Abstract: The present disclosure provides an effective stress cell for direct measurement of effective stress in saturated soil. The effective stress cell comprises a sensing diaphragm, a porous diaphragm, a connector and a strain sensor. The porous diaphragm allows pore-water to enter the interior space between the sensing diaphragm and the porous diaphragm to provide complete balance of pore-water pressures in the front and back of the sensing diaphragm. Thus, the effective stress cell can directly and accurately measure the effective stress in saturated soil using only one diaphragm at one location without measuring pore-water pressure.

Abstract: A machine learning method predicts whether a specified subject is at high risk of developing cognitive impairment based upon a data record for said specified subject, and a method of training a dual neural network for such. These methods may work by automatically classifying said subject into a first class associated with a first predicted risk of cognitive impairment or a second class associated with a second predicted risk of cognitive impairment. Subject records are obtained comprising a first set of measured data and a second set of data including results for two or more health assessment questionnaires; and a label indicating that the subject belongs to the first class or second class. These records are used to train first and second neural networks, and in the latter method these trained networks are able to predict whether a specified subject should belong to said first class or second class.

Abstract: A spectacle lens can inhibit ametropia of the eyes and ensure full visibility. The spectacle lens comprises: first refraction areas and second refraction areas. Each first refraction area has a first refraction force that may be based on a prescription for correcting the ametropia of the eyes. Each second refraction area has a refraction force different from the first refraction force and may function to focus images on the positions except the retina of the eyes, to inhibit the development of the ametropia. Near the central part of the lens, the second refraction areas form a plurality of independent island-shaped areas, and the first refraction areas form the areas beyond the areas of the second refraction areas.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a biodegradable antimicrobial material based on polylactic acid oligomer represented by formula 1 as an active ingredient. The disclosure also provides a process for preparing the polylactic acid oligomer and an antimicrobial product prepared therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a series of chiral DOTA, DO3A, DO2A, DO1A, cyclen and their metal complexes, which display properties superior to those of previous DOTA-based compounds, and hence are potentially valuable as a platform for diagnostic applications. The chiral DOTAs reveal a high abundance of twisted square antiprism (TSA) geometry favoring them to be used as potential MRI contrast agents, whereas their rapid labelling properties at mild conditions make them excellent candidates for use as radiometal chelators.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the batch polishing of workpieces, the apparatus includes an annular cavity, in which several workpieces are mounted, magnetic abrasives, which are arranged in the annular cavity and used for polishing the workpieces, and multiple magnet sets, which are used for generating a magnetic field for the magnetic abrasives in order to remove a surface material of the workpieces, wherein each of the magnet sets comprises magnets arranged on both inner and outer sides of the annular cavity and configured to rotate about the axis of the annular cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for storing digital data into peptide sequences and retrieving digital data from peptide sequences are disclosed. The method for storing digital data into peptide sequences may include: encoding the digital data into a digital code; translating the digital code into the peptide sequences; and synthesizing the translated peptide sequences. The method for retrieving digital data from peptide sequences may include: sequencing and determining an order of the peptide sequences; converting the peptide sequences with the determined order into a digital code; and decoding the digital data from the digital code. Codes with error-correction capability are developed for encoding digital data into peptide sequences, and a computational method implemented in a software is developed for sequencing the digital data bearing peptides.

Abstract: The present technology for the detection and analysis of analytes within a sample is based on molecular biology methods, including western blotting, gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and RT-PCR, which are normally time-consuming and laborious. The present disclosure provides novel OECT based electrochemical biosensors that can enable the convenient and cost-effective determination of analytes within a sample with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Abstract: Provided herein are a lithium electrode and a sulfur electrode for batteries. The lithium electrode comprises lithium metal and a metal-coated fabric. The fibers of the metal-coated fabric are covered by a metal layer, on which the lithium metal is attached. The sulfur electrode comprises a sulfur composite and a nickel-coated fabric. The fibers of the nickel-coated fabric are covered by a nickel layer, on which the sulfur composite is attached. The lithium electrode can inhibit dendrite formation and the sulfur electrode can speed up the redox kinetics of soluble polysulfides.

Abstract: Methods and systems for storing digital data into peptide sequences and retrieving digital data from peptide sequences are disclosed. The method for storing digital data into peptide sequences may include: encoding the digital data into a digital code; translating the digital code into the peptide sequences; and synthesizing the translated peptide sequences. The method for retrieving digital data from peptide sequences may include: sequencing and determining an order of the peptide sequences; converting the peptide sequences with the determined order into a digital code; and decoding the digital data from the digital code. Codes with error-correction capability are developed for encoding digital data into peptide sequences, and a computational method implemented in a software is developed for sequencing the digital data bearing peptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface comprising a photocatalyst affixed thereupon via an adhesive layer and methods for affixing the photocatalyst to the surface via the adhesive layer. The present disclosure also provides a purifier comprising the photocatalyst affixed surface and a purifier system comprising such purifier.

Abstract: PbI2 thin film crystallization control is prerequisite of high-quality perovskite layer for the sequentially solution-processed perovskite solar cells. According to the present invention, an efficient-and-simple method has been developed by adding halogen acid additive to improve perovskite thin-film quality and an efficiency of at least 15.2% is obtained. This approach improves coverage, uniformity and stability of pervoskite thin-film. In addition, a nanofiber scaffold is incorporated into the perovskite layer so as to reduce the amount of grain boundaries, thus substantially reducing electron recombination within these boundaries.

Abstract: An electrode for a battery, comprising an active material and a metallic fabric is disclosed. The metallic fabric comprises fibers being at least partially covered by a coating of nickel or copper, which comprises a layer and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the layer. The active material is attached on the protrusions. The metallic fabric provides a high electrical conductivity and a high mechanical stability, and demonstrates outstanding performance for the use as a current collector of battery.

Abstract: A bionic underwater robot for achieving a variety of motions is disclosed. The bionic underwater robot includes a head and one or more tail structures. Each of the one or more tail structures includes one or more joint structures. Each of the one or more joint structures includes a connection plate, and a modular assembly, comprising an upper servo motor, a lower servo motor, and a bevel gear mechanism, is motorized for performing various movement motions of the joint structure. The bevel gear mechanism is integrally formed by an intermediate bevel gear, a first bevel gear, and a second bevel gear. The upper servo motor drives the first bevel gear from a first side of the modular assembly, while the lower servo motor drives the second bevel gear from a second side.

Abstract: A charged multilayer nanofiber filter for air filtration and the fabrication method thereof is disclosed. The charged multilayer nanofiber filter has a plurality of charged nanofiber mats. Each of the plurality of charged nanofiber mats is obtained by charging nanofiber mats individually before assembling. The nanofiber mat comprises a nanofiber layer and a substrate layer. The plurality of charged nanofiber mats is assembled such that the nanofiber layers and the substrate layers are stacked together in an alternative manner. The charged multilayer nanofiber filter can be fabricated by electrospinning a polymer solution on the substrate layer to obtain a nanofiber mat, charging the nanofiber mat to obtain a charged nanofiber mat, and assembling a plurality of charged nanofiber mats to form the charged multilayer nanofiber filter.

Abstract: Aberrant cross talk between Notch ligand (e.g. Jag1) and Notch receptor (e.g. Notch1) has been implicated in tumorigenesis in the colon. Inhibition of Notch pathway is therefore an attractive approach for treating diseases with upregulated Jag1 e.g. colorectal cancer (CRC). Pan-notch inhibitors like gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs) have been developed to inhibit Notch and its downstream events. However, severe gastrointestinal toxicity profiles impede the clinical development of GSIs. The present invention develops novel oligopeptides that specifically inhibit Jag1-Notch1 pathway without interfering DLL1-Notch1 or DLL4-Notch1, which demonstrates a clear advantage over pan-notch inhibitors.

Abstract: A yarn twisting method and device for a ring spinning machine is provided. The twisting method comprises the following steps: feeding three roving strands (1, 2, 3) into a back roller (8) of the ring spinning machine; after drafting, the three roving strands, three fiber strands (1, 2, 3) exiting from a nip point of a front roller (10), wherein a fiber strand (2) in the middle forms an angle with a plane formed by the other two fiber strands (1, 3), and thus the three fiber strands (1, 2, 3) form a multi-strand spinning triangle region having a three-dimensional spatial form; and in the multi-strand spinning triangle region, the three fiber strands (1, 2, 3) obtaining twist by means of a ring traveler of the ring spinning machine, and the twisted fiber strands (1 ,2, 3) are combined into a composite yarn (4) through a convergence point.

Abstract: Method of treating endometriosis and related indications, comprising the administration of Pro-EGCG, a synthetic and derivative product of epigallocatechin-3-gallate [(?)-EGCG]. Use of PRO-EGCG in the manufacture of a medicament for treating endometriosis and related indications. Pro-EGCG for use in the treatment of endometriosis and related indications.

Abstract: A spectacle lens can inhibit ametropia of the eyes and ensure full visibility. The spectacle lens comprises: first refraction areas and second refraction areas. Each first refraction area has a first refraction force that may be based on a prescription for correcting the ametropia of the eyes. Each second refraction area has a refraction force different from the first refraction force and may function to focus images on the positions except the retina of the eyes, to inhibit the development of the ametropia. Near the central part of the lens, the second refraction areas form a plurality of independent island-shaped areas, and the first refraction areas form the areas beyond the areas of the second refraction areas.

Abstract: A multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn includes a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial direction, and a matrix material included with the yarn, wherein the matrix material has a second anisotropic expansion coefficient that is different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in at least one of the axial or radial directions. A method of fabricating a multi-level-architecture multi-fiber composite yarn includes infiltrating a composite yarn having a first anisotropic expansion coefficient in an axial and/or radial directions with a matrix material having a second anisotropic expansion coefficient different from the first anisotropic expansion coefficient in the axial or radial direction.