Abstract: The invention pertains to an inducible CRISPR system for controlling expression of a CRISPR complex with an inducible fusion promoter. One embodiment of the invention provides HIV LTR-minimal Drosophila hsp70 fusion promoter that can be used for inducible co-expression of gRNA and Cas9 in HIV-infected cells to target cellular cofactors such as Cyclin T1. A single introduction of such embodiment leads to sustained suppression of HIV replication in stringent, chronically infected HeLa-CD4 cell lines as well as in T-cell lines. In another embodiment, the invention further relates to enhancement of HIV suppression by incorporating cis-acting ribozymes immediately upstream of the gRNA in the inducible CRISPR system construct. The inducible fusion promoter is adaptable for other tissue- or cell-type specific expression of the inducible CRISPR system.

Abstract: A porous transparent electrode is formed where a film comprising of semiconducting nanoparticles is decorated with polyoxometalates (POMs) bonded to their surfaces. The semiconducting nanoparticles are transparent metal oxide. The semiconducting nanoparticles include tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), or titanium dioxide (TiO2). In an embodiment, the POM is [SiW12O40]4?; [?-P2W18O62]6?; or [?2-P2W17O61]10?. The semiconducting nanoparticles bond to the POM through a combination of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The porous transparent electrode can be placed in a protonated form or ion-paired with alkali metal cations or tetraalkylammonium cations.

Abstract: Gradient refractive index lenses (GRI-Ls) and methods of fabricating the same are provided. GRI-Ls can be fabricated by stereolithography (SLA) and/or photo-assisted, thermal-assisted, and/or other laser-based curing from at least two precursors with a preset refractive index gradation along the planar axis. These lenses are self-focusing lenses and may be convergent or divergent for decreasing and increasing refractive indices from the center, respectively. Rather than a gradation in lens thickness from the center, the GRI-Ls can have a gradation of composition from the center.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for decalcifying aortic valves and/or other valves, blood vessels, and/or cardiac tissues in a mammalian (e.g., a human) patient (e.g., a patient having or suspected of having calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD)). A transcatheter (aortic) valve decalcification system/method can include applying one or more pulsed magnetic fields to the calcium deposit(s) within a valve or other vessel or tissue within the patient. The system can include a catheter having pulsed magnetic field ribbons disposed therein, and the catheter can be provided to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and/or treatment of cancers such as melanomas. The subject invention provides biomarkers and methods for assessing the severity of a cancer/tumor and for monitoring the progressing of a cancer/tumor. The subject invention also provides therapeutic targets in cancer for developing anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for the treatment of prostate cancers, preferably, advanced prostate cancers. The subject invention also provides compounds, compositions, and methods for preventing/slowing down/reducing the progress and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The subject invention further provides compounds, compositions, and methods for inhibiting DNA repair within cancer cells to slow tumor growth, preferably, by inhibiting BER capacity, including pol ? and LIG I.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for intracellular deliver of molecules and/or therapeutic agents. The subject invention also provides methods for synthesizing polymeric systems and nanomaterials that enhance or assist the passage of molecules and/or therapeutic agents across biological membranes. The compound, polymer or nanoparticle of the subject invention comprises a modified guanidine moiety in a plurality of repeating units of a polymer or on the surface of a nanoparticle where the guanidine moiety comprises, for example, a carbamoyl or thiourea modification. The polymer or nanoparticle can be used in a cancer treatment formulation.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for fabricating electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors with enhanced sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratios, LOD, and improved stability and reproducibility. The subject invention also provides methods for aptamer immobilization on the surface of the electrode, which favors sufficient spacing between aptamers at the microscale to achieve optimal target recognition, folding, and signal transduction. The E-AB sensors of the subject invention provide superior sensing regardless of the sequence or structure of the bound aptamers or the physiochemical properties of the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantifying the duration of S1 and/or S2 heart sounds, in order to identify markers of heart failure and/or lung failure, are provided. Cardiac cycles containing S1 and S2 sound can be identified in a phonocardiogram and normalized. In order to quantify S1 and S2 sound length, the envelope of the absolute value of the signal can be obtained for each cycle. The sound waves of two components can be separated using the identified single sound wave. These features can be correlated to measures of heart failure and/or lung failure.

Abstract: The subject invention provides fungal extracts, fungal metabolites, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fungal extracts, and/or fungal metabolites, methods of preparation, and therapeutic uses thereof. The subject invention also provides a bioactive agent and a composition comprising the bioactive agent, and therapeutic uses thereof. The subject invention further provides methods for treating, inhibiting and/or preventing malaria infection and transmission by using the fungal extracts, fungal metabolites, bioactive agents, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the fungal extracts, fungal metabolites, and/or bioactive agent.

Abstract: Gradient refractive index lenses (GRI-Ls) and methods of fabricating the same are provided. GRI-Ls can be fabricated by stereolithography (SLA) and/or photo-assisted, thermal-assisted, and/or other laser-based curing from at least two precursors with a preset refractive index gradation along the planar axis. These lenses are self-focusing lenses and may be convergent or divergent for decreasing and increasing refractive indices from the center, respectively. Rather than a gradation in lens thickness from the center, the GRI-Ls can have a gradation of composition from the center.

Abstract: Provided are novel high entropy nitrides (HENs) exhibiting excellent physical and chemical properties. Also provided are systems and methods to synthesize bulk HENs by reaction flash sintering. Commercial metal nitride powders can be consolidated into near fully dense single-phase bulk ceramic with a proprietary flash sintering apparatus. A constant DC electrical field of ˜80 V/cm and pressure of ˜15 MPa at room temperature can trigger reaction flash sintering without pre-heating, and the entire process can finish in ˜250 seconds to ˜400 seconds.

Abstract: Filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and methods of synthesizing the same are provided. An in situ chemical vapor deposition technique can be used to synthesize CNTs filled with metal sulfide nanowires. The CNTs can be completely and continuously filled with the metal sulfide fillers up to several micrometers in length. The filled CNTs can be easily collected from the substrates used for synthesis using a simple ultrasonication method.

Abstract: The subject invention provides synthetic compounds, and compound complexes having catalytic activities towards oxidation or oxygenation, and/or dehydrogenation of various substrates comprising C—H bonds. The catalysts of the subject invention comprise a dinuclear Cu(I)/Cu(II) center that can convert between a resting state and a reactive species. The subject invention also provides methods of using such catalysts for the oxidation of substrates comprising C—H bonds, e.g., hydrocarbons, to synthesize chemicals for use as pharmaceuticals and industrial feedstock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-directional imaging in coupling with an indentation device are provided. The systems and methods can enable in situ multi-directional and full-field interfacial force response on soft matter. With more than two two-dimensional (2D) plane videos and/or images, the in situ nano-, micro-, and meso-scale time-dependent damage responses at the three-dimensional (3D) level can be constructed. Based on the obtained 2D and 3D videos and/or images, the underlying dynamic force response and fatigue mechanisms can be observed using a digital image correlation technique.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treatment or prevention of viral and/or bacterial infection comprising the administration of a polyol derived from a vegetable oil or its derivative. The vegetable oil is preferably linseed oil. The invention is also directed to a formulation comprising a vegetable oil-derived polyol.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for the chemical synthesis of racemic arsinothricin (D,L-AST), the novel organoarsenical antibiotic. One is by condensation of the 2-chloroethyl(methyl)arsinic acid with acetamidomalonate, and the second involves reduction of the N-acetyl-protected derivative of hydroxyarsinothricin (AST-OH) and subsequent methylation of the resulting sodium salt of trivalent arsenic intermediate with methyl iodide. The enzyme AST N-acetyltransferase (ArsN1) was utilized to purify L-AST from racemic AST. This expedient chemical synthesis of AST provides a source of this novel antibiotic for future drug development.

Abstract: Power controllers (e.g., inductive power transfer (IPT) power controllers) and methods of making and using the same are provided. An IPT power controller can be implemented on direct alternating current (AC)-AC converters and can use only current and voltage measurements to produce multi-power level IPT controller and design switching logic. Using Boolean operators (e.g., AND, OR, Not) applied on a resonant current signal, varying positive energy injections (e.g., 1 to 16 pulses), and varying negative energy injections (e.g., 1 to 16 pulses), up to 32 different active states can be designed.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for single-step detection of target molecules in a sample. The methods and assays of the subject invention employ a dye-displacement strategy, in which aptamers complexed with a cyanine dye for sensitive and rapid detection of targets of interest. In the presence of a target, aptamer-target binding liberates the non-covalently bound aptamer-binding dye, resulting in optical changes that can be observed spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. The methods and assays of the subject invention enable the colorimetric detection of targets of interest regardless of their structure, sequence, target-binding affinity, and physicochemical properties of their targets.