The focus of this review and analysis is the measurement and characterization of variability, a science that has undergone considerable growth in the past two decades.
There is still considerable variability in how science concept assessments are designed and validated (Lindell et al., 2007; Adams and Wieman, 2010), as well as in their format and intended use, even within biology (reviewed in D'Avanzo, 2008; Knight, 2010, among others).
Heart rate variability in health sciences has been extensively used as indicator of impending failure of metabolism (death) and for predicting progression of disease [ 10, 15].
The intensivist is poised to marshal the science of variability analysis, becoming a 'dynamicist' [ 6], to measure and characterize the variability of physiological signals in an attempt to understand the information locked in the 'homeokinetic code' [ 7], and thus contribute to a breakthrough in our ability to treat critically ill patients.
The new report reinforces each of these points, discussing the "considerable uncertainty" about the science, natural variability of the climate, and the fact that "definitive prediction of potential outcomes is not yet feasible".
The science of variability analysis has developed from a close collaboration between mathematicians, physicists and clinicians.
Although DFA represents a novel technological development in the science of variability analysis and has proven clinical significance, whether it offers information distinct from traditional spectral analysis is debated [ 107].
Variability analysis is the science of measuring the degree and character of patterns of variation of a time-series of a biologic parameter, in order to evaluate the state of the underlying complex system responsible for the biologic signal.
Since the Sun is the fundamental source of energy that sustains life on Earth, establishing its radiation environment, controls its temperature and atmospheric composition, the accurate knowledge of the solar radiation received by the Earth and understanding of its variability are critical for environmental science and climate studies.
A National Research Council NRCcommitteetee reviewed the status of environmental regulatory risk assessment and concluded that the new science documenting interindividual variability and the vulnerability of the developing fetus and child to chemical contaminants warrants specific changes to risk assessment practices (NRC 2009).
