Abstract: Provided is an encoding apparatus for integrally encoding and decoding a speech signal and a audio signal, and may include: an input signal analyzer to analyze a characteristic of an input signal; a stereo encoder to down mix the input signal to a mono signal when the input signal is a stereo signal, and to extract stereo sound image information; a frequency band expander to expand a frequency band of the input signal; a sampling rate converter to convert a sampling rate; a speech signal encoder to encode the input signal using a speech encoding module when the input signal is a speech characteristics signal; a audio signal encoder to encode the input signal using a audio encoding module when the input signal is a audio characteristic signal; and a bitstream generator to generate a bitstream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for increasing mammalian cell NAD+ production and improving mitochondrial cell densities comprising administering to a cell the compound or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culture media for oocytes and uses thereof. Specifically, media for culturing an oocyte in vitro are disclosed, wherein said media comprise granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The presence of GM-CSF in the media increases the maturation and/or developmental competence of the oocyte making it suitable for use in subsequent assisted reproductive technologies. Methods for increasing the maturation and/or developmental competence of an oocyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a structure evaluation system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves. The position locator locates positions of elastic wave sources by using the elastic waves among the plurality of elastic waves respectively detected by the plurality of sensors having an amplitude exceeding a threshold value determined according to positions of the sources of the plurality of elastic waves and the positions of the plurality of disposed sensors. The evaluator evaluates a deteriorated state of the structure on the basis of results of the position locating of the elastic wave sources which is performed by the position locator.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging fibre apparatus comprises arranging rods to form a plurality of stacks each comprising a respective plurality of rods, wherein: for each stack, the respective plurality of rods comprises rods having different core sizes, the rods of different core sizes being arranged in a selected arrangement, and the rods of different core sizes being arranged such that each stack has a respective selected shape; wherein the selected shape or shapes are such that the stacks stack together in a desired arrangement; the method further comprising: drawing each of the plurality of stacks; stacking together the plurality of drawn stacks together in the desired arrangement to form a further stack;drawing the further stack; and using the drawn further stack to form an imaging fibre apparatus, wherein the selected arrangement of the rods in each stack and the selected shape or shapes of the stacks are such that the further stack comprises a repeating pattern of rods of different core sizes.

Abstract: A method for performing an assessment of vision is provided, and comprises: determining a current difficulty level for the assessment; displaying a question of the assessment, the question including a visual element that has a movable pattern, the movable pattern having at least one variable attribute that is related to the current difficulty level; in response to receipt of an inputted answer, determining whether the inputted answer is correct; and determining whether the assessment is to be concluded, and in the affirmative, generating a result of the assessment based on the current difficulty level.

Abstract: Techniques are described for metadata processing that can be used to encode an arbitrary number of security policies for code running on a processor. Metadata may be added to every word in the system and a metadata processing unit may be used that works in parallel with data flow to enforce an arbitrary set of policies. In one aspect, the metadata may be characterized as unbounded and software programmable to be applicable to a wide range of metadata processing policies. Techniques and policies have a wide range of uses including, for example, safety, security, and synchronization. Additionally, described are aspects and techniques in connection with metadata processing in an embodiment based on the RISC-V architecture.

Abstract: The techniques described herein may provide techniques for precise and fully-automatic on-site software failure diagnosis that overcomes issues of existing systems and general challenges of in-production software failure diagnosis. Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide a tool capable of automatically pinpointing a fault propagation chain of program failures, with explicit symptoms. The combination of binary analysis, in-situ/identical replay, and debugging registers may be used together to simulate the debugging procedures of a programmer automatically. Overhead, privacy, transparency, convenience, and completeness challenges of in-production failure analysis are improved, making it suitable for deployment uses.

Abstract: This invention provides synthetic promoters capable of promoting and/or initiating transcription of a polynucleotide in an algal cell, and methods of designing, producing and using such promoters.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for increasing sensitivity of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow in an object of interest. Ultrasound imaging of blood perfusion can be performed without contrast enhancement. Embodiments include transforming a spatiotemporal echo data array into a three-dimensional perfusion data array having a spatial dimension, a slow-time dimension, and a frame-time dimension, and filtering the perfusion data array with an eigen passband clutter filter. The clutter filter can increase sensitivity and utility of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow. In some aspects, the method can yield blood flow signal power and perfusion values well separated from tissue clutter. In an example, enhancements to ischemic tissue perfusion maps in a murine model are shown.

Abstract: The porous silicon nanowire photovoltaic cell includes a first electrode, an n-type silicon layer, and a second electrode, which is formed from a transparent electrode with at least one metal contact. An array of porous silicon nanowires is sandwiched between the second electrode and the n-type silicon layer. Each of the porous silicon nanowires is formed from a porous n-type silicon core coated with a layer of p-type silicon. Empty spaces between the porous silicon nanowires of the array may be filled with indium tin oxide, thus forming a photoactive region formed from the array of porous silicon nanowires embedded in indium tin oxide. An up-conversion layer is sandwiched between the first electrode and the n-type silicon layer. Any suitable type of up-conversion material may be used for the up-conversion layer, such as NaYR4:Er—Yb or the like. Alternatively, the up-conversion layer may be replaced by a down-conversion layer.

Abstract: A system is described that observes a signal from a subject of interest, converts the signal to an electrical representation, uses the electrical representation to compute a synthetic control signal, and applies the synthetic control signal to control some aspect of operation of the subject. The procedure used to generate the synthetic control signal involves subjecting the electrical representation of the observed signal to random noise, allowing the extrema of the electrical representation to move, and obtaining a converged solution as the synthetic control signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a heteroresistant population of a pathogen in a sample, the method comprising: a) providing a sample comprising a population of a pathogen; b) extracting nucleic acids from the sample; c) amplifying a target locus of the genome of the pathogen in the extracted nucleic acids, wherein the target locus comprises at least one minor variant associated with drug resistance in the pathogen; d) consecutively sequencing both overlapping nucleic acid strands from a single DNA molecule amplified from the target locus on a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform; e) applying an alignment algorithm to sequencing data from the overlapping nucleic acid strands; and f) performing an analysis of the aligned sequencing data to detect the at least one minor variant and heteroresistant population of the pathogen.

Abstract: A smart window controller includes circuitry configured to establish a representative model of one or more building zones based on occupancy, construction, lighting, or cooling properties of a building. A lighting control strategy is implemented for the one or more building zones based on the representative model or one or more user preferences input at a first user interface screen of an external device. Automatic operations of one or more smart windows, cooling systems, or artificial lighting systems are controlled based on trigger points associated with the lighting control strategy, and a performance level of the lighting control strategy for the one or more building zones is determined based on one or more predetermined financial metrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to OLED devices and stacks for OLED devices that include a symmetric emissive-layer architecture. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an emissive stack having three layers, wherein the top and bottom layers emit light in the same or similar color region while the middle layer emits light in a different color region than the other two layers. In such an embodiment, the three layers are in contact with each other with no other layers in between. The symmetric emissive-layer architecture of the present invention can be used to improve the color stability of OLED devices.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a fluid sensing device and method capable of collecting a fluid sample, concentrating the sample with respect to one or more target analytes, and measuring the target analyte(s) in the concentrated sample. The invention is also capable of determining the change in molarity of the fluid sample with respect to the target analyte(s), as the sample is concentrated by the device. The invention further includes a method for using a fluid sensing device to concentrate a fluid sample with respect to one or more target analytes. The disclosed method further includes the ability to correlate the measured target analyte concentration to a physiological condition of a device wearer, or of a fluid source.

Abstract: A novel methodology for providing security to maintain the confidentiality of additive manufacturing systems during the cyber-physical manufacturing process is featured. This solution is incorporated within the computer aided manufacturing tools such as slicing algorithms and the tool-path generation, which are in the cyber-domain. This effectively mitigates the cross domain physical-to-cyber domain attacks which can breach the confidentiality of the manufacturing system to leak valuable intellectual properties.

Abstract: Structures, devices and methods are provided for forming nanowires on a substrate. A first protruding structure is formed on a substrate. The first protruding structure is placed in an electrolytic solution. Anodic oxidation is performed using the substrate as part of an anode electrode. One or more nanowires are formed in the protruding structure. The nanowires are surrounded by a first dielectric material formed during the anodic oxidation.

Abstract: A method of treating demyelinating diseases involves administering a PAK1 inhibitor that is PF-3758309 to a subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: The present application includes a sheath that is suitable for use in a variety of medical procedures. In one or more implementations, the sheath includes a shunt member, and a curvable portion. The curvable portion may be configured in various orientations to facilitate an intervention, such as a hemodialysis intervention, or the like, by an operator. The curvable portion may be configured to bend between a substantially straight configuration and a curved configuration. In implementations, the sheath may be configured to have detachable and/or interchangeable components (e.g., shunt member, curvable portion, etc.).