Abstract: This document generally describes a safe-passage guidance strategy developed in a relative velocity framework to enable a generic aerial robot execute a precision three-dimensional maneuver through a narrow orifice in a wall. The relative sizes of the robot and the orifice can be such that the orifice is only slightly larger than the robot. The orifice can be approximated as an elliptical shape, and analytical nonlinear guidance laws incorporating state-based switching can be derived. Guidance laws can be used to maneuver the robot through both fixed and moving orifices as well as in scenarios when the orifice is closing with time.

Abstract: The invention provides biocomposites alginate/chitosan beads integrated with magnetite nanoparticles and modified-surface magnetite derivate created and designed to remove from environmental waters and aquatic systems different types of organic persistent compounds such as benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of CLL-1. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to CLL-1, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant cells comprising the CLL-1 CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified cell expressing a CAR that comprises a CLL-1 binding domain.

Abstract: The testing chamber for laboratory animals includes multiple testing points to provide multiple tests and testing zones within the same chamber. The testing chamber for laboratory animals provides for study, testing and assessment of cognitive and motor skills of laboratory test subjects, such as mice, rats and the like. The multiple tests performed within the testing chamber may be used for an overall characterization of the neurobehavioral activities of the test animals. The testing chamber for laboratory animals includes a housing divided into first and second zones. A beam for balance beam-style travel from the first zone to the second zone is provided. A volume of water may be contained in the first zone, and the second zone may contain platforms and ramps for the laboratory animal to travel over. A passage from the first zone to the second zone may be further provided.

Abstract: A method of assessing vulnerability of Integrated Circuit (IC) can include: preparing a list of logic nets of the IC; obtaining rectangular segments from the logic nets; finding a milling exclusion area based on a covering wire; and superimposing the found milling exclusion area onto the rectangular segments of the logic nets. The milling exclusion area is an area that microprobing attack does not succeed without cutting off at least one of the rectangular segments.

Abstract: A plane source blackbody is provided. The plane source blackbody comprises a panel and a carbon nanotube composite material. The panel comprising a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is opposite to the second surface. The carbon nanotube composite material is located on the first surface. The carbon nanotube composite material comprises a black lacquer and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and the plurality of carbon nanotubes is dispersed in the black lacquer.

Abstract: A method for the prediction, prognosis and/or diagnosis of bladder cancer or bladder cancer recurrence in a subject, the method includes: providing a test sample from the subject; measuring DNA methylation levels of at least a portion of two or more polynucleotides selected from the group consisting of HOXA9, SOXI, NPY, IRAK3, L1-MET, and Z02 in the test sample; calculating a risk score based on the measured DNA methylation levels, comparing the calculated risk score to a cut-off value derived from a reference DNA methylation profile based on DNA methylation levels of the one or more biomarkers derived from a control group, members of which had bladder cancer; and based on the comparison calculated risk score to the cut-off value, determining at least one of: (1) whether bladder cancer has recurred; (2) whether there is likelihood that the bladder cancer will recur; and (3) whether the patient has bladder cancer.

Abstract: A method measures a power characteristic at the one or more storage batteries, and controls the one or more batteries to selectively act as a generator to supply power to the power grid or to act as a load to draw power from the power grid in response to a predetermined disturbance in the power characteristic being detected. A system includes a battery charging circuit, a battery to grid circuit and a controller that monitors a power characteristic at the one or more storage batteries, and controls the one or more batteries to selectively act as a generator to supply power to the power grid or to act as a load to draw power from the power grid in response to a predetermined disturbance in the power characteristic being detected.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the enhancement of the osteogenic potential of bone graft by ex vivo treatment with a Wnt polypeptide, such as a liposomal Wnt polypeptide.

Abstract: Techniques for a visual disability detection system that employs virtual reality to assess visual performance of a patient based on activities of daily living are described. The virtual reality platform can integrate the testing of different components of visual function based on activities of daily living to provide a direct and clinically relevant measure of the impact of any visual disability on a patient's daily life. By simulating daily tasks for evaluation of visual disability, clinicians can better understand from a patient's perspective how visual impairment affects their daily tasks and quality of life.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of detecting tumor cells are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of detecting tumor cells comprises providing a device, the device comprising a substrate surface and a plurality of first aptamer probes attached to the substrate surface. The method further comprises contacting a plurality of cells with the plurality of first aptamer probes attached to the substrate surface; adhering one or more of the plurality of cells to the substrate surface; and measuring a non-uniformity parameter, a Hausdorff distance, a change in the number of pseudopods, and/or a shape of at least one adhered cell. In some cases, the method further comprises using the non-uniformity parameter, Hausdorff distance, change in the number of pseudopods, and/or shape of the adhered cell to identify the adhered cell as a tumor cell or a non-tumor cell.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identifying one or more proteins or polypeptides comprised by a sample. The methods comprise determining binding of each polypeptide with respect to each binding pool of a plurality of binding pools, wherein each binding pool comprises one or more probes which bind a structure comprised by a protein or polypeptide. In some aspects, polypeptides can be denatured and separated into individual polypeptide strands and immobilized on a solid support prior to determining binding of the binding pools. A protein, polypeptide or polypeptide strand can be identified by searching, in at least one database, for a protein or polypeptide sequence comprising binding pool targets either identical to or most similar to the binding pool targets comprised by the protein, polypeptide or polypeptide strand to be identified. Kits for identifying proteins, polypeptides and polypeptide strands are also disclosed.

Abstract: A preparation method of a polyurethane resin including the following steps is provided. A liquid polyamine compound is placed in a continuous reaction system, and the liquid polyamine compound is circulated in the continuous reaction system. A solid bis(cyclic carbonate) and a solid catalyst are placed in the continuous reaction system to mix the solid bis(cyclic carbonate), solid catalyst, and liquid polyamine compound to form a heterogeneous mixture. The heterogeneous mixture is heated in the continuous reaction system in a microwave manner, such that the heterogeneous mixture reacts to form a polyurethane resin.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for controlling a device (e.g., smartphone) by tracking a movement of a target (e.g., finger). A channel impulse response which characterizes signal traversal paths with different delays is estimated. Channel tap(s) corresponding to the target are then selected. The phase change of the selected channel taps is tracked based on the estimated channel impulse response to estimate a distance change of the target from the device. An estimate of an absolute distance between the device and the target is estimated based on the estimated channel impulse response. A more accurate absolute distance between the device and the target is calculated by combining the estimated absolute distance and the estimated distance change. The position of the target is then tracked based on a distance to different landmarks (e.g., microphones) on the device using the more accurate absolute distance and the estimated distance change.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processor, a game program, and a game control method capable of performing various presentations for the result display of the rearrangement of the symbols. The information processor 1 displays the symbol display area 21 having the scroll areas 211 to 216 in which the win determination line 400 is set on the slot game screen 20. In the winning determination, the information processor 1 determines whether to employ either the winning determination based on the “LEFT TO RIGHT” or the winning determination based on the “RIGHT TO LEFT” for the symbols 500 to be rearranged in the winning determination line 400 according to the type of the symbols 500 to be rearranged.

Abstract: A treatment method for resource recycling of hexavalent chromium-containing residues is provided. This method comprises steps as follows: 1) adding water to the hexavalent chromium-containing residues and mixing uniformly; 2) adding mineralizers to a solution obtained in step 1) and stirring sufficiently to obtain a mixed liquid; and the mineralizers are sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate and hydrochloric acid; 3) treating the mixed liquid by a hydrothermal method or direct heating; 4) after the heating treatment, naturally cooling a solid-liquid mixture to room temperature for holding; 5) separating solid residues and a chromium-containing supernatant, and washing filtered residues with water and then drying; and 6) recycling a chromium-containing solution for returning to a work section, or for a treatment of recycling chromium.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), which are “metabolically programmed” metal chelators, e.g., lipophilic, absorbable (e.g., orally absorbable), and effective metal chelators that are converted in vivo to their hydrophilic, nontoxic metabolites. The present invention also provides compounds of Formula (II), which are also “metabolically programmed” metal chelators. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, methods, and uses that include a compound described herein. The compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods may be useful in treating or preventing a disease (e.g., metal overload, oxidative stress, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, radiation injury, neurological or neurodegenerative disorder, Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), macular degeneration, closed head injury, irritable bowel disease, reperfusion injury, metal poisoning, or infectious disease).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for encoding and decoding an image by skip encoding. The image-encoding method by skip encoding, which performs intra-prediction, comprises: performing a filtering operation on the signal which is reconstructed prior to an encoding object signal in an encoding object image; using the filtered reconstructed signal to generate a prediction signal for the encoding object signal; setting the generated prediction signal as a reconstruction signal for the encoding object signal; and not encoding the residual signal which can be generated on the basis of the difference between the encoding object signal and the prediction signal, thereby performing skip encoding on the encoding object signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of endothelialized matrices and materials from immature endothelial cells using substrates to which particular peptides have been grafted. The resultant substrates can be used to capture and support immature endothelial cells. Further, the methods and compositions of the present invention provide viable cell delivery platforms that allow for production and provision of endothelialized medical devices and implants, including vascular grafts, stents, shunts, and valves, endothelialized surfaces and channels for in vitro testing devices, including microfluidic chips, and materials that support vascularization such as for use in engineered tissues. The present invention includes novel methods required for the successful production of cellularized substrates, systems and components used for the same, and methods of using the resultant cell and tissue compositions.

Abstract: Devices and methods useful for sequencing and characterizing single nucleic acid molecules involve large arrays of nanopore zero-mode waveguides (NZMWs). The methods and devices are made possible by fabrication of nanoporous membranes of appropriate porosity for use in nucleotide sequencing. The fabrication methods eliminate the need for serial nanopore formation and make possible the mass production of highly efficient DNA and RNA single molecule sequencing devices.