Measurement of constant radius swept features in cultural heritage

none3The dimensional characterization of archaeological fragment is a very complex operation and could prove to be useful for identifying the presence of standard attributes in the ceramics found from a specific archaeological site, or for making comparisons and analysis of similarities or for studying ancient technologies used for manufacture of objects. The dimensional analysis of the fragments is now carried out manually with traditional measuring devices. Typically, the results obtained are inaccurate and non-repeatable measurements. This paper focuses on the dimensional characterization of a specific geometric class of features: the constant radius swept features (called here CRS features). Several archaeological features, such as rims, bases, decorative motifs, processing marks and grooves are referable from a geometric point of view to the class of CRS features. These are detail features, which may be very interesting for the investigation of some aspects related to the historical-archaeological classification of the find. CRS features are often found on worn, damaged (e.g. chipped) or fragmented objects; they are frequently characterized, from a geometric point of view, by free form surfaces and by a limited cross sectional extension. In some cases, CRS features can be of axially symmetrical geometry: this occurs quite frequently in the case of archaeological pottery. For all these reasons, it is often difficult to apply traditional manual methods for the quantitative dimensional characterization of CRS features. This paper describes an original methodology for the measurement of CRS features acquired by scanning technologies. The algorithmic implementation of this methodology, consisting of a suitable processing of the feature nodes, allows to carry out automatically the dimensional characterization of the feature.Di Angelo L., Di Stefano P., Morabito A.E.Di Angelo, L.; Di Stefano, P.; Morabito, A. E

automatic features recognition for anthropometry

Abstract For the purpose of reducing uncertainties in the measurements of morphologically complex biological objects, the authors present a new automatic method, which takes advantage from the representation of the object in the form of the 3D geometric model obtained from CT-scans or 3D scanning. In this paper, the method is verified in real cases and compared with the traditional approaches

Recognition of intrinsic quality properties for automatic geometric inspection

none3In the last few years the need for methodologies capable of performing an automated geometric inspection has increased. These methodologies often use 3D high-resolution optical digitisers to acquire points from the surface of the object to be inspected. It is expected that, in the near future, geometric inspection will be requiring more and more the use of these instruments. At present geometric inspection is not profiting from all the opportunities attainable by 3D high-resolution optical scanners or from the numerous tools which can be used for processing the point cloud acquired from the inspected product. For some years now, these authors have been working on a new methodology for automatic tolerance inspection working from a 3D model acquired by optical digitisers. In this paper all the information recognisable in a scanned object is organised into a new data structure, called Recognised Geometric Model (RGM). The final aim is to define a representation of the inspected object for the automatic evaluation of the non-idealities pertaining to the form, orientation and location of the non-ideal features of the acquired object. The key concept of the proposed approach is the capability to recognise some intrinsic nominal properties of the acquired model. These properties are assumed as references to evaluate the non-idealities of the inspected object. With this approach the references of geometric inspection are searched for in the inspected object independently of a tolerance specification and of the availability of a 3D nominal representation. The high-level geometric information within RGM depends on the rules used for its identification. The capability to recognise specific categories of nominal references offers the possibility of introducing new tolerances to be specified. The proposed approach has been implemented in original software by means of which a specific test case has been analysed.openP. Di Stefano; L. Di Angelo; A.E. MorabitoP., Di Stefano; L., Di Angelo; Morabito, Ann

Automatic Multiview Alignment of RGB-D Range Maps of Upper Limb Anatomy

Digital representations of anatomical parts are crucial for various biomedical applications. This paper presents an automatic alignment procedure for creating accurate 3D models of upper limb anatomy using a low-cost handheld 3D scanner. The goal is to overcome the challenges associated with forearm 3D scanning, such as needing multiple views, stability requirements, and optical undercuts. While bulky and expensive multi-camera systems have been used in previous research, this study explores the feasibility of using multiple consumer RGB-D sensors for scanning human anatomies. The proposed scanner comprises three Intel® RealSenseTM D415 depth cameras assembled on a lightweight circular jig, enabling simultaneous acquisition from three viewpoints. To achieve automatic alignment, the paper introduces a procedure that extracts common key points between acquisitions deriving from different scanner poses. Relevant hand key points are detected using a neural network, which works on the RGB images captured by the depth cameras. A set of forearm key points is meanwhile identified by processing the acquired data through a specifically developed algorithm that seeks the forearm’s skeleton line. The alignment process involves automatic, rough 3D alignment and fine registration using an iterative-closest-point (ICP) algorithm expressly developed for this application. The proposed method was tested on forearm scans and compared the results obtained by a manual coarse alignment followed by an ICP algorithm for fine registration using commercial software. Deviations below 5 mm, with a mean value of 1.5 mm, were found. The obtained results are critically discussed and compared with the available implementations of published methods. The results demonstrate significant improvements to the state of the art and the potential of the proposed approach to accelerate the acquisition process and automatically register point clouds from different scanner poses without the intervention of skilled operators. This study contributes to developing effective upper limb rehabilitation frameworks and personalized biomedical applications by addressing these critical challenges

A design methodology for an innovative racing mini motorcycle frame

Sports equipment design is a young and evolving engineering discipline focused on the best simultaneous optimization of user and product as a system. In motorsports, in particular, the final performance during a race depends on many parameters related to the vehicle, circuit, weather, and tyres and the personal feelings of every single driver. Top teams in high-tech categories can invest huge amounts of money in developing simulators, but such economic commitment is not sustainable for all those teams that operate in minor but very popular categories, such as karts or mini-motorcycles. In these fields, the most common design approach is trial and error on physical prototypes. Such an approach leads to high costs, long optimization times, poor innovation, and inefficient management of the design knowledge. The present paper proposes a driver centred methodology for the design of an innovative mini racing motorcycle frame. It consists of two main phases: the drivers’ feelings translation into engineering requirements and constraints, and the exploration of the design solution space. Expected effects of the application of the proposed methodology are an overall increase in the degree of innovation, time compression, and cost reduction during the development process, with a significant impact on the competitiveness of small racing teams in minor categories

Acute inflammatory response in the subcutaneous versus periprosthethic space after incisional hernia repair: an original article

BACKGROUND: The acute inflammatory response following mesh implantation has been often evaluated in vitro and in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute inflammatory response near the prosthesis in human by analysing some inflammatory indicators.METHODS: We used a cohort of twelve male patients affected by midline incisional hernia, who were admitted for surgical mesh repair. A suction drain was placed between the mesh and rectal muscles whereas, the other one was placed between the subcutaneous tissue and the oblique external sheath. The acute inflammatory response was analyzed by measuring the production of interleukin [IL]-1, IL-10, IL-1ra, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), total proteins, albumin and pH in the drain fluids.RESULTS: The dynamics of CRP and ILs production resulted similar in both drainages. Comparing drain over mesh and subcutaneous drain at all times, IL-1 and CRP values always resulted significantly higher in the first one, whereas IL-1ra and IL-10 values were significantly higher in the last one. Total protein and albumin were similar in both drains at all time; only in the drain over mesh fluid, pH values resulted significantly reduced in the fourth post-operative day.CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that an acute inflammatory reaction is present in both sites examined. However, it was significantly higher in the space after mesh implantation

DISMICROBISM IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISESE AND COLORECTAL CANCER: CHANGES IN RESPONSE OF COLOCYTES

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of 10%-15% developing colorectal cancer (CRC) that is a common disease of high economic costs in developed countries. the CRC has been increasing in recent years and its mortality rates are very high. Multiple biological and biochemical factors are responsible for the onset nad progression of this pathology. moreover, it appears absolutely necessary to investigate the environmental factors favoring the onset of CRC and the production of colonic healt. the gut microflora, or microbiota, has an extensive diversity both quantitatively and qualitatively. in utero, the intestine of the mammalian fetus is sterile. Al birth, the intestinal microbiota in acquired by ingestion maternal anal or vaginal organisms, ultimately developing into a stable community, with marked variations in microbial composition between individuals. the development of IBD is often associated with qualitative and quantitative disorders of the intestinal microbial flora (dysbiosis). the healthy human gut arbours about 10 different bacterial species distributed in colony forming units which colonize the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in helath and the progeression of diseases such as IBD and CRC. in Healthy subjects, the main control of intestinal bacterial colonization occurs through gastric acidity but other factors such as endoluminal temperature, competition between different bacterial strains, peristalsis and drugs can influence the intestinal microenvironment. the microbiota exerts diverse physiological functions to include; growth inhibition of pathogenic microrganisms, synthesis of compounds useful for the trophysm of colonic mucosa, regulation of the intestinal lymphoid tissue and synthesis of amino acids. furthermopre, mucus seems to play an important role in protecting the intestinal mucosa and maintaining its integrity. changes in the microbiota composition are mainly influenced by diet and age, as well as genetic factors. Increasing evidence indicates that dysbiosis favors the production of genotoxins and metabolities associated with carcinogeneasis and induces dysregulation of the immune response wich promotes and sustains inflammation in IBD leading to carcinogenesis. a disequilibrium in gut microflora composition leads to the specific activation of gut associated lymphoid tissue. the associated chronic inflammatory process associated increases the risk of developing CRC. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diasease are the two major IBDs characterized by an early onset and extraintestinal manifestations, such as rheumatoid arthtritis. the pathogenesis of both diseases is complex and not yet fully known. however, it is widely accepted that an inappropriate immune response to microbial flora can play a pivotal role in IBD pathogenesis

Acquired angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency associated with anticardiolipin antibodies.

Acquired angioedema (AAE) with C1 inhibitor deficiency is often associated to B cell lymphoproliferative disorders or autoimmune diseases. We report a case of AAE associated with IgM anti-cardiolipin antibodies, with frequent edematous attacks, that disappeared completely after a slight immunosuppression and danazol therapy

EFFICACY OF ARGENTUM-QUARTZ SOLUTION IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIANAL FISTULAS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Objective: Nowadays, an optional and effective medical surgery remains the gold standard for perianal fistulas. Hereby we reported preliminary rsults in favor of using Argentum-Quartz solution for both primary and recurrent perianal fisrtulas. Methods: Three patients with intersphimncter and extrasphinteric fistulas were enrolled. Argentum-Quartz solution was administrated twice a week for sa period of 4 weeks, followed by a pause of 8 days and then another 4 weeks of treatment, totally 16 administrations. After treatment, all patients were monitored for 4-months follow-up. Results: Complete closures of 2 extrasphinteric fistulas and a partial closure with absence of inflammation and superative phenomena in the intraspinteric fistula were both manifested. Conclusions: Selective treatment of perianal fistulas with argentum-quartz solution is safe and effective. and may represent a reliable alternative