PDE-Based Medial Axis Extraction and Shape Manipulation of Arbitrary Meshes

Shape skeletonization （i.e., medial axis extraction） is powerful in many visual computing applications, such as pattern recognition, object segmentation, registration, and animation. In this paper, the authors expand the use of diffusion equations combined with distance field information to approximate medial axes of arbitrary 3D differential properties. It offers an alternative solids represented by polygonal meshes based on their but natural way for medial axis extraction for commonly used 3D polygonal models. By solving the PDE along time axis, this system can not only quickly extract diffusion-based medial axes of input meshes, but also allow users to visualize the extraction process at each time step. In addition, the proposed model provides users a set of manipulation toolkits to sculpt extracted medial axes, then use diffusion-based techniques to recover corresponding deformed shapes according to the original input datasets. This skeleton-based shape manipulation offers a fast and easy way for animation and deformation of complicated mesh objects.     

Systemic Intervention in a University Department: Reflections on Arrested Action Research

This paper reflects on my experience as an insider researcher attempting to use critical systems ideas and practices to promote quality improvement in a university engineering department. Reflection is a key part of learning. This paper is intended to contribute to critically, self-reflective learning for the community of systems practitioners. These reflections on my questions about participation, ethics, politics of process, and the choices and actions resulting from them may help others to formulate their own. The complexity of systems practice places substantial demands on the researcher, particularly in the case of insider, practitioner research. Nevertheless, the exploration of critical systems approaches to critique boundaries and structure ‘problems’ in the core aspects of higher education in locally meaningful ways should continue. While demanding, it still can work to promote learning about authentic quality.     

Darstellung doppelbrechender Lipoidtropfen aus dem Serum

Summary (1) Doubly refracting lipoid droplets can be demonstrated in normal and pathological sera by means of alcohol ether extraction. This is not possible with ether extraction alone.(2) These lipoid droplets can be demonstrated only, or almost only, when they are precipitated out of alcohol or ether alcohol     

PEAK COVARIANCE STABILITY OF A RANDOM RICCATI EQUATION ARISING FROM KALMAN FILTERING WITH OBSERVATION LOSSES

We consider the stability of a random Riccati equation with a Markovian binary jump coefficient. More specifically, we are concerned with the boundedness of the solution of a random Riccati difference equation arising from Kalman filtering with measurement losses. A sufficient condition for the peak covariance stability is obtained which has a simpler form and is shown to be less conservative in some cases than a very recent result in existing literature. Furthermore, we show that a known sufficient condition is also necessary when the observability index equals one.     

Oberflächenspannung und Schallgeschwindigkeit

Summary The preceding empirical relation was found between the surface tension of liquids, the specific weight of liquids, and the velocity of sound:=6.3 · 10^{–4 3/2}. In place of the vèocity of sound can be used, with suitable changes in the equation, the compressibility or, in the case of solid substances, the elasticity of the material in question. The range of validity of this relation is so large that it is possible by means of it to calculate the surface tension of solid substances and of gases.     

Darstellbarkeit doppelbrechender Lipoidtropfen aus dem Urin und pathogenetische Auffassungen der Lipoidurie

Summary (1) No double refractile Iipoid droplets can be obtained by alcohol ether extraction from urine or from urinary protein as it is possible from blood serum.(2) The conclusion is drawn that the double refractile lipoids droplets in urinary sediment do not pass through the glomeruli and therefore are not reabsorbed by the tubuli, but that they come from the own lipoproteins of the epithelial cells of renal tubuli and pass into urine by dissolution and desquamation of these cells.