bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An effective multifocus image fusion method using guided filter
Authors: Geng Peng , Liu Jianhua
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The more precise decision map is important to generate better-fused image. Guided filter can preserve edge information effectively. The purpose of his study is to use guided filter to form the precise decision map and highly informatively fused image.

Design/methodology/approach

The dual tree complex wavelet transform is adopted to decompose the source images into high frequency and low frequency coefficients. Sum of modified Laplacian method is introduced as the focus metric in dual tree complex wavelet coefficients. The guided filter is guided by the dual tree complex wavelet coefficient when the sum of modified Laplacian is used as the input image. The output image of guided filter is used to produce the decision map to fuse dual tree complex wavelet coefficient of source images.

Findings

The sum of modified Laplacian of dual tree complex wavelet coefficient can be used as the guided image in guided filter to generate better decision map. Comparison with the other state-of-the-art methods illustrates that the proposed approach is more effective in fusing the multifocus images both visual performance and objective evaluation.

Originality/value

The sum of modified Laplacian of dual tree complex wavelet coefficient is introduced to be used as the guided image in guided filter to generate better decision map. This method is fast and effect to fuse the source images. Comparison with the other state-of-the-art methods illustrates that the proposed approach is more effective in fusing the multifocus images both visual performance and objective evaluation.
Radar and vision fusion for the real-time obstacle detection and identification
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Zhou Mo , Qiu Peng , Huang Yi , Li Jun
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the presentation and research of a novel sensor fusion-based system for obstacle detection and identification, which uses the millimeter-wave radar to detect the position and velocity of the obstacle. Afterwards, the image processing module uses the bounding box regression algorithm in deep learning to precisely locate and identify the obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike the traditional algorithms that use radar and vision to detect obstacles separately, the purposed method of this paper uses radar to determine the approximate location of obstacles and then uses bounding box regression to achieve accurate positioning and recognition. First, the information of the obstacles can be acquired by the millimeter-wave radar, and the effective target is extracted by filtering the data. Then, use coordinate system conversion and camera parameter calibration to project the effective target to the image plane, and generate the region of interest (ROI). Finally, based on image processing and machine learning techniques, the vehicle targets in the ROI are detected and tracked.

Findings

The millimeter wave is used to determine the presence of an obstacle, and the deep learning algorithm of the image is combined to determine the shape and the class of the obstacle. The experimental results indicate that the detection rate of this method is up to 91.6 per cent, which can better implement the perception of the environment in front of the vehicle.

Originality/value

The originality is based on the combination of millimeter-wave sensors and deep learning. Using the bounding box regression algorithm in RCNN, the ROI detected by radar is analyzed to realize real-time obstacle detection and recognition. This method does not require processing the entire image, greatly reducing the amount of data processing and improving the efficiency of the algorithm.
Research trends in flipped classroom empirical evidence from 2017 to 2018
Authors: Zainuddin Zamzami , Zhang Yin , Li Xiuhan , Chu Samuel Kai Wah , Idris Saifullah , Keumala Cut Muftia
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the trends and contents of flipped classroom research based on 48 selected empirical articles published during 2017 and 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The inductive content analysis was used as a methodology to investigate the content of flipped classroom research, including subject-specific areas, methodological approaches, technology tools or platforms, the most frequently used trending searches, countries of research, positive impacts and challenges.

Findings

The results of the analysis were interpreted using descriptive analysis, percentages and frequencies. This analysis found that various subjects were implemented in flipped classroom learning, and some technological tools were also used to enhance teaching and learning. Analysis of the impact revealed that the flipped classroom yielded positive learning outcomes on students’ learning activities such as learning motivation and engagement, social interaction and self-directed learning skills. Meanwhile, the most significant challenges encountered by the instructor were the lack of students’ motivation to watch pre-recorded video lectures or to study the contents outside of the class time.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the flipped classroom concept might be effective in promoting twenty-first-century learning skills and developing the technology and information literacy competency based on national standards.
Online disclosure practices of halal-friendly hotels
Authors: Muharam Ikram Nur , Asutay Mehmet
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This research analyses the online disclosure practices of halal-friendly hotels, denoting their service provision within “halal” expectancies. This study aims to discover the halal attributes commonly used in the online marketing practices of halal-friendly hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods used in this study include a deductive approach through literature, which was then followed by an initial investigation of several random samples that produced 24 points of halal-friendly attributes, and then content analysis to find out the online disclosure practices of 55 halal-friendly hotels. Further insights gathered through analysis of the use of Islamic images and symbols; also, by examining the nexus between the disclosure level and other variables such as halal-friendly certification level, star-level and guest ratings.

Findings

The results show that most hotels classify themselves as halal-friendly by providing information that articulates Islamic identity or by informing the existence of prayer facilities. Information displayed includes halal food, halal places, alcohol-free policy, prayer facilities and Qibla direction. Furthermore, image analysis shows that almost all hotels use human photographs, and the preferred gender is male; only a few hotels expose Islamic symbols. Most hotels maintain a neutral impression by avoiding “Islamised gender” and not overly emphasising Islamic images. Otherwise, halal-friendly certification level is positively correlated with the disclosure level.

Practical implications

The results provide a fresh insight regarding the online marketing practices of the halal-friendly hotels and could be used as a benchmark by the practitioners.

Originality/value

This topic is still unexplored; it shows this research originality.
Considerations for the design and management of property database in opaque markets
Authors: Olapade Daramola Thompson , Ekemode Benjamin Gbolahan , Olaleye Abel
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Earlier studies have suggested the creation of a central database of concluded property transactions as a panacea to the property data debacle. It is in this regard that the purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of potential users of centralised property database on the consideration for the design and management of such database.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were administered on 190 property practitioners (referred as estate surveying and valuation firms) in Lagos property market. Frequency index, frequency distribution and percentage were employed for data analysis.

Findings

The result showed that respondents preferred a web-based databank and free access to the information in the databank by those who recorded their market data in it. They also preferred uniform recording standard in the databank, an interface that must be user friendly and secure to prevent unauthorised user from gaining access, amongst others. The practitioners also preferred that their professional body manage the databank when it is created.

Practical implications

The paper provides useful insights into creating a property database that will improve accessibility to property data in opaque markets.

Originality/value

There is still little or no empirical research on framework/end-users’ requirements for the creation of property transaction database in emerging property markets.
The impact of post-trade transparency on price efficiency and price discovery
Authors: Lin Chiou-Fa , Chiao Cheng-Huei , Wang Bin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of post-trade transparency on price efficiency and price discovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an exogeneous change in market transparency in the Taiwan Stock Exchange that mandates the disclosure of unexecuted orders of the five best bid and ask prices after each trade, and conduct an event study analysis.

Findings

After the change, price efficiency enhances for both large and small firms, although the impact on stock prices is greater when the firm is larger. The authors also find that post-change trading reveals more private information for large firms but more public information for small firms. The findings support the view that transparency has a positive impact on market quality.

Originality/value

The paper adds to a large body of literature investigating the relationship between transparency and market behavior, especially the ongoing debate about whether trading transparency positively affects price dynamics. The findings also have important policy implications for the regulators.
Optimal pricing strategies for delivery alliance in online retailing platform
Authors: Yan Yufei , Ye Zuoliang , Sun Miao
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Nowadays, some online retailing platforms emerge to integrate transport capacity to provide standard distribution service for sellers. Such an integrated form of service is defined as delivery alliance (DA). To have a better understanding of how to price the service, this study aims to fixate on the seller’s problems and builds a series of profit maximization models in accordance with the two-sided market pricing theory within a platform business model.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, some optimization models are built in the two-sided market type and the optimal solutions are found in a three-dimensional decision space. By using the basic model as the benchmark, some optimization problems of DA in realistic situations are discussed. Particularly, a power-law-distribution model is established to deal with the uncertainty in forecasting. Also, a price-sensitive model and a loss-aversion model are presented to describe the various reactions of sellers to charging modes. Finally, some combined situations are discussed and the strategies are compared under the mentioned models.

Findings

By selecting the basic model as the benchmark, the specific pricing strategies are found for each context to yield the optimal profits. The flexibility of pricing strategy in the basic model and rigid pricing strategies in extended models, are discussed. As a result, the guidelines for the online retailing platforms are developed on designing and pricing the DA service.

Research limitations/implications

First, it would be interesting to expand the pricing plan of the platform. For instance, menu pricing and quantity discount have not been considered, which are common in practice. The time discounting has also been ignored. If the time value were calculated, the contract fees would be more critical due to the earliest of collecting money. Finally, those joiners who have huge order sizes are crucial for the ecosystem indeed, but arouse no attention. While in reality, they may have more power to bargain with the platform. Thus, how the platform competition affects the pricing strategies needs future research.

Originality/value

The optimal pricing strategies under these models are analytically found out, and it is shown that the presented models result in the same scale of joiners and profits in optimization. This suggests that DA works well in various behavioral contexts. This also suggests that DA is a significant controller in service quality improvement. Then, the optimal pricing strategies are compared among all the models. During this, it is discovered that the realistic contexts might reduce the profit, whereas an appropriate pricing strategy can pull this back without loss of service quality.
The ageing process in older adults’ narratives of family violence
Authors: Santos Ana João , Gil Ana Paula , Ribeiro Oscar
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine, through a qualitative lens, how community elder abuse and the ageing process are represented in the older adults’ narratives reporting abuse perpetrated by family members.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study of a convenience sample of 22 interviews from 24 older adults (two couples) aged 60 years or older who had experienced one or more types of abuse and had sought help about the victimisation experience. A general inductive approach of thematic content analysis was employed.

Findings

The four main emergent themes related to the passage of time or the perception of becoming old within the process of abuse were: abuse grown old, abuse after entering later life, vulnerability to abuse and responses to abuse. Ageing was found to be associated with an increase vulnerability to abuse and an important element in shaping how older adults experience, report and cope with victimization. The social and contextual issues of being older also influenced the decision of ending (or not) the abuse and the victims’ repertoire of responses.

Originality/value

Despite the little suitability of chronological age to define and delimit elder abuse, understanding the phenomenon demands the recognition of ageing (both as a process and as a product) in order to more accurately identify aetiology processes and develop interventions.
Is sustainability a driver of the circular economy?
Authors: Sehnem Simone , Pandolfi Andreia , Gomes Camila
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to analyse how Natura's practices of circular economy and sustainability overlap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is descriptive and qualitative, based on a thematic content analysis, and it describes and compares the performance of Natura in several dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, human rights, society, product responsibility and stakeholder engagement. A longitudinal study was carried out on the basis of an analysis of all Natura sustainability reports; these reports are available for public consultation and cover the period from 2001 to 2016.

Findings

The main results show that there is symmetry between sustainability practices and the premises of the circular economy, with the ReSOLVE classification being met in most of the items.

Originality/value

Innovation is the essential element that facilitated the creation of a portfolio of products that meet consumer demand.
Land‐use change increases climatic vulnerability of migratory birds: Insights from integrated population modelling
Authors: Zhao Qing , Arnold Todd W. , Devries James H. , Howerter David W. , Clark Robert G. , Weegman Mitch D.
Published: June 2019

Knowledge of land‐use patterns that could affect animal population resiliency or vulnerability to environmental threats such as climate change is essential, yet the interactive effects of land use and climate on demography across space and time can be difficult to study. This is particularly true for migratory species, which rely on different landscapes throughout the year.

Unlike most North American migratory waterfowl, populations of northern pintails (Anas acuta; hereafter pintails) have not recovered since the 1980s despite extended periods of abundant flooded wetlands (i.e. ponds). The mechanisms and drivers involved in this discrepancy remain poorly understood. While pintails are similar to other ducks in their dependence on ponds throughout their annual cycle, their extensive use of croplands for nesting differentiates them and makes them particularly vulnerable to changes in agricultural land use on prairie breeding grounds.

Our intent was to quantify how changes in land use and ponds on breeding grounds have influenced pintail population dynamics by developing an integrated population model to analyse over five decades (1961–2014) of band‐recovery, breeding population survey, land‐use and pond count data. We focused especially on the interactive effects of pond counts and land use on pintail productivity, while accounting for density‐dependent processes.

Pintail populations responded more strongly to annual variation in productivity than survival. Productivity was positively correlated with pond count and negatively correlated with agricultural intensification. Further, a positive interaction between pond count and agricultural intensification was insufficient to overcome the strong negative effect of agricultural intensification on pintail productivity across nearly all pond counts. The interaction also indicated that pintail populations were more negatively impacted by the decrease in ponds associated with climate change under higher agricultural intensification.

Our results indicate that pintail populations have become more vulnerable to climate change under intensified land use, which suggests that future conservation strategies must adapt to these altered relationships. The interactive effects of land use and climate on demography should be considered more frequently in animal ecology, and integrated population models provide an adaptable framework to understand vital rates and their drivers simultaneously.
Resource constraints highlight complex microbial interactions during lake biofilm development
Authors: Wyatt Kevin H. , Seballos Rody C. , Shoemaker Maria N. , Brown Shawn P. , Chandra Sudeep , Kuehn Kevin A. , Rober Allison R. , Sadro Steven
Published: June 2019

This study evaluated how the availability of nutrients and organic carbon interact to influence the associations between autotrophic and heterotrophic micro‐organisms during lake biofilm development. Considering that decomposers are often better competitors for nutrients than producers in aquatic environments, we hypothesized that heterotrophs would outcompete autotrophs for available nutrients unless heterotrophs were limited by organic carbon provided by autotrophs.

To test our hypothesis, we evaluated autotrophic (algae) and heterotrophic (fungi, bacteria) biomass in response to a factorial enrichment of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus in combination) and glucose using nutrient‐diffusing substrates with either inorganic or organic discs in a subalpine lake. In the field, nutrient‐diffusing substrates were exposed to either natural sunlight or placed under a darkened experimental canopy to evaluate the response of heterotrophs to nutrients and carbon subsidies in the presence or absence of algae. We expected that heterotrophs would be limited by organic carbon on inorganic substrates in the absence of autotrophic production (i.e., dark treatments), and that organic substrates would provide a carbon subsidy for heterotrophic metabolism.

Fungi were stimulated by nutrient enrichment on inorganic substrates in the presence of algae (light treatment), but not in the dark (without algae). The response of fungi to algal presence on inorganic substrates was similar in magnitude to the response of fungi to nutrients and glucose substrates incubated in the dark. In contrast to our expectations, elevated algal biomass did not stimulate heterotrophic bacteria in the presence of elevated nutrient levels on inorganic substrates, possibly owing to antagonistic interactions between bacteria and fungi.

The positive effect of nutrients on algal biomass was significantly reduced in favour of heterotrophs when nutrients were combined with glucose, suggesting that heterotrophs were able to outcompete algae for available nutrients in the absence of carbon limitation.

Synthesis. These results expand our understanding of how the availability of limiting resources governs the outcomes of complex interactions among micro‐organisms in aquatic biofilms, and suggests that background levels of organic carbon regulate producer and decomposer responses to nutrient availability during biofilm development.
Measuring the Trade Restrictiveness of Domestic Support using the EU Common Agricultural Policy as an Example
Authors: Boysen‐Urban Kirsten , Brockmeier Martina , Jensen Hans G. , Boysen Ole
Published: June 2019

We develop an index that measures the overall trade effects of domestic support payments. Our index is based on the Mercantilist Trade Restrictiveness Index (MTRI) and is capable of analysing the development of the trade restrictiveness of domestic support payments over time and across countries. It facilitates the evaluation of agricultural policy reforms introducing changes in the composition of domestic support payments. We conduct this analysis with a computable general equilibrium model that is extended to depict detailed agricultural policies using the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (EU) as an example. For the representation of agricultural policies, we updated the underlying database by incorporating detailed EU domestic support payments taken from the OECD Producer Support Estimate (PSE) tables and reconcile PSE data with the WTO classification scheme. Our index confirms a decrease in trade distortion stemming from the implementation of decoupled support in the EU. In addition, the trade‐equivalent protection rate shows that the trade restrictiveness of domestic support payments depends on the assumptions made with regard to the degree of decoupling of those payments.
Analysing continuous proportions in ecology and evolution: A practical introduction to beta and Dirichlet regression
Authors: Douma Jacob C. , Weedon James T.
Published: June 2019

Proportional data, in which response variables are expressed as percentages or fractions of a whole, are analysed in many subfields of ecology and evolution. The scale‐independence of proportions makes them appropriate to analyse many biological phenomena, but statistical analyses are not straightforward, since proportions can only take values from zero to one and their variance is usually not constant across the range of the predictor. Transformations to overcome these problems are often applied, but can lead to biased estimates and difficulties in interpretation.

In this paper, we provide an overview of the different types of proportional data and discuss the different analysis strategies available. In particular, we review and discuss the use of promising, but little used, techniques for analysing continuous (also called non‐count‐based or non‐binomial) proportions (e.g. percent cover, fraction time spent on an activity): beta and Dirichlet regression, and some of their most important extensions.

A major distinction can be made between proportions arising from counts and those arising from continuous measurements. For proportions consisting of two categories, count‐based data are best analysed using well‐developed techniques such as logistic regression, while continuous proportions can be analysed with beta regression models. In the case of >2 categories, multinomial logistic regression or Dirichlet regression can be applied. Both beta and Dirichlet regression techniques model proportions at their original scale, which makes statistical inference more straightforward and produce less biased estimates relative to transformation‐based solutions. Extensions to beta regression, such as models for variable dispersion, zero‐one augmented data and mixed effects designs have been developed and are reviewed and applied to case studies. Finally, we briefly discuss some issues regarding model fitting, inference, and reporting that are particularly relevant to beta and Dirichlet regression.

Beta regression and Dirichlet regression overcome some problems inherent in applying classic statistical approaches to proportional data. To facilitate the adoption of these techniques by practitioners in ecology and evolution, we present detailed, annotated demonstration scripts covering all variations of beta and Dirichlet regression discussed in the article, implemented in the freely available language for statistical computing, r.
The selective FKBP51 inhibitor SAFit2 reduces alcohol consumption and reinstatement of conditioned alcohol effects in mice
Authors: König Loretta , Kalinichenko Liubov S. , Huber Sabine E. , Voll Andreas M. , Bauder Michael , Kornhuber Johannes , Hausch Felix , Müller Christian P.
Published: June 2019

There is still no widely effective pharmacotherapy for alcohol addiction available in the clinic. FK506‐binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is a negative regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway that regulates the stress‐induced glucocorticoid feedback circuit. Here we asked whether selective inhibitors of FKBP51, exemplified by SAFit2, may serve as a new pharmacological strategy to reduce alcohol consumption and conditioned alcohol effects in a mouse model. We report that a relatively short treatment with SAFit2 (20 mg/kg, ip) reduces ongoing 16 vol% alcohol consumption when administered during free access to alcohol in a two‐bottle free‐choice test. SAFit2 was also able to reduce alcohol consumption when given during an abstinence period immediately before relapse. In contrast, SAFit2 did not affect alcohol consumption when given during a relapse period after repeated withdrawal from alcohol. SAFit2 (10 and 20 mg/kg, ip) showed no effects when used in an intermittent drinking schedule. When 20 vol% alcohol was only available every other day, SAFit2 had no effect on drinking, no matter whether given during a drinking episode or the day before. SAFit2 (2 and 20 mg/kg, ip) did not affect the expression of an alcohol‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP). However, SAFit2 was able to inhibit alcohol‐induced reinstatement of an extinguished CPP in a dose‐dependent way. Altogether, these data may suggest pharmacological inhibition of FKBP51 as a viable strategy to reduce alcohol seeking and consumption.
BBS5 and INPP5E mutations associated with ciliopathy disorders in families from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Shazia , Lin Siying , Harlalka Gaurav V. , Ullah Asmat , Shah Khadim , Khalid Sumbul , Mehmood Sarmad , Hassan Muhammad Jawad , Ahmad Wasim , Self Jay E. , Crosby Andrew H. , Baple Emma L. , Gul Asma
Published: June 2019

Ciliopathies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders often exhibiting phenotypic overlap and caused by abnormalities in the structure or function of cellular cilia. As such, a precise molecular diagnosis is important for guiding clinical management and genetic counseling. In the present study, two Pakistani families comprising individuals with overlapping clinical features suggestive of a ciliopathy syndrome, including intellectual disability, obesity, congenital retinal dystrophy, and hypogonadism (in males), were investigated clinically and genetically. Whole‐exome sequencing identified the likely causes of disease as a novel homozygous frameshift mutation (NM_152384.2: c.196delA; p.(Arg66Glufs*12); family 1) in BBS5, and a nonsense mutation (NM_019892.5:c.1879C>T; p.Gln627*; family 2) in INPP5E, previously reported in an extended Pakistani family with MORM syndrome. Our findings expand the molecular spectrum associated with BBS5 mutations in Pakistan and provide further supportive evidence that the INPP5E mutation is a common cause of ciliopathy in Northern Pakistan, likely representing a regional founder mutation. This study also highlights the value of genomic studies in Pakistan for families affected by rare heterogeneous developmental disorders and where clinical phenotyping may be limited by geographical and financial constraints. The identification of the spectrum and frequency of disease‐causing variants within this setting enables the development of population‐specific genetic testing strategies targeting variants common to the local population and improving health care outcomes.
Effects of CYP3A inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of quizartinib, a potent and selective FLT3 inhibitor, and its active metabolite
Authors: Li Jianke , Kankam Martin , Trone Denise , Gammon Guy
Published: June 2019

Aims

Quizartinib is an oral, highly potent and selective next‐generation FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitor under investigation in patients with FLT3‐internal tandem duplication‐mutated acute myeloid leukaemia. This drug–drug interaction study assessed the pharmacokinetics (PK) of quizartinib when coadministered with strong or moderate cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors.

Methods

In this parallel‐group study, subjects were randomised to receive: (i) quizartinib + ketoconazole; (ii) quizartinib + fluconazole; or (iii) quizartinib alone. On Days 1–28, subjects received ketoconazole 200 mg or fluconazole 200 mg twice daily, and on Day 8, all subjects received a single 30‐mg quizartinib dose. Blood samples were collected for PK analyses, steady‐state PK parameters were simulated by superpositioning, and safety was assessed.

Results

Ninety‐three healthy subjects were randomised; 86 completed the study. When administered with ketoconazole, geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) for quizartinib maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 extrapolated to infinity were 117% (105%, 130%) and 194% (169%, 223%), respectively, vs quizartinib alone. Steady‐state PK simulation demonstrated ~2‐fold increase of both steady–state Cmax and AUC from time 0 to the end of the dosing interval when quizartinib was administered with ketoconazole due to accumulation of quizartinib at steady state. When administered with fluconazole, geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) for quizartinib Cmax and AUC from time 0 extrapolated to infinity were 111% (100%, 124%) and 120% (104%, 138%), respectively, vs quizartinib alone. Overall, 5.4% of subjects experienced quizartinib‐related adverse events; no serious adverse events or deaths occurred.

Conclusions

These results suggest reducing the dose of quizartinib when coadministered with a strong CYP3A inhibitor, but not with a moderate or weak CYP3A inhibitor. This dose reduction was implemented in phase 3 evaluation of quizartinib.
Hierarchical Rasterization of Curved Primitives for Vector Graphics Rendering on the GPU
Authors: Dokter Mark , Hladky Jozef , Parger Mathias , Schmalstieg Dieter , Seidel Hans‐Peter , Steinberger Markus
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we introduce the CPatch, a curved primitive that can be used to construct arbitrary vector graphics. A CPatch is a generalization of a 2D polygon: Any number of curves up to a cubic degree bound a primitive. We show that a CPatch can be rasterized efficiently in a hierarchical manner on the GPU, locally discarding irrelevant portions of the curves. Our rasterizer is fast and scalable, works on all patches in parallel, and does not require any approximations. We show a parallel implementation of our rasterizer, which naturally supports all kinds of color spaces, blending and super‐sampling. Additionally, we show how vector graphics input can efficiently be converted to a CPatch representation, solving challenges like patch self intersections and false inside‐outside classification. Results indicate that our approach is faster than the state‐of‐the‐art, more flexible and could potentially be implemented in hardware.
Object Partitioning for Support‐Free 3D‐Printing
Authors: Karasik E. , Fattal R. , Werman M.
Published: June 2019

Fused deposition modeling based 3D‐printing is becoming increasingly popular due to it's low‐cost and simple operation and maintenance. While it produces rugged prints made from a wide range of materials, it suffers from an inherent printing limitation where it cannot produce overhanging surfaces of non‐trivial size. This limitation can be handled by constructing temporary support‐structures, however this solution involves additional material costs, longer print time, and often a fair amount of labor in removing it.

In this paper we present a new method for partitioning general solid objects into a small number of parts that can be printed with no support. The partitioning is computed by applying a sequence of cutting‐planes that split the object recursively. Unlike existing algorithms, the planes are not chosen at random, rather they are derived from shape analysis routines that identify and resolve various commonly‐found geometric configurations. In addition, we guide this search by a revised set of conditions that both ensure the objects' printability as well as realistically model the printing capabilities of the printer at hand.

Evaluation of the new method demonstrates its ability to efficiently obtain support‐free partitionings typically containing fewer parts compared to existing methods that rely on support‐structures.
Latent‐space Dynamics for Reduced Deformable Simulation
Authors: Fulton Lawson , Modi Vismay , Duvenaud David , Levin David I. W. , Jacobson Alec
Published: June 2019

We propose the first reduced model simulation framework for deformable solid dynamics using autoencoder neural networks. We provide a data‐driven approach to generating nonlinear reduced spaces for deformation dynamics. In contrast to previous methods using machine learning which accelerate simulation by approximating the time‐stepping function, we solve the true equations of motion in the latent‐space using a variational formulation of implicit integration. Our approach produces drastically smaller reduced spaces than conventional linear model reduction, improving performance and robustness. Furthermore, our method works well with existing force‐approximation cubature methods.
Exploratory Stage Lighting Design using Visual Objectives
Authors: Shimizu Evan , Paris Sylvain , Fisher Matt , Yumer Ersin , Fatahalian Kayvon
Published: June 2019

Lighting is a critical element of theater. A lighting designer is responsible for drawing the audience's attention to a specific part of the stage, setting time of day, creating a mood, and conveying emotions. Designers often begin the lighting design process by collecting reference visual imagery that captures different aspects of their artistic intent. Then, they experiment with various lighting options to determine which ideas work best on stage. However, modern stages contain tens to hundreds of lights, and setting each light source's parameters individually to realize an idea is both tedious and requires expert skill. In this paper, we describe an exploratory lighting design tool based on feedback from professional designers. The system extracts abstract visual objectives from reference imagery and applies them to target regions of the stage. Our system can rapidly generate plausible design candidates that embody the visual objectives through a Gibbs sampling method, and present them as a design gallery for rapid exploration and iterative refinement. We demonstrate that the resulting system allows lighting designers of all skill levels to quickly create and communicate complex designs, even for scenes containing many color‐changing lights.
Practical Person‐Specific Eye Rigging
Authors: Bérard P. , Bradley D. , Gross M. , Beeler T.
Published: June 2019

We present a novel parametric eye rig for eye animation, including a new multi‐view imaging system that can reconstruct eye poses at submillimeter accuracy to which we fit our new rig. This allows us to accurately estimate person‐specific eyeball shape, rotation center, interocular distance, visual axis, and other rig parameters resulting in an animation‐ready eye rig. We demonstrate the importance of several aspects of eye modeling that are often overlooked, for example that the visual axis is not identical to the optical axis, that it is important to model rotation about the optical axis, and that the rotation center of the eye should be measured accurately for each person. Since accurate rig fitting requires hand annotation of multi‐view imagery for several eye gazes, we additionally propose a more user‐friendly “lightweight” fitting approach, which leverages an average rig created from several pre‐captured accurate rigs. Our lightweight rig fitting method allows for the estimation of eyeball shape and eyeball position given only a single pose with a known look‐at point (e.g. looking into a camera) and few manual annotations.
Near‐Eye Display and Tracking Technologies for Virtual and Augmented Reality
Authors: Koulieris G. A. , Akşit K. , Stengel M. , Mantiuk R. K. , Mania K. , Richardt C.
Published: June 2019

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are expected to revolutionise entertainment, healthcare, communication and the manufacturing industries among many others. Near‐eye displays are an enabling vessel for VR/AR applications, which have to tackle many challenges related to ergonomics, comfort, visual quality and natural interaction. These challenges are related to the core elements of these near‐eye display hardware and tracking technologies. In this state‐of‐the‐art report, we investigate the background theory of perception and vision as well as the latest advancements in display engineering and tracking technologies. We begin our discussion by describing the basics of light and image formation. Later, we recount principles of visual perception by relating to the human visual system. We provide two structured overviews on state‐of‐the‐art near‐eye display and tracking technologies involved in such near‐eye displays. We conclude by outlining unresolved research questions to inspire the next generation of researchers.
Effects of alpha‐cyclodextrin on cholesterol control and Compound K on glycaemic control in people with pre‐diabetes: Protocol for a Phase III randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bessell Erica , Fuller Nicholas R. , Markovic Tania P. , Burk Jessica , Picone Tegan , Hendy Chelsea , Tan Michelle M. C. , Caterson Ian D.
Published: June 2019

The prevalence of pre‐diabetes and of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing. Preventing disease progression is important to improve outcomes. Natural products are becoming popular alternatives to pharmaceutical products for preventative health and treatment of disease; however, the evidence to support the use of natural alternatives for pre‐diabetes and type 2 diabetes is lacking. Two such natural medicines include alpha‐cyclodextrin (marketed as FBCx), a fibre derived from corn starch that has been found to bind triglycerides in the intestines to prevent its absorption, aiding weight maintenance and lipid control, and hydrolysed ginseng extract (marketed as GINST15), a formula containing high amounts of Compound K, a metabolite of ginsenosides thought to be an active ingredient contributing to the anti‐hyperglycaemic effects of ginseng. This paper describes the rationale and design of a 12‐month randomized controlled trial to investigate the metabolic effects of these two products in people with pre‐diabetes and overweight or obesity. A total of 400 participants will be randomized to one of four groups (FBCx + GINST15, FBCx + placebo, placebo + GINST15, placebo + placebo) for 6 months, followed by 6 months of follow‐up. Participants will also receive lifestyle advice for healthy eating and weight loss. Data collected during the trial will include weight, waist circumference, body composition and blood pressure. Blood samples will also be collected to measure lipid profile and glycaemia. If the products are found to improve lipid and glucose levels, it will provide evidence for their use in people with pre‐diabetes to help reduce the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes.
Heritability of glomerulonephritis: A Swedish adoption study
Authors: Akrawi Delshad Saleh , Zöller Bengt , Fjellstedt Erik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina , PirouziFard MirNabi
Published: June 2019

Background

Glomerulonephritis clusters in families. However, infections are common inducers of glomerulonephritis and may also cluster in families. Studies of adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents may disentangle genetic from environmental causes of familial clustering. This is the first adoption study aimed to estimate the genetic contribution to the familial transmission of glomerulonephritis.

Materials and methods

We performed a family study for Swedish‐born adoptees (born 1945–2000) and their biological and adoptive parents. The Swedish Multi‐Generation Register was linked to the Hospital Inpatient Register for the period 1964–2012 and the Hospital Outpatient Register for 2001–2012. Odds ratio (OR) for glomerulonephritis was determined for adoptees with a biological parent with glomerulonephritis compared with adoptees without an affected biological parent. Similarly, the OR for glomerulonephritis was also determined in adoptees with an affected adoptive parent compared with adoptees without an affected adoptive parent. Heritability was estimated to be twice the observed tetrachoric correlation among adoptees and biological parents, under the assumption that only additive genetic factors contribute to the similarity between biological parents and adoptees.

Results

The OR for glomerulonephritis was 4.08 in adoptees (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79‐9.27,P‐value = 0.001) of biological parents diagnosed with glomerulonephritis. The OR for glomerulonephritis was 1.67 in adoptees (95% CI 0.53‐5.26,P‐value = 0.380) of adoptive parents diagnosed with glomerulonephritis. The heritability was 48%.

Conclusion

Family history of glomerulonephritis in a biological parent is a risk factor for glomerulonephritis. The present study indicates that genetic factors play an important role in the aetiology of glomerulonephritis.
Course of platelet miRNAs after cessation of P2Y12 antagonists
Authors: Jäger Bernhard , Stojkovic Stefan , Haller Paul M. , Piackova Edith , Kahl Beatrice S. , Andric Tijana , Vargas Kris G. , Wojta Johann , Huber Kurt
Published: June 2019

Background

Circulating platelet micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) may be used to monitor platelet function during dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Aim of the study was to measure plasma levels of specific miRNAs (miRNA‐223, ‐150, ‐21 and ‐126) after physician‐driven cessation of chronic P2Y12 inhibition and to study differences in the expression levels of these miRNAs between the different oral P2Y12 inhibitors clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor, respectively.

Design

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on DAPT maintenance dose (including aspirin 100 mg OD, plus clopidogrel 75 mg OD, or prasugrel 10 mg OD, or ticagrelor 90 mg BID) were prospectively enrolled before cessation of the P2Y12‐inhibitor therapy. MiRNA‐223, ‐150, ‐21 and ‐126 were determined at baseline (=last day of P2Y12‐inhibitor intake) and 10, 30 and 180 days thereafter.

Results

Cessation of P2Y12‐inhibitor therapy did not significantly change miRNA levels. However, in ticagrelor‐treated patients, miRNA levels were significantly increased at baseline (miRNA‐223 and ‐21), day 10 (miRNA‐223, ‐150, ‐21, ‐126) and day 30 (miRNA‐223, ‐150, ‐21, ‐126) as compared to prasugrel, and at day 10 (miRNA‐150 and ‐21) and day 30 (miRNA‐150) as compared to clopidogrel (all P < 0.05). At day 180, only miRNA‐126 levels differed significantly with respect to the P2Y12 inhibitor used (P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounders, choice of P2Y12‐inhibitor was the strongest predictor of miRNA levels (P < 0.001), while cessation of P2Y12‐inhibitor therapy did not significantly impact miRNA levels.

Conclusion

In patients with CAD, ticagrelor intake is associated with increased levels of platelet miRNAs as compared to clopidogrel and prasugrel. Platelet miRNAs are not useful to monitor platelet function after cessation of P2Y12 inhibitors.
Evolutionary response to coexistence with close relatives: increased resistance against specialist herbivores without cost for climatic‐stress resistance
Authors: Pihain Mickael , Gerhold Pille , Ducousso Alexis , Prinzing Andreas
Published: June 2019

Why can hosts coexist with conspecifics or phylogenetically proximate neighbours despite sharing specialist enemies? Do the hosts evolve increased enemy resistance? If so, does this have costs in terms of climatic‐stress resistance, or in such neighbourhoods, does climatic‐stress select for resistances that are multifunctional against climate and enemies? We studied oak (Quercus petraea) descendants from provenances of contrasting phylogenetic neighbourhoods and climates in a 25‐year‐old common garden. We found that descendants from conspecific or phylogenetically proximate neighbourhoods had the toughest leaves and fewest leaf miners, but no reduction in climatic‐stress resistance. Descendants from such neighbourhoods under cold or dry climates had the highest flavonol and anthocyanin levels and the thickest leaves. Overall, populations facing phylogenetically proximate neighbours can rapidly evolve herbivore resistance, without cost to climatic‐stress resistance, but possibly facilitating resistance against cold and drought via multifunctional traits. Microevolution might hence facilitate ecological coexistence of close relatives and thereby macroevolutionary conservatism of niches.
Digital Module 05: Diagnostic Measurement—The G‐DINA Framework https://ncme.elevate.commpartners.com
Authors: Ma Wenchao , de la Torre Jimmy
Published: June 2019

In this ITEMS module, we introduce the generalized deterministic inputs, noisy “and” gate (G‐DINA) model, which is a general framework for specifying, estimating, and evaluating a wide variety of cognitive diagnosis models. The module contains a nontechnical introduction to diagnostic measurement, an introductory overview of the G‐DINA model, as well as common special cases, and a review of model‐data fit evaluation practices within this framework. We use the flexible GDINA R package, which is available for free within the R environment and provides a user‐friendly graphical interface in addition to the code‐driven layer. The digital module also contains videos of worked examples, solutions to data activity questions, curated resources, a glossary, and quizzes with diagnostic feedback.
Inflammatory skin is associated with changes in the skin microbiota composition on the back of severe acne patients
Authors: Dagnelie Marie‐Ange , Montassier Emmanuel , Khammari Amir , Mounier Carine , Corvec Stéphane , Dréno Brigitte
Published: June 2019

Acne is the most common inflammatory skin disease, affecting up to 85% of the 11‐30 years old world population. Skin microbiota appears as a key player involved in several skin dermatoses physiopathology. Here, we show that inflammatory skin is associated with changes in the skin microbiota composition on the back of severe acne patients but also on the face of patients where acne was scored as mild to moderate, comparing with healthy controls. Changes were observed particularly on skin commensals Propionibacteriaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Enterococcaceae families, suggesting the importance of the balance between skin commensals to maintain skin homeostasis and control skin inflammatory process.