Abstract: Provided are methods of producing a nucleic acid complex. In certain aspects, the methods include combining a sample including ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and a probe complement oligonucleotide with an oligonucleotide probe. The oligonucleotide probe includes a 3? region complementary to a 3? region of a rRNA, and a 5? region complementary to the probe complement oligonucleotide. The combining is under conditions in which the 3? region of the oligonucleotide probe hybridizes to the 3? region of the rRNA and the 5? region of the oligonucleotide probe hybridizes to the probe complement oligonucleotide, thereby producing a nucleic acid complex. In certain aspects, the methods find use in producing rRNA libraries that find use, e.g., in rRNA sequencing applications. Oligonucleotide probes, libraries thereof, compositions, and kits that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure, are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for extraction of information of within sample distribution of fiber quality from high-volume instrument (HVI) fibrogram to better predict yarn quality than the standard HVI output. The present invention allows for information on fiber quality to be obtained while avoiding testing samples with more expensive techniques. The disclosed system and method extracts HVI data for collecting a respective set of initial fibrograms from a set of fiber samples and representing them as a distance matrix to form a matrix of transformed fibrogram data, said matrix of transformed fibrogram data comprising a vector of scores to represent each sample and thereafter explaining variation in yarn quality by extracting all of the information available from the fibrogram.

Abstract: Provided is a novel anti-Plexin-A1 agonist antibody that promotes dendritic cell contraction. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are an amphiphysin-I mutant having anti-senescence activity and the use thereof. More particularly, disclosed are an amphiphysin-I mutant (AMPH-I) wherein valine (V), which is the 392nd amino acid in the amino acid sequence of amphiphysin-I (AMPH-I) represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, is substituted with glycine (G), a composition for suppressing aging and cellular senescence containing the amphiphysin-I mutant as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating senescence or a senescence-associated disease, a method for suppressing aging and cellular senescence, and a method for screening an inhibitor for aging and cellular senescence.

Abstract: Disclosed are vaccines capable of achieving protection against RSV while avoiding vaccine-enhanced disease (VED). In particular, vaccine constructs have been molecularly designed and genetically engineered to comprise RSV fusion (F) protein displayed on the surface of a particle, such as a virus-like particles (VLP) and low temperature-prepared split RSV. In some embodiments, the RSV F protein is in a pre-fusion F conformation. Also disclosed a variants and combinations of split RSV and RSV F DNA vaccine with pre-fusion F and enhanced efficacy. In addition, disclosed split RSV vaccines containing pre-fusion F conformation and combination adjuvants MPL and CpG.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystalline salt of chlorhexidine chloride having a spherical morphology under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) comprising a chloride anion and a cation selected from the group consisting of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, strontium or iron, processes for the preparation of the salt, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof in medicine. Also provided are crystalline forms of the salt and fibres comprising the same.

Abstract: A qubit device includes a crystal immobilized on a substrate and in contact with electrodes. The crystal exhibits a charge pair symmetry and with an electron current moving clockwise, counter clockwise, or both. The current in can be placed in a state of superposition wherein the current is unknown until it is measured, and the direction of the current is measured to produce a binary output corresponding to a logical zero or a logical one. A state of the qubit device is monitored by measuring a voltage, a current, or a magnetic field and assigning a superposition or base state depending on a threshold value.

Abstract: A spirometry system includes an imaging device configured to capture upper body movement images of a subject during inhalation and exhalation of the subject. The system further includes at least one controller configured to receive the captured images from the imaging device and, based upon the received images, determine at least one of an image-based spirometry flow-volume curve for the subject or an image-based spirometry parameter for the subject.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for mask embedding for realistic high-resolution image synthesis. According to one method for mask embedding for realistic high-resolution image synthesis includes receiving, as input, a mask embedding vector and a latent features vector, wherein the mask embedding vector acts as a semantic constraint; generating, using a trained image synthesis algorithm and the input, a realistic image, wherein the realistic image is constrained by the mask embedding vector; and outputting, by the trained image synthesis algorithm, the realistic image to a display or a storage device.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus includes: a first tank portion arranged to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source; a second tank portion adapted to contain a second fluid and receive water molecules of the first fluid from the first tank portion, wherein the concentration of the second fluid is higher than that of the first fluid; a third tank portion arranged to collect the water molecules of the first fluid from the second tank portion; a first membrane positioned between the first and second tank portions and arranged to filter the water molecules of the first fluid from the first tank portion; and a second membrane positioned between the second and third tank portions and arranged to obtain the water molecules of the first fluid from the second tank portion, wherein the second membrane has a greater permeability than that of the first membrane.

Abstract: An angular image of a scene may be displayed using a light field display. The light field display may comprise a plurality of projection units. Each of the projections units may comprise an imaging system and an optical system. The imaging system may illuminate pixels of a planar image of the scene. Light corresponding to each of the pixels may be directed towards the optical system. The optical system may comprise first and second lenses for redirecting each light beam corresponding to a pixel in different directions. In some embodiments the first and second lenses form a globe lens. A diffusion system may conceal the optical systems. Additionally, or alternatively, the diffusion system may produce a uniform distribution of light at a plurality of different viewing angles.

Abstract: A motor and a rotating shaft cooling device thereof are disclosed. A rotating shaft of the motor is formed with an annular space. A shaft has a front end and a rear end. The shaft is a blind tube formed with a channel communicating with the annular space through a plurality of nozzles. The distance between the nozzles and the rear end is less than one-half of the length of the shaft. A cooling fluid flows through the nozzles to form a jet array to impinge on the inner wall of the rotating shaft to cool the rotating shaft, and flows back in the annular space to enhance the cooling effect, increase the heat exchange area, and improve the cooling effectiveness of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: Method and contact lens (3) for measuring a subject's three dimensional eye movement including torsional movement. A video camera (1) is provided for recording an image of the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) is provided for placement over the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) comprises one or more markers (3a,3b) that are detectable by the video camera (1) and are positioned at a lateral offset (D) with respect to a central part (3p) of the contact lens (3). The one or more markers (3a,3b) are configured for detecting torsional rotation (R) of the subject's eye (2) around a line of sight axis (C) of the subject's eye (2) by using the video camera (1) to track a position of the one or more markers (3a,3b).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition that safely removes a cured dental cement or resin from metal brackets, metal braces, and enamel surfaces of teeth. It contains eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl-eugenol or an isomer thereof. A method for removing orthodontic fixtures adhered with a dental cement or resin to the enamel surfaces of teeth from these surfaces by contacting the dental cement or resin with a composition containing eugenol.

Abstract: A method including receiving, at multiple cloud computing servers, multiple streaming data sets for the same sensing task each from a respective client device. The streaming data set from each client device comprises sensed data sensed by one or more sensors of said client device. The streaming data sets are encrypted. Each respective streaming data set from a respective client device is divided into multiple streaming data set portions, each to be received at a respective one of the cloud computing server. The method also includes processing, at each respective cloud computing server, the corresponding streaming data set portions received to generate a corresponding share of a result for the sensing task. The method also includes encrypting, at each respective one of the cloud computing servers, the corresponding share of the result; and facilitating creation or update of a blockchain based on the encrypted shares of the result.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to equine live-attenuated influenza vaccines.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging fibre apparatus comprises arranging rods to form a plurality of stacks each comprising a respective plurality of rods, wherein: for each stack, the respective plurality of rods comprises rods having different core sizes, the rods of different core sizes being arranged in a selected arrangement, and the rods of different core sizes being arranged such that each stack has a respective selected shape; wherein the selected shape or shapes are such that the stacks stack together in a desired arrangement; the method further comprising: drawing each of the plurality of stacks; stacking together the plurality of drawn stacks together in the desired arrangement to form a further stack; drawing the further stack; and using the drawn further stack to form an imaging fibre apparatus, wherein the selected arrangement of the rods in each stack and the selected shape or shapes of the stacks are such that the further stack comprises a repeating pattern of rods of different core sizes.

Abstract: A method for machine learning based artifact rejection is provided. The method may include applying a machine learning model to identify artefactual independent components in transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data collected during a transcranial magnetic stimulation procedure. Clean transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data is generated by removing, from the transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data, the artefactual independent components. Real-time adjustments to parameters of the transcranial magnetic stimulation procedure may be performed based on the clean transcranial magnetic stimulation electroencephalogram data. Related systems and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also provided.

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: An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma saving a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.