Abstract: Here we disclose the response of normal human cells to ZnO nanoparticles under different signaling environments and compare it to the response of cancerous cells. ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a strong preferential ability to kill cancerous T cells (˜28-35X) compared to normal cells. Interestingly, the activation state of the cell contributes toward nanoparticle toxicity as resting T cells display a relative resistance while cells stimulated through the T cell receptor and CD28 costimulatory pathway show greater toxicity in direct relation to the level of activation. The novel findings of cell selective toxicity towards potential disease causing cells indicate a potential utility of ZnO nanoparticle in the treatment of cancer and/or autoimmunity.

Abstract: A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell.

Abstract: Novel aza analogues of dicationic terphenyl compounds for use in combating microbial infections are described. The compounds include those of Formula (III): wherein one of A1, Y1, and Z1 is N; Ar1 is phenylene; and Ar3 is a nitrogen-containing aromatic group.

Abstract: Embodiments of wearable flexible devices and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for treating binocular anomalies. The system includes one or more imaging devices, one or more visual displays, and a computing device. The imaging devices may include right and left imaging devices that capture images of a patient's right and left eyes, respectively. The displays may include right and left displays that provide right and left visual stimulation, respectively. The computing device identifies right and left locations on the right and left retinas, respectively, based at least in part on images of right and left eyes, respectively. The brain fuses images positioned at the right and left locations on the retinas into a single image. The computing device transmits right and left positioning signals to the right and left displays, respectively, that indicate that the right and left visual stimulation, respectively, are to be displayed so they are positioned at the right and left locations, respectively, on the retinas.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of protecting cells, especially non-vascular system, non-hematopoietic cells and tissues, from apoptosis and enhancing their engraftment, survival, and/or persistence by providing enhanced levels of PIM activity for the cell, including PIM-1 activity. Also disclosed are cells that have been engineered to express enhanced levels of PIM kinase, and methods of administering those cells to vertebrates.

Abstract: ‘Blizzard’ is a new pearlbush plant particularly distinguished by its compact habit, smaller plant height and width, larger flower diameter, and larger genome size.

Abstract: ‘Sunset’ is a new weigela shrub particularly distinguished by its semi-dwarf habit, and unique variegated foliage with green centers and multicolored margins ranging from and including ivory yellow, yellow, yellow-green, green, and red depending on plant age and the time of year, is disclosed.

Abstract: An organic-based magnet is formed by molecular layer deposition (MLD) of a first compound and MLD of a second compound. The first or second compound containing a metal-containing compound. The first and second compounds being reactive with each other to form a first layer organic-based magnet. A laminate composite includes a first monolayer including a metal bonded to a magnet forming organic compound. A second monolayer may be in direct contact with the first monolayer. One of the first monolayer and the second monolayer having an induced magnetization when exposed to a magnetic field. A device includes the laminate composite and a nonmagnetic film thereon. A method of making an organic magnet on a substrate in a vacuum chamber includes depositing a first layer of metal-containing compound on the substrate by MLD.

Abstract: In a method for visualizing an object under conditions of low ambient light, the object to be visualized is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength greater than what can normally be seen by the naked eye. Light reflected from the object is then perceived with an enhanced eye. The enhanced eye contains an up-conversion material optically coupled to the photoreceptors. Up-conversion materials absorb in the infrared and luminesce in the visible. Particles containing such materials are delivered to the eye where they are optically coupled to the retina or photoreceptor cells and nearby tissues. There they provide in-situ up-conversion of infrared frequencies (from about 700 to about 11,000 nm) to the otherwise unaided eye.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein Y is F or Br; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are effective antitumor agents. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a salt thereof, intermediates useful for preparing a compound of formula I, therapeutic methods comprising administering a compound of formula I or a salt thereof to a mammal in need thereof, and methods of inhibiting cancer cells.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A dictionary data structure is defined and stored on the disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure, with full transactional semantics, at a rate that is faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk. The dictionary employs indirect logging for physical block logging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for converting lignocellulosic material into biofuel. In particular embodiments, the method comprises pre-treating lignocellulosic material by dissolving the material in ionic liquids. The pretreated lignocellulosic material can be isolated, such as by precipitation with a regenerating solvent (e.g., water), and be used directly in the formation of biofuel, including undergoing hydrolysis to form sugar and fermentation to form fuel, such as bioethanol. The ionic liquid can be recycled for further use, such as by evaporation of the water introduced during precipitation, and the recycling provides a route to a hemicellulose rich fraction and an ionic liquid of consistent quality and wood dissolution characteristics. The recovered hemicelluloses are of significant utilization potential toward commodity and specialty applications.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a discrete event simulation (DES) tool which combines the process-driven model and the event-driven model. This integrated process (which uses entities) and event simulation framework according to the various embodiments provides a platform that is appropriate for all combinations of simulation model requirements and at the same time provides higher level of model abstraction. The DES tool instantiates a new paradigm that permits flow of entities at the event-driven model layer that is analogous to their treatment at the process-driven model layer.

Abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major problem in the pork industry worldwide. The inclusion of markers in vaccines will allow for diagnostic differentiation of vaccinated animals from those naturally infected with wild-type virus. Using a cDNA infectious clone of North American Type 1 PRRSV, a recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged PRRSV has been made, containing deletion of an immunogenic epitope, ES4, in the nsp2 region. GFP and ES4 epitope-based ELISAs compliment the marker identification.

Abstract: Compounds of formulas I-IV: (I), (II), (III) (IV), wherein: R1 and R4-R23 are independently selected from H and 1-3 carbon lower alkyl; and R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, 1-3 carbon lower O II alkyl, and —C—Ra, wherein Ra is 1-3 carbon lower alkyl. Pharmaceutical compositions, which include any of Compounds I-IV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, methods of inducing tumor cell apoptosis by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of any of Compounds I-IV, and methods for obtaining any of Compounds I-IV by extracting the compound from coral are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing compounds of the general formula (I) wherein X1 is an aryl hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from —R, —NH2, —NHR, —NR2, —OH, —OR, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —CF3, —C(?O)OH, —C(?O)OR, —C(?O)NH2, —C(?O)NHR, and —C(?O)NR2; X2 is —H, —R, —NHR, —NR2, —OR, —F, —Cl, —Br, or —I; and R is C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl. The methods comprise a double-dehydrogenation reaction step in which a functionalized aminohydroazepinone skeleton comprising an aminoimidazole ring is reacted with 2-iodoxybenzene to form the imidazo[4,5-d]azepine ring system present in formula (I). Example methods comprising the double-dehydrogenation reaction step are provided as efficient synthetic routes to ceratamine A, ceratamine B, and the des-methyl analogs thereof.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines are provided. Also provided are methods by which such vaccines can be obtained, including: a method by which a copy of the dam gene from a pathogenic bacteria is cloned into a plasmid capable of replication in the same bacteria species such that it is overexpressed from either a lac promoter, tac promoter, araBAD promoter, trc promoter, trp promoter, T7, SP6, or T5 bacteriophage promoters, a native promoter from that species, or other appropriate promoter. The plasmid containing the dam gene is then transferred into the pathogens to cause increased expression of Dam resulting in the formation of a live attenuated bacterial vaccines. Alternative methods for producing the vaccine are also provided including altering or replacing the chromosomal promoter for the native dam gene so as to alter Dam expression or mutating or replacing the native dam gene so as to alter the expression of Dam in a pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A general model is provided which provides collective factorization on related matrices, for multi-type relational data clustering. The model is applicable to relational data with various structures. Under this model, a spectral relational clustering algorithm is provided to cluster multiple types of interrelated data objects simultaneously. The algorithm iteratively embeds each type of data objects into low dimensional spaces and benefits from the interactions among the hidden structures of different types of data objects.

Abstract: Compositions for and methods of treating patients with malignancies associated with overexpression of VEGF, particularly ovarian cancer are provided herein. The compositions include but are not limited to certain VEGF epitopes, multivalent peptides comprising the epitopes, and chimeric peptides comprising one or more of the epitopes and a T cell epitope.