal antibodies." Using this "Nobel" technology, various monoclonal antibodies were obtained when different types of cancer cells were injected into mice and the ligands on the cancer cell surface were characterized. Both aberrant glycan structures and aberrant glycan-associated glycoproteins were revealed as a common feature of cancer cell surfaces through the specific interactions with the monoclonal antibodies. These results indicate that the biosynthesis of the environment-sensitive glycan structures goes awry in cancer cells, which is beyond genetic mutations. Later on, the glycan-related biomarkers were detected in the sera of cancer patients and then developed into serum biomarkers, such as CA125, CA153, CA195, CA199, CA242, CA27.29, CA50, and CA724, which are still in clinical use as of today. During the past 30 years, even with the advancement of different OMICS technologies not limited to genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, glycomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics, very few serum biomarkers have been introduced into clinical practice. The reason is that most of the newly discovered cancer biomarkers are inferior in terms of sensitivity and specificity to these biomarkers. We will summarize the reported sensitivity and specificity of currently used cancer biomarkers, especially the glycan-related biomarkers, in the forms of tables and radar plots and discuss the pros and cons of currently used cancer biomarkers.

A Novel Comprehensive Evaluation Method of Forest State Based on Unit Circle

Comprehensive evaluation of forest state is the precondition and critical step for forest management. To solve the problem that the radar plot and unit circle only focus on the value of each the evaluation index, this paper proposes a novel method for comprehensively and simultaneously evaluating the functionality and inhomogeneity of forest state based on the modified unit circle method. We evaluated the forest state of the Quercus aliena BL. var. acuteserrata Maxim. ex Wenz. broad-leaved mixed forest in the Xiaolong Mountains Forest Area of Gansu Province and the Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc. broad-leaved mixed forest in Jilin Province in China. According to the principle of comprehensive, scientific and operability, 10 evaluation indices on forest structure and vitality were selected to construct the evaluation indicator system. Each index was normalized based on the assignment method and ensured to be strictly positive based on reciprocal transformation method. The areas and arc length of the closed graph, formed by connecting every two adjacent indicators, in the radar plot and unit circle were extracted. Based on the isoperimetric theorem (isoperimetric inequality), a comprehensive evaluation model was constructed. Compared with radar chart and unit circle method, each index in the newly proposed unit circle method is represented by an independent sector region, reflecting the contribution of the index to the overall evaluation result. Each index has the same relative importance weight, contributing to the estimation the relative sizes of each aspect of forest state. The unique area and arc length of the closed graph help summarize the overall performance with a global score. The expression effect of improved unit circle has been enhanced, and as an English proverb put it, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The new proposed method simultaneously evaluates the functionality and inhomogeneity of the forest state and it is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of forest state problems and the decision-making of forest management.

The state of carbon footprint calculators: An evaluation of calculator design and user interaction features

The individual carbon footprint has become a widely used concept for communicating both the causes of climate change and the many opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to standardized greenhouse gas equivalencies and carbon-intensity metrics for everyday activities, many organizations have created online carbon footprint calculators, often with a great deal of input categories and user customization. This particular study critically examines the state of online carbon footprint calculators that target the individual. A calculator Feature Index was developed using guidance from carbon calculator literature and an extensive review of common calculator features and architecture. This index was then applied to 31 online carbon footprint calculators, summarized in heat index tables and scores generated using radar plot methodology. Overall trends are identified and specific lessons are taken from the cluster of six calculators with highest Feature Index scores. Finally, this review of performance features is paired with a survey of individuals concerning their interactions with online carbon footprint calculators. Using this feedback and the performance evaluation indices, recommendations are made for improving carbon footprint calculator design.

Adult Bone Marrow Three-Dimensional Phenotypic Landscape of B-Cell Differentiation.

The different B-cell subsets in human bone marrow result from a dynamic equilibrium between endogenous production, B-cell bone marrow reentry and terminal plasma cell differentiation. Our aim was to define and quantify the different medullary B-cell subsets. A series of 32 normal adult bone marrows plus 15 normal adult blood samples was studied by nine color flow cytometry (CD10, CD19, CD24, CD27, CD34, CD38, CD45, IgM, and IgD). With the Kaluza software radar plots, two 2D triple parametric histograms (CD10/CD34/CD45 and CD27/IgM/IgD) were set-up to identify six progenitor and five mature B-cell subsets. Very early B-cell progenitors were CD19neg/CD10pos/CD34pos. B-cell progenitors were split into five subsets on the CD10/CD34/CD45 triple parametric histogram, sequentially ordered according to the loss of CD34 and CD10 and acquisition of surface IgM and IgD. CD19pos/CD38low mature B-cells were divided into four subsets on the CD27/IgM/IgD triple parametric histogram, with two stages of naïve B-cells and two CD27hi marginal zone and switched memory B-cell compartments. CD19pos/CD34neg/CD10low immature B-cells were the main bone marrow B-cell subset, accounting for one third of bone marrow B-cells. Transitional B-cells were the only immature bone marrow stage found in the blood. Compared to blood, the bone marrow was enriched in both marginal zone and switched B-cells. We provide the first analysis of 3D B-cell differentiation by multicolor flow cytometry leading to propose reference values for each bone marrow and blood B-cell compartment. This warrants further exploration of normal and pathological human B-cell maturation. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.

Oxygen Delivery and Oxygen Consumption in Pediatric Fluid Refractory Septic Shock During the First 42 h of Therapy and Their Relationship to 28-Day Outcome.

Background: In septic shock, both oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) are dysfunctional. The current therapeutic regimens are geared to normalize global oxygen delivery (DO2) to tissues via goal directed therapies but mortality remains high at 10–20%.Methods: We studied cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), central venous pressure (CVP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean blood pressure (MBP), body temperature, blood lactate, base excess and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) in a cohort of children admitted in “fluid-refractory” severe septic shock to pediatric intensive care, over 4.5-years. We calculated their 6 h global oxygen delivery (DO2) and global oxygen consumption (VO2) over the first 42 h and looked at factors associated with VO2/DO2 ratio (i.e., global oxygen extraction, gO2ER) and 28-day mortality.Results: Sixty-two children mean age (SD) 7.19 (5.44) years were studied. Fifty-seven (93%) children were sedated and mechanically ventilated and all received adrenaline or noradrenaline or both and added milrinone in 6 (9.6%). At 28 days, 9 (14.5%) were dead. The global oxygen extraction ratio (gO2ER) was consistently lower amongst the survivors and independently predicted mortality (ROC AUC = 0.75). A lactate level of 4 mmol/l or above, when associated with a concurrent metabolic acidosis predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 90.5–100) and a specificity of 67.7% (95% CI 62.2–72.9). A gO2ER of 0.48 or above on admission to the PICU was associated with death with a 66.7% sensitivity (95%CI 29.9–92.5) and 90.5% specificity (95%CI 79.3–96.8). A global O2ER of >0.48 combined with a concurrent blood lactate >4.0 mmol/l at any time within the first 42 h of therapy predicted death with a sensitivity of 63.9% (95% CI, 46.2–79.1) and specificity of 97.8% (95% CI, 95.7–99.0). A radar plot identified MBP-CVP difference, and CI as additional goals of therapy that may offer a survival benefit.Conclusions: Global O2ER of >0.48 with a concurrent blood lactate >4.0 mmol/l in children with metabolic acidosis was an independent factor associated with death in fluid resistant septic shock. Trends of gO2ER seem useful to recognize survivors and non-survivors early in the illness.

Toward the Advancement of Decision Support Tools for Industrial Facilities: Addressing Operation Metrics, Visualization Plots, and Alarm Floods

The objective of this paper is to facilitate the improvement of the control and operation of industrial facilities, by providing decision support tools. More specifically, this paper has three main contributions. First, this paper presents the definition of operation metrics that provide insight into the behavior of: 1) annunciated alarms, 2) alarm floods, and 3) operator actions in industrial facilities. Second, this paper presents visualization plots named multilayered radar plots that can present information in an elegant, dense, and comprehensive fashion. Three types of plots are proposed, which collectively compare the behavior of metrics, variables, and operation times in industrial facilities. Third, this paper presents a ranking method and a reordering design procedure of displayed alarms during an alarm flood to reorder the alarms based on the proposed alarm-flood criticality index . The purpose is to provide additional assistance to operators to focus on more critical issues. As the operation metrics, visualization plots, and the ranking in alarm floods heavily utilize historized data and given the industrial-oriented application of these decision support tools, this paper also addresses the extraction of information and the integration of the tools into industrial automation platforms. Note to Practitioners —In a control system used for an industrial facility, a large amount of data is collected and historized. The data include sensor measurements, status of actuators, alarms, and operator actions, and it therefore contains valuable information. The information can be extracted and utilized to assist in the improvement of the control and operation of the industrial facility. The objective of this paper is to provide decision support tools by: 1) defining operation metrics that can characterize the information extracted from the historized data; 2) presenting visualization plots that allow for a clear presentation and comparison of the metrics, where three types of plots are proposed for different purposes of comparison; and 3) a ranking method and a reordering design procedure of displayed alarms during an alarm flood. Furthermore, this paper discusses how the information is extracted from the historized data and how to integrate the proposed decision support tools into existing industrial automation platforms.

Multidimensional mechanics: Performance mapping of natural biological systems using permutated radar charts.

Comparing the functional performance of biological systems often requires comparing multiple mechanical properties. Such analyses, however, are commonly presented using orthogonal plots that compare N ≤ 3 properties. Here, we develop a multidimensional visualization strategy using permutated radar charts (radial, multi-axis plots) to compare the relative performance distributions of mechanical systems on a single graphic across N ≥ 3 properties. Leveraging the fact that radar charts plot data in the form of closed polygonal profiles, we use shape descriptors for quantitative comparisons. We identify mechanical property-function correlations distinctive to rigid, flexible, and damage-tolerant biological materials in the form of structural ties, beams, shells, and foams. We also show that the microstructures of dentin, bone, tendon, skin, and cartilage dictate their tensile performance, exhibiting a trade-off between stiffness and extensibility. Lastly, we compare the feeding versus singing performance of Darwin’s finches to demonstrate the potential of radar charts for multidimensional comparisons beyond mechanics of materials.

Evaluation of Graphical Weather Product Interpretation: Implications for Overlaying Weather Product Design

The majority of Aviation Weather-related accidents occur in the General Aviation (GA) community. In order to improve pilot safety, the FAA and Aviation Weather Center are working towards developing tools which have an improved level of effectiveness. Unfortunately, shortcomings in the interpretability of these tools can lead to further dangerous situations. The new Graphical Forecast for Aviation (GFA) tool is an unfortunate example. The GFA is composed of three previously existing weather displays: Radar, Satellite, and Station Plots. This study assessed and compared pilots’ interpretation of the three displays to assess interpretability. Certified pilots (n = 283) completed a set of weather product interpretation questions. Between and within groups analyses were run to determine the effect of Certificate and/or Rating on product score. Results indicated that pilots have a low-performance in the interpretation of Radar, Satellite and Station Plot products and, in turn, will likely score low with the GFA. Training and usability improvements are also discussed.

Discrimination of three Ephedra species and their geographical origins based on multi-element fingerprinting by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Discrimination of species and geographical origins of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is essential to prevent adulteration and inferior problems. We studied Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C.A.Mey. and Ephedra przewalskii Bge. to investigate the relationship between inorganic element content and these three species and their geographical origins. 38 elemental fingerprints from six major Ephedra-producing regions, namely, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Sinkiang, were determined to evaluate the importance of inorganic elements to three species and their geographical origins. The contents of 15 elements, namely, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na, Cl, Sr, Cu, Zn, B, and Mo, of Ephedra samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Elemental contents were used as chemical indicators to classify species and origins of Ephedra samples using a radar plot and multivariate data analysis, including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis (DA). Ephedra samples from different species and geographical origins could be differentiated. This study showed that inorganic elemental fingerprint combined with multivariate statistical analysis is a promising tool for distinguishing three Ephedra species and their geographical origins, and this strategy might be an effective method for authenticity discrimination of TCM.

A new method for correcting middle cerebral artery flow velocity for age by calculating Z-scores

BackgroundFor the interpretation of middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCAFV) measurements by transcranial Doppler clinicians should take normal aging into account. New methodMCAFV measurements can be corrected for age by a transformation to Z-scores, expressing in standard deviations the distance of a measurement to the regression line as function of age. Z-scores for different parameters can be combined into a single plot in order to facilitate clinical interpretation. ResultsIn a retrospective analysis 41 subjects were identified with normal autonomic responses, normal CO2-reactivity and satisfactory transcranial Doppler data. Age related changes were determined for: maximal change in flow velocity (FV) during stroke onset (Acc), maximal FV during the first (Sys1) and second phase (Sys2) of systole and mean diastolic FV 560 ms after stroke onset (Dias@560). Patients were supine and breathing normally. Sys1, Sys2 and Dias@560 decreased significantly with age: −0.58 cm/s/yr, −0.36 cm/s/yr. and −0.38 cm/s/yr., respectively. Sys1 decreased more rapidly than Sys2 and Dias@560 so that in the young the MCAFV signal is more Sys1 dominant, whereas in the elderly it becomes more Sys2 prevalent. The effect of CO2-reactivity was assessed by transformation to Z-scores and combining different parameters within a single radar plot. Comparison with existing methodsIn contrast to standard MCAFV measurements the calculation of Z-scores takes aging into account and standardizes the signal variation. ConclusionGraphically combining Z-scores for different MCAFV parameters makes the signal more accessible for rapid clinical interpretation.

Mo1567 - Outcome Radar Plots of Aggregated Data from two Phase III Placebo-Controlled Trials of Plecanatide in Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC)

Mo1567 - Outcome Radar Plots of Aggregated Data from two Phase III Placebo-Controlled Trials of Plecanatide in Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC)

Tu1645 - Efficacy of Plecanatide for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: Use of Radar Plots to Express Aggregated Multivariate Results from two Phase III Placebo-Controlled Trials

Tu1645 - Efficacy of Plecanatide for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: Use of Radar Plots to Express Aggregated Multivariate Results from two Phase III Placebo-Controlled Trials

Elemental and isotopic profiling of Thai jasmine rice (Khao Dawk Mali 105) for discrimination of geographical origins in Thung Kula Rong Hai area, Thailand

Discrimination of Thai jasmine rice (Khao Dawk Mali 105) according to their geographical origins was studied to prevent mislabeling and adulteration problems of rice. Thai jasmine rice was collected in paddy fields in Thung Kula Rong Hai area, in the northeast of Thailand. The studied elements were determined by comparative method with the certified reference materials (NIST 1568a). Elemental compositions (As, Mg, Cl, Al, Br, Mn, K, Rb and Zn) in Thai jasmine rice were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whereas stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O) were analyzed by elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS). The twelve key variables were used as chemical indicators to discriminate the geographical origins of Thai jasmine rice in Thung Kula Rong Hai area. Radar plot and multivariate statistical analysis were performed. Classification of rice origins (5 provinces) was achieved with 100% correct classification of their original groups and 75.5% cross-validation.

A Bayesian networks-based approach to assess and improve the teamwork quality of agile teams

CONTEXT: According to the agile principles and values, as well as recent research articles, teamwork factors are critical to achieve success in agile projects. However, teamwork does not automatically arise. There are some existing instruments with the purpose of assessing the teamwork quality based on Structural Equation Modeling (i.e., empirically derived) and Radar Plots, but they may not be useful in a concrete situation because these techniques are not advised for prediction and diagnosis purposes. OBJECTIVE: Analytically derive a Bayesian network model based on a literature review and a practitioner’s knowledge; and to assess its practical utility through a case study. METHOD: To build the model, we executed a top-down approach using data collected through a literature review and a domain practitioner. We assessed the model with a case study executed in three Scrum teams. RESULTS: Given the context of the case study, the model assists agile teams on assessing teamwork quality and identifying improvement opportunities, is easy to learn, and the cost-benefit for using it with the proposed procedure is positive. CONCLUSION: We concluded that we achieved promising results with the presented solution. However, it needs more evaluation and validation to generalize the obtained results.

Radar plots: A novel modality for displaying disparate data on the efficacy of eluxadoline for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) experience a range of abdominal and bowel symptoms; successful management requires alleviation of this constellation of symptoms. Eluxadoline, a locally active mixed μ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist, is approved for the treatment of IBS-D in adults based on the results of 2 Phase 3 studies. Radar plots can facilitate comprehensive, visual evaluation of diverse but interrelated efficacy endpoints. Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trials (IBS-3001 and IBS-3002) randomized patients meeting Rome III criteria for IBS-D to twice-daily eluxadoline 75 or 100mg or placebo. Radar plots were prepared showing pooled Weeks 1-26 response rates for the primary efficacy composite endpoint (simultaneous improvement in abdominal pain and stool consistency), stool consistency, abdominal pain, urgency-free days, and adequate relief, and change from baseline to Week 26 in IBS-D global symptom score, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and daily number of bowel movements. The studies enrolled 2428 patients. Eluxadoline increased Weeks 1-26 responder proportions vs placebo for the composite endpoint, stool consistency, abdominal pain, urgency-free days, and adequate relief. Changes from baseline to Week 26 in IBS-D global symptom score, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and number of bowel movements were greater with eluxadoline vs placebo. Data presentation in radar plot format facilitates interpretation across multiple domains, demonstrating that eluxadoline treatment led to improvements vs placebo across 13 endpoints representing the range of symptoms experienced by patients with IBS-D.

Assessing climate change adaptation strategies—the case of drought and heat wave in the French nuclear sector

Nuclear energy is a very important component of overall power supply in France. If the effects of future extreme weather events or climate shifts are not addressed, energy systems will be highly vulnerable to extreme weather events or shifts in weather patterns, such as changes in precipitation. Because of the deep uncertainties involved in climate projections and response strategies, any strategy implementation should perform adequately regardless of which scenario actually materialises. In this paper, we analyse the effects of drought and heat wave in the French nuclear energy sector using the Strategy Robustness Visualisation Method. The key feature of the method is the modelling of uncertainty of the quantitative indicators by (min, max) values plotted on radar plots such that each strategy option’s performance can be visually inspected for robustness. The method can be utilised as a “module” of its own in different uncertainty management approaches. Based on the case study, the presented adaptation strategies “Maintaining industrial production and final demand” and “Smart grid infrastructure” were more robust than the “No planned or automatic adaptation”.

Developing and interpreting aqueous functional assays for comparative property-activity relationships of different nanoparticles

It is difficult to relate intrinsic nanomaterial properties to their functional behavior in the environment. Unlike frameworks for dissolved organic chemicals, there are few frameworks comparing multiple and inter-related properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to their fate, exposure, and hazard in environmental systems. We developed and evaluated reproducibility and inter-correlation of 12 physical, chemical, and biological functional assays in water for eight different engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and interpreted results using activity-profiling radar plots. The functional assays were highly reproducible when run in triplicate (average coefficient of variation [CV]=6.6%). Radar plots showed that each nanomaterial exhibited unique activity profiles. Reactivity assays showed dissolution or aggregation potential for some ENMs. Surprisingly, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) exhibited movement in a magnetic field. We found high inter-correlations between cloud point extraction (CPE) and distribution to sewage sludge (R2=0.99), dissolution at pH8 and pH4.9 (R2=0.98), and dissolution at pH8 and zebrafish mortality at 24hpf (R2=0.94). Additionally, most ENMs tend to distribute out of water and into other phases (i.e., soil surfaces, surfactant micelles, and sewage sludge). The activity-profiling radar plots provide a framework and estimations of likely ENM disposition in the environment.

Can the use of a single integrated unitary autonomic index provide early clues for eventual eligibility for olympic games?

Optimal autonomic regulation and stress resilience might be considered critical elements of athletic performance. We hypothesize that a novel unitary autonomic index for sports (ANSIs), together with a somatic stress related symptom score (4SQ) might help characterize athletes who were eventually selected for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Italian team (Rio +). In this retrospective study we examined 778 athletes (age 24.4 ± 6.7 yrs) who underwent a planned yearly pre-participation screening. All athletes underwent clinical, autonomic and exercise ECG evaluation. The combination of vagal and sympathetic indices from RR variability into ANSIs was performed by radar plot and percent ranking of index variables. We assessed (Rio +) versus (Rio -) athletes also after subdivision into three sport intensity groups (low, mid and high intensity). Overall there were no significant differences between (Rio +) and (Rio -) athletes when considering individual spectral derived variables. Conversely, the unitary Index ANSIs was significantly higher in (Rio +) compared to (Rio -) athletes (respectively 54.5 ± 29.5 and 47.9 ± 28.4 p = 0.014). This difference was particularly evident (p = 0.017) in the group of athletes characterized by both high static and dynamic components. 4SQ was smaller in the (Rio +) group, particularly in the groups of athletes characterized by both low-medium static and dynamic components. ANSIs, a proxy of integrated cardiac autonomic regulation and simple assessment of resilience to stress, may differentiate Italian athletes who were eventually selected for participation in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games from those who were not, suggesting the possibility of a "winning functional phenotype".

Forecasting New Features and Market Adoption of Wearable Devices Using TRIZ and Growth Curves: Case of Fitness Tracking Products

This paper describes the application of a combination of TRIZ and Bass modeling to forecast the technology growth projections for one of the wearable devices, fitness trackers. For the TRIZ modeling, the fitness tracking system was divided into three subsystems and each was analyzed as per the technology trends from current literature. The subsystems’ combined assessment was then visualized via a radar plot. The analysis showed the technology to be in an emergent state with primary growth in the hardware and software subsystem areas. The Bass model showed the market peaking at eight and saturating in 15 years.

Multidimensional Model for Assessing Risks from Occupational Radiation Exposure of Workers

The current radiation risk assessment for occupational exposure is based on the measured exposure dose and health checkups of workers. This people-centered risk assessment may occur errors because absence of using personal dosimeter or unrelated health symptoms of individuals lead to difficulties in obtaining accurate data from workers. In addition, although the established legal upper dose limit was used as a reference for the assessment, it does not imply that this limit is the optimal dose of radiation workers should get; ALARA principle should always be appreciated. Therefore, a new risk assessment model that can take account of all the important factors and implement optimization of radiation protection is required at the national level. In this paper, based on the KOSHA Risk Assessment, we studied on the workplace-centered risk assessment model for radiation field rather than the people-centered. The result of the study derived a right model for radiation field through the analysis of the risk assessment methods in various fields and also found data acquisition methods and procedures for applying to the model. Multidimensional model centering on the workplace will enables more accurate radiation risk assessment by using a risk index and radar plot, and consequently contribute to the efficient worker management, preemptive worker protection and implementation of optimization of radiation protection.