Abstract: The present invention is a method, comprising: obtaining a sample of an esophageal tissue from a subject, wherein the sample of the esophageal tissue comprises or is suspected of comprising a break of chromosome 2 (chr2), a break of chromosome 10 (chr10), a break of chromosome 16 (chr16), or any combination thereof, and detecting in the sample of esophageal tissue whether the break of chr2 is present, whether the break of chr10 is present, whether the break of chr16 is present, or any combination thereof, by contacting the sample of esophageal tissue with a first detectably labeled probe, a second detectably labeled probe, a third detectably labeled probe, or any combination thereof, and detecting binding between: the first detectably labeled probe and the break of chr2, the second detectably labeled probe and the break of chr10, the third detectably labeled probe and the break of chr16, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are an ORF7 deficient varicella virus, an vaccine comprising the virus and use thereof, as well as a method for the production the virus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a curvature radius of a sample. The methods comprise: emitting a light beam from a laser source in a direction towards a beam expander; expanding a size of the light beam emitted from the laser source to create a broad laser beam; reflecting the broad laser beam off of a curved surface of the sample; creating a plurality of non-parallel laser beams by passing the reflected broad laser beam through a grating mask or a biprism; using the plurality of non-parallel laser beams to create an interference pattern at a camera image sensor; capturing a first image by the camera image sensor; and processing the first image by an image processing device to determine the curvature radius of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides new classes of phenol compounds, including those derived from tyrosol and analogues, useful as monomers for preparation of biocompatible polymers, and biocompatible polymers prepared from these monomeric phenol compounds, including novel biodegradable and/or bioresorbable polymers. These biocompatible polymers or polymer compositions with enhanced bioresorbabilty and processability are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in medical devices and controlled-release therapeutic formulations. The invention also provides methods for preparing these monomeric phenol compounds and biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (16) and (17); and salts thereof, as well as compositions comprising such compounds and salts, complexes comprising such compounds and salts, and methods for treating cancer, inhibiting BMI1 expression, or treating Huntington's disease using such compounds, salts, and complexes. The compounds, salts, and complexes have potency, permeability, and oral bioavailability that make them particularly useful, for example, for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a nano-graphitic sponge (NGS) and methods for preparing the nano-graphitic sponge. The disclosed nano-graphitic sponge possesses many excellent properties, including large surface areas and pore volumes, low-mass densities, good electrical conductivities and mechanical properties. These excellent properties make the nano-graphitic sponge an ideal material for many applications, such as electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors, fuel cells and solar cells, catalysts and catalyst supports, and sensors.

Abstract: Inhibitors of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) nuclear localization and methods of using the inhibitors to treat autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving plastid transformation in difficult to transform plants are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus for relay beamforming of mmWave communications in an environment having signal blockage and signal attenuation challenges, such as found in an urban setting. The various embodiments support distributed, relay-assisted beamforming mechanisms that exploit the spatial diversity of mmWave signal propagation, including a resource efficient relay selection scheme designed to optimally enhance QoS in 2-hop Amplify-and-Forward (AF) cooperative networks. Relay selection is implemented in a predictive and distributed manner, with some embodiments also employing predictive schemes to optimally select transmitting relays.

Abstract: A device and method for directing a cannula toward a target location under a patient's skin. The device is handheld and the device operations may be automated. The device includes an imaging probe for imaging the target location, a positioning unit for manipulating a cannula towards the target location, and a processor. The processor receives imaging data from the imaging probe, cannula pose data from at least one cannula position sensor, and device pose data from at least one device position sensor. The target location is identified from the imaging data, and a trajectory for manipulating the cannula towards the target location is determined based on the imaging data, the cannula pose data, and the device pose data. The processor may determine that the trajectory becomes misaligned with the target position, and may update to a corrected trajectory based on the imaging data, cannula pose data, and the device pose data.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite by distributing carbon fibers or nanotubes into a molten polymer phase comprising one or more molten polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase breaks the carbon fibers successively with each event, producing reactive edges on the broken carbon fibers that react with and cross-link the one or more polymers. The composite shows improvements in mechanical properties, such as stiffness, strength and impact energy absorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biocompatible conjugate for treating a disease or an injury. The conjugate contains a polymer covalently linked to one or more moieties each containing a polymerizable functional group. The conjugate forms a cross-linked polymer network after being exposed to an elevated level of free radicals associated with the disease or injury.

Abstract: An injectable formulation for a sustained-release of a local anesthetic is provided. The formulation comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a local anesthetic encapsulated into polymeric particles having a diameter from about 1 ?m to about 4 ?m. Such formulation prolongs analgesic effect, decreases toxicity, and allows loading larger doses, and at the same time is injectable directly at a patient's body site of the interest without generating a surgical wound. Methods of use and preparation are also provided.

Abstract: A neuroprotective compositions containing caffeine or a caffeine analogue and a long chain fatty acyl tryptamide with an aliphatic chain having 16 to 22 carbons linked to a tryptamine, wherein the composition contains from at least 1.5 mg to 600 mg of caffeine per serving or unit dosage of the composition; from at least 0.5 mg to 300 mg of the long chain fatty acyl tryptamide per serving or unit dosage of the composition; and the ratio of long chain fatty acyl tryptamide to caffeine is from 1:1200 to 200:1. Methods are also disclosed for treating or preventing cognitive and movement deficits of a disease, condition or disorder or neurological deterioration that use the disclosed neuroprotective compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): and salts thereof wherein R1-R5 have any of the meanings described in the specification. The compounds are useful for treating bacterial infections (e.g. tuberculosis).

Abstract: A method for forming a graphene-reinforced polymer matrix composite is disclosed. The method includes distributing graphite microparticles into a molten thermoplastic polymer phase; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase exfoliates the graphite successively with each event until at least 50% of the graphite is exfoliated to form a distribution in the molten polymer phase of single- and multi-layer graphene nanoparticles less than 50 nanometers thick along the c-axis direction.

Abstract: A transection device including a curved tubular body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, having a wall and an internal chamber and a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber may be defined by the distal end and an opening in the wall, and said distal end may have a surface facing the receiving chamber and an outside surface comprising an elongated region. A protrusion may extend from the distal end towards the center of said opening. A cutting member may be positioned within said curved tubular body and may be moveable between an initial position and an extended position and at least a portion of the cutting member may extend into the receiving chamber. A depressible member may be configured to move the cutting member and a compression member may extend between the cutting member and the depressible member. Some embodiments may utilize an electrosurgical cutting member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising compounds of formula I and methods using compounds of formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel primers and sloppy molecular beacon and molecular beacon probes for amplifying segments from different genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis for identifying the presence of M.tb DNA and/or resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Abstract: A new and distinct strawberry plant variety of Fragaria ananassa named ‘NJ09-2-1’ is provided, a short day cultivar primarily adapted to the climate and conditions of the eastern United States (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5b, 6a 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b). ‘NJ09-2-1’ has large, long conic to cylindrically shaped fruit, with a medium glossy even surface, a raised calyx with upward sepals, and a medium to broad band without achenes.