bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with the Solitaire FR thrombectomy device
Authors: Froehler Michael T
Published: November 2012

A young woman with factor V Leiden thrombophilia presented with headache due to thrombosis of the right transverse sinus (TS) and superior sagittal sinus. Despite appropriate anticoagulation, she experienced worsening headache, progressive neurologic deficits and spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. Endovascular therapy was therefore undertaken. A 6 mm Solitaire FR device was deployed in the TS and withdrawn in a stepwise fashion, resulting in complete recanalization of the sinus. Her headache improved and her neurologic deficits resolved. Endovascular therapy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is currently recommended only for those patients with deterioration despite appropriate anticoagulation. The thrombus burden is usually high in this subset of patients, and recanalization can be challenging with currently available endovascular techniques. This is the first report of cerebral venous sinus thrombectomy with the Solitaire FR device, which may offer another option for those patients requiring endovascular treatment.
Prehospital non-drug assisted intubation for adult trauma patients with a Glasgow Coma Score less than 9
Authors: Evans Christopher Charles Douglas , Brison Robert J , Howes Daniel , Stiell Ian G , Pickett William
Published: November 2012

Objectives

Prehospital airway management for adult trauma patients remains controversial. We sought to review the frequency that paramedic non-drug assisted intubation or attempted intubation is performed for trauma patients in Ontario, Canada, and determine its association with mortality.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Ontario Trauma Registry's Comprehensive Data Set for 2002–2009. Eligible patients were greater than 16 years of age, had an initial Glasgow Coma Score of less than 9 and were cared for by ground-based non-critical care paramedics. The primary outcome was mortality. Outcomes were compared between patients undergoing prehospital intubation versus basic airway management. Logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the association between prehospital intubation and mortality.

Results

Of the 2229 patients included in the analysis, 671 (30.1%) underwent prehospital intubation. Annual rates of prehospital intubation declined from 33.7% to 14.0% (ptrend<0.0001) over the study period. Unadjusted death rates were 66.0% versus 34.8% in the intubation and basic airway groups, respectively (p<0.0001). Intubation in the prehospital setting was associated with a heightened risk of mortality (adjusted OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 7.6).

Conclusions

Prehospital non-drug assisted intubation for trauma is being performed less frequently in Ontario, Canada. Within our study population, paramedic non-drug assisted intubation or attempted intubation was associated with a heightened risk of mortality.
A review of blood component usage in a large UK emergency department after implementation of simple measures
Authors: Kelly Sarah-Louise , Reed Matthew J , Innes Catherine J , Manson Lynn
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To review clinical indications and demographics of transfusion and the patterns of blood component ordering, transfusion, wastage and traceability, before (2007) and after (2011) implementation of simple improvement strategies.

Methods

Retrospective case note review of all patients presenting to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) Emergency Department (ED) for whom a blood component was requested and historic comparison. Improvement measures implemented between 2007 and 2011 included (1) formal staff education, (2) use of e-learning Module One Safe Transfusion Practice (traceability update, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) traceability regulations and importance of returning completed blood component tags), (3) an ED resuscitation room blood fridge, (4) introduction of a dedicated ED transfusion consultant and ED transfusion link nurse and (5) the presence of an ED consultant on the Hospital Transfusion Group.

Results

Between 1st January and 31st December 2011, blood components were requested for 255 patient episodes, totalling 1034 individual units. 687 units (66.4%) of blood component were transfused, 248 components (24.0%) were recycled, 90 components (8.7%) were discarded and nine units (0.9%) were unaccounted for. There was a 64% reduction in blood component ordering (3209 vs 1034 units), a 39% reduction in blood component transfusion (1131 vs 687 units) and a 96% reduction in unaccounted units (214 vs 9 units) between 2007 and 2011. There was a rise in the median age of the patient for whom a transfusion request was made from 63.9 years in 2007 to 67.0 years in 2011.

Conclusions

Blood component ordering, usage and traceability within the ED have improved significantly since 2007 following implementation of simple strategies. The age of ED transfusion recipients is increasing.
A novel clinical and imaging based score for predicting outcome prior to endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Fargen Kyle M , Chaudry Imran , Turner Raymond D , Bennett Jeffrey A , Turk Aquilla , Mocco J
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Outcome after stroke intervention remains disappointing, with only 30–50% of patients having a good outcome at 90 days. We sought to identify important outcome prognosticators.

Methods

All consecutive patients that presented with an acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke, with adequate CT perfusion imaging, and that underwent emergency endovascular treatment at two centers between January 1, 2009 and November 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. Investigators estimated the percentage of the total ischemic tissue that had decreased cerebral blood volume (CBV) compared with the total area with elevated time to peak (the penumbra). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify variables with prognostic significance and a scoring system was created.

Results

163 patients underwent endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Outcome data were available in 147 patients (90.2%). A good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) occurred in 64 patients (43.5%). Age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and per cent decreased CBV scores were the only variables that predicted prognosis on multivariate analyses. A score was created (NAV score—NIHSS, age, volume) that awards points based on these three factors: 2 points for an NIHSS score of ≥15, 1 point for age ≥70 years, and 1 point for decreased CBV of ≥50%. The NAV score was strongly correlated with overall outcome (p<0.01): scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were associated with 84%, 50%, 36%, 25%, and 8% chance of a good outcome at 90 days.

Conclusions

We introduced a simple three factor scoring system to help predict outcome in patients deemed candidates for intra-arterial acute ischemic stroke intervention.
Retinoic acid dependent histone 3 demethylation of the clusteredHOXgenes during neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Shahhoseini Maryam , Taghizadeh Zeinab , Hatami Maryam , Baharvand Hossein
Published: November 2012

Gene activation of HOX clusters is an early event in embryonic development. These genes are highly expressed and active in the vertebrate nervous system. Based on the presence of retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in the regulatory region of many of the HOX genes, it is deduced that retinoic acid (RA) can influence epigenetic regulation and consequently the expression pattern of HOX during RA-induced differentiation of embryonic model systems. In this investigation, the expression level as well as the epigenetic regulation of several HOX genes of the 4 A–D clusters was analyzed in human embryonic stem cells, and also through their neural induction, in the presence and absence of RA. Expression analysis data significantly showed increased mRNA levels of all examined HOX genes in the presence of RA. Epigenetic analysis of the HOX gene regulatory regions also showed a significant decrease in methylation of histone H3K27 parallel to an absolute preferential incorporation of the demethylase UTX rather than JMJD3 in RA-induced neural differentiated cells. This finding clearly showed the functional role of UTX in epigenetic alteration of HOX clusters during RA-induced neural differentiation; the activity could not be detectable for the demethylase JMJD3 during this developmental process.
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional inhibition of HMGCR and PC biosynthesis by geraniol in 2 Hep-G2 cell proliferation linked pathways
Authors: Crespo Rosana , Montero Villegas Sandra , Abba Martín C. , de Bravo Margarita G. , Polo Mónica P.
Published: November 2012

Geraniol, present in the essential oils of many aromatic plants, has in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity against several cell lines. We investigated the effects of geraniol on lipid metabolic pathways involved in Hep-G2 cell proliferation and found that geraniol inhibits the mevalonate pathway, phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, cell growth, and cell cycle progression (with an arrest occurring at the G0/G1 interphase) and increases apoptosis. The expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, was inhibited at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, as assessed by real-time RT–PCR, Western blots, and [14C]HMG-CoA-conversion radioactivity assays. That geraniol decreased cholesterogenesis but increased the incorporation of [14C]acetate into other nonsaponifiable metabolites indicated the existence of a second control point between squalene and cholesterol involved in redirecting the flow of cholesterol-derived carbon toward other metabolites of the mevalonate pathway. That exogenous mevalonate failed to restore growth in geraniol-inhibited cells suggests that, in addition to the inhibition of HMGCR, other dose-dependent actions exist through which geraniol can impact the mevalonate pathway and consequently inhibit cell proliferation. These results suggest that geraniol, a nontoxic compound found in many fruits and herbs, exhibits notable potential as a natural agent for combatting cancer and (or) cardiovascular diseases.
A methodology for investigating trends in changes in the timing of the fire season with applications to lightning-caused forest fires in Alberta and Ontario, Canada
Authors: Albert-Green Alisha , Dean C.B. , Martell David L. , Woolford Douglas G.
Published: November 2012

Lightning-caused fires account for approximately 45% of ignitions and 80% of area burned by forest fires in Canada. Investigating the seasonality of these fires and the extent to which it may be changing over time is of interest to both fire managers and researchers. In this project, we develop flexible models for describing the temporal variation in the risk of lightning-caused fires. Generalized additive models are first used to obtain smooth estimates of fire risk by Julian day for each year. Inverse calculations are then employed to obtain point and interval estimates of the start and end of the fire season annually; these are defined by the crossing of fire risk thresholds. Finally, permutation-based methods are used to test for significant linear trends in the start and end of the fire season. This methodology is applied to historical forest fire records in Alberta, Canada, and the western and eastern subregions of Ontario, Canada. Our results suggest significant changes to both the start and end of the fire season in Alberta and a significant change to the end of the fire season in western and eastern Ontario.
PRESENCE OF ANISOTROPIC PRESSURES IN LEMAÎTRE–TOLMAN–BONDI COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
Authors: DEL CAMPO SERGIO , CÁRDENAS VÍCTOR H. , HERRERA RAMÓN
Published: November 2012

We describe Lemaître–Tolman–Bondi cosmological models where an anisotropic pressure is considered. By using recent astronomical observations coming from supernova of Ia types, we constraint the values of the parameters that characterize our models.
A REVIEW OF WAVELET-BASED EDGE DETECTION METHODS
Authors: WANG P. S. P. , YANG JIANWEI
Published: November 2012

Edges are prominent features in images. The detection and analysis of edges are key issues in image processing, computer vision and pattern recognition. Wavelet provides a powerful tool to analyze the local regularity of signals. Wavelet transform has been successfully applied to the analysis and detection of edges. A great number of wavelet-based edge detection methods have been proposed over the past years. The objective of this paper is to give a brief review of these methods, and encourage the research of this topic. In practice, an image is usually of multistructure edge, the identification of different edges, such as steps, curves and junctions play an important role in pattern recognition. In this paper, more attention is paid on the identification of different types of edges. We present the main idea and the properties of these methods.
SYSTEMATIC DIRAC ANALYSES OF PROTON INELASTIC SCATTERINGS FROM AXIALLY SYMMETRIC DEFORMED NUCLEI
Authors: SHIM SUGIE , KIM MOON-WON
Published: November 2012

Relativistic Dirac coupled channel analyses using optical potential model are performed for the 800 MeV proton inelastic scatterings from 26 Mg and the results are compared with those from several other axially symmetric deformed nuclei for the systematic Dirac analyses. Employing scalar-vector model, scalar and time-like vector optical potentials in Lorentz covariant form are calculated phenomenologically by solving Dirac coupled channel equations using sequential iteration method. Dirac equations are reduced to second-order differential equations to obtain Schrödinger equivalent effective central and spin-orbit optical potentials and it is found that the heavier deformed nucleus has the larger effective central potential strength. Using the first-order rotational collective model to describe the low-lying excited states of ground state rotational band in the deformed nuclei, deformation parameters for the excited states are calculated and it is observed that the lighter deformed nucleus has the larger deformation parameter for the lowest lying excited 2+ state at the 800 MeV proton inelastic scattering, indicating the stronger coupling to the ground state compared to that of heavier nucleus.
LASER INDUCED SURFACE PROCESSING WITH GOLD NANOPARTICLE ARRAYS EMBEDDED IN A TRANSPARENT MATRIX
Authors: ASKARI ALI ASGHAR , BAHRAMPOUR ALI REZA
Published: November 2012

Gold nanoparticles are widely used as high efficient photon–thermal energy converters in a broad range of applications. This paper presents a theoretical investigation on using the optothermal properties of gold nanoparticle arrays to generate nanoscale molten and rubbery regions on the surface of an amorphous polymeric film. Nanoparticles are assumed to be embedded in a transparent silica layer and illuminated with a 7.5 ns pulsed laser at 532 nm. Simulation results are presented for systems with single gold nanoparticles, dimers and chains. Both electromagnetic and thermal interaction between nanoparticles are found to be important factors in determining the result of surface processing. This effect allows us to control the shape and spatial characteristics of the phase transmitted regions with various parameters such as particles size, incident light fluence, polarization and direction, interparticle distance and chain length.
EQUIVALENT UNIFORM DOSE SENSITIVITY TO CHANGES IN ABSORBED DOSE DISTRIBUTION
Authors: CUTANDA-HENRÍQUEZ FRANCISCO , VARGAS-CASTRILLÓN SILVIA
Published: November 2012

Treatment planning in external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) utilizes dose volume histograms (DVHs) as optimization and evaluation tools. They present the fraction of planning target volume (PTV) receiving more than a given absorbed dose, against the absorbed dose values, and a number of radiobiological indices can be computed with their help. Equivalent uniform dose (EUD) is the absorbed dose that, uniformly imparted, would yield the same biological effect on a tumor as the dose distribution described by the DVH. Uncertainty and missing information can affect the dose distribution, therefore DVHs can be modeled as samples from a set of possible outcomes. This work studies the sensitivity of the EUD index when a small change in absorbed dose distribution takes place. EUD is treated as a functional on the set of DVHs. Defining a Lévy distance on this set and using a suitable expansion of the functional, a very simple expression for a bound on the variation of EUD when the dose distribution changes is found. This bound is easily interpreted in terms of standard treatment planning practice.
Stability Diagrams of Single-Common-Gate Double-Dot Single-Electron Transistors with Arbitrary Junction and Gate Capacitances
Authors: Imai Shigeru , Kato Hiroki , Hiraoka Yasuhiro
Published: November 2012

Stability diagrams of single-common-gate double-dot single-electron transistors are drawn in the V
g–V plane using the exact formulas that represent Coulomb blockade conditions, where the gate, source, and drain voltages are V
g, -V/2, and V/2, respectively. The stability regions are arranged along the V
g axis with no overlap. If gate capacitances C
g1 and C
g2 satisfy C
g1/m
1 = C
g2/m
2 = C
0, the stability diagram is periodic with the period of e/C
0 along the V
g axis, where m
1 and m
2 are natural numbers prime to each other. The stability diagram is point-symmetrical with respect to the point (m
e/2C
0, 0) for all integers m. If V
g increases at V = 0, electrons are transferred into the islands under a rule, which can be explained in terms of periodicity and symmetry. The detailed features are described for the cases of uniform gate capacitances and uniform junction capacitances.
Digital reconstruction of halftoned color comics
Authors: Kopf Johannes , Lischinski Dani
Published: November 2012

We introduce a method for automated conversion of scanned color comic books and graphical novels into a new high-fidelity rescalable digital representation. Since crisp black line artwork and lettering are the most important structural and stylistic elements in this important genre of color illustrations, our digitization process is geared towards faithful reconstruction of these elements. This is a challenging task, because commercial presses perform halftoning (screening) to approximate continuous tones and colors with overlapping grids of dots. Although a large number of inverse haftoning (descreening) methods exist, they typically blur the intricate black artwork. Our approach is specifically designed to descreen color comics, which typically reproduce color using screened CMY inks, but print the black artwork using non-screened solid black ink. After separating the scanned image into three screening grids, one for each of the CMY process inks, we use non-linear optimization to fit a parametric model describing each grid, and simultaneously recover the non-screened black ink layer, which is then vectorized. The result of this process is a high quality, compact, and rescalable digital representation of the original artwork.
Material memex
Authors: Jain Arjun , Thormählen Thorsten , Ritschel Tobias , Seidel Hans-Peter
Published: November 2012

The material found on 3D objects and their parts in our everyday surroundings is highly correlated with the geometric shape of the parts and their relation to other parts of the same object. This work proposes to model this context-dependent correlation by learning it from a database containing several hundreds of objects and their materials. Given a part-based 3D object without materials, the learned model can be used to fully automatically assign plausible material parameters, including diffuse color, specularity, gloss, and transparency. Further, we propose a user interface that provides material suggestions. This user-interface can be used, for example, to refine the automatic suggestion. Once a refinement has been made, the model incorporates this information, and the automatic assignment is incrementally improved. Results are given for objects with different numbers of parts and with different topological complexity. A user study validates that our method significantly simplifies and accelerates the material assignment task compared to other approaches.
Interactive bi-scale editing of highly glossy materials
Authors: Iwasaki Kei , Dobashi Yoshinori , Nishita Tomoyuki
Published: November 2012

We present a new technique for bi-scale material editing using Spherical Gaussians (SGs). To represent large-scale appearances, an effective BRDF that is the average reflectance of small-scale details is used. The effective BRDF is calculated from the integral of the product of the Bidirectional Visible Normal Distribution (BVNDF) and BRDFs of small-scale geometry. Our method represents the BVNDF with a sum of SGs, which can be calculated on-the-fly, enabling interactive editing of small-scale geometry. By representing small-scale BRDFs with a sum of SGs, effective BRDFs can be calculated analytically by convolving the SGs for BVNDF and BRDF. We propose a new SG representation based on convolution of two SGs, which allows real-time rendering of effective BRDFs under all-frequency environment lighting and real-time editing of small-scale BRDFs. In contrast to the previous method, our method does not require extensive precomputation time and large volume of precomputed data per single BRDF, which makes it possible to implement our method on a GPU, resulting in real-time rendering.
Falling and landing motion control for character animation
Authors: Ha Sehoon , Ye Yuting , Liu C. Karen
Published: November 2012

We introduce a new method to generate agile and natural human landing motions in real-time via physical simulation without using any mocap or pre-scripted sequences. We develop a general controller that allows the character to fall from a wide range of heights and initial speeds, continuously roll on the ground, and get back on its feet, without inducing large stress on joints at any moment. The character's motion is generated through a forward simulator and a control algorithm that consists of an airborne phase and a landing phase. During the airborne phase, the character optimizes its moment of inertia to meet the ideal relation between the landing velocity and the angle of attack, under the laws of conservation of momentum. The landing phase can be divided into three stages: impact, rolling, and getting-up. To reduce joint stress at landing, the character leverages contact forces to control linear momentum and angular momentum, resulting in a rolling motion which distributes impact over multiple body parts. We demonstrate that our control algorithm can be applied to a variety of initial conditions with different falling heights, orientations, and linear and angular velocities. Simulated results show that our algorithm can effectively create realistic action sequences comparable to real world footage of experienced freerunners.
Sculpting by numbers
Authors: Rivers Alec , Adams Andrew , Durand Frédo
Published: November 2012

We propose a method that allows an unskilled user to create an accurate physical replica of a digital 3D model. We use a projector/camera pair to scan a work in progress, and project multiple forms of guidance onto the object itself that indicate which areas need more material, which need less, and where any ridges, valleys or depth discontinuities are. The user adjusts the model using the guidance and iterates, making the shape of the physical object approach that of the target 3D model over time. We show how this approach can be used to create a duplicate of an existing object, by scanning the object and using that scan as the target shape. The user is free to make the reproduction at a different scale and out of different materials: we turn a toy car into cake. We extend the technique to support replicating a sequence of models to create stop-motion video. We demonstrate an end-to-end system in which real-world performance capture data is retargeted to claymation. Our approach allows users to easily and accurately create complex shapes, and naturally supports a large range of materials and model sizes.
Active co-analysis of a set of shapes
Authors: Wang Yunhai , Asafi Shmulik , van Kaick Oliver , Zhang Hao , Cohen-Or Daniel , Chen Baoquan
Published: November 2012

Unsupervised co-analysis of a set of shapes is a difficult problem since the geometry of the shapes alone cannot always fully describe the semantics of the shape parts. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised learning method where the user actively assists in the co-analysis by iteratively providing inputs that progressively constrain the system. We introduce a novel constrained clustering method based on a spring system which embeds elements to better respect their inter-distances in feature space together with the user-given set of constraints. We also present an active learning method that suggests to the user where his input is likely to be the most effective in refining the results. We show that each single pair of constraints affects many relations across the set. Thus, the method requires only a sparse set of constraints to quickly converge toward a consistent and error-free semantic labeling of the set.
Design-driven quadrangulation of closed 3D curves
Authors: Bessmeltsev Mikhail , Wang Caoyu , Sheffer Alla , Singh Karan
Published: November 2012

We propose a novel, design-driven, approach to quadrangulation of closed 3D curves created by sketch-based or other curve modeling systems. Unlike the multitude of approaches for quad-remeshing of existing surfaces, we rely solely on the input curves to both conceive and construct the quad-mesh of an artist imagined surface bounded by them. We observe that viewers complete the intended shape by envisioning a dense network of smooth, gradually changing,flow-linesthat interpolates the input curves. Components of the network bridge pairs of input curve segments with similar orientation and shape. Our algorithm mimics this behavior. It first segments the input closed curves into pairs ofmatchingsegments, defining dominant flow line sequences across the surface. It then interpolates the input curves by a network of quadrilateral cycles whose iso-lines define the desired flow line network. We proceed to interpolate these networks with all-quad meshes that convey designer intent. We evaluate our results by showing convincing quadrangulations of complex and diverse curve networks with concave, non-planar cycles, and validate our approach by comparing our results to artist generated interpolating meshes.
A path space extension for robust light transport simulation
Authors: Hachisuka Toshiya , Pantaleoni Jacopo , Jensen Henrik Wann
Published: November 2012

We present a new sampling space for light transport paths that makes it possible to describe Monte Carlo path integration and photon density estimation in the same framework. A key contribution of our paper is the introduction of vertex perturbations, which extends the space of paths with loosely coupled connections. The new framework enables the computation of path probabilities in the same space under the same measure, which allows us to use multiple importance sampling to combine Monte Carlo path integration and photon density estimation. The resulting algorithm,
unified path sampling
, can robustly render complex combinations and glossy surfaces and caustics that are problematic for existing light transport simulation methods.
Practical Hessian-based error control for irradiance caching
Authors: Schwarzhaupt Jorge , Jensen Henrik Wann , Jarosz Wojciech
Published: November 2012

This paper introduces a new error metric for irradiance caching that significantly outperforms the classic Split-Sphere heuristic. Our new error metric builds on recent work using second order gradients (Hessians) as a principled error bound for the irradiance. We add occlusion information to the Hessian computation, which greatly improves the accuracy of the Hessian in complex scenes, and this makes it possible for the first time to use a radiometric error metric for irradiance caching. We enhance the metric making it based on the relative error in the irradiance as well as robust in the presence of black occluders. The resulting error metric is efficient to compute, numerically robust, supports elliptical error bounds and arbitrary hemispherical sample distributions, and unlike the Split-Sphere heuristic it is not necessary to arbitrarily clamp the computed error thresholds. Our results demonstrate that the new error metric outperforms existing error metrics based on the Split-Sphere model and occlusion-unaware Hessians.
Calibrated image appearance reproduction
Authors: Reinhard Erik , Pouli Tania , Kunkel Timo , Long Ben , Ballestad Anders , Damberg Gerwin
Published: November 2012

Managing the appearance of images across different display environments is a difficult problem, exacerbated by the proliferation of high dynamic range imaging technologies. Tone reproduction is often limited to luminance adjustment and is rarely calibrated against psychophysical data, while color appearance modeling addresses color reproduction in a calibrated manner, albeit over a limited luminance range. Only a few image appearance models bridge the gap, borrowing ideas from both areas. Our take on scene reproduction reduces computational complexity with respect to the state-of-the-art, and adds a spatially varying model of lightness perception. The predictive capabilities of the model are validated against all psychophysical data known to us, and visual comparisons show accurate and robust reproduction for challenging high dynamic range scenes.
Coherent intrinsic images from photo collections
Authors: Laffont Pierre-Yves , Bousseau Adrien , Paris Sylvain , Durand Frédo , Drettakis George
Published: November 2012

An intrinsic image is a decomposition of a photo into an illumination layer and a reflectance layer, which enables powerful editing such as the alteration of an object's material independently of its illumination. However, decomposing a single photo is highly under-constrained and existing methods require user assistance or handle only simple scenes. In this paper, we compute intrinsic decompositions using several images of the same scene under different viewpoints and lighting conditions. We use multi-view stereo to automatically reconstruct 3D points and normals from which we derive relationships between reflectance values at different locations, across multiple views and consequently different lighting conditions. We use robust estimation to reliably identify reflectance ratios between pairs of points. From these, we infer constraints for our optimization and enforce a coherent solution across multiple views and illuminations. Our results demonstrate that this constrained optimization yields high-quality and coherent intrinsic decompositions of complex scenes. We illustrate how these decompositions can be used for image-based illumination transfer and transitions between views with consistent lighting.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonizes pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Koga Kiyokazu , Kenessey Agnes , Ojamaa Kaie
Published: November 2012

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) functions as a proinflammatory cytokine when secreted from the cell, but it also exhibits antioxidant properties by virtue of its intrinsic oxidoreductase activity. Since increased production of ROS is implicated in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, we hypothesized that the redox activity of MIF protects the myocardium when exposed to hemodynamic stress. In a mouse model of myocardial hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic coarctation (TAC) for 10 days, we showed that growth of the MIF-deficient heart was significantly greater by 32% compared with wild-type (WT) TAC hearts and that fibrosis was increased by fourfold (2.62 ± 0.2% vs. 0.6 ± 0.1%). Circulating MIF was increased in TAC animals, and expression of MIF receptor, CD74, was increased in the hypertrophic myocardium. Gene expression analysis showed a 10-fold increase ( P < 0.01) in ROS-generating mitochondrial NADPH oxidase and 2- to 3-fold reductions ( P < 0.01) in mitochondrial SOD2 and mitochondrial aconitase activities, indicating enhanced oxidative injury in the hypertrophied MIF-deficient ventricle. Hypertrophic signaling pathways showed that phosphorylation of cytosolic glycogen synthase kinase-3α was greater ( P < 0.05) at baseline in MIF-deficient hearts than in WT hearts and remained elevated after 10-day TAC. In the hemodynamically stressed MIF-deficient heart, nuclear p21CIP1 increased sevenfold ( P < 0.01), and the cytosolic increase of phospho-p21CIP1 was significantly greater than in WT TAC hearts. We conclude that MIF antagonizes myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in response to hemodynamic stress by maintaining a redox homeostatic phenotype and attenuating stress-induced activation of hypertrophic signaling pathways.
(−)-Epicatechin administration and exercising skeletal muscle vascular control and microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats
Authors: Copp Steven W. , Inagaki Tadakatsu , White Michael J. , Hirai Daniel M. , Ferguson Scott K. , Holdsworth Clark T. , Sims Gabrielle E. , Poole David C. , Musch Timothy I.
Published: November 2012

Consumption of the dietary flavanol (−)-epicatechin (EPI) is associated with enhanced endothelial function and augmented skeletal muscle capillarity and mitochondrial volume density. The potential for EPI to improve peripheral vascular function and muscle oxygenation during exercise is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that EPI administration in healthy rats would improve treadmill exercise performance secondary to elevated skeletal muscle blood flow and vascular conductance [VC, blood flow/mean arterial pressure (MAP)] and improved skeletal muscle microvascular oxygenation. Rats received water (control, n = 12) or 4 mg/kg EPI ( n = 12) via oral gavage daily for 24 days. Exercise endurance capacity and peak O2 uptake (V̇o2 peak) were measured via treadmill runs to exhaustion. MAP (arterial catheter) and blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres) were measured and VC was calculated during submaximal treadmill exercise (25 m/min, 5% grade). Spinotrapezius muscle microvascular O2 pressure (Po2mv) was measured (phosphorescence quenching) during electrically induced twitch (1 Hz) contractions. In conscious rats, EPI administration resulted in lower (↓∼5%) resting ( P = 0.03) and exercising ( P = 0.04) MAP. There were no differences in exercise endurance capacity, V̇o2 peak, total exercising hindlimb blood flow (control, 154 ± 13; and EPI, 159 ± 8 ml·min−1·100 g−1, P = 0.68), or VC (control, 1.13 ± 0.10; and EPI, 1.24 ± 0.08 ml·min−1·100 g−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.21) between groups. Following anesthesia, EPI resulted in lower MAP (↓∼16%) but did not impact resting Po2mv or any kinetics parameters ( P > 0.05 for all) during muscle contractions compared with control. EPI administration (4 mg·kg−1·day−1) improved modestly cardiovascular function (i.e., ↓MAP) with no impact on exercise performance, total exercising skeletal muscle blood flow and VC, or contracting muscle microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats.
Wnt5a inhibits hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation by downregulation of β-catenin
Authors: Yu Xiao-Min , Wang Lei , Li Ji-Feng , Liu Jie , Li Jing , Wang Wang , Wang Jun , Wang Chen
Published: November 2012

Chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPH) is closely associated with profound vascular remodeling, especially pulmonary arterial medial hypertrophy and muscularization due to hyperplasia of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Aberrant Wnt signaling has been associated with lung diseases, but its role in pulmonary hypertension is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of Wnt5a on hypoxia-induced proliferation of human PASMCs and its possible mechanism. The results show that hypoxia (3% O2, 48 h) induced proliferation of human PASMCs, accompanied with a significant decrease in Wnt5a gene expression, increase in β-catenin and Cyclin D1 expression, as well as β-catenin nuclear translocation. Treatment with recombinant mouse Wnt5a significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation of human PASMCs, upregulation of Cyclin D1 and β-catenin expression, as well as the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. These effects were inhibited by Wnt5a antibody. Knocking down β-catenin or Cyclin D1 gene expression inhibited hypoxia-induced human PASMC proliferation, whereas overexpression of β-catenin increased hypoxia-induced human PASMC proliferation and counteracted the inhibitory effect of Wnt5a. These results suggest that Wnt5a has an antiproliferative effect on hypoxia-induced human PASMC proliferation by downregulation of β-catenin and its target gene Cyclin D1. Hypoxia-induced downregulation of Wnt5a may be a way to facilitate hypoxia-induced human PASMC proliferation. The results of this study will help to understand the novel strategies for PH treatment involving Wnt signaling.
Adenosine A2A receptor modulates vascular response in soluble epoxide hydrolase-null mice through CYP-epoxygenases and PPARγ
Authors: Nayeem Mohammed A. , Pradhan Isha , Mustafa S. Jamal , Morisseau Christophe , Falck John R. , Zeldin Darryl C.
Published: November 2012

The interaction between adenosine and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) in vascular response is not known. Therefore, we hypothesized that lack of sEH in mice enhances adenosine-induced relaxation through A2A adenosine receptors (AR) via CYP-epoxygenases and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). sEH−/− showed an increase in A2A AR, CYP2J, and PPARγ by 31%, 65%, and 36%, respectively, and a decrease in A1AR and PPARα (30% and 27%, respectively) vs. sEH+/+. 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, an adenosine receptor agonist), CGS 21680 (A2A AR-agonist), and GW 7647 (PPARα-agonist)-induced responses were tested with nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (NO-inhibitor; 10−4 M), ZM-241385, SCH-58261 (A2A AR-antagonists; 10−6 M), 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid (14,15-EEZE, an epoxyeicosatrienoic acid-antagonist; 10−5 M), 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido) dodecanoic acid (AUDA; 10 μM) or trans-4-[4-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid ( t-AUCB, sEH-inhibitors; 10−5 M), and T0070907 (PPARγ-antagonist; 10−7 M). In sEH−/− mice, ACh response was not different from sEH+/+ ( P > 0.05), and l-NAME blocked ACh-responses in both sEH−/− and sEH+/+ mice ( P < 0.05). NECA (10−6 M)-induced relaxation was higher in sEH−/− (+12.94 ± 3.2%) vs. sEH+/+ mice (−5.35 ± 5.2%); however, it was blocked by ZM-241385 (−22.42 ± 1.9%) and SCH-58261(−30.04 ± 4.2%). CGS-21680 (10−6 M)-induced relaxation was higher in sEH−/− (+37.4 ± 5.4%) vs. sEH+/+ (+2.14 ± 2.8%). l-NAME (sEH−/−, +30.28 ± 4.8%, P > 0.05) did not block CGS-21680-induced response, whereas 14,15-EEZE (−7.1 ± 3.7%, P < 0.05) did. Also, AUDA and t-AUCB did not change CGS-21680-induced response in sEH−/− ( P > 0.05), but reversed in sEH+/+ (from +2.14 ± 2.8% to +45.33 ± 4.1%, and +63.37 ± 7.2, respectively). PPARα-agonist did not relax as CGS 21680 (−2.48 ± 1.1 vs. +37.4 ± 5.4%) in sEH−/−, and PPARγ-antagonist blocked (from +37.4 ± 5.4% to +9.40 ± 3.1) CGS 21680-induced relaxation in sEH−/−. Our data suggest that adenosine-induced relaxation in sEH−/− may depend on the upregulation of A2A AR, CYP2J, and PPARγ, and the downregulation of A1 AR and PPARα.
Roles for substance P and gastrin-releasing peptide as neurotransmitters released by primary afferent pruriceptors
Authors: Akiyama Tasuku , Tominaga Mitsutoshi , Davoodi Auva , Nagamine Masaki , Blansit Kevin , Horwitz Alexander , Carstens Mirela Iodi , Carstens E.
Published: November 2012

Recent studies support roles for neurokinin-1 (NK-1) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor-expressing spinal neurons in itch. We presently investigated expression of substance P (SP) and GRP in pruritogen-responsive primary sensory neurons and roles for these neuropeptides in itch signaling. Responses of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells to various pruritogens were observed by calcium imaging. DRG cells were then processed for SP, GRP, and isolectin B-4 (IB4; a marker for nonpeptidergic neurons) immunofluorescence. Of pruritogen-responsive DRG cells, 11.8–26.8%, 21.8–40.0%, and 21.4–26.8% were immunopositive for SP, GRP, and IB4, respectively. In behavioral studies, both systemic and intrathecal administration of a NK-1 receptor antagonist significantly attenuated scratching evoked by chloroquine and a protease-activated receptor 2 agonist, SLIGRL, but not histamine, bovine adrenal medulla peptide 8-22 (BAM8-22), or serotonin. Systemic or intrathecal administration of a GRP receptor antagonist attenuated scratching evoked by chloroquine and SLIGRL but not BAM8-22 or histamine. The GRP receptor antagonist enhanced scratching evoked by serotonin. These results indicate that SP and GRP expressed in primary sensory neurons are partially involved as neurotransmitters in histamine-independent itch signaling from the skin to the spinal cord.
Conductometric Studies of Thermodynamics of Complexation of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ Cations with Aza-18-crown-6 in Binary Acetonitrile-Methanol Mixtures
Authors: Taghdiri Mehdi , Payehghadr Mahmood , Behjatmanesh-Ardakani Reza , Gha'ari Homa
Published: November 2012

The complexation reactions between aza-18-crown-6 (A18C6) and Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ ions were studied conductometrically in different acetonitrile-methanol mixtures at various temperatures. The formation constants of the resulting 1 : 1 complexes were calculated from the computer fitting of the molar conductance-mole ratio data at different temperatures. Selectivity of A18C6 for Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ cations is sensitive to the solvent composition. At 20°C and in acetonitrile solvent, the stability of the resulting complexes varied in the order but the order was reversed byadding 20% methanol. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the complexation reactions were evaluated from the temperature dependence of formation constants. It was found that the stability of the resulting complexes decreased with increasing methanol in the solvent mixture. The TΔS° versus ΔH° plot of thermodynamic data obtained shows a fairly good linear correlation indicating the existence of enthalpy-entropy compensation in the complexation reactions. In addition, binding energies of Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ complexes with A18C6 were calculated at B3LYP/6-31G level of theory.
Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells: Friends or Foes—Role in Airway Allergic Inflammation and Asthma
Authors: Pishdadian Abbas , Varasteh Abdol-Reza , Sankian Mojtaba
Published: November 2012

Innate-like lymphocytes (ILLs) and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are two newly characterized families of lymphocytes with limited and no rearranged antigen receptors, respectively. These soldiers provide a first line of defense against foreign insults by triggering a prompt innate immune response and bridging the gap of innate and adaptive immunity. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs2) are newly identified members of the ILC family that play a key role in type 2 immune responses by prompt production of type 2 cytokines (especially IL-5 and IL-13) in response to antigen-induced IL-25/33 and by recruiting type 2 “immune franchise.” Regarding the two different roles of type 2 cytokines, helminth expulsion and type 2-related diseases, here we review the latest advances in ILC2 biology and examine the pivotal role of resident ILCs2 in allergen-specific airway inflammation and asthma.
On a Class of Abstract Time‐Fractional Equations on Locally Convex Spaces
Authors: Kostić Marko , Li Cheng-Gang , Li Miao
Published: November 2012

This paper is devoted to the study of abstract time‐fractional equations of the following form:
, t > 0, u(k)(0) = uk, k = 0, …, ⌈αn⌉ − 1, where n ∈ ℕ∖{1}, A and A1, …, An−1 are closed linear operators on a sequentially complete locally convex space E, 0 ≤ α1 < ⋯ < αn, 0 ≤ α < αn, f(t) is an E‐valued function, and denotes the Caputo fractional derivative of order α (Bazhlekova (2001)). We introduce and systematically analyze various classes of k‐regularized (C1, C2)‐existence and uniqueness (propagation) families, continuing in such a way the researches raised in (de Laubenfels (1999, 1991), Kostić (Preprint), and Xiao and Liang (2003, 2002). The obtained results are illustrated with several examples.
Biomarker Identification Using Text Mining
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Chunmei
Published: November 2012

Identifying molecular biomarkers has become one of the important tasks for scientists to assess the different phenotypic states of cells or organisms correlated to the genotypes of diseases from large-scale biological data. In this paper, we proposed a text-mining-based method to discover biomarkers from PubMed. First, we construct a database based on a dictionary, and then we used a finite state machine to identify the biomarkers. Our method of text mining provides a highly reliable approach to discover the biomarkers in the PubMed database.
Novel Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration Implementation of K-Means Clustering on FPGAs: Comparative Results with GPPs and GPUs
Authors: Hussain Hanaa M. , Benkrid Khaled , Ebrahim Ali , Erdogan Ahmet T. , Seker Huseyin
Published: November 2012

K-means clustering has been widely used in processing large datasets in many fields of studies. Advancement in many data collection techniques has been generating enormous amounts of data, leaving scientists with the challenging task of processing them. Using General Purpose Processors (GPPs) to process large datasets may take a long time; therefore many acceleration methods have been proposed in the literature to speed up the processing of such large datasets. In this work, a parameterized implementation of the K-means clustering algorithm in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is presented and compared with previous FPGA implementation as well as recent implementations on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and GPPs. The proposed FPGA has higher performance in terms of speedup over previous GPP and GPU implementations (two orders and one order of magnitude, resp.). In addition, the FPGA implementation is more energy efficient than GPP and GPU (615x and 31x, resp.). Furthermore, three novel implementations of the K-means clustering based on dynamic partial reconfiguration (DPR) are presented offering high degree of flexibility to dynamically reconfigure the FPGA. The DPR implementations achieved speedups in reconfiguration time between 4x to 15x.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with Primary Parvovirus B19 Infection in an HIV-1-Infected Patient
Authors: Bucher Praz Caroline , Dessimoz Cédric , Bally Frank , Reymond Sitthided , Troillet Nicolas
Published: November 2012

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection has rarely been reported as responsible for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We present the case of a 63-year-old man with AIDS who presented with rapidly progressing weakness of his inferior limbs and a newly appeared pancytopenia. CSF examination and electromyography were characteristic for GBS. Very high CSF and serum B19V DNA concentrations were present, in the absence of IgG or IgM against B19V. The neurologic and hematologic abnormalities improved after a 5-day course of i.v. immunoglobulins in parallel with a dramatic decrease in the B19V viral load.