Abstract: The present invention is directed to thin film composite membrane (TFC membrane) comprising a substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polymer, e.g. a sulfonated polyarylether, and a polyamide film layer (F) and further to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to osmosis processes, in particular to forward osmosis (FO) processes, using said membrane.

Abstract: A composition for making a cement or an implant, the composition comprising a silicate glass and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a calcium phosphate salt, a strontium phosphate salt and a phosphate glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers comprising a repeating unit of the formula (I), and their use as organic semiconductor in organic electronic devices, especially in organic photovoltaics and photodiodes, or in a device containing a diode and/or an organic field effect transistor. The polymers according to the invention can have excellent solubility in organic solvents and excellent film-forming properties. In addition, high efficiency of energy conversion, excellent field-effect mobility, good on/off current ratios and/or excellent stability can be observed, when the polymers according to the invention are used in organic field effect transistors, organic photovoltaics (solar cells) and photodiodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides heterocyclic derivatives that modulate the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. Methods of using such derivatives to modulate the activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for selectively delivering shared information. The disclosed systems and methods enable a sending user to decide what context of information is to be shared, in that a sending user can determine when and where information is shared. This enables increased social engagement towards relevant information. Additionally, this enables a vast opportunity for commercial opportunities, whereby advertisements can be served contingent upon a consumer's context, and/or only when the product or service offered to the consumer is relevant.

Abstract: The present invention provides both methods and devices for termination of arrhythmias, such as ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias. The device and method involves application of alternating current (AC) for clinically significant durations at selected therapeutic frequencies through the cardiac tissue to a subject experiencing arrhythmia. Methods are also provided to minimize or eliminate pain during defibrillation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is that the systemic administration of ASC conditioned media diminished LPS-induced lung injury by inhibiting epithelial permeability, neutrophil inflammatory response, and secretion of pro-inflammatory TNF?. It is also shown that ARDS lung is able to retain IV-delivered ASC for a substantial amount of time, with no evidence of the significant cell distribution to other organs at this time point. These findings provide optimization of cell-based and cell-free therapy for the treatment of ARDS, including occurrences of ARDS caused by upper respiratory tract infections such as SARS and MERS.

Abstract: The unified payment system, product and method provide an effective and efficient way to better communicate to a merchant the value of running a promotion and determine a deal structure that works for the merchant, the customer, the promotion system, or any combination thereof. The unified payment system, product and method provide real-time ROI calculations that a merchant and sales representative can collaboratively simultaneously work on to identify a deal structure for the merchant to select. In this way, the merchant and sales representative may arrive at a mutually acceptable payment plan.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for blocking the effect of the intronic inhibitory splicing region of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include short oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target sites in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The target regions include a unique RNA structure and a 6-nucleotide long sequence that is essential for initiating a long distance steric inhibitory interaction. The identified region provides a novel target deep within SMN2 intron 7. Intronic targets are highly desirable as annealing of an ASO to an intron does not interfere with translation and transport of mRNA. The invention also provides opportunity to employ a short antisense oligonucleotide or a small compound against the unique RNA structure responsible of SMN2 exon 7 skipping in SMA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing L-amino acids by fermentation using a bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae, particularly a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the yjjK gene.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods of using a dimeric inhibitor, e.g., A1-A1, to selectively target ?2GPI in ?2GPI/antibody complexes. The compositions can be administered to subjects (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) having or likely to develop APS, or one or more symptoms of APS, in order to treat or inhibit the disease or treat or reduce its symptoms. The inhibitors of the invention include two ligand-binding A1 modules, e.g., from ApoER2, connected by a flexible linker.

Abstract: A bioactive glass composition comprising one or more glasses comprising Si02, P205 and a fluoride, the Si02 content being less than 40 mole %, the P205 content being at least 4 mole %, and the fluoride content being greater than 1 mole %. The bioactive glass or glass-ceramic can be used in a number of medical applications, including dental applications such as toothpaste.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for the simultaneous detection and/or quantification of various analytes in a sample or for the simultaneous detection and/or quantification of an analyte in various samples, comprising: a multi-electrode chip (10) comprising an array of microelectrodes (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d); a single-duct cell (20), comprising a groove (21) which accommodates the multi-electrode chip (10) and a duct (22) through which a fluid sample can sequentially flow through each of the microelectrodes (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of a multi-electrode chip (10) when the latter is inserted into the groove (21); and a multi-duct cell (30), comprising a groove (31) housing the multi-electrode chip (10) and several independent ducts (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) through which several samples can pass independently through each electrode (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of the multi-electrode chip (10).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing a substrate with a semi-noble metal layer are disclosed. The substrate can be pretreated so that a metal oxide surface on the semi-noble metal layer can be reduced to a modified metal surface integrated with the semi-noble metal layer. The substrate can be pretreated using a remote plasma treatment. A copper seed layer can be formed on the semi-noble metal layer using either an acidic or alkaline bath with a plating solution including either at least two copper complexing agents with varying dentacity or a single hexadentate copper complexing agent that is in excess of the copper source. The copper complexing agents can include a hexadentate ligand and a bidentate ligand. In some embodiments, a bulk layer of copper can be subsequently deposited on the copper seed layer using an acidic bath.

Abstract: A processor-based personal electronic device (such as a smartphone) uses combinatorial logic to automatically adjust alarms, notifications reminders, and the like based on data from device event histories, on-board sensors, user-entered data, and similar information. One particular representative embodiment comprises a process for automatically deleting an unneeded reminder. For example, a user may have a personal electronic device that is set to issue a reminder for a meeting in a certain place, on a certain date at a certain time. If location sensors detect that the user is already at the certain place on the certain date at (or reasonably before) the certain time the now superfluous reminder is automatically cancelled.

Abstract: The invention provides semisynthetic N-substituted derivatives of the antifungal antibiotic Amphotericin B and water soluble salts and complexes, pharmaceutical compositions and plant and building treatment products comprising the derivatives and their use as antifungal antibiotics.

Abstract: Beds are disposed into multistoried columns parallel to a longitudinal axis of an array and displaceable between an interior of a frame which shelters and supports and guides the beds through openings, and an aisle for occupying and vacating the beds. The bed comprises a front wall with a sealing means for closing off the opening, and side and end walls with sealing means and a head cowl for closing off private interiors at rests. The beds in the oblique-angled array are displaceable longitudinally at an acute angle to the axis and have front bins for closing off the openings. The beds in the axial straightforward array are displaceable transversally to their axes at below of private bins in the frame and on foldable trap-shields.

Abstract: For lossless conversion of a PDF document to searchable PDF document, the PDF document is received. The PDF document has a potential first text layer. An evaluation of quality of the first text layer is performed. The first text layer is determined to be nonexistent or unacceptable. A text recognition of the document is performed to generate a second text layer. The second text layer is made to be used for searching or copying.

Abstract: Provided herein is a recombinant rod-shaped viral particle comprising a fusion protein comprising a coat protein for a rod-shaped plant virus and a epitope from a human and/or human pathogen, where the epitope is disposed on the outer surface of the viral particle. In certain cases, the amino acid sequence of the coat protein is at least 40% identical to the amino acid sequence of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) coat protein.