Abstract: The workflow automation system is a secure, online web-based system that automates any office workflow in a minimal amount of time by providing appropriate customizations and ASP.net forms, the customizations including name of the system, task-names, role names, names of actions on each task, order of tasks, etc. After the customizations, the workflow automation system is executable to provide each role a secure login with a central HR repository; an application that the role is responsible for; active task(s) in the application, etc. The desired web forms can be made in ASP.net using provided templates for forms, and controls to define what to do when by whom. The workflow automation system includes automatic sending of e-mail reminders to complete tasks after certain administrator-defined intervals, application tracking, parallel and sequential task processing, easy concealment of certain role names from others, and an easy method to provide Instructions on each web page.

Abstract: Provided are a plasma chamber and a substrate treating apparatus. The plasma chamber includes a housing in which a gas is injected to generate plasma, a first coil disposed on one surface of the housing, and a second coil disposed on the other surface of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides Parotid Secretory Protein peptides, nucleic acids encoding the peptides, and methods of using the peptides, and methods of screening GL13 mimetics.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful to treat respiratory diseases such as whooping cough. Further, compositions and methods of immunizing are provided.

Abstract: Optical systems based on an objective lens comprising one or more plastic lens elements are disclosed. The inclusion of plastic lens element reduces one or more of system cost, size, weight, and/or complexity. The chromatic performance of some imaging systems in accordance with the present invention is improved by incorporation of a diffractive surface into the entry surface of the objective lens.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adaptive background estimation. In one embodiment, among others, a signal processing device includes at least one processing unit and a memory storing a background estimation system executable in the at least one processing unit. The background estimation system, when executed, causes the signal processing device to separate foreground objects from at least one image frame in a sequence of image frames based at least in part upon a correntropy cost function. In another embodiment, a method includes obtaining an image frame from a sequence of image frames; performing correntropy filtering on the image frame to separate foreground objects from the image frame; and providing the foreground objects for rendering. The correntropy filtering may adapt to compensate for diffusion effects in the image frame.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for delivering tumor associated antigens and immune modulatory molecules to result in a therapeutic effect are disclosed. The compositions and methods use stably integrating lentiviral delivery systems. The methods are useful for therapeutically and prophylactically treating cancer such as colon cancer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional positioning method includes establishing the geometric model of optical and radar sensors, obtaining rational function conversion coefficient, refining the rational function model and positioning the three-dimensional coordinates. Most of the radar satellite companies and part of the optical satellite only provide satellite ephemeris data, rather than the rational function model. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the rational polynomial coefficients from the geometric model of optical and radar sensors; followed by refining the rational function model by the ground control points, so that object image space intersection is more serious; and then followed by measuring the conjugate point on the optical and radar images. Finally, the observation equation is established by the rational function model to solve the three-dimensional coordinates. It is obvious from the above results that the integration of optical and radar images does achieve the three-dimensional positioning.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing painful intervertebral discs. The present disclosure also provides methods of treating a painful intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A regulated deployment of a toxin gene for developmental programmed cell death in bacteria is described. M. xanthus is demonstrated to have a solitary mazF gene that lacks a cotranscribed antitoxin gene. Deletion of mazF results in elimination of the obligatory cell death during development causing dramatic reduction in spore formation. Surprisingly, MrpC functions as a MazF antitoxin and a mazF transcription activator. Transcription of mrpC and mazF is negatively regulated via MrpC phosphorylation by a Ser/Thr kinase cascade. Various methods of exploiting this novel pathway are described herein.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to a machine that stabilizes the lumbar spine in anatomic position while stretching the hamstrings, tensor fascia lata, and lliotibial (IT) band.

Abstract: Piezoelectric transducer arrays and methods of making the same are discussed. Such an array can include a piezoelectric film comprising a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments can be separated by trenches of a plurality of trenches in the piezoelectric film. Additionally, such an array can include a plurality of electrodes attached to the plurality of segments.

Abstract: Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a first metal oxide composite layer. The second electrode is opposite to the first electrode. The first metal oxide composite layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first metal oxide composite layer has a film layer and a nanorod structure.

Abstract: A method of producing graphene comprises forming a composition comprising magnesium and carbon, and isolating graphene from the composition. The isolated graphene is crystalline.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus adapted for the free-form manufacture of complex systems using multiple three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques using multiple materials on a continuously rotating disk with a flat surface in combination with the continuous increasing of distance between the material(s) source(s) and the build surface so as to allow for the continuous feed manufacturing of 3D Objects and complex systems. The continuous rotation of the build platform in combination with the continuous z-axis motion of the build platform results in the deposit of a continuously forming helically shaped layer that folds back onto previously deposited sections of the helix and thereby forms a 3D object or system of objects.

Abstract: Encoding of quantum algorithm and devices therefrom are provided. The encoding includes receiving a unitary matrix operator representing the quantum algorithm, each row of the unitary matrix operator defining a superposition of basis state vectors for transforming input states to output states. The encoding also includes recording rows of the unitary matrix operator by applying, to a volume holographic element, a combination of an ith one of n reference waves and a superposition of n signal waves defined by the superposition defined in an ith row of the unitary matrix operator. The n signal waves are a first set of n plane waves lying on a first conical surface having a first half angle and the n reference waves are a second set of n plane waves lying on a second conical surface, concentric with the first conical surface, with a second half angle different that the first half angle.

Abstract: Provided are image processing method and apparatus. The method includes selecting one of a plurality of images matched in structure as reference image, and select another of the images as subject image; for a subject pixel in the subject image, determining a pixel corresponding to the subject pixel in the reference image; calculating similarity values of at least part of pixels in the reference image with respect to the pixel corresponding to the subject pixel; establishing weight coefficients based on the similarity values, and weighted averaging the subject pixel in the subject image to obtain a processed pixel value. With the above solutions, it is possible to use structure information of a higher-quality image in processing another image, and thus improve quality of the other image.

Abstract: Two novel polyprenylated benzoylphloroglucinol derivatives, garciesculentones A and C, are disclosed in the present invention. Garciesculentones A and C exhibit cytotoxicity and/or antimigration effect against various cancer cell lines. The experimental results of the present invention suggest that Garciesculentones A and C are useful for developing into anticancer drugs.

Abstract: An oral appliance for administering a stimulus, such as a substance, to the mouth of a user includes a flexible tube having an inlet portion, a first curved portion forming an ear loop connected to the inlet portion, a second curved portion forming a lip bend connected to the first curved portion, and an outlet portion extending from the second curved portion. Alternatively, a mouthpiece for delivering a substance to the mouth of a user includes a housing having an inlet portion, a riser portion extending upwardly from the inlet portion and a curved outlet portion. A flexible tube is coupled to the housing. A method of delivering a substance to a predetermined location in a user's mouth includes disposing a flexible tube between a row of teeth and an interior surface of a cheek. The flexible tube has an exit port positioned in a rear portion of the user's mouth.