Abstract: A method and device for reconstructing a CT image and a storage medium are disclosed. CT scanning is performed on an object to be inspected to obtain projection data. The projection data is processed using a first convolutional neural network to obtain processed projection data. The first convolutional neural network comprises a plurality of convolutional layers. A back-projection operation is performed on the processed projection data to obtain a reconstructed image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and/or alveolar-capillary barrier status include obtaining at least one MRI image and/or image data of 129Xe dissolved in the red blood cells (RBC) in the gas exchange regions of the lungs of a patient. The image is sufficiently sensitive to allow a clinician or image recognition program to assess at least one of pulmonary gas exchange, barrier thickness or barrier function based on the 129Xe MRI RBC image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful in inhibiting Bcl-XL or MCL-1 and disrupting p53-MDM2 and p53-MDMX interactions, and methods of using those compositions for treating a subject for conditions responsive to increasing p53 mediated activity or promoting p53 independent apoptosis, such as treating cancer. In some aspects, the compositions of this invention relate to fusion polypeptides comprising a human serum polypeptide and a p53-peptide, which can be, in some aspects, a p53 derived peptide and/or a p53 activating peptide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor for vanillin based on an aptamer-gold nanoparticle-ferrocene-Ketjenblack-ZIF-8 nanocomposite modified electrode includes, dripping ZIF-8 nanocomposite doped with ferrocene and Ketjenblack on the surface of the bare glassy carbon electrode, and immersing this modified electrode in the chloroauric acid solution. The cyclic voltammetry is employed to scan and electrodeposit gold nanoparticles to obtain the gold nanoparticle-deposited ZIF-8 nanocomposite. The aptamer of vanillin is attached to gold nanoparticles via Au—S bonds to construct an aptamer-coupled nanocomposite sensing platform. Then, the electrochemical curves in the presence of different vanillin concentrations are measured, the linear relationship between the ratios of the current peak intensities of ferrocene and vanillin and the molar concentrations of vanillin is fitted, and the ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor for vanillin is constructed.

Abstract: A metallic structure includes a first plurality of metal particles arranged in an amorphous structure; a second plurality of metal particles arranged in a crystalline structure having at least two grain sizes, wherein the crystalline structure is arranged to receive the amorphous structure deposited thereon; wherein the grain size is arranged in a gradient structure.

Abstract: Quench protected structured (QPS) superconducting cables, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of bending the same are disclosed. The methods of bending the QPS superconducting cables can be employed to produce windings. The QPS superconducting cables can rapidly drive a distributed quench to a normal conducting state in a superconducting cable if a region of the cable spontaneously quenches during high current operation.

Abstract: A liquid jet discharge device includes: a narrow tube having a tube shaped body that is open at both ends, and in which a discharge liquid being disposed therein, the discharge liquid contacting at least at an inner face of the narrow tube at a contact angle of less than 90 degrees; a container in which a transmission medium being disposed at a base side thereof where one end of the narrow tube is disposed, so as to enable pressure to be transmitted to the discharge liquid; an adjustment mechanism that causes a liquid surface of the discharge liquid inside the narrow tube and an interface of the transmission medium outside the narrow tube and inside the container to be staggered in position along an axial direction of the narrow tube; and a generation mechanism that generates a pressure wave in the transmission medium such that a liquid jet is discharged from the discharge liquid inside the narrow tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recyclable clean fracturing fluid thickener, a preparation method and a recovery method thereof, and a high-temperature resistant clean fracturing fluid, which relate to the stimulation treatment of oil and gas fields. Diethanolamine and thionyl chloride are used as raw materials and reacted to obtain an intermediate, which is then reacted with an unsaturated fatty acid amidopropyl dimethylamine to produce the recyclable clean fracturing fluid thickener. The clean fracturing fluid can be used in the fracturing stimulation treatment of low and medium permeability reservoirs.

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

Abstract: A method for increasing bacteria belonging to the genus Akkermansia in an intestinal bacterial flora, comprising the step of ingesting a composition containing astaxanthin.

Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fuel cell separator having a low contact resistance due to a tin oxide film and having an excellent corrosion resistance. An embodiment is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator including a stainless steel substrate. The method includes forming the tin oxide film on a surface of the stainless steel substrate; and attaching phosphoric acid or phosphate to at least a defective portion in the tin oxide film.

Abstract: A high efficiency heat sink for the cooling of microelectronic devices involves a phase change from liquid fluid to fluid vapor with a vapor quality of 100%. The liquid fluid is provided to an active area that contains fins having micrometer dimension that support a membrane that is nanoporous. The membrane is effectively impermeable to liquid fluid but permeable to fluid vapor. The heat sink provides very high heat flux and coefficient of heat transfer at low mass flux over a broad range of surface superheat temperatures. The heat sink can be constructed of equi-spaced posts that separate liquid microchannels from vapor microchannels that are connected through capillary forced valves formed between adjacent equi-spaced posts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel aldehyde synthase gene having activity of synthesizing a medium-chain aldehyde. Such gene encodes a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating physiological properties of a segment of blood vessel is provided. The method includes: acquiring a first measurement and a second measurement respectively at the first point and the second point; obtaining a transfer function configured to produce an output given an input, using the first measurement and the second measurement as the input and the output respectively; and determining the physiological properties of the section of the blood vessel based on the transfer function. The transfer function can be a velocity transfer function based on the blood velocity waveforms, or can be a pressure transfer function based on the blood pressure waveforms. The method and system can be used to non-invasively diagnose PH, COPD, and PA impedance in a pulmonary artery, and to detect a stenosis in a coronary artery.

Abstract: A serum-free media composition for maintenance or directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) toward particular cell lineages is disclosed. The media comprises one or more cell nutrient media, a recombinant human albumin or equivalent thereof and optionally at least one agent involved in HESC differentiation. The media composition is substantially free of any human or animal derived products.

Abstract: A mechanochemical reactor includes an outer shell. A first plate is slidably disposed within the tubular outer shell at a first end of the tubular outer shell and a second plate is slidably disposed within the tubular outer shell at a second end of the tubular outer shell, the second end being opposite the first end. A linearly-reciprocating mill is disposed within the tubular outer shell between the first plate and the second plate. A first electromagnet is operatively coupled to the first plate so as to establish a position and a holding force of the first plate within the tubular outer shell, and a second electromagnet is operatively coupled to the second plate so as to establish a position and a holding force of the second plate within the tubular outer shell.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of treating a subject having or at risk of having graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) generally includes administering to the subject a plurality of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) effective to ameliorate at least one symptom or clinical sign of graft-versus-host disease compared to a suitable control subject. In another aspect, a method of treating a tumor in a subject generally includes administering to the subject an anti-tumor therapy and co-administering to the subject an inflammasome inciting agent in an amount effective to increase inflammasome activation of MDSCs sufficiently to reduce suppressor function of the MDSCs.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for identifying a location by the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a display, a processor electrically connected with the display and a memory, and the memory storing instructions executed by the processor. The processor is configured to obtain a plurality of locations in a space-of-interest, detect a wireless signal from at least one external electronic device located in the space-of-interest or an adjacent area, obtain detection frequency data according to a frequency of detection of the wireless signal, and identify a current location of the electronic device based on at least part of the obtained detection frequency data.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for color representation generation. In an aspect, the method includes: receiving three base colors; receiving a patchwork parameter; and generating a color representation having each of the three base colors at a vertex of a triangular face, the triangular face having a color distribution therein, the color distribution discretized into discrete portions, the amount of discretization based on the patchwork parameter, each discrete portion having an interpolated color determined to be a combination of the base colors at respective coordinates of such discrete portion. In further aspects, one or more color representations are generated based on an input image and can be used to modify colors of a reconstructed image.