Abstract: A dual-frequency optical source comprises: (a) first and second pump laser sources arranged to generate optical pump power at respective first and second pump laser frequencies vpump1 and vpump2; and (b) a fiber optical resonator characterized by a Brillouin shift frequency vB and a free spectral range that is substantially equal to an integer submultiple of the Brillouin shift frequency. Each one of the first and second pump laser sources is frequency-locked to a corresponding resonant optical mode of the fiber optical resonator. First and second optical output signals of the dual-frequency optical reference source at respective first and second output frequencies v1=vpump1?vB and v2=vpump2?vB comprise stimulated Brillouin laser output generated by simultaneous optical pumping of the fiber optical resonator by the first and second pump laser sources, respectively. An output difference frequency v2?v1 is greater than about 300 GHz.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately detecting and monitoring leakage currents on porcelain and glass insulator disc strings is disclosed. The sensor apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to attach to a cap of an insulator disc string. The sensor unit includes a sensor disc configured to surround the cap and a housing connected to the sensor disc. The sensor disc includes a conducting lower disc set, a conducting upper disc set, an insulating disc set sandwiched between the upper and lower conducting disc sets, and a conducting mesh connected to a bottom of the lower disc set. The housing including electronics configured to measure and communicate leakage currents on an insulator disc. Leakage currents on a surface of the insulator disc are intercepted by the sensor disc and transferred to the housing for processing and communication by the electronics.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a PCR chamber for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction and a printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. The PCR chamber is a fluidic chamber and is located in, or is part of, the printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction and a method for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction are further disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are particular embodiments relating to a microfluidic device that may be utilized for cell sensing, counting, and/or sorting. Particular aspects relate to a microfabricated device that is capable of differentiating single cell types from dense cell populations. One particular embodiment relates a device and methods of using the same for sensing, counting, and/or sorting leukocytes from whole, undiluted blood samples.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method for powder distribution and an additive manufacturing method, wherein different size or kind of powders could be chosen to be accommodated within a receptacle. The receptacle can uniformly mix the powder by a rotation movement, pour out the powders by the rotation movement and distribute the powders for forming a layer by a translation movement. In another embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a heating element for preheating the powders. Not only can the present disclosure uniformly mix the powders so as to reduce the thermal deformation and distribute the powder layer compactly, but also can the present disclosure distribute different kinds of powder in different layer so as to increase the diversity in additive manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modifying nematode behavior using certain isolated modulator compounds. Also disclosed are methods of promoting or inhibiting reproduction in a nematode population, methods of promoting or inhibiting nematode aggregation at a first location, and methods of treating or preventing parasite infection of a plant.

Abstract: In certain embodiments compositions are provided that comprise a pentapeptide comprising the formula: C1-X2-X3-X4-C5 where C1 and C5 are independently selected cysteines or cysteine analogues, or other amino acids with sidechains suitable for cyclization, where the cysteines or cysteine analogs are attached to each other by a linkage that does not comprise X2, X3, and X4; where X2, X3, and X4 are independently selected amino acids; and the peptide, when administered to a cell alters APP signaling and/or switches APP processing from aberrant to normal. The compositions mitigate amyloid plaque formation.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium is configured to determine a support vector data description (SVDD). For each of a plurality of values for a kernel parameter, an optimal value of an objective function defined for an SVDD model using a kernel function, a read plurality of data points, and a respective value for the kernel parameter is computed to define a plurality of sets of support vectors. A plurality of first derivative values are computed for the objective function as a difference between the computed optimal values associated with successive values for the kernel parameter. A plurality of second derivative values are computed for the objective function as a difference between the computed plurality of first derivative values associated with successive values for the kernel parameter. A kernel parameter value is selected where the computed plurality of second derivative values first exceeds zero.

Abstract: A random access method in a mobile communication system, the random access method for supporting random access with a cell size of about 100 kilometers (km) or more and a power limited terminal, and a preamble structure thereof are provided. While a conventional long term evolution (LTE) random access preamble sequence is reused, a difference in a round-trip delay time between terminals in a large cell area may be compensated. Additionally, since higher power transmission is achieved per bandwidth, a higher link margin may be secured. Also, compatibility with resource scheduling of the conventional LTE may be maintained. Random access may be supported in a large cell, and a preamble structure of a satellite mobile communication may be implemented based on terrestrial LTE.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of encoding a division block in video encoding and a method of decoding a division block in video decoding. An input picture is divided into encoding unit blocks. The encoding unit blocks are divided into sub-blocks. The sub-blocks are encoded by selectively using at least one of intra prediction encoding and inter prediction encoding. A decoding process is performed through a reverse process of the encoding method. When pixel values of an encoding unit block are encoded in video encoding, the flexibility in selecting an encoding mode is increased and the efficiency of encoding is increased.

Abstract: An audio system and method of extracting indoor reflection characteristics, the method including generating a detection signal based on an input signal and a modulation code, outputting a sound signal generated based on the detection signal through a plurality of speakers, measuring sound signals output through the plurality of speakers, or sound signals reflected by a wall of a space in which the plurality of speakers is installed, and extracting reflection characteristics of the space based on the measured sound signals and the modulation code, is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a laser beam combination system. The laser beam combination system includes a laser emitter array including a plurality of laser emitters arranged therein, a first combination lens, through which a plurality of laser beams emitted from the laser emitters are concentrated in a first axis direction, so that the plurality of laser beams are converted to each have an oval cross-section having a long axis that is parallel to a second axis, and a second combination lens disposed at a focal point of the first combination lens to combine the plurality of laser beams converted by the first combination lens at a predetermined target.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of encoding a division block in video encoding and a method of decoding a division block in video decoding. An input picture is divided into encoding unit blocks. The encoding unit blocks are divided into sub-blocks. The sub-blocks are encoded by selectively using at least one of intra prediction encoding and inter prediction encoding. A decoding process is performed through a reverse process of the encoding method. When pixel values of an encoding unit block are encoded in video encoding, the flexibility in selecting an encoding mode is increased and the efficiency of encoding is increased.

Abstract: Described herein are nickel pre-catalysts and related compositions and methods. The nickel pre-catalysts may be activated to form catalysts which may be utilized in organic reactions.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical brake for increasing a braking force is provided. The electro-mechanical brake for increasing the braking force according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the upper pad together with the inner pad and the outer pad, the inner pad may pressurize the inner side surface of the disk by the movement of the moving block by the rotation of the screw, the outer pad may pressurize the outer side surface of the disk, the upper pad may also pressurize the cylindrical surface of the upper end of the disk, and thus the braking force may be increased since the additional braking force can be further generated by pressurizing the cylindrical surface of the upper end of the disk compared with a case of pressurizing the inner side surface and the outer side surface of the disk.

Abstract: A multi-disk spinning disk assembly for atomization and encapsulation applications. A number of disks 17a and spacers (33, 40) are stacked to form a disk stack 17 having a feed well 31 in the center core of the stack. The fluid to be atomized or encapsulated is delivered to the feed well 31. The fluid then flows into spacer channels (37, 41) within or on the surface of the spacers. The channels (37, 41) communicate the fluid toward the outer edges of the disks 17a. The disk surface past the spacers (33, 40) can have various configurations, such as teeth, weirs, or a bigger or smaller diameter, as desired for particular atomization or encapsulation characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for virtual desktop service. The apparatus for virtual desktop service includes a connection broker for performing a task for coordinating a delivery protocol that is used between at least one user terminal that uses virtual desktop service and multiple servers that provides the virtual desktop service, a resource pool for providing software resources including an Operating System (OS) for the virtual desktop service, and virtual machine infrastructure for supporting hardware resources.

Abstract: Novel FXR agonists are disclosed, embodiments of a method of making the same, and of a composition comprising them are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in the subject. Additionally disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing inflammation in an intestinal region of a subject, comprising administering to the subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and thereby treating or preventing inflammation in the intestinal region of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tube continuum robot and a robot system for operation using the same, and the tube continuum robot includes a basic tube body including a basic straight section extending straight, and a basic curved section extending in front of the basic straight section and bent to a predetermined curvature, and a connection tube body having a connection flexible section which is flexibly bendable, the connection tube body formed to be inserted into the basic tube body or to surround an exterior of the basic tube body, the connection tube body being connected to the basic tube body.

Abstract: A suspended type nanowire array and a manufacturing method thereof may be provided. More particularly, an array including a suspended type nanowire having two kinds of nanowires stacked thereon and a manufacturing method thereof may be provided. The suspended type nanowire array includes: a substrate; a suspended type nanowire which is suspended above the substrate and comprises a first nanowire, an insulating member, and a second nanowire which are sequentially stacked; a first electrode portion which is electrically connected to the first nanowire; and a second electrode portion which is electrically connected to the second nanowire.