Abstract: A brain-machine interface apparatus and a method of the same are provided. To elaborate the brain-machine interface apparatus may include a display where a plurality of light-emitting points (or lines) flickering with their individual set frequencies are arranged a flickering controller that divides the plurality of the light-emitting points (or lines) into a plurality of groups, and sets the set frequencies for the groups; an EEG measurement unit that detects EEG signals of a user who watches the display without gaze-shift; a frequency detector that detects one or more (their harmonic or combination) frequency components from the measured EEG signals; a shape analysis unit that decodes an originally intended shape according to the user's imagination based on the one or more detected frequency components and the set frequencies; and a result output unit that outputs information of the embodied originally intended shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining an angular trajectory for dynamically rotating a multileaf collimator during arc therapy. According to various embodiments, a suitable collimator trajectory may be determined based on the reduction or minimization of a residual unblocked area residing between a planning target volume and leaves of the multileaf collimator in the beam's eye view over the set of control points corresponding to an arc therapy plan. Various example methods are provided for determining collimator trajectories based on whitespace reduction, and for providing quantitative measures of whitespace optimization associated with a given trajectory. In some embodiments, the whitespace may be calculated using terms that account for the overlap of a planning target volume with an organ at risk of exposure.

Abstract: A method for treating a burn, lesion, lacuna, or wound comprising contacting the burn, lesion, or wound with a chitosan-functionalized silica sphere (“CHI-HSS”). Chitosan-functionalized silica spheres and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compounds comprising oligonucleotides complementary to a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) RNA transcript. Certain such compounds are useful for hybridizing to a CFTR RNA transcript, including but not limited to a CFTR RNA transcript in a cell. In certain embodiments, such hybridization results in modulation of splicing of the CFTR transcript. In certain embodiments, such compounds are used to treat one or more symptoms associated with Cystic Fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine. The virus-like particle constitutes a non-naturally occurring, ordered and repetitive antigen array display scaffold which can obtain a strong and long-lasting immune response in a subject. The VLP-based vaccine may be used for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease including, but is not limited to, cancer, cardiovascular, infectious, chronic, neurological diseases/disorders, asthma, and/or immune-inflammatory diseases/disorders.

Abstract: A system for generating an interface that tracks information over the course of patient care is provided. The system includes an interface component configured to generate an interface that facilitates tracking a course of care of a patient, wherein the interface comprises a plurality of input compartments defined by a first axis comprising columns corresponding to sequential points in time over the course of the care and a second axis comprising rows respectively corresponding to patient care events or patient conditions associated with the course of the care. The system further includes a reception component configured to receive input regarding a patient care event or condition that occurred over the course of the care, and a logging component configured to fill one or more input compartments respectively corresponding to a point or period of time associated with occurrence of the patient care event or patient condition.

Abstract: A slot coating apparatus having an improved coating bead region is disclosed. An embodiment of the invention provides a slot coating apparatus configured to coat a coating liquid containing a high concentration of particles over a substrate, where the slot coating apparatus includes: a first slot die that is arranged at a downstream side of the coating liquid; a second slot die that is arranged at an upstream side of the coating liquid and is positioned facing the first slot die; a coating bead cover that extends from one side of the first slot die along a movement direction of the substrate; and a pressure adjustment device that is disposed at the second slot die side and is configured to form a pressure gradient between the downstream and the upstream.

Abstract: A calibration method may include: detecting, by a lane detection unit, lanes from around images acquired through cameras of a vehicle, when a behavior of the vehicle satisfies a preset behavior condition; analyzing, by a valid lane extraction unit, statistical characteristics of the positions and directions of the detected lanes, and extracting a valid lane by removing a misdetected lane; and estimating, by a parameter estimation unit, installation angles of the cameras based on the direction of the valid lane and a vanishing point decided through the valid lane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of calculating a Topography Adjusted Vegetation Index (TAVI) based on a band ratio model and a solar altitude angle. The method includes the following steps: obtaining the apparent reflectance data of a remote sensing image through image preprocessing, analyzing the quality of the image and numerical distribution, calculating a Shadow Vegetation Index (SVI), and constructing a TAVI combinational algorithm: TAVI = B ir B r + f ? ( ? ) · 1 B r , calculating an adjustment factor f(?) with the solar altitude angle, and finally obtaining anti-topographic effect TAVI vegetation information. The TAVI in the present invention is composed of two band ratio submodels RVI and SVI, the denominators of both of which are red band data of a remote sensing image, and the adjustment factor f(?), which is calculated by a solar altitude angle as a parameter with a sensor factor applied, has great physical significance.

Abstract: A medical device for retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava having a handle having a distal end, wherein a longitudinal axis is defined thereby; a grasping assembly coupled to the handle, wherein the grasping assembly comprises a grasper for grasping the inferior vena cava filter positioned within the inferior vena cava, and an articulation assembly coupled to the grasping assembly for causing the grasping assembly to move laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Methods of retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamic multi-objective task allocation system within robotic networks that assigns tasks in real-time as they are detected, the system including a sensing device that detects a trigger event, the trigger event being associated with a task to be performed, and transmits a broadcast signal to a designated robotic network, the robotic network including one or more robots, the broadcast signal including information associated with the task to be performed, the trigger event, the task to be performed, and a location where the task is to be performed; and a distribution robot that receives broadcast signal from the sensing device, assigns itself a self-score associated with performing the task, transmits, to one or more receiving robots within the robotic network, a request for submission of an assessment score of each one of the one or more robots, and determines which robot is assigned to perform the task.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for diagnosing an active mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by detecting certain RNA biomarkers present in secreted extracellular vesicles isolated from a bodily fluid. The RNA biomarkers in the secreted extracellular vesicles may include a certain mycobacterium RNAs as well as certain host cell RNAs. Also provided is an RNA signature of certain mycobacterium and host cell RNA present in secreted extracellular vesicles indicative of an active tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: An example method of displaying a data visualization includes displaying a graphical user interface that includes three distinct regions, and receiving user actions to associate two different fields with two different shelves. The method also includes generating, in accordance with the received user actions, data marks to be displayed in a data visualization, each data mark corresponding to a respective retrieved tuple of data from a multidimensional database, where (i) each data mark has an x-position defined according to data for a first field in the respective tuple and (ii) each data mark has a y-position defined according to data for a second field in the respective tuple. The method also includes displaying a data visualization that includes the generated data marks.

Abstract: A nanofiltration membrane comprising a selective layer comprising or consisting of poly(amide-imide) cross-linked with polyallylamine is provided. A method of manufacturing a nanofiltration membrane and use of a nanofiltration membrane in a water softening process that is carried out at a low pressure of less than about 2 bar are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds, including those of the following formula: wherein the variables are defined herein, which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to materials and methods for creating and/or utilizing upconverting luminescence. More particularly, the invention relates to novel compositions (e.g., nanoparticles) and related methods of preparation and use that enable upconverting luminescence with an efficient excitation optimized at about 800 nm. A unique class of cascade sensitized tri-doped UCNPs with a biocompatiable 800 nm excitable property are disclosed herein, for example, tri-doped ?-NaYF4:Nd, Yb, Er (Tm)/NaYF4UCNPs, which employ Nd3+ as 800 nm photon sensitizer and Yb3+ as bridging ions, having strong green or blue upconversion emissions without photobleaching.

Abstract: Adeno-associated virus rh.10 sequences, vectors containing same, and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: A smartphone endoscope system includes a smartphone with first and second imaging sensors, and an imaging optics attachment. The imaging optics attachment includes a first and second imaging apparatus, the first imaging apparatus including a first light source, a beam splitter, an objective lens, and a fiber optic imaging bundle, wherein the fiber optic imaging bundle delivers excitation light to a target which emits a fluorescence emission and a reflectance emission both collected by the fiber optic imaging bundle and transmitted to the first imaging sensor. The second imaging apparatus includes a second light source, a DRS source fiber delivering broadband light to the target which produces a diffuse reflectance emission, a DRS detection fiber, a collimator, a slit, and a transmission grating wherein the transmission grating diffracts diffuse reflectance emission and creates diffracted light which is transmitted to a second imaging sensor.

Abstract: Methods of selectively inhibiting Akt3 are provided. It has been discovered that 4-[(6-nitroquinolin-4-yl)amino]-N-[4-(pyridin-4-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide selectively inhibits Akt3. Because Akt3 modulates the suppressive function of natural Tregs and the polarization of induced Tregs, 4-[(6-nitroquinolin-4-yl)amino]-N-[4-(pyridin-4-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide can be used for modulating immune responses.

Abstract: The new variety ‘TH-1321’ ripens around mid-April in southeastern Georgia. The fruit of the new variety ‘TH-1321’ are very large, firm, have good flavor and scar. The new variety ‘TH-1321’ is vigorous with an estimated chilling requirement of about 50 to 100 hours at or below approximately 7° C. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.