Abstract: A probe suitable for deep-brain recording and stimulation is provided. The probe comprises a wire bundle that includes a plurality of wires, an integrated circuit having a plurality of electrodes, and an interposer that joins the wire bundle and the integrated circuit such that each of the plurality of electrodes is electrically connected with a different wire of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: A method of testing for specificity and strength of an allergic reaction is performed by penetrating the skin of an individual with the microneedle array comprising a plurality of epitopes and determining the response of the skin to the allergens. The response can be measured with a thermal imaging device. Analysis, and optionally treatment, can be provided to the individual.

Abstract: The invention provides for novel MAP kinase inhibitors and compositions comprising the same. In some embodiments, the MAP kinase inhibitors are p38? MAP kinase inhibitors. The invention further provides for methods for treatment of diseases comprising administration of MAP kinase inhibitors or compositions comprising MAP kinase inhibitors. In some embodiments, the disease is Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Huntington's Disease or Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and to inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of a p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase RNA. Inhibition of p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase in plants improves the incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants, giving rise to plant biomass that is more easily processed into useful products such as paper and biofuels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reaction compositions comprising an oxidation catalyst, a solvent, and a substrate that is dissolved in the solvent. The oxidation catalyst comprises a metal ion complexed with an ?-keto acid and a tridentate N,N,O-ligand. Also disclosed herein are methods for oxidizing a C—H bond of a molecule, the methods comprising contacting the molecule with a metal complex comprising a metal ion complexed with a tridentate N,N,O-ligand in the presence of an ?-keto acid and a solvent. In some embodiments, the oxidation catalyst or metal complex is linked to a solid support.

Abstract: The present invention provides Listeria vaccine strains that express a heterologous antigen and a metabolic enzyme, and methods of generating same.

Abstract: An electronic or optoelectronic device includes: (1) a semiconductor layer; (2) a dielectric layer in contact with the semiconductor layer and including a polar elastomer; and (3) an electrode. The dielectric layer is disposed between the electrode and the semiconductor layer, and the polar elastomer includes a backbone structure and polar groups that are bonded as side chains to the backbone structure, and each of the polar groups includes 2 or more atoms.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for the treatment of pathogen infections. In some embodiments, the anti-infective compounds have broad spectrum activity against a variety of infective diseases, where the diseases are caused by pathogens containing a basic amino acid PIP-2 pincer (BAAPP) domain that interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP-2) to mediate pathogen replication. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a PI4-kinase and methods of inhibiting viral infection. In some embodiments, the compound is a PI4-kinase inhibiting compound that is a 5-aryl-thiazole or a 5-hetereoaryl-thiazole. The subject compounds may be formulated or provided to a subject in combination with a second anti-infective agent, e.g. interferon, ribivarin, and the like.

Abstract: New, highly efficient enhancers for AFPs have now been discovered in the form of co-enzymes, and active fragments and mimetics thereof. These enhancer molecules do not have TH activity themselves, but can enhance the TH activity of AFPs by at least about 2-11 times. These molecules are so far the most effective enhancers for AFPs, and are characterized by containing coenzymes or fragments or mimetic thereof.

Abstract: Improved correction of MRI images is provided making use of three main principles. First, a hybrid representation of the image reconstruction problem is used where the raw MRI data is Fourier transformed in x to provide a x-ky-kz representation. Second, blip-up blip-down acquisition is performed to provide data having equal and opposite regular k-space encoding. Third, joint least squares reconstruction is performed using a singular value decomposition of a joint blip-up, blip-down encoding matrix. The encoding matrix includes at least the effects of regular k-space encoding and known phase variations due to system non-ideality. Preferably, suitable regularization of the encoding matrix based on its singular values is used to automatically remove poorly conditioned parts of the data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-component processing method and system for preparing polyurea materials. This method and system involves a polymerization process using cyclic oligomeric polyurea precursors. These cyclic oligomeric precursors have dynamic urea bonds such as hindered urea bonds (HUBs). These cyclic oligomeric precursors exhibit dynamic properties to reversibly dissociate in situ yielding isocyanate and amine components which polymerize to yield the polyureas, such as linear, branched or cross-linked polyureas. This method and system has advantages over conventional methods that utilize two-component systems. Such two-component systems require the segregation of the isocyanate and amine components to prevent premature or too rapid polymerization. The resulting polyureas are useful for a variety of applications including coatings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides patterned biomaterials having organized cords and extracellular matrix embedded in a 3D scaffold. According, the present disclosure is provides compositions and applications for patterned biomaterials. Pre-patterning of these biomaterials can lead to enhanced integration of these materials into host organisms, providing a strategy for enhancing the viability of engineered tissues by promoting vascularization.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for attaching a nucleic acid to a solid surface and for sequencing nucleic acid by detecting the identity of each nucleotide analog after the nucleotide analog is incorporated into a growing strand of DNA in a polymerase reaction. The invention also provides nucleotide analogs which comprise unique labels attached to the nucleotide analog through a cleavable linker, and a cleavable chemical group to cap the —OH group at the 3?-position of the deoxyribose.

Abstract: An exemplary system can be provided which can include, for example, a plurality of source arrangements configured to provide a plurality of electro-magnetic radiations to at least one of at least one sample or at least one reference structure, a first arrangement configured to receive a first radiation(s) from the reference structure(s), a second arrangement configured to receive a second radiation(s) from the sample(s), where a portion(s) of the second radiation(s) can be in an invisible spectrum, a third arrangement configured to combine the first radiation(s) and the second radiation(s) into a third radiation(s), and a fourth arrangement configured to convert the third radiation(s) into a further radiation in a visible spectrum based on the at least one portion.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems-based calorimetric device includes first and second micromixers and first and second thermally-isolated microchambers. A first solution including a sample and a reagent is introduced to the first microchamber via the first micromixer, and a second solution including a sample and a buffer is introduced to the second microchamber via the second micromixer. A thermopile measures the differential temperature between the first microchamber and the second microchamber and outputs a voltage representative of the difference. The output voltage can be used to calculate reaction parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are implemented for in vivo use in a living animal. One such method involves stimulating target cells having light-responsive proteins and includes providing an elongated light-delivery structure in a narrow passageway in the animal, the elongated light-delivery structure having separately-activatable light sources located along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure. The method also includes activating less than all the light sources to deliver light to light-responsive proteins adjacent to the activated light sources along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure, thereby stimulating target cells in vivo.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for performing minimally invasive surgery. A laparoscopic device for performing minimally invasive surgery can include a mesh configured to be affixed to a fascial tissue to reinforce the fascial tissue. The mesh can be attached to the laparoscopic device before the mesh reaches the fascial tissue. The laparoscopic device can also include a telescoping arm configured to deliver the mesh to the fascial tissue. The telescoping arm can be further configured to position the mesh at the fascial tissue by releasing the mesh from the laparoscopic device.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides methods for utilizing such forces in when generating nanofibrillar constructs with engineered morphology from the nano- to macro-scales. Using for example, a biopolymer silk fibroin as a base material, patterns an intermediate hydrogel were generated within a deformable mold. Subsequently, mechanical tension was introduced via either hydrogel contraction or mold deformation, and finally a material is reentrapped in this transformed shape via beta-sheet crystallization and critical point drying. Topdown engineered anchorages, cables, and shapes act in concert to mediate precision changes in nanofiber alignment/orientation and a macroscale form of provided nanofibrillar structure. An ability of this technique to engineer large gradients of nano- and micro-scale order, manipulate mechanical properties (such as plasticity and thermal transport), and the in-situ generation of 2D and 3D, multi-tiered and doped, nanofibrillar constructs was demonstrated.

Abstract: A mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode comprises a polymeric substrate, one or more monolayers of a two-dimensional (2D) material on the polymeric substrate, and an electrically conductive film on the 2D material. The mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode may exhibit a bending strain to failure of at least about 12%. A method of making a flexible hybrid electrode may comprise transferring a monolayer comprising a 2D material to a polymeric substrate. After transferring one or more of the monolayers to the polymeric substrate, an electrically conductive film may be formed on the one or more monolayers, thereby forming a mechanically robust flexible hybrid electrode.