Abstract: The invention provides methods for designing peptides that inhibit aggregation in target polypeptides. The candidate inhibitory peptidic compounds have an oligomeric sequence that forms energetically-favorable interactions with the amino acid sequence of the steric zipper region of the target protein, and also possess a zipper-disrupting feature that disrupt the peptide stacking at the steric zipper region. This method can be used to obtain inhibitory peptides to disrupt fibril formation involving any protein for which a steric zipper sequence can be identified. The invention also provides inhibitory peptidic compounds, which can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating polypeptide aggregation-associated diseases or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides cysteine and cystine bioisosteres for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing such bioisosteres and methods of using the bioisosteres for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Abstract: The present invention provides enzyme catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions, including intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions, as well as protein scaffolds for making such enzyme catalysts. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making the enzyme catalysts, including by de novo computational design. The present invention thereby provides enzyme catalysts capable of catalyzing a desired Diels-Alder reaction, including with a specified or desired stereo-selectivity.

Abstract: A method associated with the selection of tubulars for hydrocarbon production is described based upon evaluating the performance limits of threaded connections. Constituents of an evaluation group of threaded connections are determined and then a first group of the connections is evaluated via model analysis over a range of conditions. Then, physical testing on a first group of threaded connections in the evaluation group is conducted over that range of conditions. Once modeled, the results from the physical testing and the modeling analysis of the first group are compared to assess a characteristic performance factor for the first group. A second group of threaded connections are determined and the assessed performance factor from the first group is applied to a second group, and the performance limits of the second group are defined over the range of conditions based on this characteristic performance factor, without requiring testing the second group.

Abstract: Methods of treating Parkinson's Disease comprising administering compounds that up-regulate cystine-glutamate exchange (system Xc?) and/or increase glutathione levels in the brain cells. Preferred compounds are cysteine/cystine prodrugs or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) prodrugs.

Abstract: A method associated with the selection of tubulars for hydrocarbon production is described. In particular, the method is associated with the evaluation of performance limits of threaded connections. In this method, constituents of an evaluation group of threaded connections are determined via model analysis. Then, physical testing on a first group of threaded connections in the evaluation group is conducted. Modeling analysis on the first group and a second group of threaded connections is performed, wherein the second group are not physically tested. Once modeled, the results from the physical testing and the modeling analysis are compared to assess a characteristic performance factor for the first group. Then, the characteristic performance factor is applied to the second group, and the performance limits are defined based on this characteristic performance factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing pressures present in an annular space defined between casing strings contained within a subterranean well. These systems and methods may include providing a pressure distribution casing that includes a plurality of pressure distribution passages and distributing fluids present within the annular space along a length of the pressure distribution casing and/or between the annular space and the subterranean formation using a portion of the plurality of pressure distribution passages. Pressure distribution passages may be present on an inner surface of the pressure distribution casing, on an outer surface of the pressure distribution casing, and/or within a wall of the pressure distribution casing and may distribute the fluids along the length of the pressure distribution casing without distributing the fluids across and/or through a wall of the pressure distribution casing, such as between the inner surface and the outer surface of the pressure distribution casing.

Abstract: A flow sensor and fastener assembly, is disclosed which includes at least the following modules: a sensor housing and a fastener element; wherein: the sensor housing is adapted to receive a flow-based sensor, e.g. a MEMS airflow sensor; the sensor housing includes a connection for transmitting sensing signals from a fitted flow-based sensor; the fastener element includes a head and a shank, at least part of the shank being externally threaded; the fastener element includes a bore extending through the whole length of the fastener element; and the bore is shaped at the head end of the fastener element to provide a sensor housing receiving part.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides and compositions thereof for treating or limiting respiratory syncytial virus infection, and computational methods for designing such polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods and systems for computationally designing self-assembling polypeptides are disclosed. A representation of a docked configuration of a symmetric protein architecture can be determined by a computing device configured to computationally symmetrically dock representations of protein building blocks within a representation of a symmetric protein architecture, where symmetrically docking a representation of a particular protein building block can include determining a configuration of the protein building blocks in three-dimensional space within the symmetric protein architecture configured to generate interfaces between building blocks suitable for computational protein interface design. The amino acid sequence of the docked protein building blocks can be computationally modified to specify protein-protein interfaces between the plurality of protein building blocks that are energetically favorable to drive self-assembly of a protein that includes the modified amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Systems, compounds and methods for the conversion of C1 carbon compounds to higher carbon compounds useful for the generation of commodity compounds.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided that can be used as part of an aircraft engine. In one form the nozzle includes an inner cowl and an outer cowl. The inner cowl can be actuated to a variety of positions. The outer cowl is piggybacked on the inner cowl and is initially retained in first position relative to the inner cowl with an outer cowl actuator. The outer cowl actuator can be commanded to release the outer cowl so that the outer cowl can be moved to a second position relative to the inner cowl. In one form the outer cowl actuator is an explosive bolt and a spring is provided to urge the outer cowl to the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides according to the general formulas disclosed herein, which recognize and are strong binders to Influenza A hemagglutinin and can be used, for example, to treat and/or limit development of an influenza infection. The present invention further provides isolated nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention, recombinant expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention operatively linked to a suitable control sequence, and recombinant host cells comprising the recombinant expression vectors of the invention. The present invention also provides antibodies that selectively bind to the polypeptides of the invention, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more polypeptides according to the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

Abstract: The present invention provides cysteine prodrugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs and compositions for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Abstract: Various diaphragm valves and accessories therefore are disclosed herein which improve on existing diaphragm valves and accessories and overcome many of the shortcomings of same. Related methods to these valves and accessories and/or their manufacture, assembly or use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing culture medium that contains soluble hyaluronidases. The methods employ cells that contain a plurality of active copies of nucleic acid encoding the soluble hyaluronidase and a plurality of feedings and temperature changes, whereby the encoded soluble hyaluronidase is secreted into the cell culture medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for computationally designing enzymes. These techniques can be used to design variations of naturally occurring enzymes, as well as new enzymes having no natural counterparts. The techniques are based on first identifying functional reactive sites required to promote the desired reaction. Then, hashing algorithms are used to identify potential protein backbone structures (i.e., scaffolds) capable of supporting the required functional sites. These techniques were used to design 32 different protein sequences that exhibited aldol reaction catalytic function, 31 of which are defined in the Sequence Listing. Details of these 31 different synthetic aldolases are provided, including descriptions of how such synthetic aldolases can be differentiated from naturally occurring aldolases.

Abstract: An orientation-based wireless sensor includes a transmitter unit having a body housing a microprocessor, a transmitter, and an accelerometer for detecting the orientation of the transmitter unit relative to one-, two- or three-axis of the direction of the pull of earth's gravity. The transmitter body is mounted on a feature of a vehicle that it is desirable to monitor.

Abstract: The invention provides an indazole derivative of formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or N-oxide thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The indazole derivatives are capable of blockading voltage dependent sodium channels and they are useful in the treatment or prevention of normal tension glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, a motorneurone disease, stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or pain.