Abstract: Electrochemical conversion of nitrate to ammonia is an approach to alleviate nitrate pollution in water and simultaneously generate green NH3 fuels. The practical application of this approach is challenging due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts. The present disclosure relates generally to an electrocatalyst including a plurality of CuWO4 hollow nanospheres, which include asymmetric oxygen vacancies and adjacent Mo clusters, and methods of making and using the same. The electrocatalyst of the present disclosure is designed for efficient ammonia electrosynthesis.

Abstract: Methods of using rifampicin and zidovudine and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same to inhibit growth of and/or kill Klebsiella pneumoniae, such as antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first and a second solid state electronic device arranged in a bridge-leg configuration, each selectively operable as a control switch and synchronous switch and each selectively operable in an ON state and OFF state. A driver circuit is operably connected with at least the first solid state electronic device for controlling operation of at least the first solid state electronic device. A signal modulation circuit is operably connected with or between the driver circuit and the first solid state electronic device and includes an input operably connected with the driver circuit, an output operably connected with the first solid state electronic device, and a variable resistance circuit operably connected between the input and the output and operably connected with the driver circuit. A resistance of the variable resistance circuit is adjustable by the driver circuit to prevent spurious operation of the first solid state electronic device.

Abstract: There is provided a hybrid system for electricity and water generation, that includes a thermoelectric generator (TEG) layer for converting heat to electricity, an absorber layer arranged on one side of the TEG layer for converting solar energy to heat, a cooling structure arranged on the other side of the TEG layer for dissipating a waste heat from the TEG layer, and an evaporator configured to form an interfacial cooling region with the cooling structure for water generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unsupervised domain adaptive segmentation network comprises a feature extractor configured for extracting features from a 3D MRI scan image; a decorrelation and whitening module configured for preforming decorrelation and whitening transformation on the extracted features to obtain whitened features; a domain-specific feature translation module configured for translating domain-specific features from a source domain into a target domain for adapting the unsupervised domain adaptive network to the target domain; and a classifier configured for projecting the whitened features into a zonal segmentation prediction. By implementing the domain-specific feature translation module for transferring the knowledge learned from the labeled source domain data to unlabeled target domain data, domain gap between the source and target data can be narrowed.

Abstract: A cryo formulation-based microneedle device for transdermal delivery of bioactive therapeutic agents. The microneedle device includes: one or more microneedle patches each including an array of miniaturized needles, wherein each miniaturized needle defining a base end and a tip; and a substrate to which the base end of the array of miniaturized needles is attached or integrated thereto; wherein the microneedle patch is in a cryo status; wherein each of the one or more microneedle patch is adapted to be applied on a skin surface, in which the miniaturized needles penetrates into skin; and wherein the miniaturized needles is further arranged to melt so as to release one or more bioactive therapeutic agents into the skin to achieve a targeted therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat pump that includes an absorber/evaporator module having a solution channel and a refrigerant channel along with first and second liquid channels. A porous membrane is positioned between the refrigerant channel and the solution channel; the porous membrane permits flow of vapor molecules therethrough while restricting flow of absorbent molecules. A membrane-based generator/condenser module with a similar structure is in fluid communication with the absorber/evaporator module. The membrane-based modules offer a large specific surface area with integrated solution/refrigerant flows, which enables formation of a highly compact heat pump exhibiting strong heat/mass transfer.

Abstract: An evaporator for solar desalination and a preparation method thereof and use thereof are provided. The evaporator has a porous skeleton, interconnected channels, and a hydrophobic decoration. The interconnected channels are formed from gaps of the porous skeleton, and the hydrophobic decoration is positioned on the surface of the porous skeleton. The evaporator is for sustainable solar water evaporation even in highly salty water. Specifically, the continuous evaporation for 24 h without salt precipitation in 20 wt % NaCl solution can be realized.

Abstract: A water-soluble unidirectional moisture transport traditional Chinese medicine facial mask and a preparation method thereof. The facial mask includes a facial mask substrate and a facial mask effective ingredient layer, wherein a lateral surface of the facial mask substrate is a hydrophobic surface, and the other lateral surface is a superhydrophilic surface; the facial mask effective ingredient layer is loaded to the superhydrophilic surface, in which facial mask effective ingredients include a traditional Chinese medicine colloid. In use, by simply spraying water, the effective ingredients such as the traditional Chinese medicine on the surface can be quickly dissolved to exert effects. Its hydrophobic layer can be kept dry, which not only delays volatilization of liquid and prolongs the effective time, but also is easy to operate and is clean and hygienic. The present invention has a simple preparation method, is non-harmful and non-toxic, low-carbon and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A method for detection of the presence and/or quantities of silver nanoparticles in a specimen is shown. The method includes the steps of a) providing a detection organism suspended in a medium, b) treating the detection organism with zinc ions thus effecting auto-fluorescence therefrom, and then measuring degree of fluorescence of the detection organism suspended medium, c) adding the specimen to the detection organism suspended medium, treating the detection organism therein with the specimen for a period of time, and measuring change of fluorescence of the detection organism-suspended medium over time, d) calculating amount of silver ions intracellularly dissolved from the silver nanoparticles and accumulated in the detection organism in view of the change of fluorescence, and e) extrapolating quantity of silver nanoparticles in the specimen in view of the change of fluorescence and the amount of the intracellularly dissolved silver ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for improving energy economy and wearing comfort of a power generating, gait assisting footwear article while maintaining normal gait pattern during human locomotion. The device includes a motion conversion mechanism to convert linear reciprocating moment exerted on the device during heel strike/up into a series of rotations; a rotation acceleration module to increase the speed of rotations before being transformed into electric current by a generator. The device also includes a power management module and energy storage element(s) for energy storage and power supply to the footwear article or external electronics.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a nerve injury in a subject in need thereof and methods of treating an injured neuron using diaryl hydrazones.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a stained image including the steps of obtaining a first image of a key sample section; and processing the first image with a multi-modal stain learning engine arranged to generate at least one stained image, wherein the at least one stained image represents the key sample section stained with at least one stain.

Abstract: An alloy consisting of titanium, zirconium, cobalt, and nickel, and its fabrication.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting endosomal trafficking of PD-L1, inducing PD-L1 secretion via exosomes, decreasing PD-L1 level at a surface of a cancer or tumor cell, and treating a cancer or tumor through promoting T cell immune response in a subject suffering from a cancer or tumor, includes the step of administering a compound of Formula I to various cells. Also, a composition to treat a cancer or a tumor, includes a compound of Formula I and an anti-PD-1 antibody.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of treating a traumatic brain injury in a subject in need thereof, the method including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of radiation. The methods can improve motor function recovery and reverse motor function deficits after traumatic brain injury and/or ischemic stroke in a subject.

Abstract: A thermochemical energy storage system. The system includes a membrane-based thermochemical reactor having a solution channel having an absorbent-containing solution flowing therethrough and a refrigerant channel having a refrigerant flowing therethrough along with first and second fluid channels. A porous membrane is positioned between the refrigerant channel and the solution channel; the porous membrane permits flow of vapor molecules therethrough while restricting flow of absorbent molecules. The system further includes a solution storage repository in fluid communication with the solution channel and a refrigerant repository in fluid communication with the refrigerant channel. The system can be used in high-density, high-efficiency, and low-temperature energy storage systems. The membrane-based reactor offers a large specific surface area and integrates solution/refrigerant flows, which enables formation of a highly compact reactor exhibiting strong heat/mass transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microchannel heat sink with plural microchannels, each having a respective inlet and outlet to permit flow, in particular two-phase flow, of a working fluid. The plural microchannels are arranged such that adjacent microchannels accommodate flow of working fluid in opposite directions and are thermally coupled to each other to enable heat exchange between the corresponding adjacent microchannels. In one aspect, a microchannel inlet is positioned at an angle (e.g., 90 degrees) with respect to its outlet. The plural microchannels define parallel longitudinal axes that are optionally arranged on the same plane and/or side-by-side in a single layer. Further, in one aspect, each microchannel cross-sectional area increases as the channel length progresses from an upstream end (e.g., adjacent to the inlet) to a downstream end (e.g., adjacent to the outlet) of the corresponding microchannel.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a motion sensor data-driven framework for sports action recognition and/or assessment using a wearable sensor are described. A motion sensor data-driven system may provide real-time kinematical analysis to athletes engaged in active competition or training sessions under typical competition or training conditions. Analysis of motion sensor data provided according to embodiments may operate to recognize instances of one or more particular sports actions performed by an athlete and/or assess the skill of the athlete from analysis of one or more sports actions. A motion sensor data processing platform of embodiments of a motion sensor data-driven system may comprise a processor-based system configured to receive and analyze data regarding the movement of an athlete's limb reported by a wearable sensor device comprising a micro inertial measurement unit configuration for capturing and reporting data regarding the movement of an athlete's limb.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible piezoelectric composite including a three-dimensional interconnected piezoelectric ceramic framework based on a porous organic template with sufficient stiffness and infiltrated with a flexible polymer matrix. A method for fabricating the flexible piezoelectric composition is also described herein.