Abstract: A system (100) for sales forecasting and optimal path to opportunity closure. The system (100) including an enterprise internal database (110), external database (108), a server computer (104), and a sales-representative device (112). The enterprise internal database (110) further includes a customer relationship management database (102). The external database (108) stores all data related to buyers social profile and buyer professional profile. The server computer (104) includes a system processor (106), and a system server memory (120). The system processor (106) extracts data from the customer relationship management database (102), the external database (108), the enterprise internal database (110), to automatically calculate engagement score, buyer segmentation, and further the system processor (106) uses engagement score, buyer segmentation to recommends the best buyer to contact.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating (promoting or inhibiting) growth of a tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, brown fat and/or neuronal tissue and for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, as well as disorders associated with any of the foregoing tissue.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb body, comprising extruding honeycomb extrudate (200) in an axial direction (A), the honeycomb extrudate (200) having an outer periphery (206); and laser machining in situ the honeycomb extrudate (200) to form a laser cut in the honeycomb extrudate. A system for in situ cutting a wet green ceramic extrudate, comprising a laser (500, 732, 826) configured to irradiate laser energy to an outer periphery of a wet green ceramic article, the laser energy adapted to cut through at least a portion of the outer periphery (206).

Abstract: An example method of performing an upgrade operation for a distributed service in a virtualized computing system is described. The virtualized computing system includes a host cluster, the host cluster having hosts and a virtualization layer executing on hardware platforms of the hosts. The method includes: receiving, at a controller of the distributed service, a first upgrade operation from a user, the distributed service including the controller and a plurality of service engine groups, each of the plurality of service engine groups including a plurality of service engines; and performing, by the controller, the first upgrade operation on software of the controller exclusive of software of the service engines in each of the service engine groups, the software of the controller and the software of the plurality of service engines in each of the plurality of service engine groups executing in a plurality of hosts.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to GDF/BMP antagonists and methods of using GDF/BMP antagonists to treat, prevent, or reduce the progression rate and/or severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly treating, preventing or reducing the progression rate and/or severity of one or more PH-associated complications. The disclosure also provides methods of using a GDF/BMP antagonist to treat, prevent, or reduce the progression rate and/or severity of a variety of conditions including, but not limited to, pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary fibrosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. The disclosure further provides methods of using a GDF/BMP antagonist to reduce right ventricular systolic pressure in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure provides soluble heteromeric polypeptide complexes comprising an extracellular domain of an ALK7 receptor and an extracellular domain of ActRIIB In certain aspects, these ALK7:ActRIIB heteromultimers are can be used to improve metabolic parameters in a patient in need thereof. In certain aspects, these ALK7:ActRIIB heteromultimers are can be used to treat or prevent one or more kidney-associated disease or condition in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and/or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, among other aspects, neutralizing antibodies and portions thereof that bind to ActRIIB and uses for same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bi- and tri-functional fusion proteins comprising two or more of an activin antagonist domain, a TOP? antagonist domain, and an immune checkpoint antagonist domain. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of treating cancer, a tumor, a pre-neoplastic disorder, a hyperproliferative disorder, or a dysplastic disorder comprising administering a bi- or tri-functional fusion protein comprising two or more of an activin antagonist domain, a TOP? antagonist domain, and an immune checkpoint antagonist domain. Optionally, such methods further comprise administering an additional active agent or supportive therapy for treating the cancer, a tumor, a pre-neoplastic disorder, a hyperproliferative disorder, or a dysplastic disorder.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating spinal muscular atrophy. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides ALK4:ActRIIB antagonists that may be used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, particularly treating one or more complications of spinal muscular atrophy including, for example, increasing muscle mass muscle strength, and bone mineral density.

Abstract: A capillary type multi-jet nozzle is provided for fabricating high throughput nanofibers by an electrospinning technique. The capillary type multi-jet nozzle includes a cap system with one or more pores and a crew system with a screw groove system. The cap system and the crew system are connected through a cap and crew system. The pores in the cap system are customized in count based on an requirement. The angle between the pores is reduced to make multiple non-interfering and non-hindering jets in less time. A Teflon gasket is used for proper tightening and sealing of the cap system and screw system. The cap system includes knurling at an outer surface for grip. The capillary type multi-jet nozzle is made of a conducting material to withstand a high voltage and is fabricated using micro-machining process.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure provides soluble heteromeric polypeptide complexes comprising an extracellular domain of an ALK4 receptor and an extracellular domain of ActRIIB. In certain aspects, such soluble ALK4:ActRIIB complexes may be used to regulate (promote or inhibit) growth of tissues or cells including, for example, muscle, bone, cartilage, fat, neural tissue, tumors, and/or cancerous cells. In certain aspects, such ALK4:ActRIIB complexes are can be used to improve muscle formation, bone formation, metabolic parameters, and disorders associated with these tissues, cellular networks, kidney, and endocrine systems.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating (promoting or inhibiting) growth of red blood cells or a tissue, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, and/or neuronal tissue. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand. The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in treating diseases associated with abnormal activity of an ActRIIB protein and/or an ActRIIB ligand.

Abstract: An integrated approach for utilizing waste products of 2G bio-refineries to fractionate the lignin of high purity. The present invention also provides a method of recycling of two waste products (2-G ethanol residue as the substrate (LRBR) and fusel oil/synthetic fusel oil (SFO) as one of the solvent) of the biorefineries in a beneficial manner to fractionate the lignin of high purity. The present method of separating high purity lignin comprises fractioning extractive-free lignin rich residue with a solvent, wherein the solvent is a mixture of SFO/Fusel oil and Formic acid. An optimized ratio of waste fusel oil and formic acid gave more than >85% yields of high purity lignin.

Abstract: An example heterostructure semiconductor for sensing a gas comprises a substrate made of nanosheets of a compound of a first metal, wherein the compound of the first metal is sensitive to the gas to be sensed; one or more 1-Dimensional (1D) components fabricated on a surface of the substrate, the 1D components comprising a compound of a second metal, wherein the compound of the second metal is selective to the gas to be sensed; and a 2-Dimensional (2D) layer formed on the surface of the substrate in portions excluding the 1D components, wherein the 2D layer comprises compounds of the first and second metal. Method of fabrication of the heterostructure semiconductor and a chemiresistive sensor made thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improve data clock to reduce power consumption are presented. The apparatus includes a memory configured to receive a data clock from a host via a link and to synchronize the data clock with the host. The memory includes a clock tree buffer configured to toggle based on the data clock to capture write data or to output read data and a command decoder configured to detect a data clock suspend command while the data clock is synchronized between the host and the memory. The clock tree buffer is configured to disable toggling based on the data clock in response to the command decoder detecting the data clock suspend command. the host includes a memory controller configured to provide a data clock suspend command to the memory via the link while the data clock is synchronized between the host and the memory.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the insight that a polypeptide comprising a ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of activin-like kinase I (ALK1) polypeptide may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in mammals suffering angiogenesis-related disorders. Additionally, the disclosure demonstrates that inhibitors of ALK1 may be used to increase pericyte coverage in vascularized tissues, including tumors and the retina. The disclosure also identifies ligands for ALK1 and demonstrates that such ligands have pro-angiogenic activity, and describes antibodies that inhibit receptor-ligand interaction.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing thermogenic adipocytes (e.g., brown adipocytes or other UCP-1 expressing adipocytes) by administering an antagonist of an ActRIIB signaling pathway. Examples of such antagonists include ActRIIB polypeptides, anti-ActRIIB antibodies, anti-myostatin antibodies, anti-GDF3 antibodies, anti-Nodal, anti-activin, and anti-GDF11 antibodies. A variety of metabolic and other disorders may be treated by causing an increase in thermogenic adipocytes.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to GDF/BMP antagonists and methods of using GDF/BMP antagonists to treat, prevent, or reduce the progression rate and/or severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly treating, preventing or reducing the progression rate and/or severity of one or more PH-associated complications. The disclosure also provides methods of using a GDF/BMP antagonist to treat, prevent, or reduce the progression rate and/or severity of a variety of conditions including, but not limited to, pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary fibrosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. The disclosure further provides methods of using a GDF/BMP antagonist to reduce right ventricular systolic pressure in a subject in need thereof.