Abstract: A method comprising: sampling a temporal causal graph from a temporal graph distribution specifying probabilities of directed causal edges between different variables of a feature vector at a present time step, and from one variable at a preceding time step to another variables at the present time step. Based on this there are identified: a present parent which is a cause of the selected variable in the present time step, and a preceding parent which is a cause of the selected variable from the preceding time step. The method then comprises: inputting a value of each identified present and preceding parent into a respective encoder, resulting in a respective embedding of each of the present and preceding parents; combining the embeddings of the present and preceding parents, resulting in a combined embedding; inputting the combined embedding into a decoder, resulting in a reconstructed value of the selected variable.

Abstract: A microtome includes a blade; and a knife holder. The blade has a cutting edge configured to section a specimen block. The knife holder includes a base, a pressure plate and a frame. The pressure plate is connected to the base, and the pressure plate is adjustable relative to the base to clamp the blade between base and the pressure plate. The frame includes at least one limb and a bridge extending from the at least one limb parallel to the cutting edge. The bridge is proximate the cutting edge, the bridge and the blade cooperatively define a first gap therebetween, and the bridge and the pressure plate cooperatively define a second gap therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a reinforced steerable sheath assembly that is usable with an actuator comprising a shaft section defining a sheath that is operable to be deflected, and one or more pull wires that are coupled to the sheath via a coupling at a point of contact between the pull wires and the sheath. The pull wires being operable to be coupled to the actuator for actuating the pull wires. The reinforced steerable sheath assembly further comprises a means for preventing displacement of the coupling, wherein the means for preventing displacement to minimize failure at the coupling at the point of contact between the pull wires and the sheath upon actuation of the pull wires upon actuation of the actuator to deflect the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a reinforced steerable sheath assembly that is usable with an actuator comprising a shaft section defining a sheath that is operable to be deflected, and one or more pull wires that are coupled to the sheath via a coupling at a point of contact between the pull wires and the sheath. The pull wires being operable to be coupled to the actuator for actuating the pull wires. The reinforced steerable sheath assembly further comprises a means for preventing displacement of the coupling, wherein the means for preventing displacement to minimize failure at the coupling at the point of contact between the pull wires and the sheath upon actuation of the pull wires upon actuation of the actuator to deflect the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a modified tip for a sheath assembly that provides enhanced radiopacity while maintaining the distal tip profile to maintain adequate tip stiffness and tip transition force. The disclosed method and apparatus provide a distal tip segment for a sheath assembly comprising a region of increased wall thickness along a portion or section of the distal tip segment, providing increased cross-sectional area there-along to provide enhanced radiopacity, and a distal most section of the distal tip segment having a reduced or minimal profile to provide an atraumatic tip while maintaining sufficient stiffness for crossability. The distal tip segment is operable to be coupled to a proximal shaft portion of the sheath assembly, to provide enhanced radiopacity while maintaining the distal tip profile to maintain adequate tip stiffness.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compounds for treating a motor-associated neurodegenerative disease or condition. In some instances, also included herein are methods and compounds for treating a TDP-43 associated neurodegenerative disease or condition (e.g., ALS and frontotemporal dementia) and/or a C9orf72 associated neurodegenerative disease or condition (e.g., ALS and frontotemporal dementia).

Abstract: There are provided, inter alia, methods and compositions useful for neuronal regeneration, including methods for increasing expression of a regeneration-associated marker gene, and methods for increasing neuronal growth.