Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising novel adenosine base editors (e.g., ABE8) that have increased efficiency and methods of using these adenosine deaminase variants for editing a target sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising an isolated chimeric interleukin 6 receptor alpha (IL-6R?) binding protein or cells expressing an isolated chimeric IL-6R? binding protein. The isolated IL-6R? chimeric binding protein and cells expressing the protein may be used in methods of treating cancer and reducing the risk of cytokine release syndrome.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides for novel multi-specific CAR molecules for the treatment of glioblastoma (also called GBM or glioblastoma multiforme). This disclosure also describes nucleic acids encoding for the polypeptides, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids, cells and/or populations of cells expressing the polypeptides and/or comprising the nucleic acids or expression vectors of the disclosure, and compositions comprising the polypeptides, nucleic acids, or cells.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides for novel multi-specific CAR molecules for the treatment of glioblastoma (also called GBM or glioblastoma multiforme). This disclosure also describes nucleic acids encoding for the polypeptides, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acids, cells and/or populations of cells expressing the polypeptides and/or comprising the nucleic acids or expression vectors of the disclosure, and compositions comprising the polypeptides, nucleic acids, or cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising an isolated chimeric interleukin 6 receptor alpha (IL-6R?) binding protein or cells expressing an isolated chimeric IL-6R? binding protein. The isolated IL-6R? chimeric binding protein and cells expressing the protein may be used in methods of treating cancer and reducing the risk of cytokine release syndrome.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to novel scFv molecules that are useful for incorporation into novel chimeric antigen receptors with enhance anti-tumor activity. Further aspects relate to a polypeptide comprising a CAR comprising, in order from amino proximal to carboxy proximal end, a scFv, a transmembrane domain, a torsional linker, and a cytoplasmic region comprising a primary intracellular signaling domain, wherein the torsional linker comprises 1-12 alanine residues. Also described are nucleic acids comprising a sequence encoding a polypeptide of the disclosure, vectors, such as lentiviral vectors comprising the nucleic acids of the disclosure, cells comprising and/or expressing nucleic acids and/or polypeptides of the disclosure, and populations of cells comprising the cell embodiments of the disclosure. Also provided are methods of making cells that express a polypeptide and methods of treating patients with the polypeptides and cell compositions of the disclosure.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides polypeptide, nucleic acid, compositions, and methods for treating or preventing CRS in patients in need thereof, particularly for those receiving an immunotherapy, such as a cancer immunotherapy, that may provoke a CRS response. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a chimeric binding polypeptides comprising a heavy chain variable region comprising CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 attached by a heterologous linker to a light chain variable region comprising CDR4, CDR5, and CDR6.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to polypeptides comprising a signal peptide, an antigen-binding domain that specifically binds TGF-?, a peptide spacer, a transmembrane domain, and an endodomain. When expressed in a cell, the polypeptides are capable of not only neutralizing the TGF-? but also specifically triggering T-cell activation in the presence of TGF-?. T-cell activation spurs the immune cell to produce immunostimulatory cytokines and proliferate, thus turning TGF-? from an immunosuppressive signal to an activating stimulus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided concerning a bispecific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting BCMA and CS1, particularly in multiple myeloma patients. The bispecific CAR has advantages over dual or separate BCMA and CS1 CAR molecules. In some embodiments, there is a bispecific chimeric antigen receptor comprising a) a bispecific extracellular binding domain comprising both i) a BCMA-binding region and ii) a CSI-binding region; b) a single transmembrane domain; and, c) a single cytoplasmic region comprising a primary intracellular signaling domain.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to polypeptides comprising a signal peptide, an antigen-binding domain that specifically binds TGF-?, a peptide spacer, a transmembrane domain, and an endodomain. When expressed in a cell, the polypeptides are capable of not only neutralizing the TGF-? but also specifically triggering T-cell activation in the presence of TGF-?. T-cell activation spurs the immune cell to produce immunostimulatory cytokines and proliferate, thus turning TGF-? from an immunosuppressive signal to an activating stimulus.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising an isolated chimeric interleukin 6 receptor alpha (IL-6R?) binding protein or cells expressing an isolated chimeric IL-6R? binding protein. The isolated IL-6R? chimeric binding protein and cells expressing the protein may be used in methods of treating cancer and reducing the risk of cytokine release syndrome.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to polypeptides comprising a signal peptide, an antigen-binding domain that specifically binds TGF-?, a peptide spacer, a transmembrane domain, and an endodomain. When expressed in a cell, the polypeptides are capable of not only neutralizing the TGF-? but also specifically triggering T-cell activation in the presence of TGF-?. T-cell activation spurs the immune cell to produce immunostimulatory cytokines and proliferate, thus turning TGF-? from an immunosuppressive signal to an activating stimulus.

Abstract: An optical navigation module includes a light source, a light transmission window having a navigation surface, a first light shield configured for blocking the ambient light and absorbing the scattered light, a sensor configured for detecting light from the light transmission window and a second light shield located between the light source and the sensor and configured for blocking the direct light from the light source to the sensor. The light transmission window includes at least one refraction surface. The refraction surface is in the light path from the light source to the sensor.

Abstract: An optical navigation module for receiving control from an object disposed on an operation plane is provided. The optical navigation module includes a substrate defining a base plane that is perpendicular to the operation plane; a light source installed on the base plane of the substrate and configured to emit light to a side of the substrate; an optical structure installed at the side of the substrate; a light sensor installed on the base plane of the substrate; a light shield installed on the base plane of the substrate spatially separating the light source and the light sensor so that light emitted by the light source is not directly shed on the light sensor, the light shield having an aperture formed thereon; and a tactile switch for executing a command installed at a side of the light source that is opposite to the side facing the operation plane.

Abstract: An optical navigation module for receiving control from an object disposed on an operation plane is provided. The optical navigation module includes a substrate defining a base plane that is perpendicular to the operation plane; a light source installed on the base plane of the substrate and configured to emit light to a side of the substrate; an optical structure installed at the side of the substrate; a light sensor installed on the base plane of the substrate; a light shield installed on the base plane of the substrate spatially separating the light source and the light sensor so that light emitted by the light source is not directly shed on the light sensor, the light shield having an aperture formed thereon; and a tactile switch for executing a command installed at a side of the light source that is opposite to the side facing the operation plane.

Abstract: An optical navigation module for receiving control from an object is provided. The optical navigation module includes a module surface above which the object is disposed; a light source located under the module surface and configured to project a first cone of light to the object along a first optical axis through a first optical construction; and a light sensor located under the module surface and configured to detect a second cone of light that is resulted from the first cone of light being reflected by the object along a second optical axis through a second optical construction, and thereby to collect a spatial intensity profile of the reflected light. The intersection of the first optical axis and the second optical axis is below the module surface.

Abstract: An optical navigation module includes a light source, a light transmission window having a navigation surface, a first light shield configured for blocking the ambient light and absorbing the scattered light, a sensor configured for detecting light from the light transmission window and a second light shield located between the light source and the sensor and configured for blocking the direct light from the light source to the sensor. The light transmission window includes at least one refraction surface. The refraction surface is in the light path from the light source to the sensor.

Abstract: Alphabets consisting of letters (‘A’-‘Z’) minus ‘O’ and digits (‘0’-‘9’) are used to form a sequential code where all the codewords are unique. A sequential codeword is used to generate another unique pseudo-random codeword with larger code length using the Time Reversal Transformation (TRT). A TRT codeword is divided into a number of equal-sized sub-codewords which are used to authenticate a group of users to play Internet-based hand-held video games. A sub-codeword has the format that every two alphabets are followed by a digit to avoid the possibility of the occurrence of any obscene words.

Abstract: There is provided a recording and playback system and method thereof for musical instruments, in particular within a guitar. The system includes a device for recording and playback installed within a guitar and a memory data storage device for recording audio from the guitar, playback of audio, and transferring of audio to a computer system for playback and manipulation. A software program is used for converting the recorded audio file into a playable format for a computer system.