Hyperspectral Modeling of Material Appearance: General Framework, Challenges and Prospects

The main purpose of this tutorial is to address theoretical and practical issues involved in the development of predictive material appearancemodels for interdisciplinary applications within and outside the visible spectral domain. We examine the specific constraints and pitfalls found in each of the key stages of the model development framework, namely data collection, design and evaluation, and discuss alternatives to enhance the effectiveness of the entire process. Although predictive material appearance models developed by computer graphics researchers are usually aimed at realistic image synthesis applications, they also provide valuable support for a myriad of advanced investigations in related areas, such as computer vision, image processing and pattern recognition, which rely on the accurate analysis and interpretation of material appearance attributes in the hyperspectral domain. In fact, their scope of contributions goes beyond the realm of traditional computer science applications. For example, predictive light transport simulations, which are essential for the development of these models, are also regularly beingused by physical and life science researchers to understand andpredict material appearance changes prompted by mechanisms which cannot be fully studied using standard ``wet'' experimental procedures.For completeness, this tutorial also provides an overview of such synergistic research efforts and in silico investigations, which are illustrated by case studies involving the use of hyperspectral material appearance models

Smarcb1-Mutant Intracranial Meningiomas: A Distinct Subtype Of Nf2-Mutant Tumors

Meningiomas are the most common central nervous system primary tumors. Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene Neurofibromin 2 (NF2), located on chromosome 22 (Chr22), are present in 40-50% of sporadic meningiomas. In a subset of non-NF2-mutant meningiomas, recent studies have identified tumorigenesis driver mutations in the genes TRAF7, AKT1, KLF4, and SMO. However, the genetic basis for the marked clinical and histological heterogeneity that exists among NF2-mutant/Chr22-loss meningiomas remains to be established. In this study, we utilized next-generation sequencing techniques to identify and screen a large cohort of NF2-mutant/Chr22-loss meningiomas for concurrent co-driver mutations in novel genes that may contribute to the observed clinical and histological heterogeneity of these tumors. We identified 25 NF2-mutant/Chr22-loss meningiomas that harbored concurrent somatic mutations in the SMARCB1 gene. SMARCB1 codes for a component of the SWI/SNF complex and is involved in epigenetic modification via nucleosome modulation and chromatin remodeling. SMARCB1 is also known to interact with GLI1, an important effector of the Hedgehog pathway, and EZH2, a member of the Polycomb-group proteins that is capable of epigenetically silencing gene expression via histone methylation. SMARCB1 somatic mutations have previously been associated with the highly aggressive malignant rhabdoid tumors and germline variants have previously been identified as the driver mutation responsible for familial schwannomatosis. Notably, a subset of patients with familial schwannomatosis develop multiple meningiomas as part of their disease course. We performed RNA expression analysis to determine gene expression differences in SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas versus non-SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering demonstrated that the expression profiles of SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas cluster similarly to other NF2-mutant/Chr22 loss meningiomas. However, within this superfamily, SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas form distinct subgroups. This differential clustering is due, at least in part, to increased GLI1 and EZH2 expression suggesting that SMARCB1-mutant tumors represent a distinct genetic subtype of NF2-mutant meningiomas. Genomic-clinical correlates for SMARCB1-mutant tumors showed no significant differences in this cohort in age at time of surgery (median = 64 years), gender predilection (80% female), or low-grade histologic subtype when compared to the natural history literature. However, the SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas were predominantly midline tumors (71%) with increased propensity to being high- grade lesions (36%), despite remarkable chromosomal stability. These clinical findings strongly paralleled our genetic data suggesting that increased expression of GLI and EZH2 may, respectively, contribute to the midline tumor location and serve as a substitute for widespread chromosomal instability in high-grade lesions. These results demonstrate that SMARCB1-mutant meningiomas represent a genetically and phenotypically distinct sub-group of NF2-mutant meningiomas and partially contribute to the observed clinical heterogeneity of convexity lesions. This study also suggests potential targets for therapeutic interventions that warrant future investigation

An Axiological Analysis of Shared Purpose and Academic Excellence

In this dissertation, I inquired into the relationship of shared purpose and academic excellence. Beginning with an understanding and investigation into the axiology of shared purpose and academic performance, the research reviewed and synthesized scholarly literature for contextual facts. Following analyses, a quantitative explanatory method was undertaken to measure correlation of the variables. An examination of the findings supports a relationship between shared purpose and academic excellence. More importantly, it yields further investigation into purpose as a linchpin to performance in public education

An Introduction to Light Interaction with Human Skin

Despite the notable progress in physically-based rendering, there is still a long way to go before one can automatically generate predictable images of organic materials such as human skin. In this tutorial, the main physical and biological aspects involved in the processes of propagation and absorption of light by skin tissues are examined. These processes affect not only skin appearance, but also its health. For this reason, they have also been the object of study in biomedical research. The models of light interaction with human skin developed by the biomedical community are mainly aimed at the simulation of skin spectral properties which are used to determine the concentration and distribution of various substances. In computer graphics, the focus has been on the simulation of light scattering properties that affect skin appearance. Computer models used to simulate these spectral and scattering properties are described in this tutorial, and their strengths and limitations discussed. Keywords: natural phenomena, biologically and physically-based rendering

Prototype Gamer: Effects of Digital Prototyping Tools on the Attitudes and Behaviors of Tabletop Game Designers

The purpose of this thesis is first to conceptualize a digital toolset to facilitate cooperation among board game designers in the process of game development and playtesting, and second, to observe the use of such a toolset and to evaluate whether it is suitable for further development. To carry out my investigation I evaluated existing software and based on my experience as a board game designer and organizer of a board game meetup group I designed a toolset that I believe could assist in the enterprise. I then play-tested the toolset during a six-week testing period involving 13 tabletop game designers recruited from tabletop game design "Meetup" groups on Meetup.com. Three virtual play-testing meetings were held to allow these study participants to play-test each other's games using a toolset consisting of the commercially available Tabletop Simulator, a companion application, Card Creator, and website, prototypegamer.com, the last two of which I built to complete the set. The test group was comprised of members of various U.S. tabletop gaming communities found on Meetup.com. The theoretical framework for the design of the thesis project is informed by the writings of Pierre Levy, Beth Coleman's concept of X-Reality, and Clay Shirky's cognitive surplus. Data collected included pre-study and post-study questionnaires and online behavioral observations of the participants during the testing session. Results indicate the use of Tabletop Simulator in conjunction with Card Creator and prototypegamer.com encouraged participants to consider incorporating digital prototyping and play-testing tools when designing future tabletop games.M.S., Digital Media -- Drexel University, 201

Evidence for Possible Late Paleozoic Alleghenian Deformation Structures in the Devonian Rocks of Erie County, Ohio, USA

Partially exposed bedrock beneath Pleistocene glacial till in Erie County (north-central Ohio) displays unusual structural deformation in the Devonian Berea Sandstone, Bedford Shale, and Ohio Shale. These folded and faulted units are exposed in creeks as anticlines and synclines. Past studies of this area proposed Pleistocene ice movement and soft-sediment deformation during the Late Paleozoic as the deformation mechanisms, but these hypotheses cannot explain the extent of layer displacement or the contradiction between the southwest travel direction of the ice sheet and the structural sense of motion on the folded units. A new interpretation using field data and constructing geologic profiles explains the development of these structures. This study investigated 17 anticlines that trend in different directions. Four of these anticlines are tightly folded with steep or overturned flanks and thrust-faulted Ohio Shale in their cores. Structural analysis of these folds shows that the incompetent shaly units of the Plum Brook–Ohio–Bedford and competent Berea Sandstone were folded above the Delaware–Niagara carbonates as a result of the compressional stress during the Late Paleozoic. Development of these tight or overturned folds, and change in trend of the anticlines, is caused by unusual stratigraphic thickness variations in the Berea and Bedford units. Preserved and undeformed fine sedimentary structures, and sharply faulted beds, in the Berea and Bedford indicate that soft-sediment deformation was not the cause of the regional structural deformation. Finally, the absence of physical features of glacially deformed bedrock demonstrates that Pleistocene glacial ice shove was not the cause of deformed bedrock units in the study area

Análise do risco de incendio em assentamentos urbanos precários : diagnóstico da região de ocupação do Guarituba : Município de Piraquara-Paraná

Orientadora: Cristina de Araújo LimaCo-orientador: Antonio Maria Claret GouveiaInclui apendiceDissertaçao (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduaçao em Construçao Civil. Defesa: Curitiba, 24/03/2008Inclui bibliografia e anex

Famílias: Tendências e Desafios

The article aims to verify the definition of what is understood as a family and the nuances it presents in the current context, especially given the publicity of homosexuality for guarantees and access to rights and questions related to traditional family design. The analysis was performed from the systematization of the theoretical framework with the main analytical categories: families, homoparental family, families of rights. Begins with the construction of the category family after presents the national family background to the contemporary moment and concludes analyzing the challenges of homoafetivas families.O artigo tem por objetivo verificar a delimitação do que se compreende como família e as nuances que a mesma apresenta no contexto atual, especialmente em razão da publicização da homossexualidade para garantias e acesso aos direitos e os questionamentos relacionados à concepção de família tradicional. A análise foi realizada a partir da sistematização do referencial teórico com as principais categorias analíticas: famílias, família homoparental, direitos das famílias. Inicia com a construção da categoria família, após apresenta a formação familiar nacional até o momento contemporâneo e, finaliza analisando os desafios das famílias homoafetivas