Abstract: A skull-implantable electrode assembly for delivering pulses of electric current to a patient's brain, comprising a conductor housed in an insulated conduit and threaded through an electrically-conductive cannulated skull screw. Details of the exterior construction are discussed, as well as electrode arrangements and methods of treating a medical ailment of a patient.

Abstract: Provided are a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating and a preparing method of the same. The PTFE coating includes: a nanodiamond powder whose surface is treated with a plasma using a hydrogen-containing reactive gas to remove amorphous carbon, the nanodiamond powder being ground in a commercially available state and having a surface to which a functional group is attached; and a PTFE solution dispersing the nanodiamond powder.

Abstract: We describe a particle secreted by a mesenchymal stem cell and comprising at least one biological property of a mesenchymal stem cell. The biological property may comprise a biological activity of a mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) such as cardioprotection or reduction of infarct size. The particle may comprise a vesicle or an exosome.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for measuring a mechanical property of a biological tube. The system and method operate to arrange a plurality of piezoelectric elements about the biological tube and apply a predetermined force or transduce an endogeneous or exogeneous force to the biological tube. The system and method also operate to receive a respective signal from each piezoelectric element in the plurality of piezoelectric elements responsive to the application of the predetermined force or a transduced endogenous or exogeneous force and calculate the mechanical property of the biological tube based on the signals received from the plurality of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: Described are compositions containing quinones that show activity in enhance DNA repair and/or prevent damage to DNA. The quinones are thymoquinone, lapachol, myrtucommulone C, or mixtures thereof, and can be formulated into cosmetic compositions for topical administration to a subject in need thereof. The cosmetic compositions can also include sunscreens, surfactants, sunless tanning agents, desquamation agents, antiperspirants, colorants, preservatives and mixtures; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The compositions should find use in methods for treating the signs of ageing in mammals via topical application to the skin or hair of the mammals.

Abstract: Heavy hydrotreated gas oil compositions are provided, along with marine fuel oil compositions and marine gas oil compositions that include a substantial portion of a hydrotreated heavy atmospheric gas oil. The hydrotreated heavy atmospheric gas oil can correspond to a gas oil with a relatively low viscosity and an elevated paraffin content in a narrow boiling range which results in a relatively high cloud point and/or pour point.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring a displacement of an object according to steps of: dividing a signal into an I signal and a Q signal according to a phase of the signal, wherein the signal is reflected by the object after a transmission signal having a plurality of frequencies is emitted toward the object by the radar measurement system; estimating a direct current (DC) component from an N-tuple information acquired from the I signal and the Q signal; removing the estimated DC component to correct the I signal and the Q signal; and measuring the displacement of the object based on the corrected I signal and Q signal are provided.

Abstract: An encoder and an encoding method for a multi-channel signal, and a decoder and a decoding method for a multi-channel signal are disclosed. A multi-channel signal may be efficiently processed by consecutive downmixing or upmixing.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes sequentially laminating a separation layer and a first substrate layer on a sacrificial substrate, and forming a heat dissipation plate comprising a first region and a second region on the first substrate layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial substrate and the separation layer, and patterning the first substrate layer to form a first substrate exposing the heat dissipation plate in the second region and contacting the heat dissipation plate in the first region, and forming a first element on the first substrate. The method still further includes forming a plurality of conductive pads disposed on the heat dissipation plate in the second region and a first line connecting at least one of the plurality of conductive pads to the first element, and forming a second element on the conductive pads in the second region.

Abstract: A method for reducing artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data includes acquiring a k-space dataset of an anatomical subject using a MRI scanner. An iterative compressed sensing reconstruction method is used to generate a reconstructed image based on the k-space dataset. This iterative compressed sensing reconstruction method uses (a) L1-norm based total variation constraints applied the temporal and spatial dimensions of the k-space dataset and (b) a low rank constraint. After the reconstructed image is generated, a deep learning network is used to generate an artifact image depicting motion artifacts present in the reconstructed image. The reconstructed image is subtracted from the artifact image to yield a final image with the motion artifacts removed.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from glycerol. The method includes packing a catalyst comprising a noble metal and a support material into a reactor, introducing a reactant mixture containing glycerol into the reactor such that the reactant mixture containing methane is in close contact with the reactant mixture, and heating the reactant mixture containing glycerol to a temperature for a contact time.

Abstract: Methods for personalized treatment of tumor lesions in subject with metastatic cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A bending and molding production line includes an unwinding mechanism, a feeding and straightening device, a cutting-off mechanism, a bending and molding device and a material loading mechanism, wherein the bending and molding device includes a base, the base is provided with two transverse sliding bases, the base is provided with a transverse driving device driving the transverse sliding bases, the base is provided with a central clamping device between the two transverse sliding bases, the transverse sliding bases are provided with a longitudinal sliding base in a sliding manner and are provided with a longitudinal driving device driving the longitudinal sliding base to slide, the longitudinal sliding base is provided with a bending and molding device, the transverse sliding base at the left side is provided with a left clamping device, and the transverse sliding base at the right side is provided with a right clamping device.

Abstract: A method for improving wear control, while maintaining or improving solubility and fuel efficiency, in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil has a composition including a lubricating oil base stock as a major component; and at least one metal salt of a carboxylic acid, as a minor component; wherein the metal salt of the carboxylic acid contains no sulfur or phosphorus; wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), zinc (Zn), and mixtures thereof; wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, a cycloaliphatic carboxylic acid, an aromatic carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof; wherein the molar ratio of (zinc+palladium+silver+gold)/phosphorus of said formulated oil is greater than 1.0. The lubricating oils are useful in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel scaffolded HIV-1 vaccine immunogens. Some of the scaffolded immunogens contain a soluble gp140 trimer linked to the N-terminus of the nanoparticle subunit and a T-helper epitope that is fused via a short peptide spacer to the C-terminus of the nanoparticle subunit. Some other immunogens of the invention contain a soluble gp140 trimer protein that is linked to a stable nanoparticle via a short peptide spacer that is a T-helper epitope. Some of the scaffolded immunogens contain a gp140 trimer immunogen presented on a nanoparticle platform formed with I3-01 protein, E2p, or variants of protein 1VLW. Also provided in the invention are nucleic acids that encode the various vaccine immunogens described herein, and expression vectors and host cells harboring the nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods of using the scaffolded HIV-1 vaccine immunogens for preventing or treating HIV infections.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating material onto a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus includes an ionically resistive element that separates the plating chamber into a cross flow manifold (above the ionically resistive element) and an ionically resistive element manifold (below the ionically resistive element). Electrolyte is delivered to the cross flow manifold, where it shears over the surface of the substrate, and to the ionically resistive element manifold, where it passes through through-holes in the ionically resistive element to impinge upon the substrate as it enters the cross flow manifold. In certain embodiments, the flow of electrolyte into the cross flow manifold (e.g., through a side inlet) and the flow of electrolyte into the ionically resistive element manifold are actively controlled, e.g., using a three-way valve. In these or other cases, the ionically resistive element may include electrolyte jets.

Abstract: A magnetic screwdriver device includes one pad without magnetism, one driving shaft, and one driven shaft. The two shafts, which have magnetic attraction between each other, are disposed on opposite sides of the pad respectively and attract to each other. The driving shaft is used to transmit torque to actuate the driven shaft rotation. When the torque out of predetermined value overcomes the friction force between the driven shaft and the pad, the driven shaft will be stop.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to receiving an input signal; generating an output signal by integrating a leaked signal over an integration time, wherein the leaked signal is obtained based on a dampening signal, a leak factor and the input signal; and providing the output signal.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a method and a composition matter that provides a rapid and potent antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) of pathogenic bacteria that express high-affinity cell-surface hemin receptors (CSHRs) using Ga(III)-protoporphyrins IX (GaPpIX or Ga-PpIX). The invention provides an effective treatment option for infections of skin or body cavities that are accessible to visible-light irradiation, such as a handheld LED array emitting visible light (405 nm), especially for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pathogenic staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, streptococci, corynebacteria, mycobacteria, and Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: A system control a vehicle using a friction function describing a friction between a type of surface of the road and a tire of the vehicle as a function of a slip of a wheel of the vehicle. The parameters of each friction function include an initial slope of the friction function defining a stiffness of the tire and one or combination of a peak friction, a shape factor and a curvature factor of the friction function. Upon estimating a slip and a stiffness of the tire, the system selects from the memory parameters of the friction function corresponding to the current stiffness of the tire, determines a control command using a value of the friction corresponding to the slip of the tire according to the friction function defined by the selected parameters, and submits the control command to an actuator of the vehicle.