Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for identifying and treating a Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) infection in a subject. The method mainly includes determining the presence of endopeptidase O (PepO) protein in the biological sample; and administering an effective amount of an anti-infective agent to the subject to ameliorate symptoms associated with the GAS infection if the PepO protein is present in the biological sample.

Abstract: The problem that differences among lots in components and amounts of growth factors and the like in platelet-rich plasmas derived from an autologous plasma and the freeze-dried preparations thereof are large, and the effects of the lots are not kept constant is solved. Specifically, a freeze-dried preparation comprising megakaryocytes and platelets induced to differentiate from stem cells, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the freeze-dried preparation, and the like are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is a medical disease feature selection method based on an improved salp swarm algorithm. The improved salp swarm algorithm is used to optimize a feature selection problem, the accuracy of the mentioned method is estimated by means of a transfer function and classification by a K-nearest neighbor algorithm, and the salp swarm algorithm is improved by using a self-adapted control parameter and an elite grey wolf ruling policy, so that it helps the algorithm avoid premature convergence in the optimization process and jump out of local optimum, thereby achieving a target of the algorithm with the smallest selected feature quantity and the highest classification precision. The method has the advantages of high rate of convergence, higher classification precision and better robustness.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering nucleic acid cargo into cells are provided. The compositions typically include (a) a 3E10 monoclonal antibody or an antigen binding, cell-penetrating fragment thereof; a monovalent, divalent, or multivalent single chain variable fragment (scFv); or a diabody; or humanized form or variant thereof, and (b) a nucleic acid cargo including, for example, a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide, a functional nucleic acid, a nucleic acid encoding a functional nucleic acid, or a combination thereof. Elements (a) and (b) are typically non-covalently linked to form a complex.

Abstract: A read-out circuit includes an operational amplifier configured to receive input voltage via a positive input terminal; a feedback capacitor connected between an output terminal of the operational amplifier and a negative input terminal of the operational amplifier; a sensor charging/discharging circuit configured to charge or to discharge a sensor capacitor included in a sensor during a first time; and a switching circuit configured to connect the sensor capacitor and the operational amplifier during a second time after the sensor capacitor is charged or discharged.

Abstract: The invention discloses a Raman laser apparatus including a linear cavity having a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the linear cavity including along the first direction: a first optical component, a gain medium, a Raman medium, a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal and a second optical component. The first optical component receives an incident pumping light in the first direction. The gain medium receives the pumping light from the first optical component, and generates a first infrared base laser having a first wavelength. The Raman medium receives the first infrared base laser, and generates a second infrared base laser having a second wavelength. The LBO crystal receives the first and the second infrared base lasers, and generates a visible laser light having a third wavelength. The second optical component is configured to allow the visible laser light to be transmitted out along the first direction.

Abstract: An integrated triaxial shear and seepage experimental method for hydrate-bearing sediments and device thereof is provided, relating to the field of geotechnical experiments technologies. The method includes the following steps: generating hydrate; preparing a shear and seepage coupling experiment; and performing the shear and seepage coupling experiment. According to a special integrated experimental device, that coupling analysis of seepage and stress in a triaxial shear breakage process of the hydrate can be realized, and different experiments that are liquid seepage experiment and the gas-liquid seepage experiment can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for diagnosing cancer comprising a step of detecting active protein kinase C? in urine.

Abstract: Terahertz wave plethysmography provides a new principle of radar-based vital sign detection. This disclosure presents new applications at terahertz (THz) frequency band for non-contact cardiac sensing. For the first time, cardiac pulse information is shown to be simultaneously extracted based on two established principles using unique THz waves. A novel concept of Terahertz-Wave-Plethysmography (TPG) is introduced, which detects blood volume changes in the upper dermis tissue layer by measuring the reflectance of THz waves, similar to the existing remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) principle. A detailed analysis of pulse measurement using THz is provided. The TPG principle is justified by scientific deduction and carefully designed experimental demonstrations. Additionally, pulse measurements from various peripheral body regions of interest (ROIs), including palm, inner elbow, temple, fingertip, and forehead, are demonstrated using a novel ultra-wideband (UWB) THz sensing system.

Abstract: Peptides capable of enhancing N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity by inhibiting binding of the NMDA receptor GluN2A to zinc transporter 1 (Zn1) are described. The GluN2A-derived peptides can be used to in the treatment of disorders associated with NMDA receptor hypofunction, such as schizophrenia.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte is described in which the simultaneously binding of two fusion proteins (i.e., a sandwich assay in solution) is used, bringing two halves of a split enzyme together to produce product, which is detected via a FRET-based biosensor. The method may incorporate an autocatalytic feedback loop that responds to enzymatic product by producing more product to provide ultrasensitive, bistable detection of analyte that is tunable over several orders of magnitude. This system is broadly applicable for protein and small molecule detection.

Abstract: A transparent luminescent solar concentrator (TLSC) is provided. The TLSC includes a luminophore and a waveguide that guides light emitted from the luminophore. The TLSC has a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of greater than or equal to about 1.

Abstract: Described herein are new solid oxide fuel cell interconnects and methods for making same that may comprise a novel bilayer construct on an anode substrate to provide a dense microstructure, low area specific resistance, and negligible oxygen permeability to form a bilayer ceramic interconnect that is a strong candidate for next-generation, durable, and low-cost tubular solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: A reverse blocking gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor includes, sequentially stacked from bottom to top, a substrate, a nucleation layer, a buffer layer, a barrier layer, a dielectric layer. The buffer layer and the barrier layer form a heterojunction structure. The barrier layer is provided with at least two p-GaN structures. The barrier layer is provided with a source metal at one end and a drain metal at the other end, source metal forms ohmic contact and drain metal forms Schottky contact with AlGaN barrier, respectively. In forward conduction, the two-dimensional electron gas below the spaced p-GaN structure connected to the drain metal is conductive, and a turn-on voltage of the device is low. During reverse blocking, the two-dimensional electron gas at the spaced p-GaN structure is rapidly depleted under reverse bias, to form a depletion region, so that the blocking capability of the device is improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an Internet-of-Things resource access system and method. The system comprises a protocol management subsystem, a data conversion subsystem, and a load balancing subsystem.

Abstract: The invention relates to an on-chip optical waveguide comprising an input or output facet, the facet comprising an array of unit-cells; each unit cell is a recess that gradually narrows in the direction from the outer of the waveguide towards the interior of the waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium ion battery comprising a lithium anode, a tellurium cathode and a gel polymer electrolyte. The gel polymer electrolyte may comprise a polymer matrix and a lithium compatible salt.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging methods for identifying an anatomical feature of a spine are described. In an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a transverse ultrasound image of a portion of the spine; extracting features of the portion of the spine from the image based on a distinct pattern associated with the anatomical feature of the spine; identifying a midline of the portion of the spine in the image; extracting midline features using pixel intensity values of the image; and identifying, based on a combination of the extracted features of the portion of the spine and the extracted midline features, the anatomical feature in the image. In another embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a paramedian sagittal ultrasound image of a portion of the spine; identifying morphological features of the image; and determining if the portion of the spine includes a sacrum using a Support Vector Machine classifier.

Abstract: A processor-implemented neural network method includes: generating a bit vector based on whether each of a plurality of input activations within a neural network is 0; merging the bit vector into the input activations such that bit values within the neural network included in the bit vector are most significant bits (MSBs) of multi bit expressions of the input activations; merging the bit vector into weights such that the bit values included in the bit vector are MSBs of multi bit expressions of the weights; sorting the input activations and the weights based on bits corresponding to the MSBs; and implementing the neural network, including performing operations between the sorted input activations and the sorted weights.