Abstract: A method of using a fluidic device includes providing a fluidic chip having a plurality of surface energy traps; depositing at least one fluid droplet on the fluidic chip, the fluid droplet including magnetic particles suspended therein; and moving at least a portion of the at least one fluid droplet across a surface of the fluidic chip by altering a magnetic interaction applied to the magnetic particles such that the at least one fluid droplet interacts with at least one of the plurality of surface energy traps.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pilot pattern for data to be transmitted in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based communication system, having a for allocating pilot symbols for a plurality of data streams to form a plurality of pilot clusters in the pilot pattern, wherein each of the pilot clusters includes ones of the pilot symbols, the ones of the pilot symbols being for respectively different ones of the data streams. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for moving at least one of the pilot clusters from a first location in the resource block to a second location in the resource block to generate a second pilot pattern, the first and second locations being symmetrical in time, and a mechanism for generating a third pilot pattern based on the first and second pilot patterns.

Abstract: An illumination module including a light emitting element, a wavelength conversion unit, a control unit, and a determining unit is provided. The light emitting element is capable of emitting an excitation light beam. The wavelength conversion unit is disposed on a transmission path of the excitation light beam for converting the excitation light beam into a color light beam. The control unit is connected to the wavelength conversion unit and capable of driving the wavelength conversion unit to rotate and to shift relative to the excitation light beam. The determining unit is electrically connected to the control unit. When the determining unit determines that a shifting condition is satisfied, the determining unit instructs the control unit to shift the wavelength conversion unit relative to the excitation light beam, so as to change the irradiation position of the excitation light beam on the wavelength conversion unit.

Abstract: A system for producing microbeads includes a microfluidic device defining a supply channel and a shearing channel, a microbead precursor material disposed in the supply channel, a carrier fluid disposed in the shearing channel, and a pressure distribution system fluidly connected to each of the supply channel and the shearing channel to control at least relative pressures of the microbead precursor material and the carrier fluid. The supply channel includes a check valve adapted to be subjected to a bias pressure that is sufficient to close the check valve to flow of microbead precursor material when a supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is below a threshold pressure and is open to flow of the microbead precursor material when the supply pressure of the microbead precursor material is greater than the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A method for generating a pilot pattern for data to be transmitted in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based communication system includes: allocating pilot symbols for a plurality of data streams to form a plurality of pilot clusters in the pilot pattern, wherein each of the pilot clusters includes ones of the pilot symbols, the ones of the pilot symbols being for respectively different ones of the data streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and more particularly to a band-pass structure electrostatic discharge protection circuit. An ESD protection circuit is disposed at the input of a radio frequency (RF) core circuit. The ESD protection circuit comprises a plurality of diodes and inductors constructing a plurality of discharging paths, wherein the diodes and inductors forms a band-pass filter structure. Such that, the RF core circuit with the ESD protection circuit of the present invention feature much higher ESD robustness and better RF performance than the conventional design.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge for biochemical assays includes a cartridge body defining a first droplet region and a second droplet region with a droplet restraining barrier therebetween. The droplet restraining barrier has a gap between the first and the second droplet regions. The fluidic cartridge also includes a first droplet dispensed in the first droplet region. The first droplet includes a plurality of magnetic particles dispersed therein. The fluidic cartridge also includes a second droplet disposed in the second droplet region. The plurality of magnetic particles are sufficiently small to be drawn through the gap between the first and second droplet regions when compelled by an applied magnetic field, and the first droplet is restrained by the restraining barrier while the plurality of magnetic particles are drawn through the gap. A biochemical assay system includes a stage adapted to receive a fluidic cartridge, and a magnetic control assembly that includes a magnet.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle has a front frame, a main frame, a rear frame and a driving device. The front frame has a front fork device with a front fork and a front wheel rotatably connected to the front fork. The main frame is connected to the front frame and has a front arm, a connecting device and a rear arm. The front arm has a front pivot rod. The connecting device is pivotally connected to the front arm. The rear arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device and has a rear pivot rod. The rear frame is rotatably connected to the main frame and has a rear fork device with a rear fork and a rear wheel rotatably connected to the rear fork. The driving device is mounted on the main frame to drive the rear wheel to rotate relative to the main frame and the front frame.

Abstract: A method for pilot design for data to be transmitted by an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based communication system, the data being represented by a plurality of OFDM symbols. The method includes allocating pilot symbols for a data stream to be included in ones of the OFDM symbols; and performing a frequency shift on at least one of the OFDM symbols, to reduce frequency distance disparities among the pilot symbols.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device has a container filled with two concentric squeezeable tubes that has two concentric threaded outlets. The two threaded outlets are secured to an internal cap that has fluid passages for both outlets and external threaded sections for engaging the inner shell and an outer shell. The internal cap also has two barrier members on its outer walls that engage with the inner shell's sliders that releasably engage the inner shell in its open or closed positions. The inner shell threadingly engages a conduit unit that when lowered closes the fluid passages with projecting stubs and when raised opens those passages to allow dispensation from the container. The external cap has internal splines that engages the internal cap's external grooves. When the external cap is removed, the internal cap is rotated which in turn rotates and raises the conduit unit which opens the valves.

Abstract: A storage virtualization computer system. The storage virtualization computer system comprises a host entity for issuing an IO request, a storage virtualization controller coupled to the host entity for executing IO operations in response to the IO request, and a at least one physical storage device, each coupled to the storage virtualization controller through a point-to-point serial-signal interconnect, for providing storage to the storage virtualization computer system through the storage virtualization controller. As an example, the point-to-point serial-signal interconnect can be a Serial ATA IO device interconnect.

Abstract: A subcarrier allocation method for use by a transmitter, the transmitter being configured to, when transmitting first and second data streams, allocate pilot symbols for the first and second data streams to subcarriers, such that a first plurality of subcarriers carry the pilot symbols for the first data stream and a second plurality of subcarriers carry the pilot symbols for the second data stream. The method includes allocating, when the transmitter transmits the first data stream but does not transmit the second data stream, the second plurality of subcarriers to carry no formation or information relating to the first data stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and more particularly to a low parasitic capacitance electrostatic discharge protection circuit. An ESD protection circuit is established with the structure in accordance with the present invention comprising a plurality of discharging paths. The ESD protection circuit is connected to the input/output pad of a radio frequency (RF) core circuit. Such that, the RF core circuit with the ESD protection circuit of the present invention feature much higher ESD robustness. And the parasitic capacitance of the ESD protection is reduced because of the structure of the present invention.

Abstract: A storage virtualization computer system. The storage virtualization computer system comprises a host entity for issuing an IO request, a storage virtualization controller coupled to the host entity for executing IO operations in response to the IO request, and a at least one physical storage device, each coupled to the storage virtualization controller through a point-to-point serial-signal interconnect, for providing storage to the storage virtualization computer system through the storage virtualization controller. As an example, the point-to-point serial-signal interconnect can be a Serial ATA IO device interconnect.

Abstract: A cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy system has a fluidic device having a fluid channel defined therein, an objective lens unit arranged proximate the fluidic device, an illumination system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to provide light to illuminate a sample through the objective lens unit, and a detection system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to receive at least a portion of light that passes through the objective lens unit from the sample. The illumination system includes a beam-shaping lens unit constructed and arranged to provide a substantially planar illumination beam that subtends across, and is longer than, a lateral dimension of the fluid channel.

Abstract: A plug device with a changeable adapter has a base and an adapter. The base has a transformer circuit and a first connecting component. The adapter is detachably mounted on the base and has two prongs and a second connecting component selectively connected to the first connecting component of the base. When a user goes on a trip abroad, the user is capable of replacing the adapter to fit sockets of a specific country and to supply electrical power to electronic devices that the user carries along.

Abstract: Methods for determining the likelihood of colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence in a subject that involve measuring the expression level of two or more micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in a biological sample comprising CRC tumor cells from said subject and using the normalized, measured expression levels to determine the likelihood of colorectal cancer recurrence for said subject. In the methods, the normalized expression levels of specific miRNAs are weighted by their contribution to CRC recurrence to calculate the likelihood of CRC recurrence. Kits for measuring the expression level of specific miRNAs that can be used in determining the likelihood of CRC recurrence are also provided.

Abstract: A method for removing ICI for a received symbol is provided. Firstly, a transmitted symbol is received via a wireless channel within a symbol time so as to obtain the received symbol. The transmitted symbol includes P identical original partial data, wherein P is a positive integer larger than 1. The received symbol includes P received partial data corresponding to the original partial data, respectively. Next, on a time domain at least two of the P received partial data are copied so as to obtain at least two copied partial data. Each copied partial data includes P copies of its corresponding received partial data. After that, an estimated ICI of the time domain is determined according to the product of a predetermined constant array and the difference between the copied partial data. Afterwards, the estimated ICI is subtracted from the received symbol so as to obtain an output symbol.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule of interest in a sample comprising cell-free nucleic acids, comprising fluorescently labeling the nucleic acid molecule of interest, by specifically binding a fluorescently labeled nanosensor or probe to the nucleic acid of interest, or by enzymatically incorporating a fluorescent probe or dye into the nucleic acid of interest, illuminating the fluorescently labeled nucleic acid molecule, causing it to emit fluorescent light, and measuring the level of fluorescence by single molecule spectroscopy, wherein the detection of a fluorescent signal is indicative of the presence of the nucleic acid of interest in the sample.

Abstract: An estimation method is provided for use in a receiver of an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) system to estimate the ICI (inter-carrier interference) and the noise power of a channel. Two pilot signals respectively carried by two subcarriers are received from the channel wherein the two pilot signals are adjacent and differ by a first phase angle. Another two pilot signals respectively carried by another two subcarrier are received from the channel wherein the another two pilot signals are adjacent and differ by a second phase angle. According to some embodiments of the invention, these phases are correlated with the ICI power, but are uncorrelated with the noise power. The estimation method then individually estimates the ICI power and noise power according to the first phase and the second phase.