Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and/or treating a subject having an aneurysm or at risk for developing an aneurysm. It has been discovered that a key metabolite of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, a major route for the metabolism of essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), plays a critical role in the formation of aneurysms, for example abdominal aortic aneurysms. In particular, it has been discovered that 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), a product of kynureninase (KYNU), plays a causative role in the formation of aneurysms by, for example exerting pro-inflammatory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. It has further been discovered that elevated levels of 3-HAA are indicative of the presence and/or progression of an aneurysm, and 3-HAA levels correlate with the size (aortic diameter) of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from afar-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of polymers comprising dynamic covalent diketoenamine bonds. This composition allows the formulation of polymeric materials with a wide range of architectures and properties, and further allows these materials to be recycled using thermal, chemical, or mechanical processes.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a transmission system capable of implementing four-wheel drive and an operating model thereof. The transmission system includes an odd shift motor, an even shift motor, a front-wheel drive shaft, a rear-wheel drive shaft, a front-wheel output shaft gear disposed on the front-wheel drive shaft, and a rear-wheel output shaft gear disposed on the rear-wheel drive shaft. The front-wheel output shaft gear and the rear-wheel output shaft gear are connected by a front/rear drive shaft coupling sleeve. In the disclosure, coordinated control of two motors allows the motors to operate with high efficiency to the maximum, which improves the efficiency of the transmission system. A four-wheel drive model and a two-wheel drive model are implemented through the coordinated control of two motors. Moreover, in the disclosure, sensor information is used to synchronously control a rotational speed during gear shift, which can reduce the impact during the gear shift.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method of manufacturing a spiral sheet product via an additive manufacturing process, the method comprising: obtaining an electronic file representing a geometry of the spiral sheet product; and controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture, via the additive manufacturing process, the spiral sheet product according to the geometry specified in the electronic file. The geometry of the spiral sheet product comprises: a geometric model of a spiral body revolving around a longitudinal axis, the spiral body comprising spiral sections repeating along the longitudinal axis; each spiral section comprising unit cells repeating along a spiral length of the spiral section; and each unit cell comprising a geometric pattern, such that the repetitive geometric pattern functionalizes the spiral sheet product that is arrangeable into a flat sheet product that is larger than a build chamber of the additive manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: It is provided a water-saturated carbon molecular sieve membrane obtainable by a) providing a hydrophilic carbon molecular sieve membrane (CMSM) comprising pores of a pore size from 0.25 nm to 0.55 nm for molecular sieving, pores of a pore size from 0.55 nm to 0.90 nm for adsorption diffusion and a negligible amount of pores larger than 0.90 nm such that a plot of N2 permeance versus pressure of permeation at room temperature and at a pressure from 1 to 4 bar has zero or negative slope; and b) humidifying the membrane until obtaining a water-saturated carbon molecular sieve membrane. It is also provided a process for the separation of a gas from a gas mixture with such a water-saturated membrane, and its use for solvent dehydration, and as a membrane reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed according to various embodiments is a thermoelectric material for colossal Seebeck coefficients comprising an Mg-poor Mg2Sn crystal and Secondary Sn phase.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for computing three-dimensional (3D) Euler angles through a distinctive matrices pattern. A method for calculating relative orientations of rigid bodies in space may include determining a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system of a rigid body D at a time T. The method may also include determining a 3D coordinate system of a rigid body E at time T. The method may further include determining a relative orientation at time T of the rigid body E in the 3D coordinate system of the rigid body D. In addition, the method may include calculating a final relative orientation of the rigid body E in the 3D coordinate system of the rigid body D by implementing a single set of Euler angle equations irrespective of a rotation sequence or a convention chosen.

Abstract: This document provides multiblock copolymers comprising: at least one block obtained from a polyester having an average MN of from about 2,000 to about 200,000, wherein the polyester contains one or more terephthalate units; and at least one block obtained from a polyolefin having an average MN of from about 2,000 to about 200,000. This document further provides methods of making and using the multiblock copolymers, and multilayer films, polymer blends, and molded articles comprising the multiblock copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) particle comprising a surface-bound peptide that enhances transduction of cells across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Also disclosed herein is a modified AAV capsid protein comprising an insertion of a polypeptide that enhances transduction of cells across the BBB, and an AAV particle comprising the modified AAV capsid protein. Specific peptides are provided. Pharmaceutical formulations and method of administering/delivering a nucleic acid to a cell of the brain and/or central nervous system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a deep-learning-based framework for designing components of a downlink precoding system. The components of such a system include downlink training pilots and channel estimation based on receipt of the downlink training pilots. Another component involves channel measurement and feedback strategy at the user equipment. The components include a precoding scheme designed at the base station based on the feedback from the user equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Si-containing high-strength and low-modulus medical titanium alloy, and an additive manufacturing method and use thereof. The additive manufacturing method comprises alloy ingredient design, powder preparation, model construction and substrate preheating, and additive manufacturing molding; wherein the Si-containing high-strength and low-modulus medical titanium alloy is designed in the ingredient proportion of Ti 60-70 at. %, Nb 16-24 at. %, Zr 4-14 at. %, Ta 1-8 at. %, Si 0.1-5 at. %.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting in impedance change in a transmission line, such as a line in a computer bus. A CMOS-compatible time domain reflectometer circuit comprising a comparator is embedded in one or more chips and connected to the transmission line. The circuit measures the impedance inhomogeneity pattern (IIP) of the transmission line prior to use, and then repeatedly measures the HP during operation of the transmission line to detect a change in IIP, without Interfering with data transfer through the transmission line. The present invention can detect and locate wire-tapping magnetic probing or snooping, and Trojan and cold boot attacks on interconnecting buses between computer chips or integrated circuits in a computer system, such as on external memory buses.

Abstract: Pore-forming peptides or proteins modified utilizing DNA nanotechnology, which provides definition and control of pore size, an increase in stability when inserted in a lipid membrane, and membrane affinity. Chemical modifications are easily made on the compound through hybridization to the oligonucleotide attached to the peptide or protein. The compound can hybridize to a DNA template thereby defining the number of monomers assembled to a pore and thus the size of the formed pore. The DNA template can range from a unique single strand composed of multiple hybridization sites separated by flexible linkers to a complex rigid DNA nanoconstruct, such as a DNA origami-based ring, serving as a scaffold for pore formation. Hydrophilic modification at the transmembrane segment or terminus of the peptide provides long-lived pores and keeps the compound in a membrane-spanning conformation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of determining the prognosis of a breast cancer patient by evaluating the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor in tumor cells. Other embodiment include methods of treating breast cancer cells, particularly, chemo-resistant cells, with a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and an anticancer agent or compound.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing one or more plant growth characteristics in a plant are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more microbial isolates that promote plant growth. Methods include providing an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more microbial isolates that promote one or more plant growth characteristics.

Abstract: An integrated filter material, a preparation method and an application. The filter material is composed of a commercial dust removal filter material and a catalyst that is grown on the filter material and that has a function of simultaneously decomposing nitrogen oxides and dioxins. In the preparation method, a precursor solution of manganese and cerium oxides is impregnated on the filter material, and manganese and cerium oxides are grown on the filter material by means of a chemical reaction; and vanadium oxychloride is used as a precursor of vanadium oxide and is impregnated on the filter material, reacts in water, and prepared by drying, hydrothermal and other processes. The composite filter material may remove three kinds of pollutants in flue gas at the same time, and the catalyst is firmly loaded and does not easily fall off.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a Sn—In electroplating bath that is Pb-free, environmentally safe, operates at room temperature, and does not require changes in existing plating assemblies. Room temperature aging and limited thermal cycling tests show that the electroplated Sn—In alloy film on a Cu substrate effectively mitigates whisker growth.

Abstract: An interconnect structure for insertion loss reduction in signal transmission and a method thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment, an interconnect is formed on a substrate by chemical etching process, and when the interconnect is protected by photoresist in chemical etching process, the etching direction of etching solution is not oriented, so undercut areas are respectively formed on both sides of a bottom of the interconnect at contact of the interconnect and the substrate because of etching solution residue after the etching process. An included angle formed in the undercut area between the interconnect and the substrate is defined as an etch angle, and a length of the portion, exposing in the undercut area, of the substrate is defined as an etch length. Controlling sizes of the etch angle and the etch length can reduce an insertion loss in signal transmission.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for magnetic resonance imaging. A method includes generating an MRI image by processing a first image obtained by applying a first order of modules including at least a first control module at a first time point and a first labeling module at a second time point to a target object, wherein the first control module inverts a magnetization of the target object and a second image obtained by applying a second order of modules including at least a second labeling module at a third time and a second control module at a fourth time to the target object, wherein the second labeling module inverts the magnetization of the target object.