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The next-generation video compression standard H.266/Future Video Coding (FVC) provides high compression efficiency in terms of the cost of computing the optimal intra mode from 67 modes. We propose an intra mode prediction method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). An input image set of 20 × 20 blocks is used to train the CNN; the CNN is used to predict the best classes of intra mode direction. The CNN architecture comprises two convolutional layers and a fully connected layer. Compared with the default fast search method in FVC, the proposed method can achieve a 0.033% decrease in Bjontegaard delta bit rate (BDBR) with only a slight increase in time.

In this work, electrical manipulation of the magneto-optical properties of a cobalt (Co)/carbon (C) heterostructure is demonstrated via reversible voltage (V)-dependent magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) measurements to provide information on its spin-polarized density of states. Complex impedance spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of capacitance effects between Co and C. Suppression of the radial distribution functions of the X-ray absorption spectra and changes in the Raman spectra reveal that charge injection under an applied V results in increased interstitial charge densities. Angle-dependent changes in MCD under an applied V reveal that variations in C–Co hybridization due to charge accumulation are responsible for the observed phenomena.

With the development of technology, the requirements of hardware equipment and user expectations of visual enjoyment are increasingly gradually. The Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) has established the latest video compression standard, Future Video Coding (FVC). FVC adopts QuadTree plus Binary Tree (QTBT) based Coding Unit (CU) structure, which not only removes the complex hierarchical structure of the CU, Prediction Unit (PU), and Transform Unit (TU) but also supports square and rectangular coding blocks based on the texture of the video content. Although the QTBT structure can provide superior coding performance, it significantly increases the encoding time, particularly in intra coding. Therefore, developing a fast intra CU partition decision algorithm is essential. In this paper, a fast CU partition decision algorithm in FVC intra coding based on spatial features is proposed. Different spatial features in the pixel domain are proposed in the binary tree and quadtree decision processes. Spatial features for the binary tree are employed for early skipping of the encoding process of CUs with binary tree depth and for early determination of binary tree split mode. Spatial features for the quadtree are employed for early splitting or termination of CUs with quadtree depth. Compared with JEM 5.0, the proposed method can save 23% encoding time on average with a slight increase of 0.62% in the Bjontegaard delta bitrate (BDBR).

Introduction: Patients with arteriovenous fistulas are advised to avoid carrying heavy objects draped over the fistula arm. Awareness gradually leads to overprotection and a reduction in the use of the fistula arm. However, restricting motion in the fistula arm leads to decreased quality of life and diminished muscle strength. The current safety recommendations regarding lifting heavy items with the fistula arm are primarily based on experience. Few studies have provided evidence clarifying the scope of safe activity and the influence of load bearing on the continued patency of arteriovenous fistulas. Methods: This prospective observation was based on a long-term follow-up study in which 86 hemodialysis recipients with arteriovenous fistulas were randomized into either a dumbbell group or a handgrip group. The dumbbell group exercised with 6-lb dumbbells, while the handgrip group squeezed rubber balls. Postintervention primary patency and adverse events at the 6-month follow-up were analyzed. Results: No significant difference in postintervention primary patency was observed between the dumbbell group and the handgrip group at 6 months (97.4% vs 95.0%). There were two participants with high-flow fistulas in the dumbbell group and three in the handgrip group, with no significant difference between the two groups (5.3% vs 7.5%). In both groups, there were no other adverse events reported regarding cardiac failure, aneurysm, puncture site hematoma, or hemorrhage. Conclusion: Hemodialysis patients can safely use their fistula arm to lift objects weighing less than 6 lb, which encourages increased motion and helps preserve the functionality of the fistula arm.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) have been the main vascular accesses for haemodialysis patients, but the maintenance after maturation poses serious challenges. Arm exercises promote the maturation of AVFs. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of arm exercise on matured AVF and addressed the intervention for late fistula failure. Objectives: The study was conducted to explore the effect of dumbbell exercise on mature AVF. Methods: 86 participants undergoing haemodialysis with AVFs were randomized into the control group and experimental group. The experimental group held 6-pound dumbbells on non-dialysis days for 3 months, while the control group squeezed rubber balls. Results: For blood flow of draining vein (DV; primary outcome), the between-group effects, interaction effect and time effect showed significant differences. A significant increase in blood flow of DV was observed in the dumbbell group at the 3rd month (mean difference, 359.50 [111.90–829.05] mL/min; p = 0.001). The difference in blood flow of AVF proximal artery, blood flow of brachial artery, the diameter of DV and the incidence of adverse events at 3 months (secondary outcomes) between the 2 groups was insignificant. Conclusion: Prolonged training with arm exercises is essential for patients with AVFs though the fistula has matured. The designed dumbbell exercise is an economical, effective intervention to maintain the function of AVF, especially for patients with potential reduction of access blood flow and no percutaneous transluminal angioplasty indication.

The next-generation video compression standard H.266/Future Video Coding (FVC) provides high compression efficiency in terms of the cost of computing the optimal intra mode from 67 modes. We propose an intra mode prediction method based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). An input image set of 20 × 20 blocks is used to train the CNN; the CNN is used to predict the best classes of intra mode direction. The CNN architecture comprises two convolutional layers and a fully connected layer. Compared with the default fast search method in FVC, the proposed method can achieve a 0.033% decrease in Bjontegaard delta bit rate (BDBR) with only a slight increase in time.

The Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) has established the latest video compression standard, Future Video Coding (FVC). However, quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) based coding unit (CU) structure increases noticeable computational complexity in FVC intra coding. In this paper, a fast intra CU binary tree partition decision algorithm based on spatial features is proposed. The proposed method compared to JEM5.0 can save 23% encoding time with only 0.55% BDBR increment.

In the past several decades, many video coding standards with higher coding efficiency were developed. It raises an interesting question: Does transcoding benefit a previous coded video stream? This work uses H.264-HEVC transcoding as the study object. The experimental results show that the quality parameter (QP) plays the key role. With low H.264 QP and high HEVC QP, transcoding can always reduce the bitrate with similar PSNR. The bitrate saving can be over 50%, depending on the texture complexity. On the contrary, high H.264 QP with low HEVC QP can only cost tremendous bitrate with little PSNR improvement.

Nogo-A, oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) are known as myelin-associated proteins that inhibit axon growth by binding a common receptor, the Nogo66 receptor (NgR). In the CNS, Nogo-A, OMgp and MAG are predominantly expressed by oligodendrocytes. As our previous study revealed that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) did not inhibit neurite outgrowth, it is not clear whether these myelin-associated proteins are expressed in OPCs, and what functions they perform if they are expressed in OPCs. In the present study, with OPCs induced from neural precursor cells (NPCs) derived from rat embryonic spinal cord, and oligodendrocytes differentiated from OPCs, we have observed the expression patterns of Nogo-A, OMgp, MAG and NgR in NPCs, OPCs and oligodendrocytes by immunostaining and western blot assay. We found that Nogo-A could be detected in all tested cells; OMgp could be detected in OPCs and oligodendrocytes, but not in NPCs; MAG was only detected in oligodendrocytes; while NgR could be detected in NPCs and OPCs, but not in oligodendrocytes. These results indicated that the expression pattern of MAG and NgR in OPCs was totally different from that of oligodendrocytes, which might be one of the factors that led to the discrepancy between the two cells in promoting neurite outgrowth. By respectively blocking Nogo-A, OMgp and NgR expressed on OPCs with their corresponding antibodies, we further investigated their roles in the proliferation and differentiation of OPCs, as well as the possible signal pathways involved in. Our results showed that when OPCs were cultured under proliferation condition, blocking Nogo-A, OMgp or NgR did not affect the proliferation of OPCs, but could all significantly prolong their processes. And this effect on OPC processes might involve the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. When OPCs were cultured under differentiation condition (containing tri-iodothyronine, T3), blocking Nogo-A, OMgp or NgR could all inhibit the differentiation of OPCs, and this effect might involve the extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 (Erk1/2) signaling pathway. These results suggested that under proliferation environment, the functions of Nogo-A, OMgp and NgR expressed in OPCs might be to control the length of processes, thus maintaining the morphology of OPCs. While in differentiation environment, the functions of Nogo-A, OMgp and NgR expressed in OPCs turned to promote the differentiation of OPCs, thus facilitating the maturation of oligodendrocytes. And NgR, as the common receptor for Nogo-A and OMgp, might be the main molecule that mediated these functions in OPCs.

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 1057–1065. Abstract Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) has been shown to be neuroprotective; however, the mechanism by which EGb761 mediates neuroprotection remains unclear. We hypothesized that the neuroprotective effect of EGb761 is mediated by inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), an enzyme that is known to play a key role in mediating secondary pathogenesis after acute spinal cord injury (SCI). To determine whether EGb761 neuroprotection involves the cPLA2 pathway, we first investigated the effect of glutamate and hydrogen peroxide on cPLA2 activation. Results showed that both insults induced an increase in the expression of phosphorylated cPLA2 (p-cPLA2), a marker of cPLA2 activation, and neuronal death in vitro. Such effects were significantly reversed by EGb761 administration. Additionally, EGb761 significantly decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, a downstream metabolite of cPLA2. Moreover, inhibition of cPLA2 activity with arachidonyl trifluromethyl ketone improved neuroprotection against glutamate and hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal death, and reversed Bcl-2/Bax ratio; notably, EGb761 produced greater effects than arachidonyl trifluromethyl ketone. Finally, we showed that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway is involved in EGb761’s modulation of cPLA2 phosphorylation. These results collectively suggest that the protective effect of EGb761 is mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of cPLA2 activation, and that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway may play an important role in mediating the EGb761’s effect.