A high performance lossless Bayer image compression scheme

2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

An efficient combined demosaicing and zooming algorithm for digital camera

2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Identification of five novel WASP mutations in Chinese families with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive immunodeficiency caused by mutation in the gene encoding WAS protein (WASP). The disease is characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia and severe immunodeificency and is associated with extensive clinical heterogeneity. Mutation studies indicated that the mutated genotypes are also highly variable. In this study, we performed PCR-direct sequencing analysis of the WAS gene in six unrelated Chinese families. Five novel mutations identified, included two nonsense mutations (506C-->T, 1388-->T), a small insertion (685-686insCGCA) and two single-base deletions (384delT, 984delC). All of the mutations are predicted to lead to premature translational termination of WASP. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.postprin

Exercise-Induced Changes in Exhaled NO Differentiates Asthma With or Without Fixed Airway Obstruction From COPD With Dynamic Hyperinflation.

Asthmatic patients with fixed airway obstruction (FAO) and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) share similarities in terms of irreversible pulmonary function impairment. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) has been documented as a marker of airway inflammation in asthma, but not in COPD. To examine whether the basal eNO level and the change after exercise may differentiate asthmatics with FAO from COPD, 27 normal subjects, 60 stable asthmatics, and 62 stable COPD patients were studied. Asthmatics with FAO (n = 29) were defined as showing a postbronchodilator FEV(1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ≤70% and FEV(1) less than 80% predicted after inhaled salbutamol (400 μg). COPD with dynamic hyperinflation (n = 31) was defined as a decrease in inspiratory capacity (ΔIC%) after a 6 minute walk test (6MWT). Basal levels of eNO were significantly higher in asthmatics and COPD patients compared to normal subjects. The changes in eNO after 6MWT were negatively correlated with the percent change in IC (r = −0.380, n = 29, P = 0.042) in asthmatics with FAO. Their levels of basal eNO correlated with the maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF % predicted) before and after 6MWT. In COPD patients with air-trapping, the percent change of eNO was positively correlated to ΔIC% (rs = 0.404, n = 31, P = 0.024). We conclude that asthma with FAO may represent residual inflammation in the airways, while dynamic hyperinflation in COPD may retain NO in the distal airspace. eNO changes after 6MWT may differentiate the subgroups of asthma or COPD patients and will help toward delivery of individualized therapy for airflow obstruction

A unified constitutive model for asymmetric tension and compression creep-ageing behaviour of naturally aged Al-Cu-Li alloy

A set of unified constitutive equations is presented that predict the asymmetric tension and compression creep behaviour and recently observed double primary creep of pre-stretched/naturally aged aluminium-cooper-lithium alloy AA2050-T34. The evolution of the primary micro- and macro-variables related to the precipitation hardening and creep deformation of the alloy during creep age forming (CAF) are analysed and modelled. Equations for the yield strength evolution of the alloy, including an initial reversion and subsequent strengthening, are proposed based on a theory of concurrent dissolution, re-nucleation and growth of precipitates during artificial ageing. We present new observations of so-called double primary creep during the CAF process. This phenomenon is then predicted by introducing effects of interacting microstructures, including evolving precipitates, diffusing solutes and dislocations, into the sinh-law creep model. In addition, concepts of threshold creep stress σth and a microstructure-dependant creep variable H, which behave differently under different external stress directions, are proposed and incorporated into the creep model. This enables prediction of the asymmetric tension and compression creep-ageing behaviour of the alloy. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and related small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis have been carried out for selected creep-aged samples to assist the development and calibration of the constitutive model. A good agreement has been achieved between the experimental results and the model. The model has the potential to be applied to creep age forming of other heat-treatable aluminium alloys

Maintenance techniques for rechargeable battery using pulse charging

Author name used in this publication: Cheng K. W. E.Author name used in this publication: Ho Y. L.Refereed conference paper2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Age as a factor in severe bacterial infection in transfusion-dependent patients with thalassemia major [2] (multiple letters)

published_or_final_versio

Two Chinese patients with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome due to TGFBR2 mutations

Poster Presentation (Doctor’s Session)This journal issue contain Proceedings of the CongressBACKGROUND: We previously reported 6 patients with Marfan-like phenotype due to transforming growth factor b-receptor 2 (TGFBR2) mutations (Am J Med Genet Part A 149A:1452-1459). Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a recently described autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, cleft palate, aortic dilatation, blood vessel tortuosity and a high risk of aortic dissection. It is caused by mutations in the TGFBR1 and 2 genes. Two of the 6 patients reported in 2009 were re-assessed and confirmed to have phenotypic features of ...postprin

Biomimetic deposition of apatite on surface chemically modified porous NiTi shapememory alloy

Porous NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) with 48% porosity and an average pore size of 50800 μm was synthesized by capsule-free hot isostatic pressing (CF-HIP). To enhance the surface bioactivity, the porous NiTi SMA was subjected to H"2O"2 and subsequent NaOH treatment. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that a porous sodium titanate (Na"2TiO"3) film had formed on the surface of the porous NiTi SMA. An apatite layer was deposited on this film after immersion in simulated body fluid at 37°C, while no apatite could be found on the surface of the untreated porous NiTi SMA. The formation of the apatite layer infers that the bioactivity of the porous NiTi SMA may be enhanced by surface chemical treatment, which is favorable for its application as bone implants. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company.postprin