Anatomofisiologia da sucção e deglutição do bebê em computação gráfica 3D como instrumento educacional

A eficiência da amamentação exige uma complexa coordenação entre sucção, deglutição e respiração, sendo que a tecnologia tem possibilitado importantes avanços na compreensão desse processo. Porém, não foram encontrados vídeos disponíveis na internet que demonstrassem a anatomia e fisiologia da amamentação, de modo didático e fidedigno à ciência atual. Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever o desenvolvimento de uma sequência em computação gráfica sobre a sucção e a deglutição, resultante da produção digital do Bebê Virtual, bem como validar tal produção quanto ao conteúdo e prover adequações necessárias ao material educacional. Para a produção das iconografias em 3D da sucção e deglutição no Bebê Virtual, inicialmente foi elaborado um mapa conceitual e uma matriz de conteúdos, objetivos e competências voltadas ao material educacional. Posteriormente foi elaborado um roteiro científico que abordou a anatomia do crânio, face, cavidade oral, faringe, laringe e esôfago do recém-nascido, bem como, a descrição dos mecanismos fisiológicos relacionados à sucção e às fases oral e faríngea da deglutição no bebê. Para isso foram utilizadas 14 publicações do período de 1998 a 2008, que continham informações relevantes para demonstrar a amamentação. Os conteúdos teóricos foram organizados em cenas principais, possibilitando a criação de previews das sequências dinâmicas, as quais foram avaliadas por profissionais de anatomia, fonoaudiologia e medicina, possibilitando os ajustes necessários e a construção das imagens em computação gráfica 3D. Para análise da validade de conteúdo dessas imagens foi verificada a representatividade dos itens que o compõe, por meio de consulta à literatura. Foram incluídos estudos que utilizaram auxílio tecnológico e abordaram o tema proposto em bebês a termo e saudáveis, sem alterações neurológicas ou anomalias craniofaciais. Foram excluídas as publicações realizadas com bebês pré-termo, sindrômicos, com anomalias, doenças neurológicas ou qualquer alteração que pudesse interferir na amamentação, revisões de literatura e relatos de caso. Os artigos selecionados foram analisados e classificados quanto ao nível de evidência científica, predominando o nível três de evidência. A análise de conteúdo demonstrou a necessidade de adequações nas iconografias 3D, para que o processo de sucção e deglutição demonstrado no bebê virtual pudesse corresponder ao conhecimento científico atual. Tais adequações foram propostas a partir dos achados de 9 estudos, publicados entre 2008 e 2014, que utilizaram ultrassonografia para demonstrar como ocorre o processo de amamentação. Desta forma, foram modificados os aspectos da pega, da movimentação de língua, mandíbula, palato mole e laringe, além da sincronização da sucção/deglutição/respiração e deslocamento do mamilo, num processo desenvolvido em cinco etapas. Assim, o presente estudo descreveu o processo de desenvolvimento das iconografias em 3D sobre a anatomia e fisiologia da sucção e deglutição no recém-nascido a termo, sendo que a validade de conteúdo permitiu atualizar vários aspectos da amamentação do Bebê Virtual, quebrando velhos paradigmas e possibilitando ilustrar didaticamente as evidências científicas relacionadas.

Java software platform for the development of advanced robotic virtual laboratories

This article presents an interactive Java software platform which enables any user to easily create advanced virtual laboratories (VLs) for Robotics. This novel tool provides both support for developing applications with full 3D interactive graphical interface and a complete functional framework for modelling and simulation of arbitrary serial-link manipulators. In addition, its software architecture contains a high number of functionalities included as high-level tools, with the advantage of allowing any user to easily develop complex interactive robotic simulations with a minimum of programming. In order to show the features of the platform, the article describes, step-by-step, the implementation methodology of a complete VL for Robotics education using the presented approach. Finally, some educational results about the experience of implementing this approach are reported.

3D Hand Pose Estimation with Neural Networks

We propose the design of a real-time system to recognize and interprethand gestures. The acquisition devices are low cost 3D sensors. 3D hand pose will be segmented, characterized and track using growing neural gas (GNG) structure. The capacity of the system to obtain information with a high degree of freedom allows the encoding of many gestures and a very accurate motion capture. The use of hand pose models combined with motion information provide with GNG permits to deal with the problem of the hand motion representation. A natural interface applied to a virtual mirrorwriting system and to a system to estimate hand pose will be designed to demonstrate the validity of the system.

Augmented and Virtual Reality techniques for footwear

The use of 3D imaging techniques has been early adopted in the footwear industry. In particular, 3D imaging could be used to aid commerce and improve the quality and sales of shoes. Footwear customization is an added value aimed not only to improve product quality, but also consumer comfort. Moreover, customisation implies a new business model that avoids the competition of mass production coming from new manufacturers settled mainly in Asian countries. However, footwear customisation implies a significant effort at different levels. In manufacturing, rapid and virtual prototyping is required; indeed the prototype is intended to become the final product. The whole design procedure must be validated using exclusively virtual techniques to ensure the feasibility of this process, since physical prototypes should be avoided. With regard to commerce, it would be desirable for the consumer to choose any model of shoes from a large 3D database and be able to try them on looking at a magic mirror. This would probably reduce costs and increase sales, since shops would not require storing every shoe model and the process of trying several models on would be easier and faster for the consumer. In this paper, new advances in 3D techniques coming from experience in cinema, TV and games are successfully applied to footwear. Firstly, the characteristics of a high-quality stereoscopic vision system for footwear are presented. Secondly, a system for the interaction with virtual footwear models based on 3D gloves is detailed. Finally, an augmented reality system (magic mirror) is presented, which is implemented with low-cost computational elements that allow a hypothetical customer to check in real time the goodness of a given virtual footwear model from an aesthetical point of view.

3D numerical modelling of acoustic horns using the method of fundamental solutions

In the present work, a three-dimensional (3D) formulation based on the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) is applied to the study of acoustic horns. The implemented model follows and extends previous works that only considered two-dimensional and axisymmetric horn configurations. The more realistic case of 3D acoustic horns with symmetry regarding two orthogonal planes is addressed. The use of the domain decomposition technique with two interconnected sub-regions along a continuity boundary is proposed, allowing for the computation of the sound pressure generated by an acoustic horn installed on a rigid screen. In order to reduce the model discretization requirements for these cases, Green’s functions derived with the image source methodology are adopted, automatically accounting for the presence of symmetry conditions. A strategy for the calculation of an optimal position of the virtual sources used by the MFS to define the solution is also used, leading to improved reliability and flexibility of the proposed method. The responses obtained by the developed model are compared to reference solutions, computed by well-established models based on the boundary element method. Additionally, numerically calculated acoustic parameters, such as directivity and beamwidth, are compared with those evaluated experimentally.

3D model reconstruction using neural gas accelerated on GPU

In this work, we propose the use of the neural gas (NG), a neural network that uses an unsupervised Competitive Hebbian Learning (CHL) rule, to develop a reverse engineering process. This is a simple and accurate method to reconstruct objects from point clouds obtained from multiple overlapping views using low-cost sensors. In contrast to other methods that may need several stages that include downsampling, noise filtering and many other tasks, the NG automatically obtains the 3D model of the scanned objects. To demonstrate the validity of our proposal we tested our method with several models and performed a study of the neural network parameterization computing the quality of representation and also comparing results with other neural methods like growing neural gas and Kohonen maps or classical methods like Voxel Grid. We also reconstructed models acquired by low cost sensors that can be used in virtual and augmented reality environments for redesign or manipulation purposes. Since the NG algorithm has a strong computational cost we propose its acceleration. We have redesigned and implemented the NG learning algorithm to fit it onto Graphics Processing Units using CUDA. A speed-up of 180× faster is obtained compared to the sequential CPU version.

Modelización, argumentación, enunciados científicos, comunicación virtual y redes sociales a través de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación en Ciencias Naturales

El presente proyecto tiene por finalidad investigar los diferentes procesos de aprendizaje e interacciones que tienen lugar través del desarrollo y aplicaciones de estrategias innovadoras en ambientes mediados por las TIC en el ámbito de la Biología, la Física y la Química. Esta propuesta se llevará a cabo a través de cuatro componentes articuladas que se integran a través de su marco teórico y en su utilización en la práctica áulica. El primero de ellos se refiere al desarrollo, aplicación y evaluación de materiales que involucran diferentes procesos centrados en la modelización. Proponemos identificar, adaptar y aplicar una serie de recursos tecnológicos usados en la modelización. Se investigarán distintos aspectos generando dimensiones y categorías de análisis que permitan caracterizarlos. Dentro de ellos se usarán las simulaciones para la enseñanza la Física, específicamente se tratará de identificar las dificultades que presentan los estudiantes al resolver problemas aplicando las Leyes de Newton y generar una propuesta didáctica que incluya una simulación Applet Java para el aprendizaje de este contenido con su correspondiente evaluación. Otro recurso tecnológico que se estudiará tiene que ver con las animaciones llevadas a cabo por computadora. Se utilizará la estrategia Stopmotion para el aprendizaje de diferentes aspectos de la división celular en Biología, con alumnos de escuelas secundaria, investigando los aprendizajes y las producciones realizadas por estudiantes que trabajan de manera no tradicional. También se propone el uso de dos laboratorios virtuales con alumnos del profesorado en Biología, lo que permite comprender conceptos que habitualmente requieren experimentación fáctica, uno para la identificación de ADN a través de electroforesis en gel y el otro para la contaminación del agua. Se propone generar las guías de laboratorio basada en resolución de problemas a investigar la innovación a través de encuestas y entrevistas. Se investigarán el impacto de este recurso, las actitudes de los estudiantes frente a esta estrategia y sus aprendizajes. También se investigará la aplicación de un video juego educativo Kokori en 3D, de distribución gratuita, libre cuyo objetivo es poner en evidencia la comprensión de los procesos metabólicos de las células. Se aplicará a docentes de formación inicial analizando la interacción con los saberes de los estudiantes a través de situaciones en un escenario lúdico. Toda la investigación de esta componente estará centrada en la caracterización de los materiales, su evaluación, los aprendizajes con procesos de modelización. La segunda componente investiga las características que presentan las argumentaciones que se abordan en los procesos de lectura y escritura que se promueven cuando se trabaja con las TIC. Se analizarán las producciones escritas realizadas por docentes y estudiantes en las redes sociales y otros materiales desarrollados y aplicados en la componente anterior. El tercer componente se refiere al estudio de la interacción y comunicación que se promueva entre los participantes de los trabajos virtuales y de las redes sociales que intervienen, tales como Facebook y Twiter. Se considerará las dimensiones, categorías e indicadores que dan cuanta de los proceso de comunicación en estos entornos. El último componente, es el análisis de los procesos y negociaciones respecto de los enunciados, como las premisas que representan el conocimiento, que se ponen en juego en distintas propuestas elaboradas por los futuros profesores de biología en recursos como la Webquest. El enfoque metodológico usado integra técnicas y procedimientos cuantitativos y cualitativos. La contribución teórica permitirá caracterizar diferentes aspectos de la enseñanza de las ciencias naturales introduciendo TIC y como aporte novedoso se espera consolidar una red de comunicaciones entre los docentes, los estudiantes y los investigadores involucrados en el proyecto.

A multimodal tablet-based interface for designing and reviewing 3D engineering models

The ability to view and interact with 3D models has been happening for a long time. However, vision-based 3D modeling has only seen limited success in applications, as it faces many technical challenges. Hand-held mobile devices have changed the way we interact with virtual reality environments. Their high mobility and technical features, such as inertial sensors, cameras and fast processors, are especially attractive for advancing the state of the art in virtual reality systems. Also, their ubiquity and fast Internet connection open a path to distributed and collaborative development. However, such path has not been fully explored in many domains. VR systems for real world engineering contexts are still difficult to use, especially when geographically dispersed engineering teams need to collaboratively visualize and review 3D CAD models. Another challenge is the ability to rendering these environments at the required interactive rates and with high fidelity. In this document it is presented a virtual reality system mobile for visualization, navigation and reviewing large scale 3D CAD models, held under the CEDAR (Collaborative Engineering Design and Review) project. It’s focused on interaction using different navigation modes. The system uses the mobile device's inertial sensors and camera to allow users to navigate through large scale models. IT professionals, architects, civil engineers and oil industry experts were involved in a qualitative assessment of the CEDAR system, in the form of direct user interaction with the prototypes and audio-recorded interviews about the prototypes. The lessons learned are valuable and are presented on this document. Subsequently it was prepared a quantitative study on the different navigation modes to analyze the best mode to use it in a given situation.

Rice morphogenesis and plant architecture: Measurement, specification and the reconstruction of structural development by 3D architectural modelling

Background and Aims The morphogenesis and architecture of a rice plant, Oryza sativa, are critical factors in the yield equation, but they are not well studied because of the lack of appropriate tools for 3D measurement. The architecture of rice plants is characterized by a large number of tillers and leaves. The aims of this study were to specify rice plant architecture and to find appropriate functions to represent the 3D growth across all growth stages. Methods A japonica type rice, 'Namaga', was grown in pots under outdoor conditions. A 3D digitizer was used to measure the rice plant structure at intervals from the young seedling stage to maturity. The L-system formalism was applied to create '3D virtual rice' plants, incorporating models of phenological development and leaf emergence period as a function of temperature and photoperiod, which were used to determine the timing of tiller emergence. Key Results The relationships between the nodal positions and leaf lengths, leaf angles and tiller angles were analysed and used to determine growth functions for the models. The '3D virtual rice' reproduces the structural development of isolated plants and provides a good estimation of the fillering process, and of the accumulation of leaves. Conclusions The results indicated that the '3D virtual rice' has a possibility to demonstrate the differences in the structure and development between cultivars and under different environmental conditions. Future work, necessary to reflect both cultivar and environmental effects on the model performance, and to link with physiological models, is proposed in the discussion.

Multimodal Man-machine Interface and Virtual Reality for Assistive Medical Systems

The results of research the intelligence multimodal man-machine interface and virtual reality means for assistive medical systems including computers and mechatronic systems (robots) are discussed. The gesture translation for disability peoples, the learning-by-showing technology and virtual operating room with 3D visualization are presented in this report and were announced at International exhibition "Intelligent and Adaptive Robots–2005".

3D Reconstruction and Digital Visualization of the South of the Royal Palace in Great Preslav

The report presents the film 10th century. The South of the Royal Palace in Great Preslav. It consists of two parts – 10th century. The Royal Palace in Great Prelsav. The Square with the Pinnacle and The Ruler’s Lodgings. 3D and virtual reconstructions of an architectural ensemble – part of the Preslav Royal Court unearthed during archaeological researches are used in the film. 3D documentaries have already gained popularity around the world and are well received by both scholars and the public at large. One of the distinguished tourist destinations in Bulgaria is Great Preslav – capital of the mediaeval Bulgarian state and a significant cultural center of the European Southeast in 9th–10th centuries, too. The first part of the film is created with the financial support of America for Bulgaria Foundation and the second – with the funding of Bulgarian National Science Fund at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science. A team of almost 20 members worked on the film, including computer specialists, professional actors, and translators in the four main European languages – English, German, French and Russian, Trima Sound Recording Studio. In the first part of the 3D film are shown a segment of the Royal Palace, the square with the water pinnacle and the adjacent buildings – an important structural element of the town-planning of the Preslav Court center in the 10th century. In the second part the accent is the southern part of the Royal Palace in Great Preslav, where the personal residence of the Preslav ruler’s dynasty is situated. The work on the virtual reconstruction was done by Virtual Archaeology club at the Mathematical School, Shumen. Due to the efforts of its members it is now clear how the square in front of the southern gate looked like.

The Architecture of 3D Administration

The objective of this article is to introduce the main blocks in building virtual front and back offices of public administration. Virtual administration is probably kind of an ultimate or top stage of ICT platforms of e-government. First a justification is given why 3D government fits in the recent EU directives of e-government development. The relevant scholarship contains a brief description of the visualized e-government, and then a fully illustrated, step by step survey reveals the itinerary to construct virtual government which is the main result of the study. The article concludes with a discussion on the practical benefit of such a research if there is one.

Group presence in virtual worlds: Supporting collaborative e-learning

Even though e-learning endeavors have significantly proliferated in recent years, current e-learning technologies provide poor support for group-oriented learning. The now popular virtual world's technologies offer a possible solution. Virtual worlds provide the users with a 3D - computer generated shared space in which they can meet and interact through their virtual representations. Virtual worlds are very successful in developing high levels of engagement, presence and group presence in the users. These elements are also desired in educational settings since they are expected to enhance performance. The goal of this research is to test the hypothesis that a virtual world learning environment provides better support for group-oriented collaborative e-learning than other learning environments, because it facilitates the emergence of group presence. To achieve this, a quasi-experimental study was conducted and data was gathered through the use of various survey instruments and a set of collaborative tasks assigned to the participants. Data was gathered on the dependent variables: Engagement, Group Presence, Individual Presence, Perceived Individual Presence, Perceived Group Presence and Performance. The data was analyzed using the statistical procedures of Factor Analysis, Path Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The study provides support for the hypothesis. The results also show that virtual world learning environments are better than other learning environments in supporting the development of all the dependent variables. It also shows that while only Individual Presence has a significant direct effect on Performance; it is highly correlated with both Engagement and Group Presence. This suggests that these are also important in regards to performance. Developers of e-learning endeavors and educators should incorporate virtual world technologies in their efforts in order to take advantage of the benefit they provide for e-learning group collaboration.

Coral Gables Virtual History

Florida International University has partnered with the City of Coral Gables to create a geospatially-enabled Virtual Historic City. With this tool, users may navigate to any point in the city at a selected time period (e.g. the Biltmore Hotel from the 1920s to 1940s) and experience the city as it was, through a wide variety of cultural artifacts and textual materials. A virtual walking tour of Coral Gables was also created, which includes an audio narration and 3D simulations providing the façades of historic buildings and landscape. Students, educators, historians, public policy administrators, architects, sociologists, environmental analysts, urban planners, and the general public can explore over 8,000 historical documents, photographs, oral histories, and maps that have been spatially registered to their relevant locations and time.