Abstract: A method of removing an organic pollutant from water by contacting the water with a ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder to adsorb the organic pollutant onto the ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder. A method of producing a ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder involving ball milling oil fly ash to provide ball milled oil fly ash particles with an average particle size of less than 1 ?m and sonicating the ball milled oil fly ash particles in an aqueous medium to form the ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder. A method of improving recovery of valuable metals/elements from oil fly ash.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for stimulating astroglial uptake and degradation of amyloid-? protein aggregates. One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease including administrating a clinically effective amount of combination of vitamin A or a derivative thereof and an agonist of proliferator-activated receptor a (“PPAR?”) to a human or veterinary subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A standardized, quantitative risk assessment method and apparatus for noninvasive melanoma screening. The apparatus and methods generate a melanoma Q-Score which calculates and displays a probability that a skin lesion is melanoma.

Abstract: Methods of modulating the interaction between calcineurin and a calcineurin-binding protein partner are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a cell with a peptidic agent that modulates the interaction between calcineurin and a TRPV channel. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise a peptidic agent that selectively modulates the interaction between calcineurin and a calcineurin-binding protein partner. Also provided are methods of treating a condition in a subject by selectively modulating the interaction between calcineurin and a calcineurin-binding TRPV channel. Also provided are screening methods to identify candidate agents that modulate calcineurin protein-protein interactions.

Abstract: A movement-synchronized wellbore inspection system and a movement-synchronization control method thereof are disclosed. The wellbore inspection system comprises a rope-climbing robot, a wire rope, a ground wire rope moving device, a ground wire rope moving track, an underground wire rope moving device, an underground wire rope moving track, an inertial sensor and a control device. An upper end of the wire rope is connected to the ground wire rope moving device, and an lower end of the wire rope passes through the rope-climbing robot and is then connected to the underground wire rope moving device. The control device controls the underground and ground wire rope moving devices to move in synchronization, and then the inertial sensor carried on the rope-climbing robot detects posture data of the wire rope and transmits the data to the control device.

Abstract: A urinary catheter support configured to support an indwelling urinary catheter such that the urinary catheter is secured relative to the penis of a male patient includes a flexible main body having an interior size and configured to receive and accommodate the penis of the male patient. A catheter support is located at a front end of the main body and is configured to support a catheter adjacent a longitudinal axis of the main body. A slot extends along the longitudinal axis through the main body and the catheter support. A strap includes first and second end segments and a middle segment between the first and second end segments. The first and second end segments respectively extend through first and second openings in the main body, and the middle segment extends through an interior of the main body.

Abstract: A linear regulator operates in the manner of a linear voltage regulator, but with the functionality of a switching converter. This concept enables DC voltage up-conversion with no switching, more efficient step down of large voltage steps, and requires no expensive and bulky additional components. An optocoupler device transfers power between light emitting and photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: MRI techniques provide robust imaging in the presence of inhomogeneity in the B1 (RF) and/or B0 magnetic fields. The techniques include using a magnetization prep sequence that includes an adiabatic half passage (AHP) followed by a spin-lock pulse, followed by a reverse AHP, after which a data acquisition sequence can be applied. The AHP and reverse AHP can have amplitude and frequency modulated to sweep through a region of frequency space. The RF amplitude of the AHP and reverse AHP can be designed to be equal to the spin-lock amplitude. Quantification of a magnetization relaxation parameter (e.g., T1rho) can use a modified relaxation model that accounts for relaxation effects during the reverse AHP. A dual-acquisition technique in which the reverse AHP of the second magnetization prep sequence has opposite frequency modulation to the reverse AHP of the first magnetization prep sequence can also be used.

Abstract: Therapeutic compounds containing a phenyl core and amide link(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the therapeutic compounds and a method for treating cancer with the compounds. These compounds are cytotoxic to stomach, colon, breast, and leukemia cancer cell lines via dual inhibition of Src kinases and tubulin.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and compositions which are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors that selectively target the peripheral nervous system and organs of the body, and which do not pass through the blood-brain barrier. The compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful for treatment of diseases or disorders which are mediated by GABA-A neuronal activity, such as, for example, visceral pain, gut motility, irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain, functional idiopathic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel diseases, drug induced pain, bile salt malabsorption, lactase or other carbohydrate intolerance.

Abstract: Provided are a method of judgment for in or out, and a recording medium and an apparatus for performing the same. The method performed by the apparatus for judging whether an object landed inside or outside of a line, includes: capturing a sport environment image provided with the line according to a preset rule, wherein the sport environment image includes an audio signal and an image signal; separating the audio signal and the image signal included in the sport environment image; detecting the line by analyzing the image signal; detecting a landing point-in-time of the object by analyzing each of the audio signal and the image signal; and judging whether the object landed inside or outside of the line by comparing the line with a location of the object at the landing point-in-time of the object.

Abstract: A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a transpedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the path of screw insertion is oriented to reach superior or inferior vertebra. An intervertebral cage of the system is configured for lateral expansion from a nearly straight configuration to form a large footprint in the disc space. The screws and cage may be combined for improved fixation with minimal invasiveness.

Abstract: A defect sensing apparatus is configured to identify defects or targets in materials. A further aspect of the defect sensing apparatus includes a reference split-ring resonator coupled to the microstrip. The defect sensing apparatus includes a reference split-ring resonator located on a reference side of the microstrip and a first sensing split-ring resonator located on a sensing side of the microstrip.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery with improved t electrochemical characteristics through improvement of the structural stability by including a cathode active material doped with molybdenum (Mo). The lithium secondary battery includes a cathode; an anode; a separator positioned between the cathode and the anode; and an electrolyte. In particular, the cathode active material includes molybdenum (Mo) doped on a composite oxide of lithium and metal including manganese (Mn) and titanium (Ti).

Abstract: An electrosurgical device (10) is provided that is operable to deliver microwave energy within a controlled angular expanse to cause targeted tissue ablation. The device (10) comprises a blocking or reflecting material such as cylindrical members (34) that are laterally spaced from the antenna (20) that is operable to emit the microwave energy. The reflecting material creates regions in and/or surrounding the device into which sensors (51), such as thermocouple wires, may be placed to monitor a condition associated with the device or the patient's body.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, kits, and methods for enhancing growth in an animal in need thereof. The methods typically comprise administering orally to the animal a composition comprising biodegradable particles, the biodegradable particles comprising a polymer or a co-polymer comprising polymerized lactic acid and having an effective average diameter of 0.5-5 ?m. In the methods, the animal is administered a dose of the biodegradable particles that is effective for improving feed conversion rate in the animal in comparison to an animal that is not administered the composition.

Abstract: The present invention involves an environmentally friendly process and apparatus for the delignification of lignin-containing materials, such as cardboard newspaper or agricultural or tree pruning wastes. This process produces cellulose using low temperatures and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. It can be performed using a column fitted with a semipermeable gasket that pressurizes the column by retaining oxygen released by action of the hydrogen peroxide on a lignin-containing material.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds that are quinoline foldamers. Such foldamers stabilize and bind to islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). In certain embodiments, the quinoline foldamers of the invention are soluble and cross biological membranes without cellular assistance. The present invention further provides novel method of preventing or treating diabetes in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an effective amount of at least one quinoline foldamer of the invention. The present invention further provides novel method of preventing or treating a neurodegenerative disease caused by a misfolded and/or unstructured protein in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an effective amount of at least one quinoline foldamer of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods of promoting neural growth and/or neural survival using IL-17c. The compositions, kits, and methods can be used to promote neural growth and/or neural survival in a variety of conditions where such growth and survival is beneficial.