Abstract: The present invention relates to a musical pillow. The music pillow includes a body, a pillow core defining a first receiving cavity corresponding to a users' head, and a music player device. The body includes a first base, and two sidewalls extending from two opposite sides of the first base. Two free ends of the two sidewalls face each other to define a body opening therebetween. The first base and the two sidewalls cooperatively define a receiving space. The pillow core is received in the receiving space, while the first receiving cavity is communicated with the body opening. The music player device includes two speakers positioned on the sidewalls respectively and a playing unit positioned in the first base. The speakers are electrically connected to the playing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splitting an asynchronous signal are provided. The method includes: buffering, according to frame sequence, an asynchronous signal to be split; and sending n frames of data respectively on n channels in parallel whenever n frames of data have been buffered, where n is a ratio of a rate level of the asynchronous signal before split to that of the asynchronous signal after split. A method and apparatus for signal combination are provided. The method includes: buffering n channels of parallel signals to be combined simultaneously according to frame sequence; and sending n channels of frames serially after one frame is buffered for each of the n channels of the parallel signals; wherein n is a ratio of a rate level of the parallel signals after combined to a rate level of the parallel signals before combined.

Abstract: A locker of a spectacle frame, adapted for connecting a first member and a second member of the spectacle frame, includes a receiving portion, an inserting portion and a locking mechanism. The receiving portion is adapted for providing at an end of the first member of the spectacle frame. The inserting portion, which is adapted for providing at an end of the second member of the spectacle frame, is arranged to be freely slide into the receiving portion. The locking mechanism includes a locking member movably disposed between the receiving portion and the inserting portion as a locking position to lock up the inserting portion from being detached from the receiving portion. The locking member is able to be driven from the locking position to an unlocking position that the inserting portion is able to be slid out of the receiving portion for separating the first and second members. The locker can be used in spectacle frame for exchanging and adjusting temples, end-pieces, hinges as well as the bridge.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose method and apparatus for mapping and de-mapping in an optical transport network, where the mapping method includes: constructing an Optical Channel Data Tributary Unit (ODTU) according to an amount M of time slots of a High Order Optical Channel Payload Unit (HO OPU) to be occupied by a Low Order Optical Channel Data Unit (LO ODU); mapping the LO ODU to a payload area of the ODTU in a M-byte granularity; encapsulating overhead information to the payload area of the ODTU; and multiplexing the ODTU, which has been mapped the LO ODU and encapsulated with the overhead information, to the HO OPU, so as to provide a high-efficient and universal mode for mapping the LO ODU to the HO OPU.

Abstract: A depth checking device includes a body member, a pressing member, a checking member and an adjustment nut. The body member defines a stepped through hole forming a stopping surface inside. The pressing member includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includes a first end surface defining a first opening. The second end defines a second opening. The checking member is mounted in the stepped through hole and includes an indication end adjacent to the first end and a probe end. The indication end includes a second end surface. The adjustment nut is screwed on the checking member and supported by the stopping surface in a position where the first end surface is coplanar with the second end surface and the probe end protrudes from the body member with a protruding length of the probe end same as a designed depth of a fixing hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of modulating immune responses in a subject, such as by administering to the subject agents which modulate tim-1, tim-2 or tim-4 activity, or which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4 or between tim-2 and a tim-2 ligand. Immune responses include, but are not limited to, autoimmune disorders, transplantation tolerance, and Th1 and Th2-mediated responses and disorders. The invention also relates to novel assays for identifying agents which modulate the physical interaction between tim-1 and tim-4. In addition, the invention relates to novel soluble tim-4 polypeptides and to nucleic acids which encode them.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system comprising a multicast group (110) and a base station (200), a signal performance value (304) is received from at least two members of the multicast group (110) to generate a set of signal performance values (306). A group leader (310) of the multicast group (110) is selected as a function of the set of signal performance values (306) to acknowledge multicast transmissions from the base station (200) to the multicast group (110).

Abstract: A molecular sieve catalyst useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons containing niobium is disclosed, along with a process for the disproportionation of toluene to benzene and xylene using such catalyst.

Abstract: A nickel-mordenite catalyst promoted with Rhodium that is useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons is disclosed. The catalyst and methods for its use can provide hydrocarbon conversion with an extended catalyst life as compared to nickel-mordenite catalyst not promoted with Rhodium.

Abstract: An overlay film for covering a touch screen of an electronic device is disclosed. The touch screen is configured for showing a number of icons thereon for receiving user inputs. The overlay film is a thin, transparent layer. The overlay film defines a plurality of through holes corresponding to the shapes and positions of the icons on the touch screen.

Abstract: A method of reducing the ethylbenzene content in a stream containing xylene is disclosed. The method includes the reaction of ethylbenzene, such as a disproportionation or transalkylation reaction, to produce benzene and other hydrocarbon compound and can include the separation of at least a portion of the resulting benzene and other hydrocarbon compounds to produce a xylene stream having reduced ethylbenzene content.

Abstract: A depth checking device includes a body member, a pressing member, a checking member and an adjustment nut. The body member defines a stepped through hole forming a stopping surface inside. The pressing member includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includes a first end surface defining a first opening. The second end defines a second opening. The checking member is mounted in the stepped through hole and includes an indication end adjacent to the first end and a probe end. The indication end includes a second end surface. The adjustment nut is screwed on the checking member and supported by the stopping surface in a position where the first end surface is coplanar with the second end surface and the probe end protrudes from the body member with a protruding length of the probe end same as a designed depth of a fixing hole.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on expression studies of IL-2 and IL-15 receptor subunits by cycling T cells in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention generally features novel combinations of IL-2 and IL-15 antagonists and methods of suppressing the immune response by administering these antagonists. In each case, suppression is achieved by administration of a first agent that targets an IL-15 molecule or an IL-15 receptor (IL-15R) and a second agent that targets an IL-2 molecule or an IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). More generally, the invention features novel combinations of agents that, when administered to a patient (or to a transplant ex vivo), reduce the number of antigen-reactive T cells. For example, the invention features compositions (e.g., pharamaceutically acceptable compositions) that include two or more agents, each of which promote T cell death. Alternatively, the composition can contain at least one agent that promotes T cell death and at least one agent that inhibits T cell proliferation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dispatching OTN signals are disclosed. The method includes receiving an OTN signal frame; determining in sequence whether each byte in the OTN signal frame is an overhead byte; determining, if the byte is an overhead byte, whether the byte includes frame alignment data; and assigning, if the byte includes frame alignment data, the byte in sequence to a corresponding channel based on a sequence number of an OTN signal frame period, or storing, if the byte does not include frame alignment data, the byte in a buffer; or assigning, if the byte is not an overhead byte, the byte in sequence to a corresponding channel based on a location of the byte in the OTN signal frame.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of toluene over a nickel-modified mordenite catalyst which has been pretreated with mild sulfiding procedure. The sulfur dose is employed in a minor amount relative to the nickel content of the catalyst. The modified mordenite catalyst is contacted with a sulfur-containing compound such as hydrogen sulfide or dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) under pretreatment conditions involving a temperature of at least 100° C. The sulfur-containing compound is employed in a relatively small amount to passivate only a minor portion of the active nickel sites. A toluene-containing feedstock is brought into contact with the pretreated catalyst under conditions effective for the disproportionation of toluene and a disproportionation product is removed from contact with the catalyst. The mordenite catalyst contains nickel in an amount within the range of 0.1-2 wt. %. The catalyst may contain another metal such as palladium or platinum, or a lanthanide series metal such as lanthanum or cerium.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of a toluene containing feedstock employing a nickel modified mordenite catalyst comprising particulate mordenite having nickel dispersed throughout the catalyst particles to provide surface nickel and interior nickel within the mordenite crystal structure. The catalyst is pretreated to selectively deactivate the surface nickel to provide a surface nickel content of reduced catalytic activity. The interior nickel thus has a higher catalytic activity than the surface nickel. The feedstock is supplied to a reaction zone containing the catalyst to cause disproportionation of toluene in the feedstock to produce a mixture of benzene and xylene. The non-aromatic content of the product is less than the non-aromatic content of a corresponding disproportionation product which would be produced by the disproportionation of the feedstream in the presence of a corresponding nickel mordenite catalyst which has not been pretreated.

Abstract: A locker of a spectacle frame, adapted for connecting a first member and a second member of the spectacle frame, includes a receiving portion, an inserting portion and a locking mechanism. The receiving portion is adapted for providing at an end of the first member of the spectacle frame. The inserting portion, which is adapted for providing at an end of the second member of the spectacle frame, is arranged to be freely slide into the receiving portion. The locking mechanism includes a locking member movably disposed between the receiving portion and the inserting portion as a locking position to lock up the inserting portion from being detached from the receiving portion. The locking member is able to be driven from the locking position to an unlocking position that the inserting portion is able to be slid out of the receiving portion for separating the first and second members. The locker can be used in spectacle frame for exchanging and adjusting temples, end-pieces, hinges as well as the bridge.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a distance between a base surface and an upper surface of a stepped structure of a workpiece. The measurement apparatus includes a supporting member having an upper surface for supporting the workpiece, a holding member fixed on the top surface, and a micrometer. The holding member includes a reference platform and a depression formed on the reference platform and facing the upper surface. The micrometer is fixed to the holding member and includes an extendable measuring shaft with a contacting portion extending out of the reference platform. The distance is measured by pushing the workpiece into the depression until the base surface make contact with the reference platform.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of a toluene containing feedstock employing a nickel modified mordenite catalyst comprising particulate mordenite having nickel dispersed throughout the catalyst particles to provide surface nickel and interior nickel within the mordenite crystal structure. The catalyst is pretreated to selectively deactivate the surface nickel to provide a surface nickel content of reduced catalytic activity. The interior nickel thus has a higher catalytic activity than the surface nickel. The feedstock is supplied to a reaction zone containing the catalyst to cause disproportionation of toluene in the feedstock to produce a mixture of benzene and xylene. The non-aromatic content of the product is less than the non-aromatic content of a corresponding disproportionation product which would be produced by the disproportionation of the feedstream in the presence of a corresponding nickel mordenite catalyst which has not been pretreated.