Abstract: An injection member penetrates an elastic septum of a device defining a sealed, empty, sterile chamber in fluid communication with the septum. During penetrating, an annular interface is formed between the septum and the injection member extending axially between a penetration point on an interior surface of the septum in fluid communication with the sterile chamber, and an exterior surface of the septum engaging the injection member. The injection member is de-contaminated by (i) friction between the septum and injection member at the annular interface, and (ii) elongation of the septum at the annular interface. A substance is introduced through the injection member and into the sterile chamber of the device, the injection member is then withdrawn from the septum, the septum reseals itself at the resulting penetration aperture, and the chamber is maintained sterile throughout the foregoing steps.

Abstract: A method for separating amorphous iron oxides is provided. The method includes steps of sampling, filtering, dissolving and separating, analyzing the solution containing amorphous radioactive iron oxides and analyzing granules containing crystalline radioactive iron oxides. Characteristics of the radioactive iron oxides during various periods are acquired to solve the radiation buildup problem. Parameters for improving water quality and chemistry performance indicator are thus provided. Crystalline deposits are separated while the dissolving rate of radioactive iron oxides reaches more than 90%. The present invention does not use complex utilities, is easy to use and has a low operation cost for fast analysis.

Abstract: A time-interleaved (TI) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture employs a low resolution coarse ADC channel that samples an input analog signal at a Nyquist rate and facilitates background calibration of timing-skew error without interrupting normal operation to sample/convert the input signal. The coarse ADC channel provides a timing reference for multiple higher resolution TI ADC channels that respectively sample the input signal at a lower sampling rate. The coarse ADC digital output is compared to respective TI ADC digital outputs to variably adjust in time corresponding sampling clocks of the TI ADC channels so as to substantially align them with the sampling clock of the coarse ADC channel, thus reducing timing-skew error. In one example, the coarse ADC output provides the most significant bits (MSBs) of the respective TI ADC digital outputs to further improve conversion speed and reduce power consumption in these channels.

Abstract: A multi-tier limit-angle protection device detects a rotation angle about a rotation axis of a driving apparatus to thereby control the operation of a driving motor of the driving apparatus. The multi-tier limit-angle protection device includes a first-axis potentiometer for generating a first-axis sensing signal, a first-axis limit-angle detecting module for generating a first-axis confirming signal, and a controller. The controller effectuates a first tier protection mechanism by determining whether a limit angle of the rotation axis is exceeded according to the first-axis sensing signal, effectuates a second tier protection mechanism by determining whether the first-axis potentiometer is operating well according to a first-axis confirming signal, and effectuates a third tier protection mechanism through its control over the driving motor.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluoropyrimidine-modified RNA aptamers capable of binding CCR5. The compositions and methods provided herein are, inter alia, useful for the delivery of anti-viral drugs (e.g., siRNAs) and preventing HIV entry into a target cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus to reduce fuel consumption while remaining in NOx compliance by simultaneous and coordinated control of the engine and the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. More particularly, the present disclosure identifies methods and apparatus to increase NOx output within a diesel engine to optimize the performance of a given SCR system while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption at a selected and targeted intake oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A method for making an impact-absorptive material is introduced. The method involves mixing silicon dioxide (SiO2) particles, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and an appropriate amount of an additive, allowing the mixture to settle until tiny bubbles in the mixture are evenly distributed, thereby forming a colloidal solution raw material, adding a crosslinking agent to the colloidal solution raw material to form a colloidal solution plastic material, filling a die with the colloidal solution plastic material, heating the colloidal solution plastic material in the die such that it takes shape and forms an effective impact absorbing material, quickly and at low costs, for use in physical education, medicine, transportation, and safety-enhancing equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering neurite growth are generally described. In some embodiments, a system may include a neuron comprising a neurite and electrodes able to generate a physical guidance cue. The physical guidance cue may be used to alter the growth of the neurite and may be temporally and spatially dynamic, such that neurite growth may be altered in a spatial and/or temporal manner. Dynamic control of neurite growth may be used to form directional neural connections, intersections, and/or overlaps.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for automatically generating a visual annotation with respect to a massive image based on a visual language. The apparatus for automatically generating a visual annotation based on a visual language includes an image input unit configured to receive an input image, an image analyzing unit configured to extract feature information of the input image received by the image input unit, a searching unit configured to search a similar image with respect to the input Image and text information included in the similar image by using the feature information extracted by the image analyzing unit, and a visual annotation configuring unit configured to configure a visual annotation with respect to the input image by using the text information searched by the searching unit.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a growth inhibitor for cancer stem cells resistant to existing anticancer drug therapies, which growth inhibitor acts on the cells through growth inhibition and apoptosis. The growth inhibitor for cancer stem cells contains a retinoid agonist, preferably tamibarotene, alone or in combination with a rexinoid agonist, preferably bexarotene, as an effective component(s). The growth inhibitor for cancer stem cells enhances the effects of various anticancer drugs when the growth inhibitor is used in combination with the anticancer drugs.

Abstract: An olfactory display includes a housing and a plurality of fragrance chambers formed in the housing. In each fragrance chamber, a solid-like fragrance source is accommodated and an airflow source is provided to send air into the fragrance chamber from an air intake port. An auxiliary airflow source that emits odorless air is also provided in the housing. The airflow source and the auxiliary airflow source are operated alternately or simultaneously. In response to a user operating an adjustment knob of a controller, operating time periods and stopping time periods of the airflow source and the auxiliary airflow source are changed, or the number of operating times is changed within a predetermined operating time period. A mixing ratio of the fragrance and the odorless air may also be adjusted by changing a voltage value of an alternating voltage to be applied to a piezoelectric device of the airflow source.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficiently directing differentiation into insulin-producing cells in a xeno-free culture system.

Abstract: By using silicon oxynitride with an oxygen content of 4.2 to 37.5 at % as a material for a barrier layer, adhesiveness similar to that of silicon oxide and an Ag diffusion prevention property similar to that of silicon nitride can be realized. In particular, in a semiconductor device in which a plurality of silicon chips is vertically stacked by through-silicon vias, Ag is prevented from being diffused into Si and adhesiveness to Si becomes favorable when an Ag/polypyrrole complex is used as a conductive filling material used for the formation of a barrier layer provided on the inner surface of the via.

Abstract: A method and a device for analyzing data are provided. The method includes following steps. A plurality of queries for an event stored in a database are integrated to obtain a plurality of features. Each feature is limited at a searching condition. A plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature. Whether a data volume of the searched data is higher or lower than a predetermined range is determined. If the data volume is higher than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is reduced according to the features. If the data volume is lower than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is increased according to the features. A correlation between the features and the event is analyzed according to the searched data.

Abstract: There is provided a photodiode array including a semiconducting substrate and a plurality of photodiodes that are disposed at a surface of the substrate. Each photodiode is laterally spaced apart from neighboring photodiodes by a lateral substrate surface region. An optical interface surface of the substrate is arranged for accepting external input radiation. A plurality of electrically conducting fuses are disposed on the substrate surface. Each fuse is connected to a photodiode in the plurality of photodiodes. Each fuse is disposed at a lateral substrate surface region that is spaced apart from neighboring photodiodes in the plurality of photodiodes.

Abstract: A nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device and a manufacturing method thereof, comprising the following steps of: S1: providing a substrate and growing a first superconducting material layer thereon; S2: forming a photo-resist layer and performing patterning; S3: etching the first superconducting material layer in a predetermined region; S4: covering a layer of insulation material on a top and a side of a structure obtained in step S3; S5: growing a second superconducting material layer; S6: removing the structure above the plane where the upper surface of the first superconducting material layer locates, to obtain a plane superconducting structure, in the middle of which at least one insulating interlayer is inserted; S7: forming at least one nanowire vertical to the insulating interlayer, to obtain the nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device. The width of the superconducting ring and the length of the nano junction are determined by the insulating interlayer.

Abstract: A wood adhesive is provided. The wood adhesive includes a first agent and a second agent. The first agent includes a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and a styrene-butadiene rubber polymer. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose has a molecular weight between 15,000 and 500,000 and a degree of substitution of from 0.4 to 2.00 of the sodium salt. The second agent includes a polymeric quaternary amine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nickel-based heat-resistant superalloy produced by a casting and forging method, the nickel-based heat-resistant superalloy comprising 2.0 mass % or more but 25 mass % or less of chromium, 0.2 mass % or more but 7.0 mass % or less of aluminum, 19.5 mass % or more but 55.0 mass % or less of cobalt, [0.17×(mass % of cobalt content—23)+3] mass % or more but [0.17×(mass % of cobalt content—20)+7] mass % or less and 5.1 mass % or more of titanium, and the balance being nickel and inevitable impurities, and being subjected to solution heat treatment at 93% or more but less than 100% of a ?? solvus temperature.

Abstract: This power converter is provided with: three clusters (CLu, CLv, CLw) in which unit cells are cascade-connected; and power supplies of the same kind which are respectively connected to one end of each of the three clusters. Terminals of the three clusters at the side not connected to the power supplies are respectively connected to other ends of the power supplies connected to the other clusters to form a delta-connection configuration. Three connections of the delta-connection configuration are respectively connected to each of the U, V, and W phases of a three-phase alternating current, and power conversion between the power supplies and the three-phase AC is enabled. If DC power supplies (Vdcu, Vdcv, Vdcw) are employed as the power supplies, power conversion between the DC power supplies and the three-phase AC power supplies can be performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass fiber-reinforced composite material, an asphalt mixture using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof, the method comprising manufacturing, as a mixed structure, a bundle type fiber reinforcing material by coating with a polypropylene resin; a scrap reinforcing material having pellet or particle shaped glass fiber scrap, the glass fiber scrap having economical and outstanding physical properties and several strands of glass fiber; and adding the same to a hot-mix asphalt mixture, thereby capable of being injected at a plant construction site in a simple manner and improving the performance of the asphalt by preventing the phenomenon of the fiber becoming entangled within the produced hot asphalt mixture.