Abstract: A method of immunizing a human against infection by parasitic worms, comprising orally administering a live attenuated recombinant bacterium, expressing at least one antigen corresponding to a parasitic worm antigen; and a sterile injectable vaccine comprising the at least one antigen corresponding to a parasitic worm antigen. The method is effective against worms, including schistosomes.

Abstract: An auxetic metamaterial including a plurality of interconnected building blocks that are deformable between a collapsed position and an expanded position upon the application of a load. The building blocks are bistable, and define a stable state in both the collapsed position and the expanded position. In the stable state, the building blocks maintain the collapsed position or the expanded position, even after removal of the load applied on the building block.

Abstract: It is provided a method of converting a diaryl ether source such as lignin and/or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) containing 4-O-5 linkages and an inorganic chemical such as ammonia into an organic compound, comprising reacting said diaryl ether source with the inorganic chemical in presence of a catalyst, preferably palladium, transforming the 4-O-5 linkages of said diaryl ether source into the organic compound. It is provided a palladium-catalyzed synthesis of aniline derivatives from 4-O-5 linkage lignin model compounds and cheap industrial inorganic chemical ammonia via dual C(Ar)—O bond cleavage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting loss of muscle mass or muscle function in a subject in need thereof, or a method of treating miofibers ex vivo, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a 18-20 member bi-polycyclic compound to the subject or to the miofibers.

Abstract: There is described a sensor for sensing a variable of a sample. The sensor generally has a graphene layer supported by a substrate; a parylene layer coating the graphene layer opposite the substrate; a sensing layer coating the parylene layer opposite the substrate, and being exposable to the sample; and electrical contacts at opposite ends of the graphene layer.

Abstract: A technique for separating components of a microfluid, comprises a self-intersecting micro or nano-fluidic channel defining a cyclic path for circulating the fluid over a receiving surface of a fluid component separating member; and equipment for applying coordinated pressure to the channel at a plurality of pressure control areas along the cyclic path to circulate the fluid over the receiving surface, applying a pressure to encourage a desired transmission through the separating member, and a circulating pressure to remove surface obstructions on the separating member. The equipment preferably defines a peristaltic pump. Turbulent microfluidic flow appears to be produced.

Abstract: A topologically-protected traveling-wave amplifier includes resonators arranged in a two-dimensional array defining a periphery including a first edge. An output line is coupled to an output resonator disposed along the first edge spaced from an input resonator coupled to an output line. A synthetic gauge field generator associated with the resonators provides a topologically-protected edge state corresponding to propagation along the periphery in a propagation direction from the input resonator along the first edge to the output resonator. A parametric driving element creates pairs of photons in the edge state and amplifies a signal propagating along the first edge in the propagation direction. A signal incident from the input line propagates in the propagation direction along the first edge while being amplified and is detected at the output line as an amplified signal. A signal incident from the output line is attenuated before emerging at the input resonator.

Abstract: Active dichoptic perceptual-learning tasks or dichoptic game play have been shown to significantly improve visual acuity of amblyopic children and adults. However, these dichoptic perceptual learning tasks are intensive and repetitive such that non-compliance is high. In contrast, the invention provides dichoptic perceptual learning in a manner that the user maintains its use and compliance is increased. Further, compliance becomes automatic if the user performs tasks in a normal manner and “forgets” that they are actually undergoing treatment as it is integrated with minimal disruption to their life and activities. Accordingly, a methodology exploiting complementary dichoptic stimulation is presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; wherein R1, R2, Ra, Rb and Rc are as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and methods for the treatment of cancer using same.

Abstract: There is described a photodetector for detecting incoming infrared light. The photodetector generally has a substrate; an i-type semiconductor region extending along the substrate, the i-type semiconductor region being sandwiched between a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region; a grating coupler being optically connected to one of two ends of the i-type semiconductor region, the grating coupler redirecting incoming infrared light into and along the i-type semiconductor region via the one of the two ends of the i-type semiconductor region for propagation of infrared light along the i-type semiconductor region; and a photocurrent detection circuit electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor region and to the n-type semiconductor region for detecting a photocurrent resulting from said propagation.

Abstract: A major challenge for the general use of “lab-on-a-chip” (LOAC) systems and point-of-care (POC) devices has been the generally complex and need for sophisticated peripheral equipment, such that it is more difficult than anticipated to implement low cost, robust and portable LOAC/POC solutions. It would be beneficial for chemical, medical, healthcare, and environmental applications to provide designs for inexpensive LOAC/POC solutions compatible with miniaturization and mass production, and are potentially portable, using compact possibly hand-held instruments, using reusable or disposable detectors. Embodiments of the invention address improved circuit elements for self-powered self-regulating microfluidic circuits including programmable retention valves, programmable trigger valves, enhanced capillary pumps, and flow resonators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to maresins, preferably maresin-1, for use in the treatment of CNS injuries preferably selected from spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: An attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain (YS1646) is repurposed to produce a vaccine. Plasmid-based candidates expressing either the TcdA or TcdB RBD were screened. Different vaccine routes and schedules were tested to achieve detectable serum and mucosal antibody titers in C57BL/6J mice. When given in a multi-modality schedule over 1 week (day 0 IM+PO, days 2 and 4 PO), several candidates provided 100% protection against lethal challenge. Substantial protection (82%) was achieved with combined PO TcdA/TcdB vaccination alone (d0, 2 and 4). These data demonstrate the potential of the YS1646-based vaccines for C. difficile.

Abstract: Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) biosensors for assessing the intracellular localization, internalization and trafficking into cellular compartments of proteins such as receptors, and other biomolecules such as second messengers, are disclosed. These biosensors, which are dependent on the concentration/density of the BRET donor and acceptor in cellular compartments rather that specific protein-protein interactions, use a Renilla GFP/Luc BRET pair, which allows the robust and reproducible monitoring of protein trafficking/localization, with a sensitivity compatible with high-throughput screening (HTS). The use of these biosensors for various applications, including assessing/monitoring protein endocytosis, recycling and intracellular trafficking, receptor maturation/rescue by pharmacological chaperones, various endocytosis/exocytosis processes, activation/inhibition, as well as biomolecule concentration/density in different cellular compartments, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising quinolinones. The quinolinones and compositions thereof are useful as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) complex modulators.

Abstract: InGaN offers a route to high efficiency overall water splitting under one-step photo-excitation. Further, the chemical stability of metal-nitrides supports their use as an alternative photocatalyst. However, the efficiency of overall water splitting using InGaN and other visible light responsive photocatalysts has remained extremely low despite prior art work addressing optical absorption through band gap engineering. Within this prior art the detrimental effects of unbalanced charge carrier extraction/collection on the efficiency of the four electron-hole water splitting reaction have remained largely unaddressed. To address this growth processes are presented that allow for controlled adjustment and establishment of the appropriate Fermi level and/or band bending in order to allow the photochemical water splitting to proceed at high rate and high efficiency. Beneficially, establishing such material surface charge properties also reduces photo-corrosion and instability under harsh photocatalysis conditions.

Abstract: A technique for separating components of a microfluid, comprises a self-intersecting micro or nano-fluidic channel defining a cyclic path for circulating the fluid over a receiving surface of a fluid component separating member; and equipment for applying coordinated pressure to the channel at a plurality of pressure control areas along the cyclic path to circulate the fluid over the receiving surface, applying a pressure to encourage a desired transmission through the separating member, and a circulating pressure to remove surface obstructions on the separating member. The equipment preferably defines a peristaltic pump. Turbulent microfluidic flow appears to be produced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding data are described herein. The method comprises inputting data to a first pipeline of a non-systematic polar encoder capable of encoding a polar code of length nmax, extracting, via at least one first multiplexer of size log nmax×1, a first polar code of length n<nmax at a first location along the first pipeline to generate a first encoded output, modifying the first encoded output to set frozen bits to a known value to obtain a modified first encoded output, inputting the modified first encoded output to a second pipeline of the non-systematic polar encoder, and extracting, via at least one second multiplexer of size log nmax×1, a second polar code of length n<nmax at a second location along the second pipeline to generate a second encoded output, the second encoded output corresponding to a systematically encoded polar code of length n.

Abstract: GaN-based nanowire heterostructures have been intensively studied for applications in light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, solar cells and solar fuel devices. Surface charge properties play a dominant role on the device performance and have been addressed within the prior art by use of a relatively thick large bandgap AlGaN shell covering the surfaces of axial InGaN nanowire LED heterostructures has been explored and shown substantial promise in reducing surface recombination leading to improved carrier injection efficiency and output power. However, these lead to increased complexity in device design, growth and fabrication processes thereby reducing yield/performance and increasing costs for devices. Accordingly, there are taught self-organising InGaN/AlGaN core-shell quaternary nanowire heterostructures wherein the In-rich core and Al-rich shell spontaneously form during the growth process.

Abstract: Provided herein are Mcl-1 antagonist compositions and methods of treating cancer using the compositions described herein.