Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are compositions including viruses and nucleic acids having promoters capable of expressing multiple heterologous nucleic acids. The compositions are particularly useful for delivering and expressing heterologous nucleic acids in neurons. With respect to the nervous system, neural tissue, and neurons, the compositions listed herein are contemplated to be effective for treatment of retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of matter for production of pancreatic beta cells, as well as beta-like cells that are capable of producing insulin. Pluripotent stem cells are generated through either viral vector or non-viral vector means and induced into differentiation pathways through environments resembling the pluripotent pancreatic environment. In vivo transfection of dedifferentiation and beta cell differentiation genes are provided in vivo in the pancreatic microenvironment to generate de novo beta cells and islets from differentiated tissue or islet progenitors. Means of inducing differentiation of islet progenitors in vivo are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and therapeutic means for stimulation bone, cartilage or joint regeneration by pluripotent stem cell derived mesenchymal stem cells alone or in a manipulated manner. “Semidifferentiated” mesenchymal stem cells which possess enhanced ability to generate cartilage, bone, or joint tissue. Gene editing is utilized to generate cells with reduced immunogenicity and enhanced therapeutic potential. Enhancement of therapeutic activity is achieved by transfection of pluripotent stem cells with genes which inhibit apoptosis, thus enhancing lifespan and therapeutic activity of said stem cells. Transfection with antioxidant genes such as superoxide dismutase is utilized to enhance activity of cells when administered in inflammatory environments.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a prescription benefit request and identifying one or more covered alternative drugs. The method also includes identifying one or more additional alternative drugs based on at least one of the requested drug and determining whether the one or more additional alternative drugs includes at least one covered additional alternative drug. The method also includes determining, for each of the at least one covered additional alternative drug and the one or more covered alternative drugs, an alternative drug value. The method also includes identifying the at least one covered additional alternative drug and the one or more covered alternative drugs having a lowest alternative drug value and generating a request response indicating at least the alternative drug of the at least one covered additional alternative drug and the one or more covered alternative drugs having the lowest alternative drug value.

Abstract: Leak detection systems and methods in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings can, in various embodiments, sequester fluid leaking from the interface between a sample source and the inlet of the ion source, alert an operator as to a leak condition, and/or automatically terminate the experiment. In various aspects, a liquid leak detection system is accordance with the present teachings comprises a collection basin configured to couple to a proximal end of a conduit in fluid communication with a discharge end of an ion source of a mass spectrometer such that the proximal end of the conduit extends through the internal volume of the basin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of matter useful for reducing extent of spinal cord injury and/or reversion of spinal cord injury gliosis are disclosed. T regulatory cells can be administered systemically and/or locally to a patient suffering from spinal cord injury. T regulatory cells can be modulated by engineering either through gene modification or culture conditions in order to augment regenerative/antifibrotic properties. Utilizing pluripotent stem cell derived T regulatory cells for spinal cord injury and chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate compute optimization is disclosed. The apparatus includes a at least one processor to perform operations to implement a neural network and compute logic to accelerate neural network computations.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and treatment protocols for reducing or completely avoiding the need for immune suppression in the context of allograft or xenograft transplantation. Use of mesenchymal stem cells, manipulated mesenchymal stem cells, iPSC derived mesenchymal stem cells, and products of said mesenchymal stem cells for promoting the process of immunological tolerance. In one embodiment the invention provides the use of third party “universal donor” iPSC gene edited mesenchymal stem cells to promote tolerance in context of a solid organ transplant such as renal, cardiac, hepatic or small intestine. In other embodiments endogenous mesenchymal stem cells in composite tissue allografts are activated and/expanded in order to promote tolerogenesis and reduced need for immune suppression.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a memory device having test mode state machines configured to perform self-testing. In one approach, a memory array has memory cells. Periphery logic of the memory device receives a command from a host device to initiate self-testing. The periphery logic generates trigger signal(s) in response to receiving the command. Control circuitry (e.g., a controller) has state machine(s) that receives the trigger signal(s) and initiates execution of a command sequence. The command sequence includes various orders of operations such as read, write, or delay. A state machine can be integrated into each of multiple partitions of the memory array.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and means useful for treatment of autoimmunity and/or transplant rejection through generation of T regulatory cells in a manner that recapitulates thymic development. Methods of seeding thymic medullary epithelial cells with pluripotent stem cells such as inducible pluripotent stem cells, followed by exposure to conditions allowing for selective growth and expansion of T regulatory cells. T regulatory cells can be scaled for clinical utilization through the use of three-dimensional adhesive growth matrices as well as addition of FoxP3 inducing cytokines such as interleukin-2.

Abstract: An exemplary receive antenna having a conductive surface. The conductive surface includes an aperture configured to operate as a slot antenna, and one or more amplifiers or buffer amplifiers is electrically connected across the aperture. At least one feed is connected between the one or more amplifiers and the aperture. An input impedance ZB of each of the one or more amplifiers at the at least one feed location is lower than 0.5× an impedance of the aperture ZA at a first resonance frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment includes at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The at least one processing device is configured to maintain in a host device a data structure characterizing an ordered arrangement of available initiator-target pairs corresponding to respective paths between the host device and a storage system, to obtain a data copy offload command to offload a data copy operation from the host device to the storage system, to select a particular path for delivery of the data copy offload command from the host device to the storage system based at least in part on the ordered arrangement of available initiator-target pairs characterized by the data structure, and to send the data copy offload command from the host device to the storage system using the selected path.

Abstract: Cellular modifications useful for enhancing migratory potential of T regulatory cells that have been derived from inducible pluripotent stem cells. In one embodiment said inducible pluripotent stem cells are gene edited for insertion or deletion of cytoskeletal and motility associated genes in order to increase migration ability as well as deformability of cells in a manner allowing for increased extravasation and mobility. In other embodiments inducible pluripotent stem cell derived T regulatory cells are gene edited at the level of T Regulatory cell progenitor stage.

Abstract: The shim-type implant for distraction and fusion of cervical facet joints is provided. The implant has a generally box-like shape with a blunt leading edge that may be centered or offset to the inferior face. The implant may include a graft window for enhanced osseous through-growth after implantation. The implant is coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) and/or tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) to allow for osteo-conduction, is porous, and has a roughened surface with serrations on the superior and inferior faces. The implant may be fabricated from a titanium or tantalum alloy. In an embodiment, a set of tools is provided with a chisel and one or tongs and one or more decorticators for inserting the implant.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inducing immunological tolerance to a transplanted cellular population or organ by creating and administering a “veto-like” cell originating from the identical genetic background of the organ donor. In one embodiment said artificially generated veto cell is a dendritic cell population possessing molecules associated with tolerance induced in natural anatomical locations such as the placenta, the testis, or the eye. In one embodiment dendritic cells resistant to maturation are generated from pluripotent stem cells that have been gene edited to lack genes needed for acquisition of antigen presenting properties such as relB, NF-kappa B and transporter associated protein. In another embodiment immature dendritic cells are gene edited/transfected to express tolerance associated molecules such as interleukin-10, interleukin-35, Fas ligand, TRAIL, TGF-beta, HLA-G and arginase.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and means of optimizing health of a subject during space travel comprising real time monitoring and intervention guided by automated and/or semiautomated means driven by a machine learning artificial intelligence-based system. In one embodiment the invention discloses the integration of genetic factors, biological properties, microbiome diversity, regenerative activity, and real time physiological changes in order to provide optimum interventions which result in increased health upon return from the space mission, as well as provide ability for said astronaut to endure space travel of increased durations.

Abstract: Disclosed are means of generating organs or organoids utilizing three-dimensional bio-printing processes. In one embodiment said organ is a pancreas or pancreas-like organ useful for the treatment of diabetes, wherein said bioprinted pancreas possesses enhanced regenerative activity, in some embodiments comparable to the liver due to seeding with enhanced numbers of regenerative cells. In another embodiment pancreatic islets are created capable of being utilized as a substitute for naturally occurring islets. In other embodiments immune-evasive organs are created utilizing combination of cells which possess ability to evade immunity, thus allowing for tolerance induction without need for immune suppressive activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, means and compositions of matter utilizing artificial intelligence to create unique cells and/or organs from pluripotent stem cells. In one embodiment an artificial intelligence/machine learning approach is utilized to overview and categorize molecular and cellular data regarding normal embryonic development and associated pathways. Through acquiring this information, said artificial intelligence/machine learning system develops a graded list of morphogens/differentiating agents and/or conditions that are utilized to replicate the process of cell/tissue/organ formation artificially. In one embodiment the invention teaches generation of artificial pancreatic organoids through growth factors predicted by said artificial intelligence/machine learning systems. In other embodiments embryogenesis is recapitulated in adult tissue using predicted morphogens and/or extracellular matrix treatments.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, means and systems of identifying compounds and augment T regulatory cell activity and/or number in vitro and/or in vivo utilizing deep learning approaches. Systems for screening compound libraries in silico are provided as well as laboratory methods of testing modulation of T regulatory cell activity and/or numbers. Results provided by the disclosure will serve as the basis for increasing T regulatory cells, which is desirable in situations of autoimmunity or organ transplantation. In situations of oncology or infectious disease reduction of T regulatory cell number and/or activity is desired.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an echocardiogram measurement tool (150) that determines a subset (152) of measurements from a list of echocardiogram measurements according to a view of an ultrasound imaging sequence (110) and a mapping (154) between the view and the subset of measurements.