Abstract: An ion-conducting structure comprises a metal-fibril complex formed by one or more elementary nanofibrils. Each elementary nanofibril can be composed of a plurality of cellulose molecular chains with functional groups. Each elementary nanofibril can also have a plurality of metal ions. Each metal ion can act as a coordination center between the functional groups of adjacent cellulose molecular chains so as to form a respective ion transport channel between the cellulose molecular chains. The metal-fibril complex can comprise a plurality of second ions. Each second ion can be disposed within one of the ion transport channels so as to be intercalated between the corresponding cellulose molecular chains. In some embodiments, the metal-fibril complex is formed as a solid-state structure.

Abstract: A delivery vehicle, for delivering a pharmaceutically active agent or a marker to a cell, comprising a ligand binding portion specific for a Fas Ligand, and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent or marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CXCL121 peptide engineered to resist peptide-induced dimerization by maintaining steric repulsion of the chemokine helix, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantitative susceptibility mapping (“QSM”) using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are described. Localized magnetic field information is used when performing the inversion to compute quantitative susceptibility maps. The localized magnetic field information can include multi-resolution subvolumes obtained by segmenting, or dividing, a field shift map. In some instances, a trained machine learning algorithm, such as a trained neural network, can be implemented to convert the localized magnetic field information into quantitative susceptibility data. These local susceptibility maps can be combined to form a composite quantitative susceptibility map of the imaging volume.

Abstract: Compositions and provided to induce cells of the inner ear to renter the cell cycle and to proliferate. In particular, hair cells are induced to proliferate by administration of a composition which activates the Myc and Notch. Supporting cells are induced to transdifferentiate to hair cells by inhibition of Myc and Notch activity or the activation of Atoh1. Methods of treatment include the intracellular delivery of these molecules to a specific therapeutic target.

Abstract: A driver for a circuit with a capacitive load is configured for coupling to a voltage source which provides a DC input voltage, and is configured to generate an output voltage at an output. The driver includes a bidirectional synchronous power converter with a first switch, a second switch, and an inductive device connected to the first and/or second switch. A controller is configured to control the first switch and the second switch. The bidirectional synchronous power converter generates a switching voltage from the input voltage at a switching node and generates the output voltage having an analog voltage waveform with a peak amplitude of at least twice the input voltage.

Abstract: Provided are memristors and neuromorphic devices including the memristors. A memristor includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode that are apart from each other and first and second two-dimensional material layers that are arranged between the lower electrode and the upper electrode and stacked without a chemical bond therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a new multi-level data structure, log-structured merge bush (LSM-bush), to alleviate the performance compromise between LSH-table and LSM-tree data structures. Similar to LSM-tree, LSM-bush may buffer writes in memory, merge the writes as sorted runs across multiple levels in storage, and use in-memory fence pointers and Bloom filters to facilitate lookups. LSM-bush differs from LSM-tree in that it allows newer data to be merged more “lazily” than LSM-tree. This can be achieved by allowing larger numbers of runs to be collected at the smaller levels before merging them.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to form pores in situ within hydrogels following hydrogel injection. Pores formed in situ via degradation of sacrificial porogens within the surrounding hydrogel facilitate recruitment or release of cells. Disclosed herein is a material that is not initially porous, but which becomes macroporous over time.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules, kits comprising the same and uses thereof. The microbe-targeting or microbe-binding molecules can comprise a microbe surface-binding domain linked to a portion of an Fc region. Further, the microbe-targeting molecules can be conjugated to substrate (e.g., a magnetic particle) to form a microbe-targeting substrate. Such microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates and the kits comprising the same can be used in various applications, such as diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes. Moreover, the microbe-targeting molecules and/or substrates can be easily regenerated after use.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a trocar including: a central cylinder defining a central channel and having a distal end adapted and configured for insertion within a subject; one or more gas outlets located within the central cylinder proximate to the distal end of the trocar; and one or more liquid outlets located within the central cylinder on a proximal side of the one or more gas outlets. The one or more liquid outlets are adapted and configured to dispense a liquid when an endoscope is withdrawn from a fully extended position within the central channel of the trocar to a position proximate to the one or more liquid outlets. Distal advancement of the endoscope to a position adjacent to the one or more gas outlets removes liquid from a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, reagents, apparatuses, vectors, and host cells for the continuous evolution of nucleic acids. For example, a lagoon is provided in which a population of viral vectors comprising a gene of interest replicates in a stream of host cells, wherein the viral vectors lack a gene encoding a protein required for the generation of infectious viral particles, and wherein that gene is expressed in the host cells under the control of a conditional promoter, the activity of which depends on a function of the gene of interest to be evolved. Some aspects of this invention provide evolved products obtained from continuous evolution procedures described herein. Kits containing materials for continuous evolution are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention relates to products and methods of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutically therapeutic dose of a chemotherapeutic, or any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof, conjugated to a nanocarrier. According to a further embodiment, the chemotherapeutic has a primary (10) amine (—NH2) group in within a pharmaceutical structure of the chemotherapeutic structure. According to a further embodiment, the chemotherapeutic is one of a platinum-based pharmaceutical and an Anthracycline family pharmaceutical. According to a further embodiment, the chemotherapeutic is one of gemcitabine, methotrexate, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, daunorubicine, idarubicine, and epirubicine. According to a further embodiment, the chemotherapeutic is either attached to the nanocarrier by means that includes covalent bonds or is attached by means that does not included covalent bonds.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are combination therapies for inhibiting influenza virus infection.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for targeting nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides non-naturally occurring or engineered DNA-targeting systems comprising a novel DNA-targeting CRISPR effector protein and at least one targeting nucleic acid component like a guide RNA. Methods for making and using and uses of such systems, methods, and compositions and products from such methods and uses are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel acoustofluidic device to separate acoustically active particles from fluids comprising a novel device arrangement for improved acoustic pressure and particle velocity; and a method of separating particles from a fluid comprising use of same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and improving the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a binding agent that binds to transforming growth factor beta (TGF?).

Abstract: Methods of making and monitoring metabolites in cells are provided.

Abstract: A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

Abstract: A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.