HEVC video compression hardware designs

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), a recently developed international standard for video compression, offers significantly better video compression efficiency than previous international standards. However, this coding gain comes with an increase in computational complexity. Therefore, in this thesis, we first designed a high performance hardware architecture for deblocking filter algorithm used in HEVC standard. Two parallel datapaths are used in the hardware to increase its performance. The proposed hardware is implemented in Verilog HDL. The Verilog RTL code is mapped to a Xilinx XC6VLX240T FPGA, and it is verified to work correctly on a Xilinx ML605 FPGA board which includes a Xilinx XC6VLX240T FPGA. The FPGA implementation can work at 108 MHz, and it can code 30 full HD (1920x1080) video frames per second. We then proposed an energy reduction technique for Sum of Absolute Transformed Difference (SATD) based HEVC intra mode decision algorithm. We designed an efficient hardware architecture for SATD based HEVC intra mode decision algorithm including the proposed technique. The proposed hardware is implemented in Verilog HDL. The Verilog RTL code is mapped to a Xilinx XC6VLX365T FPGA, and it is verified with post place & route simulations. The FPGA implementation can work at 116 MHz, and it can code 21 HD (1280x720) video frames per second. The proposed technique reduced its energy consumption up to 64.6% on this FPGA without any PSNR loss

The potential role of scar mapping in assessing of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon application

Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a frequently used therapy after failure of at least one antiarrhythmic drug. The main target of AF ablation has been durable pulmonary vein isolation. However, it is unclear if ablation strategies need to be modified after recurrence. Herein, we presented a female patient undergoing successful pulmonary vein re-connection ablation after left atrial scar mapping. In electroanatomical mapping, gray area shows intense scar tissue. Gray, red, and purple areas indicate atrial potentials <0.5 mV, 0.5–1.5 mV, and >1.5 mV, respectively. Please note that there is a non-scar area in the bottom of right inferior pulmonary vein (arrow)

Assessment of human error contribution to container loss risk under fault tree analysis and interval type-2 fuzzy logic-based SLIM approach

Human is a key element of the safety of life on board ships and a significant contributing factor to most of the accidents and incidents in the maritime industry. At this point, risk analysis plays a critical role in ensuring operational safety and maritime transportation sustainability. This paper aims to systematically evaluate how human errors (HEs) contribute to operational risks. Based on this, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is combined under an Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Logic environment with Success Likelihood Index Method (SLIM). Whilst the FTA evaluates the criticality of the operational activities, the Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets (IT2FS) deals with vagueness and subjectivity in using experts’ judgments, and the SLIM estimates the probabilities for the human error-related basic events. Since container losses can lead to severe damage and catastrophic events in a container terminal, loading operation was investigated as a case study. Safety culture, experience, and fatigue were observed as highly effective factors in crew performance. The obtained results also indicate that this hybrid approach can effectively be applied to determine the operational vulnerabilities in high-risk industries. The paper intends to improve safety control levels and lower losses in the future of maritime container transport besides emphasizing the potential consequences of failures and crucial human errors in the operational process

Retroperitoneal Extragonadal Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumor with Synchronous Orbital Metastasis

A huge retroperitoneal tumor with a right orbital mass was detected and proved to be an extragonadal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor on biopsy. BEP chemotherapy caused some regression in orbital mass however no change in retroperitoneal tumor size as well as serum tumor marker levels occurred. Herein, we present a rarely seen entity of extragonadal retroperitoneal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor with synchronous orbital metastases and discuss its diagnosis and management

Elevated Red Blood Cell Distribution Width May Be a Novel Independent Predictor of Poor Functional Outcome in Patients Treated with Mechanical Thrombectomy

Purpose Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) evaluates the variation (size heterogeneity) in red blood cells. Elevated RDW has been identified as a predictor of poor functional outcomes for acute ischemic stroke. The association between elevated RDW level and poor functional outcome in stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy has not been reported before. This study aims to investigate this relationship. Materials and Methods This was a multicenter retrospective study involving the prospectively and consecutively collected data of 205 adult stroke patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (middle cerebral artery M1, anterior cerebral artery A1, tandem ICA-MCA, carotid T) between July 2017 and December 2019. RDW cut off levels were accepted as >16%. The effect of elevated RDW on poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale 3–6) was investigated using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results Elevated RDW was significantly associated with poor functional outcome in bivariate and multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] for RDW >16%, 2.078; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.083–3.966; P=0.027 and OR for RDW >16%, 2.873; 95% CI, 1.342–6.151; P=0.007; respectively). Conclusion These findings suggest that elevated RDW may be an independent predictor of poor functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy

A Rare Cause of Drug-Induced Skin Rash and Eosinophilia

Allopurinol is a well-known drug to treat hyperuricemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, gout, or tumor lysis syndrome. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, elevated liver enzyme, pancreatitis, and skin rashes. Drug reaction with eosinophilic and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare but life-threating complication of allopurinol treatment. Here, we present a 60-year-old male patient admitted with skin rashes, stomatitis, dyspnea, jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, acute renal failure, and eosinophilia, who was diagnosed with allopurinol-related DRESS syndrome

ANTINEPHROLITHIATIC ACTIVITY OF PERSEA AMERICANA (AVOCADO) AND VIBURNUM OPULUS (GUELDER ROSE) AGAINST ETHYLENE GLYCOL-INDUCED NEPHROLITHIASIS IN RATS

Background: Nephrolithiasis is a severe health problem causing morbidity. Chemolisis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS), and open and laparoscopic surgery are used for treatment with various success rates. Medical treatments with fewer complications were investigated thoroughly. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effects of Persea americana (avocado) leaves and Viburnum opulus (guelder rose) fruits on nephrolithiasis in an animal model and used 42 rats. The groups received both low and high doses of Persea americana leaves and Viburnum opulus fruit ethanol extracts orally for 28 days. These two plants have been used for years in Turkey for their nephrolithiatic effect. Results: Avocado and guelder rose increased the urine volume and urine citrate levels, decreased urine cystine and oxalate levels, and lowered the crystal deposits in kidney tissue. Avocado and guelder rose also prevented oxidant damage and crystal formation in kidney tissue samples. Conclusion: The two plants that have been used for years for nephrolithiasis treatment in Turkey can safely be used for kidney stones

The interrelations of radiologic findings and mechanical ventilation in community acquired pneumonia patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated patients admitted to the intensive care units with the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) regarding initial radiographic findings. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was held. Chest x ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) findings and also their associations with the need of ventilator support were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were enrolled. Consolidation was the main finding on CXR (89%) and CT (80%) examinations. Of all, 45% had multi-lobar involvement. Bilateral involvement was found in 40% and 44% on CXR and CT respectively. Abscesses and cavitations were rarely found. The highest correlation between CT and CXR findings was observed for interstitial involvement. More than 80% of patients needed ventilator support. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requirement was seen to be more common in those with multi-lobar involvement on CXR as 2.4-fold and consolidation on CT as 47-fold compared with those who do not have these findings. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need increased 8-fold in patients with multi-lobar involvement on CT. CONCLUSION: CXR and CT findings correlate up to a limit in terms of interstitial involvement but not in high percentages in other findings. CAP patients who are admitted to the ICU are severe cases frequently requiring ventilator support. Initial CT and CXR findings may indicate the need for ventilator support, but the assumed ongoing real practice is important and the value of radiologic evaluation beyond clinical findings to predict the mechanical ventilation need is subject for further evaluation with large patient series