Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer. The second metal layer is formed of a different metal than the first metal layer. Microwave radiation is applied to the semiconductor substrate, first metal layer, and second metal layer to form an alloy including components of the first metal layer, second metal layer, and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining magnetic resonance images are provided. The system is programmed to control the RF system to apply a saturation pulse at a reference frequency that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject. The system is programmed to control the RF system to apply an inversion pulse after a variable delay. The system is programmed to control the RF system and the plurality of gradient coils to apply a motion sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE) preparation pulse. The system is programmed to control the plurality of gradient coils to read imaging data during an acquisition time period. The system is programmed to reconstruct a T1 mapping image of the subject with black-blood contrast.

Abstract: Halogenated phenylethynyl-substituted heterocycles that possess either an N-alkylamino or N,N-dialkylamino group attached to the heterocycle or halogenated phenylethynyl-substituted benzenes that a nitrogen-containing heterocycle attached to the benzene inhibit the proliferation cancer cells and are useful antineoplastic agents.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors is configured to obtain data relating to operation of a plurality of ride vehicles, wherein the plurality of sensors include cameras configured to capture images. A control system is communicatively coupled to control features of each of the plurality of ride vehicles and configured to control operation based on the data. A workstation includes at least one interface panel to provide an animated representation of the ride vehicles, wherein animation effects of the animated representation are configured to mimic movement of the ride vehicles based on positioning information. One or more panel displays of views in a matrix is positioned beyond the workstation such that an operator can observe the one or more panel displays. A portion of the views corresponds to a camera feed and a graphic indicator.

Abstract: A method for generating improved image mosaics includes using a set of overlapping images of a landscape to determine three-dimensional locations for a plurality of features of the landscape. Based on the three-dimensional locations of the plurality of features, a three-dimensional plane of interest is determined. The overlapping images are warped onto the plane of interest to form a mosaic of images.

Abstract: A variety of applications, systems, methods and constructs are implemented for use in connection with screening of ion-channel modulators. Consistent with one such system, drug candidates are screened to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps. The system includes screening cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage-gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors. A chemical delivery device introduces the drug candidates to be screened. An optical delivery device activates the light responsive ion switches. An optical sensor monitors fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors. A processor processes data received from the optical sensor. A memory stores the data received from the optical sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for clinical neuronavigation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for generating a brain stimulation target, including obtaining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) image data of a patient's brain, were brain imaging data describes neuronal activations within the patient's brain, determining a brain stimulation target by mapping at least one region of interest to the patient's brain, locating functional subregions within the at least one region of interest based on the fMRI image data, determining functional relationships between at least two brain regions of interest, generating parameters for each functional subregion, generating a target quality score for each functional subregion based on the parameters and selecting a brain stimulation target based on its target quality score and the patient's neurological condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backscatter communications are provided that employ a backscatter reader to transmit a carrier signal to multiple backscatter tags having heterogeneous hardware and specifications. In response to receiving the carrier, the tags encode data into the received signal and, concurrently, transmit their respective backscattered signal to the reader. The concurrent signals are received by the reader as a combined signal. The reader detects edges in the received signal, based on the corresponding in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. The edges are then assigned to streams based on the offset or transmission rate of the tags. In some cases, the reader can detect edge collisions. These collisions can be resolved by causing the colliding signals to be retransmitted or by separating the colliding signals. The individual streams corresponding to each of the tags can then be decoded to identify the originally transmitted data from each tag.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional product. Fabrication of a three-dimensional part from a powder spread over a work table as a powder bed can be initiated. The fabrication process can be paused to cool down the work table to room temperature to obtain access to the three-dimensional part for post-processing operations such as, for example, embedding external artifacts. Fabrication can continue by preheating the powder rather than the work table until fabrication of the three-dimensional part is complete. A damaged part may be placed within the powder bed, wherein the fabrication process can be directly initiated to achieve part repair. Additionally, a material of the same part's composition can be used or a different material utilized to render the part better than new. Access to the three-dimensional part allows embedding of a foreign object in the three-dimensional part within the powder bed while the three-dimensional part remains non-finished.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying and treating cancers that are resistant to PARP inhibition. Methods for sensitizing cancers to a PARP inhibitor therapy are also provided. In some aspects. PARP inhibitor cancers are treated with a PARP inhibitor therapy in combination with a c-Met inhibitor therapy.

Abstract: Systems and associated methodology are presented for Arabic handwriting synthesis including partitioning a dataset of sentences associated with the alphabet into a legative partition including isolated bigram representation and classified words that contain ligature representations of the collected dataset, an unlegative partion including single character shape representation of the collected data set, an isolated characters partition, and a passages and repeated phrases partition, generating a pangram, the pangram including the occurrence of every character shape in the collected dataset and further including a special lipogram condition set based on a desired digital output of the collected dataset, and outputting a digital representation of the pangram including synthesized text.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbonized composition includes providing an organic composition, forming a protective layer over the organic composition, increasing temperature to carbonize the organic composition and for a period of time to form the carbonized composition, and removing the protective layer from the carbonized composition.

Abstract: A test of visual function and/or functional vision may be performed at varying luminance levels. A first course may be selected for a subject. A given course may comprise a layout having a beginning point, at least one turn, at least one obstacle, and an ending point. The first course may be illuminated with a first luminance level based on an estimated lower light sensitivity cutoff. The subject may be prompted to perform a first run of the test. The test may comprise, from the beginning point to the ending point, navigating the layout of the first course by walking around the at least one turn and avoiding the at least one obstacle. A determination may be made as to whether the subject successfully completed the first course based on one or both of speed or accuracy.

Abstract: A method of forming metallic particles, comprising: providing precursor particles comprising a transition metal alloy; supplying carbon monoxide (CO) under reaction conditions which differentially remove a first alloy metal from the precursor particles at a faster rate than a second alloy metal; and, maintaining the reaction conditions until the precursor particles are converted to the particles. The precursor particles may comprise PtNi4, and the particles may be Pt3Ni, formed as hollow nanoframes on a carbon support.

Abstract: Novel compounds having a formula embodiments of a method of making the same, and of a composition comprising them are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, comprising administering to a subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in the subject. Additionally disclosed are embodiments of a method of treating or preventing inflammation in an intestinal region of a subject, comprising administering to the subject (e.g., via the gastrointestinal tract) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the disclosed compounds, thereby activating FXR receptors in the intestines, and thereby treating or preventing inflammation in the intestinal region of the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that are inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using said compounds. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of engineering plants to modulate hydroxycinnamic acid content. The invention additionally provides compositions and methods comprising such plants.

Abstract: The pH sensing biofilms include anthocyanin and a cellulose nanostructure or a cellulose nanocomposite. The cellulose nanostructure can include cellulose nanofibrils. The cellulose nanocomposite can include a composite of cellulose nanofibrils and pectin or a composite of cellulose nanofibrils and alginate. The presence of the anthocyanin in the biofilm allows the biofilm to change color in response to pH changes, thereby allowing the biofilm to be used as an active visual indicator of decay.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a preparation of CD140a/PDGFR? positive cells that comprises oligodendrocyte progenitor cells co-expressing OLIG2 and CD140a/PDGFR?. The preparation of cells is derived from pluripotent cells that were derived from skin cells, fibroblasts, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, bone marrow, or other somatic cells. The cell preparation has an in vivo myelination efficiency that is equal to or greater than the in vivo myelination efficiency of a preparation of A2B5+/PSA-NCAM?sorted fetal human tissue derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Methods of making, isolating and using the disclosed cell preparation are also described.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method and system for evaluating regional cardiac function and dyssynchrony from an imaging modality using the motion of endocardial features of the heart. In the method and system, an imaging modality such as a CT scanner is used to obtain an image sequence that is then processed using a computer program. The computer program is configured to create an endocardial mesh formed from triangular components that represents at least the region of interest of the subject's heart. From tracking the motion of conserved topological features on this endocardial mesh at least two time points a displacement map can be modeled. The displacement map can be further analyzed to determine metrics of regional cardiac function such as SQUEEZ, myocardial strain, torsion etc., and the displacement map can also be used to create visual representations of the function of the subject's heart.