Photographic Database Research Articles

Assyrian Sculptures from the Nergal Gate Museum at Nineveh before the Islamic State’s Attack


 
 
 After the destruction of the treasures of the Mosul Cultural Museum in Iraq shown in the Islamic State (IS) video released on February 26, 2015, scholars focused their discussion on the inventory of the missing items and the question of how many modern copies were present. A few suggested that the video circulating of the devastation was possibly a montage of items originating from different places. Based on a new photographic database provided by Suzanne E. Bott, a U.S. Reconstruction Advisor in Iraq between 2007 and 2010, this paper shows that some of the artifacts featured in the video were photographed in the small Nergal Gate Museum at the archaeological site of Nineveh. This sets up the problem of identifying objects whose provenance is the Nergal Gate Museum instead of the Mosul Museum. An historical and archaeological analysis of items from the Nergal Gate Museum, both originals and copies, is here carried out in order to highlight the cultural importance of this little-known but significant institution which has been lost forever.
 
 

Comparison of industry-based data to monitor white shark cage-dive tourism

Although wildlife tourism is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, the industry has a potential to affect the fauna it targets. A variety of methods are used to monitor the activities and impacts of wildlife tourism. In South Australia, mandatory logbook reporting and the ability to photograph and identify individual sharks provides two industry-based data sources to monitor how cage-diving tourism may impact white sharks. Findings show that both methods can assess shark populations, and detect seasonal sex-biased changes in white shark abundance. Photo-ID significantly underestimates effort days and number of sharks sighted, and is considerably more labour-intensive, but allows accurate identification of individual sharks, facilitating additional analysis. The continued use of logbook reporting is the optimum long-term monitoring method, although we recommend the maintenance of a photographic database for periodic extraction of individual information. Combining these methods will facilitate an ongoing adaptive management framework, aiding the long-term sustainability of the industry.

No More Dust and Exoskeletons — in Vivo Photo Graphic Records Provide New Data on Eufalconius pendleburyi Günther, 1938 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from the Titiwangsa Mts.

Evidence is presented on the synonymy of Hancockitettix humeratus Storozhenko et Pushkar, 2017 syn. nov., (a recently described species from the Cameron Highlands of the Malay peninsula (the only recorded specimen, a female holotype, caught in 2014)) and Eufalconius pendleburyi Gunther, 1938, a long-time-no-see species from Bukit Kutu of the Malay peninsula (the only recorded specimen, a female holotype, caught in 1926) — 100 km S of the Cameron Highlands and part of the same massif (Tenasserim range: Titiwangsa Mts.). The holotypes of the two species are conspecific, almost identical in morphology. As a result Hancockitettix Storozhenko et Pushkar, 2017 syn. nov. becomes a junior synonym of Eufalconius Gunther, 1938. The original description of Hancockitettix syn. nov. and H. humeratus syn. nov. contains much more data than that of Eufalconius and E. pendleburyi and serves as a very good ‘re-description’. New records of E. pendleburyi found on the social media photo database Flickr from the same massif (Endau Rompin NP, Bukit Fraser) are presented herein. Detailed comparison is given between the genera Austrohancockia Gunther, 1938, Discotettix Costa, 1864, Eufalconius, Gibbotettix Zheng, 1992, Hancockella Uvarov, 1940, Paragavialidium Zheng, 1994, and Platygavialidium Gunther, 1938.

Female reproductive parameters and population demographics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland

This study investigates the female reproductive parameters and population demographics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland, using long-term relational sightings and photographic databases. Data were collected between 2008 and 2016, during 654 boat-based surveys, from two dolphin-watching vessels and a research vessel. During 1018 sightings, 4231 identifications of 184 individual dolphins were recorded. The population size was charted through direct counts of known dolphins from 2011 to 2015 (mean 142, range 131–150), with 145 extant individuals in 2015: 80 adults, 25 juveniles, and 40 calves. Excluding dependent calves, 121 individuals were sighted, of whom 98% (n = 119) were sighted in multiple years, with 64% (n = 77) sighted in all 4 years (2012–2015). Between 2008 and 2016, 37 reproductive females and 69 dependent calves were recorded. Overall, 35% (n = 13) of these females were sighted with one calf, 43% (n = 16) with two calves and 22% (n = 8) with three calves. An average of seven (range 3–10) calves were born each year. Parturition peaked in July. Weaning ages ranged from 2.0 to 4.1 (mean 2.9) years. The mean inter-birth interval ranged between 2.7 ± 0.6 and 3.5 ± 1.3 years, depending on the method used. Mean annual calving rate was 0.29 young-of-year/reproductive female/year. Average crude birth rate was 0.07 ± 0.01. Fecundity was 0.26 ± 0.03. An average 11% of newborn calves were lost before age 1. These results are generally within the lower range of values reported for similar populations and provide essential data for conservation management and global bottlenose dolphin research.

The reliability of pigment pattern‐based identification of wild bottlenose dolphins

AbstractLong‐term studies often rely on natural markings for individual identification across time. The primary method for identification in small cetaceans relies on dorsal fin shape, scars, and other natural markings. However, dorsal fin markings can vary substantially over time and the dorsal fin can become unrecognizable after an encounter with a boat or shark. Although dorsal fins have the advantage in that they always break the water surface when the cetacean breathes, other physical features, such as body scars and pigmentation patterns can supplement. The goal of this study was to explore the use of dorso‐lateral pigment patterns to identify wild bottlenose dolphins. We employed photographic pigment matching tests to determine if pigmentation patterns showed (1) longitudinal consistency and (2) bilateral symmetry using a 30 yr photographic database of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). We compared experienced dolphin researchers and inexperienced undergraduate student subjects in their ability to accurately match images. Both experienced and inexperienced subjects correctly matched dolphin individuals at a rate significantly above chance, even though they only had 10 s to make the match. These results demonstrate that pigment patterns can be used to reliably identify individual wild bottlenose dolphins, and likely other small cetacean species at other sites.

First record of the sea slug Stylocheilus striatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) (Anaspidea, Aplysiidae) and swarming behavior for Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique with the first record of Pleurobranchus forskalii Rüppel & Leuckart, 1828 (Nudipleura, Pleurobranchidae) for Bazaruto Island (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia)

Two heterobranch species, Stylocheilus striatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) (Anaspidea, Aplysiidae) and Pleurobranchus forskalii Rüppel & Leuckart, 1828 (Nudipleura, Pleurobranchidae) are reported for the first time for Bazaruto Island, Mozambique. Swarming behavior of Stylocheilus striatus, which was previously described for other localities, was also observed for the first time in the Bazaruto Archipelago. The sea slugs were photographed in situ and identified in sync with their species descriptions, photographic databases and the current literature.

Long-term assessment of whale shark population demography and connectivity using photo-identification in the Western Atlantic Ocean.

The predictable occurrence of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, has been well documented in several areas. However, information relating to their migratory patterns, residency times and connectivity across broad spatial scales is limited. In the present study photo-identification data is used to describe whale shark population structure and connectivity among known aggregation sites within the Western Central Atlantic Ocean (WCA). From 1999 to 2015, 1,361 individuals were identified from four distinct areas: the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (n = 1,115); Honduras (n = 146); northern Gulf of Mexico, United States (n = 112), and Belize (n = 49). Seasonal patterns in whale shark occurrence were evident with encounters occurring in the western Caribbean Sea earlier in the year than in the GOM. There was also a significant sex bias with 2.6 times more males present than females. Seventy sharks were observed in more than one area and the highest degree of connectivity occurred among three aggregation sites along the Mesoamerican Reef. Despite this, the majority of resightings occurred in the area where the respective sharks were first identified. This was true for the WCA as a whole, with the exception of Belize. Site fidelity was highest in Mexico. Maximum likelihood modelling resulted in a population estimate of 2,167 (95% c.i. 1585.21–2909.86) sharks throughout the entire region. This study is the first attempt to provide a broad, regional population estimate using photo-identification data from multiple whale shark aggregations. Our aim is to provide population metrics, along with the description of region-scale connectivity, that will help guide conservation action in the WCA. At a global level, rapidly growing photographic databases are allowing for researchers to look beyond the description of single aggregation sites and into the ocean-scale ecology of this pelagic species.

Experimental validation of seismic retrofit solutions for URM chimneys

Clay-brick unreinforced masonry (URM) chimneys are a common architectural feature of vintage domestic and commercial URM and timber-framed buildings widely encountered worldwide. URM chimneys include a cantilevered appendage above the roofline that during earthquakes-induced shaking is susceptible to significant damage and collapse, which can result in fatalities, injuries, and property damage. To mitigate this risk, many vintage URM chimneys are removed, braced, or eventually replaced with modern alternatives. The earthquake performance of 15,400 URM chimneys damaged during the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence was investigated using a photographic database and insurance claims data. The widespread damage and failure of a large proportion of retrofitted chimneys was the impetus for an experimental shake-table testing campaign that was undertaken to assess the performance of five prototypical URM chimneys in their as-built and retrofitted conditions. Cost-effective retrofit techniques with low aesthetic impact, including the use of near surface mounted carbon-fibre reinforced polymer strips and post-tensioning, were investigated. Tested chimneys were constructed to replicate the most commonly encountered geometric characteristics and construction details collected during an in-field pilot survey of 351 undamaged vintage URM chimneys.

Image techniques in turbid rivers: A ten-year assessment of cyprinid stocks composition and size

Riverine fisheries frequently face complex challenges along with the limitations of costly and yet poor data. This is the case of the middle to low reaches of many basins with turbid waters, where large stocks of cyprinids perform wide spawning migrations. These reaches support both commercial and recreational fisheries frequently exploiting stocks of unknown size. There, habitat complexity, turbid waters, and large moving populations hinder the use of non-extractive image techniques (video and photography) for species identification and stock assessment. So far, such techniques are therefore restricted to clear freshwaters and marine environments. In this study, image techniques and sampling methods are used to monitor large riverine stocks of two barbel species (Luciobarbus sp.) over ten years, while maintaining low economic costs and human effort. The techniques take advantage of the behaviors of the fish relative to a weir and a fish pass while migrating upstream to their spawning grounds. For that, meristic and morphological traits taken from individuals simultaneously captured and photographed were used to identify the taxa and validate this method. The subset of traits still reliable in the images was used to identify free-ranging leaping individuals from a ten-year span photographic database (2007–2016) and determine the annual relative abundance of every taxon. Video images taken at the fishway in dry and humid years were used to estimate absolute stock size in contrasting hydrologic years (2014–2016). Finally, estimates of migrating barbel stocks and their size across hydrologic year variation were obtained through sampling methods and combination of the aforementioned data. The pros and cons of the sampling methods and image techniques used are discussed relative to their applicability to the monitoring and management of cyprinid riverine fisheries in turbid reaches.

Abstract 2764: Creating a review process of a digital photo database collected on NRG NSABP B39/RTOG 0413 phase III clinical trial for evaluation of cosmetic results from breast conserving therapy (BCT)

Abstract Introduction: After local control and overall survival, acceptable cosmesis is the next most important goal of BCT. Digital photos (DP) are commonly used for assessing cosmesis on clinical trials. On NRG NSABP B39/RTOG 0413, DP at baseline, 1, and 3 years post-radiation were submitted for review by a panel of breast cancer specialists. Given no current standards for central DP review, this project seeks to develop a standard for subjective DP evaluation. The initial standardization of the photo database and reliability of the panel review is described. Methods: De-identified DP submitted and stored at NRG SDMC were downloaded to a secure FTP site. Cases with only 1 time point, no baseline, or photos from different patients were excluded. A minimum photo quality was set, including pre-specified criteria for contrast/light, breast/torso size, and cropping to exclude anatomy above the clavicle and below the umbilicus. DP were edited with MATLAB™ and saved in a Reformatted Digital Photo Database (RDPD). A training set was created defining 4 global cosmetic scores, and each individually assessed criteria of breast symmetry, shape, skin color, nipple, and scar appearance. A 14 case calibration set followed the training set. The process for panel review was adapted from the methods reported in the START and RAPID trials. The review panel consisted of 6 breast-specific radiation oncologists, who reviewed in groups of 3. For each session, the training set was reviewed and calibration set scored. A separate 30 case test set randomly selected from the RDPD was reviewed by 2 groups of 3. The calibration and test sets were evaluated for agreement of categorized scores (excellent/good vs. fair/poor). Results: There were 2064 DP from 892 patients on NRG NSABP B39/RTOG 0413 documenting the anterior view of both breasts. After exclusions, 1,717 reformatted DP were saved in the RDPD. Five 1-3 hour review sessions resulted in scoring of 777 DP (~ 155 per session). Only 2/777 (0.1%) DP were deemed poor quality and not able to be scored. There was full agreement in categorized scores for 12/14 cases (86%; kappa=0.82) across the 5 calibration sets; and 27/30 (90%; kappa=0.71) for the 2 test set reviews. Conclusions: Cosmesis DP prospectively collected on a large phase III clinical trial can be digitally formatted in a systematic fashion for consistent photo quality, allowing for cosmesis consensus panel review without photo quality bias. High agreement in categorized scores allowed reviews to be completed by multiple 3-person review groups. Future work will focus on creating an updated, semi-automatic analysis tool of these photos for objective evaluation of cosmesis using the same scoring guidelines that can then be compared to physician reported outcomes. Grant Support: FUJIFILM Medical Systems/RSNA Research Resident, NCI U10CA180868, U10CA180822 Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Ashley Sekhon, Ruiqi Zhao, Yan Wang, Debora Grant, Kathryn A. Winter, Jennifer Moughan, Douglas W. Arthur, Stephen J. Chmura, Atif J. Khan, Simona F. Shaitelman, Aleix M. Martinez, Frank A. Vicini, Julia R. White. Creating a review process of a digital photo database collected on NRG NSABP B39/RTOG 0413 phase III clinical trial for evaluation of cosmetic results from breast conserving therapy (BCT) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2764. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2764

Remote identification of research and educational activities using spectral properties of nighttime light

Research and educational activities (R&EAs) are major forces behind modern economic growth. However, data on geographic location of such activities are often poorly reported. According to our research hypothesis, intensities and spectral properties of artificial light-at-night (ALAN) can be used for remote identification of R&EAs, due to their unique ALAN signatures. In order to develop activity identification models, we carried out a series of in situ measurements of ALAN intensities and spectral properties in a major metropolitan area in Israel. For this task, we used an illuminance CL-500A spectrophotometer that measures the total intensity and spectral irradiance of ALAN, incremented by a 1-nm pitch, from 360 to 780nm. As our analysis shows, logistic regressions, incorporating ALAN intensities at the peak or near-peak wavelengths, and geographical attributes of the measurement sites as controls, succeeded to predict correctly up to 98.6% of the actual locations of R&EAs. A digital camera satellite image, obtained from the Astronaut Photography Database, was used for the model's validation. According to the validation results, the actual locations of R&EAs coincided well with the estimated high probability areas, as confirmed by the values of Cohen's Kappa index of up to 64%, which indicate a reasonable level of agreement.

Automatic photomosaic algorithm through adaptive tiling and block matching

Mosaic refers to a technique that forms images by gathering several small materials in various colors. Because of the recent developments in digital imaging technology, photomosaic technologies that form images using photos are utilized. In this paper, we present an automatic computer algorithm that forms photomosaic images through adaptive tiling and block matching. A photo database stores photos called tiles for mosaic and their feature values. A photomosaic image is generated through separating the input image into blocks of a pre-set size, performing adaptive tiling by comparing the similarity between adjacent blocks, conducting block matching to find a similar tile in the photo database, and adjusting the intensity to enhance tile similarity within each image block. Furthermore, the quality of the photomosaic image is improved by minimizing tile redundancy in adjacent blocks and limiting the number of tiles used. In our experiment, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of Andrea mosaic, Mosaically, and Mozaika software packages. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm is excellent in quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Corrigendum

Personnel PsychologyVolume 69, Issue 4 p. 1031-1031 CORRIGENDUMFree Access Corrigendum This article corrects the following: From First Impression to Fairness Perception: Investigating the Impact of Initial Trustworthiness Beliefs Brian C. Holtz, Volume 68Issue 3Personnel Psychology pages: 499-546 First Published online: December 17, 2014 First published: 02 November 2016 https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12207AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat FROM FIRST IMPRESSION TO FAIRNESS PERCEPTION: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF INITIAL TRUSTWORTHINESS BELIEFS In Holtz BC. (2015), the following errors were published. On page 511 under Trustworthiness Stimulus section (13th and 14th line), the text “(Karolinska ID: AM58HAS)” and “(Karolinska ID: AM68NES)” should have read “(Karolinska ID: AM23HAS)” and “(Karolinska ID: AM33NES)”, respectively. On page 542 under Appendix A section (4th line), the text “(Karoliska photo database ID AM58HAS or AM68NES presented)” should read as “(Karoliska photo database ID AM23HAS or AM33NES presented)”. The author apologizes for these errors. REFERENCE Holtz BC. (2015). From first impression to fairness perception: Investigating the impact of initial trustworthiness beliefs. Personnel Psychology, 68, 499– 546. doi: 10.1111/peps.12092 Volume69, Issue4Winter 2016Pages 1031-1031 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Effects of Facial Symmetry and Gaze Direction on Perception of Social Attributes: A Study in Experimental Art History.

This article explores the possibility of testing hypotheses about art production in the past by collecting data in the present. We call this enterprise “experimental art history”. Why did medieval artists prefer to paint Christ with his face directed towards the beholder, while profane faces were noticeably more often painted in different degrees of profile? Is a preference for frontal faces motivated by deeper evolutionary and biological considerations? Head and gaze direction is a significant factor for detecting the intentions of others, and accurate detection of gaze direction depends on strong contrast between a dark iris and a bright sclera, a combination that is only found in humans among the primates. One uniquely human capacity is language acquisition, where the detection of shared or joint attention, for example through detection of gaze direction, contributes significantly to the ease of acquisition. The perceived face and gaze direction is also related to fundamental emotional reactions such as fear, aggression, empathy and sympathy. The fast-track modulator model presents a related fast and unconscious subcortical route that involves many central brain areas. Activity in this pathway mediates the affective valence of the stimulus. In particular, different sub-regions of the amygdala show specific activation as response to gaze direction, head orientation and the valence of facial expression. We present three experiments on the effects of face orientation and gaze direction on the judgments of social attributes. We observed that frontal faces with direct gaze were more highly associated with positive adjectives. Does this help to associate positive values to the Holy Face in a Western context? The formal result indicates that the Holy Face is perceived more positively than profiles with both direct and averted gaze. Two control studies, using a Brazilian and a Dutch database of photographs, showed a similar but weaker effect with a larger contrast between the gaze directions for profiles. Our findings indicate that many factors affect the impression of a face, and that eye contact in combination with face direction reinforce the general impression of portraits, rather than determine it.

Predictive Factors for Epilepsy in Pediatric Patients With Sturge–Weber Syndrome

BackgroundSturge–Weber syndrome is characterized by a facial port-wine stain associated with either or both a retinal angioma and a cerebral pial angioma. Because a pial angioma may not be evident on the initial imaging studies, individuals at risk for epilepsy are often not identified before their first seizure. The aim of this study is to identify predictive factors predisposing Sturge–Weber patients to epilepsy. MethodsThe medical archives and photography database of our institution were reviewed to identify Sturge–Weber Syndrome patients followed up between 1990 and 2015. Patients without epilepsy were compared with patients with epilepsy based on the location of the port-wine stain, its extent and cerebral imaging. ResultsTwenty-four patients were included in the study. Thirteen did not develop epilepsy. Patients with bilateral port-wine stain were at higher risk of epilepsy (P = 0.03). Unilateral port-wine stain did not increase the risk of epilepsy (P = 0.29) regardless of its extent. The presence of developmental venous anomalies on brain imaging was also associated with a higher risk of epilepsy (P = 0.03). ConclusionsBilateral facial port-wine stain and cerebral developmental venous anomalies increase the risk of epilepsy in Sturge–Weber syndrome patients. Because they can be detected at birth, they might guide preventive management and follow-up.

The use of tracking technologies in tourism research: the first decade

ABSTRACTThe past decade has witnessed dramatic growth in the implementation of various tracking technologies in tourism studies. A thorough review of literature reveals that 45 papers were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, comprising 40 percent of the papers published in the three leading journals on tourism scholarship. The rate of papers published annually has grown in recent years and it is clear that this novel field is further expanding. The majority of studies analyzed employed GPS, mobile positioning, Bluetooth tracking, geocoded social media, and photo databases. The studies ranged in geographical scope from individual attractions to global capacity. Based on our review, tourism research that uses tracking data can be divided into three categories: the first generation of studies focused on methodological dimensions and the potential of tracking data. The second generation made use of spatially and temporally rich data and uncovered new aspects of tourism. The third generation made use of the new data sources to challenge fundamental questions on tourism and consumer behavior. Digital tracking data have clear advantages – data are spatially and temporally precise, geographic and temporal coverage of datasets is broad, and tracking data can be supplemented using questionnaires, sensors, and other sources.

Analysis and Classification of Natural Rock Textures based on New Transform-based Features

This work develops a mathematical method to extract relevant information about natural rock textures to address the problem of automatic classification. Classical methods of texture analysis cannot be directly applied in this context, since rock textures are typically characterized by both stationary patterns (a classic kind of texture) and geometric forms, which are not properly captured with conventional methods. Due to the presence of these two phenomena, a new classification approach is proposed in which each rock texture class is individually analyzed developing a specific low-dimensional discriminative feature. For this task, multi-scale transform domain representations are adopted, allowing the analysis of the images at several levels of scale and orientation. The proposed method is applied to a database of digital photographs acquired in a porphyry copper mining project, showing better performance than state-of-the-art techniques, and additionally presenting a low computational cost.

Online subjective testing for consumer-photo quality evaluation

We take a look at crowdsourcing for subjective image quality evaluation using real image stimuli with nonsimulated distortions. Our aim is to scale the task of subjectively rating images while ensuring maximal data validity and accuracy. While previous work has begun to explore crowdsourcing for quality assessment, it has either used images that are not representative of popular consumer scenarios or used crowdsourcing to collect data without comparison to experiments in a controlled environment. Here, we address the challenges imposed by the highly variable online environment, using stimuli that are subtle and more complex than has traditionally been used in quality assessment experiments. In a series of experiments, we vary different design parameters and demonstrate how they impact the subjective responses obtained. Of the parameters examined are stimulus display mode, study length, stimulus habituation, and content homogeneity/heterogeneity. Our method was tested on a database that was rated in a laboratory test previously. Once our design parameters were chosen, we rated a database of consumer photographs and are making this data available to the research community.

D.02 Predictive factors for epilepsy in pediatric patients with Sturge Weber Syndrome

Background: Sturge Weber Syndrome (SWS) patients at risk of epilepsy are often not identified before their first seizure which leads to unnecessary follow up of many patients with facial angioma. Methods: The medical photography database of our institution has been reviewed to identify SWS patients followed between 1993 and 2013. Patients with isolated glaucoma were compared to patients with epilepsy regarding the location of the facial angioma, the presence of asymmetrical background activity on EEG done prior epilepsy onset and cerebral imaging. Logistical regression tests and a p-value of 0.05 were used. Results: 21 patients with SWS have been identified. No significant difference was noted when patients were compared based on the laterality of the lesion (p=0.169), or the location of the facial angioma (p = 0.314 to 0.999). Only 2 epileptic patients had digital EEG done prior the onset of epilepsy and only 2 patients with glaucoma had digital EEG done during their follow up. No significant difference was noted between EEG background activities in the two groups (p= 0.514). The presence of venous drainage anomalies (VDA) predicted (p = 0.004) the onset of epilepsy. Conclusions: Cerebral VDA increases the risk of epilepsy in SWS patients. Since they can be detected at birth, they might guide the management.

Age-related macular degeneration in patients with uveitis.

To evaluate the prevalence of large drusen in a uveitis clinic population. Retrospective, cohort study. Patients with primary, non-infectious uveitis 55 years or older who were seen at the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health from 2004 through August 2013 were reviewed using electronic medical records and photographic databases. Patients were classified as having age-related macular degeneration (AMD) if either eye had large drusen, geographic atrophy or neovascular AMD according to definitions used by the Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group (EDPRG). The expected number of cases and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for large drusen were estimated based on EDPRG estimates. We identified 177 patients aged ≥55 years as having primary non-infectious uveitis; 170 (96.0%) had gradable fundus photos. Average age was 65.0±7.5 years (range 55-87), and 87 were non-Hispanic white, 66 non-Hispanic black, 6 Hispanic white and 11 of other race/ethnicity. Large drusen were identified in four patients (2.4%; 95% CI 0.6 to 6.0). No patients were identified to have late AMD. In the uveitis cohort, the SMR for cases of large drusen, which was adjusted for age, was calculated to be 0.32 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.70) for the whole cohort, 0.28 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.79) for non-Hispanic whites and 0.46 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.29) for non-Hispanic blacks. Large drusen prevalence among patients with uveitis ≥55 years of age appears less than the prevalence in the general US population after accounting for differences in age distribution, especially for non-Hispanic whites. Although the racial and gender distribution in this study population is not directly representative of the general US population, results of this study suggest possible sparing of patients with uveitis from AMD. A larger systematic study with greater power would be needed to confirm these findings.