A new, enhanced EZW image codec with subband classification

In this paper, an enhanced version of Embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) image coding algorithm is proposed, referred to as EZW-SC. By exploiting a new principle that relies on a subband classification concept, the enhanced algorithm allows the prediction of insignificant subbands at early passes, along with the use of an improved significance map. This reduces the redundancy of zerotree symbols, speeds up the coding process and improves the coding of significant coefficients. In fact, the EZW-SC algorithm scans only significant subbands and significantly improves the lossy compression performance with the conventional EZW. Moreover, new EZW-based schemes are presented to perform colour image coding by taking advantage of the interdependency of the colour components. Experimental results show clear superiority of the proposed algorithms over the conventional EZW as well as other related EZW schemes at various bit rates in both greyscale and colour image compression

De la stigmatisation à l’exclusion de la personne désignée comme malade mentale en Algérie

Au regard des normes sociales, l’expérience de la folie est stigmatisante. Le malade mental est perçu comme un être dangereux, voire violent. Un cliché réducteur qui lui confère une fausse identité et le rend plus vulnérable à l’exclusion sociale. Outre sa pathologie, le malade mental subit une maltraitance sociale. Il en résulte parfois un fort sentiment de honte et d’auto-stigmatisation de soi. En Algérie, le malade mental se trouve confiné dans des lieux asilaires et isolés et son quotidien est marqué par des inégalités importantes. Du point de vue sociologique, la folie est utilisée par la communauté comme ressource culturelle afin de consolider les normes existantes. Les états pathologiques avérés sont souvent interprétés comme des phénomènes qui s’opposent à la normalité. En effet, on assigne au malade le statut de « fou » qui symbolise aux yeux de la société un danger potentiel et/ou réel. Une telle représentation détermine les stratégies de contrôle social (la stigmatisation, l’exclusion, etc.) qui contribuent au maintien de l’ordre habituel

Excess of transmission of the G allele of the -1438A/G polymorphism of the 5-HT_2Areceptor gene in patients with schizophrenia responsive to antipsychotics

Abstract Background The -1438A/G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A gene has been found to be associated with clinical response to clozapine and other second generation antipsychotics. Testing the impact of this marker on response to first generation antipsychotics (which have a lower affinity for the 5-HT2A receptor) provides the opportunity to help disentangling the two different roles that this polymorphism might have. A psychopharmacogenetic role should be detected only for antipsychotics with high affinity to the 5-HT2A receptor (therefore to second generation antipsychotics). An alternative role would imply tagging a subgroup of patients responsive to any antipsychotic, whatever their affinity, meaning that the association is more depending on non pharmacological charaterictics, such as clinical specificities. Methods A family-based sample of 100 Algerian patients with schizophrenia (according to DSM-IV criteria) and their 200 biological parents was recruited, in order to avoid stratification biases. Patients were all treated, or have been treated, by conventional antipsychotics (mainly haloperidol) for at least four weeks, at appropriate dosage. May and Dencker scale was used to distinguish responders and non responders. Results No allele of the -1438A/G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A gene was transmitted in excess (50 transmitted for 38 untransmitted) in the whole sample of patients with schizophrenia (p = .90). In contrast, a significant excess of transmission of the G allele was observed (p = .02) in the subgroup of patients with good treatment response (17 transmitted for 6 untransmitted). Conclusion Using a TDT approach, we showed that the G allele of the -1438A/G polymorphism of the gene coding for the 5-HT2A receptor was associated to schizophrenia with good response to conventional antipsychotics, although this conclusion is based on 88 informative patients only. Because previous data showed the same result with atypical antipsychotics, it can be concluded that the G allele tags a subgroup of schizophrenic patients with greater chance of improvement with antipsychotics of either type.</p