Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for exon replacement in a cell or a subject. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to isolated nucleic acids (and vectors, such as rAAV vectors) encoding one or more guideRNAs (gRNAs) that target an intron-exon boundary; an intronic sequence having a splice signal; and a donor sequence encoding a gene product of a gene of interest, or portion thereof. In some embodiments, compositions described herein are useful for replacing mutant exons associated with certain diseases, for example Duchen's muscular dystrophy (DMD), cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Rett syndrome, and mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS).

Abstract: A memristive device includes a biomaterial comprising protein nanowires and at least two electrodes in operative arrangement with the biomaterial such that an applied voltage induces conductance switching. An artificial neuron or an artificial synapse includes a memrisitive device with the electrodes configured to apply a pulsed voltage configured to mimic an action-potential input.

Abstract: To overcome the problem of a diffractive surface having a large, and often excessively large, amount of chromatic aberration, an optical system can use multiple cascaded or sequential diffractive surfaces that, combined, have a reduced amount of chromatic aberration. The optical system can be designed such that all rays traversing the optical system and passing through the diffractive surfaces have an equal optical path length. In the design process, the sets of rays are identified, and the designs of the diffractive surfaces are selected to produce the angular deviations to produce the identified ray paths. In one example, an achromatic lens formed as two annular optical surfaces can receive a collimated incident beam, redirect rays helically at the first surface toward the second surface, and redirect the rays at the second surface toward a focal point. The azimuthal redirection can decrease with increasing distance away from a central axis.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound closure devices, systems and methods. Embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting under negative pressure to provide for movement of the surrounding tissues. Some embodiments may utilize a stabilizing structure with a plurality of cells configured to collapses more in the x-direction than in the y-direction.

Abstract: Traversing a vehicle transportation network includes operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance. The scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model of a distinct vehicle operational scenario. Operating the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes identifying a multi-objective policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model. The multi-objective policy may include a relationship between at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes receiving a candidate vehicle control action associated with each of the at least two objectives. Traversing the vehicle transportation network includes selecting a vehicle control action based on a buffer value.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for treating certain diseases associated with the presence of one or more premature stop codons in a gene, for example dominantly inherited diseases or recessively inherited diseases. In some embodiments, compositions comprise a vector (e.g., a viral vector, such as an rAAV vector) encoding one or more synthetic suppressor transfer RNAs (tRNAs) configured to read-through certain stop codons (e.g., premature stop codons). In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for treating Hurler syndrome comprising administering such vectors to a subject.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for regulation of transgene (e.g., miRNAs, shRNAs or coding sequences) expression from viral vectors. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides expression constructs comprising a viral vector encoding one or more transgenes, the expression of which is regulated by a rapamycin/rapalog-based system.

Abstract: A surgical elevator device that can be used in the reduction of bone fractures, particularly facial bone fractures, and even more particularly zygomatic arch fractures. The elevator device enables accurate measurement of the depth of insertion of the device into tissue space and provides tactile control of fracture location and reduction. In one embodiment, the elevator device comprises a groove on an elevator element for receiving a bone structure. The groove can be formed by a pair of parallel ridges. A projection extending from the elevator provides a pivot point for applying a controlled force to the bone to reduce the fracture. A preferred embodiment further comprises a method of reducing a bone fracture, such as a zygomatic arch fracture.

Abstract: The invention provides novel zwitterionic monomers and polymers (including copolymers) with pendent phosphonium-based zwitterionic moieties, and compositions and products comprising same, as well as related methods and uses of the compositions, for example, as surfactants, coatings, and interlayer materials, biomedical materials or agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for rAAV-mediated delivery of a transgene to a subject. In some embodiments, the rAAV transduces the prostate tissue of a subject. In some embodiments, the methods are useful for treatment of prostate disease (e.g., prostatitis, BPH, prostate cancer).

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to adeno-associated virus capsid proteins isolated from an in vivo library and recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) comprising the same. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding AAV capsid proteins isolated from an in vivo library. In some embodiments, rAAVs and compositions described by the disclosure are useful for delivery of one or more transgenes to the muscle-tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensors useful for detection of heavy metals are described. The electrochemical sensors can be made by forming a layer of graphene oxide on a working electrode, forming a layer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the layer of graphene oxide, and forming a layer of gold nanostars on the layer of CNTs.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a recombinant adeno-virus encoding an anti-Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) agent in a cell or subject (e.g., rAAV2.7m8-KH902). In some embodiments, compositions described herein are useful for treating subjects having diseases associated with angiogenesis or aberrant VEGF activity/signaling.

Abstract: Aspects relate to patterned nanostructures having a feature size not including film thickness of below 5 microns. The patterned nanostructures are made up of nanoparticles having an average particle size of less than 100 nm. A nanoparticle composition, which, in some cases, includes a binder, is applied to a substrate. A patterned mold used in concert with electromagnetic radiation function to manipulate the nanoparticle composition in forming the patterned nanostructure. In some embodiments, the patterned mold nanoimprints a pattern onto the nanoparticle composition and the composition is cured through UV or thermal energy. Three-dimensional patterned nanostructures may be formed. A number of patterned nanostructure layers may be prepared and joined together. In some cases, a patterned nanostructure may be formed as a layer that is releasable from the substrate upon which it is initially formed.

Abstract: A diffusive memristor device and an electronic device for emulating a biological neuron is disclosed. The diffusive memristor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode formed opposite the bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer comprises an oxide doped with a metal.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a resin having a structure of at least one of Formula I and Formula II: In Formula I or Formula II R1, R3, R4, R5, and R6 can each be independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C10)alkyl. R2 is (C1-C10) alkylene. L is a substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C10)alkylene or (C3-C10)cycloalkylene. In Formula I or Formula II, n or m is greater than or equal to 0, and wherein the resin has an average molecular weight of less than 10,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant AAV variant (e.g., variant serotype 3B (AAV3B)) capsid proteins and variant capsid protein-containing viral particles with enhanced ability to transduce hepatic cells. Viral particles containing these capsid variants are capable of evading neutralization by the host humoral immune response. The recombinant AAV3B variant proteins and viral particles disclosed herein were identified from a variant AAV3B capsid library that was engineered by making substitutions in only the variable regions of the capsid. Some embodiments of the AAV3B capsid variants disclosed herein comprise the AAV3B-G3 variant and the AAV3B-E12 variant. Compositions of these variant AAV particles are provided that are useful for transducing and delivering therapeutic transgenes to cells, such as liver cells, and thus treat diseases and disorders pertaining to these cells.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for expressing anti-Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) agent in a cell or subject. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides rAAVs comprising a capsid protein (e.g., AAV2 variants, AAV2/3 hybrid variants, AAV8 variants, etc.), and a transgene encoding an anti-VEGF agent (e.g., KH902) and one or more regulatory sequences. In some embodiments, compositions described herein are useful for treating subjects having diseases associated with angiogenesis or aberrant VEGF activity/signaling.

Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.

Abstract: A processor is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory to determine, in response to identifying vehicle operational scenarios of a scene, an action for controlling the AV, where the action is from a selected decision component that determined the action based on level of certainty associated with a state factor; generate an explanation as to why the action was selected, such that the explanation includes respective descriptors of the action, the selected decision component, and the state factor; and display the explanation in a graphical view that includes a first graphical indicator of a world object of the selected decision component, a second graphical indicator describing the state factor, and a third graphical indicator describing the action.