Abstract: Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences in total number of sequence tags is used for comparison between samples and between chromosomes.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes optical tomographic systems for acquiring and displaying dynamic data representing changes in a target tissue sample to external provocation. For example, the disclosed devices, methods and systems may be used for quantifying dynamic vascular changes caused by imposed blood pressure changes for diagnosing peripheral artery disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating a coronavirus infection. For example, treatment may be effected by administering a neurotransmitter inhibitor, a signaling kinase inhibitor, an estrogen receptor inhibitor, a DNA metabolism inhibitor or an anti-parasitic agent. Also provided are methods for treating a coronavirus infection in which an anti-viral drug also is administered during any of the described methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining alcohol consumption capable of analyzing alcohol consumption in a time domain by analyzing a formant slope of a voice signal, and a recording medium and a terminal for carrying out same. An terminal for determining whether a person is drunk comprises: a voice input unit for generating a voice frame by receiving a voice signal; a voiced/unvoiced sound analysis unit for determining whether a received voiced frame corresponds to a voiced sound; a formant frequency extraction unit for extracting a plurality of formant frequencies of the voice frame corresponding to the voiced sound; and an alcohol consumption determining unit for calculating a formant slope between the plurality of formant frequencies, and determining the state of alcohol consumption depending on the formant slope, thereby determining whether a person is drunk by analyzing the formant slope of an inputted voice.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinantly engineered cells that contain a chlorite dismutase polypeptide and methods for culturing such cells in a culture medium containing chlorite in an amount sufficient to reduce the growth rate or kill contaminating microorganisms without killing the recombinantly engineered cells. Also provided are methods for the production of a fermentation product using the recombinantly engineered cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure utilizes the aggregation of stimuli-responsive polymers to isolate a diagnostic target (e.g., an antigen) from a solution using magnetophoresis. Isolating the diagnostic target provides a route to identify the presence of the diagnostic target in the solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing reinforcement learning for a deep learning network are disclosed. A reinforcement learning process that provides deep exploration is provided by a bootstrap that applied to a sample of observed and artificial data to facilitate deep exploration via a Thompson sampling approach.

Abstract: Disclosed are a nanopipette provided with a membrane containing a saturated ion-sensitive material, a method for preparing the same, and an ion measuring apparatus comprising the same.

Abstract: A method for inhibition of leukemic stem cells expressing IL-3R? (CD123), comprises contacting the cells with an antigen binding molecule comprising a Fc region or a modified Fc region having enhanced Fc effector function, wherein the antigen binding molecule binds selectively to IL-3R? (CD123). The invention includes the treatment of a hematologic cancer condition in a patient by administration to the patient of an effective amount of the antigen binding molecule.

Abstract: A polarized light source configured for use in display device and backlight unit is described. The polarized light source comprising: at least one optically active structure comprising a plurality of nanorods configured to emit light of one or more wavelengths in response to exciting pumping field, said plurality of nanorods comprising nanorods aligned with a predetermined alignment axis so as to produce a desired polarization direction of the emitted light; and a light directing assembly comprising one or more optical elements in optical path of light emitted from the light emitting structure, said light directing assembly being configured to enhance output of the emitted light from the emitting structure while substantially maintaining the polarization of the emitted light passing therethrough. Preferably, layers associated with the polarized light source are aligned with parallel principal axes.

Abstract: A user terminal includes a communication circuit, a certification circuit, an execution circuit, and a control circuit. The communication circuit receives a normal code of an application from an application providing server to install the application. The certification circuit receives a registration request message, which includes distinct information of a peripheral device, from the peripheral device storing a core code of the application, to certify the peripheral device, transmits a registration response message, which includes distinct information of the user terminal, to the peripheral device, and receives the core code of the application from the peripheral device. The execution circuit executes the application using the normal code and the core code. The control circuit restricts at least one of functions of the user terminal while the application is executed.

Abstract: An organic photodetector includes an anode and a cathode facing each other and an active layer between the anode and the cathode and including a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor, wherein an energy barrier between the anode or the cathode and the active layer is greater than or equal to about 1.3 eV, a difference between a HOMO energy level of the p-type semiconductor and a LUMO energy level of the n-type semiconductor is greater than or equal to about 0.8 eV.

Abstract: Aspects of solar energy forecasting are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of solar energy forecasting includes masking at least one sky image to provide at least one masked sky image, where the at least one sky image includes an image of at least one cloud captured by a sky imaging device. The method further includes geometrically transforming the at least one masked sky image to at least one flat sky image based on a cloud base height of the at least one cloud. Once the cloud is identified, the motion of the at least one cloud may be determined over time. Rays of solar irradiance can be traced using the identified clouds and cloud motion and a solar energy forecast generated by ray tracing the irradiance of the sun upon a geographic location according to the motion of the at least one cloud.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for compositions, systems, and methods of cell expansion, stimulation and/or differentiation. The disclosure further provides for a mesh substrate and associated methods capable of stimulating cell expansion, for example, T cell or stem cell expansion. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for an electrospun mesh substrate and methods of using thereof comprising a silicone rubber composition, for example, polydimethylsiloxane, PLC, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a drug composition, which includes steps of dispersing an amphiphilic chitosan derivative, at least a hydrophobic drug, and at least a hydrophilic drug into a solvent to form a mixture solution, and the pH value of the mixture solution is adjusted to a range without precipitating the hydrophilic drug(s) and the hydrophobic drug(s), wherein the amphiphilic chitosan derivative is modified by a plurality of hydrophilic group(s) and a plurality of hydrophobic group(s); and after stirring the mixture solution for at least 12 hours, receiving the drug composition when the pH value of the mixture solution is between pH 6 to 7. The hydrophilic drug(s) and the hydrophobic drug(s) are encapsulated simultaneously by one-pot synthesis, and the protein could be modified by one-pot synthesis to provide a drug composition with multiple functions.

Abstract: A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production.

Abstract: Virus capsids protect the viral genome and play roles in its delivery and intracellular transport, making them an attractive target for antiviral therapeutics. The difficulty in targetting capsid assembly is to identify molecules that interfere with the weak protein-protein interactions that drive the reaction. We have developed an in vitro assay for capsid assembly that works on a range of viruses at biologically relevant protein concentrations to facilitate screening large libraries of chemicals for lead compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for decreasing a thrust of a radial flow turbine. The apparatus includes a rotary shaft having an axial through-hole in the interior thereof, a rotor assembled in the rotary shaft and having a rotor hub and rotor blades formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, a casing configured to isolate the rotary shaft and the rotor from the outside, and a shaft seal configured to maintain a seal between the rotary shaft and the casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some aspects, bilayered and trilayered pharmaceutical implant compositions for the unidirectional delivery of anti-cancer compounds to the brain over a period of time (e.g., several weeks, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days, or 1, 2, 3, weeks, or any range derivable therein) following the removal of glioblastoma multiforme or other malignant tumors in the brain.

Abstract: Systems for machine-based rehabilitation of movement disorders including gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to the pelvis and/or other body parts including knee and ankle joints. Cable-driven systems for gait therapy applications can apply controlled forces to, in respective embodiments, the pelvis and the pelvis, knee and ankle joints. In further embodiments, systems for gait therapy can be treadmill-based or walker-based. In embodiments, a controlled downforce is applied to the hip with augmentation including supportive forces. In further embodiments, the technology is activated through cables that provide support and limb-flexing moments with low inertia and friction resistance. In further embodiments, assistance is configured for gait therapy in children.