Uncertainty visualization using HDR volume rendering

In this paper, we explore a novel idea of using high dynamic range (HDR) technology for uncertainty visualization. We focus on scalar volumetric data sets where every data point is associated with scalar uncertainty. We design a transfer function that maps each data point to a color in HDR space. The luminance component of the color is exploited to capture uncertainty. We modify existing tone mapping techniques and suitably integrate them with volume ray casting to obtain a low dynamic range (LDR) image. The resulting image is displayed on a conventional 8-bits-per-channel display device. The usage of HDR mapping reveals fine details in uncertainty distribution and enables the users to interactively study the data in the context of corresponding uncertainty information. We demonstrate the utility of our method and evaluate the results using data sets from ocean modeling.

Efficient Output-Sensitive Construction of Reeb Graphs

The Reeb graph tracks topology changes in level sets of a scalar function and finds applications in scientific visualization and geometric modeling. This paper describes a near-optimal two-step algorithm that constructs the Reeb graph of a Morse function defined over manifolds in any dimension. The algorithm first identifies the critical points of the input manifold, and then connects these critical points in the second step to obtain the Reeb graph. A simplification mechanism based on topological persistence aids in the removal of noise and unimportant features. A radial layout scheme results in a feature-directed drawing of the Reeb graph. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the Reeb graph construction in practice and its applications.

Transversely isotropic infinite cylindrical shell subjected to a radial axisymmetric line load

The problem of an infinite transversely isotropic circular cylindrical shell subjected to an axisymmetric radial external line load is investigated using elasticity theory, classical shell theory and shear deformation theory. The results obtained by these methods are compared for two ratios of inner to outer shell radius and for varying degrees of anisotropy. Some typical results are given here to show the effect of anisotropy and the thickness of the shell on the distribution of stresses and displacements.

Visualization of enantiomers using natural abundant 13C-filtered single and double quantum selective refocusing experiments: Application to small chiral molecules

The routine use of proton NMR for the visualization of enantiomers, aligned in the chiral liquid crystal solvent poly-γ-benzyl-l-glutamate (PBLG), is restricted due to severe loss of resolution arising from large number of pair wise interaction of nuclear spins. In the present study, we have designed two experimental techniques for their visualization utilizing the natural abundance 13C edited selective refocusing of single quantum (CH-SERF) and double quantum (CH-DQSERF) coherences. The methods achieve chiral discrimination and aid in the simultaneous determination of homonuclear couplings between active and passive spins and heteronuclear couplings between the excited protons and the participating 13C spin. The CH-SERF also overcomes the problem of overlap of central transitions of the methyl selective refocusing (SERF) experiment resulting in better chiral discrimination. Theoretical description of the evolution of magnetization in both the sequences has been discussed using polarization operator formalism.

Transversely isotropic infinite cylindrical shell subjected to a radial axisymmetric line load

The problem of an infinite transversely isotropic circular cylindrical shell subjected to an axisymmetric radial external line load is investigated using elasticity theory, classical shell theory and shear deformation theory. The results obtained by these methods are compared for two ratios of inner to outer shell radius and for varying degrees of anisotropy. Some typical results are given here to show the effect of anisotropy and the thickness of the shell on the distribution of stresses and displacements.

Stress analysis of a thick plate having a circular hole under axisymmetric radial load

In this paper a solution for the determination of stresses and displacements in a thick plate having a cylindrical hole subjected to localised hydrostatic loading has been given. Detail numerical results have been presented and compared with the results of an infinite hole subjected to localised hydrostatic load and a semiinfinite hole subjected to localised end load. It has been shown that for certain ratio of thickness of the pate to the radius of the hole and loading, the results could be obtained by using the solution of infinite or semiinfinite hole subjected to the same hydrostatic loading.

Improvement in the voltage grading (axial and radial) of the generator column of a Van de Graaf generator by the use of a resistor chain

It is well known that the use of a series of resistors, connected between the equipotential rings of a Van de Graaff generator, improves the axial voltage grading of the generator. The work reported in this paper shows how the resistor chain also improves the radial voltage gradient. The electrolytic field mapping technique was adopted in the present work.

Isolation and visualization of active presynaptic filaments of recA protein and single-stranded DNA

In the presence of ATP, recA protein forms a presynaptic complex with single-stranded DNA that is an obligatory intermediate in homologous pairing. Presynaptic complexes of recA protein and circular single strands that are active in forming joint molecules can be isolated by gel filtration. These isolated active complexes are nucleoprotein filaments with the following characteristics: (i) a contour length that is at least 1.5 times that of the corresponding duplex DNA molecule, (ii) an ordered structure visualized by negative staining as a striated filament with a repeat distance of 9.0 nm and a width of 9.3 nm, (iii) approximately 8 molecules of recA protein and 20 nucleotide residues per striation. The widened spacing between bases in the nucleoprotein filament means that the initial matching of complementary sequences must involve intertwining of the filament and duplex DNA, unwinding of the latter, or some combination of both to equalize the spacing between nascent base pairs. These experiments support the concept that recA protein first forms a filament with single-stranded DNA, which in turn binds to duplex DNA to mediate both homologous pairing and subsequent strand exchange.

Visualization of in situ intracellular aggregation of two cataract-associated human gamma-crystallin mutants: Lose a tail, lose transparency

PURPOSE. To understand the molecular features underlying autosomal dominant congenital cataracts caused by the deletion mutations W156X in human gamma D-crystallin and W157X in human gamma C-crystallin. METHODS. Normal and mutant cDNAs (with the enhanced green fluorescent protein [EGFP] tag in the front) were cloned into the pEGFP-C1 vector, transfected into various cell lines, and observed under a confocal microscope for EGFP fluorescence. Normal and W156X gamma D cDNAs were also cloned into the pET21a(+) vector, and the recombinant proteins were overexpressed in the BL-21(DE3) pLysS strain of Escherichia coli, purified, and isolated. The conformational features, structural stability, and solubility in aqueous solution of the mutant protein were compared with those of the wild type using spectroscopic methods. Comparative molecular modeling was performed to provide additional structural information. RESULTS. Transfection of the EGFP-tagged mutant cDNAs into several cell lines led to the visualization of aggregates, whereas that of wild-type cDNAs did not. Turning to the properties of the expressed proteins, the mutant molecules show remarkable reduction in solubility. They also seem to have a greater degree of surface hydrophobicity than the wild-type molecules, most likely accounting for self-aggregation. Molecular modeling studies support these features. CONCLUSIONS. The deletion of C-terminal 18 residues of human gamma C-and gamma D-crystallins exposes the side chains of several hydrophobic residues in the sequence to the solvent, causing the molecule to self-aggregate. This feature appears to be reflected in situ on the introduction of the mutants in human lens epithelial cells.

Rotorcraft parameter estimation using radial basis function neural network

Increased emphasis on rotorcraft performance and perational capabilities has resulted in accurate computation of aerodynamic stability and control parameters. System identification is one such tool in which the model structure and parameters such as aerodynamic stability and control derivatives are derived. In the present work, the rotorcraft aerodynamic parameters are computed using radial basis function neural networks (RBFN) in the presence of both state and measurement noise. The effect of presence of outliers in the data is also considered. RBFN is found to give superior results compared to finite difference derivatives for noisy data. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selective Homonuclear Decoupling in H-1 NMR: Application to Visualization of Enantiomers in Chiral Aligning Medium and Simplified Analyses of Spectra in Isotropic Solutions

The proton NMR spectral complexity arising due to severe overlap of peaks hampers their analyses in diverse situations, even by the application of two-dimensional experiments. The selective or complete removal of the couplings and retention of only the chemical shift interactions in indirect dimension aids in the simplification of the spectrum to a large extent with little investment of the instrument time. The present study provides precise enantiodiscrimination employing more anisotropic NMR parameters in the chiral liquid crystalline medium and differentiates the overlapped peaks of many organic molecules and peptides dissolved in isotropic solvents.

Double focus systems for holography

Some very simple, compact optical systems for holography of diffusely reflecting objects, using off-axis, double-focus elements as beam splitters, are described. These are free from disadvantages inherent in earlier systems of this type.