Abstract: The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof: which inhibit the cellular entry of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis D virus (HDV) or interfere with the function of the life cycle of HBV and/or HDV and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HBV and/or HDV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HBV and/or HDV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for tracking a position of a body. The system and method including the steps of receiving combined movement data, the combined movement data including first movement data of the body and second movement data of an object connected to the body, wherein the second movement data is data of a movement occurring relative to the body; transforming the first movement data using a first transformation technique; transforming the second movement data using a second transformation technique that is different than the first transformation technique; determining a velocity estimation bias of the body based on a combination of the transformed first movement data and the transformed second movement data; and generating a velocity estimation of the body with the determined velocity estimation bias of the body.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to use robotic system simulation to control a robotic system. In various embodiments, a communication indicating an action to be performed by a robotic element is received from a robotic control system. Performance of the action by the robotic element is simulated. A state tracking data is updated to reflect a virtual change to one or more state variables as a result of simulated performance of the action. Successful completion of the action by the robotic element is reported to the robotic control system.

Abstract: An optically transparent coplanar microwave slot antenna formed between a first glass layer and a second glass layer is provided including a metal oxide layer, a first slot element and a second slot element formed in a dipole arrangement within the metal oxide layer wherein the first slot element is formed by a first triangular slot, a first trapezoidal slot, and a first rectangular slot and the second slot element is formed by a second triangular slot, a second trapezoidal slot, and a second rectangular slot, and a waveguide feedline for carrying microwave signals to the first slot element and the second slot element

Abstract: A method of populating a digital environment with an anonymous humanoid digital character is disclosed. One or more values are randomly determined for one or more target human properties. An asset pool is searched for assets that are compatible with the one or more values. The assets include a human body mesh. A blend of height and weight vertex animation textures (VATs) is applied to the human body mesh. The blended human body mesh is placed into the digital environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigen-binding molecules that specifically binds ALPPL2 and/or ALPP but not ALPL or ALPI. It also relates to a pharmaceutical composition, an immunoconjugate and a chimeric antigen receptor comprising said antigen-binding molecules. The invention also relates to methods for reducing the expression or activity of ALPPL2 in a cancer cell and methods of treating a cancer in a subject.

Abstract: There is provided an aptamer for dengue virus, optionally an aptamer for dengue virus NS1 protein. The aptamer comprising at least one unnatural base, wherein the unnatural base may be 7-(2thienyl)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Ds), pyrrole2-carbaldehyde (Pa) or 2-nitro-4-propynylpyrrole (Px). The aptamers of the invention may be used to identify a dengue infection in a subject. Also provided are mixtures and kits comprising the aptamer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in human embryonic stem (hES) cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), Fgf 9, Bmp6, Bmp4, Scf, Igf2, and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from hES cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. Genes that are upregulated in the process of cardiomyocyte differentiation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors that bind to C5 and C5a, but which do not prevent the activation of C5 and do not prevent formation of or inhibit the activity of C5b. One example of such an inhibitor molecule is the monoclonal antibody designated MAb137-26, which binds to a shared epitope of human C5 and C5a. These inhibitors may be used to inhibit the activity of C5a in treating diseases and conditions mediated by excessive or uncontrolled production of C5a. The inhibitor molecules are also useful for diagnostic detection of the presence/absence or amount of C5 or C5a.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and apparatus for selective catalytic reduction of NOx. The process is enabled by passing a heat exchanger section, such as an economizer, of the boiler in advance of an SCR unit at low load conditions to enable NOx reduction even at low loads using urea instead of ammonia. In a preferred form, under high load conditions, the bypass can be almost fully closed and the economizer can be operated normally without excessively cooling the combustion gases, using only a portion of bypassed gases which are hot enough to decompose the urea into its active components including ammonia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the induction of differentiation in stem cells to cardiomyocytes and factors such as prostaglandin alone or in combination with other factors including essential minerals selected from the group including transferrin and selenium, small molecules selected from the group including a p38 MAPK inhibitor such as SB203580 and protein growth factors of the FGF, IGF and BMP families such as but not limited to IGF1, FGF2, BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. and insulin that influence the process of differentiation to cardiomyocytes. Media that is appropriate for the induction of differentiation of cardiomyocytes from stem cells is also provided wherein the media contains these factors. The use of cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitors produced by the directed differentiation in transplantation and screening for cardiac compounds is also provided.

Abstract: A slag and corrosion control process is described. The process entails: identifying the location of at least one slagging problem area in a boiler; introducing a slag control chemical comprising magnesium oxide or hydroxide into combustion gases in a location identified as having a slagging problem; identifying the location of at least one corrosion problem area in a boiler; and introducing a corrosion control chemical comprising a sulfate salt, bisulfite salt, sulfuric acid, or sulfur into combustion gases in a location identified as having a corrosion problem. In operation, these slag deposits will be sufficiently friable to be removed by relatively moderate application of physical energy, thus saving time and reducing any damage to the tubes by the cleaning process. The slag deposits are less voluminous and less in weight and are removed quickly. It is an advantage of the invention that slag can be removed with little or no shut down of a boiler.

Abstract: The heat output, e.g., megawatt product or steam generation, of a combustor is increased, preferably while plume is mitigated, by targeting treatment chemicals to locations in a furnace. The process improves heat output from the fuel in the region of the combustor optimum for heat recovery and also maintains good heat transfer characteristics for the heat exchange surfaces. The effectiveness of targeted in furnace injection, in-fuel introduction and in-furnace introduction of slag and/or corrosion and/or plume control chemicals are preferably determined, as are the effectiveness of targeted in furnace injection, in fuel introduction and in furnace introduction of combustion catalysts. Then, the effectiveness of various combinations of the above treatments are determined, and a treatment regimen employing one or more of the above treatments is selected. Preferred treatment regimens will contain at least two and preferably three of the treatments.

Abstract: A corrosion control process is described. The process is especially useful in the control of chloride corrosion in waste to energy boilers. Corrosion of high temperature surfaces can be assessed by the monitor and controlled introduction of treatment chemicals by targeted in furnace injection reduces corrosion while maximizing combustion efficiency. A corrosion monitor is also described. Before and following selection of corrosion control chemicals and the locations for targeted in furnace injection, injection regimen and chemical selection and introduction parameters are monitored with the aid of the method and apparatus of the invention to adjust one or more control parameters to reduce corrosion. A preferred method will employ a treatment chemical that comprises an SO2 or SO3 reagent, e.g., sulfuric acid, sulfur, a sulfate salt or a bisulfite salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to factor D inhibitors, which bind to factor D and block the functional activity of factor D in complement activation. The inhibitors include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab?)2 and Fv, small molecules, including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds. A monoclonal antibody which bound to factor D and blocked its ability to activate complement was generated and designated 166-32. The hybridoma producing this antibody was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, under Accession Number HB-12476.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells along the endodermal lineage, especially the pancreatic lineage.

Abstract: NOx and SO3 emissions from combustion of a sulfur containing carbonaceous fuel are reduced simultaneously. The combustion gases comprising NOx and SO2 are mixed with a NOx control agent into the combustion gases at a point upstream of a selective catalytic reduction catalyst for reduction of NOx. Following an SCR catalyst or other equipment that can oxidize SO2 to SO3 and prior to contact with an air heater for heating incoming combustion air, magnesium hydroxide is introduced in amounts and with droplet sizes and concentrations effective to form nano-sized particles in the effluent and reduce SO3 caused by the oxidation of SO2 in the catalyst. Computational fluid dynamics is employed to determine flow rates and select reagent introduction rates, reagent introduction location(s), reagent concentration, reagent droplet size and/or reagent momentum.