End-to-End Learnable Multi-Scale Feature Compression for VCM

The proliferation of deep learning-based machine vision applications has given rise to a new type of compression, so called video coding for machine (VCM). VCM differs from traditional video coding in that it is optimized for machine vision performance instead of human visual quality. In the feature compression track of MPEG-VCM, multi-scale features extracted from images are subject to compression. Recent feature compression works have demonstrated that the versatile video coding (VVC) standard-based approach can achieve a BD-rate reduction of up to 96% against MPEG-VCM feature anchor. However, it is still sub-optimal as VVC was not designed for extracted features but for natural images. Moreover, the high encoding complexity of VVC makes it difficult to design a lightweight encoder without sacrificing performance. To address these challenges, we propose a novel multi-scale feature compression method that enables both the end-to-end optimization on the extracted features and the design of lightweight encoders. The proposed model combines a learnable compressor with a multi-scale feature fusion network so that the redundancy in the multi-scale features is effectively removed. Instead of simply cascading the fusion network and the compression network, we integrate the fusion and encoding processes in an interleaved way. Our model first encodes a larger-scale feature to obtain a latent representation and then fuses the latent with a smaller-scale feature. This process is successively performed until the smallest-scale feature is fused and then the encoded latent at the final stage is entropy-coded for transmission. The results show that our model outperforms previous approaches by at least 52% BD-rate reduction and has $\times5$ to $\times27$ times less encoding time for object detection. It is noteworthy that our model can attain near-lossless task performance with only 0.002-0.003% of the uncompressed feature data size.Comment: Under peer review for IEEE TCSV

Determinants of Esports Highlight Viewership: The Case of League of Legends Champions Korea

Studies on esports league demand via new media platforms are limited yet. This paper is the first to identify determinants of esports highlight viewership. Using set-level highlight view count from YouTube, we analyze various determinants to explain view counts. As a result, we found that the number of kills, playoff games, age of video clip, 2nd round games, and 3rd set is positively correlated to view counts. Outcome uncertainty and upset results do not affect view counts. We interpret the results that as highlight clips are released after the game is finished, viewers can know the results when making a decision. Or, relatively short highlight videos reduce opportunity costs for fans and fans do not care about game outcomes much

Utilizing PCL microcarriers for high-purity isolation of primary endothelial cells for tissue engineering

Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely used in research, both for fundamental vascular biology research and for exploring strategies to create engineered vascularized tissues. Primary isolation often results in contamination from fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells that can potentially affect function, particularly during the initial expansion period needed to establish the cell culture. In the current study, we explored the use of microcarriers to selectively isolate ECs from the lumen of intact vessels to enhance the purity during the isolation procedure. First, rat aortic explant culture was performed and after 2 weeks of culture, flow cytometry revealed that only 60% of the expanded cell population was positive for the endothelial marker CD31. Then, we employed a strategy to selectively isolate ECs and improve their purity by introducing microcarriers to the lumen of intact aorta. After 10 days, microcarriers were carefully removed and placed in cell culture dishes and at 15 days, a large near confluent layer of primary ECs populated the dish. Flow cytometry revealed that >90% of the expanded cells expressed CD31. Moreover, the cells were capable of forming tubule-like structures when plated onto Matrigel, confirming their function also. The highly modular and transportable nature of microcarriers has significant potential for isolating ECs at high purity, with minimal contamination

Session D5: Current Status of Fish Passages in South Korea

Abstract: Weirs are important for countries that agriculture is the primary industry due to the stable supply of water to agricultural fields. Because agriculture is still important in Korean peninsula, weirs have been constructing until now from small streams to large rivers. However, only limited fish passages were installed in weirs, and there were no managements. As a results, streams and rivers have become highly fragmented, with fish migration being severely impeded. Thus, ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs investigated entire fish passages in Korea in 2010-2011, and estimated current status and problems. A total of 33,718 weirs were installed (until year 2012), and this means that weirs are arithmetically located every 0.81km of the total stream length in Korea. Fish passages, however, were constructed only in 4,496 weirs (13.3% of installation rate). The weir type fish passages with Ice- Harbor type fishways (8.1%) which are favoured nowadays was showed the greatest number (36%), and the vertical slot type passages was in the second place (31%). The denil type and nature-like type were rarely installed. Only 18.1% of installed fish passages were left whole, and urgent repair is needed for 56.7%. Fish passages of 31.3% were incorporated into the recommended slope range of Korea (1:20). Most of problems are related discharge, poor entrance, breakage and sedimentation. With these structural problems, discontinuous installation of fish passages generates poor continuity of streams. Currently, to improve stream connectivity many projects from Korean government are now conducting and preparing, and additionally development of fish passages specialized for Korean fishes are required

Management of right main bronchial rupture with a double lumen endotracheal tube in a patient with blunt chest trauma

Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. It may cause airway obstruction and resulting life-threatening respiratory deficiency. However, the clinical presentations are variable and frequently difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old man with complete right main bronchial transection sustained after a vehicular accident, who had progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and anterior chest wall, and bilateral tension pneumothorax. Prompt chest tube drainage for suspected bilateral tension pneumothorax and a tracheal intubation were performed. Shortly after the positive pressure ventilation, severe subcutaneous emphysema developed and he was at risk for developing shock. Additional chest tubes were inserted. An emergency bronchoscopy showed rupture of the right main bronchus. After changing to a double lumen endotracheal tube, the patient’s condition improved. A surgical closure was performed and postoperative bronchoscopy showed good repair. The patient was discharged without complications

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Arising in a Huge Hepatocellular Adenoma with Bone Marrow Metaplasia

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is the most common type of benign liver tumor, and its major complication is malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report a case of HCC arising in HCA with bone marrow metaplasia in a 24-year-old Korean woman who presented with abdominal discomfort. A huge liver mass was found on abdominal ultrasonography. She underwent surgical hepatic resection, and the resected specimen was entirely involved by a 20-cm-sized tumor. Histological review revealed a well differentiated HCC arising from inflammatory HCA with β-catenin nuclear positivity and bone marrow metaplasia that contained hematopoietic cells. This case was unique because malignant transformation, inflammatory type HCA, β-catenin nuclear staining, and bone marrow metaplasia were simultaneously observed. Additionally, it should be noted that a large HCA with β-catenin activation can undergo malignant transformation and should be surgically resected in a timely manner

Effective gamma-ray sterilization and characterization of conductive polypyrrole biomaterials

Conductive polymers, including polypyrrole (PPy), have been extensively explored to fabricate electrically conductive biomaterials for bioelectrodes and tissue engineering scaffolds. For their in vivo uses, a sterilization method without severe impairment of original material properties and performance is necessary. Gamma-ray radiation has been commonly applied for sterilization of medical products because of its simple and uniform sterilization without heat generation. Herein we describe the first study on gamma-ray sterilization of PPy bioelectrodes and its effects on their characteristics. We irradiated PPy bioelectrodes with different doses (0–75 kGy) of gamma-rays. Gamma-ray irradiation of the PPy (γ-PPy) increased the oxygenation and hydrophilicity of the surfaces. Interestingly, gamma-ray irradiation did not alter the electrical impedances and conductivities of the PPy substrates. Additionally, γ-PPy prepared with various dopants (e.g., para-toluene sulfonate, polystyrene sulfonate, and chlorine) showed the electrochemical properties similar to the non-irradiated control. Gamma-ray irradiation at doses of ≥15 kGy was required for effective sterilization as evidenced by complete eradication of gram positive and negative bacteria. γ-PPy substrates also showed cytocompatibility similar to untreated control PPy, indicating no substantial alteration of cytocompatibility. In conclusion, gamma ray sterilization is a viable method of sterilization of conducting polymer-based biomaterials for biomedical applications

Features of Facial Asymmetry Following Incomplete Recovery from Facial Paralysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate peculiar patterns of facial asymmetry following incomplete recovery from facial paralysis that require optimal physical therapy for effective facial rehabilitation, and to decrease the incidence of avoidable facial sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 41 patients who had facial sequelae following the treatment of various facial nerve diseases from March 2000 to March 2007. All patients with a followup of at least 1 year after the onset of facial paralysis or hyperactive function of the facial nerve were evaluated with the global and regional House-Brackmann (HB) grading systems. The mean global HB scores and regional HB scores with standard deviations were calculated. Other factors were also analyzed. RESULTS: Four patterns of facial asymmetry can be observed in patients with incomplete facial recovery. The most frequently deteriorated facial movement is frontal wrinkling, followed by an open mouth, smile, or lip pucker in patients with sequelae following facial nerve injury. The most common type of synkinesis was unintended eye closure with an effort to smile. CONCLUSION: We described common configurations of facial asymmetry seen in incomplete recovery following facial nerve injury in an attempt to develop an optimal strategy for physical therapy for complete and effective facial recovery, and to decrease the incidence of avoidable sequelae.ope