Abstract: The present teachings relate to methods, kits and devices for performing automated sequential nucleic acid isolation and conversion/purification in a single closed system. In various embodiments, the present teaching enable a user to (i) load a device with test samples, reagents and consumables; (ii) select or program the device for the desired nucleic acid isolation and subsequent chemical treatment and/or conversion reaction(s) without further user intervention; and recovering the isolated and treated and/or converted nucleic acid at the conclusion of the program once the device is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a glaucoma diagnosis method using a fundus image and an apparatus for the same. The glaucoma diagnosis method includes performing data amplification of generating multiple transformed images for an original fundus image based on a preprocessed image of the original fundus image, allowing multiple individual learning models of different types to be learned based on the multiple transformed images and generating a glaucoma determination model based on respective outputs of the learned multiple individual learning models, and diagnosing a class of glaucoma for the original fundus image based on the glaucoma determination model.

Abstract: This disclosure features stapled peptide inhibitors (e.g., cysteine-reactive stapled peptides) of the anti-apoptotic protein, BFL-1, and methods of using same in the treatment of BFL-1 expressing cancers.

Abstract: Provided are a compound represented by the following formula I; a novel photoreactive compound that can be used in nucleic acid photoreaction techniques by a photoreactive crosslinking agent comprising the compound; and a photoreactive crosslinking agent in which the photoreactive compound is used.

Abstract: A transparent planar heating film includes metal nanoparticles that are disposed on at least a portion of a transparent adhesive film; and a transparent electrode that is completely covered by the transparent adhesive film and has a conductive surface that is laminated to and in direct contact with the metal nanoparticles via the transparent adhesive film. The heating temperature of the transparent planar heating film is a maximum of at least two times higher at the same power consumption than that of conventional planar heating films. Both the transparent adhesive film and the transparent electrode may be flexible so that the transparent planar heating film is flexible. In the transparent planar heating film, the metal nanoparticles may be bonded to desired locations on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode enabling selective heating.

Abstract: A decision engine includes: a genetic algorithm framework including a knowledge base of standard configurations, a candidate selector generator and a selector to select a candidate configuration from a plurality of preferred standard configurations in response to the candidate selector generator; a parallelized reasoning framework including an attack surface reasoning algorithm module to compute the security and cost tradeoffs of an attack surface associated with each candidate configuration; and a user interface framework including a web service engine where users can interact and provide feedback on direction of an evolution used in a genetic algorithm search for evolving defenses.

Abstract: A digital rights management system and a digital rights management method are provided. The digital rights management system includes an authority management module, a user confirmation module and an authority blockchain. The authority management module is configured for: receiving a user authority information corresponding to a user end from a service providing; sending user authority information to the user confirmation module; receiving an identification code corresponding to the user authority information from the user confirmation module; and sending and storing the user authority information and the identification code into the authority blockchain. Therefore, the authority management module, the user confirmation module and the authority blockchain manage and protect digital rights.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the integrity of signals incoming to a satellite navigation system. The method is implemented with an array of antenna elements, and a receiver connected to each antenna element. The receivers simultaneously and continuously make measurements on all tracked signals. Each receiver measures the carrier phase of an incoming signal. Based on the carrier phase differences between antenna elements and the distance between them, the azimuth and elevation of the signal source can be calculated. This measured angle of arrival can then be compared to an expected angle of arrival to determine if the signal source is legitimate. The system and method can be also applied to determining the angle of arrival of sources of interference, and to mitigating the effects of both illegitimate and interfering signals.

Abstract: A bit interleaver, a bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) device and a bit interleaving method are disclosed herein. The bit interleaver includes a first memory, a processor, and a second memory. The first memory stores a low-density parity check (LDPC) codeword having a length of 16200 and a code rate of 3/15. The processor generates an interleaved codeword by interleaving the LDPC codeword on a bit group basis. The size of the bit group corresponds to a parallel factor of the LDPC codeword. The second memory provides the interleaved codeword to a modulator for 256-symbol mapping.

Abstract: Precise point positioning (PPP) method and a PPP device are provided. The precise point positioning method includes obtaining a first satellite signal of a target satellite and a second satellite signal of a reference satellite. The first satellite signal and the second satellite signal are combined to eliminate a signal error and obtain a combined satellite signal. A smoothing process is performed on a code data of the combined satellite signal, to obtain a satellite positioning data for positioning process. The satellite positioning data includes modified code data and modified carrier-phase data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate comprising an albumin binding peptide and a cargo, compositions for directing cargos to the lymphatic system, and vaccines. The methods of the invention can be used to increase an immune response, or to treat cancer or an infectious disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a video decoding method and apparatus and a video encoding method and apparatus. In video encoding and decoding, inter-prediction information for a target block may be derived, and inter prediction for a target block may be performed using the derived inter-prediction information. Combined inter-prediction information may be performed by combining multiple pieces of inter-prediction information, and the combined inter-prediction information may be added as a candidate to a list used for inter prediction. One of candidates in the list may be selected for inter prediction for the target block, and inter prediction using the selected candidate may be performed.

Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical systems and related methods of making and using electrochemical systems. Electrochemical systems of the invention implement novel cell geometries and composite carbon nanomaterials based design strategies useful for achieving enhanced electrical power source performance, particularly high specific energies, useful discharge rate capabilities and good cycle life. Electrochemical systems of the invention are versatile and include secondary lithium ion cells, useful for a range of important applications including use in portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a seat in a vehicle is presented. The method includes receiving a user input from a passenger to adjust the seat from a default position to a passenger adjusted position. The method also includes predicting, in response to the passenger exiting the vehicle, a likelihood of the passenger returning to the vehicle. The method still further includes maintaining the passenger adjusted position when the likelihood of the passenger returning to the vehicle is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microwave-assisted carbon template method for preparing supported nano metal-oxides or nano metals. The method includes mixing a carbohydrate, urea, and a precursor of an oxide support with a metal salt in a container, adding a certain amount of water, and completely dissolving the solid chemicals through ultrasonic stirring to form a homogeneous solution. The method also includes performing microwave treatment on the obtained solution for approximately 0.1 minute to 60 minutes with a microwave heating power in a range of approximately 100 W to 50 kW to dehydrate and carbonize the carbohydrate and thus form a dark brown solid. The method further includes performing heat treatment on the dark brown solid at a temperature in a range of approximately 200° C. to 1100° C. in an air atmosphere for approximately 0.5 hour to 24 hours to obtain a metal-oxide supported by a porous oxide support.

Abstract: An apparatus includes processor(s) to: receive a request to perform a job flow; retrieve a job flow definition from federated area(s); store, within a job queue, a job performance request message comprising the job flow definition; within a first performance container, execute a performance routine causing the processor(s) to, in response to the storage of the job performance request message within the job queue, derive an order of performance of tasks specifying a first task based on dependencies among the tasks, and store, within a task queue, a first task routine execution request message comprising an identifier associated with the first task; and within a first task container, in response to the storage of the first task routine execution request message within the task queue, use the identifier to retrieve a first task routine from the federated area(s), and execute the first task routine to perform the first task.

Abstract: A metal powder contains not less than 0.10 mass % and not more than 1.00 mass % of at least one of chromium and silicon, and a balance of copper. The total content of the chromium and the silicon is not more than 1.00 mass %. In accordance with an additive manufacturing method for this metal powder, an additively-manufactured article made from a copper alloy is provided. The additively-manufactured article has both an adequate mechanical strength and an adequate electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A storage module of distributed flow battery is provided. An electrochemical reaction is processed with the positive and negative electrolytes to produce and/or discharge direct current and further output the positive and negative electrolytes after the reaction. The module comprises two end plates; two frames disposed between the two end plates; two current collectors disposed between the two frames; two complex cast polar plates disposed between the two current collectors; two electrodes disposed between the two complex cast polar plates; a membrane disposed between the two electrodes; and three gaskets. Therein, two of the gaskets are set to sandwich and enclose one of the two complex cast polar plates; and the other one of the gaskets is set between the other one of the two complex cast polar plates and an adjacent one of the current collectors.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method of depositing thin and ultra-thin parylene are described. In an example, a core deposition chamber is used. The core deposition chamber includes a base and a rigid, removable cover configured to mate and seal with the base to create the core deposition chamber and to define an inside and an outside of the core deposition chamber. The core deposition chamber also includes a conduit through a top of the cover. The conduit has a lumen connecting the inside to the outside of the core deposition chamber. The lumen has a length and a cross-section. The cross-section has a width between 50 ?m and 6000 ?m. The length is less than 140 times the cross-section width. The core deposition chamber can be placed in an outer deposition chamber and can achieve parylene deposition less than 1 ?m thick inside the core deposition chamber.

Abstract: Residence structures, systems, and related methods are generally provided. Certain embodiments comprise administering (e.g., orally) a residence structure to a subject (e.g., a patient) such that the residence structure is retained at a location internal to the subject for a particular amount of time (e.g., at least about 24 hours) before being released. The residence structure may be, in some cases, a gastric residence structure. In some embodiments, the structures and systems described herein comprise one or more materials configured for high levels of active substances (e.g., a therapeutic agent) loading, high active substance and/or structure stability in acidic environments, mechanical flexibility and strength in an internal orifice (e.g., gastric cavity), easy passage through the GI tract until delivery to at a desired internal orifice (e.g., gastric cavity), and/or rapid dissolution/degradation in a physiological environment (e.g., intestinal environment) and/or in response to a chemical stimulant (e.