Search Results (344)

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the most adopted 3D surveying techniques in Cultural Heritage, offering practical guidance for the selection of appropriate methods when three-dimensional documentation of artworks is required. The analysis focuses on the most effective technologies for the 3D documentation of sites and objects of artistic value, with selection criteria primarily centred on non-invasiveness, given the uniqueness and cultural significance of the case studies, and the instrument flexibility, a crucial requirement for non-transportable items. A broad spectrum of 3D techniques is currently available for the multiscale diagnostic investigation of artworks, providing information at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. This review reports on the state of the art of such systems and evaluates the main characteristics of each technology in relation to its applicability in the heritage field. Particular attention is given to highlighting advantages and limitations, and to assessing performance in terms of resolution, gauge volume/area, acquisition time, and cost. In addition, the review discusses exemplary cases in which 3D methods are integrated with other analytical techniques to enable a more comprehensive understanding of the object under investigation. Finally, recent studies are examined to identify the most suitable approaches and the specific requirements for the digitization of real-world heritage assets. Full article

Moving beyond the limits of purely geometric or descriptive documentation, the study conceives the digital models as a structured information system capable of coherently and queryably organising both the formal-typological and the interpretative-historical dimensions of heritage. The methodology is developed within the framework of the European Horizon MSCA project Hephaestus, which investigates cross-border Cultural Heritage Routes (CHRs) and historic fortification systems in the Adriatic and Baltic basins. The paper focuses on Adriatic CHR, through the selection, organisation, and interrelation of a distributed corpus of fortified architectures, articulated according to historical phases, territorial clusters, typological classes, and multilevel relationships. The study adopts an approach centered on HBIM models and ontological frameworks, implemented through complementary top-down and bottom-up processes. The results show the possibility of structuring HBIM-derived data within an ontology-based framework capable of linking, within a single information system, architectural elements, fortified systems, and territorial entities across heterogeneous case studies. The application to differentiated contexts highlights the ability of the models to adapt to different scales and levels of complexity, supporting querying, comparison, and multi-level interpretation of heritage. The variety of sources and contexts enables the methodology to be tested across heterogeneous historical and typological scenarios, strengthening its applicability and robustness within a multiscalar information structure. Full article

Background: Auricular keloids and ear helix deformities are undesirable and aesthetically unpleasing deformities that can cause significant patient psychologic and self-esteem problems. Pressure therapy for keloids is well documented to be an effective non-invasive treatment modality. However, current devices lack comfort and aesthetic appeal to deliver the pressure forces required effectively and uniformly. This work aims to highlight some different pressure therapy approaches for the management of keloids and irregularities in the ear helix morphology. Methods: A case series of four patients presenting with auricle keloids of various sizes and at different locations secondary to ear piercing and one case of congenital helix deformity were treated successfully with pressure therapy devices. The device designs varied based on the keloids’ characteristics and patients’ preferences and involved wire-based spring-activated appliances resembling ear rings for moderate keloid lesions, modified double-spring systems for large or elongated lesions, and magnet-based devices. A pair of inert magnetic discs of different diameters was positioned on the anterior and posterior aspects of the keloid lesion. The magnets were then encapsulated in acrylic resin to improve retention and adaptation, and the external surface was masked with gold glitter to enhance aesthetics and patient acceptance. The helix-deformity case was treated following a complete digital workflow integration where the sound contralateral ear was digitally scanned, mirror-imaged and then 3D-printed in resin to produce an ear model based on which an anatomically symmetrical pressure device was constructed. Results: All devices were successfully fitted and well tolerated, with no reported discomfort or adverse reactions. The wire spring devices were effective in reducing a large keloids volume; however, frequent reactivation every two weeks was required to ensure continuous pressure application. Incorporating magnets in the customised design allowed controlled and uniform pressure application to small keloid-lesion morphology, with enhanced aesthetics and improved patient acceptance and compliance. The digitally assisted case achieved near-perfect anatomical symmetry with the contralateral ear, reducing operator dependency and fabrication guesswork. Conclusions: Customised pressure therapy devices, of magnetic and spring-based systems, alongside utilising digital technologies, offer effective, non-invasive management for auricular keloids and irregular ear helices as long as the patient is committed to wearing the device. Full article

Design coordination is a critical process for avoiding spatial conflicts and ensuring design alignment in large-scale construction projects. While Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools have improved coordination through 3D model integration and clash detection, inefficiencies persist due to fragmented workflows, frequent tool switching, and challenges with issue documentation. Cloud-based BIM collaboration tools offer a promising alternative by enabling real-time model sharing, centralized issue tracking, and enhanced stakeholder communication. However, empirical evidence on their practical implementation and effects on coordination processes remains limited. Unlike prior cloud-BIM reviews that focus on technical capabilities or adoption barriers in isolation, this study provides an empirically grounded framework that links specific tool features to observable workflow changes and their downstream impacts on coordination outcomes. This study investigates the impact of cloud-based BIM collaboration tools on the design coordination process, with a focus on issue identification, resolution, and documentation. A framework was developed using a mixed-methods approach comprising action research, an ethnographic case study, and comparative analysis of three large infrastructure projects to categorize workflow changes resulting from tool adoption. The findings indicate that cloud-based BIM tools streamline coordination by reducing manual transitions, automating documentation, and improving information accessibility during meetings. Nevertheless, their effectiveness is constrained by organizational structures and contract limitations. This study provides a validated process-change framework and practical insights for engineering managers seeking to align digital collaboration tools with project delivery strategies, contributing to both theory and practice in BIM-based coordination and digital transformation in the AEC industry. Full article

Atypical joint spaces, such as those encountered in complex segmental bone loss and large structural defects, remain challenging to manage with conventional implants within divisions across orthopedics, including arthroplasty, tumor reconstruction, trauma, and spine. Additive manufacturing advances have made patient-specific implants a possibility, and this promising solution has enabled the creation of implants with customized geometry and controlled surface porosity to enhance osseointegration, reduce rejection rates, optimize biomechanics, and promote longevity. Despite its potential, patient-specific implants are still eclipsed in use by conventional, “off-the-shelf” implants due to their lower cost, documented long-term durability, insurance coverage, and the strength of available clinical evidence supporting their use. This narrative review summarizes current materials and manufacturing approaches for additively manufactured metal porous implants, including imaging and design workflows, lattice and pore architecture, and how the printing process influences implant stiffness, fatigue strength, surface roughness, and porosity. We also discuss the experimental and preclinical data on mechanical performance, fatigue resistance, and osseointegration for new developments in the field. Emerging trends such as material innovation, streamlined digital planning-to-implant workflows, 4D printing and other advanced additive manufacturing concepts, and cost-reduction efforts are examined in the context of clinical practicality. In this review, the integration of engineering principles with early clinical outcomes will provide orthopedic surgeons with a realistic understanding of the benefits and limitations of the future utilization of additive manufacturing in clinical practice. Full article

Background: While mobile health (mHealth) interventions show promise for type 2 diabetes management, mechanisms linking user experience to clinical outcomes remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that perceived usability may mediate associations between patient characteristics and short-term clinical changes, with implications for health equity in digital interventions. Methods: Secondary analysis of the intervention arm from a randomized controlled trial in urban Mexican primary care (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05924516). Participants used a diabetes self-management mobile application for 90 days. We assessed usability with the validated Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ; 16 items, 7-point scale) and measured clinical changes in body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and HbA1c. Bayesian mediation analysis (literature-informed priors) examined interface quality as a mediator of age-related clinical effects. Item-level analysis identified educational disparities in specific usability dimensions using independent t-tests adjusted for multiple comparisons. Results: Mean overall usability was 5.20/7 (SD = 0.89, 74th percentile). Interface quality mediated 39% of the age–SBP association. Participants experiencing high usability (≥6) versus low usability showed BMI reduction −0.78 vs. −0.21 kg/m² (Cohen’s d = 0.56) and SBP reduction −7.3 vs. −1.2 mmHg (Cohen’s d = 0.51). No mediation effect was observed for HbA1c change. Users with ≤primary education (41% of sample) scored 1.9 points lower on error messages (3.2 vs. 5.1, p < 0.01) and 1.4 points lower on help documentation (3.6 vs. 5.0, p < 0.03). These disparities persisted after controlling for age and baseline severity. Conclusions: Perceived usability was associated with a potential mechanistic pathway linking user experience to clinical outcomes. Higher usability scores were associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic parameters. Educational disparities in understanding error messages and helping documentation represent modifiable design barriers. Implementing contextual error explanations with visual examples and plain-language help content may enhance both clinical effectiveness and equity in digital diabetes interventions. Full article

Spatial technologies play a key role in documenting and analyzing landscape components. The Landscape Information Model (LIM), deriving from the Building Information Model (BIM), is a digital representation of a landscape, which should support planning, design, management, and analysis throughout a landscape’s lifecycle. In the literature, the applications of BIM technology in landscape planning focuses on the design and the construction of 3D and 5D LIMs. The aim of this paper is to develop the concept of 7D LIMs for the purposes of managing greenery based on the example of the university campus and model implementation based on BIM-GIS technology. The specific objective is to develop the UML diagrams of the model that would be dedicated to the needs of the unit responsible for maintaining the university’s infrastructure. The source of data was a point cloud obtained by laser scanning, which was then processed to map the terrain, small architectural objects, and infrastructure in the Revit 2024 software. The developed method indicated the value of modern technologies in landscape processes and their potential use in public institutions. The proposed diagrams that describe the semantics of landscape forms and greenery maintenance activities can be developed by adding further ontological aspects of the landscape model. Full article

This work examines how digital technologies, particularly 3D imaging, additive man-ufacturing, and digital twins, contribute to a more interactive and process-oriented understanding of cultural preservation. Building on practical experience with museum scanning and 3D reproduction, the study introduces the Heritage 4.0 Cycle, a conceptual framework that structures digital heritage management into four iterative phases: Capture, Curate, Connect, and Co-create. The model integrates technological, ethical, and social aspects of preservation, describing how cultural heritage operates as a living system supported by data, interpretation, and participation. Findings indicate that 3D technologies function as mediators between tangible and intangible heritage, promoting inclusivity, collaborative learning, and sustainable engagement. The framework aligns digital preservation practices with broader objectives of education, innovation, and community development. By formalizing Heritage 4.0 into a structured and iterative framework, this study contributes a transferable model that supports sustainable and smart cultural ecosystems by aligning digital documentation, ethical curation, participatory engagement, and digital twin-enabled connectivity within a coherent heritage management strategy Full article

Background/Objectives: Lithium disilicate (LD) veneers are widely used for minimally invasive anterior rehabilitation because of their favorable optical and mechanical properties. Fully digital workflows have been proposed as alternatives to conventional milling. These approaches combine computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) with 3D-printed burn-out patterns and subsequent heat pressing of LD ingots. However, clinical documentation of multi-unit anterior cases fabricated exclusively through this additive-plus-pressing route remains scarce. This case report aims to describe a fully digital additive-plus-pressing workflow for four maxillary anterior LD veneers and to report 48-month clinical outcomes. Case Presentation: A 52-year-old female presented with esthetic concerns involving the maxillary central and lateral incisors (teeth 11, 12, 21, and 22). After clinical and radiographic evaluation, a minimally invasive veneer-based rehabilitation was planned. Preparations were performed under magnification, and immediate dentin sealing was applied. Digital impressions were obtained with an intraoral scanner, and veneers were designed using CAD software(Exocad DentalDB 3.0 Galway (Exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany). Castable resin patterns were 3D-printed, invested, and heat-pressed using LD ingots, followed by finishing and glazing. Adhesive cementation was performed under rubber dam isolation after hydrofluoric acid etching and silanization of the intaglio surfaces and conditioning of the tooth substrates according to the adhesive protocol, using a dual-cure resin cement. At the 48-month follow-up, all veneers remained intact, with clinically acceptable marginal adaptation, stable color and surface gloss, and no signs of secondary caries or marginal discoloration. The patient reported sustained esthetic satisfaction and comfortable function without postoperative sensitivity. Conclusions: This single-patient report suggests that a fully digital additive-plus-pressing workflow may be clinically viable for high-demand anterior LD veneers, providing favorable medium-term esthetics and patient-centered outcomes with no technical or biological complications. The reproducible protocol described may facilitate the integration of 3D printing and heat pressing into digital veneer rehabilitation and supports further controlled clinical investigations. Full article

This study presents an integrated workflow for acquiring, processing, and fusing terrestrial laser scanning and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric data to generate digital twins of heritage buildings within Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) and Historical Geographic Information System (HGIS) environments. Using a historic wooden church as a case study, the proposed approach demonstrates improved completeness and geometric quality compared to UAV-only models. Dimensional differences between UAV-only and integrated models ranged from 0.8 to 3.2 cm, confirming internal consistency and suitability for documentation purposes. The workflow standardizes key stages of acquisition, scaling, and point cloud fusion, and establishes links between HBIM models at Level of Detail (LOD) 100–300 and conservation requirements. Additionally, it identifies integration points for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based automation, supporting future developments in classification, segmentation, and conversion of 2D documentation into HBIM. The results highlight the potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS)-UAV integration for accurate, replicable heritage documentation and spatial–historical analysis. Full article

The advancement of digital technologies such as photogrammetry, 3D scanning, Geographic Information Systems (GISs), and artificial intelligence has profoundly transformed archaeology by enabling more accurate documentation, analysis, and visualization of cultural heritage. These tools facilitate evidence preservation, enhance research processes, and broaden the possibilities for interpreting and disseminating archaeological knowledge. This scoping review synthesizes recent progress in the application of digital technologies for the reconstruction of archaeological evidence, emphasizing their main impacts on archaeological research while addressing existing challenges, limitations, and future perspectives, particularly focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence. A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted using the PRISMA^® methodology, analyzing documents retrieved from databases such as Scopus, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect. One hundred and sixteen papers were selected, with a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.463 ensuring the reliability of the selection process. The findings reveal that the integration of digital technologies is redefining archaeological reconstruction methods and expanding the horizons of historical and heritage knowledge, requiring collaborative, ethical, and interdisciplinary approaches to achieve a more accurate, accessible, and sustainable archaeology in the future. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) digitization has become a central methodological pillar in cultural heritage documentation, conservation support, and dissemination. Despite the maturity of image-based photogrammetry and active sensing technologies, real-world digitization campaigns frequently diverge from idealized workflows due to constraints related to object accessibility, surface properties, lighting conditions, and operational feasibility. As a result, practitioners are often required to adapt acquisition and processing strategies dynamically, balancing geometric fidelity, visual quality, and practical limitations. This study presents a practice-oriented analysis of applied digitization workflows conducted in controlled indoor and museum environments, focusing on fragile and optically challenging cultural and paleontological objects. Structured light scanning, DSLR-based photogrammetry, and hybrid approaches were systematically explored. While structured light scanning offered high nominal resolution, its performance proved sensitive to material properties and surface behavior, leading to incomplete or unstable reconstructions in several cases. Photogrammetric workflows, when supported by controlled acquisition setups, yielded robust and visually coherent results for the majority of objects. For cases where conventional photogrammetry underperformed, alternative AI-assisted image-based reconstruction pipelines were evaluated as complementary solutions. Rather than emphasizing only successful outcomes, the paper documents recurring failure modes, decision-making trade-offs, and breakdown points across acquisition, alignment, meshing, and texturing stages. Empirical observations are synthesized into qualitative comparisons and decision-support tables, highlighting the conditions under which specific digitization strategies succeed or fail. The findings underscore that hybrid workflows, while theoretically advantageous, can amplify integration complexity and error propagation if not carefully constrained. By foregrounding practical constraints and adaptive methodological choices, this work contributes a transparent, experience-driven perspective on cultural heritage digitization, supporting more resilient planning and informed decision-making in future documentation and conservation projects. Full article

Archaeology and evolutionary anthropology are disciplines that have made important contributions to our understanding of the evolution of cities across time and space. In this paper we apply recent research in construction methods to explore a key aspect of the ecology of ancient cities, namely who built the houses and public monuments of the past and how the processes of construction were organised. Civic houses are often thought to have been built by householders; but we show that this is an unlikely explanation, using one well-documented city in north Greece, Olynthos. House construction gives us a unique insight into the ways that cities of the past were created. We present OIKoS (Olynthos Integrated Kostings System), a method that applies archaeological energetics analysis, offering a fully parametric and city-scale reconstruction of an ancient settlement using Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper. OIKoS enables rapid generation and evaluation of construction scenarios at city-scale. OIKoS has the potential to extend beyond classical archaeology, offering a scalable model relevant to heritage science, architectural history, and digital urban studies. Our research enables us to show that many more people were involved in the construction of the houses of a major civic centre than have been estimated as the total number of householders. House engineering offers a new way of understanding the emergence of ancient cities. Comparative evidence from a range of contemporary sites in the eastern and western Mediterranean provides further nuances for understanding the different activities that contributed to city building. Full article

This research establishes a high-fidelity documentation framework utilizing multi-sensor 3D data to support critical decisions regarding the conservation and preservation of monuments in urban environments. Focus is placed on the Morosini Fountain, Heraklion, Crete, a 17th-century monument facing significant deterioration due to environmental stressors, material-specific decay of limestone and marble, and cumulative historical interventions. Placed within the context of contemporary cultural heritage management, the research establishes a high-fidelity 3D digital representative to support interdisciplinary documentation and a decision-support framework for restoration. The methodology employs handheld structured light scanning for high geometric accuracy with close-range digital photogrammetry to ensure high-fidelity color acquisition. Strategic semantic segmentation of the monument into architectural components—such as lobes, lions, and basins—facilitated large scale dataset management and optimized alignment procedures under challenging urban conditions, including intense direct sunlight and active water flow. Results include the delivery of metrically accurate multi-resolution models and 2D orthographic products. Quantitative pathology mapping successfully identified extensive affected surface areas on specific panels, while multi-scale geometric morphological analysis effectively identified high-complexity surface areas, which were subsequently classified as either intentional artistic form or active decay through expert visual assessment between intentional artistic form and active alveolar erosion or exogenous accretions. The study concludes that this enhanced digital model serves as an indispensable tool for sustainable management, transforming passive records into active predictive simulations. The implementation of multi-sensor 3D data provides the essential evidentiary basis for high-stakes conservation decisions, demonstrating that comprehensive digital recording is vital for the resilience of urban heritage landmarks. Full article

Large-scale terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point clouds are increasingly used for applications such as digital twins and cultural heritage documentation; however, removing unwanted human points captured during acquisition remains a largely manual and time-consuming process. This study proposes a geometry-aware framework for automatically removing human noise from TLS point clouds by projecting 2D instance segmentation masks (obtained using You Only Look Once (YOLO) v8 with an instance segmentation head) into 3D space and validating candidates through multi-stage geometric filtering. To suppress false positives induced by reprojection misalignment and planar background structures (e.g., walls and ground), we introduce projection-followed geometric validation (or “geometric gating”) using Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) and principal component analysis (PCA)-based planarity analysis, followed by cluster-level plausibility checks. Experiments were conducted on two real-world outdoor TLS datasets—(i) Osaka Metropolitan University Sugimoto Campus (OMU) (82 scenes) and (ii) Jinaimachi historic district in Tondabayashi (JM) (68 scenes). The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high noise removal accuracy, obtaining precision/recall/intersection over union (IoU) of 0.9502/0.9014/0.8607 on OMU and 0.8912/0.9028/0.8132 on JM. Additional experiments on mobile mapping system (MMS) data from the Waymo Open Dataset demonstrate stable performance without parameter recalibration. Furthermore, quantitative and qualitative comparisons with representative time-series geometric dynamic object removal methods, including DUFOMap and BeautyMap, show that the proposed approach maintains competitive recall under a human-only ground-truth definition while reducing over-removal of static structures in TLS scenes, particularly when humans are observed in only one or a few scans due to limited revisit frequency. The end-to-end processing time with YOLOv8 was 935.62 s for 82 scenes (11.4 s/scene) on OMU and 571.58 s for 68 scenes (8.4 s/scene) on JM, supporting practical efficiency on high-resolution TLS imagery. Ablation studies further clarify the role of each stage and indicate stable performance under the observed reprojection errors. The annotated human point cloud dataset used in this study has been publicly released to facilitate reproducibility and further research on human noise removal in large-scale TLS scenes. Full article