Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents and methods of using such to treat conditions associated with decreased ?7?1 integrin expression or activity, including muscular dystrophy. In one example, methods for treating a subject with muscular dystrophy are disclosed. The methods include administering an effective amount of an ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent to the subject with muscular dystrophy, wherein the ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent increases ?7?1 integrin expression or activity as compared to ?7?1 integrin expression or activity prior to treatment, thereby treating the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject and methods of enhancing ?7?1 integrin expression by use of the disclosed ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents. Methods of prospectively preventing or reducing muscle injury or damage in a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: A phoswich neutron detection system with at least two scintillators, each having differing pulse shape characteristics, and an optical detector, and neutron spectroscopy capability.

Abstract: A chair enabling standardized performance testing under Timed Up and Go procedures. The chair has a seat portion, a base portion, a support element, a force sensor, a timer, and a processor. The processor initiates timing of the standardized performance test in response to receiving an output signal corresponding to a force value less than or equal to a minimum threshold force. The processor ceases timing of the standardized performance test in response to receiving an output signal corresponding to a force greater than or equal to a maximum threshold force. The processor determines a time interval of the standardized performance test based upon the output of the timer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transmitting data using an orthogonal pules shape multiplexing scheme. A transmitter can receive a vector comprising a plurality of symbols. A plurality of continuous pulses can be designed, with each of the continuous pulses corresponds to one of the plurality of symbols in the received vector. Any two pulses selected from the plurality of continuous pulses can be orthogonal. The plurality of continuous pulses can be sampled to produce a corresponding plurality of discrete pulses. The received vector can be transformed based on a transform matrix constructed using on the plurality of discrete pulses. The transformed vector can be transmitted to a receiver.

Abstract: Platinum-containing compounds for the treatment of disease, such as, for example, cancer, are provided herein. Specifically, platinum Pt(IV) complexes with a substituted 2,2?-bipyridine ring structure are provided, as are methods for using the complexes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyimide blends and methods of making and using same. The disclosed polyimide blends are prepared by first blending an ionic polymer and a poly(amic acid) to form a poly(amic acid) precursor, followed by cyclization. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of engineered geothermal systems (EGS). Also disclosed are methods and devices for the construction and use of planar artificial fractures in EGS wells, including wells that contain both an injection and extraction points.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents and methods of using such to treat conditions associated with decreased ?7?1 integrin expression or activity, including muscular dystrophy. In one example, methods for treating a subject with muscular dystrophy are disclosed. The methods include administering an effective amount of an ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent to the subject with muscular dystrophy, wherein the ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent increases ?7?1 integrin expression or activity as compared to ?7?1 integrin expression or activity prior to treatment, thereby treating the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject and methods of enhancing ?7?1 integrin expression by use of the disclosed ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents. Methods of prospectively preventing or reducing muscle injury or damage in a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining snowpack characteristics includes a weight plate, at least one pressure sensor, and an inert plate surrounding the weight plate. The weight plate and the inert plate can be spaced apart from one another, and, in some cases, the weight plate has a perimeter and the inert plate surrounds the entirety of the perimeter of the weight plate with a gap formed therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing organic compounds, such as esters, from an organic feedstock that includes at least one of a biopolymer or a lipid. The method includes heating the feedstock in the presence of a solid catalyst, such as a solid, inorganic Lewis acid catalyst, and reaction medium that includes an alcohol. At least certain ester products have an ester group corresponding to a substituent of the alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method of altering CAM pathways in plants. In some examples, a disclosed method includes overexpressing one or more genes encoding one or more enzymes that carry out the basic biochemical sequence of nocturnal CO2 fixation (carboxylation) into C4 acids (malate), store C4 acids in the vacuole of the plant, and/or then decarboxylate and refix the released CO2 by C3 photosynthesis during the subsequent day in a plant cell, thereby altering CAM in the plant cell. Also disclosed herein are isolated polynucleotide sequences, transformation vectors, transgenic plant cells, plant part, and plants. The disclosed methods and compositions can be used to improve the water-use efficiency and drought tolerance and durability of plants, such as in plants in arid environments, and also enhance the ability of plants to perform.

Abstract: This disclosure provides fire retardant materials, including polymers that include at least one pyridinium salt moiety and at least one phosphine oxide moiety.

Abstract: A porewater pressure dissipater is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed dissipater includes aggregate; a cylindrical receptacle for receiving the aggregate; a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and one or more openings transcending from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the plate secures and compacts the aggregate in the cylindrical receptacle; and one or more access tubes coupled to the top surface of the plate wherein the one or more access tubes are positioned over the one or more openings thereby forming a passageway to the cylindrical receptacle. The disclosed dissipater allows piles and shafts to be embedded at the optimum depth without concerns of liquefaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents and methods of using such to treat conditions associated with decreased ?7?1 integrin expression or activity, including muscular dystrophy. In one example, methods for treating a subject with muscular dystrophy are disclosed. The methods include administering an effective amount of an ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent to the subject with muscular dystrophy, wherein the ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent increases ?7?1 integrin expression or activity as compared to ?7?1 integrin expression or activity prior to treatment, thereby treating the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject and methods of enhancing ?7?1 integrin expression by use of the disclosed ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents. Methods of prospectively preventing or reducing muscle injury or damage in a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an automotive electronic control unit (ECU) including: an application processor; and one or more co-processors communicatively coupled to the application processor. The one or more co-processors are configured to: receive data from the application processor; encrypt the data received from the application processor; process the encrypted data to detect faults and generate secure data that is encrypted and free from faults; and communicate the secure data to the application processor.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid cell for an atomic force microscope. The liquid cell includes a liquid cell housing with an internal cavity to contain a fluid, a plurality of conductive feedthroughs traversing the liquid cell housing between the internal cavity and a dry side of the liquid cell, a cantilevered probe coupled to the liquid cell housing, and a piezoelectric drive element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The cantilevered probe is actuated when a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric drive element through at least one of the conductive feedthroughs. A method of imaging an object in a liquid medium and a method of sensing a target species with the liquid cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing direct and indirect electronic attacks, cyber attacks, and/or minimizing the impact of high voltage pulses are disclosed. In an aspect, an example system can comprise an electromagnetic plasma disrupter device. The electromagnetic plasma disrupter device can comprise a gas pressurized enclosure such a waveguide, grounded metal enclosure, or Faraday shield having a first pair of opposed electrodes at least partially enclosed in the enclosure. A first electrode of a first pair of the opposed electrodes can be connected to ground. A second electrode of the first pair of opposed electrodes can be coupled to a voltage source. The system can optionally comprise a second pair of opposed electrodes. The second pair of electrodes can allow, under normal operation, for signals to enter and leave an electronic circuit that is being protected.

Abstract: Disclosed are conjugates and compositions comprising an amyloid beta binding protein conjugated to a MerTK ligand. Disclosed are methods of clearing amyloid beta aggregates from a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the conjugates and compositions comprising an amyloid beta binding protein conjugated to a MerTK ligand. Disclosed are methods of treating Alzheimer's Disease comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of conjugates and compositions comprising an amyloid beta binding protein conjugated to a MerTK ligand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of altering tissue succulence in plants. In some examples, a disclosed method includes overexpressing a modified helix-loop-helix transcription factor CEB1 in a plant cell, thereby altering plant succulence. The disclosed methods can be used to improve the drought and salinity tolerance of plants, such as in plants in arid or saline environments, and also enhance the ability of plants to perform. Also disclosed are CEB1 nucleic acids and transgenic plants containing such nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents and methods of using such to treat conditions associated with decreased ?7?1 integrin expression or activity, including muscular dystrophy. In one example, methods for treating a subject with muscular dystrophy are disclosed. The methods include administering an effective amount of an ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent to the subject with muscular dystrophy, wherein the ?7?1 integrin modulatory agent increases ?7?1 integrin expression or activity as compared to ?7?1 integrin expression or activity prior to treatment, thereby treating the subject with muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject and methods of enhancing ?7?1 integrin expression by use of the disclosed ?7?1 integrin modulatory agents. Methods of prospectively preventing or reducing muscle injury or damage in a subject are also disclosed.