Abstract: An electrical load driving apparatus, comprising a current distribution apparatus having a power source arranged to deliver an input current into a plurality of branches such that the input current is distributed into a plurality of individual branch currents, wherein each of the plurality of branches includes an inductive arrangement arranged to form an inductive coupling with an associated inductive arrangement of at least one other associated branch, and a plurality of output loads connect to each of the associated branches of the current distribution apparatus.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing knee sprain injuries. To protect the knee joint from knee sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data associated with knee motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the knee motion data to determine a knee articulation; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles to initiate an earlier muscle reaction than would naturally occur in response to the determined knee joint articulation. The determined knee joint articulation may include knee joint articulation or a particular type of articulation such as a knee sprain movement associated with knee sprain. The methods involve sensing data associated with knee joint motion, analyzing the data to determine a knee joint articulation; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles to initiate an early muscle reaction within the determined knee joint articulation.

Abstract: An electrical load driving apparatus comprising a thyristor circuit arranged to control a transmission of electric power to an electrical load, wherein the thyristor circuit is connected to a conversion module arranged to convert a characteristic of the thyristor circuit to operate with a load characteristic of the electrical load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting microamplifications or microdeletions in the genome of a fetus. In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving sequence tags for each of a plurality of DNA fragments in a biological sample; determining genomic positions for the sequence tags; determining whether the density of DNA in each of a plurality of genomic regions is aberrantly high or low; identifying as a microamplification a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly high density; and identifying as a microdeletion a set of consecutive genomic regions having aberrantly low density. The biological sample may be a blood sample obtained noninvasively from a female subject pregnant with the fetus.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses can determine and use methylation profiles of various tissues and samples. Examples are provided. A methylation profile can be deduced for fetal/tumor tissue based on a comparison of plasma methylation (or other sample with cell-free DNA) to a methylation profile of the mother/patient. A methylation profile can be determined for fetal/tumor tissue using tissue-specific alleles to identify DNA from the fetus/tumor when the sample has a mixture of DNA. A methylation profile can be used to determine copy number variations in genome of a fetus/tumor. Methylation markers for a fetus have been identified via various techniques. The methylation profile can be determined by determining a size parameter of a size distribution of DNA fragments, where reference values for the size parameter can be used to determine methylation levels. Additionally, a methylation level can be used to determine a level of cancer.

Abstract: High throughput and virtual screening methods are disclosed that can identify potential anti-viral agents. The virtual screening methods identify agents that interact with a viral nucleoprotein binding site. The high throughput methods identify compounds that inhibit viral infection by binding to viral nucleoprotein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical formulations useful for treating or preventing viral infections, especially influenza A.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid aptamers that bind to Plasmodium proteins lactate dehydrogenase and histidine-rich protein II, and uses thereof for the diagnosis of malaria. Aptamers against histidine-rich protein II may be used to detect the presence of Plasmodium species in general, whereas aptamers against lactate dehydrogenase can be used to specifically detect Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a class of luminescent gold(III) compounds containing a tridentate ligand with one strong ?-donating group. The present invention also provides methods for synthesizing these compounds, as well as uses of these compounds as electrophosphorescent materials in phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) to provide electroluminescence (EL).

Abstract: Provided herein are improved fluorogenic compounds and probes that can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening peroxynitrite. The fluorogenic compounds of the invention can produce fluorescence colors, such as green, yellow, red, or far-red. Also provided herein are fluorogenic compounds for selectively staining peroxynitrite in the mitochondria of living cells. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the presence and/or amount of peroxynitrite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Also provided are high-throughput screening methods for detecting or screening peroxynitrite or compounds that can increase or decrease the level of peroxynitrite in chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic fish having at least one genomically integrated expression cassette containing a 5?-regulatory nucleotide sequence responsive to hormones, particularly estrogenic hormones, connected in a functional manner upstream of a nucleotide sequence encoding a reporter protein. The present invention further relates to methods of using the transgenic fish for various purposes, including, for example: (1) identifying estrogenic endocrine disruptors; (2) monitoring estrogen-like activity of test samples; (3) identifying anti-estrogenic endocrine disruptors; and (4) investigating the effects of endocrine disruptors on liver regeneration. Expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic cells of aquatic animals are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides organic nanoparticles that include a molecule having a Log P value of about 3 or above, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer or a surfactant, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable hydrophilic polymer. The present invention also provides methods of making these nanoparticles, e.g., by flash nanoprecipitation, with control over particle size and surface properties. The methods of the present invention provide a means for co-precipitating a water-insoluble compound with an amphiphilic stabilizer within a few milliseconds. The nanoparticles of the present invention exhibit high drug loading, e.g., 50% w/w, and can be produced with a mean particle size less than 200 nm and with a narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing ankle sprain injuries. To protect the ankle joint from acute ankle supination or inversion sprain injuries, the device comprises a sensing part configured to sense data of an ankle motion; an analyzing part configured to analyze the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and a stimulating part configured to stimulate one or more lower limb muscles against the motion in light of a result of the analyzing. The method also involves sensing data of an ankle motion; analyzing the data to judge whether the motion is a sprain motion; and stimulating one or more lower limb muscles against the motion if the motion is a sprain motion.