ATD: a multiplatform for semiautomatic 3-D detection of kidneys and their pathology in real time

This research presents a novel multi-functional system for medical Imaging-enabled Assistive Diagnosis (IAD). Although the IAD demonstrator has focused on abdominal images and supports the clinical diagnosis of kidneys using CT/MRI imaging, it can be adapted to work on image delineation, annotation and 3D real-size volumetric modelling of other organ structures such as the brain, spine, etc. The IAD provides advanced real-time 3D visualisation and measurements with fully automated functionalities as developed in two stages. In the first stage, via the clinically driven user interface, specialist clinicians use CT/MRI imaging datasets to accurately delineate and annotate the kidneys and their possible abnormalities, thus creating “3D Golden Standard Models”. Based on these models, in the second stage, clinical support staff i.e. medical technicians interactively define model-based rules and parameters for the integrated “Automatic Recognition Framework” to achieve results which are closest to that of the clinicians. These specific rules and parameters are stored in “Templates” and can later be used by any clinician to automatically identify organ structures i.e. kidneys and their possible abnormalities. The system also supports the transmission of these “Templates” to another expert for a second opinion. A 3D model of the body, the organs and their possible pathology with real metrics is also integrated. The automatic functionality was tested on eleven MRI datasets (comprising of 286 images) and the 3D models were validated by comparing them with the metrics from the corresponding “3D Golden Standard Models”. The system provides metrics for the evaluation of the results, in terms of Accuracy, Precision, Sensitivity, Specificity and Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) so as to enable benchmarking of its performance. The first IAD prototype has produced promising results as its performance accuracy based on the most widely deployed evaluation metric, DSC, yields 97% for the recognition of kidneys and 96% for their abnormalities; whilst across all the above evaluation metrics its performance ranges between 96% and 100%. Further development of the IAD system is in progress to extend and evaluate its clinical diagnostic support capability through development and integration of additional algorithms to offer fully computer-aided identification of other organs and their abnormalities based on CT/MRI/Ultra-sound Imaging

Structural Investigation of Masonry Arch Bridges Using Various Nonlinear Finite-Element Models

This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed

Facial reconstruction of an 11-year-old female resident of Athens, 430

ABSTRACT Although modern standards of ideal proportions and facial esthetics are based mostly on observations of human faces as depicted in Classical Greek masterpieces of art, the real faces of ordinary ancient Greeks have, until now, remained elusive and subject to the imagination. Objective forensic techniques of facial reconstruction have never been applied before, because human skeletal material from Classical Greece has been extremely scarce, since most decent burials of that time required cremation. Here, the authors show stage by stage the facial reconstruction of an 11-year-old girl whose skull was unearthed in excellent condition from a mass grave with victims of the Plague that struck Athens of 430 BC. The original skull was replicated via three-dimensional modeling and rapid prototyping techniques. The reconstruction followed the Manchester method, laying the facial tissues from the surface of the skull outward by using depthmarker pegs as thickness guides. The shape, size, and position of the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth were determined according to features of the underlying skeletal tissues, whereas the hairstyle followed the fashion of the time. This is the first case of facial reconstruction of a layperson residing in Athens of the Golden Age of Pericles. It is ironic, however, that this unfortunate girl who lived such a short life in ancient Athens, will now, 2500 years later, have the chance to travel and be universally recognizable in a world much bigger than anybody in ancient Athens could have ever imagined. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:169-177.

Thermomechanical Response of Polycarbonate/Aluminum Nitride Nanocomposites in Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing

Polycarbonate-based nanocomposites were developed herein through a material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing (AM) process. The fabrication of the final nanocomposite specimens was achieved by implementing the fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing process. The impact of aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical behavior of the polycarbonate (PC) matrix was investigated thoroughly for the fabricated nanocomposites, carrying out a range of thermomechanical tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) provided information about the morphological and surface characteristics of the produced specimens. Using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), the elemental composition of the nanocomposite materials was validated. Raman spectroscopy revealed no chemical interactions between the two material phases. The results showed the reinforcement of most mechanical properties with the addition of the AlN nanoparticles. The nanocomposite with 2 wt.% filler concentration exhibited the best mechanical performance overall, with the highest improvements observed for the tensile strength and toughness of the fabricated specimens, with a percentage of 32.8% and 51.6%, respectively, compared with the pure polymer. The successful AM of PC/AlN nanocomposites with the MEX process is a new paradigm, which expands 3D printing technology and opens a new route for the development of nanocomposite materials with multifunctional properties for industrial applications

Combining terrestrial laser scanning and computational fluid dynamics for the study of the urban thermal environment

Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικόSummarization: Public spaces located in urban areas constitute a significant vital component of the city's organism, whilst contributing to the mitigation of phenomena such as urban heat island serving as a regulator of urban bioclimatic conditions. In recent years a multiplicity of methodologies have been deployed that enable the 3D modeling of the built environment and the individual study of prevailing bioclimatic conditions in areas such as public spaces, using software and computational techniques. The aim of the present study is to combine Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) and aerial ortho-photography with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to study the thermal characteristics of the outdoor space. For the specific analysis a public square in the city of Chania, Crete, Greece, is selected as case study. The TLS are used for the creation of detailed 3D models that are then forwarded to the CFD. The study of the urban environment is based on two scenario analyses in order to evaluate the role of materials to the air temperatures and predict the air flow velocities that influence the thermal comfort conditions in the area of interest. The evaluation of bioclimatic indices showed a significant improvement regarding the thermal comfort conditions prevailing. The TLS method provides a suitable format of the study area while the CFD approach enables a more detailed analysis taking into account more specific parameters that shape the microclimate of the square, such as radiation, turbulence models for the study of the flows, with the aid of a well-defined computation grid.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: Sustainable Cities and Societ

Immersive simulation and training of person-to-3d character dance in real-time

Summarization: This paper presents a person-to-3D character, immersive, real-time dance training framework for leaders. Rather than immersive mimicking of pre-recorded dance animations as in previous work, the user is now trained to lead a 3D partner while dancing, initiating movements to which the 3D character responds to, in real-time. Realistic animations were applied to the rigged 3D human model of a dance partner using Inverse Kinematics (IK). The 3D dance partner is rigged based on custom skeletons using 3D geometrical bones and IK solvers. Motion capture data were applied to the rigged 3D model to create realistic dance animations. Initially, the application features a tutorial guide process. The 3D character is standing facing the user who selects dance training options using gestures such as thumb and waving hands, touches and pinch actions. The 3D character partner responds in real-time, producing body motion according to the users' dance leading actions following Salsa dance rules. The experience is evaluated as realistic dance. The software architecture could be utilized in a wide range of training systems in diverse domains, such as training in the manufacturing domain.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 11th International Conference on Virtual Worlds and Games for Serious Application

Establishing a practical company innovative Benchmark

Summarization: Innovation is a major driving force for the economic growth and expansion of companies and the need to innovate has become clear by now. SME’s , even if they are very well aware of the importance of innovation have been rather slow in adopting tools and techniques used in larger companies, which often are very difficult or even impossible to be applied to them. This paper presents a new tool which can very easily be applied in SMEs for benchmarking their innovation process. In the first part of this paper, the most commonly used measures of Innovation are presented, and the difficulties in applying them to SMEs are described. Next, we tackle the Innovation survey approaches and the use of Benchmarking, always from the SMEs point of view. In the second part we present our methodology, the PIP-SCORE (Product Innovation Profile -SCORE), which is based on measuring and benchmarking innovation, through an innovation survey. We aim at improving innovative performance of SME, by measuring innovation and determining a product innovation profile. This is achieved by addressing three inter-related, but separately measurable, aspects of a company’s innovation process- the products (or services) developed; the innovation process utilized; the way the product innovation process is project managed. The results indicate areas of acceptance and possible corrective actions. By resolving the mentioned three axes values we acquire a final pip-score. This value represents the “innovationness” of the company in a specific sector. We conclude by presenting the innovation profile of the creative industries sector, as an example, taking a sample of 100 creative industries which are included in the PIPSCORE database.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 12th International Conference on Management of Technolog