Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment and of neurodegenerative disorders and levodopa-induced dyskinesias. In particular, A2a receptor antagonists are provided, as well as methods for the use of A2a receptor antagonists in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinsons disease) and the treatment and/or prevention levodopa-induced dyskinesias associated with such treatment.

Abstract: Methods and devices that use alkali metal chalcohalides having the chemical formula A2TeX6, wherein A is Cs or Rb and X is I or Br, to convert hard radiation, such as X-rays, gamma-rays, and/or alpha-particles, into an electric signal are provided. The devices include optoelectronic and photonic devices, such as photodetectors and photodiodes. The method includes exposing the alkali metal chalcohalide material to incident radiation, wherein the material absorbs the incident radiation and electron-hole pairs are generated in the material. A detector is configured to measure a signal generated by the electron-hole pairs that are formed when the material is exposed to incident radiation.

Abstract: Medical devices for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. An example system for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, may include a guidewire for antegrade stricture crossing along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The guidewire may have a distal end region and a proximal end region. A hub may be coupled to the proximal end region. A tubular sheath may be slidably disposed along the guidewire. The tubular sheath may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The hub may be configured to secure the axial position of the tubular sheath relative to the guidewire.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, are disclosed. An example system may include a handle having a base, a first carriage translatable relative to the base, and a second carriage translatable relative to the base. A sheath may be coupled to the first carriage. The system may also include a catheter shaft having a proximal end region and a steerable distal end region. The proximal end region may be coupled to the second carriage. A needle may be releasably coupled to the handle. The needle may be configured to pass through tissue into a position along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The system may also include a steering member having a first end coupled to the steerable distal end region of the catheter shaft and a second end disposed adjacent to the handle.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, are disclosed. An example system may include a guidewire having a distal end and defining a lumen. A stiffening rod may be slidably disposed within the lumen. The stiffening rod may have a distal end and a distal end region disposed adjacent to the distal end. The stiffening rod may be configured to shift between a first position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed proximally of the distal end of the guidewire and a second position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed distally of the distal end of the guidewire.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating a subject having a neurological disorder such as major depressive disorder (MDD). The methods and compositions may be utilized in order to inhibit trafficking of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels or subunits thereof, in some embodiments, by inhibiting an interaction between the HCN channels or the subunits thereof and an auxiliary protein or a chaperone protein for the HCN channels or the subunits thereof such as tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-containing Rab8b interacting (TRIP8b) protein or a variant thereof. The HCN channels of the disclosed methods may comprise, for example, HCN1 subunits, HCN2 subunits, or a combination thereof. In the disclosed methods, trafficking of the HCN channels or subunits preferably results in inhibiting distal dendritic enrichment of HCN1 and HCN2 in pyramidal neurons of hippocampal area CA1.

Abstract: An optimized Gamma-prime (??) strengthened austenitic transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel comprises a composition designed and processed such that the optimized ?? strengthened austenitic TRIP steel meets property objectives comprising a yield strength of 896 MPa (130 ksi), and an austenite stability designed to have Ms?(sh)=?40° C., wherein Ms?(sh) is a temperature for shear, and wherein the property objectives are design specifications of the optimized ?? strengthened austenitic TRIP steel. The optimized ?? strengthened austenitic TRIP steel is Blastalloy TRIP 130.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, ginsenoside Rg2 of structure (II): or a combination thereof, for use in treating or preventing a condition responsive to the induction of autophagy in a brain of a mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for completing a morphological characterization of an image of a placenta and providing suggested pathological diagnoses are disclosed. A system includes programming instructions that, when executed, cause processing devices to execute commands according to the following logic modules: an Encoder module that receives the digital image of the placenta and outputs a pyramid of feature maps, a SegDecoder module that segments the pyramid of feature maps on a fetal side image and on a maternal side image, a Classification Subnet module that classifies the fetal side image and the maternal side image, and a convolutional IPDecoder module that localizes an umbilical cord insertion point of the placenta from the classified fetal side image and the classified maternal side image. The localized umbilical cord insertion point, segmentation maps for the classified fetal side and maternal side images are provided to an external device for determining the morphological characterization.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins are provided. Also provided are catalyst-mediated methods of making the low molecular weight, highly branched polyolefins and a catalyst system for carrying out the methods. The catalyst system is a homogeneous catalytic system that includes a single-site organozirconium complex and hydrocarbon-soluble perfluoroarylborate co-catalyst that is highly active for the oligomerization of olefin monomers in non-polar media.

Abstract: A peer node in a blockchain distribution network includes a processor configured to generate a blockchain, where the blockchain includes information regarding a plurality of transactions. The processor is also configured to determine that the peer node is being discriminated against with respect to blockchain transmissions by one or more central servers of the blockchain distribution network. The processor is further configured to determine, based at least in part on the determination that the peer node is being discriminated against, that one or more servers in a sentinel network are to be used for blockchain transmissions instead of the one or more central servers. The peer node further comprises a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the blockchain through the sentinel network.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment. The disclosed compounds are based on fused 1,4-diazepine and pyrrolidinedione scaffolds.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to use of a triple formulation comprising a histone deacetylase, a cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol or propylene glycol, and in the treatment and management of chronic pain.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for hyperspectral imaging are provided. An example hyperspectral imaging sensor system to identify item composition includes an imager to capture hyperspectral imaging data of one or more items with respect to a target. The example includes a sensor to be positioned with respect to the target to trigger capture of the image data by the imager based on a characteristic of the target. The example includes a processor to prepare the captured imaging data for analysis to at least: identify the one or more items; determine composition of the one or more items; calculate an energy intake associated with the one or more items; and classify the target based on the energy intake.

Abstract: Functionalized substrates are provided comprising a substrate and a plurality of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures on a surface of the substrate, each TMD heterostructure comprising a TMD shell over a heterogeneous nucleation site, thereby providing a core-shell heterostructure, the heterogeneous nucleation site composed of a heterogeneous nucleation material; and a TMD wing extending outwardly from the core-shell heterostructure and non-parallel to and above the substrate surface. Electrocatalytic systems comprising the functionalized substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), consisting of densely packed, highly oriented polynucleotide strands attached to the surface of nanoparticles, are able to overcome the typical challenges of nucleic acid delivery. The present disclosure demonstrates that G-rich SNAs exhibit several-fold higher uptake into cells relative to SNAs rich in other nucleotides. This disclosure provides an effective strategy to maximize the intracellular delivery of SNAs, which is applicable to other nanoparticle systems, thus establishing an important design consideration for nanoparticle-based intracellular delivery of therapeutics.

Abstract: Methods relating to treatment and diagnosis of head injury are provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compounds, and compositions for treating infection by an Apicomplexan parasite that include administering a compound that selectively inactivates ornithine aminotransferase of the Apicomplexan parasite. Specifically, the methods, compounds, compounds may be utilized for treating infection by Toxoplasma gondii and toxoplasmosis and for treating infection by Plasmodium falciparum and malaria. The compounds disclosed herein are observed to selectively inactivate Toxoplasma gondii ornithine aminotransferase (TgOAT) relative to human OAT and relative to human ?-aminobutyric aminotransferase (GABA-AT).

Abstract: In various embodiments functionalized graphene oxide(s) are provided that demonstrate improved antimicrobial activity, where the graphene oxide(s) are functionalized to increase carbon radical (.C) density.

Abstract: Disclosed are biodegradable nanocarriers that have a net positive surface charge and zeta potential between about +2 to about +20 mV. The positive surface charge of the nanocarriers is provided by peptides that are covalently attached to the surface of the nanocarriers. The nanocarriers may comprise a drug and may be administered for localized and sustained delivery of the drug.