This work presents an efficient and scalable coding scheme for transmitting a stream of 3D models extracted from a video. As in classical model-based video coding, the geometry, connectivity, and ...texture of the 3D models have to be transmitted, as well as the camera position for each frame in the original video. The proposed method is based on exploiting the interrelations existing between each type of information, instead of coding them independently, allowing a better prediction of the next 3D model in the stream. Scalability is achieved through the use of wavelet-based representations for both texture and geometry of the models. A consistent connectivity is built for all 3D models extracted from the video sequence, which allows a more compact representation and straightforward geometric morphing between successive models. Furthermore this leads to a consistent wavelet decomposition for 3D models in the stream. Quantitative and qualitative results for the proposed scheme are compared with the state of the art video coder H264, 3D model-based Galpin coder and independent MPEG4-based coding of the information. Targeted applications include distant visualization of the original video at very low bit-rate and interactive navigation in the extracted 3D scene on heterogeneous terminals.
A 14-year-old boy, suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia with meningeal involvement, was treated with intraventricular methotrexate and cytosine arabinoside, administered via an Ommaya ...reservoir (OR). Three months later, right occipital headache, vomiting, and lethargy appeared. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens showed increased proteins and a right frontal slow-wave focus was evident on the EEG recording. The computed tomography scan revealed white matter hypodensity within the right frontal and rolandic regions. After injection of medium contrast, an abscesslike hyperdensity appeared, surrounding both a well-placed cannula tip and the right frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. Brain swelling and shift signs were also evident. Nine cases of focal methotrexate leukoencephalopathy have been previously reported, and in six of these there was a misplaced OR cannula tip. The focal methotrexate leukoencephalopathy seems to be related to the neurotoxicity of the drugs administered, and may also exist with a well-placed OR cannula tip. Immediate removal of the catheter may be associated with a benign evolution.
This paper presents an efficient and scalable coding scheme for transmitting a stream of 3D models extracted from a video of a static scene. As in classical model-based video coding, the geometry, ...connectivity, and texture of the 3D models have to be transmitted, as well as the camera position for each frame in the original video. The proposed method is based on exploiting the interrelations existing between each type of information, instead of coding them independently, allowing a better prediction between the media and of the next information in the stream. Scalability is achieved through the use of wavelet-based representations for both texture and geometry of the models. A consistent connectivity is built for all 3D models extracted from the video sequence in order to get a consistent representation of the sequence possibly evolving in time. This allows a more compact representation and straightforward geometric morphing between successive time representations of the model. Furthermore this leads to consistent wavelet decomposition for 3D models in the stream. Targeted applications include distant visualization of the original video at very low bitrate and interactive navigation in the extracted 3D scene on heterogeneous terminals.
An improved method is described for the collection of breath for the subsequent assay of acetaldehyde and other volatile components. Breath is collected in a Pyrex gas-collecting tube sealed at both ...ends with Teflon taps. Prior to collection or assay of the samples, this tube is heated to 72 degrees C; breath is sampled for assay by piercing a rubber septum on a sideport with the needle of a similarly heated gas-tight syringe, and injected into a gas chromatograph (GC). The advantages of this system are: (1) Avoidance of the artefacts encountered in the assay of acetaldehyde in the blood; (2) suitability for sample collection at a site remote from the GC laboratory; (3) avoidance of sample loss by leakage, contamination, or partitioning into water condensed from breath; and (4) compatibility with a "nondedicated" GC lacking any special gas-collecting circuitry. A typical study of a normal human volunteer is described, demonstrating the rise and fall of the concentration of acetaldehyde and ethanol in the breath following the ingestion of an oral dose of ethanol.
Two children affected by severe aplastic anaemia and sickle cell anaemia rejected the allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-matched unrelated volunteer and an HLA-identical sibling, ...respectively. In both cases a second transplant using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) was performed. Donors were the HLA-haploidentical mother and the same HLA-identical sibling who was employed for the first marrow allograft, respectively. Treatment with G-CSF and PBSC collection were well tolerated. Both patients had engraftment of donor haemopoiesis and did not experience severe graft-versus-host disease. These cases confirm that PBSC transplant should be considered as a feasible treatment to reverse graft failure in paediatric patients.
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