Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a complex probiotic composition and a method for improving exercise performance of a subject with low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity. The complex probiotic composition, which includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GKLC1, Bifidobacterium lactis GKK24 and Clostridium butyricum GKB7, administered to the subject with the low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity in a continuation period, can effectively reduce serum lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen after aerobic exercise, reduce proportion of offal fat and/or increase liver and muscle glycogen contents, thereby being as an effective ingredient for preparation of various compositions.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure having a channel region protruding from an isolation insulating layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate is formed, a cleaning operation is performed, and an epitaxial semiconductor layer is formed over the channel region. The cleaning operation and the forming the epitaxial semiconductor layer are performed in a same chamber without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogel composition that includes a crosslinked collagen polymer, a carboxymethyl cellulose derivative, an aqueous sodium chloride solution, a humectant, and an antimicrobial agent. The crosslinked collagen polymer has collagen, a hydrophilic polyether, and a dicarbamate group linking the collagen to the hydrophilic polyether. The carboxymethyl cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, an alkali metal salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, an ammonium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, and combinations thereof. The humectant is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, and a combination thereof. The antimicrobial agent is a combination of glycine betaine and polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polyurethane foam sponge produced by the steps of a) providing an hydrophobic polyol which has six hydroxyl groups, b) providing a hydrophilic diisocyanate obtained by reacting a diisocyanate with a hydrophilic polyether diol, c) reacting the hydrophobic polyol with the hydrophilic diisocyanate to obtain a prepolymer which includes 3 to 6 isocyanate groups, and d) mixing the prepolymer with a hydrophilic polyether polyol, a blowing agent, an end-capping agent, a reinforcing agent, and a catalyst to obtain the polyurethane foam sponge. A wound dressing including the polyurethane foam sponge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-phase coupled inductor includes a first iron core, a second iron core, and a plurality of coil windings. The first iron core includes a first body and a plurality of first core posts. The plurality of first core posts are connected to the first body. The second iron core is opposite to the first iron core. The second iron core and the first body are spaced apart from each other by a gap. The plurality of coil windings wrap around the plurality of first core posts, respectively. Each of the coil windings has at least two coils.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a flexible substrate and a conductive wire. The conductive wire is disposed on the flexible substrate and includes a metal portion and a plurality of openings disposed in the metal portion. The metal portion includes a plurality of extending portions and a plurality of joint portions, and each of the openings is surrounded by two of the plurality of extending portions and two of the plurality of joint portions. A ratio of a sum of widths of the plurality of extending portions to a sum of widths of the plurality of joint portions is in a range from 0.8 to 1.2.

Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating pattern collapse are provided herein. For example, a semiconductor structure for mitigating pattern collapse is formed. In some embodiments, the semiconductor structure includes an extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric region associated with a via or a metal line. For example, a first metal line portion and a second metal line portion are associated with a first lateral location and a second lateral location, respectively. In some embodiments, the first portion is formed based on a first stage of patterning and the second portion is formed based on a second stage of patterning. In this manner, pattern collapse associated with the semiconductor structure is mitigated, for example.

Abstract: Described herein are new methods for making lung bud organoids (LBOs) that have the capacity of developing into branching airways and alveolar structures that a least partially recapitulate human lung development from mammalian, preferably human, pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC), either by culturing branched LBO in a 3D matrix or by transplanting the LBO under the kidney capsule of immune deficient mice. Branched LBOs contain pulmonary endoderm and mesoderm compatible with pulmonary mesenchyme, and undergo branching morphogenesis. Also described are LBOs harboring certain mutations that induce a fibrotic phenotype, and methods of making same. The mutated (B)LBOs can be used for screening agents that may treat pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for generating lung progenitor cells, and populations of cells made using the methods. The lung progenitors and related compositions can be used as therapeutic treatments for various pulmonary disorders or related injuries.

Abstract: A device has a camera and a screen for displaying an image captured by the camera. A user specifies desired modification to an image displayed on the screen to produce a desired modified image. This may for example make the user look more attractive. Required light output characteristics of a lighting device are then derived so that subsequent captured images using the altered lighting are closer to the desired modified image.

Abstract: A signal probing system includes: a probing module, including a transmitting device, a first probing device and a second probing device, wherein the transmitting device is configured to transmit a first signal, the first probing device is coupled to the second probing device, and the first probing device and the second probing device are respectively configured to receive a high frequency reflective signal and a low frequency reflective signal corresponding to the first signal; and a processing module coupled to the probing module, the processing module being configured to process the high frequency reflective signal and the low frequency reflective signal into image signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for generating lung progenitor cells, and populations of cells made using the methods. The lung progenitors and related compositions can be used as therapeutic treatments for various pulmonary disorders or related injuries.

Abstract: Described herein are new methods for making lung bud organoids (LBOs) that have the capacity of developing into branching airways and alveolar structures that a least partially recapitulate human lung development from mammalian, preferably human, pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC), either by culturing branched LBO in a 3D matrix or by transplanting the LBO under the kidney capsule of immune deficient mice. Branched LBOs contain pulmonary endoderm and mesoderm compatible with pulmonary mesenchyme, and undergo branching morphogenesis. Also described are LBOs harboring certain mutations that induce a fibrotic phenotype, and methods of making same. The mutated (B)LBOs can be used for screening agents that may treat pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: Described herein are genetically-modified microorganisms for producing medium chain lauric acid and/or dodecanedioic acid and methods of using the microorganisms. The microorganisms contain a nucleic acid encoding an Umbellularia californica lauroyl ACP-thioesterase (BTE) operably linked to a promoter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various methods for generating airway and lung progenitors and epithelial cells and three-dimensional anterior foregut spheres, and to populations of cells made using the methods. The airway and lung progenitors and epithelial cells can be used as a model to study diseases that primarily affect airway epithelial cells, and to study human lung development. Methods are also provided for drug screening. Anterior foregut spheres can be used as a model for lung fibrosis.

Abstract: Described herein are genetically-modified microorganisms for producing medium chain lauric acid and/or dodecanedioic acid and methods of using the microorganisms. The microorganisms contain a nucleic acid encoding an Umbellularia californica lauroyl ACP-thioesterase (BTE) operably linked to a promoter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various methods for generating airway and lung progenitors and epithelial cells and three-dimensional anterior foregut spheres, and to populations of cells made using the methods. The airway and lung progenitors and epithelial cells can be used as a model to study diseases that primarily affect airway epithelial cells, and to study human lung development. Methods are also provided for drug screening. Anterior foregut spheres can be used as a model for lung fibrosis.

Abstract: An illumination structure including an illumination module, a light base and a cover is provided. The light base includes a cylindrical shell and an electrical connector, wherein the cylindrical shell is used for receiving and supporting the illumination module. A first end of the cylindrical shell has a first edge including a plurality of protrusions. A second end of the cylindrical shell is connected to the electrical connector. The cover has a second edge including a plurality of recessions. Each recession is complementary in shape to a corresponding protrusion, so that the protrusions are received in corresponding recessions respectively.

Abstract: A light guide device includes N+1 light guide plates and N linear plane splitters. The light guide plates include a light outlet face, a light guiding face and a reflection face. The volume of the light guide device is defined by the light outlet face opposite to the light guiding face. The light guiding face has a plurality of first microstructures for diverting the light. The reflection face extends from the light outlet face toward a splitting portion. The linear plane splitters have a first and a second splitting portion. The first and second splitting portions of the ith linear plane splitter connects the light guiding face and the reflection face of the (j?1)th and jth light guide plates. The i and j satisfy 1?i?N and 2?j?N+1. Moreover, a light module utilizing the light guide device is disclosed.