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H.266/Versatile Video Coding (VVC) is the latest international video coding standard to encode ultra-high-definition video effectively. The quadtree with nested multi-type tree (QT-MTT) structure provides various sizes of coding tree partitioning and allows the nested binary tree (BT) split and ternary tree (TT) split at each QT level. Furthermore, numerous advanced coding tools are equipped in the H.266/VVC encoder. However, the encoding time increases tremendously. Previous researches regarding the fast coding algorithm of H.266/VVC seldom mention perceptual redundancy. This paper utilizes the human vision model of just noticeable difference to extract the visually distinguishable pixels that may affect the visual perception. We observe that the distributions acquired by the horizontal and vertical projections of visually distinguishable pixels within the coding unit are related to their corresponding MTT splitting modes. Therefore, the distributions representing the perceptual information of human vision are used to be the input features of machine learning. Fast MTT decision determined by the random forest models of machine learning is proposed to quickly select the partition for intra coding. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively accelerate intra coding process while maintaining good bitrate and video quality based on the properties of the visual perception. The proposed algorithm provides better performance than the previous work.

Fatigue is a prevalent subjective sensation, affecting both office workers and a significant global population. In Taiwan alone, over 2.6 million individuals—around 30% of office workers—experience chronic fatigue. However, fatigue transcends workplaces, impacting people worldwide and potentially leading to health issues and accidents. Gaining insight into one’s fatigue status over time empowers effective management and risk reduction associated with other ailments. Utilizing photoplethysmography (PPG) signals brings advantages due to their easy acquisition and physiological insights. This study crafts a specialized preprocessing and peak detection methodology for PPG signals. A novel fatigue index stems from PPG signals, focusing on the dicrotic peak’s position. This index replaces subjective data from the brief fatigue index (BFI)-Taiwan questionnaire and heart rate variability (HRV) indices derived from PPG signals for assessing fatigue levels. Correlation analysis, involving sixteen healthy adults, highlights a robust correlation (R > 0.53) between the new fatigue index and specific BFI questions, gauging subjective fatigue over the last 24 h. Drawing from these insights, the study computes an average of the identified questions to formulate the evaluated fatigue score, utilizing the newfound fatigue index. The implementation of linear regression establishes a robust fatigue assessment system. The results reveal an impressive 91% correlation coefficient between projected fatigue levels and subjective fatigue experiences. This underscores the remarkable accuracy of the proposed fatigue prediction in evaluating subjective fatigue. This study further operationalized the proposed PPG processing, peak detection method, and fatigue index using C# in a computer environment alongside a PPG device, thereby offering real-time fatigue indices to users. Timely reminders are employed to prompt users to take notice when their index exceeds a predefined threshold, fostering greater attention to their physical well-being.

The encoding format of the 3D extension of high efficiency video coding (3D-HEVC) consists of a multiview color texture and an associated depth map. Because of the unique characteristics of the depth map, advanced coding techniques are designed for depth map coding at the expense of computational complexity. In this paper, fast algorithms are conceived to accelerate the intra coding time of the depth map based on boundary continuity. First, the proposed fast prediction unit (PU) mode decision reduces the number of conventional intra prediction modes based on calculating the total sum of squares (TSS) of the PU boundaries. Second, the proposed fast depth modeling mode (DMM) decision makes use of the variances of the boundary pixels to determine the execution of the DMM. Third, the proposed coding unit (CU) early termination algorithm decides whether to further split the current CU by utilizing the thresholds of the TSS and the rate-distortion cost (RD-cost). The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides better performance in terms of coding speed and bitrate than the algorithm in previous work. The coding time of the depth map is reduced by 56.08%, while the Bjøntegaard delta bitrate (BD-BR) is only increased by 0.32% for the synthesis view.

3D-HEVC (The 3D Extension of High Efficiency Video Coding), the latest international standard for 3D video coding, supports multiview plus depth 3D video format to enrich multimedia applications. For the texture coding, 3D-HEVC utilizes not only the information of temporal and spatial domains but also that of inter-view domain. However, the time consumption and complexity of 3D-HEVC also increase significantly. In this paper, fast texture coding algorithm for 3D-HEVC is proposed. We individually calculate the Pearson correlation coefficients by the rate-distortion costs (RD-costs) of coding tree units (CTUs) in the temporal, spatial and inter-view domains to analyze the correlations for independent view and dependent view. The proposed coding algorithm is based on the coding information of CTUs with higher correlations. The fast algorithm predicts and dynamically adjusts the depth range of the coding unit (CU). The prediction unit (PU) mode decision is proposed according to the complexity and partition direction of the best PU modes obtained from the highly correlated CTUs. The search range is adaptively adjusted for motion estimation. In addition, the RD-cost threshold is estimated to early terminate the CU split. Experimental results show that the proposed fast texture coding algorithm reduces the texture coding time significantly and outperforms numerous previous works.

Abstract Chloroplasts are divided into six subcompartments: the outer membrane, intermembrane space, and inner membrane of the envelope, the stroma, the thylakoid membrane, and the thylakoid lumen. Compared with our knowledge of protein import into other subcompartments, extremely little is known about how proteins are imported into the intermembrane space of the envelope. Tic22 was one of the first proteins identified as localizing to the intermembrane space and the only one for which import has been analyzed in some detail. However, conflicting results have been obtained concerning whether the general translocon is used to import Tic22 into the intermembrane space. Taking advantage of available translocon component mutants, we reanalyzed import of Tic22. We reveal reduced in vitro import of Tic22 preprotein (prTic22) into chloroplasts isolated from the Arabidopsis mar1 and tic236 mutants, which are functional knockdown mutants of the outer‐membrane channel Toc75 and the intermembrane space linker Tic236, respectively. Import competition experiments also showed that prTic22 import was reduced by excess amounts of a stroma‐targeted preprotein. Our results indicate that prTic22 uses at least part of the general translocon for import into the intermembrane space.

We propose a pedestrian trajectory prediction algorithm based on the bimodal extended Kalman filter. With this filter, we are able to make full use of the dual-state nature of the pedestrian movement, i.e., the pedestrian is either moving or remains stationary. We apply the dual-mode probability model to describe the state of the pedestrian. Based on this model, we construct the proposed bimodal extended Kalman filter to estimate pedestrian state distribution. The filter obtains the state distribution for each pedestrian in the scene, respectively, and use that state distribution to predict the future trajectories of all the people in the scene. This prediction method estimates the prior probability of each parameter of the model through the dataset and updates the individual posterior probability of the pedestrian state through the bimodal extended Kalman filter. Our model can predict the trajectory of every individual, by taking the social interaction of pedestrians as well as the surrounding physical obstacles into account, with less than fifty model parameters being used, while with the limited parameter, our model could be nearly accurate as other deep learning models and still be comprehensible for model users.

Since the Nobel Prize-winning work of Huggins, androgen ablation has been a mainstay for treatment of recurrent prostate cancer. While initially effective for most patients, prostate cancers inevitably develop the ability to survive, grow, and metastasize further, despite ongoing androgen suppression. Here, we briefly review key preclinical studies over decades and include illustrative examples from our own laboratories that suggest prostate cancer cells titrate androgen signaling to optimize growth. Such laboratory-based studies argue that adaptations that allow growth in a low-androgen environment render prostate cancer sensitive to restoration of androgens, especially at supraphysiologic doses. Based on preclinical data as well as clinical observations, trials employing high-dose testosterone (HDT) therapy have now been conducted. These trials suggest a clinical benefit in cancer response and quality of life in a subset of castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Laboratory studies also suggest that HDT may yet be optimized further to improve efficacy or durability of response. However, laboratory observations suggest that the cancer will inevitably adapt to HDT, and, as with prior androgen deprivation, disease progression follows. Nonetheless, the adaptations made to render tumors resistant to hormonal manipulations may reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited to prolong survival and provide other clinical benefits.

Background: Plant derivatives have been studied as therapies for prostate cancer based on their purported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and low toxicities. The acai berry is an example of a plant rich in phytochemicals, which may slow the growth of prostate cancer. Methods: This was a phase II, Simon 2-stage clinical trial in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer with a primary endpoint of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. Patients were asymptomatic, with a rising PSA of at least 0.2 ng/mL, and were treated with twice daily intake of Acai Juice Product until PSA progression, with a primary endpoint of PSA response. Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled in the first stage of the trial. One of those patients had a PSA response within the study time period. The PSA doubling time was lengthened in 71% of patients (95% confidence interval = 48% to 89%) on the trial, and in a small number of responders, this was sustained over an extended time. Conclusions: This study did not meet its primary endpoint of 50% PSA response. Nevertheless, the overall tolerability and effects on PSA stabilization warrant further exploration in a biochemically recurrent population.

Aimed to find the additive magnitude automatically and adaptively, we propose a three-step and model-based approach for the sharpening of images in this paper. In the first pass, a Grey prediction model is applied to find a global maximal additive magnitude so that the condition of oversharpening in images to be sharpened can be avoided. During the second pass, edge pixels are picked out with our previously proposed edge detection mechanism. In this pass, a low-pass filter is also applied so that isolated pixels will not be regarded as around an edge. In the final pass, those pixels detected as around an edge are adjusted adaptively based on the local statistics, and those nonedge pixels are kept unaltered. Extensive experiments on natural images as well as medical images with subjective and objective evaluations will be given to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach.

An efficient approach to the sharpening of color images is proposed in this paper. For this, the image to be sharpened is first transformed to the HSV color model, and then only the channel of Value will be used for the process of sharpening while the other channels are left unchanged. We then apply a proposed edge detector and low-pass filter to the channel of Value to pick out pixels around boundaries. After that, those pixels detected as around edges or boundaries are adjusted so that the boundary can be sharpened, and those nonedge pixels are kept unaltered. The increment or decrement magnitude that is to be added to those edge pixels is determined in an adaptive manner based on global statistics of the image and local statistics of the pixel to be sharpened. With the proposed approach, the discontinuities can be highlighted while most of the original information contained in the image can be retained. Finally, the adjusted channel of Value and that of Hue and Saturation will be integrated to get the sharpened color image. Extensive experiments on natural images will be given in this paper to highlight the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.

Hsp70 chaperones are involved in multiple biological processes and are recruited to specific processes by designated J domain-containing cochaperones, or J proteins. To understand the evolution and functions of chloroplast Hsp70s and J proteins, we identified the Arabidopsis chloroplast J protein constituency using a combination of genomic and proteomic database searches and individual protein import assays. We show that Arabidopsis chloroplasts have at least 19 J proteins, the highest number of confirmed J proteins for any organelle. These 19 J proteins are classified into 11 clades, for which cyanobacteria and glaucophytes only have homologs for one clade, green algae have an additional three clades, and all the other 7 clades are specific to land plants. Each clade also possesses a clade-specific novel motif that is likely used to interact with different client proteins. Gene expression analyses indicate that most land plant-specific J proteins show highly variable expression in different tissues and are down regulated by low temperatures. These results show that duplication of chloroplast Hsp70 in land plants is accompanied by more than doubling of the number of its J protein cochaperones through adding new J proteins with novel motifs, not through duplications within existing families. These new J proteins likely recruit chloroplast Hsp70 to perform tissue specific functions related to biosynthesis rather than to stress resistance.

The development of the Cre recombinase-controlled (Cre/LoxP) technique allows the manipulation of specific tumorigenic genes, temporarily and spatially. Our original intention of this study was to investigate the role of Kras and p53 in the development of urinary bladder cancer. First, to validate the effect of intravesical delivery on Cre recombination (Adeno-Cre), we examined activity and expression of β-galactosidase in the bladder of control ROSA transgenic mice. The results confirmed specific recombination as evidenced by β-galactosidase activity in the bladder urothelium of these mice. Then, we administered the same adenovirus into the bladder of double transgenic Kras(LSLG12D/+). p53(fl/fl) mice. The virus solution was held in place by a distal urethral retention suture for 2 hours. To our surprise, there was a rapid development of a spindle-cell tumor with sarcoma characteristics near the suture site, within the pelvic area but outside the urinary track. Since we did not see any detectable β-galactosidase in the area outside of the bladder in the validating (control) experiment, we interpreted that this sarcoma formation was likely due to transduction by Adeno-Cre in the soft tissue of the suture site. To avoid the loss of skin integrity associated with the retention suture, we transitioned to an alternative technique without suture to retain the Adeno-Cre into the bladder cavity. Interestingly, although multiple Adeno-Cre treatments were applied, only urothelial hyperplasia but not carcinogenesis was observed in the subsequent experiments of up to 6 months. In conclusion, we observed that the simultaneous inactivation of p53 and activation of Kras induces quick formation of spindle-cell sarcoma in the soft tissues adjacent to the bladder but slow formation of urothelial hyperplasia inside the bladder. These results strongly suggest that the effect of oncogene regulation to produce either hyperplasia or carcinogenesis greatly depends on the tissue type.

The two-membrane envelope is a defining feature of chloroplasts. Chloroplasts evolved from a Gram-negative cyanobacterial endosymbiont. During evolution, genes of the endosymbiont have been transferred to the host nuclear genome. Most chloroplast proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as higher-molecular-mass preproteins with an N-terminal transit peptide. Preproteins are transported into chloroplasts by the TOC and TIC (translocons at the outer- and inner-envelope membranes of chloroplasts, respectively) machineries.sup.1,2, but how TOC and TIC are assembled together is unknown. Here we report the identification of the TIC component TIC236; TIC236 is an integral inner-membrane protein that projects a 230-kDa domain into the intermembrane space, which binds directly to the outer-membrane channel TOC75. The knockout mutation of TIC236 is embryonically lethal. In TIC236-knockdown mutants, a smaller amount of the inner-membrane channel TIC20 was associated with TOC75; the amount of TOC-TIC supercomplexes was also reduced. This resulted in a reduced import rate into the stroma, though outer-membrane protein insertion was unaffected. The size and the essential nature of TIC236 indicate that--unlike in mitochondria, in which the outer- and inner-membrane translocons exist as separate complexes and a supercomplex is only transiently assembled during preprotein translocation.sup.3,4--a long and stable protein bridge in the intermembrane space is required for protein translocation into chloroplasts. Furthermore, TIC236 and TOC75 are homologues of bacterial inner-membrane TamB.sup.5 and outer-membrane BamA, respectively. Our evolutionary analyses show that, similar to TOC75, TIC236 is preserved only in plants and has co-evolved with TOC75 throughout the plant lineage. This suggests that the backbone of the chloroplast protein-import machinery evolved from the bacterial TamB-BamA protein-secretion system.TIC236 is an inner-membrane protein that binds to the outer-membrane channel TOC75 to create a long, stable bridge that enables the transport of proteins into chloroplasts., Author(s): Yih-Lin Chen [sup.1] , Lih-Jen Chen [sup.1] , Chiung-Chih Chu [sup.1] , Po-Kai Huang [sup.1] [sup.2] , Jie-Ru Wen [sup.1] , Hsou-min Li [sup.1] Author Affiliations:(1) Institute of Molecular [...]