Abstract: A computerized technique for program simplification and specialization combines a partial interpretation of the program based on a subset of program functions to obtain variable states with concrete values at a program “neck.” These concrete values are then propagated as part of an optimization transformation that simplifies the program based on these constant values, for example, by eliminating branches that are never taken based on the constant values.

Abstract: A system and method for creating computed tomography (CT) images includes acquiring or accessing sinogram data and determining a photon count for the sinogram data. The method includes generating unbiased sinogram data from the sinogram data using an unbiased estimator and the photon count and reconstructing a CT image from the unbiased sinogram data.

Abstract: Methods of transferring nanostructures from a first substrate to another substrate using a copolymer polymerized from one or more non-crosslinking monomers and one or more comonomers bearing crosslinkable groups as a transfer medium are provided. Relative to a poly(methyl methacrylate) homopolymer, the crosslinkable copolymers bond more strongly to the first substrate and, as a result, are able to transfer even very narrow nanostructures between substrates with high transfer yields.

Abstract: The present technology provides a system for monitoring quorum-sensing in bacteria comprising bacteria that release at least one membrane-lytic toxin when the bacteria are at a quorum-sensing density; synthetic lipid vesicles comprising an environmentally sensitive indicator, wherein the synthetic lipid vesicles release the environmentally sensitive dye in the presence of an effective amount of the membrane-lytic toxins; and a growth medium; wherein the bacteria and synthetic lipid vesicles are in contact with the growth medium. Methods using the system and compounds discovered with the system (e.g., compounds of Formulas I and II) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transparent, electrically conductive vanadium oxide-based perovskite films and methods of making the vanadium oxide-based perovskite films are provided. Transparent conducting vanadate perovskites are made by forming a layer of amorphous vanadate perovskite precursor around a plurality of nanoscale, crystalline, perovskite oxide seeds and heating the layer of amorphous vanadate perovskite precursor at a temperature that favors lateral vanadate perovskite crystal growth from the perovskite oxide seeds over homogeneous crystal nucleation within the layer of amorphous vanadate perovskite precursor material. The crystallization processes can form the desired vanadate perovskite phase directly or via a transformation in a controlled gas environment from an initial crystallized vanadate perovskite phase that has a higher oxidation state.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a probiotic including the steps of (a) coating a probiotic with a compound or composition of matter dimensioned and configured to increase adhesion of the probiotic to intestinal mucosa; and (b) coating the probiotic of step (a) with a polymer or copolymer that resists degradation in the stomach and at least partially degrades in the small intestine: the composition of matter resulting therefrom, methods of using the composition of matter to deliver probiotics to the small intestine by mouth, and methods of treating colitis and IBD by administering the compositions of matter by mouth to a subject.

Abstract: Antimicrobial diferulates, compositions containing same, and uses of same for inhibiting growth of microorganisms. The antimicrobial diferulates can be used alone or in combination with other antimicrobial agents to inhibit growth of microorganisms such as fungi, oomycetes, and other microorganisms having a glucan-containing cell wall. The antimicrobial diferulates can be included in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of animals or included in agricultural compositions for treatment of plants, crops, and soils.

Abstract: In shotgun proteomics, generally only a fraction of peptides from a parent protein are actually detected. Because a large portion of the protein sequence is not detected, it is often impossible to determine whether the expressed protein is present in a modified, spliced, or truncated form. Provided herein are methods and systems for analyzing polypeptides which allow for the increase of the mean sequence coverage of a protein concomitant with bioinformatics analysis in order to distinguish putative proteoforms with improved amino acid resolution. Aspects of the invention include (1) a deep sequencing strategy to provide more protein sequence coverage than is typically achieved, and (2) a computational approach to view protein expression across its full length and identify regions of the protein that are potentially subject to such regulation. This technology has global utility in proteomics and will be of particular use for the analysis of biosimilar protein drug therapeutics.

Abstract: Mutant thioesterases having enhanced medium chain substrate activity, polynucleotides encoding and configured to express the mutant thioesterases in a transformed host cell, host cells transformed to contain the polynucleotides, and methods of using same.

Abstract: Provided herein are achiral cereblon (CRBN) ligands based on phenyl dihydrouracil that have optimal binding to CRBN without having chiral carbons. Also provided herein are the proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising the CRBN ligands and a protein binder, pharmaceutical compositions containing the PROTACs, and methods of treating diseases using the PROTACs.

Abstract: An engineered yeast strain capable of efficient fermentation of xylose to ethanol, and methods of making and using the strain, are provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to powder spreading and an apparatus therefor. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus having a flexible core and a shell on a surface of the core is used to displace powder in a powder bed. The shell has a low coefficient of friction, for example on the order of 0.10, and may operate to conduct static electricity away from the powder. The shell may be engaged with the powder to displace the powder and form a uniform powder layer having a planer upper surface, as the core is advanced across the powder bed.

Abstract: A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses and methods for rendering haptic environments, such as may be used in rehabilitation. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, haptic rehabilitative movement is effected by providing feedback signals characterizing sensed engagement of a user's lower extremity with a crank coupled to a shaft that is driven by a motor, and controlling movement of the crank in response to the feedback signals. Force may be provided by the motor and shaft, by applying control inputs to the motor that cause the motor and crank to render respective haptic environments while engaged with the user's lower extremity, via rotation of the shaft. The haptic environments may include one or both of impedance-based haptic environments and admittance-based haptic environments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, cells, and compositions for preparing T cell populations and compositions for adoptive cell therapy. In particular, provided herein are methods for efficiently expanding and activating T cell populations for genetic engineering and adoptive T cell immunotherapies. Also provided are cells and compositions produced by the methods and methods of their use.

Abstract: Genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes encoding proteins that inhibit virus infection in cells. The genetically modified CCNT1 gene encodes a protein with a C261Y substitution with respect to the human CCNT1 protein. The genetically modified XPO1 gene encodes a protein with P411T, M412V, and/or F414S substitutions with respect to the human XPO1 protein. The genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes can be introduced in cells. The cells comprising the genetically modified CCNT1 and XPO1 genes can be introduced in a subject with a virus infection to treat the infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for sterile extraction, drying, storage, and transformation of immature and mature maize and monocot embryos. The present disclosure also describes a dried, storable, freezable value added maize and monocot explants.

Abstract: Carbon-based composite materials are provided, such as those comprising at least 80 weight % of graphitic carbon comprising functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds, the graphitic carbon in the form of a mat of randomly entangled elongated structures; not more than 20 weight % of a polymer or a nanofiber thereof, dispersed within the graphitic carbon, the polymer or the nanofiber thereof comprising corresponding functional groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with the functional groups of the graphitic carbon; and a plurality of hydrogen bonds at an interface formed between the graphitic carbon and the polymer or the nanofiber thereof, the plurality of hydrogen bonds formed between the functional groups of the graphitic carbon and the corresponding functional groups of the polymer or the nanofiber thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting T cells are disclosed. Autofluorescence data is acquired from individual cells. An activation value is computed using one or more autofluorescence endpoints as an input. The one or more autofluorescence endpoints includes NAD(P)H shortest fluorescence lifetime amplitude component (?1).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for differentiating podocytes from pluripotent stem cells and from other cell types.