Abstract: This invention relates to novel pharmaceutically-useful compounds, to methods for their preparation, and to pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic methods for treating certain conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a sample of granular material, such as soil, is described. An elongated housing has a channel extending therethrough to define an optical path. A cavity is defined within the top of the housing to receive the sample, and a transparent sample-receiving surface is disposed within the cavity at a first elevation from the bottom of the housing. A lens assembly is positioned within the optical path at a second, lower, elevation. The lens assembly magnifies an image formed by light beams reflected by or transmitted through the sample. An image capturing device is disposed across the optical path at a third elevation that is lower than the second elevation. The image capturing device is thus lower than both the lens assembly and the transparent sample-receiving surface. A light source is mounted within the housing to emit light toward the sample-receiving surface.

Abstract: Internet routers are a key component in today's Internet. Each router forwards received packets toward their final destinations based upon a Longest Prefix Matching (LPM) algorithm select an entry from a routing table that determines the closest location to the final packet destination among several candidates. Prior art solutions to LPM lookup offer different tradeoffs and that it would be beneficial for a design methodology that provides for low power large scale IP lookup engines addressing the limitations within the prior art. According to embodiments of the invention a low-power large-scale IP lookup engine may be implemented exploiting clustered neural networks (CNNs). In addition to reduced power consumption embodiments of the invention provide reduced transistor count providing for reduced semiconductor die footprints and hence reduced die cost.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to methods for treating pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis in a subject comprising administering an antagonist of a dopamine receptor to the subject wherein the dopamine receptor is, in some specific cases dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). The antagonist in some specific cases is an RNAi construct, an antibody, or a small molecule and in more specific cases pimozide or L-741,626. The disclosure also relates to diagnostic methods comprising the detection of the expression of DRD2 in pancreatic tissue and kits for doing the same.

Abstract: Many different substrates are used in tissue engineering as platforms to enhance cell attachment, proliferation and activity, either in-vitro, to multiply specific cell lines, or in-vivo, to induce shorter healing time of injured or missing tissue. However, their hydrophobicity and lack of specific functionalities make them non-ideal for cell adhesion and growth. Treating the surfaces by exposing them to a series of steps including, but not limited to, a diazonium based wet chemistry allows one or more functional groups to be applied to the surface improving cell adhesion and growth. Embodiments of the invention exploiting PDLLA, PMMA and roughed PEEK are demonstrated including both a one-stage and a two-stage process, and at times a vacuum treatment, allowing modification of inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: Herein provided are methods and systems for generating finite element modelling results. Finite element method (FEM) data relating to establish a FEM problem to be solved for a portion of a physical system being analyzed is received. A FEM mesh comprising at least FEM mesh node locations relating to the portion of the physical system is generated. FEM mesh values for each FEM mesh node location are automatically generated with a microprocessor. A factor graph model comprising a plurality of random variable nodes and a plurality of factor nodes is automatically generated with a microprocessor based upon the FEM mesh node locations. A set of belief propagation update rules are automatically executed upon the factor graph model using Gaussian function parametrization and the FEM mesh values. The belief propagation update rules are iteratively executed until a predetermined condition has been met.

Abstract: The method can include depositing a graphene oxide containing material from solution to form a laminar nano-structure of graphene oxide paper, and assembling at least a portion of the graphene oxide paper as a diaphragm of the acoustic transducer. The acoustic transducer can be a magnetic induction based microphone, a diaphragm loudspeaker, or a magnetic induction based loudspeaker, for instance.

Abstract: A synthetic bone graft is described which is adapted to be received within a bone defect and which is structurally load-bearing. The bone graft comprises an entirely synthetic graft body corresponding in shape and size to the bone defect. The graft body is composed of a plurality of superimposed multilayered structures, each of the multilayered structures having a biopolymer layer joined to a biomineral layer to define an interface therebetween. The biomineral layer has a stiffness that is greater than that of the biopolymer layer, and the biopolymer layer has a toughness that is less than that of the biomineral layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to 18-20 member bi-polycyclic compounds, methods of making these compounds, and methods of using them in treating hyperproliferative disorders (e.g., cancer) and non-malignant tumors; promoting muscle formation; inhibiting muscle degeneration or the loss of muscle mass or muscle function; and myofibers ex vivo.

Abstract: Important components of direct solar based nanowire enabled chemical processing and electrochemical systems are a high efficiency and highly stable photocathode and 2-photon dual electrodes. The former enables photo-excited electrons that lead to hydrogen generation whereas the later with complementary energy bandgap photoanode and photocathode enables high efficiency, unassisted solar-driven water splitting. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to leverage the high surface areas and self-contained conversion of direct solar illuminated hydrogen generation from such nanowires with multiple junctions for broad solar spectrum absorption by providing monolithically integrated multi-junction photocathodes. It would be further beneficial to provide nanowire based dual-photoelectrode systems that together with a parallel illumination scheme, can fundamentally address these critical challenges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring the progression of cancer and/or the therapeutic efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment in a sample of a subject by detecting oncogenic and cancer related proteins in microvesicles, and to the use of an agent blocking exchange of microvesicles for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present describes an oxygen functionalized nanoflake (O-GNF), a stable nanofluid in which the graphene nanoflakes remain dispersed or in suspension free of surfactants, and the method of making the oxygen-functionalized nanoflake. The oxygen-functionalized graphene nanoflake (O-GNF and/or O—N-GNF) comprises a single-crystal graphene nanoflake of 5-20 atomic planes comprising a surface oxygen-functionalization, wherein the O-GNF comprise a degree of oxygen functionalization from about 6 to about 25 at. % oxygen by weight of the GNF with a preferred oxygen functionalization of about 14 at. % oxygen.

Abstract: Methods of reducing AMPA/NMDA ratio in D1-type medium spiny neurons (MSN) and/or reducing development of behavioral sensitization or suppressing drug induced behavioral sensitization in a subject, optionally a subject that is afflicted with an addiction, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist or a composition comprising said TLR4 agonist, preferably wherein the TLR4 agonist is a monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA).

Abstract: Highly mineralized natural materials often boast unusual combinations of stiffness, strength and toughness currently unmatched by today's engineering materials. Beneficially, according to the embodiments of the invention, these unusual combinations can be introduced into ceramics, glasses, and crystal materials, for example by the introduction of patterns of weaker interfaces with simple or intricate architectures, which channel propagating cracks into toughening configurations. Further, such deliberately-introduced weaker interfaces, such as exploiting three-dimensional arrays of laser-generated microcracks, can deflect and guide larger incoming cracks. Addition of interlocking interfaces and flexible materials provide further energy dissipation and toughening mechanism, by channeling cracks into interlocking configurations and ligament-like pullout mechanisms. Such biomimetic materials, based on carefully architectured interfaces, provide a new pathway to toughening hard and brittle materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein compositions comprising chemically modified CRISPR RNA (crRNA) guide and trans-acting CRISPR RNA (tracrRNA) components. Methods of using the disclosed CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring the progression of cancer and/or the therapeutic efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment in a sample of a subject by detecting oncogenic proteins in microvesicles, and to the use of an agent blocking exchange of microvesicles for treating cancer.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and devices for high DC gain closed loop operation amplifiers exploiting cascaded low gain stages and a controller-based compensation circuit for stability.

Abstract: There is described herein methods and devices for confining and/or manipulating molecules. At least one molecule is introduced into a fluidic chamber. The fluidic chamber is formed inside a device comprising at least one first electrode having a first surface spaced from at least one second electrode having a second surface facing the first surface. The at least one second electrode has a plurality of dielectric structures arranged to form openings along the second surface. At least one electrical signal is applied across the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode to generate a non-uniform electric field having electric field lines extending from the first surface of the at least one first electrode to the second surface of the at least one second electrode in the openings formed between the dielectric structures. The at least one electrical signal has a frequency level causing the at least one molecule to move inside the fluidic chamber in accordance with a predetermined movement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides agents capable of promoting endogenous steroid production (such as endogenous testosterone production) without altering the endogenous luteinizing hormone. The present disclosure also provides associated therapeutic methods as well as screening assays for identifying further therapeutic agents for the prevention, treatment and/or alleviations of symptoms associated with hypogonadism.