Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for predicting early onset glaucoma via structural parameters obtained via time and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) are disclosed. SD-OCT technology measures the thicknesses of the layers of the retina that contain the cells that die in glaucoma before there is any functional loss. A multivariable predictive model may be used for the diagnosis of early glaucoma using a combination of optic nerve head (ONH), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) parameters measured via SD-OCT. The model generates a glaucoma probability score for individual patient, which is valuable information in assisting clinicians in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: A thin film comprising a layer of dielectric material having electrically conductive inclusions, wherein the thin film has a first reflectivity due to surface plasmon resonance, and wherein the thin film is configured to provide one or more selected regions having a second reflectivity due to surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for determining a maintenance policy of a complex forming device. The method and system include: establishing a performance judgement standard; obtaining actual operation data; and determining a performance stage of the complex forming device, and determining the maintenance policy of the complex forming device. The establishing a performance judgement standard includes allocating data located at different performance stages to corresponding working condition units; setting data located at a normal performance stage to normal reference data, and calculating, by using a shortest path algorithm, distances between operation data of different working condition units in different functional modules and the normal reference data, to obtain performance statuses of the different functional modules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing T1 mapping. T1 samples are obtained from an acquisition including one or more inversion groupings. The acquisition may be designed to result in incomplete tissue magnetization recovery between inversion groupings. The acquisition may be designed for the use of non-uniform, non-180° preparatory pulses. The method may also include the combined use of data from different inversion groupings. A model is used in which fit parameters are variable dependent on the inversion grouping.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a computer-implemented method for configuring at least one antenna array comprising receiving a plurality of sets of samples corresponding to signals incident on a plurality of antennas; computing a mean of the envelopes of the sums of the respective sets; estimating a direction of arrival of the signals incident on the antennas based on the computed means; and configuring the antenna array based on the estimated direction of arrival. The computing and estimating procedures can be performed for each of a plurality of direction-of-arrival candidates. The estimating procedure can comprise determining a maximum value of the mean and a direction of arrival corresponding to the maximum value. The spatial selectivity of the antenna array can be configured based on the estimated direction of arrival. Other exemplary embodiments can include communication apparatus and computer-readable media embodying one or more of the exemplary computer-implemented methods and/or procedures.

Abstract: Provided is a game system which performs control so as to allow a donation to be made by using a value (points) other than a value which a user can directly obtain as an outcome of a game. A donation management server 40 stores settings related to donations made by the user in a donation setting information table 421 and for example, when the user performs a cashing-out operation on a slot machine 1010, performs control so as to automatically make the donation by subtracting points corresponding to a specified donation amount from points stored so as to be associated with a user card based on the above-mentioned settings made by the user.

Abstract: A system and a method offset the effect of a reduced load current on a power factor controller connected to a DC-to-DC converter having a switching DC-to-AC inverter driving an output rectifier that produces the load current. A frequency-dependent load impedance is coupled to the output of the inverter. The frequency-dependent load impedance is configured to have a first impedance when the inverter is operating at the minimum operating frequency. The frequency-dependent load impedance has a second impedance when the inverter is operating at the maximum operating frequency. The second impedance is lower than the first impedance and produces a dummy load current that is added to the actual load current to provide a sufficient total load current to cause the power factor controller to operate in a continuous mode even when the actual load current is insufficient to cause the power factor controller to operate in a continuous mode.

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: Both purinergic signaling through nucleotides such as ATP and noradrenergic signaling through molecules such as norepinephrine regulate vascular tone and blood pressure. Pannexin1 (Panx1), which forms large-pore, ATP-releasing channels, is present in vascular smooth muscle cells in peripheral blood vessels and participates in noradrenergic responses. Using pharmacological approaches and mice conditionally lacking Panx1 in smooth muscle cells, we found that Panx1 contributed to vasoconstriction mediated by the ?1 adrenoreceptor (?1AR), whereas vasoconstriction in response to serotonin or endothelin-1 was independent of Panx1. Analysis of the Panx1-deficient mice showed that Panx1 contributed to blood pressure regulation especially during the night cycle when sympathetic nervous activity is highest. Using mimetic peptides and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified a specific amino acid sequence in the Panx1 intracellular loop that is essential for activation by ?1AR signaling.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a reverse-temperature sensitive hydrogel comprising a biopolymer such as a polysaccharide and a synthetic polymer, and a compound in an amount that reversibly inhibits respiratory enzyme complex I, and methods of using the composition, are provided.

Abstract: This present application relates generally to the science of fluid flow measurement and provides a multi-directional fluid velocity measurement device (FVMD) employing a plurality of pitot tubes arranged in a 3D configuration and extending from a spherical main body in which measurement sensors are provided.

Abstract: Featured is a robot and a needle delivery apparatus. Such a robot comprises a plurality of actuators coupled to control locating any of number of intervention specific medical devices such as intervention specific needle injectors. Such a robot is usable with image guided interventions using any of a number of types of medical imaging devices or apparatuses including MRI. The end-effector can include an automated low needle delivery apparatus that is configured for dose radiation seed brachytherapy injection. Also featured is an automated seed magazine for delivering seeds to such an needle delivery apparatus adapted for brachytherapy seed injection.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel agents that modulate AhR activity for use in therapeutic compositions and methods thereof for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The agents comprise AhR inhibitors or non-constitutive AhR agonists of Formula (I) and (II) for the inhibition of cancer cell growth and parameters that characterize tumor metastasis, such as tumor cell invasiveness.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes Augmented Reality (AR) methods and systems allowing one or more user to observe a virtual image (e.g., computer generated image) overlaid on a physical scene (e.g., actual real life surroundings). Embodiments herein allow components of the AR methods and systems to be decoupled from each other, such that a user is able to view a virtual image overlaid on a physical scene while simply wearing thin, lightweight holographic spectacles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for relationship recommendations systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In one embodiment, a relationship recommendation server system includes a processor wherein a relationship recommendation program configures the processor to obtain a graph database including a set of nodes including node attribute data and a set of edges including edge attribute data and describing relationships between nodes in the set of nodes, determine a set of motif data, where the motif data describes at least one subgraph including a subset of the nodes and a subset of the edges within the graph database, obtain a search node, generate additional edges between the search node and a subset of the nodes within the graph database, where the additional edges form subgraphs including the search node that are isomorphic to a subset of the motif data, and recommend relationships based on the generated additional edges.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a peripheral diagnostic method for screening Alzheimer's disease in patients based on quantitatively measured complexity of skin-sampled fibroblast networks.

Abstract: A power converter as disclosed herein includes circuitry to reduce switching current spikes as conventionally appear at startup, and control the current spikes in a predictable way, thereby improving reliability of the power converter. A controller generates drive signals to half-bridge switching elements, an output therefrom corresponding to a frequency of the gate drive signals. A resonant tank comprises a resonant capacitor, DC blocking capacitor, a resonant inductor, and a load. Pre-charge circuitry is coupled to the resonant tank and, after initially receiving power from the DC power source and prior to controller startup, pre-charges at least the DC blocking capacitor to a steady state operating value. By pre-charging the DC blocking capacitor to its steady state voltage even before startup of the controller, AC current is introduced into the resonant inductor after the low-side switching element is first turned on and soft switching is provided throughout.

Abstract: The present invention includes compounds useful in preventing, treating or ameliorating Sigma-related disorders or diseases. The compounds of the invention may modulate cellular protein homeostasis, which includes: translation initiation, folding, processing, transport, and degradation (including ubiquitin selective autophagy) of proteins. The present invention also includes methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a Sigma-related disorder or disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a Sigma-modulating compound. The present invention also includes methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating a Sigma-related disorder or disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a Sigma-modulating compound, further comprising administering an effective amount of a compound that inhibits the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and/or autophagic survival pathways.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lithium-sulfur battery separator. The lithium-sulfur battery separator comprises a separator substrate and a functional layer covered on the separator substrate. The functional layer comprises at least two carbon nanotube layers and at least two graphene oxide composite layers. Each of the at least two graphene oxide composite layers comprises a plurality of graphene oxide sheets and a plurality of manganese dioxide nanoparticles, and the plurality of manganese dioxide nanoparticles are adsorbed on the plurality of graphene oxide sheets and embedded in an interlayer formed by the carbon nanotube layer and the plurality of graphene oxide sheets. The present disclosure also relates to a lithium-sulfur battery comprising the lithium-sulfur battery separator.

Abstract: Provided herein are kits, compositions, and methods for diagnosing and treating interstitial cystitis (IC) and/or interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) based on finding lower levels of certain bacteria in a subject's stool sample (e.g., O. splanchnicus, F. prausnitzii, C. aerofaciens, E. sinensis, L. longoviformis, and R. intestinalis). In certain embodiments, then present invention provides probiotic formulations containing live bacteria (e.g., from O. splanchnicus, F. prausnitzii, C. aerofaciens, E. sinensis, L. longoviformis, and R. intestinalis).