Abstract: A method for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging may be provided. The method may comprise steps of performing sampling on an object at N diffusion weighted directions to acquire undersampled but complementary k-space data, combining the complementary data from different directions to obtain a full sampled k-space data, performing initial reconstruction based on common information among images at the N diffusion weighted directions, and performing joint iterative regularized reconstruction to k-space data in all diffusion weighted directions based on the initial images to obtain the desired final images. Due to the utilization of common information at the N diffusion weighted directions, the acquisition efficiency may be enhanced and image resolution and SNR of acquired images may be improved accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a vaccine which as yet has not been provided for the disease HHV-6B, which is the cause of exanthema subitum in infants, and the problem of providing an effective screening method for other therapeutic drugs. The above-mentioned problems are solved by providing an epitope specific to HHV-6B, of the amino acid sequence (QALCEGGHVFYNP) represented by positions 484 to 496 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a modified sequence thereof, wherein the epitope either has a sequence comprising at least five consecutive amino acids including at least E, or a sequence that preserves the 487th C and 489th G when E is changed to Q.

Abstract: A checkpointing method for creating a file representing a restorable state of a virtual machine in a computing system, comprising identifying processes executing within the virtual machine that may store confidential data, and marking memory pages and files that potentially contain data stored by the identified processes; or providing an application programming interface for marking memory regions and files within the virtual machine that contain confidential data stored by processes; and creating a checkpoint file, by capturing memory pages and files representing a current state of the computing system, which excludes information from all of the marked memory pages and files.

Abstract: A nanosheet comprises a single crystal mixed metal oxide M1xM2yO2 material composition that may comprise a single crystal NaxCoO2 material composition. The nanosheet may be prepared using a sequential process sequence that includes chelated mixed metal ion sol-gel mixture formation, autocombustion, isostatic pressing, electro kinetic demixing and calcination. This particular process sequence provides single crystal nanosheets having in-plane mutually perpendicular lateral sheet dimensions greater than about 10 microns by about 200 microns, and a thickness from about 5 to about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A bio-nano-chip (BNC) technology that works in connection with non-invasive samples, such as saliva, cheek swab or urine samples that can be easily performed by non-specialists, such as security personnel and police officers is disclosed. The microfluidic system for drug testing includes an analyzer or reader having a housing containing a slot for receiving a cartridge, a drug testing cartridge, a processor having a user interface, an optical or energy sensing means, and a means for moving fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting mitochondria alterations, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a separation element and a sample; (B) mixing the separation element and the sample, wherein a detecting sample is obtained through the binding of a DNA fragment on the separation element to mitochondrial DNA in the sample; (C) dividing the detecting sample into a comparison group and a detection group; (D) adding an amplification solution into the comparison group and the detection group respectively to begin a DNA amplified reaction, and further adding a restriction enzyme into the detection group, wherein the amplification solution comprises a labeling reagent and a primer pair; and (E) detecting amounts of the labeling reagent in the comparison group and the detection group respectively after the DNA amplified reaction.

Abstract: A light emitting diode including a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is connected to the substrate. The active layer and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the second surface in that order, and a surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer is configured as the light emitting surface. A first electrode electrically is connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. A number of first three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor layer. A number of second three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the substrate, and a cross section of each of the three-dimensional nano-structures is M-shaped.

Abstract: A system and method extract a plurality of three dimensional identification minutiae from a three dimensional image of a biometric identification feature. The extracted three dimensional identification minutiae from the three dimensional image may be compared to one or more sets of three dimensional identification minutiae to determine an identification and/or confirm an identification. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method extract three dimensional identification minutiae from a three dimensional image of a fingerprint, and compare the extracted three dimensional identification minutiae from the fingerprint to one or more sets of three dimensional identification minutiae associated with previously classified fingerprints to determine and/or confirm an identification.

Abstract: A non-adherent cell support for use as a substrate in fluidic chambers used for cell culturing and assays. The non-adherent cell support allows for the formation of sphere cultures from single cells, which can better mimic primary tumor-like behavior in the study of cancer stem cells. The non-adherent cell support can allow for adhesive culturing and may include a hydrophobic substrate having a lower body and a raised support structure extending upwardly from an upper surface of the body. The support structure comprises one or more vertically extending support members that extend from a proximal portion at the upper surface of the body to a distal end spaced from the upper surface of the body. The support structure may be formed from a biocompatible material such as poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, or a polyethylene glycol diacrylate-based hydrogel.

Abstract: A system for routing data along a path that is both efficient and secure is provided. A performance and vulnerability routing system selects a path for routing using a joint metric for a link in a network of nodes. The system calculates the joint metric based on a combination of a performance metric and a vulnerability metric of a link. The performance metric for a link indicates the cost of transmitting data over the link, and the vulnerability metric for the link indicates the security of data that is transmitted over the link. The system combines the performance metric and the vulnerability metric to generate the joint metric, which indicates a joint cost of transmitting data. The system then selects paths for transmitting data that tend to minimize the sum of the joint costs of the links along the paths.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, inter alia, a method of producing an outer layer material for forming into a structure and that comprises an entanglement having a hydrophobic polymer host and a hydrophilic guest, including in one embodiment the steps of: intermingling cloaked hydrophilic guest complexes with the hydrophobic host; crosslinking molecules of the guest with the guest; and performing a hydrolysis reaction.

Abstract: A method and kit for measuring a concentration of an antibiotic are provided. The method of measuring a concentration of an antibiotic includes preparing magnetic particles bound to an antibiotic, preparing silica-coated fluorescent particles to which at least one antibody of the antibiotic is bound, allowing the magnetic particles to react with the silica-coated fluorescent particles, and irradiating the reacted silica-coated fluorescent particles with laser beams.

Abstract: A method for using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat neurological structures to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. Depending on the dosage of HIFU applied, it can have a reversible or irreversible effect on neural structures. For example, a relatively high dose of HIFU can be used to permanently block nerve function, to provide a non-invasive alternative to severing a nerve to treat severe spasticity. Relatively lower doses of HIFU can be used to reversibly block nerve function, to alleviate pain, to achieve an anesthetic effect, or to achieve a cosmetic effect. Where sensory nerves are not necessary for voluntary function, but are involved in pain associated with tumors or bone cancer, HIFU can be used to non-invasively destroy such sensory nerves to alleviate pain without drugs. Preferably, ultrasound imaging synchronized to the HIFU therapy is used to provide real-time ultrasound image guided HIFU therapy of neural structures.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network for musical instruments is provided that will allow a musician to communicate natural performance gestures (orientation, pressure, tilt, etc) to a computer. User interfaces and computing modules are also provided that enable a user to utilize the data communicated by the wireless sensor network to supplement and/or augment the artistic expression.

Abstract: A method of hybrid stacked Chip for a solar cell onto which semiconductor layers of different materials is provided by stacking tunnel layer and bumps in order to solve the problem of lattices mismatch between the layers for further increasing of the efficiency of solar cell. Electric charges (i.e., current) generated by respective solar cells can be outputted by means of contacts. Further total power P is defined by a summation of powers of respective solar cells, i.e., V1I1+V2I2+ . . . VnIn. This is a great increase in comparison with the power of conventional solar cells connected in series.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for self-alignment and assembly of objects with micron-level and/or nanometer-level alignment accuracy. Mating alignment features spanning multiple length scales are disposed at surfaces of objects to be brought into contact. When the objects are pressed together, the alignment features guide alignment of the objects with respect to each other. The alignment features may provide retaining forces to hold the objects together. Micron-level and nanometer-level alignment accuracies may be achieved over large surface areas.

Abstract: A memory system, a fully parallel encoding method, and a fully parallel decoding method are disclosed. The encoding method utilizes a plurality of minimal polynomials that constitute a generator polynomial to derive a plurality of roots from the minimal polynomials. A first encoding matrix derived according to the roots of the minimal polynomials is subsequently decomposed to derive a second encoding matrix, in which partial elements of the second encoding matrix are common in those of a parity check matrix of the decoder, such that the encoder and the decoder can efficiently share the same hardware. In addition, the decoding method defines a new error locator polynomial and utilizes a cubic matrix operation to respectively combine the equations, which reduces the hardware required by the fully parallel architecture.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, e.g., post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis) and protection from neuron cell death.

Abstract: As detailed herein, a biocompatible apparatus comprises a porous material comprising ceramic nanotubes bound together with a filler material. The proportion of the filler material may be selected to provide porosity for the porous material that is biocompatible, and the porous material may be shaped to provide a compliant biomedical device. In one embodiment, the compliant biomedical device is a stent such as intravascular stent. A method for fabricating a biocompatible device is also described herein. The method may include growing ceramic nanotubes on a substrate, infiltrating the ceramic nanotubes with a filler material to provide a porous material having a porosity that is biocompatible, and removing the porous material from the substrate to provide a biocompatible ceramic device. The method may also include coating the biocompatible ceramic device with a drug-eluting material.

Abstract: A solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes a substrate; a back electrode layer on the substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a first buffer layer including CdS on the light absorbing layer; a second buffer layer including Zn on the first buffer layer; and a window layer on the second buffer layer.