Abstract: A system for removing wellbore liquids from a wellbore, the wellbore traversing a subterranean formation and having a tubular that extends within at least a portion of the wellbore. The system includes a positive-displacement solid state pump comprising a fluid chamber, an inlet and an outlet port, each in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, at least one solid state actuator, a first one-way check valve positioned between the inlet port and the fluid chamber, and/or a second one-way check valve positioned between the outlet port and the fluid chamber, the at least one solid state actuator configured to operate at or near its resonance frequency, the solid state pump positioned within the wellbore; and means for powering the solid state pump. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for broadcast signal frame using layered division multiplexing are disclosed. An apparatus for generating broadcast signal frame according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a combiner configured to generate a multiplexed signal by combining a core layer signal and an enhanced layer signal at different power levels; a power normalizer configured to reduce the power of the multiplexed signal to a power level corresponding to the core layer signal; a time interleaver configured to generate a time-interleaved signal by performing interleaving that is applied to both the core layer signal and the enhanced layer signal; and a frame builder configured to generate a broadcast signal frame including a preamble for signaling time interleaver information shared by the core layer signal and the enhanced layer signal, using the time-interleaved signal.

Abstract: A system for the collection of visual and related data on marine and other underwater habitats and fauna, in particular and without limitation for benthic habitats over significant spatial scales. The system can include elements such as a digital or video camera to receive visual images, various sensors to sense other related data and waterproof housings to protect various elements of the device. A sensor may for example be a global positioning system. The device can also include elements to control the device and to record, transfer & process the data.

Abstract: A vehicle, a single-wheelset/double-wheelset trackless train and a tracking and steering control method therefor are provided in the invention. The method includes the following steps. During traveling of the vehicle, steering information of the vehicle is continually collected by the controller. Information about a guiding front wheel turning angle, a controlled rear wheel turning angle, a vehicle body position angle, an included angle between vehicle bodies, and a vehicle travel time and speed is collected; an interval for data collection is determined according to a distance between a guiding front wheel and a controlled rear wheel; and when the controlled rear wheel travels to a certain point near a front wheel travel track, the controlled rear wheel is controlled to travel in a travel direction same as that when the front wheel travels to the point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spectroscopic device including a planar lightwave circuit to which light passing through an optical fiber is input, a wavelength divider configured to divide a wavelength of light passing through the planar lightwave circuit, a beam splitter configured to divide a traveling direction of light passing through the wavelength divider into an external sample inlet and an internal sample inlet and adjust power of the divided light, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor configured to covert light transmitted from the internal sample inlet to an electrical signal or convert light reflected by the external sample inlet to an electrical signal, a control and signal processor configured to process the electrical signal to indicate a light intensity based on each wavelength, and an input and output interface configured to perform a spectrum analysis for each wavelength using the processed electrical signal.

Abstract: An isolated and purified peptide, neonatal NET-inhibitory Factor (nNIF), is disclosed. Methods for treatment of and prophylaxis against inflammatory disorders are also disclosed, including methods of treatment of and prophylaxis against inflammatory disorders comprising administering NET-inhibitory peptides (NIPs), which may be a nNIF, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNIF, a nNIF analog, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNIF analog, a nNIF-Related Peptide (nNRP), including the nNRP, Cancer-Associated SCM-Recognition, Immune Defense Suppression, and Serine Protease Protection Peptide (CRISPP), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNRP, a nNRP analog, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a nNRP analog, to an individual.

Abstract: A vessel having an opening for receiving the product and walls surrounding the vessel at all sides except the opening. The interior of the vessel is filled with a fluid having a specific gravity lower than a specific gravity of a medium surrounding the walls outside the vessel. While the vessel is oriented with the opening facing downwards, the vessel and/or product is/are conveyed to ensure that the product enters the interior through the opening.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an optical system for determining a refractive index of a sample. The optical system may include a laser source configured to emit a laser beam, and a non-linear crystal configured to generate, based on the laser beam, an infrared light beam which passes through the sample, and a visible signal light beam. The optical system may further include a first mirror configured to reflect the visible signal light beam, a second mirror configured to reflect the infrared light beam so that the reflected infrared light beam interacts with the reflected visible signal light beam in the non-linear crystal, and a photodetector configured to determine a property of the reflected visible signal light beam which has interacted with the reflected infrared light beam for determining the refractive index of the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for functionalizing the surfaces of cellulose nanoparticles. In embodiments, nanoparticles are aerosolized, and then passed through a flow reactor where they are contacted with gaseous reactants to functionalize the surface of the nanoparticles. In other embodiments, the nanoparticles are aerosolized, and then passed through a plasma reactor where they are contacted with gaseous reactants to functionalize the surface of the nanoparticles. Once the functionalized nanoparticles are produced, they may be combined with polymers to form polymer composites having both a polymer and the functionalized nanoparticles. Systems for producing these functionalized nanoparticles, coupled with downstream polymer processing equipment for forming the polymer composites, are also provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for expanding antigen-specific T cells (e.g., antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and/or antigen-specific CD8+ T cells) in culture. For example, methods and materials for performing a polyclonal stimulation step for a particular duration (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 48 hours) to increase the expansion of T cells having a desired antigen specificity are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are capsid-modified rAAV expression vectors, as well as infectious virions, compositions, and pharmaceutical formulations that include them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using novel capsid-protein-mutated rAAV vector constructs in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including, inter alia, as delivery agents for diagnosis, treatment, or amelioration of one or more diseases, disorders, or dysfunctions of the mammalian vascular system, and complications from Type I diabetes. Also disclosed are methods for systemic and tissue-localized delivery of therapeutic rAAV-based gene expression cassettes to vascular endothelial cells, tissues, and organs, as well as use of the disclosed compositions in the manufacture of medicaments for a variety of in vitro and/or in vivo applications including the treatment of vasculitis, and complications arising from Type I diabetes, such as macular edema, nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by Formula 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R1 is chloro or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or chloro; R3 is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, methoxy, phenoxy, (4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl, piperidin-4-yl, or piperazin-1-yl; R4 is hydrogen, chloro, methyl or trifluoromethyl, phenoxy, (4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl or piperidin-4-yl; or R3 and R4, together with the carbons to which they are attached, form a fused ring selected form the group consisting of: n is 1 or 2. These compounds according to the present invention remarkably inhibits activity of DRAK that inhibits signal systems of TGF-?, which is known to suppress cancer growth, and thus the novel pyrimidine compounds can be used as a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer and can be used as a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Anti-CXCL12 antibody molecules and their uses are disclosed, and in particular anti-CXCL12 antibody molecules that are capable of inhibiting a biological activity of CXCL12 in vitro and in vivo and their use for treating CXCL12-mediated disease.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving situational awareness of occupants of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing, using at least a processor of the vehicle, scan data from a sensor of the vehicle to detect at least one object within the surrounding environment. The method includes converting the scan data into converted data that represents the at least one object with a reduced quantity of data. The method includes rendering, using the converted data, at least one graphic that is a visual representation of the at least one object. The method includes displaying the at least one graphic within a display of the vehicle at a location within the display that represents a location of the at least one object relative to the vehicle in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An article suitable for inducing quasispherical cell clustering is provided. The article comprising: a layer suitable for culturing quasispherical cell clusters, the layer comprising a bulk region comprising an interpenetrating network of at least one predominantly positively charged polyelectrolyte and at least one predominantly negatively charged positive polyelectrolyte, a back surface region, and a front surface region, wherein the front surface region comprises a net negative fixed surface charge density of between about 0.4 micromole per m2 and about 1.5 micromole per m2.

Abstract: In one example, an electroplating system comprises a bath reservoir, a holding device, an anode, a direct current power supply, and a controller. The bath reservoir contains an electrolyte solution. The holding device holds a wafer submerged in the electrolyte solution. The wafer comprises features covered by a cobalt layer. The anode is opposite to the wafer and submerged in the electrolyte solution. The direct current power supply generates a direct current between the holding device and the anode. A combination of forward and reverse pulses is applied between the holding device and the anode to electroplate a copper layer on the cobalt layer of the wafer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a plurality of thermoelectric components, a first electrode and a second electrode. The thermoelectric components have the same type of semiconductor material. The first electrode includes a first parallel connection part and a first serial connection part. The plurality of thermoelectric components is electrically connected to the first parallel connection part and each of the plurality of thermoelectric components is separated from one another. The first serial connection part is configured for being electrically connected to other electrical components. The plurality of thermoelectric components is electrically connected to the second electrode and located between the first parallel connection part and the second electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cheap and efficient non noble metal based catalyst for the oxidation of diesel or hydrocarbons, its synthesis and its application for diesel oxidation at low temperature. The catalyst comprises a mixed oxide of manganese and cerium, or manganese, cerium and zirconium. The catalyst has improved water and sulphur tolerance.

Abstract: A synthetic charged glycolipid is described comprising a sulfated saccharide group covalently linked to the tree sn-1 hydroxyl group of the glycerol backbone of an archaeal core lipid via a beta linkage. The synthetic charged glycolipids include compounds of formula I wherein n is 0 or 1; R is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and Y is hydrogen or a sulfate group, at least one Y being a sulfate group; and including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The sulfated glycolipid produces stable archaeosomes at a mol % ratio of from 100:0 to 30:70 (sulfated glycolipid:uncharged glycolipid) and which induce a protective immune response, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses. Archaeosomes comprising the sulfated glycolipids described have desirable adjuvant properties, particularly when mixed with uncharged glycolipid at a mol % ratio of about 50:50.

Abstract: The present invention provides members that produce on a large scale a coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase which has excellent substrate-recognizing ability toward glucose while providing low action on maltose. The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a soluble coenzyme-linked glucose dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidation of glucose in the presence of an electron acceptor and has an activity toward maltose of 5% or lower; a polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide; a recombinant vector carrying the polynucleotide; a transformed cell produced using the recombinant vector; a method for producing a polypeptide comprising culturing the transformed cell and collecting from the cultivated products a polypeptide that links to FAD to exert the glucose dehydration activity; a method for determination of glucose using the polypeptide; a reagent composition for determination of glucose; and a biosensor.