> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bdcatalyst.gitbook.io/biodata-catalyst-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bdcatalyst.gitbook.io/biodata-catalyst-documentation/written-documentation/explore-available-data/pic-sure-for-biodata-catalyst-user-guide/appendix/glossary.md). # Glossary | Term | Definition | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | API | Application Programming Interface: in this context, it refers to using code to search and query data using PIC-SURE. | | BioData Catalyst, BDC | Cloud-based ecosystem of tools and resources funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | | Browse (page) | A publicly available tool that allows anyone to search all data on BDC, apply filters, and assess the feasibility of research projects and data | | Concept Path | A unique string or identifier for a variable with a tree-like structure that contains information about the study, dataset, and variable (for example: `/study/dataset/variable/`) | | Data Dictionary | A document that defines the structure, content, and meaning of data, providing information about the datasets, variables, and variable values contained within a given study | | Data Frame | A data structure constructed with rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet; referred to with Python or R | | Dataset ID | A specific identifier or string that is associated with a PIC-SURE query or data export | | Data Access Request | See dbGaP, a process by which investigators request access to participant-level data based on a research question | | dbGaP | Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes: A repository that stores studies and grants access authorization for investigators | | eRA Commons | An NIH account that is used to log into BioData Catalyst | | Explore (page) | A tool that allows authorized users to search data on BDC, apply filters, and export participant-level data for analysis | | Facet | A search filter that helps users refine their search results by narrowing down options in multiple dimensions | | Filter | An action that describes applying criteria to select a subcohort (for example, filtering to "females" using the sex variable or those with *BRCA1* high severity genomic variants) | | Obfuscation | In Browse, the process of disguising confidential or sensitive data to protect it from unauthorized access | | Participant-level data | This describes information collected from participants of a study or data that shows the values of each participant for each variable | | Personal Access Token | Refers to the PIC-SURE Personal Access Token: a unique "password" or string that is used by the PIC-SURE API to authenticate and authorize access to data | | PFB | Portable Format for Biomedical Data: | | PIC-SURE | Patient Information Commons - Standard Unification of Research Elements: a search, query, and export platform that integrates clinical and genomic data | | Query | An action that involves extracting information from a database, such as counts or participant-level information (for example, applying a filter and looking at counts of the cohort) | | Search | An action that compares a term to the data dictionary and returns relevant results (for example, typing "sickle cell" into the search bar) | | Seven Bridges | Analysis platform available on BioData Catalyst | | Stigmatizing | Potentially sensitive information that should not be publicly filterable; [see this page for more information](https://github.com/hms-dbmi/biodata_catalyst_stigmatizing_variables) | | Terra | Analysis platform available on BioData Catalyst | | TOPMed | Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine: an NHLBI-funded program to generate and analyze -omics data for many heart, lung, blood, and sleep studies | | Value | Refers to a variable value: this describes the value that may be associated with a participant for a given variable (for example: "female" for sex or "28.1" for body mass index) | | Variable | Refers to a clinical or study variable: any characteristic or attribute that can be measured and can take on different values (for example: sex, body mass index, and age) | | Variant | Refers to a genomic variant: DNA sequence differences between individuals or populations, which can be applied as a filter in Explore |