Extracting lines of curvature from noisy point clouds

We present a robust framework for extracting lines of curvature from point clouds. First, we show a novel approach to denoising the input point cloud using robust statistical estimates of surface normal and curvature which automatically rejects outliers and corrects points by energy minimization. Then the lines of curvature are constructed on the point cloud with controllable density. Our approach is applicable to surfaces of arbitrary genus, with or without boundaries, and is statistically robust to noise and outliers while preserving sharp surface features. We show our approach to be effective over a range of synthetic and real-world input datasets with varying amounts of noise and outliers. The extraction of curvature information can benefit many applications in CAD, computer vision and graphics for point cloud shape analysis, recognition and segmentation. Here, we show the possibility of using the lines of curvature for feature-preserving mesh construction directly from noisy point clouds.     

Digital-analog hybrid control model for eukaryotic heat shock response illustrating the dynamics of heat shock protein 70 on exposure to thermal stress

We are introducing in this paper a digital-analog hybrid model approach for the study of a complete gene regulatory network; the heat shock response (HSR) network of eukaryotes. HSR is a crucial and widely studied cellular phenomenon occurring due to various stresses on the cell, and is characterised by the induction of heat shock genes resulting in the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) which restores cellular homeostasis by maintaining protein integrity. We are proposing a model which incorporates simple digital and analog components which mimic the functioning of biological molecules involved in HSR and model their dynamics and behaviour. The simulation result of the circuit for the production of HSP70 has been found to be consistent with published experimental results. The qualitative behaviour of the HSR is expressed through a truth table. Through this novel approach, the authors have tried to develop a level of understanding of the interactions of the parts of the HSR system and of this system as a whole.     

Electronic Mosquito: designing a semi-invasive Microsystem for blood sampling, analysis and drug delivery applications

In this study we present an innovative design idea for a semi-invasive blood sampling, analysis and drug delivery device called “Electronic Mosquito” (“e-Mosquito”). The major building blocks of the device are discussed. The principle of operation is described and its feasibility is demonstrated. The integration of the microsystem is outlined and its practical implementation proposed.     

Performance of multilayered fluoropolymer surface coating for DEP surface microfluidic devices

One of the key structural features of a surface microfluidic (SMF) device is the surface coating, since it directly affects both the performance and reliability of the SMF device. This work examines and compares the performance of liquid dielectrophoresis (LDEP) SMF devices, fabricated with conventional spin-coated Teflon^? surface to those coated with a recently developed fluoropolymer composite coating, which have been shown to be superior for low-voltage electrowetting actuation. We have focused on SMF devices that leverage LDEP and utilize high AC voltages to actuate aqueous samples on hydrophobic surfaces and produce droplet arrays of controlled size and structure to facilitate rapid and large-scale combinatorial bio-assays. Our findings demonstrate the superior performance, robustness and reliability of the composite coating over the conventional spin-coated Teflon^? coating, for repeated high-voltage, high-frequency LDEP actuations for homogenous, emulsion and variable volume aqueous sample dispensing.     

Correction to: AnonSURP: an anonymous and secure ultralightweight RFID protocol for deployment in internet of vehicles systems

The Journal of Supercomputing -     

Safety Integrity Level in Valves

Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention - Safety integrity level (SIL) is a part of an international standard such as IEC 61508 that provides suppliers and end users with a common framework to...     

Safety climate practice in Korean manufacturing industry

Safety climate survey was sent to 642 plants in 2003 to explore safety climate practices in the Korean manufacturing plants, especially in hazardous chemical treating plants. Out of 642 plants contacted 195 (30.4%) participated in the surveys. Data were collected by e-mail using SQL-server and mail. The main objective of this study was to explore safety climate practices (level of safety climate and the underlying problems). In addition, the variables that may influence the level of safety climate among managers and workers were explored. The questionnaires developed by health and safety executive (HSE) in the UK were modified to incorporate differences in Korean culture. Eleven important factors were summarized. Internal reliability of these factors was validated. Number of employees in the company varied from less than 30 employees (9.2%) to over 1000 employees (37.4%). Both managers and workers showed generally high level of safety climate awareness. The major underlying problems identified were inadequate health and safety procedures/rules, pressure for production, and rule breaking. The length of employment was a significant contributing factor to the level of safety climate. In this study, participants showed generally high level of safety climate, and length of employment affected the differences in the level of safety climate. Managers' commitment to comply safety rules, procedures, and effective safety education and training are recommended.     

Effects of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> fillers on thermal and dielectric properties of eco-friendly bismuth glass microcomposites of plasma display panels

The effects of SiO₂ (amorphous) and TiO₂ (crystalline, rutile) fillers on softening point (T _s), glass transition temperature (T _g), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and dielectric constant (ɛ) of zinc bismuth borate, ZnO-Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ (ZBIB) glass microcomposites have been investigated with a view to its use as the white back (rear glass dielectric layer) of plasma display panels (PDPs). The experimentally measured properties have also been compared with those of theoretically predicted values. Both the experimental and theoretical trends of these properties with added filler contents correlate very well. The interaction of fillers with glass which occurred during sintering at 560°C has also been monitored by XRD and FTIR spectroscopic analyses. The microstructures and distribution of fillers in the glass matrix have been analyzed by SEM images. It is observed that the fillers have partially dissolved in the glass at the firing temperature leaving some unreacted filler as residue which results in ceramic-glass microcomposites. In consideration of the desired properties of white back of PDPs, the addition of TiO₂ filler to ZBIB glass is found to be more preferable than SiO₂ filler. The addition of 10 wt% TiO₂ filler yielded T _s, T _g, CTE and ɛ values of 560°C, 480°C, 82 × 10⁻⁷/K and 14·6 which are found to meet the desired values of <580°C, <500°C, <83 × 10⁻⁷/K and <15, respectively with respect to use of PD200 glass as substrate in PDP technology.     

Geometrically nonlinear formulation for the curved shell elements

This paper presents a geometrically nonlinear formulation using total lagrangian approach for the three-dimensional curved shell elements. The basic element geometry is constructed using the coordinates of the middle surface nodes and the mid-surface nodal point normals. The element displacement field is described using three translations of the mid-surface nodes and the two rotations about the local axes. The existing shell element formulations are restricted to small nodal rotations between two successive load increments. The element formulation presented here removes such restrictions. This is accomplished by retaining nonlinear nodal rotation terms in the definition of the displacement field and the consistent derivation of the element properties. The formulation presented here is very general and yet can be made specific by selecting proper nonlinear functions representing the effects of nodal rotations. The element properties are derived and presented in detail. Numerical examples are also presented to demonstrate the behaviour and the accuracy of the elements.