Low-complexity motion estimation for the Scalable Video Coding extension of H.264/AVC

The recently standardized Scalable Video Coding(SVC) extension of H.264/AVC allows bitstream scalability with improved rate-distortion efficiency with respect to the classical Simulcasting approach, at the cost of an increased computational complexity of the encoding process. So one critical issue related to practical deployment of SVC is the complexity reduction, fundamental to use it in consumer applications. In this paper, we present a fully scalable fast motion estimation algorithm that enables an excellent complexity performance

New Fast Search Algorithm for Base Layer of H.264 Scalable Video Coding Extension

In this contribution, a fast search motion estimation algorithm for H.264/AVC SVC (scalable video coding) [2] base layer with hierarchical B-frame structure for temporal decomposition is presented and compared with fast search motion estimation algorithm in JSVM software [1], that is the reference software for H.264/AVC SVC. The proposed technique is a block-matching based motion estimation algorithm working in two steps, called Coarse search and Fine search. The Coarse search is performed for each frame in display order, and for each 16x16 macroblock chooses the best motion vector at half pel accuracy. Fine search is performed for each frame in encoding order and finds the best prediction for each block type, reference frame and direction, choosing the best motion vector at quarter pel accuracy using R-D optimization. Both Coarse and Fine Search test 3 spatial and 3 temporal predictors, and add to the best one a set of updates. The spatial predictors for the fine search are the result of the Fine search already performed for the previous blocks, while the temporal predictors are the results of Coarse Search scaled by an appropriate coefficient. This scaling is performed since in the Coarse search each picture is always estimated with respect to the previous one, while in the Fine Search the temporal distance between the current picture and its references depend on the temporaldecomposition level. Moreover in Fine search the number and the value of the updates tested depend on the distance between the current picture and its references. These sets of updates are the result of a huge number of simulations on test sequences with different motion features. The proposed algorithm has been tested on the set of test sequences proposed by JVT group, using different resolutions and temporal decomposition structures. The proposed method can reduce the average coding complexity in terms of motion vector tested from 70 to 90 percent with respect to the Fast-ME JVT method, while the quality loss depends on the GOP dimension, that is the most critical parameter for the performance of the algorithm. In fact for small GOP dimensions (4 or 8) the algorithm has the same quality at equal bit-rate respect to the Fast-ME JVT method for almost all the sequences and better quality for some sequences. For medium and long GOP dimensions (16-32) the algorithm has a quality loss lower than 0.5 dB for all the tested sequences

Extended brief intervention to address alcohol misuse in people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities living in the community (EBI-ID): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

There is some evidence that people with intellectual disabilities who live in the community are exposed to the same risks of alcohol use as the rest of the population. Various interventions have been evaluated in the general population to tackle hazardous or harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, but the literature evaluating interventions is very limited regarding intellectual disabilities. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that brief and extended brief interventions be used to help young persons and adults who have screened as positive for hazardous and harmful drinking. The objective of this trial is to investigate the feasibility of adapting and delivering an extended brief intervention (EBI) to persons with mild/moderate intellectual disability who live in the community and whose level of drinking is harmful or hazardous

The economics of research, consulting, and teaching quality: Theory and evidence from a technical university

International audienc

New electrocatalytic materials based on mixed metal oxides : electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance characterization

An electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) was used to characterize a mixed metal oxide electrocatalyst, Ir0.15Sn0.85O2, for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in acidic medium in the potential range of the pseudo-capacitance reaction, from 0.4 to 1.2 V versus Reversible Hydrogen Electrode (RHE). The EQCM gold tip was characterized in H2SO4 0.05 M and HClO4 0.1 M. Subsequently, Ir0.15Sn0.85O2 powder, synthesized by a sol\u2013gel route, was supported on the tip gold surface for investigations in the same media. The simultaneous measurements of mass variation and current density as functions of potential led to the identification of the chemical species involved in the mass transfer between the oxide and the acidic solution during the pseudo-capacitance reaction