Three-dimensional Tracing Research Articles

Enhanced detection of measurement anomalies in cartridge cases using 3D gray-level co-occurrence matrix.

The firing pin impression left on the base of a cartridge case is a critical analytical feature in forensic science. To address the limitations of traditional manual trace analysis and mitigate the risk of secondary damage to physical evidence, we employ a line laser displacement sensor to capture and analyze three-dimensional (3D) traces of fired cartridge cases. However, when using laser displacement sensors to collect traces from metal cartridge cases, the high curvature and reflectivity of the metal surface can cause specular reflections, potentially leading to measurement anomalies in the firing pin impressions. To effectively identify these anomalies during automated trace analysis, this paper proposes an automated detection method. This method extends the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), which is traditionally used for two-dimensional (2D) images, to the 3D scenarios, enabling the extraction of texture features from the 3D traces of cartridge cases. A support vector machine (SVM) is then employed to detect and classify measurement anomalies. Experiments with 2038 sets of firing pin impression data from cartridge cases demonstrated a detection accuracy of 98.92 %, validating the effectiveness of the proposed method. We hope this method can be widely adopted in forensic laboratories to improve the reliability of evidence analysis.

TYPOLOGY OF METHODS OF MARKING ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN PLANNING HERITAGE

The article deals with the problem of presenting objects of architectural and urban planning heritage in the modern environment. Most of such objects are unknown to society, not researched, their state of preservation is critical or they are only partially preserved, but at the same time, the value and uniqueness of such objects are the property of the entire nation. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out measures to preserve and protect valuable historical architectural and town-planning complexes, as well as to identify them with the help of a set of measures developed individually for each object. The article develops a typology of methods of identification of architectural and urban planning heritage. Among the options for identification methods: planar and three-dimensional tracings, information signs-symbols, exposure of ground and underground fragments of the object, model three-dimensional compositions, interactive and multimedia infoboxes, information and navigation systems, 3D reconstructions of lost objects, etc. In the process of finding and developing options for identification of Ukrainian heritage, options for identification of partially and completely lost valuable historical ensembles and complexes in the world were researched and analyzed.

Anthropogenic gadolinium sources and remediation in highly urbanized river in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, China: Insights from buffer zone and three-dimensional tracer system

As a newly emerging microcontaminant, rare earth elements (REEs), especially gadolinium (Gd) in surface water, are attracting great environmental concern in large urban cities. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region stands as the preeminent urban agglomeration in northern China, whereas the riverine Gd characteristics and environmental impacts on this region remain inadequate. This study analyzed 27 river water samples in BTH, all of which displayed evidently positive Gd anomalies ranging 1.44–290.75. Spearman correlation indicated the positively correlated REEs concentrations in river water with urban land and cultivated land. A three-dimensional tracing system was established involving anthropogenic Gd (Gdanth) and conventional ion ratios (NO3−/Na+, Cl−/Na+). This system effectively discerned the influences originating from sewage treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and factories within the BTH region. Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) manifest notable potential ecological toxicity and adverse health effects when getting exposed. However, traditional wastewater treatment methods demonstrate limited efficacy in removing these pollutants completely from urban water. To deal with this challenge, this study proposed a new method by combining the latest GBCAs remediation technology with mixing membrane wastewater treatment. This technology may shed light on the potential of an economical and operational procedure of handling medical wastewater specifically in urban water.

Preliminary thermal-hydraulic deterministic safety analysis of an in-vessel LOCA for the DTT facility

The DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test) facility is a new experimental tokamak under development by an Italian consortium in cooperation with several high-standard European laboratories. The ENEA division FSN-SICNUC is involved in the project for carrying out deterministic safety analysis of postulated accidents. In the first year of activity, it has been analyzed an In-Vessel LOCA (IVLOCA) scenario. The IVLOCA scenario selected is caused by a break in the divertor’s cassette cooling tubes with the consequent release of coolant inside the Vacuum Vessel (VV). The best estimate thermal-hydraulic system code TRACE, developed by USNRC, was selected to conduct the preliminary thermal-hydraulic analysis of this accident. DTT is currently under design, so not all the data are frozen. Therefore, based on some engineering assumptions and scaling considerations from similar facilities, the nodalization of DTT VV was developed using the three-dimensional TRACE component “VESSEL”. Then, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to simulate the break and the consequent water injection in the VV. This was done to compare the system behavior and test different nodalization approaches. Subsequently, the data of the DTT divertor cooling system were used to run additional simulations. The results allow to compare different nodalization approaches and to have a preliminary estimate of the pressure peak and temperature behavior in the VV for an IVLOCA. Finally, a first uncertainty analysis was carried out using the DAKOTA toolkit, coupled with TRACE code in SNAP. Two uncertain input parameters were selected: the rupture area of a cooling divertor tube and the temperature of the divertor coolant. The uncertainty analysis allows having a wider spectrum of system behavior and a preliminary insight on the dispersion of the VV pressure, selected as figure of merit. This paper aims to show the results of this preliminary analysis, characterizing the phenomena that occurred during the selected transient.

Anthropogenic Gadolinium Accumulation and Rare Earth Element Anomalies of the Typical Urban River, North China: Evidence from the Three-Dimensional Tracing System

Anthropogenic Gadolinium Accumulation and Rare Earth Element Anomalies of the Typical Urban River, North China: Evidence from the Three-Dimensional Tracing System

Vagal preganglionic axons arborize in the myenteric plexus into two types: nitrergic and non-nitrergic postganglionic motor pools?

Vagal preganglionic neurons innervate myenteric ganglia. These autonomic efferents are distributed so densely within the ganglia that it has been impractical to track individual vagal axons through the myenteric plexus with tracer labeling. To evaluate whether vagal efferent axons evidence selectivity, particularly for nitrergic or non-nitrergic myenteric neurons within the plexus, we limited the numbers and volumes of brainstem dextran biotin tracer injections per animal. Reduced labeling and the use of immunohistochemistry generated cases in which some individual axons could be distinguished and traced in three dimensions (Neurolucida) within and among successive (up to 46) myenteric ganglia. In the myenteric plexus of all stomach regions, the majority (∼86%) of vagal efferents were organized into two distinct subtypes. One subtype (∼24% of dextran-labeled efferents, designated "primarily nitrergic") selectively contacted and linked-both within and between ganglia-nitric oxide synthase positive (nNOS+) neurons into presumptive motor modules. A second subtype (∼62% of efferents, designated "primarily non-nitrergic") appeared to selectively contact and link-both within and between ganglia-non-nitrergic enteric neurons into a second type of effector ensemble. A third candidate type (∼14% of labeled preganglionics), appeared to lack "nitrergic selectivity" and to contact both nNOS+ and nNOS- enteric neurons. In addition to the quantitative assessment of the efferent axons in stomach, qualitative observations of the proximal duodenum indicated similar selective vagal efferent projections, in proportions comparable with those evaluated in the stomach. Limited injections of tracer, three-dimensional (3-D) tracing of individual axons, and histochemistry of myenteric neurons might distinguish additional efferent phenotypes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study highlights the following: 1) one type of vagal efferent axon selectively innervates nitrergic upper gastrointestinal myenteric neurons; 2) a second type of vagal efferent selectively innervates non-nitrergic gastrointestinal myenteric neurons; and 3) the two types of vagal efferents might modulate peristalsis reciprocally and cooperatively.

Three-dimensional quasi-static displacement of human middle-ear ossicles under static pressure loads: Measurement using a stereo camera system

The time delay and/or malfunctioning of the Eustachian tube may cause pressure differences across the tympanic membrane, resulting in quasi-static movements of the middle-ear ossicles. While quasi-static displacements of the human middle-ear ossicles have been measured one- or two-dimensionally in previous studies, this study presents an approach to trace three-dimensional movements of the human middle-ear ossicles under static pressure loads in the ear canal (EC). The three-dimensional quasi-static movements of the middle-ear ossicles were measured using a custom-made stereo camera system. Two cameras were assembled with a relative angle of 7° and then mounted onto a robot arm. Red fluorescent beads of a 106–125 µm diameter were placed on the middle-ear ossicles, and quasi-static position changes of the fluorescent beads under static pressure loads were traced by the stereo camera system. All the position changes of the ossicles were registered to the anatomical intrinsic frame based on the stapes footplate, which was obtained from µ-CT imaging. Under negative ear-canal pressures, a rotational movement around the anterior-posterior axis was dominant for the malleus-incus complex, with small relative movements between the two ossicles. The stapes showed translation toward the lateral direction and rotation around the long axis of the stapes footplate. Under positive EC pressures, relative motion between the malleus and the incus at the IMJ became larger, reducing movements of the incus and stapes considerably and thus performing a protection function for the inner-ear structures. Three-dimensional tracing of the middle-ear ossicular chain provides a better understanding of the protection function of the human middle ear under static pressured loads as immediate responses without time delay.

Streamline-based three-dimensional peak-velocity tracing of transvalvular flow using four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for left ventricular diastolic assessment in aortic regurgitation: a case report

BackgroundDoppler transthoracic echocardiography is routinely performed to measure peak mitral inflow velocities in the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. The limitations of echocardiography are well documented, but its accuracy in the measurement of transmitral peak velocity in the presence of aortic valve regurgitation has not yet been compared with four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging offers time-resolved cross-sectional velocity information that can be used to investigate mitral inflow peak velocity. We present a case report demonstrating the potential superior capabilities of four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in accurately detecting mitral inflow velocities over Doppler echocardiography in patients with aortic regurgitation.Case presentationA 67-year-old Caucasian female presented to our outpatient cardiology clinic with exertional dyspnea. Doppler transthoracic echocardiography identified moderate to severe aortic regurgitation. Mapping of mitral inflow peak velocities proved challenging with Doppler echocardiography. Additionally, four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with automated three-dimensional flow streamlines was performed, which allowed for more accurate detection of mitral inflow peak velocities.ConclusionsDoppler echocardiography has a limited role in mitral inflow assessment where aortic regurgitation is present. In such cases, four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is an alternative imaging technique that may circumvent this issue and allow mitral inflow assessment.

Dokumentácia trojrozmerných trasologických stôp pomocou aplikácie fotogrametrie blízkeho dosahu

The article focuses on applying the photogrammetric method in securing criminologically relevant traceological tracks. We presented documenting three-dimensional shoe traces in sand and soil. Experience confirms the unsuitability of using some common securing methods, such as casting by gypsum, e.g. with traceological traces in the snow. Such traces cannot be secure by casting, and thus another procedure is used, which is very lengthy and requires up to several hours. Therefore, it is significant to address non-destructive methods and examine their application potential, advantages and disadvantages. This article provides a basic theoretical overview of currently used forensic techniques in documenting the plastic traceological traces, and then presents the issue of photogrammetry in the context of describing the basic principle of operation and its application to forensics. In the methodological part, an overview of individual work steps is provided and the results themselves represent digital 3D models of traceological tracks. The conclusion of the article contains an evaluation of the results of the work, as well as pointing fout the benefits of close-range photogrammetry for forensic practice.

Anomalous transport independent of gauge fields

We show that three-dimensional trace anomalies lead to new universal anomalous transport effects on a conformally-flat spacetime with background scalar fields. In contrast to conventional anomalous transports in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) or quantum electrodynamics (QED), our current is independent of background gauge fields. Therefore, our anomalous transport survives even in the absence of vector-like external sources. By manipulating background fields, we suggest a setup to detect our anomalous transport. If one turns on scalar couplings in a finite interval and considers a conformal factor depending just on (conformal) time, we find anomalous transport localized at the interfaces of the interval flows perpendicularly to the interval. The magnitude of the currents is the same on the two interfaces but with opposite directions. Without the assumption on scalar couplings, and only assuming the conformal factor depending solely on (conformal) time as usually done in cosmology, one also finds the three-dimensional Hubble parameter naturally appears in our current.

Application of an acoustic emission source-tracing method to visualise shear banding in granular materials

The acoustic emission (AE) technique can be used to locate failure-induced AE sources and provides an alternative to continuously visualise the development of failures inside stressed materials; however, a literature review reveals almost no studies regarding its application for source location in granular materials. Yet the visualisation of ubiquitously observed strain localisation and shear banding is critical to an in-depth understanding of the progressive failure mechanism of granular materials. In this paper, an original AE source three-dimensional (3D) tracing code based on the idea of ‘time difference of arrival’ (TDOA) was developed using Matlab programming, for the first time, to continuously visualise particle-scale interactions involved in saturated granular soils. After validating its feasibility through a series of pencil lead break (PLB) tests, the developed AE source 3D tracing code was applied to saturated granular soils subjected to drained triaxial shearing. Both the results of PLB tests and drained triaxial shearing tests demonstrate a good consistency between the traced AE source and actual PLB/particle interaction-induced sources. This suggests that the developed AE source 3D tracing code could be used to visualise the initiation and evolution of strain localisation and shear banding in saturated granular soils subjected to drained triaxial shearing.

Empirical Evaluation of the Reliability of Photogrammetry Software in the Recovery of Three-Dimensional Footwear Impressions.

This paper examines the reliability of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry as a tool in the capture of forensic footwear marks. This is applicable to photogrammetry freeware DigTrace but is equally relevant to other SfM solutions. SfM simply requires a digital camera, a scale bar, and a selection of oblique photographs of the trace in question taken at the scene. The output is a digital three-dimensional point cloud of the surface and any plastic trace thereon. The first section of this paper examines the reliability of photogrammetry to capture the same data when repeatedly used on one impression, while the second part assesses the impact of varying cameras. Using cloud to cloud comparisons that measure the distance between two-point clouds, we assess the variability between models. The results highlight how little variability is evident and therefore speak to the accuracy and consistency of such techniques in the capture of three-dimensional traces. Using this method, 3D footwear impressions can, in many substrates, be collected with a repeatability of 97% with any variation between models less than ~0.5 mm.

Dataset of three-dimensional traces of roads

We present a dataset consisting of three-dimensional traces, captured by Global Navigation Satellite System techniques with three-dimensional coordinates. It offers 138 traces (69 going and 69 returning), in addition to the actual mean axis of the road determined by precise surveying techniques to be used as ground truth for research activities. These data may serve as a test bed for research on data mining applications related to Global Navigation Satellite System multitraces, particularly the development and testing of algorithms intended for mining mean axis data from road multitraces. The data are suitable for the statistical analysis of both single-trace and multitrace datasets (e.g., outliers and biases).

Multi-physics models for design basis accident analysis of sodium fast reactors. Part I: Validation of three-dimensional TRACE thermal-hydraulics model using Phenix end-of-life experiments

The demonstrated technological feasibility of Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs) makes them stand out among the other reactor concepts proposed by Generation IV International Forum (GIF) for short-term deployment. The availability of reliable computational tools in support of safety analyses and plant simulations under complex transient scenarios is essential to assure SFR’s compliance with the highest safety goals.Answering this need, a multi-physics three-dimensional core and system model is being developed to enable a more detailed representation of the physics of the plant and to anticipate more accurately plant behaviour, even under wider three-dimensional scenarios, such as asymmetric transients. The coupling will be performed using the U.S.NRC system codes TRACE-PARCS, modified to simulate more accurately when using sodium as coolant.The publicly available end-of-life tests conducted in the French SFR Phenix were chosen as baseline to perform a first validation of the computational model. The development of the tool started with a three-dimensional thermal-hydraulic nodal system of Phenix using the TRACE system code.The system simulates the Phenix end-of-life natural circulation test and the result have been compared with published experimental and benchmark results. The main physical phenomena of the 3 phases of the transient (rise in temperature in the low part of the reactor vessel, establishment of natural convection and subsequent cooling of the lower and upper part of the vessel) are predicted by the developed nodal system. More specifically, the analysis of parameters such as Intermediate Heat Exchangers (IHX), primary pumps and core temperatures, shows that the developed system is able to predict and study natural convection phenomena in Phenix-type reactors.The three-dimensional nodal system is able to clearly illustrate the existing thermal stratification in the hot pool, which is neglected by one-dimensional systems and enables the modelling of thermal hydraulic asymmetric behaviour, as it is shown by the uneven flow distribution in Phenix’s primary IHXs as they are asymmetrically located in the reactor vessel.

An integrated numerical method for simulation of drifted objects trajectory under real-world tsunami waves

The present study focused on tracing tsunami-drifted objects under a real tsunami based on an integrated numerical method. Instead of a solitary wave that is much shorter and steeper than real-world tsunami waves, an extra-long tsunami wave is represented here in a nearshore region using a new approach. To this end, propagation of a seismic tsunami from the source to the nearshore region was simulated using two-dimensional depth-averaged equations. When the waves reached the target coastal area, the time series of the free surface of the tsunami was approximated by a theoretical relation based on a combination of several solitons, which were then used to solve the linearized trajectory equation of the wave-maker to generate the intended time series of the tsunami wave. Finally, in a nearshore model, the movement of drifted bodies under the generated tsunami wave was simulated based on the smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. In order to verify the accuracy of the proposed method in tracing the drifted bodies under a real tsunami, the giant fish-oil tank, which was transported about 300 m during the 2011 Tohoku tsunami of Japan, was selected as the benchmark. The results demonstrate that the time series of the long tsunami wave was successfully generated by the piston wave-maker in the GPU-based SPH model, and the proposed approach can be regarded as a suitable alternative for reproduction of a real tsunami. The results also showed that the simulated fish-oil tank properly followed the estimated trajectory in Ishinomaki but it was transported more than the reported distance, which was expected due to absence of a holding connection between the tank and the ground in the SPH model. It should be emphasized that this study is one of the first studies on three-dimensional tracing of a tsunami-drifted body during a real event, and the tracing can be more accurate in further simulations by applying higher-resolution topography data and faster computation systems that help include more details in the nearshore model.

On three-dimensional trace anomaly from holographic local RG

Odd-dimensional quantum field theories (QFTs) can have nonzero trace anomalies if external fields are introduced and some ingredients needed to make Lorentz scalars with appropriate mass dimensions (or weights) are supplied. We have studied a three-dimensional QFT and explicitly computed the trace of the stress tensor using the holographic local renormalization group (RG). We have checked some properties of vector beta functions and the Wess-Zumino consistency condition, however, found the anomalies vanish on fixed points. We clarify what is responsible for the vanishing trace anomalies.

A multilevel U-tube sampler for subsurface environmental monitoring

Sampling fluid in boreholes is always challenging from the standpoints of maintaining integrity and minimizing contamination. This paper focused on the U-tube sampling technology. Firstly, according to initial development motivation, briefly comparison was conducted with available fluid sampling technologies based on driving forces and sample quality. Then, the development history of the U-tube sampling technology was introduced, as well as a comprehensive investigation of its site applications around the world. In particular, a novel multilevel U-tube sampler was designed in China specifically for shallow subsurface, and it had been proven both technically reliable and economically feasible in several carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCS/CCUS) projects, including the Shengli CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) project, the Shenhua CCS demonstration project, and the Jilin CO2-EOR project. Finally, the benefits, drawbacks, and future developments of U-tube sampling technology were pointed out as a conclusion. The U-tube sampler used in shallow subsurface is quite suitable in dedicated monitoring projects which specifically require three-dimensional tracing and accurate fluid analysis in a long term.

Estimation of Mean Trace Length Based on Trace Maps Measured by GPS-RTK

Based on measurement data acquired by GPS-RTK (Real Time Kinematic) technology, this paper established a three-dimensional traces model on digital terrain. Then Zhang and Einstein method and H-H method were chosen to estimate the mean trace length of discontinuities. The results using these two methods are both very close to the reference value. It shows the feasibility of these methods and the rules for setting digital windows in this case.

Three-dimensional trace measurements for fast-moving objects using binary-encoded fringe projection techniques.

A fringe projection technique to trace the shape of a fast-moving object is proposed. A binary-encoded fringe pattern is illuminated by a strobe lamp and then projected onto the moving object at a sequence of time. Phases of the projected fringes obtained from the sequent measurements are extracted by the Fourier transform method. Unwrapping is then performed with reference to the binary-encoded fringe pattern. Even though the inspected object is colorful, fringe orders can be identified. A stream of profiles is therefore retrieved from the sequent unwrapped phases. This makes it possible to analyze physical properties of the dynamic objects. Advantages of the binary-encoded fringe pattern for phase unwrapping also include (1)reliable performance for colorful objects, spatially isolated objects, and surfaces with large depth discontinuities; (2)unwrapped errors only confined in a local area; and (3)low computation cost.

Anatomical Study of Insect Flight Structure

Compared with the fixed-wing and rotary-wing aerial vehicle, the bionic ornithopter has unique advantages in flying maneuverability and flexibilities, becoming one of the focuses of current researches. Because of their high speeds, long distance flight sand low energy consumptions, more and more attentions has been paid to flying insects. Their unique physical structures and flight modes will enlighten the bionic ornithopter. In this paper, four insects flight-related muscle biological structures were dissected to specify the effects of the muscles. Then the flapping wing behavior of two of these insects was tested to guide for design of the bionic ornithopter. The anatomic results showed that they commonly own the dorsoventral muscles, whose weight proportions increase with their body wall thickness. The three-dimensional flapping traces of Dragonflies and Uangs are respectively 8-shape and resemble-8-shape. With combines of anatomy and flapping wing behavior test, the dorsoventral muscle and the tergal longitudinal muscle affect some flight parameters (flapping wing frequency, flapping wing angle, flapping wing movement, etc.). But these flight parameters changes were not sure entirely caused by the muscles. The study of insect physiology structure and flight mode not only can help the further understanding of the production mechanism of high-lift when insects flying, but also can provide theoretical support for development of the bionic ornithopter.