Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric AAV capsids targeted to the central nervous system, virus vectors comprising the same, and methods of using the vectors to target the central nervous system. The invention further relates to chimeric AAV capsids targeted to oligodendrocytes, virus vectors comprising the same, and methods of using the vectors to target oligodendrocytes.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea, or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the soft segment includes a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine. Additionally disclosed is a method of forming a polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine with a diisocyanate to form a first reaction mixture; (b) combining a metal catalyst and a chain extender with the first reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture, a molar ratio of the metal catalyst to the diisocyanate being greater than 0.0:1 and less than or equal to 0.4:1; and (c) reacting the second reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: A vibration-driven energy harvester includes: a fixed electrode; a movable electrode that is disposed so as to face opposite the fixed electrode and is allowed to move relative to the fixed electrode; and an ionic liquid disposed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode which face opposite each other, wherein: power is generated as an external vibration moves the movable electrode, causing a change in at least one of an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the fixed electrode and the ionic liquid and an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the movable electrode and the ionic liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bacterial proteins that increase pancreatic beta (?) cell number and/or proliferation, methods of increasing ? cell number and/or proliferation using such proteins, and methods of treating or inhibiting diabetes in a subject by administering such proteins to the subject. In some embodiments, the protein has at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth as any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7, or fragments thereof. Recombinant vectors including a nucleic acid encoding the protein (such as a nucleic acid encoding a protein with at least 80% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7 or fragments thereof) operably linked to a heterologous promoter are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds that increase ? cell number and/or proliferation by determining the effect of test compounds on ? cell number or proliferation in zebrafish pancreas.

Abstract: A method of estimating a battery state includes acquiring one or more parameters for estimating a present state of the battery based on a previous state of the battery; acquiring a present usage environment of the battery; and estimating the present state by applying any one or any combination of any two or more of the previous state, the present usage environment, and the acquired one or more parameters to an electrochemical model that is expressed by simplified parameters simplified by either one or both of parameter grouping and partial non-dimensionalising of an electrochemical reaction governing equation of the battery.

Abstract: The corn genes ZmSPL1 and ZmSPL2 are provided. The proteins encoded by these genes and the uses of these genes are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds for use as sensitizer dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing Fabs and bi-specific antibodies comprising designed residues in the interfaces of the heavy chain-light chain variable (VH/VL) domain and the heavy chain-light chain constant (CH1/CL) domain, Fabs and bi-specific antibodies produced according to said processes and host cells encoding the same.

Abstract: The current invention provides a recombinant bacterium, the recombinant bacterium being genetically modified to decrease or eliminate the display of lipoteichoic acid (LTA), surface layer protein B (SlpB) and surface layer protein X (SlpX) on the surface of said bacterium. Efficacious therapies for a subject suffering from an inflammation mediated disease are also provided. The methods of the current invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant L. acidophilus cells or a therapeutically effective amount of the isolated surface layer protein A (SlpA) or a non-naturally occurring derivative thereof. The recombinant L. acidophilus cells or SlpA isolated from L. acidophilus can be in a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient. In an embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally.

Abstract: The invention is a gas flowmeter that produces precise flow measurements at low-flowrate ranges (for example, between 0.25 mL/min to 5,000 mL/min). It uses an infrared (“IR”) beam to detect the passing of a gas bubble through a liquid within a glass column. A “broken” beam is detected by the microcontroller for each passing of a bubble. This ability to allow the IR beam to be broken exactly at the passing of a bubble is made possible by the slit-over-slit design at the sides of the glass column and the column holder.

Abstract: A radiolytic electrochemical system that comprises a cathode, an anode that comprises a semiconductor, an aqueous electrolyte solution disposed between the cathode and anode, and ionizing radiation, wherein the ionizing radiation splits water molecules and forms solvated free radicals that migrate to the anode or cathode, depending upon a radical's charge, and participate in redox reactions at the anode and cathode thereby producing electrical current capable of performing work when the anode and cathode are electrically connected.

Abstract: The Micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) utilizes thermal micro-actuators for lens barrel positioning in a camera module for smart device such as mobile phone. The micro actuators are radially extended from a lens barrel, wherein each of the micro actuators is bendable in response to thermal energy. A control unit includes a heater circuit operatively linked to the micro actuators to controllably apply the thermal energy to each of the micro actuators, wherein each of the micro actuators is bent correspondingly to move the lens barrel with respect to the base so as to control a 3-axis positioning of the lens barrel. The micro actuators are also operated independent of ambient temperature.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method for enhancing a nuclear spin polarization. Triplet DNP where a pentacene derivative represented by the following formula (A) is used as a polarizing agent enables an effective enhancement in nuclear spin polarization to be achieved. In formula (A), each R independently represents a hydrogen atom (—H), a deuterium atom (-D), or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which optionally includes at least one atom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a silicon atom, provided that at least one R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which optionally includes at least one atom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and a silicon atom.

Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs a depolymerizing treatment with one or both of: (a) a relatively high charge of ozone under conditions that promote the formation of free radicals to chemically depolymerize the cellulose fiber cell wall and interfiber bonds; or (b) a cellulase enzyme. Depolymerization may be estimated by pulp viscosity changes. The depolymerizing treatment is followed by or concurrent with mechanical comminution of the treated fibers, the comminution being done in any of several mechanical comminuting devices, the amount of energy savings varying depending on the type of comminuting system and the treatment conditions. Comminution may be carried out to any of several endpoint measures such as fiber length, % fines or slurry viscosity.

Abstract: An oligomer-polymer is provided. The oligomer-polymer is obtained by the polymerization reaction of a compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group and a nucleophile compound, wherein the nucleophile compound includes the compound shown in formula 1: A lithium battery including an anode, a cathode, an isolation film, an electrolyte solution, and a package structure is also provided, wherein the cathode includes the oligomer-polymer.

Abstract: An electrophoresis chip-based setup for detection of different ions in buffer solution. The device is able to differentiate ions in, e.g., real soil or other solutions, and to detect concentration of a specific ion in the solution. Fabrication of the electrophoresis chip can use a soft lithography based molding process. The chip can be made out of PDMS on a glass substrate where on-chip valves were used to control timing of injecting sample and buffer solutions. Detection electrodes are used to detect the presence of ions over a period of several minutes. A controllable high voltage power supply system and related signal acquisition, processing and detection setup can be implemented with the sensor in a system. A microfluidic system for automated collection of soil sample through a porous ceramic and using vacuum suction can be used.

Abstract: A method of suppressing angiogenesis involves administering to a subject an isolated Fc fragment of an IgG1 antibody, or an IgG1 antibody.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wireless communication system capable of receiving position information for a plurality of workers in a work zone and a position system capable of providing position information for a piece of movable equipment in the work zone. A processor is capable of receiving the position information for the plurality of workers and the position information for the movable equipment and is capable of determining the position of the workers relative to the position of the movable equipment.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: A method of improving measurement speed of distributed optical fiber sensors by adopting orthogonal signals and the system thereof is disclosed, which is related to the optical fiber sensor field and solves the problems that conventional technology will increasing the bandwidth of the received signal, reducing the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal or distortion the spatial resolution of the system. The method comprises steps of generating N periodic orthogonal optical pulse sequence; injecting the N periodic orthogonal optical pulse sequence into the optical fiber under test(5); collecting the scattered light signal; demodulating the scattered light signal with the local oscillating light and then converting into digital signals; extracting the scatter information of the orthogonal optical pulses from the collected digital signals; and arranging the scattered information in order of precedence of the infusion. The measurement speed of the distributed optical fiber sensors is improved by N?1 times.