bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Edge-preserving decompositions for multi-scale tone and detail manipulation
Authors: Farbman Zeev , Fattal Raanan , Lischinski Dani , Szeliski Richard 
Published: August 2008

Many recent computational photography techniques decompose an image into a piecewise smooth base layer, containing large scale variations in intensity, and a residual detail layer capturing the smaller scale details in the image. In many of these applications, it is important to control the spatial scale of the extracted details, and it is often desirable to manipulate details at multiple scales, while avoiding visual artifacts.
In this paper we introduce a new way to construct edge-preserving multi-scale image decompositions. We show that current basedetail decomposition techniques, based on the bilateral filter, are limited in their ability to extract detail at arbitrary scales. Instead, we advocate the use of an alternative edge-preserving smoothing operator, based on the weighted least squares optimization framework, which is particularly well suited for progressive coarsening of images and for multi-scale detail extraction. After describing this operator, we show how to use it to construct edge-preserving multi-scale decompositions, and compare it to the bilateral filter, as well as to other schemes. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our edge-preserving decompositions in the context of LDR and HDR tone mapping, detail enhancement, and other applications.
SP-NUCA
Authors: Merino Javier , Puente Valentín , Prieto Pablo , Gregorio José Ángel 
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a simple but effective method to reduce on-chip access latency and improve core isolation in CMP Non-Uniform Cache Architectures (NUCA). The paper introduces a feasible way to allocate cache blocks according to the access pattern. Each L2 bank is dynamically partitioned at set level in private and shared content. Simply by adjusting the replacement algorithm, we can place private data closer to its owner processor. In contrast, independently of the accessing processor, shared data is always placed in the same position. This approach is capable of reducing on-chip latency without significantly sacrificing hit rates or increasing implementation cost of a conventional static NUCA. Additionally, most of the unnecessary interference between cores in private accesses is removed.
To support the architectural decisions adopted and provide a comparative study, a comprehensive evaluation framework is employed. The workbench is composed of a full system simulator, and a representative set of multithreaded and multiprogrammed workloads. With this infrastructure, different alternatives for the coherence protocol, replacement policies, and cache utilization are analyzed to find the optimal proposal. We conclude that the cost for a feasible implementation should be closer to a conventional static NUCA, and significantly less than a dynamic NUCA.
Finally, a comparison with static and dynamic NUCA is presented. The simulation results suggest that on average the mechanism proposed could improve system performance of a static NUCA and idealized dynamic NUCA by 16% and 6% respectively.
Enabling Sustainable Production-Consumption Systems
Authors: Lebel Louis , Lorek Sylvia 
Published: July 2008

The pursuit of sustainability in particular places and sectors often unravels at the edges. Efforts to tackle environmental problems in one place shift them somewhere else or are overwhelmed by external changes in drivers. Gains in energy efficiency of appliances used in houses are offset by greater total numbers or compensating changes in patterns of use. Analytical perspectives and practical initiatives, which treat production and consumption jointly, are needed to complement experiences and efforts with sector-, place-, product- and consumer-oriented approaches.There is now a growing body of scholarship exploring a diverse range of initiatives and experiments aimed at enabling sustainable production-consumption systems (PCSs). Different approaches make divergent assumptions about market institutions, government regulation, sociotechnical innovation, and actor partnerships. From this body of work flow useful insights for others who would engage, for example, in redesigning relationships around services rather than products or between third world producers and first world consumers in fair trade initiatives.
Offenbach in Arabien
Authors: Flores Alexander 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTwice, the theatre of Jacques Offenbach exerted a marked influence on musical theatre in Egypt. The first occasion was a number of performances of his most popular opéra-bouffes, in French and by French artists, around 1870. The ruler, Ismā'īl, tried to introduce European culture in Egypt and gave Offenbach's work a central role in that endeavour. With Ismā'īl's decline, that attempt was discontinued. The second appearance occurred in 1920/21. Then, two of the most popular musical comedies of the famous Egyptian composer Sayyid Darwīš had Offenbach's works as their sources. These works were translated into Egyptian Arabic, given an oriental setting and an Egyptian colour, e.g. by having the lyrics written by popular Egyptian poets. The main message of the original pieces—attacking the military and the authorities in general by ridiculing them—was changed by introducing a clear anti-Turkish thrust, thus castigating the aristocracy ruling Egypt at the time of the adaptation and, by implication, the British occupation. Whereas the text of the Egyptian pieces was quite closely inspired by the French originals, the music shows no signs of direct influence by Offenbach—it is vintage Sayyid Darwīš. The article also sheds some light on the musical theatre of the brothers Rahbānī in Lebanon that has not been directly inspired by Offenbach but exhibits a spirit quite close to his and thus lends itself to a comparison.
On Micromechanical Evolutionary Damage Models for Polycrystalline Ceramics
Authors: Ju J. W. 
Published: July 2008

Evolutionary micromechanical constitutive models for polycrystalline MgO ceramics with distributed dislocations and integranular microcracks are presented. Based on the description of dominant modes of microstructural changes in polycrystals, the kinetics of microcrack evolution in a typical grain is studied. Four basic deformation modes are considered within the micromechanics framework—the elastic deformation, slip band, microcrack nucleation, and microcrack kinking mechanisms. In particular, a slip band is assumed to be caused by the Frank-Read dislocation source, and a microcrack is assumed to be nucleated by the Zener-Stroh mechanism. At the onset, the stress-strain relation of the polycrystalline MgO ceramics is taken as linearly elastic. As the loading stress increases, slips will occur first in those crystals having the "easiest" slip planes at an angle of 45 degree. At some point, the stress in front of a dislocation pileup will exceed the cohesive strength of an intergranular plane. Therefore, a microcrack will nucleate on the grain boundary ("Cleavage 2" process). By computing the strain and compliance contributions due to many probabilistically distributed and evolutionary dislocations, microcracks and kinked microcracks, effective moduli and stress-strain relations can be derived based on micromechanics and approximate effective medium methods. Effects of different grain size distributions are investigated in detail by considering five cases (the fixed grain size, uniform distribution, normal distribution, square-root normal distribution, and linear decreasing distribution functions). The proposed models are subsequently applied to uniaxial tensile loadings, biaxial loadings, and residual stresses. Several interesting evolutionary examples are also presented to illustrate the capability and behavior of the proposed micromechanical damage models.
Neuropilin-1 in regulation of VEGF-induced activation of p38MAPK and endothelial cell organization
Authors: Kawamura Harukiyo , Li Xiujuan , Goishi Katsutoshi , van Meeteren Laurens A. , Jakobsson Lars , Cébe-Suarez Stéphanie , Shimizu Akio , Edholm Dan , Ballmer-Hofer Kurt , Kjellén Lena , Klagsbrun Michael , Claesson-Welsh Lena 
Published: July 2008

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–A regulates vascular development and angiogenesis. VEGF isoforms differ in ability to bind coreceptors heparan sulfate (HS) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1). We used VEGF-A165 (which binds HS and NRP1), VEGF-A121 (binds neither HS nor NRP1), and parapoxvirus VEGF-E-NZ2 (binds NRP1 but not HS) to investigate the role of NRP1 in organization of endothelial cells into vascular structures. All 3 ligands induced similar level of VEGFR-2 tyrosine phosphorylation in the presence of NRP1. In contrast, sprouting angiogenesis in differentiating embryonic stem cells (embryoid bodies), formation of branching pericyte-embedded vessels in subcutaneous matrigel plugs, and sprouting of intersegmental vessels in developing zebrafish were induced by VEGF-A165 and VEGF-E-NZ2 but not by VEGF-A121. Analyses of recombinant factors with NRP1-binding gain- and loss-of-function properties supported the conclusion that NRP1 is critical for VEGF-induced sprouting and branching of endothelial cells. Signal transduction antibody arrays implicated NRP1 in VEGF-induced activation of p38MAPK. Inclusion of the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 in VEGF-A165–containing matrigel plugs led to attenuated angiogenesis and poor association with pericytes. Our data strongly indicate that the ability of VEGF ligands to bind NRP1 influences p38MAPK activation, and formation of functional, pericyte-associated vessels.
The impact of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor etanercept on the treatment of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yanik Gregory A. , Ho Vincent T. , Levine John E. , White Eric S. , Braun Thomas , Antin Joseph H. , Whitfield Joel , Custer Joseph , Jones Dawn , Ferrara James L. M. , Cooke Kenneth R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIdiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) refers to a diffuse, noninfectious, acute lung injury after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Historically, IPS is associated with respiratory failure and mortality rates exceeding 50%. Preclinical studies have implicated tumor necrosis factor-α as an important effector molecule in the development of disease. We studied the tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor, etanercept, combined with corticosteroids in treating 15 patients (median age, 18 years; range, 1-60 years) with IPS. Eight of 15 patients required mechanical ventilation at therapy onset. Etanercept was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg (maximum 25 mg) twice weekly, for a maximum of 8 doses. Therapy was well tolerated with no infectious pulmonary complications noted. Ten of 15 patients had a complete response, defined as the ability to discontinue supplemental oxygen support during study therapy. The median time to complete response was 7 days (range, 3-18 days), with a day 28 survival of 73%. IPS onset was associated with elevations of several inflammatory proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma, and response to therapy correlated with reductions in pulmonary and systemic inflammation. The combination of etanercept and corticosteroids is safe and is associated with high response rates and improved survival in patients with IPS.
Differential Th17 CD4 T-cell depletion in pathogenic and nonpathogenic lentiviral infections
Authors: Brenchley Jason M. , Paiardini Mirko , Knox Kenneth S. , Asher Ava I. , Cervasi Barbara , Asher Tedi E. , Scheinberg Phillip , Price David A. , Hage Chadi A. , Kholi Lisa M. , Khoruts Alexander , Frank Ian , Else James , Schacker Timothy , Silvestri Guido , Douek Daniel C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAcute HIV infection is characterized by massive loss of CD4 T cells from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Th17 cells are critical in the defense against microbes, particularly at mucosal surfaces. Here we analyzed Th17 cells in the blood, GI tract, and broncheoalveolar lavage of HIV-infected and uninfected humans, and SIV-infected and uninfected sooty mangabeys. We found that (1) human Th17 cells are specific for extracellular bacterial and fungal antigens, but not common viral antigens; (2) Th17 cells are infected by HIV in vivo, but not preferentially so; (3) CD4 T cells in blood of HIV-infected patients are skewed away from a Th17 phenotype toward a Th1 phenotype with cellular maturation; (4) there is significant loss of Th17 cells in the GI tract of HIV-infected patients; (5) Th17 cells are not preferentially lost from the broncheoalveolar lavage of HIV-infected patients; and (6) SIV-infected sooty mangabeys maintain healthy frequencies of Th17 cells in the blood and GI tract. These observations further elucidate the immunodeficiency of HIV disease and may provide a mechanistic basis for the mucosal barrier breakdown that characterizes HIV infection. Finally, these data may help account for the nonprogressive nature of nonpathogenic SIV infection in sooty mangabeys.
Gene-based microsatellite development for mapping and phylogeny studies in eggplant
Authors: Stàgel Anikò , Portis Ezio , Toppino Laura , Rotino Giuseppe Leonardo , Lanteri Sergio 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a member of the Solanaceae family. In spite of its widespread cultivation and nutritional and economic importance, its genome has not as yet been extensively investigated. Few analyses have been carried out to determine the genetic diversity of eggplant at the DNA level, and linkage relationships have not been well characterised. As for the other Solanaceae crop species (potato, tomato and pepper), the level of intra-specific polymorphism appears to be rather limited, and so it is important that an effort is made to develop more informative DNA markers to make progress in understanding the genetics of eggplant and to advance its breeding. The aim of the present work was to develop a set of functional microsatellite (SSR) markers, via an in silico analysis of publicly available DNA sequence.

Results
From >3,300 genic DNA sequences, 50 SSR-containing candidates suitable for primer design were recovered. Of these, 39 were functional, and were then applied to a panel of 44 accessions, of which 38 were cultivated eggplant varieties, and six were from related Solanum species. The usefulness of the SSR assays for diversity analysis and taxonomic discrimination was demonstrated by constructing a phylogeny based on SSR polymorphisms, and by the demonstration that most were also functional when tested with template from tomato, pepper and potato. As a results of BLASTN analyses, several eggplant SSRs were found to have homologous counterparts in the phylogenetically related species, which carry microsatellite motifs in the same position.

Conclusion
The set of eggplant EST-SSR markers was informative for phylogenetic analysis and genetic mapping. Since EST-SSRs lie within expressed sequence, they have the potential to serve as perfect markers for genes determining variation in phenotype. Their high level of transferability to other Solanaceae species can be used to provide anchoring points for the integration of genetic maps across species.
Genomic and expression analysis of glycosyl hydrolase family 35 genes from rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Tanthanuch Waraporn , Chantarangsee Mallika , Maneesan Janjira , Ketudat-Cairns James 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundMany plant β-galactosidases (Bgals) have been well characterized and their deduced biological functions mainly involve degradation of structural pectins, xyloglucans or arabinogalactoproteins in plant cell walls. However, gene multiplicity in glycosyl hydrolase family 35 (GH35), to which these proteins belong, implies diverse functions. In this study, the gene multiplicity, apparent evolutionary relationships and transcript expression of rice Bgal genes were examined, in order to predict their biological functions.ResultsFifteen rice Bgal genes were identified in the plant genome, one of which encodes a protein similar to animal Bgals (OsBgal9), and the remaining 14 fall in a nearly plant-specific subfamily of Bgals. The presence of both classes of Bgals in bryophytes, as well as vascular plants, suggests both gene lineages were present early in plant evolution. All 15 proteins were predicted to contain secretory signal sequences, suggesting they have secretory pathway or external roles. RT-PCR and database analysis found two distinct lineages to be expressed nearly exclusively in reproductive tissues and to be closely related toArabidopsisBgals expressed most highly in flower and pollen. On the other hand,OsBgal6is expressed primarily in young vegetative tissues, and alternative splicing in panicle prevents its production of full-length protein in this reproductive tissue.OsBgal11also showed alternative splicing to produce different length proteins. OsBgal13 produced by recombinant expression inEscherichia colihydrolyzed α-L-arabinoside in addition to β-D-galactoside and β-(1→3)-, β-(1→4)- and β-(1→6)- linked galacto-oligosaccharides.ConclusionRiceGH35contains fifteen genes with a diversity of protein sequences, predicted locations and expression and splicing patterns that suggest that OsBgals enzymes may play a variety of roles in metabolism of cell wall polysaccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Association between invasive cancer of the cervix and HIV-1 infection in Tanzania: the need for dual screening
Authors: Kahesa Crispin , Mwaiselage Julius , Wabinga Henry R , Ngoma Twalib , Kalyango Joan N , Karamagi Charles AS 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Cancer of the cervix is the second commonest malignancy in females worldwide and is the leading malignancy among women in Tanzania. Cancer of the cervix has been strongly associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted disease. However, the role of HIV-1 in the aetiology of cancer of the cervix is less clear. Studies suggest that HPV and HIV-1 infection are synergistic and therefore their dual occurrence may fuel increased incidence of cancer of the cervix and AIDS. We therefore conducted a study to determine the association between cancer of the cervix and HIV-1.

Methods
The study was carried out in Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania between January and March 2007. A hospital-based case control design was used to study 138 cases and 138 controls. The cases were consenting women 18 years and above with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, while the controls were consenting non-cancer adult women attendants or visitors. The participants were counselled and tested for HIV-1 and interviewed to assess risk factors for cancer of the cervix and HIV-1. Estimation of risk was done by computing odds ratios and confidence intervals. Confounding and interaction between the factors were assessed using logistic regression.

Results
HIV-1 prevalence was much higher among the cases (21.0%) than among the controls (11.6%). In logistic regression, HIV-1 was associated with cancer of the cervix (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.4–5.9). Among the cases the mean age was lower for HIV-1 infected (44.3 years) than HIV-1 uninfected women (54 years, p = 0.0001).

Conclusion
HIV-1 infection is associated with invasive cancer of the cervix. Resource-constrained countries with a high burden of HIV-1 and cervical cancer should adopt a high-risk approach that targets HIV-1 positive women for screening of cervical cancer initially by utilizing HIV/AIDS resources.
Evaluation of the genetic polymorphism of Plasmodium falciparum P126 protein (SERA or SERP) and its influence on naturally acquired specific antibody responses in malaria-infected individuals living in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Pratt-Riccio Lilian Rose , Sallenave-Sales Selma , de Oliveira-Ferreira Joseli , da Silva Bruno T , Guimarães Monick Lindenmeyer , Santos Fátima , de Simone Thatiane S , Morgado Mariza G , de Simone Salvatore G , Ferreira-Da-Cruz Maria de Fátima , Daniel-Ribeiro Cláudio T , Zalis Mariano G , Camus Daniel , Banic Dalma M 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
The Plasmodium falciparum P126 protein is an asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate antigen. Antibodies against P126 are able to inhibit parasite growth in vitro, and a major parasite-inhibitory epitope has been recently mapped to its 47 kDa N-terminal extremity (octamer repeat domain – OR domain). The OR domain basically consists of six octamer units, but variation in the sequence and number of repeat units may appear in different alleles. The aim of the present study was to investigate the polymorphism of P126 N-terminal region OR domain in P. falciparum isolates from two Brazilian malaria endemic areas and its impact on anti-OR naturally acquired antibodies.

Methods
The study was carried out in two villages, Candeias do Jamari (Rondonia state) and Peixoto de Azevedo (Mato Grosso state), both located in the south-western part of the Amazon region. The repetitive region of the gene encoding the P126 antigen was PCR amplified and sequenced with the di-deoxy chain termination procedure. The antibody response was evaluated by ELISA with the Nt47 synthetic peptide corresponding to the P126 OR-II domain.

Results
Only two types of OR fragments were identified in the studied areas, one of 175 bp (OR-I) and other of 199 bp (OR-II). A predominance of the OR-II fragment was observed in Candeias do Jamari whereas in Peixoto de Azevedo both fragments OR-I and OR-II were frequent as well as mixed infection (both fragments simultaneously) reported here for the first time. Comparing the DNA sequencing of OR-I and OR-II fragments, there was a high conservation among predicted amino acid sequences of the P126 N-terminal extremity. Data of immune response demonstrated that the OR domain is highly immunogenic in natural conditions of exposure and that the polymorphism of the OR domain does not apparently influence the specific immune response.

Conclusion
These findings confirm a limited genetic polymorphism of the P126 OR domain in P. falciparum isolates and that this limited genetic polymorphism does not seem to influence the development of a specific humoral immune response to P126 and its immunogenicity in the studied population.
Heminested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (hnRT-PCR) as a tool for rabies virus detection in stored and decomposed samples
Authors: Araújo Danielle B , Langoni Helio , Almeida Marilene F , Megid Jane 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
The use of methods, both sensitive and specific, for rabies diagnosis are important tools for the control and prophylaxis of the disease. Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) has been used in rabies diagnosis with good results, even in decomposed materials. Additionally, molecular techniques have been used for epidemiological studies and to gain a better knowledge of viral epidemiology.

Findings
The aim of this work was to evaluate the RT-PCR and hnRT-PCR for rabies virus detection in original tissues stored at -20°C for different periods considering their use for rabies virus detection in stored and decomposed samples. RT-PCR and hnRT-PCR were evaluated in 151 brain samples from different animal species, thawed and left at room temperature for 72 hours for decomposition.
The RT-PCR and hnRT-PCR results were compared with previous results from Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test and Mouse Inoculation Test. From the 50 positive fresh samples, 26 (52%) were positive for RT-PCR and 45 (90%) for hnRT-PCR. From the 48 positive decomposed samples, 17 (34, 3%) were positive for RT-PCR and 36 (75%) for hnRT-PCR. No false-positives results were found in the negatives samples evaluated to the molecular techniques.

Conclusion
These results show that the hnRT-PCR was more sensitive than RT-PCR, and both techniques presented lower sensibility in decomposed samples. The hnRT-PCR demonstrated efficacy in rabies virus detection in stored and decomposed materials suggesting it's application for rabies virus retrospective epidemiological studies.