Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods for identifying subjects that have, or are at risk for developing, cancer. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods for determining the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Abstract: A reduced shock breakaway set screw for use with medical implants and constructs for the spine having improved geometry of the groove area between the upper head portion and lower threaded portion of the set screw. The groove area of the set screw has circular and noncircular portions which in at least one embodiment comprise upper and lower radii separated by a flattened groove bottom. Other embodiments have apertures running between the groove area and an internal cylindrical bore and/or ridges or ribs running across the groove area. The improved geometry serves to slow down the fracturing process during shearing thereby increasing the proportion of energy dissipated as heat from plastic deformation of the material to the amount of energy released as kinetic energy from elastic deformation, thus reducing shock to the patient and physician without changing the preset break-off torque for the set screw.

Abstract: The invention provides permeable magnetically responsive filtration membranes that include a filtration membrane polymer base suitable for fluid filtration; hydrophilic polymers conjugated to the surface of the filtration membrane polymer; and magnetic nanoparticles affixed to the ends of a plurality of the hydrophilic polymers, wherein the hydrophilic polymers are movable with respect to the surface of the filtration membrane polymer surface in the presence of an oscillating magnetic field.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for a low numerical aperture exclusion imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic illumination source for illuminating a portion of a specimen; and for collecting an image created by the electromagnetic radiation an objective lens optically coupled to the electromagnetic illuminated portion of the specimen. The apparatus also includes an optical blocking plate disposed between the objective lens and a focusing lens. The optical blocking plate is positioned to substantially block undesired electromagnetic radiation from image sources distally aligned in the same optical axis as the specimen. This invention is enhances narrow depth of field characteristics in imaging. It also enhances discreet imaging in a narrow focus field by eliminating some or most of the light which contributes to wide depth of field focus. This is useful for optical sectioning ranging from microscopy to photography.

Abstract: A flow through filter assembly includes a trivalent and tetravalent metal ion capturing agent and a flow controller providing a predetermined flow rate which allows capture of the trivalent and tetravalent metal ions by the capturing agent.

Abstract: Present invention relate to a physical/chemical sensor and a physical/chemical phenomenon sensing device that can detect minute change of surface stress and can be reduced in size and arrayed and to provide a method for manufacturing the same In the sensor of the present invention, an air-gap 3 is formed on a surface of the light receiving surface 1a of a photodiode 1. The sensor comprises a membrane section 2 which is oppositely deposited, and the air-gap is blocked air-tightly or liquid-tightly. The membrane section has optical transparency and flexibility, the membrane section and the surface of the light receiving surface form a Fabry-Perot resonator. The sensing device of the present invention comprises a reference sensor, which comprises no air-gap, in addition to the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for energy efficient communication based on feedback. A method may include sending a first message carried by a first wireless radio channel at a first predetermined energy level; receiving, in response to the first message, a second message carried by a second wireless radio channel; comparing the first message to the second message; sending a termination message, when the comparing indicates the first message and the second message match; and sending a portion of the first message at a second predetermined energy level, when the comparing indicates the second message contains at least one error when compared to the first message.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and related products for preventing and treating disease, based on the use of plant viral vaccines and plant viral defense strategies. The methods also involve the identification of appropriate therapeutic strategies for diseases such as cancers.

Abstract: Compounds including a ligand L according to Formula I devices containing the same and formulations including the same are described. In Formula I, B is a 5 or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; C is a condensed aromatic ring system having at least two carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; A-B represents a bonded pair of carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings coordinated to a metal M via a nitrogen atom in ring A and an sp2 hybridized atom X6 in ring B; RA, RB and RC can represent no substitutions or the maximum substitutions available on the respective ring; X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6 are carbon or nd nitrogen, and X7 is carbon; at least one of RA and RC substituents adjacent to the bond between A and C is not hydrogen; and the ligand is coordinated to a metal, having an atomic number greater than 40.

Abstract: Provided is a new hierarchical methodology having a series of computational steps such as adaptive window creation, 2-D SWT application, masking, and boundary tracing is proposed. The techniques and systems are able to detect and quantify fracture as well as to generate recommendations for decision-making and treatment planning in traumatic pelvic injuries.

Abstract: A condenser microphone comprises a substrate, a vibratile diaphragm and a back plate. The substrate has an opening. The diaphragm is disposed corresponding to the substrate and covers the opening, and has a plurality of protrusions. The back plate is coupled to the diaphragm and has a plurality of through holes, at least some of which are corresponding to the protrusions respectively. An interval is formed between the diaphragm and the back plate, and when the diaphragm vibrates, the protrusions move into or further near the through holes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing Puerariae Flos extracts as active ingredients for preventing or treating endometriosis and the complications thereof. More particularly, Puerariae Flos extracts exhibit the activity of inhibiting the migration and adhesion of endometriosis cells, inhibiting the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are factors associated with migration and adhesion, inhibiting the expression of COX-2, which is a factor associated with pain, and inhibiting the expression of MCP-1, which is a cytokine associated with inflammation, and RANTES. Therefore, the Puerariae Flos extracts of the present invention can be effectively used as active ingredients for a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating endometriosis and the complications thereof, and for a health food.

Abstract: For speech synthesis, a vowel module sequentially applies a vowel filter set to form a vowel with a source signal. The vowel filter set is selected from a logical arc traversing a vowel filter array. The vowel filter array includes a plurality of vowel filters organized as a logical space. Vowel filters traversed by the logical arc are selected. A consonant module sequentially applies a consonant filter set from a consonant filter array to form a consonant with the source signal. The consonant filter set is selected in response to a discrete consonant value.

Abstract: A multi-user CAx editing system may comprise a plurality of editing clients. The editing clients may be configured to maintain data consistency for geometric elements created within each local instance of a model of an engineering object. For example, each of the plurality of editing clients may include a synchronization module configured to identify one or more distinguishing parameters for each locally created geometric element and generate a unique persistent label for the geometric element, and communicate the unique persistent label and the distinguishing parameters to other editing clients. The communication may occur via a collaborative editing server. The other editing clients may find a geometric element within their local instance of the model that matches the distinguishing parameters and associate the unique persistent label with that geometric element. Subsequent references to the geometric element may be made by referring to the unique persistent label.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: Combinations of agents that have a synergistic effect for the treatment of a tumor are disclosed herein. These combinations of agents can be used to treat tumors, wherein the cells of the cancer express a mutated BRAF. Methods are disclosed for treating a subject diagnosed with a tumor that expresses a mutated BRAF. The methods include administering to the subject (1) a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that specifically binds glucose regulated protein (GRP) 94; and (2) a therapeutically effective amount of a BRAF inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tumor is melanoma. In some embodiments the method includes selecting a subject with primary or secondary resistance to a BRAF inhibitor. In further embodiments, treating the tumor comprises decreasing the metastasis of the tumor. In additional embodiments, the BRAF inhibitor comprises PLX4032 or PLX4720.

Abstract: Various methods for treating a patient with neoplasia are disclosed, in particular, methods using topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons, methods using a combination of a topoisomerase Illi-preferential inhibitor and a topoisomerase II poison, and methods using a combination of a topoisomerase II poison and a proteasome inhibitor are disclosed. Novel topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons are disclosed, particularly, several novel 13-carboline derivatives are identified. Methods for identifying the novel topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons and methods for identifying the novel topoisomerase EP-preferential inhibitors are also provided herein.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a magnetized polarizing layer, a free magnetic layer, and a reference layer. The free magnetic layer forms a first electrode and is separated from the magnetized polarizing layer by a first non-magnetic metal layer. The free magnetic layer has a magnetization vector having a first and second stable state. The reference layer forms a second electrode and is separated from the free-magnetic layer by a second non-magnetic layer. Unipolar current is sourced through the polarizing, free magnetic and reference layers. Switching of the magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer from the first stable state to the second state is initiated by application of a first unipolar current pulse, and switching of the magnetization vector of the free magnetic layer from the second stable state to the first stable state is initiated by application of a second unipolar current pulse.

Abstract: The invention features methods of inhibiting the growth of, or killing, fungal and certain bacterial microorganisms with one or more of a family of glycerol-based compounds.