Abstract: A reactor assembly comprising a reservoir, a reaction chamber, and a valve assembly comprising at least one valve. The reservoir, reaction chamber, and valve assembly are non-magnetic. The valve assembly is adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating viral infections comprising, in one aspect, administering compounds that are phospholipase D inhibitors. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In accordance with the purpose(s) of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention, in one aspect, relates to antiviral therapies. For example, compounds having Phospholipase D activity (e.g., isoform selective Phospholipase D inhibitors) can be useful in antiviral therapies (e.g., influenza treatments).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of influencing, and enhancing, cognitive function by increasing, and/or preventing interference with, Reelin levels as well as Reelin signaling. Cognitive function is improved, in a subject in need thereof, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator or an agonist of a lipoprotein receptor to the subject. The lipoprotein receptor can be selected from candidates such as ApoER2 and VLDLR. As disclosed herein, agonists of the lipoprotein receptor for use with the inventive method include APC, Sep and Fc-RAP. In addition to administering exogenous Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator, such as a recombinant Reelin fragment, can be used to increase Reelin levels and/or signaling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a gold nanorod (GNR) contrast agent in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of a sample are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises separating the OCT image at the location into short and long wavelength halves around a center wavelength of the OCT system, calculating a ratio between the short and long wavelength halves, and indicating a gold nanorod contrast agent at the location based on the ratio. In some examples, spectral fractionation may be employed to further divide the short and long wavelength halves into sub-bands to increase spectral contrast, reduce noise, and increase accuracy in detecting GNR in a sample.

Abstract: A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands.

Abstract: Nuclear Transport Modifiers such as cSN50 and cSN50.1, afford in vivo islet protection following a 2-day course of intense treatment in autoimmune diabetes-prone, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a widely used model of Type 1 diabetes (T1D), which resulted in a diabetes-free state for one year without apparent toxicity and the need to use insulin. cSN50 precipitously reduces the accumulation of islet-destructive autoreactive lymphocytes while enhancing activation-induced cell death of T and B lymphocytes derived from NOD mice. cSN50 attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in immune cells in this model of human T1D. cSN50 also provides cytoprotection of beta cells, therefore preserving residual insulin-producing capacity. Because intracellular delivery of a Nuclear Transport Modifier peptide such as cSN50 and cSN50.1 can result in lowering of fasting blood glucose levels and may ameliorate (e.g.

Abstract: Described are negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGlu2), pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, or autism spectrum disorders in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with dyslipidemia, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, steatohepatitis, atherosclerosis, obesity, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and related aspects of and conditions associated with metabolic syndrome. The compositions and methods disclosed herein are useful for regulating the lipid balance (lipid homeostasis) in a subject. Compositions and methods including a Nuclear Transport Modifier may be administered to a subject to modulate the transport of transcription factors, mediated by nuclear import adaptors, into the nucleus of a cell resulting in a decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and liver, a decrease in atherosclerotic lesion size, a decrease in body weight and in hyperglycemia, a reduction of fatty liver inflammation, and an improvement in liver function.

Abstract: Provided are methods of patterning porous materials on the micro- and nanometer scale using a direct imprinting technique. The present methods of direct imprinting of porous substrates (“DIPS”), can utilize reusable stamps that may be directly applied to an underlying porous material to selectively, mechanically deform and/or crush particular regions of the porous material, creating a desired structure. The process can be performed in a matter of seconds, at room temperature or higher temperatures, and eliminates the requirement for intermediate masking materials and etching chemistries.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a composite membrane includes: forming a first polymer solution from a first polymer and a second polymer solution from a second polymer, respectively, where the first polymer includes a charged polymer and the second polymer includes an uncharged polymer; electrospinning, separately and simultaneously, the first and second polymer solutions to form a dual fiber mat with first polymer fibers and second polymer fibers; and processing the dual fiber mat by softening and flowing one of the first or second polymer fibers to fill in the void space between the other of the first and second polymer fibers so as to form the composite membrane. In some embodiments, the composite membrane may be a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or an anion exchange membrane (AEM).

Abstract: Provided are compositions for inhibiting a biological activity of an aldoketo reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1 C3) polypeptide. In some embodiments, the compositions are indomethacin derivatives that are AKR1 C3-specific inhibitors. Also provided are methods for producing disclosed indomethacin derivatives that substantially lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but that have AKR1C3 inhibitory activity, methods for inhibiting AKR1C3 polypeptide biological activities, and methods for treating prostate tumors in subjects.

Abstract: Present inventions present composites of bone particles and polyurethane(s), as well as methods of making such composite and uses thereof. A porous composite comprises a plurality of bone particles; and polyurethanes with which the bone particles are combined. To prepare a porous composite, a composition comprise a plurality of bone particles, polyurethane precursors including polyisocyanate prepolymers and polyols, water and catalyst. A composition is either naturally moldable and/or injectable, or it can be made moldable and/or injectable. After implantation or injection, a composition may be set to form a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells. Inventive composites have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength for most orthopedic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provide chemical modulators of insect olfactory receptors. In particular, compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit host targeting functions in insects such as mosquitoes. Method of employing such agents, and articles incorporating the same, are also provided.

Abstract: A robotic system and methods for manipulation of multi-segment continuum robots. The methods relate to contact detection and estimation of contact location along a multi-segment continuum robot.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide or peptidomimetic that is derived from or based upon the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal ?-helix or hypervariable region (HVR) or a Ras protein, a nucleic acid encoding the peptide or peptidomimetic, and methods employing the same.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to 3-benzylquinazolin-4(3H)-one analogs compounds, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1); synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Heat-transfer fluids and lubricating fluids comprising deaggregated diamond nanoparticles are described herein. Also described are composites comprising deaggregated diamond nanoparticles, and methods of making such composites. Method of using deaggregated diamond nanoparticles, for example, to improve the properties of materials such as thermal conductivity and lubricity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating autonomous lower limb devices, including at least one adjustable joint and configured for at least supporting a body are provided. A method includes collecting real-time sensor information associated with the autonomous lower limb device. The method also includes receiving, over a communications link, remote data for at least one other lower limb device configured for supporting the body. The method further includes generating control data for transitioning the autonomous lower limb device from a current state in a current finite state model for operating the autonomous lower limb device to a different state in the current finite state model, where the different state is selected based on the real-time sensor information and the remote data.

Abstract: Methods for regulating the formation of a sulfilimine crosslink in a subject by administering a sulfilimine crosslink modulator are disclosed The sulfilimine modulator may inhibit or create a sulfilimine crosslink and maybe useful for treating a disease, such as cancer The sulfilimine crosslink may be between two or more peptides.

Abstract: A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input.