Abstract: A system and method for misbalancing or suppressing spinning atmospheric phenomena such as tornadoes, landspouts, waterspouts, gustnadoes and whirlwinds. The systems and methods misbalance or suppress such phenomena utilizing electromagnetic fields; irradiation; neutralizing charges; or chemical reactions, thus destabilizing or disrupting the phenomenon.

Abstract: A desk includes a tabletop and at least one base member supporting the tabletop. A footrest is disposed on the at least one base member beneath the tabletop. The footrest is movable between a stowed position toward a back of the desk and a deployed position toward a front of the desk. At least one mechanism is disposed on the at least one base member and operatively coupled to the footrest. The at least one mechanism moving the footrest between the stowed and deployed positions. A floor mat is disposed with the footrest. The floor mat is movable with the footrest between a stowed mat position and a deployed mat position.

Abstract: New, highly efficient enhancers for AFPs have now been discovered in the form of co-enzymes, and active fragments and mimetics thereof. These enhancer molecules do not have TH activity themselves, but can enhance the TH activity of AFPs by at least about 2-11 times. These molecules are so far the most effective enhancers for AFPs, and are characterized by containing coenzymes or fragments or mimetic thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are monoclonal antibodies that recognize, bind to, and block interactions of other molecules with AGR2 and C4.4A. Also provided herein are methods of using anti-AGR2 and anti-C4.4A antibodies to treat cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an isolated oligosaccharide or glycolipid by preparing the oligosaccharide or glycolipid having a hydrophobic group, such as a perfluorinated alkyl or a fatty acid, and separating the oligosaccharide or glycolipid using a solid-phase extraction cartridge.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods of compressing and decompressing image data are described. A discrete cosine (DCT) transformation is applied to each of a plurality of pixel blocks to generate a set of DCT coefficients for each pixel block comprising a DC DCT coefficient and a plurality of AC DCT coefficient. Each set of DCT coefficients is quantized. A DC array is formed from the set of quantized DC OCT coefficients and an AC matrix is formed from the set of quantized AC DCT coefficients. The AC matrix is compressed by eliminating blocks of data having only zero values and forming a reduced AC array from blocks including non-zero values. The reduced AC array is compressed using a key to form a coded AC array. The DC array and coded AC array are arithmetically coded to form arithmetically coded data which is included in a compressed image file. The decompression method is essentially the reverse process.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP-2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) to mediate pathogen replication. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a PI4-kinase and methods of inhibiting viral infection. In some embodiments, the compound is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound that is a 5-aryl-thiazole or a 5-hetereoaryl-thiazole. The subject compounds may be formulated or provided to a subject in combination with a second anti-infective agent, e.g. interferon, ribivarin, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a light scattering cell classification technology which can classify cells into various types and at the same time classify cells with very high accuracy despite the rotation of the cells. A cell analysis apparatus using a plurality of lasers, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a plurality of laser generators which are installed around a movement path through which cells to be classified are moved, and which irradiate laser beams at one measurement point on the movement path at different angles; a plurality of photodetectors, installed around the one measurement point, which collect a second laser beam, which is a laser beam generated as the laser beams irradiated from the laser generators are incident on the cells and then scattered; and a cell analysis unit which classifies the cells to be classified according to the second laser beam collected by the photodetectors.

Abstract: An electronic or optoelectronic device includes: (1) a semiconductor layer; (2) a dielectric layer in contact with the semiconductor layer and including a polar elastomer; and (3) an electrode. The dielectric layer is disposed between the electrode and the semiconductor layer, and the polar elastomer includes a backbone structure and polar groups that are bonded as side chains to the backbone structure, and each of the polar groups includes 2 or more atoms.

Abstract: Grafted triglycerides comprising a triglyceride grafted with a fatty acid residue containing 4 to 30 carbon atoms are reacted with an epoxide resin and an amine curing agent to yield an epoxy thermoset. The grafted triglyceride is prepared by reaction of an epoxidized triglyceride with a fatty acid. By varying the length of the fatty residue, the number of fatty residues per triglyceride, the identity of the epoxy resin and the amine curing agent, it is possible to prepare epoxy thermosets that exhibit superior physical properties compared to the properties of epoxy thermosets prepared without the grafted triglyceride, or as compared to epoxy thermosets wherein the epoxidized triglyceride is used in place of the grafted triglyceride.

Abstract: A soil remediation method for treating contaminated soil includes combining a dielectric carbonaceous nanomaterial with the contaminated soil to yield a composite contaminated soil, and irradiating the composite contaminated soil with microwave radiation to yield a remediated soil. The composite contaminated soil includes at least 1 wt % of the dielectric carbonaceous material, and the microwave radiation provides an energy input of at least 2.5 kWh per kilogram of the composite contaminated soil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for targeting a biomedical system. Aspects of the subject methods include determining the trajectory of a targeting device using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a MRI-visible style of a trajectory guide that is compatible with the targeting device. Targeted biomedical systems may be utilized for a variety of purposes including targeted delivery of a therapeutic, holding a therapeutic device, positioning of a therapeutic device and other uses. Also provided are devices and systems that can be used in practicing the described methods including but not limited to trajectory guides and adjustable targeting systems, as well as non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause a computing device to perform steps of the described methods.

Abstract: An imaging system can include an optical fiber and a light source for providing optical stimulation to a region of interest along the optical fiber. A camera can capture emission such as fluorescence resulting from the optical stimulation. A cannula configured for implantation into a subject can be configured to direct the emission from the subject. A mating sleeve coupling the cannula to the optical fiber, and configured to support the camera, can include a dichroic mirror to allow the optical stimulation to pass from the optical fiber to the cannula and to redirect the emission from the cannula to the camera.

Abstract: Methods and systems for PS-CAR photoresist simulation are described. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by simulation at least one process parameter of a lithography process using a radiation-sensitive material. In such an embodiment, the radiation-sensitive material includes: a first light wavelength activation threshold that controls the generation of acid to a first acid concentration in the radiation-sensitive material and controls generation of photosensitizer molecules in the radiation-sensitive material, and a second light wavelength activation threshold that can excite the photosensitizer molecules in the radiation-sensitive material that results in the acid comprising a second acid concentration that is greater than the first acid concentration, the second light wavelength being different from the first light wavelength. In such an embodiment, the method also includes performing a lithography process using the previously-determined at least one process parameter.

Abstract: An automatic handle assembly system for a paint brush, including a feeding device, a conveying device, a handle pushing device, a pneumatic system, and a control system. The feeding device is used for transporting a glue-filled paint brush head to an entrance of the conveying device. The conveying device is used for realizing transportation, pressing and precise positioning of the paint brush head. The handle pushing device is used for pushing a paint brush handle to precisely insert into the paint brush head. The feeding device, the conveying device, and the handle pushing device are all connected to the pneumatic system and the control system.

Abstract: An expansible cardiovascular graft system for replacing vasculature such as a portion of the aorta. The portion of the aorta may include but is not limited to the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, or the descending aorta. The system features a graft conduit with a proximal anchor disposed at the proximal end and a distal anchor disposed at the distal end and an expansible portion disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor. At least a portion of the expansible system is adapted to gradually expand.

Abstract: Described are Dynorphin A analog compounds and uses thereof for treating pain in humans and lower animals by administering to a human or lower animal in need of treatment. The compounds interact with the bradykinin receptor to relieve pain. Preferred compounds are amphipathic [Des-Arg7]-dynorphin A peptide analogs and specific cyclic dynorphin A peptide analogs.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: A cementitious composite and cured masonry block made from the cementitious composite. The cementitious composite contains a cement, a non-rubber aggregate, a crumb rubber and at least one of cement kiln dust and limestone powder. The crumb rubber aggregate is extracted from scrap tires after being processed and then mixed in specified percentages with the aggregate, the cement and water, then cured in forms to make the masonry blocks. In the present disclosure sand, which is used in conventional masonry blocks, is at least partially replaced with crumb rubber to produce a sand-free or sand-reduced masonry block that contains crumb rubber. The crumb rubber masonry blocks satisfy the ASTM non-load bearing requirements. The use of crumb rubber decreases the unit weight and increases thermal resistance of the masonry blocks. The use of cement kiln dust or limestone as a partial replacement of cement will lead to decrease in the cost.

Abstract: A photoactive device that includes a photovoltaic device having electrodes and at least one photoactive layer between the electrodes. One or more other layers may be included between the electrodes. The device includes a substrate positioned below the photovoltaic device, and a nanostructure backreflective layer positioned below the substrate such that at least some of the incident light impinging on the photovoltaic device passes through the photovoltaic device and the substrate and is backscattered through the substrate to the photovoltaic device.