bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adverse psychological outcomes following colposcopy and related procedures: a systematic review
Authors: O'Connor M , Gallagher P , Waller J , Martin CM , O'Leary JJ , Sharp L ,   the Irish Cervical Screening Research Consortium (CERVIVA)
Published: June 2015

Background

Although colposcopy is the leading follow‐up option for women with abnormal cervical cytology, little is known about its psychological consequences.

Objectives

We performed a systematic review to examine: (1) what, if any, are the adverse psychological outcomes following colposcopy and related procedures; (2) what are the predictors of adverse psychological outcomes post‐colposcopy; and (3) what happens to these outcomes over time.

Search strategy

Five electronic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus) were searched for studies published in English between January 1986 and February 2014.

Selection criteria

Eligible studies assessed psychological wellbeing at one or more time‐points post‐colposcopy.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Full texts of potentially eligible papers were reviewed. Data were abstracted from, and a quality appraisal performed of, eligible papers.

Main results

Twenty‐three papers reporting 16 studies were eligible. Colposcopy and related procedures can lead to adverse psychological outcomes, particularly anxiety. Ten studies investigated predictors of adverse psychological outcomes; management type and treatment had no impact on this. Seven studies investigated temporal trends in psychological outcomes post‐colposcopy; findings were mixed, especially in relation to anxiety and distress. Studies were methodologically heterogeneous.

Conclusions

Follow‐up investigations and procedures for abnormal cervical cytology can cause adverse psychological outcomes among women. However, little is known about the predictors of these outcomes or how long they persist. There is a need for a more standardised approach to the examination of the psychological impact of colposcopy, especially longer‐term outcomes.

Tweetable abstract

Follow‐up investigations for abnormal cervical cytology can cause adverse psychological outcome among women.
Using Delphi Surveying Techniques to Gather Input from Non‐Academics for Development of a Modern Dairy Manufacturing Curriculum
Authors: Joyner (Melito) Helen S. , Smith Denise
Published: June 2015

The current face of the dairy manufacturing industry has changed from its traditional conception. Industry emphasis is moving away from traditional dairy products, such as fluid milk, ice cream, and butter, and moving toward yogurts, dairy beverages, and value‐added products incorporating ingredients derived from milk and whey. However, many undergraduate dairy curricula still focus on production of fluid milk and traditional dairy products. In addition, despite the significant production of dairy products in the northwestern United States, there are few universities in the Pacific Northwest that offer courses in dairy products or manufacturing. Washington State Univ. and the Univ. of Idaho have developed a dairy manufacturing option to address these issues. To ensure that the curriculum was in alignment with current industry needs, dairy experts in the Pacific Northwest were asked to provide feedback on the proposed curriculum using a modified Delphi survey. Top industry concerns and desired knowledge and skills in new hires were identified. Survey participants emphasized the importance of including new processing technologies, waste management concepts, sustainability principles, engineering skills, and novel dairy products/ingredients in curriculum coverage. The results of the survey were used to modify the proposed curriculum to more closely address dairy industry needs. Alignment between industry needs and university curricula is vital to promote continued growth, development, and innovation in any industry; universities must be aware of changing needs in industry and modify curricula when necessary to address industry challenges.
Public use and perceptions of emergency departments: A population survey
Authors: FitzGerald Gerry , Toloo Ghasem (Sam) , Aitken Peter , Keijzers Gerben , Scuffham Paul
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To inform demand management strategies aimed at reducing congestion in EDs by: (i) identifying public use of EDs, decision‐making and reasons; and (ii) measuring acceptance of alternative care models.

Methods

A cross‐sectional telephone survey of a random sample of Queensland population aged 18 years or older residing in a dwelling unit in Queensland that could be contacted on a land‐based telephone service was conducted. One person per household was selected according to a predetermined algorithm to ensure sex and regional balance were interviewed. The main outcome measures were: ED use, attitudes towards ED staff and services, and alternative models of care.

Results

The final sample included a total of 1256 respondents (response rate = 40.3%). Twenty‐one per cent attended EDs in the preceding 12 months. The decision to attend was made by patients (51%), health and medical professionals (31%), and others (18%). The main reasons included perceived severity of the illness (47%), unavailability of alternative services (26%) and better care (11%). Most respondents agreed with more flexible care models of service delivery including incentives for general practitioners (90%), private health insurance coverage for ED use (89%), and enhanced roles for paramedics and nurses.

Conclusions

Main reason for attending ED is perceived severity of illness, followed by lack of alternative care. The majority of both consumers and the public are in favour of more flexible care models. However, further research is necessary to detail those alternatives and to test and validate their effectiveness.
Levels of Genital Tract Defensins and Cytokines Differ between HIV‐Uninfected US and African Women
Authors: Murphy Kerry , Richardson Barbra A. , Dezzutti Charlene S. , Marrazzo Jeanne , Hillier Sharon L. , Hendrix Craig W. , Herold Betsy C.
Published: June 2015

Problem

To explore the impact of race and geographic region on biomarkers of HIV risk and vaginal health, differences in soluble immune mediators were measured in US versus African and US white versus US black women at enrollment into a phase 2 microbicide trial.

Methods

Levels of soluble mucosal immune mediators and inhibitory activity against E. coli, which may serve as biomarkers of risk for HIV and other genital tract infections, were quantified in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) collected from HIV‐uninfected women in the United States (n = 73) and Africa (n = 73). Differences between groups were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression models for dichotomous variables and linear regression models for continuous variables.

Results

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, lactoferrin, human beta defensins, interleukin (IL)‐8, and interferon‐gamma‐induced protein‐10 were significantly higher in US compared to African women in multivariable analysis, but only IL‐1β was significantly different between US white and black women. E. coli inhibitory activity did not differ among groups in adjusted analyses.

Conclusion

Differences in soluble mucosal immunity between US and African women may play an important role in women's risk for HIV and other genital tract infections and response to prevention strategies including vaginal microbicides and should be considered in future studies.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Local Gender‐Based Earnings Inequality and Women's Belief in the American Dream
Authors: Newman Benjamin J.
Published: June 2015

This article ties together research on gender, income inequality, and political ideology, by exploring the effect of gender‐based earnings inequality on women's belief in a fundamental tenet of the “American Dream”—meritocracy. Focusing on gender‐based earnings inequality in women's local residential context, and drawing upon relative deprivation theory, this article argues that variation across local areas in the relative economic status of women should influence the ideological outlook of resident women. In contrast to relative deprivation theory, but consistent with rising expectations theory, I argue that ideological disillusionment should peak in contexts in which women's earnings fall closely behind men, and that ideological optimism should rebound in contexts in which women's earnings have achieved parity with that of men. Utilizing pooled survey data, I find strong evidence that individual women's belief in the American Dream varies according to whether local women's relative earnings indicate confrontation with or breaking of the “glass ceiling.”
Autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue after treatment for malignant disease – the first Norwegian results
Authors: Tanbo Tom , Greggains Gareth , Storeng Ritsa , Busund Bjørn , Langebrekke Anton , Fedorcsak Peter
Published: June 2015

Introduction

With increasing survival rates after treatment for cancer in prepubertal girls and women of reproductive age, an increasing focus on quality of life has emerged. Both irradiation and cytotoxic drugs can be detrimental to future fertility, consequently several treatment alternatives have been developed to spare or restore fertility in young females diagnosed with cancer. One of these options is cryopreservation of ovarian tissue before treatment and autotransplantation at a later time.

Material and methods

We present the Norwegian experience after 11 years of practice with ovarian tissue cryopreservation. A total of 164 patients have had ovarian tissue cryopreserved during the period 2004–2014. Fifteen patients died during the observation period. Six patients requested autotransplantation, which was performed in two women.

Results

Both patients conceived, one spontaneously and one after assisted reproduction due to a concomitant male factor. The pregnancies were uneventful and they each gave birth to a healthy child.

Conclusions

Cryopreservation with later autotransplantation of ovarian tissue should be offered to a selected group of young women with cancer.
Extremely preterm infants who are small for gestational age have a high risk of early hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia
Authors: Boubred F , Herlenius E , Bartocci M , Jonsson B , Vanpée M
Published: June 2015

Aim

Electrolyte balances have not been sufficiently evaluated in extremely preterm infants after early parenteral nutrition. We investigated the risk of early hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia in extremely preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA) who received nutrition as currently recommended.

Methods

This prospective, observational cohort study included all consecutive extremely preterm infants born at 24–27 weeks who received high amino acids and lipid perfusion from birth. We evaluated the electrolyte levels of SGA infants and infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) during the first five days of life.

Results

The 12 SGA infants had lower plasma potassium levels from Day One compared to the 36 AGA infants and were more likely to have hypokalemia (58% vs 17%, p = 0.001) and hypophosphatemia (40% vs 9%, p < 0.01) during the five‐day observation period. After adjusting for perinatal factors, SGA remained significantly associated with hypophosphatemia (odds ratio 1.39, confidence intervals 1.07–1.81, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Extremely preterm infants born SGA who were managed with currently recommended early parenteral nutrition had a high risk of early hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia. Potassium and phosphorus intakes should be set at sufficient levels from birth onwards, especially in SGA infants.
Short‐term use of glucocorticoids and risk of peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide population‐based case‐crossover study
Authors: Tseng C.‐L. , Chen Y.‐T. , Huang C.‐J. , Luo J.‐C. , Peng Y.‐L. , Huang D.‐F , Hou M.‐C. , Lin H.‐C. , Lee F.‐Y.
Published: June 2015

Background

Controversy exists regarding glucocorticoids therapy and the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

Aim

The present study was undertaken to determine whether short‐term use of glucocorticoids is associated with the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding.

Methods

The records of adult patients hospitalised for newly diagnosed peptic ulcer bleeding from 2000 to 2012 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide population‐based registry system. The association between systemic glucocorticoids usage and peptic ulcer bleeding was determined with a conditional logistic regression model comparing cases and controls during time windows of 7, 14 and 28 days using a case‐crossover design.

Results

Of the 8894 enrolled patients, the adjusted self‐matched odds ratios for peptic ulcer bleeding after exposure to the glucocorticoids were 1.37 (95% CI: 1.12–1.68, P = 0.003) for the 7‐day window, 1.66 (95% CI: 1.38–2.00, P < 0.001) for the 14‐day window and 1.84 (95% CI: 1.57–2.16, P < 0.001) for the 28‐day window. Moderate to high, but not low dose glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone <4 mg/day or its equivalence) were associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer bleeding. Concomitant use of a nonselective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) or aspirin further elevated the risk. However, it does not eliminate the effect of underlying diseases flare‐up that may have placed the patients at risk for peptic ulcer bleeding in this kind of study design.

Conclusions

Short‐term (7–28 days) exposure to glucocorticoids is significantly associated with peptic ulcer bleeding; this risk seems dose‐dependent and is higher when nonselective NSAIDs or aspirin are used concurrently.
Deforested habitats lack seeds of late‐successional and large‐seeded plant species in tropical montane forests
Authors: Saavedra Francisco , Hensen Isabell , Schleuning Matthias
Published: June 2015

Questions

(1) How do seed density and species richness of late‐successional, pioneer and non‐forest species change from forest interior to deforested habitats? (2) Are seed density and species richness of seed species dispersed into deforested areas enhanced by perch structures? (3) Do morphological seed traits of forest and non‐forest plant species change from the forest interior to deforested areas?

Location

Deforested tropical mountains of Chulumani, La Paz, Bolivia.

Methods

At eight study sites, we installed a system of 38 seed traps along a transect of 240 m from the forest interior (160 m from the forest margin) toward deforested areas (80 m from the forest margin). Half of the seed traps installed in the deforested areas were positioned under perch structures. We identified captured seeds to morpho‐species or species level and recorded morphological seed traits (i.e. seed mass, seed length, seed width) and species origin (i.e. late‐successional, pioneer, non‐forest species).

Results

Seed density and species richness of late‐successional and pioneer species declined from the forest interior toward deforested areas. Seed limitation was particularly strong for large‐seeded species. Perches in deforested areas strongly increased the density and to some extent as well as the species richness of seeds dispersed into these areas, but did not alter the composition of seed traits and species origin in comparison to seed traps without perches.

Conclusions

We found a strong seed dispersal limitation in deforested areas, which was mitigated by the presence of perch structures, at least in terms of seed density and species richness. However, the dispersal limitation of late‐successional plant species with large seeds was not compensated by the presence of perching structures. Nevertheless, the establishment of artificial perch structures is likely to be a promising strategy for capturing seeds in deforested areas that may establish under bracken fronds in the long term.
Clinical Trials with Missing Data
Authors: Song Juwon
Published: June 2015

EDITOR: TAESUNG PARK

Clinical Trials with Missing Data(M. O'Kelly and B. Ratitch)Juwon Song

Multiple Imputation and its Application(J. R. Carpenter and M. G. Kenward)Sohee Park

Statistical Inference on Residual Life(J.-H. Jeong)Seungyeoun Lee
Carbon monoxide inhibits T cell activation in target organs during systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mackern-Oberti J P , Obreque J , Méndez G P , Llanos C , Kalergis A M
Published: June 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by the presence of circulating anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and systemic damage that includes nephritis, haematological manifestations and pulmonary compromise, among others. Although major progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for autoimmunity, current therapies for lupus have not improved considerably. Because the exposure of carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to display beneficial immunoregulatory properties in different immune-mediated diseases, we investigated whether CO therapy improves lupus-related kidney injury in lupus mice. MRL-Faslpr lupus mice were exposed to CO and disease progression was evaluated. ANA, leucocyte-infiltrating populations in spleen, kidney and lung and kidney lesions, were measured. CO therapy significantly decreased the frequency of activated B220+ CD4− CD8− T cells in kidneys and lungs, as well as serum levels of ANA. Furthermore, we observed that CO therapy reduced kidney injury by decreasing proliferative glomerular damage and immune complexes deposition, decreased proinflammatory cytokine production and finally delayed the impairment of kidney function. CO exposure ameliorates kidney and lung leucocyte infiltration and delays kidney disease in MRL-Faslpr lupus mice. Our data support the notion that CO could be explored as a potential new therapy for lupus nephritis.
Hallucinating Stereoscopy from a Single Image
Authors: Zeng Qiong , Chen Wenzheng , Wang Huan , Tu Changhe , Cohen‐Or Daniel , Lischinski Dani , Chen Baoquan
Published: June 2015

We introduce a novel method for enabling stereoscopic viewing of a scene from a single pre‐segmented image. Rather than attempting full 3D reconstruction or accurate depth map recovery, we hallucinate a rough approximation of the scene's 3D model using a number of simple depth and occlusion cues and shape priors. We begin by depth‐sorting the segments, each of which is assumed to represent a separate object in the scene, resulting in a collection of depth layers. The shapes and textures of the partially occluded segments are then completed using symmetry and convexity priors. Next, each completed segment is converted to a union of generalized cylinders yielding a rough 3D model for each object. Finally, the object depths are refined using an iterative ground fitting process. The hallucinated 3D model of the scene may then be used to generate a stereoscopic image pair, or to produce images from novel viewpoints within a small neighborhood of the original view. Despite the simplicity of our approach, we show that it compares favorably with state‐of‐the‐art depth ordering methods. A user study was conducted showing that our method produces more convincing stereoscopic images than existing semi‐interactive and automatic single image depth recovery methods.
Composition‐Aware Scene Optimization for Product Images
Authors: Liu Tianqiang , McCann Jim , Li Wilmot , Funkhouser Thomas
Published: June 2015

Increasingly, companies are creating product advertisements and catalog images using computer renderings of 3D scenes. A common goal for these companies is to create aesthetically appealing compositions that highlight objects of interest within the context of a scene. Unfortunately, this goal is challenging, not only due to the need to balance the trade‐off among aesthetic principles and design constraints, but also because of the huge search space induced by possible camera parameters, object placement, material choices, etc. Previous methods have investigated only optimization of camera parameters. In this paper, we develop a tool that starts from an initial scene description and a set of high‐level constraints provided by a stylist and then automatically generates an optimized scene whose 2D composition is improved. It does so by locally adjusting the 3D object transformations, surface materials, and camera parameters. The value of this tool is demonstrated in a variety of applications motivated by product catalogs, including rough layout refinement, detail image creation, home planning, cultural customization, and text inlay placement. Results of a perceptual study indicate that our system produces images preferable for product advertisement compared to a more traditional camera‐only optimization.
Jointly Optimized Regressors for Image Super‐resolution
Authors: Dai D. , Timofte R. , Van Gool L.
Published: June 2015

Learning regressors from low‐resolution patches to high‐resolution patches has shown promising results for image super‐resolution. We observe that some regressors are better at dealing with certain cases, and others with different cases. In this paper, we jointly learn a collection of regressors, which collectively yield the smallest super‐resolving error for all training data. After training, each training sample is associated with a label to indicate its ‘best’ regressor, the one yielding the smallest error. During testing, our method bases on the concept of ‘adaptive selection’ to select the most appropriate regressor for each input patch. We assume that similar patches can be super‐resolved by the same regressor and use a fast, approximate kNN approach to transfer the labels of training patches to test patches. The method is conceptually simple and computationally efficient, yet very effective. Experiments on four datasets show that our method outperforms competing methods.
Interactive Dimensioning of Parametric Models
Authors: Kelly T. , Wonka P. , Mueller P.
Published: June 2015

We propose a solution for the dimensioning of parametric and procedural models. Dimensioning has long been a staple of technical drawings, and we present the first solution for interactive dimensioning: a dimension line positioning system that adapts to the view direction, given behavioral properties. After proposing a set of design principles for interactive dimensioning, we describe our solution consisting of the following major components. First, we describe how an author can specify the desired interactive behavior of a dimension line. Second, we propose a novel algorithm to place dimension lines at interactive speeds. Third, we introduce multiple extensions, including chained dimension lines, controls for different parameter types (e.g. discrete choices, angles), and the use of dimension lines for interactive editing. Our results show the use of dimension lines in an interactive parametric modeling environment for architectural, botanical, and mechanical models.
Guiding Image Manipulations using Shape‐appearance Subspaces from Co‐alignment of Image Collections
Authors: Nguyen Chuong H. , Nalbach Oliver , Ritschel Tobias , Seidel Hans‐Peter
Published: June 2015

We propose a system to restrict the manipulation of shape and appearance in an image to a valid subspace which we learn from a collection of exemplar images. To this end, we automatically co‐align a collection of images and learn a subspace model of shape and appearance using principal components. As finding perfect image correspondences for general images is not feasible, we build an approximate partial alignment and improve bad alignments leveraging other, more successful alignments. Our system allows the user to change appearance and shape in real‐time and the result is “projected” onto the subspace of meaningful changes. The change in appearance and shape can either be locked or performed independently. Additional applications include suggestion of alternative shapes or appearance.
High Reliefs from 3D Scenes
Authors: Arpa Sami , Süsstrunk Sabine , Hersch Roger D.
Published: June 2015

We present a method for synthesizing high reliefs, a sculpting technique that attaches 3D objects onto a 2D surface within a limited depth range. The main challenges are the preservation of distinct scene parts by preserving depth discontinuities, the fine details of the shape, and the overall continuity of the scene. Bas relief depth compression methods such as gradient compression and depth range compression are not applicable for high relief production. Instead, our method is based on differential coordinates to bring scene elements to the relief plane while preserving depth discontinuities and surface details of the scene. We select a user‐defined number of attenuation points within the scene, attenuate these points towards the relief plane and recompute the positions of all scene elements by preserving the differential coordinates. Finally, if the desired depth range is not achieved we apply a range compression. High relief synthesis is semi‐automatic and can be controlled by user‐defined parameters to adjust the depth range, as well as the placement of the scene elements with respect to the relief plane.
Woodification: User‐Controlled Cambial Growth Modeling
Authors: Kratt J. , Spicker M. , Guayaquil A. , Fiser M. , Pirk S. , Deussen O. , Hart J. C. , Benes B.
Published: June 2015

We present a botanical simulation of secondary (cambial) tree growth coupled to a physical cracking simulation of its bark. Whereas level set growth would use a fixed resolution voxel grid, our system extends the deformable simplicial complex (DSC), supporting new biological growth functions robustly on any surface polygonal mesh with adaptive subdivision, collision detection and topological control. We extend the DSC with temporally coherent texturing, and surface cracking with a user‐controllable biological model coupled to the stresses introduced by the cambial growth model.
Color Sequence Preserving Decolorization
Authors: Yoo M.‐J. , Lee I.‐K. , Lee S.
Published: June 2015

Many visualization techniques use images containing meaningful color sequences. If such images are converted to grayscale, the sequence is often distorted, compromising the information in the image. We preserve the significance of a color sequence during decolorization by mapping the colors from a source image to a grid in the CIELAB color space. We then identify the most significant hues, and thin the corresponding cells of the grid to approximate a curve in the color space, eliminating outliers using a weighted Laplacian eigenmap. This curve is then mapped to a monotonic sequence of gray levels. The saturation values of the resulting image are combined with the original intensity channels to restore details such as text. Our approach can also be used to recolor images containing color sequences, for instance for viewers with color‐deficient vision, or to interpolate between two images that use the same geometry and color sequence to present different data.
Paint and Click: Unified Interactions for Image Boundaries
Authors: Summa B. , Gooch A. A. , Scorzelli G. , Pascucci V.
Published: June 2015

Image boundaries are a fundamental component of many interactive digital photography techniques, enabling applications such as segmentation, panoramas, and seamless image composition. Interactions for image boundaries often rely on two complementary but separate approaches: editing via painting or clicking constraints. In this work, we provide a novel, unified approach for interactive editing of pairwise image boundaries that combines the ease of painting with the direct control of constraints. Rather than a sequential coupling, this new formulation allows full use of both interactions simultaneously, giving users unprecedented flexibility for fast boundary editing. To enable this new approach, we provide technical advancements. In particular, we detail a reformulation of image boundaries as a problem of finding cycles, expanding and correcting limitations of the previous work. Our new formulation provides boundary solutions for painted regions with performance on par with state‐of‐the‐art specialized, paint‐only techniques. In addition, we provide instantaneous exploration of the boundary solution space with user constraints. Finally, we provide examples of common graphics applications impacted by our new approach.
Biologically‐Inspired Visual Simulation of Insect Swarms
Authors: Li Weizi , Wolinski David , Pettré Julien , C. Lin Ming
Published: June 2015

Representing the majority of living animals, insects are the most ubiquitous biological organisms on Earth. Being able to simulate insect swarms could enhance visual realism of various graphical applications. However, the very complex nature of insect behaviors makes its simulation a challenging computational problem. To address this, we present a general biologically‐inspired framework for visual simulation of insect swarms. Our approach is inspired by the observation that insects exhibit emergent behaviors at various scales in nature. At the low level, our framework automatically selects and configures the most suitable steering algorithm for the local collision avoidance task. At the intermediate level, it processes insect trajectories into piecewise‐linear segments and constructs probability distribution functions for sampling waypoints. These waypoints are then evaluated by the Metropolis‐Hastings algorithm to preserve global structures of insect swarms at the high level. With this biologically inspired, data‐driven approach, we are able to simulate insect behaviors at different scales and we evaluate our simulation using both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Furthermore, as insect data could be difficult to acquire, our framework can be adopted as a computer‐assisted animation tool to interpret sketch‐like input as user control and generate simulations of complex insect swarming phenomena.
Adaptable Anatomical Models for Realistic Bone Motion Reconstruction
Authors: Zhu Lifeng , Hu Xiaoyan , Kavan Ladislav
Published: June 2015

We present a system to reconstruct subject‐specific anatomy models while relying only on exterior measurements represented by point clouds. Our model combines geometry, kinematics, and skin deformations (skinning). This joint model can be adapted to different individuals without breaking its functionality, i.e., the bones and the skin remain well‐articulated after the adaptation. We propose an optimization algorithm which learns the subject‐specific (anthropometric) parameters from input point clouds captured using commodity depth cameras. The resulting personalized models can be used to reconstruct motion of human subjects. We validate our approach for upper and lower limbs, using both synthetic data and recordings of three different human subjects. Our reconstructed bone motion is comparable to results obtained by optical motion capture (Vicon) combined with anatomically‐based inverse kinematics (OpenSIM). We demonstrate that our adapted models better preserve the joint structure than previous methods such as OpenSIM or Anatomy Transfer.
Generating Design Suggestions under Tight Constraints with Gradient‐based Probabilistic Programming
Authors: Ritchie Daniel , Lin Sharon , Goodman Noah D. , Hanrahan Pat
Published: June 2015

We present a system for generating suggestions from highly‐constrained, continuous design spaces. We formulate suggestion as sampling from a probability distribution; constraints are represented as factors that concentrate probability mass around sub‐manifolds of the design space. These sampling problems are intractable using typical random walk MCMC techniques, so we adopt Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC), a gradient‐based MCMC method. We implement HMC in a high‐performance probabilistic programming language, and we evaluate its ability to efficiently generate suggestions for two different, highly‐constrained example applications: vector art coloring and designing stable stacking structures.
CHC+RT: Coherent Hierarchical Culling for Ray Tracing
Authors: Mattausch O. , Bittner J. , Jaspe A. , Gobbetti E. , Wimmer M. , Pajarola R.
Published: June 2015

We propose a new technique for in‐core and out‐of‐core GPU ray tracing using a generalization of hierarchical occlusion culling in the style of the CHC++ method. Our method exploits the rasterization pipeline and hardware occlusion queries in order to create coherent batches of work for localized shader‐based ray tracing kernels. By combining hierarchies in both ray space and object space, the method is able to share intermediate traversal results among multiple rays. We exploit temporal coherence among similar ray sets between frames and also within the given frame. A suitable management of the current visibility state makes it possible to benefit from occlusion culling for less coherent ray types like diffuse reflections. Since large scenes are still a challenge for modern GPU ray tracers, our method is most useful for scenes with medium to high complexity, especially since our method inherently supports ray tracing highly complex scenes that do not fit in GPU memory. For in‐core scenes our method is comparable to CUDA ray tracing and performs up to 5.94 × better than pure shader‐based ray tracing.
IlluminationCut
Authors: Bus N. , Mustafa N. H. , Biri V.
Published: June 2015

We present a novel algorithm, IlluminationCut, for rendering images using the many‐lights framework. It handles any light source that can be approximated with virtual point lights (VPLs) as well as highly glossy materials. The algorithm extends the Multidimensional Lightcuts technique by effectively creating an illumination‐aware clustering of the product‐space of the set of points to be shaded and the set of VPLs. Additionally, the number of visibility queries for each product‐space cluster is reduced by using an adaptive sampling technique. Our framework is flexible and achieves around 3 – 6 times speedup over previous state‐of‐the‐art methods.
The State of the Art in HDR Deghosting: A Survey and Evaluation
Authors: Tursun Okan Tarhan , Akyüz Ahmet Oğuz , Erdem Aykut , Erdem Erkut
Published: June 2015

Obtaining a high quality high dynamic range (HDR) image in the presence of camera and object movement has been a long‐standing challenge. Many methods, known as HDR deghosting algorithms, have been developed over the past ten years to undertake this challenge. Each of these algorithms approaches the deghosting problem from a different perspective, providing solutions with different degrees of complexity, solutions that range from rudimentary heuristics to advanced computer vision techniques. The proposed solutions generally differ in two ways: (1) how to detect ghost regions and (2) what to do to eliminate ghosts. Some algorithms choose to completely discard moving objects giving rise to HDR images which only contain the static regions. Some other algorithms try to find the best image to use for each dynamic region. Yet others try to register moving objects from different images in the spirit of maximizing dynamic range in dynamic regions. Furthermore, each algorithm may introduce different types of artifacts as they aim to eliminate ghosts. These artifacts may come in the form of noise, broken objects, under‐ and over‐exposed regions, and residual ghosting. Given the high volume of studies conducted in this field over the recent years, a comprehensive survey of the state of the art is required. Thus, the first goal of this paper is to provide this survey. Secondly, the large number of algorithms brings about the need to classify them. Thus the second goal of this paper is to propose a taxonomy of deghosting algorithms which can be used to group existing and future algorithms into meaningful classes. Thirdly, the existence of a large number of algorithms brings about the need to evaluate their effectiveness, as each new algorithm claims to outperform its precedents. Therefore, the last goal of this paper is to share the results of a subjective experiment which aims to evaluate various state‐of‐the‐art deghosting algorithms.
State of the Art in Hand and Finger Modeling and Animation
Authors: Wheatland Nkenge , Wang Yingying , Song Huaguang , Neff Michael , Zordan Victor , Jörg Sophie
Published: June 2015

The human hand is a complex biological system able to perform numerous tasks with impressive accuracy and dexterity. Gestures furthermore play an important role in our daily interactions, and humans are particularly skilled at perceiving and interpreting detailed signals in communications. Creating believable hand motions for virtual characters is an important and challenging task. Many new methods have been proposed in the Computer Graphics community within the last years, and significant progress has been made towards creating convincing, detailed hand and finger motions. This state of the art report presents a review of the research in the area of hand and finger modeling and animation. Starting with the biological structure of the hand and its implications for how the hand moves, we discuss current methods in motion capturing hands, data‐driven and physics‐based algorithms to synthesize their motions, and techniques to make the appearance of the hand model surface more realistic. We then focus on areas in which detailed hand motions are crucial such as manipulation and communication. Our report concludes by describing emerging trends and applications for virtual hand animation.
Morse complexes for shape segmentation and homological analysis: discrete models and algorithms
Authors: De Floriani Leila , Fugacci Ulderico , Iuricich Federico , Magillo Paola
Published: June 2015

Morse theory offers a natural and mathematically‐sound tool for shape analysis and understanding. It allows studying the behavior of a scalar function defined on a manifold. Starting from a Morse function, we can decompose the domain of the function into meaningful regions associated with the critical points of the function. Such decompositions, called Morse complexes, provide a segmentation of a shape and are extensively used in terrain modeling and in scientific visualization. Discrete Morse theory, a combinatorial counterpart of smooth Morse theory defined over cell complexes, provides an excellent basis for computing Morse complexes in a robust and efficient way. Moreover, since a discrete Morse complex computed over a given complex has the same homology as the original one, but fewer cells, discrete Morse theory is a fundamental tool for efficiently detecting holes in shapes through homology and persistent homology. In this survey, we review, classify and analyze algorithms for computing and simplifying Morse complexes in the context of such applications with an emphasis on discrete Morse theory and on algorithms based on it.
Detroit's Regional Question
Authors: Indergaard Michael
Published: June 2015

Could metro dynamics, which have long eroded Detroit's economy, have changed so drastically that they now might help stabilize it? Advocates of the new regionalism contend that increasing economic interdependence within metro areas has boosted the propensity for metro scale mobilizations to address troubles of city and suburb alike. I use the case of Detroit to examine the nature of metro economic relationships and novel episodes of metro regionalism. I find the continued effect of racial segregation, in combination with other factors, has caused Detroit blacks to be more vulnerable to recent declines in manufacturing and to be less likely to benefit from recent knowledge economy investments. New forms of metro regionalism are unlikely to economically stabilize less advantaged households or municipalities in the Detroit area, but may be creating frameworks that enable more progressive mobilizations by Detroit CBOs.
10‐year prospective cohort follow‐up of immediately restored XiVE implants
Authors: Degidi Marco , Nardi Diego , Piattelli Adriano
Published: June 2015

Objective

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the ten‐year performance of the condensing thread, self‐tapping apex and internal hexagonal connection XiVE implant supporting partial fixed prostheses placed with an immediate restoration approach.

Material and methods

All patients received a fixed two‐ to four‐unit partial provisional restoration supported by immediately loaded implants. The final gold alloy/ceramic restorations were cemented approximately 28 weeks after implant insertion. Marginal bone level, pocket probing depth and percentage of bleeding on probing, biological or technical complications and any other adverse events were measured annually up to ten years after surgery. The overall success and survival rates at implant level were evaluated following the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) Pisa Consensus Conference criteria. Implant placement in post‐extractive or healed sites, smoking and a history of periodontal treatment were evaluated to assess whether they had an influence on bone resorption or on implant survival.

Results

Of 114 patients, for a total of 284 implants, fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. 78 (27.5%) implants placed in 30 (26.3%) patients were lost to follow‐up. Eight of 284 (2.8%) implants failed in 8 of 114 (7.0%) patients: one (12.5% of losses) due to failure to achieve osseointegration and seven (87.5% of losses) due to peri‐implantitis. No cluster implant failures were assessed. The failure of the implant caused the failure of the prosthesis due to the strategic position of the implant in four patients. At the final ten‐year follow‐up, 121 (61.4%) implants exhibited a “full success” status with an optimal health condition, 21 (10.9%) implants scored a “satisfactory survival” condition, while 49 (25.49%) of the implants were classified as “compromised survival” status (Misch et al. 2008). Smoking was found to be statistically associated with “implant failure” (P = 0.010), while no association was found for patients treated for periodontal disease (P = 0.679) and post‐extractive surgical sites (P = 0.664). Statistically significant more marginal bone loss was found in patients treated for periodontal disease (P < 0.0001). An increased bone loss was also observed in smokers, but the difference with the non‐smokers was not statistically significant (P = 0.06).

Conclusions

The XiVE implants can be successfully used to support immediate prosthesis. Patients with a history of periodontitis show increased bone loss and risk to develop peri‐implant disease. Smoking seems to jeopardize the long‐term implant survival.
Enjoyment of high‐intensity interval training in an overweight/obese cohort: a short report
Authors: Smith‐Ryan Abbie E.
Published: June 2015

Exercise enjoyment has been shown to be important for adherence. Minimal data exist on enjoyment of intense exercise, especially in clinical populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate enjoyment levels of overweight and obese subjects undergoing 3 weeks of high‐intensity interval training. Forty‐two generally healthy overweight and obese men and women (body mass index = 30·8 ± 4·8 kg × m−2) volunteered for this study. Exercise enjoyment was quantified using the Exercise Enjoyment Scale before and after each of nine total interval training sessions, over a three‐week period. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at the end of each interval and training session. There were no significant differences in enjoyment between training groups (P > 0·05). Exercise enjoyment improved significantly over the three‐week training phase (P < 0·05). Enjoyment levels were relatively high to begin training: mean ± SD: 4·2 ± 1·0 out of a 7 point scale. Heart rate and RPE were significantly reduced (P < 0·05) from pre‐ (day 1) to post‐training (day 9). High‐intensity interval training may be an enjoyable form of exercise for overweight and obese men and women. Enjoyment levels may continue to increase following initial introduction to this type of training. Due to the small time demand and high enjoyment, interval training may be an effective exercise approach in a sedentary population.
Alterations of the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio during the period of stable and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Taylan Mahsuk , Demir Melike , Kaya Halide , Selimoglu Sen Hadice , Abakay Ozlem , Carkanat Ali İhsan , Abakay Abdurrrahman , Tanrikulu Abdullah Cetin , Sezgi Cengizhan
Published: June 2015

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the importance of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for identifying the severity of inflammation and recognition of acute exacerbation.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 100 patients with a diagnosis of COPD exacerbation who were admitted to our clinic. Complete blood count (CBC), measurement of C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined within 2 h of hospital admission. Three months after an acute exacerbation, these measurements were obtained from the same patients during the stable period of COPD. The control group included 80 healthy subjects. NLR was calculated from CBC.

Results

NLR and other inflammatory markers, such as WBC, CRP and ESR were found to be significantly elevated in exacerbated COPD compared to stable COPD and control participants. There was a significant correlation of NLR with CRP (r = 0.415, P < 0.001), WBC (r = 0.304, P = 0.002) and ESR (r = 0.275, P = 0.035). For an NLR cutoff of 3.29, sensitivity for detecting exacerbation of COPD was 80.8% and specificity was 77.7% (AUC 0.894, P = 0.001). Some patients presenting with acute exacerbation of COPD and CRP, WBC or ESR levels lower than the optimal cut‐off value had high NLR values.

Conclusions

Elevated NLR can be used as a marker similar to CRP, WBC and ESR, in the determination of increased inflammation in acutely exacerbated COPD. NLR could be beneficial for the early detection of potential acute exacerbations in patients with COPD who have normal levels of traditional markers.
Sustained treatment with a stable long‐acting oxyntomodulin analogue improves metabolic control and islet morphology in an experimental model of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Irwin N. , Pathak V. , Pathak N. M. , Gault V. A. , Flatt P. R.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To assess the therapeutic benefits of regulatory peptides other than insulin, which have to date received limited consideration in the context of type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We assessed the effects of subchronic administration of the stable, oxyntomodulin (Oxm) analogue, (d‐Ser2)Oxm[Lys38‐γ‐glu‐PAL], for 28 days in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced insulin‐deficient diabetic mice.

Results

Twice‐daily injection with (d‐Ser2)Oxm[Lys38‐γ‐glu‐PAL] significantly countered the excessive food and fluid intake in STZ‐induced diabetic mice, and maintained normal body weight. Lean body mass was normalized, whilst fat mass was significantly increased compared with control STZ‐induced diabetic mice. In addition, circulating glucose was significantly reduced by the Oxm analogue, whilst plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations were increased and glucagon decreased by day 28. Plasma lipid profile was normalized by (d‐Ser2)Oxm[Lys38‐γ‐glu‐PAL] administration and circulating amylase was not significantly altered by induction of diabetes or Oxm analogue therapy. This was associated with significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was also significantly improved by Oxm analogue treatment. Histological examination of pancreata showed beneficial elevations of total islet and β‐cell area, associated with an increase in the number of smaller‐sized islets. Further analysis revealed enhanced islet cell proliferation relative to apoptosis in Oxm analogue‐treated mice.

Conclusion

These studies emphasize the potential of stable Oxm‐based peptides, such as (d‐Ser2)Oxm[Lys38‐γ‐glu‐PAL], as therapeutic agents for insulin‐deficient type 1 diabetes.