Abstract: Systems and methods for improved data transmission utilizing a communication facilitator are described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a plurality of nodes, that each comprise: a transmitter; a receiver; and an encoder that encodes message data for transmission using a plurality of codewords; a cooperation facilitator node comprising: a transmitter; and a receiver; wherein the nodes are configured to transmit data parameters to the cooperation facilitator; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the data parameters received from the nodes; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to transmit cooperation parameters to the nodes; and wherein the encoder in each of the nodes selects a codeword from the plurality of codewords based at least in part upon the cooperation parameters received from the communication facilitator and transmit the selected codeword via the multiple access channel.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a medical procedure is provided. The system includes a device having a shaft that generally extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The distal end of the device is configured to identify a topographical profile of a lumen, wherein the topographical profile is determined by traversing the device a distance along the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The device also includes at least one of a plurality of projections movably coupled to the distal end and configured to provide a coupling with the lumen by extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and at least one radiopaque marker coupled to the distal end and designed to provide a contrast during imaging of the device.

Abstract: An atmospheric condensate collector and electrospray source apparatus. The apparatus has a cooler having a surface with a sharp point. The cooler generates a condensate from ambient atmosphere exposed to the cooler. A ground electrode is electrically and mechanically separated from the cooler. A high voltage power supply switchably provides a high voltage between the sharp point of the cooler and the ground electrode. A controller is electrically connected to the cooler power supply and the high voltage power supply. The controller controls the operation of the cooler power supply and the high voltage power supply. The atmospheric condensate collector and electrospray ionizer apparatus generates the condensate and generates particulate spray from the condensate in response to command signals issued from the controller. In some embodiments, an analyzer is provided to analyze particles of the spray to determine the chemical composition of the condensate.

Abstract: A graphene device is manufactured by forming on a substrate a pattern with a material that contains carbon, and growing graphene on the substrate where the pattern is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of DETERMINANTS (e.g., genes and gene products) that can accurately inform about the risk of cancer progression and recurrence, as well as methods of their use.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for remarkably reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant, which is used in a large amount currently, to reduce the amount to be used. Also, the objective of the present invention is to provide a surfactant composition of which whole critical micelle concentration is remarkably reduced and in which an amount of an anionic surfactant is reduced in comparison with the case of using an anionic surfactant only as a surfactant. The method for reducing a critical micelle concentration of an anionic surfactant according to the present invention is characterized in using a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant in combination with the anionic surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curved piezoelectric device maximizing an electrical potential of the piezoelectric material corresponding to an external mechanical stress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin-film transistor in which transistor characteristics such as drain current and threshold voltage are improved, and a method of manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a thin-film transistor provided with a source electrode (108), a drain electrode (109), a semiconductor layer (105), a gate electrode (103), and an insulating layer (104); wherein the semiconductor layer (105) contains a composite metal oxide obtained by adding to a first metal oxide an oxide having an oxygen dissociation energy that is at least 200 kJ/mol greater than the oxygen dissociation energy of the first metal oxide, whereby the amount of oxygen vacancy is controlled; and the insulating layer (104) is provided with an SiO2 layer, a high-permittivity first layer, and a high-permittivity second layer, whereby the dipoles generated at the boundary between the SiO2 layer and the high-permittivity layers are used to control the threshold voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a SATA host bus adapter using a optical signal and a method for connecting SATA storage using the optical signal. The SATA host bus adapter includes: a first conversion unit for converting a PCI-Express signal, transmitted from a host computer, into a data signal, using a protocol defined in a bus; a optical signal conversion unit for converting the data signal into a optical signal and for transmitting the optical signal to a optical signal reception unit; and a second conversion unit for converting the optical signal, received by the optical signal reception unit, into the data signal, for converting the data signal into a SATA signal, using the protocol, and for transmitting the SATA signal to the SATA storage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an energy saving method based on a confidence interval and an apparatus using the method. The energy saving apparatus based on a confidence interval includes an energy saving performance analysis unit for generating energy saving performance data for each of one or more control modules included in a target system for which energy saving is to be performed, a confidence interval reading unit for generating confidence interval data for each of the one or more control modules, and an energy saving execution unit for establishing an energy-saving policy using the energy saving performance data and executing energy saving for each of the one or more control modules using at least one of the energy-saving policy and the confidence interval data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer) analogs and compositions thereof, methods of activating invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells using said analogs, methods of treating diseases by activating iNKT cells using said analogs, and combination therapy of said analogs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for inducing a prediction motion vector and an apparatus using the same. An image decoding method can include: a step of determining the information related to a plurality of spatial candidate prediction motion vectors from peripheral predicted blocks of a predicted target block; and a step of determining the information related to temporal candidate prediction motion vectors on the basis of the information related to the plurality of spatial candidate prediction motion vectors. Accordingly, the present invention can reduce complexity and can enhance coding efficiency when inducing the optimum prediction motion vector.

Abstract: Provided is an application of baicalin in preparation of a drug for treating ricin poisoning. A Hela cytoprotection test and a mouse ricin poisoning model have verified the recovery effect of baicalin on ricin poisoning.

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

Abstract: A multi-input receiver including a plurality of RF antennas, a multi-channel receiver, an input port configuration block (IPCB), and a configuration block controller. The IPCB includes at least two two-way connection modules, at least one four-way connection module, at least one direct connection module, and a plurality of electronic signal pathways. Each connection module includes a connection module input port communicatively coupled to an RF antenna of the plurality of RF antennas, a connection module output port communicatively coupled to a channel of the multi-channel receiver, and a mechanical diversion switch. The mechanical diversion switches and the plurality of electronic signal pathways are positioned and configured such that the mechanical diversion switch of each connection module communicatively couples a splitter bypass signal, a 1×2 signal, or a 1×4 signal to the connection module output port on a selective basis.

Abstract: In an RN configuration for providing a new service in a PON, it is possible to configure the RN remotely by instantaneous powering from a remote site only when necessary, while the RN being operated as a PON at ordinary times. More specifically, an RN configuration for providing a new service in a PON according to the present invention includes a power generation block capable of providing energy necessary for activating the RN by instantaneously supplied power from the remote site. Further, an RN according to the present invention further includes either one or both of a control agent block capable of controlling and managing optical paths of the RN by using power generated from the power generation block; and a reconfigurable switching block capable of configuring and switching the optical path of the RN through the power being provided from the power generation block and a control by the control agent block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sequencing library, and the sequencing library has an inserted fragment which is an equidirectional alternating concatemer of a sequence to be tested and a tag sequence. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the sequencing library. The present invention also provides a sequencing method. The sequencing library and sequencing method as provided in the present invention are capable of removing DNA amplification errors and sequencing errors under any sequencing depths, so that mutations of DNA molecules could be ultra-accurately determined. The sequencing library of the present invention is suitable for construction of a sequencing library of trace short DNA fragments and even of single-strand DNAs.

Abstract: A cupping device according to one embodiment comprises: a cupping cup which is adhered to a region requiring cupping therapy; an inlet port which communicates the inside and outside of the cupping cup; and a pressure controller which is capable of selectively opening and closing the inlet port, wherein the movement of the pressure controller allows or blocks air inflow into the cupping cup.

Abstract: The present invention discloses thermophilic ethanol-resistant ?-glucosidase and an encoding gene and application thereof. The amino acid sequence of the thermophilic ethanol-resistant ?-glucosidase of the present invention is as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, and the nucleotide sequence of the encoding gene is as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and computational tools based, at least in part, on computer simulations that identify macromolecule binding regions and aggregation prone regions of a protein. Substitutions may then be made in these aggregation prone regions to engineer proteins with enhanced stability and/or a reduced propensity for aggregation. Similarly, substitutions may then be made in these macromolecule binding regions to engineer proteins with altered binding affinity for the macromolecule.