Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic liver-specific promoters and expression constructs for producing polypeptides and functional nucleic acids in the liver of a subject. The invention further relates to Factor VIII proteins containing modifications in the amino acid sequence of the Factor VIII protein, as well as nucleic acid constructs encoding the Factor VIII proteins and methods of using these compositions to treat a bleeding disorder.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for inhibiting either Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) calcium dependent protein kinases (TgCDPKs) or Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) and Cryptosporidium hominus (C. hominus) calcium dependent protein kinases (CpCDPKs) using pyrazolopyrimidine and/or imidazo[1,5-?]pyrazine inhibitors, of the Formula (I), wherein the variables X, Y, Z, R1, and R3 are defined herein.

Abstract: A disinfectant appliance has a plurality of chlorite absorbent particles, a plurality of redox resin particles, and at least one absorbent material combined such that the absorbent material allows and can promote: infusion of water into the disinfectant appliance; release of the chlorite from the chlorite absorbent particles into the water to form a chlorite comprising solution; contacting of the chlorite comprising solution with the redox resin particles; and the expulsion of ClO2 comprising solution from the disinfectant appliance onto a surface to be disinfected. The disinfectant appliance can include a storage section and can include a handle. The disinfectant appliance can be in the form of a wipe or sponge that can be contacted with a surface suspected of being infected.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a robust double node upset tolerant latch in which all internal and external nodes are capable of recovering the previous value after a single event upset are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon thin-film device and method for manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a functional group on a surface of a substrate and functionalizing the substrate, and depositing a carbon thin film through ALD on the substrate in which the functional group is formed.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer particles, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source device and a measuring device which use a change in mode-locked resonated output light over time using a change in a cycle of an electrical signal corresponding to a change in the intensity of the output light according to a mode locking condition for each of different light paths in a resonator. The light source device includes an electrical signal generator configured to control the intensity of an optical signal from the light source device, and an optical gain unit controlled by periodic electrical signals having cycles calculated by dividing a round-trip time of photons corresponding to each of different light paths by an integer multiple. The intensity of the optical signal is controlled by the optical gain unit.

Abstract: A cognitive training method has a step of obtaining sensor data of a subject during a memory exercise which in turn determines whether the sensor data includes predetermined information indicative of cognitive functions used for remembering. The step of advancing the memory exercise is carried out when it is determined that the sensor data includes predetermined information indicative of cognitive functions used for remembering. The step of calculating an objective cognitive assessment of the subject is carried out when the memory exercise is completed and cognitive training is measured at least partially in response to the advancing of the memory exercise. The fact that an objective cognitive assessment is calculated provides a method of using an autodidactic cognitive training device.

Abstract: Disclosed are capsid-modified rAAV particles and expression vectors, as well as compositions and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using novel capsid-protein-mutated particle or rAAV vector constructs in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including, inter alia, as delivery agents for diagnosis, treatment, or amelioration of one or more diseases, disorders, or dysfunctions of the mammalian eye. Also disclosed are methods for subretinal delivery of therapeutic gene constructs to mammalian photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells, as well as use of the disclosed compositions in the manufacture of medicaments for a variety of in vitro and/or in vivo applications including the treatment of a variety of inherited retinal diseases.

Abstract: Apparatus and a corresponding method for controlling a transition between use of first processing circuitry and second processing circuitry to execute program instructions are provided. Transition monitoring storage selects an entry for a load program instruction executed during the transition in dependence on a memory address from which a value is to be loaded and stores a program order timestamp for the load program instruction, unless a valid previously stored program order timestamp in the entry precedes the program order timestamp. Thus the oldest timestamp of an load instruction executed in the transition is held. At either the start or end (or both) of the transition the content of the transition monitoring storage is cleared.

Abstract: A noninvasive stereotactic assembly for guiding an instrument to a target within a patient's head includes a head frame subassembly and an instrument positioning subassembly. The head frame subassembly is secured to a skull in the patient's head to determine an X-axis and a Y-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. According to the coordinate of the target in the three-dimensional coordinate system, ring members, a movable bracket, a swivel member, and an instrument holder of the instrument positioning subassembly are displaced by predetermined angles to guide the instrument toward the target.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating cultures and isolated cell populations containing preplacodal ectoderms cells, otic placode cells, and inner ear sensory hair cells derived from pluripotent cells by modulating TGF?, BMP, and FGF signaling pathways under defined culture conditions. Also described are methods for obtaining non-otic placodal tissues from pluripotent stem cells. Methods for identifying agents that induce or enhance differentiation and generation of hair cells are also disclosed. Methods for identifying cytoprotective agents for hair cells are also described.

Abstract: A multi-microcontroller system, comprising a master microcontroller and a plurality of slave microcontrollers; wherein the master microcontroller is connected with the slave microcontrollers respectively via a network bridge; the network bridge forms a first communication part with a first memory interface and a first SPI interface, the plurality of first communication parts are connected with the master microcontroller and the slave microcontrollers, respectively; the network bridge is primarily responsible for processing transmission of control signals and data between the master microcontroller and the slave microcontrollers, and serves as a temporary storage area for common memory such that the states of the slave microcontrollers are put under automated management, the addresses of the slave microcontrollers are designated, and memory blocks are allocated.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of EGFRvIII. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to EGFRvIII, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the anti-EGFRvIII CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises an anti-EGFRvIII binding domain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing back-reflection energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (XRD). This exhibits extremely low sensitivity to the morphology of the sample under investigation. As a consequence of this insensitivity, unprepared samples can be analyzed using this method. For example, in a geological context, whole rock samples become amenable to analysis. A composite diffraction spectrum can be produced using information from different recorded spectra in different energy sub-ranges. The composite spectrum excludes fluorescence signals that would otherwise obscure the diffraction signals.

Abstract: Systems, compositions, methods and kits employ protein shells, such as ferritin or viral capsid shells, herein called nanobubbles, to enhance X-ray images of cells or body tissue under certain x-ray imaging methods. The nanobubbles have sub-micron size such as about 10 nm, about 40, 60, or 100 nm and may be functionalized for effective delivery to or uptake by a target tissue, in vivo or a cell culture. The nanobubbles are hollow, having a central core which may be empty or contain a fluid, such that the shells effectively form long-lived bubbles in the imaged environment, and are of low electron density and have different scattering properties than the surrounding tissue. X-ray imaging by spatial frequency heterodyne imaging enhances visualization or detection of tissue regions bearing the shells. The protein shells may be further treated to assure biocompatibility and/or to resist undesired interactions with non-targeted tissue, such as scavenging by the liver, or attack by the immune system.

Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.

Abstract: The fast synchronization scheduling apparatus includes: a radio frequency (RF) transmission and reception module configured to transmit and receive RF signals from nearby channels, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) reception and storage module configured to receive RSSI values from the RF signals received from the RF transmission and reception module and store the received RSSI values, a channel sorting module configured to measure Channel Quality Estimation (CQE) values of the respective channels by putting the RSSI values of the respective channels received from the RSSI reception and storage module into a CQE formula and to sort the channels in order of highest CQE value (highest channel quality) based on the measured CQE values.

Abstract: An unsupervised behavior learning system and method for predicting anomalies in a distributed computing infrastructure. The distributed computing infrastructure includes a plurality of computer machines. The system includes a first computer machine and a second computer machine. The second computer machine is configured to generate a model of normal and anomalous behavior of the first computer machine, where the model is based on unlabeled training data. The second computer machine is also configured to acquire real-time data of system level metrics of the first machine; determine whether the real-time data is normal or anomalous based on a comparison of the real-time data to the model; and predict a future failure of the first computer machine based on multiple consecutive comparisons of the real-time data to the model.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, articles, and method for enhancing exercise performance in a subject. The method involves contacting the oral cavity of the subject with a composition comprising a sweet and caloric food product for a period sufficient to cause a cephalic phase response in the subject.