bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Merged Multiresolution Hierarchies for Shadow Map Compression
Authors: Scandolo Leonardo , Bauszat Pablo , Eisemann Elmar 
Published: October 2016

AbstractMultiresolution Hierarchies (MH) and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG) are two recent approaches for the compression of high‐resolution shadow information. In this paper, we introduce Merged Multiresolution Hierarchies (MMH), a novel data structure that unifies both concepts. An MMH leverages both hierarchical homogeneity exploited in MHs, as well as topological similarities exploited in DAG representations. We propose an efficient hash‐based technique to quickly identify and remove redundant subtree instances in a modified relative MH representation. Our solution remains lossless and significantly improves the compression rate compared to both preceding shadow map compression algorithms, while retaining the full run‐time performance of traditional MH representations.
Feature‐Aware Pixel Art Animation
Authors: Kuo Ming‐Hsun , Yang Yong‐Liang , Chu Hung‐Kuo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPixel art is a modern digital art in which high resolution images are abstracted into low resolution pixelated outputs using concise outlines and reduced color palettes. Creating pixel art is a labor intensive and skill‐demanding process due to the challenge of using limited pixels to represent complicated shapes. Not surprisingly, generating pixel art animation is even harder given the additional constraints imposed in the temporal domain. Although many powerful editors have been Designed to facilitate the creation of still pixel art images, the extension to pixel art animation remains an unexplored direction. Existing systems typically request users to craft individual pixels frame by frame, which is a tedious and error‐prone process. In this work, we present a novel animation framework tailored to pixel art images. Our system bases on conventional key‐frame animation framework and state‐of‐the‐art image warping techniques to generate an initial animation sequence. The system then jointly optimizes the prominent feature lines of individual frames respecting three metrics that capture the quality of the animation sequence in both spatial and temporal domains. We demonstrate our system by generating visually pleasing animations on a variety of pixel art images, which would otherwise be difficult by applying state‐of‐the‐art techniques due to severe artifacts.
Variance Analysis of Multi‐sample and One‐sample Multiple Importance Sampling
Authors: Sbert M. , Havran V. , Szirmay‐Kalos L. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe reexamine in this paper the variance for the Multiple Importance Sampling (MIS) estimator for multi‐sample and one‐sample model. As a result of our analysis we can obtain the optimal estimator for the multi‐sample model for the case where the weights do not depend on the count of samples. We extend the analysis to include the cost of sampling. With these results in hand we find a better estimator than balance heuristic with equal count of samples. Further, we show that the variance for the one‐sample model is larger or equal than for the multi‐sample model, and that there are only two cases where the variance is the same. Finally, we study on four examples the difference of variances for equal count as used by Veach, our new estimator, and a recently introduced heuristic.
Harmonic Functions for Rotational Symmetry Vector Fields
Authors: Shen Zhongwei , Fang Xianzhong , Liu Xinguo , Bao Hujun , Huang Jin 
Published: October 2016

AbstractRepresenting rotational symmetry vector as a set of vectors is not suitable for design due to lacking of a consistent ordering for measurement. In this paper we introduce a spectral method to find rotation invariant harmonic functions for symmetry vector field design. This method is developed for 3D vector fields, but it is applicable in 2D. Given the finite symmetry group G of a symmetry vector fieldv(x) on a 3D domain Ω, we formulate the harmonic function h(s) as a stationary point of group G. Using the real spherical harmonic (SH) bases, we showed the coefficients of the harmonic functions are an eigenvector of the SH rotation matrices corresponding to group G. Instead of solving eigen problems to obtain the eigenvector, we developed a forward constructive method based on orthogonal group theory. The harmonic function found by our method is not only invariant under G, but also expressive and can distinguish different rotations with respect to G. At last, we demonstrate some vector field design results with tetrahedron‐symmetry, cube‐symmetry and dodecahedron‐symmetry groups.
von Willebrand disease type 1 mutation p.Arg1379Cys and the variant p.Ala1377Val synergistically determine a 2M phenotype in four Italian patients
Authors: Pagliari M. T. , Baronciani L. , Stufano F. , Garcia‐Oya I. , Cozzi G. , Franchi F. , Peyvandi F. 
Published: October 2016

IntroductionWe characterized five patients affected with von Willebrand disease (VWD) carrying the p.Arg1379Cys mutation. One was diagnosed as VWD type 1 and four as type 2M. The 2M patients also have the variant p.Ala1377Val in cis with p.Arg1379Cys.AimTo evaluate the role of p.Ala1377Val and p.Arg1379Cys von Willebrand factor (VWF) variants to explain patients' phenotype.MethodsConventional phenotype tests were used to evaluate patients' plasma and platelets. Direct sequence analysis of exon 28 was carried out. The allele frequency of p.Ala1377Val was evaluated using online database. pcDNA3.1‐VWF‐WT and mutant (A1377V, R1379C and A1377V‐R1379C) expression vectors were transiently transfected in HEK293 cells. The capacity of WT and mutant recombinant (r)VWF (along with patients' plasma VWF) to bind glycoprotein Ibα (GpIbα) were evaluated, using two ELISA assays. One with a wild‐type (WT) recombinant (r)GpIbα at increasing ristocetin concentrations (from 0 to 1.50 mg mL−1) and the other with a gain‐of‐function mutant rGpIbα (VWF:GPIbM).ResultsThe substitution c.4130C>T (p.Ala1377Val) was reported as rare variant in online databases. At 0.25 mg mL−1 of ristocetin, WT, A1377V and R1379C showed 6, 7.5 and 12‐fold increased binding to rGpIbα, respectively. A1377V‐R1379C rVWF showed no increased binding to rGpIbα at the same ristocetin concentration and reached the highest binding, of only 3‐fold increased, at 1.50 mg mL−1 of ristocetin. The VWF:GPIbM showed strongly reduced values for the A1377V‐R1379C rVWF and the 2M patients' plasma.ConclusionOur study showed that the presence of both p.Ala1377Val and p.Arg1379Cys mutations (synergistic effect) abolishes the binding of rVWF to rGpIbα, explaining patients' 2M phenotype.
Crude extract of Fuzhuan brick tea ameliorates DSS‐induced colitis in mice
Authors: Liu Bo , Yang Tao , Zeng Linna , Shi Limin , Li Yan , Xia Zanguo , Xia Xuping , Lin Qinlu , Luo Feijun 
Published: October 2016

SummaryInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is highly prevalent worldwide and includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. It is a high incidence rate disease all over the world and an inducement of colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential protective effect of Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT) against colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in mice. ICR mice were administered FBT orally for 7 days before drinking 3% DSS (w/v). The FBT significantly attenuated the symptoms of colitis including diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and loss of body weight. FBT reduced the shortening of colon length and alleviated the histopathological damages. The myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde level in colon tissues were also significantly decreased by FBT. Besides, FBT treatment obviously suppressed the expression of the inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IFN‐γ. Our results provide a safe and efficient method for preventing and treating colitis.
Effect of differently processed açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) on the retention of phenolics and anthocyanins in chewy candies
Authors: da Silva Lidiane Bataglia , Annetta Fernanda Elena , Alves Adriana Barreto , Queiroz Marise Bonifácio , Fadini Ana Lúcia , da Silva Marta Gomes , Efraim Priscilla 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThis study investigated the effects of processing and storage on the physicochemical properties and retention of antioxidant compounds of no‐added sucrose chewy candies (NASC) incorporated with differently processed açai (frozen pulp, spray‐dried and freeze‐dried powders). NASC containing freeze‐dried açai had the highest softness and recoveries of total phenolic (TP) and total anthocyanin (TA) immediately after production. Colour parameters and antioxidant capacity by ABTS and ORAC assays had no significant differences after 6 months of NASC storage, except for ORAC in NASC containing spray‐dried açai, whereas DPPH• in all samples significantly increased. Water activity and hardness also increased after storage, whereas TP and TA contents decreased, despite presenting good retentions (approx. 72–78% TP and 84–99% TA). This study suggests that açai has a great potential to be used as a natural pigment and antioxidant source in candy manufacturing, meeting consumption trends towards healthier products.
Risk of advanced colorectal neoplasm in patients with more than 10 adenomas on index colonoscopy: A Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) study
Authors: Park Soo‐Kyung , Hwang Sung Wook , Kim Kyeong Ok , Cha Jae Myung , Boo Sun‐Jin , Shin Jeong Eun , Joo Young‐Eun , Jung Yunho , Lee Jun , Yang Hyo‐Joon , Park Dong Il ,   Intestinal Cancer Study Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID)
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackground and AimThe number of patients with >10 adenomas is relatively small, and few studies have investigated the risk of colorectal neoplasm (CRN) in these patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate the risk of developing CRN in patients with >10 adenomas and to compare their risk with that of patients with 3–10 adenomas.MethodsA retrospective multicenter cohort study that included 214 patients with >10 adenomas on index colonoscopy performed between January 2009 and December 2011, and underwent follow‐up colonoscopy until December 2015 was conducted. The risk of developing advanced CRN (cancer or advanced adenoma with a diameter of ≥10 mm or with a villous component, or high‐grade dysplasia) was investigated and compared with that in patients with 3–10 adenomas (n = 975).ResultsAmong the 214 patients with >10 adenomas, the mean age was 62.9 years and the mean number of adenomas on index colonoscopy was 14.2. Overall, 57 patients (26.6%) developed an advanced CRN after a mean of 4.3 years from baseline colonoscopy. The respective 3‐ and 5‐year cumulative risks of advanced CRN were 6.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9–10.7) and 28.7% (95% CI 20.8–36.5), higher than those in the group with 3–10 adenomas (n = 975, P = 0.001). Having >10 adenomas on index colonoscopy was an independent risk factor for developing advanced CRN (odds ratio 2.25, 95% CI 1.49–3.38).ConclusionsThe risk of developing advanced CRN in patients with >10 adenomas was high and statistically higher than that in patients with 3–10 adenomas. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate whether a more intensive surveillance is needed in this group.
Inflammatory bowel disease detection and monitoring by measuring biomarkers in non‐invasively collected colorectal mucus
Authors: Loktionov Alexandre , Chhaya Vivek , Bandaletova Tatiana , Poullis Andrew 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackground and AimNon‐invasive detection and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an important clinical challenge. Stool calprotectin is the most popular among available options, but the necessity of stool collection limits its acceptability. This study aimed to evaluate biomarker measurement in non‐invasively collected colorectal mucus as a new tool for IBD detection and activity monitoring.MethodsCalprotectin, eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (EDN), and protein S100A12 were measured in colorectal mucus self‐collected following defecation by 58 patients with IBD (before therapy), 50 patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and 33 healthy volunteers. Patients with IBD also collected samples at days 10, 20, and 30 of treatment for disease activity monitoring.ResultsProtein biomarker levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in IBD patients than in irritable bowel syndrome and control groups. Calprotectin and EDN effectively detected IBD with a respective sensitivity and specificity of 0.76 and 0.92 for calprotectin and 0.83 and 0.94 for EDN. S100A12 was less sensitive. Calprotectin and EDN results were combined in a new test (CALEDN) that had a sensitivity of 0.91 and a specificity of 0.89. Repeated biomarker measurement during IBD treatment demonstrated a steady decline of calprotectin and EDN levels as well as CALEDN values in patients responding to applied therapy and lack of this pattern in non‐responders.ConclusionsMeasuring calprotectin and EDN in non‐invasively collected colorectal mucus presents a simple and efficient method for IBD detection and monitoring. Excellent performance of EDN for this purpose is reported for the first time. Combining calprotectin and EDN in one test improves IBD detection sensitivity.
Results of sofosbuvir‐based combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C cohort of Indian patients in real‐life clinical practice
Authors: Sood Ajit , Midha Vandana , Mahajan Ramit , Narang Vikram , Mehta Varun , Wander Praneet , Sharma Suresh , Kaur Kirandeep , Singh Dharmatma 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackground and AimThe introduction of sofosbuvir has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. This study was planned to observe whether the efficacy and tolerability of sofosbuvir‐based regimens demonstrated in phase 3 clinical trial results translate into real‐life clinical practice.MethodsThis prospective, non‐randomized observational study conducted in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Punjab, included all consecutive treatment‐naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotypes 1–5) who were treated with sofosbuvir‐based regimens. Response to therapy was assessed at week 4 (rapid virological response), week 12 or 24 (end of treatment response), and 12 weeks after cessation of therapy (sustained virological response [SVR]).ResultsOf 947 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus and considered for treatment with direct‐acting antivirals, 736 patients (77.1%) opted for treatment (age 45.1 ± 10.1 years, 64% men, genotype 3 [80%], genotype 1 [14.7%], and genotype 4 [4.9%]). Viral load was high (>600 000 IU/mL) in 361/736 (49%); 330 patients (44.8%) had cirrhosis (80 [14.3%] were decompensated). Patients with genotypes 1, 4, and 5 (n = 135) were treated with triple drug regime (pegylated interferon, ribavirin, and sofosbuvir) for 12 weeks. Patients with genotype 3 (n = 589) were treated either with dual therapy (sofosbuvir and ribavirin) for 24 weeks (n = 405) or triple therapy for 12 weeks (n = 184). SVR was achieved in 453/473 (95.8%). SVR rates did not differ among different genotypes but were higher in non‐cirrhotics.ConclusionSofosbuvir‐based treatment regimens achieve high SVR rates in real‐life cohort of Indian patients with chronic hepatitis C infection (including those with cirrhosis).
The Persistence of Memory: The Quest for Human Origins and Destiny in Andrey Bely's Kotik Letaev and Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life
Authors: Paretsky Albert 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAndrey Bely's autobiographical novel Kotik Letaev and Terrence Malick's film The Tree of Life do not share a common subtext. Nevertheless, they have strikingly similar themes. They each deal with an adult's confrontation of his past through memory, a memory that extends back before birth. Coming to terms with the past prepares the adult protagonist of each work for his destiny. The essay discusses Malick's use of William Blake's mysticism and Bely's dependence on the religious‐philosophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner. Memory plays an important role in both works as it touches on the recapitulation of cosmic origins in the development of the individual human being. What the quester discovers through memory enables him to find the way back to Eternity from which he has descended. Both artists invoke the World Tree uniting heaven and earth and its association with the Cross of Christ. In both the novel and the film the world is seen first through a child's eyes, then through growing understanding of the adult. Malick illustrates with cinematography what Bely describes in words. Malick uses music in a way that fleshes out what Bely attempted to create through using musical tropes in language.
Unpacking Heat: Dueling Identities and Complex Views on Gun Control among Rural Police
Authors: Woldoff Rachael A. , Litchfield Robert C. , Sycafoose Matthews Angela 
Published: October 2016

AbstractUsing 20 semistructured interviews with police officers from a rural sheriff's department, we present what we believe is the first in‐depth examination of U.S. rural officers’ views on gun control. We find that officers possess complex views about gun control, reflecting their multiple identities as both gun‐oriented rural citizens and police who seek to control the situations they encounter at work. Specifically, we observed that rural police officers: (1) embrace a rural identity that implies support of gun rights over gun control; (2) report that police work experiences have caused them to embrace their police identity and to distance themselves from some gun‐related aspects of rural identity (e.g., they have lost interest in guns over time and have increasingly dissociated from gun‐enthusiast peers); and (3) have learned to incorporate aspects of both identities into their views on gun control, universally advocating for some gun control measures in the name of community safety, but rejecting others as part of rural ideological views about personal freedom. We discuss research and policy implications and suggest that policymakers must better appreciate the nuances and culture of rural places in order to gain rural citizens’ and rural police officers’ support for gun control legislation.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF BIOHYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM IMPERATA CYLINDRICA USING STOICHIOMETRIC EQUILIBRIUM MODEL
Authors: Oladokun Olagoke , Ahmad Arshad , Tuan Abdullah Tuan Amran , Nyakuma Bemgba Bevan , A. Kamaroddin Mohd Fadhzir , Ahmed Murtala , Alkali Habib 
Published: October 2016

This paper investigated the production of biohydrogen from Imperata cylindrica, using stoichiometric equilibrium model. The stoichiometric equilibrium model uses biomass ultimate analysis, thermodynamic equilibrium and elemental balance on biomass gasification reaction. The sensitivity analysis was studied over a wide range of operating conditions involving temperature (250 – 1500 °C), pressure (1 – 5 atm) and Steam to fuel ratio (0-5). The result shows biohydrogen and other biogas product were sensitive to temperature and steam-feed ratio, whereas effect of pressure is negligible. The operating condition for optimal biohydrogen production in moles (23%) was atmospheric pressure, temperature, 1500 °C and steam-feed ratio, 5. Biogas product mixtures are H2, 23%, CO, 17%, CO2, 12% CH4, 0% and H2O, 60%. Increase in steam-feed ratio (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) significantly increase the biohydrogen by 1381%, 90%, 46%, 31% and 24%. The stoichiometry equilibrium model could effectively be used in determining biohydrogen production and its sensitivity to temperature and steam
EFFECTIVENESS OF BLADE TIP ON LOW SPEED HORIZONTAL AXIS WIND TURBINE PERFORMANCE
Authors: Ariffudin Muhammad Hafidz , Mohd Zawawi Fazila , Mohamed Kamar Haslinda , Kamsah Nazri 
Published: October 2016

There has been an increasing demand for renewable energy in order to create a sustainable society as the non-renewable energies such as fossil fuel resources are limited. Modern wind turbines claim that they have a high efficiency in term of wind energy extraction. However, there are still having losses due to tip vortex causing to a reduction in performance. Motivated by this reason, this research aims at exploring the possibility to increase the performance of low speed small-scaled horizontal axis wind turbine with various tip devices using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Four wind turbine blades with different tip devices which consist of sword tip, swept tip, upwind winglet and downwind winglet are compared with wind turbine blade without tip device in term of CP. The application of tip device can significantly reduce induced tip vortex and improve wind turbine performance. For TSR below than 4, adding a sword tip increases CP about 7.3%, swept tip increases CP about 9.1%, upwind winglet increases CP about 1.8% and downwind winglet increases CP about 3.2%. It is observed that the best tip device for low wind speed application is swept tip as it give the highest performance increment compared to without tip device.
Identification of a T-Cell Epitope That Is Globally Conserved among Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) OMP7, OMP8, and OMP9 of Anaplasma marginale Strains and with OMP7 from the A. marginale subsp. centrale Vaccine Strain
Authors: Deringer James R. , Forero-Becerra Elkin G. , Ueti Massaro W. , Turse Joshua E. , Futse James E. , Noh Susan M. , Palmer Guy H. , Brown Wendy C. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTWithin the protective outer membrane (OM) fraction ofAnaplasma marginale, several vaccine candidates have emerged, including a family of OM proteins (OMPs) 7 to 9, which share sequence identity with each other and with the single protein OMP7 in the vaccine strainA. marginalesubsp.centrale.A. marginaleOMPs 7 to 9 are logical vaccine candidates because they are surface exposed, present in the OM immunogen and protective cross-linked OM proteins, recognized by immune serum IgG2 and T cells in cattle immunized with OM, and recognized by immune serum IgG2 from cattle immunized with theA. centralevaccine strain. We report the identification of a globally conserved 9-amino-acid T-cell epitope FLLVDDAI/VV shared betweenA. centralevaccine strain OMP7 and the relatedA. marginaleOMPs 7 to 9, where position 8 of the peptide can be isoleucine or valine. The epitope is conserved in AmericanA. marginalestrains, in the Australia Gypsy Plains strain, and in multiple field isolates from Ghana. This epitope, together with additional T-cell epitopes that are present within these proteins, should be considered for inclusion in a multivalent vaccine forA. marginalethat can provide protection against disease caused by globally distributed bacterial strains.