Abstract: Provided is a method of causing a cell to migrate to a scaffold. Also provided is a method of treating a mammal that has a tissue defect. Further provided is a tissue scaffold comprising platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Additionally, a method of making a tissue scaffold capable of recruiting a cell is provided.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing gaseous chemicals includes a substrate, a variable resistance nanocrystalline ITO thin film formed on the substrate, and electrodes electrically coupled to the thin film. A sensor array assembly includes a sensor slide and a perforated interface circuit. The interface circuit abuts and electrically couples the sensor slide. The sensor slide includes several spaced apart ITO film strips formed on a slide substrate. A common electrode is electrically coupled to a common portion of each ITO film strip providing an electrically conductive path across the common portions of each of the plurality of spaced apart ITO film strips. A discrete electrode is electrically coupled to a discrete portion of each ITO film strip. The interface circuit is configured to abut and electrically couple to the sensor slide. A conductive discrete electrode pad electrically couples each of the plurality of discrete electrodes of the sensor slide to discrete terminals on the interface circuit.

Abstract: Methods for distributing and providing access to stored content from remote storage comprising; receiving a first request to access a first portion of stored content from a requestor, wherein the first request is in a file system request format; creating a placeholder for the stored content so that the placeholder has at least one parameter identical to the stored content and the placeholder can hold the first portion of the stored content and at least a second portion of the stored content; requesting the first portion of the stored content from remote storage; receiving the first portion of the stored content from the remote storage; storing the first portion of the stored content in the placeholder; and before the second portion of the stored content has been stored in the placeholder, providing the first portion of the stored content to the requestor using a file system response format.

Abstract: Improved thermionic energy converters are provided by electrodes that include a silicon carbide support structure, a tungsten adhesion layer disposed on the silicon carbide support structure, and an activation layer disposed on the tungsten adhesion layer. The activation layer is a material that lowers the electrode work function, such as BaO, SrO and/or CaO.

Abstract: A data transmitter includes a vibration motor and a switch to regulate voltage from a direct-current (DC) power supply to the vibration motor. A microcontroller generates a pulse width modulation signal with which to drive the switch and regulate the voltage to the vibration motor in a sinusoidal manner, to generate data as symbols from vibrations that form a series of bits from the vibration motor. The microcontroller may also cancel and jam a sound of vibration (SoV) created by the vibration motor. A data receiver includes a vibration sensor to sample data from vibrations in an incoming signal at a predetermined sampling rate, and a microcontroller, coupled to the vibration sensor, to control the sampling rate through an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) protocol or the like. A memory card, coupled to the microcontroller, stores the data with a serial peripheral interface (SPI) protocol or the like.

Abstract: Predictive biomarkers identify those patients suffering from immunoglobulin positive (Ig+) B lineage malignancies that are responsive to active immunotherapy, where the active immunotherapy comprises vaccination with a tumor-specific idiotype-immunogen. It is shown herein that patient responsiveness to the idiotype-immunogen is dependent upon the sequence of the immunogen, where an immunogen having a low number of tyrosine residues in the CDR1 (herein termed CDR1-Y10) regions of one or both of the immunogen heavy and light chains is predictive of a positive anti-tumor response, while a high number of CDR1 tyrosine residues (herein termed CDR1-Yhi) is predictive of a low anti tumor response.

Abstract: Fluorescent protein voltage sensors for measuring membrane potential and imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to engineered protein voltage sensors that comprise a voltage-sensing domain comprising four transmembrane domains linked to a circularly permuted fluorescent protein, which is inserted into the extracellular loop between the third (S3) and fourth (S4) transmembrane segments of the voltage-sensing domain. Such fluorescent protein voltage sensors can be used for measuring the electrical activity of neurons, including single action potentials, trains of action potentials, and subthreshold potential changes and, in particular, for imaging high-frequency neuronal electrical activity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for testing software patches are provided. The methods include: injecting a software patch into a program; determining a portion of the program modified by the software patch; concurrently executing a first instance of the portion of the program prior to modification by the software patch and a second instance of the portion of the program that has been modified by the software patch; obtaining a first outcome of the first instance and a second outcome of the second instance; comparing the first outcome and the second outcome with a policy associated with the program; and determining whether the software patch has executed correctly based at least in part on the comparison.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or morality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a solar cell including organic nanowires. The solar cell may include a photoelectric conversion layer formed of a p-type material including an organic material and an n-type material including organic nanowires.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of hydrocarbon functionalization, methods and systems for converting a hydrocarbon into a compound including at least one group ((e.g., hydroxyl group) (e.g., methane to methanol)), functionalized hydrocarbons, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pH-dependent silk fibroin-based ionomeric compositions and colloids, and methods of making the same. The state of the silk fibroin ionomeric compositions is reversible and can transform from a gel-like colloid to a more fluid-like solution, or vice versa, upon an environmental stimulus, e.g., pH. Thus, the silk-based ionomeric compositions and colloids can be applied in various industries, ranging from electronic applications to biomedical applications, such as sensors, gel diodes, absorbent materials, drug delivery systems, tissue implants and contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition and method for the prevention and treatment of a tauopathy. The composition of the invention includes N-terminal amino acid residues of the tau protein, which have been identified as being involved in toxic activation of a PP1/GSK3 signaling cascade and inhibition of fast axonal transport in human tauopathies.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods relating to regulatable chimeric antigen receptors (RCARs), natural killer cell receptor CARs (NKR-CARs), and regulatable NKR-CARs (RNKR-CARs), where the intracellular signaling or proliferation of the RCAR or RNKR-CAR can be controlled to optimize the use of an RCAR/NKR-CAR- or RNKR-CAR-expressing cell to provide an immune response. Cells can be engineered to express a RNKR-CAR or to express a RCAR and a NKR-CAR (e.g., inhibitory NKR-CAR). For example, a RCAR or RNKR-CAR can comprise a dimerization switch that, upon the presence of a dimerization molecule, can couple an intracellular signaling domain to an extracellular recognition element, e.g., an antigen binding domain, an inhibitory counter ligand binding domain, or costimulatory ECD domain. An RCAR or RNKR-CAR can be engineered to include an appropriate antigen binding domain that is specific to a desired antigen target and used in the treatment of a disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin or surface disinfectant composition with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity comprising one or more essential oil (and/or one or more component thereof) and one or more fruit acid. The compositions of the invention may be used as non-toxic alternatives to conventional disinfectants or may be added to other antimicrobial agents to enhance their activity. The invention provides effective alternatives to harsher products which may be particularly useful in personal care and household products and where children and/or pet exposure may be a concern.

Abstract: Described is a method of forming a mineralized material by co-culturing epithelial cell, such as ameloblast, and mesenchymal cell, such as osteoblast or odontoblast, in a mineral-stimulating medium. Also described is a matrix seeded with epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells and infused with a mineral-stimulating medium capable of forming a mineralized material in the matrix. Methods of manufacturing such compositions and methods of treating mineralization-related conditions are also described.

Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.

Abstract: The present invention discloses pharmaceutical preparations for treatment of eye disorders containing an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, to processes for producing the pharmaceutical preparations and methods for treatment of various eye disorders including dry eye and Meibomian gland dysfunction and a medicinal applicator for topical application of an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist to a subject, a package assembly for the medicinal applicator and methods of using the medicinal applicator to treat eye disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating ovarian cancer. Specifically, the invention relates to administering a genetically modified T cell having alpha-folate receptor (FR-alpha) binding domain and CD27 costimulatory domain to treat ovarian cancer. In an embodiment, the FR-alpha binding domain is fully human, thereby preventing a host immune response.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating Hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling in a cell. Aspects of the methods include methods for inhibiting Hh pathway-promoted cancer proliferation and/or metastasis that is promoted by Hh pathway signaling, methods for treating cancers promoted by Hh pathway signaling, and methods for screening candidate agents for the ability to treat a cancer promoted by Hh pathway signaling. In addition, reagents and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided.