Data-Driven Shape Analysis and Processing

Data-driven methods play an increasingly important role in discovering geometric, structural, and semantic relationships between 3D shapes in collections, and applying this analysis to support intelligent modeling, editing, and visualization of geometric data. In contrast to traditional approaches, a key feature of data-driven approaches is that they aggregate information from a collection of shapes to improve the analysis and processing of individual shapes. In addition, they are able to learn models that reason about properties and relationships of shapes without relying on hard-coded rules or explicitly programmed instructions. We provide an overview of the main concepts and components of these techniques, and discuss their application to shape classification, segmentation, matching, reconstruction, modeling and exploration, as well as scene analysis and synthesis, through reviewing the literature and relating the existing works with both qualitative and numerical comparisons. We conclude our report with ideas that can inspire future research in data-driven shape analysis and processing.Comment: 10 pages, 19 figure

New tension-compression damage model for complex analysis of concrete structures

A new damage model, based on continuum damage mechanics and simulating the opening, closing, and reopening of cracks in concrete using only one surface of discontinuity, is proposed in this article. The model complies with the thermodynamics principles of nonreversible, isothermal, and adiabatic processes. Two scalar internal variables have been defined: a tensile damage variable d+d+ and a compressive damage variable d-d-; the threshold of damage is controlled by only one surface of discontinuity and a new parameter controlling the damage variable that should be activated. This new parameter represents the ratio of tensile stress to compressive stress in the damaged material. The continuity of response under complex loads, which is one of the aims of this work, is ensured. An adequate response under different types of loads leads to the conclusion that the proposed model provides a powerful tool to numerically analyze reinforced concrete structures. Validation and illustrative examples are included in the article.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Solid Freeform Fabrication Research In Engineering Education

Because Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) has an extremely wide range of potential applications, crossing traditional engineering and science boundaries, it is a technology that lends itself to multi-disciplinary activities and projects. SFF is an ideal mechanism to present scientific concepts including materials science and mechanics, as well as larger-scope engineering topics such as agile manufacturing. At Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), we are using SFF technologies as a means to teach engineering concepts to undergraduate students through multidisciplinary research. MSOE was awarded a five-year grant under the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (EEC-9619715) to facilitate student exploration in the field of Solid Freeform Fabrication. Sixty undergraduates will participate in summer and academic year programs by the year 2001. Eighteen students from around the country have participated in the program to date, bringing with them a diverse background of university experience, skill level, and interests. Working closely with a faculty advisor possessing expertise in a particular research area, they have performed research on Solid Freeform Fabrication applications in the biomedical, aerospace, architectural, manufacturing, and electronics industries. Some ofthe keys to the success of this program include: • Hands-on access to Solid Freeform Fabrication equipment through the facilities ofthe MSOE Rapid Prototyping Center (SLA 250, LOM 2030, and FDM 1650). • Close partnerships of the students with faculty and industry mentors in specialized areas of expertise. • Teaming with other educational institutions. • Significant cross-pollination between projects; faculty from diverse departments. • Encouraging students to publish and present results at national conferences and symposia.Mechanical Engineerin

Proceedings of the Workshop Semantic Content Acquisition and Representation (SCAR) 2007

This is the proceedings of the Workshop on Semantic Content Acquisition and Representation, held in conjunction with NODALIDA 2007, on May 24 2007 in Tartu, Estonia.</p

Systematic Analysis of the Factors Contributing to the Variation and Change of the Microbiome

abstract: Understanding changes and trends in biomedical knowledge is crucial for individuals, groups, and institutions as biomedicine improves people’s lives, supports national economies, and facilitates innovation. However, as knowledge changes what evidence illustrates knowledge changes? In the case of microbiome, a multi-dimensional concept from biomedicine, there are significant increases in publications, citations, funding, collaborations, and other explanatory variables or contextual factors. What is observed in the microbiome, or any historical evolution of a scientific field or scientific knowledge, is that these changes are related to changes in knowledge, but what is not understood is how to measure and track changes in knowledge. This investigation highlights how contextual factors from the language and social context of the microbiome are related to changes in the usage, meaning, and scientific knowledge on the microbiome. Two interconnected studies integrating qualitative and quantitative evidence examine the variation and change of the microbiome evidence are presented. First, the concepts microbiome, metagenome, and metabolome are compared to determine the boundaries of the microbiome concept in relation to other concepts where the conceptual boundaries have been cited as overlapping. A collection of publications for each concept or corpus is presented, with a focus on how to create, collect, curate, and analyze large data collections. This study concludes with suggestions on how to analyze biomedical concepts using a hybrid approach that combines results from the larger language context and individual words. Second, the results of a systematic review that describes the variation and change of microbiome research, funding, and knowledge are examined. A corpus of approximately 28,000 articles on the microbiome are characterized, and a spectrum of microbiome interpretations are suggested based on differences related to context. The collective results suggest the microbiome is a separate concept from the metagenome and metabolome, and the variation and change to the microbiome concept was influenced by contextual factors. These results provide insight into how concepts with extensive resources behave within biomedicine and suggest the microbiome is possibly representative of conceptual change or a preview of new dynamics within science that are expected in the future.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Biology 201