Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitory nucleic acids and rAAV-based compositions, methods and kits useful for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coping with outliers and perfect learning in a concept-drifting environment. Data in the concept-drifting environment are time series data, and embodiments of the present disclosure uses moving windows to solve the problem of concept-drifting.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprising: an illumination light source and an optical assembly for directing light from the light source into an eye of a subject; a photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors positioned for acquiring images of portions of a fundus of the eye; an objective lens positioned along an imaging axis intersecting a point on the fundus of the eye wherein the objective lens is positioned for refracting light that has been reflected by the fundus to form an image of the fund us on an image plane of the objective lens such that the image plane is positioned away from the photosensor array; and a microlens array comprising a plurality of microlenses wherein the microlens array is spaced away from and positioned behind the image plane and wherein the microlens array is positioned in between the image plane and the photosensor array such that each microlens in the array projects a different view of the image formed at the image plane thereby forming an array of elemental imag

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of treating or preventing an endoplasmic reticulum stress disorder in subjects, such as a method of treating or preventing Wolfram syndrome.

Abstract: Disclosed is an immunogen comprising a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a Zika virus (ZIKV) envelope protein, optionally a signal peptide, and a multimerization domain. The signal peptide is a premembrane (prM) signal peptide, an IgG signal peptide, or a human secretory signal peptide hidden Markov model, and the multimerization domain is an immunoglobulin Fc domain, a T4 fibritin foldon trimerization domain, or a human collagen XV trimerization domain. Nucleic acids, vectors, and microneedle arrays including these compositions are disclosed. Methods of producing an immune response to ZIKV are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the introduction and use of light-activated ion channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of energy technology and seawater desalination, and more specifically, relates to a seawater desalination device of industrial exhaust heat-driven ejector refrigeration and an application method thereof The seawater desalination device comprises a seawater collecting pool, a low-pressure seawater storage tank, an ejector refrigeration system and a fresh water storage tank which are successively connected; the ejector refrigeration system comprising a nozzle for spraying low-pressure vapor, a mixing chamber, a diffuser, a first heat-exchanger, a condenser, a condensate pump and a generator; bottom of the low-pressure seawater storage tank being connected with a second heat-exchanger; the mixing chamber being connected with the nozzle, the diffuser and the low-pressure seawater storage tank, respectively; and the diffuser, the first heat-exchanger, the condenser and the fresh water storage tank being successively connected.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of exchanging first valuable data at a first node for second valuable data from a second node, the method comprising the steps of: applying a first encryption to a first plurality of messages, at the first node, with a function having a commutative property, so as to create a blinded first plurality of messages; sending the blinded first plurality of messages from the first node to the second node, wherein the first valuable data is concealed in one message of the blinded first plurality of messages; receiving a blinded second plurality of messages at the first node, wherein the second valuable data is concealed in one message of the blinded second plurality of messages and the blinded second plurality of messages have been encrypted with a second encryption; in response to receiving the blinded second plurality of messages at the first node, applying a third encryption to the blinded second plurality of messages with a function having a commutative property so as to create do

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to identify improbable mutations in the heavy or light chain variable domain of an antibody, methods to identify antigens which bind to antibodies comprising such improbable mutations, and methods of using such antigens to induce immune responses.

Abstract: A method for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) utilizes an RF ablation electrode needle system that has an RF ablation generator, and an electrode needle. The electrode needle is introduced to puncture within myocardium and to reach the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum. The RF ablation generator is then turned on to implement single-point or multi-point ablation on the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum, and then the RF electrode needle is withdrawn from the patient.

Abstract: A mobile robot including a motion actuator; at least one detection sensor configured to detect field information in a movement field of the mobile robot; a guidance generation unit configured to generate a motion guidance policy to a target position from a current position, the motion guidance policy being updated by the guidance generation unit when the field information has been received from the at least one detection sensor; a safety sensitization unit configured to generate a safety sensitized policy which is the motion guidance policy with a reduced velocity magnitude relative to an angle between the motion guidance policy and the current motion of the mobile robot; and a motion actuation unit configured to determine an actuation signal for instructing the motion actuator to project the current motion of the mobile robot in conformity with the safety sensitized policy provided by the safety sensitization unit.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, a method of catalytically converting polystyrene may include contacting polystyrene with a catalyst to form a product comprising ethylbenzene. The catalyst may include oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. The catalyst may further include a mesoporous support material with pores having an average pore diameter of from 2 nm to 50 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using non-hallucinogenic analogs of psychedelic compounds for increasing neural plasticity of the neuronal cell, and a method of using thereof for treating a brain disorder.

Abstract: A method of catalytically cracking a petroleum hydrocarbon may include contacting a petroleum hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst to form an upgraded petroleum hydrocarbon. The catalyst may include oxidized iron, oxidized cobalt, and oxidized copper. Also discloses are methods for reducing the viscosity of a subterranean petroleum hydrocarbon by utilizing the presently disclosed catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a highly versatile and simple technique which can increase the expression level of a protein in an E. coli expression system or a yeast expression system. Using an E. coli expression system or a yeast expression system, a target protein is expressed as a tag-added protein to which a peptide tag composed of an amino acid sequence SK, SKX, SKXX, AKXX, or KKXX (wherein X represents any amino acid residue) is linked at the N-terminal.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence of cell-free non-coding RNA (cfNCR) biomarkers in interstitial fluid includes a microfluidic device for non-invasively and passively accessing interstitial fluid from a patient. The microfluidic device is formed of a substrate containing multiple vertical micro channels therethrough, wherein at a first end of each of the multiple vertical micro channels a microheater is formed for controllably ablating a portion of dry dead skin cells to access the interstitial fluid; and wherein at a second end of each of the multiple vertical micro channels is a horizontal micro channel for receiving accessed interstitial fluid from a vertical micro channel and guiding the accessed interstitial fluid to a common collection port.

Abstract: Primitive or progenitor hematologic cancer cells have been implicated in the early stages and development of leukemia and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3R? or CD123) is strongly expressed on progenitor hematologic cancer cells, but is virtually undetectable on normal bone marrow cells. The present invention provides methods of impairing progenitor hematologic cancer (e.g., leukemia and lymphomic) cells by selectively targeting cells expressing CD123. These methods are useful in the detection and treatment of leukemias and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Also provided are compounds useful for selectively binding to CD123 and impairing progenitor hematologic cancer cells. These compounds may include cytotoxic moieties such as, for example, radioisotopes or chemotherapeutics.

Abstract: An on-chip supercapacitor having an electrode comprising one-dimensional silicon (Si) nanostructures (3) coated with a first layer (10) of titanium nitride (TiN). It further comprises a second layer (20) of manganese dioxide (MnO2) deposited on the first layer. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A monitoring and forewarning method for coal-rock dynamic disasters based on an electromagnetic radiation and an earth-sound monitoring includes the following steps: (1) calculating the weighted average value of research parameter P(t) during a time period according to the monitoring data collected by the electromagnetic radiation and the earth-sound monitoring system in real time; (2) calculating D(t), the deviation value of P(t); (3) calculating |D(t)| as the deviation threshold value, the average value of |D(t)| during period of normal mining of the working surface; (4) calculating DS, the number of times that D(t) is greater than |D(t)| in one day; (5) normalizing DS to obtain the monitoring and forewarning index ?; (6) forewarning the hazard state of dynamic disaster of the working surface in real time according to ? and forewarning method, determining hazard level.

Abstract: In certain embodiments methods are provided for the therapeutic or prophylactic amelioration of one or more symptoms or disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a subject in need thereof, a GABA receptor agonist, in an amount sufficient to ameliorate said one or more symptoms. In certain embodiments methods are provided for the prophylaxis or treatment of type I diabetes and related pathologies that involve the use of GABA or GABA agonists in combination with certain other compounds (e.g., one more antigens (e.g., GAD) that have a therapeutic effect in type I diabetes and/or an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD20 antibody, exendin-4, and/or or a pro-insulin therapeutic).