3D Color Map Research Articles

Free dermofat grafting for chest deformity in microtia reconstruction

ObjectiveChest deformity is one of the complications that occurs after costal cartilage harvesting for auricle reconstruction. In this study, we presented a novel method of free dermofat grafting to repair cartilage defect and aimed to evaluate its effect in ameliorating chest deformity. MethodsSeventy-six pediatric patients were included in the study, comprising free dermofat grafting group (n = 38) and control group (n = 38). After harvesting costal cartilage, empty perichondrial space of right seventh costal cartilage was filled with free dermofat grafts in free dermofat grafting group. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) was performed three months after surgery and 3D colormap quantification was performed to quantify chest surface asymmetry. The quantified data were further analyzed to compare chest asymmetry level in free dermofat grafting and control groups. ResultsIn the free dermofat grafting group, the mean of asymmetry level was 2.2 mm. While in the control group, the mean of asymmetry was 5.7 mm. After a comparison between the two groups, the level of asymmetry showed a significant difference (p < 0.01). ConclusionFree dermofat grafting method is easy to perform and a feasible option for ameliorating chest deformity in microtia reconstruction.

Clinical application of digitalization of occlusal contacts with dental scanner

This study aimed to evaluate the number, intensity and position of occlusal contact points in a case of mesiocclusion, hyperdivergence, with open bite. An occlusal record was taken from a patient with anterior and lateral open bite mesiocclusion, using the Planmeca Esmerald S intraoral scanner in maximum intercuspation. The intensity of the occlusal contact was analyzed with the software 3shape Ortho Analyzer Orthodontics, using the Occlusion Map module, through the 3D Color Map tool, with a 0.5 mm virtual articular paper. These results were compared to the occlusal support points defined by Planas [10]. The interpretation of the data obtained was made by assessing the interocclusal intensity of the contact points, number of contacts and position during three different moments (1S, 2S, 3S) in the record taking process. The chromatic scale of the Color Map is: red, orange, yellow, green and blue. To identify the occlusal contact points in digital, they are shown in red points when full contact occurs, while minimum contact is shown in blue. We evaluated the number of teeth with interocclusal contacts. It was determined that having the appropriate number of contacts does not imply that they are in the correct position. In addition, the method suggests reliability in the filing and record keeping of occlusal contacts. By identifying intensity, number and position of the occlusal support point we can objectively record interocclusal alterations.

3D Enhancement Color Maps in the Characterization of Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaques.

High-resolution MR imaging allows the identification of culprit symptomatic plaques after the administration of gadolinium. Current high-resolution MR imaging methods are limited by 2D multiplanar views and manual sampling of ROIs. We analyzed a new 3D method to objectively quantify gadolinium plaque enhancement. Patients with stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease underwent 7T high-resolution MR imaging. 3D segmentations of the plaque and its parent vessel were generated. Signal intensity probes were automatically extended from the lumen into the plaque and the vessel wall to generate 3D enhancement color maps. Plaque gadolinium (Gd) uptake was quantified from 3D color maps as gadolinium uptake = (µPlaque T1 + Gd -µPlaque T1/SDPlaque T1). Additional metrics of enhancement such as enhancement ratio, variance, and plaque-versus-parent vessel enhancement were also calculated. Conventional 2D measures of enhancement were collected for comparison. Thirty-six culprit and 44 nonculprit plaques from 36 patients were analyzed. Culprit plaques had higher gadolinium uptake than nonculprit plaques (P < .001). Gadolinium uptake was the most accurate metric for identifying culprit plaques (OR, 3.9; 95% CI 2.1-8.3). Gadolinium uptake was more sensitive (86% versus 70%) and specific (71% versus 68%) in identifying culprit plaques than conventional 2D measurements. A multivariate model, including gadolinium uptake and plaque burden, identified culprit plaques with an 83% sensitivity and 86% specificity. The new 3D color map method of plaque-enhancement analysis is more accurate for identifying culprit plaques than conventional 2D methods. This new method generates a new set of metrics that could potentially be used to assess disease progression.

Carbon Dots from Turnip Juice: Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation of pH-Dependent Optical Properties

In this study, carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method by using turnip juice as carbon source. The water-soluble nontoxic carbon dots were obtained after reaction. The structural and optical properties of as synthesized CDs were elucidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR), UV–Vis absorption and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. A contour plot of the excitation dependent PL spectra of the turnip juice derived CDs and PL emission spectra in 3D color map were plotted. The maximum PL emission was found at 434 nm when excited at 364. The pH dependent luminescence properties of the CDs were investigated from pH 2-12 range in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The resulting CDs can be evaluated in a variety of application areas, from anti-counterfeiting to bioimaging.

A 3D mirroring and colormap asymmetry study of Class II subdivision patients.

Patients with Class II subdivision malocclusion present skeletal and dental asymmetries. The purpose of this study is to assess those asymmetries by 3D mirroring and colormap quantification. This study analyzed 50 initial CBCTs divided into two groups: Class I (control group) and Class II subdivision (study group) malocclusion patients. CBCTs were oriented and full skull was segmented generating a 3D model. The right side of the 3D models was mirrored, using a midsagittal plane as reference, resulting in a perfectly symmetric skull based on two right sides. Original and mirrored models were superimposed on the unchanged right half, and differences were quantified using a colormap. Eight regions of interest were assessed: gonion, mandibular front, maxillary front, zygomatic process, maxillary and mandibular canine and molar areas. Statistically significant differences using the Mann-Whitney test were found in six of the eight evaluated areas when comparing the control to the study group. The maxillary skeletal areas did not show any difference between the groups. Patients with Class II subdivision malocclusion show true skeletal and dental asymmetries when comparing right and left sides. The maxilla showed no significant skeletal asymmetry, but the maxillary teeth were positioned more mesially on the Class II side. The maxillary canine on the Class II side was also more bucally positioned. The mandible showed significant asymmetries with both skeletal and dental areas in the Class II side more distally and bucally positioned.

In Silico Screening of a Bile Acid Micelle Disruption Peptide for Oral Consumptions from Edible Peptide Database.

Recently, many bioactive peptides have been identified using bioinformatics tools. Previously, our group developed a method to screen dual-functional peptides that have direct intestinal delivery with porous silica gel and bile acid micelle disruption. However, newly designed peptides were not found in any storage protein. Therefore, in this study, in silico screening was performed using a 350,000 edible peptide library consisting of 4- to 7-mer independent peptides. As an initial screening, all edible peptides were applied to the random forest model to select predicted positive peptides. For a second screening, the peptides were assessed for the possibility of intestinal delivery using a 3D color map. From this approach, three novel dual-functional peptides, VYVFDE, WEFIDF, and VEEFYC were identified, and all of them were derived from storage proteins (legumin, myosin, and 11S globulin). In particular, VEEFYCS, in which a serine residue (S) is added to VEEFYC, was assumed to be released by thermolysin from the 11S-globulin derived from Ginkgo biloba by LC-MS/MS analysis. VEEFYCS was found to have suitable direct intestinal delivery and bile acid micelle disruption activity.

Study on fast interference wave resistance optimization method for trimaran outrigger layout

The configuration of outriggers has a significant influence on the wave resistance of a trimaran. In this paper, slender ship theory is applied to calculate the wave resistance of trimarans. In order to improve the calculation accuracy, NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) method is introduced to molding the hull surface and the relative ideal results are obtained. On this basis, a series of 3D color maps of interference resistance (between main hull and outriggers) under different speeds and different displacement ratios are given to study the influence of the outrigger layout on the interference resistance. The results show that within an appropriate range, there is only one valley point of interference resistance exists in each 3D color map. For this reason, in combination with the characteristic of linear wave resistance has analytic expression, the steepest descent method can be applied to solve the problem of searching the outrigger layout with minimum wave resistance efficiently. Based on the above aspects, this paper proposes a fast trimaran outrigger layout resistance optimization method. By means of selecting an appropriate initial outrigger layout position, using trimaran wave resistance formula combined with steepest descent method, the minimum interference resistance layout in specific speed can be obtained efficiently. The results show a good precision of the optimal solution and an obvious promotion in computing efficiency compared to typical enumeration method.

Three-dimensional color map: a novel tool to locate the surgical transepicondylar axis.

BackgroundAccurate localization of the surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the most reliable anatomical reference for femoral rotation, has long been a challenge, primarily because it is intractable to locate the center of the sulcus of the medial epicondyle. This study aimed to introduce and verify a novel method to locate the sTEA more precisely.MethodsThis study included 26 adult femoral specimens and 80 adult patients with computed tomography (CT) scan data. Three dimensions (3D) models based on CT scans of the distal femurs were reconstructed with Mimics and imported into Geomagic Studio. The 3D color map method was applied to locate the sTEA. To further verify the accuracy of the method, the identified sTEA was transferred to the femoral specimens and compared with the points identified by the total station machine. We further compared the recognition rate of sTEA between 3D color map method and two-dimensional (2D) CT slices method. The repeatability of this novel method was also evaluated.ResultsThe 3D color map method located the centers of the sulcus of the medial epicondyle and the most prominent point of the lateral epicondyle of all the femoral specimens, which were further identified and confirmed by patient-specific guide plates and total station machine on femoral specimens. The 3D color map method achieved a recognition rate of up to 96.23%, while the recognition rate of the 2D CT slices method was only 68.87%. The repeatability of this objective method was excellent.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that the 3D color map method could be used to accurately and objectively locate the sTEA, with high repeatability and recognition rate. However, the proposed novel method requires further validation in clinical applications.

A flexible targetless LiDAR–GNSS/INS–camera calibration method for UAV platforms

There is a growing need for 3D colored maps acquired from multi-sensor moving platforms. Accurate multi-sensor data alignment is an important prerequisite for the construction of 3D colored maps derived from simultaneously acquired camera and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. However, current alignment methods are hampered by low automation, heavy computational costs or tedious system calibration set-ups. In this paper, we consider a LiDAR–global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/inertial navigation system (INS)–camera system mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform. We present a detailed literature review of existing calibration methods for such systems. We propose a new versatile automatic and targetless calibration method of this system. This method involves estimating the calibration parameters by optimizing the correspondence between pairs of conjugate image points extracted from overlapping images and the projection of these points onto the georeferenced LiDAR point cloud. Experiments on actual data show the suitability of this method for the construction of 3D colored point clouds. Quantitative calibration results using checkpoints indicate that the obtained calibration accuracy is compatible with the accuracy of the georeferenced LiDAR point cloud, i.e. 5 cm. Further experiments on simulated data show the robustness of this approach to initial calibration parameters and low sensitivity to LiDAR point cloud density and noise. As this method is quite flexible, we believe it is more suitable for 3D color map generation than other methods proposed in the literature.

An in vitro 3D evaluation of the accuracy of 4 intraoral optical scanners on a 6-implant model

Statement of problemAlthough numerous studies have been performed on the accuracy of intraoral scanners, determining the clinical significance of the results is problematic. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the trueness and precision of 4 intraoral optical scanners (IOSs) on a 6-implant model and provide a method to help determine clinical significance. Material and methodsA polymer mandibular edentulous model with 6 hexagonal scan bodies (Ritter) was fabricated, and a control scan was made by using an industrial laser line probe (FARO Edge HD Arm). Four IOSs (True Definition, TRIOS, CEREC Omnicam, Emerald Scanner) were used to scan the same model 5 times: the 20 standard tessellation language (STL) files were individually imported to a 3D inspection software program (Geomagic Control X) and superimposed over the computer-aided design (CAD) control scan. The tolerance was set at a limit of ±0.01 mm. ResultsNone of the tested scanners were true even 10% of the time at the ±0.01-mm tolerance, and the Emerald scanner was true less than 5% of the time. Within scanners, results were precise, showing variations of no more than 2% over repeated scans. When a ±0.05-mm tolerance was selected, the percentage within tolerance increased dramatically. This made the performance of the scanners to appear better but obscured valuable information. The 3D color map was the best method for understanding the data. The color maps showed how much was within tolerance and, equally important, the amount and direction of out of tolerance, providing an easily understandable qualitative and quantitative image. ConclusionsNo statistical or clinical differences were found among the scanners tested. The 3D map was the best method for observing the data.

KVp, mA, and voxel size effect on 3D voxel-based superimposition.

To evaluate the effect of changing kVp, mA, and voxel size on the accuracy of voxel-based superimposition on the anterior cranial base. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken on a phantom skull using different kVp, mA, and voxel size combinations. CBCT scans were superimposed using commercially available software. Two separate open-source software programs were used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) color map objective assessment of the differences in seven different regions: Nasion, Point A, Zygomatic (right and left), Point B, and Gonial (right and left). Each region had around 200 points that were used to calculate the mean differences between the superimpositions. Intraclass correlation showed excellent reliability (0.95). Lowering the kVp made the biggest difference, showing an average discrepancy of 0.7 ± 0.3 mm, and a high mean of 1.4 ± 0.3 in the Right Gonial region. Lowering the mA showed less of a discrepancy, with an average of 0.373 ± 0.2 mm, and the highest discrepancy, also on the Right Gonial Area, of 0.7 ± 0.1 mm. The voxel size had the least impact on the accuracy of registered volumes, with mean discrepancy values of less than 0.2 mm. Using different CBCT settings can affect the accuracy of the voxel-based superimposition method. This is particularly the case when using low kVp values, while changes in mA or voxel sizes did not significantly interfere with the superimposition outcome.

Dynamic Water Mobility in Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicas) During Drying Process Assessed by LF-NMR and MRI in situ

Abstract The purpose of this study is to elucidate the water dynamics in sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicas) during drying process in situ by the fast and non-destructive low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. T 2 relaxation spectra in three-dimensional (3D) color map surface image from LF-NMR showed three main peaks assigned to bound water with relaxation time less than 2 ms, immobilized water in the range of 15–150 ms and extra-collagen fibrillar bulk water or free water adhered onto the sea cucumber with the longest relaxation time 200–1600 ms. The water dynamics in sea cucumber during drying process was clearly observed from the 3D color map surface image. Significant correlations between the LF-NMR T 2 parameters (ATotal, A 23 and T 23) and TPA parameters were observed, demonstrating that LF-NMR might be a complementary technique in monitoring the textural properties of sea cucumber during drying process.

Dynamic elasticity measurement for prosthetic socket design.

The paper proposes a novel apparatus to measure the dynamic elasticity of human limb in order to help the design and fabrication of the personalized prosthetic socket. To take measurements of the dynamic elasticity, the desired force generated as an exponential chirp signal in which the frequency increases and amplitude is maintained according to time progress is applied to human limb and then the skin deformation is recorded, ultimately, to obtain the frequency response of its elasticity. It is referred to as a Dynamic Elasticity Measurement Apparatus (DEMA) in the paper. It has three core components such as linear motor to provide the desired force, loadcell to implement the force feedback control, and potentiometer to record the skin deformation. After measuring the force/deformation and calculating the dynamic elasticity of the limb, it is visualized as 3D color map model of the limb so that the entire dynamic elasticity can be shown at a glance according to the locations and frequencies. For the visualization, the dynamic elasticities measured at specific locations and frequencies are embodied using the color map into 3D limb model acquired by using 3D scanner. To demonstrate the effectiveness, the visualized dynamic elasticities are suggested as outcome of the proposed system, although we do not have any opportunity to apply the proposed system to the amputees. Ultimately, it is expected that the proposed system can be utilized to design and fabricate the personalized prosthetic socket in order for releasing the wearing pain caused by the conventional prosthetic socket.

Optical Design of Porous ZnO/TiO2 Films for Highly Transparent Glasses with Broadband Ultraviolet Protection

We present a design of a bilayer porous film structure on a glass substrate for the highly efficient ultraviolet (UV) protection with high visible-light transparency. To effectively block UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–400 nm), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are used as absorbing layers having the appropriate coverages in different UV ranges with extinction coefficients, respectively. We show the process of refractive index (RI) matching by controlling porosity (Pr). Effective RIs of porous media with TiO2 and ZnO were calculated based on volume averaging theory. Transmittances of the designed films with different effective RIs were calculated using rigorous coupled-wave analysis method. Using admittance loci method, the film thickness was optimized in center wavelengths from 450 to 550 nm. The results show that the optimal design provides high UV shielding performance at both UVA and UVB with high transparency in the visible range. We also analyze electrical field distributions in each layer and angle dependency with 3D HSV color map.

Identification of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease utilizing delayed postcontrast 3D FLAIR and fused 3D FLAIR and CISS color maps.

The preferential delayed enhancement of the perilymphatic space enables detection of the non-enhancing endolymphatic hydrops present in patients with Ménière's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of delayed postcontrast 3D FLAIR images and a color map of fused postcontrast FLAIR and constructive interference steady state (CISS) images in the identification of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with clinically diagnosed Ménière's disease. Case control, blinded study. Tertiary referral center. Ten patients with Ménière's disease and five volunteer controls. Diagnostic. Two neuroradiologists blinded to the clinical history independently evaluated for the presence of endolymphatic hydrops on the images of both inner ears for test and control subjects. Both the standard gray-scale FLAIR images and the fused color map images were independently reviewed. The gray-scale 3D FLAIR images demonstrated 68.2% sensitivity and 97.4% specificity, and the fused color map images demonstrated 85.0% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity in the identification of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease. There was significant correlation between the gray-scale 3D FLAIR images and fused color map images with the categorization of involvement (p = 0.002). Inter-evaluator reliability was excellent (kappa = 0.83 for gray-scale images, kappa = 0.81 for fused color map). Delayed 3D FLAIR and fused 3D FLAIR-CISS color map images of the inner ears after intravenous contrast administration are potentially useful diagnostic tools in the evaluation of patients with suspected Ménière's disease.

Three-Dimensional Color Maps: A Novel Tool for Assessing Craniofacial Changes

Three-dimensional (3D) color maps are useful for analyzing data acquired by laser scanning, stereophotography, or computed tomography (CT). The authors aim to illustrate the different applications of color maps in the craniomaxillofacial region. The images obtained from the above techniques at 2 different time points are superimposed based on a common area unaffected by the surgical intervention or growth. Using specialized software, the distance differences between the 2 superimposed images are depicted in a graphical format as a 3D color map. A color-coded scale indicating the distances accompanies these maps. 3D color maps can be manipulated and viewed in a variety of angles to extract the maximum diagnostic information. They facilitate the critical evaluation of facial asymmetry, accuracy of fusing CT and 3D photo data sets, and postsurgical changes. 3D color maps aid the objective assessment of craniofacial structures while enhancing visual comprehension and communication with patients.

Preliminary study: Color map of hepatocellular carcinoma using dynamic contrast-enhanced 256-detector row CT

To distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from normal liver tissue, a color map was made by dynamic contrast-enhanced 256-detector row CT developed at our institute. Dynamic enhanced CT of the liver of three patients with HCC was studied. The CT has 912 (transverse) × 256 (cranio-caudal) elements, each measuring approximately 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm at the center of rotation. Scanning for 10 s (1.0 s/rotation) was started 30 s after intravenous injection of contrast medium. The reconstruction increment was 0.62 mm with a time interval of 0.1 s and a matrix size of 512 × 512 × 256. Color maps were generated to show the gradient of the regression line of the time–density change. Due to volume acquisition, the 3D color map can be created using continuous 10-s scanning. The densities of the HCC and liver were decreased and increased during scanning, respectively. The HCC was detected clearly in the color map as a downward-sloping region. Dynamic enhanced 256-detector row CT could be useful for detecting malignant tumors in the liver with a short scan time.