Complex Scientific Data Research Articles

Topological Landscapes: A Terrain Metaphor for Scientific Data

Scientific visualization and illustration tools are designed to help people understand the structure and complexity of scientific data with images that are as informative and intuitive as possible. In this context the use of metaphors plays an important role since they make complex information easily accessible by using commonly known concepts. In this paper we propose a new metaphor, called "Topological Landscapes," which facilitates understanding the topological structure of scalar functions. The basic idea is to construct a terrain with the same topology as a given dataset and to display the terrain as an easily understood representation of the actual input data. In this projection from an $n$-dimensional scalar function to a two-dimensional (2D) model we preserve function values of critical points, the persistence (function span) of topological features, and one possible additional metric property (in our examples volume). By displaying this topologically equivalent landscape together with the original data we harness the natural human proficiency in understanding terrain topography and make complex topological information easily accessible.

DFL: A dataflow language based on Petri nets and nested relational calculus

In this paper we propose DFL—a formal, graphical workflow language for dataflows, i.e., workflows where large amounts of complex data are manipulated, and the structure of the manipulated data is reflected in the structure of the workflow. It is a common extension of (1) Petri nets, which are responsible for the organization of the processing tasks, and (2) nested relational calculus, which is a database query language over complex objects, and is responsible for handling collections of data items (in particular, for iteration) and for the typing system. We demonstrate that dataflows constructed in a hierarchical manner, according to a set of refinement rules we propose, are semi-sound, i.e., initiated with a single token (which may represent a complex scientific data collection) in the input node, terminate with a single token in the output node (which represents the output data collection). In particular they never leave any “debris data” behind and an output is always eventually computed regardless of how the computation proceeds.

Learning content using complex data in project‐based science: An example from high school biology in urban classrooms

AbstractThis chapter explores the extent to which project‐based science (PBS) curricula designed with supports for students' inquiry into complex scientific data can help urban students make sense of such data and promote their deep understanding of standards‐based content. We review qualitative and quantitative data from classroom enactments of a PBS high school biology curriculum called Disease Detectives.

Avoiding problems in clinical practice after the pill scare.

The publications of 1995 and 1996 on the risk of venous thrombosis associated with the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COC) suggested that the risks were lower than previous estimates. The debate, which ensued, ensured that the safety of the COC with regard to arterial and venous disease was reassessed. This review details the importance of contraception for public health. It reassesses critically current prescribing practice in the light of the new publications on Factor V Leiden, arterial and venous disease. Methods of communicating information about the COC are assessed, and the difficulties of transmitting complex scientific data to health care professionals and the general public are debated. The importance of attempting to quantify the benefits and risks of the COC and explaining them in the context of other life events is emphasized.

Toxic Risks: Science, Regulation, and Perception

There may be no more difficult topic for scientific communication than that of toxic environmental risks. Not only is the subject scientifically complex, involving several different specialized disciplines, notably toxicology and epidemiology, but it is highly sensitive from the viewpoint of society. While scientific knowledge must be interpreted for regulatory purposes, however incomplete that knowledge may be, public perceptions greatly color how such regulations and their scientific underpinnings are understood. Emotions often run high and understanding low when possibilities of community-wide exposures to radiation or chemicals are raised. In such settings, explanations from scientific and regulatory authorities can seem obscure or contradictory because of the sheer complexity of scientific data, of risk assessment procedures, and of the regulatory process itself. Unfortunately, when such situations arise, and they do so not infrequently, simplistic and often distorted explanations are likely to receive greater attention and credence than sober ones that put scientific

A future of reversals: Dyslexic talents in a world of computer visualization

With the recent revival of visual approaches at the forefront of several scientific, mathematical, and technological developments, this paper proposes that visually oriented dyslexics may be in an increasingly favorable position in future years. The same set of traits which has caused them so much difficulty in traditional verbally-oriented educational systems, may confer special advantages in emerging new fields which rely heavily on visual methods of analysis-fields which employ powerful graphic workstations and supercomputers to visualize complex scientific data. Recent trends have also led some technical professionals to become aware that their own special talents seem to be closely associated with certain dyslexic traits. It is argued that similarly mixed talents have been major factors in the accomplishments of a number of important historical figures.

Tame complex scientific data... produce useful information directly

RETURN TO ISSUEPREVAdvertisementNEXTTame complex scientific data... produce useful information directlyCite this: Chem. Eng. News 1969, 47, 9, 6Publication Date (Print):March 3, 1969Publication History Published online12 November 2010Published inissue 3 March 1969https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v047n009.p006Copyright © 1969 AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETYArticle Views58Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (638 KB) Get e-Alerts