Abstract: A method improves yield and/or combats Fusarium wilt in a member of the family Cucurbitaceae wherein the method comprises applying mesoporous silica nanoparticles to a seed or plant of the member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Chitosan may be used in combination with the mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles are usable as an agricultural amendment with or without the chitosan. Of particular interest is watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). When seeds of Citrullus lanatus are infused with mesoporous silica nanoparticles with or without the chitosan increased germination was observed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides variant major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) beta chains, as well as heterodimers and multimers including MHCII alpha chains and the variant MHCII beta chains. Also provided by the present disclosure are nucleic acids, expression cassettes, and expression vectors encoding the MHCII beta chains. The heterodimers and multimers of the present disclosure have a higher affinity for CD4 co-receptors than comparable reagents including wild type MHCII beta chains, and therefore are advantageous for use in methods of phenotyping or activating CD4+ T cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) including primary and recurrent CDI. In particular, the compositions and methods described herein are capable of achieving a CDI clearance rate of at least 80% through a single oral dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a freeze-dried fecal microbiota preparation.

Abstract: Articles including a solid porous material having a selenium nanomaterial bound to a surface of and within the solid porous material. The article may be a include no polymeric stabilizer or proteinaceous stabilizer. The solid porous material may be a sponge, a film, a fabric, a non-woven material, or a metal-organic framework (MOF), or a combination thereof. The article may be produced by treating a solid porous material with an aqueous selenous acid solution and heating the solid porous material to form the selenium nanomaterial on the surface of and within the solid porous material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating magnetic resonance (MR) images with reduced motion artifacts from the MR data from which the images are produced. The method includes selecting a candidate image from a plurality of candidate images reconstructed from the MR data. The method also includes registering the candidate image to a reference image, comparing the candidate image to a consistency map, and, based on comparing the candidate image using the consistency map, selecting a blending algorithm. The method also includes generating a blended image using the blending algorithm and the candidate image and repeating these steps for each candidate image. The method also includes performing a Fourier aggregation to generate a combined image and displaying the combined image with reduced motion artifacts compared to the plurality of candidate images.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated stem cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple tissue types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as therapeutic uses for the isolated cells.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the release and content of extracellular vesicles from target cells using electrical stimulation are provided. Compositions comprising extracellular vesicles or extracts of extracellular vesicles and methods of administering the compositions to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The present document provides methods for post-polymerization modification of polymer backbones. In particular, the methods described in this document relate to transformation of polyesters and polyurethanes via [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. Polymer compounds containing backbones modified post-polymerization are also provided, along with various methods of using these polymers in a variety of segments of the economy.

Abstract: Provided herewith is a device having one sachet or more than one nested sachet with the largest sachet made of, e.g., a non-dissolvable, porous, wettable and non-toxic material. The sachets are filled with a desired combination of medications and excipients to provide sustained dosing, blood levels and effects of the said combination of medications. The sachets can be arranged in such a configuration to be suitable for placement in the oral/buccal cavity with comfort and to deliver, e.g., continuous or on-demand release of the desired medications for both transmucosal and gastrointestinal absorption. Also provided are containers for such devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides virus like nanoparticles (VLPs), which are capable of displaying multiple copies of a SARS-CoV-2 antigen, for eliciting protective immunity against a SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as polypeptides, compositions and methods thereof.

Abstract: An electric-to-hydraulic conversion machine includes an axial flux electric motor and a hydraulic pump. The motor includes a spindle, at least one rotor configured to rotate about the spindle, and at least one stator configured to drive rotation of the at least one rotor about the spindle. The hydraulic pump includes a piston block having a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of pistons each supported in one of the cylinders of the piston block, and a cam ring. The piston block is attached to the at least one rotor and is configured to rotate about the spindle with rotation of the at least one rotor. The cam ring is configured to radially drive the pistons during rotation of the piston block about the spindle, which drives a fluid flow.

Abstract: Advances in actuating fabrics could enable a paradigm shift in the field of smart wearables by dynamically fitting themselves to the unique topography of the human body. Active fabrics and fitting mechanisms are described herein that enable garments to conform around surface concavities without requiring high elasticity or a multiplicity of closure devices. Advanced materials and systems innovations (1) enable novel garment manufacturing and application strategies, (2) facilitate topographical fitting (spatial actuation) through garment architectural design, and (3) provide tunable NiTi-based SMA actuation temperatures to enable actuation on the surface of human skin. Such fabrics and garments are usable in a variety of fields including medical compression, technical sportswear, exosuits, space suits and components thereof, or non-garment applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a neurological disorder or deficit, such as tinnitus and phantom limb pain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for organoid generation including, for example, for generation of a multi-tissue organoid. The multi-tissue organoid may include cartilage, bone, epithelium, and/or fibrous connective tissue. This disclosure further describes methods for isolating cells from the organoids and methods of using the organoids and cells of the organoids.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a substantially coaxial arrangement of a camera, a light source, and an ultrasonic sensor can be positioned in an housing of a system that can be deployed from the tool port of a standard bronchoscope. Illumination from the light source facilitates positioning of the system by an operator using information from the camera. The ultrasonic system can determine when an object to be biopsied is adjacent to a biopsy needle.

Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device includes a metal oxide layer comprising anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and one or more nanowires (NW) of an electrically conducting material each formed within a corresponding pore extending through the AAO from a first side of the layer to a second side of the layer opposite the first side, a first electrically conducting layer disposed on the first side of the metal oxide layer, and a second electrically conducting layer disposed on the second side of the metal oxide layer. The nanowires form a via electrically connecting first electrically conducting layer and the second electrically conducting layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to Camelina sativa plants exhibiting facultative wintering. Provided herein are methods and compositions for producing plants exhibiting facultative wintering. Also provided herein are exemplary plants exhibiting this trait, including, for example, Camelina sativa line ‘CMN2207’.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to bulk iron-nitride materials having a polycrystalline microstructure having pores including a plurality of crystallographic grains surrounded by grain boundaries, where at least one crystallographic grain includes an iron-nitride phase including any of a body centered cubic (bcc) structure, a body centered tetragonal (bct), and a martensite structure. The disclosure further describes techniques producing a bulk iron-nitride material having a polycrystalline microstructure, including: melting an iron source to obtain a molten iron source; fast belt casting the molten iron source to obtain a cast iron source; cooling and shaping the cast iron source to obtain a bulk iron-containing material having a body-centered cubic (bcc) structure; annealing the bulk iron-containing material at an austenite transformation temperature and subsequently cooling the bulk iron-containing material; and nitriding the bulk iron-containing material to obtain the bulk iron-nitride material.