Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that are urea transporter-A inhibitors that are useful for producing a strong diuretic response and may be used for treating refractory edema associated with cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiagent system having multiple agents in communication with each other via a communication network. The agents can be tasked with performing a global objective. At least a subset of the agents can also be tasked with performing a local objective in addition to the global objective. Performance of the local objective can occur without deteriorating performance of the global objective.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a cathode material for a sodium-ion battery with a coating structure and a preparation method therefor. In the present invention, an Na3V2(PO4)3/C cathode material is prepared by means of a sol-gel method. Synthesized zwitterionic polymers may be used as chelating agents and as a carbon source; the process is simple, can quickly form a gel, and the reaction time is shortened contains a zwitterionic structure which may be well dissolved with the precursor of sodium vanadium phosphate to form a stable carbon coating layer. Compared to the prior art, the cathode material for a sodium-ion battery of the present invention enhances the electrical conductivity and cycle performance of the cathode material by means of the doping of nitrogen and sulfur on carbon. At the same time, the prepared cathode material for a sodium-ion battery has sodium vacancies and maintains a stable structure during the process of sodium-ion intercalation/deintercalation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to uridine nucleoside derivatives, compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of those nucleoside derivatives and methods of using those nucleoside derivatives or compositions in treating disorders that are responsive to ligands, such as agonists, of P2Y6 receptor, e.g., neuronal disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and traumatic CNS injury, pain, Down Syndrome (DS), glaucoma and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: Bridge helix-modified variant Cas9 proteins having improved DNA cleavage selectivity in comparison to wild type versions of the Cas9 proteins, nucleic acids encoding the variant proteins, host cells containing the nucleic acids, and methods of their use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of synthesizing composites for removing heavy metals, including: preparing hollow hydroxyapatite particles including a functional group; preparing a composite in which magnetic oxide nanoparticles are combined on the hollow hydroxyapatite; and preparing a composite of hollow hydroxyapatite and metal particles by performing reduction annealing to the composite.

Abstract: The invention herein concerns a catalyst of gold particles on a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that assists in oxidation of alcohols in lignins. In some embodiments, the LDH comprises lithium and aluminum metals. Also considered are methods of using the catalyst to oxidize lignins and methods of preparing the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for electromagnetic imaging of containers receives uncalibrated first data corresponding to signals of a first plurality of different frequencies associated with an antenna array residing in a container having contents. The method estimates of a second data based on a computer model and simulation of signals of a second plurality of different frequencies associated with the antenna array, the second plurality of different frequencies including a subset of the first plurality of different frequencies. The method compares magnitudes, without corresponding phase comparisons, of the first and second data at each frequency of the second plurality of different frequencies. The method updates the second data based on the comparing. The method provides information about the contents within the container based on the updated second data.

Abstract: A miniature, low power electronic pressure sensor with a first, oil-filled chamber to protect its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensitive membrane and a second chamber filled with saline or body fluids connected by tube into an organ in the body, such as an eyeball, that needs pressure sensing, is described. The tube carries pressure from a sensitive area within the organ to the electronic pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may communicate wirelessly with external readers and pass data to a server or other computer. Running alongside the tube is another tube for draining and pressure relief. The tubes, or cannulas, can share an opening into the organ in order to minimize the number of holes needed. The tubes may be molded into a single oval cross section, combined coaxially, or share a lumen for a portion that enters the wall of an organ so as to promote healing.

Abstract: A method of preparing porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets by pyrolysis of Albizia procera leaves. The nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets display enhanced electrochemical properties including large surface area and specific capacitance. Electrodes coated with the nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets are particularly suitable for use in supercapacitors and solar cells.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the detection of zinc. In particular, compositions and methods are provided to detect changes in cellular zinc concentration and to correlate them to cellular phenomena.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for a constellation design based on stepped hierarchical modulation. According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for a constellation design based on stepped hierarchical modulation comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions to be executed by the processor so as to generate an initial constellation including M (M is a natural number) signal points based on stepped ?-QAM, set a constellation parameter to control a degree of data protection, move signal points located in an m-th quadrant by a preset distance in a preset direction by applying the constellation parameter to the initial constellation, and map information bits encoded in the moved signal points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing liver PD-1-expressing CD8+ T cells using PD-1 Fc fusion proteins that bind Fc receptors, as well as diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic methods and compositions related thereto.

Abstract: Ascorbate protects tissues against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced through normal metabolism or generated from stress. The inositol route to AsA involves four enzymes: myo-inositol oxygenase, glucuronate reductase, gluconolactonase (GNL), and L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase (GulLO). Eighteen putative GNLs were identified in Arabidopsis, one of which, AtGNL, is interesting because it possesses a chloroplastic signal peptide. Knockouts on this gene had lower foliar AsA and stunted growth compared to controls. The functional gene restored the phenotype of the knockouts, and those plants had higher AsA content, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, and higher seed yield.

Abstract: The invention discloses a circuit aging detection sensor based on voltage comparison. A control circuit generates an aging voltage signal, a standard voltage signal and a reference voltage signal. The aging voltage signal passes through a first voltage-controlled oscillator to generate an aging frequency signal. The standard voltage signal passes through a second voltage-controlled oscillator to generate a standard frequency signal. The standard frequency signal and the aging frequency signal pass through an aging detection circuit to generate a frequency difference signal. A level signal generated by a serial data detector passes through a beat-frequency oscillator to generate a reset signal. A counter quantizes aging information, which is converted by a digital-analog converter into a quantized voltage signal. The quantized voltage signal is compared with the reference voltage signal by a voltage comparator, to generate a hopping signal at a voltage superposition node, and an aging signal is output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for localization of a capsule based on magnetic fields. The capsule is positioned in a magnetic field generated by a first magnet and an electromagnetic coil is operated to generate a sinusoidal magnetic field with a magnetic moment orthogonal to the magnetic moment of the first magnet. An average signal measurement calculated for each magnetic field sensor is defined as the magnetic field applied to the magnetic field sensor by the first magnet and used as an offset to determine the magnetic field applied by the electromagnetic coil. The pose of the capsule is then determined based at least in part on a combination of magnetic field signals applied by the electromagnetic coil to each of the magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for Crystal Anisotropy Terahertz Microscopy (“CATM”) is provided. The apparatus includes an emitter configured to emit a THz pulse and a detector configured to detect the THz pulse after the pulse is transmitted through a sample disposed on a sample surface of the detector. A pulsed radiation generator generates a probe beam to interrogate the detector. The detector may include an electro-optical (“EO”) crystal configured to change in birefringence according to the THz pulse. The sample surface of the detector may have a dielectric coating which is transmissive to THz and reflective to the probe beam. The sample is disposed on the dielectric coating.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing an anti-proliferative compound, named Tecomaphorbide, which is identified and isolated from Tecoma plants (e.g. Tecoma stans). The pharmaceutical composition may contain a derivative and/or a salt of Tecomaphorbide. A process of obtaining Tecomaphorbide from Tecoma plants is specified. A method of treating cancer (e.g. leukemia, lymphoma, breast, colon, and prostate cancer) with the pharmaceutical composition is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a functional food or pharmaceutical composition or a method for preventing, alleviating or treating hyperphosphatemia and chronic kidney disease and treating chronic kidney disease using the composition comprising Lactobacillus sp. KCCM 11826P having excellent phosphorus-absorbing ability.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for the co-production of high temperature thermal energy and electrical energy from solar irradiance includes a photovoltaic cell (30) laminated to a metal extrusion device (40) and a transparent channel (20) in front of the photovoltaic cell (30). The transparent channel (20) contains a heat transfer fluid that is seeded with metallic, semiconducting, and/or non-metallic nanoparticles and absorbs wavelengths of solar energy that are not utilized or underutilized by the photovoltaic cell (30).