Fast H.264 intra prediction for network video processing

This letter proposes a fast parallel and deeply pipelined architecture for realtime H. 264 intra 4x4 prediction capable of handling up to 32 High Definition video streams (1920x1080 @ 30 fps) simultaneously, while offering high flexibility and consuming only a fraction of resources available on modern FPGA's. The design has been validated on target using a state of the art Altera Stratix IV FPGA

Quality of life in Romanian patients with schizophrenia based on gender, type of schizophrenia, therapeutic approach, and family history

The low quality of life of patients with schizophrenia has been extensively discussed and investigated. Various aspects from gender, socio-demographic profile, and/or type of neuroleptic treatment have been taken into account in describing this condition. The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived quality of life of Romanian patients suffering from schizophrenia and to correlate it with gender differences, type of schizophrenia, family history of psychiatric illness, and type of antipsychotic treatment. 143 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM IV-TR and ICD 10 were included in the study. Social demographic data were documented and further assessment was performed using the Subjective Well Being under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale –the short form (SWN-S) and the short version of the WHO- Questionnaire for The Quality of Life (WHO-QoL-BREF). The mental functioning dimension was higher in men than women; the social integration dimension was higher for the residual type of schizophrenia. Emotional regulation and the capacity of social integration did not show significant differences between patients who had a family history of mental illness and those who did not. Levels of self-control and physical functioning were better for patients treated with atypical antipsychotics and who did not report a family history of psychiatric illness. All five dimensions of the SWN-S were higher in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, compared to those who were treated with typical antipsychotics. The study showed that for people with schizophrenia mental functioning was better preserved in men, in patients who did not have a family history of psychiatric illness, and in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics. The level of social integration was better in patients who were treated with atypical antipsychotics but this effect depended on the type of schizophrenia

Modelling the Image Research of a Tourism Destination

The problematic area of the tourism destination image has a high expansion in marketing, the efforts of its conceptualization and phenomenalism being remarkable among specialists. In this context, the authors propose a systemic approach, the result of which refers to a model regarding the image research of a tourism destination, whose validation has been attained using Transalpina destination. The model created by the authors envisages morphological features and specific functional relationships, which are consistent with the marketing theory, and, in context, with the consumer behaviour theory. The conceptualmethodological solutions are magnified by applicative-experimental validations, which enhance the theoretical and practical valences of the created model. The main direction of developing the elaborated model consists in efforts of formalization and abstracting, in the perspective offered by several scientific disciplines

2.5 V 35 dBm IIP3 75 MHz sixth-order active RC filter

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Cardio metabolic risk factors for atrial fibrillation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Focus on hypertension, metabolic syndrome and obesity

Objective. Atrial fibrillation (AF) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been little explored so far. However, there are several cardio metabolic risk factors for AF in T2DM patients, such as arterial hypertension, obesity or the metabolic syndrome. Our objective was to evaluate cardio metabolic risk factors for AF in T2DM patients. Methods. We studied the medical records of T2DM patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine department of an emergency referral hospital in Bucharest, Romania. The study was observational, retrospective and carried out between January-June 2018. Results. The study group included 221 T2DM patients (with a mean age of 68.65 ± 10.64, ranging between 37-93 years): 116 women (52.49%; with a mean age of 70.53 ± 10.69, ranging between 37-93 years) and 105 men (47.51%; with a mean age of 66.57 ± 10.23, ranging between 38-91 years). 92 patients had AF (41.63%): 40 women (34.48%) and 52 men (49.52%). 180 patients (81.45%) were hypertensive: 103 women (88.79%) and 77 men (73.33%). 113 patients (51.13%) had metabolic syndrome: 58 women (50.00%) and 55 men (52.38%). 77 patients (34.84%) were obese: 45 women (38.79%) and 32 men (30.48%). AF patients associated obesity in 26 cases (28.26%), hypertension in 73 cases (79.35%) and metabolic syndrome in 56 cases (60.87%). Conclusions. Out of the study group, 92 T2DM patients (41.63%) had AF, men being more likely to suffer from AF than women (p=0.0288). Hypertension affected 180 patients (81.45%) and in greater proportion women vs. men (p=0.0051). The metabolic syndrome and obesity were discovered in 113 patients (51.13%) and 77 patients (34.84%), respectively, with no significant differences in terms of gender. In our research, the highest cardio metabolic risk factors for AF in T2DM were hypertension (OR = 3.6675) and the metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.3388)

POTEnCIA model description - version 0.9

This report lays out the modelling approach that is implemented in the POTEnCIA modelling tool (Policy Oriented Tool for Energy and Climate Change Impact Assessment) and describes its analytical capabilities. POTEnCIA is a modelling tool for the EU energy system that follows a hybrid partial equilibrium approach. It combines behavioural decisions with detailed techno-economic data, therefore allowing for an analysis of both technology-oriented policies and of those addressing behavioural change. Special features and mechanisms are introduced in POTEnCIA in order to appropriately reflect the implications of an uptake of novel energy technologies and of changing market structures, allowing for the robust assessment of ambitious policy futures for the EU energy system. The model runs on an annual basis with a typical projection timeline to 2050.JRC.J.1-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Factori cheie si provocari privind guvernanta inteligenta si rolul autoritatilor publice in dezvoltarea ecosistemelor de inovare urbana in cadrul modelului Cvadruplu Helix

Studiile recente au acordat o atentie crescanda oraselor smart si guvernantei inteligente, care impreuna cu politicile de inovare conduc la ecosisteme de inovare urbana si, de asemenea, au analizat colaborarea existenta intre actorii din cadrul ecosistemele urbane de inovare, in special datorita cererii tot mai mari de orase inteligente, guvernanta inteligenta, inovatii si implementarea acestora in cadrul ecosistemului urban inteligent. In plus, schimbarea paradigmei de la modelul Triplu Helix la modelul Cvadruplu Helix a determinat necesitatea unor cercetari mai aprofundate asupra colaborarii dintre actori, a factorilor de succes si, de asemenea, a provocarilor intalnite pentru asigurarea unei guvernante urbane inteligente. Un cadru pentru guvernanta urbana inteligenta este propus pe baza celor trei componente cheie impletite, si anume: componente teritoriale, institutionale si tehnologice. Aceasta cercetare si-a propus sa analizeze perceptiile actorilor implicati printr-un studiu calitativ, concentrandu-se in principal pe rolul autoritatile publice si colaborarea acestora cu ceilalti actori, pentru a ilustra modul in care functioneaza acest cadru in practica. Atat analiza literaturii de specialitate, cat si cercetarea calitativa au recunoscut necesitatea unor investigatii aprofundate pentru a intreprinde colaborari eficiente pentru dezvoltarea ecosistemelor urbane smart de inovare si pentru a depasi eventualele probleme emergente. Totodata, s-a observat ca guvernanta urbana inteligenta promoveaza o modalitate de guvernanta a oraselor deopotriva incluziva dar si inovatoare in era „inteligenta”, pornind de la problema urbana/ necesitatea de inovare, promovand moduri de guvernare bazate pe cerere si modeland ecosistemele urbane inovatoare astfel incat sa fie orientate catre societate. In plus, colaborarea dintre actori trebuie imbunatatita. Contributiile articolului sunt: (1) imbunatatirea conexiunii dintre mediul universitar, mediul privat, autoritati/institutii publice si societate civila (actorii in cadrul abordarii Cvadruplu Helix); (2) stabilirea perceptiei reale a partilor implicate in Cvadruplu Helix, cu accent pe punctele forte, punctele slabe si tensiunile care decurg din colaborarea lor

Deep-sequencing of endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia reveals the complexity of known and novel microRNAs

In order to understand the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in vascular physiopathology, we took advantage of deep-sequencing techniques to accurately and comprehensively profile the entire miRNA population expressed by endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia. SOLiD sequencing of small RNAs derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to 1% O or normoxia for 24 h yielded more than 22 million reads per library. A customized bioinformatic pipeline identified more than 400 annotated microRNA/ microRNA*species with a broad abundance range: miR-21 and miR-126 totaled almost 40% of all miRNAs. A complex repertoire of isomiRs was found, displaying also 5′ variations, potentially affecting target recognition. Highstringency bioinformatic analysis identified microRNA candidates, whose predicted pre-miRNAs folded into a stable hairpin. Validation of a subset by qPCR identified 18 high-confidence novel miRNAs as detectable in independent HUVEC cultures and associated to the RISC complex. The expression of two novel miRNAs was significantly down-modulated by hypoxia, while miR- 210 was significantly induced. Gene ontology analysis of their predicted targets revealed a significant association to hypoxiainducible factor signaling, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Overexpression of the novel miRNAs in hypoxic endothelial cells affected cell growth and confirmed the biological relevance of their down-modulation. In conclusion, deep-sequencing accurately profiled known, variant, and novel microRNAs expressed by endothelial cells in normoxia and hypoxia