Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer (100). In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises: removing a portion of a deposited layer and a protective layer thereon using a first slurry to provide an intermediate surface (1123). In the described embodiment, the deposited layer includes an epitaxial layer (112) and the protective layer includes a first dielectric layer (113). The first slurry includes particles with a hardness level the same as or exceeding that of the epitaxial layer (112). A slurry for use in wafer fabrication for reducing surface unevenness of a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically engineered cell populations derived from an immortalised/cancerous cell that do not express MHC class I molecules but that are modified to express membrane-bound IL-15, membrane-bound 4-1 BBL ligand, and at least one other membrane bound molecule, such as an interleukin or anti-CD3 antibody. The co-culture of said cells with a population of immune cells results in the activation and expansion of at least one subpopulation of immune cells. Expanded populations of NK cells derived from the co-culture of a mixed cell culture with the stimulatory cell lines may be used in methods of treating cancer or an infectious disease. In a separate embodiment, a plurality of nucleic acids for use in preparing the engineered cell population are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane comprising at least one 2D material and an inorganic porous material. The composite membrane described herein may be housed within a separation device which may be used for selective permeation of one or more gaseous compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of target nucleic acids using enzyme-assisted nanotechnology. More specifically, the present invention provides a molecular nanotechnology in the form of a transition-state DNA-enzyme molecular switch and methods of use that enables direct and sensitive detection of viral RNA targets in native clinical samples. In one embodiment, the detection comprising steps of providing a composition comprising at least one DNA polymerase enzyme, at least one enhancer, and at least one DNA polymerase inhibitor, wherein the DNA polymerase inhibitor is recognized and bound by the DNA polymerase enzyme via its conserved region, and is complementary to a portion of the enhance via its variable region. In another embodiment, the detection method comprising steps of providing a signalling nanostructure and detecting signal development, wherein a change in the intensity of signal. In an alternative embodiment, the target nucleic acid is a SARS-CoV-2 polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heat-repressible split-T7 polymerases comprising temperature-sensitive domains of Tlpa protein fused with split T7 RNA polymerase (T7RNAP) to introduce thermal control into widely used T7 RNA polymerase, creating a heat-repressible Thermal-T7RNAP system. The invention further provides polynucleotides encoding the heat-repressible split-T7 polymerases, and methods of thermal control of bioproduction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensory flooring system. The flooring system comprises a plurality of flooring segments and, for each flooring segment, one or more electrode portions. Each electrode portion is responsive to a force applied to the flooring segment and at least one electrode portion of a said flooring segment forms an electrode with at least one electrode portion of another said flooring segment. Moreover, each flooring segment comprises a unique encoding of the one or more electrode portions. Also disclosed is a sensory floor such a sensory flooring system, a receiver for receiving an electrical output from the one or more electrodes formed by said one or more electrode portions of the flooring segments, and a processor for analysing the electrical output and identifying the flooring segment by which the electrical output was produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanomaterial electrolyte formed from a modified two-dimensional nanomaterial having a surface, where the surface is modified by a plurality of functional groups selected from one or more of the group consisting of imine, sulfonic acid, sulfonamide, amine, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, thiol, and amide on the surface of the modified two-dimensional nanomaterial, where the nanomaterial electrolyte is capable of reversibly adopting a flat two-dimensional conformation or a scrolled 1-dimensional conformation upon a change to its ambient environment. There is also disclosed a method of effecting a change in conformation from one form to the other (and back again).

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric receptor comprising NKG2D, DAP10 and CD3 zeta. Also disclosed is a composition comprising this chimeric receptor and methods for making and using it to enhance the cytotoxicity and antitumor capacity of NK cells. The invention also encompasses methods for use of NKG2D-DAP10-CD3 zeta polypeptides, vectors and cells in methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating a live attenuated vaccine. The present invention also relates to a live attenuated vaccine produced according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: An ion microscope, a method of constructing an ion microscope, and a method of aligning an ion beam in an ion microscope. The microscope comprises a nano-aperture ion source; and a focusing system; wherein the focusing system is configured for selectively coaxially focusing an ion beam generated from an electron beam ionizing an ionizing gas in the nano-aperture ion source and the electron beam.

Abstract: A monolithic carbon foam formed of fused onion-like carbon (OLC) nanoparticles, in which the monolithic carbon foam contains interconnected pores, has a volumetric micropore surface area of 200 m2/cc-600 m2/cc, and has an electrical conductivity of 20 s/cm-140 s/cm. Also disclosed are electrodes and energy storage devices constructed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital CRISPR-based method for detecting and quantitating target nucleic acids in a sample comprising: forming a mixture comprising sample nucleic acids; isothermal amplification reaction reagents for amplifying one or more target nucleic acid sequences; partitioning the mixture into a plurality of compartments; incubating the partitioned mixture at a temperature for isothermal amplification and Cas effector cleavage of an amplified DNA strand, detecting a signal from cleavage of the non-target sequence, thereby detecting the one or more target sequences in the sample, and determining the copy number of the target nucleic acid based on a Poisson distribution of the proportion of positive-to-negative compartments. The invention also relates to a method for detecting presence and/or of a disease in a subject, and a kit to quantitate nucleic acids in a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method of predicting the responsiveness of a subject towards a Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibiting therapy. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for predicting the responsiveness of a subject towards a Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibiting therapy, the method comprising determining the level and/or activity of AT-rich interacting domain 1A (ARID1A) in a sample obtained from the subject.

Abstract: A system to provide a human-machine interface to enable a user in a real space to act/sense in a virtual space. The system includes: a ring wearable by a finger of the user; a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of feedback units. The plurality of sensors being multimodal, including: a tactile sensor disposed on an inner surface of the ring; and a temperature sensor disposed on an outer surface of the ring. The plurality of feedback units being multimodal, including: a vibrator disposed on the ring, the vibrator being disposed on the outer surface of the ring; and a heater disposed on the inner surface of the ring. The system includes a controller configured to drive the plurality of sensors and the plurality of feedback devices to enable concurrent multimodal sensing and multimodal feedback.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spatially decoupled redox flow water electrolyzer, that has a hydrogen-producing catholyte section formed from a catholyte tank, having a cathode, and a hydrogen generation compartment, where the catholyte tank and the hydrogen generation compartment are fluidly connected to one another by a fluid pathway, so as to facilitate the circulation of a liquid catholyte from the catholyte tank to the hydrogen generation compartment and back to the catholyte tank and an oxygen-producing anolyte section formed from an anolyte tank, having an anode, and an oxygen producing compartment, where the anolyte tank and the oxygen producing compartment are fluidly connected to one another by a fluid pathway, so as to facilitate the circulation of a liquid anolyte from the anolyte tank to the oxygen producing compartment and back to the anolyte tank, an anion-exchange membrane is disposed between the catholyte and anolyte tanks and a current collector attached to the catholyte and anolyte tanks.

Abstract: A method of protecting a magnetic layer of a magnetic recording medium is provided to reduce the thickness of the magnetic spacing while improving corrosion resistance and tribological performance of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of age-related diseases, and increasing healthspan. Provided are methods of treating or preventing an age-related disease/condition, and in particular of treating or preventing frailty, comprising administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an agent capable of inhibiting interleukin 11 (IL-11)-mediated signalling to a subject. Also provided are agents capable of inhibiting interleukin 11 (IL-11)-mediated signalling for use in such a method. Further provided is the use of agents capable of inhibiting interleukin 11 (IL-11)-mediated signalling in the manufacture of a medicament for use in such a method.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-layered sheet mask comprising at least (a) a porous first layer having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side, and comprises a plurality of three-dimensional patterns extending therefrom; (b) a second layer attached to the second side of the porous first layer, the second layer comprising at least one pouch for receiving or containing at least one first active ingredient; a porous support structure; an air pouch that is sandwiched between the second side of the porous first layer and the porous support structure; and a plurality of microchannels that extend from the pouch and beyond the first side of the porous first layer when the air pouch is deflated; and (c) a third layer attached to the second layer for receiving or containing at least one second active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising or consisting of two or more bacteria strains, formulated for the prophylaxis or treatment of intestinal barrier dysfunction and/or heat stress in a subject. More particularly, the composition comprises two or more of Lactobacillus reuteri MM2-3, Lactobacillus plantarum WCSF1, Streptococcus thermophilus B of R and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. The present invention also includes uses of the invention to treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and heat stress.

Abstract: A planar modular microfluidic module, system and method for manufacturing such module is provided. The module includes a base layer, and a fluidic layer configured to be attached to and on top of the base layer, whereby the base layer and said fluidic layer configured to create a single basic module, a jacket configured to cover the base module around its lateral sides, in order to provide sturdiness to the basic module and create a jacket covered module. The jacket includes a physical connector configured to enable lateral connection between adjacent modules, the physical connector positioned on at least one lateral side of the jacket covered module, and a fluidic connection port located within said physical connector and configured to enable fluid flow connection between adjacent modules.