Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for selective inhibition of the classical or non-classical LT?R-NF?B signaling pathway. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for treating or preventing tissue graft rejection, inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, and cancer by decreasing cell motility.

Abstract: Polyphosphazenes polyelectrolytes. The polyphosphazenes can be prepared by substituting pendant groups (e.g., ionic groups or pendant groups that can form ionic groups) onto a reactive macromolecular precursor for example, by reaction between the reactive chlorine atoms on the backbone of poly(dichlorophosphazene) and appropriate organic nucleophiles. In certain examples, one or more charged pendant groups of a polyphosphazene is/are further modified to introduce desired counterions, which can be hydrophobic counterions. The polyphosphazenes can activate distinct Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: A method of using the transverse relaxation rate (R2) of solvent NMR signal to noninvasively assess alum-containing products such as vaccines. This technique can be used for quality control in vaccine manufacturing (e.g., fill-finish step) to determine the evenness of alum filling level as well as extent of alum particle sedimentation in filled and sealed products.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are broadly drawn to methods for determining an optimum dose of an antiarrhythmic drug, for example sotalol. In particular, the method involves titrating the dose of the drug gradually to determine the optimum plasma concentration for a patient, whether the patient has normal or abnormal renal function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patients body using coaptive ultrasound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flexible tube includes a first balloon at a distal end of the tube, and a second balloon at the distal end of the tube and positioned within the first balloon. The first and second balloons are inflatable to form one or more echogenic windows between them, which echogenic window may be detected from within a patient's body by an ultrasound probe that is external to the patient's body. Detection of such echogenic window is used to identify an acceptable location on the patient's body at which to insert a guidewire configured to receive an elongate medical member without damage to surrounding patient tissues or organs.

Abstract: Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium silicate based composites are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. An activation energy for lithium ion migration in the solid state lithium ion electrolytes is 0.5 eV or less and room temperature conductivities are greater than 100.5 S/cm. Composites of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the composite materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are also provided.

Abstract: A pulse combustor system for operating pulse combustors in anti-phase. The pulse combustor system includes two pulse combustors connected at their combustion chambers by a connecting tube. Each of the pulse combustors has a fundamental oscillation mode and one or more additional oscillation modes when operated in isolation. The connecting tube has a length corresponding to ¼ of the fundamental oscillation mode wavelength.

Abstract: The disclosure describes the implementation of automated techniques for optimizing quantum circuits of the size and type expected in quantum computations that outperform classical computers. The disclosure shows how to handle continuous gate parameters and report a collection of fast algorithms capable of optimizing large-scale-scale quantum circuits. For the suite of benchmarks considered, the techniques described obtain substantial reductions in gate counts. In particular, the techniques in this disclosure provide better optimization in significantly less time than previous approaches, while making minimal structural changes so as to preserve the basic layout of the underlying quantum algorithms.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal nitride based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal nitride based composites are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosure relates to a system and method for bioelectronic communications. In certain embodiments the system comprises a bacterial cell or cells that comprise a genetic system for high-efficiency over-expression and secretion of recombinant proteins in bacteria. In certain embodiments, the system and method operate in a “pump-then-burst release” fashion to rapidly achieve high yields extracellularly. In certain embodiments, the system and method include quorum sensing-derived regulation, which may enable auto-induction of a protein's expression and secretion.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for controlling coherent crosstalk errors that occur in multi-channel acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) by applying cancellation tones to reduce or eliminate the crosstalk errors. For example, a method and systems are described that include applying a first radio frequency (RF) tone to generate a first acoustic wave in a first channel of the multi-channel AOM, wherein a portion of the first acoustic wave interacts with a second channel to cause a crosstalk effect, and applying a second RF tone to generate a second acoustic wave in the second channel, wherein the second acoustic wave reduces or eliminates the crosstalk effect caused by the portion of the first acoustic wave.

Abstract: A confidentiality preserving system and method for performing a rank-ordered search and retrieval of contents of a data collection. The system includes at least one computer system including a search and retrieval algorithm using term frequency and/or similar features for rank-ordering selective contents of the data collection, and enabling secure retrieval of the selective contents based on the rank-order. The search and retrieval algorithm includes a baseline algorithm, a partially server oriented algorithm, and/or a fully server oriented algorithm. The partially and/or fully server oriented algorithms use homomorphic and/or order preserving encryption for enabling search capability from a user other than an owner of the contents of the data collection. The confidentiality preserving method includes using term frequency for rank-ordering selective contents of the data collection, and retrieving the selective contents based on the rank-order.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries having an anode assembly comprising: an anode comprising a first porous ceramic matrix having pores; and a ceramic separator layer affixed directly or indirectly to the anode; a cathode; an anode-side current collector contacting the anode; and anode active material comprising lithium located within the pores or cathode active material located within the cathode; wherein, the ceramic separator layer is located between the anode and the cathode, no electrically conductive coating on the pores contacts the separator layer, and in a fully charged state, lithium active material in the anode does not contact the separator layer. Also disclosed are methods of making and methods of using such batteries.

Abstract: Provided herein is an inhibitor for decreasing cellular levels X-box-binding protein 1 variant 1 (Xv1) in a cancer cell and a method for decreasing Xv1 in a cancer cell by contacting the cancer cell with this inhibitor. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition for treating a cancer and a method for treating a cancer by administering this composition. In addition there is provided a kit for targeting Xv1 with at least one Xv1 inhibitor, at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a means for detecting the Xv1 protein or mRNA.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of migratory cells directly from a specimen. The apparatus only requires a small number of cells to perform an assay and includes novel topographic features which can reliably differentiate between migratory and non-migratory cell populations in a sample. Both the spontaneous and chemotactic migration of cancer cells may be measured to distinguish between subpopulations within a tumor sample. The migratory cells identified using the apparatus and methods of the present invention may be separated and further analyzed to distinguish factors promoting metastasis within the population. Cells in the apparatus can be treated with chemotherapeutic or other agents to determine drug strategies to most strongly inhibit migration. The use of optically transparent materials in some embodiments allows a wide range of imaging techniques to be used for in situ imaging of migratory and non-migratory cells in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides for metallic structures comprising a sulfhydryl or amino-terminated hydrophilic coating to provide a layer of hydrophilic character on the surface of the metallic structures thereby allowing the use of low volumes of aqueous solvents of fluorophores that have the ability to “spread out” across the surfaces of the metallic structures and to provide for a more uniform surface coating of fluorophores attached to or near the metallic structures.

Abstract: The disclosure describes various aspects of techniques for using global interactions in efficient quantum circuit constructions. More specifically, this disclosure describes ways to use a global entangling operator to efficiently implement circuitry common to a selection of important quantum algorithms. The circuits may be constructed with global Ising entangling gates (e.g., global Mølmer-Sørenson gates or GMS gates) and arbitrary addressable single-qubit gates. Examples of the types of circuits that can be implemented include stabilizer circuits, Toffoli-4 gates, Toffoli-n gates, quantum Fourier transformation (QTF) circuits, and quantum Fourier adder (QFA) circuits. In certain instances, the use of global operations can substantially improve the entangling gate count.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding a fusion protein comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding GRIM-19 or a biologically active fragment or derivative thereof and a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein transduction domain. Proteins encoded by the nucleic acids, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also provided. The invention also provides viral vectors comprising GRIM-19 or a biologically active fragment or derivative thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anode composition comprising (i) a core material (10) comprising a microparticle; (ii) a lithium alloy of said microparticle (14) on a surface of said core material (10); and (iii) a solid electrolyte interface (“SEI”) comprising (a) a LiF and (b) a polymer. The microparticle comprises Si, Al, Bi, Sn, Zn, or a mixture thereof. The present invention also relates to an electrolyte comprising a high lithium fluoride salt concentration in a low reduction potential solvent that is used produce the solid electrolyte interface comprising LiF and a polymer. The anode composition of the invention has an initial coulombic efficiency of at least 90%, a cycling coulombic efficiency of at least 99%, or both.