Abstract: An eye alignment monitor and method are described for the detection of variability of the relative alignment of the two eyes with each other, thereby detecting deficits of binocular function, for use as a screening device for these abnormalities especially in infants and young children. Each embodiment includes means for tracking of the positions of a subject's two eyes simultaneously, and furthermore includes repetitive calculation of the relative positions of the two eyes with respect to each other. The embodiments do not require fixation by either eye on a specific point. Typically, a movie on a video display is used for viewing by the subject. Variability of relative alignment of the two eyes with each other is typically determined by variability of the relative positions of images of the pupils of the eyes with respect to each other over time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a material comprising a functionalized solid support surface, wherein the functionalization comprises a thioalkylene linker bound to the support surface and the thioalkylene linker is coupled to a moiety derived from a ligand, wherein the ligand includes a terminal alkenyl and at least one first functional group configured to bind to at least one predetermined target species.

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: 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: An oral composition is provided comprising crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and xylitol. The xylitol and the crosslinked PVP are in a ratio of about 5:1, and the oral composition is in the form of a lozenge or lollipop. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of inspecting the quality of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and an inspecting system for performing the method are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes applying an input voltage to the OLED, measuring an OLED voltage across the OLED and an OLED current flowing through the OLED, estimating a parameter of the OLED based at least in part on the OLED voltage and the OLED current, and extracting a physical characteristic of the OLED based at least in part on the parameter.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for enhancing memory of a subject, lowering blood glucose levels in a subject, and treating schizophrenia, the methods comprise intranasally administering to the subject an amount of a oxytocin peptide or analog thereof having a beneficial effect.

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: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for collective memory transfers. A control unit may be configured to coordinate a transfer of data between a memory and processor cores. For a read data transfer operation, the control unit may receive a trigger packet identifying a read data transfer operation and identifying a first plurality of data lines based on data values included in the trigger packet. The control unit may read the first plurality of data lines from the memory sequentially and send a second plurality of data lines to the processor cores. For a write data transfer operation, the control unit may send a request for at least one data line to a plurality of processor cores, may receive and reorder the requested data lines, and may write the data lines to a memory. The control unit may determine a mapping between processor cores and the memory.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes luminescent solar concentrators that include photoluminescent nanoparticles. The photoluminescent nanoparticles include a semiconductor nanocrystal that sensitizes the luminescence of a defect. The defect can include, for example, an atom, a cluster of atoms, or a lattice vacancy. The defect can be incorporated into the semiconductor nanocrystal, adsorbed onto, or otherwise associated with the surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods that relate ex vivo organoids that contain B cells and stromal cells in a three dimensional material includes a hydrogel. The hydrogel can be formed without exposure to ultraviolet light from an electronic ultraviolet light source. The hydrogel contains silicate nanoparticles (SiNPs) that are ionically bonded to a polyampholytic gelatin. The three dimensional material can be held at a temperature of at least 37 degrees Celsius and does not liquefy. The organoids exhibit mechanical properties that are similar to certain lymphoid tissues, and can include a germinal center. Methods of making the organoids are included, as are high throughput screening approaches that use the organoids for screening a variety of test agents. The organoids can synthesize a variety of compounds that can be recovered from the organoids or the organoid culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relates to a method of optimizing a plastic composition formed from a plurality of resin feedstocks. A plurality of resin feedstocks are provided. The plurality of resin feedstocks are blended to form the plastic composition. One or more properties of the plastic composition, including radiation absorption, radiation transmission, gas evolution, radiation fluorescence, or melting properties, are measured. The ratio of the plurality of resin feedstocks being blended into the plastic composition is adjusted, based on said measuring, to form an optimized plastic composition. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression profiles, and in particular, to a peripheral blood gene expression profile of an environmental exposure, ionizing radiation. The invention further relates to methods of screening patients for radiation exposure based on gene expression profiling and to kits suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices useful for inhibiting or treating urological conditions, such as overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms including bladder overactivity, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis (IC), urinary retention, and pelvic pain; gastrointestinal conditions, such as fecal incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation; and sexual conditions, such as premature ejaculation, erectile disorder, and female sexual arousal disorder by non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the foot.

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: An optical-electronic device can be controlled by a bias voltage to simulate an electronic component such as a resistor, capacitor, inductor with resistor, or capacitor with resistor. The optical-electronic device can be connected in a network to perform computations, model problems, simulate properties such as physical properties (for instance heat transfer), and achieve circuit performances to carry out computations in the analog domain, all at faster speed with smaller size and at less energy.

Abstract: Provided is a game system which performs control so as to allow a previously set donation amount to be donated when a user performs a cashing-out operation. A donation management server 40 stores settings related to donations made by a user in a donation setting information table 421 and when the user performs the cashing-out operation on a slot machine 1010, performs control so as to donate a donation amount selected by the user from among donation amount candidates set by the above-mentioned settings made by the user.

Abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that diminished activity of the vasoprotective axis of the renin-angiotensin system, constituting angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and its enzymatic product, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical success for long-term delivery of ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) would require stability and ease of administration to increase patient compliance. Chloroplast expression of therapeutic proteins enables their bioencapsulation within plant cells to protect from acids and gastric enzymes; fusion to a transmucosal carrier facilitates effective systemic absorption. Oral feeding of rats with bioencapsulated ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) attenuated monocrotaline (MCT)-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure, decreased pulmonary vessel wall thickness and improved right heart function in both prevention and reversal protocols.