Abstract: Reprogramming substances capable of substituting for Klf4, selected from the group consisting of members of the IRX family (e.g., IRX6), members of the GLIS family (e.g., GLIS1), members of the PTX family (e.g., PITX2), DMRTB1, and nucleic acids that encode the same, are provided. Also provided are a method of producing iPS cells, comprising the step of introducing into a somatic cell both one or more kinds of the above-described nuclear reprogramming substances and a substance capable of inducing iPS cells from a somatic cell when combined with Klf4. Still also provided are iPS cells comprising an extraneous nucleic acid that encodes any one of the above-described nuclear reprogramming substances, that can be obtained by the method, and a method of producing somatic cells by inducing the iPS cells to differentiate.

Abstract: A photonic signal processor providing finite impulse response filtering of an external input signal, the processor including: a photonic signal input having a predetermined wavelength range, a Bragg grating structure interconnected to the photonic signal input and having a series of localized modifications to the periodicity of the grating structure so as to provide a predetermined transmission output window within the stopband of the Bragg grating structure and predetermined wavelength range; a modulator interconnected to the grating structure for modulating the output from the grating structure in accordance with the external signal input; a delay structure for providing a wavelength variable delay to the output from the modulator; an intensity detector interconnected to the delay structure for determining and outputting the intensity of the delay structure output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for controlling memory. The apparatus includes a memory access request buffer unit, a memory access request control unit, and a bank control unit. The memory access request buffer unit determines and stores memory access request order so that the plurality of memory access requests is processed in the order of input except that memory access requests attempting to access the same bank and the same row are successively processed. The memory access request control unit reads the memory access requests from the memory access request buffer unit in the determined order, distributes the memory access requests to banks, and transfers the memory access requests to memory. The bank control unit stores a preset number of memory access requests in each of buffer units for respective banks, and controls the operating state of each of the banks.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) provides new estrogenic compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) are useful, for example, in hormone replacement therapies (HRT/ERT), and as contraceptives, and estrogenic hormone therapies. Also provided is a process for synthesizing the compounds of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, compositions and kits for mineralizing tissue, particularly dental tissue. The methods, compositions and kits may be used to strengthen and prevent weakening of the tissue. For example, the methods, compositions and kits may be used for treating and filling cavities in teeth caused by tooth decay.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter provide an isolated polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, fragments thereof, and/or epitopes thereof. Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter also provide methods for diagnosing a Strongylus vulgaris infection in a subject that comprises providing a biological sample from the subject and contacting the sample with the present isolated polypeptide, fragment thereof, and/or epitope thereof. In some embodiments the Strongylus vulgaris infection can be detected during a prepatent period. In further embodiments the subject is a horse.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample. The biosensor device can comprise at least a reaction chamber and a detection chamber. The device can comprise a amplifying mechanism such that one target analyte molecule present in the fluid sample can lead to generation/activation of multiple detection agent molecules, and therefore, an amplified signal. Also disclosed are the methods of manufacturing and using such a biosensor device.

Abstract: A method for rendering an image from a light-field camera, which generates a raw light-field image, includes: generating feature data, which includes feature elements associated with position information and obtained based on the raw light-field image and a preset threshold condition; generating a raw focused image from the raw light-field image; obtaining a virtual focus position that is designated on the raw focused image; and refocusing the raw focused image according to the virtual focus position by updating pixel values of pixels of the raw focused image that correspond respectively in position to the feature elements of the feature data, so as to generate a refocused image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of splitting a droplet is provided, the method including providing a droplet microactuator including a droplet including one or more beads and immobilizing at least one of the one or more beads. The method further includes conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the droplet to yield a set of droplets including a droplet including the one or more immobilized beads and a droplet substantially lacking the one or more immobilized beads.

Abstract: An optical sensing device including a source unit configured to generate a polychromatic light beam containing p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam; an interferometric unit configured to introduce birefringent retardation for generating optical path difference between the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam; a SPR sensing unit configured to receive both p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam and induce a SPR effect to the p-polarized beam associated with a target sample; and a detection unit for detecting target sample characteristics by obtaining an interference spectrum of the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam from the SPR sensing unit.

Abstract: A rainwater head, including: a dome, a drainage pipe, a siphon, and a ball cock mechanism. The drainage pipe includes a drainage exit and a wall including a water outlet hole. The ball cock mechanism includes a floating ball, a connecting bar, a fulcrum, and a stopper. The drainage pipe is connected to the lower part of the dome. The drainage exit is arranged on the top of the drainage pipe. The drainage exit is adapted to be between 5 and 10 cm higher than the roof. The water outlet hole is arranged on the wall of the drainage pipe at a position having the same height as the roof or is lower than the roof. The siphon is disposed on the upper part of the drainage pipe. The inlet of the siphon faces the roof; and the outlet of the siphon extends inside the drainage pipe.

Abstract: A system for converting solar energy to chemical energy, and, subsequently, to thermal energy includes a light-harvesting station, a storage station, and a thermal energy release station. The system may include additional stations for converting the released thermal energy to other energy forms, e.g., to electrical energy and mechanical work. At the light-harvesting station, a photochemically active first organometallic compound, e.g., a fulvalenyl diruthenium complex, is exposed to light and is photochemically converted to a second, higher-energy organometallic compound, which is then transported to a storage station. At the storage station, the high-energy organometallic compound is stored for a desired time and/or is transported to a desired location for thermal energy release.

Abstract: Improved particleboard and methods for fabricating improved particleboard (e.g., natural fiber/material-based particleboard) are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems/methods for fabricating particleboard (e.g., formaldehyde-free particleboard) utilizing natural fibers/materials (e.g., lignocellulosic materials), wherein the particleboard has improved performance characteristics and/or mechanical properties. Methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced biocomposites (e.g., natural fiber-reinforced wheat gluten biocomposites) are disclosed. For example, systems/methods for fabricating particleboard from lignocellulosic materials (e.g., coconut materials), along with a binder material (e.g., wheat gluten), are provided. In general, the fiber or lignocellulosic material is treated with sodium hydroxide and/or a silane coupling agent as an adhesion promoter to enhance interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the binder.

Abstract: Improved active DEMETER polypeptides with internal deletions are provided.

Abstract: A method of increasing production of fatty acids comprising introducing into a host cell or organism and expressing therein an acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase (TE) from Bryantella formatexigens or a mutant thereof; a method of making a mutant B. formatexigens acyl-ACP TE; a method of making a chimeric Cuphea viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a nucleic acid encoding a mutant acyl-ACP TE or a chimeric C. viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a host cell or organism comprising the nucleic acid; a mutant acyl-ACP TE or chimeric C. viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a method of altering the specificity of a plant acyl-ACP TE; and a method of altering the level of activity of a plant acyl-ACP TE.

Abstract: An adjustable photo-mask for providing variable properties includes a casing and a plate. The casing has a receiving room inside and a plurality of openings, with the openings extending from the receiving room to a front face of the casing. The plate has a plurality of through holes, with an axial direction of the through holes defined as a ray-transmission direction, with the plate slideably received in the receiving room, and with the through holes and the openings totally or partially overlapping in the ray-transmission direction.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring an ash content and a calorific value of a coal are provided. The system comprises: at least two dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring devices and a computing device, in which at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed before an inlet of a coal combustion apparatus for measuring a first attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one first dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to the coal; at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device is disposed after an outlet of the coal combustion apparatus for measuring a second attenuation coefficient of a gamma ray from the at least one second dual-energy gamma ray transmission measuring device with regard to a coal ash; and the computing device is configured to compute the ash content and the calorific value of the coal.

Abstract: This application describes methods and compositions for reducing, inhibiting and/or treating pain that involve use of ERK2 inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slew rate control device using a switching capacitor which includes a first capacitor that is connected to a target circuit operated in response to a clock signal, and controls a rising slope of a signal output from the target circuit when the clock signal is in a high state; a switch that is connected to the first capacitor in parallel, receives a reverse signal of the clock signal, as a control signal, and is turned on when the clock signal is in a low state; and a second capacitor that is connected to the switch in series, and controls a falling slope of the signal output from the target circuit when the clock signal is in the low state.

Abstract: A first device is provided. The first device further comprises an organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device further comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer may include an organic host compound and at least one organic emitting compound capable of fluorescent emission at room temperature. Various configurations are described for providing a range of current densities in which T-T fusion dominates over S-T annihilation, leading to very high efficiency fluorescent OLEDs.