Abstract: Provided are a silicon oxide-carbon composite, a method of preparing the same, and an energy storage device containing the same. In the method of preparing a silicon oxide-carbon composite, a reaction solution containing an organic solvent including an aromatic compound is provided. Crystalline carbon structures are formed by generating plasma in the reaction solution. A slurry is formed by adding silicon halide and a polyol in the reaction solution in which the crystalline carbon structures are dispersed. The slurry is separated from the organic solvent and subjected to thermal treatment.

Abstract: One of the chief purposes of researchers in the field of chemistry is to perform chemical reactions at high rates; a method that can be adopted to achieve such goal is to perform reactions in magnetic solvents. Being passed through the Solvents Magnetizing Apparatus (SMA) magnetizes the solvent, and the magnetic property remains intact for a few days, while most chemical reactions are done in less than one day. It should be taken into consideration that the magnetic solvent is different from the Zeeman effect in chemistry. This technology is widely used in performing chemical processes of most chemical reactions.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity sensor containing cracks is provided. The high-sensitivity sensor is obtained by forming microcracks on a conductive thin film, which is formed on top of a support, wherein the microcracks form a micro joining structure in which the microcracks are electrically changed, short-circuited or open, thereby converting external stimuli into electric signals by generating a change in a resistance value. The high-sensitivity sensor can be useful in a displacement sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, artificial skin, a voice recognition system, and the like.

Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.

Abstract: An in vivo method of inhibiting tumor growth, specifically pancreatic cancer, includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound, composition, and/or a pharmaceutical formulation including crocetinic acid.

Abstract: Techniques for use in connection with performing optimization using an objective function. The techniques include using at least one computer hardware processor to perform: identifying, using an integrated acquisition utility function and a probabilistic model of the objective function, at least a first point at which to evaluate the objective function; evaluating the objective function at least at the identified first point; and updating the probabilistic model of the objective function using results of the evaluating to obtain an updated probabilistic model of the objective function.

Abstract: Techniques for use in connection with performing optimization using a plurality of objective functions associated with a respective plurality of tasks. The techniques include using at least one computer hardware processor to perform: identifying, based at least in part on a joint probabilistic model of the plurality of objective functions, a first point at which to evaluate an objective function in the plurality of objective functions; selecting, based at least in part on the joint probabilistic model, a first objective function in the plurality of objective functions to evaluate at the identified first point; evaluating the first objective function at the identified first point; and updating the joint probabilistic model based on results of the evaluation to obtain an updated joint probabilistic model.

Abstract: The construction method of NALU (Network Abstraction Layer Unit) for IPv6 label switching and its using algorithms of video encoding, QoS control, and decoding are provided. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the NALU format is composed of the NALH (Network Abstraction Layer Header) including the label and the NAL (Network Abstraction Layer) payload. Here, the label is determined based on layer information which is combination of a spatial scalable level, a temporal scalable level, and a quality scalable level of the encoded data. The decoder uses the label to decide which one of multiple decoding modules is used to decode the current NAL payload. Moreover, the label can be included in the packet header so that the MANE (Media Aware Network Element) can use the label to decide whether to forward the packet or drop it. For example, the label in the packet header can be used for QoS control of video service by using the flow label field in IPv6 packet header.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition derived from a natural substance. Since the composition effectively suppresses Filobasidium, an organism that has been newly identified as causing dandruff, the present invention can effectively prevent and/or treat seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. Also, since the antimicrobial composition of the present invention includes a natural substance as an active ingredient, little consumer aversion will result. Also, it is expected that the antimicrobial composition of the present invention can be used for developing an antidandruff agent having a reduced content of materials which are typically used as antidandruff agents and the safety of which is questionable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing and treating muscular dystrophy. The disclosed methods can be used to diagnosis, prognosis or treat a subject with merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy Type 1A (MDC1A), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), facioscapulohumeral (FHMD), Beckers muscular dystrophy (BMD) or Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Also disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an agent for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. In an example, a method of diagnosing or prognosing a subject with muscular dystrophy includes detecting expression of Galectin-1 or Galectin-3 in a sample obtained from the subject at risk of having or having one or more signs or symptoms associated with muscular dystrophy, thereby diagnosing or prognosing the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also provided are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject by administering galectin, such as Galectin-1 and/or Galectin-3 to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a carbon structure, a method of manufacturing the carbon structure, and an energy storage device having the carbon structure. According to the method of manufacturing the carbon structure, a reaction solution containing a catalyst and an organic solvent containing an aromatic compound is provided. Plasma is generated in the reaction solution, thereby forming a crystalline carbon structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-layer stack which is useful for forming a multi-junction organic photovoltaic cell, said stack including first and second active layers, and an intermediate p-type or n-type layer, inserted between said first and second active layers and in contact with at least one of the first and second active layers, said intermediate layer including a network of electrically conductive nanowires, said stack including an additional layer, inserted between the first active layer and the second active layer and directly in contact with the first active layer or the second active layer, the additional layer being P-type or N-type, separate from the one forming the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new biofuel formulation comprising: crude glycerol, glycerol formal, optionally at least one fatty acid glycerol formal ester and optionally at least one fatty acid methyl ester. The present invention also relates to a process for its preparation and its use for burning purposes.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a demodulator device, a receiver and a demodulation method for M-ary amplitude shift keying systems (MASK) that requires partial knowledge of the CSI, namely, the channel attenuation coefficient. Therefore, the new demodulator, receiver and demodulation method do not require the knowledge of the channel phase shift. Consequently, no complicated channel estimation techniques are required, and the system will be very robust to the system impairments such as phase noise, I-Q imbalance, etc. In this sense, the new technique is denoted as semi-coherent demodulation (SCD). To reduce the complexity of the new SCD, a suboptimal demodulator is derived which has much lower complexity than the optimal while providing almost the same error probability.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method of estimating transmitted signals in a communication system, the signals being transmitted by a transmitter to a receiver over a communication channel having a channel response, the method comprising estimating the transmitted signals based on generated trial sequences minimizing the channel response between adjacent received signals. There is also provided a receiver, a signal detector device and a communication system adapted to estimated transmitted signals in a communication system by generating trial sequences and determining the generated trial sequences minimizing the channel response between adjacent received signals. The present invention is particularly adapted for OFDM communication systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and materials that reduce the accumulation of microorganisms on a surface by interfering with the attachment of the organisms to the surface. The compounds and materials of the present invention are thus useful in preventing the formation of biofilms. The compounds of the present invention may be either adhered to a surface or integrated within a polymer. Surfaces coated by the present invention are resistant to biofilm formation, in part due to the smoothness of the surface coated with the present invention.

Abstract: A radiation sensor including a scintillation layer configured to emit photons upon interaction with ionizing radiation and a photodetector including in order a first electrode, a photosensitive layer, and a photon-transmissive second electrode disposed in proximity to the scintillation layer. The photosensitive layer is configured to generate electron-hole pairs upon interaction with a part of the photons. The radiation sensor includes pixel circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and configured to measure an imaging signal indicative of the electron-hole pairs generated in the photosensitive layer and a planarization layer disposed on the pixel circuitry between the first electrode and the pixel circuitry such that the first electrode is above a plane including the pixel circuitry. A surface of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode at least partially overlaps the pixel circuitry and has a surface inflection above features of the pixel circuitry.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method of estimating transmitted signals in a communication system, the signals being transmitted by a transmitter to a receiver over a communication channel having a channel response, the method comprising estimating the transmitted signals based on generated trial sequences minimizing the channel response between adjacent received signals. There is also provided a receiver, a signal detector device and a communication system adapted to estimated transmitted signals in a communication system by generating trial sequences and determining the generated trial sequences minimizing the channel response between adjacent received signals. The present invention is particularly adapted for OFDM communication systems.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the production of boron phosphide BP comprising the reduction of boron phosphate BPO4 with at least one alkaline earth metal (EA) according to Equation (1): BPO4+4 EA?BP?4 EA(O)(1)

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for 3D imaging of in vivo and ex vivo tissues. The disclosed systems and methods employ an autoradiographic approach where particles emitted by a radioactive composition within the tissue are detected. Once detected, a 3D representation of the source of particles within the tissue is reconstructed for viewing and analysis.