Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a nozzle apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a spray nozzle apparatus is described. The spray nozzle apparatus includes a plurality of flow channels formed by the combination of a: sprayhead, a major element, and a minor element. The sprayhead may have a plurality of holes. The major element is retained within the sprayhead by a nozzle nut and spring, allowing a first annular gap to form between the sprayhead and the major element. The minor element is retained within the major element by a second nozzle nut and second spring, allowing a second annular gap to form between the major element and the minor element. The minor element may have an axial hole. Other embodiments also are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular extracellular sensors, nucleic acids encoding such sensors, and cells expressing such sensors, and methods of employing such sensors and cells for detecting extracellular ligands. In certain embodiments, the extracellular sensors comprise a ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a protease domain, a protease cleavage site, and a transcription factor. In other embodiments, a pair of extracellular receptors is provided where both receptors contain a ligand binding domain and transmembrane domain, and one receptor contains a protease cleavage site and a transcription factor and the other receptor contains a protease domain.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicon oxide (Six)-carbon composite for a negative-electrode active material of a lithium secondary battery, includes mixing silicon (Si) particles and a polymer material with an organic solvent, thus preparing a mixture solution, optionally electrospinning the mixture solution thus preparing a composite having a one-dimensional structure, and heat-treating the mixture solution or the composite having a one-dimensional structure. The silicon oxide (SiOx)-carbon composite can reduce volume expansion upon lithium ion insertion and can increase ionic conductivity and electronic conductivity and thus can maintain high capacity, making it possible to apply it to a lithium ion battery to thus improve electrochemical characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: A method for reviewing a defect including a light capturing step that illuminates a sample with light under plural optical conditions, while varying only at least one of illumination conditions, sample conditions, or detection conditions, and detects plural lights scattering from the sample; a signal obtaining step that obtains plural signals based on the lights detected; and a processing step that discriminates a defect from noise according to a waveform characteristic quantity, an image characteristic quantity, or a value characteristic quantity created using the signals and derives the coordinates of defect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-compartment hydrogel, and a sulfated polysaccharide and at least two bioactive polypeptides capable of binding said sulfated polysaccharide, for use in repair or regeneration of a damaged tissue in a mammal. Also provided is a method for constructing the multi-compartment hydrogel. The present invention also provides a method for the repair or regeneration of a damaged tissue in a mammal, and a kit for constructing a multi-compartment hydrogel.

Abstract: An optical detector comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photodiode operable to detect light incident on that pixel and to generate a signal indicative of an intensity of that light. The plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of pixel pairs, and for each pixel pair, in a configuration mode, the detector is arranged to compare the signal generated by a first pixel of the pair with the signal generated by a second pixel of the pair. A method of optical detection is also described, as is a system incorporating the described optical detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vaccine compositions comprising attenuated strain of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) for protecting tilapia fish against infection by (TiLV). The invention also relates to methods for using the vaccines to protect tilapines from TiLV-induced disease.

Abstract: A cache structure for use in implementing reconfigurable system configuration information storage, comprises: layered configuration information cache units: for use in caching configuration information that may be used by a certain or several reconfigurable arrays within a period of time; an off-chip memory interface module: for use in establishing communication; a configuration management unit: for use in managing a reconfiguration process of the reconfigurable arrays, in mapping each subtask in an algorithm application to a certain reconfigurable array, thus the reconfigurable array will, on the basis of the mapped subtask, load the corresponding configuration information to complete a function reconfiguration for the reconfigurable array. This increases the utilization efficiency of configuration information caches.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for delegating computations of resource-constrained mobile clients, in which multiple servers interact to construct an encrypted program representing a garbled circuit. Implementing the garbled circuit, garbled outputs are returned. Such implementations ensure privacy of each mobile client's data, even if an executing server has been colluded. The garbled circuit provides secure cloud computing for mobile systems by incorporating cryptographically secure pseudo random number generation that enables a mobile client to efficiently retrieve a result of a computation, as well as verify that an evaluator actually performed the computation. Cloud computation and communication complexity are analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system for mobile systems.

Abstract: A system for detecting object movement including a sensory network having at least one sensory device using modulated radar for detecting an object in proximity to the sensory network. The sensory network including wireless transmission means and a base station having computer processing means located remote from the sensory network and including wireless transmission means to communicate with the sensory network. The base station having computer readable program code means for causing the computer processing means to analyze data received from the sensory network to determine motion characteristics of the object in proximity to the sensory network.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Abstract: Targeting uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to DNA damaging chemotherapeutics with at least one reagent has significant potential in cancer treatment. Replication Protein A, the eukaryotic single-strand (ss) DNA binding protein, is essential for genomic maintenance and stability via roles in both DNA replication and repair. Reported herein are small molecules that inhibits the in vitro, in vivo, and cellular ssDNA binding activity of RPA, thereby disrupting the eukaryotic cell cycle, inducing cytotoxicity and increasing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents damage DNA, and/or disrupt its replication and/or function. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of RPA-ssDNA interactions in chromosome maintenance and stability. This represents a molecularly targeted eukaryotic DNA binding inhibitor and demonstrates the utility of targeting a protein-DNA interaction as a means of studying the cell cycle and providing a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A relatively non-toxic desazadesferrithiocin analog having the formula: wherein: R1, R2, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and may be H, straight or branched chain alkyl having up to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, or arylalkyl wherein the aryl portion is hydrocarbyl and the alkyl portion is straight or branched chain, the arylalkyl group having up to 14 carbon atoms, R2 optionally being alkoxy having up to 14 carbon atoms; R3 is [(CH2)n—O]x—[(CH2)n—O]y-alkyl; n is, independently, an integer from 1 to 8; x is an integer from 1 to 8; y is an integer from 0 to 8, and R3O may occupy any position on the phenyl ring except the 4-position, or a salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; and methods and compositions for treating the effects of trivalent metal, i.e., iron, overload.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided relating to HCV E2 protein and modifications thereto which enhance the immunogenicity of the protein for vaccine development with respect to the generation of a neutralizing immune response.

Abstract: N-substituted sulfonylphenyl-5-mitrofuranyl-2-carboxamide derived compounds, which selectively activate the apoptotic, but not the adaptive arm, of the Unfolded Protein Response are provided as is their use in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hemophilia, lysosomal storage diseases and cancer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to computerized systems and methods of producing a physical representation of an in silico Integrated Circuit (IC) having an in silico Multi-Mode Redundant (MMR) pipeline circuit. An IC layout of the in silico IC is initially generated with the electronic design automation (EDA) program. Multi-Mode Redundant Self-Correcting Sequential State Element (MMRSCSSE) layouts are then rendered immotile while initial redundant Combinational Logic Circuit (CLC) layouts are removed from the IC layout after the MMRSCSSE layouts have been rendered immotile. By first placing the MMRSCSSE layouts and then rendering them immotile, the remaining logic can be placed again and optimized without compromising critical node spacing. As such, the described method provides for a more efficient way to create the IC layout of the in silico IC while maintaining critical node spacing.

Abstract: Provided are chloroplasts engineered to recombinantly express mammalian colostrum and milk polypeptides, photosynthetic organisms containing such chloroplasts, and compositions comprising such organisms and methods for producing such organisms. In certain embodiments, provided is a chloroplast comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more mammalian milk or colostrum polypeptides selected from osteopontin, lactadherin, cathelicidin-1, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), alpha-lactalbumin, and soluble CD14.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the condition of electricity conductor support systems, i.e. towers, in a power network distribution system employing a tower structure integrity sensor assemblage. The system allows for identifying particular portions of a structural system for maintenance attention. The tower sensors allow identification of structural failures of electricity transmission towers.

Abstract: A network system for increasing data throughput and decreasing transmission delay from a source node to a sink node via a relay node. The network system may comprise a source node configured to encode a plurality of data packets using rateless coding and transmit the plurality of data packets; at least one relay node configured to receive at least one of the plurality of data packets from the source node, and if the at least one relay node has received a sufficient quantity of the plurality of data packets, regenerate, re-encode, and relay the plurality of data packets; and a sink node configured to receive one or more of the plurality of data packets from the at least one relay node, and if the sink node has received the sufficient quantity of the plurality of data packets, regenerate and decode the plurality of data packets.

Abstract: A method for regulating arterial vascular tone in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a structure of: wherein A and B are each individually selected from O or S; a is 1 to 4; and Ar is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl.