Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A vacuum bag system (VBS) for forming pre-consolidated composite blanks has a blank enclosure for sealing around a periphery of the blank, while leaving a second side of the blank exposed, an articulated forming caul (AFC) with at least two facets, each facet effectively jointedly coupled to an adjacent facet, and having a respective, independently controlled, heater integrated with, or coupled to the facet. The VBS further has a forming enclosure for sealing around a periphery of a tool. The blank enclosure brings the blank and the facets into uniform thermal contact resistance and mechanical contact; and permits the articulated AFC to distribute thermal and mechanical load across the blank during forming, even as the facets move to align to faces of the mold.

Abstract: A landing apparatus for a reusable launch vehicle is provided, including a landing leg pivotably mounted at one end to the reusable launch vehicle, for example, to a propellant tank part, and mounted at the other end to the propellant tank part by a detaching means such as a pyro bolt for example, a cover mounted to an outside of the landing leg along a longitudinal direction of the landing leg, and a leg landing plate mounted to a distal end of the landing leg and relatively pivotable with respect to the landing leg by its own weight when the other end of the landing leg is separated from the propellant tank part.

Abstract: Provided is a transversal radio frequency filter circuit having a low noise amplifier connected along an input signal path, a first power divider connected between the low noise amplifier and four single taps, and an output path connected to the outputs of each of the four single taps. Each of the four single taps having a coefficient control mechanism, a polarity selection mechanism, and a time delay element. The coefficient control mechanism can include a wideband digital step attenuator configured to support high control range of the coefficient. Additionally, the circuit can include a second power divider connected between the outputs of each of the four single taps and the output path. The circuit can further include a field-programmable gate array configured to control coefficient control mechanisms, the polarity selection mechanisms, and the time delay elements.

Abstract: Tin oxide films are used as spacers and hardmasks in semiconductor device manufacturing. In one method, tin oxide layer (e.g., spacer footing) needs to be selectively etched in a presence of an exposed silicon-containing layer, such as SiOC, SiON, SiONC, amorphous silicon, SiC, or SiN. In order to reduce damage to the silicon-containing layer the process involves passivating the silicon-containing layer towards a tin oxide etch chemistry, etching the tin oxide, and repeating passivation and etch in an alternating fashion. For example, passivation and etch can be each performed between 2-50 times. In one implementation, passivation is performed by treating the substrate with an oxygen-containing reactant, activated in a plasma, and the tin oxide etching is performed by a chlorine-based chemistry, such as using a mixture of Cl2 and BCl3.

Abstract: Two biomarkers are provided for obstructive apnea. A first biomarker determines amplitude and timing of inspiratory efforts from a bioelectric signal. The respiratory rate is compared with a normal pre-detection rate, and the amplitude of the effort is compared with a normal amplitude. The obstructive apnea is likely present if a series of inspiratory efforts are above a normal amplitude and with increasing amplitude, but at a normal rate. A second biomarker determines heart rate and respiratory rate. A normal lower threshold for heartbeat interval is established, and if subthreshold events occur (short RR intervals), a commencement time for each sequence of subthreshold events is compared for a respiratory rate-normalized window. If the number of subthreshold events exceeds a minimum for the window, obstructive apnea is likely present.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis or prognosis of a cancer in a subject are provided and include the steps of: obtaining a biological sample from a subject; determining an amount of a phosphorylation at a Y260 residue in a Na/K ATPase present in the biological sample; and comparing the amount of the phosphorylation in the sample to a control level to thereby diagnose the cancer. Methods for detecting a metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis are also provided in which a biological sample including one or more cells is obtained and an amount of a phosphorylation at a Y260 residue in a Na/K ATPase is determined in the one or more cells.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a coating amount of a slurry according to the present disclosure includes a light emitter configured to irradiate terahertz wave onto a release paper coated with the slurry, a light receiver configured to receive the terahertz wave, which is irradiated from the light emitter and passes through the release paper coated with the slurry, to obtain a power of the terahertz wave, and a calculating part configured to calculate a thickness of an electrode, formed from the slurry applied to the release paper, based on the power of the terahertz wave received by the light receiver.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a compound having the Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as described herein. The present application is also directed to a wax composition comprising a wax and a compound of Formula (I). Processes of making a wax composition and for coating a plant or plant part with the compound of Formula (I) are also described.

Abstract: Genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes encoding proteins that inhibit virus infection in cells. The genetically modified CCNT1 gene encodes a protein with a C261Y substitution with respect to the human CCNT1 protein. The genetically modified XPO1 gene encodes a protein with P411T, M412V, and/or F414S substitutions with respect to the human XPO1 protein. The genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes can be introduced in cells. The cells comprising the genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes can be introduced in a subject with a virus infection to treat the infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies may be characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-flow-path air valve for water hammer prevention and a design method. The variable-flow-path air valve includes a valve body with a top provided with an air intake-exhaust port. A ball valve seat and a floating ball are arranged below the air intake-exhaust port. The valve body is provided with at least one swing check valve configured to be opened inward. The swing check valve includes: a swing valve disc connected to a valve body hinge, a variable-flow-path air inlet controlled by the swing valve disc to open and close, a device for limiting the opening degree of the swing valve disc, and a sealing device. In the present invention, the air valve takes in air through the air intake-exhaust port and the variable flow path, and discharges air only through the air intake-exhaust port.

Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for preparing a cell and tissue culture, including a hanging drop culture. Microwells are specially loaded with cell mixtures using a removable reservoir and forcing cells into the underlying microwells. The removable reservoir is removed and the cells partitioned into the individual microwells and covered by an immiscible layer of fluid. The microwells and immiscible layer is inverted and the cells in the microwells cultured. The microwells may have shape-controlling elements to control the three-dimensional shape of the culture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique related to a method and apparatus for generating a preamble and a data frame for wireless communication, and to a synchronization estimation method using the preamble. According to the technique, a method for generating a frame for wireless communication is disclosed, wherein the method comprises: a step of generating a modified sequence using a first base sequence for synchronization estimation; and a step of allocating the first base sequence and the modified sequence to the frequency domain of a first timeslot to generate a preamble. The modified sequence includes a complex conjugated sequence of the first base sequence or a sequence having a code different from that of the first base sequence.

Abstract: A switching amplifier system with a power supply, a pulse modulator configured to modulate an input signal into a pulse width modulation signal, a switching stage configured to generate an amplified output signal, and an error feedback signal configured to correct errors in the amplified output signal, where the input signal is comprised of at least one of an analog signal and a digital signal. A method of signal amplification comprising generating, by a pulse width modulator, a pulse width modulation signal, combining, by a switching stage, the input signal and the pulse width modulation signal to form an amplified output signal, and generating, by the switching stage, an error feedback signal, where the error feedback signal is configured to correct errors in the amplified output signal, and where the input signal is comprised of at least one of an analog signal and a digital signal.

Abstract: A system for training an operator of a vehicle includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, which includes a safety module and a training module. The safety module has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine when the vehicle is operating within a safe area based on at least one of: a location of the vehicle and a location of one or more objects with respect to the vehicle. The training module has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to apply at least one brake of the vehicle when the vehicle is operating within the safe area to cause the vehicle to engage in an oversteer event, and collect operator response information when the vehicle engages in the oversteer event.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reducing a number of viable microbes, including contacting microbes with an antibiotic compound and applying pulses of electricity having a duration of between about 50 nanoseconds and about 900 nanoseconds. The pulses of electricity may have an intensity between about 20 kV/cm and about 40 kV/cm. The pulses of electricity may be applied at a frequency of between about 0.1 Hz and about 10 Hz. The microbes may be a gram-negative or a gram-positive strain of bacteria and the antibiotic may be applied at a concentration for a duration, wherein applying the antibiotic to the strain at the concentration for the duration does not reduce a viable number of bacteria of the strain as much, or at all, when the pulses of electricity are not also applied.

Abstract: Described herein are bioaerosol detection systems and methods of use. In embodiments of bioaerosol detection systems and methods of use as described herein, systems and methods detect one or more coronaviruses and/or one or more influenza strains. In embodiments, coronaviruses according to systems and methods as described herein are SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In embodiments, influenza strains and/or particles according to the present disclosure are H1N1 influenza.

Abstract: A doped or undoped silicon carbide (SiCxOyNz) film can be deposited in one or more features of a substrate for gapfill. After a first thickness of the doped or undoped silicon carbide film is deposited in the one or more features, the doped or undoped silicon carbide film is exposed to a remote hydrogen plasma under conditions that cause a size of an opening near a top surface of each of the one or more features to increase, where the conditions can be controlled by controlling treatment time, treatment frequency, treatment power, and/or remote plasma gas composition. Operations of depositing additional thicknesses of silicon carbide film and performing a remote hydrogen plasma treatment are repeated to at least substantially fill the one or more features. Various time intervals between deposition and plasma treatment may be added to modulate gapfill performance.