Abstract: The system to proctor an examination includes a first camera worn by the examination taking subject and directed to capture images in subject's field of vision. A second camera is positioned to record an image of the subject's face during the examination. A microphone captures sounds within the room, which are analyzed to detect speech utterances. The computer system is programmed to store captured images from said first camera. The computer is also programmed to issue prompting events instructing the subject to look in a direction specified by the computer at event intervals not disclosed to subject in advance and to index for analysis the captured images in association with indicia corresponding to the prompting events.

Abstract: A tight confinement nanocrystal comprises a homogeneous center region having a first composition and a smoothly varying region having a second composition wherein a confining potential barrier monotonically increases and then monotonically decreases as the smoothly varying region extends from the surface of the homogeneous center region to an outer surface of the nanocrystal. A method of producing the nanocrystal comprises forming a first solution by combining a solvent and at most two nanocrystal precursors; heating the first solution to a nucleation temperature; adding to the first solution, a second solution having a solvent, at least one additional and different precursor to form the homogeneous center region and at most an initial portion of the smoothly varying region; and lowering the solution temperature to a growth temperature to complete growth of the smoothly varying region.

Abstract: Described herein are analyte sensors with a tailored analyte binding motif that binds an analyte and a host protein operatively linked to the analyte binding motif, in which the binding of the analyte to the analyte binding motif produces a detectable change and manipulation of the analyte binding motif manipulates the responsiveness of the sensor. Also described herein are methods for constructing an analyte sensor by constructing a tailored analyte binding motif capable of responding to an analyte and operatively inserting the analyte binding motif into a host protein. Included is a method for quantifying an analyte by introducing a nucleotide sequence for a protein having an analyte sensor with a tailored analyte binding motif that is able to produce a detectable change upon excitation, expressing the protein, providing excitement to the analyte sensor, and quantifying the detectable change.

Abstract: Small molecule, peptidic hepatocyte growth factors mimics, which act as both mimetics and antagonists, have been generated. These molecules have been shown or predicted to have therapeutic potential for numerous pathologies including dementia, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cancer, and defective wound healing.

Abstract: A method for estimating aggregates over a stream of axis-aligned rectangles, includes: decomposing the stream along one-dimensional intervals, wherein vertices for the rectangle are located in a predetermined grid; assigning each grid row to buckets, wherein the one-dimensional intervals are placed into buckets according to the corresponding rows in which the one-dimensional intervals are positioned; and estimating a sum of a number of grid points touched by at least one of the rectangles in each row of the grid to approximate a volume of the axis-aligned rectangles by: using pairwise-independent hash functions in a multi-dimensional algorithm to determine buckets that include a first interval corresponding to a given rectangle, wherein the interval has hash function results that meet a predetermined threshold; and inserting a second interval for the rectangle corresponding to the first interval into a one-dimensional algorithm for the corresponding bucket meeting the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are RNA targeting compounds having the formula: wherein j is an integer from 1 to 100; each i is the same or different and is zero or an integer from 1 to 100; each Z1 represents the same or different linking moiety; each R1 is the same or different and represents an alkyl group or an aryl group; each Q1 represents the same or different RNA binding ligand; Q2 is an alkyl group; Q3 is a halogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an amine. Also disclosed are RNA targeting compounds that include a polymer backbone and two or more pendant RNA binding ligands that are bound to the polymer backbone. Methods for using the subject RNA targeting compounds to treat myotonic dystrophy and other diseases are also disclosed, as are compounds that can be used to prepare the subject RNA targeting compounds.

Abstract: A sensor array for non-destructively monitoring a structure to detect a critical structural event. The sensor array includes at least one discrete AE sensor node for producing an electrical signal in response to a structural event and at least one shear wave sensor assembly. The shear wave sensor assembly includes at least one shear wave sensor. A gate module is connected to the at least one discrete AE sensor node and to the at least one shear wave sensor assembly, whereby the gate module is adapted to pass through the electrical signal from the at least one discrete AE sensor node in response to a pre-determined signal from the at least one shear wave sensor assembly. The sensor array may further include a signal processing module for receiving and processing the discrete AE sensor output signal. In addition, a data collection system may be located downstream of the signal processing module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of remediating wastewaters, preferably agricultural wastewaters resulting from animal production or contained animal feeding operation sites. The water is treated to promote assimilation of nutrients into algal biomass, which can be harvested and sold, and the resultant wastewater is then purified. According to the invention, short wavelength UV radiation (less than 280 nm wavelength) is used to pretreat wastewater, with the dose determined by absorbance of the water, not by bacterial load. Pretreated water exhibits changes in chromophoric dissolved organic matter that allows for improved and increased algae production by as much as 88%.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a number of power sources, a first set of energy storage devices (ESDs), a second set of ESDs, and a control system. The first set of ESDs is coupled between the power sources and a load and has a first set of operating characteristics. The second set of ESDs is also coupled between the power sources and the load and has a second set of operating characteristics that are different from the first set of operating characteristics. The control system is configured to selectively deliver power from one of the plurality of power sources to the first plurality of ESDs, the second plurality of ESDs, or both and selectively deliver power from the first plurality of ESDs, the second plurality of ESDs, or both to the load based on short and long term variations in a set of energy delivery system characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treatment for reducing fibrosis involving administering purified collagenase into an anterior chamber of an eye of a human patient.

Abstract: ‘NCPX1’ is a new cultivar of hybrid flowering pear with a narrow fastigiated habit, red to purple flower buds opening with white flower petals and a high level of resistance to fire blight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process and system in which a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen synthesis gas, or syngas, is converted into hydrocarbon mixtures composed of high quality distillates, gasoline components, and lower molecular weight gaseous olefins in one reactor or step. The invention utilizes a novel supported bimetallic catalyst for conversion, and provides methods of preparing such novel catalysts and use of the novel catalysts in the process and system of the invention.

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) distributed detectors, and arrays of detectors that utilize structured surface plasmonic effects for more efficient coupling to free space are discussed. One example distributed detector includes a detector junction comprising a Schottky or tunneling interface between a semiconductor and a detector metal, an ohmic junction comprising an ohmic interface between the semiconductor and an ohmic metal, and a gap that separates the detector junction from the ohmic junction. Structured surface plasmons concentrate an electric field in the gap when the distributed detector is exposed to THz radiation polarized perpendicular to the gap.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): [insert formula (I)] wherein X, Y, and R1-R4 have any of the values defined in the specification, and salts thereof, as well as compositions comprising the compounds or salts. The compounds are useful for treating diseases associated with impaired mitochondrial function in an animal.

Abstract: A method for preparing a device having a film on a substrate is disclosed. In the method, a film is deposited on a substrate. The film includes a first and a second metal. The first and the second metals in the film are converted to an intermetallic compound using microwave radiation. One example device prepared by the method includes a silicon substrate and a film on the substrate, wherein the film includes semiconducting copper germanide as the intermetallic compound.

Abstract: The use of quaternary halogenated ammonium salts for treating leishmaniasis infections and other parasitic diseases is described. Although there have been previous reports in which quaternary ammonium salts are used as antimalarial, antifungal, and antileishmanial compounds, the use of such salts containing a halogenated N-methyl substituent as a therapeutic agent against leishmaniasis had not been reported. The compounds described here, in specific those with a terminal arylalkenyl or diarylalkenyl moiety, are shown to inhibit the growth of Leishmania panamensis parasites, a known causative agent of leishmaniasis disease. In addition, the series of compounds are also extensive against malaria, Chagas disease, toxoplasmosis, and other parasitic diseases.

Abstract: Novel methods of native chemical ligation are provided. The methods involve reacting a thioacid (e.g. a peptide thioacid) with an aziridinyl compound (e.g. an aziridinyl peptide) or glycosylamine under mild conditions without the use of protecting groups, and without requiring that a cysteine residue be present in the ligation product. Initial coupling of the thioacid and the aziridinyl compound yields a ligation product containing an aziridinyl ring. Optional subsequent opening of the aziridinyl ring (e.g. via a nucleophilic attack) produces a linearized and modified ligation product. Coupling of a peptide thioacid and glycosylamine yields a glycosylated peptide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses vanadium-based insulin-mimetic agent composite coatings, application of these coatings onto implantable devices, and use of the implantable devices for accelerating osseous healing. The invention also encompasses methods of manufacturing implantable devices coated with vanadium-based insulin-mimetic agent composite coatings and the implantable devices so manufactured. The implantable devices have wide applications, including but not limited to treating bone fracture, bone trauma, arthrodesis, and other bone deficit conditions, as well as bone injuries incurred in military and sports activities.

Abstract: Disclosure is provided for imidazole-triazole derivative compounds that prevent, remove and/or inhibit the formation of biofilms, compositions comprising these compounds, devices comprising these compounds, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A top reference photobioreactor system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible floating photobioreactor having a buoyancy tube filled with a gas that is less dense, and a ballast tube filled with a substance, such as saltwater, that is more dense, than the liquid in which the photobioreactor floats. A top reference photobioreactor method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes controlling a depth of the top reference photobioreactor by controlling a volume and/or density of ballast in the ballast tube and/or by controlling a volume and/or density of gas in the buoyancy tube.