Abstract: A method of differentiating embryonic stem cells into ventral spinal progenitor cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises culturing a population of cells comprising a majority of cells that are characterized by an early rosette morphology and are Sox1?/Pax6+ in the presence of retinoic acid, wherein the cells express Hoxb4, but not Otx2 or Bf1.

Abstract: A heterogeneous network system performs a vertical handover based on media independent handover (MIH) in different networks in which a WiMAX (Wireless Broadband Internet) network (or a WiBro (Wireless Broadband Internet)) and a WLAN (Wireless LAN) network are coexisted. The heterogeneous network system cyclically acquires neighboring network information in advance through a media independent handover server, and performs new address (NCoA) generation at a handover preliminary time. And then DAD (Duplicate Address Detection) and BU (Binding Update) are performed. Accordingly, the vertical handover between different networks can be performed to receive packets from a switched network while a handover delay time is minimized.

Abstract: An integrin antagonist reduces the occurrence of cross-linked actin network (CLAN) structures in cells of the trabecular meshwork. CLAN structures are associated with steroid-induced glaucoma. Reduction in CLAN structures is associated with increased aqueous humor outflow facility from the trabecular meshwork.

Abstract: An ion radiation therapy machine provides a steerable beam for treating a tumor within the patient where the exposure spot of the beam is controlled in width and/or length to effect a flexible trade-off between treatment speed, accuracy, and uniformity.

Abstract: An MRI system produces a three-dimensional image by acquiring NMR signals that fully sample a central region of k-space and partially sample peripheral region of k-space. Specifically, k-space is arranged as a three-dimensional (3D) Cartesian grid of points that is divided into a central region of k-space and a peripheral region of k-space. Points are selected in k-space within a plurality of radial vanes that extend radially outward from the central region of k-space through the peripheral region of k-space as viewed in a plane sampled by two phase encoding gradients to create a plurality of gaps between the radial vanes that is substantially a factor of N times greater in area than the radial vanes. Using an MRI system having arrays of RF receiver coils, NMR signals are acquired from a subject to fully sample the central region of the 3D k-space and undersample the peripheral region of k-space by only sampling k-space within the plurality of radial vanes.

Abstract: Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4?hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), the major metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, specifically binds and blocks the hormonal action of 5?-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in vitro and in vivo. Equol can bind circulating free DHT and sequester it from the androgen receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone responses that are regulated by androgens. These data suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological properties. The significance of equol's ability to specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen receptor have important ramifications in health and disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for equol in the treatment and prevention of androgen-mediated pathologies. Thus, equol can specifically bind DHT and prevent DHT's biological actions in physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Abstract: A low-temperature catalytic process for converting biomass (preferably glycerol recovered from the fabrication of bio-diesel) to synthesis gas (i.e., H2/CO gas mixture) in an endothermic gasification reaction is described. The synthesis gas is used in exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, such as Fischer-Tropsch, methanol, or dimethylether syntheses. The heat from the exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction is integrated with the endothermic gasification reaction, thus providing an energy-efficient route for producing fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass resources.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic electrolyte for a lithium-ion battery and a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, wherein the electrolyte includes a base electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent, and diphenyloctyl phosphate added thereto in an amount of 0.1 to 20 wt %. As compared to a conventional organic electrolyte using only a carbonate ester-based solvent, such as ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, etc., the lithium-ion battery employing the organic electrolyte can improve thermal stability of an electrolyte solution, high-rate performance, and charge/discharge cyclability of a battery, while maintaining battery performance of the base electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a surgical kit having component parts capable of use in excising a cartilage defect site on a patient to prepare the same for receipt of an implant plug, the kit comprising a cylindrical gauge with a central bore used to measure the defect area, a guide rod adapted to be driven through the gauge tube into the center of said defect area and a cartilage cutting assembly adapted to be mounted over the guide rod and used for excising the defect area and cutting a cylindrical bore into the defect area. The method for use of the kit comprises the steps of: marking the defect area to be cut; placing a guide rod into the center defect area and driving the same to a predetermined distance to secure the same in the defect area and placing a drill bit over the guide rod and rotating the drill bit to cut a cylindrical blind bore removing the cartilage defect.

Abstract: Devices, such as computer readable media, and methods, such as automated methods, for labeling and/or matching. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for anatomical labeling of human airway trees. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for matching branch-points of human airway trees from represented in two or more graphs.

Abstract: There is provided a small-sized portable microwave plasma generator capable of generating plasma at atmospheric pressure with low electric power including a coaxial cable, an outer conductor, a connection conductor, and a connection member. The coaxial cable includes a first inner conductor and a dielectric material encircling the first inner conductor. The outer conductor encircles the coaxial cable. The connection conductor includes at least one gas inlet tube. The connection conductor electrically connects between the first inner conductor and the outer conductor at one end of the coaxial cable. The connection member includes a second inner conductor passing through the outer conductor and then connecting to the first inner conductor.

Abstract: A method for selecting an antenna in an orthogonalized spatial multiplexing system. Upon receipt of at least one symbol from a transmitter via multiple receive antennas, a receiver decodes each of the received symbols; determines a rotation angle between the received symbols, and selects an optimal subset of transmit antennas using a distance between vectors of the decoded symbols; generates feedback information including the determined rotation angle and the selected optimal subset, and transmits the generated feedback information to the transmitter. Upon receipt of the feedback information, the transmitter beam-forms an antenna corresponding to the optimal subset depending on the received feedback information, and transmits a data symbol to the receiver. The receiver detects each of data symbols received from the transmitter.

Abstract: A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped.

Abstract: Mutants of human FGF-1 are disclosed having increased stability and mitogenic potency. In the FGF-1 polypeptide, primarily residue 12 is substituted with threonine and/or residue 134 is substituted cysteine, valine or threonine to render the polypeptide more stable and/or to increase its mitogenecity.

Abstract: A method of cropping a representation of a face for electronic processing, said method comprising: selecting a first geodesic contour about an invariant reference point on said face, setting a region within said first geodesic contour as a first mask, selecting a second geodesic contour about a boundary of said identified first region, setting a region within said second geodesic contour as a second mask, and forming a final mask from a union of said first mask and said second mask.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of diagnosing or predicting susceptibility to Crohn's Disease by determining the presence or absence of genetic variants. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods to diagnose and/or predict susceptibility to Crohn's Disease in an individual by determining the presence or absence of anti-Cbir1 reactivity and the presence or absence of TLR5 risk variants. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods to diagnose Crohn's Disease by determining the presence or absence of NFKB1 haplotype H3 and/or ASCA expression. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of diagnosing Crohn's Disease by determining the presence or absence of Cbir1 specific peripheral blood T cell proliferation.

Abstract: A b-oriented MFI zeolite membrane with variable thickness is provided. The MFI zeolite membrane is composed of zeolite crystals whose b-axes are all uniformly oriented perpendicular to a substrate. Further provided is a method for preparing the MFI zeolite membrane. The method comprises forming zeolite or zeotype molecular sieve seeds with different thicknesses on a substrate and adding the seeded substrate to a gel for the synthesis of an MFI zeolite containing a structure-directing agent to grow zeolite or zeotype molecular sieve crystals thereon. The MFI zeolite membrane overcomes the limitations of prior art zeolite membranes to maximize its applicability.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring a quasi-static error of a rotation driving shaft, a positional error and an angular error in each of X, Y, and Z axis directions during rotation of a driving shaft is measured by means of a single measurement apparatus. In the apparatus, a first splitter, a second splitter, and a reflector spectrally output or reflect a laser beam, which is output from a laser driving device, to a first position sensor and a second position sensor, so that it is possible to obtain every error information on positional errors and angular errors in X, Y, and Z axis directions of a rotation driving shaft through input position change data of the inputted laser beam.

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium are provided which perform motion correction of image data. A first set of data and a second set of data of k-space data of an object to be imaged are received. The first set of data and the second set of data include a plurality of phase encoded lines that encompass the object to be imaged. The first set of data correlates with the second set of data. A cross-correlation is calculated by multiplying the first set of data and the second set of data in k-space. A value of the motion of the object to be imaged that occurred between acquisition of the first set of data and acquisition of the second set of data is calculated using the cross-correlation. The second set of data is corrected using the calculated value to remove the motion. The correction process is repeated until the k-space data is completely processed.