Abstract: Techniques and tools for encoding enhancement layer video with quantization that varies spatially and/or between color channels are presented, along with corresponding decoding techniques and tools. For example, an encoding tool determines whether quantization varies spatially over a picture, and the tool also determines whether quantization varies between color channels in the picture. The tool signals quantization parameters for macroblocks in the picture in an encoded bit stream. In some implementations, to signal the quantization parameters, the tool predicts the quantization parameters, and the quantization parameters are signaled with reference to the predicted quantization parameters. A decoding tool receives the encoded bit stream, predicts the quantization parameters, and uses the signaled information to determine the quantization parameters for the macroblocks of the enhancement layer video. The decoding tool performs inverse quantization that can vary spatially and/or between color channels.

Abstract: An electronic device may include an electronic display having a gate-on-array (GOA) that generates gate signals in response to an activation signal, pixels that activate in response to a combination of the gate signals and data signals indicative of image data, and sensing circuitry. The sensing circuitry may measure a characteristic response of a gate signal a characteristic response of one or more pixels, or both and compare the characteristic responses to baselines. The electronic device may also include compensation circuitry that applies a compensation to the activation signal and/or to the image data based on the comparisons between the characteristic responses and the baselines.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques are described for determining precedence order at a multiway stop. In embodiments, identifications are assigned to tracks, and young tracks are compared to stale tracks. A young track matches a stale track based on one or more factors. An identification of the young track is reassigned to an identification of the stale track, wherein the young track is determined to match the stale track based on the one or more factors. An earliest time of appearance of agents is determined based on identifications and in view of perception obscured areas. A precedence order for navigating through the intersection is determined based on local rules, the identifications, and the earliest time of appearance of agents, and the vehicle proceeds through the multiway stop intersection in accordance with the precedence order.

Abstract: System for free-space light coupling between 2-dimensional light transmitter and receiver arrays using flat optics. The system includes: a transmitter array configured to emit one or more light beams; a first flat optic configured to receive the light beams from the transmitter array and generate one or more intermediate light beams; a first spacer disposed between the light transmitter array and the first flat optic; a receiver array; a second flat optic configured to receive the intermediate light beams and generate one or more output light beams toward the receiver array; and a second spacer disposed between the second flat optic and the light receiver array. The TX and RX portions of the light coupling system may be used in LiDAR systems as the light emitter (beam steerer) and detector, respectively. The flat optics are configured to provide a wide field of view for the LiDAR.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for encoding enhancement layer video with quantization that varies spatially and/or between color channels are presented, along with corresponding decoding techniques and tools. For example, an encoding tool determines whether quantization varies spatially over a picture, and the tool also determines whether quantization varies between color channels in the picture. The tool signals quantization parameters for macroblocks in the picture in an encoded bit stream. In some implementations, to signal the quantization parameters, the tool predicts the quantization parameters, and the quantization parameters are signaled with reference to the predicted quantization parameters. A decoding tool receives the encoded bit stream, predicts the quantization parameters, and uses the signaled information to determine the quantization parameters for the macroblocks of the enhancement layer video. The decoding tool performs inverse quantization that can vary spatially and/or between color channels.

Abstract: A natural antimicrobial substance produced by applying electrical stimulation to a nano-sized Foeniculum vulgare extract and a nano-sized Polygonum tinctorium extract, and an antimicrobial composition produced by adding a sugar alcohol to the natural antimicrobial substance. The antimicrobial composition has advantages in that it is safe for human cell membranes and, at the same time, exhibits maximized antimicrobial efficacy by disrupting the cell membrane structure of bacteria.

Abstract: A water drip testing device includes a frame member, a water tank, a drip member, a first carrying member and a second carrying member. The frame member includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a frame body between the upper and lower portions. The water tank includes a lower plate provided at the top portion. The drip member is connected to the lower plate and communicates with the water tank. The first carrying member is detachably connected to the frame body, and includes a first carrying surface facing the drip member. The second carrying member is detachably connected to the frame body, and includes a second carrying surface facing the drip member. When the water drip testing device is in a first or second test mode, the first or second carrying member is installed on the frame body.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device includes a substrate, an intermediate layer disposed on the substrate, a magnetic recording layer disposed on the intermediate layer, and a graphene overcoat disposed on the magnetic recording layer. The graphene overcoat includes at least one layer of a graphene monoatomic layer which is a sheet-like monoatomic layer of sp2 bonded carbon atoms. A transition layer is interposed between the graphene overcoat and the magnetic recording layer. The transition layer includes carbon and at least one metal of the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by to catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: A water drip testing device includes a frame member, a water tank, a drip member, a first carrying member and a second carrying member. The frame member includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a frame body between the upper and lower portions. The water tank includes a lower plate provided at the top portion. The drip member is connected to the lower plate and communicates with the water tank. The first carrying member is detachably connected to the frame body, and includes a first carrying surface facing the drip member. The second carrying member is detachably connected to the frame body, and includes a second carrying surface facing the drip member. When the water drip testing device is in a first or second test mode, the first or second carrying member is installed on the frame body.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: At a system configured according to a first configuration, an activity that uses a second configuration is detected. A set of changes is determined, which when applied to the first configuration result in the second configuration. State information of a second activity at the system is saved. The set of changes is applied to the first configuration to operate the system under the second configuration. The activity is performed under the second configuration until completion. A portion of the set of changes is removed from a portion of the second configuration such that the portion of the second configuration reverts to a corresponding portion of the first configuration. The second activity is resumed using the saved state information. The state information is sufficient to resume the second activity after the activity has completed and from a point reached in the second activity before the applying of the set of changes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by to catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: An antibody, or a binding fragment of the antibody, against H1N1 virus, includes a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region contains complementarity determining regions (CDR) that have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 7; and wherein the light chain variable region contains complementarity determining regions that have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, and SEQ ID NO: 10. A method for treating or preventing H1N1 infection in a subject includes administering to the subject the antibody or the binding fragment of the antibody.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: An antibody, or a binding fragment of the antibody, against H1N1 virus, includes a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable region contains complementarity determining regions (CDR) that have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 7; and wherein the light chain variable region contains complementarity determining regions that have the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, and SEQ ID NO: 10. A method for treating or preventing H1N1 infection in a subject includes administering to the subject the antibody or the binding fragment of the antibody.

Abstract: The invention is directed to dimeric fusion proteins and virus-like particles comprising such dimeric fusion proteins. These dimeric fusion proteins comprise an antigen or antigenic fragment carried between two viral structural proteins or fragments thereof, with or without linkers, in a manner that, relative to traditional monomeric platforms, minimizes steric hindrance among the antigen or antigenic fragment and the viral structural proteins or fragments thereof. This novel design provides for multivalent vaccines and enhanced immunogenicity. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such dimeric fusion proteins and host cells comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dimeric fusion proteins and/or virus-like particles of the invention, and methods of prevention or treatment using such compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to dimeric fusion proteins and virus-like particles comprising such dimeric fusion proteins. These dimeric fusion proteins comprise an antigen or antigenic fragment carried between two viral structural proteins or fragments thereof, with or without linkers, in a manner that, relative to traditional monomeric platforms, minimizes steric hindrance among the antigen or antigenic fragment and the viral structural proteins or fragments thereof. This novel design provides for multivalent vaccines and enhanced immunogenicity. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such dimeric fusion proteins and host cells comprising such nucleic acids. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dimeric fusion proteins and/or virus-like particles of the invention, and methods of prevention or treatment using such compositions.

Abstract: At a system configured according to a first configuration, an activity that uses a second configuration is detected. A set of changes is determined, which when applied to the first configuration result in the second configuration. State information of a second activity at the system is saved. The set of changes is applied to the first configuration to operate the system under the second configuration. The activity is performed under the second configuration until completion. A portion of the set of changes is removed from a portion of the second configuration such that the portion of the second configuration reverts to a corresponding portion of the first configuration. The second activity is resumed using the saved state information. The state information is sufficient to resume the second activity after the activity has completed and from a point reached in the second activity before the applying of the set of changes.