Abstract: Decoding tasks are identified for decoding encoded video. Decoding tasks may include entropy decoding tasks, motion compensation tasks, inverse frequency transform tasks, inverse quantization tasks, intra decoding tasks, loop filtering tasks, or other tasks. Task dependencies are identified for the video decoding tasks. For example, one or more decoding tasks may depend on prior completion of entropy decoding tasks. The decoding tasks are prioritized based at least in part on the task dependencies. For example, a higher priority may be assigned to tasks that must be completed before other tasks that depend on them can begin. Prioritized decoding tasks are selected to be performed by hardware threads. For example, a first hardware thread may perform a first decoding task that does not depend on any uncompleted tasks while a second hardware thread performs a second decoding task that does not depend on any uncompleted tasks.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for adaptive, unit co-location-based motion estimation are described. For example, in a layered block matching framework, a video encoder selects a start layer for motion estimation from among multiple available start layers. Each of the available start layers represents a reference video picture at a different spatial resolution. For a current macroblock in a current video picture, the encoder performs motion estimation relative to the reference video picture starting at the selected start layer. Or, a video encoder computes a contextual similarity metric for a current macroblock. The contextual similarity metric is based at least in part upon a texture measure for the current macroblock and a texture measure for one or more neighboring macroblocks. For the current macroblock, the motion estimation changes depending on the contextual similarity metric for the current macroblock.

Abstract: The disclosure provides nucleic acids including the polynucleotide sequence of the human MAFbx core promoter involved in muscle specific expression. Also provided are reporters operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence including MAFbx transcription regulatory sequences, and constructs including polynucleotides that encode reporters and other polynucleotide sequences operably linked to the MAFbx core transcription regulatory sequence. Systems for identifying agents that inhibit muscle loss and/or increase muscle mass or tone are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reporter-selectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon, and use of the replicon to generate stable, human hepatoma cell lines. The replicon and cell lines are useful in the compound screening process in HCV drug discovery.

Abstract: A downward offset barbell type walking beam compositively balance oil pump, in which at the rear end of the walking beam is mounted a downward offset barbell type balancing device consisting of a shoe plate, a cross shaft and balancing pieces, retains most of the structure of the conventional walking beam oil pump, and has a compact structure, a wide range of moment change, an advantage of saving electricity to a degree of more than 40 percent, and is safe and reliable for operation. The present invention can be applied to the renovation of variety of conventional walking beam oil pumps, used in oil fields, outphase crankshaft oil pumps and walking beam compositively balance oil pumps for the purpose of energy-saving or of promotion of the capacity for oil extraction of the above-mentioned oil pumps.