Abstract: A method is provided for measuring or estimating stress distributions on heart valve leaflets by obtaining three-dimensional images of the heart valve leaflets, segmenting the heart valve leaflets in the three-dimensional images by capturing locally varying thicknesses of the heart valve leaflets in three-dimensional image data to generate an image-derived patient-specific model of the heart valve leaflets, and applying the image-derived patient-specific model of the heart valve leaflets to a finite element analysis (FEA) algorithm to estimate stresses on the heart valve leaflets. The images of the heart valve leaflets may be obtained using real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (rt-3DTEE). Volumetric images of the mitral valve at mid-systole may be analyzed by user-initialized segmentation and 3D deformable modeling with continuous medial representation to obtain, a compact representation of shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one aspect to the discovery of novel mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) templated around and comprising benzalkonium chloride (BAC). In certain embodiments, the BAC-SiO2 mesoporous nanoparticles are capable of sustained release of BAC under acidic conditions, thereby acting as a long release antimicrobial agent. In other embodiments, the BAC-SiO2 mesoporous nanoparticles can be incorporated into a variety of consumer products as an antimicrobial agent additive, including for example, but not limited to, surgical dressings, bandages, deodorants, soaps, facial cleansers and industrial cleaners.

Abstract: A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and related devices used to produce and collect polarized noble gas to inhibit, suppress, detect or filter alkali metal nanoclusters to preserve or increase a polarization level thereof. The systems can include a pre-sat chamber that has an Area Ratio between 20 and 500.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metasurfaces formed on a substrate from a plurality of posts. The metasurfaces are configured to be optically active at one or more wavelengths and in certain embodiments are configured to form lenses having unexpectedly strong focusing power. In particular, the metasurfaces are formed from “low-contrast” materials, including CMOS-compatible materials such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. Accordingly, the disclosed metasurfaces are generally CMOS compatible and therefore embody a new paradigm in metasurface design and manufacturing.

Abstract: Products, systems, and methods for classifying human colorectal cancer into a consensus molecular subtype (CMS) and for assessing risk of recurrence based on CMS scores and based on risk scores derived from abbreviated gene expression profiles, for determining suitable treatment protocols for human colorectal cancer patients based on the determined CMS classification and based on the determined risk of recurrence, and for administering the suitable treatment protocols.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulated gene expression. In certain aspects, the invention relates to an inducible synthetic promoter that can be used for regulated gene expression or to generate mutations in one or more bacterial cells of the gut microbiota.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerogel comprising conductive polymers and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). The present disclosure also provides a sensor comprising the aerogels of the present invention.

Abstract: A receiver includes an interface configured to receive a data signal based on an n-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-n) in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 4. The interface may include an analog-digital converting circuit configured to adjust a reference voltage, for distinguishing second bit data from the data signal in a second section, based on first bit data converted from the data signal in a first section and the first bit data converted from the data signal in the second section, the second section being after the first section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide a device having a substrate, and a plurality of unit areas of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display disposed on the substrate. The unit areas may be repeating, area-filling subdivisions of the substrate that each have an anode and a cathode. The organic film may be disposed over portions of the device other than the unit areas. The device may include at least one pixel having a plurality of sub-pixels disposed within each of the plurality of unit areas. The cathode of at least one pixel of each of the plurality of unit areas may be a common cathode.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided A process for making a cellulose fibre or film comprising the steps of dissolving pulp in an ionic liquid containing a cationic 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-enium [TBDH]+ moiety and an anion selected from the group according to Formula a), Formula b) and Formula c), wherein each of R, R2, R3, R4, R5, R7, R8, R9 and R10 is H or an organyl radical and X? is selected from the group consisting of halides, pseudohalides, carboxylates, alkyl sulphite, alkyl sulphate, dialkylphosphite, dialkyl phosphate, dialkyl phosphonites and dialkyl phosphonates, to provide a spinning dope, extruding the spinning dope through a spinneret to form one or more filaments, and a step selected from the group consisting of spinning cellulose fibres from the solution, and extruding a cellulose film from the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous biomimetic scaffolds and methods for making the same. The scaffolds have graded pore sizes for enhanced cell penetration. The scaffolds are useful for wound regeneration by facilitating cell penetration into the scaffold interior and due to their inherent immunomodulatory effects. The scaffolds have tissue modeling specification by mimicking the inherent stratified structure of certain tissues.

Abstract: A process for gas-phase synthesis of titanium dioxide aerosol gels with controlled monomer size and crystalline phase using a diffusion flame aerosol reactor operated in a buoyancy-opposed configuration is disclosed. The process includes introducing a precursor stream into a diffusion flame aerosol reactor, introducing a fuel stream into the reactor, combusting the precursor stream and the fuel stream in a flame to form at least one nanoparticle, and operating the reactor in a down-fired buoyancy-opposed configuration to produce the aerosol gel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: It is provided a power generation model based on a transcritical cycle with an increasing-pressure endothermic process using CO2-based mixture working fluids for an enhanced geothermal system, including a geothermal water circulation, a mixture working fluid circulation and a cooling water circulation. A coaxial pipe-in-pipe downhole heat exchanger is provided in the mixture working fluid circulation. Innovations are reflected in that an increasing-pressure endothermic process is achieved due to making use of gravity and hence increase a heat quantity absorbed in a cycle, thereby improving power generation quantity of the cycle; and a binary mixture working fluid composed of CO2 and an organic working fluid is adopted to realize a transcritical power cycle with an increasing-pressure endothermic process and a decreasing-temperature exothermic process, thereby effectively reducing irreversibility of a heat transfer between a working fluid and a heat source and improving power cycle efficiency.

Abstract: The in-loop filtering method performed by a video decoding apparatus includes: classifying reconstructed samples according to an absolute classification standard or relative classification standard; acquiring offset data on the basis of results of classifying the reconstructed samples; adding an offset value to the reconstructed samples by referencing the acquired offset data; and outputting the offset value-added reconstructed samples. Accordingly, errors in the reconstructed image can be corrected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying differences in human sensorimotor performance useful for diagnosing, assessing, and/or detecting brain injury and/or a neurological disorder, or identifying exceptional performance in a subject. In a task a subject's limb movement is restricted to a limited workspace and an object moves towards the limb. The objective of the task is for the subject to contact the object with the limb within a set time period. During the task a perturbation directed to the object and/or limb, or other feature of the environment, may occur on some trials, requiring a rapid motor correction in order to contact the object, or the subject may receive an alternative instruction on whether to interact with the object. Position data and/or motion data and/or kinetic data of the limb or portions thereof with respect to a presented object are obtained, and a data set is acquired for a plurality of trials.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid-cleaving catalytic nucleic acid probes, biosensors and lateral flow biosensor devices and methods and kits of using the probes, biosensors and lateral flow biosensor devices for detecting an analyte present on or generated from a microorganism in a test sample, including Helicobacter pylori and methods for determining whether a subject has a Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abstract: A method for continuous acoustic signature recognition and classification includes a step of obtaining an audio input signal from a resonant microphone array positioned proximate to a target, the audio input signal having a plurality of channels. The target produces characterizing audio signals depending on a state or condition of the target. A plurality of features is extracted from the audio input signal with a signal processor. The plurality of features is classified to determine the state of the target. An acoustic monitoring system implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Residual, refractory or relapsed cancer is treated by immunostimulation in the presence of allogeneic immune effector cells, optimally in combination with radiation therapy. The methods of the disclosure induce a systemic allogeneic anti-tumor immune response that results in tumor regression in untreated sites of disease, i.e. non-injected, non-irradiated, etc.