Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods treating or preventing for age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders. The method involves depleting fTreg cells with an anti-ST2 antibody to decrease age-related fTreg accumulation and restore insulin sensitivity, thereby treating age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders.

Abstract: Methods of lowering blood glucose and treating Type 2 diabetes in a subject by increasing expression or activity of phosphodiesterase 4D isoform 3 (PDE4D3) in adipocytes of the subject are described. In some instances, expression of PDE4D3 in adipocytes is increased by administering a vector that expresses PDE4D3 specifically in adipocytes, or via gene editing by introduction of a PDE4D3-encoding nucleic acid into adipocytes. Use of small molecule activators of PDE4D3 that are targeted to adipocytes is also described.

Abstract: A surgical instrument inserter device (100), a kit featuring the same and a method of use are provided. The inserter device comprises a body (109); a first mounting location provided at the proximal end (105) of the body; a second mounting location provided at the distal end (103) of the body; with the second mounting location includes a contact element (149) for the surgical instrument to be inserted in use, the contact element having one or more non-planar contact surface sections. This allows for a variety of orientations of the inserter device.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising in vitro generated beta cells capable of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, methods of inducing beta cell maturation from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived beta-like cells, and methods of using in vitro generated beta cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a related disorder.

Abstract: A surgical instrument extraction device, kit incorporating the same and a method of using the extraction device are provided. The device comprises a body which has a first mounting location provided at the proximal end of the body and a second mounting location provided at the distal end of the body, wherein the second mounting location includes an engagement element for the surgical instrument to be extracted in use, the engagement element having a first extent between a first pair of points on opposite sides of the engagement element and having a second extent between a second different pair of points on opposite sides of the engagement element, wherein the first extent is greater than the second extent, the engagement element further including one or more non-planar surfaces.

Abstract: The invention generally features compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cell progenitors (also termed reprogramming progenitor cells) and methods of isolating such cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from such progenitor cells. Induced pluripotent stem cell progenitors generate iPSCs at high efficiency.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods treating or preventing for age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders. The method involves depleting fTreg cells with an anti-ST2 antibody to decrease age-related fTreg accumulation and restore insulin sensitivity, thereby treating age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders.

Abstract: The invention generally features compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cell progenitors (also termed reprogramming progenitor cells) and methods of isolating such cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from such progenitor cells. Induced pluripotent stem cell progenitors generate iPSCs at high efficiency. In particular embodiments the invention is predicated upon increased expression of an estrogen related receptor and changes in the oxidative and glycolytic pathways.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising in vitro generated beta cells capable of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, methods of inducing beta cell maturation from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived beta-like cells, and methods of using in vitro generated beta cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a related disorder.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing spectroscopic measurements of asymmetric features of semiconductor structures are presented herein. In one aspect, measurements are performed at two or more azimuth angles to ensure sensitivity to an arbitrarily oriented asymmetric feature. Spectra associated with one or more off-diagonal Mueller matrix elements sensitive to asymmetry are integrated over wavelength to determine one or more spectral response metrics. In some embodiments, the integration is performed over one or more wavelength sub-regions selected to increase signal to noise ratio. Values of parameters characterizing an asymmetric feature are determined based on the spectral response metrics and critical dimension parameters measured by traditional spectral matching based techniques.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods treating or preventing for age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders. The method involves depleting fTreg cells with an anti-ST2 antibody to decrease age-related fTreg accumulation and restore insulin sensitivity, thereby treating age-related insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing spectroscopic measurements of asymmetric features of semiconductor structures are presented herein. In one aspect, measurements are performed at two or more azimuth angles to ensure sensitivity to an arbitrarily oriented asymmetric feature. Spectra associated with one or more off-diagonal Mueller matrix elements sensitive to asymmetry are integrated over wavelength to determine one or more spectral response metrics. In some embodiments, the integration is performed over one or more wavelength sub-regions selected to increase signal to noise ratio. Values of parameters characterizing an asymmetric feature are determined based on the spectral response metrics and critical dimension parameters measured by traditional spectral matching based techniques.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising in vitro generated beta cells capable of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, methods of inducing beta cell maturation from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived beta-like cells, and methods of using in vitro generated beta cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a related disorder.

Abstract: A reconfigurable battery pack power system with interchangeable accessories has at least one modular, portable, rechargeable battery module having a first side, the first side having a first contour and a mounting port and a power output port, and at least one accessory module configured to receive power from the battery module. The accessory module has a second side with a second contour that mates with the first contour on the battery module, and has a power coupling connector and a fastener. The accessory module is interchangeably mateable with the battery module with the first and second contours nested together, and with the power output port engaged with the power coupling connector and with the fastener engaged with the mounting port, so that the battery module and the accessory module form a single integrated and substantially rigid structure.

Abstract: A charging device includes a body having a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing, an interface pivotally coupled to the housing, the interface including a first conductor and a second conductor and configured to transmit power between the rechargeable energy storage device and a device connected to the interface, a first rigid post, a first pin, a first compressible element positioned to press the first pin against the first rigid post, a second rigid post, a second pin, and a second compressible element positioned to press the second pin against the second rigid post. The interface is configured to pivot about an axis defined by the first pin and the second pin.

Abstract: An aerofoil structure for a rotating blade-row in a casing. The aerofoil structure includes a suction side, a pressure side and a tip therebetween. At least a portion of the tip includes a shaped feature provided on a surface of the tip. The shaped feature has a convergent portion orientated to reduce a gap between the tip and the casing in a direction from the pressure side to the suction side of the aerofoil structure.

Abstract: Charging devices, modular adapters, and circuits are provided. One charging device including a body including a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing. The housing includes at least one first coupling portion. The charging device further includes a modular adapter including a second coupling portion configured to be mated to the first coupling portion of the housing. When mated to the housing, the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device. When the modular adapter is mated to the housing, the body and the modular adapter form a single integrated and substantially rigid structure.

Abstract: A charging device includes a body having a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing, an interface pivotally coupled to the housing, the interface including a first conductor and a second conductor and configured to transmit power between the rechargeable energy storage device and a device connected to the interface, a first rigid post, a first pin, a first compressible element positioned to press the first pin against the first rigid post, a second rigid post, a second pin, and a second compressible element positioned to press the second pin against the second rigid post. The interface is configured to pivot about an axis defined by the first pin and the second pin.

Abstract: A charging device is provided. The charging device includes an input interface configured to receive electrical power from a power source and charge a removable energy storage device using the electrical power from the power source. The power source may be a solar panel. The charging device may include multiple input interfaces configured to receive electrical power at different voltages. The charging device may include an output interface configured to provide electrical power to an electrical device connected to the output interface, and the circuit may be configured to provide electrical power to the output interface from at least one of the removable energy storage device and the input interface.