Abstract: Fusion proteins which act on the TWEAK and TRAIL signaling axes are provided. The proteins are useful in the treatment or amelioration of autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis, as well as other diseases such as alloimmune diseases and cancer.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of a match, expand, and filter technique for multi-view stereopsis, features across multiple images of an object are matched to obtain a sparse set of patches for the object. The sparse set of patches is expanded to obtain a dense set of patches for the object, and the dense set of patches is filtered to remove erroneous patches. Optionally, reconstructed patches can be converted into 3D mesh models.

Abstract: Methods for inhibition of hairless protein mRNA using RNA interference is described, in particular methods for hair removal. Also described are nucleic acid constructs for RNAi-mediated inhibition of hairless protein mRNA and compositions including such constructs.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The at least one photonic crystal structure has at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape, wherein at least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor further includes an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical fiber is configured to transmit light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure and to receive at least a portion of the light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for encapsulating active protein in a polymeric nanocarrier. The instant method employs homogenization at subzero temperatures so that enzyme activity is retained. Enzymes which can be encapsulated by the present method include, for example, antioxidant enzymes and xenobiotic detoxifying enzymes. Encapsulation of an enzyme protects it from protease degradation and increases therapeutic half-life. Advantageously, polymeric nanoparticles of the invention are permeable to enzyme substrates and therefore enzymes encapsulated by the instant method can exert their effect without release from the nanocarrier. Methods for decomposing a reactive oxygen species, protecting against vascular oxidative stress, and detoxifying a xenobiotic are also provided.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions for the detection of target genes. The inventors have developed a synthetic nucleic acid sensor-effector gene circuit. In cells without a target gene, the circuit suppresses e.g., effector production, but in the presence of the target gene the suppression is subject to competition, such that the synthetic sensor is de-repressed and permits expression of the effector gene. The methods and compositions described further permit the selective expression of an effector gene in those cells expressing the target gene. In this manner, cells expressing a target gene can be selectively targeted for treatment or elimination. In certain aspects, the methods and compositions described permit the selective expression of an agent such as a therapeutic gene product, in a specifically targeted population of cells in an organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, enzymes, and cells for the biosynthetic production of phloroglucinol from malonyl-CoA, which is ultimately obtained from simple starting materials such as glucose; also provided are methods for preparing derivatives of biosynthetic phloroglucinol, including, e.g., resorcinol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing vibration feedback in robotic systems are disclosed. A system for configuring a robotic surgery system to provide vibration feedback during robot-assisted surgery includes a sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The sensor is coupled to the robotic surgery system such that the sensor senses a vibration of a surgical tool. The actuator is coupled to the surgery system such that the actuator provides a vibration to a user at a control station. The controller is electrically coupled with the sensor and the actuator. The controller is configured to receive data corresponding to a sensed vibration from the sensor. The controller is further configured to actuate the actuator based on the received data such that the actuator provides a vibration to the user when the sensor senses the vibration of the tool. The above system may be configured to provide tactile and/or audio feedback.

Abstract: A nasal interface and method for delivering continuous positive airway pressure in newborns and infants are provided herein using a universal fit nasal interface that is easily adapted and operated together with a generic nasal cannula.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for the design, fabrication, modification, and implantation of dental prostheses. An implant is created that has a shape closely or precisely conforming to the natural shape of a modified or unmodified tooth socket. The implant is used to anchor any of a variety of dental restorations or other substitute devices to bone. Further, methods, systems, and apparatuses for taking radiographs at specific, standard, and/or reproducible angles. A first radiograph is taken, using an aiming apparatus, with the aiming direction forming a first angle with the normal to an image plane of an image receptor. At least one additional radiograph is taken, using the aiming apparatus, at a different aiming direction from the first direction. Radiographs taken with the multiple aiming angles are used to create a three-dimensional image of an object represented by the radiographs.

Abstract: The invention concerns compounds of the formula: X—(Y)t wherein: X is Formula (X), each Y is the same or different and is Formula (Y) —O—[CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—]m—H; or —C(OR5)3; R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 are each, independently, —(CH2CH2O)m—R4, —[CH2CH(OH)CH2O]nH, OR11, —O(CH2)PR13, or —(CH2)R12; each R4 is independently OR5 or OH; R5, R11 and R12 are each, independently, H or C1-C30 alkyl; R13 is —NH3+Cl? or —NHBoc; t is an integer from 2 to 6; m, n, and p are each, independently, an integer from 1 to 12; and each q, r, and s is 0 or 1 and the sum of q+r+s is at least 2.

Abstract: An electronic pillow including a pillow unit encasing at least one error microphone and at least one loudspeaker in electrical connection with a controller unit, the pillow unit also including a power source, and a reference sensing unit including at least one reference microphone in electrical connection with the controller unit, the controller unit including an algorithm for controlling interactions between the error microphone, loudspeaker, and reference microphone. A method of abating unwanted noise, by detecting an unwanted noise with a reference microphone, analyzing the unwanted noise, producing an anti-noise corresponding to the unwanted noise in a pillow, and abating the unwanted noise. Methods of hands-free communication, recording and monitoring sleep disorders, providing real-time response to emergencies, and playing audio sounds.

Abstract: Telomere-encoding nucleic acid nanocircles, methods for their preparation, and methods for their use are disclosed. The nanocircles can be constructed containing multiple repeats of the complement of telomere repeat sequences. The telomere-encoding nanocircles are useful for extending telomeres both in vitro and in vivo, for treating macular degeneration, the effects of skin aging, liver degeneration, and cancer. The nanocircles are further useful for treating cell cultures to produce long-lived non-cancerous cell populations. This use has wide applicability in scientific research, tissue engineering, and transplantation.

Abstract: A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented involving nanowire meshes. One such method is implemented to include synthesizing metal nanowires in a solution containing a structure-directing agent. The metal nanowires are deposited on a substrate to form a sheet of nanowires. The deposited metal nanowires are heated to a temperature less than about 200 degrees Celsius and for a period of time of about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, thereby removing the structure-directing agent and modifying the electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the sheet of nanowires.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to make liquid fuels from renewable, carbon neutral precursors. Specifically, methods to prepare 2,5-dimethylfuran from a source of fructose or other carbohydrates using a one-pot synthesis are provided. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods avoid the isolation of intermediates, and employ “green” reagents like formic acid and acetic acid.

Abstract: An optical network is disclosed comprising one or more photonic switching nodes is disclosed. Each of the switching nodes comprises a plurality of input ports; at least one output port; and a switch configured to route messages between the plurality of input ports and the at least one output port and provide bufferless resolution of contention between messages for a common output port.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the utilization of bacterial cell-free extracts in the synthesis of high yields of virus like particles with encapsidated cargo.

Abstract: A multicolor organic light emitting device employs vertically stacked layers of double heterostructure devices which are fabricated from organic compounds. The vertical stacked structure is formed on a glass base having a transparent coating of ITO or similar metal to provide a substrate. Deposited on the substrate is the vertical stacked arrangement of three double heterostructure devices, each fabricated from a suitable organic material. Stacking is implemented such that the double heterostructure with the longest wavelength is on the top of the stack. This constitutes the device emitting red light on the top with the device having the shortest wavelength, namely, the device emitting blue light, on the bottom of the stack. Located between the red and blue device structures is the green device structure.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for cutting a material including biological tissue. The apparatus has a cutting electrode with an elongate cutting portion. A voltage pulse waveform (typically comprising repeated bursts of minipulses) having a low or very low duty-cycle is applied to the cutting electrode to cut the tissue or other material by producing a vapor cavity around the cutting portion of the electrode and ionizing a gas inside the vapor cavity to produce a plasma. A low duty cycle cutting waveform may prevent heat accumulation in the tissue, reducing collateral thermal damage. The duration of the burst of minipulses typically ranges from 10 ?s to 100 ?s, and the rep rate typically ranges from 1 KHz to 10 Hz, as necessary. The apparatus and method of invention may cut biological tissue while decreasing bleeding and maintaining a very shallow zone of thermal damage.