Survey of Digital Tools for the Generation of Ideas

Author(s):  
Marco Rossoni ◽  
Patrizia Bolzan ◽  
Giorgio Colombo ◽  
Monica Bordegoni ◽  
Marina Carulli

Abstract During the concept phase of the industrial design process drawings are used to represent designer’s ideas. More specifically, the designer’s goal is to put the characteristics of ideas on paper so that they can later act as pivotal points in the development of a project. Sketching is also the ideal tool to continue developing an idea: because it is imprecise, the sketch guarantees a high degree of freedom, allowing for changes to made and new ideas to be added. Another possibility is to translate ideas into sketches on computer tools. This approach can allow the designer to use the created 3D model as the basis for further developing ideas. At the present moment, however, this type of solution is not extensively used by designers during the concept phase. Some researchers have identified technical problems as the reason why these instruments have been unsuccessful on the market, while for others this is related to systems still too rigid to be adapted to the often-diverse needs of designers. The research presented in this position paper aims at analyzing what has so far been understood with respect to the process of generating ideas, their initial representation in the concept phase and the tools that have been developed so far to support this phase. Consequently, a discussion on these themes and some hypotheses from which develop new research lines will be presented.

Author(s):  
R. Beeuwkes ◽  
A. Saubermann ◽  
P. Echlin ◽  
S. Churchill

Fifteen years ago, Hall described clearly the advantages of the thin section approach to biological x-ray microanalysis, and described clearly the ratio method for quantitive analysis in such preparations. In this now classic paper, he also made it clear that the ideal method of sample preparation would involve only freezing and sectioning at low temperature. Subsequently, Hall and his coworkers, as well as others, have applied themselves to the task of direct x-ray microanalysis of frozen sections. To achieve this goal, different methodological approachs have been developed as different groups sought solutions to a common group of technical problems. This report describes some of these problems and indicates the specific approaches and procedures developed by our group in order to overcome them. We acknowledge that the techniques evolved by our group are quite different from earlier approaches to cryomicrotomy and sample handling, hence the title of our paper. However, such departures from tradition have been based upon our attempt to apply basic physical principles to the processes involved. We feel we have demonstrated that such a break with tradition has valuable consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1029.1-1029
Author(s):  
Y. Livshits ◽  
O. Teplyakova ◽  
A. Sarapulova

Background:Telemedicine counseling (TMC) has gained rapid development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prospect of using this technology in rheumatology was based on the possibility of getting maximum information about the patient during the survey, examination and interpretation of laboratory and instrumental data, that is excepting direct contact with the patient. Several rheumatological clinics have reported on the success of using TMC. However, there is very little data of the difficulties that can be encountered when organizing this process.Objectives:To characterize the identified problems during TMC in rheumatology, to suggest potential directions for their elimination.Methods:Since June 2021, on the basis of the Medical Association “New Hospital”, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, 76 TMCs have been performed on the profile of rheumatology in patients aged 29 to 71 years. Of these, 13 applied to the primary TMC, the other patients were preliminarily examined in person. The consultation included the preliminary acquaintance with the examination results, a 20-minute video communication and writing of a conclusion. After each TMC, a survey was conducted between the doctor and the patient, including the identified deficiencies in counseling. The frequency of identified problems is presented as an absolute indicator and as a percentage of the total number of TMCs performed.Results:We noted a high degree of patient satisfaction: 74 (97.4%) responded that they received answers to all. However, according to the doctor, the following groups of problems were identified.[1]Technical problems in 29 (38.2%): most often there were various problems with the Internet, but there were also registered: the end of the charge on the patient’s tablet, the patient was not registered in the electronic queue. Elimination of these violations depends on the work of IT-specialists, but each consulting physician should be prepared for an immediate transition to an alternative form of communication (for example - telephone).[2]Lack of objective examination, leading to the impossibility of correct remote diagnosis - 8 (10.5%). This problem was identified due to the inability to establish the presence or absence of arthritis during the initial diagnosis (6 cases) and to clarify the nature of the rash (2 cases). All patients are invited for a face-to-face consultation.[3]The need to write prescriptions for psychotropic drugs - 12 (15.8%), which under the conditions of national legislation cannot be done in the TMC regime.[4]The time spent directly on remote communication with the patient was 17.2 minutes (from 8 to 31), however, taking into account the study data and writing the conclusion, the total time was 40.7 minutes (from 21 to 73). Thus, it turned out that the average time for remote and face-to-face consultations is the same, while TMC’s payment is only about 50% of the face-to-face consultation. This situation reduces the doctor’s interest in carrying out TMC. The solution to the problem is associated with reducing the time for the documentation process through technical improvements. In addition, of the 9 patients in whom the TMC process lasted 60 minutes or more, 5 were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It is possible that with a previously established diagnosis of fibromyalgia, only face-to-face counseling should be recommended to patients.Conclusion:The TMC system is promising, however, there are a number of problems that need to be improved, since they can reduce the doctor’s interest in using this technology.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Qirui Wu ◽  
Xiuqing Gong ◽  
Jinfeng Liu ◽  
Yujie Ma

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy that affects children and young adults. OS is characterized by a high degree of malignancy, strong invasiveness, rapid disease progression, and extremely high mortality rate; it is considered as a serious threat to the human health globally. The incidence of OS is common in the metaphysis of long tubular bones, but rare in the spine, pelvis, and sacrum areas; moreover, majority of the OS patients present with only a single lesion. OS has a bimodal distribution pattern, that is, its incidence peaks in the second decade of life and in late adulthood. We examine historical and current literature to present a succinct review of OS. In this review, we have discussed the types, clinical diagnosis, and modern and future treatment methods of OS. The purpose of this article is to inspire new ideas to develop more effective therapeutic options.


2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (7) ◽  
pp. 1751-1760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Julián ◽  
Mónica Roldán ◽  
Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi ◽  
Oihane Astola ◽  
Gemma Agustí ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aggregation of mycobacterial cells in a definite order, forming microscopic structures that resemble cords, is known as cord formation, or cording, and is considered a virulence factor in the M ycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the species M ycobacterium marinum. In the 1950s, cording was related to a trehalose dimycolate lipid that, consequently, was named the cord factor. However, modern techniques of microbial genetics have revealed that cording can be affected by mutations in genes not directly involved in trehalose dimycolate biosynthesis. Therefore, questions such as “How does mycobacterial cord formation occur?” and “Which molecular factors play a role in cord formation?” remain unanswered. At present, one of the problems in cording studies is the correct interpretation of cording morphology. Using optical microscopy, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between cording and clumping, which is a general property of mycobacteria due to their hydrophobic surfaces. In this work, we provide a new way to visualize cords in great detail using scanning electron microscopy, and we show the first scanning electron microscopy images of the ultrastructure of mycobacterial cords, making this technique the ideal tool for cording studies. This technique has enabled us to affirm that nonpathogenic mycobacteria also form microscopic cords. Finally, we demonstrate that a strong correlation exists between microscopic cords, rough colonial morphology, and increased persistence of mycobacteria inside macrophages.


Author(s):  
S. Artese ◽  
J. L. Lerma ◽  
J. Aznar Molla ◽  
R. M. Sánchez ◽  
R. Zinno

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The three-dimensional (3D) documentation and surveying of cultural heritage can be carried out following several geomatics techniques such as laser scanning and thermography in order to detect the original 3D shape after applying reverse engineering solutions. In almost all cases, the integration of data collected by different instruments is needed to achieve a successful and comprehensive 3D model of the as-built architectural shape of the historical building. This paper describes the operations carried out by the authors to determine the as-built 3D model of the Escuelas Pias Church, related namely to the dome and circular nave. After the description of the church and historical notes, attention will be driven to the indirect registration results obtained with three different laser scanning software packages, highlighting similarities and differences, and the consequences while generating meshes. The 3D model carried out will then be described and the results of some investigations with regard to the hypotheses about the design of the dome and the origin of the alterations will be presented.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 7-26
Author(s):  
Rimma I. Sokolova

The article discusses such a new phenomenon of modernity as the rehabilitation of utopia, which has not yet become widespread, but it is a serious symptom of the crisis of civilization in Russia and in the West. It is shown that attempts to rehabilitate utopia are associated with the situation of crisis, uncertainty, unpredictability caused by the ongoing transformations of the modern epoch. Under these conditions, the utopia is not only a reflection of the existing situation but also an opportunity for the formation of new ideas and the reduction of uncertainty. Many astute researchers in both the West and Russia demonstrate a positive attitude towards utopia, as they see the opportunities offered by utopia, especially in times of crisis. It is noted that in Russia there is a gradual overcoming of the negative attitude to utopia, which was associated with the collapsed socialist system. A summary history of utopia shows that utopia is a significant factor in history that accompanies the development of mankind throughout history. Despite this, in the earlier decades of the 20th century and the beginning of 21st century the “death of utopia” was declared, it was driven by ideological and political reasons and by globalization in general. Meanwhile, at present its importance is again actualized in relation to the complex international situation. Therefore, both in the West and in Russia there is a growing demand for the ideal concepts of the future of human existence in the form of utopia.


1969 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. L. Allen

SUMMARYTheory based on the sphere as the ideal particle, fails to account satisfactorily for the concentration of solids observed in unconsolidated natural sands, which at the same time display a substantial degree of dimensional ordering of the particles. However, when the prolate spheroid of moderate axial ratio is substituted for the sphere, a theory which is satisfied by observation becomes possible, for the reason that equal spheroids can be regularly packed in both close and open ways. A spheroid assemblage of mixed open and close packings can retain a high degree of dimensional ordering of the constituent solids, yet have a relatively low particle concentration. Observations made on sandstones carefully selected for evidence of rapid cementation seem to bear out the theory as applied to natural sands. Clusters of grains resembling the open packings of equal spheroids are found in these sandstones to be uncommon but not rare, in accordance with the theory as thus far developed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seda Yilmaz ◽  
Shanna R. Daly ◽  
Colleen M. Seifert ◽  
Richard Gonzalez

Research supports the central role cognitive strategies can play in successful concept generation by individual designers. Design heuristics have been shown to facilitate the creation of new design concepts in the early, conceptual stage of the design process, as well as throughout the development of ideas. However, we know relatively little about their use in differing disciplines. This study examined evidence of design heuristic use in a protocol study with 12 mechanical engineers and 12 industrial designers who worked individually to develop multiple concepts. The open-ended design problem was for a novel product, and the designers’ sketches and comments were recorded as they worked on the problem for 25 min and in a retrospective interview. The results showed frequent use of design heuristics in both disciplines and a significant relationship to the rated creativity of the concepts. Though industrial designers used more heuristics in their concepts, there was a high degree of similarity in heuristic use. Some differences between design disciplines were observed in the choice of design heuristics, where industrial designers showed a greater emphasis on user experience, environmental contexts, and added features. These findings demonstrate the prevalence of design heuristics in individual concept generation and their effectiveness in generating creative concepts, across two design domains.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document