Abstract: Anchoring devices and systems are disclosed for use with elongated reinforcement members such as FRP, SRP, metallic bars, or cables. Such devices and systems impart a compressive stress into a static structure having the elongated reinforcement member running there through or there along. An anchoring system can include an anchor block that includes a front end surface for contacting the static structure, an axial bore for receiving the elongated reinforcement member, and clamping members that work with fasteners to provide a clamping force. The bore may be tapered and the fasteners optionally provide different clamping levels to reduce the stress on the elongated reinforcement member near the front end surface. The disclosed systems also include pre-stressing devices that can be used with the disclosed anchor systems, and that can place a tensile force on the elongated reinforcement members to also impart a compressive force on the static structure.

Abstract: The present invention is an adaptive secure wireless communications system and method. Generally, the present invention may be operable to address challenges and threats to a secure communication session. The secure wireless communication system of the present invention may operate one or more of the following: multiple physical-layer attributes monitoring; multiple parameter confidence testing related to transceiver (Tx-Rx) specific environment and transmitter receiver hardware characteristics; continuous and interleaved authentication; and security enhancement using dynamic adaptation of the transmission system parameters based concurrent and/or conjugated transmission of data-carrying signal and security control information. The real-time physical-layer related monitoring and interaction between transmitter and receiver, using Tx-Rx related physical environment, of the present invention may effectively reduce many wireless security threats including interception and spoofing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the examination of the pattern of immunodominant T cell epitopes in the E6 protein of Human Papilloma virus and its further characterization in terms of its amino acid sequence and Human Leukocyte Antigen restriction. These epitopes are identified based on their ability to induce specific T cell responses and therefore, are important as sources of antigens for immunotherapies to treat cervical and other cancers. The present invention contemplates identifying a number of similar epitopes restricted by a wide variety of Human Leukocyte Antigen types so that they can be used together to develop preventative or therapeutic vaccines, which can be used for the general human population. The present invention also contemplates using E6 peptides of Human Papilloma virus as a diagnosis method to predict the probability of developing persistent cervical neoplasia in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making nanofiber yarns. In some embodiments, the nanotube yarns comprise carbon nanotubes. Particularly, such carbon nanotube yarns of the present invention provide unique properties and property combinations such as extreme toughness, resistance to failure at knots, high electrical and thermal conductivities, high absorption of energy that occurs reversibly, up to 13% strain-to-failure compared with the few percent strain-to-failure of other fibers with similar toughness, very high resistance to creep, retention of strength even when heated in air at 450° C. for one hour, and very high radiation and UV resistance, even when irradiated in air.

Abstract: Novel compounds and methods of using the same to inhibit glycolysis and treat cancer and other diseases are provided herein.

Abstract: Methods for production of multiple biofuels through thermal fractionation of biomass feedstocks are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting mutations in a GNA11 gene in a melanocytic neoplasm for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The invention further provides methods of treating such melanocytic neoplasm by modulating the activity of the mutated GNA11 gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of the Formula (1), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods for using such compounds as tools for biological studies or as agents or drugs for modulating Protease Activated Receptor-2 (PAR2) and for treating a subject at risk of—or susceptible to—a disease or disorder, or having a disease or disorder associated with undesirable PAR2 activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells render the HSV particles. particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: Sunlight redirector (30) incorporates closely proximate mirror arrays (32, 34) having parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal mirror segments (38, 44). Prismatic sheet (36) is positioned behind and closely proximate second array (34). Segments (38) extend in first direction (x). Segments (44) extend in second direction (y) perpendicular to direction (x) segments (38, 44)have normal vectors (42, 48). Segments (38) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (40), such that their normal vectors (42) remain parallel. Segments (44) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (46), such that their normal vectors (48) remain parallel. Arrays (32, 34) redirect incident light toward sheet (36), which redirects the light into a desired fixed direction, e.g. parallel to the sunlight redirect's normal vectors (50). Segments (38, 44) may have inward and outward segments (60A, 60B) which can be adjustably positioned to maximize redirection of incident sunlight rays in a desired direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay (method) to quantify the amounts of catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT) protein in samples, such as extracts from cell cultures, body fluids, tissues, and environmental samples. It uses novel agents (anti-NE, COMT-NE, or COMT-epitope-NE) in combination with two previously described agents (anti-COMT and COMT) in a competitive ELISA system to achieve this aim.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining cardiac performance in the patient. The apparatus includes a conductance catheter for measuring conductance and blood volume in a heart chamber of the patient. The apparatus includes a processor for determining instantaneous volume of the ventricle by applying a non-linear relationship between the measured conductance and the volume of blood in the heart chamber to identify mechanical strength of the chamber. The processor is in communication with the conductance catheter. Methods for determining cardiac performance in a patient. Apparatuses for determining cardiac performance in a patient.

Abstract: An exterior rotor switched reluctance machine includes a stator, a rotor adjacent the stator and adjacent a housing, the housing connected to the stator. The stator further includes a back iron, a set of stator poles connected to the back iron and a set of windings disposed between the set of stator poles. The rotor, connected to a shaft and rotatively coupled to the stator, further includes a set of rotor segments. The set of windings includes a set of phases, each phase experiencing a flux linkage that varies with an angular position of the rotor. The apparatus operates as a motor in response to selectively energizing the set of phases with a set of current pulses. The apparatus operates as a generator in response to rotating the shaft.

Abstract: A system and methods for operating a switched reluctance machine includes a controller, an inverter connected to the controller and to the switched reluctance machine, a hysteresis control connected to the controller and to the inverter, a set of sensors connected to the switched reluctance machine and to the controller, the switched reluctance machine further including a set of phases the controller further comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the processor programmed to execute a control process and a generation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nociceptin peptide mimetics that have ?-helical structures and bind to and modulate the opioid receptor-like-1 (ORL-1) receptor. The peptide mimetics are constrained cyclic nociceptin analogs which have either agonist or antagonist activity. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nociceptin peptide mimetics and methods of treating or preventing a disease or condition ameliorated by modulating the ORL-1 receptor are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for migrating a VM over a WAN. A first server has a VM. The first and second servers are operatively connected over the WAN by a virtual private local area network service. The first server migrates the VM to the second server by coping files and state of the VM to the second server without interrupting the interactive software on the VM. During a last round of migrating the VM, for packets intended for the VM on the first server, the first server buffers the packets in a buffer as buffered packets. Instead of delivering the buffered packets to the VM, the first server transmits the buffered packets to the second server. The second server plays the buffered packets to the VM migrated to and operating on the second server, such that buffered packets are played before current packets currently received from the clients are played.

Abstract: A receiver for decoding a communication signal is disclosed. The receiver includes an input port and a filter. The input port receives the communication signal from a communication medium. The communication signal comprises a sequence of symbols. Each symbol of the symbol sequence is an analog pulse that has a leading edge of exponential shape. The exponential shape has an exponential growth parameter value that has been selected from values ?0 and ?1, which are distinct positive values. For each symbol of the symbol sequence, the exponential growth parameter value for the leading edge of the symbol has been selected based on a corresponding bit from a stream of information bits. The filter receives the communication signal from the input port and filters the communication signal to obtain an output signal. The transfer function of the filter has one or more zeros at ?0.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing images from limited or incomplete data, such as few view data or limited angle data or truncated data generated from divergent beams. The method and apparatus may iteratively constrain the variation of an estimated image in order to reconstruct the image. To reconstruct an image, a first estimated image may be generated. Estimated data may be generated from the first estimated image, and compared with the actual data. The comparison of the estimated data with the actual data may include determining a difference between the estimated and actual data. The comparison may then be used to generate a new estimated image. For example, the first estimated image may be combined with an image generated from the difference data to generate a new estimated image. To generate the image for the next iteration, the variation of the new estimated image may be constrained.

Abstract: An OLED device includes an OLED structure having a curved shape and/or a concave surface. The OLED structure may function both as light source and as a reflector configured to concentrate light produced by the structure. An OLED may be formed in the shape of a reflector so that light is provided at the concave surface and so that light is reflected from the concave surface at the same location along the surface. The OLED structure can include a flexible substrate formed to shape, along with an organic layer and electrode layers coated over a substrate surface either before or after the substrate is formed. The OLED structure may also include a microcavity OLED, a grating layer, and/or one or more optical elements that alter the characteristics of the light emitted at an aperture of the structure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for creating a laminar construct for tissue-engineered dermal equivalent are provided. One composition provided herein comprises a hydrogel matrix comprising two or more hydrogels layers and a population of stem cells. Associated methods are also provided.