Abstract: An apparatus for inputting information into a computer includes a 3d sensor that senses 3d information and produces a 3d output. The apparatus includes a 2d sensor that senses 2d information and produces a 2d output. The apparatus includes a processing unit which receives the 2d and 3d output and produces a combined output that is a function of the 2d and 3d output. A method for inputting information into a computer. The method includes the steps of producing a 3d output with a 3d sensor that senses 3d information. There is the step of producing a 2d output with a 2d sensor that senses 2d information. There is the step of receiving the 2d and 3d output at a processing unit. There is the step of producing a combined output with the processing unit that is a function of the 2d and 3d output.

Abstract: A method for performing an assessment of vision is provided, and comprises: determining a current difficulty level for the assessment; displaying a question of the assessment, the question including a visual element that has a movable pattern, the movable pattern having at least one variable attribute that is related to the current difficulty level; in response to receipt of an inputted answer, determining whether the inputted answer is correct; and determining whether the assessment is to be concluded, and in the affirmative, generating a result of the assessment based on the current difficulty level.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of delivery of an active agent to a target tissue, in a subject in need thereof comprising positioning a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer to enable delivery of ultrasound energy to the target tissue. Such a method comprises energizing the high intensity focused ultrasound transducer; imaging at least a portion of the target tissue; and discontinuing delivery of ultrasound energy. Further, such a method may comprise administering the active agent to the subject under the conditions of thermal stimulation. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of treating a tumor in a subject in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutic agent to the subject and providing thermal stimulation to the tumor. In some embodiments, there is provided a method for increasing the efficacy of a therapeutic agent in a target tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides synthetic promoters capable of promoting and/or initiating transcription of a polynucleotide in an algal cell, and methods of designing, producing and using such promoters.

Abstract: A user input system comprising a vibration motor, a sensor and a processor in communication with the sensor. The vibration motor is in contact with a surface and generates vibrations in the surface. The vibrations can be altered by a user touching the surface to create altered vibrations. The sensor is in contact with the surface and detects the altered vibrations. The processor receives and analyzes data corresponding to the altered vibrations. The processor determines, based on the analyzed data, whether a user's touch on the surface matches a stored vibration profile of the user.

Abstract: A method for attaching at least one optical fiber to a chip includes the steps of: providing at least one nanowaveguide of a chip including at least one nanowaveguide end to be attached to at least one off-chip fiber respectively; forming at least one oxide taper over or adjacent to each of the at least one nanowaveguide end; cleaving at least one fiber end; aligning the chip so that an end face of each of the at least one oxide taper is mechanically aligned substantially adjacent to each corresponding cleaved fiber end; and fusing each of the at least one oxide taper with each of the at least one fiber end respectively to modally couple each of the nanowaveguides to each of the at least one fiber end via each of the oxide tapers. A device for attaching at least one optical fiber to a chip is also described.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations are provided for treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods of treating inflammation in a subject in need thereof by administering one of the formulations. In some aspects, the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulation includes an effective amount of (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, and (ii) one, two, three or more different small-molecule polyphenols or derivatives thereof to alleviate one or more causes or symptoms of the inflammation in the subject. In some aspects, the formulations include all three, e.g. the formulations includes (i) palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof, (ii) quercetin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) curcumin or a derivative thereof. In some instances, the components (i)-(iii) discussed above are present at a mass ratio of about (i) 4 mg to 6 mg of palmitoylethanolamide or a derivative thereof to (ii) about 0.5 to 2.5 mg curcumin or a derivative thereof, and (iii) about 0.5 mg to 1.

Abstract: Methods for decreasing rod gene expression in a retina, methods for decreasing the protein products expressed by rod genes in a retina, methods for treating a disease or condition treatable by decreasing rod gene expression or their protein products in a retina, and methods for treating a retinal disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging fibre apparatus comprises arranging rods to form a plurality of stacks each comprising a respective plurality of rods, wherein: for each stack, the respective plurality of rods comprises rods having different core sizes, the rods of different core sizes being arranged in a selected arrangement, and the rods of different core sizes being arranged such that each stack has a respective selected shape; wherein the selected shape or shapes are such that the stacks stack together in a desired arrangement; the method further comprising: drawing each of the plurality of stacks; stacking together the plurality of drawn stacks together in the desired arrangement to form a further stack;drawing the further stack; and using the drawn further stack to form an imaging fibre apparatus, wherein the selected arrangement of the rods in each stack and the selected shape or shapes of the stacks are such that the further stack comprises a repeating pattern of rods of different core sizes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for increasing sensitivity of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow in an object of interest. Ultrasound imaging of blood perfusion can be performed without contrast enhancement. Embodiments include transforming a spatiotemporal echo data array into a three-dimensional perfusion data array having a spatial dimension, a slow-time dimension, and a frame-time dimension, and filtering the perfusion data array with an eigen passband clutter filter. The clutter filter can increase sensitivity and utility of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow. In some aspects, the method can yield blood flow signal power and perfusion values well separated from tissue clutter. In an example, enhancements to ischemic tissue perfusion maps in a murine model are shown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody against C5, and a method for preventing and treating complement-related diseases using the antibody, wherein the antibody against C5 is effectively usable in preventing and treating complement-related diseases by inhibiting complement activation.

Abstract: The present invention has a simple structure which is convenient in preparation and easy to use. Moreover, in combination with three-dimensional preoperative analysis and rapid molding technology, the present invention has a high customized precision and clinical applicability, and is cost-effective. Based on the three-dimensional preoperative analysis and 3d printing model, the problems of high technical difficulty and cost of the customized accurate implantation of acetabular cup prosthesis in the total hip arthroplasty can be effectively solved, so that the learning curve of operator can be shortened. The present invention can realize the customized accurate implantation of acetabular cup prosthesis without fitting the positioning guiding module with the articular surface area, so that the assisted positioning and assisted reaming depth determination are realized without removing the guiding module when the acetabulum is being reamed, thus the accuracy of the assisted positioning can be guaranteed.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the pressure of an injection site, utilizing a fluid operating in the laminar regime flowing through a calibrated tube, and measuring a pressure at one end of the calibrated tube with a pressure sensor, as well as a fluid velocity with a flow sensor, such as an elastic filament velocimeter, that comprises a nano-scale sensing element. Additional elements may be utilized, including the use of data acquisition units, processors, user interfaces, pumps, syringes, and control loops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culture media for oocytes and uses thereof. Specifically, media for culturing an oocyte in vitro are disclosed, wherein said media comprise granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The presence of GM-CSF in the media increases the maturation and/or developmental competence of the oocyte making it suitable for use in subsequent assisted reproductive technologies. Methods for increasing the maturation and/or developmental competence of an oocyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are described for metadata processing that can be used to encode an arbitrary number of security policies for code running on a processor. Metadata may be added to every word in the system and a metadata processing unit may be used that works in parallel with data flow to enforce an arbitrary set of policies. In one aspect, the metadata may be characterized as unbounded and software programmable to be applicable to a wide range of metadata processing policies. Techniques and policies have a wide range of uses including, for example, safety, security, and synchronization. Additionally, described are aspects and techniques in connection with metadata processing in an embodiment based on the RISC-V architecture.

Abstract: Methods of generating an autologous cellular vaccine comprising monocytes or neutrophils and an antigenic polypeptide or nucleotide encoding the antigenic polypeptide are provided. The antigen-loaded cell-based vaccine compositions made using these methods are also provided. Methods of using the antigen-loaded cell-based vaccine compositions are also provided and these vaccines may be used to treat cancer. Kits for carrying out the methods described herein are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel nucleoside derivative or a salt thereof, a polynucleotide synthesis reagent, a method for producing a polynucleotide, a polynucleotide, and a method for producing a binding nucleic acid molecule. The nucleoside derivative or a salt thereof of the present invention is represented by the following chemical formula (1). In the chemical formula (1), Su is an atomic group having a sugar skeleton at a nucleoside residue or an atomic group having a sugar phosphate skeleton at a nucleotide residue, and may or may not have a protecting group, L1 and L2 are each independently a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, X1 is an imino group (—NR1—), an ether group (—O—), or a thioether group (—S—), and R1 is a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing breast cancer with S-equol. The method and compositions are particularly suited to treating triple-negative breast cancer. The S-equol may be administered alone or in combination with one or more cytotoxic or immunotherapeutic compound or molecule.

Abstract: An exosomal composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by an exosome. The therapeutic agent can be a phytochemical agent, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a Stat3 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the exosomal compositions are also provided. Methods for treating an inflammatory disease or a cancer are further provided and include administering an effective amount of an exosomal composition to a subject in need thereof to thereby treat the inflammatory disorder or the cancer.