Abstract: Systems and methods for a content-adaptive photo-enhancement recommender that produces multiple enhanced images based on content and color layout parameters derived from related high-quality images are disclosed. In some embodiments, a user-uploaded image is enhanced based on parameters learned from high-quality images similar in content to the user-uploaded image and obtained using content-based image retrieval techniques.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for and method of detecting the presence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a patient including a detector device for detecting a presence of at least one marker indicative of HNSCC, the detector device including a panel of markers for HNSCC. A diagnostic device for and method of staging HNSCC in a patient including a detector device for detecting a presence of at least one marker indicative of stages of HNSCC, the detector device including a panel of markers for HNSCC. Markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma selected from the markers listed in Table 5. Methods of personalized immunotherapy, making a personalized anti-cancer vaccine, and predicting a clinical outcome in a HNSCC patient. A method of making a panel of HNSCC markers.

Abstract: A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system by injecting a current of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side and perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by injecting a voltage of about 0.5 to about 1 percent of a nominal voltage of the power system at the load side and varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion.

Abstract: A turbocharger control system for an internal combustion engine having first and second turbochargers connected in series includes first and second pressure sensors, and a controller. The first and second pressure sensors are disposed in an air intake of the engine, and are configured to sense boost pressure of the first and second turbochargers, respectively. The controller is configured to receive pressure signals from the first and second pressure sensors, and to control operation of at least one of the first and second turbochargers to maintain a desired boost pressure ratio.

Abstract: The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2009, 1,479,350 new cancer cases would be diagnosed in the United States of which 219,440 would be lung and bronchus related. The standard treatments for NSCLC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, laser and photodynamic therapy, all with various success rates depending on the stage of the cancer. National Cancer Institute assesses, however, that results of standard treatment are generally poor with only a 15 percent 5-year survival rate for combined cancer stages. Challenges facing the current chemotherapy drugs include excessive toxicity to healthy tissues and limited ability to prevent metastases. A dual drug delivery system described herein selectively targets the lung to deliver anti-cancer drugs and inhibit the formation of metastases.

Abstract: In some examples, a circuit is described. The circuit may be included in a digital phase-locked loop (PLL) and may include a first delay cell, a second delay cell, and a delay controller. The first delay cell may include a first inverter circuit that includes first and second transistors and may be configured to receive and to delay a first signal. The delay of the first inverter circuit may be based on first and second voltages respectively provided to the first and second transistors. The second delay cell may include a second inverter circuit that includes third and fourth transistors and may be configured to receive and to delay a second signal. The delay of the second inverter circuit may be based on third and fourth voltages respectively provided to the third and fourth transistors. The delay controller may be configured to provide the first, second, third, and fourth voltages.

Abstract: A rapid antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) based on the detection and quantification of the movement of single bacterial cells with a plasmonic imaging and tracking (PIT) technology. The PIT-based AST detects changes in the metabolic activity of the bacterial cells long before cell replication, and allows rapid AST for both cultivable and non-cultivable strains. PIT tracks 3D movement with sub-nanometer resolution and millisecond temporal resolution. PIT also allows simultaneous measurement of the binding kinetic constants of antibiotics and bacterial metabolic state after the introduction of antibiotics.

Abstract: A gasifier system includes a reactor for receiving a wet feedstock which has a base and a container rotatably connected to the base such that a rotation of the container causes a mixing of the feedstock in an interior of the reactor. The interior is bounded by the base and the container. A space between the base and the container allows an entry of oxygen into the interior. The space has a dimension such that the feedstock is fully oxidized in a combustion area adjacent the base and such that the feedstock avoids combustion in a remainder of the interior. The reactor has a longitudinal axis inclined at an inclination angle relative to a horizontal line to promote the mixing of the feedstock in the interior.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for the direct umpolung self-condensation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by organocatalysis, thereby upgrading the readily available substrate into 5,5?-di(hydroxymethyl) furoin (DHMF). While many efficient catalyst systems have been developed for conversion of plant biomass resources into HMF, the invention now provides methods to convert such nonfood biomass directly into DHMF by a simple process as described herein. The invention also provides highly effective new methods for upgrading other biomass furaldehydes and related compound to liquid fuels. The methods include the organocatalytic self-condensation (umpolung) of biomass furaldehydes into (C8-C12)furoin intermediates, followed by hydrogenation, etherification or esterification into oxygenated biodiesel, or hydrodeoxygenation by metal-acid tandem catalysis into premium hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: An optical zoom lens device for use with a portable electronic device comprising an encasement including a lens and a light sensor and a pivot for connecting the encasement to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Sensory information can be delivered to a subject mammal, for example, for restoring a sense of cutaneous touch and limb motion to the subject mammal. A biomimetic electrical signal is generated based on (a) a stimulation reference signal applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of a reference mammal, (b) a stimulated-response signal acquired from a sensory cortex of the reference mammal in response to application of the stimulation reference signal to the thalamic nucleus, and (c) a natural-response signal acquired from the sensory cortex in response to peripheral touch stimuli and/or peripheral nerve stimulation of the reference mammal. The biomimetic electrical signal is applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of the subject mammal to induce an activation response, in a sensory cortex of the subject mammal.

Abstract: A turbo-compression cooling system includes a power cycle and a cooling cycle coupled one to the other. The power cycle implements a waste heat waste heat exchanger configured to evaporate a first working fluid and a turbine configured to receive the evaporated working fluid. The turbine is configured to rotate as the first working fluid expands to a lower pressure. A condenser condenses the first working fluid to a saturated liquid and a pump pumps the saturated liquid to the waste heat waste heat exchanger. The cooling cycle implements a compressor increasing the pressure of a second working fluid, a condenser condensing the second working fluid to a saturated liquid upon exiting the compressor, an expansion valve expanding the second working fluid to a lower pressure, and an evaporator rejecting heat from a circulating fluid to the second working fluid, thereby cooling the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A method of forming electrical contacts on a diamond substrate comprises producing a plasma ball using a microwave plasma source in the presence of a mixture of gases. The mixture of gases include a source of a p-type or an n-type dopant. The plasma ball is disposed at a first distance from the diamond substrate. The diamond substrate is maintained at a first temperature. The plasma ball is maintained at the first distance from the diamond substrate for a first time, and a UNCD film, which is doped with at least one of a p-type dopant and an n-type dopant, is disposed on the diamond substrate. The doped UNCD film is patterned to define UNCD electrical contacts on the diamond substrate.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for palpation training. In one implementation, a system for medical procedure simulation includes an examination model, a sensor network, and a computing device. The examination model has a plurality of anatomical structure models, and the sensor network has a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors is associated with one of the plurality of anatomical structure models and configured to capture examination data. The computing device is in communication with the sensor network and configured to generate feedback for an accuracy of a medical examination using the examination data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reagents useful for generating immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for diagnosing infection and disease in a subject that has been exposed to M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Innovations in the construction and use of variable-input-length tweakable ciphers (“VILTCs”). In some cases, a VILTC uses an initialization vector that is protected from exposure outside an encryption/decryption system in order to provide enhanced security with efficient performance. For example, a system for encryption and/or decryption includes two fixed-input-length tweakable block ciphers (“FIL TBCs”) and a VILTC. The first FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length initialization vector. The VILTC is adapted to produce a variable-length output string using the fixed-length initialization vector as a tweak. The second FIL TBC is adapted to produce a fixed-length output string. In this way, the first FIL TBC and the second FIL TBC protect the fixed-length initialization vector from exposure outside the system. In other cases, a VILTC is used for a reliable and efficient implementation of authenticated encryption/decryption with associated data.

Abstract: The present invention provides geodate delivery vehicles and methods of manufacture and administration. A vehicle including a lipid monolayer disposed about a hydrophobic domain is disclosed, that can be part of an emulsion or other mixture, or further disposed in a lipid strata. A vehicle including a lipid strata disposed about a hydrophobic domain is also disclosed. The vehicle can be incorporated into a variety of medicinal, food preparations, and personal care products to deliver or stabilize a cargo moiety. Packaged delivery vehicles for later addition of cargo moieties are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention provides for a proteomic approach for identification of specific bacterial protein profiles that may be used in the development of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic sinusitis. The invention provides for methods for determining the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of the pathogenic bacteria. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of a subject using protein profiles of a pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the invention provides for devices, immunoassays and kits for identifying pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst including a mesoporous silica nanoparticle and a catalytic material comprising iron. In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of using and making the catalyst. In some examples, the catalyst can be used to hydrotreat fatty acids or to selectively remove fatty acids from feedstocks.