bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of extracts from the genus Passiflora cultived in Brazil against cancer cells
Authors: Amaral Ricardo Guimarães , Gomes Silvana Vieira Floresta , Antoniolli Ângelo Roberto , Luciano Maria Claudia dos Santos , Pessoa Cláudia do Ó , Andrade Luciana Nalone , Severino Patrícia , Brandão Geraldo Célio , Bomfim Larissa Mendes , Bezerra Daniel Pereira , David Jorge Maurício , Carvalho Adriana Andrade
Published: June 2018

This work aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic potential against cancer cells of Passiflora genus plant species cultivated in Brazil and identify the mechanism of cytotoxicity induced by the most promising extract. Leaf extracts from 14 Passiflora (P.) species were obtained ASE and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluated against cancer cell lines using MTT assay at a single concentration of 50 μg/mL. Additionally, the IC50 of the P. alata (ELPA) leaf extracts was determined against both tumor (HCT-116, SF-295, OVACAR-8, and HL-60), and non-tumor cells (PBMC). The ELPA flavonoids were identified by HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-MS/MS. The morphological analyses used light and fluorescence microscopy, and cell cycle and DNA fragmentation analyses used flow cytometry to determine the mechanism of cell death induced by ELPA in HL-60. Among the Passiflora leaf extracts evaluated; ELPA stood out with high cytotoxic activity, followed by P. capsularis and P. quadrangulares with varying high and low cytotoxic activity. ELPA presented high cytotoxic potency in HL-60 (IC50 19.37 μg/mL), yet without cytotoxic activity against PBMC, suggesting selectivity for tumor cells. The cytotoxic activity of ELPA may well be linked to the presence of ten identified flavonoids. Cells treated with ELPA presented the hallmarks typical of apoptosis and necrosis, with cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Conclusion: From among the studied species, ELPA presented greater cytotoxic activity, possibly a consequence of synergistic flavonoid action which induces cell death by apoptosis and necrosis.
Feature selection for the accurate prediction of septic and cardiogenic shock ICU mortality in the acute phase
Authors: Aushev Alexander , Ripoll Vicent Ribas , Vellido Alfredo , Aletti Federico , Pinto Bernardo Bollen , Herpain Antoine , Post Emiel Hendrik , Medina Eduardo Romay , Ferrer Ricard , Baselli Giuseppe , Bendjelid Karim
Published: June 2018

Circulatory shock is a life-threatening disease that accounts for around one-third of all admissions to intensive care units (ICU). It requires immediate treatment, which is why the development of tools for planning therapeutic interventions is required to deal with shock in the critical care environment. In this study, the ShockOmics European project original database is used to extract attributes capable of predicting mortality due to shock in the ICU. Missing data imputation techniques and machine learning models were used, followed by feature selection from different data subsets. Selected features were later used to build Bayesian Networks, revealing causal relationships between features and ICU outcome. The main result is a subset of predictive features that includes well-known indicators such as the SOFA and APACHE II scores, but also less commonly considered ones related to cardiovascular function assessed through echocardiograpy or shock treatment with pressors. Importantly, certain selected features are shown to be most predictive at certain time-steps. This means that, as shock progresses, different attributes could be prioritized. Clinical traits obtained at 24h. from ICU admission are shown to accurately predict cardiogenic and septic shock mortality, suggesting that relevant life-saving decisions could be made shortly after ICU admission.
In Vitro Fertilization in Mice
Authors: Takeo Toru , Nakagata Naomi
Published: June 2018

The success of in vitro fertilization is strongly influenced by genetic background, handling of sperm and oocytes, and culture conditions. This protocol promotes enhanced rates of fertilization by using preincubation medium for sperm containing methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MBCD) and fertilization medium with high calcium and reduced glutathione (GSH).
Ammonium Sulfate Fractionation of Antibodies
Authors: Fishman Jordan B. , Berg Eric A.
Published: June 2018

Before the widespread availability and use of Protein A (rabbit) or Protein G (rodent) for the purification of IgG, the use of an ammonium sulfate “cut” was the standard method to isolate IgG and other serum proteins. The addition of ammonium sulfate reduces the effective solubility of proteins through direct competition for binding sites on the surface of the protein. The resulting precipitated proteins can be isolated by centrifugation. An ammonium sulfate concentration between 40% and 50% results in the precipitation of IgG from most species, and thus 50% is usually used. Because other proteins can be “trapped” within the aggregated protein, the use of ammonium sulfate does not result in a purified antibody fraction and as such should be considered a first step in a multistep antibody purification protocol.
A compact and flexible induction furnace for in situ X-ray microradiograhy and computed microtomography at Elettra: design, characterization and first tests
Authors: Kudrna Prašek Marko , Pistone Mattia , Baker Don R. , Sodini Nicola , Marinoni Nicoletta , Lanzafame Gabriele , Mancini Lucia
Published: June 2018

A compact and versatile induction furnace for in situ high-resolution synchrotron and laboratory hard X-ray microradiography and computed microtomography is described. The furnace can operate from 773 to 1723 K. Its programmable controller enables the user to specify multiple heating and cooling ramp rates as well as variable dwell times at fixed temperatures allowing precise control of heating and cooling rates to within 5 K. The instrument can work under a controlled atmosphere. Thanks to the circular geometry of the induction coils, the heat is homogeneously distributed in the internal volume of the graphite cell (ca. 150 mm3) where the sample holder is located. The thermal gradient within the furnace is less than 5 K over a height of ca. 5 mm. This new furnace design is well suited to the study of melting and solidification processes in geomaterials, ceramics and several metallic alloys, allowing fast heating (tested up to 6.5 K s−1) and quenching (up to 21 K s−1) in order to freeze the sample microstructure and chemistry under high-temperature conditions. The sample can be held at high temperatures for several hours, which is essential to follow phenomena with relatively slow dynamics, such as crystallization processes in geomaterials. The utility of the furnace is demonstrated through a few examples of experimental applications performed at the Elettra synchrotron laboratory (Trieste, Italy).
Distributed leadership in organizations: an investigation of antecedent conditions
Authors: Fu Lihua , Liu Zhiying
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate antecedent conditions that lead to the development of distributed leadership (DL). The authors examine how the emergence of DL is affected by empowerment and internal context, which consists of shared purpose, social support and voice. The moderating effects of training are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, this empirical analysis of the relationship between the variables was based on the results of a questionnaire survey on 62 teams in high-tech enterprises of mainland China.

Findings

Results indicate that empowerment and internal context in the team significantly predict the extent of DL and that training has positive moderating effects on the relationships.

Practical implications

The results imply that firms must carefully analyze specific team conditions to ensure shared purpose, social support and voice in each team. This study also suggests the importance of empowerment. Moreover, enterprises can use training, a human resource tool, to enhance the positive effects of internal context and empowerment on DL.

Originality/value

By building on upper echelons theory and integrating insights from contingency theory, this study extends prior research by examining the direct effects of both empowerment managerial system and internal context on DL and the moderating effect of training.
An information privacy culture instrument to measure consumer privacy expectations and confidence
Authors: Da Veiga Adéle
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an information privacy culture index framework (IPCIF) with a validated information privacy culture index instrument (IPCII) to measure information privacy culture across nations. The framework is based on consumers’ privacy expectations, their actual experiences when organisations process their personal information and their general privacy concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was deployed to collect data in South Africa – the first participating country in the study – to start building a global information privacy culture index (IPCI) and to validate the questionnaire.

Findings

The IPCI revealed that there seems to be a disconnect between what consumers expect in terms of privacy and the way in which organisations are honouring (or failing to honour) those expectations, which results in a breach of trust and the social contract being violated.

Practical implications

Governments, information regulators and organisations can leverage the results of the privacy culture index to implement corrective actions and controls aimed at addressing the gaps identified from a consumer and compliance perspective. The validated IPCII can be used by both academia and industry to measure the information privacy culture of an institution, organisation or country to identify what to improve to address consumer privacy expectations and concerns.

Originality/value

The IPCIF and validated IPCII are the first tools that combine the concepts of consumer expectations and their confidence levels in whether organisations are meeting their privacy expectations, which are in line with the fair information practice principles and the privacy guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, to determine gaps and define improvement plans.
Using artificial intelligence to create value in insurance
Authors: Riikkinen Mikko , Saarijärvi Hannu , Sarlin Peter , Lähteenmäki Ilkka
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Recent technological and digital developments have opened new avenues for customer data utilization in insurance services. One form of this data transformation is automated chatbots that provide convenient access to data leveraged through a discussion-like interface. The purpose of this paper is to uncover how insurance chatbots support customers’ value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three complementary theoretical perspectives – artificial intelligence, service logic, and reverse use of customer data – are briefly discussed and integrated into a conceptual framework. The suggested framework is further shown through illustrative case examples that characterize different ways of supporting customers’ value creation.

Findings

Chatbots represent a new type of interaction through which companies can influence customers’ value creation by providing them with additional resources. Based on the proposed conceptual framework and the illustrative case examples, four metaphors are identified that characterize how insurance chatbots can support customers’ value creation.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conceptual in nature, and the case examples are used for illustrative purposes. No representative data from those users who will eventually determine whether chatbots are of value was used.

Practical implications

Using the suggested framework, which is aligned with provider service logic, insurance companies can consider what kind of a role they wish to play in customers’ value-creating processes.

Originality/value

Automated chatbots provide convenient access to data leveraged through a discussion-like interface. This study is among the earliest to address their value-creating potential in insurance.
The impact of servitization on firm performance: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Weijiao , Lai Kee-Hung , Shou Yongyi
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Servitization has been recognized as an effective means for manufacturers to achieve superior performance. However, the servitization-performance relationship is controversial since prior empirical studies have provided inconsistent and even contradictory results. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative review on the servitization-performance relationship based on research findings reported in the extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Studies from 41 peer-reviewed journal articles were sampled and analyzed. A meta-analytic approach was adopted to conduct a quantitative review on the relationship between servitization and firm performance.

Findings

The results confirm a positive servitization-performance relationship. In addition, the results reveal that the observed servitization-performance relationship is influenced by the operationalization of constructs (servitization and performance) and control variables (industry and region).

Originality/value

As the first meta-analysis on the servitization-performance relationship, this study contributes to the servitization literature and provides future research directions.
Empirical evidence of deep learning in learning communities
Authors: Smith Kara , Lovgren Robin
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether learning communities (LCs), defined as a cohort of students jointly enrolled in two distinct courses, increase “deep learning” in either or both courses. This study focuses on the impact of learning communities in quantitative courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesis is tested using a unique data set including individual student performance and characteristics collected from students enrolled in an LC of Principles of Microeconomics and Elementary Statistics. The sample also includes students enrolled in each course separately which allows for testing between groups. The final exam in each course contained questions designed specifically to test deep learning. The design facilitates the use of multivariate regression analysis to examine the correlation between learning in communities and deep learning, holding constant other possible elements of student success.

Findings

Despite perceptions among the sample student population that learning increases in both courses as a result of the LC format, the empirical evidence does not reveal any statistically significant increase in deep learning as a result of learning in community. However, the sample is more introverted than the average college student which may meaningfully impact the results.

Research limitations/implications

There are a number of important motivations for implementing an LC program that are not measured here. These include an increased sense of community among students, breadth (rather than depth) of knowledge, and awareness of the interconnectedness of learning across disciplines. However, to the extent that university instructors are motivated to ensure learning in their own discipline, this resource-intensive strategy may not be the most suitable approach in quantitative courses.

Originality/value

Learning communities continue to be a popular pedagogical technique and curriculum requirement, particularly at teaching-focused universities. This research offers an empirical approach to measuring one aspect of their value which is typically left to conceptual or qualitative study.
Cointegration and causality in capital markets
Authors: Inci A. Can
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the efficiency of different oil and gas markets. Most previous studies examined the issue using low frequency date sampled at monthly, weekly, or daily frequencies. In this study, 30-minute intraday data are used to explore efficiency in energy markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Sophisticated statistical analysis techniques such as Granger-causality regressions, augmented Dickey-Fuller tests, cointegration tests, vector autoregressions are used to explore the transmission of information between oil and gas energy markets.

Findings

This study provides evidence for efficiency in energy markets. The new information that arrives either to futures markets or spot markets is digested correctly, completely, and in a fast manner, and is propagated to the other market. The evidence indicates high efficiency.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first papers that uses 30-minute interval intraday data to investigate efficiency in oil and gas commodity markets.
From terrorism to dispossession: Pakistan's Anti‐Terrorism Act as a means of eviction
Authors: RIZVI MUBBASHIR
Published: June 2018

The discourse of the ‘war on terror’ fails to address the complex and multifaceted structural violence of landlessness, food insecurity and environmental degradation that afflicts the world. Pakistan, for instance, has been a subject of great discussion and geopolitical analysis as the ground zero in the war against terror. However, the scholarship on terrorism in Pakistan analyzes militant and jihadi groups as discrete agents of primordial conflicts, spy agencies and sectarian rivalries with little analysis of the history of the cold war and the effects of the Afghan war. In this article, the author analyzes how the global ‘war on terror’ has proliferated into seemingly unrelated domains of life, and specifically how anti‐terror security legislation has pulled the rug out from under the most successful peasant land rights movement in Pakistan.
Evaluating sample size to estimate genetic management metrics in the genomics era
Authors: Flesch Elizabeth P. , Rotella Jay J. , Thomson Jennifer M. , Graves Tabitha A. , Garrott Robert A.
Published: June 2018

Inbreeding and relationship metrics among and within populations are useful measures for genetic management of wild populations, but accuracy and precision of estimates can be influenced by the number of individual genotypes analysed. Biologists are confronted with varied advice regarding the sample size necessary for reliable estimates when using genomic tools. We developed a simulation framework to identify the optimal sample size for three widely used metrics to enable quantification of expected variance and relative bias of estimates and a comparison of results among populations. We applied this approach to analyse empirical genomic data for 30 individuals from each of four different free‐ranging Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) populations in Montana and Wyoming, USA, through cross‐species application of an Ovine array and analysis of approximately 14,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after filtering. We examined intra‐ and interpopulation relationships using kinship and identity by state metrics, as well as FST between populations. By evaluating our simulation results, we concluded that a sample size of 25 was adequate for assessing these metrics using the Ovine array to genotype Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herds. However, we conclude that a universal sample size rule may not be able to sufficiently address the complexities that impact genomic kinship and inbreeding estimates. Thus, we recommend that a pilot study and sample size simulation using R code we developed that includes empirical genotypes from a subset of populations of interest would be an effective approach to ensure rigour in estimating genomic kinship and population differentiation.
Agri‐environment schemes targeting farmland bird populations also provide food for pollinating insects
Authors: Ouvrard Pierre , Jacquemart Anne‐Laure
Published: June 2018

Farmland biodiversity has declined over the past few decades. European Common Agricultural Policy encourages farmers to set up agri‐environment schemes (AES) that support biodiversity and associated ecosystem services such as pollination. Although few AES are specifically devoted to pollinating insects, many AES could provide resources for pollinators. In Belgium, AES designed to provide seed resources for wild birds (bird‐strip AES) contain mixed‐plant communities that may benefit insects, although their ability to support pollinators has not yet been evaluated.

The present study aimed to assess the ability of bird‐strip AES to support pollinating insects. We identified and quantified floral resources, flower‐visiting insects and insect–flower interaction networks over 2 years on four bird strips located in intensive agro‐ecosystems in Belgium.

The bird strips contained plant species that were either purposely sown or established spontaneously. The spontaneous Cirsium species, with its high nectar production, offered floral resources that complemented those of the sown species Raphanus sativus and Phacelia tanacetifolia. Most of the flower‐visiting insects considered as pollinators belonged to the orders Hymenoptera and Diptera.

In conclusion, bird‐strip AES provided floral resources to pollinators, even in the absence of annual sowing.
Lymph nodes metastasis in cervical cancer: Incidences, risk factors, consequences and imaging evaluations
Authors: Du Rongxu , Li Lei , Ma Shuiqing , Tan Xianjie , Zhong Sen , Wu Ming
Published: June 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, consequences and accuracy of imaging evaluation of lymph node (LN) metastasis in a cohort of 406 patients treated with radical hysterectomy (RH), lymphadenectomy of pelvic LN (PLN) and para‐aortic LN (PALN), which was performed primarily by one physician.

Methods

From February 2001 to November 2015, patients with cervical cancer of FIGO stage IB were included, if they received RH of class III or type C performed by Dr. M. Wu in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Follow‐up ended in December 2016. Incidences and accuracy of imaging evaluation of LN metastasis were described, and predictive factors of LN metastasis and its impact on survival outcomes were determined in univariate and multivariate models.

Results

Among 406 patients with clinical stage IB, 57 (14.0%) had lymphatic metastasis. In multivariate model, positive parametrium was independent factor for general LN metastasis (odds ratio [OR] 5.1; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1–12.1) and PLN metastasis (OR 5.3; 95% CI, 2.2–12.8). Positive PLN was independent factor for metastasis to common iliac LN and PALN. After adjusted with clinico pathologic factors, general and site‐specific LN metastases were independent risk factors of progression‐free survival and overall survival (all P values <0.05). Preoperative imaging evaluation had low sensitivity but high specificity for predicting LN metastasis. Various imaging methods had similar predictive accuracy.

Conclusion

Lymphatic metastasis was significantly related to the clinico pathologic characters and survival of cervical cancer. More sensitive preoperative evaluation is needed for predicting the LN metastasis.
Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of the adrenomedullin antibody adrecizumab in a first‐in‐human study and during experimental human endotoxaemia in healthy subjects
Authors: Geven Christopher , van Lier Dirk , Blet Alice , Peelen Roel , ten Elzen Bas , Mebazaa Alexandre , Kox Matthijs , Pickkers Peter
Published: June 2018

Aims

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is an important regulator of endothelial barrier function and vascular tone, and may represent a novel treatment target in sepsis. The non‐neutralizing ADM antibody adrecizumab has shown promising results in preclinical sepsis models. In the present study, we investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics of adrecizumab in a first‐in‐man study and in a second study during experimental human endotoxaemia.

Methods

Forty‐eight healthy male volunteers were enrolled in two randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase I studies. In both studies, subjects received placebo or one of three doses of adrecizumab (n = 6 per group). In the second study, a bolus of 1 ng kg–1 endotoxin was followed by infusion of 1 ng kg–1 h–1 endotoxin for 3 h to induce systemic inflammation, and the study medication infusion started 1 h after endotoxin bolus administration.

Results

Adrecizumab showed an excellent safety profile in both studies. PK analyses showed proportional increases in the maximum plasma concentration of adrecizumab with increasing doses, a small volume of distribution, a low clearance rate and a terminal half‐life of ~14 days. adrecizumab elicited a pronounced increase in plasma ADM levels, whereas levels of mid‐regional pro‐adrenomedullin remained unchanged, indicating that de novo synthesis of ADM was not influenced. In the second study, no effects of adrecizumab on cytokine clearance were observed, whereas endotoxin‐induced flu‐like symptoms resolved more rapidly.

Conclusions

Administration of adrecizumab is safe and well tolerated in humans, both in the absence and presence of systemic inflammation. These findings pave the way for further investigation of adrecizumab in sepsis patients.
The biomedical challenge of neurodegenerative disorders: an opportunity for cannabinoid‐based therapies to improve on the poor current therapeutic outcomes
Authors: Fernández‐Ruiz Javier
Published: June 2018

At the beginning of the 21st century, the therapeutic management of neurodegenerative disorders remains a major biomedical challenge, particularly given the worldwide ageing of the population over the past 50 years that is expected to continue in the forthcoming years. This review will focus on the promise of cannabinoid‐based therapies to address this challenge. This promise is based on the broad neuroprotective profile of cannabinoids, which may cooperate to combat excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, glia‐driven inflammation and protein aggregation. Such effects may be produced by the activity of cannabinoids through their canonical targets (e.g. cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid enzymes) and alsovianon‐canonical elements and activities in distinct cell types critical for cell survival or neuronal replacement (e.g. neurons, glia and neural precursor cells). Ultimately, the therapeutic events driven by endocannabinoid signalling reflect the activity of an endogenous system that regulates the preservation, rescue, repair and replacement of neurons and glia.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on 8thEuropean Workshop on Cannabinoid Research. To view the other articles in this section visithttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.10/issuetoc
ExpandNet: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for High Dynamic Range Expansion from Low Dynamic Range Content
Authors: Marnerides D. , Bashford‐Rogers T. , Hatchett J. , Debattista K.
Published: June 2018

High dynamic range (HDR) imaging provides the capability of handling real world lighting as opposed to the traditional low dynamic range (LDR) which struggles to accurately represent images with higher dynamic range. However, most imaging content is still available only in LDR. This paper presents a method for generating HDR content from LDR content based on deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) termed ExpandNet. ExpandNet accepts LDR images as input and generates images with an expanded range in an end‐to‐end fashion. The model attempts to reconstruct missing information that was lost from the original signal due to quantization, clipping, tone mapping or gamma correction. The added information is reconstructed from learned features, as the network is trained in a supervised fashion using a dataset of HDR images. The approach is fully automatic and data driven; it does not require any heuristics or human expertise. ExpandNet uses a multiscale architecture which avoids the use of upsampling layers to improve image quality. The method performs well compared to expansion/inverse tone mapping operators quantitatively on multiple metrics, even for badly exposed inputs.
Fast Fluid Simulations with Sparse Volumes on the GPU
Authors: Wu Kui , Truong Nghia , Yuksel Cem , Hoetzlein Rama
Published: June 2018

We introduce efficient, large scale fluid simulation on GPU hardware using the fluid‐implicit particle (FLIP) method over a sparse hierarchy of grids represented in NVIDIA® GVDB Voxels. Our approach handles tens of millions of particles within a virtually unbounded simulation domain. We describe novel techniques for parallel sparse grid hierarchy construction and fast incremental updates on the GPU for moving particles. In addition, our FLIP technique introduces sparse, work efficient parallel data gathering from particle to voxel, and a matrix‐free GPU‐based conjugate gradient solver optimized for sparse grids. Our results show that our method can achieve up to an order of magnitude faster simulations on the GPU as compared to FLIP simulations running on the CPU.
Packable Springs
Authors: Wolff Katja , Poranne Roi , Glauser Oliver , Sorkine‐Hornung Olga
Published: June 2018

Laser cutting is an appealing fabrication process due to the low cost of materials and extremely fast fabrication. However, the design space afforded by laser cutting is limited, since only flat panels can be cut. Previous methods for manufacturing from flat sheets usually roughly approximate 3D objects by polyhedrons or cross sections. Computational design methods for connecting, interlocking, or folding several laser cut panels have been introduced; to obtain a good approximation, these methods require numerous parts and long assembly times. In this paper, we propose a radically different approach: Our approximation is based on cutting thin, planar spirals out of flat panels. When such spirals are pulled apart, they take on the shape of a 3D spring whose contours are similar to the input object. We devise an optimization problem that aims to minimize the number of required parts, thus reducing costs and fabrication time, while at the same time ensuring that the resulting spring mimics the shape of the original object. In addition to rapid fabrication and assembly, our method enables compact packaging and storage as flat parts. We also demonstrate its use for creating armatures for sculptures and moulds for filling, with potential applications in architecture or construction.
Real‐time Locomotion Controller using an Inverted‐Pendulum‐based Abstract Model
Authors: Hwang Jaepyung , Kim Jongmin , Suh Il Hong , Kwon Taesoo
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we propose a novel motion controller for the online generation of natural character locomotion that adapts to new situations such as changing user control or applying external forces. This controller continuously estimates the next footstep while walking and running, and automatically switches the stepping strategy based on situational changes. To develop the controller, we devise a new physical model called an inverted‐pendulum‐based abstract model (IPAM). The proposed abstract model represents high‐dimensional character motions, inheriting the naturalness of captured motions by estimating the appropriate footstep location, speed and switching time at every frame. The estimation is achieved by a deep learning based regressor that extracts important features in captured motions. To validate the proposed controller, we train the model using captured motions of a human stopping, walking, and running in a limited space. Then, the motion controller generates human‐like locomotion with continuously varying speeds, transitions between walking and running, and collision response strategies in a cluttered space in real time.
Practical Radiometric Compensation for Projection Display on Textured Surfaces using a Multidimensional Model
Authors: Li Yuqi , Majumder Aditi , Gopi M. , Wang Chong , Zhao Jieyu
Published: June 2018

Radiometric compensation methods remove the effect of the underlying spatially varying surface reflectance of the texture when projecting on textured surfaces. All prior work sample the surface reflectance dependent radiometric transfer function from the projector to the camera at every pixel that requires the camera to observe tens or hundreds of images projected by the projector. In this paper, we cast the radiometric compensation problem as a sampling and reconstruction of multi‐dimensional radiometric transfer function that models the color transfer function from the projector to an observing camera and the surface reflectance in a unified manner. Such a multi‐dimensional representation makes no assumption about linearity of the projector to camera color transfer function and can therefore handle projectors with non‐linear color transfer functions(e.g. DLP, LCOS, LED‐based or laser‐based). We show that with a well‐curated sampling of this multi‐dimensional function, achieved by exploiting the following key properties, is adequate for its accurate representation: (a) the spectral reflectance of most real‐world materials are smooth and can be well‐represented using a lower‐dimension function; (b) the reflectance properties of the underlying texture have strong redundancies – for example, multiple pixels or even regions can have similar surface reflectance; (c) the color transfer function from the projector to camera have strong input coherence. The proposed sampling allows us to reduce the number of projected images that needs to be observed by a camera by up to two orders of magnitude, the minimum being only two. We then present a new multi‐dimensional scattered data interpolation technique to reconstruct the radiometric transfer function at a high spatial density (i.e. at every pixel) to compute the compensation image. We show that the accuracy of our interpolation technique is higher than any existing methods.
Procedural Modeling of a Building from a Single Image
Authors: Nishida Gen , Bousseau Adrien , Aliaga Daniel G.
Published: June 2018

Creating a virtual city is demanded for computer games, movies, and urban planning, but it takes a lot of time to create numerous 3D building models. Procedural modeling has become popular in recent years to overcome this issue, but creating a grammar to get a desired output is difficult and time consuming even for expert users. In this paper, we present an interactive tool that allows users to automatically generate such a grammar from a single image of a building. The user selects a photograph and highlights the silhouette of the target building as input to our method. Our pipeline automatically generates the building components, from large‐scale building mass to fine‐scale windows and doors geometry. Each stage of our pipeline combines convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and optimization to select and parameterize procedural grammars that reproduce the building elements of the picture. In the first stage, our method jointly estimates camera parameters and building mass shape. Once known, the building mass enables the rectification of the façades, which are given as input to the second stage that recovers the façade layout. This layout allows us to extract individual windows and doors that are subsequently fed to the last stage of the pipeline that selects procedural grammars for windows and doors. Finally, the grammars are combined to generate a complete procedural building as output. We devise a common methodology to make each stage of this pipeline tractable. This methodology consists in simplifying the input image to match the visual appearance of synthetic training data, and in using optimization to refine the parameters estimated by CNNs. We used our method to generate a variety of procedural models of buildings from existing photographs.
Procedural Cloudscapes
Authors: Webanck A. , Cortial Y. , Guérin E. , Galin E.
Published: June 2018

We present a phenomenological approach for modeling and animating cloudscapes. We propose a compact procedural model for representing the different types of cloud over a range of altitudes. We define primitive‐based field functions that allow the user to control and author the cloud cover over large distances easily. Our approach allows us to animate cloudscapes by morphing: instead of simulating the evolution of clouds using a physically‐based simulation, we compute the movement of clouds using key‐frame interpolation and tackle the morphing problem as an Optimal Transport problem. The trajectories of the cloud cover primitives are generated by solving an Anisotropic Shortest Path problem with a cost function that takes into account the elevation of the terrain and the parameters of the wind field.
Interactive Generation of Time‐evolving, Snow‐Covered Landscapes with Avalanches
Authors: Cordonnier G. , Ecormier P. , Galin E. , Gain J. , Benes B. , Cani M.‐P.
Published: June 2018

We introduce a novel method for interactive generation of visually consistent, snow‐covered landscapes and provide control of their dynamic evolution over time. Our main contribution is the real‐time phenomenological simulation of avalanches and other user‐guided events, such as tracks left by Nordic skiing, which can be applied to interactively sculpt the landscape. The terrain is modeled as a height field with additional layers for stable, compacted, unstable, and powdery snow, which behave in combination as a semi‐viscous fluid. We incorporate the impact of several phenomena, including sunlight, temperature, prevailing wind direction, and skiing activities. The snow evolution includes snow‐melt and snow‐drift, which affect stability of the snow mass and the probability of avalanches. A user can shape landscapes and their evolution either with a variety of interactive brushes, or by prescribing events along a winter season time‐line. Our optimized GPU‐implementation allows interactive updates of snow type and depth across a large (10 × 10 km) terrain, including real‐time avalanches, making this suitable for visual assets in computer games. We evaluate our method through perceptual comparison against exiting methods and real snow‐depth data.
Neuropathy by folic acid supplementation in a patient with anaemia and an untreated cobalamin deficiency: a case report
Authors: Smelt H. J. M. , Pouwels S. , Said M. , Smulders J. F.
Published: June 2018

The rising rates of bariatric surgery (BS) are accompanied by neurological complications related to nutrient deficiencies. One of the risk factors for neurological complications in BS patients is poor vitamin and mineral supplementation. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders are necessary parts of lifelong care after BS. Particularly important for optimal functioning of the nervous system are vitamin B1, B6, B12 (cobalamin), E, copper and possibly vitamin B11 (folic acid). In this case report, we narrate about a patient with anaemia and multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with an alimentary limb of 150 cm and a biliopancreatic limb of 100 cm. RYGB is associated with an increased risk of vitamin deficiencies, especially a vitamin B12 deficiency. The patient in this case report developed psychiatric‐neurological symptoms due to folic acid supplementation in an untreated cobalamin deficiency. Second, we tried to elucidate the vitamin physiology to understand specific mechanisms after BS.
Access to a scale and self‐weighing habits among public housing residents
Authors: Bramante C. T. , Clark J. M. , Gudzune K. A.
Published: June 2018

Having access to a scale is essential for individuals to engage in self‐weighing; however, few studies examine scale access, particularly among low‐income individuals. Our objectives were to (i) determine how many public housing residents have access to a scale and (ii) describe their self‐weighing habits. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of public housing residents in Baltimore, MD, from August 2014 to August 2015. Participants answered questions about their access to a scale (‘yes’/‘no’) and daily self‐weighing habits (‘no scale/never or hardly ever’ vs. ‘some/about half/much of the time/always’). We used t‐tests or chi‐square tests to examine the association of scale access with respondent characteristics. Overall, 266 adults participated (48% response rate). Mean age was 45 years with 86% women, 95% black and 54% with obesity. Only 32% had access to a scale; however, 78% of those with this access reported engaging in some self‐weighing. Residents who lacked access to a scale were younger (P = 0.03), and more likely to be unemployed/disabled (P = 0.01) or food insecure (P < 0.01). While few public housing residents have access to a scale, those who do report daily self‐weighing with some regularity. Financial hardship may influence scale access in this population, as potential proxies of this status were associated with no scale access.
Retrieval of a large rectal endoscopic submucosal dissection specimen using bowel preparation after unsuccessful rectal enema: First report of a novel technique
Authors: de Frutos Diego , Toyonaga Takashi , Herreros de Tejada Alberto
Published: June 2018

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Combined effects of diabetes and low household income on mortality: a 12‐year follow‐up study of 505 677 Korean adults
Authors: Shin W. Y. , Kim H. C. , Lee T. , Jeon D.‐H. , Ha K. H. , Kim D. J. , Chang H.‐J.
Published: June 2018

Aim

To examine the effects of diabetes, low income and their combination on mortality in the Korean population.

Methods

We analysed a total of 505 677 people (53.9% male) aged 40–79 years old from the National Health Insurance Service‐National Health Screening (NHIS‐HEALS) cohort. Ten levels of household income were used as indicators of economic status. Diabetes was defined as elevated fasting blood glucose (≥ 6.9 mmol/l) and/or use of glucose‐lowering drugs or insulin. Covariates of age, sex, BMI, smoking and Charlson Comorbidity Index were determined at baseline. Outcomes were total and cause‐specific mortality over 12 years. Cox's proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality according to the presence of diabetes, household income and their combination.

Results

Lower household income was associated with higher mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and non‐cancer non‐cardiovascular causes. Excessive mortality due to low incomes was observed in both people with and without diabetes. In men, the adjusted HR [95% confidence interval (CI)] of mortality was 1.38 (1.34 to 1.42) for low‐income only, 1.48 (1.42 to 1.55) for diabetes only and 1.95 (1.86 to 2.05) for diabetes and low‐income combined, relative to the normal glucose and high income group. Corresponding HR (95% CI) in women were 1.19 (1.14 to 1.24), 1.54 (1.44 to 1.64) and 1.87 (1.75 to 2.01), respectively.

Conclusion

Both low household income and the presence of diabetes independently increase the risk of mortality, but their combined effects on mortality may be different between men and women.
‘Diabulima’ through the lens of social media: a qualitative review and analysis of online blogs by people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and eating disorders
Authors: Staite E. , Zaremba N. , Macdonald P. , Allan J. , Treasure J. , Ismail K. , Stadler M.
Published: June 2018

Aims

To perform a qualitative review of online blogs authored by people self‐identifying as having Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or ‘diabulimia’, a term used by people with Type 1 diabetes to describe an eating disorder that is characterized by deliberate restriction of insulin to control weight.

Methods

We conducted a structured qualitative review of online blogs published between 2012 and 2017 authored by people who report having Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or diabulimia. The subsequent thematic analysis followed a six‐phase process and was conducted by two independent researchers.

Results

From 147 000 search results, 11 blogs (304 posts) matched criteria for further analyses. Three key themes and 18 subthemes emerged: 1) different aspects of bloggers’ relationship with insulin, including motives for omitting insulin, secrecy of insulin omission and perception of control; 2) bloggers’ experiences of diabetes complications, and diabetes ketoacidosis in particular, as well as their worries about future complications; 3) strategies for recovery and triggers for relapse, which involved diabetes self‐management and setting up a support system.

Conclusions

Qualitative analyses of blogs authored by people with Type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder or diabulimia have identified high levels of diabetes distress and provided insight into different motives for insulin omission and strategies for recovery. Considering the limited evidence for effective interventions, these findings may help the development of complex interventions to improve biomedical and psychological outcomes in this group.
Sparse periodicity‐based auditory features explain human performance in a spatial multitalker auditory scene analysis task
Authors: Josupeit Angela , Schoenmaker Esther , van de Par Steven , Hohmann Volker
Published: June 2018

Human listeners robustly decode speech information from a talker of interest that is embedded in a mixture of spatially distributed interferers. A relevant question is which time‐frequency segments of the speech are predominantly used by a listener to solve such a complex Auditory Scene Analysis task. A recent psychoacoustic study investigated the relevance of low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) components of a target signal on speech intelligibility in a spatial multitalker situation. For this, a three‐talker stimulus was manipulated in the spectro‐temporal domain such that target speech time‐frequency units below a variable SNR threshold (SNRcrit) were discarded while keeping the interferers unchanged. The psychoacoustic data indicate that only target components at and above a local SNR of about 0 dB contribute to intelligibility. This study applies an auditory scene analysis “glimpsing” model to the same manipulated stimuli. Model data are found to be similar to the human data, supporting the notion of “glimpsing,” that is, that salient speech‐related information is predominantly used by the auditory system to decode speech embedded in a mixture of sounds, at least for the tested conditions of three overlapping speech signals. This implies that perceptually relevant auditory information is sparse and may be processed with low computational effort, which is relevant for neurophysiological research of scene analysis and novelty processing in the auditory system.
Anchovy dynamics and the colour of climate noise: Assessing climatic scenarios and exploitation strategies in the Gulf of Cádiz
Authors: Ruiz Javier , Rincón Margarita M.
Published: June 2018

This manuscript implements stochastic modeling to investigate the response of a European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) stock to climatic forcing under different exploitation strategies. The model implements realistic parametrizations for defining the key environmental variables forcing recruitment in the Gulf of Cádiz. Despite the tight control the environment exerts on this population, model outputs and historical records indicate that stock signal is not the same as the forcing signal; instead, the time series of the stock signal is less red (more variance at higher frequencies) than the forcing variables. The response is also very sensitive to the exploitation strategy and to the colour (white versus red noise) assumed for the climatic forcing. These results indicate that establishing a safe management framework for this stock demands not only an assessment of an adequate exploitation strategy, but also an understanding of how this strategy interacts with the different colours of the climatic forcing.