The analysis of paths in graphs is highly relevant in many domains. Typically, path‐related tasks are performed in node‐link layouts. Unfortunately, graph layouts often do not scale to the size of ...many real world networks. Also, many networks are multivariate, i.e., contain rich attribute sets associated with the nodes and edges. These attributes are often critical in judging paths, but directly visualizing attributes in a graph layout exacerbates the scalability problem. In this paper, we present visual analysis solutions dedicated to path‐related tasks in large and highly multivariate graphs. We show that by focusing on paths, we can address the scalability problem of multivariate graph visualization, equipping analysts with a powerful tool to explore large graphs. We introduce Pathfinder, a technique that provides visual methods to query paths, while considering various constraints. The resulting set of paths is visualized in both a ranked list and as a node‐link diagram. For the paths in the list, we display rich attribute data associated with nodes and edges, and the node‐link diagram provides topological context. The paths can be ranked based on topological properties, such as path length or average node degree, and scores derived from attribute data. Pathfinder is designed to scale to graphs with tens of thousands of nodes and edges by employing strategies such as incremental query results. We demonstrate Pathfinder's fitness for use in scenarios with data from a coauthor network and biological pathways.
Linear models are commonly used to identify trends in data. While it is an easy task to build linear models using pre‐selected variables, it is challenging to select the best variables from a large ...number of alternatives. Most metrics for selecting variables are global in nature, and thus not useful for identifying local patterns. In this work, we present an integrated framework with visual representations that allows the user to incrementally build and verify models in three model spaces that support local pattern discovery and summarization: model complementarity, model diversity, and model representivity. Visual representations are designed and implemented for each of the model spaces. Our visualizations enable the discovery of complementary variables, i.e., those that perform well in modeling different subsets of data points. They also support the isolation of local models based on a diversity measure. Furthermore, the system integrates a hierarchical representation to identify the outlier local trends and the local trends that share similar directions in the model space. A case study on financial risk analysis is discussed, followed by a user study.
Data visualization is now a popular medium for journalistic storytelling. However, current visualization tools either lack support for storytelling or require significant technical expertise. ...Informed by interviews with journalists, we introduce a model of storytelling ions that includes state‐based scene structure, dynamic annotations and decoupled coordination of multiple visualization components. We instantiate our model in Ellipsis: a system that combines a domain‐specific language (DSL) for storytelling with a graphical interface for story authoring. User interactions are automatically translated into statements in the Ellipsis DSL. By enabling storytelling without programming, the Ellipsis interface lowers the threshold for authoring narrative visualizations. We evaluate Ellipsis through example applications and user studies with award‐winning journalists. Study participants find Ellipsis to be a valuable prototyping tool that can empower journalists in the creation of interactive narratives.
A major challenge in data‐driven biomedical research lies in the collection and representation of data provenance information to ensure that findings are reproducibile. In order to communicate and ...reproduce multi‐step analysis workflows executed on datasets that contain data for dozens or hundreds of samples, it is crucial to be able to visualize the provenance graph at different levels of aggregation. Most existing approaches are based on node‐link diagrams, which do not scale to the complexity of typical data provenance graphs. In our proposed approach, we reduce the complexity of the graph using hierarchical and motif‐based aggregation. Based on user action and graph attributes, a modular degree‐of‐interest (DoI) function is applied to expand parts of the graph that are relevant to the user. This interest‐driven adaptive approach to provenance visualization allows users to review and communicate complex multi‐step analyses, which can be based on hundreds of files that are processed by numerous workflows. We have integrated our approach into an analysis platform that captures extensive data provenance information, and demonstrate its effectiveness by means of a biomedical usage scenario.
Toolkit design for interactive structured graphics Bederson, B.B.; Grosjean, J.; Meyer, J.
IEEE transactions on software engineering,
2004-Aug., 2004-08-00, 20040801, Volume:
30, Issue:
8
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Here, we analyze toolkit designs for building graphical applications with rich user interfaces, comparing polylithic and monolithic toolkit-based solutions. Polylithic toolkits encourage extension by ...composition and follow a design philosophy similar to 3D scene graphs supported by toolkits including JavaSD and Openlnventor. Monolithic toolkits, on the other hand, encourage extension by inheritance, and are more akin to 2D graphical user interface toolkits such as Swing or MFC. We describe Jazz (a polylithic toolkit) and Piccolo (a monolithic toolkit), each of which we built to support interactive 2D structured graphics applications in general, and zoomable user interface applications in particular. We examine the trade offs of each approach in terms of performance, memory requirements, and programmability. We conclude that a polylithic approach is most suitable for toolkit builders, visual design software where code is automatically generated, and application builders where there is much customization of the toolkit. Correspondingly, we find that monolithic approaches appear to be best for application builders where there is not much customization of the toolkit.
astroquery is a collection of tools for requesting data from databases hosted on remote servers with interfaces exposed on the internet, including those with web pages but without formal application ...program interfaces. These tools are built on the Python requests package, which is used to make HTTP requests, and astropy, which provides most of the data parsing functionality. astroquery modules generally attempt to replicate the web page interface provided by a given service as closely as possible, making the transition from browser-based to command-line interaction easy. astroquery has received significant contributions from throughout the astronomical community, including several from telescope archives. astroquery enables the creation of fully reproducible workflows from data acquisition through publication. This paper describes the philosophy, basic structure, and development model of the astroquery package. The complete documentation for astroquery can be found at http://astroquery.readthedocs.io/.
Node‐link infographics are visually very rich and can communicate messages effectively, but can be very difficult to create, often involving a painstaking and artisanal process. In this paper we ...present an investigation of node‐link visualizations for communication and how to better support their creation. We begin by breaking down these images into their basic elements and analyzing how they are created. We then present a set of techniques aimed at improving the creation workflow by bringing more flexibility and power to users, letting them manipulate all aspects of a node‐link diagram (layout, visual attributes, etc.) while taking into account the context in which it will appear. These techniques were implemented in a proof‐of‐concept prototype called GraphCoiffure, which was designed as an intermediary step between graph drawing/editing software and image authoring applications. We describe how GraphCoiffure improves the workflow and illustrate its benefits through practical examples.
The inquiry into the impact of diverse transitions between cross-reality environments on user experience remains a compelling research endeavor. Existing work often offers fragmented perspectives on ...various techniques or confines itself to a singular segment of the reality-virtuality spectrum, be it virtual reality or augmented reality. This study embarks on bridging this knowledge gap by systematically assessing the effects of six prevalent transitions while users remain immersed in tasks spanning both virtual and physical domains. In particular, we investigate the effect of different transitions while the user is continuously engaged in a demanding task instead of purely focusing on a given transition. As a preliminary step, we evaluate these six transitions within the realm of pure virtual reality to establish a baseline. Our findings reveal a clear preference among participants for brief and efficient transitions in a task-driven experience, instead of transitions that prioritize interactivity and continuity. Subsequently, we extend our investigation into a cross-reality context, encompassing transitions between virtual and physical environments. Once again, our results underscore the prevailing preference for concise and effective transitions. Furthermore, our research offers intriguing insights about the potential mitigation of visual incoherence between virtual and augmented reality environments by utilizing different transitions.
The exploration of high‐dimensional data is challenging because humans have difficulty to understand more than three dimensions. We present a new visualization concept that enables users to explore ...such data and, specifically, to learn about important items and features that are unknown or overlooked, based on the items and features that are already known. The visualization consists of two juxtaposed tables: an IF‐Table, showing all items with a selection of features; and an FI‐Table, showing all features with a selection of items. This enables the user to limit the number of visible items and features to those needed for the exploration. The interaction is kept simple: each selection of items and features results in a complete overview of similar and relevant items and features.
This paper discusses the motivations behind and the characterising concepts of multi-device user interfaces by looking at the main design issues that have been addressed and the various solutions ...proposed. The discussion of relevant systems and frameworks highlights their main features, which are then used as the basis for comparative discussion. It compares different approaches and perspectives adopted in this area (e.g. responsive design, cross-device, distributed, migratory user interfaces). The features constitute a design space that can be used to facilitate analysis and comparison of tools and frameworks for multi-device user interfaces. Such aspects can be exploited by user interface designers and developers to analyse and compare various options when addressing existing and new applications. The analysis provided may inspire the design and development of new tools and frameworks as well.
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