Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of insulin resistance, diabetes, and prediabetes, and, optionally, also non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), 25-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (25HCDS), 27-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (27HC3S), 27-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (27HCDS), 24-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (24HC3S), 24-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (24HCDS), and 24,25-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate, or salt thereof is administered to the subject.

Abstract: 3 ?-hydroxy-5-cholestenoic acid 3-sulfate (CA3S), a sulfated derivative of 3?-hydroxy-5-cholestenoic acid (CA), is provided. Both CA and CA3S have potent cholesterol and triglyceride lowering and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods of using CA and CA3S to lower lipids and prevent or treat inflammation-associated diseases are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tool edge parameter optimization method based on workpiece-tool performance parameters. The method includes: obtaining cutting and workpiece characteristic parameters under different tool edge parameter combinations; establishing a tool characteristic prediction model, inputting tool edge parameters, and outputting cutting characteristic parameters; under constraint conditions, combining the tool edge parameters randomly, and inputting into the prediction model to obtain the cutting characteristic parameters; performing data processing and correlation analysis of workpiece combinations, and constructing a functional relationship among cutting characteristics, tool life coefficient and workpiece surface quality coefficient, using the genetic algorithm to iteratively optimize the individual of the initial population and extract the best tool edge parameters.

Abstract: An AI-based hospitality management system and method for providing tools to manage, optimize, and streamline hospitality performance, resulting in improved revenue models, as well as increased customer satisfaction. The system and method offer a dual interface, catering to both management and guests. For management, it provides tangible tools to receive and analyze competing amenity provider rates and services, and to implement in-house amenity rate change records to update its own in-house service rates thereby improving revenue. The guest profiles are centralized, and communication streamlined through automated responses and analysis of guest reviews via machine learning algorithms, thereby providing personalized recommendations, assistance with inquiries, and facilitating communication with the front desk.

Abstract: Argonaute proteins from prokaryotes (pAgos) and applications thereof are provided, the pAgo is from a mesophilic prokaryote of Kurthia massiliensis and named as KmAgo, the pAgos and applications thereof are capable of site-specific modification of intracellular and extracellular genetic material, and thus can be effectively applied to many fields of biotechnology, such as nucleic acid detection, gene editing and gene modification, and provide a new tool for gene editing, modification and molecular detection of the pAgo polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are an emulsification device and a beverage machine having the same. The emulsification device includes a Venturi structure and a switching apparatus. The Venturi structure includes a first mixing chamber and a second mixing chamber. In a case that a first steam channel is communicated with a steam source, steam flows through the first steam channel into the first mixing chamber to produce a mixed fluid with a first temperature based on a Venturi effect; and in a case that a second steam channel is communicated with the steam source, steam flows through the second steam channel into the second mixing chamber to produce a mixed fluid with a second temperature based on the Venturi effect, and the first temperature is not equal to the second temperature. Different types of beverages may be obtained by using milk foam with different temperatures.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one inflammatory condition, such as at least one of dental pulp inflammation, periodontal disease, skin inflammation, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, pancreatitis (acute and/or chronic), hepatitis (viral and/or non-viral), atherosclerosis, myocarditis, idiopathic pulmonary disorder (IPD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pneumonia, chronic inflammatory lung disease, bronchitis, asthma, chronic kidney disease (CKD), nephritis, sepsis, ankylosing spondylitis, diverticulitis, and fibromyalgia. In some cases, the at least one inflammatory condition is associated with Epstein-Ban virus infection.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one autoimmune condition, such as at least one of hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, the at least one autoimmune condition is associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), 25-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (25HCDS), 27-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (27HC3S), 27-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (27HCDS), 24-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (24HC3S), 24-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (24HCDS), and 24,25-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate, or salt thereof is administered to the subject.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of insulin resistance, diabetes, and prediabetes, and, optionally, also non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), 25- hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (25HCDS), 27-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (27HC3S), 27- hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (27HCDS), 24-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (24HC3S), 24- hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (24HCDS), and 24,25-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate, or salt thereof is administered to the subject.

Abstract: An Argonaute protein from eukaryotes and an application thereof are provided. An amino acid sequence of the Argonaute protein is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or has at least 50% sequence identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. The specific cleavage activity of the eukaryotic Argonaute protein on DNA is first proved, and an experimental proof for the study of interaction between the eukaryotic Argonaute protein and DNA is provided. In addition, polypeptides, nucleic acids, expression vectors, compositions, kits, and methods used therein can carry out site-specific operation on intracellular and extracellular genetic materials and can be effectively applied in many fields of biotechnology, providing a new tool for gene editing, modification, and molecular detection of Argonaute polypeptides based on eukaryotic sources.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of cancer and non-cancerous transformation related to Epstein-Barr virus, such as at least one of Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, gastric carcinoma, invasive breast cancer, and hierarchically organized carcinoma. Hierarchically organized carcinomas include, but are not limited to, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, urothelial cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, esophagus cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of depression, neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinocerebellar degeneration, Friedreich ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, striatonigral degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic-depression (bipolar) disorder, disturbed or abnormal circadian entrainment, childhood Alice in Wonderland syndrome, childhood acute cerebellar ataxia, and Alzheimer's disease. In some instances, methods include treating an addiction to a drug, such as alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction or amphetamine addiction.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a fabrication method of the semiconductor structure are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and the substrate includes a scribe line region. The semiconductor structure also includes a device layer over the substrate. The device layer includes multiple devices, an interconnection structure electrically connected to the devices, and a dielectric layer surrounding the devices and the interconnection structure. Further, the device layer includes a passivation layer over the device layer, and an alignment mark in the passivation layer over the scribe line region. The alignment mark includes two or more sub-alignment marks, the two or more sub-alignment marks are arranged along an extension direction of the scribe line region, and adjacent sub-alignment marks of the two or more sub-alignment marks are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An evaluation method for hydrocarbon expulsion of post- to over-mature marine source rocks includes: establishing a hydrocarbon expulsion evolution profile of post- to over-mature source rocks; determining a critical condition for hydrocarbon expulsion from the source rocks, inverting original hydrocarbon generation potential of the source rocks, and establishing a hydrocarbon expulsion model for the source rocks; determining a hydrocarbon expulsion rate and cumulative hydrocarbon expulsion of the source rocks; and calculating hydrocarbon expulsion of the source rocks. The evaluation method establishes a hydrocarbon expulsion model for post- to over-mature source rocks without relying on immature to sub-mature samples. The evaluation method provides a scientific basis for the evaluation of the potential of deep oil and gas resources, and provides strong theoretical guidance and technical support for deep oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: A method, system and device for comprehensively characterizing a lower limit of oil accumulation of a deep marine carbonate reservoir is provided, aiming to solve the problem that the prior art cannot: accurately determine the lower limit of oil accumulation of the deep marine carbonate reservoir, which leads to the difficulty in predicting and identifying deep effective reservoirs. The method includes: determining lower limit porosity and permeability for oil accumulation based on a boundary line; determining lower limit porosity and permeability for oil accumulation based on a movable oil ratio of a core sample; determining a lower limit pore throat radius for oil accumulation based on a mercury injection experiment; and comprehensively characterizing the lower limit of oil accumulation of a deep marine carbonate reservoir to be predicted. The method, system and device can predict and identify deep effective reservoirs.

Abstract: An evaluation method for residual hydrocarbon of post- to over-mature marine source rocks includes the following steps: establishing a hydrocarbon generation potential evolution profile and a hydrogen index evolution profile of post- to over-mature source rocks; determining a critical condition for hydrocarbon expulsion of the source rocks, and inverting original hydrocarbon generation potential of the source rocks; inverting a critical condition for hydrocarbon generation of the source rocks; establishing a hydrocarbon generation, expulsion and retention model for the source rocks; determining a hydrocarbon generation rate, a hydrocarbon expulsion rate and a hydrocarbon retention rate of the source rocks; and calculating a hydrocarbon retention intensity and residual hydrocarbon of the source rocks. The evaluation method establishes an evaluation model for residual hydrocarbon of post- to over-mature source rocks without relying on immature to sub-mature samples.

Abstract: A method, system and device for predicting an oil accumulation depth limit of deep and ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoirs is provided. The method includes: obtaining geological factors acting on a porosity of a deep/ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoir, standardizing absolute values of the geological factors; calculating a porosity of the deep/ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoir; acquiring ratios of oil, water and dry layers in each M % porosity interval, and acquiring a relationship between a dry layer ratio and the porosity of the deep/ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoir; recursively obtaining a relationship between the dry layer ratio and the burial depth and determining the oil accumulation depth limit of the deep/ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoir. The method, system and device solves the problem that the prior art cannot by predicting the oil accumulation depth limit directly through the relationship between the dry layer ratio and the depth.

Abstract: Argonaute proteins from prokaryotes (pAgos) and applications thereof are provided, the pAgo is from a mesophilic prokaryote of kurthia massiliensis and named as KmAgo, the pAgos and applications thereof are capable of site-specific modification of intracellular and extracellular genetic material, and thus can be effectively applied to many fields of biotechnology, such as nucleic acid detection, gene editing and gene modification, and provide a new tool for gene editing, modification and molecular detection of the pAgo polypeptides.

Abstract: Use of microcystins having a monocyclic heptapeptide structure in preparation of drugs for preventing or treating organ and tissue fibrosis diseases. Preferably, the microcystins are microcystin-LR with amino acids at positions 2 and 4 of a monocyclic heptapeptide structure thereof being leucine and arginine respectively, or are microcystin-RR with amino acids at positions 2 and 4 thereof being both arginine. Also provided is a method for inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis. The method is implemented by inhibiting a TGF-?/Smad signaling pathway by using one or more microcystins.

Abstract: A gas-liquid dynamic model-based accurate lithium-ion battery SOC estimation method, the gas-liquid dynamic model being a cylindrical closed container, a pipe and a valve that can be opened or closed being mounted at the top of the container, a liquid having a volume of Vw being held in the cylindrical container, and the remaining volume, V, being the volume of a gas having a pressure of P. According to the accurate SOC estimation method, a model, different from conventional RC equivalent circuit model and electrochemical model, is established from the perspective of a gas-liquid coexistence system. The method comprises the following steps: setting up an ideal gas state equation, a gas continuous motion equation, a gas-liquid dissolution equilibrium equation, etc.