Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease encompassing chronic bronchitis, emphysema and remodeling of small airways that can be treated by the caveolin-1 peptide CSP7 (SEQ ID NO:1). Chronic tobacco smoke exposure (TSE)-induced lung injury includes increased alveolar and airway inflammation, type II alveolar epithelial cells (A2Cs) senescence and apoptosis, and mucus hypersecretion by AECs. Interleukin 17A-mediated induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression through caveolin-1 led to TSE-induced lung injury, which was abrogated by CSP7 treatment which abolished A2Cs senescence and apoptosis, and AECs mucus hypersecretion in TSE wild type (WT) mice. Ex vivo CSP7 treatment of lung tissue of COPD patients decreased A2C apoptosis and AEC mucus hypersecretion. Lung injury induced by PAI-1 expression in COPD lung tissue and WT mice (20 weeks TSE), with A2Cs senescence and apoptosis, and AEC mucus hypersecretion was abolished by CSP7.

Abstract: Hippocampal lesions, including synaptic failure, are a defining pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie hippocampal synaptic injury in this neurodegenerative disorder have yet not been fully elucidated. In Current therapeutic efforts for the treatment of AD are not effective in correcting hippocampal synaptic deficits. It is disclosed that the interaction with amyloid beta (A?) induces dysfunction of growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1?; ghrelin receptor), leading to suppressed GHSR1? regulation of hippocampal dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) in AD hippocampi. The modulation of DRD1 by GHSR1? impacts hippocampal synaptic plasticity. The simultaneous application of a selective GHSR1? agonist and a selective DRD1 agonist mitigates A?-induced hippocampal synaptic injury and improves spatial memory in AD mouse models.

Abstract: The instant invention describes pharmaceutical compositions and dosing regimens comprising radiation therapy and seviteronel with or without dexamethasone, and methods of treating diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof.

Abstract: A water treatment system is configured to remove salt from a feed brine. The water treatment system includes a primary freezing chamber configured to receive the feed brine and a source of cooled intermediate cold liquid connected to the primary freezing chamber. The cooled intermediate cold liquid and feed brine are mixed within the primary freezing chamber, where ice particles are formed. The water treatment system includes a rotary separator connected to a discharge from the primary freezing chamber. The rotary separator is configured to separate solid ice particles from liquid components in the discharge from the primary freezing chamber. In some embodiments, the rotary separator includes a mesh inner filter tube that is configured for rotation within a solid outer filter tube, where the mesh inner filter tube allows liquid components to drain into the outer filter tube while conveying solid ice particles to an ice recovery tank.

Abstract: Methods of forming cement pastes, methods of forming concrete, and methods of forming other compositions using mineral particles formed from the one or more of biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing microorganisms. Desired features, such as size and morphology, can be controlled by controlling growth parameters of the biomineralizing microorganisms and biomineralizing microorganisms.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a protein sequence is implemented using a computer-implemented neural network. An empty or partially filed sequence of node elements, representing amino acid positions of the protein sequence, and an edge index, having edge elements defining physical interaction between amino acid positions, are received. The computer-implemented neural network operates to determine enhanced edge attribute values for edge elements of the edge index and enhanced amino acid values for node elements of the sequence. Amino acid values are generated for elements of the partially filed sequence having missing values.

Abstract: The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of manufacturing a molded body from a waste material including at least one of food waste and seaweed, the method comprising: preparing dry powder made from at least the waste material; and forming a molded body by pressurizing the dry powder in a state in which the dry powder is heated to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, and methods useful for inducing cancer cell death via methuosis, autophagy, or a combination thereof, are described. The compounds have a 4-pyridyl group linked by a heterocyclic group to an aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaryl alkyl.

Abstract: Provided is a heat exchange promotion member and a heat exchanger that can improve heat transfer performance while holding down an increase in pressure drag of a fluid that exchanges heat with the heat exchange promotion member. A heat dissipation fin 14 of the present invention is a heat exchange promotion member that exchanges heat with a flowing fluid. The heat dissipation fin 14 includes a planar part 12 which is a surface substantially parallel to the fluid flowing direction and a raised part 13 that protrudes from the planar part 12 toward the fluid. The raised part 13 has a portion slanted relative to the direction in which the fluid flows, and there are a plurality of the raised parts 13 formed spaced apart from one another in the fluid flowing direction.

Abstract: A compound for use in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in a subject in need thereof, wherein the compound is an inhibitor of binding between a target protein and keratin 8.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel devices for the formation of arteriovenous fistulas, which may aid subjects in need of hemodialysis. The novel devices are provided in a non-surgical procedure, greatly decreasing the cost and increasing the convenience of placing an arteriovenous fistula. The devices are atraumatic, and consist of a sutureless anastomosis device and conduit. Methods and tools for placing the devices in vivo are disclosed, including a magnetic-assisted method.

Abstract: A driving authentication system is presented for a vehicle. The system includes: a dongle interfaced with a battery of the vehicle and an authenticator configured to receive a discharge current from the battery. The dongle operates to modulate discharge current from the battery with an input code; and the authenticator demodulate the input code from the discharge current, compares the input code to the one or more known authentication codes and, in response to the input code matching one of the one or more known authentication codes, controls power capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for robotically assisting the harvest of a crop. Instrumented picker carts include sensors for detecting amounts of harvested crop (e.g., fill ratios) of containers carried by the carts, communication modules for communicating their locations and detected crop amounts to a field computer, and components for signaling for robotic service. The field computer predicts when a cart that requests service will have a full container and where it will be located at that time, then decides whether to approve the request. If the request is approved, a robot is assigned and is given (or generates) a path to the cart's predicted location, and begins moving toward the location so as to arrive near (and preferably before) the predicted time. Robots include means for moving (e.g., wheels, motors, steering components, power sources), navigation modules, computing components for controlling their movement, and communication modules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions related to targeting of BCMA-expressing cells by NK cells specifically engineered to bind the BCMA antigen. In particular embodiments, NK cells that are manipulated to expressing BCMA-targeting chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are utilized to target cancers that express BCMA. In certain embodiments, vectors that express the BCMA-targeting CARs also express particular suicide genes and/or particular cytokines.

Abstract: There is provided a catalytic system including a fibrous hydrophobic substrate, a first layer having a first layer thickness including copper or copper alloy nanoparticles covering the polymeric substrate, and a second layer having a second layer thickness over the first layer and including amorphous nitrogen-doped carbon, wherein the catalytic system includes confined interlayer spaces defined by regions where the first layer and the second layer are spaced apart from each other. The catalytic system can be used for catalyzing the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or a combination thereof. Thus, there is also provided a method for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or a combination thereof, using the catalytic system.

Abstract: Methods of producing hybrid fibrous scaffolds are provided. The methods include dissolving a polymer, such as polydioxanone, in a solution, such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP), to form a polymer-containing solution. The method comprises electrically charging the polymer-containing solution. The method comprises writing the polymer-containing solution on a counter electrode or a ground in a grid pattern to form semi-stable fibers comprised of the polymer, the semi-stable fibers vary between bent and straight and forming the hybrid fibrous scaffold. The writing may be performed by a 3D printer. The resulting scaffolds and methods of using the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In an example, a computer-implemented method to structure an analytical workflow that improves reasoning based on a problem context and demonstrated abilities of each individual user may include displaying a reasoning problem to an analyst. The method may include receiving input from the analyst to identify a reasoning problem type of the reasoning problem. providing a recommended analytic approach for the reasoning problem type to the analyst. The method may include assisting the analyst in analyzing and evaluating one or more information sources relevant to the reasoning problem. The method may include guiding the analyst through a structured technique (ST) to support reasoning of the analyst in formulation of a solution to the reasoning problem. The method may include generating a report that includes the analyst's solution to the reasoning problem based on input from the analyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various robotic surgical devices and systems that include first and second elongate bodies, first and second driveshafts disposed through the second elongate body, and an in-line shoulder joint with a robotic arm coupled thereto. In certain implementations, the in-line shoulder joint has a differential yoke and a dual shaft disposed within the yoke lumen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to botulinum neurotoxins. The antibodies and derivatives thereof that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used in methods to specifically bind and, in some embodiments, neutralize, botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment.