Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a complex probiotic composition and a method for improving exercise performance of a subject with low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity. The complex probiotic composition, which includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GKLC1, Bifidobacterium lactis GKK24 and Clostridium butyricum GKB7, administered to the subject with the low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity in a continuation period, can effectively reduce serum lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen after aerobic exercise, reduce proportion of offal fat and/or increase liver and muscle glycogen contents, thereby being as an effective ingredient for preparation of various compositions.

Abstract: A composition for promoting defecation includes a cell culture of at least one lactic acid bacterial strain which is substantially free of cells. The least one lactic acid bacterial strain is selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, and Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA06, which are respectively deposited at the Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC) under accession numbers BCRC 910437, BCRC 910645 and BCRC 910813. Also disclosed is a method for promoting defecation, including administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: Various schemes pertaining to pre-encoding processing of a video stream with motion compensated temporal filtering (MCTF) are described. An apparatus determines a filtering interval for a received raw video stream having pictures in a temporal sequence. The apparatus selects from the pictures a plurality of target pictures based on the filtering interval, as well as a group of reference pictures for each target picture to perform pixel-based MCTF, which generates a corresponding filtered picture for each target picture. The apparatus subsequently transmits the filtered pictures as well as non-target pictures to an encoder for encoding the video stream. Subpictures of natural images and screen content images are separately processed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A user of a network-based system may correspond to a user profile that describes the user. The user profile may describe the user using one or more descriptors of items that correspond to the user (e.g., items owned by the user, items liked by the user, or items rated by the user). In some situations, such a user profile may be characterized as a “taste profile” that describes an array or distribution of one or more tastes, preferences, or habits of the user. Accordingly, the user profile machine within the network-based system may generate the user profile by accessing descriptors of items that correspond to the user, clustering one or more of the descriptors, and generating the user profile based on one or more clusters of the descriptors.

Abstract: A method includes placing a polisher head on platen, the polisher head including a set of first magnets, and controlling a set of second magnets to rotate the polisher head on the platen, wherein controlling the set of second magnets includes reversing the polarity of at least one second magnet of the set of second magnets to produce a magnetic force on at least one first magnet of the set of first magnets, wherein the set of second magnets are external to the polisher head.

Abstract: At least one isolated lactic acid bacteria strains selected from the following: TSP05 (Lactobacillus plantarum), TSF331 (Lactobacillus fermentum) and TSR332 (Lactobacillus reuteri) is provided. The above-mentioned active or inactive lactic acid bacteria strains have a function of hepatoprotection and is used in a form of a food composition or a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A device includes a redistribution line, and a polymer region molded over the redistribution line. The polymer region includes a first flat top surface. A conductive region is disposed in the polymer region and electrically coupled to the redistribution line. The conductive region includes a second flat top surface not higher than the first flat top surface.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses implemented in a video encoding or decoding system with conditional secondary transform signaling. The video encoding system determines and applies a transform operation to residuals of a transform block to generate final transform coefficients, and adaptively signals a secondary transform index according to a position of a last significant coefficient in the transform block. A value of the secondary transform index is determined according to the transform operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of video coding are disclosed. According to one method, in the decoder side, a predefined Intra mode is assigned to a neighboring block adjacent to the current luma block when the neighboring block satisfies one or more conditions. An MPM (Most Probable Mode) list is derived based on information comprising at least one of neighboring Intra modes. A current Intra mode is derived utilizing the MPM list. The current luma block is decoded according to the current Intra mode According to another method, a predefined Intra mode is assigned to a neighboring block adjacent to the current luma block if the neighboring block is coded in BDPCM (Block-based Delta Pulse Code Modulation) mode, where the predefined Intra mode is set to horizontal mode or vertical mode depending on prediction direction used by the BDPCM mode.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses for coding a current block comprise receiving input data of a current block, partitioning the current block into multiple sub-blocks, deriving sub-block MVs for the current block according to a sub-block motion compensation coding tool, constraining the sub-block MVs to form constrained sub-block MVs, and encoding or decoding the current block using the constrained sub-block MVs, and applying motion compensation to the current block using the constrained sub-block MVs to encode or decode the current block. The sub-block MVs may be constrained according to a size, width, or height of the current block or a sub-block, an inter prediction direction of one of control point MVs of the current block, the current block, or current sub-block, the control point MVs, or a combination of the above.

Abstract: Interconnect structure packages (e.g., through silicon vias (TSV) packages, through interlayer via (TIV) packages) may be pre-manufactured as opposed to forming TIVs directly on a carrier substrate during a manufacturing process for a semiconductor die package at backend packaging facility. The interconnect structure packages may be placed onto a carrier substrate during manufacturing of a semiconductor device package, and a semiconductor die package may be placed on the carrier substrate adjacent to the interconnect structure packages. A molding compound layer may be formed around and in between the interconnect structure packages and the semiconductor die package.

Abstract: A voltage tracking circuit is provided. The voltage tracking circuit includes first and second P-type transistors and a control circuit. The drain of the first P-type transistor is coupled to a first voltage terminal. The gate and the drain of the second P-type transistor are respectively coupled to the first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second voltage terminals and generates a control voltage according to the first voltage and the second voltage. The sources of the first and second P-type transistors are coupled to an output terminal of the voltage tracking circuit, and the output voltage is generated at the output terminal. In response to the second voltage being higher than the first voltage, the control circuit generates the control signal to turn off the first P-type transistor.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses implemented in a video encoding or decoding system with conditional secondary transform signaling. The video encoding system determines and applies a transform operation to residuals of one or more transform blocks to generate final transform coefficients, and skip signaling a secondary transform index if a position of a last significant coefficient in each considered transform block is less than or equal to a predefined position; otherwise, the video encoding system signals a secondary transform index according to the transform operation.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes manufacturing a first transistor over a first side of a substrate. The method further includes depositing a spacer material against a sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes recessing the spacer material to expose a first portion of the sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes manufacturing a first electrical connection to the transistor, a first portion of the electrical connection contacts a surface of the first transistor farthest from the substrate, and a second portion of the electrical connect contacts the first portion of the sidewall of the first transistor. The method further includes manufacturing a self-aligned interconnect structure (SIS) extending along the spacer material, wherein the spacer material separates a portion of the SIS from the first transistor, and the first electrical connection directly contacts the SIS.

Abstract: A device includes: a stack of semiconductor nanostructures; a gate structure wrapping around the semiconductor nanostructures, the gate structure extending in a first direction; a source/drain region abutting the gate structure and the stack in a second direction transverse the first direction; a contact structure on the source/drain region; a backside conductive trace under the stack, the backside conductive trace extending in the second direction; a first through via that extends vertically from the contact structure to a top surface of the backside dielectric layer; and a gate isolation structure that abuts the first through via in the second direction.

Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices that include a first gate structure having a first end cap portion, a second gate structure having a second end cap portion coaxial with the first gate structure, a first dielectric region separating the first end cap portion and the second end cap portion, a first conductive element extending over the first gate structure, a second conductive element extending over the second gate structure, and a gate via electrically connecting the second gate structure and the second conductive element, with the first dielectric region having a first width and being positioned at least partially under the first conductive element and defines a spacing between the gate via and an end of the second end cap portion that exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for block partition are disclosed. If a cross-colour component prediction mode is allowed, the luma block and the chroma block are partitioned into one or more luma leaf blocks and chroma leaf blocks. If a cross-colour component prediction mode is allowed, whether to enable an LM (Linear Model) mode for a target chroma leaf block is determined based on a first split type applied to an ancestor chroma node of the target chroma leaf block and a second split type applied to a corresponding ancestor luma node. According to another method, after the luma block and the chroma block are partitioned using different partition tress, determine whether one or more exception conditions to allow an LM for a target chroma leaf block are satisfied when the chroma partition tree uses a different split type, a different partition direction, or both from the luma partition tree.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.

Abstract: A memory device is provided, including an array of bit cells and a set of tracking cells. The set of tracking cells is arranged adjacent to the array of bit cells along a first direction. The set of tracking cells includes a set of first tracking cells configured to perform a read tracking operation and a set of second tracking cells configured to perform a write tracking operation and arranged adjacent to the set of first tracking cells along a second direction. First tracking cells in the set of first tracking cells are coupled in series with each other and arranged along the second direction, and second tracking cells in the set of second tracking cells are coupled in series with each other and arranged along the second direction.

Abstract: A video codec receives data for a block of pixels to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The video codec signals or parses a first syntax element for a first coding mode in a particular set of two or more coding modes. Each of coding mode of the particular set of coding modes modifies a merge candidate or an inter-prediction that is generated based on the merge candidate. The video codec enables the first coding mode and disables one or more other coding modes in the particular set of coding modes. The disabled one or more coding modes in the particular set of coding modes are disabled without parsing syntax elements for the disabled coding modes. The video codec encodes or decodes the current block by using the enabled first coding mode and bypassing the disabled coding modes.