Abstract: The invention can provide compounds, analogs of blebbistatin, effective and selective inhibitors of nonmuscle myosin II relative to cardiac myosin II.

Abstract: Small molecule compounds and corresponding dimers having inhibitory activity against pre-miR-21 RNA and related methods for treatment of neoplastic disease such as cancer and especially cancers expressing miR-21 are disclosed.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing, treating or ameliorating autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and celiac disease, by decreasing the binding of MHC class II molecules to antigenic peptides or fragments of antigenic peptides of the autoimmune disease by the administration of small organic compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutically effective small organic compounds and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that parvovirus (including AAV) capsids can be engineered to incorporate small, selective regions from other parvoviruses that confer desirable properties. The inventors have discovered that in some cases as little as a single amino acid insertion or substitution from a first parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) into the capsid structure of another parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) to create a chimeric parvovirus is sufficient to confer one or more of the desirable properties of the first parvovirus to the resulting chimeric parvovirus and/or to confer a property that is not exhibited by the first parvovirus or is present to a lesser extent.

Abstract: A PTFE-based composite material includes a PTFE major phase filled with a metal oxide minor phase. The major phase is intermixed with the metal oxide minor phase, wherein the minor phase includes a plurality of irregularly shaped metal oxide nanoparticles. The irregularly shaped nanoparticles provide substantial reductions in steady state wear rate over otherwise similar nanocomposites. The metal oxide can comprise aluminum oxide.

Abstract: PKCiota inhibitor 1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide, 5-amino-1-[2,3-dihydroxy-4-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentyl]-,[1R-(1?,2?,3?,4?)], (ICA-1), targets a unique sequence (amino acid residues 469-475) in the catalytic domain of PKCiota and inhibits PKCiota activity. The data shows suprising and unexpected ability of ICA-1 to selectively inhibit the proliferation of cells that overexpress PKCiota.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and methods for designing, implementing, and operating model predictive controllers that can deliver perfect tracking of set points and that can reject the effect of disturbances when steady-state operation is reached are disclosed. High performance is achieved through the incorporation of set-point tracking costs, integral costs, and velocity costs, as well as the adoption of incremental model systems for prediction purposes. Embodiments can deliver offset-free performance for tracking set points with constant final values, set points of a ramp type, and set points of a parabolic form, while rejecting disturbances that have a constant final value. The approach reduces the complexity of model predictive control design, delivers improved performance, and requires modest computational power.

Abstract: A method of forming integral articles having non-line-of-site contours includes the steps of providing a plurality of molds, the molds having at least one mold channel therethrough. The plurality of molds are stacked on one another to form a mold stack, wherein at least one portion of the mold stack provides a non-line of sight multi-level channel through at least partial overlap of the mold channels between adjacent ones of the plurality of molds. A flowable material is applied to the mold stack. The flowable material is pressed to fill the mold channels in each of the plurality of molds to form an integral article comprising a plurality of stacked integrally connected levels of the material, wherein through interconnection of the integrally connected levels the integral article provides at least one non-line of sight contour traversing in its thickness direction. The mold stack is then separated or removed to free the integral article.

Abstract: ACTH analog compounds of the present invention include compounds comprising an ACTH peptide sequence with one or more structural modifications that can have one or more of the following preferred ACTH analog biological functions: (1) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of the ACTH analog compared to unmodified ACTH, (2) reduction of corticosteroid secretion by adrenal membrane in the presence of endogenous ACTH and (3) increased MC-2R binding affinity with reduced activation of the MC-2R receptor compared to unmodified ACTH binding to the MC-2R melanocortin. The ACTH analog compounds of the present invention are therefore useful for treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders related to ACTH, ACTH receptors or corticosteroid secretion, such as premature labor and Cushing's Disease.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that parvovirus (including AAV) capsids can be engineered to incorporate small, selective regions from other parvoviruses that confer desirable properties. The inventors have discovered that in some cases as little as a single amino acid insertion or substitution from a first parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) into the capsid structure of another parvovirus (e.g., an AAV) to create a chimeric parvovirus is sufficient to confer one or more of the desirable properties of the first parvovirus to the resulting chimeric parvovirus and/or to confer a property that is not exhibited by the first parvovirus or is present to a lesser extent.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant host cells suitable for degrading an oligosaccharide that have been optimized for growth and production of high yields of ethanol, and methods of making and using these cells. The invention further provides minimal media comprising urea-like compounds for economical production of ethanol by recombinant microorganisms. Recombinant host cells in accordance with the invention are modified by gene mutation to eliminate genes responsible for the production of unwanted products other than ethanol, thereby increasing the yield of ethanol produced from the oligosaccharides, relative to unmutated parent strains. The new and improved strains of recombinant bacteria are capable of superior ethanol productivity and yield when grown under conditions suitable for fermentation in minimal growth media containing inexpensive reagents. Systems optimized for ethanol production combine a selected optimized minimal medium with a recombinant host cell optimized for use in the selected medium.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a micro-scale optical force sensor. The device includes a scale grating, a linearly displaceable index grating positioned above and in initial alignment with the scale grating, the index grating aligned with the scale grating absent a force applied to the index grating, and a compliant linkage assembly joined coplanar to the displaceable index grating. The linkage assembly includes at least three rigid support links laterally extending from each of opposing longitudinal edges of the index grating, a displaceable rigid link formed between adjacent support links, and compliant links interposed between a distal end of rigid support links and an inner end of each displaceable rigid link, and interposed between an outer end of rigid support links and the substrate, the compliant links normally biasing the displaceable rigid link parallel to the rigid support links and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the index grating.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved VP2-modified recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors, expression systems, and rAAV virions that are fully virulent, yet lack functional VP2 protein expression. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, virus particles, host cells, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise these modified vectors useful in the expression of therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, peptides, antisense oligonucleotides and/or ribozymes in the cells and tissues of selected mammals, including, for example, human tissues and host cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved VP2-modified recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors, expression systems, and rAAV virions that are fully virulent, yet lack functional VP2 protein expression. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, virus particles, host cells, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise these modified vectors useful in the expression of therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, peptides, antisense oligonucleotides and/or ribozymes in the cells and tissues of selected mammals, including, for example, human tissues and host cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.

Abstract: A method for treating an ocular disorder characterized by the defect or absence of a normal gene in the ocular cells of a human or animal subject involves administering to the subject by subretinal injection an effective amount of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding the normal gene under the control of a promoter sequence which expresses the product of the gene in the ocular cells. The ocular cells are preferably retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and the gene is preferably an RPE-specific gene, e.g., RPE65. The promoter is one that can express the gene product in the RPE cells. Compositions for subretinal administration are useful in this method.

Abstract: A southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar particularly distinguished by having a low chilling requirements (300 hours below 7° C.) with prolific early-spring leafing, a vigorous, dense bush with numerous canes, dark green leaves and good survival in the field, early ripening (50% ripe berries in north Florida by May 5) and a high yield of berries that are sweet and firm with a small, dry picking scar.

Abstract: A southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar particularly distinguished by having a very low chilling requirement (300 hours below 7° C.) with leaves that are evergreen to semi-evergreen and smaller than typical southern highbush leaves with a striking blue-green color, plants flowers early in the spring and produces medium sized, light-blue colored berries that have excellent flavor and texture is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘GulfAtlas’, has a winter chilling requirement estimated at approximately 400 chill units (cu). The tree is medium size, moderately vigorous, and semi-spreading in growth habit. It bears showy, pink flowers, and leaves with reniform glands. Trees of ‘GulfAtlas’ are self-fertile and regularly bear heavy annual crops. Fruit are uniformly firm and have yellow, non-melting flesh. Fruit are nearly round, and uniform with substantially symmetrical shape, and have an attractive approximately 75% red skin. The fruit of ‘GulfAtlas’ typically ripen about 3 weeks after ‘Gulfcrimson’ in midJune at Attapulgus, Ga.