Abstract: A multimodal haptic feedback interface installed with a multimode haptic patch stimulates a skin area of a user to provide a haptic feedback including first and second haptic-feedback components to be sensed under static tactile sensing and dynamic tactile sensing, respectively. The patch is mounted with mechanical actuators, electrostimulation electrodes and thermoelectric pellets. The actuators generate a two-dimensional pattern of pressure on the skin area for generating the first haptic-feedback component. The electrostimulation electrodes electrically stimulates the skin area, causing the user to feel a vibration or pressure for generating the second haptic-feedback component. The actuators and electrostimulation electrodes are optimized only for static tactile sensing and dynamic tactile sensing, respectively, reducing an implementation cost while optimized for accuracy in haptic feedback generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-carbon composite of a core-shell structure and a method of synthesizing the same. The method includes preparing a first polymer-covered glass substrate with a nano-thickness metal film deposited thereon; immersing the first polymer-covered glass substrate with the metal film to delaminate one or more 2D freestanding organic-metal nanosheets from the first polymer-covered glass substrate; transferring the one or more 2D freestanding organic-metal nanosheets onto a second target substrate; and annealing the one or more 2D freestanding organic-metal nanosheets to decompose an organic portion of the organic-metal nanosheet into an amorphous carbon-containing shell forming a metal-carbon nanocomposite of a core-shell structure.

Abstract: A novel medium entropy alloy having the chemical formula MoxCrNiCo (atomic %) where (x ranges from ˜0.4 to ˜1.0).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a nervous system injury, such as a central nervous system injury and/or a peripheral nervous system injury, and methods for treating an injured neuron using glycopyrrolate, mexiletine, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A micro-scale mist teeth cleaning device includes console creating air under pressure and water under pressure. The console is connected to a mouthguard that is in the form of an outer ridge and an inner ridge with space in between for the teeth of a patient. The mouthguard includes a receptor for receiving the air and water under pressure, and has tubes for separately distributing the air under pressure and the water under pressure along the outer and inner ridges. The mouthguard further includes openings along the inner side of the outer ridge and the outer side of the inner ridge facing the location of the patient’s teeth when the mouthguard is installed in the patient’s mouth. The tubes for the pressurized air and the water intersect at each opening at an angle such that they act to eject a micro-scale mist from the opening onto the user’s teeth, thereby providing initial dental plaque removal.

Abstract: A power amplifier including: a main power amplification device having an output; an auxiliary power amplification device having an output; a load modulation circuit operably connected to the output of the main power amplification device and the output of the auxiliary power amplification device; and a post-matching circuit operably connected to load modulation circuit. The load modulation circuit is arranged to enable fundamental frequency load modulation and to enable modulated harmonic terminations of at least the second and third harmonic frequencies. The modulated harmonic terminations may include drain terminations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of certain cancers (e.g., esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ESCC) in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the DLEC1 gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating cancer by increasing DLEC1 gene expression or activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a data analysis method and a data analysis system for retinal nerve fibrous layer. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining a peripapillary RNFL scanning image and a full-circumference RNFL thickness measurement data distribution image; obtaining a fundus scanning image, measuring a optic disc macular inclination angle; obtaining the upper and lower range of the RNFL scanning image, and measuring the upper and the lower RNFL thickness; obtaining an intersection position of an RNFL measuring ring and a blood vessel according to the canning image, and respectively correcting the upper and the lower RNFL thickness; performing a symmetry evaluation of the upper and the lower RNFL thickness according to the upper and the lower RNFL thickness correction value, and judging whether the RNFL data is abnormal. The system includes: image acquisition module, macular angle module, RNFL thickness module, RNFL thickness correction module and RNFL data evaluation module.

Abstract: A photonic device and a continuous-wave THz signal generator using such photonic device. The photonic device includes an input waveguide arranged to receive input waves of at least two input frequencies and to generate photons at an output frequency associated with the at least two input frequencies; an output waveguide coupled to the input waveguide and arranged to collect the generated photons at the output frequency; wherein the output waveguide is further arranged to facilitate an amplification of the generated photons as the generated photons propagates along the output waveguide and arranged to output an amplified signal at the output frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar absorber incorporated bilayer foam solar evaporator for seawater and wastewater purification including a plurality of solar absorbers partially incorporated into a porous polymer framework and partially forming a thermal insulation layer proximal to solar irradiation. In particular, low-cost commercially available B4C powders are embedded into a porous polymer foam in a one-pot method to form a scaffold of boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) with good hydrophilic wettability, heat-shielding, and solar-thermal conversion. The boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) of the present invention enables a high cost-performance seawater desalination and wastewater purification at a high evaporation rate of 2.8 kg/m2/h with 93% solar evaporation efficiency under 1 sun illumination (or 1 kW/m2). The present invention thereby provides an excellent and cost-effective solar evaporator tool for industrial-level water purification.

Abstract: An antenna that comprises a dielectric body and a feed arrangement. The dielectric body includes a first portion operable as a dielectric lens and a second portion operable as a dielectric resonator. The feed arrangement is operably coupled with the dielectric body for operating the antenna as a dielectric lens antenna and a dielectric resonator antenna.

Abstract: Nitrogen-doped carbon-based catalyst sheets, methods for producing such carbon-based catalyst sheets, and their use as electrocatalysts in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A carbon-based catalyst comprising: carbon-based sheets, wherein the carbon-based sheets comprise nitrogen and a transition metal, and wherein the carbon-based sheets further comprise a plurality of micropores, mesopores, macropores, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for determining whether a nucleic acid sequence imbalance exists within a biological sample. One or more cutoff values for determining an imbalance of, for example, the ratio of the two sequences (or sets of sequences) are chosen. The cutoff value may be determined based at least in part on the percentage of fetal DNA in a sample, such as maternal plasma, containing a background of maternal nucleic acid sequences. The percentage of fetal DNA can be calculated from the same or different data used to determine the cutoff value, and can use a locus where the mother is homozygous and the fetus is heterozygous. The cutoff value may be determined using many different types of methods, such as sequential probability ratio testing (SPRT).

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 electrochemical detector includes: a solution chamber and a substance selection structure separating the chamber into individual compartments, wherein the solution chamber is arranged to retain and separate solutions in each of the individual compartments; and a pair of electrodes each connecting the respective individual compartment, wherein the pair of electrodes is arranged to form a conductive path across the electrodes when in contact with the solutions retained in the solution chamber. The substance selection structure is arranged to interact with a target substance in the solution so as to alter an electrical characteristic of the conductive path defined by the pair of electrodes, the solution retained in the individual compartments in the solution chamber and the substance selection structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fast and robust quantification of magnetization transfer (MT) use off-resonance spin-lock MRI with as few as two or three image acquisitions. Each image acquisition can be performed using an off-resonance spin-lock pulse having a different RF amplitude and frequency offset. A parameter representing the difference of the relaxation rate in the rotating frame between the acquisitions can be computed. This parameter can be used to compute other parameters of magnetization transfer.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for detection of presence and/or quantities of silver nanoparticles in a specimen. The method includes the steps of a) providing a detection organism suspended in a medium, b) treating the detection organism with zinc ions thus effecting auto-fluorescence therefrom, and then measuring degree of fluorescence of the detection organism suspended medium, c) adding the specimen to the detection organism suspended medium, treating the detection organism therein with the specimen for a period of time, and measuring change of fluorescence of the detection organism-suspended medium over time, d) calculating amount of silver ions intracellularly dissolved from the silver nanoparticles and accumulated in the detection organism in view of the change of fluorescence, and e) extrapolating quantity of silver nanoparticles in the specimen in view of the change of fluorescence and the amount of the intracellularly dissolved silver ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for articular cartilage thickness mapping and lesion quantification operate on 3D medical image data to reconstruct cartilage surfaces, estimate surface normals, determine cartilage thickness, and identify regions of full-thickness cartilage loss (FCL). Reconstructed cartilage surfaces can be parcellated into subregions using a rule-based approach.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that combined use of kuraridin (or any one of its analogs) and epicatechin gallate (ECG) can provide heightened level of antimicrobial activity, especially for the suppression of bacteria of the Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcal species. Compositions, kits, and methods for the combination use are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing unsaturated hydrocarbons by black body photocatalytic (thermal radiative catalytic) conversion of saturated hydrocarbons. In this method, a saturated hydrocarbon reaction gas is introduced into a reaction furnace, and the saturated hydrocarbon is catalyzed to convert under heating and illumination conditions to prepare the unsaturated hydrocarbons. The photocatalysis is combined to the conventional thermal catalysis to improve the catalytic performance, accelerate the reaction speed, increase the conversion rate, and/or improve the selectivity of the catalytic reaction.