Abstract: A kidney viability assessment system (KVAS) is disclosed which provides objective and reliable tests to assess the viability of transplant or donor kidneys in vivo and predict their post-transplant outcomes. KVAS includes an optical device augmented by an intelligent algorithm that can evaluate the viability or quality of the donor kidney in a real-time, non-invasive way. In particular, it includes a handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging device and at least one processor configured for executing a set of instructions corresponding to an automatic image processing algorithm for quantification of kidney microstructures and functions. Handheld OCT can survey the entire surface of kidney, and the image processing algorithm automatically segments and quantifies the diameter and/or density of the kidney microstructures, blood flows, etc., and quantitative values are displayed in real-time on a display of the KVAS.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a^ device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.

Abstract: An architecture for linear-time extraction of maximally stable extremal regions (MSERs) having an image memory, heap memory, a pointer array and processing hardware is disclosed. The processing hardware is configured to in real-time analyze image pixels in the image memory using a linear-time algorithm to identify a plurality of components of the image. The processing hardware is also configured to place the image pixels in the heap memory for each of the plurality of components of the image, generate a pointer that points to a location in the heap memory that is associated with a start of flooding for another component and store the pointer in the array of pointers. The processing hardware is also configured to access the plurality of components using the array of pointers and determine MSER ellipses based on the components and MSER criteria.

Abstract: A method of enhancing p53 activity of a p53 mutant polypeptide is provided. The method includes interacting a compound to an open L1/S3 binding site of the p53 mutant polypeptide, where the p53 activity of the p53 mutant polypeptide is enhanced in the presence of the compound. Compounds were identified from databases of compounds for virtual drug screening. Methods of screening for compounds that enhance p53 activity by binding to the open L1/S3 binding site, and methods of treatment using the identified compounds, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming chemically pure metal films are provided. The methods use electron beam deposition at a high mean deposition rate to form high purity metal films on deposition substrates. By using a high mean deposition rate, the melting point of the metal to be deposited is reached at the metal source surface during the deposition. As a result, the rate of transfer of impurities present in the metal source to the surface of the deposition substrate is so small that the deposited metal films are substantially free of impurity elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand drip coffee maker which includes: a support unit on which a storage container is seated; a ground coffee hopper which is installed on the support unit through a hopper holder, and accommodates ground coffee therein; a mounting post which is installed on the support unit; an arm unit which includes a link arm that is rotatably installed at an upper side of the mounting post so that a tip portion of the link arm is disposed to face the ground coffee hopper; a dripper nozzle which is mounted to the tip portion of the link arm so as to supply water into the ground coffee hopper; and a syrup nozzle which is mounted to the tip portion of the link arm so as to supply syrup into the storage container.

Abstract: A catalyst layer material, a method for fabricating the same, and a fuel cell are provided. The catalyst layer material utilized for the fuel cell includes a catalyst support and a catalyst distributed on the catalyst support. The catalyst support contains TixM1?xO2, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of a Group IB metal, a Group IIA metal, a Group IIB metal, a Group IIIA, a Group VB metal, a Group VIB metal, a Group VIIB metal and a Group VIIIB metal, and 0<X?0.9. By applying the non-carbonaceous catalyst support containing high conductivity metal elements to the fuel cell, stability and performance of the cell can be effectively enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for encoding and decoding an image by skip encoding. The image-encoding method by skip encoding, which performs intra-prediction, comprises: performing a filtering operation on the signal which is reconstructed prior to an encoding object signal in an encoding object image; using the filtered reconstructed signal to generate a prediction signal for the encoding object signal; setting the generated prediction signal as a reconstruction signal for the encoding object signal; and not encoding the residual signal which can be generated on the basis of the difference between the encoding object signal and the prediction signal, thereby performing skip encoding on the encoding object signal.

Abstract: An analog to digital converting device includes an analog to digital converting unit suitable for converting an image signal into a digital signal; and a digital arithmetic unit suitable for calculating a difference between a reset voltage and a signal voltage, which correspond to the digital signal.

Abstract: Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metallated porous MOFs are provided. Also provided are methods of metallating porous MOFs using atomic layer deposition and methods of using the metallated MOFs as catalysts and in remediation applications.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of promoting polyploidization of megakaryocytes and thereby producing highly polyploidized megakaryocytes, a method of efficiently producing platelets from polyploidized megakaryocytes, and the like. The present invention provides a method of producing polyploidized megakaryocytes comprising a step of forcing expression of an apoptosis suppressor gene in megakaryocytes before polyploidization and culturing the resulting cells.

Abstract: An electrode comprises an acid treated, cathodically cycled carbon-comprising film or body. The carbon consists of single walled nanotubes (SWNTs), pyrolytic graphite, microcrystalline graphitic, any carbon that consists of more than 99% sp2 hybridized carbons, or any combination thereof. The electrode can be used in an electrochemical device functioning as an electrolyser for evolution of hydrogen or as a fuel cell for oxidation of hydrogen. The electrochemical device can be coupled as a secondary energy generator into a system with a primary energy generator that naturally undergoes generation fluctuations. During periods of high energy output, the primary source can power the electrochemical device to store energy as hydrogen, which can be consumed to generate electricity as the secondary source during low energy output by the primary source. Solar cells, wind turbines and water turbines can act as the primary energy source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano-capacitors is provided, where each nano-capacitor has a plurality of cathodic regions and an anode separated from each of the cathodic regions by one or more intervening dielectrics. Each nano-capacitor acts as a quantum resonator thereby suppressing electron emission. The thickness of the intervening dielectric is in the range between 0.1 nanometers and 1000 nanometers and is shorter than an electron mean free path within the dielectric. Each cathodic region is at least 100 times larger than the thickness of the intervening dielectric in every direction transverse to the thickness of the intervening dielectric. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic regions. The dielectric may be a metal oxide, particularly a native oxide of the cathode material.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor includes a surface acoustic wave material and a comb-teeth electrode. The surface acoustic wave material is to be arranged at a place where the surface acoustic wave material is distorted by physical quantity such as stress. The comb-teeth electrode is arranged on the surface of the surface acoustic wave material to excite a surface acoustic wave to the surface acoustic wave material. The surface acoustic wave material has a sapphire board and a ScAlN film arranged on a surface of the sapphire board.

Abstract: A process for making a modified, mesoporous activated carbon material from waste oil fly ash. The process involves a physicochemical treatment of a raw waste oil fly ash sample, where the sample is initially refluxed in an acid solution, then activated at about 1000° C. and in the presence of carbon dioxide. The activated carbon may be further functionalized with carboxylic and/or amine groups by refluxing the activated carbon in a second acid solution and/or an ammonia solution. The activated carbon, as prepared, has a BET surface area of 30-400 m2/g, a total pore volume of 0.25-0.50 cm3/g and an average pore size of 40-100 ?. A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from natural gas with the modified activated carbon is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising cyclodextrins encapsulating a selective ATP inhibitor, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based compositions for activating cellular immune responses are provided. The CNTs function as high surface area scaffolds for the attachment of T cell ligands and/or antigens. The CNT compositions function as artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) or as modular vaccines. The disclosed CNT aAPCs are efficient at activating T cells and may be used to activate T cells ex vivo or in vivo for adoptive or active immunotherapy.

Abstract: A remote laboratory gateway enables a plurality of students to access and control a laboratory experiment remotely. Access is provided by an experimentation gateway, which is configured to provide secure access to the experiment via a network-centric, web-enabled interface graphical user interface. Experimental hardware is directly controlled by an experiment controller, which is communicatively coupled to the experimentation gateway and which may be a software application, a standalone computing device, or a virtual machine hosted on the experimentation gateway. The remote laboratory of the present specification may be configured for a software-as-a-service business model.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the production of fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof. The compounds used to produce the fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof may be derived from biomass. The fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, and precursors thereof may be produced by a combination of intermolecular and/or intramolecular aldol condensation reactions, Guerbet reactions, hydrogenation reactions, and/or oligomerization reactions.