Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a Material's (“MTL”) mechanical properties. The methods comprise: coupling a first end of MTL to a First Mechanical Mechanism (“FMM”) movable in a First Direction (“FD”) and coupling a second end of MTL to a Second Mechanical Mechanism (“SMM”) movable in a Second Direction (“SD”); applying a first Pulling Force (“PF”) to MTL; applying an Oscillating Force (“OF”) to MTL; applying a second PF to MTL so as to cause any undulations in MTL to be removed and to cause a loading of fibers or polymeric units that support MTL; allowing MTL to oscillate through a series of cycles of loading and unloading; measuring a strain/stress on MTL as a function of time; determining a natural frequency of MTL based on the strain/stress; and determining an elastic modulus of MTL using the natural frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device configured with an analyte sensor to measure analytes through an existing peritoneal dialysis catheter and to a method for using the device and to a method for changing of a dialysis protocol in a patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis using the device.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the petroleum content of a rock sample includes at least three repetitions of heating a rock sample to a holding temperature, holding the rock sample at the holding temperature for a holding period, and collecting data about the rock sample during each holding period. The holding temperature for each subsequent holding period may be greater than or equal to a previous holding temperature. The data collected may be analyzed to determine the S1 parameter and calculated to determine the API gravity of the rock sample.

Abstract: The method of synthesizing magnetite/maghemite core/shell nanoparticles is a modified co-precipitation method for producing iron oxide (Fe3O4/?-Fe2O3) nanoparticles that allows for production of the Fe3O4/?-Fe2O3 core/shell nanoparticles with a desired shell thickness ranging between about 1 nm to 5 nm for biomedical and data storage applications. Aqueous solutions of ferric and ferrous salts are mixed at room temperature and pH of the mixture is raised to 10. The mixture is then heated at 80° C. for different lengths of time at atmospheric pressure to adjust particle size, and the precipitate is dried at 120° C. in vacuum. Oxidation in an oxygen atmosphere for different lengths of time is used to adjust the thickness of the ?-Fe2O3 shell.

Abstract: Methods of synthesis of hypervalent iodine reagents and methods for oxidation of organic compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A sampling device is constructed having an airflow path from a size-selective inlet to a device outlet, without using any tubing. The size-selective inlet includes at least one of an impactor, a filter, a cyclone, and an inhalable inlet. The device includes a sampling assembly configured to be removably coupled directly to a sampling device housing (e.g., without using tubing), and an airflow assembly that may be constructed without using tubing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treatment which use therapeutically effective amounts of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) inhibitors to treat a variety of cancers. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor is a CETP-inhibiting small molecule, CETP-inhibiting antisense oligonucleotide, CETP-inhibiting siRNA or a CETP-inhibiting antibody. Related pharmaceutical compositions, kits, diagnostics and screens are also provided.

Abstract: A method of allocating registers, includes for each of a plurality of live ranges of variables, calculating an energy saving value of each of the plurality of live ranges of the variables; classifying the plurality of live ranges of the variables into a plurality of queues according to the energy saving values of the plurality of live ranges of the variables; and assigning the plurality of live ranges of the variables in the plurality of queues into a plurality of registers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether an individual with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis will suffer a relapse or respond to treatment for MS. A ratio of mRNA levels of Response Gene to Complement-32, FasL or IL-21 to L13 determined for an individual provides a normalized level which is compared to a cut-off value. A normalized level of Response Gene to Complement-32 greater than 2.52, a normalized level of FasL greater than 85.4 and a normalized level of IL-21 less than 11.9, respectively, indicates the individual will have or is having a relapse of multiple sclerosis. Also provided are methods for determining whether an individual will respond positively or is responding positively to glatiramer treatment and whether the individual is in a period of stable disease or is not at risk for relapse of multiple sclerosis by comparing normalized levels with the respective cut-off levels.

Abstract: A functionalized asphaltene, obtained by refluxing with an acid solution. The functionalized asphaltene contains elevated levels of oxygen content due to nitration and oxidation of the refluxing process. The refluxing process also imparts organic functional groups including at least amines, nitro groups carbonyl groups, carboxylic groups and hydroxyl groups to the functionalized asphaltene, and these functional groups are attached to, thereby coating the surface of a functionalized asphaltene particle. A method for removing dye compounds from an aqueous sample with the functionalized asphaltene is also described.

Abstract: Described are positive allosteric modulators of the GLP-1 receptor, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, cognitive dysfunction, learning disability, and asthma in a subject.

Abstract: A method for synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias and an electroplating device. Laser irradiation is adopted as an external energy field to assist synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias. A mask or digital maskless technology is used to precisely heat the vias with different positions and different sizes. The filling rate of different regions varies with the temperature difference, thereby realizing the synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias in one step. In the processes of immersion pre-wetting by the electroplating liquid and electroplating filling copper, the laser is used for preheating the wafer processed with vias. In these two steps, the laser needs to locally and precisely heat upper surfaces of the micro vias on the wafer through the mask corresponding to the micro vias on the wafer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a triple-hop multiuser relay network. Further, the relay network is comprised of mixed communication mediums (radiofrequency/free-space optical/radiofrequency), and utilizes a generalized order user scheduling scheme for determining the next source or destination to be selected for transmission. Closed-form expressions were achieved to describe outage probability, average symbol error probability, and channel capacity assuming Rayleigh and Gamma-Gamma fading models for the radiofrequency and free-space optical links, respectively. The effects of pointing errors on the free-space optical link were also considered. Additionally, a power allocation algorithm was proposed to optimize power allocation at each hop.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for carrying out the petroleum coking process. The improvements provide for recovery of gaseous hydrocarbons from operational units and use of the recovered gaseous hydrocarbons in place of steam during the coking process and during the stripping of volatile compounds from the coke drums.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing heart failure in vitro including the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker IGFBP-7, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for IGFBP-7 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of IGFBP-7 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising IGFBP-7 and a kit for measuring IGFBP-7.

Abstract: Provided are nanograting structures and methods of fabrication thereof that allow for stable, robust gratings and nanostructure embedded gratings that enhance electromagnetic field, fluorescence, and photothermal coupling through surface plasmon or, photonic resonance. The gratings produced exhibit long term stability of the grating structure and improved shelf life without degradation of the properties such as fluorescence enhancement. Embodiments of the invention build nanograting structures layer-by-layer to optimize structural and optical properties and to enhance durability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring small changes in the centroid of the spectrum of a light field by conversion of optical frequency centroid shifts into time delays are described. A time delay for a particular frequency of light is created by directing the light into an optically dispersive system that converts the change in center frequency to a change in transit time through the system as the dispersive element causes different colors to travel at different speeds. Examples of such dispersive elements include, but are not limited to, optical fibers, bulk materials, volumetric or fiber Bragg gratings, and grating or prism based pulse stretchers. This time delay can be measured, by detecting the change in transit time (or time of flight through the dispersive element) by using a detector such as a photodiode, PMT, etc. that converts the incident optical pulse train into an electronic pulsed signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal, its molecular formula is C4H9NO2.0.5H2O. It also discloses a method of preparing a ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal, including first adding crude ?-aminobutyric acid to water to prepare a ?-aminobutyric acid suspension at an initial concentration of 1.2-2.0 g/mL; then stirring the suspension at a constant temperature of 5-10° C. for 6-12 hours, followed by filtering and drying to obtain the ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal. The ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal is stable, does not easily absorb moisture and agglomerate, and is convenient for further processing and use. The crystal has a large main particle size, uniform particle size distribution, high bulk density, good flowability, and a purity of ?99%. The preparation method of the crystal according to the present invention is simple, easy to operate, highly efficient and low in energy consumption, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Abstract: An camera, the camera including: an photosensitive device and an image processor, wherein the photosensitive device includes a plurality of photosensitive units, a measuring device and a data processor; the plurality of photosensitive units are distributed in an array, wherein each photosensitive unit is configured to receive and convert light signal to form a temperature difference or a potential difference; the measuring device is configured to measure the temperature difference or the potential difference; a data processor is configured to analyze and calculate the potential difference or the temperature difference.

Abstract: A polygeneration method of biomass downflow circulation bed millisecond pyrolysis liquefaction-gasification coupling is provided.