bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of sevoflurane on learning, memory, and expression of pERK1/2 in hippocampus in neonatal rats
Authors: YU X. , LIU Y. , BO S. , QINGHUA L.
Published: October 2014

Background

Sevoflurane may be associated with neural toxicity in the developing brain, but the mechanism is still unclear. Phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (pERK1/2) are important for developing neurons. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of sevoflurane on spatial learning and memory and on expression of pERK1/2 in hippocampus of neonatal rats.

Methods

Sixty‐three neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, sevoflurane (sevo) group, and sham group. Rats in the control group were placed in a plastic chamber flushed continuously for 4 h with air alone, rats in the sevo group were exposed in 5% sevoflurane and air for 4 h, and rats in the sham group were exposed in 5% carbon dioxide and air for 4 h, with identical flow rates for all groups. All three groups were subjected to Morris water maze test 1 day after sevoflurane exposure. Moreover, expression of pERK1/2 was determined by immunochemistry and Western blot at 1, 3, and 6 weeks after exposure.

Results

Compared with the control group, the escape latency was longer in sevo group and the expression of pERK1/2 was significantly inhibited in the sevo group (P < 0.01); no differences between control and sham groups were observed.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that neonatal rats exposed to sevoflurane had impaired spatial learning and memory, and this may be attributed to decreased pERK1/2 in the hippocampus.
Differences in Extinction of Cue‐Maintained Conditioned Responses Associated with Self‐Administration: Alcohol Versus a Nonalcoholic Reinforcer
Authors: Holtyn August F. , Kaminski Barbara J. , Wand Gary S. , Weerts Elise M.
Published: October 2014

Background

Stimuli paired with alcohol may evoke conditioned responses that influence consumption and relapse. Understanding extinction of conditioned responses for both alcohol and nonalcoholic reinforcers, and their relation to subsequent consumption, may be useful in identifying methods to maintain abstinence.

Methods

Nine baboons self‐administered alcohol (n = 4) or a nonalcoholic reinforcer (orange‐flavored Tang®, n = 5) under a 3‐component chained schedule of reinforcement (CSR). Each component was associated with distinct stimuli and response requirements, which modeled periods of anticipation (Component 1), seeking (Component 2), and consumption (Component 3). No behavioral contingencies were in effect during Component 1. Responses in Component 2, required to gain access to Component 3, provided indices of seeking behavior. Alcohol or Tang® was available only in Component 3. Initial conditions parametrically manipulated the concentration of alcohol (2 to 6% w/v) or Tang (25 to 100%) that was available for self‐administration. The breaking point (BP) of alcohol‐ and Tang‐seeking responses at each of the concentrations was determined by adding a progressive ratio schedule to Component 2. Extinction of responding under stimulus conditions identical to those during baseline, but with no access to alcohol or Tang, was examined using across‐ and within‐session extinction procedures.

Results

The BP for 2% w/v alcohol was lower than that for 4 and 6%, which were closely similar. For Tang, BPs increased as the concentration increased. When concentrations of alcohol and Tang were adjusted to produce comparable BPs, self‐administration of Tang was higher when compared to alcohol; however, alcohol‐related cues maintained higher BPs than Tang‐related cues when only water was available for self‐administration. Alcohol seeking and self‐administration responses were more resistant to extinction than those for Tang.

Conclusions

Stimuli paired with alcohol or nonalcoholic reinforcers will gain different motivational properties. Alcohol‐related stimuli produced persistent responding that was highly resistant to change, highlighting the role of environmental stimuli in compulsive drinking and relapse.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking History on Neurocognitive Recovery Over 8 Months of Abstinence in Alcohol‐Dependent Individuals
Authors: Durazzo Timothy C. , Pennington David L. , Schmidt Thomas P. , Meyerhoff Dieter J.
Published: October 2014

Background

This study compared the rate and extent of recovery on measures of learning and memory, processing speed, and working memory in treatment‐seeking alcohol‐dependent individuals (ALC) who were never smokers (nvsALC), former smokers (fsALC), and active smokers (asALC) over the first 8 months of sustained abstinence from alcohol. Assessments after 1 week, 1 month, and 8 months of abstinence inALCenabled a comparison of the rates of neurocognitive changes from 1 week to 1 month versus 1 to 8 months of abstinence.

Methods

ALC and never‐smoking controls were administered standardized measures of auditory‐verbal and visuospatial learning and memory, processing speed, and working memory. Controls completed a baseline assessment and a follow‐up approximately 9 months later.

Results

Over 8 months of abstinence, asALCshowed poorer recovery than nvsALCon visuospatial learning, and both fsALCand asALCrecovered less than nvsALCon processing speed measures. The corresponding recovery rates for theALCgroup, as a whole, were greater from 1 week to 1 month than from 1 to 8 months of abstinence; these findings were largely driven by improvements in nvsALC. The recovery levels for fsALCon most measures were similar to those in asALC. Additionally, over 8 months, asALCshowed significantly less improvement with increasing age than nvsALCon measures of processing speed and learning and memory. At 8 months of abstinence, asALCwere inferior to controls and nvsALCon multiple measures, fsALCperformed worse than nvsALCon several tests, but nvsALCwere not different from controls on any measure.

Conclusions

Overall,ALCshowed rapid improvement on measures of visuospatial learning and processing speed during the first month of abstinence from alcohol. Results also provide robust evidence that smoking status influenced the rate and level of neurocognitive recovery over 8 months of abstinence in thisALCcohort.
Recruitment difficulties in obstetric trials: A case study and review
Authors: Madan Arushi , Tracy Sally , Reid Rachel , Henry Amanda
Published: October 2014

Background

The CONSORT statement calls for complete data on flow of participants, including all losses and exclusions. Incomplete reporting of flow into trials versus flow through trials is not uncommon. Where complete data exist in obstetric trials, poor recruitment seems a recurring theme.

Aims

To explore difficulties in recruitment and differences between assessed‐but‐not‐recruited and included women to improve future trial participation, using a case study of a recently published randomised trial of outpatient Foley catheter versus inpatient PGE2 gel for cervical ripening.

Materials & Methods

The assessed‐but‐not‐recruited population of an obstetric trial (ACTRN:12609000420246) was prospectively studied for reasons for noninclusion, demographic data and pregnancy outcome. Women assessed‐but‐not‐recruited due to declined consent or obstetrician declined participation were compared to included women. Main outcome measures included demographic and outcome differences associated with trial participation.

Results

Of 468 assessed participants, 220 (47%) were not eligible by exclusion criteria (potential ‘trial factor’ recruitment difficulties), 147 (31%) declined consent (n = 100, ‘participant factor’) or their obstetrician declined participation (n = 47, ‘clinician factor’) and 101 (22%) were included. Declining women were more likely than participants to be parous (24 vs 10%, P < 0.05), induced for nonmedical reasons (18 vs 4%, P < 0.001), privately admitted (31 vs 3%, P < 0.001) and have longer inpatient stay (4.9 vs 4.2 days, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The high assessed‐but‐not‐recruited rate highlights important issues with external validity and feasibility when conducting obstetric trials, including recruitment difficulties related to participant, clinician and trial factors. Assessed: recruited ratios and demographic and outcome differences need consideration in planning and interpretation of randomised trials.
Use of hyaluronidase as an adjuvant to ropivacaine to reduce axillary brachial plexus block onset time: a prospective, randomised controlled study
Authors: Koh W. U. , Min H. G. , Park H. S. , Karm M. H. , Lee K. K. , Yang H. S. , Ro Y. J.
Published: October 2014

When considering brachial plexus block as a practical alternative to general anaesthesia for upper limb surgery, the time to achieve complete sensory block is a clinically important variable. In this prospective randomised double‐blind controlled trial, we investigated the hypothesis that addition of hyaluronidase to ropivacaine may reduce the time to achieve complete sensory block after axillary brachial plexus block. The patients were randomly assigned into a hyaluronidase group (n = 24) and a control group (n = 24). The hyaluronidase group received ropivacaine 0.5% with 100 IU.ml−1 of hyaluronidase, and the control group received ropivacaine alone. The primary endpoint was the time to achieve complete sensory block. The hyaluronidase group demonstrated significantly shorter mean (SD) sensory block onset time (13.8 (6.0) min) compared with the control group (22.5 (6.3) min, p < 0.0001). Addition of hyaluronidase to ropivacaine resulted in a reduction in the time needed to achieve complete sensory block.
Electroanaesthesia – from torpedo fish to TENS
Authors: Francis J. , Dingley J.
Published: October 2014

In 153 AD, the Roman physician Scribonius Largus identified that electric current had analgesic properties, instructing patients to stand on an electric ray for the treatment of gout. In 2014, transcranial magnetic stimulation was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for the treatment of migraine. Although separated by nearly two millennia, these milestones represent the evolution of the utilisation of electric current in medical and anaesthetic practice. Significant advances have been made over the last century in particular, and during the 1960s and 1970s, tens of thousands of patients were reportedly anaesthetised for surgical interventions using electric current as the anaesthetic agent. Many medical interventions, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation, have evolved in the aftermath of investigations into electroanaesthesia; the potential for electric current to be an anaesthetic agent of the future still exists.
Beyond The Limits to Growth: Ecology and the Neoliberal Counterrevolution
Authors: Nelson Sara Holiday
Published: October 2014

This paper brings autonomist Marxist analyses of post‐Fordist transition together with the geographical literature on ecosystem services to argue that the rise of the ecosystem service economy was central to what Paolo Virno has called the neoliberal counterrevolution. By analyzing the discourse of environmental crisis in the 1960s and 1970s, I demonstrate that early efforts to account for the value of environmental functions were a response to the instabilities faced by globalized capital in the postwar era. The rise of the ecosystem service economy is central to what autonomist Marxists describe as a post‐Fordist mode of production in which the activities of social (and, I argue, ecological) reproduction become direct sources of value. The paper suggests the need to revise the autonomist analysis to account for both the ecological dimensions of Fordist crisis, and the importance of the ecosystem service economy as a means whereby the counterrevolution was accomplished.
Safety and immunogenicity of a novel cold‐adapted modified‐live equine influenza virus vaccine
Authors: Tabynov K , Kydyrbayev Z , Ryskeldinova S , Assanzhanova N , Kozhamkulov Y , Inkarbekov D , Sansyzbay A
Published: October 2014

Objective

To design and evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a modified‐live vaccine to prevent equine influenza virus (EIV) infection based on the novel reassortant cold‐adapted strain A/HK/Otar/6:2/2010.

Methods

Surface proteins (HA,NA) from the wild‐type strain A/equine/Otar/764/2007 (H3N8) and internal proteins (PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, NS) from the attenuated cold‐adapted donor strain A/HongKong/1/68/162/35CA (H3N2) were included in the vaccine. Horses were administered 109.2EID50/mL of the modified‐live vaccine or saline solution using a nasal spray. The clinical condition of the animals was assessed throughout the study and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for virus titration. Two yearlings in each group were euthanased on day 5 post vaccination (PV) for histological examination and measurement of viral titres in the organs.

Serum samples and nasal secretions were collected to evaluate serological response. Lymphoproliferation after restimulation in vitro was determined to evaluate cell‐mediated immunity. To evaluate the protective capacity of the vaccine, the yearlings in both groups were challenged with the wild‐type virus at 28 days PV and their clinical condition and serological response was evaluated. Nasal swabs were collected to assess viral shedding from the upper respiratory tract.

Results

Single intranasal administration of a modified‐liveEIVvaccine caused no adverse effects and vaccinated yearlings and pregnant mares did not form detectable levels of antibodies by days 7, 14 and 28 PV, as indicated by the HI reaction andELISA. Secretory antibodies could be detected on day 7 and reached maximal levels on day 14 PV. In vitro studies showed that the yearlings and pregnant mares both formed a cell‐mediated immune response by day 14 PV. The vaccine protected yearlings against challenge with wild‐type virus. We conclude that single intranasal administration of the modified‐liveEIVvaccine was safe in the yearlings and pregnant mares that we treated, and was immunogenic and protective in the yearlings.
Anthelmintic resistance in ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in inland southern Queensland
Authors: Lyndal‐Murphy M , Ehrlich WK , Mayer DG
Published: October 2014

Objective

To establish the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in southern Queensland.

Design

An observational parasitological study using the faecal egg count reduction test.

Methods

Sheep farms (n = 20) enrolled in this study met the twin criteria of using worm testing for drench decisions and having concerns about anthelmintic efficacy. On each farm, 105 sheep were randomly allocated to one of six treatment groups or an untreated control group. Faecal samples were collected on day 0 and days 10–14 for worm egg counts and larval differentiation. Single‐ and multi‐combination anthelmintics, persistent and non‐persistent, oral liquid or capsule, pour‐on and injectable formulations were tested. Monepantel was not tested. Farmers also responded to a questionnaire on drenching practices.

Results

Haemonchus contortus was the predominant species. Efficacy <95% was recorded on 85% of farms for one or more anthelmintics and on 10% of farms for six anthelmintics. No resistance was identified on three farms. The 4‐way combination product was efficacious (n = 4 farms). Napthalophos resistance was detected on one farm only. Resistance to levamisole (42% of farms), moxidectin injection (50% of farms) and the closantel/abamectin combination (67% of farms) was identified. Moxidectin oral was efficacious against Trichostrongylus colubriformis, which was predominant on only one farm. Of the farms tested, 55% ran meat breeds, 60% dosed more than the recommended dose rate and 70% always, mostly or when possible practised a ‘drench and move’ strategy.

Conclusion

This level of anthelmintic resistance in southern Queensland will severely compromise worm control and force increased use of monepantel.
Mucus as a Barrier to Drug Delivery – Understanding and Mimicking the Barrier Properties
Authors: Boegh Marie , Nielsen Hanne Mørck
Published: October 2014

Viscoelastic mucus lines all mucosal surfaces of the body and forms a potential barrier to mucosal drug delivery. Mucus is mainly composed of water and mucins; high molecular weight glycoproteins forming an entangled network. Consequently, mucus forms a steric barrier, and due to its negative charge and hydrophobic domains, the overall hydrophilic mucus also presents an interactive barrier limiting the free diffusion of components within and through the mucus. Furthermore, mucus is a dynamic barrier due to its continuous secretion and shedding from the mucosal surfaces. Mucus is thus a highly complex gel barrier to drug delivery. Current knowledge of mucus characteristics and barrier properties, as achieved by state‐of‐the‐art methodologies, is the topic of this MiniReview emphasizing the gastrointestinal mucus and an overall focus on oral drug delivery. Cell culture‐based in vitro models are well‐established as essential tools in drug research and development, but traditionally, mucus‐containing models have only rarely been applied. However, a number of mucus‐containing in vitro models have recently been described in the literature, and their properties and applications will be reviewed and discussed. Finally, studies of peptide and protein drug diffusion in and through mucus and studies of mucus‐penetrating nanoparticles are included to illustrate the mucus as a potentially important barrier to obtain sufficient bioavailability of orally administered drugs, and thus an important parameter to address in the development of future oral drug delivery systems.
Comprehensive Review in Current Developments of Benzimidazole‐Based Medicinal Chemistry
Authors: Keri Rangappa S. , Hiremathad Asha , Budagumpi Srinivasa , Nagaraja Bhari Mallanna
Published: October 2014

The properties of benzimidazole and its derivatives have been studied over more than one hundred years. Benzimidazole derivatives are useful intermediates/subunits for the development of molecules of pharmaceutical or biological interest. Substituted benzimidazole derivatives have found applications in diverse therapeutic areas such as antiulcer, anticancer agents, and anthelmintic species to name just a few. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of benzimidazole‐based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, analgesic agents, anti‐HIV, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antitubercular, antidiabetic, antileishmanial, antihistaminic, antimalarial agents, and other medicinal agents. This review will further be helpful for the researcher on the basis of substitution pattern around the nucleus with an aim to help medicinal chemists for developing an SAR on benzimidazole drugs/compounds.
Quantitative T cell subsets profile in peripheral blood from patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: tilting the balance towards proinflammatory and pro-apoptotic subsets
Authors: Espinosa-Ortega F , Gómez-Martin D , Santana-De Anda K , Romo-Tena J , Villaseñor-Ovies P , Alcocer-Varela J
Published: October 2014

The role of T cells in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) is not yet clear. Some alterations in certain subsets have been reported in inflamed muscle cells. However, a broad quantitative assessment of peripheral T cell subsets has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to address the quantitative profile of potential pathogenic T cell subsets, namely follicular helper T cells (Tfh), T helper type 17 (Th17), CD28null and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood from IIM patients. Thirty IIM patients and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy donors were included. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. T cell subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry, as follows: Tfh (CD4+ CXCR5+) and its subsets Tfh1 (CXCR3+ CCR6−), Tfh2 (CXCR3− CCR6−), Tfh17 (CXCR3− CCR6+), Th17 (CD4+ IL17A+), CD28null (CD4+ CD28− CD244+) and Tregs (CD4+ CD25high forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+); CD8+ CD25high FoxP3+). Percentage, absolute numbers and mean fluorescence intensity were analysed. We found increased numbers of total Tfh cells (28 ± 8·16 versus 6·64 ± 1·29, P = 0·031) in IIM patients when compared to healthy controls. Moreover, this increment was dependent upon Tfh2 and Tfh17 (Tfh2:9·49 ± 2·19 versus 1·66 ± 0·46, P = 0·005; Tfh17 9·48 ± 2·83 versus 1·18 ± 0·21, P = 0·014). Also, IIM patients showed higher numbers of Th17 cells (30·25 ± 6·49 versus 13·46 ± 2·95, P = 0·031) as well as decreased number of Tregs (5·98 ± 1·61 versus 30·82 ± 8·38, P = 0·009). We also found an expansion of CD28null cells (162·88 ± 32·29 versus 64 ± 17·35, P = 0·015). Our data suggest that IIM patients are characterized by an expansion of peripheral proinflammatory T cells, such as Tfh and Th17, as well as pro-apoptotic CD28 null cells and a deficiency of suppressor populations of Tregs (CD4+ and CD8+).
Data‐Driven Reconstruction of Human Locomotion Using a Single Smartphone
Authors: Eom Haegwang , Choi Byungkuk , Noh Junyong
Published: October 2014

Generating a visually appealing human motion sequence using low‐dimensional control signals is a major line of study in the motion research area in computer graphics. We propose a novel approach that allows us to reconstruct full body human locomotion using a single inertial sensing device, a smartphone. Smartphones are among the most widely used devices and incorporate inertial sensors such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. To find a mapping between a full body pose and smartphone sensor data, we perform low dimensional embedding of full body motion capture data, based on a Gaussian Process Latent Variable Model. Our system ensures temporal coherence between the reconstructed poses by using a state decomposition model for automatic phase segmentation. Finally, application of the proposed nonlinear regression algorithm finds a proper mapping between the latent space and the sensor data. Our framework effectively reconstructs plausible 3D locomotion sequences. We compare the generated animation to ground truth data obtained using a commercial motion capture system.
A Data‐Driven Framework for Visual Crowd Analysis
Authors: Charalambous Panayiotis , Karamouzas Ioannis , Guy Stephen J. , Chrysanthou Yiorgos
Published: October 2014

We present a novel approach for analyzing the quality of multi‐agent crowd simulation algorithms. Our approach is data‐driven, taking as input a set of user‐defined metrics and reference training data, either synthetic or from video footage of real crowds. Given a simulation, we formulate the crowd analysis problem as an anomaly detection problem and exploit state‐of‐the‐art outlier detection algorithms to address it. To that end, we introduce a new framework for the visual analysis of crowd simulations. Our framework allows us to capture potentially erroneous behaviors on a per‐agent basis either by automatically detecting outliers based on individual evaluation metrics or by accounting for multiple evaluation criteria in a principled fashion using Principle Component Analysis and the notion of Pareto Optimality. We discuss optimizations necessary to allow real‐time performance on large datasets and demonstrate the applicability of our framework through the analysis of simulations created by several widely‐used methods, including a simulation from a commercial game.
Sub‐Pixel Anti‐Aliasing Via Triangle‐Based Geometry Reconstruction
Authors: Du Wenjun , Feng Jieqing , Yang Baoguang
Published: October 2014

Anti‐aliasing has recently been employed as a post‐processing step to adapt to the deferred shading technique in real‐time applications. Some of these existing algorithms store supersampling geometric information as geometric buffer (G‐buffer) to detect and alleviate sub‐pixel‐level aliasing artifacts. However, the anti‐aliasing filter based on sampled sub‐pixel geometries only may introduce unfaithful shading information to the sub‐pixel color in uniform‐geometry regions, and large G‐buffer will increase memory storage and fetch overheads. In this paper, we present a new Triangle‐based Geometry Anti‐Aliasing (TGAA) algorithm, to address these problems. The coverage triangle of each screen pixel is accessed, and then, the coverage information between the triangle and neighboring sub‐pixels is stored in a screen‐resolution bitmask, which allows the geometric information to be stored and accessed in an inexpensive manner. Using triangle‐based geometry, TGAA can exclude irrelevant neighboring shading samples and achieve faithful anti‐aliasing filtering. In addition, a morphological method of estimating the geometric edges in high‐frequency geometry is incorporated into the TGAA's anti‐aliasing filter to complement the algorithm. The implementation results demonstrate that the algorithm is efficient and scalable for generating high‐quality anti‐aliased images.
Approximate Symmetry Detection in Partial 3D Meshes
Authors: Sipiran Ivan , Gregor Robert , Schreck Tobias
Published: October 2014

Symmetry is a common characteristic in natural and man‐made objects. Its ubiquitous nature can be exploited to facilitate the analysis and processing of computational representations of real objects. In particular, in computer graphics, the detection of symmetries in 3D geometry has enabled a number of applications in modeling and reconstruction. However, the problem of symmetry detection in incomplete geometry remains a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a vote‐based approach to detect symmetry in 3D shapes, with special interest in models with large missing parts. Our algorithm generates a set of candidate symmetries by matching local maxima of a surface function based on the heat diffusion in local domains, which guarantee robustness to missing data. In order to deal with local perturbations, we propose a multi‐scale surface function that is useful to select a set of distinctive points over which the approximate symmetries are defined. In addition, we introduce a vote‐based scheme that is aware of the partiality, and therefore reduces the number of false positive votes for the candidate symmetries. We show the effectiveness of our method in a varied set of 3D shapes and different levels of partiality. Furthermore, we show the applicability of our algorithm in the repair and completion of challenging reassembled objects in the context of cultural heritage.
G2 Surface Interpolation Over General Topology Curve Networks
Authors: Salvi Péter , Várady Tamás
Published: October 2014

The basic idea of curve network‐based design is to construct smoothly connected surface patches, that interpolate boundaries and cross‐derivatives extracted from the curve network. While the majority of applications demands only tangent plane (G1) continuity between the adjacent patches, curvature continuous connections (G2) may also be required. Examples include special curve network configurations with supplemented internal edges, “master‐slave” curvature constraints, and general topology surface approximations over meshes.

The first step is to assign optimal surface curvatures to the nodes of the curve network; we discuss different optimization procedures for various types of nodes. Then interpolant surfaces called parabolic ribbons are created along the patch boundaries, which carry first and second derivative constraints. Our construction guarantees that the neighboring ribbons, and thus the respective transfinite patches, will be G2 continuous. We extend Gregory's multi‐sided surface scheme in order to handle parabolic ribbons, involving the blending functions, and a new sweepline parameterization. A few simple examples conclude the paper.
Polyline‐sourced Geodesic Voronoi Diagrams on Triangle Meshes
Authors: Xu Chunxu , Liu Yong‐Jin , Sun Qian , Li Jinyan , He Ying
Published: October 2014

This paper studies the Voronoi diagrams on 2‐manifold meshes based on geodesic metric (a.k.a. geodesic Voronoi diagrams or GVDs), which have polyline generators. We show that our general setting leads to situations more complicated than conventional 2D Euclidean Voronoi diagrams as well as point‐source based GVDs, since a typical bisector contains line segments, hyperbolic segments and parabolic segments. To tackle this challenge, we introduce a new concept, called local Voronoi diagram (LVD), which is a combination of additively weighted Voronoi diagram and line‐segment Voronoi diagram on a mesh triangle. We show that when restricting on a single mesh triangle, the GVD is a subset of the LVD and only two types of mesh triangles can contain GVD edges. Based on these results, we propose an efficient algorithm for constructing the GVD with polyline generators. Our algorithm runs in O(nNlogN) time and takes O(nN) space on an n‐face mesh with m generators, where N = max{m, n}. Computational results on real‐world models demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithm.
Incompressible SPH using the Divergence‐Free Condition
Authors: Kang Nahyup , Sagong Donghoon
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we present a novel SPH framework to simulate incompressible fluid that satisfies both the divergence‐ free condition and the density‐invariant condition. In our framework, the two conditions are applied separately. First, the divergence‐free condition is enforced when solving the momentum equation. Later, the density‐invariant condition is applied after the time integration of the particle positions. Our framework is a purely Lagrangian approach so that no auxiliary grid is required. Compared to the previous density‐invariant based SPH methods, the proposed method is more accurate due to the explicit satisfaction of the divergence‐free condition. We also propose a modified boundary particle method for handling the free‐slip condition. In addition, two simple but effective methods are proposed to reduce the particle clumping artifact induced by the density‐invariant condition.
Real‐Time Symmetry‐Preserving Deformation
Authors: Wu Xiaokun , Wand Michael , Hildebrandt Klaus , Kohli Pushmeet , Seidel Hans‐Peter
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we address the problem of structure‐aware shape deformation: We specifically consider deformations that preserve symmetries of the shape being edited. While this is an elegant approach for obtaining plausible shape variations from minimal assumptions, a straightforward optimization is numerically expensive and poorly conditioned. Our paper introduces an explicit construction of bases of linear spaces of shape deformations that exactly preserve symmetries for any user‐defined level of detail. This permits the construction of low‐dimensional spaces of low‐frequency deformations that preserve the symmetries. We obtain substantial speed‐ups over alternative approaches for symmetry‐preserving shape editing due to (i) the sub‐space approach, which permits low‐res editing, (ii) the removal of redundant, symmetric information, and (iii) the simplification of the numerical formulation due to hard‐coded symmetry preservation. We demonstrate the utility in practice by applying our framework to symmetry‐preserving co‐rotated iterative Laplace surface editing of models with complex symmetry structure, including partial and nested symmetry.
Efficient Depth Propagation for Constructing a Layered Depth Image from a Single Image
Authors: Iizuka S. , Endo Y. , Kanamori Y. , Mitani J. , Fukui Y.
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we propose an interactive technique for constructing a 3D scene via sparse user inputs. We represent a 3D scene in the form of a Layered Depth Image (LDI) which is composed of a foreground layer and a background layer, and each layer has a corresponding texture and depth map. Given user‐specified sparse depth inputs, depth maps are computed based on superpixels using interpolation with geodesic‐distance weighting and an optimization framework. This computation is done immediately, which allows the user to edit the LDI interactively. Additionally, our technique automatically estimates depth and texture in occluded regions using the depth discontinuity. In our interface, the user paints strokes on the 3D model directly. The drawn strokes serve as 3D handles with which the user can pull out or push the 3D surface easily and intuitively with real‐time feedback. We show our technique enables efficient modeling of LDI that produce sufficient 3D effects.
Perceptually‐based Color Assignment
Authors: Kim Hye‐Rin , Yoo Min‐Joon , Kang Henry , Lee In‐Kwon
Published: October 2014

Color assignment is a complex task of incorporating and balancing area configuration, color harmony, and user's intent. In this paper, we present a novel method for automatic color assignment based on theories of color perception. We define color assignment as an optimization problem with respect to the color relationships as well as the spatial configuration of input segments. We also suggest possible constraints that are suitable for task‐specific purposes and for enhancing visual appeal. Our colorization scheme is useful in many applications such as infographics, computer‐aided design, and visual presentation. The user study shows that our method generates perceptually pleasing results over a variety of data sets.
Single‐shot High Dynamic Range Imaging Using Coded Electronic Shutter
Authors: Cho Hojin , Kim Seon Joo , Lee Seungyong
Published: October 2014

Typical high dynamic range (HDR) imaging approaches based on multiple images have difficulties in handling moving objects and camera shakes, suffering from the ghosting effect and the loss of sharpness in the output HDR image. While there exist a variety of solutions for resolving such limitations, most of the existing algorithms are susceptible to complex motions, saturation, and occlusions. In this paper, we propose an HDR imaging approach using the coded electronic shutter which can capture a scene with row‐wise varying exposures in a single image. Our approach enables a direct extension of the dynamic range of the captured image without using multiple images, by photometrically calibrating rows with different exposures. Due to the concurrent capture of multiple exposures, misalignments of moving objects are naturally avoided with significant reduction in the ghosting effect. To handle the issues with under‐/over‐exposure, noise, and blurs, we present a coherent HDR imaging process where the problems are resolved one by one at each step. Experimental results with real photographs, captured using a coded electronic shutter, demonstrate that our method produces a high quality HDR images without the ghosting and blur artifacts.
Time‐Lapse Photometric Stereo and Applications
Authors: Shen Fangyang , Sunkavalli Kalyan , Bonneel Nicolas , Rusinkiewicz Szymon , Pfister Hanspeter , Tong Xin
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a technique to recover geometry from time‐lapse sequences of outdoor scenes. We build upon photometric stereo techniques to recover approximate shadowing, shading and normal components allowing us to alter the material and normals of the scene. Previous work in analyzing such images has faced two fundamental difficulties: 1. the illumination in outdoor images consists of time‐varying sunlight and skylight, and 2. the motion of the sun is restricted to a near‐planar arc through the sky, making surface normal recovery unstable. We develop methods to estimate the reflection component due to skylight illumination. We also show that sunlight directions are usually non‐planar, thus making surface normal recovery possible. This allows us to estimate approximate surface normals for outdoor scenes using a single day of data. We demonstrate the use of these surface normals for a number of image editing applications including reflectance, lighting, and normal editing.
Seamless, Static Multi‐Texturing of 3D Meshes
Authors: Pagés R. , Berjón D. , Morán F. , García N.
Published: October 2014

In the context of 3D reconstruction, we present a static multi‐texturing system yielding a seamless texture atlas calculated by combining the colour information from several photos from the same subject covering most of its surface. These pictures can be provided by shooting just one camera several times when reconstructing a static object, or a set of synchronized cameras, when dealing with a human or any other moving object. We suppress the colour seams due to image misalignments and irregular lighting conditions that multi‐texturing approaches typically suffer from, while minimizing the blurring effect introduced by colour blending techniques. Our system is robust enough to compensate for the almost inevitable inaccuracies of 3D meshes obtained with visual hull–based techniques: errors in silhouette segmentation, inherently bad handling of concavities, etc.
Noninvasive palatal implant removal
Authors: Hänggi Michael , Kuhn Mirjam , Göllner Peter , Schätzle Marc
Published: October 2014

Objective

Orthodontic palatal implants are commonly used and do provide reliable absolute anchorage to assist orthodontic treatment. However, once treatment is completed, removal of these temporary implants is not considered easy or risk free. This short communication presents a clinical case in which a novel noninvasive procedure was applied to remove an osseointegrated palatal implant.

Material and methods

A customized explantation tool, tightly fixed to the implant and precisely grasping the implant's head, was used in combination with a ratchet to unscrew the implant instead of the traditional removal by trephine.

Results

Only a topical anesthetic was necessary before the implant–bone contact was broken by turning the ratchet counterclockwise. The implant was retrieved without any local anesthesia. The explanted palatal implant had no bone appending to it, except in its apical anti‐rotational grooves, and the healing process thereafter was unproblematic.

Conclusions

Noninvasive palatal implant removal offers a simple and fast approach for explantation. Moreover, it might reduce the risk of adverse patient reactions, iatrogenic tooth and nerve injuries, and possible oro‐antral communications.
Improved osseointegration and interlocking capacity with dual acid‐treated implants: a rabbit study
Authors: Halldin Anders , Jimbo Ryo , Johansson Carina B. , Gretzer Christina , Jacobsson Magnus
Published: October 2014

Aim

To investigate how osseointegration is affected by different nano‐ and microstructures. The hypothesis was that the surface structure created by dual acid treatment (AT‐1), applied on a reduced topography, might achieve equivalent biomechanical performance as a rougher surface treated with hydrofluoric acid (HF).

Materials and methods

In a preclinical rabbit study, three groups (I, II, and III) comprised of test and control implants were inserted in 30 rabbits. The microstructures of the test implants were either produced by blasting with coarse (I) or fine (II) titanium particles or remained turned (III). All test implants were thereafter treated with AT‐1 resulting in three different test surfaces. The microstructure of the control implants was produced by blasting with coarse titanium particles thereafter treated with HF. The surface topography was characterized by interferometry. Biomechanical (removal torque) and histomorphometric (bone–implant contact; bone area) performances were measured after 4 or 12 weeks of healing.

Results

Removal torque measurement demonstrated that test implants in group I had an enhanced biomechanical performance compared to that of the control despite similar surface roughness value (Sa). At 4 weeks of healing, group II test implants showed equivalent biomechanical performance to that of the control, despite a decreased Sa value. Group III test implants showed decreased biomechanical performance to that of the control. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that nano‐ and microstructure alteration by AT‐1 on a blasted implant might enhance the initial biomechanical performance, while for longer healing time, the surface interlocking capacity seems to be more important.
New concepts in cutaneous allergy
Authors: Martin Stefan F.
Published: October 2014

Allergic contact dermatitis affects a worrying proportion of the general population. The mechanisms underlying this chemical‐triggered delayed‐type hypersensitivity are still not fully understood. In recent years, basic research has shown that the immune system reacts to contact allergens by activation of signalling pathways that are usually used to fight infections. Ongoing work is aimed at the elucidation of the path that leads from the chemistry of contact allergens to the inflammatory skin disease. The cellular players and their complex interactions are being characterized. Proteins are being identified whose chemical modification by contact allergens results in the activation of signalling pathways involved in pathogenesis. Pathway identification is supported by genomic and proteomic techniques. All of these efforts will yield a cellular and molecular understanding of the orchestration of the innate and adaptive immune response to contact allergens. This knowledge will help in the identification of gene and protein signatures for improved diagnostics, the identification of novel drug targets for targeted treatments, as well the development of in vitro assays for contact allergen identification.
Comparison of Polar®RS800G3™ heart rate monitor with Polar® S810i™ and electrocardiogram to obtain the series of RR intervals and analysis of heart rate variability at rest
Authors: de Rezende Barbosa Marianne Penachini da Costa , Silva Natália Turri da , de Azevedo Fábio Mícolis , Pastre Carlos Marcelo , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos Marques
Published: October 2014

The Polar® RS800G3™ rate monitor was released in the market to replace the Polar® S810i™, and few studies have assessed that the RR series obtained by this equipment is reliable for analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). We compared HRV indexes among the devices Polar® RS800G3™, Polar® S810i™ and eletrocardiogram (ECG) to know whether the series of Polar® RS800G3™ are as reliable as those devices already validated. We analysed data from 30 healthy young adults, male, with an average age of 20·66 ± 1·40 years, which had captured the heart rate beat to beat in the three devices simultaneously with spontaneously breathing, first in the supine position and subsequently sit both for 30 min. The obtained series of RR intervals was used to calculate the indexes of HRV in the time domain (SDNN and RMSSD) and in the frequency domain (LF, HF and LF/HF). There were no significant differences in HRV indexes calculated from series obtained by the three devices, regardless of the position analysed, and a high correlation coefficient was observed. The results suggest that the Polar® RS800G3™ is able to capture series of RR intervals for analysis of HRV indexes as reliable as those obtained by ECG and Polar® S810i™.
The accuracy of quantitative parameters in 99mTc‐MAG3 dynamic renography: a national audit based on virtual image data
Authors: Brolin Gustav , Edenbrandt Lars , Granerus Göran , Olsson Anna , Afzelius David , Gustafsson Agneta , Jonsson Cathrine , Hagerman Jessica , Johansson Lena , Riklund Katrine , Ljungberg Michael
Published: October 2014

Assessment of image analysis methods and computer software used in 99mTc‐MAG3 dynamic renography is important to ensure reliable study results and ultimately the best possible care for patients. In this work, we present a national multicentre study of the quantification accuracy in 99mTc‐MAG3 renography, utilizing virtual dynamic scintigraphic data obtained by Monte Carlo‐simulated scintillation camera imaging of digital phantoms with time‐varying activity distributions. Three digital phantom studies were distributed to the participating departments, and quantitative evaluation was performed with standard clinical software according to local routines. The differential renal function (DRF) and time to maximum renal activity (Tmax) were reported by 21 of the 28 Swedish departments performing 99mTc‐MAG3 studies as of 2012. The reported DRF estimates showed a significantly lower precision for the phantom with impaired renal uptake than for the phantom with normal uptake. The Tmax estimates showed a similar trend, but the difference was only significant for the right kidney. There was a significant bias in the measured DRF for all phantoms caused by different positions of the left and right kidney in the anterior–posterior direction. In conclusion, this study shows that virtual scintigraphic studies are applicable for quality assurance and that there is a considerable uncertainty associated with standard quantitative parameters in dynamic 99mTc‐MAG3 renography, especially for patients with impaired renal function.
Optimal Taxation, Social Preferences and the Four Worlds of Welfare Capitalism in Europe
Authors: Spadaro Amedeo , Piccoli Luca , Mangiavacchi Lucia
Published: October 2014

Drawing on the formal setting of optimal taxation theory, this paper identifies the degree of Rawlsianism (poverty aversion) exhibited by European social planners, beginning with the observation of actual data and redistribution systems. The paper contributes to the comparative research on the structure and typology of welfare capitalism. The social preferences implicit in tax‐benefit systems are recovered by inverting the optimal taxation model for all European countries using European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data. The results are discussed in light of the four worlds of welfare capitalism classification proposed by Esping‐Andersen.
Coping with fast climate change in northern ecosystems: mechanisms underlying the population‐level response of a specialist avian predator
Authors: Terraube Julien , Villers Alexandre , Ruffino Lise , Iso‐Iivari Lasse , Henttonen Heikki , Oksanen Tarja , Korpimäki Erkki
Published: October 2014

Northern ecosystems are facing unprecedented climate modifications, which pose a major threat for arctic species, especially the specialist predator guild. However, the mechanisms underlying responses of predators to climate change remain poorly understood. Climate can influence fitness parameters of predators either through reduced reproduction or survival following adverse weather conditions, or via changes in the population dynamics of their main prey. Here, we combined three overlapping long‐term datasets on the breeding density and parameters of a rodent‐specialist predator, the rough‐legged buzzard Buteo lagopus, its main prey population dynamics and climate variables, collected in subarctic areas of Finland and Norway, to assess the impact of changing climate on the predator reproductive response. Rough‐legged buzzards responded to ongoing climate change by advancing their laying date (0.1 d yr−1 over the 21 yr of the study period), as a consequence of earlier snowmelt. However, we documented for the same period a decrease in breeding success, which principally resulted from an indirect effect of changes in the dynamics of their main prey, i.e. grey‐sided voles Microtus oeconomus, and not from the expected negative effect of unfavorable weather conditions during the brood‐rearing period on nestling survival. Additionally, we showed the striking impact of autumn and winter weather conditions on vole population growth rates in subarctic ecosystems, with a strong positive correlation between mean snow depth in autumn and winter and both winter and summer population growth rates. Our results highlighted that, in northern ecosystems, ongoing climate change has the potential to impact specialist predator species through two mechanistic linkages, which may in the long‐run, threaten the viability of their populations, and lead to potential severe cascading trophic effects at the ecosystem level.