Abstract: The present invention provides a novel measurement method for system parameters of a 5-port junction used in a VNA (Vector Network Analyzer). A VNA is a device for measuring amplitude ratios and phase differences (S-parameters: scattering matrix elements) between incident waves and reflected waves of a DUT (Device Under Test), or between input waves and transmitted waves. What has been newly discovered is that for 5 ports, S-parameters can be expressed by a linear coupling using H and power difference ratios ({P(S)/P(0)}?1). It is possible to easily calculate parameter H using a minimum of three already known standards, and amount of calculation can be reduced compared to conventionally.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation process for converting to a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having a group having sulfinic acid, sulfinic acid derivative, sulfonic acid or sulfonic acid derivative at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, and the preparation process provides a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having, at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, end groups represented by the formula: —CR1R2—CR3R4—SO2H, wherein R1 to R4 may be the same or different and each is hydrogen atom or fluorine atom, by allowing a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having, at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, end groups represented by the formula: —CR1R2—CR3R4—X1, wherein R1 to R4 are as defined above, X1 is bromine atom or iodine atom, to react with a sulfur compound represented by the formula: (M1)nH2-nS2O4, wherein M1 is a monovalent or divalent metal ion or ammonium ion, n is an integer of 0 to 2.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a welding process, comprising detecting a selected portion of a light spectrum of plasma plume of a fusion welding process with a photo detector, processing the detected portion of the spectrum, comparing the detected portion of the spectrum with an expected spectra to determine whether a weld is acceptable, providing a signal to a welder control, and adjusting the weld process based on the signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched vinyl polymer carrying dendrons made from monofunctional vinyl monomers and branched by virtue of difunctional vinyl monomers so that there is on average one branch or fewer per polymer chain to avoid gelation. The polymer may be made by chain-growth polymerization of predominantly monofunctional vinyl monomers in the presence of difunctional vinyl monomers and dendron units.

Abstract: An autophagy-inducing compound comprises an autophagy-inducing peptide comprising beclin-1 residues 269-283 and a heterologous moiety that promotes therapeutic stability or delivery of the compound. The compound may be used to induce autophagy and in assays with beclin-1 binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods employing fiber optic shape and position tracking. The systems, devices, and methods permit measurement of and continuous tracking of the shape and position of objects whose shape dynamically changes with time. Applications include tracking and monitoring of endoscopes for diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an intravenous infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient, to maintain euglycemia of a patient, and to prevent hypoglycemia are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for determining an intravenous insulin infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient includes estimating an insulin infusion maintenance rate to maintain euglycemia in a patient. Further, a relationship between a current blood glucose concentration of the patient and a target blood glucose concentration may be determined. An insulin infusion rate may be determined based on the estimated insulin infusion maintenance rate and based on the relationship between the current blood glucose concentration and the target blood glucose concentration. A glycemic response of the patient may be measured while using the determined insulin infusion rate. The insulin infusion maintenance rate is re-estimated based on the glycemic response of the patient at a previous insulin infusion rate.

Abstract: A coral cultivation method includes: an electrodeposited-mineral precipitating procedure for precipitating electrodeposited minerals on a coral-growth substrate for growing coral, which is placed in seawater, by applying an electric current between the coral-growth substrate and a first anode that is electrically connected to the coral-growth substrate and placed in the seawater; a coral-larvae growing procedure for growing coral larvae on the coral-growth substrate precipitated with the electrodeposited minerals; a coral-cultivation-structure configuring procedure for configuring a coral cultivation structure from a plurality of the coral-growth substrates on which the coral larvae are grown; and a coral cultivating procedure for cultivating coral by applying an electric current between the coral-growth substrate on which the coral larvae are grown and a second anode.

Abstract: A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprises the steps of preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water from step (d) to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 48 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water.

Abstract: Methods using novel cathode, electrolyte and oxygen separation materials operating at intermediate temperatures for use in solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes include oxides with perovskite related structures and an ordered arrangement of A site cations. The materials have significantly faster oxygen kinetics than in corresponding disordered perovskites.

Abstract: Devices comprising an organic light emitting device are provided. The devices can include an anode; a cathode; and an organic layer, disposed between the anode and the cathode. The organic layer comprising at least one host material comprising a phosphorescent complex comprising novel phosphorescent trigonal copper carbene complexes. The complex comprise a carbene ligand coordinated to a three coordinate copper atom. The complex may be used in organic light emitting devices. In particular, the complexes may be especially useful in OLEDs used for lighting applications.

Abstract: A method for producing a silver colloid solution of highly stable resulting colloids includes adding an aqueous solution of a hydroxylamine salt to an aqueous solution of an alkali, and then dispersing into the mixture an aqueous solution of the metal ions, the hydroxylamine salt being selected such that the anion, when combined with the said metal ions, would form a metal salt having a very low solubility in water, wherein the metal ion solution is introduced into the mixture in such a manner that the metal ions are substantially dispersed throughout the mixture within one second. A maturing period, preferably at elevated temperatures, leads to a stable state.

Abstract: Thermosetting polymeric compositions, such as polyurethane compositions, and related methods are provided. The invention relates to coating and polymer compositions and related methods derived from a biodegradable natural polysaccharide compound such as chitosan, pectin, heparin, and combinations thereof reacted to a cyclic oxide compound, such as an oxetane, oxolane or oxepane compound. The compositions and methods of the present invention exhibit self-repairing properties upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used in many coating applications, such as the transportation, packaging, fashion, and biomedical industries.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods comprising use of microRNAs and microRNA inhibitors to modulate blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), e.g., act as anti-angiogenic agents, and modulate cell and tumor microenvironment patterning, cancer cell and tumor growth and malignant disease (metastasis). In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods that can sensitize blood vessels, e.g., tumor blood vessels, to radiation and agents and chemotherapies that cause DNA damage.

Abstract: A battery pack having a plurality of battery pack modules, wherein each battery pack module includes a battery cell and a power converter. The power converters of the plurality of battery pack modules are connected in series to form a string of N battery pack modules such that the voltage across the N battery pack modules defines the output voltage of the battery pack. A controller regulates the output voltage of each battery cell or module power converter and the output voltage of the battery pack by independently controlling each battery cell module in accordance with variables such as state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health (SOH) and temperature, capacity, and temperature of each individual battery cell module. The power converter may be used to measure impedance of the battery pack by adding a sinusoidal perturbation signal to a reference voltage of the cell battery pack module.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a measurement circuit including a capacitance. The SPAD detects an incident photon and the measurement circuit discharges the capacitance at a known rate during a discharge time period. The length of the discharge time period is determined by the time of detection of the photon, such that the final amount of charge on the capacitance corresponds to the time of flight of the photon. The pixel circuit may be included in a time resolved imaging apparatus. A method of measuring the time of flight of a photon includes responding to an incident photon detection by discharging a capacitance at a known rate and correlating final capacitance charge to time of flight.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a measurement circuit including a capacitance. The circuit is operable to discharge a known portion of the charge on the capacitance upon each detection of a SPAD event within a time period, such that the charge remaining on the capacitance at the end of the time period corresponds to the number of SPAD events detected within the time period. A time resolved imaging apparatus includes an array of such pixel circuits. A method of counting photon detection includes sensing photons with a SPAD device and discharging a known portion of the charge on a capacitance upon each detection of a SPAD event within a time period.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting, treating, characterizing, and diagnosing interstitial lung and/or fibrotic diseases are described.

Abstract: A method for identifying a subject being at risk for or having a chronic inflammatory disease, fibrillinopathy, atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease is provided. The method may include determining the concentration of GrA and/or GrB in a blood or serum sample from said subject; and comparing the concentrations to the corresponding concentration in a control sample, wherein an elevated concentration of GrA and/or GrB may be indicative of a chronic inflammatory disease, fibrillinopathy, atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease. The method may further include identifying concentrations of fibrinogen, elastin and/or fibrillin.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that selectively bind to blood coagulation factor FVIII, and highly sensitive immunological assays comprising these antibodies. Preferred assays can detect FVIII at about 3500-fold below the normal physiological levels, and have a wide array of applications including accurate monitoring of FVIII concentration in pharmaceutical products for treatment of blood coagulation disorders, and determination of FVIII levels in plasma of human patients, including those with blood coagulation disorders such as hemophilia.