Abstract: A method of setting a number of iteration counts of iterative decoding, and an apparatus and method of iterative decoding. The iterative decoder including a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation unit that estimates an SNR of a received signal, an iterative decoding count setting unit that sets a minimum number of iteration counts for the received signal based on the estimated SNR, and a decoding unit that iteratively decodes the received signal using tentative decoding and error check, and selectively performs the error check based on the minimum number of iteration counts.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining a putative agent that treats or prevent obesity and/or obesity related diseases comprising contacting cells with the putative agent and measuring the activity and/or level of Maf1 and/or the activity and/or level of KIAA1875. The present invention also provides the agent identified by the methods herein and methods of treating or preventing obesity and/or obesity related diseases in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits or downregulates Maf1 and/or activates or upregulates KIAA1875.

Abstract: Compositions which comprise emulsions of nanoparticles for delivery of membrane-integrating peptides are described. The nanoparticles comprise a liquid hydrophobic core coated with a lipid/surfactant layer which contains the membrane-integrating peptides. Methods to use such compositions are also described.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).

Abstract: Provided is a neural device including at least one nano-wire. The neural device includes a nano-wire formed on a base formed on a first surface of a substrate, and an electrode pad formed on a second surface different from the first surface of the substrate and configured to output an electrical signal gained from a neural fiber through the nano-wire or apply a signal for an electric stimulus to the nano-wire. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the nano-wire from becoming embedded in an encapsulation and maximize a contact between the nano-wire and a nerve.

Abstract: An intraocular lens introduces higher order aberrations, e.g., spherical aberration (SA), for different sub-optical zone diameters. For example, a lens may have a central sub-optical zone which introduces a spherical aberration. Alternatively, a full optical zone design can be used combining defocus with a higher-order aberration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are manganese, iron, cobalt, or nickel complexes containing 2,8-bis(imino)quinoline ligands and their use as catalysts or catalysts precursors for hydrosilylation reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of protecting cells, especially non-vascular system, non-hematopoietic cells and tissues, from apoptosis and enhancing their engraftment, survival, and/or persistence by providing enhanced levels of PIM activity for the cell, including PIM-1 activity. Also disclosed are cells that have been engineered to express enhanced levels of PIM kinase, and methods of administering those cells to vertebrates.

Abstract: ‘Blizzard’ is a new pearlbush plant particularly distinguished by its compact habit, smaller plant height and width, larger flower diameter, and larger genome size.

Abstract: A dual wafer stage exchanging system for a lithographic device is disclosed, said system comprises two wafer stages running between an exposure workstation and a pre-processing workstation, and said two stages are set on a base and suspended above the upper surface of the base by air bearings. Each wafer stages is passed through by a Y-direction guide rail respectively, wherein one end of said guide rail is connected with a main driving unit and another end of said guide rail is detachably coupled with one of the two X-direction auxiliary driving units with single degree of freedom, and said two wafer stages are capable of moving in Y-direction along the guide rails and moving in X-direction under the drive of the auxiliary driving units with single degree of freedom. The position exchange of said two wafer stages can be enabled by the detachment and connection of the Y-direction guide rails and the auxiliary units with single degree of freedom.

Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a three dimensional graphene structure using a catalyst template, in which the three dimensional graphene structure in various forms can be obtained through a simple process by using a metal catalyst in various forms as a template and growing graphene thereon. There is also provided a method for controlling length of a three dimensional graphene structure to be from a few nanometers to a few millimeters by controlling length of the metal catalyst template.

Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of nanostructures, including nanostructures comprised of carbon nanotubes, and the nanostructures, devices, and assemblies prepared by these methods, are described.

Abstract: A method for producing fluorapatite and its application are disclosed in the present invention, which relates to the field of biomaterials for dental reparation. The present invention comprises steps of mixing tetracalcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, and sodium fluoride to form a mixture and adding the mixture into water, or mixing tetracalcium phosphate and ammonium fluoride to form a mixture and then adding the mixture into a phosphoric acid/water solution, blending the above two sets of materials respectively to form cement-like substances; and solidifying the cement-like substances at a temperatures of 35° C. to 38° C. and a moisture of 100% for 1-3 days to produce fluorapatite. The synthesized fluorapatite has a similar chemical composition with tooth enamel, thus, the fluorapatite produced by the invention can be combined with the natural enamel directly, so as to repair enamel defects caused by caries, especially severe enamel defects (deep caries).

Abstract: Therapies and assays to screen for small molecules that can have therapeutic use in the control of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and other alpha-synucleinopathies.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for suppressing the growth of oral squamous-cell carcinoma cells. The methods include introducing at least one gene selected from miR-137 or miR-193a into oral squamous-cell carcinoma cells.

Abstract: In a method for visualizing an object under conditions of low ambient light, the object to be visualized is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than what can normally be seen by the naked eye. Light reflected from the object is then perceived with an enhanced eye. The enhanced eye contains an up-conversion material optically coupled to the photoreceptors. Up-conversion materials absorb in the infrared and luminesce in the visible. Particles containing such materials are delivered to the eye where they are optically coupled to the retina or photoreceptor cells and nearby tissues. There they provide in-situ up-conversion of infrared frequencies (from about 700 to about 11,000 nm) to the otherwise unaided eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition made from Clerodendrum for treating tic disorder or sensorimotor gating deficits, wherein the composition is particularly made from the leaves of the plant.

Abstract: A general model is provided which provides collective factorization on related matrices, for multi-type relational data clustering. The model is applicable to relational data with various structures. Under this model, a spectral relational clustering algorithm is provided to cluster multiple types of interrelated data objects simultaneously. The algorithm iteratively embeds each type of data objects into low dimensional spaces and benefits from the interactions among the hidden structures of different types of data objects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding attenuated, non-functional virion infectivity factor (vif) proteins. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention are inserted into recombinant expression vectors and administered to mammals in order to induce a cellular and humoral immune response to the encoded protein product.