Abstract: Disclosed are (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetate, a waterborne polyurethane, and preparation methods thereof. The (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetate could be used as a modified monomer for preparing a waterborne polyurethane, and substituents at a C2 position of the (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-bromo-2,2-difluoroacetate are two fluorine atoms and one bromine atom. When it is used for preparing the waterborne polyurethane, fluorine and bromine groups are introduced into the structure of the waterborne polyurethane, and the resultant waterborne polyurethane exhibits good moisture resistance and flame retardance.

Abstract: Described herein, are compositions and methods for preserving human milk, preventing rancidity of human milk, extending shelf life of human milk, and maintaining the nutritional properties of human milk. Specifically, the present disclosure provides, among other things, devices for storing preserved human milk and methods and compositions for preserving the same.

Abstract: A magnetic-field-adjustable micromagnetic orthodontic accelerator includes a cheek side plate, a tongue side plate and a supporting plate to form a structure of teeth sleeves, cheek side magnets and tongue side magnets are arranged on the cheek side plate and the tongue side plate respectively, the cheek side magnets and the tongue side magnets form a micro magnetic field environment around roots of to-be-moved teeth receiving orthodontic treatment, physiological magnetic field loss caused by traction of the orthodontic accessory is effectively compensated, metabolism and reconstruction of periodontal tissue of the to-be-moved teeth are promoted, and the orthodontic teeth moving process is accelerated.

Abstract: This invention discloses a pneumatic and cable-driven hybrid artificial muscle, comprising pneumatic actuator, pneumatic pressure regulating assembly, and cable drive assembly. The pneumatic pressure regulating assembly is connected to the pneumatic actuator to regulate air pressure in the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to extend or contract. The cable actuation assembly comprises a cable fixedly connected to the pneumatic actuator for controlling the pneumatic actuator to contract. In this invention, the artificial muscle employs a dual pneumatic and cable actuation mechanism. By leveraging the inherent stiffness of the pneumatic actuator, it can provide substantial actuation force for joint movement. Simultaneously, the cable actuation assembly can provide significant pulling force, effectively ensuring safety in human-machine interaction and offering sufficient bidirectional aiding force to individuals with disabilities who use the artificial muscle as an aiding actuation device.

Abstract: A device and a method of flattening recycled carbon fiber material are provided. A main body is provided with two flat plates at an upper and a lower positions corresponding to each other and an ultrasonic unit is disposed on each of the flat plates. While in use, recycled carbon fiber material is placed at the lower flat plate and then at least one ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic unit is driven to work and vibrate the recycled carbon fiber material into a flat and thin state. After the flattened recycled carbon fiber material being pressurized to form products required, the product has flat and smooth surfaces with special textures. A thickness of the product can be controlled and the product can be thinned according to users' needs, without surface treatment such as grinding, polishing, etc. Thereby production cost is reduced and yield rate of the products is improved.

Abstract: Provided herein are klotho polypeptide compositions and methods for improving cognitive function in an individual comprising treatment of with klotho polypeptides.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a camshaft operably adjusted by a phaser. Another aspect includes an internal combustion engine having an actuation system for an air valve. A further aspect provides a camshaft-in-camshaft system with a cam phaser located adjacent opposite ends. In another aspect, an internal combustion engine apparatus includes multiple nested camshafts with one of the camshafts having a cam configured to actuate an air intake valve associated with a turbulent jet ignition prechamber, and another of the camshafts having a cam configured to actuate an air valve of a main piston combustion chamber, the nested camshafts being independently rotatable by separate electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: A method for estimating a battery aging state is provided. The method includes receiving measurement values of a battery from a battery management system, calculating factors representing change characteristics of each of a discharge voltage and a discharge current in each of charge/discharge cycles by using the measurement values of the battery; and estimating, based on an n-dimensional vector including the calculated factors, the battery aging state by using a machine learning model that is pre-trained by using, as an input vector, an n-dimensional vector including factors representing change characteristics of each of a discharge voltage and a the discharge current in each of charge/discharge cycles of each battery for training using measurement values of the battery for training.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a general approach to engineering existing protein-protein interactions through domain addition and evolution. The disclosure teaches the creation of novel fusion proteins that include knottin peptides where a portion of the knottin peptide is replaced with a sequence that has been created for binding to a particular target. Such fusion proteins can also be bispecific or multi specific in that they can bind to and/or inhibit two or more receptors or receptor ligands. Knottins may be fused with an existing ligand (or receptor) as a general platform tor increasing the affinity of a ligand-receptor interaction or for creating a multi specific protein. In addition, the fusion proteins may comprise a knottin peptide fused to another protein where the other protein facilitates proper expression and folding of the knottin.

Abstract: Described is an “artificial virus” (AV) programmed with biomolecules that can enter human cells and carry out precise human genome modification. The AVs comprise: at least one viral vector, such as bacteriophage T4; at least one therapeutic molecule, such as DNA, RNA, protein and their complex; and a lipid coating. Also described is a method of human genome modification, using such an AV, and a method of program such an AV.

Abstract: A high-voltage pulse generation device configured to apply a pulsed high voltage to the space between a pair of discharge electrodes disposed in a laser chamber of a gas laser apparatus includes n transformer cores that form a transformer, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two, n primary electric circuits of the transformer, the n primary electric circuits each having a first terminal connected to a reference potential and a second terminal connected to a charger, the n primary electric circuits each including one or more primary coils, one or more diodes connected in parallel to the one or more primary coils, and one or more pulse generators connected in parallel to the one or more primary coils, and a secondary electric circuit of the transformer, the secondary electric circuit including a secondary coil and connected to the pair of discharge electrodes.

Abstract: An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma having a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules and compositions comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode a consensus Ebolavirus glycoproteinimmunogens are disclosed. The coding sequences optionally include operable linked coding sequence that encode a signal peptide. Immunomodulatory methods and methods of inducing an immune response against Ebolavirus are disclosed. Method of preventing Ebolavirus and methods of treating individuals infected with Ebolavirus are disclosed. Consensus Ebolavirus proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleoside compounds, which in some embodiments include an alkynyl substituent at the 4?-position, compositions and methods for treating or preventing HIV and other viral infections, particularly where the virus is present in macrophages, microglia, and primary myeloid cells, and eliminating and/or treating infection in patients infected by these viruses, are disclosed.

Abstract: An efficient transplanting device with an automatic seedling pick-up and supplementation function includes a seedling pick-up device, a seedling discharging device, and a seedling supplementation device. The seedling discharging device is used to discharge plug seedlings for transplantation; the seedling pick-up device is used to transfer the plug seedlings and the seedling supplementation device is used to supplement the plug seeding. A seedling pick-up photoelectric sensor, a detection camera, and a controller are provided for the operations of plug seedling pick-up, supplementation and discharge of the plug seedlings.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus (100, 10) which is configurable in at least three modes of operation, according to specific operational requirements. The apparatus (100, 10) comprises a patient support assembly 12 and at least a first and second wheel arrangement (14, 16). The patient support assembly 12 comprises a main portion 12.1, and a first and second portion (12.2, 12.3) extending from opposite sides of the main portion 12.1. The first and second portions (12.2, 12.3) are independently adjustable relative to the main portion 12.1. The first and second wheel arrangements (14, 16) are independently adjustable relative to the patient support assembly 12. The patient transport apparatus (100, 10) is configurable as a stretcher, as a chair (or wheelchair) and as a stair chair, by relative adjustment of the patient support assembly 12 and the first and second wheel arrangements (14, 16).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based probes for detecting copper, e.g., for detecting Cu(I) in live cells. The present disclosure provides methods for detecting copper, e.g., for detecting Cu(I) in live cells, using a FRET-based probe of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A borehole wall spin-shearing device includes a load applying assembly, a soil shearing assembly, and a data acquisition assembly, where the load applying assembly is configured to apply a vertical load and an axial rotational load to the soil shearing assembly; the soil shearing assembly includes a plurality of shear plates; the plurality of shear plates are configured to penetrate into undisturbed soil after being ejected due to the vertical load and then shear the undisturbed soil due to the axial rotational load; and the data acquisition assembly is configured to acquire torque values of the plurality of shear plates during a process of shearing the undisturbed soil. The borehole wall spin-shearing device can directly conduct an in-situ borehole shear test in an exploration borehole with a conventional diameter in China, reducing the cost of drilling. The borehole wall spin-shearing device achieves a high degree of automation throughout the test.

Abstract: A support and metal catalyst with improved electric conductivity is provided. A support and metal catalyst, including: a support powder; and metal fine particles supported on the support powder; wherein: the support powder is an aggregate of support fine particles; the support fine particles have a chained portion structured by a plurality of crystallites being fusion bonded to form a chain; the support fine particles are structured with metal oxide; and the metal oxide is doped with a dopant element, and an atomic ratio of titanium with respect to total of titanium and tin is 0.30 to 0.80, is provided.

Abstract: The object is to provide a method for inducing pili formation in bacterium of genus Bifidobacterium and a method for promoting intestinal colonization of the bacterium. 3-Phenylpropionic acid and/or 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid are an active ingredient of a composition for inducing the pili formation in the bacterium of genus Bifidobacterium and a composition for promoting the intestinal colonization of the bacterium.