Contextual Object Detection with a Few Relevant Neighbors

A natural way to improve the detection of objects is to consider the contextual constraints imposed by the detection of additional objects in a given scene. In this work, we exploit the spatial relations between objects in order to improve detection capacity, as well as analyze various properties of the contextual object detection problem. To precisely calculate context-based probabilities of objects, we developed a model that examines the interactions between objects in an exact probabilistic setting, in contrast to previous methods that typically utilize approximations based on pairwise interactions. Such a scheme is facilitated by the realistic assumption that the existence of an object in any given location is influenced by only few informative locations in space. Based on this assumption, we suggest a method for identifying these relevant locations and integrating them into a mostly exact calculation of probability based on their raw detector responses. This scheme is shown to improve detection results and provides unique insights about the process of contextual inference for object detection. We show that it is generally difficult to learn that a particular object reduces the probability of another, and that in cases when the context and detector strongly disagree this learning becomes virtually impossible for the purposes of improving the results of an object detector. Finally, we demonstrate improved detection results through use of our approach as applied to the PASCAL VOC and COCO datasets

Ocrelizumab versus Interferon Beta-1a in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Supported by F. Hoffmann–La Roche

Once-monthly oral ibandronate (Boniva) dosing is highly efficacious in postmenopausal osteoporosis: 2-year results from MOBILE

peer reviewe

Once-monthly dosing of oral ibandronate is highly efficacious: 2-year results from mobile

peer reviewe

Sustained efficacy and safety of bazedoxifene in preventing fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: Results of a 5-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Summary In this 2-year extension of a 3-year study, bazedoxifene showed sustained efficacy in preventing new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and in preventing non-vertebral fractures in higherrisk women. Bazedoxifene significantly increased bone mineral density and reduced bone turnover versus placebo and was generally safe and well tolerated. Introduction This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bazedoxifene for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis over 5 years. Methods A total of 4,216 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were enrolled in this 2-year extension of a 3-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. In the core study (N=7,492), subjects received bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg/day, raloxifene 60 mg/day, or placebo. The raloxifene arm was discontinued after 3 years; subjects receiving bazedoxifene 40 mg were transitioned to bazedoxifene 20 mg after 4 years. Five-year findings are reported for bazedoxifene 20 and 40/20 mg and placebo. Endpoints included incidence of new vertebral fractures (primary) and non-vertebral fractures, and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. Results At 5 years, the incidence of new vertebral fractures in the intent-to-treat population was significantly lower with bazedoxifene 20 mg (4.5%) and 40/20 mg (3.9%) versus placebo (6.8%; P<0.05), with relative risk reductions of 35% and 40%, respectively. Non-vertebral fracture incidence was similar among groups. In a subgroup of higher-risk women (n=1,324; femoral neck T-score ≤-3.0 and/or ≥1 moderate or severe or ≥2 mild vertebral fracture[s]), bazedoxifene 20 mg reduced non-vertebral fracture risk versus placebo (37%; P=0.06); combined data for bazedoxifene 20 and 40/20 mg reached statistical significance (34% reduction; P≤.05). Bazedoxifene significantly increased BMD and reduced bone turnover versus placebo (P≤0.05) and was generally safe and well tolerated. Conclusions The findings support a sustained anti-fracture effect of bazedoxifene on new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal osteoporotic women and on non-vertebral fractures in the higher-risk subgroup of women. © International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation 2011.link_to_subscribed_fulltex