Abstract: A toy vehicle track piece of present application includes one or more connectors. Thus, two track pieces can be connected directly to each other without any additional pieces (e.g., without separate connectors pieces or pins). Moreover, the connectors are specifically designed so that young children can easily connect and disconnect two track pieces without parental intervention. Additionally or alternatively, the track pieces presented herein, as well as accessories associated therewith, may be designed to assemble at specific grid locations so that any configuration of track pieces can be connected together to form a closed track path.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve system may include a replacement heart valve implant including an expandable framework and a plurality of valve leaflets disposed within the expandable framework, and a filter element secured to the expandable framework and configured to be deployed downstream of the expandable framework, the filter element having a closed downstream end. A replacement heart valve system may include a filter element configured to be deployed across a native heart valve, wherein the filter element includes a lumen extending therethrough, and a replacement heart valve implant configured to be deployed within the lumen of the filter element. A method of treating a native heart valve may include deploying a filter element across the native heart valve, expanding an expandable balloon within the lumen of the filter element, and thereafter, deploying a replacement heart valve implant within the lumen of the filter element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven (1, 1?) for an analytical system, in particular for a titration system and especially for a Karl Fischer titration system. The oven (1, 1?) comprises a housing, an insulation system (2a, 2a?, 2b, 2b?, 2c, 2c?) and an insert (3, 3?) for a sample vessel. The insulation system (2a, 2a?, 2b, 2b?, 2c, 2c?) is arranged at least partially around the insert (3, 3?). At least one heating element is arranged between the insulation system (2a, 2a?, 2b, 2b?, 2c, 2c?) and the insert (3, 3?) and at least partially surrounding the insert (3, 3?). The invention also relates to a titration system with such an oven (1, 1?) and a titration method.

Abstract: A toy playset is presented herein. The toy playset includes a base section, a track section configured to receive a toy vehicle, and a biasing member coupled to the base section and to the track section. The biasing member is configured to bias the base section and the track section away from one another, and the biasing member is configured to flex to enable the base section and the track section to move relative to one another.

Abstract: Provided herein are DNA aptamers targeting AXL receptor kinase. The DNA aptamers may comprise a thiophosphate backbone and be chemically modified. Further provided herein are methods of use thereof for the treatment of a disease or disorder, such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subsurface drip irrigation tube that is operable to hydrate plant roots and is configurable to attach to various drip irrigation connectors. The irrigation tube may be incorporated into an irrigation system and includes an internal filtration material that prevents rodents and pest from chewing through the tubing and weighs down tube to prevent uproot of the tube. The irrigation tube eliminates the need for above surface anchors, and other fastening methods.

Abstract: A RF dielectric filter comprising a block of dielectric material including top and bottom exterior longitudinal surfaces and side exterior surfaces covered with a layer of conductive material. RF signal input/output pads are located at opposed ends of the block. Each of the RF signal input/output pads comprises a strip of conductive material bridging between the bottom exterior surface and the side exterior surface. A strip or region of dielectric material surrounds all the sides of the elongate strip of conductive material except for one end of the strip of conductive material on the side exterior surface which is in a direct unitary coupling relationship with the remainder of the conductive material on the side exterior surface. In one embodiment, the strip or region of dielectric material is generally U-shaped and can vary in width.

Abstract: A toy playset is presented herein. The toy playset includes a base section, a track section configured to receive a toy vehicle, and a biasing member coupled to the base section and to the track section. The biasing member is configured to bias the base section and the track section away from one another, and the biasing member is configured to flex to enable the base section and the track section to move relative to one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for production of recombinant viral vectors, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors or lentiviral vectors, in host cells using engineered cyclic peptides that increase viral titer and transduction efficiency of viral vector compositions. The present disclosure also provides methods for selecting genetically encoded, endogenously expressed cyclic peptides that enhance viral vector manufacturability.

Abstract: Provided herein are RNA aptamers targeting CD5L. Further provided herein are methods of use thereof for the treatment of a disease or disorder, such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broad-spectrum biocidal composition, with fungicidal and bactericidal activity, containing metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, polymeric thickeners, plant extracts, surfactants, and additives in an aqueous solvent, as well as the method for in situ production of said metal nanoparticles under controlled operating conditions: concentration, volumetric ratio, time, agitation, temperature, and pH, using plant extracts as reducing agents.

Abstract: An improved toy vehicle playset contains a tower and multiple track portions coupled to the tower that provide a path for toy vehicles to descend from the top of the tower. The tower may include an elevator mechanism for transporting toy vehicles up the tower and an interactive feature that is configured to interact with descending toy vehicles along the track portions. The descent of the toy vehicles may trigger the interactive feature to also descend from the top of the tower, where the descending interactive feature may attempt to impede or stop the descending toy vehicles along the track portions. In some embodiments, the one or more towers may further include platforms configured to store and retain a plurality of toy vehicles, mechanisms that trigger one or more toy vehicles to be launched from the platforms, and mechanisms for diverting toy vehicles onto the platforms.

Abstract: Provided herein are DNA aptamers targeting AXL receptor kinase. The DNA aptamers may comprise a thiophosphate backbone and be chemically modified. Further provided herein are methods of use thereof for the treatment of a disease or disorder, such as cancer.

Abstract: A RF dielectric filter comprising a block of dielectric material including top and bottom exterior longitudinal surfaces and side exterior surfaces covered with a layer of conductive material. RF signal input/output pads are located at opposed ends of the block. Each of the RF signal input/output pads comprises a strip of conductive material bridging between the bottom exterior surface and the side exterior surface. A strip or region of dielectric material surrounds all the sides of the elongate strip of conductive material except for one end of the strip of conductive material on the side exterior surface which is in a direct unitary coupling relationship with the remainder of the conductive material on the side exterior surface. In one embodiment, the strip or region of dielectric material is generally U-shaped and can vary in width.

Abstract: Synthetic auxotrophs with one or more ligand-dependent essential gene functions and methods of production that can be used for biosafety. The ligand-dependent function of an essential gene product can be produced by a series of mutations in the ORF of an essential gene; N, C, or insertional fusions of ligand-binding domains with essential genes or an engineered ligand-dependent intein splicing to alter essential gene function. A positive and/or negative selection can be used to identify auxotrophs from created mutant libraries. The positive selection is performed by growing a mutant library in conditions where growth or viability depends on the function of mutagenized essential genes. The negative selection eliminates constitutively growing cells that do not require a ligand for growth by growing the library in the absence of complementing ligand and in conditions where growing cells are eliminated. Desirable phenotypes are collected after the selections.

Abstract: An improved toy vehicle playset contains a tower and multiple track portions coupled to the tower that provide a path for toy vehicles to descend from the top of the tower. The tower may include an elevator mechanism for transporting toy vehicles up the tower and an interactive feature that is configured to interact with descending toy vehicles along the track portions. The descent of the toy vehicles may trigger the interactive feature to also descend from the top of the tower, where the descending interactive feature may attempt to impede or stop the descending toy vehicles along the track portions. In some embodiments, the one or more towers may further include platforms configured to store and retain a plurality of toy vehicles, mechanisms that trigger one or more toy vehicles to be launched from the platforms, and mechanisms for diverting toy vehicles onto the platforms.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles for the delivery of a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject that include a chitosan and a polyphosphate, wherein the chitosan nanoparticles are coated with polylactic acid. Methods of delivering a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject for the treatment or prevention of a disease are also disclosed. For example, the treatment of ovarian cancer in a subject by inhibiting the expression of ZNF034 is disclosed.

Abstract: Acoustically responsive particles and methods are provided for their use. Methods are provided for making and using tunable, monodisperse acoustically responsive particles and negative contrast acoustic particles, wherein the particles can contain a functional group available for covalent modification.

Abstract: Provided herein are lipid-based nanoparticles (e.g., exosomes) having (a) a core comprising a cationic polymer and a therapeutic agent (e.g., a therapeutic protein, an antibody, an inhibitory RNA, and/or a small molecule drug) and (b) a lipid coating comprising an exosomes-derived membrane. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods of producing such nanoparticles as well as methods for use of such lipid-based nanoparticles in therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles for the delivery of a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject that include a chitosan and a polyphosphate, wherein the chitosan nanoparticles are coated with polylactic acid. Methods of delivering a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent to a subject for the treatment or prevention of a disease are also disclosed. For example, the treatment of ovarian cancer in a subject by inhibiting the expression of ZNF034 is disclosed.