Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating and/or preventing pulmonary hypertension in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a bioactive peptide preparation derived from at least one botanical source.

Abstract: A fiber acoustic emission sensing apparatus and method including a laying device and an acoustic emission source; the laying device comprises base plate, first side plate and second side plate, the top portion of the first side plate connected with the top portion of the second side plate through an arc-shaped fiber-carrying channel, a main cavity formed by the first side plate and the second side plate; top portions of the first and second side plates respectively hinged with first and second arc-shaped covers, the lower end surface of the first arc-shaped cover fixedly connected with a first arc-shaped pressing body, the lower end surface of the second arc-shaped cover fixedly provided with a second arc-shaped pressing body, a first sensing fiber arranged under the first arc-shaped pressing body, and a second sensing fiber arranged under the second arc-shaped pressing body.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, methods of making and using novel carbapenem compounds including active agents, compounds, antibacterial agents, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of C1?-C1? di-substituted carbapenem compounds, C5? substituted carbapenem compounds, C6?-C6? di-substituted carbapenem compounds and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for radionuclide probes, methods of using the radionuclide probes, methods of detecting an optical signal from radionuclides, methods of detecting an optical signal from a quantum dot(s) that receives optical energy from a radionuclide(s), system for analyzing optical energy emitted by a radionuclide(s), system for imaging a target within a living subject or a sample, methods of imaging a disease or condition, and the like.

Abstract: Devices having multiple multicomponent emissive layers are provided, where each multicomponent EML includes at least three components. Each of the components in each EML is a host material or an emitter. The devices have improved color stability and relatively high luminance.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing sorghum crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ALS protein.

Abstract: Seroprotection analysis systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing oral fluid for the presence of protective levels of antibodies of interest. In one aspect, the presence of protective levels of target antibodies indicates a test subject has achieved a target seroprotection level, such as but not limited to a target seroprotection level following vaccination. A collection kit can include a swab that enables collection of oral fluid containing antibodies from both dentulous and edentulous individuals, a container that can be pre-filled with an extraction solution, and a nozzle that can be coupled to the container to form a fluid-tight device. A user can use the nozzle to seal the swab in the container and to compress the swab within the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods for determining the risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a fetus or child by detecting in a biological sample from the mother antibodies that bind to one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), guanine deaminase (GDA), collapsin response mediator protein 1 (CRMP1), stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1), alpha subunit of the barbed-end actin binding protein Cap Z (CAPZA2), Y Box Binding Protein 1 (YBX1), eukaryotic translation and elongation factor 1A1 (EEF1A1), microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT), dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2 (DPYSL2), dynamin 1-like protein (DNM1L), radixin (RDX), moesin (MSN), and ezrin (EZR).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for causing a zero-current crossing in an electrical circuit. The circuit can be a DC circuit in which case a switch is caused to open at or nearly at the zero crossing. Alternatively, the circuit can be an AC circuit.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for quantitatively assessing hand function strength and range of motion via various instrumentations are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a hand function diagnostic and therapeutic system includes distal and proximal finger flexion measurement apparatuses used to automate quantitative assessment of hand function based on a combination of strength, range of motion, and time performance metrics.

Abstract: Nanoscale coordination polymer nanoparticles for the co-delivery of multiple therapeutic agents are described. The multiple therapeutic agents can include a combination of different chemotherapeutic agents, a combination of one or more chemotherapeutic agents and one or more nucleic acids, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA, a combination of one or more chemotherapeutic agents and a photosensitizer (i.e., for use in photodynamic therapy), or a plurality of different siRNAs. Pharmaceutical formulations including the nanoparticles, methods of using the nanoparticles to treat cancer, and methods of making the nanoparticles are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating a patient suffering from or predisposed to hyperphosphatemia, which contains Mg—Fe—Cl HCln. In one embodiment, the Mg—Fe—Cl HCln is shown in formula (I). The phosphorus uptaking capacity of the pharmaceutical composition is greater than 100 ppm/(g/L). The present invention further provides a method for treating a patient suffering from or predisposed to hyperphosphatemia by using said pharmaceutical composition. The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A floating wind turbine farm 230 includes a plurality of anchors 20/202/204/206/208 fixed in or on a bed of a body of water. A plurality of floating wind turbine platforms 10 is deployed in the body of water, each of the floating wind turbine platforms 10 having one or more mooring lines 200/212 that extend between, and are attached to, the floating wind turbine platform 10 and one of the anchors 20/202/204/206/208. Each anchor 20/202/204/206/208 is configured to receive two or more mooring lines 200/212, wherein each of the mooring lines 200/212 are from a different one of the plurality of floating wind turbine platforms 10.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition method is provided. The atomic layer deposition method includes the following steps. A substrate is placed in a reaction chamber. At least one deposition cycle is performed to deposit a metal film on the substrate. The at least one deposition cycle includes the following steps. A metal precursor is introduced in the reaction chamber. A hydrogen plasma is introduced to be reacted with the metal precursor adsorbed on the substrate to form the metal film. An annealing process is performed on the metal film. The at least one deposition cycle is performed in a hydrogen atmosphere under UV light irradiation.

Abstract: A wind turbine tower includes a plurality of tower sections axially aligned and connected together. Each tower section includes an inner wall having a tapered cylindrical shape concentrically positioned within an outer wall having a tapered cylindrical shape. An annular space is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a layer of concrete is disposed within the annular space. A plurality of post-tensioning cables extend longitudinally within the annular space or outside the outer wall, such that a first one of the tower sections is connected to a second one of the tower sections by a plurality of the post-tensioning cables.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: A laparoscopic device with obturator. The device facilitates extraction of specimens from a female subject's abdominal cavity through the subject's vagina by also facilitating the suturing of a mesh to the anterior and posterior walls of the subject's vagina. The device includes an elongate sheath that has a flat surface on the front, a curved shape on the back, and an inner port opening formed within the flat surface, where the port opening that enables introduction of instruments or removal of specimens from the peritoneal cavity. An internal obturator can be inserted into the sheath to reduce the size of the port opening into the peritoneal cavity, or can be used to close the inner port opening into the peritoneal cavity. The obturator and sheath can be utilized as firm surfaces against which a user can suture a sacrocolpopexy mesh to the anterior and posteriors vaginal walls.

Abstract: Disclosures of the present invention describe a luminance and color temperature tunable (LCTT) tandem OLED, which mainly consists of a transparent conductive substrate, a HTL, a first lighting unit, a first carrier generation unit, a second lighting unit, a second carrier generation unit, a third lighting unit, an ETL, and a cathode electrode. The first lighting unit is designed to emit a cold-white light, a pure-white light or an orange-white light, the second lighting unit is designed to emit a warm-white light, and third lighting unit is designed to emit an orange-white light, a pure-white light or a cold-white light corresponding to the first lighting unit. By such arrangement, it is easy for a user to make the LCTT tandem OLED provide an illumination with user-desirable color temperature and illuminance by using a control interface to electrically drive the three lighting units, either individually or simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and engineered yeast cells for generating a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid product are provided herein. A method comprises providing engineered yeast cells and a feedstock to a reactor. In the reactor, the engineered yeast cells are subjected to fermentation by incubating the engineered yeast cells for a time period to produce a solution comprising the BIA product and cellular material. The solution comprises not more than one class of molecule selected from the group of protoberberine, morphinan, isopavine, aporphine, and benzylisoquinoline. Additionally, at least one separation unit is used to separate the BIA product from the cellular material to provide the product stream comprising the BIA product.