Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptide inhibitors of AniA. Pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed that include one or more peptide inhibitors of AniA and/or nucleic acids encoding the same. The pharmacological inhibition of AniA should disable anaerobic respiration and augment the ability of existing antimicrobials to clear the pathogen. Thus, also disclosed are methods of inhibiting and/or treating infection from N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating retinal damage and/or retinal degradation. More specifically, this disclosure relates to methods for treating degradation of the retinal pigment epithelium by administering compositions comprising a nucleoside and/or a nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Abstract: An adiabatic logic-in-memory based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor/magnetic-tunnel-junction (ALiM CMOS/MTJ) circuit utilizes an adiabatic logic based pre-charged sense amplifier (PCSA) to recover energy from its output load capacitors. The ALiM CMOS/MTJ includes a non-volatile magnetic-tunnel-junction (MTJ) based memory. The ALiM CMOS/MTJ also includes a dual rail complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic that performs logic operations in association with the MTJ, and thereby generates logic outputs based on logic inputs. The ALiM CMOS/MTJ also includes the adiabatic PCSA, which is operatively coupled to the dual rail CMOS logic. The adiabatic logic based PCSA includes PCSA circuitry for which an input is a multi-phase power clock, and a charge recovery circuit having the output load capacitors. The charge recovery circuit is operatively coupled to the PCSA circuitry such that the ALiM CMOS/MTJ circuit uses the power clock to recover energy from the output load capacitors.

Abstract: Compounds for use in a rechargeable battery are provided, including a compound according to the formula: wherein R1 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, perfluoroaryl, perfluoroalkyl, alkylaryl, alkoxyaryl, alkylcarboxyl, aryl carbonyl, haloalkyl, perfluoroalkyl, glycols, haloaryl, a negative electrolyte, and a polymer, so long as when R1 is H, R9 is not H; and R10 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkoxyaryl, alkylcarboxyl, aryl carbonyl, haloalkyl, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroaryl, glycols, haloaryl, an oligomer, and a polymer.

Abstract: A low-cost compact fiberless diffuse speckle contrast flowmeter includes a small laser diode and a 2-dimensional imaging device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) for directly contacting the tissue and measuring a parameter such as blood flow in a deep/thick volume of tissue (up to 10 mm depth). The small laser diode is fixed at a certain distance (0 to 20 mm) from the imaging device and directly contacts the tissue. Light emitted from the laser diode penetrates through the tissue and reflects back to the imaging device without passing through any lenses or fibers. One or more additional laser diodes may be added for producing light at different wavelengths, and the combination of measurements taken by the imaging device at the different wavelengths allows for measuring additional parameters, such as both blood flow and blood oxygenation.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to an artificial RNA nanostructure and method of use thereof. In particular, the presently-disclosed subject matter relates to RNA nanoparticles and RNA dendrimers, and methods of disease diagnosis and treatments using the RNA nanostructure and RNA dendrimers.

Abstract: The invention is a capacitive, aka electrostatic, deionization apparatus and method that solves the problem of short lifetime of conventional capacitive deionization (CDI) and of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) devices and methods by shifting the Potential of Zero Charge of electrode surfaces through surface modifications. Such electrode surface modifications provide very long lifetime capacitive deionization devices and methods.

Abstract: A method of monitoring for the presence of an oxidizing chemical species in an aqueous or non-polar environment includes steps of exposing a structured compound semiconductor material to the oxidizing chemical species in the environment and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the structured compound semiconductor material upon exposure to the oxidizing chemical species. The structured compound semiconductor material is a phytate scaffold material and a metal dopant.

Abstract: A method of monitoring for the presence of a hydroperoxide in an aqueous or non-polar environment includes steps of exposing a structured compound semiconductor material with peroxidase activity to the hydroperoxide in the environment and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the structured compound semiconductor material with peroxidase activity upon exposure to the hydroperoxide. The luminescence emitting semiconductor material with peroxidase activity consists of a primary semiconductor material with a dopant prepared on a phytate scaffold.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter relates to RNA-based composition and method to treat gastric cancer in a subject. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a RNA nanostructure and composition containing a multiple branched RNA nanoparticle, a gastric cancer targeting module, and an effective amount of a therapeutic agent. Further, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to a method of using the RNA nanoparticle composition to treat gastric cancer in a subject having or at risk of having gastric cancer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for measuring 3D apparatus (e.g., manual tool or tool accessory) orientation. Example implementations use an auto-nulling algorithm that incorporates a quaternion-based unscented Kalman filter. Example implementations use a miniature inertial measurement unit endowed with a tri-axis gyro and a tri-axis accelerometer. The auto-nulling algorithm serves as an in-line calibration procedure to compensate for the gyro drift, which has been verified to significantly improve the estimation accuracy in three-dimensions, especially in the heading estimation.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes isolated polypeptides that comprise a butyrylcholinestrase (BChE) polypeptide and a second polypeptide. The BChE polypeptide as well as the second polypeptide can be variants and/or fragments thereof. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes a pharmaceutical composition that comprises the present isolated polypeptide and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Further still, methods are provided for treating cocaine-induced conditions, and comprise administering the isolated polypeptide and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to an individual.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process is disclosed for generating a labeled overhead image of a geographical area. A plurality of ground level images of the geographical area is retrieved. A ground level feature map is generated, via a ground level convolutional neural network, based on features extracted from the plurality of ground level images. An overhead image of the geographical area is also retrieved. A joint feature map is generated, via an overhead convolutional neural network based on the ground level feature map and features extracted from the plurality of ground level images. Geospatial function values at a plurality of pixels of the overhead image are estimated based on at least the joint feature map and the overhead image. The plurality of pixels of the overhead image is labeled according to the estimated geospatial function values.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing modified mutant yeast and the resulting yeast that can be used as a platform for terpene production. The method includes chemical mutagenesis to effect ergosterol dependent growth in yeast. Subsequently, these yeast are subjected to an erg9 knockout mutation to thereby produce ergosterol dependent growth/erg9 knockout mutation yeast cell lines. The resulting yeast are well suited for use in the production of terpenes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.

Abstract: Methods for making an electrode, such as a negative electrode or a positive electrode, for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, are provided. The method includes a cross-linking step and a carbonizing step. The cross-linking step includes cross-linking a first mixture including a polymeric binder and an electroactive material including silicon, lithium, graphite, and a combination thereof to form a cross-linked intermediate electrode. The cross-linked intermediate electrode includes the electroactive material dispersed within the polymeric binder, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric binder is cross-linked. The carbonizing step includes plasma treating the cross-linked intermediate electrode or exposing the cross-linked intermediate electrode to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A system for determination of intraocular pressure includes: an intraocular pressure sensor; a light source illuminating the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and a detector that measures emitted light from the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate member, a spacer member, and a flexible membrane, which define a sealed cavity. The flexible membrane moves in response to intraocular pressure changes. A device for measuring intraocular pressure includes: the sensor; an anchoring member attached to the sensor for immobilizing the sensor in an eye; and a protective member attached to the anchoring member and covering the sensor to prevent contact between the flexible membrane and the eye. A method for determination of intraocular pressure includes: placing the sensor in an eye; illuminating, with a light source, the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and detecting, with a detector, a resultant light that contains information about intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injectable system combining a hydrogel, a bioceramic and a degradable matrix that provides for sustained drug delivery and structural support to recovering tissue, such as bone and the periodontium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treatment of a disease or pathology of the central nervous system, an eating disorder, or substance use disorder, drug dependence/abuse and withdrawal therefrom comprising administering at least one N-phenylalkyl amphetamine derivative and pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one N-phenylalkyl amphetamine derivative to an individual in need thereof.