scholarly journals Comparison of Image Generation and Processing Techniques for 3D Reconstruction of the Human Skull

Author(s):  
B. V. Mehta ◽  
R. Marinescu

Although in the last few years, the use of the non-invasive medical techniques for diagnosis and treatment has experienced a huge development, mainly due to advancement in technology, for research and education these methods are still elaborate, expensive and not readily accessible. The purpose of our study was to compare the accuracy of an unconventional, non-invasive and relatively inexpensive Microscribe (3D digitizer) with a standard widely used and expensive CT-Scan and/or MRI for 3D reconstruction of a human skull, which will be used for biomechanics studies. Two models of the human skull were developed (reconstructed), one using the 3D coordinates generated by the Microscribe 3D digitizing unit and another one using the CT-Scans (2D cross-sections) obtained from a GE scanner. Using the hand-held digitizer, the Microscribe, X, Y and Z coordinates of a human skull were generated to create the first computer model. The 3D coordinates were brought as splines in to 3D Studio Max, a 3D modeling software, and U-lofted to form a solid NURBS model. The Microscribe captures the physical properties of a three-dimensional object and translates them into a 3D model. This kind of device is used to collect data directly from the surface of the study object. The stylus tip is moved over the contour of the object following its surface until the entire surface is digitized. Usually, points are drawn on the object’s surface in order to facilitate the digitizing process. 3D Studio Max takes this “raw” data and produces complex 3D models using various modeling techniques. For making the first skull model a technique called DRAW SPLINES was used. This method allows the user to begin a new spline or to do multiple splines by adding splines to those already created. I used this command to digitize my model because it is easy to use, quick and it gives the most accurate result. The final model was obtained in three steps: half of the skull was digitized and the first object was obtained, the MicroscribeSpline object (Fig. 1). The splines were transformed in NURBS curves and the second object was called NURBS Curves object. Finally, in the third phase, the NURBS curves were transformed in NURBS surfaces using the NURBS surface command, U-LOFT, and the final model, NURBS surface object, was obtained (Fig. 2). The entire skull was obtained from 2 identical halves of the same skull. The model was created using symmetry method because of the model’s organic complexity. The solid model was then exported to FEA software for analysis. (Fig. 3) The second skull model was created using the 2-D cross-sections obtained from the GE Helical Hi Speed - FX/i scanner (Fig. 4). The same skull used in the first part of the study, for modeling the first virtual model, was scanned following both sagittal and frontal planes. The interslice distance was set as being 3 mm. 48 CT slices for every analyzed plane were obtained. The CT cross-sections were captured as DICOM files using the E-film software and exported as TIFF images. The TIFF images were brought into OPTIMAS (image analysis software), which extracted the X, Y coordinates of each cross section using the POINT MORPHOMETRY option. A visual basic program was developed to convert the extracted coordinates to closed curves under Unigraphics SolidEdge software. To obtain the final model, the external boundaries of each cross section were lofted using LOFT PROTRUSION command. To find the best result, a second approach was developed in parallel using Adobe STREAMLINE and image processing software, which extracts the boundaries of each cross section and exports them as DXF files, compatible with the Solid Edge program. Both models were then subjected to stress analysis using Finite Element Analysis software. The analysis results obtained from the two scanning techniques will be discussed and presented, including the pros and cons of using the more accurate and expensive CT-scans versus the inexpensive hand-held scanner and their effects on finite element models. For this study, different image processing software such as OSIRIS, SCION IMAGE, EFILM, 3D DOCTOR, OPTIMAS and STREAMLINE were investigated in order to find the best interface to capture, reconstruct and model body data. The features, availability, cost and user-friendliness of these software tools will also be presented.

Author(s):  
J. P. Colson ◽  
D. H. Reneker

Polyoxymethylene (POM) crystals grow inside trioxane crystals which have been irradiated and heated to a temperature slightly below their melting point. Figure 1 shows a low magnification electron micrograph of a group of such POM crystals. Detailed examination at higher magnification showed that three distinct types of POM crystals grew in a typical sample. The three types of POM crystals were distinguished by the direction that the polymer chain axis in each crystal made with respect to the threefold axis of the trioxane crystal. These polyoxymethylene crystals were described previously.At low magnifications the three types of polymer crystals appeared as slender rods. One type had a hexagonal cross section and the other two types had rectangular cross sections, that is, they were ribbonlike.


Author(s):  
R.D. Leapman ◽  
P. Rez ◽  
D.F. Mayers

Microanalysis by EELS has been developing rapidly and though the general form of the spectrum is now understood there is a need to put the technique on a more quantitative basis (1,2). Certain aspects important for microanalysis include: (i) accurate determination of the partial cross sections, σx(α,ΔE) for core excitation when scattering lies inside collection angle a and energy range ΔE above the edge, (ii) behavior of the background intensity due to excitation of less strongly bound electrons, necessary for extrapolation beneath the signal of interest, (iii) departures from the simple hydrogenic K-edge seen in L and M losses, effecting σx and complicating microanalysis. Such problems might be approached empirically but here we describe how computation can elucidate the spectrum shape.The inelastic cross section differential with respect to energy transfer E and momentum transfer q for electrons of energy E0 and velocity v can be written as


Author(s):  
Xudong Weng ◽  
Peter Rez

In electron energy loss spectroscopy, quantitative chemical microanalysis is performed by comparison of the intensity under a specific inner shell edge with the corresponding partial cross section. There are two commonly used models for calculations of atomic partial cross sections, the hydrogenic model and the Hartree-Slater model. Partial cross sections could also be measured from standards of known compositions. These partial cross sections are complicated by variations in the edge shapes, such as the near edge structure (ELNES) and extended fine structures (ELEXFS). The role of these solid state effects in the partial cross sections, and the transferability of the partial cross sections from material to material, has yet to be fully explored. In this work, we consider the oxygen K edge in several oxides as oxygen is present in many materials. Since the energy window of interest is in the range of 20-100 eV, we limit ourselves to the near edge structures.


Author(s):  
P.A. Crozier

Absolute inelastic scattering cross sections or mean free paths are often used in EELS analysis for determining elemental concentrations and specimen thickness. In most instances, theoretical values must be used because there have been few attempts to determine experimental scattering cross sections from solids under the conditions of interest to electron microscopist. In addition to providing data for spectral quantitation, absolute cross section measurements yields useful information on many of the approximations which are frequently involved in EELS analysis procedures. In this paper, experimental cross sections are presented for some inner-shell edges of Al, Cu, Ag and Au.Uniform thin films of the previously mentioned materials were prepared by vacuum evaporation onto microscope cover slips. The cover slips were weighed before and after evaporation to determine the mass thickness of the films. The estimated error in this method of determining mass thickness was ±7 x 107g/cm2. The films were floated off in water and mounted on Cu grids.


Author(s):  
Stanley J. Klepeis ◽  
J.P. Benedict ◽  
R.M Anderson

The ability to prepare a cross-section of a specific semiconductor structure for both SEM and TEM analysis is vital in characterizing the smaller, more complex devices that are now being designed and manufactured. In the past, a unique sample was prepared for either SEM or TEM analysis of a structure. In choosing to do SEM, valuable and unique information was lost to TEM analysis. An alternative, the SEM examination of thinned TEM samples, was frequently made difficult by topographical artifacts introduced by mechanical polishing and lengthy ion-milling. Thus, the need to produce a TEM sample from a unique,cross-sectioned SEM sample has produced this sample preparation technique.The technique is divided into an SEM and a TEM sample preparation phase. The first four steps in the SEM phase: bulk reduction, cleaning, gluing and trimming produces a reinforced sample with the area of interest in the center of the sample. This sample is then mounted on a special SEM stud. The stud is inserted into an L-shaped holder and this holder is attached to the Klepeis polisher (see figs. 1 and 2). An SEM cross-section of the sample is then prepared by mechanically polishing the sample to the area of interest using the Klepeis polisher. The polished cross-section is cleaned and the SEM stud with the attached sample, is removed from the L-shaped holder. The stud is then inserted into the ion-miller and the sample is briefly milled (less than 2 minutes) on the polished side. The sample on the stud may then be carbon coated and placed in the SEM for analysis.


The work of multilayer glass structures for central and eccentric compression and bending are considered. The substantiation of the chosen research topic is made. The description and features of laminated glass for the structures investigated, their characteristics are presented. The analysis of the results obtained when testing for compression, compression with bending, simple bending of models of columns, beams, samples of laminated glass was made. Overview of the types and nature of destruction of the models are presented, diagrams of material operation are constructed, average values of the resistance of the cross-sections of samples are obtained, the table of destructive loads is generated. The need for development of a set of rules and guidelines for the design of glass structures, including laminated glass, for bearing elements, as well as standards for testing, rules for assessing the strength, stiffness, crack resistance and methods for determining the strength of control samples is emphasized. It is established that the strength properties of glass depend on the type of applied load and vary widely, and significantly lower than the corresponding normative values of the strength of heat-strengthened glass. The effect of the connecting polymeric material and manufacturing technology of laminated glass on the strength of the structure is also shown. The experimental values of the elastic modulus are different in different directions of the cross section and in the direction perpendicular to the glass layers are two times less than along the glass layers.


Author(s):  
Frank Altmann ◽  
Jens Beyersdorfer ◽  
Jan Schischka ◽  
Michael Krause ◽  
German Franz ◽  
...  

Abstract In this paper the new Vion™ Plasma-FIB system, developed by FEI, is evaluated for cross sectioning of Cu filled Through Silicon Via (TSV) interconnects. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to evaluate and optimise different Plasma-FIB (P-FIB) milling strategies in terms of performance and cross section surface quality. The sufficient preservation of microstructures within cross sections is crucial for subsequent Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) grain structure analyses and a high resolution interface characterisation by TEM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lorbach ◽  
Ulrich Hirn ◽  
Johannes Kritzinger ◽  
Wolfgang Bauer

Abstract We present a method for 3D measurement of fiber cross sectional morphology from handsheets. An automated procedure is used to acquire 3D datasets of fiber cross sectional images using an automated microtome and light microscopy. The fiber cross section geometry is extracted using digital image analysis. Simple sample preparation and highly automated image acquisition and image analysis are providing an efficient tool to analyze large samples. It is demonstrated that if fibers are tilted towards the image plane the images of fiber cross sections are always larger than the true fiber cross section geometry. In our analysis the tilting angles of the fibers to the image plane are measured. The resulting fiber cross sectional images are distorted to compensate the error due to fiber tilt, restoring the true fiber cross sectional shape. We use an approximated correction, the paper provides error estimates of the approximation. Measurement results for fiber wall thickness, fiber coarseness and fiber collapse are presented for one hardwood and one softwood pulp.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus A. Ebert ◽  
Bernhard Mistlberger ◽  
Gherardo Vita

Abstract We demonstrate how to efficiently expand cross sections for color-singlet production at hadron colliders around the kinematic limit of all final state radiation being collinear to one of the incoming hadrons. This expansion is systematically improvable and applicable to a large class of physical observables. We demonstrate the viability of this technique by obtaining the first two terms in the collinear expansion of the rapidity distribution of the gluon fusion Higgs boson production cross section at next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) in QCD perturbation theory. Furthermore, we illustrate how this technique is used to extract universal building blocks of scattering cross section like the N-jettiness and transverse momentum beam function at NNLO.


Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Clementina Agodi ◽  
Antonio D. Russo ◽  
Luciano Calabretta ◽  
Grazia D’Agostino ◽  
Francesco Cappuzzello ◽  
...  

The search for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay is currently a key topic in physics, due to its possible wide implications for nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. The NUMEN project aims to provide experimental information on the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) that are involved in the expression of 0νββ decay half-life by measuring the cross section of nuclear double-charge exchange (DCE) reactions. NUMEN has already demonstrated the feasibility of measuring these tiny cross sections for some nuclei of interest for the 0νββ using the superconducting cyclotron (CS) and the MAGNEX spectrometer at the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS.) Catania, Italy. However, since the DCE cross sections are very small and need to be measured with high sensitivity, the systematic exploration of all nuclei of interest requires major upgrade of the facility. R&D for technological tools has been completed. The realization of new radiation-tolerant detectors capable of sustaining high rates while preserving the requested resolution and sensitivity is underway, as well as the upgrade of the CS to deliver beams of higher intensity. Strategies to carry out DCE cross-section measurements with high-intensity beams were developed in order to achieve the challenging sensitivity requested to provide experimental constraints to 0νββ NMEs.


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