Abstract: A method for significant increase in gas oil yield and energy efficiency in crude oil distillation is provided. The present invention relates to a method of separating the components of crude oil. This method utilizes the innovative and novel application of lighter fraction of crude through its superheating and its injection in the stripping section consisting of bottom to flash zone of main distillation column. Method also illustrates the innovative utilization of water in crude distillation unit to eliminate the bottom striping steam and for significant energy saving.

Abstract: A device and method for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a process chamber and a rotary chuck located within the process chamber. The rotary chuck is adapted to be driven without physical contact through a magnetic bearing. The rotary chuck comprises a series of gripping pins adapted to hold a wafer shaped article in a position depending downwardly from the rotary chuck. The rotary chuck further comprises a plate that rotates together with the rotary chuck. The plate is positioned above an area occupied by the wafer-shaped article, and shields upper surfaces of the process chamber from liquids flung off of a wafer-shaped article during use of the rotary chuck.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method for spatial sound localization and isolation is described. The method includes segmenting, via a processor, each of a plurality of source signals detected by a plurality of sensors, into a plurality of time frames. For each time frame, the method further includes obtaining, via a processor, a plurality of direction of arrival (DOA) estimates from the plurality of sensors, discretizing an area of interest into a plurality of grid points, calculating, via the processor, DOA at each of grid points, comparing, via the processor, the DOA estimates with the computed DOAs. If the number of sources is more than 1, the method includes obtaining via the processor, a plurality of combinations of DOA estimates, from amongst the plurality of combinations, estimating, via the processor, one or more initial candidate locations corresponding to each of the combinations, selecting location of the sources from amongst the initial candidate locations.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a matrix of chitosan and a tannin wherein the chitosan is electrostatically bonded to the tannin to form a chitosan-tannin composite material. The chitosan can be partially or fully deacetylated, and the tannin can be a monomeric or an oligomeric proanthocyanidin or a hydrolysable tannin. The chitosan-tannin composite material can be a nanoparticle, a hydrogel film, a bio-foam, or a biogel, or the chitosan-tannin composite material can coat a liposome. The composite materials can be used for drug delivery, for antibacterial and/or antifungal applications, for tissue engineering applications, for wound healing applications, or they can be used as adjuvants for vaccination, including oral vaccinations. The invention also provides methods of preparing the composite materials and their various forms.

Abstract: A transparent display panel includes a substrate and a pixel array. The pixel array is formed on the substrate and includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The data lines and the scan lines surround a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region defines a transparent region and an opaque region, wherein each transparent region occupies a relative position in the corresponding pixel region and at least three relative positions successively arranged along an axial direction are different.

Abstract: We present a method for parallel axial imaging, or z-microscopy, utilizing an array of tilted micro mirrors arranged along the axial direction. Image signals emitted from different axial positions can be orthogonally reflected by the corresponding micro mirrors and spatially separated for parallel detection, essentially converting the more challenging axial imaging to a lateral imaging problem. Each micro mirror also provides optical sectioning capability due to its finite dimension.

Abstract: A catalyst composite may include a molecular sieve having pores of 10- or more-membered rings and a metal silicate different from the molecular sieve. The metal silicate may include at least one alkaline earth metal and one or more of the following metals: Ga, Al, Ce, In, Cs, Sc, Sn, Li, Zn, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ti and V. The catalyst composite may include at least 0.1 wt % of silicate. The catalyst composite may be used in an XTO reactor or for catalytic cracking.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant microorganism that has been genetically engineered to contain metabolic pathway for the production of muconic acid from a salicylic acid intermediate. The genetically engineered metabolic pathway comprises both biosynthetic and biodegradative elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for restoring or improving nervous system function of a subject. Provided is a method involving: (i) providing an operant conditioning protocol effective to produce targeted neural plasticity (TNP) in a primary targeted central nervous system (CNS) pathway of a subject; and (ii) administering the operant conditioning protocol to the subject to elicit TNP in the primary targeted CNS pathway and to elicit generalized neural plasticity (GNP) in one or more other CNS pathway. The elicitation of the GNP in the one or more other CNS pathway serves to restore or improve a nervous system function of the subject. Provided is a device comprising a nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component and a controller for operating the nerve stimulation-electromyographic recording component in accordance with an operant conditioning protocol.

Abstract: A bio-oil formulation, useful as an asphalt binder substitute in pavement and roofing shingles, includes bio-oil and a polymer additive. The bio-oil binder can include an asphalt additive. The bio-oil binder can be emulsified with water and a surfactant for use as a weatherproofing sealant or as an adhesive. A method for making the bio-oil binder is disclosed.

Abstract: Technology is described for a relative timed clock gated cell. In one example, the relative timed clock gated cell includes a trigger latch and a data clock latch. The trigger latch includes a clock input coupled to a trigger line for transmitting a trigger signal. The trigger latch is configured to generate a data clock signal on an output. The trigger signal is based on a clock signal. The data clock latch includes a clock input coupled to the output of the trigger latch that latches a data input of the data clock latch based on the data clock signal. Various other computing circuitries and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for implementing an active imaging system. A method of obtaining an image in an active imaging system including: dividing an imaging region, and determining a plurality of divided imaging regions; scanning each of the plurality of divided imaging regions based on a laser; collecting reflected light for each of the plurality of divided imaging regions, and generating a plurality of divided images by an image sensor; and generating a whole image for the imaging region based on the plurality of divided images.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of promoting wound healing or wound closure. The method comprises administration of a miR-198 inhibitor and/or a follistatin-like-1 (FSTL1) polypeptide. Also disclosed are method of treating chronic cutaneous wounds, method of identifying a non-healing wound, use and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a miR-198 inhibitor and/or a follistatin-like-1 (FSTL1) polypeptide.

Abstract: A display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a display element layer, a non-transparent structure, an optical guiding structure and a reflective layer is disclosed. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate adjacent to a display surface of the display device. The display element layer is disposed between the first and the second substrates. The non-transparent structure, located between the optical guiding structure and the display element layer, defines at least one opening of the display device. The optical guiding structure corresponds to the one opening. The optical guiding structure includes a plurality of insulating structures each having a first surface adjacent to the non-transparent structure and side surfaces connected to the first surface. The reflective layer is disposed on the side surfaces. The ambient light entering via the second substrate is reflected by the reflective layer and exists via the opening.

Abstract: A piezoelectric film having a porosity between 20 and 40%, a thickness ranging from tens of microns to less than a few millimeters can be used to form an ultrasonic transducer UT for operation in elevated temperature ranges, that emit pulses having a high bandwidth. Such piezoelectric films exhibit greater flexibility allowing for conformation of the UT to a surface, and obviate the need for couplings or backings. Furthermore, a method of fabricating an UT having these advantages as well as better bonding between the piezoelectric film and electrodes involves controlling porosity within the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for performing intra-prediction using an adaptive filter. The method for performing intra-prediction comprises the steps of: determining whether or not to apply a first filter for a reference pixel value on the basis of information of a neighboring block of a current block; applying the first filter for the reference pixel value when it is determined to apply the first filter; performing intra-prediction on the current block on the basis of the reference pixel value; determining whether or not to apply a second filter for a prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block, which is predicted by the intra-prediction performance on the basis of the information of the neighboring block; and applying the second filter for the prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block when it is determined to apply the second filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porphyrin photosensitive dye, having the chemical formula: Each of L1 and L2 is independently R1 is C5-20 linear/branched alkyl group. R2 is C0-20 linear/branched alkyl group. R4 is C1-20 linear/branched alkyl group. Each of R3 and R5 is independently C1-20 linear/branched alkyl group or C1-20 linear/branched alkoxy group. Y1 is C3-20 cycloalkyl group. Each of a and b is independently an integer of 0 to 5. D is Each of R6 to R11 is independently C1-10 alkyl group. X1 is N, O, S, or Se. Each of c, d, and e is independently an integer of 0 to 5. A is Each of Z1 and Z2 is independently hydrogen, alkali metal, or quaternary ammonium salt —N(R12)4. R12 is C1-10 alkyl group. X2 is N, O, S, or Se.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to Compounds of Formula (1) : and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Z1, Z2, Z3, Xa, Xb, Xc, Y, X2, and X4 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Compound of Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods to treat or prevent a condition, such as cancer which overexpresses Her-kinases, comprising administering to an patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a Compound of Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A supported catalyst is prepared by a process that includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst intermediate that includes capped nanoparticles of a catalyst material dispersed on a carbon support. The capped nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is removed from the platinum alloy core under the shell-removal conditions to limit thermal decomposition of the carbon support and thereby limit agglomeration of the catalyst material such that the supported catalyst includes an electrochemical surface area of at least 30 m2/gPt.

Abstract: An amplifier having orthogonal tuning elements is provided. In one embodiment, an amplifier comprises an input amplifier stage having a first tuning element used to control a first performance criteria of the amplifier; an output amplifier stage operatively coupled to the first amplifier stage; a bias circuit operatively coupled to the second amplifier stage and having a second tuning element used to control a second performance criteria of the amplifier; and wherein the first tuning element operates substantially independent of the second tuning element.