Abstract: Systems and methods for clinical neuronavigation in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for generating a brain stimulation target, including obtaining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) image data of a patient's brain, were brain imaging data describes neuronal activations within the patient's brain, determining a brain stimulation target by mapping at least one region of interest to the patient's brain, locating functional subregions within the at least one region of interest based on the fMRI image data, determining functional relationships between at least two brain regions of interest, generating parameters for each functional subregion, generating a target quality score for each functional subregion based on the parameters and selecting a brain stimulation target based on its target quality score and the patient's neurological condition.

Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for treating cancer (e.g., prostate cancer). For example, methods for using one or more androgen receptor variant (AR-V) inhibitors (e.g., morpholinos) to treat a mammal having prostate cancer (e.g., castration-resistant prostate cancer) are provided.

Abstract: In compounding pharmaceuticals at the outset, the medications are typically arrive in their mass produced form (pills, creams, syrups, etc.) and are individually packaged. Some packaging forms, particularly tubes, take an excessive amount of time to empty for the medication to be used in later compound medications. Presently in this industry, human workers will squeeze the medication out of each individual tube into large bucket containers for storage until the medication is ready for mixing. The disclosed invention provides a novel apparatus and method for emptying multiple tubes at a time with limited human interaction. The apparatus uses a roller and cap-pressing method that can empty several tubes at one time, significantly increasing efficiency. The apparatus is then connected with a novel software package which controls the operation of the device and can provide a counting mechanism for contract monitoring and predicting the lifespan of the device.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions of alpha-1 antitrypsin fusion polypeptides or peptide derivatives thereof. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods relate to generating a construct of use in pharmaceutically acceptable compositions to treat a subject in need of alpha-1 antitrypsin therapy or treatment. In other embodiments, compositions and methods disclosed herein concern linking alpha-1 antitrypsin or derivative thereof to an immune fragment.

Abstract: Described herein is a previously unknown function of XBP1 in controlling anti-tumor immunity. It is shown that inhibiting XBP1 in tumor-associated dendritic cells inhibits tumor growth and induces protective anti-tumor immune responses.

Abstract: A substance measurement device includes: a container portion configured to receive a substance; a sensing device configured to measure a property of the substance related to at least one of a flow rate of the substance into the container portion, a level of the substance within the container portion, and a volume of the substance within the container portion; and at least one shield positioned within the container portion and configured to provide at least one of: a mechanical buffer between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device; and an electrical shield between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device.

Abstract: An example non-destructive method for estimating a length of a member, which may be embedded, is described herein. The method can include impacting the member, recording a respective signal at each of a plurality of sensors attached to the member, and transforming the respective signals into a frequency domain. The respective signals can include dispersive waves generated by the impact. The method can also include determining an effective wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation based on the respective frequency-domain signals, determining theoretical wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation using a dispersion relation for the member, and estimating the length of the member based on the relationship between the effective wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation and theoretical wavenumber of dispersive wave propagation.

Abstract: Smart hot water heater control can be improved by departing from the conventional approach of monitoring hot water demand at a single point (i.e., the water heater output). Instead, hot water demand is monitored at each location in the building where hot water is used. With this approach, the controller can provide hot water at a temperature suitable for the intended use, e.g., warm water for a bath or shower, and much hotter water for a dishwasher. This advantageously avoids inefficiency due to mixing hot and cold water at a tap to provide temperature control.

Abstract: A method for measurement of an information-security-controlling status in accordance with the present disclosure includes receiving actual inspection data obtained by actually inspecting whether each domain complies with each security-controlling item, computing security-controlling status measurement scores for each domain on the basis of a significance grade of each control item, the degree of compliance with a corresponding control item, and a weighting set by a measurement manager, computing a final security-controlling status measurement score for a parent organization to which each domain belongs on the basis of an average of the security-controlling status measurement scores for each domain, and outputting the computed security-controlling status measurement scores and final security-controlling status measurement score.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining magnetic resonance images are provided. The system is programmed to control the RF system to apply a saturation pulse at a reference frequency that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject. The system is programmed to control the RF system to apply an inversion pulse after a variable delay. The system is programmed to control the RF system and the plurality of gradient coils to apply a motion sensitized driven equilibrium (MSDE) preparation pulse. The system is programmed to control the plurality of gradient coils to read imaging data during an acquisition time period. The system is programmed to reconstruct a T1 mapping image of the subject with black-blood contrast.

Abstract: The current invention pertains to a molecular conjugate comprising an antagonist of a cell surface receptor specific to a target cell and an immune effector, such as a T cell modulator, conjugated to the antagonist. The target cell can be a cell responsible for development of a disease in a subject, for example, a cancer cell. In certain embodiments, the immune effector is an immune effector protein or an immune effector fragment thereof. The current invention also pertains to a method of treating a disease in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the molecular conjugates of the current invention to the subject. The methods of the current invention can be used to treat cancer, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, or melanoma.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for specifying treatment criteria and treatment planning parameters for patient specific radiation therapy planning. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving data about a patient, computing geometric characterization of one or more organs at risk proximate to a target volume of a patient or vice versa, and selecting relevant treatment knowledge and experience. The method also includes generating, based on the received data, computed geometric characterization, and available knowledge and experience, a first set of radiation treatment planning parameters that will lead to a high quality plan for the patient. Further, the method includes model-based prediction, based on the data, a second set or more of radiation treatment planning parameters that will lead to alternative achievable plans with different organ sparing objectives for treating the patient. The multiple sets for parameters can be used separately or in conjunction to generate treatment plans.

Abstract: A device and method is described for electronic human prosthetics, and specifically a skull- and/or spine implantable bi-directional neural-communication/brain-machine interface (BBMI) device where the input, output and on-board computing are combined into a single unit to form a compact neuro-prosthetics device. This invention is also directed to a fully implantable wireless spinal electronic recording and stimulation system using the BBMI in a human. The bi-directional devices (BBMIs) communicate with other bi-directional brain-machine interface devices (BBMI) and/or with external controllers wirelessly. The compact implantable stimulator has ultrasonic secondary battery charging system. One or more BBMI can be wirelessly connected so that a closed loop of BBMIs, or a BBMI and an external controller, can wirelessly send trigger pulses to this fully implanted stimulator over the spinal cord.

Abstract: Halogenated phenylethynyl-substituted heterocycles that possess either an N-alkylamino or N,N-dialkylamino group attached to the heterocycle or halogenated phenylethynyl-substituted benzenes that a nitrogen-containing heterocycle attached to the benzene inhibit the proliferation cancer cells and are useful antineoplastic agents.

Abstract: A fiber fluidic system may be used to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles). The fiber fluidic system may include a cylinder with a plurality of elongated fibers oriented along a length of the cylinder. The cylinder may have a first opening at or near a first end of the cylinder and a second opening downstream of the first opening. A constrained phase fluid may be provided through the first opening and a free phase fluid may be provided through the second opening to produce particles (e.g., NPs and/or microparticles) through a second end of the cylinder. The fiber fluidic system may be used to continuously produce the particles at high throughput.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoparticle composition which is prepared by a process which is characterized by dissolving a poorly water-soluble compound or the like under a high temperature and a high pressure, and milling a suspension or the like containing a uniform crystal obtained by cooling the obtained solution.

Abstract: Provided are transporters based on polymyxin B. Also provided are methods of using the transporters for intracellular delivery of cargo and methods of enhancing intracellular uptake of cargo.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to chemokine receptor modulators and uses related thereto. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds disclosed herein or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein are used for managing chemokine related conditions, typically prevention or treatment of viral infections such as HIV or for managing cancer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of preparing a cell, tissue, organ or plant for cryopreservation, wherein the method includes contacting the cell, tissue, organ or plant with a composition including sucrose and/or sucralose.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods that can inhibit the biosynthesis of mycotoxins.