bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analytic Tangent Irradiance Environment Maps for Anisotropic Surfaces
Authors: Mehta Soham Uday , Ramamoorthi Ravi , Meyer Mark , Hery Christophe 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEnvironment‐mapped rendering of Lambertian isotropic surfaces is common, and a popular technique is to use a quadratic spherical harmonic expansion. This compact irradiance map representation is widely adopted in interactive applications like video games. However, many materials are anisotropic, and shading is determined by the local tangent direction, rather than the surface normal. Even for visualization and illustration, it is increasingly common to define a tangent vector field, and use anisotropic shading. In this paper, we extend spherical harmonic irradiance maps to anisotropic surfaces, replacing Lambertian reflectance with the diffuse term of the popular Kajiya‐Kay model. We show that there is a direct analogy, with the surface normal replaced by the tangent. Our main contribution is an analytic formula for the diffuse Kajiya‐Kay BRDF in terms of spherical harmonics; this derivation is more complicated than for the standard diffuse lobe. We show that the terms decay even more rapidly than for Lambertian reflectance, going as l–3, where l is the spherical harmonic order, and with only 6 terms (l = 0 and l = 2) capturing 99.8% of the energy. Existing code for irradiance environment maps can be trivially adapted for real‐time rendering with tangent irradiance maps. We also demonstrate an application to offline rendering of the diffuse component of fibers, using our formula as a control variate for Monte Carlo sampling.
Accurate fitting of measured reflectances using a Shifted Gamma micro‐facet distribution
Authors: Bagher M. M. , Soler C. , Holzschuch N. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMaterial models are essential to the production of photo‐realistic images. Measured BRDFs provide accurate representation with complex visual appearance, but have larger storage cost. Analytical BRDFs such as Cook‐Torrance provide a compact representation but fail to represent the effects we observe with measured appearance. Accurately fitting an analytical BRDF to measured data remains a challenging problem. In this paper we introduce the SGD micro‐facet distribution for Cook‐Torrance BRDF. This distribution accurately models the behavior of most materials. As a consequence, we accurately represent all measured BRDFs using a single lobe. Our fitting procedure is stable and robust, and does not require manual tweaking of the parameters.
Importance Sampling Techniques for Path Tracing in Participating Media
Authors: Kulla Christopher , Fajardo Marcos 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe introduce a set of robust importance sampling techniques which allow efficient calculation of direct and indirect lighting from arbitrary light sources in both homogeneous and heterogeneous media. We show how to distribute samples along a ray proportionally to the incoming radiance for point and area lights. In heterogeneous media, we decouple ray marching from light calculations by computing a representation of the transmittance function that can be quickly evaluated during sampling, at the cost of a small amount of bias. This representation also allows the calculation of another probability density function which can direct samples to regions most likely to scatter light. These techniques are orthogonal and can be combined via multiple importance sampling to further reduce variance. Our method has very modest per‐ray memory requirements and does not require any preprocessing, making it simple to integrate into production ray tracing based renderers.
ISHair: Importance Sampling for Hair Scattering
Authors: Ou Jiawei , Xie Feng , Krishnamachari Parashar , Pellacini Fabio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe present an importance sampling method for the bidirectional scattering distribution function (bsdf) of hair. Our method is based on the multi‐lobe hair scattering model presented by Sadeghi et al. [SPJT10]. We reduce noise by drawing samples from a distribution that approximates the bsdf well. Our algorithm is efficient and easy to implement, since the sampling process requires only the evaluation of a few analytic functions, with no significant memory overhead or need for precomputation. We tested our method in a research raytracer and a production renderer based on micropolygon rasterization. We show significant improvements for rendering direct illumination using multiple importance sampling and for rendering indirect illumination using path tracing.
Gamut Mapping Spatially Varying Reflectance with an Improved BRDF Similarity Metric
Authors: Pereira Thiago , Rusinkiewicz Szymon 
Published: July 2012

AbstractRecent spatially varying reflectance (svBRDF) printing systems can reproduce an input document as a combination of matte, glossy and metallic inks. Due to the limited number of inks, this reproduction process incurs some distortion. In this work, we present an svBRDF gamut mapping algorithm that minimizes distortions in the angular and spatial domains. To preserve a material's perceived variation with lighting and view, we introduce an improved BRDF similarity metric that builds on both experimental results on reflectance perception and on the statistics of natural lighting environments. Our experiments show better preservation of object color and highlights, as validated quantitatively as well as through a perceptual study. As for the spatial domain, we show how to adapt traditional color gamut mapping methods to svBRDFs. Our solution takes into account the contrast between regions, achieving better preservation of textures and edges.
Needs and Nonviolent Communication in the Religious Studies Classroom
Authors: Agnew Elizabeth N. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractReligious studies classrooms are microcosms of the public square in bringing together individuals of diverse identities and ideological commitments. As such, these classrooms create the necessity and opportunity to foster effective modes of conversation. In this essay, I argue that communication attuned to shared human needs – among them needs for safety, respect, and belonging – offers a transformative response to the potential self‐silencing and peer‐conflict to which religious studies classrooms are prone. I develop this claim with reference to the research on teaching religious studies conducted by Barbara Walvoord and the pedagogy of theologian and Swarthmore University President Rebecca Chopp in formulating an “ethics of conversation” with her students. Building on this foundation, I make a case for developing an “ethos of conversation” in the religious studies classroom based on psychologist and peace activist Marshall Rosenberg's method of “nonviolent communication.” While addressing the roles of conflict and toleration in the classroom through the perspectives of Alasdair MacIntyre and Jeffrey Stout, I argue that Rosenberg's approach to communication is a powerful asset to education that models constructive engagement in the macrocosm of civic life.
Catholic/Jesuit Values in an Introductory Religious Studies Course
Authors: Lynch, S.J. Patrick , Mizak Pat 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA growing interest in the communication to students of the mission and identity of a higher education institution prompted this study about the presence of Catholic, Jesuit values in the introductory religious studies course at a faith‐based university. To conduct this study a survey instrument was developed, piloted, further refined, and then administered again to about four hundred and fifty students. The study's results showed that the introductory course had a positive effect on the majority of students surveyed, namely, those who had no Catholic schooling or only had a Catholic elementary school education. Statistically significant advances in several areas of knowledge about Catholic teachings endorsed by Catholic bishops and the pope occurred. Although less extensive, knowledge of Jesuit values also advanced in the course.
Teaching Religion in Indonesia: A Report on Graduate Studies in Java
Authors: Lewis Bret 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEstablished in 2000–2001, the Center for Religious and Cross‐cultural Studies (CRCS) is the only master's level religious studies program at a non‐religiously affiliated university in Indonesia. In many respects, the program is experimental, operating within the dynamic political and religious environment of the Muslim world's youngest and largest democracy. Like other large democracies such as India or the United States, the Indonesian government and courts have their challenges and opportunities in navigating a multiplicity of religions. In Indonesia, this took on particular urgency in the context of religiously‐charged conflict in the 1990's and early 2000's which helped lead to the establishment of the CRCS. This paper seeks to explore how students and key faculty relate to the program's mission and approach to the study of religion while tracing the development of religious studies as a discipline in Indonesia. Special attention is paid to the political and, at times, controversial aspects of approaching religion with secular and pluralistic frameworks and language. It was informed by interviews and surveys conducted between January and May of 2010.
RESPONSE‐DEPENDENCE ABOUT AESTHETIC VALUE
Authors: WATKINS MICHAEL , SHELLEY JAMES 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe dominant view about the nature of aesthetic value holds it to be response‐dependent. We believe that the dominance of this view owes largely to some combination of the following prevalent beliefs:
The belief that challenges brought against response‐dependent accounts in other areas of philosophy are less challenging when applied to response‐dependent accounts of aesthetic value.
The belief that aesthetic value is instrumental and that response‐dependence about aesthetic value alone accommodates this purported fact.
The belief that response‐dependence about aesthetic value alone accommodates the widely acknowledged anthropocentricity of aesthetic value.
The belief that response‐dependence about aesthetic value alone accommodates aesthetic normativity.
We argue that each of these beliefs is false, and that the dominance of response‐dependent accounts of aesthetic value is therefore largely without foundation.
How Do Powerful CEOs Affect Analyst Coverage?
Authors: Jiraporn Pornsit , Liu Yixin , Kim Young S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe examine how CEO power affects the extent of analyst coverage. CEO power can influence a CEO's incentives to disclose information. The amount of information disclosed by the CEO in turn influences the information environment, which affects financial analysts’ incentives to follow the firm. Consistent with this notion, we show that firms with powerful CEOs are covered by fewer analysts. In addition, the evidence shows that firms with more powerful CEOs experience less information asymmetry. Powerful CEOs are well insulated and have fewer incentives to conceal information, resulting in more transparency. The information provided to investors directly by the firm substitutes for the information in the analyst's report. As a result, the demand for analyst coverage is lower. Our results are important because they show that CEO power affects important corporate outcomes such as corporate transparency and analyst following.
Phospholipase activity after β‐endorphin exposure discriminates Malassezia strains isolated from healthy and seborrhoeic dermatitis skin
Authors: Vlachos Ch. , Gaitanis G. , Alexopoulos E.C. , Papadopoulou C. , Bassukas I.D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Phospholipase activity and its induction by β‐endorphin have been associated with pathogenic Malassezia pachydermatis animal isolates.Objective  To evaluate Malassezia phosholipase activity in human isolates from seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) and healthy controls before and after β‐endorphin exposure.Methods  Eighty‐four volunteers with or without SD (N = 41) were sampled. Isolated Malassezia strains were incubated in Dixon’s medium with and without 100 nmol/L β‐endorphin. Subsequently, phospholipase activity was assessed in egg‐yolk agar and the results were compared employing Wilcoxon sign test for paired data, chi‐squared test and multinomial logistic regression analysis.Results  A total of 64 Malassezia strains were isolated. SD strains tended to have decreased phospholipase activity before (P = 0.057) and increased after exposure to β‐endorphin (P = 0.061) compared to isolates from healthy skin. Phospholipase activity after β‐endorphin exposure related to basal enzyme activity as a measure of per strain phospholipase inducibility by β‐endorphin did not depend on Malassezia species (P = 0.652). However, this latter biochemical trait discriminates strains isolated from SD lesional and healthy skin (P = 0.036).Conclusion  β‐endorphin exposure modifies the in vitro phosholipase activity in Malassezia species isolated from SD lesional skin. This is in accordance with emerging evidence that enhanced local lipase activity is involved in the pathogenesis of SD.
Nonablative fractional laser resurfacing for the treatment of scars and grafts after Mohs micrographic surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Verhaeghe E. , Ongenae K. , Dierckxsens L. , Bostoen J. , Lambert J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Mohs micrographic surgery is a tissue sparing surgical technique for removal of skin cancer. To optimize the cosmetic result of scars and skin grafts after surgery non invasive procedures as non‐ablative fractional laser (NAFL) resurfacing are attractive.Objective  To evaluate efficacy and safety of 1540 nm NAFL in the treatment of scars and skin grafts after Mohs micrographic surgery.Methods  An intra‐individual randomized controlled trial (RCT) with split lesion design and single blinded outcome evaluations. Patients receive four treatments at monthly interval with NAFL [StarLux‐300 with Lux 1540 nm fractional handpiece (Palomar technologies)]. Primary endpoint to evaluate efficacy is a blinded on site visual and palpable Physician Global Assessment (PhGA). Adverse event and pain registration are used to evaluate safety. Patient’s global assessment (PGA) and skin reflectance measurements are secondary endpoints.Results  The PhGA score comparing the treated to the untreated control side of 24 patients is significant different 1 (P = 0.009) and 3 (P = 0.001) months after treatment (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Patients experienced mild to moderate pain. Four days after the treatments patients reported erythema (67%), oedema (31%), crusts (22%), burning sensation (14%), purpura (9%) and vesicles (4%). No long term adverse events are reported. PGA is significant different 1 (P < 0. 001) and 3 months (P < 0. 001) after the last treatment. Skin reflectance do not show significant difference.Conclusion  This study shows that nonablative 1540 nm fractional laser is a safe and effective treatment for the improvement of scars and grafts after Mohs surgery.
Do sequential EEG changes predict atypical clinical features in rolandic epilepsy?
Authors: KANEMURA HIDEAKI , SANO FUMIKAZU , AOYAGI KAKURO , SUGITA KANJI , AIHARA MASAO 
Published: July 2012

Aim  Although the prognosis for rolandic epilepsy is regarded to be favourable, a small proportion of cases that initially present as rolandic epilepsy evolve into atypical benign partial epilepsy (ABPE) of childhood. The purpose of our study was to determine electroencephalogram (EEG) criteria in relation to atypical seizure manifestations, and cognitive and behavioural problems in rolandic epilepsy.Methods  The rolandic epilepsy group consisted of 10 children (mean age 5y 6mo, SD 1y 1mo, median age 5y 5mo; six males, four females). The ABPE group comprised five children (mean age 5y, SD 1y 2mo, median age 4y 5mo; three males, two females). We recorded the number of spikes, the locations of spikes, and the duration of the spike activity. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition or the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, depending on age, was administered to all children at the onset of seizures and every year thereafter. The diagnosis of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder was made according to the DSM‐IV.Results  Significant correlations were found between atypical clinical features and extended periods of high‐frequency paroxysmal EEG abnormalities (>24mo after onset; p<0.01) and frontal EEG focus (>10mo after onset; p<0.003).Interpretation  A combination of spike rate and extended periods of high‐frequency paroxysmal EEG abnormalities may predict the evolution of atypical rolandic epilepsy.
Molecular basis for the differential sensitivity of rat and human α9α10 nAChRs to α‐conotoxin RgIA
Authors: Azam Layla , McIntosh J Michael 
Published: July 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 1137–1144.AbstractThe α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) may be a potential target in pathophysiology of the auditory system, chronic pain, and breast and lung cancers. Alpha‐conotoxins, from the predatory marine snail Conus, are potent nicotinic antagonists, some of which are selective for the α9α10 nAChR. Here, we report a two order of magnitude species difference in the potency of α‐conotoxin RgIA for the rat versus human α9α10 nAChR. We investigated the molecular mechanism of this difference. Heterologous expression of the rat α9 with the human α10 subunit in Xenopus oocytes resulted in a receptor that was blocked by RgIA with potency similar to that of the rat α9α10 nAChR. Conversely, expression of the human α9 with that of the rat α10 subunit resulted in a receptor that was blocked by RgIA with potency approaching that of the human α9α10 receptor. Systematic substitution of residues found in the human α9 subunit into the homologous position in the rat α9 subunit revealed that a single point mutation, Thr56 to Ile56, primarily accounts for this species difference. Remarkably, although the α9 nAChR subunit has previously been reported to provide the principal (+) binding face for binding of RgIA, Thr56 is located in the (−) complementary binding face.
Behaviour among children of substance‐abusing women attending a Special Child Welfare Clinic in Norway, as assessed by Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
Authors: Hjerkinn Bjørg , Lindbæk Morten , Rosvold Elin Olaug 
Published: July 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 285–294

Behaviour among children of substance‐abusing women attending a Special Child Welfare Clinic in Norway, as assessed by Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)
Background:  A Special Child Welfare Clinic (SCWC) in Norway provides care for pregnant women with substance abuse problems. Treatment is given without substitution. This investigation assesses the behaviour of the children between the ages 6 and 13 years of women who attended the clinic. It also explores the correlation between the behaviour and a neuropsychological screening performed one and a half year earlier. The study was set up to investigate the influence of prenatal substance exposure.Method:  Thirty‐eight SCWC children and 63 children in a comparison group were scored by Child Behavior Check List (CBCL). Twenty‐one (55%) SCWC mothers were classed as short‐term users (ceased substance abuse before the end of first trimester), and 17 (45%) were classed as long‐term users (continued a moderate substance abuse throughout pregnancy). Thirteen (77%) of the children of the long‐term users were living in foster homes at the time of the investigation.Results:  SCWC children were scored within normal ranges for most items, but their scores were significantly worse than those of the comparison group. Children of short‐term users were given lower scores than comparisons on more issues in CBCL than were children of long‐term users. The SCWC children were breastfed for a shorter time (p = 0.023) and had moved house more often (p < 0.001) than comparisons. SCWC children living with their biological mothers received more special education or remedial classes (p ≤ 0.001) than children of the comparisons.Conclusion:  Most children of long‐term users were living in foster homes. Notably, children of short‐term users, that is, children living with their biological mothers, were given lower scores than comparisons in CBCL. Children of short‐term users were more likely to receive special education than children of comparisons. More research is needed on how to reveal parenting problems and how to guide mothers with previous or present substance abuse problems.
Association of H. pylori Infection with Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Among Lebanese Adults
Authors: Naja Farah , Nasreddine Lara , Hwalla Nahla , Moghames Patricia , Shoaib Hikma , Fatfat Maamoun , Sibai Abla , Gali‐Muhtasib Hala 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundSeveral epidemiological studies proposed an association between
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori) infection with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, up to date there is no conclusive evidence regarding this association.ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence and correlates of
H. pylori infection among Lebanese adults and to evaluate its association with IR and MetS.Materials and MethodsStored blood samples of adults participating in the national Nutrition and Non‐Communicable Diseases Risk factors survey conducted in Lebanon were used for this study (n = 308).
H. pylori‐specific immunoglobulin G antibody titers were measured by ELISA. Data available included, in addition to anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, blood pressure, and biochemical indices (serum insulin, HDL, LDL, TAG, glucose). A HOMA –IR level was used to assess insulin resistance. The International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to classify study participants with MetS.ResultsThe prevalence of
H. pylori infection in the study sample was 52% (95% CI, 46.43–57.57). A higher crowding index was associated with a 50% increase in the odds of infection (OR, 1.41; CI, 1.08–2.27). Blood pressure, waist circumference, serum HDL, LDL, TAG, and glucose levels were comparable between
H. pylori positive and negative subjects. The odds of IR and MetS were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionPrevalence of
H. pylori infection in Lebanon is comparable to other developing countries. Furthermore, our findings suggested no association of
H. pylori infection with IR or MetS. Eradication of
H. pylori infection to prevent IR or MetS is not warranted.