81,157 research outputs found
Beyond immediacy and transparency. A semiotic approach to discursive and rhetorical strategies in media visualization and data visualization
Media visualization based on big cultural data, as āvisualization without reductionā (Manovich 2010) is supposed to make data immediately and completely available, in contrast to classic data visualization, which visually translates information by means of āgraphical primitives.ā On the other hand, from a pure functionalist point of view, also the visual form of diagrams, charts, and graphs, being fully proportional to the data values it conveys, is transparent with respect to its object (cf. Tufte 1990, 1997, 2001, and Card, Mackinlay, Shneiderman 1999).
In this paper we will try to consider both media visualization and data visualization (across several examples, including some Manovichās and Accuratās projects and New York Times graphics) as complex visual communication artifacts, not only from a purely informational point of view but from a semiotic point of view, by introducing a semiotic reflection on what we have proposed to call ādiscourse of dataā (Manchia 2020a).
From our perspective, situated in the methodological framework of visual semiotics, and of the semiotics of scientific discourse, it might be interesting to pay attention to the whole process of constructing knowledge (and visual information) from data, understood as a chain of ādevices of visualizationā (Bastide 1985a, 1990 [1985b], 2001), investigating data as a channelled result, and also visualization strategies of specificāand orientedādiscourses across data
Plyades: A Python Library for Space Mission Design
Plyades: A Python Library for Space Mission Design Designing a space mission
is a computation-heavy task. Software tools that conduct the necessary
numerical simulations and optimizations are therefore indispensable. The
usability of existing software, written in Fortran and MATLAB, suffers because
of high complexity, low levels of abstraction and out-dated programming
practices. We propose Python as a viable alternative for astrodynamics tools
and demonstrate the proof-of-concept library Plyades which combines powerful
features with Pythonic ease of use
KInNeSS: A Modular Framework for Computational Neuroscience
Making use of very detailed neurophysiological, anatomical, and behavioral data to build biological-realistic computational models of animal behavior is often a difficult task. Until recently, many software packages have tried to resolve this mismatched granularity with different approaches. This paper presents KInNeSS, the KDE Integrated NeuroSimulation Software environment, as an alternative solution to bridge the gap between data and model behavior. This open source neural simulation software package provides an expandable framework incorporating features such as ease of use, scalabiltiy, an XML based schema, and multiple levels of granularity within a modern object oriented programming design. KInNeSS is best suited to simulate networks of hundreds to thousands of branched multu-compartmental neurons with biophysical properties such as membrane potential, voltage-gated and ligand-gated channels, the presence of gap junctions of ionic diffusion, neuromodulation channel gating, the mechanism for habituative or depressive synapses, axonal delays, and synaptic plasticity. KInNeSS outputs include compartment membrane voltage, spikes, local-field potentials, and current source densities, as well as visualization of the behavior of a simulated agent. An explanation of the modeling philosophy and plug-in development is also presented. Further developement of KInNeSS is ongoing with the ultimate goal of creating a modular framework that will help researchers across different disciplines to effecitively collaborate using a modern neural simulation platform.Center for Excellence for Learning Education, Science, and Technology (SBE-0354378); Air Force Office of Scientific Research (F49620-01-1-0397); Office of Naval Research (N00014-01-1-0624
Obvious: a meta-toolkit to encapsulate information visualization toolkits. One toolkit to bind them all
This article describes āObviousā: a meta-toolkit that abstracts and encapsulates information visualization toolkits implemented in the Java language. It intends to unify their use and postpone the choice of which concrete toolkit(s) to use later-on in the development of visual analytics applications. We also report on the lessons we have learned when wrapping popular toolkits with Obvious, namely Prefuse, the InfoVis Toolkit, partly Improvise, JUNG and other data management libraries. We show several examples on the uses of Obvious, how the different toolkits can be combined, for instance sharing their data models. We also show how Weka and RapidMiner, two popular machine-learning toolkits, have been wrapped with Obvious and can be used directly with all the other wrapped toolkits. We expect Obvious to start a co-evolution process: Obvious is meant to evolve when more components of Information Visualization systems will become consensual. It is also designed to help information visualization systems adhere to the best practices to provide a higher level of interoperability and leverage the domain of visual analytics
User-centered visual analysis using a hybrid reasoning architecture for intensive care units
One problem pertaining to Intensive Care Unit information systems is that, in some cases, a very dense display of data can result. To ensure the overview and readability of the increasing volumes of data, some special features are required (e.g., data prioritization, clustering, and selection mechanisms) with the application of analytical methods (e.g., temporal data abstraction, principal component analysis, and detection of events). This paper addresses the problem of improving the integration of the visual and analytical methods applied to medical monitoring systems. We present a knowledge- and machine learning-based approach to support the knowledge discovery process with appropriate analytical and visual methods. Its potential benefit to the development of user interfaces for intelligent monitors that can assist with the detection and explanation of new, potentially threatening medical events. The proposed hybrid reasoning architecture provides an interactive graphical user interface to adjust the parameters of the analytical methods based on the users' task at hand. The action sequences performed on the graphical user interface by the user are consolidated in a dynamic knowledge base with specific hybrid reasoning that integrates symbolic and connectionist approaches. These sequences of expert knowledge acquisition can be very efficient for making easier knowledge emergence during a similar experience and positively impact the monitoring of critical situations. The provided graphical user interface incorporating a user-centered visual analysis is exploited to facilitate the natural and effective representation of clinical information for patient care
Numerical simulation of the stress-strain state of the dental system
We present mathematical models, computational algorithms and software, which
can be used for prediction of results of prosthetic treatment. More interest
issue is biomechanics of the periodontal complex because any prosthesis is
accompanied by a risk of overloading the supporting elements. Such risk can be
avoided by the proper load distribution and prediction of stresses that occur
during the use of dentures. We developed the mathematical model of the
periodontal complex and its software implementation. This model is based on
linear elasticity theory and allows to calculate the stress and strain fields
in periodontal ligament and jawbone. The input parameters for the developed
model can be divided into two groups. The first group of parameters describes
the mechanical properties of periodontal ligament, teeth and jawbone (for
example, elasticity of periodontal ligament etc.). The second group
characterized the geometric properties of objects: the size of the teeth, their
spatial coordinates, the size of periodontal ligament etc. The mechanical
properties are the same for almost all, but the input of geometrical data is
complicated because of their individual characteristics. In this connection, we
develop algorithms and software for processing of images obtained by computed
tomography (CT) scanner and for constructing individual digital model of the
tooth-periodontal ligament-jawbone system of the patient. Integration of models
and algorithms described allows to carry out biomechanical analysis on
three-dimensional digital model and to select prosthesis design.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figure
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