Diamond-based models for scientific visualization

Hierarchical spatial decompositions are a basic modeling tool in a variety of application domains including scientific visualization, finite element analysis and shape modeling and analysis. A popular class of such approaches is based on the regular simplex bisection operator, which bisects simplices (e.g. line segments, triangles, tetrahedra) along the midpoint of a predetermined edge. Regular simplex bisection produces adaptive simplicial meshes of high geometric quality, while simplifying the extraction of crack-free, or conforming, approximations to the original dataset. Efficient multiresolution representations for such models have been achieved in 2D and 3D by clustering sets of simplices sharing the same bisection edge into structures called diamonds. In this thesis, we introduce several diamond-based approaches for scientific visualization. We first formalize the notion of diamonds in arbitrary dimensions in terms of two related simplicial decompositions of hypercubes. This enables us to enumerate the vertices, simplices, parents and children of a diamond. In particular, we identify the number of simplices involved in conforming updates to be factorial in the dimension and group these into a linear number of subclusters of simplices that are generated simultaneously. The latter form the basis for a compact pointerless representation for conforming meshes generated by regular simplex bisection and for efficiently navigating the topological connectivity of these meshes. Secondly, we introduce the supercube as a high-level primitive on such nested meshes based on the atomic units within the underlying triangulation grid. We propose the use of supercubes to associate information with coherent subsets of the full hierarchy and demonstrate the effectiveness of such a representation for modeling multiresolution terrain and volumetric datasets. Next, we introduce Isodiamond Hierarchies, a general framework for spatial access structures on a hierarchy of diamonds that exploits the implicit hierarchical and geometric relationships of the diamond model. We use an isodiamond hierarchy to encode irregular updates to a multiresolution isosurface or interval volume in terms of regular updates to diamonds. Finally, we consider nested hypercubic meshes, such as quadtrees, octrees and their higher dimensional analogues, through the lens of diamond hierarchies. This allows us to determine the relationships involved in generating balanced hypercubic meshes and to propose a compact pointerless representation of such meshes. We also provide a local diamond-based triangulation algorithm to generate high-quality conforming simplicial meshes

Constitutional Law—The Application of Procedural Due Process to Proceedings for the Compulsory Civil Commitment of Narcotic Addicts

Matter of Spadafora, 54 Misc. 2d 123, 281 N.Y.S.2d 923 (1967); Matter of James, 54 Misc. 2d 514, 283 N.Y.S.2d 126 (1967)

The Naval Dimension of the Sino-Soviet Rivalry

Despite recent efforts to improve relations, Moscow and Beijing\u27s competition in Asia has continued with little letup since their proxy war in Indochina (1978-1979). Sino-Soviet talks held since 1982 have yielded an increase in trade and contacts between China and the Soviet Union but have made little headway in normalizing relations. As a result, China continues to look to the United States for support in its relations vis-a-vis the Soviet Union

Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of the juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome cohort enrolled in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Legacy Registry.

BackgroundTo describe the demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of youth diagnosed with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) who are seen in pediatric rheumatology clinics.MethodsInformation on demographics, symptoms, functioning, and treatments recommended and tried were obtained on patients with JPFS as part of a multi-site patient registry (the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Legacy Registry). Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. In a subset of patients completing registry follow-up visits, changes in symptoms, pain, and functioning were evaluated using growth modeling.ResultsOf the 201 patients with JPFS enrolled in the registry, most were Caucasian/White (85%), non-Hispanic (83%), and female (84%). Ages ranged from 9 to 20 years (M = 15.4 + 2.2). The most common symptoms reported were widespread musculoskeletal pain (91%), fatigue (84%), disordered sleep (82%), and headaches (68%). Pain intensity was rated as moderate to severe (M = 6.3 + 2.4/10). Scores on measures of functioning indicated mild to moderate impairment, with males observed to report significantly greater impairments. For the 37% of the initial cohort having follow-up data available, indicators of function and well-being were found to either worsen over time or remain relatively unchanged.ConclusionsThe symptoms of JPFS remained persistent and disabling for many patients treated by pediatric rheumatologists. Further study appears warranted to elucidate gender differences in the impact of JPFS symptoms. Work also is needed to identify accessible and effective outpatient treatment options for JPFS that can be routinely recommended or implemented by pediatric rheumatology providers

Temperate Fruit and Vegetable Trade under the GATT

The Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), if negotiated to a successful completion, will affect world trading patterns. This paper summarizes and analyzes the structure of the international markets for fruits and vegetables, and projects changes in response to reforms likely to follow a successful GATT negotiation. The research focused on the European Community (EC), selected European Free-Trade Association (EFTA) nations, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia

The growth and structure of human populations: A mathematical investigation. By Ansley J. Coale. xvii + 227 pp., figures, glossary, index. Princeton University Press, Princetonn, New Jersey. 1972. $9.50 (cloth)

No Abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/37544/1/1330400119_ftp.pd

On the systematic bias in skeletal sexing

Comparison of a large series of sexed adult skeletal populations and a similar series of adult pre-industrial peoples shows that there is a regular and systematic bias in the sexing of adult skeletons. This bias, which is about 12% in favor of males, is due to the nature of secondary sex characteristics in bone. It should be corrected in skeletal series before demographic analysis is made of them. Application of this knowledge and the same data to problems of age-specific male and female mortality rates is inconclusive, but points to an area for important future investigation. Application to the fossil record confirms some ecological ideas about human evolution.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/37528/1/1330370208_ftp.pd