bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Subsets for BVH Construction
Authors: Tessari L. , Dittebrand A. , Doyle M. J. , Benthin C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBVH construction is a critical component of real‐time and interactive ray‐tracing systems. However, BVH construction can be both compute and bandwidth intensive, especially when a large degree of dynamic geometry is present. Different build algorithms vary substantially in the traversal performance that they produce, making high quality construction algorithms desirable. However, high quality algorithms, such as top‐down construction, are typically more expensive, limiting their benefit in real‐time and interactive contexts. One particular challenge of high quality top‐down construction algorithms is that the large working set at the top of the tree can make constructing these levels bandwidth‐intensive, due to O(nlog(n)) complexity, limited cache locality, and less dense compute at these levels. To address this limitation, we propose a novel stochastic approach to GPU BVH construction that selects a representative subset to build the upper levels of the tree. As a second pass, the remaining primitives are clustered around the BVH leaves and further processed into a complete BVH. We show that our novel approach significantly reduces the construction time of top‐down GPU BVH builders by a factor up to 1.8×, while achieving competitive rendering performance in most cases, and exceeding the performance in others.
Face Editing Using Part‐Based Optimization of the Latent Space
Authors: Aliari Mohammad Amin , Beauchamp Andre , Popa Tiberiu , Paquette Eric 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe propose an approach for interactive 3D face editing based on deep generative models. Most of the current face modeling methods rely on linear methods and cannot express complex and non‐linear deformations. In contrast to 3D morphable face models based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we introduce a novel architecture based on variational autoencoders. Our architecture has multiple encoders (one for each part of the face, such as the nose and mouth) which feed a single decoder. As a result, each sub‐vector of the latent vector represents one part. We train our model with a novel loss function that further disentangles the space based on different parts of the face. The output of the network is a whole 3D face. Hence, unlike part‐based PCA methods, our model learns to merge the parts intrinsically and does not require an additional merging process. To achieve interactive face modeling, we optimize for the latent variables given vertex positional constraints provided by a user. To avoid unwanted global changes elsewhere on the face, we only optimize the subset of the latent vector that corresponds to the part of the face being modified. Our editing optimization converges in less than a second. Our results show that the proposed approach supports a broader range of editing constraints and generates more realistic 3D faces.
Evolving Guide Subdivision
Authors: Karčiauskas K. , Peters J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTo overcome the well‐known shape deficiencies of bi‐cubic subdivision surfaces, Evolving Guide subdivision (EG subdivision) generalizes C2 bi‐quartic (bi‐4) splines that approximate a sequence of piecewise polynomial surface pieces near extraordinary points. Unlike guided subdivision, which achieves good shape by following a guide surface in a two‐stage, geometry‐dependent process, EG subdivision is defined by five new explicit subdivision rules. While formally only C1 at extraordinary points, EG subdivision applied to an obstacle course of inputs generates surfaces without the oscillations and pinched highlight lines typical for Catmull‐Clark subdivision. EG subdivision surfaces join C2 with bi‐3 surface pieces obtained by interpreting regular sub‐nets as bi‐cubic tensor‐product splines and C2 with adjacent EG surfaces. The EG subdivision control net surrounding an extraordinary node can have the same structure as Catmull‐Clark subdivision: two rings of 4‐sided facets around each extraordinary nodes so that extraordinary nodes are separated by at least one regular node.
Preserving the autocovariance of texture tilings using importance sampling
Authors: Lutz Nicolas , Sauvage Basile , Dischler Jean‐Michel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBy‐example aperiodic tilings are popular texture synthesis techniques that allow a fast, on‐the‐fly generation of unbounded and non‐periodic textures with an appearance matching an arbitrary input sample called the “exemplar”. But by relying on uniform random sampling, these algorithms fail to preserve the autocovariance function, resulting in correlations that do not match the ones in the exemplar. The output can then be perceived as excessively random.In this work, we present a new method which can well preserve the autocovariance function of the exemplar. It consists in fetching contents with an importance sampler taking the explicit autocovariance function as the probability density function (pdf) of the sampler. Our method can be controlled for increasing or decreasing the randomness aspect of the texture. Besides significantly improving synthesis quality for classes of textures characterized by pronounced autocovariance functions, we moreover propose a real‐time tiling and blending scheme that permits the generation of high‐quality textures faster than former algorithms with minimal downsides by reducing the number of texture fetches.
Scene‐Aware 3D Multi‐Human Motion Capture from a Single Camera
Authors: Luvizon D. C. , Habermann M. , Golyanik V. , Kortylewski A. , Theobalt C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this work, we consider the problem of estimating the 3D position of multiple humans in a scene as well as their body shape and articulation from a single RGB video recorded with a static camera. In contrast to expensive marker‐based or multi‐view systems, our lightweight setup is ideal for private users as it enables an affordable 3D motion capture that is easy to install and does not require expert knowledge. To deal with this challenging setting, we leverage recent advances in computer vision using large‐scale pre‐trained models for a variety of modalities, including 2D body joints, joint angles, normalized disparity maps, and human segmentation masks. Thus, we introduce the first non‐linear optimization‐based approach that jointly solves for the 3D position of each human, their articulated pose, their individual shapes as well as the scale of the scene. In particular, we estimate the scene depth and person scale from normalized disparity predictions using the 2D body joints and joint angles. Given the per‐frame scene depth, we reconstruct a point‐cloud of the static scene in 3D space. Finally, given the per‐frame 3D estimates of the humans and scene point‐cloud, we perform a space‐time coherent optimization over the video to ensure temporal, spatial and physical plausibility. We evaluate our method on established multi‐person 3D human pose benchmarks where we consistently outperform previous methods and we qualitatively demonstrate that our method is robust to in‐the‐wild conditions including challenging scenes with people of different sizes. Code: https://github.com/dluvizon/scene‐aware‐3d‐multi‐human
GOD IS BEAUTIFUL, UGLY, DEAD: NAVID KERMANI, FERIDUN ZAIMOGLU AND (MORE THAN) CHRISTIAN ART
Authors: Twist Joseph 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNavid Kermani's and Feridun Zaimoglu's engagements as Muslims with Christian art reveal the possibilities and limitations of aesthetic experiences of the divine beyond all doctrinal divides. Although Kermani's own research into the aesthetic dimension of Islam highlights the potential for art to offer spiritual insight, his rejection of some Christian imagery, especially of the crucifix, in his book Ungläubiges Staunen: Über das Christentum (2015), suggests this potential has limits which are not only matters of subjective taste but also epistemological barriers that are difficult to overcome. However, some of Kermani's interpretations lead to a syncretic understanding of Christian and Islamic ideas and aesthetics, pointing towards new notions of the divine. Similarly, Zaimoglu's series of contemporary icons featuring Jesus and other Biblical figures opens up spiritual possibilities beyond religious divides through their ambiguous links to Christianity and Islam. This distinction between an experience of the divine across religious boundaries and its failure can be theorised through Jean‐Luc Marion's understanding of the ‘icon’ and the ‘idol’ respectively, whereby the former returns the viewer's gaze and unleashes a destabilising openness to the sacred, whereas the latter involves the dominant gaze of the viewer and reinforces what they already know.
Long maternal working hours were linked to obesity, underweight and stunting in children under age 5 in China
Authors: Ding Xinyue , Li Jianghong , Zhao Li‐yun , Yang Zhen‐yu , Zhao Wenhua 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study assessed the relationship between maternal working hours and stunting, underweight and obesity in children under age 5 in China, using data from the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) conducted in 2002 and multivariable logistic regression. We found that maternal work hours 25–40 or >40 h per week were associated with a higher risk for underweight and stunting (under growth) in children under age 5. The association between working 25–40 h per week and stunting was somewhat stronger for children from low‐income families and the effect of working >40 h per week on underweight was larger among children from mothers with lower education, although with marginal significance (90% confidence). In contrast, we found that long maternal work hours (>40 h per week) were associated with a lower risk for overweight and obesity in children under age 5. This association was stronger among children from mothers with lower education.
Inhibiting N‐glycan processing increases the antibody binding affinity and effector function of human natural killer cells
Authors: Rodriguez Benavente Maria Carolina , Hughes Harrison B. , Kremer Paul G. , Subedi Ganesh P. , Barb Adam W. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNovel approaches are required to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and increase the proportion of patients who experience a benefit. Antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) contributes to the efficacy of many monoclonal antibodies therapies. Natural killer (NK) cells mediate ADCC, though responses are highly variable and depend on prior treatment as well as other factors. Thus, strategies to increase NK cell activity are expected to improve multiple therapies. Both cytokine treatment and NK cell receptor engineering are being explored to increase ADCC. Post‐translational modifications, including glycosylation, are widely recognized as mediators of cellular processes but minimally explored as an alternative strategy to increase ADCC. We evaluated the impact of treatment with kifunensine, an inhibitor of asparagine‐linked (N‐)glycan processing, on ADCC using primary and cultured human NK cells. We also probed affinity using binding assays and CD16a structure with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Treating primary human NK cells and cultured YTS‐CD16a cells with kifunensine doubled ADCC in a CD16a‐dependent manner. Kifunensine treatment also increased the antibody‐binding affinity of CD16a on the NK cell surface. Structural interrogation identified a single CD16a region, proximal to the N162 glycan and the antibody‐binding interface, perturbed by the N‐glycan composition. The observed increase in NK cell activity following kifunensine treatment synergized with afucosylated antibodies, further increasing ADCC by an additional 33%. These results demonstrate native N‐glycan processing is an important factor that limits NK cell ADCC. Furthermore, optimal antibody and CD16a glycoforms are defined that provide the greatest ADCC activity.
Effect of sinus resection combined with vacuum‐assisted closure on sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus
Authors: Liu Xiao , Zhao Xiaoyu , Shen Guoliang , Fan Shuwen , Xu Jun , Fan Zhaojun , Li Ke 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study was aimed at investigating the effect of sinus removal combined with vacuum‐assisted closure in the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus. From January 2019 to May 2022, 62 patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus were treated and their information was collected at our hospital. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 30). The control group underwent a simple sinus resection and suture, while the observation group received a sinus resection combined with closed negative pressure drainage of the wound. A retrospective analysis of the data obtained was conducted. Perioperative indicators, clinical efficacy, postoperative pain, complications, aesthetic effects, and satisfaction scores at six months after the operation were compared between the two groups, and the recurrence rate at six months after the operation was recorded. Through this study, we found that the observation group had significantly shorter surgery time, hospital stay, and return time compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group had a higher overall recurrence rate (ORR) of 100.00%, which was significantly better than the control group's ORR of 86.67% (P < 0.05). The visual analog scale (VAS) score at 6, 12, and 24 h after the operation was significantly lower in the observation group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Although the differences were not significant (P > 0.05), the observation group had decreased white blood cell, neutrophil, and C‐reactive protein levels after the operation. Moreover, the total occurrence rate of postoperative complications in the observation group was significantly lower (6.25%) than that of the control group (26.67%; P < 0.05). The observation group also had significantly lower scores on the postoperative scar scale and higher satisfaction scores than the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the postoperative recurrence rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Our study demonstrated that sinus resection combined with vacuum‐assisted closure was more effective in treating sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus compared with simple sinus resection and suture. This approach significantly reduced surgery time, hospital stay, and return time. It also effectively relieved postoperative pain, reduced the occurrence of postoperative complications, resulted in smaller postoperative scars, and yielded better aesthetic outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.
RETRACTED: Enhanced recovery after surgery care to reduce surgical site wound infection and postoperative complications for patients undergoing liver surgery
Authors: Wang Yu‐Ling , Zhang Fa‐Biao , Zheng Ling‐E , Yang Wei‐Wei , Ke Lan‐Lan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study comprehensively assessed the effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on wound infection and postoperative complications in patients undergoing liver surgery. The PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and Wanfang electronic databases were searched to collect published studies on the use of ERAS in liver surgery until December 2022. Literature selection was performed independently by two investigators according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality evaluation and data extraction were performed. RevMan 5.4 software was used in this study. Compared with the control group, the ERAS group showed a significantly lower incidence of postoperative wound infection (odds ratio [OR]: 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41–0.84, P = .004) and overall postoperative complication rate (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.33–0.57, P < .001) and significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (mean difference: −2.30, 95% CI: −2.92 to −1.68, P < .001). Therefore, ERAS was safe and feasible when applied to liver resection, reducing the incidence of wound infection and total postoperative complications, and shortening the length of hospital stay. However, further studies are required to investigate the impact of ERAS protocols on clinical outcomes.
The effect of prolonged 60° head of bed elevation on sacral subepidermal oedema in healthy adults: A quantitative prospective exploratory study
Authors: Latimer Sharon L. , Bone Madeline , Walker Rachel M. , Thalib Lukman , Gillespie Brigid M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHead of bed elevation is used to manage some medical and surgical conditions however this may increase a patient's risk of sacral pressure injuries. Novel point‐of‐care technologies that measure subepidermal moisture can identify changes in localised subepidermal oedema and potential pressure injury risk. This prospective exploratory study investigated variations in sacral subepidermal oedema in healthy adults during 120‐min of 60° head of bed elevation. Sacral subepidermal oedema was measured at 20‐min intervals using the Provisio® subepidermal moisture scanner. Descriptive analysis, one‐way repeated measures analysis of variance and an independent t‐test were conducted. Slightly more male volunteers (n = 11; 55%) were recruited and the sample mean age was 39.3 years (SD 14.7) with an average body mass index of 25.8 (SD 4.3). Little variation in the mean sacral subepidermal moisture of healthy adults was observed. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean sacral subepidermal moisture measurements between males and females (Mean difference 0.18; 95% confidence intervals: 0.02 to 0.35; P = .03). Healthy adults can tolerate prolonged 60° head of bed elevation without developing increased subepidermal sacral oedema. This warrants further investigation in other populations, in various positions and over different time periods.
ClSnRK2.3 negatively regulates watermelon fruit ripening and sugar accumulation
Authors: Wang Jinfang , Wang Yanping , Yu Yongtao , Zhang Jie , Ren Yi , Tian Shouwei , Li Maoying , Liao Shengjin , Guo Shaogui , Gong Guoyi , Zhang Haiying , Xu Yong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWatermelon (Citrullus lanatus) as non‐climacteric fruit is domesticated from the ancestors with inedible fruits. We previously revealed that the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway gene ClSnRK2.3 might influence watermelon fruit ripening. However, the molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here, we found that the selective variation of ClSnRK2.3 resulted in lower promoter activity and gene expression level in cultivated watermelons than ancestors, which indicated ClSnRK2.3 might be a negative regulator in fruit ripening. Overexpression (OE) of ClSnRK2.3 significantly delayed watermelon fruit ripening and suppressed the accumulation of sucrose, ABA and gibberellin GA4. Furthermore, we determined that the pyrophosphate‐dependent phosphofructokinase (ClPFP1) in sugar metabolism pathway and GA biosynthesis enzyme GA20 oxidase (ClGA20ox) could be phosphorylated by ClSnRK2.3 and thereby resulting in accelerated protein degradation in OE lines and finally led to low levels of sucrose and GA4. Besides that, ClSnRK2.3 phosphorylated homeodomain‐leucine zipper protein (ClHAT1) and protected it from degradation to suppress the expression of the ABA biosynthesis gene 9’‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 3 (ClNCED3). These results indicated that ClSnRK2.3 negatively regulated watermelon fruit ripening by manipulating the biosynthesis of sucrose, ABA and GA4. Altogether, these findings revealed a novel regulatory mechanism in non‐climacteric fruit development and ripening.
The Impact of Extreme Heat Exposure on Pregnant People and Neonates: A State of the Science Review
Authors: Baharav Yuval , Nichols Lilly , Wahal Anya , Gow Owen , Shickman Kurt , Edwards Maya , Huffling Katie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe relationship between heat exposure and perinatal morbidity and mortality is of increasing concern as global temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent and intense. Heat exposure can lead to a multitude of harmful outcomes for pregnant individuals and neonates, including hospitalization and death. This state of the science review explored the evidence on the associations between heat exposure and negative health outcomes during pregnancy and the neonatal period. Findings suggest that improving health care provider and patient awareness of heat‐related risks and implementing specific interventions could mitigate adverse outcomes. Furthermore, public health and other policy interventions are needed to increase thermal comfort and reduce societal exposure to extreme heat and related risks. Early warning systems, medical alerts, provider and patient education, and increased access to health care and thermal comfort may improve pregnancy and early life health outcomes.
Non‐pharmacological interventions for older adults with postprandial hypotension: A scoping review
Authors: Huang Lei , Cheng Linan , Xie Xiaofeng , Pu Lihui , Jiang Wenyi , Zou Ying , Zhang Fengying 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults frequently suffer from postprandial hypotension, associated with an increased risk of falls, syncope, acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and even death. Researchers use non‐pharmacological interventions, but related literature is dispersed and lacks a latest summary.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to map and examine non‐pharmacological interventions currently employed to assist older adults with postprandial hypotension and lay a solid foundation for future studies.MethodsThis study adhered to the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses extension for scoping reviews. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Chinese Biomedical Journal, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP and WAN FANG Data were retrieved from their inception to 1 August 2022.ResultsTwo randomized controlled trials and seven quasi‐experimental studies were included. Small meals, exercise interventions, fibre with meals, green tea and water therapy have been reported to prevent postprandial hypotension effectively; however, position changes have been reported to have no impact on postprandial blood pressure decrease. Additionally, the blood pressure determination methods and test meals may affect observed trial effects.ConclusionLarge samples and long‐term follow‐up studies are needed to prove the efficacy and safety of existing non‐pharmacological interventions. Future studies should develop a BP determination method based on the postprandial BP decline trajectory induced by a given test meal to improve the reliability of study results.Relevance to Clinical PracticeThis review broadly summarizes existing studies on developing and validating non‐pharmacological interventions for older adults with postprandial hypotension. It also analyses special factors that may influence the trial effects. This may provide a useful reference for future research.