Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peptides and more specifically to anti-biofilm and immunomodulatory peptides.

Abstract: There is provided a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for sensing a hydrophobic target molecule, comprising a MIP film comprising a hydrophobic polymer host, such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or polystyrene (PS), with one or more binding sites for one or more target molecules, such as parathion methyl (PTM); and a sensing substrate, such as mass sensitive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The MIP film is coated on a surface of a sensing substrate. There is also provided a method of making the MIP sensor and a method for detecting/quantifying a target molecule using the MIP sensor.

Abstract: Implementing swept, confocally aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) imaging with asymmetric magnification in the detection arm provides a number of significant advantages. In some preferred embodiments, the asymmetric magnification is achieved using cylindrical lenses in the detection arm that are oriented to increase the magnification of the intermediate image in the width direction but not in the depth direction. SCAPE imaging may also be improved by using an SLM to modify a characteristic of the sheet of excitation light that is projected into the sample. Additional embodiments include a customized version of SCAPE that is optimized for imaging the retina at the back of an eyeball in living subjects.

Abstract: A wound dressing is made from a tubular inner layer and at least one outer layer disposed radially beyond the inner layer. The inner layer permits egress of fluid from weeping wounds, prevents desiccation of skin disposed beneath the inner layer, and prevents desiccation of ointment disposed between the inner layer and the skin. The at least one outer layer absorbs fluids that leak through the inner layer, protects the inner layer from outside contaminants, and prevents fluids from escaping. The at least one outer layer is affixed to the inner layer, and each of the layers is elastic in at least the radial direction. Optionally, a layer of ointment may be applied to an inner surface of the inner layer. Note that the tubular inner layer may be either pre-formed or formed at the time of application.

Abstract: Stable monomeric phosphaplatins, namely, (pyrophosphato)platinum(II) or platinum(IV) complexes containing a cis-cyclohexanediamine ligand or enantiomerically enriched or enantiopure trans-cyclohexanediamine ligands, and synthesis of these complexes, are provided. Efficacies and toxicities of the phosphaplatin compounds are determined toward a variety of cancers, including sensitive and resistant ovarian cancers, head and neck, and colon cancers. Compositions comprising the platinum complexes, and methods for treatment of proliferative diseases or disorders by means of the complexes or the compositions comprising them are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of using cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonist compositions to suppress pain (e.g., neuropathic pain), opioid tolerance, and/or opioid-induced physical dependence in a subject.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an outer cannula having a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising a sharp bevel facilitating insertion of the needle assembly into a subject. The needle assembly further includes an inner cannula slidably disposed coaxially in the lumen of the outer cannula and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the inner cannula having a blunt distal end portion extending beyond the sharp bevel of the outer cannula whenever the inner cannula is in the extended position. The needle assembly further includes a bias coupled to the inner cannula in a manner favoring automatic positioning of the inner cannula at the extended position. The needle assembly includes a valve located in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula to allow fluid to exit the subject through the inner cannula, and to prevent ingress of fluid into the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing low-carbon olefins by gaseous phase catalytic cracking of heavy oil with multi-stages in milliseconds, comprising: a high-efficiency atomizing nozzle sprays the preheated heavy oil into an upper portion of the downflow modification reaction tube, the produced oil mist is mixed with a high temperature heat carrier flowing downward from a return controller for pyrolysis, and then the pyrolysis products are subject to a gas-solid separation at the bottom of the downflow modification reaction tube; then the coked heat carrier obtained by the separation enters into a lower portion of a modification regeneration reactor to conduct a regeneration reaction, the obtained regeneration gas and the high temperature heat carrier are subject to a gas-solid separation on the top of the modified regeneration reactor, then the high temperature heat carrier returns to a top of the downflow reaction tube to participate in circulation, the regeneration gas is subject to heat exchang

Abstract: A traction enhancement device and system for the rear wheel(s) of a wheelchair is provided. The traction enhancement system generally includes a tooth bar assembly that includes a plurality of spikes/teeth and an actuation assembly that includes a lever and swashplate. In use the lever can be moved into ground engaging position and the swashplate will contact and provide a force the tooth bar assembly causing the spikes to extend beyond the diameter of the wheelchair wheel and into engagement with the surface on which the chair is riding. The lever can be pulled out of ground engaging position and the swashplate will not cause the spikes to push outwardly beyond the diameter of the wheel.

Abstract: Species of human-derived bacteria belonging to the Clostridia class have been shown to induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon and suppress immune functions. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these bacteria can be used to prevent and treat immune-mediated diseases such as autoimmune diseases.

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

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, a velocity calculator, and an evaluator. The sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The position locator derives a wave source distribution of the elastic waves generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The velocity calculator derives a propagation velocity of the elastic wave generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The evaluator evaluates the soundness of the structure on the basis of the wave source distribution and the propagation velocity of the elastic waves.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for predicting the prognosis for kidney disease for a subject on the basis of the amount of D- and L-amino acids, from a blood sample; and an analysis system that determines prognosis predictions. This purpose is achieved by using at least one amino acid to predict the prognosis for kidney disease, said amino acid being selected from the group consisting of D-serine, D-asparagine, D-proline, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-lysine, D-allo-isoleucine, L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tryptophan, and L-asparagine.

Abstract: A p53 degradation inducing molecule which can induce degradation of p53 proteins or p53 composites, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said p53 degradation inducing molecule are provided. This p53 degradation inducing molecule is a conjugate of a p53 affinity molecule which has affinity for p53 proteins or p53 composites, and a proteolysis induction tag which has affinity for protease and which does not inhibit proteolysis of proteins by protease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating suspended particles based on size. When confined in a tube, a bubble moves relative to the liquid as a small fraction of the liquid leaks backwards through a very thin gap between the bubble and the internal wall of the tube. The lubricating film formed around the bubble can be fine-tuned by simply changing the average flow speed. With this thin film of liquid, the confined air bubble can be used to separate particles in, for example, poly-disperse microspheres suspensions. As the bubble passes through the suspension, only particles smaller than the liquid gap thickness can leak through the gap towards the back of the bubble, resulting a filtered particle suspension containing only small particles at the back of the bubble. Compared to the traditional methods, this particle separation process is easy to perform, and is flexible in filtering different suspensions with one set-up.

Abstract: Semiconductor layers useable for minimizing or preventing the growth of metal whiskers, as well as devices and methods utilizing the same and kits for making the same, are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which is for preventing or treating caffeine abuse and includes evodiamine or Evodia officinalis extract. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which has an effect of preventing or alleviating somnipathy and central nervous system excitation caused by caffeine. In addition, the present invention relates to a caffeine abuse treatment method and a health functional food composition including Evodia officinalis extract or evodiamine.

Abstract: A method for generating encoded data includes: generating at least one local LDPC matrix and a global LDPC matrix, the global LDPC matrix relating to each of the at least one local LDPC matrix; repeatedly selecting one of the at least one local LDPC matrix as a target local LDPC matrix until a number t of the target local LDPC matrices are selected, where t is a user-defined number that is greater than one; generating a block matrix that includes the target local LDPC matrices; generating a primary LDPC matrix that includes a first primary matrix part relating to the block matrix, and a second primary matrix part relating to the global LDPC matrix; and encoding data based on the primary LDPC matrix.

Abstract: A metal or metal alloy including a region with hierarchical micro-scale and nano-scale structure shapes, the surface region is super-hydrophobic and has a spectral reflectance of less than 30% for at least some wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation in the range of 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m. Methods for forming the hierarchical micro-scale and nano-scale structure shapes on the metal or metal alloy are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an engine airpath include receiving, at a supervisory controller, an engine speed corresponding to a present engine speed, a fuel target corresponding to a request for torque from a driver and one or more state estimates generated by an estimator. The supervisory controller predicts, over a prediction horizon, a constraint violation in response to the engine speed, the fuel target, and the one or more state estimates using a prediction model, adjusts an EGR rate target to a modified value, when the constraint violation is predicted, and maintains the EGR rate target at a nominal value when the constraint violation is not predicted. A nonlinear predictive controller generates one or more actuator commands based on the EGR rate target, where the one or more actuator commands control an engine actuator such that an EGR rate of the engine airpath tracks the EGR rate target.