Abstract: A frame-layer rate control method, and a video encoding method and system. In a first-step encoding stage, a QP of a previous frame is used to determine MVs and MB modes for all MBs in a current frame through R-D optimization, and the residual signal is encoded and then decoded for intra prediction. The residual signal is stored and the number of header bits is estimated from the determined MB modes and MVs. Given a target bit-rate for the current frame, a new QP is determined by a rate model. In a second-step encoding stage, the residual signal is encoded and reconstructed for both intra-prediction of subsequent MBs and inter prediction of subsequent frames using the new QP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enantioselective epoxide hydrolase proteins isolated from marine microorganisms, which has high enantioselectivity to various epoxide substrates, and a method of preparing the epoxides with high enantio-purity by using the epoxide hydrolases. The enantioselective hydrolase protein of the present invention can be applied for the preparation of enantiopure epoxides with high bioactivity at a high yield.

Abstract: A method of encoding a coding unit of a digital video sequence is provided that includes computing a brightness measure for each region in a plurality of regions in the coding unit, wherein the brightness measure indicates a relative brightness between the region in the coding unit and a corresponding region in a reference coding unit, determining a number of regions in the plurality of regions with significant brightness change by comparing each brightness measure to a region brightness change threshold, detecting whether there is global brightness change in the coding unit by comparing the number of regions to a global brightness threshold, and when global brightness change is detected, computing weighted prediction factors to be used for weighted prediction in encoding the coding unit.

Abstract: A method of encoding an image frame in a video encoding system. The image frame has a region of interest (ROI) and a non region of interest (non-ROI). In the method, quantization scale for the image frame based on rate control information is determined. ROI statistics based on residual energy of the ROI and non-ROI is then calculated. Quantization scale for the image frame based on ROI priorities and ROI statistics is calculated. Further, quantization scales for ROI and non-ROI based on ROI priorities are determined.

Abstract: A method for generating, operating, and using a sparse w-NAF key for encryption is disclosed. The method for generating a key comprises generating a string of a number of coefficients, in which at most one coefficient, excluding 0, among a consecutive w number of coefficients, corresponds to a positive odd integer equal to or less than 2w (w being a natural number equal to or more than 2); and outputting the generated string as a key. Accordingly, an encryption is executed through an exponential operation or scalar multiplication using a sparse w-NAF key having the scarce coefficients, excluding 0, such that an encryption pace is improved.

Abstract: A method of rate control in a video encoder includes performing a first encoding step to encode macroblocks of a current frame by utilizing a first quantization parameter to thereby generate a residual signal for the current frame; estimating a number of header bits for each macroblock mode to thereby estimate a total number of header bits for the current frame; estimating an available number of texture bits according to the total number of header bits for the current frame; determining a second quantization parameter according to the estimated available number of texture bits; and performing a second encoding step to encode the residual signal for the current frame by utilizing the second quantization parameter.

Abstract: In a video encoder, pixel values of a macro-block are processed to determine an activity measure indicative of the type of content in the macro-block. Several techniques are employed for determining the activity measure of a macro-block. In an embodiment, a default quantization scale for quantizing a macro-block is modified based on the activity measure of the macro-block. In another embodiment, the macro-block is classified into one of multiple classes based on its activity measure. The default quantization scale for quantizing the macro-block is modified based on the classification of the macro-block. In yet another embodiment, an encoding mode to be used for encoding a macro-block is also determined on the basis of the class of the macro-block. Several of the techniques exploit the fact that the human visual system (HVS) has different sensitivities in perceiving a (rendered) macro-block or video frame, depending on the type of macro-block content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant DNA polymerases, their genes and their uses. More specifically, the present invention relates to mutant DNA polymerases which are originally isolated from Thermococcus sp NA1. strain and produced by site-specific mutagenesis, their amino acid sequences, genes encoding said mutant DNA polymerases, their nucleic acids and PCR methods by using thereof. As mutant DNA polymerases according to the present invention have decreased proofreading activity and changed function of inosine sensing effectively compared to wild type DNA polymerase, PCR using primers with specific nucleic acids has made rapid progress. Therefore, the present invention is broadly applicable for PCR in various molecular genetic technologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hydrogenases isolated from novel hyperthermophilic strains belonging to Thermococcus spp., genes encoding the hydrogenases, and methods of producing hydrogen using strains having the genes. According to the hydrogen production methods of the invention, a large amount of hydrogen can be produced merely by culturing the strains in specific culture conditions. Thus, the methods of the invention have advantages in that they are more economic and efficient than existing hydrogen production methods and can produce hydrogen even at high temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant DNA polymerases and their genes isolated from Thermococcus sp. More specifically, the present invention relates to mutant DNA polymerases which are originally isolated from Thermococcus sp NA1. strain and produced by site-specific mutagenesis, their amino acid sequences, genes encoding said mutant DNA polymerases, their nucleic acids sequences, recombinant vectors containing said nucleic acids sequences, host cells transformed with thereof and methods for producing mutant DNA polymerase protein by using thereof. As mutant DNA polymerases according to the present invention have increased processivity by site-specific mutagenesis on exonuclease active site compared to wild type DNA polymerase, the present invention is broadly applicable for PCR in various molecular genetic technologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protease having algicidal activity, a gene encoding the same and algicidal formulation comprising the same. The protease according to the present invention showed high algicidal activity. Therefore, the protease can be used treatment of red tide in marine region of red tide occurrence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of Tiarella polyphylla, and tiarellic acid isolated therefrom having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity. The extract of Tiarella polyphylla and the tiarellic acid isolated therefrom shows the inhibitory effect on the LTC4 release in vitro test and the suppressive effect on the IgE level and the cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production, airway hyperresponsiveness, and leukocyte infiltration in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic and asthmatic disease.

Abstract: A system and method for image coding with error feedback are provided, including a method comprising receiving image data containing at least one macro block of pixels, and computing an activity indicator for a macro block. The method further comprising computing prediction error values for pixels in the macro block, and scaling the prediction error values based on the activity indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enantioselective epoxide hydrolase proteins isolated from marine microorganisms, which has high enantioselectivity to various epoxide substrates, and a method of preparing the epoxides with high enantio-purity by using the epoxide hydrolases. The enantioselective hydrolase protein of the present invention can be applied for the preparation of enantiopure epoxides with high bioactivity at a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant, and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom having anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and anti-asthmatic activity. The extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom shows potent suppressing effect on elevated IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 levels and cosinophilia in the plasma and BALF, and mucus overproduction in the lung tissues in an OVA-induced asthmatic mouse model. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic and asthmatic disease.

Abstract: A method of frame-layer rate control in a video encoder includes allocating a target characteristic for a current frame, performing a first encoding stage for encoding macroblocks of the current frame by utilizing a first quantization parameter to thereby generate a residual signal and an actual characteristic for the current frame corresponding to being encoded according to the first quantization parameter, and testing whether or not the actual characteristic for the current frame corresponding to being encoded with the first quantization parameter is within a predetermined range of the target characteristic for the current frame.

Abstract: Provided is a level shift circuit. The level shift circuit includes an inverter including a first transistor having a first polarity to which an input signal from an input port is applied through a gate and a second transistor having a second polarity which is an opposite polarity to the first polarity, the second transistor being connected in series to the first transistor between a positive source voltage and a negative source voltage and a connection node between the first and second transistors being an output port, a capacitor connected between a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor, and a voltage adjusting means for accurately adjusting a voltage applied to the gate of the second transistor according to an exact switching operation time of the second transistor, using a clock signal and an output port signal of the inverter. A stable and high-speed operation can be performed with a comparatively small size and low power consumption can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for detecting an overlap of pulse signals, capable of easily detecting a point where reference and delayed pulse signals overlap each other, and an apparatus for estimating a distance using the same. The device for detecting an overlap of pulse signals, the device detecting a point where first and second pulse signals having different frequencies begin to overlap each other, the device including: a duty adjustor generating a third pulse signal by increasing a duty of the second pulse signal; a pulse signal calculator multiplying the first and second pulse signals by the third pulse signal, respectively and adding respective results together to output a signal; and an overlap determiner determining a middle of a pulse with a greatest width in the signal outputted from the pulse signal calculator as a point where the first and second pulse signals overlap each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicinal composition for preventing or treating pancreatic cancer, comprising 3-alkoxy-6-allylthiopyridazine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an effective ingredient. An MTT assay, to assess the viability of cells, and flow cytometric analysis, to measure apoptotic cell death, were performed, and the results, which revealed that the compound and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have preventive and therapeutic activity against pancreatic cancer, are presented herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of Tiarella polyphylla, and tiarellic acid isolated therefrom having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity. The extract of Tiarella polyphylla and the tiarellic acid isolated therefrom shows the inhibitory effect on the LTC4 release in vitro test and the suppressive effect on the IgE level and the cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production, airway hyperresponsiveness, and leukocyte infiltration in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic and asthmatic disease.