Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cells. More specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions useful for forming three-dimensional human retinal tissue in vitro. In a specific embodiment, an in vitro method for differentiating hiPSCs into three-dimensional retinal tissue comprising functional photoreceptors comprises the steps of (a) culturing the hiPSCs to form aggregates; (b) transitioning the aggregates into a neural induction medium; (c) seeding the aggregates on to extracellular matrix coated cell culture substrates; (d) replacing NIM with a chemically-defined differentiation medium; (e) detaching NR domains; (f) culturing in suspension; and (g) adding animal serum or plasma component and retinoic acid.

Abstract: Methods for delivering discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating and/or analyzing qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a positive/negative phase shift bimetallic zone plate and production method thereof, wherein the positive/negative phase shift bimetallic zone plate comprises: a first metallic material having a positive phase shift; a second metallic material having a negative phase shift at a working energy point; wherein the first metallic material and the second metallic material are alternately arranged, so that the second metallic material replaces the blank portion in a cycle of a traditional zone plate.

Abstract: This invention provides novel tools for surgery on single cells and substrates/devices for delivery of reagents to selected cells. In certain embodiments the substrates comprise a surface comprising one or more orifices, where nanoparticles and/or a thin film is deposited on a surface of said orifice or near said orifice, where the nanoparticles and/or a thin film are formed of materials that heat up when contacted with electromagnetic radiation. In certain embodiments the pores are in fluid communication with microchannels containing one or more reagents to be delivered into the cells.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating ovotoxicity of an individual, including administering an Ulmi cortex extract to an individual in need of treatment. The present disclosure may exhibit an effect of preventing, alleviating, or treating ovarian aging or premature ovarian failure by inhibiting oxidative stress or ovotoxicity of the ovaries.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shielding systems, apparatuses, and method are provided. One apparatus is an example free-space absorber metamaterial that includes a first array of patches disposed at a first plane, a conductive backplane disposed at a structural surface plane, and a first dielectric spacer disposed between the first array of patches and the conductive backplane. A first bandwidth of absorption for the free-space absorber metamaterial may be based on the area of a patch in the first array of patches, the first electrical resistance of a patch in the first array of patches, and the first gap distance taken between the first array of patches and the conductive backplane.

Abstract: Biodegradable antimicrobial films are provided that are solid at room temperature and substantially liquefy in situ after implantation into a mammal, such as a human patient. Methods of using the films to cover a medical device, such as a breast implant, prior to insertion into a subject are also provided.

Abstract: A single-crystalline metal is created on a substrate by liquefying a metal material contained within a crucible while in contact with a surface of the substrate, cooling the metal material by causing a temperature gradient effected in the substrate in a direction that is neutral along the surface of the substrate and, therein, growing the single-crystalline metal in the crucible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a high titer hybrid-virus vector that gives rise to high titer virus like vesicles (VLVs) that can be used as a vaccine. The invention includes compositions and methods of generating an evolved hybrid-virus vector vaccine and selecting high titer VLVs, methods of treating and/or preventing or immunizing against, a specific disease or disorder, and methods of inducing a memory T cell and B cell immune response in a subject administered the VLV composition produced thereby. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition for vaccinating a subject as well as a high titer protein expression system.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are implemented for in vivo use in a living animal. One such method involves stimulating target cells having light-responsive proteins and includes providing an elongated light-delivery structure in a narrow passageway in the animal, the elongated light-delivery structure having separately-activatable light sources located along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure. The method also includes activating less than all the light sources to deliver light to light-responsive proteins adjacent to the activated light sources along the length of the elongated light-delivery structure, thereby stimulating target cells in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising arginine deiminase and their use in a method of reducing aggregation of disordered protein in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for compiling concise expressive design patterns within computer software source code are described. Some implementations can include methods and systems that resolve some problems of implementing design patterns in an OO and/or AO program. The disclosed technique facilitates writing programs that apply design patterns to its structure and behavior, in an easy manner. Some programming language constructs (associated with new keywords, syntax, and semantics) are disclosed that convey the goal of some design patterns in order to allow programmers to implement design patterns simply and concisely. These constructs are added as extensions to a compiler and a compiler-based approach to concise expressive design pattern source code is described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that enable activation of innate immune responses through RIG-I like receptor signaling. The compositions and methods incorporate synthetic nucleic acid pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that comprise elements initially characterized in, and derived from, the hepatitis C virus genome.

Abstract: Indirubin is the major active anti-tumor component of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Indirubin derivatives (IRDs) potently reduce the viabilities of various cancer cells and affect kinase activities. IRDs disclosed herein provide new therapeutics for cancer and conditions regulated by the kinase activities.

Abstract: The measuring cup includes numerous embodiments configured for a user to precisely determine the cup contents without need to lift the cup to one's eye level or to lower the eye level to the level of the cup contents. The various embodiments include folding cups; cups having transparent passages in the wall; cups having adjustably positionable bottoms; cups having level indicator rods in the cup interior extending upward from the cup bottom; cups having one or more filaments extending across the cup interior; cups having rigid level indicators spanning the cup interior; cups having adjustably positionable level indicator tabs therein; cups having buoyant level indicator tabs adjustably positionable in the cup interior; and cups having removable clip-on scales extending down along the interior of the cup wall, the scales having a plurality of attachment points for the removable attachment of a level indicator tab at a desired attachment point.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming noble metal nanoparticles on a support. In particular, the method includes heating precursors of the noble metal nanoparticles in a spiral glass tube reactor to reduce the precursors to form the noble metal nanoparticles on the support.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides of the growth factor receptor HER2, for breaking the tolerance of a host against self HER2. The antigenic polypeptides include HER2 polypeptides with single amino acid substitutions of lysine for glutamine, arginine for glutamine, or aspartic acid for asparagine. Gene expression constructs, vaccine compositions, and immunization methods including the substituted HER2 polypeptides. Methods for immunizing mammalian subjects with heterologous unsubstituted HER2 antigenic polypeptides, including polypeptides of feline and bear HER2. A diagnostic method of determining whether a mammalian subject is sufficiently immunocompetent to respond to immunotherapies directed at breaking tolerance to self HER2.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting order-of-magnitude viral cascades in social networks are disclosed.

Abstract: A reaction method comprising combining a carbonyl-substituted arylboronic acid or ester and an ?-effect amine in aqueous solution at a temperature between about ?5 C to 55 C, and a pH between 2 and 8 to produce an adduct. A process is also provided comprising: contacting a boron compound having a boron atom bonded to a sp2 hybridized carbon conjugated with a cis-carbonyl, the boron having at least one labile substituent, with an ?-effect amine, in a solvent for a time sufficient to form an adduct, which may proceed to further products.