bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Semen Quality Following Reversible Downregulation of Testicular Function in Male Dogs with a GnRH Agonist Implant
Authors: Goericke‐Pesch S , Ludwig C , Hoffmann B 
Published: November 2011

ContentsSlow‐release GnRH agonist implants have shown to be an effective and reversible alternative to surgical castration. Testicular function is downregulated with an arrest of spermatogenesis on the level of spermatogonia/primary spermatocytes but is fully restored after abolition of downregulation. Aim of this study was to assess the quality of ejaculates after active abolishment of downregulation by implant removal and to follow recrudescence of spermatogenesis. Five dogs – which served as their own controls – were treated with a slow‐release implant containing the GnRH agonist azagly‐nafarelin. Implants were removed during full downregulation (testosterone <0.1 ng/ml), and attempts to collect ejaculates started from week 4 onwards to week 29. First ejaculates could be obtained between weeks 8 and 12 with the first fully elongated spermatozoa observed in week 10. Volume, %motility and total sperm count increased and %pathomorphology decreased during the course of the study with all ejaculates being in the normal range by week 29. Our data indicate that onset of recrudescence of spermatogenesis coincides with the first testosterone increase after active abolishment of downregulation. Semen quality was fully regained with a significant improvement of %pathomorphology (p < 0.05) and a tendency of improved %motility. However, these observations on an improved semen quality need further validation and no final conclusions can be drawn yet.
Improvement of 2D‐PAGE Resolution of Human, Porcine and Canine Follicular Fluid: Comparison of Two Immunodepletion Columns
Authors: Fahiminiya S , Roche S , Gérard N 
Published: November 2011

ContentsFollicular fluid provides the microenvironment within which somatic cells proliferate and differentiate, and the oocyte matures. It contains a number of soluble factors implicated in various stages of follicular development, most of them being functionally unknown. The presence of several high‐abundance proteins, mainly originating from the blood circulation, is a major challenge of follicular fluid proteomic analysis, as these proteins can mask or decrease the visualization of follicle‐specific proteins. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of two immunodepletion columns (ProteomeLab™ IgY‐HSA and MARS‐6) on follicular fluids of human, porcine and canine prior to 2D‐PAGE. Our results showed that both columns were suitable to remove some of the high‐abundance proteins present in human and canine follicular fluid. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the immunodepletion strategy enables the detection of new protein spots, increases resolution and highly improves the intensity of low‐abundance proteins by 2D‐PAGE.
Unmasking the janus faces of autophagy in obesity‐associated insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Xu Xihui , Ren Jun 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Autophagy is an intracellular, lysosomal‐dependent process involved in the turnover of long‐lived proteins, damaged organelles and other subcellular structures. The autophagic process is known to play an essential role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Results from recent studies also indicate an important role for the autophagic process in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus and ageing.2. Because of the pivotal role of autophagy in the regulation of adipogenesis, obesity and insulin sensitization, research efforts have focused on elucidating the role of autophagy in metabolic syndrome. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of cell growth and is characterized by a complex signalling mechanism that affects protein synthesis and autophagy. Results from experimental and clinical studies reveal some interesting, but conflicting, findings regarding the mTOR signalling pathway and autophagy in adipocytes in metabolic syndrome.3. Although the pivotal role of autophagy in obesity and other metabolic diseases has been established, its involvement in obesity‐induced cardiac dysfunction remains unknown, as do the upstream signalling regulators of autophagy. The present minireview discusses the molecular mechanisms of autophagy in the regulation of cardiac function in overweight and obesity. Further studies using appropriate models are needed to better unravel the complex intracellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of autophagy in obesity‐induced cardiac dysfunction.
Video Brush: A Novel Interface for Efficient Video Cutout
Authors: Tong Ruo‐Feng , Zhang Yun , Ding Meng 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe present Video Brush, a novel interface for interactive video cutout. Inspired by the progressive selection scheme in images, our interface is designed to select video objects by painting on successive frames as the video plays. The video objects are progressively selected by solving the graph‐cut based local optimization according to the strokes drawn by the brush on each painted frame. In order to provide users interactive feedback, we accelerate 3D graph‐cut by efficient graph building and multi‐level banded graph‐cut. Experimental results show that our novel interface is both intuitive and efficient for video cutout.
Exposure Fusion for Time‐Of‐Flight Imaging
Authors: Hahne Uwe , Alexa Marc 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis work deals with the problem of automatically choosing the correct exposure (or integration) time for time‐of‐flight depth image capturing. We apply methods known from high dynamic range imaging to combine depth images taken with differing integration times in order to produce high quality depth maps. We evaluate the quality of these depth maps by comparing the performance in reconstruction of planar textured patches and in the 3D reconstruction of an indoor scene. Our solution is fast enough to capture the images at interactive frame rates and also flexible to deal with any amount of exposures.
Rephotography Using Image Collections
Authors: Lee Kun‐Ting , Luo Sheng‐Jie , Chen Bing‐Yu 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel system that “rephotographs” a historical photograph with a collection of images. Rather than finding the accurate viewpoint of the historical photo, users only need to take a number of photographs around the target scene. We adopt the structure from motion technique to estimate the spatial relationship among these photographs, and construct a set of 3D point cloud. Based on the user‐specified correspondences between the projected 3D point cloud and historical photograph, the camera parameters of the historical photograph are estimated. We then combine forward and backward warping images to render the result. Finally, inpainting and content‐preserving warping are used to refine it, and the photograph at the same viewpoint of the historical one is produced by this photo collection.
Improving Performance and Accuracy of Local PCA
Authors: Gassenbauer Václav , Křivánek Jaroslav , Bouatouch Kadi , Bouville Christian , Ribardière Mickaël 
Published: November 2011

AbstractLocal Principal Component Analysis (LPCA) is one of the popular techniques for dimensionality reduction and data compression of large data sets encountered in computer graphics. The LPCA algorithm is a variant of k‐means clustering where the repetitive classification of high dimensional data points to their nearest cluster leads to long execution times. The focus of this paper is on improving the efficiency and accuracy of LPCA. We propose a novel SortCluster LPCA algorithm that significantly reduces the cost of the point‐cluster classification stage, achieving a speed‐up of up to 20. To improve the approximation accuracy, we investigate different initialization schemes for LPCA and find that the k‐means++ algorithm [AV07] yields best results, however at a high computation cost. We show that similar ideas that lead to the efficiency of our SortCluster LPCA algorithm can be used to accelerate k‐means++. The resulting initialization algorithm is faster than purely random seeding while producing substantially more accurate data approximation.
Toward Optimal Space Partitioning for Unbiased, Adaptive Free Path Sampling of Inhomogeneous Participating Media
Authors: Yue Yonghao , Iwasaki Kei , Chen Bing‐Yu , Dobashi Yoshinori , Nishita Tomoyuki 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPhoto‐realistic rendering of inhomogeneous participating media with light scattering in consideration is important in computer graphics, and is typically computed using Monte Carlo based methods. The key technique in such methods is the free path sampling, which is used for determining the distance (free path) between successive scattering events. Recently, it has been shown that efficient and unbiased free path sampling methods can be constructed based on Woodcock tracking. The key concept for improving the efficiency is to utilize space partitioning (e.g., kd‐tree or uniform grid), and a better space partitioning scheme is important for better sampling efficiency. Thus, an estimation framework for investigating the gain in sampling efficiency is important for determining how to partition the space. However, currently, there is no estimation framework that works in 3D space. In this paper, we propose a new estimation framework to overcome this problem. Using our framework, we can analytically estimate the sampling efficiency for any typical partitioned space. Conversely, we can also use this estimation framework for determining the optimal space partitioning. As an application, we show that new space partitioning schemes can be constructed using our estimation framework. Moreover, we show that the differences in the performances using different schemes can be predicted fairly well using our estimation framework.
Heat Walk: Robust Salient Segmentation of Non‐rigid Shapes
Authors: Benjamin William , Polk Andrew Wood , Vishwanathan S.V.N. , Ramani Karthik 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSegmenting three dimensional objects using properties of heat diffusion on meshes aim to produce salient results. The few existing algorithms based on heat diffusion do not use the full knowledge that can be gained from heat diffusion and are sensitive to varying kinds of perturbations. Our simple algorithm, Heat Walk, converts the implicit information in the heat kernel to explicit knowledge about the pathways for maximum heat flow capacity. We develop a two stage strategy for segmentation. In the first stage we quickly identify regions which are dominated by heat accumulators by employing a greedy algorithm. The second stage partitions out dissipative regions from the previously discovered accumulative regions by using a KL‐divergence based criterion. The resulting algorithm is both independent of human intervention and fast because of the globally aware directed walk along the maximal heat flow capacity. Extensive experimental evidence shows the method is robust to a variety of noise factors including topological short circuits, surface holes, pose variations, variations in tessellation, missing features, scaling, as well as normal and shot noise. Comparison with the Princeton Segmentation Benchmark (PSB) shows that our method is comparable with state of the art segmentation methods and has additional advantages of being robust and self contained. Based upon theoretical insight the convergence and stability of the Heat Walk is shown.
A Single Image Representation Model for Efficient Stereoscopic Image Creation
Authors: Kim Younghui , Jung Hwi‐ryong , Choi Sungwoo , Lee Jungjin , Noh Junyong 
Published: November 2011

AbstractComputer graphics is one of the most efficient ways to create a stereoscopic image. The process of stereoscopic CG generation is, however, still very inefficient compared to that of monoscopic CG generation. Despite that stereo images are very similar to each other, they are rendered and manipulated independently. Additional requirements for disparity control specific to stereo images lead to even greater inefficiency. This paper proposes a method to reduce the inefficiency accompanied in the creation of a stereoscopic image. The system automatically generates an optimized single image representation of the entire visible area from both cameras. The single image can be easily manipulated with conventional techniques, as it is spatially smooth and maintains the original shapes of scene objects. In addition, a stereo image pair can be easily generated with an arbitrary disparity setting. These convenient and efficient features are achieved by the automatic generation of a stereo camera pair, robust occlusion detection with a pair of Z‐buffers, an optimization method for spatial smoothness, and stereo image pair generation with a non‐linear disparity adjustment. Experiments show that our technique dramatically improves the efficiency of stereoscopic image creation while preserving the quality of the results.
An Illustrative Visualization Framework for 3D Vector Fields
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Kai , Yan Shi , Yu Hongfeng , Max Nelson , Ma Kwan‐Liu 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMost 3D vector field visualization techniques suffer from the problem of visual clutter, and it remains a challenging task to effectively convey both directional and structural information of 3D vector fields. In this paper, we present a novel visualization framework that combines the advantages of clustering methods and illustrative rendering techniques to generate a concise and informative depiction of complex flow structures. Given a 3D vector field, we first generate a number of streamlines covering the important regions based on an entropy measurement. Then we decompose the streamlines into different groups based on a categorization of vector information, wherein the streamline pattern in each group is ensured to be coherent or nearly coherent. For each group, we select a set of representative streamlines and render them in an illustrative fashion to enhance depth cues and succinctly show local flow characteristics. The results demonstrate that our approach can generate a visualization that is relatively free of visual clutter while facilitating perception of salient information of complex vector fields.
EU Equality Law: Three Recent Developments
Authors: Howard Erica 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis article analyses three recent developments within the EU that have an impact on EU equality legislation: the coming into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Proposal to extend the material scope of the provisions against discrimination on the ground of religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation beyond the area of employment, and the case law of the European Court of Justice regarding the EU Equality Directives of 2000. It will assess whether these three developments have led to improved protection against discrimination for people in the EU.
Relationship between humeral geometry and shoulder muscle power among suspensory, knuckle‐walking, and digitigrade/palmigrade quadrupedal primates
Authors: Kikuchi Yasuhiro , Takemoto Hironori , Kuraoka Akio 
Published: November 2011

AbstractShoulder morphology is functionally related to different patterns of locomotion in primates. To investigate this we performed a quantitative analysis of the relationship between cortical bone thickness (Cbt) of the muscle/tendon attachment site on the humerus and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) of the shoulder muscle in primates with different locomotory habits. The deltoid, subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus were investigated. A chimpanzee, a gibbon, a baboon, two species of macaque, a lutong, a capuchin, and a squirrel monkey were included in the study. The total length of the humerus was measured and the values were converted into three‐dimensional reconstructed data on a computer by computed tomography. The Cbt values were obtained from the volumes divided by the areas of the muscle/tendon attachment sites of the humerus by computer analysis. Muscle mass, muscle fascicle length, and muscle pennation angle were measured and PCSA was calculated using these parameters. A relatively high Cbt and small PCSA were characteristic of the gibbon. The gibbon’s high Cbt suggests that passive tension in the muscle/tendon attachment site of suspensory primates (brachiators) may be greater than that of quadrupedal primates, whereas the relatively small PCSA indicates an association with a large amount of internal muscle fascia to endure the passive stress of brachiation. Although chimpanzees undertake some suspensory locomotion, the results for this species resemble those of the digitigrade/palmigrade quadrupedal primates rather than those of the suspensory primate. However, the deltoid and subscapularis in chimpanzee differ from those of the other primates and appear to be affected by the peculiar locomotion of knuckle‐walking, i.e. the moment arm of forelimb in chimpanzees is relatively longer than that of digitigrade/palmigrade quadrupedal primates. Hence, a large PCSA in the deltoid and subscapularis may contribute to sustaining the body weight during locomotion. On the other hand, a thin cortical bone relative to a large PCSA was a feature of the cercopithecids, indicating that digitigrade/palmigrade quadrupedal locomotion produces less tension at the muscle/tendon attachment sites compared with that produced by brachiators.
Orienting to external versus internal regions of space: Consequences of attending in advance versus after the fact
Authors: Broadway James M. , Hilimire Matthew R. , Corballis Paul M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe examined effects of knowing where to attend to‐be‐remembered information in advance versus after the fact. Participants performed a visuospatial short‐term memory task with orienting cues that appeared before or after a memory display and reported whether a probe item had appeared on the cued side. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded for cues, memory displays, and probes. Performance was better in precued versus postcued conditions.ERPs to orienting cues and memory displays were lateralized in relation to the direction of attention in precued but not postcued conditions.ERPs to recognition probes were lateralized, but this was similar between pre‐ and postcued conditions. Results suggest that we can orient visuospatial attention outwardly to external events and inwardly to remembered events alike, but knowing where to attend information in advance gives a bigger boost to brain and behavior.
Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis (ITAP) for Limb Salvage in 4 Dogs
Authors: Fitzpatrick Noel , Smith Thomas J. , Pendegrass Catherine J. , Yeadon Russell , Ring Michael , Goodship Allen E. , Blunn Gordon W. 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo report clinical application of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis (ITAP) for limb salvage.Study DesignRetrospective case series.Sample PopulationClient owned dogs with malignant neoplasia of the distal aspect of the limb.MethodDistal limb amputation allowed press‐fit insertion of theITAPinto the radius (n= 3) or tibia (1). Remaining soft tissues including skin were attached directly to theITAP. Limb stump andITAPwere protected by bandaging (1) or external skeletal fixation (3) for 5–6 weeks before exoprosthesis attachment. Measures of outcome included subjective assessments of limb function by owners and veterinarians, radiographic (4) and histologic (1) examination.ResultsDermal integration with theITAPwas achieved by 3 weeks and dogs were walking in a pain‐free manner by 8 weeks. One dog was administered adjunctive carboplatin chemotherapy. No evidence of local tumor recurrence occurred. In 1 dog,ITAPfracture occurred at 10 weeks and was successfully managed byITAPreplacement. Three dogs were euthanatized because of confirmed or assumed metastatic disease at 8, 12, and 17 months. Histologic examination of theITAP‐limb interface at 1 year documented osseous and dermal integration.ConclusionImplantation ofITAPto the distal limb of dogs is feasible and can result in favorable functional outcomes. Biological integration of osseous and dermal tissues withITAPis reliable and robust.
Influence of Durotomy on Laser‐Doppler Measurement of Spinal Cord Blood Flow in Chondrodystrophic Dogs with Thoracolumbar Disk Extrusion
Authors: Blaser Andrea , Lang Johann , Henke Diana , Doherr Marcus G. , Adami Chiara , Forterre Franck 
Published: November 2011

ObjectivesTo assess influence of durotomy on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion.Study designProspective cohort study.AnimalsChondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion (n = 11).MethodsDiagnosis was based on neurologic signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and surgical confirmation. Regional SCBF was measured 3 times intraoperatively by laser‐Doppler flowmetry: (1) before surgical decompression; (2) immediately after decompression by hemilaminectomy‐durotomy; and (3) after 15 minutes of lesion lavage. A standardized hemilaminectomy and durotomy performed by the same neurosurgeon, was used to minimize factors that could influence measurement readings.ResultsA significant increase in intraoperative SCBF was found immediately after spinal cord decompression and durotomy in dogs but SCBF returned to previous levels or lower after 15 minutes of lavage. Changes in SCBF were not associated with duration of clinical signs; neurologic status, degree of spinal cord compression, or signal intensity changes as assessed by MRI.ConclusionDurotomy does not increase SCBF in dogs with disk extrusion associated spinal cord compression.
Comparison of Computed Tomography and Myelography to a Reference Standard of Computed Tomographic Myelography for Evaluation of Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease
Authors: Newcomb Brent , Arble Jason , Rochat Mark , Pechman Robert , Payton Mark 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo compare the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) and myelography to a reference standard of CT myelography for determining localization of Type I intervertebral disc extrusions in dogs.Study DesignProspective blinded comparative study.AnimalsDogs with acute onset myelopathy because of suspected disc extrusions (n = 30).MethodsDogs had CT, myelography, and CT myelography to diagnose disc extrusions. Sensitivity of CT and myelography was compared to CT myelography for lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization. Confidence in the assessment of each imaging study was scored by 3 reviewers.ResultsSensitivity of CT for lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization was 94%, 91%, and 81%, respectively, and was 64%, 74%, and 53%, respectively for myelography. Sensitivity of all 3 categories of localization was significantly different between modalities (P < .0001, P = .0031, P < .0001). Significant differences in the sensitivity of lateral and combined localization were found between confidence scores for myelography (P < .0001, P < .0001). Significant differences in the sensitivity of lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization were found between confidence scores for CT (P = .011, P = .013, P = .027). Poor sensitivity was obtained for both modalities except when imaging studies were assigned the highest confidence score.ConclusionsCT is a more sensitive imaging technique than myelography for localizing disc extrusions when compared to a reference standard of CT myelography. Both modalities yielded high sensitivity with the highest confidence score and poor sensitivity for all other confidence scores.