Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) technique of a multihop sensor network. In the multihop sensor network, the MAC technique may contribute to significantly reducing transmission delay, and allow real-time services to be provided to all nodes by extending a guaranteed time slot (GTS) restricted to one hop in a personal area network (PAN) coordinator (PNC) to all nodes. Furthermore, the MAC technique may allow the number of available GTSs to be significantly increased, by using all 16 frequency band channels instead of using only a single frequency band and setting a multi-superframe.

Abstract: A hydrogel for delayed release of an anionic macromolecule, wherein the hydrogel comprises the anionic macromolecule, 150 mM NaCl, and a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:33 in an aqueous medium at a pH of 7.4; wherein the anionic macromolecule has an isoelectric point of at most 6.8; and wherein the hydrogel is capable of retaining at least 25% of the anionic macromolecule after 28-day extraction at 37° C. with a pH=7.4 BTP buffer containing 150 mM NaCl.

Abstract: A self-stabilized, levitating MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) resonator is provided for detection of magnetic resonance spectra of electrons and nuclei in magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) measurements. The present MRFM system includes a levitating micro-disk having electrically-controlled force sensitivity. To achieve imaging on the scale of a single nuclear spin, the force sensitivity of the measurement must be on the order of 1 aN (atto-Newton) or less. For about a 1 aN force to produce deflections comparable to an angstrom for interferometer detection, the stiffness or spring constant (k) of the resonator will typically be less than 1 ?N/m (micro-Newtons per meter). Since the resonator is to be driven with an oscillating force at its resonance, there is a quality-factor (Q) enhancement of the amplitude of the motion. As a result, the k/Q ratio is preferably less than 1×10?8 N/m and is achievable with the contemplated levitating micro-disk resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of extracting a hydrocarbon-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on the use of an extraction fluid comprising pentane for facilitating the production of a mobile hydrocarbon-based product when the pentane contacts hydrocarbons in subsurface shale. The contacting process, and the subsequent process of recovering the mobile hydrocarbon-based product, is further enhanced by the methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of the shale formation, so as to enhance their fluid permeability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radiolabelled compounds particularly 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane compounds (i.e., quinuclidine compounds) which are labeled with one or more radioisotopes and which are suitable for imaging or therapeutic treatment of tissues, organs, or tumors which express the ?7-nicotinic cholinergic receptor. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods of imaging tissues, organs, or tumors using radiolabeled compounds of the invention, particularly tissues, organs, or tumors which express ?7-nicotinic cholinergic receptor to which the compounds of the invention have an affinity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis polypeptides and nucleotides. The polypeptides include an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ. ID. NO. 110; SEQ. ID. NO. 111; SEQ. ID. NO. 112; SEQ. ID. NO. 113; SEQ ID NO: 120; SEQ. ID. NO. 123; SEQ. ID. NO. 124; SEQ. ID. NO. 125; SEQ. ID. NO. 130; SEQ. ID. NO. 131; SEQ. ID. NO. 132; SEQ. ID. NO. 133; SEQ. ID. NO.135; SEQ. ID. NO. 136; SEQ. ID. NO. 137; SEQ. ID. NO. 138; SEQ. ID. NO. 143; SEQ. ID. NO. 144; SEQ. ID. NO. 145; SEQ. ID. NO. 146; SEQ. ID. NO. 147; SEQ. ID. NO. 148; and amino acid sequences at least 95% identical thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use of inhibitors of leukotriene B4 receptor BLT2 for treating asthma. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating asthma comprising BLT2 inhibitors and a method for treating asthma using BLT2 inhibitors. The present inventors investigated the role of BLT2 in the pathogenesis of asthma using a murine model and demonstrated that BLT2 plays a critical role in the development of AHR and airway inflammation by employing BLT2 inhibitors, such as antisense oligonucleotide. Therefore, the BLT 2 inhibitors according to the present invention can be effectively used as a therapeutic composition for treating asthma.

Abstract: A method and device for receiving, storing, and viewing digital content, the method and device configured to receive and store a first content and a second content, associate the second content with the first content, and play the first content and the second content.

Abstract: A novel aromatic polyamide compound, a polymerization method thereof, and an optical film for use in a flexible display substrate produced using the same are disclosed. The aromatic polyamide compound is a copolymer comprising a repeating unit of a para-substituted aromatic diamine and a repeating unit of a meta- or meta-para-substituted aromatic diamine. The aromatic polyamide compound is colorless and transparent, excellent in heat resistance, and excellent in processability such as the compound being easily dissolved in a polar organic solvent without the addition of an inorganic salt. Therefore, the aromatic polyamide compound is suitable for producing the optical film for use in a display substrate.

Abstract: Nanoscale graphene structure fabrication techniques are provided. An oxide nanowire useful as a mask is formed on a graphene layer and then ion beam etching is performed. A nanoscale graphene structure is fabricated by removing a remaining oxide nanowire after the ion beam etching.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital halftoning method. The method comprises steps of: (a1) dividing an original image into non-overlapping blocks; (a2) obtaining a Least-Mean-Square trained (LMS-trained) filter by comparing at least a training image and a halftone result corresponding to the training image (a3) optimizing a class matrix with the LMS-trained filter, which involves the diffused area and the diffused weightings; and (a4) processing the non-overlapping blocks by performing a dot diffusion procedure with the optimized class matrix and the diffused weightings to generate a halftone image corresponding to the original image. A detailed class matrix optimizing method as in the above-mentioned step (a3) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites includes a plurality of carbons with a molecular structure that shows a first peak in the range of 1585 to 1565 cm?1 in a corresponding Raman spectrum, and a second peak in the range of 1325 to 1355 cm?1 in the corresponding Raman spectrum, wherein the first peak represents carbons with a graphitic nature and the second peak represents nanodiamonds, and wherein the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites is made from a metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form that is subjected to microwave radiation at a frequency in the range of 900 MHz to 5.8 GHz, for a period of time effective to allow the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites to be formed.

Abstract: A wiring structure of a semiconductor device or the like includes an interlayer insulating film having a fluorocarbon film formed on an underlayer, and a conductor buried in the interlayer insulating film. The fluorocarbon film contains nitrogen and is low in dielectric constant, excellent in reproducibility and stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of array imaging that extends or maximizes the longevity of the sensor array by minimizing the effects of photobleaching. The imaging system has a light source, a variable exposure aperture, and a variable filter system. The system extends the longevity of sensors by (1) using the variable exposure aperture to selectively expose sections of the sensor array containing representative numbers of each type of sensor, and/or (2) using the variable filter system to control the intensity of the excitation light, providing only the intensity required to induce the appropriate excitation and increasing that intensity over time as necessary to counteract the effects of photobleaching.

Abstract: Computer implemented machine learning methods are described. A co-operative learning method involves a first rule based system and a second rule based system. A rule base is generated from input data and recursion data is used to recursively update the rule base as a result of newly received input data. Rule data defining at least one rule and associated data are sent to the second system which determines whether to update its rule base using the transmitted rule data, and if so the recursion data is used to recursively determine the updated rules for its rule base. A father machine learning method for a rule based system, involves receiving time series data, determining whether the data increases or decreases the spatial density for previously existing rules, and if so then creating a new cluster and associated rule, otherwise a new cluster is not created.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a time- and energy-saving paste-state mechanochemical process to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. Our nanoparticles are small, have abundant surface hydroxyl groups and exhibit excellent UV blocking characteristics. One embodiment involves a process for preparing zinc oxide nanoparticles comprising grinding, milling, or a combination thereof a mixture comprising (a) at least one zinc salt, (b) at least one additional inorganic salt, and (c) at least one alkali hydroxide compound.

Abstract: Techniques for manufacturing a graphene structure solution and a graphene device are provided. A uniform graphene nanostructure solution is produced by applying anisotropic etching on a multi-layered graphene using an oxide nanowire as a mask. A graphene device is manufactured by dipping a substrate with a pattern of a molecule layer in a graphene nanostructure solution so that graphenes are aligned on the substrate with the pattern.

Abstract: A cascaded photovoltaic/thermophotovoltaic energy conversion apparatus, a cascaded thermophotovoltaic energy conversion apparatus, and a method for forming the apparatuses are provided. The cascaded photovoltaic/thermophotovoltauc apparatus includes a photovoltaic device that receives solar radiation on an upper surface thereof and produces a first electric current output and a thermal radiation output, and a thermophotovoltaic device disposed a predetermined distance below a lower surface of the photovoltaic device, the thermophotovoltaic device receiving the thermal radiation output and converting the received thermal radiation output into a second electric current output.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition is particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Changes in the volume of residual limbs on which prosthetic sockets are worn can be measured based on bioimpedance measurements along one or more segments of the limb. A current at an appropriate frequency (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) is injected at two current electrodes that contact the skin of the residual limb. The voltage at the voltage electrodes disposed between the current electrodes is measured and using an appropriate model, the change in the segmented volume of the limb can be determined during periods of different activity and at different times during the day. This information can be used for assessing the fit of the socket and can also provide a feedback signal for automatically controlling volume management devices, to ensure a more comfortable fit when the volume of the limb is changing.