Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light sensitive particle that uses at least one metal precursor material and at least one dopant precursor material mixed in solution absent a surfactant. Upon an optional adjustment of pH to about 3 to about 6, a light-sensitive particle comprising a metal-dopant material may be formed and separated from the solution. The light-sensitive particle may comprise a Q-dot particle. Also described are the particles themselves.

Abstract: A method for calculating the center of the anterior capsule includes the steps of: photographing the eyeball of a patient with an optical coherence tomography; generating a 3-dimensional image and coordinates based on the data obtained by the optical coherence tomography; photographing the eyeball of the patient to produce an eyeball image; and matching the 3-dimensional image and coordinates to the eyeball image so as to calculate the center of the anterior capsule of the patient.

Abstract: A cell culture method using an in vitro microscale cell culture device having a first microscale chamber containing cells attached to an inner surface of the chamber and cell culture medium in contact with the cells. The cells are maintained in culture in the in vitro microscale cell culture device while flowing culture medium through the first chamber at a controlled rate to provide a liquid residence time value for the cells in the first chamber of the in vitro microscale cell culture device that is comparable to a liquid residence time value obtained with respect to comparable cells in vivo, such that metabolism by the cells in culture in the in vitro microscale cell culture device is comparable to metabolism by comparable cells in vivo.

Abstract: A method of processing a medical image signal includes estimating first time courses and first spatial patterns for a group of objects from first brain function data for the group, and estimating second time courses and second spatial patterns for a target object from second brain function data obtained from the target object by using the first time courses and the first spatial patterns.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of carbon-based structures, particularly graphene substructures and ribbons, from oligo- and poly-alkyne starting materials.

Abstract: A method of creating an image mosaic is provided. A plurality of image files is read at a computing device. The plurality of image files contains image data defining a plurality of overlapping images. A dual adjacency mesh for an image mosaic is defined based on an arrangement of the plurality of overlapping images. The dual adjacency mesh is defined as a plurality of nodes and edges that connect a pair of the plurality of nodes. A node is defined for each image of the plurality of overlapping images, and an edge is defined when an overlap exists between a pair of images of the plurality of overlapping images. The image mosaic is presented in a display of the computing device. The image mosaic is created from the plurality of overlapping images based on the defined dual adjacency mesh.

Abstract: Low-temperature organometallic nucleation and crystallization-based synthesis methods for the fabrication of semiconductor and metal colloidal nanocrystals with narrow size distributions and tunable, size- and shape-dependent electronic and optical properties. Methods include (1) forming a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel under an inert atmosphere that includes at least one solvent, a cationic precursor, an anionic precursor, and at least a first surface stabilizing ligand while stirring at a temperature in a range from about 50° C. to about 130° C. and (2) growing nanocrystals in the reaction mixture for a period of time while maintaining the temperature, the stirring, and the inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A sensor that can be used for in-situ structural health monitoring with a triboluminescent material provided on a portion of an optical fiber that may be embedded in materials to be structurally monitored. Damage to the monitored material may result in a triboluminescent emission from the triboluminescent material that can be guided via the optical fiber. Analysis of the triboluminescent emission may provide information on the occurrence, severity and location of damage in a structure.

Abstract: A specified proton concentration in a volume (80) is produced by passing a controlled electrophoresis current through an adjacent electrophoresis volume (28) between a working electrode (26) and a counter electrode (24). An array of such volumes with specified proton concentration is used to provide the pH gradient for isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for preventing software piracy. One method includes specifying at least one codemark that is intrinsic to a computing system. The method further includes inserting guard code in an application. The guard code including a first code portion that uses a codemark and produces an output that depends on a value of the codemark and a second code portion that uses the output of the first code portion. The method further includes executing the first and second code portions and selectively triggering a protective action based on the output of the second code portion. Multiple types, styles, and frequencies of guard codes can be used to provide in-depth, long lasting, and strong protection.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a radio frequency waveform and a sensor circuit configured to measure a property of the radio frequency waveform during a predetermined sampling period to determine whether an arc event has occurred. The generator also includes a controller configured to determine a total charge and/or total energy deposited by the radio frequency waveform during the predetermined sampling period associated with the arc event. The controller is further configured to adjust the output of the electrosurgical generator based on at least one parameter to limit arcing.

Abstract: A device includes a chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. The device includes a plurality of stages including at least a first stage adjacent a second stage. The plurality of stages are disposed in the chamber and each stage has a plurality of discharge electrodes disposed in an interior region and is bounded by an upstream baffle on an end proximate the air inlet and bounded by a downstream baffle on an end proximate the air outlet. Each stage has at least one sidewall between the upstream baffle and the downstream baffle. The sidewall is configured as a collection electrode and has a plurality of apertures disposed along a length between the upstream baffle and the downstream baffle. The upstream baffle of the first stage is positioned in staggered alignment relative to the upstream baffle of the second stage and the downstream baffle of the first stage are positioned in staggered alignment relative to the downstream baffle of the second stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a photo-activated layered polymer coating to a substrate material in which one or more layers do not contain photoinitiator, or are not exposed to initiating light, but cure due to migration of cationic active centers. At least two separate monomer layers are applied to the substrate material. At least one of the monomer layers includes a photoinitiator capable of producing cationic active centers. The at least one layer including the photoinitiator is exposed to a source of UV radiation at a desired wavelength forming cationic active centers. The at least two separate monomer layers react in a polymerization reaction forming a cured layered material. The cationic active centers of the exposed monomer layer migrate to the unexposed layer such that both layers cure via the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: A method for planning the implantation of a prosthetic joint component in a prosthesis-receiving bone is described. Surrounding soft tissue is retracted to expose the prosthesis-receiving bone. A prosthetic joint component planning template comprising a planar template body having a unitary structure is provided. The planning template is positioned in a superimposed orientation with a curvilinear surface of an exposed prosthesis-receiving bone. The position of the planning template is adjusted into a desired superimposed orientation with respect to the prosthesis-receiving bone. At least one of a size and an orientation of the prosthetic joint component is determined through visualization of the planning template and the prosthesis-receiving bone. An apparatus for assisting a user with determining at least one of a size and an orientation of a prosthetic joint component is also provided.

Abstract: A failure diagnosis method for a brake system of a vehicle determines whether the failure occurs in a regenerative braking device, a front-wheel friction braking device or a rear-wheel friction braking device. The method may include comparing a driver's required acceleration/deceleration with a current acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle, determining that a failure has occurred in the brake system of the vehicle when the driver's required acceleration/deceleration is different from the current acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle and comparing a driver's required braking torque with a regenerative braking maximum torque, and determining that the failure does not occur in the brake system of the vehicle when the driver's required acceleration/deceleration is substantially equal to the current acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A plasma system for treating a workpiece is disclosed. The plasma system includes: a plasma device including an electrode formed from a metal alloy and a dielectric layer covering the electrode, the dielectric layer including a distal portion extending distally past a distal end of the electrode by a predetermined distance; a liquid source configured to supply a liquid to a workpiece; an ionizable media source coupled to the plasma device and configured to supply ionizable media thereto; and a power source coupled to the electrode and configured to ignite the ionizable media at the plasma device to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts with the workpiece.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a porous carbon particle of which a pore size can be controlled by using a copolymer that allows selective cross-linking of a polymer particle and selective carbonization of a polymer particle, and a producing method of the porous carbon particle and a photo electrode including a porous layer containing the porous carbon particle and a dye-sensitized solar cell including the photo electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of 1H-benzimidazol-1-methyl-5-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-butanoic acid ethyl ester. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of bendamustine hydrochloride. The present invention further provides a process for the purification of bendamustine hydrochloride.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a medical instrument can be configured to reduce the formation of coagulum by delivering a negative charge bias to conductive surfaces that interface with blood or bodily tissue during a medical procedure. The application of the negative charge at the instrument-blood interface can reduce the fibrinogen deposition and the formation of coagulum because fibrinogen molecules in general are negatively charged at neutral pH levels. In addition, some embodiments of the instrument may be configured to irrigate the instrument-blood interface with RGD/ClfA peptides, a bicarbonate solution (or other high pH solution), or both to further repel the fibrinogen and thereby inhibit the formation of coagulum. Accordingly, some embodiments of the medical instrument can substantially reduce the risks of thromboembolism during particular medical procedures.