Abstract: Described herein are methods of transdifferentiating preadipocytes, populations of transdifferentiated preadipocytes, and methods of using the transdifferentiated preadipocytes.

Abstract: This invention is directed to vaccine compositions and methods of using the same to prevent infection.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal with one of a central nervous system injury and a neurodegenerative disorder comprising isolating, culturing, and generating neural progenitor cells from a mammalian placenta, and transplanting the placenta derived neural progenitor cells into a brain of the mammal.

Abstract: A method for gene editing in a vertebrate brain comprising: intravascular administration of a brain penetrable viral vector including a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest and a CRISPR enzyme; genomic integration via Non-Homologues End Joining (NHEJ) in post-mitotic neurons; and editing a monopartite cell-type specific gene via NHEJ knock-in a sgRNA flanked by self-cleaving ribozymes into 3?UTR to use an endogenous promoter for sgRNA expression.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a computer implemented system and method of tracking objects and motion in video, detecting and analyzing periodic motion, and identifying motion characteristics of an activity or event using periodic motion data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensor for measuring perfluoroalkyl acids and/or polyfluoroalkyl acids. The sensor includes a working electrode, a counter electrode and optionally a reference electrode. The working electrode includes a film disposed on the surface of the working electrode and the film includes a perfluorinated anion exchange ionomer. A method of using the sensor to detect perfluoroalkyl acids and/or polyfluoroalkyl acids is also described.

Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reconstructing 3-D point cloud. A light source generates light that is received by a polarization field generator, which generates a polarization field that illuminates the target object being imaged such that each outgoing ray has a unique polarization state. A camera captures images of the illuminated target object and the captured images are received by a processor that: (1) performs a polarization field decoding algorithm that decodes the polarization field to obtain a set of incident rays; (2) performs a camera ray decoding algorithm to obtain a set of camera rays; (3) performs a ray-ray intersection algorithm that determines intersection points where the incident rays and the camera rays intersect; and (4) performs a 3-D reconstruction algorithm that uses the set of incident rays, the set of camera rays and the intersection points to reconstruct a 3-D point cloud of the target object.

Abstract: Provided herein are green alga Cia8 polypeptides and the polynucleotides that encode them. Also provided herein are transformed cells and transgenic plants that include one or more of the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides provided herein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for targeting cancer cells that over-express voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs or “sodium channels”) and causing osmotic lysis of these cancer cells by initially inhibiting the sodium, potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K+-ATPase or “sodium pump”), and then stimulating the VGSCs by pulsed magnetic field gradients to cause sodium and water to enter the cancer cells.

Abstract: The poor water solubility of high molecular weight chitosan has limited its use in areas such as food and beverage products, post-harvest treatments, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, medical treatments, and environmental pollution treatments. Disclosed is a high-molecular-weight, solid-state chitosan powder that is completely water-soluble.

Abstract: Modulation of inward potassium ion conductance with structurally diverse small-molecules in the arthropod salivary gland induces arthropod salivary gland failure that results in a reduction or elimination in the ability of the arthropod to feed. Administering Kir channel inhibitors reduces food intake, increases feeding time, reduces salivary gland secretion, induces mortality, and reduces transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Kir channel inhibitors induce these adverse effects in ticks, mosquitoes, horn flies, and aphids.

Abstract: Viral promoters and compositions and methods of use thereof are provided. Compositions include viruses with impaired ability to reactivate from latency, and pharmaceutical compositions and method of use thereof. The genome of the viruses include one or more mutations that reduce expression from one or more promoters that regulate expression of viral genes during reactivation from latency. The mutation(s) are typically in a region of the viral genome that includes (i) promoter elements of the iP1 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or the sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP1 promoter homolog); (ii) promoter elements of the iP2 promoter of human cytomegalovirus, or sequence of another virus corresponding thereto (e.g., an iP2 promoter homolog); or (iii) a combination thereof. In some embodiments the virus encodes one or more heterologous antigens. The viruses can be used as vaccines to induce prophylactic and therapeutic immune responses in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial gallium compounds, and to monomers containing gallium complex moieties that can be used in oral care products and dental materials, and which can reduce or eliminate dental caries and bacterial or fungal infections associated with medical and dental devices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making palatable methionine-restricted foods, to deliver a methionine-restricted diet to human or veterinary patients. A protein or a food product containing protein is partially oxidized, preferably with ozone, to oxidize nearly all of the methionine and cysteine. After oxidation, tryptophan and lysine are optionally added back since they tend to be oxidized also. Optionally, a small amount of methionine is also added back so that the final methionine is within a preferred range of about 0.85 to about 1.8 gram methionine per 100 gram total protein, preferably about 1.2 gram per 100 gram total protein.

Abstract: Provided are the herbicide-tolerant, aromatic (jasmine) rice cultivar designated ‘CLJ01’ and its hybrids and derivatives. The present invention provides a method for controlling weeds in the vicinity of rice, comprising contacting the rice with an herbicide, wherein said rice belongs to any of (a) variety ‘CLJ01’ or (b) a hybrid, derivative, or progeny of ‘CLJOV that expresses the imidazolinone herbicide resistance characteristics of ‘CLJOV. In some embodiments, the rice plants of the present invention include plants that comprise an AHAS mutant polypeptide that confers an increased tolerance to an imidazolinone herbicide when compared to a wild-type rice plant.

Abstract: The herbicide-tolerant rice cultivar designated ‘CLL17’ and its hybrids and derivatives are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a DC mechanical circuit breaker that can utilize two switches, one of which can generate zero-crossing with an alternate oscillatory circuit for the other one, which can be a conventional zero-crossing-based AC breaker and can be used in the main circuit. This is different from the conventional single-switch commute-and-absorb method currently used. The present disclosure shows that disclosed circuit breaker improves the fault current extinction and significantly reduces the voltage rate-of-change while creating the current zero-crossing faster compared to the available technology. Thus, disclosed circuit breaker is capable of interrupting high DC currents with minimal arc through a less expensive AC circuit breaker. Simulation and hardware results are provided to show the efficiency of the disclosed circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method of treating one of fractures and disfunctions of a pelvic ring of a patient comprising scanning a patient with a transdermal scan, determining, via a machine, from the scan an optimal range of angles of entry and sizes of screw to insert into the patient, communicating the optimal range to a surgeon, and inserting the screw into the patient.

Abstract: A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) plasmonic device includes a substrate; a metal layer deposited on the substrate, the metal layer being substantially reflective in at least the visible wavelength range; an oxide layer deposited on the metal layer; and gold or gold alloy nanoparticles deposited on the oxide layer.