Abstract: A time-to-voltage converter (TVC) that includes a 555 timer integrated circuit (IC), and a charging circuit including a constant current source and a capacitor connected in series. The capacitor can be connected to a discharge pin of the 555 timer IC. The TVC can further include a trigger circuit and a reset circuit to receive a start signal and a stop signal, respectively, from an input line, and accordingly generate a trigger signal or a reset signal to trigger or reset the 555 timer IC. A switch can be configured to, under control of an output signal of the 555 timer IC, connect the input line with the reset circuit. A voltage across the capacitor when the 555 timer IC is reset indicates a time interval corresponding to the start and stop signals.

Abstract: Enantioselective syntheses of cis- and trans-bicyclic dihydropyran compounds, and other intermediates, en route to heteroyohimbine alkaloids.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems and techniques in connection with particle sorting in liquid, including cytometry devices and techniques and applications in chemical or biological testing and diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring mobile service quality in a mobile network and also for determining parts of a mobile network which need expansion or upgrade. Embodiments of the invention monitor the market impact and/or service quality, and determine an expansion ranking. The market impact, service quality and/or expansion ranking may view the network from a plurality of perspectives, including a location perspective, an historical time perspective, a future time perspective and/or a network element type perspective. The results of the monitoring and determining can be acted on by predetermined rules and/or actions to derive a list of prioritized expansion tasks for the network.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing cerium oxide and polyaniline nanocomposites, including nanospheres enclosing a hollow core, are specified. Properties of the cerium oxide and polyaniline nanocomposites are described, as well as a method of using the nanocomposites as photocatalysts for the reduction of an aromatic nitro compound using visible light. A method for reusing the nanocomposites as photocatalysts is also discussed.

Abstract: A method of analysis is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving from a mobile device of a subject sensor data and/or device state data, analyzing the data to provide at least one behavioral pattern associated with the subject, comparing the behavioral pattern with a reference behavioral pattern, and estimating the likelihood that the subject is experiencing or is expected to experience an abnormal condition based on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method/technique that uses a hydrocolloid dressing that results in both improved circulation and aesthetic success with optimal nipple positioning. By applying a specific pattern of the adhesive hydrocolloid dressing to the mastectomy flaps, stability of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in the desired higher position could be achieved. In operation, the hydrocolloid dressing is placed over the breast after surgery (while also leaving the incision site uncovered), and remains in place for a suitable amount of time. The hydrocolloid dressing can be applied on either side or both sides of the nipple during expansion phase to precisely control nipple position. Different designs of the hydrocolloid dressing are contemplated herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel oxindole derivative having anticancer activity, a preparation method thereof, and a method for treating cancer using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an oxindole derivative produced as a result of CH alkylation and subsequent intramolecular cyclization reaction using a rhodium (III) catalyst, a preparation method of the same, and a method for treating cancer containing the same as an active ingredient. The novel oxindole derivatives according to the present invention have excellent anticancer activity against various human cancer cell lines and are expected to be useful for the treatment of cancer. In addition, the preparation method of an oxindole derivative using the rhodium (III) catalyst of the present invention can be applied and introduced into a wide range of functional groups, and is a reaction having positional selectivity and chemical selectivity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel peptide for preventing or treating bone diseases. Further, the present disclosure relates to a polynucleotide encoding the peptide, a vector including the polynucleotide, a host cell transformed by the vector, and a method for producing the peptide by using the host cell. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a composition for preventing or treating bone diseases, including the novel peptide. The novel peptide according to the present disclosure induces mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells to blood and causes a decrease in the number of osteoclasts, and, thus, decreases bone erosion caused by osteoclasts, thereby suppressing progress of an osteoporotic lesion. Further, the novel peptide is safe since it does not cause rejection in the body. Furthermore, since the novel peptide is formed of 16 short amino acids, a low dose of the peptide can relieve symptoms of osteoporosis.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying haloether contamination in aqueous samples. A flow state is artificially induced upon an aqueous sample and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, upon which an electric potential is applied, is exposed to the flowing aqueous sample in direct immersion mode. Halide ions liberated from electrophoretically dehalogenated haloether compounds contained in the aqueous sample are absorbed upon the SPME fiber, then later desorbed at a gas chromatograph, separated into individual halide ions and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Effects of various parameters such as absorption time, sample pH, salt content, applied voltage, SPME fiber type, flow rate and background matrix are also described.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for network security monitoring, information sharing and collective intelligence between and among at least a first central processing unit and at least a second central processing unit connected together by a network. The system includes a network interface device with hardware-based logic for recognizing and cataloging individual sessions, wherein the network interface card is in communication with the network. The network interface device includes onboard cryptographic key management components with symmetric key algorithms, an onboard packet encryption software module using derived keys to encrypt network packets, and software for storing encrypted copies of network packets as blocks. Third party analyst hardware and software derive keys necessary to retrieve encrypted network packets.

Abstract: A screen cover includes a screen cover body including an array of cover units arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns, each cover unit configured to be positioned over a respective LED lamp of an array of LED pixel units. Each cover unit has a shaped outer surface with edges, including an edge in common with an adjacent cover unit in a same row and an edge in common with an adjacent cover unit in a same column, such that the outer surfaces of the cover units along the columns and rows together form a continuous outer cover surface.

Abstract: A self-referencing localized plasmon resonance sensing device and a system thereof are disclosed. The reference optical waveguide element is modified with a noble metal nanoparticle layer. The sensing optical waveguide element is modified with a noble metal nanoparticle layer, which is further modified with a recognition unit. The incident light is guided into the reference and the sensing optical waveguide elements to respectively generate localized plasmon resonance sensor signals. The reference and the sensing optical waveguide elements respectively have a calibration slope. The processor utilizes the calibration slopes to regulate the second difference generated by detecting with the sensing optical waveguide element. The processor utilizes a difference between the first difference, which is generated by detecting with the reference optical waveguide element, and the regulated second difference to obtain a sensor response.

Abstract: A dental instrument with an elongated tip housing a ball within a socket. The exposed surface of the ball may be pressed against a restorative material on a tooth surface in order to evenly distribute the restorative material without incorporating air bubbles. A dental instrument may have a second elongated tip housing a ball on an opposing end. The elongated tip housing the ball may be removably attached or may be rotatable.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis is percutaneously and/or transapically deployed in at least two stages. In a first stage, a mitral annular ring platform adapted for percutaneous delivery is delivered to and anchored in the mitral valve annulus. In the second stage, a valved-stent mitral valve prosthetic device adapted for percutaneously delivery is delivered to the mitral valve annulus for mounting in the mitral annular ring platform. This approach provides a consistent platform for accepting valved-stent mitral valve prosthetic devices from different vendors to be used.

Abstract: Present embodiments are directed toward a dynamic control system for an amusement park ride. The system includes a game server that generates game data describing movement of a virtual vehicle through a virtual environment; a programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to conditionally execute instructions of a dynamic ride profile relative to one or more stored limits to operate physical actions of the ride vehicle; and a dynamic ride profile server communicatively coupled to the game server and the PLC. The dynamic ride profile server is configured to: receive input data, sensor data, and the game data; provide the received data as inputs to one or more physical models to generate a portion of a dynamic ride profile based on the movement of the virtual vehicle through the virtual environment; and provide the portion of the dynamic ride profile to the PLC for conditional execution.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to recombinant cellular expression of chimeric proteins with peptide sequences derived from lymphocyte receptors and uses for treating cancer. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to a recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid that encodes a chimeric protein with a segment with a targeting moiety based on a variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) capable of binding a tumor associated antigen and a segment with a T cell signal transduction subunit. In certain embodiments, the recombinant vectors are used in immune based cancer treatments.

Abstract: A DC-to-AC inverter provides an AC voltage to the primary winding of an output isolation transformer having at least one secondary winding and having an auxiliary winding. The current supplied to a secondary load is reflected back into the primary winding as a reflected secondary current. A first feedback signal has a reflected secondary current component and has a primary magnetizing current component. An auxiliary winding voltage is applied to an inductor to generate an auxiliary current proportional to the primary winding magnetizing current. A second feedback signal is responsive to the auxiliary current. The second feedback signal is combined with the first feedback signal to produce a total feedback signal responsive only to the reflected secondary current. The DC-to-AC inverter responds to the total feedback signal and a reference signal to adjust the AC voltage to maintain the total feedback signal at a magnitude corresponding to the reference signal.

Abstract: A method of displaying data visualizations includes retrieving a dataset from a multidimensional database, where the dataset includes a plurality of fields, including first and second fields, and the first field is a data hierarchy that includes multiple subfields. The method further includes displaying a GUI with a first region displaying the plurality of fields (with the first field in a collapsed state), a second region with a plurality of shelves, and a third region. In response to receiving a user action to display the first field in an expanded state, the method displays the first field and the multiple subfields in a hierarchical structure. The method receives additional user actions to: (i) associate a first subfield of the plurality with a first shelf, and (ii) associate the second field with a second shelf, and then displays, in accordance with the user actions, a data visualization in the third region.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compounds and compositions for cartilage repair and methods related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of inducing cartilage growth and regeneration comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a compound disclosed herein to the subject or implanting a cartilage matrix comprising a compound disclosed herein in the subject. In certain embodiments, the compound is used locally such as injection at any desired site of cartilage formation.