Abstract: Amphiphilic biopolymers have been synthesized by grafting lignin onto PLGA to form graft polymers, which can then be further assembled into polymeric nanoparticles without a requirement for surfactants. The nanoparticles have a typical diameter of 75 nm. The nanoparticles may be used, for example, for drug delivery, including efficient and effective drug delivery against cancers such as triple negative breast cancers.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for modifying psyllid behavior. In addition, the disclosure provides methods and volatile odorants useful for repelling or attracting psyllids.

Abstract: An image signal decoding method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: decoding information indicating whether a current block is encoded using a multi-mode intra prediction; when it is determined that the current block is encoded in the multi-mode intra prediction, dividing the current block into a plurality of partial blocks; and obtaining an intra prediction mode of each of the plurality of partial blocks.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer composite includes dispersing a nanosheet filler within a polymer matrix by dissolving a monomer in water to form a first solution, dispersing the nanosheet filler in an organic solvent in the presence of an emulsifying agent to form a second solution, combining the first solution and the second solution, and adding a polymerization initiator to initiate a polymerization reaction of the monomer to form a polymer composite precursor comprising the nanosheet filler dispersed in the polymer matrix. The method further includes quenching the polymerization reaction and then filtering, washing, grinding, and drying the polymer composite precursor to form the polymer composite. A method of preparing a polymer composite hydrogel for water shutoff applications and the associated method of forming a barrier to shut off or reduce unwanted production of water in a subterranean formation utilizing the polymer composite hydrogel is also provided.

Abstract: A pulse measurement device is provided, including a first signal source, a second signal source, two microwave resonators, two mixers, and a signal processing unit. The first signal source and the second signal source output a first high-frequency signal and a second high-frequency signal, respectively. Each of the microwave resonators generates an electric field according to the first high-frequency signal, and senses a variation in the electric field which is interfered by a pulse to obtain a sensing signal. Each of the mixers is coupled to one of the microwave resonators, to mix the sensing signal and the second high-frequency signal to output a down-converted signal. The signal processing unit respectively demodulates amplitudes of the down-converted signals of the two mixers to obtain amplitude signals.

Abstract: A machine learning system and method configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors being located on a computational front-end; a deep cellular recurrent neural network configured to receive time-series data input from each of the plurality of sensor; and one or more feed-forward layers being located on a computational back-end configured to receive data output, the data output being processed by the deep cellular recurrent neural network. The deep cellular recurrent neural network further includes a plurality cellular long short-term memory networks arranged in corresponding nodes, wherein each of the plurality of cellular long short-term memory networks are interconnected to at least one adjacent cellular long short-term memory module.

Abstract: The present disclosure associates to a modified and expressed virus-like particles. Particularly, the virus-like particle is capable of eliciting immune response in a mammal upon administrating a pharmaceutically efficient dosage to the mammal. The virus-like particle comprises a modified form of M and E structural proteins of flavivirus. Further, the virus-like particle comprises an amino acids sequence substantially corresponding to a sequence setting forth in SEQ ID NO. 1, SEQ ID NO. 2, SEQ ID NO. 3 or SEQ ID NO. 4, wherein conserved and internally located His at multiple positions of the M and E proteins are substituted with uncharged residues, and other secretion-enhancing substitutions are introduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for high-throughput, multiplexed drug screening to identify effective and specific drugs, as well as effective drug concentrations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of the catalytic technologies, and provides a p-type TiO2/n-type WO3 heterojunction catalyst and its preparation and use in photochemical synthesis of fuels. The catalyst comprises p-type TiO2 and n-type WO3 supported on a surface of the p-type TiO2. The disclosure proposes to support n-type WO3 onto a surface of p-type TiO2. The catalyst has high catalytic efficiency, and is particularly suitable for use in photocatalytic processes for synthesizing fuels.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-functional stratigraphic structure model testing system and testing method. The system includes a test piece testing device platform that includes a watertight fan-shaped closed cavity, a fluid-solid coupling loading system, and an anti-arc reaction frame system. A coupling loading system region consist of hydraulic (liquid) loading and multi-directional solid-skeleton loading onto a pore or crack test piece, which can be independently operated or combined with each other's. The fan-shaped closed cavity is fixed through the anti-arc reaction frame system, and a fan-shaped center region is provided with an application region of underground working face. The other two flat fan sides are provided with application regions of physical and chemical improvement for surrounding rock.

Abstract: Methods of forming graphene may include reacting a dispersed mixture, comprising fly ash, a charged heteroaromatic compound, particularly a pyridinium compound, such as a 1-(4-pyridyl)-pyridinium salt, and a solvent, particularly an alcohol, such as ethanol, with a polymeric oxidizing agent, preferably polymer-supported pyridinium chlorochromate, to form a second mixture; and contacting the second mixture at a temperature of 120 to 180° C. with a gas stream comprising at least 0.1 vol. % CH4 and at least 10 vol. % H2 to form graphene on the fly ash. Methods of managing waste may comprise using fly ash waste to produce graphene. Devices for implementing such methods may involve steel cylindrical reaction vessels including a cover through which a valve-stoppable pipe is fed, which reaction vessel is at least partially surrounded by a heating device, and suitable for handling solvent and fly ash, as well as for receiving gas inflow through the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the selectivity of an anesthetic for an anesthetic-sensitive receptor by determining the molar water solubility of the anesthetic. The invention further provides methods for modulating the selectivity of an anesthetic for an anesthetic-sensitive receptor by altering or modifying the anesthetic to have higher or lower water solubility. The invention further provides methods of inducing anesthesia in a subject by administering via the respiratory pathways (e.g., via inhalational or pulmonary delivery) an effective amount of an anesthetic compound identified according to the present methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for generating a non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive, pan-epitopic antigen derived from a pathogen, such as a virus, bacterium, and the like, that is immunogenic and is capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, such as a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, against the pathogen following introduction into a subject. Also provided is a non-naturally occurring immunogen generated using the methods, and vaccines and compositions comprising the immunogen. Methods of generating an immune response in a subject by administering the immunogen, vaccine, or composition are provided. In particular, the immunogen comprises the hemagglutinin (HA) or neuraminidase (NA) protein of influenza virus strains.

Abstract: A method of increasing production of one or more lipoxins in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compound having the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, so as to thereby increase production of the one or more lipoxins in the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for detecting viruses, bacteria, and other analytes of interest in a fluid sample. The fluid sample flows through a first microfluidic channel to a nanoporous or microporous membrane on which are disposed ligands, such as antibodies, specific for the analyte. If the analyte of interest is captured by the ligand, it clogs the pores of the membrane, preventing the fluid sample from passing through the membrane and diverting the fluid into a second channel. Detecting movement of the fluid sample in the second channel signals the presence of the analyte in the fluid sample, while failure of the fluid sample to move in the second channel signals absence of the analyte in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A metal foam-based filtration system and method for removing sub-micron particles and contaminants from a gas or fluid flow with the use of ultralow density metal nanowire meshes that have nanometer to micron scale pores for trapping air/fluid-borne particulates. Filters can use metal foams and coated metal foams alone or in tandem. The size and density of pores in the foam can be adjusted with synthesis conditions. Foams with pore size gradients promote the trapping of different sized particulates at different regions of a foam. Multiple rounds of electrodeposition may be applied to increase the surface area and curvature of a nanowire mesh and strengthen the mesh to make it self-supporting, free-standing and capable of supporting a much heavier mass without collapse. A metal and/or a coated metal foam can act as a catalyst or substrate for absorption or adsorption to capture target particles and/or contaminants.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a mold, an injection device, a porous structure, and a gas-driven unit. The mold has a mold cavity. The injection device is adapted to inject a material into the mold cavity so that the material is formed into a forming article. The porous structure is disposed on an inner surface of the mold cavity and corresponds to a non-appearance surface of the forming article. The gas-driven unit is connected to the mold and is adapted to drive a gas to flow into or flow out of the mold cavity through the porous structure. In addition, an injection molding method is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for solid immersion meniscus lenses (SIMlenses). An optical system may include a sample holder with a first side which supports a sample, and a second side opposite the first side. The second side of the sample holder may be in contact with an immersion fluid. Light passing between the sample and an objective lens may pass through the sample holder, immersion fluid, and a SIMlens positioned between the immersion fluid and objective. The SIMlens may have a first curved surface and a second curved surface, each of which may be shaped to match a wavefront of the light as it passes through the SIMlens. The immersion fluid, SIMlens, and environment containing the objective may all have different refractive indices.

Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively.

Abstract: A new class of multi-component rare earth multi-silicate materials has been created for use in harsh environments such as gas turbine engines. Moreover, by combining two-or-more rare earth disilicates the properties (for example, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, etc.) can be tailored to fit specific applications, such as having a matching thermal expansion with that of silicon-based composites and a low thermal conductivity close to that of 1 W/m K. Applications can be extended for use with other material classes such as MCrAlY, MAX-phase, and refractory metal alloys, utilizing a thermal expansion of up to about 15?10?6 /° C. By mixing of specific sets of rare earth disilicates it is possible to obtain a high entropy or entropy stabilized mixture, and utilize features such as “sluggish diffusion”, and more.