Abstract: Tunable filters, cancellers, and duplexers based on passive mixers. A tunable delay cell includes passive mixers electrically coupled together for receiving an input signal and outputting a delayed signal, each passive mixer comprising a plurality of mixer switches. The tunable delay includes a control circuit for providing, to each passive mixer, a respective plurality of local oscillator (LO) signals, one to each mixer switch of each passive mixer. The control circuit is configured to vary the LO signals to cause a target frequency band of the input signal to be delayed by a target delay time in propagating through the passive mixers.

Abstract: The present invention includes the discovery of cell-surface vimentin as a novel biomarker to detect and isolate mesenchymal and epithelial-mesenchymal transformed circulating tumor cells from blood of cancer patients. In addition, an antibody specific for the detection of cell-surface vimentin on circulating tumor cells and the use the antibody to detect, enumerate, and isolate CTC are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biomarkers of platelet function and methods for assessing platelet function in response to anti-platelet therapy and for determining a prognosis, diagnosis, or risk identification in a patient by detecting at least one biomarker of platelet function in the patient as well as determining amounts thereof. The biomarkers may be used to identify a patient as a candidate for treatment with an antiplatelet agent and to monitor and adjust antiplatelet therapy in a patient.

Abstract: A method that may include receiving a block of signals from a certain wavelength division multiplex (WDM) channel out of a set of WDM channels; analyzing at least a first sub-block of signals of the block of signals to provide analysis results indicative of interferences that affect the first sub-block of signals and result from transmissions over other WDM channels of the set of WDM channels; and mitigating interferences that affect the block of signals in response to the analysis results.

Abstract: A smart window controller includes circuitry configured to establish a representative model of one or more building zones based on occupancy, construction, lighting, or cooling properties of a building. A lighting control strategy is implemented for the one or more building zones based on the representative model or one or more user preferences input at a first user interface screen of an external device. Automatic operations of one or more smart windows, cooling systems, or artificial lighting systems are controlled based on trigger points associated with the lighting control strategy, and a performance level of the lighting control strategy for the one or more building zones is determined based on one or more predetermined financial metrics.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided.

Abstract: A method of generating soluble polyphosphides using solution chemistry is presented. A reaction between potassium ethoxide in THF/DME and shelf stable red phosphorus generated soluble polyphosphides in a variety of organic solvents with the 31P NMR spectrum being used to detect the species of polyphosphides produced.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the obtention of an active HBV RNaseH preparation and its use in screening methods to identify potential inhibitors of the enzyme for possible use as therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods of treatment using agents identified according to the screen.

Abstract: The sulindac derivatives are compounds of the formula: wherein R is one of twenty-five substituted or unsubstituted phenyl substituents; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The sulindac derivatives are synthesized by refluxing sulindac hydrazide with appropriately substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of ethanol and catalytic amounts of glacial acetic acid. The sulindac derivatives may be used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammation or inflammatory diseases. The sulindac derivatives may also be used as analgesic and/or gastric sparing agents.

Abstract: A solid-lubricated metal cutter and processing method relates to the technical field of metal cutters. A surface texture morphology is worked out on a metal cutter, a solid lubricant is filled into the surface texture morphology, and a convex dam is arranged on the cutter surface on which surface texture morphology is located at a chip flow side. The surface texture morphology has micro-pit and micro-boss features, and can exert antifriction effect of a solid lubricant and anti-adhesion effect of micro-protrusions. The convex dam is arranged at an end of the micro-texture region away from the cutting blade, so that a part of the solid lubricant flows back to the texture region and thereby the utilization efficiency and retentiveness of the solid lubricant are improved.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for generating intensity modulated proton therapy plans robust to various kinds of delivery uncertainties with the capability for treatment planners to control the balance between plan quality and robustness. The system obtains a representation of a subject and a proton beam configuration that describes a number of beamlets and their respective arrangement. The system computes an objective function, in the treatment planning system, first part of which is about dose deviations from the prescribed dose in the target volumes, second part of which is about dose deviations from the dose constraint in the non-target volumes, and computing dose volume constraints for targets using a probability to control the dose distribution in the target volumes to be between a lower threshold and an upper threshold. Based on this information, the system obtains a robust chance-constrained treatment planning model with a user-adjustable tolerance level.

Abstract: A linear element with two stable points, it can be used as trust element allows for change in length. It can transform structure from one shape to another thus allowing for morphable configuration. A new model is presented herein for a linear bi-stable compliant mechanism and design guidelines for its use. The mechanism is based on the crank-slider mechanism. This model takes into account the first mode of buckling and post-buckling behavior of a compliant segment to describe the mechanism's bi-stable behavior. The kinetic and kinematic equations, derived from the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model, were solved numerically and are represented in plots. This representation allows the generation of step-by-step design guidelines. Because different applications may have different input requirements, two different design approaches are described herein with different parameters subsets as inputs.

Abstract: A smart window controller includes circuitry configured to establish a representative model of one or more building zones based on occupancy, construction, lighting, or cooling properties of a building. A lighting control strategy is implemented for the one or more building zones based on the representative model or one or more user preferences input at a first user interface screen of an external device. Automatic operations of one or more smart windows, cooling systems, or artifcial lighting systems are controlled based on trigger points associated with the lighting control strategy, and a performance level of the lighting control strategy for the one or more building zones is determined based on one or more predetermined financial metrics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cathode additive for a rechargeable sodium battery, to mixtures of the additive and a cathode active material, to cathodes containing the additive, to electrochemical cells with cathodes containing the additive, and to rechargeable batteries with cathodes containing the additive.

Abstract: A dental retraction elongated member, for example, a retraction cord, for placement between a tooth and its adjacent gum tissue during dental impression taking and restorative procedures includes a core coated with a thermoplastic material so that the retraction cord is resistant to shredding, tearing, and sticking to dental restorative and impression taking materials.

Abstract: Provided are: a rare earth complex which has a novel structure, which exhibits compatibility with organic solvents and resins, and which exhibits excellent luminescent properties as a luminescent element; and a use thereof. This rare earth complex includes: a phosphine oxide compound represented by general formula (1); at least one rare earth ion selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; and a ligand compound. In the rare earth complex, the coordination numbers of the ligand compound and the phosphine oxide compound represented by general formula (1) to the rare earth ion are 8-10, and a plurality of the phosphine oxide compounds represented by general formula (1) and a plurality of the rare earth ions are provided with a crosslinked structure.

Abstract: Provided are methods of treating and/or preventing dermatological disorders. Provided are methods of reducing skin inflammation, reducing pain, and/or reducing itch in a subject in need thereof. The methods may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a TRPA1 and/or TRPV4 inhibitor. Further provided are compositions including a TRPA1 and/or TRPV4 inhibitor compound in combination with a carrier, vehicle, or diluent that is suitable for topical application.

Abstract: An intelligent insole is provided. The intelligent insole includes an insole body, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a signal collector. The pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are formed on the surface of the insole body, and the above sensors and the insole body are manufactured via the same 3D printing process. The pressure sensor senses the pressure signal from the insole body in contact with the foot. The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor respectively sense the temperature signal and the humidity signal of the insole body. The signal collector is respectively electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to receive the pressure signal, the temperature signal and the humidity signal and then transmit the signals to a signal receiver via wireless transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of compensating for coupling impairments in optical communication systems comprising two or more coupled transmission lines. The method comprises introducing into the system a component comprising an electronic circuit configured to realize at least one of an exact electrical coupling compensation (EECC) algorithm and a spectrally fragmented electrical coupling compensation (SF-ECC) algorithm.