Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for modulating ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.

Abstract: Foldable electrical vehicles and related charging infrastructure are described. The foldable electrical vehicle generally includes three structural members (front and rear wheel-bearing structural members and a seat-bearing structural member) that are pivotally interconnected along their lengths such that they may be pivoted between a closed position wherein the three structural members are disposed roughly parallel to each other in a compact folded configuration, and an open riding configuration wherein an angular relation is formed between the structural members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an O-succinyl homoserine transferase mutant, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a microorganism including the mutant, and a method of producing O-succinyl homoserine using the microorganism.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for controlling ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for modulating ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: A universal charging and drying station includes a main unit and a hearing aid charger. The main unit includes a main casing, a lid, a hearing aid dryer, and a control circuitry. The hearing aid charging includes at least one interchangeable adapter unit, which includes a receptacle connector, a charging adapter and a connecting module. The connecting module has an adapter terminal electrically connecting to the hearing aid, and a plurality of connecting members detachably connected to the receptacle connector of the main casing. The interchangeable adapter unit may be operated between a charging mode and an interchangeable mode, wherein in the charging mode, the connecting module is electrically connected to the receptacle connector through the connecting members for charging the hearing aid, wherein in the interchangeable mode, the connecting module is detached from the receptacle connector for interchange of the interchangeable adapter unit.

Abstract: A method is provided, inter alia, for treating a subject suffering from an infectious or neoplastic disease with immunotherapy. The method includes determining the critical concentration of immune cells required to treat or eradicate an infectious or neoplastic disease in the subject using an in vitro assay of the present invention; and administering to the subject the critical concentration of immune cells determined in the assay.

Abstract: A charging and drying station includes a main casing having a receiving cavity, a drying arrangement and a charger accommodation arrangement. The charger accommodation arrangement includes a utility platform securely mounted on the main casing. The utility platform has a through charger accommodating slot, wherein the charger accommodating slot is shaped and sized to fittedly accommodate at least the charging terminal of the hearing aid charger when the hearing aid charger is detachably accommodated in the receiving cavity, so that the hearing aid device is capable of being disposed on the utility platform for being simultaneously recharged and dried by the hearing aid charger and the drying arrangement respectively.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a hemicellulose-product and a holocellulose-product from a carbohydrate-rich material, including spend coffee grounds, are described. Hemicellulose-products and holocellulose-products produced according to these methods are also described.

Abstract: A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for controlling ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.

Abstract: A diaper includes a diaper body and a wet diaper monitoring device, which includes a disposable pouch and a monitoring device. The monitoring device includes a monitoring casing, a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, a sensing circuitry and an indicator. The first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode are provided on an inner surface of and received in the monitoring casing, and form a single planar capacitor when the diaper body is dry. When the diaper body becomes wet, a capacitance between the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode increases substantially so as to transform the single planar capacitor of the first sensor electrode and the second sensor electrode into two much larger series connected capacitors.

Abstract: A deformable membrane assembly comprises an at least partially flexible fluid-filled envelope, one wall of which is formed by an elastic membrane that is held around its edge by a resiliently bendable supporting ring, a fixed support for the envelope and selectively operable means for causing relative movement between the supporting ring and the support for adjusting the pressure of the fluid in the envelope, thereby to cause the membrane to deform. The bending stiffness of the ring varies round the ring such that upon deformation of the membrane the ring bends variably to control the shape of the membrane to a predefined form. The moving means comprise a plurality of ring-engaging members that are arranged to apply a force to the ring at spaced control points.

Abstract: Provided are an O-succinyl homoserine transferase variant, a polynucleotide encoding the variant, a microorganism comprising the variant, and a method of producing O-succinyl homoserine using the microorganism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for determining whether a patient exhibiting acute gastroenteritis will benefit from treatment with therapeutic agents that inhibit Norovirus genogroup I (GI) or Norovirus genogroup II (GII). The methods disclosed herein are based on detecting Norovirus genogroup I (GI) and Norovirus genogroup II (GII) in a stool sample without extracting viral nucleic acids from a clinical specimen prior to performing real-time reverse transcription PCR. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating contextual communications that includes creating a contextual resource that is initially associated with at least at first communication session; receiving an incoming communication request and establishing a second communication session; associating the second communication session with the contextual resource; setting contextual information of the contextual resource; performing at least one contextual communication action.