Abstract: Therapies and compositions for reducing collagen synthesis in mammalian cells and tissues wherein the targets are scleraxis, sclerax-is-binding sites, receptor-regulated Smads, and/or binding sites for receptor-regulated Smads whereby synergistic interactions between scleraxis proteins and receptor-regulated Smads are reduced, inhibited, interfered with, stopped, and/or prevented thereby reducing, inhibiting and/or interfering with the activation of collagen 1?2 promoter thereby inhibiting collagen production in mammalian cells and tissues. Alternatively, the therapies and compositions may reduce, inhibit, interfere with, stop, and/or prevent binding of the collagen 1?2 promoter to DNA thereby inhibiting expression of the collagen 1?2 gene in mammalian cells and tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replication-competent Arteriviruses having a decreased DUB/deISGylating activity due to a mutation in the PLP2 domain of the non-structural protein nsp2, to their use as a medicament, their use as a vaccine and in prophylaxis, to vaccines comprising such Arteriviruses and to Arteriviral PLP2-ubiquitin complexes.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems are disclosed herein for use in imaging an object with microwave tomography using a plurality of different boundary conditions.

Abstract: A new class of antennas and microwave components are introduced. In this approach a high-permittivity dielectric film is applied (i.e. printed) on a dielectric substrate, which may be grounded. By changing the shape of the high-permittivity film, different microwave devices (e.g. waveguides, filters, couplers, and antennas) are produced. By changing the size and permittivity of the high-permittivity film and dielectric substrate, these elements are designed at different frequencies for different applications. Highly-efficient microwave devices can result due to the absence of surface currents.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for phase detection of electromagnetic signals are presented. The apparatus may include a magnetic element, one or more first signal contacts coupled to the magnetic element for receiving a first signal, and one or more output contacts coupled to the magnetic element for providing a variable level voltage generated by the magnetic element, the level of the voltage being responsive to a phase difference between the first signal and a second signal. In a further embodiment, the apparatus may include a substrate for mechanically supporting the magnetic element. Additionally, the apparatus may include a conductor mechanically supported by substrate, the conductor configured to receive the second signal.

Abstract: Biocidally active cationic analogs of N-halamine having two biocidally active groups covalently bonded together in a single molecule and having general Formula (I). Compounds of Formula (I), and precursors thereof, can be in solution form immobilized onto a substrate via physical coating or covalent chemical bonding to functionalize surfaces or added into materials as additives so as to render them biocidal. The biocidal solutions and substrates comprising the compounds or precursors of the present invention can then be used to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.

Abstract: An antibody that binds a MeCP2E1 isoform of MeCP2 protein, wherein the antibody comprises a region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. A method for detecting and/or monitoring a disease or a disorder caused by an over-expression or an under-expression of a MeCP2E1 isoform of MeCP2 protein, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a first sample from a mammalian subject; (ii) contacting the first sample with the anti-MeCP2E1antibody; (iii) removing unbound antibody from the sample; (iv) conducting an immunoassay on the first sample to determine a first value for expression of the MeCP2E1 isoform; (v) comparing the first value to a reference value for expression of the MeCP2E1 isoform in healthy mammalian subjects; wherein a deviation of the first value from the reference value indicates the presence of a disease or a disorder caused by an over-expression or an under-expression of the MeCP2E1 isoform.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides aminoglycoside derivatives thereof that exhibit antibacterial activity. In some aspects, the aminoglycoside derivatives comprise compounds consisting of (a) an ammoglycoside group and (b) at least one hydrophobic carbamate and alkoxy group to the primary or secondary hydroxy position of the aminolvcoside group and salts thereof. Additionally, methods of treating and preventing bacterial infections using the aminoglycoside derivatives are also provided.

Abstract: A container including a reusable electronic seal, as well as a system and method for using the electronic seal are described. The container includes a closure member configured to detachably affix to a portion of the container, thereby sealing the container. In response to the closure member sealing the container, a signal generating component generates an electronic signal and transmits the electronic signal to a processing circuit operably connected to the signal generating component. The processing circuit includes a processing device configured to generate a unique code when the closure member is manipulated to open or close the container and an output device operably connected to the processing device and configured to output the unique code. The unique code is updated each time the container is opened, thereby providing a recipient with a way to determine whether the container has been opened during delivery.

Abstract: There are provided processes for treating wastewater. The processes can comprise treating a mixture comprising the wastewater and an activated sludge, in a single reactor, with an electric current having a density of less than about 55 A/m2, by means of at least one anode and at least one cathode that define therebetween an electrical zone for treating the mixture; exposing the mixture to an intermittent ON/OFF electrical exposure mode to the electric current in which an OFF period of time is about 1 to about 10 times longer than an ON period of time; and maintaining an adequate oxidation-reduction potential in the single reactor. Such processes allow for substantial removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater in the single reactor of various forms and for obtaining another mixture comprising a treated wastewater and solids.

Abstract: Poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate nanoparticle dispersions are produced in high yields using the reactivity of the boronic acid moiety with phosphate in the presence of fluoride. The poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate dispersions have been characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques. According to 11B NMR studies, the formation of anionic tetrahedral boronate group in phosphoric acid in the presence of fluoride forms the basis of self-doped, stabilized PABA nanoparticle dispersion. Transmission electron microscope images show that 25-50 nm diameter PABA nanoparticles are formed under these conditions. UV-vis, FT-IR-ATR spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric results confirm the formation of the conducting form of PABA.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of using Chlorella protothecoides microalgal biomass in the treatment of individuals having impaired glucose metabolism. In some cases, the patient has impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes. In some methods, algal biomass is used to reduce blood glucose and/or body fat in a subject, or to increase the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the biomass is derived from Chlorella protothecoides cultures grown heterotrophically in which the algal cells comprise at least 15% algal oil by dry weight.

Abstract: A system and methods for screening patients suspected of obstructive sleep apnea. The system includes a sound detection device configured for detecting tracheal respiratory sound signals of a patient and a Sao2 detection device for detecting SaO2 signals of the patient. The system also has a head position detection device for detecting the head positions of the patient during testing, and a processing module for receiving and analyzing the tracheal respiratory sound signals to extract sound data and the Sao2 signals to extract blood oxygen saturation data. The processing module further receives and analyzes the head position signals captured by the head position detection device to generate head position data. The system may further include a display for displaying information about the various data generated by the processing module.

Abstract: Hydrophobically enhanced aminoglycosides have been prepared and shown to be effective antibacterial agents. These agents may be used in the treatment or prevention of various bacterial infections. Methods of preparing these agents also permit facile synthetic access. Formula (I).

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of reconstructing an image from a positron emission tomography scan that may include detecting a plurality of photons selected from scattered photons and unscattered photons by a plurality of detectors, identifying a time interval for each of the plurality of photons by a processing device, matching each of the plurality of photons into a plurality of pairs of coincident photons based upon a substantially simultaneous time interval identified by the processing device, measuring an energy produced by each of the plurality of photons by the plurality of detectors, determining a scattering angle for each pair of coincident photons from an annihilation point relative to the position of the plurality of detectors by the processing device based on the energy produced and reconstructing an image using a reconstruction algorithm, wherein the reconstruction algorithm uses the scattering angle of each pair of coincident photons.

Abstract: A true random number generator (TRNG) uses sources of uncertainty found within graphics processing units (GPUs) together with signal processing techniques, for example histogram equalization, to obtain maximum entropy.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to peptides obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysis of yellow pea seed proteins that are capable of lowering the blood pressure and reducing the effects of kidney disease in a subject by inhibiting or reducing the affinity of the enzymes in the renin-angiotensin system for their substrates, specifically renin, to compositions comprising said peptides and to uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems may image an object of interest using one or more probes. More specifically, such exemplary methods and systems may deliver electromagnetic energy (e.g., microwave energy) using a transmitting antenna to the object while activating a probe to interact with the scattered field and sampling the resulting scattered field using one or more receiving antennas. The sampled electromagnetic energy may then be used to reconstruct an image of the object.

Abstract: A scintillation detector array includes a scintillator array comprising a plurality of scintillator elements, a photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetector elements, an active light guide separating the scintillator array from the photodetector array. The active light guide formed of a scintillator material having different emission properties than the plurality of scintillator elements.

Abstract: A dietary regimen for mitigating cardiovascular disease risk in a subject, the regimen comprising consumption of at least one of a functional food composition comprising high oleic canola oil, a dietary supplement comprising high oleic canola oil, and a nutraceutical composition comprising high oleic canola oil, whereby the subject consumes at least 14 mg/100 g of body weight every 24-hour diurnal period.