Thin structure segmentation and visualization in three-dimensional biomedical images: A shape-based approach

This paper presents a shape-based approach in extracting thin structures, such as lines and sheets, from threedimensional (3D) biomedical images. Of particular interest is the capability to recover cellular structures, such as microtubule spindle fibers and plasma membranes, from laser scanning confocal microscopic (LSCM) data. Hessian-based shape methods are reviewed. A synthesized linear structure is used to evaluate the sensitivity of the multiscale filtering approach in extracting closely positioned fibers. We find that the multiscale approach tends to fuse lines together, which makes it unsuitable for visualizing mouse egg spindle fibers. Single-scale Gaussian filters, balanced between sensitivity and noise resistance, are adopted instead. In addition, through an ellipsoidal Gaussian model, the eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix are quantitatively associated with the standard deviations of the Gaussian model. Existing shape filters are simplified and applied to LSCM data. A significant improvement in extracting closely positioned thin lines is demonstrated by the resultant images. Further, the direct association of shape models and eigenvalues makes the processed images more understandable qualitatively and quantitatively

Influenza Infections in Solid Organ and Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Influenza virus is a common respiratory virus in solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients. Influenza infection in immunocompromised hosts can result in severe disease, as compared to general population. Risk factors for severe influenza infection in transplant recipients include treatment with antilymphocyte globulin, presence of lower respiratory disease, and infection early after transplantation. Transplant programs should act to optimize prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of influenza infection in this population in order to achieve better transplant outcomes

Developmental HRM, employee well‐being and performance: The moderating role of developing leadership

International audienceAnswering the call for more insights in the relationship between human resource management (HRM), employee well‐being and performance, this study examines the link between developmental human resource (HR) practices and employee task performance, and includes both happiness (i.e., affective organizational commitment) and health related (i.e., exhaustion) well‐being as mediators. Based on social exchange theory and cognitive dissonance theory, we also explore the line manager's developing leadership behaviour as a moderator in the relationship between developmental HRM and well‐being. The multi‐source data from 403 employees and 53 line managers show that distinct developmental HR practices influence well‐being and employee performance differently, and suggest that the developing leadership behaviour of line managers influences the way in which developmental HR practices affect employees. Overall, the results underline the need for a configurational perspective on HRM, well‐being and employee performance, taking line managers’ behaviour into account as an essential element of the HRM system, next to formal HR practices