Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of compounds of Formula I, including thapsigargin, nortrilobolide and 8-O-debutanoyl-thapsigargin from commercially available (R)-(?)-carvone via synthetic intermediate compound of formula 12 by pinacol coupling and in situ lactonization.

Abstract: A forward osmosis system is disclosed which use a polymer switchable between a neutral form and an ionized form. The switchable polymer has a higher osmotic pressure at the ionized form than the neutral form, the ratio between the former and the latter is ?2. There is also disclosed a method for treating the polymer such that the ratio is improved. Use of polymers for forward osmosis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of facilitating ultrasonic analysis of a subject is provided. The method involves producing signals for causing a set of outgoing ultrasonic signals to be transmitted to the subject, wherein the set of outgoing ultrasonic signals is defined at least in part by a variable imaging parameter that varies over time in accordance with a variable imaging parameter function, the variable imaging parameter function represented or representable at least in part by a function characteristic, receiving signals representing a time dependent representation of the subject generated from a set of received ultrasonic signals scattered by the subject, determining at least one property representation of the subject based on the function characteristic and the time dependent representation of the subject, and producing signals representing the at least one property representation of the subject to facilitate analysis of the subject. Systems, non-transitory computer readable media, and other methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring force exerted by an object moving in a fluid or force of a moving fluid on a stationary object. Embodiments may be configured to measure power exerted by an object moving in a fluid. At least one sensor disposed on the object outputs at least one sensor signal corresponding to a pressure differential between first and second surfaces of the object. Data derived from one or more sensor signals may be processed according to a model to output a measure of the force and/or power of the object moving in the fluid or the force of the moving fluid on the stationary object, as a function of time. Embodiments may be configured for applications such as providing feedback for control of actuators in electromechanical systems for liquid or gaseous media, and providing performance metrics during water sports, such as swimming and paddling.

Abstract: A video monitoring apparatus for assessing marine diversity includes a support frame, one or more cameras mounted on the support frame for recording images, and a bait receptacle mounted on the support frame for holding bait. The bait receptacle is adapted to release bait therefrom when the support frame comes to rest on a surface.

Abstract: Described are compounds for targeting proteases, e.g. serine proteases and their use in the diagnostic methods and methods for treatment of respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The compounds have the structure [H]—[B]-[A]; wherein [H] is a hydrophilic group, [B] is a subsite recognition group and [A] is a binding group; wherein A has the formula: —C(0)—CH2—NR1—COOR2 and wherein [B] has the structure: (i) —[CO—CH2—NR3]m-, or (ii) -[AA1-AA2]- or (iii) -(AA1-C0-CH2NR3)— or (iv) —(CO—CH2—NR3-AA1)- or (v) —(C0—CH2—NR4-AA1-AA3)-.

Abstract: In an AC-DC converter having a primary side control circuit, auxiliary power for the control circuit is derived from the converter secondary side through an isolated DC-DC converter. The circuits and methods solve the problem of supplying primary side auxiliary power during light load or no load operation of the AC-DC power converter. Since the output voltage of the AC-DC converter is normally regulated at a fixed level, the auxiliary voltage that is generated by the isolated DC converter is regulated. In some cases the isolated DC-DC converter may not need to be regulated, which simplifies the design and reduces overall cost.

Abstract: An antenna for a body-centric wireless communication system comprises first and second radiating structures between which is located a ground plane and a feed structure. The feed structure comprises a feed line extending between the first radiating structure and the ground plane, and a slot formed in the ground plane. A pair of shorting posts connects the first radiating structure to the ground plane. The antenna is capable of simultaneously generating in-body radiation, on-body radiation and off-body radiation in the same frequency band.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for DNA The method comprises a) contacting the sample with a plurality of metal nanoparticles functionalised with one or more RNA probes; b) forming a heteroduplex between the target DNA and RNA probe on an RNA-functionalised metal nanoparticle; c) contacting the heteroduplex of target DNA and RNA probe on the RNA-functionalised metal nanoparticle with an enzyme that cleaves RNA in a DNA-RNA heteroduplex thereby releasing the target DNA; d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until all, or substantially all, of the RNA probes on the plurality of RNA-functionalised metal nanoparticles have been cleaved from the metal nanoparticles; and e) aggregating the metal nanoparticles from which all, or substantially all, of the RNA probes have been cleaved, thereby indicating the presence of the target DNA.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel gene therapy constructs containing both HEXA and HEXB genes to treat GM2 gangliosidoses, including Sandhoff disease and Tay-Sach's disease. Also described are co-treatments using chaperone and anti-inflammatory agents to enhance the effects of gene therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for surgical tracking comprises an imaging device that generates an image of a tissue volume; an electromagnetic (EM) sensor that creates a reference frame for EM tracking in three dimensions; at least one EM sensor adapted to be attached to the tissue to track local deformation and movement of the tissue volume; a processor that registers the image with the EM-tracked tissue volume and surgical tool in real time, and produces an output; and a feedback device that provides feedback about the location of the surgical tool relative to the tissue volume, based on the processor output. Embodiments are particularly useful in soft tissue, such as breast, where deformation before and during a procedure such as tumor resection complicate tracking of the tissue volume and a surgical tool.

Abstract: Deposition of carbene monolayers that excluded starting anions, such as iodide ions, has been achieved. Anions such as iodide are a typical contaminant in carbene hydrogen carbonate salts when synthesized using the state-of-the-art method. A method is described for eliminating substantially all starting anion (e.g., iodide) contamination from the monolayer. Air stable, purified carbenes precursors were used to deposit an intact monolayer on the surface of some industrially relevant metals. The monolayer's ability to protect these metals against, for example, oxidation has been demonstrated.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for tracking a volume of interest in three dimensions in real time, using fewer than 6 DOF tracking information together with an external 6 DOE coordinate system. The apparatus and methods described herein provide more accurate, smaller, and less expensive tracking systems than prior approaches based on full 6 DOF tracking comprising translation and full orientation information. Embodiments may be used in applications such as surgical navigation, gaming, robotics, motion capture, and training.

Abstract: Methods, probe sets, kits, and compositions for gene deletion assays are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods relate to preparing probes for a deletion assay, performing a deletion assay, or optimizing a deletion assay. In some embodiments, the methods and probe sets can provide reduced artifactual deletion frequency, for example, when analyzing samples subject to truncation artifacts. In some embodiments, the methods and probe sets can distinguish between small and large deletions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of glycerol carbonate from the reaction of glycerol and a dialkylcarbonate, for example dimethyl carbonate, or a cyclic alkylene carbonate. More specifically, the invention relates to a process where the synthesis of glycerol carbonate is conducted in the presence of a homogeneous transesterification catalyst and involves the partial reaction of a glycerol reactant stream and a dialkyl carbonate or cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream and an intermediate step of alcohol by-product separation before further reaction in order to improve glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity and yield.

Abstract: Resonant converters may be operated according to selected working modes to achieve voltage doubler or non-voltage doubler functions. Embodiments may be based on two-phase resonant converters. Embodiments may implement primary side switching, secondary side switching, or both, to achieve the selected working modes and voltage doubler and non-voltage doubler function. Embodiments are suitable for applications requiring wide input and output voltage ranges, such as low-voltage charging circuits for personal electronic devices, and high voltage charging circuits for electric vehicles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides nicotinate/nicotinamide riboside compounds or derivatives of formula (I): wherein X?, Z1, Z2, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are described herein, reduced analogs thereof, and synthetic processes for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Described are fountain code constructs that solve multiple problems in distributed storage systems by providing systematic encoding, reduced repair locality, reduced encoding/decoding complexity, and enhanced reliability. Embodiments are suitable for the storage of large files and exhibit performance superior to existing codes, and demonstrate reduced implementation complexity and enhanced symbol repair locality.

Abstract: Polyurethane-based and epoxy-based coating compositions are described that provide coatings and adhesives that are clear, amphiphobic and durable. Both water and hexadecane readily slide off these surfaces without leaving a residue. Coatings with thicknesses ranging from about 10 nm to about 10 ?m exhibited excellent transmittance properties. Such films exhibited durability against abrasion, ink-resistance, anti-graffiti, anti-fingerprint, and strong adhesion to glass surfaces. The coatings are applicable to electronic devices, fabrics, glass, etc. to prepare optically clear, stain-resistant, and smudge-resistant surfaces.

Abstract: A capillary comprises a capillary channel, an inner layer, and an outer layer, wherein the inner and outer layers comprise different silica materials. An axicon lens formed on a facet end of the capillary channel has a selected geometry, such that the inner layer has an axicon angle ? and a post angle ?. The inner layer may be fused silica and the outer layer may be borosilicate glass. The post angle ? is determined in part by an etch rate constant of the borosilicate glass and an etch rate constant of the fused silica in at least one etching reagent. Embodiments may comprise at least two capillary channels, and an axicon lens formed on a facet end of each of the at least two capillary channels. The capillary may be used as an electrospray emitter, optionally with light simultaneously while generating an electrospray.