1,841 research outputs found
Sketchy rendering for information visualization
We present and evaluate a framework for constructing sketchy style information visualizations that mimic data graphics drawn by hand. We provide an alternative renderer for the Processing graphics environment that redefines core drawing primitives including line, polygon and ellipse rendering. These primitives allow higher-level graphical features such as bar charts, line charts, treemaps and node-link diagrams to be drawn in a sketchy style with a specified degree of sketchiness. The framework is designed to be easily integrated into existing visualization implementations with minimal programming modification or design effort. We show examples of use for statistical graphics, conveying spatial imprecision and for enhancing aesthetic and narrative qualities of visual- ization. We evaluate user perception of sketchiness of areal features through a series of stimulus-response tests in order to assess users’ ability to place sketchiness on a ratio scale, and to estimate area. Results suggest relative area judgment is compromised by sketchy rendering and that its influence is dependent on the shape being rendered. They show that degree of sketchiness may be judged on an ordinal scale but that its judgement varies strongly between individuals. We evaluate higher-level impacts of sketchiness through user testing of scenarios that encourage user engagement with data visualization and willingness to critique visualization de- sign. Results suggest that where a visualization is clearly sketchy, engagement may be increased and that attitudes to participating in visualization annotation are more positive. The results of our work have implications for effective information visualization design that go beyond the traditional role of sketching as a tool for prototyping or its use for an indication of general uncertainty
The constraint equations for the Einstein-scalar field system on compact manifolds
We study the constraint equations for the Einstein-scalar field system on
compact manifolds. Using the conformal method we reformulate these equations as
a determined system of nonlinear partial differential equations. By introducing
a new conformal invariant, which is sensitive to the presence of the initial
data for the scalar field, we are able to divide the set of free conformal data
into subclasses depending on the possible signs for the coefficients of terms
in the resulting Einstein-scalar field Lichnerowicz equation. For many of these
subclasses we determine whether or not a solution exists. In contrast to other
well studied field theories, there are certain cases, depending on the mean
curvature and the potential of the scalar field, for which we are unable to
resolve the question of existence of a solution. We consider this system in
such generality so as to include the vacuum constraint equations with an
arbitrary cosmological constant, the Yamabe equation and even (all cases of)
the prescribed scalar curvature problem as special cases.Comment: Minor changes, final version. To appear: Classical and Quantum
Gravit
A Self-Consistent Marginally Stable State for Parallel Ion Cyclotron Waves
We derive an equation whose solutions describe self-consistent states of
marginal stability for a proton-electron plasma interacting with
parallel-propagating ion cyclotron waves. Ion cyclotron waves propagating
through this marginally stable plasma will neither grow nor damp. The
dispersion relation of these waves, {\omega} (k), smoothly rises from the usual
MHD behavior at small |k| to reach {\omega} = {\Omega}p as k \rightarrow
\pm\infty. The proton distribution function has constant phase-space density
along the characteristic resonant surfaces defined by this dispersion relation.
Our equation contains a free function describing the variation of the proton
phase-space density across these surfaces. Taking this free function to be a
simple "box function", we obtain specific solutions of the marginally stable
state for a range of proton parallel betas. The phase speeds of these waves are
larger than those given by the cold plasma dispersion relation, and the
characteristic surfaces are more sharply peaked in the v\bot direction. The
threshold anisotropy for generation of ion cyclotron waves is also larger than
that given by estimates which assume bi-Maxwellian proton distributions.Comment: in press in Physics of Plasma
Mixed connective tissue disease — enigma variations?
In 1972, Sharp and colleagues described a new autoimmune rheumatic disease
which they called mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), characterized by
overlapping features of systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),
polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), high levels of anti-U1snRNP and low
steroid requirement use with good prognosis. MCTD was proposed as a distinct
disease. However, soon after the original description, questions about the existence of
such a syndrome as well as disputes over the features initially described began to
surface. The conundrum of whether MCTD is a distinct disease entity remains
controversial. We undertook a literature review focusing on the articles reporting new
data about MCTD published in the last decade, to determine whether any new
observations help to answer the conundrum of MCTD. After reviewing recent data,
we question whether the term MCTD is appropriately retained, preferring to use the
term “undifferentiated autoimmune rheumatic disease”
Sensitivity of solar off-limb line profiles to electron density stratification and the velocity distribution anisotropy
The effect of the electron density stratification on the intensity profiles
of the H I Ly- line and the O VI and Mg X doublets formed in solar
coronal holes is investigated. We employ an analytical 2-D model of the large
scale coronal magnetic field that provides a good representation of the corona
at the minimum of solar activity. We use the mass-flux conservation equation to
determine the outflow speed of the solar wind at any location in the solar
corona and take into account the integration along the line of sight (LOS). The
main assumption we make is that no anisotropy in the kinetic temperature of the
coronal species is considered. We find that at distances greater than 1 Rsun
from the solar surface the widths of the emitted lines of O VI and Mg X are
sensitive to the details of the adopted electron density stratification.
However, Ly-, which is a pure radiative line, is hardly affected. The
calculated total intensities of Ly- and the O VI doublet depend to a
lesser degree on the density stratification and are comparable to the observed
ones for most of the considered density models. The widths of the observed
profiles of Ly- and Mg X are well reproduced by most of the considered
electron density stratifications, while for the O VI doublet only few
stratifications give satisfying results. The densities deduced from SOHO data
result in O VI profiles whose widths and intensity ratio are relatively close
to the values observed by UVCS although only isotropic velocity distributions
are employed. These density profiles also reproduce the other considered
observables with good accuracy. Thus the need for a strong anisotropy of the
velocity distribution (i.e. a temperature anisotropy) is not so clear cut as
previous investigations of UVCS data suggested. ...Comment: 11 pages; 11 figure
Non-Maxwellian Proton Velocity Distributions in Nonradiative Shocks
The Balmer line profiles of nonradiative supernova remnant shocks provide the
means to measure the post-shock proton velocity distribution. While most
analyses assume a Maxwellian velocity distribution, this is unlikely to be
correct. In particular, neutral atoms that pass through the shock and become
ionized downstream form a nonthermal distribution similar to that of pickup
ions in the solar wind. We predict the H alpha line profiles from the
combination of pickup protons and the ordinary shocked protons, and we consider
the extent to which this distribution could affect the shock parameters derived
from H alpha profiles. The Maxwellian assumption could lead to an underestimate
of shock speed by up to about 15%. The isotropization of the pickup ion
population generates wave energy, and we find that for the most favorable
parameters this energy could significantly heat the thermal particles.
Sufficiently accurate profiles could constrain the strength and direction of
the magnetic field in the shocked plasma, and we discuss the distortions from a
Gaussian profile to be expected in Tycho's supernova remnant.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure
Solving the brachistochrone and other variational problems with soap films
We show a method to solve the problem of the brachistochrone as well as other
variational problems with the help of the soap films that are formed between
two suitable surfaces. We also show the interesting connection between some
variational problems of dynamics, statics, optics, and elasticity.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures. This article, except for a small correction,
has been submitted to the American Journal of Physic
Analysis of the relationship between disease activity and damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus—a 5-yr prospective study
Objective. To determine whether initial damage, disease duration, age, initial health status, average disease activity over the 5 yr or an average medication score covering the follow-up period would predict an increase in damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) within the next 5 yr. Methods. A 5-yr prospective longitudinal study of a cohort of 141 consecutive patients with SLE attending a specialist lupus out-patient clinic in London from their first assessment between July 1994 and February 1995. Disease activity was assessed using the BILAG system, initial health status by the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 20 with an extra question about fatigue (SF-20+) and damage by the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). Damage was reassessed 5 yr later. Statistical analysis was carried out using multiple logistic regression analysis (logXact). Results. One hundred and thirty-three female and eight male SLE patients (97 Caucasians, 16 Afro-Caribbeans, 22 Asians and 6 others) were included, their age at inclusion was 41.1 ± 12.5 yr and their disease duration 10.2 ± 6.3 yr. The mean measures at inclusion were: total BILAG 5.2 (range 0-17), total SDI 1.2 (0-7) and medication score 1.2 (0-3). Six patients were lost to follow-up because they had moved. Of the remaining 135 patients total damage had increased in 40 patients and 10 patients had died. At the end of the study, at 4.63 ± 0.19 yr, the total SDI had increased to 1.6 ± 1.7. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that death and increase in damage were strongly predicted by a high total disease activity over the entire study period (P<0.001) as we had hypothesized. When the total BILAG score was replaced by the average number of A-flares the prediction of accrual of damage during the study period was again highly significant (P = 0.004). Conclusions. In this first prospective study of its type a highly significant impact of total disease activity, as measured over 5 yr using the BILAG system, on the development of total damage was revealed. Moreover, these results provide further proof of the validity of the SDI and support the BILAG concept of the A-flare
Generating Gowdy cosmological models
Using the analogy with stationary axisymmetric solutions, we present a method
to generate new analytic cosmological solutions of Einstein's equation
belonging to the class of Gowdy cosmological models. We show that the
solutions can be generated from their data at the initial singularity and
present the formal general solution for arbitrary initial data. We exemplify
the method by constructing the Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model and a
generalization of it that corresponds to an unpolarized Gowdy model.Comment: Latex, 15 pages, no figure
New Dimensions for Wound Strings: The Modular Transformation of Geometry to Topology
We show, using a theorem of Milnor and Margulis, that string theory on
compact negatively curved spaces grows new effective dimensions as the space
shrinks, generalizing and contextualizing the results in hep-th/0510044.
Milnor's theorem relates negative sectional curvature on a compact Riemannian
manifold to exponential growth of its fundamental group, which translates in
string theory to a higher effective central charge arising from winding
strings. This exponential density of winding modes is related by modular
invariance to the infrared small perturbation spectrum. Using self-consistent
approximations valid at large radius, we analyze this correspondence explicitly
in a broad set of time-dependent solutions, finding precise agreement between
the effective central charge and the corresponding infrared small perturbation
spectrum. This indicates a basic relation between geometry, topology, and
dimensionality in string theory.Comment: 28 pages, harvmac big. v2: references and KITP preprint number added,
minor change
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