Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject having decreased bone mineral density or at risk of developing decreased bone mineral density, and methods of identifying subjects having an increased risk of developing decreased bone mineral density.

Abstract: There is described a system for characterizing a physical property of a sample. The system generally has a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device having a framework, a shuttle member extending along a longitudinal orientation within the framework, a shuttle actuator having obliquely extending arms extending between the framework and the shuttle member, the shuttle actuator configured for expanding the arms upon application of electricity thereacross, said expanding applying a force onto the shuttle member and moving the shuttle member at least partly in the longitudinal orientation, and a socket positioned adjacent a tip of the shuttle member; and a MEMS chip receiving the sample and being configured for insertion into the socket, whereby, when the MEMS chip is received in the socket and loaded with the sample, the force applied onto the shuttle member is transferred into stress internal to the MEMS chip via the tip of the shuttle member.

Abstract: Methods and systems for phenotyping based on a neural network model are provided. Training the model includes generating a dataset of individual-specific variant graphs associated representing dependencies among variants in individuals' genomes based on biomedical domain knowledge labelled according to target phenotype values to be predicted, and training the model using the training dataset to generate a phenotype prediction from an input individual-specific variant graph. Measure the contribution of a genetic variant to a phenotype of a target individual includes generating an individual-specific variant graph for the individual, modifying the individual-specific variant graph to remove a genetic variant, providing the initial and the modified individual-specific variant graphs as input to the phenotyping neural network model to generate two phenotype predictions, and calculating a difference between the two predictions, providing a measure of the contribution of the genetic variant to the phenotype.

Abstract: An optimization-based decoder with improved performance and cyclic redundancy check is provided. An optimization problem is generated and solved. The optimization problem includes a function implementing constraints on variables. Main variables correspond to nodes of the encoding graph, including input variables corresponding to output nodes and output variables corresponding to input nodes. Ancillary variables correspond to an additional output a logical operations in the encoding graph. Constraints are configured to generate cost penalties, for instance when the main and ancillary variables of a candidate solution disagree with conditions of the encoding graph, and to correspond with the cross-entropy between each codeword symbol and the corresponding input variable. A candidate solution is obtained by solving the optimization problem, wherein the output variables in the candidate solution correspond to decoded symbols.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment prioritization using a neural network model are provided. Training the model includes generating an enriched genetic knowledge graph with edges characterizing relationships between genetic variants, genes, diseases, treatments and symptoms, embedding the graph vertices in genetic knowledge vectors, receiving training patient feature value sets, generating a training dataset of training patient vectors labelled with target values comprising treatment efficacity by scaling the genetic knowledge vectors by the patient feature value sets, and training the model to process an input patient vector and generate a predicted efficacity of the at least one treatment option.

Abstract: A methodology integrating multiscale analysis and design optimization to design a novel bone replacement implant made of a functionally graded cellular material that meets fatigue requirements imposed by cyclic loadings. The pore microarchitecture, described by interconnectivity, porosity, pore size as well as pore topology, is optimally designed for tissue regeneration and mechanical strength. A bone implant with a graded cellular microstructure is also provided.

Abstract: Process for producing hydrogen gas from water is disclosed. The hydrogen gas is produced by exposing a reactive metal to an aqueous solution, where the aqueous solution is under supercritical conditions or is at a temperature of at least 200° C. and at a pressure of at least the saturated vapor pressure of water at said temperature. The reactive metals include Al, B, Mg, Si, Ti, Mn, and Zn. Heat and metal oxides and/or metal hydroxides may also be recovered from the process. The process may be used to produce hydrogen on demand in applications for producing clean energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions having antimicrobial activity against Streptomyces scabies. Further provided herein are methods of making and using the antimicrobial compositions to protect and treat potatoes from Streptomyces scabies infections.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods and formulations for delivery of hydrophobic agents (such as ubiquinone or poorly soluble drugs) for therapeutic and bioanalytical use. It further concerns use of lipopeptides (e.g. caspofungin) or surfactants to solubilize hydrophobic agents and thus increase their bioavailability. Also described are therapeutic methods for the treatment of conditions that benefit from such hydrophobic agents. The present disclosure further relates to methods of identifying drug candidates for treatment of ubiquinone deficiency.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an implant includes pre-selecting a designed porous microstructure having a lattice composed of cells, including selecting one or more predetermined cell topologies, selecting a predetermined porosity, cell strut thickness and packing factor of the lattice, and selecting an arrangement of the cells within the lattice to have a periodic and/or aperiodic arrangement. Additive manufacturing is used to form the designed porous lattice microstructure in at least a region of at least an external surface of the implant.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel compound of Formula I, (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, ring A and ring B are as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and methods for the treatment of cancer using same.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds able to induce neuroprotection of damaged neurons and boost the remyelination potential of oligodendrocytes. The compounds have been identified through methods of pharmacological screening of a small molecule library consisting of known pharmacologically active compounds and approved drugs. The screening method is also included in the invention.

Abstract: A method for overlaying an image on a physical object is described. The method includes: instantiating a common coordinate system that unifies a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system; dynamically recognizing the physical object in the common coordinate system using at least one sensor; aligning an image map with a model map of the dynamically recognized physical object in the common coordinate system; and displaying the image in a physical space overlaid on the physical object using a display of an extended reality (XR) device. A corresponding system and a computer-readable medium are also described.

Abstract: A valve for a pneumatic system, has: a first enclosure defining a first chamber and a first connection port; a second enclosure defining a second chamber and a second connection port; a first shell subjected to a first pressure differential and movable from a default position to a reversed position via snap-through buckling upon the first pressure differential reaching a threshold; and a second shell having a shape different than a shape of the first shell, the second shell resiliently movable from an initial position to a deformed position when subjected to a second pressure differential, wherein a first flow rate of a fluid via the first connection port induces deformation of the second shell followed by a snapping of the first shell thereby generating a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A plasma source comprising a first hollow electrode and a second hollow electrode separated by a gap and a dielectric barrier of a constant width; wherein the plasma source is configured to selectively produce a plasma in either one of a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein, i) in the first configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows in the gap while a non plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode; and ii) in the second configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode and a non plasma-forming gas flows within the gap. The method comprises selecting at least two gases of different breakdown voltages, injecting a first gas in a first electrode separated from a second hollow electrode by a gas gap of a constant width, injecting a second gas in the gas gap under an applied power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject having decreased bone mineral density or at risk of developing decreased bone mineral density, and methods of identifying subjects having an increased risk of developing decreased bone mineral density.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to synthetic oligonucleotides that bind at least a portion of a dimerization initiation site (DIS) of a retrovirus genomic ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule. In some aspects, the synthetic oligonucleotides include a 2?-deoxy-2?-fluoroarabinonucleotide (2?-FANA)-modified nucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the 2?-FANA-modified nucleotide sequence inhibits dimerization of retroviral genomes (e.g., an HIV genome). Other embodiments include methods of inhibiting expression of a retrovirus using the synthetic oligonucleotide, and methods of treating or preventing a retroviral infection.

Abstract: A heating mechanism for use in DNA applications such as DNA amplification, extraction and sterilization is provided. Nanoparticles having photo-thermal properties are put in contact with a reaction mixture and irradiated with an activation light beam to activate these photo-thermal properties, thereby releasing heat. Nanoparticles of several types may be used. Use of the same nanoparticles or of different one to monitor the reaction using a different light beam is also presented.

Abstract: There is described a method and system for regulating an extrusion process by obtaining a first thickness at a first position along an extrudate as material is extruded through a die gap of a die; comparing the first thickness with an expected thickness of the extrudate at the first position to obtain a value for an error, the expected thickness modeled in real-time using a size of the die gap as input; and varying the size of the die gap when the error exceeds a threshold to compensate for the error. There is also described a method and system for determining an expected thickness of a material during an extrusion process.

Abstract: Active dichoptic perceptual-learning tasks or dichoptic game play have been shown to significantly improve visual acuity of amblyopic children and adults. However, these dichoptic perceptual learning tasks are intensive and repetitive such that non-compliance is high. In contrast, the invention provides dichoptic perceptual learning in a manner that the user maintains its use and compliance is increased. Further, compliance becomes automatic if the user performs tasks in a normal manner and “forgets” that they are actually under-going treatment as it is integrated with minimal disruption to their life and activities. Accordingly, a methodology exploiting complementary dichoptic stimulation is presented.