Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibacterial compounds that accumulate in Gram-negative bacteria, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to inhibit or kill microbes, and methods of treating microbial infections, such as Gram-negative bacterial infections. Compounds selected for conversion to potential Gram-negative antibacterial compounds were identified based on compounds having low globularity and low flexibility. Amine substituents were then strategically added to the selected compounds to provide compounds having antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: The CRISPR-Cas12a system is more advantageous than the widely used CRISPR-Cas9 system in terms of specificity and multiplexibility. However, its on-target editing efficiency is typically much lower than that of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Provided herein are methods and compositions for improvement of Cas12a on-target editing efficiency by incorporating 2-aminoadenine (base Z, which alters canonical Watson-Crick base pairing) into the crRNA to increase the binding affinity between crRNA and its complementary DNA target. The resulting CRISPR-Cas12a (named zCRISPR-Cas12a thereafter) shows an on-target editing efficiency comparable to that of the CRISPR-Cas9 system but with much lower off-target effects than the CRISPR-Cas9 system in mammalian cells. In addition, zCRISPR-Cas12a can be used for precise gene knock-in and highly efficient multiplex genome editing. Overall, the zCRISPR-Cas12a systems are superior to the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Abstract: A system for selective electrodeposition for metal recycling includes an electrochemical cell comprising: a fluid including first and second transition metals and a salt at a molar concentration of greater than 1 M; a working electrode in contact with the fluid. where the working electrode has a surface coated with a positively charged polyelectrolyte: and a counter electrode in contact with the fluid and spaced apart from the working electrode. The system also includes a power supply electrically connected to the working and counter electrodes.

Abstract: A method for photoresist-free photolithography to pattern a surface of conductor or semiconductor substrate and deposit a material includes surface cleaning and irradiating a surface through a mask with VUV photons from a lamp. Photons are generated with a VUV lamp having a wavelength of 160 nm-200 nm and with an intensity sufficient to alter the surface. The photons are directed through a mask pattern to alter the surface chemistry or structure in those areas of the substrate defined by the mask. Material is selectively deposited onto the surface, in those portions of the surface that are exposed to the VUV photons, or unexposed to the VUV photons, depending on the substrate surface. A method uses a seed film and then electroplates metal onto the seed film in the mask pattern. A method provides for electroless deposition of metal and another for altering surface chemistry in the mask pattern.

Abstract: The discovery of mutant or fusion kinases that drive oncogenesis, and the subsequent approval of specific inhibitors for these enzymes, has been instrumental in the management of some cancers. However, acquired resistance remains a significant problem in the clinic, limiting the long-term effectiveness of most of these drugs. Herein is demonstrated a strategy to overcome this resistance through drug-induced MEK cleavage (via direct procaspase-3 activation) combined with targeted kinase inhibition. This combination effect is shown to be general across diverse tumor histologies (melanoma, lung cancer, and leukemia) and driver mutations (mutant BRAF or EGFR, fusion kinases EML4-ALK and BCR-ABL). Caspase-3-mediated degradation of MEK kinases results in sustained pathway inhibition and substantially delayed or eliminated resistance in cancer cells in a manner superior to combinations with MEK inhibitors.

Abstract: Composite materials including a macroporous structure having a Voronoi architecture and a microporous biomaterial integrated into the macroporous structure are provided. Methods of making the composite materials and methods of using the materials to treat a bone defect are also provided.

Abstract: Water-filtering compositions including a geopolymer and a sequestration agent are provided herein. Filters including the compositions are further provided. Water filtration systems including the filters are further provided. Processes for the preparation of the compositions are further provided. Methods of reducing an amount of a chemical species from a body of water are further provided. Chemical species that are reduced include neutral or ionic heavy metal species or polyfluorinated chemical species.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified plants including one or more edited open reading frames (uORFs) in endogenous nucleotide sequences encoding photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), or violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE). The present disclosure further relates to methods of producing the genetically modified plants, as well as to isolated constructs and expression cassettes for use in producing the genetically modified plants. In addition, the present disclosure relates to transient screening methods to study gene expression.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that include a full-length influenza A virus matrix 2 (M2) protein, an amphipathic molecule, and at least one phospholipid, which assemble to form a nanodisc, are described. Use of the immunogenic compositions, for example as a universal influenza virus vaccine, is 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: An image sensor capable of recording both spectral and polarization properties of light using a single chip device includes an at least 2048 by 2048 array of superpixels. Each superpixel includes an array of spectral pixels, and an adjacent array of polarization pixels. Each spectral pixel includes a spectral filter and a stack of photodiodes, where each photodiode has a different quantum efficiency and is, therefore, sensitive to a different wavelength of light passed by the spectral filter. Each polarization pixel includes a polarization filter and a stack of photodiodes, similar to the spectral pixel photodiode stacks.

Abstract: A search engine server includes a communication interface through which to receive a multi-modal query from a browser of a client device, the multi-modal query including at least a first image of an item. A processing device, coupled to the communication interface, is to: execute a neural network (NN) regressor model on the first image to identify a plurality of second items that are similar to and compatible with the item depicted in the first image, wherein a set of images correspond to the plurality of second items; generate structured text that explains, within one of a phrase or a sentence, why the set of images are relevant to the item; and return, to the browser of the client device via the communication interface, a set of search results comprising the set of images and the structured text.

Abstract: A dielectric nanolayer capacitor comprises a nanoscale dielectric layer between a cathode layer and an anode layer. When exposed to a high electric field of at least about 0.5 GV/m at a temperature of about 200 K or less, the nanoscale dielectric layer includes an amount of trapped charge sufficient to form a Coulomb barrier for suppressing leakage current. A method of charging a dielectric nanolayer capacitor includes cooling a nanolayer capacitor comprising a nanoscale dielectric layer between a cathode layer and an anode layer to a temperature of about 200 K or less, and applying a high electric field of at least about 0.5 GV/m to the nanolayer capacitor to inject electrons into the nanoscale dielectric layer. While the nanolayer capacitor remains cooled to the temperature, the electrons are trapped in the nanoscale dielectric layer and form a Coulomb barrier to suppress leakage current.

Abstract: A purified surface region of a semiconductor includes a treated surface and comprises a crystalline metal oxide containing an impurity species (e.g., an isotopic impurity or a chemical impurity). The crystalline metal oxide comprises a depletion region extending to a first depth from the treated surface, and an accumulation region adjacent to the depletion region and extending to a second depth greater than the first depth. A concentration of the impurity species is lower in the depletion region than in the accumulation region. An electronic component comprising the purified surface region may be used for thermal management, quantum computing, sensing, and/or light detection.

Abstract: Various embodiments may involve obtaining an image of at least a section of a manufactured part; determining, based on executing a neural network on the image, that the manufactured part was not fabricated according to a specification for the manufactured part, wherein the neural network was trained to associate images of manufactured parts with corresponding indicators of specifications for the manufactured parts; and, in response to determining that the manufactured part was not fabricated according to the specification, generating an electronic alert indicating that the manufactured part was improperly fabricated.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for remotely and non-invasively subjecting targeted biological structures with light emissions or chromogenic changes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds represented by Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, e.g., hydrates, and prodrugs thereof, wherein X and n are as defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure also provides compounds of Formula I for use to treat diseases and conditions, e.g., cancer, wherein inhibition of HDAC provides a benefit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides polynucleotides and vectors for the genomic engineering and editing of non-conventional yeasts such as Issatchenkia orientalis. The polynucleotides and vectors can be used as tools that are efficient to alter the expression of one or more gene products in the yeast, and specifically to induce the production of organic acids or other bioproducts of interest in the yeast.

Abstract: Porous structures and processes for generating porous structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a porous structure includes a target surface, a photoresist material deposited onto the target surface, and a metal electrodeposited onto the target surface and the photoresist material. An electrodeposition of metal generates a metal porous structure and the photoresist material is removed through reactive ion etching, generating at least one microchannel through the metal porous structure.

Abstract: The emergence of zoonotic pathogenic viruses has accentuated the need to develop broad-spectrum antivirals and vaccines. Highly modular yeast-based phenotypic platforms for characterization and targeting of RNA capping enzymes from emerging pathogens including coronaviruses, MPV, ASFV, and WNV, are disclosed herein. This platform can identify key amino acid residues and protein domains. Inactivation and attenuation mutations in viral enzymes are also disclosed herein. This platform is applied to vertebrate RNA capping enzymes, demonstrating use for high-throughput phenotypic screening. The disclosed platforms are highly modular and can be adapted for RNA capping enzymes from viruses and variants that emerge in the future.