Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patients body using coaptive ultrasound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flexible tube includes a first balloon at a distal end of the tube, and a second balloon at the distal end of the tube and positioned within the first balloon. The first and second balloons are inflatable to form one or more echogenic windows between them, which echogenic window may be detected from within a patient's body by an ultrasound probe that is external to the patient's body. Detection of such echogenic window is used to identify an acceptable location on the patient's body at which to insert a guidewire configured to receive an elongate medical member without damage to surrounding patient tissues or organs.

Abstract: Described herein are devices incorporating Casimir cavities, which modify the quantum vacuum mode distribution within the cavities. The Casimir cavities can create energy differences within layers or device to drive energy from or to a portion of a layer disposed adjacent to or contiguous with the Casimir cavity by modifying the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on one portion of the layer to be different from the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on another portion of the layer. Additionally, Casimir cavities in which the cavity layer comprises a conductor that can be used to carry a flow of electrical power induced by the presence of the Casimir cavity.

Abstract: An F-18 labeled chiral pure derivative of hydroxyfuran, a preparation method and use thereof were provided. (4R, 5R)[18F]FAA provided by the present disclosure is a chiral pure radioactive compound, and three other chiral pure [18F]FAA structural formulae are also provided by the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides a chiral pure radioactive probe (4R, 5R)[18F]FAA, which shows unique tumor diagnostic efficiency and similar distribution to AA, and can be used for early diagnosis of tumors, pathological studies, assessment of disease progression, and evaluation for efficacy.

Abstract: A dual-surfaced mirror for a mirror wedge illusion. The dual-surfaced mirror includes a reflective material layer, a thin glass layer overlaying a front surface of the reflective material, a dark mask layer overlaying a back surface of the reflective material, and a thick glass support layer coupled to the dark mask layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for transient-based decoding of neural signals. In one aspect, a device such as a brain-computer interface (BCI), includes at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of neural signals from a subject. The at least one processor can detect, from the plurality of neural signals, first neural activity unique to a first defined temporal window corresponding to an onset phase of an intended action of the subject. The at least one processor can detect, from the plurality of neural signals, second neural activity unique to a second defined temporal window, occurring after the first temporal window and corresponding to an offset phase of the intended action. The at least one processor can generate at least one output indicative of the intended action, responsive to detecting at least one of the first neural activity or the second neural activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum with efficient expression of exogenous proteins, which can solve the technical problem of low protein expression quantity of using Corynebacterium glutamicum as an exogenous protein expression host. The mutant strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum is deposited in the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC), and the deposit number is CGMCC No. 20138. The mutant strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum in the present invention, verified by the expression of exogenous proteins, shows a significantly enhanced expression of both intracellular and secreted proteins when compared with its initial strain.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensor assembly includes an electrically non-conductive substrate defining at least a distal region, intermediary region, and proximal region that are each covered with electrically conductive traces. The proximal region is configured to be exposed to a media to be sensed and the distal and intermediary regions are configured to be protected from the media. The electrically conductive traces are connected to one or more electrodes to sense one or more of alkalinity, cyanuric acid concentration, or oxidant concentration of the media.

Abstract: A barrier system is provided for use in reducing infections associated with post-operative surgical incision and/or a percutaneous medical device, such as a catheter, that is disposed within the surgical incision. Such a barrier system may include: a barrier device having a skin-contacting surface and a catheter-receiving surface; and an adhesive composition configured for adhering to skin, the barrier device, and/or the catheter so as to form a barrier at or adjacent to an incision in the skin where the catheter is percutaneously inserted through the skin. A tensioning anchor and associated system of two or more tensioning anchors is provided for post-operative wound closure. A method for applying and removing the barrier device and tensioning anchors is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating or reducing the likelihood of the development of epilepsy in an individual. The method comprises administering to the central nervous system of an individual in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of increasing the expression and/or activity of miR-128.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive, pan-epitopic antigens derived from H3 influenza virus that are immunogenic and are capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, such as a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, against H3 virus following introduction into a subject. Also provided are non-naturally, broadly reactive occurring immunogens, vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) and compositions comprising the immunogens and vaccines. Methods of generating an immune response in a subject by administering the immunogens, vaccines, VLPs, or compositions thereof are provided. In particular, the immunogens comprise the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of H3 influenza virus strains.

Abstract: Bait and capture methods and compositions for removing bio-synthetic nano-particles from body fluids. Bio-synthetic nano-particles are baited with one-half of a bait and capture complex and lyophilized. The baited bio-synthetic nano-particle is reconstituted and administered to a subject for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. To remove the bio-synthetic nano-particle from the body, the body fluid containing the baited bio-synthetic nano-article is contacted with the capture portion of the bait and capture complex. The body fluid from which the bio-synthetic nano-particles have been removed may be returned to the subject.

Abstract: An example device for repairing a tissue is described herein. The device can include a flexible carrier layer, and a support member including a plurality of micro-protrusions extending therefrom. The support member can be at least partially integrated with the flexible carrier layer. Additionally, the flexible carrier layer can be configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue, and the micro-protrusions can be configured to mechanically interface with the tissue.

Abstract: A fenestration device for fenestrating an endograft material, a retrievable vessel marker, and methods of using the same are described. The fenestration device includes a needle-like tip with cutting edges configured to make a perforation in an endograft material and blades configured to enlarge the perforation. The retrievable vessel marker includes a wire with a helical portion having four radiopaque markers thereon and blades extendable from the needle-like tip configured to be heated by an external heat source to enlarge the perforation in the endograft material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating a steatosis-associated disorder and methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder, including glycogen storage disease I, glycogen storage disease III, glycogen storage disease IV, and/or conditions associated with a PRKAG2 mutation, by administering a therapeutic agent selected from a lysosomal enzyme, an autophagy-inducing agent, or a combination thereof. Steatosis-associated disorders discussed herein include GSD Ia, GSD Ib, GSD Ic, NAFLD, and NASH. Other embodiments are directed to methods of reversing steatosis, modulating autophagy, inducing autophagy, and reversing glycogen storage. Methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder by administering a lysosomal enzyme and a second therapeutic agent are also described. Other embodiments are directed to methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder by administering a therapeutic agent as an adjunctive therapy to lysosomal enzyme replacement therapy.

Abstract: The application provides a method for controlling nitrogen in steelmaking by spraying hydrogen containing plasma, including: using a mixture of hydrogen rich gas and argon gas to generate hydrogen plasma for denitrification of molten steel during at least one of arc furnace smelting, ladle refining, VOD refining, and RH refining. The method for controlling nitrogen in steelmaking by spraying hydrogen containing plasma provided in the application can effectively remove nitrogen from the molten steel by spraying a mixture of argon gas and hydrogen rich gas into the molten steel through a hollow electrode and plasma torch, reducing electrode consumption and electricity consumption per ton steel, and also reducing arc radiation heat loss, improving heating rate, thereby shortening smelting time and reducing production costs.

Abstract: The disclosure belongs to the technical field of biomedical materials, and provides a bio-ink, application thereof, a penile corpus cavernosum prosthesis and a preparation method thereof. The bio-ink provided by the disclosure includes a polymer-based material, an initiator, a crosslinking agent, a light absorber, and water. The bio-ink provided by the disclosure can undergo a gelation reaction under ultraviolet light irradiation, and an obtained hydrogel matrix material can have an elongation at break reaching 200-600%, so as to be applied to 3D printing. The disclosure further provides a penile corpus cavernosum prosthesis. For the penile corpus cavernosum prosthesis provided by the disclosure, with biocompatible hydrogel as a matrix material, an anticoagulant layer obtained by coating can effectively reduce the risk of thrombosis and has good safety and stability. The penile corpus cavernosum prosthesis of the disclosure has bionic vascular sinus cavity and bionic white membrane structures.

Abstract: An alternating electric field-driven gallium nitride (GaN)-based nano-light-emitting diode (nanoLED) structure with an electric field enhancement effect is provided. The GaN-based nanoLED structure forms a nanopillar structure that runs through an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, a p-type GaN layer, a multiple quantum well (MQW) active layer and an n-type GaN layer and reaches a GaN buffer layer; and the nanopillar structure has a cross-sectional area that is smallest at the MQW active layer and gradually increases towards two ends of a nanopillar, forming a pillar structure with a thin middle and two thick ends. The shape of the GaN-based nanopillar improves the electric field strength within the QW layer in the alternating electric field environment and increases the current density in the QW region of the nanopillar structure under current driving, forming strong electric field gain and current gain, thereby improving the luminous efficiency of the device.

Abstract: An optical beam is provided from a transmitter aperture to a receiver aperture that receives the optical beam after displacement by a path shifting component. Received initial displacement information characterizing at least one of: an initial estimate of the displacement, or an indication that the displacement is below a predetermined threshold. Received input beams each have a different spatial mode, from a set of mutually orthogonal spatial modes that include: a lowest order spatial mode, a highest order spatial mode, and one or more intermediate order spatial modes. A relative amount of each of the input beams to be included in the optical beam is determined based at least in part on: corresponding diffraction loss estimates for each of the input beams, and the initial displacement information. One of the input beams that has a largest relative amount in the optical beam is one of the intermediate order spatial modes.

Abstract: An object is to prevent eavesdropping in quantum key distribution. A synchronization signal reception device receives a synchronization signal that is an optical signal for defining a timing at which a quantum signal is detected, and outputs a reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal. A clock signal generation unit generates a clock signal in response to the reference signal. A photon detection device detects a photon of the quantum signal in response to the clock signal. A timing of the clock signal randomly changes within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating cognitive decline. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises an antagonist of an AMPA receptor. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating a disease or condition associated with NMDA insensitivity in an NMDA-insensitive subject. The present invention can be useful, for example, in a subject in which intracellular calcium influx by stimulation with NMDA and glycine is inhibited in an NMDA receptor from which inhibition of activation by Mg ions has been released. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating overweight and obesity.