Abstract: A device adapted to be secured to the foot of a user includes one or more vibration actuators configured to provide vibrations to the user's foot, one or more force or acceleration sensors configured to sense forces or acceleration exerted by the user's foot, and a controller configured to operate the vibration actuators in a continuous mode to provide intermittent vibration to the user's foot independent of information sensed by the force or acceleration sensors. The vibration includes a first period of continuous vibration followed by a second period of no vibration followed by a third period of continuous vibration. The device may also be configured to operate in a feedback mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant eukaryotic cell expressing one or more heterologous double strand break (DSB) repair proteins in an amount effective for enhancing DSB repair in the cell. The recombinant eukaryotic cell may express a recombinant product of interest. Also provided are methods for enhancing double strand break (DSB) repair in eukaryotic cells, establishing host cells for production of a recombinant product of interest, producing a recombinant product of interest, improving production of a recombinant product of interest by eukaryotic cells, and/or investigating suitability of eukaryotic cells as host cells for producing a recombinant product of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanoparticle capable of binding specifically to a target protein in a solution and precipitating with the target protein out of the solution upon addition of the target protein to the solution. The precipitation may be reversed release the target protein from the nanoparticle, which may be reused for precipitating the target protein. Also provided are a method for purifying a target protein by affinity precipitation using the nanoparticle without chromatography and a method for preparing the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A multi-room in-home harness system is disclosed. Specific implementations may include a first plurality of tracks including a first track system in a first room, a trolley that may be configured to moveably couple to a track of the first plurality of tracks and move along a horizontal plane of the track, and a cart coupled to the trolley, where the trolley may be configured to move the cart along each track of the first plurality of tracks and may also be configured to transfer the cart from the first plurality of tracks to a second plurality of tracks in a second room.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant eukaryotic cell expressing one or more heterologous double strand break (DSB) repair proteins in an amount effective for enhancing DSB repair in the cell. The recombinant eukaryotic cell may express a recombinant product of interest. Also provided are methods for enhancing double strand break (DSB) repair in eukaryotic cells, establishing host cells for production of a recombinant product of interest, producing a recombinant product of interest, improving production of a recombinant product of interest by eukaryotic cells, and/or investigating suitability of eukaryotic cells as host cells for producing a recombinant product of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides bio-nanoparticles (BioNPs) for delivering an active agent into hematopoietic stem & progenitor cells (HSPCs). Each BioNP comprises a core and a biological membrane covering the core, which comprises the active agent and a polymer. The biological membrane comprises a phospholipid bilayer and one or more surface proteins of a megakaryocyte (Mk). The active agent remains active after being delivered into the HSPC. Also provided are methods for preparing the BioNPs and uses of the BioNPs for targeted delivery of an active agent into HSPCs and/or treating or preventing a disease or condition in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Silver-amended carbon materials containing silver nanoparticles are prepared by a process involving an initial reduction of a porous carbon material, followed by contacting the reduced porous carbon material with an aqueous solution of a silver salt. Such silver-amended carbon materials may contain a relatively high loading of silver nanoparticles on both the outside surface and within the interior of the porous carbon material and are useful for disinfecting and/or otherwise purifying fluids such as microbe-containing fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) in which a, R1-R5 and X1 are as described herein. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound and a method of using the compound for treating cancer, such as renal cancer.

Abstract: A process for aligning discontinuous fibers, and composite products and mats comprised of highly aligned discontinuous fibers, including products of the process. Aligned discontinuous fiber composite products include a matrix of fibers, each fiber having a longitudinal fiber axis, the composite comprising a free, uncut edge extending along an edge axis. The longitudinal fiber axis of a majority of the fibers in the composite product are aligned within a predetermined alignment tolerance of an alignment axis non-parallel to the edge axis. Aligned discontinuous fiber mats may have a first areal density of fibers in a first region of the composite located inward relative to the free, uncut edge, and a second area density at or adjacent to the free, uncut edge.

Abstract: A method for catalytically converting a dihydrotetrazine 1 into a tetrazine 2, wherein the dihydrotetrazine 1 comprises a first R group and a second R group, wherein the first R group is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl, or heteroatom-containing group, and the second R group is selected from the group consisting of H and substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl, and heteroatom-containing groups; wherein the method comprises (a) providing the dihydrotetrazine 1 in a reaction medium, and (b) adding an enzyme as a catalyst and an oxidant to the reaction medium, whereby the dihydrotetrazine 1 is converted to the tetrazine 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soil composition having improved water retention. The composition comprises soil particles and Bacillus subtilis UD1Q22. For example, the composition may comprise soil particles having a particle size no greater than 2 mm and at least 50% of the soil particles have a particle size in the range of 0.05-2 mm. A method for improving water retention of a soil composition is also provided. The method comprises applying an effective amount of Bacilus subtilis UD1022 to the soil composition to improve water retention of the soil composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of electroreduction with a working electrode and counter electrode. The method includes a step of electrocatalyzing carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide in the presence of one or more nucleophilic co-reactants in contact with a catalytically active material present on the working electrode, thereby forming one or more carbon-containing products electrocatalytically.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multi-layer structures comprising a first composite layer disposed over a second composite layer, wherein the first composite layer contains a first active material dispersed in a first polymer containing an elastomeric polymer and the second composite layer contains a second polymer which may have a second active material dispersed therein, wherein the first active material chemically or physically interacts with at least one toxic chemical and is selected from the group consisting of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), metal oxides, metal hydroxides, zeolites, and combinations thereof, and wherein the active material and the second active material (if present) are the same as or different from each other, and the first polymer and second polymer are the same as or different from each other, subject to the proviso that the first composite layer and the second composite layer compositionally differ from each other in at least one respect.

Abstract: An article of clothing that can be worn by a user to sense activity. A first conductive fabric layer is positioned in a location of the article of clothing that is deformed when worn. A second conductive fabric layer is also positioned in the location of the article of clothing. A foam layer is positioned between the first and second conductive fabric layers. At least one conductive lead is coupled to at least one of the first or second conductive fabric layers. Application of a force at the location due to activity of the user causes a change in an electrical parameter of the conductive lead.

Abstract: A modular artificial skeletal muscle (MASM) actuator having a plurality of dielectric elastomer units assembled in series or in parallel. A proximal anchoring member is connected to a proximal end of at least one proximal dielectric elastomer unit and is configured for attachment to a proximal anchor point relative to a user. A tension member has a proximal end attached to a distal end of at least one distal dielectric elastomer unit and a distal end configured for attachment to a distal anchor point relative to the user. A controller is configured to cause simultaneous contraction or expansion of plurality of dielectric elastomer units, which contraction or expansion causes displacement of the tension member. A plurality of MASM actuators may be attached to an exoskeleton attached about an ankle of a user and controlled for therapeutic purposes, such as for assisting pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Abstract: The present invention provides N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM) derivatives having Formula I, wherein Xa is selected from the group consisting of X1-X59, Ya is selected from the group consisting of H, monophosphate, uridine diphosphate and ethyl azide linker prepared from 2-azido-ethanol, and Za is selected from the group consisting of OH, an ethylene diamine coupled fluorophore, a peptide and a peptide with an ethylene diamine coupled fluorophore, wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of a monopeptide, a dipeptide, a tripeptide and a pentapeptide. Also provided are methods for synthesizing NAM derivatives and methods for modulating Nod2 in cells, modifying bacterial cell wall or modulating innate immune response by a subject to bacterial cells upon exposure to NAM derivatives.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for generating spectral computed tomography data for spectral X-ray image reconstruction using of pixelated k-edge apertures. A method is provided for generating a spectral computed tomography. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of X-ray beams; encoding the plurality of X-ray beams by transmitting the plurality of beams through a pixelated K-edge coded aperture structure; detecting the encoded plurality of X-ray beams; and reconstructing a spectral CT image from the encoded plurality of X-ray beams.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to stress-responsive compositions comprising (1) at least one (co)polymer comprising at least one mechanophore comprising at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group or derivative thereof and (2) at least one compound comprising at least one functional group capable of reacting with a free radical, The present disclosure is also directed to articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders comprising such stress-responsive compositions, as well as to processes of imparting the abilities of forming and maintaining protective barriers and mechanical self-healing to such articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders by incorporating such stress-responsive compositions therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) from one or more bio-derived reactants, and their use as base oils: (R1-A)b-(CHx)a(CHR2)m—(C(R4R5))n—(CHR3)o—(CHy)c-(A-R1?)d??(I) wherein a and c are independently 0 or 1, b and d are independently 1 or 2, x and y are independently 1 or 2, dependent upon the values of a-d, m and o are independently 0 or 1, n is an integer of 0-6, and each A is independently an unsaturated furan ring, a partially saturated furan ring, a saturated furan ring, or —(CH2)4—. Also, R1, R1?, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, with a proviso that at least one of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is not hydrogen, and the total carbon content of the compound of formula (I) is in the range of 20-62.

Abstract: A method for catalytically converting a dihydrotetrazine 1 into a tetrazine 2, wherein one R group on the dihydrotetrazine 1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl, or heteroatom-containing group, and the other R group is selected from the group consisting of H and substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbonyl,- or heteroatom-containing groups; 1, 2 wherein the method comprises oxidizing dihydrotetrazine 1 in a reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst and a stoichiometric oxidant.