Abstract: The present system and method provides a more precise way to record food and beverage intake than traditional methods. The present disclosure provides custom software for use in mobile computing devices that include a digital camera. Photos captured by mobile digital devices are analyzed with image processing and comparisons to certain databases to allow a user to discretely record foods eaten. Specifically, the user captures images of the meal or snack before and after eating. The foods pictured are identified. Image processing software may identify the food or provide choices for the user. Once a food is identified and volume of the food is estimated, nutrient databases are used for calculating final portion sizes and nutrient totals.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of determining an optimal cyclic delay value. The method of determining the optimal cyclic delay value includes determining a Signal-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) function depending on a diversity order; determining a channel estimation error variance function; and determining an SINR being required for a system according to the SINR function and the channel estimation error variance function.

Abstract: A method for ground improvement with hardened inclusions includes providing a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines and to create cavities at the location the tines are advanced. The device is at least partially retracted and hardening cementitious material backfill is added into the cavities for forming a plurality of hardened inclusions within the cavities.

Abstract: Tetrahymena is used as a host cell in a biological assay for identification of modulators of tubulin ligases.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a photonic crystal is provided. In the method, a high-refractive-index material is conformally deposited on an exposed portion of a periodic template composed of a low-refractive-index material by an atomic layer deposition process so that a difference in refractive indices or dielectric constants between the template and adjacent air becomes greater, which makes it possible to form a three-dimensional photonic crystal having a superior photonic bandgap. Herein, the three-dimensional structure may be prepared by a layer-by-layer method.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of affecting physiological disorders by stimulating a specific location along the sympathetic nerve chain. Preferably, the present invention provides a method of affecting a variety of physiological disorders or pathological conditions by placing an electrode adjacent to or in communication with at least one ganglion along the sympathetic nerve chain and stimulating the at least one ganglion until the physiological disorder or pathological condition has been affected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for passive jet blast deflection or the like. Use of the passive jet blast deflector permits the efficient dispersal of a fast moving local heat source into the environment through passive means while providing a high strength structure. The jet blast deflector system may include a first plate, a second plate, and a cellular core disposed between them adapted to allow cooling ambient air to flow through the cellular core, wherein the first plate, second plate, and core are all seamlessly coupled heat pipes that form a single vapor core to facilitate the spreading and even storing of thermal energy. An ejector plate may be attached to the top of the second plate to create a low pressure zone as the heat source passes over it, thereby pulling the ambient air through the cellular core, facilitating the removal the thermal energy from the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures including a substrate, a crosslinked polymer film disposed over the substrate, and a patterned diblock copolymer film disposed over the crosslinked polymer film. The crosslinked polymer comprises a random copolymer polymerized from a first monomer, a second monomer, and a photo-crosslinkable and/or thermally crosslinkable third monomer, including epoxy-functional or acrylyol-functional monomers. Also disclosed are methods for forming the structures.

Abstract: A method of uncoupling mitochondria in a subject including administering nanotubes to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the nanotubes are self-rectifying is provided. A method of decreasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing detrimental loading of Ca2+ into mitochondria is provided, including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject. A method of reducing weight, treating cancer, reducing the effects of traumatic brain injury, or reducing the effects of ageing, in a subject including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer. The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-lung cancer agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are water-soluble nanoparticles. The water-soluble nanoparticles are each surrounded by a multifunctional group ligand including an adhesive region, a cross linking region, and a reactive region. In the water-soluble nanoparticles, the cross-linking region of the multifunctional group ligand is cross-linked with another cross-linking region of a neighboring multifunctional group ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting tolerance associated with 6-mercaptopurine drug treatment of an immune-mediated gastrointestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods for predicting a patient's risk of an adverse drug reaction (or tolerance) to a 6-mercaptopurine drug by genotyping a patient at a polymorphic site in at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) gene, molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) gene, and aldehyde oxidase (AOX) gene. The present invention further provides methods for optimizing therapeutic efficacy in a patient receiving a 6-mercaptopurine drug by determining whether the patient should be given an alternative drug based on the presence or absence of a polymorphism in at least one of the XDH, MOCOS, and AOX genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a genotoxicity of a test substance, comprising the steps of: (a) transforming a fish with a nucleotide sequence encoding a non-fluorescent fluorescence protein with a mutation; (b) treating a test substance to the transformed fish; and (c) measuring a fluorescence in the test substance-treated fish, wherein the fluorescence is generated by reversion of the non-fluorescent fluorescence protein to the fluorescence protein due to a back mutation of the nucleotide sequence in the test substance-treated fish. According to the present invention, MutaFish system, Zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) line, in which the fluorescence protein variant, preferably wild type EGFP variant (EGFPmut) is transformed, provides a much excellent animal system for measuring a genotoxicity of a test substance via production of a fluorescent fry larvae generated through reversion of the fluorescent protein variant caused by treatment of the test substance.

Abstract: A drug delivery system for the treatment of liver cancer that is based on interventional injection of a temperature and pH-sensitive hydrogel is provided. The drug delivery system is composed of a block copolymer applicable to hepatic arterial catheterization and a therapeutic agent is loaded inside the drug delivery system, and the drug delivery system is in the sol state outside, and undergoes a phase transition into the gel state inside the hepatic artery, thereby delaying or blocking blood supply of the hepatic artery, and slowly releasing the therapeutic agent during the phase transition into the gel state inside the hepatic artery.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating characteristics of an S-cam are provided. The inventive method includes the step of obtaining angle values and displacement values indicative of an angle of rotation of the S-cam and displacement of a cam follower caused by rotation of a lobe of the S-cam. The method further includes the step of determining a profile for the lobe of the S-cam responsive to the angle values and the displacement values. The method further includes the steps of computing a deviation of the profile from a desired profile for the lobe of the S-cam and determining a rate of change in the deviation of the profile. In addition, the system and method may evaluate characteristics such as the concentricity of the S-cam and power transfer characteristics of the S-cam.

Abstract: An active safety apparatus for vehicles and a method of controlling the apparatus, which can actively control the operation of a safety device, such as an airbag device or a seatbelt device installed in a vehicle for restraining a passenger behavior and protecting a passenger in a vehicle collision, based on the conditions of a vehicle collision and the passenger behavior which vary depending on the conditions of the vehicle collision, thereby optimally protecting the passenger for the conditions of the vehicle collision and improving passenger safety of the vehicle.

Abstract: Advances in robot performance have been limited by a lack of advances in the mature field of battery technology. The focus of robotic power systems must expand from the use of single energy devices to the inclusion of multiple devices which can be optimized for a robotic platform. The challenge lies in the development of the hardware and control algorithms for a scalable power delivery architecture which satisfies the power and energy requirements of most unmanned ground vehicles. This invention is directed to an architecture which is easily scalable and facilitates the use of a wide variety of energy storage/generation devices, while focusing on the system control algorithm and its stability. The experimental results for an example system are presented demonstrating that the architecture functions properly when faced with real world robotic power demands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of detecting amyloids in a subject. The present invention provides peptides that bind selectively to amyloids and are useful for detecting amyloids and diagnosing and/or monitoring the progression of amyloid mediated conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an lightweight, flexible, elastomeric, clear or opaque, optionally pigmented, pliable insulating material comprising an aerogel base material and a polymer material. The aerogel may be silica aerogel, a carbon aerogel, an alumina aerogel, a chalcogel, or an organic aerogel and may be crosslinked with polyurea or vanadium. In certain embodiments the aerogel is embedded within the silicone base polymer. In other embodiments the insulating material is composed of layers of aerogel impregnated polymer such that each layer comprises a different amount of aerogel, a different stiffness, a different thermal conduction behavior, or any other desirable parameter. Such layers can be assembled utilizing, for example, but without limitation, an onion layer approach. The layers of aerogel impregnated polymer may be color coded for identification of insulating properties.