Abstract: A classifying sensing system, a classifying method performed using a sensing system, a tactile sensor, and a method of fabricating a tactile sensor. The classifying sensing system comprises a first spiking neural network, SNN, encoder configured for encoding an event-based output of a vision sensor into individual vision modality spiking representations with a first output size; a second SNN encoder configured for encoding an event-based output of a tactile sensor into individual tactile modality spiking representations with a second output size; a combination layer configured for merging the vision modality spiking representations and the tactile modality spiking representations; and a task SNN configured to receive the merged vision modality spiking representations and tactile modality spiking representations and output vision-tactile modality spiking representations with a third output size for classification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting the treatment response of a human gastroesophageal cancer patient, the method comprising: a) measuring the gene expression of at least 3 of the following genes: CDH1, CDK6, COX2, ELOVL5, GATA4, EGFR, TBCEL, FGF7, CDH17, FNBP1, PIP5K1B, TWIST, CD44, MET, CEACAM1, TOX3, GLIPR2, GSTP1, RON, TMEM136, MYB, BRCA2, FGF1, POU5F1, EPR, DPYD, ABL2 and SH3RF1 in a sample obtained from the gastroesophageal tumour of the patient to obtain a sample gene expression profile of at least said genes; and b) making a prediction of the treatment response and/or prognosis of the patient based on the sample gene expression profile. Also provided are related computer-implemented methods and methods of treatment of gastroesophageal cancer.

Abstract: A method of generating true random numbers for use by a cryptographic hardware component for cryptographic algorithms or communication protocols, and a cryptographic hardware component for cryptographic algorithms or communication protocols. The method comprises the steps of controlling a clock pulsewidth, PW, for pulsed-latch clocking in the cryptographic hardware component to switch between using the cryptographic hardware component to generate the true random numbers in a first operating state; and using the cryptographic hardware component for cryptographic processing in a second operating state.

Abstract: Diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of diseases and conditions associated with smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction are provided through the inhibition of IL-11-mediated signalling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vapour-phase crosslin ked composite membranes in the form of crosslinked polymers and defined inorganic materials. The membranes disclosed herein may have a narrow pore size distribution and precise molecule separation ability and may be used for organic solvent nanofiltration and organic solvent reverse osmosis. Also disclosed herein are methods of forming the membranes, and filtration. In a preferred embodiment, the vapour-phase crosslinked composite membrane is obtained by exposing a composite membrane comprising polyimide and UiO-66-NH2 particles to an amine vapour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a bacterial microcompartment virus-like particle (VLP) carrying a cargo molecule, the method comprising introducing and expressing in a host cell or organism one or more polynucleotides comprising (a) a first sequence encoding bacterial microcompartment shell protomers and a second sequence encoding a cargo molecule fused to an encapsulation peptide comprising the sequence SKITGSSGNDTQGSLITYSGGARG, and forming a microcompartment that encapsulates the cargo molecule, or (b) a first sequence encoding bacterial microcompartment shell protomers and a second sequence encoding at least one of said protomers fused with a cargo molecule or a biochemical tag, and forming a microcompartment that expresses the cargo molecule or biochemical tag on an exterior surface. In one embodiment, the bacterial microcompartment protomers are CsoSIA and CsoS4A from Halothiobacillus neapolitanus, or HO-H, HO-P and HO-T1 from Haliangium ochraceum.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating a steatosis-associated disorder by administering a therapeutic agent selected from a lysosomal enzyme, an autophagy-inducing agent, or a combination thereof. Steatosis-associated disorders discussed herein include GSD Ia, GSD Ib, GSD Ic, NAFLD, and NASH. Other embodiments are directed to methods of reversing steatosis, modulating autophagy, inducing autophagy, and reversing glycogen storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating a steatosis-associated disorder by administering a therapeutic agent selected from a lysosomal enzyme, an autophagy-inducing agent, or a combination thereof. Steatosis-associated disorders discussed herein include GSD Ia, GSD Ib, GSD Ic, NAFLD, and NASH. Other embodiments are directed to methods of reversing steatosis, modulating autophagy, inducing autophagy, and reversing glycogen storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a nucleic acid delivery construct comprising at least one sense or antisense RNA subdomain of the human cytomegalovirus ?2.7 RNA, wherein each subdomain is capable of localization within the mitochondria, for transport into mitochondria. Disclosed herein are also methods of enhancing mitochondrial gene function, or suppressing defective mitochondrial gene function, or both, as well as methods of treating a mitochondrial disorder.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for forming a film on a substrate are described. The film is formed on the substrate by depositing an adamantane monomer and an initiator on the substrate to form a polymerizable seed layer and curing the polymerizable seed layer to form a polyadamantane layer.

Abstract: A noninvasive optical sensor for analyzing a level of a substance in a subject by illuminating a sclera may include at least one light source, at least one detector, and a processor. The at least one light source may direct incident light to illuminate a region of the sclera of an eye of the subject. The at least one detector may receive light, in response to the incident light, from the sclera or from inside the eye proximal to the illuminated region of the sclera. The processor may be configured to compute a ratio of an intensity of the received light from the at least one detector to a reference value and to estimate a level of a substance in the subject from the computed ratio.

Abstract: A heat transfer device includes at least one channel including an upstream zone, a downstream zone, and a mixing zone intermediate the upstream and downstream zones. The upstream zone includes an upstream separating configuration arranged to separate an inflow to the upstream zone into a plurality of upstream sub-flows. The mixing zone includes a converging configuration arranged to converge at least two upstream sub-flows into the mixing zone to form a primary mixed flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for eliminating microorganisms comprising a plurality of light emitters, wherein each of the plurality of light emitters is configured to emit light comprising a wavelength of 380-500 nm, and wherein at least two or more of the plurality of light emitters emit light of a different wavelength. There is also provided a method of eliminating microorganisms comprising emitting a light of a wavelength of 380-500 nm by each of a plurality of light emitters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to miRNA interference technology. More specifically the invention relates to circular miRNA sponges that carry a plurality of binding sites directed to at least two types of miRNA and separated by random, non-identical spacers, allowing for the inhibition of functional classes of m1RNAs. Preferably, the binding sites are bulged binding sites wherein each bulge is created by a one base deletion and two base mismatch at positions 9-11 nt from the 3? end of each binding site. Preferably, each spacer is 6 to 24 nucleotides in length. Preferably, the binding sites are against miR-132 and miR-212, miR-17-5p and miR-18a-5p, or miR-20b-5p and miR-106a-5p. Construction vectors and uses of said miRNA sponges for the treatment of diseases, such as cardiomyopathy and cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of colony picking. The method includes the steps of mixing a bacterial suspension with an oil-based carrier liquid for generating a plurality of droplets comprising bacteria contained in the bacterial suspension and incubating the plurality of droplets for a predetermined period of time to allow growth of bacteria within the plurality of droplets. The method further includes the steps of screening each of the plurality of droplets that flows through one or more microfluidic channels of a microfluidic device to determine an opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets, wherein the opacity degree is indicative of colony formation in the plurality of droplets, and sorting the plurality of droplets based on the opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets.

Abstract: An eye drop bottle storage unit for eye drop administration compliance includes a memory, a processor, and one or a plurality of eye drop bottle pods, where each eye drop bottle pod of the one or said plurality of eye drop bottle pods is configured to hold an eye drop bottle, and comprises one or a plurality of sensors. The memory is configured to store data of an eye drop administration regime of a subject. The processor is configured to receive signals from the one or said plurality of sensors of each eye drop bottle pod, and to determine from the received signals whether the subject administered eye drops into eyes of the subject from each eye drop bottle respectively held in each eye drop bottle pod of the one or said plurality of eye drop bottle pods in accordance with the eye drop administration regime data.

Abstract: An electrical impedance tomography system with frequency division multiplexing based data compression comprising electrodes, a connecting line, an electrical impedance tomography chip, a universal serial bus and a computer. The present invention realizes the proposed electrical impedance tomography system by innovative application of frequency division multiplexing technology, and has the advantages of low power consumption and improved hardware overheads. The architecture of the 13-channel electrical impedance tomography chip introduced in the embodiment of the present invention, which applies the frequency division multiplexing based data compression technology, has taped out using CMOS 0.13 micrometer process; the power consumption per channel turns out to be 118 microwatts and the area is 0.87 square millimeters, verifying the effectiveness of the present invention. The present invention can also be migrated to other applications of electrical impedance tomography.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a heat exchanger (50) and a heat exchange unit (100) for the heat exchanger (50). The heat exchange unit (100) comprises: a plurality of plain fins (102) stacked perpendicularly to a first plane, such that a first fluid (104) is communicable through the first plane between the fins (102); and a plurality of tubes (112) for communicating a second fluid (110) therethrough for heat exchange with the first fluid (104), the tubes (112) extending perpendicularly through the fins (102), each tube (112) comprising an oblique cross-section (114) having a pair of opposing first sides (114a) and a pair of opposing second sides (114b). For each oblique cross-section (114), the first sides (114a) are perpendicular to the first plane and the second sides (114b) are angled approximately 60° to the first plane, the first sides (114a) being longer than the second sides (114b).

Abstract: Hard masks and methods of forming hard masks are described. The hard mask has an average roughness less than 10 nm and a modulus greater than or equal to 400 GPa. The method comprises exposing a substrate to a deposition gas comprising a dopant gas or a precursor (solid (e.g. Alkylborane compounds) or liquid (e.g. Borazine)), a carbon gas and argon at a temperature less than or equal to 550 C, and igniting a plasma from the deposition gas to form an ultrananocrystalline diamond film having an average roughness less than 10 nm and a modulus greater than or equal to 400 GPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated peptide, comprising or consisting of a glycine and arginine-rich (GAR/RGG) region with alarmin and/or cell penetrating activity, bioactive fragments or mutants thereof, and compositions comprising the peptide and an antigen or cargo molecule for vaccine development, immunotherapy, and/or the delivery of nucleic acids and proteins into cells. Further, the invention provides a method of detection using these peptides, and a process of producing the peptides.