Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-sensor merging based super-close distance autonomous navigation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a sensor subsystem, an information merging subsystem, a sensor scanning structure, and an orientation guiding structure, wherein a visible light imaging sensor and an infrared imaging sensor are combined together, and data are acquired by combining a passive measurement mode composed of an optical imaging sensor and an active measurement mode composed of a laser distance measuring sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The present invention also relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like that incorporates an outer stator assembly that converts a variable input to a constant output. The present invention further relates generally to an axially aligned flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The improved flux focusing magnetic gear assemblies of the present invention find applicability in traction, wind, and ocean power generation, among other applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyisocyanates and polyurethanes derived therefrom. In various embodiments, the present invention provides polyisocyanates, methods of making the polyisocyanates from fused bicyclic alcohols, polyurethanes, and methods of making the polyurethanes from the polyisocyanates.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-soluble nanoparticles and methods for making such nanoparticles. Specifically, the invention relates to dendrimerization to enhance the solubility of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.

Abstract: A freeform imaging lens defined in a (x, y, z) coordinate is provided. The freeform imaging lens comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface comprises a first freeform surface and a second freeform surface symmetrical about x-z plane. The first freeform surface and the second freeform surface are 5th order xy-polynomial curve surfaces. The second surface is a 10th order aspheric surface. The present disclosure also relates to a freeform imaging system using the above freeform imaging lens.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for covalently linking a chemical species to a recombinant or synthetic polypeptide. The methods involve the reaction of a thioester-comprising polypeptide with a reagent comprising a reactive amino-thiol group connected to the chemical species which is to be covalently linked to the polypeptide, via a linker. Such chemical species can be a functional group, a label or tag molecule, a biological molecule, a ligand, or a solid support. Efficient and catalyst-free methods for C-terminal protein labeling are also provided. The methods expand current capabilities in the area of protein functionalization, providing useful and complementary tools for the isolation, detection, characterization, and analysis of proteins in a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications.

Abstract: A chimeric polyvalent recombinant protein for use as a vaccine and diagnostic for Lyme disease is provided. The chimeric protein comprises epitopes of the loop 5 region and/or the alpha helix 5 region of outer surface protein C (OspC) types. The OspC types may be associated with mammaliran Borrelia infections.

Abstract: A method for making a nano-scale film includes the steps of: (a) providing a suspension including an organic solvent and a number of nano-scale particles dispersed therein; (b) dropping/releasing the suspension into a liquid having a specific gravity greater than that of the nano-scale particles; and (c) forming a uniform film of nano-scale particles on the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: Methods of treatment in subjects suffering from diabetes mellitus or obesity are provided. The methods comprise the step of administering an active agent directly to the small intestine in the subject. In particular, the active agent may be administered directly to the duodenum in the subject. The active agents useful in the treatments described herein include analgesic agents and, in particular, antinociceptive agents such as capsaicin, resiniferatoxin, and their analogs.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for generating dots in image reproduction, and relates to the field of image reproduction in the printing industry. The method comprises performing a binarization process on a threshold matrix of one or more basic dots according to level thresholds to obtain a set of level-binarization matrixes corresponding to the threshold matrix; determining substitution binarization matrixes and auxiliary binarization matrixes from the set of level-binarization matrixes; performing a Boolean operation on the substitution binarization matrixes and the auxiliary binarization matrixes to generate resulted binarization matrixes; substituting binarization matrixes to be substituted in the set of level-binarization matrixes with the resulted binarization matrixes; and according to the substituted set of level-binarization matrixes, forming a substituted threshold matrix, and generating shape-varied dots according to the substituted threshold matrix.

Abstract: A fabric phase sorptive extractor (FPSE) is a sampling device where a flexible fabric is coated with at least one sol-gel derived film that includes at least two of a metal oxide portion, a siloxy portion, and an organic portion, where the gel has at least some amorphous portions. The FPSE is flexible such that it can be used in an extended form or draped over a solid surface to contact a gaseous, liquid, or solid environment and can be manipulated for placement in a container where the absorbed analyte can be removed from the FPSE for instrumental analysis. The FPSE can have specific functionalities that bind to specific analytes or can provide a general sorbent medium for extraction of a wide range of analytes, such that the sampling device can be employed for sampling analytes with biological, environmental, food, pharmaceutical, bio-analytical, clinical, forensic, toxicological, national security, public health, and/or safety implications.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a wavefront-guided scleral lens prosthetic device customized for an eye of a patient include obtaining a first scleral lens prosthetic device with a central optic zone configured to vault over the eye's cornea and a peripheral haptic zone configured to align with the eye's sclera, collecting measurements of any offset and/or rotation of the first scleral lens prosthetic device relative to the eye's pupil and of any aberrations, particularly higher-order aberrations, generating a wavefront-guided profile from the measurements, and fabricating a second scleral lens prosthetic device with the profile on a surface of a central optic zone configured to vault over the eye's cornea and a peripheral haptic zone customized to align with the eye's sclera.

Abstract: A reciprocating ocean microstructure profiler includes a first profiler subunit, a second profiler subunit and a central stand. The first profiler subunit is provided with the first buoyancy drive part and the first observation part; and the second profiler subunit is provided with the second buoyancy drive part and the second observation part. Both the first and second buoyancy drive parts are installed with a floating compartment, a drive compartment and a pressure housing each. A top oil bladder is provided in the floating compartment and a bottom oil bladder in the pressure housing. A drive pump assembly and a solenoid valve are installed in the drive compartment. The first and second observation parts are electrically connected to a controller each and each controller is electrically connected to a drive pump assembly and a solenoid valve.

Abstract: Provided are a light emitting device including a transparent electrode having high transmittance with respect to light in a UV wavelength range as well as in a visible wavelength range and good ohmic contact characteristic with respect to a semiconductor layer and a method of manufacturing the light emitting device. A transparent electrode of a light emitting device is formed by using a resistance change material which has high transmittance with respect to light in a UV wavelength range and of which resistance state is to be changed from a high resistance state into a low resistance state due to conducting filaments, which current can flow through, formed in the material if a voltage exceeding a threshold voltage inherent in a material applied to the material, so that it is possible to obtain high transmittance with respect to light in a UV wavelength range.

Abstract: Bringing membrane proteins into aqueous solution generally requires the use of detergents or other amphiphilic agents. The invention provides a new class of amphiphiles, each of which includes a multi-fused ring system as a lipophilic group. These new amphiphiles confer enhanced stability to a range of membrane proteins in solution relative to conventional detergents, leading to improved structural and functional stability of membrane proteins, including integral membrane proteins. Accordingly, the invention provides new amphiphiles for biochemical manipulations and characterization of membrane proteins. These amphiphiles display favorable behavior with membrane proteins and can be used to aid the solubilization, isolation, purification, stabilization, crystallization, and/or structural determination of membrane proteins.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising: a source and a loop. The source generates a pump. The resonating cavity of the source includes: a gain medium; and a tunable filter for selecting a wavelength. The loop comprises: an input coupler; a waveguide; and an output coupler. The input coupler receives the pump and a signal and outputs the pump and the signal into the waveguide In the waveguide, energy in the pump is transferred into energy in the signal while a relative center position of the signal is crossing a center position of the pump in a first direction while both are passing through the waveguide and into the output coupler. The output coupler r outputs a first portion of the signal and a second portion of the signal is fed into the input coupler as the signal, completing the loop.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a novel role for microRNA (miR) regulation of lipid metabolism via the MTP pathway, leading to reductions in apoB secretion and blood lipid levels. MiR regulation of the MTP pathway is shown herein to reduce hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in vivo. Therefore, inhibition of MTP expression and activity by miR regulation is identified as a new therapeutic target for treatment of cardiovascular disease and conditions or diseases associated with cardiovascular disease such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. Treatment of cardiovascular disease and associated conditions or diseases with the novel MTP inhibitors of the invention, such as miR-30c homologs or miR-30c agonists, reduces MTP-associated lipid production without side effects that occur with other methods of MTP inhibition.

Abstract: Provided herein are, for example, immunogenic compositions and methods of using the same for the treatment or prevention of Herpesvirus infections.