bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skeleton‐driven Adaptive Hexahedral Meshing of Tubular Shapes
Authors: Livesu Marco , Muntoni Alessandro , Puppo Enrico , Scateni Riccardo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe propose a novel method for the automatic generation of structured hexahedral meshes of articulated 3D shapes. We recast the complex problem of generating the connectivity of a hexahedral mesh of a general shape into the simpler problem of generating the connectivity of a tubular structure derived from its curve‐skeleton. We also provide volumetric subdivision schemes to nicely adapt the topology of the mesh to the local thickness of tubes, while regularizing per‐element size. Our method is fast, one‐click, easy to reproduce, and it generates structured meshes that better align to the branching structure of the input shape if compared to previous methods for hexa mesh generation.
Minimal Sampling for Effective Acquisition of Anisotropic BRDFs
Authors: Vávra R. , Filip J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBRDFs are commonly used for material appearance representation in applications ranging from gaming and the movie industry, to product design and specification. Most applications rely on isotropic BRDFs due to their better availability as a result of their easier acquisition process. On the other hand, anisotropic BRDF due to their structure‐dependent anisotropic highlights, are more challenging to measure and process. This paper thus leverages the measurement process of anisotropic BRDF by representing such BRDF by the collection of isotropic BRDFs. Our method relies on an anisotropic BRDF database decomposition into training isotropic slices forming a linear basis, where appropriate sparse samples are identified using numerical optimization. When an unknown anisotropic BRDF is measured, these samples are repeatably captured in a small set of azimuthal directions. All collected samples are then used for an entire measured BRDF reconstruction from a linear isotropic basis. Typically, below 100 samples are sufficient for the capturing of main visual features of complex anisotropic materials, and we provide a minimal directional samples to be regularly measured at each sample rotation. We conclude, that even simple setups relying on five bidirectional samples (maximum of five stationary sensors/lights) in combination with eight rotations (rotation stage for specimen) can yield a promising reconstruction of anisotropic behavior. Next, we outline extension of the proposed approach to adaptive sampling of anisotropic BRDF to gain even better performance. Finally, we show that our method allows using standard geometries, including industrial multi‐angle reflectometers, for the fast measurement of anisotropic BRDFs.
Progressive compression of arbitrary textured meshes
Authors: Caillaud F. , Vidal V. , Dupont F. , Lavoué G. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we present a progressive compression algorithm for textured surface meshes, which is able to handle polygonal non‐manifold meshes as well as discontinuities in the texture mapping. Our method applies iterative batched simplifications, which create high quality levels of detail by preserving both the geometry and the texture mapping. The main features of our algorithm are (1) generic edge collapse and vertex split operators suited for polygonal non‐manifold meshes with arbitrary texture seam configurations, and (2) novel geometry‐driven prediction schemes and entropy reduction techniques for efficient encoding of connectivity and texture mapping. To our knowledge, our method is the first progressive algorithm to handle polygonal non‐manifold models. For geometry and connectivity encoding of triangular manifolds and non‐manifolds, our method is competitive with state‐of‐the‐art and even better at low/medium bitrates. Moreover, our method allows progressive encoding of texture coordinates with texture seams; it outperforms state‐of‐the‐art approaches for texture coordinate encoding. We also present a bit‐allocation framework which multiplexes mesh and texture refinement data using a perceptually‐based image metric, in order to optimize the quality of levels of detail.
Tracing Field‐Coherent Quad Layouts
Authors: Pietroni Nico , Puppo Enrico , Marcias Giorgio , Scopigno Roberto , Cignoni Paolo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractGiven a cross field over a triangulated surface we present a practical and robust method to compute a field aligned coarse quad layout over the surface. The method works directly on a triangle mesh without requiring any parametrization and it is based on a new technique for tracing field‐coherent geodesic paths directly on a triangle mesh, and on a new relaxed formulation of a binary LP problem, which allows us to extract both conforming quad layouts and coarser layouts containing t‐junctions. Our method is easy to implement, very robust, and, being directly based on the input cross field, it is able to generate better aligned layouts, even with complicated fields containing many singularities. We show results on a number of datasets and comparisons with state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Anti‐contactin‐associated protein‐2 encephalitis: relevance of antibody titres, presentation and outcome
Authors: Bien C. G. , Mirzadjanova Z. , Baumgartner C. , Onugoren M. D. , Grunwald T. , Holtkamp M. , Isenmann S. , Kermer P. , Melzer N. , Naumann M. , Riepe M. , Schäbitz W. R. , von Oertzen T. J. , von Podewils F. , Rauschka H. , May T. W. 
Published: October 2016

Background and purposeTo clarify the relevance of titres of IgG antibodies against contactin‐associated protein‐2 (CASPR2) in diagnosing anti‐CASPR2 encephalitis and to describe features and outcomes.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 64 patients with CASPR2 antibodies, categorized independently as ‘autoimmune encephalitis’ or ‘other disease’. Logistic regression methods were performed to identify potential predictors of ‘autoimmune encephalitis’ in addition to CASPR2 antibodies.ResultsAn upfront CASPR2 antibody serum titre cut‐off at ≥1:200 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 81%. Logistic regression analyses indicated that, in addition to titre, encephalitic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was a significant predictor of ‘autoimmune encephalitis’ (Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.81, P < 0.001) with high sensitivity (84%) and very high specificity (100%). Patients with CASPR2 antibodies and an estimated probability of >70% of having anti‐CASPR2 encephalitis (n = 22) had limbic encephalitis (n = 18, one patient plus ataxia), Morvan syndrome (n = 2) or a hyperkinetic movement disorder (n = 2). Median modified Rankin score (mRS) at diagnosis was 3 (range 1–4). Twenty patients were male; median age was 64 (range 54–75) years; 5/15 patients with cerebrospinal fluid data had intrathecal CASPR2 antibody synthesis, and 12/19 with follow‐ups >3 months (median 12 months, range 4–43 months) improved by ≥1 mRS point resulting in a median mRS of 2 (range 0–6; one death; all but one having received immunotherapy); and 2/15 patients with follow‐up MRI developed hippocampal atrophy.ConclusionsOnly higher CASPR2 serum antibody titres indicate anti‐CASPR2 encephalitis, and diagnostic accuracy increases if MRI findings are considered. Anti‐CASPR2 encephalitis has characteristic features and a favourable outcome with immunotherapy.
Fermentation quality and nutritive value of fresh and fermented total mixed rations containing Chinese wildrye or corn stover
Authors: Cao Yang , Zang Yanqing , Jiang Zaihui , Han Yahui , Hou JianJun , Liu Huawei , Zhong Rongzhen , Fang Jiachen , Zhang Aizhong , Yoshida Norio 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNutritive value of fresh or fermented total mixed ration (TMR) containing Chinese wildrye (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzval.) or dry corn (Zea mays L.) stover was determined. The experimental treatments included fermentation and dietary roughage. The fermentation treatments included fresh and fermented TMR, while the dietary roughage treatments included Chinese wildrye and corn stover. Compared to the fresh TMR, the fermented TMR had higher (P < 0.05) contents of ether extract, lactic acid, acetic acid and ammonia‐nitrogen (N) but lower (P < 0.05) organic matter, non fibrous carbohydrate and neutral detergent fiber, and inhibited growth of molds in silages; moreover, the fermented TMR increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of ether extract and neutral detergent fiber, and tended to increase (P < 0.05) the digestibility of acid detergent fiber, but also increased the concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acid and valeric acid at 2 h of feeding, and ammonia‐N at 2 or 4 h of feeding. The silage with 10 mm corn stover had a higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid content, and reduced (P < 0.05) losses of non fibrous carbohydrate during fermentation compared with 50 mm treatment. Almost all chopped‐corn stover TMR had similar nutrient digestibility to Chinese wildrye. Among the eight TMRs, the fermented TMR with 10 mm corn stover had the highest intake ration of dry matter, while the fermented TMR with Chinese wildrye was the lowest. These results suggest that fermentation inhibit growth of molds in silage, decrease neutral detergent fiber, and then improve the nutrient digestibility. Chopped corn stover TMR had similar nutrient digestibility to Chinese wildrye TMR, and could replace Chinese wildrye in TMRs for ruminants.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA profiles among chronic HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals in ESPRIT; spontaneous HCV RNA clearance observed in nine individuals
Authors: Grint D , Tedaldi E , Peters L , Mocroft A , Edlin B , Gallien S , Klinker H , Boesecke C , Kokordelis P , Rockstroh JK 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesStudies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels remain stable over time in HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), while spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA during the persistent infection phase has been documented only rarely among those with the CC interleukin (IL)‐28B genotype. This study describes HCV RNA profiles and factors associated with changes over time in HCV RNA levels in the ESPRIT study.MethodsHIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals positive for HCV RNA were included in the study. Follow‐up was counted from the first HCV RNA positive test and censored at the initiation of interferon‐based treatment. HCV RNA and IL‐28B measurements were performed in the same reference laboratory. Random effects mixed models were used to analyse changes over time in HCV RNA.ResultsA total of 312 ESPRIT patients were included in the study (151 in the arm receiving subcutaneous recombinant IL‐2 and 161 in the control arm). Most of the patients were white (89%) and male (76%), and they had a median of 5 HCV RNA measurements per person [interquartile range (IQR) 3–6; range 1–9]. Median follow‐up was 5 years (IQR: 2−6 years). At baseline, 96% of patients were taking cART and 93% had undetectable HIV RNA. Mean HCV RNA levels decreased by 13% per year over the study period [95% confidence interval (CI) 8–18%; P < 0.0001]. Baseline HCV RNA levels and the change over time in HCV RNA did not differ by randomization arm (P = 0.16 and P = 0.56, respectively). Nine individuals spontaneously cleared HCV RNA during follow‐up [IL‐28B genotypes: CC, five patients (56%); CT, four patients (44%)].ConclusionsHCV RNA levels decreased over time in this population with well‐controlled HIV infection. Spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA was documented in five individuals with IL‐28B genotype CC and four with the CT genotype.
Antimicrobial effects of six Algerian propolis extracts
Authors: Boufadi Yasmina Mokhtaria , Soubhye Jalal , Nève Jean , Van Antwerpen Pierre , Riazi Ali 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThis study aimed to study the antimicrobial effect of propolis and determine the essential compounds which give it the antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial effect was investigated for six ethyl acetate extracts of propolis (EAPs) collected from different regions of Algeria on four pathogenic strains (Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and two benefit strains (Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus). The results obtained in this study indicated that the different EAPs showed potential inhibitory effects on tested pathogenic strains with variable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.3 and 9 mg ml−1, while the beneficial bacteria showed resistance against EAPs of propolis. The results demonstrated also that the flavonoid compounds have very low MIC values, while phenolic acid compounds have variables MIC values of 1–10 mg ml−1. These results indicated that propolis contains proven substances with antimicrobial activity and are a prelude to the investigations aimed at empowerment of the bee substance as a potential source of antimicrobial agents with multiple outlets.
Limits of Object Persistence: Young Infants Perceive Continuity of Vertical and Horizontal Trajectories, But Not 45‐Degree Oblique Trajectories
Authors: Bremner J. Gavin , Slater Alan M. , Mason Uschi C. , Spring Jo , Johnson Scott P. 
Published: October 2016

Previous research indicated that 4‐month‐old infants perceive continuity of objects moving on horizontal trajectories but appear to have difficulty processing occlusion events involving oblique trajectories. However, because perception of continuity of vertical trajectories has not been tested, it is uncertain whether this indicates a specific deficit for oblique trajectories or a specific advantage for horizontal trajectories. We evaluated the contribution of trajectory orientation and the form of occlusion in three experiments with one hundred and forty‐four 4‐month‐olds. Infants perceived continuity of horizontal and vertical trajectories under all conditions presented. However, they did not perceive continuity of an oblique (45°) trajectory under any condition. Thus, 4‐month‐olds appear unable to process continuity of a 45° trajectory. In a fourth experiment with forty‐eight 6‐ and 8‐month‐old infants, we demonstrated that by 6 months, infants' difficulty with oblique trajectories is overcome. We suggest that young infants' difficulty with markedly oblique trajectories likely relates to immature eye movement control.
Epidermal grafting for wound healing: a review on the harvesting systems, the ultrastructure of the graft and the mechanism of wound healing
Authors: Kanapathy Muholan , Hachach‐Haram Nadine , Bystrzonowski Nicola , Connelly John T , O'Toole Edel A , Becker David L , Mosahebi Afshin , Richards Toby 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEpidermal grafting for wound healing involves the transfer of the epidermis from a healthy location to cover a wound. The structural difference of the epidermal graft in comparison to the split‐thickness skin graft and full‐thickness skin graft contributes to the mechanism of effect. While skin grafting is an epidermal transfer, little is known about the precise mechanism of wound healing by epidermal graft. This paper aims to explore the evolution of the epidermal graft harvesting system over the last five decades, the structural advantages of epidermal graft for wound healing and the current hypotheses on the mechanism of wound healing by epidermal graft. Three mechanisms are proposed: keratinocyte activation, growth factor secretion and reepithelialisation from the wound edge. We evaluate and explain how these processes work and integrate to promote wound healing based on the current in vivo and in vitro evidence. We also review the ongoing clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of epidermal graft for wound healing. The epidermal graft is a promising alternative to the more invasive conventional surgical techniques as it is simple, less expensive and reduces the surgical burden for patients in need of wound coverage.
Cold sintering process: A new era for ceramic packaging and microwave device development
Authors: Guo Jing , Baker Amanda L. , Guo Hanzheng , Lanagan Michael , Randall Clive A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCold sintering process (CSP) is an extremely low‐temperature sintering process (room temperature to ~200°C) that uses aqueous‐based solutions as transient solvents to aid densification by a nonequilibrium dissolution‐precipitation process. In this work, CSP is introduced to fabricate microwave and packaging dielectric substrates, including ceramics (bulk monolithic substrates and multilayers) and ceramic‐polymer composites. Some dielectric materials, namely Li2MoO4, Na2Mo2O7, K2Mo2O7, and (LiBi)0.5MoO4 ceramics, and also (1−x)Li2MoO4−xPTFE and (1−x)(LiBi)0.5MoO4−xPTFE composites, are selected to demonstrate the feasibility of CSP in microwave and packaging substrate applications. Selected dielectric ceramics and composites with high densities (88%‐95%) and good microwave dielectric properties (permittivity, 5.6‐37.1; Q × f, 1700‐30 500 GHz) were obtained by CSP at 120°C. CSP can be also used to potentially develop a new co‐fired ceramic technology, namely CSCC. Li2MoO4−Ag multilayer co‐fired ceramic structures were successfully fabricated without obvious delamination, warping, or interdiffusion. Numerous materials with different dielectric properties can be densified by CSP, indicating that CSP provides a simple, effective, and energy‐saving strategy for the ceramic packaging and microwave device development.
George Wallis (1811–1891) and Ernest Beinfeld Havell (1861–1934): Juxtaposing Historical Perspectives on Nineteenth‐Century Drawing Books in England and India
Authors: Kantawala Ami , Daichendt G. James 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDrawing books can be seen as a vital component to teaching and learning art. They serve as an excellent resource for understanding the historical context of teaching drawing. As the industrial revolution geared forward in the nineteenth century, drawing books became a crucial source for sharing and disseminating educational philosophies for the teaching of drawing as well as understanding artistic practices. Serving many informal and traditional educational contexts, drawing books can be seen as evidence of how people learned or were taught. Although many accounts of teaching of drawing are known, little is documented about the many drawing manuals developed by art educators in England and its colonies, specifically India. This article examines nineteenth‐century drawing books by George Wallis (1811–91) and Ernest Beinfeld Havell (1861–1934) and the subsequent influence of these books on art education in England and India. Through comparison between the different approaches of authoring these drawing books, one could argue that both Havell and Wallis pursued nationalistic and personal goals by juxtaposing the authoring styles of their books. It was evident that George Wallis’ authorship of his drawing books was grounded in his philosophy of education, appreciation for design education, and dedication to England. Havell's drawing books, on the other hand, attempted to provide students with the knowledge of Indian sculpture, architecture and painting thereby exposing them to India's artistic heritage as well as raising awareness about utilising Indian art as the basis of instruction at the Indian art schools as part of the larger Indian nationalist movement against British rule. Their histories cumulatively bring to print a specific account of drawing manuals used during the nineteenth century and their influence on the teaching and learning of drawing in England and India.
Correlation between protein expression of FOXP3 and level of FOXP3 promoter methylation in recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Hou Wenhui , Li Zhuyu , Li Yinguang , Fang Liyuan , Li Jie , Huang Jia , Li Xiaoqing , You Zeshan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the level of Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) promoter methylation and protein expression in recurrent spontaneous abortion and to elucidate the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA).MethodsWe assessed a total of 56 URSA patients with a normal embryo, 24 recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients with an abnormal embryo (as control group 1), and 39 normal pregnant women (as control group 2). The expression of FOXP3 protein in deciduas was assessed through Western blot, and the level of FOXP3 promoter methylation was detected using bisulfite‐assisted genomic sequencing polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe expressing quantity of FOXP3 protein in the URSA group was significantly lower than that in control groups 1 and 2, both with a P‐value < 0.05. By contrast, no statistical difference was observed in the expressing quantity of FOXP3 protein of the two control groups (P = 0.212). The FOXP3 promoter methylation level in the URSA group was significantly higher than that in the two control groups, both of which exhibited a statistical difference of P‐values < 0.05. Meanwhile, no statistical difference was observed in the FOXP3 promoter methylation level of the two control groups (P = 0.141). A negative correlation was found between the FOXP3 promoter methylation level and the expressing quantity of FOXP3 protein (r = −0.861, P < 0.05).ConclusionIncreasing FOXP3 promoter methylation levels may cause abnormal immune tolerance through the downregulation expression of the FOXP3 protein, which in turn leads to URSA.
Squamous cell carcinoma arising from a vulval epidermal cyst
Authors: Sze Shirley , Richmond Ian , Bickers Adam , Saha Arabinda 
Published: October 2016

AbstractMalignant transformation of epidermal cyst is rare, with most cases arising in the head and neck. Here, we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a longstanding epidermal cyst in the right vulva of a 65‐year‐old woman. The patient presented with a sudden increase in size of the cyst over 6 weeks to the size of a golf ball. Excisional biopsy and histology indicated moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma within an epidermal cyst (FIGO stage IB). Strong p16 immunopositivity was also demonstrated and the potential significance of this is discussed. Limited right hemivulvectomy and right groin node dissection were performed.
Effects of Bacillus subtilis Strains on Growth, Immune Parameters, and Streptococcus iniae Susceptibility in Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Addo Samuel , Carrias Abel A. , Williams Malachi A. , Liles Mark R. , Terhune Jeffery S. , Davis Donald A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotic‐amended diets fed to juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, on growth and susceptibility to Streptococcus iniae infection. Fish (average weight 16.5 ± 0.2 g) were fed five diets formulated with Bacillus subtilis strains SB3086, SB3295, SB3615, or AP193 either individually or in combination of strains SB3086 and SB3615 at a targeted concentration of approximately 4 × 107 colony‐forming units (CFU)/g of feed or with a basal control diet with no additives for 21 d. After the 21‐d growth trial, no significant difference in growth performance was observed with any probiotic‐amended diet. Results from serum bactericidal activity showed a significant difference between treatments and the control (P = 0.0002), except for the SB3295‐amended diet (P = 0.9020). Lysozyme activity was also significantly different in fish fed probiotic diets from those fed control diet (P = 0.0001). After 21 d of feeding, fish were challenged with S. iniae by intraperitoneal injection at a dosage of 8 × 106 CFU per fish. Results from the challenge also showed a significant difference between treatments and control (P = 0.0001). Overall, fish fed with strain SB3615 showed the lowest percent mortality (44.0 ± 7.2%) and those fed the control diet showed the highest mortality (77.3 ± 7.0%). The combined feeding with strains SB3086 and SB3615 did not result in any significant difference in reducing mortality because of S. iniae infection in juvenile Nile tilapia when compared with the individual probiotic treatments.