Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for video encoding/decoding. An apparatus includes processing circuitry that partitions a current block of a current picture based on a geometric partitioning mode (GPM). The current block is partitioned into two partitions in the GPM mode. Each of the partitions is associated with a respective predictor. A weighting index for a sample of the current block is determined based on a position of the sample. A weighting factor is calculated based on the weighting index of the sample according to an equation that converts the weighting index to the weighting factor. The sample is encoded based on the weighting factor and the predictor corresponding to the sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to an improved platform that provides secure, encrypted communications across distributed computer networks when coordinating cryptography-based digital repositories in order to perform blockchain operations in decentralized applications. More specifically, the methods and systems provide this improved platform by introducing additional abstraction layers into a production service for computing signatures during multi-party computation (MPC) signing procedures.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to an improved platform that provides secure, encrypted communications across distributed computer networks when coordinating cryptography-based digital repositories in order to perform blockchain operations in decentralized applications. More specifically, the methods and systems provide this improved platform by introducing additional abstraction layers into a production service for computing signatures during multi-party computation (MPC) signing procedures.

Abstract: A vehicle steering structure includes a steering column, a bearing, a frame and a wheel steering assembly. The bearing includes an outer ring with an inner spherical surface and an inner ring with an outer spherical surface, the inner ring is arranged in the outer ring, and an outer circumference of the outer ring is connected to the frame. The steering column passes through the inner ring, and has a first end connected to the steering control part and a second end connected to the wheel steering assembly. The vehicle steering structure may be applied in an all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A UAV control method and device, a remote controller and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: obtaining UAV control mode switching request information to request to switch from a first control mode to a second control mode; in response to the switching request information, detecting whether the position of an accelerator control member in its operating range is within a region of hovering range. In the second control mode, when the accelerator control member is within the region of hovering range, the UAV maintains a hovering state in a vertical direction; if it is detected that the accelerator control member is located in the region of hovering range, the control mode of the UAV is switched from the first control mode to the second control mode, otherwise, refuse to switch the control mode of the UAV from the first control mode to the second control mode.

Abstract: A method and an equipment for comprehensive utilization of niobite is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: S1. adding and uniformly mixing a coal-based reducing agent to the niobite, and subsequently reducing the mixture in a reduction furnace to obtain the selective reduction product; S2. adding the selective reduction product to a super-gravity reactor where the ambient temperature is controlled to be lower than the temperature at which the niobium oxide is reduced; driven by super-gravity, reverse migrating and collecting the metal iron and the niobium-rich slag at different locations in the reactor; discharging the metallic iron tightly attached to the wall of the reactor through an iron discharging port, and discharging the niobium-rich slag enriched to the inner layer of the reactor through a slag discharging port, so that the separation of the metallic iron and the niobium-rich slag is realized in the super-gravity field.

Abstract: A method of video encoding includes determining whether a reference block for a current block is located in a different coding tree unit (CTU) than a CTU of the current block. The method also includes, in response to the reference block being located in the different CTU, (i) determining whether a memory location of a reference sample memory for the reference block is available. The second area is collocated in the different CTU with a position of the first area in the CTU of the current block. In response to the determination that the reference block is located in the different CTU, the method also includes, (ii) in response to a determination that the memory location for the reference block is available, retrieving, from the memory location corresponding to the reference block, one or more samples to encode the current block.

Abstract: A method of utilizing an N-point primary transform core matrix to encode may include determining whether to use a first transform core matrix that is an N-point 8-bit primary transform core matrix. When a result of the determination is to use the first transform core matrix, the method may include: (i) constructing the first transform core based on a set of unique numbers, and (ii) encoding using the derived primary transform core. The method may further include, when a result of the determination is to not use the first primary transform: (i) deriving a second transform core based on the same set of unique numbers, and (ii) encoding using the derived second transform core.

Abstract: There is includes a method and apparatus comprising computer code configured to cause a hardware processor or processors to perform intra prediction among a plurality of reference lines, to set a plurality of intra prediction modes for a zero reference line nearest to a current block of the intra prediction among non-zero reference lines, and to set one or more most probable modes for one of the non-zero reference lines.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video encoding/decoding. In some examples, an apparatus for video decoding includes receiving circuitry and processing circuitry. For example, the processing circuitry decodes prediction information of a current block in a current coding tree unit (CTU) from a coded video bitstream. The prediction information is indicative of an intra block copy mode. A size of the current CTU is smaller than a maximum size of a reference sample memory for storing reconstructed samples. The processing circuitry determines a block vector that points to a reference block in a same picture as the current block. The reference block has reconstructed samples buffered in the reference sample memory. Then, the processing circuitry reconstructs at least a sample of the current block based on the reconstructed samples of the reference block that are retrieved from the reference sample memory.

Abstract: An unmanned store is provided. The unmanned store includes a projection device, a rotation device, a functional keypad, and a control system. The projection device may project a virtual image to a real space of the unmanned store; the rotation device is connected to the projection device, and is configured to drive the projection device to rotate such that the virtual image moves in the real space; the functional keypad includes a functional key, and may send a key signal to a control system in response to the functional key being pressed; upon receiving the key signal, the control system switches the commodity information displayed by the projection device based on the key signal.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and computer system is provided for video coding. Video data comprising a reference frame and residual blocks is received. Transform coefficients associated with the residual blocks are identified. The video data corresponding to the one or more residual blocks is encoded based on an extended dynamic range associated with the transform coefficients.

Abstract: Methods of recycling silicon from lithium-ion batteries having silicon-based electrodes are disclosed. Batteries and methods of manufacturing batteries from the recycled silicon are also disclosed. A method of recycling may include discharging each of one or more batteries to below a threshold voltage and disassembling each of the one or more batteries to collect source material from silicon-based electrodes of the one or more batteries. The source material may include silicon from the silicon-based electrodes. The method may further include rinsing the source material in alcohol to obtain a solution and extracting recycled silicon from the solution by heating the silicon for a first period of time and leaching the silicon in an acid for a second period of time. In some methods, the heating occurs before the leaching. In other embodiments, the leaching occurs before the heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and their use for treating fibrotic disorders, proliferative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, primary and metastatic cancer, pulmonary conditions, ocular diseases, or neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. One particular aspect of the inventions relates to inhibitors of the family of lysyl oxidase enzymes and their use as therapeutics for fibrotic disorders. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for cloud gaming. In some examples, an apparatus for cloud gaming includes processing circuitry. For example, the processing circuitry receives a video sequence and metadata associated with the video sequence. The video sequence includes a sequence of picture frames generated in response to gaming control information, and the metadata is determined based on the gaming control information. The processing circuitry can determine, based on the metadata, an encoding configuration for encoding the video sequence. Then the processing circuitry encodes, based on the encoding configuration, the video sequence into a coded video bitstream.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for video encoding/decoding. In a method, whether an adaptive color transform (ACT) is enabled for a current block is determined. A maximum transform size is determined based on whether the ACT is enabled for the current block. Whether a subblock transform (SBT) is applied to the current block is determined based at least on the maximum transform size. Further, the SBT is performed on the current block based on the SBT being determined to be applied to the current block.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video processing. In some examples, an apparatus for video processing includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry converts a picture in a subsampled format in a color space into a non subsampled format in the color space. Then, the processing circuitry clips values of a color component of the picture in the non subsampled format before providing the picture in the non subsampled format as an input to a neural network based filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for obtaining glial cells in vitro and use thereof. The method comprises: constructing positive cloned stem cells that overexpress a reprogramming factor, wherein the reprogramming factor comprises an NFIX gene; and inducing the positive cloned stem cells to the glial cells by adding a cytokine and/or a cytokine inhibitor. The method can rapidly induce the pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into the glial cells, and the obtained glial cells can be used for preparing cell treatment drugs and in-vitro or in-vivo drug screening kits.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods for controlling an industrial device. Some embodiments include: obtaining a state input characterizing a current state of the industrial device; processing the state input to generate an action output characterizing an expected action to be performed by the industrial device for the current state, based on a machine learning model trained based on states of the industrial device, actions each performed for each state of the industrial device and results each obtained by performing each action; and generating a control signal for the industrial device based on the action output.

Abstract: In a method of video encoding for an encoder, a determination is made to determine whether (i) an implicit transform scheme is enabled, and (ii) at least one of a low-frequency non-separable transform (LFNST) and a matrix-based intra predication mode (MIP) is invalid for a coding unit (CU). In response to the determination that the implicit transform scheme is enabled, and at least one of the LFNST and MIP is invalid, a primary transform type is determined based on a size of the CU. A primary transform is performed for a transform block that is partitioned from the CU in accordance with the determined primary transform type. A coded bitstream that indicates the primary transform type of the CU is subsequently output.