Abstract: Systems and methods for plasmonics enhanced photomixing for generating continuous-wave (CW) frequency-tunable terahertz radiation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. A photomixing system configured to generate continuous-wave terahertz frequency signals can include an optical pump configured to generate at least two beams, where the at least two beams are utilized to create a frequency-offset and operate below a 50% duty cycle, where the duty cycle includes an operation cycle and a sleep cycle. The photomixing system can also include a photomixer that includes a radiating element configured to receive the frequency-offset and to generate a terahertz radiation utilizing the received frequency-offset and the radiating element, where the radiating element includes at least one plasmonic contact electrode.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method comprising treating a hydroxy-carboxylic acid compound with a compound of formula (I) in the absence of a solvent, to provide a diacid of formula (II), wherein R is a linker molecule; wherein each Y is independently a leaving group; and wherein X is a residue of a biologically active compound.

Abstract: Provided is a microparticle separation system capable of continuously separating microparticles from a solution in a short period of time in which microparticles having different particle diameters are mixed, without the need to use antibodies or the like. The microparticle separation system comprises a microparticle separation chip; a thin plate for a sample liquid; a thin plate for a sheath liquid; and suctioning means and/or a suctioning device for suctioning the sheath liquid; and the microparticle separation chip comprises a single capture site for capturing to-be-captured microparticles being formed using the at least three pillars having one end provided on the substrate and the other end open upward.

Abstract: A surgical snare device for engaging an object in a body passage and that employs multiple loops for snaring the object. The loops, which can be made from a single elongated line or separate lines, are positioned at locations that substantially span across the diameter of the body passage. A tubular membrane cap is included which is made from a liner coupled with structural elements made of expandable wire for support. The membrane cap is selectively deployed from a sheath and radially expandable to envelop the captured object so that withdrawing the object is more secure and any sharp edges on the object do not damage walls of the body passage. The loops and membrane cap can be made from a metal, a metal alloy, or polymer. Perforations can be formed in the liner to allow fluid to pass through the membrane cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method including reacting a solution of a salt of a biocidal metal with an active layer of water purification membrane, discarding the biocidal metal salt solution such that a thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution remains on the membrane surface, reacting a reducing agent solution with the active layer of the membrane and the thin layer of the biocidal metal salt solution thereby forming a biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane, removing the reducing agent solution, and rinsing the biocidal metal nanoparticle-modified membrane.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a novel role for microRNA (miR) regulation of lipid metabolism via the MTP pathway, leading to reductions in apoB secretion and blood lipid levels. MiR regulation of the MTP pathway is shown herein to reduce hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in vivo. Therefore, inhibition of MTP expression and activity by miR regulation is identified as a new therapeutic target for treatment of cardiovascular disease and conditions or diseases associated with cardiovascular disease such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. Treatment of cardiovascular disease and associated conditions or diseases with the novel MTP inhibitors of the invention, such as miR-30c homologs or miR-30c agonists, reduces MTP-associated lipid production without side effects that occur with other methods of MTP inhibition.

Abstract: A metamaterial device exploiting parity-time symmetry to achieve ideal loss compensation. The metamaterial device includes metamaterials and metasurfaces that are engineered to respect space-time inversion symmetry, i.e., that are invariant after taking their mirror image and running time backwards. One such metamaterial device utilizes two resonators with loss and gain that exactly compensate each other thereby causing the metamaterial device to be invisible when excited from one side of the metamaterial device and reflective when excited from the other side of the metamaterial device. Furthermore, a metamaterial device may include an object covered by a portion of a metasurface with loss and another portion of the metasurface with gain, where the loss and gain exactly compensate each other. The first portion of the metasurface absorbs all of an incident wave, whereas, the second portion of the metasurface re-emits the incident wave.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for setting a reference picture index of a temporal merging candidate. An inter-picture prediction method using a temporal merging candidate can include the steps of: determining a reference picture index for a current block; and inducing a temporal merging candidate block of the current block and calculating a temporal merging candidate from the temporal merging candidate block, wherein the reference picture index of the temporal merging candidate can be calculated regardless of whether a block other than the current block is decoded. Accordingly, a video processing speed can be increased and video processing complexity can be reduced.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a decoder for decoding a block of a depth map are provided. An ordered list of decoding modes is obtained, wherein the ordered list of decoding modes comprises a plurality of decoding modes each of which is capable of being used for decoding of the block. A plurality of depth modeling modes (DMMs) each of which is capable of being used for decoding of the block are obtained. And whether a DMM of the plurality of DMMs is to be added into the ordered list of decoding modes in accordance with a decision condition is determined.

Abstract: The foot snare triggering device of the present invention is designed to be used with a foot snare, and comprises a trigger plate assembly, having a tension adjustment means which allows the trigger plate assembly to pivotally yield to vertical pressure. A trigger mechanism has a trigger end set within said plate assembly and is attached to an extension mechanism providing a tandem extension spring configuration attached to a pair of pulleys, and a snare attachment port located within the trigger mechanism for releasably securing a foot snare by moving longitudinally when the trigger mechanism is engaged by pressure to said plate assembly allowing a foot snare to be released from the snare attachment port after triggering said device. A pan, pivotally connected to the plate underside distal to the pan tension adjustment means, has a trigger mount to engagingly receive the trigger mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of administering porcine B-domainless factor VIII (OBI-1) to a patient having factor VIII deficiency to provide more rapid and effective protection against bleeding episodes, compared to formerly available methods, or to provide more effective protection to such patients during non-bleeding periods. This invention is based on the discovery that the recombinant B-domainless porcine fVIII, termed OBI-1, has greater bioavailability compared to the natural porcine fVIII partially purified from porcine plasma, termed HYATE:C. Therefore, the inventive method employs lower unit doses of OBI-1, including, alternatively, omission of antibody-neutralizing dosage, or has longer intervals between the administration, compared to HYATE:C, to provide equivalent protection in patients having fVIII deficiency.

Abstract: This invention provides compound having a structure of Formulas: Furthermore, methods and uses of such compounds for covalently bonding to a sugar acceptor, to form modified protein therapeutics having reduced enzymatic hydrolysis, improved biological stability or an improved pharmacokinetic property.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and treating conditions associated with life-threatening neurological complications are provided. The methods involve in some aspects the identification of oxLDL and LOX-1 as critical players in pregnant subjects and in some cases subjects having severe preeclampsia (early onset preeclampsia). Related products and kits are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor network includes a sink and multiple sensor nodes. The sink is coupled to a substrate and configured to transmit a periodic ultrasonic pulse on the substrate. A first one of the sensor nodes is coupled to the substrate. The first sensor node is configured to (i) receive the periodic ultrasonic pulse from the substrate, (ii) synchronize an internal clock of the first sensor node to the sink based on the periodic ultrasonic pulse, (iii) selectively detect an event in a region surrounding the first sensor node, and (iv) in response to detecting the event, transmit a first ultrasonic pulse toward the sink on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode material for L1-ion batteries. The material has the formula of 0.5Li2MnO3-0.5LiM-n0.5Ni0.35Co0.15O2. The material was synthesized using the “self-ignition combustion” method, which previously has not been used for the preparation of Li-rich layered metal oxides. The cathode material exhibits capacities of 290, 250, and 200 mAh/g at discharge rates of C/20, C/4 and C rates, respectively. Moreover, the new material exhibits high rate cycling ability with little or no capacity fade for over 100 cycles demonstrated at a series of rates from C/20 to 2C rates for electrodes loadings of 7-8 mg/cm2.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling fluid with jojoba oil as a main component. Jojoba oil is non-toxic and biodegradable. This environmentally-friendly oil-based drilling fluid also comprises water, a viscosifier, an emulsifier, and an absence of diesel and/or mineral oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMOS image sensor. The present invention provides a digital pixel sensor capable of maintaining consistency between two reference voltage changing rates. To this end, the invention proposes a technical solution in which a digital pixel exposure method by using multiple ramp voltage as reference voltage is provided.

Abstract: Perovskite hybrid solar cells utilize a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layer that is formed as a composite of an organometal halide perovskite and a water soluble fullerene, such as A10C60. In alternative embodiments, the BHJ active layer may be formed as a composite of an organometal halide perovskite material and a fullerene, such as PC61BM. Thus, the fullerene acts as an electron extraction acceptor within the BHJ, allowing such solar cells to more efficiently transport the electrons from the fullerene/perovskite interface to a fullerene-based electron transport layer (ETL). As a result, increased fill factor (FF), as well as improvements in the short-circuit current density (JSC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are achieved by the solar cells.

Abstract: A particle usable as T1 and T2 contrast agents is provided. The particle is a gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particle that is ferromagnetic at temperatures up to 290 K and is less than 2 ?m in diameter. An MRI contrast agent that includes a plurality of gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles that are less than 1 ?m in diameter is also provided. A method for creating gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a Gd5Si4 bulk alloy; grinding the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy into a powder; and milling the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy powder for a time of approximately 20 minutes or less.

Abstract: A silica-based nanoformulation and method is used to treat citrus canker, inhibit the growth of mold and mildew, and add nutrients to soil used for agricultural purposes. The nanotechnology-enabled copper-loaded, silica nanoformulation (CuSiNP/NG) design is a “revolutionary re-invention” of Cu for safe application because it provides a formulation with maximum abundance of ionic Cu, provides sustained and optimal Cu ion release for long-term disease protection, better adherence to plant surfaces and structural surfaces due to gel-based nanostructure of CuSiNG, thus avoiding multiple spray applications and reducing the amount of Cu used in comparison to existing Cu compounds without compromising antibacterial activity.