Abstract: Methods and reagents for ameliorating biofilm formation on a surface of an indwelling or implanted device in a patient resulting in decreased virulence of microorganisms such as Candida species and/or Staphylococcus species.

Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gases. The constituent gases and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to duocarmycin-containing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for use in the treatment of human solid tumors expressing HER2, wherein the human solid tumor expressing HER2 is endometrial cancer, in particular uterine serous carcinoma (USC). In particular, the present invention relates to duocarmycin-containing ADCs for use in the treatment of endometrial cancer, notably USC, with HER2 IHC 2? or 1+ and HER2 FISH negative tumor tissue status.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (VAD) system includes one or more external subsystems including an amplifier energizing a drive loop with alternating current, and a Tx resonator inductively coupled to the drive loop. An implanted subsystem includes a VAD, an Rx resonator that forms a magnetically coupled resonator with the Tx resonator, and a load loop for providing power to the VAD that is inductively coupled to the Rx resonator. A sensor monitors the drive loop and a controller uses the sensor data to adjust a system parameter to optimize energy transfer performance. Distributing a plurality of the external subsystems throughout a defined space provides a patient with freedom of movement within the defined space.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for ameliorating biofilm formation on a surface of an indwelling or implanted device in a patient resulting in decreased virulence of microorganisms such as Candida species and/or Staphylococcus species.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions and methods of using transgenic non-human animals expressing human SIRP? that are engrafted with a human hematopoietic system. In various embodiments, the human hematopoietic system engrafted, human SIRP? transgenic non-human animals of the invention are useful as systems for the in vivo evaluation of the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic and immune cells, for the in vivo assessment of an immune response, for the in vivo evaluation of vaccines and vaccination regimens, for in vivo production and collection of immune mediators, including human antibodies, and for use in testing the effect of agents that modulate hematopoietic and immune cell function.

Abstract: A conductive, porous gallium-nitride layer can be formed as an active layer in a multilayer structure adjacent to one or more p-type III-nitride layers, which may be buried in a multilayer stack of an integrated device. During an annealing process, dopant-bound atomic species in the p-type layers that might otherwise neutralize the dopants may dissociate and out-diffuse from the device through the porous layer. The release and removal of the neutralizing species may reduce layer resistance and improve device performance.

Abstract: A method for analyzing spatial point patterns and visualizing the results is presented. The method includes simulating at least one point set within a region using a point process, dividing the region into a plurality of elements, determining scores for both real data and simulated data for each element by weighting the point sets within a domain of a predetermined kernel. The method further includes comparing scores for each element, computing confidence intervals for at least one confidence level having a predetermined statistical significance; and providing a visualization to identify clusters and exclusion zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that different stem cell types (e.g., bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSC)) undergo large changes in lung epithelial marker expression depending on the substrate on which they are cultured. The present invention includes methods and compositions for differentiating of mesenchymal stem cells, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells, into lung cells, populations of lung cells, and methods of alleviating or treating a lung defect in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting suppression of long term potentiation, improving acute memory retention and spatial memory performance and treating Alzheimer's disease by administration of a PrPc antagonist or combinations thereof. Additionally, this invention provides pharmaceutical kits comprising, and methods for making and using, such combinations, as well as methods of identifying molecules that could function as PrPc antagonists.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of generating NP gallium nitride (GaN) across large areas (>1 cm2) with controlled pore diameters, pore density, and porosity. Also disclosed are methods of generating novel optoelectronic devices based on porous GaN. Additionally a layer transfer scheme to separate and create free-standing crystalline GaN thin layers is disclosed that enables a new device manufacturing paradigm involving substrate recycling. Other disclosed embodiments of this invention relate to fabrication of GaN based nanocrystals and the use of NP GaN electrodes for electrolysis, water splitting, or photosynthetic process applications.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described, The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: Separation processes using forward osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate a solute therein by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. The various species of solute within the second solution can be recovered and recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

Abstract: Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins have a fundamental role cell signaling, and are activated by a large number of cytokines and growth factors. One member of the STAT family, STAT3, has a critical role in oncogenesis. The present invention relates generally to disruption of the pathway of STAT3 signaling in the treatment of human cancer. STAT3 activation is shown to be present in diverse tumor cell lines and tumors, to promote oncogenesis, to inhibit apoptosis, and to reduce sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Inhibition of STAT3 signaling induces apoptosis specifically in tumor cell lines, and increases sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. The invention relates more particularly to methods, compositions, means of administering such compositions, and means for identifying such compositions for the inhibition of STAT3 intracellular signaling in the treatment of human cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of using microRNAs to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. In one aspect, methods are disclosed that are useful for identifying a subject in need of therapeutic intervention to reduce or improve a symptom of pulmonary arterial hypertension, reducing proliferation of pulmonary vascular cells in a subject, or treating pulmonary arterial hypertension in a subject. In another aspect, compositions include an inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression comprising at least one of: a mature sequence of miR-424 or miR-503; a pri-miRNA of miR-424 or miR-503; a pre-miRNA of miR-424 or miR-503; and the complement thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for reducing proliferation of pulmonary vascular cells in a subject in need thereof and biomarker panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices which operate on gradient optical forces, in particular, nanoscale mechanical devices which are actuable by gradient optical forces. Such a device comprises a waveguide and a dielectric body, with at least a portion of the waveguide separated from the dielectric body at a distance which permits evanescent coupling of an optical mode within the waveguide to the dielectric body. This results in an optical force which acts on the waveguide and which can be exploited in a variety of devices on a nano scale, including all-optical switches, photonic transistors, tuneable couplers, optical attenuators and tuneable phase shifters.

Abstract: A class of materials has advantageous utility in electrocatalytic applications, e.g., fuel cells. The materials circumvent conventional Pt-based anode poisoning and the agglomeration/dissolution of supported catalysts during long-term operation by exploiting the unique physical and chemical properties of bulk metallic glass to create nanowires for electrocatalytic applications, e.g., fuel cell and battery applications. These amorphous metals can achieve unusual geometries and shapes along multiple length scales. The absence of crystallites, grain boundaries and dislocations in the amorphous structure of bulk metallic glasses results in a homogeneous and isotropic material down to the atomic scale, which displays very high strength, hardness, elastic strain limit and corrosion resistance. The melting temperatures of the disclosed bulk metallic glasses are much lower than the estimated melting temperatures based on interpolation of the alloy constituents making them attractive as highly malleable materials.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product for processing data are disclosed. The system is configured to perform transfer of data from a file system to a database system. Such transfer is accomplished through receiving a request for loading data into a database system, wherein the data includes a plurality of attributes, determining at least one attribute of the data for loading into the database system, and loading the at least one attribute of the data into the database system while continuing to process remaining attributes of the data.

Abstract: A composition containing a macrophage inhibitor may be administered in an effective amount to prevent, inhibit or reduce restenosis, thrombus or aneurysm formation in implanted polymeric vascular grafts. The composition may be administered prior to vascular graft implantation, at the same time as vascular graft implantation, following vascular graft implantation, or any combination thereof. Exemplary macrophage inhibitors include bisphosphonates, anti-folate drugs and antibodies, preferably in a controlled release or liposomal formulation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating blood monocytes to produce functional antigen presenting dendritic cells. An extracorporeal quantity of a subject's blood is treated to separate the blood into a plasma component containing proteins, a platelet component and a buffy coat component. A plastic treatment device is provided having plastic channels that allow transmittance of light to the interior of the plastic device and a light source that produces light of a wave length selected to activate the photoactivatable agent. The plasma component containing proteins is first pumped through the plastic treatment device, followed by the platelet component and finally the buffy coat component. The resulting treated cells may be incubated or reinfused directly to the subject.