Abstract: A method is provided for automatically providing a digital image rating of photo retouching. The method includes the step of receiving at a computer, including a processor, a first set of pixel data of an original image and a second set of pixel data of a retouched image. The method also includes using the processor to determine a plurality of geometric statistics and a plurality of photometric statistics from the first and second sets of pixel data. The method further includes the step of using the processor to quantify a rating of the retouched image based upon the geometric statistics and photometric statistics to indicate deviation of the retouched image from the original image. A system is also provided to perform the steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes geometry of a two-fluid heat exchanger to provide higher energy efficiency than conventional heat exchangers. The geometry is based upon sequential branching of nearly circular passages in sets, followed by some deformation and twisting of the sequential branches that intermingle flow passages of one fluid with flow passages of another fluid. The flow passages gradually vary in dimension from larger branching at fluid entrance and exit to smaller branching in the middle section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is substantially symmetric, with the sequential branching in the first half being mirrored as serial regrouping in the second half. The present disclosure also provides stacking methods and layered manufacturing methods for fabricating the three-dimensional geometry of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a content selecting mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The content may be, for instance, text, photos, and/or other consumable content. The user can engage the mode with a gesture that includes a combination of contact points on the touch sensitive surface that identifies the content selecting mode is desired. The combination may include, for example, a first contact point at a starting location in the content, and a second contact point at an end location in the content to be selected. Upon receiving the second contact point, the content between the first and second contact points is selected. The selection may be traverse section breaks, column breaks, and page breaks as needed, depending on the placement of the contact points. Intervening navigation gestures such as scrolling or paging swipes between the two contact points can be used to locate the desired end location.

Abstract: A combination therapy and kit including an agent that inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, in combination with a CFTR corrector, CFTR potentiator, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory agent or a combination thereof are provided as is a method for preventing or treating cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nickel complexes. These complexes are in providing fluorinating organic compounds. The invention is particularly useful for fluorinating compounds with 18F for PET imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of assessing whether a subject has or is likely to develop a neurodegenerative disease comprising determining whether the subject has a mutation in the C9orf72 gene wherein said mutation prevents or disrupts C9orf72 expression relative to expression in a reference from subjects without the mutation.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, constructs, and methods of use of polymeric fiber-scaffolded engineered tissues and assays for identifying compounds that modulate a contractile function, using such devices and constructs.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrolyte composition for solid oxide fuel cells, and a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrolyte composition has high electrical conductivity over a wide temperature range and is capable of imparting excellent output characteristics to a solid oxide fuel cell. Specifically, the invention provides a scandium oxide-stabilized zirconium oxide-based electrolyte composition used in a solid oxide fuel cell. The composition contains a compound represented by chemical formula (1): (ZrO2)1-x-a(Sc2O3)x(M2O3)a (1), wherein 0.09?x?0.11 and 0<a?0.025, and M is at least one element selected from Sm and Nd. The compound has an electrical conductivity at 600° C. of 1.4×10?2 (S/cm) or more and a power density at 600° C. of 25.0 (mW/cm2) or more. The compound is not undergoing a cubic to rhombohedral phase transition at a temperature range of 25 to 850° C.

Abstract: A sensing probe may be formed of a diamond material comprising one or more spin defects that are configured to emit fluorescent light and are located no more than 50 nm from a sensing surface of the sensing probe. The sensing probe may include an optical outcoupling structure formed by the diamond material and configured to optically guide the fluorescent light toward an output end of the optical outcoupling structure. An optical detector may detect the fluorescent light that is emitted from the spin defects and that exits through the output end of the optical outcoupling structure after being optically guided therethrough. A mounting system may hold the sensing probe and control a distance between the sensing surface of the sensing probe and a surface of a sample while permitting relative motion between the sensing surface and the sample surface.

Abstract: A coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) system comprises a laser light source for emitting pulsed light, a dichroic beam splitter for splitting a light pulse from the light source into a pump pulse and a Stokes pulse and directing these pulses along respective distinct paths, chirping means, e.g. dispersive glass blocks for chirping the pump and Stokes pulses, directing means for directing the chirped pump and Stokes samples to a sample in time overlap, and detecting means for detecting light stimulated from the sample by the interaction of the pump and Stokes pulses. The system may comprise a reflector connected to a linear motor, for adjusting the period between the arrival at the sample of the starts of the chirped pump and Stokes pulses. The system may further comprise a pulse replicating unit for converting a pulse from the light source into a plurality of pulses distributed in time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analogs of cortistatin A, J, K, and L, having the general formula: I and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, n, and m are as defined herein; processes for preparing such compounds and intermediates thereto; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods for treating a proliferative disease; methods for treating a disease associated with aberrant angiogenesis; methods for inhibiting angiogenesis; and processes for preparing cortistatin A, J, K, and L, and analogs thereof.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) analogs that act as EET agonists and are useful as medications in the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, hypertension and other related conditions. Methods of making and using the compounds and compositions are further described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific binding molecule raised against the human Anx-A1 protein having the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2A. The present invention also relates to the sue of such a specific binding molecule in the treatment of T cell-mediated disease.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a simple and robust system that allows non-resonant background to be removed from anti-Stokes signals generated during coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) even when using cheaper laser systems, which do not have transform limited pulses. In particular, resonant CARS signals have a real and imaginary component. The imaginary component is directly related to the spontaneous Raman spectrum, for which there are already large spectral databases to allow chemical identification. The NRB signal, on the other hand, only has a real component. Within embodiments of the invention we recover the imaginary component of the entire CARS signal by simultaneously generating two CARS signals at orthogonal polarisations: one has the imaginary components destructively interfering with (i.e. subtracted from) the real components, the other has them constructively interfering.

Abstract: On-chip non-reciprocity can be achieved by employing micron-sized optomechanical (OM) devices that are fabricated on-chip and which can be integrated with other optical elements. Non-linear coupling between light and a mechanical mode inside a resonator can provide a non-reciprocal response of the OM system, which can be induced and fully controlled by an external driving electromagnetic field. By choosing different resonator and/or waveguide configurations and by tuning different system parameters, the same OM coupling mechanism can be used to provide isolation (e.g., as an optical diode), non-reciprocal phase shifting, and/or routing applications. Even in the presence of a finite intrinsic mode coupling inside the resonator, non-reciprocal effects remain large for a sufficiently strong OM coupling. The disclosed systems, methods, and devices can be applied on a single photon level, which may find use for various non-reciprocal applications in the classical optical as well as the quantum regime.

Abstract: Fuel-air premixing is the accepted technology for reducing NOx emissions from combustors and burners. In view of this complex burner-nozzle designs involving multiple swirlers have been designed and developed. I have developed a high-premixing fuel-air nozzle that involves micro-fabricated porous swirl panels with distributed fuel injection. The design and fabrication of the fuel injector has been completed, the injector assembly has been set up in a combustor test-rig, and a variety of tests have been undertaken. The tests have clearly established that compared to a traditional solid swirler with a premixing length the micro-fabricated swirl injector-assembly lowers the Lean Blowout Limit, enhances mixing and volumetric heat release, and for the same temperature levels as the solid swirler, reduces NOx levels.

Abstract: Solid electrolytes compositions, methods of making the solid electrolytes, and methods of using the solid electrolytes in batteries and other electrochemical technologies are disclosed. The method of producing a solid electrolyte comprises (a) ball milling Na2CO3, SiO2, NH4H2PO4, a zirconium source, and a dopant to produce a ball milled powder; (b) calcining the ball milled powder to produce a calcined powder; and (c) sintering the calcined powder to produce a solid electrolyte. The zirconium source for the solid electrolyte may be ZrO2. The dopant for the solid electrolyte may be AI2O3, Fe2O3, Sb2O3, Yb2O3, or Dy2O3.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof:

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.