Abstract: The present invention includes recombinant AAV vectors comprising an inducible transcriptional activator which is operably linked to a muscle-specific promoter, wherein the AAV vector further comprises a capsid gene specific for muscle tissue. The invention further includes methods of producing and using said recombinant AAV vectors to introduce transgenes into target cells and treat diseases in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating malaria with tetrahydrobenzonaphtyridine carboxanilide (TBN) derivatives and related pyrrolinones and hydrolysis products thereof. These compounds are active against Plasmodium falciparum strains that are resistant to multiple drugs currently on the market. The present invention further relates to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a scanning probe microscope base that includes a configured to be secured to an end of an insert in a cryostat; a top configured to be connected to a base of a scanning probe microscope head that is configured to be disposed inside the insert; and a damping system disposed between the frame and the top and comprising a bellows that seals the end of the insert. This sealing separates an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environment in the insert from a high vacuum (HV) environment surrounding the end of the insert and also positions an upper surface of the top in the UHV environment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of making gene-edited plants that are resistant to downy mildew, such as plants with reduced expression of homoserine kinase (HSK), 2-oxoglutarate-Fe(II) oxygenase (2OGO), or both. The disclosure further provides methods of making gene-edited modified plants that are cold tolerant, such as plants with reduced expression of MYB14. In some examples, CRISPR/Cas methods are used, wherein the plants include a mutated HSK, 2OGO, and/or MYB14 gene resulting in reduced expression and/or gene activity. Plants generated using the methods are provided. Such plants can include other desirable traits. HSK, 2OGO, and/or MYB14 nucleic acid and protein molecules are provided, as are gRNAs specific for HSK, 2OGO, or MYB14 and vectors containing such.

Abstract: Self-limiting electrospray compositions including a non-charge-dissipative component and/or a charge-dissipative component. Self-limiting electrospray composition including a plurality of charge-dissipative components and excluding a non-charge-dissipative component. Methods for forming layers of self-limiting thickness. Methods for determining a conductivity of a material. Methods for repairing a flaw in a layer on a surface of an object.

Abstract: An anchorage system for prestressing a non-metallic (e.g., FRP) tendon against a support member may include a dead-end assembly and a live-end assembly configured to be placed on opposite sides of the support member, each assembly having a support sleeve affixed to a support plate. The anchorage system may also include a tensioning rod coupled to an end of the support sleeve of the live-end assembly that is remote from the respective support plate, and a removable support box extending around the support sleeve of the live-end assembly, the tensioning rod extending through an opening defined in the removable support box, the support box configured to be an abutment structure against which a jack may be placed. The anchorage system may also include one or more slotted shim plates interposed between the support plate of the live-end assembly and a first confronting surface of the support member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training physics-informed neural network (PINN) surrogate models to model physical problems are provided. The method may comprise coupling, using a processor, one or more convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with a finite element method (FEM). The coupling may comprise calculating, for a finite element mesh comprising a plurality of finite elements, an internal force vector, P, a force vector, F, and a tangent stiffness matrix, KT, using the FEM. Each finite element may comprise one or more finite element nodes. The coupling may further comprise applying a CNN to the finite element mesh to obtain a solution to a physical problem. The CNN may be trained on a loss function, and the loss function may incorporate the internal force vector, P, and the force vector, F.

Abstract: Methods of treating disease include measuring a CCR2 profile of a patent, selecting a CCR2 antagonist based on the CCR2 profile of the patient, and administering the CCR2 antagonist to the patient. Methods for stratifying one or more patients for pain medication based on a CCR2 profile include measuring a CCR2 profile of one or more patients and partitioning the one or more patients into predetermined groups or subgroups based on the CCR2 profile of the one or more patients. Kits for performing the methods are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for controlling Drosophila flies on valuable agricultural crops.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for targeted gene editing and related uses.

Abstract: Compositions comprising biologically active synthetic nanoparticle constructs and methods of use thereof to modify mitochondrial gene expression including transcriptional repression and transcriptional activation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for targeted gene editing and related uses.

Abstract: Methods of expanding a population of immune cells, such as natural killer cells or CAR-modified natural killer cells, using exosomes, and methods of producing the exosomes from a population of 721.221 cells transduced or transfected with a membrane-bound IL-21 (mIL-21) or a population of 721.22 cells transduced or transfected with a mIL-21 and B7-H6. Methods of treating a cancer or an infectious or immune disease, wherein immune cells expanded using the exosomes are administered to a subject with the cancer or the infectious or immune disease are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of compounds that exhibit Crk-like protein inhibition. The compound embodiments can be used to suppress or prevent tumor cell growth and/or to inhibit a Crk-mediated signaling pathway. Methods of making and using the compound embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A robot arm having a series of rigid links including a first rigid link and a final rigid link, the links being operatively controlled via tendon-driven joints, each tendon-driven joint comprising a motorized spool configured to rotate in either of two directions and operatively coupled, via a cable assembly having an elastic portion, to a pulley configured to move a respective rigid link thereby. A controller adapts robot arm motion in response to position and force sensing signals. A tendon-driven joint may be implemented via one motor controlling the tension of two cables acting in opposing directions and coupled between respective ones of a pair of common-driven spools and a pair of pulleys.

Abstract: A method for forming a scaffold for use in fabricating a soft tissue implant, comprising: receiving, by a processor, soft tissue data corresponding to dimensions for a soft tissue, and a first and second weighting factor selected based on the dimensions of the soft tissue; transforming, by the processor, the soft tissue data, based on the first and second weighting factors, into a plurality of pin coordinates in a multi-dimensional space defining a shape of the scaffold for use in fabricating the soft tissue implant; and providing, by the processor, instructions to form the scaffold using weaving operations based on the pin coordinates.

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: An electronic-sensing & magnetic-modulation (ESMM) biosensor device and methods of using the same, where the device incorporates electrical, microfluidic, and magnetic subsystems. The device and methods of using such a device can be applied to high throughput point-of-care screening for the quantification and evaluation of a subject's immune response to pathogenic infections, which can be useful for: early diagnosis, stratifying high-risk subjects infected with a pathogen; and determining the status or effectiveness of a therapeutic response.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in part, to a method for preparing a carbon nanomaterial from a plastic material. In certain embodiments, the method comprises nonsolvent induced phase separation of the plastic material to provide plastic nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the method comprises hydrothermal conversion of the plastic nanoparticles to carbon nanomaterials. In certain embodiments, the plastic material is derived from waste material. In certain embodiments, the plastic material is polypropylene (PP). In certain embodiments, the carbon nanomaterial is carbon dots (CDs). In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for altering the properties of CDs by post-processing to afford graphitic materials.

Abstract: Sensors employing elastomers enhanced with electrically conductive 2D nanoparticles are provided. The nanoparticles are formed by applying shear to layered materials present in elastomer precursors (e.g., elastomeric monomer(s) and/or curing agent(s)). Subsequent exfoliation of the layers occurs directly within the precursor and/or curing agent. The cured elastomer nanocomposites can be employed for electrochemical sensing, flexible touchpads, pressure sensors, and wireless sensors, amongst other applications.