Digitizing translucent object appearance by validating computed optical properties.

The optical properties available for an object are most often fragmented and insufficient for photorealistic rendering of the object. We propose a procedure for digitizing a translucent object with sufficient information for predictive rendering of its appearance. Based on object material descriptions, we compute optical properties and validate or adjust this object appearance model based on comparison of simulation with spectrophotometric measurements of the bidirectional scattering-surface reflectance distribution function (BSSRDF). To ease this type of comparison, we provide an efficient simulation tool that computes the BSSRDF for a particular light-view configuration. Even with just a few configurations, the localized lighting in BSSRDF measurements is useful for assessing the appropriateness of computed or otherwise acquired optical properties. To validate an object appearance model in a more common lighting environment, we render the appearance of the obtained digital twin and assess the photorealism of our renderings through pixel-by-pixel comparison with photographs of the physical object.

Primary facility for traceable measurement of BSSRDF: erratum.

An erratum is presented to correct the measurement equation used for the calculation of the BSSRDF in our manuscript [Opt. Express29 (21), 34175 (2021)10.1364/OE.439108]. This correction affects slightly the results showed in Figs. 7 and 8 of the primary manuscript, so they are replaced by Fig. S1 and Fig. S2, respectively, of the current erratum. The discussion on the results of Fig. 7 of the primary manuscript is completely valid also for the new results, but a slightly different discussion is given on the new results showed in Fig. S2. Nevertheless, the conclusions of the original manuscript are not affected at all.

Safety and Efficacy of a MEURI Program for the Use of High Dose Ivermectin in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: In the absence of antiviral alternatives, interventions under research for COVID-19 might be offered following guidelines from WHO for monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental interventions (MEURI). Ivermectin is among several drugs explored for its role against SARS-CoV-2, with a well-known safety profile but conflicting data regarding clinical utility for COVID-19. The aim of this report is to inform on the results of a MEURI Program of high-dose ivermectin in COVID-19 carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Province of La Pampa, Argentina. Methods: COVID-19 subjects, within 5 days of symptoms onset were invited to participate in the program, which consisted in the administration of ivermectin 0.6 mg/kg/day for 5 days plus standard of care. Active pharmacosurveillance was performed for 21 days, and hepatic laboratory assessments were performed in a subset of patients. Frequency of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and COVID-19-related mortality of subjects in the ivermectin intention to treat group were compared with that observed in inhabitants of the same province during the same period not participating in the program. Results: From 21,232 subjects with COVID-19, 3,266 were offered and agreed to participate in the ivermectin program and 17,966 did not and were considered as controls. A total of 567 participants reported 819 adverse events (AEs); 3.13% discontinued ivermectin due to adverse events. ICU admission was significantly lower in the ivermectin group compared to controls among participants ≥40 year-old (1.2 vs. 2.0%, odds ratio 0.608; p = 0.024). Similarly, mortality was lower in the ivermectin group in the full group analysis (1.5 vs. 2.1%, odds ratio 0.720; p = 0.029), as well as in subjects ≥ 40 year- old (2.7 vs. 4.1%, odds ratio 0.655; p = 0.005). Conclusions: This report highlights the safety and possible efficacy of high dose ivermectin as a potentially useful intervention deserving public health-based consideration for COVID-19 patients.

Primary facility for traceable measurement of the BSSRDF.

The bidirectional scattering-surface reflectance distribution function (BSSRDF) is the function that describes the variation of the radiance of the elementary areas of a surface with respect to the directionally incident radiant flux on that surface. Measurements of the BSSRDF are important for characterizing the translucency of objects and for obtaining those optical parameters affecting volume scattering. However, to date, no traceable measurements of this function are available, since, likely due to its technical complexity, no standard measurement procedure has been established. We have developed a primary facility for measuring the BSSRDF based on a gonio-spectrophotometer with spatial resolution in the collection, spectral resolution in the irradiation, and angular resolution both for irradiation and collection directions. The BSSRDF of twelve homogeneous and translucent samples (with controlled values for the mean diameter of the scattering particles and their concentration) have been measured with relative uncertainties below 3% inside the irradiated area. Some results are shown and commented. This primary facility will allow the BSSRDF scale to be transferred to other instruments.

Accurate physics-based digital reproduction of effect coatings.

We built an improved 3D rendering framework to accurately visualize the complete appearance of effect coatings, including metallic effects, sparkle and iridescence. Spectral reflectance measurements and sparkle indexes from a commercially available multi-angle spectrophotometer (BYKmac-i) were used together with physics-based approaches, such as flake-based reflectance models, to implement efficiently the appearance reproduction from a small number of bidirectional measurement geometries. With this rendering framework, we rendered a series of effect coating samples on an iPad display, simulating how these samples would be viewed inside a Byko-spectra effect light booth. We validated the appearance fidelity through psychophysical methods. We asked observers to evaluate the most important visual attributes that directly affect the appearance of effect coatings, i.e., the color, the angular dependence of color (color flop) and the visual texture (sparkle and graininess). Observers were asked to directly compare the rendered samples with the real samples inside the Byko-spectra effect light booth. In this study, we first validated the accuracy of rendering the color flop of effect coatings by conducting two separate visual tests, using flat and curved samples respectively. The results show an improved accuracy when curved samples were used (acceptability of 93% vs 80%). Secondly, we validated the digital reproduction of both color and texture by using a set of 30 metallic samples, and by including texture in the rendering using a sparkle model. We optimized the model parameters based on sparkle measurement data from the BYK-mac I instrument and using a matrix-adjustment model for optimization. The results from the visual tests show that the visual acceptability of the rendering is high at 90%.

Visual validation of the appearance of chromatic objects rendered from spectrophotometric measurements.

We validate a physically based and spectral rendering framework with improved color reproduction. With a recently developed model, we take into account both the colorimetric specifications of the rendering display as well as the spectral and angular characteristics of lighting and also the spectral reflectance of the objects. Therefore, it should provide much better color reproduction than those based on the common standard red, green, blue (sRGB) color space. In addition, it allows real-time rendering on modest hardware and displays. We evaluated the color reproduction of the new rendering framework by psychophysical tests using spectrophotometric measurements of 30 chromatic paint samples. They were rendered on an iPad display, as viewed inside the Byko-spectra effect light booth. We asked 16 observers to evaluate the color match by directly comparing the rendered samples with the physical samples, using two different psychophysical assessment methods. The color reproduction was found to be strongly improved with respect to results obtained with default sRGB color encoding space. The average color reproduction match was found to be equivalent to ΔE00=1.6, which is a small but noticeable color difference. In 80% of the visual assessments, the color reproduction was described as being at least as good as between "difference visible but still acceptable" and "difference visible, doubtful match."

Goniochromatic assessment of gray scales for color change.

The dependence of color differences on the illumination and viewing directions for two widely used gray scales for color change (SDCE and AATCC) was evaluated through measuring the spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) by a gonio-spectrophotometer of metrological quality. Large incidence and viewing angles must be specially avoided using these gray scales because, in these conditions, color differences vary considerably from those established in ISO 105-A02 and ASTM D2616-12. While the visual appearance of the SDCE and AATCC gray scales for color change is similar, our results indicate that their goniochromatic properties are different. Finally, some recommendations regarding observation distance and illumination angle are given to correctly use these gray scales for visual experiments.

Measuring the Human Ultra-Weak Photon Emission Distribution Using an Electron-Multiplying, Charge-Coupled Device as a Sensor.

Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is the spontaneous emission from living systems mainly attributed to oxidation reactions, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a major role. Given the capability of the next-generation electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) sensors and the easy use of liquid crystal tunable filters (LCTF), the aim of this work was to explore the potential of a simple UPE spectrometer to measure the UPE from a human hand. Thus, an easy setup was configured based on a dark box for inserting the subject's hand prior to LCTF as a monochromator and an EMCCD sensor working in the full vertical binning mode (FVB) as a spectra detector. Under controlled conditions, both dark signals and left hand UPE were acquired by registering the UPE intensity at different selected wavelengths (400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, and 700 nm) during a period of 10 min each. Then, spurious signals were filtered out by ignoring the pixels whose values were clearly outside of the Gaussian distribution, and the dark signal was subtracted from the subject hand signal. The stepped spectrum with a peak of approximately 880 photons at 500 nm had a shape that agreed somewhat with previous reports, and agrees with previous UPE research that reported UPE from 420 to 570 nm, or 260 to 800 nm, with a range from 1 to 1000 photons s-1 cm-2. Obtaining the spectral distribution instead of the total intensity of the UPE represents a step forward in this field, as it may provide extra information about a subject's personal states and relationship with ROS. A new generation of CCD sensors with lower dark signals, and spectrographs with a more uniform spectral transmittance, will open up new possibilities for configuring measuring systems in portable formats.

Short-term effects of a green coffee extract-, Garcinia c ambogia- and L-carnitine-containing chewing gum on snack intake and appetite regulation.

INTRODUCTION: Different studies have assessed the influence of chewing gum to aid control of appetite and reduce food intake. PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of chewing gum on satiety, food hedonics and snack intake and to explore the potential effects of the combination of Garcinia c ambogia, green coffee extract and L-carnitine on satiety, when administered in a gum format. METHODS: This was a prospective study in which 57 subjects randomly received three kinds of treatments, in a crossover design: (1) active gum; (2) placebo gum; and (3) no gum. Food preferences and appetite sensations were evaluated by means of the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire and visual analog scales. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in low-fat sweet snack intake with placebo gum and the active gum compared to no gum and a reduction in high-fat sweet snack intake with the active gum compared to placebo gum and no gum. Total caloric intake was only reduced in the active gum condition. Both the active and placebo gum conditions significantly reduced hunger and prospective food consumption and increased fullness compared to no gum and were associated with a reduced wanting for sweet food in the LFPQ, consistent in a reduction in the relative preference for sweet snacks versus savoury snacks. CONCLUSION: This study supports the notion that chewing gum containing nutraceutical products might aid in the control over snack intake and reduce hunger sensations.

[Research in Psychopharmacology]. / La investigación en psicofarmacología.

Research in psychopharmacology began around 1950 with the description of antipsychotic effect of chlorpromazine followed shortly later with the mechanism of action of antidepressants. In these initial phases, pharmacy industry was open to knowledge and made efforts tending to the development to new drugs that showed efficacy and good safety profiles. In parallel development of theories attempting to find the etiology of psychiatric disorders acquired impulse. This review summarizes the new drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders currently under development and also presents a short list of the main biomarkers proposed for the diagnosis or the comprehension of the etiopathogeny in Psychiatry. Several questions arose when brain structures, biochemical pathways, proteins and genes began to be identified in the search for a better comprehension of etiopathogeny of mental disorders. Pharmaceutical industry virtually moved away from this field of research. Epistemological and methodological obstacles in psychopharmacological investigation together with the lack of priority given by industry to this field allow us to predict few advances for the treatment in Psychiatry in the short term.

Visibility of sparkle in metallic paints.

For suitable illumination and observation conditions, sparkles may be observed in metallic coatings. The visibility of these sparkles depends critically on their intensity, and on the paint medium surrounding the metallic flakes. Based on previous perception studies from other disciplines, we derive equations for the threshold for sparkles to be visible. The resulting equations show how the visibility of sparkles varies with the luminosity and distance of the light source, the diameter of the metallic flakes, and the reflection properties of the paint medium. The predictions are confirmed by common observations on metallic sparkle. For example, under appropriate conditions even metallic flakes as small as 1 µm diameter may be visible as sparkle, whereas under intense spot light the finer grades of metallic coatings do not show sparkle. We show that in direct sunlight, dark coarse metallic coatings show sparkles that are brighter than the brightest stars and planets in the night sky. Finally, we give equations to predict the number of visually distinguishable flake intensities, depending on local conditions. These equations are confirmed by previous results. Several practical examples for applying the equations derived in this article are provided.

Characterizing integration time and gray-level-related nonlinearities in a NMOS sensor.

We report a nonlinearity effect related to the integration time in a double-beam spectroradiometer equipped with two negative-module metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) sensors. This effect can be explained by the addition of photoelectrons produced by the radiant flux on the sensors during the readout phase to the photoelectrons produced during the measurement phase. A new method is proposed to characterize and correct both gray-level and integration-time-related nonlinearities in NMOS sensors. This method is experimentally simple and outperforms other commonly used correction procedures.

Isochromatic lines as extension of Helmholtz reciprocity principle for effect paints.

Flake-based parameters were recently introduced as a physical concept to predict a series of measurement geometries producing similar reflection data for effect paints. We derive expressions to calculate these so-called isochromatic lines, connecting the two Helmholtz-reciprocal in-plane geometries with a series of out-of-plane geometries. Thus isochromatic lines can be regarded as an extension of the Helmholtz reciprocity principle, which is valid for effect paints. We experimentally studied seven effect paint samples with large angular color variation along the length of four isochromatic lines. A change in illumination angles by up to 75° while following isochromatic lines led to a standard deviation in color parameters of less than two units. When isochromatic lines were not followed, these colorimetric parameters varied by more than 10 units already by change in detection angle of 10°. Therefore the concept of isochromatic lines works well for effect paints.

Evaluation of the satiating properties of a nutraceutical product containing Garcinia cambogia and Ascophyllum nodosum extracts in healthy volunteers.

A nutraceutical product composed of a combination of Garcinia cambogia, l-carnitine and a seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum has been recently developed. The aim of the present study was to characterize its effects on subjective satiety sensations and food preferences in healthy volunteers. In a crossover design, 28 subjects (21 females and 7 males, aged 31 ± 5, BMI 22.6 ± 1.7) were randomly assigned to receive the active treatment (LIS) or placebo (PL) over one week. At the end of each treatment period, subjects were instructed to consume ad libitum a test meal. Food preferences and appetite sensations were evaluated by means of the Leeds Food Preferences Questionnaire and visual analog scales, before and after meal, over three hours. There were no differences in energy intake between study groups. LIS was associated with a reduction in subjective hunger sensations (p = 0.018) and to an increase in satiety (p = 0.02) and fullness (p = 0.01) ratings. The preference for high fat foods was reduced after consuming the test meal in both study groups. There was a significant effect of LIS treatment on food explicit liking and implicit wanting, as evidenced by an increase in preference for sweet foods (relative to savory foods; p = 0.03 and p = 0.004, respectively), but no differences were observed regarding the preference for low or high fat foods (NS). These results provide proof of principle for the satiating properties of a nutraceutical containing Garcinia cambogia, Ascophyllum nodosum extract and l-carnitine and suggest that it might be useful as an appetite modulator.

Spectral BRDF-based determination of proper measurement geometries to characterize color shift of special effect coatings.

A reduced set of measurement geometries allows the spectral reflectance of special effect coatings to be predicted for any other geometry. A physical model based on flake-related parameters has been used to determine nonredundant measurement geometries for the complete description of the spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The analysis of experimental spectral BRDF was carried out by means of principal component analysis. From this analysis, a set of nine measurement geometries was proposed to characterize special effect coatings. It was shown that, for two different special effect coatings, these geometries provide a good prediction of their complete color shift.

Spectral and geometrical variation of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of diffuse reflectance standards.

A study on the variation of the spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of four diffuse reflectance standards (matte ceramic, BaSO(4), Spectralon, and white Russian opal glass) is accomplished through this work. Spectral BRDF measurements were carried out and, using principal components analysis, its spectral and geometrical variation respect to a reference geometry was assessed from the experimental data. Several descriptors were defined in order to compare the spectral BRDF variation of the four materials.

Variables separation of the spectral BRDF for better understanding color variation in special effect pigment coatings.

A type of representation of the spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is proposed that distinctly separates the spectral variable (wavelength) from the geometrical variables (spherical coordinates of the irradiation and viewing directions). Principal components analysis (PCA) is used in order to decompose the spectral BRDF in decorrelated spectral components, and the weight that they have at every geometrical configuration of irradiation/viewing is established. This method was applied to the spectral BRDF measurement of a special effect pigment sample, and four principal components with relevant variance were identified. These four components are enough to reproduce the great diversity of spectral reflectances observed at different geometrical configurations. Since this representation is able to separate spectral and geometrical variables, it facilitates the interpretation of the color variation of special effect pigments coatings versus the geometrical configuration of irradiation/viewing.

Maintenance treatment with fluoxetine is necessary to sustain normal levels of synaptic markers in an experimental model of depression: correlation with behavioral response.

Dysfunction of hippocampal plasticity has been proposed to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of depression. However, antidepressant drug effects on synaptic plasticity and cytoskeletal remodeling remain controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in animals exposed to the learned helplessness (LH) paradigm, an accepted experimental model of depression, the effect of chronic treatment with fluoxetine (FLX) on synaptic and cytoskeletal proteins known to undergo plastic changes. Synaptophysin (SYN), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), axon growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), and cytoskeletal proteins (intermediate neurofilaments and MAP-2) were studied in the hippocampus by immunohistochemistry. Whereas LH animals treated 21 days with saline (LH-S group) displayed diminished SYN and PSD-95 immunostainings in the CA3 but not in the DG, chronic treatment with FLX not only reversed the despaired behavior induced by exposure to LH paradigm, but also fully recovered SYN and PSD-95 labeling to control values. Similar results were obtained for the axonal remodeling marker GAP-43. FLX treatment did not modify either the decreased light neurofilament subunit (NFL) observed in the hippocampus of LH animals or any other cytoskeletal protein studied. When FLX treatment was withdrawn for 90 days in those LH-FLX animals in which reversion of despair had been observed at day 25, recurrence of despaired behavior was found accompanied by decreased SYN, PSD-95, and NFL labelings. Results indicate that the synapse remodeling induced by FLX in the CA3 region could underlie its behavioral efficacy despite the absence of cytoskeletal remodeling and that the stability of synaptic changes would depend on the continuous administration of the drug.

Cytoskeleton of hippocampal neurons as a target for valproic acid in an experimental model of depression.

BACKGROUND: Atrophy of pyramidal hippocampal neurons and of the entire hippocampus has been reported in experimental models of depression and in depressive patients respectively. We investigated the efficacy of valproic acid (VPA) for reversing a depressive-like behaviour and a cytoskeletal alteration in the hippocampus, the loss of the light neurofilament subunit (NF-L). METHODS: Depressive-like behaviour was induced by inescapable stress. Animals were divided into four groups: two to assess the response to 21 days of treatment with 200 mg/kg (I.P.) of valproic acid, and two in which the treatment was interrupted and the effects of VPA were evaluated 90 days later. Depressive-like behaviour was evaluated by the quantification of escape movements in a swimming test. NF-L was quantified by immunohistochemistry in dentate gyrus and CA3 of hippocampus. RESULTS: VPA corrected the depressive-like behaviour and reversed the diminution of NF-L in the hippocampus. Ninety days after the end of the treatment, and in contrast to the results previously obtained with fluoxetine, no recurrence of the depressive-like behaviour was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite interruption of the treatment, a long-lasting effect of VPA was observed. A possible relationship between the effect on NF-L and the prevention of depressive-like behaviour recurrence could be suggested.

Principal components analysis of the photoresponse nonuniformity of a matrix detector.

The principal component analysis is used to identify and quantify spatial distributions of relative photoresponse as a function of the exposure time for a visible CCD array. The analysis shows a simple way to define an invariant photoresponse nonuniformity and compare it with the definition of this invariant pattern as the one obtained for long exposure times. Experimental data of radiant exposure from levels of irradiance obtained in a stable and well-controlled environment are used.