bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluid volume modeling from sparse multi-view images by appearance transfer
Authors: Okabe Makoto , Dobashi Yoshinori , Anjyo Ken , Onai Rikio
Published: July 2015

We propose a method of three-dimensional (3D) modeling of volumetric fluid phenomena from sparse multi-view images (e.g., only a single-view input or a pair of front- and side-view inputs). The volume determined from such sparse inputs using previous methods appears blurry and unnatural with novel views; however, our method preserves the appearance of novel viewing angles by transferring the appearance information from input images to novel viewing angles. For appearance information, we use histograms of image intensities and steerable coefficients. We formulate the volume modeling as an energy minimization problem with statistical hard constraints, which is solved using an expectation maximization (EM)-like iterative algorithm. Our algorithm begins with a rough estimate of the initial volume modeled from the input images, followed by an iterative process whereby we first render the images of the current volume with novel viewing angles. Then, we modify the rendered images by transferring the appearance information from the input images, and we thereafter model the improved volume based on the modified images. We iterate these operations until the volume converges. We demonstrate our method successfully provides natural-looking volume sequences of fluids (i.e., fire, smoke, explosions, and a water splash) from sparse multi-view videos. To create production-ready fluid animations, we further propose a method of rendering and editing fluids using a commercially available fluid simulator.
Decomposing time-lapse paintings into layers
Authors: Tan Jianchao , Dvorožňák Marek , Sýkora Daniel , Gingold Yotam
Published: July 2015

The creation of a painting, in the physical world or digitally, is a process that occurs over time. Later strokes cover earlier strokes, and strokes painted at a similar time are likely to be part of the same object. In the final painting, this temporal history is lost, and a static arrangement of color is all that remains. The rich literature for interacting with image editing history cannot be used. To enable these interactions, we present a set of techniques to decompose a time lapse video of a painting (defined generally to include pencils, markers, etc.) into a sequence of translucent "stroke" images. We present translucency-maximizing solutions for recovering physical (Kubelka and Munk layering) or digital (Porter and Duff "over" blending operation) paint parameters from before/after image pairs. We also present a pipeline for processing real-world videos of paintings capable of handling long-term occlusions, such as the painter's hand and its shadow, color shifts, and noise.
Computational design of twisty joints and puzzles
Authors: Sun Timothy , Zheng Changxi
Published: July 2015

We present the first computational method that allows ordinary users to create complex twisty joints and puzzles inspired by the Rubik's Cube mechanism. Given a user-supplied 3D model and a small subset of rotation axes, our method automatically adjusts those rotation axes and adds others to construct a "non-blocking" twisty joint in the shape of the 3D model. Our method outputs the shapes of pieces which can be directly 3D printed and assembled into an interlocking puzzle. We develop a group-theoretic approach to representing a wide class of twisty puzzles by establishing a connection between non-blocking twisty joints and the finite subgroups of the rotation group SO(3). The theoretical foundation enables us to build an efficient system for automatically completing the set of rotation axes and fast collision detection between pieces. We also generalize the Rubik's Cube mechanism to a large family of twisty puzzles.
eyeSelfie
Authors: Swedish Tristan , Roesch Karin , Lee Ik-Hyun , Rastogi Krishna , Bernstein Shoshana , Raskar Ramesh
Published: July 2015

Eye alignment to the optical system is very critical in many modern devices, such as for biometrics, gaze tracking, head mounted displays, and health. We show alignment in the context of the most difficult challenge: retinal imaging. Alignment in retinal imaging, even conducted by a physician, is very challenging due to precise alignment requirements and lack of direct user eye gaze control. Self-imaging of the retina is nearly impossible.

We frame this problem as a user-interface (UI) challenge. We can create a better UI by controlling the eye box of a projected cue. Our key concept is to exploit the reciprocity, "If you see me, I see you", to develop near eye alignment displays. Two technical aspects are critical: a) tightness of the eye box and (b) the eye box discovery comfort. We demonstrate that previous pupil forming display architectures are not adequate to address alignment in depth. We then analyze two ray-based designs to determine efficacious fixation patterns. These ray based displays and a sequence of user steps allow lateral (x, y) and depth (z) wise alignment to deal with image centering and focus. We show a highly portable prototype and demonstrate the effectiveness through a user study.
Topology-constrained surface reconstruction from cross-sections
Authors: Zou Ming , Holloway Michelle , Carr Nathan , Ju Tao
Published: July 2015

In this work we detail the first algorithm that provides topological control during surface reconstruction from an input set of planar cross-sections. Our work has broad application in a number of fields including surface modeling and biomedical image analysis, where surfaces of known topology must be recovered. Given curves on arbitrarily oriented cross-sections, our method produces a manifold interpolating surface that exactly matches a user-specified genus. The key insight behind our approach is to formulate the topological search as a divide-and-conquer optimization process which scores local sets of topologies and combines them to satisfy the global topology constraint. We further extend our method to allow image data to guide the topological search, achieving even better results than relying on the curves alone. By simultaneously satisfying both geometric and topological constraints, we are able to produce accurate reconstructions with fewer input cross-sections, hence reducing the manual time needed to extract the desired shape.
Tracheal Diverticulum: A Unique Case with Intraoperative Morphologic Assessment
Authors: Chennuri Rohini , Dissanayake Pavithra , Patel Urjeet A. , Tarjan Gabor
Published: July 2015

There are rare case reports of tracheal diverticula or paratracheal air cysts. These cases, however, were reported mostly as incidental sonographic or radiologic findings without histologic confirmation. Furthermore, the handful of studies that describe this entity histopathologically report only cases in patients with prior respiratory symptoms. Here, we report a rare case of an asymptomatic 60-year-old female with no significant past medical history who presented with primary hyperparathyroidism. She was found to have an incidental right paraesophageal air-filled diverticulum with multiple thin septations on her imaging studies. She was taken to surgery and the histologic examination of the specimen revealed multiloculated cystic cavity lined by respiratory-type columnar epithelium with lymphocytic infiltrate and minor salivary glands within the surrounding stroma, rendering the diagnosis of tracheal diverticula.
Can Tsallis Distribution Fit All the Particle Spectra Produced at RHIC and LHC?
Authors: Zheng H. , Zhu Lilin
Published: July 2015

The Tsallis distribution has been tested to fit all the particle spectra at mid-rapidity from central events produced in d + Au, Cu + Cu, and Au + Au collisions at RHIC and p + Pb, Pb + Pb collisions at LHC. Even though there are strong medium effects in Cu + Cu and Au + Au collisions, the results show that the Tsallis distribution can be used to fit most of particle spectra in the collisions studied except in Au + Au collisions where some deviations are seen for proton andΛat lowpT. In addition, as the Tsallis distribution can only fit part of the particle spectra produced in Pb + Pb collisions wherepTis up to 20 GeV/c, a new formula with one more fitting degree of freedom is proposed in order to reproduce the entirepTregion.
Cross Talk between Lipid Metabolism and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Crosby-Nwaobi Roxanne , Chatziralli Irini , Sergentanis Theodoros , Dew Tracy , Forbes Angus , Sivaprasad Sobha
Published: July 2015

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between metabolic and inflammatory markers in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).Methods. 208 adult patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this study and were categorized into (1) mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without clinically significant macular edema (CSME), (2) NPDR with CSME, (3) proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) without CSME, and (4) PDR with CSME. Variable serum metabolic markers were assessed using immunoassays. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed.Results. Diabetes duration and hypertension are the most significant risk factors for DR. Serum Apo-B and Apo-B/Apo-A ratio were the most significant metabolic risk factors for PDR and CSME. For every 0.1 g/L increase in Apo-B concentration, the risk of PDR and CSME increased by about 1.20 times. We also found that 10 pg/mL increase in serum TNF-αwas associated with approximately 2-fold risk of PDR/CSME while an increase by 100 pg/mL in serum VEGF concentration correlated with CSME.Conclusions. In conclusion, it seems that there is a link between metabolic and inflammatory markers. Apo-B/Apo-A ratio should be evaluated as a reliable risk factor for PDR and CSME, while the role of increased systemic TNF-αand VEGF should be explored in CSME.
A New Generation of Glycoconjugated Azo Dyes Based on Aminosugars
Authors: Guazzelli Lorenzo , Catelani Giorgio , D’Andrea Felicia
Published: July 2015

The third generation of glycoconjugated azo dyes (GADs) was prepared linking monoazo dyes to 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactose or 6′amino-6′-deoxylactose through mixed amido-ester connections. The complementary conjugation reactions were studied using the succinyl derivative of either the acetal protected aminosugar or the azo dye. Target “naturalized” GADs were obtained after acid hydrolysis of the acetal protecting groups present on the sugar moiety.
Space‐to‐Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Uhlig Thomas , Mannel Thurid , Fortunato Antonio , Illmer Norbert
Published: July 2015

The astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are only the most visible part of a much larger team engaged around the clock in the performance of science and technical activities in space. The bulk of such team is scattered around the globe in five major Mission Control Centers (MCCs), as well as in a number of smaller payload operations centres. Communication between the crew in space and the flight controllers at those locations is an essential element and one of the key drivers to efficient space operations. Such communication can be carried out in different forms, depending on available technical assets and the selected operational approach for the activity at hand. This paper focuses on operational voice communication and provides a quantitative overview of the balance achieved in the Columbus program between collaborative space/ground operations and autonomous on‐board activity execution. An interpretation of the current situation is provided, together with a description of potential future approaches for deep space exploration missions.
Exposure to HAP and the Regional Pattern of Air-Related Morbidity in India: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Dutta Sabitri
Published: July 2015

This paper attempts to analyse the nature of relationship between the levels of Household Air Pollution (HAP) and incidence of morbidity in urban India along with the pattern of its regional variations. It also explores the causal connection between the incidence of air-related diseases and HAP, giving control for outdoor pollution. Whether these effects are sensitive to the overall level of economic development is an issue of our interest. Therefore, the States/UTs of India are grouped, in terms of different developmental parameters, using Multidimensional Scaling and Clustering technique, and the relation between HAP and morbidity has been analysed for each group of states by applying stepwise regression techniques. The study of this heterogeneity helped us provide more focused policy prescriptions. Different policy prescriptions in terms of education as well as exposure to HAP and fuel choices have been suggested for different clusters.
Use of Digital Panoramic Radiographs in the Study of Styloid Process Elongation
Authors: Lins Carla Cabral dos Santos Accioly , Tavares Renan Macêdo Cutrim , Silva Camila Caroline da
Published: July 2015

This work aimed to evaluate the occurrence of suggestive images of styloid process elongation in panoramic radiographs, noting their frequency according to sex, age, and location, as well as measure and classify the types and patterns of calcification of elongated styloid processes. 2,500 panoramic radiographs were evaluated in a Radiology Clinic in Recife, PE, Brazil, performed between 2008 and 2010, with the age ranging from 25 to 80 years old. 560 of the radiographs analyzed fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of this total, 216 (38.57%) presented suggestive images of the styloid process elongation, 45 (20.8%) belonging to male and 171 (79.2%) to female, and 84.7% were bilateral. After all measurements, mean values of 35.5 mm (left side) and 37.6 mm (right side) were obtained and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The most common type of stretching found was elongated (type I) with 73.1%, and the pattern of calcification was partially calcified (62.5%). It was found that the elongation of the styloid process is an anatomical variation, which must be taken into account by dentists, and because panoramic radiography is a technique of easy approach and low cost and routine, it can be used to aid in the diagnosis of elongated styloid process.
Biobjective Optimization of Vibration Performance of Steel-Spring Floating Slab Tracks by Four-Pole Parameter Method Coupled with Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Jin Hao , Liu Weining , Zhou Shunhua , Adam Christoph
Published: July 2015

Steel-spring floating slab tracks are one of the most effective methods to reduce vibrations from underground railways, which has drawn more and more attention in scientific communities. In this paper, the steel-spring floating slab track located inTrack Vibration Abatement and Control Laboratorywas modeled with four-pole parameter method. The influences of the fastener damping ratio, the fastener stiffness, the steel-spring damping ratio, and the steel-spring stiffness were researched for the rail displacement and the foundation acceleration. Results show that the rail displacement and the foundation acceleration will decrease with the increase of the fastener stiffness or the steel-spring damping ratio. However, the rail displacement and the foundation acceleration have the opposite variation tendency for the fastener damping ratio and the steel-spring stiffness. In order to optimize the rail displacement and the foundation acceleration affected by the fastener damping ratio and the steel-spring stiffness at the same time, a multiobjective ant colony optimization (ACO) was employed. Eventually, Pareto optimal frontier of the rail displacement and the foundation acceleration was derived. Furthermore, the desirable values of the fastener damping ratio and the steel-spring stiffness can be obtained according to the corresponding Pareto optimal solution set.
TEC Data Forecasting Using a Novel Nonlinear Model
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhou Bihua , Zhou Shudao
Published: July 2015

A novel nonlinear TEC forecasting model is proposed in the paper; the main produces of the model are as follows: first the EOF decomposition of TEC data is made, then the genetic algorithm is used to establish the nonlinear time field model, and finally the decomposed space field and the predicted time field are reconstructed to achieve the purpose of forecasting the TEC data. Experiments indicate that the performance of the novel forecasting model is effective and superior to the direct forecasting and linear forecasting models.
High Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease in End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients Ongoing Hemodialysis in Peru: Why Should We Care About It?
Authors: Bravo-Jaimes Katia , Whittembury Alvaro , Santivañez Vilma
Published: July 2015

Purpose. To determine clinical, biochemical, and pharmacological characteristics as well as cardiovascular disease prevalence and its associated factors among end-stage kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis in the main hemodialysis center in Lima, Peru.Methods. This cross-sectional study included 103 patients. Clinical charts were reviewed and an echocardiogram was performed to determine prevalence of cardiovascular disease, defined as the presence of systolic/diastolic dysfunction, coronary heart disease, ventricular dysrhythmias, cerebrovascular disease, and/or peripheral vascular disease. Associations between cardiovascular disease and clinical, biochemical, and dialysis factors were sought using prevalence ratio. A robust Poisson regression model was used to quantify possible associations.Results. Cardiovascular disease prevalence was 81.6%, mainly due to diastolic dysfunction. It was significantly associated with age older than 50 years, metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein levels, effective blood flow ≤ 300 mL/min, severe anemia, and absence of mild anemia. However, in the regression analysis only age older than 50 years, effective blood flow ≤ 300 mL/min, and absence of mild anemia were associated.Conclusions. Cardiovascular disease prevalence is high in patients receiving hemodialysis in the main center in Lima. Diastolic dysfunction, age, specific hemoglobin levels, and effective blood flow may play an important role.
Carboxyhemoglobin Formation in Preterm Infants Is Related to the Subsequent Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Tokuriki Shuko , Okuno Takashi , Ohta Genrei , Ohshima Yusei
Published: July 2015

Objective. To evaluate the usefulness of carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) levels as a biomarker to predict the development and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Methods. Twenty-five infants born at <33 wk of gestational age or with a birth weight of <1,500 g were enrolled. CO-Hb levels were measured between postnatal days 5 and 8, 12 and 15, 19 and 22, and 26 and 29. Urinary levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), advanced oxidation protein products, and Nε-(hexanoyl) lysine were measured between postnatal days 5 and 8 and 26 and 29. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the biomarkers’ predictive values.Results. Compared with infants in the no-or-mild BPD group, infants with moderate-to-severe BPD exhibited higher CO-Hb levels during the early postnatal period and higher 8-OHdG levels between postnatal days 5 and 8. Using ROC analysis to predict the development of moderate-to-severe BPD, the area under the curve (AUC) for CO-Hb levels between postnatal days 5 and 8 was higher than AUCs for the urinary markers.Conclusions. CO-Hb levels during the early postnatal period may serve as a practical marker for evaluating oxidative stress and the severity of subsequently developing BPD.
The Time-Varying Characteristics of Overhead Electric Transmission Lines Considering the Induced-Ice-Shedding Effect
Authors: Ji Kunpeng , Rui Xiaoming , Li Lin , Zhou Chao , Liu Chen , McClure Ghyslaine
Published: July 2015

More ice deposits accreted on conductors or ground wires may be shed off when an overhead electric transmission line is responding to shocks initiated by natural ice shedding. Ice shedding causes the global mass, stiffness, and damping of the tower-line system to vary with time, and the successive shedding effect beyond a trigger event has not been taken into account in previous studies due to the lack of an adequate ice detachment model. In this paper, the ice shedding effect induced by initial shocks was considered in finite element (FE) analysis. An ice detachment criterion, in the way of user-defined element rupture subroutine, was implemented into the main commercial nonlinear FE program ADINA, making it possible to consider the induced-ice-shedding effect numerically. The incremental FE form of the system’s governing equations of motion is presented where the variations in the mass and stiffness matrices of the system are taken into consideration. Taking a transmission line section following natural ice shedding as a case study, the results indicate that neglecting successive ice shedding underestimates the adverse influence of natural ice shedding. The proposed method can help to improve the design and evaluation of transmission lines in cold regions and to ensure their mechanical security.
Studies on theIn VitroAntiproliferative, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Activities Associated withChrysanthemum coronariumEssential Oil
Authors: Bardaweel Sanaa K. , Hudaib Mohammad M. , Tawaha Khaled A. , Bashatwah Rasha M.
Published: July 2015

The essential oil of the JordanianChrysanthemum coronariumL. (garland) was isolated by hydrodistillation from dried flowerheads material. The oil was essayed for itsin vitroscavenging activity using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results demonstrate that the oil exhibits moderate radical scavenging activity relative to the strong antioxidant ascorbic acid. In addition, cholinesterase inhibitory activity ofC. coronariumessential oil was evaluated for the first time. Applying Ellman’s colorimetric method, interesting cholinesterase inhibitory activity, which is not dose dependent, was evident for the oil. Furthermore, antimicrobial activities of the oil against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were evaluated. While it fails to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria growth, the antibacterial effects demonstrated by the oil were more pronounced against the Gram-positive strains. Moreover, the examined oil was assessed for itsin vitroantiproliferative properties where it demonstrated variable activities towards different human cancer cell lines, of which the colon cancer was the most sensitive to the oil treatment.
A Novel Miniaturized Dual Slant-Polarized UWB Antenna Array with Excellent Pattern Symmetry Property for MIMO Applications
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Huang Jianjun , Song Zhaohui , Zhang Qinyu
Published: July 2015

A novel miniaturized 1 × 10 uniform linear dual slant-polarized UWB antenna array for MIMO base station is presented. The antenna array operates in the frequency band from 1710 to 2690 MHz with a 17.3–18.7 dBi gain in a size of 105 × 1100 × 37 mm. The array element is composed of two single-polarized dipoles evolved from bow-tie antenna with slots on them, which miniaturize the size of the antenna. The 10 array elements are fed through an air dielectric strip-line power splitter. Two parameters, the beam tracking and the beam squint, are presented to quantitatively describe the pattern symmetry property of the antenna. The simulated and measured radiation performances are studied and compared. The results show that the pattern symmetry property of the single antenna element has been improved about 24% compared with the former study, and the antenna array also provides excellent pattern symmetry property.
Successful Pregnancies after the Treatment of a Thymic Carcinoid
Authors: Tjalma Wiebren A. A.
Published: July 2015

The present report describes the case of a woman diagnosed with an adrenocorticotropic hormone- (ACTH-) secreting thymic carcinoid associated with Cushing’s syndrome. Treatment consisted of tumour resection and 131-I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy. In spite of her iatrogenic menopausal state she twice became pregnant and delivered two healthy babies but developed recurrences during both pregnancies. The last recurrence presented as a primary breast cancer. Despite poor prognosis our patient survived for eleven years. To our knowledge this is the first report of successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with a thymic carcinoid.
Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma as the Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Celiac Disease: A Rare Malignancy in a Common Disease
Authors: Fallah Jaleh , Afari Maxwell Eyram , Cordova Alfredo C. , Olszewski Adam J. , Minami Taro
Published: July 2015

Introduction. Celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of small bowel malignancies, particularly lymphoma. Its association with small bowel carcinoma is less known.Case Description. We report a case of an 89-year-old woman with celiac disease who experienced recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding and was ultimately found to have adenocarcinoma of the small intestine.Discussion and Evaluation. Diagnosis of small bowel adenocarcinoma is often delayed because of the need for specialized modalities, which are often deferred in the inpatient setting. Although resection is the modality of choice for small bowel tumors, a majority is either locally advanced or metastatic at diagnosis, and even localized cancers have worse prognosis than stage-matched colorectal tumors. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is uncertain, but it is often offered extrapolating data from other gastrointestinal cancers. Small bowel carcinomas occurring in the context of celiac disease appear to be associated with higher rates of microsatellite instability than sporadic tumors, although other specific genomic abnormalities and mechanisms of carcinogenesis in celiac disease remain unknown.Conclusion. Recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with celiac disease should prompt an early evaluation of the small bowel to assure timely diagnosis of carcinoma at an early curable stage.
Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Seeding along a Percutaneous Biopsy Tract
Authors: Soares Deanne , Ahmadi Nariman , Crainic Oana , Boulas John
Published: July 2015

We report a case of tumour seeding caused by percutaneous biopsy of a papillary renal cell carcinoma detected on pathological assessment of the partial nephrectomy specimen in a 50-year-old male. Whilst percutaneous biopsy of renal masses is considered to be safe and can be a valuable tool in the assessment of certain renal lesions, it is not without risks. This rare complication should be taken into consideration before contemplating its use in a patient.
Enhancing Roentgen Sensitivity of Gold-Doped CdIn2S4 Thiospinel for X-Ray Detection Applications
Authors: Mustafaeva Solmaz  N. , Asadov MirSalim  M. , Guseinov Djahan  T.
Published: July 2015

The single crystals CdIn2S4Au were grown from preliminarily synthesized polycrystals by the method of chemical transport reactions in a closed volume with iodine used as a carrier. The influence of doping CdIn2S4 single crystals by gold (3 mol %) on their X-ray dosimetric parameters is studied. It is found that the X-ray sensitivity coefficients of CdIn2S4Au crystals increase 6–8 times compared with undoped CdIn2S4 at effective radiation hardness Va= 25–50 keV and dose rate E=0.75–78.05 R/min. Moreover, the persistence of the crystal characteristics completely disappears and the supple voltage of a CdIn2S4Au roentgen detector decreases threefold. The dependence of the steady X-ray-induced current in CdIn2S4Au on the X-ray dose is described by linear law. The studied crystals have a rather high room-temperature X-ray sensitivity (K=2·10-9–1.5·10-8 (A·min)/(R·V)) and are attractive as materials for X-ray detectors.
Tooth Surface Level Caries Progression in the Primary Dentition among Preschool Children
Authors: Ismail Amid I. , Lim Sungwoo , Tellez Marisol
Published: July 2015

The objective of this paper is to describe primary tooth surface level caries progression, over 2 years, based on the severity of the caries lesions. Data were collected from 790 low-income African-American preschool children in Detroit, Mich., USA. The caregivers of the children (aged 0-5 years) completed interviews and the dyad of child-caregiver completed dental examinations in 2002-2004 (baseline) and in 2004-2005 (follow-up). Caries were measured using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The caries status of tooth surfaces was classified into initial (ICDAS 1-2), moderate (ICDAS 3-4) and extensive (ICDAS 5-6) stages. Counts of tooth surfaces with progression, by baseline caries severity level, were used to compute rate ratios (RRs) relative to sound stages. RRs were also computed for type of tooth surfaces and frequency of intake of soda consumption at baseline. After adjusting for confounders, caries progression was more likely to occur in tooth surfaces with any baseline caries relative to sound surfaces. For surfaces with initial caries, the rate of progression to moderate caries was 9.6 times higher than that of sound surfaces. Surfaces with initial and moderate caries progressed to extensive caries 6.1 and 20.6 times, respectively, relative to sound surfaces. Baseline soda consumption was not associated with the RR of caries progression. In conclusion, the staging of caries identifies different progression risks and significant emphasis should be placed on secondary prevention of initial lesions as well as on primary prevention.
Phenotypic ASCO Characterisation of Young Patients with Ischemic Stroke in the Prospective Multicentre Observational sifap1 Study
Authors: Wolf Marc E. , Grittner Ulrike , Böttcher Tobias , Norrving Bo , Rolfs Arndt , Hennerici Michael G. ,   on behalf of the sifap1 TM investigators
Published: July 2015

Background: The prospective, multinational European ‘Stroke in Young Fabry Patients' (sifap1) study collected 4,467 patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular events aged 18-55 years. Initially, aetiologic subtyping was performed using the TOAST classification; however, recently the phenotypic ASCO classification was presented and might be more useful to identify stroke aetiologies in young patients with a wide set of different causes. ASCO is a classification system divided in four etiologic categories (Atherosclerosis, Small vessel disease (SVD), Cardiac embolism, Other cause) with different grades of severity (1-3) and aims to characterise patients in a more comprehensive way. Methods: We determined the ASCO score for each patient, according to prospectively collected data using the study protocol. The distribution of aetiologies was analysed with regard to concomitant causes, cryptogenic stroke and different age groups. Results: A potentially causal aetiology (grade 1) was detected in 29.3% of 4,467 patients. Merging grades 1 and 2, a suspected aetiology was found in 54.1%. In 8.6% of patients concomitant aetiologies were identified. Most common causes were cervical arterial dissection and persistent foramen ovale, but there was also a high prevalence of large artery atherosclerosis and SVD especially in older patients of this collective. About 50% of patients had more than one finding with a lower grade of evidence (grade 3). In 14% final classification of strictly cryptogenic stroke was made. Conclusions: This is the largest study to date, using the ASCO characterisation of ischemic stroke aetiologies. ASCO classification provides first evidence that many young patients presenting with acute stroke have concomitant stroke aetiologies associated with a substantial atherosclerosis risk profile. ASCO could be integrated in clinical routine and registry data banks, as well as large clinical trials to improve stroke documentation.
Loss-of-Function SOX10 Mutation in a Patient with Kallmann Syndrome, Hearing Loss, and Iris Hypopigmentation
Authors: Suzuki Erina , Izumi Yoko , Chiba Yuta , Horikawa Reiko , Matsubara Yoichi , Tanaka Mamoru , Ogata Tsutomu , Fukami Maki , Naiki Yasuhiro
Published: July 2015

Background: Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder consisting of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. KS is occasionally associated with deafness. Recently, mutations in SOX10, a well-known causative gene of Waardenburg syndrome (WS) characterized by deafness, skin/hair/iris hypopigmentation, Hirschsprung disease, and neurological defects, have been identified in a few patients with KS and deafness. However, the current understanding of the clinical consequences of SOX10 mutations remains fragmentary. Case Report: A Japanese male patient presented with sensory deafness, blue irises, and anosmia, but no hair/skin hypopigmentation, Hirschsprung disease, or neurological abnormalities. He showed no pubertal sex development at 15.1 years of age. Blood examinations revealed low levels of FSH and testosterone. Results: Molecular analysis detected a de novo p.Leu145Pro mutation in SOX10, which has previously been reported in a patient with WS and Hirschsprung disease. The mutation was predicted to be probably damaging. The mutant protein barely exerted in vitro transactivating activity. Conclusions: These results highlight the significance of SOX10 haploinsufficiency as a genetic cause of KS with deafness. Importantly, our data imply that the same SOX10 mutations can underlie both typical WS and KS with deafness without skin/hair hypopigmentation, Hirschsprung disease, or neurological defects.
Perspectives for Regenerative Medicine in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Okamoto Ryuichi , Watanabe Mamoru
Published: July 2015

The intestinal epithelium exerts multiple, indispensable functions to maintain the homeostasis of our body. However, this layer is frequently damaged by various gastrointestinal diseases; repair of such a damaged intestinal epithelium becomes difficult and the stem cell function gets lost or severely disrupted. Recent advances in the stem cell biology of the gastrointestinal tract have provided major breakthroughs, such as in vitro culture of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and have also thrown light on the transplantation of those cells to repair the damaged intestinal mucosa. Based on such newly developed techniques, we are now coming close to apply them to treat various gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Accordingly, ISC-based therapy is currently under development for treating IBD patients, which may potentially provide benefits to those patients by the achievement of mucosal healing and the subsequent improvement of their prognosis. In this review, we would like to highlight studies that have provided information on the great advances made thus far in the research of ISCs. In addition, we would like to express some of our perspectives on the clinical use of ex-vivo-cultured ISCs in the treatment of IBD.
Adherence With Antihypertensive Drug Therapy and the Risk of Heart Failure in Clinical Practice
Authors: Corrao Giovanni , Rea Federico , Ghirardi Arianna , Soranna Davide , Merlino Luca , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: July 2015

Randomized clinical trials have shown that antihypertensive treatment reduces the risk of heart failure (HF). Limited evidence exists, however, on whether and to what extent this benefit is translated into real-life practice. A nested case–control study was carried out by including the cohort of 76 017 patients from Lombardy (Italy), aged 40 to 80 years, who were newly treated with antihypertensive drugs during 2005. Cases were the 622 patients who experienced hospitalization for HF from initial prescription until 2012. Up to 5 controls were randomly selected for each case. Logistic regression was used to model the HF risk associated with adherence to antihypertensive drugs, which was measured by the proportion of days covered by treatment (PDC). Data were adjusted for several covariates. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for possible sources of systematic uncertainty. Compared with patients with very low adherence (PDC, ≤25%), low, intermediate, and high adherences were associated with progressively lower risk of HF, reduction in the high-adherence group (>75%) being 34% (95% confidence interval, 17%–48%). Similar effects were observed in younger (40–70 years) and older (71–80 years) patients and between patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics. There was no evidence that adherence with calcium-channel blockers reduced the HF risk. Antihypertensive treatment lowers the HF risk in real-life practice, but adherence to treatment is necessary for a substantial benefit to take place. This is the case with a variety of antihypertensive drugs.
Thresholds for Diagnosing Hypertension Based on Automated Office Blood Pressure Measurements and Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Myers Martin G. , Kaczorowski Janusz , Paterson J. Michael , Dolovich Lisa , Tu Karen
Published: July 2015

The risk of cardiovascular events in relation to blood pressure is largely based on readings taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer in populations which differ from those of today in terms of hypertension severity and drug therapy. Given replacement of the mercury sphygmomanometer with electronic devices, we sought to determine the blood pressure threshold for a significant increase in cardiovascular risk using a fully automated device, which takes multiple readings with the subject resting quietly alone. Participants were 3627 community-dwelling residents aged >65 years untreated for hypertension. Automated office blood pressure readings were obtained in a community pharmacy with subjects seated and undisturbed. This method for recording blood pressure produces similar readings in different settings, including a pharmacy and family doctor’s office providing the above procedures are followed. Subjects were followed for a mean (SD) of 4.9 (1.0) years for fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were computed for 10 mm Hg increments in blood pressure (mm Hg) using Cox proportional hazards regression and the blood pressure category with the lowest event rate as the reference category. A total of 271 subjects experienced a cardiovascular event. There was a significant (
P
=0.02) increase in the hazard ratio of 1.66 (1.09, 2.54) at a systolic blood pressure of 135 to 144 and 1.72 (1.21, 2.45;
P
=0.003) at a diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89. A significant (
P
=0.03) increase in hazard ratio of 1.73 (1.04, 2.86) occurred with a pulse pressure of 80 to 89. These findings are consistent with a threshold of 135/85 for diagnosing hypertension in older subjects using automated office blood pressure.
Think Tanks and a New Order in East Asia
Authors: Barnes Dayna
Published: July 2015

This article considers the work of American think tanks in foreign policy-making immediately before and during World War ii. It argues that two well established organizations, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Institute of Pacific Relations, were particularly influential. Both became involved in government planning for future u.s. policy in East Asia through their wartime programs. They collaborated with official u.s. government planners through outsourcing projects, hosted official and unofficial discussion groups and conferences, supported networking, and funded policy-relevant research and publications. The activities of these two organizations helped to define the range of policy options planners and politicians considered, include the ideas of outside experts into the work of government, and facilitate cooperation between the United States and its allies on postwar planning. The interaction between the u.s. government and interwar think tanks had a lasting impact on American-East Asian relations.
The ‘Ordinariness’ of the eu’s Foreign Policy Power: The Use of wto Litigation as a Means to Export eu Norms, Values and Interests
Authors: Araujo Billy Melo
Published: July 2015

The eu has historically been portrayed as a distinctive international actor in terms of both the norms and values it exports in the context of its international relations and the manner in which it seeks to influence others. However, such claims to the eu’s distinctiveness are increasingly being questioned. This article joins this chorus of voices arguing the non-distinctiveness of the eu’s foreign policy power by focusing on a specific feature of the eu’s external trade policy, the role of World Trade Organization (wto) dispute settlement in the eu’s attempts to promote its interests, values and norms.
Archives and Maltese Legislation on Data Protection and Freedom of Information: Square Pegs in Round Holes?
Authors: Aquilina Kevin
Published: July 2015

This paper studies the Maltese National Archives Act and asks to what extent this law conflicts with the Maltese Data Protection Act and the Maltese Freedom of Information Act. It discusses whether the National Archives Act can be considered to be a natural extension of the Freedom of Information Act and whether there are any inconsistencies between the National Archives Act and the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. It addresses the questions whether the Data Protection Act should be used to deny access at the National Archives to records which disclose private information on a particular person, and which of these three laws has the upper hand at the National Archives of Malta. The aim is to clarify the inter-relationship between the three laws under study and the law related to access to documents held at the National Archives.
Establishment and Development of the Post-war New International Civil and Commercial Order
Authors: Jin Huang
Published: July 2015

Supported by new rules of private international law, a new international civil and commercial order has taken shape, comprising international civil and commercial jurisdiction rules, conflict-of-law rules, international civil and commercial judicial assistance rules and disputes resolution mechanism. Different from the international economic order, the new international civil and commercial order stands side by side and complements the new international economic order, as well as the new international political order. As the international civil and commercial order continues developing in an open, inclusive, multilateral, and flexible way, it will play a more important role in safeguarding international security and prosperity, and promoting common interests of humankind. In this context, safeguarding, improving, and actively promoting the international civil and commercial order is of vital significance for China’s peaceful rise and the realization of China’s dream of great rejuvenation.
Allium canariense (Amaryllidaceae), a species endemic to the Canary Islands
Authors: Friesen Nikolai , Herden Tobias , Schoenfelder Peter
Published: July 2015

A revision of the Allium species of the section Molium in the Canary Islands is presented. As part of the phylogenetic revision of the Eurasian representatives of the subgenus Amerallium we found large disagreements in the nomenclature and taxonomy of Allium roseum in the floristic publications on the flora of the Canary Islands. At least four species of the section Molium are mentioned for the flora of the Canary Islands: Allium roseum, A. subvillosum, A. subhirsutum and A. trifoliatum. To learn more about the phylogenetic relationships within a group of closely related species of the section Molium, we used maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of combined nuclear (ITS—internal transcribed and ETS—external transcribed spacers of rRNA genes) and three chloroplast (rpl32-trnL and trnL-trnF intergenic spacers and rps16 intron) datasets of 7 taxa. For comparison of the relationships of A. canariense populations between the islands we used the ISSR method. We found that only one species of the section Molium occurs in the Canary Islands—the endemic species Allium canariense, closely related to Allium subvillosum. Independence of this new species has been confirmed by morphological and molecular features. Discussion on phylogeny, origin and geographic distribution is provided.
A new species of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae / Polyosmaceae) from Thailand and new synonyms
Authors: Esser Hajo , Saw Leng Guan
Published: July 2015

Polyosma pilosa sp. nov. is described as a new species from Thailand. Polyosma arguta, P. bracteolata, P. elongata, and P. oblonga are proposed as new synonyms of other Thai species, and five species from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Thailand are lectotypified.
Gastrodia madagascariensis (Gastrodieae, Orchidaceae): from an historical designation to a description of a new species from Madagascar
Authors: Martos Florent , Johnson Steven D , Bytebier Benny
Published: July 2015

Gastrodia madagascariensis, a leafless achlorophyllous orchid, is described and illustrated here. The epithet was originally coined by Perrier de la Bâthie in 1939 for fruiting material found on the eastern coastal plain of Madagascar more than a century ago, but the name was never validly published. This new species is closely related to G. similis from Reunion Island, from which it can be distinguished by the perianth tube spreading towards the apex, the shape of the column and stigma, and the flower colour. The achlorophyllous genus Gastrodia currently comprises five species in the tropical parts of the Afro-Madagascan region, one of which, G. africana, is possibly extinct. We provide an artificial key to distinguish them. In addition, there is also an extratropical species in continental Africa, the introduced G. sesamoides (very local near Cape Town, South Africa).
Национальное сознание литовского национального меньшинства в Польше
Authors: Roszko Danuta
Published: July 2015

National identity of the Lithuanian minority in PolandIn the article, the author raises, essential for the Lithuanian minority in Poland, (1) the issue of comprehending the national identity, homeland, nation, and (2) the importance of the Lithuanian language, faith and educational system in the everyday life of the minority. She determines the elements shaping up the identity of the Suwalki Lithuanians residing in the ethnically cohesive border area, as well as the Suwalki Lithuanians moving from one place to another within Poland (internal migration). As the crucial elements of the two groups of Lithuanians, she recognizes their respect for the vernacular – the Lithuanian language, the history of Lithuania, the Catholic faith, and also the interior decorations of the Lithuanian household. Equally essential factors for the Lithuanian minority residing in the border area are the names, Lithuanian fairy tales and legends, as well as the local folk tales and wildlife. As far as the Suwalki Lithuanians of internal migration are concerned, the aforementioned elements are of less importance or even not physically present. They rather constitute an object of specific homesickness for the Lithuanians of seasonal migration, who pretty willingly and regularly get back to Suwalki, Sejny, Puńsk and its neighbouring areas to spend holidays there. The author also emphasizes the recent economic transformations, particularly those resulting in migrations leading to depopulating the Lithuanian ethnic areas and closing down the schools with the Lithuanian language as a language of instruction.