Teletext data change detection and noiseless data compression

Full Channel teletext system is a high speed data broadcasting system. Pages of information are broadcast in a cyclic manner. The detection of data change in the information pages is necessary for data analysis, database update and retransmission. Lossless data compression is also necessary to enhance the data throughput in rebroadcasting and to reduce the storage requirement. Performing data change detection and data compression in real time using a software approach in a small machine is impossible for such high speed data. In this paper, we describe the algorithms that are suitable for hardware implementation for both data change detection and noiseless data compression.published_or_final_versio

Real time teletext broadcast system performance enhancement using ghost rows

Teletext is a one way broadcast system which provides a variety of services to its users. A one way broadcast system is attractive because a single transmission of a piece of information satisfies all potential users of that information. The main drawback of these types of systems is that a user must wait until the required information arrives. Therefore, the access time is an important consideration in the design of broadcast teletext systems. In addition, another important factor, information update delay, is very significant in real time broadcast teletext. The shortening of this delay is important.for real time applications especially for systems broadcasting financial information. In this paper, we propose to use the ghost rows together with the storage capabilities of modern terminals to shorten both the access time and the update delay. A queueing model is developed to analyse the performance of this new system. ©1997 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong: a territory-wide study

INTRODUCTION: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a global health care problem. Like other cities in the world, Hong Kong faces the impact of such events. This study is the first territory-wide investigation of the epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong. It is hoped that the findings can improve survival of patients with cardiac arrest. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest managed by the emergency medical service from 1 August 2012 to 31 July 2013. The characteristics of patients and cardiac arrests, timeliness of emergency medical service attendance, and survival rates were reported with descriptive statistics. Predictors of 30-day survival were evaluated with logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 5154 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were analysed. The median age of patients was 80 years. Most arrests occurred at the patient's home. Ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia was identified in 8.7% of patients. The median time taken for the emergency services to reach the patient was 9 minutes. The median time to first defibrillation was 12 minutes. Of note, 2.3% of patients were alive at 30 days or survived to hospital discharge; 1.5% had a good neurological outcome. Location of arrest, initial electrocardiogram rhythm, and time to first defibrillation were independent predictors of survival at 30 days. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Hong Kong is low. Territory-wide public access defibrillation programme and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training may help improve survival.published_or_final_versio

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nucleocapsid protein does not modulate transcription of the human FGL2 gene

Among the structural and nonstructural proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the nucleocapsid (N) protein plays pivotal roles in the biology and pathogenesis of viral infection. N protein is thought to dysregulate cell signalling and the transcription of cellular genes, including FGL2, which encodes a prothrombinase implicated in vascular thrombosis, fibrin deposition and pneumocyte necrosis. Here, we showed that N protein expressed in cultured human cells was predominantly found in the cytoplasm and was competent in repressing the transcriptional activity driven by interferon-stimulated response elements. However, the expression of N protein did not influence the transcription from the FGL2 promoter. More importantly, N protein did not modulate the expression of FGL2 mRNA or protein in transfected or SARS-CoV-infected cells. Taken together, our findings did not support the model in which SARS-CoV N protein specifically modulates transcription of the FGL2 gene to cause fibrosis and vascular thrombosis. © 2009 SGM.published_or_final_versio

Roles of a novel splice variant of human IFI16 in innate immune response

Poster Presentation - Theme 4: Infection & immunityDNA from viral or bacterial pathogens activates innate immune response. The recognition of self-DNA would induce autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In human, AIM2 like receptors (ALRs) including AIM2, IFI16, IFIX and MNDA are DNA binding proteins implicated in DNA sensing. Most ALRs contain an N-terminal pyrin domain and C-terminal HIN200 domains. However, mouse SLE susceptibility locus p202 encodes only HIN200 domains. A human homolog of p202 was not found. Here, we identified and characterized a novel splice variant of human IFI16, which has a similar domain structure as mouse p202. We named it ...postprin

Financial data broadcasting using VBI teletext

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Loss of APD1 in Yeast Confers Hydroxyurea Sensitivity Suppressed by Yap1p Transcription Factor

Ferredoxins are iron-sulfur proteins that play important roles in electron transport and redox homeostasis. Yeast Apd1p is a novel member of the family of thioredoxin-like ferredoxins. In this study, we characterized the hydroxyurea (HU)-hypersensitive phenotype of apd1Δ cells. HU is an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, a cellular stressor and an anticancer agent. Although the loss of APD1 did not influence cell proliferation or cell cycle progression, it resulted in HU sensitivity. This sensitivity was reverted in the presence of antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine, implicating a role for intracellular redox. Mutation of the iron-binding motifs in Apd1p abrogated its ability to rescue HU sensitivity in apd1Δ cells. The iron-binding activity of Apd1p was verified by a color assay. By mass spectrometry two irons were found to be incorporated into one Apd1p protein molecule. Surprisingly, ribonucleotide reductase genes were not induced in apd1Δ cells and the HU sensitivity was unaffected when dNTP production was boosted. A suppressor screen was performed and the expression of stress-regulated transcription factor Yap1p was found to effectively rescue the HU sensitivity in apd1Δ cells. Taken together, our work identified Apd1p as a new ferredoxin which serves critical roles in cellular defense against HU.published_or_final_versio

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus M protein suppresses type I interferon expression through the inhibition of TBK1-dependent phosphorylation of IRF3

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Androgen deprivation therapy and cardiovascular risk in chinese patients with nonmetastatic carcinoma of prostate.

Background. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in nonmetastatic prostate cancer is unclear. Recent data suggests possible increase in the cardiovascular risks receiving ADT. The aim of the study was to investigate the cardiovascular outcomes in a cohort of Chinese nonmetastatic prostate cancer patients with no previously documented cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results. 745 patients with no previously documented cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus diagnosed to have nonmetastatic prostate cancer were recruited. Of these, 517 patients received ADT and the remaining 228 did not. After a mean follow-up of 5.3 years, 60 patients developed primary composite endpoint including (1) coronary artery disease, (2) congestive heart failure, and (3) ischemic stroke. Higher proportion of patients on ADT (51 patients, 9.9%) developed composite endpoint compared with those not on ADT (9 patients, 3.9%) with hazard ratio (HR) of 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–3.24, ). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis revealed that only the use of ADT (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.03–4.25, ) and hypertension (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.21–3.33, ) were independent predictors for primary composite endpoint. Conclusion. ADT in Chinese patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer with no previously documented cardiovascular disease was associated with subsequent development of cardiovascular events.published_or_final_versio

Diabetes incidence and prevalence in Hong Kong, China during 2006-2014

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