Game on, science - how video game technology may help biologists tackle visualization challenges.
Zhihan Lv,Zhihan Lv,Alex Tek,Alex Tek,Franck Da Silva,Charly Empereur-Mot,Matthieu Chavent,Marc Baaden +7 more
TLDR
This work uses the Unity3D game engine to develop and prototype a biological network and molecular visualization application for subsequent use in research or education and considers this work as a proof of principle demonstrating that the functionalities of classical viewers and more advanced novel features could be implemented in substantially less time and with less development effort.Abstract:
The video games industry develops ever more advanced technologies to improve rendering, image quality, ergonomics and user experience of their creations providing very simple to use tools to design new games. In the molecular sciences, only a small number of experts with specialized know-how are able to design interactive visualization applications, typically static computer programs that cannot easily be modified. Are there lessons to be learned from video games? Could their technology help us explore new molecular graphics ideas and render graphics developments accessible to non-specialists? This approach points to an extension of open computer programs, not only providing access to the source code, but also delivering an easily modifiable and extensible scientific research tool. In this work, we will explore these questions using the Unity3D game engine to develop and prototype a biological network and molecular visualization application for subsequent use in research or education. We have compared several routines to represent spheres and links between them, using either built-in Unity3D features or our own implementation. These developments resulted in a stand-alone viewer capable of displaying molecular structures, surfaces, animated electrostatic field lines and biological networks with powerful, artistic and illustrative rendering methods. We consider this work as a proof of principle demonstrating that the functionalities of classical viewers and more advanced novel features could be implemented in substantially less time and with less development effort. Our prototype is easily modifiable and extensible and may serve others as starting point and platform for their developments. A webserver example, standalone versions for MacOS X, Linux and Windows, source code, screen shots, videos and documentation are available at the address: http://unitymol.sourceforge.net/.read more
Citations
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Touch-less interactive augmented reality game on vision-based wearable device
TL;DR: In this article, a touchless motion interaction technology is designed and evaluated in order to develop touch-less, interactive and augmented reality games on vision-based wearable device, and three primitive AR games with eleven dynamic gestures are developed based on the proposed touchless interaction technology as proof.
Posted Content
Preprint Touch-less Interactive Augmented Reality Game on Vision Based Wearable Device
TL;DR: In this paper, a touch-less motion interaction technology is designed and evaluated in order to develop touchless, interactive and augmented reality games on a vision-based wearable device, and three primitive AR games with eleven dynamic gestures are developed based on the proposed touchless interaction technology as proof.
Journal ArticleDOI
The utility of behavioral studies for aquatic toxicology testing: A meta-analysis
Steven D. Melvin,Scott P. Wilson +1 more
TL;DR: A meta-analysis comparing the relative sensitivities and average durations of behavioral studies to those assessing acute lethality, development and reproduction concludes that behavioral studies are comparatively fast and sensitive, and warrant further attention as tools for assessing the toxicological effects of environmental contaminants.
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Change detection method for remote sensing images based on an improved Markov random field
Wei Gu,Zhihan Lv,Ming Hao +2 more
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper proposed a change detection method based on an improved MRF, where linear weights are designed for dividing unchanged, uncertain and changed pixels of the difference image, and spatial attraction model is introduced to refine the spatial neighborhood relations, which aims to enhance the accuracy of spatial information in MRF.
Journal ArticleDOI
The OPEP protein model: from single molecules, amyloid formation, crowding and hydrodynamics to DNA/RNA systems.
Fabio Sterpone,Simone Melchionna,Pierre Tufféry,Samuela Pasquali,Normand Mousseau,Tristan Cragnolini,Yassmine Chebaro,Jean-François St-Pierre,Maria Kalimeri,Alessandro Barducci,Yoann Laurin,Alex Tek,Marc Baaden,Phuong H. Nguyen,Philippe Derreumaux,Philippe Derreumaux +15 more
TL;DR: The current state of the OPEP coarse-grained protein model and the most exciting applications using advanced conformational sampling methods are reviewed and a perspective on the ongoing developments is presented.
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