Abstract: A double-sided diaphragm micro gas-preconcentrator has a micro-gas chamber which is formed by stacking an upper silicon substrate with a lower silicon substrate with a back-on-face configuration. One or more suspended membranes are provided on every silicon substrate. The silicon where the suspended membrane is provided is completely removed for forming a cavity. A thin-film heater is deposited on every suspended membrane. A sorptive film is coated on an inner wall of every suspended membrane. Thus, the upper and lower sides of the preconcentrator in the present invention are suspended membranes, which improve the area of the sorptive film on the diaphragm. As a result, the preconcentrating factor is improved while keeping the small heat capacity, fast heating rate, and low power consumption features of the planar diaphragm preconcentrator.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for visualizing lymphatic tissue in an ocular region, e.g., the cornea, of a living subject, such as a mouse or human. In certain embodiments, the methods include contacting the region with a fluorescently-labeled lymphatic tissue-specific dye, e.g., FITC or rhodamine labeled dextran, and detecting the labeled dye to visualize lymphatic tissue in the region, where the visualization may vary, from an image obtained at a single time to a video over a period of time. The invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including research and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A power generation system, which includes a source of a seed oil, a source of alcohol, and a reactor in communication with the source of seed oil and the source of alcohol. The reactor produces a biofuel product. The system has a power source that operates on a biofuel energy source to produce heated exhaust and is in communication with the reactor to utilize a portion of the biofuel product as its biofuel energy source. The system has a heat transfer mechanism that transfers heat from the exhaust manifold to the reactor. The power source also converts mechanical power into electrical power. Also disclosed is a system that involves extraction of oil from an oilseed product. A method of extracting oil from an oilseed product, a method of making a transesterified seed oil, and a method of making a biofuel are also disclosed, as are products obtained thereby.

Abstract: Non-volatile (NV)-content addressable memory (CAM) (NV-CAM) cells employing differential magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensing for increased sense margin are disclosed. By the NV-CAM cells employing MTJ differential sensing, differential cell voltages can be generated for match and mismatch conditions in response to search operations. The differential cell voltages are amplified to provide a larger match line voltage differential for match and mismatch conditions, thus providing a larger sense margin between match and mismatch conditions. For example, a cross-coupled transistor sense amplifier employing positive feedback may be employed to amplify the differential cell voltages to provide a larger match line voltage differential for match and mismatch conditions. Providing NV-CAM cells that have a larger sense margin can mitigate sensing issues for increased search operation reliability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting commercially available lutein and/or lutein esters from extracts of marigold flower petals to (3R)-?-cryptoxanthin (major) and (3R,6?R)-?-cryptoxanthin (minor) in ratios ranging from 95:5 to 98:2 in a one-pot reaction at room temperature. Because the entire process can be carried out by employing safe and environmentally friendly food-grade reagents, the resulting mixture of these carotenoids is suitable for human consumption as a dietary supplement.

Abstract: Provided are methods for identifying or monitoring a subject having, or at risk of developing, impaired glucose homeostasis. Carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid (CMPF) is shown to be a biomarker for impaired glucose homeostasis and/or conditions characterized by ?-cell dysfunction. Comparing a test level of CMPF in a subject to a control level identifies subjects having, or at risk of developing, impaired glucose homeostasis. Also provided are methods of causing impaired glucose homeostasis or ?-cell dysfunction and methods of screening for compounds that affect the activity of ?-cells. Also provided are methods for the treatment of ?-cell dysfunction by reducing the physiological levels of CMPF in a subject as well as the use of a OAT modulator for the treatment of ?-cell dysfunction.

Abstract: A condenser microphone comprises a substrate, a vibratile diaphragm and a back plate. The substrate has an opening. The diaphragm is disposed corresponding to the substrate and covers the opening, and has a plurality of protrusions. The back plate is coupled to the diaphragm and has a plurality of through holes, at least some of which are corresponding to the protrusions respectively. An interval is formed between the diaphragm and the back plate, and when the diaphragm vibrates, the protrusions move into or further near the through holes.

Abstract: In the present invention, nickel is selectively extracted from an acidic solution that contains a high concentration of manganese. This valuable metal extraction agent is represented by the general formula. In the formula, R1 and R2 are alkyl groups that may be the same or different, R3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R4 is a hydrogen atom or any group, other than an amino group, bonded to an ? carbon atom of an amino acid. The general formula preferably has a glycine unit, a histidine unit, a lysine unit, an aspartic acid unit or a n-methylglycine unit. When extracting nickel by using this extraction agent, it is preferable to adjust the pH of the acidic solution to 2.3 to 5.5 inclusive.

Abstract: The present invention provides super-resolution optical imaging methods and systems, including: providing a sample to be optically imaged; providing a plurality of microstructures disposed substantially adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and providing a material disposed about the plurality of microstructures; wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction; and wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is substantially less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures include one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of microcylinders.

Abstract: A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.

Abstract: A method of transmitting K messages using divided message authentication codes (MACs) in a controller area network (CAN) includes: generating a MAC using a first message and a specific MAC, performing a first operation with respect to j using j-th messages subsequent to the first message and a second MAC part of the generated MAC, performing a second operation with respect to j using a result of the performed first operation and a j-th subblock subsequent to a first MAC subblock among K MAC subblocks obtained by dividing a first MAC part of the generated MAC, transmitting the first message along with the first MAC subblock, and transmitting K-1 j-th messages in an order of j, each of the j-th messages being transmitted along with a j-th result of the performed second operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for various malignant tumors, including currently intractable solid tumors, which contains an antibody having the ability to bind to human LAT1/CD98 and inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity specifically against cancer cells as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include substituted riluzole prodrugs useful for the treatment of cancers including melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, and prostate cancer through the release of riluzole. Prodrugs of riluzole have enhanced stability to hepatic metabolism and are delivered into systemic circulation by oral administration, and then cleaved to release riluzole in the plasma via either an enzymatic or general biophysical release process.

Abstract: The present inventors assessed the effect of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies in suppressing chronic rejection reaction. They assessed the effect of anti-mouse IL-6 receptor antibody (MR16-1) administration in suppressing the chronic rejection reaction using a mouse model for post-heart-transplantation chronic rejection. The result of histopathological analysis of transplanted hearts extirpated 60 days after transplantation revealed that fibrosis of myocardium and vascular stenotic lesions, which are pathological conditions characteristic of the chronic rejection reaction, were significantly suppressed in the MR16-1-treated group as compared to the control group. Thus, MR16-1 administration was demonstrated to have the effect of suppressing chronic rejection reaction. Specifically, the present inventors discovered for the first time that the rejection reaction in the chronic phase after organ transplantation was suppressed by administering an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to optoelectronic devices. An optoelectronic device may include a photoactive layer between first and second electrodes, and a ferroelectric layer corresponding to at least one of the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes may include graphene. The photoactive layer may include a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor. The optoelectronic device may further include a third electrode, and in this case, the ferroelectric layer may be between the second electrode and the third electrode. The second electrode, the ferroelectric layer, and the third electrode may constitute a nanogenerator.

Abstract: Protein replacement therapy for patients with hemophilia or other inherited protein deficiencies is often complicated by pathogenic antibody responses, including antibodies that neutralize the therapeutic protein or that predispose to potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions by formation of IgE. Using murine hemophilia B as a model, we have developed a prophylactic protocol against such responses that is non-invasive and does not include immune suppression or genetic manipulation of the patient's cells. Oral delivery of coagulation factor IX (F. IX) expressed in chloroplasts, bioencapsulated in plant cells, effectively blocked formation of inhibitory antibodies in protein replacement therapy. Inhibitor titers were mostly undetectable and up to 100-fold lower in treated mice when compared to controls. Moreover, this treatment eliminated fatal anaphylactic reactions that occurred after 4 to 6 exposures to intravenous F. IX protein. While only 20-25% of control animals survived after 6-8 F.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to conjugated polymers, their manufacture and their implementations. As may be implemented in connection with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a conjugated polymer and a side chain or end chain material connected to the conjugated polymer. The amount and makeup of the side chain or end chain enhance solubility of the resulting modified conjugated polymer, relative to the conjugated polymer itself.

Abstract: Disclosure is provided for 1,4,5-substituted amino imidazole compounds useful to control microbial growth, compositions including these compounds, devices including these compounds, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present application relates to a non-human mammal model of a human neurodegenerative disorder, methods of producing the non-human mammal model, and methods of using the non-human mammal model to identify agents suitable for treating a neurodegenerative disorder. The present application also relates to methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders and restoring normal brain interstitial potassium levels.

Abstract: Compositions of purified biologically active Wnt proteins are provided. Wnt proteins are found to be hydrophobic and post-translationally modified by addition of a lipid moiety at a conserved cysteine residue. Methods for isolation of Wnt utilize detergents that maintain the solubility of the modified protein.