Abstract: The present invention provides an image encoding method and an image decoding method. The image decoding method, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: decoding information associated with a clipping range of a current block; and performing sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering on the basis of the information associated with the clipping range, wherein the information associated with the clipping range may include information on the maximum and minimum values of a pixel value included in the current block.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a technique for producing regulatory T cells specific to a desired antigen. Regulatory T cells specific to an antigen are produced by a method that includes: a step for identifying a T cell receptor (TCR) clone present in an effector T cell population specific to an antigen in an effector T cell donor; and a step for introducing all or part of the nucleic acid sequence of the TCR? gene and all or part of the nucleic acid sequence of the TCR? gene included in the clone into a regulatory T cell, said step comprising introducing the TCR? and the TCR? so as to be expressed in pairs.

Abstract: A problem of this invention it to provide a method for differentiate a primordial germ cell into a functional GV stage oocyte by in vitro culture. This invention relates to a method for differentiating a primordial germ cell into a functional GV stage oocyte by in vitro culture, comprising: (a) a step of producing a secondary follicle by culturing the primordial germ cell and supporting cells adjacent to the primordial germ cells under conditions that eliminate the effects of estrogen or a factor having a similar function to estrogen; (b) a step of partially dissociating cells between a granulosa cell layer and a thecal cell layer, wherein an oocyte, the granulosa cell layer, and the thecal cell layer constitute the produced secondary follicle; and (c) a step of differentiating the oocyte into a functional GV stage oocyte by culturing the oocyte, the granulosa cell layer, and the thecal cell layer that constitute the secondary follicle in a medium containing a high-molecular-weight compound.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the preparation of nebulised droplets, for inhalation. The device has: a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transmission surface; a SAW transducer adapted to generate and propagate SAWs along the SAW transmission surface; and an array of cavities opening at the SAW transmission surface for containing a liquid. In operation, SAWs propagating along the SAW transmission surface interact with the liquid in the cavities to produce nebulised droplets of the liquid. Operation of the device results in a nebulised plume of droplets of average diameter in the range 1-5 ?m.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for making hyper compliant polymer particles by inverse emulsification and having a predetermined mechanical compliance and a predetermined size with a monodisperse diameter. Compositions and methods are provided for use of hyper compliant polymer particles in drug delivery, assay, particle image velocimetry, ceramics, cosmetics, deconvolution, electronic paper, insulation, personal care, standards, retroreflective paint and paint applications, thickening agents, regenerative medicine, device calibration, micro-carriers and force indicators.

Abstract: An injectable in situ pore-forming hydrogel system and its preparation method and use are provided. The injectable in situ pore-forming hydrogel system uses an injectable hydrogel as a continuous base phase, and isolated live cells and magnesium particles are distributed in the continuous base phase, where the injectable hydrogel is a precursor or prepolymer of hydrogel, which can form hydrogel by cross-linking. The injectable in situ pore-forming hydrogel system can be used to create pores while the gel encapsulates live cells, which makes use of both the injectability and porous structures of hydrogel, which is important for the repair of cavitary, surgically difficult and irregularly defective tissues; meanwhile, magnesium particles generate magnesium ions after the former undergoes gas production and degradation, which can improve the bioactivity of the gel and aid in tissue repair.

Abstract: Apparatus for medical treatment includes a laser source, which is configured to output a beam of laser radiation. An optical device is configured to direct the laser radiation to impinge on a limbal area of an eye with optical properties chosen so as to apply a desired treatment to a tissue structure associated with a cornea of the eye within the limbal area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for treating, sorting and recycling an oil-containing discharged catalyst. There is provided a method for treating, sorting and recycling an oil-containing discharged catalyst, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (A) cyclonic washing and on-line activation of a discharged catalyst; (B) cyclonic spinning solvent stripping of the catalyst; (C) gas stream acceleration sorting of a high activity catalyst; (D) cyclonic restriping and particle capture of the high activity catalyst; and (E) cooling of the gas and condensation removal of the solvent. There is further provided an apparatus for treating, sorting and recycling an oil-containing discharged catalyst.

Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of nanosheets, source/drain stressors, and a gate structure wrapping around the nanosheets. The nanosheets extend in a first direction above a semiconductor substrate and are arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The source/drain stressors are on either side of the nanosheets. Each of the source/drain stressors comprises a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer. The first and second epitaxial layers are made of a Group IV element and a Group V element. An atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the second epitaxial layer is greater than an atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A double-layer coiled tubing double-gradient drilling system, on the basis of conventional drilling equipment, includes a double-layer coiled tubing system, separating fluid, a downhole lifting pump system, throttling control systems and a data monitoring system. Power fluid enters an annular space of the tubing through an adapter, passes through a downhole lifting pump, enters an inner pipe through a bridge channel, and enters the bottom hole through the drill bit. Return fluid enters an annular channel of the tubing through a recovery hole, then enters the inner pipe through the bridge channel and enters the lifting pump, and then enters a solid control system through the adapter and the control systems in sequence. Gradient control of the bottom hole pressure is realized through monitoring of the separating fluid and control of the drilling pump unit and throttling control systems. The problem of narrow safe drilling density window is solved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing or treating atherosclerosis or a symptom thereof comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a specific inhibitor of neuraminidase 1 (neu1); neuraminidase 3 (neu3); or a bispecific inhibitor of neu1 or neu3 of formula I; (I) and a compound of formula I.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a damage power of confined explosion, includes: determining a size of a confined case and a thickness of a target plate according to a requirement of evaluation on damage effectiveness of a warhead to establish an explosive damage effectiveness evaluation platform; calibrating parameters of the platform with a series of confined explosion tests of trinitrotoluene (TNT) bare charges in the case to form a relational map, in which a deflection of a mid-point of the target plate changes with a charge mass; obtaining a deflection of the mid-point of the target plate by detonating different warheads, forming different detonation atmosphere and forming different venting configuration in the case, and performing interpolation through the map to obtain an equivalent bare charge as an evaluation index. The method quantitatively evaluates the damage effectiveness of the warhead, and is not limited by the damage component.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for high-speed decoding of a linear code on the basis of a soft decision. The method for high-speed decoding of a linear code on the basis of a soft decision may comprise the steps of: obtaining an alignment signal by aligning received signals in order of magnitude; obtaining a hard decision signal by making a hard decision on the alignment signal; obtaining a higher-level signal corresponding to most reliable bases (MRB) from the hard decision signal; obtaining a permuted and corrected codeword candidate by using an error vector according to a current order and the higher signal; calculating a cost for the current order by using a cost function; determining the permuted and corrected codeword candidate as a permuted and corrected codeword according to a result of comparing the calculated cost and the minimum cost; and determining a predefined high-speed condition.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compositions and methods comprising isolated antibodies that can recognize human prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The presently disclosed antibodies can be used to for imaging and therapy of PSMA-expressing cancers, such as prostate cancer, in a subject.

Abstract: Described are a genetically modified microorganism and corresponding methods and products. The genetically modified microorganism may include a first gene that encodes an acyl transferase and a second gene that encodes a peptide or protein. One or both of the first and second gene may be heterologous. The genetically modified microorganism may include a modified acyl-CoA biosynthetic pathway configured for one or more of: inducible biosynthesis of an acyl-CoA and over-accumulation of the acyl-CoA. The genetically modified microorganism may be effective upon fermentation to cause acylation of the peptide or protein by the acyl transferase using the acyl-CoA to provide a N-acylated peptide or protein product.

Abstract: Split enzyme reporter systems are disclosed for detecting an analyte in a mixture. Fragments of the split enzyme may be covalently bound to targeting domains that bind to target regions of an analyte, thereby causing formation of an active complex. Some split enzyme reporter systems can be used to detect an analyte without the use of analyte immobilization, blocking, or wash steps. Some reporter systems also enable rapid detection of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric polypeptides that include one or more zinc finger motifs fused to a therapeutic peptide such as botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). The zinc finger motif may be located at the C-terminal side of the BoNT and the chimeric polypeptide can optionally include two or more such zinc finger motifs. It said the disclosed chimeric polypeptides can be efficiently delivered to a subject transdermally.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part protective groups that can be used to reversibly protect benzoxaboroles and yield the corresponding protected complexes. The invention further relates to the use of these protective groups to protect benzoxaboroles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides non-invasive methods for determining the gender of an embryo during in vitro embryo culture.

Abstract: A system includes a programmable assessor and a remote computer. The programmable assessor includes an assessment chamber, which includes an assessment platform and a sensor arranged to sense characteristics of a product on the assessment platform, as well as a processor coupled to the sensor and an input coupled to the processor. The remote computer includes a remote processor. The sensor is configured to sense characteristics of first and second versions of the product. The input is configured to receive a classification of the first and second versions of the product. The programmable assessor is configured to provide the sensed characteristics and classification of the first and second versions of the product to the remote processor. The remote processor is configured to generate an assessment program based on the sensed characteristics and classification of the first and second versions of the product, and to provide the generated assessment program to the programmable assessor.