Abstract: A record linking platform having a computer system with a processor, multiple databases each having records, such as private health information. Each of the multiple databases are not in direct communication with one another. A control center is in communication with the different entities, the control center configured to: generate a site configuration file, a key configuration file, and a broker configuration file. A keymaster configured to: receive the key configuration file, generate a hash key, and transmit the hash key to the databases. The databases configured to: receive the site configuration file and the hash key; process the records to generate evaluation records data that conform to a data model specified in the site configuration file; and encrypt the evaluation records using the hash key. An honest broker configured to: receive the broker configuration file and the encrypted evaluation records; and link the encrypted evaluation records without decrypting.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for analyzing RNA fragments. In one aspect, the present invention includes a method of identifying a subject in need of therapeutic intervention to treat a disease or condition, disease recurrence, or disease progression comprises characterizing the identity of rRNA fragments. The invention also includes diagnosing, identifying or monitoring a disease or condition, and a method for identifying rRNA fragments. The invention also includes diagnosing, identifying or monitoring a glaucoma in a subject in need thereof by characterizing the identity of rRNA or tRNA fragments.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes: 1) an anode; 2) a cathode; and 3) an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode and including lithium ions. The anode includes a graphene framework film including interconnected graphene sheets, and the graphene framework film has a specific surface area of 600 m2 g?1 or more.

Abstract: A multi-color quantitative magnetic nanoparticle imaging method and system based on trapezoidal wave excitation solves the problem that the existing technology cannot implement multi-color quantitative magnetic particle imaging. The method includes: constructing, based on hysteresis effect and hysteresis inertial growth differences of n superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) under trapezoidal wave excitation, an equation set of quality of n SPIOs in a to-be-tested sample formed by any composition of n SPIO standard products; solving the equation set to obtain the quality distribution of the to-be-tested sample at position r; and performing rearrangement, color assignment, and image merging on the quality distribution to implement multi-color quantitative imaging of various particles in magnetic particle imaging (MPI). The method broadens the functions of MPI to realize multi-color quantitative imaging, such that MPI has greater potential for application in the medical field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides heterodimeric polypeptides comprising: 1) a variant hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 polypeptide and an HCV E1 polypeptide; 2) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and an HCV E2 polypeptide; or 3) a variant HCV E1 polypeptide and a variant HCV E2 polypeptide, where the variant HCV E2 polypeptide and/or the HCV E1 polypeptide comprises one or more T cell epitopes, present in an HCV polypeptide other than an HCV E1 polypeptide or an HCV E2 polypeptide. The present disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding a polyprotein that includes E1 and variant E2, E2 and variant E1, or variant E2 and variant E1. The present disclosure provides a method of producing an E1/E2 heterodimer of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a method of inducing an immune response in an individual. The present disclosure provides variant E2 polypeptides and variant E1 polypeptides; and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: This invention provides synthetic promoters capable of promoting and/or initiating transcription of a polynucleotide in an algal cell, and methods of designing, producing and using such promoters.

Abstract: A construct comprising a dermal extracellular matrix gel, polymer fibers, and microparticles containing a nitro oleic acid agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lithium-sulfur battery cathode. The lithium-sulfur battery cathode comprises a carbon nanotube sponge and a plurality of sulfur nanoparticles. Wherein the carbon nanotube sponge comprises a plurality of micropores. The plurality of sulfur nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the plurality of micropores. The present disclosure also relates a method for making the lithium-sulfur battery cathode and a lithium-sulfur battery using the lithium-sulfur battery cathode.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for predicting an intra-aortic pressure of a patient receiving hemodynamic support from a transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. In some implementations, an intra-aortic pressure time series is derived from measurements of a pressure sensor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump and a motor speed time series is derived from a measured back electromotive force of a motor of the transvalvular micro-axial heart pump. Furthermore, in some implementations, machine learning algorithms, such as deep learning, are applied to the intra-aortic pressure and motor speed time series to accurately predict an intra-aortic pressure of the patient. In some implementations, the prediction is short-term (e.g., approximately 5 minutes in advance).

Abstract: A method for enhancement of spontaneous Raman scattering (SRS) from gases comprising a multimode blue laser diode which receives feedback from a near concentric bidirectional multipass cavity in such a way as to generate a circulating power of order 100 W for a sample volume of 10 mm3. The feedback, provided via a volume Bragg grating, reduces the laser bandwidth to 4 cm?1. Spectra of spontaneous Raman scattering from ambient atmospheric air, detected collinearly with the pump, were recorded with a limit of detection below 1 part-per-million.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting a Trojan inserted integrated circuit design using delay-based side channel analysis. In one such embodiment, an automated test generation algorithm produces test patterns that are likely to activate trigger conditions and change critical paths of an integrated circuit design.

Abstract: Factors affecting the fragmentation pattern of cell-free DNA (e.g., plasma DNA) and the applications, including those in molecular diagnostics, of the analysis of cell-free DNA fragmentation patterns are described. Various applications can use a property of a fragmentation pattern to determine a proportional contribution of a particular tissue type, to determine a genotype of a particular tissue type (e.g., fetal tissue in a maternal sample or tumor tissue in a sample from a cancer patient), and/or to identify preferred ending positions for a particular tissue type, which may then be used to determine a proportional contribution of a particular tissue type.

Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for intra-operative imaging.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems for pushing audiovisual playlists based on a text-attentional convolutional neural network include a local voice interactive terminal, a dialog system server and a playlist recommendation engine, where the dialog system server and the playlist recommendation engine are respectively connected to the local voice interactive terminal. In some embodiments, the local voice interactive terminal includes a microphone array, a host computer connected to the microphone array, and a voice synthesis chip board connected to the microphone array. In some embodiments, the playlist recommendation engine obtains rating data based on a rating predictor constructed by the neural network; the host computer parses the data into recommended playlist information; and the voice terminal synthesizes the results and pushes them to a user in the form of voice.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) growth apparatus includes: a body; an inlet cap; an outlet cap; insulation extending through a portion of an interior of the body, the insulation including a first stage and a second stage, a flow tube extending through the inlet cap and passing coaxially through the first stage of the insulation, the flow tube configured to receive and flow a fluid to the interior of the body; a gas heater including a plurality of heat pipes configured to be inserted in the first stage of the insulation, the plurality of heat pipes being disposed adjacent to the flow tube; a substrate heater incorporated in the second stage of the insulation; and a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of the gas heater and substrate heater, wherein a removed portion of the second stage is configured to provide an unobstructed view of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for processing image or video data is performed in an image processing pipeline. Color filtered mosaiced raw image or video data is received. A one-level wavelet transform of subbands of the color filtered mosaiced raw image or video data to provide LL, HH, LH and HL subbands. The LH and HL subbands are de-correlated by summing and difference operations to provide decorrelated sum and difference subbands. Additional n-level wavelet transformation on the sum and difference subbands and the LL and HH subbands to provide sparsified subbands for encoding. LL and HH and sum subbands are recombined into standard color images e.g., red, green, and blue color components, which are subsequently processed by color correction, white balance, and gamma correction. The sparsified subbands are encoded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tandem solar cell according to an aspect including: a silicon lower cell; a perovskite upper cell disposed on the silicon lower cell; and a bonding layer for bonding the silicon lower cell and the perovskite upper cell between the silicon lower cell and the perovskite upper cell, wherein the front surface portion of the silicon lower cell being in contact with the bonding layer includes a texture structure, the bonding layer includes a first transparent electrode layer formed on the sidewall of the texture structure, a buried layer filling concave portions of the texture structure on the first transparent electrode layer, and a second transparent electrode layer on top surfaces of the buried layer, the first transparent electrode layer and the texture structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector proteins, nucleic acids encoding same, and compositions comprising same. The present disclosure provides ribonucleoprotein complexes comprising: an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure; and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modifying a target nucleic acid, using an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Hollow vector support multifunctional protection devices and systems for minimally invasive surgery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a hollow vector support multifunctional protection device includes a protective head, a pitching mechanism for the protective head, an inner cylinder, an axial movement mechanism for the inner cylinder, and a shell. The protective head includes a flap ring, a plurality of first rotating shafts, a plurality of flaps uniformly arranged on the flap ring through the first rotating shafts, and a torsion spring arranged on the first rotating shafts. The torsion spring is configured to provide a force for opening the plurality of flaps along the first rotating shafts, and the first rotating shafts are provided with limiting structures configured to limit a maximum opening degree of the flaps.