Abstract: Provided are compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting fascin activity or treating a condition or disorder mediated by fascin activity in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer. The nanoparticle has a range of diameters including between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm, between about 0.5 nm and about 50 nm, between about 1 nm and about 25 nm, between about 1 nm and about 15 nm, or between about 1 nm and about 8 nm. The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound. The nanoparticle also exhibits high biostability and biocompatibility. To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo.

Abstract: Methods of detecting IgE+ plasmablasts in a mammal are described herein. Also described herein are methods of predicting clinical allergy in a mammal. Additionally, methods of monitoring progression of an allergy along with methods of monitoring efficacy of treatment of an allergy are described.

Abstract: Solid-state devices including a layer of a superconductor material epitaxially grown on a crystalline high thermal conductivity substrate, the superconductor material being one of TiNx, ZrNx, HfNx, VNx, NbNx, TaNx, MoNx, WNx, or alloys thereof, and one or more layers of a semiconducting or insulating or metallic material epitaxially grown on the layer of superconductor material, the semiconducting or insulating material being one of a Group III N material or alloys thereof or a Group 4b N material or SiC or ScN or alloys thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants. One aspect of embodiments of the disclosure relates to a nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a Pseudomonas tomato race 1 (Ptr1) polynucleotide, a 5? heterologous DNA promoter sequence, and a 3? terminator sequence, wherein the nucleic acid molecule, the DNA promoter sequence, and the terminator sequence are operatively coupled to permit transcription of the nucleic acid molecule. Methods of imparting disease resistance to a plant and methods of identifying a candidate plant suitable for breeding that displays enhanced disease resistance are also disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure also include plant cells, plants, and plant seeds including a heterologous Pseudomonas tomato race 1 (Ptr1) polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for extracting and isolating DNA from cells. The device includes a support having an inlet port for receiving a sample containing a cell, an outlet port for dispensing DNA isolated from the cell, and a microfluidic channel disposed within the support and extending from the inlet port to the outlet port. The microfluidic channel includes a micropillar array, an inflow channel disposed between the inlet port and the micropillar array, and an outflow channel disposed between the micropillar array and the outlet port. The micropillar array includes micropillars spatially configured to entrap, by size exclusion, the cell, to immobilize DNA released from the cell, and to maintain the immobilized DNA in elongated or non-elongated form when hydrodynamic force is applied to the microfluidic channel. Systems and methods of making and using the device are also provided herein.

Abstract: A wrist-mounted system for tracking hand poses includes one or more cameras mounted to a wearable band. In some examples, the one or more cameras are low profile and may be located less than 15 mm, and preferably less than 10 mm, of the wrist of the user. In some examples, a system includes a wearable band and one or more imaging sensors. The one or more imaging sensors are disposed to have a field of view that is anatomically distal when the wearable band is coupled to an arm of the user. The one or more imaging sensors each define an optical axis spaced from the wearable band of less than 15 mm, and preferably less than 10 mm. The image data may come from a single camera mounted on the back of the wrist which captures images of the surface contours of the back of the hand to infer hand poses and gestures.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an apparatus to facilitate production at the microscale using metal sheet as feedstock. This additive manufacturing system uses energy from a pulsed laser beam for ejection of metallic droplets to consolidate a part in a layer-by-layer manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to Compositions comprising a population of multivalent viral particles are described herein. Also described herein are immunogenic compositions comprising a population of multivalent viral particles. Additionally, methods of making a multivalent immunogenic composition comprising a population of multivalent viral particles are described. Lastly, methods of using an immunogenic composition to elicit an immune response in a subject are described herein.

Abstract: A catheter system is provided that reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria near the urethral opening from being carried by the catheter during insertion, and by allowing cycling (filling and emptying) of the bladder. The system includes a main lumen, and a balloon near a distal end thereof that is inflatable, after insertion, to open an eyelet to the main lumen that allows urine to flow from the bladder into the main lumen. A catheter system with two balloons, e.g., a retention and an actuation balloon, is also provided herein. An access port at a proximal end has a resting configuration that closes the proximal end of main lumen to prevent drainage of urine through the main lumen. An access cap is provided that, when installed in the access port, opens the access port to allow urine to flow therethrough.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II), that modulate HCN channels, intermembrane proteins that serve as nonselective voltage-gated cation channels in the plasma membranes of heart and brain cells. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the compounds, and methods of treating HCN-related disorders (e.g., pain) with the compounds in a subject, by administering the compounds and/or compositions described herein.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for generating resolution-enhanced space-domain image of a target sample based on optical coherent tomography (OCT) imaging technologies are disclosed. In an aspect, a system includes a processing platform comprising one or more processing devices operatively coupled to one or more memory devices. The processing platform is configured to acquire a plurality of related sets of optical coherence tomography (OCT) image data for a target object volume, reconstruct space-domain OCT images for each of the plurality of sets of OCT image data, coherently average the reconstructed space-domain OCT images to suppress noise or enhance a signal-to-noise ratio, and computationally expand a spatial bandwidth of the coherent-averaged OCT image data via deconvolution.

Abstract: An ultrasonic computation apparatus includes first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays arranged on opposing ends thereof, and further comprises first and second ultrasonic propagation regions arranged between the first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays and proximate respective ones of the first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays, and an intermediate computational structure arranged between the first and second ultrasonic propagation regions. Respective first and second input signals applied to respective ones of the first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays cause propagation of corresponding ultrasonic waves through the respective first and second ultrasonic propagation regions towards the intermediate computational structure.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue snare system comprising: a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a pair of push tubes slidably mounted to the sleeve, each of the push tubes comprising a distal opening and a proximal opening; a distal balloon secured to the distal ends of the pair of push tubes; and a snare comprising a pair of free ends and an intermediate portion disposed between the pair of free ends, wherein the snare extends into the proximal opening of one push tube, up the length of the push tube, out the distal opening of that push tube, across the face of the distal balloon, into the distal opening of the other push tube, down the length of that push tube, and out the proximal opening of that push tube.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to inhibit or treat brain cancers by locally inhibiting expression or activity of growth factors or growth factor receptors.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes an apparatus to facilitate production at the microscale using metal sheet as feedstock. This additive manufacturing system uses energy from a pulsed laser beam for ejection of metallic droplets to consolidate a part in a layer-by-layer manner.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for use in deterring insects, such as aphids, from damaging plants. A method is provided and involves applying to one or more plants: i) bacteria that produce pyoverdine that emits fluorescent light that is detected by the insects and causes the insects to avoid the plant(s), wherein the bacteria are applied such that that there are more than 105 bacterial cells per 3 cm2 of plant surface, ii) a composition that contains at least 0.00005 mg of isolated pyoverdine that emits fluorescent light that is detected by the insects and causes the insects to avoid the plant(s), and combinations thereof. Also provided is a system for use in plant pest control in a confined space, including in structures such as greenhouses and hydroponic growing containers. The system includes one or more light sources that only emit light having a wavelength of 450-525 nm.

Abstract: An aqueous synthesis methodology for the preparation of silica nanoparticles (SNPs), core-shell SNPs having, for example, a size of 2 to 15 nm and narrow size-dispersion with size control below 1 nm, i.e. at the level of a single atomic layer. Different types of dyes, including near infrared (NIR) emitters, can be covalently encapsulated within and brightness can be enhanced via addition of extra silica shells. The surface may be functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) groups and, optionally, specific surface ligands. This aqueous synthesis methodology also enables synthesis of 2 to 15 nm sized fluorescent core and core-shell aluminosilicate nanoparticles (ASNPs) which may also be surface functionalized. Encapsulation efficiency and brightness of highly negatively charged NIR fluorophores is enhanced relative to the corresponding SNPs without aluminum.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a permanent magnet insertion device that includes a frame and a plurality of single pole assemblies adjacently disposed within the frame. Each of the single pole assemblies includes a first member bearing a first permanent-magnet and a second member bearing a second permanent-magnet. The first permanent-magnet and the second permanent-magnet are spaced apart by a gap. At least one of the first member or the second member is movable relative to the other of the first member or the second member to increase or to decrease a dimensional value of the gap. A hydraulic driver is configured to move the first member relative to the second member to increase or to decrease the dimensional value of the gap. A mechanical driver is configured to move the first member relative to the second member to increase or to decrease the dimensional value of the gap.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane compositions and methods for reprocessing cross-linked polyurethane compositions. The polyurethane composition comprises a network polymer and a polyurethane exchange catalyst permeated within the network polymer. The network polymer comprises a dynamic network formed from an isocyanate constitutional unit and a second constitution unit having a hydroxyl group capable of reacting with an isocyanate group of the isocyanate constitutional unit to form a urethane bond. The catalyst comprises a metal atom and a ligand coordinated to the metal atom.