Abstract: The invention provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) replication (Rep) sequences. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding a chimeric protein, wherein the encoded chimeric protein contains a wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, and wherein the nucleotide sequences contain a scrambled and/or deoptimized polynucleotide sequence encoding the wild type AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence. The invention provides vectors, cells, and viruses containing the invention's sequences. Also provided are methods for detecting portions of the AAV Rep inhibitory amino acid sequence, which reduce replication and/or infection and/or productive infection by viruses. The invention's compositions and methods are useful for site-specific integration and/or expression of heterologous sequences by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors and by rAAV virus particles, such as hybrid viruses (e.g., Ad-AAV) comprising such vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treatment for an intraocular pressure (IOP)-associated condition in a subject, that include administering to the subject an effective amount of a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the IOP-associated condition is glaucoma. The administration of a tPA therapeutic agent can be an extended administration intended to cause a reduction in IOP in the subject for a period of at least one day to a year or more, relative to IOP levels in the subject prior to administration of the tPA therapeutic agent. The tPA therapeutic agent can be, for example, tPA, a tPA derivative, a small molecule direct or indirect tPA agonist, or a gene therapy vector.

Abstract: Structures operable to detect radiation are described. An imaging system is also described having the structures. For example, a structure may include two screens and a photosensor array between the two screens. One of the screens is comprised of a scintillating glass substrate. The scintillating glass substrate may serve two purposes. The scintillating glass substrate converts incident x-rays into light photons. Additionally, the scintillating glass substrate is a substrate for the photosensor array. The photosensor array is configured to detect light photons that reach the photosensor array from both screens.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to films. The films can include polyamic acid (PAA). Methods of making and using the film for food product coverings is also included.

Abstract: An HVAC register airflow control system and an air flow control method are provided. A housing of the system is in fluid communication with an air source for supplying an airflow. The housing includes an air outlet to the enclosed space. A detection sensor detects occupancy information of the enclosed space. A controller generates a control signal based on the occupancy information and controls the shape change of a damper made of a shape memory material. The damper is controlled to switch between a first operative configuration for preventing the airflow from entering the enclosed space and a second operative configured for permitting the airflow to enter the enclosed space.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the structure wherein ?, ?, X, Y, and R1-R11 are defined herein. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compounds, a method of inhibiting the activity and/or levels of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), a method of inhibiting the production of a cytokine in a population of cells, a method of inhibiting the production of a growth factor in a population of cells, and a method of inhibiting NF?-B activation in a population of cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluoroscopic needle guide device for use in medical procedures that facilitate the direct targeting of a pre-identified target in a subject and methods for reaching the same with a medical device. The present disclosure includes fluoroscopic needle guide devices including detachable alignment indicators and methods for using the same.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods to analyze gait, balance or posture information extracted from data collected by one or more wearable and connected sensor devices with sensors embedded therewithin. The embedded sensors include a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope and an array of pressure sensors. Sensor data detected by the sensors can be received by a mobile computing device, which can analyze the sensor data to identify a pattern related to gait, balance or posture within the sensor data; and apply a statistical/machine learning-based classification to the pattern related to gait, balance or posture to assign a clinical parameter to the pattern characterizing a risk of a slip, trip and fall event.

Abstract: A reconfigurable free-space optical inter-rack network includes a plurality of server racks, each including at least one switch mounted on a top thereof, where each top-mounted switch includes a plurality of free-space-optic link connector, each with a free-space optical connection to a free-space-optic link connector on another top-mounted switch, a single ceiling mirror above the plurality of server racks that substantially covers the plurality of server racks, wherein the single ceiling mirror redirects optical connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors to provide a clear lines-of-sight between each pair of connected free-space-optic link connectors, and a controller that preconfigures a free-space optical network connecting the plurality of server racks by establishing connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors, and that reconfigures connections between pairs of free-space-optic link connectors in response to network traffic demands and events.

Abstract: Provided are serum-stable nanoparticles comprising porphyrin-phospholipid conjugates. Also provided are compositions comprising the nano-particles. The nanoparticles can comprise cargo such as therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic agents (e.g., imaging agents) and be used in drug delivery methods based on NIR stimulated cargo release.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an adaptor for use in a surgical retractor system including a surgical retractor bar having a longitudinal extent between a first end and a second end and a self-retaining retractor device with arms moveable between spaced and proximate positions. The adaptor includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, optionally by one or more connecting elements. A slot is formed between the first plate and the second plate and is configured to either longitudinally receive either the first end or the second end of the surgical retractor bar or laterally receive a lateral edge of the surgical retractor bar such that the adaptor is positioned along the longitudinal extent between the first end and the second end of the surgical retractor bar during use. One or more retaining elements are located on a first surface of the first plate opposite the slot between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: a processing of making the compound; and a process of using the compound as a reagent for the difluoromethoxylation and trifluoromethoxylation of arenes or heteroarenes.

Abstract: Synthetic disaccharide hydrocarbons (DSHs) that reactive bacterials swarming motility and inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. A library of DSHs were tested in several experiment for the impact on various Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations and compared against existing compounds to determine efficacy and utility. Certain DSHs were also to determine the ability to clear bacteria in a mouse pneumonia model.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for ambient-temperature quantum information buffering, storage, and communication are provided enabling receiving a quantum communication (for example, photons holding quantum information, e.g., qubits), storing the qubits in a room-temperature scalable quantum memory device, selectively retrieving the qubits, performing filtering, and extracting the quantum communication with a controllable delay.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting and receiving data through biological tissue using ultrasonic pulses are described. Methods of the present invention may set an initial time-hopping frame length and an initial spreading code length for data transmission. A request-to-transmit may be sent from a transmitter over a control channel at the initial frame and code length. The receiver may respond to the transmitter with a clear-to-transmit packet having feedback information. The feedback information can be used to improve a forward time-hopping frame length and a forward spreading code length. Embodiments of the invention may involve a body area network or body surface network comprising a plurality of implanted sensor nodes operating according to the disclosed invention.

Abstract: A sensor including a layer of amorphous selenium (a-Se) and at least one charge blocking layer is formed by depositing the charge blocking layer over a substrate prior to depositing the amorphous selenium, enabling the charge blocking layer to be formed at elevated temperatures. Such a process is not limited by the crystallization temperature of a-Se, resulting in the formation of an efficient charge blocking layer, which enables improved signal amplification of the resulting device. The sensor can be fabricated by forming first and second amorphous selenium layers over separate substrates, and then fusing the a-Se layers at a relatively low temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing carboxylated nanocelluloses. Compared with conventional methods, the methods of the present disclosure are simple and cost-effective in the production of carboxylated (or carboxy) nanocelluloses, in embodiments nanofibers and/or nanowhiskers, directly from raw biomass, including lignocellulose wood, non-wood sources, non-lignocellulose wood, lignocellulose or pure cellulose. The carboxy groups on the surface of nanocellulose thus produced can then be easily modified into functional derivatives such as amide, acetate, ether, ester, etc. The resulting nanocelluloses may be used to form purifying agents and/or filters to remove impurities from wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a fusion mRNA transcript or polypeptide encoded by the fusion mRNA transcript. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject and providing one or more reagents capable of binding a fusion mRNA transcript or polypeptide encoded by the fusion mRNA transcript, wherein the fusion mRNA transcript or polypeptide encoded by the fusion mRNA transcript comprises the 3? end of ex on 25 of INPP5D fused to the 5? end of ex on 2 of ATG16L1 or the polypeptide encoded by the 3? end of ex on 25 of INPP5D fused to the 5? end of ex on 2 of ATG16L1, respectively.

Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment, a structure including a metallic grating having a grating pattern, the metallic grating including a critical dimension. The metallic grating can output a spectral profile when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the spectral profile having a feature. The grating pattern can be configured so that a change of the critical dimension produces a shift in a value of the feature of the spectral profile. A method can include propagating input electromagnetic radiation onto a metallic grating having a two dimensional periodic grating pattern and measuring a critical dimension of the metallic grating using output electromagnetic radiation from the metallic grating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: