A Comparative Study of Principled rPPG-Based Pulse Rate Tracking Algorithms for Fitness Activities.

Performance improvements obtained by recent principled approaches for pulse rate (PR) estimation have typically been achieved by adding or modifying certain modules within a reconfigurable system. Yet, evaluations are usually performed only at the system level. To better understand each module's contribution and facilitate future research in explainable learning and artificial intelligence for physiological monitoring, this paper conducts a comparative study of video-based, principled PR tracking algorithms, with a particular focus on challenging fitness scenarios.

Analysis of Coding Gain Due to In-Loop Reshaping.

Reshaping, a point operation that alters the characteristics of signals, has been shown capable of improving the compression ratio in video coding practices. Out-of-loop reshaping that directly modifies the input video signal was first adopted as the supplemental enhancement information (SEI) for the HEVC/H.265 without the need to alter the core design of the video codec.

Accurate contactless sleep apnea detection framework with signal processing and machine learning methods.

The detection of sleep apnea is critical for assessing sleep quality. It is also a proven biometric in diagnosing cardiovascular and other diseases. Recent studies have shown that radar-based non-contact vital sign monitoring system can effectively detect sleep apnea.

Efficient Depth Intra Frame Coding in 3D-HEVC by Corner Points.

To improve the coding performance of depth maps, 3D-HEVC includes several new depth intra coding tools at the expense of increased complexity due to a flexible quadtree Coding Unit/Prediction Unit (CU/PU) partitioning structure and a huge number of intra mode candidates. Compared to natural images, depth maps contain large plain regions surrounded by sharp edges at the object boundaries. Our observation finds that the features proposed in the literature either speed up the CU/PU size decision or intra mode decision and they are also difficult to make proper predictions for CUs/PUs with the multi-directional edges in depth maps.

Compare HIV/syphilis infections between age groups and explore associated factors of HIV/syphilis co-infections among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China, from 2009 to 2017.

The aim of this study is to assess the HIV/syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) aged <50 years and ≥50 years in Shenzhen, and explore the associated factors of HIV/syphilis co-infections among MSM in Shenzhen, in order to help prevention and intervention programs determine their target sub-group. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted on MSM in Shenzhen city, China from 2009 to 2017. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, history of HIV testing, history of blood donation and sexual behaviors.

HPV infections among MSM in Shenzhen, China.

Background: An increasing incidence of anal cancer among men, especially men who have sex with men (MSM) suggests a need to better understand anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among this group.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Shenzhen, China. Blood was collected for HIV serological testing and syphilis serological screening, and anal swabs were collected for HPV genotyping.

Reduction in mother-to-child transmission of syphilis for 10 years in Shenzhen, China.

Background: Untreated maternal syphilis can result in the fetuses being infected. Severe adverse pregnancy outcomes include stillbirth, perinatal death, low birth weight, and congenital syphilis (CS). The World Health Organization has already classified global elimination of CS as a priority.

Risk factors for congenital syphilis and adverse pregnancy outcomes in offspring of women with syphilis in Shenzhen, China: a prospective nested case-control study.

Background: Despite existence of a highly effective intervention, maternal syphilis still causes substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality, even in China, where antenatal health services are strong. This study sought to address personal, programmatic, and other risk factors for congenital syphilis (CS) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) among pregnant women in Shenzhen, China.

Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal services were offered serologic tests, and those diagnosed as having syphilis were recruited from April 2007 to October 2012.

[Primary drug resistance of HIV-1 infected men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China].

Objective: To evaluate the status of drug resistance among treat-naive HIV-1 infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shenzhen during the period of 2008 - 2010.

Methods: Plasma samples of 227 treatment-naive HIV-1 infected MSM were collected in Shenzhen. HIV-1 pol genes (RT and PR) were amplified by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from RNA.

[Study on the molecular-epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 in Shenzhen, 1992-2008].

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 subtype in Shenzhen from 1992 to 2008.

Methods: 489 HIV-1 positive plasma samples were collected from 1992 to 2008 in Shenzhen. HIV-1 env genes were amplified by nested-PCR from RNA.

Molecular epidemiology of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Shenzhen, China.

Objective: To investigate molecular epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients recruited from different clinic settings in Shenzhen, China.

Methods: A total of 2534 patients from the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN) clinics and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 34 hospitals participated in the study. The C trachomatis infection was determined using COBAS Amplicor system.

Prevalence of anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis infection and its genotype distribution among men who have sex with men in Shenzhen, China.

To investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), 145 MSM from two sauna settings in Shenzhen, China were invited to participate in this study during September 2008 and May 2009. Anorectal swab and urine samples were collected and tested for chlamydial infection, and positive samples were genotyped. The prevalence of anorectal chlamydial infection was 24% in the study population and was significantly associated with proctitis symptoms.

[Spatial and temporal patterns of primary and secondary syphilis in Shenzhen, China].

Objective: To learn the spatial and temporal patterns of primary syphilis and secondary syphilis in Shenzhen and to provide evidence for carrying out further research on syphilis.

Methods: Primary syphilis and secondary syphilis cases among residents in Shenzhen between 2005 and 2009 (n = 11 303) were geocoded at street office level (n = 55) based on residence at the time of diagnosis. Both spatial and space-time scan statistics were used to identify clusters of street office by using SaTScan software.

Congenital syphilis: refining newborn evaluation and management in Shenzhen, southern China.

Introduction: Consistent definitions of congenital syphilis are critical for determining true incidences and setting up targets of elimination. This study aimed to assess the evaluation and management of infants at high risk of congenital syphilis with an antenatal syphilis-screening programme in the Shenzhen SEZ and to develop feasible definitions for the detection of congenital syphilis in China.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of all standardised records of pregnant women with positive syphilis between 2003 and 2007.

A risk model for congenital syphilis in infants born to mothers with syphilis treated in gestation: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To explore the risk factors underlying congenital syphilis (CS) and to build a hazards model to assess the risk of CS in offspring born to mothers with syphilis treated in gestation.

Methods: This prospective study observed 554 pregnant women with syphilis and their offspring recruited from August 2002 to May 2007 in Shenzhen Centre for Chronic Disease Control and Prevention. After treatment, all the women were followed up until the diagnosis of CS in their offspring was confirmed or denied.

Congenital syphilis: an economic evaluation of a prevention program in China.

Background: Until now there has been no data to show the effectiveness or benefits of screening for syphilis in gravidas in China. This study was to assess the effectiveness of a program preventing mother-to-child-transmission of syphilis and to reveal factors impacting the benefit.

Methods: A cohort of 159,017 gravidas were screened for syphilis by serologic methods and infected individuals were treated with 3 injections of 2.

[Study on the status of syphilis infection and its influence factors on pregnant women in Shenzhen].

Objective: Through questionnaire and screening, epidemiology of syphilis in pregnant women and related risk factors were studied, to develop effective policy and reducing the negative impact of the disease.

Methods: All pregnant women who appeared at the hospitals the first time, were included, in Shenzhen city. Tolulized Red Unheated Serum Test (TRUST) method was used for primary screening and positive results were confirmed by the Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination (TPPA) test at the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (SZCDC).

New architecture for MPEG video streaming system with backward playback support.

MPEG digital video is becoming ubiquitous for video storage and communications. It is often desirable to perform various video cassette recording (VCR) functions such as backward playback in MPEG videos. However, the predictive processing techniques employed in MPEG severely complicate the backward-play operation.

Risk factors for syphilis infection among pregnant women: results of a case-control study in Shenzhen, China.

Background: China has been experiencing a rapidly growing syphilis epidemic since the early 1990s, with the reported incidence of congenital syphilis increasing from 0.01 cases per 100,000 live births in 1991 to 19.7 cases per 100,000 live births in 2005.

[Development of a shock response spectrum test facility].

Objective: To develop a shock response spectrum test facility for testing space products in the pyrotechnic environments.

Method: The natural frequencies of the resonant plate, a key part of the facility, were calculated with finite element method. The dynamic response of the whole system was simulated when the machine was excited by a real shock generated by a dropping hammer.