bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Illustrative Molecular Visualization with Continuous Abstraction
Authors: van der Zwan Matthew , Lueks Wouter , Bekker Henk , Isenberg Tobias 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMolecular systems may be visualized with various degrees of structural abstraction, support of spatial perception, and ‘illustrativeness.’ In this work we propose and realize methods to create seamless transformations that allow us to affect and change each of these three parameters individually. The resulting transitions give viewers a dedicated control of abstraction in illustrative molecular visualization and, consequently, allow them to seamlessly explore the resulting abstraction space for obtaining a fundamental understanding of molecular systems. We show example visualizations created with our approach and report informal feedback on our technique from domain experts.
A Visual Analytics Approach for Peak‐Preserving Prediction of Large Seasonal Time Series
Authors: Hao M. C. , Janetzko H. , Mittelstädt S. , Hill W. , Dayal U. , Keim D. A. , Marwah M. , Sharma R. K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTime series prediction methods are used on a daily basis by analysts for making important decisions. Most of these methods use some variant of moving averages to reduce the number of data points before prediction. However, to reach a good prediction in certain applications (e.g., power consumption time series in data centers) it is important to preserve peaks and their patterns. In this paper, we introduce automated peak‐preserving smoothing and prediction algorithms, enabling a reliable long term prediction for seasonal data, and combine them with an advanced visual interface: (1) using high resolution cell‐based time series to explore seasonal patterns, (2) adding new visual interaction techniques (multi‐scaling, slider, and brushing & linking) to incorporate human expert knowledge, and (3) providing both new visual accuracy color indicators for validating the predicted results and certainty bands communicating the uncertainty of the prediction. We have integrated these techniques into a well‐fitted solution to support the prediction process, and applied and evaluated the approach to predict both power consumption and server utilization in data centers with 70–80% accuracy.
Visual Exploration of Time‐Series Data with Shape Space Projections
Authors: Ward Matthew O. , Guo Zhenyu 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTime‐series data is a common target for visual analytics, as they appear in a wide range of application domains. Typical tasks in analyzing time‐series data include identifying cyclic behavior, outliers, trends, and periods of time that share distinctive shape characteristics. Many methods for visualizing time series data exist, generally mapping the data values to positions or colors. While each can be used to perform a subset of the above tasks, none to date is a complete solution. In this paper we present a novel approach to time‐series data visualization, namely creating multivariate data records out of short subsequences of the data and then using multivariate visualization methods to display and explore the data in the resulting shape space. We borrow ideas from text analysis, where the use of N‐grams is a common approach to decomposing and processing unstructured text. By mapping each temporal N‐gram to a glyph, and then positioning the glyphs via PCA (basically a projection in shape space), many different kinds of patterns in the sequence can be readily identified. Interactive selection via brushing, in conjunction with linking to other visualizations, provides a wide range of tools for exploring the data. We validate the usefulness of this approach with examples from several application domains and tasks, comparing our methods with traditional time‐series visualizations.
Topological Features in 2D Symmetric Higher‐Order Tensor Fields
Authors: Schultz T. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe topological structure of scalar, vector, and second‐order tensor fields provides an important mathematical basis for data analysis and visualization. In this paper, we extend this framework towards higher‐order tensors. First, we establish formal uniqueness properties for a geometrically constrained tensor decomposition. This allows us to define and visualize topological structures in symmetric tensor fields of orders three and four. We clarify that in 2D, degeneracies occur at isolated points, regardless of tensor order. However, for orders higher than two, they are no longer equivalent to isotropic tensors, and their fractional Poincaré index prevents us from deriving continuous vector fields from the tensor decomposition. Instead, sorting the terms by magnitude leads to a new type of feature, lines along which the resulting vector fields are discontinuous. We propose algorithms to extract these features and present results on higher‐order derivatives and higher‐order structure tensors.
ImPrEd: An Improved Force‐Directed Algorithm that Prevents Nodes from Crossing Edges
Authors: Simonetto Paolo , Archambault Daniel , Auber David , Bourqui Romain 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPrEd [Ber00] is a force‐directed algorithm that improves the existing layout of a graph while preserving its edge crossing properties. The algorithm has a number of applications including: improving the layouts of planar graph drawing algorithms, interacting with a graph layout, and drawing Euler‐like diagrams. The algorithm ensures that nodes do not cross edges during its execution. However, PrEd can be computationally expensive and overly‐restrictive in terms of node movement.In this paper, we introduce ImPrEd: an improved version of PrEd that overcomes some of its limitations and widens its range of applicability. ImPrEd also adds features such as flexible or crossable edges, allowing for greater control over the output. Flexible edges, in particular, can improve the distribution of graph elements and the angular resolution of the input graph. They can also be used to generate Euler diagrams with smooth boundaries. As flexible edges increase data set size, we experience an execution/drawing quality trade off. However, when flexible edges are not used, ImPrEdproves to be consistently faster than PrEd.
Piece wise Laplacian‐based Projection for Interactive Data Exploration and Organization
Authors: Paulovich F.V. , Eler D.M. , Poco J. , Botha C.P. , Minghim R. , Nonato L.G. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractMultidimensional projection has emerged as an important visualization tool in applications involving the visual analysis of high‐dimensional data. However, high precision projection methods are either computationally expensive or not flexible enough to enable feedback from user interaction into the projection process. A built‐in mechanism that dynamically adapts the projection based on direct user intervention would make the technique more useful for a larger range of applications and data sets. In this paper we propose the Piecewise Laplacian‐based Projection (PLP), a novel multidimensional projection technique, that, due to the local nature of its formulation, enables a versatile mechanism to interact with projected data and to allow interactive changes to alter the projection map dynamically, a capability unique of this technique. We exploit the flexibility provided by PLP in two interactive projection‐based applications, one designed to organize pictures visually and another to build music playlists. These applications illustrate the usefulness of PLP in handling high‐dimensional data in a flexible and highly visual way. We also compare PLP with the currently most promising projections in terms of precision and speed, showing that it performs very well also according to these quality criteria.
In‐situ Sampling of a Large‐Scale Particle Simulation for Interactive Visualization and Analysis
Authors: Woodring J. , Ahrens J. , Figg J. , Wendelberger J. , Habib S. , Heitmann K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe describe a simulation‐time random sampling of a large‐scale particle simulation, the RoadRunner Universe MC3cosmological simulation, for interactive post‐analysis and visualization. Simulation data generation rates will continue to be far greater than storage bandwidth rates by many orders of magnitude. This implies that only a very small fraction of data generated by a simulation can ever be stored and subsequently post‐analyzed. The limiting factors in this situation are similar to the problem in many population surveys: there aren't enough human resources to query a large population. To cope with the lack of resources, statistical sampling techniques are used to create a representative data set of a large population. Following this analogy, we propose to store a simulation‐time random sampling of the particle data for post‐analysis, with level‐of‐detail organization, to cope with the bottlenecks. A sample is stored directly from the simulation in a level‐of‐detail format for post‐visualization and analysis, which amortizes the cost of post‐processing and reduces workflow time. Additionally by sampling during the simulation, we are able to analyze the entire particle population to record full population statistics and quantify sample error.
Stroke Correspondence Construction Using Manifold Learning
Authors: Liu Dongquan , Chen Quan , Yu Jun , Gu Huiqin , Tao Dacheng , Seah Hock Soon 
Published: June 2011

AbstractStroke correspondence construction is a precondition for generating inbetween frames from a set of key frames. In our case, each stroke in a key frame is a vector represented as a Disk B‐Spline Curve (DBSC) which is a flexible and compact vector format. However, it is not easy to construct correspondences between multiple DBSC strokes effectively because of the following points: (1) with the use of shape descriptors, the dimensionality of the feature space is high; (2) the number of strokes in different key frames is usually large and different from each other and (3) the length of corresponding strokes can be very different. The first point makes matching difficult. The other two points imply ‘many to many’ and ‘part to whole’ correspondences between strokes. To solve these problems, this paper presents a DBSC stroke correspondence construction approach, which introduces a manifold learning technique to the matching process. Moreover, in order to handle the mapping between unequal numbers of strokes with different lengths, a stroke reconstruction algorithm is developed to convert the ‘many to many’ and ‘part to whole’ stroke correspondences to ‘one to one’ compound stroke correspondence.
Eucalyptus increases ceramide levels in keratinocytes and improves stratum corneum function
Authors: Ishikawa J. , Shimotoyodome Y. , Chen S. , Ohkubo K. , Takagi Y. , Fujimura T. , Kitahara T. , Takema Y. 
Published: June 2011

SynopsisThe objectives of this study were to identify a plant extract that would improve stratum corneum functions and to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved. Based on the information that stratum corneum functions depend on the level of ceramide in the stratum corneum, we identified a Eucalyptus extract that was able to increase the level of ceramide in human keratinocytes in culture and in human stratum corneum and that improves the stratum corneum water holding and barrier functions. Addition of the Eucalyptus extract to human keratinocytes in culture increased the level of ceramide in a dose‐dependent manner and also increased the biosynthesis of ceramide, glucosylceramide and sphingomyelin. Topical application of the Eucalyptus extract on the dry skin of human subjects induced by acetone and diethylether treatment resulted in a significant increase in ceramide level in the stratum corneum, a significant improvement in its water‐holding function and an improvement in its barrier function. The addition of macrocarpal A, one of the main components of the Eucalyptus extract, to human keratinocytes in culture increased the level of ceramide and the mRNA expression of serine palmitoyltransferase, acid sphingomyelinase, neutral sphingomyelinase, glucosylceramide synthase and glucocerebrosidase in a dose‐dependent manner. Our results indicate that the increased content of ceramides in the stratum corneum may underlie the therapeutic effect of the Eucalyptus extract. Our results also indicate the possibility that macrocarpal A is the key component that stimulates the synthesis of ceramide in the stratum corneum.
Psychology and Family Economics
Authors: Lundberg Shelly 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA substantial increase in the availability of data on psychosocial traits in large representative longitudinal samples has opened up new areas of research for economists and new opportunities for collaborations with psychologists. As an example, I incorporate personality into alternative economic models of marriage, with individual traits associated with either productivity in home or market sectors, or preferences for household public goods. Empirically, personality traits have robust effects on individual propensities to marry and to divorce in a representative sample of the German population. Changes in these patterns across cohorts are consistent with a shift in the principal sources of marital surplus from production complementarities to consumption complementarities in the past few decades. Some personality traits related to divorce are also related to limited self-control in other domains, and suggest that departures from rational action should be considered in models of family behavior. In general, further analysis of the impact of personality and other psychological indicators on family relationships may improve our understanding of variation in partnership and parental decision-making, and of their responses to policy and to institutional environments.
Diversifikationsvorteile verbriefter Immobilienanlagen in einem Mixed-Asset-Portfolio
Authors: Füss Roland , Schindler Felix 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis article examines whether international investors benefit from adding real estate investment trusts (REITs) to a mixed asset portfolio consisting of global stocks, bonds, hedge funds, and commodities. Previous literature has shown that REITs provide a strong co-movement with direct real estate in the long run. We therefore test the diversification potential of international REITs within the strategic asset allocation. Using the Johansen cointegration technique, we show that there is no long-term co-movement between REITs and the other asset classes in the period from January 1990 to December 2009. Thus, the empirical evidence suggests that REITs improve the diversification potential for active investors and those with a long-term investment horizon by simultaneously generating continuous cash flows.
Pharmacological activation of KCa3.1/KCa2.3 channels produces endothelial hyperpolarization and lowers blood pressure in conscious dogs
Authors: Damkjaer Mads , Nielsen Gorm , Bodendiek Silke , Staehr Mette , Gramsbergen Jan‐Bert , de Wit Cor , Jensen Boye L , Simonsen Ulf , Bie Peter , Wulff Heike , Köhler Ralf 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In rodents, the endothelial KCa channels, KCa3.1 and KCa2.3, have been shown to play a crucial role in initiating endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) vasodilator responses. However, it is not known to what extent these channels are involved in blood pressure regulation in large mammals, which would also allow us to address safety issues. We therefore characterized canine endothelial KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 functions and evaluated the effect of the KCa3.1/KCa2.3 activator SKA‐31 on blood pressure and heart rate in dogs.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Canine endothelial KCa3.1/KCa2.3 functions were studied by patch‐clamp electrophysiology and wire myography in mesenteric arteries. Systemic cardiovascular actions of acute SKA‐31 administration were monitored in conscious, unstressed beagle dogs.KEY RESULTS Mesenteric endothelial cells expressed functional KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels that were strongly activated by SKA‐31. SKA‐31 hyperpolarized the endothelial membrane and doubled endothelial hyperpolarization‐dependent vasodilator responses in mesenteric arteries. SKA‐31 (2 mg·kg−1, i.v.) rapidly decreased the MAP by 28 ± 6 mmHg; this response was transient (8 ± 1 s), and the initial drop was followed by a fast and pronounced increase in HR (+109 ± 7 beats min−1) reflecting baroreceptor activation. SKA‐31 significantly augmented similar transient depressor responses elicited by ACh (20 ng·kg−1) and doubled the magnitude of the response over time.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Activation of endothelial KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 lowers arterial blood pressure in dogs by an immediate electrical vasodilator mechanism. The results support the concept that pharmacological activation of these channels may represent a potential unique endothelium‐specific antihypertensive therapy.
Effects of NMDA receptor antagonists with different subtype selectivities on retinal spreading depression
Authors: Wang Minyan , Chazot Paul L , Ali Sura , Duckett Stevens F , Obrenovitch Tihomir P 
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Spreading depression (SD) is a local, temporary disruption of cellular ionic homeostasis that propagates slowly across the cerebral cortex and other neural tissues such as the retina. Spreading depolarization associated with SD occurs in different types of stroke, and this phenomenon correlates also with the initiation of classical migraine aura. The aim of this study was to investigate how NMDA receptor antagonists with different subtype selectivity alter SD.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Immunoblotting was applied to the chick retina for NMDA receptor subunit protein analysis, and an efficient in vitro chick retinal model used with SD imaging for NMDA receptor pharmacology.KEY RESULTS The prominent NMDA receptor subtypes GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B were found highly expressed in the chick retina. Nanomolar concentrations of NVP‐AAM077 (GluN2A‐preferring receptor antagonist) markedly suppressed high K+‐induced SD; that is, ∼30 times more effectively than MK801. At sub‐micromolar concentrations, Ro 25‐6981 (GluN2B‐preferring receptor antagonist) produced a moderate SD inhibition, whereas CP‐101,606 (also GluN2B‐preferring receptor antagonist) and UBP141 (GluN2C/2D‐preferring receptor antagonist) had no effect.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The expression of major NMDA receptor subtypes, GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B in the chick retina makes them pertinent targets for pharmacological inhibition of SD. The high efficacy of NVP‐AAM077 on SD inhibition suggests a critical role of GluN2A‐containing receptors in SD genesis. Such high anti‐SD potency suggests that NVP‐AAM077, and other GluN2A‐selective drug‐like candidates, could be potential anti‐migraine agents.
Expansion of Corticomedullary Junction High‐Susceptibility Region (CMJ‐HSR) with Aging: A Clue in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease?
Authors: Nakada Tsutomu , Matsuzawa Hitoshi , Igarashi Hironaka , Kwee Ingrid L. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDSusceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) microscopy on a 7.0T system demonstrated the corticomedullary junction (CMJ) to be a high‐susceptibility region (HSR) in young normal subjects, suggesting that functional alteration of cortical microcirculation could be assessed with this imaging method.METHODSFocused microscopic studies were performed on the parietal association cortex in 74 normal volunteers (ages 20‐79 years; 35 female, 39 male) using a SWI algorithm on a system constructed based on General Electric Signa LX (Waukesha, WI, USA), equipped with a 900‐mm clear bore superconducting magnet operating at 7.0T.RESULTSThere was a clear‐cut reduction in the thickness of the normal‐appearing cortex (cortex, R2= .5290, P < .001) and expansion of CMJ‐HSR (R2= .6919, P < .001). The sum of cortex thickness and CMJ‐HSR thickness was essentially constant, suggesting that the observed expansion of CMR‐HSR with aging likely occurred within the cortical mantle.CONCLUSIONCMJ‐HSR expands significantly as a function of aging. Since CMJ‐HSR represents a functionally distinct area with relatively slow venous flow, the observed expansion is believed to reflect alteration in cerebral microcirculation with increased age, providing another clue for pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Orgasm-Associated Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Life After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Nilsson Andreas E. , Carlsson Stefan , Johansson Eva , Jonsson Martin N. , Adding Christofer , Nyberg Tommy , Steineck Gunnar , Peter Wiklund N. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Involuntary release of urine during sexual climax, orgasm-associated urinary incontinence, occurs frequently after radical prostatectomy. We know little about its prevalence and its effect on sexual satisfaction.

Aim
To determine the prevalence of orgasm-associated incontinence after radical prostatectomy and its effect on sexual satisfaction.

Methods
Consecutive series, follow-up at one point in calendar time of men having undergone radical prostatectomy (open surgery or robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery) at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, 2002–2006. Of the 1,411 eligible men, 1,288 (91%) men completed a study-specific questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measure
Prevalence rate of orgasm-associated incontinence.

Results
Of the 1,288 men providing information, 691 were sexually active. Altogether, 268 men reported orgasm-associated urinary incontinence, of whom 230 (86%) were otherwise continent. When comparing them with the 422 not reporting the symptom but being sexually active, we found a prevalence ratio (with 95% confidence interval) of 1.5 (1.2–1.8) for not being able to satisfy the partner, 2.1 (1.1–3.5) for avoiding sexual activity because of fear of failing, 1.5 (1.1–2.1) for low orgasmic satisfaction, and 1.4 (1.2–1.7) for having sexual intercourse infrequently. Prevalence ratios increase in prostate-cancer survivors with a higher frequency of orgasm-associated urinary incontinence.

Conclusion
We found orgasm-associated urinary incontinence to occur among a fifth of prostate cancer survivors having undergone radical prostatectomy, most of whom are continent when not engaged in sexual activity. The symptom was associated with several aspects of sexual life.
Regulating non‐government schools: Explaining success and failure
Authors: Zehavi Amos 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe challenge faced by governments in the regulation of powerful private actors has allegedly intensified in recent years. This study explores the means at the disposal of governments, and their effectiveness, with respect to the regulation of private actors that demonstrate considerable independence and political efficacy. It is argued that a modified ‘Contextual Interaction Theory’ (CIT), which focuses on the interaction between generic policy instruments (carrots, sticks, and sermons) and target group attributes (motivation, information, and power), and is augmented by a consideration of a separate institutional dimension, offers a useful analytical framework for understanding both the challenge faced by governments and the options for dealing with it. This framework is applied to a study of the introduction of ‘new accountability’ to Australian and Israeli non‐government schools. The use of the standard CIT lenses helps explain Australian success and Israeli government failure in the introduction of new accountability. Australian success is attributable to a judicious mix of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ instruments that favorably impacted target group information and motivation. In Israel, in contrast, policy instrument mixes failed to alter the main target group's oppositional stance. Institutional engineering, however, could provide a promising way for Israeli policymakers to enhance policy instrument effectiveness, by influencing target group power and motivation.