Abstract: A method for manufacturing a freestanding film having at least one population of through holes cumulatively totaling at least 1% of the film area, wherein the standard deviation of hole diameters is less than 25% and a thickness less than 25 micrometers, The film provides a carrier substrate, a photo-curable material, a release agent and deposits a photo-curable material on the substrate, selectively curing the material and leaving uncured material in the pattern of holes, dissolving away the uncured material and removing the cured material from the carrier. Methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: To diagnose plasma in a plasma space, a plurality of floating probes are installed at a plurality of points, respectively, in a plasma space. An electron density ratio at each of the points is calculated by measuring a first probe current of each of the floating probes, the probe current including a DC component. A point ion density and a point electron temperature at each of the points are calculated by measuring a second probe current of each of the floating probes before the electron density ratio is calculated, the second probe current excluding the DC component.

Abstract: A culture apparatus and method for growing cells and tissue in a three-dimensional configuration harnesses magnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic and diamagnetic forces. The cells or tissue are grown with magnetized core particles and are suspended via magnetic forces in a native, non-restricted, three-dimensional configuration while being maintained in a normal gravity (1 g) growth environment in the absence of rotational alteration of the gravity vector.

Abstract: Derivatives of BODIPY with improved properties (such as longer Stokes shift relative to existing fluorophores) are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to epitope peptides (or mutants thereof) for treating hepatitis B virus infection, recombinant proteins comprising such epitope peptides (or mutants thereof) and carrier proteins, and uses of such epitope peptides (or mutants thereof) and recombinant proteins. The present invention also relates to antibodies against such epitope peptides, cell lines producing said antibodies, and uses thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vaccines or pharmaceutical compositions for treating or alleviating one or more symptoms associated with hepatitis B virus infection, which comprise the recombinant proteins or antibodies according to the invention, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a target substance transfer method, a crystal production method, a composition production method, and a target substance transfer device, which allow the concentration of a target substance to be increased easily and effectively. The target substance transfer method is a method for transferring a target substance 103 from a first phase 101 that is a liquid or solid phase containing the target substance 103 to a second phase 102 including: a phase approximation step of bringing the first phase 101 and the second phase 102 into close proximity; and a bubble collapse step of forming bubbles in the vicinity of a boundary between the first phase 101 and the second phase 102 and then causing the bubbles to collapse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-regenerating antioxidant catalysts and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of microRNAs to diagnose and monitor various diseases such as cancer. In particular embodiments, microRNA expression levels can serve as diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease-associated neoplasia (IBDN). More specifically, in certain embodiments, the present invention can be used to differentiate or distinguish IBDN from sporadic colorectal cancer (S-CRC), IBD-Dysplasia, IBD and/or normal.

Abstract: A copper alloy wire rod includes a copper parent phase and short fiber-shaped composite phases which are dispersed in the copper parent phase and which contain Cu8Zr3 and Cu, wherein the content of Zr is within the range of 0.2 atomic percent or more and 1.0 atomic percent or less. This copper alloy wire rod can be obtained by including the steps of melting a raw material in such a way that a copper alloy having a Zr content within the above-described range of is produced so as to obtain a molten metal in a melting step, casting the molten metal so as to obtain an ingot in a casting step, and subjecting the ingot to cold wire drawing in a wire drawing step, wherein the wire drawing step and a treatment after the wire drawing step are performed at lower than 500° C.

Abstract: A method and a kit for assessing risk of lung cancer versus benign disease in a subject are provided. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject and determining a measurement for a panel of biomarkers in the biological sample. The panel includes at least two biomarkers selected from the group consisting of IL-6, IL-1ra, IL-10, SDF-1?+?, TNF-?, MIP-1?, sIL-2R?, CA-125, sE-Selectin, Eotaxin, sEGFR, MMP-2, OPN, MCP-1, CRP, sICAM-1 and CYFRA 21.1. The method further includes comparing the measurement to a reference profile for the panel of biomarkers, sorting the subject into a group and determining whether the subject is at risk for lung cancer based on the group.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of medical conditions associated with a reduced rate of stem cell self-renewal or that will be responsive to an increased rate of stem cell self-renewal. Aspects of the methods include inhibiting H2A deubiquitinating enzyme activity in cells, e.g. by administering an effective amount of an H2A deubiquitinating enzyme antagonist. Also provided are screens to identify therapeutics for the treatment of medical conditions associated with a reduced rate of stem cell self-renewal or that will be responsive to an increased rate of stem cell self-renewal.

Abstract: The method includes forming a graphite layer on a substrate, forming a supporting layer on the graphite layer to form a stack of the graphite layer and the supporting layer, removing the substrate to separate the stack from the substrate, transferring the stack of the graphite layer and the supporting layer onto a frame, and removing the supporting layer from the frame.

Abstract: Methods are known for implementing general optical functions using wave splitters. However, these methods rely on these wave splitters having maximal extinction ratio, which is difficult to achieve in practice. The present invention provides methods for automatically adjusting wave splitters to provide maximal extinction ratio.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid, including: a flow cell including one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports, wherein the flow cell is configured to communicate a fluid containing a biological contaminant from the one or more inlet ports to the one or more outlet portions through an interior portion thereof; and one or more point radiation sources disposed about the flow cell, wherein the one or more point radiation sources are operable for delivering radiation to the biological contaminant; wherein an interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources; and wherein the interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources such that a radiation intensity is uniform throughout the interior portion of the flow cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the flow cell is an integrating sphere.

Abstract: The disclosure provides oral cysteamine and cystamine formulations useful for treating cystinosis and neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. The formulations provide controlled release compositions that improve quality of life and reduced side-effects.

Abstract: An example method for controlling an AC electrical machine can include providing a PWM converter operably connected between an electrical power source and the AC electrical machine and providing a neural network vector control system operably connected to the PWM converter. The control system can include a current-loop neural network configured to receive a plurality of inputs. The current-loop neural network can be configured to optimize the compensating dq-control voltage. The inputs can be d- and q-axis currents, d- and q-axis error signals, predicted d- and q-axis current signals, and a feedback compensating dq-control voltage. The d- and q-axis error signals can be a difference between the d- and q-axis currents and reference d- and q-axis currents, respectively. The method can further include outputting a compensating dq-control voltage from the current-loop neural network and controlling the PWM converter using the compensating dq-control voltage.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis including administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that mediates upregulation of TPP 1.

Abstract: A paper-base flexible power-generation apparatus, and a manufacturing method thereof. The flexible power-generation apparatus comprises: a first assembly (1) formed by a paper-base insulation layer (11) and a first metal conductive layer (12) deposited on the surface of the paper-base insulation layer, and a second assembly (2) formed by a paper-base insulation layer (21), a second metal conductive layer (22) deposited on the surface of the paper-base insulation layer, and an electret material layer (23) coating on the surface of the second metal conductive layer. The two edges of the two assemblies are each provided with an electrode (13, 24) and the electrodes are connected through a packaging process. The first metal conductive layer is opposite to and spaced from the electret material layer. The flexible power-generation apparatus has a low cost, is easy to manufacture, has high output power, and is especially suitable for being integrated with other flexible electronic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems of measuring biofilms and/or biofilm streamers are presented. The system has at least one channel, a biofilm streamer promotion element, a fluid capable of moving along the channel, wherein the fluid has a flow driven by a controlled pressure; and a measuring element capable of measuring a flow rate of the fluid through the channel. Additionally, methods of screening for compound(s) that promote and/or inhibit biofilm and/or biofilm streamers using this system are also presented. Uses of the system, methods and identified compounds are presented for medical and/or industrial environments.