bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Animation‐Aware Quadrangulation
Authors: Marcias Giorgio , Pietroni Nico , Panozzo Daniele , Puppo Enrico , Sorkine‐Hornung Olga 
Published: August 2013

AbstractGeometric meshes that model animated characters must be designed while taking into account the deformations that the shape will undergo during animation. We analyze an input sequence of meshes with point‐to‐point correspondence, and we automatically produce a quadrangular mesh that fits well the input animation. We first analyze the local deformation that the surface undergoes at each point, and we initialize a cross field that remains as aligned as possible to the principal directions of deformation throughout the sequence. We then smooth this cross field based on an energy that uses a weighted combination of the initial field and the local amount of stretch. Finally, we compute a field‐aligned quadrangulation with an off‐the‐shelf method. Our technique is fast and very simple to implement, and it significantly improves the quality of the output quad mesh and its suitability for character animation, compared to creating the quad mesh based on a single pose. We present experimental results and comparisons with a state‐of‐the‐art quadrangulation method, on both sequences from 3D scanning and synthetic sequences obtained by a rough animation of a triangulated model.
Noise‐Adaptive Shape Reconstruction from Raw Point Sets
Authors: Giraudot Simon , Cohen‐Steiner David , Alliez Pierre 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe propose a noise‐adaptive shape reconstruction method specialized to smooth, closed shapes. Our algorithm takes as input a defect‐laden point set with variable noise and outliers, and comprises three main steps. First, we compute a novel noise‐adaptive distance function to the inferred shape, which relies on the assumption that the inferred shape is a smooth submanifold of known dimension. Second, we estimate the sign and confidence of the function at a set of seed points, through minimizing a quadratic energy expressed on the edges of a uniform random graph. Third, we compute a signed implicit function through a random walker approach with soft constraints chosen as the most confident seed points computed in previous step.
Clinical assessment of delayed gastric emptying and diabetic complications using gastric emptying scintigraphy: Involvement of vascular disorder
Authors: Kotani Kohei , Kawabe Joji , Kawamura Etsushi , Kawano Naoya , Emoto Masanori , Yoshida Atsushi , Higashiyama Shigeaki , Morioka Tomoaki , Inaba Masaaki , Shiomi Susumu 
Published: August 2013

SummaryAimDelayed gastric emptying, including gastroparesis, is a common complication in diabetes mellitus. The association between delayed gastric emptying and overall diabetic complications remains to be studied in detail. We analysed this association.MethodsWe performed gastric emptying scintigraphy of 99mTc‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid in 34 patients with diabetes to measure the gastric emptying half‐times (T1/2) of the whole stomach (WS), proximal stomach (PS) and distal stomach (DS). We assessed T1/2, diabetic‐related factors and complications.ResultsThe prevalence of autonomic neuropathy was higher in the group with delayed T1/2 of the WS than in the normal group. Analysis of intima‐media thickness (IMT) and ankle brachial pressure index (ABI), which are risk indicators for vascular disorder, showed that IMT of the carotid bulb was greater in the group with delayed T1/2 of the WS than in the normal group (2·41 mm [1·50–2·81] versus 1·40 mm [0·81–2·08], P = 0·015). T1/2 of the WS correlated positively with IMT of the carotid bulb (r = 0·391, P = 0·027) and negatively with ABI (r = −0·389, P = 0·028). These correlations were mainly attributed to PS and were the same in patients without autonomic neuropathy. In seven of nine patients who received scintigraphy again after diabetic treatment, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels decreased and T1/2 of the WS shortened compared with before treatment.ConclusionVascular disorder, among other cofactors such as autonomic neuropathy, could be involved in the pathophysiology of delayed gastric emptying. Medium‐ to long‐term glycaemic control was associated with gastric emptying.
Channel Structure Design for Complementary Products under a Co‐Opetitive Environment
Authors: Pun Hubert 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn the high‐tech industry, firms can be partners in one respect (e.g., resellers) and competitors in another. In this article, we investigate the channel structure problem for two firms‐each selling competing products in two complementary markets—who are deciding whether to sell their products to customers directly or distribute one of them through a competitor. The customers are heterogeneous and both firms have products that are horizontally differentiated. When selling products directly, the firm can coordinate the prices of the two complementary products and avoid the inefficiency of double marginalization. However, selling (indirectly) through the competing manufacturer can mitigate competition because the competitor shares the profit of both competing products and therefore does not price its own products aggressively. One might expect that when the externality across the markets is strong, firms would prefer to sell both products directly (rather than through the competitor) in order to take advantage of the complementarity between markets and eliminate the inefficiency of double marginalization. Interestingly, we find that even though the first mover chooses to sell both products directly, the second mover forsakes the opportunity to coordinate the prices of its products and instead opts to distribute one of the products through the first mover.
Understanding Drivers of Risk‐Adjusted Performance for Service Firms with International Operations*
Authors: Elango B. , Talluri Srinivas (Sri) , Hult G. Tomas M. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis article investigates whether international operations of service firms increase performance while reducing risk. The article draws on a longitudinal dataset of 584 internationally operating service firms from the United States. Analysis indicates that international diversification is negatively related to risk‐adjusted performance. However, it is established that international diversification interacts with internationalization and positively influences risk‐adjusted performance. This finding offers significant promise for firms, as it indicates that international operations (if managed well), through exposure to varied foreign markets coupled with adequate global scope, can lead to firms’ increased risk‐adjusted performance. The results provide a mechanism for decision‐makers to better understand international operations of service firms and present a strategy for achieving success in international markets by effectively managing two important levers: internationalization and international market diversification.
Transaction‐Specific Investments, Relational Norms, and ERP Customer Satisfaction: A Mediation Analysis*
Authors: Lai Fujun , Li Xiaolin , Lai Vincent S. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIntegrating the perspectives of transaction cost economics, the resource‐based view, and resource dependency theory, this study analyzes the institutional settings of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations in China. Specifically, it examines how bilateral transaction‐specific investments (TSIs) and relational governance mechanisms influence customer satisfaction with ERP implementations. The model is empirically tested using data from on‐site interviews with 208 ERP customers in China. The results demonstrate that the effects of vendors’ and customers’ TSIs on customer satisfaction are facilitated by multiple‐stage micromediational chains. The influence of TSIs on customer satisfaction is mediated by relational norms, and the impact of relational norms on customer satisfaction is bridged by perceived service quality and customer trust. Furthermore, the influence of vendors’ TSIs is stronger than the influence of customers’ TSIs. The findings contribute to business research and practice by providing valuable insights into how ERP vendors and customers should strategize TSIs to enhance relationship performance.
Capacity Investment and Product Line Decisions of a Multiproduct Leader and a Focus Strategy Entrant
Authors: Yayla‐Küllü H. Müge 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn this article, I investigate the capacity investment cost conditions where a multiproduct market leader may respond to a focus strategy entrant by using different strategies such as changing the product mix, production volumes, quality levels, and/or by investing in more capacity. The products offered in the market are quality differentiated and customers are heterogeneous in their willingness to pay for quality. The capacity investment costs of the two firms (i.e., the leader and the entrant) may also be different. The classical Stackelberg model predicts that an incumbent does not change its position in response to entry. However, when heterogeneous customer base, product differentiation, and capacity costs are taken into consideration, I find that the leader with a low capacity cost may choose to expand its product line and increase its production. The leader with low capacity cost may introduce a product that it was holding back when the entrant has to bear the high‐capacity cost and cannibalization threat is relatively small. Nevertheless, the extent of production volume strategies reduces as the capacity cost increases for the leader. I also find that when the leader has the power to set the industry standards by deciding the quality levels, as a response to a high‐quality focused entrant, the leader increases both levels of quality and production of the low‐quality product. Moreover, when the capacity investment cost is high for both the entrant and the leader, I find that market prices may increase with entry.
Severe obesity and diabetes self‐care attitudes, behaviours and burden: implications for weight management from a matched case‐controlled study. Results from Diabetes MILES—Australia
Authors: Dixon J. B. , Browne J. L. , Mosely K. G. , Rice T. L. , Jones K. M. , Pouwer F. , Speight J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAimsTo investigate whether diabetes self‐care attitudes, behaviours and perceived burden, particularly related to weight management, diet and physical activity, differ between adults with Type 2 diabetes who are severely obese and matched non‐severely obese control subjects.MethodsThe 1795 respondents to the Diabetes MILES—Australia national survey had Type 2 diabetes and reported height and weight data, enabling BMI calculation: 530 (30%) were severely obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2; median BMI = 41.6 kg/m2) and these were matched with 530 control subjects (BMI < 35 kg/m2; median BMI = 28.2 kg/m2). Diabetes self‐care behaviours, attitudes and burden were measured with the Diabetes Self‐Care Inventory—Revised. Within‐group and between‐group trends were examined.ResultsThe group with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 was less likely to achieve healthy diet and exercise targets, placed less importance on diet and exercise recommendations, and found the burden of diet and exercise recommendations to be greater than the group with BMI < 35 kg/m2. The group with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 was more likely to be actively trying to lose weight, but found weight control a greater burden. These issues accentuated with increasing obesity and were greatest in those with BMI > 45 kg/m2. There were no between‐group differences in other aspects of diabetes self‐care: self‐monitoring of blood glucose, use of medications and smoking. Moderate‐to‐severe symptoms of depression were independently associated with reduced likelihood of healthy diet and physical activity, and with greater burden associated with diet, physical activity and weight management.ConclusionsSeverely obese people with diabetes demonstrated self‐care attitudes, behaviours and burdens that infer barriers to weight loss. However, other important diabetes self‐care behaviours are supported equally by severely obese and non‐severely obese individuals.
Foliar nutrients explain goldspotted oak borer,Agrilus auroguttatus, adult feeding preference among fourCalifornia oak species
Authors: Chen Yigen , Coleman Tom W. , Jones Michael I. , Flint Mary L. , Seybold Steven J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAdults of the invasive goldspotted oak borer,Agrilus auroguttatusSchaeffer (Coleoptera:Buprestidae), consumed foliar weight in no‐choice feeding tests of, in descending order,California black oakQuercus kelloggiiNewb.,Engelmann oak,Quercus engelmanniiGreene, coast live oak,Quercus agrifoliaNée, and canyon live oak,Quercus chrysolepisLiebm. (Fagaceae). Furthermore, significantly more foliar area was consumed ofQ. kelloggiithan ofQ. chrysolepis. In dual‐choice feeding tests with isolated leaf disks,A. auroguttatusconsumed significantly more foliar weight and area ofQ. kelloggiirelative to the other three oak species, and more foliar weight ofQ. agrifoliathan ofQ. chrysolepis. In dual‐choice feeding tests with leaves on small branches,A. auroguttatusconsumed more foliar weight ofQ. kelloggiithan ofQ. engelmanniiandQ. agrifolia. Thus, multiple experiments suggested that adults ofA. auroguttatuspreferred the foliage ofQ. kelloggiiover that of the other three oak species, and among the other three species they did not appear to have a strong feeding preference. Factor analysis reduced the quantities of 13 foliar nutrients into two new variables (factor 1 and factor 2). Factor 1 was weighted heavily on the quantities of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper, whereas factor 2 was weighted heavily on the quantities of zinc, iron, and aluminum. Factor 1 varied by oak species, withQ. kelloggiihaving a higher factor 1 nutrient content than the other three species. Factor 2 response was higher inQ. kelloggii,Q. agrifolia, andQ. engelmanniithan inQ. chrysolepis. The collective effects of four macronutrients (nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and potassium) and two micronutrients (zinc and copper) suggest that these might be the nutrients directing preferential feeding ofA. auroguttatusadults on the foliage ofQ. kelloggii. Leaf toughness might also play an important role in feeding preference. FemaleA. auroguttatusdid not show an ovipositional preference among the four oak species.
Father‐Involvement in a Refugee Sample: Relations between Posttraumatic Stress and Caregiving
Authors: van Ee Elisa , Sleijpen Marieke , Kleber Rolf J. , Jongmans Marian J. 
Published: August 2013

Despite increased attention to the role of fathers within families, there is still a dearth of studies on the impact of trauma on father‐involvement. This study investigates the quantity of father‐involvement and the influence of posttraumatic stress on the quality of involvement in a refugee and asylum seeker population. Eighty refugees and asylum seekers and their young children (aged 18–42 months) were recruited. Measures included assessment of parental trauma (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), quantity and quality of involvement (quantity of caregiving and Emotional Availability Scales), and perception of the father–child relationship (interview). The results show that fathers were less involved in caregiving tasks and play activities than mothers. No parental gender differences were found on each of the Emotional Availability Scales. Traumatic stress symptoms negatively affected the perception and the actual quality of parent–child interaction (sensitivity, structuring, nonhostility). Nevertheless, almost all fathers described their relationship with their child as good and their child as very important to them. As the quality of father‐involvement is of importance to the development of the child, traumatized fathers are as much in need of clinical intervention as mothers. Despite the impact of posttraumatic stress, refugee fathers clearly are involved in the lives of their children. Mechanisms such as a deliberate withdrawal when stressed and compensation might enable affected fathers to step into the interaction when needed, raise the quality of involvement with their child, and diminish the negative impact of stress resulting from trauma and migration.
Administration of low‐dose epoetin‐alpha facilitates adherence to ribavirin in triple therapy with pegylated interferon‐alpha‐2b and telaprevir
Authors: Ishida Hisashi , Sakane Sadatsugu , Toyama Takashi , Fukutomi Keisuke , Kimura Keiichi , Sugimoto Aya , Hibino Kenji , Tamura Takeshi , Iwasaki Tetsuya , Iwasaki Ryuichiro , Hasegawa Hiroko , Sakakibara Yuko , Yamada Takuya , Nakazuru Shoichi , Mita Eiji 
Published: August 2013

AimAnemia frequently develops in patients given pegylated interferon, ribavirin (RBV), telaprevir (TVR) triple therapy and restricts treatment by forcing reduction or discontinuation of RBV administration. We investigated whether erythropoietin (EPO) could alleviate RBV‐induced anemia to help maintain the RBV dose during the first 12 weeks, the triple therapy phase.MethodsTwenty‐two patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 were enrolled. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was measured every week. If Hb reduction from the baseline was 2 g/dL or more, 12 000 IU of epoetin‐α was administrated. When further reduction (≥3 g/dL) was observed, 24 000 IU of epoetin‐α was used. Inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1127354) was genotyped for all patients.ResultsAmong the 22 patients enrolled in this study, three required RBV dose reduction due to anemia, two had to discontinue or reduce TVR and RBV due to creatinine elevation. The remaining 17 patients completed the treatment during the triple therapy phase without reduction of the RBV dose or adverse events attributable to EPO. Regardless of ITPA genotype, Hb decline was well controlled by EPO administration, whereas the total EPO dose tended to be higher in the CC genotype group. The average adherence to RBV during the triple therapy phase was 97.5%. SVR was achieved in 17 patients; two patients had viral breakthrough and three patients had relapse of HCV RNA.ConclusionEPO can be a favorable alternative to reduction of RBV to facilitate the adherence of patients on TVR‐based triple therapy.
Patients' and clinicians' experiences and perceptions of the primary care management of insomnia: qualitative study
Authors: Davy Zowie , Middlemass Jo , Siriwardena Aloysius N. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundInsomnia is common leading to patients with sleep problems often presenting to primary care services including general practice, community pharmacies and community mental health teams. Little is known about how health professionals in primary care respond to patients with insomnia.AimWe aimed to explore health professionals' and patients' experiences and perceptions of the management of insomnia in primary care.DesignWe used a qualitative design and thematic approach.SettingPrimary care in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.MethodWe undertook focus groups and one‐to‐one interviews with a purposive sample of health professionals and adults with insomnia.ResultsWe interviewed 28 patients and 23 health professionals. Practitioners focused on treating the cause of insomnia rather than the insomnia itself. They described providing stepped care for insomnia, but this focused on sleep hygiene which patients often disregarded, rather than cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I). Practitioners were ambivalent towards hypnotic drugs but often colluded with patients to prescribe to avoid confrontation or express empathy. Patients sometimes took hypnotics in ways that were not intended, for example together with over‐the‐counter medication. Practitioners and patients were sometimes but not always concerned about addiction. Practitioners sometimes prescribed despite these concerns but at other times withdrew hypnotics abruptly without treating insomnia. Both patients and practitioners wanted more options and better training for the management of insomnia in primary care.ConclusionA better understanding of the current approaches and difficulties in the management of insomnia will help to inform more therapeutic options and health professional training.
Reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ in Boron‐Doped BaTiO3 at Very Low Temperature
Authors: Zheng Zhuo Qun , Zhou Xiao Ping 
Published: August 2013

Reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ was found in boron‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics when we sintered the samples at very low temperature (>850°C) in 5%H2/Ar. Such reduction did not occur in pristine BaTiO3 ceramic. The methods such as UV–vis spectroscopy, luminescence spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the reduction by showing the presence of Ti3+. The results of Ti–K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure measurement (XANES) indicated that boron doping changed the geometry of Ti‐oxygen in BaTiO3 to some extent. It was likely that some boron ions stayed at interstitial sites of BaTiO3 lattice and acted as donors, which might trigger the reduction. The reduced boron‐doped BaTiO3 were semiconducting and had very low room‐temperature resistivity (<100 Ω m). However, different from the n‐type rare‐earth‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics, they did not display positive temperature coefficient resistance (PTCR) behavior.
Recovery of Atrioventricular Conduction After Pacemaker Placement Following Cardiac Valvular Surgery
Authors: RENE A. GARVEY , SASTRY ASHWANI , HOROWITZ JAMES M. , CHEUNG JIM , LIU CHRISTOPHER F. , THOMAS GEORGE , IP JAMES E. , LERMAN BRUCE B. , MARKOWITZ STEVEN M. 
Published: August 2013

Recovery of AV Conduction After Valve SurgeryBackgroundAtrioventricular block (AVB) occurs commonly after valve surgery, and permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is often required. However, the rate and time course of spontaneous recovery of AV conduction in these patients is not known. The goal of this study was to define the rate and risk factors for late high‐grade AVB in patients who have PPM implantation for this indication.MethodsSerial PPM or defibrillator interrogation data as well as demographic and operative data were reviewed from consecutive patients who had device implantation for AVB following valve surgery. Predictors of late AVB were identified with multiple regression models, and recovery of AV conduction was determined with Kaplan–Meier analyses.ResultsAmong 98 patients included in the analysis, 58% (57/98) had evidence of late high‐grade AVB, with a mean follow‐up of 3.6 years. Of the 57 patients with late AVB after PPM implantation, 44 (77%) displayed pacing dependency. In multivariate analyses, persistent AVB in the immediate postoperative period was the only variable associated with late AVB (odds ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval [2.1, 13.5], P = 0.0006). Among patients who recovered AV conduction within 1 month of surgery, 26% developed AVB during extended follow‐up.ConclusionsApproximately 40% of patients who received a PPM for AVB after valve surgery displayed no evidence of high‐grade AVB during serial device interrogations. However, simple baseline demographic, operative, and postoperative variables are not sufficiently robust for discriminating those patients with early postoperative AVB who will not need long‐term pacing following valve surgery.