Abstract: The present invention provides methods of diagnosing and identifying subjects as having GERD comprising detecting E-cadherin fragments in a biological sample from the subject. The invention further provides methods for identifying subjects as having heartburn that is responsive to proton pump inhibitor therapy and subjects having an increased likelihood of a rapid relapse of GERD after reducing the dosage of PPIs or terminating PPI therapy. In addition, the present invention provides methods for monitoring the healing of erosive and nonerosive esophagitis of GERD without the need for esophagogastroduodenoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy, respectively.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element according to an embodiment includes: a base layer; a first magnetic layer formed on the base layer, and including a first magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the first magnetic film including MnxGa100-x (45?x<64 atomic %); a first nonmagnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer formed on the first nonmagnetic layer, and including a second magnetic film having an axis of easy magnetization in a direction perpendicular to a film plane, the second magnetic film including MnyGa100-y (45?y<64 atomic %). The first and second magnetic layers include different Mn composition rates from each other, a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer is changeable by a current flowing between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer via the first nonmagnetic layer.

Abstract: A haptic actuator using a cellulose electro-active paper film is provided. The haptic actuator includes a cellulose electro-active paper film exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon and a metal electrode for applying electricity to the electro-active paper film, so that the haptic actuator can be provided in the form of a thin film, can manifest high transparency, and can produce displacement to the magnitude of sufficiently stimulating the sensor receptors of a user's skin in response to the applied electricity. Also, the haptic actuator is friendly to the environment and humans thanks to the use of cellulose which is an environmentally friendly material.

Abstract: The working support robot system of the present invention includes: a robot arm (11); a measuring unit (12) for measuring the worker's position; a work progress estimation unit (13) for estimating the work progress based on data input from the measuring unit (12) while referring to data on work procedure, and for selecting objects necessary for the next task when the work is found to have advanced to the next procedure; and an arm motion planning unit (14) for planning the trajectory of the robot arm (11) to control the robot arm (11) based on the work progress estimated by the work progress estimation unit (13) and selected objects. The working support robot system can deliver objects such as tools and parts to the worker according to the work to be performed by the worker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for One-Time Password (OTP) authentication with infinite nested hash chains are described. In one aspect, a methodology includes a client device that provides a one-time password (OTP) authentication server with certain registration information. The client device generates, via the OTP authentication server, an authenticated OTP with infinite nested hash chains, These generating operations use a first hash function (hA (?)) for updating a seed chain, a second hash function (hB (•)) for OTP production, an OTP seed number stOTP for a tth authentication, and two authentication seeds of numbers s2t?1Auth and s2tAuth, for the tth authentication.

Abstract: An external bone fixing member includes an external reconstruction plate to replace the conventional large external support frame to reduce the volume of the external fixing member and the external bone fixing member is cooperated with a screw which is angle adjustable so as to meet requirements of fixation of the fractured bones (limb bones) at different positions or comminuted fractures. The use of the screw is further cooperated with the reconstruction plate to reinforce the stability of the connection between the reconstruction plate and the screw to prevent the screw from withdrawing, moving, angle changing or movement of the reconstruction plate.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating cancer or inducing apoptosis in proliferating cells. The compounds are shown in formula I: wherein X is selected from hydroxyl, thiol, and amino; Y is selected from carboxyl and sulfonyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, and combinations thereof; R5, R6, and R7 are selected from hydrogen, halo, ni tro, amino, methoxy, and combinations thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and techniques for frequency-dependent optical switching are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a substrate, a first optical-field confining structure located on the substrate, a second optical-field confining structure located on the substrate, and a composite structure located between the first and second optical-field confining structures. The second optical-field confining structure may be spaced apart from the first optical-field confining structure. The composite structure may include an embedding structure with a surface to receive photons and multiple quantum structures located in the embedding structure.

Abstract: A real-time method employing a portable peptide-containing potentiometric biosensor, can directly detect and/or quantify bacterial spores. Two peptides for specific recognition of B. subtilis and B. anthracis Sterne may be immobilized by a polysiloxane monolayer immobilization (PMI) technique. The sensors translate the biological recognition event into a potential change by detecting, for example, B. subtilis spores in a concentration range of 0.08-7.3×104 CFU/ml. The sensing method exhibited highly selective recognition properties towards Bacillus subtilis spores over other kinds of spores. The selectivity coefficients of the sensors for other kinds of spores are in the range of 0-1.0×10?5. The biosensor method not only has the specificity to distinguish Bacillus subtilis spores in a mixture of B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis (thur.) Kurstaki spores, but also can discriminate between live and dead B. subtilis spores. Furthermore, the sensing method can distinguish a Bacillus subtilis 1A700 from other B.

Abstract: A layer-ID detector for multilayer 3D-IC, including a random generator to generate a random signal, a layer-ID designation mechanism circuit coupled to the random generator to generate a layer-ID designating signal, and a counter coupled to the layer-ID designating signal to output a layer-ID signal.

Abstract: Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference therapy targeting hypoxia inducible factor—lot (HIF-1 ?) prolyl-4-hydroxylase protein (HIF-PHD2) is used for treatment of myocardial ischemia. This treatment can be followed noninvasively by molecular imaging. Provided are compositions comprising novel vectors encoding shRNA targeting the HIF-1? and asparaginyl hydroxylase genes. The vectors encoding shRNA are also useful for the treatment of cardiac diseases, peripheral vascular diseases and decubitis ulcers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders with steroid, NSAID, and/or adenosine triphosphatase (“ATPase”) modulator agents. In these methods, the steroidal, NSAID, and/or ATPase compositions and formulations are administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disorder, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).

Abstract: Device and methods for use of these devices to manipulate substantially non-magnetic particles dispersed inside a magnetic fluid by employing a changeable pattern of local magnetic field maxima and minima are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are OspA polypeptides from Lyme Disease-causing Borrelia having certain alteration(s). In one embodiment, the alteration(s) increase the conformational stability of the OspA polypeptide containing the alteration(s) while maintaining at least some of the antigenicity of the corresponding unaltered OspA polypeptide. In another embodiment, the altered OspA polypeptide has reduced cross-reactivity to hLFA-1, as compared to the corresponding unaltered OspA polypeptide.

Abstract: New (E)-styryl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1 and A new method of obtaining (E)-styryl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1. A denotes: phenylmethylsilyl, 1,4-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene, 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)ethane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, R? denotes: tri(isopropyl)silyl, 1-pentyl, 2-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-butyl, 1-(trimethylsiloxy)-1-cyclohexyl, triethylgermyl, R? denotes: H or Cl and when A denotes phenylmethylsilyl then R? denotes also methyl or a methoxy group. A method of obtaining (E)-styrylalkynylsubstituted silicon compounds having the generalized formula 1 where A, R? and R? denote the same as stated above by way of a silylative coupling reaction between a suitable substituted styrene and a suitable vinyl-alkynylsubstituted silicon compound in the presence of a ruthenium(II) complex as catalyst.

Abstract: A system, and computer implemented method are provided for interactively displaying three-dimensional structures. Three-dimensional volume data (34) is formed from a series of two-dimensional images (33) representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure, such as a body organ having a lumen. A wire frame model of a selected region of interest is generated (38b). The wireframe model is then deformed or reshaped to more accurately represent the region of interest (40b). Vertices of the wire frame model may be grouped into regions having a characteristic indicating abnormal structure, such as a lesion. Finally, the deformed wire frame model may be rendered in an interactive three-dimensional display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for prediction of a film material such as a raw material for organic EL. In the method, a film material having an evaporation rate (V(%)) represented by the formula below can be predicted based on the values of the constant (Ko) and the activation energy (Ea). V=(Ko/P)×e?Ea/kT wherein Ko represents a constant (%·Torr), P represents a pressure (Torr), Ea represents an activation energy (eV), k represents a Boltzmann constant, and T represents an absolute temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making articles, and systems for providing wool article have self-cleaning properties. The self-cleaning properties are brought about coating the wool articles with a photocatalyst formulation. The formulation contains titanium compounds, stabilizers, catalysts, and water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a 3D image capture device and a symmetric prism array for the same. The symmetric prism array comprises a plurality of right triangle prisms, wherein the longer legs of the right triangle prisms are arranged along an identical line on the incident plane, and wherein the right triangle prisms are left-right symmetric with respect to a central symmetry line, and wherein the normals of the hypotenuses of the right triangle prisms diverge from the central symmetry line. The symmetric prism array that captures light from two different directions is arranged in front of the lens of the 3D image capture device, whereby the 3D image capture device can capture images from two different directions simultaneously. After the image processing by the 3D image capture device, 3D images are presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing photocatalytic activity. Nanoparticulate matter comprising a strontium titanate ferrite of the general formula SrTi1-xFexO3- is provided, in which x is any value from 0 to 1. The nanoparticulate matter is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 800 nm.