Abstract: Plasma sensors, systems and related methods are described. An example method for predicting an event includes providing a carrier signal across two electrodes and forming a plasma between the two electrodes. The example method also includes measuring a modulated signal from the plasma, manipulating the modulated signal to produce a value and comparing the value to a threshold. Finally, the example method includes determining the likelihood of the event based on the comparison.

Abstract: Preparation methods for introducing liquid samples to gas analysis instruments include 1) complete evaporation of a liquid sample in a sample chamber, and 2) allowing the sample vapor in the sample chamber to equilibrate for a predetermined time. An inert carrier gas (e.g., dry nitrogen or zero air) is also admitted to the sample chamber. After equilibration, the sample vapor is admitted as a conditioned sample to an analysis instrument. Preferably, the predetermined equilibration time is sufficiently long that the sample vapor in the sample chamber becomes substantially homogeneous with respect to both concentration and isotopic ratio. Vapor derived from a liquid calibration standard in this manner can be employed as an accurate gas-phase calibration reference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting reperfusion injury in the brain. The method involve injecting via the carotid artery or jugular vein an antioxidant-loaded nanoparticle. A nanoparticle formulation containing an inert plasticizer is also provided for sustained release of an active agent.

Abstract: Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

Abstract: The hash functions using elliptic curve cryptography are hash functions that are produced using both an elliptic curve and a twist of the elliptic curve. Hash points are assigned values that either correspond to points on the elliptic curve or to points on the twist, depending upon whether the scalar value of the corresponding message block produces a quadratic residue or a quadratic non-residue when substituted as the x-value into the elliptic curve equation. The corresponding hash point x-coordinates are concatenated to form the hash bit string. The hash points may be doubled, and the hash functions may be applied to multimedia data by applying a media compression method to the message data before computing the hash points.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered bacteriophages that express at least one biofilm degrading enzyme on their surface and uses thereof for degrading bacterial biofilms. The invention also provides genetically engineered bacteriophages expressing the biofilm degrading enzymes and proteins necessary for the phage to replicate in different naturally occurring biofilm producing bacteria. The phages of the invention allow a method of biofilm degradation by the use of one or only a few administration of the phage because the system using these phages is self perpetuating, and capable of degrading biofilm even when the concentration of bacteria within the biofilm is low.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, including cancers, by administering to the affected mammal (e.g., human) an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more oligonucleotides which share at least 33% but less than 100% nucleotide sequence identity with the human telomere overhang repeat. Methods of treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative diseases or pre-cancerous conditions affecting epithelial cells, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or hyperprolferative diseases of other epithelia and methods for reducing photoaging, or oxidative stress or for prophylaxis against or reduction in the likelihood of the development of skin cancer, are also disclosed. The compositions and methods are also useful to treating other cancers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing or inhibiting bone resorption, osteoclast differentiation and stimulation and the loosening of medical prostheses by administering a compound or agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as the adenosine A2A receptor, in particular, an agonist of an adenosine A2A receptor. The invention also extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such an agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as an adenosine A2A agonist and to prosthetic devices containing such an agent that modulates an adenosine receptor such as an A2A agonist on one or more surfaces or within the prosthetic device such as, for example, suspended in the cement forming the prosthetic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound represented by the formula (I) below as a dihydronaphthalene compound having a chemical structure which is excellent in production efficiency when compared with lasofoxifene and nafoxidine. This compound is useful as a proteasome inhibitor and/or an antitumor agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric molecules comprising a virus coat sequence and a receptor sequence that can inter-act with each other to form a complex that is capable of binding a co-receptor. Such chimeric molecules therefore exhibit functional properties characteristic of a receptor-coat protein complex and are useful as agents that inhibit virus infection of cells due to occn-panty of co-receptor present on the cell, for example. In particular aspects, the chimeric polypeptide includes an immunodeficiency virus envelope polypeptide, such as that of HIV, SIV, FIV, FeLV, FPV and herpes virus. Receptor sequences suitable for use in a chimeric polypeptide include, for example, CCR5 and CXCR4 sequences.

Abstract: A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for configuring a pattern recognizer using versatile, readily available data, comprehensive protein data, and comprehensive chemical data, as well as a method for predicting an unknown interaction of a pair by using the pattern recognizer-configuring method. An interaction such as the coupling between a protein and a chemical is used as an index; at least one of four parameters is vectorized; a vector containing elements of the vector derived from each protein and elements of the vector derived from each chemical paired with the protein is created; and a support vector machine (SVM) is applied to this vector and trained to learn them, where the pattern recognizer is configured so as to discriminate between a class to which the first pair belong and a class to which the second pair belong.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a discrete event simulation (DES) tool which combines the process-driven model and the event-driven model. This integrated process (which uses entities) and event simulation framework according to the various embodiments provides a platform that is appropriate for all combinations of simulation model requirements and at the same time provides higher level of model abstraction. The DES tool instantiates a new paradigm that permits flow of entities at the event-driven model layer that is analogous to their treatment at the process-driven model layer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A method for preparing a tolbutamide particle is provided. The method comprises steps of mixing a bulk drug of tolbutamide with a supercritical fluid to form a supercritical mixture; and expanding the supercritical mixture to obtain the tolbutamide particle.

Abstract: Methods for preventing activation of hardware backdoors installed in a digital circuit, the digital circuit comprising one or more hardware units to be protected. A timer is repeatedly initiated for a period less than a validation epoch, and the hardware units are reset upon expiration of the timer to prevent activation of a time-based backdoor. Data being sent to the hardware unit is encrypted in an encryption element to render it unrecognizable to a single-shot cheat code hardware backdoor present in the hardware unit. The instructions being sent to the hardware unit are reordered randomly or pseudo-randomly, with determined sequential restraints, using an reordering element, to render an activation instruction sequence embedded in the instructions unrecognizable to a sequence cheat code hardware backdoor present in the hardware unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for protecting network resources from denial of service attacks. In one exemplary embodiment, a responder stores an access filter value used to determine whether an incoming message frame has been transmitted from an authorized user. In this regard, a user communication device includes logic for determining the access filter value stored at the responder and, includes the access filter value in a message frame transmitted from the computer to the responder. The responder compares the received access filter value to the stored access filter value. If such values match or otherwise correspond, the responder authenticates the message frame. However, if such values do not match or otherwise correspond, the responder discards the message frame. Thus, the responder processes authenticated message frames and discards unauthenticated message frames thereby preventing denial of service attacks from malicious users.

Abstract: A gas-phase detection system based on detecting optochemical and optoelectrochemical signals. The sensing platform is particularly powerful for detection of nitrogen oxides at low ppbV concentrations. The optochemical analysis is based on the color development due to a chemical reaction taking place in an optimized material. The electrochemical analysis can be based on the doping level or redox potential changes of an electrochemical sensor; and optoelectrochemical detection can be based on a combination of the electrochemical and optoelectrochemical methodologies. Each independent signal can be simultaneously detected, increasing the reliability of detection.

Abstract: A method for processing a frequency division multiplexing signal transmitted in a channel is provided. The method includes the steps of a) receiving the frequency division multiplexing signal having a residual intercarrier interference (ICI) and a channel noise and transmitted by plural subcarriers; b) performing a cyclic prefix removal and a discrete Fourier transform for the frequency division multiplexing signal to obtain a frequency-domain signal; c) analyzing the frequency-domain signal to obtain a plurality of correlation values for the residual ICI and the channel noise; and d) performing a communication signal processing for the frequency division multiplexing signal based on at least one of the plural correlation values.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Punica granatum plant named ‘Orange Blossom Special’, characterized by its compact, mounding growth habit, small, lustrous, medium green foliage that turns bright yellow in fall, reddish-orange flowers produced in abundance from spring to fall, greenish-tan to reddish-green fruits, and root/crown cold hardiness to USDA Hardiness Zone 7.