Abstract: A method of forming a barrier to overcome lost circulation in a subterranean formation. The method includes injecting; a polymer-sand nanocomposite into one or more lost circulation zones in the subterranean formation where the polymer-sand nanocomposite is formed from sand mixed with a polymer hydrogel. Further, the polymer hydrogel includes a hydrogel polymer, an organic cross-linker, and a salt. The sand additionally comprises a surface modification. The associated method of preparing a polymer-sand nanocomposite lost circulation material for utilization in forming the barrier is provided.

Abstract: A fetal phonocardiogram system featuring an array of acoustic sensors designed to be temporarily affixed to a pregnant patient to convert the vibrations associated with a fetal heartbeat and/or fetal movement into a signal. The signal can be amplified and transferred to a processing element for filtering non-fetal sounds in order to resolve the fetal heartbeat. The filtered signal can be used in conjunction with an array of multiple acoustic sensors to locate a fetal position relative to the array.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions for treating retinitis pigmentosa. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for delivering an interfering nucleic acid (for example an interfering RNA) to a subject in order to reduce expression of one or both alleles of an endogenous rho gene (for example a mutant rho allele associated with retinitis pigmentosa) in the subject. In some embodiments, a replacement rho gene that is resistant to the interfering nucleic acid also is delivered to the subject.

Abstract: A method of processing of electrocardiogram includes the steps of providing an electrocardiogram comprising signals in at least two channels; selecting at least two frequency ranges of the signal in each of the said at least two channels; calculating an envelope for the signal in each frequency range in each channel; dividing the calculated envelope of the signal in each frequency range in each channel into QRS complex segment envelopes; and computing an average or median envelope as an average or mean of QRS complex segment envelopes for each frequency range in each channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating bio-information includes a sensor part configured to measure a pulse wave signal and a contact force of an object, while the object is in contact with the sensor part. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to extract a first feature from the measured pulse wave signal and the measured contact force, select one estimation model from a plurality of estimation models, based on a second feature of a user corresponding to the object, and estimate the bio-information, by inputting the extracted first features in the selected estimation model.

Abstract: A photonic device may include a lower cladding layer and a device layer. The device layer may include a first waveguide supporting TE and TM light, and a second waveguide, where a portion of a second waveguide core is proximate to a first waveguide core to provide evanescent coupling. The first waveguide core is formed from one of a first core structure or a second core structure, and the second waveguide core is formed from the other structure. The first core structure has an index of refraction nM. The second core structure is formed as alternating layers providing an effective index of refraction for TE polarized light nTE and an effective index of refraction for TM polarized light nTM, where nTM<nM<nTE such that one of TM or TE light is preferentially evanescently coupled between the first waveguide and the second waveguide.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate and a cover. The substrate has an inlet port, a first microchannel, one or more parking loops, a second microchannel and an outlet port for each microchannel network. The first microchannel is connected to the inlet port, the second microchannel is connected to the outlet port, the parking loops are connected between the first and second microchannels. Each parking loop includes a parking loop inlet, a parking loop output, a fluidic trap connected between the parking loop inlet and the parking loop outlet, and a bypass microchannel connected to the parking loop inlet and the parking loop outlet. The cover is attached to a top of the substrate and has an inlet opening and an outlet opening through the cover for each microchannel network. The inlet and outlet openings of the cover are disposed above the inlet and outlet ports in the substrate.

Abstract: A touch conductive film comprises a substrate and an electrically-conductive grid formed on the substrate. Cells of the electrically-conductive grid in a visible region and a non-visible region of the substrate are integrally formed with one another. Also provided are a touch module employing the touch conductive film and a display device. The touch conductive film of the invention has a simple structure, can be manufactured conveniently, and has lower costs. Moreover, the invention has better stability, thereby correspondingly reducing manufacturing costs and assembly costs.

Abstract: A modular lens adapter system or kit is provided for mobile anterior and posterior segment ophthalmoscopy. Equipped with various lens adapter modules, respective lenses and a mobile imaging device, a user is provided with tools for various mobile ophthalmoscopy imaging applications. Eye care practitioners can use their existing lenses to customize the modular lens adapter system in a cost-effective way, which allows for mobile and remote capture, viewing, and utilization of clinical images. The various modules are also adaptable to nearly any type of phone or tablet regardless of its dimensions or presence of a protective case. The invention also addresses the need for fewer, smaller, less expensive, and easier to use ophthalmic imaging equipment, which is further important in enabling a broad base of users.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus for coding and decoding a MATRIX. The coding method includes: dividing a MATRIX into layers according to a preset quantity of layers, and grouping MATRIX elements into different layers; performing, according to a determined to-be-coded layer number and in an order of layers one by one, coding processing on MATRIX elements at each layer to be coded; for a layer having a layer number less than or equal to the to-be-coded layer number, writing residual data between an original MATRIX element value corresponding to the layer and a corresponding MATRIX element predicted value into a bit stream; for a layer having a layer number greater than the to-be-coded layer number, writing no coded data of the layer into the bit stream; and coding the to-be-coded layer number and writing the coded layer number of the coded layer into the bit stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable analyzer for detecting bisphenol A, which comprises an aptamer specifically binding to bisphenol A, and a method for detecting bisphenol A using the same. The analyzer of the present invention can analyze a small amount of a sample collected from a contaminated environment in a field at a level similar to a laboratory environment, thereby having an effect of enabling a more immediate and accurate detection and quantification of bisphenol A.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing everninomicin analogs by genetic alteration of Micromonospora carbonacea. Everninomicin analogs prepared by these methods and methods of using these analogs to treat infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: A learning protocol for distributed antenna state selection in directional cognitive small-cell networks is described. Antenna state selection is formulated as a nonstationary multi-armed bandit problem and an effective solution is provided based on the adaptive pursuit method from reinforcement learning. A cognitive small cell testbed, called WARP-TDMAC, provides a useful software-defined radio package to explore the usefulness of compact, electronically reconfigurable antennas in dense small-cell configurations. A practical implementation of the adaptive pursuit method provides a robust distributed antenna state selection protocol for cognitive small-cell networks. Test results confirm that directionality provides significant advantages over omnidirectional transmission which suffers high throughput reduction and complete link outages at above-average jamming or cross-link interference power.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system comprising: a publisher communication device configured to publish a social message for the publisher device for delivery using a short-range wireless communication protocol to followers within an area and a forwarding message from another device for a destination device using a delay tolerant network (DTN) communication protocol without the need of the Internet, including public or private telecommunications network, or the Radio Access Network (RAN), including public or private cellular or WI-FI networks. The system comprises a destination device within the area of the publisher device to receive, via the short-range wireless communication protocol, the forwarding message using a DTN communication protocol from the publisher device. The system comprises at least one social browsing communication device browsing, within the area, for the social message and which receives the social message using the short-range wireless communication protocol from the publisher device.

Abstract: The use of microresonators with sharp corners (rectangular and square-shaped) can be limited by severe energy loss at the corners. The effect of incorporating fillet design at sharp corners (rounding of corners) of such single mode optical microresonators is described. The effect on quality factor, free spectral range (“FSR”), and energy loss for varying values of fillet radii are quantified and compared with standard circular microring resonator. It is shown that the selection of optimum fillet radius for sharp-cornered microresonators provide higher quality factor than that of the conventional circular resonators.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an energy absorbing three dimensional (3D) structure. The method involves forming an outer shell for the 3D structure from a shell material, the outer shell having a void forming a core volume. The method also involves filling the core volume with a transformative liquid. When the 3D structure is fully formed, the transformative liquid is encapsulated within the outer shell and provides enhanced energy absorbing properties to the 3D structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data communication in a distributed computing environment include: providing a first network node associated with a first data processing location, the first network node providing provide a network interface for a first distributed computing node at the first data processing location; and forwarding task data flow messages from the first distributed computing node to a second distributed computing node at a second data processing location via a second network node associated with the second data processing location.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing rockbolt includes an anchorage structure, wherein two ends of the anchorage structure are respectively provided with a mixing blade and a threaded fastening section; a nut is screwed to the threaded fastening section; a plate is mounted at one end, which is close to the threaded fastening section, of the anchorage structure in a sleeving manner; one side of the plate abuts against the nut; the anchorage structure consists of first anchorage structure parts and second anchorage structure parts, wherein the second anchorage structure parts are arranged between two first anchorage structure parts; each of the second anchorage structure parts is an elliptical rod-shaped structure; a plurality of inwardly-concave arc-shaped grooves are formed in an outer wall of the second anchorage structure part in an axial direction, and a reinforcing rib is convexly formed at an intersection of two adjacent arc-shaped grooves.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computer-implemented patient assistance are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the invention contemplates receiving patient data from plurality of sensors at a patient computer, transmitting patient data to a server, monitoring and analyzing the patient data at the server, and outputting recommended actions from the server to a personnel computer. The recommended actions are calculated based on safety considerations, emotional considerations, and/or a patient's treatment plan.