Abstract: A foot evaluation device is configured to evaluate metrics of foot health accurately and precisely. The foot evaluation device includes a platform configured to accommodate a user's foot, and a toe sensor assembly that is removably attachable to the platform and includes a toe force sensor and a toe cap connected to the toe force sensor. The toe force sensor is configured to measure forces applied to the toe force sensor by a toe of the user's foot.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence enabled advanced treatment management system (AI-ATMS) is configured to improve inter-actions and outcomes from a multidisciplinary patient care team. The AI-ATMS includes advanced integration with an artificial intelligence system with access to federated databases. The AI-ATMS is configured for the real-time engagement with the patient-treatment team in a manner that provides the patient-treatment team with context-related data elements, while also permitting the patient-treatment team with the ability to train the AI-ATMS during the engagement. The AI-ATMS may be for treating a cancer or other medical condition.

Abstract: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and methods of use are described. The HVAC system includes at least one internal surface temperature sensor configured to provide an interior wall surface temperature measurement. The internal surface temperature sensor is positioned on an interior surface of an external wall of the residential house. The HVAC system also includes a control system in communication over a network with the internal surface temperature sensor. The control system is configured to obtain the interior wall surface temperature measurement and apply a home heat transfer model to determine a predicted space air temperature. The home heat transfer model is based on thermal dynamics of space air and building structure using the interior wall surface temperature measurement.

Abstract: Clamping systems including a clamp configured to clamp a photovoltaic panel flange to a base bracket flange are generally described. In some embodiments, the clamp may include two or more sets of legs connected to each other, each set of legs extending from an apex joint, with each leg including a receiving slot for receiving the panel flange and bracket flange therein. In some embodiments, the clamp includes teeth configured to interlock with grooves formed on the bracket flange.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition comprising a deletion mutant of a Clostridioides difficile TcdB toxin (such as TcdB2 or TcdB1) that lacks residues at least from amino acid residue 1769 to amino acid residue 1787 of a wild-type TcdB amino acid sequence or of a protein having high identity thereto, a vaccine comprising the immunogenic composition, a method of stimulating an immune response, a nucleic acid which encodes the amino acid sequence of the deletion mutant, a vector encoding the nucleic acid, and a host cell comprising the vector.

Abstract: A computer system having a processor executing a set of instructions that cause the processor to receive first image data having pixel information of a geographic region; calculate for particular real-world locations within the geographic region, a plurality of vegetation indices with combinations of the pixel information; generate a land cover mask with the vegetation indices, the land cover mask identifying first real-world locations within the geographic region having a water-related land cover type, a non-vegetated land cover type and an evergreen land cover type; classify second real-world locations within the geographic region that are not classified as the water-related land cover type, the non-vegetated land cover type and the evergreen land cover type as cropland; and analyze a time-series of image data depicting the second real-world locations within the geographic region with phenology metrics to identify at least one particular type of cropland within the second real-world locations.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating a subject having relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) that is undergoing relapse, comprising: determining a level of expression for two or more biomarkers selected from urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), kallikrein-8 (hK8), kallikrein-11 (hK11), or desmoglein-3 (DSG3) in a biological sample of a subject when compared to the same type of sample from a subject or a population of subjects that do not have RRMS; diagnosing that the subject in undergoing relapse if the level of expression of the two or more biomarkers has decreased in the subject; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of treatment for RRMS to the subject.

Abstract: Benzyl derivative compounds having peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) agonistic activity, kits and compositions containing such compounds, and methods of their use in enhancing PPAR? activity for treating diseases and/or conditions involving inflammation and/or angiogenesis, particularly ocular diseases and/or conditions such as but not limited to retinal inflammation, retinal neovascularization, retinal vascular leakage, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic macular edema.

Abstract: Ossicular prostheses, and methods for producing such, are disclosed for treatment of middle ear damage caused by a malady of the middle ear such as cholesteatoma. The ossicular prostheses comprises a strut component attached to a disc via a rigid or flexible connecting joint. The strut is attachable to a head or footplate of a subject's stapes. The disc is attachable to the subject's existing tympanic membrane, or, alternatively, to an artificial tympanic membrane graft. In some embodiments, a scaffold is used to support the ossicular prosthesis and the tympanic membrane graft.

Abstract: An X-band dual-polarized slotted waveguide antenna (SWGA) array unit cell comprises a partial H-plane waveguide with a metal vane; and a conventional waveguide in a side-by-side arrangement with the partial H-plane waveguide. A spacing between elements of the X-band dual-polarized SWGA array unit cell in an azimuth plane is in a range of about 0.6?o to about 0.5?o. The X-band dual-polarized SWGA array unit cell has a one-dimensional (1D) electronic-scanning range of at least 84° (±42°) in the azimuth plane perpendicular to a waveguide axis. The X-band dual-polarized SWGA array unit cell has a cross-polarization isolation of about ?60 decibels (dB) or less.

Abstract: A spray-capillary device is configured to process ultra-low-volume samples. The spray-capillary device includes a capillary tube that includes a lumen, an inner surface, an outer surface, an inlet end for receiving a fluid, and a discharge end having a porous section. A polymer material may be applied to the inner surface to form a polymer coating thereon. A downstream connector provides an interface between the porous section of the capillary tube, a conductive fluid, and a high voltage electrical source. The application of voltage to the downstream connector causes electrospray ionization, which can be used to draw ultra-low-volume samples into the inlet end. A gas injection assembly can be used to increase the pressure on the inlet end of the capillary tube to encourage movement of the sample therethrough. The spray-capillary device may be used to provide the ultra-low-volume samples to a mass spectrometer or other suitable analytic device.

Abstract: Provided are methods useful for preventing and mitigating radiation injury, including acute radiation syndrome, comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is —O— or —N(H)—.

Abstract: A method for desalinating a brine includes the use of a cooled intermediate-cold-liquid (ICL), which combines with the brine in a crystallization or freezing tank, where the brine and cooled ICL are contacted for a time sufficient to produce a slurry of ice, brine, and ICL. The method includes steps for separating the ICL, ice and brine, and melting the separated ice to form a volume of desalinated water. The method is significant in that it produces desalinated liquid water and solid salts. The combination of superior heat transfer with high quality purified water and competitive desalination economy makes the disclosed freeze desalination technology an attractive solution for desalination of highly concentrated brines produced in a variety of industries, including but not limited to the oil and gas industry and reject brine management.

Abstract: Peptide compounds derived from cathepsin G (CG), neutrophil elastase (NE), and cationic antimicrobial protein of 37 kDa (CAP37), and methods of their use in inhibiting and/or reversing polymerization of amyloid ? peptide into oligomers and/or fibrils, and/or disaggregating amyloid ? plaques, and methods of use of the peptide compounds in treatments of, for example, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, dementia, and/or neuroinflammation, and/or symptoms thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Analogs and derivatives of omecamtiv mecarbil (OM), including an 18F-labeled analog, and methods of synthesis thereof. Cardiac myosin targeting vectors comprising a lipid anchoring/solubilizing moiety conjugated to a head made of OM or the OM analog or derivative. Liposomes comprising a cardiac-treating cargo molecule and the cardiac myosin targeting vector. Methods of treating a cardiac condition or disease in a subject by administering to the subject the cardiac-treating cargo molecule and the cardiac myosin targeting vector. Methods of synthesizing an 18F-labeled analog of OM.

Abstract: A method of treating a skin wound in a subject by administering at least one inhibitor of C-C chemokine receptor type-3 (CCR3) and/or at least one inhibitor of a CCR3 ligand, thereby causing increased activity of keratinocytes adjacent the skin wound, wherein epithelialization of the skin wound is promoted, and wherein the increased activity of keratinocytes is at least one of (1) increased proliferation of the keratinocytes and (2) increased migration of the keratinocytes adjacent the skin wound. The skin wound may be a chronic wound or an acute wound for example. The inhibitor may be, for example, an antibody or antibody fragment, a small molecule, or an siRNA able to inhibit expression of CCR3.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides, fusion polypeptides, and carrier molecules which include the immunogenic peptides, and immunogenic compositions which include these immunogenic peptides, fusion polypeptides, and/or carrier molecules bearing the peptides, and which are able to elicit antibody production against Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of their use in causing an antibody response against one or more strains of Hi.

Abstract: A compound can have a structure of Formula A, or derivative thereof, salt thereof, or stereoisomer thereof, or having any chirality at any chiral center, or tautomer, polymorph, solvate, or combination thereof: wherein ring A is a phenyl, indolyl, naphthyl, or benzothiazolyl; X is S, SO, or SO2; Y is a linker or bond; Z is CH, CR2, or N; Z1 is C or N to form an imidazopyridine; each Z2, Z3, or Z4 is independently CH, CR2, or N; each Z5 or Z6 is C or CH; each R1, R2, and R3 is independently a substituent, and at least one of R1, R2, or R3 is a substituent other than a hydrogen; m is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and n is 0 or a positive integer. The compounds can have specific substituent patterns.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly includes a panel support bracket, a base bracket and a clamp configured to exert a compressive force to hold the panel support bracket and the base bracket together. The clamp comprises a V-shaped clamp body that includes a pair of legs that are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation of the legs by an external compressive force. The clamp includes a pair of receiver slots, with each of the pair of receiver slots located on a corresponding one of the pair of legs. The pair of receiver slots collectively provides a clearance to admit the panel support bracket and the base bracket when the legs are compressed together.

Abstract: A radiographic phantom comprises: a body comprising a wax material or a wax-like material, wherein the body has an x-ray attenuation value that is approximately the same as that of a human tissue; and a plurality of crystalline test objects positioned on or within the body. A method comprises: obtaining a radiographic phantom comprising a body and a plurality of crystalline test objects positioned on or within the body, wherein the body comprises a wax material or a wax-like material, and wherein the body has an x-ray attenuation value that is approximately the same as that of a human breast tissue; performing an operation of the radiographic phantom and using a device; and assessing a performance of the device based on the operation.