1 research outputs found
Visual Analytics of Group Differences in Tensor Fields: Application to Clinical DTI
We present a visual analytics system for exploring group differences in
tensor fields with respect to all six degrees of freedom that are inherent in
symmetric second-order tensors. Our framework closely integrates quantitative
analysis, based on multivariate hypothesis testing and spatial cluster
enhancement, with suitable visualization tools that facilitate interpretation
of results, and forming of new hypotheses. Carefully chosen and linked spatial
and abstract views show clusters of strong differences, and allow the analyst
to relate them to the affected structures, to reveal the exact nature of the
differences, and to investigate potential correlations. A mechanism for
visually comparing the results of different tests or levels of smoothing is
also provided.
We carefully justify the need for such a visual analytics tool from a
practical and theoretical point of view. In close collaboration with our
clinical co-authors, we apply it to the results of a diffusion tensor imaging
study of systemic lupus erythematosus, in which it revealed previously unknown
group differences.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphic