Abstract: Forced expression of a handful of transcription factors (TFs) can induce conversion between cell identities; however, the extent to which TFs can alter cell identity has not been systematic ally assessed. Here, we assembled a “human TFome,” a comprehensive expression library of 1,578 human TF clones with fall coverage of the major TF families. By systematically screening the human TFome, we identified many individual TFs that induce loss of human-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell (hiPSC) identity, suggesting a pervasive ability for TFs to alter cell identity. Using large-scale computational cell type classification trained on thousands of tissue expression pantiles, we identified cell types generated by these TFs with high efficiency and speed, without additional selections or mechanical perturbations. TF expression in adult human tissues only correlated with some of the cell lineage generated, suggesting more complexity than observation studies can explain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for sampling instruments and methods of collecting sample particles. The sampling instrument can include a high-pressure pulsed valve coupled to a gas flow system to displace a sample from a surface. Also included can be a voltage supply coupled to a voltage switch, a suction device, a sample collector, and a collection filter. To collect a sample, extractive particles can be deposited onto a sample present on a substrate. At least a portion of the sample becomes coupled to a portion of the extractive particles to form sample particles. High-pressure gas can be discharged at the sample, thereby aerosolizing a portion of the sample particles to disperse aerosolized sample particles. A portion of the aerosolized sample particles can be collected onto a collection filter to form a collected sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns systems and methods related to an adjustable surgical dilation device for the mechanical dilation of an anatomical opening, including, but not limited to, an endoscopic or robotic port. In specific embodiments, this device may create and expand an anatomical opening with a novel petal-like mechanism. In specific embodiments, this device may be utilized in laparoscopic procedures including, but not limited to, thyroid or parathyroid removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating multimetallic nanoparticles, the method comprising the steps of providing a substrate; activating the substrate surface; adsorbing a cationic transition metal complex onto the substrate surface to form a substrate-supported cationic transition metal complex; adsorbing an anionic transition metal complex onto the substrate-supported cationic transition metal complex to form a substrate-supported multimetallic complex salt; and reducing the substrate-supported multimetallic complex salt to provide a plurality of multimetallic nanoparticles. The invention also relates in part to a composition of multimetallic nanoparticles comprising at least two metals Ma and Mb; wherein the ratio of Ma to Mb is between about 2:1 and about 1:2.

Abstract: An interconnection layer structure including a two-dimensional (2D) material, an electronic device including the interconnection layer structure, and an electronic apparatus including the electronic device are disclosed. The interconnection layer structure may include a first interconnection layer, and a work function modulation layer directly on one surface of the first interconnection layer. The first interconnection layer may include a metal layer, and the work function modulation layer may be a two-dimensional (2D) material layer that includes ruthenium (Ru).

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a two-dimensional (2D) material having a semiconductor characteristic, a conductive layer on a first surface of the 2D material layer, and an alignment adjusting layer on a second surface of the 2D material layer. The second surface may be different from the first surface. The alignment adjusting layer may adjust an energy-band alignment between the 2D material layer and the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to photo-immunoconjugate formulations comprising a nanoparticle carrier comprising first and second therapeutic agents coupled to the nanoparticle carrier, and a photosensitizer molecule coupled to the first therapeutic agent or the nanoparticle carrier, and methods of treating cancer via administration of the photo-immunoconjugate formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions and methods of producing such compositions. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a pathogen infection, methods of vaccinating a subject against a pathogen infection, and methods for treating an antibiotic-resistance bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof. In further embodiments, the invention includes methods of decreasing the level of a pathogen in a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of increasing the surviving rate of a subject having a pathogen infection, methods of reducing the level of pain associated with a pathogen infection, and methods of reducing the level of distress associated with a pathogen infection in a subject in need thereof. Novel scaffold compositions and opsonin-bound or lectin-bound pathogen compositions, and uses thereof, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, compositions, and methods of introducing protective and/or loss-of-function variants of CCR5 and CCR2. Variants may be introduced using a CRISPR/Cas9-based nucleobase editor or other guide nucleotide sequence-programmable DNA binding protein domain-based fusion protein described herein. Further provided herein are compositions and methods of preventing and treating conditions related to HIV infection and progression as well as to AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for imaging or determining nucleic acids or other desired targets, for instance, within cells or tissues. In one aspect, a sample is exposed to a plurality of nucleic acid probes that are determined within the sample. In some cases, however, background fluorescence or off-target binding may make it more difficult to determine properly bound nucleic acid probes. Accordingly, other components of the samples that may be contributing to the background, such as proteins, lipids, and/or other non-targets, may be “cleared” from the sample to improve determination. However, in certain embodiments, nucleic acids or other desired targets may be prevented from also being cleared, e.g., using polymers or gels within the sample. Other aspects are generally directed to compositions or kits involving such systems, methods of using such systems, or the like.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method comprises classifying an arterial Doppler ultrasound waveform using the arterial Doppler ultrasound waveform and/or a set of features extracted from the arterial Doppler ultrasound waveform using one or more trained machine learning models to identify whether a peripheral arterial disease condition is present and/or to predict a medical outcome related to peripheral arterial disease. The method comprises, upon identifying the presence of the peripheral arterial disease condition and/or predicting the medical outcome, signalling the presence of the peripheral arterial disease condition and/or the medical outcome.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions related to Natural Killer T cells that are engineered to harbor an expression construct that encodes an activator of the Wnt signaling pathway. Activation by expression of Wnt signaling activators or the addition of exogenous activators promotes NKT expansion over the course of multiple tumor cell challenges and improves long term tumor control in vitro. The present disclosure further includes NKT cells, populations, and methods to prepare them, that are engineered to express exogenous activators of Wnt signaling combined with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) for therapeutic use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to objectively identify sub-second behavioral modules in the three-dimensional (3D) video data that represents the motion of a subject. Defining behavioral modules based upon structure in the 3D video data itself— rather than using a priori definitions for what should constitute a measurable unit of action— identifies a previously-unexplored sub-second regularity that defines a timescale upon which behavior is organized, yields important information about the components and structure of behavior, offers insight into the nature of behavioral change in the subject, and enables objective discovery of subtle alterations in patterned action. The systems and methods of the invention can be applied to drug or gene therapy classification, drug or gene therapy screening, disease study including early detection of the onset of a disease, toxicology research, side-effect study, learning and memory process study, anxiety study, and analysis in consumer behavior.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solid-state composite cathodes that comprise Na2S or Li2S, Na3PS4, or Li3PS4, and mesoporous carbon. The present invention is also directed to methods of making the solid-state composite cathodes and methods of using the solid-state composite cathodes in batteries and other electrochemical technologies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for engineering proteins using error-prone orthogonal replication (epOrthoRep) and yeast surface display (YSD).

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanoporous membrane including a porous support layer and a selective layer. The selective layer, being deposited on a surface of the porous support layer, has an effective pore size smaller than that of the porous support layer and contains an array of polymeric nanoparticles that have on their surfaces a plurality of —C(?O)XR groups. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating a nanoporous membrane described above and using the nanoporous membrane for separating a mixture that contains two solutes.

Abstract: In a nanopore sensor, a nanopore disposed in a support structure has a nanopore diameter and nanopore resistance, RPore. A fluidic passage, disposed in fluidic connection between a first fluidic reservoir and the nanopore, has a cross-sectional extent, along at least a portion of the fluidic passage length, that is greater than the diameter of the nanopore and that is less than the fluidic passage length. The fluidic passage has a fluidic passage resistance, RFP, of at least about 10% of the nanopore resistance, RPore, and no more than about 10 times the nanopore resistance, RPore. The nanopore is disposed in fluidic connection between the fluidic passage and a second fluidic reservoir. At least one electrical transduction element is disposed at the fluidic passage and electrically connected to produce an indication of electrical potential local to the fluidic passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides phagemid vectors and associated phagemid particles for cancer treatment, and in particular, to the use of novel phagemid particles and associated expression systems for the treatment, prevention, amelioration, or management of cancer. In particular, the invention relates to the use of phagemid particles and expression systems for the delivery of transgenes encoding cytokines, for the treatment, prevention, amelioration, or management of cancer. The invention also extends to the use of phagemid particles and expression systems for the delivery of transgenes, and for the combination of such treatment with the use of adoptively transferred T cells, for the treatment, prevention, amelioration, or management of cancer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a nozzle for a 3D printing system. The nozzle may include a flowpath with a material inlet and a material outlet. The nozzle may further include a valve in fluid communication with the flowpath between the material inlet and the material outlet, where the valve includes a closed state and an open state, where in the closed state the valve obstructs the flowpath between the material inlet and the material outlet, and where in the open state the material inlet is in fluid communication with the material outlet. The nozzle may further include a compensator in fluid communication with the flowpath, where the compensator includes a contracted state associated with the open state of the valve and an expanded state associated with the closed state of the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric compositions, nanoparticles and vaccines comprising polymeric compositions. The invention extends to medical uses of the polymeric compositions, nanoparticles and vaccines. The invention further extends to methods of producing the polymeric compositions and nanoparticles.