Abstract: A matching technique and the field enhancement at the terminals of a bowtie nanoantenna is presented to develop compact, highly efficient, and flexible thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. The bowtie antenna is designed for maximum power transfer to a near infrared band of a TPV cell. In one example, a small cube of indium gallium arsenside antimode or another suitable material with a low bandgap energy of 0.52 eV is mounted at the terminals of the antenna. Such a load presents a frequency dependent impedance with a high resistance and capacitance at the desired frequency (180THz). For maximum power transfer, a high impedance bowtie antenna operating at the anti-resonance mode connected to an inductive transmission line to compensate for the load capacitance is realized. The same antenna and load configuration with the semiconductor material used in photoconductive mode is used to realize a sensitive uncooled photodetector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of compensating for coupling impairments in optical communication systems comprising two or more coupled transmission lines. The method comprises introducing into the system a component comprising an electronic circuit configured to realize at least one of an exact electrical coupling compensation (EECC) algorithm and a spectrally fragmented electrical coupling compensation (SF-ECC) algorithm.

Abstract: A cargo securing apparatus and a method of maintaining a user configured tension in a cargo securing element are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one sensor arranged to measure a first and second tension in a tensile element (used to secure the cargo) at different times and a processor in data communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to receive the tension measurements from the sensor and to distinguish between acute and sustained deviations in tension based on the tension measurements. Conditionally, the processor may compare the first and second tension measurements to a user configured tension setting and determine tension correction parameters required to maintain the tension in the tensile element within a range of the user configured setting. The apparatus may include one or more manual or automated adjustment drives to adjust the tension in the tensile element in accordance with the tension correction parameters.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for providing a retrofit and repair technique and device for asphalt shingle roof coverings or roofing systems that exhibit premature adhesive tab seal failures. A device can have a handle at one end and a blade tip end at the other end has the blade tip inserted under a shingle to be repaired. The device can dispense a row of “dabs” at a selected location under roof shingle(s). The dispenser can dispense a row of individual “dabs” by a volume container. Alternatively, the dispenser can have a roll with a plurality of rows of pre-made “dabs” of adhesive on removable type paper. Once the blade tip end of the tool device is inserted between upper and lower shingles, the dabs are dispensed by removing the release paper, and the device is pulled out with the release tape is wound up, advancing the adhesive cylinders. Next, the worker can press down on the upper shingle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising Protein Kinase C Zeta (PKC-?) inhibitor and therapeutic methods for preventing or treating a pathological condition or symptom or for inducing proliferation of lung progenitor cells in a mammal by administering the PKC-? inhibitor.

Abstract: A system for dynamically replicating data for a heterogeneous Hadoop is provided. The system includes a name node having a replication manager. The replication manager calculates a probability that a map task is allocated to a map task slot of a data node that stores an input data block of the map task out of a plurality of map task slots of data nodes by using a number of the map task slots in the Hadoop clusters comprised of heterogeneous clusters, and dynamically replicates data based on the probability.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind to and antagonize programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such anti-PD-1 aptamers and methods for using the same for promoting T cell proliferation, treating cancer or infectious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Abstract: Thin-film photovoltaic devices and methods of their use and manufacture are disclosed. More particularly, polycrystalline CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) based thin-film photovoltaic devices having independently tunable sublayers are disclosed. Also provided are methods of producing an n-doped graphene.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a soybean plant with mutations in FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B. Moreover, the present invention is directed to seeds from said plants with altered ratios of monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats. In particular, the present invention is directed to plants where the plants exhibit elevated levels of oleic acid.

Abstract: A method for characterizing at least a portion of the biodiversity of a sample. The method includes the steps of: (i) obtaining a sample having nucleic acid from a plurality of different organisms; (ii) extracting at least a portion of the nucleic acid from the sample; (iii) optionally performing a whole-genome amplification of the extracted nucleic acid; (iv) optionally performing a second, targeted amplification; (v) sequencing the amplified nucleic acid to obtain sequence data comprising a nucleic acid sequence for at least some of the plurality of different organisms; (vi) querying, using the obtained sequence data, a sequence database, where querying the sequence database identifies one or more of the plurality of different organisms; and (vii) determining, using the identified one or more of the plurality of different organisms, a characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides new classes of phenolic compounds derived from hydroxyacids and tyrosol or tyrosol analogs, useful as monomers for preparation of biocompatible polymers, and the biocompatible polymers prepared from these monomeric hydroxyacid-phenolic compounds, including novel biodegradable and/or bioresorbable polymers. These biocompatible polymers or polymer compositions with enhanced bioresorbabilty and processability are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in medical devices and controlled-release therapeutic formulations. The invention also provides methods for preparing these monomeric hydroxyacid-phenolic compounds and biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: A method constructs an image with improved peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) from a scattered pixel set. The method generates an approximation function that is a linear combination of a plurality of Many-Knot (MK) spline basis functions, and constructs the image with improved PSNR by conducting a least squares treatment on the approximation function to minimize a residual of each pixel value in the scattered pixel set from the approximation function.

Abstract: In one implementation, an analytical approach to determining an improved and/or optimal design of a matching network in a capacitive or inductive WPT system is provided. In one implementation, for example, a framework is provided to enable stage(s) of the network to simultaneously provide gain and compensation. The multistage matching network efficiency can be improved and/or optimized, such as by using the method of Lagrange multipliers, resulting in the optimum distribution of gain and compensation among the L-section stages.

Abstract: Methods and systems for computing continuous k nearest neighbor (CkNN) queries in location based services for moving objects, to produce ordered kNN query results in a continuous and progressive manner, are provided. One method comprises receiving a continuous k nearest neighbor query, computing the initial set comprised of the k interest points nearest to the reference point and a set of remaining nodes stored in a distance-priority queue, generating and storing split points in a min-heap, iteratively moving current reference point to the nearest split point, swapping interest points, updating the corresponding split points in the min-heap, and reporting the kNN result progressively until a termination condition is reached.

Abstract: A circuit topology including stacked power amplifiers (e.g., class D PA cells) in a ladder arranged in a house-of-cards topology such that the number of stacked-domains follows a decaying triangular series N, N?1, N?2, . . . , N?i from a fixed ladder to an ith ladder to provide a 1:(i+1) voltage conversion ratio, each stacked domain outputs its power via a flying domain power amplifier cell, and each ladder balances stacked domains of a prior ladder and combines power from all prior ladders.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, grafts and methods for reducing or preventing anti-neointima following cardiovascular injuries and interventions are disclosed. The compositions, devices, and grafts typically include an effective amount of a CTP synthase 1 inhibitor to reduce proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, without substantial reducing the proliferation of endothelial cells. Methods of reducing neointima formation, accelerating re-endothelialization, and reducing restenosis in a subject using the compositions, devices, and grafts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact microscope including an enclosure, a support element, a primary optical support element located within the enclosure and supported by the support element, at least one vibration isolating mount between the support element and the primary optical support element, an illumination section, an objective lens system, a sample stage mounted on the primary optical support element, an illumination optical system to direct an illumination light beam from the illumination section to the sample stage, and a return optical system to receive returned light from sample stage and transmit returned light to a detection apparatus, wherein the illumination optical system and return optical system are mounted on the primary optical support element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for aligning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) spectral interferograms to a reference spectral interferogram based on signal information (e.g., amplitude or phase) at a fixed-pattern noise location to reduce residual fixed-pattern noise and improve the phase stability of SS-OCT systems.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for quantifying temporal changes in human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) structural properties, such as Anterior-Posterior tibial shear force (TSF) and Anterior-Posterior tibial shear displacement (TSD) for testing ACL overuse injury during training and minimizing or preventing ACL injury.

Abstract: A multi-order wave voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes a power impedance matching unit, a signal transmitting unit, a harmonic wave eliminating unit and an oscillation frequency adjusting unit. The power impedance matching unit includes an input end, an output end and a first transmission line between the input end and the output end. The first transmission line is a ¼-wavelength transmission line based on a wavelength of an output harmonic wave. The signal transmitting unit includes multiple upper inductor electrically connected to the output end and multiple lower inductors electrically connected to a ground end. The harmonic wave eliminating unit includes multiple transistors electrically connected to the signal transmitting unit and each having a drain electrically connected to a gate of the adjacent transistor to form a multi-order ring loop. The oscillation frequency adjusting unit includes multiple varactors.