Abstract: Disclosed are an audio signal encoding method and audio signal decoding method, and an encoder and decoder performing the same. The audio signal encoding method includes applying an audio signal to a training model including N autoencoders provided in a cascade structure, encoding an output result derived through the training model, and generating a bitstream with respect to the audio signal based on the encoded output result.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for individualized hearing aid prescription which consists of a test procedure that enables the fitting of an individualized estimation of the SII model to individual listeners efficiently and an optimization process which translates the resulting individualized model to the prescribed gains across frequencies for programming into the user's hearing aids. The test involves the recognition of one or more words presented in background noise, which better approximates the daily listening experiences of hearing-aid users compared to the pure-tone detection in a silent environment task which is commonly utilized during conventional audiometric testing. In the estimated SII model, five parameters describe in a custom fashion the relative weights of speech information across the five frequency bands for a given listener. The results from the speech test is used to determine the desirable amount of gain for each frequency region to optimize the user's aided speech intelligibility.

Abstract: An improved nanocomposite cathode material for lithium-ion batteries comprising vanadium pentoxide substrates with a conductive matrix of graphene sheets and a network former such as silicon dioxide and a method of making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds that can modulate DDAH and the amount of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in a subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using these compositions to treat and/or prevent diseases associated with elevated or low levels of DDAH and ADMA.

Abstract: An interface transports ions from a first pressure environment to a lower pressure analysis instrument and may include a first region pumped to a second pressure less than the first pressure, a first ion funnel disposed in the first region, a first ion carpet in the first region opposite an ion outlet end of the first ion funnel, a second region pumped to a third pressure less than the second pressure and greater than the instrument pressure, a second ion funnel disposed in the second region and a second ion carpet in the second region opposite an ion outlet end of the second ion funnel. Ions from the environment pass sequentially through the first and second ion funnels and into the analysis instrument. Each of the first and second ion funnels define a tapered axial passageway therethrough each defining a respective virtual jet disrupter therein.

Abstract: An electrostatic linear ion trap has first and second axially aligned ion mirrors separated by a charge detection cylinder axially aligned with each ion mirror. Electric fields are selectively established within the first and second ion mirrors in a manner which causes an ion in the trap to oscillate back and forth through the charge detection cylinder between the first and second ion mirrors with a duty cycle, corresponding to a ratio of time spent by the ion passing through the charge detection cylinder and total time spent traversing a combination of the first and second ion mirrors and the charge detection cylinder during one complete oscillation cycle, of approximately 50%.

Abstract: An electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) array includes multiple elongated charge detection cylinders arranged end-to-end and each defining an axial passageway extending centrally therethrough, a plurality of ion mirror structures each defining a pair of axially aligned cavities and an axial passageway extending centrally therethrough, wherein a different ion mirror structure is disposed between opposing ends of each cylinder, and front and rear ion mirrors each defining at least one cavity and an axial passageway extending centrally therethrough, the front ion mirror positioned at one end of the arrangement of charge detection cylinders and the rear ion mirror positioned at an opposite end of the arrangement of charge detection cylinders, wherein the axial passageways of the charge detection cylinders, the ion mirror structures, the front ion mirror and the rear ion mirror are coaxial to define a longitudinal axis passing centrally through the ELIT array.

Abstract: A system for trapping ions for measurement thereof may include an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT), a source of ions to supply ions to the ELIT, a processor operatively coupled to ELIT, and a memory having instructions stored therein executable by the processor to produce at least one control signal to open the ELIT to allow ions supplied by the source of ions to enter the ELIT, determine an ion inlet frequency corresponding to a frequency of ions flowing from the source of ions into the open ELIT, generate or receive a target ion charge value, determine an optimum threshold value as a function of the target ion charge value and the determined ion inlet frequency, and produce at least one control signal to close the ELIT when a charge of an ion within the ELIT exceeds the optimum threshold value to thereby trap the ion in the ELIT.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed herein for running a long-term on-demand service for executing actively-secure computations. A function circuit may be represented as a stream of buckets, in which each bucket represents a logical AND gate. A pool having a plurality of garbled AND gates is generated. Garbled AND gates are randomly selected from the pool for placement in one of the buckets. An output for the bucket is determined by an evaluation of the selected garbled AND gates. The output represents an execution of the logical AND gate. The determined output is applied as a parameter in a secure protocol.

Abstract: A multi-chromophore virus particle is constructed by covalent binding of chromophores and provides super-radiant behavior. A virus-enabled targeted vector is provided for imaging with qualitatively different optical emission properties from state-of-the-art agents. Bright emission is obtained through quantum coherence, which in turn is facilitated by the symmetry of the virus shell. In an exemplary embodiment the targeted vector is used in laser-guided surgery, specifically for the treatment of in brain cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides “all-in-one” cartridges which contain necessary reagents and materials to isolate/preconcentrate targeted proteins from blood plasma and ionize them for mass spectrometry detection. In another configuration, the cartridges include proteolytic enzymes to digest the proteins into smaller peptides in addition to preconcentration and ionization for mass spectrometry detection.

Abstract: A bioreactor comprising a housing defining a perfusion chamber, the housing including at least one port, wherein the at least one port is coupled to the housing, and a sample holder positioned within the perfusion chamber. A bioreactor and spheroid-based biofabrication method for making perfusible tissue constructs and perfusing them.

Abstract: Methods of encoding and decoding a speech signal using a neural network model that recognizes sound sources, and encoding and decoding apparatuses for performing the methods are provided. A method of encoding a speech signal includes identifying an input signal for a plurality of sound sources; generating a latent signal by encoding the input signal; obtaining a plurality of sound source signals by separating the latent signal for each of the plurality of sound sources; determining a number of bits used for quantization of each of the plurality of sound source signals according to a type of each of the plurality of sound sources; quantizing each of the plurality of sound source signals based on the determined number of bits; and generating a bitstream by combining the plurality of quantized sound source signals.

Abstract: A CDMS may include an ELIT having a charge detection cylinder (CD), a charge generator for generating a high frequency charge (HFC), a charge sensitive preamplifier (CP) having an input coupled to the CD and an output configured to produce a charge detection signal (CHD) in response to a charge induced on the CD, and a processor configured to (a) control the charge generator to induce an HFC on the CD, (b) control operation of the ELIT to cause a trapped ion to oscillate back and forth through the CD each time inducing a charge thereon, and (c) process CHD to (i) determine a gain factor as a function of the HFC induced on the CD, and (ii) modify a magnitude of the portion of CHD resulting from the charge induced on the CD by the trapped ion passing therethrough as a function of the gain factor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a speech processing apparatus and method using a densely connected hybrid neural network. The speech processing method includes inputting a time domain sample of N*1 dimension for an input speech into a densely connected hybrid network; passing the time domain sample through a plurality of dense blocks in a densely connected hybrid network; reshaping the time domain samples into M subframes by passing the time domain samples through the plurality of dense blocks, inputting the M subframes into gated recurrent unit (GRU) components of N/M-dimension; outputting clean speech from which noise is removed from the input speech by passing the M subframes through GRU components.

Abstract: Different Au—Pd nanoparticles, ranging from sharp-branched octopods to core@shell octahedra, can be achieved by inline manipulation of reagent flowrates in a microreactor for seeded growth. Significantly, these structures represent different kinetic products, demonstrating an inline control strategy toward kinetic nanoparticle products that should be generally applicable.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the modelling, treatment, reducing resistance to the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases characterized by the formation of cancers and cancer treatment induced symptoms including cardiotoxicity. Embodiments include methods of treating cancer, comprising the steps of: providing a patient diagnosed with cancer with a therapeutic regime that includes at least one therapeutically effective dose of at least one agent that reduces the activity of at least one Rho/Rho kinase pathway. Other embodiments include methods of treating cancer, comprising the steps of: treating a patient diagnosed with cancer with a combination of therapeutic agents that includes at least one therapeutically effective anti-cancer agent and at least one compound that reduces the activity of at least one Rho/Rho kinase pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to treat a renal disorder in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal in need of treatment an effective amount of a store operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: In one example, a processing system including at least one processor may obtain at least one frame of a volumetric video, obtain a first viewport of a client device, render a plurality of two-dimensional subframes comprising two-dimensional projections of the at least one frame of the volumetric video, based upon the first viewport of the client device, and transmit the plurality of two-dimensional subframes to the client device. In another example, a processing system including at least one processor may request a volumetric video from a network-based proxy, provide a viewport to the network-based proxy, obtain a plurality of two-dimensional subframes from the network-based proxy in accordance with the viewport, select at least one of the plurality of two-dimensional subframes to present, and display the at least one two-dimensional subframe that is selected.

Abstract: Methods of treating a valvular heart disease are provided. Methods for treating valvular heard disease include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one hedgehog pathway inhibitor. Also provided are methods for reducing fibrosis in a subject, which comprise administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one hedgehog pathway inhibitor.