MACHINE LEARNING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO 3D PHOTOMODELING EMPLOYED IN ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY AND AUTOMATIC DESIGN MODELLING

This paper presents some experiments on the use of an alternative technique, Nerf, based on artificial intelligence, which can be used in the survey of architectural structures or parts of them. The Nvidia video cards supported by the new RTX architectures are now able to manage an enormous amount of data both in the calculation of lighting and the rendering of digital shaders, and in the management of the number of polygons that can be displayed in real time in the scene. The support of artificial intelligence has further improved the three-dimensional digitization process in order to support the hardware power of algorithms that use neural networks to optimize and reduce calculation times, improving various aspects of the graphics and also of the digital representation, also influencing the representation on “image based” 3D acquisition methods, currently the most used low-cost systems in the photomodeling of objects or three-dimensional scenes. At the current state of the art, many commercial companies and research organizations, first Nvidia with its Instant Nerf, are betting on algorithms based on the Neural Radiance Field. The paper highlights the criticalities of this new system and shows the discrete results and the expandable research scenarios that can involve the impossible survey with photomodeling methodology related to works of art or architecture, due to the intrinsic nature of the materials that they compose them or because it is impossible or very difficult to photograph them

Controversy: supporting patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty – do it

Patellar resurfacing during total knee arthroplasty remains a controversial topic. Some surgeons routinely resurface the patella to avoid the increased rates of postoperative anterior knee pain and reoperation for secondary resurfacing, whilst others selectively resurface based on the presence of preoperative anterior knee pain, damaged articular cartilage, inflammatory arthritis, isolated patellofemoral arthritis, and patellar subluxation and/or maltracking. A third group of surgeons never resurface the patella. The anatomy and biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint as well as the advances in surgical techniques and prosthetic design must be taken into account when making a decision about whether to resurface the patella. Accurate component implantation if the patella is resurfaced becomes crucial to avoid complications. In our institution before 2008 we were performing a selective resurfacing of the patella, but in the last decade we have decided to always resurface it, with good outcomes and low complication rate. A reproducible surgical technique may be helpful in reducing the risk of postoperative anterior knee pain and complications related to implants. In this article we analyse the current trend and controversial topics in dealing with the patella in total knee arthroplasty, and discuss the available literature in order to sustain our choice

THE 3D SURVEY OF THE ROMAN BRIDGE OF SAN LORENZO IN PADOVA (ITALY): A COMPARISON BETWEEN SFM AND TLS METHODOLOGIES APPLIED TO THE ARCH STRUCTURE

Abstract. 3D survey methodologies are widely applied to the Cultural Heritage, employing both TLS and close-range photogrammetry with SfM techniques. Laser scanning produces models with high metric reliability and accuracy, whereas the main quality of the 3D photogrammetry is the result in term of photorealistic representation. Many studies have been conducted about the comparison and the integration of these different approaches and the aim of this paper is to contribute with a peculiar case study: the underground Roman bridge of San Lorenzo in Padova (Italy). The investigation regards the resulting point clouds of the intrados (or inner curve) of the central arch, comparing them and providing graphical and analytical outputs. The proposed workflow has the purpose to be a simple but valid tool to detect and evaluate geometrical differences, their significativity and the reliability of the 3D models.</p

Modular tapered conical revision stem in hip revision surgery: mid- term results

Background: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a fluted tapered modular distal-fixation stem at medium to long-term follow-up. The hypothesis of this investigation was to verify if the use of this implant design may have provided potential advantages in femoral revisions and post-traumatic instances where the restoration of the anatomy was the prime concern. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 62 cases of femoral revision surgeries, performed in Paprosky type IIIA and IIIB bone defects between January 2001 and December 2011 with a mean follow-up of 8.5 ± 1.5 years (range 5.1–15.9 years) where a modular fluted stem was used. The clinical assessment was performed with the Harris Hip Score (HHS), and the radiographic evaluation was carried in order to assess the stability of the femoral component. Intra-operative and postoperative complications were recorded, and the rates of complications and revisions for any cause were determined. Results: Mean HHS improved 35.4 points from the preoperative assessment. Radiographic evaluation showed a stable stem anchorage in 90.3% of the cases at the last follow-up. Five (8%) implants required additional surgery. Neither breakage of the stem nor loosening of the taper junction were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survivorship was 89.4% (CI: 88.8–90%) for any complication and 92.3% (CI: 91.8–92.7%) according to revision for any causes at 81 months follow-up. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that this stem design is a reliable option in cases of complex femoral bone defects, as well as in cases with high functional deficiencies, with promising survivorship

Computer Percolation Models for Espresso Coffee: State of the Art, Results and Future Perspectives

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. This has two main consequences: a high level of competitiveness among the players operating in the sector and an increasing pressure from the supply chain on the environment. These two aspects have to be supported by scientific research to foster innovation and reduce the negative impact of the coffee market on the environment. In this paper, we describe a mathematical model for espresso coffee extraction that is able to predict the chemical characterisation of the coffee in the cup. Such a model has been tested through a wide campaign of chemical laboratory analyses on espresso coffee samples extracted under different conditions. The results of such laboratory analyses are compared with the simulation results obtained using the aforementioned model. The comparison shows a close agreement between the real and in silico extractions, revealing that the model is a very promising scientific tool to take on the challenges of the coffee market

D-SITE Drones - Systems of Informat ion on Cul tural Her i tage for a spatial and social investigation (2022)

The research is an opportunity to discuss topics of study in which multidisciplinary areas related to geomatics, restoration and representation that can collaborate for the preservation of damaged historic buildings. In this regard, the contribution focuses on lowcost technologies of acquisition, interpretation, reconfigurative operation and use of an interactive digital space aimed at new forms of documentation for the mountainous territory of Abruzzo. Object of the survey and digital reworking is the Tower of Forca di Penne, that in compatibility with a VR experience, could constitute also a valid alternative to information sharing systems aimed at enhancing Cultural Heritage

Il simbolismo eretico della Scarzuola. Wunderkammer, allegoria e disegno per la ricerca di sé stessi.

L’opera di Tomaso Buzzi trova il suo apice nella Scarzuola, dove emerge prepotentemente l’architettura metafisica, unica nel suo genere in Italia seppure colma di riferimenti desunti dalla storia e dalla letteratura antica, costituendo interezza e complessità comprensibile contemporaneamente sia attraverso gli occhi dell’anima, senza coinvolgere conoscenza e raffinate nozioni, sia mediante un articolato precostrutto culturale. Un luogo materiale che influisce molto sull’immateriale e sull’immaginario, come pochi altri luoghi o manufatti architettonici possono riuscire, quali le architetture romane del passato, che sussurrano e rievocano una dimensione che non esiste più, arricchendosi nella memoria collettiva di elementi fantastici, oppure come le cattedrali gotiche, ascensori spirituali che influiscono molto sulla percezione delle cose amplificando la coscienza di sé stessi. Quest’ultima opera incompiuta nata da un capriccio di uno dei primi e forse più sottovalutati Designer italiani, si presenta come la materializzazione di un viaggio iniziatico di conoscenza, proprio come accadeva nei Grand Tour settecenteschi, grazie ai quali era possibile visitare luoghi lontanissimi ma colmi di significato, al fine di ampliare i propri orizzonti conoscitivi, oppure come nei viaggi astrali fatti dai sacerdoti e sacerdotesse greche, a corredo dei quali seguiva un viaggio materiale per visitare Egitto e la grande Babilonia, al fine di approfondire e apprendere nuovi saperi. Nella Scarzuola si tratta di intraprendere un viaggio onirico, compatto nello stesso luogo ma infinitamente più ampio, dove Buzzi ha cristallizzato sulla pietra le sue conoscenze esoteriche ed iniziatiche nelle infinite loro varianti, e questo ne fa un complesso Wunderkammer capace di riflettere ogni incomprensibile gioco dell’universo, a patto di lasciare andare qualsiasi opinione e nozione pregressa, qualsiasi critica su proporzioni, accostamenti cromatici, riferimenti non corrispondenti o opinioni su cosa è corretto e cosa è sbagliato. Per poter entrare davvero, e non solo con il corpo ma con la mente, in questa delirante eresia architettonica, bisogna tornare bambini, e quindi saper guardare con occhi vergini privi da qualsiasi preconcetto

DIALOGHI DIALOGUES visioni e visualità visions and visuality 43° CONVEGNO INTERNAZIONALE DEI DOCENTI DELLE DISCIPLINE DELLA RAPPRESENTAZIONE CONGRESSO DELLA UNIONE ITALIANA PER IL DISEGNO ATTI 2022

La progressiva adesione alla Computer Vision ha valorizzato l’uso dell’immagine come mezzo principale di comunicazione, integrando automatici processi interpretativi che travalicano i confini strutturali legati al luogo e al tempo, per poter accedere direttamente a processi di condivisione di linguaggio che consentono a tutti di acquisire nuovi strumenti percettivi che offrono, di fatto, una migliore adattabilità alle modalità interpretative di partecipazione culturale, relative a concetti dalla eccezionale versatilità. Tecnologia e Computer Vision, quindi, imbastiscono una relazione strutturale tra Rappresentazione e sperimentazione, tra arte e scienza, alimentando una mutua collaborazione tra le varie aree disciplinari. Il paper in questione vuole indagare quindi tali questioni, ponendo a confronto nello specifico del rilievo digitale tre casi studio dalle intrinseche caratteristiche, in relazione a workflow di fotomodellazione, ottimizzazione degli asset 3d ed operazioni di migrazione virtuale in spazi interattivi. Il contributo mira ad analizzare diversi sistemi applicativi per la fotogrammetria 3d a basso costo attraverso una pipeline precisa, chiarendo come tre diverse metodologie di acquisizione spaziale e restituzione digitale possano ricercare i medesimi risultati percettivamente fotorealistici, impiegabili nel cyberspazio virtuale, documentando come uno spazio riconfigurato possa combinare molteplici fasi di indagine fino ad avvicinarsi una visione grafica di sintesi oggettiva. La riconfigurazione digitale si rivela così, con tutti i suoi limiti e paradossi, un metalinguaggio potente e versatile in continua evoluzione

CMMSE: a reduced percolation model for espresso coffee

Advection–diffusion–reaction equations are widely used in applied science, since they are able to describe real-life phenomena in which transport phenomena and chemical reactions take place. Here, they are used to predict the amount of extracted substances during the percolation of espresso coffee. The corresponding initial-boundary value problem is solved by the Crank–Nicolson scheme and a nested fixed-point iteration. The reliability of the model and the solving strategy is assessed experimentally, by comparing the amount of chemical substances in real and simulated extractions performed under different extractive conditions