Investigating shape-from-shading illusions using solid objects

Recent growth in the shape-from-shading psychophysics literature has been paralled by an increasing availability of computer graphics hardware and software, to the extent that most psychophysical studies in this area now employ computer lighting algorithms. The most widely used of algorithms is shape-from-shading psychophysics is the Phong lighting model. This model, and other shading models of its genre, produce readily ineterpretable imiages of three-dimensional scenes. However, such algorithms are only approximations of how light interacts with real objects in the natural environment. Nevertheless, the results from psychophysical experiments using these techniques have been used to infer the processes underlying the perception of shape-from-shading in natural environments. It is important to establish whether this substitution is ever valid. We report a series of experiments investigating whether two recently reported illusions seen computer-generated, Phond shaded images occur for solid objects under real illuminants. The two illusions investigated are three-dimensional curvature contrast and the illuminant-position effect on perceived curvature. We show that both effects do occur for solid objects, and that the magnitude of these effects are equivalent regardless of whether subjects are presented with ray traced or solid objects.

Development and mechanical characterization of bioadhesive semi-solid, polymeric systems containing tetracycline for the treatment of periodontal diseases

Purpose. This study examined the mechanical characteristics and release of tetracycline from bioadhesive, semi-solid systems which were designed for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Measurement of highly transient electrical charging following high-intensity laser-solid interaction

The multi-million-electron-volt proton beams accelerated during high-intensity laser-solid interactions have been used as a particle probe to investigate the electric charging of microscopic targets laser-irradiated at intensity similar to10(19) W cm(2). The charge-up, detected via the proton deflection with high temporal and spatial resolution, is due to the escape of energetic electrons generated during the interaction. The analysis of the data is supported by three- dimensional tracing of the proton trajectories. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.