1,077 research outputs found
Multi-plane denoising diffusion-based dimensionality expansion for 2D-to-3D reconstruction of microstructures with harmonized sampling
Acquiring reliable microstructure datasets is a pivotal step toward the
systematic design of materials with the aid of integrated computational
materials engineering (ICME) approaches. However, obtaining three-dimensional
(3D) microstructure datasets is often challenging due to high experimental
costs or technical limitations, while acquiring two-dimensional (2D)
micrographs is comparatively easier. To deal with this issue, this study
proposes a novel framework for 2D-to-3D reconstruction of microstructures
called Micro3Diff using diffusion-based generative models (DGMs). Specifically,
this approach solely requires pre-trained DGMs for the generation of 2D
samples, and dimensionality expansion (2D-to-3D) takes place only during the
generation process (i.e., reverse diffusion process). The proposed framework
incorporates a new concept referred to as multi-plane denoising diffusion,
which transforms noisy samples (i.e., latent variables) from different planes
into the data structure while maintaining spatial connectivity in 3D space.
Furthermore, a harmonized sampling process is developed to address possible
deviations from the reverse Markov chain of DGMs during the dimensionality
expansion. Combined, we demonstrate the feasibility of Micro3Diff in
reconstructing 3D samples with connected slices that maintain morphologically
equivalence to the original 2D images. To validate the performance of
Micro3Diff, various types of microstructures (synthetic and experimentally
observed) are reconstructed, and the quality of the generated samples is
assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The successful reconstruction
outcomes inspire the potential utilization of Micro3Diff in upcoming ICME
applications while achieving a breakthrough in comprehending and manipulating
the latent space of DGMs
Microstructure reconstruction using diffusion-based generative models
Microstructure reconstruction has been an essential part of computational
material engineering to reveal the relationship between the microstructures and
the material properties. However, it is still challenging to find a general
solution for microstructure characterization and reconstruction (MCR) tasks
although there have been many attempts such as the descriptor-based
reconstruction methods. To address this generality problem, the denoising
diffusion probabilistic models are first employed for the microstructure
reconstruction task which can be applied to various types of material systems.
Several microstructures (e.g., carbonate, ceramics, copolymer, etc.) are
considered to be reproduced for validating the proposed models while addressing
the quality of the generated images with the quantitative evaluation metrics
(FID score, precision and recall). The results show that the proposed diffusion
model based approach is applicable for reproducing various types of
microstructures with different spatial distributions of morphological features.
The present approach also provides a stable training procedure with simple
implementation for generating visually similar microstructures (and also
statistically equivalent) without requiring expert knowledge and some
time-consuming parametric studies. The proposed approach has the potential of
being a universal microstructure reconstruction method for handling complex
microstructures for materials science
Microstructure Design of Multifunctional Particulate Composite Materials using Conditional Diffusion Models
This paper presents a novel modeling framework to generate an optimal
microstructure having ultimate multifunctionality using a diffusion-based
generative model. In computational material science, generating microstructure
is a crucial step in understanding the relationship between the microstructure
and properties. However, using finite element (FE)-based direct numerical
simulation (DNS) of microstructure for multiscale analysis is extremely
resource-intensive, particularly in iterative calculations. To address this
time-consuming issue, this study employs a diffusion-based generative model as
a replacement for computational analysis in design optimization. The model
learns the geometry of microstructure and corresponding stress contours,
allowing for the prediction of microstructural behavior based solely on
geometry, without the need for additional analysis. The focus on this work is
on mechanoluminescence (ML) particulate composites made with europium ions and
dysprosium ions. Multi-objective optimization is conducted based on the
generative diffusion model to improve light sensitivity and fracture toughness.
The results show multiple candidates of microstructure that meet the design
requirements. Furthermore, the designed microstructure is not present in the
training data but generates new morphology following the characteristics of
particulate composites. The proposed approach provides a new way to
characterize a performance-based microstructure of composite materials
A Study on Virtual Reality Storytelling by Story Authoring Tool Algorithm
The objective of this study was to examine the storytelling principles of virtual reality contents, which are recently
grabbing much attention, and the patterns of their generation rules and, based on the results, to analyze the elements and
structure of a storytelling method suitable for virtual reality contents. In virtual reality environment, a story is usually
being generated between choices made by a user who behaves autonomously under simulated environmental factors and
the environmental constraints. This corresponds to a mutually complementary role of representation and simulation,
which has been hotly discussed in the field of interactive storytelling. This study was conducted based on the assumption
that such a mutually complementary realization is ideal for virtual reality storytelling. A simulation-based story authoring
tool is a good example that shows this mutual complementation, in that it develops a story through various algorithms
which involves the interaction of agents which occur within the strata of a virtual environment. Therefore, it can be a
methodology for virtual reality storytelling. The structures and elements of narratives used in virtual reality storytelling
which achieve balance of representation and simulation are much similar to an algorithm strategy of a simulation-based
story authoring tool. The virtual reality contents released up to now can be classified into four categories based on the
two axes of representation and simulation. The study focused on contents which are layered in higher strata of both
representation and simulation. In the perspective of representation strata, these contents are actively using such elements
as goal, event, action, perception, internal element, outcome, and setting element, which are constituents of âFabula
modelâ, to generate time relations and cause-effect relations. And in the perspective of simulation strata, the use of the
âLate commitmentâ strategy allowed users to understand the meanings of their actions taken during the process of
experimenting with various dynamic principles within the environment
The involvement of EphâEphrin signaling in tissue separation and convergence during Xenopus gastrulation movements
AbstractIn Xenopus gastrulation, the involuting mesodermal and non-involuting ectodermal cells remain separated from each other, undergoing convergent extension. Here, we show that Ephâephrin signaling is crucial for the tissue separation and convergence during gastrulation. The loss of EphA4 function results in aberrant gastrulation movements, which are due to selective inhibition of tissue constriction and separation. At the cellular levels, knockdown of EphA4 impairs polarization and migratory activity of gastrulating cells but not specification of their fates. Importantly, rescue experiments demonstrate that EphA4 controls tissue separation via RhoA GTPase in parallel to Fz7 and PAPC signaling. In addition, we show that EphA4 and its putative ligand, ephrin-A1 are expressed in a complementary manner in the involuting mesodermal and non-involuting ectodermal layers of early gastrulae, respectively. Depletion of ephrin-A1 also abrogates tissue separation behaviors. Therefore, these results suggest that Eph receptor and its ephrin ligand might mediate repulsive interaction for tissue separation and convergence during early Xenopus gastrulation movements
Impaired hydrogen sulfide protein expression in patients with peripheral artery disease
INTRODUCTION: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous signaling molecule that serves various roles in the vasculature, such as upregulating angiogenesis, vascular smooth muscle relaxation, protecting endothelial function, and regulating redox balance. Despite H2Sâs positive impacts on vascular homeostasis, it is important to note that its actions depend on its concentrations. At high concentrations, H2S has been reported to increase oxidative stress damage, such as oxidation of cysteine residues and lipid peroxidation. This may indicate that H2S may act as a âdouble-edged swordâ in the field of vascular physiology. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disease which manifested by claudication (leg pain during walking). Growing evidence suggests that abnormal H2S level may present with vascular diseases, however, only a few animal studies investigated the H2S and H2S -mediated oxidative stress damage in vascular disease models, and there are currently no available studies for human vascular disease patients, such as patients with PAD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the H2S and oxidative stress damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skeletal muscle tissues from patients with PAD. METHODS: Western blot was performed using skeletal muscle tissues and PBMCs to examine protein expression of cystathionase (CTH), which catalyzes production of H2S, and glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx-4) and catalase (CAT), which are antioxidant markers, from healthy adults (CON) and patients with PAD (PAD). RESULTS: Patients with PAD show a lower expression of CTH compared to CON (P \u3c 0.01, PAD: 1.61 ± 0.44, CON: 8.53 ± 0.46). However, CAT expression was not different between groups (P = 0.429, PAD: 0.03 ± 0.02, CON: 0.01 ± 0.01). In addition, CAT and GPx-4 expression was assessed in CON PBMCs (CAT: 5.07 ± 1.14, GPx-4: 0.63 ± 0.3). CONCLUSION: CTH protein expression in the skeletal muscle is attenuated in PAD compared to CON. However, CAT protein expression in the skeletal muscle is not different between groups. These data suggest an impairment is present in the H2S signaling system in the skeletal muscle of patients with PAD
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