Efficient parallel spatial subdivision algorithm for object-based parallel ray tracing

Parallel ray tracing of complex scenes on multicomputers requires the distribution of both computation and scene data to the processors. This is carried out during preprocessing and usually consumes too much time and memory. The paper presents an efficient parallel subdivision algorithm that decomposes a given scene into rectangular regions adaptively and maps the resultant regions to the node processors of a multicomputer. The proposed algorithm uses efficient data structures to identify the splitting planes quickly. Furthermore the mapping of the regions and the objects to the node processors is performed while parallel spatial subdivision proceeds. The proposed algorithm is implemented on an Intel iPSC/2 hypercube multicomputer and promising results have been obtained. © 1994

Dynamic view-dependent visualization of unstructured tetrahedral volumetric meshes

Visualization of large volumetric datasets has always been an important problem. Due to the high computational requirements of volume-rendering techniques, achieving interactive rates is a real challenge. We present a selective refinement scheme that dynamically refines the mesh according to the camera parameters. This scheme automatically determines the impact of different parts of the mesh on the output image and refines the mesh accordingly, without needing any user input. The view-dependent refinement scheme uses a progressive mesh representation that is based on an edge collapse-based tetrahedral mesh simplification algorithm. We tested our view-dependent refinement framework on an existing state-of-theart volume renderer. Thanks to low overhead dynamic view-dependent refinement, we achieve interactive frame rates for rendering common datasets at decent image resolutions. © 2012 The Visualization Society of Japan

Nature and significance of Late Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks and their relation to the Baskil granitic intrusions of the Elazig region, SE Turkey

The Elazig region in SE Turkey comprises, in descending order, the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic Malatya-Keban platform, an ensimatic island arc unit (i.e. Elazig magmatic rocks-Yüksekova complex), and ophiolitic rocks (i.e. Kömürhan) of Late Cretaceous age. All of these were intruded by the Baskil granitic rocks. These tectonomagmatic-stratigraphic assemblages were emplaced over the Middle Eocene volcano-sedimentary Maden complex to the south during the evolution of the SE Anatolian orogen. The Kömürhan ophiolite exhibits an intact ophiolite pseudostratigraphy. The base of this has been metamorphosed to amphibolite facies during intraoceanic subduction-thrusting. The amphibolitic rocks were intruded by synkinematic granitic rocks (Baskil magmatic rocks). The ensimatic island arc volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the region. The contact of the volcano-sedimentary unit with the underlying Kömürhan ophiolite is a thrust dipping to the north. The rock assemblages of the volcano-sedimentary unit suggest formation of small volcanic edifices above a subduction zone, coupled with debris-flow deposits and volcaniclastic turbidites. The whole-rock and mineral chemistry of the Kömürhan ophiolite and the ensimatic island arc volcanic rocks suggests that they represent a comagmatic tholeiitic suite, formed in the Late Cretaceous in a suprasubduction zone (SSZ) setting. The amphibolites beneath the Kömürhan ophiolite indicate derivation from an island arc tholeiite (IAT) protolith. The geological and geochemical evidence from the Elazig region suggests the following evolutionary scenario. The Kömürhan ophiolite was formed above a north-dipping subduction zone between the Arabian platform to the south and the Tauride platform to the north in Late Cretaceous (c. 90 Ma). An ensimatic island arc assemblage was then built on the SSZ-type crust. The metamorphic sole was formed by metamorphism of IAT-type basalts that were detached from the front of the overriding Kömürhan ophiolite and then underplated. These units were then accreted to the base of the Tauride active margin to the north, where both units were cut by the Baskil granitic rocks around 85 Ma. © The Geological Society of London 2006

Allelopathic Potential of Rapeseed Cultivars on Germination and Seedling Growth of Weeds

Allelopathic suppression of weeds is receiving greater attention as a possible alternative for weed management. Rapeseed (Brassica napus L., var. oleifera) contains allelochemicals that inhibits germination and growth of weed species. Allelopathic potential of 25 rapeseed cultivars on the seed germination, shoot and root growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L. (redroot pigweed). Solanum nigrum L. (black nightshade), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), Physalis angulata L. (cutleaf, ground cherry) and Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link. (junglerice) were investigated with shoot and root extracts. All rapeseed cultivars examined inhibited seed germination, shoot and root growth of tested weed species. However, inhibition rates significantly varied among rapeseed cultivars. Significant reductions in seed germination, shoot and root growths were observed as the extract concentration increased. Extracts from both above and below ground parts of rapeseed had inhibitory effect on the tested weed species, but shoot extracts had slightly higher inhibition rates than that of root extracts. Root exudates had also inhibited germination of the tested weed species, but inhibitory effects are not as high as shoot and root extracts. Relative to the germination inhibition of weed seeds, the rapeseed cultivars were categorized as having highly, moderately and low allelopathic potential. Cultivar Westar was found to be highly allelopathic while cultivars Jumbuck, Tobin, Lisoune and Galant were found to be less allelopathic on the tested weed species. Rapeseed cultivars differed in isothiocyanate benzyl and isothiocyanate allyl. Cultivars containing higher level of isothiocyanate benzyl and isothiocyanate allyl had stronger allelopathic capacity. The result of this study showed that a great deal of success could be obtained by incorporation of highly allelopathic rapeseed cultivars into crop rotations to control weeds

A 3D virtual environment for training soccer referees

Emerging digital technologies are being used in many ways by and in particular virtual environments provide new opportunities to gain experience on real-world phenomena without having to live the actual real-world experiences. In this study, a quantitative research approach supported by expert validation interviews was conducted to determine the availability of virtual environments in the training of soccer referees. The aim is to design a virtual environment for training purposes, representing a real-life soccer stadium to allow the referees to manage matches in an atmosphere similar to the real stadium atmosphere. At this point, the referees have a chance to reduce the number of errors that they make in real life by experiencing difficult decisions that they encounter during the actual match via using the virtual stadium. In addition, the decisions and reactions of the referees during the virtual match were observed with the number of different fans in the virtual stadium to understand whether the virtual stadium created a real stadium atmosphere for the referees. For this evaluation, Presence Questionnaire (PQ) and Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire (ITQ) were applied to the referees to measure their involvement levels. In addition, a semi-structure interview technique was utilized in order to understand participants' opinions about the system. These interviews show that the referees have a positive attitude towards the system since they can experience the events occurred in the match as a first person instead of watching them from camera as a third person. The findings of current study suggest that virtual environments can be used as a training tool to increase the experience levels of the soccer referees since they have an opportunity to decide about the positions without facing the real-world risks

Adopting virtual reality as a medium for software development process education

Software development is a complex process of collaborative endeavour which requires hands-on experience starting from requirement analysis through to software testing and ultimately demands continuous maintenance so as to mitigate risks and uncertainty. Therefore, training experienced software practitioners is a challenging task. To address this gap, we propose an interactive virtual reality training environment for software practitioners to gain virtual experience based on the tasks of software development. The goal is to transport participants to a virtual software development organization where they experience simulated development process problems and conflicting situations, where they will interact virtually with distinctive personalities, roles and characters borrowed from real software development organizations. This PhD in progress paper investigates the literature and proposes a novel approach where participants can acquire important new process knowledge. Our preliminary observations suggest that a complementary VR-based training tool is likely to improve the experience of novice software developers and ultimately it has a great potential for training activities in software development organizations

Introduction to complex systems analysis with wavelets

In this chapter the authors deal with a few methods of nonlinear wavelet analysis for the characterization of nonstationary signals. The methods herein described can be used in a wide variety of biological signals including ECG, HRV, pressure waves and heart sounds. The reader can find both conventional methods of wavelet analysis such as linear and nonlinear denoising, as well as more sophisticated methods based on fractal analysis and entropy. Applications of such algorithms to the analysis of the heartbeat dynamics are also described

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children : an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings. Methods A multicentre, international, prospective, validated cohort study of children aged under 16 years undergoing clean-contaminated, contaminated or dirty gastrointestinal surgery. Any hospital in the world providing paediatric surgery was eligible to contribute data between January and July 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI by 30 days. Relationships between explanatory variables and SSI were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Countries were stratified into high development, middle development and low development groups using the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Results Of 1159 children across 181 hospitals in 51 countries, 523 (45 center dot 1%) children were from high HDI, 397 (34 center dot 2%) from middle HDI and 239 (20 center dot 6%) from low HDI countries. The 30-day SSI rate was 6.3% (33/523) in high HDI, 12 center dot 8% (51/397) in middle HDI and 24 center dot 7% (59/239) in low HDI countries. SSI was associated with higher incidence of 30-day mortality, intervention, organ-space infection and other HAIs, with the highest rates seen in low HDI countries. Median length of stay in patients who had an SSI was longer (7.0 days), compared with 3.0 days in patients who did not have an SSI. Use of laparoscopy was associated with significantly lower SSI rates, even after accounting for HDI. Conclusion The odds of SSI in children is nearly four times greater in low HDI compared with high HDI countries. Policies to reduce SSI should be prioritised as part of the wider global agenda.Peer reviewe