Abstract: Described herein are unstructured polypeptides lacking any discernible repeat motif. Also described herein are fusion proteins including at least one of the unstructured polypeptides and at least one binding polypeptide. Further described are methods for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof. The methods may include administering to the subject an effective amount of the fusion protein.

Abstract: To detect a leak in a pipe carrying a fluid, an elastic membrane circumferentially surrounds the pipe. A sensing device detects an expansion state of the membrane and a signaling device indicates the presence of the leak based on the expansion state of the membrane.

Abstract: A device for multi-parameter integrated monitoring of a deep submarine turbidity current primarily includes cement pile pore-pressure monitoring, optical turbidity monitoring, floating ball flow velocity monitoring, and turbidity current sediment sampling, can observe the turbidity, excess pore pressure, flow velocity, and other parameters of the turbidity current, can fulfill simultaneous and real-time transmission for in-situ monitoring, and can complete multiple tasks at the same observing position, so that the situation where the sampling position and the observing position are different due to the movement of an apparatus along with a ship during ordinary work is avoided.

Abstract: Both purinergic signaling through nucleotides such as ATP and noradrenergic signaling through molecules such as norepinephrine regulate vascular tone and blood pressure. Pannexin1 (Panx1), which forms large-pore, ATP-releasing channels, is present in vascular smooth muscle cells in peripheral blood vessels and participates in noradrenergic responses. Using pharmacological approaches and mice conditionally lacking Panx1 in smooth muscle cells, we found that Panx1 contributed to vasoconstriction mediated by the ?1 adrenoreceptor (?1AR), whereas vasoconstriction in response to serotonin or endothelin-1 was independent of Panx1. Analysis of the Panx1-deficient mice showed that Panx1 contributed to blood pressure regulation especially during the night cycle when sympathetic nervous activity is highest. Using mimetic peptides and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified a specific amino acid sequence in the Panx1 intracellular loop that is essential for activation by ?1AR signaling.

Abstract: Methods for identifying and treating cancers that are DNA repair, such as homologous recombination (HR) repair, defective or sensitive to PARP inhibitors or platinum-based therapy. In some aspects, DNA repair, such as HR repair, defective cancers are treated with a PARP inhibitor therapy or cisplatin. Methods for sensitizing cancers to a PARP inhibitor therapy are also provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic cell including a sun tracker, a top surface configured to generate electrical energy from the incident sunlight, and a bottom surface configured to thermally dispel heat generated by the photovoltaic cell; at least one mirror including a reflective surface; a plurality of actuators securing the at least one mirror the photovoltaic cell; at least one actuator pump connected to the plurality of actuators and configured to extend or retract the plurality of actuators and adjust the distance of the at least one mirror from the top surface; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic cell; and a fluid pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate the fluid through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Aspects relate to patterned nanostructures having a feature size not including film thickness below 5 microns. The patterned nanostructures are made up of nanoparticles having an average particle size less than 100 nm. A nanoparticle composition, which, in some cases, includes a binder material, is applied to a substrate. A patterned mold used in concert with electromagnetic radiation manipulate the nanoparticle composition in forming the patterned nanostructure. In some embodiments, the patterned mold nanoimprints a suitable 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: Methods are provided for treating HIV and cancer in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of an mTOR inhibitor. Other methods are provided for treating subjects infected with HIV by administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of the mTOR inhibitor INK128, GSK2126458, AZD2014 or Torin-2.

Abstract: A compound having a structure of Formula I, is provided. In Formula I, Z1 to Z16 are each CR or N; three consecutive ones of Z1 to Z16 within the same ring cannot be N; each R is independently a hydrogen or a substituent selected from a variety of substituents; at least one R includes and electron donor substituent; at least one R includes an electron acceptor substituent; and any two Rs on the same ring can be joined or fused together to form a ring. Organic light emitting devices, consumer products, formulations, and chemical structures containing the compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for studying a Tat gene. Specifically, the disclosure provides a vector comprising a double-stranded nucleic acid construct which comprises a Tat gene and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter element, and further wherein the double-stranded nucleic acid construct comprising AAVS1 (adeno-associated virus integration site, a safe harbor locus) arms that flank on both sides of the Tat gene and the reporter element for integration at the human AAVS1 site by homologus recombination. Further provided are methods of using a cell comprising the vector for studying the effects of exogenous conditions on expression of the Tat gene.

Abstract: The invention is both a product and a method for the safe, harmless and effective remediation of oil spills on water and on land. The oil can then be successfully recovered from the product for use. The invention also allows for the reuse of two waste products—post consumer plastics and coal combustion product—into a material that is used for the clean-up of oil spills and for site remediation. Furthermore, the used product can be reprocessed post use into more usable product.

Abstract: Methods for using compositions comprising a Granzyme B inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for treating and/or preventing blistering and/or peeling of a skin of a subject are provided. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to improve the healing of a blistered or area of peeled skin of a subject. The compositions can be formulated for oral administration, nasal administration, topical administration, subcorneal administration, intra-epidermal administration, sub-epidermal administration; or for administration by injection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous organic polymer-based hydrogen ion conductive material and a method for preparing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous organic polymer (POP)-based material with high proton conductivity that is applicable to a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention can be prepared in an easy and simple manner by microwave treatment and acid treatment requiring short processing time and low processing cost. In addition, the porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention can be developed into a highly proton conductive material having the potential to replace Nafion through a simple post-synthesis modification. Therefore, the porous organic polymer-based proton conductive material of the present invention is suitable for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Abstract: An implant can include a plurality of polymeric fibers associated together into a fibrous body. The fibrous body is capable of being shaped to fit a tracheal defect and capable of being secured in place by suture or by bioadhesive. The fibrous body can have aligned fibers (e.g., circumferentially aligned) or unaligned fibers. The fibrous body can be electrospun. The fibrous body can have a first characteristic in a first gradient distribution across at least a portion of the fibrous body. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members, such as ribbon structural reinforcing members, which can be embedded in the plurality of fibers. The fibrous body can include one or more structural reinforcing members bonded to the fibers with liquid polymer as an adhesive, the liquid polymer having a substantially similar composition of the fibers.

Abstract: Methods of screening agents in a cardiomyocyte population are provided. The cardiomyocyte population may be differentiated from a dystrophin knockout iPSC line. High-throughput methods of screening agents in a cardiomyocyte population that has been differentiated from a dystrophin knockout iPSC line are also provided. The methods may include determining an effect of the agents on membrane barrier function by using a cell viability assay. Methods of making dystrophin knockout iPSC lines, making dystrophin knockout iPSC derived cardiomyocytes, and modeling dystrophin deficient cardiomyopathy are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for a label-free cell analysis based on Brillouin light scattering techniques. Combined with microfluidic technologies according to the present invention, Brillouin spectroscopy constitutes a powerful tool to analyze physical properties of cells in a contactless non-disturbing manner. Specifically, subcellular mechanical information can be obtained by analyzing the Brillouin spectrum of a cell. Furthermore, a novel configuration of Brillouin spectroscopy is provided to enable simultaneous analysis of multiple points in a cell sample.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing and/or treating infection by disrupting interactions at or near the surface of mannosylated pathogens or other pathogens exhibiting carbohydrate-carbohydrate self-interaction, thus enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy such pathogens. In some forms, carrier molecules are provided to delivering polymers or other molecules capable of disrupting intra-cellular interaction and/or self-interaction of surface markers on cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions (e.g., probiotic, pharmaceutical, etc.) comprising one or more strains of non-Clostridia class bacteria and methods of use thereof for allergen desensitization. In particular, bacteria of bacterial classes such as Negativicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidia support allergen desensitization, for example, by promoting production of metabolites that aid in desensitization or performing catabolism of food allergens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating CMV (cytomegalovirus) retinitis in a human patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the human patient a population of allogeneic T cells comprising CMV-specific T cells, wherein the human patient is infected with HIV or has been the recipient of a solid organ transplant.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for editing a genome of a mitochondria or organelle, the method comprising: introducing a DNA fixing template into a mitochondria or organelle comprising a target DNA in the genome of the mitochondria or organelle, such that the DNA fixing template replaces the target DNA, and optionally selecting or screening for a phenotype of an eukaryotic cell comprising the mitochondria or organelle, wherein the DNA fixing template causes the phenotype.