Patent Network Analysis and Quadratic Assignment Procedures to Identify the Convergence of Robot Technologies

<div><p>Because of the remarkable developments in robotics in recent years, technological convergence has been active in this area. We focused on finding patterns of convergence within robot technology using network analysis of patents in both the USPTO and KIPO. To identify the variables that affect convergence, we used quadratic assignment procedures (QAP). From our analysis, we observed the patent network ecology related to convergence and found technologies that have great potential to converge with other robotics technologies. The results of our study are expected to contribute to setting up convergence based R&D policies for robotics, which can lead new innovation.</p></div

Patents in each technology area registered with the USPTO and KIPO since 2001.

<p>Patents in each technology area registered with the USPTO and KIPO since 2001.</p

KIPO patent network map.

<p>KIPO patent network map.</p

Significant results of QAP regression.

<p>Significant results of QAP regression.</p

CONCOR result from both patent offices.

<p>CONCOR result from both patent offices.</p

Number of patents in robot technology registered with the USPTO and KIPO.

<p>Number of patents in robot technology registered with the USPTO and KIPO.</p

Significant results of the QAP regression.

<p>Significant results of the QAP regression.</p

Technologies with ratio of convergence greater than 100%.

<p>Technologies with ratio of convergence greater than 100%.</p

Cumulative incidence probability for five risk groups.

<p>(A) men and (B) women.</p

The natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation inhibits melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase activity and downregulating melanosome transfer

<div><p>This study was conducted to examine the effects of EP-2, a natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation from <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, on melanogenesis and to determine its underlying mechanism of action. Our results show that although EP-2 is not a direct tyrosinase inhibitor, when EP-2 was added to the culture media of B16F10 melanoma cells, intracellular tyrosinase activity was decreased. However, EP-2 had no effect on the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor or tyrosinase. EP-2 was found to inhibit melanogenesis and melanosome transfer when it was added to melanocytes and keratinocytes in coculture. In addition, protease-activated receptor 2, a key protein associated with melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes, was downregulated in the presence of EP-2. In conclusion, EP-2 is a potent inhibitor of melanogenesis and its hypomelanogenic effect is related to the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and transfer of melanosomes.</p></div