InCorr: Interactive Data-Driven Correlation Panels for Digital Outcrop Analysis.

Geological analysis of 3D Digital Outcrop Models (DOMs) for reconstruction of ancient habitable environments is a key aspect of the upcoming ESA ExoMars 2022 Rosalind Franklin Rover and the NASA 2020 Rover Perseverance missions in seeking signs of past life on Mars. Geologists measure and interpret 3D DOMs, create sedimentary logs and combine them in 'correlation panels' to map the extents of key geological horizons, and build a stratigraphic model to understand their position in the ancient landscape. Currently, the creation of correlation panels is completely manual and therefore time-consuming, and inflexible. With InCorr we present a visualization solution that encompasses a 3D logging tool and an interactive data-driven correlation panel that evolves with the stratigraphic analysis. For the creation of InCorr we closely cooperated with leading planetary geologists in the form of a design study. We verify our results by recreating an existing correlation analysis with InCorr and validate our correlation panel against a manually created illustration. Further, we conducted a user-study with a wider circle of geologists. Our evaluation shows that InCorr efficiently supports the domain experts in tackling their research questions and that it has the potential to significantly impact how geologists work with digital outcrop representations in general.

Vis-A-Ware: Integrating Spatial and Non-Spatial Visualization for Visibility-Aware Urban Planning.

3D visibility analysis plays a key role in urban planning for assessing the visual impact of proposed buildings on the cityscape. A call for proposals typically yields around 30 candidate buildings that need to be evaluated with respect to selected viewpoints. Current visibility analysis methods are very time-consuming and limited to a small number of viewpoints. Further, analysts neither have measures to evaluate candidates quantitatively, nor to compare them efficiently. The primary contribution of this work is the design study of Vis-A-Ware, a visualization system to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate, rank, and compare visibility data of candidate buildings with respect to a large number of viewpoints. Vis-A-Ware features a 3D spatial view of an urban scene and non-spatial views of data derived from visibility evaluations, which are tightly integrated by linked interaction. To enable a quantitative evaluation we developed four metrics in accordance with experts from urban planning. We illustrate the applicability of Vis-A-Ware on the basis of a use case scenario and present results from informal feedback sessions with domain experts from urban planning and development. This feedback suggests that Vis-A-Ware is a valuable tool for visibility analysis allowing analysts to answer complex questions more efficiently and objectively.

LiteVis: Integrated Visualization for Simulation-Based Decision Support in Lighting Design.

State-of-the-art lighting design is based on physically accurate lighting simulations of scenes such as offices. The simulation results support lighting designers in the creation of lighting configurations, which must meet contradicting customer objectives regarding quality and price while conforming to industry standards. However, current tools for lighting design impede rapid feedback cycles. On the one side, they decouple analysis and simulation specification. On the other side, they lack capabilities for a detailed comparison of multiple configurations. The primary contribution of this paper is a design study of LiteVis, a system for efficient decision support in lighting design. LiteVis tightly integrates global illumination-based lighting simulation, a spatial representation of the scene, and non-spatial visualizations of parameters and result indicators. This enables an efficient iterative cycle of simulation parametrization and analysis. Specifically, a novel visualization supports decision making by ranking simulated lighting configurations with regard to a weight-based prioritization of objectives that considers both spatial and non-spatial characteristics. In the spatial domain, novel concepts support a detailed comparison of illumination scenarios. We demonstrate LiteVis using a real-world use case and report qualitative feedback of lighting designers. This feedback indicates that LiteVis successfully supports lighting designers to achieve key tasks more efficiently and with greater certainty.

Visual analytics and rendering for tunnel crack analysis: A methodological approach for integrating geometric and attribute data.

The visual analysis of surface cracks plays an essential role in tunnel maintenance when assessing the condition of a tunnel. To identify patterns of cracks, which endanger the structural integrity of its concrete surface, analysts need an integrated solution for visual analysis of geometric and multivariate data to decide if issuing a repair project is necessary. The primary contribution of this work is a design study, supporting tunnel crack analysis by tightly integrating geometric and attribute views to allow users a holistic visual analysis of geometric representations and multivariate attributes. Our secondary contribution is Visual Analytics and Rendering, a methodological approach which addresses challenges and recurring design questions in integrated systems. We evaluated the tunnel crack analysis solution in informal feedback sessions with experts from tunnel maintenance and surveying. We substantiated the derived methodology by providing guidelines and linking it to examples from the literature.

Percutaneous fixation of acetabular fractures: computer-assisted determination of safe zones, angles and lengths for screw insertion.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous retrograde screw fixation for acetabular fractures is a demanding procedure due to the complex anatomy of the pelvis and the varying narrow safe bony corridors. Limited information is available on optimal screw placement and the geometry of safe zones for screw insertion in the pelvis. METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstructions of 50 consecutive CT scans of polytrauma patients (35 males, 15 females) were used to introduce three virtual CAD bolts (representing screws) into the anterior column (superior ramus of the pubic bone), posterior column (the ischial bone) and the supraacetabular region, as performed during percutaneous screw fixation. The three-dimensional (3D) position of these screws was evaluated with a computer software (MIMICS) after virtual optimal insertion. The 3D position, the narrowest zone and the distance to the hip joint of the two columns and the supraacetabular region were defined. RESULTS: The mean maximal screw length for the three virtual screws measured between 107.4 and 148 ± 18.7 mm. The narrowest zone of the pelvic bone (superior pubic ramus) had a width of 9.2 ± 2.4 mm. The average distances between the bolts and the hip joint were 3.9 and 19.4 ± 7.4 mm. For the anterior column (superior pubic ramus) screw, the mean lateral angle to the sagittal midline plane was 39.0 ± 3.2° and the mean posterior angle to the transversal midline plane was 15.1 ± 4.0°. The mean supraacetabular screw angles measured 22.4 ± 3.4° (medial), 35.3 ± 4.6° (cranial) and the mean angles for the ischial screw were 12.0 ± 5.4° (posterior) and 18.4 ± 4.0° (lateral). CONCLUSIONS: The zones for safe screw positioning are very narrow, making percutaneous screw fixation of the acetabulum a challenging procedure. The predefined angles for the most frequently positioned percutaneous screws may aid in preoperative planning, decrease operative and radiation times and help to increase safe insertion of screws.

The immunosuppressant FTY720 (fingolimod) enhances glycosaminoglycan depletion in articular cartilage.

BACKGROUND: FTY720 (Fingolimod) is a novel immunosuppressive drug investigated in clinical trials for organ transplantation and multiple sclerosis. It acts as a functional sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor antagonist, thereby inhibiting the egress of lymphocytes from secondary lymphoid organs. As S1P is able to prevent IL-1beta induced cartilage degradation, we examined the direct impact of FTY720 on cytokine induced cartilage destruction. METHODS: Bovine chondrocytes were treated with the bioactive phosphorylated form of FTY720 (FTY720-P) in combination with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Expression of MMP-1,-3.-13, iNOS and ADAMTS-4,-5 and COX-2 was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. Glycosaminoglycan depletion from cartilage explants was determined using a 1,9-dimethylene blue assay and safranin O staining. RESULTS: FTY720-P significantly reduced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha induced expression of iNOS. In contrast FTY720-P increased MMP-3 and ADAMTS-5 mRNA expression. Furthermore depletion of glycosaminoglycan from cartilage explants by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha was significantly enhanced by FTY720-P in an MMP-3 dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that FTY720 may enhance cartilage degradation in pro-inflammatory environment.