bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging motion capture and 3D scanning for high-fidelity facial performance acquisition
Authors: Huang Haoda , Chai Jinxiang , Tong Xin , Wu Hsiang-Tao
Published: July 2011

This paper introduces a new approach for acquiring high-fidelity 3D facial performances with realistic dynamic wrinkles and fine-scale facial details. Our approach leverages state-of-the-art motion capture technology and advanced 3D scanning technology for facial performance acquisition. We start the process by recording 3D facial performances of an actor using a marker-based motion capture system and perform facial analysis on the captured data, thereby determining a minimal set of face scans required for accurate facial reconstruction. We introduce a two-step registration process to efficiently build dense consistent surface correspondences across all the face scans. We reconstruct high-fidelity 3D facial performances by combining motion capture data with the minimal set of face scans in the blendshape interpolation framework. We have evaluated the performance of our system on both real and synthetic data. Our results show that the system can capture facial performances that match both the spatial resolution of static face scans and the acquisition speed of motion capture systems.
Interactive region-based linear 3D face models
Authors: Tena J. Rafael , De la Torre Fernando , Matthews Iain
Published: July 2011

Linear models, particularly those based on principal component analysis (PCA), have been used successfully on a broad range of human face-related applications. Although PCA models achieve high compression, they have not been widely used for animation in a production environment because their bases lack a semantic interpretation. Their parameters are not an intuitive set for animators to work with. In this paper we present a linear face modelling approach that generalises to unseen data better than the traditional holistic approach while also allowing
click-and-drag
interaction for animation. Our model is composed of a collection of PCA sub-models that are independently trained but share boundaries. Boundary consistency and user-given constraints are enforced in a soft least mean squares sense to give flexibility to the model while maintaining coherence. Our results show that the region-based model generalises better than its holistic counterpart when describing previously unseen motion capture data from multiple subjects. The decomposition of the face into several regions, which we determine automatically from training data, gives the user localised manipulation control. This feature allows to use the model for face posing and animation in an intuitive style.
Photo-inspired model-driven 3D object modeling
Authors: Xu Kai , Zheng Hanlin , Zhang Hao , Cohen-Or Daniel , Liu Ligang , Xiong Yueshan
Published: July 2011

We introduce an algorithm for 3D object modeling where the user draws creative inspiration from an object captured in a single photograph. Our method leverages the rich source of photographs for creative 3D modeling. However, with only a photo as a guide, creating a 3D model from scratch is a daunting task. We support the modeling process by utilizing an available set of 3D candidate models. Specifically, the user creates a digital 3D model as a geometric variation from a 3D candidate. Our modeling technique consists of two major steps. The first step is a user-guided image-space object segmentation to reveal the structure of the photographed object. The core step is the second one, in which a 3D candidate is automatically deformed to fit the photographed target under the guidance of silhouette correspondence. The set of candidate models have been pre-analyzed to possess useful high-level structural information, which is heavily utilized in both steps to compensate for the ill-posedness of the analysis and modeling problems based only on content in a single image. Equally important, the structural information is preserved by the geometric variation so that the final product is coherent with its inherited structural information readily usable for subsequent model refinement or processing.
Guide shapes for high resolution naturalistic liquid simulation
Authors: Nielsen Michael B. , Bridson Robert
Published: July 2011

Art direction of high resolution naturalistic liquid simulations is notoriously hard, due to both the chaotic nature of the physics and the computational resources required. Resimulating a scene at higher resolution often produces very different results, and is too expensive to allow many design cycles. We present a method of constraining or
guiding
a high resolution liquid simulation to stay close to a finalized low resolution version (either simulated or directly animated), restricting the solve to a thin outer shell of liquid around a
guide shape
. Our method is generally faster than an unconstrained simulation and can be integrated with a standard fluid simulator. We demonstrate several applications, with both simulated and hand-animated inputs.
Animating fire with sound
Authors: Chadwick Jeffrey N. , James Doug L.
Published: July 2011

We propose a practical method for synthesizing plausible fire sounds that are synchronized with physically based fire animations. To enable synthesis of combustion sounds without incurring the cost of time-stepping fluid simulations at audio rates, we decompose our synthesis procedure into two components. First, a low-frequency flame sound is synthesized using a physically based combustion sound model driven with data from a visual flame simulation run at a relatively low temporal sampling rate. Second, we propose two bandwidth extension methods for synthesizing additional high-frequency flame sound content: (1) spectral bandwidth extension which synthesizes higher-frequency noise matching combustion sound spectra from theory and experiment; and (2) data-driven texture synthesis to synthesize high-frequency content based on input flame sound recordings. Various examples and comparisons are presented demonstrating plausible flame sounds, from small candle flames to large flame jets.
Interactive furniture layout using interior design guidelines
Authors: Merrell Paul , Schkufza Eric , Li Zeyang , Agrawala Maneesh , Koltun Vladlen
Published: July 2011

We present an interactive furniture layout system that assists users by suggesting furniture arrangements that are based on interior design guidelines. Our system incorporates the layout guidelines as terms in a density function and generates layout suggestions by rapidly sampling the density function using a hardware-accelerated Monte Carlo sampler. Our results demonstrate that the suggestion generation functionality measurably increases the quality of furniture arrangements produced by participants with no prior training in interior design.
Scalable and coherent video resizing with per-frame optimization
Authors: Wang Yu-Shuen , Hsiao Jen-Hung , Sorkine Olga , Lee Tong-Yee
Published: July 2011

The key to high-quality video resizing is preserving the shape and motion of visually salient objects while remaining temporally-coherent. These spatial and temporal requirements are difficult to reconcile, typically leading existing video retargeting methods to sacrifice one of them and causing distortion or waving artifacts. Recent work enforces temporal coherence of content-aware video warping by solving a global optimization problem over the entire video cube. This significantly improves the results but does not scale well with the resolution and length of the input video and quickly becomes intractable. We propose a new method that solves the scalability problem without compromising the resizing quality. Our method factors the problem into spatial and time/motion components: we first resize each frame independently to preserve the shape of salient regions, and then we optimize their motion using a reduced model for each pathline of the optical flow. This factorization decomposes the optimization of the video cube into sets of sub-problems whose size is proportional to a single frame's resolution and which can be solved in parallel. We also show how to incorporate cropping into our optimization, which is useful for scenes with numerous salient objects where warping alone would degenerate to linear scaling. Our results match the quality of state-of-the-art retargeting methods while dramatically reducing the computation time and memory consumption, making content-aware video resizing scalable and practical.
Tonal stabilization of video
Authors: Farbman Zeev , Lischinski Dani
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a method for reducing undesirable tonal fluctuations in video: minute changes in tonal characteristics, such as exposure, color temperature, brightness and contrast in a sequence of frames, which are easily noticeable when the sequence is viewed. These fluctuations are typically caused by the camera's automatic adjustment of its tonal settings while shooting.

Our approach operates on a continuous video shot by first designating one or more frames as
anchors
. We then
tonally align
a sequence of frames with each anchor: for each frame, we compute an adjustment map that indicates how each of its pixels should be modified in order to appear as if it was captured with the tonal settings of the anchor. The adjustment map is efficiently updated between successive frames by taking advantage of temporal video coherence and the global nature of the tonal fluctuations. Once a sequence has been aligned, it is possible to generate smooth tonal transitions between anchors, and also further control its tonal characteristics in a consistent and principled manner, which is difficult to do without incurring strong artifacts when operating on unstable sequences. We demonstrate the utility of our method using a number of clips captured with a variety of video cameras, and believe that it is well-suited for integration into today's non-linear video editing tools.
Sensitive couture for interactive garment modeling and editing
Authors: Umetani Nobuyuki , Kaufman Danny M. , Igarashi Takeo , Grinspun Eitan
Published: July 2011

We present a novel interactive tool for garment design that enables, for the first time, interactive bidirectional editing between 2D patterns and 3D high-fidelity simulated draped forms. This provides a continuous, interactive, and natural design modality in which 2D and 3D representations are simultaneously visible and seamlessly maintain correspondence. Artists can now interactively edit 2D pattern designs and immediately obtain stable accurate feedback online, thus enabling rapid prototyping and an intuitive understanding of complex drape form.
Real-time large-deformation substructuring
Authors: Barbič Jernej , Zhao Yili
Published: July 2011

This paper shows a method to extend 3D nonlinear elasticity model reduction to open-loop multi-level reduced deformable structures. Given a volumetric mesh, we decompose the mesh into several subdomains, build a reduced deformable model for each domain, and connect the domains using inertia coupling. This makes model reduction deformable simulations much more versatile: localized deformations can be supported without prohibitive computational costs, parts can be re-used and precomputation times shortened. Our method does not use constraints, and can handle large domain rigid body motion in addition to large deformations, due to our derivation of the gradient and Hessian of the rotation matrix in polar decomposition. We show real-time examples with multi-level domain hierarchies and hundreds of reduced degrees of freedom.
Solid simulation with oriented particles
Authors: Müller Matthias , Chentanez Nuttapong
Published: July 2011

We propose a new fast and robust method to simulate various types of solid including rigid, plastic and soft bodies as well as one, two and three dimensional structures such as ropes, cloth and volumetric objects. The underlying idea is to use oriented particles that store rotation and spin, along with the usual linear attributes, i.e. position and velocity. This additional information adds substantially to traditional particle methods. First, particles can be represented by anisotropic shapes such as ellipsoids, which approximate surfaces more accurately than spheres. Second, shape matching becomes robust for sparse structures such as chains of particles or even single particles because the undefined degrees of freedom are captured in the rotational states of the particles. Third, the full transformation stored in the particles, including translation and rotation, can be used for robust skinning of graphical meshes and for transforming plastic deformations back into the rest state.
Physics-inspired upsampling for cloth simulation in games
Authors: Kavan Ladislav , Gerszewski Dan , Bargteil Adam W. , Sloan Peter-Pike
Published: July 2011

We propose a method for learning linear upsampling operators for physically-based cloth simulation, allowing us to enrich coarse meshes with mid-scale details in minimal time and memory budgets, as required in computer games. In contrast to classical subdivision schemes, our operators adapt to a specific context (e.g. a flag flapping in the wind or a skirt worn by a character), which allows them to achieve higher detail. Our method starts by pre-computing a pair of coarse and fine training simulations aligned with
tracking constraints
using harmonic test functions. Next, we train the upsampling operators with a new regularization method that enables us to learn mid-scale details without overfitting. We demonstrate generalizability to unseen conditions such as different wind velocities or novel character motions. Finally, we discuss how to re-introduce high frequency details not explainable by the coarse mesh alone using
oscillatory modes
.
A geometric study of v-style pop-ups
Authors: Li Xian-Ying , Ju Tao , Gu Yan , Hu Shi-Min
Published: July 2011

Pop-up books are a fascinating form of paper art with intriguing geometric properties. In this paper, we present a systematic study of a simple but common class of pop-ups consisting of patches falling into four parallel groups, which we call v-style pop-ups. We give sufficient conditions for a v-style paper structure to be pop-uppable. That is, it can be closed flat while maintaining the rigidity of the patches, the closing and opening do not need extra force besides holding two patches and are free of intersections, and the closed paper is contained within the page border. These conditions allow us to identify novel mechanisms for making pop-ups. Based on the theory and mechanisms, we developed an interactive tool for designing v-style pop-ups and an automated construction algorithm from a given geometry, both of which guaranteeing the pop-uppability of the results.
Depixelizing pixel art
Authors: Kopf Johannes , Lischinski Dani
Published: July 2011

We describe a novel algorithm for extracting a resolution-independent vector representation from
pixel art
images, which enables magnifying the results by an arbitrary amount without image degradation. Our algorithm resolves pixel-scale features in the input and converts them into regions with smoothly varying shading that are crisply separated by piecewise-smooth contour curves. In the original image, pixels are represented on a square pixel lattice, where diagonal neighbors are only connected through a single point. This causes thin features to become visually disconnected under magnification by conventional means, and creates ambiguities in the connectedness and separation of diagonal neighbors. The key to our algorithm is in resolving these ambiguities. This enables us to reshape the pixel cells so that neighboring pixels belonging to the same feature are connected through edges, thereby preserving the feature connectivity under magnification. We reduce pixel aliasing artifacts and improve smoothness by fitting spline curves to contours in the image and optimizing their control points.
Discrete Laplacians on general polygonal meshes
Authors: Alexa Marc , Wardetzky Max
Published: July 2011

While the theory and applications of discrete Laplacians on
triangulated
surfaces are well developed, far less is known about the general
polygonal
case. We present here a principled approach for constructing geometric discrete Laplacians on surfaces with arbitrary polygonal faces, encompassing non-planar and non-convex polygons. Our construction is guided by closely mimicking structural properties of the smooth Laplace--Beltrami operator. Among other features, our construction leads to an extension of the widely employed cotan formula from triangles to polygons. Besides carefully laying out theoretical aspects, we demonstrate the versatility of our approach for a variety of geometry processing applications, embarking on situations that would have been more difficult to achieve based on geometric Laplacians for simplicial meshes or purely combinatorial Laplacians for general meshes.
Spin transformations of discrete surfaces
Authors: Crane Keenan , Pinkall Ulrich , Schröder Peter
Published: July 2011

We introduce a new method for computing conformal transformations of triangle meshes in R
3
. Conformal maps are desirable in digital geometry processing because they do not exhibit
shear
, and therefore preserve texture fidelity as well as the quality of the mesh itself. Traditional discretizations consider maps into the complex plane, which are useful only for problems such as surface parameterization and planar shape deformation where the target surface is flat. We instead consider maps into the
quaternions
H, which allows us to work directly with surfaces sitting in R
3
. In particular, we introduce a
quaternionic Dirac operator
and use it to develop a novel integrability condition on conformal deformations. Our discretization of this condition results in a sparse linear system that is simple to build and can be used to efficiently edit surfaces by manipulating curvature and boundary data, as demonstrated via several mesh processing applications.
Nonlinear revision control for images
Authors: Chen Hsiang-Ting , Wei Li-Yi , Chang Chun-Fa
Published: July 2011

Revision control is a vital component of digital project management and has been widely deployed for text files. Binary files, on the other hand, have received relatively less attention. This can be inconvenient for graphics applications that use a significant amount of binary data, such as images, videos, meshes, and animations. Existing strategies such as storing whole files for individual revisions or simple binary deltas could consume significant storage and obscure vital semantic information. We present a nonlinear revision control system for images, designed with the common digital editing and sketching workflows in mind. We use DAG (directed acyclic graph) as the core structure, with DAG nodes representing editing operations and DAG edges the corresponding spatial, temporal and semantic relationships. We visualize our DAG in RevG (revision graph), which provides not only as a meaningful display of the revision history but also an intuitive interface for common revision control operations such as review, replay, diff, addition, branching, merging, and conflict resolving. Beyond revision control, our system also facilitates artistic creation processes in common image editing and digital painting workflows. We have built a prototype system upon GIMP, an open source image editor, and demonstrate its effectiveness through formative user study and comparisons with alternative revision control systems.
Clipless dual-space bounds for faster stochastic rasterization
Authors: Laine Samuli , Aila Timo , Karras Tero , Lehtinen Jaakko
Published: July 2011

We present a novel method for increasing the efficiency of stochastic rasterization of motion and defocus blur. Contrary to earlier approaches, our method is efficient even with the low sampling densities commonly encountered in realtime rendering, while allowing the use of arbitrary sampling patterns for maximal image quality. Our clipless dual-space formulation avoids problems with triangles that cross the camera plane during the shutter interval. The method is also simple to plug into existing rendering systems.
Physically-based real-time lens flare rendering
Authors: Hullin Matthias , Eisemann Elmar , Seidel Hans-Peter , Lee Sungkil
Published: July 2011

Lens flare is caused by light passing through a photographic lens system in an unintended way. Often considered a degrading artifact, it has become a crucial component for realistic imagery and an artistic means that can even lead to an increased perceived brightness. So far, only costly offline processes allowed for convincing simulations of the complex light interactions. In this paper, we present a novel method to interactively compute physically-plausible flare renderings for photographic lenses. The underlying model covers many components that are important for realism, such as imperfections, chromatic and geometric lens aberrations, and antireflective lens coatings. Various acceleration strategies allow for a performance/quality tradeoff, making our technique applicable both in real-time applications and in high-quality production rendering. We further outline artistic extensions to our system.
Characterization and Catalytic Properties of Nano-Sized Au Metal Catalyst on Titanium Containing High Mesoporous Silica (Ti-HMS) Synthesized by Photo-Assisted Deposition and Impregnation Methods
Authors: Mohamed R. M. , Aazam Elham S.
Published: July 2011

The photo-assisted deposition (PAD) and impregnation (img) synthesis of nano-sized Au metal on Ti-HMS are reported. The prepared catalysts were characterized by different techniques such as XRD, XAFS, TEM and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Photocatalytic reactivity using Au/Ti-HMS catalysts under visible-light condition on the oxidation of CO with O2reaction was evaluated. The results have shown notable photocatalytic activity of PAD-Au/Ti-HMS which was 2.1 and 5.7 times higher than that of img-Au/Ti-HMS and Ti-HMS, respectively.
Combining Fuzzy MCDM with BSC Approach in Performance Evaluation of Iranian Private Banking Sector
Authors: Shaverdi Meysam , Akbari Mahsa , Fallah Tafti Saeed
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study is to construct an approach based on multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) and balanced scorecard (BSC) for evaluating performance for three nongovernmental Iranian's banks. Following the literature relating to banking performance and BSC concepts, experts and managers select 21 indexes for evaluation. Furthermore, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) calculated the relative weights of each chosen index in order to tolerate vagueness and ambiguity of information, and three MCDM analytical tools (TOPSIS, VIKOR, and ELECTRE) were adopted to rank the banking performance. The results indicate that a customer “” has the most significant BSC perspectives and the customer satisfaction “” is the most major index in banking sector. This proposed fuzzy MCDM method combined with BSC approach is a comprehensive and up-to-date model that can be a useful and effective assessment tool.
Unique Mode of Lipogenic Activation in Rat Preputial Sebocytes
Authors: Deplewski Dianne , Qin Kenan , Ciletti Nancy , Rosenfield Robert L.
Published: July 2011

Lipoprotein delivery of fatty acids and cholesterol is linked with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activation in adipocytes and macrophages. We postulated that similar interactions exist in sebaceous epithelial cells (sebocytes) in which PPAR activation induces differentiation. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) markedly enhanced sebocyte differentiation above that found with PPAR agonists and were more potent than explicable by their lipid content. The PPARγantagonist GW5393 reduced sebocyte differentiation to all PPAR isoform agonists, HDL and VLDL, suggesting that the lipoprotein effect on differentiation occurs partially through activation of PPARγ. Furthermore, we found that sebocytes expressed a unique pattern of lipogenic genes. Our results demonstrate that HDL and VLDL are the most potent inducers of sebocyte differentiation tested to date, and these actions are partially inhibited by PPAR antagonists. This suggests that substrates provided by lipoproteins are targeted to sebocytes and affect their own disposition via PPAR activation.
Numerical Simulation of the Time Evolution of Small-Scale Irregularities in the F-Layer Ionospheric Plasma
Authors: Mingalev O. V. , Mingaleva G. I. , Melnik M. N. , Mingalev V. S.
Published: July 2011

Dynamics of magnetic field-aligned small-scale irregularities in the electron concentration, existing in the F-layer ionospheric plasma, is investigated with the help of a mathematical model. The plasma is assumed to be a rarefied compound consisting of electrons and positive ions and being in a strong, external magnetic field. In the applied model, kinetic processes in the plasma are simulated by using the Vlasov-Poisson system of equations. The system of equations is numerically solved applying a macroparticle method. The time evolution of a plasma irregularity, having initial cross-section dimension commensurable with a Debye length, is simulated during the period sufficient for the irregularity to decay completely. The results of simulation indicate that the small-scale irregularity, created initially in the F-region ionosphere, decays accomplishing periodic damped vibrations, with the process being collisionless.
Cellular Reprogramming toward the Erythroid Lineage
Authors: Norton Laura J. , Funnell Alister P. W. , Pearson Richard C. M. , Crossley Merlin
Published: July 2011

Haemoglobinopathies such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease present a major health burden. Currently, the main forms of treatment for these diseases are packed red blood cell transfusions and the administration of drugs which act to nonspecifically reactivate the production of foetal haemoglobin. These treatments are ongoing throughout the life of the patient and are associated with a number of risks, such as limitations in available blood for transfusion, infections, iron overload, immune rejection, and side effects associated with the drug treatments. The field of cellular reprogramming has advanced significantly in the last few years and has recently culminated in the successful production of erythrocytes in culture. This paper will discuss cellular reprogramming and its potential relevance to the treatment of haemoglobinopathies.
Polymorphism and Balancing Selection of MHC Class II DAB Gene in 7 Selective Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) Families
Authors: Du Min , Chen Song-lin , Liang You , Wang Lei , Gao Feng-tao , Liu Yang , Liao Xiao-Lin
Published: July 2011

In order to determine the genetic variation of the MHC class IIB exon2 allele in the offspring, 700 fry from seven families of Japanese flounder challenged with V. anguillarum were studied, and different mortality rates were found in those families. Five to ten surviving and dead fry from each of the seven families were selected to study the MHC class II B exon2 gene with PCR and a direct sequencing method. One hundred and sixteen different exon2 sequences were found and 116 different alleles were identified, while a minimum of four loci were revealed in the MHC class II B exon2 gene. The ratio (dN/dS) of nonsynonymous substitution (dN) to synonymous substitutions (dS) in the peptide‐binding region (PBR) of the MHC class IIB gene was 6.234, which indicated that balancing selection is acting on the MHC class IIB genes. The MHC IIB alleles were thus being passed on to their progeny. Some alleles were significantly more frequent in surviving than dead individuals. All together our data suggested that the alleles Paol-DAB*4301, Paol-DAB*4601, Paol-DAB*4302, Paol-DAB*3803, and Paol-DAB*4101 were associated with resistance to V. anguillarum in flounder.
Principal Component and Cluster Analysis as a Tool in the Assessment of Tomato Hybrids and Cultivars
Authors: Evgenidis G. , Traka-Mavrona E. , Koutsika-Sotiriou M.
Published: July 2011

Determination of germplasm diversity and genetic relationships among breeding materials is an invaluable aid in crop improvement strategies. This study assessed the breeding value of tomato source material. Two commercial hybrids along with an experimental hybrid and four cultivars were assessed with cluster and principal component analyses based on morphophysiological data, yield and quality, stability of performance, heterosis, and combining abilities. The assessment of commercial hybrids revealed a related origin and subsequently does not support the identification of promising offspring in their crossing. The assessment of the cultivars discriminated them according to origin and evolutionary and selection effects. On the Principal Component 1, the largest group with positive loading included, yield components, heterosis, general and specific combining ability, whereas the largest negative loading was obtained by qualitative and descriptive traits. The Principal Component 2 revealed two smaller groups, a positive one with phenotypic traits and a negative one with tolerance to inbreeding. Stability of performance was loaded positively and/or negatively. In conclusion, combing ability, yield components, and heterosis provided a mechanism for ensuring continued improvement in plant selection programs.
Catalytic Activity of ZrO2 Nanotube Arrays Prepared by AnodizationMethod
Authors: Wang Xixin , Zhao Jianling , Hou Xiaorui , He Qi , Tang Chengchun
Published: July 2011

ZrO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by anodization method in aqueous electrolyte containing (NH4)2SO4 and NH4F. The morphology and structure of nanotube arrays were characterized through scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and infrared spectra analysis. The zirconia nanotube arrays were used as catalyst in esterification reaction. The effects of calcination temperature and electrolyte concentration on catalytic esterification activity have been investigated in detail. Experiments indicate that nanotube arrays have highest catalytic activity when the concentration of (NH4)2SO4 is 1 mol/L, the concentration of NH4F is 1 wt%, and the calcination temperature is 400°C. Esterification reaction yield of as much as 97% could be obtained under optimal conditions.
Soil Nutrient Availability, Plant Nutrient Uptake, and Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifoliumAit.) Yield in Response to N-Viro Biosolids and Irrigation Applications
Authors: Farooque Aitazaz A. , Abbas Farhat , Zaman Qamar U. , Madani Ali , Percival David C. , Arshad Muhammad
Published: July 2011

We compared the impact of surface broadcasted N-Viro biosolids and inorganic fertilizer (16.5% Ammonium sulphate, 34.5% Diammonium phosphate, 4.5% Potash, and 44.5% s and/or clay filler) applications on soil properties and nutrients, leaf nutrient concentration, and the fruit yield of lowbush blueberry under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions during 2008-2009 at Debert, NS, Canada. Application rates of N-Viro biosolids were more than double of inorganic fertilizer applied at a recommended N rate of 32 kg ha−1. The experimental treatments NI: N-Viro with irrigation, FI: inorganic fertilizer with irrigation, N: N-Viro without irrigation, and F: inorganic fertilizer without irrigation (control) were replicated four times under a randomized complete block design. The NI treatment had the highest OM (6.68%) followed by FI (6.32%), N (6.18%), and F (4.43%) treatments during the year 2008. Similar trends were observed during 2009 with the highest soil OM values (5.50%) for NI treatment. Supplemental irrigation resulted in a 21% increase in the ripe fruit yield. Nonsignificant effect of fertilizer treatments on most of the nutrient concentrations in soil and plant leaves, and on ripe fruits yield reflects that the performance of N-Viro was comparable with that of the inorganic fertilizer used in this study.
Immune Adjuvant Efficacy of CpG Oligonucleotide in Cancer Treatment Is Founded Specifically upon TLR9 Function in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Nierkens Stefan , den Brok Martijn H. , Garcia Zacharias , Togher Susan , Wagenaars Jori , Wassink Melissa , Boon Louis , Ruers Theo J. , Figdor Carl G. , Schoenberger Stephen P. , Adema Gosse J. , Janssen Edith M.
Published: July 2011

The differences in function, location, and migratory pattern of conventional dendritic cells (cDC) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDC) not only point to specialized roles in immune responses but also signify additive and interdependent relationships required to clear pathogens. We studied the in vivo requirement of cross-talk between cDCs and pDCs for eliciting antitumor immunity against in situ released tumor antigens in the absence or presence of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist CpG. Previous data indicated that CpG boosted tumor-specific T-cell responses after in vivo tumor destruction and increased survival after tumor rechallenges. The present study shows that cDCs are indispensable for cross-presentation of ablation-released tumor antigens and for the induction of long-term antitumor immunity. Depletion of pDCs or applying this model in type I IFN receptor–deficient mice abrogated CpG-mediated responses. CD8α+ cDCs and the recently identified merocytic cDCs were dependent on pDCs for CpG-induced upregulation of CD80. Moreover, DC transfer studies revealed that merocytic cDCs and CD8α+ cDCs were most susceptible to pDC help and subsequently promoted tumor-free survival in a therapeutic setting. By transferring wild-type pDCs into TLR9-deficient mice, we finally showed that TLR9 expression in pDCs is sufficient to benefit from CpG as an adjuvant. These studies indicate that the efficacy of CpG in cancer immunotherapy is dependent on cross-talk between pDCs and specific subsets of cDCs. Cancer Res; 71(20); 6428–37. ©2011 AACR.
Bevacizumab Has Differential and Dose-Dependent Effects on Glioma Blood Vessels and Tumor Cells
Authors: von Baumgarten Louisa , Brucker David , Tirniceru Anca , Kienast Yvonne , Grau Stefan , Burgold Steffen , Herms Jochen , Winkler Frank
Published: July 2011

Purpose: Bevacizumab targets VEGF-A and has proved beneficial in glioma patients, improving clinical symptoms by the reduction of tumor edema. However, it remains controversial whether or not bevacizumab exerts antitumor effects in addition to (and potentially independent of) its effects on tumor vessels, and it is unknown what doses are needed to achieve this.

Experimental Design: We established a novel orthotopic glioma mouse model that allowed us to simultaneously study the kinetics of the morphologic and functional vascular changes, tumor growth, and the viability of individual tumor cells during the course of anti-VEGF therapy in the same microscopic tumor region in real-time. Three doses of bevacizumab were compared, a subclinical dose and two clinical doses (medium and high).

Results: Low (subclinical) doses of bevacizumab led to a significant reduction of the total vascular volume without affecting tumor cell viability or the overall tumor growth rates. Medium and high doses triggered a similar degree of vascular regression but significantly decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival. Remaining vessels revealed morphologic features of vascular normalization, reduced permeability, and an increase in blood flow velocity; the latter was dose dependent. We observed an uncoupling of the antitumoral and the antivascular effects of bevacizumab with the high dose only, which showed the potential to cause microregional glioma cell regression. In some tumor regions, pronounced glioma cell regression occurred even without vascular regression. In vitro, there was no effect of bevacizumab on glioma cell proliferation.

Conclusions: Regression of glioma cells can occur independently from vascular regression, suggesting that high doses of bevacizumab have indirect anticancer cell properties in vivo. Clin Cancer Res; 17(19); 6192–205. ©2011 AACR.
Metronomic Oral Topotecan with Pazopanib Is an Active Antiangiogenic Regimen in Mouse Models of Aggressive Pediatric Solid Tumor
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Mokhtari Reza Bayat , Sheikh Reihaneh , Wu Bing , Zhang Libo , Xu Ping , Man Shan , Oliveira Indhira Dias , Yeger Herman , Kerbel Robert S. , Baruchel Sylvain
Published: July 2011

Purpose: Low dose metronomic (LDM) chemotherapy, combined with VEGF signaling pathway inhibitors, is a highly effective strategy to coordinately inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in many adult preclinical cancer models. We have tested the efficacies of daily oral LDM topotecan alone and in combination with pazopanib, a VEGF receptor inhibitor, in three pediatric extracranial solid tumor mouse models.

Experimental Design: In vitro dose–response study of topotecan and pazopanib was conducted on several neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. In vivo antitumor efficacies of the LDM topotecan and pazopanib as single agents and in combination were tested on 4 subcutaneous xenograft models and on 2 neuroblastoma metastatic models. Circulating angiogenic factors such as circulating endothelial cells (CEC), circulating endothelial pro genitor cells (CEP), and microvessel densities were used as surrogate biomarker markers of antiangiogenic activity.

Results: In vitro, topotecan caused a dose-dependent decrease in viabilities of all cell lines, while pazopanib did not. In vivo, combination of topotecan + pazopanib (TP + PZ) showed significant antitumor activity and significant enhancement in survival compared with the respective single agents in all models. Reductions in viable CEP and/or CEC levels and tumor microvessel density were correlated with tumor response and therefore confirmed the antiangiogenic activity of the regimens. Pharmacokinetic studies of both drugs did not reveal any drug–drug interaction.

Conclusion: Metronomic administration of TP + PZ showed a statistically significant antitumor activity compared with respective single agents in pediatric tumor mouse models and represent a valid option as a maintenance therapy in aggressive pediatric solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 17(17); 5656–67. ©2011 AACR.
Advanced Clinical Medicine Requires Advanced Clinical Ethics
Authors: Hansen Thor Willy Ruud
Published: July 2011

Many advances have occurred in clinical medicine in the last decades. Solid organ transplants, corrective surgery for congenital malformations, improved cytostatic regimes for children with cancer, and respiratory care for premature infants are but a few examples of the changing face of medical practice. Such changes have added years to life. But along the way many patients have paid a price, both in terms of loss of life and of added suffering. Even today, some survivors are faced with a life of impairment and suffering. Follow-up studies of extremely low-birth-weight infants show that the smallest infants have a high rate of severe sequelae. Some argue that such suffering should be sufficient reason to make us desist from further attempts to advance the frontiers of therapy. This paper seeks to reflect on the character of advanced medicine and on how we relate to patients and their kin in our quest for further improvements in therapy. The price for continued advances will inevitably be paid by some patients who will not profit from them. Therefore, patients who are asked to participate in such a quest must receive honest and transparent information, including a discussion about where and how they would draw the limits. Clinical competency is a core concept in advanced medicine, but a caring comportment also demands that our relationship to the patient be characterized by honesty, integrity, and decency. In dialogue with parents, finding the right balance between parental exercise of autonomy and safe-guarding the best interest of the child remains a challenge.
Dimorphic Expression of Various Transcription Factor and Steroidogenic Enzyme Genes during Gonadal Ontogeny in the Air-Breathing Catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Raghuveer K. , Senthilkumaran B. , Sudhakumari C.C. , Sridevi P. , Rajakumar A. , Singh R. , Murugananthkumar R. , Majumdar K.C.
Published: July 2011

In the present study the expression of 13 genes known to be involved in sex differentiation and steroidogenesis in catfish was analyzed during gonadal ontogeny by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Dmrt1 and sox9a showed exclusive expression in male gonads while ovarian aromatase (cyp19a1) and foxl2 were abundant in differentiating female gonads. Most of the genes related to steroidogenesis were expressed only after gonadal differentiation. However, genes coding for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-hsd), 17α-hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase type 1 (cyp17) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star) were barely detectable during gonadal differentiation. Ovarian aromatase, cyp19a1, which is responsible for estradiol-17β biosynthesis in females, was expressed very early in the undifferentiated gonads of catfish, around 30–40 days post hatch (dph). The steroidogenic enzyme, 11β-hydroxylase (cyp11b1) required for the production of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) was expressed only after differentiation of testis. These results suggest that estradiol-17β has a critical role in ovarian differentiation, while the role of 11-KT in testicular differentiation is doubtful. In conclusion, dimorphic expression of dmrt1 and sox9a in gonads during early development is required for testicular differentiation, and sex-specific expression of cyp19a1 and foxl2 in females plays a critical role in ovarian development. Our study reveals that the critical period of gonadal differentiation in catfish starts around 30–40 dph when sex-specific genes showed differential expression.
Normal Tempo of Bone Formation in Turner Syndrome despite Signs of Accelerated Bone Resorption
Authors: Cleemann Line , Holm Kirsten , Kobbernagel Hanne , Skouby Sven O. , Kristensen Bent , Smedegaard Heidi , Andersson Anna-Maria , Cohen Arieh , Gravholt Claus H.
Published: July 2011

Aims: To evaluate area bone mineral density (aBMD) and volumetric BMD (vBMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and relations to bone markers and hormones in adolescent women with Turner syndrome (TS). Methods: Cross-sectional study in TS patients (n = 37, 16.7 ± 3.4 years) and control group (n = 49), assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone markers and hormones. TS patients were divided into a young group receiving (‘ongoing’) GH (n = 15) and an older group previously receiving (‘previous’) GH (n = 22). Results: vBMDspine was similar in ‘ongoing GH’ TS, but higher in ‘previous GH’ TS, compared to controls. vBMDhip was lower in ‘ongoing GH’ TS, but similar in ‘previous GH’. z scores for aBMD were uniformly reduced in ‘ongoing TS’, but near-normalized in ‘previous GH’ TS. Bone formation and resorption markers were increased in ‘ongoing GH’ TS, while ‘previous GH’ TS had elevated bone resorption markers. Conclusion: BMD increased in parallel with age in TS patients receiving optimal estradiol replacement therapy and GH according to consensus guidelines, and in controls. Young TS undergoing pubertal induction and still receiving GH have lower z score BMD than older TS patients receiving hormonal replacement therapy, where a near-normalization of BMD was achieved. TS patients previously receiving GH showed signs of increased bone resorption.
The Diagnostic Value of Cytokeratin 5/6, 14, 17, and 18 Expression in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Chen Yuan , Cui Tiantian , Yang Linlin , Mireskandari Masoud , Knoesel Thomas , Zhang Qing , Pacyna-Gengelbach Manuela , Petersen Iver
Published: July 2011

Objectives: The expression patterns of cytokeratin (CK) filaments in human epithelial neoplasms are complex and distinctive. The aims of this study were to analyze CK expression and to evaluate the diagnostic application of CKs in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: mRNA expression of CK5, CK6, CK14, CK15, CK17, and CK19 was analyzed by Northern blotting. Protein expression of CK5/6, CK7, CK14, CK17, and CK18 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Results: Northern blotting showed that CKs were highly expressed in human bronchial epithelial cells and/or small airway epithelial cells. In NSCLC cell lines, the expression pattern of CKs was heterogeneous. Regarding protein expression of CKs in 95 primary lung tumors, expression of CK5/6, CK14, and CK17 proteins was increased in squamous cell carcinomas compared to adenocarcinomas (ADC; p = 0.001, p = 0.030, and p = 0.001, respectively), and higher expression was significantly associated with lower grading (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively), while increased expression of CK7 and CK18 was observed in ADC (p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our data suggest that CK5/6, CK7, CK14, CK17, and CK18 have diagnostic value in the subclassification of NSCLC.
The genetic basis of platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel
Authors: Fefer Paul , Matetzky Shlomi
Published: July 2011

Clopidogrel reduces ischaemic complications in a wide range of patients with coronary artery disease. However, there is much inter-individual variation in clopidogrel-induced platelet inhibition, and a substantial proportion of patients will exhibit non-responsiveness to clopidogrel. Multiple studies have demonstrated an association between the presence of genetic polymorphisms associated with suboptimal clopidogrel-active metabolite generation, decreased platelet responsiveness, and adverse clinical outcomes. However, it is not clear to what extent the genetic polymorphisms account for the observed variability in response to clopidogrel. In this review we provide a critical summary of the available evidence linking genetic factors with response to clopidogrel, and discuss the clinical implications of this association.
Value of Primordial and Primary Prevention for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Weintraub William S. , Daniels Stephen R. , Burke Lora E. , Franklin Barry A. , Goff David C. , Hayman Laura L. , Lloyd-Jones Donald , Pandey Dilip K. , Sanchez Eduardo J. , Schram Andrea Parsons , Whitsel Laurie P.
Published: July 2011

The process of atherosclerosis may begin in youth and continue for decades, leading to both nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death. With primordial and primary prevention, cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Clinical trial evidence has shown convincingly that pharmacological treatment of risk factors can prevent events. The data are less definitive but also highly suggestive that appropriate public policy and lifestyle interventions aimed at eliminating tobacco use, limiting salt consumption, encouraging physical exercise, and improving diet can prevent events. There has been concern about whether efforts aimed at primordial and primary prevention provide value (ie, whether such interventions are worth what we pay for them). Although questions about the value of therapeutics for acute disease may be addressed by cost-effectiveness analysis, the long time frames involved in evaluating preventive interventions make cost-effectiveness analysis difficult and necessarily flawed. Nonetheless, cost-effectiveness analyses reviewed in this policy statement largely suggest that public policy, community efforts, and pharmacological intervention are all likely to be cost-effective and often cost saving compared with common benchmarks. The high direct medical care and indirect costs of cardiovascular disease—approaching $450 billion a year in 2010 and projected to rise to over $1 trillion a year by 2030—make this a critical medical and societal issue. Prevention of cardiovascular disease will also provide great value in developing a healthier, more productive society.