Motion deformation style control technique for 3D humanoid character by using MoCap data

Realistic humanoid 3D character movement is very important to apply in the computer games, movies, virtual reality and mixed reality environment. This paper presents a technique to deform motion style using Motion Capture (MoCap) data based on computer animation system. By using MoCap data, natural human action style could be deforming. However, the structure hierarchy of humanoid in MoCap Data is very complex. This method allows humanoid character to respond naturally based on user motion input. Unlike existing 3D humanoid character motion editor, our method produces realistic final result and simulates new dynamic humanoid motion style based on simple user interface control. © 2016 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserve

Fuzzy Soft Shadow in Augmented Reality Systems

Realistic soft shadows in Augmented Reality (AR) is a fascinating topic in computer graphics. Many researchers are involved to have a significant improvement on this demand. In this paper, we have presented a new technique to produce soft shadows using one of the well-known methods in mathematics called Fuzzy Logic. Fuzzy logic is taken into account to generate the realistic soft shadows in AR. The wide light source is split into some parts that each of them plays the rule of a single light source. The desired soft shadow is generated by splitting the wide light source into multiple parts and considering each part as a single light source. The method which we called Fuzzy Soft Shadow is employed in AR to enhance the quality of semi-soft shadows and soft shadows

A critical review on the contributions of chemical and physical factors toward the nucleation and growth of large-area graphene

Since the first isolation of graphene over a decade ago, research into graphene has exponentially increased due to its excellent electrical, optical, mechanical and chemical properties. Graphene has been shown to enhance the performance of various electronic devices. In addition, graphene can be simply produced through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Although the synthesis of graphene has been widely researched, especially the CVD growth method, the lack of understanding of various synthetic parameters still limits the fabrication of large-area and defect-free graphene films. This report critically reviews various parameters affecting the quality of CVD grown graphene to understand the relationship between these parameters and thechoice of metal substrates and to provide a point of reference for future studies of large-area, CVD-grown graphene

A Survey Of Teacher and Student Beliefs in Singapore's Polytechnics

Abstract: Language teaching has been focused mainly on teachers' classroom actions and behaviours and their effects on learners. It is acknowledged that teacher knowledge and beliefs form the underlying framework guiding a teacher's classroom practices. However, not to be ignored are learners' beliefs about teaching and learning which influence how they approach learning. Thus, teachers need to be informed about learners' beliefs so that they can better understand and manage their teaching as well as their students learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate similarities and differences between teachers' and students' beliefs. Sixty-two English language teachers and 164 students from the four polytechnics in Singapore participated in the study. Data for this study came from these teachers' and students' responses to a survey questionnaire designed to elicit information about some aspects of their beliefs. In this paper, we will report on some pedagogically interesting differences in certain areas of teachers' and students' beliefs (e.g., What constitutes good teachers/learners, why learners fail to learn English). We will also discuss the implications of these differences for language teaching and learning.

Ab initio prediction of Boron compounds arising from Borozene: Structural and electronic properties

Structure and electronic properties of two unusual boron clusters obtained by fusion of borozene rings has been studied by means of first principles calculations, based on the generalized-gradient approximation of the density functional theory, and the semiempirical tight-binding method was used for the transport calculations. The role of disorder has also been considered with single vacancies and substitutional atoms. Results show that the pure boron clusters are topologically planar and characterized by (3c-2e) bonds, which can explain, together with the aromaticity (estimated by means of NICS), the remarkable cohesive energy values obtained. Such feature makes these systems competitive with the most stable boron clusters to date. On the contrary, the introduction of impurities compromises stability and planarity in both cases. The energy gap values indicate that these clusters possess a semiconducting character, while when the larger system is considered, zero-values of the density of states are found exclusively within the HOMO-LUMO gap. Electron transport calculations within the Landauer formalism confirm these indications, showing semiconductor-like low bias differential conductance for these stuctures. Differences and similarities with Carbon clusters are highlighted in the discussion.Comment: 10 pages, 2 tables, 5 figure

Prioritizing Residents\u27 Needs: On the Creation of a Residents as Teachers and Leaders Program

Introduction: Residents are responsible for the majority of medical student teaching and directly supervise, instruct, and evaluate students. Many organizations now recommend that residency training programs include venues specifically designed to develop resident teaching skills. [See PDF for abstract]

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Arterial Vasomotion, Stiffness and Endothelial Biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Cardiovascular events are frequent and vascular endothelial function is abnormal in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We demonstrated endothelial dysfunction with vitamin D deficiency in CKD patients; however the impact of cholecalciferol supplementation on vascular stiffness and vasomotor function, endothelial and bone biomarkers in CKD patients with low 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] is unknown, which this study investigated. Methods: We assessed non-diabetic patients with CKD stage 3/4, age 17–80 years and serum 25(OH)D ,75 nmol/L. Brachial artery Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD), Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), Augmentation Index (AI) and circulating blood biomarkers were evaluated at baseline and at 16 weeks. Oral 300,000 units cholecalciferol was administered at baseline and 8-weeks. Results: Clinical characteristics of 26 patients were: age 50614 (mean61SD) years, eGFR 41611 ml/min/1.73 m2, males 73%, dyslipidaemia 36%, smokers 23% and hypertensives 87%. At 16-week serum 25(OH)D and calcium increased (43616 to 84629 nmol/L, p,0.001 and 2.3760.09 to 2.4260.09 mmol/L; p = 0.004, respectively) and parathyroid hormone decreased (10.868.6 to 7.464.4; p = 0.001). FMD improved from 3.163.3% to 6.163.7%, p = 0.001. Endothelial biomarker concentrations decreased: E-Selectin from 566662123 to 525662058 pg/mL; p = 0.032, ICAM-1, 3.4560.01 to 3.1061.04 ng/mL; p = 0.038 and VCAM-1, 54633 to 42633 ng/mL; p = 0.006. eGFR, BP, PWV, AI, hsCRP, von Willebrand factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23, remained unchanged. Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time improvement of endothelial vasomotor and secretory functions with vitamin D in CKD patients without significant adverse effects on arterial stiffness, serum calcium or FGF-23. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0200571