Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions for treating retinitis pigmentosa. In some aspects, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for delivering an interfering nucleic acid (for example an interfering RNA) to a subject in order to reduce expression of one or both alleles of an endogenous rho gene (for example a mutant rho allele associated with retinitis pigmentosa) in the subject. In some embodiments, a replacement rho gene that is resistant to the interfering nucleic acid also is delivered to the subject.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system comprising: a publisher communication device configured to publish a social message for the publisher device for delivery using a short-range wireless communication protocol to followers within an area and a forwarding message from another device for a destination device using a delay tolerant network (DTN) communication protocol without the need of the Internet, including public or private telecommunications network, or the Radio Access Network (RAN), including public or private cellular or WI-FI networks. The system comprises a destination device within the area of the publisher device to receive, via the short-range wireless communication protocol, the forwarding message using a DTN communication protocol from the publisher device. The system comprises at least one social browsing communication device browsing, within the area, for the social message and which receives the social message using the short-range wireless communication protocol from the publisher device.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of preventing, arresting progression of or ameliorating vision loss and other conditions associated with retinitis pigmentosa and x-linked retinitis pigmentosa in a subject. The methods include administering to a subject an effective concentration of a composition comprising a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding a normal retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR gene), or fragment thereof, under the control of regulatory sequences which express the product of the gene in the photoreceptor cells of the subject, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant host cells suitable for degrading an oligosaccharide that have been optimized for growth and production of high yields of ethanol, and methods of making and using these cells. The invention further provides minimal media comprising urea-like compounds for economical production of ethanol by recombinant microorganisms. Recombinant host cells in accordance with the invention are modified by gene mutation to eliminate genes responsible for the production of unwanted products other than ethanol, thereby increasing the yield of ethanol produced from the oligosaccharides, relative to unmutated parent strains. The new and improved strains of recombinant bacteria are capable of superior ethanol productivity and yield when grown under conditions suitable for fermentation in minimal growth media containing inexpensive reagents. Systems optimized for ethanol production combine a selected optimized minimal medium with a recombinant host cell optimized for use in the selected medium.

Abstract: An enhancement mode (E-mode) HEMT is provided that can be used for analog and digital applications. In a specific embodiment, the HEMT can be an AlN/GaN HEMT. The subject E-mode device can be applied to high power, high voltage, high temperature applications, including but not limited to telecommunications, switches, hybrid electric vehicles, power flow control and remote sensing. According to an embodiment of the present invention, E-mode devices can be fabricated by performing an oxygen plasma treatment with respect to the gate area of the HEMT. The oxygen plasma treatment can be, for example, an O2 plasma treatment. In addition, the threshold voltage of the E-mode HEMT can be controlled by adjusting the oxygen plasma exposure time. By using a masking layer protecting regions for depletion mode (D-mode) devices, D-mode and E-mode devices can be fabricated on a same chip.

Abstract: A method of formulating a patient-specific plan for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure performed upon a patient is provided. The method includes obtaining a standard plan based upon a scan of an anatomy of a standard anatomic specimen, the scan defining a standard scan. The method also includes scanning the patient to obtain a patient-specific scan of an anatomy of the patient. Additionally, the method includes morphing the standard scan to the anatomy of the patient by mapping the standard scan to the patient-specific scan. The method further includes determining the patient-specific plan by modifying the standard plan based upon the mapping.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the association of a MLCK homologue with cardiac tissue and methods of identifying candidate compounds that can modulate the activity of this MLCK homologue and the expression of MLCK gene product. Additionally, methods of treating heart failure are also provided by the subject invention.

Abstract: We report the real-time monitoring of protein-protein interactions without labeling either of the two interacting proteins, posing minimum effects on the binding properties of the proteins. In particular, the methods provide protein/aptamer complexes to probe the interactions in a competitive assay where the binding of an aptamer to its target protein is altered by a second protein that interacts with the target protein. Two signal transduction strategies, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence anisotropy, are described.

Abstract: A gene encoding a 29 kilodalton protein found on the surface of merozoite stage S. neurona has been cloned and sequenced. The protein encoded by this gene, termed SnSAG-1, is an immunodominant antigen recognized on protein blots. Methods for using nucleic acids and polypeptides relating to SnSAG-1 in diagnostic tests and vaccine development are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to newly isolated organisms from nature that produce L(+)-lactic acid high yield from hexose and pentose sugars found in biomass. Organisms and processes or methods for the production of lactic acid and other industrially important chemicals from cellulose and hemicellulose are also provided.

Abstract: A device for collecting nasal secretions that comprises a container designed to fit about a patient's nose. The device comprises a ventilation means to allow the patient to blow their nose into the container while preventing the undesired dispersion of nasal secretion onto the patient and their surrounding environment.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the transformation of Gram-positive bacteria with heterologous genes which confer upon these microbes the ability to produce ethanol as a fermentation product. Specifically exemplified is the transformation of bacteria with genes, obtainable from Zymomonas mobilis, which encode pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase.