Digital television applications

Studying development of interactive services for digital television is a leading edge area of work as there is minimal research or precedent to guide their design. Published research is limited and therefore this thesis aims at establishing a set of computing methods using Java and XML technology for future set-top box interactive services. The main issues include middleware architecture, a Java user interface for digital television, content representation and return channel communications. The middleware architecture used was made up of an Application Manager, Application Programming Interface (API), a Java Virtual Machine, etc., which were arranged in a layered model to ensure the interoperability. The application manager was designed to control the lifecycle of Xlets; manage set-top box resources and remote control keys and to adapt the graphical device environment. The architecture of both application manager and Xlet forms the basic framework for running multiple interactive services simultaneously in future set-top box designs. User interface development is more complex for this type of platform (when compared to that for a desktop computer) as many constraints are set on the look and feel (e.g., TV-like and limited buttons). Various aspects of Java user interfaces were studied and my research in this area focused on creating a remote control event model and lightweight drawing components using the Java Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) and Java Media Framework (JMF) together with Extensible Markup Language (XML). Applications were designed aimed at studying the data structure and efficiency of the XML language to define interactive content. Content parsing was designed as a lightweight software module based around two parsers (i.e., SAX parsing and DOM parsing). The still content (i.e., text, images, and graphics) and dynamic content (i.e., hyperlinked text, animations, and forms) can then be modeled and processed efficiently. This thesis also studies interactivity methods using Java APIs via a return channel. Various communication models are also discussed that meet the interactivity requirements for different interactive services. They include URL, Socket, Datagram, and SOAP models which applications can choose to use in order to establish a connection with the service or broadcaster in order to transfer data. This thesis is presented in two parts: The first section gives a general summary of the research and acts as a complement to the second section, which contains a series of related publications.reviewe

CONODONTS FROM THE WA’ERGANG SECTION, CHINA, A POTENTIAL GSSP FOR THE UPPERMOST STAGE OF THE CAMBRIAN

Furongian (upper Cambrian) conodonts from the Shenjiawan Formation, Wa’ergang section, Taoyuan County, Hunan Province, South China are described. The Wa’ergang section has been proposed as a potential GSSP for the base of the uppermost stage of the Cambrian System, at the first appearance of the agnostoid trilobite Lotagnostus americanus. The Shenjiawan Formation consists of limestone with intercalations of marlstone and shale. The conodont yielding is low and the preservation is moderate. The conodont fauna includes proto-, para- and euconodonts. Conodont taxa characteristic of North China, South China and Korea occur together with cosmopolitan taxa. The biostratigraphic distribution of conodonts is directly correlated with the agnostoid trilobite biozones, with the base of the Proconodontus posterocostatus Zone very close to the base of the Lotagnostus americanus trilobite Zone

Experimental study on fracture plugging effect of irregular-shaped lost circulation materials

Using micro-visualization experimental device for the formation of fracture plugging zone, the plugging behavior of irregular-shaped lost circulation materials (LCMs) with different types and concentrations in fractures was experimentally analyzed. The results show that the sealing time decreases significantly with the increase of material concentration. When the concentration is 20%, the sealing times of materials LCM-1∼LCM-5 are 6s, 7s, 5s, 6s, 4s, respectively. The formation of fracture plugging zone includes two stages, and the main factors affecting the formation of fracture plugging zone are flatness, roundness, convexity and concentrations. Flatness affects the retention stage of LCMs through the matching degree between particle size and fracture width. Convexity and roundness affect the retention stage by increasing the friction coefficient between particles. The high-efficiency retention ability of irregular LCMs is characterized by strong matching to fracture width, and strong friction and sliding resistance between particles. It is recommended that the optimized geometric parameters of high-efficiency retention materials should meet the requirements of “low flatness, low roundness and low convexity” (flatness \u3c0.6, roundness \u3c0.6 and convexity \u3c0.8), which can improve the plugging effect significantly

EFWI\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}: Multi-parameter Benchmark Datasets for Elastic Full Waveform Inversion of Geophysical Properties

Elastic geophysical properties (such as P- and S-wave velocities) are of great importance to various subsurface applications like CO$_2$ sequestration and energy exploration (e.g., hydrogen and geothermal). Elastic full waveform inversion (FWI) is widely applied for characterizing reservoir properties. In this paper, we introduce $\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}$, a comprehensive benchmark dataset that is specifically designed for elastic FWI. $\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}$ encompasses 8 distinct datasets that cover diverse subsurface geologic structures (flat, curve, faults, etc). The benchmark results produced by three different deep learning methods are provided. In contrast to our previously presented dataset (pressure recordings) for acoustic FWI (referred to as OpenFWI), the seismic dataset in $\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}$ has both vertical and horizontal components. Moreover, the velocity maps in $\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}$ incorporate both P- and S-wave velocities. While the multicomponent data and the added S-wave velocity make the data more realistic, more challenges are introduced regarding the convergence and computational cost of the inversion. We conduct comprehensive numerical experiments to explore the relationship between P-wave and S-wave velocities in seismic data. The relation between P- and S-wave velocities provides crucial insights into the subsurface properties such as lithology, porosity, fluid content, etc. We anticipate that $\mathbf{\mathbb{E}^{FWI}}$ will facilitate future research on multiparameter inversions and stimulate endeavors in several critical research topics of carbon-zero and new energy exploration. All datasets, codes and relevant information can be accessed through our website at https://efwi-lanl.github.io/Comment: 20 pages, 11 figure

Analysis of monitoring results of foodborne pathogens in infant food on the market of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2011-2016

Objective To understand the contamination status and trend of foodborne pathogens in infant food in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and provide reference to prevent and control the foodborne disease effectively. Methods Collecting infant food from 14 cities of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2011-2016. Four kinds of pathogenic bacteria were tested according to the food safety standard microbiological test (GB 4789) and the national food pollution and hazardous factors risk monitoring manual (2014). Results A total of 7 956 samples were detected. The positive rate of supplementary cereal food for infants and young children was 6.1% (249/4 084), and that of infant formula was 4.7% (183/3 872). The positive rates of Enterobacter sakazakii, Bacillus cereus (not in 2011 and 2015) and Staphylococcus aureus were 2.7%-5.6%, 2.3%-8.5% and 0.0%-0.4% respectively in supplementary cereal food for infants and young children. In the infant formula, the positive rate of Enterobacter sakazakii was from 0.2% to 1.8%. Bacillus cereus was 10.2%-12.4% (not in 2011 and 2015), and Staphylococcus aureus was 0.0%-0.3%. Salmonella was detected in one sample, and the origin was Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The positive rate of supplementary cereal food for infants and young children was 6.1% (248/4 077) in domestic products, while there was 1 positive in 7 foreign samples. In formula food, the positive rate was 4.7% (177/3 758) in domestic products and 5.3% (6/114) in imported products. Conclusion The contamination of Enterobacter sakazakii and Bacillus cereus in infant food sold in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region posed a threat to infants. Therefore, it was necessary to strengthen the health supervision of domestic production enterprises

Constructing a Tough Shield around the Wellbore by Stabilizing the Multi-Scale Structure of Granular Plugging Zone in Deep Fractured Reservoirs

Fracture plugging zone with low strength is one of the key reasons for plugging failure in deep fractured reservoirs. Forming a high-strength plugging zone is a key engineering problem to be solved in wellbore strengthening. In this chapter, wellbore strengthening mechanisms of plugging zone for wellbore strengthening in deep fractured reservoirs are revealed from a relationship between mechanical structure and strength standpoint. Physical granular bridging materials dislocation and crushing under pressure fluctuation induce the strong force chains network failure, which leads to macroscale friction or shear failure of plugging zone. The main methods to improve microscale materials stability are to increase friction resistance, exert embedding effect, and strengthen bonding effect. Factors, which strengthen the meso-structure stability, include increasing shear strength and proportion of strong force chains. Key measures to strengthen the macrostructure stability of plugging zone are by improving its compactness, controlling its length, and ensuring the stability timeliness

Beat vibration of hybrid boron nitride-carbon nanotubes – A new avenue to atomic-scale mass sensing

In this paper a beat phenomenon is reported in molecular dynamics simulations for vibrating boron nitride-carbon nanotubes (BN-CNTs) and then analysed based on a continuum mechanics theory. It was shown that the distinctive dynamic behaviour is a result of the superposition of two orthogonal transverse vibrations whose frequencies are slightly different due to the oval cross-section of the hybrid nanotubes. In particular, the interaction between the two vibrations in BN-CNTs will facilitate to resolve the fundamental issue in developing mass nanosensors for atomic-scale mass measuring. To reach this goal, efforts should be made to maintain high quality factor of the BN-CNT oscillating system by minimising the damping effect of its surrounding environment. This issue turns out to be essential for the beat mode-based nanosensors as large damping will reduce the hybrid nanotubes to conventional resonators with only one transverse vibration same as that reported for homogeneous nanotubes

Diagnostic de la stéatose, des lésions précancéreuses et du carcinome hépatocellulaire par microspectroscopie infrarouge

Carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC) est le sixième cancer et la deuxième cause de mortalité par cancer dans le monde. Dans la majorité des cas, le CHC se développe sur une maladie chronique associée à des étiologies variées telles que l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite B ou l’hépatite C, la consommation excessive d'alcool et des maladies métaboliques. Le développement des maladies chroniques du foie qui conduisent à la cirrhose puis au cancer induisent des modifications de la composition chimique des cellules et des tissus. En effet, la carcinogenèse hépatique est un processus en plusieurs étapes caractérisé par la progression de nodules de régénération, de nodules dysplasiques de bas grade puis de grade et enfin du CHC. Le traitement du CHC reste difficile et la transplantation du foie est la seule option thérapeutique curative à long terme. Le problème est qu'il n'y a pas de marqueur objectifs et quantifiables pour contrôler la qualité d’un greffon. Des biomarqueurs spécifiques marquant la progression du CHC font également défauts.Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons évalué l’intérêt de la microspectroscopie infrarouge (IR) pour le diagnostic de la stéatose, qui est le facteur le plus important affectant la reprise de la fonction hépatique après greffe de foie. La microspectroscopie infrarouge permet de détecter de façon qualitative et quantitative les caractéristiques biochimiques liées aux différents constituants moléculaires présents dans l'échantillon biologique. Nos travaux ont montré que la progression de la stéatose hépatique correspond non seulement à l'accumulation de lipides, mais également à des changements spectaculaires dans la composition qualitative du tissu. En effet, le bas grade de stéatose présente une diminution de la teneur en glycogène et une augmentation concomitante de lipides par rapport au foie normal. La stéatose intermédiaire montre une augmentation de glycogène et des changements majeurs sont observés en ce qui concerne les lipides, avec une contribution significative des acides gras estérifiés, des chaînes de carbone allongées et des lipides insaturés. Ces caractéristiques sont encore plus prononcées dans les hauts degrés de stéatose. De plus, nous avons mis en évidence que des changements biochimiques majeurs se produisent dans la partie non-stéatosique du tissu malgré son aspect normal sur le plan histologique, ce qui suggère que l’organe dans son ensemble reflète le degré de la stéatose.La deuxième partie de la thèse est focalisée la carcinogenèse hépatique. Il s’agit d’un processus en plusieurs étapes qui se caractérise dans la plupart des foies cirrhotiques par la progression de nodules hyperplasiques de régénération vers des lésions précancéreuses telles que les nodules dysplasiques de bas grade puis de haut grade et enfin le CHC. Le diagnostic différentiel entre nodules dysplasiques en particulier de haut garde et CHC reste extrêmement difficile. Nous avons abordé le potentiel de la microspectroscopie IR pour le diagnostic des nodules cirrhotiques. Nous avons observé de profondes modifications de la composition biochimique du foie pathologique. En effet, des changements importants ont été détectés dans la composition des lipides, des protéines et des sucres mettant en évidence la reprogrammation métabolique dans la carcinogenèse. Les principaux changements ont été observés dans le domaine de fréquence 950-1480 cm-1 dans lequel plusieurs bandes permettaient la discrimination des nodules cirrhotiques, dysplasiques et tumoraux. Enfin, nous avons montré que le diagnostic peut être réalisé à l’aide d’un microscope de laboratoire qui peut être facilement mis en œuvre en milieu hospitalier.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common neoplasm and the second most common cause of death in the world. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process characterized in patients with chronic liver diseases by a spectrum of hepatic nodules that mark the progression from regenerative nodules to dysplastic lesions followed by HCC. Liver transplantation remains the curative therapeutic option able to treat both the HCC and the underlying liver disease. The issue is that there is no objective and quantifiable marker for quality control of liver graft. Specific biomarkers of early stages of HCC are also an unmet need.In this study, we have evaluated the potential of infrared (IR) microspectroscopy for the diagnosis of steatosis, one of the most important factors affecting the liver allograft function. Vibrational microspectroscopy, such as Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR), allows detecting spectral characteristics associated with different molecular components present in the biological sample, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our first working hypothesis was that the progression of liver steatosis corresponds not only to the accumulation of lipids but also to dramatic changes in the qualitative composition of tissue. Indeed, a lower grade of steatosis showed a decrease in glycogen content and concomitant increase in lipids in comparison with normal liver. Intermediate steatosis exhibited an increase in glycogen and major changes in lipids, with a significant contribution of esterified fatty acids with elongated carbon chains and unsaturated lipids, and these features were more pronounced in a high grade of steatosis. Furthermore, we have shown, that FTIR approach allows a systemic discrimination of morphological features, leading to a separate investigation of steatotic vesicles and the non-steatotic counterpart of the tissue. This highlighted the fact that dramatic biochemical changes occur in the non-steatotic part of the tissue also despite its normal histological aspect, suggesting that the whole tissue reflects the grade of steatosis. The second part of the thesis focused on hepatocarcinogenesis; a multistep process that is characterized in most cirrhotic livers by the progression from hyperplastic regenerative nodules to low grade dysplastic nodules (LGDN), high grade dysplastic nodules (HGDN) and finally small HCC which corresponds either to vaguely nodular well differentiated HCC so called early HCC or to distinctly nodular moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. Since the differential diagnosis between precancerous dysplastic nodules and early HCC remains extremely difficult, we addressed the potential of FTIR microspectroscopy for grading cirrhotic nodules. The study was focused on 39 surgical specimens including normal livers as controls, dysplastic nodules, early HCC and the progressed HCC. Profound alterations of the biochemical composition of the pathological liver were demonstrated by FTIR microspectroscopy. Indeed, dramatic changes were observed in lipids, proteins and sugars highlighting the metabolic reprogramming in carcinogenesis. The major changes were observed in the frequency domain 950-1480 cm-1 in which several bands allowed significant discrimination of cirrhotic nodules, dysplastic lesions and HCC. Finally, a significant discrimination between benign, dysplastic nodules and early HCC remained possible using a FTIR microscope equipped with a laboratory-based infrared source that can be easily implemented in hospital environment. In conclusion, our study positions FTIR microspectroscopy as a versatile and powerful approach for investigating liver diseases, such as steatosis, dysplastic lesions and cancer. Further studies on larger series of patients as well as on biopsies will allow confirming the clinical reliability of such spectral signatures. Therefore, we anticipate that FTIR microspectroscopy will open new avenue in clinical diagnosis