Architecture design of a scalable adaptive deblocking filter for H.264/AVC

Due to significant bit-rate savings and improved perceptual quality, H.264/AVC, the latest video compression standard from the Joint Video Team, is receiving widespread adoption. Greater coding efficiency relative to previous standards is a result of additional techniques and features. One important change is the inclusion of an in-loop deblocking filter for removal of blocking artifacts. Since the filter can easily account for one-third of the computational complexity of a decoder, its addition was a source of debate during the development of the H.264/AVC standard. Ample research on architecture design of the deblocking filter has been carried out, generally targeted toward high performance profiles. To the best of our knowledge no other research investigated designs that can be scaled from low-power extended profiles up to high performance profiles. This work investigated the design of a scalable architecture for the deblocking filter. Four different designs were implemented. The relative performance of the designs were then compared against each other and existing research through simulation. All designs were targeted towards a Xilinx Virtex 5 field programmable gate array (FPGA)

Spontaneous thought and vulnerability to mood disorders : the dark side of the wandering mind

There is increasing interest in spontaneous thought, namely task-unrelated or rest-related mental activity. Spontaneous thought is an umbrella term for processes like mind-wandering, involuntary autobiographical memory, and daydreaming, with evidence elucidating adaptive and maladaptive consequences. In this theoretical framework, we propose that, apart from its positive functions, spontaneous thought is a precursor for cognitive vulnerability in individuals who are at risk for mood disorders. It is important that spontaneous thought mostly focuses on unattained goals and evaluates the discrepancy between current and desired status. In individuals who stably (i.e., trait negative affectivity) or transitorily (i.e., stress) experience negative emotions in reaction to goal-discrepancy, spontaneous thought fosters major cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g., rumination, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and cognitive reactivity), which, in turn, enhance depression. Furthermore, we also highlight preliminary links between spontaneous thought and bipolar disorder. The evidence for this framework is reviewed, and we discuss theoretical and clinical implications of our proposal

Réseau social et rétablissement: de l'influence du réseau social des personnes toxicodépendantes sur leur processus de rétablissement : travail de bachelor effectué dans le cadre de la formation à la Haute école de travail social de Genève

Les problèmes d’addiction sont souvent abordés sous l’angle des politiques de santé publique. Dans notre travail, nous avons traité cette problématique en lien avec le réseau social des personnes toxicodépendantes ayant travaillé leur processus de rétablissement à Argos, association d’aide aux personnes toxicodépendantes. Notre hypothèse est que posséder un réseau social non-consommateur permettrait un ancrage dans une vie abstinente durable et stable. Pour traiter ce sujet, nous avons posé un cadre théorique qui touche le contexte sociopolitique dans lequel notre travail s’inscrit. Nous avons ensuite réfléchi sur la conceptualisation de la toxicodépendance, des processus de socialisation, de la dynamique des réseaux sociaux et des mécanismes d’appartenance au groupe. Notre analyse se divise en trois axes. Dans la première partie, nous nous sommes intéressées à ce qui s’est joué au moment de l’émergence de la toxicomanie, en prenant l’angle de la rupture de la socialisation ordinaire et de la marginalisation qui en a découlé. Dans la seconde partie, nous avons envisagé le groupe d’appartenance comme maintien des conduites addictives. Nous terminons cette partie empirique par la sortie du contexte de toxicomanie, que nous avons choisi de traiter en intégrant les principes de résilience. Notre constatation est que cette problématique est à comprendre dans sa globalité et que le processus de rétablissement dépend de facteurs sociétaux, sociaux, individuels et relationnels

Improved Lower-Arm Prosthesis

Over the past few decades, innovations in myoelectric sensing in upper limb prostheses have given systems the ability to read, detect, and emulate fine motor control in an increasingly realistic manner. However, the practical impact that these scientific accomplishments yield is significantly limited by the lack of adoption witnessed by patients who are given such prosthetics. Some people see the device as a burden rather than an improvement. To address this issue, we propose the development of an improved lower arm prosthesis. This prosthesis is intended to encourage patient adoption and retention by emphasizing simplicity and comfort over technical precision. Our project has the ability to change one’s lifestyle. It’s significance can change a person’s life from living with one hand to now being able to use both. The importance to us as a group is not only to build a successful hand and learn something from it but also to make it successful, i.e. comfortable, reliable and low cost. We believe that we can positively impact an amputees life. The design of this prosthetic will be centered around: less weight, comfort, and low cost. An electromyographic (EMG) sensing system will be incorporated into our design. This system measures the electric signals emitted from the muscles of the user’s upper¬limb during attempted movement. Based on these read¬in micro¬voltages, a ZYBO Zynq¬7000 development board will be used to electrically control motors that manipulate string¬based tendons which control the hand. The comfort of the prosthesis will be optimized through the use of an adjustable elbow brace¬like attachment outfitted with breathable materials. We plan to construct a functioning hand that has an easy adaptability learning curve for the user.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1046/thumbnail.jp

Carbohydrate receptor-mediated gene transfer to human T leukaemic cells

The mucin-type carbohydrate Tn cryptantigen (GalNAcα1-O-Ser/Thr, where GalNAc is N-acetyl-D-galactosamine) is expressed in many carcinomas, in haemopoietic disorders including the Tn syndrome, and on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coat glycoproteins, but is not expressed on normal, differentiated cells because of the expression of a Tn-processing galactosyltransferase. Using Jurkat T leukaemic cells which express high levels of Tn antigen due to deficient Tn galactosylation, we have established the Tn antigen-mediated gene transfer and demonstrate the considerable efficiency of this approach. We used poly(L-lysine) conjugates of the monoclonal antibody 1E3 directed against the Tn antigen to deliver the luciferase and β-galactosidase reporter genes to Jurkat cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Addition of unconjugated 1E3 reduced transfection efficiency in a concentration-dependent manner and incubation with free GalNAc abolished DNA transfer completely, indicating that gene delivery is indeed mediated by the Tn antigen. Pre-treatment of Jurkat cells with Vibrio cholerae sialidase, which uncovers additional Tn antigens, resulted in an improvement of gene transfection. Both human and chicken adenovirus particles attached to the DNA/polylysine complex strongly augmented transgene expression. When the β-galactosidase (lacZ) gene was delivered to Jurkat cells by Tn-mediated endocytosis, up to 60% of the cells were positive in the cytochemical stain using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) as a chromogenic substrate. The efficiency of the transferrin receptor-mediated DNA uptake into Jurkat cells was comparatively low, although these cells were shown to express considerable amounts of transferrin receptor. We show here that a mucin-type carbohydrate antigen mediates highly efficient DNA uptake by endocytosis into Jurkat T cells. This method represents a 50-fold improvement of Jurkat cell transfection efficiency over other physical gene transfer techniques. Specific gene delivery to primary cancer cells exhibiting Tn epitopes may especially be desirable in immunotherapy protocol