bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adequate and anticipatory research on the potential hazards of emerging technologies: a case of myopia and inertia?
Authors: Hansen Steffen Foss , Gee David
Published: June 2014

History confirms that while technological innovations can bring many benefits, they can also cause much human suffering, environmental degradation and economic costs. But are we repeating history with new and emerging chemical and technological products? In preparation for volume 2 of ‘Late Lessons from Early Warnings’ (European Environment Agency, 2013), two analyses were carried out to help answer this question. A bibliometric analysis of research articles in 78 environmental, health and safety (EHS) journals revealed that most focused on well-known rather than on newly emerging chemicals. We suggest that this ‘scientific inertia’ is due to the scientific requirement for high levels of proof via well replicated studies; the need to publish quickly; the use of existing intellectual and technological resources; and the conservative approach of many reviewers and research funders. The second analysis found that since 1996 the funding of EHS research represented just 0.6% of the overall funding of research and technological development (RTD). Compared with RTD funding, EHS research funding for information and communication technologies, nanotechnology and biotechnology was 0.09%, 2.3% and 4% of total research, respectively. The low EHS research ratio seems to be an unintended consequence of disparate funding decisions; technological optimism; a priori assertions of safety; collective hubris; and myopia. In light of the history of past technological risks, where EHS research was too little and too late, we suggest that it would be prudent to devote some 5–15% of RTD on EHS research to anticipate and minimise potential hazards while maximising the commercial longevity of emerging technologies.
Which outcome measures in SLE clinical trials best reflect medical judgment?
Authors: Thanou Aikaterini , Chakravarty Eliza , James Judith A , Merrill Joan T
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To compare two measures of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) response: the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) and the Systemic Lupus Responder Index (SRI) against a clinician's assessment of improvement.

Methods

Ninety-one lupus patients were identified with two visits at which Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and BILAG had been scored and with active disease (SLEDAI≥6) at the first visit. A physician rated the disease activity at the second visit as clinically significant improvement, no change or worsening. SRI and BICLA were scored both with and without the medication criteria often used in trials to restrict response definitions.

Results

68 patients were considered improved, 17 same and 6 worse at follow-up. SRI versus BICLA, performed without considering medication changes, captured physician-rated improvement with 85% vs 76% sensitivity and 74% vs 78% specificity. With medication limits both instruments had 37% sensitivity and 96% specificity for physician-assessed improvement. Seven patients considered improved by the clinician met the BICLA but not the SRI definition of improvement by failing to achieve a four-point improvement in SLEDAI. 13 clinician-rated responders met SRI but not BICLA by improving in less than all organs.

Conclusions

Shortfalls of SRI and BICLA may be due to BICLA only requiring partial improvement but in all organs versus SRI requiring full improvement in some manifestation(s) and not all organs. SRI and BICLA with medication restrictions are less likely to denote response when the physician disagrees and could provide stringent proof of efficacy in appropriately powered clinical trials.
Clinical phenotype associations with various types of anti-dsDNA antibodies in patients with recent onset of rheumatic symptoms. Results from a multicentre observational study
Authors: Compagno Michele , Rekvig Ole P , Bengtsson Anders A , Sturfelt Gunnar , Heegaard Niels H H , Jönsen Andreas , Jacobsen Rasmus Sleimann , Eilertsen Gro Ø , Fenton Christopher G , Truedsson Lennart , Nossent Johannes C , Jacobsen Søren
Published: June 2014

Despite anti-dsDNA antibodies constitute a wide range of specificities, they are considered as the hallmark for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objective

To identify clinical phenotypes associated with anti-dsDNA antibodies, independently of any clinical diagnoses.

Methods

Patients with recent onset of any rheumatic symptoms were screened for antinuclear antibodies (ANA). All ANA-positive and matching ANA-negative patients were examined, and their clinical phenotypes were registered, using a systematic chart formulated after consensus between the participating centres. All patients were tested for different anti-dsDNA antibody specificities with assays habitually used in each participating laboratory. Crithidia Luciliae Immuno Fluorescence Test (CLIFT) was performed three times (with two different commercial kits); solid and solution phase ELISA were performed four times. Associations between clinical phenotypes and results of anti-dsDNA assays were evaluated by linear regression analysis (LRA) and principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

Totally, 292 ANA-positive and 292 matching ANA-negative patients were included in the study. A full dataset for statistical analysis was obtained in 547 patients. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were most frequently detected by ELISA. LRA showed that overall positivity of anti-dsDNA antibodies was associated with proteinuria and pleuritis. Alopecia was significantly associated only with CLIFT-positivity. Besides confirming the same findings, PCA showed that combined positivity of CLIFT and ELISA was also associated with lymphopenia.

Conclusions

Our results show that different anti-dsDNA antibody specificities are associated with nephropathy, pleuritis, alopecia and lymphopenia, regardless of the diagnosis. It may challenge the importance of anti-dsDNA antibodies as a diagnostic hallmark for SLE.
Reduced response to Epstein–Barr virus antigens by T-cells in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Draborg Anette Holck , Jacobsen Søren , Westergaard Marie , Mortensen Shila , Larsen Janni Lisander , Houen Gunnar , Duus Karen
Published: June 2014

Objective

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has for long been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we investigated the levels of latent and lytic antigen EBV-specific T-cells and antibodies in SLE patients.

Methods

T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and antibodies were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

SLE patients showed a significantly reduced number of activated (CD69) T-cells upon ex vivo stimulation with EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1 or EBV early antigen diffuse (EBV-EA/D) in whole blood samples compared with healthy controls. Also, a reduced number of T-cells from SLE patients were found to produce interferon-γ upon stimulation with these antigens. Importantly, responses to a superantigen were normal in SLE patients. Compared with healthy controls, SLE patients had fewer EBV-specific T-cells but higher titres of antibodies against EBV. Furthermore, an inverse correlation was revealed between the number of lytic antigen EBV-specific T-cells and disease activity of the SLE patients, with high-activity SLE patients having fewer T-cells than low-activity SLE patients.

Conclusions

These results indicate a limited or a defective EBV-specific T-cell response in SLE patients, which may suggest poor control of EBV infection in SLE with an immune reaction shift towards a humoral response in an attempt to control viral reactivation. A role for decreased control of EBV as a contributing agent in the development or exacerbation of SLE is proposed.
Causes and outcome of hospitalisations in Tunisian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jallouli M , Hriz H , Cherif Y , Marzouk S , Snoussi M , Frikha F , Ben Salah R , Masmoudi H , Bahloul Z
Published: June 2014

Objective

To describe the most common reasons of admission of Tunisian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the outcomes of these hospitalisations.

Method

The charts of patients with SLE who were hospitalised at our Department of Internal Medicine during a 2-year period from January 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed, and the demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory features, as well as all comorbidities, were collected.

Results

There were 128 episodes of hospitalisation of 87 patients with SLE. 25 patients (28.7%) were admitted twice or more. The median length of stay for all admissions was 11 days (2–76). The total number of days of hospitalisation was 1896 days, which represent 10.7% of the total number of days of hospitalisation in our department. The most common overall reason for hospitalisation was active SLE (55 events, 43%). In 29 patients, SLE was newly diagnosed during hospitalisation. Other causes of hospitalisation included assessment of the disease, infections (9.4%) and associated autoimmune disease (6.25%). Adverse drug reaction (3.1%) and thromboembolic events (1.25%) were uncommon causes of hospitalisations. There was a significant difference in length of stay between patients admitted with SLE flare and those admitted for non-SLE flare reasons (p<0.01). Four hospitalisations (3%) resulted in death. The principal cause of death was active SLE.

Conclusions

Hospitalisation of patients with SLE is common in our department. Our study of this North African SLE population confirms the findings of previous studies suggesting that active SLE and infection remain the most common causes of hospitalisation of patients with SLE.
Exploring lifetime occupational exposure and SLE flare: a patient-focussed pilot study
Authors: Squance Marline L , Guest Maya , Reeves Glenn , Attia John , Bridgman Howard
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Environmental effectors, such as ultraviolet radiation exposure, infection and stress, have been established as having a role in exacerbating lupus symptoms. However, unpredictable patterns of flare events still remain a mystery. Occupational effectors have also been suggested as having a contributing role; however, they are not widely researched. In this paper we report a pilot study designed to generate focus areas for future research regarding occupational exposures and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

The study explored potential links between exposures and the occurrence of patient-reported flare events in 80 Australian women with SLE (American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria classified). Specifically, the study assessed the hypothesis that occupational exposure is associated with significant changes in the likelihood of lupus flares. Lifetime employment history was analysed with the Finnish Job Exposure Matrix (FINJEM), 40 different semiquantified exposure class estimates for a wide number of occupations based on probability of exposure (p≥5%=exposed) were analysed with the construction of negative binomial regression models to test relationships between occupational agents and flare days. A backward stepwise elimination was used to generate a parsimonious model.

Results

Significant associations were noted for exposure classes of manual handling burden, (p=0.02, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.01), Iron (p=0.00, IRR 1.37), wood dust (p=0.00, IRR 3.34) and asbestos (p=0.03, IRR 2.48).

Conclusion

Exposure assessment results indicated that occupations, such as nursing, with a high manual handling burden, posed increased risk to patients with SLE, however, the greatest risk was associated with wood dust and iron exposure with teachers and specialist labourers.
Survey of quantitative antimicrobial consumption per production stage in farrow‐to‐finish pig farms in Spain
Authors: Moreno Miguel A.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To characterise antimicrobial use (AMU) per production stage in terms of drugs, routes of application, indications, duration and exposed animals in farrow‐to‐finish pig farms in Spain.

Design

Survey using a questionnaire on AMU during the six months prior to the interview, administered in face‐to‐face interviews completed from April to October 2010.

Participants

108 potentially eligible farms covering all the country were selected using a multistage sampling methodology; of these, 33 were excluded because they did not fulfil the participation criteria and 49 were surveyed.

Results

The rank of the most used antimicrobials per farm and production stage and administration route started with polymyxins (colistin) by feed during the growing and the preweaning phases, followed by β‐lactams by feed during the growing and the preweaning phases and by injection during the preweaning phase.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that the growing stage (from weaning to the start of finishing) has the highest AMU according to different quantitative indicators (number of records, number of antimicrobials used, percentage of farms reporting use, relative number of exposed animals per farm and duration of exposure); feed is the administration route that produces the highest antimicrobial exposure based on the higher number of exposed animals and the longer duration of treatment; and there are large differences in AMU among individual pig farms.
Dilemmas experienced by government veterinarians when responding professionally to farm animal welfare incidents in Ireland
Authors: Devitt C. , Kelly P. , Blake M. , Hanlon A. , More S. J.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

This paper identifies the dilemmas experienced by government veterinarians during their investigations of farm animal welfare incidents that involve herd owner social, health, and/or psychological difficulties. The paper builds on exploratory qualitative research into the impact of these difficulties on farm animal welfare.

Design

The study used a qualitative research approach. Focus groups were conducted.

Setting

In Ireland, an Early Warning System (EWS), which brings together relevant agencies, is in place to identify and prevent farm animal welfare problems before they become critical. This study is concerned with the experiences of government veterinarians who respond to farm animal welfare incidents. Specific focus is on incidents that involve herd owner social/psychological/health‐related difficulties.

Participants

In total, n=18 government veterinarians (representing 15 per cent of the population sample), all with a keen interest in farm animal welfare, participated. These were selected on the basis of their interest, experience, and involvement in farm animal welfare. One government veterinarian declined to participate. Four focus groups were conducted with government veterinarians. These took place in the south (S), south‐west (SW), midlands (M), and north‐west region of Ireland (NW). All 16 District Veterinary Offices (DVOs) were represented in the focus groups.

Results

The results reveal three professional dilemmas that exist for government veterinarians: (1) defining professional parameters; (2) determining the appropriate response; (3) involvement versus detachment. Participants reported not wanting any additional training. Instead, it was agreed that a formal bridge to social service providers who have the professional capability to respond appropriately and with confidence, was required.

Conclusions

Clearly defined guidelines are required for government veterinarians in their encounters with farm animal welfare incidents where there is a complex human component. A coordinated multiagency approach that is flexible enough to meet the needs of individual farm animal welfare cases is required.
A Versatile Approach for the Estimation of Software Development Effort Based on SRS Document
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Vardhan Manu , Kushwaha Dharmender Singh
Published: June 2014

Requirement engineering is a disciplined application of proven principles, methods, tools and notations to describe the behavior of a system. Generally a project suffers because of improper determination and documentation of software requirements. The intricacies in software development processes are often not understood by the client. Hence, requirements submitted by client need a careful examination. In order to produce proper artifact, it is necessary that the software requirements should be documented into the software requirement specification (SRS) on the basis of the recommendations of IEEE 830:1998 document. To address these issues, a measure for early estimation of software complexity based on SRS of the yet to be developed software is proposed. Further, this complexity measure serves as a basis for computing and deriving early estimation of software development effort too. The results obtained from the proposed measure are able to establish that the measure is accurate and precise as compared to various other existing measures that are based on the algorithm/parameters, software code, function point analysis and use case points. All this is accomplished using SRS document at an early phase of software development process. The proposed measure is robust, comprehensive, early alarming and compares well with other development effort estimation measures proposed in the past.
Comparison of Selected Swarm Intelligence Algorithms in Student Courses Recommendation Application
Authors: Sobecki Janusz
Published: June 2014

In this paper a comparison of a few swarm intelligence algorithms applied in recommendation of student courses is presented. Swarm intelligence algorithms are nowadays successfully used in many areas, especially in optimization problems. To apply each swarm intelligence algorithm in recommender systems a special representation of the problem space is necessary. Here we present the comparison of efficiency of grade prediction of several evolutionary algorithms, such as: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Intelligent Weed Optimization (IWO), Bee Colony Optimization (BCO) and Bat Algorithm (BA).
Revised estimates for the volume of the Late Bronze Age Minoan eruption, Santorini, Greece
Authors: Johnston E. N. , Sparks R. S. J. , Phillips J. C. , Carey S.
Published: June 2014

The Late Bronze Age ‘Minoan’ eruption of Santorini, Greece occurred from within an existing caldera. Low-temperature pyroclastic flow emplacement on shallow slopes outside the caldera can only be consistent with the caldera being filled with eruption products that are not preserved. Field observations and seismic reflection surveys suggest that this missing material has been downfaulted. The volume of the caldera infill is estimated as 18–26 km
3
dense rock equivalent (DRE), increasing the total of the Minoan eruption deposits to 78–86 km
3
DRE and making it the largest known Holocene eruption. This study highlights a general mechanism whereby caldera eruption volumes could be significantly underestimated.
Controls on the basin-scale distribution of hydraulic conductivity of superficial deposits: a case study from the Thames Basin, UK
Authors: Bricker S. H. , Bloomfield J. P.
Published: June 2014

Controls on the basin-scale distribution of hydraulic conductivity of superficial deposits are assessed in the context of hydrological setting and basin evolution and are investigated using a case study from the Thames Basin, UK. A conceptual model of superficial deposits across the Thames Basin is used to define six lithostratigraphic classes of superficial deposits: pre-Anglian Clay-with-Flint deposits; pre-Anglian River Terrace Deposits associated with the ancestral River Thames and its tributaries; Tills formed during the Anglian glaciations; glacio-fluvial sand and gravel deposits formed during the Anglian; post-Anglian River Terrace Deposits associated with the modern-day River Thames and tributaries; post-Anglian alluvium associated with the modern-day River Thames and tributaries. Hydraulic conductivity of the superficial deposits has been estimated from grain-size distribution data, originally collected for mineral resource assessments, using the Kozeny–Carman method. Based on 6411 samples from 1416 boreholes, estimated hydraulic conductivity ranges from 0.2 to 5942 m day
–1
, median and mean hydraulic conductivities are 1.67 and 26.72 m day
–1
respectively, and the overall distribution of hydraulic conductivity values has a strong positive skew An apparent reduction in mean hydraulic conductivity with increasing age of the deposit is observed, particularly for the River Terrace Deposits. A reduction in maximum hydraulic conductivity at depths >10 m is also observed and the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and depth is controlled by the type of superficial deposit. At the catchment to basin scale, variation in hydraulic conductivity with depth may be explained with reference to both the deposit types and the age of the deposits. Where hydraulic conductivity is found to be intimately linked to the Quaternary evolution of the basin, through contrasts in age and deposit type, permeability variations at the basin scale may be constrained by applying a suitably refined conceptual model of the superficial deposits.
Indexing 3D Scenes Using the Interaction Bisector Surface
Authors: Zhao Xi , Wang He , Komura Taku
Published: June 2014

The spatial relationship between different objects plays an important role in defining the context of scenes. Most previous 3D classification and retrieval methods take into account either the individual geometry of the objects or simple relationships between them such as the contacts or adjacencies. In this article we propose a new method for the classification and retrieval of 3D objects based on the Interaction Bisector Surface (IBS), a subset of the Voronoi diagram defined between objects. The IBS is a sophisticated representation that describes topological relationships such as whether an object is wrapped in, linked to, or tangled with others, as well as geometric relationships such as the distance between objects. We propose a hierarchical framework to index scenes by examining both the topological structure and the geometric attributes of the IBS. The topology-based indexing can compare spatial relations without being severely affected by local geometric details of the object. Geometric attributes can also be applied in comparing the precise way in which the objects are interacting with one another. Experimental results show that our method is effective at relationship classification and content-based relationship retrieval.
Clique Cover and Graph Separation
Authors: Cygan Marek , Kratsch Stefan , Pilipczuk Marcin , Pilipczuk Michał , Wahlström Magnus
Published: June 2014

The field of kernelization studies polynomial-time preprocessing routines for hard problems in the framework of parameterized complexity. In this article, we show that, unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses to its third level, the following parameterized problems do not admit a polynomial-time preprocessing algorithm that reduces the size of an instance to polynomial in the parameter:

---Edge Clique Cover, parameterized by the number of cliques, ---Directed Edge/Vertex Multiway Cut, parameterized by the size of the cutset, even in the case of two terminals, ---Edge/Vertex Multicut, parameterized by the size of the cutset, and ---
k
-Way Cut, parameterized by the size of the cutset.
Clone detection in software source code using operational similarity of statements
Authors: Kaur Raminder , Singh Satwinder
Published: June 2014

This paper presents a technique to detect clones in source code by comparing the operations performed in the statements comprising a function. The key concept used is that two functions are considered clones if the statements in the functions perform the same operation up to a certain extent. This could be ascertained by categorizing the available statement types based on the operations performed (for instance, addition, multiplication, function invocation, etc). Then, a category is assigned to each statement present in every function in the source code. Comparisons are then made between functions by comparing the categories of the statements to each other. If one function contains exactly the same categories of statement as another (same operations performed in both the functions), or contains a subset of statement categories (operations performed in one function are subset of another), then these functions are judged to be clones.
Class point approach for software effort estimation using stochastic gradient boosting technique
Authors: Satapathy Shashank Mouli , Acharya Barada Prasanna , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: June 2014

The success of software development depends on the proper estimation of the effort required to develop the software. Project managers require a reliable approach for software effort estimation. It is especially important during the early stages of the software development life cycle. Accurate software effort estimation is a major concern in software industries. Stochastic Gradient Boosting (SGB) is one of the machine learning techniques that helps in getting improved estimated values. SGB is used for improving the accuracy of models built on decision trees. In this paper, the main goal is to estimate the effort required to develop various software projects using the class point approach. Then, optimization of the effort parameters is achieved using the SGB technique to obtain better prediction accuracy. Further- more, performance comparisons of the models obtained using the SGB technique with the Multi Layer Perceptron and the Radial Basis Function Network are presented in order to highlight the performance achieved by each method.
Impact of change in component reliabilities on system reliability estimation
Authors: Singh Lalit Kumar , Vinod Gopika , Tripathi A. K.
Published: June 2014

The computation of a set of performance indicators of a computer-based system can be achieved through dependability analysis. Researchers have proposed several methods and tools that have an ability to give a prognosis for the failure of a computer-based system. These tools and methods are classified into three main approaches: model-based, data-driven, and experience-based prognostics. Wherever sufficient real data is available, the data-driven approach is appropriate, which can be transformed into behavior models using Hidden Markov Models, which fall in a subclass of Bayesian networks. In a Bayesian framework, the estimates of reliabilities of components of a computer-based system are updated using operational profile data as new information of reliability of one or more node becomes available for the identification of robustness of a system. In this paper, we show, using Bayesian Networks, how to update the reliability of individual components and the reliability of a whole computer-based system when the reliability of any component in the system changes. We use a running safety-critical computer-based system from a nuclear power plant as a case study.
Computational Light Routing
Authors: Pereira Thiago , Rusinkiewicz Szymon , Matusik Wojciech
Published: June 2014

Despite recent interest in digital fabrication, there are still few algorithms that provide control over how light propagates inside a solid object. Existing methods either work only on the surface or restrict themselves to light diffusion in volumes. We use multi-material 3D printing to fabricate objects with embedded optical fibers, exploiting total internal reflection to guide light
inside
an object. We introduce automatic fiber design algorithms together with new manufacturing techniques to route light between two arbitrary surfaces. Our implicit algorithm optimizes light transmission by minimizing fiber curvature and maximizing fiber separation while respecting constraints such as fiber arrival angle. We also discuss the influence of different printable materials and fiber geometry on light propagation in the volume and the light angular distribution when exiting the fiber. Our methods enable new applications such as surface displays of arbitrary shape, touch-based painting of surfaces, and sensing a hemispherical light distribution in a single shot.
ℓ
1
-Based Construction of Polycube Maps from Complex Shapes
Authors: Huang Jin , Jiang Tengfei , Shi Zeyun , Tong Yiying , Bao Hujun , Desbrun Mathieu
Published: June 2014

Polycube maps of triangle meshes have proved useful in a wide range of applications, including texture mapping and hexahedral mesh generation. However, constructing either fully automatically or with limited user control a low-distortion polycube from a detailed surface remains challenging in practice. We propose a variational method for deforming an input triangle mesh into a polycube shape through minimization of the ℓ
1
-norm of the mesh normals, regularized via an as-rigid-as-possible volumetric distortion energy. Unlike previous work, our approach makes no assumption on the orientation, or on the presence of features in the input model. User-guided control over the resulting polycube map is also offered to increase design flexibility. We demonstrate the robustness, efficiency, and controllability of our method on a variety of examples, and explore applications in hexahedral remeshing and quadrangulation.
Feature Matching with Bounded Distortion
Authors: Lipman Yaron , Yagev Stav , Poranne Roi , Jacobs David W. , Basri Ronen
Published: June 2014

We consider the problem of finding a geometrically consistent set of point matches between two images. We assume that local descriptors have provided a set of candidate matches, which may include many outliers. We then seek the largest subset of these correspondences that can be aligned perfectly using a nonrigid deformation that exerts a bounded distortion. We formulate this as a constrained optimization problem and solve it using a constrained, iterative reweighted least-squares algorithm. In each iteration of this algorithm we solve a convex quadratic program obtaining a globally optimal match over a subset of the bounded distortion transformations. We further prove that a sequence of such iterations converges monotonically to a critical point of our objective function. We show experimentally that this algorithm produces excellent results on a number of test sets, in comparison to several state-of-the-art approaches.
Progressive Light Transport Simulation on the GPU
Authors: Davidovič Tomáš , Křivánek Jaroslav , Hašan Miloš , Slusallek Philipp
Published: June 2014

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) recently became general enough to enable implementation of a variety of light transport algorithms. However, the efficiency of these GPU implementations has received relatively little attention in the research literature and no systematic study on the topic exists to date. The goal of our work is to fill this gap. Our main contribution is a comprehensive and in-depth investigation of the efficiency of the GPU implementation of a number of classic as well as more recent progressive light transport simulation algorithms. We present several improvements over the state-of-the-art. In particular, our light vertex cache, a new approach to mapping connections of subpath vertices in bidirectional path tracing on the GPU, outperforms the existing implementations by 30--60%. We also describe a first GPU implementation of the recently introduced vertex connection and merging algorithm [Georgiev et al. 2012], showing that even relatively complex light transport algorithms can be efficiently mapped on the GPU. With the implementation of many of the state-of-the-art algorithms within a single system at our disposal, we present a unique direct comparison and analysis of their relative performance.
Automatic Scene Inference for 3D Object Compositing
Authors: Karsch Kevin , Sunkavalli Kalyan , Hadap Sunil , Carr Nathan , Jin Hailin , Fonte Rafael , Sittig Michael , Forsyth David
Published: June 2014

We present a user-friendly image editing system that supports a drag-and-drop object insertion (where the user merely drags objects into the image, and the system automatically places them in 3D and relights them appropriately), postprocess illumination editing, and depth-of-field manipulation. Underlying our system is a fully automatic technique for recovering a comprehensive 3D scene model (geometry, illumination, diffuse albedo, and camera parameters) from a single, low dynamic range photograph. This is made possible by two novel contributions: an illumination inference algorithm that recovers a full lighting model of the scene (including light sources that are not directly visible in the photograph), and a depth estimation algorithm that combines data-driven depth transfer with geometric reasoning about the scene layout. A user study shows that our system produces perceptually convincing results, and achieves the same level of realism as techniques that require significant user interaction.
The Revolution in Higher Education and the Needs of the New Academic
Authors: Carr-Chellman Alison
Published: June 2014

This new e-Lead from the editor's desk is an introspective look at what eLearning means to the daily rituals of the ivory tower, and the impact eLearning is having on academic life today.
Hepatitis C Worldwide and in Brazil: Silent Epidemic—Data on Disease including Incidence, Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment
Authors: Kretzer Iara Fabricia , Livramento Andrea do , Cunha Joel da , Gonçalves Sabrina , Tosin Iraci , Spada Celso , Treitinger Aricio
Published: June 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is endemic worldwide and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 150 million chronic carriers worldwide. The infection is a leading cause of liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); thus, HCV infection constitutes a critical public health problem. There are increasing efforts worldwide in order to reduce the global impact of hepatitis C through the implementation of programmatic actions that may increase the awareness of viral hepatitis and also improve surveillance, prevention, and treatment. In Brazil, about 1,5 million people have been chronically infected with HCV. The country has a vast territory with uneven population density, and hepatitis C incidence rates are variable with the majority of cases concentrated in the most populated areas. Currently, the main priorities of Brazilian Ministry of Health's strategies for viral hepatitis management include the prevention and early diagnosis of viral hepatitis infections; strengthening of the healthcare network and lines of treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, viral hepatitis, and AIDS; improvement and development of surveillance, information, and research; and promotion of universal access to medication. This review aims to summarize the available data on hepatitis C epidemiology and current status of efforts in prevention and infection control around the world and in Brazil.
Historical Controls for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Benchmarks for Planning and Analyzing Single-Arm Phase II Trials
Authors: Philip Philip A. , Chansky Kari , LeBlanc Michael , Rubinstein Lawrence , Seymour Lesley , Ivy S. Percy , Alberts Steven R. , Catalano Paul J. , Crowley John
Published: June 2014

We compiled and analyzed a database of cooperative group trials in advanced pancreatic cancer to develop historical benchmarks for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Such benchmarks are essential for evaluating new therapies in a single-arm setting. The analysis included patients with untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving regimens that included gemcitabine, between 1995 and 2005. Prognostic baseline factors were selected by their significance in Cox regression analysis. Outlier trial arms were identified by comparing individual 6-month OS and PFS rates against the entire group. The dataset selected for the generation of OS and PFS benchmarks was then tested for intertrial arm variability using a logistic-normal model with the selected baseline prognostic factors as fixed effects and the individual trial arm as a random effect. A total of 1,132 cases from eight trials qualified. Performance status and sex were independently significant for OS, and performance status was prognostic for PFS. Outcomes for one trial (NCCTG-034A) were significantly different from the other trial arms. When this trial was excluded, the remaining trial arms were homogeneous for OS and PFS outcomes after adjusting for performance status and sex. Benchmark values for 6-month OS and PFS are reported along with a method for using these values in future study design and analysis. The benchmark survival values were generated from a dataset that was homogeneous between trials. The benchmarks can be used to enable single-arm phase II trials using a gemcitabine platform, especially under certain circumstances. Such circumstances might be when a randomized control arm is not practically feasible, an early signal of activity of an experimental agent is being explored such as in expansion cohorts of phase I studies, and in patients who are not candidates for combination cytotoxic therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 20(16); 4176–85. ©2014 AACR.
STING Ligand c-di-GMP Improves Cancer Vaccination against Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Chandra Dinesh , Quispe-Tintaya Wilber , Jahangir Arthee , Asafu-Adjei Denise , Ramos Ilyssa , Sintim Herman O. , Zhou Jie , Hayakawa Yoshihiro , Karaolis David K.R. , Gravekamp Claudia
Published: June 2014

Cancer vaccination may be our best and most benign option for preventing or treating metastatic cancer. However, breakthroughs are hampered by immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we analyzed whether cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), a ligand for stimulator of interferon genes (STING), could overcome immune suppression and improve vaccination against metastatic breast cancer. Mice with metastatic breast cancer (4T1 model) were therapeutically immunized with an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (LM)–based vaccine, expressing tumor-associated antigen Mage-b (LM-Mb), followed by multiple low doses of c-di-GMP (0.2 μmol/L). This treatment resulted in a striking and near elimination of all metastases. Experiments revealed that c-di-GMP targets myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and tumor cells. Low doses of c-di-GMP significantly increased the production of IL12 by MDSCs, in correlation with improved T-cell responses to Mage-b, whereas a high dose of c-di-GMP (range, 0.3–3 mmol/L) activated caspase-3 in the 4T1 tumor cells and killed the tumor cells directly. On the basis of these results, we tested one administration of high-dose c-di-GMP (3 mmol/L) followed by repeated administrations of low-dose c-di-GMP (0.2 μmol/L) in the 4T1 model, and found equal efficacy compared with the combination of LM-Mb and c-di-GMP. This finding correlated with a mechanism of improved CD8 T-cell responses to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) Mage-b and Survivin, most likely through cross-presentation of these TAAs from c-di-GMP–killed 4T1 tumor cells, and through c-di-GMP–activated TAA-specific T cells. Our results demonstrate that activation of STING-dependent pathways by c-di-GMP is highly attractive for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(9); 901–10. ©2014 AACR.
Renalase Gene Polymorphism in Patients After Renal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Pawlik Andrzej , Serdynska Maria , Dabrowska-Zamojcin Ewa , Dziedziejko Violetta , Safranow Krzysztof , Domanski Leszek , Ciechanowski Kazimierz
Published: June 2014

Background/Aims: Renalase is a recently discovered protein, which is likely involved in regulation of blood pressure in humans and animals. Previous studies suggest that renalase reflects kidney functioning. A common missense polymorphism in the flavin-adenine dinucleotide-binding domain of human renalase (Glu37Asp) has been described. In this study we examined the association between (Glu37Asp) polymorphism (rs2296545) in renalase gene and kidney allograft function. Methods: The study enrolled 270 Caucasian kidney allograft recipients. SNP within the renalase was genotyped using TaqMan genotyping assays. Results: There were no statistically significant associations between renalase gene rs2296545 polymorphism and delayed graft function, acute rejection, chronic allograft dysfunction as well as creatinine serum concentrations and blood pressure values after transplantation. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest, that renalase gene rs2296545 polymorphism is not important factor determining renal allograft function.
Evaluation of Factors Predicting Recoverability of Renal Function after Pyeloplasty in Adults
Authors: Harraz Ahmed M. , Taha Diaa-Eldin , Shalaby Ibrahim , Hafez Ashraf T.
Published: June 2014

Aim: To analyze the status of renal function after pyeloplasty in a large contemporary adult series and to detect which variables predict improvement of renal function. Materials and Methods: 85 adult patients were retrospectively identified who had undergone pyeloplasty between January 2002 and May 2011 with available pre- and postoperative diuretic scintigraphy. Preoperative differential renal function (DRF) and single-kidney GFR (SKGFR) were obtained by 99mTc-MAG-3 diuretic scintigraphy. Baseline-weighted (bw-) DRF and SKGFR were calculated between baseline conditions and time of last follow-up. Factors that explain the variance of bw-DRF and bw-SKGFR were determined. Results: The mean (SD) preoperative DRF significantly increased from 34% (11.6) to 37.2% (11.8) after pyeloplasty (p < 0.001). Similarly, mean (SD) SKGFR showed a significant improvement from 31.2 (12.9) to 35.9 (15) ml/min (p < 0.001). Patients with a lower baseline DRF (≤40%) showed a significant improvement as opposed to those with a higher baseline DRF (>40%) (p < 0.001 and 0.3, respectively). Baseline DRF and cortical thickness explained the variance in bw-DRF and bw-SKGFR with more contribution of baseline DRF. Conclusions: Renal function showed improvement after pyeloplasty in adults and preoperative DRF and cortical thickness were the predicting variables.
Vascular Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: A Prognostic Model from a Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Park Kyoung Sook , Kim Hyo Song , Cho Yong Jin , Rha Sun Young , Ahn Joong Bae , Yang Woo Ik , Lee Young Han , Suh Jin-Suck , Shin Kyoo-Ho , Roh Jae Kyung
Published: June 2014

Background: Vascular soft-tissue sarcomas are a rare form of sarcoma. Malignant subtypes exhibit a variety of biological behaviors. We describe the clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival outcomes of malignant vascular soft-tissue sarcomas. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of 84 patients diagnosed with vascular tumors by histological examination at the Yonsei University College of Medicine between April 1987 and August 2011. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results: The angiosarcoma patients had a significantly shorter OS than the patients with other subtypes of sarcomas (59.0 and 142.7 months, respectively; p < 0.001). Upon multivariate analysis of survival in patients who underwent surgical resection, the following independent prognostic factors were identified: primary site (trunk, p = 0.001), age (older than 65 years, p < 0.001), pathology (angiosarcoma, p = 0.006) and R2 resection (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The independent prognostic factors for shorter survival are the trunk as the primary site, malignant angiosarcoma and age (>65 years). Complete excision should be attempted for providing a survival advantage in the patients with localized disease. In addition, bleeding episodes are much more frequent in patients with a poor survival outcome.
Proactive Approaches to Successful Aging: One Clear Path through the Forest
Authors: Kahana Eva , Kahana Boaz , Lee Jeong Eun
Published: June 2014

The importance of successful aging is increasingly acknowledged in the field of gerontology. In this paper we contribute to ongoing efforts to clarify and operationalize this concept by presenting our revised Comprehensive Preventive Corrective Proactive (PCP) model that builds on relevant research traditions, our prior formulations and accumulating research evidence based on testing this model. Recognizing biopsychosocial challenges and contextual stressors that are normative for older individuals, we emphasize the critical role of proactive behavioral adaptations in ameliorating the adverse effects of stressors. We argue that competent actions to address age-related changes and stressors are necessary to achieve positive quality-of-life outcomes. We propose that future research may benefit from employing more complex methodological approaches and data analytic tools.
The Incidence of Genitourinary and Gastrointestinal Complications in Open and Endoscopic Gynecologic Cancer Surgery
Authors: Rettenmaier Christopher R. , Rettenmaier Nicholas B. , Abaid Lisa N. , Brown John V. , Micha John P. , Mendivil Alberto A. , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Goldstein Bram H. , Markman Maurie
Published: June 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of genitourinary and intestinal tract injuries in an effort to identify which factors might predispose a patient to developing one of these surgical complications. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the charts of gynecologic cancer patients who were treated at a single medical institution from January 2002 to February 2011. The following study variables were noted for evaluation: age, BMI, cancer origin, disease recurrence, a history of pelvic surgery, surgery type, operative approach and injury classification (genitourinary or gastrointestinal). Results: In our group of 1,618 patients, a total of 47 (2.9%) gastrointestinal and 18 (1.1%) genitourinary tract injuries were encountered. There were no intraoperative-related deaths but 2 patients expired 1 month after surgery. Logistic regression indicated that surgery type, undergoing an open procedure, cancerous involvement of the bowel or genitourinary tract and a history of pelvic surgery were significant predictors of operative injury occurrence [χ2 (28) = 167.22; p < 0.001]. Conclusions: We ascertained a relatively low incidence of gastrointestinal and genitourinary complications. Nevertheless, undergoing an open procedure, a history of pelvic surgery and surgical involvement of the bowel or genitourinary tract were predictive of an increased risk for these aforementioned injuries.