Modeling of the Shape Forming of Composite Roll

A shape modeling of spray formed composite roll, which is utilized to predict the shape and dimension of roll during spray forming process, is developed in this paper. The influences of the principal spray forming parameters, such as the spatial distribution of melt mass flux, spray distance, rotating and translating speeds of substrate bar etc. , on the geometry and dimension of spray formed product were investigated.

LOCALIZATION OF OBJECT (SPINE) IN MEDICAL IMAGE USING ACTIVE SHAPE MODELS

Active shape models (ASM), consisting of a shape model and a local gray-level appearance model, can be used to locate the objects in images. In original ASM scheme, the model of object′s gray-level variations is based on the assumption of one-dimensional sampling and searching method. In this work a new way to model the gray-level appearance of the objects is explored, using a two-dimensional sampling and searching technique in a rectangular area around each landmark of object shape. The ASM based on this improvement is compared with the original ASM on an identical medical image set for task of spine localization. Experiments demonstrate that the method produces significantly fast, effective, accurate results for spine localization in medical images.

Modeling method and preliminary model of Asteroid Toutatis from Chang'E-2 optical images

Shape modeling is fundamental to the analysis of dynamic environment and motion around asteroid. Chang＇E- 2 successfully made a flyby of Asteroid 4179 Toutatis and obtained plenty of high-resolution images during the mis- sion. In this paper, the modeling method and preliminary model of Asteroid Toutatis are discussed. First, the optical images obtained by Chang＇E-2 are analyzed. Terrain and silhouette features in images are described. Then, the modeling method based on previous radar model and preliminary information from optical images is proposed. A preliminary polyhedron model of Asteroid Toutatis is established. Finally, the spherical harmonic coefficients of Asteroid Toutatis based on the polyhedron model are obtained. Some parameters of model are analyzed and compared. Although the model proposed in this paper is only a preliminary model, this work offers a valuable reference for future high-resolution models.

Optimal shape space and searching in the active shape model

A novel idea,called the optimal shape subspace （OSS） is first proposed for optimizing active shape model （ASM） search.It is constructed from the principal shape subspace and the principal shape variance subspace.It allows the reconstructed shape to vary more than that reconstructed in the standard ASM shape space,hence it is more expressive in representing shapes in real life.Then a cost function is developed,based on a study on the search process.An optimal searching method using the feedback information provided by the evaluation cost is proposed to improve the performance of ASM alignment.Experimental results show that the proposed OSS can offer the maximum shape variation with reserving the principal information and a unique local optimal shape is acquired after optimal searching.The combination of OSS and optimal searching can improve the ASM performance greatly.

Mesh representation matters:investigating the influence of different mesh features on perceptual and spatial fidelity of deep 3D morphable models

Background Deep 3D morphable models(deep 3DMMs)play an essential role in computer vision.They are used in facial synthesis,compression,reconstruction and animation,avatar creation,virtual try-on,facial recognition systems and medical imaging.These applications require high spatial and perceptual quality of synthesised meshes.Despite their significance,these models have not been compared with different mesh representations and evaluated jointly with point-wise distance and perceptual metrics.Methods We compare the influence of different mesh representation features to various deep 3DMMs on spatial and perceptual fidelity of the reconstructed meshes.This paper proves the hypothesis that building deep 3DMMs from meshes represented with global representations leads to lower spatial reconstruction error measured with L_(1) and L_(2) norm metrics and underperforms on perceptual metrics.In contrast,using differential mesh representations which describe differential surface properties yields lower perceptual FMPD and DAME and higher spatial fidelity error.The influence of mesh feature normalisation and standardisation is also compared and analysed from perceptual and spatial fidelity perspectives.Results The results presented in this paper provide guidance in selecting mesh representations to build deep 3DMMs accordingly to spatial and perceptual quality objectives and propose combinations of mesh representations and deep 3DMMs which improve either perceptual or spatial fidelity of existing methods.

Progress in Studies on the Equilibrium Shape of Headland-bay Shoreline

Research on the laws controlling the shoreline equilibrium shape has been one important topic of studying the evolvement and stabilization of sandy coasts. After a brief review of the progress on the equilibrium shape laws research, five models are introduced in detail. Advantages and disadvantages of these models are then discussed, which leads to the conclusion that the empirical formula integrating with analysis of mechanism should be the future direction of study on the headland-bay equilibrium shape laws. Finally, the importance of the study on the equilibrium shape of headland-bay in China is also discussed.

Towards additive manufacturing oriented geometric modeling using implicit functions

Surface-based geometric modeling has many advantages in terms of visualization and traditional subtractive manufacturing using computer-numerical-control cutting-machine tools.However,it is not an ideal solution for additive manufacturing because to digitally print a surface-represented geometric object using a certain additive manufacturing technology,the object has to be converted into a solid representation.However,converting a known surface-based geometric representation into a printable representation is essentially a redesign process,and this is especially the case,when its interior material structure needs to be considered.To specify a 3D geometric object that is ready to be digitally manufactured,its representation has to be in a certain volumetric form.In this research,we show how some of the difficulties experienced in additive manufacturing can be easily solved by using implicitly represented geometric objects.Like surface-based geometric representation is subtractive manufacturing-friendly,implicitly described geometric objects are additive manufacturing-friendly:implicit shapes are 3D printing ready.The implicit geometric representation allows to combine a geometric shape,material colors,an interior material structure,and other required attributes in one single description as a set of implicit functions,and no conversion is needed.In addition,as implicit objects are typically specified procedurally,very little data is used in their specifications,which makes them particularly useful for design and visualization with modern cloud-based mobile devices,which usually do not have very big storage spaces.Finally,implicit modeling is a design procedure that is parallel computing-friendly,as the design of a complex geometric object can be divided into a set of simple shape-designing tasks,owing to the availability of shape-preserving implicit blending operations.

Incorporating shape constraints in generalized additive modelling of the height-diameter relationship for Norway spruce

Background： Measurements of tree heights and diameters are essential in forest assessment and modelling. Tree heights are used for estimating timber volume, site index and other important variables related to forest growth and yield, succession and carbon budget models. However, the diameter at breast height （dbh） can be more accurately obtained and at lower cost, than total tree height. Hence, generalized height-diameter （h-d） models that predict tree height from dbh, age and other covariates are needed. For a more flexible but biologically plausible estimation of covariate effects we use shape constrained generalized additive models as an extension of existing h-d model approaches. We use causal site parameters such as index of aridity to enhance the generality and causality of the models and to enable predictions under projected changeable climatic conditions. Methods： We develop unconstrained generalized additive models （GAM） and shape constrained generalized additive models （SCAM） for investigating the possible effects of tree-specific parameters such as tree age, relative diameter at breast height, and site-specific parameters such as index of aridity and sum of daily mean temperature during vegetation period, on the h-d relationship of forests in Lower Saxony, Germany. Results： Some of the derived effects, e.g. effects of age, index of aridity and sum of daily mean temperature have significantly non-linear pattern. The need for using SCAM results from the fact that some of the model effects show partially implausible patterns especially at the boundaries of data ranges. The derived model predicts monotonically increasing levels of tree height with increasing age and temperature sum and decreasing aridity and social rank of a tree within a stand, The definition of constraints leads only to marginal or minor decline in the model statistics like AIC An observed structured spatial trend in tree height is modelled via 2-dimensional surface fitting. Conclusions： We demonstrate that the SCAM approach allows optimal regression modelling flexibility similar to the standard GAM but with the additional possibility of defining specific constraints for the model effects. The longitudinal character of the model allows for tree height imputation for the current status of forests but also for future tree height prediction.

Detecting winter canola(Brassica napus) phenological stages using an improved shape-model method based on time-series UAV spectral data

Accurate information about phenological stages is essential for canola field management practices such as irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting. Previous studies in canola phenology monitoring focused mainly on the flowering stage, using its apparent structure features and colors. Additional phenological stages have been largely overlooked. The objective of this study was to improve a shape-model method(SMM) for extracting winter canola phenological stages from time-series top-of-canopy reflectance images collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV). The transformation equation of the SMM was refined to account for the multi-peak features of the temporal dynamics of three vegetation indices(VIs)(NDVI, EVI, and CI). An experiment with various seeding scenarios was conducted, including four different seeding dates and three seeding densities. Three mathematical functions: asymmetric Gaussian function(AGF), Fourier function, and double logistic function, were employed to fit timeseries vegetation indices to extract information about phenological stages. The refined SMM effectively estimated the phenological stages of canola, with a minimum root mean square error(RMSE) of 3.7 days for all phenological stages. The AGF function provided the best fitting performance, as it captured multiple peaks in the growth dynamics characteristics for all seeding date scenarios using four scaling parameters. For the three selected VIs, CIred-edgeachieved the greatest accuracy in estimating the phenological stage dates. This study demonstrates the high potential of the refined SMM for estimating winter canola phenology.

Experimental Study on Mechanism and Shape Characteristics of Suspended Flexible Dam

Hydraulic structures such as groin, longitudinal dike and seawall are common in water conservancy and water transportation engineering projects at home and abroad, which have long been dominated by solid mass structural form. With brush and stone as building materials, this kind of structure has an obvious engineering effect. However, it not only requires huge capital investments, but also has negative impacts on the ecological environment. The suspended flexible dam is an innovative engineering measure, and few theoretical and experimental researches of this type dam can be found at present. This paper studies the mechanism and shape characteristics of this dam and obtains the dynamic equilibrium equation of flexible dam, the float buoyancy expression, and the condition for transformation among three forms of the underwater shape of the dam. The results are valuable in engineering application and can be used as the reference for the future work due to the distinctive design philosophy, the small negative effects on environment and the consistency for sustainable development.

Longitudinal height-diameter curves for Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver birch in Norway based on shape constraint additive regression models

Background： Generalized height-diameter curves based on a re-parameterized version of the Korf function for Norway spruce （Piceo abies （L.） Karst.）, Scots pine （Pinus sylvestris L.） and silver birch （Betula pendula Roth） in Norwa are presented. The Norwegian National Forest Inventory （NFI） is used as data base for estimating the model parameters. The derived models are developed to enable spatially explicit and site sensitive tree height imputatio in forest inventories as well as future tree height predictions in growth and yield scenario simulations. Methods： Generalized additive mixed models （gamm） are employed to detect and quantify potentially non-linear effects of predictor variables. In doing so the quadratic mean diameter serves as longitudinal covariate since stand ag as measured in the NFI, shows only a weak correlation with a stands developmental status in Norwegian forests. Additionally the models can be locally calibrated by predicting random effects if measured height-diameter pairs are available. Based on the model selection of non-constraint models, shape constraint additive models （scare） were fit tc incorporate expert knowledge and intrinsic relationships by enforcing certain effect patterns like monotonicity. Results： Model comparisons demonstrate that the shape constraints lead to only marginal differences in statistical characteristics but ensure reasonable model predictions. Under constant constraints the developed models predict increasing tree heights with decreasing altitude, increasing soil depth and increasing competition pressure of a tree. / two-dimensional spatially structured effect of UTM-coordinates accounts for the potential effects of large scale spatial correlated covariates, which were not at our disposal. The main result of modelling the spatially structured effect is lower tree height prediction for coastal sites and with increasing latitude. The quadratic mean diameter affects both the level and the slope of the height-diameter curve and both effects are positive. Conclusions： In this investigation it is assumed that model effects in additive modelling of height-diameter curves which are unfeasible and too wiggly from an expert point of view are a result of quantitatively or qualitatively limited data bases. However, this problem can be regarded not to be specific to our investigation but more general since growth and yield data that are balanced over the whole data range with respect to all combinations of predictor variables are exceptional cases. Hence, scare may provide methodological improvements in several applications by combining the flexibility of additive models with expert knowledge.

Implicit Shape Reconstruction of Unorganized Points Using PDE-Based Deformable 3D Manifolds

In this work we consider the problem of shape reconstruction from an unorganized data set which has many important applications in medical imaging, scientific computing, reverse engineering and geometric modelling. The reconstructed surface is obtained by continuously deforming an initial surface following the Partial Differential Equation (PDE)-based diffusion model derived by a minimal volume-like variational formulation. The evolution is driven both by the distance from the data set and by the curvature analytically computed by it. The distance function is computed by implicit local interpolants defined in terms of radial basis functions. Space discretization of the PDE model is obtained by finite co-volume schemes and semi-implicit approach is used in time/scale. The use of a level set method for the numerical computation of the surface reconstruction allows us to handle complex geometry and even changing topology,without the need of user-interaction. Numerical examples demonstrate the ability of the proposed method to produce high quality reconstructions. Moreover, we show the effectiveness of the new approach to solve hole filling problems and Boolean operations between different data sets.

Improved shape hardening function for bounding surface model for cohesive soils

A shape hardening function is developed that improves the predictive capabilities of the generalized bounding surface model for cohesive soils, especially when applied to overconsolidated specimens. This improvement is realized without any changes to the simple elliptical shape of the bounding surface, and actually reduces the number of parameters associated with the model by one.

Review on structural fatigue of NiTi shape memory alloys:Pure mechanical and thermo-mechanical ones

Structural fatigue of NiTi shape memory alloys is a key issue that should be solved in order to promote their engineering applications and utilize their unique shape memory effect and super-elasticity more sufficiently. In this paper, the latest progresses made in experimental and theoretical analyses for the structural fatigue features of NiTi shape memory alloys are reviewed. First, macroscopic experimental observations to the pure mechanical and thermo-mechanical fatigue features of the alloys are summarized; then the state-of-arts in the mechanism analysis of fatigue rupture are addressed; further, advances in the construction of fatigue failure models are provided; finally, summary and future topics are outlined.

Strip shape control capability of hot wide strip rolling mills

The elasticity deformation of rolls was analyzed by means of two-dimensional finite element method （FEM） with variable thickness. Three typical mills were used as objects for analysis. A thorough study was done on the control capabilities of these mills on the strip shape. Then the strip shape control capabilities of the three mills was compared synthetically. 2008 University of Science and Technology Beijing. All rights reserved.

Gas adsorption in shaped zeolitic imidazolate framework-8

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8(ZIF-8) was prepared through a solve-thermal reaction method and then shaped using different additives. The in fluence of the shaping conditions on the microstructure of the shaped samples was characterized by the XRD, BET, and SEM techniques. The results demonstrate that the compressive strength of the various shaped tablets is greatly increased and capable of meeting the industrial requirements compared to the unshaped ZIF-8 and that the loss rate of speci fic surface areas was maintained at 10% after the addition of 10%(by mass) binder and 10%(by mass) solvent. The adsorption isotherms of CO2, CH4, C3H8, and C3H6 on powdery ZIF-8and the shaped tablets(T-shaped ZIF-8, C-shaped ZIF-8, and N-shaped ZIF-8) were determined through volumetric measurements under different pressures and temperatures(298.2, 323.2, and 348.2 K). The adsorption capacities of the gases on both the ZIF-8 powder and the shaped tablets follow the order C3H6 N C3H8N CO2 N CH4. Furthermore,the results show that the adsorption capacities of the gases on the shaped tablets are lower by approximately 10%–20% than those on the powdery ZIF-8. In fact, the adsorption equilibrium isotherms for CO2, CH4, C3H8, and C3H6 on both powdery and shaped ZIF-8 can be well described by the Langmuir equation.

Active Shape Model of Combining Pca and Ica: Application to Facial Feature Extraction

Active Shape Model （ASM） is a powerful statistical tool to extract the facial features of a face image under frontal view. It mainly relies on Principle Component Analysis （PCA） to statistically model the variability in the training set of example shapes. Independent Component Analysis （ICA） has been proven to be more efficient to extract face features than PCA. In this paper, we combine the PCA and ICA by the consecutive strategy to form a novel ASM. Firstly, an initial model, which shows the global shape variability in the training set, is generated by the PCA-based ASM. And then, the final shape model, which contains more local characters, is established by the ICA-based ASM. Experimental results verify that the accuracy of facial feature extraction is statistically significantly improved by applying the ICA modes after the PCA modes.