Abstract: In an aspect, provided is an alkaline rechargeable battery comprising: i) a battery container sealed against the release of gas up to at least a threshold gas pressure, ii) a volume of an aqueous alkaline electrolyte at least partially filling the container to au electrolyte level; iii) a positive electrode containing positive active material and at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, iv) an iron negative electrode at least partially submerged in the electrolyte, the iron negative electrode comprising iron active material; v) a separator at least partially submerged in the electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; vi) an auxiliary oxygen gas recombination electrode electrically connected to the iron negative electrode by a first electronic component, ionically connected to the electrolyte by a first some pathway, and exposed to a gas headspace above the electrolyte level by a first gas pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that encode hepatitis C viruses (HCV) of genotype da that are useful in the fundamental research of HCV as well as in the search of antivirals and vaccines against HCV. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that comprise HCV, which are capable of expressing the virus when transfected into cells and are capable of replication or infectivity in cultured cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that encode hepatitis C viruses (HCV) of genotype 6a that are useful in the fundamental research of HCV as well as in the search of antivirals and vaccines against HCV. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that comprises HCVs, which are capable of expressing said virus when transfected into cells and are capable of replication or infectivity in cultured cells.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture configured to perform at least one of denoising, deblurring, dehazing, and color correction on an input. The input comprises a plurality of low-quality input images having different exposure values captured for the same object at the same time by a camera under display (CUD) to render a high-quality output image. The CNN architecture is trained using a set of training images including a plurality of low-quality training images having different exposure values and a high-quality training image corresponding to the plurality of low-quality training images.

Abstract: The direct delivery of antioxidant compounds (Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and Vitamin E) to the large intestine results in an increase in the population of Blautia spp. in the gut. People with lower amounts of Blautia spp. often experience obesity, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, major depressive disorder as well as other conditions which can be helped by increasing their population of Blautia. An increase in the population of Blautia also increases the amount of beneficial short chain fatty acids in the intestine as well.

Abstract: Delivery of antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, riboflavin, and beta-carotene) directly to the large intestine were seen to decrease the population of Fusobacterium in the gut microbiome. An increased population of these bacteria is associated with Fusobacterium bacteremia as a co-morbidity with any one of: malignancy, dementia, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, alcoholism, disease(s) requiring dialysis, and stroke; colorectal cancer; digestive diseases including Ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; and/or Pediatric or adult inflammatory bowel disease; colorectal and other cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, adverse pregnancy-related conditions, and HIV.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stem cell sheets is provided which includes: (a) obtaining mesenchymal stem cells; (b) extracting programmed death ligands one (PD-L1) from the mesenchymal stem cells; (c) selecting only PD-L1 positive (PD-L1+ MSCs) from the PD-L1; (d) differentiating the PD-L1+ cells into osteoblasts and chondroblasts in a predetermined activation condition; and (e) forming the stem cell sheets by mixing the PD-L1+ MSCs with platelet rich plasma solution and CaCl2).

Abstract: This invention relates to the direct delivery of a vitamin composition to the large intestine, in order to decrease the growth of pathogenic organisms in the gut, such as Adherent Invasive E. coli (AIEC), Salmonella enteriditis and Clostridium difficile. The vitamin composition comprises a combination of the following vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides efficient and cost-effective methods for producing synthetic soil and synthetic stone from waste, including inorganic waste and organic waste, through a hydrolysis—polycondensation process.

Abstract: This invention relates to the direct delivery to the intestine of a vitamin composition to restore a balanced population and metabolic profile of gut microbiome bacteria which has been disrupted due to exposure to antibiotics. The vitamin composition may comprise Vitamin C as a sole active agent; Vitamin C in combination with Vitamin B2 and/or B3; or Vitamin C in combination with Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides efficient and cost-effective methods for producing synthetic soil and synthetic stone from waste, including inorganic waste and organic waste, through a hydrolysis-polycondensation process.

Abstract: The population of Dialister spp. bacteria in the gut microbiome is lower in people with various diseases. We have found that administration of vitamins/vitamin combinations such as: beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B2, a combination of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C, Vitamin K, DHA, or EPA, when administered directly to the large intestine, so that it provides nourishment to the gut microbiome directly, can result in an increase of Dialister spp.

Abstract: The population of Coprococcus spp. bacteria in the gut microbiome is lower in people with various diseases. We have found that administration of vitamins / vitamin combinations such as : the combination of Vitamin B2 and C; Vitamin D3; beta-carotene, and Vitamin B5, when administered directly to the gut, so that it provides nourishment to the gut microbiome directly, can result in an increase of Coprococcus spp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that encode hepatitis C viruses (HCV) of genotype 6a that are useful in the fundamental research of HCV as well as in the search of antivirals and vaccines against HCV. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences that comprises HCVs, which are capable of expressing said virus when transfected into cells and are capable of replication or infectivity in cultured cells.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantable medical device and control handle thereof are provided. Also provided is an implantable medical device and securing method, loading method, and releasing method therefor. The delivery system includes a balloon catheter; a sheath in sliding fit over the balloon catheter and for covering the implantable medical device; an adjustment string for releasably securing the implantable medical device over the balloon catheter, one end of the adjustment string is capable of being fixed to the balloon catheter, and the other end is capable of passing through the implantable medical device and has an eyelet; and a locking wire having relative locked and unlocked states. In the locked state, the locking wire passes through the eyelet to restrain the implantable medical device, and in the unlocked state, the locking wire disengages from the eyelet to release the implantable medical device.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of a combination of antioxidants which are delivered to the gut microbiome. The antioxidants are riboflavin, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. We have found that they deliver a degree of improvement to gut health comparable to known prebiotics, such as soluble fibers.

Abstract: A method and an assembly for securing a crimped medical device over a deflated balloon of a balloon catheter is provided. The medical device is positioned in its expanded state over the deflated balloon of the balloon catheter, and is then crimped over the deflated balloon. First and second eyelets of first and second strings, respectively, are then threaded through first and second rings, respectively, that are provided on the medical device. Next, a locking wire is advanced through a lumen defined between the sheath and the catheter body to exit the distal end of the sheath, and then advanced through the first and second eyelets and into the distal tip of the balloon catheter. The sheath is then advanced over the crimped medical device to the distal tip to completely cover the crimped medical device.

Abstract: A method and an assembly for securing a crimped medical device over a deflated balloon of a balloon catheter is provided. The medical device is positioned in its expanded state over the deflated balloon of the balloon catheter, and is then crimped over the deflated balloon. First and second eyelets of first and second strings, respectively, are then threaded through first and second rings, respectively, that are provided on the medical device. Next, a locking wire is advanced through a lumen defined between the sheath and the catheter body to exit the distal end of the sheath, and then advanced through the first and second eyelets and into the distal tip of the balloon catheter. The sheath is then advanced over the crimped medical device to the distal tip to completely cover the crimped medical device.

Abstract: Various benefits to intestinal health are made by delivery of an active agent to the colon of an animal, including a human. Active ingredients include of riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, folic acid, ?-carotene, vitamin B1, niacin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, biotin, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids and combinations thereof. Benefits include increased concentration of at least one short-chain fatty acid its salt thereof in the intestine, increased microbiome diversity in the intestine, increased beneficial bacteria in the intestine, increased the butyrate synthesis pathway in the intestine, improved barrier function of the intestine, reduced redox potential of the gut, reduced amount of gas produced in the intestine; and stimulation of intestinal immune responses.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture configured to perform at least one of denoising, deblurring, dehazing, and color correction on an input. The input comprises a plurality of low-quality input images having different exposure values captured for the same object at the same time by a camera under display (CUD) to render a high-quality output image. The CNN architecture is trained using a set of training images including a plurality of low-quality training images having different exposure values and a high-quality training image corresponding to the plurality of low-quality training images.