Abstract: A self-reconfigurable robot module and self-reconfigurable robot is provided, which belongs to technical field of robots. Self-reconfigurable robot module comprises rolling shell, magnet and driving mechanism. Magnet locates in and magnetically connected with rolling shell. Driving mechanism locates in rolling shell, magnet connects to driving mechanism, driving mechanism abuts against inner wall of rolling shell through attraction force, used for driving magnet to move along inner wall of rolling shell and changing gravity center of self-reconfigurable robot module.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether a fetal chromosomal aneuploidy exists from a biological sample obtained from a pregnant female. Nucleic acid molecules of the biological sample are sequenced, such that a fraction of the genome is sequenced. Respective amounts of a clinically-relevant chromosome and of background chromosomes are determined from results of the sequencing. The determination of the relative amounts may count sequences of only certain length. A parameter derived from these amounts (e.g. a ratio) is compared to one or more cutoff values, thereby determining a classification of whether a fetal chromosomal aneuploidy exists. Prior to sequencing, the biological sample may be enriched for DNA fragments of a particular sizes.

Abstract: Particular forward and reverse primers may be used to link distant regions of the same large DNA molecule into a smaller DNA molecule. A reverse primer R1 can have a first portion complementary to an ending sequence of region A and can have a second portion having an overlapping sequence. A forward primer F2 can have a first portion complementary to a starting sequence of region B, where the forward primer includes a complementary overlapping sequence (e.g., the same first portion or a second portion) that is complementary to the overlapping sequence. The first portion of F2 may be the entire primer. The smaller DNA molecules can be used to determine haplotypes of regions. Kits including the particular forward and reverse primers are also described.

Abstract: An output coupler can be used to couple multiple channels of light from a semiconductor waveguide to an optical fiber for wavelength division multiplexing. To couple light of a wide bandwidth (e.g., equal to or greater than 100 nm), two symmetrical gratings on two sides of a Fabry Perot cavity is used. The two symmetrical gratings are optimized to both reflect light for a Fabry Perot resonator and couple light out of the semiconductor waveguide.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for determining aberrations in a biological sample from an organism. Biological samples including cell-free DNA fragments are analyzed to identify imbalances in chromosomal regions, e.g., due to deletions and/or amplifications in a tumor. Multiple loci are used for each chromosomal region. Imbalances can be used to diagnose a patient for cancer, prognosticate a patient with cancer, or to detect the presence or monitor progress of a premalignant condition. The severity of an imbalance as well as the number of regions exhibiting an imbalance can be used. A systematic analysis of non-overlapping segments of a genome can provide a general screening tool for a sample. Additionally, a patient can be tested over time to track severity of each of one or more chromosomal regions and a number of chromosomal regions to enable screening and prognosticating, as well as monitoring of progress (e.g. after treatment).

Abstract: The contributions of different tissues to a DNA mixture are determined using methylation levels at particular genomic sites. Tissue-specific methylation levels of M tissue types can be used to deconvolve mixture methylation levels measured in the DNA mixture, to determine fraction contributions of each of the M tissue types. Various types of genomic sites can be chosen to have particular properties across tissue types and across individuals, so as to provide increased accuracy in determining contributions of the various tissue types. The fractional contributions can be used to detect abnormal contributions of a particular tissue, indicating a disease state for the tissue. A differential in fractional contributions for different sizes of DNA fragments can also be used to identify a diseased state of a particular tissue. A sequence imbalance for a particular chromosomal region can be detected in a particular tissue, e.g., identifying a location of a tumor.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a high-order pseudo-random electromagnetic exploration signal. The method includes: constructing two or more basic unit signals according to an exploration requirement, wherein the basic unit signals are stairstep signals obtained by superposing a plurality of in-phase periodic square wave signals, and a frequency ratio between adjacent ones of the plurality of periodic square wave signals is 2; and superposing the two or more basic unit signals to obtain superposed stairstep signals, and correcting amplitudes to be consistent with amplitudes of the periodic square wave signals, to obtain high-order 2n sequence pseudo-random signals. The 2n sequence stairstep signals of different orders can be constructed within a limited frequency interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for treating colorectal cancer or for reducing the risk of developing the disease in an individual. More specifically, compositions comprising an effective amount of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactococcus lactis, and Carnobacterium maltaromaticum are provided for the purpose of treating colorectal cancer in a person or for the purpose of reducing a person's risk of later developing colorectal cancer. Corresponding kits and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosing pregnancy-associated disorders, determining allelic ratios, determining maternal or fetal contributions to circulating transcripts, and/or identifying maternal or fetal markers using a sample from a pregnant female subject. Also provided is use of a gene for diagnosing a pregnancy-associated disorder in a pregnant female subject.

Abstract: A tricuspid valve apparatus may include a frame and an associated neo-prosthetic valve. The frame acts as a stabilizing structure that extends cephalad into the morphologic or functional right atrium (upstream) and caudally into the morphologic or functional right ventricle (downstream). The frame comprises a strutted atrial dome that conforms to the atrium without obstruction of blood flow from the incoming great veins (i.e. superior vena cava and inferior vena cava) or other anomalous veins and/or tributaries. The frame further comprises ventricular struts to be placed within the right ventricle to secure the neo-prosthetic valve in a desired position. The assembly of the frame and valve is collapsible so that prior to deployment the assembly is placed in a vascular catheter, and then self-expands upon release in the heart.

Abstract: The quality of cell-free DNA for analysis is improved by techniques described herein. Cell-free DNA may include DNA with defects that do not allow for analysis of those DNA with techniques such as sequencing and targeted capture enrichment. These defects may be defects within the strands of the DNA and not present at the ends of the DNA. These intrastrand defects in cell-free DNA can be repaired. The repair of the defects in cell-free DNA may then allow for these repaired cell-free DNA to be analyzed by techniques, including sequencing and targeted capture enrichment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting microamplifications or microdeletions in the genome of a fetus. In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving sequence tags for each of a plurality of DNA fragments in a biological sample; determining genomic positions for the sequence tags; determining whether the density of DNA in each of a plurality of genomic regions is aberrantly high or low; identifying as a microamplification a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly high density; and identifying as a microdeletion a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly low density. The biological sample may be a blood sample obtained noninvasively from a female subject pregnant with the fetus.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring multiple pieces of first received signal quality information at a receiver, where the multiple pieces of first received signal quality information represent qualities of signals received at the receiver, generating first conditional sample statistical values based on the multiple pieces of first received signal quality information and phase shift arrays corresponding to the signals, determining the first phase shift array that meets a communication requirement according to the first conditional sample statistical values, where the first phase shift array includes the phase shift value for at least one reflective element of an IRS, and configuring the IRS based on the first phase shift array.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method of halogenating phenols, yielding a range of halogenated phenols with enantiomeric ratio of up to 99.5:0.5. In certain embodiments, the subject invention pertains to a method of asymmetric halogenation of bisphenol, yielding a range of chiral bisphenol ligands. The novel chiral bisphenols are potent privileged catalyst cores that can be applied to the preparation of ligands for various catalytic asymmetric reactions. The catalyst library can easily be accessed because late-stage modification of the scaffold can readily be executed through cross-coupling of the halogen handles on the bisphenols.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and systems, including cell lines, recombinant polynucleotide constructs, compositions, and kits, for targeted yet universal genomic manipulation.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for making and use of metal-based coated nanoparticles. The metal-based, PEG-coated nanoparticles of the invention comprise folic acid molecules on their surface exercise dual functionality by specifically targeting renal tubule cells and treating renal fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the detection or monitoring of cancer using a biological sample selected from blood, plasma, serum, saliva, urine from an individual, said method comprising: (a) obtaining DNA from the said biological sample; (b) digesting the DNA sample with one or more methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes; (c) quantifying or detecting a DNA sequence of interest after step (b), wherein the target sequence of interest contains at least two methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme recognition sites; and (d) comparing the level of the DNA sequence from the individual to a normal standard, to detect, prognosticate or monitor cancer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method or a platform for hydrogel-based 3D fabrication, wherein the hydrogel is patterned with a programmable femtosecond light sheet with a power density of 0.1 to 100 TW/cm2.

Abstract: A blocking signal cancellation low noise amplifier system includes a first low noise amplifier, a second low noise amplifier, a blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit, a bias switching circuit, and a bias switching signal generating circuit. The first low noise amplifier is used for dynamic input matching, and the first low noise amplifier receives an input signal and outputs it after amplifying. The blocking signal extraction and bias generation circuit is used to extract a blocking signal from the output signal of the first low noise amplifier, and output a DC voltage signal. The bias switching circuit is used to switch the first low noise amplifier between a blocking mode and a small signal mode. The bias switching signal generating circuit is used to compare the DC bias voltage signal VB2 with a preset reference voltage signal Vref.

Abstract: Provided is an aqueous redox flow battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a posolyte chamber containing a posolyte, a negolyte chamber containing a polyoxometalate as a negolyte, and a separator disposed between the posolyte chamber and the negolyte chamber, wherein the polyoxometalate has a conductivity of 65 mS cm?1 or more at ?20° C., and the aqueous redox flow battery has a power density of 250 mW cm?2 or more at ?20° C.