Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunctions; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands and can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: A cyclo-stationary characteristic of a communications channel and/or storage media is determined. The cyclo-stationary characteristic has K-cycles, K>1. Markov transition probabilities are determined that depend on a discrete phase ?=t mod K, wherein t is a discrete time value. An encoder to optimize the Markov transition probabilities for encoding data sent through the communications channel and/or stored on the storage media. The optimized Markov transition probabilities are used to decode the data from the communication channel and/or read from the storage media.

Abstract: Sport boots have an outer shell and an ankle compression system attached to and positioned within the outer shell to apply selective compressive force against an anterior ankle portion of a person's foot when wearing the boot. The ankle compression system includes an ankle compression member positioned forwardly adjacent to the anterior ankle portion and at least one medial positioning band having a lower terminal end immovably fixed to a medial edge portion of the strobel and having an opposite end operatively associated with the ankle compression member. An adjustment lace is connected to the ankle compression member and is operatively connected to a tightening member positioned on a lateral side of the outer shell so that operation of the tightening causes the adjustment lace to forcibly draw the ankle compression member toward and exert a selective compressive force against the anterior ankle portion of the person's foot.

Abstract: A roof vent for a contoured metal surface. The roof vent includes a base or foot having one or more recessed channels that extend between opposing edges of the foot. The recessed channels are sized and shaped to receive correspondingly shaped ridges of the contoured metal roof surface.

Abstract: In some configurations, a supply-chain characteristic-vectors merchandising system and a method for an environmental characteristic-vectors of a gas communicating from an upstream amenity to a downstream amenity in a supply-chain may be disclosed. The system may be configured to track oil and/or gas throughout the supply-chain by associating characteristic-vectors (e.g., environmental, operational, physical etc.) of the upstream amenity and the downstream amenity with the energy units of the gas transmitted through the supply-chain.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for clinical workspace simulation includes capturing a real-world environment by an imaging device of an augmented reality headset and generating a composite view by rendering a first virtual object relative to a surgical table in the real-world environment. Captured real-world environment and the rendered first virtual object are combined in the composite view, which is displayed on a display of the augmented reality headset worn by a user.

Abstract: The invention is directed to HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and methods for their uses.

Abstract: A tissue anchor system includes a fixation device and a tool. The fixation device includes a tab connected to a tissue anchor. The tool includes a shaft connected between a proximal handle portion and a distal tip. The distal tip is configured to limit movement of the fixation device during loading of the tissue anchor.

Abstract: Computer-based systems, devices, and methods for generating musical note sequences are described. One or more musical composition(s) stored in digital media include one or more data object(s) that encode notes and/or note sequences. At least one note sequence is processed to form a time-ordered sequence of parallel notes, which is analyzed to determine a k-back probability transition matrix for the at least one note sequence. An attribute, such as a style, of the at least one note sequence is thus encoded and used to generate new note sequences that embody a similar attribute or style. In some implementations, the at least one note sequence may include a concatenated set of note sequences representative of a particular library of musical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease or disorder. In particular the cannabinoids cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidivarin (CBDV) were able to produce neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of neurodegenerative disease. In particular these effects were associated with the symptoms associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Furthermore, the combination of the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with the drug olexisome provided a synergistic disease modifying effect in a mouse model of neurodegenerative disease. In particular these effects were associated with the symptoms associated with ALS.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for determining a methylation status comprises: providing a biological sample of nucleic acid molecules; partitioning at least a subset of the nucleic acid molecules in the biological sample based on the methylation status of the nucleic acid molecules into a plurality of partitioned sets; digesting at least a subset of the one or more partitioned sets in the plurality of partitioned sets with at least one methylation sensitive restriction enzyme; enriching at least a subset of the nucleic acid molecules in the plurality of partitioned sets for genomic regions of interest, wherein the at least a subset of the nucleic acid molecules comprises digested nucleic acid molecules in the one or more partitioned sets; and determining methylation status at one or more genetic loci of the nucleic acid molecules in at least one of the partitioned sets.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the removal and/or insertion of a weapon out of and/or into a holster. The detector may transmit a message each time the weapon is removed from the holster. A recording system may receive the message and determine whether or not it will begin recording the data it captures. A detector may detect the change in a magnitude of an inductance and/or an impedance of a circuit to detect insertion and removal of the weapon into and out of the holster. The holster is configured to couple to the detector to position the detector to detect insertion and removal of the weapon. An adhesive tape may couple a detector to a holster.

Abstract: A system for determining the gaze endpoint of a subject, the system comprising: a eye tracking unit adapted to determine the gaze direction of one or more eyes of the subject; a head tracking unit adapted to determine the position comprising location and orientation of the eye tracker with respect to a reference coordinate system; a 3D Structure representation unit, that uses the 3D structure and position of objects of the scene in the reference coordinate system to provide a 3D structure representation of the scene; based on the gaze direction, the eye tracker position and the 3D structure representation, calculating the gaze endpoint on an object of the 3D structure representation of the scene or determining the object itself.

Abstract: A driveway reflector holder and installation tool assembly includes a reflector holder and an installation tool removably receivable in the reflector holder. The reflector holder includes a hollow sleeve body, a washer disposed on an upper end of the hollow sleeve body, and at least one retention feature disposed on the hollow sleeve body. The installation tool includes an elongated body, a head, and a tapered tip. The installation tool is configured to extend through the hollow sleeve body of the reflector holder with the head being positioned above the upper end of the hollow sleeve body and the tapered tip being positioned below the lower end of the hollow sleeve body. The installation tool is configured to be driven to insert the at least one reflector holder into a ground surface and then be removed from the at least one reflector holder.

Abstract: A power tool may include an end effector configured to enable a fastener to be applied by the power tool via a fastening cycle, a power unit, a drive assembly configured to apply drive power to the end effector responsive to application of input power thereto, and a motor configured to supply the input power to the drive assembly selectively based on operation of a power control assembly that controls coupling of the motor to the power unit. The drive assembly includes a clutch configured to interrupt application of the drive power at a target torque. The power control assembly may be configured to adaptively change speed of the motor in response to the power tool reaching a predefined torque value that is less than the target torque during the fastening cycle.

Abstract: A system and a method for creating a stable and reproducible interface of an optical sensor system for measuring blood glucose levels in biological tissue include a dual wedge prism sensor attached to a disposable optic that comprises a focusing lens and an optical window. The disposable optic adheres to the skin to allow a patient to take multiple readings or scans at the same location. The disposable optic includes a Petzval surface placed flush against the skin to maintain the focal point of the optical beam on the surface of the skin. Additionally, the integrity of the sensor signal is maximized by varying the rotation rates of the dual wedge prisms over time in relation to the depth scan rate of the sensor. Optimally, a medium may be injected between the disposable and the skin to match the respective refractive indices and optimize the signal collection of the sensor.

Abstract: Fiber optic terminals, tools and methods for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tool for adjusting a split ratio of a fiber optic terminal includes an axle for insertion into a port of the fiber optic terminal, and a terminal engagement body disposed about the axle. The terminal engagement body includes a terminal engagement feature for engaging an alignment feature within the fiber optic terminal, wherein the axle is free to rotate with respect to the terminal engagement body, and a set-point indicator. The tool further includes an end piece coupled to the axle, and a plurality of set-point markers, wherein rotation of the end piece causes rotation of the axle and an alignment between one set-point marker of the plurality of set-point markers with the set-point indicator indicates the split ratio of the fiber optic terminal.