Large-scale Text-to-Image Generation Models for Visual Artists' Creative Works

Large-scale Text-to-image Generation Models (LTGMs) (e.g., DALL-E), self-supervised deep learning models trained on a huge dataset, have demonstrated the capacity for generating high-quality open-domain images from multi-modal input. Although they can even produce anthropomorphized versions of objects and animals, combine irrelevant concepts in reasonable ways, and give variation to any user-provided images, we witnessed such rapid technological advancement left many visual artists disoriented in leveraging LTGMs more actively in their creative works. Our goal in this work is to understand how visual artists would adopt LTGMs to support their creative works. To this end, we conducted an interview study as well as a systematic literature review of 72 system/application papers for a thorough examination. A total of 28 visual artists covering 35 distinct visual art domains acknowledged LTGMs' versatile roles with high usability to support creative works in automating the creation process (i.e., automation), expanding their ideas (i.e., exploration), and facilitating or arbitrating in communication (i.e., mediation). We conclude by providing four design guidelines that future researchers can refer to in making intelligent user interfaces using LTGMs.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Computational Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis Patterns Using a Two-dimensional Model

Tumor angiogenesis was simulated using a two-dimensional computational model. The equation that governed angiogenesis comprised a tumor angiogenesis factor (TAF) conservation equation in time and space, which was solved numerically using the Galerkin finite element method. The time derivative in the equation was approximated by a forward Euler scheme. A stochastic process model was used to simulate vessel formation and vessel elongation towards a paracrine site, i.e., tumor-secreted basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In this study, we assumed a two-dimensional model that represented a thin (1.0 mm) slice of the tumor. The growth of the tumor over time was modeled according to the dynamic value of bFGF secreted within the tumor. The data used for the model were based on a previously reported model of a brain tumor in which four distinct stages (multicellular spherical, first detectable lesion, diagnosis, and death of the virtual patient) were modeled. In our study, computation was not continued beyond the 'diagnosis' time point to avoid the computational complexity of analyzing numerous vascular branches. The numerical solutions revealed that no bFGF remained within the region in which vessels developed, owing to the uptake of bFGF by endothelial cells. Consequently, a sharp declining gradient of bFGF existed near the surface of the tumor. The vascular architecture developed numerous branches close to the tumor surface (the brush-border effect). Asymmetrical tumor growth was associated with a greater degree of branching at the tumor surface

Effect of light-curing units on the thermal expansion of resin nanocomposites

Purpose—To examine the thermal expansion of resin nanocomposites after light-curing using different light-curing units. Methods—Four different resin nanocomposites and four different light-curing units [quartztungsten- halogen (QTH), light emitting diode (LED), laser, and plasma arc] were chosen. Metal dies were filled with resin to make specimens and light-cured. The light intensity and light-curing time of the QTH and LED light-curing units were 1000 mW/cm2 and 40 seconds, 700 mW/cm2 and 40 seconds for the laser, and 1600 mW/cm2 and 3 seconds for the plasma arc. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was evaluated using a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) at temperatures ranging from 30–80°C. Results—The CTE of the resin nanocomposites tested ranged from 28.5 to 65.8 (×10−6/°C), depending on the product and type of light-curing unit used. Among the specimens Grandio showed the lowest CTE. The specimens cured using the plasma arc unit (Apollo 95E) showed the highest CTE. There was a linear correlation between the CTE and filler content (vol%) (R: −0.94~ −0.99 depending on the light-curing unit). The results may suggest a careful selection of the lightcuring unit because there was more expansion in the specimens cured using the plasma arc unit than those cured by the other units. (Am J Dent 2010;23:331–334)

Effect of DPSS laser on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets

Purpose—To test the bonding of orthodontic brackets to teeth using a diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser. Methods—A total of 60 extracted human teeth were divided randomly into four groups: Group 1 (control) - the brackets were bonded to teeth using the quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) light (800 mW/cm2) for 40 seconds; Groups 2–4 - the brackets were bonded to teeth using the DPSS laser (500 mW/cm2) for 40 seconds, 20 seconds, and 10 seconds, respectively. The teeth were debonded using shear force in a universal testing machine, and the amount of residual adhesive remaining on each tooth was evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out for the shear bond strength (SBS) and Adhesive Remnant Index (ART). Results—The brackets bonded using the DPSS laser for 40 seconds showed the highest mean SBS (13.1±1.2 MPa) among the groups. Furthermore, the DPSS laser with 10 seconds light-curing could achieve 83% of the mean SBS obtained using the QTH light for 40 seconds. The ARI scores showed no differences among all four groups suggesting a similar failure mode

Effect of staining solutions on discoloration of resin nanocomposites

Purpose—To examine the effect of staining solutions on the discoloration of resin nanocomposites. Methods—Three resin nanocomposites (Ceram X, Grandio, and Filtek Z350) were light cured for 40 seconds at a light intensity of 1000 mW/cm2. The color of the specimens was measured in %R (reflectance) mode before and after immersing the specimens in four different test solutions [distilled water (DW), coffee (CF), 50% ethanol (50ET) and brewed green tea (GT)] for 7 hours/ day over a 3-week period. The color difference (ΔE*) was obtained based on the CIEL*a*b* color coordinate values. Results—The specimens immersed in DW, 50ET and GT showed a slight increase in L* value. However, the samples immersed in CF showed a decrease in the L* value and an increase in the b* value. CF induced a significant color change (ΔE*: 3.1~5.6) in most specimens but the other solutions induced only a slight color change. Overall, coffee caused unacceptable color changes to the resin nanocomposites

Appropriateness of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in pediatric patients visiting the emergency department due to animal bite

Purpose To study the appropriateness of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (rPEP) for children with animal bite who visited the emergency department (ED). Methods The study enrolled children younger than 18 years with animal bite who visited the National Medical Center ED between January 2014 and October 2017. The children’s electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data for analysis included age, sex, body parts bitten by animals, species of animals, regions where animal bites occurred, history of recent antibiotics therapy and tetanus vaccination, and justification by the 2017 Guidelines for Rabies Control in Korea and implementation of rPEP. In children who underwent unjustified rPEP or did not undergo justified one, we recorded their guardians’ opinion for or against rPEP. Results Of the 63 enrolled children, rPEP was justified for 38 children by the Korean guidelines. Of the 38 children, 35 actually underwent rPEP. Among the remaining 3 children, 2 did not undergo the prophylaxis as per the guardians’ requests. Among the 25 children whose rPEP was not justified, 8 underwent the prophylaxis. Of these 8 children, 7 did based on the guardians’ requests. Conclusion In this study, inappropriate rPEP was usually affected by the guardians’ requests, regardless of the criteria for such prophylaxis. Thus, their requests for or against rPEP should be discussed with emergency physicians who are aware of the relevant criteria to prevent occurrence of rabies or unnecessary use of medical resources

Influence of DPSS Laser on Polymerization Shrinkage and Mass Change of Resin Composites

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser as a light source for light-curing dental resin composites