Abstract: In various embodiments functionalized graphene oxide(s) are provided that demonstrate improved antimicrobial activity, where the graphene oxide(s) are functionalized to increase carbon radical (·C) density.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed mouth-based biosensors and biofuel cells. In one aspect, an electrochemical sensor device for detecting analytes in saliva includes a substrate including an electrically insulative material, a first electrode disposed on the substrate at a first location, in which the first electrode includes a surface including a chemical agent (e.g., a catalyst or a reactant) corresponding to an analyte in saliva; and a second electrode disposed on the substrate at a second location separated from the first electrode by a spacing region, the first and second electrodes capable of sustaining a redox reaction involving the chemical agent and the analyte to produce an electrical signal, such that, when the device is present in the mouth of a user and electrically coupled to an electrical circuit, the device is operable to detect the analyte in the user's saliva.

Abstract: During operation of the system, a sample of the biological material is placed against a surface of a waveguide, which is comprised of a UV-transparent waveguide material. Then, the system launches UV light from a UV light source via side-illumination into an input end of the waveguide, wherein a launch angle for components of the UV light is greater than a critical angle between the waveguide material and air, so that the UV light propagates through the waveguide via total internal reflection to reach the sample. The launch angle is also less than a critical angle between the waveguide material and the sample, so that when the UV light reaches the sample, the UV light escapes the waveguide through refraction to illuminate the sample. Finally, an imaging mechanism located on an opposite side of the waveguide from the sample captures an image of the illuminated sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use for modulating bile acids, including phenylalanocholic acid, tyrosocholic acid and leucocholic acid, to treat diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. In embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that modulate levels of a bile acid conjugate in a subject. In embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that modulate levels of a bile acid conjugate in a particular organ or bodily region of the subject.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that non-invasively analyzes blood flow in a sample of living tissue. During operation, the system obtains light from a temporally coherent source, and splits the obtained light between a reference path and a sample path. Next, the system multiply scatters light from the sample path by passing the light through the sample. The system then recombines light from the reference path and the multiply scattered light from the sample path. Next, the system uses a sensor array to detect an interference pattern resulting from the recombination. Finally, the system analyzes signals from the sensor array to determine a blood flow in the sample.

Abstract: An esophageal deflection device includes an elongate outer tube that has a natural curved deflection at a position that corresponds to a targeted esophagus region for deflection. The outer diameter of the outer tube is substantially matched to an inner diameter of the esophagus to closely contact the esophagus wall, or is at least half of the inner diameter, or is smaller and includes suction ports for drawing the esophagus wall inward. An insertion rod or tube includes a portion that is stiffer than the curved deflection, and slides into the elongate outer tube to straighten the tube and can serve to guide the deflection device into an esophagus. Subsequent withdrawal of the insertion tube or rod will allow the curved deflection to return to its natural shape and deflect the targeted region of the esophagus.

Abstract: Neural Normalized MinSum (N-NMS) decoding for improving frame error rate (FER) performance on linear block codes over conventional normalized MinSum (NMS). Dynamic multiplicative weights are assigned to each check-to-variable message in each iteration to efficiently provide training parameters of N-NMS that support N-NMS for longer block lengths. Embodiment are described for neural two-dimensional normalized MinSum (N-2D-NMS) decoders requiring fewer training parameters. The N-2D-NMS approaches for example use the same weight for edges with the same check and/or variable node degree. Simulation results indicate that that this LDPC decoding performs similarly to previous techniques while substantially reducing the amount of training necessary.

Abstract: Vacuum infusion of plant extracts in live probiotic cells significantly enhances the viability of probiotics during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with the retention of their metabolic and antagonistic activities. In-vivo results validate the significantly enhanced persistence and mucoadhesion of probiotic cells with infused plant extracts.

Abstract: A geomimetic process of sulfate replacement by mineralized carbonate, either in situ or ex situ, is used for mineral carbon sequestration and critical element recovery.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that utilize Probability Amplitude Shaping (PAS) and Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) to transmit short block-length messages. While capacity-approaching codes, such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, Turbo codes, and Polar codes, can achieve data rates approaching the Shannon limit at large block-lengths, the performance of these codes can deteriorate dramatically at short block-lengths. Communication systems configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can utilize classical codes to encode short block-length messages to achieve communication rates exceeding Polyanskiy's Random Coding Union bound. In several embodiments, message bits are transmitted using a TCM system in which message bits that have been previously encoded by an error detection code are encoded using a convolutional code (CC). In a number of embodiments, the error detection code and the CC are obtained via a joint optimization with respect to a Frame Error Rate bound.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds able to induce neuroprotection of damaged neurons and boost the remyelination potential of oligodendrocytes. The compounds have been identified through methods of pharmacological screening of a small molecule library consisting of known pharmacologically active compounds and approved drugs. The screening method is also included in the invention.

Abstract: X-ray crystallography has defined conformational properties of a key functional region of the G protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Mimics of these epitopes have utility as immunogens, as tools for discovery of antibodies and other monoclonal binding agents, and as pharmacological agents to modulate activity of the host receptors for this viral protein.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing viscous fluids in a container through applied rotational and oscillation motions is provided. The apparatus has a sample carrier platform mounted to a shaft along a longitudinal axis with a first mechanism imparting oscillating motion to the shaft and a second mechanism imparting rotational motion to the shaft and carrier platform along the axis simultaneously or sequentially. Couplings to the shaft allow the shaft to freely rotate at the same time as it can be pushed or pulled along the longitudinal axis. Sequence, duration and frequency of oscillations and rotations are controlled with a programmable controller.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable device having a sensor configured to detect an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, strain, or a pressure; and an ultrasonic transducer with a length of about 5 mm or less in the longest dimension, configured to receive current modulated based on the analyte amount, the pH, the temperature, or the pressure detected by the sensor, and emit an ultrasonic backscatter based on the received current. The implantable device can be implanted in a subject, such as an animal or a plant. Also described herein are systems including one or more implantable devices and an interrogator comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the one or more implantable devices or receive ultrasonic backscatter from the one or more implantable devices. Also described are methods of detecting an amount of an analyte, a pH, a temperature, a strain, or a pressure.

Abstract: Hybrid materials are disclosed including molecular/protein crystals integrated with synthetic polymers. The disclosed materials combine the structural order and periodicity of crystals, the adaptiveness and tunable mechanical properties of polymeric networks, and the chemical versatility of protein building blocks. Some of the properties of the disclosed materials include the following: 1) allows crystals—which are typically rigid and brittle—to expand and contract reversibly; 2) incorporates polymers to increase the mechanical toughness of the crystals and allow self-healing; 3) reversibly expand/contract crystal lattices and mobilize the protein components therein may provide a new means to improve X-ray diffraction quality and explore otherwise inaccessible protein structural states using 3D protein crystallography; 4) creation of chemically and mechanically differentiated domains within single crystals.

Abstract: The present application concerns the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, such as Fragile X syndrome, by administering a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist.

Abstract: A mesoporous, nanocrystalline, metal oxide construct particularly suited for capacitive energy storage that has an architecture with short diffusion path lengths and large surface areas and a method for production are provided. Energy density is substantially increased without compromising the capacitive charge storage kinetics and electrode demonstrates long term cycling stability. Charge storage devices with electrodes using the construct can use three different charge storage mechanisms immersed in an electrolyte: (1) cations can be stored in a thin double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface (non-faradaic mechanism); (2) cations can interact with the bulk of an electroactive material which then undergoes a redox reaction or phase change, as in conventional batteries (faradaic mechanism); or (3) cations can electrochemically adsorb onto the surface of a material through charge transfer processes (faradaic mechanism).

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides methods and compositions for modifying target sites within nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the methods comprise using adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs), and variants thereof, to modify target sites within DNA-RNA hybrid molecules. In other aspects, ADAR2 variant polypeptides as well as fusion proteins comprising an ADAR catalytic domain and a hybrid nucleic acid binding domain are provided, as are methods for use thereof. Methods for preventing and treating genetic disorders are also provided herein.

Abstract: In certain embodiments an optimized derivative of the CCLc-?AS3-FB lentiviral vector termed (CCLc-mGata/ANK-CoreLCR-?AS3-FB), is provided which is capable of driving lineage-restricted expression of a beta-globin gene (e.g., an anti-sickling ?-globin like gene (?A83)). In certain embodiments the vectors described herein comprise novel defined LCR HS core sequences (HS2(˜420 bp), HS3?40 bp), HS4(˜410 bp)) which can be used to replace the putative LCR HS sequences present within the “mini-LCR” (˜3.6 kb reduced to ˜1.2 kb) to produce an “optimized mini-LCR”.

Abstract: A Cockcroft-Walton (CW) switching voltage converter is disclosed. This CW switching converter includes a set of capacitors; an inductor coupled between an input voltage source and the set of capacitors; a set of switches; and an N-phase control module coupled to the set of switches. In some embodiments, each switch is controlled by the N-phase control module which is configured to sequentially and periodically effectuate a set of N voltage-conversion phases in a sequence of switching cycles. Note that each switching cycle effectuates a voltage conversion through the set of N voltage-conversion phases, wherein N is the conversion ratio of the CW switching voltage converter. Moreover, the N-phase control module is configured to effectuate a phase transition from a current phase to a subsequent phase when a zero-current switching (ZCS) condition on a given switch is met.