Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and aphid resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to aphids, Aphis glycines. The invention further includes method for monitoring the introgression quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring aphid resistance into elite germplasm in a breeding program.

Abstract: A wide-band optical frequency comb is provided to estimate an optical phase shift induced in a dispersive material. In contrast to the conventional techniques that rely on a single tunable laser for extracting the dispersion parameter at different frequencies, the wide-band optical frequency comb uses multiple comb lines for simultaneously evaluating the dispersion induced phase shifts in different frequencies. Since the frequency response of the dispersive material is a phase function, a phase associated with each comb line passed through the material represents a discrete measure of the material frequency response.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated peptides derived from Oryza sativa Japonica Group, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and uses thereof for treating, preventing, ameliorating, and/or delaying the onset of inflammatory and/or neuroinflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases or conditions and in particular multiple sclerosis. The invention further relates to extracts from Oryza sativa Japonica Group and use thereof as a dietary supplement or in a pharmaceutical composition for treating, preventing, ameliorating, and/or delaying the onset of inflammatory, and/or inflammatory, neuroinflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases or conditions. The peptides and the extract of the invention may be used for treating, ameliorating, and/or delaying the onset or preventing multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A dedicated short range radar system is provided for use with a GPS system. The radar system includes a transmitter which transmits a microwave radio signal. A receiver is coupled to a horizontally scanning receiver antenna array which receives an echo, if present, from the radio signal transmitted by the transmitter. The radio receiver then generates an output signal representative of the echo. A control circuit then receives the output signal from the antenna array as well as the output signal from the GPS system. The control circuit then varies the mode of operation of the receiver and/or the transmitter as a function of the type of roadway for optimal radar performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials comprising siloxanes, preferably the materials have thermal-responsive properties. In some embodiments, the invention relates to silsesquioxane groups functionalized with polymers. In another embodiment, silsequioxane-polymer conjugates comprise polylactone segments. The silsequioxane-polymer conjugates may be crosslinked together to form a material, and these materials may be functionalized with bioactive compounds so that the materials have desirable biocompatibility or bioactivity when used in medical devices. In further embodiments, the invention relates to composite materials that contain a polymer matrix and aggregates, and in some embodiments, methods of making, and methods of using these materials. Preferably, the aggregates are calcium phosphate aggregates. Preferably, the material is resistant to fracture. In further embodiments, the materials are used in surgical procedures of bone replacement.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation and applications of internally and/or externally functionalized environmentally benign nanoparticles (EbNPs), which are produced by a three step procedure: (1) synthesis of native EbNPs, (2) functionalization with active agents, and (3) additional surface property customization via one or more modifier(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure provide accurate and precise radiation dosimetry based on decarboxylation of a reactant upon exposure to ionizing radiation. The decarboxylation reaction yields carbon dioxide and stable end products, which can be detected and measured, and correlated to determine an amount of radiation exposure. The reactants include carboxyl acids, such as amino acids and others occurring naturally in mammals. The dosimetry may be performed in real-time or retrospectively by assaying a sample of tissue from a patient. Also disclosed is a device which detects and measures radiation dosages based on decarboxylation of a reactant contained therein.

Abstract: There is provided an etching method. A temperature at a plurality of predetermined positions on an upper surface of an Si substrate is measured during the etching processing. The etching processing includes supplying an etching solution to the upper surface of the Si substrate. An exothermic reaction occurs in the etching processing. The upper surface is heated or cooled depending on the measured value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide an XML based custom code generating method and an XML based custom code generator, a computer program product and a computer readable medium. The method comprises: obtaining code source information, user custom template file information and a prestored code output format rule; preprocessing the code source information, classifying the code source information and storing the same into a code source container; dynamically replacing a corresponding description part in the user custom template file with the corresponding classified code source information stored in the code source container; and outputting codes in the replaced user defined template file according to the prestored code output format rule. With the method and generator, repeated code can be automatically implemented during the development process, custom extension can be flexibly implemented, the workload of engineers can be reduced and the stability of the system is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals is provided for use in a codebook-based closed-loop multiple antenna system. A method for receiving signals in a codebook-based multiple antenna system according to the present disclosure includes estimating a desired signal and an interference channel, determining a codebook index using the desired channel, a Hermitian of the desired channel, and the interference channel, and feeding back the codebook index to a transmitter. The multi-antenna system of the present disclosure is advantageous in suppressing the interference from other cells and maximizing the gain of the desired signal especially when the number of receive antennas is greater than the reception streams and in designing a codebook with high performance as compared to the Grassmanian codebook and low complexity.

Abstract: Powder bed fusion systems, apparatus, and processes for the production of multi-material parts are provided, in which the material composition varies throughout the part, including different regions within a particular layer. Present embodiments include the capability to selectively deliver fusion-inducing energy over the part bed as each layer of the part is made, rather than uniformly over the part bed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of growing chalcogen-linked metallic films on a surface in a chamber. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing a metal source and a chalcogen source in the chamber, and gradually heating the chamber, where the heating leads to the chemical vapor deposition of the chalcogen source and the metal source onto the surface, and facilitates the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film from the chalcogen source and the metal source on the surface. In some embodiments, the chalcogen source comprises sulfur, and the metal source comprises molybdenum trioxide. In some embodiments, the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film occurs by formation of nucleation sites on the surface, where the nucleation sites merge to form the chalcogen-linked metallic film. In some embodiments, the formed chalcogen-linked metallic film includes MoS2.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides, e.g., oligoribonucleotides. In another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula (II) processes for making these compounds, and the use thereof in the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides, e.g., oligoribonucleotides. The invention also relates to methods of synthesis of oligomers, including but not limited to oligopeptides, oligosaccharides and oligonucleotides, particularly oligoribonucleotides and also oligodeoxyribonucleotides, in solution systems, and ionic tag linkers for use in methods provided herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression are described. More specifically, the invention demonstrates that intranasal administration of ketamine is effective to ameliorate the symptoms of depression in a patient who has not responded to an adequate trial of one antidepressant in the current episode and has recurrent or chronic depressive symptoms (>2 years).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing plant biomass and plant seed yield through overexpression of a PHB gene. Also provided are plants with increased biomass and seed yield comprising overexpression of a PHB gene produced by such methods. Plants described herein may be used, for example, for improved production of biofuels.

Abstract: A compound according to a formula I and devices incorporating the same are described. The compound according to the formula I can have the structure: wherein X is Si or Ge; R1 and R2 represent mono, di, tri, tetra, or penta substitutions or no substitution; R3, R4 represent mono, di, tri, or tetra substitutions or no substitution; R1 and R2 are optionally joined to form a ring, which may be further substituted; L is a single bond or comprises an aryl or heteroaryl group having from 5-20 carbon atoms, which is optionally further substituted; and A is an aromatic group. A contains a group selected from the group consisting of indole, carbazole, benzofuran, dibenzofuran, benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, benzoselenophene, dibenzoselenophene, triphenylene, azacarbazole, azadibenzofuran, azadibenzothiophene, azadibenzoselenophene, azatriphenylene, and combinations thereof, which are optionally further substituted. The device can include the compound according to Formula I in an organic layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a solution of single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes in a liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, such methods comprise: (a) providing single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes; and (b) mixing the single-walled polyelectrolytes with a polar aprotic solvent to form a mixture, where the mixing results in the formation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, the polar aprotic solvent comprises crown ether. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making single-walled carbon nanotube fibers. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a method of making a single walled carbon nanotube composite. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to an article comprising neat aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: MicroRNA genes are highly associated with chromosomal features involved in the etiology of different cancers. The perturbations in the genomic structure or chromosomal architecture of a cell caused by these cancer-associated chromosomal features can affect the expression of the miR gene(s) located in close proximity to that chromosomal feature. Evaluation of miR gene expression can therefore be used to indicate the presence of a cancer-causing chromosomal lesion in a subject. As the change in miR gene expression level caused by a cancer-associated chromosomal feature may also contribute to cancerigenesis, a given cancer can be treated by restoring the level of miR gene expression to normal. microRNA expression profiling can be used to diagnose cancer and predict whether a particular cancer is associated with an adverse prognosis. The identification of specific mutations associated with genomic regions that harbor miR genes in CLL patients provides a means for diagnosing CLL and possibly other cancers.

Abstract: A method for dental implant path planning is applied to a computer displaying a planning interface having a jaw image zone, a cross-section image zone and a reference zone, and comprises steps of: displaying a jaw image in the jaw image zone; generating a dental arch according to the jaw image; labeling an implant position in the jaw image; lapping an implant image over the jaw image according to the implant position; displaying at least two cross-section images in the cross-section image zone according to the implant image and the jaw image; displaying a plurality of characteristic values in the reference zone according to a plurality of characteristic distances in the cross-section images; and adjusting the position of the implant image relative to the jaw image by referring to the cross-section images or the characteristic values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting protein-ligand interactions are disclosed. An exemplary method can include identifying a set of structural neighbours of the query proteins, where each of contains ligands. The method can also determine a similarity score for each of the structural neighbours representing configuration similarity and interaction tendency between the structural neighbours and predict protein-ligand interactions of the one or more query proteins using the similarity scores.