bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Digital Camouflage Images Using Two‐scale Decomposition
Authors: Du Hui , Jin Xiaogang , Mao Xiaoyang 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe present an alternative approach to create digital camouflage images which follows human's perception intuition and complies with the physical creation procedure of artists. Our method is based on a two‐scale decomposition scheme of the input images. We modify the large‐scale layer of the background image by considering structural importance based on energy optimization and the detail layer by controlling its spatial variation. A gradient correction is presented to prevent halo artifacts. Users can control the difficulty level of perceiving the camouflage effect through a few parameters. Our camouflage images are natural and have less long coherent edges in the hidden region. Experimental results show that our algorithm yields visually pleasing camouflage images.
Video Panorama for 2D to 3D Conversion
Authors: Ribera Roger Blanco i , Choi Sungwoo , Kim Younghui , Lee JungJin , Noh Junyong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAccurate depth estimation is a challenging, yet essential step in the conversion of a 2D image sequence to a 3D stereo sequence. We present a novel approach to construct a temporally coherent depth map for each image in a sequence. The quality of the estimated depth is high enough for the purpose of2D to 3D stereo conversion. Our approach first combines the video sequence into a panoramic image. A user can scribble on this single panoramic image to specify depth information. The depth is then propagated to the remainder of the panoramic image. This depth map is then remapped to the original sequence and used as the initial guess for each individual depth map in the sequence. Our approach greatly simplifies the required user interaction during the assignment of the depth and allows for relatively free camera movement during the generation of a panoramic image. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method by showing stereo converted sequences with various camera motions.
Analytic Curve Skeletons for 3D Surface Modeling and Processing
Authors: Thiery Jean‐Marc , Buchholz Bert , Tierny Julien , Boubekeur Tamy 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe present a new curve skeleton model designed for surface modeling and processing. This skeleton is defined as the geometrical integration of a piecewise harmonic parameterization defined over a disk‐cylinder surface decomposition. This decomposition is computed using a progressive Region Graph reduction based on both geometric and topological criteria which can be iteratively optimized to improve region boundaries. The skeleton has an analytical form with regularity inherited from the surface one. Such a form offers well‐defined surface‐skeleton and skeleton‐surface projections. The resulting skeleton satisfies quality criteria which are relevant for skeleton‐based modeling and processing. We propose applications that benefit from our skeleton model, including local thickness editing, inset surface creation for shell mapping, as well as a new mid‐scale feature preserving smoothing.
Scale Normalization for Isometric Shape Matching
Authors: Sahillioğlu Y. , Yemez Y. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe address the scale problem inherent to isometric shape correspondence in a combinatorial matching framework. We consider a particular setting of the general correspondence problem where one of the two shapes to be matched is an isometric (or nearly isometric) part of the other up to an arbitrary scale. We resolve the scale ambiguity by finding a coarse matching between shape extremities based on a novel scale‐invariant isometric distortion measure. The proposed algorithm also supports (partial) dense matching, that alleviates the symmetric flip problem due to initial coarse sampling. We test the performance of our matching algorithm on several shape datasets in comparison to state of the art. Our method proves useful, not only for partial matching, but also for complete matching of semantically similar hybrid shape pairs whose maximum geodesic distances may not be compatible, a case that would fail most of the conventional isometric shape matchers.
ERNST CASSIRER, MARTIN HEIDEGGER, AND THE LEGACY OF DAVOS
Authors: Barash Jeffrey Andrew 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTIn 1929 Ernst Cassirer and Martin Heidegger participated in a momentous debate in Davos, Switzerland, which is widely held to have marked an important division in twentieth‐century European thought. Peter E. Gordon's recent book, Continental Divide: Heidegger, Cassirer, Davos, centers on this debate between these two philosophical adversaries. In his book Gordon examines the background of the debate, the issues that distinguished the respective positions of Cassirer and Heidegger, and the legacy of the debate for later decades. Throughout the work, Gordon concisely portrays the source of disagreement between the two adversaries in terms of a difference between Cassirer's philosophy of spontaneity and Heidegger's philosophy of receptivity, or of “thrownness” (Geworfenheit), into a situation that finite human beings can never hope to master. Although it recognizes that this work provides an important contribution to our understanding of the Davos debate and to twentieth‐century European thought, this review essay subjects Gordon's manner of interpreting the distinction between Cassirer and Heidegger to critical scrutiny. Its purpose is to examine the possibility that important aspects of the debate, which do not conform to the grid imposed by Gordon's interpretation, might have been set aside in the context of his analysis.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in lamotrigine randomized‐controlled trials
Authors: Tomson Torbjörn , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Friedman Daniel , Bester Nicolette , Hammer Anne , Irizarry Michael , Ishihara Lianna , Krishen Alok , Spaulding Theodore , Wamil Art , Leadbetter Robert 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Nonrandomized studies of the relationship of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) may be susceptible to confounding by tonic–clonic seizure frequency, polypharmacy, and other potential risk factors for SUDEP. We evaluated the risk of SUDEP with lamotrigine (LTG) compared to active comparators and placebo in randomized controlled clinical trials conducted by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) between 1984 and 2009.Methods:  Among 7,774 subjects in 42 randomized clinical trials, there were 39 all‐cause deaths. Ten deaths occurred >2 weeks after discontinuation of study medication and were excluded. Narrative summaries of deaths were independently reviewed by three clinical experts (TT, LH, DF), who were blinded to randomized treatment arm. The risk of definite or probable SUDEP was compared between treatment arms for each trial type (placebo‐controlled, active‐comparator, crossover), using exact statistical methods.Key Findings:  Of 29 on‐treatment deaths, eight were definite/probable SUDEP, four were possible SUDEP, and 17 were non‐SUDEP. The overall, unadjusted rate of definite/probable SUDEP for LTG was 2.2 events per 1,000‐patient years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.70–5.4). The odds ratios (OR) for on‐treatment, definite/probable SUDEP in LTG arms relative to comparator arms, adjusted for length of exposure and trial, were the following: placebo‐controlled, OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.00–3.14; p = 0.26); active‐comparator, OR 2.18 (95% CI 0.17–117; p = 0.89); and placebo‐controlled cross‐over, OR 1.08 (95% CI 0.00–42.2; p = 1.0).Significance:  There was no statistically significant difference in rate of SUDEP between LTG and comparator groups. However, the CIs were wide and a clinically important effect cannot be excluded.
Leader, Follower, or Spectator? The Role of President Obama in the Arab Spring Uprisings
Authors: Morey Daniel S. , Thyne Clayton L. , Hayden Sarah L. , Senters Michael B. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivePresident Obama has faced a plethora of challenges both at home and abroad during his first term. While some challenges were inherited, the Arab Spring uprisings provided a new opportunity for him to strengthen America's role as a global leader. Much debate has raged over the way in which Obama dealt with the uprisings. Supporters view Obama's foreign policy as a selling point as he moves toward the 2012 elections, while opponents have condemned him as a follower “leading from behind.” Absent in this debate is an objective attempt to both articulate Obama's foreign policy agenda in both a historical and cross‐national context, and an effort to analyze Obama's reaction to the Arab Spring uprisings vis‐a‐vis other state leaders. This article attempts to rectify these problems to better understand whether Obama was a leader or a follower during the Arab Spring.MethodsWe begin with a thorough discussion of Obama's foreign policy approach and then present empirical analysis of original data of all state signals during the Arab Spring uprisings.ResultsThough we find some evidence pointing toward leadership, the bulk of our evidence indicates that Obama was largely either an active spectator or a follower during the uprisings.ConclusionWe conclude that, at best, Obama showed weak evidence of leadership during the Arab Spring uprisings.
Effects of community‐based case management by visiting nurses for low‐income patients with hypertension in South Korea
Authors: KIM Gwang Suk , KO Il Sun , LEE Taewha , KIM Eun Jung 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimTo assess the effects of a visiting nurse‐driven community‐based case management program for low‐income adults with hypertension.MethodsThis single group pretest–post‐test study included 22 newly registered low‐income adult patients with hypertension in a public health center in Seoul. Visiting nurses delivered a case management program for 2–8 months. Pretest and post‐test measurements of blood pressure (BP), knowledge level, and self‐management level in terms of diet, lifestyle, physical activity, and medication were obtained.ResultsThe visiting nurse‐driven case management was effective in reducing the BP level and improving the knowledge and self‐management level of the low‐income adults with hypertension in the community.ConclusionThis study serves as a baseline for visiting nurse‐driven case management for low‐income patients with hypertension. Its findings suggest that visiting nurse‐driven case management targeting the self management of BP can foster improved BP control for newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in low‐income populations.
The bridges and barriers to ‘good’ urodynamic practice: a regional perspective
Authors: Ellis‐Jones Julie , Swithinbank Lucy , Abrams Paul 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe translation of clinical guidelines into practice is a complex process, primarily because it is a ‘top down’ approach to disseminating information. The aim of this study was to determine whether current guidelines and standards have been applied to everyday urodynamic practice, and establish how health care professionals have interpreted the terminology. It was also an ideal opportunity to explore the systems in place that support personal and professional development, and identify factors that can contribute to, or obstruct, ‘good’ urodynamic practice. A descriptive exploratory research design was adopted using a mixed methodological approach. A purposive sample (n = 60) of doctors, nurses and technicians who currently undertake urodynamic investigations within one NHS region were identified. Most of the participants were familiar with the International Continence Society guidelines; with over half routinely using them in their current practice. Although there was a comprehensive uptake of formal urodynamic training courses, there was limited evidence of formal assessment either before or after training/education. This was also reflected in some of the themes that emerged during the semi‐structured interviews; access to supervision, multidisciplinary team meetings, team working, networking, isolation, attitudes and time, were all identified as factors that could have either a positive or negative effect on urodynamic practice. These findings confirm that guidelines, in one NHS region, are reaching their target population. However, the translation of training and assessment into practice is a complex issue to address, as it requires skills in reflective practice, self‐assessment and critical analysis. Although guidelines/recommendations exist, a more robust framework may be required; incorporating structured mentoring and clinical assessment with experienced practitioners, in order to address the barriers that clearly exist.
Discovering the Importance of Mediator Style—An Interdisciplinary Challenge
Authors: McDermott E. Patrick 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMediator style research is a continuing interdisciplinary challenge intersecting with professional practice and academic theory. The research discussed herein is drawn from a large database obtained from survey research of mediators, parties, and representatives at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Issues discussed include the importance of researcher background/possible bias in the construction of the methodology; development of effective survey research methodology and survey questions that measure the complex mediation process; the limitations of the use of survey research methodology in addressing the complex issues related to mediator style; the challenge to the identification of an effective mediator style or styles; the interdisciplinary team skills that can contribute to quality research vis‐à‐vis academic institutional barriers; and the ethical and program‐centered contextual challenges to what can be high‐stakes research outcomes.
Ceftobiprole Efficacy
In Vitro
against Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production and
In Vivo
against Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis in Rabbits
Authors: Saleh-Mghir Azzam , Dumitrescu Oana , Dinh Aurélien , Boutrad Yassine , Massias Laurent , Martin Émilie , Vandenesch François , Etienne Jérôme , Lina Gérard , Crémieux Anne Claude 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA) can cause osteomyelitis with severe sepsis and/or local complications in which a Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) role is suspected.
In vitro
sub-MIC antibiotic effects on growth and PVL production by 11 PVL
+
MRSA strains, including the major CA-MRSA clones (USA300, including the LAC strain; USA400; and USA1000), and 11 PVL
+
methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) strains were tested in microplate culture. Time-kill analyses with ceftobiprole at its MIC were also run with LAC. Efficacies of ceftobiprole (40 mg/kg of body weight subcutaneously [s.c.] four times a day [q.i.d.]) or vancomycin (60 mg/kg intramuscularly [i.m.] twice a day [b.i.d.]) alone or combined with rifampin (10 mg/kg b.i.d.) against rabbit CA-MRSA osteomyelitis, induced by tibial injection of 3.4 × 10
7
CFU of LAC, were compared. Treatment, started 14 days postinoculation, lasted 14 days.
In vitro
, 6/11 strains cultured with sub-MICs of ceftobiprole produced 1.6- to 4.8-fold more PVL than did the controls, with no link to specific clones. Rifampin decreased PVL production by all tested strains. In time-kill analyses at the LAC MIC (0.75 mg/liter), PVL production rose transiently at 6 and 8 h and then declined 2-fold at 16 h, concomitant with a 2-log
10
-CFU-count decrease.
In vivo
, the mean log
10
CFU/g of bone for ceftobiprole (1.44 ± 0.40) was significantly lower than that for vancomycin (2.37 ± 1.22) (
P
= 0.034), with 7/10 versus 5/11 bones sterilized, respectively. Combination with rifampin enhanced ceftobiprole (1.16 ± 0.04 CFU/g of bone [
P
= 0.056], 11/11 sterile bones) and vancomycin (1.23 ± 0.06 CFU/g [
P
= 0.011], 11/11 sterile bones) efficacies. Ceftobiprole bactericidal activity and the rifampin anti-PVL effect could play a role in these findings, which should be of interest for treating CA-MRSA osteomyelitis.
ICE
Sp1116
, the Genetic Element Responsible for
erm
(B)-Mediated, Inducible Resistance to Erythromycin in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Brenciani Andrea , Tiberi Erika , Morici Eleonora , Oryaşın Erman , Giovanetti Eleonora , Varaldo Pietro E. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

ICE
Sp1116
, responsible for
erm
(B)-mediated, inducible erythromycin resistance in
Streptococcus pyogenes
, was comprehensively characterized, and its chromosomal integration site was determined. It displayed a unique mosaic organization consisting of a scaffold, related to Tn
Gallo
1 from
Streptococcus gallolyticus
, with two inserted fragments separated by IS
1216
. One fragment, containing
erm
(B), displayed high-level identity to a portion of the
S. pyogenes
plasmid pSM19035; the other, containing a truncated
tet
(M) gene, displayed high-level identity to the right-hand portion of
Clostridium difficile
Tn
5397
.
In Vitro
Synergy between Clofazimine and Amikacin in Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease
Authors: van Ingen Jakko , Totten Sarah E. , Helstrom Niels K. , Heifets Leonid B. , Boeree Martin J. , Daley Charles L. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing in frequency. The outcome of treatment for NTM lung disease is poor, particularly lung disease caused by
Mycobacterium simiae
and
M. abscessus
. Exploring synergy between active available drugs is a sensible way forward given the lack of new active drugs. We tested for synergy between amikacin and clofazimine, using standardized methods, in 564 consecutive clinical isolates identified as 21 species of rapidly growing mycobacteria, 16 clinical
M. avium
complex isolates, and 10
M. simiae
isolates. Clofazimine and amikacin are each active
in vitro
against NTM; 97% (
n
= 548) of the rapid growers revealed MICs of clofazimine of ≤1 μg/ml, and 93% (
n
= 524) proved susceptible to amikacin. The combination showed significant synergistic activity in 56 of 68 (82%) eligible
M. abscessus
isolates, 4 of 5
M. chelonae
isolates, and 1
M. fortuitum
and 1
M. cosmeticum
isolate, with 4- to 8-fold decreases in MICs to both drugs. Significant synergy could also be demonstrated against all
M. avium
complex and
M. simiae
isolates, with fractional inhibitory concentrations of <0.5. Clofazimine and amikacin show significant synergistic activity against both rapidly and slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. The safety and tolerability of adding clofazimine to amikacin-containing regimens should be tested in clinical trials, and the results of susceptibility tests for these two compounds and their combination merit clinical validation. Synergy between clofazimine and other antibiotics with intracellular targets should be explored.
Bacillus anthracis Lethal Toxin Reduces Human Alveolar Epithelial Barrier Function
Authors: Langer Marybeth , Duggan Elizabeth Stewart , Booth John Leland , Patel Vineet Indrajit , Zander Ryan A. , Silasi-Mansat Robert , Ramani Vijay , Veres Tibor Zoltan , Prenzler Frauke , Sewald Katherina , Williams Daniel M. , Coggeshall Kenneth Mark , Awasthi Shanjana , Lupu Florea , Burian Dennis , Ballard Jimmy Dale , Braun Armin , Metcalf Jordan Patrick 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

The lung is the site of entry for
Bacillus anthracis
in inhalation anthrax, the deadliest form of the disease.
Bacillus anthracis
produces virulence toxins required for disease. Alveolar macrophages were considered the primary target of the
Bacillus anthracis
virulence factor lethal toxin because lethal toxin inhibits mouse macrophages through cleavage of MEK signaling pathway components, but we have reported that human alveolar macrophages are not a target of lethal toxin. Our current results suggest that, unlike human alveolar macrophages, the cells lining the respiratory units of the lung, alveolar epithelial cells, are a target of lethal toxin in humans. Alveolar epithelial cells expressed lethal toxin receptor protein, bound the protective antigen component of lethal toxin, and were subject to lethal-toxin-induced cleavage of multiple MEKs. These findings suggest that human alveolar epithelial cells are a target of
Bacillus anthracis
lethal toxin. Further, no reduction in alveolar epithelial cell viability was observed, but lethal toxin caused actin rearrangement and impaired desmosome formation, consistent with impaired barrier function as well as reduced surfactant production. Therefore, by compromising epithelial barrier function, lethal toxin may play a role in the pathogenesis of inhalation anthrax by facilitating the dissemination of
Bacillus anthracis
from the lung in early disease and promoting edema in late stages of the illness.
Design and evaluation of decentralized online clustering
Authors: Quiroz Andres , Parashar Manish , Gnanasambandam Nathan , Sharma Naveen 
Published: October 2012

Ensuring the efficient and robust operation of distributed computational infrastructures is critical, given that their scale and overall complexity is growing at an alarming rate and that their management is rapidly exceeding human capability. Clustering analysis can be used to find patterns and trends in system operational data, as well as highlight deviations from these patterns. Such analysis can be essential for verifying the correctness and efficiency of the operation of the system, as well as for discovering specific situations of interest, such as anomalies or faults, that require appropriate management actions.
This work analyzes the automated application of clustering for online system management, from the point of view of the suitability of different clustering approaches for the online analysis of system data in a distributed environment, with minimal prior knowledge and within a timeframe that allows the timely interpretation of and response to clustering results. For this purpose, we evaluate DOC (Decentralized Online Clustering), a clustering algorithm designed to support data analysis for autonomic management, and compare it to existing and widely used clustering algorithms. The comparative evaluations will show that DOC achieves a good balance in the trade-offs inherent in the challenges for this type of online management.