Abstract: A method for reinforcing soft ground by post-grouting combined with pressurized vacuum preloading is proposed, by pre-burying prefabricated vertical drains and air-boosted pipes in granular material piles, and the air-boosted pipes are used as grouting pipes to reduce the number of times of piling, which not only improves the construction efficiency, but also reduces the structural disturbance of the soil and the influence of smear effect, thus reducing the impact on the radial permeability and the radial consolidation coefficients. The method does not use geotextile bags for granular materials, which can avoid the problem of forming a localized clogging area around the geotextile bags, and the method not only improves the efficiency of vacuum transfer in a pre-consolidation stage, but also improves the grouting effect in the later stage, effectively enhances the strength of soft soil and makes granular material piles and the surrounding soil form composite ground.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of Chagas disease and acute and chronic symptoms thereof. The compositions comprise recombinant proteins based on an amino terminal fragment of the TSA-1 protein from Trypanosoma cruzi. In the fragment, one or more Cys residues is mutated to prevent the formation of disulfide bonds and to enhance solubility. The recombinant proteins also include a carboxyl terminal fragment of the TSA-1 protein from Trypanosoma cruzi to provide additional stability and solubility. The resulting recombinant protein remains soluble upon prolonged storage at low temperatures and elicits a robust immune response upon administration, including decreasing the number of inflammatory cells in heart tissue of subjects.

Abstract: A lens includes a barrel and a first optical element. The barrel includes an inner circumferential surface surrounding an axis and defining an accommodation space, an object side and an image side spaced at two ends of the axis and interconnecting with the accommodation space, and a first mounting portion integrally formed around the inner circumferential surface. The first mounting portion includes a first blocking portion having a first blocking surface corresponding to the object side. The first optical element is received in the accommodation space, and disposed in the first mounting portion, and includes a first body portion and a first stopping portion. The first stopping portion includes a first stopping surface leaning against the first blocking surface. The distance between an outermost edge of the first stopping portion and the axis is greater than the distance between an innermost edge of the first blocking portion and the axis.

Abstract: A lens includes a barrel and a first optical element. The barrel includes an inner circumferential surface surrounding an axis and defining an accommodation space, an object side and an image side spaced at two ends of the axis and interconnecting with the accommodation space, and a first mounting portion integrally formed around the inner circumferential surface. The first mounting portion includes a first blocking portion having a first blocking surface corresponding to the object side. The first optical element is received in the accommodation space, and disposed in the first mounting portion, and includes a first body portion and a first stopping portion. The first stopping portion includes a first stopping surface leaning against the first blocking surface. The distance between an outermost edge of the first stopping portion and the axis is greater than the distance between an innermost edge of the first blocking portion and the axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern immunogenic compositions and methods for treating or preventing Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The compositions and methods concern a portion of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV spike protein. In at least particular cases, a mutated version of a portion of the RBD is utilized, such as a deglycosylated mutant of the RBD.

Abstract: An optical lens includes a barrel and a protruding boss unit. The barrel defines a receiving space in which a plurality of components are disposed and arranged along an axis, and includes a front wall. Each of the front wall and the components has front and rear confronting surfaces opposite to each other along the axis. The protruding boss unit is formed on and protrudes from one of the adjacent two front and rear confronting surfaces, and abuts against the other one of the adjacent two front and rear confronting surfaces. The other one of the front and rear confronting surfaces abutted by the boss unit is flat.

Abstract: A contactor is disclosed. The contactor includes one or more phase units, a mechanical drive and an electronic control module. Each phase unit includes an independent insulating housing, and, inside the housing, a positive pole, a static conducting rod, a negative pole, a moving conducting rod and a counter-force elastic component. The electronic control module drives a transmission to move, the transmission drives the central shaft to rotate, the central shaft drives the engagement between the moving conducting rod and the static conducting rod, the central shaft passes through the insulating housings of the one or more phase units and drives each phase unit, so that the contactor can be formed by absolutely independent phase units and it is convenient to add a phase unit along the central shaft so as to add rated operational current.

Abstract: A contactor is disclosed. The contactor includes one or more phase units, a mechanical drive and an electronic control module. Each phase unit includes an independent insulating housing, and, inside the housing, a positive pole, a static conducting rod, a negative pole, a moving conducting rod and a counter-force elastic component. The electronic control module drives a transmission to move, the transmission drives the central shaft to rotate, the central shaft drives the engagement between the moving conducting rod and the static conducting rod, the central shaft passes through the insulating housings of the one or more phase units and drives each phase unit, so that the contactor can be formed by absolutely independent phase units and it is convenient to add a phase unit along the central shaft so as to add rated operational current.

Abstract: A multivalent anthelmintic vaccine targets both hookworm and schistosomiasis. The vaccine includes, at a minimum, a recombinant third-stage larval hookworm antigen, a recombinant adult stage hookworm antigen, and a recombinant schistosome antigen. Preferably, the hookworm antigens are Necator americanus antigens, although antigens from other hookworm species (e.g. Ancylostoma duodenale) may also be employed. The schistosome antigen is preferably a Schistosoma mansoni or a Schistosoma haematobium antigen although antigens from other schistosome species (e.g. Schistosoma japonicum) may also be employed. In some cases full or partial sequences of schistosome antigens may be fused with full or partial sequences of hookworm {Necator americanus) to produce recombinant chimeric antigens.

Abstract: A vaccine for human hookworm is provided. The vaccine comprises at least one L3 larval stage antigen (e.g. Na-ASP-2 or Na-SAA-2) and at least one adult stage human hookworm antigen (e.g. Na-APR-1, Na-CP-2, Na-CP-3, Na-CP-4, Na-CP-5, or Na-GST-1) and adjuvants.

Abstract: A multivalent anthelmintic vaccine targets both hookworm and schistosomiasis. The vaccine includes, at a minimum, a recombinant third-stage larval hookworm antigen, a recombinant adult stage hookworm antigen, and a recombinant schistosome antigen. Preferably, the hookworm antigens are Necator americanus antigens, although antigens from other hookworm species (e.g. Ancylostoma duodenale) may also be employed. The schistosome antigen is preferably a Schistosoma mansoni or a Schistosoma haematobium antigen although antigens from other schistosome species (e.g. Schistosoma japonicum) may also be employed. In some cases full or partial sequences of schistosome antigens may be fused with full or partial sequences of hookworm {Necator americanus) to produce recombinant chimeric antigens.

Abstract: A vaccine for human hookworm is provided. The vaccine comprises at least one L3 larval stage antigen (e.g. Na-ASP-2 or Na-SAA-2) and at least one adult stage human hookworm antigen (e.g. Na-APR-1, Na-CP-2, Na-CP-3, Na-CP-4, Na-CP-5, or Na-GST-1) and adjuvants.

Abstract: A vaccine for human hookworm is provided. The vaccine comprises at least one L3 larval stage antigen (e.g. Na-ASP-2 or Na-SAA-2) and at least one adult stage human hookworm antigen (e.g. Na-APR-1, Na-CP-2, Na-CP-3, Na-CP-4, Na-CP-5, or Na-GST-1) and adjuvants.

Abstract: Preparations which elicit an immune response to hookworm antigens and which may be utilized as hookworm vaccines are provided. In addition, a method of increasing the effectiveness of vaccinations against infectious diseases in patients infected with hookworm is provided. The method involves chemically treating the hookworm infestation prior to administering the vaccine.

Abstract: Preparations which elicit an immune response to hookworm antigens and which may be utilized as hookworm vaccines are provided. In addition, a method of increasing the effectiveness of vaccinations against infectious diseases in patients infected with hookworm is provided. The method involves chemically treating the hookworm infestation prior to administering the vaccine.