Abstract: A smoking article (10) comprising a first part (13) configured to be movable relative to a second part (11) of the smoking article. The first part (13) having a first engaging surface (31). The second part (11) having a second engaging surface (32), the second engaging surface engagable with the first engaging surface (31) to limit relative longitudinal movement between the first and second parts. The first engaging surface (31) and/or second engaging surface (32) is preferably formed on a folded over portion of sheet material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for driving a BLDC motor, the apparatus including: a BLDC motor having a single sensing coil therein; a position/speed calculation unit for calculating a current position and a current speed of a rotor by using voltages at both ends of the sensing coil; a control unit for comparing the current speed of the rotor calculated by the position/speed calculation unit with a command speed and then outputting a control signal through a Proportional Integral (PI) control; a motor driving unit for generating a PWM signal based on the current position of the rotor calculated by the position/speed calculation unit and the control signal output by the control unit; and a power device unit for controlling the BLDC motor according to the PWM signal generated by the motor driving unit.

Abstract: A recombinant expression vector, comprising extracellular soluble domain genes of DLK1 and IgG antibody Fc domain genes, is constructed, and DLK1-Fc fusion protein is expressed and purified at 293E cell. The invention confirmed the efficacy as a drug for inhibiting cancer metastasis by confirming markedly reduced migration of cancer cells by DLK1-Fc fusion protein and also computing pharmacokinetic parameters. DLK1-Fc fusion protein has relatively higher stability than non-fusion protein, significantly reduces migration of various cancer cell lines, and provides superior cancer metastasis inhibition effect even at small concentration. Accordingly, DLK1-Fc fusion protein can be used efficaciously as an effective ingredient of a composition for inhibiting cancer metastasis.

Abstract: A composition comprising PAA nanoparticles containing a post loaded tetrapyrollic photosensitizer and a postloaded imaging agent and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A method of quantifying non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) in a biological fluid is provided, the method comprising: (a) contacting a sample of the biological fluid with a reducing agent to obtain redox-active iron; (b) contacting the sample of the biological fluid with a nitrilotriacetate (NTA) at a concentration of 0.4-2 mM to mobilize non-transferrin bound iron including redox inactive and the redox active iron in the sample; (c) contacting the sample of the biological fluid of step (b) with an indicator including an iron binding moiety and fluorophore; and (d) detecting and quantifying a fluorescent signal of the fluorophore thereby quantifying the NTBI in the biological sample.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a laser machining/processing apparatus and uses two separate control modules, each of which operates interdependently with the other. A laser control module contains instructions for controlling the laser beam while a movement control module contains instructions for controlling the movement of the laser apparatus relative to a workpiece. The instructions in each module are executed in parallel and interdependently of the instructions in the other module. The laser control module controls the actions of the laser apparatus while, in parallel, the movement control module controls the relative movements and/or positioning of the laser beam relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A compound which may comprise a ligand which binds, directly or indirectly, specifically to an antigen of a pathogen, provided that said ligand is not the PRYSPRY domain of TRIM21; and a RING domain and/or an inducer of TRIM21 expression.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a resistive memory arrangement is provided. The resistive memory arrangement includes a nanowire, and a resistive memory cell including a resistive layer including a resistive changing material, wherein at least a section of the resistive layer is arranged covering at least a portion of a surface of the nanowire, and a conductive layer arranged on at least a part of the resistive layer. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming a resistive memory arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method for promoting stem cell chondrogenesis, comprising the step of culturing a population of stem cells on a plurality of imprints disposed on a substrate, the imprints being configured to selectively promote chondrogenesis of the stem cells.

Abstract: A process involving membrane-based gas separation and power generation, specifically for controlling carbon dioxide emissions from gas-fired power plants. The process includes a compression step, a combustion step, and an expansion/electricity generation step, as in traditional power plants. The process also includes a sweep-driven membrane separation step and a carbon dioxide removal or capture step. The carbon dioxide removal step is carried out on a portion of gas from the compression step.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for assessing the performance of an actuator of a attitude control system (ACS), such as a control moment gyroscope (CMG). In one embodiment, a system includes a support bracket assembly coupled to an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to generate an output torque. The system also includes at least one sensor assembly coupled to the support bracket assembly, wherein the at least one sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure the output torque about at least one axis of the support bracket assembly while the support bracket assembly remains substantially motionless.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates methods for inhibiting or preventing muscle atrophy or increasing muscle mass by providing to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of ursolic acid, a derivative thereof, or an analog of the ursane scaffold. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to porous polymer membranes, structures including porous polymer membranes, devices including porous polymer membranes, methods of using porous polymer membranes, methods of making porous polymer membranes, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a data warehouse for managing mass building energy information are provided. The apparatus for constructing a data warehouse in order to manage mass building energy information includes a primitive database generator for constructing primitive databases in each building based on energy control point information, a time series data warehouse generator for generating time series data warehouses based on the constructed primitive databases, a space time series data warehouse generator for reconstructing the generated time series data warehouses based on an object construction information table including space information about objects for control points of the plurality of buildings to be controlled to generate space time series data warehouses, and a view database generator for generating view databases by a search condition in accordance with the search condition for energy usage information based on the generated space time series data warehouses.

Abstract: An organic cation for a battery, including a heteroatom-containing cyclic compound having at least (2) ring structures formed from rings that share at least one common atom, the cyclic compound having both a formal positive charge of at least +1 and a partial negative charge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for contacting an oxidizing solution such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition of hydrogen peroxide and at least one additive that catalyzes the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals with an atmospheric effluent containing odorous and/or noxious components. These components are absorbed by the aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition to produce an atmospheric effluent having reduced amounts of the odorous and/or noxious components. Various methods are described for adding the hydrogen peroxide and the decomposition additive.

Abstract: A method for providing metal filled features in a layer is provided. A metal seed layer is deposited on tops and bottoms of the features. Metal seed layer on tops of the features and overhangs is removed without removing metal seed layer on bottoms of features. An electroless deposition of metal is provided to fill the features, wherein the electroless deposition first deposits on the metal seed layer on bottoms of the features.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to start-up a process to make expandable vinyl aromatic polymer pellets comprising, a) providing a pelletizer (S) containing means to introduce the molten vinyl aromatic polymer comprising the expandable agent and optionally additives, a die plate having a plurality of holes of small diameter, typically in the range 0.8 to 1.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus directed to a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) defining an air-backed cavity are provided. A first via defined by a device substrate and associated dielectric layer, and extending to the first electrode, is substantially filled with a first conductive material. A support member engaged with the device substrate defines a second via extending to the first conductive material. The second via has a second conductive material disposed thereon, forms an electrically-conductive engagement with the first conductive material, and extends outwardly of the second via to be accessible externally to the support member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation.