Abstract: The present disclosure includes refactored thaxtomin biosynthetic gene clusters including thaxtomin modules including one or more thaxtomin genes such that the expression of the refactored thaxtomin biosynthetic gene cluster produces at least one thaxtomin compound in the absence of thaxtomin-inducing conditions. Also included are genetically engineered Streptomyces bacterium from a non-pathogenic Streptomyces strain comprising an exogenous, refactored thaxtomin biosynthetic gene cluster of the present disclosure, such that the expression of the refactored thaxtomin biosynthetic gene cluster provides the genetically engineered Streptomyces bacterium with the ability to produce at least one thaxtomin compound in the absence of thaxtomin-inducing conditions. The present disclosure also includes methods of producing thaxtomin compounds, analogs, or intermediate with the refactored thaxtomin biosynthetic gene clusters and genetically engineered bacteria of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The methods, compositions, and kits of the disclosure provide a novel approach for a whole genome, unbiased DNA analysis method that can be performed on limited amounts of DNA. can be used to analyze DNA to determine its modification status. Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for amplifying bisulfite-treated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules comprising: (a) ligating an adaptor to the DNA molecules, wherein the adaptor comprises a RNA polymerase promoter comprising bisulfite-protected cytosines; (b) treating the ligated DNA molecules with bisulfite; (c) hybridizing the bisulfite-treated DNA molecules with a primer; (d) extending the hybridized primer to make double stranded DNA; and (e) in vitro transcribing the double-stranded DNA to make RNA.

Abstract: A method of deploying a neural network on a target device method includes extracting a number of device dependent error masks from the target device, using the number of device dependent error masks in a training phase of the neural network to generate a device dependent weight matrix for the neural network, and storing the device dependent weight matrix in the target device for use by the target device to perform inference tasks using the neural network.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for producing human hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are transgenic rats for the expansion of human hepatocytes, such as those produced using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for in vivo tissue evaluation includes an elongated manipulator including an elongated proximal tube and an articulable distal portion, and a sensor provided at a distal end of the articulable distal portion, the sensor including a sensor head configured to be pressed against tissue and measure a reaction force of the tissue.

Abstract: A process for producing a material in the form of nanosheets by ball milling of crystals of the material, wherein the ball milling takes place in the presence of a reactive gas.

Abstract: A method for preparing all-solid-state photonic crystal fiber preform by extrusion by aligning the center of the first jacking end of the first jacking rod with the center of the core outlet mold. The adverse effect on this part of extruded core glass by oxygen or other impurities in air during the extrusion out of the core outlets can be avoided. The defects on the core glass surface and the cladding glass surface can be effectively removed, and the purity and quality of the core component in the obtained fiber preform can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Also disclosed are various medical devices for in vivo medical procedures. Included herein, for example, is a surgical robotic device having an elongate device body, a right robotic arm coupled to a right shoulder assembly, and a left robotic arm coupled to a left shoulder assembly.

Abstract: Preparation, characterization, and an electrochemical study of Mg0.1V2O5 prepared by a novel sol-gel method with no high-temperature post-processing are disclosed. Cyclic voltammetry showed the material to be quasi-reversible, with improved kinetics in an acetonitrile-, relative to a carbonate-, based electrolyte. Galvanostatic test data under a C/10 discharge showed a delivered capacity >250 mAh/g over several cycles. Based on these results, a magnesium anode battery, as disclosed, would yield an average operating voltage ˜3.2 Volts with an energy density ˜800 mWh/g for the cathode material, making the newly synthesized material a viable cathode material for secondary magnesium batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining endonuclease activity in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining viable pathogenic bacteria in a sample based on patterns of endonuclease activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanoparticles comprising a lipid core comprising a sterol; and a complex comprising a cationic agent and a therapeutic agent, wherein the complex is encapsulated within the lipid core. Methods to produce the nanoparticle comprise: combining a cationic agent, a therapeutic agent, and a first water-immiscible solvent with a first aqueous solution, thereby forming a mixture comprising a complex comprising the cationic agent and the therapeutic agent; combining the mixture with a second waterim-miscible solvent, thereby forming an aqueous phase and an organic phase, and separating the organic phase comprising the complex; combining the organic phase comprising the complex with a sterol and a first water-miscible organic solvent; and dispersing the complex in a second aqueous solution to form a herein disclosed nanoparticle. Methods for treating a disease and for reducing nanoparticle burst rate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, components, and compositions for cell-free synthesis of glycosylated carrier proteins. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be utilized in vaccines, including anti-bacterial vaccines. The glycosylated carrier proteins may include a bacterial polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier, which may be utilized to generate an immune response in an immunized host against the polysaccharide conjugated to the carrier. The glycosylated carrier proteins may be synthesized in cell-free glycoprotein synthesis (CFGpS) systems using prokaryote cell lysates that are enriched in components for glycoprotein synthesis such as oligosaccharyltransferases (OSTs) and lipid-linked oligosaccharides (LLOs) including OSTs and LLOs associated with synthesis of bacterial O antigens.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compositions, methods and kits that can be used for the treatment or amelioration of pain and fever.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention relate to modified hemoglobin proteins comprising at least one modification (e.g., at the thiol group of an exogenous amino acid residue) for homogenous conjugation of one or more polymeric moieties e.g. polyethylene glycol or derivatives thereof. Also included herein are methods of using such modified proteins and compositions comprising such proteins, e.g. in therapy.

Abstract: The system includes a robot multi-jet system having a spray section, a drier section, and a catalyst section. The drier section includes a warm air blower, the catalyst section includes a photocatalyst tank, and the spray section includes a plurality of jet extensions. A first jet extension connected to the photocatalyst tank sprays a uniform layer of a photocatalyst through a first set of jets, and a second jet extension that is mechanically connected to the drier section and in fluid communication with the warm air blower is configured to spray a gas onto an inner surface of the glass tube with a second set of jets. Both the drier section and the catalyst section are mounted on wheels to move the system on the inner surface of the glass tube. A motor is electrically connected to a battery mounted within the robot and mounted to the wheels.

Abstract: Devices for treating a bone and methods of inserting such devices into a bone are disclosed. A device for treating a bone may include a flexible tube, a stiffening mechanism and an actuator. The flexible tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The stiffening mechanism within the flexible tube is configured to cause the flexible tube to become rigid. The actuator is configured to cause the stiffening mechanism to cause the flexible tube to become rigid in response to the actuator being actuated.

Abstract: Intelligence guided system and method for fruits and vegetables processing includes a conveyor for carrying produces, various image acquiring and processing hardware and software, water and air jets for cutting and controlling the position and orientation of the produces, and a networking hardware and software, operating in synchronism in an efficient manner to attain speed and accuracy of the produce cutting and high yield and low waste produces processing. The 2nd generation strawberry decalyxing system (AVID2) uniquely utilizes a convolutional neural network (AVIDnet) supporting a discrimination network decision, specifically, on whether a strawberry is to be cut or rejected, and computing a multi-point cutline curvature to be cut along by rapid robotic cutting tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI), nucleic acids encoding the GECI, and host cells comprising the GECI. The present disclosure also provides methods of detecting a change in the intracellular concentration of a cell expressing a GECI of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fusion proteins for use in treating an inflammatory or immune disorder and methods of use. In some examples, the fusion proteins include an anchor domain and a therapeutic polypeptide. In some examples, the fusion proteins and methods herein can be used to treat inflammatory or immune disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector proteins, nucleic acids encoding same, and compositions comprising same. The present disclosure provides ribonucleoprotein complexes comprising: an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure; and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modifying a target nucleic acid, using an RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas effector protein of the present disclosure and a guide RNA. The present disclosure provides methods of modulating transcription of a target nucleic acid.