Abstract: The invention is directed to microfluidic devices comprising at least two processing channels, wherein each of the processing channels comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a high-flow-resistant and hydrophilic conduit; a distributing channel, wherein the distributing channel comprises an upstream end and a downstream end, and is in fluid communication with each inlet of the processing channels via the high-flow-resistant and hydrophilic conduit; and a flushing channel, wherein the flushing channel comprises an upstream end and a downstream end, and is in fluid communication with each outlet of the processing channels. The invention also provides methods of using the microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A method of automatically detecting and tracking successive frames in a region of interesting by an electronic imaging device includes: decomposing a frame into intensity, color and direction features according to human perceptions; filtering an input image by a Gaussian pyramid to obtain levels of pyramid representations by down sampling; calculating the features of pyramid representations; using a linear center-surround operator similar to a biological perception to expedite the calculation of a mean value of the peripheral region; using the difference of each feature between a small central region and the peripheral region as a measured value; overlaying the pyramid feature maps to obtain a conspicuity map and unify the conspicuity maps of the three features; obtaining a saliency map of the frames by linear combination; and using the saliency map for a segmentation to mark an interesting region of a frame in the large region of the conspicuity maps.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide, Z domain, derived from B domain of Staphylococcal protein A, comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target, is provided herein. Introduction of different natural amino acid mutations in the polypeptide are provided here. Also provided are methods of using the two-helix binders.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide, Z domain, derived from B domain of Staphylococcal protein A, comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target, is provided herein. Introduction of a covalent bridge between two modified amino acids in the polypeptide is provided here. Also provided are methods of using the two-helix binders.

Abstract: The invention is related to a weather-resistant dye and use thereof, which contains in molecules thereof not only chromophoric parent D, but also electron-accepting group Q which is linked with dye parent D through non-conjugated carbon link L to constitute D-L-Q dye molecule; the electron-accepting group Q has such a HOMO energy level that is lower than the HOMO energy level of the dye chromophoric parent D. The dye has sun-resistance and anti-ozone performances, which can be used as colorant in the ink, dope, lacquer, toner powder for laser printing, marker, paper, fabric, glass, porcelain or polymer.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide, Z domain, derived from B domain of Staphylococcal protein A, comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target, is provided herein. Introduction of an un-natural amino acid in the polypeptide is provided here. Also provided are methods of using the two-helix binders.

Abstract: Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) or other viruses are disclosed. This invention is also directed to compositions comprising such compounds, co-formulation or co-administration of such compounds with other anti-viral or therapeutic agents, processes and intermediates for the syntheses of such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for the treatment of HCV or other viral infections.

Abstract: Methods for introducing fluorine atom onto a polypeptide are provided. Also provided are linkers, bioconjugates, and bifunctional compound agents made using the methods, linkers, and bioconjugates. The methods comprise: (i) providing a linker comprising a thiol-reactive terminus and an aldehyde-reactive terminus; (ii) reacting the thiol-reactive terminus of the linker with a polypeptide comprising at least one thiol group or a reactive derivative thereof; and (iii) subsequently reacting the aldehyde-reactive terminus of the linker with a fluorine-substituted aldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents capable of binding to myelin basic protein in a subject. Also provided are methods for the detection of myelin-associated neuropathy comprising identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, administering to a subject an agent that binds specifically to myelin basic protein, and determining myelination in the subject by detecting the agent present in the subject. A kit containing the agent or its derivatives for use in detecting myelin basic protein is also provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-implemented embodiments consistent with the inventions herein are directed to storing and/or transferring heat. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a system for transferring/storing heat comprised of a heat exchange/storage apparatus including a chamber, and a heat input device adapted to heat/provide a vapor into the chamber. Other exemplary implementations may include one or more features consistent with a heat output device through which a working medium/fluid passes, a thermal storage medium located within the chamber, and/or a heat exchange system that delivers a heat exchange medium/fluid to the thermal storage medium.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for generating depth maps for video units, such as video frames or slices video frames. The techniques may be performed by a video encoder in order to convert two-dimensional (2D) video to three-dimensional (3D) video. The techniques may alternatively be performed by a video decoder in order to convert received 2D video to 3D video. The techniques may use a combination of motion and color considerations in the depth map generation process.

Abstract: Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) or other viruses are disclosed. This invention is also directed to compositions comprising such compounds, co-formulation or co-administration of such compounds with other anti-viral or therapeutic agents, processes and intermediates for the syntheses of such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for the treatment of HCV or other viral infections.

Abstract: Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) or other viruses are disclosed. This invention is also directed to compositions comprising such compounds, co-formulation or co-administration of such compounds with other anti-viral or therapeutic agents, processes and intermediates for the syntheses of such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for the treatment of HCV or other viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides an HCV polymerase inhibiting compound having the formula (I) and a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of said compound. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, a method for inhibiting HCV viral replication, and a method for treating or preventing HCV infection. Processes for making said compounds, and synthetic intermediates employed in said processes, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for introducing fluorine atom onto a polypeptide are provided. Also provided are linkers, bioconjugates, and bifunctional compound agents made using the methods, linkers, and bioconjugates. The methods comprise: (i) providing a linker comprising a thiol-reactive terminus and an aldehyde-reactive terminus; (ii) reacting the thiol-reactive terminus of the linker with a polypeptide comprising at least one thiol group or a reactive derivative thereof; and (iii) subsequently reacting the aldehyde-reactive terminus of the linker with a fluorine-substituted aldehyde.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising an array of solar cells, each of which is spaced-apart from a subset of solar cells adjacent thereto, defining a hiatus therebetween; a first substrate disposed to cover the array of solar cells; and a second substrate disposed to cover the array of solar cells, with the array begin position between the first and second substrates, with a plurality of throughways, each of which extends from an aperture in the first substrate, traversing the hiatus and terminating in an opening in the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for myelin basic protein detection comprises identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, parenterally administering to the subject the agent, and determining myelination in the subject by detecting binding to myelin basic protein.

Abstract: A light tube for producing light, which may be used in the light fittings, desk lamps, vehicle lights etc. The light tube comprises a plurality of segments arranged end to end along the end of the light tube. Each segment has a transparent or translucent rod 706 having two ends, a head spreader 703 by at least one of said ends and an LED 705 mounted to each heat spreader 703 for directing light laterally into the rod 706. The heat spreaders 703 are mounted to a metal jacket 702 for dissipating heat. The light tube further comprises one or more reflectors 708, 711 for reflecting light out of the light tube.

Abstract: A kind of growth method of non-polarized-plane InN which is growing m-plane InN and In-rich m-plane InGaN on LiA1O2 (100) substrate by the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and m-plane is one kind of non-polarized-plane, In-rich denotes that the component of In x is higher than 0.3 in InxGa1?xN. The invention synthetically grows m-plane InN and In-rich m-plane InGaN using LiA1O2 (100) as substrate which will be disposed and the buffer by MOCVD. And the non-polarized-plane InN would be produced through choosing appropriate substrate and the technique condition of growth as well as using the design of buffer by MOCVD.

Abstract: Imaging agents that comprise labeled substrates of the cystine/glutamate antiporter of cells, whereby the methods of use comprise introducing the labeled agents into cells via the cystine/glutamate antiporter, which are then reduced to a labeled cysteine, and subsequently detected in the cell.