Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, compositions and methods useful for inhibiting bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These compositions and methods find many uses in medicine and research, e.g., treating subjects afflicted with active or latent bacterial infections. The compositions described herein are also useful for decontaminating surfaces (e.g., surgical tools or implants).

Abstract: The present specification provides RXR agonists with both remyelination promotion and immunomodulatory activities, compositions comprising such RXR agonists, and methods using such compounds and compositions to treat a demyelination-related disorder by both promoting remyelination of neurons and modulating the immune system.

Abstract: Guanidinium-rich oligophosphotriesters transporter compounds and methods of making and using the same are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that include the subject transporter compounds, where the transporter can be joined to a cargo of interest, and is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Formulations may be provided in a unit dose, where the dose provides an amount of the compound effective to afford a desired therapeutic effect. Methods of using the subject transporter compounds to deliver a cargo moiety to a cell are provided, where the method can include contacting a target cell with the transporter compound. The subject methods can be performed in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a novel SELEX strategy for isolating cross-reactive aptamers that recognize a core structure of a small-molecule family and bind to each structurally-similar molecule in said family. The subject invention also provides methods, assays, and products for detecting small-molecule targets of the family in a sample in both clinical and field settings. Such method is based on an aptamer sensor that reports the presence of small-molecule targets via a sensitive colorimetric signal for naked-eye detection. The subject invention further provides exonuclease-based methods for generating structure-switching aptamers from fully folded aptamers and developing electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors for rapid and sensitive detection of synthetic cathinones.

Abstract: A cantilever system for use in an atomic force microscope (AFM) is disclosed. The cantilever system comprises a base cantilever portion and a paddle connected to the base cantilever portion with one end free to move relative to the base cantilever portion. The base cantilever portion has an effective bending stiffness, k1, and the paddle has an effective bending stiffness, k2. The ratio of the effective bending stiffness, k1, to the bending stiffness, k2, is at least greater than 4. Such a cantilever system provides a stable, i.e., invariant contact resonant frequency, independent of the changes in the local contact stiffness.

Abstract: A sensitivity boosted laser dispersion spectroscopy system for sensing a sample in a sample cell or in an open path crossing the sample. The system includes a local oscillator arm and a sample arm containing the sample cell or the open path crossing the sample. A laser source is configured to generate a first light beam directed along the sample arm and a second light beam, the second light beam being frequency shifted and directed along the local oscillator arm. An intensity modulator/phase modulator/frequency shifter is disposed in the sample arm configured to generate a multi-frequency beam having known frequency spacing which is then passed through the sample cell to generate a sample arm output. A beam combiner is configured to combine the sample arm output and the second light beam from the local oscillator arm and generate a combined beam. A photodetector is configured to detect the combined beam for sensing the sample in the sample cell.

Abstract: A vehicular hybrid network system includes a cognitive radio ad hoc vehicular network (CRAVENET) configured to provide information services to a plurality of vehicles in the CRAVENET. The CRAVENET includes a first plurality of cloud networks interconnecting a set of vehicles from the plurality of vehicles. The set of vehicles shares a set of resources. The CRAVENET further includes a second plurality of cloud networks interconnecting two or more of the first plurality of cloud networks using a short-range communication system. The CRAVENET also includes one or more central cloud network interconnecting the second plurality of cloud networks using a long-range communication system. The vehicular hybrid network system further includes an IoV application management system configured to control the set of resources available to the CRAVENET and a CRAVENET communication system configured to provide distributive communication to the sets of vehicles via a secure communication protocol.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials based on tetrahedrite structures for thermoelectric devices and methods for producing thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, conditions associated with accumulated amyloid-beta peptide deposits, Tau protein levels, and/or accumulations of alpha-synuclein by administering a HAT modulator and a HDAC modulator to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating Type II diabetes. The compositions comprise plant expressed Exendin 4. Particularly exemplified are plant derived compositions that include a CTB-EX4 conjugate that is bioencapsulated in chloroplasts.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to compositions and methods for lubrication of a surface. The surface amenable to the compositions and methods described herein can be a non-biological surface, a biological surface, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a phospholipid-coated silk microsphere can be used for lubrication of a surface. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a phospholipid-coated silk microsphere can be used for joint lubrication, e.g., for treatment of joint disorders such as arthritis.

Abstract: An optical interconnect system has first and second waveguides each with wedge-shaped cross-section at a first end, disposed over an optical modulator. The optical modulator is a surface-plasmon multi quantum well (SP-MQW) modulator, the first waveguide an input waveguide and the second waveguide configured an output waveguide. In embodiments the SP-MQW modulator has multiple semiconductor layers disposed atop a lower metal layer between 10 and 300 nanometers thick and configured such that incident light is reflected at the lower metal layer unless a voltage is applied to the semiconductor layers, when incident light is coupled into a surface plasmon mode in the lower metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing and/or treating aging-related cognitive impairment in the central nervous system. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a Ppargc1a activator 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 2-[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-1H-benzimidazole, in an effective amount. A preferred route of administration is oral administration.

Abstract: A method for in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro regeneration of cartilage and collagen. In vivo, ex vivo and in vitro regeneration and de novo formation of articular cartilage and collagen by intermittently applied hydrostatic pressure. The application of external interval loading consisting of repeated periods of applied hydrostatic pressure followed and interrupted by periods of recovery. The application of the intermittent hydrostatic pressure at physiological levels 5-10 MPA for an interval of 4 hours followed by a recovery period up to about 20 hours, said pressure applied to the cartilage cells in vitro, explants of cartilage ex vivo and in vivo to cartilage that remains intact within to joint space of diarthrotic joints.

Abstract: An animal enclosure (10) having a partly circular wall or fence (12), at least one barrier (36) located within the enclosure (10), the at least one barrier (36) being rotatable about a vertical axis (26), and actuation means for causing rotation of at least one of the at least one barrier (36), the actuation means being manually operable by an operator, the actuation means including a part or a portion (40) located externally of the enclosure (10) to thereby allow an operator to move the at least one barrier (36) from a location that is external to the enclosure (10). The actuation means includes a handle (40) extending externally of the enclosure (10) and a ratchet wheel operatively connected to the barrier (36).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an irreversible dosimetric shock-detection substrate as well as related articles and methods. The shock-detection substrate incorporates a plurality of microcapsules serving as an irreversible means for detecting impact on the substrate. A shock above a characteristic threshold level experienced by the substrate induces an irreversible detectable change associated with the microcapsules upon shock-induced rupture. The irreversible detectable change provides a tamper-proof and non-electronic means for detecting a shock or impact. The shock-detection substrates can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety, to monitor article integrity, to monitor the end of the useful life of the shock-detection substrate itself, or in any other setting where it is desirable to irreversibly detect and/or localize a shock event.

Abstract: Novel human interleukin-2 (IL-2) muteins or variants thereof are provided. In particular, provided are IL-2 muteins that have an increased binding capacity for IL-2R? receptor and a decreased binding capacity for IL-2R?c receptor, as compared to wild-type IL-2. Such IL-2 muteins are useful, for example, as IL-2 partial agonist and antagonists in applications where reduction or inhibition of one or more IL-2 and/or IL-15 functions is useful (e.g., in the treatment of graft versus host disease (GVHD) and adult T cell leukemia). Also provided are nucleic acids encoding such IL-2 muteins, methods of making such IL-2 muteins, pharmaceutical compositions that include such IL-2 muteins and methods of treatment using such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna devices and methods of using and fabricating the same are provided. A MIMO antenna device can include a substrate that is capable of being folded and an antenna element disposed thereon. The antenna element can be disposed on the substrate in a polygon shape such as a rectangle or a square. The substrate can have predefined folding lines such that the substrate can be folded into different positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds as bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors with antibacterial activity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions as antibacterial agents for treating infectious diseases.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to methods for diagnosing a neurological disorder in a subject. In certain aspects, the methods described herein involve determining one or more critical areas in the brain from molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data where two groups differ and measuring MRI signal within determined critical areas in a new subject in order to assign risk or diagnosis.