Abstract: A transcoding method and apparatus and a motion vector interpolation method. The transcoding method and apparatus convert moving picture data from one encoding format to another encoding format. The transcoding method includes (a) decoding an image coded in a first encoding method and then obtaining encoding mode information and motion vector information of each block of the image; (b) selecting at least one of available encoding modes of a second encoding method based on the encoding mode information of each block of the decoded image; and (c) performing a motion estimation process on each block of the decoded image in the at least one selected encoding mode and then determining an optimal encoding mode for each block of the decoded image based on the motion estimation result(s).

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preconditioning and/or providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, trauma, metal poisoning and neurodegeneration, including the associated cognitive, behavioral and physical impairments. In one embodiment, the method is accomplished by stimulating and stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1? (HIF-1?). HIF-1? is known to provide a neuroprotective benefit under ischemic conditions. Patients at risk for certain diseases or disorders that are associated with risk for cerebral ischemia may benefit, e.g., those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease or stroke or those patients having head or spinal cord injury. Patients undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in ischemia may also benefit. Initially, the possibility of ischemia or neurodegeneration is recognized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e.g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.

Abstract: A means and method for improving ozone oxidation through the addition of an iron(II) catalyst is described.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a three-dimensional distribution of structural defects in a single crystal material, the method comprising: (a) disposing a single crystal sample on a holder, the sample being set to a symmetric reflection in the Bragg Geometry; (b) projecting a beam of incident x-rays on a predetermined crystal plane in the sample and reflecting the x-rays while the sample is azimuthally rotating with respect to an normal axis, the normal axis being perpendicular to the predetermined crystal plane; (c) obtaining geometrical measured values of a two-dimensional configuration of defects on the detector plane of a CCD detector; and (d) determining the three-dimensional distribution of the defects in the sample by formulating a geometrical relation between a three-dimensional configuration of defects on the sample and the geometrical measured values of the two-dimensional configuration of defects on the detector plane.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide means to treat breast cancer and/or mastitis by topically administering a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent and allowing them efficiently to arrive into the mammary gland. The present invention provides an iontophoretic preparation for treating breast cancer and/or mastitis which contains a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent as an active ingredient and has a donor to be applied on a nipple part for topical administration of the active ingredient from the nipple part to the mammary gland by application of electric potential.

Abstract: A trans-tympanic membrane transducer and an implantable hearing aid system using the same. The trans-tympanic membrane transducer vibrates the tympanic membrane using a miniature magnetic member perpendicularly extending through a portion of the tympanic membrane and a coil implanted adjacent to the magnet to generate alternating magnetic field corresponding to sound signal, so as to remarkably improve sound qualities in high frequency bands, which are hardly achievable by a conventional air conduction hearing aid. This overcomes difficulty, inconvenience and risk associated with a conventional operation that implants a miniature magnet on the surface of the tympanic membrane or on an auditory organ such as the ossicle in the middle ear.

Abstract: Disclosed are plasticizer compositions including cyclodextrin derivatives, a flexible PVC composition with suppression of the migration of a plasticizer containing the same, and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method of the flexible PVC composition of the present invention includes steps of (S1) preparing cyclodextrin derivatives; (S2) mixing the cyclodextrin derivatives, PVC and a low molecular weight liquid plasticizer to form a plastisol; and (S3) heating the plastisol to form a solution and cooling the solution. The manufacturing method of the present invention may be useful to mass-produce flexible PVC with suppression of the migration of a plasticizer in a simple and economic manner without using solvents since the cyclodextrin derivatives are used as a compound that can suppress the migration of a plasticizer The flexible PVC has an effect of reducing an amount of the migrated plasticizer without deterioration in its physical properties.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal electrode and a method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting elements include providing a substrate having a semiconductor layer formed thereon; forming a bonding metal layer and a reflective metal layer on the semiconductor layer; and forming a metal electrode by layer inversion of the bonding metal layer and the reflective metal layer through a heat treatment process. An interface characteristic between a semiconductor layer and an electrode having a reflective metal layer is enhanced by a layer inversion phenomenon. High reflectivity can be obtained, because a reflection metal layer is uniformly distributed on a semiconductor layer. Further, out-diffusion of a reflective metal layer is prevented through layer inversion to enhance the thermal stability of an electrode. And the number of accepters for generating holes is increased through heat treatment under an oxygen atmosphere, so that contact resistance can be lowered.

Abstract: Nanofibers are formed using electrospray deposition from microfluidic source. The source is brought close to a surface, and scanned in one embodiment to form oriented or patterned fibers. In one embodiment, the surface has features, such as trenches on a silicon wafer. In further embodiments, the surface is rotated to form patterned nanofibers, such as polymer nanofibers. The nanofibers may be used as a mask to create features, and as a sacrificial layer to create nanochannels.

Abstract: A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of formula I: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl; Ar is an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl; and wherein Ar is optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, azido, C1-C4 azidoalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloaryl, haloalkylaryl, and combinations thereof; and R is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, acetonitrile, ethylnitrile, propylnitrile, carboxamide, amidine, tetrazole, oxime, hydrazone, acetamidine, aminoacetamide, guanidine, and urea. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer in humans.

Abstract: A method is provided for functionalizing nanoscale fibers including reacting a plurality of nanoscale fibers with at least one epoxide monomer to chemically bond the at least one epoxide monomer to surfaces of the nanoscale fibers to form functionalized nanoscale fibers. Functionalized nanoscale fibers and nanoscale fiber films are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a prepreg nanoscale fiber film. The method includes providing a network of nanoscale fibers, impregnating the network of nanoscale fibers with a resin, and B-stage curing the resin. A method is also provided for producing a composite structure from the prepreg nanoscale fiber film.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for collecting amniotic fluid from the uterus. In order to collect the amniotic fluid from the uterus through the external orifice of the cervix of a pregnant woman, an amniotic fluid collecting unit is adapted to bring a mouth, which is foldably formed at the upper end of an amniotic fluid collecting bag, into close contact with an end of the external orifice of the cervix. Thereby, the apparatus not only significantly decreases the risk occurring when a needle is directly inserted into the uterus in order to carry out the amniocentesis (amniotic fluid testing), but also eliminates pain and anxiety caused by the direct insertion of the needle.

Abstract: Compositions for treatment of iron related diseases comprise an inhibitor of ferritin. An inhibitor of ferritin is active to reduce the level of H ferritin protein in a cell and/or to reduce the activity of H ferritin in a cell. Compositions providing cytoprotection, regulation of iron, increasing longevity and viability of cells are described.

Abstract: Materials and Methods for reducing or preventing bleeding and associated side effects during and after percutaneous medical procedures.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compositions and methods for studying in cell culture the pathologic changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. The present invention further relates to methods for studying and detecting early events in the conversion of healthy neurons to Alzheimer's disease neurons.

Abstract: There is provided a method of switching a zone through which services are provided to subscriber stations (SS) in an environment using an FRF-1 zone and an FRF-3 zone based on traffic load of each zone in order to reduce the inter-cell interference in 802.16/WiBro systems. The service zone switching method based on load considering inter-cell interference in 802.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the optimal design of an apodization function used for non-uniform weighted periodic sparse arrays for an ultrasound imaging system. The method includes the steps of (a) setting the interval PT of a transmit sparse array and the number LT of array elements within the interval PT so that common grating lobes are not generated in the beam patterns of the transmit sparse array and a receive sparse array; (b) setting the interval PR of the receive sparse array and the number LR of array elements within the interval PR so that common grating lobes are not generated in the beam patterns of the transmit sparse array and the receive sparse array; (c) setting a transmit apodization function WT(n) configured to be applied to the beam pattern of the transmit sparse array; and (d) setting a receive apodization function WR(n) configured to be applied to the beam pattern of the receive sparse array.

Abstract: A decoder includes multiple decoder stages and a controller. The decoder stages perform decoding operations with respect to a received signal using corresponding different decoding algorithms. The controller determines whether the decoding operation performed by one of the decoder stages with respect to the received signal is successful, and controls the decoding operation of each of the other decoder stages in response to a result of the determination.