Abstract: A multifunctional camera system having a bendable arm configured to be inserted into the thoracic cavity of a patient and camera head at a distal end of the bendable arm. The camera head has a high definition video camera and a light source. The camera head has a view adjustment mechanism for changing a view angle of the camera without changing the position of the camera head. A controller controls the view adjustment mechanism under command of a surgeon.

Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for determining predisposition of a subject to develop a kidney disease, by identifying in a sample of the subject at least one APOL1 polypeptide variant which is characterized by a higher trypanolytic activity on Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense as compared to the trypanolytic activity of wild type APOL1 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 on the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense under identical assay conditions; or at least one APOL1 nucleotide mutation in the APLO1 genomic sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the at least one nucleotide mutation or polypeptide variant being in linkage disequlibrium (LD) with the S342G mutation in the APOL1 polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein presence of the APOL1 polypeptide variant indicates increased predisposition of the subject to develop the kidney disease.

Abstract: Transfection reagent composition, lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition, kits that include the transfection reagent composition, and methods for making and using lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition. Lipids when dispersed in aqueous media readily form liposomes, such as unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes have been used successfully to encapsulate and deliver a wide range of chemicals including nucleic acids, proteins and, small molecule drugs, to cells.

Abstract: A soil analyzing device includes: a sensor having an excitation coil and a detection coil; a measurement unit that generates an excitation signal to be input to the excitation coil, and processes a detection signal output from the detection coil; a storage unit that stores data concerning the correlation between a quantitative value of the soil fertility characteristics including CEC of two or more types of the soil having different components and an estimated value of the soil fertility characteristics including CEC found from the processed detection signal measured by the sensor and the measurement unit; and an estimation unit that estimates the soil fertility characteristics based on the detection signal generated by allowing the sensor to apply the alternating magnetic field to the soil to be analyzed and processed by the measurement unit, and by using the data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: Radiation therapy systems and their components, including secondary radiation shields. At least some versions of the disclosed systems combine a radiation delivery device, a primary radiation shielding device, and a secondary shielding layer into an integrated, modular unit. This is accomplished by using a small direct beam shield capable of blocking a primary beam from a radiation delivery device. In turn, a thinner shielding layer can be used to surround the radiation delivery device and primary shielding device, enabling a single modular unit to be delivered to an installation site. In some embodiments, a bed may be disposed within the secondary shielding layer. In some embodiments, the system is configured to provide up to 4-pi (4?) steradians of radiation coverage to the bed from the radiation delivery device.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of method of inducing or providing a pH gradient in electrochemical or chemical systems. Briefly, the pH gradient is induced by use of coated particles or films with an ion exchange ionomer.

Abstract: Variants of phosphotriesterase have been created that exhibit enhanced hydrolysis of V-type and G-type nerve agents over wild-type phosphotriesterase. V- and G-type nerve agents have an SP and RP enantiomer. The SP enantiomers are more toxic. V-type nerve agents are among the most toxic substances known. Variants of phosphotriesterase can prefer to hydrolyze one enantiomer of VX over the other enantiomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to: an adipocyte-targeting non-viral gene delivery complex comprising a sh(FABP4+FABP5) dual plasmid vector; and treatment for obesity and obesity-induced metabolic syndromes by using the same and, more particularly, to a gene delivery complex comprising: an adipocyte-targeting sequence; a nine-arginine (R9) peptide; and a dual plasmid vector comprising a gene for treatment of obesity and obesity-induced metabolic syndromes, wherein the gene for treatment of obesity and obesity-induced metabolic syndromes is a base sequence inhibiting the expression of a FABP4 gene and a FABP5 gene. According to the present disclosure, in order to treat obesity-related diseases, a dual plasmid vector capable of simultaneously inhibiting the FABP4 and FABP5 genes is produced, and this vector is bound to a predetermined delivery system that specifically delivers the vector into adipocytes so as to provide a gene delivery complex.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a method for integrating an optical interposer with one or more electronic dies and an optical-electronic (OE) printed circuit board (PCB). This method involves first applying surface-connection elements to a surface of the optical interposer, and then bonding the one or more electrical dies to the optical interposer using the surface-connection elements. Next, the method integrates the OE-PCB onto the surface of the optical interposer, wherein the integration causes the surface-connection elements to provide electrical connections between the optical interposer and the OE-PCB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the 14-3-3 protein which is a non-alcoholic fatty liver regulating factor. According to the present invention, two isoform proteins of 14-3-3, i.e., 14-3-3? and 14-3-3?, are different regulating factors for regulating the transcriptional activity of PPAR?2. 14-3-3? increases the transcriptional activity of PPAR?2 by binding to PPAR?2, on the other hand, 14-3-3? plays a role in decreasing the transcriptional activity of PPAR?2. Thus, 14-3-3? and 14-3-3?, which are PPAR?2 regulating factors, are proteins that play a vital role in lipid metabolism, and may be used as a target for the prevention or treatment of fatty liver.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a three-dimensional map generating method of an indoor space, includes: obtaining at least one indoor space image which is an image for an indoor space; distinguishing a background area corresponding to a structure of the indoor space from a non-background area corresponding to objects located in the indoor space in the at least one indoor space image; generating at least one expanded indoor space image by expanding the background area to the non-background area in the at least one indoor space image; generating depth-image associated information based on at least one expanded indoor space image and geographic information including information of a depth value for the indoor space; and generating a three-dimensional map for the indoor space using the at least one expanded indoor space image, the geographic information, and the depth-image associated information.

Abstract: A repulsive-attractive-force electrostatic actuator according to some embodiments of the invention includes a first actuator layer including a first substrate, a first electrode pattern, and a second electrode pattern. The actuator further includes a second actuator layer including a second substrate, a third electrode pattern, and a fourth electrode pattern. The actuator further includes a first voltage source connected to the first and second electrode patterns such that the first electrode pattern is at a relative voltage of V1 to the second electrode pattern, and a second voltage source connected to the third and fourth electrode patterns such that the third electrode pattern is at a relative voltage of V2 to the fourth electrode pattern. The applied relative voltages V1 and V2 are selectable to provide one of a selected repulsive force or a selected attractive force between the first and second actuator layers.

Abstract: The invention provides an in vitro method of improving the efficiency of establishment of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The method comprises contacting an isolated somatic cell being reprogrammed into an iPS cell with an inhibitor of p53 function. The invention also provides an in vitro method of producing iPS cells. The method comprises bringing (a) nuclear reprogramming substances or nucleic acids encoding the nuclear reprogramming substances and (b) an inhibitor of p53 function into contact with a somatic cell.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, upon receiving a request for media content, a first signal quality may be determined, a first quality level may be selected based on the first signal quality, and segments of the first quality level may be retrieved, stored in a buffer, and played from the buffer. When the buffer is sufficiently occupied first inferior segments stored in the buffer may be replaced by determining a second signal quality selecting a second quality level based on the second signal quality, identifying the first inferior segment based on the second quality level, and replacing the first inferior segment with a first replacement segment, the first replacement segment corresponding to the first inferior segment. These processes may be performed iteratively. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wireless charging station, configured to charge remote controlled and autonomous vehicles and robots, including one or more charging pods, wherein each pod has at least two panels and at least two wireless power transmitters (WPTs) affixed to at least two of the panels, wherein the WPTs are configured to deliver power wirelessly to at least two wireless power receivers (WPRs), associated with a remote controlled vehicle, an autonomous unmanned vehicle or a robot. The present invention further comprises a method to charge a robot or vehicle at a distance from a wireless power transmitter (WPT), the method comprising: detecting a first WPR located a first distance from a first WPT and a second WPR located a second distance from a second WPT, and transmitting power from the WPTs to the WPRs to charge the robot or vehicle.

Abstract: An oral device includes an intraoral bolus simulator comprising an exterior surface and having an interior volume Tillable with a fluid. An extraoral user interface extends from the bolus simulator, and can be used to locate or position the intraoral bolus simulator. In various embodiments, the fluid may be a gas or a liquid, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, an oral device includes an extraoral handle, a shield connected to the handle, a tether extending from the shield, and a bolus simulator connected to the tether.

Abstract: Slotted Aloha-NOMA (SAN) protocol is an uncoordinated, non-orthogonal, random access protocol that exploits the simplicity of SA (Slotted Aloha) and the superior throughput of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and its ability to resolve collisions via use of successive interference cancellation (SIC) receiver. In SAN protocol, the SIC receiver at the IoT gateway adaptively learns the number of active devices (which is not known a priori) using multiple hypothesis testing in order to successfully distinguish between signals transmitted from different IoT devices.

Abstract: A tactile sensing system includes at least a stretchable strain sensing layer, an inflatable reservoir, and a means for detecting strain in the stretchable strain sensing layer. The tactile sensing layer may be configured as a tumor detection system by configuring the inflatable reservoir to apply pressure to at least part of a tissue in conjunction with an anatomical contact structure and the stretchable strain sensing layer to be in contact with a region of the surface of the tissue.

Abstract: A lipidated secondary antibody is disclosed. Particles comprising same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the measurement of a pressure differential across a differential pressure flow meter ?P1 and the line pressure drop due to friction ?Pf along a length L of pipe. Subsequently, the quantity (formula) is calculated, enabling the inline calculation of multiple properties of the flow. Calculated flow properties include friction factor, Reynolds number, discharge coefficient, density, viscosity, and corrected flowrate. The present invention further relates to a method of calibration of a differential flow meter and a calibration apparatus for a differential flow meter utilising the same principles.