On the computation of the 〈3, 4, 5〉 curve skeleton of 3D objects

An algorithm to compute the curve skeleton of 3D objects in voxel images is presented. The skeleton is stable under isometric transformations of the object, since the algorithm is based on the use of the 〈3, 4, 5〉 weighted distance transform, which is a good approximation of the Euclidean distance transform. The 〈3, 4, 5〉 weighted distance transform is used both to identify suitable anchor points, and to efficiently check object voxels according to their distance to the background. The curve skeleton is symmetrically placed within the object, is topologically equivalent to the object, is unit-wide and provides a satisfactory representation of the object. Though the size of the object reconstructed from the curve skeleton via the reverse distance transformation is not as thick as that of the input, shape information is mostly retained by the skeleton, since all regions perceived as significant in the input can still be found in the reconstructed object.     

A New Characterization of NP, P, and PSPACE with Accepting Hybrid Networks of Evolutionary Processors

We consider three complexity classes defined on Accepting Hybrid Networks of Evolutionary Processors (AHNEP) and compare them with the classical complexity classes defined on the standard computing model of Turing machine. By definition, AHNEPs are deterministic. We prove that the classical complexity class NP equals the family of languages decided by AHNEPs in polynomial time. A language is in P if and only if it is decided by an AHNEP in polynomial time and space. We also show that PSPACE equals the family of languages decided by AHNEPs in polynomial length.     

Effects of form and motion on judgments of social robots׳ animacy,likability, trustworthiness and unpleasantness

One of robot designers׳ main goals is to make robots as sociable as possible. Aside from improving robots׳ actual social functions, a great deal of effort is devoted to making them appear lifelike. This is often achieved by endowing the robot with an anthropomorphic body. However, psychological research on the perception of animacy suggests another crucial factor that might also contribute to attributions of animacy: movement characteristics. In the current study, we investigated how the combination of bodily appearance and movement characteristics of a robot can alter people׳s attributions of animacy, likability, trustworthiness, and unpleasantness. Participants played games of Tic-Tac-Toe against a robot which (1) either possessed a human form or did not, and (2) either exhibited smooth, lifelike movement or did not. Naturalistic motion was judged to be more animate than mechanical motion, but only when the robot resembled a human form. Naturalistic motion improved likeability regardless of the robot׳s appearance. Finally, a robot with a human form was rated as more disturbing when it moved naturalistically. Robot designers should be aware that movement characteristics play an important role in promoting robots׳ apparent animacy.     

Lesions of the superficial type, with a

ity (≥ 9), high Ki-67 labeling index (≥ 42), and positivity of MUC1, cathepsin D, and MMP-7 showed a significantly high incidence of lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that hig     

The structural parameters of microporous solid,including fractal dimension,on the basis of the potential theory of adsorption —the general solution

A program in Fortran has been created on the basis of programs LMDIF taken from the Minpack Library and also from the book Numerical Recipes in Fortran [Press et al. (1992), 2nd edn, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge]. The program permits the calculation of the structural parameters of adsorbents, including fractal dimension, and is based on the extension of the potential theory of adsorption (DA adsorption) given by Dubinin and Astakhov (1971) [Izv. AN. SSSR, Ser Khim. 5, 11–17]. To minimize the number of approximated parameters the program describes the cases where n (the parameter of the DA adsorption isotherm equation) can be different or equal to 2, but assumed “a priori”. In this case the number of parameters is equal to 4. However, for one system only was a reliable value of the fractal dimension obtained: the instance of adsorbate-adsorbent (zeolite NaA-water). For this reason we include a supplement to the program, which allows the calculation of structural parameters for the adsorbent on the basis of a five-parameter equation (N = 5) where n is approximated. In this case all obtained fractal dimension values are reliable and these suggest that among the zeolites investigated by us the deviation from planarity decreases in the order CaA > NaA > MgA > MgY > NH₄Y.