Abstract: Techniques for providing ancillary services to a power grid using customer premises such as commercial buildings. The techniques may involve receiving a regulation signal from a grid operator that is specific to a commercial building and modifying power consumption by at least one power consumption component in the building based on the regulation signal. The power consumption component may be a fan and/or a chiller of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The regulation signal may be tracked in a at least a portion of a frequency band from about 4 seconds to about 60 minutes, and the control architecture may depend on the portion of the frequency band.

Abstract: This disclosed subject matter allows short pulses with high peak powers to be obtained from seed pulses generated by a gain-switched diode. The gain-switched diode provides a highly stable source for optical systems such as nonlinear microscopy. The disclosed system preserves the ability to generate pulses at arbitrary repetition rates, or even pulses on demand, which can help reduce sample damage in microscopy experiments or control deliberate damage in material processing.

Abstract: Methods for oxidative coupling of methane using metal oxide catalysts and a sulfur oxidant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proximity-based position, movement and gesture detection are provided that utilize capacitive sensor arrays. In one embodiment, the system utilizes textile-based capacitive sensor arrays that can be integrated into other textiles, such as clothing, bed linens, etc., or that can be integrated into the environment (e.g., furniture, wheelchairs, car seats, etc.). The system recognizes gestures from detected movement by utilizing hierarchical signal processing techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of at least five clinical analyses or tests (using serum samples) to determine the risk of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and/or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) in an individual. These include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure antibody titers against neuronal antigens present in the brain; the neuronal antigens include lysoganglioside, tubulin, dopamine receptor D1, dopamine receptor D2, serotonin receptor 5HT2A, and serotonin receptor 5HT2C. Antibody titers against at least four of these neuronal antigens are required in the present methods; preferably antibody tiers against all of these neuronal antigens are measured. A final assay is used to quantify calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity using a neuronal cell line.

Abstract: A method for preparing a perovskite solar cell by a non-deposition method is provided. Particularly, the method includes preparing a first substrate by forming a hole transport layer on a light absorbing layer in a semi-dried state and pressurizing and drying a second substrate including an opposing electrode to the first substrate.

Abstract: Recombinant attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants have been created that show efficacy as oral vaccines against plague caused by Y. pestis and Yersinosis caused by both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines can be used to prevent Yersinosis in farm animals such as swine, cattle and sheep. The palatable baits containing live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines may be acceptable methods to control plague epidemics in wild animals. The methods disclosed can also be used to generate recombinant attenuated Y. entercolitica and Y. pestis vaccine strains.

Abstract: Disclosed are selective histone deactylase inhibitors (HDACi) that having Formula I. Methods of making and using these inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, in particular melanoma are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for discovering agents that are effective in reversing epigenetic silencing by inhibiting the interaction of methyl-binding (MBD) proteins with methylated genomic DNA. Also provided are methods for reactivating silenced genes having CpG island hypermethylation along with methods for treatment and prevention of diseases, such as cancer and sickle cell anemia, by administering an agent that modulates methyl-binding domain (MBD) protein-mediated transcriptional repression, thereby increasing gene transcription to prevent or treat disease. Additionally, compounds identified by the present invention useful for treatment and prevention of diseases, such as cancer and sickle cell anemia, are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus provides tactile stimulus to a human user using a tri-layer actuator comprising: first and second polymer layers which are electronically and ionically conductive and have one or more dimensions which vary in dependence on insertion of ions therein and withdrawal of ions therefrom; and a deformable layer located between the first and second polymer layers to physically separate the first and second polymer layers from one another, the deformable layer electronically insulating and ionically conductive. Application of first and second voltages between the first and second polymer layers creates corresponding first and second distributions of ions within the first and second polymer layers. Changing between application of the first and second voltages causes corresponding deformation of the tri-layer actuator between corresponding first and second shapes, a difference or transition between the first and second shapes detectable by a sense of touch of a human user.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting and/or sensitizing or re-sensitizing a parasite to an antiparasitic drug are provided. The compositions can comprise a rifamycin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or prodrug thereof in an amount and formulation sufficient to inhibit or induce drug-sensitization in a parasite. The methods can comprise administering a rifamycin derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or prodrug thereof to a parasite in an amount and formulation sufficient to inhibit or induce drug-sensitization in the parasite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzoxazolone derivatives as acid ceramidase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing these inhibitors and methods of inhibiting acid ceramidase for the treatment of disorders in which modulation of the levels of ceramide is clinically relevant. The invention also provides benzoxazolone derivatives for use as a medicament in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, pain, inflammatory pain or pulmonary diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DNA-targeting RNA that comprises a targeting sequence and, together with a modifying polypeptide, provides for site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA. The present disclosure further provides site-specific modifying polypeptides. The present disclosure further provides methods of site-specific modification of a target DNA and/or a polypeptide associated with the target DNA The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid in a target cell, generally involving contacting the target nucleic acid with an enzymatically inactive Cas9 polypeptide and a DNA-targeting RNA. Kits and compositions for carrying out the methods are also provided. The present disclosure provides genetically modified cells that produce Cas9; and Cas9 transgenic non-human multicellular organisms.

Abstract: The present invention is a rectangular waveguide providing amplification of an electromagnetic wave via interaction with an electron beam in a linear interaction channel where the electron beam enters the waveguide at a first curved part of the waveguide, traverses the linear interaction channel and exits the waveguide at a second curved part of the waveguide.

Abstract: The invention provides semi-solid systems for delivering biologically active materials that include a polymer comprising 1) one or more polycaprolactone (PCL) units and 2) at least one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) units; wherein at least one of said polycaprolactone units is conjugated to a PEG forming an acetal group.

Abstract: Provided herein are sphingolipid compounds that are useful for activating natural killer T cells. Also provided are methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder that is treatable by activating the immune system by stimulating natural killer T cells. The compounds are therefore useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of occurrence of an immune diseases and disorders, such as autoimmune diseases or disorders. The compounds may also be used for treating or reducing the likelihood of occurrence of a microbial infection or for treating or reducing the likelihood of occurrence of a cancer in a subject by administering the sphingolipid compounds described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for defining and utilizing virtual fixtures for haptic navigation within real-world environments, including underwater environments, are provided. A computing device can determine a real-world object within a real-world environment. The computing device can receive an indication of the real-world object. The computing device can determine a virtual fixture that corresponds to the real-world object based on the indication, where aspects of the virtual fixture are configured to align with aspects of the real-world object. The computing device can provide a virtual environment for manipulating the robotic tool to operate on the real-world object utilizing the virtual fixture. The virtual fixture is configured to provide haptic feedback based on a position of a virtual robotic tool in the virtual environment that corresponds to the robotic tool in the real-world environment.

Abstract: A translational control method using an RNA-protein interaction motif is provided. The method comprises a step of introducing an mRNA having: a 5?UTR regulation structure comprising: (1) a cap structure at the 5? terminus, (2) a spacer positioned on the 3? side of the cap structure, and (3) one or more RNA motifs positioned on the 3? side of the spacer, which comprises an RNA-protein interaction motif-derived nucleotide sequence or a variant thereof; and a nucleotide sequence encoding a target protein gene on the 3? side of the 5?UTR regulation structure, into a cell in the presence of a protein specifically binding to the RNA motifs, wherein a translational level is decreased as the number of bases of the spacer decreases, and the translational level is decreased as the number of the RNA motifs increases.

Abstract: A prosthetic socket fitment system for fitting a prosthesis to a patient can include at least one transceiver assembly in contact with an external frame coupled to a patient, and a processing module in electrical communication with the at least one transceiver assembly. The at least one transceiver assembly can be aligned to the bone of the patient and configured to generate a signal directed to the bone of the patient and receive a reflected signal from the bone of the patient.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating and/or preventing lymphangiogenesis in a subject by using an inhibitor of a galectin-8 protein in an amount effective to inhibit or to modulate an activity of the galectin-8 protein or a portion thereof sufficient to inhibit the lymphangiogenesis associated with cancer, corneal injury, dry eye disease, inflammation, lymphedema, organ rejection or graft rejection.