Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying and/or treating subjects having or likely to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Antibodies specific for one or more di-amino acid repeat-containing proteins are also provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to few-layer and monolayer hexagonal boron nitride having a pore therein. In one aspect, a method comprises providing a sheet of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). A defect is created in the sheet of h-BN. The sheet of h-BN is heated to a temperature above about 500° C. The defect in the sheet of h-BN is irradiated with charged particles to enlarge the defect to a hexagonal-shaped pore or a parallelogram-shaped pore in the sheet of h-BN.

Abstract: At least one tactile sensor includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer formed on the surface of the insulating layer. The conductive layer defines at least one group of flexible projections extending orthogonally from the surface of the insulating layer. The flexible projections include a major projection extending a distance orthogonally from the surface and at least one minor projection that is adjacent to and separate from the major projection wherein the major projection extends a distance orthogonally that is greater than the distance that the minor projection extends orthogonally. Upon a compressive force normal to, or a shear force parallel to, the surface, the major projection and the minor projection flex such that an electrical contact resistance is formed between the major projection and the minor projection. A capacitive tactile sensor is also disclosed that responds to the normal and shear forces.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods to mitigate alternate bearing of perennial crops by use of a natural metabolite. In particular, the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in the presence or absence of an auxin transport inhibitor to increase floral intensity (flower number) of the return bloom in the spring following the setting of a heavy on-crop to increase the yield of the putative off-crop year and, thus, increase cumulative crop yield. Additionally the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in combination with one or both of a growth promoting type of plant growth regulator, and a hormone biosynthesis, transport or function inhibiting type of plant growth regulator.

Abstract: A system and method of estimating an available driving distance of an electric vehicle are provided. The method includes dividing a road into sections and receiving driving information from a vehicle traveling through each of the sections. Fuel efficiency data of the corresponding section is generated and vehicle condition information, and departure point and destination information is received from the target vehicle. Additionally, the method includes receiving real time meteorological information and road traffic situation information for each of the sections and reflecting the vehicle condition information of the target vehicle, the meteorological information and the road traffic situation information in the fuel efficiency data generated for each of the sections of the road from the departure point toward the destination. Estimated fuel efficiency and an estimated available driving distance of the target vehicle are then determined to be provided to vehicle driver.

Abstract: For decoding messages, a decoder exchanges single-bit messages for a data channel between a plurality of M parity nodes and a plurality of N symbol nodes. Each parity node has one or more adjacent symbol nodes with a plurality of edges between the parity node and each adjacent symbol node. An extrinsic decision and an extrinsic parity value are calculated based on a time-varying lookup table. The lookup table stores the locally maximum-likelihood extrinsic decision for a quantized number of data channel states as a function of adjacent extrinsic parity values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-nozzle array comprising a plurality of capillaries comprising a first silica-based material and a second silica-based material substantially surrounding the first silica-based material of the plurality of capillaries, and a plurality of nozzles extending beyond a face of the micro-nozzle array, each nozzle corresponding to a single capillary, wherein each nozzle comprises the first silica-based material. The micro-nozzle array may be used in hydrodynamic or electro-osmotic applications. In one embodiment the micro-nozzle array is a multiple electrospray emitter. The invention also relates to methods for preparing and using micro-nozzle arrays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing Fabs and bi-specific antibodies comprising designed residues in the interfaces of the heavy chain-light chain variable (VH/VL) domain and the heavy chain-light chain constant (CH1/CL] domain, Fabs and bi-specific antibodies produced according to said processes and host cells encoding the same.

Abstract: A bladed solar thermal receiver for absorbing concentrated sunlight is disclosed. The receiver includes a plurality of panels arranged in a bladed configuration for absorbing sunlight. The bladed configurations can be radial or planar. The receiver design increases the effective solar absorptance and efficiency by providing a light trap for the incident solar radiation while reducing heat losses from radiation and convection.

Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a synchronization method and device for a cloud storage system. The method includes receiving an operation request for a file object initiated by a client; calculating a hash value corresponding to the file object according to the operation request; acquiring the partition which the file object is stored according to the hash value; acquiring corresponding storage devices of each copy of the file object according to the partition which the file object is stored; initiating a write request to the storage devices to store the copies of the file object to the corresponding storage devices; and calculating a new hash value of the partition and transmitting the new hash value to an adjacent storage device. With the synchronization method and device of the present disclosure, it may reduce the network overhead and the synchronization delay.

Abstract: A device includes circuitry configured to determine feedforward and feedback coefficients for an adaptive frequency-domain decision feedback equalizer (AFD-DFE) based on previously received signals. The equalizer output is determined by applying the feedforward and feedback coefficients of the AFD-DFE to a received signal, and the feedforward and feedback coefficients of the AFD-DFE are updated based on the equalizer output.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide highly heat-resistant and radiation-resistant radiation measuring equipment. [Solution] Provided are a charged particle radiation measuring method and a charged particle radiation measuring device using a scintillator comprising a phosphor in which the main component is a SiAlON phosphor.

Abstract: A system and method for disintegrated channel estimation in wireless networks. The system provides a disintegrated channel estimation technique required to accomplish the spatial diversity supported by cooperative relays. The system includes a filter-and-forward (FF) relaying method with superimposed training sequences for separately estimating the backhaul and the access channels. To reduce inter-relay interference, a generalized filtering technique is provided which multiplexes the superimposed training sequences from different relays to the destination by time-division multiplexing (TDM), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) and code-division multiplexing (CDM) methods.

Abstract: A classification of a level of cancer in an organism is determined by analyzing a biological sample of the organism. The biological sample comprises clinically-relevant DNA and other DNA. At least some of the DNA is cell-free in the biological sample. An amount of a first set of DNA fragments from the biological sample corresponding to each of a plurality of sizes is measured. A first value of a first parameter is calculated based on the amounts of DNA fragments at the plurality of sizes. The first value is compared to a reference value. A classification of a level of cancer in the organism is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is Candida parapsilosis CGMCC 9630, the carbonyl reductase expressed by said strain and the encoding gene and amino acid sequence thereof, the recombinant expression vector and recombinant expression transformant containing said gene sequence, and use of whole cells of Candida parapsilosis, carbonyl reductase or corresponding recombinant transformant thereof as catalyst in catalyzing asymmetric reduction of prochiral carbonyl compounds, particularly reduction of 6-carbonyl-8-halogenocaprylate to prepare the synthetic precursor of (R)-?-lipoic acid, (R)-6-hydroxy-8-halogenocaprylate. In comparison to other methods of asymmetric reduction for preparing (R)-6-hydroxy-8-halogenocaprylate, the disclosure has advantages of high substrate concentration, mild reaction conditions, environmental friendship, high yield, and high optical purity of the product, and thus has good prospect in industrial production of (R)-?-?-lipoic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-viral gene therapy methods and compositions for treatment of hyperproliferative disease in humans. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to lipid formulations which form stable liposome structures, capable of efficient in vivo nucleic acid transfer. In other embodiments, methods and compositions are directed to liposome transfer of anti-proliferative nucleic acids, wherein the transfer of the nucleic acids is cell specific via cell specific targeting moieties. The present invention, thus provides non-viral, liposome compositions and methods of gene transfer particularly useful for targeting and treating hyperproliferative disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of autologous stem/progenitor cells to restore or rejuvenate adult stem cell function in a mammal, wherein the restoration or rejuvenating extends lifespan and/or improves health of the mammal. In addition, the invention also relates to compositions containing one or more regulatory factors secreted or released from isolated mammalian stem/progenitor cells and use of such compositions to extend lifespan and/or improve health of a mammal. Also provided are methods of treating, delaying, preventing or reversing progeria or related syndromes in a mammal using isolated autologous or allogeneic stem/progenitor cells and/or regulatory factors secreted or released therefrom.

Abstract: A case-emphasized propulsion method improves vehicle fuel efficiency. The ratio of the most-used speed to the most-desired speed of an IC engine is employed to control the engine to always run at its optimal working state with an efficient single-stage gear transmission. The propulsion method used with different brands of IC engines demonstrates a reduction in fuel consumption between 5 and 39%. An n-ratio automatic single-stage gear transmission implements the propulsion method. The transmission design executes the proposed propulsion method as well a continuous transmission, but it can also increase the propulsion efficiency about 8 to 18% when applied to replace traditional automatic transmissions or continuously variable transmissions in vehicle drivetrains.

Abstract: An expandable structure that includes front and rear structural units having inside-facing surfaces parallel to one another, a retractable top that spans the front and rear structural units, and first and second retractable partitions each of which spans and connects the front and rear structural units. The front structural unit is fixably attached to a substrate and the rear structural unit is mounted on a rolling mechanism so that the rear structural unit may be moved away from the front structural unit in an orientation perpendicular to the face of the first structural unit to a distance equivalent to a deployed depth of the first retractable partition, the second retractable partition and the retractable top.