Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the introduction and use of light-activated ion channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite fluorescent gold nanoclusters with high quantum yield, as well as methods for manufacturing the same. According to some embodiments, the composite fluorescent gold nanocluster includes a gold nanocluster and a capping layer that encapsulates at least a portion of the outer surface of the gold nanocluster. The capping layer includes a matrix made of a benzene-based compound, and multiple phosphine-based compounds distributed across the matrix.

Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating liver steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver by using a 2-monoacylglycerol degrading enzyme. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for treating metabolic syndrome such as liver steatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and/or obesity by using a 2-monoacylglycerol degrading enzyme, in which the 2-monoacylglycerol degrading enzyme completely degrades triglyceride into fatty acids and glycerol in a digestive tract such that fat absorption is delayed and blood absorption of triglyceride is decreased, and in which, in a case where monoacylglycerol is degraded by a monoacylglycerol lipase in a digestive tract, although degraded products of the monoacylglycerol are absorbed into digestive epithelial cells, recombination thereof into triglyceride in the digestive epithelial cells is delayed or energy consumption is promoted during this process.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a catheter and a surgical medical device. The catheter includes at least: a first elastic member positioned at an end portion of the catheter, a second elastic member connected with the first elastic member, the second elastic member being curved with a first radius of curvature to protrude toward a first direction; a first wire connected with a first surface of the first elastic member, and configured to pull the catheter to bend the catheter in the first direction; a second wire connected with a second surface of the first elastic member, which is opposite to the first surface, and configured to pull the catheter to bend the catheter in a second direction; and a tube containing the first elastic member, the second elastic member, the first wire, and the second wire.

Abstract: Methods of treating hemophilia A in a subject with an F8 gene mutation, wherein the F8 gene is repaired and the resultant repaired gene, upon expression, confers improved coagulation functionality to the encoded FVIII protein of the subject compared to the non-repaired F8 gene. The invention also includes methods of inducing immune tolerance to a FVIII replacement product ((r)FVIII) in a subject having a FVIII deficiency, wherein the F8 gene mutation is repaired and the repaired gene, upon expression, provides for the induction of immune tolerance to an administered replacement FVIII protein product. The invention also includes isolated nucleic acids, vectors, recombinant viruses, cells, and pharmaceutical compositions to repair the F8 gene.

Abstract: An information processing device has a computation unit for determining an optimal solution of an external force that minimizes a difference between a surface image of an elastic body captured from at least one direction, and a rendering image as observed from the direction which is generated from a three-dimensional model of the elastic body elastically deformed by an unobserved external force.

Abstract: A system for stimulating a sympathetic chain includes an electrode assembly that is configured to attach to a bone in proximity to a targeted portion of the sympathetic chain. The electrode assembly includes a cathode and an anode. The system also includes a power supply connected to the electrode assembly and configured to deliver power to the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly generates an electrical field between the cathode and the anode when power is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electrical field reaches the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain to provide electrical stimulation to the targeted portion of the sympathetic chain.

Abstract: A nitride semiconductor substrate includes a sapphire substrate and a nitride semiconductor layer formed thereon and containing a group III element including Al and nitrogen as a main component. A surface of the sapphire substrate where the nitride semiconductor layer is formed includes recesses having a maximum opening size of from 2 nm to 60 nm in an amount of from 1×109 pieces to 1×1011 pieces per cm2. The recesses and surfaces immediately above the recesses form spaces. Of a surface of the nitride semiconductor layer on the sapphire substrate side, a height difference ?H between a surface immediately above of each recess and a surface in contact with a flat surface is 10 nm or less. A portion of the nitride semiconductor layer above each recess has a crystalline structure produced by growth along a polar plane of the group III element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mining hybrid automata from input-output traces of cyber-physical systems are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel arrangement of photon sensors on a scintillation-crystal based gamma-ray detector that takes advantage of total internal reflection of scintillation light within the scintillation detector substrate. The present invention provides improved spatial resolution including depth-of-interaction (DOI) resolution while preserving energy resolution and detection efficiency, which is especially useful in small-animal or human positron emission tomography (PET) or other techniques that depend on high-energy gamma-ray detection. Moreover, the new geometry helps reduce the total number of readout channels required and eliminates the need to do complicated and repetitive cutting and polishing operations to form pixelated crystal arrays as is the standard in current PET detector modules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aqueous solid state electrolytes that comprises an oxidative additive to stabilize the interface between the cathode and aqueous electrolyte. The present invention is also directed to methods of making the solid state electrolyte materials and methods of using the solid state electrolyte materials in batteries and other electrochemical technologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent dynamic control system of an indoor temperature. The system includes a controller, and a human-computer interaction interface, a temperature adjustment device, an indoor temperature collector and an outdoor temperature collector, which are respectively connected with the controller.

Abstract: The automatic performance device includes a storage part for storing a plurality of performance patterns, a performance part for playing a performance on the basis of a performance pattern stored in the storage part, an input part for inputting performance information through an input device that receives a performance operation of a user, and a selection part for selecting a performance pattern being a maximum likelihood estimation from the plurality of performance patterns stored in the storage part on the basis of the performance information input to the input part.

Abstract: Extracellular vesicles, their manufacture, and methods of treatment are described. Generally, extracellular vesicles can be generated by applying sulfhydryl blocking reagents on animal cells. Extracellular vesicles can be loaded with compounds for an intended use, such as, for example, loading an extracellular vesicle with a medicament to treat an animal. As described here, extracellular vesicles can be generated in a large scale and used for personalized treatments.

Abstract: A device for detecting bacteria in a sample, comprising: a substrate having a surface; and a plurality of Fe(III)-bound or Fe(III)-binding siderophores specific to the bacteria and covalently attached to the surface; wherein the siderophores are selected from the group consisting of one or more natural siderophores, siderophores having one or more of the formulas described herein, or combination thereof. Methods of detection are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to treat a neurodegenerative disease or disorder, e.g., a motor neuron disease in a subject, whereby the subject is administered a recombinant human Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) protein as disclosed herein, wherein the recombinant human MIS protein comprises a modified Kex cleavage site for increased cleavage. The recombinant human MIS protein can be produced from a pre-proprotein comprising a non-MIS leader sequence or a functional fragment thereof in place of the MIS leader sequence.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a combination therapy effective in cancer immunotherapy. The object is achieved by providing an anti-tumor agent, including a transformed Bifidobacterium containing DNA encoding a WT1 protein and DNA encoding a GNB/LNB substrate-binding membrane protein derived from a Bifidobacterium, the transformed Bifidobacterium being designed to display the WT1 protein as an antigen on a surface of the transformed Bifidobacterium, the anti-tumor agent being for use in combination with an immunosuppression inhibitor. The transformed Bifidobacterium can be used as an oral tumor vaccine.

Abstract: A three dimensional flash memory element with middle source-drain line and manufacturing method thereof. The three dimensional flash memory element includes a string including a channel layer extended in one direction and a plurality of electrode layers vertically layered for the channel layer; an upper wiring layer placed at the top of the string; at least one intermediate wiring layer placed between the plurality of electrode layers in the intermediate area of the string; and a lower wiring layer placed at the bottom of the string. Each of the upper wiring layer, the at least one intermediate wiring layer, and the lower wiring layer is adaptively used as any one of a drain electrode or a source electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a novel PRACH scheme based on an Analog Bloom Filter, in which user equipment is allowed to transmit multiple sequences to a base station, instead of only one sequence as is the case with the current LTE. A new decoding algorithm is disclosed, which copes with the unique challenges in the signal generated with ZC sequences, such as peak shifting and multiple peaks. In addition, when CFO can be removed the new scheme allows the UE to piggyback log 2 7 bits of information along with the signal. Evaluation shows that the new scheme outperforms the existing PRACH of LTE by more than an order of magnitude in many cases, and therefore is a good candidate as the PRACH for future wireless networks (e.g., 5G).