Abstract: Disclosed herein is the novel use of use of a Bauhinia spp. extract, which may upregulate neprilysin, induce autophagy, protect neuron from amyloidopathy or tauopathy, and/or promote neurite outgrowth, thus the Bauhinia spp. extract of the present disclosure may be used as a dietary supplement for the prophylaxis or treatment of amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases so as to ameliorate or alleviate symptoms associated with the amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A laser cutting method of the present invention comprises the steps below: a feeding mechanism generating movement information by driving the workpiece to move, and transmitting the movement information to a computing mechanism; transmitting a cutting path to the computing mechanism, making the computing mechanism calculate the cutting path and the movement information to generate a compensation cutting path, and transmitting the compensation cutting path to a fixed laser cutting mechanism; by a laser cutting mechanism, projecting a laser beam onto a moving workpiece, and continuously changing the projection direction of the laser beam onto the workpiece according to the compensation cutting path, so that the workpiece is cut by the laser beam to form a target pattern. Whereby, when the laser cutting mechanism performs laser cutting on the workpiece, the workpiece still moves without stopping, thereby shortening the processing time and relatively improving production efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing display control of an electronic device are provided. The method may include: outputting an initial image, for displaying the initial image; checking whether a subsequent image is generated; in response to the subsequent image being not generated, checking whether a consecutively-skipped-image count is greater than or equal to a consecutively-skipped-image count threshold; and in response to the consecutively-skipped-image count being not greater than or equal to the consecutively-skipped-image count threshold, skipping a latest image, for preventing displaying the latest image, wherein the subsequent image is expected to be a next image of the latest image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the novel use of use of a Bauhinia spp. extract, which may upregulate neprilysin, induce autophagy, protect neuron from amyloidopathy or tauopathy, and/or promote neurite outgrowth, thus the Bauhinia spp. extract of the present disclosure may be used as a dietary supplement for the prophylaxis or treatment of amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases so as to ameliorate or alleviate symptoms associated with the amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The method for producing a transparent conductive substrate includes forming metal meshes on a flexible non-conductive substrate with high transmittance. It's unnecessary to use palladium as a catalyst in this method. The metal meshes are in the form of nano/micro wires and the conductive substrate has high transmittance of 80%-90% at visible light wavelengths of 390-750 nm.

Abstract: The method for producing a transparent conductive substrate includes forming metal meshes on a flexible non-conductive substrate with high transmittance. It's unnecessary to use palladium as a catalyst in this method. The metal meshes are in the form of nano/micro wires and the conductive substrate has high transmittance of 80%-90% at visible light wavelengths of 390-750 nm.

Abstract: Frame running time of a device is estimated dynamically. The device includes a processor that executes threads of an application, and a graphics processor that receives commands from the processor for rendering frames. For each frame, the processor records a timer period for each thread in a set of threads that contribute to operations of a render thread. The render thread writes the commands for the graphics processor to render the frames. Each thread in the set of threads has a corresponding timer that controls a sleep state of the thread. The processor calculates a frame non-running time for a current frame using recorded one or more timer periods, and calculates the frame running time for the current frame by subtracting the frame non-running time from an end-to-end frame period.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the novel use of use of a Bauhinia spp. extract, which may upregulate neprilysin, induce autophagy, protect neuron from amyloidopathy or tauopathy, and/or promote neurite outgrowth, thus the Bauhinia spp. extract of the present disclosure may be used as a dietary supplement for the prophylaxis or treatment of amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases so as to ameliorate or alleviate symptoms associated with the amyloid related neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A clock switching method for a memory storage apparatus is provided. The method includes: setting a value of the clock as a first operation frequency when an operation mode is switched to an initial state; determining whether a first continuous accessing time of accessing continuously a rewritable non-volatile memory module is larger than a first setting value during a period in which the operation mode is at the initial state; re-setting the value of the clock as a second operation frequency, which is smaller than the first operation frequency, to switch the operation mode to a power saving state if the first continuously access time is larger than the first setting value; and re-setting the value of the clock as the first operation frequency to switch the operation mode to a general state during a period in which the operation mode is at the power saving state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting display backlight and an associated computer program product are provided. The method is applied to an electronic device. The method includes the steps of: utilizing at least one light sensor of the electronic device to detect ambient light; and performing a plurality of detection operations to selectively control the electronic device to enter a specific mode to adjust brightness level of a backlight module of a display panel of the electronic device. The detection operations includes: detecting whether the ambient light is less than a predetermined ambient brightness threshold value for a time period; and detecting whether a length of the time period reaches a predetermined time threshold value. For example, the specific mode can be a low-light mode, which is suitable for a user who has stayed in the dark for a time period (e.g. tens of minutes, or one or more hours).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a metal gate structure. A substrate and a dielectric layer with a trench are provided. Next, a work function metal (WFM) layer is formed in the trench, following by performing an oxidation process under a vacuum condition to oxidize a part of the WFM layer to form an oxidized WFM layer. Thereafter, a conductive layer is formed on the oxidized WFM layer to complete fill the trench.

Abstract: A memory address management method, a memory controller, and a memory storage device are provided. The memory address management method includes: obtaining memory information of a rewritable non-volatile memory module and formatting logical addresses according to the memory information to establish a file system, such that an allocation unit of the file system includes a lower logical programming unit and an upper logical programming unit. Here, the memory information includes a programming sequence, the allocation unit starts with the lower logical programming unit and ends with the upper logical programming unit, and an initial logical address of a data region in the file system belongs to the lower logical programming unit. Accordingly, an access bandwidth of the memory storage device is expanded.

Abstract: A method of enhancing neprilysin activity and/or degrading amyloid-? peptides and/or oligomers in a subject with Alzheimer's disease is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a compound selected from the group consisting of in a therapeutically effective amount to enhance the neprilysin activity and/or degrade the amyloid-? peptides and oligomers in the subject. Methods of improving symptoms and/or retarding progression of Alzheimer's disease and prophylactic treatment and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Robotic systems according to the invention include a frame or body with two or more wheels rotatably mounted on the frame or body and a motor for independently driving each wheel. A system controller generates a signal for actuating each motor based on information provided by one or more sensors in communication with the system controller for generating feedback signals for providing reactive actuation of the motors for generating one or more functions selected from the group consisting of forward motion, backward motion, climbing, hopping, balancing, throwing and catching. A power source is included for providing power to operate the drive motors, system controller and the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting display backlight and an associated computer program product are provided. The method is applied to an electronic device. The method includes the steps of: utilizing at least one light sensor of the electronic device to detect ambient light; and performing a plurality of detection operations to selectively control the electronic device to enter a specific mode to adjust brightness level of a backlight module of a display panel of the electronic device. The detection operations includes: detecting whether the ambient light is less than a predetermined ambient brightness threshold value for a time period; and detecting whether a length of the time period reaches a predetermined time threshold value. For example, the specific mode can be a low-light mode, which is suitable for a user who has stayed in the dark for a time period (e.g. tens of minutes, or one or more hours).

Abstract: A memory address management method, a memory controller, and a memory storage device are provided. The memory address management method includes: obtaining memory information of a rewritable non-volatile memory module and formatting logical addresses according to the memory information to establish a file system, such that an allocation unit of the file system includes a lower logical programming unit and an upper logical programming unit. Here, the memory information includes a programming sequence, the allocation unit starts with the lower logical programming unit and ends with the upper logical programming unit, and an initial logical address of a data region in the file system belongs to the lower logical programming unit. Accordingly, an access bandwidth of the memory storage device is expanded.

Abstract: A clock switching method for a memory storage apparatus is provided. The method includes: setting a value of the clock as a first operation frequency when an operation mode is switched to an initial state; determining whether a first continuous accessing time of accessing continuously a rewritable non-volatile memory module is larger than a first setting value during a period in which the operation mode is at the initial state; re-setting the value of the clock as a second operation frequency, which is smaller than the first operation frequency, to switch the operation mode to a power saving state if the first continuously access time is larger than the first setting value; and re-setting the value of the clock as the first operation frequency to switch the operation mode to a general state during a period in which the operation mode is at the power saving state.

Abstract: Novel substrates for detection of activity of amyloid beta degrading enzyme, such as Neprilysin (NEP) and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), associated with Alzheimer's disease, are provided. A quenched fluorogenic peptide substrate containing the first seven residues of the A?peptide plus a C-terminal Cys residue to detect neprilysin activity with a fluorophore attached to the C-terminal Cys and a quencher linked to the N-terminus of the peptide is disclosed. An assay system sensitive to endopeptidase activity of NEP and IDE, but insensitive to other A?-degrading enzymes is disclosed. Active compounds are identified by a cell-based assay system for high-throughput screening.

Abstract: Robotic systems according to the invention include a frame or body with two or more wheels rotatably mounted on the frame or body and a motor for independently driving each wheel. A system controller generates a signal for actuating each motor based on information provided by one or more sensors in communication with the system controller for generating feedback signals for providing reactive actuation of the motors for generating one or more functions selected from the group consisting of forward motion, backward motion, climbing, hopping, balancing, throwing and catching. A power source is included for providing power to operate the drive motors, system controller and the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An isolated R. microporus laccase, a nucleic acid encoding the laccase, and a method of preparing it in a cell.