Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a double stranded iRNA agent comprising an antisense strand which is complementary to a target gene; a sense strand which is complementary to said antisense strand; and one or more lipophilic moieties conjugated to one or more internal positions on at least one strand, optionally via a linker or carrier. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of gene silencing, comprising administering to a cell or a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the lipophilic moieties-conjugated double-stranded iRNAs.

Abstract: A radiotherapy device, a method and a computer readable medium are disclosed. The radiotherapy device includes a radiation source and a controller. The radiation source is configured to apply radiation to a subject. The controller is configured to determine an overlap between a defined volume of the subject and an isodose surface and to instruct the radiation source to halt application of the radiation based on the determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides antibody sequences found in antibodies that bind to human CD25. In particular, the present disclosure provides sequences of anti-human CD25 antibodies, which do not block the binding of CD25 to IL-2 or IL-2 signalling. Antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof including such sequences can be used in pharmaceutical composition and methods of treatment, in particular for treating cancer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical access port system that comprises a retractor that is adapted for being coupled to a cap and that is particularly useful in natural orifice surgery are described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of reducing or arresting viral load in a subject infected with a coronavirus, the method comprising the step of administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a viral protease inhibitor. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In one embodiment, the coronavirus is SARS-COV-19 and the viral protease inhibitor is E)-N-(4-(3-(tert-butyl)-5-(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)-2-methoxystyryl)phenyl)methanesulfonamide; (R)-3-((2S,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-2-methylbenzamido)-4-phenylbutanoyl)-5,5-dimethyl-N-(2-methylbenzyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxamide; R)—N-allyl-3-((2S,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-(3-hydroxy-2-methylbenzamido)-4-phenylbutanoyl)-5,5-dimethylthiazolidine-4-carboxamide; (4-((N-(5-cyclopropyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)benzofuran-6-yl)methylsulfonamido)methyl)-2-fluorophenyl)boronic acid or salts thereof.

Abstract: A wake-up radio system in a wireless sensor network, the wake-up radio comprising: an analog front end configured to communicate with matching network; an analog to digital converter coupled to the analog front end; and a digital baseband coupled to the analog to digital converter, wherein the digital baseband outputs a fast wake-up signal and a secure wake-up signal, and wherein the wake-up radio listens to all channels simultaneously.

Abstract: Exosomes are a small type of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins that are implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cardiac regeneration, and therefore serve as potentially useful biomarkers from fluids or as vehicles for drug delivery. Global bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics has been previously used to profile exosome cargo for diagnostic purposes. However, the current protocols for MS analysis of extracellular vesicles and exosome proteomics are challenging due to labor-intensive sample preparation, including lengthy digestion times and removal of MS incompatible reagents, and the need for high sensitivity. To address these challenges, the present invention provides a novel, high-throughput strategy for extracellular vesicle analysis and exosome proteomics using a photo-cleavable, anionic surfactant, preferably 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to generating an n-dimensional map using the results of a query for compounds enumerated within a collection of documents describing a particular biological target of interest and a curated set of compounds not enumerated in the collection of documents. Both sets of compounds (document coded and curated coded) are converted into coded forms and placed in the n-dimensional map. One or more processors are configured to evaluate the distance between the curated coded forms and the closest cluster of document coded forms. Based on the distance between a coded form and the document coded forms, the curated coded forms can be ranked regarding the likelihood of interacting with the particular biological target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for heating a bed of a truck. The system includes a processor, one or more inputs, one or more power sources, a resistor grid, and one or more channels. The processor receives the one or more inputs and uses the one or more inputs to generate a thermal management control method.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved motion planner that safely and proactively considers worst-case agent behavior by generating a worst-case homotopy for every nominal homotopy. In some embodiments, a method comprises: generating a first set of maneuvers to be performed by a vehicle in a scenario, the first set of maneuvers based on an expected behavior of at least one agent proximate to the vehicle; generating a second set of maneuvers to be performed by the vehicle, the second set of maneuvers based on worst case behavior of the at least one agent proximate to the vehicle; generating a set of candidate trajectories based on the first set of maneuvers and the second set of maneuvers; selecting a trajectory from the set of candidate trajectories; and generating, with the at least one processor, at least one control signal to operate the vehicle based on the selected trajectory.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure relates to biocidal compositions comprising an isothiazolone biocidal active compound in combination with a cystamine enhancer. These compositions can demonstrate highly effective prevention of deterioration and decay that can be caused by microbial contamination using low concentrations a biocidal active compound.

Abstract: Provided are interconnects for interconnecting a set of battery cells, assemblies comprising these interconnects, methods of forming such interconnects, and methods of forming such assemblies. An interconnect includes a conductor comprising two portions electrically isolated from each other. At least one portion may include two contacts for connecting to battery cells and a fuse forming an electrical connection between these two contacts. The interconnect may also include an insulator adhered to the conductor and mechanically supporting the two portions of the conductor. The insulator may include an opening such that the fuse overlaps with this opening, and the opening does not interfere with the operation of the fuse. In some embodiments, the fuse may not directly interface with any other structures. Furthermore, the interconnect may include a temporary substrate adhered to the insulator such that the insulator is disposed between the temporary substrate and the conductor.

Abstract: A repository definition computer program may (1) retrieve repository data from data repositories; (2) identify a data repository structure for each data repository; (3) generating data repository definitions for the data repositories; (4) provide the data repository definitions in a data serialization language to a repository management system; and (5) generate a hash of each file in the data repositories and save a copy of each file named its hash. A UAT management system computer program may (6) execute a repository extract process to repave one the data repositories with the hash-named files. The repository extract computer program may (7) retrieve the data repository definitions for the data repository being repaved from a repository management system server; (8) retrieve the hash-named files from object storage for the data repository being repaved; and (9) recreate the data repository from the data repository definitions using hard links to the hash-named files.

Abstract: In an approach for determining the date of planting of a crop growing in an agricultural field, a processor receives an aerial image of one or more agricultural fields in a pre-determined geographical region. A processor selects a plurality of points from the aerial image. A processor calculates a Vegetation Index of one or more crops growing at the plurality of points selected. A processor compares the Vegetation Index calculated for the one or more crops growing at the plurality of points selected to the Vegetation Index known for a plurality of historical reference signatures. A processor generates an actual signature. A processor cross-correlates the actual signature against the plurality of historical reference signatures to measure a degree of similarity. A processor identifies the one or more crops growing in the one or more agricultural fields in the pre-determined geographical region from the cross-correlation.

Abstract: A detection device for a radiotherapy apparatus is described. The detection device comprises an arrangement of detectors comprising a plurality of radiation detectors, each detector arranged and configured to detect a projection of a feature of a phantom at the respective detector when a beam of radiation is applied to the phantom, and output a measurement value based on the detected projection. The detection device further comprises a controller configured to receive the measurement values from the plurality of detectors and determine a position of the phantom in a first coordinate system based on the received measurement values.

Abstract: A descender (1) for controlling the descent of a climber down a rope (2) fixed to an anchor point (P), the descender comprising a primary rope-engaging means in the form of a cam lock (3) and associated rope entry guide (10), the camlock having a rope braking surface co-operable with the rope entry guide to partially or wholly lock the rope in response to movement of the rope, and handle means (9) to adjustably unlock the camlock to thereby wholly or partially release the rope and thereafter allow further descent from the anchor point, CHARACTERISED IN THAT the descender also includes a secondary rope engaging means (15) disposed in advance of the primary rope engaging means (3,10) and having an additional rope-engaging braking surface (16) adapted to, in use, selectively impart additional or alternative friction to the rope before it enters the primary rope-engaging means.

Abstract: A tether includes a length of rope with a primary loop at a midpoint for connection to a rope wrench, a pair of secondary loops remote from the primary loop, and a generally stiff but partially flexible rope cover between the primary and secondary loops, the rope cover being pre-curved along its length, the tether also including a tail-portion of the rope between the secondary loops and the rope cover, providing unrestricted 360° flexibility for the secondary loops, the rope cover sufficiently rigid to permit the handle end of the rope wrench to be pushed or pulled by hand and the rope cover retaining its curve to minimise the risk of a user's hand interfering with a hitch cord, and the tail portion of the tether is sufficiently flexible to withstand side-loads.

Abstract: A combination climbing apparatus (1) comprising or including a rope ascender (5) and a pulley block (6), the rope ascender having front (19) and rear (21) plates disposed in generally parallel relationship, a first swivel pin (11) being received within co-axial bores in the front and rear plates, about which pin the plates are swivelable with respect to each other, a cam lever (9) mounted on the first swivel pin between the front and rear plates, the cam lever being connected, directly or indirectly, to a climbing rope braking surface (10) on a cam between the front and rear plates, the cam lever being operable to trap the rope against the cam braking surface, the front and rear plates each including a second bore (22,23) remote from the major axis of the first swivel pin for receiving a second, removable, swivel pin (29), a pulley block releasably the ascender and pulley block may be selectively used in combination when required or separately when not.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating at least one symptom of a coronavirus infection, or preventing an acute inflammatory response, e.g., a cytokine storm in a coronavirus patient, in particular a SARS-CoV-19 patient, by administering an angiontensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) modulator.