Abstract: An optical tissue imaging system includes a probe for insertion into a transparent cylindrical capillary. The capillary includes an internal cylindrical channel that extends along a central axis. The capillary is inserted into tissue of a subject, and the probe may rotate and translate within the capillary. The probe may include a mirror configured to reflect light to the tissue outside of the cylindrical capillary.

Abstract: Cell-targeted serine protease constructs are provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing such as for treatment cell of proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). In some aspects, recombinant serine proteases, such as Granzyme B polypeptides, are provided that exhibit improved stability and cell toxicity. Methods and compositions for treating lapatinib or trastuzumab-resistant cancers are also provided.

Abstract: A battery, comprising an anode and a cathode, the cathode comprising particles having an aspect ratio between 0.09 and 0.5. In certain embodiments, the particles are ellipsoidal. The battery may comprise an electro chemical lithium-ion battery structure. Optimal particle microstructure morphologies are identified to deliver high power or energy densities.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in using measles viruses. For example, methods and materials for identifying mammals (e.g., humans) likely to respond to standard measles virus vaccines or standard measles virus-based therapies as well as methods and materials for identifying mammals (e.g., humans) unlikely to respond to standard measles virus vaccines or standard measles virus-based therapies are provided.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive image data; and a processor configured to generate first data by performing a Fourier calculation on the received image data, generate second data by performing prism phase computation on the first data, generate third data by adding the first data and the second data, and perform encoding based on the third data.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in reducing venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft. For example, methods and materials for using stem cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells), extracellular matrix material, or a combination of stem cells and extracellular matrix material to reduce VNH of AVFs or grafts are provided.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer-readable program, which, when executed by a processor, will cause a computer to execute a method of intelligent matching, wherein the method includes receiving a first data from a plurality of service vendors, wherein the first data includes performance metrics of service providers and characteristics of service consumers. The method additionally includes classifying, using cluster algorithms, the service consumers from the first data into a plurality of groups. Further, the method includes calculating a compatibility success score between each service provider and each group of the plurality of groups. Moreover, the method includes calculating a historical arrival rate for the each group of the plurality of groups. The method also includes assigning a chosen service provider to a prospective service consumer based on a determined compatibility success score of the chosen service provider.

Abstract: Provided herein is forward osmosis-based water purification process, that includes contacting a solution of a soluble draw agent with a dehydrated insoluble draw agent, separating the now hydrated insoluble draw agent from the now concentrated draw solution, and exerting a stimulus on the hydrated insoluble draw agent for extracting water therefrom, thereby regenerating a dehydrated insoluble draw agent, wherein the osmotic concentration (osmolality) of the insoluble draw agent is greater than the osmotic concentration of the diluted draw solution, and the insoluble draw agent is impermeable to the soluble draw agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for preventing and treating muscle atrophy, which contains a lycii radicis cortex extract as an active ingredient. The composition of the present disclosure has a remarkable effect of improving muscle atrophy and superior safety and, thus, can be used to prevent and treat muscle atrophy without side effects.

Abstract: This document describes methods and devices for treating ventricular fibrillation. For example, this document describes methods of performing electroporation of a ventricle and electroporation catheters. The methods can include inserting a distal end portion of a catheter into a ventricle of a heart of a patient, inflating a balloon coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter, occluding a valve of the heart associated with the ventricle with the balloon, injecting a fluid into the ventricle via an aperture defined by the distal end portion of the catheter, and generating an electrical current via an electrode on the distal end portion of the catheter.

Abstract: Confronted with the rapid evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to develop alternative treatment strategies for drug-resistant S. aureus, especially for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). We report a photonic approach to eradicate MRSA through blue-light photolysis of staphyloxanthin (STX), an anti-oxidative carotenoid acting as the constituent lipid of the functional membrane microdomains of S. aureus. Our transient absorption imaging study and mass spectrometry unveil the photolysis process of STX. After effective STX photolysis by pulsed laser, cell membranes are found severely disorganized and malfunctioned to defense antibiotics, as unveiled by membrane permeabilization, membrane fluidification, and detachment of membrane protein, PBP2a.

Abstract: An accelerator includes a key matrix register configured to store a key matrix, a query vector register configured to store a query vector; and a preprocessor configured to calculate similarities between the query vector and the key matrix.

Abstract: A polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing methodology is disclosed for freeform fabrication of polymeric structures under ambient conditions without the use of printed support structures. The build material can be dissolved in a suitable solvent for 3D printing. The polymer solution can be printed in (e.g., continuously printed using a moving dispensing nozzle) a yield-stress support bath to form an intermediate article. The intermediate article may be liquid or only partially coagulated after being printed into the yield-stress support bath. The yield-stress support bath may be at least partially disposed within a container, and the container may be immersed in a post-treatment coagulation solution to remove some or all of the solvent, causing the build material to fully solidify to form a finished article from the intermediate article.

Abstract: A computerized information processing method for evaluating blood vessels is provided. The method includes acquiring a series of sequences of measurements, each at different time points in at least one cardiac cycle and at a different point along a blood vessel segment of a subject, generating corresponding profiles, calculating a transfer function for a subsegment between two selected points along a blood flow direction, and based thereon determining the physiological property of the subsegment. The measurements can contain information of blood velocity or blood pressure. A processing device and system implementing the information processing method are also provided. This approach can be used to evaluate arteries or veins and can be applied in screening, diagnosis, or prognosis of a variety of vascular diseases. For example, when combined with MRI scan, this approach can be used for non-invasively diagnosing pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.

Abstract: A method of predicting the resistance of a biological sample to the damaging effects of ionizing radiation applied to the biological sample is described, where the method includes measuring by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy the amount of divalent manganese (Mn2+) present in the biological sample; and then determining the resistance of the biological sample to the ionizing radiation based on the measured amount of the divalent manganese.

Abstract: Systems and methods that can improve the safety and efficacy of chest tube thoracostomy are described. For example, this document provides systems and methods that facilitate direct visual confirmation of the proper placement of a chest tube within the thoracic space.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eddy current inspection device for nondestructive testing. The device includes: a bobbin-shaped coil configured to be inserted into a specimen, which is an object of nondestructive testing, and to apply induction current to an inner diameter of the specimen; a reference coil configured to be inserted into a nondestructive specimen, which is a reference of the specimen, and to apply induction current to an inner diameter of the nondestructive specimen; a cylindrical manual sensor array configured to disposed in the bobbin-shaped coil and to include lines and rows; and a control module configured to select one or more frequencies of multiple frequencies, apply AC power to the bobbin-shaped coil and the reference coil, generate a square wave signal with a varying phase difference, and perform first multiplication by an applied signal and the square wave signal. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect a flaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite membrane using a selective layer prepared through the interfacial polymerization (support-free interfacial polymerization) on a free interface without a support and, more specifically, to a method for manufacturing a composite membrane comprising a reverse osmotic membrane, which is obtained by preparing a selective layer through a spontaneous reaction of two organic monomers on an interface between two immiscible solutions and allowing the selective layer to adhere to a support. By employing the method for manufacturing a composite membrane having a selective layer prepared through the support-free interfacial polymerization according to the present invention, a high-functional reverse osmotic membrane can be prepared using various supports other than a conventional polysulfone support, thereby extending the application range of the reverse osmotic membrane, which has been restricted due to low chemical resistance of polysulfone.

Abstract: A method of water treatment includes flowing water that includes nitrogen and phosphorus compounds through a sorption media composition within at least one chamber of a water treatment system. The composition comprises iron filings comprising at most 5 volume (vol) % of the composition, sand particles comprising at least 80 vol % of the composition, and clay particles comprising at most 5 vol % of the composition. The iron filings, sand particles, and clay particles are mixed together. During the flowing, the clay particles attract the nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which become absorbed onto a surface of the iron filings and the clay, resulting in a removal of the nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and the generation of reaction products. Nitrogen and phosphorus are then recovered from the reaction products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-assembly preparation method of a nanocomposite material, and more particularly, relates to a self-assembly preparation method of a nanocomposite material comprising steps of: spraying a drug-containing solution onto metal aerosol nanoparticles to form a drug layer on the metal aerosol nanoparticles; and spraying a polymer-containing solution onto the metal aerosol nanoparticles, on which the drug layer is formed, to form a polymer layer on the drug layer, whereby since the method involves no liquid chemical process upon producing the metal aerosol nanoparticles, the processes are simple and can be performed even at a low temperature to suppress deformation of an organic or a drug, and the release rate of the drug, or the like can be easily controlled through metal types of metal aerosol nanoparticles, modification, and the like.