Abstract: Methods for production of platelets from pluripotent stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are provided. These methods may be performed without forming embryoid bodies or clusters of pluripotent stem cells, and may be performed without the use of stromal inducer cells. Additionally, the yield and/or purity can be greater than has been reported for prior methods of producing platelets from pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are compositions and pharmaceutical preparations comprising platelets, preferably produced from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an optical parametric oscillator, comprising, in a light path, a first lens, a laser crystal, a second lens, a nonlinear optical crystal, and a third lens in this order, wherein an optical parametric oscillation chamber is formed between the second lens and the third lens, and the nonlinear optical crystal is a monoclinic Ga2S3 crystal, the space group of the monoclinic Ga2S3 crystal is Cc, and the unit cell parameters are a=11.1 ?, b=6.4 ?, c=7.0 ?, ?=90°, ?=121°, ?=90°, and Z=4.

Abstract: As explained hereinbefore, the C12orf59 gene of the present invention suppresses cancer cell invasion and inhibits cancer cell survivability, and the over expression of C12orf59 protein or a fragment thereof inhibits cancer cell invasion, so that C12orf59 gene or a fragment thereof not only can be effectively used for the pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating cancer but also can be used as a clinical marker for screening a cancer treatment agent candidate, for diagnosing various cancers or for predicting pathological stage. In addition, the C12orf59 gene or a fragment thereof of the present invention can be used for the method for preventing and treating cancer and for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for sampling water in a borehole and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a water sampling cylinder to sample the water in the borehole; a first camera to monitor the water sampling cylinder and a sample discharging part provided in the borehole; a first motor to insert the water sampling cylinder into the sample discharging part; a vacuum vessel to receive a sample input from the water sampling cylinder; a waterproof member having a hole serving as a passage through which the water sampling cylinder moves back and forth; and a supporting member that urges the waterproof member closely to the sample discharging part to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the borehole. The first motor includes a plurality of protrusions meshed with a plurality of grooves provided in the water sampling cylinder.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided to measure magnetic characteristics of a comparatively thick magnetic sample in a magnetic field or nonmagnetic field by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). In particular, the method, system and apparatus measure the magnetic characteristics of the thick magnetic sample by irradiating the sample with X-ray, and detecting transmissive X-ray passing through the sample.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a basketball net or flat net measures the translational kinetic energy of a ball that passes through an aperture in the net or impacts the net. The net includes one or more electrically conductive cords, which have a resistance that varies depending on the degree to which the cord is stretched. From sensor measurements, a processor determines: (a) instantaneous rate of change of resistance, and (b) duration of a time period that begins when resistance exceeds a baseline (with hysteresis). In the case of a basketball net, a processor may calculate the translational kinetic energy of the ball as equal to a sum of two terms. The first term is inversely proportional to the square of the duration; the second is proportional to the square of the integral of the instantaneous rate of change of resistance over the time period.

Abstract: An engineered plant-derived transfer (P-)DNA was designed and constructed based on a couple of T-DNA homologous sequences in sugar beet genome. Plant transformation efficacy of the engineered P-DNA was analyzed compared to conventional T-DNA in two independent systems, stable transformation of tobacco plant and sugar beet hairy roots. The outcomes demonstrated that plant transformation is directed well by vectors carrying the engineered P-DNA with higher efficiency than the conventional binary vector in both experimental systems. This vector was further improved by adding two matrix attachment regions within P-DNA. This new vector was even more efficient in gene transfer, higher than conventional binary vector.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer nanofiber sensors for detecting gas, which generates visible color change although a specific gas having a concentration of less than 1 ppm is exposed to the sensor in a short time, in which it is impossible to detect the gas using existing colorimetric sensors, through securing high surface area and porosity, and a method of the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-locked laser system, including: a semiconductor substrate; a laser diode including a first semiconductor part disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and which generates an optical signal; an unidirectional Whispery Gallery Mode (WGM) resonator including a second semiconductor part disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a structure emitting an optical signal self-locked by the optical signal of the laser diode, in which the laser diode and the resonator are optically coupled on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a decoder that is at least temporarily implemented by a processor of a computing device. The decoder includes a calculator configured to repeatedly perform a calculation of a bit node and a calculation of a check node for an input frame, a processor configured to determine whether to input the bit node to a next calculation of the check node based on a code of the bit node, and an outputter configured to output a decoded code based on the bit node determined to be input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passive safety system which uses a heat exchanger together with a thermoelectric element, and a nuclear power plant comprising the same. Disclosed are a passive safety system and a nuclear power plant comprising the same, the passive safety system comprising: a heat exchanger; a thermoelectric element; and a fan unit. The heat exchanger is formed at a space inside or outside a sealed housing, and in the heat exchanger, atmosphere is introduced and heat exchange is carried out in order to lower the pressure or temperature of the atmosphere inside the housing if an accident occurs in a reactor coolant system or a secondary system disposed inside the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating or alleviating an autoimmune disease and/or complication thereof and/or nephritis, including: an effective amount of an extract of a plant belonging to Rutaceae as an effective ingredient for treating or alleviating the autoimmune disease and/or complication thereof and/or nephritis, wherein the autoimmune disease is selected from a group consisting of lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Abstract: The present invention provides stably crosslinked insulinotropic polypeptides having superior and unexpected benefits in the treatment of conditions involving abnormal glucose homeostasis, e.g., type 2 diabetes and conditions relating to type 2 diabetes. Such benefits include, but are not limited to, extended polypeptide half-life, enhanced alpha-helicity, improved thermal stability and protease resistance, increased functional activity and pharmacologic properties, improved bioavailability when administered by any route, and improved bioavailability and gastrointestinal absorption when delivered orally, as compared to the corresponding unmodified polypeptides. The invention also provides compositions for administering the polypeptides of the invention, as well as methods for preparing and evaluating the polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for forming a periodic microstructure on a surface of zirconia-based ceramics, which are not easily mechanically workable, without causing thermal adverse effects. A zirconia-based ceramic having a surface periodic microstructure is also provided. A linearly or circularly polarized laser beam is irradiated to a zirconia-based ceramic surface, and periodic irregularities are formed in a spot of the laser beam. Stripe-pattern irregularities parallel to the direction of polarization can be formed in a spot of a laser beam by irradiating a linearly polarized ultrashort pulsed-laser beam to a zirconia-based ceramic surface. A mesh-like raised region and a dot-like recessed region can be periodically formed by irradiating a circularly polarized ultrashort pulsed-laser beam to a ceramic surface.

Abstract: Solar cells in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention are encapsulated by a material that can render the front contacts of the solar cells effectively invisible at certain angles of incidence. Front contacts of a solar cell provide a way for current to escape from the solar cell. However, these front contacts cover portions of the photoabsorbing substrate, blocking incident light that could otherwise be utilized by the photoabsorbing substrate for electrical power generation. By encapsulating the solar cell and using encapsulated volumes above the front contact that define interfaces, light reaching the interface can be refracted due to the different refractive indices of the two media. Depending on the refractive index ratio, total internal reflection can occur at certain angles of incidence. Totally internally reflected light can be redirected away from the front contacts and onto the photoabsorbing substrate, thereby reducing optical waste.

Abstract: A transparent EMI shielding/absorbing film is provided. The transparent EMI shielding/absorbing film includes a transparent substrate having a top surface on which a pattern having a plurality of engraved grooves is disposed, a conductive layer disposed in the grooves, and a conductive nanowire layer disposed on the top surface of the transparent substrate and electrically connected with the conductive layer.

Abstract: Embodiments related to the use and production of porous carbon materials in ion emitters and other applications are described

Abstract: To provide a method capable of easily compensating waveform distortion due to a non-linear effect caused by a complicated electric circuit, and a device for implementing the method. Provided are a method capable of effectively compensating signal degradation such as waveform distortion due to a nonlinear effect caused by an optical fiber that is an optical transfer path using an optical phase conjugate signal pair at the time of optical up-conversion or down-conversion, and a device capable of implementing the method. This emission device 25 includes an optical modulator 11, a signal source 13, an optical fiber 15, a multiplexing unit 17, a multiplexing local signal source 19, an optical detector 12, and a transmission antenna 23.

Abstract: Provided are an information collecting apparatus, an information analyzing apparatus, and an information transferring method based on different Internet of things (IoT) platforms. The information collecting apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive pieces of platform-based device generation information from IoT devices by platforms, a memory configured to store the received pieces of platform-based device generation information, and a transmission unit configured to simultaneously transmit the pieces of platform-based device generation information, stored in the memory, to an information analyzing apparatus.

Abstract: Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.