Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and development of a drug delivery nanoplatform that consists of nanoporous, multi-layer biodegradable polymeric (BP) thin films for controlled release of its payload. The method is used notably to synthesize nanoporous BP coatings as drug delivery vehicles exhibiting uniform nanopores with tailored characteristics for control of drug delivery and release. It enables the multiplex delivery of drugs that can be eluted at desirable time intervals in line with each medical need. Atomic Force Microscopy and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry are applied for determining nanoporosity, thickness, drug loading, structural properties, and quality of the BP films ensuring the quality control of the final product. The complete degradation of the polymers minimizes the toxicity within the human body and such nanoplatform can be used in a wide range of drug eluting and other medical implants and biomedical devices.

Abstract: Described herein is a new antidote for the rapid elimination of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, including brain, heart, and red cell hemoglobin. The disclosed therapy involves the use of modified human globins, particularly neuroglobins modified at residue 64 and cytoglobins modified at residue 81, which bind carbon monoxide with extremely high affinity. The monomeric mutant globins are infused into blood, where they rapidly and irreversibly sequester carbon monoxide, and thus limit toxic effects of carbon monoxide on cellular respiration and oxygen transport and utilization.

Abstract: Methods for restoring tidal areas adjacent to a tidal water area are provided. The method can comprise: pumping water from the tidal water area; and directing a high-pressure water stream, using the water pumped from the tidal water area, to the bottom surface of the tidal water area during an incoming tide period. The high-pressure water stream impacts the bottom surface of the tidal water area with sufficient force to dislodge sediment from the bottom surface into the tidal water area.

Abstract: Provided are methods for characterizing a feature of interest in a digital image. In certain aspects, the methods use an adaptive local window and include obtaining an initial contour for a feature of interest, defining a region of interest around the contour, and segmenting the feature of interest by iteratively selecting a size of a local window surrounding each point on the contour. Non-transitory computer readable media and systems that find use in practicing the methods of the present disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: A freeform surface off-axial three-mirror image-side telecentric optical system comprises a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror and an image sensor. The secondary mirror is the aperture stop. A reflective surface of the primary mirror is a fourth-order polynomial freeform surface of xy. Each of a reflective surface of the secondary mirror and a reflective surface of the tertiary mirror is a sixth-order polynomial freeform surface of xy.

Abstract: A computer implemented method simulates the behavior of a gas-solid mixture in a fluidized bed having a particulate comprising Geldart group A particles using a Eulerian model comprising, for each time step (a current time step) and for each cell: obtaining an initial value of an agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the beginning of the current time step; performing a force-balance procedure for the cell to determine a first agglomerate diameter corresponding to the cell and corresponding to the current time step, wherein performing the force-balance procedure comprises determining a plurality of forces for the cell based at least in part on the initial value of the agglomerate diameter; updating one or more drag relationships for the current time step based at least in part on the first agglomerate diameter; and performing a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) solve procedure to determine, for the current time, the any one or more of: one or more of: a gas velocity {right arrow o

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated, purified population of human cells comprising CD8+ T cells with reduced Cbl-b activity. The invention provides uses of such cells in methods for inducing or enhancing an anti-tumor immune response in a subject. These methods comprise: (a) providing a cell population, from a subject or from another source, which comprises CD8+ T cells, (b) reducing Cbl-b activity in the CD8+ T-cells, (c) administering the cells of step (b) to the subject. The invention provides methods for making CD8+ T cells that do not require stimulation through a co-receptor in order for the cell to become activated or proliferated in response to contact via its T cell receptor. Such methods are based upon reducing function of Cbl-b. The invention also provides methods for identifying agents which affect Cbl-b expression or activity.

Abstract: A method, a device and an encoder for controlling filtering of intra-frame prediction reference pixel point are disclosed. The method includes: when various reference pixel points in a reference pixel group of an intra-frame block to be predicted are filtered, and the target reference pixel point to be filtered currently is not an edge reference pixel point in a reference pixel group (S202), acquiring a pixel difference value between the target reference pixel point and n adjacent reference pixel points thereof (S203); and selecting a filter with the filtering grade thereof corresponding to the pixel difference value to filter the target reference pixel point (S204). For various reference pixel points not located at an edge in a reference pixel group, according to the local difference characteristics of these reference pixel points, filters with corresponding filtering grades are flexibly configured, thus providing flexibility and adaptivity to the filtering, achieving better effect.

Abstract: Methods, media, and systems for detecting an anomalous sequence of function calls are provided. The methods can include compressing a sequence of function calls made by the execution of a program using a compression model; and determining the presence of an anomalous sequence of function calls in the sequence of function calls based on the extent to which the sequence of function calls is compressed. The methods can further include executing at least one known program; observing at least one sequence of function calls made by the execution of the at least one known program; assigning each type of function call in the at least one sequence of function calls made by the at least one known program a unique identifier; and creating at least part of the compression model by recording at least one sequence of unique identifiers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and a system are provided. A plurality of multi-level cognitive exercises are provided to an individual. Each of the multi-level cognitive exercises includes at least one task to perform. The individual is requested to respond to a cognitive exercise in the plurality of cognitive exercises by performing the at least one task contained in the cognitive exercise. A response provided by the individual to the cognitive exercise is monitored. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made whether the individual performed the at least one task at a predetermined performance level, wherein the performance level is defined by the at least one task contained in the cognitive exercise. Based on the determining, the individual is requested to perform at least another task. At least one activity for the individual to perform is generated. The at least one activity is based on responses to the multi-level cognitive exercises by the individual.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a subject based upon ear recognition using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and handcrafted features, wherein an ear in an image is cropped using ground truth annotations and landmark detection is performed to obtain the information required to normalize pose and scale variations. The normalized images are then described by different feature extractors and matched through distance metrics. Finally, scores are fused and a subject identification decision is made.

Abstract: A single molecule sensing or detecting device includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a gap. The first electrode and the second electrode have an opening formed therethrough. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is functionalized with a recognition molecule. The recognition molecule has an effective length L1 and is configured to selectively bind to a target molecule having an effective length L2. The size of the gap is configured to be greater than 2L1, but less than or equal to the sum of 2L1 and L2.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for detecting RNase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for light-activated cation channel proteins and their uses within cell membranes and subcellular regions. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-activated cation channels to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides millisecond-timescale temporal control of cation channels using moderate light intensities in cells, cell lines, transgenic animals, and humans. The invention provides for optically generating electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells useful for driving neuronal networks, drug screening, and therapy.

Abstract: An exoskeleton apparatus driven by a pneumatic artificial muscle with functions of upper limb assist and rehabilitation training includes an upper limb frame, a shoulder joint mechanism, and an elbow joint mechanism which are driven by utilizing a processing unit, a first angle sensing unit, a second angle sensing unit, a first proportional pressure valve, a pressure sensing unit and a pneumatic muscle device. The exoskeleton apparatus can be independently used as an upper limb exoskeleton assistive device or can be combined to form an upper limb exoskeleton rehabilitation training system to simulate the upper limb movements in daily life through the upper limb frame to assist with the movements of the wearer's upper limbs, accomplishing the rehabilitation training of each upper and lower arm joint and neurological function.

Abstract: The present invention includes cilastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active component and a suppressant for renal impairment or inner ear disorders, induced via megalin by at least one megalin ligand which is selected from the group consisting of polymyxins, aminoglycoside antibiotics, glycopeptide antibiotics, cisplatin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV.

Abstract: Receptor protein kinases (RPTKs) transmit extracellular signals across the plasma membrane to cytosolic proteins, stimulating formation of complexes that regulate key cellular functions. Over half of the known tyrosine kinases are implicated in human cancers and are therefore highly promising drug targets. A large-scale loss-of-function analysis of tyrosine kinases using RNA interference in the clinically relevant Erb-B2 positive, BT474 breast cancer cell line showed that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a cytosolic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been extensively studied for its role in B cell development, is required, in altered form, for BT474 breast cancer survival. This alternative form contains an amino-terminal extension that is also present in tumorigenic breast cells at significantly higher levels than in normal breast cells. Thus, embodiments of the invention find application in the field of cancer therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient's heart includes a sensor for measuring hemodynamics of the heart. The apparatus includes a processing unit which receives the hemodynamics from the sensor and uses the hemodynamics to determine whether to shock the heart. A method for treating a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of measuring hemodynamics of the heart with a sensor. There is the step of receiving the hemodynamics from the sensor at a processing unit which uses the hemodynamics to determine whether to shock the heart.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to various compounds that are useful as vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) ligands. The invention further relates to methods of using these compounds and their radiolabeled analogs for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).