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心房細動治療方針決定に重要な疾患特異的QOL評価を目的として作成された新たな質問票, Atrial Fibrillation Quality of Life Questionnaire (略称: AFQLQ) の内的整合性と再現性を検証する目的で多施設共同研究を行った. (1) 240例の心房細動患者にアンケート調査を実施し, AFQLQを構成する主要三項目 (症状の種類と頻度, 個体感受性, 精神的側面と日常生活制限) の内的整合性を表すCronbachのα係数がいずれも0.7以上と良好であることが確認された. (2) 3～6カ月の間隔をおいて172例の安定した心房細動患者から二度の回答を収集し, 主要三項目のSpearmanの順位相関係数がいずれも同様に0.7以上と良好であることが示された.このようにAFQLQは良好な内的整合性と再現性を有し, 心房細動治療方針の決定において有力なツールとなるものと考えられる.

We used optical low-pass filters with solid-state imaging devices to produce images. The actual optical low-pass filter was formed by combining two types of doubly refractive crystal devices. The filters cannot sharply cut-off the high frequency components and they reduce the frequency components near the Nyquist frequency. Thus, the projected images on the surface are blurred. This paper presents a demosaicking method that restores the blur caused by optical low-pass filters. Our sharpening approach to demosaicking employs a Landweber-type iterative algorithm. For our sharpening-demosaicking approach, the Bayer's pattern of the RGB primary color filter array is not applicable. Therefore, we studied another color-filter pattern, namely the WRB filter array, which is preferable to the RGB filter array, where W-filtering means that all the visible light passes through it. Our mathematical formulations for sharpening-demosaicking are similar to the least square problem, but there are many different least square solutions. To avoid ambiguity in the spatial frequency domain, we introduced a pass-band limitation that corresponds with the sub-sampling pattern of the mosaicking of color filters into the iterative algorithm.

We present a variational motion de-blurring method that minimizes the regularized energy functional defined with a spatially variant model of motion blurs. Unlike spatially invariant image blurs, minimization cannot be achieved in a closed non-iterative way, and we therefore need to derive its iterative algorithm. The standard regularization method uses a square function to measure the energy of its solution function, and utilizes the energy functional composed of the data-fidelity energy term to measure deviation of the solution function from the assumed model of motion blurs and the regularization energy term to impose smoothness constraints on the solution function. However, the standard regularization method is not necessarily appropriate for motion de-blurring, because it is sensitive to model errors and errors are inevitable in motion estimation. To improve robustness against model errors, we introduced a robust estimation function into the data-fidelity energy term.

Latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 (LANA1) binds to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) terminal repeat (TR) DNA to mediate episome replication and persistence. LANA1 concentrates at sites of TR DNA along mitotic chromosomes, consistent with tethering KSHV DNA to chromosomes for efficient segregation of episomes to progeny nuclei. We now investigate LANA1 C-terminus self-association and DNA binding. The TR DNA binding domain was localized to LANA1 residues 996–1139. Scanning deletions within this region ablated both LANA1 oligomerization and DNA binding, consistent with a requirement for oligomerization to bind DNA. Furthermore, LANA1 bound TR DNA as an oligomer. Deletion of amino acids 1007–1021, N-terminal to the LANA1 oligomerization domain, ablated DNA binding, DNA replication, and episome persistence, implicating these residues in contacting DNA. Indeed, LANA1 residues 1007–1021 correspond to EBNA1 residues that contact the cognate sequence. Like EBNA1, the LANA1 DNA-binding domain has oligomerization activity and critical residues essential for recognizing DNA.

We previously presented a method of selectively sharpening monochrome images. The algorithm in our method is based on the coupled nonlinear diffusion process composed of a nonlinear diffusion term, a fidelity term, and an overshooting term, and can sharpen blurred edges without increasing noise visibility. This paper extends our algorithm to selectively sharpening color images. We take into accounts two schemes to treat the three primary color components in finding out how to extend it. Through quantitative experiments, we evaluate selective sharpening performance achievable with the two schemes. Of the two schemes, which are based on the coupled nonlinear diffusion process, collectively treating the three primary color components achieves better performance than treating them independently, yet both two schemes can sharpen blurred color edges more selectively than the existing adaptive peaking method, which is a typical means of enhancing sharpness.

The authors describe a technique for selectively sharpening only edges that were blurred due to various causes without making interference factors such as random noise more conspicuous. The selective sharpening technique described in this paper is implemented as an iterative updating nonlinear algorithm obtained by discretizing a type of nonlinear reaction-diffusion time-evolution equations. The update terms of this algorithm consist of a quadratic nonlinear smoothing term, reaction term, and overshooting term. By performing quantitative evaluation experiments, the authors showed that the proposed technique has significantly better selective sharpness enhancement capabilities than existing sharpness enhancement techniques such as the peaking method. In addition, the authors introduced a processing parameter adaptive control method in the proposed technique and applied it to the suppression of breathing distortions in video sequences. Breathing distortions, which are video sequence distortions that often appear in old films, are time-varying blurring distortions that occur due to temporal variations of the focus. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 87(5): 33–47, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10086

We previously presented a method of selectively sharpening images based on a coupled nonlinear diffusion process that was composed of a nonlinear diffusion term, a fidelity term, and an isotropic peaking term. It could sharpen blurred edges without increasing noise visibility. This paper extends our method to the removal of blurs in images due to image motion. Motion blur is not only shift-variant but also anisotropic. To adapt our method to motion de-blurring, we replaced our isotropic peaking term, with an anisotropic peaking term steered in the direction of motion. We then derived discrete calculus to adapt it to the direction of motion. Through experiments with a test image containing artificial motion-blurs, we quantitatively evaluated sharpening. Our method with the anisotropic peaking term performed better than our prototypal method with the isotropic peaking term, and was robust against errors in the direction of motion.

Background The rhythm control treatment strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has been shown not to improve quality of life or prognosis any more than rate control. It is unclear whether the prognosis of the patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) is influenced by the response to antiarrhythmic drug therapy (AAT). Methods and Results The relationship between the response to AAT and long-term prognosis was evaluated in 290 patients with PAF (mean age, 69 years). During a mean follow-up period of 51 months, 114 patients (39%) had no recurrence of AF (Group 1), 113 (39%) had repeated AF recurrence (Group 2), and the remaining 63 (22%) had permanent AF despite AAT (Group 3). The survival rate without any cardiovascular deaths at 60 months was 99% in Group 1, 95% in Group 2 and 94% in Group 3 (p=NS among 3 groups). Survival rate without symptomatic ischemic stroke was 99% in Group 1, 88% in Group 2 and 76% in Group 3 (p

Copolymerization of ethylene with styrene using linked cyclopentadienyl-amide titanium(IV) complexes, [Me 2 Si(C 5 Me 4 )(R)]TiCl 2 [R= tert -Bu ( 1 ), cyclohexyl ( 2 )], and non-bridged (1,3-Me 2 C 5 H 3 )TiCl 2 (O-2,6- i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) ( 3 )-MAO catalysts have been explored. Although the catalytic activity by 2 was lower than 1 , 2 showed more efficient styrene incorporation than 1 under the same conditions. Moreover, the resultant copolymer prepared by 2 possessed completely different microstructure from those by 1 , indicating that the nature of amide ligand affects both styrene incorporation and monomer sequence.

Copolymerizations of ethylene with styrene by various (cyclopentadienyl)(aryloxy)titanium(IV) complexes of the type Cp‘TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) [Cp‘ = tBuC5H4 (2), 1,3-Me2C5H3 (3), 1,2,3-Me3C5H3 (4), 1,2,4-Me3C5H3 (5)] have been explored in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as the cocatalyst. Effect of cyclopentadienyl fragment was explored and the catalytic activity increased in the order 3, 4 > 2 > 5, suggesting that effects of both electronic and steric bulk play an essential role for the copolymerization. Resultant polymers by these catalyst systems were poly(ethylene-co-styrene)s exclusively in all cases, and the use of 4 was quite effective for preparing relatively high molecular weight polymer with unimodal molecular weight distribution as well as with efficient styrene incorporation. The styrene incorporation efficiency did not strongly depend upon the cyclopentadienyl fragment used, and this is somewhat different from those obtained by the linked cyclopentadienyl−amide titanium catalyst [Me2Si...

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal impact of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami on the incidence of sudden cardiac and unexpected death ( SCUD ). Methods and Results We surveyed the impact of the disaster on the incidence and clinical characteristics of SCUD in Iwate. To perform complete identification of SCUD for 8 weeks before and 40 weeks after the disaster, medical records and death certificates relevant to SCUD were surveyed in the study area. Compared with the previous year's rate, the incidence (per 10 000 person‐year) of SCUD for the initial 4 weeks after the disaster (acute phase) was double (33.5 vs 18.9), and thereafter the rate returned to the previous level. Significant relationships were found between weekly numbers of SCUD and seismic activity (intensity, r =0.43; P r =0.46; P SIR ) of SCUD in the acute phase was significantly increased compared with that of previous years (1.71, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.16). Increased SIR s were predominantly found in female subjects (1.73, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.37), the elderly (1.73, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.27), and residents living in the tsunami‐stricken area (1.83, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.46). In addition, SIR s for weekdays (1.71, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.24) and nights‐mornings (2.09, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.86) were amplified. Conclusions The present results suggest that the magnitude of a disaster, related stress, and population aging may cause a temporary increase in the incidence of SCUD with amplification of ordinary weekly and circadian variations.

Three species of rove beetles (subfamily Aleocharinae) were collected from colonies of Aenictus hodgsoni Forel, 1901 in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. They are classified into three genera, including two new genera, and described herein as: Aenictobia siamensis Maruyama, sp. n. (tribe Aenictoteratini), Aenictosymbia cornuta Maruyama, gen.sp. n. (tribe Lomechusini) and Aenictoxenides mirabilis Maruyama, gen.sp. n. (tribe Pygostenini). The systematic positions of the new genera are discussed.

Since Cp ∗ TiMe 2 (O-2,6- i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) ( 2 ) exhibited higher initial catalytic activity than Cp ∗ TiCl 2 (O-2,6- i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) ( 1 ) for 1-hexene polymerization in the presence of MAO, the effect of cocatalyst for the polymerization was investigated at low temperature (0 to −30°C). The use of Al i Bu 3 /Ph 3 CB(C 6 F 5 ) 4 was found to be effective to improve the activity and a notable increase in the activity was obtained if 2 was pre-treated with 2 equivalent of Al i Bu 3 in advance. TON (Turnover number) of 18 100 (activity: 5710 kg-polymer/mol-Ti h) could be attained after 16 min under the optimized conditions and the M n value for the resultant poly(1-hexene) increased upon the consumption of 1-hexene suggesting the possibility of living polymerization.

Effect of substituents on cyclopentadienyl group for catalytic activity in 1-hexene and 1-octene polymerization with the series of Cp′TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) [Cp′=Cp (1a), tBuC5H4 (2a), 1,3-Me2C5H3 (3a), 1,3-tBu2C5H3 (4a), and C5Me5 (5a)]–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts have been explored, and the activity increased in the order: 4a (26 kg polymer/mol Ti·h) 5d (694)>5c (76)>5e (48)>5b (39). These orders are somewhat different from those in ethylene polymerization, and these differences observed here would be due to the steric bulk of monomer used as well as of substituents on both cyclopentadienyl and aryloxy groups. Although (1,3-tBu2C5H3)TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) (4a) showed the lowest catalytic activity for polymerization of both 1-hexene and 1-octene, 4a exhibited the significant activity for copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene, resulting in obtaining copolymer with relatively high 1-hexene contents (20.2–36.5 mol%) with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions.

Although (1,3-tBu2C5H3)TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) (4) showed the lowest catalytic activity for polymerization of 1-hexene, 1-octene with the series of Cp′TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) [Cp′= Cp, tBuC5H4, 1,3-Me2C5H3, 1,3-tBu2C5H3, and C5Me5]–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts, 4 exhibited the significant catalytic activity for copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene, resulting in obtaining a copolymer with relatively high 1-hexene content (20.2–36.5 mol%) with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution.

【目的】罹患期間からみた発作性心房細動 (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Paf) に対する抗不整脈薬の長期予防効果 (観察期間40.6±26.8ヵ月) を検討する.【方法】Paf171例 (男性121例, 女性50例, 平均年齢65±11歳) を対象に, 病歴期間1ヵ月未満 (A群, N=56) , 病歴期間1ヵ月以上12ヵ月未満 (B群, N=56) , 病歴期間12ヵ月以上 (C群, N=59) の3群に分けた.薬剤選択は, 除細動後無作為にIa・Ib群抗不整脈薬の内服開始し再発が無ければ内服継続, 再発がみられれば再除細動後, 無作為にIc群あるいはBepridilの内服変更とした, 【結果】抗不整脈薬の使用薬剤数はA群1.5±1.1剤, B群2.6±1.9剤, C群2.8±2.3剤, 心房細動慢性化例はA群1例 (1.8%) , B群8例 (14.3%) , C群13例 (22.0%) であり, いずれもA群に比しB群ならびにC群で有意に高値であり (P

Intranasal infection of mice by Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) often leads to breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The role of Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was examined here. Wild-type (WT), NOS-1 knockout (KO), and NOS-3 KO mice were infected with VSV and treated with either IL-12 or medium. IL-12 treatment of uninfected hosts did not result in pathology. In contrast with WT and NOS-1 KO mice, where extensive gross and ultrastructural correlation of BBB breakdown were evident following infection, in NOS-3 KO mice, integrity of the BBB was observed. Thus NOS-3 activity in astrocytes, endothelial cells, or ependymal cells may play an essential role in regulating the BBB.

The wavelet transform is a practical method for multiresolution analysis. Previously, methods for describing the transformed signal using zero-crossing information and additional complementing information (zero-crossing representation) have been studied. The zero-crossing representation, however, presents problems in that the physical interpretation of the applied additional information is not clear, and reconstruction of the original signal from the zero-crossing representation involves iterations of nonlinear operations. Other problems include the fact that extension to the multidimensional case is difficult and that the computational complexity is considerable. In this paper, the authors propose a new zero-crossing representation that uses the additional information with clear physical interpretation and has a form that is easy to handle in signal processing. A method is proposed to reconstruct the original signal from the zero-crossing representation. The method uses iterative linear operations with a theoretical guarantee of convergence and has lower computional complexity than the conventional method. The proposed zero-crossing representation is extended to the two-dimensional case and is applied to an actual image. It is experimentally verified that the reconstructed image is a good approximation to the original signal. Furthermore, the amount of additional information in the zero-crossing representation is reduced. The quality degradation of the reconstructed image is examined. © 1998 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 82(1): 68–78, 1999

This communication describes our ongoing studies of the interaction of the mouse host and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). When VSV is applied to the nasal neuroepithelium, it initially replicates in olfactory receptor neurons, and is transmitted along the olfactory nerve to the central nervous system (CNS) within 12 hours. In the olfactory bulb, the virus replicates invasively through the layers of the olfactory bulb, reaching the olfactory ventricle by day 4-5 post infection, and the hindbrain by day 8 post infection. In mice, infection may result in a 50% mortality rate. The crucial host innate and specific immune responses responsible for restricting vital propagation and caudal spread of the virus will be discussed. The efficacy of interleukin-12 (IL-12) treatment for enhanced vital clearance and promotion of host recovery are described along with the implications for treatment of human encephalitis. The hosts' response to infection is also regulated by the sex of the host, and the age at infection. The role of specific mucosal humoral immunity and systemic cellular immunity in prevention of infection are described.

Measurements of specific heat and DC magnetic susceptibility have been carried out on the antiferromagnetic compound Li 2 CuO 2 ( T N =9.3 K). Strong short-range order (SRO) effects have been clearly observed. We report quantitative analyses for the SRO effects which are associated with magnetic low dimensionality. The analysis of the specific heat confirms that the magnetic entropy diminishes 65% above T N owing to the SRO effects of spins with decreasing temperature. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility shows a large deviation from the Curie–Weiss law below 180 K. This large SRO effect above T N has been analysed using the Bethe–Peierls–Weiss method and Li's theory, and the dominant exchange constant with the antiferromagnetic coupling constant has been estimated to be J =−11 to −12 K. The magnetic susceptibilities of the Ni-doped system Li 2 Cu 1− x Ni x O 2 (0≤ x ≤0.2) have also been investigated. The value of T N decreases with increasing x , and the critical concentration of x c has a very low value of about 0.13, at which the long-range order disappears. The experimental results of the Li 2 Cu 1− x Ni x O 2 system support the magnetic low dimensionality of Li 2 CuO 2 .

本研究の目的は, コンピュータにより規格X線写真を疑似カラー処理することによって, 歯周外科手術後の歯槽骨の変化を定量することである。下顎右側臼歯部に骨内欠損が存在する一症例を対象とした。術前に撮影した規格X線写真と歯周外科手術後1, 3, 5, 9, 16, 25ヵ月目に撮影した規格X線写真の合計7枚を使用して骨変化を測定した。規格X線写真はビデオ入力装置を使い256階調のグレイレベル値を持つデジタル画像としてパーソナルコンピュータ上に取り込み画像解析処理を行った。画像処理には, 1mmから8mm厚さの8つのステップを持つアルミニウムステップウエッジを参照体として使用した。7枚の規格X線写真間におけるコントラスト補正後の誤差は, 1.6±1.11 (グレイレベル値, n=30, mean±SD), 画像の幾何学的変動量は, 1.8%セメントエナメル境間の距離 および0.8% (根分岐部から根尖までの距離) であり良好な再現性を示した。疑似カラー画像の作成には各ステップウエッジの濃度に各色を対応させた。歯槽骨領域を8つの色で表示し, 1mrnAlから8mmAlのアルミニウム当量画像として表示した。歯槽骨の計測は第二大臼歯根間中隔部および第一第二大臼歯問槽間中隔部に対して行った。根間中隔部では3, 4, 5mmAlを示す歯槽骨領域が, 術後1ヵ月で術前の大きさの156.5%を示したがその後は経時的に減少し, 術後25ヵ月で術前の大きさの40.5%となることが測定できた。斜状骨吸収が存在した槽間中隔部では3, 4, 5, 6mmAlの各歯槽骨領域をそれぞれX線写真上における歯槽骨頂として, 近心側および遠心側でのセメントエナメル境からの歯槽骨頂の位置を計測した。その結果, 術前では近心側と遠心側での歯槽骨頂位置の違いがそれぞれの歯槽骨領域で減少し, 斜状骨吸収が平坦化したのが測定できた。以上より歯周治療の評価に際し規格X線写真を疑似カラー処理することにより歯周外科手術後の歯槽骨の変化を定量的に評価することができた

A life-history in which an organism depends on ants is called myrmecophily. Among Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), many species of lycaenid butterflies are known to show myrmecophily at the larval stage. Descriptions of myrmecophily among moth species, however, are very few and fragmentary. Here, we report the ant-associated behaviour of the tiny Japanese arctiid moth, Nudina artaxidia. Field observations revealed that the moth larvae associate with the jet black ant, Lasius (Dendrolasius) spp. The larvae, which we observed only near ant trails, showed an ability to follow the trails. Further, they solicit honeydew from ant-attended scale insects, without suffering attacks by the ants protecting the scale insects. These suggest that N. artaxidia is a myrmecophilous moth wholly dependent on ants and ant-attended homopterans. Considering the overwhelmingly plant-feeding habits of moth caterpillars, this discovery ranks in novelty with the discovery of the Hawaiian carnivorous moth larvae that stalk snails., Article, SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 4:3922 (2014)

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant public health issue due to its high prevalence in the general population, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events including systemic thrombo-embolism, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. The relationship between plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and CV risk in real world AF subjects remains unknown. METHODS: The subject of the study (n = 228; mean age = 69 years) was unselected individuals with AF in a community-based population (n = 15,394; AF prevalence rate = 1.5%). The CV event free rate within each BNP tertile was estimated, and Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the relative risk of the onset of CV events among the tertiles. The prognostic ability of BNP was compared to an established risk score for embolic events (CHADS2 score). In addition, to determine the usefulness of BNP as a predictor in addition to CHADS2 score, we calculated Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) indices. RESULTS: During the follow-up period 58 subjects experienced CV events (52 per 1,000 person-years). The event-free ratio was significantly lower in the highest tertile (p < 0.02). After adjustment for established CV risk factors, the hazard ratio (HR) of the highest tertile was significantly higher than that of the lowest tertile (HR = 2.38; p < 0.02). The predictive abilities of plasma BNP in terms of sensitivity and specificity for general CV events were comparable to those of CHADS2 score. Adding BNP to the CHADS2 score only model improved the NRI (0.319; p < 0.05) and the IDI (0.046; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma BNP is a valuable biomarker both singly or in combination with an established scoring system for assessing general CV risk including stroke, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome in real-world AF subjects.

同時正逆抽出法を用いてアルカリ溶液から重金属の回収を効果的に行うためには,逆抽出条件が大きく影響する.そこで逆抽出条件の中でも重要な逆抽出速度とかき混ぜの効果について検討した.逆抽出にはCu(II),Mn(II),Ni(II)のPANによる金属錯体を用いた.逆抽出剤はEDTA及びHNO3を使用した.反応速度は高速かき混ぜにより界面積を増大させると増加した.それによる反応速度の増大分を界面の寄与分とした.本報では反応速度をバルクと界面の寄与分に分けて考え,バルクの速度定数,界面の条件速度定数,界面の寄与分を求めた.バルクの速度定数はEDTAによる置換速度定数が銅,マンガンそれぞれ3.7×103,5.2M-1s-1で,HNO3による解離速度定数が銅,マンガン,ニッケルそれぞれ4.5×102,5.2×103,2.9×10-1M-1s-1であった.又,界面の寄与分はEDTAよりHNO3のほうが大きかった.

反復変換理論に基づく濃淡画像の符号化手法が数多く提案されている.その中で, A. E. Jacquinが提案した静止画像符号化では, 画像を異なる大きさのブロックに空間的に分割することで効率的な符号化を達成している.この概念を, 動画像符号化における時間方向の効率的な分割へと拡張した.

Myrmecophilusant crickets (Orthoptera: Myrmecophilidae) are typical ant guests. In Japan, about 10 species are recognized on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic frameworks. Some of these species have restricted host ranges and behave intimately toward their host ant species (i.e., they are host specialist). We focused on one species,M. tetramorii, which uses the myrmicine antTetramorium tsushimaeas its main host. All but oneM. tetramoriiindividuals were collected specifically from nests ofT. tsushimaein the field. However, behavioral observation showed that all individuals used in the experiment received hostile reactions from the host ants. There were no signs of intimate behaviors such as grooming of hosts or receipt of mouth-to-mouth feeding from hosts, which are seen in some host-specialistMyrmecophilusspecies among obligate host-ant species. Therefore, it may be thatM. tetramoriiis the species that is specialized to exploit the host by means other than chemical integration.

The hoverfly Microdon (Chymophila) katsurai Maruyama et Hironaga 2004 was speculated to be a myrmecophilous species associated with the ant Polyrhachis lamellidens based on observations of adults near the ant nest. However, there have been no reports regarding the observation of immature stages of this species in association with P. lamellidens. For the first time, we found three M. katsurai larvae inside a P. lamellidens nest and conducted rearing experiments on the larval M. katsurai. P. lamellidens workers did not show any inspection or attack behavior against the M. katsurai larvae under rearing conditions, suggesting that M. katsurai larvae can survive inside a P. lamellidens nest. Although no predatory behavior by the M. katsurai larvae was observed, all the M. katsurai larvae pupated and emerged in a rearing environment. The dorsal surface of the larval M. katsurai has a distinct pale green color with a uniform reticular structure. The puparium of M. katsurai shows several morphological features that are characteristic of the subgenus Chymophila. We conclude that M. katsurai is likely a myrmecophilous species that utilizes P. lamellidens as a specific host and that classification of M. katsurai based on puparium morphology is concordant with that based on adult morphology.

When an object in a scene is moving slowly and/or the camera is being moved, the observed image sequence contains rich information about both the moving object and the scene. In this case, it seems that we can enhance spatial resolution within a region of interest in the observed image frame by integrating pixels over multiple observed image frames. The interframe-integration task involves a method for estimating interframe pixel correspondence with real pixel accuracy. The principal existing block-matching algorithm can provide highly accurate correspondence estimates only in the case in which a rigid object undergoes translation in a direction parallel to the image plane, it cannot cope with more general types of motion such as rotation. Standard gradient-based algorithms cannot stably provide accurate correspondence estimates for real moving images. In this paper, we present a method for estimating interframe pixel correspondence with real pixel accuracy. The system uses iteratively warping quadrilateral patches covering the region of interest, and is an interframe integration method. Experimental simulations conducted on real moving image sequences demonstrate that the proposed method enhances spatial resolution considerably when a region of interest is limited to one planar surface of an object.

Although block-matching algorithms are often used to estimate local motion from moving images, they do not work well the analysis block contains multiple image regions moving in different directions. To solve this problem, we extend the basic concept of the existing block-matching algorithm. The proposed algorithm segments a given analysis block into multiple regions and gives coherent motion for each region. We formulate this segmentation and motion estimation problem into an optimum combination equation, and construct the algorithm. Through computer simulation, we demonstrate that extending the block-matching algorithm make it possible to estimate motions more accurately than is possible with existing block-matching algorithms.

The Cardiac failure, Hypertension, Age, Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled] (CHADS(2)) score is a useful scheme for risk stratification of thromboembolism patients, but there is little information about its usefulness for the evaluation of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy.This study included 459 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients (309 men, mean age 66 ± 12 years, mean follow-up 50 ± 35 months) and prophylactic efficacy was analyzed on the basis of CHADS(2) score. (1) Survival rates free from AF recurrence at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months were, respectively, 89%, 74%, 63% and 47% in score-0 group (n=152); 92%, 68%, 59% and 48% in score-1 group (n=158); 86%, 64%, 56% and 46% in score-2 group (n=84); 81%, 65%, 51% and 35% in score-3 group (n=43); and 68%, 50%, 36% and 18% in ≥ score-4 group (n=22) (P0.05; score-0, score-1 or score-2 vs. ≥ score-4 group). (2) Survival rates free from progression to chronic AF at 12, 36, 60 and 90 months were, respectively, 95%, 93%, 91% and 89% in score-0 group; 97%, 91%, 89% and 88% in score-1 group; 96%, 93%, 88% and 83% in score-2 group; 91%, 74%, 67% and 60% in score-3 group; and 91%, 82%, 68% and 55% in ≥ score-4 group (P0.01; score-0, score-1 or score-2 vs. ≥ score-4 group). (3) In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for potentially confounding variables, CHADS(2) score was associated with AF recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.81, P0.001), and progression to chronic AF during AAD therapy (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-2.69, P0.001).When using a rhythm control strategy, the CHADS(2) score is a useful scheme for predicting the outcome of AAD treatment of patients with paroxysmal AF.

On March 11, 2011, a huge tsunami attacked the northeastern coast of Japan after a magnitude 9 earthquake. No reports have investigated the impact of tsunamis on the incidence of cardiovascular disease, especially heart failure (HF). We investigated the number and clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HF (ADHF) in the east coast of Iwate hit by the tsunami (tsunami area) for a 12-week period around the disaster. For comparison with previous years, numbers of ADHF were surveyed in the corresponding area in 2009 and 2010. In addition, to elucidate the impact of the tsunami, a similar study was performed in a remote area where the tsunami had minimal effect (control area). After the disaster, the number of patients with ADHF in the tsunami area was significantly increased compared to the predisaster period (relative risk 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.50 to 2.59). The peak was found 3 to 4 weeks after the disaster. In contrast, in the control area, no significant change in ADHF events was observed (relative risk 1.29, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 1.78). There was a significant correlation between changes in the number of ADHF admissions and percent tsunami flood area (r = 0.73, p

We previously developed a signal-processing-based high-resulution image acquisition scheme using two cameras. This approach produces a high-resolution image by integrating two image taken with two cameras. The integration process has two stages : registration and reconstruction. When the two cameras have the same pixel aperture, however, obtaining spatially uniform resolution improvement requires severe limitations both in the arrangement of the cameras and in the geometrical configuration of the scene.To overcome this disadvantage, this paper introduces two methods : one for reducing noise and the other for improving resulution. The noise reduction method diminishes noise instead of improving resolution by the integration ; the resolution improvement method uses multiple cameras with different pixel apertures. Both methods always provide spatially uniform improvements. We also present an integration algorithm that iteratively performs the registration stage and the reconstruction stage alternately. Furthermore, we introduce a brightness retouch operation that is indispensable in using the alternately iterative algorithm.

There is little information available on the benefits of selection of statins as upstream therapy for the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (A-group, n = 43) and pravastatin (P-group, n = 41) as upstream therapy in patients with paroxysmal AF and dyslipidemia. A total of 84 patients (45 men, mean age, 66 ± 9 years, mean follow-up, 49 ± 32 months) were retrospectively assigned to receive atorvastatin (n = 41;10 mg/day) or pravastatin (n = 43 ; 10 mg/day). Survival rates free from AF recurrence at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months were 93%, 74%, 60%, and 53% in A-group, and 88%, 49%, 37%, and 29%, respectively, in P-group (P = 0.029, A-group versus P-group). Survival rates free from conversion to permanent AF at 12, 36, 60, and 90 months were 100%, 100%, 98%, and 95% in A-group, and 100%, 95%, 88%, and 83%, respectively, in P-group (P = 0.063, A-group versus P-group). Using a logistic regression model, atorvastatin was found to be associated with a significantly reduced risk of AF recurrence in comparison to pravastatin (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.68, P = 0.005). This association remained significant after adjustment for potentially confounding variables (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.86, P = 0.027). Using a logistic regression model, atorvastatin was not associated with a significantly reduced risk of converting to permanent AF in comparison to pravastatin (unadjusted OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.05-1.50, P = 0.138), but this association did show a significant difference after adjustment for potentially confounding variables in a multivariate model (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.06-0.96, P = 0.046). Adverse effects requiring discontinuation of statins were observed in 1 case (2%, myalgia) in A-group, and 1 case (2%, elevation in CPK level ≥ 500 IU/L) in P-group, respectively (P = NS, A-group versus P-group). Atorvastatin, a lipophilic statin, was considered to be more effective in preventing recurrence of paroxysmal AF and conversion to permanent AF than pravastatin, a hydrophilic statin.

SummaryBackground and methodsThe CHA2DS2-VASc score has been newly proposed for stratifying patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) according to the risk of ischemic stroke in the 2010 European Society of Cardiology guideline. However, there is little information about its usefulness for predicting long-term prognosis of cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with paroxysmal AF. This study retrospectively included 332 paroxysmal AF patients (224 men, mean age 65±13 years, mean follow-up period 53±35 months) without receiving anticoagulant therapy between June 1995 and August 2008 who were categorized into risk stratification on the basis of CHA2DS2-VASc score.ResultsThe distribution of CHA2DS2-VASc scores was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 points in 76 (23%), 60 (18%), 69 (21%), 69 (21%), 28 (8%), 23 (7%), 6 (2%), and 1 (0.3%) patients, respectively. The annual rates of symptomatic ischemic stroke were 0%, 0.60%, 0.95%, 1.96%, 5.45%, 9.06%, and 13.7% when the CHA2DS2-VASc score was 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥6 points, respectively (p

We propose a new sparse-representation approach to super-resolution color-image interpolation. Whether an image to be interpolated actually undergoes blurs or not, the approach assumes that the image is blurred with a certain smoothing filter, and it first performs both deblurring and interpolation simultaneously so as to produce a provisional high-resolution image on the quasi blur-hypothesis, and then it blurs the provisional high-resolution image with the hypothesized blurring filter to produce a finally interpolated color-image. The quasi blur-hypothesis is introduced to enhance the spatially-regularization efficacy of the data-fidelity constraint in the variational problem of the super-resolution deblurring-and-interpolation. If a proper smoothing filter is chosen as the hypothesized blurring filter, the quasi blur-hypothesis approach can achieve state-of-the-art interpolation performance.

This paper extends the total-variation (TV) semi-norm of a scalar-valued image to a new color TV semi-norm of a color image, in the definition of which interdependence among the three primary color channels is taken into account. This paper defines a 12-D color-gradient operator that treats primary color signals and color-difference signals collectively; and then with the color-gradient operator this paper defines three kinds of color-TV semi-norms: isotropic, semi-isotropic, and anisotropic color TV semi-norms. By introducing dual definitions of the color-TV semi-norms, this paper reformulates color-TV variational denoising problems, and solves their dual problems with the projected gradient solver. Experimental simulations of color-image denoising demonstrate that the color TV semi-norms achieve selective noise-removal much more efficiently than the classic TV semi-norm, and show the merits and demerits among the three color TV semi-norms.

There is little information available on factors affecting the long-term prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Japanese population. A total of 71 patients (49 men, mean age, 68 ± 8 years) with paroxysmal AF refractory to ≥ 2 class I antiarrhythmic drugs received oral amiodarone (50-200 mg/day). All patients were observed for more than 12 months (mean follow-up period, 47 ± 26 months) and were analyzed on the basis of patient profiles. The percentage of patients with AF recurrence despite amiodarone therapy was 54% in all patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the following factors were associated with preventive efficacy for AF recurrence: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (relative risk [RR] 0.933, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.877-0.993, P = 0.029), asymptomatic AF (RR 0.068, CI 0.005-0.870, P = 0.039), and AF occurring irrespective of circadian variation (RR 0.115, CI 0.013-0.988, P = 0.049). The percentage of patients with conversion to permanent AF despite amiodarone therapy was 31% in all patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, asymptomatic AF (RR 0.085, CI 0.010-0.732, P = 0.025) was the only factor associated with preventive efficacy for conversion to permanent AF. Amiodarone appears to be effective in maintaining sinus rhythm, especially in patients with impaired left ventricular function. In contrast, amiodarone appears to be refractory in those with asymptomatic AF or AF occurring irrespective of circadian variation.

Time in the therapeutic range (TTR) assesses the appropriateness of international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (PT-INR) control during warfarin therapy. We examined the status of and the factors influencing TTR in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).We enrolled 501 AF patients (mean age, 70 ± 10 years; males 66%; mean CHADS₂ score 2.0 ± 1.2) taking warfarin for ≥ 2 years from 5 prefectures. The PT-INR therapeutic range was set up according to the 2008 Japanese Guideline. TTR was 64 ± 25% for all patients and varied from 56% to 74% with the institution. Time below and above TTR was 31 ± 26% and 5 ± 7%, respectively. TTR was not affected by gender or antiplatelet co-administration. TTR in patients70 and ≥ 70 years old was 46 ± 23% and 77 ± 17%, respectively (P0.0001). TTR in patients with CHADS₂ score ≤ 1 and ≥ 2 was 59 ± 27% and 68 ± 23%, respectively (P0.0001). TTR in patients with warfarin doses2.0, 2.0-4.9, and ≥ 5.0 mg/day was 72 ± 22%, 63 ± 25% and 48 ± 24%, respectively (all P0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age and warfarin dose as independent predictors of TTR.TTR is generally high in Japan, although it varies with institutions. Most of the time spent out of therapeutic range is below the range. TTR is influenced by age presumably because of the low range recommendation for elderly patients, and by warfarin dose presumably because of physicians' anxiety about the hemorrhage risk.

This research is aimed at achieving human consciousness in a robot. The authors focus on mirror image cognition, which is a high-level conscious function of humans, and have been conducting mirror image cognition tests with the robot, and have discovered that emotion and feelings are closely related to decision-making and learning. However, do humans always decide on an action through their emotions? Most probably, people learn from their experiences and decide on an action by expecting the future status using past experiences. Consciousness and memory are closely related to each other, and are important factors also in achieving consciousness in a robot. The present paper discusses human consciousness, episodic memory, one of the memory functions, and expectation. It also reports on the study of a conscious robot that incorporates all of these elements.