Abstract: A supported catalyst for aldehyde coupling reaction, comprising a carrier having supported thereon a catalyst comprising at least one azolium compound selected from the group consisting of a thiazolium salt, an imidazolium salt, a benzimidazolium salt and a triazolium salt, the azolium compound having, at a nitrogen atom thereof, a substituent selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic group having 6 or more carbon atoms and an aromatic group having 6 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for recording the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery that certain types of therapeutic agents can be used in combination to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric and related disorders, including addiction (e.g., to a substance or to an activity) as well as to alleviate some of the symptoms experienced during menopause or associated with the menstrual cycle. Regardless of the precise formulation, the compositions of the invention can include at least one active ingredient that targets the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and at least one active ingredient that targets the prefrontal cortex. Either or both of these types of agents can be combined with an agent that inhibits activity in the sympathetic nervous system. Thus, the compositions or combination pharmacotherapies can also include an agent that inhibits a beta-adrenergic receptor or that otherwise acts as an anti-hypertensive or anxiolytic agent.

Abstract: Resistance of plants, particularly wheat and barley, to Fusarium head blight (FHB) and other Fusarium-related diseases may be induced or enhanced by transformation with a nucleic acid (DNA) construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the wheat ethylene-responsive transcription factor TaERF7-1 operatively linked to a promoter effective for expression in the plant. Plants transformed with the construct exhibit increased resistance to FHB and other Fusarium-related diseases in comparison to a non-transformed control plant. The transgenic plants may be produced from any plant, tissue or cell which is capable of regeneration, by transformation with the construct. Transformed plants, plant tissue or plant cells comprising the construct are selected, and the transgenic plant is generated therefrom.

Abstract: A system, method, computer-readable medium, apparatus, and device for simulating placement of an expandable device in a cavity is provided. For example, a three or more dimensional image of a cavity, e.g., a tubular cavity, geometry is acquired. A centerline of the cavity, and a perimeter of the cavity based on the centerline of the cavity and the three-dimensional image of the cavity geometry, are determined. The length of a wire of the expandable device as the wire rotates along the perimeter of the cavity in a deployment direction is determined. A pitch of the rotation of the wire based on a local diameter at the centerline site of rotation and in-air parameters of the expandable device is determined. A deployed device length of the expandable device along the centerline of the cavity is determined. A processor is usable to determine and/or calculate each of the above.

Abstract: A method for solvent-less adhesive bonding is provided comprising depositing thin, functional, polymeric films on one or more substrates and bonding the substrates to each other or to other substrates. Depositing the polymeric films, including, for example, chemically reactive polymers and thermoplastics with adhesive qualities, may be accomplished using an initiated chemical vapor deposition technique compatible with a variety of monomers, including monomers with chemically functional moieties such as amine and epoxy groups. The technique allows for deposition of polymeric films on a wide variety of substrates/devices and provides an alternative for other coating/deposition methods that are incompatible with certain substrates/devices and/or do not provide adequate control over the resulting polymeric film. The provided method is advantageous in that it is applicable to fabrication of hybrid devices and is compatible with microfabrication technology, including that in clean-room settings.

Abstract: Plant viral vectors have great potential in rapid production of proteins, but no simple Here a geminivirus-based system for high-yield and rapid production of oligomeric protein complexes, including virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is described. In particular, a single vector that contains two non-competing replicons for transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is described. The correct assembly of these subunit proteins into functional oligomeric structures (VLPs or full-size mAb) is also described. This system advances plant transient expression technology by eliminating the need for non-competing viruses, and thus, enhances the realistic commercial application of this technology for producing multiple-subunit protein complexes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode pro-apoptotic polypeptides. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid sequences, and antibodies, which immunospecifically-bind to the polypeptide, as well as derivatives, variants, mutants, or fragments of the aforementioned polypeptide, polynucleotide, or antibody. The invention further discloses therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of proliferative disorders and bacterial infections using the nucleic acids and proteins of the invention.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided herein a method of determining the air void distribution in a sample of fresh concrete. One embodiment of the invention determines a parameter related to air void distribution by applying a known pressure to a fresh concrete sample, measuring a first value representative of the volume under compression, releases at least a portion of the pressure, reapplies the same pressure to the sample, measures a second value representative of the volume under the second compression, and uses differential between the first and second values to estimate a parameter related to the air void distribution.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a wireless sensor network system. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Probes for selectively detecting compounds comprising a thiol group and an amino group (“thiols”) are disclosed. Exemplary thiols include cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione. Embodiments of the disclosed probes produce a detectable change in absorbance spectrum and/or emission spectrum when reacted with one or more thiols in solution. Methods and kits for performing the detection also are disclosed. The probes have a general formula where each bond depicted as “” is a single or double bond; R1, R3-R6 and R8 independently are hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, lower alkyl, carboxyalkyl, amino, alkoxy, or halogen; R2 is an ?,?-unsaturated aliphatic ester; R7 is oxygen, sulfur, hydrogen, hydroxyl, thiol, lower alkyl, carboxyalkyl, amino, alkoxy, or halogen, or R7 and R8 together form a cycloalkyl or aryl ring; X1 is CH2, S, NH, O, Se, Si(CH3)2, Ge(CH3)2, Sn(CH3)2, or C(CH3)2; and X2 is CH, CH2, N, NH, or CR9 where R9 is aryl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of manufacture and utility of an artificial trabecular meshwork [TM] that utilizes micro- and nanofabricated materials bioengineered to mimic the structure and function of native outflow system of the eye.

Abstract: Methods for regulating cancer cell growth and survival, inhibiting cancer cell growth, promoting cancer cell death, and/or treating a cancer make use of antagonists of a type I BMP receptor. In some embodiments the cancer is a lung cancer and the cancer cell is a lung cancer cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by restoring an ASD patient's gut microbiota. These methods can be used with ASD patient with or without ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms. Provided here is a method for ASD treatment in a subject in need thereof comprising or consisting essentially of administering a therapeutic composition comprising a fecal microbe or a fecal microbiota preparation to the subject. Also provided here is a method comprises administering an antibiotic to a human subject; subjecting the human subject to a bowel cleanse; and administering purified fecal microbiota to the human subject. Further provided are evaluation and quantitative characterization of patient symptom improvements upon treatment described here.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a disease or condition associated with dopamine deficiency (e.g. depression, schizophrenia, or Parkinson's disease) in a mammal in need of such treatment comprising administering a compound that binds to RXR to the mammal.

Abstract: A medical stopcock which allows easier switching operation of plural branch-tubes. The main body of the stopcock comprises a chamber part with a nearly spherical inner surface, and an upstream branch-tube, a downstream branch-tube and a merge-branch-tube all extending from the chamber part. A valve body of the stopcock comprises a nearly spherical valve main body and a rod-shaped operating part with a guide hole linking the inner surface of the chamber part to the outside. In operation, the rod-shaped operating part is moved along the guide hole through the use of the horizontal flow passages and the vertical flow passage to allow the predetermined branch-tubes out of the upstream branch-tube, the downstream branch-tube and the merge-branch-tube to communicate with one another or to shut-off the communication.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines against enteric septicemia of fish, especially catfish, and methods related to the same. Mutant strains of the bacteria Edwardsiella ictaluri (a pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) are provided. The mutant Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) contain one or more gene deletions or disruptions that result in less virulent bacterial strains as live attenuated vaccine compositions against virulent wild-type Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae). The mutant strains showing the best immunological protection and safety as a vaccine are the triple mutants ESC-NDKL1 (?gcvP?sdhC?frdA) strain and ESC-NDKL2 (?gcvP?sdhC?mdh) strain, with the ESC-NDKL1 strain providing the greatest safety and efficacy of these two triple mutants.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. This neural fulcrum zone corresponds to a combination of stimulation parameters at which autonomic engagement is achieved, while the tachycardia-inducing stimulation effects are offset by the bradycardia-inducing effects, thereby minimizing side effects such as significant heart rate changes while providing a therapeutic level of stimulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biosensing systems and biosensing elements having increased storage capability and increased functional lifetimes through using compositions and methods for recycling cofactors.

Abstract: Tridentate cyclometalated complexes with rigid six-membered coordination rings of General Formula I having tunable emission wavelengths in the visible range. These emitters are suitable for full color displays and lighting applications.