Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for combinable gift card components during a checkout process in a retail environment. A gift card can include a first gift card component of a first type, the first gift card component including a first identifier (e.g., barcode), and a second gift card component of a second type that can be different from the first type and separate from the first gift card component, having a second identifier. The first and second identifiers can be scanned and used to associate the first gift card component with the second gift card component. The second gift card component can be an envelope or sleeve that can be a similar size and/or a similar shape as the first gift card component. The second gift card component can permanently attach to the first gift card component during the checkout process to form the gift card.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for serum-stabilizing micelles for drug delivery or imaging agent delivery are provided, as well as methods and compositions to enhance micelle-mediated drug delivery. This invention provides a process for synthesizing a lipid micelle comprising one or more lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules, the process comprising contacting an amount of lipid molecules with an amount of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules sufficient to create a lipid micelle comprising lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for rapidly identifying novel structure-switching aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for serum-stabilizing micelles for drug delivery or imaging agent delivery are provided, as well as methods and compositions to enhance micelle-mediated drug delivery. This invention provides a process for synthesizing a lipid micelle comprising one or more lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules, the process comprising contacting an amount of lipid molecules with an amount of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules sufficient to create a lipid micelle comprising lipid-oligonucleotide conjugate molecules.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an oligonucleotide aptamer conjugated to an antigen, wherein the aptamer is directed against a cell-surface target of an antigen-presenting cell. Also provided are methods of delivering an antigen to a dendritic cell and of eliciting an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: A method of delivering a cargo agent into cytosol of a cell can include: providing the delivery system of one of the embodiments described herein having the first and second delivery platforms; and administering the delivery system to a cell so as to cause targeting of two features on the cell so as to: cause endocytosis of the first and second delivery platforms of the delivery system into a common endosome, destabilize the endosome of the cell having the delivery system, release the cargo agent from the second linker; and release the cargo agent from the destabilized endosome into cytosol of the cell. A method of treating a disease can include: performing the method of method of delivering a cargo agent into cytosol of a cell in a subject having a disease, wherein the cargo agent is a therapeutic agent for the disease.

Abstract: The present application provides a turbine component for use in a hot gas path of a gas turbine. The turbine component may include an outer surface, an internal cooling circuit, a number of cooling pathways in communication with the internal cooling circuit and extending through the outer surface, and a number of adaptive cooling pathways in communication with the internal cooling circuit and extending through the outer surface. The adaptive cooling pathways may include a high temperature compound therein.

Abstract: A system for checking calibration of a multi-axis machine includes a robotic arm and a mount configured to receive a removable machine tool and a controller electronically connected to the multi-axis machine. The removable machine tool includes a removable spray nozzle and a laser housing that is coupled to the machine tool. The laser housing includes a laser affixed inside the housing for emitting a laser beam and a calibration workpiece coupled to a mounting table. The calibration workpiece comprises a plurality of laser sensors disposed along an outer surface of the calibration workpiece. The controller is programmed to point the laser beam at each laser sensor. The laser sensors generate signals that are communicated back to the controller if the laser beam is detected by the laser sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving a token, activating a power switch for powering up a core in response to the receiving the token, and outputting the token based on a state of powering up the core. The outputting of the received token is delayed until the state of powering up the core is reached. In one aspect, an electronic apparatus includes a power switch configured to power up to a core is provided. A power-switch control circuit is configured to receive a token, activate the power switch for powering up the core in response to receiving the token, output the received token based on a state of powering up the core. The outputting of the received token is delayed until the state of powering up the core is reached. A plurality of the power-switch control circuits is configured as a ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing an oligonucleotide, nucleoside or nucleoside analog for selective introduction into a subject's cells, the method comprising (1) selecting a targeted aptamer, internalizing nucleic acid or tumor-homing nucleic acid via iterative rounds of selection, and (i) hybridizing it to an oligonucleotide, (ii) replacing one or more nucleotide with a nucleoside or nucleoside analog, or (iii) synthesizing the it with one or more nucleoside or nucleoside analogs; or (2) preparing a naive combinatorial aptamer, internalizing nucleic acid or tumor-homing nucleic acid prodrug library, and running iterative rounds of selection for the cells. The present invention also provides the agent, the pharmaceutical composition, and methods of treating or preventing cancer and/or viral infection, the method comprising administration of the oligonucleotide, nucleoside or nucleoside analog for selective introduction into a subject's cells.

Abstract: A method for coating a component and forming at least one cooling hole in a component is provided. The method includes providing the component having a surface and including a plurality of apertures formed therein. The method includes masking at least one of the plurality of apertures with a plug comprising a removable material. The method includes applying at least one coating to the surface of the component. The method includes eliminating the plug including removable material leaving open apertures in the surface of the coated component. Also provided is a water-soluble aperture plug including water soluble high temperature resistant filler materials including aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, zircon, graphite, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, aluminum nitrides and binding agents and dispersants including phosphates, silicates, sugar, salt, gum, resin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for rapidly identifying novel structure-switching aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for identifying novel ligands for a protein target.

Abstract: Aptamers targeted to a human transferrin receptor which do not compete with transferrin for binding are provided. Compositions and methods for aptamer-targeted liposomal drug delivery are also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving a token, activating a power switch for powering up a core in response to the receiving the token, and outputting the token based on a state of powering up the core. The outputting of the received token is delayed until the state of powering up the core is reached. In one aspect, an electronic apparatus includes a power switch configured to power up to a core is provided. A power-switch control circuit is configured to receive a token, activate the power switch for powering up the core in response to receiving the token, output the received token based on a state of powering up the core. The outputting of the received token is delayed until the state of powering up the core is reached. A plurality of the power-switch control circuits is configured as a ring.