Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides comprising linear immunodominant epitopes of Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) or Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) are useful as vaccines against Lyme disease, and as diagnostics for detecting Borrelia infections. The OspA and OspC antigenic polypeptides typically comprise a plurality of peptides representing epitope containing regions from multiple distinct phyletic groups. The antigenic polypeptides may also include epitopes from both Borrelia OspA and Borrelia OspC.

Abstract: Cross-linked cyclocopolymers made up of one or more quaternary ammonium salts and sulfur dioxide as monomers. One of the quaternary ammonium salts is also an aspartic acid derivative. The cross-linked copolymers include a repeating unit with multiple chelating centers that different metal ions can bind to. The cross-linked copolymers are zwitterionic or anionic, and can be in either an acidic form or a basic form. A method for removing metal ions from an aqueous sample with these cross-linked copolymers is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating brain insulin resistance and/or diseases associated therewith in a subject in need thereof. The methods include providing a composition comprising a dual GLP-1 receptor/GIP receptor (GLP-1R/GIPR) agonist and administering an effective amount of the composition to the subject to treat brain insulin resistance and diseases associated therewith.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes an amplifier configured to amplify a power; a transmitter configured to resonate the power amplified by the amplifier; and a reference signal provider configured to provide a reference signal to the amplifier and change a frequency of the reference signal.

Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant polypeptides, and methods of treating autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases using the pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The polypeptides are based upon the trimerization and/or MIF binding domains of CD74.

Abstract: Physical superconducting qubits are controlled according to an “encoded” qubit scheme, where a pair of physical superconducting qubits constitute an encoded qubit that can be controlled without the use of a microwave signal. For example, a quantum computing system has at least one encoded qubit and a controller. Each encoded qubit has a pair of physical superconducting qubits capable of being selectively coupled together. Each physical qubit has a respective tunable frequency. The controller controls a state of each of the pair of physical qubits to perform a quantum computation without using microwave control signals. Rather, the controller uses DC-based voltage or flux pulses.

Abstract: To provide a surface protective agent composition that suppresses corrosion of members of different kinds of metals close to each other due to corrosion current between the metals of the members, and to provide an electric connection structure and a method for producing an electric connection structure using the same. The surface protective agent composition contains (a) a lubricant base oil; (b) a prescribed amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of particular phosphorus compounds and a metal salt or an amine salt thereof; and (c) a prescribed amount of an amide compound, and in the case where the component (b) does not contain the metal salt of the phosphorus compound, the surface protective agent composition further contains (d) a prescribed amount of a salicylate of a particular metal and/or a basic (or perbasic) salt thereof, and the electric connection structure containing a surface protective layer consisting of the surface protective agent composition.

Abstract: A high-density shape reconstruction is conducted in measuring animal bodies as well. An image processing system has a projection device, an imaging device, and an image processing apparatus connected to the projection device and the imaging device, wherein the projection device projects a projected pattern to an observation target, the imaging device captures the projected pattern, and the image processing apparatus performs shape reconstruction based on an input image including the projected pattern. The image processing apparatus includes a unit for fetching the input image captured by the imaging device and performing line detection for the projected pattern projected by the projection device, wherein the projected pattern is a grid pattern formed of wave lines; and a unit for performing shape reconstruction by associating intersection points of vertical and horizontal lines extracted by the line detection with the projected pattern.

Abstract: A digital holographic microscope is provided. The digital holographic microscope includes a light source, a grating, an image sensing device, and an optical module. The light source is configured for providing a light beam. The grating is disposed between the light source and a sample. The grating is configured for splitting the light beam into a reference light beam and an object light beam. The image sensing device is configured for collecting the reference light beam, and collecting the object light beam reflected from the sample. The optical module is disposed between the light source and the sample, and is configured for guiding the reference light beam to the image sensing device, and guiding the object light beam to the sample.

Abstract: A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures.

Abstract: Synthetic nanostructures, polypeptides that are useful, for example, in making synthetic nanostructures, and methods for using such synthetic nanostructures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, inter alia, to compositions and methods for treating viral diseases and cancer. There are disclosed lipophilic antiviral and anticancer acyclic nucleoside phosphonate diesters, preparation thereof, and methods of using the compounds to treat viral diseases and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to offshore oil and gas exploration drilling field and, in particular, to a surface layer conductor running tool for deep-water well drilling, which is used to run a conductor to a designated position, so that the drill stem can be released and the drilling can be continued. The surface layer conductor running tool for deep-water well drilling comprises a mandrel, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a main body, wherein the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve, and the main body are fitted over the mandrel sequentially; the inner sleeve can slide up and down but cannot rotate in relation to the mandrel, the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are connected via a transmission thread pair, and the main body is situated on the inner sleeve; a retaining pawl penetrating the main body and radially slidable in horizontal direction; and an anti-rotation pin penetrating the main body and the outer sleeve, so that the outer sleeve can move up and down in the main body only, but cannot rotate.

Abstract: A method of generating a data visualization is performed at a computer having a display, one or more processors, and memory. The memory stores one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The process receives user specification of a plurality of characteristics of a data visualization. The data visualization is based on data from a multidimensional database. The characteristics specify at least x-position and y-position of data marks corresponding to tuples of data retrieved from the database. The process generates a data visualization according to the specified plurality of characteristics. The data visualization has an x-axis defined based on data for one or more first fields from the database that specify x-position of the data marks and the data visualization has a y-axis defined based on data for one or more second fields from the database that specify y-position of the data marks.

Abstract: There is described a material comprising tapes, ribbons, fibrils or fibers characterized in that each of the ribbons, fibrils or fibers have an antiparallel arrangement of peptides in a ?-sheet tape-like substructure.

Abstract: A device for driving a light-emitting diode, a light-emitting device, and a display device are disclosed. The disclosed light-emitting diode driving device may include: a first transistor having a first conductive electrode connected with a source voltage terminal and having a second conductive electrode connected with an input terminal of the light-emitting diode; a second transistor having a control electrode connected with the second conductive electrode of the first transistor; and a capacitor having one end connected with a data voltage terminal and having the other end connected with a first node, which is connected with a control electrode of the first transistor and with a first conductive electrode of the second transistor.

Abstract: A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.

Abstract: Dipeptide analogs comprising a tryptophan (Trp) moiety coupled to a beta-sheet breaker moiety derived from alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) are disclosed. The dipeptide analogs exhibit an improved performance in inhibiting amyloid fibril formation, as compared to previously described dipeptides. Compositions containing the dipetide analogs and uses thereof in treating amyloid-associated diseases and disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds comprising a polymer conjugated with a pH-sensitive prodrug of beta-lapachone, wherein the compound is capable of forming a micelle, and wherein the pH-sensitive prodrug comprises a pH-sensitive linker selected from the group consisting of: an aryl imine and an aliphatic imine. Also provided are micelles comprised of such polymer-prodrug conjugates. Further provided are methods for treating cancer with the micelles.

Abstract: The present invention provides the method and apparatus to acquire three-dimensional images of cells. The present invention comprises (a) preparing the solid-state specimen containing (i) cells, (ii) viruses, (iii) the liquid containing the cells, or (iv) the liquid containing the viruses; (b) acquiring the surface information on the said solid-state specimen; (c) removing the surface of the said solid-state specimen and forming a new surface; and (d) acquiring the information on the new surface. According to the present invention, provided is the cell imaging method to acquire information to grasp practically the condition of the cell. Also, the present invention can provide information on the molecules and atoms consisting various biomolecules and organelles present in the cells. Furthermore, the present invention can provide the information on the interaction between the biomolecules present in the cells and the organic relationship among intracellular organelles.