Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing large soluble graphenes. The method comprises attaching one or more hindering groups to the graphene, which can prevent face-to-face graphene stacking by reducing the effects of inter-graphene attraction. The large graphenes can absorb a wide spectrum of light from UV to near infrared, and are useful in photovoltaic devices and sensitizers in nanocrystalline solar cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention include a hydrogel formed from crosslinked polyethylene glycol into which acrylated glucose oxidase has been immobilized through crosslinking to the gel. These hydrogels can be used to create hypoxia under ambient conditions for at least 72 hours and can be used to create hypoxic gradients. These embodiments permit the study of cells under a variety of hypoxic conditions.

Abstract: Small molecule inhibitor compounds for inhibiting Rac1 activity and their use for treating, preventing, or reducing the incidences of malignant and nonmalignant manifestations, e.g., plexiform neurofibromas that occur in subjects suffering from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are disclosed.

Abstract: A support (26) for a tablet (22) for use in a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) machine (12) is provided. The support (26) includes a plurality of curved braces (80, 82) configured to mount within a bore (16) of the fMRI machine (12); a channel (90) coupled to one end of the curved braces (80, 82); and a pair of lower braces (86) coupled to another end of the curved braces (80, 82); wherein the channel (90) includes a C-shaped opening (108) configured to receive a mounting bracket (24) coupled to the tablet (22).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating cultures and isolated cell populations containing preplacodal ectoderms cells, otic placode cells, and inner ear sensory hair cells derived from pluripotent cells by modulating TGF?, BMP, and FGF signaling pathways under defined culture conditions. Also described are methods for obtaining non-otic placodal tissues from pluripotent stem cells. Methods for identifying agents that induce or enhance differentiation and generation of hair cells are also disclosed. Methods for identifying cytoprotective agents for hair cells are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting virality of a content item are disclosed. A method includes: receiving a social network structure; identifying communities within the social network structure, where communities are identified as dense subnetworks in the social network structure; receiving social network content that includes one or more content items; and identifying one or more content items that are predicted to become viral based on utilization of the content items between different communities in the social network structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are capillary fabrication devices comprising living cells within a support medium. Culture of the cells produces viable lumenized capillary networks with natural or pre-determined geometries and ECM and basement membrane associated with the capillary networks. The capillary networks and the ECM and basement membrane detachable from the capillary networks are useful for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of providing decision support for assisting medical treatment decision-making. A patient agent software module processes information about a particular patient. A doctor agent software module processes information about a health status of a particular patient, beliefs relating to patient treatments, and the actual effects of treatment decisions. By filtering information over time from the patient agent into the doctor agent, a plurality of decision-outcome nodes are created and formed into a patient-specific outcome tree with the plurality of decision-outcome nodes. An optimal treatment is determined by evaluating the plurality of decision-outcome nodes with a cost per unit change function to output the optimal treatment.

Abstract: A method of making retinal ganglion cells, comprises the steps of: (a) differentiating pluripotent stem cells into retinal progenitor cells; and, (b) differentiating retinal progenitor cells into retinal ganglion cells.

Abstract: Described herein are expression vectors encoding the Wolbachia protein WalE1. Also described are insects transformed with an expression vector of the present disclosure, and progeny thereof. Also described are methods for improving Wolbachia replication and transmission in its insect host by overexpressing WalE1 in the insect host. Improved Wolbachia replication and transmission provides for insect population control and pathogen resistance in insects, which can reduce disease transmission.

Abstract: Novel assembly effector compounds having a therapeutic effect against hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection are disclosed. Assembly effector molecules described herein can lead to defective viral assembly and also may affect other viral activities associated with chronic HBV infection. Also disclosed is a process to synthesize disclosed compounds, method of treatment of HBV by administration of disclosed compounds, and use of these compounds in the manufacture of medicaments against HBV.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is that the systemic administration of ASC conditioned media diminished LPS-induced lung injury by inhibiting epithelial permeability, neutrophil inflammatory response, and secretion of pro-inflammatory TNF?. It is also shown that ARDS lung is able to retain IV-delivered ASC for a substantial amount of time, with no evidence of the significant cell distribution to other organs at this time point. These findings provide optimization of cell-based and cell-free therapy for the treatment of ARDS, including occurrences of ARDS caused by upper respiratory tract infections such as SARS and MERS.

Abstract: Expression of Forkhead-box protein A1 (FOXA1), a transcription factor important for the normal development of the prostate gland is thought to be controlled by steroid hormones and GATA-3. Expression of FOXA1, GATA-3 and androgen receptor (AR) was retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a series of 80 primary tumors and 28 metastatic prostate cancers including 15 matched paired samples. High nuclear FOXA1 expression was seen in 19% of primary tumors and 89% of metastatic tumors (p<0.0001). FOXA1 expression correlated positively with tumor size, extra-prostatic extension, angiolymphatic invasion, AR and metastasis but did not correlate with age, tumor stage, Gleason score, presence of PIN or multifocality, seminal vesicle or perineural invasion and status of surgical excision margins. Expression of GATA-3 was not seen in either normal epithelium or tumor. High FOXA1 expression is associated with development of metastatic prostate cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for directing differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into inner ear sensory epithelia and sensory neurons. More particularly, provided herein are methods for obtaining three-dimensional cultures comprising human pluripotent stem cell-derived pre-otic epithelium, otic vesicles, and inner ear sensory epithelia containing hair cells, sensory neurons, and supporting cells.

Abstract: Synthetic cremastranone and cremastranone analogs are disclosed. Additionally, methods for synthesizing cremastranone and cremastranone analogs are disclosed. Methods of treating ocular neovascularization disorders and treating angiogenesis-mediated disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Single chain insulin analogs are provided having high potency and specificity for the insulin receptor. As disclosed herein optimally sized linking moieties can be used to link human insulin A and B chains, or analogs or derivatives thereof, wherein the carboxy terminus of the B25 amino acid of the B chain is linked to the amino terminus of the A1 amino acid of the A chain via the intervening linking moiety. In on embodiment the linking moiety comprises a polyethylene glycol of 6-16 monomer units and in an alternative embodiment the linking moiety comprises a non-native amino acid sequence derived form the IGF-1 C-peptide and comprising at least 8 amino acids and no more than 12 amino acid in length. Also disclosed are prodrug and conjugate derivatives of the single chain insulin analogs.

Abstract: Biomarkers are provided for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing thymic cancer in individuals having or suspected of having thymic cancer. In addition, kits are provided for measuring expression levels or the presence of the biomarkers associated with thymic cancer for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing thymic cancer. Furthermore, methods are provided for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing thymic cancer in individuals having or suspected of having thymic cancer via the biomarkers.

Abstract: A hybrid ion mobility spectrometer includes a single-pass drift tube having an ion inlet and an ion outlet, a multiple-pass drift tube having an ion inlet and an ion outlet each coupled to the single pass drift tube between the ion inlet and the ion outlet thereof, and at least one ion steering channel controllable to selectively pass ions traveling through the single-pass drift tube into the multiple-pass drift tube via the ion inlet of the multiple-pass drift tube and to selectively pass ions traveling through the multiple-pass drift tube into the single-pass drift tube via the ion outlet of the multiple-pass drift tube. The single-pass drift tube separates in time ions traveling therethrough according to a first function of ion mobility, and the multiple-pass drift tube separates in time ions traveling one or more times therethrough according to the first or a second function of ion mobility.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are insulin agonist peptides conjugated to incretins wherein the incretin-insulin conjugate has agonist activity at the insulin receptor and the corresponding incretin receptor, and stimulates weight loss in an individual administered the compound.

Abstract: Methods for modulating inflammation using progesterone metabolites are disclosed. More particularly, methods of administering progesterone metabolites, 6?-hydroxyprogesterone (6?-OHP) and 16?-hydroxyprogesterone (16?-OHP) are disclosed for mitigating inflammation in various tissue types in the body.