Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided to amplify the amount of genomic methylated DNA can by subsequently analyzed and/or sequenced. It has particular use with small amounts of DNA, including, but not limited to cell free DNA samples. In some embodiments, the ratio of polymerase and methyltransferase is controlled in order to provide maximum yields. In some embodiments, a dual primase/polymerase is used.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a series of novel small molecule activators of NRF2 dependent gene expression that are evaluated in an effort to develop therapeutic methods against diseases with deregulated KEAP1-NRF2 signaling.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to methods, compositions and kits for detecting modified adenosine in a target RNA molecule. Aspects relate to a method for detecting modified adenosine in a target ribonucleic acid (RNA) comprising contacting the target RNA with an adenosine deaminase enzyme (adenosine deaminase, RNA-specific) to generate a target RNA with deaminated adenosines and sequencing the target RNA with deaminated adenosines; wherein the modified adenosine is detected when the nucleotide sequence includes adenosine within a m6A motif.

Abstract: A method and apparatus uses multi-material decomposition of three or more material components to generate material-component images from spectral images reconstructed from spectral computed tomography data. In three-component material decomposition e.g., the Mendonça method is used for multi-material decomposition when the attenuation values satisfy an assumed volume fraction condition (i.e., for a given voxel, the attenuation values are within a triangle having vertices given by unit volume fractions of three respective material components). However, when the volume fraction condition fails (e.g., the attenuation values are outside the triangle), either a shortest-Hausdorff-distance method or a closest-edge method is used for multi-material decomposition. For example, the attenuation values of the voxel are projected onto a lower-dimensional space (e.g., the space of a closest edge) and decomposed into a pair/single material component(s) of the lower-dimensional space.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of determining the prognosis of a breast cancer patient by evaluating the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor in tumor cells. Other embodiment include methods of treating breast cancer cells, particularly, chemo-resistant cells, with a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and an anticancer agent or compound.

Abstract: Methods for classifying and measuring orientations of objects, as nonlimiting examples, implants utilizing two-dimensional radiographs. One such method determines a three-dimensional orientation of an object based on its area projected onto a two-dimensional image and known or measured geometry. Another such method provides an automated solution to computationally determine the orientation and characterizing features of an implant based on two-dimensional radiographs. Orientations and characteristics of one or more objects in the vicinity of an object of interest may also be determined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention provide a solution to the problems associated with balancing patient toxicity with broad efficacy of cancer therapy. In particular, embodiments are directed to anti-cancer peptides that demonstrate a broad anti-cancer efficacy with a limited toxicity to normal or non-cancer cells.

Abstract: Embodiments concern methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. Aspects include methods and compositions for providing a passive immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve an antibody that binds Coagulase (Coa). Further aspects relate to immunogenic compositions comprising at least one Staphylococcal coagulase R Domain, wherein the R Domain is 80% identical in sequence to a R Domain.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for en masse patterning of nucleic acid molecule structures are disclosed. The devices can include microchannels and nanoslits. The microchannels and nanoslits can be connected by parking chambers. The systems and methods can utilize the geometry of the devices in coordination with a voltage application routine to park nucleic acid molecules in the parking chambers and subsequently inject the nucleic acid molecules into the nanoslits. The methods can be utilized to present nucleic acid molecules in a fashion suitable for genomic analysis. The methods can also be utilized to provide size selection of the nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compounds, and compositions for treating infection by an Apicomplexan parasite that include administering a compound that selectively inactivates ornithine aminotransferase of the Apicomplexan parasite. Specifically, the methods, compounds, compounds may be utilized for treating infection by Toxoplasma gondii and toxoplasmosis and for treating infection by Plasmodium falciparum and malaria. The compounds disclosed herein are observed to selectively inactivate Toxoplasma gondii ornithine aminotransferase (TgOAT) relative to human OAT and relative to human ?-aminobutyric aminotransferase (GABA-AT).

Abstract: A computing device may receive a first set of training data for training an ANN to predict output data for a first task, and may train the ANN with the first set of training data by only adjusting values of weights associated with a first subset of neurons, the first subset selected based on an identity of the first task. The computing device may receive a second, different set of training data for training the ANN to predict output data for a second task, and may train the ANN with the second set of training data by only adjusting values of weights associated with a second subset of neurons, the second subset selected based on an identity of the second task. During training, adjusting of the value of any weight may entail weight stabilization that depends on whether there has been any training for one or more previous tasks.

Abstract: An embodiment may involve obtaining data representing a transportation map, a greenspace map, a noise map, and a crime map of a geographical location. The transportation map represents route segments within the geographical location, the greenspace map represents natural features within the geographical location, the noise map represents human-made noise within the geographical location, and the crime map represents reported crimes within the geographical location. The embodiment may also involve, for each of the route segments: (i) calculating a restorative score that is proportional to an amount of natural features associated with the respective route segment in the greenspace map, inversely proportional to an amount of human-made noise associated with the respective route segment in the noise map, and inversely proportional to an amount of crime associated with the respective route segment in the crime map.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating food allergies, infections, autoimmune conditions, and other allergic conditions. Accordingly, the current disclosure relates to a method for treating an infectious, autoimmune, or allergic disease in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising bacterium Anaerostipes caccae to the subject. Further aspects relate to a method for treating a food allergy or for reducing an allergic response to an allergen or for treating or preventing an anaphylactic response in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising bacterium Anaerostipes caccae and a prebiotic to the subject.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed electronic devices and methods for fabricating the hermetically sealed electronic devices are provided. The devices include a solder sealed vacuum housing. The solder seal is formed using a solder wick having an external solder reservoir. When the reservoir is filled with molten solder, the solder is drawn via capillary action into a precisely defined narrow gap between two components of the housing where it forms an airtight and vacuum-tight seal.

Abstract: Provided are a superlattice structure including a two-dimensional material and a device including the superlattice structure. The superlattice structure may include at least two different two-dimensional (2D) materials bonded to each other in a lateral direction, and an interfacial region of the at least two 2D materials may be strained. The superlattice structure may have a bandgap adjusted by the interfacial region that is strained. The at least two 2D materials may include first and second 2D materials. The first 2D material may have a first bandgap in an intrinsic state thereof. The second 2D material may have a second bandgap in an intrinsic state thereof. An interfacial region of the first and second 2D materials and an adjacent region may have a third bandgap between the first bandgap and the second bandgap.

Abstract: Technologies for quantum sensing are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a sensor system may be operated by coupling an electromagnetic wave from a measurement line to a first resonator. The sensor system includes a second resonator that is non-reciprocally coupled to the first resonator. In the absence or a perturbation, there is no reciprocal coupling between the first resonator and the second resonator, but a perturbation may cause reciprocal coupling between the first and second resonator. With appropriate selection of the non-reciprocal coupling, the signal at the output of the measurement line may allow for fast determination of whether the perturbation is present.

Abstract: The current disclosure describes the use of NFkB inhibitors as immune potentiators in vaccine compositions comprising adjuvants. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for vaccinating a subject comprising administering a NFkB inhibitor and an adjuvant (or a composition of the disclosure comprising NFkB and an adjuvant) to the subject. Further aspects relate to a method for inhibiting an inflammatory reaction associated with an adjuvant in a subject, the method comprising co-administering a NFkB inhibitor and an adjuvant (or a composition of the disclosure comprising NFkB and an adjuvant) to the subject. Yet further aspects relate to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a NFkB inhibitor and an adjuvant.

Abstract: An optical resonance imaging system includes a light emitting device to emit laser pulses onto a subject. The laser pulses include a first pulse and a second pulse to place the subject in an excited state. The laser pulses also include a third pulse to stimulate emission of one or more third order signals from the subject. The system also includes a spectrometer to receive the one or more third order signals and to generate spectrum signals commensurate with intensities of the one or more third order signals. The system may further include circuitry configured to analyze the spectrum signals, generate one or more images of the subject based on the analysis, and construct one or more maps of positions of the subject based on the one or more images.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to compositions and methods for capture of elements in physical proximity. In certain aspects the methods comprise (a) contacting a target with a functionalized scaffold or capture agent that comprises activatable cross-linking moieties to form a target/scaffold mixture; (b) exposing the target/scaffold mixture to an activator to activate the cross-linking moieties of the dendrimer and form a cross-linked target/scaffold complex; (c) isolating the target/scaffold complexes; and (d) identify portions of the target or targets that are cross linked with the scaffold.

Abstract: The methods, compositions, and kits of the disclosure provide a novel approach for a whole genome, unbiased DNA analysis method that can be performed on limited amounts of DNA. can be used to analyze DNA to determine its modification status. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for amplifying bisulfite-treated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules comprising: (a) ligating an adaptor to the DNA molecules, wherein the adaptor comprises a RNA polymerase promoter comprising bisulfite-protected cytosines; (b) treating the ligated DNA molecules with bisulfite; (c) hybridizing the bisulfite-treated DNA molecules with a primer; (d) extending the hybridized primer to make double stranded DNA; and (e) in vitro transcribing the double-stranded DNA to make RNA.