Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a hydroxyl polyimide-co-polyimide membrane, the fabrication of a thermally rearranged poly(benzoxazole-co-imide) membrane by thermally treating the hydroxyl polyimide-co-polyimide membrane, and the application of the thermally rearranged poly(benzoxazole-co-imide) membrane to membrane distillation. The thermally rearranged poly(benzoxazole-co-imide) separation membrane has high liquid entry pressure, low thermal conductivity, high permeate flux, and good long-term stability, as well as excellent thermal and chemical properties. Due to these advantages, the copolymer separation membrane can be applied to membrane distillation processes.

Abstract: Novel fluorogenic compounds designed such that upon a chemical event, compounds capable of emitting NIR light are generated, are disclosed. The compounds comprise two or more acceptor-containing moieties and a cleavable donor-containing moiety, being in complete pi-electrons conjugation and being such that no delocalization of pi-electrons is enabled. Also disclosed are fluorescent compounds generated upon subjecting the fluorogenic compounds to a chemical event (e.g., deprotonation). Also disclosed are uses of the fluorogenic compounds as NIR probed with a Turn-ON mechanism in monitoring presence and/or level of various analytes.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1-R3, n, and W have any of the values defined in the specification, and salts thereof. The compounds have good solubility and are useful for treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: A modular light gas accelerator includes a first stage having a chamber having a rear portion and a discharge portion and a barrel located inside the chamber. The barrel has a rear port at the rear portion of the chamber and a discharge port extending outwardly from the discharge portion of the chamber. A piston is slidingly located inside the barrel proximate to the rear port and is adapted to be propelled through the barrel and out of the discharge port. A second stage includes a receiver adapted to receive the piston from the discharge port. The receiver has a receiver passage. A frangible member extends across the receiver passage. A projectile is located downstream of the frangible member. The projectile is adapted to travel along the receiver passage. A target chamber is located at a downstream end of the receiver passage.

Abstract: Aspects of a battery management converter system are described. In one embodiment, a battery management converter system includes an arrangement of a plurality of battery converter cells, where each battery converter cell includes one or more battery cells and a switching power converter. The system further includes a battery converter cell controller for each of the plurality of battery converter cells, and a battery management converter controller that receives battery status information from each battery converter cell controller and provides control references to distribute charging or discharging power among the plurality of battery converter cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic and/or prophylactic medicament for FGFR3 diseases, the medicament comprising a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor as an active ingredient; a method for treating and/or preventing FGFR3 diseases, the method comprising administering a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor; use of a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in the production of a therapeutic and/or prophylactic medicament for FGFR3 diseases; and a method for screening for a therapeutic and/or prophylactic drug for FGFR3 diseases.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an enaminone-grafted trithiocarbonate compound having the structure: and the anticancer and antimicrobial activities exhibited by the compound.

Abstract: Provided herein are deglycosylating enzymes that remove a broad range of N-glycans from N-glycosylated proteins. Further provided are methods of recombinantly producing and expressing the deglycosylating enzymes. The presently described deglycosylating enzymes can be used to produce free glycans for characterization, and for prebiotic and immunostimulatory uses. In addition, the presently described deglycosylating enzymes can be used to produce deglycosylated proteins for characterization, to improve digestion, and to reduce immunogenicity.

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems comprising a microbial fuel cell (MFC) or a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) are provided. Either type of system is capable of fermenting insoluble or soluble biomass, with the MFC capable of using a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) organism to also hydrolyze an insoluble biomass, and an electricigen to produce electricity. In contrast, the MEC relies on electricity input into the system, a fermentative organism and an electricigen to produce fermentative products such as ethanol and 1,3-propanediol from a polyol biomass (e.g., containing glycerol). Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of treating cancer cells, particularly breast cancer cells, such as chemo-resistant cells, with an Hsp90 inhibitor and an anticancer agent or compound such as chemotherapy.

Abstract: A power generation apparatus and a touch apparatus with grain materials are provided. The power generation apparatus includes a grain material layer, a first electrode, an electric material layer, a second electrode and a conductive wire. The first electrode is electrically connected to the grain material layer. The electric material layer corresponds to the grain material layer, and a gap is formed between the grain material layer and the electric material layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to the electric material layer. The conductive wire is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The grain material layer and the electric material layer interact with each other to generate a current or a voltage. Thereby, the present invention can generate power by utilizing a grain material.

Abstract: Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.

Abstract: Oral compositions and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The oral compositions comprise a first component comprising at least one Eh-raising compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a second component comprising at least one zinc compound, an anti-microbial agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are genetically-modified phages, comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding at least a first peptide able to bind to a magnetic nanoparticle, and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding at least a second peptide able to bind with high specificity to a predetermined biomarker, and a method for using the genetically-modified phage displaying the first peptide and second peptide in a method for analyzing a fluid sample for the predetermined biomarker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage source converter based DC connection method and a control method for implementing a system for maintaining respective different frequencies (multi-frequencies) by reflecting load quality levels of respective microgrids when multiple stand-alone microgrids are connected to each other in which voltage source converters (VSCs) installed at connection points of the microgrids for effectively controlling respective microgrids having different frequency control ranges present an effective control method based on a concept using normalizing frequencies of unit microgrids to be similarly applied in an islanded operation mode of multiple grid-connected microgrids as well as multiple stand-alone microgrids to avoid the same frequency criterion and enable an economic operation to which the load power quality level of the microgrid is reflected, thereby minimizing a transient to stably operate a microgrid system.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing pancreatic beta cells in a subject. The methods include administering to the subject a vector encoding heterologous Pancreas duodenal homeobox protein (Pdx) 1 and MafA, wherein the vector does not encode Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) and wherein the subject is not administered any other nucleic acid encoding Ngn3. The vector is administered intraductally into a pancreatic duct of the subject. Compositions are disclosed that include a) a viral vector comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acids encoding Pdx1 and a nucleic acid encoding MafA, wherein the vector does not encode Ngn3; b) a buffer; and c) a contrast dye for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. These compositions are of use in any of the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions comprising selective AKR1C3 inhibitors. The invention also includes compositions comprising bifunctional AKR1C3 inhibitors and selective androgen receptor modulators. The invention further includes methods of treatment using the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An arm supporting exoskeleton comprises a shoulder base coupled to an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link and a distal link configured to rotate relative to each other about a rotating joint; at least one arm-coupler adapted to couple a user's arm to the distal link; a tensile force generator coupled to the proximal link and the distal link, and providing a torque to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link; and a protrusion located substantially at the rotating joint. When the distal link extends past a toggle angle, the protrusion constrains the tensile force generator, and the torque provided by the tensile force generator remains substantially small, When the protrusion does not constrain the tensile force generator, the torque tends to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link, thereby reducing human shoulder forces and torques required to raise the arm.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a process or method that can be utilized when deriving a three-dimensional structure of a kidney from pluripotent stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells. The differentiation inducing method is characterized by culturing pluripotent cells with the following three steps, in order: (a) a step of culturing an embryoid body induced from the pluripotent stem cells in medium containing Bmp4 and a high-concentration (concentration A) Wnt agonist; (b) a step of culturing the embryoid body in medium which contains activin, Bmp4, retinoic acid and a middle-concentration (concentration B) Wnt agonist; and (c) a step of culturing the embryoid body in medium containing Fgf9 and a low-concentration (concentration C) Wnt agonist (herein, the Wnt agonist concentrations is concentration A>concentration B>concentration C).

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are chimeric cells, which in alternative embodiments are the so-called “cardiochimeras”, and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, exemplary chimeric cells as provided herein comprise a cardiac stem cell of cardiac origin or a cardiac progenitor cell fused to either a mesenchymal progenitor cell or mesenchymal stem cell, an endothelial progenitor cell or endothelial stem cell, or a cardiac stem cell or a cardiac progenitor cell. In alternative embodiments, the chimeric cells as provided herein comprise an endothelial progenitor cell, which may or may not be of cardiac origin, fused to either a mesenchymal progenitor cell or mesenchymal stem cell, an endothelial progenitor cell or endothelial stem cell, or a cardiac stem cell or a cardiac progenitor cell. In alternative embodiments, methods for making chimeric cells as provided herein further comprise selecting a cell fusion product comprising a viable chimera of the fused cells.