Abstract: Disclosed herein is early genetic screening to aid in the selection of dogs for assistance training programs. Disclosed methods include a method for predicting the probability of canine success in a training program, involving genotyping a biological sample from a canine; determining at least one mobile element insertion copy number within the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) locus on canine chromosome 6; and predicting the probability of the canine's success in a training program based on the at least one mobile element insertion copy number. Another disclosed method is a method of producing dogs that are more likely to exhibit a sociable behavior, involving providing a male and female dog for breeding; determining at least one mobile element insertion copy number within the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) locus on canine chromosome 6 for each of the provided dogs; and mating the dogs of step (a) to produce offspring.

Abstract: An efficient approach to reconstruct the scanner trajectory of the mobile LIDAR system from the point cloud with minimal user parameters. The process of reconstructing trajectory comprises four steps: (1) spin rate estimation, (2) scan plane estimation, (3) scan origin estimation, and (4) global smoothing.

Abstract: Described herein are chlorins, bacteriochlorins, methods and intermediates for the synthesis of bacteriochlorins, and methods of using such bacteriochlorins for, among other things, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes such as luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, and as active agents in photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Abstract: A real time end-to-end learning system for a high frame rate video compressive sensing network is described. The slow reconstruction speed of conventional compressive sensing approaches is overcome by directly modeling an inverse mapping from compressed domain to original domain in a single forward propagation. Through processing massive unlabeled video data such a mapping is learned by a neural network using data-driven methods. Systems and methods according to this disclosure incorporate a multi-rate convolutional neural network (CNN) and a synthesizing recurrent neural network (RNN) to achieve real time compression and reconstruction of video data.

Abstract: A MNase-Sequence Capture method, mTSS-seq, was developed herein to map genome-wide nucleosome distribution in cancer, for example primary human lung and colon adenocarcinoma tissue. Here, it was confirmed that nucleosome redistribution is an early, widespread event in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and colon adenocarcinoma (CRC). These altered nucleosome architectures are consistent between LAC and CRC patient samples indicating that they can serve as important early adenocarcinoma markers. As such, this consistency would be expected in other adenocarcinomas, as well as other carcinomas. It was demonstrated that the nucleosome alterations are driven by the underlying DNA sequence and potentiate transcription factor binding. DNA-directed nucleosome redistributions are widespread early in cancer progression, thus providing a methodology for early detection of cancer in grade one patients.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for transducing measurements from a medium of interest. One non-limiting example is in planta monitoring of plants. In one aspect, a micro- or nano-scale probe body includes one or more microprobes (e.g. microneedles or waveguides) to access desired plant tissue, and one or more microsensors on the probe body. A microcircuit on or in the probe body transduces relevant measurements from the microsensor(s). An output interface allows storage, communication, or transfer of the transduced measurement for further use. Non-limiting examples are processing into estimations of chemical concentrations or the like for biochemical sensing. As such, if used as in planta sensors, they can be minimally invasive and cost effective for both single use and use in sets for plural plants with one central station.

Abstract: Compositions that include an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte. The polyelectrolyte may be adsorbed to at least a portion of a surface of the ion exchange resin. Methods of treating a liquid with a composition, and methods of forming a composition that includes an ion exchange resin and a polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Provided are serum-stable nanoparticles comprising porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates. Also provided are compositions comprising the nano-particles. The nanoparticles can comprise cargo such as therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic agents (e.g., imaging agents) and be used in drug delivery methods based on NIR stimulated cargo release.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of remediating wastewaters, preferably agricultural wastewaters resulting from animal production or contained animal feeding operation sites. The water is treated to promote assimilation of nutrients into algal biomass, which can be harvested and sold, and the resultant wastewater is then purified. According to the invention, short wavelength UV radiation (less than 280 nm wavelength) is used to pretreat wastewater, with the dose determined by absorbance of the water, not by bacterial load. Pretreated water exhibits changes in chromophoric dissolved organic matter that allows for improved and increased algae production by as much as 88%.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease condition in a mammal comprising administering a pharmacologically effective amount of a therapeutic, wherein the therapeutic includes a bioisosteres of caffeic acid. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease condition in a mammal comprising a first therapeutic that includes a bioisosteres of caffeic acid, wherein the condition may be breast cancer, and the pharmaceutical composition may include a second therapeutic for the disease condition that is not a bioisosteres of caffeic acid.

Abstract: A method is provided to reduce the counting times in radiation detection systems using machine learning, wherein the method comprises: receiving an output data from a detector which is to detect a target material from a target body; analyzing the output data; identifying a material of interest from the analyzed output data; and controlling a source of the target material to prevent the source from harming the target body. An apparatus is also provided which comprises: a detector to detect radiation and to provide an output data in real-time; and a processor coupled to the detector, wherein the processor is to: receive the output data; analyze the output data; identify a material of interest from the analyzed output data; and control a source of the target material.

Abstract: Antigenic surface proteins expressed by Mycobacterium bovis under conditions that mimic the natural environment in a host are described. Use of the identified surface proteins in immunogenic compositions for immunization against M. bovis are also described. Nucleic acid molecules and plasmids encoding the M. bovis surface proteins are further described.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a system and a method for removing dissolved solids from liquids. Specific implementations concern desalinating water. The system may comprise a blower, such as a thermal fan/compressor, configured to atomize a solid-bearing liquid to produce a hot, humid gas containing dissolved solids; a gas-solid separator configured to receive hot, humid gas containing entrained dissolved solids from the blower to separate the solids from the humid gas and to transmit the humid gas with solids removed through an exit port; a heater configured to heat the hot, humid gas received from the exit port of the gas-solid separator; and a condenser configured to receive heated humid gas from the heater and to condense solids-free liquid therefrom. The thermal fan/compressor may comprise a plurality of nozzles with outlets positioned adjacent atomization apertures across which a solid-bearing liquid flows and through which gas exiting the nozzles passes.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a system for purifying contaminated water and a method for using the system. More specifically, the invention concerns removing contaminants, such as those introduced by fracking, from a contaminated water.

Abstract: Wire-shaped perovskite devices and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The perovskite devices have a uniform layer thickness of perovskite material on wire-shaped substrates of semi-conductor or carbon material. The method includes an electro-coating process, which advantageously allows for predictability and repeatability.

Abstract: A bonding element, a bonding element matrix and composite materials with a wide range of attractive properties that may be optimized, including, but not limited to, mechanical properties, thermal properties, magnetic properties, optical properties and nuclear properties, as a result of a first layer and second layer structure or core, first layer, and second layer structure of the bonding elements, as well as methods for making the bonding elements and the corresponding ceramic and/or composite materials.

Abstract: A power converter includes an unfolder with an input connection with three terminals that connect to a three-phase AC power source and that has an output connection with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal. The unfolder unfolds the bipolar AC voltages into two unipolar piece-wise sinusoidal DC voltages offset from each other by a half of a period. The power converter includes a three-input converter that produces a DC voltage output across output terminals. The three-input converter includes a positive input connection connected to the positive terminal, a negative input connection connected to the negative terminal and a neutral input connection connected to the neutral terminal. The three-input converter includes switches that selectively connect a voltage to the positive, negative and neutral input connections across a primary transformer winding of a transformer. A secondary transformer winding is connected to the output terminals through a rectification section.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an adaptor for use in a surgical retractor system including a surgical retractor bar having a longitudinal extent between a first end and a second end and a self-retaining retractor device with arms moveable between spaced and proximate positions. The adaptor includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, optionally by one or more connecting elements. A slot is formed between the first plate and the second plate and is configured to either longitudinally receive either the first end or the second end of the surgical retractor bar or laterally receive a lateral edge of the surgical retractor bar such that the adaptor is positioned along the longitudinal extent between the first end and the second end of the surgical retractor bar during use. One or more retaining elements are located on a first surface of the first plate opposite the slot between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A chimeric protein having deubiquitinase activity, methods of identifying anti-deubiquitinase compounds using chimeric proteins, and kits comprising chimeric proteins are described herein. In one aspect, a chimeric protein comprises a mammalian deubiquitinase catalytic domain, a linker domain, and a non-human deubiquitinase proteasome binding domain. In another aspect, a method of identifying a compound having deubiquitinase inhibition activity comprises a) providing an assay for identifying a compound having deubiquitinase inhibition activity, wherein the assay comprises one or more biological cells comprising a chimeric protein comprising a mammalian deubiquitinase catalytic domain, a linker domain, and a non-human deubiquitinase proteasome binding domain; b) screening the assay with at least one compound; and c) identifying a compound having deubiquitinase inhibition activity based on survival of the biological cell.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCRX3’ is disclosed, characterized by compact plants producing abundant double pink flowers. Plants rebloom and exhibit cold-hardiness to at least USDA Zone 6B. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.