Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented systems for identifying a patient with cystic fibrosis as having a high risk for upper respiratory infections or systemic inflammation, based on the patient's stool microbiota. The systems use machine learning models trained with data comprising (a) risk classifications for subjects with cystic fibrosis and (b) stool microbiota information for each of the subjects. The present disclosure also relates to methods of reducing frequency and/or number of upper respiratory infections in a patient with cystic fibrosis. The present disclosure also relates to methods of identifying a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) as having a high risk for frequent upper respiratory infections or high systemic inflammation based on the patient's stool microbiota.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for interfering with viability of bacteria and related compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Compounds which are glycosylates of an A-ring of a cardiotonic steroid, wherein the steroid is attached to the anomeric position of (a) a monosaccharide comprising a C-4 amino group, or (b) an oligosaccharide are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for interfering with viability of bacteria and related compounds and compositions.

Abstract: A composition comprising an SL0101 [kaempferol 3-O-(3?,4?-di-O-acetyl-?-L-rhamnopyranoside)] derivative compound that has enhanced ability to inhibit RSK activity, relative to the parent compound is provided. The compounds have utility for treating any disease or conditions characterized or associated with excess or undesirable RSK activity. For example the RSK inhibitors of the present invention can be used to reduce the proliferation of neoplastic cells or for inhibiting the establishment or maintenance of an intracellular pathogenic infection by pathogens whose pathogenicity derives in part from the pathogen's ability to impede endosomal/phagosomal maturation in the host cell.

Abstract: A composition comprising an SL0101 [kaempferol 3-O-(3?,4?-di-O-acetyl-?-L-rhamnopyranoside)] derivative compound that has enhanced ability to inhibit RSK activity, relative to the parent compound is provided. The compounds have utility for treating any disease or conditions characterized or associated with excess or undesirable RSK activity. For example the RSK inhibitors of the present invention can be used to reduce the proliferation of neoplastic cells or for inhibiting the establishment or maintenance of an intracellular pathogenic infection by pathogens whose pathogenicity derives in part from the pathogen's ability to impede endosomal/phagosomal maturation in the host cell.

Abstract: A device for storing elongated articles is provided. The elongated articles may include semi-rigid articles or string-like articles such as a string of lights. The device comprises a flared section and an elongated section, wherein the device is handheld and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section. The flared section has a hollow interior defining a first passageway, and the elongated section has a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway and the elongated section is longer than the flared section. In addition, the flared section and the elongated section are concentric and tubular. The elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same width.

Abstract: Disclosed are various genes encoding proteins that are shown to play a role, direct or indirect, in microbial resistance of an organism in a biofilm and homologs thereof. Also disclosed are methods of identifying a compound that modulates microbial resistance of an organism in a biofilm, and methods of identifying genes that encode proteins that play a role, direct or indirect, in biofilm resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting a maximum amount of power from a water source includes: a hydroturbine assembly including a shaft; a turbo generator connected to the shaft of the hydroturbine assembly; a frequency sensor for sensing a frequency output by the generator associated with a turbine speed of the hydroturbine; a power converter that converts the electrical output of the turbo generator to a predetermined power value; a power sensor for sensing an output power of the power converter; a maximum power controller that maximizes a power output of the power converter based on: (a) the frequency of the electrical output of the turbo generator sensed by the frequency sensor; and (b) the output power of the power converter sensed by the power sensor; and an energy reservoir for receiving the output of the power converter; wherein the maximum power controller calculates a maximum power output of the power converter.

Abstract: Disclosed are various genes encoding proteins that are shown to play a role, direct or indirect, in microbial resistance of an organism in a biofilm and homologs thereof. Also disclosed are methods of identifying a compound that modulates microbial resistance of an organism in a biofilm, and methods of identifying genes that encode proteins that play a role, direct or indirect, in biofilm resistance.

Abstract: The invention features a novel method for identifying compounds capable of affecting a microbial biological activity, such as biofilm formation, development and dissolution. The method includes: (a) obtaining supernatant from a closed culture system that contains at least one type of microorganism; (b) exposing a target organism to the supernatant or an extract thereof; and (c) measuring the level of the biological activity. Compounds identified by this method are provided, as wells as methods for disrupting biofilms and inhibiting or promoting their formation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power processor which operates in three modes: an inverter mode wherein power is delivered from a battery to an AC power grid or load; a battery charger mode wherein the battery is charged by a generator; and a parallel mode wherein the generator supplies power to the AC power grid or load in parallel with the battery. In the parallel mode, the system adapts to arbitrary non-linear loads. The power processor may operate on a per-phase basis wherein the load may be synthetically transferred from one phase to another by way of a bumpless transfer which causes no interruption of power to the load when transferring energy sources. Voltage transients and frequency transients delivered to the load when switching between the generator and battery sources are minimized, thereby providing an uninterruptible power supply.

Abstract: A window scraper brush is disclosed. The brush has a brush support defining a longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments extending from a portion of the brush support. The filaments are tapered with the tips of the filaments defining a longitudinal filament edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the brush has brass filaments and an axle about which the brush can be oscillated. The brush preferably includes camming structure cooperable with a housing to cause the brush to move toward and away from a work surface during a portion of each oscillation of the brush about the axle.

Abstract: A window scraper and method are provided wherein a scraping brush has filaments and wherein the tips of the filaments are moved linearly across the work surface as the brush rotates. Preferably, the brush has brass filaments trimmed to a point, and the brush drive mechanism moves the brush in an oscillating arcuate path while cams and cam surfaces simultaneously cause the brush to move toward and away from the work surface to maintain the tip of the filaments in substantially the same plane at a constant distance and pressure relative to the work surface. A novel brush has filaments trimmed to a point, an axle of rotation and cams to engage cam surfaces. The device includes an oscillating drive mechanism, a slot to rotatably and slidingly receive the brush axle, and cam surfaces to engage the brush cams and cause the brush axle to slide in the slot, causing the brush to move toward and away from the work surface during portions of the rotating brush sweep.

Abstract: A window scraper and method are provided wherein a scraping brush has filaments and wherein the tips of the filaments are moved linearly across the work surface as the brush rotates. Preferably, the brush has brass filaments trimmed to a point, and the brush drive mechanism moves the brush in an oscillating arcuate path while cams and cam surfaces simultaneously cause the brush to move toward and away from the work surface to maintain the tip of the filaments in substantially the same plane at a constant distance and pressure relative to the work surface. A novel brush has filaments trimmed to a point, an axle of rotation and cams to engage cam surfaces. The device includes an oscillating drive mechanism, a slot to rotatably and slidingly receive the brush axle, and cam surfaces to engage the brush cams and cause the brush axle to slide in the slot, causing the brush to move toward and away from the work surface during portions of the rotating brush sweep.