bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expressive Speech Animation Synthesis with Phoneme‐Level Controls
Authors: Deng Z. , Neumann U. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a novel data‐driven expressive speech animation synthesis system with phoneme‐level controls. This system is based on a pre‐recorded facial motion capture database, where an actress was directed to recite a pre‐designed corpus with four facial expressions (neutral, happiness, anger and sadness). Given new phoneme‐aligned expressive speech and its emotion modifiers as inputs, a constrained dynamic programming algorithm is used to search for best‐matched captured motion clips from the processed facial motion database by minimizing a cost function. Users optionally specify ‘hard constraints’ (motion‐node constraints for expressing phoneme utterances) and ‘soft constraints’ (emotion modifiers) to guide this search process. We also introduce a phoneme–Isomap interface for visualizing and interacting phoneme clusters that are typically composed of thousands of facial motion capture frames. On top of this novel visualization interface, users can conveniently remove contaminated motion subsequences from a large facial motion dataset. Facial animation synthesis experiments and objective comparisons between synthesized facial motion and captured motion showed that this system is effective for producing realistic expressive speech animations.
A claim in search of evidence: reply to Manger’s thermogenesis hypothesis of cetacean brain structure
Authors: Marino Lori , Butti Camilla , Connor Richard C. , Fordyce R. Ewan , Herman Louis M. , Hof Patrick R. , Lefebvre Louis , Lusseau David , McCowan Brenda , Nimchinsky Esther A. , Pack Adam A. , Reidenberg Joy S. , Reiss Diana , Rendell Luke , Uhen Mark D. , Van der Gucht Estelle , Whitehead Hal 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn a recent publication inBiological Reviews,Manger (2006)made the controversial claim that the large brains of cetaceans evolved to generate heat during oceanic cooling in the Oligocene epoch and not, as is the currently accepted view, as a basis for an increase in cognitive or information‐processing capabilities in response to ecological or social pressures. Manger further argued that dolphins and other cetaceans are considerably less intelligent than generally thought. In this review we challenge Manger’s arguments and provide abundant evidence that modern cetacean brains are large in order to support complex cognitive abilities driven by social and ecological forces.
Supraspinal Modulation of Trigeminal Nociception and Pain
Authors: Williams Amy E. , Rhudy Jamie L. 
Published: September 2008

Objective.— This study examined modulation of trigeminal pain/nociception by 2 supraspinal mechanisms: emotional controls of nociception and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls.Background.— Prior research suggests emotional picture viewing (emotional controls) and tonic noxious stimuli (diffuse noxious inhibitory controls) engage supraspinal mechanisms to modulate pain and nociceptive processes. It is currently unknown, however, whether emotional controls modulate trigeminal pain and nociception. Additionally, the influences of emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls have not been compared in the same group of participants.Methods.— Noxious electrodermal stimuli were delivered to the trigeminal nerve using a concentric electrode designed to selectively activate nociceptive fibers. Trigeminal nociception and pain were assessed (34 participants) from the nociceptive blink reflex and pain ratings, respectively. Emotional controls were engaged by presentation of standardized picture stimuli (pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant) shown to reliably evoke pleasure‐induced inhibition and displeasure‐induced facilitation of pain and nociception. Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls were engaged with a forearm ischemia task.Results.— Trigeminal pain (self‐report ratings) and nociception (blinks) were facilitated by unpleasant pictures and inhibited by pleasant pictures. Emotion induction (as assessed from trend analysis) explained 51% of the variance in trigeminal pain and 25% of the variance in trigeminal nociception. Additionally, forearm ischemia inhibited trigeminal pain but not nociception. The baseline vs ischemia comparison explained 17% of the variance in pain report and 0.1% of the variance in blinks. Supraspinal modulation by emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls were uncorrelated.Conclusions.— Emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls modulated trigeminal pain and emotional controls modulated trigeminal nociception. These procedures can be used to study supraspinal modulation of nociceptive processing in disorders of the trigeminal pain system, including headache.
Expression of Renin‐Angiotensin System and Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptors in Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jing Ling , Li Wei‐Min , Zhou Li‐Jun , Li Shuang , Kou Jun‐Jie , Song Jian 
Published: September 2008

Background:  Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) develops in response to chronic alcohol intake and it is hypothesized that activation of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and disorders in energy metabolism may play important roles in its onset. Given that the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARα and PPARγ) changes with alterations in cardiac metabolism and myocardial remodeling, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ is correlated with RAS activation in ACM.Methods:  For the first experiment, rats were divided into 3 groups: 30 received alcohol (intragastric administration with ad libitum drinking), 30 received alcohol and irbesartan (5 mg/kg/d, p.o.), and 30 served as controls. RAS activity and protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ were evaluated in rats following 6 months of alcohol feeding using radioimmunoassay, reverse transcriptase PCR, and Western blot methods. For the second experiment, rats were divided into 4 groups: 10 rats received alcohol/irbesartan (5 mg/kg/d, p.o.)/PD98059 (methyl ethyl ketone [MEK]‐1 inhibitor) (0.3 mg/kg/d, p.o.), 10 rats received alcohol/PD98059, 10 rats received alcohol/irbesartan, and 10 rats received alcohol alone. Myocardial PPARα and PPARγ protein expression was detected following 6 months of alcohol feeding using Western blot method.Results:  Compared with controls, myocardial angiotensin (Ang) I, Ang II, and renin levels were progressively increased at 2, 4, and 6 months of alcohol intake. mRNA expression of renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), and AT1 was increased at 6 months. Moreover, activated RAS downregulated PPARα and upregulated PPARγ protein expression as ACM progressed. Finally, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) was shown to play a key role in the regulation of protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ.Conclusion:  These results suggest that RAS is activated during the development of ACM. Moreover, ERK1/2 plays a key role in the regulation of protein expression of PPARα and PPARγ by RAS in ACM.
Paradise Bound: A Perennial Tradition or an Unseen Process of Cosmological Hybridization?
Authors: LAHOOD GREGG 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTA genealogical excavation of the pre transpersonal movement uncovers a hitherto unrecognized process of hybridity and syncretism occurring in the 1960s U.S. counter culture. The presence of hybridity in the movement's prehistory has serious repercussions for current maps in transpersonalism (and religious enactments in general). It is argued here that current transpersonal theories have built themselves on an unexamined foundation of magic, sorcery, and cosmological hybridization.Ken Wilber'sneoperennialist cosmos will be construed as an assimilationist strain of hybridity. Jorge Ferrer's more culture‐friendly postulate of an “Ocean with Many Shores” suggests a kind of cosmological multiculturalism. However, what appear to be fixities in his cosmology lend themselves to critical reevaluation of this aspect of his revision of transpersonal psychology.
Prosthetically Driven, Computer‐Guided Implant Planning for the Edentulous Maxilla: A Model Study
Authors: Katsoulis Joannis , Pazera Pawel , Mericske‐Stern Regina 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTObjectives:To analyze computer‐assisted diagnostics and virtual implant planning and to evaluate the indication for template‐guided flapless surgery and immediate loading in the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla.Materials and Methods:Forty patients with an edentulous maxilla were selected for this study. The three‐dimensional analysis and virtual implant planning was performed with the NobelGuide™ software program (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden). Prior to the computer tomography aesthetics and functional aspects were checked clinically. Either a well‐fitting denture or an optimized prosthetic setup was used and then converted to a radiographic template. This allowed for a computer‐guided analysis of the jaw together with the prosthesis. Accordingly, the best implant position was determined in relation to the bone structure and prospective tooth position. For all jaws, the hypothetical indication for (1) four implants with a bar overdenture and (2) six implants with a simple fixed prosthesis were planned. The planning of the optimized implant position was then analyzed as follows: the number of implants was calculated that could be placed in sufficient quantity of bone. Additional surgical procedures (guided bone regeneration, sinus floor elevation) that would be necessary due the reduced bone quality and quantity were identified. The indication of template‐guided, flapless surgery or an immediate loaded protocol was evaluated.Results:Model (a) – bar overdentures: for 28 patients (70%), all four implants could be placed in sufficient bone (total 112 implants). Thus, a full, flapless procedure could be suggested. For six patients (15%), sufficient bone was not available for any of their planned implants. The remaining six patients had exhibited a combination of sufficient or insufficient bone. Model (b) – simple fixed prosthesis: for 12 patients (30%), all six implants could be placed in sufficient bone (total 72 implants). Thus, a full, flapless procedure could be suggested. For seven patients (17%), sufficient bone was not available for any of their planned implants. The remaining 21 patients had exhibited a combination of sufficient or insufficient bone.Discussion:In the maxilla, advanced atrophy is often observed, and implant placement becomes difficult or impossible. Thus, flapless surgery or an immediate loading protocol can be performed just in a selected number of patients. Nevertheless, the use of a computer program for prosthetically driven implant planning is highly efficient and safe. The three‐dimensional view of the maxilla allows the determination of the best implant position, the optimization of the implant axis, and the definition of the best surgical and prosthetic solution for the patient. Thus, a protocol that combines a computer‐guided technique with conventional surgical procedures becomes a promising option, which needs to be further evaluated and improved.
Two‐Year Outcome with Nobel Direct® Implants: A Retrospective Radiographic and Microbiologic Study in 10 Patients
Authors: Van de Velde Tommie , Thevissen Eric , Persson G. Rutger , Johansson Carina , De Bruyn Hugo 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The Nobel Direct® implant (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) was developed to minimize marginal bone resorption and to result in “soft tissue integration” for an optimized aesthetic outcome. However, conflicting results have been presented in the literature. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiologic outcomes of Nobel Direct implants.Materials and Methods: Ten partially edentulous subjects without evidence of active periodontitis (mean age 55 years) received 12 Nobel Direct implants. Implants were loaded with single crowns after a healing period of 3 to 6 months. Treatment outcomes were assessed at month 24. Routine clinical assessments, intraoral radiographs, and microbiologic samplings were made. Histologic analysis of one failing implant and chemical spectroscopy around three unused implants was performed. Paired Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used for the evaluation of bone loss; otherwise, descriptive analysis was performed.Results: Implants were functionally loaded after 3 to 6 months. At 2 years, the mean bone loss of remaining implants was 2.0 mm (SD ± 1.1 mm; range: 0.0–3.4 mm). Three out of 12 implants with an early mean bone loss >3 mm were lost. The surviving implants showed increasing bone loss between 6 and 24 months (p = .028). Only 3 out of the 12 implants were considered successful and showed bone loss of <1.7 mm after 2 years. High rates of pathogens, including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Tanerella forsythia, were found. Chemical spectroscopy revealed, despite the normal signals from Ti, O, and C, also peaks of P, F, S, N, and Ca. A normal histologic image of osseointegration was observed in the apical part of the retrieved implant.Conclusion: Radiographic evidence and 25% implant failures are indications of a low success rate. High counts and prevalence of significant pathogens were found at surviving implants. Although extensive bone loss had occurred in the coronal part, the apical portion of the implant showed some bone to implant integration.
Cone‐Beam CT for Preoperative Implant Planning in the Posterior Mandible: Visibility of Anatomic Landmarks
Authors: Lofthag‐Hansen Sara , Gröndahl Kerstin , Ekestubbe Annika 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTBackground: The technical development has given a new type of modality, cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). This technique has a high potential to solve different diagnostic problems among which is preoperative planning for implants in the posterior mandible.Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the visibility of the mandibular canal and the marginal bone crest and the agreement between observers in images from one CBCT technique.Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients were examined with 3D Accuitomo® (J. Morita Mfg. Corp., Kyoto, Japan) in one side of the mandible, where the second premolar and molars were lost. The examined volume was 30 by 40 mm. Seven observers evaluated the visibility and the location of the mandibular canal and the marginal crest by visually deciding if the structures were clearly visible, probably visible, or invisible in one cross‐sectional image, approximately 1 cm posterior to the mental foramen. In a later session, the observers also marked the two anatomic structures. If the decision was not “clearly visible” or if the anatomic structures were difficult to identify, the observers had to use other cross‐sectional, axial, and/or sagittal images in the volume.Results: The confidence among the observers evaluating the marginal bone crest was high. Two observers never used any other images, and the rest took help in two to seven cases. When marking the mandibular canal, the observers, in general, used more images. In five cases (17%), all the observers only used the single cross‐sectional image. The agreement on the position of the canal was also high.Conclusion: With this CBCT modality (3D Accuitomo), the visibility of the mandibular canal and the marginal crest, as well as the observer agreement of the location of these structures, was high. Hence, the 3D Accuitomo can be recommended for implant planning in the posterior mandible.
Cemented CeraOne® and Porcelain Fused to TiAdapt™ Abutment Single‐Implant Crown Restorations: A 10‐Year Comparative Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Jemt Torsten 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTBackground: Long‐term data comparing cemented and noncemented single‐implant restorations has not been reported.Aim: To compare clinical and radiographic performance of single‐implant crown restorations made by either directly baked porcelain to custom‐made TiAdapt™ titanium abutments (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) (test) or cement crowns onto CeraOne® (Nobel Biocare AB) abutments (control) after 10 years in function.Materials and Methods: Altogether, 35 consecutive patients were provided with 41 turned single Brånemark System® implants (Nobel Biocare AB) in the partially edentulous upper jaw. By random, 15 and 20 patients were provided with 18 test and 23 control implant crowns, respectively. Thereafter, clinical and radiographic data were collected and compared between the two groups.Results: None of the implants were found loose during the follow‐up period (100%). Few clinical problems were observed, and the overall average marginal bone loss was 0.26 mm (SD 0.64) during 10 years in function. After the final tightening of the crowns, no significant differences were observed between the test and control groups (p > .05). The head of the implants was placed on an average 6.3 mm (SD 2.24) below the cement/enamel junction of the adjacent teeth (range 2.5–10.0 mm). Implants with reported mechanical and/or mucosal problems or placed more apically in relation to the adjacent teeth did not present more bone loss as compared with implants with no problems or placed more coronally, respectively (p > .05).Conclusions: There seems to be no obvious clinical or radiographic differences between the test and control single‐implant restorations during 10 years of follow‐up. Occasionally, some restorations presented loose abutment screws and/or fistulas during follow‐up. This implies a certain need for maintenance where a one‐piece single‐implant protocol (test) allows both for a simple clinical procedure at placement without cementation problems, as well as for an easy and simple maintenance of installed single implant crowns in long‐term function.
Effect of Diameter and Length on Stress Distribution of the Alveolar Crest around Immediate Loading Implants
Authors: Ding Xi , Liao Sheng‐Hui , Zhu Xing‐Hao , Zhang Xiu‐Hua , Zhang Lin 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTBackground: Many clinical observations have shown that immediate loading is indicated when the stabilization of the bone/implant is optimal and when the estimated loads are not excessively high. Nonetheless, more experimental studies are needed to consider the immediate loading protocol as a safe procedure. Mechanical analysis using the finite element (FE) method analysis has been employed by many authors to understand the biomechanical behavior around dental implants.Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effect of the diameter and length on the stress and strain distribution of the crestal bone around implants under immediate loading.Materials and Methods: By an ad hoc automatic mesh generator, high‐quality FE models of complete range mandible was constructed from computer tomography, with three Straumann (Straumann Institute, Waldenburg, Switzerland) implants of various sizes embedded in the anterior zone. The implant diameter ranged from 3.3 to 4.8 mm, and length ranged from 6 to 14 mm, resulting in seven designs. The implant–bone interface was simulated by nonlinear frictional contact algorithm. For each design, vertical and oblique loadings of 150 N were applied, respectively, to each implant, and stresses and strains in the surrounding cortical bone were evaluated.Results: The biomechanics analysis provided results that the oblique loading would induce significantly higher interfacial stresses and strains than the vertical loading, while the intergroup stress difference significant levels was evaluated using t‐tests method and the level of significance (.05) that was accepted for significance. Under both loadings, the maximal values were recorded in the 3.3 (diameter) × 10 (length) mm implant configuration, whose mean and peak values were both higher than that of others with significant statistical differences. The second maximal one is 4.1 × 6 mm configuration, and the minimal stresses were recorded in 4.8 × 10 mm configuration, whose strains were also near to lowest.Conclusions: Increasing the diameter and length of the implant decreased the stress and strain on the alveolar crest, and the stress and strain values notably increased under buccolingual loading as compared with vertical loading, but diameter had a more significant effect than length to relieve the crestal stress and strain concentration.
Credibility of a Meta‐Analysis: Evidence‐Based Practice Concerning Soy Intake and Breast Cancer Risk in Premenopausal Women
Authors: Delaune Allyson , Landreneau Kandace , Hire Katie , Dillard Brenda , Cox Melissa , Payne Karen , Powell Carol 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT Purpose: To report the findings from a critical appraisal concerning the credibility of a meta‐analysis (M‐A) about the role of dietary soy intake in reducing breast cancer risk. The use of an evidence‐based, advanced nursing practice framework was used to appraise the M‐A. Approach: The clinical question was developed from a problem that could be encountered in clinical practice. For premenopausal women, does the use of high dietary soy intake reduce the future risk of breast cancer compared with low dietary soy intake? A search of electronic databases yielded one M‐A, which was selected to answer the question. Framework: A framework was developed from various authors' work and used to appraise the M‐A and guide implementation of the evidence‐based practice (EBP) process. Conclusions: The findings of the M‐A were not deemed credible because of deficient information regarding the target population and outcome variable, lack of confounder control, unclear inclusion and exclusion criteria of the sample, and invalid methods of data abstraction. Because the findings were not credible, they were deemed not to be clinically applicable. Therefore, a high soy diet would not necessarily be recommended.
Evidence‐Based Education and Nursing Pressure Ulcer Prevention Textbooks: Does It Match?
Authors: Wilborn Doris , Halfens Ruud J. , Dassen Theo 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT Background: The education of nurses has influenced the way of nursing practice for a long time. Nurse educators are required to offer up‐to‐date educational material, and textbooks are the most frequently used sources of knowledge during a nurse's education. Aim: In this study, researchers investigated the extent to which textbooks were evidence based regarding preventing pressure ulcers and knowing what recommendations to make for nursing students and publishers of nursing textbooks. Method: Educators at nursing schools in Germany were contacted by telephone to identify the most often used nursing textbooks. The recommendations of the German Expert Standard of Pressure Ulcer Prevention were compared with the content of the textbooks in a content analysis. Additionally, teachers were asked what additional material they were using to help prepare lectures. Results: Only one of the four analysed textbooks complied with the recommendations of the German Expert Standard. Contents of the other books were incomplete. The authors of some books did not mention any up‐to‐date scientific evidence. The teachers often used additional material such as the German Expert Standard and research articles to prepare their lectures. Discussion: German nursing textbooks were classified into research‐based and authoritative texts. Because of the fast development and availability of research findings, one recommendation is that new forms of “textbooks” such as CD ROMs should be considered.