Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which is for preventing or treating caffeine abuse and includes evodiamine or Evodia officinalis extract. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which has an effect of preventing or alleviating somnipathy and central nervous system excitation caused by caffeine. In addition, the present invention relates to a caffeine abuse treatment method and a health functional food composition including Evodia officinalis extract or evodiamine.

Abstract: A method for generating encoded data includes: generating at least one local LDPC matrix and a global LDPC matrix, the global LDPC matrix relating to each of the at least one local LDPC matrix; repeatedly selecting one of the at least one local LDPC matrix as a target local LDPC matrix until a number t of the target local LDPC matrices are selected, where t is a user-defined number that is greater than one; generating a block matrix that includes the target local LDPC matrices; generating a primary LDPC matrix that includes a first primary matrix part relating to the block matrix, and a second primary matrix part relating to the global LDPC matrix; and encoding data based on the primary LDPC matrix.

Abstract: An oil-soluble coated particle flow modifier, a preparation method thereof, and a use thereof in fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs mining. The oil-soluble coated particle flow modifier is of a core-shell structure, which has a core layer of a coated core and a shell layer of a coating agent, wherein the coated core is made of a plugging material, and the coating agent consists of petroleum resin and hollow beads. Based on the total weight of the coated particle flow modifier, the content of the petroleum resin, the hollow beads, the cotton linters, and the coated cores is 10-40 wt %, 9-40 wt %, 1-10 wt %, and 35-80 wt %, respectively. A preparation method of the coated particle flow modifier and a use of the coated particle flow modifier in fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs mining to improve oil recovery is also provided.

Abstract: The method of friction stir spot welding uses a database of stored optimization parameters to maximize welding strength for an input type of material and an input geometrical parameter of the material, such as its thickness. Experiments are performed for a variety of different materials having different thicknesses. Each experiment performed for each material and each thickness associated with the material measures the welding strength of a friction stir spot welding process for varying values of an initial dynamic welding parameter, a final dynamic welding parameter and a type of varying function. The values of the initial dynamic welding parameter, final dynamic welding parameter and type of varying function that maximize the measured welding strength for the selected material and its selected thickness are stored in a lookup table. A rotating tool may then be controlled using these optimized values in order to maximize welding strength.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the seminal discovery that targeted immunomodulatory antibodies and fusion proteins can counter act or reverse immune tolerance of cancer cells. Cancer cells are able to escape elimination by chemotherapeutic agents or tumor-targeted antibodies via specific immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment and such ability of cancer cells is recognized as immune tolerance. Such immunosuppressive mechanisms include immunosuppressive cytokines (for example, Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?)) and regulatory T cells and/or immunosuppressive myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). By counteracting tumor-induced immune tolerance, the present invention provides effective compositions and methods for cancer treatment, optional in combination with another existing cancer treatment.

Abstract: A heat exchanger control and diagnostic apparatus includes a heat exchanger having a primary inlet of a primary heat-transport liquid mounted with a first temperature sensor and a primary outlet of the primary heat-transport liquid mounted with a second temperature sensor, wherein the primary outlet is piped to a pump, the pump comprising a pump impeller connected to a motor, the primary heat-transport liquid being piped by plumbing from the pump impeller to a heat source and from the heat source back to the primary inlet, and a control unit connected to the heat exchanger and the pump and comprising a motor control unit bi-directionally connected to the motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules, called aptamers, that bind specifically to a small molecule fluorophore and thereby enhance the fluorescence signal of the fluorophore upon exposure to radiation of suitable wavelength. Molecular complexes formed between the novel fluorophores, novel nucleic acid molecules, and their target molecules are described, and the use of multivalent aptamer constructs as fluorescent sensors for target molecules of interest are also described.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for continuously generating uniform polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles comprising: flowing a first stream comprising one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers at a first variable flow rate into a confined chamber; flowing a second stream comprising one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers at a second variable flow rate into the confined chamber; and impinging the first stream and the second stream in the confined chamber until the Reynolds number is from about 1,000 to about 20,000, thereby causing the one or more water-soluble polycationic polymers and the one or more water-soluble polyanionic polymers to undergo a polyelectrolyte complexation process that continuously generates PEC nanoparticles. Compositions produced from the presently disclosed methods and a device for producing the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems to interface between physiological devices and a prosthetic device, including to receive a plurality of types of physiological activity signals from a user, decode a user movement intent from each of the plurality of signals types, and fuse the movement intents into a joint decision to control moveable elements of the prosthetic device.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for harvesting energy in response to application of an external force. The energy harvesting system comprises a beam member having a central member and at least one piezoelectric layer joined to the central member for deflection therewith. The beam member includes opposing first and second ends and is elastically deformable in response to application of the external force. A first mount couples the first end of the beam member and is generally stationary. A second mount couples the second end of the beam member. The second mount and the second end of the beam member are generally moveable in response to application of the external force between a first position and a second position, thereby outputting energy from the at least one piezoelectric layer in response to the movement from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating or inhibiting the development of osteoarthritis in a subject having osteoarthritis or at risk for developing osteoarthritis and for stimulating or increasing cartilage production or formation in a subject. The methods feature administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising one or more agent from among adenosine, an adenosine receptor agonist, and an agent that upregulates or increases the amount of or the biological activity of adenosine, or an analog or derivative thereof. The adenosine receptor may be an A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptor. The agent that upregulates or increases the amount of or the biological activity of adenosine may be dipyridamole or ticagrelor. The composition may be administered via intraarticular injection such as injection into the synovial fluid of a joint.

Abstract: Peptides that generate an immune response to glioma-related H3.3 proteins and methods of their use are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microwave reforming apparatus for gas reforming, and provides a new technology of converting carbon dioxide which is a main greenhouse gas generated during combustion, pyrolysis/gasification, and operation of fossil fuels, methane, and dispersions thereof into high-quality fuels. A microwave reforming apparatus according to the present disclosure uses a carbon receptor and thus can solve the conventional problem of price of catalyst and also enables compactification of a device, rapid startup and response time in several seconds, and application of various kinds of product gases including polymer hydrocarbon. Also, the microwave reforming apparatus according to the present disclosure uses its own internal reaction heat at the time of reforming and thus can maintain the optimum operating conditions for a wide range of flow rate and gas properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide flexible zinc ion (Zn-ion) battery configurations with shape memory are described. For example, embodiments of flexible shape memory yarn batteries (SMYBs) may be fabricated using shape memory material wire, filament, and/or fiber and flexible conductive material yarn as flexible substrate materials. In accordance with some embodiments, Nickel-Titanium-based alloy wire may be coated with a zinc material to provide a flexible anode electrode for a SMYB. Additionally or alternatively, flexible stainless steel (SS) yarn may be coated with a manganese dioxide (MnO2) material to provide a flexible cathode electrode for a SMYB of embodiments. An aqueous electrolyte may be combined with the flexible cathode and anode electrodes to provide a SMYB in accordance with the concepts herein. The aqueous electrolyte may, for example, comprise a polymer gel electrolyte (e.g., gelatin-borax polymer gel electrolyte).

Abstract: The measuring cup includes numerous embodiments configured for a user to precisely determine the cup contents without need to lift the cup to one's eye level or to lower the eye level to the level of the cup contents. The various embodiments include folding cups; cups having transparent passages in the wall; cups having adjustably positionable bottoms; cups having level indicator rods in the cup interior extending upward from the cup bottom; cups having one or more filaments extending across the cup interior; cups having rigid level indicators spanning the cup interior; cups having adjustably positionable level indicator tabs therein; cups having buoyant level indicator tabs adjustably positionable in the cup interior; and cups having removable clip-on scales extending down along the interior of the cup wall, the scales having a plurality of attachment points for the removable attachment of a level indicator tab at a desired attachment point.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.

Abstract: A hybrid solar cell includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell having an upper grid and lower contact plate with an anode and cathode region in between. A thermoelectric (TE) cell has a top and bottom segmented connector layer with TE elements having pairs of n-doped elements and p-doped elements connected together electrically in series and thermally in parallel by segments of the top or bottom segmented connector layer. An electrically insulating and thermally conducting layer is between the plate and the TE cell. A direct electrical connection is between the cathode region provided by the upper grid or lower plate and segments contacting the n-doped elements, and a direct electrical connection is between the anode region provided by the grid or plate and segments contacting the p-doped elements for the PV cell to power the TE cell and the TE cell to provide active cooling for the PV cell.

Abstract: A wavelength routing SW is a large-scale optical switch device of a conventional technique, and it requires as many wavelength-tunable light sources as the number of input ports. For the wavelength-tunable light sources to achieve a stable oscillating operation across a wide wavelength range, a complicated control mechanism is necessary. This has been an obstacle in providing a large-scale optical switch device in terms of cost and circuit scale. A wavelength routing SW in the present disclosure includes N wavelength group generators, a splitting-selection unit, and MN tunable filters. Each wavelength group generator includes M fixed-wavelength light sources. Inexpensive general-purpose devices that require no control mechanism for wavelength tuning can be used as the fixed-wavelength light source. The channel loss in the optical switch device can also be reduced by using light sources with a limited narrow range of tunable wavelengths and the wavelength-dependent output port selecting function of an AWG.

Abstract: A sequential state element (SSE) is disclosed. In one embodiment, an SSE includes a differential sense flip flop (DSFF) and a completion detection circuit (CDC) operably associated with the DSFF. The DSFF is configured to generate a differential logical output. During a normal operational mode, the DSFF is synchronized by a clock signal to provide a differential logical output in a differential output state in accordance with a data input or in a precharge state based on the clock signal. The differential logical output is provided in a differential output state in accordance with a test input during a scan mode. The CDC is configured to generate a test enable input during the scan mode that indicates the scan mode once the differential logical output is in the differential output state. Accordingly, another SSE can be asynchronously triggered to operate in the scan mode without a separate scan clock.

Abstract: Provided is a novel photoinitiator in the form of a hybrid nanoparticle constructed of a semiconductor and metallic regions, and uses thereof.