Abstract: A method for improving photosynthesis of rice includes the step of knocking out IPS1 gene in rice. The IPS1 gene has a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Compositions for therapy of a diabetic symmetrical polyneuropathy a subject in need thereof, the compositions comprising: an effective amount of a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist exemplified by pirenzepine, telenzepine, atropine, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof or analogs thereof or derivatives thereof, and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. The composition may be injectable or alternatively, may be applied topically or alternatively, may be delivered orally. A suitable topical composition may comprise a lotion, a cream, a gel, or a viscous fluid. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist may be a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist salt or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist derivative or a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist analog.

Abstract: D-serine is used to treat a neurological disorder, such as epilepsy, that cases seizures. A composition comprising D-serine is artificially administered to a patient in an effective amount by selectively contacting a region of the patient's brain with the composition. The region of the brain selectively contacted with the composition has cells expressing GluN3 subunit-containing triheteromeric NMDARs.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing, confirming a diagnosis of, and determining a predisposition for a bipolar disorder in a subject are provided. An amount of at least one of biomarker from the cerebrospinal fluid and/or serum of a subject is measured, for example, isocitric acid. The amount of the at least one biomarker can be compared with a control amount of the at least one biomarker in a corresponding sample collected from a subject without the bipolar disorder. An increase or decrease in the amount of the particular biomarker or biomarkers measured can be indicative that the subject has the bipolar disorder or a predisposition for the bipolar disorder. Methods of identifying a compound for preventing and/or treating a bipolar disorder are also provided based on the expression level of an isocitric acid dehydrogenase 3 alpha and/or beta-subunit gene, and/or based on one or more metabolite biomarker.

Abstract: Described is a lipid nanoparticle composition that includes a macromolecule conjugated to a polymer and a targeting agent. The composition can include a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can be an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). Exemplary ASOs are targeted to a portion of a nucleic acid encoding Akt-1, and which modulates the expression of Akt-1; or targeted to a portion of a nucleic acid encoding HIF-1, and which modulates the expression of HIF-1. Also described is a lipid nanoparticle composition that includes a macromolecule conjugated to a polymer and a therapeutic agent that is an ASO such as an ASO targeted to a portion of a nucleic acid encoding Akt-1, and which modulates the expression of Akt-1 or an ASO targeted to a portion of a nucleic acid encoding HIF-1, and which modulates the expression of HIF-1. Pharmaceutical formulations, methods of making the lipid nanoparticles, and methods of using the lipid nanoparticles, for example for treating cancers, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to and typically neutralize botulinum neurotoxins (e.g., BoNT/A, BoNT/B, BoNT/E, etc.) and the epitopes bound by those antibodies. The antibodies and derivatives thereof and/or other antibodies that specifically bind to the neutralizing epitopes provided herein can be used to neutralize botulinum neurotoxin and are therefore also useful in the treatment of botulism.

Abstract: The invention provides protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor compounds, Their pharmaceutical compositions, uses, and methods of use, such as in the treatment of various cancers, and process for making the compounds. Also disclosed is an improved synthesis of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor and precursor compound thienopyridone (5).

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of preparing biological material from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood and sputum samples. The method includes the step of altering at least one constitutive characteristic of the biological sample in the presence of a capturing scaffold by adding a lysis buffer containing a solubilising agent and a detergent to the biological sample, for simultaneously inhibiting coagulation of the biological sample; lysing the biological sample to release the biological material from the biological sample, thus making the biological material available; and capturing at least one fraction of the biological material on the capturing scaffold.

Abstract: A thin film valve includes at least one chamber for storing a fluid required for biological/chemical analysis, a plurality of chamber for performing a biological/biochemical reaction, or connecting, at least one chamber performing the biological or biochemical reaction to enable a movement of the fluid flow, a flow path arranged to communicate with the hole on the flow path, a thin film closing membrane for closing the fluid hole, a thin film valve including the hole and the fluid hole closing membrane, a multilayered plurality of substrates forming the fluid path, the fluid hole and the chamber, a rotatable disk forming the fluid path, fluid hole, the plurality of chambers, a heat generator, laser beam generator heating the thin film valves, a light detector for detecting amount of light passing through the membrane and closing the fluid hole, and a feedback controller for controlling the focusing actuator.

Abstract: A double stator permanent magnet machine includes an inner stator having a back iron and a set of inner stator poles connected to the back iron, a rotor having a shaft and a set of segments, each segment having a permanent magnet, adjacent the inner stator and rotatively coupled to the inner stator, an outer stator having a set outer stator poles, adjacent the rotor and rotatively coupled to the rotor, a set of inner windings disposed between each of the inner stator poles, and a set of outer windings disposed between each of the outer stator poles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure used in an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The device may be used in pupil expansion or stabilization of the iris. The device is made out of an elastic or semielastic material in a shape that is conducive to easy insertion and removal as well as being optimized for atraumatic pupil expansion.

Abstract: Synthesis and pharmaceutical compositions of antibody-functionalized nanovesicles encapsulating ion channel knockout siRNA, and methods of treating autoimmune diseases associated with increased expression and/or hyperactivity of T cells by selectively targeting memory T cells with the nanoparticles, which deliver their siRNA cargo into the cytosol of the TM cell thus reducing ion channel expression and decreasing Ca2+ influx.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to the preparation of electron microscopy specimens. In one aspect, a method includes providing an electron microscopy grid. An aqueous suspension including an electron microscopy sample is deposited on the electron microscopy grid. A portion of the aqueous suspension is removed from the electron microscopy grid. A volatile surfactant is contacted to the aqueous suspension. A thickness of aqueous suspension is allowed to decrease over a period of time. The aqueous suspension is then frozen.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device for inserting an implant on a human or animal body may be provided. The device may include an operable portion configured to make an incision on the human or animal body and configured to hold the implant for insertion on the human or animal body. The device may further include an actuator mechanism coupled to the operable portion, the actuator mechanism configured to move the operable portion along a first axis and configured to vibrate the operable portion along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for organizing data delivering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. Inter-cluster coordinators can organize data delivering unmanned aerial vehicle base stations (UAV-BSs). Various beamforming techniques (e.g., LZFBF and ZFBF) can be incorporated, and the inter-cluster coordinator can operate on a base station that serves as a controlling network node.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating autoimmune disease includes administering an effective amount of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand. The AhR ligand includes 11-Cl-BBQ, 10-Cl-BBQ, an analog of 11-Cl-BBQ, or combination thereof. The AhR ligand is administered topically, orally, transdermally, intravenously, subcutaneously, or with a nanoparticle. The AhR ligand induces regulatory T cells (AhR-Tregs). AhR-Treg cells block the differentiation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). The AhR ligand activates AhR in CD4+ T cells to induce CD4+ AhR-Tregs that suppress the development of effector CTL, thereby suppressing the development of CTL that attack host cells in graft versus host disease (GVHD) or ?-cells in the pancreas in diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM). The AhR ligand can also suppress development of CTL independently of Foxp3+ regulatory T cell induction. The AhR ligand can therefore be used to treat autoimmune diseases characterized by an absence of functional Foxp3+ regulatory T cell.

Abstract: A computerized reward mechanism system is proposed which makes use both of presently collected data relating to the customer, and a database of historical data relating to the customer. Using this information, the system performs a customer preference analysis, which results in selecting rewards which are adapted to the customers' personal needs. In one form, the system is positioned at a shopping center, and includes cameras for recognising past customers by image processing. This may be done without requiring customers to participate in a process of signing up to use the system. The presently collected data include responses to questions put to the customer relating to his present shopping experience. Customer honesty is considered in the step of determining which rewards to offer the consumer, to encourage the consumers to express their feelings more clearly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-organic framework (MOF) for use in removing particular chemical species or compounds from a liquid. In particular, the present invention provides an MOF having a molecular formula of Zr6(?3-O)4(?3OH)4(OH)4(H2O)4(TBAPy)2, wherein TBAPy is 1,3,6,8-tetrakis (p-benzoic-acid)pyrene, (known as NU-1000) for use in complexing selenate or selenite from a liquid or liquid stream. Further, the selenium based oxy-anions are removed to concentrations below that specified for wastewater discharge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for flue gas desulfurization operations in the fossil fueled electric power generation industry. Such water treatment results are achieved even in the presence of competing sulfate anion challenges and at elevated temperatures comparable to condensate cooling water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for measuring chromosome structure and gene expression. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an assay for determining the spatial organization of gene expression in the nucleus. The present invention also includes a method based on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) that simultaneously yields information on the physical position and expression of individual genes. By lighting up a large number of targets on a particular chromosome using a bar-coding scheme, the large scale structure of an entire chromosome can be determined.

Abstract: A device includes circuitry configured to determine feedforward and feedback coefficients for an adaptive frequency-domain decision feedback equalizer (AFD-DFE) based on previously received signals. The equalizer output is determined by applying the feedforward and feedback coefficients of the AFD-DFE to a received signal, and the feedforward and feedback coefficients of the AFD-DFE are updated based on the equalizer output.