Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for freeze-drying surfactant-stabilized microbubbles. The method includes: preparing vials comprising a mixture comprising microbubbles; partially submerging the vials in a chilled water bath, wherein the water bath has a sub-freezing temperature; placing the vials on a cooled shelf of a lyophilizer; freeze-drying the vials in the lyophilizer; and capping the freeze-dried vials. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for annealing surfactant-stabilized microbubbles. The method includes: preparing vials comprising a mixture comprising microbubbles; passing the vials in and out of liquid nitrogen (LN2) until the mixture is frozen; holding the vials at ?20° C.; placing the vials on a cooled shelf of a lyophilizer; freeze-drying the vials in the lyophilizer; and capping the freeze-dried vials.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inducing an immune response that confers dual protection against infections by either or both of a rabies virus and a coronavirus, and/or which can be used therapeutically for an existing infection with rabies virus and/or a coronavirus to treat at least one symptom thereof and/or to neutralize or clear the infecting agents. In particular, the present disclosure provides a recombinant rabies virus vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one coronavirus immunogenic glycoprotein fragment, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the vaccine vectors.

Abstract: A sanitation system includes a sink, a sanitation material dispenser for dispensing material such as soap, and a dryer dispensing dryer material such as paper towels or providing heated air, wherein an electronic device may is in communication with one or more of these items, and a sanitation module operates on the sanitation system, where the sanitation module times a sanitation activity for the sanitation system, such as hand washing, where content is displayed on the electronic device, and the content serves to engage or distract the user, where the electronic device identifies the individual user and customizes the content, the sanitation module times the sanitation procedure and accordingly promotes a minimum time spent on the sanitation activity, and where the sanitation system may also be used to monitor the sanitation material or the dryer material and automatically order new material when the material is low.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally in part to BeO-based compounds that are capable of storing at least part of the energy of incident ionizing radiation and releasing at least part of the stored energy upon optical stimulation and heating. BeO-based compounds dosimetry was also developed in instrumentation, application and fundamental investigations. The present disclosure further relates the to the investigation of a BeO-based optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter together with an OSL reader, and discusses the design and operation of an OSL reader, suitable to measure OSL emission of BeO-based dosimeters, for example beryllium oxide doped with sodium, dysprosium and erbium. The present disclosure further relates to the use of BeO-based compounds comprising BeO and at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of sodium, dysprosium and erbium as a fiber-coupled OSL dosimeter.

Abstract: The present invention provides plastic and rubber devices molded to fit on existing anesthesia masks. The devices capture and sequester waste anesthetic gases that escape out of the perimeter of an anesthesia mask that has been fitted onto a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing acoustically-sensitive microbubbles. The method includes the steps of: i) preparing a first surfactant solution comprising a first micelle-forming surfactant at a concentration above the critical micelle concentration (CMC); ii) adding one or more pharmaceutical compounds in a solvent to the first surfactant solution, thereby loading the micelles with the one or more pharmaceutical compounds; iii) preparing a second surfactant solution comprising a second surfactant, wherein the second surfactant comprises one or more matrix forming surfactants; iv) adding heat to the second surfactant solution to melt the surfactant and allowing the mixture to cool under rapid stirring; v) combining the second surfactant solution with the loaded micelles; vi) purging the surfactant mixture with a purging gas; vii) agitating the purged mixture under a constant stream of the purging gas; and, viii) separating the formed microbubbles by size.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises an implantable living electrode comprising a substantially cylindrical extracellular matrix core; one or more neurons implanted along or within the substantially cylindrical extracellular matrix core, the one or more neurons including one or more optogenetic or magnetogenetic neurons proximal to a first end of the implantable living electrode.

Abstract: A therapeutic treatment for preventing or reducing the formation of fibrosis comprising administering to a patient a UTX or JMJD3 inhibitor that are effective in preventing or reducing fibrosis in situations wherein access to an injury or dysmorphogenetic tissues before the fibrotic process becomes established in the tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising nucleic acids capable of targeting IGF-1R expression in M2 cells. The present disclosure also provides methods for the selective reduction of M2 cells by targeting expression of IGF-1R in these cells. The present disclosure further provides methods for treating cancer and enhancing therapeutic by targeting expression of IGF-1R in M2 cells in patients. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is effective when administered systemically to subjects in need thereof. The ease of administration of the pharmaceutical composition facilitates treatment and enhances patient compliance.

Abstract: A system for breast cancer detection using co-localized ultrasound-mammography is disclosed. The system includes an examination box having a cavity connected to a side opening. A compression plate is connected to an actuator, the actuator configured to advance a surface of the compression plate towards a breast positioned within the cavity from the side opening to compress and stabilize the breast. An x-ray device is configured to generate at least one mammography image. An ultrasound probe is configured to generate at least one ultrasound image. A controller is operably connected to the x-ray device and ultrasound probe, the controller configured generate an image based on co-localization of the at least one mammography image and at the least one ultrasound image. A method of performing breast cancer detection and methods of breast imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for muscle repair or regeneration comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of RAR agonists or stem cells that are pretreated with contact with a RAR agonist to a subject at a site of muscle damage. Additionally, the invention provides compositions comprising RAR agonist treated stem cells and methods of use of said cells for muscle repair or regeneration. In one embodiment, the stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells. In one embodiment, the RAR agonist is an RAR? agonist. In one embodiment, administration of the RAR agonist is begun during a period of increased endogenous retinoid signaling in the subject resulting from incurrence of the damaged muscle tissue.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of radiation induced fibrosis (RIF) by administering to a patient at least a first dose of an MeK inhibitor such as trametinib between 0.01 mg to 2.0 mg, and after said radiation procedure, administering to said patient a further dose of the MeK inhibitor between 0.01 mg and 2.0 mg after the radiation procedure.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of radiation induced fibrosis (RIF) by administering to a patient at least a first dose of an MeK inhibitor such as trametinib between 0.01 mg to 2.0 mg, and after said radiation procedure, administering to said patient a further dose of the MeK inhibitor between 0.01 mg and 2.0 mg after the radiation procedure.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of abdominal adhesion due to surgical complications comprising: administering to said patient at least a first dose of trametinib between 0.01 mg to 2.0 mg, and after said surgical procedure, administering to said patient a further dose of trametinib between 0.01 mg to 2.0 mg, daily, for at least seven days post-surgery.

Abstract: A process for forming a conductive hemp-based ink comprising carbonizing hemp and reducing the particle size of said hemp via a milling process to between 2 and 5 microns, wherein said reduced size hemp particles are combined with at least one aqueous carrier to produce an ink, and wherein said ink is conductive.

Abstract: The present invention includes a vaccine comprising a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) or portion thereof, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A hemp-based nonwoven material manufactured by an air bonding process comprising a temperature of 150° C. for two minutes; said nonwoven material comprising between 1% and 99% hemp and between 1% and 99% of at least a second fiber; wherein the at least a second fiber is a synthetic fiber having a melt temperature of above 150° C.

Abstract: A device and a signal processing method that can monitor human memory performance by recognizing and characterizing high-gamma (65-250 Hz) and beta (14-30 Hz) band oscillations in the left Brodmann Area 40 (BA40) of the brain that correspond with the strength of memory encoding or correct recall. The signal processing method detects high-gamma and beta band oscillations in the electrical signals recorded from left BA40, and quantifies the spectral content, power, duration, onset, and offset of the oscillations. The oscillation's properties are used to classify the subject's memory performance on the basis of a comparison with the subject's prior human memory performance and the properties of the corresponding oscillations. A report of the subject's current memory performance can be utilized in a closed loop brain stimulation device that serves the purpose of enhancing human memory performance.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant CTLA-4 binding proteins, which are, inter alia, useful for the treatment of cancer. The recombinant proteins provided herein are, inter alia, capable of binding CTLA-4 proteins on a tumor cell. In a first aspect, there is provided a recombinant CTLA-4 binding protein including (i) a CTLA-4 binding domain; (ii) a CTLA-4 binding domain masking peptide; and (iii) a cleavable peptide linker connecting the CTLA-4 binding domain masking peptide to the CTLA-4 binding domain. In another aspect, there is provided a dimerizing domain covalently attached to the CTLA-4 binding domain, wherein the binding protein domains are bound together.

Abstract: Type I membrane proteins heterodimers are provided. Accordingly, there is provided a heterodimer comprising two polypeptides selected from the group consisting of SIRPalpha, PD1, TIGIT, LILRB2 and SIGLEC10, wherein each of the two polypeptides is capable of binding a natural binding pair thereof, and wherein the heterodimer does not comprise an amino acid sequence of a type II membrane protein capable of binding a natural binding pair thereof. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs and systems encoding the heterodimer, host-cells expressing same and methods of use thereof.