Abstract: Compositions and methods for measuring C-peptide binding by cells, including cells expressing Glut1, using a C-peptide binding facilitator, such as an albumin. Such methods include incubating the cell with a known amount of C-peptide and a C-peptide binding facilitator, and determining the amount of C-peptide bound to the incubated cells. Also provided are methods for detecting, monitoring, and/or treating immune-mediated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), using method of the present technology for measuring C-peptide binding by cells obtained from a human or other animal subject.

Abstract: Phage ?241 specific for Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated from an industrial cucumber fermentation where both acidity (pH?3.7) and salinity (?5% NaCI) were high. A method for preparing a food item at least substantially free of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination contacted the food item with a bacteriophage ?241 under conditions for the bacteriophage ?241 to lyse all or substantially all the Escherichia coli O157:H7 present in the food item, while Escherichia coli strains other than O157:H7 were not affected. A method for detecting the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by contacting a bacteriophage ?241 with a food item is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: providing a carrier substrate; providing a first bond promoting layer over the carrier substrate; providing a second bond promoting layer over the carrier substrate; and depositing a first device substrate over the carrier substrate, the first bond promoting layer, and the second bond promoting layer. The first device substrate can be configured to bond to the carrier substrate with a first device substrate-carrier substrate adhesion strength. Meanwhile, depositing the first device substrate can include: bonding the first device substrate to the first bond promoting layer, the first device substrate bonding to the first bond promoting layer with a first device substrate-first bond promoting layer adhesion strength greater than the first device substrate-carrier substrate adhesion strength; and coupling the first device substrate to the carrier substrate. Other embodiments of related methods and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fat tissue observation method includes: a process A of applying an optical clearing agent to fat tissue within a body; a process B of heating the fat tissue to reduce a first refractive index of the fat tissue and put the first refractive index close to a second refractive index of the optical clearing agent; and a process C of observing an inside of the fat tissue that the optical clearing agent permeates.

Abstract: Interactive visualizations of a convolutional neural network are provided. For example, a graphical user interface (GUI) can include a matrix having symbols indicating feature-map values that represent likelihoods of particular features being present or absent at various locations in an input to a convolutional neural network. Each column in the matrix can have feature-map values generated by convolving the input to the convolutional neural network with a respective filter for identifying a particular feature in the input. The GUI can detect, via an input device, an interaction indicating that that the columns in the matrix are to be combined into a particular number of groups. Based on the interaction, the columns can be clustered into the particular number of groups using a clustering method. The matrix in the GUI can then be updated to visually represent each respective group of columns as a single column of symbols within the matrix.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of NTM lung infections using formulations of liposomal ciprofloxacin. Specific liposome formulations and delivery of such for treatment of respiratory tract infections and other medical conditions, and devices and formulations used in connection with such are described.

Abstract: Patient-specific 3D complex coils and methods of making and using such coils, including custom fixtures for the manufacture of such coils. Such patient-specific 3D complex coils improve treatment outcomes for cerebral aneurysm repair.

Abstract: An example process for controlling a processor may include: (i) obtaining parameters associated with operation of a processor, where each of the parameters has a different time scale; (ii) performing an iterative process to identify ones of the parameters that achieve a particular energy efficiency in the processor, where the energy efficiency of the processor corresponds to a quasi-concave function having a maximum that corresponds to the ones of the parameters; and (iii) controlling the processor using the ones of the parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising genes and peptides associated with cyclic peptides and cyclic peptide production in mushrooms. In particular, the present invention relates to using genes and proteins from Galerina species encoding peptides specifically relating to amatoxins in addition to proteins involved with processing cyclic peptide toxins. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also relates to methods for making small peptides and small cyclic peptides including peptides similar to amanitin. Further, the present inventions relate to providing kits for making small peptides.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing metal nanoparticles is provided. The method includes submerging an electrically conductive substrate in a polysaccharide solution containing a predetermined concentration of a metal salt; applying an electric potential between the electrically conductive substrate and the polysaccharide solution for a predetermined period of time to form a polysaccharide layer containing metal nanoparticles on the electrically conductive substrate; re-dissolving the polysaccharide layer in a solvent to form a solution including the polysaccharide and the metal nanoparticles; and separating the metal nanoparticles from the polysaccharide.

Abstract: A system for the iterative detection of biological molecules includes a probe, and a fluorophore tethered to the probe with an azide-based linker. The linker is configured to be cleaved in the presence of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP), and the on/off ratio between a signal measured before treatment with TCEP and a signal measured after treatment with TCEP is at least about 20:1.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device, or a component of a device, including a stabilized graphite surface, methods of stabilizing graphite surfaces, and uses for the devices or components are disclosed. The device or component includes a surface comprising graphite, and a plurality of haloaryl ions and/or haloalkyl ions bound to at least a portion of the graphite. The ions may be perhaloaryl ions and/or perhaloalkyl ions. In certain embodiments, the ions are perfluorobenzenesulfonate anions. Embodiments of the device or component including stabilized graphite surfaces may maintain a steady-state oxidation or reduction surface current density after being exposed to continuous oxidation conditions for a period of at least 1-100 hours. The device or component is prepared by exposing a graphite-containing surface to an acidic aqueous solution of the ions under oxidizing conditions. The device or component can be exposed in situ to the solution.

Abstract: A method for determining the position in a vehicle of a first device in communication with a microprocessor may include receiving, at the microprocessor, a first set of inertial data from at least one sensor of the first device; receiving, at the microprocessor, a second set of inertial data from at least one sensor of a reference device disposed within the vehicle; and determining, using the microprocessor, the position of the first device in the vehicle by comparing the first set of inertial data with the second set of inertial data.

Abstract: Provided are oxyntomodulin analogs. The peptide analogs have at least two cysteines. The two cysteines are separated by six amino acids such that they can be crosslinked using suitable crosslinking moieties. The crosslinked peptides have long half-lives and/or efficacy. For example, peptide analog compositions are used for inducing weight loss and/or reducing blood glucose levels.

Abstract: A low back pressure mouthpiece for accurate detection of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) includes a conduit for receiving the exhaled breath from the subject. An oxidizing filter for sample conditioning, wherein the conduit and oxidizing filter operate to produce a back pressure of less than 4 cm H2O; and a device for measuring the level of one or more components of the received exhaled breath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a block copolymer comprising at least one PA block and at least one PB block. The PA block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A, and the PB block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B. Monomer A is a vinyl, acrylic, diolefin, nitrile, dinitrile, or acrylonitrile monomer. Monomer B is a radically polymerizable plant oil monomer containing one or more triglycerides. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic block copolymer by radical polymerizing a radically polymerizable monomer with a radically polymerizable plant oil monomer containing one or more triglycerides, in the presence of an initiator and a transition-metal catalyst system to form the thermoplastic block copolymer. The polymerized plant oil-based block copolymers are useful in a variety of applications, such as asphalt modifiers, rubber compositions, adhesives, tires, in the automobile industry, footwear, packaging, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection schemes for ascertaining pregnancy status of an animal. The compositions and methods employ interferon-tau (IFNT) and/or antibodies specific for IFNT. Methods of the present invention detect the presence of IFNT in samples obtained from animals as an early indicator of pregnancy. Methods are provided to identify non-pregnant animals so that management decisions regarding rebreeding can be made earlier compared to existing approaches.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: and salts and prodrugs thereof wherein R4, X1 and X2 have any of the meanings defined in the specification, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds or salts and methods for their use in therapy. The compounds have useful antiviral properties.

Abstract: A method for repairing an injury of cartilage in a patient by local administration of an organovanadium agent or use of an implantable device for delivery of an organovanadium agent. Implantable devices containing an organovanadium agent and methods of making these implantable devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a field of tissue repair and regeneration. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition for promoting cutaneous wound healing. In one embodiment, the composition is composed of one or more metazoan parasites or a mimic thereof sufficient to promote helminth-induced type-2 immune response. Preferably, the composition contains N. brasiliensis excretory/secretory antigen (NES) or an immune triggering portion thereof. The invention also relates to a method of accelerating wound healing in a subject in need of such treatment.