Abstract: A transmitter generates a header frame having a frame length indicating the beginning of data to be transmitted, data frames having frame lengths representing the data to be transmitted, and an end frame having a frame length indicating the end of the data to be transmitted. Then, for all of the header frame, data frames and end frame, the transmitter executes transmitting the kth frame when the wireless communication space is available, thereby transmitting the header frame, data frames and end frame, one after another, in accordance with the CSMA/CA scheme.

Abstract: An assistive device for heavy tool operation includes a rectangular frame and four legs extending from the corners of the frame. A tool base can extend through a slot in the frame. The tool base is configured to support a mechanical support arm and tool. A height and horizontal position of the tool base relative to the frame is adjustable. Each leg is connected to a wheel to allow the assistive device to travel with a user. The assistive device can support a majority, if not all, of the weight of an attached heavy tool and mechanical support arm, while allowing the user to operate the tool and adjust its position with minimal applied force.

Abstract: A method for producing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, tautomer or stereoisomer, such as compound 1 and compound 2 is disclosed. The method proceeds through an O-allylated tyrosine-based compound, such as compound 3 and preferably comprises [3,3] sigmatropic Claisen rearrangement and olefin cross metathesis reactions. In addition, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting atherosclerosis using FoxP3+ CD8 T-cells (TcREG). Osteoclasts are induced to produce FoxP3+ CD8 T-cells (TcREG) through introduction of a low-dose of a RANK agonist suck as RANKL. The RANKL was found to best work when provided in accordance with a schedule resulting in a pulsed administration.

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: Method of refining metal alloys A method of refining the grain size of (i) an alloy comprising aluminum and at least 3% w/w silicon or (ii) an alloy comprising magnesium, comprises the steps of (a) adding sufficient niobium and boron to the alloy in order to form niobium diboride or Al3Nb or both, or (b) adding niobium diboride to the alloy, or (c) adding Al3Nb to the alloy, or (d) any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of generating soluble polyphosphides using solution chemistry is presented. A reaction between potassium ethoxide in THF/DME and shelf stable red phosphorus generated soluble polyphosphides in a variety of organic solvents with the 31P NMR spectrum being used to detect the species of polyphosphides produced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for measuring blood volume using non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The method of the present invention includes a subtraction-based method using a pair of acquisitions immediately following velocity-sensitized pulse trains for the label module and its corresponding control module, respectively. The signal of static tissue is canceled out and the difference signal comes from the flowing blood compartment above a cutoff velocity. After normalizing to a proton density-weighted image acquired separately and scaled with the blood T1 and T2 relaxation factors, quantitative measurement of blood volume is then obtained.

Abstract: Smooth muscle cells (SMC) from subjects carrying at least one 9p21 risk factor, can be resistant to efferocytosis, leading to the retention of such cells in the necrotic core of atherosclerotic plaque. In the methods of the invention, an agent that increases efferocytosis of cellular components of coronary plaque, including efferocytosis of apoptotic smooth muscle cells, is administered to the subject in a dose and for a period of time effective to stabilize, prevent or reduce atherosclerotic plaque in the individual.

Abstract: Methods of isolating and assaying fetal extravillous trophoblast cells, including assays of RNA of the fetal extravillous trophoblast cells according to aspects of the disclosure include obtaining a maternal endocervical sample containing fetal extravillous trophoblast cells from a pregnant subject; fixing the maternal endocervical sample in an aldehyde fixative, removing fetal extravillous trophoblast cells from the maternal endocervical sample thereby producing isolated extravillous trophoblast cells, isolating and assaying RNA from the fetal extravillous trophoblast cells.

Abstract: A corneal young's modulus algorithm and system using the same is provided, comprising a tonometer and a computation unit. The computation unit comprises an algorithm for calculating young's modulus. The algorithm comprises: (S1) read at least one parameter measured by a tonometer; (S2) apply the at least one parameter and an initial value of Young's modulus to a first equation to obtain an inner deformation amount and an outer deformation amount; (S3) apply the inner deformation amount and the outer deformation amount to a second equation to obtain a calculated deformation amount; (S4) determine if an error value between the calculated deformation amount and the actual deformation amount is minimal; and (S5) obtain Young's modulus.

Abstract: The method of recycling carbon fiber prepreg waste includes collecting uncured carbon fiber prepreg waste, where the carbon fiber prepreg waste still includes the backing film associated with the carbon fiber prepreg (typically in the form of a colored polyethylene layer). The uncured carbon fiber prepreg waste is then shredded and inserted into either an open or a closed mold. The mold is then inserted into a hot press, where the shredded carbon fiber prepreg waste is cured under selected temperature and pressure for a selected period of time, dependent upon the particular volume of waste and the desired recycled product. Alternatively, the shredded carbon fiber prepreg waste may be rolled in a hot metallic roller or extruded in a hot melt extruder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing, delaying, preventing and/or inhibiting the progression of a Cryptococcus infection into the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject by inhibiting the activity of a M36 fungalysin metalloprotease (e.g., MPR1) secreted by the Cryptococcus. The invention further provides methods of increasing, promoting and/or enhancing delivery of a therapeutic agent across the blood-brain-barrier, comprising systemically administering the therapeutic agent in conjunction with a M36 fungalysin metalloprotease (e.g., MPR1), or an enzymatically active fragment thereof.

Abstract: A method, wireless device and computer program product for expanding the coverage of a cellular network. A wireless device (e.g., cellular telephone) is able to communicate with a base station in a cell of the cellular network over a non-cellular interface via another wireless device in a cell through the use of multi-hopping. A wireless device may request permission to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off another wireless device when its signal strength is below a threshold. Alternatively, a wireless device may receive a request to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off the wireless device that sent the request when that wireless device has excess capacity in its bandwidth with the base station. By enabling wireless devices to communicate with a base station in such a manner, the effective capacity of the cellular network is expanded and the effective capacity of the cellular network is improved.

Abstract: A system, and methods, for transmitting encrypted information as a quantum transmission between a first node and a second node, or among more than two nodes. Each node is characterized by an instantaneous spatial position, and the instantaneous spatial position of the second node is repositionable within a frame of reference associated with the first node. A hovering drone is adapted either for running a quantum key transmission protocol in secure communication with the first node, and/or for running a quantum key reception protocol in secure communication with the second node. Either drone may serve as a relay of optical data between a base station and another drone. Secure communication among more than two nodes may be reconfigured.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an HSV vector comprising a mutant gB and/or a mutant gH glycoprotein, where the viral envelope further comprises a non-native ligand specific for a protein present on the surface of a predetermined cell type. In another embodiment, the invention provides an HSV vector comprising (a) a mutant gC and/or gD envelope glycoprotein which comprises a non-native ligand specific for a protein present on the surface of a predetermined cell type; and (b) a mutant envelope glycoprotein other than gD.

Abstract: Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula MxOyAlBrzX]?H+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions, and methods of use thereof, are provided and have utility in inhibiting hedgehog signaling and/or phosphodiesterase-4 activity.

Abstract: A glucose rate increase detector (GRID) for use in an artificial pancreas (AP), wherein the GRID detects in a person persistent increases in glucose associated with a meal, and either triggers a meal bolus to blunt meal peak safely, during closed-loop control, or alerts the person to bolus for a meal, during open-loop control.

Abstract: A method of treating fulminant hepatic failure in a subject, includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to the subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a DLL4 cytokine. A method of treating liver failure, sub-acute liver failure, chronic liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure in a subject, includes administering an therapeutically effective amount of a DLL4 cytokine to the subject.