Abstract: A system for backscatter-based cooperative communication in a wireless-powered heterogeneous network includes a low-power access point, a hybrid access point, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The low-power access point transmits an unmodulated carrier. The hybrid access point is in communication with a primary device using a signal. Internet of Things (IoT) devices harvest energy of the unmodulated carrier and the signal, and each of the IoT devices sequentially transmits information to the hybrid access point through a bistatic backscatter communication-based cooperation mode or non-cooperation mode using the harvested energy.

Abstract: Materials and methods for producing localized hypothermia in a patient (e.g., for treatment of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer).

Abstract: The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.

Abstract: A method for controlling flow localization in machining process is disclosed. By application of a constraint of sufficient level in the deformation zone and modifying the surface boundary conditions, suppression of unsteady flow and flow instabilities is achieved. The method enhances machined component quality by ensuring a uniform deformation state on the machined surface. Machined components are produced by ensuing uniform deformation by adopting constrained-cutting process for suppressing the instabilities and unsteady flow through a pre-determined location of the constraint of the constrained machining process relative to the machining tool.

Abstract: A method includes directing a first plurality of probe laser pulses through a sample, dividing each of the first plurality of probe laser pulses to generate a first interferogram, and generating first image data reproducible as a first phase image of the sample. A plurality of pump laser bursts are directed onto the sample to heat the sample. A second plurality of probe laser pulses are directed through the sample at a predetermined time delay. Each of the second plurality of probe laser pulses are divided to generate a second interferogram. Second image data is generated that is reproducible as a second phase image of the sample. A transient phase shift is determined in the second phase image relative to the first phase image. A vibrational spectroscopy property is determined of the sample based on the transient phase shift, thereby allowing an identification of chemical bond information of within the sample.

Abstract: Methods for producing layered structures that include a conductive polymeric layer and a dielectric polymeric layer. The dielectric polymeric layer can be formed by curing a first volume of a dielectric polymeric material. A second volume of the dielectric polymeric material is doped with conductive particulates to yield a conductive polymeric material, which is then partially cured and solvated to create a conductive polymeric paste. The paste is applied to a surface of the dielectric polymeric layer, dried, and cured to form a conductive polymeric layer on the pre-strained dielectric polymeric layer yielding a layered structure that includes the conductive polymeric layer and the dielectric polymeric layer. A pre-strain is induced in the dielectric polymeric material by contacting a chemical thereto that causes swelling therein.

Abstract: A whittling proxy system can receive a target web page that includes a plurality of Javascript functions and a plurality of objects needed to load the target web page. The system can determine a target Javascript function of the plurality of Javascript functions to be tested for a whittling capability. The system can generate a full version and a partial version of the target web page. The full version includes all of the plurality of Javascript functions. The partial version includes the plurality of Javascript functions excluding the target Javascript function. The system can conduct a test to determine a first page signature associated with the full version and a second page signature associated with the partial version. The system can determine if the first page signature matches the second page signature, and if so, can determine that the target Javascript function can be whittled.

Abstract: This document provides systems and methods that can improve the efficacy of tube and needle thoracostomy. For example, this document provides devices and methods for confirming the proper placement of a chest tube or needle within the pleural space to relieve a pneumothorax or tension pneumothoax.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing marine algae-derived agarotriose, and a use thereof as a prebiotic. More specifically, the present invention investigates the characteristics of agarotriose as a prebiotic which is selectively metabolized by probiotic microorganisms, thereby enabling agarotriose to be used as an anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory agent in the fields of food and pharmaceuticals, and enabling agarotriose to be obtained at high yield through efficient purification with minimal loss after enzymatic hydrolysis of a red algae-derived polysaccharide without pre-treatment.

Abstract: Methods of treating at least one condition associated with envenomation, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits comprising a first compound having formula (I): and a second compound chosen from N-acetyl-L-cysteine, sodium aurothiomalate, silibinin, sodium copper chlorophyllin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a capacitively coupled continuous-time delta-sigma modulator includes an instrumentation amplifier amplifying an input voltage to an output voltage of a predetermined magnitude, a delta-sigma modulator outputting a bit signal quantized depending on a sampling frequency based on the output voltage and to convert the bit signal into a digital-to-analog conversion voltage, and a ripple reduction loop unit generating a demodulation voltage, in which a ripple is removed from the output voltage, depending on an RRL operating frequency to feed the demodulation voltage back to the instrumentation amplifier. The RRL operating frequency is equal to the sampling frequency.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method for a text classification using multi-task learning executed by a server, the method includes: a step of generating text classification learning data by executing a pre-processing process on raw data collected through a network; a step of learning a category classification in a first classification system preset through a first text classification model using the text classification learning data as an input; a step of learning a category classification in a second classification system preset through a second text classification model using the text classification learning data as an input; and a step of classifying the category in the second classification system by inputting text data received from a user terminal into the second text classification model.

Abstract: Multiple endoscopic devices and methods for closing perforations and/or creating anastomoses in tissue are described. For example, this document provides devices and methods for performing esophagogastric anastomoses and for closing esophageal perforations in a minimally invasive fashion. The devices and methods provided herein can also be used for, without limitation, colorectal anastomoses, any bowel anastomosis, gastric bypass anastomoses, and broader vessel anastomoses.

Abstract: An efficient virus based wet biomass lipid extraction system is disclosed herein. The system includes a microalgal biomass which is inoculated with a matched algal virus. The biomass is then incubated under conditions resulting in the algal virus infecting the algae cells and proliferating to the point that the algae cells are disrupted. This releases lipids such that they may be collected by conventional techniques, including solvent extraction. In an exemplary embodiment, the microalgal biomass comprises Chlorella sp, and the virus was Chlorovirus Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus (PBCV-1).

Abstract: Compositions and methods and for enhancing the resistance of wheat plants to wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici are provided. The compositions comprise nucleic acid molecules encoding resistance (R) gene products and variants thereof and plants, seeds, and plant cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The methods for enhancing the resistance of a wheat plant to wheat stem mst comprise introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding an R gene product into a wheat plant cell. Additionally provided are methods for using the wheat plants in agriculture to limit wheat stem rust.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular multilevel converter sub-module, including: a normal circuit which includes a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series and a first diode and a second diode respectively connected to be parallel to the first switching element and the second switching element to offset a counter electromotive force generated in the first switching element and the second switching element, a fault DC current blocking circuit which includes a capacitor connected to the normal circuit in parallel and applies a capacitor voltage to a DC fault path as a reverse voltage with respect to a fault voltage, and a bypass circuit which includes a third switch element, is connected to the fault DC current blocking circuit in parallel, and determines an output voltage and a direction of an arm current to provide a DC fault current bypass path when a DC fault current occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a triblock copolymer having a polyethylene glycol-poly(D,L-lactide)-polyethylene glycol skeleton.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device with negative differential transconductance. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate electrode formed on the substrate, an insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, a source electrode material layer formed on the insulating layer, a semiconductor material layer formed on the insulating layer to be hetero-joined to the source electrode material layer, a source electrode formed on the source electrode material layer, and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor material layer. A work function of the source electrode material layer is controlled by a gate voltage applied through the gate electrode, and the source electrode material layer shows negative differential transconductance depending on a level of the gate voltage.

Abstract: A sense amplifier utilizes a phase transition material (PTM) in conjunction with CMOS circuits to provide a precise sensing threshold. The sense amplifier can be used in memory applications to sense states of stored bits with high accuracy and robustness. In one sense amplifier, a first diode-connected transistor has gate and drain nodes coupled to an input node of the sense amplifier, a second transistor has a gate node coupled to the gate node of the first diode-connected transistor, and the PTM is coupled to the source node of the second transistor. In another sense amplifier, a first transistor has a gate node coupled to an input node of the sense amplifier, a PTM is coupled to the source node of the first transistor, and an output stage including an inverter is coupled between a drain node of the first transistor and an output node of the sense amplifier.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Nandina plant named ‘ZhNan102’, characterized by a combination of compact growing form, dense foliage, golden yellow fall foliage persistent to 6 months, no seed, and no notable disease and pest.