Abstract: Provided herein are methods related to co-packaging of multiple rAAV particles, e.g., by introducing multiple nucleic acid vectors encoding proteins or polypeptides or RNAs of interest into a single cell preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for single-molecule construction of DNA. The present invention provides for a method comprising: (a) providing a reaction chamber comprising a solid support bound to a single starter double-stranded (ds) DNA molecule comprising a free end, (b) introducing one or more extension molecules and one or more enzymes capable of joining a payload region of an extension molecule to the free end of starter dsDNA molecule to the reaction chamber wherein the extension molecule comprises an cleavable linker.

Abstract: A sandwich structure for enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) from luminescent films and the corresponding preparation method are disclosed. The sandwich structure comprises a support, a luminescent film grown on the support, and a single-layer close-packed microsphere array deposited onto the luminescent film. The microspheres have high transmittance excitation light and emitted light, respectively. The low price of dielectric microspheres is beneficial to industrial applications. The stable chemical properties of dielectric microspheres make PL enhanced in a long term. Both metal and non-metal materials can be used as the support in the sandwich structure. These features significantly improve the technique of PL enhancement for luminescent films.

Abstract: A system combines hyperthermia and radiation treatments in a single treatment modality by using a radioactive seed having magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic properties.

Abstract: A drilling fluid system using retarded acid systems such as gelled acid (VES or polymer) and/or emulsified acid to drill carbonate formations (calcite and dolomite). Foamed acid may be used in low abnormal pressure carbonate reservoirs. The drilling fluid system permits drilling a target hydrocarbon-producing formation with zero-invasion of the drilling fluid system. A method for using the drilling fluid system for fluid loss control during drilling operations.

Abstract: A roofing material composition and a method of applying that roofing material composition using specific angles to deflect infra-red rays and provide aesthetically nice finish is disclosed. The first coat of the roofing material is light in color and the second color may be a light or a dark color. The rough surface is prepared using specific filler, resin and paint to deflect infra-red rays and reduce heating inside a building.

Abstract: A radiofrequency ablation electrode needle includes at least one first segment and at least two second segments. The at least one first segment and the at least two second segments are exposed on a surface of the needle body. An impedance of the at least one first segment is smaller than an impedance of the at least two second segments and at least one of the at least one first segment is disposed between two immediately adjacent ones of the at least two second segments. Besides, the radiofrequency ablation electrode needle is a monopolar electrode needle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for modulating one or more steroidal receptor activities. The methods typically utilize and the pharmaceutical compositions typically include one or more substituted phenyl aziridine precursors, their respective aziridines, analogs thereof, derivatives thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof such as CpdA. The methods and compositions may be used for treating diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with glucocorticoid receptor activity, androgen receptor activity, or both, such as cancers, acne vulgaris, and alopecia.

Abstract: Advanced interconnect technologies such as Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) have become an integral part of 3-D integration. Methods and systems and provided for laser-based acoustic techniques in which a short laser pulse generates broadband acoustic waves that propagate in the TSV structure. An optical interferometer detects the surface displacement caused by the acoustic waves reflecting within the structure as well as other acoustic waves traveling near the surface that has information about the structure dimensions and irregularities, such as voids. Features of voids, such as their location, are also identified based on the characteristics of the acoustic wave as it propagates through the via. Measurements typically take few seconds per site and can be easily adopted for in-line process monitoring.

Abstract: The invention relates to branched polymers which find use in gene therapy applications as nucleic acid transfection agents. In particular, the invention provides biodegradable, hyperbranched polymers which can be used in gene delivery and which provide improved transfection efficiencies which at the same time are safe and non-toxic.

Abstract: A method for localization of a target device within an environment, the method comprising the steps of: (i) receiving, by a target device, a plurality of wireless signals transmitted from one or more anchor devices within the environment; (ii) determining, by a target device, a received signal strength indication for at least some of the received plurality of wireless signals; (iii) estimating, based on the determined received signal strength indications, a distance from the target device to each of the one or more anchor devices from which a wireless signal was received; and (iv) estimating, based on the estimated distances, a location of the target device within the environment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to inorganic halide perovskite nanowires. In one aspect, a first solution comprising cesium oleate or rubidium oleate in a first organic solvent is provided. A second solution comprising a lead halide and a surfactant in a second organic solvent is provided. The halide is selected from a group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The first solution and the second solution are mixed. A reaction between the cesium oleate or the rubidium oleate and the lead halide forms a plurality of nanowires comprising an inorganic lead halide perovskite.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying clinical skill of a user, comprising: collecting data relating to a surgical task done by a user using a surgical device; comparing the data for the surgical task to other data for another similar surgical task; quantifying the clinical skill of the user based on the comparing of the data for the surgical task to the other data for the other similar surgical task; outputting the clinical skill of the user.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (20) and a method for manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric device (20) includes a hot shoe (24) and a cold shoe (28) disposed about the hot shoe. A heat conducting member (32) formed of a thermoelectric material extends between the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) and generates electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The hot shoe (24) is heated and expands at a greater rate than the cold shoe (28) does during operation. The structural and spatial relationship of the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) maintains the thermoelectric material of the heat conducting member (32) in compression during operation of the thermoelectric device (20).

Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a source structure at least partially in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a channel structure over the semiconductor substrate. The source structure is partially covered by the channel structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes a drain structure covering the channel structure. The drain structure and the source structure have different conductivity types. A portion of the channel structure is sandwiched between the source structure and the drain structure. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack partially covering the channel structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hypersphere-based multivariable public key encryption/decryption system, which is composed of an encryption module and a decryption module, wherein the encryption module comprises a processor, and a public key transformation component for transforming plaintext into ciphertext; and the decryption module comprises a processor, a first affine transformation inversion component, a trapdoor component and a second affine transformation inversion component, wherein the trapdoor component comprises a linear equation system construction component and a linear equation system solving component. All components execute corresponding operations, so that a set of data is obtained finally, and the set of data is stored and output as decrypted plaintext; and if the decryption module does not produce data, the processor outputs warning information about a decryption failure to a user. In the system and method of the present invention, the large domain technique is not used.

Abstract: Methods of producing hepatocyte lineage cells are provided. The method can include transfecting a cell with one or more expression vectors. For example, a cell can be transfected with a first expression vector containing a first gene that encodes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA), a second expression vector containing a second gene that encodes CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB), a third expression vector containing a third gene that encodes forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), and a fourth expression vector containing a fourth gene that encodes forkhead box A3 (FOXA3). The method can include culturing the transfected cell obtained in a growth environment. The transfected cell can be cultured in Williams' E medium, ReproFF (feeder-free media maintaining pluripotency) medium, or both. Transfected and/or hepatocyte lineage cells obtained by a method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a T-helper cell (“TH-GM” cell) that is regulated by IL-7/STAT5 and which secrete GM-CSF/IL-3. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for modulating TH-GM function for the treatment of, e.g., inflammatory disorders. Diagnostic and prognostic methods for specifically identifying TH-GM-mediated inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), as distinct from and/or in addition to non-TH-GM-mediated (e.g., TNF-?-mediated) inflammatory disorders, are also provided.

Abstract: An expression vector is disclosed which contains a promoter DNA; a DNA encoding a peptide having a defined amino acid sequence and having secretion signal activity; and a DNA encoding an intended protein or a cloning site for insertion of the DNA encoding an intended protein. An expression vector is also disclosed which contains a promoter DNA; a DNA encoding any peptide having a defined amino acid sequence and having secretion signal activity; a DNA encoding an intended protein or a cloning site for insertion of the DNA encoding an intended protein; and a DNA encoding an anchor domain. The peptide having secretion signal activity allows for secretory production and cell surface display of a protein with high activity, in yeast.

Abstract: A fingerprint classification system and method for extracting the dominant singularity from a fingerprint image are described. The fingerprint classification system and method receive as an input a digital fingerprint image and the image is preprocessed to generate an enhanced and more accurate image. Feature pattern calculations are performed on the updated image to generate an Orientation Feature Vector. The Orientation Feature Vector is processed using a Regular Expression Machine classifier prediction model to generate a class label for the digital fingerprint image that was input.