Abstract: The disclosure relates to Prostaglandin receptor EP2 antagonists, derivatives, compositions, and methods related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing conditions and diseases in which EP2 receptor activation has a physiological role, such as but not limited to, brain injury, inflammatory diseases, neuroinflammation after a seizure, pain, endometriosis, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, skin inflammation, vascular inflammation, colitis, and neurological disorders by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound disclosed herein to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; an aft balloon secured to the sleeve; an inflation/deflation tube carried by the sleeve and in fluid communication with the interior of the aft balloon; a pair of hollow push tubes slidably mounted to the sleeve, the pair of hollow push tubes being connected to one another at their distal ends with a raised push tube bridge, the raised push tube bridge being configured to nest an endoscope therein; and a fore balloon secured to the distal ends of the pair of hollow push tubes, the interior of the fore balloon being in fluid communication with the interiors of the pair of hollow push tubes, wherein the fore balloon is capable of assuming a deflated condition and an inflated condition, and further wherein (i) when the fore balloon is in its deflated condition, an axial opening extends therethrough, the axial opening being sized to receive the endoscope therein, and (ii) when the fore balloon is in its inflated condition, the ax

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming (co)polymers from polymerizable compositions, the methods comprising irradiating the polymerizable compositions with light, wherein the polymerizable compositions comprise a polymerization initiator having an absorption band and exhibiting triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion and a monomer. Also disclosed herein are methods of additive manufacturing using the methods of forming (co)polymers described herein.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic-type vibrational energy harvester device that makes it possible to efficiently rectify and charge power from low acceleration to high acceleration of vibrational energy applied from the exterior. The vibrational energy harvester device is provided with: a movable part capable of vibrating in a vibration direction as a result of mechanical vibrational energy, said movable part being provided with a first surface along the vibration direction; and a fixed part provided with a second surface facing the first surface of the movable part with a gap therebetween so that it is possible for the movable part to vibrate in the vibration direction. A plurality of recessed portions and protruding sections are formed in an alternating manner in the vibration direction on the surfaces of each of the first surface of the movable part and the second surface of the fixed part. An electret film is formed on at least one of the fixed part and the movable part.

Abstract: A method for use in optical imaging, a system for using in optical imaging, and an optical system includes a controller arranged to determine an intermediate position of a sample upon a detection of a completion of a first movement of the sample, and to derive an optimal position associated with the intermediate position; a manipulator arranged to move the sample from the intermediate position to the optimal position with a second movement; wherein the sample is arranged to be observed using an optical instrument in the optimal position.

Abstract: The electrical submersible pump (ESP) is currently the fastest growing artificial-lift pumping technology. Deployed across 15 to 20 percent of oil-wells worldwide, ESPs are an efficient and reliable option at high production volumes and greater depths. However, ESP performance is often observed to decline gradually and reach the point of service interruption due to factors like high gas volumes, high temperature, and corrosion. The financial impact of ESP failure is substantial, from both lost production and replacement costs. Therefore, ESP performance in extensively monitored, and numerous workflows exist to suggest actions in case of break-downs. However, such workflows are reactive in nature, i.e., action is taken after tripping or failure. Therefore, a data-driven analytical framework is proposed to advance towards a proactive approach to ESP health monitoring based on predictive analytics to detect impending problems, diagnose their cause, and prescribe preventive action.

Abstract: A thruster for a micro-satellite is disclosed. The thruster includes a cathode composed of a propellant material and an anode composed of ablative material. The thruster includes a housing having a proximate end and an opposite distal end having a thrust channel. The housing holds the anode and the cathode. A pulsed voltage source is coupled between the cathode and the anode causing current sufficient to create ablation of the anode and a plasma jet including ablated particles from the anode to be emitted from the thrust channel.

Abstract: Provided is a self-processing synthesis of hybrid nanostructures, novel nanostructures and uses thereof in the construction of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. This neural fulcrum zone corresponds to a combination of stimulation parameters at which autonomic engagement is achieved, while the tachycardia-inducing stimulation effects are offset by the bradycardia-inducing effects, thereby minimizing side effects such as significant heart rate changes while providing a therapeutic level of stimulation.

Abstract: A controllable preparation method for a plasmonic nanonail structure is provided. A size of a nanomaterial can be controlled at sub-wavelength. The nanomaterial has good localized surface plasmon resonance effect, and the optical, electrical and mechanical properties of the nanometer material all can be regulated. The plasmonic nanonail is composed of two parts, i.e., a silver nanorod, a gold nanorod or a silver-gold-silver alloy nanorod and an approximate equilateral triangular nano-silver plate growing on the nanorod. A length of the nanorod is controlled within 20-30 nanometers, a diameter of the nanorod is controlled within 10-200 nanometers, a side length of the triangular nano-silver plate is controlled within 20 nanometers to 2 microns, and a size of the triangular plate is less than or equal to the length of the nanorod.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a glaucoma diagnosis method using a fundus image and an apparatus for the same. The glaucoma diagnosis method includes performing data amplification of generating multiple transformed images for an original fundus image based on a preprocessed image of the original fundus image, allowing multiple individual learning models of different types to be learned based on the multiple transformed images and generating a glaucoma determination model based on respective outputs of the learned multiple individual learning models, and diagnosing a class of glaucoma for the original fundus image based on the glaucoma determination model.

Abstract: Provided is a highly sensitive and less expensive lectin-immobilized base material (for example, a lectin plate), such as lectin-immobilized base material having stable qualities and being able to be sufficiently washed after a target sugar chain-containing antigen binds thereto. Further provided is a method for immobilizing lectin to a base material therefor. Particularly provided are: a method whereby a lectin-peptide fusion, in which a peptide capable of adsorbing to a base material surface such as a polystyrene (PS) tag is fused with the N-terminal side or C-terminal side of lectin capable of recognizing a target sugar chain, is immobilized on the peptide side to a base material; and a lectin-immobilized base material produced by this method. By using the lectin-immobilized base material, a target sugar chain-containing antigen can be highly sensitively and evenly measured and, moreover, target sugar chain-containing cells, etc. can be separated (concentrated and harvested).

Abstract: The present subject matter provides processes and kits for identifying the presence of waste water or human-derived pathogens, particularly those associated with the presence of human fecal matter, in surface or subsurface water sources.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising novel endophytes capable of promoting germination endophytes that have a symbiotic relationship with plants. The present disclosure further provides methods of improving seed vitality, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, plant health and yield under both stressed and unstressed environmental conditions, comprising inoculating a seed with the novel endophyte strains and cultivating a plant therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stably integrating a DNA sequence of interest into a target genomic DNA sequence of a host cell, wherein the target genomic DNA sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least 80% homologous to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, as well as a kit for use in said method. Also provided is a method of generating a circular DNA construct essentially consisting of a DNA sequence of interest and a nucleotide sequence that is at least 80% homologous to the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle control unit (VCU) and an operation method thereof that calculate a speed variation of a vehicle based on input information, predict an average speed of the vehicle based on the calculated speed variation, generate a first speed profile based on the predicted average speed, and generate a second speed profile by applying speed noise information to the first speed profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of nicotinoyl ribosides and nicotinamide riboside derivatives and their methods of use. In some embodiments, the invention relates to methods of making nicotinoyl ribosides. In some embodiments, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and nutritional supplements containing a nicotinoyl riboside. In further embodiments, the invention relates to methods of using nicotinoyl ribosides and nicotinamide riboside derivatives that promote the increase of intracellular levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in cells and tissues for improving cell and tissue survival.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for correcting receiver bias during quantitative proton density mapping with magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). The method comprises acquiring MRF data from a region of interest in a subject by performing a pulse sequence using a series of varied sequence blocks to elicit a series of signal evolutions. The method further comprises comparing the MRF data to a MRF dictionary to simultaneously map proton density and another tissue property from the region of interest, the proton density map having a proton density signal and a receiver sensitivity profile signal. The method also includes quantifying the proton density signal and the receiver sensitivity profile signal using parameters provided by the proton density map and the tissue property map, and generating a quantitative map from the region of interest based on the proton density signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a donor compound that releases H2S by reacting with a reactive compound. The donor compound embodiments described herein can be used to deliver H2S to a subject or a sample and further can be used to administer therapeutic agents. The donor compound embodiments also can facilitate bioconjugation. Methods of making and using the donor compound embodiments also are disclosed.

Abstract: IL-11R? antibodies are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the IL-11R? antibodies, and methods using the IL-11R? antibodies.