7,418 research outputs found
Fast filtering and animation of large dynamic networks
Detecting and visualizing what are the most relevant changes in an evolving
network is an open challenge in several domains. We present a fast algorithm
that filters subsets of the strongest nodes and edges representing an evolving
weighted graph and visualize it by either creating a movie, or by streaming it
to an interactive network visualization tool. The algorithm is an approximation
of exponential sliding time-window that scales linearly with the number of
interactions. We compare the algorithm against rectangular and exponential
sliding time-window methods. Our network filtering algorithm: i) captures
persistent trends in the structure of dynamic weighted networks, ii) smoothens
transitions between the snapshots of dynamic network, and iii) uses limited
memory and processor time. The algorithm is publicly available as open-source
software.Comment: 6 figures, 2 table
Modeling user navigation
This paper proposes the use of neural networks as a tool for studying navigation within virtual worlds. Results indicate that the network learned to predict the next step for a given trajectory. The analysis of hidden layer shows that the network was able to differentiate between two groups of users identified on the basis of their performance for a spatial task. Time series analysis of hidden node activation values and input vectors suggested that certain hidden units become specialised for place and heading, respectively. The benefits of this approach and the possibility of extending the methodology to the study of navigation in Human Computer Interaction applications are discussed
A Regularized Graph Layout Framework for Dynamic Network Visualization
Many real-world networks, including social and information networks, are
dynamic structures that evolve over time. Such dynamic networks are typically
visualized using a sequence of static graph layouts. In addition to providing a
visual representation of the network structure at each time step, the sequence
should preserve the mental map between layouts of consecutive time steps to
allow a human to interpret the temporal evolution of the network. In this
paper, we propose a framework for dynamic network visualization in the on-line
setting where only present and past graph snapshots are available to create the
present layout. The proposed framework creates regularized graph layouts by
augmenting the cost function of a static graph layout algorithm with a grouping
penalty, which discourages nodes from deviating too far from other nodes
belonging to the same group, and a temporal penalty, which discourages large
node movements between consecutive time steps. The penalties increase the
stability of the layout sequence, thus preserving the mental map. We introduce
two dynamic layout algorithms within the proposed framework, namely dynamic
multidimensional scaling (DMDS) and dynamic graph Laplacian layout (DGLL). We
apply these algorithms on several data sets to illustrate the importance of
both grouping and temporal regularization for producing interpretable
visualizations of dynamic networks.Comment: To appear in Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, supporting material
(animations and MATLAB toolbox) available at
http://tbayes.eecs.umich.edu/xukevin/visualization_dmkd_201
Opening a new window to other worlds with spectropolarimetry
A high level of diversity has already been observed among the planets of our
own Solar System. As such, one expects extrasolar planets to present a wide
range of distinctive features, therefore the characterisation of Earth- and
super Earth-like planets is becoming of key importance in scientific research.
The SEARCH (Spectropolarimetric Exoplanet AtmospheRe CHaracerisation) mission
proposal of this paper represents one possible approach to realising these
objectives. The mission goals of SEARCH include the detailed characterisation
of a wide variety of exoplanets, ranging from terrestrial planets to gas
giants. More specifically, SEARCH will determine atmospheric properties such as
cloud coverage, surface pressure and atmospheric composition, and may also be
capable of identifying basic surface features. To resolve a planet with a semi
major axis of down to 1.4AU and 30pc distant SEARCH will have a mirror system
consisting of two segments, with elliptical rim, cut out of a parabolic mirror.
This will yield an effective diameter of 9 meters along one axis. A phase mask
coronagraph along with an integral spectrograph will be used to overcome the
contrast ratio of star to planet light. Such a mission would provide invaluable
data on the diversity present in extrasolar planetary systems and much more
could be learned from the similarities and differences compared to our own
Solar System. This would allow our theories of planetary formation, atmospheric
accretion and evolution to be tested, and our understanding of regions such as
the outer limit of the Habitable Zone to be further improved.Comment: 23 pages, accepted for publication in Experimental Astronom
Simulation modelling and visualisation: toolkits for building artificial worlds
Simulations users at all levels make heavy use of compute resources to drive computational
simulations for greatly varying applications areas of research using different simulation
paradigms. Simulations are implemented in many software forms, ranging from highly standardised
and general models that run in proprietary software packages to ad hoc hand-crafted
simulations codes for very specific applications. Visualisation of the workings or results of a
simulation is another highly valuable capability for simulation developers and practitioners.
There are many different software libraries and methods available for creating a visualisation
layer for simulations, and it is often a difficult and time-consuming process to assemble a
toolkit of these libraries and other resources that best suits a particular simulation model. We
present here a break-down of the main simulation paradigms, and discuss differing toolkits and
approaches that different researchers have taken to tackle coupled simulation and visualisation
in each paradigm
On evolution of CMOS image sensors
CMOS Image Sensors have become the principal technology in majority of digital cameras. They started replacing the film and Charge Coupled Devices in the last decade with the promise of lower cost, lower power requirement, higher integration and the potential of focal plane processing. However, the principal factor behind their success has been the ability to utilise the shrinkage in CMOS technology to make smaller pixels, and thereby have more resolution without increasing the cost. With the market of image sensors exploding courtesy their inte- gration with communication and computation devices, technology developers improved the CMOS processes to have better optical performance. Nevertheless, the promises of focal plane processing as well as on-chip integration have not been fulfilled. The market is still being pushed by the desire of having higher number of pixels and better image quality, however, differentiation is being difficult for any image sensor manufacturer. In the paper, we will explore potential disruptive growth directions for CMOS Image sensors and ways to achieve the same
50 Years of Spaceflight with Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS) Built at NASA GSFC
Over the past 50 years, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been developing, building, testing and flying a series of Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTS). This began with the IRIS instruments on the Earth-orbiting Nimbus satellites and progressed to more sophisticated designs optimized for interplanetary spacecraft sent to Mars and later to the outer solar system. Adaptions have been made over time, including progressively higher spectral resolution, sensitivity, numbers of detectors and complexity. Instrument operating temperatures have decreased to enable remote sensing of the cold giant planet systems. In this paper we describe the historical evolution of this instrument line, comparing and contrasting different aspects such as optical design and materials, detector types and data handling. We conclude by looking towards the future. At present the CIRS-Lite prototype is being tested at NASA GSFC for potential use on a future mission to the ice giants, Uranus and Neptune. Surpassing the previous performance of the Voyager IRIS instruments remains challenging, and new technologies that could enable these measurements are discussed
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