Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formulae I-XI: wherein each A, A?, Q, Q?, W, Rw, Y, and Z, and -- are as defined herein, which inhibit NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity. The invention further relates to the processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments containing them, and their use in the treatment of diseases and disorders mediated by NLRP3.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that utilize metal nanostructures that are synthesized in situ along the internal surfaces of a microfluidic device. The nanostructures are formed by initial deposition of metallic seeds followed by flowing growth and reducing agent solutions into the capillaries/microfluidic channels to grow the nanostars. The nanostructures may optionally be functionalized with a capture ligand. The capture ligand may be used to selectively bind to certain cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). The cells may be removed by a beam of light (e.g., laser beam) that induces localized heating at the surface location(s) containing the nanostructures. The plasmonic nature of the nanostructures can be used to heat the nanostructure(s) locally for the selective removal of one or certain cells. The nanostructures may be used to acquire Raman spectra of molecules or other small objects that are bound thereto for identification and quantification.

Abstract: An image processing method includes converting an original image represented by a first color space into the original image represented by a second color space, where a correlation between color components of respective channels in the second color space of the original image is smaller than a correlation between color components of respective channels in the first color space; denoising channel images formed by the color components of the respective channels in the second color space respectively to obtain denoised images corresponding to the respective channel images; and obtaining a target image based on the denoised images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that utilize metal nanostructures that are synthesized in situ along the internal surfaces of a microfluidic device. The nanostructures are formed by initial deposition of metallic seeds followed by flowing growth and reducing agent solutions into the capillaries/microfluidic channels to grow the nanostars. The nanostructures may optionally be functionalized with a capture ligand. The capture ligand may be used to selectively bind to certain cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). The cells may be removed by a beam of light (e.g., laser beam) that induces localized heating at the surface location(s) containing the nanostructures. The plasmonic nature of the nanostructures can be used to heat the nanostructure(s) locally for the selective removal of one or certain cells. The nanostructures may be used to acquire Raman spectra of molecules or other small objects that are bound thereto for identification and quantification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator, including a body enclosing a cavity; a gas outlet attached to the top of the body and communicated with the cavity; a liquid outlet attached to the bottom of the body and communicated with the cavity; and an input tube constructed to include a curve shape extending outside the body and communicated into the cavity from the external of the body. The gas-liquid separator of the present invention has got the advantages of a simple structure, easy manufacturing, convenient mounting, and the like, and can separate a gas-liquid two-phase mixture efficiently, thus providing a purer gas flow and a purer liquid flow for downstream processing apparatuses and improving the overall efficiency of the system.