Hits,Misses and Close Calls: An Image Essay on Pattern Formation in On Growth and Form

Abstract

The second edition of D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form was written only shortly before the advent of computers made it possible to develop more sophisticated mathematical models of processes of growth, morphogenesis and pattern formation in nature. It also predates the blossoming of several branches of science with the conceptual tools to investigate complex phenomena such as self-organization, nonlinear dynamics and chaos, fractal geometry and self-organization. As a result, Thompson’s aspirations sometimes fall short of his means — and occasionally he sets out on the wrong path. This image essay explores some of the instances in which Thompson surpassed his limitations or, alternatively, was constrained by them. In either circumstance, it illustrates how his themes remain areas of significant scientific activity today.     

Overseas Chinese Investments in Transition: The Case of Dongguan

An economic geographer based in Hong Kong presents a study of overseas Chinese investment coming from Hong Kong and Taiwan to Dongguan, a rapidly developing manufacturing metropolis in China's Pearl River Delta, attempting to compare the transformation of these two major sources of investment during the past quarter century. Based on systematic field work and interviews at ca. 60 firms through mid-2006, the paper argues that Hong Kong and Taiwan investments have followed different transformation paths with regard to sectoral composition, investment motivations, market orientation, entry modes, and strategies in response to institutional changes. Most of the substantive differences are related to the distinctive comparative advantages of the two source regions and the specific character of their interactions with the host region. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F21, O16, R11. 4 figures, 4 tables, 60 references.     

Structured light scanning for high-resolution documentation of in situ archaeological finds

Archaeologists strive to document the process of excavation and discovery as completely as possible. Over the past several decades archaeologists have incorporated a growing number of computerized techniques for documenting archaeological finds. Scanning is one such technique. There are a number of technologies that now allow archaeologists to scan structures, excavation surfaces and in situ artifacts to create high-resolution, 3D data sets. We report here on a trial application of one of these, a structured-light scanner, to create 3D representations of excavated surfaces and associated artifacts at two Middle Paleolithic sites in southwest France. In each instance, surfaces of approximately 2.5 m² were scanned in approximately 1 day. The resulting data sets are very good representations of the originals in terms of colors and spatial details, and as such provided an important piece of archaeological documentation. To use this equipment successfully in the field, however, required solving a number of logistical issues, and the amount of time required to learn to use this equipment was significant. Once these issues are addressed, this technology is appropriate for documenting extraordinary, unique finds where time and costs are offset by the importance of good documentation.     

民间资源保护队的缘起和历史地位

民间资源保护队是罗斯福新政期间从事资源保护工作的重要“组织”。它的成立是由一种保护自然资源的愿望和为城市失业青年提供有报酬的工作的需要所决定的;同时它也是罗斯福具有进步主义内涵和特征的社会改革和资源保护思想与实践发展的逻辑结果。民间资源保护队在美国现代历史上占有非常重要的地位,它不仅一定程度上缓解了美国当时所面临的“环境”危机和社会危机,而且扩展了资源保护运动的范围和群众基础,为战后美国的环境运动埋下了伏笔。     

Spatial cooperation patterns and their impact on innovation outcomes: lessons from firms in a low-technology region

This paper examines cooperation patterns of firms in the German low-technology region of Lower Bavaria. Particular emphasis is placed on the interplay among the spatial scale of cooperation, the form of cooperation and the type of innovation. Generic results show that overall, firms with a spatially more diverse set of cooperation linkages have a higher likelihood of innovating. However, the innovation outcomes differ depending on the spatial scale of cooperation. While cooperation with regional partners positively correlates with low-threshold innovations, cooperation with spatially distant partners positively correlates with product innovations. Surprisingly, it is application-oriented cooperation that channels the relation in both cases. The findings support the view that innovation of firms in low-technology regions is driven by ‘development’ rather than ‘research’. It also suggests that innovation-driven growth may even be possible in regions with limited values on the traditional innovation-supporting factors.     

A Byzantine Shipwreck from Cape Stoba,Mljet, Croatia: an interim report

The Cape Stoba shipwreck is located on the seabed off the island of Mljet in Croatia at a depth of 21–28 m. Following initial investigation in 1975, four seasons of excavation have been carried between 2010 and 2014 by the Department for Underwater Archaeology of the Croatian Conservation Institute, joined by the Department of Studi Umanistici of the Università Ca' Foscari of Venice from 2012. The wreck‐site is evidenced by a cargo of nine amphora types dated to the 10th‐11th century AD, produced in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea area, and glassware of Levantine production. The only direct evidence of the ship itself to date, is one iron anchor.     

Injuries on a skull from the Ancient Bronze Age (Ballabio,Lecco, Italy): a natural or an anthropic origin?

This paper discusses the results of the analysis of a female skull from a collective burial dated to the Ancient Bronze Age in Italy (Ballabio, LC). A virtual restoration and 3D reconstruction was also produced from the digitalized skull to complete the damaged parts and to recreate the facial appearance of this young adult female from the Bronze Age. The skull shows clear evidence of post-mortem modifications, as some series of scraping marks on the external cranial vault cross the parietal bones longitudinally. The contemporaneous presence of taphonomic linear marks on the skull and periostitis on the frontal bone, as well as the provenance of the specimen from a secondary burial (a typical funerary habit documented in Italy during the Copper Age and Ancient Bronze Age), makes it difficult to interpret the case (scalping, surgery, or ritual practice linked to secondary burial). The advanced methods used to analyse the skull surface allowed us to discriminate intentional marks from modifications due to other taphonomic processes and to determine the timing of their formation (peri- or post-mortem). The possibility that the scraping marks are related to a ritual practice, conducted during the individual's life (with specific symbolic or social value) or after death or at the moment of secondary burial, is discussed.     

三维重建技术在考古中的应用探讨

在考古工作中的三维重建不仅能更好地展示考古遗址、遗迹与出土文物,还能对其空间信息进行全方位的采集与存档,为后续考古研究、文化遗产保护与展示等工作积累丰富的素材。因此,本研究以带有精细纹理的青铜鼎复制品为例,运用多视角影像三维重建技术,制作三维模型;通过设置控制点建立平面三维坐标系,生成正射影像图、侧视图、断面图、等值线图等数字成果。研究成果可满足考古发掘现场绘图、后期三维展示与定量空间信息的分析等需要,在考古研究及文物保护工作中具有重要的推广价值。     

莫高窟第172窟北壁建筑图像的三维数字化呈现

莫高窟第172窟北壁的建筑图像是敦煌壁画中最具盛唐建筑风格的典型代表作。本研究以探索敦煌壁画中二维建筑图像三维数字化呈现的方法为目标,以第172窟北壁中央的前殿图像为例,综合利用史料文献和实证材料,进行基于有限数据资料与结构逻辑推导的推测性研究,并集成运用图像处理软件(Adobe PhotoShop、Adobe Illustrator)和三维建模软件(SketchUp、Rhino),建立了第172窟北壁中央前殿的三维彩色模型,实现了壁画中的建筑图像从二维到三维的虚拟转变,相对科学、客观地再现了壁画中的建筑形象。通过3D打印等快速成型技术和虚拟投屏等展示利用手段,深度挖掘技术成果价值,扩展了壁画遗产的价值阐释与展示深度,带给观者超现实的空间体验。     

基于点云数据的秦始皇兵俑头面部特征提取与统计分析研究

考古出土的秦始皇兵俑是秦朝十分珍贵的实物资料,具有重大的历史、科学和艺术研究价值,其“千人千面”的特点更是备受关注,被认为是秦人的真实写照。现代人体测量中,头面部特征因其多受遗传因素作用,少受环境因素影响,被广泛应用于分析各民族之间的亲缘关系。通过采集50个样本的兵俑头部高精度三维点云数据并提取了头面部特征,运用样本相关性分析和数据大小排序的统计分析方法,与现代29个群体或地区头面部特征进行了对比研究。结果显示秦始皇兵俑样本的头面部特征完全各异且高度相关,同时与现代群体或地区的头面部特征差异性较小,定量化地明确了秦始皇兵俑的相关特点。