bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rationalization of Triangle‐Based Point‐Folding Structures
Authors: Zimmer Henrik , Campen Marcel , Bommes David , Kobbelt Leif 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn mechanical engineering and architecture, structural elements with low material consumption and high load‐bearing capabilities are essential for light‐weight and even self‐supporting constructions. This paper deals with so called point‐folding elements – non‐planar, pyramidal panels, usually formed from thin metal sheets, which exploit the increased structural capabilities emerging from folds or creases. Given a triangulated free‐form surface, a corresponding point‐folding structure is a collection of pyramidal elements basing on the triangles. User‐specified or material‐induced geometric constraints often imply that each individual folding element has a different shape, leading to immense fabrication costs. We present a rationalization method for such structures which respects the prescribed aesthetic and production constraints and finds a minimal set of molds for the production process, leading to drastically reduced costs. For each base triangle we compute and parametrize the range of feasible folding elements that satisfy the given constraints within the allowed tolerances. Then we pose the rationalization task as a geometric intersection problem, which we solve so as to maximize the re‐use of mold dies. Major challenges arise from the high precision requirements and the non‐trivial parametrization of the search space. We evaluate our method on a number of practical examples where we achieve rationalization gains of more than 90%.
Exploring Shape Variations by 3D‐Model Decomposition and Part‐based Recombination
Authors: Jain Arjun , Thormählen Thorsten , Ritschel Tobias , Seidel Hans‐Peter 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe present a system that allows new shapes to be created by blending between shapes taken from a database. We treat the shape as a composition of parts; blending is performed by recombining parts from different shapes according to constraints deduced by shape analysis. The analysis involves shape segmentation, contact analysis, and symmetry detection. The system can be used to rapidly instantiate new models that have similar symmetry and adjacency structure to the database shapes, yet vary in appearance.
Linear Analysis of Nonlinear Constraints for Interactive Geometric Modeling
Authors: Habbecke Martin , Kobbelt Leif 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThanks to its flexibility and power to handle even complex geometric relations, 3D geometric modeling with nonlinear constraints is an attractive extension of traditional shape editing approaches. However, existing approaches to analyze and solve constraint systems usually fail to meet the two main challenges of an interactive 3D modeling system: For each atomic editing operation, it is crucial to adjust as few auxiliary vertices as possible in order to not destroy the user's earlier editing effort. Furthermore, the whole constraint resolution pipeline is required to run in real‐time to enable a fluent, interactive workflow. To address both issues, we propose a novel constraint analysis and solution scheme based on a key observation: While the computation of actual vertex positions requires nonlinear techniques, under few simplifying assumptions the determination of the minimal set of to‐be‐updated vertices can be performed on a linearization of the constraint functions. Posing the constraint analysis phase as the solution of an under‐determined linear system with as few non‐zero elements as possible enables us to exploit an efficient strategy for the Cardinality Minimization problem known from the field of Compressed Sensing, resulting in an algorithm capable of handling hundreds of vertices and constraints in real‐time. We demonstrate at the example of an image‐based modeling system for architectural models that this approach performs very well in practical applications.
D. Z. Phillips on God and Evil
Authors: Davies Brian 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis paper notes and discusses some key arguments in Part One of The Problem of Evil and the Problem of God by D. Z. Phillips. With an eye on some texts of Thomas Aquinas, I reject Phillips's view that belief in divine omnipotence leads to absurd claims concerning God, but I defend his rejection of anthropomorphism when it comes to talk of God, and, with qualifications, I defend and elaborate on his suggestion that God is not a moral agent. I also commend his critique of certain well‐known theodicies (e.g. that provided by Richard Swinburne), although I challenge his appeal to what he calls “the grammar of God.”
A spatially explicit assessment of within‐season changes in environmental suitability for farmland birds along an altitudinal gradient
Authors: Brambilla M. , Falco R. , Negri I. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe intra‐seasonal adjustment in site selection, and hence in distribution of multi‐brooded avian species, is a poorly investigated topic of potentially high relevance for conservation. This phenomenon may be especially important among multi‐brooded species occurring in habitats undergoing large modifications. We used correlative species distribution models to carry out a spatially explicit assessment of variation in habitat suitability between early and late periods of the breeding season for four European farmland passerine species (woodlark Lullula arborea, skylark Alauda arvensis, cirl Emberiza cirlus and corn bunting E. calandra). We counted birds at transects (surveyed in early and late season) in Northern Apennines (Lombardy, Italy), and modelled their spatial distribution with MaxEnt, separately for early and late season periods. A comparison of predicted environmental suitability (ES) at occurrence sites showed significant differences between early and late period ES at both early and late occurrence sites. Three species showed differences in elevation between early and late occurrence sites. The proportion of 1‐ha cells predicted as potentially suitable during the entire breeding season ranged from 29.3% (corn bunting) to 52.8% (woodlark) of the at least once suitable cells. In multi‐brooded birds, a dynamic pattern of species occurrence may be likely and particularly important in farmland habitats along altitudinal gradients. The resulting within‐season switches in habitat and distribution could be widespread among farmland birds and could have critical implications for their conservation. Moreover, such habitat switches provide an additional reason for preserving habitat heterogeneity. The intra‐seasonal variation in habitat association/distribution should become a focal topic for researchers.
Effects of matrix composition and configuration on forest bird movements in a fragmented Afromontane biodiversity hot spot
Authors: Aben J. , Adriaensen F. , Thijs K. W. , Pellikka P. , Siljander M. , Lens L. , Matthysen E. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractPersistence of forest‐dependent species in fragmented landscapes strongly relies on sufficient dispersal between patches, making it important to understand how animal movements are affected by the intervening matrix. Movements can be influenced through selection or avoidance of land cover based on their perceived suitability for foraging or providing cover. The composition and configuration of the matrix will, therefore, most likely be an important factor to consider when estimating connectivity between patches. To address this, we performed translocation experiments to understand how forest birds used different land cover types in a fine‐grained matrix of a fragmented Afromontane biodiversity hot spot (Taita Hills, Kenya). Our results revealed that use of land cover types for both the forest specialist Cabanis's greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi and for the forest generalist white‐starred robin Pogonocichla stellata was disproportional to their availability. However, this effect was influenced by matrix configuration; in patchy matrices, land cover selection was more pronounced compared with more uniform matrices, especially for the forest specialist. At the scale of movement steps, risk avoidance seemed to be a strong factor in the route decisions for both species. Observed steps contained on average lower proportions of open land cover and did less frequently intersect built‐up areas than expected. P. stellata did not differentiate between the alternative land cover types, whereas P. cabanisi preferred steps that contained more indigenous forest. The observed negative relationship between degree of forest dependency and matrix permeability implies that for members of the Taita bird community, which are even more dependent on intact forest habitat (i.e. the critically endangered Taita thrush Turdus helleri), current permeability of the matrix may be even lower. Matrix restoration to improve connectivity may, therefore, be a crucial instrument for the long‐term survival of forest‐dependent species in these fragmented Afromontane landscapes.
Defining the normal acetabular vault in adult males and females using a novel three‐dimensional model
Authors: Barsoum Wael K. , Smith Travis , Buller Leonard , Klika Alison , Mavroudis Constantine , Bryan Jason 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe management and quantification of bone loss is a major challenge in primary and revision total hip replacement. Defining the normal three‐dimensional (3D) anatomy of the acetabular vault could aid in assessing pathologic changes and in designing prosthetic joint components. We performed a quantitative assessment of normal 3D acetabular vault structure to define the shape and location of weight‐bearing acetabular bone referred to as the vault. Images from 70 normal hip computed tomography images were used to define the 3D acetabular vault anatomy and develop a 3D model. Variation in vault shape was quantified by measuring the distance between every surface point on a subject’s hemipelvis and the reference vault. Variation among different hip alignments was assessed using 19 scans from subjects with varus, valgus and dysplastic hip morphologies. The acetabular vault model had 96.6% (95% CI: 91.7–101.5), 97.8% (95% CI: 94.5–101.1) and 96.4% (95% CI: 98.7–94.1) of the surface points within 3 mm of normal male, normal female and abnormal hip specimens, respectively. Comparison of acetabular vault model fit between gender and hip types revealed that it was only significantly different between normal males and normal females (P = 0.0194) and between normal males and dysplastic females (P = 0.0377). A conserved 3D acetabular vault shape and location exists that can accommodate various hip morphologies. Defining a normal vault may increase the precision with which hip pathology can be identified and may also serve as a preoperative assessment tool for planning total hip arthroplasty.
Randomized controlled double‐blind trial of optimal dose methylphenidate in children and adolescents with severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability
Authors: Simonoff Emily , Taylor Eric , Baird Gillian , Bernard Sarah , Chadwick Oliver , Liang Holan , Whitwell Susannah , Riemer Kirsten , Sharma Kishan , Sharma Santvana Pandey , Wood Nicky , Kelly Joanna , Golaszewski Ania , Kennedy Juliet , Rodney Lydia , West Nicole , Walwyn Rebecca , Jichi Fatima 
Published: June 2012

Background:  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is increased in children with intellectual disability. Previous research has suggested stimulants are less effective than in typically developing children but no studies have titrated medication for individual optimal dosing or tested the effects for longer than 4 weeks.Method:  One hundred and twenty two drug‐free children aged 7–15 with hyperkinetic disorder and IQ 30–69 were recruited to a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial that randomized participants using minimization by probability, stratified by referral source and IQ level in a one to one ratio. Methylphenidate was compared with placebo. Dose titration comprised at least 1 week each of low (0.5 mg/kg/day), medium (1.0 mg/kg/day) and high dose (1.5 mg/kg/day). Parent and teacher Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) index of the Conners Rating Scale‐Short Version at 16 weeks provided the primary outcome measures. Clinical response was determined with the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI‐I). Adverse effects were evaluated by a parent‐rated questionnaire, weight, pulse and blood pressure. Analyses were by intention to treat. Trial registration: ISRCTN 68384912.Results:  Methylphenidate was superior to placebo with effect sizes of 0.39 [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 0.09, 0.70] and 0.52 (95% CIs 0.23, 0.82) for the parent and teacher Conners ADHD index. Four (7%) children on placebo versus 24 (40%) of those on methylphenidate were judged improved or much improved on the CGI. IQ and autistic symptoms did not affect treatment efficacy. Active medication was associated with sleep difficulty, loss of appetite and weight loss but there were no significant differences in pulse or blood pressure.Conclusions:  Optimal dosing of methylphenidate is practical and effective in some children with hyperkinetic disorder and intellectual disability. Adverse effects typical of methylphenidate were seen and medication use may require close monitoring in this vulnerable group.
The effect of maternal characteristics and gestational diabetes on birthweight
Authors: Makgoba M , Savvidou MD , Steer PJ 
Published: June 2012

Please cite this paper as: Makgoba M, Savvidou MD, Steer PJ. The effect of maternal characteristics and gestational diabetes on birthweight. BJOG 2012;119:1191–1197.Objective  To examine the effect of maternal characteristics, including advancing maternal age, body mass index (BMI), racial origin and development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), on birthweight and the interactions between these factors.Design  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.Setting  Fifteen maternity units in North West London, between 1988 and 2000.Population  A cohort of 130 549 pregnant women.Methods  Multivariate regression analysis.Outcome measures  Birthweight z‐scores in non‐GDM and GDM groups within three main racial groups (white European, black and South Asian women).Results  Babies born to women with GDM were heavier compared with those born to women with no GDM in all racial groups. In black women with GDM the birthweight z‐scores were 0.805 higher, in South Asian women the scores were 0.618 higher and in white European women the scores were 0.437 higher, compared with the respective non‐GDM group (P < 0.001 for both comparisons versus white European women), and these differences were much greater at high rather than at low maternal BMIs. Advancing maternal age, increasing BMI, highest diastolic blood pressure, Castair’s index, racial group and presence of GDM or smoking were each, individually, significantly associated with birthweight z‐scores (P < 0.001 for all variables). After adjusting for possible confounding factors, BMI was positively associated with birthweight z‐scores within all racial groups (P < 0.001 for all), irrespective of glycaemic status, but its effect was much greater in women with GDM, particularly in those of non‐White origin. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, advancing maternal age was only positively associated with birthweight in women of white European and South Asian racial origin who did not suffer from GDM (P < 0.001 for both).Conclusion  Gestational diabetes mellitus strongly accentuates the effect of maternal BMI on birthweight, especially within non‐white populations.
Influence of fetal glutathione S‐transferase copy number variants on adverse reproductive outcomes
Authors: Bustamante M , Danileviciute A , Espinosa A , Gonzalez JR , Subirana I , Cordier S , Chevrier C , Chatzi L , Grazuleviciene R , Sunyer J , Ibarluzea J , Ballester F , Villanueva CM , Nieuwenhuijsen M , Estivill X , Kogevinas M 
Published: June 2012

Please cite this paper as: Bustamante M, Danileviciute A, Espinosa A, Gonzalez JR, Subirana I, Cordier S, Chevrier C, Chatzi L, Grazuleviciene R, Sunyer J, Ibarluzea J, Ballester F, Villanueva CM, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Estivill X, Kogevinas M. Influence of fetal glutathione S‐transferase copy number variants on adverse reproductive outcomes. BJOG 2012;119:1141–1146.A nested case–control association study was designed to investigate the influence of maternal and fetal copy number variants (CNVs) on reproductive outcomes. Genotypes of ten CNVs encompassing GST and CYP genes were assessed. Significant associations were only found for child CNV genotypes. In particular, the child GSTM1 insertion allele was associated with prematurity protection (odds ratio, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.51–0.89; P < 0.01), whereas the child GSTT2B insertion allele was associated with an increased risk of being small for gestational age (odds ratio, 95% CI: 1.33, 1.07–1.67; P = 0.01). The study highlights the role of the fetal genome in prenatal development and also the need to analyse CNVs in a systematic manner.
Abuse from in‐laws and associations with attempts to control reproductive decisions among rural women in Côte d’Ivoire: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gupta J , Falb K , Kpebo D , Annan J 
Published: June 2012

Please cite this paper as: Gupta J, Falb K, Kpebo D, Annan J. Abuse from in‐laws and associations with attempts to control reproductive decisions among rural women in Côte d'Ivoire: a cross‐sectional study. BJOG 2012;119:1058–1066.Objective  To document the lifetime prevalence of abuse from in‐laws (both nonphysical maltreatment and physical violence), the forms of in‐law abuse and reproductive control, and the relationship between experiences of in‐law abuse and reproductive control among partnered women in rural Côte d'Ivoire.Design  Cross‐sectional study using baseline data (October 2010) from a randomised controlled trial examining socio‐economic interventions on reduction of violence against Ivorian women.Setting  Rural Côte d'Ivoire.Population  A total of 981 Ivorian women aged 18 years and older who reported having a male partner and a current source of stable income.Methods  Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression.Main outcome measures  Lifetime, in‐law‐perpetrated reproductive control.Results  More than one in four (27.0%) women reported experiencing lifetime in‐law abuse. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, in‐law abuse was significantly associated with in‐law‐perpetrated reproductive control (adjusted odds ratio 6.9; 95% confidence interval 3.9–12.2; P < 0.0001). Religion and having fewer pregnancies were also associated with reporting in‐law‐perpetrated reproductive control.Conclusions  Increased efforts are needed to involve in‐laws in programmes that seek to reduce gender‐based violence against women and improve women’s reproductive health.
Caregiving appraisal and disease activity in early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Purden Margaret , Mustafa Sally S. , Looper Karl J. , Zelkowitz Phyllis ,   McGill Early Arthritis Research Group, Baron Murray 
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 156–164

Caregiving appraisal and disease activity in early inflammatory arthritis
Objective:  The caregiving process accompanying inflammatory arthritis can be stressful to both caregivers and care recipients. In this study, we examined how caregiving involvement and caregiving appraisal as perceived by both patients and their caregiving spouses relate to disease activity and mental health of patients in early inflammatory arthritis.Methods:  Patients in the early phase (> 6 weeks, <18 months duration) of inflammatory arthritis were recruited from a larger early inflammatory arthritis registry, which recorded sociodemographic data and disease characteristics. Disease activity was measured with the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28). Current depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Mood Scale. Patient and spouse perceived caregiving involvement and caregiving appraisal were assessed using the Caregiving Involvement Questionnaire and Caregiving Appraisal Scale, respectively.Results:  The study sample consisted of 73 patients living with spouse. Mean age was 54 years, 64.4% were women and mean illness duration was 7.48 months. Patients’ positive caregiving appraisal was associated with less disease activity (DAS28) (p = 0.003) and less total depressive mood (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, patients’ appraisal of the caregiving context was negatively associated with disease activity (DAS28) after controlling for caregiving involvement and depression (p = 0.035).Conclusion:  This study indicates that, in early inflammatory arthritis, patients’ caregiving appraisal might be important to consider when assessing disease activity. Clinicians are encouraged to include both patients and their spouse caregivers in interventions.
Is There a Statistical Relationship between Economic Crises and Changes in Government Health Expenditure Growth? An Analysis of Twenty‐Four European Countries
Authors: Cylus Jonathan , Mladovsky Philipa , McKee Martin 
Published: June 2012

ObjectiveTo identify whether, by what means, and the extent to which historically, government health care expenditure growth in Europe has changed following economic crises.Data SourcesOrganization for Economic Cooperation and Development Health Data 2011.Study DesignCross‐country fixed effects multiple regression analysis is used to determine whether statutory health care expenditure growth in the year after economic crises differs from that which would otherwise be predicted by general economic trends. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved is achieved by distinguishing between policy responses which lead to cost‐shifting and all others.FindingsIn the year after an economic downturn, public health care expenditure grows more slowly than would have been expected given the longer term economic climate. Cost‐shifting and other policy responses are both associated with these slowdowns. However, while changes in tax‐derived expenditure are associated with both cost‐shifting and other policy responses following a crisis, changes in expenditure derived from social insurance have been associated only with changes in cost‐shifting.ConclusionsDisproportionate cuts to the health sector, as well as reliance on cost‐shifting to slow growth in health care expenditure, serve as a warning in terms of potentially negative effects on equity, efficiency, and quality of health services and, potentially, health outcomes following economic crises.
Re‐Examining the Significance of Surgical Volume to Breast Cancer Survival and Recurrence versus Process Quality of Care in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Raymond N. , Chung Kuo‐Piao , Lai Mei‐Shu 
Published: June 2012

ObjectiveThis study explored the association of surgical volume versus process quality with breast cancer survival and recurrence.Data Sources/Study SettingPopulation‐based cancer registration data and National Health Insurance claim data.Study DesignThis population‐based study linked Taiwan's Cancer Database with Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database to collect data on all patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003–2004 who received surgical treatment.Principal FindingsThis study included 6,396 female breast cancer patients, reported by 26 hospitals. After controlling for patient and provider characteristics, Cox's regression models did not reveal any association between a physician's surgical volume and breast cancer recurrence or survival, although hospital volume was marginally associated with positive 5‐year recurrence (HR: 1.001, 95%CI: 1.000, 1.001). After controlling for hospital or physician volume of surgery, we found a significant association between quality of care and both 5‐year survival and recurrence. Random effects were also identified between patients and providers based on 5‐year survival and 5‐year recurrence.ConclusionsProcess quality of care was significantly more related to survival or recurrence than to surgical volume. The random effects found within hospital‐patient clustered data indicated that the effect of the clustered feature of this data should be considered when performing volume‐outcome related studies.