Visualization Prototype Research Articles

Voreen: a rapid-prototyping environment for ray-casting-based volume visualizations.

By splitting a complex ray-casting process into different tasks performed on different processors, Voreen provides a lot of flexibility because users can intervene at different points during ray casting. Voreen's object-oriented design lets users easily create customized processor classes that cooperate seamlessly with existing classes. A user-friendly GUI supports rapid prototyping of visualization ideas. We've implemented several applications based on our library. In the future, we'd like to further extend Voreen's capabilities to make visualization prototyping even easier on all abstraction levels. Thus, we plan to realize a set of dedicated processor skeletons, which are solely configured through shader programs and can thus be modified at runtime.

SU‐FF‐J‐14: An Optimized Protocol for Using Small Field MV Cone‐Beam CT Imaging in Image‐Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an optimal protocol for imaging different body sites in patients during MV Cone Beam CT (MVCBCT) based IGRT for small field of view (FOV) imaging for Stereotactic Radiosurgery and other applications. Methods and Materials: Clinically delivered MVCBCT imaging systems have built‐in protocols that are optimized for large FOV imaging. For our protocol optimization study, we chose a field size of 12cm × 10cm to acquire CBCT images. Our study was conducted using our Siemens Oncor Impression Linac, an image quality phantom, an offline reconstruction tool prototype software, a prototype visualization tool, a dicom image extractor tool, and the ImageJ open source software from NIH. Five regions of the image quality phantom were imaged and the raw data was processed using the offline reconstruction tool by changing various reconstruction parameters. Our study was focused on two specific regions of the phantom, corresponding to electron densities of 9% and 17%. A useful projection image size of 448 × 373 pixels on the flat panel detector was used for the filtered backprojection. The dicom images were extracted with the dicom extractor from the reconstructed images for post processing and quantitative image analysis using the ImageJ software. Results: Our efforts in optimizing the image reconstruction and processing chain resulted in the development of protocols that result in superior images. We have developed quantitative methods to analyze the results and determine the optimal protocol. We are currently repeating the imaging process with the Image Quality phantom to check for reproducibility of our methods and protocols. Conclusions: Our preliminary result provides a valuable reference to setup an optimal protocol for using small field MVCBCT for IGRT. Once we confirm the reproducibility of our protocol, we plan on imaging a series of patients to clinically test the protocol.

Visual Analysis of Dynamic Data Streams

For scientific data visualizations, real-time data streams present many interesting challenges when compared to static data. Real-time data are dynamic, transient, high-volume and temporal. Effective visualizations need to be able to accommodate dynamic data behavior as well as Abstract and present the data in ways that make sense to and are usable by humans. The Visual Content Analysis of Real-Time Data Streams project at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is researching and prototyping dynamic visualization techniques and tools to help facilitate human understanding and comprehension of high-volume, real-time data. The general strategy of the project is to develop and evolve visual contexts that will organize and orient high-volume dynamic data in conceptual and perceptive views. The goal is to allow users to quickly grasp dynamic data in forms that are intuitive and natural without requiring intensive training in the use of specific visualization or analysis tools and methods. Thus far, the project has prototyped five different visualization prototypes that represent and convey dynamic data through human-recognizable contexts and paradigms such as hierarchies, relationships, time and geography. We describe the design considerations and unique features of these dynamic visualization prototypes as well as our findings in the exploration and evaluation of their use.

Interactive Visualization of Multimodal Volume Data for Neurosurgical Tumor Treatment

AbstractWe present novel interactive methods for the visualization of multimodal volume data as used in neurosurgical therapy planning. These methods allow surgeons to explore multimodal volumes and focus on functional data and lesions. Computer graphics techniques are proposed to create expressive visualizations at interactive frame rates to reduce time‐consuming and complex interaction with the medical data. Contributions of our work are the distance‐based enhancements of functional data and lesions which allows the surgeon to perceive functional and anatomical structures at once and relate them directly to the intervention. In addition we propose methods for the visual exploration of the path to the structures of interest, to enhance anatomical landmarks, and to provide additional depth indicators. These techniques have been integrated in a visualization prototype that provides interaction capabilities for finding the optimal therapeutic strategy for the neurosurgeon.

Toward responsive visualization services for scatter/gather browsing

AbstractAs a type of relevance feedback, Scatter/Gather demonstrates an interactive approach to relevance mapping and reinforcement. The Scatter/Gather model, proposed by Cutting, Karger, Pedersen, and Tukey (1992), is well known for its effectiveness in situations where it is difficult to precisely specify a query. However, online clustering on a large data corpus is computationally complex and extremely time consuming. This has prohibited the method's real world application for responsive services. In this paper, we proposed and evaluated a new clustering algorithm called LAIR2, which has linear worst‐case time complexity and constant running time average for Scatter/Gather browsing. Our experiment showed when running on a single processor, the LAIR2 online clustering algorithm is several hundred times faster than a classic parallel algorithm running on multiple processors. The efficiency of the LAIR2 algorithm promises real‐time Scatter/Gather browsing services. We have implemented an online visualization prototype, namely, LAIR2 Scatter/Gather browser, to demonstrate its utility and usability.

Multimedia enriched ontologies for video digital libraries

The development of appropriate tools and solutions to support effective access to video content is one of the main challenges for video digital libraries. Different techniques for manual and automatic annotation and retrieval have been proposed in recent years. It is a common practice to use linguistic ontologies for video annotation and retrieval: video elements are classified by establishing relationships between video contents and linguistic terms that identify domain concepts at different abstraction levels. However, although linguistic terms are appropriate to distinguish event and object categories, they are inadequate when they must describe specific or complex patterns of events or video entities. Instead, in these cases, pattern specifications can be better expressed using visual prototypes, either images or video clips, that capture the essence of the event or entity. High level concepts, expressed trough linguistic terms, and patterns specification, represented by visual prototypes, can be both organized into new extended ontologies where images or video clips are added to the ontologies as specification of linguistic terms. This paper presents algorithms and techniques that employ enriched ontologies for video annotation and retrieval, and discusses a solution for their implementation for the soccer video domain. An unsupervised clustering method is proposed in order to create multimedia enriched ontologies by defining visual prototypes that represent specific patterns of highlights and adding them as visual concepts to the ontology. An algorithm that uses multimedia enriched ontologies to perform automatic soccer video annotation is proposed and results for typical highlights are presented. Annotation is performed associating occurrences of events, or entities, to higher level concepts by checking their similarity to visual concepts that are hierarchically linked to higher level semantics, using a dynamic programming approach. Usage of reasoning on the ontology is shown, to create complex queries that comprise visual prototypes of actions, their temporal evolution and relations.

Connecting Users with Their Data: An Environment to Explore the Morphodynamics of Rip Channels

Remote sensors are widely used in coastal morphodynamic research, and users are often confronted with abundant data sensors generated by these sensors. These data, if properly explored, can be used to study and manage many coastal features and processes that are not well understood. As an example, we present the exploration of rip channels. Coastal data sets are currently explored using animated image sequences. Users are dissatisfied, however, because exploration remains largely a subjective and time-consuming process. In particular, detecting the presence and evolution of relatively small, highly dynamic rip channels has proved difficult. This article examines how the visual exploration of rip objects can be improved. We first look at the factors limiting exploratory use of conventional animations for rip studies and argue that two main factors are responsible: data complexity and animation design based on images that mimic reality. Then we present an example of how the current approach to visualizing time series of coastal images can be improved by computational methods, particularly by feature tracking. Next, we describe a visualization prototype and discuss the representational, data-mining, and interactive functionality resulting from such a combination in an environment dedicated to the exploration of dynamic objects.

The Development of Direct Metallic Rapid Tooling System

In recent years, rapid tooling (RT) has become increasingly important because of the requirement of rapid manufacturing. RT can be used to produce temporary molds as well as permanent molds in mass production. RT provides more benefits from the design stage to mass production. The objective of this research is to develop the direct metallic RT system and identify process parameters of laser cladding. A 2.5-kW Nd-AG laser system, a metallic powder feeder system, a lateral powder nozzle system, a PC-based motion controller, and a shielding gas-supply system are incorporated for the hardware architecture in the proposed RT system. The critical process parameters influencing the dimensional accuracy were analyzed with Taguchi's experimental design. From the analysis of variance computational results, the factors Scanning speed and Tool path offset are the influential factors affecting the layer thickness of RT parts. From the experimental results, the dimensional accuracy of the dual nozzle RT system is better than the single-nozzle RT system. Finally, the proposed RT system could fabricate the mold inserts. After finishing the mold inserts and assembling the plenary injection mold, the injection molding machine can generate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic parts with excellent quality. Note to Practitioners-Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies have provided a new way of making models or producing visualization prototype in a fast fashion. However, there is an urgent demand from the industry for much faster ways to make physical prototypes, with the desired material using the appropriate production method. RP technologies have introduced a new generation of RT processes. Producing tooling directly from computer-aided-design (CAD) models is regarded as an important process of reducing the cost and time to market for new products. In this paper, a direct metallic rapid tooling (RT) system is developed to fabricate the metallic parts and molds directly from 3-D CAD models. The experimental investigations are implemented to study the proposed RT system. Using Taguchi's method, the critical performance process parameters have been analyzed. The analysis of variance method is used to decide the important process parameters. The developed RT system can produce the mold inserts directly. After assembling the plenary injection mold, the Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS plastic parts have been generated from this RT mold to demonstrate the success of the process. In the future, it is possible to develop a grading alloy RT system, which can control the ratio of the alloy grading layers. Because the grading alloy rapid mold can use varied metallic powders with varied ratio, the cooling time and the residual stress can be reduced. Furthermore, the RT system can also adopt the coaxial nozzle which can be integrated with the optical system. The advantage of the coaxial nozzle is the independence of the powder supply direction in which the workpiece moves

Data processing and distribution in the PAMELA experiment

YODA is a semi-automated data handling and analysis system for the PAMELA space experiment. The core of the routines have been developed to process a stream of raw data downlinked from the Resurs DK1 satellite (housing PAMELA) to the ground station in Moscow. Raw data consist of scientific data and engineering information. Housekeeping information are analyzed in a short time from download ( ≃ hours ) in order to monitor the status of the experiment and for the mission planning. A prototype for the data visualization runs on an APACHE TOMCAT web application server, providing an off-line analysis tool using a browser and part of code for the system maintenance. A quicklook system with GUI interface is used for operator monitoring and fast macrocommand issuing. On a longer timescale scientific data are analyzed, calibrations performed and the database adjourned. The data storage core is composed of CERN's ROOT files structure and MySQL as a relational database. YODA++ is currently being used in the integration and testing of ground PAMELA data.

Information visualisation in the user interface for augmentative and alternative communication

ISSN: 1055-4181 (Print) / 1878-643X (Online) URL: The URL of the article is: http://iospress.metapress.com/content/fc7hawed1h21lrva/ Abstract: This study investigated the possibility of using Information Visualisation (IV) in the user interface of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. AAC systems exist to assist people to overcome communication handicaps. Computer-based AAC systems can contain stored communication material for people with impaired communication to retrieve and use during interaction. As the size of the stored information corpus in an AAC system increases, the task of searching and retrieving items from that corpus will become more demanding, which will make it less easy for someone to successfully access and use such material. IV has therefore been investigated here as a way of accessing AAC content. A prototype visualisation interface was developed as a means of retrieving stored biographical text in an AAC context. Trial of this prototype showed that it was possible for people to successfully retrieve the stored information with the IV-based user interface, indicating that an IV-based interface could have potential within AAC. Further work could be pursued to investigate performance with larger corpora and alternative visualisation metaphors; alternative metaphors (using timelines, for example) may be preferred by different people who use AAC.

Effects of Visualization Tools on Cardiac Telephone Consultation Processes

An Ecological Interface Design approach was employed to analyze and extract information for a Decision Support System (DSS) for cardiac nurses' telephone consultation processes. Information visualization techniques were explored to overcome the complexity of the information space. Three visualization prototypes, Bar, Polar, and Clock Symptom Maps, were designed based on the Work Domain Analysis and the identified strategies from a Cognitive Work Analysis. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of these visualization tools using low-fidelity prototypes. Static images of patient symptom maps were used to mimic the final information space. Positive effects of the visualization tools were observed compared to a text list of presented problems, especially when the decision problems were more complex. The results are encouraging with regards to the integration of graphical symptom maps into DSSs.

Augmented Reality Visualization for CT-guided Interventions: System Description, Feasibility, and Initial Evaluation in an Abdominal Phantom

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and performance of an augmented reality (AR) visualization prototype for virtual computed tomography (CT)-guided interventional procedures in a multimodality abdominal phantom. With the aid of AR guidance, three radiologists performed 30 attempts at targeting simulated liver lesions of different sizes (range, 5-15 mm) with a biopsy needle. The position of the needle tip relative to the lesion was verified by using ultrasonography and CT. With AR guidance, lesions were successfully targeted with the first needle pass in all cases. On the basis of these results, AR visualization for CT-guided intervention appears feasible and allows intuitive and accurate lesion targeting in a phantom. radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/2401040018/DC1

Accurate visible speech synthesis based on concatenating variable length motion capture data

We present a novel approach to synthesizing accurate visible speech based on searching and concatenating optimal variable-length units in a large corpus of motion capture data. Based on a set of visual prototypes selected on a source face and a corresponding set designated for a target face, we propose a machine learning technique to automatically map the facial motions observed on the source face to the target face. In order to model the long distance coarticulation effects in visible speech, a large-scale corpus that covers the most common syllables in English was collected, annotated and analyzed. For any input text, a search algorithm to locate the optimal sequences of concatenated units for synthesis is desrcribed. A new algorithm to adapt lip motions from a generic 3D face model to a specific 3D face model is also proposed. A complete, end-to-end visible speech animation system is implemented based on the approach. This system is currently used in more than 60 kindergarten through third grade classrooms to teach students to read using a lifelike conversational animated agent. To evaluate the quality of the visible speech produced by the animation system, both subjective evaluation and objective evaluation are conducted. The evaluation results show that the proposed approach is accurate and powerful for visible speech synthesis.

DEVELOPING A SECURE GEOSPATIAL VISUALIZATION AND COLLABORATION SYSTEM USING SOFTWARE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Developing secure web applications is a difficult task because the original purpose of the World Wide Web (WWW) was to freely share information. This paper presents a prototype for a platform-independent secure geospatial visualization and collaboration web application. This system is developed using object-oriented system design methodology. It integrates software engineering, web security, visualization and Java technologies with the WWW to enable production, dissemination, and use of imagery and geospatial information on a hierarchical level through the WWW. Several visualization modules on the client side are developed using the Model-View-Controller design pattern technology. These modules are plug-in and reusable components for other similar applications. A Visualization Web Bridge and Data Providers on the server side are designed and implemented to bridge the gap between the Internet users and the remote geospatial databases. Several Internet security mechanisms are implemented to secure system configuration, to authenticate and authorize data access, and to secure information sharing. The system is an open and extensible source. The application results demonstrate that this system provides a certain level of security, and that users have flexibility to query, visualize, manipulate, and analyze real-time remote geospatial data. It exhibits that multiple users in geographically dispersed organizations can conveniently collaborate and share information as well as 3D images through this system. It also demonstrates that using object-oriented system design and design pattern provides a great chance for software reuse and increases the system flexibility.

Developing A Secure Geospatial Visualization and Collaboration System Using Software Engineering Technology

Developing secure web applications is a difficult task because the original purpose of the World Wide Web (WWW) was to freely share information. This paper presents a prototype for a platform-independent secure geospatial visualization and collaboration web application. This system is developed using object-oriented system design methodology. It integrates software engineering, web security, visualization and Java technologies with the WWW to enable production, dissemination, and use of imagery and geospatial information on a hierarchical level through the WWW. Several visualization modules on the client side are developed using the Model-View-Controller design pattern technology. These modules are plug-in and reusable components for other similar applications. A Visualization Web Bridge and Data Providers on the server side are designed and implemented to bridge the gap between the Internet users and the remote geospatial databases. Several Internet security mechanisms are implemented to secure system configuration, to authenticate and authorize data access, and to secure information sharing. The system is an open and extensible source. The application results demonstrate that this system provides a certain level of security, and that users have flexibility to query, visualize, manipulate, and analyze real-time remote geospatial data. It exhibits that multiple users in geographically dispersed organizations can conveniently collaborate and share information as well as 3D images through this system. It also demonstrates that using object-oriented system design and design pattern provides a great chance for software reuse and increases the system flexibility.

YODA++: A proposal for a semi-automatic space mission control

YODA++ is a proposal for a semi-automated data handling and analysis system for the PAMELA space experiment. The core of the routines have been developed to process a stream of raw data downlinked from the Resurs DK1 satellite (housing PAMELA) to the ground station in Moscow. Raw data consist of scientific data and are complemented by housekeeping information. Housekeeping information will be analyzed within a short time from download (1 h) in order to monitor the status of the experiment and to foreseen the mission acquisition planning. A prototype for the data visualization will run on an APACHE TOMCAT web application server, providing an off-line analysis tool using a browser and part of code for the system maintenance. Data retrieving development is in production phase, while a GUI interface for human friendly monitoring is on preliminary phase as well as a JavaServerPages/JavaServerFaces (JSP/JSF) web application facility. On a longer timescale (1–3 h from download) scientific data are analyzed. The data storage core will be a mix of CERNs ROOT files structure and MySQL as a relational database. YODA++ is currently being used in the integration and testing on ground of PAMELA data.

Layered manufacturing for scientific visualization

From the moment we're born, we learn to use and depend on our sense of touch to gain knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Today, it can also be exploited to understand scientific data. Rapid prototyping, or layered manufacturing (LM), is a mainstream technology in engineering product development, enabling engineers to create prototype parts from new designs before their organizations invest in final production. The Center for Visualization Prototypes (CVP) at Oregon State University (originally at the San Diego Supercomputer Center) uses LM technology to create 3D visualization hard copies, collaborating with geologists, astronomers, oceanographers, cartographers, biomedical researchers, chemists, and other scientists to enhance data understanding. During its 10 years of operation, it has fabricated more than 1,000 physical models, helping them visualize their data.

Creating the Past: The Vénus de Milo and the Hellenistic Reception of Classical Greece

This article reexamines the well-known Hellenistic statue of Aphrodite from Melos (the Venus de Milo), drawing on recently published archaeological evidence and archival sources relating to its excavation to propose a new reconstruction of the sculpture’s original appearance, context, and audience. Although scholars have often discussed the statue as a timeless ideal of female beauty, the Aphrodite was in fact carefully adapted to its contemporary setting, the minor Hellenistic polis of Melos. With its conservative yet creative visual effect, the sculpture offers a well-preserved early example of the Hellenistic emulation of classical art, and opens a window onto the rarely examined world of a traditional Greek city during a period of dynamic change. The statue, it is argued, was set up within the civic gymnasium of Melos. Furthermore, Aphrodite likely held out an apple in token of her victory in the Judgment of Paris, as newly accessible sculptural fragments found with the statue demonstrate. The sculpture responds to and transforms both classical visual prototypes and earlier narratives of the Judgment, familiar to Greek audiences from the period of Homer onward. And the Aphrodite not only was appropriate for display within a gymnasium but indeed exemplifies a critical aspect of that institution’s role during the Hellenistic period: the creation of a standardized and highly selective vision of the past to serve as a model for the present. Thus the statue, analyzed within its original context, greatly enhances our understanding of the reception of classical sculpture and mythological narrative in Hellenistic Greece.*

The Visual Language of Synteny

The study of polygenic disorders such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases requires access to vast amounts of experimental and in silico data. Where animal models of disease are being used, visualization of syntenic genome regions is one of the most important tools supporting data analysis. We define what is required to visualize synteny in terms of the data being displayed, the screen layout, and user interaction. We then describe a prototype visualization tool, SyntenyVista, which provides integrated access to quantitative trait loci, microarray, and gene datasets. We believe that SyntenyVista is a significant step towards an improved representation of comparative genomics data.

A critical boundary to the left-hemisphere advantage in visual-word processing

Two experiments explored boundary conditions for the ubiquitous left-hemisphere advantage in visual-word recognition. Subjects perceptually identified words presented directly to the left or right hemisphere. Strong left-hemisphere advantages were observed for UPPERCASE and lowercase words. However, only a weak effect was observed for AlTeRnAtInG-cAsE words, and a numerical reversal of the typical left-hemisphere advantage was observed for words in a visual prototype font (a very unfamiliar word format). Results support the theory that dissociable abstract and specific neural subsystems underlie visual-form recognition and fail to support the theory that a visual lexicon operates in the left hemisphere.