Abstract: BCMA T cell antigen coupler (TAC) polypeptides having (i) an antigen-binding domain that binds BCMA, (ii) an antigen-binding domain that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide are provided.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided. Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for inhibiting microbe growth. The methods can comprise contacting the microbe with an antimicrobial agent and bicarbonate. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods for treating or preventing a microbial infection, comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of (i) bicarbonate and (ii) an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A cutting tool, comprising a substrate having a cutting surface and a coating adhered to the cutting surface in a solid state, wherein the coating includes a soft metal and is capable of melting and functioning as an in-situ liquid lubricant when the cutting tool is applied in a machining operation. Also, a method of applying a coating to a cutting tool, comprising receiving a premachining workpiece, the premachining workpiece formed of a coating material including a soft metal; and machining the premachining workpiece with the cutting tool such that a layer of the coating material adheres to a cutting surface of the cutting tool in a solid state.

Abstract: The present application provides a low-temperature process to reduce S—S and/or S—H bonds in organic compounds, including sulfur-cured elastomers, which for example, permits the de-crosslinking of the elastomer and recovery of organic polymers from inorganic constituents.

Abstract: An improved system for assessing cognitive function is described that uses tracked electrical activity of the brain of the individuals in response to a specific sequence of stimuli in generating data sets, which, for example, can be encapsulated as a data structure. The data sets can include tracked specific response types, at different times and amplitudes, including, but not limited to, event related potential signal components. Brainwave features including, event related potentials, are tracked in relation to both pre-attentive brain responses and consciously controlled attention responses.

Abstract: A method of treating obesity and obesity-related disorders in a mammal is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to the mammal a compound or entity that inhibits the HTR2a receptor.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of performing chemical reactions, including multi-step chemical reactions in which two or more of the reagents in the chemical reaction are incorporated or entrapped in a solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan. In certain embodiments, the chemical reaction or multi-step reaction serves as a sensor. Accordingly the present application is also directed to sensors for performing the methods of the application. In certain embodiments, at least one of the reagents is a biomolecule and the sensor is a biosensor. In certain other embodiments, the solid polymeric structure comprising pullulan and the reagents for performing a chemical reaction form a convenient device for performing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel CD133-binding agents. The disclosure is also directed to uses of novel CD133-binding agents for detecting CD133-expressing cells and/or quantitating levels of cellular CD133 expression, for targeting CD133-expressing cells, for decreasing levels of CD133 in CD133-expressing cells and for treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing or monitoring endometriosis in a mammal are provided. The methods include the steps of determining the expression levels of BDNF, glycodelin and optionally ZAG, in a biological sample from the mammal, and determining that the mammal has endometriosis when the biomarker expression levels in the sample are elevated.

Abstract: The present application provides a catalyst component for alkene polymerization. The catalyst component contains: (a) a group 4 transition metal or rare earth metal, (b) a rigid non-cyclopentadienyl ligand with a tricyclic backbone composed of three ortho-fused 6-membered rings in a linear arrangement (as is the case in xanthene), with or without additional fused rings; the tricyclic backbone contains at least one donor atom within the central ring (as is the case for xanthene, oxanthrene, or acridan); furthermore, donor atoms/groups or aryl rings are attached directly (i.e. via the donor atom in the case of donor groups) to both of the bondable carbon atoms adjacent to at least one of the donor atoms within the central ring (e.g.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided. The ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex is UCHT1 with a Y177 mutation. Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating coils including the steps of providing a liquid droplet having a diameter on length-scales ranging from hundreds of micrometers to nanometers and bringing a fiber into contact with the liquid droplet, wherein the radius of the liquid droplet is sufficiently high in comparison to the bending elastocapillary length which is defined as where E is the Young's modulus of the elastic fiber, r is the radius of the fiber and ? is the interfacial tension between the droplet and surrounding medium, so that capillary forces induce the spontaneous winding of the fiber around the droplet, to fabricate a coil with a diameter in the range from hundreds of micrometers to nanometers. Also disclosed is a system for making microcoils and to the product thereof.

Abstract: An all-solution electrode fabrication process is provided. The process comprises the steps of: i) preparing and activating a shrinkable polymer substrate for deposition of a a) conductive film; ii) modifying the substrate to incorporate a linker; iii) immobilizing particles of a conductive material on the linkers of the substrate to form a conductive film on the substrate; and vi) heating the modified substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause contraction of the polymer substrate and to result in micro- and/or nano-texturing in the conductive film. The process advantageously yields a novel multi-scale electrode device comprising a polymer substrate; and a textured electro-conductive film linked to the substrate.

Abstract: An approach to control or monitoring of battery operation makes use of a recurrent neural network (RNN), which receives one or more battery attributes for a Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, and determines, based on the received one or more battery attributes, a state-of-charge (SOC) estimate for the Li-ion battery.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of late-onset Gaucher disease are described herein. The compositions comprise compounds having activity as pharmacological chaperones for mutant forms of the beta-glucocerebrosidase. Methods of treatment involve providing therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of preserving the one or more chemical and/or biological species in a polymer matrix comprising pullulan and trehalose is described. The method includes combining the one or more chemical and/or biological species, an aqueous pullulan and a trehalose solution and drying the resultant mixture to provide a solid polymeric matrix. A polymeric matrix comprising one or more chemical and/or biological species and its use, for example, on surfaces for food preparation, for food preservation and in biological preparations is also described.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule is provided, comprising (i) a target-specific ligand, (ii) a ligand that binds a protein associated with a TCR complex, and (iii) a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide. Variants of the molecule are provided, including variants that exhibit optimized surface expression, transduction efficiency, and effector functionality. Variations include, for example, different ligands that bind CD3 epsilon (e.g., OKT3, L2K, F6A, UCHT1 and humanized UCHT1), different signaling domains, and different linkers between domains.