Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to anti-IL4R antibodies that bind to canine IL4R. In various embodiments, such anti-IL4R antibodies can be used in methods to treat IL4/IL13-induced conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, pruritus, asthma, psoriasis, scleroderma and eczema, in companion animals, such as canines and felines. Also provided are various embodiments relating to variant IgG Fc polypeptides and variant light chain constant regions of companion animal species for the preparation of antibodies or bispecific antibodies.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically generating an optimization model for site-wide plant optimization includes mapping a process flow diagram of a plant process to a graph comprising nodes and edges, wherein the nodes represent processes and the edges represent flows between processes. A behavior is learned for each node of the graph based at least on historic data of the plant process. One or more regression functions are modeled for each node to predict an output of each of the processes, wherein the one or more regression functions are modeled based on the learned behavior for each node.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to erythropoietin (EPO) polypeptide analogs with one or more additional glycosylation sites and/or additional cysteine residues and methods of producing and using the same to treat anemia in companion animals. Also provided are various embodiments relating to polypeptides comprising an extracellular domain of EPO receptor and methods of using the same for treating polycythemia in mammals.

Abstract: In an approach to hyperparameter optimization, one or more computer processors express a hyperparameter tuning process of a model based on a type of model, one or more dimensions of a training dataset, associated loss function of the model, and associated computational constraints of the model, comprising: identifying a set of optimal hyper-rectangles based a calculated local variability and a calculated best function value; calculating a point as a representative for each identified potentially optimal hyper-rectangle by locally searching over the identified set of potentially optimal hyper-rectangles; dividing one or more hyper-rectangles in the identified set of optimal hyper-rectangles into a plurality of smaller hyper-rectangles based on each calculated point; and calculating one or more optimal hyperparameters utilizing a globally converged hyper-rectangle from the plurality of smaller hyper-rectangles.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to IL13R/IL4R heterodimeric proteins derived from companion animal species and that bind to IL13 and/or IL4. Such heterodimeric proteins can be used in methods to treat IL13 and/or IL4-induced conditions in companion animals, such as canines, felines, and equines.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to variant IgG Fc polypeptides with altered FcRn binding activity. Also provided are polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the variant IgG Fc polypeptides described herein. Polypeptides comprising variant IgG Fc polypeptides of the present invention may have extended half-life in vivo. Such products may be used in methods to treat disease in companion animals, such as canines, felines, and equines.

Abstract: A concentrated coffee extract powder (instant coffee) and a system for producing the same are disclosed which includes: selecting and preparing coffee beans by a predetermined quality guideline; receiving a coffee extract by inputting the coffee beans into a high-volume coffee brewing machine a high-volume coffee brewing machine having a plurality of percolation tanks whose fluid inter-communication is controlled by a a Boolen logic performed by a proportional integral derivative controller (PIDC) after receiving time, temperature, and pressure data from the plurality of percolation tanks so that the coffee extract is qualitatively constant in each of said plurality of percolation tanks; freezing the coffee extract mixed with the probiotics in molds using an individual quick freezer (IQF) to obtain frozen coffee extract blocks; and vacuum freezing the frozen coffee extract blocks using a convection current vacuum freeze drying apparatus.

Abstract: A microwave connector assembly comprises a waveguide ferrule having a receiving end receiving a dielectric waveguide, a connecting end distal to the receiving end, and a locking member, and a ferrule socket at least partially receiving the waveguide ferrule in a ferrule receptacle. The ferrule socket engages in a locking connection with the locking member. The ferrule socket has a coding member engaging a complementary coding member of the waveguide ferrule only when the waveguide ferrule is positioned relative to the ferrule socket in a single predetermined angular position or in one of two predetermined angular positions that are rotated by 180° with respect to each other.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an optimal interpretable decision tree using integer linear programming techniques. A non-limiting example computer-implemented method includes receiving, using a processor, a plurality of data inputs from a process and selecting, using the processor, a data subset from the plurality of data inputs by solving linear programming to obtain a solution. The method builds and optimizes, using the processor, an optimal decision tree based on the data subset and alerts, using the processor, a user when a prediction of the optimal decision tree is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a production system includes mapping, by a controller, the production system as a directed acyclic graph. The production system can include multiple plants that are represented as nodes and relations between the plants represented by edges of the directed acyclic graph. The method further includes generating, by the controller, a regression model for each of the plants in the production system. The method further includes predicting, by the controller, an output of each plant based on sensor data associated from each plant. The method further includes adjusting, by the controller, one or more control variables for each plant based on a target output by using machine learning. The method further includes adjusting, by the controller, the one or more control variables for each plant to generate the target output.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention concerns a method for detecting or quantifying DNA methylation at a locus. In one embodiment, a methylation-sensitive endonuclease is formulated together with a polymerase enzyme in an appropriate reaction mixture such that amplification of DNA occurs in a methylation specific manor. Quantitative DNA amplification at selected loci can be used to determine the level of methylation. Kits and reagents for performing such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to anti-IL31 antibodies binding to canine IL31. Such antibodies can be used in methods to treat IL31-induced conditions in companion animals, such as canines, felines, and equines.

Abstract: A concentrated fruit juice powder obtained by a convection current vacuum freeze drying process that includes: selecting and preparing fruits by predetermined quality guideline; extracting fruit juice by inserting the fruits into a screw press juicing apparatus having a precutter and a screw press whose body surface varies non-linearly, which is configured to achieve a maximum extraction efficiency; adding probiotics into the extracted fruit juice; freezing the fruit juice mixed with the probiotics in molds using an individual quick freezer (IQF) to obtain frozen fruit juice blocks; and vacuum freezing the frozen fruit juice blocks using a convection current vacuum freeze drying apparatus.

Abstract: A contact device includes an outer housing delimiting an inner space and an inner housing arranged in the inner space, the inner housing having a first recess. The contact device includes a contact element arranged in the inner space and a sealing element arranged between the contact element and the outer housing. The sealing element seals the inner space from the environment. The contact element has a second recess on an outside of the contact element aligned with the first recess. The contact device includes a contact securing device movable along the first recess to engage the second recess of the contact element.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to variant asparaginase polypeptides with enhanced stability, pharmacodynamics, and/or reduced immunogenicity. The variant asparaginase polypeptides may be used as therapeutics in mammals, including human, canines, felines, and equines.

Abstract: A plug connector system is described. The plug connector system includes: a plug connector; a housing on which the plug connector is installed; the housing having an opening having a first inner wall; the plug connector having a sheet-metal shield that projects at least in portions into the opening; a ring being disposed in the opening and, with an outer wall, electrically contacting the first inner wall of the opening; the sheet-metal shield electrically contacting, with a further outer wall of the sheet-metal shield, a second inner wall of the ring.

Abstract: A convection current vacuum freeze drying method and a computer software program for manufacturing a product are disclosed which include: selecting specific freeze drying settings from a Database for a specific product; loading the specific freeze drying settings into a controller for fully controlling of the convection current freeze drying process; performing the convection current freeze drying process using an ice condenser unit equipped with a plurality of elongate heat exchange tubes having radially arranged fins; determining whether the convection current freeze drying process is operated in accordance to the specific freeze drying settings using a plurality of sensors and the controller, if the specific freeze drying settings are not corrected, then readjusting the specific freeze drying settings using the controller, and if the specific freeze drying settings are correct then packaging product.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments relating to feline erythropoietin (EPO) polypeptide analogs with one or more additional glycosylation sites and methods of producing and using the same to treat anemia in companion animals. Also provided are various embodiments relating to EPO polypeptides having a mutation in the second binding site, polypeptides comprising an extracellular domain of EPO receptor, and methods of using the same for treating polycythemia in mammals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a production system includes mapping, by a controller, the production system as a directed acyclic graph. The production system can include multiple plants that are represented as nodes and relations between the plants represented by edges of the directed acyclic graph. The method further includes generating, by the controller, a regression model for each of the plants in the production system. The method further includes predicting, by the controller, an output of each plant based on sensor data associated from each plant. The method further includes adjusting, by the controller, one or more control variables for each plant based on a target output by using machine learning. The method further includes adjusting, by the controller, the one or more control variables for each plant to generate the target output.

Abstract: A plug connector for electrically and mechanically connecting a pair of electrical conductors of a line comprises an insulator and a housing receiving the insulator. The insulator receives and positions a pair of end sleeves each connected to one of the electrical conductors. The housing has a plurality of plug orientations each visually and haptically denoted by a marking in a grip region of the housing.