Abstract: A device is provided that may be adapted to control or monitor the pressure level of a fluid system. The device includes a member composed of a shape memory alloy in a superelastic state. The member is configured to undergo a phase change from a high modulus Austenitic phase to a low modulus Martensitic phase and stretch in response to an activation stress. In one embodiment, the member defines two ends such that one end of the member is operatively connected to a fixed point. Another end of the member is operatively connected to a movable element. As the member stretches in response to the activation stress, the movable element is translated relative to the fixed point. In another embodiment, the member includes two plates with respective holes that are selectively aligned when the first and second plates stretch or deform in response to the activation stress.

Abstract: Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall by using dendrimers, and optionally one or more Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs). Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for gene disruption, gene editing or gene stacking within a FAD2 loci by cleaving, in a site directed manner, a location in a FAD2 gene in a soybean cell, to generate a break in the FAD2 gene and then optionally integrating into the break a nucleic acid molecule of interest is disclosed.

Abstract: An Engineered Transgene Integration Platform (ETIP) is described that can be inserted randomly or at targeted locations in plant genomes to facilitate rapid selection and detection of a GOI that is perfectly targeted (both the 5? and 3? ends) at the ETIP genomic location. One element in the subject disclosure is the introduction of specific double stranded breaks within the ETIP. In some embodiments, an ETIP is described using zinc finger nuclease binding sites, but may utilize other targeting technologies such as meganucleases, CRISPRs, TALs, or leucine zippers. Also described are compositions of, and methods for producing, transgenic plants wherein the donor or payload DNA expresses one or more products of an exogenous nucleic acid sequence (e.g. protein or RNA) that has been stably-integrated into an ETIP in a plant cell. In embodiments, the ETIP facilitates testing of gene candidates and plant expression vectors from ideation through Development phases.

Abstract: A method of gene editing or gene stacking within a FAD2 loci by cleaving, in a site directed manner, a location in a FAD2 gene in a cell, to generate a break in the FAD2 gene and then ligating into the break a nucleic acid molecule associated with one or more traits of interest is disclosed.

Abstract: A motion limiter system for a cam phaser includes a retractable motion limiter pin that is selectively extendable from a rotor in a cam phaser to contact a lobe on a stator to provide a positive stop for the rotor prior to engagement of a locking pin. Alternatively, the cam phaser may include two pins that are selectively extendable from opposite openings in a hole in the rotor to engage seats that are slightly offset from one another.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to novel, broad-spectrum anti-viral, pyrimidinone compounds, methods of use, compositions and kits useful in treating and/or preventing influenza. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for introducing a linear nucleic acid molecule of interest into a cell comprising a cell wall include use of nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the cell comprising a cell wall is a plant cell. Methods include genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall. Transgenic plants include a nucleic acid molecule of interest produced by regeneration of whole plants from plant cells transformed with linear nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall by using a QD-peptide conjugate having a quantum dot (QD) with one or more cell penetrating peptides (CPPs). Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for homology-independent targeted insertion of donor molecules into the genome of a cell.

Abstract: A method of introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall includes interacting a gamma-zein peptide with a molecule of interest to form a gamma-zein linked structure. The gamma-zein linked structure is then placed in contact with the plant cell having a cell wall, and allowing uptake of the gamma-zein linked structure into the plant cell. Alternatively, a gene of interest can be expressed in a plant cell having an intact cell wall by interacting a gamma-zein peptide with the gene of interest to form a gamma-zein linked gene structure, allowing uptake of the gamma-zein linked gene structure into the plant cell, and expressing the gene of interest in the plant cell and its progeny.

Abstract: Methods for introducing a functionalized linear nucleic acid cassette molecule of interest into a plant cell comprising a cell wall include use of nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the cell comprising a cell wall is a cultured plant cell. Methods include genetically or otherwise modifying plant cells and for treating or preventing disease in any plant, especially crop plants. Transgenic plants include a nucleic acid molecule of interest produced by regeneration of whole plants from plant cells transformed with functionalized linear nucleic acid cassette molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human papillomavirus E7 antigen compounds and compositions for treating human papillomavirus infection and associated conditions. The invention provides, in part, polypeptide and nucleic acid molecules including sequences substantially identical to the sequences of two or more human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 antigens, where the E7 antigens are selected from at least two different HPV strains, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention features compounds of the general formula: B-L-M where B is a binding agent capable of selectively binding to a nerve cell surface receptor and mediating absorption of the compound by the nerve cell; M is a moiety which performs a useful non-cytotoxic function when absorbed by a nerve cell, and can be a therapeutic moiety or an imaging moiety; and L is a linker coupling B to M. The invention also features methods of use of the compounds in, for example, treating conditions such as viral infections and pain, as well as in labeling nerve cells.

Abstract: A pumping assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first movable element selectively movable within a first pump housing and an actuator including an active material. The active material is configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing. In one example, the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal.

Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to wipe a surface, an armature, and an actuator. The armature has a first end spaced from a second end, and is coupled with the wiper blade at the first end, and coupled to a pivot mechanism at the second end. The pivot mechanism is configured to allow the wiper blade to articulate about the second end in a direction substantially away from the surface and between a wiping position and a parked position. The actuator is provided in mechanical communication with the armature and is configured to receive an electrical actuation signal to transition the wiper blade between a wiping position and the parked position, where the wiper blade is in contact with the surface while in the wiping position, and is separated from the surface while in the parked position.

Abstract: A device is provided that may be adapted to control or monitor the pressure level of a fluid system. The device includes a member composed of a shape memory alloy in a superelastic state. The member is configured to undergo a phase change from a high modulus Austenitic phase to a low modulus Martensitic phase and stretch in response to an activation stress. In one embodiment, the member defines two ends such that one end of the member is operatively connected to a fixed point. Another end of the member is operatively connected to a movable element. As the member stretches in response to the activation stress, the movable element is translated relative to the fixed point. In another embodiment, the member includes two plates with respective holes that are selectively aligned when the first and second plates stretch or deform in response to the activation stress.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.