Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis, assessment, and characterization of endometriosis in a subject in need thereof, based upon the expression level of at least one miRNA that is associated with endometriosis.

Abstract: A method for sensing a parameter of an environment surrounding an optical fiber comprises performing a distributed analysis of one or more guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering (GAWBS) processes taking place therein. This distributed analysis may be performed by spatially mapping a spectral linewidth of a GAWBS coefficient along the optical fiber.

Abstract: The application discloses a light scattering parameter measurement system and its measurement method. Dual-frequency scattering interference technology is adopted to obtain distributed measurement of Rayleigh scattering parameters in an optical fiber. The Rayleigh scattering coefficient r and phase retardance ? are modulated on different components of the interference signal respectively by using the dual-frequency interference technology. The Rayleigh scattering coefficient r and phase retardance ? can be decoupled by simple filtering, to obtain separate measurements. A linear stretch is applied to the optical fiber under test, to add uniform phase change signals at all positions of the optical fiber under test. As a result, the term containing only Rayleigh scattering coefficient r can be extracted by low-pass filtering. The direct measurement of Rayleigh scattering parameters is of great significance to fundamental and application researches related to Rayleigh scattering of optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a preparation method for 4-phenylthio-benzenethiol. The preparation method comprises the following steps: subjecting phenyl sulfide as a raw material to a halogenation reaction to obtain 4-halophenyl sulfide; subjecting the 4-halophenyl sulfide to a sulfhydrylation reaction to obtain a 4-phenylthio-phenylthiolate; and subjecting the 4-phenylthio-phenylthiolate to acidification. The preparation method of the present disclosure avoids the use of materials such as thiophenol which pollutes the environment, and realizes efficient recycling of the reaction materials, solvents, water and the like. The preparation method of the present disclosure is a green process for the synthesis of 4-phenylthio-phenylthiol without organic waste, waste acid and waste water discharge.

Abstract: Fluorescent compounds that have aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. The compounds can be utilized as lipid droplet (LD)-specific bio-probes in cell imaging, with high photostability and brightness. For example, the compounds can be used for specific two-photon LDs staining in live cells and deep-tissues at ultralow concentrations. The compounds exhibit a large Stokes shift (>110 nm), high solid fluorescence quantum yields (up to 0.30), a good two-photon absorption cross-section (45-100 GM at 860 nm), high biocompatibility, and good photostability.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter has a first interface coupled to a second interface through one or more modulation circuits. The circuits include a first coupler connected to the first interface; a first waveguide with a first lead connected to the first coupler, a first end, and a first length running therebetween. The first lead and the first end are coupled by a first switch. The circuits also include: a second coupler connected to the first interface; a second waveguide having a second lead connected to the second coupler, a second end, and a second length running therebetween, the second lead and the second end coupled by a second switch along the second length; and an optical combiner connected to the ends of the waveguides. The second interface is connected to the optical combiner of the modulation circuits. Output from the second interface is an optical signal capable of carrying binary information.

Abstract: Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of using the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors in the treatment of diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of glucosylceramide synthase provides a benefit, like Gaucher disease and Fabry disease, also are disclosed.

Abstract: A fever-causing disease outbreak detection system for an early warning of the outbreak of an infectious disease. The system uses an array of infrared detectors to measure the temperatures of individuals in a population. The measured temperatures are used to create a measured population temperature distribution. A central control unit generates a predicted population temperature distribution using environmental data such as local atmospheric conditions and compares the predicted population temperature distribution to the measured population temperature distribution. If an outbreak is detected, an alert is issued.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing lipids and amino acids from a gaseous substrate comprising methane and oxygen. The process uses a culture of a methanotrophic microorganism in a liquid nutrient medium. The methanotrophic microorganism can be a Methylomicrobium bacterium and more specifically Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1. The lipid products can be in the cellular membrane of the methanotroph and can be extracted in a separate extraction zone.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sustained drug release system useful for treating eye diseases. There is provided a device for sustained release of an ophthalmic drug, comprising a drug enclosing part and an intraocular retention gas enclosing part adjacent to the drug enclosing part, the enclosing parts being provided in a hollow container having at least one opening part, wherein the drug enclosing part is isolated from the opening part by the intervention of the intraocular retention gas enclosing part.

Abstract: There is provided a therapeutic method and system for utilizing full spectrum of natural solar radiations with an optimum balance of ultra-violet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) radiations. The disclosed therapeutic method comprising collecting and concentrating the natural solar radiations using a natural solar radiations concentrator; transporting the concentrated natural solar radiations using a transporting medium to an indoor device; optimizing a spot size, an intensity and an ultra-violet range of the natural solar radiations; and directing the optimized natural solar radiations to a desired body part using the indoor device; wherein the full spectrum of natural solar radiations has an optimum balance of ultra-violet, visible and infrared radiations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides encoded chromophoric polymer particles that are capable of, for example, optical and/or biomolecular encoding of analytes. The present disclosure also provides suspensions comprising a plurality of encoded chromophoric polymer particles. The present disclosure also provides methods of using the encoded chromophoric polymer particles and systems for performing multiplex analysis with encoded chromophoric polymer particles.

Abstract: A method of forming birnessite ?-MnO2 nanosheets is provided. The method includes oxidizing manganese (Mn2+) in the presence of a source of nitrate and a light source.

Abstract: A mount bush includes a tubular member, a shaft member disposed inside the tubular member coaxially with an axis of the tubular member and including a coil, a permanent magnet provided on at least one of the tubular member and the shaft member, a magnetic viscoelastic fluid filled in an internal space, a first liquid chamber disposed in the internal space at a first side, a second liquid chamber communicating with the first liquid chamber, and a third liquid chamber communicating with the second liquid chamber, wherein the coil is disposed such that a magnetic path passing through the second liquid chamber in an orientation along at least one of the axial direction and the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction is formed through electrical conduction, and the permanent magnet is disposed such that a magnetizing direction is formed along the magnetic path.

Abstract: A pulverized coal gasification device and process for producing high heating value coal gas with low carbon residue content includes a U-shaped coal gas generation furnace and a coal gas-semicoke separating device, and the U-shaped coal gas generation furnace consists of two section structures including high-temperature and low-temperature sections which are arranged in a U-shaped manner; the high-temperature section and the low-temperature section share an ash hopper; the high-temperature section is a downward entrained-flow bed, and the low-temperature section is an upward entrained-flow bed; and an inlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to the outlet of the low-temperature section, a solid outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to an inlet of the high-temperature section, and a gas outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to a coal gas waste heat utilizing and purifying system. The coal utilization rate can be greatly increased.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic cell including a sun tracker, a top surface configured to generate electrical energy from the incident sunlight, and a bottom surface configured to thermally dispel heat generated by the photovoltaic cell; at least one mirror including a reflective surface; a plurality of actuators securing the at least one mirror the photovoltaic cell; at least one actuator pump connected to the plurality of actuators and configured to extend or retract the plurality of actuators and adjust the distance of the at least one mirror from the top surface; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic cell; and a fluid pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate the fluid through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides monoclonal antibodies that bind ?-Synuclein. In certain aspects, the antibodies preferentially bind to ?-Synuclein fibrils over ?-Synuclein monomer. In other aspects, the invention comprises a method of treating ?-Synucleopathic disease in a subject, comprising administering any of the antibodies of the invention to the subject. In yet other aspects, the invention comprises methods of detecting ?-Synuclein fibrils using any of the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: Particles, compositions, and methods that aid particle transport in mucus are provided. The particles, compositions, and methods may be used, in some instances, for ophthalmic and/or other applications. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods may involve modifying the surface coatings of particles, such as particles of pharmaceutical agents that have a low aqueous solubility. Such compositions and methods can be used to achieve efficient transport of particles of pharmaceutical agents though mucus barriers in the body for a wide spectrum of applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostic applications. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition including such particles is well-suited for ophthalmic applications, and may be used for delivering pharmaceutical agents to the front of the eye and/or the back of the eye.

Abstract: Processes and methods for modifying the surface of graphitic carbon with covalently bonded chemcial groups and the treated graphitic carbon products of such processes are provided. Additionally, exemplary articles comprising such treated graphitic carbons are provided.