Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating hypertension in a subject are provided, including administering an antisense oligomer effective to reduce expression of cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) enzyme. The antisense oligomer includes phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO), phosphorothioate 2?-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides (PSO), locked nucleic acid nucleotide, locked nucleic acid analog nucleotide, or another modified oligonucleotide backbone or nuclease-resistant backbone. The antisense oligomer is administered transdermally, subcutaneously, or orally, and optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment, the antisense oligomer is an oligomer that is antisense to mRNAs that encode CYP3A5, for instance targeted at the AUG start site of the mRNAs that encode CYP3A5 or at a G4 structure within CYP3A5.

Abstract: Engineered dendritic cell vaccines, and methods of forming and applying same, that may be used as effective immunotherapies for cancers.

Abstract: A method for upgrading coal fines by separating out at least some mineral components is provided. The method comprises the treatment of optionally graded coal fines with microalgae in aqueous medium to form a slurry under conditions that permit adsorption of microalgae onto particles of coal fines. The slurry is treated to separate a first fraction that is rich in coal fines together with adsorbed microalgae thereon from a second fraction that has more mineral components in it than does the first fraction and processing the first fraction to recover upgraded coal fines therefrom. Contacting is preferably carried out in a manner aimed at loading the coal fines generally evenly with microalgae adsorbed thereon in an amount of from 5 to 15% by weight of coal fines. Separation may be carried out by sedimentation, cyclone separation or flotation.

Abstract: Origami- and Kirigami-inspired assembly of predetermined three-dimensional forms is presented in comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies, with examples of a broad range of topologies and material compositions. The resulting engineering options in the construction of functional 3D structures have important implications for advanced microsystem technologies.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for sorting cardiomyocytes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing high-purity cardiomyocytes and a kit used therefor. The present invention provides a method for sorting cardiomyocytes, comprising a step of introducing miRNA-responsive mRNA into a cell group, wherein the miRNA-responsive mRNA consists of a sequence comprising the following (i) and (ii): (i) a nucleic acid specifically recognized by miRNA specifically expressed in cardiomyocytes, and (ii) a nucleic acid corresponding to the coding region of a gene, wherein translation of (ii) the nucleic acid corresponding to the coding region of a gene into protein is regulated by the nucleic acid sequence in (i) above, thereby achieving the aforementioned objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic cell transformed with a construct suitable to overexpress and display on the surface of the probiotic cell a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides. Probiotic-derived vesicles displaying this fusion protein as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the probiotic cells or vesicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wireless power transmission (WPT) systems are provided. According to an embodiment, the WPT system uses one or more power transmitting coils and a receiver for electromagnetically coupled wireless power transfer. The electrodynamic receiver can be in the form of an electrodynamic transducer where a magnet is allowed to oscillate near a receiving coil to induce a voltage in the receiving coil, a piezoelectric transducer where the magnet causes a vibrating structure with a piezoelectric layer to move, an electrostatic transducer where movement of the magnet causes a capacitor plate to move, or a combination thereof. An alternating magnetic field from the transmitting coil(s) excites the magnet in the receiver into mechanical resonance. The vibrating magnet then functions similar to an energy harvester to induce voltage/current on an internal coil, piezoelectric material, or variable capacitor.

Abstract: A cell, isolated nucleic acid, vector, isolated polypeptide, and method of treating a bacterial infection are provided. The cell includes a modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell having a mutation in an A. baumannii gene selected from a mutation that occurs when generating mutations in A. baumanni using transposon mutagenesis. The isolated nucleic acid includes a sequence expressing a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The vector includes the isolated nucleic acid. The isolated polypeptide includes a lpsB, mffT, or GctA polypeptide comprising at least one nucleic acid mutation. The method of treating a bacterial infection includes administering to a subject an effective amount of an Acinetobacter baumannii composition including modified Acinetobacter baumannii cell.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell cathode electrode, comprising a porous skeletal medium, the surface of which medium is modified or otherwise arranged or constructed to induce enhanced activated behaviour, wherein the enhanced activated behaviour is induced by means of increasing the surface area for a given volume of the electrode and/or by increasing the number and/or availability of reactive sites on the electrode. A fuel cell having such a cathode electrode, a method of manufacturing such a cathode electrode, and use of such a cathode electrode in a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Simple ?-hairpin peptides in linear and cyclic form that specifically bind to HIV-1 Trans-Activation Response element (HIV-1 TAR), as well as compositions and use thereof are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of Formula II, and salts thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula II: wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to ten carbon atoms, and wherein R3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having from one to ten carbon atoms, or a halogen. Preferably the compound of Formula II includes wherein R3 is a halogen, and most preferably wherein the halogen is chlorine. Methods of treating a patient with cancer with these compounds are also provided.

Abstract: An antibiofilm composition comprising a compound of formula (A1), (A2) or (A3): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, halo, alkoxy, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfoxy, thiol, carboxy, alkyl carboxy and amido; and X may be O or S, wherein the composition does not comprise a compound of formula (B1) or (B2):

Abstract: A method for estimating a pose of a first object in relation to a second object, the second object comprising a visual marker comprising a plurality of ellipses comprises capturing a video image of the visual marker with an image capture device on the first object, then pre-processing frames of the video image on a graphics processing unit. The method comprises detecting the visual marker by finding contours in the frames to identify the plurality of ellipses and determining that a pattern of the plurality of ellipses match a known pattern of the visual marker. Then the method comprises obtaining coordinates of two or more of the plurality of ellipses of the visual marker, estimating the pose of the first object in relation to the second object by inputting the coordinates of the plurality of ellipses into a pose estimation algorithm, and filtering results of the pose estimation algorithm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring and/or projecting images from and/or to a target area are provided. Such a method or system can includes an optical fiber assembly which may be driven to scan the target area in a scan pattern. The optical fiber assembly may provide multiple effective light sources (e.g., via a plurality of optical fibers) that are axially staggered with respect to an optical system located between the optical fiber and the target area. The optical system may be operable to focus and/or redirect the light from the multiple light sources onto separate focal planes. A composite image may be generated based on light reflected from and/or projected onto the separate focal planes. The composite image may have an extended depth of focus or field spanning over a distance between the separate focal planes while maintaining or improving image resolution.

Abstract: Various examples related to sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) techniques for harmonic and electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise suppression are provided. In one example, a method includes applying a DC offset to a sinusoidal modulation waveform to change an average duty cycle of a switching circuit; and controlling switching of an array of switches of the switching circuit based at least in part upon the offset sinusoidal modulation waveform and a carrier waveform, thereby reducing total energy. In another example, a system includes a switching circuit with an array of semiconductor switches that control application of a voltage source to a load; and controller circuitry that can control switching of the array of semiconductor switches by applying a DC offset to a sinusoidal modulation waveform to change an average duty cycle of the switching circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to crystalline solids having an empirical formula of M2A2X, wherein M is at least one Group IIIB, IVB, VB, or VIB metal, preferably Cr, Hf, Sc, Ti, Mo, Nb, Ta, V, Zr, or a combination thereof; wherein A is Al, Ga, Ge, In, Pb, or Sn, or a combination thereof; and each X is CxNy, where x+y=1. In some particular embodiments, the crystalline composition has a unit cell stoichiometry of Mo2Ga2C.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to nanoparticle drug delivery systems composed of casein (CN) coated nanoparticles, e.g., iron oxide nanoparticles coated with an inner layer and an out layer comprising the milk protein casein. In certain embodiments, drug molecules are incorporated into an inner polymeric layer coating the nanoparticles, which are subsequently coated with a casein containing outer layer, i.e., a layer-by-layer (LBL) construction. Oral administration of these casein coated nanoparticles are contemplated as experiments indicated sufficiently stability in conditions that simulate the conditions of the gut. Drugs that were loaded into the nanoparticle systems were released when the casein outer layer was gradually degraded in the presence of an intestinal protease meant to simulate conditions of the intestine.

Abstract: Halometallate-capped semiconductor nanocrystals and methods for making the halometallate-capped semiconductor nanocrystals are provided. Also provided are methods of using solutions of the halometallate-capped semiconductor nanocrystals as precursors for semiconductor film formation. When solutions of the halometallate ligand-capped semiconductor nanocrystals are annealed, the halometallate ligands can act as grain growth promoters during the sintering of the semiconductor nanocrystals.

Abstract: Present systems and methods are directed to an interactive gaming system that includes a first game environment that includes user input devices that receive first user inputs indicative of team/individual performance of a first set of players, and a second game environment that includes user input devices that receive second user inputs indicative of team/individual performance of a second set of players. The interactive gaming system includes a controller that receives the first and second user inputs, accesses dynamic user profiles that correspond the first and the second set of players, updates the dynamic user profiles based on the first and second user inputs, selects a third set of players from the first and second set of players to qualify for a third game environment, and instructs the third game environment based on a subset of the dynamic user profiles that correspond to the third set of players.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel multi-modality probes for imaging, tracking and analyzing stem cells and related biological samples, and methods of preparation and use thereof. The molecular probes of the invention are constructed, for example, by utilizing (a) the high selectivity of long hydrocarbon chains for binding to plasma membranes of cells, (b) a near-infrared (NIR) dye for optical imaging, and (c) a radionuclide for PET or SPECT imaging. The in vitro and in vivo data of the optical and radiolabeled probes demonstrated their utility for detecting the presence of stem cells with multiple imaging modalities.