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In this work, the behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) interacting with zinc oxide (ZnO) particles functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) and without any coating has been investigated. Two kinds of ZnO particles of different size and morphology were obtained: microwires (MW) and nanoparticles (NP). The effect of surface modification on the fluorescence properties of ZnO was studied. Typical ZnO green emission due to defects was not observed in the functionalized NP spectrum. Structure alterations of the protein interacting with ZnO particles were evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD). Though BSA structure was not significantly perturbed in any case, some conformational changes were observed for BSA interacting with not functionalized MW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of surface curvature on the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated through the combination of two fairly simple techniques: electrophoretic light scattering and UV/vis spectroscopy. Measurements were carried out for a range of protein concentrations (0–320 μg/ml) at pH 3.5, 4.5 and 7 using hydrophobic polystyrene nanospheres of 38.8, 82 and 220 nm in diameter. The results obtained demonstrate that the charge of the BSA molecules in solution dictates the pH-dependent behavior of the protein-coated nanospheres, indicating in all cases a significant adsorption of BSA molecules. At a fixed pH, however, it is the zeta potential that characterizes the uncoated nanospheres normalized by their surface area that primarily controls protein adsorption. In particular, it is found that the rate at which BSA interact with the different nanospheres increases as their negative zeta potential per unit area (or diameter) increases (decreases) regardless of the pH. Moreover, provided that adsorption occurs away from the isoelectric point of the protein, highly curved surfaces are found to stabilize the native-like conformation of BSA upon adsorption by likely reducing lateral interactions between adsorbed molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local solid shape applies to the surface curvature of small surface patches--essentially regions of approximately constant curvatures--of volumetric objects that are smooth volumetric regions in Euclidean 3-space. This should be distinguished from local shape in pictorial space. The difference is categorical. Although local solid shape has naturally been explored in haptics, results in vision are not forthcoming. We describe a simple experiment in which observers judge shape quality and magnitude of cinematographic presentations. Without prior training, observers readily use continuous shape index and Casorati curvature scales with reasonable resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important three-dimensional spatial features such as depth and surface concavity can be difficult to convey clearly in the context of two-dimensional images. In the area of macromolecular visualization, the computer graphics technique of ray-tracing can be helpful, but further techniques for emphasizing surface concavity can give clearer perceptions of depth. The notion of diffusion accessibility is well-suited for emphasizing such features of macromolecular surfaces, but a method for calculating diffusion accessibility has not been made widely available. Here we make available a web-based platform that performs the necessary calculation by solving the Laplace equation for steady state diffusion, and produces scripts for visualization that emphasize surface depth by coloring according to diffusion accessibility. The URL is . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure following pelvic organ prolapse repair has been observationally associated with wrinkling of the implanted mesh. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of variable boundary conditions on the out-of-plane deformations of mesh subjected to tensile loading. Using photogrammetry and surface curvature analyses, deformed geometries were accessed for two commercially available products. Relative to standard clamping methods, the amount of out-of-plane deformation significantly increased when point loads were introduced to simulate suture fixation in-vivo. These data support the hypothesis that regional increases in the concentration of mesh potentially enhance the host's foreign body response, leading to exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of 3D laser scanners, point-based discrete shape modeling is being widely used in many engineering applications, e.g. quality control, reverse engineering, computer graphics and machine vision. Point cloud discrete curvature estimation is considered a basic operation in point cloud operations and is used in many applications related to cloud points. This paper presents a novel method for point clouds surface curvature estimation. One of the key components of point clouds surface curvature calculation is neighbor coordinates of query point. For selecting neighbors, homogeneous neighborhood method is used. This method of choosing neighbors, in addition to the distance, takes into consideration the directional balance by improving the k nearest neighbors. Surface normal vector is estimated by neighbors coordinates. In this paper surface curvature is calculated based on normal vector and homogeneous neighbors coordinates. Surface curvature calculated using the novel method is called umbrella curvature. To evaluate how this method performs, umbrella curvature values are calculated for a number of cloud points and the results are used in some different applications. The results show that the proposed method performs well in point clouds curvature estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaf surface usually stays flat, maintained by coordinated growth. Growth perturbation can introduce overall surface curvature, which can be negative, giving a saddle-shaped leaf, or positive, giving a cup-like leaf. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie leaf flatness, primarily because only a few mutants with altered surface curvature have been isolated and studied. Characterization of mutants of the CINCINNATA-like TCP genes in Antirrhinum and Arabidopsis have revealed that their products help maintain flatness by balancing the pattern of cell proliferation and surface expansion between the margin and the central zone during leaf morphogenesis. On the other hand, deletion of two homologous PEAPOD genes causes cup-shaped leaves in Arabidopsis due to excess division of dispersed meristemoid cells. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of an Arabidopsis mutant, tarani (tni), with enlarged, cup-shaped leaves. Morphometric analyses showed that the positive curvature of the tni leaf is linked to excess growth at the centre compared to the margin. By monitoring the dynamic pattern of CYCLIN D3;2 expression, we show that the shape of the primary arrest front is strongly convex in growing tni leaves, leading to excess mitotic expansion synchronized with excess cell proliferation at the centre. Reduction of cell proliferation and of endogenous gibberellic acid levels rescued the tni phenotype. Genetic interactions demonstrated that TNI maintains leaf flatness independent of TCPs and PEAPODs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved understanding of solid surface energy and its role in the overall mechanical properties is of great interest due to the emerging manufacturing techniques of nanostructures, coatings, and synthetic/biological bilayer–polymer hybrids. Continuum numerical modeling of surface stresses efficiently incorporates a zero-thickness membrane bonded to a bulk, intrinsically accounting for surface tension and surface elasticity. Compressive surface stresses are not possible in a purely membrane formulation, ignoring the surface flexural resistance. The extension of material surfaces to account for flexural resistance, i.e., the Steigmann–Ogden model, requires spatial derivatives of second order, posing significant challenges to standard discretization techniques. Hence, the effect of surface curvature resistance on the overall mechanical behavior of complex geometries remains elusive. Here, we develop a three-dimensional computational formulation of curvature-dependent surface energetics at finite strains using surface-enriched isogeometric analysis. Coupled with a hyperelastic bulk, bending-resistance of material surfaces furnishes a new physical length scale, i.e., the elastobending length. We quantify the effect of elastobending deformations for several numerical examples involving soft materials with thin coatings and liquid-shell surfaces, capturing budding-like behavior observed at cell membranes. Our results demonstrate a stiffer overall mechanical behavior when material surfaces resist bending deformations and illustrate how curvature effects lead to complex budding deformations at non-zero initial curvature states. The proposed methodology provides a robust computational foundation to help improve our understanding and mechanical characterization of soft solids, nanostructures, and biological membranes at small scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A microfluidic manipulation technology to control curvature of PLGA microspheres. • Osteogenesis of BMSCs was enhanced on the microspheres of curvature κ = 1/82.5 µm−1. • A novel lncRNA to regulate osteogenesis on spherical substrates via Lamin A. Microsphere-carriers have gained great interests as three-dimensional substrates for cultivation/expansion of tissue cells, required by cell-based therapy. However, how the microsphere curvature affects the cell proliferation/differentiation as well as the underlying signaling pathway of stem cells, and how to consequently regulate those cellular functionalities via manipulating microcarrier surface curvature, still remain to be explored. The current study was thus designed to develop a microfluidic manipulation technology to precisely control poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microsphere surface curvature, and subsequently to investigate the cellular responses and responding pathways of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) cultured on these microspheres of predetermined curvature. A microfluidic device was developed to produce mono-distributed PLGA microspheres of diameters ranging from 52 µm to 250 µm, corresponding to curvatures (κ) from 1/26 µm−1 to 1/125 µm−1. BMSCs attachment and proliferation was evaluated on them and the one of κ = 1/82.5 µm−1 was shown to provide the most suitable microenvironment for cells to grow and undergo osteogenic differentiation. It was even found that F-actin cytoskeletal organization, nuclear distortion and expression of Lamin A were significantly enhanced by cells on the microcarriers of κ = 1/82.5 µm−1. Furthermore, a long non-coding RNA named lnc-LMNA, was found in this study to be the key factor associated with Lamin A to regulate osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on spherical substrates. The current study thus provides a smart manipulation technology via microfluidic-manufacturing microcarriers to regulate cell functionalities, thereby enhancing desired therapeutic outcomes of cell-based regeneration or repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMS) was developed by varying solvents. [•] FITC (pH sensitive dye) and RITC (pH insensitive dye) was functionalized on HMS. [•] Broad range pH sensor with range of 3.2–9.0 is obtained by ratiometric fluorescence. [•] Various surface curvatures of HMS are responsible for the extensive pH range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An optical solution method with genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed as a means to minimize the Petzval field curvature aberration (Petzval FCA), which is intrinsic, but plays a significant role at improvement of projection optics. Petzval FCA is generally more sensitive to the surface curvature and refractive index, closely related to the fundamental optical layout and its physical concept. Through the proposed optimization method in this research, with crossover and mutation operations provided by the GA, the simulation results imply that 79.75% at least of the Petzval FCA of projection optics can be eliminated, which leads to better performance of projector optics, especially in 1080P and 3-D high-definition projection optics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Complexity of sculptured surfaces has a great influence on multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machining performances such as processing efficiency, surface quality, and energy consumption. A term called surface machining complexity (SMC) is first presented to describe the complexity level of surface geometrical shape features, and its influence on CNC machining performance. Shape features of sculptured surfaces are classified into seven categories based on surface curvature. An innovative method for quantifying SMC using surface subdivision is proposed. Firstly, representation of sculptured surfaces is introduced. Then, three processes of surface subdivision are presented, which are surface discretization based on iso-parameter line sampling, rough partitioning based on surface shape categories, and region grouping based on two criteria. After that calculation, formulas of SMC including formulas of local SMC and global SMC are developed. The proposed formulas utilize three correction factors to describe the influences of surface size, cutter diameter, grouping order, and mode of different surface shape categories. Finally, the proposed method is applied to calculate SMC for a typical sculptured surface and multi-axis CNC machining experiments to demonstrate the ability of our method, which can form a foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovering three-dimensional (3D) points from image correspondences is an important and fundamental task in computer vision. Traditionally, the task is completed by triangulation whose accuracy has its limitation in some applications. In this paper, we present a framework that incorporates surface characteristics such as Gaussian and mean curvatures into 3D point reconstruction to enhance the reconstruction accuracy. A Gaussian and mean curvature estimation scheme suitable to the proposed framework is also introduced in this paper. Based on this estimation scheme and the proposed framework, the 3D point recovery from image correspondences is formulated as an optimization problem with the surface curvatures modeled as soft constraints. To analyze the performance of proposed 3D reconstruction approach, we generated some synthetic data, including the points on the surfaces of a plane, a cylinder and a sphere, to test the approach. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed framework can indeed improve the accuracy of 3D point reconstruction. Some real-image data were also tested and the results also confirm this point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of creating a vacuum in a membrane and maintaining the vacuum for many days during the osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) process has been experimentally shown. The limiting parameters of OMD with a vacuum have been evaluated as functions of external pressure, temperature, and temperature differential across the membrane. Equations and plots for calculation of the osmotic pressure and the temperature difference that stops the OMD process are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We correlate between the nanotube curvature and the dispersion efficiency by β-lactoglobulin. [•] The nanotube changes the conformation of the dispersant β-lactoglobulin. [•] A whey protein successfully disperses carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Clusters with as few as 5 atoms may be detected by atom probe tomography. [•] Cluster detection depends on detector efficiency and their solute content and size. [•] Higher efficiency detectors are required to quantify the smallest clusters. [•] Full orientation relationship and segregation of grain boundaries may be performed. [•] Variation in segregation with grain boundary curvature is possible to 1×1nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) carries one of the highest mortality rates among vascular diseases when it ruptures. To predict the role of surface curvature in rupture risk assessment, a discriminatory analysis of aneurysm geometry characterization was conducted. Data was obtained from 205 patient-specific computed tomography image sets corresponding to three AAA population subgroups: patients under surveillance, those that underwent elective repair of the aneurysm, and those with an emergent repair. Each AAA was reconstructed and their surface curvatures estimated using the biquintic Hermite finite element method. Local surface curvatures were processed into ten global curvature indices. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that the L2-norm of the Gaussian and Mean surface curvatures can be utilized as classifiers of the three AAA population subgroups. The application of statistical machine learning on the curvature features yielded 85.5% accuracy in classifying electively and emergent repaired AAAs, compared to a 68.9% accuracy obtained by using maximum aneurysm diameter alone. Such combination of non-invasive geometric quantification and statistical machine learning methods can be used in a clinical setting to assess the risk of rupture of aneurysms during regular patient follow-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steady-state free plane surface waves are investigated in the nonlinear formulation by means of the narrow streak method. The second-order differential equation derived can readily be integrated numerically. The first approximation of the equation is integrated. The next approximation leads to a nonlinear first-order differential equation which is traditional to the problem considered and whose coefficients have a simple physical meaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of recent studies concerning statistical bone atlases and automated shape analysis are promising with a view to widening the use of surface models in orthopedic clinical practice, both in pre-operative planning and in the intra-operative stages. In this domain, automatic shape analysis is strongly advocated because it offers the opportunity to detect morphological and clinical landmarks with superior repeatability in comparison to human operators. Surface curvatures have been proposed extensively for segmentation and labeling of image and surface regions based on their appearance and shape. The surface curvature is an invariant that can be exploited for reliable detection of geometric features. In this paper, we investigate the potentiality of the algorithm termed mean-shift (MS), as applied to a non-linear combination of the minimum and maximum curvatures of a surface. We exploited a sensitivity analysis of the algorithm parameters across increasing surface resolutions. Results obtained with femur and pelvic bone surface data, reconstructed from cadaveric CT scans, demonstrated that the information content derived by the MS non-linear curvature overcomes both the mean and the Gaussian curvatures and the original non-linear curvature. By applying a threshold-based clustering algorithm to the curvature distribution, we found that the number of clusters yielded by the MS non-linear curvature is significantly lower (by a factor of up to 6) than that obtained by using the original non-linear curvature. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the use of surface curvature for automatic shape analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Film cooling techniques have been successfully applied to gas turbine blades to protect them from the hot flue gas. However, a continuous demand of increasing the turbine inlet temperature to raise the efficiency of the turbine requires continuous improvement in film cooling effectiveness. The concept of injecting mist (tiny water droplets) into the cooling fluid has been proven under laboratoiy conditions to significantly augment adiabatic cooling effectiveness by up to 50%-800% in convective heat transfer and impingement cooling. The similar concept of injecting mist into air film cooling has not been proven in the laboratory, but computational simulations have been performed on stationary turbine blades. As a continuation of previous research, this paper extends the mist film cooling scheme to the rotating turbine blade. For the convenience of understanding the effect of rotation, the simulation is first conducted with a single pair of cooling holes located near the leading edge at either side of the blade. Then, a row of multiple-hole film cooling jets is put in place under both stationary and rotating conditions. Both the laboratoiy (baseline) and elevated gas turbine conditions are simulated and compared. Elevated conditions refer to a high temperature and pressure closer to actual gas turbine working conditions. The effects of various parameters including mist concentration, water droplet diameter, droplet wall boundaiy condition, blowing ratio, and rotational speed are investigated. The results showed that the effect of rotation on droplets under laboratory conditions is minimal. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model employed is the discrete phase model (DPM) including both wall film and droplet reflect conditions. The results showed that the droplet-wall interaction is stronger on the pressure side than on the suction side, resulting in a higher mist cooling enhancement on the pressure side. The average rates of mist cooling enhancement of about 15% and 35% were achieved under laboratory and elevated conditions, respectively. This translates to a significant blade suiface temperature reduction of 100-125 K with 10% mist injection at elevated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a broadly utilized assisted reproductive technology. A number of technologies for this procedure have evolved lately, such as the most commonly utilized piezo-assisted ICSI technique (P-ICSI). An important problem with this technique, however, is that it requires a small amount of mercury to stabilize the tip of the penetration micropipette. A completely different and mercury-free injection technology, called the rotationally oscillating drill (Ros-Drill©) (RD-ICSI), was recently developed. It uses microprocessor-controlled rotational oscillations of a spiked micropipette after the pipette deforms the membrane to a certain tension level. Inappropriate selection of this initiation instant typically results in cell damage, which ultimately leads to unsuccessful ICSI. During earlier manual clinical tests of Ros-Drill, the technicians' expertise determined this instant in an ad hoc fashion. In this paper, we introduce a computer-vision-based tool to mechanize this process with the objective of maintaining the repeatability and introducing potential automation. Computer images are used for monitoring the membrane deformations and curvature variations as the basis for decision making. The main contribution of this paper is in the specifics of the computer logic to perform the monitoring. These new tools are expected to provide a practicable means for automating the Ros-Drill-assisted ICSI operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effects of periodic curvature on the electrical resistivity of corrugated semiconductor films are theoretically considered. The presence of a curvature-induced potential affects the motion of electrons confined to the thin curved film, resulting in a significant resistivity enhancement at specific values of two geometric parameters: the amplitude and period of the surface corrugation. The maximal values of the two parameters in order to observe the corrugation-induced resistivity enhancement in actual experiments are quantified by employing existing material constants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The translocation of a polymer chain through a narrow hole in a rigid obstacle has been studied by the static Monte Carlo simulations. A modified self-avoiding walk on a cubic lattice has been used to model the polymer in an athermal solution. The entropy of the chain before, in the course, and after the translocation process has been estimated by the statistical counting method. The thermodynamic generalized forces governing the translocation have been calculated. The influence of the system geometry on the entropic barrier landscape is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article explores a three-dimensional (3-D) palmprint recognition approach by exploiting the 3-D structural information of the palm surface. In this study, the structured light imaging is being used to acquire the 3-D palmprint data from which several types of unique features including mean curvature image, Gaussian curvature image, and surface type. The findings of this study demonstrate that 3-D palmprint technique has high recognition performance.

Abstract: In this paper, it is shown that confinement or curvature effects can significantly influence catalytic processes when using mesoporous catalysts. MCM-41-type materials have been prepared and carefully characterized to ensure that the only difference between these catalysts is the pore size. 1-Hexene used as reagent has been adsorbed in siliceous MCM-41 materials featuring identical pore sizes to determine the different sorption processes as a function of pressure. Catalysts with a high Si/Al ratio have been used for the isomerisation of 1-hexene into 2-hexene under different 1-hexene partial pressures corresponding to those of the different sorption regimes. It is demonstrated that confinement/curvature effects impact catalytic behaviour at two different levels: (i) different pore sizes result in different reaction and deactivation rates and (ii) different reagent partial pressures (or sorption regimes) for a given pore size lead to a striking inversion of selectivity between the cis- and trans-2-hexene isomers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study investigated the effect of object curvature, normal force and material on skin friction coefficient. Twelve subjects slid their middle fingertip pad against a test object with small (11 mm), medium (18, 21 mm) or large (flat object) radii of curvature, while maintaining a normal force of 1, 10 or 20 N. Tested materials were aluminium and four rubber hoses. The average friction coefficient was 0.6 for aluminium and 0.9 for the rubber hoses. As normal force increased from 1 to 20 N, the average friction coefficient decreased 46%. Friction coefficient did not vary significantly with object curvature. The citation of friction coefficient data requires careful attention to normal force levels with which they are measured, but not so much to object curvature between 11 mm and infinity. This study provides skin friction coefficient data that are needed for design of objects that are manipulated with the hands. The investigation of the effect of object curvature on skin friction coefficient has important implications to ergonomics practices as many objects handled in everyday activities have curved surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Behaviour of a polymer chain in the presence of fixed obstacles has been studied by the static Monte Carlo simulations. A modified self-avoiding walk on a cubic lattice has been used to model the polymer in an athermal solution. The statistical counting method has been applied to calculate the conformational entropy of the chain, assumed to be grafted to an obstacle. Different chain lengths and obstacle curvatures have been examined. Some implications of the confinement induced changes in the conformational entropy of polymer chains to the structure of complexes composed of long polymer chains and nanoparticles are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is believed that left ventricular (LV) regional shape is indicative of LV regional function, and cardiac pathologies are often associated with regional alterations in ventricular shape. In this article, we present a set of procedures for evaluating regional LV surface shape from anatomically accurate models reconstructed from cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images. LV surface curvatures are computed using local surface fitting method, which enables us to assess regional LV shape and its variation. Comparisons are made between normal and diseased hearts. It is illustrated that LV surface curvatures at different regions of the normal heart are higher than those of the diseased heart. Also, the normal heart experiences a larger change in regional curvedness during contraction than the diseased heart. It is believed that with a wide range of dataset being evaluated, this approach will provide a new and efficient way of quantifying LV regional function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the propagation and transformation of laser beams and the formation of caustics in particular directions, including optical axes of crystals. We found a direct connection between the particular directions and the curvature of wave surfaces that is determined by the symmetry and optical properties of the crystals. We demonstrated that caustics in particular directions are characterized by a degree of the curvature degeneracy and are described by particular solutions of the corresponding nonlinear equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The formation of an oil bridge between adhesive seeds was observed microscopically. The geometry of the oil bridge was affected by the shape of the adhesive seeds. The capillary force of the oil bridge was estimated from the image captured by the microscope. The average capillary force was 127μN, which was five times higher than the average gravity of the seeds. It was observed that several oil bridges formed between two seeds. These results indicated an adequate ability of the seeds to adhere. The capillary force of the oil bridge increased with surface oil content. The probability of formation of an oil bridge increased with surface oil content when the surface oil content was above 0.63%. The probability of formation of an oil bridge markedly increased when sucrose was added to the seeds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Geometry changes, especially surface expansion, accompanying flower primordium formation are investigated at the reproductive shoot apex of Arabidopsis with the aid of a non-invasive replica method and a 3-D reconstruction algorithm. The observed changes are characteristic enough to differentiate the early development of flower primordium in Arabidopsis into distinct stages. Primordium formation starts from the fast and anisotropic growth at the periphery of the shoot apical meristem, with the maximum extension in the meridional direction. Surprisingly, the primordium first becomes a shallow crease, and it is only later that this shape changes into a bulge. The bulge is formed from the shallow crease due to slower and less anisotropic growth than at the onset of primordium formation. It is proposed that the shallow crease is the first axil, i.e. the axil of a putative rudimentary bract subtending the flower primordium proper, while the flower primordium proper is the bulge formed at the bottom of this axil. At the adaxial side of the bulge, the second axil (a narrow and deep crease) is formed setting the boundary between the flower primordium proper and the shoot apical meristem. Surface growth, leading to the formation of the second axil, is slow and anisotropic. This is similar to the previously described growth pattern at the boundary of the leaf primordium in Anagallis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We present a novel approach for personal identification and identity verification which utilizes 3D finger surface features as a biometric identifier. Using 3D range images of the hand, a surface representation for the index, middle, and ring finger is calculated and used for comparison to determine subject similarity. We use the curvature based shape index to represent the fingers’ surface. Gallery and probe shape index signatures are compared using the normalized correlation coefficient to compute a match score. A large unique database of hand images supports the research. We use data sets obtained over time to examine the performance of each individual finger surface as a biometric identifier as well as the performance obtained when combining them. Both identification and verification experiments are conducted. In addition, probe and gallery sets sizes are increased to further improve recognition performance in our experiments. Our approach yields good results for a first-of-its-kind biometric technique, indicating that this approach warrants further research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One fundamental objective in geomorphometry is to extract signatures of geomorphologic processes on different spatial scales from digital terrain models (DTMs) and to describe the complexity of landforms as the synthesis of those individual imprints. We present an approach for characterizing land surfaces on multiple, spatially varying local scales. We approximate terrain surfaces locally to calculate surface derivatives at different window sizes. Local scale behaviour diagrams are used to define dominant scale ranges and multiple curvatures for each surface point. Multi-scale landform analysis leads to improved models of surface derivatives and new landform classifications, applicable in geomorphology, soil science and hydrology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we describe a new shape-from-shading method. We show how the parallel transport of surface normals can be used to impose curvature consistency and also to iteratively update surface normal directions so as to improve the brightness error. We commence by showing how to make local estimates of the Hessian matrix from surface normal information. With the local Hessian matrix to hand, we develop an “EM-like” algorithm for updating the surface normal directions. At each image location, parallel transport is applied to the neighbouring surface normals to generate a sample of local surface orientation predictions. From this sample, a local weighted estimate of the image brightness is made. The transported surface normal which gives the brightness prediction which is closest to this value is selected as the revised estimate of surface orientation. The revised surface normals obtained in this way may in turn be used to re-estimate the Hessian matrix, and the process iterated until stability is reached. We experiment with the method on a variety of real world and synthetic data. Here we explore the properties of the fields of surface normals and the height data delivered by the method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background. Tibial torsion is the angle between the transverse axes of the proximal and distal tibial articular surfaces. It measures the degree of twisting of the tibia around its own longitudinal axis. The accurate measurement on the magnitude of tibial torsion is of great use in monitoring derangements. It is also useful as a baseline in the event of surgical intervention. Various methods have been developed but none of them have gained wide acceptance. Even the CT scan technique, which is considered the “gold standard”, produces varying results when executed by different researchers. A quick, objective and non-invasive method is thus very much needed for the effective monitoring of tibial torsion in clinical environments. Methods. Eighteen adult men’s lower legs were scanned by a laser scanner to give the surface coordinates of the leg surfaces. By calculating curvature maps of legs from the 3D coordinates, stable anatomical landmarks such as the lateral and medial malleoli can be located. The angle indicating the degree of tibial torsion can then be derived from these landmarks. Findings. The objective determination of the various anatomical landmarks results in a reproducible measure of tibial torsion. The results obtained in this study are generally in agreement with the measurements reported previously. Interpretation. The reproducibility of the results allows for the objective observation, monitoring and comparison of tibial torsion over time and across subjects. It allows also for the development of a system of measurement that is fast, convenient, accurate and radiation-free. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article a ray tracing method is used to study the variation of the entrance and exit surface shape in the different lens ducts systems. Designs with a variety of plane and spherical first and second surfaces are studied. The optimum geometrical conditions for each design in terms of the aperture, length, and the radius of curvature are reported. A comparison is made between the results obtained for ducts with the spherical and plane surfaces and the more efficient design is described. The effect of second-order aspheric shape factor on the device performance is also investigated. This study shows that each design has some advantages and disadvantages, and considering specific application, the result of this study can lead to a choice of the optimum design in terms of the required lens duct performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A non‐destructive replica method and a 3‐D reconstruction algorithm are used to analyse the geometry and expansion of the shoot apex surface. Surface expansion in the central zone of the apex is slow and nearly isotropic while surface expansion in the peripheral zone is more intense and more anisotropic. Within the peripheral zone, the expansion rate, expansion anisotropy, and the direction of maximal expansion vary according to the age of adjacent leaf primordia. For each plastochron, this pattern of expansion is rotated around the apex by the Fibonacci angle. Early leaf primordium development is divided into four stages: bulging, lateral expansion, separation, and bending. These stages differ in their geometry and expansion pattern. At the bulging stage, the site of primordium initiation shows an intensified expansion that is nearly isotropic. The following stages develop sharp meridional gradients of expansion rates and anisotropy. The adaxial primordium boundary inferred from the surface curvature is shifting until the separation stage, when a crease develops between the primordium and the apex dome. The cells forming the crease, i.e. the future leaf axil, expand along the axil and contract across it. Thus they are arrested in this unique position. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two related models are studied for wound healing on a spherical surface. The first, and simpler model is based on a reaction-diffusion equation describing the process of healing as the inward growth of new cells from a circular wound on a spherical surface. Several aspects of the wound healing problem are considered: by interpreting the healing process as a “pseudowave” propagating across the spherical surface a heuristic account of the “speed” of healing is possible, and the corresponding healing time is characterized. Of particular importance in relation to animal models is the existence (or not) of a critical size defect (a CSD, defined below); this is discussed as a consequence of the stability of the steady states of the system to nonuniform spatial (or angular) perturbations. Explicit criteria are derived under which a CSD exists (within the model) in terms of the skull radius and wound radius. Although neither model explicitly distinguishes between wound healing in bone or tissue, it is in the former that CSDs are known to occur. The second model invokes a weighted spatial average cell density which permits the presence of both a short-range activation term (as in the first model) and a long-range inhibition term. Under these circumstances, within a suitable parameter range, the phenomenon of aggregation may occur in addition to the behavior predicted by the first model. It is suggested that such aggregation is manifested in the case of keloid scarring, which can occur as a result of wound healing in tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Quantification of heart valve leaflet deformation during the cardiac cycle is essential in understanding normal and pathological valvular function, as well as in the design of replacement heart valves. Due to the technical complexities involved, little work to date has been performed on dynamic valve leaflet motion. We have developed a novel experimental method utilizing a noncontacting structured laser-light projection technique to investigate dynamic leaflet motion. Using a simulated circulatory loop, a matrix of 150–200 laser light points were projected over the entire leaflet surface. To obtain unobstructed views of the leaflet surface, a stereo system of high-resolution boroscopes was used to track the light points at discrete temporal points during the cardiac cycle. The leaflet surface at each temporal point was reconstructed in three dimensions, and fit using our biquintic hermite finite element approach (Smith et al., Ann. Biomed. Eng. 26:598–611, 2001). To demonstrate our approach, we utilized a bovine pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve, which revealed regions of complex flexural deformation and substantially different shapes during the opening and closing phases. In conclusion, the current method has high spatial and temporal resolution and can reconstruct the entire surface of the cusp simultaneously. Because it is completely noncontacting, this approach is applicable to studies of fatigue and bioreactor technology for tissue engineered heart valves. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC01: 8719Hh, 8780-y, 4262Be, 8719St [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]