Abstract: The present invention provides modified cycloalkyne compounds; and method of use of such compounds in modifying biomolecules. The present invention features a cycloaddition reaction that can be carried out under physiological conditions. In general, the invention involves reacting a modified cycloalkyne with an azide moiety on a target biomolecule, generating a covalently modified biomolecule. The selectivity of the reaction and its compatibility with aqueous environments provide for its application in vivo (e.g., on the cell surface or intracellularly) and in vitro (e.g., synthesis of peptides and other polymers, production of modified (e.g., labeled) amino acids).

Abstract: Methods and systems for in vivo classification of tissue are disclosed. The tissue is irradiated with light from multiple light sources and light scattered and fluoresced from the tissue is received. Distinct emissions of the sample are identified from the received light. An excitation-emission matrix is generated (1002). On-diagonal and off-diagonal components of the excitation-emission matrix are identified (1004, 1006, 1008). Spectroscopic measures are derived from the excitation-emission matrix (1014), and are compared to a database of known spectra (1016) permitting the tissue to be classified as benign or malignant (1018). An optical biopsy needle or an optical probe may be used to contemporaneously classify and sample tissue for pathological confirmation of diagnosis.

Abstract: Cell identification systems and methods using micropallet arrays are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a cell identification strategy involves detecting the expression patterns of markers that are expressed on cells to uniquely identify different cell populations within heterogeneous mixtures of cells. The cell markers may be on the cell surface or intracellular in location. The cell markers are interrogated using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are directly conjugated to flourophores. The mAb-flourophore conjugates are used to detect the presence or absence and relative level of expression of each of the cell markers using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Abstract: Provided are nanoparticles and methods of using and making thereof. The inventive nanoparticle comprises a) an inner core comprising a non-cellular material; and b) an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a cell or a membrane derived from a virus. Medicament delivery systems or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive nanoparticles are also provided. Further provided are immunogenic compositions comprising the inventive nanoparticles, and methods of using the inventive immunogenic compositions for eliciting an immune response, and for treating or preventing diseases or condition, such as neoplasm or cancer, or disease or conditions associated with cell membrane inserting toxin. Vaccines comprising the immunogenic composition comprising the nanoparticles are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for a catalyst-free growth mode of defect-free Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based nanoneedles on silicon (Si) substrates with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible growth temperature of around 400° C. Each nanoneedle has a sharp 2 to 5 nanometer (nm) tip, a 600 nm wide base and a 4 micrometer (?m) length. Thus, the disclosed nanoneedles are substantially hexagonal needle-like crystal structures that assume a 6° to 9° tapered shape. The 600 nm wide base allows the typical micro-fabrication processes, such as optical lithography, to be applied. Therefore, nanoneedles are an ideal platform for the integration of optoelectronic devices on Si substrates. A nanoneedle avalanche photodiode (APD) grown on silicon is presented in this disclosure as a device application example. The APD attains a high current gain of 265 with only 8V bias.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pH-tunable, highly activatable multicolored fluorescent nanoplatforms and methods of using the nanoplatforms in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, investigating fundamental cell physiological processes such as pH regulation in endocytic vesicles, endosome/lysosome maturation, and effect of pH on receptor cycling and trafficking of subcellular organelles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include polymers comprising a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chain, as well as methods and materials for producing such polymers. Illustrative methods include regioselectively preparing a monomer that includes an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side group, and then reacting these monomers to produce a polymer that comprises a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chains. In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the regioregular conjugated main chain section can contain a repeat unit that includes a dithiophene and a pyridine.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits which, when installed or used, access, aspire, dilate, insufflate, drain or deliver fluid medicaments to, or place a patency device within a sinus area, such as a maxillary sinus or a maxillary sinus ostium. The device can include a hollow catheter and probe, and can be configured to permit gradual and incremental probe extension. The device can be constructed to enhance the precision and maneuverability within the nasal and sinus passageways, while also accommodating the natural anatomical geometry of a targeted paranasal treatment site. For example, the present treatment and placement device can accomplish access to the maxillary sinus ostium by utilizing an uncinate process to guide a probe tip into the ostium in a retrograde manner. The probe can be slidably, bi-directionally or co-axially positioned within the catheter. A distal portion of the probe can be biased away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter.

Abstract: A method, called GETWISE, for targeting mouse genes is described. GETWISE is designed to increase the frequency of homologous recombination, facilitate screening, widen the applicability of engineered animals and circumvent intrinsic gene targeting problems. GETWISE utilizes the principle of modulating gene expression by targeting tetracycline-responsive elements into a specific locus. In GETWISE alleles, control of gene expression is transferred from the endogenous to a tetracycline-inducible promoter. Endogenous promoters now control expression of the reporter gene luciferase. Breeding of GETWISE carriers with tTA/rtTA carriers enables investigators to modulate gene expression in a ubiquitous or tissue-specific manner, depending on the presence of doxycycline. GETWISE enables the study of loss or gain of gene expression in any tissue of choice within a single mouse strain. GETWISE enables the analysis of the gene expression pattern with the luciferase assay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are (Ga1-xZnx)(N1-xOx) nanocrystals and syntheses and devices related thereto.

Abstract: Herein are described multicolor FISH probe sets termed “genetic barcodes” targeting several cancer or disease-related loci to assess gene rearrangements and copy number changes in tumor cells. Two, three or more different fluorophores are used to detect the genetic barcode sections thus permitting unique labeling and multilocus analysis in individual cell nuclei. Gene specific barcodes can be generated and combined to provide both numerical and structural genetic information for these and other pertinent disease associated genes.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for organic continuum vapor deposition of organic materials on large area substrates.

Abstract: In-place resynthesis for static memory (SRAM) based Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) toward reducing sensitivity to single event upsets (SEUs). Resynthesis and remapping are described which have a low overheard and improve FPGA designs without the need of rerouting LUTs of the FPGA. These methods include in-place reconfiguration (IPR), in-place X-filling (IPF), and in-place inversion (IPV), which reconfigure LUT functions only, and can be applied to any FPGA architecture. In addition, for FPGAs with a decomposable LUT architecture (e.g., dual-output LUTs) an in-place decomposition (IPD) method is described for remapping a LUT function into multiple smaller functions leveraging the unused outputs of the LUT, and making use of built-in hard macros in programmable-logic blocks (PLBs) such as carry chain or adder. Methods are applied in-place to mapped circuits before or after routing without affecting placement, routing, and design closure.

Abstract: A method of treating hearing loss includes the step administering a composition to the mammal, wherein the composition consists essentially of a biologically effective amount of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, a vasodilator comprising magnesium, and, optionally, a withanolide, and/or resveratrol.

Abstract: A method, wireless device and computer program product for expanding the coverage of a cellular network. A wireless device (e.g., cellular telephone) is able to communicate with a base station in a cell of the cellular network over a non-cellular interface via another wireless device in a cell through the use of multi-hopping. A wireless device may request permission to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off another wireless device when its signal strength is below a threshold. Alternatively, a wireless device may receive a request to communicate with the base station over a non-cellular interface via hopping off the wireless device that sent the request when that wireless device has excess capacity in its bandwidth with the base station. By enabling wireless devices to communicate with a base station in such a manner, the effective capacity of the cellular network is expanded and the effective capacity of the cellular network is improved.

Abstract: A thermophilic endo-beta-1,4-xylanase derived from Acidothermus cellulolyticus is disclosed. The xylanase exhibits xylanase activity at an optimal temperature of 90° C. and an optimal pH range of about 4.5-6.0. The isolated xylanase is useful in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention is a tourniquet comprising: a strap; a pelvic pad included in the strap having a pocket defined in the pelvic pad for receiving a semi-rigid stiffening member; base plates slidably attached to the strap allowing the base plates to be positioned along the strap; a threaded shaft received in each of the base plates; a pressure pad removable attached to a distal end of each of the shafts; a handle attached to a proximal end of each of the shafts having openings defined in each end of the handle; and, a rotational arresting strap attached to each base plate having a securing tab that can be received in one of the handle openings thereby preventing the shaft from rotating when the securing tab is received in sand handle opening.

Abstract: H-NOX proteins are mutated to exhibit improved or optimal kinetic and thermodynamic properties for blood gas O2 delivery. The engineered H-NOX proteins comprise mutations that impart altered O2 or NO ligand-binding relative to the corresponding wild-type H-NOX domain, and are operative as physiologically compatible mammalian blood O2 gas carriers. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods that use wild-type or mutant H-NOX proteins for the treatment of any condition for which delivery of O2 is beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Inhibition of NAAA is contemplated as a method to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleylethanolamide (OEA), two substrates of NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of PEA and OEA. The invention also provides methods for treating inflammatory diseases and pain, and other disorders in which decreased levels of PEA and OEA are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene (Human SCAP gene), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of a SCAP gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by Human SCAP expression and the expression of a SCAP gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a SCAP gene in a cell.