Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating and/or diagnosing a subject having COVID-19. The treatment composition includes an inhibitor of at least one of doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1, including DCLK1 isoforms 1-4), and doublecortin-like kinase 2 (DCLK2, including DCLK2 isoforms 1-3). The treatment composition may optionally include an inhibitor of SI 00 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9), calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9 complex), S100A4, Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), or combinations thereof. The subject may also have a chronic liver disease, disorder, or condition. A method of determining if a patient having COVID-19 should be administered a treatment protocol for severe or critical COVID-19.

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: A method and device for isolating a migratory cell population from a mixed population of migratory cells and non-migratory cells is described herein. The method comprises placing the mixed population of migratory cells and non-migratory cells in contact with a device having one or more microchannels; and isolating the migratory cell population within the microchannels following an incubation period, wherein the one or more microchannels have an average size in a proliferation direction of the migratory cells that is less than a minimum proliferation space of the migratory cells along the proliferation direction.

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: 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 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 method of performing a remediation process on a flowline comprises: calculating an asphaltene deposition profile characterizing blockage of the flowline by a deposit of asphaltene; determining, based on the asphaltene deposition profile, whether the blockage exceeds a predetermined level of blockage; and treating the flowline with an asphaltene solvent to dissolve at least a portion of the deposit when the blockage exceeds the predetermined level. A computer program product comprises instructions that are stored on a computer-readable medium and that, when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to: calculate an asphaltene deposition profile characterizing blockage of a flowline by a deposit of asphaltene; determine, based on the asphaltene deposition profile, whether the blockage exceeds a predetermined level of blockage; and determine to treat the flowline with an asphaltene solvent to dissolve at least a portion of the deposit when the blockage exceeds the predetermined level.

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.

Abstract: Mounting systems for solar panel assemblies and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a clamp adapter may be used to mount a conventional panel support structure of a solar panel assembly to a conventional bracket of a base assembly without the use of bolts in at least some embodiments. The clamp adapter may include a rail slot for receiving the structure, a lower flange for receiving a lower surface of a mounting lip of the bracket, and a lateral flange for receiving an upper surface of the mounting lip. The lower flange may be angled to accommodate a variety of mounting lip angles. In some embodiments, the mounting system may also include a connector configured to mechanically connect the bracket and structure.

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 to produce a slurry of ice, brine, and ICL. The method includes steps for separating the ICL, ice and brine, and returning the separated ICL to the source of cooled ICL tank. The method concludes with the steps of passing the separated brine to the crystallization tank, and melting the separated ice to form 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: Gold nanoparticles are conjugated to phosphatidylserine-specific ligands for targeting and binding to surface-exposed phosphatidylserine on tumor cells and tumor vasculature. The ligand may be an annexin (e.g., annexin V). Tumor contrast is significantly increased using the targeted gold nanoparticles. Breast cancer tumors as small as 4 mm, for example, were detectable via computed tomography (CT) within 4 hours after injection of the conjugates, demonstrating usefulness of the conjugates as imaging agents. The targeted gold nanoparticle conjugate may further have a drug conjugated thereto that can be used therapeutically, for example, for cancer treatment. The gold nanoparticle conjugates can also be used for photothermal therapy and can be used in concert with an X-ray radiation treatment for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A method and composition for mitigating or reducing drug-induced ototoxicity or drug-induced hearing loss in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising: providing a drug delivery system which releases a therapeutic drug upon exposure to reactive oxygen species, wherein the drug delivery system comprises a thermoresponsive hydrogel containing therapeutic drug-loaded crosslinked hybrid nanoparticles and provides sustained therapeutic drug release. The crosslinked hybrid nanoparticles within which the therapeutic drug is loaded may comprise 10,12-Pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) and polypropylene sulfide-polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (PPS-mPEG). The drug-induced ototoxicity or hearing loss may be caused by cisplatin or other platinum-based drugs.

Abstract: A method of screening a chemical substance as a drug candidate against High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Mice with xenograft tumors caused by a cell line comprising HGSOC cells which have been transduced with firefly luciferase gene (Luc), or by a cell line comprising cisplatin-resistant HGSOC cells which have been transduced with Luc are treated with the chemical substance to the mice for a predetermined treatment period. Effects that the chemical substance has on the mice are assessed after the predetermined treatment period. The cell lines may be, for example, OVCAR-8-Luc cells or cisplatin-resistant OVCAR-8-Luc cells.