bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of the appropriateness of care in California adult intensive care units
Authors: Anstey Matthew H , Adams John L , McGlynn Elizabeth A
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Increased demand for expensive intensive care unit (ICU) services may contribute to rising health-care costs. A focus on appropriate use may offer a clinically meaningful way of finding the balance. We aimed to determine the extent and characteristics of perceived inappropriate treatment among ICU doctors and nurses, defined as an imbalance between the amount or intensity of treatments being provided and the patient’s expected prognosis or wishes.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of doctors and nurses providing care to patients in 56 adult ICUs in California between May and August 2013. In total, 1,363 doctors and nurses completed an anonymous electronic survey.

Results

Thirty-eight percent of 1,169 respondents (95% confidence interval (CI) 35% to 41%, 51.1% of physicians and 35.8% of nurses) identified at least one patient as receiving inappropriate treatment. Respondents most commonly reported that the amount of treatment provided was disproportionate to the patient’s expected prognosis or wishes—325 out of 429 (76%, 95% CI 72% to 80%)—and that treatment was ‘too much’ in 93% of cases. Factors associated with perceived inappropriateness of treatment were the belief that death in their ICU is seen as a failure (odds ratio (OR) 5.75, 95% CI 2.28 to 14.53, P = 0.000), profession (doctors more than nurses) (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.58 to 3.97, P = 0.000), lack of collaboration between doctors and nurses (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.80, P = 0.004), intent to leave their job (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.55, P = 0.005), and the perceived responsibility to control health-care costs (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.33, P = 0.026). Providers supported formal communication training (90%, 95% CI 88% to 92%) and mandatory family meetings (89%, 95% CI 87% to 91%) as potential solutions to reduce the provision of inappropriate treatment.

Conclusions

Doctors and nurses working in California ICUs frequently perceive treatment to be inappropriate. They also identified measures that could reduce the provision of inappropriate treatment.
A new two-tier strength assessment approach to the diagnosis of weakness in intensive care: an observational study
Authors: Parry Selina M , Berney Sue , Granger Catherine L , Dunlop Danielle L , Murphy Laura , El-Ansary Doa , Koopman René , Denehy Linda
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a significant problem. There is currently widespread variability in the methods used for manual muscle testing and handgrip dynamometry (HGD) to diagnose ICU-AW. This study was conducted in two parts. The aims of this study were: to determine the inter-rater reliability and agreement of manual muscle strength testing using both isometric and through-range techniques using the Medical Research Council sum score and a new four-point scale, and to examine the validity of HGD and determine a cutoff score for the diagnosis of ICU-AW for the new four-point scale.

Methods

Part one involved evaluation of muscle strength by two physical therapists in 29 patients ventilated >48 hours. Manual strength testing was performed by both physical therapists using two techniques: isometric and through range; and two scoring systems: traditional six-point Medical Research Council scale and a new collapsed four-point scale. Part two involved assessment of handgrip strength conducted on 60 patients. A cutoff score for ICU-AW was identified for the new four-point scoring system.

Results

The incidence of ICU-AW was 42% (n = 25/60) in this study (based on HGD). In part one the highest reliability and agreement was observed for the isometric technique using the four-point scale (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.90: kappa = 0.72 respectively). Differences existed between isometric and through-range scores (mean difference = 1.76 points, P = 0.005). In part two, HGD had a sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 0.80 for diagnosing ICU-AW. A cutoff score of 24 out of 36 points was identified for the four-point scale.

Conclusions

The isometric technique is recommended with reporting on a collapsed four-point scale. Because HGD is easy to perform and sensitive, we recommend a new two-tier approach to diagnosing ICU-AW that first tests handgrip strength with follow-up strength assessment using the isometric technique for muscle strength testing if handgrip strength falls below cutoff scores. Whilst our results for the four-point scale are encouraging, further research is required to confirm the findings of this study and determine the validity of the four-point scoring system and cutoff score developed of less than 24 out of 36 before recommending adoption into clinical practice.
Copy number variation in Y chromosome multicopy genes is linked to a paternal parent-of-origin effect on CNS autoimmune disease in female offspring
Authors: Case Laure K , Wall Emma H , Osmanski Erin E , Dragon Julie A , Saligrama Naresha , Zachary James F , Lemos Bernardo , Blankenhorn Elizabeth P , Teuscher Cory
Published: February 2015

Background

The prevalence of some autoimmune diseases is greater in females compared with males, although disease severity is often greater in males. The reason for this sexual dimorphism is unknown, but it may reflect negative selection of Y chromosome-bearing sperm during spermatogenesis or male fetuses early in the course of conception/pregnancy. Previously, we showed that the sexual dimorphism in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is associated with copy number variation (CNV) in Y chromosome multicopy genes. Here, we test the hypothesis that CNV in Y chromosome multicopy genes influences the paternal parent-of-origin effect on EAE susceptibility in female mice.

Results

We show that C57BL/6 J consomic strains of mice possessing an identical X chromosome and CNV in Y chromosome multicopy genes exhibit sperm head abnormalities and female-biased sex ratio. This is consistent with X-Y intragenomic conflict arising from an imbalance in CNV between homologous X:Y chromosome multicopy genes. These males also display paternal transmission of EAE to female offspring and differential loading of microRNAs within the sperm nucleus. Furthermore, in humans, families of probands with multiple sclerosis similarly exhibit a female-biased sex ratio, whereas families of probands affected with non-sexually dimorphic autoimmune diseases exhibit unbiased sex ratios.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for a mechanism at the level of the male gamete that contributes to the sexual dimorphism in EAE and paternal parent-of-origin effects in female mice, raising the possibility that a similar mechanism may contribute to the sexual dimorphism in multiple sclerosis.
Deep transcriptome sequencing provides new insights into the structural and functional organization of the wheat genome
Authors: Pingault Lise , Choulet Frédéric , Alberti Adriana , Glover Natasha , Wincker Patrick , Feuillet Catherine , Paux Etienne
Published: February 2015

Background

Because of its size, allohexaploid nature, and high repeat content, the bread wheat genome is a good model to study the impact of the genome structure on gene organization, function, and regulation. However, because of the lack of a reference genome sequence, such studies have long been hampered and our knowledge of the wheat gene space is still limited. The access to the reference sequence of the wheat chromosome 3B provided us with an opportunity to study the wheat transcriptome and its relationships to genome and gene structure at a level that has never been reached before.

Results

By combining this sequence with RNA-seq data, we construct a fine transcriptome map of the chromosome 3B. More than 8,800 transcription sites are identified, that are distributed throughout the entire chromosome. Expression level, expression breadth, alternative splicing as well as several structural features of genes, including transcript length, number of exons, and cumulative intron length are investigated. Our analysis reveals a non-monotonic relationship between gene expression and structure and leads to the hypothesis that gene structure is determined by its function, whereas gene expression is subject to energetic cost. Moreover, we observe a recombination-based partitioning at the gene structure and function level.

Conclusions

Our analysis provides new insights into the relationships between gene and genome structure and function. It reveals mechanisms conserved with other plant species as well as superimposed evolutionary forces that shaped the wheat gene space, likely participating in wheat adaptation.
Stereoselective virtual screening of the ZINC database using atom pair 3D-fingerprints
Authors: Awale Mahendra , Jin Xian , Reymond Jean-Louis
Published: February 2015

Background

Tools to explore large compound databases in search for analogs of query molecules provide a strategically important support in drug discovery to help identify available analogs of any given reference or hit compound by ligand based virtual screening (LBVS). We recently showed that large databases can be formatted for very fast searching with various 2D-fingerprints using the city-block distance as similarity measure, in particular a 2D-atom pair fingerprint (APfp) and the related category extended atom pair fingerprint (Xfp) which efficiently encode molecular shape and pharmacophores, but do not perceive stereochemistry. Here we investigated related 3D-atom pair fingerprints to enable rapid stereoselective searches in the ZINC database (23.2 million 3D structures).

Results

Molecular fingerprints counting atom pairs at increasing through-space distance intervals were designed using either all atoms (16-bit 3DAPfp) or different atom categories (80-bit 3DXfp). These 3D-fingerprints retrieved molecular shape and pharmacophore analogs (defined by OpenEye ROCS scoring functions) of 110,000 compounds from the Cambridge Structural Database with equal or better accuracy than the 2D-fingerprints APfp and Xfp, and showed comparable performance in recovering actives from decoys in the DUD database. LBVS by 3DXfp or 3DAPfp similarity was stereoselective and gave very different analogs when starting from different diastereomers of the same chiral drug. Results were also different from LBVS with the parent 2D-fingerprints Xfp or APfp. 3D- and 2D-fingerprints also gave very different results in LBVS of folded molecules where through-space distances between atom pairs are much shorter than topological distances.

Conclusions

3DAPfp and 3DXfp are suitable for stereoselective searches for shape and pharmacophore analogs of query molecules in large databases. Web-browsers for searching ZINC by 3DAPfp and 3DXfp similarity are accessible at www.gdb.unibe.ch and should provide useful assistance to drug discovery projects.
Analysis and experimental evaluation of the frequency response of an indoor radiating cable in the UHF band
Authors: Seseña-Osorio Jorge A , Zaldívar-Huerta Ignacio E , Aragón-Zavala Alejandro , Castañón-Ávila Gerardo A
Published: February 2015

We present the modeling of the frequency response of the channel for a radiating cable system by using an autoregressive model for an indoor environment. The coefficients of the autoregressive model are determined from the experimental channel frequency response. Measurements were carried out in an indoor environment, in particular on the second floor of a university building in the frequency range of 1.3 to 1.8 GHz by using a vector network analyzer. It is demonstrated that the use of a second-order model provides a better representation of the behavior of the channel. In this context, the coherence bandwidth and the rms delay spread show dependence with the receiver position along the radiating cable length. This dependence is crucial and must be taken into account in the design and study of broadband systems with mobility because the rms delay spread and coherence bandwidth are used to describe the time dispersion and the frequency selectivity of the multipath fading channels, respectively.
Prognostic significance of tumour stroma ratio in inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Downey Candice L , Thygesen Helene H , Sharma Nisha , Shaaban Abeer M
Published: February 2015

Tumour stroma ratio (TSR) is emerging as an important prognostic indicator in cancer. We have previously shown TSR to be prognostic in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Its role in inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, has not been identified. Here we aimed to determine the prognostic significance of TSR in a cohort of patients with inflammatory breast carcinoma.

TSR was measured by point counting virtual H&E stained tissue sections in 45 inflammatory breast cancer cases. The whole tumour area was sampled. Optimum cut-offs to distinguish high and low TSR was determined by log-rank test. The relationship of TSR to overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) was analysed alongside multivariate analysis.

The optimal cut-offs between high and low TSR were determined to be 31% for OS and 46% for DFS. There was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.53) nor DFS (p = 0.66) between high and low TSR groups. Multivariate analysis did not demonstrate any new trends, within the limits of a small data sample. A significant correlation was found between pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival (p = 0.008).

There is no evidence that TSR has prognostic significance in inflammatory breast cancer. When compared with published data in non-inflammatory breast carcinoma, this supports the view that differences in stromal biology exist between tumour types and highlights the importance of considering this when interpreting the prognostic value of TSR. However, these findings must be interpreted in the light of the small sample size.
Helicobacter cinaedi infection in patients with diabetes: a case report
Authors: Ishibashi Ryoichi , Nakamura Susumu , Takemoto Minoru , Mukai Chiaki , Yokote Koutaro
Published: February 2015

Background

Helicobacter cinaedi causes bacteremia without characteristic clinical symptoms and is firstly isolated from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive homosexual men.

Findings

Here we describe, for the first time case report, two female patients with diabetes who had H. cinaedi bacteremia. Some cases of H. cinaedi bacteremia may require long-term administration of multiple antibiotics prior to the resolution of infection.

Conclusions

Therefore, these cases indicate that it is important to consider H. cinaedi in patients with diabetes presenting with bacteremia, especially in patients with poor glycemic control.
Characterization of the Interaction between Heme and a Parallel G-Quadruplex DNA Formed from d(TTAGGGT)
Authors: Shimizu Haruna , Tai Hulin , Saito Kaori , Shibata Tomokazu , Kinoshita Masashi , Yamamoto Yasuhiko
Published: February 2015

The molecular structure and heme electronic structure of a complex (heme–(d(TTAGGGT))4 complex) between heme and a parallel G-quadruplex DNA formed from heptanucleotide d(TTAGGGT), i.e., (d(TTAGGGT))4, have been characterized using 1H NMR. The study demonstrated that the heme is accommodated between G6 and T7 of the G-quadruplex DNA to form a 1:1 complex between the heme and DNA. The spin state of the heme Fe3+ of the heme(Fe3+)–(d(TTAGGGT))4 complex exhibited a characteristic pH-dependent change from a high spin (HS) state, i.e., S = 5/2, at low pH to a thermal spin equilibrium between the HS and low spin state (LS), i.e., S = 1/2, at high pH, with a midpoint at the pH value of 8.9 ± 0.2. The pH-dependent spin state change of the heme(Fe3+)–(d(TTAGGGT))4 complex was similar to that of metmyoglobin (T. M. McGrath and G. N. La Mar, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1978, 534, 99–111), demonstrating that these two systems are highly alike in terms of the heme environment. This finding provides novel insights as to the design of the heme–DNA complexes that exhibit catalytic activities similar to those of hemoproteins.
Infusion device standardisation and dose error reduction software
Authors: Iacovides Ioanna , Blandford Ann , Cox Anna , Franklin Bryony Dean , Lee Paul , Vincent Christopher J
Published: February 2015

In 2004, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) released a safety alert relating to the management and use of infusion devices in England and Wales. The alert called for the standardisation of infusion devices and a consideration of using centralised equipment systems to manage device storage. There has also been growing interest in smart-pump technology, such as dose error reduction software (DERS) as a way to reduce IV medication errors. However, questions remain about the progress that has been made towards infusion device standardisation and the adoption of DERS. In this article, the authors report the results of a survey investigating the extent to which the standardisation of infusion devices has occurred in the last 10 years and centralised equipment libraries are being used in practice, as well as the prevalence of DERS use within the UK. Findings indicate that while reported standardisation levels are high, use of centralised equipment libraries remains low, as does DERS usage.
Measuring patient perception and expectation
Authors: Nanjayan Shashi Kumar , Fowler Andrew , Pickering Simon
Published: February 2015

Patients undergoing arthroplasty surgery are routinely followed up in outpatient clinic. Our objective was to find out patients' view of their follow-up care after elective hip and knee arthroplasty and examine the influence of BOA guidelines for postoperative care. In this prospective study, 100 consecutive patients were given the questionnaire on second or third postoperative day. Fifty patients had undergone THR and fifty TKR. Half of each group (n=25) received an abstract of the BOA guidelines for postoperative care. The completed questionnaires were collected just before their discharge. 80% of patients preferred the operating surgeon/team at their follow-up. 66% of patients preferred either the surgeon or the specialist nurse/therapist over their GP for follow-up care, Interestingly, there was no significant difference between those who did or did not receive the BOA guidelines. Proposed changes to off-load outpatient services may be more cost-effective but may compromise patient satisfaction and outcome.
The new Ofsted: Short, sharp and stress free?
Authors: Sugden Jeremy
Published: February 2015

What will the new Ofsted proposals mean for schools? By Jeremy Sugden, a freelance writer based in Devon, and a former editor of Child Education magazine.
Child protection How It Affects Schools
Authors: Thornton Stephanie
Published: February 2015

Mary Baginsky, senior researcher at the NSPCC, talks to Dr Stephanie Thornton about problems with the present system for reporting abuse cases in primary schools and how changes to the law in June will affect teachers.
Ofsted: We may have got what we wanted!
Authors: Rhodes Liz
Published: February 2015

Roll away the red carpet and prepare for the new style government inspections. By Liz Rhodes, consultant editor to Five to Eleven.
Classic way to illustrate a point
Authors: Hardy Martha
Published: February 2015

Pirates and parrots ahoy! Use these original illustrations to revive Swallows and Amazons. By Martha Hardy, educational illustrator, Brixton, London.
Emotions, music and movement
Authors: Iannuzzelli Paul
Published: February 2015

Use a musical game to help children express themselves. By Paul Iannuzzelli, a songwriter and education consultant for Dante Rhymes, Walton-On-Thames, Surrey.
Journey into Narnia
Authors: Eades Jenny
Published: February 2015

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic children's text that can be used with key stage 1. Jenny Eades, a storyteller from Cheshire, shows how the book inspired ideas for developing thinking and speaking skills.
How schools are putting health and fitness first
Authors: Wilkin Linda
Published: February 2015

Linda Wilkin reports on the initiatives that are fighting back at statistics predicting health problems for a new generation.
I think I'm turning into a teacher…
Authors: Nixon Sam
Published: February 2015

SATs week was the easiest on his PGCE course. Now the tests are approaching rather quickly for Sam Nixon, an NQT who teaches a Year 6 class in Bath.
Do teachers mark too subjectively?
Authors: Rhodes Liz
Published: February 2015

A recent report suggests that teachers are not objective enough when marking children's work. Liz Rhodes says this can be a bonus.
Rapping with rhyme and rhythm
Authors: Carter James
Published: February 2015

Writing, reading and performing poetry is much easier if you use a simple step-by-step approach. Find out how as James Carter, a poet who works regularly with schools, explains some secrets of rhythm and rhyme.
Count with Red Riding Hood
Authors: Manley Sarah
Published: February 2015

In this Year One lesson children explore subtraction through story, experiencing maths in different contexts with links to real life. By Sarah Manley, a senior teacher and a Southwark leading maths co-ordinator.
Get perfect prints every time
Authors: Richardson Sarah
Published: February 2015

Art consultant Sarah Richardson explains the step-by-step approach to simple yet effective print-making.
The gentle art of haiku
Authors: Rhodes Liz
Published: February 2015

Let everyone shine as a poet by trying the Japanese art of haiku. Liz Rhodes shares a rewarding poetry session she used recently with her class
Elmer and the Wind
Authors: Rhodes Liz
Published: February 2015

Liz Rhodes, consultant editor to Five to Eleven, describes how to plan a week's literacy using a delightful tale about Elmer the elephant. After enjoying a practical joke or two, one windy day Elmer finds himself taking off and flying over the jungle.
Depressed children: There are options to prescribing Prozac
Authors: Andrews Crispin
Published: February 2015

Crispin Andrews, a freelance education writer from Aylesbury, Bucks, reports on the child depression crisis.
If you go down to the woods today
Authors: Manley Sarah
Published: February 2015

Learn about position and movement with teddies. By Sarah Manley, senior teacher and maths co-ordinator at Snowsfields Primary School, London, and one of Southwark's leading maths co-ordinators.
Ways to create traditional masks
Authors: Richardson Sarah
Published: February 2015

Sarah Richardson, an art and design consultant from London, helps year 6 children create new identities based on African mask designs.
Science assessment:Testing comes under the microscope
Authors: Harrison Chris
Published: February 2015

Chris Harrison, a researcher at King's College, London, analyses key stage 2 science SATs questions for Five to Eleven, and discovers what they are really testing.
The Information Exchange
Authors: Hendron Brid
Published: February 2015

This article has been written to highlight the importance of unconscious communication in the dental environment using Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles. A single aspect of unconscious communication is described to demonstrate the value to dental team members of studying NLP in order to improve their communication skills.
A call for greater transparency in health policy development: observations from an analysis of child and adolescent mental health policy
Authors: Gibson Jenny , Kelvin Raphael , Goodyer Ian
Published: February 2015

In this paper we describe a systematic attempt to determine whether child and adolescent mental health policy demonstrably draws upon peer-reviewed evidence, and to discover which other sources of evidence could be considered influential in policy development. In brief, we found that the scientific evidence base had been underutilised. However, peer-reviewed research was the most frequently documented source of information in the policies analysed. Overall, policies provided little information on the sources that informed them. We suggest development of a framework where decisions regarding evidence selection for use in informing health policy development are explicitly stated and can be openly evaluated.
Creating research impact: the roles of research users in interactive research mobilisation
Authors: Morton Sarah
Published: February 2015

An impact assessment of research into children's concerns about their families and relationships found many ways research had been used in different sectors by different actors. Specific impacts from the research were harder to identify. However, instances where there were clear impacts highlighted the ways research users had adapted research to fit the context for research use in order to create impact. Research users continued to draw on the research for many years after publication, creating further impact as new policy or practice agendas arose.
Philia et charis
Authors: Darbo-Peschanski Catherine
Published: February 2015

L’article expose les rapports de l’amitié et du plaisir en Grèce ancienne d’après les principes de l’anthropologie historique. Aussi, il travaille sur des « notions indigènes », qui s’inscrivent dans une constellation de notions, parmis lesquelles l’association de charis et philia. En admettant qu’on manque du matériau nécessaire à pousser à une conclusion définitive l’étude sur la charis et la philia chez les Grecs, c’est à dire, de l’individu, la personne, l’intériorité du moi, l’article tente de faire l’étude avancer, en s’appuyant sur quelques textes grecs, notamment ceux d’Arsitote. Pour le philosophe, la charis n’est pas une affection (pathos), à la différence de la philia, classée comme telle dans la Rhét. ; d’après l’EN, elle est « une vertu ou accompagnée de vertu ». Le « charitable » pourtant, relatif de la charis, est l’une des espèces de l’aimable qui est, à son tour, le relatif de l’amitié reposant sur le plaisir. Après quelques démarches, l’article montre comment la relation visuelle occupe une place fondamentale dans la conception aristotélicienne de charis et de philia.
A postura polêmica de Cícero no Diálogo do orador: a crítica dos scriptores artium
Authors: Scatolin Adriano
Published: February 2015

O artigo procura demonstrar a existência de determinados lugares-comuns da polêmica nos tratados retóricos da tradição latina. Para tal, toma como ponto de partida passagens polêmicas tomadas ao Diálogo do orador, de Cícero, confrontandoas com passagens análogas na Retórica de Aristóteles, na Retórica a Herênio e no Da invenção, do jovem Cícero. Conclui-se que os lugares-comuns dizem respeito a vocabulário, item de doutrina apresentado e seção da obra.
A poesia dramática de Plauto em um canticum polimétrico do Amphitruo
Authors: Fernandes Marcelo Vieira
Published: February 2015

O monólogo lamentoso do escravo Sósia, nos versos 153-262 do Anfitrião de Plauto, é exemplo da virtuosidade métrica do poeta e da qualidade ao mesmo tempo sonora e imagética de sua poesia. A partir de certa noção particular de ‘lirismo’ na poesia romana – tal como Pierre Grimal a expõe em Le lyrisme à Rome – examino aqueles versos de Plauto (dos quais apresento uma tradução) procurando demonstrar de que maneiras se associam ritmo, som, imagem e sentido, e de que modo tal associação é coerente com aquela noção particular de lirismo.
O sacrifício humano em prol da comunidade: a Andrômeda de Sófocles e o Erecteu de Eurípides
Authors: Ribeiro Jr Wilson Alves
Published: February 2015

Estudos relativamente detalhados sobre o tema do sacrifício humano nas tragédias clássicas integralmente conservadas tem sido publicados. Menos atenção, por outro lado, foi concedida às tragédias fragmentárias, dado o escasso material disponível. No presente estudo serão discutidos alguns fragmentos de duas tragédias incompletas, Andrômeda, de Sófocles, e Erecteu, de Eurípides, que descrevem sacrifícios humanos relacionados a uma das mais fortes motivações admitidas na Antiguidade: o sacrifício em prol da comunidade.
Aeschylus' geographic imagination
Authors: Rose Peter W.
Published: February 2015

After reviewing various scholars’ accounts of geographical references in Aeschylus’ plays, some seeing exoticism, some serious geographic knowledge reflecting Ionian science, some focused exclusively on the opposition of Greek and barbarian, I argue that regardless of what one might posit as Aeschylus’ intentions, the sheer quantity of geographic allusions are best understood as contributing to the formation of an imperialist consciousness by representing the non-Athenian Mediterranean world, some of it already under the control of Athens, as inherently fascinating.
A Semiautomatic Large-Scale Detection of Simple Geometric Primitives for Detecting Structural Defects from Range-Based Information
Authors: Martínez R. , Delgado F. J. , Hurtado A. , Martínez J. , Finat J.
Published: February 2015

Buildings in Cultural Heritage environments exhibit some common structural defects in elements which can be recognized by their differences with respect to the ideal geometric model. The global approach consists of detecting misalignments between elements corresponding to sections perpendicular to an axis, e.g. The local approach consists of detecting lack of verticality or meaningful differences (facades or internal walls) in curved elements with typical components (apses or vaults, e.g.) appearing in indoor environments. Geometric aspects concern to the basic model which supports successive layers corresponding to materials analysis and mechanical structural behaviour. A common strategy for detecting simple shapes consists of constructing maps of normal which can be extracted by an appropriate sampling of unit normal vectors linked to a points cloud. The most difficult issue concerns to the sampling process. A profusion of decorative details or even the small variations corresponding to small columns which are prolonging the nerves of vaults generate a dispersion of data which can be solved in a manual way by removing notrelevant zones for structural analysis. This method can be appropriate for small churches with a low number of vaults, but it appears as tedious when we are trying to analyse a large cathedral or an urban district. To tackle this problem different strategies for sampling information are designed, where some of them involving geometric aspects have been implemented. We illustrate our approach with several examples concerning to outdoor urban districts and indoor structural elements which display different kinds of pathologies.
Preparation and Submission of the Nomination File of the Oasis of Figuig (Morocco) for Inscription on the World Heritage List: Impacts and Uses of a GIS
Authors: Gillot Laurence , Del André
Published: February 2015

At the request of the municipality of Figuig, a team of scientists, working under the supervision of Professor Jean-Pierre Vallat of the University Paris Diderot and the School of architecture Paris-Val-de-Seine, was entrusted with the task of drawing up and inventory and making an analysis of the cultural properties of the oasis. This program has been led in order to assist the local authorities in the preparation of the nomination file for the inscription of the oasis on the World Heritage List. The oasis is regarded as a matter of fact as a cultural landscape, composed by an important cultural heritage, both material and immaterial. Figuig is indeed characterized by a rich architecture, particularly the ksour (fortified villages) with mud brick houses. Figuig also comprises a palm grove irrigated by a complex network of canals and “foggaras” (pits). Moreover, all the individual and collectives practices connected to the palm grove and to the ksour constitute an important immaterial cultural heritage. The bulk of scientific data (from archaeological, geographical, historical, anthropological investigations) calls for a coherent archiving in order to insure the heritage, environmental and tourism management of the oasis. For this purpose, a GIS would be useful. As a scientific and management tool, the GIS is a precious device which makes it possible to produce thematic (archaeological, historical, touristic, etc.) mappings and inventories. In parallel with these scientific initiatives, the training of the various stakeholders in the practice of the GIS is being developed. Individuals from the municipality, the cooperation offices and the tourism sector are thus developing new competencies. In this respect, the GIS should be a shared tool with multiple applications: scientific researches, heritage management, urban development, tourism management, etc. In this context, this paper sets to analyse the stakes, perspectives and applications of the GIS regarding the necessary development of the oasis whilst protecting its heritage, and ensuring good governance, transparency and justification in the framework of generally binding protective measures.
Development of a 3D Information System for the Old City Centre of Athens
Authors: Kaskampas Nikos , Spirou-Sioula Kalli , Ioannidis Charalabos
Published: February 2015

The representation of three dimensional city models has been gaining ground increasingly in many scientific fields in the recent years. 3D City Modelling is a scale representation of natural and artificial objects in order to present the spatial data and highlight the social development of the city. Depending on its importance or the purpose of use, an object can be represented in various levels of detail. An increasing tendency to 3D city models is their integration into GIS, which proves to be an effective tool for managing, analyzing and planning in order to make decisions about technical, administrative and financial matters. A combination of digital photogrammetric techniques and laser scanning data contribute greatly to this, since a variety of data, such as aerial, satellite and terrestrial images, point clouds from airborne and terrestrial laser systems, and also a variety of photogrammetric and mobile mapping methods are available. The objective of this paper is the development of a 3D Information System (IS) for the three-dimensional geometric documentation of the buildings owned by the Ministry of Culture in the old city centre of Athens, Greece, named “Plaka”. The area has been inhabited continuously since the prehistoric era, it has a special architectural style and includes a number of unique cultural heritage monuments. The data used for the reconstruction of the 3D model of Plaka consisted of aerial and terrestrial images, while raster, vector and descriptive data were used for the creation of a 2D GIS, which served as the background for the development of the 3D GIS. The latter includes all of the qualitative and quantitative information related to the 3D building models owned by the Ministry of Culture according to users’ needs. Each building in the vicinity of Plaka was depicted in one of the four different levels of detail created for the purpose of the study, according to their ownership status and other criteria. The building models, depicted in the highest level of detail, were owned by the Greek Ministry of Culture whereas the other buildings (of a lower level of detail) were depicted in a more subtractive way. Therefor an integrated IS was developed that combines descriptive information, e.g., use, legal status, images, drawings, etc, with the spatial information and geometric documentation in three dimensions.
Google Earth: Inspiration and Instrument for the Study of Ancient Civilizations
Authors: Klokočník Jaroslav , Kostelecký Jan , Pavelka Karel
Published: February 2015

Satellite imaging is well known as a useful tool in many scientific disciplines and various applications.  Google Earth, with its free access, is now - thanks to increasing resolution and precision - such a tool. It can be very inspiring. It improves the visualization and dissemination of scientific data, and opens doors to new discoveries. For example, many Nasca geoglyphs are now visible to Google Earth and so are the orientations of Chinese pyramids, which appear to be laid out with the aid of a magnetic compass. Google Earth also infor-med us about the “new” archaeological locality Atzompa close to the well known “Monte Alban” near Oaxaca (Mexico), which we then visited (in March 2010). Google Earth can also “see” prehistoric causeways in Mesoamerica, “sacbeob” and in the Chaco valley (New Mexico). We find that Google Earth can save time and resources to researches significantly: before, during and after field works and measurements; we present examples.
Improving Completeness of Geometric Models from Terrestrial Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Nothegger Clemens
Published: February 2015

The application of terrestrial laser scanning for the documentation of cultural heritage assets is becoming increasingly common. While the point cloud by itself is sufficient for satisfying many documentation needs, it is often desirable to use this data for applications other than documentation. For these purposes a triangulated model is usually required. The generation of topologically correct triangulated models from terrestrial laser scans, however, still requires much interactive editing. This is especially true when reconstructing models from medium range panoramic scanners and many scan positions. Because of residual errors in the instrument calibration and the limited spatial resolution due to the laser footprint, the point clouds from different scan positions never match perfectly. Under these circumstances many of the software packages commonly used for generating triangulated models produce models which have topological errors such as surface intersecting triangles, holes or triangles which violate the manifold property. We present an algorithm which significantly reduces the number of topological errors in the models from such data. The algorithm is a modification of the Poisson surface reconstruction algorithm. Poisson surfaces are resilient to noise in the data and the algorithm always produces a closed manifold surface. Our modified algorithm partitions the data into tiles and can thus be easily parallelized. Furthermore, it avoids introducing topological errors in occluded areas, albeit at the cost of producing models which are no longer guaranteed to be closed. The algorithm is applied to scan data of sculptures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Schönbrunn Palace and data of a petrified oyster reef in Stetten, Austria. The results of the method’s application are discussed and compared with those of alternative methods.
The Virtual 3D Reconstruction of the East Pediment of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia – Presentation of an Interactive CD-ROM
Authors: Patay-Horváth András
Published: February 2015

The paper gives an overview of a two-years project concerning a major monument of ancient Greek art and presents the interactive, bilingual (English/Hungarian) CD-ROM, which is intended to summarize and visualize its final results. The presented project approaches a century-old controversy in a new way by producing a virtual 3D reconstruction of a monumental marble group. Digital models of the statues were produced by scanning the original fragments and by reconstructing them virtually. The virtual model of the pediment surrounding the sculptures was prepared on the basis of the latest architectural studies and afterwards the reconstructed models were inserted in this frame, in order to test the technical feasibility and aesthetic effects the four possible arrangements. The resulting models enable easy and very instructive experimentation, which would be otherwise impossible with the originals and/or very expensive and not very practicable with traditional tools (e.g. real-size plaster models). The complete model can effectively be used to verify the results of earlier or more recent reconstructions presented only in simple drawings. In addition, the 3D models of the individual fragments can be used for further research and for visualization.  The documentary CD-ROM presenting the full background, the methods and the conclusions of the project contains beside a comprehensive text various kinds of supporting documents (images, 3D models, papers, broadcasts, audiovisual material). It is addressed to a mixed audience: a picture gallery, a short documentary movie some other attachments including a selected bibliography is intended for the general public, but scholarly publications, presentations on related problems are also included for specialists interested in certain details.
New Low-Cost Automated Processing of Digital Photos for Documentation and Visualisation of the Cultural Heritage
Authors: Pavelka Karel , Řezníček Jan
Published: February 2015

The 3D scanning is nowadays a commonly used and fast technique. A variety of type’s 3D scanners is available, with different precision and aim of using. From normal user´s point of view, all the instruments are very expensive and need special software for processing the measured data. Also transportation of 3D scanners – poses a problem, because duty or special taxes for transport out of the EU have to be paid and there is a risk of damage to dismantling of these very expensive instruments and calibration will be needed. For this reason, a simple and automated technique using close range photogrammetry documentation is very important. This paper describes our experience with the software solution for automatic image correlation techniques and their utilization in close range photogrammetry and historical objects documentation. Non-photogrammetrical approach, which often gives very good outputs, is described the last part of this contribution. An image correlation proceeds well only on appropriate parts of documented objects and depends on the number of images, their overlapping and configuration, radiometrical quality of photos, and surface texture.
Olomouc - Possibilities of Geovisualization of the Historical City
Authors: Popelka Stanislav , Brychtová Alžběta
Published: February 2015

Olomouc, nowadays a city with 100,000 inhabitants, has always been considered as one of the most prominent Czech cities. It is a social and economical centre, which history started just about the 11th century. The present appearance of the city has its roots in the 18th century, when the city was almost razed to the ground after the Thirty years’ war and a great fire in 1709. After that, the city was rebuilt to a baroque military fortress against Prussia army. At the beginning of the 20th century the majority of the fortress was demolished. Character of the town is dominated by the large number of churches, burgher’s houses and other architecturally significant buildings, like a Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aim of this project was to state the most suitable methods of visualization of spatial-temporal change in historical build-up area from the tourist’s point of view, and to design and evaluate possibilities of spatial data acquisition. There are many methods of 2D and 3D visualization which are suitable for depiction of historical and contemporary situation. In the article four approaches are discussed comparison of historical and recent pictures or photos, overlaying historical maps over the orthophoto, enhanced visualization of historical map in large scale using the third dimension and photorealistic 3D models of the same area in different ages. All mentioned methods were geolocalizated using the Google Earth environment and multimedia features were added to enhance the impression of perception. Possibilities of visualization, which were outlined above, were realized on a case study of the Olomouc city. As a source of historical data were used rapport plans of the bastion fortress from the 17th century. The accuracy of historical maps was confirmed by cartometric methods with use of the MapAnalyst software. Registration of the spatial-temporal changes information has a great potential in urban planning or realization of reconstruction and particularly in the propagation of the region and increasing the knowledge of citizens about the history of Olomouc.
Experiences in Photogrammetric and Laser Scanner Surveing of Architectural Heritage
Authors: Caprioli Mauro , Minchilli Maurizio , Scognamiglio Alfredo
Published: February 2015

The integration of different methodologies and simplification of procedures is surely one of the most important current themes in survey techniques for researching cultural heritage, especially for architectural heritage.  The traditional methods for the metric survey of an architectural building (including micro geodesy and the stereophotogrammetric survey) are currently being consolidated. However, in the field of the architectural, artistic and archaeological survey, new technologies are now available and this knowledge needs to be more widely used, especially where the heritage is greater and so maintenance is as necessary as it is onerous. This report proposes some operative considerations, which derive from experience developed using the most modern technologies available, in order to compare and discuss the achievable accuracies (even if they are not always strictly necessary) and the operating modalities, especially for architectural surveys. So, the aim of this report is to verify that the simplification of procedures and cheaper solutions do not bring variations to the necessary metric precision or expert photointerpretation analysis. However, it is clear that, without considering the purposes and objectives of the survey, it would not be correct to appraise the survey methods and to classify those using reliability and accuracy criteria. In fact, the objective of a survey determines which tool will be used, according to the requests of the survey client to the survey expert.
Collecting Trouvère Lyric at the Peripheries The Lessons of MSS Paris, BnF fr. 20050 and Bern, Burgerbibliothek 389
Authors: Callahan Christopher
Published: February 2015

In order to offer an argument for the role that material philology should play in future editions of medieval lyric, this article examines the evolution of compilational practices between the earliest and latest trouvère chansonniers, covering the period 1230 to 1310. Though the argument focuses on “peripheral” codices — from geographical and temporal points of view, it touches on pivotal manuscripts that articulate the transition from one set of compilational values to another. The analysis concludes with suggestions for future text editors in their quest for editions that capture the variance and vagaries of trouvère performance and transmission throughout the thirteenth century.
On the Importance of One Character: Some Afterthoughts on The Forest of Anykšcˇiai
Authors: Subacius Paulius V.
Published: February 2015

The latest edition of Anykšcˇi˛u šilelis (The Forest of Anykšcˇiai) by famous Lithuanian poet Antanas Baranauskas renewed the old debate how understood the last word in the second line of the poem. The textual analysis of first three publications with the poet’s autographs and early copies does not provide any possibility to accept the conjecture suggested by one of editors in the early 1960s. This case is analyzed in the broader Lithuanian related and international context of links of alternative readings with strands of a literary interpretation.
Improved Systemic Saturation after Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in a Patient with Decompensated Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries after the Fontan Procedure
Authors: Jabbar Ali Abdul , Franklin Wayne J. , Simpson Leo , Civitello Andrew B. , Delgado Reynolds M. , Frazier O.H.
Published: February 2015

We report the successful implantation of a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device after a failed Fontan procedure in a patient with dextro-transposition of the great arteries. The patient had developed significant intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting. Despite the theoretical risk of worsening intrapulmonary shunting due to the decrease in systemic vascular resistance after device implantation, our patient did well. He was discharged from the hospital in stable condition and had better oxygen saturation than before the device was implanted. To our knowledge, ours is the 2nd report of the use of a ventricular assist device after the failure of a Fontan procedure, and the first report concerning the effect of ventricular assist device implantation on intrapulmonary shunting.