Abstract: The invention provides a method for preventing or treating microbial growth on a manufactured material or product. A composition comprising a cyclic decapeptide which is a tyrocidine, trypocidine, phenycidine or gramicidin S having an amino acid sequence of cyclo(valine-X1-leucine-D-phenylalanine-proline-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6) (SEQ ID NO: 1) is applied to the product and the cyclic decapeptides are adsorbed onto the product. Suitable products include medical devices (e.g. a catheter), wound dressings, food packaging, containers, wrappings, surfaces or devices used in the processing, transport or storage of food, filters, composites, paper, wrapping materials, walls, work surfaces, floors, pipes or the like. The composition could be used to disinfect or sterilise a material, surface or product or to inhibit formation of biofilms and/or biofouling on the surface of the product to which it is applied.

Abstract: Anti-viral compounds with low cytotoxicity are identified from screening of products found in Red Sea sponges, including the sponge Stylissa carteri. The identified compounds can be brominated pyrrole-2-aminoimidazole alkaloids and derivatives thereof. Specific examples of identified compounds include oroidin, hymenialdisine, and debromohymenialdisine, as well as derivatives thereof. The compounds also can be useful scaffolds or pharmacores for further chemical modification and derivatization. Selected compounds, particularly oroidin, show selective anti-viral HIV-1 activity coupled with reduced cytotoxicity. The compounds can function as HIV reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, and molecular modeling can be used to confirm inhibition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a precise spatial motion device including: a motion unit including a plurality of drivers that do not contact each other and are elastically connected to each other; and a control unit that controls the drivers to drive in a six-degree-of-freedom manner and in three-dimensional space by controlling magnetic force. In accordance with the constructions of the present disclosure, the drivers are connected to each other in a non-contact and frictionless manner, and thus, driving may be performed in a six-degree-of-freedom manner and in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, position and attitude errors are not accumulated, whereby precise motion control may be achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer ion exchange membrane having a self-hydration capability at a high temperature under low humidity, a method of preparing the polymer ion exchange membrane, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system including the polymer ion exchange membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymercoating layer, and has a nano-crack on the hydrophobic surface and thus may secure ion conductivity and self-hydration capability under low humidity and remarkably improve electrochemical performance of an electrolyte.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a Digital Health Platform (“DHP”) game for execution on a computing device. The methods comprise: running code on the computing device to facilitate lower extremity tracking in a low light condition and the provision of the DHP game having a virtual environment in which a person is to interact with at least one virtual object; using the code to obtain tracked data defining tracked movements of at least the person's lower extremities as the person plays the DHP game in the low light condition; increasing an accuracy of at least position data contained in the tracked data by performing coarse filtering operations and fine filtering operations using the position data; and recreating the person's lower extremity movement in the virtual environment using the position data which has been coarse and fine filtered.

Abstract: An apparatus for probing an interface via second harmonic generation (SHG) spectroscopy is provided.

Abstract: A flash memory structure and a method of making the same are provided. The flash memory structure comprises a substrate, a source, a drain, a tunnel isolation layer, a ferroelectric-charge-trapping layer, at least one blocking isolation layer and at least one gate. The substrate is made of a semiconductive material. The source is formed on the substrate. The drain is formed on the substrate and spaced apart from the source. The tunnel isolation layer is formed on the substrate. The ferroelectric-charge-trapping layer is formed on the tunnel isolation layer and contains a charge-trapping layer and a ferroelectric negative-capacitance effect layer. The at least one blocking isolation layer is formed on the ferroelectric-charge-trapping layer. The at least one gate is formed on the blocking isolation layer. The ferroelectric negative-capacitance effect layer is made of a material with the ferroelectric negative-capacitance effect.

Abstract: An imagery system includes: a camera having a field of view; a light source including a source of structured light, the light source movable relative to the camera; and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to determine, at least, estimated locations of points on a surface exposed to the structured light according to image data received from the field of view of the camera. The light source may include at least one fiducial marker, and the at least one processor may be programmed to determine the estimated position of the source of structured light according to the at least one fiducial marker in the image data. Also, the camera may be a stereoscopic camera.

Abstract: Two peptides that can selectively bind to SEVI and block the enhanced infectivity that results from the interaction of SEVI with HIV. The two peptides comprise the amino acid sequences FEEIVQEIEDFLENLV (SEQ. ID NO: 1) and GIGAVLEVLTTGLPALISWIEEEEQQ (SEQ. ID. NO: 2). The peptides may be administered topically, either alone or in combination with other prophylactics, agents, etc.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating subjects having conditions related to adrenocortical activity and/or excessive steroid production. In particular, provided herein are methods for treating subjects having conditions related to adrenocortical activity and/or excessive steroid production through administration of at least one of the following agents: 1) an agent capable of inhibiting cholesterol efflux related to ABCA1 and/or ABCG1; 2) an agent capable of inhibiting MDR1 related cortisol secretion and/or MDR1 P-glycoprotein multiple drug transporter activity; and 3) an agent capable of inhibiting mitochondrial activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides nanoparticles for clinical (e.g., targeted therapeutic), diagnostic (e.g., imaging), and research applications in the field of cardiology. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating (e.g., ablating) cardiac tissue, comprising: a) contacting an animal with a nanoparticle comprising a matrix, a toxic (e.g., ablative) agent (e.g., sonosensitizer, chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., doxorubicin or cisplatin), or photosensitizer), and a cardiac targeting moiety; and b) administering an activator of the toxic agent (e.g., light, chemical (e.g., pharmaceutical agent) or ultrasound) to at least a portion of the cardiac tissue (e.g., heart) of the animal to activate the toxic agent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and a method for reducing hazardous gases, including PHGs, through one or more photocatalysts in a filter system. A microstructure of the photocatalytic filter can be formed using biological systems as a template for the photocatalysts to be deposited thereon. The biological system can be removed by heat, oxidation, or by chemical processes to leave the photocatalytic template as a filter for the gases. In various embodiments, multiple photocatalysts can be activated at different wavelengths to filter different gases, or multiple photocatalysts can be activated at the same wavelength to filter different gases, or a photocatalyst can be activated at different wavelengths to filter different gases, or some combination thereof. The activation can be sequential or concurrent. For multiple layers of photocatalysts, the sequence of the photocatalysts can be arranged to reduce damaging output from an upstream photocatalyst to one or more downstream photocatalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlled ejection of desired material onto surfaces including in single cells using nanopipettes, as well as ejection onto and into cells. Some embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller for depositing a user defined pattern on an arbitrary substrate for the purpose of controlled cell adhesion and growth. Alternate embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller and electronic control of a voltage differential in a bore of the nanopipette electroosmotically injecting material into a cell in a high-throughput manner and with minimal damage to the cell. Yet other embodiments are directed to method and system comprising functionalized nanopipettes combined with scanning ion conductance microscopy for studying molecular interactions and detection of biomolecules inside a single living cell.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyunsaturated fatty acid in a transgenic bacterium, includes: introducing a recombinant plasmid into a bacteria cell to obtain the transgenic bacterium, wherein the recombinant plasmid comprises a polynucleotide encoding one or more elongase and one or more desaturase; incubating the transgenic bacterium in a medium containing a fatty acid substrate; harvesting the transgenic bacterium, and extracting the polyunsaturated fatty acid from the transgenic bacterium. A method of converting linoleic acid to arachidonic acid and a cassette and recombinant plasmid comprising nucleic acid sequences for the above methods are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor column including a first conductive region of first conductivity type, a second conductive region of second conductivity type, an intrinsic region disposed between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, and a barrier region of the first conductivity type disposed between the intrinsic region and the second conductive region. A gate electrode is disposed to cover the intrinsic region, and a gate insulating layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the intrinsic region. The semiconductor device may operate as a switch or a volatile memory according to a gate voltage applied to a gate and a drain voltage applied to a drain.

Abstract: Lyophilized chromophoric polymer dot compositions are provided. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the lyophilized compositions, methods of dispersing the lyophilized compositions in aqueous solutions and kits supplying the compositions.

Abstract: An intelligent and flexible steel arch protection device for rockfall and collapse of tunnels, including an arch main body system and a flexible protection system. The arch main body system includes an arched rigid high-strength steel frame and a base. The flexible protection system includes two parallel supporting rods which are oppositely arranged on the steel frame along the circular arc of the arch. Connecting rods are arranged between the two supporting rods at intervals, and the two ends of the connecting rods are fixed to the two supporting rods. The connecting rods are sleeved with guide rods and elastic devices are arranged between the guide rods and the supporting rods. A plurality of rolling shafts vertical to the axial direction of the two-way guide rods and connected with the two-way guide rods are arranged between the adjacent two-way guide rods, and the rolling shafts are sleeved with flexile rollers.

Abstract: A method is described that includes receiving raw image data corresponding to a series of raw images, and processing the raw image data with an encoder of a processing device to generate encoded data. The encoder is characterized by an input/output transformation that substantially mimics the input/output transformation of at least one retinal cell of a vertebrate retina. The method also includes processing the encoded data to generate dimension reduced encoded data by applying a dimension reduction algorithm to the encoded data. The dimension reduction algorithm is configured to compress an amount of information contained in the encoded data. An apparatus and system usable with such a method is also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include particles, methods of making particles, methods of delivering an active agent using the particle, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured materials that reflect light in selected spectra incorporated in dark colored textiles or substrates. In one aspect, a light reflecting material includes a textile exhibiting a dark color and formed of a plurality of fibers, and nanostructures arranged on the fibers and formed of a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanostructures having a dimension size of substantially less than ½ of a visible light wavelength, in which the nanostructures reflect light from the textile or substrate in at least one of infrared, near-infrared, or red visible light spectra.