Abstract: A microbial carrier and a device for treating wastewater are provided. The microbial carrier includes a bacteriophilic material and a plurality of foam cells, wherein the foam cells are disposed in the bacteriophilic material. The bactericidal material is a reaction product of a composite, wherein the composition includes a hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol and a cross-linking agent, wherein the surface energy of the hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol is 30 mJ/m2 to 58 mJ/m2.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol and a method for preparing hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol are provided. The hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol includes a first repeat unit represented by Formula (I), a second repeat unit represented by Formula (II), and a third repeat unit represented by Formula (III) wherein R1 is —Si(R2)3, R2 is independently C1-6 alkoxy group, C6-18 alkyl group, or C6-22 alkenyl group, and at least one R2 is C6-18 alkyl group or C6-22 alkenyl group; R3 and R4 are independently C6-18 alkyl group or C6-22 alkenyl group; j is 3 to 7; and k is 1 to 30.

Abstract: A microbial carrier and a device for treating wastewater are provided. The microbial carrier includes a bacteriophilic material and a plurality of foam cells, wherein the foam cells are disposed in the bacteriophilic material. The bactericidal material is a reaction product of a composite, wherein the composition includes a hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol and a cross-linking agent, wherein the surface energy of the hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol is 30 mJ/m2 to 58 mJ/m2.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol and a method for preparing hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol are provided. The hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol includes a first repeat unit represented by Formula (I), a second repeat unit represented by Formula (II), and a third repeat unit represented by Formula (III) wherein R1 is —Si(R2)3, R2 is independently C1-6 alkoxy group, C6-18 alkyl group, or C6-22 alkenyl group, and at least one R2 is C6-18 alkyl group or C6-22 alkenyl group; R3 and R4 are independently C6-18 alkyl group or C6-22 alkenyl group; j is 3 to 7; and k is 1 to 30.

Abstract: An automated heating and/or foaming apparatus and a method for heating and/or foaming a liquid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a stage, a liquid sensor, a measuring sensor, and a steam pipe. The stage is configured to support a container holding a consumable liquid. The liquid sensor is configured to recognize a type of the consumable liquid. The measuring sensor is configured to detect a surface level of the consumable liquid. The steam pipe includes a nozzle configured to inject water vapor or compressed gas into the consumable liquid to heat and/or foam the consumable liquid. A position of the nozzle in the consumable liquid relative to the surface level of the consumable liquid is adjusted based on the type and/or volume of the consumable liquid detected by the consumable liquid sensor and/or measuring sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preventing or treating a peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), including administering to a subject a CXC chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) antagonist in an effective amount. Also provided is a method for preventing or treating a peripheral ischemic tissue or a tissue damaged by peripheral ischemia through inhibition of CXCL5 to enhance angiogenesis, which may lead to an acceleration of wound healing.

Abstract: Provided is a detection method for heavy metal ions that includes the following steps. A waste water is flowed through an ion-imprinted polymer tube for adsorbing at least two kinds of target heavy metal ions. The ion-imprinted polymer tube is rinsed to remove a non-target object from the ion-imprinted polymer tube. The target heavy metal ions in the ion-imprinted polymer tube are desorbed by using an acid liquid. An electrochemical method is performed to detect concentrations of the target heavy metal ions.

Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to an autofocus method for determining a focal plane for at least one object. The method includes reconstructing a holographic image of the at least one object such as to provide a reconstructed image at a plurality of different focal depths. The reconstructed image includes a real component and an imaginary component. The method also include performing a first edge detection on the real component for at least two depths of the plurality of different focal depths and a second edge detection on the imaginary component for the at least two depths. Further, the method includes obtaining a first measure of clarity for each of the at least two depths based on a first measure of statistical dispersion with respect to the first edge detection and a second measure of clarity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solid carbon source, including: a plurality of bar-shaped units, each of the bar-shaped units having at least one turning portion which constitutes a position limiting region; and a plurality of gaps formed between any two of the bar-shaped units for a gas or liquid passage, wherein at least one of the bar-shaped units is disposed in the position limiting region of adjacent bar-shaped units, such that the plurality of bar-shaped units are integrated to a frame structure, and each of the bar-shaped units is formed by a composite material having a density of more than 0.9 g/cm3. A bioreactor having the same and a method for wastewater treatment using the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a use of a macrophage inflammatory protein-1? (MIP-1?) inhibitor to protect the pancreas and prevent blood sugar from rising. The present invention relates to a use of a macrophage inflammatory protein-1? (MIP-1?) inhibitor to protect the pancreas, and to prevent blood sugar from rising in a diabetic subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging system and a method of generating a depth map. The method comprises generating a first candidate depth map in response to a first pair of images associated with a first textured pattern, generating a second candidate depth map in response to a second pair of images associated with a second textured pattern different from the first textured pattern, determining one of pixels in a same location of the first and second candidate depth maps that is more reliable than the other; and generating a depth map based on the one pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a use of MIP-1? inhibitor for promoting angiogenesis in diabetes mellitus patients so as to improve tissue ischemia in damaged area and to prevent diabetic vasculopathy.

Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to an autofocus method for determining a focal plane for at least one object. The method includes reconstructing a holographic image of the at least one object such as to provide a reconstructed image at a plurality of different focal depths. The reconstructed image includes a real component and an imaginary component. The method also include performing a first edge detection on the real component for at least two depths of the plurality of different focal depths and a second edge detection on the imaginary component for the at least two depths. Further, the method includes obtaining a first measure of clarity for each of the at least two depths based on a first measure of statistical dispersion with respect to the first edge detection and a second measure of clarity.

Abstract: An infected poultry treatment system is provided. A poultry yard is used to hold the poultry to be treated, and the poultry can be automatically transported to a euthanasia room by a first conveyor. Then, dead poultry is automatically transported to a crusher by a second conveyor to crush the carcasses. The crushed carcasses are then automatically transported to the incinerating means by a third conveyor. And then, ash withdrawal is automatically performed. The present system can be automatically and continuously operated up to at least twenty-four hours, and thus provides high incinerating efficiency as well as preventing the environment from being polluted by waste gases and sewage water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative treatment system with a large capacity of 4,000 kg to 32,000 kg /per 8 hours up to 24 hours, and an animal incinerator is of the largest capacity all over the world at the present time. The present invention, comprising assemblable and movable devices that can be moved to any location needed, provides special functions: as carcasses be fed and dismembered automatically and continuously before incinerating, solids and liquids thereof being separated automatically, wherein the liquids can be reused after being evaporated and cooled, the solids be conveyed into the combustion chamber for incinerating, and combustible materials be kept moving, stirring and burning automatically in the furnace. The incinerator is equipped with scrubbers, shifters and a conveyor in the chamber having an automatic ash withdrawal. All systems described above conform to legal environmental regulations and fully meet environmental requirements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative treatment system with a large capacity of 4,000 kg to 32,000 kg /per 8 hours up to 24 hours, and an animal incinerator is of the largest capacity all over the world at the present time. The present invention, comprising assemblable and movable devices that can be moved to any location needed, provides special functions: as carcasses be fed and dismembered automatically and continuously before incinerating, solids and liquids thereof being separated automatically, wherein the liquids can be reused after being evaporated and cooled, the solids be conveyed into the combustion chamber for incinerating, and combustible materials be kept moving, stirring and burning automatically in the furnace. The incinerator is equipped with scrubbers, shifters and a conveyor in the chamber having an automatic ash withdrawal. All systems described above conform to legal environmental regulations and fully meet environmental requirements.