Abstract: The invention provides a synthetic combination of a crop and at least one fungal endophyte, wherein the crop is a host plant of the endophyte. Provided are also methods and compositions for producing such synthetic combinations. The endophyte reproduces and enhances the agronomic characteristics of the crop. Methods for inoculating the host plant with the endophyte, for propagating the host-endophyte combination, and for detecting the presence of the endophyte and of its metabolites within a host plant are also described.

Abstract: The disclosure provides the use of aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid in the preparation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)fufural (HMF) from saccharides. The aryl or heteroaryl boronic bearing electron-withdrawing groups on the aryl or heteroaryl ring of the boronic acid provided good yields. The disclosure provides a method for preparing HMF from saccharides in the presence of aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid. The disclosure provides a method for converting a saccharide other than fructose in fructose via a dehydrogenation reaction catalyzed by aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid.

Abstract: A multielectrode array with fault-tolerance for use in conjunction with a brain implantable device includes a sensor grid composed of a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including primary sensors and spare sensors. The multielectrode array also includes signal processing circuitry associated with the plurality of sensors and a control system associated with the sensor grid for replacing faulty primary sensors with spare sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising Plasmodium sporozoite-stage parasites and compatible glycolipid adjuvants useful in vaccines for preventing or reducing the risk of malaria. In particular, human host range Plasmodium and analogues of ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer), a ligand for natural killer T (NKT) cells, are combined in pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful as vaccines against malaria. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A method for imaging a scan region by controlling at least one of the relative phase and relative amplitude of multiple optical modes propagating through a multimode optical fiber to control the position of an output beam emitted from the output facet of the optical fiber is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vision-aided hearing assisting device, which includes a display device, a microphone and a processing unit. The processing unit includes a receiving module, a message generating module and a display driving module. The processing unit is electrically connected to the display device and the microphone. The receiving module receives a surrounding sound signal, which is generated by the microphone. The message generating module analyzes the surrounding sound signal according to a present-scenario mode to generate a related message related with the surrounding sound signal. The display driving module drives the display device to display the related message.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to self-assembled nanoparticle arrays, methods of making the nanoparticle arrays, and methods of using the nanoparticle arrays in spectroscopic methods for detecting targets of interest. The present invention is also directed to a fabrication method for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates that possess a unique combination of three highly desirable attributes: (a) the SERS substrates can be tuned to match the laser wavelength of operation and maximize the enhancement factor for the particular Raman instrument and analyte in use; (b) the SERS substrates have a highly reproducible enhancement factor over macroscopic sampling areas; and (c) the fabrication method is achieved without resorting to expensive, slow nano-lithography tools.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel leech HAase and a method of producing low-molecular-weight HA oligosaccharides using the leech HAase. This invention successfully cloned the first leech HAase gene and provides a method for high-level expression of the leech HAase gene. By controlling the incubation condition, different HA oligosaccharides, particularly HA4, HA6, HA8 and HA10, can be selectively generated using the leech HAase. The large-scale expression of the leech HAase and the enzymatic production of specific HA oligosaccharides are not only useful for the cosmetic, healthcare and the medical industries but also can be a great help to polysaccharides chemical synthesis and cancer research.

Abstract: A method for performing occlusion queries is disclosed. The method includes steps of: (a) a graphics processing unit (GPU) using a first depth buffer of a first frame to thereby predict a second depth buffer of a second frame; and (b) the GPU performing occlusion queries for the second frame by using the predicted second depth buffer, wherein the first frame is a frame predating the second frame. In accordance with the present invention, a configuration for classifying the objects into the occluders and the occludees is not required and the occlusion queries for the predicted second frame are acquired in advance at the last of the first frame or the first of the second frame.

Abstract: Disclosure relates to an accumulator heat exchanger. The accumulator heat exchanger is capable of guiding only a gas-phase refrigerant to a compressor by allowing a high pressure refrigerant passing through a condenser to pass through an accumulator and to be heat exchanged with a low pressure refrigerant, thereby promoting evaporation of a liquid-phase refrigerant.

Abstract: Homomorphic evaluations of functions are performed. The functions include operation(s). Variants of key switching and modulus switching are described and are performed prior to or after the operation(s). A key switching transformation converts a ciphertext with respect to a first secret key and a first modulus to a ciphertext with respect to a second secret key and a second modulus. A key switching transformation converts a first version of a ciphertext with respect to a first secret key and with some number r bits of precision to a second version of the selected ciphertext with respect to a second keys and with some other number r? bits of precision. The ciphertexts may be operated on as polynomials represented using evaluation representation, which has benefits for multiplication and automorphism. Further, ciphertexts are associated with an estimate of noise, which is used to determine when to perform modulus switching on the ciphertexts.

Abstract: A thin film transistor is disclosed in the present invention, including a substrate, a gate, an insulating layer, a source, a drain and an active layer. The gate is arranged on the substrate. The insulating layer is arranged on the gate. The source and the drain are arranged on the insulating layer. The active layer is arranged between the source and the drain, and is formed by a bottom layer, an intermediate layer and a top layer stacked together on the insulating layer. The conductivity of the intermediate layer is higher than that of the bottom layer, and the conductivity of the bottom layer is higher than that of the top layer. As such, the disadvantage of low carrier mobility as commonly seen in the conventional thin film transistor is overcome.

Abstract: The present invention provides miniSOG proteins, polynucleotides, and methods of use. When expressed in a bacterial or mammalian cell, miniSOG proteins spontaneously incorporate flavin mononucleotide and produce fluorescence and singlet oxygen upon excitation. Uses include optical and electron microscope imaging, in vivo imaging, detection and localization of protein-protein interactions, and photoablation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for applying a coloring substance preferably henna on at least one surface of the human body. The device comprises a scanning device configured to scan the body surface and detect movements of the body surface, a color applicator unit to apply the coloring substance onto at least one surface of human body and the controller to coordinate the scanning device and the color applicator unit to work cooperatively to ensure that an accurate replica of the desired design is formed on the surface of the human body. The system has an added advantage of being able to halt the color application process on detecting the displacement of the body surface during the color application process.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a robotic patient system including a computer system including a processor and a coupled sensor, and a control system configured to receive control data. The robotic patient system also includes a synthetic patient robot including a feature detector and action selector configured to actuate the robot based at least in part on the control data. Some further embodiments of the invention include a computer-implemented method of providing a robotic synthetic patient by providing a synthetic patient robot, configuring a control system to receive control data, extracting and converting a feature from the control data, and converting to an actuator command to move the robotic patient system. Some embodiments include a robot including a computer system including a processor, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a control system configured to be coupled to a source of control data to control the robot substantially autonomously.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including an array of memory cells (MC) formed on a substrate each realized from a load element and thyristor that define a switchable current path whose state represents a volatile bit value stored by the MC. At least one word line corresponding to a respective row of the array is formed on the substrate and coupled to MC current paths for the corresponding row. Bit lines corresponding to respective columns of the array are formed on the substrate and can be coupled to a modulation doped QW interface of the MC thyristors for the corresponding column. Circuitry is configured to apply an electrical signal to the word line(s) in order to generate current that programs phase change material of the MC load elements into one of a high or low resistive state according to state of the current path of the MCs for non-volatile backup purposes.

Abstract: Compositions, recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens comprising one or more isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode an immunogen in combination with an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes IL-15Ra or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against an immunogen, using such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device for electromechanical testing a specimen having a nano-scale dimension is formed on a multi-layered semiconductor substrate (chip) and includes an electrothermal or electrostatic actuator for applying a displacement load (force) to the specimen, a load sensor for sensing the load (force) experienced by the specimen. The specimen is disposed between first and second movable shuttles of the actuator and load sensor, which shuttles comprise electrically insulating layers so as to electrically isolate the shuttles and specimen from the actuator and the load sensor on the substrate. A four-terminal Kelvin array is provided to provide specimen electrical characterization measurements and includes first and second outer terminals connected to a current source and to opposite end locations of the specimen and first and second inner terminals connected to a high input impedance voltage meter and to the specimen at other locations between the first and second outer terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a two-dimensional polymer optical waveguide, which is used for manufacturing a two-dimensional optical waveguide through simplified processes using a single imprint original master.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a feed composition and method of affecting the carcass composition by increasing the lean mass, reducing the fat mass, and/or reducing the percent fat mass comprising SARM compounds.