Abstract: Biomarkers for abnormal kidney function, including the biomarkers in Tables 1 and 2 such as peroxiredoxin-2, complement C1q subcomponent subunit B, sulfhydryl oxidase 1 and apolipoprotein A-IV, and methods for their use in assessing abnormal kidney function are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for reviewing a defect including a light capturing step that illuminates a sample with light under plural optical conditions, while varying only at least one of illumination conditions, sample conditions, or detection conditions, and detects plural lights scattering from the sample; a signal obtaining step that obtains plural signals based on the lights detected; and a processing step that discriminates a defect from noise according to a waveform characteristic quantity, an image characteristic quantity, or a value characteristic quantity created using the signals and derives the coordinates of defect.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the in vitro modelling of changes that occur on administration of a drug formulation are described, in particular for studying the changes that take place on administration of protein or peptide drug formulations by subcutaneous injection.

Abstract: A system for detecting object movement including a sensory network having at least one sensory device using modulated radar for detecting an object in proximity to the sensory network. The sensory network including wireless transmission means and a base station having computer processing means located remote from the sensory network and including wireless transmission means to communicate with the sensory network. The base station having computer readable program code means for causing the computer processing means to analyze data received from the sensory network to determine motion characteristics of the object in proximity to the sensory network.

Abstract: Methods and composition for cell-based therapy as well as somatostatin receptor-based therapy are described. For example, in certain aspects methods for administering an anti-tumor therapy using a signaling defective somatostatin receptor mutant are described. Furthermore, the invention provides compositions and methods involve a somatostatin constitutively active somatostatin receptor mutant.

Abstract: A nonlinear metasurface structure including a multi-quantum-well layer designed for a nonlinear response for a desired nonlinear optical process and an array of nanoantennas coupled to the intersubband transitions of the multi-quantum-well layer. Each nanoantenna in the array is designed to have electromagnetic resonances at or close to all input and output frequencies of a given nonlinear optical process. Nanoantennas allow efficient coupling of any incident and outgoing light polarizations to intersubband transitions. Nanoantennas may further provide significant field enhancement in the multi-quantum-well layer. As a result, the nonlinear metasurface structure can be designed to produce a highly nonlinear response for any polarization and angle of incidence of incoming and outgoing waves in a nonlinear optical process. Due to their very larger nonlinear response, efficient frequency conversion can be produced in these metasurfaces without the stringent phase-matching constraints of bulk nonlinear crystals.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing monomer to form polymer at the surface of particulate material, said method comprising: providing a dispersion of said particulate material in a continuous liquid phase, said dispersion comprising a RAFT agent as a stabilizer for said particulate material, and said continuous liquid phase comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and polymerizing said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers under the control of said RAFT agent to thereby form polymer at the surface of said particulate material.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a magnetic field map when using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images from a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method includes selecting a pulse sequence to elicit a plurality of echoes from the subject as medical imaging data from the subject. The method also includes optimizing an echo time for a dynamic range of interest during the pulse sequence (SBmax), a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR0) in the medical imaging data, and minimum T2* value in the ROI. The method further includes generating a magnetic field map estimation using the optimized echo times.

Abstract: A tissue ligating device comprises a first fixation part to which a base end part of a suture thread is fixed and a second fixation part configured to allow insertion of the suture thread therethrough and allow to be crimped so as to newly fix a part of the suture thread, and thereby to define a loop starting from the base end part, in a state after ligation of tissue is performed. The second fixation part includes a back side wall part, a front side wall part, and a curved wall part turning back from the back side wall part to the front side wall part. An end part of the front side wall part far from the curved wall part is inclined or curved towards a front side.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the condition of electricity conductor support systems, i.e. towers, in a power network distribution system employing a tower structure integrity sensor assemblage. The system allows for identifying particular portions of a structural system for maintenance attention. The tower sensors allow identification of structural failures of electricity transmission towers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated population of chondrocyte precursor cells wherein 1% or less of the cells express Oct4, Nanog and/or TRA-1-60, 7% or less of the cells express no collagen II, collagen X, CD105 or Stro-1 and 85% or more of the cells express CBFA1, methods for preparing such cells and uses of chondrocyte cells derived from said precursor cells.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gas separation membrane includes providing a coextruded multilayer film that includes a first polymer layer formed of a first polymer material and a second polymer layer formed of a second polymer material, the first polymer material having a first gas permeability. The coextruded multilayer film is axially oriented such that the second polymer layer has a second gas permeability that is greater than the first gas permeability.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that provide fluid devices with at least one SPE bed adjacent (upstream of) a separation channel which may be in communication with an inlet of a Mass Spectrometer. The fluid device can be configured to operate using independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer but optical or other electronic detectors may also be used with the fluidic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides super-resolution optical imaging methods and systems, including: providing a sample to be optically imaged; providing a plurality of microstructures disposed substantially adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and providing a material disposed about the plurality of microstructures; wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction; and wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is substantially less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures include one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of microcylinders.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program, system and device for measuring oscillatory motion comprising: receiving a plurality of signals related to a plurality of measurements of a direction of a vector parameter (at-1, at); determining a predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t) based on the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter; determining an angle of rotation (?t) between: a measured direction of the vector parameter (at) of one of the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter, and the predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating electricity include using an optically and thermally responsive material comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes and Copper sulfide nanoparticles. This material acts as a thermoelectric generator lacking rectifying effects. In some forms, the generator may generate electricity from a light source alone, a heat source alone, or a source of both light and heat. Some forms exhibit enhanced optical and thermal switching characteristics, light absorption, photocurrent and thermocurrent generation under light illumination or/and thermal radiation, providing a new route to obtain thermoelectricity without any cooling or heat-sink component. Moreover, measurements showed thin films of SWNT CuS NPs had significantly increased light absorption (up to 80%) compared to untreated SWNT thin films.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for continuously producing dry water from silica and water and from silica, sodium bicarbonate, and water.

Abstract: A system combines hyperthermia and radiation treatments in a single treatment modality by using a radioactive seed having magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic properties.

Abstract: A PEDOT:PSS film having enhanced thermoelectric properties is doped with DMSO and a binary secondary dopant, such as PEO. The composition of such film causes the ratios of PEDOT in bipolaron states to be increased. As a result, the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical conductivities, and power factor of the film are increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the film. Thus, a thermoelectric device that uses the film is able to achieve enhanced operating performance.