Abstract: A method that highlights a depth-of-field (DOF) region of an image and performs additional image processing by using the DOF region. The method includes: obtaining a first pattern image and a second pattern image that are captured by emitting light according to different patterns from an illumination device; detecting a DOF region by using the first pattern image and the second pattern image; determining weights to highlight the DOF region; and generating the highlighted DOF image by applying the weights to a combined image of the first pattern image and the second pattern image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for making agarose coated, agarose beads which contain cells. The method which is preferably automated, involves placing manufactured beads in a sample of mineral oil at a temperature gradient, such that the temperature drops as the bead moves through the oil. Preferably, a “trumpet tool” and a “straw tool” are employed in the method.

Abstract: A method for central monitoring of a research trial includes the steps of creating and storing a clinical database consisting of datasets generated during the research trial, preprocessing the database to remove variables that are unsuitable for analysis, extracting metadata from the database to identify types of the variables, storing the preprocessed datasets and corresponding metadata in a statistical database, executing statistical tests on a data collection center by data collection center basis to detect abnormalities and patterns present in datasets, creating and storing a matrix containing p-values based upon the executed statistical tests, identifying any outlying data collection centers by summarizing the p-values, determining if any of the executed statistical tests are faulty and removing such faulty executed statistical tests from the matrix to create a filtered matrix, and computing an overall p-value score.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method includes following steps. A mold is provided. The mold has a chamber and a plurality of protrusions in the chamber. A thermosetting material is injected into the chamber. The thermosetting material is cured. A parting step is performed to separate the cured thermosetting material from the mold, so as to form an interposer substrate. A plurality of blind holes corresponding to the protrusions is formed on the interposer substrate. A conductive material is filled into the blind holes to form a plurality of conductive pillars. A conductive pattern layer is formed on a surface of the interposer substrate. The conductive pattern layer is electrically connected with the conductive pillars.

Abstract: Provided is a method of calculating a fairness index that is a criterion indicating fairness of resource allocation between coexistence managers in a coexistence management system, the method including: calculating a normalized resource allocation amount by normalizing an amount of resources allocated to a corresponding coexistence manager to an amount of resources required by the corresponding coexistence manager with respect to each of the coexistence managers; and calculating the fairness index using the normalized resource allocation amounts calculated with respect to the respective coexistence managers.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to optical projection and image detection to detect touch or gesture action.

Abstract: Provided is a thermoelectric device including two legs having a rough side surface and a smooth side surface facing each other. Phonons may be scattered by the rough side surface, thereby decreasing thermal conductivity of the device. Flowing paths for electrons and phonons may become different form each other, because of a magnetic field induced by an electric current passing through the legs. The smooth side surface may be used for the flowing path of electrons. As a result, in the thermoelectric device, thermal conductivity can be reduced and electric conductivity can be maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system for providing a WDM-based wireless optical transport network and a method for transmitting a wireless optical signal using the same. The system for providing a WDM-based wireless optical transport network, includes: a central office terminal (COT) for bilaterally transmitting wireless optical signals of different unique wavelengths; and a plurality of remote terminals (RTs) connected to the COT in a ring, for dropping a wireless optical signal having a corresponding unique wavelength from the wireless optical signals transmitted from the COT, for adding a corresponding optical transmission signal to wireless optical signals of the remaining unique wavelengths except for the corresponding unique wavelength of the dropped wireless optical signal, and for bilaterally transporting the wireless optical signals to which the corresponding optical transmission signal is added.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Co/Al2O3/SiC catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis exhibiting superior heat transfer and mass transport effects, wherein an Al2O3/SiC support in which alumina is coated on silicon carbide (SiC) with superior thermal conductivity is used and cobalt (Co) is supported thereon as an active component to provide a bimodal pore size distribution, and a method for preparing same. Use of the Al2O3/SiC support improves cobalt dispersion and enhances cobalt-support interaction, thereby inhibiting generation of cokes (carbon filaments). As a result, catalyst stability is improved and conversion of syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) can be improved.

Abstract: A device for converting biomass with a water content of at least 50% to gaseous products includes a reactor filled at least partially with a packing including at least one filler body for accommodating supercritical water and a hydrothermal molten salt. A heater is arranged to heat up the reactor and its content. A first feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed water and salt solution into the reactor. A second feeding pipe is coupled to the reactor to feed to biomass into the reactor. A discharge pipe is coupled to the reactor to discharge gaseous products from the reactor. An outlet is proved in the bottom of the reactor for removing portions of the molten salt.

Abstract: Orthopedic and dental implants coated with an antibacterial coating and methods of making and using, are described herein. The implant can be coated with a hydrophobic, polycationic antibacterial polymer. The polymer can be covalently or non-covalently associated with the surface; however, in particular embodiments, the polymer is non-covalently associated with the surface. As shown in the examples below, clinical observations, digital radiography, and a battery of well-accepted ex vivo analytical methods show that the presence of a hydrophobic polycationic polymer coating, such as N,N-dodecyl,methyl-PEI coating on the surface of a metal implant, was effective in eliminating the clinical signs of infection in vivo in a large animal infection model. Moreover, the coated plates supported bone healing, and in fact decreased healing times, even in the presence of significant bacterial contamination compared to a control.

Abstract: A skate boot appliance for absorbing impact force of landing skating maneuvers by disposing a plunger or displacement member in a receptacle in response to an impact force, such that the receptacle is attached to a skate boot bottom and has a counterforce mechanism for resisting displacement below a threshold force, and resiliently deforming in response an impact force greater than the threshold force. The impact force is transferred from a skate blade through the plunger in response to a figure skating maneuver The disclosed plunger has a post and a horizontal displacement portion adapted to be disposed through the receptacle and engage the counterforce mechanism, such as the resilient planer member, in response to the threshold impact force, in which the horizontal displacement portion includes a convex ridge or protrusion for engaging the resilient planar member along an annular surface defined by the convex ridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid from glycerol, and more particularly to a method of producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid by culturing in a glycerol-containing medium a mutant microorganism obtained by amplifying an aldehyde dehydrogenase-encoding gene in a microorganism having the abilities to produce coenzyme B12 and produce 3-hydroxypropionic acid using glycerol as a carbon source. The present invention enables the fermentation of glycerol even under microaerobic or aerobic conditions without having to add coenzyme B12. Thus, the invention will be very suitable for the development of biological processes for producing large amounts of 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

Abstract: In a system that performs mobile communication using at least two beams, by determining a size of a beam based on information that is acquired for mobile terminals attempting an access, a beam of a form having an adaptive size is formed and thus communication is performed. A beam sector including a plurality of beam segments and a beam segment that forms a beam of a minimum size within entire coverage is set, and while forming one beam per beam sector, a size of a beam is adaptively determined.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic apparatus. The ultrasonic apparatus may include a charging device, a circuit device electrically connected to the charging device, and a housing part for packaging the charging device and the circuit device. Here, the charging device may include a lower electrode, an upper electrode provided on the lower electrode, a plurality of pillar-shaped piezoelectric composites provided between the lower and upper electrodes, and an electrolyte layer provided between the lower and upper electrodes to fill spaces between the pillar-shaped piezoelectric composites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of a handover in a wireless communication system. The method includes transmitting a handover request message to the service BS, and receiving a handover command message from the service BS in response to the handover request message. Multi-carriers are assigned to a terminal in advance right before a handover, and all or some of the multi-carriers are activated right after the handover. Therefore, multi-carrier are effectively utilized.

Abstract: A fixture facilitates using a linear force of a uni-axial test machine to subject a test sample to bending forces. The test machine includes a frame and a crosshead. To generate the linear force, the crosshead translates with reference to the frame in a plane of motion. The fixture includes an upper connecting link, a lower connecting link, and two transverse arms. The upper connecting link is configured to attach to the crosshead for receiving the linear force, and the lower connecting link is configured to attach to the frame. The two transverse arms are pivotably carried between the upper and lower links. Each transverse arm has an inner end configured to attach to the test sample, the test sample being suspended between the arms. The transverse arms pivot in opposite directions in response to the linear force applied to the upper connecting link, exposing the sample to bending forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating and recovering ethylene from the off-gas from an apparatus which produces gasoline, propylene and the like by fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) of heavy oils such as atmospheric residue, generated in a crude oil refining process, is provided. The method and apparatus can reduce the amount of ethylene rinse in the subsequent ethylene displacement desorption process by increasing the ethylene purity of a raw material gas and reducing the concentration of weakly adsorbing components in the raw material gas and can reduce the loss of a desorbent during a distillation process for separating the desorbent from the weakly adsorbing components. Thus, ethylene can be recovered from the off-gas from fluidized catalytic cracking of heavy oils at high concentration and low cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for refining polyoxymethylene dialkyl ethers by catalytic hydrogenation using a slurry bed, wherein, using a slurry bed reactor for refining by hydrogenation, an equilibrium system containing polyoxymethylene dialkyl ethers products is refined by catalytic hydrogenation, so as to remove formaldehyde contained therein. The refining method by hydrogenation described in the present invention can remarkably increase the separation and purification efficiency of polyoxymethylene dialkyl ethers, and the polyoxymethylene dialkyl ethers obtained after subsequent rectification have a purity greater than 99.5%, a product yield greater than 97% and an atom utilization ratio close to 100%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable staircase wherein each tread of the staircase is suspended from a tread adjustment mechanism. The tread adjustment mechanism allows the coordinated movement of all the treads to a desired rise height, and allows the positioning of the first tread directly on a supporting surface when it is in a fully lowered position.