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: 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: 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: Provided is an image processing apparatus which is connected to and accessible to a database storing a plurality of pieces of previously prepared reference data, and which stores at least one piece of individual data having an image captured by the user in association with the information regarding the food/beverage contained in the captured image. The image processing apparatus compares information of the food/beverage in the captured image with the reference data stored in the database and the individual data, and acquires the food/beverage information included in the reference data together with the reference image similar to the captured image, the food/beverage information associated with the captured image in the individual data, or the food/beverage information in the reference data or the individual data including the food/beverage information relating to the captured image.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of therapeutically or prophylactically treating ischaemia-induced myocardial tissue damage, in particular ischaemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial tissue damage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of reducing the extent of ischaemia-induced myocardial tissue damage in a mammal by selectively upregulating FPR1-mediated ERK signalling. The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in reducing the extent and/or severity of myocardial tissue damage associated with conditions characterized by myocardial ischaemia or myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion, such as acute myocardial infarction caused by atherosclerotic artery occlusion or blood clot-induced artery occlusion.

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 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: 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: 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: Density modulated thin film electrodes, methods of making the same, and applications of the same. The density modulated thin film electrode includes a substrate formed of a current collecting material, and a thin film formed of an electrode material on the substrate. The thin film has a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and a density that is changed with a distance defined from the first surface to a plane in the thin film, the plane being parallel to the first surface. The method includes depositing the electrode material on the substrate to form the thin film, where, during deposition of the electrode material, a pressure of an operating gas is controlled and changed to a predetermined pressure value according to a deposited thickness of the electrode material, so as to make the density of the thin film changed with the distance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for forming microparticles useful for cell seeding and for conjugating protein to the surface of the microparticles. The method comprises co-injecting an organic solution of PLGA or other polymer with an aqueous solution into a flow focusing tube.

Abstract: Improved devices, systems, and methods treatment of patients can be used to help mitigate injury to the kidneys by applying cyclical mechanical pressure energy at low intensities. The energy often be selectively directed from non-invasive transducers disposed outside the patients. The energy will typically comprise low frequency ultrasound energy, shock wave energy, or the like, and may induce the generation and/or release of nitric oxide, thereby enhancing perfusion and ameliorating tissue damage. Superimposed micro and macro duty cycles may help avoid thermal and other injury to tissues of the patient during treatment. Bilateral treatments are facilitated by a support structure that orients at least one transducer toward each kidney.

Abstract: Attenuated isolates of the Arkansas serotype of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), including the IBV isolate ArkGA p60 deposited at the ATCC under Patent Designation PTA-123783, and compositions thereof are presented. Methods for administering the isolates or compositions as vaccines to the prevent virulent IBV infection in birds of the order Galliformes are also presented.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the obtention of an active HBV RNaseH preparation and its use in screening methods to identify potential inhibitors of the enzyme for possible use as therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods of treatment using agents identified according to the screen.

Abstract: The present invention includes the Paramyxovirus Parainfluenza Virus 5 (PIV5) as an oncolytic agent for treating various cancers, including, but not limited to breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma. PIV5 oncolytic agents include both wild type PIV5 and various recombinant PIV5 constructs. Recombinant PIV5 constructs may include PIV5 lacking the conserved C-terminus of the V protein (PIV5V?C), PIV5 with mutations in the N-terminus of the V/P protein (PIV5CPI?), and PIV5 expressing MDA-7/IL-24 (rPIV5-MDA7), rPIV5-V/P-CPI?, rPIV5-CPI+, rPIV5-Rev, rPIV5-RL, rPIV5-P-S157A, rPIV5-P-S308A, rPIV5-L-A1981D, rPIV5-F-5443P, rPIV5-MDA7, rPIV5?SH-CPI?, or rPIV5?SH-Rev. Also included are methods of making and using such oncolytic agents and compositions including such oncolytic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody having an activity to specifically bind to human membrane-anchored form ADAM28 at an epitope in a region of the 524th-659th amino acids in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. In addition, the present invention provides a drug delivery vehicle for delivering a drug to a cell or tissue that expresses human membrane-anchored form ADAM28, which contains the antibody.

Abstract: A method of reducing the level of a transcription product in a cell comprising contacting with the cell a composition comprising a double-stranded nucleic acid complex comprising a first nucleic acid strand annealed to a second nucleic acid strand, wherein: (i) the first nucleic acid strand hybridizes to the transcription product and comprises (a) a region consisting of at least 4 consecutive nucleotides that are recognized by RNase H when the strand is hybridized to the transcription product, (b) one or more nucleotide analogs located on 5? terminal side of the region, (c) one or more nucleotide analogs located on 3? terminal side of the region and (d) a total number of nucleotides and nucleotide analogs ranging from 8 to 35 nucleotides and (ii) the second nucleic acid strand comprises (a) nucleotides and optionally nucleotide analogs and (b) at least 4 consecutive RNA nucleotides.

Abstract: The inventive concepts disclosed and/or claimed herein relate generally to catalysts and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a heterogeneous, metal-free hydrogenation catalyst containing frustrated Lewis pairs. In one non-limiting embodiment, the heterogeneous, metal-free catalyst comprises hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) having frustrated Lewis pairs therein.

Abstract: Provided is a self-restoring macromolecular material that not only has excellent stress relaxation but that can also be easily restored to its original state, even when damaged or severed. Also provided is a method for producing the self-restoring macromolecular material. The self-restoring macromolecular material contains a crosslinked structure that is formed by crosslinking a polymer containing at least a polyrotaxane molecule. The polyrotaxane molecule is formed so as to include a cyclic molecule 21 and a linear molecule that passes through an opening 21a of the cyclic molecule. The crosslinked structure 1 is crosslinked via a reversible bond between the cyclic molecule of the polyrotaxane molecule and a polymer molecule other than the polyrotaxane molecule.