Abstract: A method for managing communication among a plurality of social network members. The method comprises defining a multi participant task, setting at least one forward rule limiting the distribution an invitation message for participating in the multi participant task, forwarding the invitation message to at least one addressee from a plurality of social network members, allowing the at least one addressee to forward the invitation message to at least one additional addressee from the plurality of social network members under the at least one forward rule, monitoring a plurality of feedbacks to the invitation message to determine whether the multi participant task is achieved, and updating a status of the multi participant task according to the determination.

Abstract: Wireless power transmitting and receiving apparatuses are described, using a superconducting coil for a resonant coil, and wireless power charging systems using the same. Wireless power charging systems described include a power source, a wireless power transmitter connected with the power source, a wireless power receiver, and a battery connected with the wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter includes a source coil connected with the power source, a superconducting transmitting coil into which electricity is induced by a magnetic field generated when electricity flows through the source coil, and a first conductive cooling device connected with the superconducting transmitting coil.

Abstract: The low input voltage boost converter with peak inductor current control and offset compensated zero detection provide a boost converter scheme to harvest energy from sources with small output voltages. Some embodiments described herein includes a thermoelectric boost converter that combines an IPEAK control scheme with offset compensation and duty cycled comparators to enable energy harvesting from TEG inputs as low as 5 mV to 10 mV, and the peak inductor current is independent to first order of the input voltage and output voltage. A control circuit can be configured to sample the input voltage (VIN) and then generate a pulse with a duration inversely proportional to VIN so as to control the boost converter switches such that a substantially constant peak inductor current is generated.

Abstract: A method of determining an emotion of an utterance. The method can include receiving the utterance at a processor-based device comprising an audio engine. The method also can include extracting emotion-related acoustic features from the utterance. The method additionally can include comparing the emotion-related acoustic features to a plurality of emotion models that are representative of emotions. The method further can include selecting a model from the plurality of emotion models based on the comparing the emotion-related acoustic features to the plurality of emotion models. The method additionally can include outputting the emotion of the utterance, wherein the emotion corresponds to the selected model. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for compacting soil and granular materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the soil compaction apparatuses include an arrangement of diametric expansion elements that, in their expanded state, form a larger compaction surface. In another embodiment, a compaction chamber can be provided with diametric restriction elements and a flow-through passage in the upper portion of the chamber exterior of a drive shaft. The diametric expansion or restriction elements can be fabricated from, for example, individual chains, cables, or wire rope, or a lattice of vertically and horizontally connected chains, cables, or wire rope. Embodiments of the soil compaction apparatus include, but are not limited to, closed-ended driving shafts, open-ended driving shafts, flow-through passages, no flow-through passages, removable rings for holding the diametric expansion/restriction elements, and any combinations thereof.

Abstract: Apparatuses for constructing displacement aggregate piers are disclosed. In one example, a mandrel is provided comprising a tamper head that has cutting teeth on the leading edge thereof. In another example, hydrojet nozzles are provided within one or more of the cutting teeth of the tamper head. In yet another example, the mandrel comprises grout tubes (or grout injection lines) and/or grout inspection lines. In yet another example, the mandrel and/or tamper head can comprise cutting teeth, hydrojet nozzles, grout tubes (or grout injection lines), grout inspection lines, and any combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as a long term evolution (LTE). A method for providing a device-to-device (D2D) communication-based service for an isolated user equipment (IUE) by a relay user equipment (RUE) in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes establishing a D2D link with an IUE; and supporting establishment of a relay cellular link for the IUE based on the established D2D link, wherein the RUE is within a service coverage of an enhanced node B (eNB).

Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising at least two negative capacitance insulators connected in series, one of the two negative capacitance insulators is biased to generate a negative capacitance. One of the negative capacitance insulators may include an air-gap which is part of a nanoelectromechnical system (NEMS) device and the second negative capacitance insulator includes a ferroelectric material. Both of the negative capacitance insulators may be located between the channel and gate of a field effect transistor. The NEMS device may include a movable electrode, a dielectric and a fixed electrode and arranged so that the movable electrode is attached to at least two points and spaced apart from the dielectric and fixed electrode, and the ferroelectric capacitor is electrically connected to either of the electrodes.

Abstract: There are provided computer systems for visualizing and annotating single molecule images. Annotation systems in accordance with this disclosure allow a user to mark and annotate single molecules of interest and their restriction enzyme cut sites thereby determining the restriction fragments of single nucleic acid molecules. The markings and annotations may be automatically generated by the system in certain embodiments and they may be overlaid translucently onto the single molecule images. An image caching system may be implemented in the computer annotation systems to reduce image processing time. The annotation systems include one or more connectors connecting to one or more databases capable of storing single molecule data as well as other biomedical data. Such diverse array of data can be retrieved and used to validate the markings and annotations. The annotation systems may be implemented and deployed over a computer network. They may be ergonomically optimized to facilitate user interactions.

Abstract: Total joint replacements for implants include a first member configured to attach to a first bone, a second member configured to reside in an adjacent second bone and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to (i) lock the first and second members in alignment for full extension or other defined stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock to allow the first and second members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending.

Abstract: An energy generating device utilizing mechanical vibration power is provided. The energy generating device includes a first body for reciprocating according to vibration motions; an anchored second body; a rack coupled to one of the first body and the anchored second body; a gear assembly engaged with the rack and coupled to the other one of the first body and the anchored second body such that the gear assembly drives a generator via a rotational movement in a single direction according to each of upward and downward movement of the rack relative to the gear assembly; and the generator engaged with the gear assembly for receiving the rotational movement output from the gear assembly and outputting a direct current according to the rotational input from the gear assembly.

Abstract: A double wound rotor type motor with a constant alternating current or direct current power supply input and a control method thereof is disclosed. The wound rotor type motor includes: a stator in which a coil directly connected to a single phase grid power supply or a direct current power supply is wound; a rotor that is rotatably supported in the stator; a power conversion device that is attached to the rotor and controls a rotor current without connection of a separate external power supply; and a control circuit that is connected to the power conversion device and controls the power conversion device.

Abstract: Apparatuses capable of and techniques for detecting long wavelength radiation are provided.

Abstract: A field emission device may comprise: an emitter comprising a cathode electrode and an electron emission source supported by the cathode electrode; an insulating spacer around the emitter, the insulating spacer forming an opening that is a path of electrons emitted from the electron emission source; and/or a gate electrode around the opening. The electron emission source may comprise a plurality of graphene thin films vertically supported in the cathode electrode toward the opening.

Abstract: A nano resonance apparatus includes a gate electrode configured to generate a magnetic field, and a nanowire connecting a source electrode to a drain electrode and configured to vibrate in the presence of the magnetic field. The nanowire includes a protruding portion extending in a direction of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A sample plate in use with a MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometer. The sample plate is usable for the mass spectrometry of a polymeric material on the order of several hundreds of Da and a method of manufacturing the same sample plate. The sample plate including a target plate, an organic matrix formed on one surface of the target plate, and a Parylene thin film formed on the target plate on which the organic matrix is formed, the Parylene thin film entirely covering the organic matrix.

Abstract: A method for identifying modulators of Interleukin 24 (IL-24) mediated apoptosis is disclosed. For IL-24 apoptosis to be effective, the cells should express Sigma 1 Receptor (S1R). Additionally apoptosis modulators can be identified by exposing biological cells to test compounds and monitoring for signs of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein expression; calcium mobilization; or reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Abstract: A communication element includes a high electron mobility transistor including a gate layer. A graphene layer is disposed on the gate layer. A communication system includes a signal source, a plasmonic transmitter, a first plasmonic antenna, a second plasmonic antenna, a plasmonic receiver and a signal detector. The signal source generates a transmitted signal. The plasmonic transmitter generates a first surface plasmonic polariton wave signal corresponding to the transmitted signal. The first plasmonic antenna generates an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the surface plasmon polariton wave signal. The second plasmonic antenna generates a second surface plasmon polariton wave signal corresponding to the electromagnetic signal. The plasmonic receiver generates a received signal corresponding to the second surface plasmon polariton wave signal. The signal detector detects the received signal.

Abstract: Heterocyclic compounds which modulate cannabinoid receptors are presented. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of using these compounds as modulators of cannabinoid receptors and processes for synthesizing these compounds are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods of producing layers of patterned graphene with smooth edges are provided. The methods comprise the steps of fabricating a layer of crystalline graphene on a surface, wherein the layer of crystalline graphene has a crystallographically disordered edge, and decreasing the crystallographic disorder of the edge of the layer of crystalline graphene by heating the layer of crystalline graphene on the surface at an elevated temperature in a catalytic environment comprising carbon-containing molecules.