Developing libraries of semantically-augmented graphics as visual standards for biomedical information systems

IF 4 2区医学 Q2 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS

Journal of Biomedical Informatics Pub Date : 2025-02-16 DOI:10.1016/j.jbi.2025.104804

Melissa D. Clarkson, Steven Roggenkamp, Landon T. Detwiler

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Visual representations generally serve as supplements to information, rather than as bearers of computable information themselves. Our objective is to develop a method for creating semantically-augmented graphic libraries that will serve as visual standards and can be implemented as visual assets in intelligent information systems.

Methods

Graphics were developed using a composable approach and specified using SVG. OWL was used to represent the entities of our system, which include elements, units, graphics, graphic libraries, and library collections. A graph database serves as our data management system. Semantics are applied at multiple levels: (a) each element is associated with a semantic style class to link visual style to semantic meaning, (b) graphics are described using object properties and data properties, (c) relationships are specified between graphics, and (d) mappings are made between the graphics and outside resources.

Results

The Graphic Library web application enables users to browse the libraries, view information pages for each graphic, and download individual graphics. We demonstrate how SPARQL can be employed to query the graphics database and the APIs can be used to retrieve the graphics and associated data for applications. In addition, this work shows that our method of designing composable graphics is well-suited to depicting variations in human anatomy.

Conclusion

This work provides a bridge between visual communication and the field of knowledge representation. We demonstrate a method for creating visual standards that are compatible with practices in biomedical ontology and implement a system for making them accessible to information systems.

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来源期刊

Journal of Biomedical Informatics 医学-计算机：跨学科应用

CiteScore

8.90

自引率

6.70%

发文量

243

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Biomedical Informatics reflects a commitment to high-quality original research papers, reviews, and commentaries in the area of biomedical informatics methodology. Although we publish articles motivated by applications in the biomedical sciences (for example, clinical medicine, health care, population health, and translational bioinformatics), the journal emphasizes reports of new methodologies and techniques that have general applicability and that form the basis for the evolving science of biomedical informatics. Articles on medical devices; evaluations of implemented systems (including clinical trials of information technologies); or papers that provide insight into a biological process, a specific disease, or treatment options would generally be more suitable for publication in other venues. Papers on applications of signal processing and image analysis are often more suitable for biomedical engineering journals or other informatics journals, although we do publish papers that emphasize the information management and knowledge representation/modeling issues that arise in the storage and use of biological signals and images. System descriptions are welcome if they illustrate and substantiate the underlying methodology that is the principal focus of the report and an effort is made to address the generalizability and/or range of application of that methodology. Note also that, given the international nature of JBI, papers that deal with specific languages other than English, or with country-specific health systems or approaches, are acceptable for JBI only if they offer generalizable lessons that are relevant to the broad JBI readership, regardless of their country, language, culture, or health system.