Abstract: Systems and methods for performing optical spectroscopy using a self-calibrating fiber optic probe are disclosed. One self-calibrating fiber optic probe includes a sensing channel for transmitting illumination light to a specimen and for collecting spectral data of the specimen. The spectral data includes the illumination light diffusely reflected from the specimen at one or more wavelengths. The self-calibrating fiber optic probe may also include a calibration channel for transmitting calibration light. The calibration light and the illumination light are generated simultaneously from a common light source. The calibration channel collects calibration spectral data associated with the calibration light contemporaneously with the collection of the spectral data of the specimen.

Abstract: Methods and systems used to perform sweep-free stimulated Brillouin scattering-based fiber optical sensing are described. In one aspect, a method includes interrogating different parts of a Brillouin gain spectrum using multiple optical tones in an optical fiber. The interrogating includes sending at least two pump tones into the optical fiber from one end of the optical fiber, such that a frequency spacing between the pump tones is larger than a width of the Brillouin gain spectrum. The interrogating also includes sending at least two probe tones into the optical fiber from another end of the optical fiber, such that a frequency spacing between the probe tones is different from the frequency spacing between the pump tones. The method further includes generating a sensing output based on the interrogating.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors having mutations in one or more capsid proteins. Exemplary vectors are provided that have altered affinity for heparin or heparin sulfate, as well as vectors, expression systems, and rAAV virions that lack functional VP2 protein expression, but are nevertheless, fully virulent. Also provided by the invention are rAAV vector-based compositions, virus particles, host cells, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise them useful in the expression of selected therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, peptides, antisense oligonucleotides and/or ribozymes in selected mammals, including organs, tissues, and human host cells.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the nucleic and amino acid sequences encoding vaginolysin (VLY) toxin from Gardnerella vaginalis, and biologically active fragments and variants thereof. The invention is also directed to anti-VLY antibodies and to their use therapeutically and in a new ELISA assay of VLY toxin. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to VLY toxoids and to vaccines that use the new VLY toxoids as immunogens.

Abstract: A coating method is disclosed. The coating method comprises placing a substrate and a biomolecule in a chamber and applying a vapor deposition process within the chamber so as to form a solid deposition of the biomolecule on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrode structure capable of separately delivering gas and fluid which is applied to a passive fuel cell. The electrode structure includes an electrode portion and a water removal plate, and the electrode portion is adjacent to the water removal plate. The water removal plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of gas passages passing from the first surface to the second surface, and a plurality of liquid passages disposed on the first surface. The surfaces of the gas passages are treated with hydrophobic treatment, and the surfaces of the liquid passages are treated with hydrophilic treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds for and a method of detecting beta-lactamase activity in a sample. The sample is contacted with a nanoparticulate tag. The nanoparticulate tag comprises a metal or a combination of metals, or it comprises a nanotube of a metal, boron nitride and/or carbon. The respective metal is capable of forming one of a covalent bond, a coordinative bond and a non-covalent interaction with a thio or a seleno group. The sample is contacted with a compound of one of general formulas (I)-(III) and (VII)-(IX). At least one beta-lactam moiety of the compound is cleaved by the beta-lactamase activity in the sample. As a result a cleavage moiety Z-A-Z, Z-A-Z—R15, Z-A-Z—R16, Z-A-Z—R17, Z-A-Z—R18 or Z-G-N(R8)R9 is released that is immobilised on the surface of the nanoparticulate tag by a covalent bond via a Z atom. The presence of beta-lactamase activity is determined based on the presence of the cleavage moiety immobilized onto the surface of the nanoparticulate tag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that control, i.e., antagonize/inhibit or agonize/stimulate, de novo glucocorticoid production in the skin. Such methods and compositions can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including inflammation, acute wounds, chronic non-healing wounds, keloid, fibrotic or hypertrophic scars, and epithelial-derived cancer.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna is provided. A laminated substrate is formed into a structure in which a plurality of substrates having different permittivities are stacked, and a radiator consists of a plurality of unit patches disposed on an upper surface of the laminated substrate and generates an electric field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate. Ground vias are formed from the respective unit patches to a ground plane disposed on a lower surface of the laminated substrate through the substrates constituting the laminated substrate. In the low-profile antenna, the radiator consisting of the plurality of patches is disposed on the upper surface of the laminated substrate having a structure in which the plurality of substrates are stacked to generate a magnetic loop around the patches, so that vertical polarized signals can be received due to a magnetic field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate.

Abstract: In a machine-implemented method for use with a handheld device, a user is able to virtually try on a selected garment using augmented reality. The machine-implemented method includes: (A) establishing a garment database containing information corresponding to at least one garment, the information corresponding to each garment including a backside image of the garment; (B) establishing a marker database containing feature information of a backside marker; and (C) upon determining from a captured image of the user who is tagged with at least one physical maker that the physical marker corresponds to the backside marker, retrieving from the garment database the backside image of a selected garment, and superimposing the retrieved backside image onto the captured image of the user to form a composite image for display on a screen of the handheld device.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a plurality of metallic particles disposed on the carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The carbon nanotube film structure is a free-standing structure.

Abstract: A displacement measuring device is provided which can directly measure a position and shape of a target object with high precision even if the target object has a minute shape with a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The flavonoid luteolin reduces amyloid-? peptide (A?) generation. Luteolin is also a selective GSK-3 inhibitor that 1) decreases amyloidogenic ?-secretase APP processing, and 2) promotes presenilin 1 (PS1) carboxyl-terminal fragment (CTF) phosphorylation. GSK-3? activity is essential for both PS1 CTF phosphorylation states and PS1-APP interaction. These findings were validated in vivo, using a Tg2576 Alzheimer's Disease model system. Luteolin treatment decreased soluble A? levels, reduced GSK-3 activity, and disrupted PS1-APP association. In addition, Tg2576 mice treated with diosmin, a glycoside of a flavone structurally and functionally similar to luteolin (diosmetin), displayed significantly reduced A? pathology as well.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a method of inhibiting an RNA virus infection within a patient by increasing the amount of 2-5 oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5 AS) activity within the patient. Preferably, the preventative and therapeutic methods of the present invention involve administering a nucleotide encoding 2-5 AS, or at least one catalytically active fragment thereof, such as the p40, p69, p100 subunits, to a patient in need thereof. The present inventors have determined that overexpression of 2-5AS causes a reduction in epithelial cell damage, reduction in infiltration of mononuclear cells in the peribronchiolar and perivascular regions, and reduction in thickening of the septa in the lungs. Levels of chemokines, such as MIP1-?, are also reduced upon overexpression of 2-5AS. The subject invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions containing a nucleotide sequence encoding 2-5 AS and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as vectors for delivery of the 2-5 AS nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutical composition thereof, a method of preparing a medicament for the treatment of a cancer, and a method of treating cancers. The invention exhibits merits against cancers such as significantly higher potency and effectiveness over a broader range of cancers. In formula (I), Ra is a benzyl group with alkyl and/or alkoxy; Rb is selected from H and alkyl groups; Rf is an alkyl; and R3 is selected from a substituted phenyl, a heterocyclic group, and wherein Rc is selected from a fused ring, fused rings, and any bivalent cyclic group.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of room-temperature, single-phase, magnetoelectric multiferroic (PbFe0.67W0.33O3)x (PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3)1-x (0.2?x?0.8) (PFWx?PZT1-x) thin films that exhibit high dielectric constants, high polarization, weak saturation magnetization, broad dielectric temperature peak, high-frequency dispersion, low dielectric loss and low leakage current. These properties render them to be suitable candidates for room-temperature multiferroic devices. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a solid structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a solid structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance.

Abstract: A temperature measuring method using a temperature probe in which a temperature-sensitive magnetic substance having an arbitrary Curie point is arranged in a portion to be measured. A magnetic field is generated from a magnetic field generation source disposed at a position away from the portion to be measured. A change of the magnetic flux vector of the magnetic field depending on the temperature of the temperature-sensitive magnetic substance is detected by a magnetic sensor to measure the temperature of the portion to be measured, thereby the temperature of the portion to be measured can be wirelessly measured from the position away from the portion to be measured and the reduction in size can be easy.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating disorders by targeting CLIP molecules and MHC. The methods are useful for treating, inhibiting the development of, or otherwise dealing with diseases such as HIV, blood vessel proliferative disorder, cancer and fibrosis.

Abstract: A method for detecting polarized light is disclosed. Providing a polarized light detection system including a photoresistor, a power source and a detection apparatus. The photoresistor includes a first electrode layer and a photosensitive material layer. The detection apparatus includes a current detection device and a computer analysis system. An incident light is irradiated onto a surface of the photoresistor. Polarization information of the incident light is identified by the photoresistor. Current change in the photoresistor is detected by the current detection device. The polarization information of the incident light is analyzed by the computer analysis system.