Abstract: Compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.

Abstract: A method of generating protein-induced pluripotent stem cells by delivering bacterial!y expressed reprogramming proteins into nuclei of starting somatic cells using the QQ-protein transduction technique, repeating several cell reprogramming cycles for creating reprogrammed protein-induced pluripotent stem cells, moving the reprogrammed cells into a feeder-free medium for expansion, and expanding and passaging the reprogrammed cells in a whole dish for generating homogeneous piPS cells. Also provided are the piPCS cells formed using this method and uses thereof.

Abstract: Substituted pyrrolopyridine, imidazopyridine and triazolopyridine compounds having a formula are positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1) and the compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions may be useful in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction. Compounds of the invention may be prepared in several steps from 2-halo-5,6-dihydro-7H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-7-one intermediates.

Abstract: A solar adiabatic cooling vest. The cooling vest utilizes adiabatic evaporation to cool hot, dry air. Hot outside humid air is drawn by an exhaust fan through an air inlet over large particles of salt to lower the air humidity before passing through a wetted wick material. Heat in the air evaporates water in the wetted wick material, thus causing the air leaving the wick material to be saturated and at a lower temperature than the incoming air. The saturated air passes through a salt filter to lower the air's relative humidity. After exiting the salt filter, the cooled, drier air passes through an air filter to further lower its humidity and remove any salt particles from the air. The cooled air is then distributed through flexible outlet cooling tubes to a person's body, room, or enclosed space.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for altering respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication in a cell using oligonucleotides derived from tRNAs, also referred to as tRFs (tRNA-derived RNA Fragments). The oligonucleotides may be used to decrease or increase replication of RSV. Also provided herein are methods for treating a subject having or at risk of having an RSV infection, and animal models for evaluating viral and host factors in RSV pathogenesis.

Abstract: Novel assembly effector compounds having a therapeutic effect against hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection are disclosed. Assembly effector molecules described herein can lead to defective viral assembly and also may affect other viral activities associated with chronic HBV infection. Also disclosed is a process to synthesize disclosed compounds, method of treatment of HBV by administration of disclosed compounds, and use of these compounds in the manufacture of medicaments against HBV.

Abstract: A plasmon-based optical modulator comprises a substrate, a layer of high reflectivity material disposed over the substrate, a relatively thin dielectric layer disposed over a top major surface of the layer of high reflectivity material and a plurality of graphene strips disposed in parallel across a top major surface of the relatively thin dielectric layer, each graphene strip exhibiting a predetermined width w, with adjacent strips separated by a predetermined spacing s. A first electrical contact is coupled to the plurality of graphene strips and a second electrical contact is coupled to the layer of high reflectivity material, where the values of w, s, and voltage applied between the first and second electrical contacts determines a resonant wavelength of the plasmon-based optical modulator, with changes in the applied voltage changing between absorption and non-absorption of an applied optical input signal.

Abstract: A hop-by-hop trust evaluation scheme (H-TEA) is disclosed that can be used to route a data packet between a set of network nodes in an identity anonymous wireless sensor network. The H-TEA scheme is a complete localized approach for each network node to determine a trustworthiness reputation of the data packet for routing without requiring a recommendation from another node or any historical information about the other node. In the H-TEA scheme, the trustworthiness reputation of the packet is evaluated based on one or more of four verification processes: a data quality verification process, a location verification process, a time verification process, and a travel direction verification process. The H-TEA scheme can be implemented to preform network data management and network data security in a wireless sensor network with a resource constraint and requires anonymity.

Abstract: A power routing device includes processing circuitry configured to receive inputs from device monitors configured to determine load status information from a plurality of loads, power-source monitors configured to determine source status information from a plurality of power sources, and command modules configured to provide context information regarding the loads or the power sources. Some of the loads have different operational characteristics than others. Some of the power sources have different operational characteristics than others. The power routing device is operably coupled to power-source distribution hardware selectively operably coupling selected ones of the power sources to selected ones of the loads. The power routing device is configured to direct the power-source distribution hardware to define routing between the selected ones of the power sources and the selected ones of the loads based on the source status information, the load status information and the context information.

Abstract: An ionization detector that reduces the filtering effects of the ignition coil inductances by shorting an inductance of a primary winding of the ignition coil. The ionization detector includes a bias voltage source and an inductance control switch. The bias voltage source supplies electric voltage across an electric gap of a spark plug for detecting ionization within the combustion chamber. The inductance control switch is electrically parallel with a primary winding of an ignition coil and is operable to short an inductance of the primary winding.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer cells having mutated PIK3CA gene or protein of a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of one or more enzymes of the glutamine metabolism pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting against, treating, and detecting Fusobacteria infections. Compositions and methods derived from nucleic acid and protein sequences of a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are provided to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject. In one aspect, vaccines capable of inducing an immune response to a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are used to protect against Fusobacteria infection. Also, nucleic acid molecules, proteins, immunogens, antibodies, and antisense molecules derived from the sequences of the 40 kDa Adhesin protein may be used to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject.

Abstract: The system includes a tank for receiving water, a microwave unit having a plurality of sides, one of the sides having a first opening and a second opening, the microwave unit housing a vessel for receiving water from the tank, the vessel having a lid including an inlet port extending through the first opening and an outlet port extending through the second opening, the inlet port of the vessel being positioned in fluid communication with the tank, a magnetic stirrer having a stir bar immersed in the water contained in the vessel, and a condenser unit having a natural convection condenser positioned within a first tube, an adapter, and a heat exchange coil having an inlet configured for receiving water from the tank and an outlet for discharging water to the tank, the condenser unit being positioned in communicating relation to the outlet port of the vessel.

Abstract: The described technology relates to a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit. In one aspect, the backlight unit includes a light source and a light guiding plate configured to guide light emitted from the light source. The backlight unit also includes an optical sheet integrally formed with the light guiding plate and including a micro pattern configured to emit light reflected from the light guiding plate.

Abstract: Formulations and methods are provided for improving the function, i.e. clinical outcome, of solid organ transplants. Lung transplantation is of particular interest. In the methods of the invention, a nanoparticle formulation comprising an effective dose of an iron chelator active agent in nanoparticle form, including without limitation, deferoxamine (DFO), deferasirox (DFX), and deferiprone (DFP), etc. suspended in a carrier compatible with the tissue of interest, is topically applied to the surface of tissues at the site of anastomosis. The nanoparticles are comprised of the active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable stabilizer.

Abstract: A system includes a chest tube drainage system comprising a first chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a chest tube, a second chamber in fluid communication with a port connectable to a suction device, and a fluid seal connected to and disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The system also includes one or more gas sensors attached to the chest tube drainage system, the one or more gas sensors configured to detect at least one of gaseous carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen, a controller connected to the one or more gas sensors, and at least one indicator coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to determine if a threshold level of carbon dioxide is exceeded, and to activate the at least one indicator if the threshold level of carbon dioxide is not exceeded.

Abstract: Metal halide scintillators are described. More particularly, the scintillators include Tl and/or In-based ternary metal halides, such as those of the formulas A2BX4 and AB2X5, wherein A is an alkali metal, such as Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof; B is an alkali earth metal, such as Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or any combination thereof; X is a halide, such as Cl, Br, I, F or any combination thereof; some or all of A has been replaced by Tl and/or In, and some or all of B has been replaced by another dopant, such as Eu, Ce, Tb, Yb, and Pr. Radiation detectors comprising the metal halide scintillators are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for identifying the presence of one or more methylated or unmethylated target nucleotide sequences in a sample that involve coupled methylation sensitive restriction enzyme digestion-ligation and/or extension processes. In some embodiments, the ligation and primary extension products formed in the reaction processes of the present invention are subsequently amplified using a polymerase chain reaction. The ligation products or primary extension products are detected, and the presence of one or more methylated or unmethylated target nucleotide sequences in the sample is identified based on the detection.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising (i) a polysiloxane comprising a plurality of pendant amines and (ii) an acid. Also provided is a composition comprising (i) a polysiloxane comprising a plurality of pendant acids and (ii) an amine. The compositions are useful inter alia for chemical or oil spill cleanup, drug delivery systems, transparent films, adhesives, binding agents, conductors, membranes, cross-linking agents, or opticoelectronic applications. Also provided are methods for making the compositions of the invention, as well as a battery and a composition for controlled release of a compound, each comprising a composition of the invention.