Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for reconstructing a magnetic resonance (MR) image based on a structural similarity among a plurality of MR images having different contrasts. According to the method and apparatus, acceleration, high resolution imaging, quantification of parameters, and acquisition of an MR image having a new contrast are achievable by reconstructing the plurality of MR images by using a learning process via an artificial neural network (ANN) model.

Abstract: Methods of screening for dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DHAD) variants that display increased DHAD activity are disclosed, along with DHAD variants identified by these methods. Such enzymes can result in increased production of compounds from DHAD requiring biosynthetic pathways. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the DHAD variants, recombinant host cells comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods of producing butanol.

Abstract: Provided are a positive electrode active material for a sodium ion secondary battery, and a positive electrode and a sodium ion secondary battery using the material. The positive electrode active material for a sodium ion secondary battery comprises a lithium sodium-based compound containing lithium (Li), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), and oxygen (O).

Abstract: A laser system including a seed laser and an optical amplification subsystem, receiving an output of the seed laser and providing an amplified laser output, the optical amplification subsystem including a first plurality of amplifier assemblies, each of the first plurality of amplifier assemblies including a second plurality of optical amplifiers, and phase control circuitry including phase modulating functionality associated with each of the first plurality of amplifier assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for motion compensation and state-of-motion specific attenuation correction of positron tomography images by using a small number of low-radiation-dose computer tomography images.

Abstract: A device includes a processor that is operative to process a data stream such as executable code, encoded video or other suitable data stream, and has a plurality of processor portions. The device further includes a power management controller coupled to the processor portions that controls power consumption of the processor portions based on application profile data associated with the data stream. The application profile data may be included with executable code or provided separately and may directly indicate usage/nonusage of portions of the processor or the data stream may have inherent application profile data in the header that indirectly identifies usage of the processor portions.

Abstract: Provided are a integrated plasmonic circuit including a plasmonic source using a surface plasmon resonance phenomenon, a plasmonic detector detecting an optical signal generated in the plasmonic source, and a link structure between the plasmonic source and the plasmonic detector, that is, a signal transferring part, and a method of manufacturing the same. Provided are a integrated plasmonic circuit capable of realizing both of miniaturization and speed improvement by overcoming both of a limitation of an electronic device in terms of a signal speed in spite of being excellent in terms of miniaturization efficiency and a limitation of an existing optical device in terms of miniaturization due to a diffraction limitation of light in spite of being improved in terms of a signal speed, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Plural AFM probes with different resolutions are implemented on an apparatus for scanning a nearly free-standing nanometer-scale specimen. The apparatus identifies the location and the shape of the nano structure on a specimen piece using a high resolution AFM probe, and then measures a three-dimensional shape of the identified nano structure using an atomic resolution AFM probe.

Abstract: An insulation system for coupling to a building substrate comprising a plurality of insulation panels, bracket members and splice members. Each insulation panel includes a longitudinal slot. Each bracket member is formed from a polymer and includes an elongated body having a body wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. Upper and lower ribs extend from the body wall and are structurally configured to extend into the longitudinal slot of each of the plurality of insulation panels, and to elastically deform the longitudinal slot so as to effectively seal along a length thereof, defining a vapor barrier. A similar structure is on each splice member. The bracket members are positioned in a spaced apart relationship with insulation panels therebetween. The upper and lower ribs extend into corresponding ones of the longitudinal slots of the insulation panels, with splice members extending between adjacent adjacently abutting insulation panels.

Abstract: A turret airbag system is provided including a plurality of airbags disposed within the turret to protect an occupant of the turret from injury and/or ejection from the turret. Turret airbags may be configured in padding around a turret access opening, and/or as substantially cylindrical airbags that deploy between the occupant of the turret and a wall or exterior opening of the turret. In some examples, the turret airbag(s) may be integrated with a countermeasure system that deploys explosion countermeasures and activates the turret airbags based on sensor data and multiple thresholds that indicate a collision event, a rollover event and/or an explosion event.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of applying surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) with a plurality of balls for treating surfaces of metallic alloys under a set of specific conditions in order to obtain a metal substrate with high yield strength and hardness, low cytotoxicity, high cytocompability and hemocompatibility suitable for medical implant. The plurality of balls used in the present invention comprises 316L stainless steel balls or zirconium oxide (ZrO2) balls.

Abstract: A method for making a molded composite article includes the steps of: providing a sleeve body on a pressing portion of a male mold body, the sleeve body being made of a heat-expansible material and having a primary engaging segment and an abutting segment; disposing a composite laminate material on a female mold body; moving the male mold body provided with the sleeve body toward the female mold body while the male mold body and the female mold body are heated; continuing to move the male mold body so that the pressing portion extends into the abutting segment and presses the composite laminate material to form the molded composite article; and separating the male mold body from the female mold body and removing the molded composite article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor package structure, and methods for making the same. A method includes providing a substrate and a carrier layer. The substrate includes a first patterned metal layer, a second patterned metal layer spaced from the first patterned metal layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first patterned metal layer and the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer covers the second patterned metal layer. The dielectric layer defines first openings exposing the second patterned metal layer, and further defines a via opening extending from the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. A conductive material is disposed in the via and electrically connects the first patterned metal layer to the second patterned metal layer. The carrier layer defines second openings exposing the second patterned metal layer.

Abstract: Methods for de-differentiating or altering the life-span of desired “recipient” cells, e.g., human somatic cells, by the introduction of cytoplasm from a more primitive, less differentiated cell type, e.g., oocyte or blastomere are provided. These methods can be used to produce embryonic stem cells and to increase the efficiency of gene therapy by allowing for desired cells to be subjected to multiple genetic modifications without becoming senescent. Such cytoplasm may be fractionated and/or subjected to subtractive hybridization and the active materials (sufficient for de-differentiation) identified and produced by recombinant methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly functionalized polythiophenes and the syntheses thereof. The present invention also demonstrates that the new polythiophenes and their derivatives are suitable for fabricating organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), light emitting diodes (PLEDs), organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) and conducting polymers for printed electronic devices.

Abstract: For laser sintering, a material includes at least one powder that has been treated by heat to modify at least one of: a melting temperature of the at least one powder; and a recrystallization temperature of the at least one powder and results in the narrowing of the melting curve of the treated material relative to the untreated material. The heating can include a series of heating steps. The treatment improves the efficacies of the SLS process and product quality.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a composition that is useful as a filler for the correction of soft tissue volume loss, for example for the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles, or for the treatment of disorders such as lipoatrophy or lipodystrophy in general, said composition comprising agarose and hyaluronic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The particular interaction that takes place between the two components makes even high concentrations of agarose injectable and tolerable, said high concentrations being particularly useful for ensuring the duration and stability over time of the aesthetic results that are achievable using this filler.

Abstract: Parallel membrane elements are arranged in parallel within a pressure vessel. A sealing body is disposed within the pressure vessel and is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a leak-right seal in between a feed gas side of the sealing body and a non-permeate side of the sealing body. The sealing body may be slid within the pressure vessel without damaging the sealing body and in all cases without requiring mechanical assistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a mobile device cover are described. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover may include, for example, an acoustic sensor, a processor, and lighting devices. The processor can be operatively coupled to the acoustic sensor and the lighting devices. The acoustic sensor can be configured to receive sound generated by the mobile phone and to convert the sound into an acoustic signal. The processor can be configured to receive the acoustic signal and to determine whether the acoustic signal is similar to one of a plurality of acoustic signals previously stored on the mobile phone cover. Each of the previously stored acoustic signals can be indicative of, for example, a particular caller, a particular message sender, or a particular alert. Based on the acoustic signal determination, the processor is configured to cause lighting of the one or more lighting devices corresponding to the indicated caller, indicated message sender, or indicated alert.

Abstract: An implantable microphone for placement in soft tissue, comprising a sensor arrangement comprising a housing, a first pressure sensor having a first membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue and a second pressure sensor having a second membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue and a compensation circuitry for combining the output signals of the first and second sensor in a manner so as to eliminate signals resulting from acceleration forces acting on the sensor arrangement, wherein the first and the second sensor are of a mirror-symmetric design with regard to each other, with the first and the second membrane being arranged parallel to each other.