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For the implementation of a real-time holographic camera, fast and automatic holographic image reconstruction is an essential technology. In this paper, we propose a new automatic depth-detection algorithm for fast holography reconstruction, which is particularly useful for optical scanning holography. The proposed algorithm is based on the inherent phase difference information in the heterodyne signals, and operates without any additional optical or electrical components. An optical scanning holography setup was created using a heterodyne frequency of 4 MHz with a 500-mm distance and 5-mm depth resolution. The reconstruction processing time was measured to be 0.76 s, showing a 62% time reduction compared to a recent study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a hybrid sensor calibration scheme for mobile crowdsensing applications. As the number of newly produced mobile devices containing embedded sensors continues to rise, the potential to use mobile devices as a sensor data source increases. However, because mobile device sensors are generally of a lower performance and cost than dedicated sensors, sensor calibration is crucial. To enable more accurate measurements of natural phenomena through the use of mobile device sensors, we propose a hybrid sensor calibration scheme for such sensors; the scheme makes use of mobile device sensors and existing sensing infrastructure, such as weather stations, to obtain dense data. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme supports low mean square errors. As a practical application of our proposed scheme, we built a temperature map of a city using six mobile phone sensors and six reference sensors. Thanks to the mobility of the sensors and the proposed scheme, our map presents more detailed information than infrastructure-based measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Limited data are available on the role of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with cardiogenic shock. We investigated the clinical outcomes and predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock. Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to December 2011, we analyzed data from 96 consecutive AMI patients with cardiogenic shock assisted by a PCPS system. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The predictors of in-hospital mortality were determined by a Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: In-hospital mortality occurred in 51 (53.1%) patients and 58 (60.4%) patients were able to be weaned from PCPS. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 61 (63.5%) patients before PCPS initiation. On multivariate analysis, age ≥67 years [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 4.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.27-9.93;p<0.001], CPR (adjusted HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11-4.85;P=0.03), lactate clearance for 48 hours <70% (adjusted HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.04-6.05; P=0.041), and unsuccessful revascularization (adjusted HR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.85-6.90; p=0.002) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. Conclusion: In spite of PCPS management, AMI patients complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock demonstrated high mortality. Older age, CPR, lower lactate clearance for 48 hours, and unsuccessful revascularization were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Malperfusion syndrome caused by acute type A aortic dissection is associated with high mortality. However, the impact of subclinical malperfusion is not clear. We reviewed surgical outcomes in acute type A dissection for the presence of clinical and subclinical malperfusion. Methods. From 1998 to 2012 at Samsung Medical Center, 268 consecutive patients had an emergency operation for acute type A dissection. We divided patients into three groups: clinical, subclinical, and no malperfusion. Clinical malperfusion was identified by signs or symptoms of organ dysfunction (n = 36). Subclinical malperfusion was defined as laboratory evidence of organ hypoperfusion or imaging findings without signs or symptoms (n = 40). Patients with no evidence of malperfusion were defined as having no malperfusion (n = 192). Results. The mean patient age was 57.3 ± 13.8 years, and 141 patients (53%) were women. Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion was used in 213 patients (79%). Total arch replacement was performed in 53 patients (20%). The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 218.31 ± 72.17 minutes. Early mortality was 8% in all patients, 5% in the no-malperfusion group, 8% in the subclinical malperfu-sion group, and 25% in the clinical malperfusion group. Overall survival in the clinical malperfusion group was worse than in the subclinical (p = 0.026) and no-malperfusion (/; < 0.001) groups. Survival rates in the subclinical and no-malperfusion groups were not different (p = 0.482). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, older age, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, and clinical malperfusion syndrome were predictors of mortality. Conclusions. Mortality was not increased in asymptomatic patients with malperfusion by laboratory or imaging findings. Immediate operation before progression of organ malperfusion is still a valid option for patients with acute type A dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Limited data are available on the role of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with cardiogenic shock. We investigated the clinical outcomes and predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock. Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to December 2011, we analyzed data from 96 consecutive AMI patients with cardiogenic shock assisted by a PCPS system. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The predictors of in-hospital mortality were determined by a Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: In-hospital mortality occurred in 51 (53.1%) patients and 58 (60.4%) patients were able to be weaned from PCPS. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 61 (63.5%) patients before PCPS initiation. On multivariate analysis, age >67 years [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 4.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.27-9.93;p<0.001], CPR (adjusted HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11-4.85;P=0.03), lactate clearance for 48 hours <70% (adjusted HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.04-6.05; P=0.041), and unsuccessful revascularization (adjusted HR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.85-6.90; p=0.002) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after PCPS in patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. Conclusion: In spite of PCPS management, AMI patients complicated by severe refractory cardiogenic shock demonstrated high mortality. Older age, CPR, lower lactate clearance for 48 hours, and unsuccessful revascularization were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The management of late tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of tricuspid valve procedures after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients. Methods. This study enrolled 106 rheumatic patients with a history of left-sided valve operations who were undergoing tricuspid valve procedures (53 replacements, 53 repairs). Follow-up was 97% complete, with a mean follow-up of 62 ± 42 months. Clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed. Results. The early mortality rate was 1.9% (2 of 106 patients). There was no significant difference in cumulative survival at 10 years between patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement (63.1% ± 13.2%) or repair (80.7% ± 0.8%, p = 0.317). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that old age (hazard ratio [HR], 6.5; p = 0.007), anemia (HR, 10.9; p = 0.004), and left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 0.4 (HR, 10.3; p = 0.001) were predictors of major adverse cardiac events. Among patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair, multivariate analysis revealed that the aortic transprosthetic mean pressure gradient at late follow-up was an independent predictor of late tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions. Tricuspid valve procedures after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients can be performed at low risk with good clinical outcomes. For improved clinical outcomes, early surgical intervention should be considered before the development of anemia and left ventricular dysfunction. A lower aortic transprosthetic mean pressure gradient may help prevent late progression of tricuspid regurgitation in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-real-time delivery of stereoscopic video has been considered as a service scenario for 3DTV to overcome the limited bandwidth in the terrestrial digital television system. A hybrid codec combining MPEG-2 and H.264/AVC has been suggested for the compression of stereoscopic video for 3DTV. In this paper, we propose a stereoscopic video coding scheme using adaptive pre-/post-filters (APPF) to improve the quality of 3D video while retaining compatibility with legacy video coding standards. The APPF are applied adaptively to blocks of various sizes determined by the macroblock coding mode and reference frame index. Experiment results show that the proposed method achieves up to 24.86% bit rate savings relative to a hybrid codec of MPEG-2 and H.264/AVC including the inter-view prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calendar posters did not appear in China until the late nineteenth century, and it was not until the 1920s that major new industries emerged. These included tobacco, medicine, cosmetics, insurance and food. Big business thus coincided with the heyday of calendar posters. These posters were usually composed of three major elements: the advertisements for the merchandise; the artwork; and the actual calendar. They became popular in almost every Chinese city and even in overseas Chinese communities. When British American Tobacco, Ltd. (B.A.T.)started to operate in China in 1902, it developed a strategy to eliminate all potential competitors. Therefore, an advertising war was declared with its rival the Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Co., Ltd. In order to cater to the needs of their clients, painters of calendar posters wisely created different new images of the "modern Chinese girl," which successfully drew the attention of the general public. These images promoted Chinese girls as sporty, healthy, scholarly, successful in business, and even sexy, all regarded as revolutionary qualities for women. Since calendar posters differed from other modes of advertising such as newspapers, as they relied heavily on graphics rather on text, painters had . to use their designs to project their image of the "modern girl." For example, the image of the "smoking girl" was used to attract female smokers. This tactic on the one hand reflected the art talent of the painters, but on the other indicated the design was completely driven by commercial reasons. In the past, little attention was given to these calendar posters, but they have now become one of the major visual art materials for the study of Chinese modernity and the history of Chinese women. Based on 284 selected calendar posters of the tobacco industry, this article discusses how the images of "modem Chinese girl" were created from the keen competition between the two tobacco giants in modern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An azo compound based on salicylaldehyde displays a red color upon binding to the cyanide anion with micromolar sensitivity. The high affinity is caused by an intramolecular hydrogen bond of phenol hydrogen to carbonyl oxygen, which stabilizes the anionic character of the intermediate during the nucleophilic attack of a cyanide anion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]