Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small molecule ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small molecule compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small molecule ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol, High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunction; thus, there is also utility for small molecule ligands that can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: A recoil device is provided for a gun having a barrel with a breech. The device includes a breech nut, a brake assembly, a pneumatic spring and a counter-recoil buffer. The breech nut has first and second adjacent sides. The brake assembly includes a brake cylinder that mounts to the breech nut on the first side. The pneumatic spring mounts to the breech nut on the second side. The counter-recoil buffer attaches to the pneumatic spring. The brake cylinder and the pneumatic spring internally push fluids for recoil absorption and return in response to firing the gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of limiting power of a boiling water nuclear reactor system includes a reactor pressure vessel, a reactor core disposed in the reactor pressure vessel, a core shroud surrounding the reactor core, a downcomer region disposed between an inner surface of the reactor pressure vessel and the core shroud, a steam line connected to an upper end of the reactor pressure vessel and a condenser system that receives steam from the reactor pressure vessel. A portion of the condenser system condensate is returned to the reactor pressure vessel of the boiling water reactor inside the core barrel above the core rather than into the downcomer. Returning the condensate in this way increases the effectiveness of an isolation condenser system or if the condensate is a portion of the feedwater from the main condenser it provides an effective means to regulate core flow and core power.

Abstract: A micro-bioelectrochemical cell (?-BEC) device is disclosed that includes from 4 to 96 microfluidically connected of chambers, in which each chamber encloses a volume of about 1 ?L to 2 ?L. A working electrode, reference electrode, and counting electrode contacts each volume. The ?-BEC device includes a support layer coated with a working electrode layer, a microfluidics layer containing a plurality of wells, and an electrical layer containing the reference and counter electrodes. Methods of using the ?-BEC device to perform bioelectrochemical measurements of cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunction; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands that can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunctions; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands and can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: A system includes a dynamic compressor and a controller having a processor and a memory. The compressor includes a first compressor stage having a first variable inlet guide vane (VIGV) and a second compressor stage having a second VIGV. The memory stores instructions that program the processor to operate the compressor at a current speed, a first position of the first VIGV, and a second position of the second VIGV to compress the working fluid, and to determine if a condition is satisfied. If the condition is not satisfied, the processor is programmed to continue to operate the compressor at the current speed, the first position of the first VIGV, and the second position of the second VIGV. If the condition is satisfied, the processor is programmed to change the second position of the second VIGV to a third position and maintain the first position of the first VIGV.

Abstract: Laser-based techniques for cutting and drilling of transparent components are disclosed. These laser-based techniques rely on laser modification of transparent substrates followed by chemical etching and are suitable for use with a variety of transparent substrates. Transparent components and enclosures and electronic devices including the transparent components are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchange unit coupled with a compartment of the vehicle via an interface in the compartment. A container is moveable between a first position and a second position. The container is configured to be in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit via the interface in the first position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking missed tassels left by a detasseling machine. Rear-facing image data is captured by a camera positioned with a field of view behind the detasseling machine and image processing is applied to the rear-facing image data to quantity a missed tassel metric for a geospatial area. An indication of the missed tassel metric is displayed to an operator of the detasseling machine. In some implementations, the displayed indication of the missed tassel metric is updated in near real-time as the detasseling machine continue to operate in the crop field as an accumulated total missed tassel percentage for the entire crop field and/or as a missed tassel map indicating a percentage of missed tassels for each of a plurality of different geospatial sub-areas in the crop field.

Abstract: Provided is a canopy cover for a roller grill assembly that works in conjunction with a roller grill food separating device. The canopy includes a pair of support brackets that contact the sidewalls of the roller grill to support the canopy thereon. The canopy support brackets include cutouts for positioning a food separating device on the grill assembly. The configuration of the cutouts allows the food separating device support brackets to rest between the ends of the canopy support brackets and on the roller grill. The canopy further includes a pair of canopy header brackets for supporting a header graphic custom sign positioned above the roller grill. The canopy provides a sanitary cover for a roller grill and a food separating device that permits segregation of food products on the grill surface, protects the food from contaminants, and provides support for an advertising sign.

Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a primary loop and a secondary loop. The primary loop includes a dynamic compressor operable to compress a refrigerant, a condenser fluidly connected to the dynamic compressor, a first expansion device fluidly connected to the condenser, and an evaporator fluidly connected to the first expansion device and the dynamic compressor. The dynamic compressor includes a housing, a shaft supported in the housing by a bearing, an impeller connected to the shaft, a motor operably connected to the shaft to drive rotation thereof, and a drive operable to control the motor. The secondary loop includes a second expansion device fluidly connected to the condenser, a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the second expansion device, the condenser, and the dynamic compressor, and a supply duct fluidly connected between the heat exchanger and the dynamic compressor to provide a flow of refrigerant to the bearing.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for user enrollment in speaker authentication and speaker identification systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, the enrollment process includes collecting speech samples that are examples of multiple speech types spoken by a user, computing a speech representation for each speech sample, and aggregating the example speech representations to form a robust overall representation or user voiceprint of the user's speech.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunction; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands that can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: Phone reminder device (PRD) apparatus, systems, and methods for pairing with a protected phone include a processor, a memory unit that stores program instructions, a user input device, a Bluetooth low energy radio transceiver, an accelerometer, and an integral power source. PRD processor control routines, including visual feedback and customized auditory alerts, are based on selected modes of method and system operation, persistence of inferred or measured lack of proximity, history and frequency of alerts, current and historical PRD and/or phone movement, historical bases for lack of proximity, and loss of phone connection. User input or separate processor control adjust the transmission power level up with adjusted transmission power level in detecting protected phone proximity saved to the memory unit. Based on user input and PRD system and/or method dynamics, the memory unit maximizes integral power source life. PRD remote control of the protected phone camera application is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for upgrading a bio-oil are described. The methods utilize gaseous ammonia to react with one or more components of a bio-oil and thereby upgrade the bio-oil and separate the resulting mixture into organic and aqueous phases. Both the aqueous phase and the organic phase produced by the process can contain useful species such as ammonium species and an organic phase with increased energy content as compared to the bio-oil.

Abstract: Mechanisms for the systematic iterative analysis of unstructured data files are disclosed. A first handler is initiated to analyze a plurality of files. Information about each respective file of the plurality of files analyzed by the first handler is stored in a data structure. The information includes a file identifier that identifies the respective file, a handler identifier that identifies the first handler, and results or a reference to results of an analysis of the respective file by the first handler.

Abstract: A user interface with visual presentation of data, real time risk adjustment, and underwriter approval processes is described. The system provides computer control for performing cashflow analysis, assessing risk, optimizing loan offers, generating dashboards with status information and tile displays of loan application data, and displaying of optimized loan offers. The dashboard includes a progress indicator of an electronic loan request to a complete loan application and finally to an approval or rejection. The dashboard also includes visual indications, including color and signals, directing the underwriter's attention to important or necessary action steps to reject or advance the loan. The dashboard interface can be customized. The dashboard interface includes a moveable, arrangeable, multi-sided color-coded tile system.

Abstract: A support fixture is disclosed that may be removably clamped to a bed rail (or any other support member) and includes a lower support arm attached to the removable clamp through a rotatable connector. An upper support arm is attached to a distal termination of the lower support arm via a pivot connector. The combination of the lower and upper arms is referred to at times as an articulated arm assembly. A device support member is coupled to the upper support arm via a multi-stage gimbal system, perhaps in combination with a quick-release connection (allowing for the device support component to be used as a stand-alone fixture). The device support member is particularly configured to support a computing device, a communication device, or the like.