A generative framework for image-based editing of material appearance using perceptual attributes

Single-image appearance editing is a challenging task, traditionally requiring the estimation of additional scene properties such as geometry or illumination. Moreover, the exact interaction of light, shape and material reflectance that elicits a given perceptual impression is still not well understood. We present an image-based editing method that allows to modify the material appearance of an object by increasing or decreasing high-level perceptual attributes, using a single image as input. Our framework relies on a two-step generative network, where the first step drives the change in appearance and the second produces an image with high-frequency details. For training, we augment an existing material appearance dataset with perceptual judgements of high-level attributes, collected through crowd-sourced experiments, and build upon training strategies that circumvent the cumbersome need for original-edited image pairs. We demonstrate the editing capabilities of our framework on a variety of inputs, both synthetic and real, using two common perceptual attributes (Glossy and Metallic), and validate the perception of appearance in our edited images through a user study

Risk-of-bias assessment of the randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews on surgical treatments for breast cancer-related lymphedema : A mapping review

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABBreast cancer treatment is the principal cause of lymphedema in the upper extremities. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) treatments were previously based on conservative therapy; surgical treatments are alternative options that could be highly beneficial, especially for patients who are not responsive to conservative therapy. The main aim of this study was to describe and critically assess the risk of bias of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) on surgical treatment for BCRL. We conducted an evidence mapping review according to the methodology proposed by Global Evidence Mapping (GEM). An update was done for our previous systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL (Cochrane), and Epistemonikos from the year 2000 onward. We assessed the risk of bias for the RCTs and SRs using the RoB-2 and ROBIS tools, respectively. Two surgical RCTs and eight SRs were found among the 47 surgical studies that met the eligibility criteria. The overall risk-of-bias assessments of these studies were rated as some concerns (six outcomes) and high risk (three outcomes) for the measured outcomes among the RCTs and as a high risk of bias (five studies) and low risk (three studies) for the included SRs. The overall evidence in the literature on surgical treatment for BCRL is low, as there are few published RCTs and SRs, and the risk-of-bias assessment for the majority was rated as high risk of bias or with some concerns. High-quality studies are needed to improve evidence-based decision-making by surgeons and patients

On the coupling between molecular diffusion and solvation shell exchange

The connection between diffusion and solvent exchanges between first and second solvation shells is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations and analytic calculations, with detailed illustrations for water exchange for the Li+ and Na+ ions, and for liquid argon. First, two methods are proposed which allow, by means of simulation, to extract the quantitative speed-up in diffusion induced by the exchange events. Second, it is shown by simple kinematic considerations that the instantaneous velocity of the solute conditions to a considerable extent the character of the exchanges. Analytic formulas are derived which quantitatively estimate this effect, and which are of general applicability to molecular diffusion in any thermal fluid. Despite the simplicity of the kinematic considerations, they are shown to well describe many aspects of solvent exchange/diffusion coupling features for nontrivial systems

Motion Aware Exposure Bracketing for HDR Video

Mobile phones and tablets are rapidly gaining significance as omnipresent image and video capture devices. In this context we present an algorithm that allows such devices to capture high dynamic range (HDR) video. The design of the algorithm was informed by a perceptual study that assesses the relative importance of motion and dynamic range. We found that ghosting artefacts are more visually disturbing than a reduction in dynamic range, even if a comparable number of pixels is affected by each. We incorporated these findings into a real-time, adaptive metering algorithm that seamlessly adjusts its settings to take exposures that will lead to minimal visual artefacts after recombination into an HDR sequence. It is uniquely suitable for real-time selection of exposure settings. Finally, we present an off-line HDR reconstruction algorithm that is matched to the adaptive nature of our real-time metering approach

Performance adaptive training control strategy for recovering wrist movements in stroke patients: a preliminary, feasibility study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the last two decades robot training in neuromotor rehabilitation was mainly focused on shoulder-elbow movements. Few devices were designed and clinically tested for training coordinated movements of the wrist, which are crucial for achieving even the basic level of motor competence that is necessary for carrying out ADLs (activities of daily life). Moreover, most systems of robot therapy use point-to-point reaching movements which tend to emphasize the pathological tendency of stroke patients to break down goal-directed movements into a number of jerky sub-movements. For this reason we designed a wrist robot with a range of motion comparable to that of normal subjects and implemented a self-adapting training protocol for tracking smoothly moving targets in order to facilitate the emergence of smoothness in the motor control patterns and maximize the recovery of the normal RoM (range of motion) of the different DoFs (degrees of Freedom).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The IIT-wrist robot is a 3 DoFs light exoskeleton device, with direct-drive of each DoF and a human-like range of motion for Flexion/Extension (FE), Abduction/Adduction (AA) and Pronation/Supination (PS). Subjects were asked to track a variable-frequency oscillating target using only one wrist DoF at time, in such a way to carry out a progressive splinting therapy. The RoM of each DoF was angularly scanned in a staircase-like fashion, from the "easier" to the "more difficult" angular position. An Adaptive Controller evaluated online performance parameters and modulated both the assistance and the difficulty of the task in order to facilitate smoother and more precise motor command patterns.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three stroke subjects volunteered to participate in a preliminary test session aimed at verify the acceptability of the device and the feasibility of the designed protocol. All of them were able to perform the required task. The wrist active RoM of motion was evaluated for each patient at the beginning and at the end of the test therapy session and the results suggest a positive trend.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The positive outcomes of the preliminary tests motivate the planning of a clinical trial and provide experimental evidence for defining appropriate inclusion/exclusion criteria.</p

Immunolocalization of dually phosphorylated MAPKs in dividing root meristem cells of Vicia faba, Pisum sativum, Lupinus luteus and Lycopersicon esculentum

Key message In plants, phosphorylated MAPKs display constitutive nuclear localization; however, not all studied plant species show co-localization of activated MAPKs to mitotic microtubules. Abstract The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved not only in the cellular response to biotic and abiotic stress but also in the regulation of cell cycle and plant development. The role of MAPKs in the formation of a mitotic spindle has been widely studied and the MAPK signaling pathway was found to be indispensable for the unperturbed course of cell division. Here we show cellular localization of activated MAPKs (dually phosphorylated at their TXY motifs) in both interphase and mitotic root meristem cells of Lupinus luteus, Pisum sativum, Vicia faba (Fabaceae) and Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae). Nuclear localization of activated MAPKs has been found in all species. Colocalization of these kinases to mitotic microtubules was most evident in L. esculentum, while only about 50 % of mitotic cells in the root meristems of P. sativum and V. faba displayed activated MAPKs localized to microtubules during mitosis. Unexpectedly, no evident immunofluorescence signals at spindle microtubules and phragmoplast were noted in L. luteus. Considering immunocytochemical analyses and studies on the impact of FR180204 (an inhibitor of animal ERK1/2) on mitotic cells, we hypothesize that MAPKs may not play prominent role in the regulation of microtubule dynamics in all plant species

Resonantly excited exciton dynamics in two-dimensional MoSe2 monolayers

We report on the exciton and trion density dynamics in a single layer of MoSe2, resonantly excited and probed using three-pulse four-wave mixing (FWM), at temperatures from 300 K to 77 K. A multiexponential third-order response function for amplitude and phase of the heterodyne-detected FWM signal including four decay processes is used to model the data. We provide a consistent interpretation within the intrinsic band structure, not requiring the inclusion of extrinsic effects. We find an exciton radiative lifetime in the subpicosecond range consistent to what has been recently reported by Jakubczyk et al. [Nano Lett. 16, 5333 (2016)]. After the dominating radiative decay, the remaining exciton density, which has been scattered from the initially excited direct spin-allowed radiative state into dark states of different nature by exciton-phonon scattering or disorder scattering, shows a slower dynamics, covering 10-ps to 10-ns time scales. This includes direct spin-allowed transitions with larger in-plane momentum, as well as indirect and spin-forbidden exciton states. We find that exciton-exciton annihilation is not relevant in the observed dynamics, in variance from previous finding under nonresonant excitation. The trion density at 77 K reveals a decay of the order of 1 ps, similar to what is observed for the exciton. After few tens of picoseconds, the trion dynamics resembles the one of the exciton, indicating that trion ionization occurs on this time scale

Interleukin 6, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and interleukin 10 in the prediction of risk and etiologic patterns in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: results from the German competence network CAPNETZ

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of our study was to investigate the predictive value of the biomarkers interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) compared with clinical CRB and CRB-65 severity scores in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Samples and data were obtained from patients enrolled into the German CAPNETZ study group. Samples (blood, sputum and urine) were collected within 24 h of first presentation and inclusion in the CAPNETZ study, and CRB and CRB-65 scores were determined for all patients at the time of enrollment. The combined end point representative of a severe course of CAP was defined as mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit treatment and/or death within 30 days. Overall, a total of 1,000 patients were enrolled in the study. A severe course of CAP was observed in 105 (10.5%) patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest IL-6, IL-10 and LBP concentrations were found in patients with CRB-65 scores of 3-4 or CRB scores of 2-3. IL-6 and LBP levels on enrollment in the study were significantly higher for patients with a severe course of CAP than for those who did not have severe CAP. In receiver operating characteristic analyses, the area under the curve values for of IL-6 (0.689), IL-10 (0.665) and LPB (0.624) in a severe course of CAP were lower than that of CRB-65 (0.764) and similar to that of CRB (0.69). The accuracy of both CRB and CRB-65 was increased significantly by including IL-6 measurements. In addition, higher cytokine concentrations were found in patients with typical bacterial infections compared with patients with atypical or viral infections and those with infection of unknown etiology. LBP showed the highest discriminatory power with respect to the etiology of infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>IL-6, IL-10 and LBP concentrations were increased in patients with a CRB-65 score of 3-4 and a severe course of CAP. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 reflected the severity of disease in patients with CAP. The predictive power of IL-6, IL-10 and LBP for a severe course of pneumonia was lower than that of CRB-65. Typical bacterial pathogens induced the highest LBP, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations.</p