Abstract: A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst, in particular, a sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst capable of lowering the temperature required when producing hydrogen by an S—I cycle process is disclosed. A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst that includes a composite oxide of tungsten, vanadium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metal and rare earth elements is provided. Also, a sulfur dioxide production process that includes decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by using the sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst above is provided. Furthermore, a hydrogen production process, wherein the reaction of decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by an S—I cycle process is performed by the above-described sulfur dioxide production process is provided.

Abstract: A method for making a cathode composite material of a lithium ion battery is disclosed. In the method, a composite precursor is formed. The composite precursor includes a cathode active material precursor and a coating layer precursor coated on a surface of the cathode active material precursor. The composite precursor is reacted with a lithium source chemical compound, to lithiate both the cathode active material precursor and the coating layer precursor in the composite precursor.

Abstract: A method for making a biomaterial comprising providing at least one polypeptide fraction chymotryptically isolated and extracted from fibroin, and adding the at least one extracted polypeptide fraction to a hydrogel precursor before gelling, wherein the at least one isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction is selected from a soluble fraction Cs, and a precipitated fraction Cp. A biomaterial comprising at least one of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fractions incorporated in a hydrogel or a hydrogel precursor. Use of the biomaterial for constructing, regenerating, repairing, replacing or augmenting soft or hard tissue; as an in vitro or in vivo construct; as a coating material; or as a cell, molecule or particle delivery medium. Use of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction Cs for promoting osteoinduction, osteoconduction or osteogenesis. Use of the isolated and extracted polypeptide fraction Cp for enhancing a mechanical compressive modulus of a material into which it is incorporated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical or veterinary compositions, vaccine systems, methods, and kits for treating or protecting a subject from a condition using peptide-based adjuvants are provided. The peptide adjuvants comprise a peptide having a hydrophobic region, a turning region, and a hydrophilic region. The turning region comprises amino acid residues GSII (SEQ ID NO: 10). The peptide adjuvants can be used to immunopotentiate active agents by improving the immune response to the active agent.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device operable to isolate target cells from a biological fluid comprises: an inlet operable to receive the biological fluid, the biological fluid comprising target cells and other components; a waste outlet operable to receive at least the other components of the biological fluid; a plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells coupling the inlet with the waste outlet, each parallel array of cell isolation wells supporting a flow of the biological fluid from the inlet to the waste outlet in response to a pressure differential thereacross, each array of cell isolation wells comprising a plurality isolation wells, each isolation well being dimensioned to mechanically trap the target cells therein whilst permitting flow of other components of the biological fluid; and at least one pressure maintenance structure operable to assist in maintaining a predetermined pressure differential across each of the plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells.

Abstract: Small molecule inhibitors of XBP1 splicing by IRE1 are provided, as well as methods for their use in treating or preventing cancer (e.g., endocrine resistant breast cancer), diabetes, and obesity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a frequency multiplier apparatus. The frequency multiplier apparatus includes an injection-locked frequency multiplier and a frequency-to-control signal converter. The injection-locked frequency multiplier outputs an output signal having a first frequency in response to an input signal having a first basic frequency. The frequency-to-control signal converter provides a first control signal to the injection-locked frequency multiplier in response to the input signal. The injection-locked frequency multiplier adjusts the first frequency to a second frequency in response to a change of the first control signal when the first basic frequency is changed to a second basic frequency.

Abstract: A thermal energy harvesting device includes a rotatable shaft and a shape memory alloy element secured to rotatable shaft. The shape memory alloy element is adapted to undergo a shape memory effect upon reaching a transition temperature, which causes rotation of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft may be operatively connected to a generator or tachometer to convert the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy, which may then be stored in a rechargeable battery. In certain embodiments a gear box may be provided to increase the speed of rotation, and thereby increase the amount of electrical energy created.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for determining the optimal number of hops when transmitting information over a relay network. To this end, the present invention provides a method for determining a communication path through which at least one of a source node, a destination node, and at least one relay node between the source node and the destination node transmits information between the source node and the destination node in a relay network, the method comprising determining the optimal number of hops taking into account an interference signal and a noise signal in each relay node existing on a plurality of communication paths connectable between the source node and the destination node; and determining one communication path satisfying the determined optimal number of hops from among the plurality of communication paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adult stem cell line introduced with an HGF gene and a neurogenic transcription factor gene of a bHLH family, a preparation method of the adult stem cell line, a composition for the prevention or treatment of neurological diseases comprising the adult stem cell line, and a method for treating neurological diseases comprising the step of administering the composition to a subject having neurological diseases or suspected of having neurological diseases. The adult stem cells according to the present invention, which are introduced with an HGF gene and a neurogenic transcription factor gene of a bHLH family, can be used to overcome chronic impairment caused by cell death following stroke.

Abstract: A communication device includes a system circuit board, a ground plane, a first antenna, a second antenna, a first metal element, and a second metal element. The ground plane is disposed on the system circuit board. The first metal element is substantially located between the first antenna and the second antenna. The first metal element is coupled to the ground plane such that a system ground plane is formed. The second metal element is adjacent to the first metal element and substantially located between the first antenna and the second antenna. The second metal element is coupled to the system ground plane. The first antenna, the second antenna, and the first metal element are substantially located at an edge of the system circuit board.

Abstract: Provided herein, is a means for development of ferrochelatase variants with improved tolerance towards N-methyl protoporphyrin. Also disclosed are cell assay systems utilizing the variants, as the variants would confer resistance to N-methyl protoporphyrin inhibition and thereby keep heme synthesis uninterrupted. The variants contain loop mutations that affect the NMPP-ferrochelatase interaction, and different degrees of NMPP tolerance are obtained with the introduction of loop mutations in wild-type ferrochelatase. Also disclosed is kinetic mechanism of inhibition of ferrochelatase by NMPP, using the disclosed variants whose mutations in the “porphyrin-interacting loop” motif weakened the potency of NMPP as an inhibitor.

Abstract: A radio frequency digital receiver system and method is described in which the radio frequency digital receiver system uses a discrete Fourier transform where detection decisions are made based on a spectral estimate. The spectral estimate is formed from an output of the, in which the spectral estimate is improved by enabling spatially variant apodization (SVA) such that the detection ability of the RF digital receiver is improved. In a further embodiment, the SVA is optimised for use with Digital Signal Processing.

Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate, a gate electrode on the substrate, a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode on the semiconductor layer and facing each other, a floating metal layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a passivation layer covering the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the floating metal layer. The floating metal layer is electrically floating.

Abstract: Methods and a module for use with a microscope for enhancing image contrast in an image of a phase object. A transmission image of a specimen is formed in an image plane, of which a Fourier transform is generated in a Fourier plane. An amplitude filter is applied to the Fourier transform field, which is then transformed back to an image at a focal plane of a detector array. An image signal from the detector array is processed to generate a contrast-enhanced image of the specimen.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating or preventing a disease, disorder or condition associated with an Nrf2-regulated pathway, including those associated with an autoimmune disease, comorbidity associated with diabetes, such as retinopathy and nephropathy, bone marrow transplant for leukemia and related cancers, bone marrow deficiencies, inborn errors of metabolism, and other immune disorders, oxidative stress, respiratory infection, ischemia, neurodegenerative disorders, radiation injury, neutropenia caused by chemotherapy, autoimmunity, and congenital neutropenic disorders, and for restoring a corticosteroid responsiveness, in a subject are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hairpin probe for detecting a target pathogenic microorganism in a sample. The hairpin probe includes a microbead and an oligonucleotide having its 3?-end coupled to the microbead. The oligonucleotide includes, from 5? to 3?, a Tag sequence hybridizable to a specific identification sequence of the pathogenic microorganism, an internal control sequence having at least four words each having 4 nucleotides with a 75% AT-content, an anti-Tag sequence being a reverse complement of the Tag sequence, and a tail having at least two consecutive thymidine residues. The Tag and anti-Tag sequences are operable to form a stem of the hairpin probe with the internal control sequence being a loop. Also disclosed herein are, a kit including the hairpin probe and a method for using the kit in the detection of a target pathogenic microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for detecting and resolving Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) comprising: requesting a server device by a client device for the APIs supported by the server; and responding by the server with a list containing the identifiers of the APIs supported by the server, wherein each of the identifiers contains the network address from which the corresponding API definition document can be obtained. The proposed mechanism provides a systematic way to establish the consensus on API definitions between a client and a server even if the client, the server, and the API definitions are each developed by a different party. Therefore, this invention allows independently developed devices to be easily integrated into a system, in which a client device can automatically and correctly determine the APIs for communicating with a server device at runtime.