Abstract: Provided herein are CasX:gNA systems comprising CasX polypeptides, guide nucleic acids (gNA), and optionally donor template nucleic acids useful in the modification of a SOD1 gene. The systems are also useful for introduction into cells, for example eukaryotic cells having mutations in the SOD1 protein or the SOD1 regulatory element. Also provided are methods of using such CasX:gNA systems to modify cells having such mutations and utility in methods of treatment of a subject with a SOD1-related disease.

Abstract: A retractor system includes one or more blades, a handle, and a frame. The handle includes first and second arms with jaw portions and recesses configured to removably retain a blade. Both arms include rotatable connections and handles, where the rotatable connections are between jaw portions and handles. The rotatable connections are connected together such that the arms are rotatable with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the recesses are partial disc shapes opposed to one another, such that when the jaw portions are in a closed position, a disc-shaped space is present between the jaw portions in the closed position. The blade includes a corresponding disc-shape protrusion that may be retained in the recesses, and in some embodiments may include one or more notches to mate with a protrusion in a recess that prevents blade rotation while in the handle.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered CasX systems and components thereof, including variant CasX proteins and variant guide nucleic acids (gNAs). The variant CasX proteins and variant gNAs of the disclosure display at least one improved characteristic when compared to a reference CasX protein or reference gNA of the disclosure. In some instances, the variants have one or more improved CasX ribonucleoprotein complex functions. Also provided are methods of making and using said variants.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of developing biomolecule variants (such as proteins, RNA, or DNA) with improved characteristics, for example by developing libraries of variants with alterations to one or more specific monomer locations and screening said libraries for characteristics of interest. These alterations can include deletion, substitution, and insertion, and variants may comprise one alteration or a combination of alterations. Said methods may include further iterative cycles of library construction and evaluation to develop, for example, a biomolecule variant with improved characteristics compared to a reference biomolecule. The methods can also provide information that may be used in the rational design of variants.

Abstract: A retractor system includes one or more blades, a handle, and a frame. The handle includes first and second arms with jaw portions and recesses configured to removably retain a blade. Both arms include rotatable connections and handles, where the rotatable connections are between jaw portions and handles. The rotatable connections are connected together such that the arms are rotatable with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the recesses are partial disc shapes opposed to one another, such that when the jaw portions are in a closed position, a disc-shaped space is present between the jaw portions in the closed position. The blade includes a corresponding disc-shape protrusion that may be retained in the recesses, and in some embodiments may include one or more notches to mate with a protrusion in a recess that prevents blade rotation while in the handle.

Abstract: Provided herein are CasX:gNA systems comprising CasX polypeptides, guide nucleic acids (gNA), and optionally donor template nucleic acids useful in the modification of a SOD1 gene. The systems are also useful for introduction into cells, for example eukaryotic cells having mutations in the SOD1 protein or the SOD1 regulatory element. Also provided are methods of using such CasX:gNA systems to modify cells having such mutations and utility in methods of treatment of a subject with a SOD1-related disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered proteins. In some embodiments, the engineered proteins comprise a RuvC DNA cleavage domain comprising one or more modifications, relative to a naturally occurring domain. In some embodiments, the engineered proteins comprise a chimeric domain, for example a chimeric helical I domain. In some embodiments, the engineered proteins are chimeric proteins, comprising at least two domains, each domain derived from a different source, for example derived from SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are systems comprising these engineered proteins, and methods of making and using said engineered proteins.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an RNA-guided effector polypeptide having a length that is less than Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9, and that retains the ability, when complexed with a guide RNA, to bind to a target nucleic acid. The present disclosure provides a fusion polypeptide comprising: i) an RNA-guided effector polypeptide of the present disclosure; and ii) a fusion partner. The present disclosure further provides nucleic acids encoding an RNA-guided effector polypeptide, or a fusion polypeptide, of the present disclosure. Methods of using an RNA-guided effector polypeptide, or a fusion polypeptide, of the present disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing bio-fluid constituents and properties in a bio-fluid sample, wherein the system comprises a bio-fluid collection apparatus, a bio-fluid testing/analysis apparatus, and a reporting apparatus.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, there is provided a handheld mobile computing device, for example a smartphone, includes a computing system, a motion detector, a global positioning system receiver, and a touch-screen display to display a user interface and detect user selections from the user interface. A usage goal-setting user interface includes a dashboard and a plurality of user-selectable menu options, the usage goal-setting user interface including display elements allowing a user to enter one or more parameters respecting the goals including physical activity usage goals, social activity usage goals, educational usage goals, and mindfulness usage goals.

Abstract: A greeting card having a mobile object releasably attached thereto. The mobile object may be shaped like a character or object with one or more wheels at a bottom surface thereof. The mobile object may be removed from the greeting card and set upright onto a surface. Activating a motor module within the mobile object causes the one or more wheels to rotate, setting the mobile object rolling along said surface.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing bio-fluid constituents and properties in a bio-fluid sample, wherein the system comprises a bio-fluid collection apparatus, a bio-fluid testing/analysis apparatus, and a reporting apparatus.

Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computer screen recording are described herein. In an embodiment, a web-based application includes a screen recorder, a video transcoder, and a video upload manager. The screen recorder records video tutorials, the video transcoder transcodes the recorded video tutorials, and the upload manager uploads the transcoded video tutorial to a server. The server analyzes the uploaded video tutorial to determine search terms that are relevant to the uploaded video tutorial, and associates the determined search terms with the uploaded video tutorial. The server also receives from users search queries containing search terms, searches for video tutorials related to the search terms, and returns a search query result containing links to the related video tutorials.

Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.

Abstract: Interactive greeting card and gift card holders with a hinged mechanism which provide fun user interaction and triggers audio playback. Each greeting card and gift card holder includes portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered. Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.

Abstract: An interactive greeting card with a multi-panel insert which can be unfurled over a portion of the greeting card. In one embodiment, there is a photo or drawing of a character or animal printed on the front cover. A tab is located to the left of and behind the photo or drawing. When a user grasps and moves the tab, a multi-panel paper construct unfurls around the photo or drawing and appears as a wig atop the head of the character or animal depicted in the photo or drawing. Audio replay may also triggered by moving the tab from its original position. In another embodiment, the panels of the multi-panel paper construct are each shaped like a different item or object which is complementary to the theme of the greeting card. Unfolding the multi-panel construct along an outside edge of the greeting card may initiate audio playback and may also activate a motor module which causes movement to at least one mobile object contained on the greeting card.