Abstract: This invention provides RNA, oligoribonucleotide, and polyribonucleotide molecules comprising pseudouridine or a modified nucleoside, gene therapy vectors comprising same, methods of synthesizing same, and methods for gene replacement, gene therapy, gene transcription silencing, and the delivery of therapeutic proteins to tissue in vivo, comprising the molecules. The present invention also provides methods of reducing the immunogenicity of RNA, oligoribonucleotide, and polyribonucleotide molecules.

Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing an underground reservoir having a first temperature. The reservoir is located below a caprock and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The injection well includes an injection well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. The system also includes a production well having a production well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. A working-fluid supply system provides a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the non-water based working fluid to the first temperature produces heated non-water based working fluid capable of entering the production well reservoir opening. An energy converting apparatus connected to the productions well converts thermal energy contained in the heated non-water based working fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A reflectarray, including: a substrate; and a plurality of patches formed on each of areas into which a principal surface of the substrate is divided, wherein the plurality of patches are formed by including a gap.

Abstract: Extracellular matrix material is disclosed which is created by subjecting a target area to non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) with a pulsed electrical field to kill cells in the absence of thermal damage. The dead cellular material may be removed and the remaining non-cellular matrix material may be implanted into a repair site to be treated medically or cosmetically.

Abstract: A nasally inserted airway opening device with inflatable cuff is provided to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The airway opening device includes a hollow flexible tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable cuff attached to the tube at or near the distal end. The inflatable cuff may be inflated and deflated via the tube. The inflatable cuff defines an interior through hole extending along the length thereof. When deflated, the inflatable cuff may be packed closely to the tube and may be inserted or removed through a nostril of a user. When inserted through the user's nostril and positioned in the user's oropharynx or naso-oropharynx and inflated, the inflatable cuff prevents soft tissue in the user's naso-oropharynx from collapsing toward the posterior pharyngeal wall while simultaneously allowing airflow through the through hole. A method for utilizing the airway opening device to prevent/treat sleep apnea is also provided.

Abstract: A leaky wave antenna system is set forth. The antenna comprises: a microstrip fabricated on a top surface of a substrate; a ground plane formed on a bottom surface of the substrate; and a plurality of impedance components, each impedance component having one terminal electrically coupled to a lengthwise edge of the microstrip abutting the top surface of the substrate. A switch is electrically connected between each one of the plurality of impedance components and the ground plane. A control module coupled to the plurality of switches operates to specify a direction of a main beam radiating from the microstrip by selectively connecting one or more of the plurality of impedance components to the ground plane.

Abstract: ?-mannosylceramides or salts or solvates thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use as a Type I NKT cell agonist in conjunction with a therapeutically effective amount of ?-galactosylceramide or a salt or a solvate thereof, and/or at least one or more T-cell co-stimulatory molecules, disclosed. Compositions comprising ?-mannosylceramide, as well as methods of treatment of tumors are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides dyes having an improved photostability, biosensors comprising such dyes, and methods of use thereof, including methods for detecting target molecules in a sample under test and for live-cell imaging. The dyes can include a binding member, including a biomolecule or fragments thereof, which can interact with target molecules of interest and can be specific to a given conformational state or covalent modification, e.g., phosphorylation, of the target molecule. The presently disclosed dyes can be used for detecting changes in the binding, conformational change, or posttranslational modification of the target molecule.

Abstract: A multi-junction photovoltaic cell includes at least two P-N junctions electrically connected to each other in series. Each P-N junction includes a P-type absorber layer and a N-type emitter layer, each P-type absorber layer including a plurality of alternating thin film layers of zinc telluride and lead telluride, wherein zinc telluride and lead telluride have respective bandgaps when in bulk thickness and the effective bandgap of each P-type absorber layer is between the respective bandgaps. The effective bandgap of at least one P-type absorber layer is different from that of at least one other P-type absorber layer.

Abstract: A circuit board with twinned Cu circuit layer and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (A) providing a substrate with a first circuit layer formed thereon, wherein the first circuit layer comprises a conductive pad; (B) forming a first dielectric layer on the surface of the substrate; (C) forming plural openings in the first dielectric layer, wherein each opening penetrates through the first dielectric layer and communicates with the conductive pad to expose the conductive pad; (D) forming a Cu seeding layer in the openings; (E) forming a nano-twinned Cu layer in the openings with an electroplating process; and (F) annealing the substrate to transfer the material of the Cu seeding layer into nano-twinned Cu, wherein the nano-twinned Cu layer and the transferred Cu seeding layer are formed into a second circuit layer.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic device includes a sound wave generator and a signal input device. The sound wave generator includes a carbon film. The carbon film includes at least one carbon nanotube layer and at least one graphene layer stacked on each other. The signal input device inputs signals to the sound wave generator.

Abstract: In various aspects, it is possible to provide an optimized service to a mobile terminal and a user, without prior knowledge of a service that the user prefers to use, or without a client module of a tightly coupled configuration. The optimized service may be provided by performing a semantic negotiation based on one or more ontologies. Also, it is possible to improve user convenience by automatically performing the semantic negotiation between the mobile terminal and a service server without user intervention.

Abstract: A floating element shear sensor and method for fabricating the same are provided. According to an embodiment, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based capacitive floating element shear stress sensor is provided that can achieve time-resolved turbulence measurement. In one embodiment, a differential capacitive transduction scheme is used for shear stress measurement. The floating element structure for the differential capacitive transduction scheme incorporates inter digitated comb fingers forming differential capacitors, which provide electrical output proportional to the floating element deflection.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided herein for immunizing a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of an immunogenic peptide or an immunogenic fragment or variant thereof incorporated within a vault-like particle carrier. The methods and compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced ability to induce cell-mediated immunity and/or antibody-based immunity.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which inhibit SIR2 base exchange more than deacetylation, thus enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity. Methods of using the compounds for enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity and increasing longevity of an organism are also disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds that enhance SIR2 deacetylation activity and increase longevity of an organism are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Radionuclides are produced with a pulsed neutron flux from a multiple repetition rate staged Z-pinch machine, the pulsed neutron flux is moderated, an activatable radionuclide precursor is exposed to the moderated pulsed neutron flux, and a corresponding radionuclide from the activatable radionuclide precursor is produced. High current pulses are passed through a target plasma of fusible material enclosed in a cylindrical liner plasma composed of a high-Z plasma to generate a magnetic field that compresses the liner plasma, and generates shock waves. The shock implodes the target plasma. The shock front propagates between an outer shock front and an axis of the target plasma so it is heated through shock dissipation and by adiabatic compression due to an imploding shock front produced in the outer liner plasma to fuse light nuclei and generate alpha particles and neutrons. Alpha particles trapped within the magnetic field further heat the target plasma.

Abstract: A method of minimizing radiation toxicity in image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is provided that includes using a probabilistic prediction algorithm that is operated on a suitably programmed computer and includes multimodality inputs and provides real-time geometric and topological target estimates to compensate for system latency, using an online adaptive imaging system that provides radiographic images of the target when the geometric and topological target estimates are in a region of predefined uncertainty, and using an image dose control algorithm, operating on a suitably programmed computer, that includes parameters for controlling dose per image, where instances for image acquisition are optimized according to a planned dose pattern and delivery result.

Abstract: Automated AIF/VOF identification is useful in connection with providing rapid and automatic quantitative imaging results. Examples include CBF (cerebral blood flow) and CBV (cerebral blood volume) perfusion maps. In the present work, AIF/VOF regions of images are identified by making use of a predefined anatomic vasculature template to provide numerical weighting values for voxels. A score is computed for each voxel that includes normalized signal fit parameters and the numerical weighting. AIF/VOF voxels are identified as N voxels having the highest score, where N can depend on the image resolution.

Abstract: A new and distinct Prunus laurocerasus plant of unknown parentage is provided. The new plant can be readily distinguished from other plants of the species including the ‘Otto Luyken’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States). A slow to moderate growth habit is displayed to form a compact generally rounded plant with dense foliage. The foliage is dark green in coloration and displays more glossiness on the upper surface than commonly observed for the ‘Otto Luyken’ cultivar. Superior resistance to Coryneum blight has been observed. The new plant is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in a hedge, foundation planting, or when grown en masse.