Abstract: Impaired intraocular blood flow within vascular beds in the human eye is associated with certain ocular diseases including, for example, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. A reliable method to quantify blood flow in the various intraocular vascular beds could provide insight into the vascular component of ocular disease pathophysiology. Using ultrahigh-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT), a new 3D angiography algorithm called split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) was developed for imaging microcirculation within different intraocular regions. A method to quantify SSADA results was developed and used to detect perfusion changes in early stage ocular disease. Associated embodiments relating to methods for quantitatively measuring blood flow at various intraocular vasculature sites, systems for practicing such methods, and use of such methods and systems for diagnosing certain ocular diseases are herein described.

Abstract: A material for moisture removal and/or water harvesting from air may include a hydrophilic material containing micropores and a low water activity material confined within the micropores of the hydrophilic material. Apparatuses containing such materials and methods for moisture removal and/or water harvesting from air by using such materials are also described.

Abstract: Provided are a scroll preparing method using a two-dimensional material and a scroll prepared thereby. The scroll preparing method comprises preparing a two-dimensional material. The two-dimensional material is scrolled by providing an amphiphilic substance having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion on the two-dimensional material. As a result, a scroll composite including the amphiphilic substance disposed inside a scroll structure is formed.

Abstract: A bioenvironment-sensitive nanoparticle including a polymer having complementary charges, a method of manufacturing the same, and a pharmaceutical use of the bioenvironment-sensitive nanoparticle are disclosed. The bioenvironment-sensitive nanoparticle can be useful in stably and effectively delivering a target material such as a drug even when used at a small quantity since the nanoparticle is stable in extracellular environments. Also, the bioenvironment-sensitive nanoparticle can be useful in selectively diagnosing or treating cancer cells since the nanoparticle is specific to environments of the cancer cells.

Abstract: A system and method to target a biological rhythm disorder include processing cardiac signals via a computing device to determine a shape in a region of tissue defined by a source associated with the biological rhythm disorder that migrates spatially on or within the shape, and identifying at least one portion of the tissue proximate to the shape to enable selective modification of the at least one portion of tissue in order to terminate or alter the biological rhythm disorder.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for analyzing blood coagulation in a blood sample. The device (10) includes a housing (12) having an analytical membrane (14) partially enclosed in a housing. The analytical membrane (14) includes a porous hydrophilic sample portion (34), a porous hydrophilic analytical portion (36), and a porous hydrophilic wicking portion (38). The porosity of the analytical portion (36) differs from the porosity of the sample portion (34). The method utilizes the device to analyze blood coagulation in a whole blood sample from the distance travelled by the red blood cell leading edge (50) in a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one ISCOM complex and at least one ectodomain from at least one hemagglutinin (HA) domain and at least one ectodomain from at least one neuraminidase (NA) domain from one or more influenza virus, wherein the extodomains represent ectodomains isolated from the influenza virus. The invention also regards a kit. The composition may be used as an immune stimulating medicine, immune modulating pharmaceutical or a vaccine e.g. against influenza for vertebrates, e.g. birds and mammals.

Abstract: A method for synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias and an electroplating device. Laser irradiation is adopted as an external energy field to assist synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias. A mask or digital maskless technology is used to precisely heat the vias with different positions and different sizes. The filling rate of different regions varies with the temperature difference, thereby realizing the synchronous electroplating filling of differential vias in one step. In the processes of immersion pre-wetting by the electroplating liquid and electroplating filling copper, the laser is used for preheating the wafer processed with vias. In these two steps, the laser needs to locally and precisely heat upper surfaces of the micro vias on the wafer through the mask corresponding to the micro vias on the wafer.

Abstract: Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a polymer of growing importance in industrial applications. Frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) offers a means to rapidly cure PDCPD with minimal input energy owing to a propagating reaction wave sustained by the exothermic polymerization. The disclosure provides methods for the rapid fabrication of fiber reinforced composites that is less restrictive and more energy efficient than conventional methods.

Abstract: An acoustic biometric touch scanner device and method is disclosed. In one aspect, an acoustic fingerprint sensing device includes an array of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit an ultrasound signal having a frequency in a range from 50 megahertz (MHz) to 500 MHz. The acoustic fingerprint ultrasonic transducers include a piezoelectric film. The acoustic fingerprint sensing device further includes a receiving surface configured to receive a finger. The acoustic fingerprint sensing device further includes a processor configured to generate an image of at least a portion of a fingerprint of the finger based on a reflection of the ultrasound signal from the finger.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal, its molecular formula is C4H9NO2.0.5H2O. It also discloses a method of preparing a ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal, including first adding crude ?-aminobutyric acid to water to prepare a ?-aminobutyric acid suspension at an initial concentration of 1.2-2.0 g/mL; then stirring the suspension at a constant temperature of 5-10° C. for 6-12 hours, followed by filtering and drying to obtain the ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal. The ?-aminobutyric acid hemihydrate crystal is stable, does not easily absorb moisture and agglomerate, and is convenient for further processing and use. The crystal has a large main particle size, uniform particle size distribution, high bulk density, good flowability, and a purity of ?99%. The preparation method of the crystal according to the present invention is simple, easy to operate, highly efficient and low in energy consumption, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of intra-prediction in order to improve encoding and decoding efficiency. The video decoding method may improve the prediction efficiency for the current pixel to be predicted by referring to the degree of variation in surrounding pixels, to thereby effectively decode the bit stream with improved encoding efficiency. In addition, an additional prediction candidate is used to achieve improved accuracy of intra-prediction, and the thus-improved accuracy of intra-prediction may reduce residual components and improve encoding efficiency. Further, an improved planar mode is utilized to achieve improved intra-prediction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a compliant force/torque sensor includes an orthoplanar spring including a central platform and multiple legs that extend out from the platform, a support member configured to support the orthoplanar spring, wherein the legs of the orthoplanar spring are mounted to the support member in a manner in which the central platform of the orthoplanar spring can move relative to the support member, and sensor elements configured to sense movement of the central platform of the orthoplanar spring relative to the support member.

Abstract: A method for hydrothermal synthesis of 3D Bi4MoO9/TiO2 nanostructure heterojunction includes the following step: adding Bi(NO3)3.5H2O into distilled water to form a white turbid liquid, and adding an alkaline solution into the white turbid liquid until a potential of hydrogen value of the white turbid liquid is between 3 and 7, thereby obtaining a suspension A; adding TiO2 nanospheres into the suspension A to form a mixed suspension C; adding Na2MoO4.2H2O into distilled water to be dissolved to obtaining a Na2MoO4 solution; adding the Na2MoO4 solution into the mixed suspension C to form a mixture, and adding an alkaline solution into the mixture until a potential of hydrogen value of the mixture is greater than 7, thereby obtaining a mixed suspension D; transferring the mixed suspension D to a closed vessel for a hydrothermal reaction to obtain a hydrothermal synthesis product; and washing and drying the hydrothermal synthesis product.

Abstract: The present application discloses compounds which are activators of autophagic flux and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said activators. It further discloses use of said compounds and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly proteinopathies and tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease. It further discloses methods of enhancing autophagic flux.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image reconstruction system includes an image capture device, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and an image processor. The image capture device captures image data. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) is affixed to the image capture device and records IMU data associated with the image data. The image processor includes one or more processing units and memory for storing instructions that are executed by the one or more processing units, wherein the image processor receives the image data and the IMU data as inputs and utilizes the IMU data to pre-align the first image and the second image, and wherein the image processor utilizes a registration algorithm to register the pre-aligned first and second images.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to compositions and methods for preventing and treating cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to antigenic polypeptides and their use in cancer vaccines that may be used, in part, to treat cancer types dependent upon HER2-mediated signaling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods involving the targeting of 5HT biosynthesis in gut insulin-negative cells to convert them into insulin-positive cells. Also disclosed are methods for treating a disease or disorder in a mammal, preferably a human, associated with impaired pancreatic endocrine function, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an enumerated active agent that reduces the expression, biosynthesis, signaling or biological activity of serotonin or increases its degradation, wherein administering comprises delivering the agent to Gut Ins? cells in the mammal. Other embodiments of the method are directed to therapy wherein an agent that significantly reduces FOXO1 expression, biosynthesis, signaling or biological activity or increases its degradation is administered in addition to the agent that reduces serotonin, or alternatively an agent that reduces FOXO1 expression is targeted to serotonin-positive gut enteroendocrine cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating a head and neck cancer or preventing the development of pre-malignant lesions to this cancer, by administering locally to the oral cavity, a sustained release drug delivery system comprising a drug for the treatment of this cancer or for the prevention of said lesions, and at least one polymer, such that said system is attached to a surface in the oral cavity and remains attached thereto for at least 1 hour, accompanied by release of the drug and maintaining an effective therapeutic concentration thereof in the cavity, for at least 1 hour. Further are disclosed a sustained release drug delivery system and a liquid precursor varnish composition to this system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining thromboembolic risk in a patient. The method includes processing functional images of a patient's heart in order to create a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling of the patient's heart. Once a CFD model is obtained, various metrics can be determined to estimate the patient's risk of left ventricular thrombosis. This method is particularly suited for determining thromboembolic risk in patients having suffered a myocardial infarction. However, the method can also be applied to a broader population at risk of cardioembolic and cryptogenic stroke.