Face reconstruction

In this paper, we propose a new discriminative non-linear dictionary learning approach, called correlation constrained structured kernel KSVD, for object recognition. The objective function for dictionary learning contains a reconstructive term and a discriminative term. In the reconstructive term, signals are implicitly non-linearly mapped into a space, where a structured kernel dictionary, each sub-dictionary of which lies in the span of the mapped signals from the corresponding class, is established. In the discriminative term, by analyzing the classification mechanism, the correlation constraint is proposed in kernel form, constraining the correlations between different discriminative codes, and restricting the coefficient vectors to be transformed into a feature space, where the features are highly correlated inner-class and nearly independent between-classes...

The computer-aided craniofacial reconstruction (CFR) technique has been widely used in the fields of criminal investigation, archaeology, anthropology and cosmetic surgery. The evaluation of craniofacial reconstruction results is important for improving the effect of craniofacial reconstruction. Here, we used the sparse principal component analysis (SPCA) method to evaluate the similarity between two sets of craniofacial data. Compared with principal component analysis (PCA), SPCA can effectively reduce the dimensionality and simultaneously produce sparse principal components with sparse loadings, thus making it easy to explain the results...

Mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene affect CFTR protein biogenesis or its function as a chloride channel, resulting in dysregulation of epithelial fluid transport in the lung, pancreas and other organs in cystic fibrosis (CF). Development of pharmaceutical strategies to treat CF requires understanding of the mechanisms underlying channel function. However, incomplete 3D structural information on the unique ABC ion channel, CFTR, hinders elucidation of its functional mechanism and correction of cystic fibrosis causing mutants...

Remote monitoring of bearing conditions, using wireless sensor network (WSN), is a developing trend in the industrial field. In complicated industrial environments, WSN face three main constraints: low energy, less memory, and low operational capability. Conventional data-compression methods, which concentrate on data compression only, cannot overcome these limitations. Aiming at these problems, this paper proposed a compressed data acquisition and reconstruction scheme based on Compressed Sensing (CS) which is a novel signal-processing technique and applied it for bearing conditions monitoring via WSN...

PURPOSE: Endovascular thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR) has become the treatment modality of diverse aortic pathology. We report the use of patient-specific simulation using a dedicated PROcedure Rehearsal Studio (PRS) platform (Simbionix USA Corp, Cleveland, OH) before TEVAR and evaluate the feasibility and realism of this technology. DESCRIPTION: Virtual three-dimensional models of the patient's relevant anatomy were reconstructed from computed tomography data. PRS was used in 2 patients before TEVAR...

PURPOSE: X-ray CT faces challenges in differentiating tumors from surrounding healthy tissues. A bioluminescence tomography (BLT) system which can directly reconstruct the internal luminescent tumors, was developed and integrated with CT system to accurately guide radiation dose delivery. METHODS: The BLT system, employing a lens-coupled CCD camera, was physically registered with an onboard cone beam CT system in an image guided small animal arc radiation treatment system (iSMAART)...

PURPOSE: Volumetric or multiplane defects of the upper and midface remain a challenge for reconstruction because of limited regional flap options. In this study, the authors harvested the reverse temporalis muscle flap and pericranial flap (RTMP flap) based on the same vascular pedicle, the superficial temporal artery, in a chimeric manner to obtain double-layer closure of deep facial defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective case series performed in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Ataturk University (Erzurum, Turkey)...

We demonstrate the viability of using four low-cost smartphone cameras to perform Tomographic PIV. We use colored shadows to imprint two or three different time-steps on the same image. The back-lighting is accomplished with three sets of differently-colored pulsed LEDs. Each set of Red, Green & Blue LEDs is shone on a diffuser screen facing each of the cameras. We thereby record the RGB-colored shadows of opaque suspended particles, rather than the conventionally used scattered light. We subsequently separate the RGB color channels, to represent the separate times, with preprocessing to minimize noise and cross-talk...

Current bone regeneration strategies faced major challenges in fabricating the bionic scaffolds with nano-structure, constituents and mechanical features of native bone. In this study, we developed a new porous scaffold by adding the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) into collagen (Col)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composites. Data showed that 0.5%CNT/Col/HA (0.5%CNT) group was approximately tenfolds stiffer than Col-HA, and it was superior in promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem proliferation and spreading, mRNA and protein expressions of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OCN) than Col-HA group...

Brain networks use neural oscillations as information transfer mechanisms. Although the face perception network in occipitotemporal cortex is well-studied, contributions of oscillations to face representation remain an open question. We tested for links between oscillatory responses that encode facial dimensions and the theoretical proposal that faces are encoded in similarity-based "face spaces". We quantified similarity-based encoding of dynamic faces in magnetoencephalographic sensor-level oscillatory power for identity, expression, physical and perceptual similarity of facial form and motion...

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is a rare genetic syndrome with variable expressivity and autosomal dominant inheritance. The major features of GGS include numerous basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), keratocysts of the jaw, palmar/plantar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri. Authors report the case of a 51-year-old male with a 19-year history of GGS and multiple BCCs of the head and neck. He presented with a large ulcerating lesion on the right side of his face involving cutaneous, subcutaneous and muscular tissues of the temporal and orbital region...

BACKGROUND: Eyelids are important structures and play a role in protecting the globe from trauma, brightness, in maintaining the integrity of tear films and moving the tears towards the lacrimal drainage system and contribute to aesthetic appearance of the face. Ophthalmic trauma is an important cause of morbidity among individuals and has also been responsible for additional cost of healthcare. Periocular trauma involving eyelids and adjacent structures has been found to have increased recently probably due to increased pace of life and increased dependence on machinery...

AIM: We propose our experience in soft tissue reconstruction in Hemifacial microsomia using a free fascioadiposal flap. MATERIAL OF STUDY: Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital disorder characterized by craniofacial malformation of one or both sides of the lower face. A 18-year-old female presented with hemifacial microsomia involving the left side. A free SCIA/SIEA fascioadiposal flap was transferred to the left face for soft tissue augmentation. RESULTS: The immediate postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, with no complication and adequate augmentation in contour deformity was achieved...

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with multisystem involvement, dominated by a general fibrosis. The early stage of the disease is associated with progressive damage to microcirculation, particularly in the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and skin. The face assumes a typical appearance characterized by microstomia (reduction of mouth opening) and microcheilia (thinning of the lips). These conditions cause a considerable reduction in performance status of patients...

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a genomic region encoding immune loci that are important and frequently used markers in studies of adaptive genetic variation and disease resistance. Given the primary role of infectious diseases in contributing to global amphibian declines, we characterized the hypervariable exon 2 and flanking introns of the MHC Class IIβ chain for 17 species of frogs in the Ranidae, a speciose and cosmopolitan family facing widespread pathogen infections and declines. We find high levels of genetic variation concentrated in the Peptide Binding Region (PBR) of the exon...

Removal of orthopedic implants may sometimes be difficult because of ongrowth of new bone. Titanium screws can become encased or stripped during the process of initial open reduction and internal fixation or at the time of hardware removal. Difficulty in removing screws from a locking plate is particularly well-known. Two patients with tibial and femoral diaphyseal fractures were treated using a locking plate or an intramedullary nail. However, after fracture healing, it was difficult to remove the locking screw or reconstruction screws because of damage to the heads...

A polyglycolic acid-collagen (PGA-c) tube was used as an artificial nerve guide during facial nerve reconstruction performed in a canine model of stellate ganglion block (SGB). The model was generated using a cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy. We evaluated the effects of blood flow on nerve regeneration. First, we resected the left cervical sympathetic ganglion in beagles (n = 6). We assessed buccal mucosal blood flow and nasal skin temperatures once per week for 12 weeks and Horner's sign 2, 4, and 6 months after resection...

BACKGROUND: The brain of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is becoming a popular non-human primate model in neuroscience research. Because its brain fiber connectivity is still poorly understood, it is necessary to collect and present connection and trajectory data using tracers to establish a marmoset brain connectivity database. NEW METHOD: To visualize projections and trajectories of axons, brain section images were reconstructed in 3D by registering them to the corresponding block-face brain images taken during brain sectioning...

BACKGROUND: In the field of experimental facial vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA), a human auricular subunit model, pedicled on both superficial temporal (STA) and posterior auricular (PAA) arteries was described. Clinical cases of extensive auricular replantation however, suggested that a single artery could perfuse the entire flap. In our study, variants of this single pedicle approach have been studied, aiming to develop a more versatile replantation technique, in which the question of venous drainage has also been addressed...

Chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA) and silent sinus syndrome (SSS) are rare clinical entities characterized by an implosion of the maxillary sinus that may or may not be associated with sinonasal symptoms, and are complicated by ipsilateral enophthalmos. The objective of this article is to discuss the definitions, physiopathology, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and surgical management of these entities. We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients (7 women, 11 men, aged 12-70 years) diagnosed and treated in the ear, nose, and throat departments of four Belgian teaching hospitals between 2000 and 2015...