Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.

Abstract: Provided is a material for preventing bone cement from leaking out from bone during packing of the bone cement into a bone fracture site. The bone cement can be prevented from leaking out from the bone by employing a three-dimensional structure produced from a material containing a polyhydroxyalkanoate, when packing the bone cement into the bone fracture site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting order-of-magnitude viral cascades in social networks are disclosed.

Abstract: A reaction method comprising combining a carbonyl-substituted arylboronic acid or ester and an ?-effect amine in aqueous solution at a temperature between about ?5 C to 55 C, and a pH between 2 and 8 to produce an adduct. A process is also provided comprising: contacting a boron compound having a boron atom bonded to a sp2 hybridized carbon conjugated with a cis-carbonyl, the boron having at least one labile substituent, with an ?-effect amine, in a solvent for a time sufficient to form an adduct, which may proceed to further products.

Abstract: Provided herein is a two-component photosensitizer, which demonstrated robust and selective killing effects for transfected HEK cells and affibody targeted A431 cancer cells when exposed to near infrared light excitation. Free MG2I is a pure and stable fluorogen; it is easy to synthesize and modify, and has no toxicity to cells. Unlike conventional photosensitizers, the dye and FAP itself has no photosensitizing effect until they are bound. Also unlike other activation methods, the activation step is achieved by adding the fluorogen, not the presence of the targeted molecule, requiring an ‘active’ activation instead of a ‘passive’ activation. This method offers the ability to locally switch-on and selective generation of singlet oxygen at the target site and can be used for a wide variety of molecular targets.

Abstract: The measuring cup includes numerous embodiments configured for a user to precisely determine the cup contents without need to lift the cup to one's eye level or to lower the eye level to the level of the cup contents. The various embodiments include folding cups; cups having transparent passages in the wall; cups having adjustably positionable bottoms; cups having level indicator rods in the cup interior extending upward from the cup bottom; cups having one or more filaments extending across the cup interior; cups having rigid level indicators spanning the cup interior; cups having adjustably positionable level indicator tabs therein; cups having buoyant level indicator tabs adjustably positionable in the cup interior; and cups having removable clip-on scales extending down along the interior of the cup wall, the scales having a plurality of attachment points for the removable attachment of a level indicator tab at a desired attachment point.

Abstract: A syngas generation system that combines a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) and a carbon gasification unit is described. On the cathode side of the SOEC, CO2 and H2O are electrochemically converted to syngas. At the anode side of the system, a second stream of syngas is produced through a carbon gasification process in which solid carbon is reacted with H2O/CO2. Oxygen ion transported across the SOEC electrolyte reacts at the anode with a portion of the syngas produced in the gasification process. This reaction product (H2O/CO2) can be fed back to the gasification unit.

Abstract: A cocrystal having the formula LiX.aM, or a solvate or hydrate thereof, wherein X is a conjugate base of an organic acid, M is a neutral organic molecule, and a is from 0.5 to 4, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cocrystals, cocrystal solvates, or cocrystal hydrates, and methods of preparing such cocrystals, cocrystal solvates, or cocrystal hydrates, and such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Providing a method for improving saline-alkaline soil by using a biomass rapid pyrolysis product, comprising: rapidly pyrolyzing agricultural and forest residues to prepare bio-oil and semi-coke; deodorizing, dephenolizing and tackifying the bio-oil to prepare a modified bio-oil, and supplementing the modified bio-oil with the nutrient elements to produce a rapid ameliorant for saline-alkali soil; loading microbial fertilizer on the semi-coke to prepare a continuous renovation ameliorant for saline-alkali soil; (4) applying the ameliorants on the surface of saline-alkali soil.

Abstract: A two-step switching method of circuit switch can be used in a charge pump circuit of a phase locked loop circuit. In the method, a first type switch and a second type switch which have the same sizes and are opposite in type, are provided. The first type switch and second type switch continuously receive an input current, and the input current is kept at a low current state in a first stage before the first type switch and the second type switch are turned on. In a second stage, the first type switch and the second type switch are turned on, the input current is gradually adjusted to a target current state, and the input current of the target current state is gradually supplied to an external circuit. The present method can reduce noise generated by the external circuit, reduce power loss, and offset charge injection.

Abstract: A smart beverage container may be used to monitor user hydration. The container has at least one sensor for sensing an amount of liquid within the container. The liquid is monitored over time to determine an amount of liquid consumed by a user, and feedback is provided to the user indicating whether the user's liquid consumption is within a desired range according to a predefined profile of consumption. Such feedback may include information for indicating when the user is to consume additional liquid in order to remain in compliance with a desired liquid consumption regimen, as well as reminders to take additional liquid or warn the user if too much liquid had been consumed.

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).

Abstract: An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides of the growth factor receptor HER2, for breaking the tolerance of a host against self HER2. The antigenic polypeptides include HER2 polypeptides with single amino acid substitutions of lysine for glutamine, arginine for glutamine, or aspartic acid for asparagine. Gene expression constructs, vaccine compositions, and immunization methods including the substituted HER2 polypeptides. Methods for immunizing mammalian subjects with heterologous unsubstituted HER2 antigenic polypeptides, including polypeptides of feline and bear HER2. A diagnostic method of determining whether a mammalian subject is sufficiently immunocompetent to respond to immunotherapies directed at breaking tolerance to self HER2.

Abstract: The mixed louver spiral fin is a development of the conventional spiral fin-and-tube heat exchanger having louvers at the surface of the fin. Louvers are made on the fin surface for enhancing heat transfer performance. The louvers made are perpendicular and parallel with the radius of the fin. The mixed louver spiral fin can be used for building heat exchangers with heat exchange between fluids, such as gas, liquid, or gas-liquid two phases or application in heat exchangers for waste heat recovery.

Abstract: A membrane biofilm reactor including a vessel defining a volume is disclosed. The reactor also typically includes a first and second plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Each hollow fiber membrane generally has an outer surface and a lumen, and is located within the volume. The reactor further preferably includes a first and second gas feedstock. The first gas feedstock is provided through a first inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the first plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The second gas feedstock is provided through a second inlet in fluid communication with the lumens of the second plurality hollow fiber membranes. Finally, the reactor also typically includes a biofilm formed on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes and made up of methanotrophs, Methanosarcina acetivorans, or both. The first gas feedstock is preferably different from the second gas feedstock.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methylsulfonamide derivatives and uses as imaging agents and other uses related to CXCR4 inhibition. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds disclosed herein, derivatives, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof. In certain embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein are used for imaging to study CXCR4 related conditions.

Abstract: An example system and method associated with identifying and treating a source of a heart rhythm disorder are disclosed. In accordance therewith, a spatial element associated with a region of the heart is selected. Progressive rotational activations or progressive focal activations are determined in relation to the selected spatial element over a period of time. The selecting and determining are repeated over multiple periods of time. A source parameter of rotation activations or focal activations is determined, wherein the source parameter indicates consistency of successive rotational activations or focal activations in relation to a portion of the region of the heart. The determining of a source parameter is repeated for multiple regions of the heart. Thereafter, representation of the source parameter is displayed for each of the multiple regions of the heart to identify a shape representing the source of the heart rhythm disorder.

Abstract: A biomedical stimulation protection device includes a current source, a first upper P-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (PMOSFET), a first adaptive bias circuit, and six first stimulating metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). The first adaptive bias circuit receives a power voltage (VDD), a double power voltage (2VDD), and a triple power voltage (3VDD). The first upper MOSFET and the first stimulating MOSFETs are electrically cascoded with each other. The first adaptive bias circuit turns on at least one of the first stimulating MOSFETs according to VDD, 2VDD, and 3VDD, so as to stimulate a physiological tissue and control a voltage difference between two terminals of each of the first upper MOSFET and the first stimulating MOSFETs to be lower than or equal to VDD.

Abstract: An inexpensive, stereoselective synthesis for nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, and their derivatives is disclosed utilizing ozonolysis. The starting materials used in the synthesis are inexpensive and the reactions are commercially feasible and amenable to scaling up. The principal starting material, (?)-?-Pinene, is on the GRAS list (generally recognized as safe).