Abstract: A pre-computed importance function providing ex ante assessment of optimal placement of a single radioactive source is used for sequential placement of multiple radioactive sources. As each source is placed, the importance function may be modified to reflect the dose implemented by that source and all sources already placed. The greedy algorithm employed by this technique makes possible optimization of additional dimensions of treatment planning including, using directional and isotropic sources, using different source isotopes, using optimum source strengths, using source locations that are not on the regular grid and using a single movable source for variable times at different locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel synthesis method for the formation of carbon-sulfur bonds by the reaction of an organic sulfur-indium complex with nucleophile in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The present invention provides a synthesis method to prepare several kinds of organic sulfides which are difficult to be prepared by the conventional synthesis methods. A short reaction time and quantitative yield are the advantages of this method. In addition, several kinds of organic sulfide can be prepared by the selection of nucleophile and organic sulfur-indium complex to be used.

Abstract: In the invention, a collection device includes a flow through micro scale plate arranged to collect analyte. The plate includes holes, and sorbent coating on contact surfaces of the plate. The holes pass analyte fluid flow, for example analyte vapor so that fluid flow for collection may be generally perpendicular to the sorbent plate. Preferred embodiment plates include an integrated heater trace. In preferred embodiments, a high substantially perpendicular flow is used for collection and concentration, and during desorption and delivery a low substantially parallel flow is used. The low flow is selected to meet constraints of a detector system.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium are provided for characterizing a dataset. A representative dataset is defined from a dataset by a computing device. The representative dataset includes a first plurality of data points and the dataset includes a second plurality of data points. The number of the first plurality of data points is less than the number of the second plurality of data points. The data point is added to the representative dataset if a minimum distance between the data point and each data point of the representative dataset is greater than a sampling parameter. The data point is added to a refinement dataset if the minimum distance between the data point and each data point of the representative dataset is less than the sampling parameter and greater than half the sampling parameter.

Abstract: Method and System for providing a signal from an insulin pump, artificial pancreas, or another insulin delivery device as a source of information for improving the accuracy of a continuous glucose sensor (CGS). The effect of using insulin information to enhance sensor accuracy is most prominent at low blood glucose levels, i.e. in the hypoglycemic range, which is critical for any treatment. A system for providing a filtering/state estimation methodology that may be used to determine a glucose state estimate at time t-?. The estimation may be extrapolated to some future time t and then the extrapolated value is used to extract the blood glucose component. The blood glucose component of the extrapolation and the output of the CGS are weighted and used to estimate the blood glucose level of a subject.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for Fluorescence/Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) analysis of cleavage of Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) polypeptides by the metalloprotease ADAMTS13. The polypeptides contain: i) a first fluorescent protein ii) a VWF amino acid sequence and iii) a second fluorescent protein. The VWF amino acid can contain any of a variety of amino acid substitutions. The method involves contacting a sample that contains ADAMTS13 and using FRET based measurements to determine ADAMTS13 cleavage of the recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe for diagnosing HPV genotype and to a method of analyzing the same.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enhancing properties, including polarization, of thin-film ferroelectric materials in electronic devices. According to one embodiment, a process for enhancing properties of ferroelectric material in a device having completed wafer processing includes applying mechanical stress to the device, independently controlling the temperature of the device to cycle the temperature from room temperature to at or near the Curie temperature of the ferroelectric material and back to room temperature while the device is applied with the mechanical stress, and then removing the mechanical stress. Certain of the subject methods can be performed as part of a back end of line (BEOL) process, and may be performed during the testing phase at wafer or die level.

Abstract: Processes for forming quantum well structures which are characterized by controllable nitride content are provided, as well as superlattice structures, optical devices and optical communication systems based thereon.

Abstract: A spring-type brake actuator for a pneumatically-operated vehicle brake is provided, in which the parking brake release piston is formed from at least one stamped actuator piston plate, preferably a stamped aluminum plate. Preferably the biasing force of the power spring of the spring brake actuator bears on a stamped spring seat cap element which is interposed between the power spring and the stamped actuator piston plate. In addition, the parking brake release piston flexible diaphragm may be captured between the stamped actuator piston plate and a stamped backing plate by affixing the backing plate to a joining member, where the joining member includes a threaded insert to receive a manually-actuated parking brake release actuation tool.

Abstract: A spring-type brake actuator for a pneumatically-operated vehicle brake is provided, in which the portion of the brake actuator containing the parking brake actuation power spring is arranged to be vented to atmosphere but not to permit entry of outside environmental air into the power spring chamber, the spring-type brake actuator being provided with an internal breather valve which permits clean dry air from the parking brake release chamber to enter the power spring chamber which the pressure difference between the chambers falls to within a predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a therapeutic molecule capable of suppressing an immune response against an organ or tissue transplantation in a patient. In particular, the invention relates to a conjugate comprising a first portion connected to a second portion, wherein the first portion binds to an MHC Class I molecule and the second portion has HLA-G activity. This conjugate may be used as a medicament to modulate immune responses and induce immunological tolerance specific to allogenic MHC complexes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicon oxide (Six)-carbon composite for a negative-electrode active material of a lithium secondary battery, includes mixing silicon (Si) particles and a polymer material with an organic solvent, thus preparing a mixture solution, optionally electrospinning the mixture solution thus preparing a composite having a one-dimensional structure, and heat-treating the mixture solution or the composite having a one-dimensional structure. The silicon oxide (SiOx)-carbon composite can reduce volume expansion upon lithium ion insertion and can increase ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and thus can maintain high capacity, making it possible to apply it to a lithium ion battery to thus improve electrochemical characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: In a brake actuator including a plurality of actuator housing portions, a diaphragm seal, partially delimiting a parking brake de-actuation chamber, is retained between adjacent actuator housing portions, and an elastic element disposed between the diaphragm seal and one of the housing portions opposes expansion of the parking brake de-actuation chamber. A push rod extends into and out of a service brake actuation chamber upon respective release of fluid pressure from the parking brake de-actuation chamber and supply of fluid pressure to the parking brake de-actuation chamber. In order to constrain a central portion of the diaphragm seal for movement together with both the push rod and a piston, a clamping arrangement is used to axially clamp the central diaphragm seal portion between an end of the push rod and a surface of the piston.

Abstract: The present invention comprises: a fixed four-node link in which four links are joined together in a hinged fashion, comprising a fixed link of which the position is fixed, a connecting rod positioned on the opposite side of the first link, an input-side transmission link connecting the end on one side of the connecting rod and the first link, and an output-side transmission link positioned on the opposite side of the input-side transmission link; an input link part to which an actuator is attached, and which is joined in hinged fashion between the two ends of the input-side transmission link; and an output link part which is fixedly joined to the output-side transmission link and is rotated by means of the output-side transmission link, and the one-degree-of-freedom link device according to the present invention and the robot arm using the same can be used to allow easy attachment and detachment between link devices and achieve smooth action in a robot arm in accordance with what is desired.

Abstract: The present invention includes IFNS activating agents that activate expression of IFN-?, activate NF-?B expression, activate an innate immune response, activate the expression of one or more cytokines, and/or induce the expression of interferon beta (IFN-?) through a RNase L and/or MDA5-dependent pathway. Such IFNS activating agents include single stranded RNAs that encode for conserved region II of the L protein of a negative stranded RNA virus, including, but not limited to, viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae. Also included are methods of making and using such IFNS activating agents and compositions and kits including such IFNS activating agents.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi focused acoustic wave source. The method comprises providing the multi focused acoustic wave source, providing a plurality of target acoustic pressures to be applied on a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs) in at least one cellular tissue, computing a transmission pattern of multi-focal acoustic energy according to the plurality of target acoustic pressures, and operating the multi focused acoustic wave source according to the transmission pattern.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular main graft body including a sidewall and proximal and distal ends. A first stent may be positioned near the proximal end of the main graft body. A second stent may be positioned adjacent to and distal of the first stent. An opening in the sidewall may be positioned longitudinally between a peak of the first stent and a valley of the second stent. A tubular branch may be disposed in the opening. The branch may include first and second end openings. The branch may be flexibly orientable between a retrograde configuration in which the first end opening is oriented toward the distal end and the second end opening is oriented toward the proximal end and an antegrade configuration in which the first end opening is oriented toward the proximal end and the second end opening is oriented toward the distal end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a GO-Gd-DTPA (gadolinum-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic-graphene oxide) complex, which is formed by an ester bond of graphene oxide (GO) and gadopentetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Since the GO-Gd-DTPA can stably exist in the body because it has high stability in water, it is expected that it can be effectively used as an MRI contrast agent.

Abstract: An edge-light type backlight unit reduces the color unevenness on the display screen caused by the arrangement of point-shaped light sources (e.g., LEDs) in a point-shaped light source unit comprising a set of point-shaped light sources aligned. The backlight unit includes at least one point-shaped light source unit having point-shaped light sources arranged in a single direction in a predetermined order, the light sources emitting monochromatic light of different colors. The unit further comprises a first optical filter for limiting or controlling transmission of the monochromatic light emitted from one of the light sources disposed at one end of the light source unit, and a second optical filter for limiting or controlling transmission of the monochromatic light emitted from another of the light sources disposed at the other end thereof. The first and second filters are selectively formed on a first or second light guide plate or a diffusing plate.