Abstract: Therapies and compositions for reducing collagen synthesis in mammalian cells and tissues wherein the targets are scleraxis, scleraxis-binding sites, receptor-regulated Smads, and/or binding sites for receptor-regulated Smads whereby synergistic interactions between scleraxis proteins and receptor-regulated Smads are reduced, inhibited, interfered with, stopped, and/or prevented thereby reducing, inhibiting and/or interfering with the activation of collagen 1?2 promoter thereby inhibiting collagen production in mammalian cells and tissues. Alternatively, the therapies and compositions may reduce, inhibit, interfere with, stop, and/or prevent binding of the collagen 1?2 promoter to DNA thereby inhibiting expression of the collagen 1?2 gene in mammalian cells and tissues.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and/or methods for use in passive wireless transmission of one or more parameters such as, e.g., pH, temperature, etc. are described. The systems, devices, and/or methods may use a passive sensor located proximate a material and an interrogator that may be used to interrogate the passive sensor and to receive a signal from the passive sensor representative of the one or more parameters.

Abstract: Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for restructuring an affinity ligand bound heterogenous glycoform antibody sample to a substantially homogenous single desired glycoform antibody sample for therapeutic uses and kits for performing the methods. A method for enzymatically altering the Fc region of an affinity ligand bound antibody from a heterogenous glycoform to a substantially homogenous single glycoform comprises: contacting the affinity ligand bound heterogeneous glycoform antibody with a reaction buffer designed for a particular glycoform modification for a time sufficient and under conditions to modify the glycoform of the Fc region to a substantially homogeneous single form; optionally adding one or more nucleotide sugars and/or cofactors; and releasing the substantially homogeneous single glycoform antibody sample from said affinity ligand.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems are disclosed herein for use in imaging an object including using interferometry while modifying at least one characteristic of the object such as the spatial distribution of the refractive index of the object. The interferometry imaging data may be processed with one or more image processing algorithms that take into account the modification, or change, in the spatial distribution of the refractive index of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for screening a patient for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using recordings of tracheal breathing sounds of both nose and mouth breathing in the upright and supine positions to compute characteristic features of the patient, the characteristic features being compared to the mean values of similar features of OSA and non-OSA training groups to classify a patient as OSA or non-OSA.

Abstract: A novel ligated reagent complex is provided. The ligated reagent includes at least one zero-valent atom, whether metal, metalloid, or non-metal, in complex with at least one hydride molecule and at least one nitrile compound. The ligated reagent complex can be useful in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Also provided is a method for preparing a ligated reagent complex. The method includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a preparation containing a zero-valent element, a hydride molecule, and a nitrile compound.

Abstract: A container including a reusable electronic seal, as well as a system and method for using the electronic seal are described. The container includes a closure member configured to detachably affix to a portion of the container, thereby sealing the container. In response to the closure member sealing the container, a signal generating component generates an electronic signal and transmits the electronic signal to a processing circuit operably connected to the signal generating component. The processing circuit includes a processing device configured to generate a unique code when the closure member is manipulated to open or close the container and an output device operably connected to the processing device and configured to output the unique code. The unique code is updated each time the container is opened, thereby providing a recipient with a way to determine whether the container has been opened during delivery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replication-competent Arteriviruses having a decreased DUB/deISGylating activity due to a mutation in the PLP2 domain of the non-structural protein nsp2, to their use as a medicament, their use as a vaccine and in prophylaxis, to vaccines comprising such Arteriviruses and to Arteriviral PLP2-ubiquitin complexes.

Abstract: Methods and systems may image an object of interest using one or more probes. More specifically, such exemplary methods and systems may deliver electromagnetic energy (e.g., microwave energy) using a transmitting antenna to the object while activating a probe to interact with the scattered field and sampling the resulting scattered field using one or more receiving antennas. The sampled electromagnetic energy may then be used to reconstruct an image of the object.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of reconstructing an image from a positron emission tomography scan that may include detecting a plurality of photons selected from scattered photons and unscattered photons by a plurality of detectors, identifying a time interval for each of the plurality of photons by a processing device, matching each of the plurality of photons into a plurality of pairs of coincident photons based upon a substantially simultaneous time interval identified by the processing device, measuring an energy produced by each of the plurality of photons by the plurality of detectors, determining a scattering angle for each pair of coincident photons from an annihilation point relative to the position of the plurality of detectors by the processing device based on the energy produced and reconstructing an image using a reconstruction algorithm, wherein the reconstruction algorithm uses the scattering angle of each pair of coincident photons.

Abstract: In a method of correcting a desired color of a pixel to be displayed in an optical see-through display, a binned-display profile of prescribed colors arranged to be rendered by the display include background colors added to it so that the desired color can be matched to a closest one of the resulting predicted color profile of colors which are predicted to be perceived by a user. The display is then instructed to display the prescribed color which corresponds with the closest matching predicted color such that an observer substantially perceives the desired color. Typically the desired color is only compared to a subset of the predicted colors for efficiency. Additional corrections may take place to improve contrast of graphical content compared to the background in some instance.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hydrogel coating for a wound dressing to provide the wound dressing with non-adhesion properties without interfering with the bioactivity of the agents contained in the wound dressing. The hydrogel coating is formed by treating the substrate with O2 plasma before applying a hydrogel precursor solution onto the substrate, and then curing the hydrogel precursor onto the substrate to form the hydrogel coating on the surface of the substrate. Hydrogel coatings for a wound dressing and wound dressings having a hydrogel coating are further described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and/or methods for use in detection of reinforcement metal corrosion within material, such as concrete, are described. The systems, devices, and/or methods may use a passive sensor located within the material and an interrogator located outside of the material that may be used to interrogate the passive sensor and to receive a signal from the passive sensor representative of corrosion potential of reinforcement metal.

Abstract: A method and system for performing closed loop simulation of a computer model of a physical system and a hardware component of the physical system is provided. An input waveform for the component from the simulated model of the physical system using an initial waveform as a response waveform of the component is generated at a simulation processor. The input waveform is sent from the simulation processor through a network to a real-time playback and record device (RTPR). The RTPR plays back the input waveform in real time to the component and receives a response waveform of the component and provides the response waveform to the simulation processor. Waveform relaxation (WR) converging methods are utilized at the simulation processor to enable convergence of the generated waveforms affected by hardware induced distortions. A WR method with the generated waveforms are performed to provide a closed loop response of the component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of using Chlorella protothecoides microalgal biomass in the treatment of individuals having impaired glucose metabolism. In some cases, the patient has impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes. In some methods, algal biomass is used to reduce blood glucose and/or body fat in a subject, or to increase the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the biomass is derived from Chlorella protothecoides cultures grown heterotrophically in which the algal cells comprise at least 15% algal oil by dry weight.

Abstract: Provided herein are FDC-SP polypeptides and methods of using such polypeptides. Methods include, but are not limited to, altering IgA concentration in a subject, treating a subject having signs of a disorder that includes excessive IgA production, identifying a compound that decreases the concentration of IgA in an animal, and identifying a compound that treats a condition associated with increased levels of IgA. Also provided herein is an animal that has decreased expression of an endogenous FDC-SP coding sequence. The animal may develop pathophysiological features of IgA nephropathy, and/or may display increased IgA in serum, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or a combination thereof; increased IgA expressing B lymphocytes in circulation, lymphoid tissue, or a combination thereof; or increased IgA production in vitro by isolated B lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for retroperfusion of tissues and organs. The apparatus comprises a catheter with a proximal end for engaging a supply of the fluid medium, and a distal end having an expandable-contractible chamber for installation into suitable vessels or organs. The expandable-contractible chamber comprises a conduit element having a fluid-filled hollow wall defining a lumen. The conduit element has a first deformable inner-facing section approximate a proximal end of the conduit and a second deformable inner-facing section approximate a distal end of the conduit element. Controlled application of a pressure at a proximal end of the conduit element causes deformation of the conduit into the lumen at its distal end thereby occluding the flow of fluid medium through the catheter. Controlled release of the pressure releases deformation of the fluid-filled conduit at its distal end thereby unblocking the flow of the fluid medium through the catheter.

Abstract: A scintillation detector array includes a scintillator array comprising a plurality of scintillator elements, a photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetector elements, an active light guide separating the scintillator array from the photodetector array. The active light guide formed of a scintillator material having different emission properties than the plurality of scintillator elements.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Acer ginnala, ‘JefUM’, that is characterized by its clump forming plant habit with 3 to 4 stem clumps consistently maintained, its fall foliage that is red-purple in color, its clean and disease-free three-lobed foliage, and its resistance to iron chlorosis when grown in alkaline soils.