Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of making bimetallic metal alloys of composition for example, Rh/Pd; Rh/Pt; Rh/Ag; Rh/Au; Rh/Ru; Rh/Co; Rh/Ir; Rh/Ni; Ir/Pd; Ir/Pt; Ir/Ag; Ir/Au; Pd/Ni; Pd/Pt; Pd/Ag; Pd/Au; Pt/Ni; Pt/Ag; Pt/Au; Ni/Ag; Ni/Au; or Ag/Au prepared using microwave irradiation.

Abstract: Ultra near-field index modulated plasmonic nano-aperture label-free imaging methods and techniques are useful for imaging and detection of biological microparticles and nanoparticles such as circulating tumor exosomes (CTEs), bacteria and vimses. The methods and techniques utilize a high-density array of gold, silver, or gold/silver alloy nanodisks, in some cases on an undercut or invisible substrate. Given the relatively large nanodisk dimensions, the nanodisk array may feature a significantly blue-shifted LSPR extinction peak due to both far-field plasmonic coupling and substrate undercut. The ultra near-field imaging methods have the ability to image nanoparticles as small as 25 nm.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of a coronavirus infection. Certain aspects are directed to lipid vesicles comprising SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or a portion or variant thereof. Further aspects include methods for treatment or prevention of a coronavirus infection comprising providing a lipid vesicle comprising a therapeutic protein, such as SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or ACE2. In some embodiments, the disclosed lipid vesicles are useful for targeted delivery of anti-viral therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Antibody antigen binding domains which specifically binds human leptin comprises VH or VL CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences of an hLept antibody. The antibody antigen binding domains and antibodies thereof are useful to treat obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a primary dose-limiting side effect caused by antineoplastic agents, such as paclitaxel. This causes damage to peripheral nerves and the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Currently, there are no effective treatments for CIPN, which can lead to long-term morbidity in patients and survivors. Neuronal-immune interactions occur in CIPN and have been implicated both in the development and progression of the disease and disease resolution. The inventors investigated the potential role of Inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS) in the resolution of CIPN. ICOS is an immune checkpoint molecule that is expressed on the surface of activated T cells and promotes proliferation and differentiation of T cells. They found that intrathecal administration of ICOS agonist antibody (ICOSaa) alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity caused by paclitaxel and facilitates the resolution of pain in female mice without a clear benefit in male mice.

Abstract: A dimeric ionic liquid that enhances and improves the performance and durability of a fuel cell catalyst. The dimeric ionic liquid comprises 1,1-(butane-1, 4-diyl)bis(9-methyl-3,4,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-1-ium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) employing the dimeric ionic liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for the production of Type III polyketides using genetically modified oleaginous yeast strains, for example, Yarrowia lipolytica.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for segmenting generic foreground objects in images and videos. For segmenting generic foreground objects in videos, an appearance stream of an image in a video frame is processed using a first deep neural network. Furthermore, a motion stream of an optical flow image in the video frame is processed using a second deep neural network. The appearance and motion streams are then joined to combine complementary appearance and motion information to perform segmentation of generic objects in the video frame. Generic foreground objects are segmented in images by training a convolutional deep neural network to estimate a likelihood that a pixel in an image belongs to a foreground object. After receiving the image, the likelihood that the pixel in the image is part of the foreground object as opposed to background is then determined using the trained convolutional deep neural network.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for selecting and treating cancers that are homology-directed repair (HDR) proficient. As such, methods for sensitizing cancers to PARP inhibitor therapy and ionizing radiation are also provided. In some aspects, cancers are treated with a combination of a GRB2 inhibitor and a PARP inhibitor or a GRB2 inhibitor and ionizing radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to dual specific antibodies, which bind to both PD-L1 and PD-L2, and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1, PD-L2, or both.

Abstract: Recombinant bacterial cells are provided that comprise a stable non-canonical amino acid translation pathway. In some aspects, the bacteria comprise nucleic acids encoding a non-canonical amino acid translation pathway (e.g., a tRNA for incorporation of a non-canonical amino acid, such selenocysteine); a marker polypeptide that includes the non-canonical amino acid. Recombinant tRNA and selection marker coding sequences are likewise provided.

Abstract: Heat exchange pads for use on a patient are described herein. An example heat exchange pad can include a surface defining an internal volume and having a flexible patient contacting portion, an inlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for delivery of fluid into the internal volume, an outlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for removal of fluid from the internal volume, and at least one extended surface structure positioned within the internal volume to disrupt laminar flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A quad-polymer composition includes monomers of (a) acrylonitrile, (a) vinylimidazole, (c) methyl acrylate and (d) either acrylic acid or itaconic acid. Such quad- polymer compositions may be used to form fibers (such as by melt spinning) that may then be annealed, stabilized, and/or carbonized to produce carbon fibers. The quad-polymer composition may be used for supercapacitors, lithium battery electrodes once carbonized, and as synthesized, it may be used for wound healing fibers, fabrics, coatings, and films, and anti-bacterial/anti-microbial fibers, fabrics, coatings and films. The carbon fibers formed from the quad-polymer composition may be used for the fiber composites for automobile, aerospace structures, marine structures, military equipment/parts, sporting goods, robotics, furniture, and electronic parts.

Abstract: A quad-polymer composition includes monomers of (a) acrylonitrile, (a) vinylimidazole, (c) methyl acrylate and (d) either acrylic acid or itaconic acid. Such quad-polymer compositions may be used to form fibers (such as by melt spinning) that may then be annealed, stabilized, and/or carbonized to produce carbon fibers. The quad-polymer composition may be used for supercapacitors, lithium battery electrodes once carbonized, and as synthesized, it may be used for wound healing fibers, fabrics, coatings, and films, and anti-bacterial/anti-microbial fibers, fabrics, coatings and films. The carbon fibers formed from the quad-polymer composition may be used for the fiber composites for automobile, aerospace structures, marine structures, military equipment/parts, sporting goods, robotics, furniture, and electronic parts.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered hMPV F proteins. In some aspects, the engineered F proteins exhibit enhanced conformational stability and/or antigenicity. Methods are also provided for use of the engineered F proteins as diagnostics, in screening platforms, and/or in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of utilizing an enzyme in a nucleic acid manipulation process, the method comprising: a) transforming a microorganism with a non-native enzyme; b) inducing expression of the enzyme in the microorganism, thereby producing the non-native enzyme; c) adding the microorganism of step b) directly to a non-naturally occurring nucleic acid manipulation process, wherein the non-native enzyme is not purified from the microorganism prior to addition to the nucleic acid manipulation process; and carrying out the nucleic acid manipulation process using the enzyme. Importantly, this method can be carried out without the need to purify the enzyme from the cell producing it before it is used in the nucleic acid manipulation method. Also disclosed herein is a kit for carrying out a nucleic acid manipulation process, the kit comprising a) a microorganism expressing a non-native enzyme; b) nucleic acids of interest; and c) reagents for use in the nucleic acid manipulation process.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating an autoimmune disorder or a cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an oligonucleotide that specifically binds a complementary sequence of the Interleukin-7 receptor (IL7R) pre-mRNA that influences splicing of exon 6, wherein the SM-ASO increases or decreases inclusion of exon 6 in IL7R pre-mRNAs and respectively decreases or increases expression of the soluble isoform of IL7R (sIL7R). In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), or a splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotide (SM-ASO).

Abstract: A method and system for generating a treatment plan are disclosed herein. A computing system receives a plurality of dose volume histograms for a plurality of patients and a plurality of volumetric dose distributions corresponding to the plurality of dose volume histograms. The computing system generates a volumetric dose prediction model using a neural network by learning, by the neural network, a relationship between a plurality of dose volume histograms for the plurality of patients and the corresponding plurality of volumetric dose distributions. The computing system receives a candidate dose volume histogram for a target patient. The computing system infers, via the volumetric dose prediction module, a volumetric dose prediction distribution matching the candidate dose volume histogram. The computing system generates a recommendation based on the inferred volumetric dose prediction distribution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of their use for treating mesenchymally-derived or mesenchymally-transformed cancers, such as breast cancers and sarcomas, and for treating diseases or disorders that are characterized by the expression of vimentin.

Abstract: Neoantigens play a key role in the recognition of tumor cells by T cells. However, only a small proportion of neoantigens truly elicit T cell responses, and fewer clues exist as to which neoantigens are recognized by which T cell receptors (TCRs). To help determine the TCRs that interact with particular neoantigens, prediction models that predict TCR-binding specificities of neoantigens presented by different classes of major histocompatibility complex (MHCs) were developed. To confirm the applicability of the model to clinical settings, the prediction models were comprehensively validated by a series of analyses. The validated prediction models used a flexible transfer learning approach and differential learning schema to achieve highly accurate prediction of TCR binding specificity only using TCR sequence data, antigen sequence data, and MHC alleles.