Introduction to teaching science with three-dimensional images of dinosaur footprints from Cristo Rey, New Mexico

In this paper we discuss the use of three-dimensional (3-D) imagery and virtual field trips to teach pre-university and non-major university geoscience courses. In particular, 3-D PDF (Portable Document Format) files can be used to either prepare students for or completely replace a field trip when logistical problems make the actual trip too difficult to be effective or when some students need an alternative accommodation. Three-dimensional images can replace or supplement classroom activities, such as the identification of rocks and minerals from hand samples or the identification of geologic structures from 2-D photographs and limited field observations. Students can also become involved in data collection and processing to further their understanding of photogrammetry and visualization. The use of 3-D imagery can make additional time available to instructors to cover more advanced topics and teach students more about the role of science in geologic research. We use an example from Cristo Rey, New Mexico, where dinosaur footprints and tracks are present but difficult to see in many cases, and they are often in places that are hard to access for many people. At this site, approximately 10 000 photographs were collected and processed as 3-D images to show one approximately 72 m2 area of known footprints. However, we also conducted some very simple digital manipulations of the images that allowed us to identify new footprints and tracks that were not apparent when viewed in the field. The photographs and 3-D images have been donated to the Insights El Paso Science Center (denoted Insights Museum herein) that owns the fossil site, and they are now being used to develop educational materials and lessons for the nearby communities.

Total laparoscopic resection by medial-retroperitoneal approach using virtual navigation: two case reports of primary retroperitoneal schwannoma

Background We report two rare cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma completely resected by a laparoscopic medial-retroperitoneal approach aided by virtual navigation. Three-dimensional images have been used in liver and lung surgery, but there are few prior reports on retroperitoneal surgery. Case presentation These two case reports are of a 60-year-old man and a 40-year-old man with asymptomatic retroperitoneal schwannoma. In both cases, the tumors were located in the right renal hilum and were close to the duodenum, right ureter, and inferior vena cava. Simulation using three-dimensional images was performed before surgery, and a medial-retroperitoneal approach was performed to secure a wide surgical field. During the operation, we confirmed the location of the main feeder and the relationship between the tumor and organs with those shown on the three-dimensional images and performed total laparoscopic resection. Conclusion The medial-retroperitoneal approach provides operative safety. Preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation with three-dimensional images, which can be freely rotated and interactively visualized from any angle, are useful methods to enhance the surgeon’s understanding of a patient’s specific anatomy and are especially effective when resecting a retroperitoneal tumor that is located in an anatomically deep and complex location.

Total Laparoscopic Resection by Retroperitoneal Approach Using Virtual Navigation: Two Case Reports of Primary Retroperitoneal Schwannoma

Background: We report two rare cases of retroperitoneal schwannoma completely resected by laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach aided by virtual navigation.Case presentation: These two case reports are of a 60‐year‐old man and a 40‐year‐old man with asymptomatic retroperitoneal schwannoma. In both cases, the tumors were located in the right renal hilum and were close to the duodenum, right ureter, and inferior vena cava. Simulation using three-dimensional images was performed before surgery, and a retroperitoneal approach was performed to secure a wide surgical field. During the operation, we confirmed the location of the main feeder and the relationship between the tumor and organs with those shown on the three-dimensional images and performed total laparoscopic resection.Conclusion: The retroperitoneal approach provides operative safety. Preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation with three-dimensional images are useful methods to enhance the surgeon’s understanding of a patient’s specific anatomy and are especially effective when resecting a retroperitoneal tumor that is located in an anatomically deep and complex location.

Improving preparedness prior to reconstructive breast surgery via inclusion of 3D images during pre-operative counselling: a qualitative analysis

Background A proportion of women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer choose to undergo breast reconstruction. Evidence suggests that women’s preparedness for this surgery is low and that this may contribute to feelings of unmatched expectations and anxiety. There is substantial interest in decision-aids to remedy this. This study explores the incorporation of digitally rendered three-dimensional images into pre-operative counselling sessions as a means of enhancing patient preparedness. Methods A database of three-dimensional images was produced showing both optimal and sub-optimal aesthetic outcome, matched to participant on the basis of type of surgical reconstruction, body habitus, and skin tone. Women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer followed by immediate reconstruction were targeted for inclusion. Participants interacted with image software during pre-operative counselling sessions by viewing, rotating, and zooming in/out to gain a more in-depth appreciation of post-operative aesthetic outcome. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews followed thereafter. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and themes identified. Results Eight semi-structured interviews took place. The major emergent theme was ‘increased preparedness’ with subthemes including ‘expectation management’, ‘software interaction’, and ‘enhanced realism’. There were no prohibitively negative emotions after interacting with images. Women reported gaining ‘more of a perspective’ and feeling ‘more informed’ after viewing images. They also valued the enhanced interactivity and better appreciation of reconstructed breast symmetry that viewing three-dimensional images offered when compared to viewing two-dimensional photographs. Finally, women also commented that three-dimensional images were more realistic. Conclusions Results suggest that incorporation of three-dimensional images into pre-operative counselling sessions prior to breast reconstruction, is a fairly simple yet effective method of enhancing patient preparedness prior to surgery. Women particularly valued the ability to use the software to generate a more realistic idea of what to expect after their operation. Future work should focus on better understanding any quantifiable benefit from incorporating three-dimensional images routinely into pre-operative decision-making.

Spatial Models of Sugars and Their Compounds

The images of saccharide and polysaccharide molecules in spaces of various dimensions are considered. A method has been developed for obtaining simplified three-dimensional images of sugar molecules and their chains based on their images in spaces of higher dimensions. It was found that three-dimensional images of furanose and pyranose molecules fundamentally differ from each other to form convex and, accordingly, non-convex bodies. This leads to fundamental differences in the structure of polysaccharides from these molecules.