Abstract: A system and method for in vivo detection and quantification of drusen present in the retina via administering an excitation signal to the retina of the eye and detecting an electromagnetic emissions spectrum from the retina in response to the excitation signal. The electromagnetic emissions spectrum may be used to identify a plurality of component emissions spectra, each component emissions spectrum corresponding to fluorescence from a component of the retina, one of the component emissions spectra corresponding to a target emissions spectrum.

Abstract: Tin-containing carbon fibers may be produced by centrifugal spinning of a precursor composition that includes a base polymer and a tin-containing compound. The produced fibers are heated at a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of the base polymer in the collected fibers into carbon fibers comprising tin.

Abstract: A surge protection device for an LED lighting system provides a failure detection circuit which shuts off an indicator lamp when upon failure of surge protection components. Surge suppression circuits are coupled between respective first and second, and second and third lines for receiving an AC mains input. The surge suppression circuits include a thermal cutoff device and a clamping device, with a fault detection circuit coupled between each respective series circuit. The fault detection circuit activates an indicator lamp when the surge protection device is in a normal operation mode. The fault detection circuit shuts off the indicator lamp when the surge protection device is in a short circuit fault mode, corresponding to failure of at least one component from a surge suppression circuit. Detection of an unlit indicator lamp may serve as a warning to an operator that the associated surge protection device should be replaced.

Abstract: This invention provides highly attenuated influenza viruses and vaccines. The attenuated viruses and vaccines proliferate well and have high safety factors. The attenuated viruses providing protective immunity from challenge by virus of the same subtype, as well as cross protection against heterologous viruses.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions of isolated polypeptides and methods of their use for the treatment and prevention of disease or disease symptoms associated with MARCKS phosphorylation and/or dissociation from the cell membrane, including but not limited to allergic inflammation, asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, infection, hyper-reactivity, cystic fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: A composition comprising mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical producing enzyme (i.e., enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates), wherein the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles have mesopores in which the free-radical-producing enzyme is embedded. Methods for synthesizing the enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates are also described. Processes that use said enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates for depolymerizing lignin, removing aromatic contaminants from water, and polymerizing monomers polymerizable by a free-radical reaction are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a game system which performs control so as to change a rank promotion condition in accordance with an amount of a donation made by a user. A donation management server 40 performs controls so as to change the rank promotion condition for said user in accordance with the donation amount when the donation is made by a user operation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions related to microbial gene expression. In one aspect, a synthetic polypeptide having a xylose import activity.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp used for a marine deck welding test includes a supporting device, a guiding and positioning device and a clamping device; the guiding and positioning device comprises a plurality of guiding shafts, a plurality of guiding plates and a plurality of positioning rods, the guiding shafts located at the two sides of a working platform are detachably connected with supporting blocks, the guiding shafts penetrate through the guiding plates, the guiding plates can slide horizontally along the guiding shafts, at least one column of through-holes are formed in each guiding plate in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, the through-holes located at the central part are guiding plate bolt holes, the through-holes located at the two sides are guiding plate positioning holes, the positioning rods are placed in the guiding plate positioning holes, and the upper ends of the positioning rods are higher than the guiding plates; the clamping device comprises a plurality of pressing plates loca

Abstract: A system for measuring microfluctuation of accommodation comprises a measuring module and a processing module. The measuring module includes at least one first sensing element attached to the area around an eye of a testee for measuring an EMG signal. The processing module is coupled with the measuring module for picking up a specific frequency range of the EMG signal as a measurement index of microfluctuation of accommodation, wherein the specific frequency range is between 0.1 Hz and 100 Hz. The system allows the testee to be tested in an open field of view and exempts the testee from experiencing fatigue in the muscle around the eyes. The system is compact and convenient to carry. A method for measuring microfluctuation of accommodation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition includes a first population of strongly plasmonic nanorods and a second population of strongly plasmonic nanorods. The two populations each have a size range of the nanorods, creating a size range gap between the two populations. This size range gap creates a transparency window that can be seen in an extinction spectrum of the composition, which is characterized by the sizes of the nanorods in both populations. The composition may be included in a filter providing a transparency to a defined wavelength characterized by the size range gap of the nanorods.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the identification of salivary biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of type 2 diabetes in a subject. Also provided are methods for noninvasively diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes in a subject. More particularly, the expression of salivary biomarkers, including MUC-1, MUC-2, MUC-4, and MUC-5B, are highly associated with A1C level in African American patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A method for encoding and decoding information data using a polar code is provided. The method for encoding includes segmenting information data into a plurality of first packets, generating a plurality of second packets corresponding to the plurality of first packets by adding a corresponding packet Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) code to each of the plurality of first packets, fragmenting each of the plurality of second packets into a plurality of data blocks, polar code encoding each of the plurality of data blocks included in a corresponding second packet of the plurality of second packets, and generating a plurality of third packets corresponding to the plurality of second packets by concatenating each polar code encoded data block included in the corresponding second packet. The method for decoding includes decoding the third packet to obtain the information data based on the method for encoding.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic beam machining system. The system includes a vacuum chamber; an electron gun located in the vacuum chamber and used to emit electron beam; a holder located in the vacuum chamber and used to fix an object; a control computer; and a diffraction unit located in the vacuum chamber; the diffraction unit includes a two-dimensional nanomaterial; the electron beam transmits the two-dimensional nanomaterial to form a transmission electron beam and a plurality of diffraction electron beams; the transmission electron beam and the plurality of diffraction electron beams radiate the object to form a transmission spot and a plurality of diffraction spots.

Abstract: The present inaveation relates to prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccines thatpoatairj Newcastle disease Virus (NDV) virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising one or more Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigens, in one embodiment, the invention provides a recombinant virus-like particle (V'UP) comprising, i is operable combination, a) Newcastle disease virus? iNDVj matrix (M) protein, and b) one or more Epstein-Barr Virus (BBV) antigens. The im'eniion's prophylactic and/or therapeutic vacclrses are useful for preventing asc/or treatmg, infection with EBY aixi/or disease associated Epstein-Barr Virus, such as cancer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a non-orthogonal multiple access data transmission method and a transmission device using the same. The method includes: performing channel encoding for a plurality of data and a plurality of identifiers respectively corresponding to the plurality of data by using Raptor code so as to generate a Raptor codeword, wherein the plurality of identifiers respectively correspond to a plurality of receiving terminals; and modulating the Raptor codeword to generate a plurality of modulation symbols and broadcasting the plurality of modulation symbols.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a concentrically baffled reactor includes an outer housing that defines an interior space, an inlet through which material can be delivered into the interior space, an outlet through which material can be removed from the interior space, and multiple concentric baffles within the interior space that define multiple concentric reactor zones through which the material can sequentially flow to the outlet.

Abstract: An adaptively positioned mitral valve closure plate blocker for repairing mitral regurgitation, comprising a suture and shaping ring (4.1) sutured on a mitral ring (2.1) and a closure plate (4.2); the closing plate (4.2) comprises a tongue-shaped plate and a strut (4.3) located at the top of the tongue-shaped plate and connected to the suture and shaping ring; the closing plate (4.2) can be connected to the suture and shaping ring (4.1), being capable of flapping back and forth and twisting left and right. The suture and shaping ring is sutured on the valve ring (2.1) of the mitral valve (2) of a patient in a thoracotomy and open heart surgery, thus shaping the disease expanded mitral ring (2.1), and supporting the closing plate (4.2); when a heart contracts and valve leaflets close, the closing plate (4.2) flaps and twists depending on the position of a regurgitation opening at the free edge of the valve leaflets to realize adaptive positioning of the closing plate (4.2), so that the closing plate (4.

Abstract: Membranes are provided for filtering a gas, in some cases air. Membranes using a highly porous cellulose nano fibrous barrier layer with a highly porous (surface-charged) substrate can exhibit high flux, high retention, and low pressure drop in air filtration of toxic aromatic gases, fumes, bacteria, viruses, dusts, and particulate matters.

Abstract: Bismuth oxyhalide-added building materials are disclosed. The building material is a binder-containing building material, which sets and harden when mixed with water, such as gypsum and cement-based building material. Methods for applying bismuth oxyhalide—comprising coatings onto surfaces of building materials, to protect them against pollutants, are described.