Hierarchical-p reference picture selection based error resilient video coding framework for high efficiency video coding transmission applications

In this paper, a new reference picture selection (RPS) is proposed for a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) framework. In recent studies, HEVC has been shown to be sensitive to packet error which is unavoidable in transmission applications especially for wireless networks. RPS is an effective error resilient technique for video transmission systems where a feedback channel with short round trip delay time is available. However, its procedure cannot directly apply to the HEVC framework and thus this paper expands it. In RPS, error propagation can still happen during round trip delay time. To alleviate the effect of error propagation for better quality, the proposed algorithm considers both the RPS technique and the region-based intra mode selection method by using some novel features of HEVC. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the hierarchical-P RPS algorithm in terms of PSNR and other metrics. The average PSNR improvement of the proposed algorithm over the reference algorithm under 10% packet error rate is 1.56 dB for 1080p sequences, 2.32 dB for 720p sequences and 1.01 dB for wide video graphics array (WVGA) sequences, respectively. The performance of proposed method is also tested for applications where feedback information is not available. The proposed method shows noticeable improvement for video sequences that contain low or moderate level of motions

The effect of parental rearing conditions on offspring life history in Anopheles stephensi

Background The environmental conditions experienced by parents are increasingly recognized to impact the success of offspring. Little is known on the presence of such parental effects in Anopheles. If present, parental effects could influence mosquito breeding programmes, some malaria control measures and have epidemiological and evolutionary consequences. Methods The presence of parental effects on offspring emergence time, size, survival, blood meal size and fecundity in laboratory reared An. stephensi were tested. Results Parental rearing conditions did not influence the time taken for offspring to emerge, or their size or survival as adults. However, parental effects were influential in determining the fecundity of daughters. Counter-intuitively, daughters of parents reared in low food conditions produced larger egg clutches than daughters of parents reared in high food conditions. Offspring reared in low food conditions took larger blood meals if their parents had also experienced a low food environment. Conclusion So far as we are aware, this is the first evidence of parental effects on progeny in Anophele

Comparison of total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation and without thymectomy versus total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and with thymectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism: TOPAR PILOT-Trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is common in patients with chronic renal failure. Despite the initiation of new therapeutic agents, several patients will require parathyroidectomy (PTX). Total PTX with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue (TPTX+AT) and subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) are currently considered as standard surgical procedures in the treatment of sHPT. Recurrencerates after TPTX+AT or SPTX are between 10% and 12% (median follow up: 36 months).</p> <p>Recent retrospective studies demonstrated a lower rate of recurrent sHPT of 0–4% after PTX without autotransplantation and thymectomy (TPTX) with no higher morbidity when compared to the standard procedures. The observed superiority of TPTX is flawed due to different definitions of outcomes, varying follow up periods and different surgical treatment strategies (with and without thymectomy).</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Patients with sHPT (intact parathyroid hormone > 10 times above the upper limit of normal) on long term dialysis (>12 months) will be randomized either to TPTX or TPTX+AT and followed for 36 months. Outcome parameters are recurrence rates of sHPT, frequencies of reoperations due to refractory hypoparathyroidism or recurrent/persistent hyperparathyroidism, postoperative morbidity and mortality and quality of life. 50 patients per group will be randomized in order to obtain relevant frequencies of outcome parameters that will form the basis for a large scale confirmatory multicentred randomized controlled trial.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>sHPT is a disease with a high incidence in patients with chronic renal failure. Even a small difference in outcomes will be of clinical relevance. To assess sufficient data about the rate of recurrent sHPT after both methods, a multicentred, randomized controlled trial (MRCT) under standardized conditions is mandatory.</p> <p>Due to the existing uncertainties the calculated number of patients necessary in each treatment arm (n > 4000) makes it impossible to perform this study as a confirmatory trial. Therefore estimates of different outcomes are performed using a pilot MRCT comparing 50 versus 50 randomized patients in order to establish a hypothesis that can be tested thereafter.</p> <p>If TPTX proves to have a lower rate of recurrent sHPT, no relevant disadvantages and no higher morbidity than TPTX+AT, current surgical practice may be changed.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registration (ISRCTN86202793)</p

ASEAN Orthopaedic Association Education Committee - Orthopaedic curriculum for residency training 2019

In November 2013, Dr Dohar Tobing, who was the President of the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association at that time, organized a Seminar on Orthopaedic Education in Yogyakarta to discuss residency training in ASEAN. At this initial meeting the training program in each country was presented by representatives from each ASEAN country. Subsequently the ASEAN Orthopaedic Association established the Education Committee under the chairmanship of Professor Lee Eng Hin to develop a common syllabus/curriculum for all ASEAN countries based on minimum standards required to practice competently as a general orthopaedic surgeon. The main objective of having a common curriculum is to facilitate exchanges of residents and fellows amongst the ASEAN countries to increase their exposure to orthopaedic conditions in the region and improve their breadth and depth of knowledge and skills. The first meeting of the Education Committee was held in Cebu in November 2014 and the Committee has since met twice a year in May and November. Training programs in the ASEAN countries were discussed and a consensus was reached on the structure and length of the training program for the AOA curriculum. In May 2016, three workgroups were formed under the leadership of Professor David Choon, Dr Dohar Tobing and Professor Lee Eng Hin to develop the detailed curriculum in the following areas: a) General Orthopaedics/Trauma/Infection/Sports/Pathophysiology/Basic Science Lead: David Choon Members: Arturo C. Canete, Jean Pierre F. Leung, Apipop Kritsaneephaiboon, Maung Mg Htwe, Sabarul A. Mokhtar b) Adult Orthopaedics/Spine/Upper Limb/Foot & Ankle/Biomaterials/Biomechanics Lead: Dohar Tobing Members: Myint Thaung, Peter Lee, Yeo Sing Jin, Kamarul Ariffin Khalid, Khin Mg Myint, Azlina Abbas c) Pediatrics/Oncology Lead: Lee Eng Hin Members: Edward HM Wang, Kanyika Chamniprasas, Pornchai Mulpruek, Istan Irmansyah Irsan, Abdul Razak Sulaiman, Wan Faisham Nu’man Wan Ismail In addition to their contributions as workgroup members, the following individuals made substantial contributions in the following areas: Pathophysiology/Basic Science: Vivek Ajit Singh and David Choon General Ortho: Wan Faisham Nu’man Wan Ismail and Kamarul Ariffin Khalid Trauma: Arturo Cañete and Jean Pierre Leung Sports Medicine: Aung Myo Win Adult-Hip & Knee: Maung Mg Htwe and Myint Thaung Spine: Dohar Tobing Upper limb/Hand: Khin Mg Myint Foot & Ankle: Inderjeet Singh Paediatrics: Lee Eng Hin and Abdul Razak Sulaiman Oncology: Edward Wang and Istan Irmansyah Irsa