Abstract: A culture system for co-culturing a first cell group consisting of one or more kinds of cells and a cell layer or tissue formed of a second cell group consisting of one or more kinds of cells different from the former cells comprising: a first culture tank for co-culturing under anaerobic conditions the first cell group consisting of one or more kinds of cells and the cell layer or tissue formed of the second cell group consisting of one or more kinds of cells; a second culture tank for pooling a liquid culture medium of aerobic conditions; one or more substance-exchange structures that are disposed so as to connect the first culture tank to the second culture tank; and the aforesaid cell layer or tissue that is disposed so as to cover the surface on the first culture tank side of the substance-exchange structure(s).

Abstract: This invention provides synthetic promoters capable of promoting and/or initiating transcription of a polynucleotide in an algal cell, and methods of designing, producing and using such promoters.

Abstract: No drug has been available for treating a peripheral sensory neuropathy caused as a side effect by a drug, in particular, by an anticancer drug such as oxaliplatin. A composition for ameliorating peripheral sensory neuropathy, which is characterized by including a Lentinus edodes mycelium extract, ameliorates symptoms induced by the drug such as the anticancer drug, including numbness of extremities, a pain in extremities, a reduction in deep tendon reflection, a reduction in muscle force, allodynia, hyperalgesia, impaired finger fine movement, impaired walking, stumbling, falling, impaired flexion (being difficult or impossible to sit on one's heels, sit cross-legged, sit with one's legs out to one side, sit on a chair, or the like), or paralysis of extremities.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides compounds useful for treating cancer. In some aspects, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified to include one or more moieties that include hydrophobic portions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides small-molecule cytotoxins that are chemically modified with fatty acid-containing moieties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, that include such modified small-molecule cytotoxins and a protein. In some embodiments, the protein is albumin or an albumin mimetic. Further, the disclosure provides various uses of these compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a femtosecond pulse laser modulator and a miniature two-photon microscopic imaging device. The femtosecond pulse laser modulator includes a negative dispersion light path and a positive dispersion light path, wherein the negative dispersion light path includes a laser input fiber, which is configured to transmit laser compensated for through prechirp; the positive dispersion light path is located between a femtosecond pulse laser and the negative dispersion light path, and is configured to compensate for, through prechirp, negative dispersion of the laser produced in the laser input fiber. The femtosecond laser modulator provided in the present invention provides distortion-free transmission for the femtosecond pulse laser with a center wavelength in 920 nm, and effectively excites commonly used biological indicators.

Abstract: Endolysosomal targeting conjugates that are engineered to deliver cargo molecules such as cytotoxic drugs or imaging labels with improved efficiency to late endosomes and/or lysosomes in target cells such as tumor cells are described. The endolysosomal targeting conjugate includes a targeting component and a cargo component. The targeting component is configured to bind to a cell surface molecule of a target cell and the cargo component includes a cargo molecule. The targeting component and the cargo component may be fused by a covalent bond or associated by a non-covalent bond. The targeting component may bind to the cell surface molecule or the cargo component with higher affinity in the extracellular space than in an endolysosomal compartment of the target cell.

Abstract: A multi-stack graphene structure includes a graphene stack that includes graphene layers including amorphous graphene and thin film dielectric layers. The graphene layers include amorphous graphene. The graphene layers and the thin dielectric layers are alternately stacked on one another. The multi-stack graphene structure also includes an electric field former configured to apply an electric field to the graphene layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue scaffolds, methods of generating such scaffolds, and methods of use of such scaffolds to generate aligned and functional neural tissues for use in methods including regenerative medicine, wound repair and transplantation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting information into a computer includes a 3d sensor that senses 3d information and produces a 3d output. The apparatus includes a 2d sensor that senses 2d information and produces a 2d output. The apparatus includes a processing unit which receives the 2d and 3d output and produces a combined output that is a function of the 2d and 3d output. A method for inputting information into a computer. The method includes the steps of producing a 3d output with a 3d sensor that senses 3d information. There is the step of producing a 2d output with a 2d sensor that senses 2d information. There is the step of receiving the 2d and 3d output at a processing unit. There is the step of producing a combined output with the processing unit that is a function of the 2d and 3d output.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for increasing sensitivity of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow in an object of interest. Ultrasound imaging of blood perfusion can be performed without contrast enhancement. Embodiments include transforming a spatiotemporal echo data array into a three-dimensional perfusion data array having a spatial dimension, a slow-time dimension, and a frame-time dimension, and filtering the perfusion data array with an eigen passband clutter filter. The clutter filter can increase sensitivity and utility of ultrasound imaging of fluid flow. In some aspects, the method can yield blood flow signal power and perfusion values well separated from tissue clutter. In an example, enhancements to ischemic tissue perfusion maps in a murine model are shown.

Abstract: Helical carbon nanotubes and the chemical functionalization of helical carbon nanotubes for use in high-performance multifunctional nanocomposite materials are described. Various processes of preparing functionalized helical carbon nanotubes and materials incorporating these nanotubes are also described.

Abstract: Fully automatic true triaxial tunnel and underground project model test system, including a triaxial loading device for loading model test piece, automatic data collection and analysis device, power system and control system; triaxial loading device includes test bench, vertical loading system, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems, and the vertical, horizontal front and back, and left and right loading systems apply three-way pressure to model test body; test bench functions for supporting, fixing, and providing counter-force; automatic data collection and analysis device includes micro optical fiber sensor embedded in model test piece, optical fiber monitoring system, micro pressure box and strain brick, and can collect multi-field information.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery having excellent durability is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery includes: a positive electrode including a current collector made from aluminum; a negative electrode; and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains an electrolyte including a lithium salt, and a linear carbonate represented by general formula (2) below, the linear carbonate is contained at a mole ratio of 3 to 6 relative to the lithium salt, and the electrolyte includes a first lithium salt represented by general formula (1) below and an alkali metal salt selected from general formulas (A) to (D) below.

Abstract: A stabilized emulsified acid composition for deep carbonate formation stimulation is provided. The stabilized acid emulsion composition includes a petroleum operable to provide a barrier between an acid and a reservoir rock, the acid operable to react with the reservoir rock to dissolve the reservoir rock and produce a wormhole, a functional framework operable to stabilize the stabilized acid emulsion, an emulsifier operable to stabilize the stabilized acid emulsion, and a corrosion inhibitor operable to provide protection against corrosion for the metal components of a well. The petroleum can be diesel. The acid can be hydrochloric acid. The functional framework can be selected from the group comprising surface-modified clay-based material, zeolites, hybrid organic-inorganic materials, covalent-organic framework materials, and boron nitride nanotubes, and combinations thereof. The functional framework can be a surface-modified clay material selected from an organoclay.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bimetallic nanostructure with stimuli-responsiveness, including: a metal seed; a nanogap including a dopamine-modified stimuli-responsive copolymer attached to only a portion of the metal seed; and a metal shell surrounding the nanogap. The bimetallic nanostructure has a controllable interior nanogap, and may be used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobe with improved SERS signals by virtue of the presence of the interior nanogap.

Abstract: Methods for decreasing rod gene expression in a retina, methods for decreasing the protein products expressed by rod genes in a retina, methods for treating a disease or condition treatable by decreasing rod gene expression or their protein products in a retina, and methods for treating a retinal disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody against C5, and a method for preventing and treating complement-related diseases using the antibody, wherein the antibody against C5 is effectively usable in preventing and treating complement-related diseases by inhibiting complement activation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a structure evaluation system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves. The position locator locates positions of elastic wave sources by using the elastic waves among the plurality of elastic waves respectively detected by the plurality of sensors having an amplitude exceeding a threshold value determined according to positions of the sources of the plurality of elastic waves and the positions of the plurality of disposed sensors. The evaluator evaluates a deteriorated state of the structure on the basis of results of the position locating of the elastic wave sources which is performed by the position locator.

Abstract: Sub-millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures are disclosed with customizable chemical properties and/or functionality. The 3D structures are referred to as drop-carrier particles. The drop-carrier particles allow the selective association of one solution (i.e., a dispersed phased) with an interior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles, while a second non-miscible solution (i.e., a continuous phase) associates with an exterior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles due to the specific chemical and/or physical properties of the interior and exterior regions of the drop-carrier particles. The combined drop-carrier particle with the dispersed phase contained therein is referred to as a particle-drop. The selective association results in compartmentalization of the dispersed phase solution into sub-microliter-sized volumes contained in the drop-carrier particles. The compartmentalized volumes can be used for single-molecule assays as well as single-cell, and other single-entity assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome in dry eye syndrome by using ATG5 or LC3B-II as a biomarker, a method of diagnosing the same, and a screening method. ATG5 or LC3B-II are used as a biomarker to effectively diagnose only Sjögren's syndrome except for non-Sjögren's syndrome in dry eye syndrome, and thus it can be useful for related fields.