Abstract: Provided are synthetic dendrimer calibrants for mass spectrometry. The calibrants are distinguished by their relative case and rapidity of synthesis, comparatively low cost, long shelf life, high purity, and amenability to batch synthesis as mixtures. The latter characteristic enables parallel preparation of higher molecular weight compounds displaying useful distributions of discrete molecular weights, thereby providing multi-point mass spectrometry calibration standards. Methods of making, tuning and using said calibrants are provided.

Abstract: Immunoprotective primary mesenchymal stems cells (IP-MSC) which episomally express immunoreactive polypeptides that specifically target a pathogen (e.g., an infectious species of virus, bacterium, or parasite) or toxin are described herein. The immunoreactive polypeptides can be, e.g., full antibodies, single-chain antibodies (ScFV), Fab or F(ab)2 antibody fragments, diabodies, tribodies, and the like). Optionally IP-MSC are trasfected to express one or more other immunomodulating polypeptides, e.g., a cytokine such as an interleukin (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-12), an interferon (e.g., IFN?, IF?, or IFN?), and the like, which can enhance the effectiveness of the immunoreactive polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are precursor compounds, composite electrodes comprising the same, and methods of making and use thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are membrane permeabilizing peptides, polynucelotides encoding the peptides, and lipid vesicles comprising the peptides. Furthermore, described herein are methods for using the peptides, polynucleotides, and lipid vesicles for research, diagnosis, disease prevention, and therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A variety of hydrophobically modified polypeptoids are provided. The hydrophobically modified polypeptoids can include a polyamide backbone having a random copolymer of two or more different types of repeat units, where one or more of the repeat units have nitrogen atom having a hydrophobic substituent attached thereto. Methods of making the hydrophobically modified polypeptoids are also provided, as well as uses of the hydrophobically modified polypeptoids, for example in liposomal drug delivery.

Abstract: Immunoprotective primary mesenchymal stems cells (IP-MSC) which episomally express immunoreactive polypeptides that specifically target a pathogen (e.g., an infectious species of virus, bacterium, or parasite) or toxin are described herein. The immunoreactive polypeptides can be, e.g., full antibodies, single-chain antibodies (ScFV), Fab or F(ab)2 antibody fragments, diabodies, tribodies, and the like). Optionally IP-MSC are transfected to express one or more other immunomodulating polypeptides, e.g., a cytokine such as an interleukin (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-12), an interferon (e.g., IFN?, IFN?, or IFN?), and the like, which can enhance the effectiveness of the immunoreactive polypeptides.

Abstract: The use of photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert solar energy to electricity is becoming increasingly prevalent; however, there are still significant limitations associated with the widespread adoption of PV cells for electricity needs. There is a clear need for a high efficiency solar power system that supplies electricity at a competitive cost and that provides for an on-demand supply of electricity as well as energy storage. By combining aspects of concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaics, the present invention provides a device that enables the conversion of sunlight to electricity at very high efficiencies and that enables the transmission of thermal energy to heat storage devices for later use. The disclosed device enables transmissive CPV through the use of a multijunction PV cell mounted on a transparent base. The use of a multijunction cell allows for highly efficient absorption of light above the bandgap of the lowest bandgap subcell.

Abstract: Embodiments herein implement quantum annealing with a driver Hamiltonian that uses oscillating fields to advantageously obtain a quantum speedup over classical computing techniques. For a many-body quantum system formed with qubits, the oscillating fields drive the qubits so as to independently modulate the magnitudes and/or directions of transverse terms of the driver Hamiltonian. In particular, embodiments provide a quantum speedup for two types of first-order phase transitions: the paramagnet-to-spin-glass transition, and transitions between distinct “bit string” states. The resulting speedup is robust against energy fluctuations (e.g., 1/f noise), in contrast to other strategies like variable-rate annealing. Each oscillating field may be an oscillating electric field or magnetic field. The oscillating fields can be implemented with superconducting flux qubits by coupling oscillating fluxes and/or voltages to the flux qubits.

Abstract: Disclosed are daidzein analogs having the formula (I). Also disclosed are compositions, include a disclosed daidzein analogs, methods of preventing or treating bone disease or bone injury and/or stimulating bone growth, in a subject that include administering to the subject an effective amount of disclosed daidzein analog. Disclosed are isolated mesenchymal stem cell that has been altered by treatment a disclosed daidzein analog, daidzein, glycinol, glyceollin I, or glyceollin II, to increase the osteogenic potential of the mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the morphology of hollow, double-shelled submicrometer particles generated through a rapid aerosol-based process. The inner shell is an essentially hydrophobic carbon layer of nanoscale dimension (5-20 nm), and the outer shell is a hydrophilic silica layer of approximately 5-40 nm, with the shell thickness being a function of the particle size. The particles are synthesized by exploiting concepts of salt bridging to lock in a surfactant (CTAB) and carbon precursors together with iron species in the interior of a droplet. This deliberate negation of surfactant templating allows a silica shell to form extremely rapidly, sealing in the organic species in the particle interior. Subsequent pyrolysis results in a buildup of internal pressure, forcing carbonaceous species against the silica wall to form an inner shell of carbon. The incorporation of magnetic iron oxide into the shells opens up applications in external stimuli-responsive nanomaterials.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reducing symptoms of inflammation by administering therapeutically effective amounts of (a) (1) enterotoxic E. coli heat labile detoxified toxin A subunit that interferes with the function of ADP-ribosylation factor and inhibits ADP-ribosylation, or (2) A1 subunit that interferes with the function of ADP-ribosylation factor and inhibits ADP-ribosylation, or both (1) and (2), and (b) a carrier that causes internalization of the A subunit or A1 subunit, or both, into cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to antibody compositions that specifically bind to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and kits encompassing the same.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be 5 used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of, and assay and kits for, detecting and diagnosing methods of detecting, diagnosing, vulnerable carotid artery disease capable of becoming acutely symptomatic using the levels of Resolvin D1 (RvD1), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA). Also disclosed are methods of treating carotid artery disease and methods of identifying agents for use in the treatment of carotid artery disease.

Abstract: Error-transparent quantum gates may be implemented with one or two logical qubits, each having a plurality of coupled physical qubits. Error-transparent quantum gates implement Hamiltonians that commute with the Hamiltonian for single errors in the logical qubits, and thus can operate successfully even in the presence of single errors. As a result, error-transparent quantum gates may operate with higher fidelity than their error-opaque counterparts. Each of the logical qubits may be, for example, a very small logical qubit (VSLQ) formed from a cluster of transmons or other superconducting qubits.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) printing system includes computer-executable instructions for obtaining a volumetric object representation file, parsing the volumetric object representation file into multiple layers, and for each layer, decomposing the layer into a sequence of continuous paths, aggregating non-continuous sets of tool paths with a single outer path and zero or more open or closed inner paths into islands, and generating one or more motion segments according to each island. Once generated, the motion segments may be aggregated to form a toolpath, which is used by the three dimensional printer to print a 3D model.

Abstract: Variations in the differentiation and lineage potential of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, currently limit their therapeutic use. The ability to identify, isolate, and specifically amplify stem cell populations with desired differentiation potential would contribute the use of stem cells in research and therapy. The present invention discloses a method of assessing differentiation potential of stem cells by measuring the differential expression of antigens CD 146 and NG2 on the stem cells. The correlation between CD 146 and NG2 expression and differentiation and trilineage potential is explored. The invention also discloses methods to specifically amplify or enrich stem cells with desired differentiation potential, monitor the differentiation potential of a heterogeneous stem cell population, quantify the heterogeneity in differentiation potential of a stem cell culture, and remove stem cells with specific differentiation potentials from a heterogeneous cell culture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are amphiphilic surfactants which comprise a polymer chain having a hydrophobic unit and hydrophilic unit wherein the polymer is tethered to an inorganic nanoparticle. Further disclosed are methods for preparing the disclosed amphiphilic surfactants.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyclic peptide agonists that bind to the mu (morphine) opioid receptor and their use in the treatment of acute and/or chronic pain. Embodiments of the invention are directed to cyclic analogs of endomorphin. These peptide analogs exhibit decreased tolerance relative to morphine, increased solubility compared to similar tetrapeptide analogs, while maintaining favorable or improved therapeutic ratios of analgesia to side effects.

Abstract: A method of curing (or at least treating) HIV, by obtaining small tissue mesenchymal stem cells (stMSC) from adipose tissue of a patient with HIV or from a syngeneic donor or an immuno-compatible donor, wherein said stMSC are i) 4-6 ?m in diameter, ii) pluripotent, and iii) have CD11b?, CD34?, CD45?, CD 29, CD 49, Oct 4 and SSEA 4 surface markers when harvested. Preferred sources are autologous adipose tissue. Next those stMSCs are gene edited to provide CCR5? stMSCs and optionally amplified by growth in culture and/or by cell selection for gene edited stMSCs and then re-introducing into the patient. Preferably, the CCR5? stMSCs will re-populate the patient with stem cells that can no longer act as latent HIV reservoirs and can differentiate into immune cells that are HIV resistant. If desired, the patient can be first treated, e.g., by radiation, to destroy the bone marrow cells before the re-introduction.