Abstract: This invention relates to a truncated dysferlin nucleic acid and protein, vectors (e.g., adeno-associated virus vectors) comprising the nucleic acid and methods of using the same for delivery of dysferlin to a cell or a subject and treating dysferlinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for dissolving cellulose comprising dissolving cellulose in an ionic liquid and a co-solvent, wherein the ionic liquid is an imidazolium-based ionic liquid with, e.g., a halide or acetate as the anion.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to methods of evaluating fiber quality by (1) receiving at least one in-line hologram image of the fiber; (2) reconstructing the in-line hologram image of the fiber into at least one three-dimensional image of the fiber that includes fiber-related data; and (3) correlating the fiber-related data to fiber quality. Such methods may also include: (4) adjusting fiber-related conditions; and (5) repeating steps 1-3 after the adjustment. Further embodiments pertain to systems for evaluating fiber quality in accordance with the aforementioned methods. Such systems may include a receiving area with a region for housing a fiber, a light source associated with the receiving area, a chamber associated with the light source and receiving area, a camera within the chamber, a processor in electrical communication with the camera, a storage device, an algorithm associated with the storage device and a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the processor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a self-sprayer device for self-administering an animal product to an animal and providing environmental enrichment to the animal.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a computer-implemented method of predicting muscle fatigue in a subject by: (1) receiving data related to muscle fatigue in a muscle of the subject; (2) feeding the data into an algorithm to predict the muscle fatigue; and (3) outputting the predicted muscle fatigue. The algorithm my include: (a) an active compartment (M_A) model representing individual motor units (MUs) generating force at full capacity, (b) a resting compartment (M_R) model representing inactive MUs capable of rapid activation into force production, (c) a centrally fatigued compartment (M_FC) model representing fatigued MUs due to a central mechanism dominant at zero or near-zero joint velocities, with rapid recovery, and (d) a peripherally fatigued compartment (M_FP) model representing fatigued MUs due to a peripheral mechanism dominant at higher velocities, with slow recovery. Further embodiments pertain to a computing device for predicting muscle fatigue in a subject in accordance with such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for both consumer and utility scale energy extraction from flow-based energy sources. The passive system may utilize directing perforations on a surface in order to create and air jet vortex generators. Alternatively the system may provide for flow through discrete orifices aligned with the span of an aerodynamic assembly in a co-flow direction, utilizing a Coanda effect. Further additional configurations include directing flow through a perforated surface skin that is near the trailing edge on the suction side. Even further are embodiments for blowing air directly out of the trailing edge of an airfoil. The disclosed systems and methods support a wide variety of scenarios for fluid flow energy extraction, such as wind or water flow, as well as for related products and services.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of forming a co-crystallized composition by mixing a first molecule in a solid phase with a second molecule in a liquid phase to form a mixture, and then co-crystallizing the mixture to form the co-crystallized composition in the form of a crystalline solid. The mixing of the first and second molecules may occur through the utilization of mechanical force, such as milling. The co-crystallization of the first and second molecules may occur by adding a solvent to the mixture of the molecules and then evaporating the added solvent. The methods may also include a step of utilizing the co-crystallized composition as seed crystals to grow additional co-crystallized compositions. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the formed co-crystallized compositions.

Abstract: Methods for optimization of liquid oil production by huff-n-puff in shale reservoirs to achieve an improved (and optimal) oil recovery factor. The process determines and utilizes the optimum huff and puff times, number of cycles and soaking time under practical operation and reservoir conditions. The huff time in the process is a period so long that the pressure near the wellbore reaches the set maximum injection pressure during the huff period. The puff time in the process is the time required for the pressure near the wellbore to reach the set minimum production pressure during the puff period. Soaking is typically not necessary during the huff-n-puff gas injection in shale oil reservoirs. The number of huff-n-puff cycles is determinable by the time in which the economic rate cut-off is reached.

Abstract: High-frequency supercapacitors that can respond at kilohertz frequencies (AC-supercapacitors). The electrodes of the AC-supercapacitors include edge oriented graphene (EOG) electrodes or carbon nanofiber network (CNN) electrodes. The EOG electrodes are formed by utilizing a plasma and feedstock carbon gas to carbonize cellulous paper and deposit graphene implemented in one step. The CNN electrodes are formed by pyrolyzing a carbon nanofiber network utilizing a plasma.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of removing lignin from a material by associating the material with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) that includes at least one hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and at least one hydrogen bond donor (HBD). The methods of the present disclosure may also include one or more steps of heating the solvent-associated material, separating the material from the solvent, drying the material, washing the material, and/or processing the material. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to delignified materials that are formed in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically predicting and detecting a failure of a system or a component includes one or data sources, a data pipeline interface communicably coupled to the one or more data sources, one or more processors communicably coupled to the data pipeline interface and the one or more relational databases, and one or more devices coupled to the one or more processors. The data pipeline interface processes and stores the data in one or more relational databases. The one or more processors quantify, forecast and prognosticate a likelihood of future events using one or more predictive modules, and determine one or more options and impacts using a prescriptive module. The one or more devices provide the one or more options and impacts or implement the one or more options.

Abstract: An apparatus and method include: receiving a data set having two or more variables; receiving a selection of at least one of the two or more variables, an abstraction level and a visual feature; automatically generating and displaying a set of visual representations of the data set on the display; receiving a change in the selected variables, selected abstraction level, the selected visual feature, or a selection from various views; determining a visual representation recommendation based on the selected variable(s), selected abstraction level and the selected visual feature, the change in the selected variables, selected abstraction level, the selected visual feature, or the selected views; and automatically updating and displaying the set of visual representations of the data set on the display based the visual representation recommendation, and the change in the selected variables, selected abstraction level, the selected visual feature, or the selected views.

Abstract: Provided herein are maternal neonatal pheromonal agents capable of reducing aggression and improving feeding behavior in a pig. Compositions comprising the pheromonal agents and methods of using the agents to reduce aggression and improve feeding behavior and weight gain in the pig are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are maternal neonatal pheromonal agents capable of reducing aggression and improving feeding behavior in a pig. Compositions comprising the pheromonal agents and methods of using the agents to reduce aggression and improve feeding behavior and weight gain in the pig are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hypoxemia in a subject by: (1) receiving a blood sample from the subject; (2) measuring the T2 relaxation time constant of the blood cell (e.g., blood cell pellet) of the blood sample (T2P value); and (3) correlating the measured T2P value to hypoxemia. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of correlating the measured T2P value to the subject's susceptibility to one or more hypoxemia-related conditions. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to systems for detecting hypoxemia in a subject in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A nonlinear radar system includes a first antenna configured to generate and emit an incident signal having a first frequency, a transponder tag attached to an existing portable object, wherein the transponder tag includes an electromagnetic nonlinear element configured to be detected by the incident signal. Upon being detected by the incident signal, the transponder tag is configured to transmit a reflected return harmonic signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency, wherein the reflected return harmonic signal is an on-off keying (OOK) signal. A second antenna is configured to receive the reflected return harmonic signal having the second frequency. The transponder tag includes a conductive layer in electrical communication with the electromagnetic nonlinear element including a Schottky diode.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for breaking up mucus in a lung comprising: a chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a pressure oscillating unit in fluid communication with the chamber for supplying and vacuuming air into/out of the chamber, wherein the pressure oscillating unit creates ultrasound waves; a control unit for selecting a positive air pressure or a negative air pressure from the pressure oscillating unit, a fluid container in fluid communication with the chamber; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber; and an outlet connected to the chamber to send respiration gas to a patient, ultrasonic waves in the respiration gas are capable of breaking up mucus in the lung.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of inhibiting an activity of a BACE1 protein comprising contacting the BACE1 protein with a ligand that specifically inhibits residue Asp 32 of the human BACE1 protein.

Abstract: A method and system for adsorbed phase activity coefficients for mixed-gas adsorption includes: providing one or more processors, a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and an input/output device communicably coupled to the one or more processors; calculating a first gas activity coefficient ?1 for a first gas using the one or more processors and a first equation; calculating a second gas activity coefficient y2 for a second gas using the one or more processors and a second equation based on a bulk mole fraction of the first gas; providing the first gas activity coefficient y1 for the first gas and the second gas activity coefficient y2 for the second gas to the input/output device; and using the first gas activity coefficient y1 for the first gas and the second gas activity coefficient y2 for the second gas in the gas adsorption system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determination of the viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic substance based on the type of non-mechanical forces which drive the viscoelastic substance inside a channel. These forces may comprise capillary, gravitational, electric, magnetic, or any other type where neither a pump nor any relative velocity between solid surfaces is needed to induce the transport of fluid medium. As a result, the design of the system remains simple, and the system is capable of yielding results devoid of noise produced by mechanical forcing. The present disclosure a general analysis describing extraction of viscoelastic properties by observing flow-systems driven by any non-mechanical means, including capillary force and electro-osmotic force. Such time-dependent penetration depth may be recorded by optical, electrical or mechanical means and may further include the use of a computing device.