Abstract: Modified hydrophilic carbon clusters (HCCs), poly(ethylene glycol)-hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG-HCCs) and similarly structured materials like graphene quantum dots (GQDs), PEGylated GQDs, small molecule antioxidants, and PEGylated small molecule antioxidants. These materials have been modified with an iron chelating moiety, deferoxamine, or a similar chelating moiety. By exploiting common binding sites, the carbon nanostructure facilitates intracellular transport including in mitochondria, reduces oxidative breakdown of the chelator moiety prior to treatment, and reduces both the cause and consequences of metal induced oxidative stress within the body thus providing a novel form of therapy for a range of oxidative and metal-related toxicities. Graphenic materials can be used for the treatment of acute and chronic mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to PD-L1 and methods of using such antibodies to treat cancers, such as those that express or overexpress PD-L1.

Abstract: Processes that determine transcriptional regulation from genetic sequence data are described. Generally, computational models are trained to predict transcriptional regulatory effects, which can be used in several downstream applications. Various methods further develop research tools, develop and perform diagnostics, and treat individuals based on identified variants.

Abstract: Leaf-branch compost cutinase (LCC) and other cutinase mutants with activity over ranges of temperature and pH are provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for adhering a metal layer to a polymer substrate and device manufacture therefrom. The metal layer is deposited on a sacrificial substrate of a mold to form part of an interior surface of the mold, and a solution of monomers is deposited on the metal layer. The monomers are then polymerized together to form the polymer substrate on the metal layer. Then the polymer substrate is removed from the mold such that the metal layer is removed from the mold and adhered to the polymer substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte membrane for an alkali metal or an alkali metal ion battery, comprising: a composite membrane comprising an ionically conductive polymer; an alkali metal salt; and a filler comprising a carbon nitride nanosheet, an oxygenated carbon nitride nanosheet or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An antibody, preferably a blocking antibody, and most preferably a monoclonal antibody (mAb), specific for human endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) such as mAbs JRK 1494 or JRK 1535 is used to reduce or attenuate joint swelling, macrophage infiltration, iron deposition and/or blood vessel formation and to treat arthropathy in a hemophilic subject.

Abstract: Various embodiments generally relate to robotics and more specifically to tank seal inspections. In some embodiments, the robotic inspection device comprising a power supply, a body, a drive system, a camera, a navigational system, and/or one or more sensors. The drive system may include one or more surface engaging drivers to propel the robotic inspection device along a surface of a tank. The camera can be housed within the body to capture images and/or video of a seal. The navigational system can compute a route (or receive commands that route) and send commands to the drive system to navigate the robotic inspection device along the surface of the tank allowing the camera to capture the images or video of the seal. Some embodiments may use an artificial intelligence or machine learning engine to review the images or video of the seal and identify potential problems.

Abstract: The present application provides BCMA targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising a BCMA binding region and an intracellular costimulatory domain derived from DAP10. Further provided are engineered immune effector cells (such as NK cells) comprising the chimeric antigen receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods of treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Classical computer systems can generate certified random bit strings using an untrusted quantum computer. The classical computer system can issue a sequence of challenges to the quantum computer, with each challenge involving execution of an apparently-random quantum circuit generated by the classical client. By executing the quantum circuits, the quantum computer can generate a high-entropy bit sequence, and the classical client can use the high-entropy bit sequence to generate sequences of random bits. The classical client can use models of quantum probability distributions for at least some of the challenges to verify that the bit sequence was generated by a quantum computer executing the quantum circuit generated by the classical client, thereby supporting certification of the randomness of the sequence of bits.

Abstract: In one aspect, a neuromodulation device is described herein. In some embodiments, a neuromodulation device comprises a chamber operable to receive a nerve, at least one electrode disposed in the chamber, and a channel defined by two walls. In some embodiments, the channel of the device is in fluid communication with an interior of the chamber and an external surface of the device. In another aspect, methods of neuromodulation are described herein. In some embodiments, methods described herein can use one or more neuromodulation devices described herein.

Abstract: A system for generating objective assessment criteria of social skills, comprising a speech to text system receiving audio data and converting the audio data into text data for a first speaker and a second speaker, a dialog management system processing text data for the first speaker and text data for the second speaker generating a strategic attention score for the first speaker based on responsiveness of the text data of the first speaker to text data of the second speaker, and a response verification system generating a user control for the strategic attention score and receiving feedback data from the second speaker to accept or modify the strategic attention score.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum chlorohydrate comprises adding small form aluminum metal pellets to a reactant receiving space of a reactor tank to form a pellet bed; adding aqueous hydrochloric acid to the reactant receiving space of the reactor tank; and continuously circulating the aqueous hydrochloric acid through the pellet bed. In some embodiments, the continuously circulating aqueous hydrochloric acid dispels reaction gases from the pellet bed. Methods described herein can, in some cases, further comprise consecutively adding additional small form aluminum metal pellets to the reactant receiving space of the reactor tank as the small form aluminum metal pellets are consumed in the pellet bed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a modified plant cell, plant tissue, plantlet, plant part, plant, and progeny thereof containing a combination of apyrase genes, including at least one modified gene and/or at least one additional apyrase gene. The disclosure is also directed to a method of making a modified plant with a modified apyrase gene and/or an additional apyrase gene. The modified plant generally exhibits at least one improved characteristic over the plant line from which it was derived. The disclosure also relates to a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an apyrase enzyme as disclosed.

Abstract: Solid-state radiation detectors utilizing a film as an alpha detection layer are provided. The detector can include a neutron conversion layer disposed thereon to enable neutron detection. The film can detect alpha particles from the ambient environment or emitted by the neutron conversion layer (if present) so the device can detect alpha particles and/or neutrons. The film can generate electron-hole pairs and can be disposed near a semiconductor material. The film can have a thickness of, for example, at least 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Enabling control of wind turbines is provided. The method comprises receiving power production signals from wind turbines comprising a wind farm and estimating wake travel times from upstream wind turbines to downstream turbines. Correlations of the power production signals are calculated among all pairs of wind turbines in the wind farm. Wind turbines with a power production correlation above a specified threshold at an expected time are considered to have wake interaction. A probability density function of northing directions is calculated for the wind turbine pairs with wake interaction. A determination is made whether the probability density function has a dominant direction. Responsive to the probability density function having a dominant direction, the wind turbine pairs with wake interaction are identified as turbine clusters. A control strategy is applied to each turbine cluster as an operational unit to optimize power production of the wind farm.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for re-programming effector T cells to a central memory phenotype comprising culturing the effector T cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and IL-21. Further provided are methods of treating cancer comprising administering the central memory T cells.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to mechanical devices for augmenting dexterous reach and sensing of a user. The devices can include a proximal portion configured to receive an appendage of a user; a distal portion configured to detect sensory information; an articulation positioned between the proximal and distal portion to provide for motion of the distal portion via manipulation of the proximal portion; wherein the distal portion comprising a sensing element and the proximal portion comprises a feedback element, the feedback element being connected to the sensing element providing for physical extension of sensory capabilities of the appendage.

Abstract: An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. The apparatus has a first cardiac assist device and a second cardiac assist device tuned to maximize blood flow to the body of the patient, while resting the heart so the heart may recover function. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) spoofing detection and classification technique is provided. An optimization problem is formulated at the baseband correlator domain by using an optimization algorithm such as the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm, for example. A model of correlator tap outputs of the intended received signal is created to form a dictionary of pre-computed waveform functions (e.g., triangle-like-shaped functions). Sparse signal processing can be leveraged to choose a decomposition of pre-computed waveform functions from the dictionary. The optimal solution of this minimization problem can discriminate the presence of a potential spoofing attack peak by observing the decomposition of two different code-phase values (authentic and spoofed) in a sparse vector output. A threshold can be used to mitigate false alarms. Furthermore, a variation of the minimization problem can be provided that enhances the dictionary to a higher resolution.