This paper presents a new algorithm for computing the hit point and normal of a ray and a general convex object. The algorithm is loosely based on the the Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi algorithm for computing the distance between convex objects in the sense that it is applicable to the same family of convex objects and uses the same subalgorithm for computing the closest point of a simplex. Since thi...

We present a model of interpersonal attitude used for generating expressive postures for computer animated characters. Our model consists of two principle dimensions, affiliation and status. It takes into account the relationships between the attitudes of two characters and allows for a large degree of variation between characters, both in how they react to other characters’ behaviour and in th...

This case study investigated the effect of body position on the first three formants (F1, F2, F3) of the British English vowels /iː/, /ɛ/, /æ/, /ɔː/ and /uː/ produced by one male native speaker. While F1 remained unaffected significant changes in F2 and F3 were found for certain vowels when they were produced in a supine rather than in an upright position. F2 was significantly lower for /iː/, /...

Asexual reproduction is one of the most important traits in the evolutionary history of corals. No real-time observations of asexual reproduction in azooxanthellate solitary scleractinian corals have been conducted to date. Here, we describe previously unknown aspects of asexual reproduction by using Truncatoflabellum spheniscus (Family Flabellidae) based on observations of transverse division ...

background: in people over 50, one out of three women and 12 men experience osteoporosis. youth lifestyle plays an essential role in increasing bone mass and preventing osteoporosis in old ages. thus, lifestyle changes during adolescence could cause the prevention of osteoporosis in older age. this study therefore conducted to investigate the lifestyle of female high school students in relation...

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