Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering,making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective.In this study,β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP)scaffolds ...Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering,making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective.In this study,β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP)scaffolds incorporated with processed pyritum decoction(PPD)were fabricated using three-dimensional(3D)printing-assisted freeze-casting.The produced composite scaffolds were evaluated for their mechanical strength,physicochemical properties,biocompatibility,in vitro proangiogenic activity,and in vivo efficacy in repairing rabbit femoral defects.They not only demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties,enhanced mechanical strength,and good biosafety but also significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and aggregation of pro-angiogenic human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).In vivo studies revealed that all scaffold groups facilitated osteogenesis at the bone defect site,with theβ-TCP scaffolds loaded with PPD markedly enhancing the expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1(Notch1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2),and osteopontin(OPN).Overall,the scaffolds developed in this study exhibited strong angiogenic and osteogenic capabilities both in vitro and in vivo.The incorporation of PPD notably promoted the angiogenic-osteogenic coupling,thereby accelerating bone repair,which suggests that PPD is a promising material for bone repair and that the PPD/β-TCP scaffolds hold great potential as a bone graft alternative.展开更多
Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas,however,its occurrence rate is still rare compared to other cancers.Due to its rarity,in vitro experiments are an essential approach to elucidate liposarcoma ...Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas,however,its occurrence rate is still rare compared to other cancers.Due to its rarity,in vitro experiments are an essential approach to elucidate liposarcoma pathobiology.Conventional cell culture-based research(2D cell culture)is still playing a pivotal role,while several shortcomings have been recently under discussion.In vivo,mouse models are usually adopted for pre-clinical analyses with expectations to overcome the issues of 2D cell culture.However,they do not fully recapitulate human dedifferentiated liposarcoma(DDLPS)characteristics.Therefore,three-dimensional(3D)culture systems have been the recent research focus in the cell biology field with the expectation to overcome at the same time the disadvantages of 2D cell culture and in vivo animal models and fill in the gap between them.Given the liposarcoma rarity,we believe that 3D cell culture techniques,including 3D cell cultures/co-cultures,and Patient-Derived tumor Organoids(PDOs),represent a promising approach to facilitate liposarcoma investigation and elucidate its molecular mechanisms and effective therapy development.In this review,we first provide a general overview of 3D cell cultures compared to 2D cell cultures.We then focus on one of the recent 3D cell culture applications,Patient-Derived Organoids(PDOs),summarizing and discussing several PDO methodologies.Finally,we discuss the current and future applications of PDOs to sarcoma,particularly in the field of liposarcoma.展开更多
The influence of ocean environment on navigation of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)cannot be ignored.In the marine environment,ocean currents,internal waves,and obstacles are usually considered in AUV path planning...The influence of ocean environment on navigation of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)cannot be ignored.In the marine environment,ocean currents,internal waves,and obstacles are usually considered in AUV path planning.In this paper,an improved particle swarm optimization(PSO)is proposed to solve three problems,traditional PSO algorithm is prone to fall into local optimization,path smoothing is always carried out after all the path planning steps,and the path fitness function is so simple that it cannot adapt to complex marine environment.The adaptive inertia weight and the“active”particle of the fish swarm algorithm are established to improve the global search and local search ability of the algorithm.The cubic spline interpolation method is combined with PSO to smooth the path in real time.The fitness function of the algorithm is optimized.Five evaluation indexes are comprehensively considered to solve the three-demensional(3D)path planning problem of AUV in the ocean currents and internal wave environment.The proposed method improves the safety of the path planning and saves energy.展开更多
The development of digital twins for geotechnical structures necessitates the real-time updates of threedimensional(3D)virtual models(e.g.numerical finite element method(FEM)model)to accurately predict time-varying ge...The development of digital twins for geotechnical structures necessitates the real-time updates of threedimensional(3D)virtual models(e.g.numerical finite element method(FEM)model)to accurately predict time-varying geotechnical responses(e.g.consolidation settlement)in a 3D spatial domain.However,traditional 3D numerical model updating approaches are computationally prohibitive and therefore difficult to update the 3D responses in real time.To address these challenges,this study proposes a novel machine learning framework called sparse dictionary learning(T-3D-SDL)for real-time updating of time-varying 3D geotechnical responses.In T-3D-SDL,a concerned dataset(e.g.time-varying 3D settlement)is approximated as a linear superposition of dictionary atoms generated from 3D random FEM analyses.Field monitoring data are then used to identify non-trivial atoms and estimate their weights within a Bayesian framework for model updating and prediction.The proposed approach enables the real-time update of temporally varying settlements with a high 3D spatial resolution and quantified uncertainty as field monitoring data evolve.The proposed approach is illustrated using an embankment construction project.The results show that the proposed approach effectively improves settlement predictions along temporal and 3D spatial dimensions,with minimal latency(e.g.within minutes),as monitoring data appear.In addition,the proposed approach requires only a reasonably small number of 3D FEM model evaluations,avoids the use of widely adopted yet often criticized surrogate models,and effectively addresses the limitations(e.g.computational inefficiency)of existing 3D model updating approaches.展开更多
The introduction of path planning and visual navigation in vascular interventional surgery can provide an intuitive reference and guidance for doctors.In this study,based on the preprocessing results of vessel skeleto...The introduction of path planning and visual navigation in vascular interventional surgery can provide an intuitive reference and guidance for doctors.In this study,based on the preprocessing results of vessel skeleton extraction and stenosis diagnosis in X-ray coronary angiography images,clustering is used to determine the connectivity of the intersection points,and then the improved Dijkstra algorithm is used to automatically plan the surgical path.On this basis,the intermediate point is introduced to piecewise correct the path and improve the accuracy of the system.Finally,the epipolar constrained inverse projection transformation is used to reconstruct the coronary artery 3D model,and the optimal path is marked to achieve a multi-angle 3D visual navigation.Clinical experimental results show that compared with the traditional Dijkstra algorithm,the improved method can reduce the need for intermediate points,which improves computational efficiency,and the average error of manual calibration path is reduced to 4%of that before overall optimization.The results of 3D reconstruction and reprojection further qualitatively and quantitatively verify the effectiveness of the whole scheme.展开更多
We theoretically investigate the extended Bose-Hubbard model using a three-dimensional cubic lattice.In the framework of the dynamical Gutzwiller mean-field theory,we identify a checkerboard supersolid phase.By consid...We theoretically investigate the extended Bose-Hubbard model using a three-dimensional cubic lattice.In the framework of the dynamical Gutzwiller mean-field theory,we identify a checkerboard supersolid phase.By considering the repulsive interactions between next-nearest-neighbor lattice sites,we further discover an exotic type of supersolid state,whose site occupancies show a stereoscopically arrayed and staggered distribution rather than checkerboard ordering.Intriguingly,if the physical observations of two neighboring layers were superimposed,they would give rise to a checkerboard configuration.This novel structure is convincingly induced by the simultaneous existence of nearest-neighbor and nextnearest-neighbor interactions.We also identify arrayed stripes in the ground state,as well as arrayed holes in the pattern of occupancies.展开更多
Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results ca...Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results cannot be fed back to users timely.To address this issue,we proposed a human-machine interaction(HMI)method for discontinuity mapping.Users can help the algorithm identify the noise and make real-time result judgments and parameter adjustments.For this,a regular cube was selected to illustrate the workflows:(1)point cloud was acquired using remote sensing;(2)the HMI method was employed to select reference points and angle thresholds to detect group discontinuity;(3)individual discontinuities were extracted from the group discontinuity using a density-based cluster algorithm;and(4)the orientation of each discontinuity was measured based on a plane fitting algorithm.The method was applied to a well-studied highway road cut and a complex natural slope.The consistency of the computational results with field measurements demonstrates its good accuracy,and the average error in the dip direction and dip angle for both cases was less than 3.Finally,the computational time of the proposed method was compared with two other popular algorithms,and the reduction in computational time by tens of times proves its high computational efficiency.This method provides geologists and geological engineers with a new idea to map rapidly and accurately rock structures under large amounts of noises or unclear features.展开更多
To guide an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)flying in complex three-dimensional(3D)environments with unknown obstacles,a novel UAV path planning algorithm named IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 is proposed.The algorithm combines the rapidl...To guide an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)flying in complex three-dimensional(3D)environments with unknown obstacles,a novel UAV path planning algorithm named IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 is proposed.The algorithm combines the rapidly-exploring random tree star(RRT^(∗))algorithm with the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradients(TD3)algorithm(a deep reinforcement learning algorithm).By employing exploration strategies from reinforcement learning,IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 improves the RRT^(∗)algorithm.IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 is a two-stage path planning algorithm comprising pre-planning and real-time planning.It performs pre-planning of paths by generating paths based on geometric connections toward the goal and smoothing them using cubic B-spline curves.By designing the network architecture and reward function of the TD3 algorithm,real-time planning in unknown environments is achieved based on the pre-planned path from the first stage.Simulation results show that IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 demonstrates better path planning performance in 3D partially unknown environments than RRT^(∗)-C2TD3,M-C2TD3 and MODRRT^(∗)algorithms.展开更多
Currently,there are a limited number of dynamic models available for braided composite plates with large overall motions,despite the incorporation of three-dimensional(3D)braided composites into rotating blade compone...Currently,there are a limited number of dynamic models available for braided composite plates with large overall motions,despite the incorporation of three-dimensional(3D)braided composites into rotating blade components.In this paper,a dynamic model of 3D 4-directional braided composite thin plates considering braiding directions is established.Based on Kirchhoff's plate assumptions,the displacement variables of the plate are expressed.By incorporating the braiding directions into the constitutive equation of the braided composites,the dynamic model of the plate considering braiding directions is obtained.The effects of the speeds,braiding directions,and braided angles on the responses of the plate with fixed-axis rotation and translational motion,respectively,are investigated.This paper presents a dynamic theory for calculating the deformation of 3D braided composite structures undergoing both translational and rotational motions.It also provides a simulation method for investigating the dynamic behavior of non-isotropic material plates in various applications.展开更多
It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimens...It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimensional(3D)models are relatively straightforward but time-consuming.One potential solution to enhance this process is to use machine learning algorithms to detect the 3D traces.In this study,a unique pixel-wise texture mapper algorithm generates a dense point cloud representation of an outcrop with the precise resolution of the original textured 3D model.A virtual digital image rendering was then employed to capture virtual images of selected regions.This technique helps to overcome limitations caused by the surface morphology of the rock mass,such as restricted access,lighting conditions,and shading effects.After AI-powered trace detection on two-dimensional(2D)images,a 3D data structuring technique was applied to the selected trace pixels.In the 3D data structuring,the trace data were structured through 2D thinning,3D reprojection,clustering,segmentation,and segment linking.Finally,the linked segments were exported as 3D polylines,with each polyline in the output corresponding to a trace.The efficacy of the proposed method was assessed using a 3D model of a real-world case study,which was used to compare the results of artificial intelligence(AI)-aided and human intelligence trace detection.Rosette diagrams,which visualize the distribution of trace orientations,confirmed the high similarity between the automatically and manually generated trace maps.In conclusion,the proposed semi-automatic method was easy to use,fast,and accurate in detecting the dominant jointing system of the rock mass.展开更多
This paper proposes an attitude control strategy for a flexible satellite equipped with an orthogonal cluster of three-dimensional(3D)magnetically suspended wheels(MSWs).The mathematical model for the satellite incorp...This paper proposes an attitude control strategy for a flexible satellite equipped with an orthogonal cluster of three-dimensional(3D)magnetically suspended wheels(MSWs).The mathematical model for the satellite incorporating flexible appendages and an orthogonal cluster of magnetically suspended reaction wheel actuators is initially developed.After that,an adaptive attitude controller is designed with a switching surface of variable structure,an adaptive law for estimating inertia matrix uncertainty,and a fuzzy disturbance observer for estimating disturbance torques.Additionally,a Moore-Penrose-based steering law is proposed to derive the tilt angle commands of the orthogonal configuration of the 3D MSW to follow the designed control signal.Finally,numerical simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.展开更多
Background:Traditional imaging approaches to keratoconus(KCN)have thus far failed to produce a standardized approach for diagnosis.While many diagnostic modalities and metrics exist,none have proven robust enough to b...Background:Traditional imaging approaches to keratoconus(KCN)have thus far failed to produce a standardized approach for diagnosis.While many diagnostic modalities and metrics exist,none have proven robust enough to be considered a gold standard.This study aims to introduce novel metrics to differentiate between KCN and healthy corneas using three-dimensional(3D)measurements of surface area and volume.Methods:This retrospective observational study examined KCN patients along with healthy control patients between the ages of 20 and 79 years old at the University of Maryland,Baltimore.The selected patients underwent a nine-line raster scan anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT).ImageJ was used to determine the central 6 mm of each image and each corneal image was then divided into six 1 mm segments.Free-D software was then used to render the nine different images into a 3D model to calculate corneal surface area and volume.A two-tailed Mann-Whitney test was used to assess statistical significance when comparing these subsets.Results:Thirty-three eyes with KCN,along with 33 healthy control,were enrolled.There were statistically significant differences between the healthy and KCN groups in the metric of anterior corneal surface area(13.927 vs.13.991 mm^(2),P=0.046),posterior corneal surface area(14.045 vs.14.173 mm^(2),P<0.001),and volume(8.430 vs.7.773 mm3,P<0.001)within the central 6 mm.Conclusions:3D corneal models derived from AS-OCT can be used to measure anterior corneal surface area,posterior corneal surface area,and corneal volume.All three parameters are statistically different between corneas with KCN and healthy corneas.Further study and application of these parameters may yield new methodologies for the detection of KCN.展开更多
The gravity inversion is to restore genetic density distribution of the underground target to be explored for explaining the internal structure and distribution of the Earth.In this paper,we propose a new 3D gravity i...The gravity inversion is to restore genetic density distribution of the underground target to be explored for explaining the internal structure and distribution of the Earth.In this paper,we propose a new 3D gravity inversion method based on 3D U-Net++.Compared with two-dimensional gravity inversion,three-dimensional(3D)gravity inversion can more precisely describe the density distribution of underground space.However,conventional 3D gravity inversion method input is two-dimensional,the input and output of the network proposed in our method are three-dimensional.In the training stage,we design a large number of diversifi ed simulation model-data pairs by using the random walk method to improve the generalization ability of the network.In the test phase,we verify the network performance by using the model-data pairs generated by the simulation.To further illustrate the eff ectiveness of the algorithm,we apply the method to the inversion of the San Nicolas mining area,and the inversion results are basically consistent with the borehole measurement results.Moreover,the results of the 3D U-Net++inversion and the 3D U-Net inversion are compared.The density models of the 3D U-Net++inversion have higher resolution,more concentrated inversion results,and a clearer boundary of the density model.展开更多
Adhesions between different cells and extracellular matrix have been studied extensively in vitro, but little is known about their functions in testicular tissue counterparts. Spermatogonia and their companion somatic...Adhesions between different cells and extracellular matrix have been studied extensively in vitro, but little is known about their functions in testicular tissue counterparts. Spermatogonia and their companion somatic cells maintain a close association throughout spermatogenesis and this association is necessary for normal spermatogenesis. In order to keep the relative integrity of the testicular tissues, and to detect the development in vitro, culture testicular tissues in a three- dimensional （3D） agarose matrix was examined. Testicular tissues isolated from 6.5 d postpartum （dpp） mouse were cultured on the top of the matrix for 26 d with a medium height up to 4/5 of the 3D agarose matrix. The results showed that in this 3D culture environment, each type of testicular cells kept the same structure, localization and function as in vivo and might be more biologically relevant to living organisms. After culture, germ cell marker VASA and meiosis markers DAZL and SCP3 showed typical positive analysed by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. It demonstrated that this 3D culture system was able to maintain the number of germ cells and promote the meiosis initiation of male germ cells.展开更多
Upon the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, volume fraction and surface penetrative rate were employed to modify the conservative equations to simulate the effect of blockages on fluid flows and heat transfer....Upon the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, volume fraction and surface penetrative rate were employed to modify the conservative equations to simulate the effect of blockages on fluid flows and heat transfer. These equations were solved numerically with the finite differential method and the primitive variable approach. This method uses staggered grid and pressure correction schemes. A computer code FASTOR3D integrated the aforementioned algorithm. The preliminary results have been compared with conventional benchmark solutions. With auxiliary software DV, the numerical results were visualized in colorful images to demonstrate the variation of flow patterns and temperature profiles during the transient process. The results of the simulation code for the fluid flows and heat transfer in the sodium pool of a fast breeder reactor are acceptable.展开更多
Gobi spans a large area of China,surpassing the combined expanse of mobile dunes and semi-fixed dunes.Its presence significantly influences the movement of sand and dust.However,the complex origins and diverse materia...Gobi spans a large area of China,surpassing the combined expanse of mobile dunes and semi-fixed dunes.Its presence significantly influences the movement of sand and dust.However,the complex origins and diverse materials constituting the Gobi result in notable differences in saltation processes across various Gobi surfaces.It is challenging to describe these processes according to a uniform morphology.Therefore,it becomes imperative to articulate surface characteristics through parameters such as the three-dimensional(3D)size and shape of gravel.Collecting morphology information for Gobi gravels is essential for studying its genesis and sand saltation.To enhance the efficiency and information yield of gravel parameter measurements,this study conducted field experiments in the Gobi region across Dunhuang City,Guazhou County,and Yumen City(administrated by Jiuquan City),Gansu Province,China in March 2023.A research framework and methodology for measuring 3D parameters of gravel using point cloud were developed,alongside improved calculation formulas for 3D parameters including gravel grain size,volume,flatness,roundness,sphericity,and equivalent grain size.Leveraging multi-view geometry technology for 3D reconstruction allowed for establishing an optimal data acquisition scheme characterized by high point cloud reconstruction efficiency and clear quality.Additionally,the proposed methodology incorporated point cloud clustering,segmentation,and filtering techniques to isolate individual gravel point clouds.Advanced point cloud algorithms,including the Oriented Bounding Box(OBB),point cloud slicing method,and point cloud triangulation,were then deployed to calculate the 3D parameters of individual gravels.These systematic processes allow precise and detailed characterization of individual gravels.For gravel grain size and volume,the correlation coefficients between point cloud and manual measurements all exceeded 0.9000,confirming the feasibility of the proposed methodology for measuring 3D parameters of individual gravels.The proposed workflow yields accurate calculations of relevant parameters for Gobi gravels,providing essential data support for subsequent studies on Gobi environments.展开更多
The past decade has seen a growing interest in ocean sensor networks because of their wide applications in marine research,oceanography,ocean monitoring,offshore exploration,and defense or homeland security.Ocean sens...The past decade has seen a growing interest in ocean sensor networks because of their wide applications in marine research,oceanography,ocean monitoring,offshore exploration,and defense or homeland security.Ocean sensor networks are generally formed with various ocean sensors,autonomous underwater vehicles,surface stations,and research vessels.To make ocean sensor network applications viable,efficient communication among all devices and components is crucial.Due to the unique characteristics of underwater acoustic channels and the complex deployment environment in three dimensional(3D) ocean spaces,new efficient and reliable communication and networking protocols are needed in design of ocean sensor networks.In this paper,we aim to provide an overview of the most recent advances in network design principles for 3D ocean sensor networks,with focuses on deployment,localization,topology design,and position-based routing in 3D ocean spaces.展开更多
This paper presents a 3D path planning algorithm for an unmanned aerial vehicle （UAV） in complex environments. In this algorithm, the environments are divided into voxels by octree algorithm. In order to satisfy the...This paper presents a 3D path planning algorithm for an unmanned aerial vehicle （UAV） in complex environments. In this algorithm, the environments are divided into voxels by octree algorithm. In order to satisfy the safety requirement of the UAV, free space is represented by free voxels, which have enough space margin for the UAV to pass through. A bounding box array is created in the whole 3D space to evaluate the free voxel connectivity. The probabilistic roadmap method （PRM） is improved by random sampling in the bounding box array to ensure a more efficient distribution of roadmap nodes in 3D space. According to the connectivity evaluation, the roadmap is used to plan a feasible path by using A＊ algorithm. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is valid in complex 3D environments.展开更多
Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive to...Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.展开更多
In the last two decades,significant research has been conducted in the field of automated extraction of rock mass discontinuity characteristics from three-dimensional(3D)models.This provides several methodologies for ...In the last two decades,significant research has been conducted in the field of automated extraction of rock mass discontinuity characteristics from three-dimensional(3D)models.This provides several methodologies for acquiring discontinuity measurements from 3D models,such as point clouds generated using laser scanning or photogrammetry.However,even with numerous automated and semiautomated methods presented in the literature,there is not one single method that can automatically characterize discontinuities accurately in a minimum of time.In this paper,we critically review all the existing methods proposed in the literature for the extraction of discontinuity characteristics such as joint sets and orientations,persistence,joint spacing,roughness and block size using point clouds,digital elevation maps,or meshes.As a result of this review,we identify the strengths and drawbacks of each method used for extracting those characteristics.We found that the approaches based on voxels and region growing are superior in extracting joint planes from 3D point clouds.Normal tensor voting with trace growth algorithm is a robust method for measuring joint trace length from 3D meshes.Spacing is estimated by calculating the perpendicular distance between joint planes.Several independent roughness indices are presented to quantify roughness from 3D surface models,but there is a need to incorporate these indices into automated methodologies.There is a lack of efficient algorithms for direct computation of block size from 3D rock mass surface models.展开更多
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(Nos.81373970,81773902,81973484,and 32171402)the National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(No.201810315019)+4 种基金the Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(Nos.SJCX21_0712 and KYCX23_2052)the Scientific Research Project of Jiangsu Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine(No.XYLD2024013)the Youth Scientific Research Project of Jiangyin Municipal Health Commission(No.Q202402)the Natural Science Foundation Project of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine(No.XZR2024173)the Jiangyin Science and Technology Innovation Special Fund Project(No.JY0603A011014230032PB),China.
文摘Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering,making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective.In this study,β-tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP)scaffolds incorporated with processed pyritum decoction(PPD)were fabricated using three-dimensional(3D)printing-assisted freeze-casting.The produced composite scaffolds were evaluated for their mechanical strength,physicochemical properties,biocompatibility,in vitro proangiogenic activity,and in vivo efficacy in repairing rabbit femoral defects.They not only demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties,enhanced mechanical strength,and good biosafety but also significantly promoted the proliferation,migration,and aggregation of pro-angiogenic human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).In vivo studies revealed that all scaffold groups facilitated osteogenesis at the bone defect site,with theβ-TCP scaffolds loaded with PPD markedly enhancing the expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1(Notch1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2),and osteopontin(OPN).Overall,the scaffolds developed in this study exhibited strong angiogenic and osteogenic capabilities both in vitro and in vivo.The incorporation of PPD notably promoted the angiogenic-osteogenic coupling,thereby accelerating bone repair,which suggests that PPD is a promising material for bone repair and that the PPD/β-TCP scaffolds hold great potential as a bone graft alternative.
文摘Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas,however,its occurrence rate is still rare compared to other cancers.Due to its rarity,in vitro experiments are an essential approach to elucidate liposarcoma pathobiology.Conventional cell culture-based research(2D cell culture)is still playing a pivotal role,while several shortcomings have been recently under discussion.In vivo,mouse models are usually adopted for pre-clinical analyses with expectations to overcome the issues of 2D cell culture.However,they do not fully recapitulate human dedifferentiated liposarcoma(DDLPS)characteristics.Therefore,three-dimensional(3D)culture systems have been the recent research focus in the cell biology field with the expectation to overcome at the same time the disadvantages of 2D cell culture and in vivo animal models and fill in the gap between them.Given the liposarcoma rarity,we believe that 3D cell culture techniques,including 3D cell cultures/co-cultures,and Patient-Derived tumor Organoids(PDOs),represent a promising approach to facilitate liposarcoma investigation and elucidate its molecular mechanisms and effective therapy development.In this review,we first provide a general overview of 3D cell cultures compared to 2D cell cultures.We then focus on one of the recent 3D cell culture applications,Patient-Derived Organoids(PDOs),summarizing and discussing several PDO methodologies.Finally,we discuss the current and future applications of PDOs to sarcoma,particularly in the field of liposarcoma.
基金supported by the High-tech Ship Projects of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China(2021-342).
文摘The influence of ocean environment on navigation of autonomous underwater vehicle(AUV)cannot be ignored.In the marine environment,ocean currents,internal waves,and obstacles are usually considered in AUV path planning.In this paper,an improved particle swarm optimization(PSO)is proposed to solve three problems,traditional PSO algorithm is prone to fall into local optimization,path smoothing is always carried out after all the path planning steps,and the path fitness function is so simple that it cannot adapt to complex marine environment.The adaptive inertia weight and the“active”particle of the fish swarm algorithm are established to improve the global search and local search ability of the algorithm.The cubic spline interpolation method is combined with PSO to smooth the path in real time.The fitness function of the algorithm is optimized.Five evaluation indexes are comprehensively considered to solve the three-demensional(3D)path planning problem of AUV in the ocean currents and internal wave environment.The proposed method improves the safety of the path planning and saves energy.
基金supported by a grant from the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(Project No.11207724).
文摘The development of digital twins for geotechnical structures necessitates the real-time updates of threedimensional(3D)virtual models(e.g.numerical finite element method(FEM)model)to accurately predict time-varying geotechnical responses(e.g.consolidation settlement)in a 3D spatial domain.However,traditional 3D numerical model updating approaches are computationally prohibitive and therefore difficult to update the 3D responses in real time.To address these challenges,this study proposes a novel machine learning framework called sparse dictionary learning(T-3D-SDL)for real-time updating of time-varying 3D geotechnical responses.In T-3D-SDL,a concerned dataset(e.g.time-varying 3D settlement)is approximated as a linear superposition of dictionary atoms generated from 3D random FEM analyses.Field monitoring data are then used to identify non-trivial atoms and estimate their weights within a Bayesian framework for model updating and prediction.The proposed approach enables the real-time update of temporally varying settlements with a high 3D spatial resolution and quantified uncertainty as field monitoring data evolve.The proposed approach is illustrated using an embankment construction project.The results show that the proposed approach effectively improves settlement predictions along temporal and 3D spatial dimensions,with minimal latency(e.g.within minutes),as monitoring data appear.In addition,the proposed approach requires only a reasonably small number of 3D FEM model evaluations,avoids the use of widely adopted yet often criticized surrogate models,and effectively addresses the limitations(e.g.computational inefficiency)of existing 3D model updating approaches.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61973210)the Interdisciplinary Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University(Nos.YG2019ZDA17 and ZH2018QNB23)+1 种基金the Shanghai Advanced Technology Joint Research Fund(No.USCAST2020-7)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Commission Key Technology Project(No.JSGG20200701095003006)。
文摘The introduction of path planning and visual navigation in vascular interventional surgery can provide an intuitive reference and guidance for doctors.In this study,based on the preprocessing results of vessel skeleton extraction and stenosis diagnosis in X-ray coronary angiography images,clustering is used to determine the connectivity of the intersection points,and then the improved Dijkstra algorithm is used to automatically plan the surgical path.On this basis,the intermediate point is introduced to piecewise correct the path and improve the accuracy of the system.Finally,the epipolar constrained inverse projection transformation is used to reconstruct the coronary artery 3D model,and the optimal path is marked to achieve a multi-angle 3D visual navigation.Clinical experimental results show that compared with the traditional Dijkstra algorithm,the improved method can reduce the need for intermediate points,which improves computational efficiency,and the average error of manual calibration path is reduced to 4%of that before overall optimization.The results of 3D reconstruction and reprojection further qualitatively and quantitatively verify the effectiveness of the whole scheme.
基金supported by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.525QN342)the Scientific Research Foundation of Hainan Tropical Ocean University(Grant No.RHDRC202301).
文摘We theoretically investigate the extended Bose-Hubbard model using a three-dimensional cubic lattice.In the framework of the dynamical Gutzwiller mean-field theory,we identify a checkerboard supersolid phase.By considering the repulsive interactions between next-nearest-neighbor lattice sites,we further discover an exotic type of supersolid state,whose site occupancies show a stereoscopically arrayed and staggered distribution rather than checkerboard ordering.Intriguingly,if the physical observations of two neighboring layers were superimposed,they would give rise to a checkerboard configuration.This novel structure is convincingly induced by the simultaneous existence of nearest-neighbor and nextnearest-neighbor interactions.We also identify arrayed stripes in the ground state,as well as arrayed holes in the pattern of occupancies.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2023YFC3081200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42077264)the Scientific Research Project of PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited(HDEC-2022-0301).
文摘Rock discontinuities control rock mechanical behaviors and significantly influence the stability of rock masses.However,existing discontinuity mapping algorithms are susceptible to noise,and the calculation results cannot be fed back to users timely.To address this issue,we proposed a human-machine interaction(HMI)method for discontinuity mapping.Users can help the algorithm identify the noise and make real-time result judgments and parameter adjustments.For this,a regular cube was selected to illustrate the workflows:(1)point cloud was acquired using remote sensing;(2)the HMI method was employed to select reference points and angle thresholds to detect group discontinuity;(3)individual discontinuities were extracted from the group discontinuity using a density-based cluster algorithm;and(4)the orientation of each discontinuity was measured based on a plane fitting algorithm.The method was applied to a well-studied highway road cut and a complex natural slope.The consistency of the computational results with field measurements demonstrates its good accuracy,and the average error in the dip direction and dip angle for both cases was less than 3.Finally,the computational time of the proposed method was compared with two other popular algorithms,and the reduction in computational time by tens of times proves its high computational efficiency.This method provides geologists and geological engineers with a new idea to map rapidly and accurately rock structures under large amounts of noises or unclear features.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62173084)Foundation of Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology,China(Nos.23ZR1401800 and 22JC1401403)。
文摘To guide an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)flying in complex three-dimensional(3D)environments with unknown obstacles,a novel UAV path planning algorithm named IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 is proposed.The algorithm combines the rapidly-exploring random tree star(RRT^(∗))algorithm with the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradients(TD3)algorithm(a deep reinforcement learning algorithm).By employing exploration strategies from reinforcement learning,IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 improves the RRT^(∗)algorithm.IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 is a two-stage path planning algorithm comprising pre-planning and real-time planning.It performs pre-planning of paths by generating paths based on geometric connections toward the goal and smoothing them using cubic B-spline curves.By designing the network architecture and reward function of the TD3 algorithm,real-time planning in unknown environments is achieved based on the pre-planned path from the first stage.Simulation results show that IRRT^(∗)-C2TD3 demonstrates better path planning performance in 3D partially unknown environments than RRT^(∗)-C2TD3,M-C2TD3 and MODRRT^(∗)algorithms.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12372071 and 12372070)the Aeronautical Science Fund of China(No.2022Z055052001)the Foundation of China Scholarship Council(No.202306830079)。
文摘Currently,there are a limited number of dynamic models available for braided composite plates with large overall motions,despite the incorporation of three-dimensional(3D)braided composites into rotating blade components.In this paper,a dynamic model of 3D 4-directional braided composite thin plates considering braiding directions is established.Based on Kirchhoff's plate assumptions,the displacement variables of the plate are expressed.By incorporating the braiding directions into the constitutive equation of the braided composites,the dynamic model of the plate considering braiding directions is obtained.The effects of the speeds,braiding directions,and braided angles on the responses of the plate with fixed-axis rotation and translational motion,respectively,are investigated.This paper presents a dynamic theory for calculating the deformation of 3D braided composite structures undergoing both translational and rotational motions.It also provides a simulation method for investigating the dynamic behavior of non-isotropic material plates in various applications.
基金supported by grants from the Human Resources Development program (Grant No.20204010600250)the Training Program of CCUS for the Green Growth (Grant No.20214000000500)by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP)funded by the Ministry of Trade,Industry,and Energy of the Korean Government (MOTIE).
文摘It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimensional(3D)models are relatively straightforward but time-consuming.One potential solution to enhance this process is to use machine learning algorithms to detect the 3D traces.In this study,a unique pixel-wise texture mapper algorithm generates a dense point cloud representation of an outcrop with the precise resolution of the original textured 3D model.A virtual digital image rendering was then employed to capture virtual images of selected regions.This technique helps to overcome limitations caused by the surface morphology of the rock mass,such as restricted access,lighting conditions,and shading effects.After AI-powered trace detection on two-dimensional(2D)images,a 3D data structuring technique was applied to the selected trace pixels.In the 3D data structuring,the trace data were structured through 2D thinning,3D reprojection,clustering,segmentation,and segment linking.Finally,the linked segments were exported as 3D polylines,with each polyline in the output corresponding to a trace.The efficacy of the proposed method was assessed using a 3D model of a real-world case study,which was used to compare the results of artificial intelligence(AI)-aided and human intelligence trace detection.Rosette diagrams,which visualize the distribution of trace orientations,confirmed the high similarity between the automatically and manually generated trace maps.In conclusion,the proposed semi-automatic method was easy to use,fast,and accurate in detecting the dominant jointing system of the rock mass.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.W2433004 and 12472015)the Research Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures(Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)(No.MCMS-I-0122K01).
文摘This paper proposes an attitude control strategy for a flexible satellite equipped with an orthogonal cluster of three-dimensional(3D)magnetically suspended wheels(MSWs).The mathematical model for the satellite incorporating flexible appendages and an orthogonal cluster of magnetically suspended reaction wheel actuators is initially developed.After that,an adaptive attitude controller is designed with a switching surface of variable structure,an adaptive law for estimating inertia matrix uncertainty,and a fuzzy disturbance observer for estimating disturbance torques.Additionally,a Moore-Penrose-based steering law is proposed to derive the tilt angle commands of the orthogonal configuration of the 3D MSW to follow the designed control signal.Finally,numerical simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
文摘Background:Traditional imaging approaches to keratoconus(KCN)have thus far failed to produce a standardized approach for diagnosis.While many diagnostic modalities and metrics exist,none have proven robust enough to be considered a gold standard.This study aims to introduce novel metrics to differentiate between KCN and healthy corneas using three-dimensional(3D)measurements of surface area and volume.Methods:This retrospective observational study examined KCN patients along with healthy control patients between the ages of 20 and 79 years old at the University of Maryland,Baltimore.The selected patients underwent a nine-line raster scan anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT).ImageJ was used to determine the central 6 mm of each image and each corneal image was then divided into six 1 mm segments.Free-D software was then used to render the nine different images into a 3D model to calculate corneal surface area and volume.A two-tailed Mann-Whitney test was used to assess statistical significance when comparing these subsets.Results:Thirty-three eyes with KCN,along with 33 healthy control,were enrolled.There were statistically significant differences between the healthy and KCN groups in the metric of anterior corneal surface area(13.927 vs.13.991 mm^(2),P=0.046),posterior corneal surface area(14.045 vs.14.173 mm^(2),P<0.001),and volume(8.430 vs.7.773 mm3,P<0.001)within the central 6 mm.Conclusions:3D corneal models derived from AS-OCT can be used to measure anterior corneal surface area,posterior corneal surface area,and corneal volume.All three parameters are statistically different between corneas with KCN and healthy corneas.Further study and application of these parameters may yield new methodologies for the detection of KCN.
基金supported by the Key Laboratory of Geological Survey and Evaluation of Ministry of Education (China University of Geosciences)(No. GLAB2020ZR13)
文摘The gravity inversion is to restore genetic density distribution of the underground target to be explored for explaining the internal structure and distribution of the Earth.In this paper,we propose a new 3D gravity inversion method based on 3D U-Net++.Compared with two-dimensional gravity inversion,three-dimensional(3D)gravity inversion can more precisely describe the density distribution of underground space.However,conventional 3D gravity inversion method input is two-dimensional,the input and output of the network proposed in our method are three-dimensional.In the training stage,we design a large number of diversifi ed simulation model-data pairs by using the random walk method to improve the generalization ability of the network.In the test phase,we verify the network performance by using the model-data pairs generated by the simulation.To further illustrate the eff ectiveness of the algorithm,we apply the method to the inversion of the San Nicolas mining area,and the inversion results are basically consistent with the borehole measurement results.Moreover,the results of the 3D U-Net++inversion and the 3D U-Net inversion are compared.The density models of the 3D U-Net++inversion have higher resolution,more concentrated inversion results,and a clearer boundary of the density model.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31272518)the program for the New Century Excellent Talents of Ministry of Education of China(NCET-09-0654)+1 种基金the Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of P.R.China(RFDP,20120204110030)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(QN2011012)
文摘Adhesions between different cells and extracellular matrix have been studied extensively in vitro, but little is known about their functions in testicular tissue counterparts. Spermatogonia and their companion somatic cells maintain a close association throughout spermatogenesis and this association is necessary for normal spermatogenesis. In order to keep the relative integrity of the testicular tissues, and to detect the development in vitro, culture testicular tissues in a three- dimensional （3D） agarose matrix was examined. Testicular tissues isolated from 6.5 d postpartum （dpp） mouse were cultured on the top of the matrix for 26 d with a medium height up to 4/5 of the 3D agarose matrix. The results showed that in this 3D culture environment, each type of testicular cells kept the same structure, localization and function as in vivo and might be more biologically relevant to living organisms. After culture, germ cell marker VASA and meiosis markers DAZL and SCP3 showed typical positive analysed by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. It demonstrated that this 3D culture system was able to maintain the number of germ cells and promote the meiosis initiation of male germ cells.
文摘Upon the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, volume fraction and surface penetrative rate were employed to modify the conservative equations to simulate the effect of blockages on fluid flows and heat transfer. These equations were solved numerically with the finite differential method and the primitive variable approach. This method uses staggered grid and pressure correction schemes. A computer code FASTOR3D integrated the aforementioned algorithm. The preliminary results have been compared with conventional benchmark solutions. With auxiliary software DV, the numerical results were visualized in colorful images to demonstrate the variation of flow patterns and temperature profiles during the transient process. The results of the simulation code for the fluid flows and heat transfer in the sodium pool of a fast breeder reactor are acceptable.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42071014).
文摘Gobi spans a large area of China,surpassing the combined expanse of mobile dunes and semi-fixed dunes.Its presence significantly influences the movement of sand and dust.However,the complex origins and diverse materials constituting the Gobi result in notable differences in saltation processes across various Gobi surfaces.It is challenging to describe these processes according to a uniform morphology.Therefore,it becomes imperative to articulate surface characteristics through parameters such as the three-dimensional(3D)size and shape of gravel.Collecting morphology information for Gobi gravels is essential for studying its genesis and sand saltation.To enhance the efficiency and information yield of gravel parameter measurements,this study conducted field experiments in the Gobi region across Dunhuang City,Guazhou County,and Yumen City(administrated by Jiuquan City),Gansu Province,China in March 2023.A research framework and methodology for measuring 3D parameters of gravel using point cloud were developed,alongside improved calculation formulas for 3D parameters including gravel grain size,volume,flatness,roundness,sphericity,and equivalent grain size.Leveraging multi-view geometry technology for 3D reconstruction allowed for establishing an optimal data acquisition scheme characterized by high point cloud reconstruction efficiency and clear quality.Additionally,the proposed methodology incorporated point cloud clustering,segmentation,and filtering techniques to isolate individual gravel point clouds.Advanced point cloud algorithms,including the Oriented Bounding Box(OBB),point cloud slicing method,and point cloud triangulation,were then deployed to calculate the 3D parameters of individual gravels.These systematic processes allow precise and detailed characterization of individual gravels.For gravel grain size and volume,the correlation coefficients between point cloud and manual measurements all exceeded 0.9000,confirming the feasibility of the proposed methodology for measuring 3D parameters of individual gravels.The proposed workflow yields accurate calculations of relevant parameters for Gobi gravels,providing essential data support for subsequent studies on Gobi environments.
基金Y. Wang was supported in part by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant Nos.CNS-0721666,CNS-0915331,and CNS-1050398Y. Liu was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under Grant No. 61074092+1 种基金by the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China under Grant No.Q2008E01Z. Guo was partially supported by the NSFC under Grant Nos. 61170258 and 6093301
文摘The past decade has seen a growing interest in ocean sensor networks because of their wide applications in marine research,oceanography,ocean monitoring,offshore exploration,and defense or homeland security.Ocean sensor networks are generally formed with various ocean sensors,autonomous underwater vehicles,surface stations,and research vessels.To make ocean sensor network applications viable,efficient communication among all devices and components is crucial.Due to the unique characteristics of underwater acoustic channels and the complex deployment environment in three dimensional(3D) ocean spaces,new efficient and reliable communication and networking protocols are needed in design of ocean sensor networks.In this paper,we aim to provide an overview of the most recent advances in network design principles for 3D ocean sensor networks,with focuses on deployment,localization,topology design,and position-based routing in 3D ocean spaces.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61305128)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,and U.S.Army Research Ofce(No.W911NF-091-0565)
文摘This paper presents a 3D path planning algorithm for an unmanned aerial vehicle （UAV） in complex environments. In this algorithm, the environments are divided into voxels by octree algorithm. In order to satisfy the safety requirement of the UAV, free space is represented by free voxels, which have enough space margin for the UAV to pass through. A bounding box array is created in the whole 3D space to evaluate the free voxel connectivity. The probabilistic roadmap method （PRM） is improved by random sampling in the bounding box array to ensure a more efficient distribution of roadmap nodes in 3D space. According to the connectivity evaluation, the roadmap is used to plan a feasible path by using A＊ algorithm. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is valid in complex 3D environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12102312 and 41372314)State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection Open Foundation, Chengdu University of Technology, China (Grant No. SKLGP2021K011)
文摘Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.
基金funded by the U.S.National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)under the Contract No.75D30119C06044。
文摘In the last two decades,significant research has been conducted in the field of automated extraction of rock mass discontinuity characteristics from three-dimensional(3D)models.This provides several methodologies for acquiring discontinuity measurements from 3D models,such as point clouds generated using laser scanning or photogrammetry.However,even with numerous automated and semiautomated methods presented in the literature,there is not one single method that can automatically characterize discontinuities accurately in a minimum of time.In this paper,we critically review all the existing methods proposed in the literature for the extraction of discontinuity characteristics such as joint sets and orientations,persistence,joint spacing,roughness and block size using point clouds,digital elevation maps,or meshes.As a result of this review,we identify the strengths and drawbacks of each method used for extracting those characteristics.We found that the approaches based on voxels and region growing are superior in extracting joint planes from 3D point clouds.Normal tensor voting with trace growth algorithm is a robust method for measuring joint trace length from 3D meshes.Spacing is estimated by calculating the perpendicular distance between joint planes.Several independent roughness indices are presented to quantify roughness from 3D surface models,but there is a need to incorporate these indices into automated methodologies.There is a lack of efficient algorithms for direct computation of block size from 3D rock mass surface models.
