Jeffrey Rogers

Implementation of a shared data repository and common data dictionary for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders research.

Many previous attempts by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders researchers to compare data across multiple prospective and retrospective human studies have failed because of both structural differences in the collected data and difficulty in coming to agreement on the precise meaning of the terminology used to describe the collected data. Although some groups of researchers have an established track record of successfully integrating data, attempts to integrate data more broadly among different groups of researchers have generally faltered. Lack of tools to help researchers share and integrate data has also hampered data analysis. This situation has delayed improving diagnosis, intervention, and treatment before and after birth. We worked with various researchers and research programs in the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CI-FASD) to develop a set of common data dictionaries to describe the data to be collected, including definitions of terms and specification of allowable values. The resulting data dictionaries were the basis for creating a central data repository (CI-FASD Central Repository) and software tools to input and query data. Data entry restrictions ensure that only data that conform to the data dictionaries reach the CI-FASD Central Repository. The result is an effective system for centralized and unified management of the data collected and analyzed by the initiative, including a secure, long-term data repository. CI-FASD researchers are able to integrate and analyze data of different types, using multiple methods, and collected from multiple populations, and data are retained for future reuse in a secure, robust repository.

Relation Over Time Between Facial Measurements and Cognitive Outcomes in Fetal Alcohol-Exposed Children

BACKGROUND The identification of individuals exposed prenatally to alcohol can be challenging, with only those having the characteristic pattern of facial features, central nervous system abnormality, and growth retardation receiving a clinical diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). METHODS Seventeen anthropometric measurements were obtained at 5 and 9 years from 125 Cape Town, South African children, studied since birth. The children were divided into 3 groups: FAS or partial FAS (PFAS), heavily exposed nonsyndromal (HE), and non-alcohol-exposed controls (C). Anthropometric measurements were evaluated for mean group differences. Logistic regression models were used to identify the subset of anthropometric measures that best predicted group membership. Anthropometric measurements were examined at the 2 ages in relation to prenatal alcohol exposure obtained prospectively from the mothers during pregnancy. Correlation of these facial measurements with key neurobehavioral outcomes including Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-IV IQ and eyeblink conditioning was used to assess their utility as indicators of alcohol-related central nervous system impairment. RESULTS Significant group differences were found for the majority of the anthropometric measures, with means of these measures smaller in the FAS/PFAS compared with HE or C. Upper facial widths, ear length, lower facial depth, and eye widths were consistent predictors distinguishing those exposed to alcohol from those who were not. Using longitudinal data, unique measures were identified that predicted facial anomalies at one age but not the other, suggesting the face changes as the individual matures. And 41% of the FAS/PFAS group met criteria for microtia at both ages. Three of the predictive anthropometric measures were negatively related to measures of prenatal alcohol consumption, and all were positively related to at least 1 neurobehavioral outcome. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of longitudinal data identified a common set of predictors, as well as some that are unique at each age. Prenatal alcohol exposure appears to have its primary effect on brain growth, reflected by smaller forehead widths, and may suppress neural crest migration to the branchial arches, reflected by deficits in ear length and mandibular dimensions. These results may improve diagnostic resolution and enhance our understanding of the relation between the face and the neuropsychological deficits that occur.

Virtual Simulation for Lighting & Design Education

The study of lighting in architectural and interior design education is diverse and difficult. It has been shown that static computer-generated imagery can adequately represent real-world environments for subjective lighting analysis as long as the software accurately reproduces certain light distributions. This paper describes a prototype environment that explores an alternative education tool for studying interior lighting environments through the use of global illumination simulations in a virtual environment. Modern virtual reality technology affords us the luxury of not only achieving a high quality visual experience but also allowing the student to navigate through a space and interactively adjust lighting parameters. We describe our experience creating such an environment as well as the subjective interpretation of student users.

The john-e-box: fostering innovation, inclusion, and collaboration through accessible advanced visualization

Recent advances in commodity graphics and projection hardware have motivated many notable research projects and community discussions about the potential of these technologies to make advanced visualization more broadly accessible. However, the actual realization of this promise on a significant scale is challenging, requiring strong institutional commitment, expert technical support, and a broader visualization context. This paper describes an ongoing effort at Indiana University (IU) to develop a commodity-based, large-format, 3D stereo display system and to deploy a collection of such systems to a range of classrooms, laboratories, galleries, and learning environments throughout the IU system and the state of Indiana. To date, these systems have been used in over 30 projects by investigators in 15 departments across four different IU campuses. In addition, this technology has been used to reach well over 3,000 individuals through a series of coordinated outreach efforts. This initiative is also notable for fostering new interpersonal collaborations and inter-departmental cooperation, for enabling non-traditional applications in education and artistic expression, and for providing an interface to other advanced information technology efforts.

A multinational deployment of 3D laser scanning to study craniofacial dysmorphology in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Craniofacial anthropometry (the measurement and analysis of head and face dimensions) has been used to assess and describe abnormal craniofacial variation (dysmorphology) and the facial phenotype in many medical syndromes. Traditionally, anthropometry measurements have been collected by the direct application of calipers and tape measures to the subjects head and face, and can suffer from inaccuracies due to restless subjects, erroneous landmark identification, clinician variability, and other forms of human error. Three-dimensional imaging technologies promise a more effective alternative that separates the acquisition and measurement phases to reduce these variabilities while also enabling novel measurements and longitudinal analysis of subjects. Indiana University (IU) is part of an international consortium of researchers studying fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Fetal alcohol exposure results in predictable craniofacial dysmorphologies, and anthropometry has been proven to be an effective diagnosis tool for the condition. IU is leading a project to study the use of 3D surface scanning to acquire anthropometry data in order to more accurately diagnose FASD, especially in its milder forms. This paper describes our experiences in selecting, verifying, supporting, and coordinating a set of 3D scanning systems for use in collecting facial scans and anthropometric data from around the world.