Abstract: Methods to produce structures containing ultrafine fibers with average diameters from 10 nm to 10 ?m and more preferably from 50 nm to 5 ?m, have been developed. These methods produce ultrafine fibers without substantial loss of the polymer's weight average molecular weight. The ultrafine electrospun fibers have an unexpectedly higher degree of molecular orientation, and higher melt temperature than fibers derived by dry spinning. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer comprises 4-hydroxybutyrate. The ultrafine fibers are preferably derived by electrospinning. A solution of the polymer is dissolved in a solvent, pumped through a spinneret, subjected to an electric field, and ultrafine fibers with a high degree of molecular orientation are collected. These structures of ultrafine fibers can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: Compositions of P4HB with high purity have been developed. The compositions are prepared by washing P4HB biomass prior to solvent extraction, and precipitating P4HB from solution. The same solvent is preferably used to wash the P4HB biomass, and as a non-solvent to precipitate the polymer from a P4HB solvent solution. The highly pure P4HB compositions are suitable for preparing implants. The implants may be used for the repair of soft and hard tissues.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers having one or more aliphatic polyester groups or blocks. For example, the aliphatic polyester groups or blocks can be derived from a caprolactone such as, for example, ?-caprolactone. The polymers and copolymers can have desirable properties such as, for example, improved solubility and improved thermal properties.

Abstract: Methods for making P4HB polymers and copolymers thereof that are useful for preparing controlled release systems, medical devices and as intermediates in chemical synthesis, have been developed. These methods avoid the use of organic solvents, and basic conditions that can cause transesterification reactions with polymer terminal end groups or elimination reactions. A preferred embodiment is a method for producing polymers of P4HB with weight average molecular weight less than 250,000, and more preferably, less than 100,000, and a Pd of less than 3, which are useful in controlled release. A particularly preferred embodiment utilizes aqueous acetic acid to hydrolyze pellets of P4HB polymers and copolymers while in suspension.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a channel changing method, apparatus, and system. A network side device records in real time a timestamp of a media packet of a multicast media stream which enters a buffer, and a key frame which enters the buffer; when a terminal's channel changing request has been detected, obtains a first timestamp of a media packet which enters the buffer at a channel changing request moment, and a second timestamp of a media packet in which a key frame which is of the target channel and is the last to enter the buffer is located in the media packet; determines a timestamp difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp; and transmits the timestamp difference and a burst media stream of the target channel to the terminal. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a delay in playing the multicast media stream by the terminal is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a channel changing method, apparatus, and system. A network side device records in real time a timestamp of a media packet of a multicast media stream which enters a buffer, and a key frame which enters the buffer; when a terminal's channel changing request has been detected, obtains a first timestamp of a media packet which enters the buffer at a channel changing request moment, and a second timestamp of a media packet in which a key frame which is of the target channel and is the last to enter the buffer is located in the media packet; determines a timestamp difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp; and transmits the timestamp difference and a burst media stream of the target channel to the terminal. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a delay in playing the multicast media stream by the terminal is reduced.

Abstract: Continuous processing methods for making absorbable polymeric dry spun non-wovens with one or more of the following properties: high burst strength, fine fibers of average diameter from 0.01 ?m to 50 ?m, and thickness from 10 ?m to 10 mm, have been developed. Improved fiber cohesion is made possible by controlling the tackiness of the fibers of the non-woven during web collection. The polymer is preferably a polyhydroxyalkanoate, more preferably, a 4-hydroxybutyrate polymer or copolymer. A non-woven of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate is most preferred. The non-wovens have fine fibers with average diameters ranging from 0.01 ?m to 50 ?m, and are derived by dry spun processing, during which a solution of polymer(s) is injected into a stream of high velocity air with a pressure of 1 to 500 psi for solvent stripping and polymer strand attenuation. The non-wovens can be used for a variety of purposes including fabrication of medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for calculating the Sum of Squared Differences (SSD) between a source block and a reconstructed block of image or video data encoding according to an encoding scheme such as H.264/AVC. In a preferred embodiment, the method computes the SSD by finding the SSD between coefficients of an integer transformed residual block and the corresponding inverse-quantized coefficients. Preferably the inverse quantized coefficients are found with the aid of a look up table. This method may save computing time and processing power compared to calculating the SSD directly from the source and reconstructed blocks. The SSD is related to the distortion caused by encoding and the method may be used in calculating the rate-distortion of a particular encoding mode. One embodiment of the invention encodes a block of data by selecting the encoding mode with the least rate-distortion.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system for switching channels are disclosed. The method includes: buffering a multicast Internet Protocol (IP) packet of a live channel; receiving a channel switching request sent by a client for switching to the live channel, and pushing the buffered multicast IP packet to the client; and judging whether the pushed multicast IP packet is synchronous to a real-time multicast IP packet of the live channel; and stopping pushing the buffered multicast IP packet to the client and sending the real-time multicast IP packet to the client if the pushed multicast IP packet is synchronous to the real-time multicast IP packet. The embodiments of the present invention involve no modification of the user terminal and improve the universal applicability and extensibility of the channel switching solution.

Abstract: Functionalized poly(ester-amides) and poly(ether ester amides) polymers having the structural formula: wherein R1 is (C2-C28)alkylene, or (C2-C28)alkylene substituted with a side chain selected from the group consisting of (2-carboxyethyl)thio, (2-hydroxethyl)thio, (2-aminoethyl)thio and (2-aminoethyl)thio hydrochloride salt; R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C6-C10)aryl (C1-C6)alkyl; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of (C2-C28)alkyloxy, (C2-C28)alkylene substituted with a side chain selected from the group consisting of (2-carboxyethyl)thio, (2-hydroxethyl) thio, (2-aminoethyl)thio and (2-aminoethyl)thio hydrochloride salt, and —C2H4(OC2H4)x; x ranges from 2-4; n ranges from 5 to 150; and wherein at least one of R1 and R4 attaches a functional group.

Abstract: Biodegradable poly(ester-amides) are synthesized from amino acids, diols and dicarboxylic acids where one or both of the diols and dicarboxylic acids contain unsaturation; e.g., from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates and p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) disesters of diols where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation or from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates, and p-toluene-sulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) diesters of diols and p-toluenesulfonic acid salt of lysine ester where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation. The polymers are useful as biodegradable carriers for drugs of other bioactive agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for calculating the Sum of Squared Differences (SSD) between a source block and a reconstructed block of image or video data encoding according to an encoding scheme such as H.264/AVC. In a preferred embodiment, the method computes the SSD by finding the SSD between coefficients of an integer transformed residual block and the corresponding inverse-quantized coefficients. Preferably the inverse quantized coefficients are found with the aid of a look up table. This method may save computing time and processing power compared to calculating the SSD directly from the source and reconstructed blocks. The SSD is related to the distortion caused by encoding and the method may be used in calculating the rate-distortion of a particular encoding mode. One embodiment of the invention encodes a block of data by selecting the encoding mode with the least rate-distortion.

Abstract: Biodegradable poly(ester-amides) are synthesized from amino acids, diols and dicarboxylic acids where one or both of the diols and dicarboxylic acids contain unsaturation; e.g., from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates and p-toluenesulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) disesters of diols where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation or from di-p-nitrophenyl dicarboxylates, and p-toluene-sulfonic acid salts of bis(alpha-amino acid) diesters of diols and p-toluenesulfonic acid salt of lysine ester where one or both of the dicarboxylate and diol moieties contain unsaturation. The polymers are useful as biodegradable carriers for drugs of other bioactive agents.

Abstract: An electrical connector (100) comprises an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) assembled to the insulative housing (1), and a shell (3) having at least a spring piece (31) with at least a protrusion projected outward. With the set of the protrusion, the electrical connection between the electrical connector (100) and a chassis panel may be improved and reliable.

Abstract: A preparation method of silica, especially superfine silica, with water glass and carbon dioxide as major raw materials in a carbonization reaction conducted under a high gravity field, typically in a Higee reactor.

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) includes a dielectric housing (10), a plurality of terminals (12) received in the housing, and a retention mechanism (2) attached to the housing. The housing forms a pair of first mating members (103) at opposite ends thereof. Each terminal has a bending portion (124). The retention mechanism has an elongate stopper body (20). The stopper body has cantilevers (22) at opposite sides thereof. The cantilevers each define a second mating member (220) respectively mating with a corresponding first mating member, so that the stopper body presses on the bending portions of the terminals. Thus the terminals are firmly retained in the housing. In addition, the cantilevers are easily rotated outwardly so that the retention mechanism is assembled on and disassembled from the housing conveniently and safely.

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) includes a dielectric housing (10), a plurality of terminals (13) received in the housing, and a retention mechanism (12) pivotally attached to the housing. The housing defines a plurality of terminal-passages (108) and first mating members (103). Each of terminals includes a bent portion (134). The retention mechanism has an elongate stopper member (120). A pair of cantilevers (122) depends from the stopper member. A second mating member (1222) is formed on each of the cantilevers, for engaging one of the first mating members. Thus the stopper member is rotatable between a first position in which the stopper is protected from thermal warp or deformation, and a second position in which the terminals are secured in the corresponding terminal-passages.

Abstract: A preparation method of silica, especially superfine silica, with water glass and carbon dioxide as major raw materials in a carbonization reaction conducted under a high gravity field, typically in a Higee reactor.