Abstract: The present application discloses a locking device including: a mounting seat; a locking member, rotatable around an axial direction and movable in the axial direction, when the locking member is in a first axial position and a first rotational position, the locking member is retracted into the mounting seat along the axial direction, and the mounting seat prevents the locking member from rotating around the axial direction; and when the locking member is in a second axial position and a second rotational position, at least a portion of the locking member extends in the axial direction from the mounting seat, to be inserted into and engaged with a second object, and the mounting seat prevents the locking member from moving in the axial direction; and a compression torsional spring biasing the locking member toward the first axial position and the second rotational position.

Abstract: There is described a nanoparticle comprising one or more peptides having a sequence comprising the motif GLLxLLxL-LLxAAG, wherein each x is independently selected from arginine (R), histidine (H), lysine (K), aspartic acid (D) or glutamic acid (E). Also described is a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising the nanoparticle and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, for use in the treatment of cancer. In addition, there is described a method of treatment of cancer involving administering the pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a patient with cancer, and a kit for treating or preventing cancer comprising the pharmaceutically acceptable composition.

Abstract: This disclosure provides treatment kit that are capable of modulating the immune response. The treatment kit may also be used enhance the immunogenicity of antigens released from cell debris. Also provided are methods of using the treatment kit.

Abstract: Optical sensing of biological targets is provided using a metasurface having guided mode resonances with electric field profiles that extend out from the metasurface. Surface functionalization of such metasurfaces can be used to provide sensing for biological targets, such as nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, extracellular vesicles, and whole cells. Binding of the target to the surface functionalization can affect the resonance wavelength of the guided mode resonances, thereby providing a sensitive assay for the biological targets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an offline debugging method, comprising: S01: obtaining interfaces which require return values in test flows of the test device; S02: setting the return value corresponding to each of the interfaces which require the return values, adding M debugging strategies and determining a debugging strategy required to be started; S03: compiling a configuration file comprises the M debugging strategies into an executable file required by the target platform; S04: setting up a virtual machine to fit the target platform, and transferring the executable file to the virtual machine; S05: invoking the test flow, returning the return value set by the debugging strategy corresponding to the interface which require the return value and obtaining an debugging result correspondingly. Therefore, the present invention solves a problem that debugging relays on hardware devices in semiconductor automation test, so as to reduce complexity and difficulty of debugging of a test device.

Abstract: Improved surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of biological targets in liquids is provided. Nanoparticles are treated with a surfactant to provide an electrostatic attraction between the nanoparticles and the biological targets. The resulting clustering of the nanoparticles at the biological targets improves the SERS signal, Such SERS spectroscopy enables real time monitoring of the biological targets, thereby enabling a wide variety of assays etc.

Abstract: An artificial antigen presenting cell system comprising one or more gelated human dendritic cells and a controlled release system capable of releasing one or more cytokines. Also provided herein are methods for producing the gelated human dendritic cells and uses of the artificial antigen presenting cell system for activating immune cells.

Abstract: A method of expanding natural killer cells, comprising: providing a population of internally gelated cells, each of which includes a gelated interior and a fluid cell membrane that contains one or more membrane-bound proteins each or collectively are capable of stimulating expansion of natural killer (NK) cells; and culturing a population of cells containing NK cells, which are capable of responding to the one or more membrane-bound proteins, with the population of internally gelated cells under conditions that allow expansion of NK cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: A device for detecting optical chirality includes a metasurface composed of a biperiodic array of nanodisks in the form of a checkerboard array [300], where the nanodisks have diameters d±?/2 such that adjacent nanodisks [302, 304] have diameters that differ by an offset ?. The nanodisks are composed of a dielectric material that is transparent and has a refractive index greater than 2 at a predetermined operational ultraviolet wavelength. The nanodisks have a width-to-height aspect ratio d/h tuned to produce spectral overlap of electric dipole and magnetic dipole modes of incident circularly polarized ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toxoid preparations comprising a non-disrupted and/or a non-denatured toxin associated with a particulate vector that minimizes or precludes said toxin from inflicting damage at an action site of said toxin. The present invention also relates to immunogenic compositions or vaccines comprising the toxoid preparations, and the methods of using the toxoid preparations, immunogenic compositions or vaccines.

Abstract: A carrier system that includes a nanocarrier and a peptide non-covalently associated with the nanocarrier. The peptide contains an adaptor peptide sequence fused to the N-terminus of a target peptide, the adaptor peptide sequence being designed to facilitate the association to the nanocarrier. Also disclosed is a method for improving the immunogenicity of a peptide antigen by fusing it to an adaptor peptide sequence to form an immunizing peptide and contacting the immunizing peptide with a compatible nanocarrier. Further, a method is provided for treating a condition by immunization with a target peptide that has been fused to an adaptor peptide sequence and thereby associated with a nanocarrier. The method induces an immune response against the target peptide for treating cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, autoimmunity, or undesired immune responses to a biologies treatment.

Abstract: An installable and dismantlable apparatus as provided by the present invention includes: a load bearing part; a fixing mechanism including an unlocking drive component and a fixing moving component, the unlocking drive component disposed on the load bearing part, and the fixing moving component connected with the unlocking drive component; and a transmission mechanism including a first stage transmission component and a second stage transmission component, the first stage transmission component located on the load bearing part, the second stage transmission component connected with the unlocking drive component, and the first stage transmission component connected with the second stage transmission component. The present invention not only realizes quick installation and dismantling, and improves the efficiency, but also saves manpower and time, and reduces cost.

Abstract: An installable and dismantlable apparatus provided by the present invention includes: a load bearing part, a toggle assembly rotatably disposed on the load bearing part and a fixing assembly movably disposed on the load bearing part, and the fixing assembly is driven to move for fixing while the toggle assembly rotates. Through the use together of the load bearing part, the toggle assembly and the fixing assembly, while installed, the toggle assembly rotates and the fixing assembly is driven to move, and then the fixing assembly acts on another part for fixing; while dismantled, only the fixing assembly needs to be pushed towards its initial position, which not only ensures the convenience, reliability and firmness during the installation and fixation, but also saves manpower; and in practical use it is easy to operate and convenient for workers to install and dismantle quickly while ensuring the fixing effect.

Abstract: We utilized a biocompatible hollow polymeric nanoparticle that coencapsulates T cell epitope peptides and oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) CpG, and designed immunization strategies to evaluate its protectivity against influenza viruses in mice. This nanoparticle-based peptide vaccine adjuvanted with CpG stimulated robust antigen-specific CD4 and CD5 T cell immunity, but only caused minimal adverse effects compared with crude mixture of peptides and CpG. We used two peptides derived from the nucleocapsid protein (NP), MHC class I-restricted NP366-374 and MHC class ll-restricted NP311-325. This novel nanoparticle vaccine with two epitope peptides plus CpG induced robust and fully protective T cell immunity against influenza viruses.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an offline debugging method, comprising: S01: obtaining interfaces which require return values in test flows of the test device; S02: setting the return value corresponding to each of the interfaces which require the return values, adding M debugging strategies and determining a debugging strategy required to be started; S03: compiling a configuration file comprises the M debugging strategies into an executable file required by the target platform; S04: setting up a virtual machine to fit the target platform, and transferring the executable file to the virtual machine; S05: invoking the test flow, returning the return value set by the debugging strategy corresponding to the interface which require the return value and obtaining an debugging result correspondingly. Therefore, the present invention solves a problem that debugging relays on hardware devices in semiconductor automation test, so as to reduce complexity and difficulty of debugging of a test device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and systems for preparing nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles using or comprising, inter alia, a multi-inlet vortexing reactor, tangential flow filtration (TFF) and/or a high shear fluid processor such as a microfluidizer (or a microfluidizer processor). The present invention also relates to the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles prepared by the present processes and systems, and the uses and/or applications of the nanoparticles, cellular or viral membranes and/or cellular or viral membrane coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates treatments of a toxin in a subject. The toxin at least partially effects its toxicity in the subject via binding to a target cell of the subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for decreasing or neutralizing the effect of a toxin in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a source cell. Exemplary toxins include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as organophosphate poisoning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject. The present invention provides for methods, combinations and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder associated with a damaged or leaky vasculature in a subject, using, inter alia, an effective amount of a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a platelet; and optionally an agent for preventing, treating, diagnosing, or prognosing the disease or disorder and/or monitoring prevention or treatment of the disease or disorder. Exemplary diseases or disorders include hemorrhage (bleeding), cardiovascular diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders associated with narrowing of a blood vessel, tumors or cancers.