Abstract: Ultra-stable aqueous foam comprises hydrophobic silica particles residing within bubbles in an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic polymer, a protein, or aqueous dispersible colloidal particles. The combination of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components stabilizes the foam interfaces to result in long term stability of the foam. The foams can be crosslinked to stable monolithic foams and used for structural foams, coatings, and thermal insulating for construction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer that specifically hinds CD44, composition comprising the aptamer, as well as methods for detecting CD44 and for targeted delivery to CD44-expressing cells.

Abstract: It provides novel fusion proteins that are capable of self-crystallization and exhibit improved physical properties such as enhanced tolerance to organic solvents and increased thermostability. Polynucleotides encoding the fusion proteins as well as methods of making and using such fusion proteins are also described.

Abstract: A blocking signal cancellation low noise amplifier system includes a first low noise amplifier, a second low noise amplifier, a blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit, a bias switching circuit, and a bias switching signal generating circuit. The first low noise amplifier is used for dynamic input matching, and the first low noise amplifier receives an input signal and outputs it after amplifying. The blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit is used to extract a blocking signal from the output signal of the first low noise amplifier, and output a DC voltage signal. The bias switching circuit is used to switch the first low noise amplifier between a blocking mode and a small signal mode. The bias switching signal generating circuit is used to compare the DC bias voltage signal VB2 with a preset reference voltage signal Vref.

Abstract: Denoising of magnetic resonance (MR) images can be achieved using a deep neural network and an image acquisition process that uses multi-NEX (Number of Excitations) or multi-NSA (Number of Signal Averages or Acquisitions) to produce two or more complex-valued images of a region of interest. The set of images resulting from the image acquisition process can be input to a deep neural network that has been trained to produce a denoised MR image from a set of multi-NEX or multi-NSA images. The deep neural network can be implemented using a two-dimensional or three-dimensional convolutional neural network to match the dimensionality of the input images. Training of the denoising neural network can use real MR images.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a pneumatic, hydraulic, or otherwise inflatable or pressurized artificial muscle. Also provided are methods for making, controlling, and using such a muscle useful for prostheses, movement aids, or wearable robots to assist the movement of impaired subjects or to improve the function of healthy subjects. Muscles can be made by densely winding tension wires around pressurized expandable tubes having one or more specific geometric shapes removed from the tube cross section. The curve of output characteristics such as output force vs. contraction ratio can be adjustable by changing parameters of the sectional view of the tube. The appropriate shape of tube and related output characteristics can be selected according to application area or body part to be assisted to achieve the most flexible and optimal design for one or more muscle groups.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a humidity-stiffening polymer material, and a preparation method therefor and a use thereof. The humidity-stiffening polymer material includes the following raw materials: a monomer, an ionic liquid, a salt, a cross-linking agent and an initiator, wherein the monomer includes benzyl methacrylate, the ionic liquid includes an imidazole-based ionic liquid, and the salt includes a hygroscopic salt. The method for preparing the humidity-stiffening polymer material includes: mixing the raw materials to obtain a precursor liquid, performing reaction on the mixture after degassing, and drying the mixture to obtain the humidity-stiffening polymer material. The humidity-stiffening polymer material is applied to actuators, soft robots and wearable biomedical devices based on bionic design. The present disclosure provides a humidity-stiffening polymer material, and a preparation method therefor and a use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides novel high-energy density and low-cost flow electrochemical devices incorporating solid-flow electrodes, and further provides methods of using such electrochemical devices. Included are anode and cathode current collector foils that can be made to move during discharge or recharge of the device. Solid-flow devices according to the invention provide improved charging capability due to direct replacement of the conventional electrode stack, higher volumetric and gravimetric energy density, and reduced battery cost due to reduced dimensions of the ion-permeable layer.

Abstract: A microtome comprises a support assembly; an actuator, mounted to the support assembly; a pair of oscillating flexure assemblies, held by the support assembly and each of which being located on one side of the actuator and oscillated by the actuator; and a blade assembly, mounted to each of the oscillating flexure assemblies so as to move in a direction same as the oscillating flexure assemblies.

Abstract: Disclosed are a data analysis method and a data analysis system for retinal nerve fibrous layer. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining a peripapillary RNFL scanning image and a full-circumference RNFL thickness measurement data distribution image; obtaining a fundus scanning image, measuring a optic disc macular inclination angle; obtaining the upper and lower range of the RNFL scanning image, and measuring the upper and the lower RNFL thickness; obtaining an intersection position of an RNFL measuring ring and a blood vessel according to the canning image, and respectively correcting the upper and the lower RNFL thickness; performing a symmetry evaluation of the upper and the lower RNFL thickness according to the upper and the lower RNFL thickness correction value, and judging whether the RNFL data is abnormal. The system includes: image acquisition module, macular angle module, RNFL thickness module, RNFL thickness correction module and RNFL data evaluation module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of certain cancers (e.g., esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ESCC) in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the DLEC1 gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating cancer by increasing DLEC1 gene expression or activity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for determining whether a nucleic acid sequence imbalance exists within a biological sample. One or more cutoff values for determining an imbalance of, for example, the ratio of the two sequences (or sets of sequences) are chosen. The cutoff value may be determined based at least in part on the percentage of fetal DNA in a sample, such as maternal plasma, containing a background of maternal nucleic acid sequences. The percentage of fetal DNA can be calculated from the same or different data used to determine the cutoff value, and can use a locus where the mother is homozygous and the fetus is heterozygous. The cutoff value may be determined using many different types of methods, such as sequential probability ratio testing (SPRT).

Abstract: Particular forward and reverse primers may be used to link distant regions of the same large DNA molecule into a smaller DNA molecule. A reverse primer R1 can have a first portion complementary to an ending sequence of region A and can have a second portion having an overlapping sequence. A forward primer F2 can have a first portion complementary to a starting sequence of region B, where the forward primer includes a complementary overlapping sequence (e.g., the same first portion or a second portion) that is complementary to the overlapping sequence. The first portion of F2 may be the entire primer. The smaller DNA molecules can be used to determine haplotypes of regions. Kits including the particular forward and reverse primers are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fast and robust quantification of magnetization transfer (MT) use off-resonance spin-lock MRI with as few as two or three image acquisitions. Each image acquisition can be performed using an off-resonance spin-lock pulse having a different RF amplitude and frequency offset. A parameter representing the difference of the relaxation rate in the rotating frame between the acquisitions can be computed. This parameter can be used to compute other parameters of magnetization transfer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for articular cartilage thickness mapping and lesion quantification operate on 3D medical image data to reconstruct cartilage surfaces, estimate surface normals, determine cartilage thickness, and identify regions of full-thickness cartilage loss (FCL). Reconstructed cartilage surfaces can be parcellated into subregions using a rule-based approach.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that combined use of kuraridin (or any one of its analogs) and epicatechin gallate (ECG) can provide heightened level of antimicrobial activity, especially for the suppression of bacteria of the Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcal species. Compositions, kits, and methods for the combination use are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing unsaturated hydrocarbons by black body photocatalytic (thermal radiative catalytic) conversion of saturated hydrocarbons. In this method, a saturated hydrocarbon reaction gas is introduced into a reaction furnace, and the saturated hydrocarbon is catalyzed to convert under heating and illumination conditions to prepare the unsaturated hydrocarbons. The photocatalysis is combined to the conventional thermal catalysis to improve the catalytic performance, accelerate the reaction speed, increase the conversion rate, and/or improve the selectivity of the catalytic reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of dielectric elastomers. In particular, provided are a dielectric elastomer precursor fluid, a preparation method therefor and the use thereof, a dielectric elastomer composite material, a flexible device, and a light-emitting device. The dielectric elastomer precursor fluid comprises an elastomer matrix, an ionic liquid and a solvent, wherein the volume fraction of the ionic liquid and the solvent is 5-45%. The dielectric elastomer precursor fluid has the advantages of a high conductivity, a high transparency and a good fluidity, and is beneficial for preparing a dielectric elastomer composite material having a high dielectric constant, a low elastic modulus and a high optical transparency, thus fully solving the problem that a high dielectric constant cannot be balanced with a low elastic modulus and a high optical transparency in a dielectric elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a fungus, especially in the form of fungal mycelium, that has altered glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) expression and/or activity level and therefore exhibits modified characteristics in fruiting body development. Also provided are compositions and methods for generating living fungal mycelium with altered fruiting body development.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel allergens isolated from grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, recombinant or modified polypeptides comprising such allergens, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides as well as related compositions. Also provided are methods and kits for diagnosing fish allergy.