Abstract: Vacuum infusion of plant extracts in live probiotic cells significantly enhances the viability of probiotics during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with the retention of their metabolic and antagonistic activities. In-vivo results validate the significantly enhanced persistence and mucoadhesion of probiotic cells with infused plant extracts.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that utilize Probability Amplitude Shaping (PAS) and Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) to transmit short block-length messages. While capacity-approaching codes, such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, Turbo codes, and Polar codes, can achieve data rates approaching the Shannon limit at large block-lengths, the performance of these codes can deteriorate dramatically at short block-lengths. Communication systems configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can utilize classical codes to encode short block-length messages to achieve communication rates exceeding Polyanskiy's Random Coding Union bound. In several embodiments, message bits are transmitted using a TCM system in which message bits that have been previously encoded by an error detection code are encoded using a convolutional code (CC). In a number of embodiments, the error detection code and the CC are obtained via a joint optimization with respect to a Frame Error Rate bound.

Abstract: Neural Normalized MinSum (N-NMS) decoding for improving frame error rate (FER) performance on linear block codes over conventional normalized MinSum (NMS). Dynamic multiplicative weights are assigned to each check-to-variable message in each iteration to efficiently provide training parameters of N-NMS that support N-NMS for longer block lengths. Embodiment are described for neural two-dimensional normalized MinSum (N-2D-NMS) decoders requiring fewer training parameters. The N-2D-NMS approaches for example use the same weight for edges with the same check and/or variable node degree. Simulation results indicate that that this LDPC decoding performs similarly to previous techniques while substantially reducing the amount of training necessary.

Abstract: X-ray crystallography has defined conformational properties of a key functional region of the G protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Mimics of these epitopes have utility as immunogens, as tools for discovery of antibodies and other monoclonal binding agents, and as pharmacological agents to modulate activity of the host receptors for this viral protein.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing viscous fluids in a container through applied rotational and oscillation motions is provided. The apparatus has a sample carrier platform mounted to a shaft along a longitudinal axis with a first mechanism imparting oscillating motion to the shaft and a second mechanism imparting rotational motion to the shaft and carrier platform along the axis simultaneously or sequentially. Couplings to the shaft allow the shaft to freely rotate at the same time as it can be pushed or pulled along the longitudinal axis. Sequence, duration and frequency of oscillations and rotations are controlled with a programmable controller.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Abstract: A geomimetic process of sulfate replacement by mineralized carbonate, either in situ or ex situ, is used for mineral carbon sequestration and critical element recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds able to induce neuroprotection of damaged neurons and boost the remyelination potential of oligodendrocytes. The compounds have been identified through methods of pharmacological screening of a small molecule library consisting of known pharmacologically active compounds and approved drugs. The screening method is also included in the invention.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides methods and compositions for modifying target sites within nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the methods comprise using adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs), and variants thereof, to modify target sites within DNA-RNA hybrid molecules. In other aspects, ADAR2 variant polypeptides as well as fusion proteins comprising an ADAR catalytic domain and a hybrid nucleic acid binding domain are provided, as are methods for use thereof. Methods for preventing and treating genetic disorders are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present application concerns the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, such as Fragile X syndrome, by administering a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist.

Abstract: Hybrid materials are disclosed including molecular/protein crystals integrated with synthetic polymers. The disclosed materials combine the structural order and periodicity of crystals, the adaptiveness and tunable mechanical properties of polymeric networks, and the chemical versatility of protein building blocks. Some of the properties of the disclosed materials include the following: 1) allows crystals—which are typically rigid and brittle—to expand and contract reversibly; 2) incorporates polymers to increase the mechanical toughness of the crystals and allow self-healing; 3) reversibly expand/contract crystal lattices and mobilize the protein components therein may provide a new means to improve X-ray diffraction quality and explore otherwise inaccessible protein structural states using 3D protein crystallography; 4) creation of chemically and mechanically differentiated domains within single crystals.

Abstract: A Cockcroft-Walton (CW) switching voltage converter is disclosed. This CW switching converter includes a set of capacitors; an inductor coupled between an input voltage source and the set of capacitors; a set of switches; and an N-phase control module coupled to the set of switches. In some embodiments, each switch is controlled by the N-phase control module which is configured to sequentially and periodically effectuate a set of N voltage-conversion phases in a sequence of switching cycles. Note that each switching cycle effectuates a voltage conversion through the set of N voltage-conversion phases, wherein N is the conversion ratio of the CW switching voltage converter. Moreover, the N-phase control module is configured to effectuate a phase transition from a current phase to a subsequent phase when a zero-current switching (ZCS) condition on a given switch is met.

Abstract: Fully artificial, adaptive composite materials and systems, having variable transmittance, reflectance, and/or absorptance to radiation in visible, infrared, or other desired region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and methods of the manufacture and use thereof are provided. The adaptive composite materials and systems possess an unprecedented combination of properties and are, therefore, poised to enable a broad range of practical applications. The adaptive composite material incorporates at least one size-variable active area having a variable transmittance, reflectance, and/or absorptance in at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and comprises at least: an elastomer substrate, a texturizing layer disposed on top of the substrate, and an optional reflective coating disposed on top of the texturizing layer. In operation, the stretching and relaxation of the elastomer substrate causes changes in the surface morphology of the texturized layers (e.g.

Abstract: In certain embodiments an optimized derivative of the CCLc-?AS3-FB lentiviral vector termed (CCLc-mGata/ANK-CoreLCR-?AS3-FB), is provided which is capable of driving lineage-restricted expression of a beta-globin gene (e.g., an anti-sickling ?-globin like gene (?A83)). In certain embodiments the vectors described herein comprise novel defined LCR HS core sequences (HS2(˜420 bp), HS3?40 bp), HS4(˜410 bp)) which can be used to replace the putative LCR HS sequences present within the “mini-LCR” (˜3.6 kb reduced to ˜1.2 kb) to produce an “optimized mini-LCR”.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: Candidate cancer antigens are identified using transposable elements. Differential expression levels are determined for proteins using baseline expression levels (using measurements of healthy tissue) and tumor expression levels (using measurements of tumor tissue). Protein(s) having a differential expression level greater than a threshold are selected. Cancer vaccine(s) are generated for the selected cancer antigens (s). Particular cancer vaccine(s) are selected for a patient based on differential expression levels for proteins using baseline expression levels of the patient and tumor expression levels of the patient. A vaccine for protein(s) having a differential expression level greater than a threshold can be selected. A microarray can be used for the measurements of the patient. A first array of probes can hybridize to RNA from transposable elements. A second array of probes can hybridize to RNA of different MHC haplotypes. A third array of probes can hybridize to RNA of different APOBEC genotypes.

Abstract: The invention relates to gene therapies using viral vectors. The invention provides, for the first time, packaging cells that comprise enhanced Fc receptor expression (e.g. CD16, CD32, or CD64) to generate gene therapy viruses that evade antibody-dependent inactivation (ADI) or complement-dependent inactivation (CDI). The invention also provides gene therapy viruses with the enhanced Fc receptors displayed on their viral envelope.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for characterizing the age of an insect fecal pellet, where the method can comprise: (1) obtaining insect fecal pellet material to be tested; (2) exposing the pellet material to an H2O2 solution; and (3) detecting the presence of generated oxygen, where the amount of oxygen generated is inversely proportional to the age of the insect pellet. Also described are kits for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of recombinant proteins for inducing epigenetic modifications at specific loci, as well as to methods of using these recombinant proteins for modulating the expression of genes in plants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a small form-factor, wirelessly powered transceiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless powered transceiver includes a receive antenna configured to receive a receive signal, a transmit antenna configured to transmit a transmit signal, a power harvesting system including a rectifier circuit configured convert radio frequency energy from the receive signal into DC (direct current) voltage, and a power management unit (PMU) configured to set the operating mode and biasing condition of the receive and transmit circuitry blocks and provide DC voltage from the receive circuitry block to the transmit circuitry block to maintain a minimum voltage, a receiver circuitry block configured to provide energy from the receive signal to the power harvesting system, and a transmitter circuitry block including a data modulator circuit, the data modulator circuit configured to generate the transmit signal using DC voltage received from the power management unit.