Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether a subject is afflicted with a motor neuron disease, the method comprising conducting an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and/or plasma, measuring the level of one or more sterol/oxysterol analytes, and comparing these to reference values. Further, the invention relates to methods of identifying agents suitable for the treatment of MND, and monitoring the progress of the disease.

Abstract: A method for controlling public access of resources in a secure distributed storage system using an API level model. A request to access a volume is checked for authentication. If the request does not include an authentication token ID, a guest role is created and assigned to the requestor. The guest role can only access public volumes or owned volumes that specifically allow public access. The guest role can be updated using API management.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing goods from a two-part carton having a base and a lid, the base being formed with side walls having external gussets secured against external side faces of the carton, the apparatus including: a lid removal module for engaging the lid and removing it from the carton; expansion members configured to be advanced between the gussets and the external side faces of the carton to remove the gussets from the side faces; engagement members for engaging side walls of the base and drawing them away from the goods and holding them in a position away from the goods; and a goods transfer module for engaging the goods and removing them from the carton.

Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.

Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of performing knee surgery, which include comparing a lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) of the knee with a medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) of the knee and determining a pre-disease alignment of the knee therefrom. Additionally, prognostic and diagnostic methods for use in knee surgery as well as methods of determining an angle of resection for a distal femur and/or a proximal tibia during knee surgery are provided herein. Also provided is an apparatus for assisting a surgeon in performing surgery on a knee of a patient, the apparatus comprising a processor configured for performing the aforementioned methods. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the aforementioned methods is also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising cholestenoic acids and deuterated derivatives thereof, methods of treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, as well as diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers form aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, transaction information for a transaction, wherein the transaction information identifies one or more items in the transaction; classifying, by the computing device, each of the one or more items; selecting, by the computing device, one or more payment accounts, of a plurality of payment accounts, to use to pay for the one or more items based on the classifying each of the one or more items; and communicating, by the computing device, with one or more payment servers to charge the one or more payment accounts for the one or more items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of conditions caused by defects in cholesterol bio synthesis, such as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), in particular to early diagnostic methods including in utero methods.

Abstract: Recovery times of flexible polyurethane foams are increased by treatment with a pressure sensitive adhesive. An emulsion or dispersion of the adhesive in an aqueous carrier liquid is impregnated into the foam, with subsequent removal of the carrier. This invention is of special interest when the glass transition temperature of the starting foam is 16° C. or lower.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for system for automatically generating healthcare metrics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides components useful in heating, particularly heating of an aerosol precursor solution so as to vaporize the solution and form an aerosol. The disclosure particularly provides an electrically conductive, porous carbon heater. The heater may be combined with an aerosol precursor transport element that also is formed of carbon. The heater and transport element may form an atomizer that can be useful in an electronic smoking article, such as in a cartridge that is adapted for attachment to a control body. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge of an electronic smoking article, the cartridge being formed substantially completely of carbon.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, transaction information for a transaction, wherein the transaction information identifies one or more items in the transaction; classifying, by the computing device, each of the one or more items; selecting, by the computing device, one or more payment accounts, of a plurality of payment accounts, to use to pay for the one or more items based on the classifying each of the one or more items; and communicating, by the computing device, with one or more payment servers to charge the one or more payment accounts for the one or more items.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether a subject is afflicted with a motor neuron disease, the method comprising conducting an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and/or plasma, measuring the level of one or more sterol/oxysterol analytes, and comparing these to reference values. Further, the invention relates to methods of identifying agents suitable for the treatment of MND, and monitoring the progress of the disease.

Abstract: A reagent selected from cholestenoic acid or an inhibitor of an enzyme in the cholestenoic acid biosynthetic or metabolic pathway for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. in particular, the reagent is a cholestenoic acid of a particular form, such as 3?,7?-dihydroxycholest-5-en-26-oic (3?,7?-diHCA), not previously associated with neural tissue or CSF. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions as well as diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers form further aspects of the invention.