Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging analysis by a two-step process. Firstly, a MALDI matrix is dusted on to the sample followed by a spray of a suitable solvent onto the dusted sample. The present method has been successfully applied to the detection and mapping of several analyte classes in latent fingermarks. Using the present two-step method, fingermark enhancement, recovery and analysis from different substrate surfaces is now possible enabling visual and chemical information to be obtained simultaneously via remote testing.

Abstract: A package structure comprises a substrate, a plurality of first electronic components, at least a second electronic component, a first covering layer and a wiring layer. A surface of the substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first electronic components are disposed in the first region, wherein at least one of the first electronic components has a first conductive contact. The second electronic component is disposed in the second region. The first covering layer includes a recess and a first exposing region for exposing the first conductive contact. The wiring layer is formed on the recess and electronically coupled to the first conductive contact.

Abstract: Methods for inactivating Sin3B and its associated activities to prevent, inhibit or attenuate hematopoietic stem cell exhaustion and chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced hematologic cytotoxicity are provided.

Abstract: ‘Green’ composites are fabricated using resins, such as soy-based resins, and reinforced with crystalline high strength bacterial cellulose (BC) fibers. Bacterial cellulose is produced by providing a bacterial cellulose-producing bacterium such as Acetobacter xylinum; providing an inexpensive bacteria nutritional medium; culturing the bacterium in the bacteria nutritional medium under conditions to produce bacterial cellulose; and isolating bacterial cellulose produced by cultured bacteria from the bacteria nutritional medium. The bacteria nutritional medium comprises an inexpensive carbon source that is a plant-based seed extract. The seed extract is derived from a plant-based seed comprising soluble sugars.

Abstract: OLEDs containing a stacked hybrid architecture including a phosphorescent organic emissive unit and two fluorescent organic emissive units are disclosed. The stacked hybrid architecture includes a plurality of electrodes and a hybrid emissive stacked disposed between at least two of the electrodes. The stack contains at least three emissive units and at least two charge generation layers. At least one of the three emissive units is a phosphorescent organic emissive unit and at least two of the three emissive units are fluorescent organic emissive units. More specifically, the two fluorescent organic emissive units may be blue organic emissive units that emit light from the same or different color regions.

Abstract: A pile with a low effective Poisson's ratio is disclosed, which greatly reduces the sound coupling to the water and sediment or other ground when driving piles. In some embodiments the pile includes geometric features that reduce the radial amplitude of the compression wave generated during hammering by providing a space for circumferential expansion along the length of the pile. The geometric features may comprise slots and/or grooves. In an embodiment, a driving shoe has a perimeter that extends beyond the pile tube such that the sediment produces less of a binding force on the pile. The pile may be formed as a double-shelled pile with either or both shells having effective low Poisson's ratio properties. A bubble generating plenum may be attached to the shoe to further reduce friction during installation.

Abstract: A holding structure holds a biopsy needle and a HIFU transducer to allow smooth and accurate delivery of the HIFU beam at the interface of the liver, where bleeding will occur. This manipulator structure performs the biopsy and HIFU through the percutaneous approach. In addition, the procedure is imaged by an imaging ultrasound probe. This imaging ultrasound probe can track the needle entry site even when needle has been removed. The HIFU transducer fires a short pulse of HIFU in the needle tract to cause coagulation and stop bleeding.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for authenticating location-based services without compromising location privacy, which comprises a comprehensive solution that preserves unconditional location privacy when authenticating either range queries using three authentication schemes for R-tree and grid-file index, together with two optimization techniques, or k-nearest neighbor queries using two authentication schemes for R-tree and Voronoi Diagram index.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an automatic external defibrillator including an anterior pad designed such that it can be used during an endoscopic or surgical procedure that may generate electromagnetic interference. The anterior pad has a first arm adhered longitudinally along and substantially parallel to a left side of a sternum of the subject and a second arm adhered along a 5th intercostal space of the subject. The device also includes a posterior pad. Both the anterior and posterior pads include electrodes for delivering a shock to the subject. The device can also include a wearable component containing sensing electrodes for measuring heart rhythms and a transmitting them to a monitor. The monitor monitors these heart rhythms and alerts the subject or medical care providers to irregularities in the rhythms.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel application of fibrinogen-420 and its active domain (alpha EC domain), and a separate alpha EC domain protein has the same or similar function with fibrinogen-420. Fibrinogen-420 and its active domain can be widely used in inhibiting protein aggregation, helping protein refolding, drugs which can prevent and/or treat protein conformation disease, detecting denatured protein in quality control and protect protein from denaturation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hepatic lobule-like bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a nanofiber scaffold enclosed within a housing. An intrahepatic fibrous vascular network, a bile capillary network, upper hepatic bile ducts, lower hepatic bile ducts, a common bile duct connecting the upper and the lower hepatic bile ducts, and collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes surrounded by the bile capillary network are distributed throughout the nanofiber scaffold. Bile capillaries in the bile capillary network are provided with two or more inlet ports for biliary epithelial cells. The collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes are provided with two or more inlet ports for hepatocytes. The intrahepatic vascular network is provided with a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port.

Abstract: A catalytic article for decomposition of a volatile organic compound includes a porous support body, a plurality of active centers formed on the support body and adapted for catalytic decomposition of the volatile organic compound, and a plurality of capture centers bound to the support body. Each of the active centers is composed of one of a noble metal, a transition metal oxide, and the combination thereof. Each of the capture centers includes at least one functional group that is adapted for attracting or binding the volatile organic compound. A method for preparing the catalytic article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite comprising a conducting polymer and a graphene-based material is provided. The composite includes a graphene-based material doped with nitrogen or having a nitrogen-containing species grafted thereon, and a conducting polymer arranged on the graphene-based material. Methods of preparing the composite, and electrodes formed from the composite are also provided.

Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first electrode, an active layer formed over and electrically connected with the first electrode, a buffer layer formed over and electrically connected with the active layer, and a second electrode formed directly on the buffer layer. The second electrode includes a plurality of nanowires interconnected into a network of nanowires. The buffer layer provides a physical barrier between the active layer and the plurality of nanowires to prevent damage to the active layer while the second electrode is formed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging. In one aspect, a method includes providing a transparent tip comprising a dielectric material. A four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure is formed at an apex of the transparent tip using a focused ion beam. Metal layers are deposited over two opposing sides of the four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure.

Abstract: Provided herein are products, uses and method classifying a subject afflicted with breast cancer according to a ClinicoMolecular Triad Classification (CMTC)-1, CMTC-2 or CMTC-3 class. The method involves: (i) determining a subject expression profile, said subject expression profile comprising the mRNA expression levels of a plurality of genes that classify breast cancer into three groups by hierarchal clustering TN and Her2+ breast cancers into one class (CMTC genes), in a breast cancer cell sample taken from said subject; (ii) calculating a measure of similarity between said subject expression profile, and one or more of: a) a CMTC-1 reference profile, b) a CMTC-2 reference profile, and c) a CMTC-3 reference profile; and (iii) classifying said subject.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring agricultural material from a transferring vehicle to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle, and detecting and filling void areas of the agricultural material is disclosed. A transferring vehicle having a spout transfers agricultural material to a storage portion of a receiving vehicle. An imaging device associated with the transferring vehicle and facing towards the storage portion of the receiving vehicle collects imaging data. An image processing module is operable to, based on the imaging data, estimate fill levels of agricultural material within the storage portion; identify an area of the storage portion as targeted to fill; and identify a first void within the targeted area. A controller in communication with the image processing module is configured to command the spout to a position to direct agricultural material to the first void.

Abstract: Disclosing is a preparation apparatus of a porous alumina plate, including an electrolytic tank, an aluminum substrate, a negative electrode, a thermostatic apparatus, a circulation apparatus, and a power supply. The electrolytic tank includes an accommodating space and connects to a first opening and a second opening of the accommodating space, respectively, and a slot wall of the electrolytic tank is installed with an input tube and an output tube. The accommodating space is used to accommodate an electrolyte. The aluminum substrate and the negative electrode are installed on the first opening and the second opening, respectively, to contact the electrolyte. The thermostatic apparatus is used to maintain a temperature of the electrolyte, and the circulation apparatus is connected to the thermostatic apparatus and the electrolytic tank to circularly transport the electrolyte in the thermostatic apparatus and the electrolytic tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for modulating immune system comprising at least one polysaccharide extracted from Radix Astragali, Radix Codonopsis, Ganoderma sinense, or mixtures thereof, and their extraction process. The present invention further relates to a method of modulating immune system by applying said pharmaceutical composition to a subject suffering from cancers, and a method of preventing and/or pretreating and/or treating cancers in the subject, where said method comprises applying said pharmaceutical composition before/during chemotherapy.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to integrated energy-harvesting piezoelectric cantilevers. The cantilevers are fabricated using sol-gel processing using a sacrificial poly-Si seeding layer. Improvements in film microstructure and electrical properties are realized by introducing a poly-Si seeding layer and by optimizing the poling process.