Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane surface modification method. The method is applicable to a variety of hydrophobic membranes by doping selected inorganic particles. One act of the method involves the in-situ embedment of the inorganic particles onto the membrane surface by dispersing the particles in a non-solvent bath for polymer precipitation. Further membrane surface modification can be achieved by hydrothermally growing new inorganic phase on the embedded particles. The embedment of particles is for the subsequent phase growth.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for storing currency, includes a detection unit, an image capturing unit, a database, and a serial number reading unit. The detection unit detects the currency. The image capturing unit is connected to the detection unit, and captures an image of a side of the currency on which a string of serial numbers are printed. The database is connected to the image capturing unit. The database includes depositor's information stored therein. The database saves the image therein. The serial number reading unit is connected to the database. The serial number reading unit captures the string of serial numbers from image. The database saves the string of serial numbers therein, and associates the string of serial numbers with the information of the depositor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a sound through a microphone device; determine a location of the sound through the microphone device; and automatically adjust a visual device based on the location of the sound wherein the visual device is configured to view an area corresponding with the location of the sound.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds; detect a view of a visual device; compare the view of the visual with the initial area of the initial listening zone; and adjust the initial listening zone and forming the adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area based on comparing the view and the initial area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses adjust a listening area of a microphone includes detecting an initial listening zone; capture a captured sound through a microphone array; identify an initial sound based on the captured sound and the initial listening zone wherein the initial sound includes sounds within the initial listening zone; adjust the initial listening zone and forming the adjusted listening zone; and identify an adjusted sound based on the captured sound and the adjusted listening zone wherein the adjusted sound includes sounds within the adjusted listening zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds; detect an initial sound within the initial listening zone; and adjust the initial listening zone and forming the adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area based wherein the initial sound emanates from within the adjusted listening zone.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the identification of neurogenerative and/or neurotrophic factors that can induce migration of stem cells to neural tissue and/or induce proliferation and/or differentiation of such cells into neurons. Such agents include, but are not limited to stem cell factor (SCF), heparin binding EGF (HB-EGF), and VEGF.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery that neuroglobin (Ngb) expression helps promote neuronal survival from hypoxic-ischemic insults. Neuroglobin thus provides a good target to screen for agents that mitigate harmful effects from hypoxic-/ischemic insult. Methods are provided for screening for agents that promote neuronal survival from hypoxic-ischemic insult (e.g., ischaemic injury such as caused by myocardial infarction, stroke induced neuron death, reperfusion injury, traumatic head injury, cardiac arrest, asphyxiation, and the like).

Abstract: This invention is to provide a method of converting data containing characters into a corresponding icon on a portable platform, which comprises the steps of receiving data containing characters by the platform, finding a character group from the data containing characters for representing an icon according to a predetermined format, distinguishing the character group from general characters in the data containing characters, finding an icon corresponding to the character group and the general characters, and showing the icon on a display of the platform. By utilizing this invention, a desired icon will appear on a display of the prior portable platform when a corresponding characters being received.