Abstract: Disclosed herein is a direct carbon fuel cell in which a coal fuel is oxidized electrochemically so as to create electrons to cause the electrons to generate electricity by a voltage difference between two electrodes. Specifically, a membrane-electrode assembly for operating a low rank coal fuel, a direct carbon fuel cell including the same, and a method of preparing the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image encoding and decoding technique, and more particularly, to an image encoder and decoder using unidirectional prediction. The image encoder includes a dividing unit to divide a macro block into a plurality of sub-blocks, a unidirectional application determining unit to determine whether an identical prediction mode is applied to each of the plurality of sub-blocks, and a prediction mode determining unit to determine a prediction mode with respect to each of the plurality of sub-blocks based on a determined result of the unidirectional application determining unit.

Abstract: Medical instruments, particularly structurally-adjustable speculums and retractors for obstetrical and gynecological operations, procedures, and examinations, including a minimally obstructive compact speculum or retractor. The compact speculum may comprise a first wing and a second wing; and a hinge comprising at least one hinge component. The compact speculum may further comprise a ratchet that releasably holds the wings in an open position. The hinge component may comprise the ratchet, an illumination source, a fluid handler, a light guide, a lubrication source, or a combination thereof. The compact speculum may be a vaginal speculum.

Abstract: A dual-mode display including a substrate and a plurality of sub-pixels on the substrate, in which each sub-pixel includes, a reflective device having an optical filter function which reflects different color according to electrical signals applied from outside the display, and an emissive device disposed on the reflective device, wherein the emissive device includes a cathode and an anode, and the cathode and the anode include a carbon-based material including graphene sheets, graphene flakes, and graphene platelets, and a binary or ternary transparent conductive oxide including indium oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified hydroxylases. The invention further relates to cells expressing such modified hydroxylases and methods of producing hydroxylated alkanes by contacting a suitable substrate with such cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of allergies. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for treating an allergy in a subject by inducing tolerance to an allergen associated with the allergy. Medicinal kits useful in protocols to induce tolerance or reduce intolerance in a subject also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting virus production, determining frequency and identity of HIV reservoirs, or evaluating gene expression on a single-cell basis using microengraving and RT-PCR.

Abstract: Methods for releasing associated guest materials from a metal organic framework are provided. Methods for associating guest materials with a metal organic framework are also provided. Methods are provided for selectively associating or dissociating guest materials with a metal organic framework. Systems for associating or dissociating guest materials within a series of metal organic frameworks are provided. Thermal energy transfer assemblies are provided. Methods for transferring thermal energy are also provided.

Abstract: The identification of pO2 lowering agents as transient hypoxia-inducers is disclosed herein. Provided is a method of enhancing the efficacy of a hypoxia-sensitive agent in a subject, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the hypoxia-sensitive agent and a therapeutically effective amount of a pO2 lowering agent. Methods of treating a subject with a tumor, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pO2 lowering agent and a therapeutically effective amount of a hypoxia-sensitive agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting a charging and discharging status of a flow-cell pack. During charging and discharging course of the flow-cell pack coordinated with electrolyte storage tanks and actuators, ultrasonic sensors of ultrasonic detection devices are used to sense sonic vibration generated by fluid flow in the flow-cell pack. Thus, the charging and discharging status of the flow-cell pack is detected for adjusting related parameters. The present invention has a simple structure, runs without using extra power supply, does not hinder performance of flow cell, and obtains charging and discharging status of flow cell accurately and rapidly.

Abstract: A discovery signal that a first device joining in direct communication broadcasts through a radio channel is provided. The discovery signal includes a first field representing whether the discovery signal is a signal for discovering a device or a signal for discovering a service, and a second field including one of device identifier information of the first device and service information of a service that the first device provides according to a value of the first field.

Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus to nanoposition ink, the apparatus including: a substrate; a pattern index; an atomic force microscope (AMF) tip configured to form a pattern on the pattern index; a first ink reservoir including a first ink; a second ink reservoir including a second ink; a first cleaning portion configured to remove the first ink from the AMF tip; a second washing portion configured to remove the second ink from the AMF tip; a position determining portion configured to interact with the AMF tip; an electrode connection portion configured to apply a voltage to the position determining portion, in order to determine a position of the AMF tip when the AMF tip interacts with the position determining portion. The AMF tip is configured to configured to interact with the position determining portion, prior to forming the pattern using the first and second inks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel triazolopyrazine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an active ingredient for preventing or treating hyper proliferative disorder. The present invention can be useful as a therapeutic agent for various hyper proliferative disorders associated with excessive cell proliferation and growth caused by abnormal kinase activity, such as cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic retinopathy, by efficiently inhibiting c-Met tyrosine kinase activity.

Abstract: A method for preparation of amorphous silica from biomass. The method includes pyrolyzing the biomass under anaerobic conditions to yield a pyrolysis gas and solid residues, collecting the pyrolysis gas, and calcining the solid residues under aerobic conditions to yield amorphous silica.

Abstract: A immunogenic composition is provided for use in methods for treating or preventing the development of a cancer, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cancer antigen and a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In one embodiment, the composition comprises a vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antigen of a, operatively linked to an expression control sequence that directs the expression of the antigen in a mammalian host cell. The composition further contains a vector comprising a second expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibroblast activation protein (FAP) operatively linked to an expression control sequence directing the expression of FAP in a mammalian host cell. In one embodiment, the cancer is one in which tumor progression depends on the fibroblasts expressing fibroblast activation protein (FAP).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits that may be used to detect and quantify the presence of Coccidioides species. The methods include quantification real-time PCR assays, and the kits and compositions include oligonucleotides used as primers and probes.

Abstract: Provided is a joint pattern beam sectorization method and apparatuses for performing the same, wherein the joint pattern beam sectorization method including generating, in a service target region, a pattern sector corresponding to an antenna array including antennas having an identical radiation pattern by using the antenna array and generating pattern beam sectors in the pattern sector through a beamforming using the antennas.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for treating or preventing arthritis and joint injury.

Abstract: Provided herein are an optical zoom lens capable of actively zooming in and/or out and an apparatus using the same. The optical zoom lens may include an electro-active polymer layer configured to be deformable in response to an electric signal; a lens structure formed over the electro-active polymer layer; a first electrode formed on an upper surface of the electro-active polymer layer; a second electrode formed on a lower surface of the electro-active polymer layer; and a control circuit unit configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode. The optical zoom lens, having a structure of a combination of the polymer lens structure and the electro-active polymer actuator, is able to embody active variation in position of the polymer lens structure body and control therefor using deformation of the electro-active polymer layer by an electric signal.

Abstract: An error calibrating apparatus of an array antenna system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an error calibrating apparatus of an array transmitting antenna system having a plurality of array antennas and includes a calibrating signal generator which generates an error calibrating signal as a single frequency signal, in an area which does not interfere with a passband of a transmitted signal; an array RF transmitter which upwardly converts the transmitted signal into an RF band to transmit the signal to the plurality of array antennas; an error calibration estimator which correlates the error calibrating signal and the receiving single frequency signal received by passing through the array RF transmitter to estimate a transfer function of the array RF transmitter and extract a filter coefficient using the estimated transfer function; and a complex filter which calibrates an error of the transmitted signal by applying the filter coefficient to output the corrected transmitted sign