Abstract: Provided are compounds that enhance the efficacy of viruses by increasing spread of the virus in cells, increasing the titer of virus in cells, or increasing the antigen expression from a virus, gene or trans-gene expression from a virus, or virus protein expression in cells. Other uses, compositions and methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: The present application provides a hydrodefluorination process for the preparation of hydrofluoroalkenes by catalyzed substitution of one or more F atoms of a C2-C30 fluoroalkene, or a C2-C10 fluoroalkene, with one or more H atoms using a hydride source, such as a silane, and copper catalyst. During this process at least one C—F bond in the fluoroakene is converted to a C—H bond. The process is useful in the manufacture of hydrofluoroalkenes, such as hydrofluoroalkenes employed as, for example, refrigerants and blowers. Also provided are precatalyst compositions for performing the process, and formulations manufactured from hydrofluoroalkenes produced using the process.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution, the methods including: providing an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution being contaminated with at least trace amounts of an oxidized mercury species; culturing a photoheterotrophic or fermentative heterotrophic bacteria in the aqueous solution under anaerobic conditions in which the bacteria reduce the oxidized mercury species to elemental mercury (Hg0), wherein the bacteria comprises one or more bacteria of the order Clostridiales; and removing the elemental mercury from the aqueous solution. Also provided are bioreactors for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution, as well as uses of photoheterotrophic or fermentative heterotrophic bacteria, wherein the bacteria comprises one or more bacteria of the order Clostridiales, for removing mercury contaminant from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilizing the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present application provides a hydrodefluorodimerization process, which is useful in the synthesis of, for example, fluoroölefins that can be used as refrigerants, blowers and the like. The process is an “early-stage fluorination” process, wherein precursors containing fluorine are assembled into the desired product using a zerovalent nickel catalyst. Also provided is a liquid composition comprising one or more fluoroölefin produced by this catalytic process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for implementing a parametric down-conversion (PDC)-based calibration comprising calibrating a measuring instrument; disposing a pinhole at a position of a light-emitting sample for which the measuring instrument needs to be calibrated; irradiating a nonlinear crystal with a light source; setting the nonlinear crystal by ensuring a phase-matching wavelength of the nonlinear crystal is set at one boundary of a desired bandwidth; acquiring one or more PDC spectrums by the measuring instrument; obtaining peak values and their corresponding wavelengths from each acquired spectrum; and obtaining a response function based on the peak values and corresponding wavelengths.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of Formula (II) that enhance the efficacy of viruses by increasing spread of the virus in cells, increasing the titer of virus in cells, or increasing the antigen expression from a virus, gene or trans-gene expression from a virus, or virus protein expression in cells. Other uses, compositions and methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: An optical power transfer device with an embedded active cooling chip is disclosed. The device includes a cooling chip made of a semiconductor material, and a first subassembly and a second subassembly mounted on the cooling chip. The cooling chip comprises at least one metallization layer on a portion of a first surface of the cooling chip, at least one inlet through a second surface of the cooling chip, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface, at least one outlet through the second surface and one or more micro-channels extending between and fluidly coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. A cooling fluid flows through the one or more micro-channels. The first subassembly is mounted on the at least one metallization layer and comprises a laser. The second subassembly comprises a phototransducer configured to receive a laser beam from the laser.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the flow of analytes, particles or other materials. As consistent with one or more embodiments described herein, an apparatus includes a membrane having one or more pores in a membrane. First and second electrodes facilitate electrophoretic flow of analytes through the pore, and a third electrode controls movement of the particles in the pore by modulating the shape of an electric double layer adjacent sidewalls of pore. This modulation controls the strength of an electroosmotic field that opposes the electrophoretic flow of the analytes via the pore.

Abstract: A method and system is described for using radar to provide non-contact detection of human breathing at a distance. Radar data is processed to remove clutter and enable detection of a breathing signal. The breathing signal can be used to determine breathing rate or posture of the target. Static obstructions can be removed from the radar data to identify target breathing signal. The system and method can be applicable to emergency response, home or institutional monitoring applications and for detection of medical conditions.

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing the level of degradation of an organic substrate is described, wherein a composition is formed that includes the organic substrate together with an effective amount of a sacrificial base and a diarylamine antioxidant.

Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a chamber or bladder and a fluid or gel like material. The fluid or gel material is contained in the chamber or bladder and is positioned in such a way to create low friction between the surface of the shell and liner or liner and head. It can also be used on the outer surface of the shell or placed within two layers of the liner. The device provides a method of independently managing both compression and shear force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear and angular acceleration during impacts to the helmet.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods for modulating lysosome-mediated microautophagy of a lipid or protein substrate in a cell are provided herein. In certain embodiments, said methods may comprise increasing lysosome-mediated microautophagy by treating the cell with a microautophagy-enhancing agent which increases lysosomal association-dissociation events between lysosomes and the cellular lipid or protein substrate and/or increases lysosomal degradation capacity; or decreasing lysosome-mediated microautophagy by treating the cell with a microautophagy-reducing agent which reduces lysosomal association-dissociation events between lysosomes and the cellular lipid or protein substrate and/or decreases lysosomal degradation capacity; thereby modulating lysosome-mediated microautophagy of the lipid or protein substrate.

Abstract: A method for preparing exosomes or exosome-like vesicles packaged with a nucleic acid of interest is provided. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: introducing into an exosome-producing cell a nucleic acid construct comprising the nucleic acid sequence of interest incorporated in a pre-miR-451 structural mimic, and allowing the cell to produce exosomes. Nucleic acid constructs, compositions, and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switchable aptamer having a high affinity for a selected target such as a virus, cell or antibody when in the presence of a binding ion and a low affinity for said target in the absence of said binding ion. The switchable aptamer may be isolated or selected from a pool comprising a mixture of aptamers by incubating the pool with the target ligand and a binding ion to form target-aptamer complexes; separating unbound aptamer molecules from the target-aptamer complexes; contacting the target-aptamer complexes with a chelating agent having affinity for the binding ion wherein a switchable aptamer specific to said target is released from the target-aptamer complexes; and isolating the switchable aptamer released in the preceding step.

Abstract: Provided herein are scaffold biomaterials comprising a decellularised plant or fungal tissue from which cellular materials and nucleic acids of the tissue are removed, the decellularised plant or fungal tissue comprising a cellulose- or chitin-based 3-dimensional porous structure. Methods for preparing such scaffold biomaterials, as well as uses thereof as an implantable scaffold for supporting animal cell growth, for promoting tissue regeneration, for promoting angiogenesis, for a tissue replacement procedure, and/or as a structural implant for cosmetic surgery are also provided. Therapeutic treatment and/or cosmetic methods employing such scaffolds are additionally described.

Abstract: Provided are compounds that enhance the efficacy of viruses by increasing spread of the virus in cells, increasing the titer of virus in cells, or increasing the cytotoxicity of virus to cells. Other uses, compositions and methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating high-order harmonics in a solid-state medium comprising integrated semiconductor devices and electronics. The high-order harmonics interact with and are modified by the internal electric field associated with the operation of the integrated semiconductor devices and electronics. Measurement of the high-order harmonics after modification by the internal electric fields amounts to high resolution (temporal and spatial) dynamic imaging of the internal electric fields associated with the integrated semiconductor devices and electronics.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.