Shaping Method Research Articles

SMPLer: Taming Transformers for Monocular 3D Human Shape and Pose Estimation.

Existing Transformers for monocular 3D human shape and pose estimation typically have a quadratic computation and memory complexity with respect to the feature length, which hinders the exploitation of fine-grained information in high-resolution features that is beneficial for accurate reconstruction. In this work, we propose an SMPL-based Transformer framework (SMPLer) to address this issue. SMPLer incorporates two key ingredients: a decoupled attention operation and an SMPL-based target representation, which allow effective utilization of high-resolution features in the Transformer. In addition, based on these two designs, we also introduce several novel modules including a multi-scale attention and a joint-aware attention to further boost the reconstruction performance. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of SMPLer against existing 3D human shape and pose estimation methods both quantitatively and qualitatively. Notably, the proposed algorithm achieves an MPJPE of 45.2mm on the Human3.6M dataset, improving upon the state-of-the-art approach (Lin et al., 2021) by more than 10% with fewer than one-third of the parameters.

Peran Single Parent dalam Membentuk Karakter Religius Anak

Single parents often encounter obstacles in educating children at home. Usually due to lack of knowledge and time because they have to work. This study aims to describe the single parent method in shaping the character of religious children in Karduluk Village, Sumenep and it’s implications. This research uses a qualitative approach with a type of field research. Collecting data using interviews and non-participant observation. The data analysis technique consists of 3 stages, namely data condensation, data display, and conclusion/verification. The research findings show that: first, the role of single parents in shaping the religious character of children in Karduluk Village, Sumenep is carried out through 3 synergistic approaches, namely the advice approach, the exemplary approach, and the habituation approach; second, the role of single parents in shaping the religious character of children in Karduluk village, Sumenep has implications for 3 main aspects, namely the aspect of faith in the form of increasing confidence in children in the existence of Allah SWT; aspects of worship in the form of children's religious behavior that can be seen from their daily lives both in terms of mahdhah worship and ghairu mahdhah worship; and moral aspects in the form of children's attitudes and behavior that reflect religious values ​​and teachings.

Isogeometric mindlin-reissner inverse-shell element formulation for complex stiffened shell structures

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is a technology that is used to improve the safety, stability, and availability of large engineering structures. One important aspect of SHM is the ability to perform real-time reconstruction of the full-field structural displacements, also known as shape sensing. The inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM) is a technique that has been used for three-dimensional shape sensing of structures using strain data. On the other hand, Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) is a method that utilizes smooth spaces of functions, such as non-uniform rational B-splines, to solve structural problems and has gained significant attention in recent times. In this study, the authors propose a new method for shape sensing of complex stiffened shell structures by combining IGA with the iFEM method. The goal of this research is to accurately reconstruct the complex geometry of the structure without the need for a fine numerical discretization or mesh. To achieve this, the authors have developed an isogeometric Mindlin-Reissner inverse-shell element (IgaiMin) to implement the coupling between IGA and iFEM. The proposed method is validated by solving problems involving simple plates, tee junctions, and partly clamped stiffened panels representing ship structures.

Optimized MMC passive impedance shaping method for high frequency oscillation suppression

Recent years, there have been several high-frequency oscillation events in modular multilevel converter (MMC) based DC current projects. Considering the wideband oscillation characteristics of this issue, passive MMC impedance shaping methods are superior solutions for their advantages over the active methods in enhancing the broadband damping level. However, the optimization of parallel passive devices mainly focused on reactive power compensation and the suppression of characteristic harmonics generated by low-level inverters, which is not applicable to MMC systems. To address the optimization design problem of passive damping devices, this paper proposes an optimized design method for passive filters by analyzing the relationship between the passive damping device and the impedance shaping effect of the inverter. The proposed method reduces the capacity of the passive damping device while ensuring system stability margin. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed passive impedance shaping strategy is verified through time-domain simulations considering changes in AC side operating conditions and power reduction operation of the MMC.

Mutual coupling suppression of MIMO array with non-uniform curved-strip EBG structure via shape and layout co-optimization

In this paper, a shape and layout co-optimization method for mutual coupling suppression of MIMO array with non-uniform curved-strip electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure is proposed. The curved shape of the EBG structure between the microstrip patches is described to achieve the mutual coupling suppression by the spline curve and moving it the same displacement along the y-axis in both directions, where the spline curve is formed by the coordinates of the control points corresponding to the Bessel function. Moreover, the non-uniform layout design of the EBG structure is introduced to further adjust the radiation field and the surface current distribution of the coupled array. Through simultaneously optimizing the curved shape and layout parameters of the strip EBG structure, the expected array radiation and decoupling performances are obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by a MIMO array with edge-to-edge distance of only 0.1λ0 in the 5G WLAN frequency band. The simulation and experiment results indicate that, compared with non-EBG and the initial uniform strip EBG, the proposed EBG structure can provide the advantage of significantly reducing the mutual coupling to −35.20 dB and effectively improving the isolation between the elements, meanwhile ensuring the MIMO array performances.

Review of Research on Nuclear Signal Pulse Shaping

Pulse shaping can greatly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and has been widely used in nuclear signal processing. This paper gives a brief overview of the current research status of nuclear signal pulse shaping at home and abroad. It describes in detail the three traditional pulse shaping methods of quasi-Gaussian shaping, triangular shaping and trapezoidal shaping, and discusses the nuclear pulse signal shaping that has appeared in recent years. And a brief introduction to the nuclear pulse signal shaping methods that have emerged in recent years is also given.

Development and experimental verification of the adaptive cable-strut antenna array

This study introduces a machine learning-based framework aimed at enhancing the precision of cable-strut antenna arrays, addressing a crucial need in advanced antenna deployment. The framework employs the force density method for shape sensing and incorporates genetic algorithm optimization, markedly improving the control of antenna shape and effectively reducing the time lag in actuators' response for real-time control. Through experiment, the framework's effectiveness was validated, demonstrating substantial improvements in the shape accuracy of the antenna arrays. The study further explores the results of various cases on a prototype, revealing the control system's capacity to activate actuators for optimal control. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is taken for analyzing shape deformation, thereby substantiating the precision of control system. This research makes a contribution to the field by advancing the application of adaptive control techniques in large-scale phased antenna arrays, underscoring its potential to enhance construction and deployment efficiency in complex engineering systems.

Volumetric Analysis of Hand and Rotary Instrumentation, Root Canal Filling Techniques, and Obturation Materials in Primary Teeth Using Spiral CT.

To compare the root canal volume in primary teeth using hand and rotary instruments and to evaluate root canal filling techniques and flow of root canal obturation materials in the postinstrumented root canal volume using spiral computed tomography (SCT). Freshly extracted 16 primary molars were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to SCT analysis before and after instrumentation. For the manual technique (group I) with eight teeth were prepared using K files, and rotary (group II) eight teeth preparation was performed with ProTaper files. The filled volume in each canal was measured using SCT, and the percentage of obturated volume was calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. There was a statistically significant difference in both groups' volume of root canals enlarged. Even though both K files and the ProTaper system brought about enlarged canals after instrumentation, there was a statistically significant increase in volume after using K files in two canals. In three canals, there was a statistically significant increase in volume after using ProTaper. Irrespective of the obturation technique and materials used, there is no statistically significant difference in the volume after obturation. From the results of this study, the ProTaper file system shows suitable volumetric enlargement up to an optimum level, which is needed in primary root canal walls, and is better in canal shaping, as evidenced by good postobturation volume. The traditional method of cleaning and shaping the root canals in permanent teeth using manual stainless-steel files can lead to undesirable curvatures in root canal morphology, making correctly filling the root canals difficult. It is also time-consuming and sometimes leads to iatrogenic errors. Rotary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instrumentation techniques have been developed to overcome these problems. How to cite this article: Yadav DBUC, Varma RB, Kumar JS, et al. Volumetric Analysis of Hand and Rotary Instrumentation, Root Canal Filling Techniques, and Obturation Materials in Primary Teeth Using Spiral CT. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(3):250-259.

A novel impact angle control guidance law design via predefined time convergence theory

A predefined time guidance law with impact angle control is proposed for intercepting the stationary target. With such a guidance law, the convergence time of the impact angle error for the missile is independent of the initial conditions, and it can be selected at the will of the designer. First, a heading error shaping method based on the Lyapunov asymptotic stability theory will be introduced, which ensures the missile hits the target. Then, a bias term will be designed and introduced into this method, which can make sure the impact angle error converges to zero in the predefined time. The Lyapunov stability analysis is discussed in detail for the resulting predefined-time convergent guidance system. Finally, simulation examples are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed guidance law.

Stochastic stabilization based on kinetic-potential energy shaping for stochastic mechanical port-Hamiltonian systems

This paper extends a kinetic-potential energy shaping method to stochastic mechanical port-Hamiltonian systems. The kinetic-potential energy shaping brings a new class of Lyapunov function candidates involving a cross term of the position and the momentum without solving partial differential equations for deterministic port-Hamiltonian systems. However, the conventional kinetic-potential energy shaping does not necessarily work for stochastic port-Hamiltonian systems due to energy increase by stochastic noise. Therefore, we first provide a modification properly compensated by using stochastic generalized canonical transformations. Then, two stochastic stability results are presented. The first result shows a necessary condition for stochastic asymptotic stability for an equilibrium state. The other one shows a necessary condition for stochastic bounded stability for a target state, which is not necessarily an equilibrium point.

Design of highly efficient far-field beam shapers with irregular maskless microlens arrays

Regular tandem microlens arrays are well described and widely used for beam shaping and homogenization. Applying absorbing slides between the entrance and exit lenslets and channel-wise variation of the slides’ shape and size allows flexible control of the beam’s intensity profile and silhouette. The downside of absorbing slides is a significant transmission loss, limiting the achievable level of system efficiency. This work describes a more efficient method for micro-optical beam shaping with maskless irregular microlens arrays (iMLA). The iMLAs are completely absorption-free elements, enhancing the overall efficiency of the optical system. We describe basic design rules for iMLAs, including stray-light suppression, tolerancing, and modeling under consideration of manufacturing imperfections.

Impact of Weight Functions on Performance of Three-Input Integrated Dc-Dc Converter in H ∞ Control

Many power electronic systems applications namely locomotives, hybrid electric vehicles, and all renewable energy sourced systems are shifting towards Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) integrated DC-DC converters due to their reliability and flexible nature. Designing controllers for MIMO integrated DC-DC converter is complicated due to its integrated structure, presence of common elements, and interactions between the input and output variables of the converter. In this work, a Three-Input Integrated DC-DC (TIID) converter is modeled using state-space analysis, and a Transfer Function Matrix (TFM) is acquired from the small signal continuous time model. A robust controller based on the loop shaping method is designed for the TIID converter. In this loop-shaping method, the desired robustness and the performance of the controller are represented with weight functions i.e., loop-shaping filters. These weight functions are designed using TFM and are frequency-dependent. The robustness of the controller depends on the weight function parameters. The effect of varying the parameters of the weight functions on system dynamics, robustness, and performance are studied and plotted. TIID converter of 288 W, 24V-30V-36V to 48 V is considered and the impact of weight function on closed-loop system dynamics and sensitivity characteristics under varying parameter conditions are analyzed in MATLAB Environment.

Extending the reach of multi-core fiber via Voronoi constellations with concatenated multilevel coding.

This Letter proposes a novel, to the best of our knowledge, coded modulation scheme for randomly coupled multi-core fiber (RC-MCF) via multidimensional (MD) constellation with concatenated two-level multilevel coding (MLC). In the proposed system, the 16-dimensional (16D) Voronoi constellation (VC), naturally fitting with the 16 degrees of freedom of a four-core fiber (two quadratures, two polarizations, and four cores), is generated by a latticed-based shaping method to provide higher shaping gains. Moreover, combining it with the concatenated two-level MLC can further achieve better performance-complexity trade-off. It is demonstrated by simulation results of long-haul multi-channel RC-MCF transmission that the proposed coded modulation scheme for four-core fiber transmission offers 77% reduction in the number of decoding operations and up to 21% (585 km) reach increase over the conventional bit-interleaved coded modulation scheme for quadrature amplitude modulation.

Analog B(M1) strengths in the Tz=±32 mirror nuclei Mn47 and Ti47

The lifetimes of the first excited 72− states in the Tz=±32 mirror nuclei Mn47 and Ti47 have been extracted utilizing the γ-ray line shape method, giving τ=687(36) ps and τ=331(15) ps respectively. Since these transitions are essentially pure M1 transitions, these results allow for a high-precision comparison of analog M1 strengths in mirror nuclei. The two analog B(M1)s are observed to be identical to a precision of about 10%. The expected dependence of the transition matrix element with Tz has been used to extract the separate isoscalar and isovector components of the transition strength, and the results are discussed in the context of predictions, based on the isospin formalism, regarding analog B(M1) strengths. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A Pattern Shaping Method for Focused Antenna Arrays

A Pattern Shaping Method for Focused Antenna Arrays

Comparison of singleton and twin birth weight reference percentile curves by gestational age and sex in extremely preterm infants: a population-based study

BackgroundWith the increasing survival rate of smaller newborns and twins, previous growth curves may not accurately assess the growth of extremely preterm infants (EPIs). Our study aimed to establish birth...

Assessing Cleaning in Remanufacturing: A Case Study of Shot Blasting Efficiency to Alternator Design

Cleaning is a crucial step in the remanufacturing of end-of-life components. The main purpose of cleaning is to remove all contaminant items such as dirt, oils, dust in order to facilitate the process of core inspection before moving on to the subsequent step to complete the remanufacturing activity. However, there are issues/challenges related to the cleaning methods that affect the process efficiency. It has also been reported that the cleaning process is time consuming and has adverse impact to the environment. Cleaning is directly influenced by the various cleaning methods and the design features of each core/incoming parts. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of shot blasting cleaning method from core design perspectives in the case of an alternator. The results will be assessed based cleanliness level after the cleaning process on the core surface, complex shape, geometry, and joining method. The outcome demonstrates that the complexity of the core design also affects the cleaning process efficiency. According to the study shot blasting cleaning method without any pretreatment process was insufficient to fully clean the core. Hence, it is suggested to consider several parameters to enhance the shot blasting method to clean the used alternator for remanufacturing process.

High capacity laminate adsorbers: Enhancing separation performance beyond packed beds

In response to the growing demand for more efficient adsorption processes, structured adsorbents have emerged as a promising solution as they offer improved mass transfer and pressure drop characteristics. However, they are often hampered by a lower volumetric capacity due the presence of support structures or a large bed void fraction. This research focuses on the manufacturing and evaluation of self-standing zeolitic laminates of various thickness and spacing, comparing their performance to a traditional packed bed. A shaping method to obtain laminates with a 84 wt% zeolite 13X content is described. Furthermore, a method for precise assembly and spacing of the laminates is detailed. Three such laminar adsorbers with different geometries were evaluated in breakthrough experiments and compared to a packed bed to assess their efficiency in the bulk separation of carbon dioxide. Superior performance of the laminar adsorbers was found, with one configuration employing 1.2 mm laminates and 0.4 mm spacing showing a significant 19 % increase in volumetric capacity compared to a packed bed of pellets. This enhanced capacity is achieved while maintaining efficient heat and mass transfer, resulting in sharp breakthrough profiles. Furthermore, using thinner (0.5 mm) laminates, the length of unused bed was further reduced. Additionally, pressure drop calculations were performed and experimentally validated. The pressure drop over the laminar adsorbers was shown to be significantly lower than over a packed bed. These findings underscore the potential of laminar adsorbers to intensify adsorptive separation processes, reduce energy consumption, and address the demand for more effective adsorption technologies.

A T-splines-oriented isogeometric topology optimization for plate and shell structures with arbitrary geometries using Bézier extraction

Recently, the non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) have been considerably employed in modeling plate and shell structures, or developing the related size, shape or topology optimization methods for their design. However, the NURBS with the tensor product feature strongly hinders the effectiveness of the optimization on complex structures. The primary intention of the current research is to propose a new T-splines-oriented Isogeometric Topology Optimization (T-ITO) method and then address the critical design problem of plate and shell structures with arbitrary shapes in practical applications. Firstly, the Bézier extraction is utilized in the T-splines to map the geometrical model into a family of Bézier elements, each of which is presented by a local Density Distribution Function (DDF) for elementary topology. A global DDF is constructed by an assembly of all local DDFs with a natural connection to the present structural topology. Secondly, the T-splines-based IsoGeometric Analysis (T-IGA) formulation with the Bézier extraction for complex plate and shell structures is developed using the Kirchhoff-Love theory, where a universal numerical implementation framework is constructed, including the Rhino, MATLAB, export modules with all geometric information and import modules for the analysis. Thirdly, a mathematical formulation for plate and shell structures with arbitrary geometries is developed using the T-ITO method to improve structural loading-capability, and the sensitivity analysis with respect to design variables is rigorously derived in detail. Finally, several numerical examples of plate and shell structures with both regular and elaborate geometries are tested to demonstrate the validity, effectiveness, superiorities and indispensability of the T-ITO method.

Conventional technologies and recent developments in the nanotechnological approach for the remediation of persistent organic pollutants

ABSTRACT Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are one of the important concerns in the environmental sciences and ecotoxicology fields. Various deadly illnesses and environmental problems are caused by them. It is a major issue in society that there are no new and effective ways to eliminate POPs from the atmosphere. Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area that has uses in every aspect of life. A lot of attention is being paid to the investigation of novel synthetic methods for shaping and controlling the size of nanomaterials due to their outstanding uses and qualities. One of the most significant groups of nanoparticles is the magnetic nanoparticles. A novel class of magnetic separation techniques for water treatment has been made possible through the utilization of magnetic nanoparticles as nano adsorbents. Our aim in this study is to give a concise, focused review of POP, emphasize the sources, types, and potentially hazardous impacts they have on living organisms, and to offer some observations on their detection and monitoring strategies. To highlight specific conventional removal technologies of importance, as well as recent advancements such as nanotechnology and magnetic nanoparticles, including their synthesis methods. Finally, hybrid nanotechnology for POP removal has been investigated.