Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating inflammatory diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof. In certain aspects, the invention relates to immunogenic compositions (e.g., vaccines) to diminish the number or pathogenic effects of one or more bacteria associated with the development or progression of an inflammatory disease or disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which function as antibody mimetic compounds. These compounds are bifunctional/multifunctional compounds which contain at least one cancer cell binding moiety which selectively binds to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and a FC receptor binding moiety which modulates an FC immune receptor, preferably a Fc?RI receptor. Compounds according to the present invention bind selectively to cancer cells which upregulate PSMA and through that interaction, place the Fc receptor binding moiety of the compound in proximity to a Fc receptor, preferably a Fc?RI receptor, which can modulate (preferably, upregulate) a humoral response in a patient to cancer cells. Through this biological action of the compounds according to the present invention, cancer cells, including metastatic cancer cells, especially prostate cancer cells can be immune regulated, resulting in the favorable therapy of cancer in a patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic helminths.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-step tapered applicator, which can be used to deliver high-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy to a female patient's vagina post-hysterectomy. In certain embodiments, once inserted through the female patient's vaginal opening (or introitus), the applicator of the invention causes less physical discomfort to the female patient than currently available applicators. In other embodiments, the applicator is used in a female patient whose vaginal apex is larger in diameter than her vaginal introitus.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include chip-scale laser sources, such as semiconductor laser sources, that produce directional beams with low spatial coherence. The lasing modes are based on the axial orbit in a stable cavity and have good directionality. To reduce the spatial coherence of emission, the number of transverse lasing modes can be increased by fine-tuning the cavity geometry. Decoherence is reached in as little as several nanoseconds. Such rapid decoherence facilitates applications in ultrafast speckle-free full-field imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel inhibitors of MIF tautomerase activity. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are useful in treating or preventing inflammatory and/or auto-immune diseases. In other embodiments, the compounds of the invention are useful in reversing, ameliorating, and/or preventing tumor growth. In yet other embodiments, the compounds of the invention are useful in reversing, ameliorating, and/or preventing angiogenesis.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are methods of dosing opioid receptor agonists for treatment of opioid dependence and pain management.

Abstract: Multivalent CT or MR contrast agents and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The agents contain a moiety, such as a polymer, that provides multivalent attachment of CT or MR contrast agents. Examples include, but are not limited to, multivalent linear polymers, branched polymers, or hyperbranched polymers, such as dendrimers, and combinations thereof. The dendrimer is functionalized with one or more high Z-elements, such as iodine. The high Z-elements can be covalently or non-covalently bound to the dendrimer. The dendrimers are confined in order to enhance CT contrast. In some embodiments, the moiety is confined by encapsulating the dendrimers in a material to form particles, such as nanoparticles. In other embodiments, the dendrimer is confined by conjugating the moiety to a material, such as a polymer, which forms a gel upon contact with bodily fluids.

Abstract: A superconducting device includes two nodes and a Josephson junction coupled between the two nodes, wherein the Josephson junction is characterized by a superconducting phase difference, ?, wherein the superconducting device has a potential that varies as a function of the superconducting phase difference, ?, and has a single potential well. The potential has a non-zero cubic term and quartic term is zero. The Josephson junction may be a single small Josephson junction. The superconducting device may include a superconducting ring connected between the two nodes. The superconducting ring may include a first ring portion with a plurality of large Josephson junctions connected in series. The superconducting ring may also include a second ring portion that includes the single small Josephson junction in parallel with the plurality of large Josephson junctions between the two nodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides Genome-Scale T Cell Activity Arrays (GS-TCAA), as well as methods of making these arrays and methods of using them to identify immune modulators.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel transition-metal precatalysts that are useful in preparing active coupling catalysts. In certain embodiments, the precatalysts of the invention are air-stable and moisture-stable. The present invention further provides methods of making and using the precatalysts of the invention.

Abstract: The clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is difficult to predict. Described herein is a peripheral blood 52-gene expression signature useful to improve outcome prediction in IPF.

Abstract: Methods and structures for forming epitaxial layers of Ill-nitride materials on patterned foreign substrates with low stacking fault densities are described. Semipolar and nonpolar orientations of GaN that are essentially free from stacking faults may be grown from crystal-growth facets of a patterned substrate. Etching can be used to remove stacking faults if present. Crystal growth with an impurity can eliminate crystal growth from a facet that is responsible for stacking fault formation and permit substantially stacking-fault-free growth of the Ill-nitride material.

Abstract: Described herein are example methods and systems for neuro-behavioral relationships in dimensional geometric bedding (N-BRIDGE), which includes a comprehensive, data-driven analytic framework for mapping the multi-dimensional relationships between neural and behavioral features in humans N-BRIDGE allows mapping of variations along newly-defined data-driven behavioral dimensions that capture the geometry of behavioral/symptom variation to variation in specific neural features.

Abstract: A nanowire may be isolated from a bacterium, wherein the nanowire includes c-type heme subunits or pili proteins and is capable of establishing an electrical connection with an insoluble electron acceptor. The c-type heme subunits may comprise OmcS or OmcZ cytochrome subunits or any combination thereof. The pili proteins may have an amino acid sequence with at least one residue modified, from a wild-type strain of the microorganism, to include an aromatic amino acid. The nanowire may have metallic or semiconducting conductive properties, and may be integrated into an electronic device.

Abstract: The invention provides kinase substrates and methods comprising their use.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing robust quantum logic gates are provided and described. In some aspects, a quantum logic gate between a plurality of cavities comprising a first cavity and a second cavity is implemented by performing a first beam splitter operation between the first cavity and the second cavity using a coupling transmon that is dispersively coupled to both the first cavity and the second cavity, and performing a controlled phase shift operation between the second cavity and an ancilla transmon that is dispersively coupled to the second cavity but not dispersively coupled to the first cavity.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring tRNASec and methods of using them for recombinant expression of proteins engineered to include one or more selenocysteine residues are disclosed. The non-naturally occurring tRNASec can be used for recombinant manufacture of selenocysteine containing polypeptides encoded by mRNA without the requirement of an SECIS element. In some embodiments, selenocysteine containing polypeptides are manufactured by co-expressing a non-naturally occurring tRNASec a recombinant expression system, such as E. coli, with SerRS, EF-Tu, SelA, or PSTK and SepSecS, and an mRNA with at least one codon that recognizes the anticodon of the non-naturally occurring tRNASec.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some embodiments, methods relating to assessing increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), and/or the likelihood of responding to particular AF therapies using imaging agents comprising an MMP inhibitor linked to an imaging moiety. The invention further provides methods for evaluating the presence of the risk of developing other cardiovascular conditions and assessing the effectiveness of treatment or other intervention for such conditions by determining MMP levels.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical composition containing poly(bile) acid (PBA) polymers for oral delivery of agent(s) show enhanced uptake by the pancreas, liver, and colon. These nanoparticles show significant retention in the pancreas and colon and are therefore useful for selective delivery. The examples demonstrate efficacy of oral administration of insulin to treat diabetes, and oral induction of tolerance by administration of insulin or ovalbumin in combination with rapamycin. Diabetic animals treated with the insulin or insulin with rapamycin showed normalization of blood glucose levels.