Object-oriented H.263 compatible video coding platform forconferencing applications

This paper describes a prototype video coding platform meant for the conception and testing of multimedia products such as next-generation videophones. The platform is largely based on ITU-T Recommendation H.263, with a number of additional object-oriented quality enhancement features which make it especially well suited for very low bit-rate coding of “head-and-shoulders” video material typical of real-time multimedia applications, video teleconferencing, and video telephony. These features consist of: (1) segmentation into objects of interest, (2) segmentation-based prefiltering, (3) model-assisted rate control, (4) adaptive vector quantization, and finally (5) segmentation-based postfiltering. In the spirit of Recommendation H.263, these enhancements are modular and can be selectively turned on or off, thereby enabling a wide variety of coding modes     

Cathepsin D in diagnosis of neoplastic diseases

The paper presents a review of results concerning the aspartic proteinase cathepsin D and its role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Special attention was paid to the clinical prognostic value of cathepsin D determination in the breast cancer cytosol.     

Acquired hemophilia and rheumatoid arthritis. Value of intravenous immunoglobulins

The authors report an exceedingly rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. acquired hemophilia due to anti-factor VIII autoantibody production. Treatment with intravenous immune globulin ensured control of hemorrhagic manifestations by inducing a transient rise in factor VIII level.     

Special features of synthesis of a heat-resistant glass-ceramic coating

In order to protect Ni–Cr alloys from high-temperature corrosion, a new heat-resistant glass-ceramic coating was developed with a glass matrix synthesized on the basis of a composite R _x O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–TiO₂ (R–Li^–, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺) system. The special features of the formation of crystalline phases in the glasses in heat treatment and the optimum regime for the formation of a glass ceramic structure are described.Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 3, pp. 30–32, March, 1996.     

The detection of the onset of electrode-electrolyte interfaceimpedance nonlinearity: a theoretical study

The equivalent series resistance and reactance of the electrode-electrolyte interface impedance have both been used to detect the onset of signal amplitude induced nonlinearity. Using a theoretical model, it is shown that the choice of the most sensitive indicator depends on the phase angle of the “polarization” impedance and on the applied frequency     

The Childhood Injury Prevention and Promotion of Safety Programme (CHIPPS)

We report a case of cervical epidural hematoma associated with anticoagulant therapy in a 68 year-old man, who presented with tetraplegia. He was operated 12 hours after the onset. Three months later, he had recovered almost completely. The etiologies and prognosis of such lesions are reviewed.