Abstract: The present invention discloses crosslinked poly(alkylene glycol) (PAG)-based hydrogel compositions, systems containing a plurality of cancer cells in contact with a cell culture media and encapsulated in the crosslinked PAG-based hydrogel composition and methods of making such crosslinked hydrogel compositions and systems. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such compositions and systems, such as, for example for screening an agent for effectiveness of the agent against cancer cells. Also disclosed herein are kits containing one or more components including one or more systems of the present disclosure and one or more instructions.

Abstract: Variable flow rate fuel ejectors, and methods of use therefore, are disclosed. One variable flow rate ejector includes a primary nozzle, a needle, a motor, a first stop portion, and a first impact-absorbing portion. The primary nozzle is connected to a first inlet chamber to receive a first fluid and transmit a flow of the first fluid through the primary nozzle opening. The needle is disposed to create a gap between the tapered portion of the needle and the primary nozzle opening. The motor is coupled to axially move the needle to vary a size of the gap. The first stop portion delimits the axial movement of the needle in a direction of retraction of the needle from the primary nozzle opening. The first impact-absorbing element is positioned to contact the first stop portion or the needle, respectively, when the needle is fully retracted from the primary nozzle opening.

Abstract: In various aspects, the processes disclosed herein may include the steps of inducing an electric field about a non-conductive substrate, and depositing functionalized nanoparticles upon the non-conductive substrate by contacting a nanoparticle dispersion with the non-conductive substrate, the nanoparticle dispersion comprising functionalized nanoparticles having an electrical charge, the electric field drawing the functionalized nanoparticles to the non-conductive substrate. In various aspects, the related composition of matter disclosed herein comprise functionalized nanoparticles bonded to a surface of a non-conductive fiber, the surface of the non-conductive fiber comprising a sizing adhered to the surface of the non-conductive fiber. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the processes, and related apparatus and compositions of matter disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling colocalization of two or more proteins in a cell. The method comprises expressing the proteins, scaffold RNA molecules having binding motifs for the proteins, and a trigger RNA molecule in the cell. In the presence of the trigger RNA molecule, a scaffold may be assembled (ON) by the scaffold RNA molecules via hybridization such that the proteins may be colocalized; or disassembled (OFF) such that the proteins may be separated and not colocalized. The proteins may provide a biological activity when colocalized or not colocalized.

Abstract: A process for aligning discontinuous fibers, and composite products and mats comprised of highly aligned discontinuous fibers, including products of the process. Aligned discontinuous fiber composite products include a matrix of fibers, each fiber having a longitudinal fiber axis, the composite comprising a free, uncut edge extending along an edge axis. The longitudinal fiber axis of a majority of the fibers in the composite product are aligned within a predetermined alignment tolerance of an alignment axis non-parallel to the edge axis. Aligned discontinuous fiber mats may have a first areal density of fibers in a first region of the composite located inward relative to the free, uncut edge, and a second area density at or adjacent to the free, uncut edge.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbe capable of growing in a medium comprising methanol is provided. The methanol contributes to a significant percentage (e.g., at least 40%) of the carbon source for the non-naturally occurring microbe, which expresses heterologous methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and heterologous ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway enzymes. Methods for producing liquid fuels and chemicals by the non-naturally occurring microbe and methods for preparing the non-naturally occurring microbe are also provided.

Abstract: Variable flow rate fuel ejectors, and methods of use therefore, are disclosed. One variable flow rate ejector includes a primary nozzle, a needle, a motor, a first stop portion, and a first impact-absorbing portion. The primary nozzle is connected to a first inlet chamber to receive a first fluid and transmit a flow of the first fluid through the primary nozzle opening. The needle is disposed to create a gap between the tapered portion of the needle and the primary nozzle opening. The motor is coupled to axially move the needle to vary a size of the gap. The first stop portion delimits the axial movement of the needle in a direction of retraction of the needle from the primary nozzle opening. The first impact-absorbing element is positioned to contact the first stop portion or the needle, respectively, when the needle is fully retracted from the primary nozzle opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a subject without using a cancer biomarker. The method comprises contacting a test sample with a carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge. The test sample comprises cells from a small amount of peripheral blood from a subject after removal of plasma and lysis of erythrocytes. The cells in the test sample comprise CTCs from the subject. The CNT sponge is free of an agent specific for a cancer biomarker.

Abstract: Conformationally strained irans-cycloalkenes and derivatives thereof suitable for radiolabeling in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-based sensor comprises a fabric, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes coated on the fabric. The plurality of carbon nanotubes form a network in a plane of the fabric. At least two tap points are coupled to the plurality of carbon nanotubes coated on the fabric. A first of the plurality of tap points is separated from a second of the plurality of tap points, where the first and second tap points have a resistance there between. Application of a force on the fabric, from outside the plane of the fabric, causes a change in the resistance between the first and second tap points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanocomplex comprising at least one agent and a nanocarrier. The agent is bound to the nanocarrier. The nanocarrier comprises at least one cationic polymer responsive to a stimulus, at least one anionic polymer and at least one lipid. The agent is capable of being released from the nanocarrier upon exposure to the stimulus. The released agent is active. The nanocomplex may be used to deliver the agent into cells, in which the agent may be released from the nanocarrier upon exposure of the cells to the stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for delivering a polynucleotide into cells via a polyplex. The polyplex comprises the polynucleotide and a polymer. The composition comprises the polyplex, a collagen-mimetic peptide (CMP) and collagen fragments. The CMP is bound to the polyplex and the collagen fragments. Also provided are the uses of the composition in methods of delivering a polynucleotide into cells as well as methods of improving wound healing in a subject, enhancing cell proliferation in a subject, enhancing production of extracellular matrix by cells in a subject and/or enhancing cell migration by cells in a subject.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning discontinuous fibers, manufacturing tailored preforms, and composite materials comprised of highly aligned discontinuous fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) in which a, R1-R5 and X1 are as described herein. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound and a method of using the compound for treating cancer, such as renal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbe capable of growing in a medium comprising methanol, comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a heterologous methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) derived from a Corynebacterium organism (Cor), wherein the MDH is expressed in the microbe, and wherein the MDH exhibits a Km of no more than 3 mM for methanol. Also provided are uses of the non-naturally occurring microbe for oxidizing methanol and producing a metabolite as well as the preparation of the non-naturally occurring microbe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioconjugate. The bioconjugate comprises a first molecule comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP), a second molecule capable of self-associating into an oligomer, and a linker connecting the first molecule with the second molecule. The bioconjugate is self-assembled into particles, which are disassembled when the temperature is increased. Also provided is a method for delivering a bioconjugate to a target matrix, comprising (a) introducing a bioconjugate self-assembled into particles to a target matrix, wherein the bioconjugate comprises a first molecule comprising an elastin-like peptide (ELP), a second molecule capable of self-associating into an oligomer, and a linker connecting the first molecule with the second molecule, and (b) increasing the temperature of the target matrix to disassemble the particles at the target matrix.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for generating spectral computed tomography data for spectral X-ray image reconstruction using of pixelated k-edge apertures. A method is provided for generating a spectral computed tomography. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of X-ray beams; encoding the plurality of X-ray beams by transmitting the plurality of beams through a pixelated K-edge coded aperture structure; detecting the encoded plurality of X-ray beams; and reconstructing a spectral CT image from the encoded plurality of X-ray beams.

Abstract: Medical treatment simulation systems and devices are disclosed. One device includes an overlay, a simulated treatment structure, at least one feedback device, and at least one processor. The overlay is configured to be secured to the live subject and to cover at least a portion of a body of the live subject. The simulated treatment structure is configured to simulate a structure associated with the medical procedure. The at least one feedback device is configured to provide a feedback signal to the live subject. The at least one processor is connected to the simulated treatment structure and the at least one feedback device. The processor is programmed to to operate the feedback device to provide the feedback signal based upon input generated from interaction between a treatment provider and the simulated treatment structure. The disclosed devices may be used to simulate intravenous, catheter, defibrillation, and/or thoracic treatments.

Abstract: Methods that include acylating an aromatic containing compound by reacting the aromatic containing compound with an anhydride containing compound to form an acylated aromatic containing compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device comprising a PHA based copolymer layer comprising at least one of an electrospun ribbon of fibers of a polyhydroxyalkanoate based copolymer or the polarized polymeric composition obtained by the process of claim 1, wherein the layer is configured to exhibit one or more of a piezoelectric effect, a pyroelectric effect and a ferroelectric effect, wherein each of the electrospun ribbon of fibers and the polarized polymeric composition comprises a ?-form of the PHA based copolymer present in an amount of from about 10% to about 99%, as measured by x-ray diffraction. The device can be configured for use as a sensor, a actuator, a nanomotor, or a biobattery.