Abstract: Extracellular vesicles, their manufacture, and methods of treatment are described. Generally, extracellular vesicles can be generated by applying sulfhydryl blocking reagents on animal cells. Extracellular vesicles can be loaded with compounds for an intended use, such as, for example, loading an extracellular vesicle with a medicament to treat an animal. As described here, extracellular vesicles can be generated in a large scale and used for personalized treatments.

Abstract: An imaging transmitter (Tx) for free-space optical communications (FOC) includes a light source for providing modulated light, a pixel controller configured for dynamic selection of at least a portion of the modulated light to provide at least one pre-collimated FOC beam. An imaging lens assembly is for collimating the pre-collimated FOC beam to provide a transmitted FOC beam. The pixel controller controls a location of the pre-collimated FOC beam with respect to a focal surface of the imaging lens assembly so that the transmitted FOC beam is projected into a desired direction in object space that is determined by the location, or in the case that the light source is an emitting array, equivalently the transmitted FOC beam is projected into a unique angular volume described by the center line-of-sight (LOS) and instantaneous FOV (iFOV) of the emitting pixel(s) in the array.

Abstract: A system containing a reactor vessel including zero valent iron media, a source of a conditioning additive, a source of a reaction additive, and a process control subsystem is disclosed. A method for reducing a concentration of one or more contaminants in contaminated water including contacting zero valent iron media with a conditioning additive, contacting contaminated water with conditioned zero valent iron media, and introducing a reaction additive is also disclosed. The conditioning additive and reaction additive may each contain an aluminum salt.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for performing patterned microscopy. The method includes obtaining a microscopy image of an object based on optical signal from the object in response to a first incoming optical beam; and obtaining a contrast-enhancing image based on optical signal from the object in response to a second incoming optical beam. The method also includes generating a patterned mask based on the contrast-enhancing image. The method further includes applying the patterned mask on the microscopy image to obtain a patterned microscopy image. The microscopy image includes a polarization-analyzed reflection confocal microscopy image. The contrast-enhancing image includes a second-harmonic generation microscopy image. The patterned microscopy image includes a second-harmonic patterned polarization-analyzed reflection confocal microscopy image.

Abstract: The automatic performance device includes a storage part for storing a plurality of performance patterns, a performance part for playing a performance on the basis of a performance pattern stored in the storage part, an input part for inputting performance information through an input device that receives a performance operation of a user, and a selection part for selecting a performance pattern being a maximum likelihood estimation from the plurality of performance patterns stored in the storage part on the basis of the performance information input to the input part.

Abstract: An immobilization apparatus having at least one or more straps that engage a surface; wherein at least one of the straps comprises a force gauge to determine the amount of force applied to a patient immobilized with said straps; wherein the position of the patient is replicable for treatment of radiation and other head or neck treatments.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.

Abstract: Provided is a compound represented by Formula (1).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to human monoclonal IgE antibodies, and IgG antibodies engineered therefrom. Such engineered antibodies can be used to blunt pathologic IgE responses in subjects, such as in the treatment or prevention of allergies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving a muscle force and a physical function, comprising combined use of an ingestion of a composition comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of astaxanthin and its ester and a physical exercise.

Abstract: A method of treating a vessel in a subject comprises the steps of advancing a device distally across a treatment zone in a vessel, wherein the device comprises an elongated catheter having a lumen and a distal end, and a radially expansive treatment element disposed in the lumen and configured for axial movement relative to the catheter; deploying the radially expansive treatment element proud of the distal end of the catheter to radially expand and circumferentially impress against the vessel lumen at a distal end of the treatment zone; and withdrawing the deployed radially expansive treatment element proximally along the treatment zone with the treatment element circumferentially impressed against the vessel lumen to mechanically and circumferentially denude the treatment zone of the vessel. The radially expansive treatment element is then recaptured into the lumen of the catheter, before the device is withdrawn from the treated vessel.

Abstract: A method for the production of 1T-transition metal dichalcogenide few-layer nanosheets and/or monolayer nanosheets comprising electrochemical intercalation of lithium ions into a negative electrode comprising a bulk 2H-transition metal dichalcogenide to provide an intercalated electrode, and an exfoliation step comprising contacting the intercalated electrode with a protic solvent to produce 1T-transition metal dichalcogenide few-layer nano sheets and/or monolayer nanosheets. An electrochemical capacitor comprising a composite electrode comprising 1T-MoS2 nanosheets and graphene, and a method of producing a composite electrode for use in an electrochemical capacitor.

Abstract: An oil-based mud wellbore imaging apparatus for measuring formation permittivity and resistivity includes a reflectometry-type microwave scanning system. The system contains at least one high-Q microstrip resonator with one or more slots on the top surface. The microstrip resonator is excited by one port, which is fed with electromagnetic signals by a coaxial cable. From the phase detection of signal at the port, the formation resistivity and permittivity can be determined and corresponding borehole images can be generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for psycho-signal processing. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving a visual representation of a subject. The method also includes performing a structured motion operation on the received visual representation to generate a modified visual representation of the subject. The method further includes presenting, via a user interface, the modified visual representation.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide compositions and methods related to novel recombinant protein immunogens, comprising specific portions of alpha helical domains (aHD) and proline rich regions (PRD) of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which portions are linked to provide aHD-PRD constructs. The aHD and PRD proteins constituting the aHD-PRD constructs are selected to maximize cross-reactivity and provide protection against a broad spectrum of pneumococcal serotypes. Immunogenic compositions, including vaccines, comprising at least one aHD PRD construct may also include a non-linked aHD portion. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode aHD-PRD constructs, vectors and recombinant host cells containing such molecules, aHD-PRD expression products, use of such nucleic acid molecules to express aHD-PRD constructs by recombinant techniques, and use of the expression products to elicit an immune or protective response against pneumococcal disease in a suitable host.

Abstract: As monitoring systems for applications such as earthquake detection, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and meteorological studies continue to advance in size and data quality, the task of data acquisition becomes equally challenging. Wireless systems for such monitoring applications are required to transfer data in a time-sensitive manner while conserving power in order to extend the operational life of the sensing/monitoring devices. Systems and methods for data acquisition for such scenarios are disclosed, with the objective of collision prevention and power conservation.

Abstract: A 3D bio-printer capable of detecting cell activity is provided. The 3D bio-printer includes an upper PC and a lower 3D printer. A conveying hose is connected to a printhead base of the printer, and a temperature controller is connected to the conveying hose. A printhead controller is connected to the other end of the conveying hose, a printhead is connected to the bottom of the printhead controller, and a main control cabinet controls the printhead to work via a signal generator. A prototyping table is provided under the printhead and is connected with a cell activity detecting device for detecting activity of a printed product. Cell activity can be detected in the process of printing, which ensures that the printed biological tissues maintain biological activity. It can supply multi-biological raw materials and realize multi-biological material printing, which ensures an environment suitable for biological material printing.

Abstract: The disclosure provides helix grafted proteins, methods of producing helix grafted proteins and methods of use of helix grafted proteins as inhibitors of protein-protein interactions involved in disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: This invention concerns pathological angiogenesis and cancer, related treatment methods, and related compositions. Also disclosed are related diagnosis kits and methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel queen monitoring cage system comprising a housing having a plurality of holes to provide ventilation, at least one egg laying plate, serving as an inner wall of the cage. The egg laying plate includes a plurality of hexagonal cells, and one or more ports to allow materials to be added to the housing. Additional embodiments of the system provides a removable drawer for the insertion and removal of bees, and inserts to prevent escape of bees while egg laying plates are added and removed. Experimental results show that the queen monitoring cage can be used to study queen egg laying behavior under laboratory controlled conditions.